The Revelation Of Jesus Christ

Five Key Points To Understand The Book Of Revelation

1. Revelation is the most “Biblical” book in the Bible. There are hundreds of quotes from the Old Testament. There are many allusions to Ancient Neat East rituals and practices. A through understanding of the entire Bible is needed to understand the Book Of Relation.

2. Revelation is basically a prophecy about imminent events. The events recorded in the book were directed towards the first century. It is not about nuclear war, space travel or even the end of the world. The phrase, “the time is near” is used repeatedly in the prophecy.

3. Revelation has a definite system of symbolism. The meaning of the symbols is not just a matter of interpretation. They are systematic to the other symbols in the Bible.

4. Revelation is a record of a heavenly worship service in progress. It is not a textbook on prophecy. John continues to bring this point home through out the book.

5. Revelation is a book about dominion. It is not a book about how terrible the Anti-Christ is, or how powerful the devil is. The very first verse says that the book is a “revelation of Jesus Christ”. It tells about His lordship, dominion and victory over all!

Eschatology – Study Of End-Times

•MANY different views on the end-times

•Must understand history to understand the differing views

•End-times theology must be based on the entire theme of the redemptive message of the Gospel. It is not tacked on to the end of history. It is the understanding of HIS-tory that creates a proper end-time belief system.

Some Key Terms Of End-time Theology

1. The Millennium – 1000 year period

2. The Tribulation – Time of peril on the earth

3. Anti-Christ – Person/Spirit opposing Jesus

4. The Rapture – The taking up of the church

5. The Kingdom – The reign of Jesus as King

6. Dominion – The ultimate victory of Jesus and His church

Brief Outline of Various Views

Note: The present popular end-times theology (popularized by the Left Behind series) is a fairly recent view point. In light of church history it is quite a novel approach)

Basic Question: When will Jesus return

Various answers to this question have led to the development of these 3 general view points (each has slightly varying finer points).

1. Post-millennialism – holds that Jesus will return after an earthly “golden age” of peace and righteousness as depicted in Rev. 20:1-6. Hence, the second coming is post-millennial.

• Stresses human (the Church) involvement working with the Holy Spirit in ushering in this period.

• Righteousness and goodness with increase to the point where the millennial reign will start.

2. A-millennialism – This view does not anticipate a literal one-thousand year golden age sometime in the future. See the term as symbolic to the Church age entirely.

• The second coming will will mark the beginning of eternity w/o any other change in time periods.

3. Pre-millennialism – The Lord will return prior to the 1000 year reign and set up His kingdom on earth for the millennium.

• Satan will be restrained during this period

• Human agency (the Church) plays no role in the coming of the golden age. It arrives solely as a gift of grace and only after a catastrophic act of God that brings the present age to a close

Two Major Divisions Of Pre-millennialism:

• Historic Pre-mill – Arises from the claim that this view has been present since the time of the early church fathers.

• They see a time of tribulation directed against the church, climaxed by Christ’s coming to rescue the church from the forces of evil.

• The millennium is a time for God to bless the faith followers who have endured

2. Dispensational Pre-millennialism – divides human history up into various time “dispensations”

• Emphasizes which groups of people (the New Testament Church and Israel) will be the focus of God’s attention during the tribulation and millennium.

• Church is raptured out of the world before the tribulation. Israel is being prepared for the Messiah during this tribulation.

• Some believe that the church will be raptured out in the middle of the tribulation

• Some believe that the church will be raptured out after the tribulation

• Christ will return with His glorious Church to destroy the forces of evil at the end of the tribulation and usher in the millennium.

• Focus is on what natural Israel is doing rather than on the commission of the Church.

Understanding The Patterns of Prophecy

• Biblical prophecy is best understood under a system of interpretation that is consistent through out the Bible.

• The “law of first mention” is key to understanding how to understand all prophetic books.

• All the prophetic/law books are written as a “Covenant Lawsuit” which follow the same basic structure.

• All prophecy contains both literal and symbolic images. The key to understanding Revelation and any prophecy is knowing where the imagery comes from. (PR16,20)

• Starting point – Eden – God’s plan to get back to the original place and purpose for man! (mountain, water, gold, gems, trees, garden, wilderness, Adam) (PR44)

• All prophetic symbols have their roots in the garden.

• Biblical imagery must be taken as “buzz-words” that evoke an image of what is being portrayed.

3 Rules When Reading Revelation:

1. Read visually – picture what is being said

2. Read biblically – Don’t speculate, what does the Bible have to say about the image already

3. Read the story – how do the pieces fit together as a whole

3 Levels Of Prophetic Revelation

Rev. 1:19 – Seen, are, and shall take place…

• Definitive – Finished fact in God’s time

• Progressive – What is presently happening

• Final – What is coming unto an end

Remember: in heaven there is no time as we know it. What John was seeing was on all three levels at the same time.

Revelation Chapter 1

• Timing and Setting of the Prophecy…

1. “things which must shortly take place…”

Rev. 1:1, 3, 22:6-7 – shortly, soon and quickly can not be taken in translated in any other way than what they mean – a short period of time.

• Dating the book – some varying thoughts on this…

• AD 120 – 202 – Based on comments of one of the early church fathers. Very ambiguous as to what he was referring to.

• AD 64-68 – Many scholars see this as more probable. Based on internal evidence of the book itself:

1. Jerusalem is still standing – destroyed in AD 70

2. Nero is mentioned as still alive – He died in AD 68

• Daniel 9:24-27 – states that the destruction of Jerusalem will seal up all prophecy for the nation – destroyed in AD 70 so Jewish prophecy would have to be sealed up by then

Is the dating of Revelation Really Critical?

