In the Beginning God Gave a Glimpse of the End
The Alpha and Omega has declared the end from the beginning. Our Creator God, the LORD (Yahweh), is the One who spoke and announced events before they came to pass (Isa. 46:10; 48:1-5). He has done this so that when prophecy is fulfilled, He will receive all the glory and, as a result of keeping His word, the faith of His people will be strengthened (John 14:29).
Whenever we think of the LORD, we should recall His own self-declaration to Moses in Exodus 34:5-7: Faithful, loyal, compassionate, gracious, merciful, and just. When Yahweh speaks, He reveals His character, and so it is with every person (c.f. Matt. 12:33-37). From Genesis to Revelation, we discover a God who is faithful and consistent from generation to generation.
Bottom line: You can count on the LORD, and His word is trustworthy. And even though the language and culture of the "Old Testament" might seem foreign to us today, there are still important lessons to be learned from the early pages of Scripture:
Therefore, we revisit the past, so that we may have hope at the present time in what is soon to come. More specifically, our hope as the children of God is the soon return of the root of Jesse, "...in Him the Gentiles will hope" (Rom. 15:12).
As we prepare our hearts to meet the King, the following study is a preview of the end from the beginning chapters of Genesis. Through types and shadows and the guided inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I believe that the final, canonical form of Genesis chapters 5–12 provide a rudimentary outline of key people and events in the book of Revelation.
Most of this prophetic outline is in chronological order and consistent with the sequence of events during the final Day of the LORD (e.g. Rapture of the Church, Jacob's Trouble, Return of Christ, Millennial Reign, etc.); however, a few pieces of the puzzle are overlapping, supplemental layers, which is similar to John's recapitulating visions in the book of Revelation. As we dig deeper into these prophetic chapters of Genesis, truly our Lord spoke volumes when He said:
Ever wonder what it was like to be Methuselah? One day your father is there, and then the next day he's nowhere to be found. He never died. You didn't bury him in the ground. Just one day. Gone.
Well...that's what it's going to be like for those left behind when the body of Christ is taken by God—when we are forcefully removed from the earth and transported to another realm. Ever wonder if there was a biblical precedent for the Rapture? Yeah, just ask Methuselah.
I touched on the subject of Enoch and his relationship to the Rapture of the Church in a previous article, "Passing the Torch: Ministry Transfer from the Church to the Two Witnesses." Here is an excerpt relevant to our current discussion:
In Heb. 11:5-6, there is a brief but instructive commentary on Enoch's translation to heaven. Translated literally, the first part of Heb. 11:5 reads, "By faith, Enoch was transported [Grk. metatithemi] and did not see death..." In both the LXX of Gen. 5:24 and here in Hebrews 11:5, the Greek verb metatithemi has two primary meanings: a) to put in another place, transfer b) to effect change in state or condition, alter (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 3rd ed., 642).
Thus, we have a compound word meta + tithemi, which can take on a dual meaning: Enoch was both transformed and transferred to another place. Sounds like a good "mystery" to me. Good thing we have 1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 Thess. 4:16-17, and Rev. 12:5. Like Enoch, there's another male (child) who will be "changed" and "put in another place" before God's day of judgment.
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 3:10; 4:1; 12:5
2) Angels Descend and Giants Emerge (Gen. 6:1-4)
After the LORD takes Enoch to heaven in chapter 5, the "sons of God" come down to earth in order to take the daughters of men in chapter 6. Just as these lines of Scripture are purposefully arranged in the book of Genesis, so also we find a similar arrangement in Revelation 12: The Church is taken up to heaven in Rev. 12:5, and then Satan and his angels are cast down to the earth in Rev. 12:7-9.
You've heard the expression, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Well, here's another one for you in relation to Tribulation events: Where there's a fiery falling star [angel], there's smoke from the abyss and the rise of giants (Rev. 9; c.f. Isa. 13:2-5 [LXX]; Joel 2:1-11).
I cover the fall of Satan and his angels [post-Rapture] and the return of the giants in two previous posts entitled, "The Coming U.F.O. Disclosure," and "The Birth of a Nation: Revelation 12 Study Part II." The appearing and manifestation of these supernatural elements onto the world stage are a huge piece of the end-times puzzle that is sorely lacking in older, dispensational commentaries. The work of Tom Horn, Steve Quayle, L.A. Marzulli, et. al., has been ahead of the curve. Like it or not, the days of Noah involved the physical presence of rebel angels and their gigantic hybrid offspring, and the Tribulation will be "Act Two" of Gen. 6:1-4.
The apostle John alludes to the book of Enoch throughout Revelation, and one passage relevant to our discussion is Rev. 14:3-4 (HCSB):
This is one of those holy put-downs that are found scattered throughout God's word. It's a parting shot aimed at the fallen Watchers who abandoned their first estate (Jd. 6) and left their dwelling in heaven with God and the Lamb in order to mate with women on earth. Rather than interpreting the 144,000 as those who have never had sexual intercourse, maybe we should interpret "virginity" in the sense of a pure devotion to Christ—a la Paul in 2 Cor. 11:2-4. This understanding coheres with the rest of Scripture (c.f 1 Tim. 4:1-3) and links the 144,000 mentioned in chapter 14 with the 144,000 described in chapter 7.
