Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets! The Revelation of Navi Y'shua
By John of AllFaith © 9.25.09 (last update: 10.24.2012)Revelation 8:1-6 Go to the index page for: The Revelation of Navi Y'shua
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We pray to HaShem, the Holy One of Israel, to fill our hearts with wisdom and understanding as we continue this study into the Revelation of our chief rabbi, Navi Y'shua.
The Opening of the Seventh Sealed Scroll
Some people get a bit confused about the End Time order of events so let's do a very brief recap in order to clarify the ongoing time line:
Chapters 2 and 3 of the Revelation Navi Y'shua revealed to Rav Yochanan ("Rabbi John") deal with events now in our past (they were future during Navi John's life). This material covers the history of the Way Movement of Judaism and its usurpation by the Nicolaitan Hereies (that became the Nicean Christian Church). These timeline prophecies were activated during Rav John's life (the Revelation was written circa 95 CE) with the fall of the Jerusalem Temple and the events at Masada (70 - 72 CE: foretold at Matthew 23:37-24:3). The Goyish Church (i.e. the Gentile led reigion established by Emperor Constantine) was granted 2000 years to "make the Jews jealous" (Romans 11:11) by serving HaShem and preparing the way for the Kingdom. Like People Israel however, the Goyim failed to do this (Romans 11:32). They went their own ways and merged the holy religion with Paganism and the doctrines of human reason (Deuteronomy 11:28). This is why the religion of Christianity bears so little similarity to Judaism and biblical culture..
Because of the Church's failure to maintain the Torah teachings of Rebbe Y'shua, at the end of chapter three "the Church" (the apostate Way Movement) was "vomited out" into the Tribulation Period where it will be merged with the coming global religion (John 5:43). This is our present location along the prophetic timeline.
Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.We looked briefly at the centrality of people and national Israel. The rebirth of Israel in 1948 and the return to them of holy Jerusalem in 1967 were major fulfillments of biblical prophecy. These events were necessary achievements for the return of haMoshiach. Now that they have been fulfilled the way for the remainder of the prophecies to come to pass is possible. The rebirth of Israel was the most important event in human affairs since the destruction of the Holy Temple in 70 CE.We discussed the fallacy of the Rapture Theory. This empty escapist promise was created in the 1800's to further weaken the determination of the remnent followers of the Way Movement. By convincing them that they will not have to confront the coming dictator and his regime, by shifting personal responsibility for ones salvation to another's credit (Philippians 2:12), this teaching helped create the "lukewarm" nature of the "End Time Church" (Revelation 3:14-19) that is leading to the icabod state of the final seven years of the age: in which the active presence of HaShem will depart the planet.
We saw how Moshiach will accept his leadership role at Revelation 5:5 in fulfilment of Psalm 110. Following his "rest" he will arise and conquer, establishing the Kingdom of God "on Earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
Then in chapter six of the Revelation the Seven Year Tribulation period will officially begin as Rex Mundi (the "Son of Perdition" or "Little Horn" as Navi Daniel describes him at Daniel 7:8, 8:9 ) signs a certain peace treaty with Isrsel and takes to his global throne as ruler of the Novus Ordo Seclorum (""New Order of the Ages") or Global Union. This global government will arise as the reborn Roman Empire (the EU: Daniel 2:44, 8:9), the fourth and final of Daniel's foretold global governments. Based on this, we also considered the complete absence of the United States from any biblical prophecy and what this portends. We will go into much more detail on these topics in our upcoming verse by verse study of the Book of Daniel.
Also in chapter six the first six of the seven sealed scrolls were opened by haMoshiach. We saw how haMoshiach will be directed by HaShem to take up the mantle of melekh (king) and summon God's heavenly and earthly forces in preparation for the Battle of Armageddon that will bring in the global theocracy of HaShem.
When the sixth seal was removed the people cried out in fear at what it produced, convinced the end had come, but the end was not.
Then in the next verse (7:1) an unearthly stillness descended across the whole earth. From Revelation 7:2 until this verse (8:1) those who have not sided with haMoshiach are shown huddled in fear of the events yet to come. Most people on the Earth during this period will place their trust in "the Great Leader" (Rex Mundi) and his promised salvation, but they will know that something is seriously wrong and that knowing will eat at them like a soul wrenching growing paranoia!
Navi John's narration next became parenthetical as he revealed more information about the fifth seal (6:9-11) and those who will be sealed in God's service (i.e. the 144,000 Israelites, reunited with Judah, and the Great Multitude of Gentiles who will stand against Rex Mundi).