• This is the Key to understanding the entire book as it relates to history and the present and future mission of the church!

• Question to be answered: Is revelation a prophecy of the end of the world as we know it, or is it a prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the Old-Covenant Jewish age? Let’s look to Jesus, Himself, for some keys…

Jesus’ teaching on “the end”…

• Matt. 21:33-43 – Removal of natural Israel

• Matt. 23:29-39 – Final judgment placed on Israel

• Matt 27:20 –25 – Jews sentenced themselves to destruction

• I Thess. 2:14-16 – Well known understanding of the early church that the days of the Jewish system were numbered and the wrath of God was getting ready to be poured out.

• Matt. 24 – Key teaching of Jesus on the “end of the age” (parallel passages: Mark 13 and Luke 21)

Matthew 24 – The time Text

• Matt. 24:34 – Sets the time frame for all the verses before it.

• “This Generation” – proper exegesis must define this consistent with all the other uses in the text. Matt. 1:17, 11:16, 12:38-45, 16:4, 23:26

• It means: The sum of the then-living people being addressed

7 Signs of the “end of the age”

• False Messiahs

• Wars & roomers of wars

• Natural disasters

• Persecution

• Apostasy

• World-wide evangelism

• The abomination of desolation

1. False Christs – The Jews were looking for a political Messiah. Many appeared during the 40 year period from Christ’s death to the destruction of Jerusalem.

2. Wars – The Roman empire was in upheaval, nations under the Romans were revolting, great persecution of the Jews was under way – many thousands slaughtered. Rumors of a Roman invasion of Jerusalem were rampant. Everyone was in fear.

3. Natural Disasters – great famines and pestilence outbreaks common, earthquakes were happening in various places all over the Roman empire. End of the world thoughts pervading.

4. Persecution – Nero’s great persecution of the Christians, many believers turned against each other to escape death/torture

5. The Great Apostasy – “the most dramatic outbreak of heresy in world history” (2 Thes. 2:3)

• Connected with the concept of Anti-Christ (Gal1:6-9, 2:54-5, Acts 20:28-30)

• The AntiChrist – never mentioned in the book of revelation!

• Only occurrences of the term: 1 John 2:18-26, 1 John 4:1-6, 2 John 7-11

Conclusions…

1. Not just one individual, many antichrists.

2. Was already working before AD 70

3. Was a system of heresy and unbelief as well as individuals

4. Had been members of the church, but apostatized

6. World-wide Evangelism – Understanding of the term “world” is key - “world” = known, inhabited world

• Acts 2:5 – Every nation under heaven

• Romans 1:8 – throughout the whole world

• Col. 1:6 – as it is in all the world

• Col. 1:23 – has been preached to all creation under heaven

7. The Abomination of Desolation Matt. 24:15

• Daniel 9:26-24 – prophesies the coming armies to destroy Jerusalem

• Key O.T. prophecy that pinpoints the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the sacrificial system

• Abomination = idols, filthy, idolatrous practices

• Luke 21:20-22 – clarifies what this abomination was – the armed invasion of Jerusalem – Romans (EV103)

• During the period of Jewish wars, Jerusalem was surrounded by enemy armies many times

• Beginning of the end – Edomites! (PR92)

Matthew 24 – The time Text

• Matt. 24:34 – Sets the time frame for all the verses before it.

• “This Generation” – proper exegesis must define this consistent with all the other uses in the text. Matt. 1:17, 11:16, 12:38-45, 16:4, 23:26

• It means: The sum of the then-living people being addressed

7 Signs of the “end of the age”

• False Messiahs

• Wars & roomers of wars

• Natural disasters

• Persecution

• Apostasy

• World-wide evangelism

• The abomination of desolation

The Great Tribulation – A time in world/Jewish history like no other and would never be repeated in the same scale of wrath/violence and terror. Matt. 24:21, Luke 21:23

• Never to be repeated in history – “nor ever shall”

• Historical accounts verify the horror of those 3 years of Great Tribulation (PR93)

Coming In the Clouds

• Immediately after the great tribulation – Matt 24:29

• Jesus uses common prophetic vocabulary

Isa. 13:9-10, 34:4, Amos 8:9, Ezk. 32:7(PR 99)

• Sign of the Son of Man – “and then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven…” – Jesus is now reigning over His enemies as he sits on His throne

• Clouds: God’s vehicle – Ps 104:3, Isa. 19:1, Matt. 26:64

• His ascension to heaven was on a cloud – Acts 1:9, Mark 16:9

• The coming was Jesus coming to the Father to present Himself as victorious. Dan. 7:13-14

Gathering His Elect

• Angels = messengers, preachers of the Gospel (Matt. 11:10, Luke 7:24)

• Gather His elect – “to synagogue” – Deut. 30:4 – direct quote by Jesus. A new type of gathering is being instituted.

• Matt. 23:37-38 – Jesus desired to “gather” Israel but they rejected Him

• Jesus uses the term “super-synagogue”

•Seven cities served as “postal” distribution points

•After the fall of Jerusalem Asia Minor became the center for influence for the early church – Ephesus- epicenter

•Center for the cult worship of Caesar

•Caesar was known as “lord and savior” and “son of god”. Christianity would have to confront this in order to flourish. Christians were killed for this.

• They do not represent 7 spiritual stages of church history, but actual churches.

•If this is true, the church age ends in defeat (Laodicean church). Many who hold a dispensational, pre-trib theology will say we are in the last age.