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 9; 12:7-9, 13-17; 13:1-18; 14:3-4; 17:8-13
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 6–19
Bottom line: You can count on the LORD, and His word is trustworthy. And even though the language and culture of the "Old Testament" might seem foreign to us today, there are still important lessons to be learned from the early pages of Scripture:
For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we may have hope" (Rom. 15:4, HCSB).
Therefore, we revisit the past, so that we may have hope at the present time in what is soon to come. More specifically, our hope as the children of God is the soon return of the root of Jesse, "...in Him the Gentiles will hope" (Rom. 15:12).
As we prepare our hearts to meet the King, the following study is a preview of the end from the beginning chapters of Genesis. Through types and shadows and the guided inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I believe that the final, canonical form of Genesis chapters 5–12 provide a rudimentary outline of key people and events in the book of Revelation.
Most of this prophetic outline is in chronological order and consistent with the sequence of events during the final Day of the LORD (e.g. Rapture of the Church, Jacob's Trouble, Return of Christ, Millennial Reign, etc.); however, a few pieces of the puzzle are overlapping, supplemental layers, which is similar to John's recapitulating visions in the book of Revelation. As we dig deeper into these prophetic chapters of Genesis, truly our Lord spoke volumes when He said:
As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be" (Matt. 24:37, HCSB).
1) A Disappearing Act (Gen. 5:24)
Ever wonder what it was like to be Methuselah? One day your father is there, and then the next day he's nowhere to be found. He never died. You didn't bury him in the ground. Just one day. Gone.
Well...that's what it's going to be like for those left behind when the body of Christ is taken by God—when we are forcefully removed from the earth and transported to another realm. Ever wonder if there was a biblical precedent for the Rapture? Yeah, just ask Methuselah.
I touched on the subject of Enoch and his relationship to the Rapture of the Church in a previous article, "Passing the Torch: Ministry Transfer from the Church to the Two Witnesses." Here is an excerpt relevant to our current discussion:
...Elijah's sudden departure from the earth is reminiscent of a peculiar incident from the foundational chapters of the Bible. It should come as no surprise then that the same Hebrew verb, laqach (Qal stem), is used in both 2 Kings 2:3 and Gen. 5:24, where the LORD God is the one performing the action in both instances. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT) lists three ways to translate this verb in the first category for the Qal stem: to take, grasp, [or] seize. Wow, that sounds a lot like our Greek verb for rapture [harpazo] found in 1 Thess. 4:17 and Rev. 12:5.
Another curious thread connecting the sudden seizing of Enoch, Elijah, and the Church is the overwhelming judgment that follows each of their departures. After Enoch is taken, Noah and his family are left behind on earth to endure the Flood (Gen. 5-9); after Elijah is taken, Elisha and his generation put up with an unrepentant nation until the "flood" of Assyrian forces takes away the Northern Kingdom circa 722 BC (2 Kgs. 17; Isa. 8:7-8); lastly, when the Church is taken, the "flood" of the end begins with the start of Daniel's 70th week and the signing of the 7-year covenant with the Antichrist (Dan. 9:26-27; Matt. 24:37-39).
In Heb. 11:5-6, there is a brief but instructive commentary on Enoch's translation to heaven. Translated literally, the first part of Heb. 11:5 reads, "By faith, Enoch was transported [Grk. metatithemi] and did not see death..." In both the LXX of Gen. 5:24 and here in Hebrews 11:5, the Greek verb metatithemi has two primary meanings: a) to put in another place, transfer b) to effect change in state or condition, alter (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 3rd ed., 642).
Thus, we have a compound word meta + tithemi, which can take on a dual meaning: Enoch was both transformed and transferred to another place. Sounds like a good "mystery" to me. Good thing we have 1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 Thess. 4:16-17, and Rev. 12:5. Like Enoch, there's another male (child) who will be "changed" and "put in another place" before God's day of judgment.
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 3:10; 4:1; 12:5
2) Angels Descend and Giants Emerge (Gen. 6:1-4)
After the LORD takes Enoch to heaven in chapter 5, the "sons of God" come down to earth in order to take the daughters of men in chapter 6. Just as these lines of Scripture are purposefully arranged in the book of Genesis, so also we find a similar arrangement in Revelation 12: The Church is taken up to heaven in Rev. 12:5, and then Satan and his angels are cast down to the earth in Rev. 12:7-9.
You've heard the expression, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Well, here's another one for you in relation to Tribulation events: Where there's a fiery falling star [angel], there's smoke from the abyss and the rise of giants (Rev. 9; c.f. Isa. 13:2-5 [LXX]; Joel 2:1-11).
I cover the fall of Satan and his angels [post-Rapture] and the return of the giants in two previous posts entitled, "The Coming U.F.O. Disclosure," and "The Birth of a Nation: Revelation 12 Study Part II." The appearing and manifestation of these supernatural elements onto the world stage are a huge piece of the end-times puzzle that is sorely lacking in older, dispensational commentaries. The work of Tom Horn, Steve Quayle, L.A. Marzulli, et. al., has been ahead of the curve. Like it or not, the days of Noah involved the physical presence of rebel angels and their gigantic hybrid offspring, and the Tribulation will be "Act Two" of Gen. 6:1-4.
