OZONE DEPLETION

Burned, But Not Consumed

As with the rest of the judgments scattered through this Apocalypse, there is no credible reason to discount this one as merely symbolic. Knowledge of our surroundings, including our solar system, our galaxy, and the entire universe has increased tremendously within the past 106 years (as of 11/05/06). Our sun, not unlike the 300 billion other suns (called stars) in this galaxy alone is known to be a thermo-nuclear, pressure-cooking dynamo. This is true as well of the hundreds of billions on average found in the hundreds of billions of galaxies throughout the known universe. That is, our sun produces energy in its pressure packed core of roughly 230 thousand miles diameter under unimaginable pressure (340 billion times that of the earth’s 14psi, at sea level, to be exact!) by forcing a collision between deuterium and tritium atoms to produce an explosion that releases an even higher level of energy (these atoms are hydrogen derivatives or isotopes, having one proton but one and two neutrons respectively, as opposed to ordinary hydrogen, which has no neutrons.). This collision causes an explosion, followed by a release of energy in the form of dangerous and deadly gamma radiation (leaving the sun’s center supercharged at around 27 million degrees F). It has been suggested that the sun has been so constructed that it takes these gamma rays the equivalent of roughly two million years to migrate from the sun’s core, through its approximately 330 thousand miles of radiation and convection zones, to reach the surface of the sun (having been downgraded in strength along the way from gamma, to x-rays, to ultraviolet light), where it leaves on its 8 minute, 93,000,000 mile journey (at 186 thousand miles per second) to our earth, in the two energy forms we know as visible light and heat—each critical to life on earth.

Thankfully, the sun’s gamma radiation, as such, never reaches the earth. If it did, it would instantly destroy and vaporize the entire planet. Rather, having been substantially cooled, what began as extremely high frequency, exceedingly high energy, lethal gamma rays leave the sun’s outer surface as electromagnetic energy in at least three distinct frequency ranges. Visible light, that range of electromagnetic frequencies which allows us to see, and infrared energy (those frequencies just below those of visible light, which account for the heat we need to survive) comprising two of those ranges, ultraviolet radiation is the third.

Mark Of The Beast & RFID

People Control: The Need & The Means

The idea being espoused here relative to fire from the sky, the image of the beast and now his mark is one of people control. At this point, the beast and those under him will have survived two major conflicts/wars—one global—and many catastrophes, including severe food and crippling fuel shortages, only to face yet more prevailing deep depression and deprivation due to immense, unavoidable social, economic and political unrest. If he is to have any chance of success in bringing some semblance of order into this otherwise hopeless (and Hopeless!), chaotic situation, in addition to gaining their confidence and trust, the beast will realize that he must also affect some sort of a system of control over those under his domination. In addition to an easily implementable threat, and a central point of focus, common to the eyes of all, key to this system will be the need to spontaneously locate, identify, and track each and every man, woman and child living on the earth, during those days, as he simultaneously regulates and controls everything they need for sustenance. “Rationing” of everything—particularly food and fuel—will be critical to the survival of humanity, as with so many key men and women dead or missing, God will not allow time for a resurgence to pre-tribulation levels (His objective will be to “…shake the sugar tree…” as it were, until the very last fruit of the most stubborn of lost souls fall, then, close the curtain.). The aftermath of the Haitian and Chilean earthquakes of several years ago gave the world a glimpse of the kind of mob-mentality that will fuel hotspots of unrest that will in turn have to be located quickly, identified and managed into submission during these days of deep desperation. But how does he do that? An effective system of management of all that remains—including people—will be a matter of highest priority. Realizing the troubles the US phone companies faced not so many years ago inventing new numbers for a growing demand when the population was then well under 300 million, how will this beast supply numbers to a world population which may still stand at in excess of 2 to 4 billion souls—even after having suffered heavy, extraordinary losses due to both the rapture and death from many causes?

HUMANOID ROBOTS, PEOPLE CONTROL/TRACKING

Fire-breathing Skies:

The Beast and Space Lasers

An intelligent image of one called the “beast” that talks and is able to give life-changing instructions, issuing life-threatening edicts, while his “prime minister” backs him up by commanding fire from the skies; people-tracking systems that allow for precise monitoring of one’s every move, in any location, worldwide: sound far-fetched? For some living today, it might be mind-boggling to think that back of forty to fifty years ago—before Steve Jobs and Bill Gates; before micro-chips or transistors—either scenario would have been just that, farfetched. Neither was much more than the stuff of good science fiction. As of the early 20th century, even science fiction as we know it, had barely been born. No such things were even remotely realizable. Like most everything else we, particularly in America, so take for granted today, neither had the slightest basis in reality.