•The church is to be glorious before the return of Christ

•Seven IS important – qualitative fullness or perfection of purpose and fulfillment

• Seven – here means that the message of the book is for all of the church in all of the ages until Jesus returns.

•“Seven Spirits” – Indicates the Holy Spirit Zech. 4 – Filling and flowing through His Church in the fullness of Christ

•“Witness” – Jesus is the prosecutor of truth, enforcer of the law, even to the death penalty

• Verse 7 - Main theme of the book – Judgment upon Israel and the institution of a new covenant.

•“Seven Golden Lamp Stands” – Seven church united and connected by Jesus

Dan. 7:9-10, Dan. 7:13-14

Review Of Context Of Revelation

• Revelation of Jesus coming in judgment against the Jews & Romans (Matt 24:30, 26:64)

•Revelation of Jesus as overcoming King of heaven and earth

•Revelation of the overcoming saints of God

•Revelation of Jesus 2nd coming to reign

Overview of The Author & His World View

•Written by John on the island of Patmos (a penal colony) – political prisoner

•Saw himself in “The Tribulation”

•Saw himself in “The Kingdom”

•Saw himself in “perseverance”

•Saw himself in Jesus

Introduction of the Vision & Commission

•The voice of the Lord – (Pslm 29:3)

•Saw the glorified Jesus – (Daniel 7)

•Saw 7 lamps stands – 7 Churches

•Saw 7 stars – 7 “angels” of the 7 churches (stars= governmental rule) Seven stars on the Roman coins, constellations of stars corresponds to guiding lights in the sky (heavens)

Messages To The 7 Churches

Remember: Revelation is a prophetic book, just like the other prophetic books. They all represent a “covenantal lawsuit”, where God is calling a people, nation back into fellowship.

The message to the 7 churches is a recounting of all of God’s covenantal history with His people.

Ephesis: Language uses imagery of creation

Smyrna: imagery of the Patriarchs

Pergamum: imagery of Israel in the wilderness journey

Thyatira: imagery of the Davidic covenant

Sardis: imagery of the later prophetic period

Philadelphia : imagery of the return of the exiles under Nehemiah & Ezra

Laodicea: imagery of the “last days” A.D. 30-70

The 7 messages also contain a mini outline of the judgments in the entire prophecy:

1. Judgment on the False Apostles 2:1-7 (2-3)

2. Judgment on the False Israel 2:8-11 (4-7)

3. Judgment on the Evil King and False Prophet 2:12-17 (8-14)

4. Judgment on the Royal Harlot 2:18-19 (15-22)

Detail Of The 7 Messages

Ephesus:

• Most important city in Asia Minor

• Hotbed of Jewish occultism and magical arts

• Beginning of Gnosticism and heresies that afflicted the early church

Church at Ephesus• Known for hard work & perserverance

and adherence to sound doctrine

• Paul’s letter to them has no doctrinal corrections (DOV. 95)

• Love for sound doctrine lead to a hard-nosed approach to life – lacked the love for other brethren

• Faith working through love is THE big deal for Jesus – letter of the law kills!

• If they don’t get back to love, their influence will be removed (illustrated by the harbor of Ephesus being filled with sand and pebbles)

• Dealt with the “Nicolaitans” = conqueror of the people – teachings that fornication and idolatry were OK

• Overcome = “nikao” – message to all 7

• 1John 5:4 – our mandate over evil

Smyrna:

• People of the city were strong adherents to the Emperor Cult

• Large population of Jews who were hostile to the Christian faith

Church At Smyrna:

• Under great tribulation for their faith

• Under great political and economic stress – struggled with poverty

• Intense persecution – God allowed it for testing and testimony

Pergamum:

• Home to many popular false cults – one, a serpent god called “Savior”

• Caesar worship prevalent – temples through out the city

• The seat of imperial power outside of Rome, itself

The Church At Pergamum:

• Living where “Satan’s throne is”…(temple of Zeus, the serpent god and the shape of the city itself, as well as the Roman imperial seat and the apostate Jews)

• Had influence from the teachings of Balaam, Balak and the Nicolaitans (food sacrificed to idols and fornication)

• Three promises for overcoming

1. Hidden manna- the food of heaven

2. White stone – reflections to the bdellium stone in the Garden

3. New name – (isa. 62:2) written on the onyx stone of the High Priest. Only he who overcomes owns the name!

Thyatira:

• Center for trade unions of the ancient world. Needed to belong to a guild in order to work in any manufacturing

• Must worship a pagan god to be a member of the guild – eating of meat sacrificed to idols and illicit sexual relations

• Local gods= son of Zeus and Caesar, son of god

Church At Thyatira:

• Full of love, faith and perseverance

• Had doctrinal and moral laxity

• Identified with Jezebel – compromise with paganism (harlotries & witchcraft)

• Some were being carried away to “sleep with Jezebel” and forsake their marriage relationship with Christ.

• “Deep things of Satan”… through sin, grace might abound even more. Experience deeper sin to experience deeper grace.

• Promised to share in Christ rule and authority - His Messianic rule (Pslm 2:8-9) – Overcoming opposition from within and without

The Church at Sardis:

• Reputation for being active, or alive to Christ in the community

• No mention of any trials or tribulation

• Had sold out to be “secularized” and became more of a social club

• Lots of activities, but Jesus called it dead!

Two Warnings:

• Wake Up! – they thought they were immune to falling into sin. They had works but they were not completed in God’s sight.

• Remember! – get back to the real purpose of the gospel – to establish the Kingdom. This will always bring resistance of some type.

