PROPHECY HEADLINES: Obama to keep over 8,400 troops in Afghanistan; Germany remains wary of Iran's nuclear, missile technology attempts; South Korea test-fires submarine-launched missile

PROPHECY BOOTCAMP: Our topic for today is titled "The Winepress of the Wrath of God (Part 4)" from Dr. Ed Hindson's book "Revelation: Unlocking the Future."

Three angels fly across the sky, one after another, making dramatic and climactic announcements. These are followed by a fourth announcement from heaven itself. Each of these is a proleptic remark. Each serves as a summary statement (preview) of what is to follow.

The second angel says, "Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great".

The view that over-literalizes "Babylon" in the Revelation passages misses the obvious symbolism that is intended there. Even Robert Thomas admits, "The writer is very clear to point out when he intends a figurative meaning." That is exactly what John the revelator does in 17:5-9! He plainly tells us that the "Babylon" of the Apocalypse is a symbolic name for Rome. He calls it "mystery, Babylon". It is drunk with the blood of the "witnesses of Jesus". Its seven heads are "seven mountains" on which the city sits—an obvious reference to Rome. Finally, he calls it "the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth". How much more clearly can he state it?

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OCCUPY TILL I COME: We are continuing our journey through the book, "Coming Events and Present Duties," by J.C. Ryle. This section is titled, "Occupy Until I Come!" (Part 7) based on the parable of the nobleman who went away and left talents for his servants to use in his absence in Luke 19:11-13. J.C. Ryle writes:

It is high time for Christians to interpret unfulfilled prophecy by the light of prophecies already fulfilled. The curses on the Jews were brought to pass literally — so also will be the blessings. The scattering was literal — so also will be the gathering. The pulling down of Zion was literal — so also will be the building up. The rejection of Israel was literal — so also will be the restoration.

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