As with all things biblically prophetic, the prospect of ‘fire from the skies’ (other than lightning) must seem remote at best to most people today—even in America, the industrial capital of the world; land of all things new and innovative. It was a thought hopelessly inconceivable two thousand years ago, when the prophecy was first issued. Man, summoning fire from the heavens (!)? Yet, the Bible declares in no uncertain terms that he will, regardless of whether in the end, that feat is man-made, or, supernatural through the auspices of his hands. So, the question is, how might that deed be achieved?

John the Revelator’s vision aside, men, other than the Bible’s prophets, began to dream of the killing potential in fire from the skies about sixty plus years ago (as of approx. / /2010). Their hopes were supported and buoyed in part by the physics of an Einsteinian understanding of light. From start to the present, the base ingredient to making it all a reality, however, was termed an “elusive technology”. Like the thermo-baric weapons which make the killing potential in John’s vision of the kings of the east possible, and the thermo-nuclear technology which will make the downfall of America possible in under one hour, so likewise the sequence and series of technological advances necessary to make this a reality from man’s point of view has only recently begun to take shape. From humble beginnings in 1960 (at the Hughes Research Lab., in Malibu, CA), for years thereafter the stuff only of pipe dreams (showing no real “wartime” promise) battle-grade “fire”-producing weapons technology (such as John envisions) is no longer elusive. It is now both viable and quite deadly—as expected—and as such, a scorching reality.

DANIEL 7

Daniel’s Dream

Daniel is now an old man, having been in Babylonian captivity with his people for nearly 70 years. He came when he was a very young man, perhaps in his late teens, early twenties. Daniel has been a valued, and trustworthy servant of the Lord all those years, every step of the way. God has used him mightily before the arrogant, self-serving king Nebuchadnezzar, who affected the Babylonian deportation of the Jews, and is poised to do so now in the presence of the king’s co-regent, wicked son Belshazzar (in this, his first year on the job).

The dream that God has given this ancient prophet Daniel, is as troubling to him as it is far reaching. As prophecy, it is chiefly a portrayal of things to come. The scope of the vision stretches from the ‘then’ current kingdom, pass the three which will succeed it…Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome…across and beyond two thousand years, across our day to and through the Apocalypse, the beast, and Armageddon, right into the lap of the second coming of the Messiah, just before the one-thousand-year Rule. It is, one might say, the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ summed up and written in advance (by almost 2500 years), in this one chapter of Daniel. We may also conclude, furthermore, that it is perhaps the second in a series of pieces to the end times puzzle of how God intends to bring history and time as we know them to a close—a much younger contemporary and fellow captive named Ezekiel the priest/prophet providing the first, followed by an even younger Zachariah, who gives a highly charged and explosive view of life’s closing moments.

CHAPTER 22

A New Dawn In God’s Old Eternity

Heaven-on-Earth

The Pure River: Water of Life

Chapter 22, Verse 1 And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Continuing in his survey of the New Jerusalem, as led and conducted by the angel sent from God, John’s old eyes are drawn to a River of crystal-clear water, that flows directly from the Thrones of both God the Father and of God the Son. The Source of this water makes plain that this is not just any water, nor is it in any way commonplace. They are not ordinary, in any sense that we might think. Potable, though they may well be, in some sense of the word, they are not intended for drinking, or, for washing of the physical body, strictly speaking. Nothing will grow in these waters, yet, John says, they are the Waters of Life, inferring, given the circumstance, that they are critical to the acquisition of life eternal—for some. Thus, these waters are more than likely primarily symbolic of the eternal Presence of the Holy Spirit of God, by means of whom all saints will be given eternal life, on behalf of and in the interest of the Son (consider John 3:3, 5; 4:10, 14; 7:37-39). In this case, it appears that those for whom these waters are intended may be limited to those saints born again or saved during the tribulation (and, their multitudes of descendants born throughout the Millennium, Jews and Gentiles), certified righteous, justified but (like Adam before the fall, Genesis 3:22-24) not yet endowed with the permanent indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit—as will be the pre-tribulation saints.

