Dive deep into the mysteries of Revelation as we dissect the symbolism of the beast, the great city, and the ultimate deception of false religion. With a historical look at the spiritual conditions likened to Sodom and Egypt, the discussion sheds light on the enigmatic identity of Babylon the Great. As we journey through these prophetic insights, we’ll unravel God’s power, judgment, and the deliverance of His people, setting the stage for further revelations in the series.
00:00:00 Possibility of Jerusalem as a Global Center
00:03:12 The Nature of the Beast and the Great City
00:06:02 Historical Context of Babylon and Jerusalem
Is it possible that Jerusalem will become a religious and political center of the world under the leadership of the Antichrist? Absolutely it is possible. And it is the one that is the Babylon the Great. There’s been a lot of discussion about it. Interesting to me is that the largest landowner, skipping the fact that Israel is conquered by war, but the largest landowner in Israel is the Roman Catholic Church. And there’s been a lot of discussion about them moving their headquarters from the Vatican and moving it to where they’ve always wanted it, which is Jerusalem.
SPEAKER 02 :
This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. Revelation 11 tells us that people from every tribe, language, and nation will look on the dead bodies of God’s two witnesses for three and a half days. The Bible doesn’t tell us how, only that it will happen. Today, with global media and instant communication, you know, it’s really easy to see how the world could watch all at once. And, you know, whether it’s through technology or by supernatural means, the Word of God stands. The world will see. And then, before their very eyes, the impossible occurs. The witnesses rise from the dead, fear falls, and the earth itself begins to shake. Today, David Hawking takes us to a final look at Revelation chapter 11. Just before that, Matt, I got a problem here. I hear something your dad teaches. I want to remember that point. And five minutes after, I can’t remember it. How do I preserve what your dad is teaching? Sermon notes. The sermon notes. Sermon notes. Okay. Sermon notes in Revelation. These are your dad’s original sermon notes. One set of notes for each message in the series. The whole collection is just $10. And I tell you, Jim, you’ve never seen sermon notes like my dad’s sermon notes. Oh, yeah. So you’re listening to the broadcast. David just said something you want to remember. You didn’t quite catch it. Pull out the sermon notes. Good chance it’s right there. Yeah, you’re never going to be able to write it down as fast as he does. No, no, you can’t. And then again, if you want to save the whole series and be able to pull up those messages again in the years ahead, maybe share them with somebody else. We have the MP3 audio, and you can play that at home, and you can share it with your friends. All 48 messages on MP3 audio in a package, and the cost is just… $30. $30. And Matt, what if I’d like to watch the Revelation series? That’s just for $50. On DVD. Yes, it is. Give us a call at 1-800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. and in Canada. 1-888-75-BIBLE. And of course, you can see these resources on our website and make the purchase there at davidhawking.org. We’ll turn to Revelation chapter 11 now, and here’s David with the conclusion of our study, The Two Witnesses.
SPEAKER 04 :
Now, one of the things I like about this, it says in verse 7, when they shall have finished their testimony. Nobody’s going to be able to hurt these guys until they’re done. When they shall have finished their testimony. Now, look at the person who kills them. He’s called the beast. the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them. So we have, first of all, that the source of this terrible person who’s going to come as a counterfeit, really. He’s an anti-Christ, not meaning against, but in the stead of Christ. He will deceive many. He will seem like Mr. Clean, Mr. Good, human rights, the whole thing. The world will love him. Bible says the whole world will wonder after him. Go for him. He’ll be the leader of all leaders. Finally, our answer to all our problems. He’ll be able to solve things no one else could in history. People will follow him like crazy. But his true source is from the devil. And he comes out of the nations. He’s one of us. He’s our man. And he also will come out of the earth because he’s not from heaven. He’s the opposite of that. Everything about heaven is not even associated with him. And it’s very interesting just looking at this person who’s going to do it. Look at the place where it happens. This is also kind of a controversial mystery. Verse 8, it says 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. Now the words the great city are used ten times in Revelation. Do not think you know immediately the answer to this. I’m going to tell you after having studied it for some time, I’m really not sure what the answer is. Some of you may be more sure. God bless you. I’m not sure. So I tell you that up front. The great city is used ten times in Revelation. Now there is a spiritual condition in this city that is described here very clearly as being Sodom and Egypt. Well, that right away conjures up all kinds of memories from the Old Testament. Sodom, of course, destroyed because of its immorality. And Egypt, all of the idolatry of Egypt, that’s the emphasis. We left the gods of Egypt and left Egypt and the whole story of the Passover. So what we have is immorality and idolatry are the spiritual condition of this Great city. But we not only see the spiritual condition, we have a historical connection that causes some of our confusion. It says where our Lord was crucified. Where was the Lord crucified, people? In Jerusalem. But turn to chapter 14, please, and look at verse 8. There followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that… What does it say? Great city. Same words. because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. It was called what spiritually? Sodom. Fornication. Sexual sin. Sodom. And it calls Babylon that. Turn to chapter 21 of Revelation. Just to confuse you