Armageddon: the desperate, final struggle
by Daniel Silveira
There is a surprising quote that indicates a special mission of israelites:
EGW To the ten tribes, long rebellious and impenitent, was given no promise of complete restoration to their former power in Palestine. Until the end of time, they were to be “wanderers among the nations.” But through Hosea was given a prophecy that set before them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration that is to be made to the people of God at the close of earth’s history, when Christ shall appear as King of kings and Lord of lords. “Many days,” the prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide “without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim.” “Afterward,” the prophet continued, “shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5. PK 298.1
Indeed, the one hundred and forty-four thousand are twelve thousand from the twelve tribes of Jacob (Revelation 7:4-8). Could it be that the rank and file of this select group were literal Israelites, and others, non-Israelites, would fall into one of these tribes?
EGW There will be many converted from among the Jews, and these converts will aid in preparing the way of the Lord, and making straight in the desert a highway for our God. Converted Jews are to have an important part to act in the great preparations to be made in the future to receive Christ, our Prince. A nation shall be born in a day. How? By men whom God has appointed being converted to the truth. There will be seen “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” The predictions of prophecy will be fulfilled. Ev 579.1
Let us read 2 Esdras chapter 13. It describes the destruction of God’s enemies and the gathering of the ten tribes of Israel and their journey to a distant place to learn how to keep Jehovah’s law correctly:
Dream of the man who comes out of the sea
2 Esdras 13
[1] And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night:
[2] And, lo, there arose a wind from the sea, that it moved all the waves thereof.
[3] And I beheld, and, lo, that man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him.
[4] And whensoever the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, like as the earth faileth when it feeleth the fire.
[5] And after this I beheld, and, lo, there was gathered together a multitude of men, out of number, from the four winds of the heaven, to subdue the man that came out of the sea
[6] But I beheld, and, lo, he had graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it.
[7] But I would have seen the region or place whereout the hill was graven, and I could not.
[8] And after this I beheld, and, lo, all they which were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and yet durst fight.
[9] And, lo, as he saw the violence of the multitude that came, he neither lifted up his hand, nor held sword, nor any instrument of war:
[10] But only I saw that he sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and tempests.
[11] And they were all mixed together; the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and the great tempest; and fell with violence upon the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them up every one, so that upon a sudden of an innumerable multitude nothing was to be perceived, but only dust and smell of smoke: when I saw this I was afraid.
[12] Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and call unto him another peaceable Multitude.
[13] And there came much people unto him, whereof some were glad, some were sorry, and some of them were bound, and other some brought of them that were offered: then was I sick through great fear, and I awaked, and said,
[14] Thou hast shewed thy servant these wonders from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy that thou shouldest receive my prayer:
[15] Shew me now yet the interpretation of this dream.
[16] For as I conceive in mine understanding, woe unto them that shall be left in those days and much more woe unto them that are not left behind!
[17] For they that were not left were in heaviness.
[18] Now understand I the things that are laid up in the latter days, which shall happen unto them, and to those that are left behind.
[19] Therefore are they come into great perils and many necessities, like as these dreams declare.
[20] Yet is it easier for him that is in danger to come into these things, than to pass away as a cloud out of the world, and not to see the things that happen in the last days. And he answered unto me, and said,
[21] The interpretation of the vision shall I shew thee, and I will open unto thee the thing that thou hast required.
[22] Whereas thou hast spoken of them that are left behind, this is the interpretation:
[23] He that shall endure the peril in that time hath kept himself: they that be fallen into danger are such as have works, and faith toward the Almighty.
[24] Know this therefore, that they which be left behind are more blessed than they that be dead.
[25] This is the meaning of the vision: Whereas thou sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea:
[26] The same is he whom God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creature: and he shall order them that are left behind.
[27] And whereas thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came as a blast of wind, and fire, and storm;
[28] And that he held neither sword, nor any instrument of war, but that the rushing in of him destroyed the whole multitude that came to subdue him; this is the interpretation:
[29] Behold, the days come, when the most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth.
[30] And he shall come to the astonishment of them that dwell on the earth.
[31] And one shall undertake to fight against another, one city against another, one place against another, one people against another, and one realm against another.
[32] And the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending.
