Foursquareness (fourfold in symmetry) is a term not commonly used in the English language. Digging into the term’s meaning and implications, one will find unique attributes to God’s creation, order and purpose of all things. A perfect, geometrical square is equal in its length, height, and depth. It’s design is very specific and on purpose. It is not designed in a random, odd, haphazard or unequal way. Symmetry has balance, structure and is of intelligent design and purpose. The object or subject being referenced to is made with forethought and not afterthought. It exists not by accident, but by plan. A perfect square is symmetrical enough that it will stand on its own and not fall over, or fail.  It is so balanced in design that it is equal and perfect, no matter from which angle or perspective you look at it. This is a somewhat long definition or description of foursquarenss, but I believe it represents an honest attempt to describe the intelligence behind God’s purpose of having something represented by ‘four’. Foursquareness is also a doubling of something (2×2). Or, two squared (for those with a mathematical point of view). A double of a double. Uniformity and reinforcement of strength is implied, another equal measure of purpose and intent, and a double representation of something for added significance or importance. I believe, this long definition, can be truthfully and accurately applied to anything referenced in the Bible as having a fourfold attribute from God’s creation.

Four (4) or foursquarness of balance and symmetry can also represents a doubling of a double or (2×2=4). Two (2) signifies God’s solid confirmation of a matter, doubling this suggest an added or extra measure of equal weight. Is there anyplace in Revelation that suggests this definition of doubling of a double is true? Revelation 18:6 states, “Reward her (Babylon) even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled to her double.” Notice that this description represents three (3) doubles of two (2). (3×2=6). Six (6) is the number of evil. Since she is the great whore and extremely evil, she will be repaid six (6) times the wrath.

1. Four-fold Reference to Angels Worshipping Christ and God.
2. Four-fold Reference to Angels Controlling the Elements.
3. Four (4) Heavenly Beasts.
4. Four (4) Altar Horn Angels and Four (4) Fallen Angels of the Euphrates River.
5. Four (4) Harvesting Angels.
6. Four-fold Reference to Angels Proclaiming “Woe”.
7. Four-fold Reference to Voices / Thunders / Lightning.
8. Four-fold Reference to Seven Spirits of God.
9. Four-fold Reference to the Altar of God.
10. Four-fold Reference to the Temple of Heaven.
11. Four-fold Reference to Robes.
12. Four-fold Biblical Measurements.
13. Four-fold Reference to Being in the Spirit.
14. Four-fold Reference for the Seven (7) Churches to Repent.
15. Four-fold Reference to the “Child” (Rapturing of the Church).
16. Four-fold Reference to the Woman (Bride of Christ).
17. Four-fold Reference of a “Sword ” as the Word of God.
18. Four-fold Reference to the Two Supernatural Witnesses.
19. Four-fold Results of Christ Opening the First Four Book Seals on Earth.
20. Four-fold Seal Wraths Poured out on Earth.
21. Four-fold Trumpet Wraths Poured out on Earth.
22. Four-fold Vial Plagues Poured out on Earth.
23. Four-fold Reference to Plagues Poured out on Evil Mankind.
24. Four-fold Descriptions/Names of Mystery Religion Babylon.
25. Four-fold Reference to the False Prophet/2^nd
26. Four-fold Reference to Evil Men Fighting Christ.
27. Four-fold Reference the the (s)erpent.
28. Four-fold Reference to Angels Opening the Bottomless Pit.
29. Four-fold Reference of Evil Men Not Repenting.
30. Four-fold Reference to the Woman (Whore).

Four-fold Reference to Angels Worshipping Christ and God:

1. … “And I beheld , and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;” (Rev. 5:11). (Emphasis added).
2. … “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev. 5:12). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,” (Rev. 7:11). (Emphasis added).
4. … “Saying A’men: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. A’men.” (Rev. 7:12). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The first two references are of Holy angels worshipping Christ. Interestingly, they proclaim seven (7) (denoting God’s completeness to plan or purpose) attributes to the Lamb; power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing. These attributes are very specific and not generalized or symbolic. The second set of references indicate that Holy angels worship God.  Just as with Christ (the Lamb), the Holy angels proclaim seven (7) attributes of God; blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and might. Compare the two lists of attributes proclaimed by the angels of God and Christ. They are almost identical. The fact that there are two instances of angels worshipping Christ (the Lamb) and God indicates a double confirmation of a matter. Angels worship BOTH Christ and God. Hidden in these verses and not highlighted is the fact that these angels worship Christ and God, along with the twenty-four (24) elders and four (4) heavenly beast creatures. Notice that the first comment in Rev. 7:11 indicates, “all the angels stood round about the throne.” (Emphasis added). Notice the word “all,” … not just some, or a few, or a special subset of angels, but ALL angels. These are ALL the Holy angels in heaven, these do NOT include the evil or fallen angels who are given over to Satan. Only the Holy angels worship God and Christ (the Lamb). How many Holy angels are there? Verse 5:11 tells us. Do the math. 101,000,000. One hundred and one million Holy Angels. Easy math. The number of created angels is fixed. They are immortal and don’t need to reproduce as mortal man does in order to replace his generations that die off. Elsewhere in this analysis and commentary, I calculate the number of evil or fallen angels. Look for it! I use literal, plain and simple mathematics. No rocket science calculations.

• 10,000,000 x 10,000,000 = 100,000,000 (one hundred million) PLUS 1,000 x 1,000 = 1,000,000 (one million)
• One hundred million PLUS one million = One hundred and one million holy angels (101,000,000)
• Thousands of thousands = 1,000 x 1,000 (one thousand times one thousand)
• Easy math.

Four-fold Reference to Angels Controlling the Elements:

1. … “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that they wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.” (Rev. 7:1). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and hew cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, not the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (Rev. 7:2-3). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire: and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.” (Rev. 14:18). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou has judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.“ (Rev. 16:5-6). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Some angels are given power, authority and control over winds or the weather, fire, sea, freshwater. Interestingly in continuing with the divine nature of four (4), notice that there are four (4) angels controlling the wind/air, one angel at each corner of the earth. Later in this book, in the section of twenty-fours, I have identified 24 roles that angels exhibit during the Tribulation (and Great Tribulation). The specific roles that various angels have, is often overlooked or glanced over when considering the larger element or subject of a chapter. However, when considering angelic roles (as a whole) throughout the book of Revelation, an additional layer of truth and insight becomes known regarding God’s administration of his creation and in his dealings with mankind.

Four (4) Heavenly Beasts:

… “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face of a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,” (Rev. 4:6-9). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The fact that these beings are described as beasts is interesting because of what they are not described as. They are not described as angels. The bible is very clear when a being referenced is of angelic nature. I won’t go into the various classes or groups of angels, suffice it to say that the Bible has ample verses relating to the existence and service of various types of angels. Beasts are not angels, nor are they human. God is not limited in his creation, on heaven or on earth, or of the types of beings he has (or perhaps will) create(d). Elsewhere in this book, I have identified numerous references to the four heavenly beasts and their roles. God created them to be very close to him and his throne. They serve a special worshipping role. They serve a role to administer God’s decrees. They serve a role to give glory to God. They are extremely unique beings, as there are only four (4) in existence in heaven. They apparently do not visit earth as do some angels, but are relegated to being near the throne. Why do these beasts have animal and human features? Frankly, I don’t know. It was God’s pleasure to create them in this fashion, for his special pleasure and purpose. Function follows form. It would be logical to deduce that the features of these beasts enable them to perform their service for God. Six wings and eyes all around. Wings suggest travel, in any direction. Eyes-all-around suggest vision to everywhere. Taking a supernatural view of their supernatural features, travel and vision everywhere is logical. Why would these beasts need the ability to travel anywhere or to have vision everywhere? We don’t know, the bible is silent on this. In any event, the four verses (Revelation 4:6-9) serve a very unique purpose in identifying that there are additional beings in heaven. Besides angels and redeemed men, the four beasttrs worship God and serve him in a very unique capacity.

