The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

  (6.10) “They cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord … dost thou not … avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”

  11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

  (6.11) “White robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest … until … their brethren … be killed.”

  Sixth seal: A great earthquake, the sun becomes black, and the moon red, the stars fall from heaven, mountains and islands move around, and everyone on earth wishes they were dead (if they’re not already).

  12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  (6.12) “There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black … and the moon became as blood.”

  13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

  (6.13) “The stars of heaven fell unto the earth.”

  14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

  (6.14) “Heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

  15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

  (6.15) “The … men … hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.”

  16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

  (6.16) “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from … the wrath of the Lamb.”

  17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

  (6.17) “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

  REVELATION 7

  7 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

  (7.1) “I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth.” The earth is flat and square-shaped.

  (7.2-3) God tells his murderous angels to “hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of your God on their foreheads.”

  Christians like to use the first part of verse 7.3 to show God’s loving concern for the environment. But the last part makes it clear that it was the angel’s God-given job to “hurt the earth and the sea” just as soon as they finish their forehead-marking job.

  2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

  (7.2) “I saw another angel … and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,”

  3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

  (7.3) “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

  4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

  (7.4) “The number … sealed … were … an hundred and forty and four thousand … of the children of Israel.” 144,000 Jews will be going to heaven; everyone else is going to hell.

  Few Christians take the 144,000 number seriously, of course. But the Jehovah’s Witnesses do. Boy do they ever! They believe that there are two distinct classes of believers: the 144,000 “Anointed” that are going to heaven and the “Great Crowd” that will remain here on earth. The WatchTower teaches that heaven closed in 1935, and that everyone else will either be killed at Armageddon (if they are not JWs) or live forever on earth.

  5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

  6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

  (7.6) “Of the tribe of Manasses”

  84 What were the 12 tribes of Israel?

  7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

  8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

  9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

  10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

  11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

  12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

  13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

  14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  (7.14) “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Those that survive the great tribulation will get to wash their clothes in the blood of the lamb.

  15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

  16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

  17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  REVELATION 8

  (8.1-13) Seventh seal

  8 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

  (8.1) “When he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” That must have been nice.

  2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

  (8.2) “The seven angels … were given seven trumpets.” When the seventh and last seal is opened, seven angels were given seven trumpets. When they start blowing them, all hell breaks loose.

  3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

  4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

  5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

  (8.5) “The angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into
the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.”

  6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

  First trumpet: Hail and fire mixed with blood are cast down to earth, burning 1/3 of all the trees and all of the grass.

  7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

  (8.7) “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”

  Second trumpet: A burning mountain is thrown into the sea, causing 1/3 of it to become blood, killing 1/3 of all sea life, and destroying 1/3 of the ships.

  8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

  (8.8) “The second angel sounded, and … a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood.”

  9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

  (8.9) “And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea … died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.”

  Third trumpet: a great star (Wormwood) fell into the rivers, making them “bitter” and killing “many men.”

  10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

  (8.10) “The third angel sounded, and … a great star … fell upon the third part of the rivers.”

  11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

  (8.11) “The name of the star is called Wormwood … and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.”

  Fourth trumpet: One-third of the sun, moon, and stars are “smitten”.

  12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

  (8.12) “The fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars.”

  13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

  (8.13) “I … heard an angel flying through … heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth”

  REVELATION 9

  (9.1-21) The fifth trumpet: Another star falls; this star was given the key to a bottomless pit, containing smoke and locusts that have the power of scorpions.

  The locust/scorpions are told not to “hurt the grass [How could they? All the grass was killed in 8.7] … but only those men which have not the seal of God on their foreheads.” The scorpion-torture goes on for five months. (Since only 144,000 Israelites were marked on their foreheads, everyone else will get the 5-month scorpion torture.) Those tormented will want to die, but God won’t let them.

  God’s locust/scorpions will look like horses with human heads, women’s hair, and lion’s teeth.

  9 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

  (9.1) “The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”

  2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

  (9.2) “He opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke … and the sun and the air were darkened.”

  3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

  (9.3) “There came out of the smoke locusts.”

  4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

  (9.4) “It was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass … neither any green thing … but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”

  5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

  (9.5) “To them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion.”

  6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

  (9.6) “In those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.”

  7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

  (9.7) “The locusts were like unto horses … and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.”

  8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

  (9.8) “They had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.”

  9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

  (9.9) “They had breastplates … of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots.”

  10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

  (9.10) “They had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.”

  11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

  12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

  Sixth trumpet: Four angels with an army of 200 million, kill a third of the earth’s population.

  (9.13-15) “The sixth angel sounded, and … four angels were loosed … to slay the third part of men.”

  13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

  14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

  15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

  16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

  (9.16) “The army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand.”

  17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

  (9.17) “The heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.”

  18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

  (9.18) “By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimston
e, which issued out of their mouths.”

  19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

  (9.19) “Their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.”

  20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

  (9.20) “The rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not.”

  21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

  REVELATION 10

  (10.1-11) An angel tells John to eat a book. He does, and it tastes as sweet as honey. But later it made his belly bitter.

  10 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

  (10.1) “I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.”

  2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

  (10.2) “He had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.”

  3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

  (10.3) “When he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.”

  4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

  5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,