[33] And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another.
[34] And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting.
[35] But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Sion.
[36] And Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill graven without hands.
[37] And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest;
[38] And shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like unto a flame: and he shall destroy them without labour by the law which is like unto me.
[39] And whereas thou sawest that he gathered another peaceable multitude unto him;
[40] Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so came they into another land.
[41] But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,
[42] That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.
[43] And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow places of the river.
[44] For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over.
[45] For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth.
[46] Then dwelt they there until the latter time; and now when they shall begin to come,
[47] The Highest shall stay the springs of the stream again, that they may go through: therefore sawest thou the multitude with peace.
[48] But those that be left behind of thy people are they that are found within my borders.
[49] Now when he destroyeth the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he shall defend his people that remain.
[50] And then shall he shew them great wonders.
[51] Then said I, O Lord that bearest rule, shew me this: Wherefore have I seen the man coming up from the midst of the sea?
[52] And he said unto me, Like as thou canst neither seek out nor know the things that are in the deep of the sea: even so can no man upon earth see my Son, or those that be with him, but in the day time.
[53] This is the interpretation of the dream which thou sawest, and whereby thou only art here lightened.
[54] For thou hast forsaken thine own way, and applied thy diligence unto my law, and sought it.
[55] Thy life hast thou ordered in wisdom, and hast called understanding thy mother.
[56] And therefore have I shewed thee the treasures of the Highest: after other three days I will speak other things unto thee, and declare unto thee mighty and wondrous things.
[57] Then went I forth into the field, giving praise and thanks greatly unto the most High because of his wonders which he did in time;
[58] And because he governeth the same, and such things as fall in their seasons: and there I sat three days.
At the time of the world war (v. 31), a person is strengthened by visions of heaven, and when they see him, the nations stop fighting each other and go to attack him.
David
EGW But through Hosea was given a prophecy that set before them the privilege of having a part in the final restoration that is to be made to the people of God at the close of earth’s history, when Christ shall appear as King of kings and Lord of lords. “Many days,” the prophet declared, the ten tribes were to abide “without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim.” “Afterward,” the prophet continued, “shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:4, 5. PK 298.1
David appears as the leading figure of this group. The message of the church to Philadelphia is given by the one who has “the key of David” (Revelation 3:7), that is, “the key of the house of David” (Isaiah 22:22). “Upon his shoulders” indicates responsibility, the government is on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6). The key that opens the house of David, so that one can enter and govern. And then leave it, for 2 Edras 13.46-47 says that a part of the ten tribes will return to their land, perhaps to announce the Loud Cry to their countrymen.
Who would this David be? Would it be the historical David, who would be resurrected?
This may be so, for he was not resurrected with Christ. Peter says that he was still buried with them at Pentecost (Acts 2:29). In fact, Ellen White says that the prophet Daniel will be resurrected before the special resurrection, and before the loud cry:
EGW A great work is to be done in a short time. A message of God’s appointment will soon be given, and it will rise to a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his place to bear his testimony. (Lt 54, 1906, par. 8)
So it may well be that David too will be resurrected to rule over God’s people. 2 Esdras 2.23 says that if Ezra is faithful, “I will give you the first place in my resurrection.”
In Ezekiel 37, before talking about David’s restoration, he shows the vision of the dry bones that come to life, an allusion to the faithful of Israel that God will resurrect (verse 12). The earth will give birth in a single day (Isaiah 66:8).
God promised David that He would build him a house (1 Chronicles 17:10), and David’s temporary rule is reflected in Isaiah 22:22, where it says that He opens a door and then shuts it, and that a nail is driven in and then gives way. This is when the children that God has gathered (Isaiah 66:8) will go out with a loud cry (Isaiah 66:19).
In the last days, a battle will be fought between the king who comes from the north, Gog, and his hordes (Ezekiel 38 and 39), against the people of God who were resurrected in the previous chapter, in Ezekiel 37. Gog cannot be a reference to Satan, because in the last resurrection of the wicked, Revelation 20:8 says that Satan will go out to deceive Gog and the nations. Nor can he be a character who only lives after the thousand years, because then the people will be resurrected, having already lived on this earth before. Ellen White says that after the thousand years Satan is aided by the war leaders who lived here on earth (GC 664.1).
