Key Word - LOVE

Bible prophecy, and the Book of Revelation, is not "God's Wrath"! It's simply prophecy. But it's prophecy from the ultimate source! And though I do not think the book's fulfillment is imminent, I do think it's very interesting and could be a handy thing to pass on to our children and grand children.

"God is LOVE" - 1 John 4:8.

"...we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men --" 1 Timothy 4:10. He made the sun to rise and the birds to sing.. Bible prophecy is the story of what man does. But it's told in bold and colorful images and in rich language. You can hear a symphony as you read it.. Well, not really, but I got caught up in the moment! And you almost can! The symbols of Revelation are like music notes of an orchestra, and once a note begins it continues to the 'end'. [In this way, things which occur very late, are told here at the beginning!]

I believe there's at least two keys needed for understanding the Book of Revelation. The first is in chapter six, where the prophecy begins, the "seals" are described as a blend of what they are at their beginning, and what they are fully grown and progressed.

The second key is to realize chapters twelve and thirteen are inserts. They are each a complete story and history on their own.
    * * * * * * * *

THE BEAST

I'm sure you have heard of "the beast" in Bible prophecy, and that it has to do with that mysterious number, 666. This is in the Book of Revelation, chapter 13.  But did you know there are two beasts? The most prominent beast - the one I would call "THE beast" - is verses one through ten. A 'big' beast. And verses eleven through eighteen are a 'little' beast.

Beast one is a world beast, or that is a world empire or world body, which rises to much power. Beast two is a prominent office of man. Yes, he's the famous 666 one, but it's - an office - which is pinpointed, here, in Revelation chapter 13. And dig this, the verse which pinpoints the office? Verse 13:13.

So picture this, verse 13 says, "he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." For the life of me I can't imagine why this doesn't ring more bells! Like man's splitting of the atom isn't in Bible prophecy! (Maybe hints at it in Ezekiel.)

Revelation 13:13 - "he.. makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men" - 1945, fire, upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Earth's final antiChrist (it's a person, for we have his number, and yes there's been others) will be associated with that same office which brought down that fire. Likely associated with the office, previously to being in the main seat of the world beast (of verses one through ten).

The world beast here, and also in the book of (in the writings of) the prophet Daniel, is described as having ten horns. (Leading us to believe there are clues and information about it in both Revelation and Daniel.) Daniel is second only to the Book of Revelation when it comes to latter day Bible prophecy. Revelation (about 90 a.d.) says he "has seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns" (from Revelation 13:1-3). And Daniel (about 550 b.c.) says he has "ten horns in his head.. with iron teeth and bronze claws" (from Daniel 7:19 and 20).

In the next lesson, we will discuss how we know the "iron" is Roman (based) and the "bronze" is Greek (based). The last days world beast will be something which sprang up upon Roman and Greek (Roman/Graeco) foundations, what is called "the classical world". And what was built upon it? Western civilization. Think Roman politics, courts, senates, architecture; along with Greek drama, arts, philosophy, universities, etc. A world body rises to power, having iron teeth (columns!) and with bronze claws "breaks apart" or "scatters". [This is not to say nations of the Middle and Far East are not also players in the Book of Revelation vision.]

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FAT MAN and LITTLE BOY Leap Upon The Stage

We're going to jump ahead for one moment to Revelation chapter thirteen.

Revelation 13, verse 13 - in Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

"..and it" - the second 'beast' of the chapter - "doth great signs, that fire also it may make to come down from the heaven to the earth before men.."

Many believe this will be a supernatural act, a magical trick of some sort. But I believe it occurred in 1945 at the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

I also believe it is the sixth seal, of the seven seals of chapter six. The scroll is unrolled, breaking the seal, revealing the vision, the earth shakes, and mighty men of the earth hide in caves. I remember hearing of the bomb shelters that were built after that day.

The Seals of God are described in a blend of two strands:
 - #1 - what it is when it begins, and,
 - #2 - what it is at the 'end' in its full growth (gallup) and maturity.

This is never more true than with the sixth seal. But with the emphasis on its full blown effect.