further. He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me that what? What does it say? What kind of city? Great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Now, let’s talk about a problem. In chapter 14, we’ve got Babylon called the great city. In chapter 21, verse 10, we’ve got the heavenly Jerusalem called the great city. Now, what is that great city where our Lord was crucified? Is it Babylon? Is it Jerusalem? No. Now, those who believe this is ancient Babylon have several views. I don’t want to confuse you, but believe me, this is central to some prophecies that we’re going to deal with in our study, especially when we get to chapter 17 and 18. And you’re going to find an amazing story that I’m going to give you there about Babylon that you won’t believe. But a lot of us, because we’re not really in tune to history, a lot of us in our particular culture and this time in America’s history, we are really ignorant of what has gone on in the past. And we don’t see God’s plan because we’re not very much into history. All we want is what’s happening now, baby, you know, and we just forget about history. But history is very important. It teaches us many, many things and helps us to understand our times. Well, the interesting thing to me is that folks who believe this is Babylon have several views. One is that it’s a literal rebuilding of the city of Babylon. That’s what they believe, this great city. Some people believe it’s going to be a literal city, and it’s on the Euphrates that dumps into the Persian Gulf, as you know, and that this will affect all the seafaring business of the world. And we do know it’s a major center of all kinds of commerce in the Middle East and beyond. And so they believe that’s what’s going to be the Babylon the Great. Just like the ancient city, so will be the future city, a rebuilt actual city of Babylon. A second view about Babylon is, no, it’s a metaphor, it’s a type. Now that comes from chapter 17, if you’ll turn there please. Chapter 17. This woman who is sitting on the beast, a harlot, a prostitute. It says in verse 5, Upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, what’s the next words? Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. So they point out that Babylon the Great is a mystery. Therefore, it is a metaphor, an analogy, an illustration of something. Now, those who believe it’s an illustration, an analogy, say the following. One, that it is an unknown city somewhere in the world that will become prominent during the tribulation period. Or two, that it is a metaphor and an illustration for the city of Rome. You say the city of Rome? Oh yes. Turn to 1 Peter chapter 5. 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 13. The church that is at what? Babylon, elected together with you, greeteth you, and so doth mark my son. Now, the Roman Catholic Church believes who was the first pope? Peter. So Peter has to be in what city? Rome. They claim that his bones are under St. Peter’s altar, buried there. Now, do we have any evidence that Peter was ever in Babylon? There’s a few little historical points. It’s not real strong. Is this referring to a church in Babylon? It very well could be. There was a church, an evangelical church in Babylon. But it’s very interesting. Now, there is another view. And that is that Babylon is really a symbol of corruption, idolatry, and immorality that’s going to apply to Jerusalem. Now these people have a lot going for them because of our text. Let’s go back to Revelation chapter 11. So what we’ve said so far is that There’s a spiritual condition of this place where these two witnesses are going to be killed by the beast, the Antichrist. A spiritual condition that’s like Sodom, that’s immorality. Like Egypt, that’s idolatry. But there’s a historical connection where our Lord was crucified. And many Bible teachers say there’s no way of getting out of this. It’s Jerusalem. If that’s so, then Jerusalem is the Babylon of the book of Revelation. Not Rome. Not Babylon in Iraq, but Jerusalem. Now if you’re Jewish, that curdles your blood a bit. You mean to tell me the most wicked, terrible city in the world in the tribulation will be Jerusalem? I ask you, is it possible that Jerusalem will carry an international flavor under the authority and peace agreement of the Antichrist with that nation? Oh yes. Is it possible that Jerusalem will become a religious and political center of the world under the leadership of the Antichrist? Absolutely it is possible. I think the world is looking that way right now, frankly. is it not possible that the Roman Catholic Church would be involved so that all those who thought it was going to be Rome, and those were many Bible teachers in the last century, including J.A. Seuss, his great commentary on the apocalypse, they said it was Rome. In fact, all the reformers, Luther, Calvin, all of them, you can understand why they thought it was Rome. And it was a Roman Catholic Church. But I say to you, I think it’s bigger and broader. I think it represents all false religion, which comes out of ancient Babylon and its system. And it doesn’t just represent one branch of Christianity. It doesn’t represent one branch of somebody’s religion. It’s all false religion dumped in together. And it’s going to be ecumenical and going to be headed up with a person called the false prophet. It’s going to be an electric system. New Age thinking will go along with that. Everybody will be getting together. There’ll be certain religious rules and regulations for everybody to kind of go their own way, but yet we’re all under one banner, and we’re all trying to support the one world government and the beast, the Antichrist, who’s such a wonderful person. My friends, I think it’s very possible that Jerusalem will become the international religious center as well as a possible political center of the world. Folks, I don’t believe the story is done yet. I don’t believe we’ve heard everything yet. I just say, lift up your eyes, folks. Yes, I happen to belong in the camp of those who take chapter 11, verse 8, very literally. I believe the clue is there. I believe it’s going to be Jerusalem, and it is that great city, and it is the one that is the Babylon the Great of the end time. You say, oh, are you