• Always a remnant left to work with – theses are the faithful, who the book of Revelation always describes as being dressed in white.

Promise:

• Remain in the Book of Life – brings up the question of eternal security and salvation

Three classical views:

• True Christians can fall away (Arminian)

• Once saved,always saved – no matter what they do after the point of entry

• Everyone in the world is written in the book of life, but unbelievers are erased after they have passed the age of accountability

• Life of accountability – we can choose

Classical views:

• True Christians can fall away (Arminian)

• Once saved,always saved – no matter what they do after the point of entry

• Predestination (Calvinism) – there are only certain people who will be saved by God’s own election.

• Everyone in the world is written in the book of life, but unbelievers are erased after they have passed the age of accountability

• Accountability – we can choose to throw it away.

The Church at Philadelphia

• Especially persecuted by the Jews

• Key of David – reference to Isa. 22:15-25 False authority would be thrown down and righteous rule would take its place.

• Deeds of righteousness are never forgotten by God

• Apostate Jews are called the Synagogue of Satan

• Judaism apart from Christ (rejection of who Jesus is) is called Satanism

• The Jews would soon come and bow down to Jesus (Isa. 60:14)

• Jesus promises to “keep” them during the hour of testing that is coming (Jude 24)

• “Those who dwell in the land” – 12x for the twelve tribes – prophetic reference throughout all Scripture – apostate Jews

Promises:

• Pillars in the temple – imagery of the High Priest’s shoulders – firmly established in the Kingdom (Rev. 22:4)

• Full restoration of God’s people and His plan to establish a “New Jerusalem” on the earth

Church at Laodicea

• Founded in the wealthiest city of the region

• Important center of emperor-worship

• “Amen” – So be it, actually and oath of the covenant, connected to blessing and wrath. Every promise (good and bad) is yes in Jesus (Col. 1:15-18)

• “Lukewarm” – not hot/not cold – picture of the city that was situated between Colossae and Hieropolis. Laodicea was in the valley between the two.

• Totally lost their effectiveness to either heal or refresh

• Either hot or cold – be a healer or a refresher, no middle of the road – called to be transforming

• Spit you out… - echoes of Lev. 18:24-28

Three lukewarming agents…

• Great financial wealth and independence

• Great textile industry – black wool

• Great medical arts society – developed a famous eye salve

Jesus gives the solution for all their lukewarmness

Stand at the door and knock…

• Not a quiet and humble plea to come into our house!

• Call to the church to a renewed fellowship with Jesus (John 6:53-57)

Promise:

• Rule and reign with Christ (Rom. 5:17)

So, how could you sum up the overall message to the churches? (DOV 139)

OVERCOME!

Revelation 4-7 – The Seven Seals

1. Establishment of the King! – All things that are going to be said must be seen from the vantage point of the throne room and not the earth. (bind on earth must be bound in heaven – Deut 7:1)

2. Establishment of worship and reverence ( 2 Cor. 3:18)

3. Establishment of the Throne – 1 Tim. 6:16, Ezk 1:26-28

• 24 Elders/24 Thrones – Possibly representing the “eldership’ of the church on earth

• 24 – 12 represents the people of God established in authority (12 tribes, 12 gates, 12 apostles…)

• 24 is a double portion of 12

• 24 divisions of priests and singers (1 Chron. 24 & 25) – The royal priesthood/kinghood

• The description is paralleled by Ezk.1. – Ezekiel see it from the bottom looking up and John sees it from the top looking down

• 4 Living Creatures:

4 corners of the earth, 4 winds, 4 rivers of Eden, 4 directions…

Pslm 18:10 – How the Lord travels

Represents all of creation serving the Lord

• Could also be connected to the signs of the Zodiac (circular path the sun travels in through the 12 major star clusters of the “Zodiac”, 12 tribes of God’s people)

• 4 mentioned here could correspond to the 4 corner signs: Leo=Lion, Bull = Taurus, Man = Aquarius, Eagle = Scorpio

• 6 Wings – Isa. 6:1-3 – symbolic of covering

Overview of Heavenly Worship

What does God want in earthly worship?

• Worship must be corporate

• Worship must be responsorial

• Worship must have some order

The Lamb and the 7 Seals

• Book with 7 seals – “biblion” – book of a last will and testament. 7 seals signified a testament sealed by 7 witnesses – common picture of the day

• Front & Back – reference to the 10 commandments, first law given

• What did the book contain?

• Lion of Judah – Gen. 49:9-10

• Seven horns – complete power and authority, also symbolic of the 7 horns blown before judgment was read

• Seven eyes –seven spirits – the Spirit of God over all creation – 7 days of creation

The Breaking Of The Seals

• Seven seals on the outside edge of the scroll

• The first 6 Seals could represent the unfolding events as Jesus prophesied in Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21:

Wars, international strife, famines, earthquakes, persecution, decreation

The Four Horsemen

• Central to the theme of the Old Testament: Zech. 6:1-7, Hab. 3

• Seen as God’s agents for controlling history and judgment over the nation off Israel – Zech. 1-8

• First 4 seals equate to the first 4 “signs” as recorded by Jesus in Matt. 24

The White Horse

• Who is the rider? – Many dispensationalists say that this is the anti-Christ, What does the scriptural evidence suggest? Jesus…

• Rev. 19:11-16 – Jesus on a white horse

• Warrior-King with a bow – Hab.3:9-11, Pslm 45:3-5

• “Bow” of God’s vengence

• The Crown – Rev. 14:14, 19:11-13 – used 7 times in Revelation in reference to Christ and His people.