The apostle John alludes to the book of Enoch throughout Revelation, and one passage relevant to our discussion is Rev. 14:3-4 (HCSB):
...no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are the ones not defiled with women, for they have kept their virginity. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes...
This is one of those holy put-downs that are found scattered throughout God's word. It's a parting shot aimed at the fallen Watchers who abandoned their first estate (Jd. 6) and left their dwelling in heaven with God and the Lamb in order to mate with women on earth. Rather than interpreting the 144,000 as those who have never had sexual intercourse, maybe we should interpret "virginity" in the sense of a pure devotion to Christ—a la Paul in 2 Cor. 11:2-4. This understanding coheres with the rest of Scripture (c.f 1 Tim. 4:1-3) and links the 144,000 mentioned in chapter 14 with the 144,000 described in chapter 7.
3) Sealing the Remnant (Gen. 7:1-16)
After Enoch is taken and the earth invaded by the one-two punch of the fallen angels and their "demi-god" offspring, God has to seal and secure the chosen remnant before His colossal judgment commences. Noah and his family, the chosen remnant, are spared from the lethal waters of the Flood and sealed up in the ark. Before the fountains of the deep burst open and prior to the rain falling from the sky:
After Enoch is taken and the earth invaded by the one-two punch of the fallen angels and their "demi-god" offspring, God has to seal and secure the chosen remnant before His colossal judgment commences. Noah and his family, the chosen remnant, are spared from the lethal waters of the Flood and sealed up in the ark. Before the fountains of the deep burst open and prior to the rain falling from the sky:
Those that entered were male and female, just as God commanded him. Then the LORD shut him in" (Gen. 7:16, NET).
In a similar fashion, after the LORD takes the body of Christ to heaven, Revelation chapter 7 describes a chosen remnant on earth during the Tribulation who are sealed and protected from God's catastrophic judgments:
...Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.' And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel..." (Rev. 7:3-4, ESV).
If we are to be consistent with a literal interpretation, then the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel are also "the woman" depicted in Rev. 12:6 and 14-16. Please note that the sealed remnant who survive the Tribulation never leave the earth (not so with the male-child of Rev. 12:5).
In Noah's day the earth protected him from God's flood (literally, trees from the earth made up the ark). However, during the second "days of Noah," the earth protects the chosen remnant from Satan's flood, "the river that the dragon spews from his mouth" (12:16). For the biblical clarification of what is meant by a "flood" in Rev. 12:14-16 [i.e. an invading army], see Isa. 8:6-8; 17:12-13; Ezek. 1:24; Dan. 9:26.
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 7:1-8; Rev. 12:6, 14-16
4) Global Judgment (Gen. 8–9)
Once Noah and his tribe are sealed from God's wrath and assured survival to the end, global judgment begins in earnest and doesn't abate until justice is served. Likewise, the "flood of the end" begins after the 144,000 are sealed and assured survival right into the Millennium—the glorious reign of the Messiah on earth from Jerusalem for a 1,000 years (Rev. 14:1; 20:4-6).
Speaking of global judgment, we are currently being flooded with signs reminding us of "the days of Noah." See Gary's post, "As It was in the Days of Noah."
One key difference, though, between the judgment of the past and the one to come is the means by which God purges the earth. We know according to His covenant promise in Gen. 9:8-17, that the LORD will not bring destruction upon earth by means of water. He will, however, bring fire next time. Oh, and we are getting flooded with fire types and shadows in our day too (see Daily Crow post, "Flocks and Fire").
And Jesus told His disciples:
Babylon the Great will be burned up with fire (Rev. 17:16; 18:8), and the Beast and all who follow him will be vanquished by fire as well (Isa. 66:15-16; 2 Thess. 1:8; 2:8; Rev. 19:19-21).
Once Noah and his tribe are sealed from God's wrath and assured survival to the end, global judgment begins in earnest and doesn't abate until justice is served. Likewise, the "flood of the end" begins after the 144,000 are sealed and assured survival right into the Millennium—the glorious reign of the Messiah on earth from Jerusalem for a 1,000 years (Rev. 14:1; 20:4-6).
Speaking of global judgment, we are currently being flooded with signs reminding us of "the days of Noah." See Gary's post, "As It was in the Days of Noah."
One key difference, though, between the judgment of the past and the one to come is the means by which God purges the earth. We know according to His covenant promise in Gen. 9:8-17, that the LORD will not bring destruction upon earth by means of water. He will, however, bring fire next time. Oh, and we are getting flooded with fire types and shadows in our day too (see Daily Crow post, "Flocks and Fire").
But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" (2 Pet. 3:7, NASB).
And Jesus told His disciples:
I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!" (Lk. 12:49, NLT).
Babylon the Great will be burned up with fire (Rev. 17:16; 18:8), and the Beast and all who follow him will be vanquished by fire as well (Isa. 66:15-16; 2 Thess. 1:8; 2:8; Rev. 19:19-21).
