· Population reduction prior to "Marking by the Beast"
The interest shown by people in the above subjects is absolutely natural, especially when their studies of the Bible have reached and absorbed Revelation!
This study is intended to help us all in that endeavour!
The treatment of Revelation in this study is that the dating from beginning to end is in chronologically progression, and that may or may not be the case, as only time will tell!
The 1st statement re. population reduction is Revelation 6:8:
V.8 And I saw, and behold, a pale green/livid horse, and his name that sat on him (a)Death, and (b)Haydes followed with him. And authority was given to them over the (c)fourth part of the Earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the wild beasts of the Earth.
(a) "Death"; straightforward symbol, Heavenly authority given to the rider to kill by the methods mentioned, but are not able to kill the PSUCHE (individual life).
(b) "HAYDES"; this is mistranslated HELL, see: Hell;
The Greek is Hades which means grave, but by much misuse and confusion is confused with the Hell of myth and legend. The Bible is the only authority on the subject, which states that in this present time (Dispensation), all who truly believe in Christ when they die await His resurrection call, (1Thess. 4:16). Those that die not believing in Christ, are resurrected at the time of the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev. 20:11-15). Our Lord said to His Disciples (Matt. 10:28), "Fear not those that kill the body, but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both PSUCHE and body in GEENNA". (Lake of Fire i.e. Second Death Rev. 20:14).
(c) " ¼ of the Earth" (population). We stand at present (2018) at approx. 7.5 billion (7,000 500,000) people on Earth. (The Global 2000 report to the President) on an exponential basis, this population would double in 20-30 years. On the assumption that the population does double in 20 years time (2038), and that these events of Chapter 6 are then current, then from approx.15,000,000,000 people 3,750,000,000, will die; and the pressure of death alone will be enormous, just in this 4th Seal, with much more to follow.
Note: This relates to Matt. 24:7. As of the present date (2018), the world's population is over 7 billion! Projections vary from Think Tank to various Universities; but the pressure on all the world’s resources is too great to sustain the present world population growth for many more years! The world’s Economists state that approx. 3% GDP is needed to sustain the present (2018) world population in comfort. The world’s resources are already too depleted for continuity; so the future is bleak for a growing population!
The 2nd statement is Rev. 8:11:
V.11 And the name of the star is called (c)Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and (d)many people died of the waters, because they were made bitter (poisonous).
(a) The fact that this star shines as a lamp, will not allow any inhabitants of Earth to ignore it. Its arrival will inspire fear, as the world's population is by then conditioned to expect calamity.
(b) "The fountains of the waters"; some would suggest that this means at the point of consumption but it is more likely to mean at the source of the waters.
(c) "Wormwood"; is a plant, growing in desolate areas of the world, it is both bitter to taste, and deleterious to health (poisonous). "Figuratively it suggests calamity (Lam. 3:15).
(d) "Many people died"; interestingly, here a definite number of people is not given. The number is clearly very great and it is probable that at least a third of the population will die of this event. In V.8 of Chapter 6, and using the same loose hypothesis here, of the approx. 11,750,000,000 people remaining, this third reduction will leave approx. 7,900,000,000. This would mean that on this idea nearly ½ the world's population has been killed since the start of the Seal releases. Also to be remembered is V.8, which states that 1/3 of the sea creatures died, which will also affect humans!
The 3rd statement is Rev. 9:18:
V.18 By these three was the third part of men (a)killed, by the (b)fire, and the (b)smoke, and the (b)brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
(a) Killed; see note V.15.
(b) See notes V.17.
The Anti-Christ and his Temple!
From the above; it is seen that approx... 2/3 of the population dies by the effects of the events described, which still leaves a considerable population; approx. 1 to 2.5 billion people, which was the population of the World approx. between 1940-1955!
It is speculated that the person referred to in the Bible as “The Anti-Christ” (the Assyrian), will be semi dominant during or after the events described above; and will be a trusted personage worldwide, including the Jews, until he demands the Jews worship him “as God”, and that the Temple of God is his throne (Matt. 24)!
The “Mark” of the “Beast”!
