09-16-2020 – Revelation – When It Was Written

In Bible Classes Videos, Revelation by Aaron Cozort

  1. What chapter in Daniel corresponds to Revelation 17? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  2. What Four Beasts Does Daniel see in Daniel 7?  Daniel 7:4-7 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  3. What was on the top of the heads of the fourth beast?  Daniel 7:7-8  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  4. What was the beast accused of doing? Daniel 7:11 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  5. What did the horn do? Daniel 7:21-24 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  6. What is the description of the animal ridden by the woman? Revelation 17:3 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  7. What is the state of the Beast when John was writing? Revelation 17:8 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  8. The Beast would appear to do what?  Revelation 17:8 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  9. How many kings had fallen? Revelation 7:10
    ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  10. “And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the __________, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.” Revelation 7:11
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Automated Transcript

<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> okay.<inaudible> okay.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> okay. It is time for us to get started. We have reached our normal three minutes late, so we can actually start now. So in chapter six of revelation, we read about the opening of what, in chapter six, how many of the seals get opened in chapter six,

six of them do the sixth seal gets opened, and then there’s a break. There’s an interlude, because a question is asked at the end of chapter six, and what is the question who shall be able to stand? And the question is asked because it is stated that the day of the wrath of the one who’s on the throne and of the lamb is about to come.

And that day who Shall be able to stamp. So chapter seven is an interlude that answers that question we noticed on Sunday, the discussion of who is the 144,000 a, is it a literal hundred and 44,000? We discussed the fact that it’s not, is it, uh, uh, w where, where were they from? They were from the earth.

Uh, we, we noticed a number of those things. So we’re going to cover the latter part of chapter seven tonight, and then, because I don’t want to get into chapter eight yet. And I told you, at some point, we were going to jump back and answer the question. When was the book of revelation written? Um, and I,

I think I also told you that I don’t agree with most people as far as when it was written, but what I’m going to give you tonight are some reasons why I believe it’s written when I think it’s written and we’ll take the latter portion of our class to do that. So we’ll finish up chapter seven and we’ll do that, which will set the stage for chapter eight.

There are some things that get started in chapter eight, that you need to get an idea of the timeline of the book before you get into them. Uh, so we’re going to go ahead and get that out of the way. So let’s begin with a word of prayer, and then we’ll get into our study tonight, our gracious father in heaven, we bow before your throne grateful for the day that you’ve given to us grateful for the life that you have granted us and the opportunities that we have to serve you on a daily basis.

We pray for those who are at home. We pray for those who are ill. We pray for those who are injured or struggling in some way. We pray, especially for those who are struggling spiritually, that they might see the things that they need to change, that they might overcome the difficulties, the temptations, and the sin in their lives. They might live right,

and, and godly before you, we pray that you be with our nation, may it’s leaders make right choices. May they do those things, which are beneficial and in accordance with your will. And may we always strive daily to teach the gospel, to promote the kingdom and to serve you in a way that is acceptable in your sight. We know we sin and fall short of your glory,

and we pray that as we see those things and repent of those things, that you will forgive us of those times, when we fall short of what you would have us to do all this, we pray in Jesus name, amen. Chapter seven, verse nine reads. After these things, I looked and behold a great multitude, which no one could number of all nations tribes and tongues standing before the throne.

And before the lamb clothed with white robes, with Palm branches in their hand, and crying out with a loud voice, saying salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the lamb. Now we talked about the connection between chapter seven and chapter 14. So jump on over to chapter 14. We talked about that on Sunday, and let’s notice a few things.

Chapter 14, verse one, then I looked and behold the lamb standing on Mount Zion and with him 144,000, having his father’s name written on their foreheads. Now, who did we see in chapter three? Jesus said you will have the name of God written on your forehead. Who did he say that to chapter three? I don’t need the specific church.

Just who to, who did he say it to in general Christians. Okay. Jesus said, you’re going to have the name of the father and of the new Jerusalem out of the lamb written on your forehead. Well, now here, you have 144,000 and they’re there with the lamb and they have what on their forehead, the name of the father, this identifies who this is.

These are Christians, but notice what we read, having his father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters and the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpist playing their harps. They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders.