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 6–19
5) Rise of Antichrist (Gen. 10:8-12)
A foreshadowing of the end-times in Gen. 5–12 wouldn't be complete without an Antichrist figure. At first glance, we might consider a mere four verses of Scripture to be scant evidence. But take a look at the rest of the Table of Nations in Gen. 10, and then notice how Nimrod (a.k.a. Asshur, or "The Assyrian") gets special treatment in comparison to some of the other big names in the list.
The KJV appears to get Gen. 10:11 correct as it explicitly links Nimrod with Asshur:
For further background on the Antichrist/Beast and a possible link to Nimrod, see my previous post, "Wounded Warriors: The Lamb Above, and the Beast Below." Even if the idea of Nimrod being the first and the last of the seven kings in Rev. 17:10-11 doesn't suit your fancy, then you can at least concede that he is a type of the world ruler to come.
Nimrod even had his own catchphrase that was echoed throughout the generations, which further cemented his legendary status, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD" (Gen. 10:9). The Antichrist to come also draws the adoration and worship of the masses, and they will say, "Who is like the Beast? Who is able to wage war against him?" (Rev. 13:4).
Also, compare Nimrod's initial kingdom, Babel, and the mention of the land of Shinar [Babylon] in Gen. 10:10 with the Antichrist's relationship to Mystery Babylon in Rev. 17:16-18 (c.f. Zech. 5:5-11).
Finally, there is a passage in Micah 5 in connection with Nimrod, Assyria, and events at the end of the age worthy of our attention. Recall from Brad's "Woman in Labor" study at Revelation 12 Daily that Micah 5:3 is a prophetic linchpin—a key text that clarifies and confirms the major event which marks the end of the Church age and the beginning of Jacob's trouble, "...when she who is in labor has given birth...[c.f. Rev. 12:1-2, 5; Isa. 66:7-8].
Micah 5:4-6 reveals key events at the end of the Tribulation, mainly surrounding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel's Messiah, the Good Shepherd, returns to conquer "the Assyrian," the worthless shepherd (c.f. Zech. 11:16-17), who seeks to destroy the remnant of Israel and invade her covenant land.
There are two major links between Nimrod and the future Antichrist in Micah 5:5-6:
1) If Nimrod/Asshur (the 'Assyrian') is the first among the seven kings, and also the eighth [see Rev. 17:10-11], then Micah 5:5 states that Israel will counter him with "seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men." Anything the Assyrian can do, the LORD can do better!
2) In Mic. 5:6 the "land of Asshur" and "land of Nimrod" are linked by synonymous parallelism, "They [Messiah's ruling shepherds of 5:5] will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its entrances [lit. 'gates']." Hey, the warring shepherds of 5:5 could very well be Christ and His body, crushing the enemy with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:8-9; c.f. Rev. 12:5). After all, the Lord did say that He would build His church and "the gates of Hell would not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18)!
*Many thanks to Hillary for confirming this connection between Nimrod and the Antichrist here in Micah 5 + sharing these links (here, here, and here), which foreshadow Nimrod's kingdom "rising from destruction" (with the help of Rome, btw).
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 11:7; 13:1-18; 17:8-17; 19:19-21
A foreshadowing of the end-times in Gen. 5–12 wouldn't be complete without an Antichrist figure. At first glance, we might consider a mere four verses of Scripture to be scant evidence. But take a look at the rest of the Table of Nations in Gen. 10, and then notice how Nimrod (a.k.a. Asshur, or "The Assyrian") gets special treatment in comparison to some of the other big names in the list.
The KJV appears to get Gen. 10:11 correct as it explicitly links Nimrod with Asshur:
Out of that land [Shinar] went forth Asshur, and [he] builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth-Ir and Calah" (brackets added for clarity).
For further background on the Antichrist/Beast and a possible link to Nimrod, see my previous post, "Wounded Warriors: The Lamb Above, and the Beast Below." Even if the idea of Nimrod being the first and the last of the seven kings in Rev. 17:10-11 doesn't suit your fancy, then you can at least concede that he is a type of the world ruler to come.
Nimrod even had his own catchphrase that was echoed throughout the generations, which further cemented his legendary status, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD" (Gen. 10:9). The Antichrist to come also draws the adoration and worship of the masses, and they will say, "Who is like the Beast? Who is able to wage war against him?" (Rev. 13:4).
Also, compare Nimrod's initial kingdom, Babel, and the mention of the land of Shinar [Babylon] in Gen. 10:10 with the Antichrist's relationship to Mystery Babylon in Rev. 17:16-18 (c.f. Zech. 5:5-11).
Finally, there is a passage in Micah 5 in connection with Nimrod, Assyria, and events at the end of the age worthy of our attention. Recall from Brad's "Woman in Labor" study at Revelation 12 Daily that Micah 5:3 is a prophetic linchpin—a key text that clarifies and confirms the major event which marks the end of the Church age and the beginning of Jacob's trouble, "...when she who is in labor has given birth...[c.f. Rev. 12:1-2, 5; Isa. 66:7-8].
Micah 5:4-6 reveals key events at the end of the Tribulation, mainly surrounding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel's Messiah, the Good Shepherd, returns to conquer "the Assyrian," the worthless shepherd (c.f. Zech. 11:16-17), who seeks to destroy the remnant of Israel and invade her covenant land.
