Aqwsed,
What should be kept in mind is that the book of Revelation was written by a Jew and has a predominantly Semitic background. The origin of the Hebrew name Abaddon should bring us closer to what John meant.
This is why I stick to the interpretation of Hebrew “Abaddon.”
I believe the star falling from the sky is an angel. By the way, it fell and was not cast down. Big difference (cf. Rev. 1:16, 20). And why would God allow Satan the keys of the abyss? Won’t help locking him in the abyss if he has the keys. He would also not allow Jesus to be resurrected if he was in control of the keys (cf. Rom. 10:7; Rev. 20:1, 2).
Also don’t think God would involve Himself with Astrology. God hates astrologers and their craft. He will never use astrological signs as a means of fulfilling prophecy (cf. Is. 47:13, 14 NJB; Jer. 10:2 CJB).
Five months is not exactly “a while.” I’d say an hour or half an hour is “a while” (cf. Rev. 8:1). I believe it to be a literal 5 months. After five months it would be a good idea to get out of the cities (cf. Rev. 11:13; 16:19).
I don’t view Sheol, Gehenna as “hell.” It’s a theological construct of Christendom. You are actually saying, as many theologians do, that God is going to use demon hordes to do His will, execute His judgment and fulfill prophecy. I don’t see that at all.
EasyPrompt,
I agree. For Abaddon, I put my money on Satan. And the locust-scorpions are the troops of the beast from the abyss, which is the UN. I prefer to keep the Anglo-American world power (beast from the earth/false prophet) and the UN (beast from the abyss) separate. At the end both will be thrown in the lake of fire (cf. Rev. 19:20).
Dan. 2 Ten toes of iron and clay (all the nations) = Ten horns/kings of Revelation (Rev. 17:12, 16) all concentrated in the UN (beast from the abyss).
Perhaps one should not be too dogmatic in this instance. You take the basis for your understanding the creative days. So, do you believe these are 24h days? I believe these are not supposed to be taken literally (cf. Gen. 2:4).
As for the ten horns, ten kings will rise up out of that kingdom; and still another one will rise up after them, and he will be different from the first ones, and he will humiliate three kings.
Here I go with the Society. Three kings, Spain, France and the Netherlands crushed by the British Empire, becoming the Anglo-American world power during World War I.
I see you’re still stuck with Watchtower theology as regards the destruction of Babylon the Great. This will occur at the end of the tribulation (not the beginning). See Rev. 16:19.
Jesus said: “and they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations [“times of the Gentiles,” ESV, NET] are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). The “appointed times of the nations” are to be fulfilled when Jesus, who has the legal right, receives his kingship, this time in a heavenly setting (cf. Dan. 7:13, 14; cf. Rev. 11:2, 15, 18). I would not put a time limit on this.
"But as for the courtyard that is outside the temple sanctuary, leave it out and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city underfoot for 42 months." (Revelation 11:1, 2).
Let’s first identify the temple. This is all of God’s people on earth (Gal. 6:15, 16; cf. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21, 22). The temple will be measured, meaning God takes ownership of it. It will remain intact through the tribulation (Rev. 7:9,14). The courtyard will be trampled by the nations for 42 months. This is where the dining rooms of the priests are situated. They will be persecuted till the end of the tribulation. Half of them will be killed, other half will be fetched by Jesus after the tribulation (cf. Ezek. 42:1; Dan. 12:7; Matt. 24:29, 31). This will take place during the second half of the tribulation.
ExBethelite,
No, I disagree. Jesus is to become king of the Messianic kingdom over the earth. God is Sovereign of the Universe.
God’s kingship of the universe is to time indefinite, even forever (Ps. 10:16a; 29:10b; 146:10 NW; Jer. 10:7, 10; Zech. 14:9, 17; 1 Tim. 1:17; cf. Rev. 15:3; 19:6). Jesus’ Messianic kingship is to have an enduring future, i.e., a thousand years (Ps. 45:6, 17; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:3, 4).