sure? No, not at all. But I’ll tell you, out of all the views, it makes a lot of sense. And it comes together. Look at the publicity that these men are going to receive. Don’t you love this? It says in verse 9 that everybody is going to see their dead bodies. Now, how could you have that happen before our time? Look at the miracle that happens here. I want you to see three things and we’re done. One is that God’s power is displayed. Don’t ever miss that. The spirit of life from God entered into them. God’s power is displayed. Number two, God’s purposes are declared. What are his purposes? Well, one’s the ascension of believers. And it says to these two, a voice from heaven says, come up here. Folks, don’t miss it. It’s the same exact words as chapter four, verse one, when God told John, come up here. It’s a little reminder to all the Christians because the Bible says they ascended up to heaven in a cloud. And 1 Thessalonians 4.17 says we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. God’s great purpose is to take the believers unto himself. What a neat thing. And look at the amazement of unbelievers here is one of the purposes of God. Their enemies beheld them. This is the gaze of somebody who’s staring and studying. It’s not a quick glance. It’s the same idea when Jesus ascended into heaven. The disciples just kept looking to heaven. Finally, two men said, why are you gazing up into heaven? The same Jesus who’s taken up from you will so come in like manners you’ve seen him go. The same thing’s going to happen. God’s not going to take him up quickly, folks. This is a dramatic moment. Very interesting. Now look at the avenging of God here also as his purposes are declared. The Bible says a great earthquake came, a tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men 7,000, and the remnant were affrighted or terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Now God brings a little avenging here with an earthquake. It’s like a taste of what is going to happen. This is at the middle of the tribulation period, and the terrible last half is going to be introduced by the sounding of the seventh trumpet when God’s going to take over. Now all the kingdoms of the world are the kingdom of his Lord and his Christ. We’re taking over now. And the vengeance of God will come on the earth, and the time of Jacob’s trouble, and the terror of God, and the avenging of God, the vengeance of God against a world that didn’t trust him. It’s all going to happen in the last half. So in this moment, kind of a little dramatic statement as this happens. He causes an earthquake, 7,000 die, and… I said God’s power is displayed, God’s purposes are declared, but God’s people are delivered, folks. It says that the remnant were terrified or affrighted and gave glory to the God of heaven. The phrase gave glory to the God of heaven is Jewish, for they became believers. Who is this remnant? Please listen carefully. One, it cannot be the one-third of the Jewish nation that is saved out of the tribulation period. That is mentioned in Zechariah 13, verse 8 and 9. That will happen at the end of the tribulation period. They will look on him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for an only son. The nation of Israel, a remnant, one-third of the Jewish people, will turn to the Lord. Two-thirds will not. Never forget that. One-third will. They’ll turn to the Messiah. They’ll look on him whom they pierced, but they won’t see him till the end. So who’s the remnant? This is my view. I simply ask you to think about it. Is it not possible that the remnant here is the 144,000 Jews? Is it not possible? that through the witness and the events surrounding the two witnesses, these 144,000 Jews turn to the Lord as a special remnant of God that will be used to draw many Gentiles during this holocaust of terror to the Lord. The Gentiles that are also going to be killed for their faith, who will not receive the mark of the beast. I say to you, it is possible. I don’t know for sure. I know this, that repentance must precede our ability to glorify God. Quickly turn to chapter 14, verse 6 and 7. It says, I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and every nation and kindred and tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give what to him? Glory. You see, we’re talking about people turning to the Lord, the gospel going to all the world. And what’s the description of it? Give glory to Him. The remnant gave glory to the God of heaven. Look at chapter 16, please, verse 9, and we’re done. It says, men were scorched. This is the seven last plagues. Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God who had power over these plagues. And the repented not to give him what? Glory. So they didn’t become believers. To give God glory is speaking about faith. That’s why I say the remnant are believers now. in Revelation chapter 11, who through an earthquake and the ascension of the two witnesses turned to the Lord at that point. But they can’t be the final remnant who’s going to look on the Messiah when he comes and turns to him. That’s obvious. So what remnant are they? And I’m again suggesting to you it’s 144,000 who will turn to the Lord at this point, uniquely prepared by God, and they will be sealed and protected. Why do they need to be protected in the They will need to be protected in the last three and a half years when the Antichrist and Satan himself, as we will learn in chapter 12, are going to unleash their rage and fury against Israel. This is a group of Jews who are going to turn to the Lord when the two witnesses ascend up into heaven. It’s really fascinating. In this text in chapter 16, verse 9, they repented not to give glory. So repentance preceded their faith and worship of the Lord. It’s always been that way. Repent and believe the gospel. Turn from sin to God.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s Bible teacher David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. David will be back to close out our time in a word, so do stay with us. Just ahead of that, Matt and I want to share a powerful Bible study tool, and this is going to make understanding the prophecies found in the book of Zechariah a whole lot easier and much more exciting.