Revelation 6:12-17 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

"And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and lo, a great earthquake came, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of the heaven fell to the earth -- as a fig-tree doth cast her winter figs, by a great wind being shaken -- and heaven departed as a scroll rolled up, and every mountain and island -- out of their places were moved; and the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich, and the chiefs of thousands, and the mighty, and every servant, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains, and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, `Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of Him who is sitting upon the throne, and from the anger of the Lamb,' because come did the great day of His anger, and who is able to stand?"

And after this -

Revelation 7:1 - King James Version (KJV)

"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.."

The Winds of the Sixth Seal are held back. Its winds are paused, and this is exactly where planet Earth is now in the unfolding of Bible prophecy. How long we remain here, would likely be the question. During the pause "servants of God are sealed on their foreheads, a hundred and forty-four thousand of Israel, and a great crowd from every land, nation and tribe". (The order being vice-versa, as shortly after Israel recognizes Jesus as Messiah, is when Jesus returns, Mt 23:39.)

Then, when the seventh seal on the scroll is broken there is silence in heaven for half an hour. I believe the seventh seal is broken when the pause of thermonuclear warfare is broken. Seven angels who stand before God are given seven trumpets, and they prepare to sound. (Things escalate.)

The seven trumpets are in that last seal. In order to keep this study brief and to the point, I am assuming it's likely any reader of this is acquainted somewhat with the Book of Revelation and knows what the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls or Vials are. I would be more than happy to reply to the question if not however.

By describing the sixth seal in its maturity of effect, the vision is in a degree, locked. For it describes things which happen very late on the planet, here so early on in the narrative!

NEXT

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THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

Book of Revelation 6:1-8

The scroll of the Revelation vision is kept rolled closed by seven seals. As the Lamb of God (Jesus who was slain for Earth's rescue) unrolls the scroll, each time he breaks one of the first four seals, a horse and rider come riding, each one of a different color.

The first horse is white, and its rider "went out conquering and to conquer". Many believe this first seal and horse and rider to be a last days false gospel and world religion. But I believe the seals span the whole latter age, the years of our Lord, A.D. and I believe it is the glorious gospel which conquered and was "openly victorious over powers and principalities", namely those ancient fierce 'gods'.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse continue their ride (from canter to gallop?) throughout the age, and to the 'end'. Each seal progresses from its beginning to the end of the age.

There's a 'lock on the vision' here. Each seal is described at it's opening (breaking) as a blend of two things. What it is at its beginning and what it is at its full progression and maturity. In this way, things which occur very late on the planet, are described here so very early on in the narrative!!

The second horse with rider, is red, he is war, and he is "given a long" or some versions say, "great sword" - our first look at thermo-nuclear weaponry?

The third horse is black and its rider holds a scale. He is imbalance and shortage, especially as a companion to war.

The fourth horse is a pale (or green) horse, and his rider is called "death" and "the grave follows after him". (Including the mass grave.) Many interpretations translate this as "and hell follows after him". But "the grave" is a closer translation.

I recently listened to a preacher who said the white horse is Roman Catholicism (or a form of it), the red horse is Communism, the black horse is Capitalism and the green horse is that radical religion we hear so much about these days. These also fit. I often think Bible prophecy is wider, more nimble than we realize and more than one interpretation works very well together. (To say nothing of different fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies from the time they were written, usually at least two, a 'soon' one and an 'end' times fulfillment.)

In summary - the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (the Unveiling/Revelation) - Conquering gospel (with shadow rider, false? all forms) - War - Shortage & Inequity - that sad horror, the Mass Grave
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REVELATION STUDY - INTRODUCTION

This study will be in little bites, pun intended! And it will start at chapter six - because the Book of Revelation prophecy vision rolls out from chapter six.

However, there are some awesome things written in chapters one through five! Jesus is given a scroll, and at chapter six He unrolls it. This is the Revelation prophecy.

The scroll is sealed with seven seals which are broken, consecutively, as He unrolls the scroll. When the first seal is broken, the first horseman of the apocalypse - one of four - comes riding out.

