Reviews and Views

…in my opinion.

Book of Revelation – Chapter 14

The picture that has unfolded thus far…is that of a world ruined by man. With the seals broken and restraint removed, passions in the human heart, long restrained by God, have been allowed to come to full flower and fruit. The harvest has been one of complete chaos on earth. Trumpets blowing, a world ruled by Satan casts a picture of an even darker hue over the planet. The world has united beneath the banner of the Beast. Hailed as a messiah, the Antichrist receives worship for himself and the dragon. John Phillips commentary, page 177.

What proceeds next is not a chronological sequence of events but rather panoramically (or wide view) with details that follow later.

Before us is a picture of a world rescued by God; starting in chapter 14 to the end of chapter 20. This period covers the final throes (violent pain and struggles) of the Great Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, the Golden Millennial Age, the last rebellion of Satan, the Great White Throne Judgment, and on to the edge of eternity. John Philips commentary, page 177.

In chapter 14, our view returns to heaven as celebrations and preparations occur. In verse 1, we have the Lamb (the Lord Jesus Christ), a heavenly mount Zion (since Christ has not come to earth yet), and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. None of the 144,000 are missing. They stand before God, the living creatures, and the 24 elders in heaven. When they arrived or how they got there is untold to us. These 144,000 are with Jesus wherever He goes. They will enter the millennial kingdom as living men, most likely continuing their evangelistic work throughout the 1,000 years. While only redeemed people will enter the millennium kingdom, the children born to them will not all believe in Jesus, hence the need for evangelism.

144,000 are with Jesus wherever He goes.

A magical sound of harps and voices fills heaven and earth with joy. There is something unique about these 144,000 besides their new song. No other age has produced a company like this, a veritable army of militant believers marching unscathed through every form of danger. They denied the dragon (Satan), baited the Beast (Antichrist), and gave the lie to the False Prophet.

DEFINITION:
To “give the lie” is an English expression meaning exposing a lie or showing a thing is not as represented.

Three angels appear, commissioned with messages, announcements, and warnings for the earth’s inhabitants. 

  1. The first angel preaches the everlasting gospel to everyone on earth (verse 6). The message is in verse 7. God remains merciful and willing to forgive the sinner. Humanity has a final call from God to repent or die. The angel appears in the sky, “flying in mid-heaven,” where the sun appears at its high point at noon. He is out of the reach of the Antichrist, and his ministry is unhindered.
  2. A second angel (verse 8) cries out, “Babylon is fallen.” This proclamation anticipates the complete collapse of the Beast’s political, economic, and religious system. Revealed details are in chapters 17 and 18.
  3. A dire (terrible and urgent) choice is the subject of this third proclamation. The third angel declares the final judgment for those who worship the Beast or his image or receive his mark. The punishment is to be torment with fire and brimstone in the presence of angels and the Lord Jesus Christ. This judgment is horrendous, a never-ending agony never meant for man, but evil men will face it for eternity.

But God’s warnings go unheeded by most of the sinful world. With issues now apparent, the alternatives are unmistakable. “Worship me, or be doomed!” cries the Beast. “Worship Me or be damned!” declares the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice that the message is urgent, short, plain, and unique. No hope exists for those who worship the Beast, bow before his image or receive his mark.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them. During the Tribulation, the saints’ labors will be exhausting and challenging work. But when they go to heaven, their record will follow with them.

Now we view two harvests: the grain harvest and the grape harvest. John sees a white cloud, one sitting on the cloud, a golden crown, and a sharp sickle. 

  • One sitting like a son of man is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reaper here.
  • The white cloud represents His glory and majesty.
  • The golden crown is not a king’s crown but the crown worn by victors in war or athletic events.
  • Used to harvest grain, the sharp sickle, held with both hands spread apart and swept back and forth, would cut off the grain stalks to ground level.

In verse 15, a 4th angel comes out of the heavenly temple. This angel is coming from the very presence of God the Father. Given the go-ahead to execute the judgment, the angel tells Jesus to “Put in your sickle and reap…” It is now time! Earth’s harvest is ripe.

