Proof of Rapture before Tribulation

[Douggg]

I posted all of these translations of Rev 20:4 because these help us to understand how TIME given mankind whereby, we MUST be saved is what a/the thousand years symbolizes. Not ONE thousand literal years that shall be after Christ comes again. But TIME that runs from the first advent of Christ until the last trumpet begins to sound that THIS time has an expiration.

There's the problem. The ones in Revelation 20:4 brought back to life, resurrected, are the martyrs for....

1. their testimony of Jesus and the word of God.
2. did not worship the beast (who rules for 42 months - not 2000 years)
3. did not worship the image of the beast - that is not made until the time of the beast.
4. did not take the mark of the beast upon their forehead.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

While there have been many martyred for the testimony of Jesus and word of God since the first advent of Christ, items 2, 3, 4 have not taken place yet.

The one thousand years in Revelation 20 is literal. And none of Revelation 20 has taken place yet.

 

[rwb]

For Christians only: Revelation 20:4-6, the resurrection of the great tribulation martyrs is 1000 years before the GWT judgment.

For Christians only; The rapture/resurrection of 1Thessalonians4:15-18 before the great tribulation and the wrath of God poured out during that time.

For the rest of the dead, Revelation 20:5 (persons who did not participate in either of the above): The resurrection for the GWT judgment

Since you don't seem compelled to answer anything I've said, neither do I feel compelled to answer your opinions.

 

[rwb]

There's the problem. The ones in Revelation 20:4 brought back to life, resurrected, are the martyrs for....

1. their testimony of Jesus and the word of God.
2. did not worship the beast (who rules for 42 months - not 2000 years)
3. did not worship the image of the beast - that is not made until the time of the beast.
4. did not take the mark of the beast upon their forehead.

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

While there have been many martyred for the testimony of Jesus and word of God since the first advent of Christ, items 2, 3, 4 have not taken place yet.

The one thousand years in Revelation 20 is literal. And none of Revelation 20 has taken place yet.

Here again, you show no compulsion to try to answer anything I've said, neither will I give an answer to more opinions we've heard so many times before.

 

[Douggg]

That's a poor translation of the verse. Why would those who died in Christ, already possessing everlasting life through Him need to be "brought back to life"? It is typically the newer modern translations of the Bible that translate this verse as though the life that Christ gives whosoever dies believing in Him don't have eternal life through Him, and therefore must be made alive again? Do you believe that we are identified by our outward flesh, or are we identified by our eternal spirit?

The resurrection is Revelation 20:5. The first sentence of verse 5 is a comparison being made. To know that them in verse 4 are resurrected, just read the two verses without the comparison sentence. It is the first resurrection relative to the millennium period.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The second death is being cast into the lake of fire at the time of the GWT judgement. Revelation 20:14. Them taking part in the first resurrection of Revelation 20:4-6 will not appear before the GWT judgment.

 

[Douggg]

Here again, you show no compulsion to try to answer anything I've said, neither will I give an answer to more opinions we've heard so many times before.

I did respond to your claim that them in verse 4 are about individuals over the past two thousand years. But I showed that is not the case, as the parts of verse 4 involve the beast (king) person - who is yet to rule the 42 months of Revelation 13:5. Them in Revelation 20:4-6 are the great tribulation martyrs.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

I did respond to your claim that them in verse 4 are about individuals over the past two thousand years. But I showed that is not the case, as the parts of verse 4 involve the beast (king) person - who is yet to rule the 42 months of Revelation 13:5. Them in Revelation 20:4-6 are the great tribulation martyrs.

Prophetic beasts are not people, but you'll never acknowledge that.

Daniel 7:23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.

And you assume all time periods in Revelation are literal, so we'll never agree on that.

But, what about this verse:

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Do you believe that someone has to have part in the first resurrection in order for it to be true that "the second death hath no power" over them? I believe this verse gives that impression.

Also, are Christ's followers not priests of God and of Christ right now? Scripture says we are. Doesn't that indicate something about the timing of Revelation 20:6?

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

 

[Douggg]

Prophetic beasts are not people, but you'll never acknowledge that.

Daniel 7:23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.

Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

beasts can represent either kingdoms or kings - or both.

 

[Douggg]

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Do you believe that someone has to have part in the first resurrection in order for it to be true that "the second death hath no power" over them? I believe this verse gives that impression.

I agree. The second death is being cast into the lake of fire.

