As Moses sang in triumph after Israel’s Egyptian enemies had been swallowed by the Red Sea, followers of Christ from the tribulation will sing at the prospect of Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet being overwhelmed with judgment.

This song will be even more glorious than that of Moses, though, because the judgment will be carried out by the Lamb of God. Jesus was active in Moses’s day, following Israel through the wilderness. But he was not yet openly identified as the incarnate Messiah and Redeemer, as he is here in Revelation 15. The worship song celebrates God’s awe-inspiring … works, which are never unfair, but just.

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. 2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
​​“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
​​Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
​4 ​Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
​​For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
​​for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
5 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, 6 and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. 7 And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, 8 and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.” Revelation 15:1–8 (ESV)

Dr. Harold Wilmington writes, “As seven angels prepare to pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath, a great choir composed of victors over the Antichrist will sing the song of Moses, commemorating God’s bringing his people out of Egypt, and the song of the Lamb, celebrating his bringing them into his millennial Kingdom—the first and last songs in Scripture. Then, heaven’s Temple will be opened, and the seven angels will prepare for judgment as God’s glory fills the Temple.”

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “In all likelihood, this is a body of water that is utterly smooth. The calmness, however, does not indicate serenity, for the sea is mixed with fire, an indication that the calm is merely a dramatic pause before a display of God’s burning wrath. Standing on the sea are believers who presumably have been martyred because they are in heaven rather than on earth.”

The temple’s filling with smoke hearkens back to two Old Testament scenes. The first occurred in 1 Kings 8:10–11, in which Solomon dedicated the temple and God’s presence was manifested as a cloud that filled the building.

The second scene occurred in Isaiah 6:4. In both instances, the cloud/smoke signified God’s manifest presence. That’s the point of the smoke in Revelation as well. God wants all to recognize him as the source of the fierce judgments to ensue.

The two specific reasons for which God is worshiped are His character and His works. What is the most worshipful moment you have ever experienced? Why? Do you ever remind yourself of this moment when you meet with the Lord? Are you compelled to breakout in song?
​
Despite the mass chaos and struggle in this phase of the tribulation period, know that many will continue to worship in song and praise before the final judgment when Christ returns.

Even while judgment and persecution are being poured out on the earth, widespread evangelism will be occurring. Who are you are praying for, caring for, and sharing the Gospel with today?
​
In Revelation 14, John, who was stuck on the island of Patmos, meaning “rock,” used agricultural images to remind us that this time in the tribulation period was ripe for judgment. In this chapter, Warren Wiersbe unpacks the chapter by pointing out the firstfruits, the wine, and the reaping.

“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.” Revelation 14:1–5 (ESV)

Wiersbe says, “God takes the best for Himself before the harvest begins. We met the 144,000 in chapter 7, God’s sealed servants who come through the Tribulation and sing the praises of the Lamb. The description in here should be taken in a spiritual sense: they did not commit fornication by worshiping the Beast or his image.”

“lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice,” Exod. 34:15 (ESV)
“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes in His Study Bible, “These 144,000 are Jewish evangelists, whose job is to announce the gospel worldwide during the tribulation to lead many more to faith in Christ. They will prepare the way for the return of Jesus. The name on their foreheads contrasts with the mark placed on nonbelievers by the false prophet... As Jesus is the “firstfruits” of the resurrection (see 1 Cor 15:23), the 144,000 Jewish evangelists are the firstfruits of those to be saved during the tribulation. There will be a multitude saved at that time, but these are presented to God the Father and God the Son as the initial harvest redeemed from humanity.”

“But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” 1 Corinthians 15:23–28 (ESV)

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” 8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:6–13 (ESV)

The “cup of wrath” is an image borrowed from Jeremiah 25:15.

“Thus the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 16 They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them.” Jeremiah 25:15 (ESV)

God pours out His wrath on those who follow the Beast and reject God’s truth.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13 (ESV)

Although this verse may be applied to all believers who die, it will have a special meaning to the martyrs of that evil day.