SPEAKER 01 :
Matt? When we talk about Old Testament prophecy, we have to include Zechariah. This book is packed with exciting and powerful prophetic details about the first and second comings of our Lord, God’s mercy, judgment and restoration of Israel, judgment on Israel’s enemies, end times events, and more.
SPEAKER 02 :
Matt, just consider the prophecies here. Zechariah 9.9 predicts, Rejoice greatly, daughter Zion. Shout, daughter of Jerusalem. See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. This verse, as you know, is a powerful prophecy of the Messiah’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfilled in Jesus’s earthly ministry.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yeah, look at Zechariah 14.4. That’s a good one, too. On that day, his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the mount shall move northward and the other half southward.
SPEAKER 02 :
This verse describes the future setting of the Mount of Olives during the millennial reign of Christ.
SPEAKER 01 :
Yes, and Visions of the Future was written to help believers study Zechariah for wisdom, confidence in prophecy, hope and repentance, and the future for believers.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, this month we’re again featuring Visions of the Future by David Hawking. This is your dad’s study of Zechariah for $15. When you purchase, prayerfully consider adding a donation. Your donation will help us continue the work of hope for today, or perhaps send a contribution by itself. and consider becoming a regular monthly giver.
SPEAKER 01 :
And as always, please faithfully pray for hope for today.
SPEAKER 02 :
Amen. And we’ll give you that contact info again in just a moment. Before David returns to close out our time, I want to share something with you quickly. Have you ever stopped to think, to think about what your prayers and your gifts actually do? Not someday, not in theory, but right now. Picture a village in Africa where a pastor once stood with nothing but a worn Bible. Because of listening friends, maybe you, he now has training, teaching, and the tools to feed his people with the pure Word of God. You might think about a young woman who’s new to the faith and finds our free video stream in the Hope for Today Media Center. She hears the truth, orders a Bible study by mail, and now the scriptures are in her hands. If you prayed for us or made a donation, you’ve helped make that possible. But what happens if voices like this go silent? If the streams stop, if the teaching is pulled off the air, who will speak truth? Every prayer you send up for this ministry, every dollar you give becomes seed that multiplies. Your prayers move into homes you’ll never enter. Your support is striking fear into the enemy’s kingdom and bringing hope to the body of Christ. So let me ask you, When you stand before the Lord, what will it mean to know that someone is there because you prayed or you gave above and beyond? If you’re praying for us, or if you’d like to make a donation, call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 1-888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Bible is 24253. If you prefer to write, our mailing address is First in the U.S., Hope for Today, Box 3927. Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, hope for today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, B.C., B2S, 8P1. And here’s David to close out today’s broadcast.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thanks for listening, friends, to our broadcast. We’re in Revelation 11, verses 5 to 14. Five days now we’ve been dealing with the two witnesses and how it connects with the book of Zechariah chapter 4. And it tells us that when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit—that’s the Antichrist—will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. and their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Well, that’s Jerusalem, of course. I hope you’re getting all of those messages. And if not, go to our website. God bless you.
SPEAKER 02 :
And of course, our web address is davidhawking.org. On our next broadcast, the seventh trumpet sounds. Heaven roars. Voices thunder. The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord. Thunder, lightning, earthquake, hail. The temple of God opens. The ark is revealed. Can you imagine this scene? Wow. It’s day one of the kingdom of our Lord. Next time on Hope for Today. Hope for Today.
