Question: If Revelation correlates with the history of the past two thousand years, how does the information in Revelation that relates to "heaven" ("in heaven", "out of heaven", "midst of heaven"), link to happenings on earth.
Answer:
This is a most intriguing question. The reason for the repetition of the word "heaven" in Revelation, and its meaning, is surely the nearest that man will come to understanding the entire meaning of Revelation, before Judgement. It is, I believe, only something that could be done from the year 2000. It's meaning is complex, but amazingly sublime for it reveals that every word of Revelation contributes to its meaning made known through the measurement of time.
Readers of How Near Armageddon will know that when the history of the past two thousand years was correlated with the verses of Revelation, one could through the repetition of certain words, discover what was taking place in heaven at certain specific times on earth. This was revealed through the measurement of time in Revelation - specifically times related to the birth of Jesus Christ ("measurement of temple") and time measurements related to his death ("measurement of altar" - Rev 11:1).
We know from Revelation 6:10,19:14 and 21:16, that Christians who died for their faith (clothed in fine linen) in the first millennium, or up to a certain point in the second millennium, were directly taken up to heaven. Some souls near the time 2000 are waiting "under the altar" (Rev 6:9).
We know specifically that the powers of the forces of evil were increased at certain points in history. The dragon was cast from heaven to earth. This is conveyed through the words "cast out ", "cast down" (Rev 12:9 and 10) and "a little season" (Rev 20:3). The first of these times was specifically linked to a measurement of time of "three nights", a thousand years after the death of Christ (1034). The second time to the "little season" measured at about the time 2000.
However, now that we have reached the year 2000, it seems that the word "heaven" might have another 'level' of meaning at the end time. This was touched on in the previous Q&A (Question VII) concerning the horses of the Apocalypse.
2000-2004
It was the words of the prophet, Jeremiah that made me contemplate that the time "heaven" might relate to the time 2000 to 2004.
Jeremiah 31:37
"If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel"
This verse indicates that if the time has come that the foundations of the earth can be searched out, then we will also know that "heaven" can be measured. This means that there might be a specific time span indicated by the word "heaven" in Revelation. It seems as if the time span may be the time 2000 to 2004. I base this specifically on the following:
The words of Revelation 6:14 "And the heaven departed as a scroll". Also the reference: Isaiah 34:4 "and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll".
These words meaning that in the time 2000 we will know that the
foundations of the earth can be measured as in How Near Armageddon (scroll) and that there is a time span "heaven" that is part of the scroll.
It seems that the time of "earth", the time of the "measuring of the temple" and the "measuring of the altar" all come to an end in the year 2000.
"four"
This argument is further substantiated by the words of Revelation 7:1 where it is said that "four angels" were "holding the four winds of the earth". This could mean that after the year 2000 there would be great climatic change world-wide. This is supported by the words "plague of hail" in the closing verse of Revelation, chapter 16.
1860 to 2004
The time of "four" years in Revelation, as being the time 2000 to 2004 is based on the following. It was established by correlating the time of 144 years to the words of Revelation 13:16 " small and great, rich and poor, free and bond (freeman and slave - New International Version)", to the time span of 144 years from 1860 to 2004, with the midpoint 1932. This was indicated by history, 1860 (the time of the American Civil War that was fought for the freedom of the slaves) and 1932 (the time of the Great Depression).
"Small and great " is linked to the year 2004, which could indicate that Christ is coming to save particularly the little children that are innocently falling victim to Aids and a corrupt society. Or does it relate to the cloning of the unborn foetus, (which man wishes to destroy through foetal stem cell cloning). It could be that Christ wishes to save children from the possible implications of both the manipulations of the natural birth process or of the cells of the human body. (In How Near Armageddon, through time measurement, the "beast out of the earth" seems to relate to the cloning of frogs in the year 1952. Symbolically an innocent beginning to something that ultimately becomes unacceptable to God. A lamb that becomes a dragon in the time that the 'voice' of world communication ("spake like a dragon" - Rev 13:11) will undermine the message of Jesus Christ.)
Revelation also revealed the time measurement of 144 years (1860 to 2004) as "one hundred and forty and four" in the opening of the seventh seal, Revelation chapters 8 and 9. The times were the years 1900 ("there fell a great star from heaven" - Rev 8:10) and 2000 to 2004 ("four angels" -Rev 9:14).