And no one could learn that song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the earth. Here are redeemed ones. They were purchased. They were bought back. What were they bought back with the blood of Christ. Okay. So these are the ones who were not defiled with women for, they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the lamb, wherever he goes.

These were redeemed from among men being first fruits to God and to the lamb and in their mouth was found no deceit for, they are without fault before the throne of God. Okay? So you’ve got this description of them. You’ve got this picture of them. Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation,

tribe, tongue, and people saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give him glory for the hour of his judgment has come and worship him who made heaven and earth, the and Springs of water. And another angel followed saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she was made on because she has made all nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Then another angel followed with a loud voice. If anyone worships the beast or end his image receives his Mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the RAF, which is poured out full strength into the cup of indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy angels and in the presence of the lamb.

So we read about this. We see this happening. We read about the 144,000 in chapter 14 and in chapter seven, but they’re being told you’re about to go through tribulation back over in chapter seven. He says that these were the ones who are marked. Cause that was the whole point of this. He said, who can stand in the day of God’s wrath?

Well, the ones who are marked cam, the ones who have the seal of God can, but then notice in, in verse nine, after these things, I looked and behold a great multitude, which no one could number. And these are the ones as we go through this chapter who come out of the tribulation, the 144,000 go into the tribulation.

The innumerable multitude comes out of the tribulation. The point is you’re getting the same group of people looked at from two different perspectives. Some people say, well, it can’t be the same group. It’s two different numbers. The numbers aren’t literal. The point of the numbers is to tell you about who they are. And here’s the thing we need to remember.

Numbers in the book of revelation are not intended to be understood in a literal sense. They are instead intended to convey what meaning. So on Sunday, we talked about the fact that there were 12 tribes. There were 12,000 from each tribe. We talked about the idea of a thousand being every single one, the idea of completeness to infinity perfection. So here,

God says all my people and every single one of them can stand in the day of my wrath. And do you know how many there are? Well, God does, but is there ever a time where God tells someone on the earth, there’s going to be a group of people, you can’t number Abraham. You remember God said your descendants will be as the stars of heaven as the sand of the seashore so that you can not number them.

Now God says, listen, heres who can stand in the day of God’s wrath. Every single one of my people, all of them can. And how many of them are there? So many, you can’t number them. God said in revelation or Romans chapter four, that Abraham is the father of all those who believe this is written in the new Testament times because of his faith.

He is our father, whether we’re Jew or Gentile, and Paul’s writing to a Gentile church, the innumerable number that come out of the tribulation is a view of God’s children. Just the same way God tells Abraham you will be the father of an innumerable number. Okay? So 144,000 and the innumerable number in heaven are the same group of people. They’re just looked at from two different perspectives.

But notice what happens after these things, I looked and behold a great multitude, which no one could number of all nations, tribes, tongues, peoples, and tongues standing before the throne. And before the lamb clothed with white robes, with Palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, saying salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne into the lamb.

All the angel stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying amen, blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Then one of the elders answered me or answered saying to me, who are these arrayed in white robes?

And where did they come from? Okay. So now the question comes up where we’re going to get the answer of who these are. The one of the elders comes to Johnny. He says, who are these? The ones in white robes, the ones that are here, the innumerable number in heaven, who are they? And where did they come from?

And John and I said to him, sir, you know, that’s simultaneously a recognition of the other person’s knowledge. And it admittance that John didn’t know, this is not, John’s saying, well, this is who they are. This is John saying, why don’t you answer the question? Okay. He says, sir, you know, so he came,

sorry. So he said to me, these are the ones notice this who came out of the great tribulation. Six seal is open and judgments coming down on the earth and the rich and the mighty and all the powerful are crying out for the mountains to fall on them. And for them to be covered from the wrath of the, of the one on the throne and the lamb.

And the question is who can stay in the day of God’s wrath? And on the other side of that judgment is an innumerable company of people who all belong to God. He says, these are the ones who came out of the other side and then notice what he said. He says, they came out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.

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 dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore. The sun shall not strike them nor the heat, nor any heat for the lamb who is in the midst of the throne. Now, wait a minute. Okay.

