The book of Revelation in the Bible is often neglected in Christianity due to its supposed difficulty and plain weirdness. Also, many people have made a lot of money trying to explain the visions John had and wrote down in the book. People often try to set dates for events, that are always wrong, which also contributes to churches staying away from the book, simply because they are afraid to appear apocalyptic. I don’t ever intend on setting dates or trying to make money from scaring people; however, I would like to offer some missing information that early believers had access to, and for various reasons it has been removed from the common knowledge of the church today.
One source that sheds more light on future events is found in the writings of Ezra. Ezra is a second temple period priest and scribe that can be read about in your sixty-six book bible in the books of Nehemiah and Ezra. The Greek name for Ezra is Esdras, and more is written about Ezra in the books Esdras 1 and 2. Esdras 1 is found in the Greek Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew bible, completed sometime in the third century BC. Esdras 1 and 2 are found in early English translations, including the 1611 King’s James version. Esdras 2 was considered to be a later Christian work until fragments were found in the caves of Qumran. By exposing this book, I am hoping more people will take time to read it, as it is relevant for today. There are many messianic prophecies in this book that expand what we get in our redacted sixty-six book Bible.
2Es 13:1 And it came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night:
2Es 13:2 And, lo, there arose a wind from the sea, that it moved all the waves thereof.
2Es 13:3 And I beheld, and, lo, that man waxed strong with the thousands of heaven: and when he turned his countenance to look, all the things trembled that were seen under him.
2Es 13:4 And whensoever the voice went out of his mouth, all they burned that heard his voice, like as the earth faileth when it feeleth the fire.
2Es 13:5 And after this I beheld, and, lo, there was gathered together a multitude of men, out of number, from the four winds of the heaven, to subdue the man that came out of the sea
2Es 13:6 But I beheld, and, lo, he had graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it.
2Es 13:7 But I would have seen the region or place whereout the hill was graven, and I could not.
2Es 13:8 And after this I beheld, and, lo, all they which were gathered together to subdue him were sore afraid, and yet durst fight.
2Es 13:9 And, lo, as he saw the violence of the multitude that came, he neither lifted up his hand, nor held sword, nor any instrument of war:
2Es 13:10 But only I saw that he sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips a flaming breath, and out of his tongue he cast out sparks and tempests.
2Es 13:11 And they were all mixed together; the blast of fire, the flaming breath, and the great tempest; and fell with violence upon the multitude which was prepared to fight, and burned them up every one, so that upon a sudden of an innumerable multitude nothing was to be perceived, but only dust and smell of smoke: when I saw this I was afraid.
2Es 13:12 Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and call unto him another peaceable Multitude.
2Es 13:13 And there came much people unto him, whereof some were glad, some were sorry, and some of them were bound, and other some brought of them that were offered: then was I sick through great fear, and I awaked, and said,
2Es 13:14 Thou hast shewed thy servant these wonders from the beginning, and hast counted me worthy that thou shouldest receive my prayer:
2Es 13:15 Shew me now yet the interpretation of this dream.
In this vision Ezra is shown a man that comes out of a sea and goes on a mountain with thousands of heaven. There was an army that tried to subdue the man, which were consumed by fire from his mouth, with only dust and the smell of smoke left. Then the man came down from the mountain and called a peaceable multitude toward him. Now here is the interpretation that was given to Ezra about the vision:
2Es 13:25 This is the meaning of the vision: Whereas thou sawest a man coming up from the midst of the sea:
2Es 13:26 The same is he whom God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creature: and he shall order them that are left behind.
2Es 13:27 And whereas thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came as a blast of wind, and fire, and storm;
2Es 13:28 And that he held neither sword, nor any instrument of war, but that the rushing in of him destroyed the whole multitude that came to subdue him; this is the interpretation:
2Es 13:29 Behold, the days come, when the most High will begin to deliver them that are upon the earth.
2Es 13:30 And he shall come to the astonishment of them that dwell on the earth.
2Es 13:31 And one shall undertake to fight against another, one city against another, one place against another, one people against another, and one realm against another.
2Es 13:32 And the time shall be when these things shall come to pass, and the signs shall happen which I shewed thee before, and then shall my Son be declared, whom thou sawest as a man ascending.
2Es 13:33 And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another.
2Es 13:34 And an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou sawest them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting.
2Es 13:35 But he shall stand upon the top of the mount Sion.
2Es 13:36 And Sion shall come, and shall be shewed to all men, being prepared and builded, like as thou sawest the hill graven without hands.
2Es 13:37 And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest;
2Es 13:38 And shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments wherewith they shall begin to be tormented, which are like unto a flame: and he shall destroy them without labour by the law which is like unto me.