Next Byte - The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse

"Apocalypse" which the Book of Revelation is often called, is a Greek word which means the "unveiling". The Book of Revelation is the climax of mankind's story and history. Without a climax and conclusion, nothing would be learned. Even "the angels are watching.."
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God Is Very Geo-Political

Over and over in the scriptures of the Bible, God makes mention of "the nations".

"The nations will trust in Him" is prophesied and written, perhaps by every Biblical prophet.

When Jesus was born, it was prophesied "the nations have seen a great light". And it's prophesied when Jesus returns "He will judge between many nations" (it goes on to say "they will beat their swords into pruning hooks and plowshares, neither shall they learn war anymore, but each one will dwell under their own vine and fruit tree, and no one will bother them"). (Micah 4:3,4)

I get the sense after mankind's history, God will be fully vindicated, good totally triumphant. "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD" - capitalized to refer to the Father - "and all families will rejoice before Him" - Psalm 22:27.

Revelation #7 - Crash In One Hour

 ~ ~ ~ This is Prophecy Sentence Part 7 ~ ~ ~
= also (R.18:2-19,24 + 17:2) ( the 2nd = part of the prophecy sentence)
Revelation 18:2-19, 24 (Young's Literal Translation)
"..and the angel did cry in a great voice, saying, `Fall, fall did Babylon the Great, and she became a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird - because of the wine of the wrath of her whoredom" (greek word "pornos") "have all the nations drunk" (and seven hills/continents) "and the kings of the earth with her did commit whoredom" (were in bed with her) "and merchants of the earth from the power of her enchantments were made rich. - And I heard another voice out of the heaven, saying, `Come forth out of her, My people, that ye may not partake with her sins, and that ye may not receive of her plagues, - because her sins did follow -- unto the heaven" (she shook her fist at heaven) "and God did remember her unrighteousness. - Render to her as also she did render to you, and double to her doubles according to her works; in the cup" ("golden cup" of side effects, i.e. perversions, murders, abortions, etc, etc) "that she did mingle, mingle to her double. -  `As much as she did glorify herself and did revel, so much torment and sorrow give to her, because in her heart she saith, I sit a queen, and a widow I am not, and sorrow I shall not see; - because of this, in one day, shall come her plagues, death, and sorrow, and famine; and in fire she shall be utterly burned, because strong [is] the Lord God who is judging her; - and weep over her, and smite themselves for her, shall the kings of the earth, who with her did commit whoredom and did revel, when they may see the smoke of her burning, - from afar having stood because of the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city! Babylon, the strong city! because in one hour did come thy judgment. - `And the merchants of the earth shall weep and sorrow over her, because their lading no one doth buy any more; - lading of gold, and silver, and precious stone, and pearl, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyne wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel of most precious wood, and brass, and iron, and marble, - and cinnamon, and odours, and ointment, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and cattle, and sheep, and of horses, and of chariots, and of bodies and souls of men. - `And the fruits of the desire of thy soul did go away from you, and all things -- the dainty and the bright -- did go away from you, and no more at all mayest thou find them. - The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, far off shall stand because of the fear of her torment, weeping, and sorrowing, - and saying, Woe, woe, the great city, that was arrayed with fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and gilded in gold, and precious stone, and pearls -- because in one hour so much riches were made waste!" (collapse in one hour) -  `And every shipmaster, and all the company upon the ships, and sailors, and as many as work the sea" (i.e. trade) "far off stood, - and were crying, seeing the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like to the great city? - and they did cast dust upon their heads, and were crying out, weeping and sorrowing, saying, Woe, woe, the great city! in which were made rich all having ships in the sea, out of her costliness -- for in one hour was she made waste... ..On the streets of Babylon is found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."
Revelation 17:2 - (Contemporary English Version)
"Every king on earth has slept with her, and her shameless ways are like wine that has made everyone on earth drunk.” (And immoral.)
---- These studies are not necessarily in the order they occur in the Book of Revelation.----
Revelation #1 - The Bible Tells Us All Things - (USA)
Revelation #2 - Fat Man and Little Boy
Revelation #3 - Not Even One Stone
Rev #4 - Drought Ends World Peace
Rev #5 - A Happy Dragon
Rev #6 - Last Ten Of 45 Days
Rev #7 - Crash In One Hour
The whole sentence:  R.12:14(USA) + (R.6:12-17 + 13:13@1945) + (Mt.24:1,2 + Dan.12:11a) + [Lk.23:31 + R.12:16 + Mk.13:8] + [Dan.12:11,12 + R.13:17 + Mt.24:15] = [R.20:4b\R.2:10 + Dan.12:12] + (R.18:2-19,24 + 17:2)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In other words, what I have gathered will likely unfold concerning Bible 'end' times prophecy is there will be a seven year peace treaty of the nations of the world. (Or just in the Middle East as some think?) In "the midst" or middle of this 'peace' the Wailing Wall, a place of daily worship and petition in Jerusalem, will be taken away and removed. And roughly three and one half years later, the "abomination which desolates" (666) will be "set-up" affecting "buying and selling" for forty five days, with the last ten days becoming critical (Revelation 20:4b and 2:10). [Daniel 9:27; 12:11,12 and Matthew 24:1,2]
 ~ I'm on the look out for a verse or verses which mention a 'marriage' of two world political powers.. The (world) beast of Rev 13:1-10 married to or infiltrated by the political force which has in it Rev 20:4b.

