The Skeptics Annotated Bible
Page 330
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
(13.18) “The number of the beast … is Six hundred threescore and six.”
REVELATION 14
(14.1-4) Only 144,000 celibate men will be saved. (Those who were not “defiled with women.”) Or are the 144,000 men that are “not defiled by women” homosexuals? Will only gay men be saved?
14 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
(14.1) “A Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
(14.3) “They sung … a new song … and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.”
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
(14.4) “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.”
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
(14.6-7) “I saw another angel fly … Saying … Fear God.”
132 Should we fear God?
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
(14.8) “There followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen … because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
(14.10-11) “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God … he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone … And The smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.”
157 Does Hell exist?
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
(14.14-20) Jesus sits on a white cloud with a sharp sickle in his hand. When an angel flies by and tells him to reap, he kills people with his sickle. “And blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
(14.14) “Upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
(14.15) “And another angel came … crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap.”
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
(14.16) “He that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
(14.17) “Another angel came … having a sharp sickle.”
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
(14.18) “And another angel came … and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.”
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
(14.19) “The angel thrust in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
(14.20) “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
REVELATION 15
15 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
(15.1) “Seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
(15.4) “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord … for thou only art holy.”
132 Should we fear God?
113 Is only God holy?
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
(15.6-8) Seven angels, seven plagues, and seven golden vials full of the wrath of God
6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
(15.6) “Seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues.”
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
(15.7) “One of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God.”
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.
(15.8) “No man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.�
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REVELATION 16
(16.1-21) The Seven Vials
16 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
(16.1) “I heard a great voice … saying to the seven angels … pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”
First Vial: Noisome and grievous sores on those with the mark of the beast
2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
(16.2) “The first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast.”
Second vial: A dead man’s blood kills everything in the sea.
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
(16.3) “The second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.”
Third vial: Rivers turn to blood.
4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
(16.4) “The third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.”
5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
(16.6) “Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.”
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
Fourth vial: Burning people to death.
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
(16.8) “The fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.”
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
(16.9) “And men were scorched with great heat … and they repented not to give him glory.”
Fifth vial: Torture so severe that people chew off their own tongues.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
(16.10) “The fifth angel poured out his vial … and they gnawed their tongues for pain.”
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
(16.11) “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
Sixth vial: The Euphrates River dried up
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
(16.12) “The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up.”
(16.13-14) Three frog-like unclean spirits come out of the mouths of the dragon, beast, and false prophet. They are miracle-working devils that gather kings to fight in God’s upcoming war.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
(16.13) “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
(6.14) “They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
(16.15) “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Seventh vial: voices, thunders, lightnings, earthquakes, hail.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
(16.17-18) “The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air … and there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake.”
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
(16.20) “And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.”
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
(16.21) “A great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent” Since a talent was about 33 kilograms, this would be a new world record. (The current record holder weighed only 0.75 kg.)
REVELATION 17
(17.1-6) The great whore that sitteth upon many waters
The great whore has “committed fornication” with all the kings on earth. Everyone else is “drunk with the wine of her fornication.” She sits on a scarlet colored beast with the usual 7 heads and 10 horns. She carries a cup full of the “filthiness of her abominations” and has a big sign on her forehead saying: “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” You’ll know her when you see her.
17 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
(17.1) “One of the seven angels which had the seven vials … talked with me, saying … Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters.”
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
(17.2) “With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
(17.3) “I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
(17.4) “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.”
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
(17.5) “Upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.”
6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
(17.6) “I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs.”
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
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.
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 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.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
(17.12-14) Someday Christians will fight in a holy war between Jesus and the ten kings that are allied with the beast.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
(17.12-13) “The ten horns … are ten kings, which … shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
(17.14) “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.