Four (4) Altar Horn Angels and Four (4) Fallen Angels of the Euphrates River:

… “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month and a year, for to slay the third part of men.” (Rev. 9:13-15). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: 4 angels (altar horns) authorizing one special trumpet angel, to go ahead and let loose the four fallen angels bound in the Euphrates river. The four (4) altar horn angels are in close proximity / before God’s throne. God gives the order to commence the slaying the third part of men and the four (4) altar horn angels blow their horns notifying the special trumpet angel. The special trumpet angel is one of the seven (7) trumpet angels assigned to pour out God’s wrath on evil mankind. The special trumpet angel is now authorized by God (through the announcement of the four altar horn angels) to go ahead and release or loosen the four (4) fallen angels that have been bound in the Euphrates river, for millennia. The bible is silent on what transgression these fallen angels committed in millennia past, however, we are told that they are bound (or hand-cuffed, zip-tied in modern terminology). These four (4) fallen angels are apparently exceedingly strong and dangerous, for them to have been bound for so long. However, the last verse 9:15 indicates that these evil fallen angels will still serve God’s purpose by executing his judgement against mankind, by slaying up to a third part of all men.

Both holy and evil fallen angels have roles to play in God’s unfolding drama throughout the Tribulation period. Some angels receive commands and decisions from God and announce God’s commands and intentions. Other holy angels are responsible for receiving these announcements and commandments and executing God’s will accordingly. These angels are given the necessary authority and power to render God’s judgments in the manner decided by God. In this particular case, the trumpet angel is given the authorization to let loose four (4) evil fallen angels from their imprisonment. They in turn have the power and ability to slay a third part of man, and are thusly let loose to accomplish the will of God. Angels have profound and differing roles in the divine, heavenly organization of God’s governance. Through God’s omnipresence, he decided on the exact time to allow the four (4) imprisoned fallen angels to slay a third part of men over an exact time period of a year, month, day and hour. This is an interesting inter-play between holy angels and fallen angels. Notice that there is a doubling of angels; four (4) holy altar horn angels and four (4) evil fallen angels of the Euphrates River. An equal number of angels are likewise impacting an equal number of angels. The net effect is the slaying of a third part of evil mankind during the Tribulation Period.

Four (4) Harvesting Angels:

… “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle on the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” (Rev. 14:14-20). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: This verse can be a little confusing when trying to keep track of the number of angels involved and which angel is saying what to which angel. These verses start off by identifying a special, glorious looking angel with a crown on his head, sitting on a cloud having a nasty looking harvesting sickle. He looks powerful and strong and sat like unto the Son of man (similar in fashion to Jesus Christ, but this is an angel and not Christ). He is waiting for instructions from central command (heavenly temple). Suddenly, a messenger angel leaves the heavenly temple and tells the big angel guy, with the nasty sickle, to go down to earth and start doing his thing…using his sickle to harvest evil men. As if this wasn’t enough, God decides to double-up on harvesting angels with nasty, sharp sickles. Therefore, he sends out of his heavenly temple yet another (second) angel with a sharp sickle. There are now two angels with sharp sickles on the chess board. One has already been put into play and is doing what he was instructed to be doing by the messenger angel. The second angel with another sharp sickle, is now on the chessboard also, but he has not been put into play yet. He is also awaiting instructions and permission to begin his task. Just as a messenger angel was sent out of the heavenly temple to instruct the angel with a crown to start harvesting, a second messenger angel is sent to instruct the second angel with a sharp harvesting sickle to commence his harvesting of evil men on earth.

These verses have an exact doubling or duplication of effort. A double (2) equals God’s solid confirmation of a matter, the addition of an equal measure of weight or importance. There is one instance of an angel executing God’s will at the command of a messenger angel. This then again happens a second time, the same way. Another executing angel receives authority and permission to begin his job, just as the first executing angel did. The only difference between the two executing, sickle harvesting angels is that the first angel is described as glorious, with a crown, and perhaps having some kind of lofty heavenly status. The second executing, sickle harvesting angel is being authorized to harvest “clusters of vines, vine of the earth” and to throw them into the “winepress of God’s wrath”. I believe this last reference regarding the second harvesting angle is that he is being sent to harvest large groups of evil men. An evil man is represented as a grape. An evil group of men could be thought of as a cluster of grapes on a vine.

These verses have a couple of doubles (2). Two (2) harvesting angels with nasty, sharp sickles. Two (2) messenger angels with authority to instruct and authorize the harvesting angels to begin their work. All of this is orchestrated from central command headquarters (heavenly temple of God.) All the angels described are unique in their descriptions, appearances, actions, abilities and roles. Angels are not mindless, holy clones of one another, but have a uniqueness about them … just as man does. God applies his infinite diversity into his creation of both angels and men. No two men or two angels are exactly alike. That is a comforting thought, knowing that I am truly unique and special before God, in the manner he made me (and you!). We are not clones, genetic duplications or mass produced organisms. Neither are angels.

Four-fold Reference to Angels Proclaiming “Woe”:

1. … “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound.” (Rev. 9:13). (Emphasis added).
2. … “One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.” (Rev. 9:12). (Emphasis added).
3. … “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe commeth quickly.” (Rev. 11:14). (Emphasis added).
4. … “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath a but a short time.” (Rev. 12:12). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Three (3) woes, three (3) angels, three (3) voices, three (3) trumpets (four groups of three!). Angels are exclaiming or proclaiming woe to men. Woe; a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction or grief, ruinous trouble, calamity, sorrow, anguish, woe, regret means distress of mind. Sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse. Grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause. Anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.  Woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery. Regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse, nagging regret for missed opportunities. These are strong words that explain the woe that comes upon mankind during the Tribulation. Woe One is described as demonic locusts/creatures (Rev. 9:1-11). Woe Two is described as a great earthquake killing 7,000 men after the two witnesses complete their testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 11:3-13). Woe Three is described as the great wrath that the devil has when he is cast down to earth from heaven. (Rev. 12:9-12). The heavens are rejoicing because the devil has finally been kicked out of the country club for continuously causing discord of accusations. The devil has been doing this continuously for millennia and addressing the resident owner of the country club (God) about everyone he is accusing. The angel flying through heaven saying, “Woe, woe, woe” is providing both a warning and a prophecy. He is in effect saying ‘look out mankind, I know what’s coming your way and you are not going to like it.’ As is usually the case throughout Revelation, trumpets are used to get attention and make announcements.

Four-fold Reference to Voices / Thunders / Lightning:

1. … “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices, and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” (Rev. 4:5). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Rev. 8:5). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Rv. 11:19). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” (Rev. 16:18). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: These references are all to God’s glory, power, authority, and accompany divinely appointed activities in heaven and on earth. The voices, thunderings and lightnings do not cause damage on the earth or inflict punishment on man. There are two instances mentioning an earthquake and hail, which are natural and do cause extreme damage to the earth and mankind. When God moves, acts, commands or otherwise rules his creation, they are accompanied by voices, thunderings and lightnings.  They are announcements that get attention, both in heaven and on earth, signaling that “I AM” has decreed something of extreme importance. Voices, thunderings and lightnings can instill both fear and trembling, or awe and wonder, depending on your spiritual point of view and status before God. Notice that voices, lightnings and thunderings occur in a sequence of three (3), denoting God’s intensity and emphasis. The order of the sequence does not matter, the meaning does not change. Notice also that there are four (4) verses containing the grouping of the three (3) words, voices, thunderings and lightnings; (4×3=12), twelve (12) denotes God’s divinely constituted organization that applies to either in heaven or on earth.

