PALM BRANCHES: Rev 7:9. The great multitude is described as being in heaven holding palm branches in Rev 7:9. We know that when Jesus approached Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion the large crowd which greeted him as king held palm branches and shouted “O Lord save us,” (hosanna) Matt 21:9. We also know from Ps 118:25-27 and Matt 23:39 that the Jewish people will also shout this in desperation just before the Second Coming. In Ps 118 we see them with boughs in their hands as they shout, “O Lord, save us.” This is part of the Feast of Tabernacles celebration and there seem to be several hints that that is when Jesus will return. We know from Rev 7:14 that those of the great multitude had come out of the “great tribulation.” The palm branches in Rev 7:9 may indicate that they had been pleading with Jesus to save them just as the beast was beginning to pursue them. Since they suddenly showed up in heaven this must have been a rapture event. We know from Hosea 5:14-6:3 that after the Jewish nation pleads for Jesus to come and save them that he revives them after two days and restores them on the third day. This event prophesized in Hosea seems to be just before the Second Coming, at the end of the tribulation period. However, the great multitude comes from every nation and tongue in the world and they do not seem to all be Jewish. It does seem that this rapture includes many Jewish believers, including the two witnesses and the 144,000, as well as many gentile believers. It would have been natural for the Jewish believers to be waving palm branches in celebration of the fact that they had just been rescued and were now in heaven in peace. They seem to be those dead in Christ who are raptured in the fifth judgment, which again includes the two witnesses and the 144,000. This rapture is in the middle of the tribulation period and not at the end, just before the Second Coming. See Two Witnesses and Mark of the Beast.

PLAGUE: Rev 6:8. Plague will be used as a judgment during the tribulation. It is seen as being administered during the fourth seal judgment by the rider on the black horse. Zech 14:12 says “And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” This sounds like the result of radiation in a nuclear war. Zech also tells us that this same affliction affects animals, which we would expect in a nuclear war, and from neutron bombs n particular. Zech 14:16-19 tells us that even after the Second Coming that Jesus will send plagues upon nations that do not follow his commands in the millennium. This will include withholding rain so that crops do not grow.

PREPARED: Rev 12:6 and 12:14. To prepare men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings.

PROSTITUTE, THE GREAT: Rev 17:1-11. See Great Prostitute above.