Now Rav John returns to the active timeline.
As chapter eight begins we see that not only is the earth still completely still (as occurred at 7:1), the silence now extends into the heavens, the spiritual domains, as well! As these events unfold the entire universe will be anxiously "holding it breath" as it were for what is coming next.
Revelation 8:1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.Our text says this silence lasts for "about a half hour." Some commentators find this fascinating and look for deeper meanings. One popular method is to divide the 1,260 days (the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation Period: Revelation 11:3) into hours and half hours to determine the length of this silence. It will probably be longer than a literal half hour however for our purposes here, the meaning is simply that the universe is "holding its collective breath" for God's response, much as a disobedient child awaits his father's reaction when he knows he has been caught and will he held accountable.
The Sounding of the Seven Shofars (Trumpets) of Judgment
Revelation 8:2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven shofars [trumpets] were given to them.
8:3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the holy ones on the golden altar which was before the throne.
8:4 The smoke of the incense, along with the prayers of the holy ones, went up before God out of the angel's hand.Think of the Seven Sealed Scrolls as computer files. Within each file are various documents or prophetic events. The Sounding of the Seven Shofars are located within the Seventh Sealed Scroll "file." Until Navi Y'shua opens these "files" their contents will remain unknown, other than through the prophecies.
The oldest known existing copies of the Book of the Revelation are written in Koine Greek. In all likelihood however the book was originally written in Hebrew. Unfortunately this can not be proved at this point. What is certain is that Rav Yochanan ("John") was a culturally and doctrinally Jewish rabbi of the Meshiykhiyyim (the Messianic Movement of Judaism) describing what he was being shown by the Jewish navi Cohen Gadol Y'shua. For this reason, even though the word presented as shofar in this translation is in the Greek text salpigx or "trumpet," the reference is certainly to the Hebrew shofar.
Shofarim are ancient Hebrew wind instruments crafted from the horn of a ram or certain other kosher animals. The ancient Israelites used them to sound warnings to the community or to send summons to gather the people for instruction. They have historically been used in synagogues throughout the world to mark various significant occasions. These "Seven Shofarim" will sound to call the 144,000 Israelites and their co-workers to preparedness for what HaShem will now accomplish.
HaShem has granted His creation amazing freedom! Recall Lucifer's challenge that humanity would be better served fending for themselves without reliance on and submission to our Creator (Genesis 3:5, Job 1:10). The findings of this "legal challenge" concerning HaShem's rightousness as Ruler of Heaven and Earth is the essence of his challenge recorded in the Book of Job. This is the running theme of the entire Bible (Romans 11:32). Throughout history both Jews and Gentiles have failed to take advantage of this wondrous gift of freedom. We have failed to establish a just and compassionate world for everyone to share as demanded by the seventh law given to Noah ("Dinim:" The requirement to establish justice systems and courts of law to enforce the other 6 laws). Rather we have conclusively demonstrated our utter need for God and His righteous administration. Indeed this is the essential reason for the coming Thousand Year Kingdom period. This is why the righteous throughout the ages, including our Rebbe, have consistently prayed for the Kingdom to be established and for God's Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Now, as this chapter opens, our mutual failure is more clear than ever!
At this point the most sadistic dictatorial despot in history will be ruling the earth. Were his reign not shortened by divine intervention no flesh would survive (Matthew 24:22)! By this point in Navi Y'shua's prophectic timeline "the New World Order" (or novus ordo mundi) will have established global fascism (through the novus ordo seclorum or "New Order of the Ages") and enslaved the world. Paraphrasing Revelation 4:10, at this point 'the twenty-four elders who represent life on Earth now prostrate themselves before HaShem, throwing their "crowns" or authority to rule at his feet in resignation, demonstrating their acknowledgment of our collective inability and our need for God's rule.
Cohen Gadol Y'shua Offering
The Earth needs HaShem and our collective prayers for His protection and direction are here being symbolically added to sweet smelling angelic incense (i.e to the declared loyalty of the celestial inhabitants who praise God day and night). Recall that as 'high priest after the order of Melchizedek' (Psalm 110) Cohen Gadol Y'shua oversees and offers to HaShem all of humanity's prayers and praises (I Timothy 2:5). Now Rebbe Y'shua gathers all the prayers of suffering creation together as conclusive evidence in answer to Lucifer's challenge. Creation itself yearns for freedom from the Luciferian Rebellion (Romans 8:19). In answer to this yearning, and specifically to save the Covenant People, the Jews (Matthew 24:22), HaShem is sending Melekh Y'shua into the world to finish the prophecies and establish the Earthly Theocratic Government. During this thousand year reign evidence will be established showing that humanity is better served by living in harmony with HaShem's Torah than violating it. Thus will Lucifer's challenge be settled.