Four-fold Reference to Seven Spirits of God:

1. … “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before his throne.” (Rev. 1:4). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And unto the angel of the church of Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” (Rev. 3:1). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” (Rev. 4:5). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (Rev. 5:6). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Seven (7) refers to God’s divinely determined completeness to his purpose or plan. 7 horns, 7 eyes, 7 lamps, 7 stars, (group of 4). Four (4) refers to God’s universalness, or foursquareness in symmetry and balance. Horns represents power, strength, might. Eyes represent sight, knowledge and wisdom. Power, strength and might equal God’s omnipotence. Sight, knowledge and wisdom equal God’s omnipresence.  Both in heaven and on earth.  Layers upon layers, truth upon truth, numbers upon numbers. Two (2) (horns, eyes), two (2) (lamps, stars), three (3) references to throne mentioned with Seven (7) (spirits) contained within four (4) verses! Wait, God is not done with these four verses. Three (3) references are made to be attention getters (lightning, thunder, voices). Three (3) references are made to participants in the throne room (4 beasts, 24 elders, and Christ). The seven stars are seven angels, one angel appointed by Christ to oversee each of the seven churches in Asia-Minor. God’s word is not unlike an onion (not one that makes you cry, but one that makes you rejoice), opening up layers reveals additional truth and insight! Every verse reinforces and validates another verse. Notice that Spirits is capitalized. The names of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are capitalized. The seven Spirits also represent the seven gifts of the work of the Holy Spirit on the earth (“sent forth into all the earth”, verse 5:6 above). Spiritually, logically and mathematically amazing! Last, but not least, threefold (3) denotes emphasis and intensity. The Lamb (capitalized) has the seven spirits of God. God has given his seven (7) attributes or Spirits to his Son, Jesus Christ and are part of his divinity.

Four-fold Reference to the Altar of God:

1. … ”And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” (Rev. 6:9). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,” (Rev. 9:13). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” (Rev. 11:1). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements.” (Rev. 16:7). (Emphasis added).

(PLUS)

Four-fold Reference to the Temple of Heaven:

1. … “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Rev. 11:19). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And another angel came out of the temple, which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.” (Rev. 14:17). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” (Rev. 15:5). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” (Rev. 16:17). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Definition of altar. A usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship —often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else.

Commentary: Definition of temple. A building devoted to the worship, or regarded as the dwelling place of God.

Both the temple and altar are in heaven. Both are referenced in context to God’s sovereignty. The altar is in the temple. The souls of the Tribulation Saints being under the altar, “them that were slain for the word of God,” directly confirms the purpose of an altar. The souls of the martyred saints are so valuable to God that he has them at the altar, because of their testimony of Christ while they were alive on earth during the Tribulation. The altar of God is analogous to a safe or strong box. Things of great value are put in a safe. In the context of the altar, souls of the martyred Tribulation Saints are valuable to God and safely reside under the altar. God values the worship of his creation, which takes place at the altar in the heavenly temple. The temple and the altar within it, are two more manifested examples of where God communicates with those in the heavens. He does so likewise from his throne. Angels have access to the temple, the altar and the throne of God and as a result, the play a role in administering God’s decrees and announcements. A very interesting transition takes place in Revelation chapter 21 when John the Apostle describes the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. In verse 21:22 he specifically states, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” (Emphasis added). This reflects one manifestation of God’s declaration that he “makes all things new.” (Rev. 21:5). God has done away with the previous temple and altar of heaven, and replaced it with his Son’s (Jesus Christ) and God’s glory in the New Jerusalem. Rev. 21:22-23, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light therof.” (Emphasis added).

Four-fold Reference to Robes:

1. … “And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” (Rev. 6:11). (Emphasis added).
2. … “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” (Rev. 7:9). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they.” (Rev. 7:13). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:14). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: White robes are a sign or symbol of righteousness. The people (Tribulation Saints) wearing them are clearly those redeemed by Jesus Christ (made white by the blood of the Lamb), during the Great Tribulation. The fourfold reference of white robes, strongly suggests that this group of saints (Tribulation Saints) are easily identified because they are wearing white robes, as opposed to white rainment or white linens that other heavenly beings wear. White robes are given to those who did NOT worship the beast or his image, who did NOT take his image, mark or name, who DID repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior through the forgiveness of their sins, and who were martryed (beheaded) for their testimony of Jesus Christ.

Four-fold Biblical Measurements:

1. Reed … “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship there: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles.” “And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the heights of it are equal.” (Rev. 11:1-2, 21:15-16). (Emphasis added).
2. Cubit … “And he measured the wall thereof, and hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.” (Rev. 21:17). (Emphasis added).
3. Furlong … “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the heights of it are equal.” (Rev. 21:16 ). (Emphasis added).
4. Talent … “And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail; for the plague therof was exceeding great.” (Rev. 16:21). (Emphasis added)

Commentary:

A talent was the heaviest or largest biblical unit of measurement for weight, equal to about 75 pounds or 43 kilograms. Consider, for a moment, the physics behind a 75lb. frozen rock falling from the sky and hitting the earth. It is a little easier to understand if you start with a human skydiver or peregrine falcon. Based on wind resistance, for example, the terminal velocity of a skydiver in a belly-to-earth (i.e., face down) free-fall position is about 195 km/h (122 mph or 54 m/s). Higher speeds can be attained if the skydiver pulls in his or her limbs. In this case, the terminal velocity increases to about 320 km/h (200 mph or 90 m/s), which is almost the terminal velocity of the peregrine falcon diving down on its prey. The same terminal velocity is reached for a typical .30-06 bullet dropping downwards—when it is returning to earth having been fired upwards, or dropped from a tower—according to a 1920 U.S. Army Ordnance study. To put this into perspective, an average person falling from only 50 meters high and hitting the ground, is the equivalent of getting hit by a car that is going 112 km/h, or 70 miles per hour. The relationship looks like this, in km/h: The higher you are (or an object), the harder you (or an object) land.  What about a large, frozen rock … like the weight of 75lb (34kg) hailstone, falling from a variety of distances above the earth?

Thus, a 75lb.| 43kg. Hail stone, formed in the atmosphere only eight (8) miles above the earth, would take apx. 50 seconds to fall and reach the earth’s surface, traveling at apx. 500 meters per second. What would the effect be if this hailstone hit a house, car, or a person? How about millions or billions of hailstones each weighing about 75lb. or 34kg, traveling at 500 meters/second?  Rev. 16:21 indicates that the plague of hail “was exceeding great.” Consider the destruction and lethalness of only baseball sized (or even golf ball sized) hailstones. Either one of these size stones, hitting you in the head, would likely kill you. 75lb. hailstones would knock out HVAC systems on top of high rise buildings, electrical transformers, cell phone towers, microwave towers, radar arrays, above ground telecommunications equipment and antennae, portable generators, large vehicles like firefighting trucks, ambulances, guidance systems on aircraft, the list could go on and on. 75lb. frozen rocks, traveling 500 meters per second, could just about destroy anything above ground that is not double or triple reinforced.

A furlong is a measure of distance equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 660 feet. Eight (8) furlongs = One (1) mile. 12,000 furlongs = 1,500 miles. In terms of cubic miles, the New Jerusalem is 1,500 miles x 1,500 miles x 1,500 miles = 3,375,000,000 cubic miles. Length = Width = Height.