The worship of God as Maker of heaven and earth marks a stark contrast with the false worship of Satan and the antichrist.

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.” Revelation 14:14–20 (ESV)

Here, God is allowing the seeds of sin to grow and produce a harvest. One day, the world will reap what it has sown. John also uses the grape harvest to illustrate the coming judgment. The “vine of the earth” is ripening, and one day God will apply the sickle. Meanwhile, the branches in the True Vine should be bearing more and more fruit.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:1–8 (ESV)

The sickle here is an instrument to inflict judgment and death on those who reject God. It is mentioned six times in five verses to underscore the impending doom for those who reject him during the tribulation. In general, a sickle is a tool used to harvest crops.

The angel’s declaration that the harvest has ripened is a reminder that God does not pour out his wrath on people at the first hint of their sinful rebellion, though that would be entirely justified. Instead, he provides extended opportunity for repentance and strikes with the sickle of judgment when rebellion has matured into an unmistakable pattern.

Dr. Evans writes, “When God brings final judgment against the nations who attack him at Armageddon in chapter 16, the bloodletting will be so severe that blood will splatter up to the level of a horse’s bridle for approximately 180 miles.”

Are you bearing fruit today? Are you frequently sharing the Gospel with those around you? Are you looking for opportunities to share the hope and future with those who do not know the promise and security in Christ alone?

Today, invest in someone in your circle of influence by starting a Gospel conversation. Encourage them in the hope that we possess in the birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ who is God. Who is God laying on your heart right now... who is the Holy Spirit reminding you that needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of your future?

“Even if someone can call down flames and raise the dead, he is an instrument of Satan if he does not also point people to Jesus.” Dr. Tony Evans

The beast from the sea in Revelation 13 is Satan’s final and greatest masterpiece—Antichrist, who towers above all the tyrants and dictators of world history. This man accepts the offer that Satan gave to Jesus.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” Matthew 4:8–10

Warren Wiersbe write that Revelation 13 is divided by the worship, the warfare, and the wealth. The world worships the Antichrist as a god, but heaven sees him as a beast described in Daniel 7. The counterfeit Christ is now on the scene!

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. Revelation 13:1–10 (ESV)

The Beast fights God by speaking blasphemous words and by persecuting the saints. It may seem strange that God should permit His people to be defeated, yet this is part of His plan.

“Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” Heb. 11:35–40 (ESV)

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Revelation 13:11-17 ESV

In every age, God’s people have had to battle some satanic beast.

“Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. “Revelation 13:16-18 ESV

Warren Wiersbe continues, “The Beast’s “prime minister” leads the world to worship the Beast by controlling all the wealth. It was a matter of life or death! When you combine political power with economic power and all religion, you have a formula for controlling the whole world. But the lost world worships money and power, so the task will not be too difficult.”

Dr. Tony Even ends his conversation on this chapter by stating that “such a mark may take the form of a chip embedded under the skin. The mark will contain the number of the antichrist, which is 666. Six is the number of man; it contrasts with seven, which is the number of God. The numeral six is repeated three times, once each for Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet.”

One of the biggest questions raised in connection with chapter 13 is whether the first or second beast is the Antichrist. Basically, the argument for the first being the Antichrist is that he insists on being worshiped as God. Those who hold that the second beast is the Antichrist point out that no Jew would ever accept a Gentile as Messiah, and that since the second beast is a Jew, He must therefore be the false messiah.

Know today that the centralized, governmental control of trade is the economics of the antichrist.

​“I’m not afraid of the devil. The devil can handle me—he’s got judo I never heard of. But he can’t handle the One to whom I’m joined; he can’t handle the One to whom I’m united; he can’t handle the One whose nature dwells in my nature.” A. W. Tozer

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. ” Revelation 12:1–6 (ESV)

In view of Revelation 12, we see the signs and discover the Child is Jesus Christ, and the woman represents Israel who brought the Savior into the world. The dragon is Satan who tried to keep Jesus from being born and attempted to kill Him after He was born. Satan wants to rule this world, and he will not submit to the King.