There are two major links between Nimrod and the future Antichrist in Micah 5:5-6:
1) If Nimrod/Asshur (the 'Assyrian') is the first among the seven kings, and also the eighth [see Rev. 17:10-11], then Micah 5:5 states that Israel will counter him with "seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men." Anything the Assyrian can do, the LORD can do better!
2) In Mic. 5:6 the "land of Asshur" and "land of Nimrod" are linked by synonymous parallelism, "They [Messiah's ruling shepherds of 5:5] will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its entrances [lit. 'gates']." Hey, the warring shepherds of 5:5 could very well be Christ and His body, crushing the enemy with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:8-9; c.f. Rev. 12:5). After all, the Lord did say that He would build His church and "the gates of Hell would not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18)!
*Many thanks to Hillary for confirming this connection between Nimrod and the Antichrist here in Micah 5 + sharing these links (here, here, and here), which foreshadow Nimrod's kingdom "rising from destruction" (with the help of Rome, btw).
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 11:7; 13:1-18; 17:8-17; 19:19-21
6) Fall of Babylon (Gen. 11:1-9)
As the narrative of Gen. 5–12 progresses, we discover yet another passage of immense prophetic significance: The Tower of Babel. From the previous chapter, we read about Nimrod, who began his career at Babel and then spread his empire across the Mesopotamian region. Thus, we have a one-world ruler and conqueror of nations, and now in chapter 11, we have a one-world city complete with a common language and culture.
These themes in Genesis 10–11 of a tyrant-king + one-world government + one common religion form the prophetic template for an end-times fulfillment in the book of Revelation.
At the end of the Tribulation, we know that the Lord and the armies of heaven come down to earth to strike the nations in judgment (Rev. 19:11-16). Now check out Gen. 11:5, 7, and 8:
Together with the hosts of heaven, the LORD comes down to execute His judgment on Babel [Babylon]. Sound like the end of the book of Revelation?
Additionally, we can find the theme of "scattering" as a means of God's judgment during the Day of the LORD. The judgment of scattering is among the myriad examples of divine retribution, or an eye-for-an-eye payback. Since the nations have "scattered the Israelites" and "divided up" God's land (Joel 3:2), Yahweh's gonna bring it back on their own heads:
The context of the preceding Isaiah passage is the Second Coming. Isa. 33:1 mentions "the destroyer" (Rev. 9:11), and one who is ultimately destroyed (Rev. 17:8; 19:19-20). Isa. 33:2 is the cry of the remnant [Israel] waiting for Yeshua, "...be our strength...our salvation in the time of trouble."
Further, Isa. 33:3 and 11:12 contain the same Greek root word translated "scattered" (from diaspora)—the same word found in Gen. 11:8 (LXX). Therefore, just as the nations had scattered Israel and divided up God's covenant land, so also Yahweh will return to scatter the nations and divide up the spoils of war among His people (c.f. Ps. 2:8-9; Ps. 68:1-3, 12-14, 18; Eph. 4:8, etc.).
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 13; 16:19; 17–18; 19:2-3
As the narrative of Gen. 5–12 progresses, we discover yet another passage of immense prophetic significance: The Tower of Babel. From the previous chapter, we read about Nimrod, who began his career at Babel and then spread his empire across the Mesopotamian region. Thus, we have a one-world ruler and conqueror of nations, and now in chapter 11, we have a one-world city complete with a common language and culture.
These themes in Genesis 10–11 of a tyrant-king + one-world government + one common religion form the prophetic template for an end-times fulfillment in the book of Revelation.
At the end of the Tribulation, we know that the Lord and the armies of heaven come down to earth to strike the nations in judgment (Rev. 19:11-16). Now check out Gen. 11:5, 7, and 8:
Then the LORD came down [Heb., yarad; Grk. katabaino]...'Come, let Us go down there and confuse their language...[so] the LORD scattered them..." (HCSB).
Together with the hosts of heaven, the LORD comes down to execute His judgment on Babel [Babylon]. Sound like the end of the book of Revelation?
Additionally, we can find the theme of "scattering" as a means of God's judgment during the Day of the LORD. The judgment of scattering is among the myriad examples of divine retribution, or an eye-for-an-eye payback. Since the nations have "scattered the Israelites" and "divided up" God's land (Joel 3:2), Yahweh's gonna bring it back on their own heads:
The people flee at the thunderous noise; the nations scatter when You rise in Your majesty. Your spoil will be gathered as locusts are gathered; people will swarm over it like an infestation of locusts" (Isa. 33:3-4, HCSB).
The context of the preceding Isaiah passage is the Second Coming. Isa. 33:1 mentions "the destroyer" (Rev. 9:11), and one who is ultimately destroyed (Rev. 17:8; 19:19-20). Isa. 33:2 is the cry of the remnant [Israel] waiting for Yeshua, "...be our strength...our salvation in the time of trouble."