The second beast of Revelation 13 (the United States) exalts the first (the Papacy). The allies of the United States are also on this mission. The military arm of the West, NATO, stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . Note that these Jews are attacked by Gog who comes from the land of the north (Ezekiel 38:15 and
39:2). The king of the north (Rome, defended and exalted by the North Atlantic and the entire West) will trample the king of the south. If he wants to use Turkey as a spearhead for this battle, it is not so important.
The king of the south is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. This torch was once held by France (GC 269.2). By which powers is the torch of atheism and communism held today? By China and Russia (Remember that Russia is the former communist Soviet Union, and an ally of China. Both are leaders of the so-called global south). This “Egyptian” axis will fight against the king in the north at the end of time (Daniel 11:40). The glorious land will be destroyed (Ezekiel 38:8), where the battle of Armageddon will finally take place. Furthermore, 2 Esdras 13.31 says that in addition to kingdoms fighting against kingdoms, they will also fight “one against another, one city against another, one place against another.” We see this polarization between the political right and left in virtually every country in the world, and tensions are escalating until they culminate in open fighting. But this is not Armageddon yet, this is not the end yet.
Armageddon
The battle of Ezekiel 38 will be fought between:
- The evil: Gog, the people of the kingdom of Magog (Ezekiel 38:1), and many peoples with him (Ezekiel 38:15). This is the same northern king of Daniel 11:40f.
- The good: God’s people, the 144,000 who are of the twelve tribes (Revelation 7:4)
- Israel according to the flesh that will be resurrected, which the earth gave birth to (Ezekiel 37, Isaiah 66:8).
- Faithful biological Jews scattered throughout the world. Not according to maternal lineage, as Jews count it today, but according to paternal lineage; this is the biblical method. This means that many practicing Jews today are not Jews before God. And many who do not suspect it are Jews, scattered throughout the world. Micah 5:7 says: “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.” So there will be surprises. And Isaiah 66:8 mentions that a nation will be born in a single day, and as we have seen, here we are talking about “converted Jews” (Ev 579.1; Rom 11:15).
- Some Adventists (non-Jews) can be saved. Branches from the wild olive tree can be grafted into the natural olive tree.
The Lord’s messenger associates Armageddon with the coming of Christ on the white horse of Rev 19.
EGW The battle of Armageddon is soon to be fought. He on whose vesture is written the name, King of kings and Lord of lords, leads forth the armies of heaven on white horses, clothed in fine linen, clean and white [Revelation 19:11-16]. LDE 251.4
What inspired evidence indicates that Gog’s battle is Armageddon?
Revelation 16:16 says that the armies of this world will gather (this implies geographical concentration] against God’s people, and Jesus comes to deliver them, Rev 19. See the parallels between Ezekiel 38-39 and Rev 19:
- At the end of both battles, birds are called to eat the flesh of the dead (Ezek 39:17 and Rev 19:17);
- Jesus comes to fight for his people with the sword that comes out of his mouth, which is the word that God speaks (Ezek 39:5, Rev 19:15);
- Jesus comes on a horse (Rev 19:11), Gog and his army come riding on horses (Ezek 38:15).
EGW Four mighty angels hold back the powers of this earth till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The nations of the world are eager for conflict, but they are held in check by the angels. When this restraining power is removed there will come a time of trouble and anguish. Deadly instruments of warfare will be invented. Vessels with their living cargo will be entombed in the great deep. All who have not the spirit of truth will unite under the leadership of Satanic agencies, but they are to be kept under control till the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon. LDE 238.3
The Jews who were scattered will return, after their resurrection, to the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 37:22). They are faithful Jews, so they can be considered kings (as in Rev. 1:6. See also: EGW Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens. FLB 260.3)
For them to pass from Assyria to the mountains of Israel, the Euphrates has to dry up.
Revelation 16:12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
The sixth vial is the first to be poured out, it clearly precedes the seventh, and it is in the seventh that the time of general probation ends. In it, Jesus says: “It is finished.” Armageddon is a literal, physical, warlike battle between the kings of the earth and the true kings, those who are kings in the sight of God. Satan influences the leaders of the world to gather (Revelation 16:14) in the East to fight against these faithful ones.
