Beast from the Abyss

SYNOPSIS - The first appearance of the “beast” is at its ascent from the “Abyss” to wage “war” against the “two witnesses” – Revelation 11:7. 

In Revelation, the “Abyss” first appears when the “fifth trumpet” sounds, a dark pit from which a cloud of smoke and demonic creatures “ascend” to afflict the “inhabitants of the earth.” Several times in the book, satanic forces “ascend” from this place to wreak havoc on the earth and to wage war against the “saints.” In the vision of the “two witnesses,” the “beast ascended” from this pit to “slay” the “two witnesses” after they “completed their testimony” - (Revelation 9:1-3). [Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash].

Two Witnesses Slain

SYNOPSIS – Hated by the impenitent, the “inhabitants of the earth” rejoice over the deaths of the two witnesses - Revelation 11:8-14. 

The “second woe” does not end or the “third woe” begin until the mission of the "two witnesses" is completed, just as John was told after he had received the “little scroll" from the mighty angel. Moreover, the completion of their testimony means their deaths at the hands of the "beast from the Abyss" - (Revelation 10:7 – “It behooves you to prophesy against peoples and nations and tongues, and many kings”). - [Photo by Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash].

Sanctuary and Priests

SYNOPSIS – The sanctuary must be “measured” before the city can be inhabited, but first, it must be “trampled underfoot” - Revelation 11:1-2. 

In chapter 10, John consumed the “little scroll.” He found it “sweet as honey” on his lips, but “bitter” in his belly. Next, he was commanded to “prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.” The directive sets the stage for the next two visions - the “measuring of the sanctuary” and the “two witnesses.” Both visions are connected by the mathematically-equivalent chronological marker – “forty-two months” or “1,260-days” - (Revelation 10:8-11, 11:1-2). - [Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash].

Forty-Two Months - 1,260 Days

SYNOPSIS – In Revelation, the “forty-two months” and “1,260-days” both refer to the same prophetic period when the saints are persecuted. 

In several of its visions, Revelation provides a chronological key - a coming period of three and one-half years. However, the period is presented in three different but mathematically equivalent forms – “forty-two months,” “1,260-days,” and “season, seasons, and half a season.” So, is there any rhyme or reason behind this variation, or do the figures point to three separate prophetic periods, each being three and one-half years in length? - [Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash].

Time, Times, Half-Time

SYNOPSIS – The “war against the saints” endures only for a “time, times, and part of a time” - Daniel 7:25. 

In the interpretation of the “fourth beast,” Daniel received the limits for the time allotted to the “little horn” to wage war “against the saints” – “Time, times, and part of a time.” Afterward, he would lose his domain. While this is an ambiguous description, it becomes more detailed with each subsequent vision received by Daniel. Centuries later, the book of Revelation used this chronological marker as the basis for the “short while” during which the “beast from the sea” was authorized to “make war” on the “saints.” - [Photo by Paula Guerreiro on Unsplash].