Attention here will shepherd them. Wait a minute. The lamb who’s in the midst of the throne will shepherd them, go, go back over chapter 14. Then I looked and behold a lamb standing on mountains, ion, and who’s with him. What does a shepherd do? Leads the sheep. Now here’s the innumerable company that no one can number. And they’re being called the sheep of the one who sits on the throne.

And in chapter 14, you again have 144,000. And what are they doing? They’re standing with the one who’s on the throne. It’s the same group of people. Okay. So chapter seven, verse 17 for the lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Okay. So all of this has been just a, a pause, an explanation, and answer to the question that happened in the sixth seal in chapter six. Okay. So let’s go through the questions real quick. From chapter seven, hot off the press from last week, John saw these things happen or these things after the opening of which seal the sixth one,

what were four angels holding back and what were they granted to do in verses one and two, they’re holding back the four winds and they’re granted to harm the earth and the sea. Okay. Question three. Did the angel that came from the East have in his hand, the seal of the living, God, question four for what were the four angels told to wait,

all right. They were supposed to wait, not heard the earth in the seat, but until what, until the ceiling of the servants of God, where on his servants did the seal or Mark of God go on their forehead. How many tribes are marked 12, which of Joseph’s sons are included and which of Jacobs are left out? Manasseh is included,

but you’ll notice if you read through the list, Joseph himself is included, but Ephraim is left out. But then also Dan is left out and I was asked on Sunday, why do you think that is? And the answer is, I don’t know, God, didn’t say he just, just pointing out. It is what it is. Okay. How many from each driver marked 12,000?

Who else besides the 144,000 are present before the throne and the lamb that again, a great multitude and, and don’t let them besides, I mean, besides there is not intended to imply that two different groups, I’m just saying they, all of them are described as being before the throne. Okay. Throughout the text. Okay. Um, who makes up this group of people from every nation and tribe that is in heaven?

According to verses 13 and 14. All right. Those that came out of the great tribulation. Okay. These are the ones that came out of the great tribulation. What did they do to themselves? They washed their robes in the blood of the lamb. And then what is the answer to the question from chapter six, verse 17, as far as who can stand those that are sealed with the Mark of God or Christians.

Okay. So chapter seven is over chapter eight, begins with the opening of the seventh seal, but we’re going to put that on pause. We’re going to act like we’re in an interlude and we’re going to answer this question of when was the book written for that? You need a couple of things. You need an old Testament and a new Testament, because there are two chapters,

one in each then answer. When the book is written chapter 17 of the book of revelation, there are a lot of discussions. There are a lot of opinions, as far as when the book is written and granted, when it comes to many of these books that are in the new Testament, we don’t know exactly when they were written. There are some hints,

like for instance, there are some good indications that first Corinthians came before second Corinthians, but that doesn’t mean, you know, exactly where, you know, what was going on, what year it was, but there’s a lot of good ideas. And there’s a lot of good study. That’s gone into this. Now, when it comes to revelation, though,

there are two predominant ideas. I think they’re both wrong. The first idea is that it’s written between somewhere between a 64 and 66, a D that generally comes because of someone taking the majority of the book and interpreting the book to be about the fall of Jerusalem and the persecution to be the Jews persecution of the Christians. And that the ultimate discussion is the same discussion happening in Matthew chapter 24.

Um, they jumped through a lot of hoops to get the book written in the days of Nero in the days leading up to the fall of Rome. Um, I’m not going to go into a lot of the reasons why I don’t think it’s right. Fall of Jerusalem, sorry. Fall of Jerusalem. Um, I’m just only going to say the book is not consistent with the discussion from Matthew chapter 24.

They’re shared imagery. They’re shared discussions of the fall of nations, but I think you’ll see in a moment that the contents of revelation are, is not the same discussion as Matthew 24. So I’m going to move that theory aside. It’s not written before 80, 70, the other discussion. The other idea is that it was written in 95 or 96 D this is usually held because there is a record of a statement by irony is who is allegedly a student of John and Irenaeus says that revelation was received in 95,

96, or in the time of the reign of Domitian. Um, the problem with that is that’s not what John says and you, and you already know how I feel about context. You already know how I feel about letting the text speak for itself. So we’re going to look at revelation chapter 17. We’re not going to study it in depth, but I want us to see a few things that John put in the book,

and then we’re going to go back to the old Testament. We’re going to see if we can put some things together. Okay? Because the old Testament talks about the same thing that revelation does. How many times we mentioned things that we’ve gone through. The first seven chapters said, it’s over here in Zachariah. It’s over here in Jeremiah. It’s over here in Isaiah.

