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‘the Harlot’ The 2 prophets, the persecution and the return of the Messiah Today’s biblical significance is that Israel is first being gathered into their land in unbelief. Right now, the nation Israel is run by its politics, not the religion of Judaism that was given to Moses. Even with the influences of the ultra-Orthodox there. There are also approximately 180,000 to as many 300,000 believers in Jesus Christ who live in Israel that are free to worship, as are the millions of Muslims who live in the land of Israel (not Gaza). Paul states in (Rom.11 that there is a day where all of Israel will be saved together, as does the prophet Zechariah (12:10.) The Scripture explains the nation will not become believers until the very end of the 7 year tribulation (purifying people to have faith, where only 1/3 survive through ‘Jacob’s troubles.’ They will be converted together wherever they reside, in the land, or outside the land (i.e. Bozrah, in S. Jordan) (as two thirds will be killed by the fires of persecution from the false Christ who will rule in the Temple (Zech.9, 13). Rev. 11:1-6 John “measures the temple of God, the altar, and those who worshipthere but is instructed to leave out the court, outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months (3 ½ years.) This tells us, even with the 3 rd temple built by Israel, the Gentiles will have jurisdiction in Jerusalem. During this time period of testing, (Rev.3:10) God sends Israel two Jewish (prophets), two witnesses to prophesy to the nation, “ one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” They can’t be harmed, some people believe they will be Moses and Elijah, I see them being liken to Moses and Elijah, similar in their ministry, as John was to Elijah but is not Elijah. They are described in Rev. 11:5-6 “fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.” they have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire ” (like Moses.) This is done to validate to Israel they are sent by God, as they do what was done by both Moses and Elijah, two of their greatest Old Testament prophets (who happen to appear with Jesus on the mount he was transfigured at, Mt . 17:1-3). Up until this point, by the middle of the Tribulation, Rev. 11:7 “they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” Rev. 11:8 “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified .” Understand, this is taking place during the tribulation, near the middle, not now (the two witnesses are not here). John is describing the spiritual condition of Jerusalem that had been called a holy city: (Neh. 11:18, Isa. 48:2, Isa .52:1; Matt. 4:4-5). We find Sodom and Egypt are being used as a metaphor for what Israel will become. Even in the time of Jesus it was not described as this. “ The devil (during Jesus temptation to have him sin), “took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple” to tempt him (Matt 4:5 this was called holy without the ark being there). But in the Last Days, during the Tribulation Israel WILL BE NO DIFFERENT THAN THE NATIONS as they do not practice the Judaism of Moses today, nor will they as a nation in the near future. In the Middle East Israel, like other secular nations actively promote LGBTQ rights and events through its government and large festivals. The Israeli Foreign Ministry promotes "Pride Land," a four-day festival at the Dead Sea billed as the biggest LGBTQ+ festival ever in the Middle East, scheduled for June 1–4, 2026. God had called them to be separate by their religion, in they’re lifestyle and worship. They may reinstitute the sacrifices and a priesthood in the near future for the 3 rd temple, but it will not be the same it was in the Old Testament. The tribulation is used to have Israel repent. Daniel 9:24 tells us “seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city.”The Tribulation consists of two halves.1260 days the witnesses have been in Jerusalem being an offense to the world and its ruler[s], and to those in Israel who have agreed and entered into covenant with him. Daniel further states,“To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy(the 4 th Temple, in the Millennium). The angel later tells Daniel, “ when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished ” (Dan 12:7.) The rebellious will of Gods people are broken that brings them to REPENTANCE, as a nation.