Also, are Christ's followers not priests of God and of Christ right now? Scripture says we are. Doesn't that indicate something about the timing of Revelation 20:6?

Revelation 20:4-6 does not change that Christ's followers are priests of God and Christ right now. Them in Revelation 20:4-6 is referring to a select group of Christ's followers who will be martyred during the great tribulation.

There will also be a select group of Christians who will raptured/resurrected before the great tribulation begins. Neither group will appear before the GWT judgment, when the second death takes place.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Daniel 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

beasts can represent either kingdoms or kings - or both.

Kingdoms, of course, have kings or else they wouldn't be kingdoms. But, my point, which maybe I didn't make completely clear, is that prophetic beasts do not just represent individuals, but also kingdoms. But, you try to always refer to some beast-king as if the beast itself is only a king, but that is not the case. The symbolic term "beast" refers to the kingdom and its king. That's why it says the beast "was" in Revelation 17:8. That would not make any sense if it was talking about the beast only in terms of an individual person because that person would be very, very old by now.

 

[TribulationSigns]

Revelation 20:4-6 does not change that Christ's followers are priests of God and Christ right now. Them in Revelation 20:4-6 is referring to a select group of Christ's followers who will be martyred during the great tribulation.

False. It applies to ALL Elect who took part of the First Resurrection (born again/made alive).

There will also be a select group of Christians who will raptured/resurrected before the great tribulation begins.

Really? Matthew agrees you?

Mat 24:29-31
(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Sounds like the rapture will take place AFTER the tribulation. Not some of your silly "anytime" rapture "before" the tribulation.

Neither group will appear before the GWT judgment, when the second death takes place.

No, they will stand before GWT judgment for their work, whether good or evil, but they have no fear of second death because they already took part of the First Resurrection and their name written in the Book of Life. Selah!

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

I agree. The second death is being cast into the lake of fire.

You're saying "I agree" in response to my question "Do you believe that someone has to have part in the first resurrection in order for it to be true that "the second death hath no power" over them?".

So, since you believe that the first resurrection refers specifically to a resurrection of martyrs at the second coming of Christ and that one must have part in the first resurrection in order for it to be true that "that "the second death hath no power" over them, what about others who are resurrected at other times, according to your doctrine? How do they avoid the second death without having part in the first resurrection?

And what about those who are alive when Jesus comes? How do they avoid the second death without having part in the first resurrection?

Revelation 20:4-6 does not change that Christ's followers are priests of God and Christ right now. Them in Revelation 20:4-6 is referring to a select group of Christ's followers who will be martyred during the great tribulation.

There will also be a select group of Christians who will raptured/resurrected before the great tribulation begins. Neither group will appear before the GWT judgment, when the second death takes place.

All people will appear before the GWT judgment. That is portrayed in Matthew 25:31-46 which will occur when Jesus comes with His angels. What else does verse 41 in the following passage portray except for those whose names are not written in the book of life being cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15)?

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:.....41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 

[TribulationSigns]

Kingdoms, of course, have kings or else they wouldn't be kingdoms. But, my point, which maybe I didn't make completely clear, is that prophetic beasts do not just represent individuals, but also kingdoms. But, you try to always refer to some beast-king as if the beast itself is only a king, but that is not the case. The symbolic term "beast" refers to the kingdom and its king. That's why it says the beast "was" in Revelation 17:8. That would not make any sense if it was talking about the beast only in terms of an individual person because that person would be very, very old by now.

What is the beast? What kingdom is this? These are the questions. Of course, God is not talking about physical empires/nations here that the beast represents.

Revelation 17:8

• " The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

A little background for anyone interested. The beasts of Revelation 13 and 17 are a FIGURE or REPRESENTATION of the body of Satan, the spiritual kingdom of Satan as "the god of this world." For example, when it says locusts are loosed from the bottomless pit, that is a figure signifying those men who are of Satan coming forth on the earth through his spirit. Not literal or simi-literal or physical locusts out of hell with Satan, but actual people who rise up through the power or spirit of Satan. They are simply people with the antichrist spirit coming forth through that power of Satan. In God's eyes, they are the beast, the body of Satan.

They are (spiritually speaking) his body, just as we, as born again Christians, of the Spirit of Christ are Spiritually His body. The beast represents his carnal kingdom, those who are his children and his ministers. Satan personified as this beast representing his kingdom. The Dragon, which is Satan himself, gives this beast or his kingdom its power (Revelation 13:4). This signifying Satan gives them their strength. Just as the four beasts (more literally, four living creatures) of Revelation are a figure or representation of the body of Christ (Revelation 4:6), the spiritual Kingdom of the God in heaven. The Lamb (God Himself) gives these living creatures their power. Again, Christ, the Lamb, give His power to his four beasts (living creatures) the same way Satan, the dragon, give his power to his beasts of Revelation 13 and 17.

