TIMING OF EVENTS IN REVELATION
By W. G. Guy
Revelation 1:1 – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Note: “things which must shortly come to pass”, tells us that those things written here will begin to occur soon, not after a long period of time; such as two thousand years.
Revelation 1:3 – Blessed is he that readth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Note again: “for the time is at hand”, which tells us that these things that are written are now to begin to unfold; not some distance time in the future.
Revelation 1:19 – Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Note again: “the things which shall be hereafter”, tells us when these written things are to begin; “hereafter”, not some distant time in the future; like two thousand years from when John was instructed to write. So the “hereafter” has been going on now for two thousand years. What has happened during that time?
We need to understand that the events covered in the Book of Revelation have three specific timings. (1) Things seen, which implies things passed or just recently observed, being the revelation of Jesus Christ. (2) Things which are, which refers to the condition of the seven churches addressed in the letters John was instructed to write to. (3) Finally, things which shall be hereafter, which refer to the events that are yet future, but likely begin to follow shortly after this revelation was given, as mentioned in the scripture above.
Why is it that preachers and prophesy teachers constantly say that they are still looking for the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” to come? Don’t they understand that those described “horsemen” have already ridden beginning nearly two thousand years ago and over the course of history? They fail to consider history regarding the demise of the Roman Empire with the rise of the barbarian hordes.
Then there was the invasion of the Muslims who conquered Israel and Jerusalem, and caused the “abomination of desolation” mentioned by the prophet Daniel, (and so identified by the Bishop of Jerusalem at that time). Then that Islamic horde moved across Europe until driven back by Sir Charles Martel of France, and later defeated at the battle of Vienna by the Polish knights. These battles are referred to in history as “the crusades” but not given the spiritual significance and recognition that they deserve.
This Islamic horde, also called a “caliphate” was a dominant force in history beginning about the sixth century, especially after they built the “Dome of the Rock” on the Holy Mount in Jerusalem, which was the abomination of desolation. This evil empire’s influence existed through the next several centuries until it finally died out in the 1920’s. It was known as the Ottoman Empire.
What is interesting to understand is that this Islamic force has risen again following WWII with the demand of oil, and the meeting of that demand, controlled by the Islamic countries of the Middle East. It then appears to fulfill that which was prophesied about the one with the deadly wound that was healed.
Revelation 13:1-3 – And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Islam appears to fulfill what is written about the beast that arises out of the sea (of humanity). This is because the reference to leopard, bear and lion which all refer symbolically to the empires of the Middle East that dominated the area of the old Roman Empire after its demise.
Revelation 13:12 – 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.
Consider that Islam uses two kinds of strategy to conquer lands: the sword to force subjugation to the dictates of Islam; or infiltration of a country’s population and then imposing their beliefs and practices on that population, (as is happening today in America, Europe and other Western nations).
Islam is NOT a religion of peace as our politician’s keep saying; in fact, Islam is not really a religion but a political entity with a religious façade whose goal is global conquest and domination with the imposition of their idea of laws. In their view of conquest, when they move into a new territory, their first objective is to build a mosque. To Islam, a mosque is a symbol of conquest. Next they move to have their sharia laws accepted in local jurisdictions, and also impose the requirements for their special foods to be served in jails and schools. They use various progressive steps to take over where the use of the sword will be opposed.
Consider also the prophesied war that is listed in Ezekiel 38; the nations identified are all Islamic. The prophecy preachers like to say that Russia is the head of this configuration, but it is not. They think Moscow is identified in that passage but it is not, because Moscow is not north of Israel, but quite a bit northeast. What is north of Israel – Turkey, which is a very strong Islamic nation that openly wants to establish a new Islamic caliphate. Note also where were the seven churches that Jesus told John to write to: they were all in Turkey, and were all destroyed by Islam. Some of the nations and provinces listed in Ezekiel 38 are in Turkey, North Africa as well as between the Caspian and Black Sea, (which are all Islamic provinces of southern Russia).
Islam is not the only ungodly force addressed in the Book of Revelation. We also need to consider the role of the Roman Catholic Church throughout history; the city on seven hills, and the role of the Pope. Back in 1990 this writer predicted that Islam would somehow merge with the Roman Catholic Church to form a one world religion. Interestingly enough that is exactly what is in process now, though it is not being widely made known. That conclusion came about because both entities have the same boss – Satan, the man of sin – the real antichrist. And his goal, through Islam and the Catholic Church is the elimination of the true followers of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, with a goal of world domination.
So where are we now in the timing of events listed in the Book of Revelation? I cannot give a specific answer since I can only write what has been revealed to me. However, I suspect that we are approaching the time of the sixth seal as the first four seals and its four horsemen have come and gone. I expect the next major events to be huge destructive earthquakes happening soon. The earth is currently experiencing significant upheavals in preparation for this.
It is being reported that many of the wicked elite and powerful are already getting ready to hunker down in their underground bunkers which is what happens during the sixth seal.
Revelation 6:12-17 – And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
They know they are facing the wrath of God and Jesus, which is the seventh seal, yet they are unrepentant and will face the consequences. When the seventh seal is opened it introduces the wrath of God and His Christ being poured out on those reject and oppose Him and His kingdom. This is accomplished by seven severe plagues or judgments identified as seven trumpets and seven vials.
Most prophesy teachers list them as two sets of seven, but this does not fit the biblical pattern: there are seven plagues, not fourteen. We need to understand that the trumpets are the announcements of what is coming, and the vials are the events. Read Revelation 8:7-13, 11:14-15 and 16:1-18 to see how these align.
The following is a side by side comparison of the Trumpets and Vials showing that they are referring to the same things; the trumpets being the announcements and the vials being the events, just using different terms:
Trumpets Vials
Trumpet 1 – What is announced to be cast Vial 1 – is poured out upon the earth.
upon the earth.
Trumpet 2 – What is announced to be cast Vial 2 – is poured out on the sea.
into the sea.
Trumpet 3 – What is announced to be cast Vial 3 – is poured out on the fresh
into the rivers and fresh waters. water and rivers.
Trumpet 4 – What is announced to affect Vial 4 – Is poured out on the sun.
the sun.
The announcement of first of three Woes occurs
Trumpet 5 – Announcement of a spirit being Vial 5 – Is poured out on the seat opens the pit of demons (bringing on the beast producing
spiritual darkness) darkness.
The second Woe
Trumpet 6 – Releases four angels bound in Vial 6 – Is poured out on the River
the River Euphrates to summon Euphrates making way for
the kings of the East. huge army of the kings of
the East
The third Woe
Trumpet 7 – Voice from heaven saying, Vial 7 – Voice from heaven saying the mystery of God is finished”. It’s done” (finished).
THE END!
More to come on the Book of Revelation at it is revealed to this writer.
1 Corinthians 13:12 – For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