The whole book of revelation is almost in its entirety, found in the old Testament between the shared imagery and the prophecies that were already there. And so is the date of the book. So there’s the others who say it’s 95, 96, because they see this persecution by Domitian, who was on the throne, who was one of the pers main persecutors of the church in the first century.

And they see that and they go, this must be when it was written. And the statement from Irenaeus, okay. Chapter 17, verse one of revelation. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked to me saying to me, come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters with whom the Kings of the earth committed for an occasion.

And the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Okay? So not going to go in all the details, but someone comes to John and he says, John, I want to show you the judgment of this great harlot. I’m going to show you this judgment of the one who enticed and caused the committed adultery, all the nations on the earth.

Okay. Now notice what happens. Verse three. So he carried me away in the spirit, into the wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a Scarlet beast, which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and 10 horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and Scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls having in her hand,

the golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. Okay. So here’s a picture of a woman. She’s a seductress. And she has cause the nations to follow after her into abomination and into for an occasion. But she’s writing on something we’ve just been in chapter five, we saw this, or chapter six, we saw people riding on something then,

and it had meaning while this woman is riding on what A beast, the beast is color of Scarlet. And what is, what, what attribute does, does John see about this beast? Seven Heads and 10 horns. Okay. Verse five. And on her forehead was a name or a name was written mystery, Babylon, the great the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.

I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. What’s this woman been doing, she’s been persecuting the church, but she is described, or she has written on, on her forehead. What name? Babel on the grade. Okay. There should already be a connection in your brain back to Daniel because of Babylon.

And you remember there was a discussion over in Daniel chapter two, Daniel chapter two. There’s a discussion that happens because the King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar has a dream. And in that dream, he sees a statue in it. Statue has what, a head of gold and shoulders and arms and chest of what silver and belly and thighs of what bronze or brass and legs and feet of what iron mixed with clay.

And then he sees something else. What does he see? He sees a mountain carved out of the earth without hands, and it comes and does what to the image. It breaks it, but it doesn’t just break. It, it, it grinds it into powder and then it grows and it fills the whole earth. And the dreams interpreted, and God tells Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel.

Here’s the interpretation of the dream. The four parts of the image are what for great kingdoms. And who does he say is the head of gold? Napa can answer. I want you to notice something the King and the kingdom are interchangeable. He doesn’t say Babylon is the head of gold. He says, you, Oh, great. Nebuchadnezzar are the head of gold.

The King and the kingdom are interchangeable, but that actually has some significance, but he means Babylon as a kingdom and never can as her as it’s representative. But then there’s a nation that’s going to come after Babylon, after Nebuchadnezzar, and that nation’s going to be inferior. And yet it will overcome Babylon. And that nation, or actually nations will be hoot the Medes and the Persians.

And then that nation will be overcome by another nation, which will in turn, be inferior. It yet will overcome it. And that nation will be what Greece. And then another nation will come and it will be inferior in substance to that nation, but it will still overcome it. And it will be what Rome. And in the days of these Kings shall God set up a kingdom,

which shall never be destroyed. That prophecy is the foundation for another chapter in the book of Daniel. And that’s chapter seven, turn to Daniel chapter seven, because now we’re going to talk about four nations in the first year of bell. Shazard King of Daniel, King of Babylon. Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream telling the main facts.

Daniel spoke, saying I saw in my vision by night and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea and four great beasts came up from the sea. Each different from the other. The first was like a lion and had Ingle Eagle’s wings. I watched till it w its wings were plucked off and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man and a man’s heart was given to it.