Such a harvest is related to Christendom or its remains, since this harvest is religious. The great separation of the wheat (true believers) from the tares (weeds or false believers) begins. So Christ thrust his sickle on the earth, reaping done (verse 16).

Now a 5th angel emerges from the temple in heaven in verse 17, from the presence of God the Father. He carries a sharp sickle and is identified as the reaper of this next harvest and not Jesus, who was the reaper in the first harvest. Followed by a 6th angel who has the title of “the one who has power over fire.” This harvest has to do with the world. Since the 6th angel comes from the altar, his appearance means that it is time for those prayers of the Tribulation saints to be answered. He shouts to the 5th angel with the sharp sickle, “put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from earth’s vine because her grapes are ripe.” So the angel swings his sickle, gathers the clusters, and throws them into the winepress of the wrath of God (verse 19).

Verse 20 tells us blood flows from the winepress of God’s wrath. So much blood that it is 4 feet deep (up to a horse’s bridle) and stretches 200 miles (about the length of Israel). In a series of purgings, we start in the Valley of Jezreel on the plain near Megiddo. The 6th angel from the altar is in charge, but the scene is the work of both angels (5th and 6th). Eventually, the Battle of Armageddon encompasses the entire nation of Israel. This Battle is global in its involvement as the world’s armies meet in the Middle East for the final holocaust of history. They are there to fight against Christ taking earth over as the rightful King, who holds the deed to the earth. As the Battle of Armageddon rages, the Church will not be present as the Rapture occurred before this Battle (chapter 4, verse 1).

“Still, it is difficult to imagine that they could produce a flow of blood ‘up to the horses’ bridles’ for a distance of 200 miles. A better interpretation, whether there are actual horses involved or not, sees this as hyperbole to suggest the slaughter in which blood will splatter into the air profusely along the whole length of the Battle. When the slaughter reaches its peak, blood could flow deeply in troughs and stream beds. As this passage indicates, Armageddon will be a slaughter rather than a battle.”

Refer to John MacArthur, Because The Time Is Near, page 242.

Next is the shortest chapter in Revelation, Chapter 15.

February 25, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 13

The Two Beasts: Antichrist and the False Prophet

First, we will look at the Antichrist, sometimes referred to as the Beast. He has all the devil’s characteristics, a political figure who knows no bounds in achieving what he desires. If there ever was a violent and deceptive leader of men, he is it. The Antichrist will be the final or last of the Gentile kings. Crowned by an apostate world, he will accept the title of Lord and Messiah. The world will obey him because of love or follow him through fear.

Out of the sea (of humanity) rises the first beast in verse 1. He is handsome to look upon, but the good looks hide the awful secret inside. There are seven heads, ten horns, ten crowns, and the name blasphemy written upon his heads. Sounds fantastic, not really. He is the visible expression of the invisible devil in every way. As he gathers power, he rules over a ten-nation confederacy from the old Roman Empire. Though the Antichrist wears ten crowns, Jesus Christ wears many crowns.

In verse 2, the Beast has characteristics like a leopard. It describes his nature as ferocious (brutal and cruel), wild, harmful, and immutable (unchanging). And his feet were like the feet of a bear which represents how he treats those in his way. The Beast leaves a trail of blood behind him. With no remorse, any enemy caught in his tenacious (firm or tight) grip is torn to pieces and left to bleed to death. Like the mouth of a lion, he is raging and tearing and harmful. Out of his mouth proceed great blasphemies of profanities against God.

But, in verse 3, it appears that the Antichrist is assassinated or killed midway through the Tribulation hour (see Daniel 11:45). Satan uses this opportunity to perform a resurrection, a counterfeit to Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Once the Antichrist appears alive, his prestige soars. Afterward, the Antichrist will declare himself God and sit in the Temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation (2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Matthew 24:15). After this happens, alive again, all the world wonders after him. Humanity is overwhelmed by the Antichrist’s power and authority that Satan has given him.

Verse 4 states that millions will now believe in the Antichrist and begin to worship him and the devil, Satan. Later, we see that the second beast (false prophet) enforces this worship.