Revelation #6 - Last Ten Of 45 Days

 ~ ~ ~ This is Prophecy Sentence Part 6 ~ ~ ~
= [R.20:4b\R.2:10 + Dan.12:12] ( = part of the prophecy sentence, 1st of 2 )
Revelation 20:4b/2:10
"...and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded.. ...and you will have" (this?) "tribulation for ten days.."
Daniel 12:12 (Young's Literal Translation)
"Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the 1,335 days." [Daniel 12:11 - "and from the time of the turning aside of the perpetual [sacrifice], and to the giving out of the desolating abomination, [are] days 1,290." Daily sacrifice/place of, removed, 1,290 days later - the giving out of the desolating abomination. Blessed is he who comes to the 1,335th day.
---- These studies are not necessarily in the order they occur in the Book of Revelation.----
Revelation #1 - The Bible Tells Us All Things - (USA)
Revelation #2 - Fat Man and Little Boy
Revelation #3 - Not Even One Stone
Rev #4 - Drought Ends World Peace
Rev #5 - A Happy Dragon
Rev #6 - Last Ten Of 45 Days
Rev #7 - Crash In One Hour 
The whole sentence:  R.12:14(USA) + (R.6:12-17 + 13:13@1945) + (Mt.24:1,2 + Dan.12:11a) + [Lk.23:31 + R.12:16 + Mk.13:8] + [Dan.12:11,12 + R.13:17 + Mt.24:15] = [R.20:4b\R.2:10 + Dan.12:12] + (R.18:2-19,24 + 17:2)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In other words, what I have gathered will likely unfold concerning Bible 'end' times prophecy is there will be a seven year peace treaty of the nations of the world. (Or just in the Middle East as some think?) In "the midst" or middle of this 'peace' the Wailing Wall, a place of daily worship and petition in Jerusalem, will be taken away and removed. And roughly three and one half years later, the "abomination which desolates" (666) will be "set-up" affecting "buying and selling" for forty five days, with the last ten days becoming critical (Revelation 20:4b and 2:10). [Daniel 9:27; 12:11,12 and Matthew 24:1,2]
 ~ I'm on the look out for a verse or verses which mention a 'marriage' of two world political powers.. The (world) beast of Rev 13:1-10 married to or infiltrated by the political force which has in it Rev 20:4b.