Now, is there another place in the book of Daniel where some kind of man beast transformation happens, Nebuchadnezzar when Nebuchadnezzar his heart is lifted up. And I think Daniel chapter four, Daniel chapter four, and he looks at all the great things that he’s done and, and, and is filled up with God decides to give him a little bit of a humility lesson and causes Nevin Nebuchadnezzar to go out and live among the bees and eat the grass like an oxen until he realizes that the Lord God reigns on the earth,

not Nebuchadnezzar. Well, interestingly, this beast makes the transformation in the opposite direction, which of course Nebuchadnezzar would, would do in a sense when he would return to his mind and leave the field and go back to the throne. So the beast go, stands up like a man. And then notice what happens. Verse five, suddenly another beast, a second,

like a bear. It was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said, thus to it arise devour much flesh. After this, I looked and there was another, like a leopard which had on its back for wings of a bird. And the beast also had four heads and dominion was given to it.

If you walked through this and we’re not gonna do it for the sake of time, but you would identify every single kingdom first one’s Babylon second, one’s the Mito Persian empire. The third one, the leopard is Greece. Let’s stay with me. And after this I looked and there was another, like a leopard which had on its back for wings of a bird.

The beast also had foreheads and dominion was given to it. After this, I saw in the night visions and behold, a fourth beast dreadful and terrible exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth. It was devouring breaking in pieces and trembling the residue with its fees, with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it. And it had 10 horns.

I was considering the horns and there was another horn, a little one coming up among them before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the root. And they’re in this horn where eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking, pompous words. This isn’t blast for me. This is being a braggart. So here, you’ve got this fourth beast.

It’s indescribable. There’s, there’s not an equivalent description in the animal kingdom, but it has what, 10 horns. And then three horns are plucked out and the little horn comes up. So all told there’s how many horns? Oh 11. But after the three are plucked out, how many are left? Eight. Okay. It’s going to be important.

All right, just hang on here. It’s going to be important. There were 10, three are removed. A little one comes up and there’s eight. But when the little one comes up, he begins speaking and claiming things that he’s not okay. I watched till Thrones were put in place and the ancient of days was seated. As Garmin was white as snow and his hair was the hair of his head was like pure wool.

His throne was a fiery flame. Its wheels were burning fire, a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him a thousand. And excuse me, a thousand thousands ministered to him, 10,000 times, 10,000 thousands before stood before him, the court was seated and the books were opened. Sounds almost like an innumerable number, doesn’t it? But here’s this quantity of people.

And they’re standing before the one on the throne and what’s opened the books because judgment’s coming. That’s the picture you get there. A judge just sat down and the books are about to be open. And I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words, which the horn was speaking notice, here’s the little horn he’s talking. He’s claiming something about himself.

I watched till the beast was slain and its body destroyed. And given to the burning flame as for the rest of the bees, they had their dominion taken away yet. Their lives were prolonged for a season. At a time I was watching on the night visions and behold one like the son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the ancient of days and they brought him near before him then to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all the peoples nations and languages should serve him.

His dominion isn’t everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away. And his kingdom, the one which shall not be destroyed. Did Daniel just identify what the fourth beast was? It was the same as the fourth kingdom. Okay. Well, wait a minute. Verse 15. I, Daniel was grieved in my spirit within my body and the visions of my head troubled me.

I came near to one of those who stood by and I asked him the truth of all this Daniel doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand. And I can understand why by the way. So he told me and made, known to me the interpretation of these things, these great bees, which are for our four Kings or kingdoms, which arise out of the earth.

But the saints of the most high shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. But the saints of the most high shall receive or sorry, verse 19. Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful with its teeth of iron and it’s mails of bronze, which devoured broken pieces and trampled the residue with its feet and the 10 horns,

which were on his head and the other horn, which came up before, which three fell, namely that horn, which had eyes and a mouth, which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. I was watching in the S and the name, excuse me. And the same horn was making war against who saints and prevailing against them until the ancient of days came.

And a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the most high. And the time came for the saints to possess the earth. Okay. Put a little bit together here in Rome, there were a number of emperors. Let me skip forward to this one. And in verse 24, chapter seven, Daniel says the 10 horns are 10 Kings who shall arise from this kingdom.

And another shallow rise after them. He shall be different from the first ones and shall, should do three Kings. He shall speak pompous words against the most high shall persecute. The saints of the most high and Shalon tend to change times and laws. Then the Saint shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. Okay.