As discussed earlier, the Antichrist has a big mouth and spouts off a lot of profanity concerning God and heaven. He mocks the Almighty and continues to do so for the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation period. Satan intensifies this profanity because the devil speaks through the Antichrist since his “resurrection.” Let’s consider the following thought-provoking theory:

  • During the first 42-months (of 3.5 years) of the Tribulation, the Antichrist acts under the influence of Satan.
  • In chapter 12, Satan is cast out of heaven and sent to earth, where he incarnates himself into Antichrist’s dead body. By doing so, the beast resurrects from the dead though mortally wounded. The counterfeiter (Satan) dwells in the Antichrist’s body for the final 42-months or 3.5 years, claiming deity.

The fight is on for the Tribulation saints during these final 42-months as we pass verse 7. It is good to remember that this is not the Church since it is in heaven already. Satan will battle the Church as we return with Christ in chapter 19, verse 14, and those who also refused the beast’s mark in chapter 20, verse 4. The Antichrist controls the whole world by this time because so many stand amazed by this self-styled deity taking control. They willingly submit to his authority. But a remnant will not bow. Verse 9 tells us to take heed to these words and think seriously about the days in our future.

Revelation 13:10 speaks of captivity and dying by the sword. This verse is meant to be a caution to the suffering saints of the Tribulation. During this time, there is nothing for them but to endure to the end. God’s people are called to endurance and faith. The world is engulfed in a great hour of trial and temptation. All but the elect of God are deceived. As the first beast is to be met by patience and faith (verse 10), the second beast must be opposed by true wisdom (verse 18). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible commentary.

Next, we will look at the second beast, the False Prophet. This mysterious person acts as the propaganda chief for the Antichrist. In verse 11, this beast came out of the earth, not the sea. Out of the earth may indicate that the False Prophet is Jewish with his chief function is to glorify the first beast (i.e., the Antichrist.) In the description of two horns like a lamb identifies him with Christianity and speaking as a dragon ties him in with Satan. The False Prophet is a liar. He has a deceptive appearance and is a religious fake fulfilling Matthew 24:24.

But he will have a dynamic appeal. Exercising all the power of the Antichrist, he will cause all of earth’s inhabitants to worship the Antichrist, especially after he is wounded, dies, and regains life again. He performs outstanding (or “lying”) wonders, making fire fall from the sky for all to see. Why does he do all this? To deceive everyone and urge them to set up an image of the Antichrist in the new Temple in Jerusalem. Doing so prepares the earth’s inhabitants for idolatry. Once installed, Antichrist’s statue becomes alive with the ability to speak. To not worship this image means death to anyone refusing. Loyalty to the Antichrist will mean a mark of “666” will be given to all, both rich and poor, free or enslaved men. This mark must be in their right hand or foreheads. Those who do not have this mark may not buy or sell anything—computer systems will enslave the earth’s population during the Tribulation hour. We don’t have to look much farther than the Social Credit System used in China today (2022) to understand how this is possible—acting as an international identification system utilizing a laser tattoo or implant device placed in the right hand or forehead. Somewhere in the individual’s ID number will be the number “666,” similar to a prefix. We cannot know who the Antichrist is until he arrives on the scene. And he cannot arrive on the scene until the Church is raptured home to heaven. Still, God’s Word admonishes (advises) the Christian to be wise (see Matthew 10:16), especially as the day of Christ’s return approaches (see Hebrews 10:25).

BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

Next, in Chapter 14, the world is rescued by God, preparations in Heaven.

February 15, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 11

What about the future facing the unrepentant? It was the worst of times. Foolishness reigns in the heart of evil men. A terrible season of darkness plagues the sturdiest of souls, but nothing except judgment awaits those deluded (lied to or deceived) by the Beast. But there is a bright side to this very dark picture.

