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The Sixth Angel is addressed as: the Angel of the church of Philadelphia. The Sixth Angel is known throughout the book, as the Angel of the Sixth religion - The Christian Religion.
The Angel for each religion has a specific mission. |
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THE GREEK WORD PHILADELPHIA MEANS 26 C.E. REVEALER JESUS
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The Angel of the Christian Faith is known throughout this book as the sixth Angel. It is IMPORTANT to understand that this collection of verses is only of when the Christian Angel is addressed. There are MANY other verses throughout the Book of Revelation that deal with the Christian religion.
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Bible Verses
[7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth |
PHILADELPHIA - CHRISTIAN - Commentary V.7 John is now told to write to the SIXTH angel, the angel of the church Philadelphia, which was once a small town in a farming community now known as Alasehir, another place where John taught while being in Greece (now Turkey). No doubt about it, Philadelphia is a wonderful symbol for the Christian Faith - a word that means �brotherly love�. Baha'u'llah, who is the return as the Glory of God, has the key to open the door of renewal, that He is the descendant of David, and qualified as He has fulfilled the prophecies of the Bible as well as other religious books - the Koran, the Bhagavad-Gita etc. There always seems to be a hint of �proof� for each religion such as mentioning of an open door for some churches (congregations) while others are reclusive, having their own doctrine, and not allowing their flock to search other ideas. It is important to search for the spiritual teachings that each prophet brings and not hang onto the image of the name. The Angel for the Christian Faith is known as the sixth Angel throughout the Book.
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| [8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. |
V.8 Commends: He knows their works. The amazing number of charitable institutions and organizations that Christianity has supported throughout the world is unmatched by any other religion. Hospitals, orphanages, schools, universities, more humane prisons and welfare organizations and a list that is almost endless attest to its accomplishments. He says that He has set before them an open door that no man can shut, because their missionary efforts have encompassed the whole world. condemns: However, while all this has been evidence of some strength, because of their lack of unity, they have had little strength as a whole, being splintered into a great number of sects. He does commend them for keeping the word, and not denying His name.
Mark 3:24 (King James Bible)
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| [9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. |
V.9 The Threat: The reference to the synagogue of Satan both here and in (Rev.2:9) is a reference to the character of people who appear outwardly religious, but who are really only concerned with material things. The idol of materialism is a characteristic mentioned for both the Jewish Faith (Rev 2:14), and those Christians who fall into materialism, and so are the same as the Jews who do not follow the true Jewish Teachings.
(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 176)
(The Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer, 13 February 1974, published 1998 Dec 16, in Traditional practices in Africa)
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| [10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. |
V.10 Those who are faithful, and keep the Word with patience, will be spared in the hour of temptation that will encircle the world. These temptations of materiality and immorality have destroyed the fabric of society throughout the world. Unfortunately, many/most in the "Christian" nations have also been thoroughly infected. Those relatively few Christians who have continued to live modest and moral lives in humility and tolerance, have held fast to Christian principles of life and have been preserved from these temptations.
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| [11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. |
V.11 The new message will come very quickly. He says to hold fast to 'what you have'. This implies that with deep devotion to God, with intensive meditation and prayer and holding to the spiritual virtues taught by Jesus regarding tolerance and avoiding dogmatism so that they will be able to recognize the New Manifestation of God. One's crown is of course their spiritual qualities and virtues - not some kind of hat.
('Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 166) |
| [12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. |
V.12 The Promise: Those that overcome will be a pillar as part of the foundation in the temple of the new world order. The New Name is Baha'u'llah. The New Jerusalem, which comes from Heaven, is the New Law and the New Order that God has brought to the world.
('Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 59)
('Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 67) |
| [13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches |
V.13 The Refrain: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, which of course means what is being said unto all the religions. In other words - one must be willing to listen to the New Message.
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[12] And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
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V.12 The sixth seal, of the Sixth Angel of Christianity, is now open. Earthquakes are also mentioned in Rev.8:5, Rev.11:13, Rev.11:19, and Rev.16:18. Earthquakes were also particularly pointed out as a sign of the "time of the end" by Jesus in Matthew, Mark 13:8, and Luke 21:11.