Daniel says there’s 10 Kings, and then another one comes. And when this 11th one comes, he’s going to persecute the saints. Okay. Turn back to revelation. Chapter 17 and look at verses seven and eight, John does not originate the imagery. John uses the prophecy of Daniel and the basic imagery and the references to the Kings that Daniel gives him.

And John identifies who’s on the throne and who’s coming for, I go into this, remember this revelation chapter one said, this prophecy is about things, which must what shortly come to pass. And verse five, the time is at hand. So the time of persecution wasn’t right then it was when coming. It was at hand, okay. Verse seven,

revelation 17. But the angel said to me, why did you Marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has seven heads and 10 horns. The bees that you saw now notice the phrase was, and is not the beast in revelation is a persecuting actor. The beast that was in chapter seven of Daniel was a devouring persecuting actor.

And he was making war with the saints. But there’s something about the beast that is at this point, not current, he says he was and is not. Now, there’s another connection that you need to make because the connection is also, do you remember the description of Jesus Christ? He who was, and who is, and who is the com?

Everything in revelation has its opposite. Everything has its it’s adversary. And here’s the adversary of the eternal Christ. The beast who claims to be God, but he’s not claims to be deity. Buddy’s not. And the beast was and is not, and is about to come up. Notice what we read, the beast that you saw was, and is not,

and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition for it. And those who dwell on the earth will Marvel, whose names are not written in the book of life, from the foundation of the world. When they see the beast that was and is not. And yet is here in the mind, which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.

Now, if you know anything about Rome, Rome sat upon seven mountains, seven Hills, okay. Rome is identified. Clearly the woman, the great harlot sits upon seven Hills, seven mountains. Then the beast that wa Oh, wait, I skipped a verse 10. There are also seven Kings five have fallen. One is, and the other has not yet come.

And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was and is not is himself also what? The eighth. Alright, so we’ve got in revelation. We’ve we don’t have 11. We have eight, but in Daniel, when the 11th came up, he did what took three out. Okay. You go back through Roman history and you’re going to find this.

The first recognized emperor of Rome. It was not Julius Caesar. It was Augustus. Augustus was the first Senate appointed emperor of Rome. Julius Caesar was one who you served the throne and made himself emperor. Beginning with Augustus. You have a Gustus Tiberius Caligula who was an absolutely insane Claudius and then Nero. What did narrow due to the church? Persecuted the church,

bad delay, which is why some people think, well, the books written in the days of Nero, but it’s not Nero is the one who’s described as the one who was notice. Read the text again. There are also seven Kings five have fallen. One is when Nero goes down, civil war erupts in Rome and the space of one year three emperors come and go because their civil war there’s unrest,

they keep coming to the throne. They keep getting killed. So for a period of time, there’s three that just come up and are gone. Those were the three that John skips over. He ignores them. They’re a ortho or a<inaudible>, but then Vespasian comes to the throne in John’s book. Vespasian is the one who is say, what I’ll do.

I, I look, there’s a slide. Vespasian is the one who is, he is the one on the throne. And then you read that there will, he will continue a short time and then another will come, who is not yet. And that will be Vespasian son, Titus, but Titus will only rain for a short time. He’ll rain for two years.

Interestingly, just throw this little tidbit in, who will destroy the city of Jerusalem tight as well. Titus will come he’ll return back to Rome. He will take his father’s place on the throne, but he will only rain for a short time. And then he will die. And his brother will come to the throne in 81, a D Domitian who all of history tells us was probably as insane as Nero and Caligula would come to the throne.

But the mission was different than many of the others. He was like some of the others, but he was different and like Nero in a specific way, Nero and Caligula. He thought he was God. And he wanted everyone to call him God. And he declared his D his declarations to be the orange originating with God. And he began to persecute the church in earnest.