V.16 And he caused all, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond servant, to be (a)marked on the right hand, or on the forehead:
V.17 So that no one may (b)buy or sell, except those with the (c)mark, or the (c)name of the Beast, or the (c)number representing his name.
(a) At the time the Holy Spirit penned these words via. John on Patmos, the world (then known) was a much smaller place than now. However, with modern communications and travel speeds some would say that in fact it is smaller in the sense of actions etc. Many commentators on Scripture cannot agree on who is marked, and many prefer to say Israel only is involved. It is true that the meaning can seem ambiguous, but it is the opinion of the writers that possibly all peoples of the world are involved, where Jews of the Diaspora are living, but that the Jews are the primary target. There are a number of compelling reasons for this conclusion. The debate hinges for some on the simple Greek translation of the word for "Earth", (Ge) as in V.8 and in many places. The definition for (Str. 1093), is wider than the Comp (App. 129:4), but both generally agree. Verse 7 in this case supports the view of world-wide application, i.e. "over all kindreds, and tongues, and Nations"; which is the writers view!
The fact is that there are many more Jews still dispersed throughout the world than in Israel, its present borders could not hold them! The present population of Israel is probably far less than that of the USA alone! All the Jews outside the focal point (Israel) of these future events will be affected and involved, because Anti-Christ will be seeking them out. That is the reason that our Lord is so emphatic in His statement regarding "His brethren", in Matt. 25:40 (see Matt. 25: 31-46), and our Lord's comments and actions are internationally focused as is clear from His words in Matt. 25. This fact augers for the same emphasis in V. 17 statement.
God has sealed people in the forehead, prior to great trouble in the past, (Ezk. 9:4) and (Rev. 7:3). This marking by Satan is the anti-thesis, and is his promise of protection to his people.
Summary: One of the possibilities of the "marking", of the Jews of Israel in and around Jerusalem, and also of the Diaspora spread around the world, is that in this case both "land" and "world" are intended. The focus in Revelation is "overcoming" (Satan and all his powers), but also the witness and fidelity to Christ as Messiah and Saviour. Not many Jews will refuse the "Mark" because of Christ, but because of their "Orthodox (Pharisaic) beliefs", and because the Beast is demanding worship,V.15. There will be the ones who "look on Him who they pierced" (Zech. 12:10), if they are of the "Preserved Remnant". The fact of our Lord's emphasis on the judgement of the Gentile Nations on "how did you treat My brethren"? (Matt. 25:32-46), obviously implicates the Gentiles who are sympathetic or not to the Jews world-wide during "Jacob's Trouble" period, and it is quite certain that Satan's tyranny (although focused on the Jews of Israel), will extend to those who support the Jews.
His power will be such at that time, that he will not be stopped by the rulers in individual countries from persecuting Gentile sympathisers, as the rulers of each Nation will be in sympathy with his anti-Jewish actions, and will chime with the world-wide anti-Semitic atmosphere.
This tentative comment is supported by the reference in Revelation 7:9-17, where the great multitude of people of all Nations are shown to have come out of "the Great Tribulation", and have washed their robes in the "blood of the Lamb". This latter comment also, supports the Scriptures that show the Lord's Body has been taken by that time!
(b) So the worshippers of this future Anti-Christ figure, are also marked to allow permit to "buy and sell", (trade etc.), which will be strictly controlled, making life for those outside the favour of this Satanic system very hard if not impossible. It has to be remembered that this state of affairs is only 3½ years in duration, however many people will not know this, and they will be controlled to such an extent that such information the Bible holds will not be easily available and in any case will not be understood, hence the special Holy Spirit upholding of the groups mentioned in the early Chapters.
The example given by God’s protection and sustaining of Israel after their release from Egypt, clearly shows that God’s world-wide power and reach will be shown again at that time, to sustain His “remnant” of Israel (Isa. 10:20).
(c) "Mark, name, or number"; these terrible symbols, will denote more than just permit, (to trade etc.), but will also denote ownership! Satan will own these individuals in the same way, and to the same degree as the Heavenly beings that are his.
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