Revelation #5 - A Happy Dragon

  ~ ~ ~ This is Prophecy Sentence Part 5 ~ ~ ~
[Dan.12:11,12 + R.13:17 + Mt.24:15]
Daniel 12:11 - "..from the time the daily sacrifices are stopped" (in Israel?) "and the giving out of the desolating abomination, will be days a thousand, two hundred, and ninety."
Revelation 13:17 - "and that no one may be able to buy, or to sell, except he who is having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
Matthew 24:15 - "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand)".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In other words, what I have gathered will likely unfold concerning Bible 'end' times prophecy is there will be a seven year peace treaty of the nations of the world. (Or just in the Middle East as some think?) In "the midst" or middle of this 'peace' the Wailing Wall, a place of daily worship and petition in Jerusalem, will be taken away and removed. And roughly three and one half years later, the "abomination which desolates" (666) will be "set-up" affecting "buying and selling" for forty five days, with the last ten days becoming critical (Revelation 20:4b and 2:10). [Daniel 9:27; 12:11,12 and Matthew 24:1,2]
 ~ I'm on the look out for a verse or verses which mention a 'marriage' of two world political powers.. The (world) beast of Rev 13:1-10 married to or infiltrated by the political force which has in it Rev 20:4b.
 ---- These studies are not necessarily in the order they occur in the Book of Revelation.----
Revelation #1 - The Bible Tells Us All Things - (USA)
Revelation #2 - Fat Man and Little Boy
Revelation #3 - Not Even One Stone
Rev #4 - Drought Ends World Peace
Rev #5 - A Happy Dragon
Rev #6 - Last Ten Of 45 Days
Rev #7 - Crash In One Hour
The whole sentence:  R.12:14(USA) + (R.6:12-17 + 13:13@1945) + (Mt.24:1,2 + Dan.12:11a) + [Lk.23:31 + R.12:16 + Mk.13:8] + [Dan.12:11,12 + R.13:17 + Mt.24:15] = [R.20:4b\R.2:10 + Dan.12:12] + (R.18:2-19,24 + 17:2)

Revelation #1 - The Bible Tells Us All Things

~ ~ ~ This is Prophecy Sentence Part 1 ~ ~ ~
[ R.12:14(USA) ]
[Key: See a horse come galloping. The dust that's raised, hides the vision. For every Seal is a blend of its beginning and its end. Revelation 10,11,12,13 and 14 are inserts. Pray to see.. R.=Revelation]
R.12:14(USA)
Revelation 12:14 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT) - "and there were given to the woman two wings of the great eagle, that she may fly" (sail) "to the wilderness, to her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time" (a 3.5 modern division) "from the face of the serpent".. Interesting note! Everywhere else in this chapter, is written "the dragon" except here, where in the next verse, verse 15, a flood (a proliferation) is loosed after the woman. This "serpent" is the beguiling mode of "the dragon". Verse 16 says "but the earth helped the woman and swallowed the flood that had come from the dragon's mouth".
 - (Leading to this, aka, previously in Revelation chapter 12) - The Son of Man, who will rule with a rod of Iron (un-breakable rule) was born to the woman who has a crown or halo of twelve stars (12 tribes) but the dragon tried to devour Him (in the person of Herod) but couldn't and the Son of man was caught up to God and His throne (where He now sits at the right hand of God, Hebrews 1:3). So the dragon pursues the woman (70 A.D.) but she(now the gospel) runs/migrates to a new place. There's war in heaven and the Dragon is no longer allowed access to heaven, so enraged, he persecutes/inquisitions the woman but she is given the two wings of an eagle that she may sail to a new place (a second migration of the gospel, or i.e. the body/church).
- "Where she is kept safe from the face of the serpent for three and and a half" divisions of time - 1620 + 350 = roughly 1970, when a flood/proliferation of seduction is poured out against the woman in order to wash her (the gospel) away from the face of the earth.. (A previously hidden, or in the shadows societal phenomenon is unleashed.)
- Here's something interesting. I have always felt prophecy patterns are repeating patterns.. Three times plus half a time (3.5) is here in Revelation 12 (a whole history summed). Also counting from 1970 to a great flood spewed, or flooding, is three and one half (3.5) decades to Hurricane Katrina in the year 2005, and release of the book "An Inconvenient Truth" in 2006.
---------------------------
** Note - Additional 3.5's: Dan 7:25 & 12:7; Rev 11:2-3,13:5 all these = same time, which is also prophet Daniel's 12:11 and 12 which says, between such and such (a more complete fulfillment of Matthew 24:2 concerning the Temple complex in Jerusalem) "shall be 1,290 days" or three and a half (Hebrew) years, plus an extra month (a leap month, or what is a Hebrew leap year). And verse 12 says "blessed is the person who comes to the 1,335 days" which is 45 days later.. ten days of which will be "tribulation"(Rev 2:10).. 35 days of cannot buy or sell, escalates to "ten days tribulation".
 ---- These studies are not necessarily in the order they occur in the Book of Revelation.----
Revelation #1 - The Bible Tells Us All Things - (USA)
Revelation #2 - Fat Man and Little Boy
Revelation #3 - Not Even One Stone
Rev #4 - Drought Ends World Peace
Rev #5 - A Happy Dragon
Rev #6 - Last Ten Of 45 Days
Rev #7 - Crash In One Hour
The whole sentence:  R.12:14(USA) + (R.6:12-17 + 13:13@1945) + (Mt.24:1,2 + Dan.12:11a) + [Lk.23:31 + R.12:16 + Mk.13:8] + [Dan.12:11,12 + R.13:17 + Mt.24:15] = [R.20:4b\R.2:10 + Dan.12:12] + (R.18:2-19,24 + 17:2)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In other words, what I have gathered will likely unfold concerning Bible 'end' times prophecy is there will be a seven year peace treaty of the nations of the world. (Or just in the Middle East as some think?) In "the midst" or middle of this 'peace' the Wailing Wall, a place of daily worship and petition in Jerusalem, will be taken away and removed. And roughly three and one half years later, the "abomination which desolates" (666) will be "set-up" affecting "buying and selling" for forty five days, with the last ten days becoming critical (Revelation 20:4b and 2:10). [Daniel 9:27; 12:11,12 and Matthew 24:1,2]
 ~ I'm on the look out for a verse or verses which mention a 'marriage' of two world political powers.. The (world) beast of Rev 13:1-10 married to or infiltrated by the political force which has in it Rev 20:4b.

