<\/p>\n
You are invited to join us on the Chronological Bible in a Year journey in 2026!<\/strong>\u00a0 Click on this link for more details and to sign up!\u00a0Or, you may be interested in joining us on the Bible in a Year (OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs daily) journey in 2026 and can sign up at this link:\u00a0www.bibleinayearblog.com<\/span><\/p>\n Revelation 11:1-14:20<\/strong><\/span> Today in Revelation chapter 11 we read about the Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet bringing the third terror!\u00a0 The two witnesses in today\u2019s reading are modeled after Moses and Elijah.\u00a0 They may be representing two actual believers who will be martyred or they may be symbolic of all testifying believers in the final days.\u00a0 Below are two incredible pieces of artwork from Pat Marvenko Smith of the two witnesses prophesying and being taken up to heaven:<\/span><\/p>\n Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. In verse 11:7 we have the first mention of the beast in the book of Revelation \u2013 the enemy that comes from the bottomless pit and wages war in the hearts and lives of men and women.\u00a0 In verse 11:8 allowing dead bodies to lie out in the street is a major violation of decency.\u00a0 In verse 15 things begin to shift in big ways as we read: \u201cThen the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: \u201cThe whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Is the whole world now part of the kingdom of God?\u00a0 What are some examples of why or why not? <\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Revelation chapter 11 titled \u201cThe Temple, the Two Witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet\u201d<\/strong> is at this link.<\/span><\/p>\n In Revelation chapter 12 today we read about the Woman and the Dragon!\u00a0 The woman is representative of the believing Messianic community and the twelve stars represent Israel\u2019s twelve tribes.\u00a0 The red dragon is Satan.\u00a0 In verse 5 we read about Jesus: \u201cShe gave birth to a boy who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And the child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.\u201d<\/em> The \u201ccaught up\u201d part of this verse is representative of Jesus\u2019 ascension into heaven.\u00a0 Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith\u2019s \u201cThe Woman and the Dragon\u201d \u2013 <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> In verse 7 we read about Michael the Archangel, who we recently read about in the book of Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 when Daniel is prophesying about the end times: \u201c\u201dAt that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 In the remainder of the chapter we see a war in the spiritual realm, with Satan becoming alarmed that his time is short and increasingly angry at those who love God.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Verse 10 stood out to me in today\u2019s readings: \u201cThen I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, \u201cIt has happened at last\u2013the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 What a great proclamation!\u00a0 Are you looking forward to the salvation and power and kingdom of God?\u00a0 \u00a0And do you believe in the authority of Jesus Christ? <\/span><\/p>\n Below is an incredible image for verses 13 & 14: \u201cWhen the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.\u00a0 But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. And below is an incredible image for verses 15-17: \u201cThen the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon.\u00a0 And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children\u2014all who keep God\u2019s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Revelation chapter 12 titled \u201cThe Angelic Conflict\u201d<\/strong> is at this link and \u201cThis Means War!\u201d<\/strong> is at this link.<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Revelation Chapter 13 we read about the beast that comes out of the sea and the beast that comes out of the earth.\u00a0 This is a pretty intense chapter that ends in the infamous number of the beast, 666.\u00a0 \u00a0One thing I learned from reading <\/span>Tyndale\u2019s One Year Bible Companion book<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>today is that the 3 sixes could represent the unholy trinity of Satan \u2013 which is comprised of Satan, the first beast, and the false prophet coming up in Revelation chapter 13.\u00a0 Also, the number 666 was probably applied to the emperor Nero, whose Greek letters in his name represent numbers that total 666, by John\u2019s 1st century readers.\u00a0 The other way to look at this number is that each of the numbers fall short of the holy numbering of 777 \u2013 which represents complete perfection.\u00a0 Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith\u2019s take on \u201cThe Three Beasts and 666\u201d:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. In verse 1 we read: \u201cAnd written on each head were names that blasphemed God.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Back in the Roman empire many emperors assumed titles of deity and require worship of them, which would obviously be blasphemous to God.\u00a0 An example was the <\/span>emperor Domitian<\/span> (AD 51-96) required people to address him as Dominus et Deus, which means \u201cour lord and our god\u201d.\u00a0 Below is an ancient bust of Domitian:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Verses 13 \u2013 15 should be warning to us to not fall for false signs and wonders that do not come from God\u2026\u00a0 as we read about the beast from the earth \u2013\u00a0 \u201cHe did astounding miracles, such as making fire flash down to earth from heaven while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people of the world to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/span>The danger of these above verses can best be demonstrated by Deuteronomy chapter 13 verses 1 through 4 \u2013 \u201cIf a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, \u201cLet us follow other gods\u201d (gods you have not known) \u201cand let us worship them,\u201d\u00a0 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.\u00a0It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>How do these 2 sets of verses \u2013 from Revelation and Deuteronomy \u2013 speak to you?\u00a0 Are there possibly even false signs and wonders and false idols in our world today which draw our attention away from loving God with all of our heart and soul?\u00a0 Will you hold fast to God?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Revelation chapter 13 titled \u201cThe Beast and The False Prophet\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cHere Comes The Beast\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Today in Revelation chapter 14 we read about Jesus (the Lamb) and all believers (the 144,000) in the heavenly Jerusalem (Mount Zion).\u00a0 \u00a0I love verses 4 and 5 in this chapter: \u201cFor they are spiritually undefiled, pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. No falsehood can be charged against them; they are blameless.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Are these 2 verses attractive to you?\u00a0 Do you want to be like this someday in heaven?\u00a0 Spiritually undefiled?\u00a0 Pure?\u00a0 Following Jesus wherever he goes?\u00a0 Blameless?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n We then read about the Three Angels and In verse 8 we read: \u201cThen another angel followed him through the skies, shouting,<\/em> \u201cBabylon is fallen\u2013that great city is fallen\u2013because she seduced the nations of the world and made them drink the wine of her passionate immorality.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Babylon, as we know from our recent readings in the Old Testament, such as Daniel, was in ancient Mesopotamia and the commercial, political, and religious center of a world empire led by Nebuchadnezzar.\u00a0 Some commentators believe that John is writing about Rome here when he says Babylon \u2013 and that John uses the term Babylon because it would be too dangerous for him to say Rome.\u00a0 Some others believe this reference to Babylon refers to the time of the antichrist in the end days, and represents the corrupt political and religious systems of the world in the end times.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Verse 12 is likely referring to the end times, but it does make me think about the persecuted Christians in our world today \u2013 \u201cLet this encourage God\u2019s holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 There are thousands, if not millions, of Christians in our world today who suffer for their belief in Christ.\u00a0 They are persecuted.\u00a0 Today.\u00a0 \u00a0How can we encourage these holy people of God who are enduring persecution today?\u00a0 Prayer is certainly one thing we can do, as a starter.\u00a0 Have you heard of the International Day of the Persecuted Church?\u00a0 <\/span>Please visit their website by clicking on this link \u2013 and then click on the links on their home page to check out some great ministries that are serving the needs of the Persecuted Church<\/span>.\u00a0 Thank you for considering praying and getting involved in the Persecuted Church.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Revelation chapter 14 titled \u201cSpecial Announcements\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span> and \u201cThe Grim Reaper and the Grapes of Wrath\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n YouTube \u2013 <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings in Revelation 11:15 reminded me of Handel\u2019s Messiah \u201cHallelujah Chorus:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span>
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n
To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n
To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n
To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n
To order prints visit her \u201c<\/span>Revelation Illustrated<\/span>\u201d site.<\/span><\/p>\n