• Conquering – same word used to the seven churches to overcome

Blood-Red Horse

• Removes peace so war can flourish – indication of man’s depraved state.

• Fulfilled in the days of the Great Tribulation.

The Black Horse

• Image from Ezk. Where famine would require food to be weighed out to the exact amount.

• Economic hardship on the earth – 1000% inflation (in the price of goods)

Ashen Horse (dappled)

• Image of pale or death-pallor

• Take a fourth of the “earth” in death

The Avenging Of The Martyrs – 5th Seal

• At the time of the writing, many churches saw their leaders jailed, tortured or killed

• Still more souls to be added before the cup of wrath was fill to overflowing

• Image taken from the blood flowing down from the altar during the sacrifice

• Given “White” robes – approval/purity

The De-creation Of The Earth – 6th Seal

• Salvation is seen as a new creation, wrath is seen as a de-creation:

Earth, sun, moon, stars,firmament, land, man – 7 elements of creation

• All these symbols are used extensively throughout scripture to speak of God’s wrath de-creating some aspedct of creation

• Luke 23:27-30 – Jesus’ warning

The True Israel Of God

• Not all would be destroyed – 1 Thes. 5:9

• Jesus gave His church instruction about how to escape the wrath (Matt 24: 15-25, Luke 21:18)

144,000 Saved

• Who/what were they?

• Seal = authority, power, protection and ownership (Exod. 28:36) – High Priest

• Deut. 6:6-8 – forehead and hand seal

• Ezk. 9:1-7 – sign on the forehead = “tav” Hebrew letter = +, last letter in Hebrew

• 144,000 – from the 12 tribes of Israel – 12 perfect divisions of Israel (12,000 in each division) – picture of Israel perfected before the Lord – His true people

• Reference Isa. 6:13, Rom 9:27-28, 11:5

The Great Multitude

• The multitudes of gentiles that are to be saved

• The ones on the earth that will come through The Great Tribulation – 1 Peter 4:12-13

The Seventh Seal

Herald the doom of Jerusalem

“Silence in heaven” – ½ hour (reference to the prayer of incense of the temple)

• 7 Angels given the trumpets to blow (march around Jericho, rule of a new King, sound the alarm,summons to worship and to announce the beginning of the feast)

• Incense (prayers) are mixed with coals and cast upon the earth as the glory of the Lord descends in judgment.

• The First Trumpet – 1/3 of the “earth”affected by the wrath being poured out (dov 237)

• The Second Trumpet – The Holy Mountain of the Lord was cast down (Israel – Ezk. 15:7 Matt. 21:21, Rev. 6:9-11)

• The Third Trumpet – Reference to the great fall in the garden and the fall of Egypt and Babylon.(Isa. 14:12-15)

• The Fourth Trumpet – The fall of the “light” of the nations – Israel’s light is being extinguished, earthly rulers being torn down (Isa. 60)

• Eagle – Dual meaning: Salvation and Wrath

• Three “Woes” – The 5th-7th trumpets – the worst was yet to come!

• The Fifth Trumpet – Release of the “demonic” from the pit – All Hell is about to break loose!

• Bottomless pit - spoken of 7 times in revelations – The farthest away from God you can get

• Ezk 26:19 – God’s use of the “Abyss” to measure out judgment and wrath

• “Five Months” – May-September when locust usually appear

• Period of 5 months in AD 66 May-September) when Gessius Florus terrorized the Jews, killing 3,600 innocent, peaceful citizens and inciting them to fight back – Josephus sites this as the beginning of the “Wars of the Jews” which ushered in the Great Tribulation. (Luke 23:27-30)

• The Key of the Abyss – Matt. 12:41-45, Jesus was casting out demons but Israel would not let Him live there

• The description of the Locust is the same as described by the prophets of the OT. Demon= “hairy one”

• Descriptions of the bands of Zealots loosed in the land: (DOV. 246)

• The sounds of “fallen angels” followed these bands of demon tormentors

• Abaddon, Apollyon = Destruction, The Destroyer – Satan, himself was their leader

The Sixth Trumpet:

• Horns of the altar – place of purification for the land (4 corners of the earth) – God was now answering the prayers of the saints to avenge their blood

• Release of the Great Army from the North (pagan forces used by God for judgment)

• Image of the demonic hoards coming in war agains the apostate Jews

• Reference the curse in Deut. 28:24, 49-68)

• Even after all the horror, the Jews did not repent, but listened to the false prophets that said all was going to be fine.

• Even after all the “signs” that appeared the Jews still hardened their hearts (DOV 255)

The Seventh Trumpet:

• The Strong Angel = Jesus (described as “The Angel of the Lord” through out scripture. All the descriptions of him are seen through out scripture (Rev. 1:14-16, Ezk. 1:25-28)

• His voice is the voice of universal authority (Pslm 29)

• The voice of seven thunders was not to be recorded – why?

• The mystery or revelation of God justice is about to be measured out in its fullness (Eph. 3:5, Col. 1:26)

• The “official” announcement of Jerusalem from heaven

• John had to “eat” the little book of this prophecy – bitter/sweet, just as Ezekiel had to eat his prophecy (2:8-10)

• What was the “little book”?

The Two Witnesses

• Measuring in Scripture is always a symbol of dividing the holy from the profane divine protection from destruction.