A longer historical view may well give new external meanings to the prophecies but we must always remember that it is the internal meanings that are of the greater significance. Earthquakes in the prophecies spiritually symbolize major disrupting changes in the social and religious orders and the Sun and Moon symbolize Powers and Institutions both Heavenly and earthly. Nevertheless, if some of these mentionings of earthquakes, from the Book of Revelation's holographic structure, refer to the Rev.16:18 earthquake, that one does say that it is unique and like nothing in humanity's history. |
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[13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
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V.13
In 1833 there was a greater shower of falling stars than was ever recorded in the past or since. These heavenly events have both external and spiritual meanings. They were noted also at the time of Jesus with the star of Bethlehem.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 132) However, as always it is the internal spiritual meanings that are of the greater significance.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 48)
('Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 145) |
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[14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
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V.14
The heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, is telling us that the old world order will be replaced by a new order.
(Baha'i Scriptures, p. 203) Not that it can't refer to the previously mentioned earthquake, every mountain and island being moved out of their places, indicates that institutions, which are like mountains will be changed, and the islands which divide us, such as traditions and denominational differences, which are causing confrontation, will also be moved out of their places.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 132)
(Qur'an (Koran) 78:20)
The world is in a state of transition, and whatever events take place in the external world - it is the internal spiritual significances that are important.
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[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid them selves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
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V.15 Great fear will come to the leaders and those in high places, as well as every ordinary person. Many fear the loss of wealth and belongings, and most likely of life itself. One can have expectations such as they will. Some may see that people will have to hide for the fear of radiation or nuclear weapons. We always understand prophecies better - after they are past. Whatever the meaning it is said that the people of the earth, including those of influence will experience tremendous fear, and will hide in terror.
(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.131)
(Baha'u'llah, X. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah) |
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[16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
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V.16 They want the rocks to fall, to surround them from danger. The chastisement of God will be recognized as just that. Finally people will understand that God is All Powerful and many will wish to escape from the power of His wrath.
(Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 60)
(Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 126)
(Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America, p. 22) |
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[17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
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V.17 The 'Great Day of Wrath' will come. The world can not go on in its present state.
(Baha'u'llah, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 81, 82) |
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[13] And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
| V.13 We come now to the Sixth Angel, the Angel of the Christian Religion. The voice that came from the four horns (the four corners of the earth, the four directions, the four races of man in the Sabean/Native view) before the golden altar, the Altar of God, which directed the four angels in Rev 7:1-3 to hold back (bind) the four winds of destruction, which are bound, as this verse says, in the area of the great river Euphrates. As pointed out in Rev 7:1-3 these Four Angels/Religions are the religions of Judaism, Zoroastrian-Shiite (Iranian) Islam, Christianity, and Sunni (Arabic) Islam ( the prominent Branch of Islam of which 80% of Muslims are a member), and in they are released in the next verse. The four horns of the Golden Alter are described in other Apocalyptic Scripture such as Ezekiel 43:15,20 and Zechariah 1:18-21. The modern reader will see increasing significance in all this as events swirl around the Euphrates and the voices of all the peoples of the earth come to a climax from the four horns/corners of the earth. |
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[14] Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
| V.14 The Angel of the Christian Religion (culture) who had the trumpet prepared to sound; is to loose the Four angels (religions/cultures) that are holding back the destruction in the area of the great river Euphrates (Rev.7:1), that is to say in the Middle East. Today, we do see battle lines drawn in that area by the descendants of those religions. The Jews in Israel, the Shiite Persian Muslims in Iran (the descendants of Zoroaster), and Sunni Arab Muslims, and it does seem to be the Western Christian culture that is stirring it all up.
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[15] And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
| V.15 The time given in this verse is an hour, a day, a month and a year. This may be a specific time which at present no one knows, because the Book of Revelation is not meant as prophecy for us to understand future events (except in general) but rather as prophecy for us to understand them in retrospect so that we can have confidence in its Message.
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
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| [18] And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. |
V.18 The next Angel in the batting order is of course the sixth angel, the Angel of the Christian Religion with the power of fire, who is telling the angel that has the sharp sickle to reap, as the time has come to gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, because the grapes are fully ripe in their wrath. In Indian prophecy fire is associated with Christianity (the Religion of the Whites). Certainly, it has been the followers of the Christian Religion, that of U.S.A, Russia, which is historically a Christian country, Britain and France, that first brought this nuclear power of fire to existence. Other countries now are also obtaining this power, enough that it can ignite a worldwide conflagration.
(Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Baha'i World - 1950-1957, p. 103) |
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[19] And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
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This could well be the Seventh Angel, the Islamic Angel doing the thrusting. It may well be that the first use of a nuclear weapon in nuclear WW3 will be by an Islamic country. If not, then this is the first time that John has not identified a seventh angel and all the seven angels in order. Which Islamic country might it be?
There are possible candidates, but we can't know until it happens, although other verses - Rev. 18:21, and current events, indicate it may be Pakistan, there may be some unique association with Iran as discussed in the next verse. However future events may reveal meaning to the most significant/starting event of the "Last Great Battle" of Armageddon, this and the following verse appear to indicate that it is here we will see the explanation.
Anyway, so will begin the Day of Wrath of God, foretold for centuries and millennia, and feared for decades by those who have understood the nuclear threat.
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 118)
(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 103)
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 257)
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[20] And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
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63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment... 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. The participation of the Seventh Angel is so important and unique that the events associated with it may be combined into verse 14:15, appearing to be out of order, but if this is the case then this is the only time that this happens in the SIX times that Seven Major Religions on the earth are recited about by John in the order of their appearance. This uniqueness stresses the importance of this event in the Book of Revelation and the history of mankind, but at the moment of this writing we await the event itself in order to understand the prophecies about it.
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| [12] And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. |
V.12 The sixth angel is identified with Christianity and the Christian nations, such as the United States and Britain, and it is indicative that they may bring their destruction to the area of the Euphrates river which is in Iraq (centering around Baghdad) and what was Assyria (Rev:9:18). In a spiritual sense, this sixth vial is the lack of education poured into that area by extreme Islamic fundamentalism.
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| [13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. |
V.13 This is a very significant verse upon which it would be possible to write a book in regards to there coming from the Red Dragon the seemingly marvelous technology of the False Prophet (Science disconnected from religion) that in accordance with the next verse Rev.16:14 leads the world leaders and all the peoples of the world into the Last Great Battle of Armageddon. The False Prophet is mentioned again in: Rev. 19:20 and Rev. 20:10.
Spiritual and realistic meanings such as this should have much more meaning to people than their speculations and imaginings about a False Prophet anti-Christ (not even mentioned in the Book of Revelation).
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| [14] For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. |
V.14
('Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 17)
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| [15] Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. |
V.15
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| [16] And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. |
V.16
('Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p.2) Wars and rumors of wars have gone on ever since. See:
Matt 24: 7,8,21,22 Luke 21: 19,20,25,28 Matt.13: 49,50
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[9] And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
| V.9 This Angel is Sixth Angel in this series, and therefore the Angel of the Christian Religion. The expression "one of the angels with the seven vials" exactly balances the same expression that is used otherwise only in 7:1 with the First Angel, that begins this series - so that we should at this point analyze the spiritual deficiencies of the world described earlier in Chapter 16 by 'Abdu'l-Baha. In summary they are: 1.(The 1st Vial) The power and influence of leaders -outwardly looking good but inwardly deceitful. (Rev 16:2) 2.(The 2nd Vial) The learned people of the world, the philosophers, and leaders of thought who taught without deference to the Teachings of the Prophets. (Rev 16:3) 3.(The 3rd Vial) The indifference, bureaucracy, of the administrators, officials and managers, applying rules of human law rather than God's principles of justice. (Rev 16:4) 4.(The 4th Vial) The oppression and unreasonable application of power by those in authority. (Rev 16:8) 5.(The 5th Vial) The darkness of complete submersion into the materialism and tinsel of day to day living. (Rev 16:10-11) 6.(The 6th Vial) The absorption of the masses into total ignorance with their being completely preoccupied with the frivolous in entertainment such as personalities, sports, clothing styles, fads, appearances and so forth, which consequently gives their rulers more power over them. (Rev 16:12) 7.(The 7th Vial) The complete daily lawlessness, insecurity, fear, threats from scams, crime, diseases and terrorism brought on by the breakdown of society and which is spread to the whole of the world as through the air (airwaves and communication?) to bring about what will be a worldwide catastrophe. (Rev 16:17) The above is a catalog of the internal, spiritual nature of the plagues that are a cause of the plight that dwellers of Modern Babylon the Great understand not, neither as to its nature nor its source.
(H.M. Balyuzi, Baha'u'llah - The King of Glory, p.351) |
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