If we compare these passages in Revelation, we get a similar situation. Notice the similarities with the angels following, and the sword coming from his mouth, destroying nations. I would suggest the symbolism of the sword in revelation and the fire in Ezra coming from his mouth represents the Word. “Psa 147:18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.”, and “he shall destroy them without labour by the law which is like unto me”, from verse 38 above.
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Rev 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Isaiah also has similar language concerning the breath of his lips that will destroy the wicked.
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Isa 11:3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isa 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Jude, quoting the book of Enoch, also describes a similar scene.
Jud 1:14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
Jud 1:15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Ezra continues to prophesy. The righteous blood of the innocent slain will be avenged. The souls of the just complain continually.
2Es 15:1 Behold, speak thou in the ears of my people the words of prophecy, which I will put in thy mouth, saith the Lord:
2Es 15:2 And cause them to be written in paper: for they are faithful and true.
2Es 15:3 Fear not the imaginations against thee, let not the incredulity of them trouble thee, that speak against thee.
2Es 15:4 For all the unfaithful shall die in their unfaithfulness.
2Es 15:5 Behold, saith the Lord, I will bring plagues upon the world; the sword, famine, death, and destruction.
2Es 15:6 For wickedness hath exceedingly polluted the whole earth, and their hurtful works are fulfilled.
2Es 15:7 Therefore saith the Lord,
2Es 15:8 I will hold my tongue no more as touching their wickedness, which they profanely commit, neither will I suffer them in those things, in which they wickedly exercise themselves: behold, the innocent and righteous blood crieth unto me, and the souls of the just complain continually.
2Es 15:9 And therefore, saith the Lord, I will surely avenge them, and receive unto me all the innocent blood from among them.
Let’s compare to Revelation, where the just cry out, and then to the first book in the Bible, Genesis, where the blood of Abel cries out after the first recorded murder:
Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10 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?
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Gen 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
Gen 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Before the destruction of Babylon, we see quite possibly the queen of heaven, the goddess of love, war and sex, riding the beast that supports her, drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus. What is interesting is the Greek word translated to saints is Strong’s G53, hagnos, which means pure from every fault, immaculate and clean. No human could ever identify that way unless they were babies, or still in the womb. I would add this to the innocent blood crying out from the ground.
Rev 17:3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.
Rev 17:5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.
G53
ἁγνός
hagnos
Thayer Definition:
1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred
2) pure
2a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest
2b) pure from every fault, immaculate
2c) clean
Next, the description of destruction below also parallels the visions John had in his revelation written in the book of Revelation. The mountains will get brought down and Babylon will be destroyed.
2Es 15:37 And there shall be great fearfulness and trembling upon earth: and they that see the wrath shall be afraid, and trembling shall come upon them.
2Es 15:38 And then shall there come great storms from the south, and from the north, and another part from the west.
2Es 15:39 And strong winds shall arise from the east, and shall open it; and the cloud which he raised up in wrath, and the star stirred to cause fear toward the east and west wind, shall be destroyed.
2Es 15:40 The great and mighty clouds shall be puffed up full of wrath, and the star, that they may make all the earth afraid, and them that dwell therein; and they shall pour out over every high and eminent place an horrible star,
2Es 15:41 Fire, and hail, and flying swords, and many waters, that all fields may be full, and all rivers, with the abundance of great waters.
2Es 15:42 And they shall break down the cities and walls, mountains and hills, trees of the wood, and grass of the meadows, and their corn.
2Es 15:43 And they shall go stedfastly unto Babylon, and make her afraid.
2Es 15:44 They shall come to her, and besiege her, the star and all wrath shall they pour out upon her: then shall the dust and smoke go up unto the heaven, and all they that be about her shall bewail.
Compare to Revelation:
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Now as we move further into the prophecy given to Ezra, we see Asia and Africa being mentioned, with terrible tribulation:
2Es 16:1 Woe be unto thee, Babylon, and Asia! woe be unto thee, Egypt and Syria!
2Es 16:2 Gird up yourselves with cloths of sack and hair, bewail your children, and be sorry; for your destruction is at hand.
2Es 16:3 A sword is sent upon you, and who may turn it back?
2Es 16:4 A fire is sent among you, and who may quench it?
2Es 16:5 Plagues are sent unto you, and what is he that may drive them away?
2Es 16:6 May any man drive away an hungry lion in the wood? or may any one quench the fire in stubble, when it hath begun to burn?
2Es 16:7 May one turn again the arrow that is shot of a strong archer?
2Es 16:8 The mighty Lord sendeth the plagues and who is he that can drive them away?
2Es 16:9 A fire shall go forth from his wrath, and who is he that may quench it?
