The Complete Idiot's Guide to 2012 - Dr. Synthia Andrews Nd [70]
Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:10-11 NIV)
Book of Revelation
Luke and Matthew set the stage for the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Revelation is one of the best-known texts on the end times. The book was written by John, thought to be John the Apostle, while in exile as an old man on the island of Patmos. The book is written in symbolic language that is often hard to understand. It lends itself to different interpretations. There’s no doubt, however, that Revelation gives an excellent description of the end times.
The Seven Seals
The first chapters in the Book of Revelation are a message from Christ to the seven Churches of Asia Minor. Following the message, John saw seven seals, or scrolls, on which were written the events to take place:
◆ Seal one: There appears a white horse whose rider goes forth to conquer with a bow and a crown.
◆ Seal two: A red horse is released with a rider who is given permission to take peace from the world so that people will butcher people. He is given a huge sword.
◆ Seal three: A black horse is called forth and the rider holds a balance scale. A voice says: “A quart of wheat will cost a day’s pay and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine.”
◆ Seal four: A pale green horse emerges with death as the rider and Hades is following right behind. They are given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill the populations with famine, disease, and by the wild animals of the earth.
◆ Seal five: John sees the souls of those who have died in the name of Christ, waiting for their deaths to be avenged. They call out: “How long Master before the Judgment of Earth?” They are given long white robes and are told that the forces of destruction are about to be turned loose in the world. They may have to endure even greater torment, but if they are faithful they will be redeemed whose names are written in the book of life.
◆ Seal six: With the opening of the sixth seal a huge earthquake occurs, the sun becomes black, the full moon becomes red, and the stars in the sky fall to earth. The sky splits apart and every mountain and island is moved from its place. Kings, governors, generals, free people, and slaves all hide from the wrath and judgment of God.
◆ Seal seven: The opening of the seventh seal was followed by silence. It’s said to be the period of silent preparation for the awful judgments that were to descend on earth with the sounding of the seven trumpets and release of the four winds.
Four Angels
After the scrolls have been opened, John sees four angels with the four winds of heavens that will blow through the world and initiate the events described. The angels are told to hold back the winds until Christ has placed seals on the foreheads of the servants of God. There are 144,000 worthy servants who will not be touched by the destruction to be unleashed on the world. When the seven angels blow the trumpet of judgment, the physical ruin described in the scrolls begins.
The prophecy also says there will be an antichrist who assumes world domination. He has a companion, a false prophet, and together they oversee a one-world government and religion. The antichrist rules the world until the battle of Armageddon. At this point, Jesus returns to earth; the 144,000 worthy servants ascend to heaven; and Christ destroys the armies of the antichrist. The false prophet and the antichrist are thrown into the lake of fire. As these events unfold on earth, war is happening in heaven, too. The angels fight the “dragon” Satan and he, too, is thrown into the lake of fire.
Celestial Connection
Nearly every ancient people has a prophecy relating to the return of the