Further, Isa. 33:3 and 11:12 contain the same Greek root word translated "scattered" (from diaspora)—the same word found in Gen. 11:8 (LXX). Therefore, just as the nations had scattered Israel and divided up God's covenant land, so also Yahweh will return to scatter the nations and divide up the spoils of war among His people (c.f. Ps. 2:8-9; Ps. 68:1-3, 12-14, 18; Eph. 4:8, etc.).
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 13; 16:19; 17–18; 19:2-3
7) Covenant Fulfillment (Gen. 12:1-9)
The twelfth chapter of Genesis and last category in this series of seven provides us with a preview of the grand finale at the end of the age:
What is required for the complete fulfillment of God's original promise to Abraham?
1) The land must be in total possession of the LORD's people—every inch of it (c.f. Gen. 15:18-19)
2) Every chosen and redeemed offspring [lit. seed] of Abraham must be resurrected to inherit the earth/land (c.f. Matt. 5:5; 22:32; Gal. 3:15-17)
3) The nation of Israel must be the head of all nations (not the tail – Deut. 28:13), the Davidic King must be reigning from His throne in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 7:12-13; Ps. 110), and, finally, when Israel takes her rightful place in the world as a mediator of blessing—then all the families of the earth will be blessed
In short, Yahweh's original covenant with Abraham won't be complete until there is fullness of land, seed, and blessing for all nations. And the only One who can successfully mediate Yahweh's blessing to the nations is the son of Abraham, son of David—Jesus, the Son of God!
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 1:5-6; 2:26-27; 5:8-10; 11:15; 20:4-6; 21; 22:1-5
Summary
Based on the prophetic template of Gen. 5–12, there are clear parallels to the book of Revelation. Ultimately, this outline from Genesis helps us to discern the sequence of events for the coming Day of the LORD. By having eyes to see and the Holy Spirit's illumination, this will hopefully confirm and strengthen the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial perspective for you, dear brother or sister in Christ.
Here's a review:
Genesis: 1. Enoch taken 2. Angels fall/Giants rise 3. Noah and his tribe sealed 4. Global judgment begins (water) 5. Nimrod rises to power 6. Babylon's fall/Yahweh comes down 7. Abrahamic covenant pledged
Revelation: 1. Church/male-child taken 2. Angels fall/Giants return 3. 144,000 sealed 4. Global judgment begins (fire) 5. Beast rises to power 6. Babylon's fall/Yahweh comes down 7. Abrahamic covenant fulfilled
The twelfth chapter of Genesis and last category in this series of seven provides us with a preview of the grand finale at the end of the age:
Now the LORD had said to Abram: 'Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:1-3, NKJV).
What is required for the complete fulfillment of God's original promise to Abraham?
1) The land must be in total possession of the LORD's people—every inch of it (c.f. Gen. 15:18-19)
2) Every chosen and redeemed offspring [lit. seed] of Abraham must be resurrected to inherit the earth/land (c.f. Matt. 5:5; 22:32; Gal. 3:15-17)
3) The nation of Israel must be the head of all nations (not the tail – Deut. 28:13), the Davidic King must be reigning from His throne in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 7:12-13; Ps. 110), and, finally, when Israel takes her rightful place in the world as a mediator of blessing—then all the families of the earth will be blessed
In short, Yahweh's original covenant with Abraham won't be complete until there is fullness of land, seed, and blessing for all nations. And the only One who can successfully mediate Yahweh's blessing to the nations is the son of Abraham, son of David—Jesus, the Son of God!
Corresponding Scripture Passages in Revelation: Rev. 1:5-6; 2:26-27; 5:8-10; 11:15; 20:4-6; 21; 22:1-5
Summary
Based on the prophetic template of Gen. 5–12, there are clear parallels to the book of Revelation. Ultimately, this outline from Genesis helps us to discern the sequence of events for the coming Day of the LORD. By having eyes to see and the Holy Spirit's illumination, this will hopefully confirm and strengthen the pre-tribulation, pre-millennial perspective for you, dear brother or sister in Christ.
Here's a review:
Genesis: 1. Enoch taken 2. Angels fall/Giants rise 3. Noah and his tribe sealed 4. Global judgment begins (water) 5. Nimrod rises to power 6. Babylon's fall/Yahweh comes down 7. Abrahamic covenant pledged
Revelation: 1. Church/male-child taken 2. Angels fall/Giants return 3. 144,000 sealed 4. Global judgment begins (fire) 5. Beast rises to power 6. Babylon's fall/Yahweh comes down 7. Abrahamic covenant fulfilled
Topics
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Featured,
God's plan,
God's purpose,
Jeff,
rapture,
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The Bible is True
Thank you Jeff for such an excellent piece. Genesis is a key to Revelation and the end indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Daniel!
DeleteAwesome teaching, Gary! I'm printing/distributing dozens of copies of your articles to the residents of Flagstaff, Arizona!
ReplyDeleteAll credit to Jeff for this one. This is all his work. (:
DeleteThank you, Douglas! Hello, Flagstaff!
DeleteAnd thank you, Daniel Matson, for your books/articles!
ReplyDeleteDouglas Daniels
Outstanding scholarship Jeff, great article!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam!