A cubit was measure of distance from the elbow to the finger tips. Different groups of people had slightly different lengths associated with a cubit, varying as much as a couple of inches. There are references to a short cubit and a long cubit. The difference is slight, in terms of inches. A long cubit was approximately twenty (20) inches (19.8” to 20.6”). One (1) cubit = twenty (20) inches. 144 cubits = 2,880 inches. 2,880 inches = 240 feet. I believe this is the most accurate assessment of the height of the wall in New Jerusalem as 24 is symbolically represented in other descriptions of the city. Twelve (12) represents divinely constituted organization, either in heaven or earth. Since 240 (feet) is a multiple of 12 and 24, I think it is logical to believe that 240 feet (as the height of the great wall) fits perfectly within the divine measurements of the city of New Jerusalem. Using any other measurement (other than 20” for a cubit) would result in very odd / fractional measurements of the height of the great wall. God didn’t measure or design his New Jerusalem with ‘odd’ lengths or inconsistent units of measurement.

Four-fold Reference to Being in the Spirit:

1. … “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” (Rev. 1:10). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” (Rev. 4:2). (Emphasis added).
3. … “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” (Rev. 17:3). (Emphasis added).
4. … “ And he carried me away in the spririt to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” (Rev. 21:10 ). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The Apostle John mentions four times that the Holy Spirit carries him or transports him through space and time to witness something important concerning the activities, events and judgements during the Tribulation period. One of God’s manifest attributes is that he exists both inside and outside of space and time. He is not contained by either of these things which he created. The work of the Holy Spirit to transport John is consistent with God’s methods of interaction with men. Notice the four significant events associated with John being in the Spirit; 1. The Day of the Lord, 2. God’s throne room in heaven, 3. Witnessing Babylon and Mystery Religion Babylon, 4. Witnessing the new, holy Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. God is showing John, through his Holy Spirit, Christ’s triumphant victory over his enemies, one evil city, one holy city and a glimpse of God ruling on his throne. These four visions are so important, that God specifically uses his Holy Spirit to enable John to transform space and time in order to witness these things first hand, and through his consciousness. God does not use an angel or any other means to communicating with and showing John the importance of these things. God did this directly, through himself, as the Holy Spirit.

Four-fold Reference for the Seven (7) Church(s) to Repent:

1. … “Remember thererfore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto the quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Rev. 2:5). (Emphasis added).
2. … “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Rev. 2:16). (Emphasis added).
3. … “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, exept they repent of their deeds.” (Rev. 2:22). (Emphasis added).
4. … “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Rev. 3:3). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: These are the only references, in all of Revelation, for the Church and/or it’s members, to repent. These four exhortations by Christ come at the very beginning of Revelation in chapters two and three, when he is addressing the seven churches in Asia-Minor. These exhortations are made by Christ when he sees the sin being committed by these churches. No where else in Revelation is there a command by Christ, to repent. There are several verses indicating that men do not repent of their sins, however, the context of those verses do not include any exhortation to repent.  The urging by Christ, for the Church to repent does NOT occur later in Revelation, since the Church is no longer on the earth. Put another checkmark on the logical list of reasons (mathematical axioms) for a pre-tribulation rapture. All four commands by Christ come with four consequences if the Christians of the five (5) Churches don’t repent.

Four-fold Reference to the “Child” (Rapturing of the Church):

1. … “And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.” (Rev. 12:2). (Emphasis added).
2. … ”And his tail drew the third part of the stars (fallen angels) of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it were born.” (Rev. 12:4). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (Rev. 12:5). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought for the man child.” (Rev. 12:13). (Emphasis added).

Commentary:  These four short verses, are the only direct reference to the child of God (Church) being raptured or harpazoed (caught up quickly) to heaven, prior to Satan’s rule on earth through his beast / antichrist / man-of-sin. “She” is the nation of Israel. Just as the “man” (Jesus Christ) was born of, or came out of the national of Israel and the Jewish Faith, the Christian Church also came out of or was born from Israel and Judaism.  There are numerous other scripture references that indicate both Jesus Christ and God’s redeemed children will co-rule together during Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. Both Jesus Christ and his overcomers will rule with a rod of iron over the nations on earth and mankind from the earthly city of Jerusalem. This is unmistakeable and repeated numerously. Why isn’t the “man” (Jesus Christ) caught up to heaven, along with the “child” (Church). Rev. 12:4-5 specifically indicates that the dragon is not waiting to devour Christ and that Christ is not caught up to God and his throne. Period. Christ doesn’t need to be caught up. He has already won, he has already ascended in glory, he is not threatened by Satan. Satan knows he can’t attack Christ directly, which is why he is waiting for the church to be born, 2,000 years after its conception at Pentecost.

Throughout history, the lesser of two adversaries who is incapable of attacking his opponent directly, has always resorted to attacking the stronger opponent’s family or loved ones. In the case of Satan, he wants to literally kill all Christians, Christ’s redeemed, ‘the child’ or church, before it can be rescued or caught up to heaven. The Church does not ascend to heaven in glory, our blessed hope is literally a search and rescue mission on a spiritual, global scale by God. Through God’s omnipotence and omnipresence, he knows exactly what Satan wants to do, when he wants to do it, and to whom he wants to do it to. God cuts Satan to the chase and rescues men who have placed their faith in and forgiveness of their sins through the shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood and his resurrection. These four veses are very clear involving which entity is “caught up”, where the entities came from, what the entities are prophesied to do in the future kingdom on earth. Interestingly, once the “child” (Church) is “caught up to heaven”, Satan then refocuses his attention and goes after the next in the line… the woman (Israel) who is still on earth and who gave birth to both the man (Jesus Christ) and the child (Church, redeemed men on earth). Once again, Satan goes after the beloved people of God, the Jews or Israelites and tries to destroy them with a flood as they try to escape Jerusalem. There are other verses throughout Revelation that imply a pre-tribulation rapture and are so noted throughout the entirety of this complete analysis. This important reference to the rapture of the Church should be a large, bold checkmark on the logical list of reasons (mathematical axioms) as to the reality of a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church.

Four-fold Reference to the Woman (Bride of Christ):

1. … “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” (Rev. 19:7). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Rev. 19:8). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Rev. 19:9). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and with me saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Rev. 21:9). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: All four verses combine to provide an image of a marriage, of a beautiful bride, of a marriage super and of a wife. These verses should be read as a whole and taken into context with one another. They speak directly of the Bride of Christ A.K.A. the Church (redeemed men). The Church/Bride has made herself ready by accepting Jesus Christ’s offer of salvation and the forgiveness of their sins through the shedding of his blood and his resurrection. They have repented of their sins and strived to follow the word of God. The Lamb’s wife is adorned in a spectaculary white, clean linen garment(s), symbolizing righteousness … to be considered forgiven, with Christ in his presence and in heaven. The marriage super is a literally a special feast and joyful celebration. People will become suddently aware that their faith and belief was correctly placed and they are receiving a first taste of what heaven is like. Everyone will see Christ exactly as he is, in his glory.