The sixth and seventh vials are the first to be poured out. This would certainly come as a surprise to most Christians. Foreseeing this, Jesus says right there in Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I come as a thief.” The servant of the Lord also foresees this element of surprise:
EGW Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. Mar 257.4
Another indication that the sixth and seventh vials come first: note that it is after the seventh vial is poured out that God “remembers” Babylon to give His punishments (Rev 17:19). The fifth vial hits the throne of the beast (Babylon) so the fifth cannot come before the seventh.
The loud cry will unleash such anger in the wicked, Satan will gather the kings of the earth and the people to fight Armageddon:
EGW We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle. But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon. When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the field. Mar 257.2
Armageddon, then, is a response to the loud cry. When God calls His people out of Babylon, He will take some of them to be part of the 144.000 priests who follow the Lamb (Isaiah 66:21).
When the loud cry ends, each person has already made his or her decision; there is no more probation. Jesus said, “It is finished,” and an earthquake and hailstorm follow (Rev. 16:18-21), the same ones that torment Gog in Ezekiel 38:19-22). The time of trouble such as has never been begins (Dan. 12:3).
The Two Returns of Jesus
Michael stands up (closing of grace, Dan 12:1, Acts 8:56), says “it is done”, leaves the Most Holy Place and comes to earth to fight Armageddon for us. He comes with many crowns on his head, to crown some people as firstfruits. (Zech 6:11-14).
EGW And I saw a flaming cloud come where Jesus stood. Then Jesus … took His place on the cloud which carried Him to the East, where it first appeared to the saints on earth—a small black cloud which was the sign of the Son of man. While the cloud was passing from the Holiest to the East, which took a number of days, the synagogue of Satan worshipped at the saints’ feet. Mar 287.8
Jesus Christ comes upon a horse, this denotes urgency, mission, deliverance. It is this experience of deliverance that the saints of the last days will have:
EGW They sing “a new song” before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song, for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. LDE 268.4
The two wine presses
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood
Notice that when Jesus rides on horseback, His clothes are dipped in blood. He says, “I have trodden the winepress alone” (Isaiah 63:3). He trod the winepress of Edom (v. 1). Edom is made up of the descendants of Esau. He represents the Adventists who, like Esau, despise their spiritual inheritance. Esau had weapons at his disposal (temporal strength, Genesis 27:3), and he made an alliance with pagan women (Genesis 26:34). They are trampled underfoot, killed (Isaiah 14:25) in the slaughter of Ezekiel 9; judgment begins with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). God burns the briers and thistles of His planting (Isa 5:24, 10:17), the angels first remove the tares (Matt 13:30) and these vacancies will later be filled by the eleventh-hour converts (Eph 182:2).
EGW His heart of mercy is touched, His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. LDE 182.2
Yes, probation will end first for Adventists, before the loud cry; those who have much light.
In Isaiah 63, when Jesus travels with blood-spattered clothes, He has already trodden (past tense) the winepress of Edom. But the great winepress of the wrath of God (Rev 14:20), Isaiah 63:3 puts in the future: I will tread, I will crush, it will be and also in verse 6.
The second return of Christ happens later, after the plagues have fallen upon the inhabitants of the earth. Note that the sixth vial in Revelation 16 is not a plague per se, but the preparation for Armageddon. And in the seventh vial, when general probation ends, a plague falls in the East upon Gog and Co. Then the other five plagues fall. Ezekiel 39:9 implies that there will be seven years between the two returns of Jesus, but, the time may be shortened (Matt. 24:22).
Trumpets in the future
EGW The battle of Armageddon will be fought. And that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us and the Captain of the Lord’s host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded; vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. 3SM 426.1
Notice also that in the description of the fifth trumpet, the seal of God is mentioned (Rev 9:4). This indicates the fulfillment of this trumpet in the end time, for the sealing is completed immediately before the winds are released (Rev 7:1-3). In the text below, EGW associates the trumpets with punishment of the inhabitants of the earth for their wickedness, evidently this is in the future.