DeleteExcellent teaching, thank you. I first encountered this parallelism in teaching by Pastor Marvin Byers who laid the foundation that in Rev 12:13 Our Lord declares Himself to BE both the Beginning and the END and when we couple that with what Our Lord's brother tells us in James 1:17 where we learn that the Father of Lights NEVER changes, then, by logical extension, the End MUST mirror the Beginning. His examples were different and yours goes much deeper and we treasure your work in sharing the anointing by which this was unfolded. Maranatha!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the confirmation and encouragement, Jimboni!
DeleteAbsolute BRILLIANCE. Thank you Jeff! This edifies us all!
ReplyDeleteHey man, I was just catching some of your fire. You've been on a roll!
DeleteThanks for the illumination Jeff...AMAZING study...AWESOME GOD AND HIS CHRIST!!!
ReplyDeleteHello again, Karen. Thank you!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSurely you will receive special honors in heaven for your efforts, Jeff! Thank you, brother.
ReplyDeleteWe'll cast our crowns together, my friend. Thank you!
DeleteEach believer has been given gifts, none above others. God sees and knows the efforts of each, whether he or she be a housebound stroke victim who can only pray within, a disabled person unable to communicate, a mentally ill believer who struggles each day to make it through til His Savior comes, or a gifted writer on this site. Beware lifting up another - God sees not as man sees. Special honors are not what we are about, dear brothers and sisters.
DeleteYahweh is YHVH, the Tetragammaton of the Satanists; my Lord of Jesus
ReplyDeleteYahweh is the Rabbinical Tetragammaton; my Lord is Jesus
ReplyDeleteJeff I hold my breath... This study is so much amazing, I hardly find words for this. You might be a wonderful teacher in the millennium! Praise be to Him that revealed this to you in His Spirit, MARANATHA! So much looking forward to meeting you soon in person with the LORD Jesus Christ! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, sister. I look forward to meeting you too. Soon and very soon.
DeleteAgain, let us not lift up man, nor count anyone's service above another's.
DeleteDear Anna if you knew how many Christians I have met in my short endtimes lifespan now that will perhaps just be "saved yet as by fire" 1 Corinthians 3:15 you would understand my overflowing joy in meeting a brother who rightly divides the word of God in these days because most of the church is dead asleep or baby Christian. As I said, I did not lift up man but praised GOD for HIM to reveal these things to Jeff. I know the difference of man and God and I am sure Jeff does too. Much blessings to you! :)
DeleteThis is great stuff, Jeff. I confess that I've never been a fan of this "Return of the Nephilim" business, but I admit it fits the pattern. So, who knows? Really interesting stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi Greg, thank you! I had to wrestle with this myself. Reading Dr. Michael Heiser's "Unseen Realm" and "Reversing Hermon" really solidified the supernatural elements of Genesis 6 and other passages throughout the Bible for me.
DeleteANGELS DID NOT MATE WITH HUMANS. This is absolutely NOT supported in the Bible at all. People have to reach outside the bible into non-canonical writings, opinions, or even pagan literature to arrive at this conclusion.
ReplyDeleteIf you actually study the text and what little in the bible is used to support that theory, you find that what is really written is something else entirely:
https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Who-Are-The-Nephilim-Nqyss2ArwLfVrsj6N6JiE
Absolutely right SoCal Nephilim is used in new bible versions to replace "Giant" in the original Received Texts; Angels do not reproduce with human women. The change facilitated the introduction of Annunaki "Royal Blood/Offspring" aka "Holy Grail".
Delete"Every offspring of Abraham resurrected to inherit the earth"? Nonsense; the Covenant God made with Abraham stipulated no marriage to Canaanite women; Isaac and Jacob followed the command, Ishmael and Esau did not. Gen 27:41KJV tells us Esau aka Edom obtains "Dominion", the Sovereign Authority to rule Earth.
If you do your research diligently, you will find that the Sons of God are not angels. As Jeff said above, Michael Heiser's Unseen Realm opened my eyes as well. We need to let YHWH be God, which is 'Elohim Most High'!
DeleteSons of God are Angels who rebelled against God and left their estate. YHWH aka Yahweh is the Rabbinical Tetragammaton or Ineffable Name. God's Name is Jesus, the only Covenant Name in the New Covenant.
DeleteStanding ovation, Jeff...what an impeccable study that nourishes my soul with truth! God has blessed you so greatly with eyes that see and the skill to weave it all together in such a way that many can read and be filled. You are a blessing to the body, and blessing in the body...and by the way, thank you for your generous shout out! I was reading along, riveted, and then saw my name. :) I’ll be reading this again and following all your links. Thank you for such a comprehensive article! I know it takes time and dedication to put it all together...may God richly bless you for your faithfulness!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hillary! I appreciate your kind words. I was telling Gary the other day how it takes me a while to put these things together: Full-time job, full-time dad of a two-year-old and a three-month-old, trying to be a good husband, etc...time is difficult to come by these days!
DeleteFor the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears 2 Ti 4:3
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff!
ReplyDeleteGreat article! You have put all the parallels together that I've seen in my own study - including the "giants".