2Es 16:10 He shall cast lightnings, and who shall not fear? he shall thunder, and who shall not be afraid?
2Es 16:11 The Lord shall threaten, and who shall not be utterly beaten to powder at his presence?
2Es 16:12 The earth quaketh, and the foundations thereof; the sea ariseth up with waves from the deep, and the waves of it are troubled, and the fishes thereof also, before the Lord, and before the glory of his power:
2Es 16:13 For strong is his right hand that bendeth the bow, his arrows that he shooteth are sharp, and shall not miss, when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
2Es 16:14 Behold, the plagues are sent, and shall not return again, until they come upon the earth.
2Es 16:15 The fire is kindled, and shall not be put out, till it consume the foundation of the earth.
2Es 16:16 Like as an arrow which is shot of a mighty archer returneth not backward: even so the plagues that shall be sent upon earth shall not return again.
2Es 16:17 Woe is me! woe is me! who will deliver me in those days?
2Es 16:18 The beginning of sorrows and great mournings; the beginning of famine and great death; the beginning of wars, and the powers shall stand in fear; the beginning of evils! what shall I do when these evils shall come?
2Es 16:19 Behold, famine and plague, tribulation and anguish, are sent as scourges for amendment.
2Es 16:20 But for all these things they shall not turn from their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
2Es 16:21 Behold, victuals shall be so good cheap upon earth, that they shall think themselves to be in good case, and even then shall evils grow upon earth, sword, famine, and great confusion.
2Es 16:22 For many of them that dwell upon earth shall perish of famine; and the other, that escape the hunger, shall the sword destroy.
2Es 16:23 And the dead shall be cast out as dung, and there shall be no man to comfort them: for the earth shall be wasted, and the cities shall be cast down.
Victuals (food and provisions), “2Es 16:21 Behold, victuals shall be so good cheap upon earth, that they shall think themselves to be in good case, and even then shall evils grow upon earth, sword, famine, and great confusion.”
Here is some language for the believer to be aware of: “2Es 16:68 For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed you, being idle, with things offered unto idols. 2Es 16:69 And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and trodden under foot” So do not be deceived by the iniquity of this world or you will be trodden under foot.
2Es 16:66 What will ye do? or how will ye hide your sins before God and his angels?
2Es 16:67 Behold, God himself is the judge, fear him: leave off from your sins, and forget your iniquities, to meddle no more with them for ever: so shall God lead you forth, and deliver you from all trouble.
2Es 16:68 For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed you, being idle, with things offered unto idols.
2Es 16:69 And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and trodden under foot.
2Es 16:70 For there shall be in every place, and in the next cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord.
2Es 16:71 They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but still spoiling and destroying those that fear the Lord.
2Es 16:72 For they shall waste and take away their goods, and cast them out of their houses.
2Es 16:73 Then shall they be known, who are my chosen; and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire.
2Es 16:74 Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at hand, but I will deliver you from the same.
2Es 16:75 Be ye not afraid neither doubt; for God is your guide,
2Es 16:76 And the guide of them who keep my commandments and precepts, saith the Lord God: let not your sins weigh you down, and let not your iniquities lift up themselves.
2Es 16:77 Woe be unto them that are bound with their sins, and covered with their iniquities like as a field is covered over with bushes, and the path thereof covered with thorns, that no man may travel through!
2Es 16:78 It is left undressed, and is cast into the fire to be consumed therewith.
In verse 75 we are not to be afraid because Yahweh God is the guide to those who keep his commandments and precepts. We have the same language in these passages of Revelation:
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Jesus also speaks of similar events to his disciples on the Mount of Olives.
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
“Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” So we must endure to the end, which means there will be hardships and things that obviously must be endured. There is no need to fear though, because we have a great hope in the resurrection as Paul states. Paul also warns us to wake up and stop sinning.
1Co 15:12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
1Co 15:15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1Co 15:19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1Co 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.
1Co 15:28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
1Co 15:29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?
1Co 15:30 Why are we in danger every hour?
1Co 15:31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!
1Co 15:32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
1Co 15:34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
Finally Paul describes the resurrection where mortality puts on immortality. Notice the similar language in 2nd Esdras. Is the last trump Paul speaks of the seventh trump in Revelation?
1Co 15:50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
1Co 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1Co 15:55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
2Es 2:42 I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs.
2Es 2:43 And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marvelled at greatly.
2Es 2:44 So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?
2Es 2:45 He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms.
2Es 2:46 Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?
2Es 2:47 So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord.
2Es 2:48 Then the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast seen.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Rev 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Rev 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The featured photo was taken by Emma Vail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Hear the Matter Proverbs 18:13 