The marriage celebration will be ecstatic because we have finally reached our eternal home. Misery, death and pain of the past life on earth are gone … for ever (eternity). The food at the super will be unlike anything we have ever tasted. Imagine the joy of a Christian who was forced to endure survival on a subsistence diet of insects or experienced continual malnutrition in Africa or Asia, suddenly being confronted with a supper of immeasurable proportion, delight, beauty and taste. This marriage supper is literally befitting a feast worthy of The King of kings and the Lord of lords. A marriage supper or banquet of this magnitude will have never existed on earth previously and can only occur in heaven. Wow! (is an understatement). The statement “blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb,” (Rev. 19:9) is true both figuratively and literally. Blessed refers to the general status of raptured Christians, but also directly related to their participation at the wedding supper. This confirms their acceptance by Christ. This confirms their gift or promise of participating in the supper. This confirms that they are going to enjoy something that is beyond their imagination, at the Lamb’s wedding supper table. It is at this time that the impact of accepting Christ’s forgiveness for their sins will start sinking into their consciousness and they will realize that their faith is being rewarded and great and unknown things are awaiting them throughout eternity. The marriage super/feast is just the beginning of all the wonderful, amazing things that God and Jesus Christ have planned for those who love God and Jesus Christ.

Four-fold Reference of a “Sword ” as the Word of God:

1. … “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” (Rev. 1:16). (Emphasis added).
2. … “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with sword of the my mouth.” (Rev. 2:16). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almight God.” (Rev. 19:15). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Rev. 19:21). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: A sword references something long, sharp, cutting, piercing, refined to a laser-like sharpness and strength by fire. It requires handling with skill, accuracy and determination to be used in fighting and for judgement, and for killing. A sword can also represent pagentry, royalty, status, kingship, authority and power. The word of God that Christ’s speaks at his second coming, has every single one of these attributes. The word of God does it all. His word will rightfully judge and execute Christ’s enemies on the Day of the Lord. There is so much power and truth in God’s spoken word, that Christ does not need mechanized weapons to destroy his enemies. All he needs to do is literally speak the word of God, and his enemies will cease to exist. He will have the army of heaven accompanying him (redeemed men). I believe our role in the army is more symbolic in that we will add to the glory of his appearing at his second coming. There is no fighting or effort on our part that would aid Christ in defeating his enemies. The word of God is strong enough, that it doesn’t need redeemed mens’ help in any way shape or form. Just as Christ defeated death and sin on our behalf, he will defeat evil enemies also on our behalf and for his glory. Christ will command and control (a military term) the word of God, just like a skilled swordman does with his sword. The word of God is a powerful sword that speaks literal truth and will literally kill Christ’s enemies. All four references indicated that this power comes directly out of the mouth of Christ, as he literally speaks the words of God. There is omnipotence in the word of God and Christ!

 Four-fold Reference to the Two Supernatural Witnesses:

1. … “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Rev. 11:3). (Emphasis added).
2. … “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” (Rev. 11:4). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.” (Rev. 11:10). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: two (2) a double, solid confirmation of a matter or subject. God didn’t send one or three supernatural entities, he sent two (2). They are described as 2 (two) witnesses, olive trees, candlesticks and prophets. As two (2) witnesses, they provide a testimony to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, through his forgiveness of sins, through his shedding of blood and through his resurrection. All that evil men have to do is confess their sins, believe in Jesus Christ and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Since this is during the Tribulation, any man who accepts the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, will most likely also end up being martryed and beheaded for their belief in Jesus Christ. As two (2) prophets, they prophesy to evil men throughout the world as to what is coming in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. As two (2) candlesticks, they are metaphors for shining the light of Christ into a dark, evil world. As two (2) olive trees, they bear fruit in faithfully representing Christ and spreading the good news of his salvation for evil men. Not surprisingly, evil men are “tormented” by these two witnesses or prophets. They don’t want to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. They reject it. They are distraught over having their consciences constantly tweeked by these two witnesses who remind them, time and time again, to give up being evil and to turn to Christ. They don’t want to hear it. They are comfortable and happy in continuing to do whatever evil it is that they are doing.

These evil men wish that the two (2) prophets would just die, and go away and leave them alone. These two (2) prophets are a continual reminder, for the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation, that what men are doing is evil in the sight of God. Evil men reject and deny everything they hear from the two (2) witnesses. Evil men can’t get rid of, or kill these two (2) prophets since God has given them supernatural power to be able to withstand any forceable attempt on their life. Additionally, they are able to physically torment evil men with various supernatural plagues, as they see fit. The two (2) supernatural witnesses or prophets are God’s last attempt at using holy men to try to reach the minds and spirits of evil men with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the beast/antichrist is allowed to kill these two (2) witnesses and their bodies will lay out in the open street for 3 ½ days, decaying and decomposing, for the whole world to see. The whole world is so ecstatic that these prophets have been killed, that they celebrate, “rejoice and make merry” and “buy one another gifts.” After the 3 ½ days, God resurrects the two (2) witnesses and instructs them to “come up hither” in heaven (home). God’s patience has run out in using holy men, words, logic, meanings, testimonies and exhortations in trying to get evil men to willingly repent of their sins and evil actions. For the most part, all of the efforts of the two (2) witnesses have fallen on deaf ears, blind eyes, dumb minds and on the deceived spirits of evil men. In summary, the four-fold references of them being witnesses, olive trees, candlesticks and prophets attests to their purpose and ministry on earth during the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation.

Four-fold Results of Christ Opening the First Four Book Seals on Earth:

1. White Horse. … “And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Rev. 6:2). (Emphasis added).
2. Red Horse. … “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Rev. 6:4). (Emphasis added).
3. Black Horse. … “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse: and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny: and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Rev. 6:5-6). (Emphasis added).
4. Pale Horse. … “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Rev. 6:8). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Conquering nations, multitudes of peoples, tribes and tongues requires warfare. The beast/antichrist goes out to conquer and create war. A subsequent result of wars is the destruction of lands and crops, and the processes for food creation and distribution. This then results in famines and starvation on a massive scale. Diseases and pestilences are not far behind, ultimately followed by death. The process of conquering which ultimately results in death, is on a scale so massive and global, that a “fourth part” or 25% of the earth’s population is decimated. Even the beasts of the earth have power to kill men. One current estimate has the earth’s population at 7.5 billion people. A literal calculation would put the death rate at slightly under 2.0 billion (1.9 billion) people killed by the four horsemen of the apocalypse. That is an unimaginable death toll, unlike anything ever occurring on earth before. Massive numbers of unknown and untold peoples. The extremely sad fact is that “hell followed death.” Unfortunately, taken in a literal sense, the unfortunate people who die are described as being unsaved and have no redeeming knowledge or acceptance of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness of sins through the shedding of his blood. Hell is for those who did not accept Jesus Christ’s offer of salvation, for whatever their personal evil reasons or pride. The Bible does not provide any indication of where these almost 2.0 billion souls will come from throughout the earth. We are left to assume (correctly or incorrectly) that they will come from all over the world. No continent will escape these wars and the subsequent death that follows. Satan will have been successful in killing and stealing almost 2.0 billion potential saints from God and Jesus Christ.

Four-fold Seal Wraths Poured out on Earth:

1. Great earthquake. (Rev. 6:12).
2. Sun becomes black. (Rev. 6:12).
3. Moon becomes blood. (Rev. 6:12).
4. Stars in heaven fall to the earth. (Rev. 6:13).