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “The twelve stars represent the twelve tribes of Israel, and the woman is Israel. Her pregnancy symbolizes the fact that Jesus the Messiah came through Israel. At his first coming, Jesus was born of a Jewish woman. His second coming must again originate with that people. The purpose of the tribulation is for Israel to give birth, so to speak, to the Messiah once again. In other words, Jesus cannot return until Israel receives him. Most of the Jewish people currently reject him. Yet through the labor of the tribulation, overwhelming numbers of Jews will receive Christ.”

He continues, “This dragon is the devil. The sweeping away [of] a third of the stars depicts Satan’s control over a third of the angels, who rebelled against God and help carry out Satan’s evil schemes.”

During the tribulation, Satan will seek to destroy Israel and devour her child. That is, he wants to preclude the possibility that Christ will return to the world through Israel. Obviously, he uses deception, doubt and the desire for power, and destructive tendencies to devour and destroy. He employed a similar strategy at Jesus’s first coming, with King Herod’s attempt to kill the Christ child.

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:7–9 (ESV)

This is a picture of the fall of Satan. Isaiah puts it this way in chapter 14.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; ​14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:12–14 (ESV)

Satan was able to deceive one-third of the angels into following him, and now he deceives the world into worshiping him.

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” Revelation 12:10–12 (ESV)

Satan has access to God’s throne where he accuses God’s people. Satan is to be an accuser of believers to rob them of their joy, power, and fellowship with God. The Lamb overcomes him because of His victory at Calvary and because of the power of the Word.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:31–34 (ESV)

“...and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

“And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.” Revelation 12:13–17 (ESV)

The war may be over in heaven, but it’s getting more intense here on earth. Satan is angry and seeks to destroy the Jews and make war with anyone who trusts the Lord.

However, take heart, as God is able to shelter His people in spite of Satan’s attacks. But be sure you wear the armor of God and understand you are a victorious warrior. Trust in the blood of Jesus Christ!
​
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:10–18 (ESV)

​“No doctrine in the whole Word of God has more excited the hatred of mankind than the truth of the absolute sovereignty of God. The fact that ‘the Lord reigneth’ is indisputable, and it is this fact that arouses the utmost opposition in the unrenewed human heart.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” Revelation 11:1–2 (ESV)
​
Warren Wiersbe writes, “To measure something is to claim it for yourself, as when the new owner of a house measures it for carpets, drapes, and so forth. John claims the temple in Jerusalem for the Lord even though in a short time the Antichrist will take it over “

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thess. 2:3–4 (ESV)

God may seem to lose some battles, but He will finally win the war. For we walk by faith.

“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb,” Revelation 11:3–9 (ESV)

We do not know who the two witnesses are, but they encourage us to be faithful to the Lord in difficult times. God protects them and then permits them to be slain.

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. Acts 12:1–10 (ESV)

Wiersbe continues, “God’s servants are immortal until their work is done. But Satan’s victory is short, for God takes the two men to heaven. Satan’s victory is defeat, but God’s seeming defeat is victory.”

“...and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come. 15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 ​The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” 19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. Revelation 11:10–19 (ESV)

Harold Wilmington writes, “The seventh trumpet then sounded, announcing that Christ will soon return to begin his glorious reign on earth. Many will rejoice at the coming of the Kingdom, but the wicked will be angry, provoking God’s final judgment... As eternity begins, the Temple will no longer be needed, for God will at last be dwelling with his people.”

No matter what the enemy may do to the temple on earth, he cannot touch the temple in heaven. The rejoicing of evil men soon becomes lament, while the hosts of heaven proclaim the sovereign reign of Jesus Christ.

Have you trusted in the Sovereignty of God by placing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Will you choose to trust Him with your life and your future?

Let the nations rage: Jesus Christ will reign forever and ever!