We see in this diverse cryptic imagery the figures of the true Christ Kingdom versus the figure of the anti-Christ kingdom, the substitute or pseudo-Kingdom. Satan is the adversary, and his kingdom of darkness is masquerading as a kingdom of light. But instead of bringing life, it has been going forth as an adversary to kill the prophets of God.

Psalms 74:9-10

• "We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
• O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?"

How long indeed! There is an appointed time that the Lord will avenge the prophets upon this beast. The beast of Revelation 17 is Satan's carnal kingdom on earth. It is a body aligned with the "god of this world," in opposition to the heavenly body aligned with the true God. It spiritually represents the Antichrist dominion, reign, or principality. Thus the mark of the beast is a spiritual (not physical) sign that those receiving it have been made slaves or servants of this ruler and part of his body. In other words, the mark signifies that they belong to him. Just as slaves were once marked or branded in this country, so those of the beast are "spiritually marked" as possessions and servants of Satan. Likewise, believers are spiritually marked as possessions and servants of God. They are sealed in their hand and forehead signifying their will and mind.

There are many people here who believe that the beast of Revelation 13/17 (or even Daniel 2, 7, etc.) represents a geo-political nation/empire on Earth do not understand what Scripture talks about.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

What is the beast? What kingdom is this? These are the questions. Of course, God is not talking about physical empires/nations here that the beast represents.

Revelation 17:8

• " The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

A little background for anyone interested. The beasts of Revelation 13 and 17 are a FIGURE or REPRESENTATION of the body of Satan, the spiritual kingdom of Satan as "the god of this world." For example, when it says locusts are loosed from the bottomless pit, that is a figure signifying those men who are of Satan coming forth on the earth through his spirit. Not literal or simi-literal or physical locusts out of hell with Satan, but actual people who rise up through the power or spirit of Satan. They are simply people with the antichrist spirit coming forth through that power of Satan. In God's eyes, they are the beast, the body of Satan.

They are (spiritually speaking) his body, just as we, as born again Christians, of the Spirit of Christ are Spiritually His body. The beast represents his carnal kingdom, those who are his children and his ministers. Satan personified as this beast representing his kingdom. The Dragon, which is Satan himself, gives this beast or his kingdom its power (Revelation 13:4). This signifying Satan gives them their strength. Just as the four beasts (more literally, four living creatures) of Revelation are a figure or representation of the body of Christ (Revelation 4:6), the spiritual Kingdom of the God in heaven. The Lamb (God Himself) gives these living creatures their power. Again, Christ, the Lamb, give His power to his four beasts (living creatures) the same way Satan, the dragon, give his power to his beasts of Revelation 13 and 17.

We see in this diverse cryptic imagery the figures of the true Christ Kingdom versus the figure of the anti-Christ kingdom, the substitute or pseudo-Kingdom. Satan is the adversary, and his kingdom of darkness is masquerading as a kingdom of light. But instead of bringing life, it has been going forth as an adversary to kill the prophets of God.

Psalms 74:9-10

• "We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.
• O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?"

How long indeed! There is an appointed time that the Lord will avenge the prophets upon this beast. The beast of Revelation 17 is Satan's carnal kingdom on earth. It is a body aligned with the "god of this world," in opposition to the heavenly body aligned with the true God. It spiritually represents the Antichrist dominion, reign, or principality. Thus the mark of the beast is a spiritual (not physical) sign that those receiving it have been made slaves or servants of this ruler and part of his body. In other words, the mark signifies that they belong to him. Just as slaves were once marked or branded in this country, so those of the beast are "spiritually marked" as possessions and servants of Satan. Likewise, believers are spiritually marked as possessions and servants of God. They are sealed in their hand and forehead signifying their will and mind.

There are many people here who believe that the beast of Revelation 13/17 (or even Daniel 2, 7, etc.) represents a geo-political nation/empire on Earth do not understand what Scripture talks about.