The Serpent Guise Of The Dragon

All through Revelation, chapter twelve, of the Bible, we read about "the dragon". He waits in front of the woman who gives birth to a manchild who will rule all nations with a rod of iron (unbreakable law and principle) in order to devour the manchild (a son of man) as soon as he is born. We can almost hear "Rachel weeping"...

But the manchild is not devoured. Instead he is caught up to God and his throne. (Hebrews 1:3) At which point, said dragon is enraged and pursues the woman, and there is a first migration (of the faith). There's war in heaven, Michael and his angels battle with the dragon and his angels, who do not prevail, and after which, the dragon is denied further access to the heavens.

He's pretty ticked off about that, so he persecutes the woman, and she is given the two wings of an eagle - a second migration of the faith - so she may fly away from the inquisitions to a new place where she is, for a "set time" (Strong's #2540) and "short while" kept safe from the face, countenance, fashion (Strong's #4383) of the dragon. (A set time of 3.5.)

But the serpent, after the set, short while, spews some sort of flood (proliferation) (Strong's #4215 current, stream, river) after the woman so she will be washed away (Strong's #4216) "overwhelmed, carried away" by the flood.

We know the serpent is the dragon, for the next verse (verse 16) says "But the earth" (in the vision John saw) "came to the rescue of the woman, and the ground opened its mouth and swallowed up the stream of water which the dragon had spewed from his mouth." (Amplified Version) [Cross-Reference - Luke 23:31!]

Why is the dragon in the one verse, referred to as "the serpent"?

The Serpent Guise Of The Dragon

All through Revelation, chapter twelve, of the Bible, we read about "the dragon". He waits in front of the woman who gives birth to a manchild who will rule all nations with a rod of iron (unbreakable law and principle) in order to devour the manchild (a son of man) as soon as he is born. We can almost hear "Rachel weeping"...