“If you conscientiously undertake to walk in the truth revealed, you too will know something of its bitterness. . . . We need the bitter as well as the sweet; and every soul who has walked in the truth, as God has revealed it to him, has found, at last, the blessedness of obedience.” H. A. Ironside

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” Revelation 10:1–4 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe writes, “We do not know what the angel shouted or what the seven thunders uttered. God has given sufficient truth in His Word for salvation and godly living, so we must not crave to know the hidden things (Deut. 29:29). The purpose of Scripture is to save sinners and sanctify character, not satisfy curiosity.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

“And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:5–7 (ESV)

The angel said, “There will be delay no longer!” What joy this statement will bring to the martyrs (and others) who ask, “How long?” God has His times and will accomplish His purposes on schedule. Our responsibility is to be faithful and not just curious.

“So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6–8 (ESV)

“Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” Revelation 10:8–11 (ESV)

In this passage, God still needed John to declare His message to the people. No angel could take his place. But to share God’s message, we must take the Word, receive it inwardly like food, and let it become part of us.

“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)

How is the Word of God impacting your life today? Are you consistently seeking God through His Word? Are you living out God’s Word before others and sharing it with those in your circle of influence? If not, why not?

The Word is sweet when you read it, but bitter when it goes deeper and you digest it.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

​The world must make a choice: life or death. As a believer, are you offering them the gift of life in Jesus Christ? Are you sharing the reason for your hope?
​
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19–20 (ESV)”

In describing the torment and destruction on Revelation 9, Dr. Tony Evans writes in His study Bible, “The star is not an inanimate object but has a personal identity, for John says a key was given to him. Specifically, the star represents Satan. In Isaiah 14:12, the prophet says the “shining morning star” had “fallen from the heavens.” The subsequent description of that star in Isaiah 14:12–14 has led many Bible interpreters to conclude that the passage is describing Satan, in addition to its reference to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. In other words, Isaiah spoke of Satan’s original fall into rebellion and applied it to Babylon’s prideful king... Just as a key grants access to a jail, this key grants Satan access to the shaft to the abyss. The abyss is the abode of demons. During the tribulation, Satan will be granted authority to unlock it. A principle illustrated in this verse is that Satan only has as much authority as God grants him. Nowhere in Scripture is that principle more prominently displayed than in Job 1:12 and 2:6, in which Satan cannot harm Job without God’s permission. But what the devil intends for evil, God intends for good.”

“And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. 6 And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. 7 In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, 8 their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; 9 they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. 10 They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. 12 The first woe has passed; behold, two woes are still to come.” Revelation 9:1–12 (ESV)

This passage marks a departure from the activity of normal locusts, which eat grass, plants, and trees. But as indicated by their origin in the abode of demons, these “locusts” are demonic. The seal represents God’s divine protection of believers. These demons will have to leave followers of Jesus alone. Unbelievers will be forced to live through a period of prolonged demonic suffering intended for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior.

This description emphasizes the ferociousness of the locusts and their intimidating looks. In the Old Testament, locusts were instruments of judgment, as in the eighth plague God brought upon the Egyptians. The placement of something like golden crowns … on their heads signifies authority—in this case, authority from hell.

Dr. Evans writes, “The angel of the abyss, the Hebrew name Abaddon, and the Greek name Apollyon are references to Satan. He is directing the entire locust attack.”

“Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number. 17 And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions’ heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound. 20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, 21 nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” Revelation 9:13–21 (ESV)

The deaths noted here, combined with the fourth of the earth killed in 6:8, bring the death total during the first three and a half years of the tribulation to more than half of the world’s population.

“Dr. Tony Evans also writes, “This is a picture of utterly hardened hearts. Already, technology could allow every human on the planet to witness these catastrophic judgments; and as 6:16–17 explained, all will know that God is the source of them. Yet most men and women won’t repent. The anti-God movement in America today is a harbinger of this tragic reality.”

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Romans 1:21–25 (ESV)

Those consequences come in the form of passive wrath during the church age, in which God’s hand of restraint and protection are removed. But during the tribulation period, His wrath will be active.