EGW Thy right hand, O God, shall dash in pieces Thine enemies. Revelation 6 and 7 are full of meaning. Terrible are the judgments of God revealed. The seven angels stood before God to receive their commission. To them were given seven trumpets. The Lord was going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth was to disclose her blood and no more cover her slain. Give the description in chapter 6 15MR 219.2
The parallels with the seven vials indicate either that the trumpets are a miniature version of the plagues, intended to give a sample of what will happen if they persist in evil, or that they will occur simultaneous with the plagues. 1st trumpet, 1st plague, 2nd trumpet, 2nd plague, etc.
Contemporary fulfillment of the opening of all seven seals
EGW It is through one who is “a brother, and companion in tribulation” that Christ reveals to His people the fearful conflict that they must meet before His second coming. Before the scenes of their bitter struggle are opened to them, they are reminded that other believers also have drunk of the cup and been baptized with the baptism. He who sustained these early witnesses to the truth will not forsake His people in the final conflict. CTr 314.2
Where in Revelation are people reminded that others also drank the cup? In fact, in the letters to the seven churches: Rev. 2:3, 9, 10, 13. Then the scenes are opened. Mrs. White could have used another word like “exposed,” “revealed,” but she says “opened,” which is evidence that she is referring to what comes after the letters, namely, the opening of the seals. Let us begin with the opening of the fifth seal:
EGW When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. Mar 199.6
So, it says here that after the fifth seal, the loud cry occurs. Would it then make sense to say that the first four seals were fulfilled back in the distant Middle Ages? Now, what comes before the loud cry? It is the slaughter of Ezekiel 9, which we saw above, which is fulfilled during the pale horse, with the sword, famine, death and wild beasts of the earth. These four judgments also appear in Ezekiel 14:21 upon God’s people.
Before the red horse comes that “takes peace from the earth,” comes the white horseman (Revelation 6:1-2), who in times of peace, shoots the arrows of God’s Word (Psalm 64:3, Jeremiah 9:8) with the help of a bow. He has this tool that allows him to shoot accurate arrows over great distances, efficiently. Tools like Google Ads allow us to display God’s message to every race, tribe, language, and people.
EGW Truth will triumph, but who of us will triumph with the truth? Letter 39, 1885.
EGW Truth will triumph gloriously, and those who have received the truth because God has revealed it in His Word will triumph with it. 1888 170.4
EGW Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer. PK 725.2
Then the red horse (blood) takes away peace from the earth (Rev 6:4). With a conflict like the third world war, the Lord camouflages the operation of the great sword (Ezekiel 9 slaughter only for those in the sanctuary). A noise is heard (the cry of the shepherds, Jer 25:36) from the temple (Isa 66:6).
EGW The worst enemies we have are those who are trying to destroy the influence of the watchmen upon the walls of Zion. 5T 294.3 We have far more to fear from within than from without. 1SM 122.3
Revelation 6:5-6 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.
A penny (denarius) was the wages for a day’s work (Matthew 20:9). The harvest was one measure of wheat and three measures of barley. Wheat and barley, and leave oil and wine for later. The grain harvest took place in the spring, the fruit harvest (olives and grapes) in the fall. The feast of Firstfruits was related to barley, the feast of Pentecost, with wheat, celebrated the wheat harvest. At the apostolic Pentecost, Acts 2, a great harvest of Jews took place. Jews from Judea and from various parts of the world, the so-called diaspora. Therefore, it is evidence pointing to the fact that wheat symbolizes Jews, and barley, an inferior grain, the Gentiles; salvation is first for the Jews and also for the Greeks (Romans 1:16). The Jews according to the flesh are compared to the natural olive tree, and the Gentiles, to the wild olive tree, therefore inferior (Romans 11:17-21). We see that the Jews have preference in the kingdom of God, it is a special courtesy because of the promises made to the patriarchs (Romans 11:28). If this is the case, many Gentiles will join the Jews, namely ¾ Gentiles, ¼ Jews according to the flesh. The oil (saints who must remain alive) and the wine (wicked who must remain alive) will be preserved until the day of the harvest, they cannot be damaged in the next seals. The people of God sealed with the Holy Spirit (oil) will not be damaged in the time of the pale horse, the slaughter of Ezekiel 9. It is only at the second return of Jesus that the great harvest and treading of the great winepress occur, Rev. 14:18-20. Note that we are not yet at the loud cry here in this third seal. The loud cry only happens after the fifth seal (Mar 199.6).