• 144,000 represented the inner holy place of protection

• Luke 13:24-29, Matt. 8:11-12

• 1,260 days – 42 months, 3.5 years – taken from Daniel 7:25

• A symbolic period of time that indicates evil advancing and wrath being stored up

• 7=Perfection, 3.5 = broken perfection

• 42 – The # of generations from the promise to Abraham until its fulfillment in Jesus (Matt 1:17)

• The siege of Jerusalem lasted 3.5 years from AD 67-70

The Two Witnesses

• Prophesied for 1,260 days (42 months)

• Clothed in Sackcloth – traditional dress of Elijah and John the B.

• Biblical law required 2 witnesses before a verdict could be given

• Symbolized the line of prophets that witnessed against Israel through out Old Covenant history.

• Olive Trees/lamp stands – Zech. 4: 1-5 – The priest and king – the 2 officers of the covenant

• Moses & Elijah – Represent The Law & The Prophets. Jesus said that these witness against Israel

• Fire – symbolic of God’s word and judgment coming as fire – (Jer. 5:14)

• Mal. 4:4-5 – Last prophetic word of the Old Covenant

• The Beast – Did not have to be explained to his readers (the mark of the beast – Genesis 3:21 – what was it?)

• The Dead Bodies – Symbolic of all the prophets killed through out the history of the O.T. (Matt 23:35, Luke 13:33, Pslm 79:1-3)

• 3.5 day celebration of evil – not perfect victory, short lived

• The resurrection of Christ and the release of His church on the earth signal the end of apostate Israel.

• The destruction of Israel begins

The Seventh Trumpet

• The beginning of the full reign of Jesus - the sign of the Son of Man in heaven (Rev. 11:15)

• Feast of Trumpets – Sounded the beginning of the year, beginning of creation (Rosh Hashanah), beginning of the new reign of Jesus (new heaven and earth)

The Holy War

• Chapters 1-11 deal with the victory of Christ over His enemies

• Chapters 12-22 deal with the victory of the church over her enemies

• Introduces the theme of the Bridegroom & the Bride

Verses 1-6 – The Serpent & Seed

• A “great sign” – The entire book is composed of signs (Rev. 1:1)

• “Woman” – biblically represents the people of God (Isa. 26, 49-50)

• Here she is seen as glorious, the bride of Christ – she is the radiant image of Christ (Rev. 1:16)

• She is also seen to be the mother of Christ – same language as Matt. 1:18, 23

• Brings back the image of the Garden: (Gen. 3:15)

• Taken directly from Isa.’s prophecy – Isa. 7:10, 26:17

• The great sign is also represented in the study of the zodiac – Virgo= The Virgin

The Sign of the Dragon

• Satan, himself

• Heads & Horns = Empires that have tried to set up world domination (Daniel 7:3-7)

• Kept coming back to plague and persecute to people of God (many heads)

• Sweeps away 1/3 of the stars

• 2 Pet. 2:4, Jude 6 Rev. 12:9

The Birth of the Son

• Imagery of Plsm. 2:7-9, Isa. 9:6

• The woman fled – the “marked” Christians escaping from the great tribulation of AD 66-70 (Images of Elijah’s wilderness experience during the 3.5 years of the drought he prophesied)

The War In Heaven – Rev. 12:7-12

• Heaven initiates the war – on the offense! (Matt. 16:18)

• Portrays the image of Christ victory over Satan at the resurrection and the joint victory we have with/in Christ

• Is the defining moment of the First Coming, not the Second Coming

• Luke 10:17-20 - Jesus description of the battle that was taking place during His earthly ministry

The Dragon Attacks The Church

• The Dragon attacks the church because Christ defeated him

• Eagles wings – imagery of the glory cloud in Exodus

• Imagery of the Red Sea and Numbers 16:28-33

• The Dragon turns his attention to the “rest” of the church – the Gentile Christians through out the Roman empire

Chapter 13 – Leviathan & Behemoth

• A ‘Beast” coming up out of the sea having 10 horns & seven heads (a mirror image of the Dragon in 12:3)

• “Sea” = imagery of the abyss – the abode of demons (Genesis 1:2)

• Imagery explained in Rev. 17:9-11

• Blasphemous Names – mocking the head dress of the High Priest

• Caesar – took on the title of “Augustus” – one to be worshipped or “Divus/Deus” – God, himself

• Nero Caesar – erected a 120’ statue of himself and declared absolute worship and absolute obedience to him

• Paul’s description – (2 Thes. 2:3-4)

• Christians were persecuted because they did not participate in Caesar worship

• Appearance of the Beast: Leopard, Bear & Lion – Reference Daniel 2:31-45 – Rome combined all of this to form a formidable empire – Daniel 7:7

• This “Beast” is not just an empire, it is also a person!

• Description of Nero: Historian named Suetonius (DOV 329)

• The Beast’s death wound - Image of a head wound from Genesis 3:15

• Under Tiberius Caesar Christianity flourished (he reportedly acknowledged Christ), but when Nero rose to power, persecution and heresy began to ravage the church

•

• Under Nero the church almost collapsed!

• Almost all of Israel was swept up in Nero worship – “We have no king but Caesar…”

• 42 months/3.5 years of terror and trouble on the land from November AD64 to June of AD68

• Destruction was certain for all who worshipped the Beast (Jer. 14:10-12, 15:2, 42:11)

The Beast Coming Up From Land

• This Beast is in the image of the first beast – coming out of the “Land” – image of Israel. This beast comes out of Israel

• Rev. 16:13 & 19:20 – “False Prophet” – Jesus in Matt 24:5, 11

• AntiChrist – left the church

• False Prophets – Jews came into the church

• False Prophets preformed mighty signs to deceive (Matt. 24:24, Acts 8:9)

• These False Prophets had the power of Rome behind them to persecute the church. They enforces elegance to Rome through the synagogues.