I actually agree in a sense, but you're missing that Satan's kingdom of the world has taken on different forms over the years. That's what the heads of the beast represent. It says five of the heads were fallen, one was in power at the time and the other had not come yet (Revelation 17:10) as of the time the book was written. The heads of the beast represent historical world empires as do the four beasts of Daniel 2 and 7. The current one at the time John was writing the book was obviously the Roman empire. Satan was the one who was truly in charge of those evil wordly empires, so you are right that the beast represents Satan's earthly kingdom, but it makes no sense to not acknowledge that his kingdom has taken on different forms over the years as each successive world kingdom/empire has been in power.

And I agree that the mark of the beast is a spiritual mark rather than physical. So, we're not too far apart on al of this even if we may not agree on all of the details.

 

[Douggg]

Kingdoms, of course, have kings or else they wouldn't be kingdoms. But, my point, which maybe I didn't make completely clear, is that prophetic beasts do not just represent individuals, but also kingdoms.

They can represent both kings and kingdoms. But beasts don't always represent kingdoms.

The false prophet is the second beast in Revelation 13. He is not a king over a kingdom. Nor actually a kingdom himself.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

They can represent both kings and kingdoms. But beasts don't always represent kingdoms.

They always represent both. Kings and kingdoms go hand in hand. You don't have one without the other.

The false prophet is the second beast in Revelation 13. He is not a king over a kingdom. Nor actually a kingdom himself.

It's not an individual. Your claim that a prophetic beast can only refer to a king is false. No king is without a kingdom.

 

[Keraz]

That's a poor translation of the verse. Why would those who died in Christ, already possessing everlasting life through Him need to be "brought back to life"?

All of your translations say; they lived and reigned........
Which means no different than brought back to life......

What none of them say, is they received immortality. Something we know cannot happen before the GWT Judgment and the Book of Life is opened.

Perhaps you might care to give an explanation for how those martyred saints of vs 4 who have lived and reigned with Christ "a thousand years", and the blessed and holy saints of vs 6 that shall reign with Christ a thousand years also? There is only mention of a/the thousand years, how can these saints both have lived, and shall live for the same a/the thousand years?

Rev 20:4-6 refers only to the martyrs killed during the GT.
They can die a natural death again, but because their names will be found in the Book of Life, immortality is assured for them.

Until people get over their wrong AMill belief, then confuzion and error will preclude any understanding of the truth.

 

[Douggg]

So, since you believe that the first resurrection refers specifically to a resurrection of martyrs at the second coming of Christ

The first resurrection relative to the millennium will be for the great tribulation martyrs. They will not have to appear before the GWT judgment.

and that one must have part in the first resurrection in order for it to be true that "that "the second death hath no power" over them,

No, there will be Christians who will appear before the GTW judgment, that the second death will have no power over them.

---------------------------------------------------------

The two groups of Christians that will not appear before the GTW judgment are:

1. The rapture/resurrected event Christians, the event to take place before the great tribulation. Gone from the earth. To return with Jesus.
2. The resurrected great tribulation martyred Christians, the resurrection to take place after the great tribulation, at the start of the thousand years.

All other Christians will appear before the GWT judgement, including them alive when Jesus returns, and persons who become Christians during the thousand years. There will be people born during that time. The second death will have no power over them either.

---------------------------------------------------

Do you agree with this statement....?

The second death has no power over any Christian.

It you agree to that statement, then our difference boils down to which Christians will appear before the GWT judgment. Which I am saying the two Christian groups above will not. They will have already received their eternal life, incorruptible bodies during the rapture/resurrection event, and during the resurrection of the great tribulation martyrs event.

 

[Keraz]

I agree. The second death is being cast into the lake of fire.

You fail to differentiate between those GT martyrs, whose second death has no power over them and who will receive immortality, and all the wicked peoples whose second death is to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Revelation 20:15

No, they will stand before GWT judgment for their work, whether good or evil, but they have no fear of second death because they already took part of the First Resurrection and their name written in the Book of Life. Selah!

This is scripturally correct.
Everyone who has ever lived will stand before God in Judgment. Hebrews 9:27, Rev 20:11-15 AFTER the Millennium.
It all comes down to whether your name is Written in the Book of Life, or not.

We should all be aware that our name can be erased from the Book of Life. Exodus 32:33, Psalms 69:18

 

[TribulationSigns]

I actually agree in a sense, but you're missing that Satan's kingdom of the world has taken on different forms over the years. That's what the heads of the beast represent.

The heads are, in fact, KINGS, just as the horns are, in fact, kings. It's the same symbolic imagery and the same methodology applies. For example:

Revelation 17:9-10

• " And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth.
• And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."