Commentary: When Christ opens the sixth book seal, natural calamities are unleashed on the earth and heavens (not heaven). The Seal Wraths, Trumpet Wraths and Vial Wraths all alternate between affecting men and the earth. In the case of wraths being poured out onto the earth, they increase in severity and intensity going from least (seal wraths) to greatest (vial wraths). There is a very consistent pattern of afflication to the sun, moon and stars; and to the earth, it’s seas, fresh water systems (rivers, fountains and lakes), the foliage and the earth’s internal structural integrity. God afflicts man through his wrath poured out on the earth in several substantial ways. Many peoples of the earth rely on the seas to provide them with their livlihoods and food. Other areas of the earth are extremely dependent on fresh water systems for drinking water and related uses like irrigation for crops and water for livestock. Elsewhere, peoples are dependent on grasses and crops for feeding not only humans but livestock. Without the sun, crops will die and ultimately so will livestock. God is in effect, causing severe stress on earth’s life-supporting systems for men. In many areas of the world today, drought makes it extremely difficult to eak out any form of subsistance. This will get worse. God causes these general calamaties to affect the earth, in order to get evil mankind’s attention during the Tribulation. At this point, God is ‘shouting’ at evil mankind, through natural means.

Four-fold Trumpet Wraths Poured out on Earth:

1. … “The first angel shouted, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” (Rev. 8:7). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” (Rev. 8:8-9). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” (Rev. 8:10-11. (Emphasis added).
4. … “And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.” (Rev. 8:12). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Through the four trumpet wraths, God starts ‘yelling’ at evil mankind. He is turning up the heat a notch, so-to-speak, by increasing the affliction of earth to the point where various life-sustaining systems are destroyed. This includes sea creatures and man himself. 1/3^rd of trees and 1/3^rd of grasses are burnt up. This affects livestocks and animals in the eco-systems that are reliant on the forests and jungles. 1/3^rd of the sea is contaminated which causes 1/3^rd of sea creatures to die. 1/3^rd of sea going vessels are also destroyed by the “great mountain burning with fire that is cast into the sea.” Pick any of the world’s major oceans to be the recipient of the great mountain burning with fire. It doesn’t matter which ocean is targeted, as they are all ultimately interconnected. The spill-over affect of one ocean being contaminated affecting adjacent oceans is ecologically obvious. It won’t take much to affect 1/3^rd of the world’s salt-water oceans in becoming contaminated enough by a large catalysmic astronomical meteor or of a super-massive volcanic explosion from the ocean depth. The contamination effectively kills off 1/3^rd of global sea life.

Consider today the volcanic effects resulting from the volcanoes erupting in Hawaii, Guatemala, Bali and around the world. Here in the United States, the super-volcano that sits underneath Yellowstone National Park has geological scientists very worried, due to its ‘swarm earthquakes’ and substantially increased geyser activity. To harm the ocean is to harm its sea life and commercial ships that rely on harvesting the ocean. At this point, God also decides to pour his wrath out on earth by means of poisoning 1/3^rd of the fresh water systems around the world (rivers, lakes, fountains). Because sea water (salt water) is undrinkable, most nations that do not have any formal desalineation technonolgy, have to rely on fresh waters systems (rivers, lakes, fountains) for drinking water and its related uses to sustain human and animal life. The Bible is clear that a great heavenly object called “worwood” is cast to earth which causes 1/3^rd of freshwater systems to become bitter (polluted or contaminated to an unhealthy degree) to the extent that men die from drinking this water. The water of the earth, seas and fresh water systems, have been so afflicted that evil man’s existance comes into question because of his reliance on the seas, lakes, rivers and fountains. Take away water, and man starts to die. Just as God and Christ starting getting men’s attention by affecting the sun, moon and stars in the sixth book seal, the affliction of the sun, moon and stars gets turned up a notch by the fourth trumpet angel. Now, God is targeting his wrath to affect 1/3^rd of the sun, 1/3^rd of the moon and 1/3^rd of the stars to become darkened during the day and not shine likewise at night. Daytime will be darkened by a third, and nightime will be darker by a third.

Four-fold Vial Plagues Poured out on Earth:

1. … “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” (Rev. 16:3). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.” (Rev. 16:4). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain.” (Rev. 16:10). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.” (Rev. 16:12). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Ultimately, and finally, God starts ‘screaming’ at evil mankind through the final four vial plagues poured out on the earth in totality. Up until this point, God has turned up his wrath incrementally. Initially, he showcased supernatural wrath with first time afflictions of the earth proper. Next he showcased his wrath by affecting 1/3^rd of the earth’s suface foliage and waters (sea and fresh) and 1/3^rd  of the heavens (sun, moon, stars). Here at the end with the vial plagues, God turns the knob of wrab, all the way up to high. The afflictions of the earth that sustains evil mankind is total. All seas become as blood. “Every living soul/creature dies in the sea.”  1/3^rd of freshwater systems (rivers, fountains, lakes) also become as blood (which apparantly is progressively worse than being bitter from wormwood). The sun, moon and stars are totally darkened so that the beast’s kingdom and capital are completely dark (no sunlight, no moonlight, no starlight). The light that shines on the earth has gone progressively darker from a one-off darkness during the seal judgements, to a 1/3^rd darkness during the trumpet wraths to total darkness with the vial wraths.

Lastly, Rev. 16:12 is unique in that this is the only wrath verse that indicates an entire river is dried up (Euphrates) to allow passage for the kings of the east to particpate in The Great Day of the Lord a.ka. the battle of Armageddon. This suggests that the vial plagues take place shortly before Christ’s second coming to earth, sometime during the Great Tribulation or last 3 ½ years of the total Tribulation period. These plagues will obviously affect men to the point of being in a frenzy of hatred and anger, and for them to vent blasphemy and curses at God. The beast/antichrist uses this to fuel worldwide motivation for a gathering of the world’s armies to arrive at Armegeddon. The river has to be dried up so that thousands of tanks and armored vehicles of every sort can quickly cross the span of the river bed.  Evil mankind’s existance is so threatened by these worldwide plagues that they feel the only thing they can do (other than to repent and ask Christ’s forgiveness through the shedding of his blood and resurrection) is to fight or make war against him. They do no succeed in this attempt and are totally annihilated.

Four-fold Reference to Plagues Poured out on Evil Mankind:

1. Torment by Demonic Locusts: … “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of god in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (Rev. 9:3-6). (Emphasis added).
2. Noisome/Grievous Sores: … “And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” (Rev. 16:2). (Emphasis added).
3. Scorching Heat: … “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.” (Rev. 16:8-9). (Emphasis added).
4. Great Hail: … “And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” (Rev. 16:21). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: These plagues or afflictions round out God’s plan of pouring out wrath upon evil mankind. For the most part, the trumpet and vial wraths are poured out on the earth directly; sun, moon, stars, seas, rivers, lakes, fountains, trees, grasses and the earth’s internal structural integrity. All these natural elements support man’s existence on earth. In the first four seal judgements (horsemen of the apocalypse), God is using evil men against evil men, through wars – famines – pestilences and death. The carnage during this early period of the Tribulation is caused primarily by men acting upon men. God saves his worst wrath (vial plagues for the earth) just prior to Christ’s second coming, a.k.a. The Great Day of the Lord. The four wraths described above are directly poured out upon men. Three afflictions come from nature and one affliction comes directly from a demonic source (supernaturally evil locusts).