• They organized economic boycotts against the Christians under Roman authority

• The book of Acts is filled with instances of this persecution

• “Mark of the Beast” is a mockery of the mark of the Lord on His people – the sworn allegiance to a King

The True Image Of The Beast

• Progression of images:

Father – Son – Church

Dragon – Sea beast – Land beast

Quick Review:

Rev. 13:11-18

God Authority Order: Father/Son/Church/True Prophets

Satan’s Authority Order: Dragon/Sea Beast/Land Beast/False Prophets

Satan is always mocking the authority of God on the earth

• The name of the Beast can be “calculated” – there is a numeric value to the name, which equals 666. Ancient languages use letters to double as numbers.

• Significance of the #6 – always used in reference to man & beast (created on the 6th day)

• Man is to work 6 days, rest the 7th

• The number of years a Hebrew cold be a slave = 6, 7th year he was set free.

• John write the word in numbers, not letters: x’= 600, ƺ’ = 60 ƽ’ = 6

• Multiplies the work of man falling short of 777 – perfection of God

• Repetition of 6 = man in constant rebellion to God

The fight with David & Goliath

• Goliath – 6 cubits & a span, spear weight 600 sheckles, looks like a beast with scale armor, defies God & His army

• David – seed of a woman, kills Goliath with a head wound

• Daniel & King Nebuchadnezzar’s image – 60 cubits high, 6 cubits wide

• 666 is also “the triangular of the square of 6” =36, triangulated =666

• Very popular method of calculating

• Came to be known as the number of toil, imperfection associated with the Anti-Christ spirit

• Stood in opposition to the numerical value of Jesus = 888 (perfection, resurrection)

• John expected the numerical value to be calculated in Hebrew (hidden to the Romans) and identify a contemporary individual – “these things which must soon take place”

• In Hebrew – “Neron Kesar” = 666 (Nero Caesar)

• So, 666 identifies the Beast as Rome with Nero as it head

• All the earliest Christian writers (up to the 8th century) connect 666 with Rome and Nero.

• Jesus died on Friday (6th day of the week) Rose on Sunday (8th day). Jesus’ numeric name – 888.

• 666 can never get past 777 because 888 has won the day!

Chapter 14 – The Lamb & His Army

• Brings the reader back to the victory of the Lamb

• Images of Pslm 2 are used to remind the believers who is in charge

• The 144, 000 symbolizes the victorious army of God (12 divisions ready for battle)

• Seen as being purified and totally committed to the Lamb

The Gospel & The Poisoned Cups (14:6-13)

• Shift from “Trumpets” (judgment) to “Cups” (sentencing) – Wrath being poured out

• First Angel- Preaching the gospel to the leaders of Israel (Luke 19:14, Matt. 24:14)

The Second Angel: Announces the fall of Babylon (first mention). Most likely a reference to Jerusalem

The Third Angel: Doom for any who worshipped the Beast

• What was the mark of the Beast?

The Son of Man & The Harvest (14:14-20)

• Three more angels – harvesting angels – harvesting the vineyard the righteous first and than of Israel for destruction (Isa 5:1-7, Isa 63:1-6)

• Image of the Red Sea deliverance for the people of God.

• Fourth Plague: Wrath upon the “sun” – Reference to Pslm 121:5-7, Isa. 49:10, Rev. 7:15-17 – The protection of the Lord is now lifted.

The Last 3 Cups of Wrath

• Focused on the political system of The Beast

• Speaks of the great war - Armageddon

The Last 7 Plagues – Ch. 15

• Last of the judgments and the transfer of the covenant to the “church”. Israel is now totally disinherited.

• After the 7 plagues, the wrath if God is finished. What about “The Day of Judgment”?

• Heb. 10:26-31 – Wrath poured out

• Acts 2:17 – The “Last Days”

• Now the church is warned to get out from among the rest of the nation – seen in many N.T. letters (Exodus from Egypt, Acts 2:37-40, 3:19-26)

• They were told NOT to try to reform Israel – how do we respond today to cultural transformation? (Heb. 6:4-8, I Thess. 2:15-16, Matt 23:32-35)

• Megiddo was a city on a plain, not a mountain. Symbolic of the “high point of defeat” for Israel – Israel’s Waterloo.

• Seventh Plague: “It is finished” is declared – the wrath of God on Israel is poured out

• Earthquake is always associated with a declaration of God – this was the greatest ever! (Heb. 12:25 –29)

• “Sun Darkened” – fall of political rulers

• “World-wide convulsions” after Nero’s suicide in A.D. 68 – Great revolts against the Roman Empire from servant nations

• Still no change or repentance from the Jews

• Drying up of the Euphrates – reversal of the Red Sea

• City split into 3-parts – reference to Ezk. 5:1-12

Judgment From The Sanctuaty – Ch. 16

• The Seven Bowls of Wrath are now being poured out

• Paralleling the plagues of Egypt (Jerusalem is compared to Egypt)

• Paralleling the instruction for the priests to pour out the blood of the sacrifice

• Deceiving “frog” spirits – Entice the armies to fight (1 Kings 22:19-22, 2 Thess. 2:7-12)

• “Coming like a thief” – Christ, coming in the form of judgment through the Roman armies

Matt. 24:42-44, Luke 12:35-40

Jesus would come like to thief to those judged, not to the elect

• The Temple was next on the hit list – needed to stay alert

• Armageddon – “Har-Magedon” = Mount Megiddo

• “It is done!” – The wrath of God is poured out on Israel with a declaration that shook the earth to its foundation. (Heb. 12:25-29)

• City split in 3 parts – (Exk. 5:1-12)

Chapter 19 – The Marriage Supper

• Two –edged sword – Heb. 4:12-13

• All of Christ’s enemies must bow to His Lordship and eventually, every nation will be Christianized!