Then the seventh seal (casting of the censer, end of probation) takes place, and there is an earthquake (Rev. 8:6). After this the sixth seal is opened: earthquake, stars falling to the earth (hail), people hiding in caves before the Lamb and the Father (first return of Jesus, Rev. 6:12-17). EGW sees the seventh seal before the sixth in 20MR 197.5
The Stone of Daniel 2
Daniel 2:35 and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
EGW The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel’s message, “another angel” is to “come down from heaven, having great power,” and the earth is to be “lightened with his glory.” The Spirit of the Lord will so graciously bless consecrated human instrumentalities that men, women, and children will open their lips in praise and thanksgiving, filling the earth with the knowledge of God, and with His unsurpassed glory, as the waters cover the sea. Mar 218.2
Just as the waves of the sea come successively, in waves, in the same way, the first wave to fill the earth occurs in a loud cly, and will have its full fulfillment in the centuries of eternity.
Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold;
A stone was cut out of the mountain. Philadelphia is comforted that it will never be removed from the temple of God (Rev. 3:12). This indicates that those who want to live godly in Christ will be put out of the synagogues (John 16:2). And the stone was cut down without hands. Hands represent the power of authorities (Dan. 2:38; 3:15, 17) or of lions (Dan. 6:27; the Aramaic word yad , hand, is translated dominion [of lions]). It was removed without state interference, but the church itself effected the removal.
Isaiah 11:9-10 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
EGW And his faith was strengthened by visions of the glorious conquests by the church of God, when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9. TA 137.1
These will be the rumors from the north (Babylon) that will fill the king in the north and company with anger (Dan 11:44), and he will go out with great fury to battle at Armageddon. Then he will pitch his palace tents on the holy mountain (Dan 11:45), in defiance of God.
Isaiah 2:2-3 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Papal Rome has in its collection the trophies of the other kingdoms (Rev. 13:1). By rebuking the papacy (the eagle of 2 Esdras 11-12), all the kingdoms are rebuked. Furthermore, it may be that the rulers of the past will be resurrected to everlasting shame (Dan. 12:2) and be rebuked in person, crushed to pieces by the stone.
The holy mountain and the two witnesses
In every crisis, God has raised up a prophet to guide God’s people. In 2 Esdras 13, this prophet is the man who comes out of the sea. In 2 Esdras 11-12, it is the lion who is driven out of the forest (parallel to the stone being cut out of the mountain).
The man comes out of the sea (darkness denotes ignorance, 2 Esdras 13:52, black horse). He is called the son (2Ezra 13:32). This is the son of Isaiah 66:7 who is revealed to the world just before the wheat and barley (Jews and Gentiles) appear. He flies upon a great mountain (2 Esdras 13.6) and from there pronounces judgments upon the peoples, just as the lion of 2Ezra 11-12 did.
In a sense, the two witnesses of Revelation 11 represent the Old and New Testaments that were defeated in the French Revolution, EGW confirms in the GC. But she also indicates that this scene will be fulfilled again in the future:
EGW The church [two or three faithful ones, UL 315.5] will yet see troublous times. She will prophesy in sackcloth. But although she must meet heresies and persecutions, although she must battle with the infidel and the apostate, yet by the help of God she is bruising the head of Satan. The Lord will have a people as true as steel, and with faith as firm as the granite rock. They are to be His witnesses in the world, His instrumentalities to do a special, a glorious work in the day of His preparation. 4T 594.3
In Revelation, God’s messengers for the end times are the two witnesses, representing the other faithful throughout the world. This is the man who comes out of the sea. In the Old Testament, the general pattern is that only men are counted. In the New Testament, it is sometimes mentioned that the count did not include women. So it would make sense for the two witnesses to be a man and a woman. If they are a couple, the fulfillment would be more complete, since they are one flesh. See also Isaiah 51:2.
Another evidence that the two witnesses are prophets in flesh and blood in the end times is that in the pouring out of the third bowl, the text says:
Revelation 16:5-6 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Both the man out of the sea and these two witnesses in Revelation 11 rebuke nations (2 Esdras 13.37; Rev. 11:10). When Moses rebuked Pharaoh because he remained obstinate, plagues followed. So the rebukes of these two anointed ones are followed by plagues. Like Moses, they will turn water into blood during the pouring out of the second and third bowls. The plagues will not be universal (GC 628:2) and will fall because the two witnesses strike the place in question with the rod of iron that Jesus will have brought at His first return.
