How It All Ends

John receives a revelation of the very end of this age.  Revelation 12 summarizes the destruction of the Babylonian system which is the economic, political and religious system as we now know it.  Two times John says, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen", emphasizing her total destruction.  This parenthetical chapter takes to the end of time as we know it and speaks of the final outcome of all those that reject Jesus Christ and take the mark of the beast.  This frightening scene shows the eternal torment of eternal fire that all lost men enter, it shows the celebration of the completed mission of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses who are standing before the throne of God and the Lamb and singing a song that they only can hear and sing.  They are the first fruit of the redeemed nation Israel!  This is a picture of the coming transformation of conversion of the nation Israel in  "one day" as they look on Him, Jesus, whom they pierced and realize that He was the true Messiah.  John finishes this chapter with a commendation to the "faithfulness" of the true church, His bride.  This principle of patience and persistence becomes one of the great character traits of the tribulation saints.  "They that endure to the end shall be saved' is the byword of true believers.  They withstand, victoriously, the persecution, trials and even martyrdom that the wrath of the antichrist and false prophet bring. They have applied Revelation 12:11 persistently, "They overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and loved not their lives, even unto death".  Jesus gives John this parenthetical chapter to encourage him before the coming chapters of the final series of "bowls" which are the most intense time of destruction ever seen on planet earth.  We have already seen chronologically the release of the seals and trumpets.  John says that the earth has finally reached it's harvest like a wheat field and grape vineyard and will be harvested quickly. Mankind's sins have finally reached the top of the cup and the works of man will be judged.  This is the final cleansing of planet earth for Jesus 1,000 year reign with us, His people.  This demonstrates Jesus intense love He has for those who chose to receive His love and walk with him.  It is the faith and work of the saints that are rewarded at the end of Rev. 12.