"end of days"
There is the possibility that if we are very near the end time that the "end of days" of Daniel 12:11-12 relates to the time 1995 to 2002. This became clear in June 2000 and is interpreted to be the meaning of Rev 1 1:19 "And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament". (See Q&A, Question IV) Therefore it might well be that the year 2000 is the end of the measurement of "temple" and "altar" and the beginning of the measurement of "heaven" in Revelation.
"Beast out of the sea"
This argument is also borne out by the words of Daniel: Daniel 7:2 "the four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea." Taking into account the meaning of "sea" in Revelation, this could be the time of much protest of the peoples of the nations against governments, leaders and world institutions. This is of course happening to day. It could be that these protests, or the will of the masses, that are ultimately going to lead to leaders making the wrong decisions and man's downfall. In that time "heaven will open", for God will reveal certain signs of the end time as indicated in Revelation.
This could be the meaning of the opening verse of Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away; and there was no more sea. ("and there was no more sea", meaning that the revealing of the signs of the end time in the time 2000 to 2004 are going to subdue the insurrection of the masses before the Second Coming.) The link of the insurrection of the masses to the end time is found in the words "as when the lion roareth" (Rev 10:3). The meaning coming from the words of Jeremiah and the "Judgement against Babylon". Revelation uses the symbolism of the fall of Babylon to reveal the fall of the nations before the Second Coming. Jeremiah 51:38 "They shall roar together like lions" verse 42 "The sea is come up upon Babylon". This symbolism conveys the end result of the influence of the "beast out of the sea": the masses want to dictate the ruling of the people and the economic policies of the nations and the world.
The reason for the investigation as to whether the time span of "heaven" could relate to the four years 2000 to 2004 was also brought about by the knowledge that the opening verse of each chapter in Revelation seems to start at a point in the end time and then moves back into history to real a certain time span. The words "in heaven" often occur in the opening verses of the chapters of Revelation. In other words in the time 2000 to 2004, if we should see signs of the end time we could relate those more accurately to certain chapters of Revelation.
Let us now investigate this concept.
The opening words of Revelation, chapter 4
Chapter 4:1 After this, I looked, and behold, a door was open in heaven.
In How Near Armageddon this time was linked to the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ and the year AD 26 (according to time measurement Jesus Christ was born in the year 4 BC), through the words of Matthew 3:16 "the heavens were opened". The words meaning that God made a communication with man on earth. He said that Jesus Christ was his Son.
It has the further meaning that God is giving man an opportunity of faith. This is derived from the use of the word "door" in Acts 14:27 "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
I believe that these words also relate to the time 1996 to 2000, when it is realised that the book Revelation is a correlation of the history of the past two thousand years. " A door open in heaven" means that God has made a communication with man on earth and is finally giving man an opportunity of faith before Judgement. As illustrated in How Near Armageddon one could in the time 2000, begin to understand the symbolism of Revelation, chapter 4. As time progresses beyond 2000, the meaning of Revelation is going to be made clearer.
Therefore I believe that Revelation, through the words "door opened in heaven " is indicating the beginning and the end of the time span from 26AD to about 1996 to 2004. (The time 1996 to 2004 could be the "little season" at the end of the second millennium.)
This is one of the indications, that the time measurement of Revelation is linked to the four cardinal dates in the life of Jesus Christ
The beginning of Revelation, chapter 8
Chapter 8:1 And when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of "half an hour".
The opening verse of this chapter indicates the time 1992 to 2004 (the last half-hour). This time span at the beginning of this chapter, that is linked to the seven angels with the seven trumpets in the following verse, reveals that the seven angels with the seven trumpets are going to reveal certain time measurements in the last two thousand years.
(How time measurement is revealed, and confirmed through the angels of Revelation, will be discussed in a following Q&A - Q&A X)
In How near Armageddon it was indicated that there was "silence in heaven" for those who have died are praying for those on earth for they know that the end time is near (see Rev 6:9 -11) and are waiting for Judgement. This was derived from the time of the "silence" of the Israelites, when they would pray as the High Priest entered the Holy Place, the place of the altar.
"Silence" in the Bible has the additional meaning of "destruction" or "total subjection" This could mean that in the time 2000 to 2004 there is going to be great destruction and subjection. It could be the time of Armageddon. Revelation, chapter 8, ends with the words "And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through midst of heaven, saying in a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth."" These words could mean that, chapter 8, deals with the time up to the year 2002 (the midpoint of the time 2000- 2004 - "midst of heaven")
The beginning of Revelation, chapter 12
Chapter 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed in the sun…. and upon her head a crown..