Revelation 8:5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake.Note this combination carefully! According to the prophet HaShem is not happy with the Earth! His is a holy fire of righteous indignation! He has seen the abuses of the poor, the weak, the helpless. He has watched as greed, hypocrisy and warfare has destroyed the peace and decimated everything he gave to the earth. As our loving Father HaShem is saddened and angered by the abuses, the disobedience, the cruelty, and our ongoing rebellions against Him... Now His righteous anger is being added in measure to the prayers of the human saints and loyal celestial denizens. These prayers confirm the righteousness of His indignation of what He will now cause to happen.This combination of incense, prayers and divine wrath is now cast ("ballo": hurled or thrown with great force) onto the Earth! With devastating results the rebels will now be held accountability for what they have done!
As previously discussed, the first six of the seven sealed scrolls were all opened during the first three and half year Tribulation Period. They were opened in preparation for this Seventh and Final Sealed Scroll and the Sounding of the Seven Shofars it heralds. These Soundings will occur in chronological order with the beginning of the second three and half year period, known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). The Seventh Shofar or "Last Trump" (I Corinthians 15:52) will announce the establishment of the Earthly Kingdom of HaShem as we will see later. The opening of the Seventh Sealed Scroll therefore covers the period from its opening near the "middle of the week" to the establishment of the Kingdom at its conclusion.
As we discussed earlier, one reason we know the Rapture theory is incorrect is that whatever Paul is taking about at I Corinthians 15:52 does not happen until this "last tump" is sounded. This trump will not be sounded until Moshiach, as Melekh, takes to the Throne of David at the conclusion of the Battle of Armegeddon. This rules out the pre-trib, mid-trip and post-trib rapture theories.
As the seven shofarim are sounded we will be moving farther and farther into the Seven Years Tribulation by months and years. While we know the basic time line of these events we can not establish exact dates for any of them.
Later Navi John returns us to this same time period in order to share much more information about the rapidly unfolding events of the final seven years of the age. The sounding of these shofarim mark the passage of events along the prophetic timeline.
It is important to remember that these soundings reference warfare, not just nature gone awry! The weapons used are not planes and tanks but the powers of the Earth itself! It is haMoshiach who is unleashing these massive forces upon the Earth in dafamation and denial of the claims of Rex Mundi! Melekh Y'shua will now be fighting Lucifer and his minions in the open for all to see! Currently such battles rage in both the celestial and terrestrial realms, but HaShem mercifully shields our eyes from these things by Hid Presence. Once that Protective Presence becomes ichabod the naked realities of the Rebellion will be experienced by one and all. Both sides will be empowering their agents with abilities beyond anything the world have ever known!
The Tribulation period is not something we will merely be trying to survive. The 144,000 Israelites and the Great Multitude of Goyim who serve with them will be soldiers working together for HaShem's glory or we will be martyrs to His glory! Either is fine (Philippians 1:21)!
HaShem can and will empower us to stand if that is the role He wishes us to serve! Some of His servants, like the Two Witnesses, will be granted the ability to call forth fire from the sky and so on while others will be willingly serve Him as lambs to the slaughter. All that matters is our willingness to obey His Orders. During this period the world will be utterly enmeshed in a war unlike any it has before experienced and everyone on the planet will be a participant!
Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve Adonai, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Adonai.There is a common misconception that the People of HaShem who are alive during the Tribulation Period will be huddled in fear, focussed merely on survival. This belief suggests that haMoshiach will come at the very end of the Seven Years, defeat the Antichrist at Armageddon, and declare himself King. But as we have already seen it will be haMoshiach who opens the Scrolls at the very beginning of the Seven Years and who will lead his armies against the common enemy! It will be haMoshiach who leads the 144,000 and the Great Multitude. He will do so through dreams, visions and revelations (Joel 2:28). His physical entry onto the world stage will come at Armageddon, however haMoshiach will be intimately involved throughout this seven year war!
8:6 The seven angels who had the seven shofars prepared themselves to sound.Next time:
The First Shofar/Trumpet
Continue with Chapter Eight Verse Five of the Revelation of Navi Y'shua
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