But the manchild is not devoured. Instead he is caught up to God and his throne. (Hebrews 1:3) At which point, said dragon is enraged and pursues the woman, and there is a first migration (of the faith). There's war in heaven, Michael and his angels battle with the dragon and his angels, who do not prevail, and after which, the dragon is denied further access to the heavens.

He's pretty ticked off about that, so he persecutes the woman, and she is given the two wings of an eagle - a second migration of the faith - so she may fly away from the inquisitions to a new place where she is, for a "set time" (Strong's #2540) and "short while" kept safe from the face, countenance, fashion (Strong's #4383) of the dragon. (A set time of 3.5.)

But the serpent, after the set, short while, spews some sort of flood (proliferation) (Strong's #4215 current, stream, river) after the woman so she will be washed away (Strong's #4216) "overwhelmed, carried away" by the flood.

We know the serpent is the dragon, for the next verse (verse 16) says "But the earth" (in the vision John saw) "came to the rescue of the woman, and the ground opened its mouth and swallowed up the stream of water which the dragon had spewed from his mouth." (Amplified Version) [Cross-Reference - Luke 23:31!]

Why is the dragon in the one verse, referred to as "the serpent"?

The Heartbroken Prophet

Poor Hosea. He lived in hard times, a time hard to find a good wife. Prophet for the Most High God of the Bible, during a time when the nation was, let's say very sexually active. Finally God said "Go ahead, get yourself a wife from the nation, she'll symbolize the unfaithfulness of my people".

Now lest we get on our high horse and judge Israel, it's not hard to see Israel is but a micro example of the macro situation.. the world has wandered far from the One who created it as a garden of peace and delight.

It's been said of prophet Hosea, "his sentences fall like the throbs of a broken heart." His wife had run off with another man, likely one who could pamper her with luxury. Hosea's heart was broken. This, God said, was the exact same thing Israel (and mankind) had done to him. Like sheep gone astray, Israel then, and the world now, has wandered far away from Him and life's simple garden of peace and delight. We could truthfully say God's heart mourns.

Mourning the unfaithfulness of his wife, Hosea, wrote that he "bought her back". Before we judge them too harshly, let's note it was a day when religion (other than Israel's) involved sex rites in the shade of lush groves. "The spirit of harlotry leads them astray" Hosea recorded, "and Most High God is a stranger to them".

This marriage was an example of God's marriage to mankind, and Israel, appointed to prophecy, to record the words of Scripture, and to be the place a little bit prepared for the rescuer, Messiah, whom it is prophesied will return and restore paradise and eternal life, after the course of mankind and world history has run its course. You see, God too, has "bought back" His unfaithful wife.

Before God sent Hosea to prophecy, He had sent Elijah, Elisha and Amos. Meanwhile, He also had sent Jonah to preach to Nineveh the capital of Assyria. You see Assyria was a great nation whose main theme and occupation was conquest, and they had their eye on Israel.

Back when Israel was faithful to God, His radiant Spirit (His Presence with them) was a shield round about them. But this could no longer be said. Mighty Nineveh, and all Assyria amended their ways at the preaching of Jonah, long enough to delay their aggressive conquest of Israel, what God called "fiery judgment".

In the day when mighty Assyria was getting ready to pounce on Israel, Israel, according to the Bible, had, for some time, fallen prey to practices of the popular religion of the day, which had progressed into human sacrifice, especially of infants and children. Sex rites brought about what was likely many unwanted babes, and it doesn't seem too big a leap to assume one had to do with the other, a natural progression if you will.

What Almighty God worth his salt wouldn't cease to protect a people who had adopted such horrific practice!

Bible prophet Hosea never did say how he and his (once) unfaithful wife got on. Did they end their days in peace and grow old together? Assyria did come, make war with and terrify Israel, and carried the people away with them back to Assyria, to be the slaves they had become. But a few poor folk of the land had been left behind. I like to think Hosea and his wife, Gomer, found peace and happiness in the end.

And as for Israel? (The northern ten tribes of Israel that is.. the ones some think of as "the lost ten tribes of Israel, but that's another story.)