Warren Wiersbe writes in His Word Commentary, “The world will not come to the altar for forgiveness, so the altar sends forth judgment. Heaven and earth are struck as the trumpets sound, and the bottomless pit belches out demonic creatures to torment mankind. Rather than repent, people will try to commit suicide; but they will not be able to die. They will continue in their sins: occult practices, murder, immorality, and thievery, all of which sound very contemporary.”

At the right time, and torment will be replaced by death. Men want to die, so God will send His servants to do the job. One-third of mankind will be killed, which means that half of the world’s population is now dead!

Dr. Harold Wilmington writes in His Bible Handbook, “If the unbelievers of Tribulation times seem callous and unrepentant, one need only remember other historic examples of unbelief:
•​the pre-Flood people, all but eight of whom were destroyed (see 1 Pet. 3:20)
•​Sodom, where not even 10 were righteous (see Gen. 18:32)
•​the Exodus Israelites, all but two of whom died for unbelief (see Num. 14:29–30)
•​the Canaanites, destroyed for their sin (see Deut. 9:4)
•​Israel, destroyed for disobedience (see 2 Kings 17:7–23; 2 Chron. 36:14–16)
•​the Jewish majority that rejected Christ (see Acts 7:51–53)
Note the similarities of John’s and Isaiah’s contemptuous descriptions of idol worship. (Isa. 44:6–28). It has been estimated that the army of 200 million would, in human terms, occupy an area of 100 square miles. The Euphrates River valley, land of Babylon, is where evil began on earth (Gen. 3), where false religion began (Gen. 4:3; 11:1–9), and where false religion will meet its end."

This is one of the most terrifying chapters in scripture. Obviously, this torment and gruesome death does not apply to those in relationship with Jesus, the Son of God.

Are you in a relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you repented of your sin and chosen to follow the One who was born to bear the sin of the world? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross of calvary to pay for your sin debt? Do you believe that His rose from the tomb by the power of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that He ascended to Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father?

Will you, if you haven’t already, accept His salvation by faithfully trusting in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Will you surrender to follow Him by faith, as He is merciful, gracious, and longsuffering up to this point?
​
Today, reach out to those around you to help them understand the severity of their consequences; but even more the love of God who is long-suffering.

When the seventh seal was opened, there was silence for a half hour. An angel then offered incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s people, and seven angels prepared to blow their trumpets, announcing further judgments. The judgment of the seventh seal encompasses those of the seven trumpets and seven bowls that follow, which depict a whole new round of judgments on the earth from an all powerful God.
​
The 30-minute pause, where all things are still and silent, allows for repentance before God unleashes the next round of judgment, beginning with fire. This provision underscores God’s mercy and grace, but its brevity highlights the need to repent quickly as opportunity remains.
These prayers, being offered as incense from the bowl by the Elders around the Throne, are the petitions of martyrs from the tribulation who cried out previously for divine vengeance and justice and were told to wait. This rising incense of prayers suggests a pleasant experience for God, as He desires to receive the prayers of His people.

“Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.” Zephaniah 1:7

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:1–5 (ESV)

The silence in heaven is the lull before the storm. Even the heavenly hosts stop their worship as they contemplate the awesome judgments about to fall. But those judgments are the answer to the saints’ prayers, “Thy kingdom come!” Do not stop praying!

“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. 7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.” Revelation 8:6–7 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Hail and fire, mixed with blood depicts a firestorm that dwarfs even the most gigantic contemporary wildfires. While wildfires in the western United States, for example, burn tens of thousands of acres, this firestorm will affect a third of the planet.”

“The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. 12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. 13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” Revelation 8:8–13 (ESV)

The eagle’s warning in verse 13 suggests the remaining judgments will be harsh. That is because they are intended to purify and reclaim the earth. It also underscores the graciousness of God in offering an opportunity for humanity to repent before judgment falls.

Men have wanted to die, so God will send His servants to do the job. One-third of mankind will be killed, which means that half of the world’s population is now dead! The world must make a choice: life or death. Are you offering them the gift of life in Jesus Christ?