John says, the time that is right now is the time when the one who was persecuting is not persecuting anymore. And that’s Nero. And now there is one who’s currently on the throne. There’s one who’s shortly coming. And then the beast will arise again. During the time of civil war, after Nero died, there was no persecution. Rome was too busy,

fighting itself to persecute Christians Vespasian came and took the throne. And he didn’t really persecute the Christians. And neither did Titus. They were putting down unrest in places like Jerusalem. But when Domitian comes to the throne, history tells us, you begin to see persecution that begins in 80 81 with Domitian coming to the throne and continues for 200 years. The books written though,

according to John, when the beast is in a is not state, he’s not persecuting right now, but he’s about to that makes the book written in the days of Vespasian or in other words, sometime between 80, 69 and 80 79. But here’s the key Vespasian is about to be replaced by the one who will remain on the throne a short time there in chapter 17,

you see that, that verbiage. So Titus is shortly to be on the throne that makes the writing of the book, the time of the book, somewhere around probably between 80, 77 and 80 79. Okay. And John uses the imagery from Daniel to explain it. So, you know, so I don’t really care what Irenaeus said because John said the beast was in an,

is not state. He’s not persecuting right now, but he’s coming. So that’s our classroom night. We’ll go over the questions, kind of review that. So you’ve got some handouts, you’ve got some information, we’ll go through the questions on that. As we start our class on Sunday, I would ask if there’s any questions, but there’s probably too many to answer so Well,

good evening and welcome to our devotional after our Bible class. And I am thoroughly confused about the succession of all of the Roman emperors and so on, but it makes sense once again, is sure. Good to see each of you here and have a good crowd tonight, even have visitors. And, um, thank you for your attendance. We have a number of sick and I’m going to run through this list.

Dorothy and Rodale Wilson have pretty much chronic problems. Um, however, Dorothy Wilson did suffer a heart attack last week. And, um, so we definitely need to keep her in our prayers, but, uh, well I think she’s home. Is that correct? Yeah. Okay. Joan Springer, uh, is doing much better and I know the reason she’s doing better is,

uh, her son and her daughter are coming. Um, well, Lee’s here and with us tonight, but, uh, Lisa will be here tomorrow. So she’s feeling better. I, I know she is need to keep Pam chafing in her prayers. Um, she’s doing much better to, with her surgery. She had back surgery about a week and a half ago.

And, um, I think she’s healing up nicely. Sylvia pass also had a spinal block for her bad back last week and she says it hasn’t improved much. Okay. Janell<inaudible>, um, that is Janet’s about the same and she has thyroid cancer. Right. And Gladys Lyles of course continues to be at home. Um, Francis Wallace, um,

is, uh, we’re Halvorson’s there Cheryl. Okay. She is home. Is that correct? That’s Jacobs. Jacob, some grandmother. And Jay, you remember Jacob he’s led singing here a number of times for us and that’s his grandmother and she had a stroke about two weeks ago. And, uh, she is, uh, his back home and,

uh, Leah Ben cleave that was on the severe die out dialysis, uh, list. Um, I yes, continues to be in that routine. So all of these people need to keep your prayer. Mary Joe Todaro has been diagnosed with Lynne liver cancer. That’s Jenny sister-in-law and I take it she’s down in Louisiana. Is that correct? Okay. And Cassandra just told me and Michelle Ford,

um, it was down in, uh, it’s a friend of hers was down in the Gulf coast area. I don’t know where, but anyway, her car broke down and she stuck down there in the hurricane. So she’s in a real mess. So I guess she deserves, uh, deserve some attention as well. That’s all the sick that I have or the need really need our prayers.

Remember Ava Morgan with the loss of her sister-in-law Kay Fisher and her brother, Roy Fisher. Now I think Roy is her true brother and she had another brother who is the, um, husband of K Fisher. So that’s how all that fit together. What? Well, that’s my understanding. Don’t forget, uh, September national nationwide gospel meeting call flyers on the table and Friday night at nine o’clock Gary Callie will be speaking on that program and his subject we’ll be obeying from the heart.