Four-fold Descriptions/Names of Mystery Religion Babylon:

1. Mystery Babylon. (Rev. 17:5)
2. (6X). (Rev. 17:3, 17:4, 17:6, 17:7, 17:9, 17:18)
3. (4X). (Rev. 17:1, 17:15, 17:16, 19:2)
4. Mother of Harlots. (Rev. 17:5)

Commentary: Two terms are capitalized, meaning a name or title (Mystery Babylon, Mother of Harlots). Two terms are not capitalized, meaning they are descriptive references (woman, whore). The descriptive use of woman is used six (6) times which denotes imperfection (less than godly), something not normal, monstrous, evil. Throughout the book of Revelation, anything being referenced exactly six (6) times is extremely evil, at its essence. God uses the number six (6) expressly for the purpose of representing anything evil. Lastly, all four (4) terms combined are used a total of exactly twelve (12) times throughout the book of Revelation. Twelve (12) constitutes God’s divine organization as applied to either heaven or earth. The use of woman and whore (lowercase, descriptive terms) are used in total ten (10) times. In this instance, ten (10) denotes God’s allness or completeness in a physical way, as to things pertaining on earth. Through God’s wisdom and intent, the use of woman and whore completely describe the earthly abomination that has the name Mystery Babylon and Mother of Harlots. Mystery Religion Babylon A.K.A. Mother of Harlots seduces men into worshipping false idols, devils, false doctrines of false religions … anything and everything other than worshipping the true and rightful one, God and Jesus Christ. These terms have also been used when thinking about the actual city know as Babylon. However, the context in which these terms are used, specifically refers to the Mystery Religion of Babylon, and not the city directly. You will see elsewhere in this analysis, where names and descriptions are expressly used for the actual city of Babylon. Just as in the preceding analysis regarding the names/descriptions of the evil one, there are numbers within numbers, truth within truth, meaning within meaning, layers upon layers. God’s wisdom, preciseness and mathematical accuracy keeps revealing itself, over and over and over to those who will look and attempt to understand his ways. In a proverbial nutshell, the feminine use of whore, woman, harlot all suggest that the Mystery Religion of Babylon completely and totally lead men away from true worship, and lead men away from being made aware of their potential salvation and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ and the shedding of his blood. This has always been another one of Satan’s strategies over millennia, to do everything in his power to prevent mankind from ever learning about the salvation and forgiveness that Jesus Christ offers them.

 Four-fold Reference to the False Prophet/2^nd Beast:

1. … “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” (Rev. 13:11-12). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.” (Rev. 16:13). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived themn that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimestone.” (Rev. 19:20). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimestone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Rev. 20:10). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: All of the references used are lowercase and descriptive in purpose. The term false prophet (used three times to signify emphasis and intensity) and another beast, two horned lamb, speaking as a dragon are all used only once. Why the descriptive use of false prophet? A prophet is someone who claims to speak the word of God directly to men, based on the authority and conviction of the Holy Spirit. A false prophet is someone who is attempting to deceive men with a word or doctrine that is not of or from God. It is not divinely inspired with authority or conviction from the Holy Sprit, but rather, comes from someplace else (hell, bottomless pit, mouth of Satan, demons, devils). The doctrine and worship is false as opposed to true. Thus, the false prophet is promoting false objects of worship and false doctrines of man made religious practices and rituals. Since he is a real, physical man, his name will not be known until he assumes his evil role, once the the beast / antichrist / man-of-sin shows up on the scene.

The symbolism of the false prophet having two horns like a lamb, yet speaking like a dragon is interesting. The small, two horns on a lamb are not powerful, they can’t hurt anyone or cause any damage. Neither can a lamb. Lambs are meek and mild creatures, easily scared and frightened. They do not possess any power or strength. They ‘bleat’ and do not ‘roar.’ Dragons, on the other hand, roar with fierocity. This false prophet roars with satanic conviction and authority. He is given his power from the beast/antichrist, to speak things and perform false miracles while in his presence. Unclean spirits are also sometimes referred to as demons. The false prophet has the ability, through the antichrist, to cast into the world an unclean spirit or demon from his mouth. All of these special abilities and powers come directly from the beast, who gets his power, authority and seat from Satan. Just like black, smelly sludge in a pit, evil flows downhill … from Satan, to the beast, to the false prophet, to men. There is a double (2) reference that the false prophet will end up in the lake of fire and brimestone (2^nd death). This double emphasis of an equal measure or weight indicates that there is no error in the fact that the false prophet is destined for the lake of fire and brimestone (2^nd death), along with the beast at the end of the Tribulation period. Satan will be joining them also in the lake of fire and brimestone (2^nd death), but at the end of Christ’s Millennial 1,000 year reign. The false prophet, like the beast / antichrist / man of sin, and Satan, will be tormented for ever and ever (eternity) in the lake of fire and brimestone (2^nd death).

Four-fold Reference to Evil Men Fighting Christ:

1. … “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev. 16:14). (Emphasis added).
2. … ”These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is the Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Rev. 17:14). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.” (Rev. 19:19). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Rev. 19:21). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: All four of these verses distinctly indicate how evil mankind has become during the Tribulation. Men literally are so debased and deceived, to think that they can fight against Christ (him that sits on a horse) … and win. All four verses are in direct reference to the battle of Armageddon and The Day of the Lord. There is no mistake, the beast – earthly kings – earthly armies all gather to “make war” against Christ at the return of his second coming to earth. Interestingly, Christ uses a particular military tactic. Once a main battle is over, a victorious army sweeps through the battlefield looking for their own dead soldiers, those who are injured and need medical assistance, to take out any pockets of hidden enemy resistance, to look for prisoners, etc. After the battle of Armageddon, Christ sweeps through the battlefield and literally destroys the evil remnant of men who were not killed during the main battle. Christ does not take any evil man prisoner. There are no prisoners. Christ’s wrath is complete and thorough. There will be no prisoner of war camps, no hope of rescue, no care packages, no love letters from families back home. Christ’s wrath is complete at the battle of Armageddon! As with many battles over history, the carnage is so great that scavenger birds gorge on dead men until they can’t eat anymore.

It bears repeating that on The Day of the Lord, the Lamb (Jesus Christ) brings with him those who “are called, and chosen and faithful.” These are redeemed men, the Bride of Christ, those who were raptured prior to the Tribulation and those who were dead in Christ at the time of the rapture/harpazo. These who are called, chosen and faithful have already received their glorified bodies (or else they could not be in the physical presence of Christ during his second return). They have already participated in the marriage super and bema seat judgement. The presence of the glorified, redeemed men in Christ’s army clearly indicate and logically support the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church or Bride of Christ. If the rapture were to take place after the battle of Armageddon or at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom, who then are those who “are called, and chosen, and faithful” that accompany Christ on his glorious return? A heavenly army of teenage mutant ninja turtles, clones from star wars, the avengers? Seriously, the army of heaven that accompanies Christ is not some rag-tag band of mercenaries. They are called to be in his army, they are chosen to be in his army, and they are described as being faithful.

Other verses throughout the Bible refer to those redeemed and forgiven by the shedding of Christ’s blood and his resurrection, as also being called, chosen and faithful. If God’s word in the Bible is consistent (which it is), then it is logical to understand that those who are “called, chosen and faithful” of verse 17:14 as being the army of redeemed, glorified men from the pre-tribulation rapture. It is Christ who has the power over his enemies. Our participation and attendance in his army serves two purposes; one, to give him glory and two, to serve as a testimony to the evil world that Christ’s redemptive word and offer of salvation was true. Those of us who will be in his army (it might be all of us), serve as manifested, physical evidence resulting from the word of God and the promises made by Christ during his ministry from over the past 2,000 years. I would rather peel potatoes in Christ’s heavenly army, than be a 5 Star General in an earthly army.

Four-fold Reference the the (s)erpent:

1. … “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out unto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev. 12:9). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” (Rev. 12:14). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” (Rev. 12:15). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.” ( 20:2). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Notice that (s)erpent in not capitalized, serpent is used as a descriptive element. It is intended to describe Satan/Devil as a serpent. In the garden of eden, a serpent deceived and lied to Eve. (s)erpent is thus a reference to describe Satan/Devil as a lier and deceiver. Using the meaning of universalness and foursquareness, Satan/Devil is universally and completely a lier and deceiver, no matter from which angle you view him. Lying and deception envelope him on all sides of his being.