It is after 3 ½ years of preaching in Jerusalem and the surrounding area the two prophets are killed by the second beast who is released from the pit. And this is when everything changes. God’s two Witnesses will be resurrected (like Jesus), and taken up to God, disappearing from earth not to be heard from again. The majority of the inhabitants of the earth rejoice over their death, as if it’s Christmas, giving gifts, (Rev.11:10.) It is at this time they will worship the Antichrist as the king of the world (Rev.13:8), who showed his power against these two prophets sent. As Satan, “The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Rev. 13:2.) In the middle of the 7 years, “the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thess. 2:3) he is made known to the world. Daniel tells us 9:26-27“And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week ; (7 years) But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate .” He who is to come first, the false Messiah, sets himself in the temple will hate the Jews, (this is why he will never be one). It is the Jews as a Nation that need to make peace with her enemies. They who reject the covenant that the true Messiah made 2,000 years ago, will embrace the false messiah’s covenant. After the two prophets re killed He then goes into the temple and will declare that he is God in the 3 rd temple, a temple that is supposed to be built for the true God. As he has always coveted worship from God’s people (Isa.14). He will desecrate it as the counterfeit son of man who claims to be God 2 Thess. 2:4-5 “he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God,” in the 3 rd temple. It is then the choice of individuals is made as to whether they take his insignia, the mark for allegiance to him and ways (Rev.13). As he claims to be God, it is also at this time we read in Rv.12 he focuses on persecuting the Jews and believers, as he breaks the covenant he signed with Israel – stopping the sacrifices and offering (Dan.9). Rev. 12:7-10 “And war broke out in heaven: Michael(who is the angel assigned to Israel ) and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Devil and all his demonic army is now secluded on earth, led by a single human being who is possessed and empowered by him. V:12-14 “ Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time ." Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child .” That woman is Israel(the Jews)… Rev. 12:17 “ And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring,who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” These can only be the Jewish believers who are converted and sealed, as the 144,000 that are throughout the earth and nations testifying of Jesus the Messiah, as the two prophets did. We see the result, of their witnessing all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb ” who come out of the tribulation’s persecution against believers (Rev. 7:9.) This is the great world revival God Has promised. Acts 2:17 “in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh.” Then numerous, uncountable numbers are saved (Rev. 7). Rev. 17:6speaks of the harlot as “the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus .”(Rv.18:24).Just as God Judged Pharaoh, who killed the firstborn, he judges the nations the same way. Rev. 13:4-6 “ they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” V.15 “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”v.16 “ He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads” If you think political divisions are bad, THIS WILL BE FAR WORSE, as those joined with the false Christ are part of his army against the saints throughout the world. Daniel later describes the false Christ, in chapter 11:27-30“the end will still be at the appointed time. While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; …. V.30 “ For in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant.” Israel then becomes part of the harlot spoken of by John. It is at this time the world will be united under the FLSE MESSIAH against God and his ways. In recounting Isa. 3:8-9“For Jerusalem stumbled, And Judah is fallen, Because their tongue and their doings Are against the LORD, To provoke the eyes of His glory. The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; They do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves.” They continue to reject their Messiah who came. A great evil will occur that will trap them, for they knowingly and unknowingly make a covenant with the Devil. Jerusalem is called not only a great city, but a holy city in Scripture; however, at this time in the Tribulation, it is also called by two spiritual descriptions of their past that had them severely judged by God. What does Sodom and Egypt represent? It tells us Israel’s condition, its spiritual state that it will be under as the antichrist who comes forward to take his position of power in the new (3rd) temple in the holy city. It is in this third temple that the abomination that makes desolation occurs, that which Jesus specifically spoke of in Mt.24:15, re calling Daniel.