The Tree of Life

Verse 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the Tree of Life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The next sight to catch John’s attention is the Tree of Life. It will be located in the middle of the main street of gold that runs through the City, as well as on either side of the River of Life. As it yields twelve types of fruit each month, its leaves will be for the healing of the nations (of all saints).

It is not altogether clear as to who is envisioned here in the term “nations”. As stated above, however, it does seem rational to assume that since the saints born before the Great Tribulation Period already have the righteousness of Christ permanently bestowed upon them (19:4-9), that by virtue of the Spirit of God actively resident within them, there would then be no reason why this scenario should be applicable to them. Thus, certainly they are excluded. On the other hand, of the Jews who survive the Tribulation period, this will not be true. Nor will it be true of those tribulation saints murdered for their faith and raised to newness of life, after that terrible time of hell on earth.

Side Bar

Bride Of Christ/Wife Of The Lamb

Sticks and Stones, with Streets of Gold?

Is it the Body of Christ (made up of all the saints, from all the ages), or is she the city, the New Jerusalem (a literal city in Heaven)? Young Mr. K. C. Price Jr. spent several Sundays developing his thesis and proclaiming his point. It seems that Mr. Price has some serious issues, axes to grind and bones to pick, with any and all who take the position such that the bride of Christ mentioned in the Lord’s Revelation to the apostle John might be in any wise the church, or Christians. According to him, the bride of the Christ/wife of the Lamb is the New Jerusalem. Is it? Really?! A stone cold, heartless, lifeless collection of Heaven-built buildings and streets paved with ‘see-through’ gold?! Is that actually what God has been waiting an eternity to cozy up to, and spend the next eternity in a relationship with?! Is it rational to think that He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross among men, to perpetuate such a thing? Does it seem rational in light of the costs (the drama and the trauma) associated with the Apocalypse? I should think not!

Metaphor: the use of words or phrases with reference to someone or something, never literally, as rather the intent is to draw a comparison; any use of figurative or symbolic language not intended to literally portray actual or real things; using or considering one to be representative of another (from the Encarta World English Dictionary).

It appears that, in doing his preparation for his sermon project, Mr. Price may have been less than thorough in his research. In his dissertation, he spent a colossal amount of time ranting and pounding out his thesis to the affect that a non-living “thing” is to be the Bride of Christ, not the saints (Jews and/or Gentiles). The text for his sermon was of course centered here in Revelation 21, with a botched effort to weed in corroborating evidences from elsewhere, including his own weak understanding. One of the first things he should have noticed is that the entire Book of the Revelation is heavily (although not altogether) metaphorical. Moreover, had he been the astute student of the scriptures he should have been, before entering the ministry (certainly after graduation from seminary, and, with a well-known preacher as his father/mentor), he would have not failed to realize that our God is a Master of metaphor. His word the Bible is replete with them from cover to cover. Thus, one of the first things of which this exuberant, neophyte preacher should have been fully apprised of (and contrary to his line of reasoning) is that the normal, usual usage and meaning of any given term does not necessarily depict or dictate, nor does it at all limit, confine or otherwise define God’s metaphorical intent or, usage of that term! Had He been using the term the way it was ordinarily intended, it would no longer have been a metaphor. Hence, to reiterate, as all serious students of Holy Writ are well aware (assuming you have walked with Him regularly, and/or systematically), God is well rehearsed, in which case He knows all about the use of metaphors. Therefore, when He chooses to express Himself through the use of figures of speech, one need not always look to Webster’s (or, Greek/Hebrew Lexicons), as much as to His own word (our only, and requisite window into the mind of God, aided by the guidance of His Holy Spirit), in order to ascertain the point the Lord wishes to convey.

The New Heaven And The New Earth

Chapter 21, Verse 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

In keeping with God’s promise to “…make all things new…” (21:5) and with Jesus’ promise that while His words would never depart, “…heaven and earth will pass away…” (Matthew 24:35), John stood watching, as a New Heaven and a New Earth were unveiled. The old earth and the old heaven in/under which we now live will have vanished, as foretold, at the Great White Throne Judgment, after all the sinners were resurrected and accounted for.