God also said through His prophets that Messiah would regather and restore Israel. They would turn to Him and the nations would stream to Jerusalem to learn. And Jerusalem/Israel will become the beautiful and verdant capital of a New Earth within a New Heavens, where the "lion will eat straw like the ox, and the bear will be seen grazing with the cow" (paraphrased just a little).

Amos The Farmer Prophet And Preacher

Amos, a "herdsman" and "gatherer of wild figs" was one of the early prophets. Though of the nation of Judah (and one half tribe of Benjamin) he went north to the (lost) ten tribes of Israel to prophecy "two years before the earthquake".
- First He prophesied against nations around Israel who had terrified and mistreated Israel. The predictions were simple. Yahweh, most high God, would judge them with fire.

It had been two hundred years ago that ten of the tribes of Israel had separated from Jerusalem and the worship there, and had set up "a golden calf" in Bethel to represent their god and way of worship. But they also mixed in with their religion, observances to Yahweh (most high God).

Amos told them God was not fooled. He knew they had jimmied the scales and sold to the poor using a false set of weights and balances. He knew they cheapened their products and raised the rates, and they had become wealthy and proud off the poor. And were robbing them still.

 Amos prophesied and promised the consequences of oppressing and cheating the poor in order to be rich. The ten tribes nation of Israel could expect an earthquake, an eclipse, funerals and a famine.

(I've been asking the Lord, when will I know I, or loved ones after me, should be storing up some water, food and blankets. Could this be it? A prophecy parallel, like Bible prophecy almost always parallels, that is has two fulfillments, one for its time and another for the peak of man's history, story and lesson, commonly called "last days".)

Like just about all the prophets, Amos concluded his message by prophesying a golden age of Israel (with Jerusalem as capital of the Earth) when "the plowman shall overtake the reaper.. the juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains and all the hills shall run with it".

"I will bring about the restoration of my people Israel" said the LORD through Amos' preaching, "they will rebuild and inhabit.. they will plant vineyards and drink the wine, plant gardens and eat the fruit.. and never again will they be plucked from their land".

Is The Bible And Bible Prophecy Literal?

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2 Peter 3:5
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
1 John 2:14
I have written to you... ..because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
Revelation 6:4 (NKJ) "..a fiery red horse.. granted to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword" (Greek word "mega" sword, and fiery-red, Greek word "purros", from root word "pur").

Bible Prophecy - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Statue

The empires the statue represented, most historians agree, the gold, silver and bronze is Babylon, Media-PERSIA, and Greece.. The iron most believe is Rome, with towards the end, the ten toes (parallel in 'last' days to the ten kings of rev) are a blend of iron/western and clay/not western. (Daniel 2:24-44) [The Ottoman Empire, and the nations after it, being part of the clay. I believe all these others in latter days will be subdued by the iron type politics - senates, courts, architecture.. And that the Ottoman Empire was subdued/split into Saudi Arabia and Yemen by the modern iron/western organization of the League of Nations, forming much of the foundation of what is the Middle East today, and will be the Kings of the East (East of Jerusalem). And who will work closely with the 'last' days Roman/Greek world beast. (Rev 20:4b)]

The beast which Daniel later saw (7:7,19,20) is a cross-reference to the one at Rev 13:1 (ten horns). By this we find out that this beast has two of the metals of Nebuchadnezzar's dream statue, the iron and bronze. Rome and Greece (Graeco/Roman roots is how I learned it in school - the Roman/Greek as the foundations of western civilization; besides the Christian.)

Summary- Rev 13:1 - The big beast of Rev 13:1(-10) has "iron teeth" (iron columns) and "bronze claws" which it uses to "scatter/scrabble the residue" - the Greek based secularism of our day has changed and scattered/scrabbled western civilization (with its bronze claws).

This makes me think, there's a Roman/Greek foundation to the 'last' days world beast who will declare a treaty for a week, but the clay and the iron won't really mix.. it won't be real peace.. (won't endure, but wars and rumors of wars will flare up in the midst of, in challenging times until the last battle which takes place in the Middle East against Israel/Jerusalem.)