Uh, something we definitely need to remember. Okay. Song leader tonight will be Michael Dale devotional will be Aaron Cozort and Joe caisson has the closing prayer. Once again. Thank you all for being here this long before the devotional will be number 753 Or they’re along seven, five three. Once you get there, if you want to walk number 943, that’ll be the song of invitation 943 number 753.<inaudible> why it should be the day<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and,

uh, uh,<inaudible> uh, uh, and, uh,<inaudible> a few more<inaudible><inaudible> as we sweep through, uh, Buton four. Yay.<inaudible> no,<inaudible><inaudible> no nurse Dan<inaudible> and, uh, uh, uh,<inaudible> uh, when we see G uh, coming and going, Oh, when he comes from, um, is,

Oh man, ah, ah, man, wish me and, and, uh, Brian<inaudible>, uh<inaudible> Oh, by and, uh,<inaudible> no, uh, uh<inaudible> and, uh,<inaudible> uh, uh<inaudible> Oh, by and, uh, Is there a way to stop people from being saved? Paul said there was, Paul said there were those who were striving to achieve that goal,

to stop people from being saved, take your Bibles, if you will, and open them to first Thessalonians, first Thessalonians chapter two, we read for you yourselves know, brethren that are coming to you was not in vain, but even after we suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel in much a gospel of God in much conflict for our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness nor was it in deceit.

But as we had been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts for neither at any time, did we use flattering words as you yourself, or as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness, God is witness. Paul reminds those that Tesla Nika. When I was there,

when myself and my companions were with you, we exhorted you. We spoke to you and what did they speak? They spoke the gospel, but go to the end of the chapter beginning in verse 14 for you, brethren became imitators of the churches of God, which are in Judea, in Christ. Jesus for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen,

just as they did from the Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own profits and have persecuted us. And they do not please God, and are contrary to all men for bidding on us and notice this phrase for bidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they, they they’re being the Gentiles maybe saved. How would you stop people from being saved?

Stop people from preaching the gospel. And you know, there’s many countries that actively strive to stop people from preaching the gospel, but there’s many in our country who as well would love to stop people from preaching the gospel because they know to be true. What Paul says to be true. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

to the Jew and to the Gentile. The gospel is what will cause people to be saved. So the surefire way to keep people from being saved is stop the gospel from being preached. That calls upon us to do something, not just to live the Christian life, but to proclaim the gospel message because it, and not us causes people to be saved.

There are people who want to stop other people from being saved and they will succeed. If we choose not to speak, if we choose not to breach, if we choose to remain silent in our lives, as we interact with others, are we succumbing to the temptation to just not say anything, just not speak up, just not say something that’s going to cause someone to be upset because do we remember that it’s also what just might cause them to change?

Are we giving into the temptation to do Satan’s work for him by not speaking if you’re here this evening and you have need of redemption of salvation, you can have it. And the gospel tells you how you can hear the word of God and believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. You can repent of your sins and confess his name. And you can be immersed in water for the remission of your sins,

by the commandment of the gospel and rise to walk in newness of life. But if you’ve given into the demand of the world to stop speaking, maybe today’s the day we change and start preaching the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation. If you have need of the invitation, the invitation is open as we stand and as we sing,<inaudible> ah,

you, uh,<inaudible> us dude.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> here’s each time you cry. Ah,<inaudible> ah, cheers from your, uh, dude, you know, my God sees us<inaudible><inaudible> loves you.<inaudible><inaudible> ass bow here. God, our father in heaven, we truly are so grateful for your love. That was demonstrated to us how your precious son dying on the cross of Calvary and the redemption that we have through his blood father.

We realized that that is the greatest gift that we will ever have or will ever be. And we’re so grateful card. And we pray father that we be mindful of those that have never named your name. Those that might not know your will and pray that we have the strength and courage to share that with those. And they say, father, we are mindful of all those that were mentioned that were ill or having issues.

We pray that you continue to bless them and watch over them and be with those that are ministering to them. A lot of the we’re mindful of those that are teaching and preaching your word elsewhere. We pray that your blessings be upon them and keep them safe that Minnesota might come to you to the gospel father, help us here this evening that we contain it to show our love for our fellow man that we give you the honor and the glory and the praise in our lives.

And others truly know that we are your children and that we’re trying to walk in the steps of our Lord and savior. That’s us, our father, and continue to be with us, whether they’re mine or the week and help us to be mindful. Those that might not have been here to check up on them. And those that might have drifted away,

that we might encourage them to come back and be faithful to Jesus. Right?