Chapter 20 – The Millennium & Judgment

• The concept of the 1000 years is brought to light. What is it?

• First Plague: Soars on they bodies – paralleling the Mark of The Beast

• Second Plague: Blood flowing – like that of a dead man – Defilement

• Third Plague: Blood in the streams & rivers- life source cut off

• Three groups of people mourn for Israel: Kings of the earth, merchants and ship masters: all saying Woe, woe to Jerusalem!

• After the destruction – there is rejoicing in heaven because vindication has come on the apostate nation

• Finally, “Babylon is cast down for good.

• Horrible outbreak of death and destruction among the Jews living in the surrounding nations

Chapter 18 – Babylon Is Fallen!

• Jerusalem becomes the prison for all demonic activity – place for the abyss of sin (Isa. 34:10-14, Matt. 12:38-45)

• Prostituted herself for wealth and power

Chapter 18: The False Bride

• Jerusalem – identified with Babylon and a great harlot

• Imagery taken from Isa. 23:15-17, Jer. 2:20, Ezk. 16

• When Jesus, the Bridegroom, came, they played the harlot with the Romans – Caesar.

• 7 Mountains/heads, 10 Horns/ provinces of Rome/other nations

Chapter 19 – The Marriage Supper

• The mystery of God’s wrath is completed

• Israel is removed as the covenant bride – now given to the church

• New covenant inauguration is described as a marriage

• Final conquest for the transfer of a new world order

Chapter 19 – The Marriage Supper

• The “new temple” of God is now complete with the destruction of the old one (Luke 21:20)

• God had to “divorce” Israel in order to marry the church

• The Apostles first mission was to ready the Bride (Eph. 5:25-27, 2 Cor. 11:2-3)

Chapter 19 – The Marriage Supper

• Vs. 11-21 – The Son goes forth to war – Final section of 7 visions recorded in the book

• Description of the 2nd coming or a description of the victorious church now going through the world with the power of the gospel of Jesus?

Chapter 20 – The Millennium & Judgment

• Third view – amillennal – no real 1000 year period on the earth

• Orthodox Christian belief has always been one of the victory of the church in the earth

Victory Over Satan

• Matt. 12:28-29, Luke 11:20-22

Chapter 20 – The Millennium & Judgment

• Question about where the church is during this period – heaven or on the earth?

• When did or when will Christ’s Kingdom reign begin?

• The Millennium is the reign of Christ –

Chapter 20 – The Millennium & Judgment

• Since Pentecost, it was taught that Christ would return after (post) the millennium – after His enemies were under His feet – the work of the church now.

• Pre-millennial doctrines were thought to be heresy (2nd coming ushers in the reign of Christ)

Chapter 21 – The New Jerusalem

• AD 66 – Day of Pentecost (36 years later) Jewish history describes the glory of God leaving the temple and resting on Mt. Of Olives for 3.5 years and then being taken back into heaven just before the AD 70 destruction!

• After the destruction, it is seen as coming back as the “New City”

Chapter 21 – The New Jerusalem

• New heaven and a new earth – newness in kind or superior quality (Isa 65:17-25) - progressive

• Sea = place of the underworld, not oceans as we know them

• 2 Peter 3:1-14 – key word – “Elements” - used several times in the NT, but never is it used for the physical universe.

Chapter 21 – The New Jerusalem

• The term elements is always used in relation to the Old Covenant Order (Gal. 4:3, Col 2:8, 20)

• The Holy City – The city “is as a bride” speaks to the church (Gal. 4:22-31, Eph. 2:19, Heb. 12:22-23)

• All Things New – not all new things – II Cor. 5:17

Chapter 21 – The New Jerusalem

• Imagery of Eph. 2:19-22

• The city was a mirror of symbolism of the temple and the Holy of Holies (perfect square)

• The gems are a mirror symbolic of the High Priest’s garments

Chapter 22 – Paradise Restored

• River – Restored vision of the Garden of Eden

• Ezk. Vision – 47:1-9

• “Trees of Life” all along the river

• Image of the “Tree” – paradise lost, now paradise regained

• Cross = New tree of life

• Light = Isa. 60:1-3

Chapter 22 – Paradise Restored

• Reiterates that the time is short or near for this prophecy to be fulfilled – 5 times in this last chapter

• Coming quickly with His reward

Matt. 16:27-28, I John 2:3-6

• Spirit & Bride say “come” – “Maranatha” – come in just judgment

Chapter 22 – Paradise Restored

• Final warning! – The revelation is concluded – no new words or plans to be added

• Mirror of Deut. 4:2

Lessons Learned From Revelation

• It is a Revelation of Jesus Christ, His ascension to the throne and His universal Lordship

• Primarily a prophetic word to the 1st century church

• When interpreting prophecy let the Bible interpret itself

• Signs and symbols are used throughout

Lessons Learned From Revelation

• Life-lesson for the New Covenant Church – Rom. 11:20-23

• Orthodox Christianity is victorious in its outlook of the future and the church – it is God’s plan for the redemption of the world

• God’s Glory was transferred to the church from Israel

Lessons Learned From Revelation

• There is a Judgment Day where all will stand before the throne, including Satan.

• Since we win in the future, we can live victorious now!