Now consider the relationship between Philadelphia and the two witnesses and the victorious horseman of the first seal: Both the horseman and the victors of Philadelphia receive crowns before Jesus returns (Rev. 3:11 and 6:2). The Lord says to Philadelphia, “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar” (Rev. 3:12). In Solomon’s temple, there were two columns, each with a name (1 Kings 7:21). So there are two witnesses, and the horseman goes forth “conquering and to conquer.”
The Temple of Ezekiel 40-48
2 Esdras 13.36 tells us that “Zion shall come, and shall be shewn unto all men.” This will be the Lord’s dwelling place in the East in those years between His two returns. Ezekiel 38 and 39 (Armageddon) are followed by chapters describing a temple. Could this be an allegory of the heavenly temple? But Rev. 21:22 says that John saw no temple in heaven. Furthermore, there are animal sacrifices, and Ezekiel 44:21 contains a warning to the priest not to touch the dead. But Rev. 21:4 says that there will be no more death in heaven. Ezekiel 47:11 says, “Her marshes shall not be healed.” Could there be any marshes in the earth made new after the millennium that will not be healed?
But back to the question of animal sacrifices:
Daniel 9:27 says of Jesus Christ, the Messiah: in the middle of the week he will “cause sacrifice and offering to cease.”
Could animals be offered only at the beginning, so that those who have recently been resurrected have a didactic transition? I tend not to think so, because Isaiah 66:3 says, “Whoever sacrifices a sheep is like one who kills a dog.”
It may be that these sacrifices will be offered “in their principles” (1888, 871.1), for the precept has been overturned, but the prophecy must be fulfilled. Spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet. 2:5), praise (Psa. 69:30-31), calves of our lips (Hos. 14:2), and gifts (Phil. 4:18).
Sirach 35:1-2 He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering. He that requiteth a goodturn offereth fine flour; and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise.
The holy mountain, in the original plan, was to be Jerusalem, but that failed and killed the Son of God.
EGW The city of Jerusalem is no longer a sacred place. The curse of God is upon it because of the rejection of Christ, the crucifixion of the only begotten Son of God. The darkest blot of guilt is upon Jerusalem, and never again will it be a sacred place until it has been cleansed by the purifying fires of heaven. When this sin-cursed earth is purified from every stain of sin, Christ will again stand upon the Mount of Olives; and as His feet shall rest upon it, it will part asunder and become a great plain, prepared for the city of God. — Lt 100, 1895, par. 21
Peter calls the Mount of Transfiguration the holy mountain (2 Pet. 1:18). Jesus said to his disciples at the foot of the Mount of Transfiguration:
Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
It may be that the man who comes out of the sea ordered this mountain to be transported, which is why he is seen “digging” the mountain (2 Ed 13.6). Another place that Jesus called holy land is the outskirts of Jerusalem (Mt 24:15 and GC 25.4). The fact that it was holy was not revoked in the year 34 with the end of the seventieth week, as this would occur in the year 66, during the siege of Cestius). Interestingly, according to Ron Wyatt, the ark of the covenant is just a few dozen meters outside the wall of Jerusalem, in the garden tomb. It may be that this is the place chosen by the Lord to center the holy and glorious mountain at the end of time.
After the description of this temple, we have, in Ezekiel 48, the division of the land for each tribe. But we cannot lose sight of this inspired text:
EGW The inheritance and lands that are to be given not only to Abraham but to the children of Abraham will not be until after this earth is purified. Abraham will then receive the title to his farm, his possessions; and the children of Abraham will have a title to their possessions. CTr 80.2
Below is a kroki made based on the description in Ezekiel 48 of the division of the land among the tribes of Jacob.
I conclude this chapter with two quotes from the Lord:
EGW The Bible has accumulated and bound up together its treasures for this last generation. All the great events and solemn transactions of Old Testament history have been, and are, repeating themselves in the church in these last days. 3SM 339.1
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.