The rest of the book discusses the return of Christ with His saints; and the capture of the Beast; False Prophet and Satan (without stating who places them in their respective places of punishment although the next chapters show an angel has sealed the bottomless pit).
There is a feast prepared for the birds of the air (v. 17-18; v. 21). God has in Isaiah 34:11 and other verses clearly considered the unclean beasts and provided for them richly (despite being unfit for man's consumption). Those who are animal lovers may not appreciate the fact that they will either be present at the wedding feast of the Lamb or themselves be part of the supper of wild beasts. No doubt these creatures will be starving themselves by this time and God isn't going to let a good meal go to waste. We should ponder this; those who are evolutionists and realize that in light of Ecclesiastes 3:19 that unregenerate men are no better than animals as to our fate. The soul of animals may go down into the earth (see verse 21 two verses later); but man is the only creature subject to eternal damnation and suffering as we see again in the same chapter; verse 11 where "eternity is put in their hearts."
The last verse in this chapter; verse 21 shows the rest of man in the battle slain with the sword (see Malachi 4:1; Psalm 2; etal). They will be placed in Sheol; the "holding place" for the damned until their turn for the lake of fire. Undoubtably their involvement in this battle and enticement by demons means that they have taken the mark of the Beast. If for some reason someone is missing arms and or has a head injury and can't take the mark the image will be worshipped which basically amounts to the same punishment.
In God's Providence He shortens the days or no flesh would survive (or be saved); see Matthew 24:22. There are interesting studies as to the mention of horses (verse 18) which also are seen in Ezekiel 38. I prefer to take that literally.
The rest of the book discusses the return of Christ with His saints; and the capture of the Beast; False Prophet and Satan (without stating who places them in their respective places of punishment although the next chapters show an angel has sealed the bottomless pit).
There is a feast prepared for the birds of the air (v. 17-18; v. 21). God has in Isaiah 34:11 and other verses clearly considered the unclean beasts and provided for them richly (despite being unfit for man's consumption). Those who are animal lovers may not appreciate the fact that they will either be present at the wedding feast of the Lamb or themselves be part of the supper of wild beasts. No doubt these creatures will be starving themselves by this time and God isn't going to let a good meal go to waste. We should ponder this; those who are evolutionists and realize that in light of Ecclesiastes 3:19 that unregenerate men are no better than animals as to our fate. The soul of animals may go down into the earth (see verse 21 two verses later); but man is the only creature subject to eternal damnation and suffering as we see again in the same chapter; verse 11 where "eternity is put in their hearts."
The last verse in this chapter; verse 21 shows the rest of man in the battle slain with the sword (see Malachi 4:1; Psalm 2; etal). They will be placed in Sheol; the "holding place" for the damned until their turn for the lake of fire. Undoubtably their involvement in this battle and enticement by demons means that they have taken the mark of the Beast. If for some reason someone is missing arms and or has a head injury and can't take the mark the image will be worshipped which basically amounts to the same punishment.
In God's Providence He shortens the days or no flesh would survive (or be saved); see Matthew 24:22. There are interesting studies as to the mention of horses (verse 18) which also are seen in Ezekiel 38. I prefer to take that literally.
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