The 7 heads (symbolizing authority) "are" also seven mountains (symbolizing kingdoms) and also "are" seven kings (symbolizing rule). So the seven heads (signifying authority and leadership) are all actually 7 kings (signifying rule). It is all interconnected symbolism. Not only is the 7 kings symbolic, but we read the 7 kings are 7 mountains, which is also symbolic. The 7 heads are actually seven periods of the authoritative rule of the beast, which in totality is its complete rule throughout time. That's why 5 were already fallen. So we can't say a head is not a king or a horn is not a king, or a horn is not a head, because it's all symbolical and tied intimately together to paint a bigger picture of a powerful kingdom and its reign.

The heads of the beast represent historical world empires as do the four beasts of Daniel 2 and 7. The current one at the time John was writing the book was obviously the Roman empire. Satan was the one who was truly in charge of those evil wordly empires, so you are right that the beast represents Satan's earthly kingdom, but it makes no sense to not acknowledge that his kingdom has taken on different forms over the years as each successive world kingdom/empire has been in power.

I do not believe God is talking about earthly empires, nations, kingdoms, or even secret societies somewhere. Satan's interest is absolutely in attacking the congregation of Israel. In Revelation 20 when he is loosed God makes that point even more abundantly clear that Satan is coming after God's New Testament congregaiton of Israel. It is not about Japan attacking the church. It is the EVIL SPIRIT, Satan's "whole persona," and reason for existence, attacking the Church through false prophets and christs. He is the absolute quintessential adversary of the church, not the world which is already his domain. The world is his own, it's already his kingdom that he's not fighting against because a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, selah! The Word of God encourages us to make our calling and election sure not because Satan has no interest in attacking the church, but because that is his whole character, his entire modus operandi. Satan isn't loosed to attack his own earthly kingdom, but as judgment upon the unfaithful church, just as in the old Testament God loosed wicked empires upon Israel as judgment for their rebellions, which these nations signify! The fact is, the judgment and apostasy comes specifically because Satan is loosed by God upon a rebellious church that will not receive His truth in the love wherewith it was given. Apostasy is a falling away of the church, not a falling away of the world. You need to realize that the world, including your idea of earthly empire, etc. are already fallen under his domain.

2nd Thessalonians 2:9-11

• "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
• And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
• And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
• That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

This obviously takes place in the unfaithful congregation. And our enemies aren't physical countries or empires, but the armies of false Christs and false prophets that come to deceive are attacking the church, and who do they deceive there? Under rule of the Apollyon, the great spiritual destroyer Satan, they bring the rebellious church to desolation by deceiving those men within it that do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. This is why we, Elect, has to be secured FIRST before Satan can be loosened to gather army against our churches:

Revelation 7:2-3

• "And I saw another messenger ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four messengers, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
• Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

That's the whole reason Satan was bound in the bottomless pit, so that He could not go forth deceiving the nations (spiritually gentiles the unsaved/heathen) until after the 144,000 of Israel were all sealed (secured) with the Spirit of promise. But once the church has done its job, their testimony finished, then he is loosed as locusts upon the grass. The point being NOT until God has sealed/saved everyone that He intends to save. So you see that God is NOT talking about Satan coming out of bottomless pit to gather together France, Japan, and others to wage war on God's church. Not happening! He is talking about people who have not yet seal of God INSIDE the church.. Satan is deceiving them and make them an army to attack the remaining faithful Saints in the church all over the world.

Satan are coming after those who have not made their calling and election sure (2nd Peter 1:10). God brings this spiritual judgment of delusion upon His Temple because these are those who would not receive the love of truth (2nd Thessalonians 2:12), instead getting their pleasure from unrighteousness. The destroyer comes up against the camp of the saints, not his own camp and his own people and his own kingdom. See? does this sounds like Satan marshalling the physical countries based on the boundaries of ancient Rome, Persia and Babylon to fit your doctrine if you insist on beast being about physical empires?

 

[Douggg]

It's not an individual. Your claim that a prophetic beast can only refer to a king is false. No king is without a kingdom.

No, I did not say that beasts in prophecy can only refer to a king.

A beast in prophecy can refer to:
1. a kingdom
2. a king
3. or both
4. or neither a king, nor a kingdom - such as the false prophet.

The second beast coming out of the earth in Revelation 13 who does miracles in the presence of the beast-king is identified in Revelation 19:20 as the false prophet. The false prophet will be a religious figure. He will be neither a king, nor a kingdom.

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.