Taking a rod or reed, the apostle John proceeds to measure the temple of God (erected during the Tribulation hour, this is the 3rd temple), the altar, and those that worship therein. It’s a measurement of their spirituality. The Jews’ spirituality falls short. The Gentiles trample the Holy City of Jerusalem under their feet for 42 months or 3.5 years (the last half of the Tribulation period). So, now God sends two witnesses before the people in Jerusalem. Given great power, these two men prophesy, telling them what will happen to them in the future and to repent.

The scene is Jerusalem and the rebuilt Tribulation temple. You will notice that this temple has nothing to do with the Church, which is already in heaven. Somehow the Jews regained possession of the Temple site and the right to do something with it. We can assume that the Masque of Omar is rubble with a beautiful new Temple to God in its place. Israel had entered a seven-year pact with the Beast. With his encouragement and support, defying the Arabs, they rebuilt this temple. We are at the mid-point of the seven-year Tribulation period. Unfortunately for the Jews, they have entered into a covenant with death and an agreement with hell (Isaiah 28:15). The Beast honors his commitments in the beginning of this seven-month contract because that works in his interest. However, “halfway through the period, there will be a change of policy, possibly connected with the downfall of Russia and possibly connected with the emergence of the Beast in his new character as ‘the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit” of verse 7, John Phillips commentary, page 146.

Two witnesses make their appearance at this time. Their witness lasts for 1,260 days or 3.5 years. Given great power or authority, they proclaimed God’s message of doom upon the unrepentant. Both men wear sackcloth, a coarse, rough fabric woven from flax or hemp, acting both as a token of mourning for Israel and a call to repentance. Their ministry runs through much of the period covered by the trumpet judgments, then they are slain during the second woe of the sixth trumpet.

Who are these two witnesses? Unknown, since John does not mention them specifically by name. Some scholars guess them to be Elijah, Enoch, Moses, or John the Baptist, with many reasons given for each one. It is not important who they are, or John would have written their names down for us to know. What can be said is that these witnesses are human beings, and there are two of them; that is what we know for sure. These two possess supernatural weapons such as the power to shut heaven and bring drought, turn water to blood, and bring disease or plagues, including calling down fire from heaven. Invincible, the world detests and fears them. Untouchable by man, the Beast finally kills them at the end of the 1,260 days. Left in the streets of Jerusalem with no burial or grave for them, a worldwide holiday is declared. People celebrate their death by presenting gifts to each other. With their lights snuffed out, the world is truly in darkness. It is a wonderfully comforting thought that all of God’s people are immortal until God is through with them. And when you have completed your mission, He will remove you from the earth to heaven.

The location of their death is called “spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified” from verse 8. Known as Jerusalem, the name Sodom emphasizes vice, and Egypt points out the vanity that has now enthroned itself in the city of violence. So for 3.5 days, the entire world watches their dead bodies left in the dirty streets with celebrations all around, shown on all television networks, internet, smartphones, and computers.

Then, the unthinkable happens! God puts the spirit of life back into their broken bodies, making them whole again. They stand upright on their feet. No wonder fear grips the heart of those watching at the scene and on media. In front of everyone, up goes the two witnesses in a cloud away from their enemies below. With a great voice, God called them home. As this occurred, a great earthquake shook Jerusalem. One-tenth of the city lies in rubble. Seven thousand men died that day, not counting women and children. Those that survived grudgingly acknowledged that there was a living God, but that impression did not last. No salvation, just a bunch of scared folks! With the second woe completed, the third and final woe comes quickly.

Seventh Trumpet – Crowning of the King

Immediately, the seventh trumpet blasts (verse 15). Heaven is the scene, but earth finds out about the crowning of Jesus, enraging the earth’s inhabitants.

NOTE:
Remember that chapters 6 through 11 run concurrently with chapters 12 through 19:15 or side by side during the Tribulation period, explaining why the King returns in chapter 11, verse 15, and chapter 19, verse 16.

As the King returns, praise and worship services begin in heaven as an act of gratitude. Satan’s reign has finally ended because the King has come to earth! Verse 17 is a prayer to Christ. Yet the wicked are upset over the King’s return. They want things to remain as they are, but a lot of things start to happen with His return.