However, I do question how you include women as part of the 144,000? There is clearly a separate grouping from the Jews that are protected and flee into the wilderness from the 144,000 are Jewish males evangelists that go out into the whole earth as these are (already) REDEEMED from the Earth, follow the Lamb wherever He goes and are the train of His temple, they are not defiled by women, no guile is found on their mouth and they sing a song that no one knows and they are "sealed" (ref.Ezek.8) or marked by the angel. (Rev.7 & 14).
So, I'm not clear how you see women in this special grouping?
But I love your articles!! And I love this blog site!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart - and supporting all the research about Rev.12!!
Blessings!!!
Thank you, Rhonda! Great question about women being included among the 144,000.
DeleteI think that the census taken in Revelation chapter 7, "those who numbered the sons of Israel" (v.4), can be likened to others taken in variously places throughout Scripture, such as the book of Numbers. Take a look at Numbers 1:2: The LORD instructs Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community (women and children included); however, He specifically says to count "...the names of every male one by one." And this is confirmed again in verse 4, "...each [male] is the head of his ancestral house."
Given this OT background, I don't see a contradiction with the "sons of Israel" mentioned in Revelation 7 and the 144,000 mentioned in chapter 14. The 144,000 throughout Revelation represent the redeemed remnant of Israelites alive during the Tribulation; they are the heads of their tribal households and will survive to enter the Millennium.
Hope this helps. Blessings to you!
Jeff you wrote "Please note that the sealed remnant who survive the Tribulation never leave the earth". I was wondering when the 144,000 leave earth since they are shown in Heavenly Mt. Sion in Revelation Chapter 14?
ReplyDeleteHey Lyn! Yes, great question.
DeleteAs you may have already noticed during your study of Revelation, John shifts between scenes in heaven and scenes on earth until the two realms merge at the close of the book when the New Jerusalem comes down (c.f. Eph. 1:10).
It is my understanding that the "Mt. Zion" in Revelation 14:1-5 is a flash-forward of sorts, a vision of the victorious Lamb with His redeemed remnant at the end of the Tribulation. They aren't standing in the realm of the Father's throne, per se, because the Lord Jesus has already returned to the earth, led them out of the wilderness, and conquered His enemies in Jerusalem.
Notice that John never says "And I saw in heaven...." He says, "Then I looked and there on Mt. Zion stood the Lamb, and with Him were 144,000..." (14:1). It's a tricky passage, for sure. But if this is a vision of the end of the Tribulation, then in a sense, the kingdom of heaven has come down to earth.
One's interpretation, then, depends on how you define "Mt. Zion." Which one? Heavenly, or earthly? Or, is it the one that is from heaven that has become the earth's eternal capital during the Millennium and beyond? Ahhhhh....
That's my two-cents right now. Good, thought-provoking question though.
Hi Jeff! Was just scanning through Unsealed's articles and I noticed I had commented here on the 144,000. Interestingly, I recently watched Scottie Clark's video The Rapture | Dispensation Resurrections & The Great Harvest https://youtu.be/ICZmfGLnjuc
Deletewhere he shares his belief that the 144,000 are the Old Testament saints resurrected at the time of Christ's resurrection (Matthew 27:52). Any thoughts?
Pardon me, I don't know where to put this but it looks like another piece of the Rev12 puzzle.
ReplyDeleteThe conception?
The Great Eclipse (SPIRIT WARS - Ep. 10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSDRJaGvSYA
Nana
Titus 2:13
Yes! Thank you, Nana.
DeleteGary wrote about the "conception comet" in a previous post: http://www.unsealed.org/2017/07/youtuber-stumbles-upon-major.html
Thank you Jeff.
DeleteI am new here and have not read that far back yet.
Nana
Titus 2:13
Thank you for this study, as always very edifying!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Glad to hear that it was edifying.
DeleteWonderful study! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I also enjoy reading many of the remarks. In my mind the biggest blessing of all is at the end, right before the summary, when you say, "Jesus, the Son of God!"!! This is what unites all of us who have been born again by the blood of the cross, that our faith is not in man, but in the one who shed His life's blood for us all! May God continue to bless you, and help you to teach the precious Word until He comes. I'll see you in the clouds!
ReplyDeleteThank you, James! See you in the air!
DeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteTalking about the possible re-appearance of the Angel-Human hybrids (Giants or Nephilim in other names) in the Tribulation era… Daniel 2:43 comes to mind,
“And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”
I know this passage is interpreted in more than one way but I can’t stop thinking that it might be about fallen angles that “shall mingle themselves with the seed of men”. This whole passage sounds ominous. I could be wrong of course in my interpretation but why would it be pointed out like that and emphasized so much that “THEY shall mingle themselves with the seed of MEN” if this whole thing is happening within the human race (which would be “business as usual”).
Hey Nora,
ReplyDeleteGreat observation. I always seem to forget about Daniel 2:43. You aren't alone in your interpretation...in fact, I first heard about the supernatural implications of this verse from Chuck Missler. For example, see here: http://www.khouse.org/articles/1997/22/
Thanks for the link Jeff, I'll definitely check this article!
ReplyDelete(Great article! :)
DeleteOne way to open the door to talk about the gospel with someone is to ask:
ReplyDeleteMethuselah was the oldest man that ever lived but died before his father/dad, how?
Nana
Titus 2:13