John is in heaven beholding some pretty wondrous things! He's getting a glimpse at what most people only dream about.
But, there are some things happening down on earth during this time, as well, that John has to take note of so he can write it down for the future generations.
Havoc has been wreaked across the planet earth. Millions have vanished without a trace. Planes and trains and cars and boats have crashed causing damage, explosions, fires, and other problems all around the world.
As the inhabitants left try to clean up the mess and console those who have lost people, a new leadership is forming to bring the whole world together under one ruler, one law, and one religion of tolerance and peace.
This man may seem like a wonderful savior, but he is anything but that! The Bible calls him the man of sin.
John 5:43- I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
II timothy 2:3-4- Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
People think that he's a great person because he brings peace to a troubled world, but he was prophesied about thousands of years ago! He does bring peace, but not for long. War is constantly at his heels.
By the time people figure out who he really is, it will be too late for some of them.
Daniel 11:20-24- Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
Daniel 8:23-25- And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
What John sees is not something new. It is something that Daniel said over and over again would happen.
Daniel 9:24-27- Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel prophesied that the Messiah would be rejected. he prophesied that there was coming an end time where the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed and the world would become desolate.
Latter times in the Bible is usually a reference to this time period. The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt and a treaty between the nation of Israel and others will be put into place. But, the new ruler will rise up and make an agreement with the Jews, but then he'll break that agreement. And that's when the real trouble will begin.
What Daniel saw and tried to warn people about way back then, is what John is now watching unfold. But, John has a better vantage point, because he is in heaven.
While the man of sin is building his kingdom, God is pouring out vials of wrath on the earth to get men to realize their sins and turn to him before it's too late.
Revelation 6:2, 4, 5b, 8- And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Revelation 8:5, 7-13- And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
This already messed up world is going to get visited with famine, plague, destruction, animal attacks, and natural disasters. But, that is only the beginning! God is hoping that people will turn to him and search for him.