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19–20 (ESV)

Is this passage a reminder to you of the power of the God of all creation and of the universe? Does it remind you of the importance of repentance? Does it remind you of His great love and second chance?

How will you worship Him today?

The ones in Christ need not fear but be quick to share salvation and eternal hope found only in Christ Jesus.

When the storm starts to get worse, John sees two groups of people and takes courage. Why? Because he realizes that God is at work even in the midst of tribulation.

The 144,000 individuals in Revelation 7 are Jewish evangelists who will be God’s witnesses during the tribulation. A reliance on the witness of Jewish evangelists is in keeping with Isaiah 49:6, in which Isaiah prophesied the Jews would become “a light for the nations” so that people “to the ends of the earth” might be saved.

According to Dr. Tony Evans, “That promise remains largely unfulfilled during the church age because most Jews have rejected Jesus’s claim to be the Messiah and have failed to become the light of the world.”

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 5 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 6 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 7 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,8 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.” Revelation 7:1–8 (ESV)

In these beginning verses of chapter 7, God has His servants who will proclaim His message and honor His name. We are not specifically told what these sealed Jews will do, but we assume they will point people to Jesus. Like most difficult times, these times of tribulation give opportunities for witness.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 (ESV)

Apparently the 144,000 Jews will be sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation; and at the end, a great multitude of saved Gentiles will be seen.

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:9–17 (ESV)

The day of the Lord will bring judgment and destruction, and it will also result in the saving of people. In wrath, God remembers mercy. When you experience trials, ask God to use you to win others to the Savior even in the midst of troubles.

Today, know that trials do not last forever. One day, you will come out of tribulation and experience the gracious comforts of God. Wait and be faithful, and He will see you through the most difficult of times. Pray and be faithful to His Word.

What is it that God is asking you to do to be prepared for the end times? How is your prayer life? Are you discipling and being discipled? Who was the last person in which you shared the Gospel? Will you be faithful despite the difficulties of today and tomorrow?

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah speaks of the great tribulation in stark terms: “How awful that day will be! There will be no other like it! It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7). The encouraging news, then, is that many people will be saved during this period; however, those still in rebellion against God will experience heightened judgment.

“Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” Revelation 6:1–2 (ESV)

The world ruler (Antichrist) begins his conquest of the nations by peacefully taking control. He has a weapon but no ammunition; and men are saying, “Peace and safety!” Satan usually declares peace before he declares war, so beware his offers.

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1–3 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “The rider on a white horse is referenced elsewhere as the antichrist who will rise to power following the rapture and bring order out of chaos. This person will claim victory—represented by his white mount and crown—and gain world power. Notably, there is no mention of an arrow with his bow, indicating the bloodless nature of his coup. The ensuing sense of peace throughout the world, however, will prove false.”

“When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. 5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” 7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:3–8 (ESV)

Soon the world is at war, and suffering results from famine and plagues and cosmic disturbances.

Dr. Evans goes on, “The fiery red horse represents chaos. Like Adolf Hitler before him, the antichrist is going to transition from pretending to be peaceful to wielding a large sword, representative of his capacity to slay people. The parallel to Hitler is instructive because the German chancellor rose to power amid the turbulence of the Great Depression by building consensus and support before his administration devolved into violence and dictatorship.”

Jesus said these things would happen.

“And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:4–14 (ESV)

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” Revelation 6:9–11 (ESV)

Warren Weirsbe writes, “These people were slaughtered for their faith during the tribulation by the antichrist. Obviously, then, people will come to faith in Jesus following the rapture because all believers of the church age will have been removed from earth.”

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12–17 (ESV)

The martyrs are seen “under the altar” because that is where the blood was placed. Death for Jesus’ sake is not waste; it is sacrifice and worship. They pray not for personal vengeance but for God’s glorification and vindication.

Today, know that when it appears that God is not working as you think He should, be patient and let Him do His will in His time. Keep looking unto the Author and the Finisher of our faith... Jesus... the King of kings and the Lord of lords.