Pastor Luther Walker teaches on the events between Revelation chapter 3 and chapter 4. After the rapture of the church, several key events occur rapidly within a short period, likely around three months. The mystery harlot (a world religious system) rises and rules over the nations, bringing the man of lawlessness onto the scene. She sits on the scarlet beast, controlling him temporarily as he gains authority.
The ten kings rise, receiving power for one hour with the beast to give him their authority (Revelation 17:12). This cannot happen while the Holy Spirit restrains the mystery of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Once the restrainer is removed at the rapture, these events unfold quickly. Three of the ten kings are uprooted by the man of lawlessness shortly after he gains power (Daniel 7:8).
The man of lawlessness, a commoner not of royal lineage (indicated by the iron and clay in Daniel 2), establishes authority through the ten kings and offers a seven-year peace covenant with Israel, marking the start of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27). He does not regard the God of his fathers nor any god but demands worship above all. Israel enjoys temporary peace, becoming a land without walls as surrounding enemies are dealt with, possibly fulfilling aspects of Psalm 83.
This aligns with the revived Roman Empire (seven mountains/hills of Rome, Revelation 17:9) as the final Gentile world system. The ten kings and shifting political scene lead to the man of lawlessness becoming the sole world ruler. Jesus’ warnings in Matthew 24 about deception, wars, famines, and pestilences provide further context, though Israel is initially protected.
Revelation 4 shifts to heaven: John is called up through an open door to see the throne room in the third heaven in a vision. The One on the throne appears like jasper (multicolored crystal-like) and sardius (reddish transparent stone), with an emerald rainbow around the throne. This echoes the foundations of New Jerusalem and God’s covenant promise against future floods (Genesis 9). The church, now in heaven as the resurrected bride, serves as priests during the Tribulation. The first three chapters cover the seven periods of the church on earth, culminating in the Laodicean lukewarm condition predominant today.