In How near Armageddon this symbolism relates to the birth of Christ and the beginning of the spread of the total message of Jesus Christ to the world.
This could mean, through the words "upon her head a crown", also the end time. This could mean that in the time 2000 to 2004, the insight that was given to a woman, into the time measurement (measurement of the "generations" or "foundations" of the earth) and message of Revelation, the "queen of the south", may be revealed. (A woman in whom the message that Jesus Christ, truly is the "Sun of righteousness" (Mal 4:2) prevailed to the ends of the earth - Southern Africa in the year 2000 - Matthew 12:42)
Revelation, chapter 15
Chapter 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues….
This chapter indicates the realisation that the "sign of Jonah" relates to the measurement of time in the book Revelation. In order to understand the times of the seven angels and the seven last plagues one has to understand Revelation's time measurement that is revealed in the verses of the book Jonah. The last verses of this chapter, Rev 15:5-8 further bears out the argument that the time of "temple " comes to an end at a certain point. Rev 16:5 "behold the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened". This means that we may, within the next four years see developments in the Middle East, that are signs of the end time.
With all the knowledge that we have now accumulated, I believe that Revelation 15:8 also relates to the time 2000. "And the temple was filled with smoke from the Glory of God, and from his power". This means that up to the year 2000, the inhabitants of the earth will not understand that the prophecies of the book Revelation are being revealed. Rev 15:8 "no man was able to enter the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled". This means that the inhabitants of the earth are not going to believe the time measurement of Revelation (measurement of the temple) until Revelation, chapter 16 (that deals with the plagues) has played out on earth. It is going to be revealed to mankind in the time beyond 2000. This is substantiated by the recognition of the power of the Lord in the first verse of Revelation, chapter 19.
Chapter 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven…power unto the Lord our God:
The inhabitants of the earth are likely in the time 2000 to 2004 going to realise that Jesus Christ truly is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" (Rev 5:5).
Great tribulation
It will be the happenings on earth in the time 2000 to 2004 that will indicate whether the words of the prophet Jeremiah are going to be fulfilled in that time frame amidst "great tribulation".
Jeremiah 31:37 "If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel"
We cannot ignore the words of Revelation, chapter 7, that also deals with the time of the last 144 years, 1860 to 2004, and the return of the twelve tribes of Israel to the Holy Land in that time. We are told that in that time span there is going to be a time of "great tribulation". Could this mean that the end signs of Revelation, revealed in the time 2000 to 2004, are going to greatly trouble those who once rejected Jesus Christ, as the Son of God?
Time no longer
If "heaven" is also a time measurement, it should be noted that in Revelation 10:6 "who created heaven" is linked to, "that there should be time no longer".
The seventh angel
It seems that the seventh angel may sound his trumpet in the time 2000 to 2004.
Rev 11:15 and the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven… As the time of the sounding of the trumpets in Revelation seem to be linked to happenings of the physical earth, earthquakes, eruptions from the earth and a star falling, it may be the time of the "great earthquake". The earth will not be destroyed, but the inhabitants of the earth and the heavens will know that the Second Coming is near.
"Midst of heaven"
The "midst of heaven" could be the time 2002.
This could be the time of Armageddon revealed through the word "gather"
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God.
"Out of heaven"
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth and encompassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 21:10 Jerusalem descending out of heaven
"Out of heaven" could mean within or outside the time span of four years measured as "heaven". What we do know is, that it indicates the time of the very end. See also Rev 3:12.
Conclusion
It seems as if Revelation measures a period of time of four years at the end of the total time of "seven days". It is part of the last "about half an hour" which according to a correlation of the words of the entire Revelation with the history of the past two thousand years, is the time 1992 to 2004. Therefore the 'last twelve years' of Revelation's time measurement is divided into two measures of time of about eight and four years each. In the year 2000 it seems as if the time 1992 to 2000 is the "little season" in which the "antichrist" has undermined the words of Jesus Christ that the " no man cometh to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). (In 1 John 2:18, the antichrist is linked to "the last time". Through Revelation we can measure this time.) In the following Q&A ( Question IX ) it will be shown how Revelation reveals the antichrist.
It seems that after 2000 this is going to change for mankind will enter the time of "heaven". It is a time that the message of Revelation will be understood. It is the time that "heaven will open" and Christians all over the world can find courage and strength in the communication of the Trinity, through the Revelation of Jesus Christ. An opportunity of faith is finally given to all men on earth.