Spiritually as Sodom and Egypt Ezekiel points to the wickedness of Jerusalem in Ezek. 16:56 “ Sodom was not a byword in your mouth in the days of your pride.” Sodom's evil was overlooked, as the pride of Sodom became the sin of the pride of Jerusalem. V. 57, Jerusalem could no longer speak of Sodom's sin because she has become guilty of the same sin. Jerusalem's sins is spoken in verse 58: “ You have borne your lewdness and your abominations, Ezek. 5:11 even “defiled My sanctuary. (the 3 rd Temple will again be defiled by the covenant they make with the one who will be worshiped in it as God, who is really God’s enemy). Egypt represents bondage. God offers them the new covenant (Gal.5:10), prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah in chapt.31. Israel who was given the oracles of God will be held more responsible. God has promised in his Word Israel is to be punished double for her sins. The most offensive thing one can do to God concerns worship, idolatry. The harlot Ezek. 6:9-10 says “They played the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations.” Ezek. 23:30-31 “you have gone as a harlot after the Gentiles, because you have become defiled by their idols.”This is said numerous times by the prophets. Hosea 4:12 “For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God”(v.15.) Referring to the past, Judges 8:33-34: 33…. “ the sons of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god. Thus the sons of Israel did not remember the LORD their God. . . .” For 1260 days the witnesses have been in Jerusalem speaking the truth, warning, being an offense to the world ruler of whom Israel has entered into covenant with (Rev. 11:7). After they are killed and raised back to life the false Christ takes his place in Jerusalem’s third temple. Matt 24:15-17 Jesus prophetically warns of this event as the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place. " telling those in Judea flee to the mountains (to the place prepared. Flee Jerusalem immediately, and go to a certain place in the wilderness to be protected, called Petra in Greek, and Bozrah in Hebrew (the sheepfold).Rev. 12: “the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God” the image of a harlot is only employed in terms of a paganism that persecutes the saints, out of which God's true people are to flee . Jerusalem as the harlot Isaiah 1:21 “ How the faithful city has become a harlot.” Meaning she is yoked with other gods and the world. There are number of cities called great in the bible. Gibeon (Josh 10:2), Nineveh (Jonah 1:2), and Babylon (Rev 14:8).Jerusalem is also called a Great city, but it is called the holy city of the Lord Jer. 22:8-9 “And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, 'Why has the LORD done so to this great city?' "Then they will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God , and worshiped other gods and served them.' " This what they will become under the rule of the false Christ, the antichrist. As in past examples, Judges 6:1-6 “the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. And were delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years” (Lev.26:18). God continually appeals to his people of the covenant. Jer. 3:1 “ But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me," says the LORD.” Hosea 4:15"Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Let not Judah offend.”Israel being called the harlot is because she was married to God symbolically, by covenant. (Ezek. 23:19-24, 29-34, Ezek. 16:35-39, Ezek. 16:16-18; Hosea 4:12-16, 9:1; Amos 7:14-17). Jerusalem becomes the main religious center for the antichrist We rea d of two places of the antichrist’s rule, Babylon and Jerusalem. Could Jerusalem who finds herself in this condition, entering in covenant and mistakenly worship the man of lawlessness’ as Christ? All the earth is under the power of its ruler the antichrist who is now fully in charge of Jerusalem, the temple and the nations. Rev. 17:2 “the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication”V:18 “And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." His influence defiles the city and the temple. Thus it is referred to Sodom and Egypt. While most have thought this to be Rome where many antichrists, have ruled from, let me propose another city involved. Could this be the city of where antichrist is worshiped in, the temple he defiles? Rev 17:1-2 "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters , with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."All were united with the false Messiah who sets himself up in Jerusalem, in the third temple, once the holy City. V.17:4-5, He unites all the gods of the nations under him being THE TRUE GOD. All the religions of the world are one. Waters have to do with nations Rev. 17:15-18" The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. …. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH .” Babylon is the ancient birthplace of all the false religions. Consider these scriptures. Rev. 18:3 “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."V:9 " The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her.” Thos who profited off of her are those who are also spiritually united in the harlot. V.4-7 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” God has also promised Israel to be judged double for her sins. God Has promise to judge the world, Jer. 16:18 “first I will repay double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land.” We read of the end, Rev. 19:2 “For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." John in his prophetic book speaks of the woman that rides the beast. Rev. 17:18 “ the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." The woman is the harlot, and she rides the beast (carried by the beast). This is a corrupted counterfeit, it reigns with the antichrist as its ruler. Israel was guilty of breaking the marriage covenant “ For thus says the Lord v: I will also deal with you as you have done, who has despised the oath in breaking the covenant.” God also says “ I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish unto you an everlasting covenant. “The days of her youth” is a reference to the Mosaic Covenant, between God and Israel. Referring to the Wilderness Wanderings where their marriage took place. God will not re-establish the Mosaic Covenant, but speaks of the everlasting covenant, the New Covenant, found in Jeremiah 31:31-34. They are not to build a third temple but are to call on him to return, Lk. 13:35 Jesus Said, “you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! ' "(Acts 15:16.) His return will come at the time of Israel's repentance, that also prophesies of their future restoration (Lev. 26). A day will come when Israel becomes aware of her sins of idolatry, adultery, and become ashamed and repent (Zech. 12:10). Then Joel 2:32 takes place, “ That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORDcalls” (Speaking of Israel). |
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