(1) In their anger, the nations gather their armies to make war against Christ, the returning King, and His army of saints. You can guess who wins this conflict. What were they thinking?

(2) God’s wrath comes as the King returns. Christ kills or severely injures the nations gathered, rules over them with a rod of iron, and treads the winepress of God’s wrath.

(3) The wicked are judged at the end of the King’s 1,000-year reign (chapter 20, verses 11 to 15).

(4) The faithful prophets and saints, small and significant, are rewarded at the end of the 1,000-year reign. Do not confuse this with the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Rewards presented here are for those faithful during the Kingdom Age for those who did not rebel and follow Satan at his release from the pit. The promise to destroy those who destroyed the earth is a referral to those spirit beings who followed the destroyer, Satan. Their destruction is separate from that of the nations of man. Lastly, amid lightning, voices, thundering, an earthquake, and great hail, God spares His covenant people (Israel).

Next is chapter 12 – the woman clothed with the sun, crowned with stars, and the red dragon.

February 7, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 12

What follows in chapters 12 and 13 are things that have thus far remained unsaid in previous descriptions of the Trumpet period. Satan’s ruling passion is the theme of chapter 12, and Satan’s regent prince is the theme of chapter 13. 

What is Satan’s ruling passion? Simply put, to exterminate all the Jews. We will understand why as we explore chapter 12, which has to do with the woman, the war, and the woe.

Satan hates whatever God loves, which means Israel and anyone trusting in Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation. In verse 1, the woman is a sign, a great wonder in heaven, symbolizing Israel (becoming a nation again in 1948). In verse 2, she is about to give birth to a child. Birth to whom? Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Another wonder in heaven is the great red dragon. Of course, we know this dragon to be a biblical symbol for Satan. The heads, the horns, and the crowns are symbols of the earthly power that Satan claims. The seven heads picture his wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12). The ten horns speak of his universal power, but he is not omniscient (all-knowing) or omnipresent (in all places at all times). The dragon symbolizes cruelty, blood-lust (an uncontrollable desire to kill or maim others), and power. He is the cause of the woman’s many sufferings.

The same devil who attempted to destroy the woman’s (or Israel’s) son in centuries past is now about to strike out against the woman herself (Israel) during the Great Tribution period (the last 3.5 years). In Satan’s initiall rebellion in heaven, one-third of the stars (angels) got thrown out of heaven along with him; the cast-outs actively sought to destroy Israel and still do. The devil waited for Jesus to be born to devour him. At the time, Herod was Satan’s tool. But Christ escaped the sword of Herold. He grew up, died for our sins, resurrected three days later, and was caught up to God in heaven and His throne.

The Great Tribulation period (last 3.5 years) carries the description “great” because of its intensity and immensity. Those days of the Great Tribulation become shorter for the elect’s sake. The “elect” here refers to the Jews. God protects the children of Israel.

The War. A war in space or heaven occurs in verses 7 thru 9. The archangel, Michael, and his angels fight against the great dragon (Satan) and those angels following him. The good angels fought to cast Satan and his angels out of heaven and down to earth. By succeeding, Satan no longer has any place in heaven. He no longer accuses the saints of their shortcomings before God. Some scholars believe that this war begins at the Rapture of the Church in chapter 4, verse 1.

NOTE:
Many scholars believe that three heavens exist.

ONE is the aerial heaven or first heaven, the atmosphere, and the multi-spheres extending above the earth. It is where our sky and clouds exist.

TWO is the stellar heaven or second heaven consisting of the cosmos or outer space where the sun, moon, and stars move.

THREE is heaven as we think of it, or the third heaven where God and Christ rule and reign with the angels. Refer to 2 Corinthians 12:2.

Satan was in the 3rd heaven until his fall. He is now in 1st heaven (the aerial heaven) and 2nd heaven (the stellar heaven) but no longer in the third heaven. He is “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). And there he remains, creating chaos and trouble for Israel and the saints. But in verse 9, he is cast to the earth only. Satan’s demise began upon being thrown out of the third heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-14).