Four-fold Reference to Angels Opening the Bottomless Pit:

1. … “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star (angel) fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” (Rev. 9:1). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.” (Rev. 9:2). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.” (Rev. 20:1). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And cast him (Devil/Satan) into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, thata he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Rev. 20:3). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: The two angelic openings of the bottomless pit with a key from heaven is a double confirmation that Christ does “hold the keys to heaven and hell.” The two angels referenced could not perform the task of opening the bottomless pit unless they were authorized to do so, AND given a key from Christ. From our cultural perspective, the bottomles pit is a maximum security prison for the most evil and destructive of angels and creatures. In order to be securely hidden in this prison, must be “bound in great chains” AND have a seal placed on him. He is the worst offender placed into this prison and has a double dose of restraint (great chains and seal). Logic from the four verses above that entities can’t go into, or out of the bottomless pit or maximum security prison unless Christ allows it by giving a key to a specific angel assigned to the task. The activity of opening and closing the bottomles pit with a heavenly key from Christ is just one of twenty-four (24) roles or responsibilities assigned to angels throughout the book of Revelation. A summary of all angelic roles identified throughout Revelation is contained in the last section, twenty-four (24) God’s abundant or doubled organization.

Four-fold Reference of Evil Men Not Repenting:

1. … “And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.” (Rev. 9:20). (Emphasis added).
2. … “Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (Rev. 9:21). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.” (Rev. 16:9). (Emphasis added).
4. … “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” (Rev. 16:11). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Evil men don’t repent of the their actions, and they don’t repent after receiving punishment from three special plagues – grievous sores, scorching heat, great hail stones. They know what they do is wrong, but they don’t repent, instead, they curse God. In spite of receiving punishment in three forms of bodily affliction, they still don’t repent and continue to curse the name of God. The twelve (12) sins mentioned include; works of their hands, worhipping devils, idols of gold, idols of silver, idols of brass, idols of stone, idols of wood, murders, sorceries, fornication, thefts and blasphemies. These listed, are very explicit and very accountable sins in God’s divinely constituted organization in either heaven or earth.  In all four references, it is implied that evil men knew what they were (are) doing, but their prideful nature did/does not allow them to repent and ask for forgiveness. To make their sin even greater, in addition to not repenting (asking for forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ), they proceed to blaspheme, curse and swear at God. They act like an evil man who is arrested at a convenience store for armed robbery by police officers, that in turn cusses and spits at the officers and tells them belligerantly that they are ‘pigs.’

This is a simple but effective way of illustrating how men approach God who confronts them of their sins through special plagues and calamaties. No matter the calamity, men’s hearts are so hardened by sin and evil, that they can’t bring themselves to repent, even when being inflicted with severe physical pain. There is no logic, reasoning or words that can directly reach these men. God has to resort to physical calamaties to try to break through their evil, prideful, stubborn natures. Even then, this doesn’t work. These men are damned and lost. Their brief worship of gold, wealth, false idols, or whatever, is more important to them than the eternal status of their souls, spirits and physical being. They are trading a nano-second of time in eternity, for a temporary self-perceived ounce of false pleasure. All this at the expense of an eternity of heavenly joy and righteous pleasure. They pursue false worship at the expense of true worship and will pay the price forever.

Four-fold Reference to the Woman (Whore):

1. … “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgement of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: ” (Rev. 17:1). (Emphasis added).
2. … “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues.” (Rev. 17:15). (Emphasis added).
3. … “And the ten horns which thou sawests upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” (Rev. 17:16). (Emphasis added).
4. … “For true and righteous are his judgements: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servents at her hand.” (Rev. 19:2). (Emphasis added).

Commentary: Two (2) references directly indicate that the whore is judged for courrupting the earth with false relgious doctrines (Mystery Religion Babylon), and she is judged for killing the servents of God by beheadings. The whore sits on all the peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. Again, this is an anology for the false religious doctrines, of the tribulation period,  being widespread and encouraged around the world to all peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues (everyone, everywhere). The whore facilitates the adoption of these blasphemous, evil, man made religious doctrines and subsequent false religious worshipping. Babylon is described as a whore because she is tempting men away from the rightful and true worship of God (through his Son, Jesus Christ). Mankind is being tempted with a cheap, water-downed, hodge-podge, ‘do as thou wilst’, no strings attached kind of evil, religious soup from the smorgasbord of lies. Another terse analogy is that the whore tempts the world with a cornucopia of religious crap, that the world is deceived into thinking that it is right, good and healthy for them. Mankind consumes this evil religious soup and empties their bowl to the last drop. All of these expressions support the fact, that as a spiritual whore, Babylon tempts mankind with bad, evil and blasphemous alternatives to the true worship of Jesus Christ and God. Satan is deceivingly giving mankind what they want think is best for themselves, instead of men considereing what God rightfully offers them. They fall for the lie, instead of stand for the truth.

The third verse, 17:16, taken by itself will appear to be confusing because it sort of sits at odds with the other verses. However, this is not the case when taken into context with other verses, throughout Revelation that discuss Babylon and Mystery Religion Babylon. In a nutshell, the whore, both city of Babylon and the Mystery Religion of Babylon are ultimately destroyed. The physical city of Babylon is destroyed and split into three parts, in one hour by a massive earthquake, on The Great Day of the Lord. Mystery Religion Babylon is destroyed by the ten (10) kings/political leaders who form the axis behind the beast’s/antichrist’s power base. At the midpoint of the tribulation, Satan does away with all of these mystery, man-made religious doctrines and worship practices, to declare that the entire world now has to worship him directly as God. The ten (10) kings/political leaders force the destruction (eat her flesh, burn her with fire, hate her) of all of the wordwide, false religious worship, at the demand of the beast/antichrist.

This paves the way for the world to have only one object of worship, during the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation… Satan, who possesses the body of the antichrist/beast until Christ’s return on The Day of the Lord. The great deceiver, Satan/Devil, plays the world with the greatest spritual/religious ‘bait-n-switch’ of all time. Once he gets them in the door, luring them in with every religious/worshipping lie (Do as thou wilst) they want to hear, he gets them to sign on the dotted line by taking his Mark of identification and allegiance. Now he has them, bait-hook-line-sinker. Once they are hooked, he throws away the old bait (blasphemous religious doctrines and worship), and tells mankind that they now have to worship him, only him, directly. They can’t refuse, turn back, tear up the contract or deem that it is null and void. They ‘marked the deal’ with their signature, when they allowed the false prophet to brand them with the beast’s mark. It is a done deal. Signed in blood. They are now damned for eternity for believing in lies and corrupting themselves physically and spiritually. They no longer have the possibility of redemption or of being the imagers of God, but rather, are the physically and spiritually corrupted, polluted imagers of Satan. The physical and spirtual corruption is now permanent and for eternity. Satan owns them.

Foursome (double of a double); a double reference to whore plus a double reference to great whore.  Foursome (peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues). Foursome (desolate, naked, flesh, fire). Foursome (two references to seeing the whore, two references to where the whore sits). Thus, there are four – foursomes, another doubling of a double, this time of four (4) and not two (2). There is a double of seven’s (7), (seven angels and seven vials). The whore is one of the targets of the seven angels with the seven vials. Judgement is referenced three (3) times (denoting emphasis and intensity), judgement has two (2) descriptions (true and righteous). There are two (2) descriptions of what the whore does, first she corrupts the earth with her fornications (false religious doctrine/worship), and secondly she sheds the blood of Christ’s Saints (Tribulation Martyrs) via beheading, for their witnessing of Jesus Christ.