In the previous post we looked at the inevitable and very evident first six vials of Revelation 16 being poured out, and saw them as describing the confused and worthless state caused by listening to advice of the “experts” of this world. We saw it as another description of the earth’s condition ending the age as the next begins. We have seen the first step in beginning the new creation is light appears, it is then comprehended by hearing God’s word, and the light entering (bow’) destroys darkness.
Today let’s continuing on in Revelation 16 and a deeper examination of the seventh vial. It will greatly help your understanding if you have read the last several posts.
It is written in Revelation 16:17 that the seventh vial is poured out into the air. The Greek word rendered “air” is aer, meaning the lower atmosphere. The deeper meaning is what separated heaven from the earth, as in what stands between (the firmament of Genesis 1). The word is only used seven times, one of those being in telling of this being where the power of the prince of this world resides, and it is the spirit that works in the children of apathy. We have seen in past studies the same people in control of the information and teaching are those using the confusion created to produce this lack of concern (stupor) about the atmosphere of chaos (from believing in nothing and therefore hopeless).
Ephesians 2
1 And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience [Strong’s #543: apeitheia (pronounced ap-i’-thi-ah) from 545; disbelief (obstinate and rebellious):–disobedience, unbelief.]:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Un-circumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel [those who will reign with God, as God intended it], and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood [His life giving counsel flowing His life into us] of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity [what came between – the opposition separating us from heaven on earth] thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the LORD:
22 In whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Two other uses of apeitheia, which is also a seven times used word, are in Hebrews 4:6 & 11 in telling of the “unbelief” that kept Israel from entering the Promised Land. If you know the story, they saw the people as Giants and didn’t think they could do what God was telling them would be done. This is the same way the seventh vial begins, with the words “It is done.”
Hebrews 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief [apeitheia]:
7 Again, he limited a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief [apeitheia].
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Another of the seven places aer is used is in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 also as “air.” It is telling of the LORD coming and breaking through what separates heaven and earth. The context of the chapter is it telling of those caught in this sleep like state of apathy, and of their having to be awakened. What wakes them is the LORD’s commanding voice as it comes through the archangel. This is the same description we saw in the first of yesterday’s posts when we read Daniel 12 and it beginning describing Michael (meaning – he who is the likeness of God) standing up. The shout is, “IT IS DONE.”
The word translated “done” in Revelation 16:17 is the same word “done” in the LORD’s prayer in Matthew 6:10 when it states what the focus of our prayers should be, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” This is what is “done.”
1 Thessalonians 4
9 But as touching brotherly love [philadelphia – the intended state of the church] you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10 And indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
11 And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Revelation 16 uses a seven times used phrase “great earthquake” to describe this event by the effect it has of shaking the world. It is describing what is explained in Hebrews 12 when it says, “22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.”
The Greek words translated “great earthquake” are megas seismos, and of the seven times the phrase is used it is only once rendered differently. In Matthew 8:24 it is a “great tempest” telling of a great agitation of the sea, the waves of it overwhelming the ship and those in it. This is telling of our time of great trouble and the LORD seeing it knowing He must rise up and decisively intervene, to calm those panicking.
Here is the definition of the word seismos from the Strong’s Greek Dictionary: Strong’s #4578: seismos (pronounced sice-mos’) from 4579 [seio, meaning agitate]; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake:–earthquake, tempest.
The phrase “great earthquake” also appear in Acts 16:26 as what shakes the foundation of the prison, and not only freeing those held therein but also waking the prison keepers. Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house. 32 And they spoke unto him the word of the LORD, and to all that were in his house.
What we see in Revelation 16 as the seventh vial is poured out are heaven and earth being joined. It begins with the shout of “it is done,” and what is spoken is seen in its culmination in Revelation 21. All between is the victory over the confusion (Babylon – babble), and worthlessness of the advice of those opposing God and His truth. In restoring truth to discourse the effect of bad advice is reversed (comprehensions replaces delusion) and the victory is realized over corruption’s resulting death of humanity.
Revelation 16
16 And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done.”
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Revelation 21
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem [taught and founded upon the ways of peace and security – civilization], coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God…
Verse 4 above include a quote from Isaiah 25:8 giving us the full contextual meaning of this being victory over death, and “He shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.” Remember this chapter is also quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:54 when it says, “death is swallowed up in victory.” Here is the context as it tells of our putting off these corrupted ways and returning to the purity found in truth: “51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Isaiah 25
1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things; your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
2 For you have made of a city a heap; of a defensed city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
3 Therefore shall the strong people glorify you, the city of the terrible nations shall fear you.
4 For you have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
5 You shall bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people [the atmosphere of deceit and reality altered with bad intentions], and the veil that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD has spoken it.
9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swims spreads forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
12 And the fortress of the high fort of your walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