Now out of all the heavens and on earth only, he knows that his end is coming and has only a short 3.5 years left. So the hot spot will be where men walk and breathe. The only place of safety will be in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ through His shed blood. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” Revelations 2:10.

In the meantime, rejoicing and praise are heard in heaven because:

  1. Satan’s lost his atmospheric control.
  2. God’s strength has crushed Satan’s might.
  3. The kingdom of Christ is about to arrive on earth.
  4. The power of Christ will be evident as He comes to set up His kingdom.

In verses 13 and 14, the purge of the Jews takes place. But God intervenes immediately. He protects His chosen people (Israel) for the final 3.5 years. In verse 15, the flood portrays a volume of propaganda of anti-Semitic insinuations, slanders, and slurs released internationally. Yet the people of GOD are protected. It is at this point that Satan reaches the height of his anger. So he turns to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keeps the commandments of GOD and has Jesus Christ’s testimony. Those that are Tribulation saints will become Satan’s focus.

The Woe. With the devil (Satan) cast to the earth, his hatred grows strongly. It is Satan himself that personally supervises the last bloodbath of anti-Semitic persecution. Israel’s situation will be desperate, but God will encourage many Gentiles to render help to shield and shelter the Jews at significant personal risk.

Next, chapter 13 – the Two Beasts

February 7, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 7

Chapter 7 is God’s parenthesis or pause until the opening of the last seal. He is informing us of what lies ahead for His people (Israelites and Gentiles) in the terrible period of trial that follows the Rapture of the Church. This chapter may be divided into two portions dealing with two groups and portrays God as compassionate, merciful, and loving. These saved and sealed multitudes are probably the fruit of the ministry of the two mysterious witnesses (to be discussed later).

In verses 1 through 8, four angels hold back the four winds. This pause gives time for a great revival on earth after the Church is gone. These servant multitudes are sealed by God in their foreheads. Also, during this stillness, 144,000 Jews are sealed. There are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. As God lays claim to His own, that does not mean they necessarily escape the everyday disasters of earth. It does mean that God watches over them and takes careful note of their affairs. Notice there are two very different groups of people in chapter 7. “One company is Jewish (144,000); the other is Gentile. One passes unscathed through the fiery furnace of the Tribulation; the other is martyred to the very last man.” (John Phillips commentary, page 110). The sealed 144,000 defy the totality of Satan’s secular dominion. The sealed multitude of Gentiles saved during the Tribulation will close their testimony with their blood.

During the Tribulation hour, the presence of the Holy Spirit exists. In the passage of 1 Thessalonians 2:6-7, the Holy Spirit is the Hinderer. Since the Holy Spirit lives within all believers in Christ and He is everywhere, only His restraining influence over sin is removed during the Tribulation hour when the Church is Raptured home to heaven. His continued presence on earth produces one of the greatest revivals in the history of humanity. While we (believers) remain on earth, we are the salt of the earth and the world’s light, as stated in Matthew 5:13-16.

In verses 9 through 17, John sees a multitude of new believers standing before the throne of GOD. He doesn’t know who they are since they came after the Church went to heaven. This multitude comes out of the Great Tribulation. These glorious martyrs have not died yet; they may not even have been born, but God wants the saints of all ages to know about them. Hence, the reason for revealing them now. 

Each group of believers saved during different dispensations of time has various duties to perform.

(1) The Church is the bride of Christ and enjoys the 1,000-year honeymoon upon the earth (chapter 20, verse 4), reigning with Christ as rulers, kings, and priests (1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 1:6).

(2) The 144,000 serve as bodyguards of the Lamb (the Lord Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) – see chapter 14, verse 4.

(3) The Gentiles saved during the Tribulation will be Temple servants, waiting on Christ and His bride. They serve in the glorious Temple described in Ezekiel chapters 40 through 48.

Man’s wickedness, rebellion, and sin produce these judgments. “They that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same” (Job 4:8). God, in love, creates a lull before the storm to call men to salvation and revival.

Now, Chapter 8 and the subsequent and final seal judgment.

January 25, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Life, Religion | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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