It was never intended that this world in which we live should continue forever. “You have laid the foundation of the earth formerly (in eternity past)”, the Psalmist writes, “and the heavens are also the work of Your Hands, yet, both of them will perish, while You endure; yes, each of them will grow old, like a garment; like a vessel, You will change them, and they will be changed…” (Ps. 102:25-27). “Look, observe and consider attentively!” Isaiah the prophet writes, quoting the Almighty, “I create new heavens, and a new earth; and the first will not be remembered—ever—never coming to mind again…the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will remain before Me, says the Lord…” (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). Furthermore, while the nature and structure of the present heaven and earth are such that they could continue virtually indefinitely (Psalm 78:69) “…the heaven will vanish like smoke, and the earth will grow old like clothing, while those who live in it will die in similar fashion…” (Isaiah 51:6). It should be noted and remembered that whatever the heaven’s and the earth’s capacity for aging, neither will be allowed to continue to reach its full potential in terms of age. The earth will be inhabited right up to the end of the Millennium, to the Great White Throne Judgment and the resurrection of the very last sinner, before it finally disappears, forever. In fact, truth is, our current heaven and earth will be in better shape than ever, at the end of the Millennium, when they are finally discarded at the coming of the Great White Throne Judgments.

Interestingly, while this is not to imply that there will be no water at all on the New Earth, necessarily, John could not but observe that there will be no sea upon the face of the New Earth (he may well have been awe struck at the sight!). That is—or so it appears, at least—this new terrestrial facility will not have a surface which is 75% covered—as is our world now—by water. On the other hand, given that the sea in OT thought was often symbolic of discontentment and restlessness among the masses of humanity, the absence of any sea no doubt is also emblematic of the absence of unrest, strife, division and dissatisfaction—in spite of all the different nationalities and cultures, and personalities endemic to both.

Verse 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The Second Resurrection

The Great White Throne: Sinners Judged

Verse 11 (see also chapter 21, verse 1) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

After the sentencing of the devil, John’s focus shifted, as his attention was then drawn to The Great White Throne, and to Him who sat upon it. It is here that the fourth and last judgment, following the fourth and final resurrection (that of sinners, the wicked, the Christ haters and rejecters) will take place. In God’s reckoning, only the resurrection to life eternal and the resurrection to eternal damnation matter, at the end of the day. Thus, by His count, there is only two: This is the second (the first included all the saints raised and raptured before the apocalypse begins and those raised at the end of the tribulation period.). At the appearance of the One seated upon that Throne, the heaven and the earth will flee, or vanish. Evidently, this act will be indicative of the austerity, and seriousness of the occasion at hand. It also signifies the, shall we say, eternality of the man being as a whole, a complete composite creature (of physical body, and invisible spirit/soul), as he will at this point not only not have, but he will no longer require, or be dependent upon the earth and its protective biosphere/ecosystem for sustenance. In addition, and in affirmation that righteous man’s next habitat will not be renovations of the old, we are told that the New Heaven and the New Earth will be characterized by the absence of any ocean—i.e., it will have no sea, or other large body of water (21:1).

The Dead And The Books

Verse 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Verse 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Then, John saw the fruit of what will be the last resurrection, as those who had remained dead for the one thousand years, will be brought back to life so as to stand before God. In this case, God (the One seated upon the Throne) is the Son. That is, He is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, per the will and fore plan of the Father. “…For the Father is going to judge no one, insofar as, He has delegated that authority to the Son… (John 5:22, 27)”, Jesus told an already bitterly angry, hostile crowd of Jews who wanted to kill Him, then and there. Standing on Mars’ hill, preaching to the pagans of Athens, Greece, Paul the apostle confirmed the Lord’s words by noting that whereas “…in the past, God ignored men’s ignorance concerning Himself, He now commands that all men everywhere should repent: this, because He has established and set aside a day in which the world will be judged righteously by that Man whom He has ordained; of Whom He has given assurance (of this fact) to men, inasmuch as, He has raised Him (Jesus Christ) from the dead…

The First Resurrection

Chapter 20, Verse 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Verse 4a And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:

After witnessing the binding and imprisonment of the enemy of our souls, John studied more of the scenes unfolding before him, whereupon, he saw two distinct groups of people, each distinguished from the other by a specific criterion: That is, whereas one group sat upon thrones and were granted the privilege and responsibility to judge, the other group was recognizable as victims who lost their lives at the hands of the beast, having been killed for their faith in Christ, on account of which faith they refused to worship the beast. Looking forward to the day of the group sitting upon the thrones, Paul, in his exasperation with the un-Christian like conduct of the saints among the Corinthians is known to have exclaimed: “…do you not know that saints will one day judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). Jesus promised the apostles that they would be seated upon twelve thrones, next to Him ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel, in His Kingdom. The churches (specifically, but not exclusively, Thyatira) were guaranteed “…power over the nations: and he will rule over them with a rod of iron, so that like a potter’s vessels, they will be broken to pieces, just as I will be permitted to do by God My Father” (2:26, 27). Moreover, in response to His salutation and opening remarks to the churches, at the beginning of the Apocalypse, John returned praise and adoration, acknowledging that “…all whom He (the Lord Jesus) loves, He has washed clean from all their (our) sins by His blood, and has made us to be kings and priests to God, who is also His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1:5, 6). This same theme is repeated by the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders when the Lamb, having been identified and singled out as the only One worthy, came and took the Scroll out of the hand of His Father, seated upon the throne, at which sight they fell down and worshipped before Him, each with a harp and bowls of incense (representing the prayers of all the saints), singing to Him a new song: “…You are worthy to take the Scroll and to open its seals; for, having been slain You have redeemed us by Your blood from all the nations and people and language groups all around the world; and, You have made us to be kings and priests, in which case we shall rule on the earth” (5:1-10).

For these reasons, then, we can safely conclude that those whom John saw seated upon the thrones ready to do judgment are, on the one hand, none other than the pre-Apocalypse saints, the ones who rode, or, will ride back to earth with Him into the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:4, 10, 14; it will be kind of difficult to attend a Heavenly banquet, etc., and come back with the Lord, if we are not and have not been there already, to begin with!).

Of God Almighty, The Son

At this juncture, another successful mission will have been accomplished; the fighting (in terms of actual battles between Creator and creatures) will have ceased, the birds (vultures and other scavengerous birds of prey) will have had their fill of whatever flesh will be left following the Lord’s Day of slaughter—while 1000 years of a mix of bliss and cold war linger in the wings.

Satan’s Incarceration

Chapter 20, Verse 1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Verse 2, And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Verse 3, And threw him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

To inaugurate the Millennial Reign, John watches as an angel descends from Heaven carrying a great chain and having in his hand the key to the abyss (the bottomless pit, from which the creatures called locusts, and the ‘beast’ will have ascended earlier in the Apocalypse). This angel proceeded to lay hold of the dragon (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7-9), also known variously as the serpent of old, the devil and as Satan, binding him with the chain in his hand. He will then take Satan, and throw him bound into the abyss, where he will remain for the duration of the Millennium (the 1000 Year period in which Christ will lead the world, on earth, from Jerusalem!). In this capacity, he will not be able to influence the nations anymore, at all, to any degree (rebel human souls a-plenty, notwithstanding!), until the one thousand years are ended. Also, in this capacity, the rebel nature of men over which the Christ and His saints will rule with “…rods of iron…” (19:15), cannot be blamed on him (no one will be able to say, “the devil made me do it!”). There will be no residual effects of his influence to contend with, as the incarceration will affect a sealed environment, creating a barrier of isolation, which will completely isolate man from the devil’s reach and leading (this means that his demonic forces will also be shut down; humanity’s natural rebel nature will be open and above board, albeit, constrained, absolutely unable to express itself in the least). Thus, the active Millennium rebellion will be purely man-centered—that is, it will be powered and sustained for one thousand years solely by the stubborn, unrepentant, unyielding spirit of man’s unaided will.

Why a Thousand Years?

But one may well be wondering, why the Millennium? What is the purpose? What is the point? Why must the devil be imprisoned for that long, and why must the Christ rule the world for precisely that amount of time? Both rebel man and rebel demon having been vanquished and subdued, why not just throw them all into hellfire and brimstone, and move from here on into a period of white clouds, harps and eternal bliss, leaving bygones, to be bygones?

In the absence of any “official” argument for the Millennium, one might consider the following: