Notes on Revelation (2)

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Notes on Revelation
I. There are six striking and singular features about the Book of Revelation.
1. It is the only prophetic book in the New Testament. There are seventeen prophetic books in the Old Testament and only this one in the New Testament.
2. John, the writer, reaches farther back into eternity past than does any other writer in Scripture.
* He does this in his gospel which opens with this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
* Then he moves up to the time of creation: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
* Then, when John writes the Book of Revelation, he reaches farther on into eternity future and the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
3. There is a special blessing which is promised to the readers of this book: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:3).
* It is a blessing promise.
* Also, there is a warning given at the end of the book issued to those who tamper with its contents:
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18–19).
* That warning ought to make these wild and weird interpreters of prophecy stop, look, and listen.
4. It is not a sealed book. Daniel was told to seal the book until the time of the end (see Dan. 12:9), but John is told: “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 22:10).
* To say that the Book of Revelation is a jumble and impossible to make heads or tails out of and cannot be understood is to contradict this. It is not a sealed book. In fact, it is probably the best organized book in the Bible.
The Revelation is a book meant to be read and understood by all belivers.
* Those who ignore Revelation deprive themselves of a rich treasure of divine truth.
* Revelation says of itself; “To shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.”
* In the last chapter of Revelation, John is instructed, “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 22:10).
* Revelation is not a sealed book; it is open and to be understood in our day.
* This is in contrast to the prophecy in the Book of Daniel which Daniel was instructed to seal.
* The book of Revelation contains truths that had been concealed, but have now been revealed. The book of Revelationit amplifies what was only initially suggested in the Old Testament.
* Our Lord Jesus gave what are known as the “mystery” parables. Very frankly, to the majority of the church today they are still a mystery.
* But our Lord put it like this: “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them” (Mark 4:11–12).
* Of course, it can be understood only if the Spirit of God is our teacher. But the Book of Revelation takes off the veil so we can see Christ in His unveiled beauty and power and glory.
* This book is the opposite of a secret or a mystery. It is a disclosure of secrets, and it is called prophecy in the next verse, as we shall see.
* You see, my friend, in the Gospels we have only the half-story. We need the Book of Revelation because it is the consummation of the story of the Bible.
* Far from being the mysterious, incomprehensible book many imagine it to be, Revelation’s purpose is to reveal truth, not to obscure it.
* That fact is evident in its title, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1), primarily in His second coming glory.
* Apokalupsis (“Revelation”) could be translated “an uncovering,” “an unveiling,” or “a disclosure.”
* It is used in the New Testament to speak of revealing spiritual truth (Rom. 16:25; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 1:17; 3:3), the manifestation of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19), and of Christ’s manifestation at both His first (Luke 2:32) and second (2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7) comings.
* In each case, apokalupsis describes something (or someone) that was formerly hidden, but now becomes visible.
* Revelation unveils truths about Jesus Christ, and makes clear features of prophetic truth only hinted at in the Old Testament and other New Testament books.
* This clarity is often obscured by a rejection of the principles of literal interpretation in favor of an allegorical or spiritualizing method of interpretation.
* Such approaches attempt to place Revelation’s account in the past and present rather than the future. But once the plain meaning of the text is denied, an interpreter is left to his own imagination, and the truths of this book are lost in a maze of human inventions void of authenticity.
5. It is a series of visions expressed in symbols which deal with reality. The literal interpretation is always preferred unless John makes it clear that it is otherwise.
6. It is like a great union station where the great trunk lines of prophecy have come in from other portions of Scripture.
* Revelation does not originate or begin anything. Rather it consummates and concludes that which has been begun somewhere else in Scripture.
* It is imperative to a right understanding of the book to be able to trace each great subject of prophecy from the first reference to the terminal.
* There are at least ten great subjects of prophecy which find their consummation here.
* This is the reason that a good knowledge of the rest of the Bible is imperative to an understanding of the Book of Revelation.
* It is calculated that there are over five hundred references or allusions to the Old Testament in Revelation and that, of its 404 verses, 278 contain references to the Old Testament.
* In other words, over half of this book depends upon your understanding of the Old Testament.
* The Book of Revelation is the culmination of the prophecies about the end times, beginning with the Old Testament. The description of the antichrist mentioned in Daniel 9:27 is developed fully in chapter 13 of Revelation. Outside of Revelation, examples of apocalyptic literature in the Bible are Daniel chapters 7-12, Isaiah chapters 24-27, Ezekiel chapters 37-41, and Zechariah chapters 9-12. All these prophecies come together in the Book of Revelation.
* Revelation is a rich source of truth about eschatology; in fact, it contains more details about the end times than any other book of the Bible.
* Revelation portrays Christ’s ultimate triumph over Satan, depicts the final political setup of the world system, and describes the career of the most powerful dictator in human history, the final Anti christ.
* The book of Revelation fills in the details of previously mentions prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments such as:
- The Rapture of the church (3:10)
- Describes the seven-year time of Tribulation, including the three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation (7:14; cf. Matt. 24:21)
- The second coming of Christ, the climactic battle of human history (Armageddon)
- The thousand-year earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ, the final judgment of unrepentant sinners (the Great White Throne judgment)
- The final state of the wicked in hell (the lake of fire) and the redeemed in the new heaven and new earth.
* look at the Book of Revelation as an airport with ten great airlines coming into it. We need to understand where each began and how it was developed as it comes into the Book of Revelation.
II. The Purpose of the Book of Revelation:
* The purpose of Revelation is to show God’s sovereignty in history and the promise of the culmination of all things in Him.
* The faithful are to remain in faith and hope amidst the persecution and aggression of this fallen world system.
* The focus of the book is the persecution and faithfulness of believers in the first century and in every century.
* Remember, prophets spoke of the future in an effort to reform the present. Revelation is not only about how it will end, but how it is going.
III. The Background and Setting of Revelation
* Revelation begins with John, the last surviving apostle and an old man, in exile on the small, barren island of Patmos, located in the Aegean Sea south-west of Ephesus.
* The Roman authorities had banished him there because of his faithful preaching of the gospel (1:9). While on Patmos, John received a series of visions that laid out the future history of the world.
* When he was arrested, John was in Ephesus, ministering to the church there and in the surrounding cities.
* Seeking to strengthen those congregations, he could no longer minister to them in person, and, following the divine command (1:11), John addressed Revelation to them (1:4).
* The churches had begun to feel the effects of persecution; at least one man—probably a pastor—had already been martyred (2:13), and John himself had been exiled.
* But the storm of persecution was about to break in full fury upon the seven churches so dear to the apostle’s heart (2:10).
* The Revelation to John was written at a time when Christians were being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. The writer’s main concern is to give his readers hope and encouragement, and to urge them to remain faithful during times of suffering and persecution.
* To those churches, Revelation provided a message of hope:
God is in sovereign control of all the events of human history, and though evil often seems pervasive and wicked men all-powerful, their ultimate doom is certain. Christ will come in glory to judge and rule.
* The persecutions of the Churches that John was pastoring was caused by the separation of the local churches from the legal protection Rome accorded to Judaism.
* This division occurred officially around a.d. 70 when the rabbis from Jamnia instituted an oath formula which demanded the members of the local synagogues to curse Jesus of Nazareth.
* Roman documents indicate that Emperor worship became a major conflict with the church from the reigns of Nero (a.d. 54–68) to Domitian (a.d. 81–96).
* There were 10 persecutions prophesied for the churches of Asia.
Revelation 2:8–11 (KJV 1900)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
The First Persecution under Nero:
* The first persecution of the Church took place in the year 67, under Nero, the sixth emperor of Rome.
Quote from Foxes Book of Martyrs:
“Nero reigned for the space of five years, with tolerable credit to himself, but then gave way to the greatest extravagancy of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities.
Among other diabolical whims, he ordered that the city of Rome should be set on fire, which order was executed by his officers, guards, and servants. While the imperial city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Macaenas, played upon his harp, sung the song of the burning of Troy, and openly declared that 'he wished the ruin of all things before his death.”
Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties.
This was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised on the Christians were such as even excited the commiseration of the Romans themselves.
Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity.
In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.
To their names may be added, Erastus, chamberlain of Corinth; Aristarchus, the Macedonian, and Trophimus, an Ephesians, converted by St. Paul, and fellow-laborer with him, Joseph, commonly called Barsabas, and Ananias, bishop of Damascus; each of the Seventy.
The Second Persecution, Under Domitian, A.D. 81
Quote from Foxe’s book of Martyrs:
* The emperor Domitian, who was naturally inclined to cruelty, first slew his brother, and then raised the second persecution against the Christians.
* In his rage he put to death some of the Roman senators, some through malice; and others to confiscate their estates. He then commanded all the lineage of David be put to death.
Among the numerous martyrs that suffered during this persecution was Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and St. John, who was boiled in oil, and afterward banished to Patmos.
* Flavia, the daughter of a Roman senator, was likewise banished to Pontus; and a law was made, "That no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion."
* A variety of fabricated tales were, during this reign, composed in order to injure the Christians. Such was the infatuation of the pagans, that, if famine, pestilence, or earthquakes afflicted any of the Roman provinces, it was laid upon the Christians.
* These persecutions among the Christians increased the number of informers and many, for the sake of gain, swore away the lives of the innocent.
* Another hardship was, that, when any Christians were brought before the magistrates, a test oath was proposed, when, if they refused to take it, death was pronounced against them; and if they confessed themselves Christians, the sentence was the same.
* The following were the most remarkable among the numerous martyrs who suffered during this persecution.
* Nicodemus, a benevolent Christian of some distinction, suffered at Rome during the rage of Domitian's persecution.
* Protasius and Gervasius were martyred at Milan.
* Timothy was the celebrated disciple of St. Paul, and bishop of Ephesus, where he zealously governed the Church until A.D. 97. At this period, as the pagans were about to celebrate a feast called Catagogion, Timothy, meeting the procession, severely reproved them for their ridiculous idolatry, which so exasperated the people that they fell upon him with their clubs, and beat him in so dreadful a manner that he expired of the bruises two days later.
III. The three major divisions of the book of Revelation:
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* After chapter 3, the church is not mentioned anymore.
* The church is not the subject again in the entire Book of the Revelation.
* You may ask, “Do you mean that the church goes out of business?” Well, it leaves the earth and goes to heaven, and there it appears as the bride of Christ.
* When we see her in the last part of Revelation, she is not the church but the bride.
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* This brief sketch below will attempt to simplify the different stages of the Revelation and also give the overall picture.
* As you can see, it begins with the cross of Christ and His ascension.
* In chapter 1, we see the glorified Christ.
* In chapters 2–3 we see the church.
* In chapters 4–5 we see that the church is in heaven.
* Then on earth the Great Tribulation takes place, chapters 6–18. In chapter 19 we see that Christ returns to the earth and establishes His kingdom.
*Chapter 20 gives us the thousand-year reign of Christ. Then the Great White Throne is set up, the place where the lost are judged.
* Chapters 21–22 eternity begins.
* That is the Book of Revelation.
IV. The significance of the number 7 in the book of Revelation.
A unique feature of the book of Revelation is the number seven. There are:
1. seven churches (1:4, 11, 20). 2. seven Spirits (1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6). 3. seven golden lampstands (1:12-13, 20, 2:1). 4. seven stars (1:16, 20, 2:1, 3:1). 5. seven lamps (4:5). 6. seven seals (5:1, 5:5). 7. seven horns (5:6). 8. seven eyes (5:6). 9. seven angels (8:2, 6). 10. seven trumpets (8:2, 6). 11. seven thunders (10:3, 4). 12. seven thousand (11:13). 13. seven heads (12:3, 13:1, 17:3, 7, 9). 14. seven crowns (12:3). 15. seven angels (15:1, 6-8, 16:1, 17:1, 21:9). 16. seven plagues (15:1, 6, 8, 21:9). 17. seven bowls (15:7, 17:1, 21:9). 18. seven mountains (17:9). 19. seven kings (17:10-11).
* This unusual format can hardly be an accident. The word seven occurs in Revelation more than any other book in the Bible.
* In fact, it occurs more than all the other books in the New Testament combined.
* It was not a literary device used by John because he was merely recording what he had seen and heard.
* The list of “sevens” above are the ones that are directly identified by the Greek word for seven, or hepta. However, there are other groups of seven things in Revelation, but they have to be counted up by the reader to notice that there are seven of them. For example, there are:
20. seven beatitudes (statements using Blessed 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14).
21. seven years of judgment (11:3, 16:6 and 14, 13:5).
22. seven divisions of each of the letters to the seven churches (the description of Christ, the city, the church, the commendation, the concern, the command, and finally, the counsel).
23. seven attributes of the Lamb (5:12).
24. the seventh dispensation completing Scripture (20:1-10).
* Many other associations of seven can be found in Revelation as one studies it in depth. For that matter, there are many other numbers also prominent in the book such as 666, 144,000, twelve gates, four horsemen, ten kings and 1000 years. So the obvious question is, why?
* Why is the book of Revelation so permeated with this emphasis on numbers?
* The number seven has always been regarded as representing fullness or completion. This is true not only in the Bible but among almost all peoples throughout history.
* Seven is the number of perfection or fullness.
* The emphasis on seven as a number of fullness is understandable in terms of the weekly calendar by which we order our daily lives. Most countries throughout history have followed the seven-day week.
* The number 7 in the Scriptures has the meaning of “fullness” or “complete.” The Holy Spirit uses the number 7 over and over in the book of Revelation to show that the prophecies contained in the book of Revelation complete the Bible, and God’s revelation of Jesus Christ in it’s fullest.
* The number 7 completes the entire plan of redemption of mankind, which is the story of the Bible.
* The number 7 identifies the Book of Revelation as the fulfillment of all prophecy.
* THE NUMBER THREE. Revelation unfolds the story of 3 women. (1.) The wife of Jehovah--Israel. (2.) The virgin Bride of Christ--the Church. (3.) The harlot--the evil false religion, Mystery Babylon.
The Symbols of Revelation:
* The book of Revelations is rich with symbols that represent real events, places, and people.
* We find the meaning of these symbols before we ever get to the prophecy of Revelation in the writings of the prophets of the Old Testament.
* The symbols found in the book of Revelation are drawn from the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Isaiah.
V. Notice also that the Holy Spirit has established a Devine relationship between Genesis and Revelation.
* The first and last books of the Bible. Genesis presents the beginning, and Revelation presents the end.
Note the contrasts between the two books:
- In Genesis the earth was created; in Revelation the earth passes away.
- In Genesis was Satan’s first rebellion; in Revelation is Satan’s last rebellion.
- In Genesis the sun, moon, and stars were for earth’s government; in Revelation these same heavenly bodies are for earth’s judgment.
- In Genesis the sun was to govern the day; in Revelation there is no need of the sun.
- In Genesis darkness was called night; in Revelation there is “no night there” (see Rev. 21:25; 22:5).
- In Genesis the waters were called seas; in Revelation there is no more sea.
- In Genesis was the entrance of sin; in Revelation is the exodus of sin.
- In Genesis the curse was pronounced; in Revelation the curse is removed.
- In Genesis death entered; in Revelation there is no more death.
- In Genesis was the beginning of sorrow and suffering; in Revelation there will be no more sorrow and no more tears.
- In Genesis was the marriage of the first Adam; in Revelation is the marriage of the Last Adam.
- In Genesis we saw man’s city, Babylon, being built; in Revelation we see man’s city, Babylon, destroyed and God’s city, the New Jerusalem, brought into view.
- In Genesis Satan’s doom was pronounced; in Revelation Satan’s doom is executed.
* It is interesting that Genesis opens the Bible not only with a global view but with a universal view—“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).
* And the Bible closes with another global and universe book. The Revelation shows what God is going to do with His universe and with His creatures. There is no other book quite like this.
* We see the ALPHA and the OMEGA in this list. The Alpha is the beginning, the Omega is the end.
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. The Bible is Jesus' story!
The book of Genesis find it’s complement in the book of Revelation:
GENESIS
REVELATION
Genesis, the book of beginnings.
Revelation, the book of the end.
The earth created (1:1).
The "earth" passes away (21:1).
The first rebellion (the serpent).
Satan's final rebellion (20:3,7-10).
Sun, moon and stars for the earth's government (1:14-16).
Sun, moon, and stars, connected with the earth's judgment (6:13; 8:12; 16:8).
Sun to govern the day (1:16).
No need of the sun (21:23).
Darkness called night (1:5).
"No night there" (22:5).
Waters called seas (1:10).
"No more sea" (21:1).
A river for earth's blessing (2:10-14).
A river for the New earth (22:1,2).
Man in God's image (1:26).
Man ruled over by the image of Sin (Rev 9).
Entrance of sin (Gen 3).
Development and end of sin (Rev 21; 22).
Curse pronounced (3:14,17).
"No more curse" (22:3).
Death enters world (3:19).
"No more death" (21:4).
Cherubim, first mentioned in connection with man (3:24).
Cherubim, final mention in connection with man (4:6).
Man driven out from Eden (3:24).
Man restored to the garden of God (Rev 22).
Tree of life guarded (3:24).
"Right to the tree of life" (22:14).
Sorrow and suffering enter world (3:17).
No more sorrow (21:4).
Man's religion, art, and science, resorted to for enjoyment, apart from God (Gen 4).
Man's religion, luxury, art, and science, in their full glory, judged and destroyed by God (Rev 18).
Nimrod, a great rebel and king, the founder of Babylon (10:8,9).
The Beast, the great rebel and king, the reviver of Babylon (Rev 13-18).
A flood from God to destroy an evil generation (6:9).
A flood from the dragon to destroy an elect generation (Rev 12).
The rainbow, the token of God's covenant with mankind (9:13).
The rainbow, symbolizing God's remembrance of His covenant with mankind (4:3; 10:1).
Sodom and Egypt, the place of corruption and temptation (Gen 13; 19).
Sodom and Egypt, spiritually representing Jerusalem (11:8).
A confederacy against Abraham's people overthrown (Gen 14).
A confederacy against Abraham's seed overthrown (Rev 12).
Marriage of first Adam (2:18-23).
Marriage of last Adam (Rev 19).
A bride sought for Abraham's son (Isaac) and found (Gen 24).
A Bride made ready and brought to Abraham's Son (Rev 19:9).
Two angels acting for God on behalf of His people (Gen 19).
Two witnesses acting for God on behalf of His People (Rev 11).
A promised seed to possess the gate of his enemies (22:17).
The promised seed coming into its possession (11:18).
Man's dominion ceased and sin's begun (3:24).
Satan's dominion ended, and man's restored (Rev 22).
The old serpent causing sin, suffering, and death (Gen 3:1).
The old serpent bound for 1,000 years (20:1-3).
The doom of the old serpent pronounced (3:15).
The doom on the old serpent executed (20:10).
Sun, moon, and stars, associated with Israel (37:9).
Sun, moon, and stars, associated again with Israel (Rev 12).
THE THEMES OF THE FIRST 11 CHAPTERS OF GENESIS and THE LAST 10 CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
• Old Testament compared to New Testament Charts List
GENESIS
SCRIPTURE
REVELATION
SCRIPTURE
1. The creation of heaven and earth
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
1. The creation of the new heaven and earth
Revelation 21:1-5
2. The Eden Sanctuary, the river that flowed out of Eden, and the Tree of Life
Genesis 2:4b-17
2. The Sanctuary of the New Jerusalem, the river that flowed from the New Jerusalem, and the Tree of Life
Revelation 21:9-22:2
3. The bridegroom (Adam), the bride (Eve) and the wedding of Adam and Eve
Genesis 2:18-25
3. The Bride = the Church, and her Bridegroom = Christ; the wedding of the Lamb
Revelation 19:5-9; 21:1-9
4. Satan and the woman, Eve
Genesis 3:1-13
4. Satan and "the Woman," the "new Eve"
Revelation 12:1-17
5. The curse
Genesis 3:14-19
5. The curse is abolished
Revelation 22:3
6. Death enters creation
Genesis 3:19
6. Death is destroyed
Revelation 20:14-15
7. Babylon built; judgment on the nations
Genesis 10:10; 11:1-4
7. Babylon destroyed; judgment on the nations
Revelation 14:6-20
8. The Redeemer is promised
Genesis 3:15
8. The victorious Redeemer reigns
Revelation 20:1-6; 21:22-27; 22:3-5
Michal Hunt, Copyright © 2007 Agape Bible Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.
VI. The Relationship of the book of Revelation with the Book of Daniel:
Parallels between the visions of the Book of Revelation and the visions of the Prophet Daniel
THE VISION
DANIEL
REVELATION
1. Three and a half time period (a time, 2 times and ½ a time)
Chapter 12:7
Chapter 11:9, 11
2. The ten horns
Chapter 7:8
Chapters 12:3, 13:1; 17:3, 8
3. The Leopard, the Bear, and the Lion
Chapter 7:4-6
Chapter 13:2
4. The Beast mouthing boasting and blasphemies
Chapter 7:8, 11
Chapter 13:5
5. The war against the Saints
Chapter 7:21
Chapter 13:7
6. The worship of the Beast's statue
Chapter 3:5-7, 15
Chapter 13:15
7. The Son of Man coming on the Glory-Cloud
Chapter 7:13
Chapter 1:7 and 14:14
Michal Hunt © 2000, www.agapebiblestudy.com
* The books of Daniel and the Revelation are one vision of the future.
* The book of Daniel is a prophecy, that will not be fulfilled until the last days.
* The book or Revelation is exactly what it’s name means: “A revelation of the prophecy that Daniel had written about.
* Even though both books tell of the same scene, one a book was sealed, the other book, Revelation, is the opening, unveiling, or revealing of what had been sealed.
* In the book of Daniel we see the Ancient of Days handing a book to the Son of Man, in the book of Revelation we see that the book is opened by the Lamb of God, who has prevailed to defeat Satan.
* The book of Revelation and Daniel is the “title Deed to the earth.” In Genesis, Satan had become the God of this world.
* God had originally set mankind over the earth and told him to take dominion over it. By trickery and subtlety, Satan usurped that right.
* The book of Revelation is story of Jesus Christ, the seed of the woman, bruising the head of the serpent Satan and re-claiming creation.
THE PURPOSE OF THE JUDGMENT THRONE
* "The Judgment was set and the books opened", The chief difference between accounts of Daniel and the Revelation is this :
(a) In Daniel, the narrative swiftly covers the whole apocalyptic revelation down to the destruction of the Beast and giving lo the saints the kingdom.
(b) In contrast, practically the entire Book of Revelation is an elaboration of the details given in Daniel 7.
* The 4th and 5th Chapters of Revelation thus narrate only the preliminary scenes of the judgment
The vision of the Ancient of Days
Text: (Daniel 7:8-10)
A. The vision of the four beasts. (Daniel 7:1-8)
MULTI–METALLIC IMAGE
FOUR BEASTS
NATIONS DESIGNATED
(Chapter 2)
(Chapter 7)
Head of Gold
Lion
Babylon
Arms of Silver
Bear
Media–Persia
Sides of Brass
Panther (leopard)
Graeco–Macedonia
Legs of Iron; Feet of Iron and Clay
Composite beast
Rome
B. The court is assembled in heaven. (Daniel 7:9-10)
* As a reward for Christ’s perfect submission and atonement, the Father now presented to Him the great record of His future glory (cf. Php 2:5–11). Readers eavesdrop on the gift of this book, from the Father to His Son.
Daniel 7:9–10 (KJV 1900)
9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
THE SCENE ABOUT THE THRONE .
* Rev 4:5, describes this throne of Deity "And out of the throne proceeded lightening and thundering and voices : and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God".
*The description is of a judgment throne. Dan. 7, portrays the scene about the throne even more vividly. "His throne was like a fiery flame, and His wheels are burning fire. The fiery stream issued and came forth before Him......" (Dan. 7 : 9 - 10).
THE THRONES WERE SET:
* This statement in Dan 7 : 9-10 shows that there were other thrones included in the setting.
* Rev. 4:4 reveals that these other thrones are occupied by 24 Elders. "And round about the throne were four and twenty (thrones) and upon them (thrones), I saw four and twenty elders clothed with white raiment : and they had on their heads crowns of gold"
C. The books were opened. (Daniel 7:10, 21, 26)
Daniel 7:10 (KJV 1900)
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Daniel 7:21–22 (KJV 1900)
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Daniel 7:26–28 (KJV 1900)
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter
D. The vision is sealed until the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4, 12:9)
WHY WAS THE BOOK SEALED?
* As we have seen, this revelation of the dispossession of Satan was given to the prophet Daniel. But in his (Daniel's) day, the time had not yet come for the prophecy to be fulfilled. For that reason the words of the book were sealed up till the time of the end.' Christ had not come as redeemer at that time. He had not yet paid the ransom. He was not yet, " the lamb that had been slain".
* "And He said , Go thy way Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9).
* In the vision in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, we see the book reappear for unsealing. With the loosing of the seals, Christ will dispossess the usurpers, and turn over the kingdom to the saints.
* "And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom-"(Daniel 7:14)
* " And the kingdom, and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom - shall be given to the people of the most high" (Daniel 7:27).
* And thus we find that Daniel 7 and Revelation chapters 4-5 are parallel accounts of the judgment scene.
Daniel 12:4 (KJV 1900)
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
E. The un-sealing of the Vision. (Revelation 4-7)
Revelation 22:9–14 (KJV 1900)
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Revelation 4:1–5 (KJV 1900)
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Revelation 5:1–5 (KJV 1900)
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH.
* Who can open the book with the title deed to the earth? Who is able to disposes the usurpers? Daniel tells us "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days and they brought Him near before Him " (Dan 7 : 13).
This verse carries a two-fold picture.
(a) Christ is presented before the Ancient of days. He takes the book of the title deed out of the hand of Him who sits on the throne (Rev 5 : 5 -7).
* There are at least three books which will be opened during the judgment (Dan 7 : 10).
* There is the book of life. There is the book of the deeds of the wicked (Rev. 20 :12). There is the book of remembrance of the works of the righteous (Malachi 3:16).
* However, at this time we are concerned with the book with the title deed to the earth, which the Son of Man has in His hand. This book is sealed, but the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has been found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals.
(b) Christ comes in the clouds of heaven to fulfill the purposes unfolded in the loosing of the seals.
* The book of Revelation is the un-sealing of the vision of Daniel because after the death and resurrection of the Mesiah, the time is now at hand:
Daniel 12:4 (KJV 1900)
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Revelation 22:9–14 (KJV 1900)
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-19 Compared
* As we compare Scripture with Scripture we find that the general chronology of Revelation is not necessarily confined to this book alone.
* It has long been recognized that the prophetic forecast Jesus gave in Matthew 24 is similar in comparison with Revelation chapters 6-19.
* In fact, Matthew 24 is an expansion of Daniel 9:27, which describes Daniel's "seventieth week." Therefore, what Daniel described in one verse, Jesus expanded in the Olivet Discourse to one chapter, which John enlarged to fourteen chapters.
* Revelation 6-19 is Matthew 24 which is an expansion of Daniel 9:27!
* From this we learn that there is unity and divine providence working throughout all Scripture. Revelation is not just an isolated Christian apocalypse.
* The events we find in the book of Revelation are the consummation of all the prophecies throughout the Word of God.
* The seven year period of Revelation 6-19 is Daniel's "seventieth week" of seven years.
* The last half of three-and-one half years of Revelation corresponds to the three-and-one-half year period of Daniel 7:25.
* This period is called in Jeremiah 30:7 "Jacob's trouble." This period is forty-two months or twelve-hundred-and-sixty days long. Many refuse to see this simple explanation of prophecy.
* When Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6-19 are compared, we find many remarkable comparisons.
* There will be:
- False Christs (Matt. 24:4-5; Rev. 6:1-2)
- Wars (Matt. 24:6; Rev. 6:3-4)
- Famines (Matt. 24:7a; Rev. 6:5-6)
- Death (Matt. 24:7b-8; Rev. 6:7-8)
- Martyrs (Matt. 24:9; Rev. 6:9-11)
- Worldwide chaos (Matt. 24:10-13; Rev. 6:12-17)
- The preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom preceded by the sealing of the 144,000 (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 7:1-8)
- There will be the desecration of the Temple and its worship (Matt. 24:15; Rev. 13:1-10)
- While persecution by the Antichrist will cause Israel to flee into the wilderness (Matt. 24:16-20; Rev. 12:6, 12-17)
- There will be deception by the false prophet (Matt. 24:11-12; Rev. 13:11-18)
- The Second Advent terminating the seven year period (Matt. 24:27-30; Rev. 19:11-21)
- Therefore, Matthew 24 is a prophetic forecast of the seven year period of Revelation chapters 6-19, sometimes called Daniel's "Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:27).
Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-19 Compared
REVELATION 6
MATTHEW 24
1st Seal = ???
Behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)
"Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many." (Matt. 24:4-5)
2nd Seal = Widespread Warfare
Another, a fiery red horse, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Rev. 6:4)
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." (Matt. 24:6-7)
3rd Seal = Famine
There was a black horse, and its rider held a scale in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" (Rev. 6:5-6)
"There will be famines . . ." (Matt. 24:7)
4th Seal = Death of 1/4 of Mankind from First Four Seals
There before me was a pale green horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. He was given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and pestilence, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6:8)
"There will be . . . pestilences and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matt. 24:7-8)
5th Seal = Martyrdom of Believers
I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. (Rev. 6:9-11)
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." (Matt. 24:9-10)
6th Seal = Heavenly Signs
Behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.(Rev. 6:12-14)
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Matt. 24:29)
End Times Sequence:
Parallels Between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 & 7
Signs that will appear shortly before the Tribulation Period mentioned in Matthew 24, Revelation, and Jeremiah 30:7.
What needs to happen before the tribulation can begin?
1. One world government (or at least a leaning in this direction)
2. Global economy
3. Israel in their land
4. A restored Jewish temple (or at least serious plans to build)
5. Increased technology
6. A church leaning towards mass apostasy
7. Increased power in the middle east
* This period is called in Jeremiah 30:7 "Jacob's trouble."
Jeremiah 30:1–11 (KJV 1900)
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2 Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
3 For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
4 And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. 5 For thus saith the Lord;
We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace. 6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, And all faces are turned into paleness?
7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; But he shall be saved out of it.
8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, That I will break his yoke from off thy neck, And will burst thy bonds, And strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. 10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord; Neither be dismayed, O Israel: For, lo, I will save thee from afar, And thy seed from the land of their captivity; And Jacob shall return, And shall be in rest, and be quiet, And none shall make him afraid. 11 For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: Though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, Yet will I not make a full end of thee: But I will correct thee in measure, And will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
Revelation 12:1–17 (KJV 1900)
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
* forty-two months (v. 5)—This is the final three-and-one-half-years-1,260 days-of the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7) and Daniel’s seventieth week (Dan. 9:24–27), known as the Great Tribulation (see 11:2; 12:6; see Dan. 7:25). This last half is launched by the abomination of desolations (see Matt. 24:15).
Matthew 24:15–28 (KJV 1900)
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. \
The Events of the Great Tribulation or the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”
1. Wars and Rumors of Wars.
Matthew 24:6: “you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars.”
Revelation 6:2-4: “a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow . . . and he went out conquering . . . a red horse went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth . . .”
2. Famine with war, among other things
Matthew 24:7: “for nation will rise against nation . . . and in various places there will be famines.”
Revelation 6:5-8: “a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand . . . a quart of wheat for a denarius [equivalent to day’s pay] . . . and behold, an ashen horse . . . Authority was given to them [Death and Hades] over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine . . .”
3. Tribulation and persecution of believers
Matthew 24:9 (onward through to 22): “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you . . . For then there will be a great tribulation . . . Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
Revelation 6:9-11: “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God . . . and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed . . . would be completed also.”
4. Sun, moon, and stars go dark
Matthew 24:29: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky.”
Revelation 6:12-13: “when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth.”
5. Jesus Christ appears in the sky, and the unbelievers cry in anguish
Matthew 24:30: “then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.”
Revelation 6:15-16: “Then the kings of the earth and . . . the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves . . . and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”
6. The rescue (rapture) of believers from earth
Matthew 24:31: “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
Revelation 7:9-14 (after an interjection about the 144,000): “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne . . . ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation.’”
* These six events are the basic framework of the end times before God’s judgment comes upon the wicked.
* They do not encompass all the events leading up to the end, but they do help us see an overall picture of what it will be like.
* One particular event to look out for is the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars, because this event is a unique heavenly phenomenon and is one that will come right before Christ’s appearing in the sky.
* As 1 Thessalonians 5:4 says, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness.”
* Though the sky will be dark and all the world will wonder, we will know what is happening, because we are of the day.
* And God wrote down these events for us in advance so that we will know what to watch for as sons of the Light.
VII. The relationship of the Book of Revelation to the book of Ezekiel.
* Revelation contains a number of allusions to the book of Ezekiel. For example, the similarities between the throne scenes at the beginning of each book (Ezek. 1; Rev. 4) are well recognized.
* Most commentators also acknowledge that the end of Revelation (Rev. 21-22) has a number of points of correspondence to the end of Ezekiel (Ezek. 40-48).
* While these parallels (and others) are well recognized, it may be that Ezekiel’s influence is more systematic and pervasive than is generally thought; Ezekiel may actually provide an outline that Revelation follows. Ian Boxall writes the following on this:
The influence of the Book of Ezekiel on the last book of the Christian Bible is indisputable. It can be detected most obviously in the many allusions to and echoes of the Old Testament writing, permeating virtually every chapter of Revelation... Few would deny Ezekiel’s role as at least one dominant source for the seer of Patmos… The 4th edition of the UBS Greek New Testament, for example, lists no less than 84 allusions and verbal parallels to Ezekiel in the Apocalypse, spread across every chapter except 12-13.
Chart of Relationship between Revelation and Ezekiel:
Revelation 1-----------------Ezekiel 1
Revelation 4-----------------Ezekiel 1
Revelation 5-----------------Ezekiel 2
Revelation 6-----------------Ezekiel 5-7
Revelation 7:1-2-------------Ezekiel 7:2-3
Revelation 7-8 --------------Ezekiel 9-10
Revelation 10---------------Ezekiel 2-3
Revelation 10-13------------Ezekiel 11-14 (echoes)
Revelation 11:1-2-----------Ezekiel 40
Revelation 13:11-18---------Ezekiel 14
Revelation 17---------------Ezekiel 16, 23
Revelation 18---------------Ezekiel 26-28
Revelation 19:11-21---------Ezekiel 29, 32 (39)
Revelation 20:1-3-----------Ezekiel 29, 32
Revelation 20:4-6-----------Ezekiel 37
Revelation 20:7-10----------Ezekiel 38:1-39:20
Revelation 20:11-15---------Ezekiel 39:21-29
Revelation 21-22------------Ezekiel 40-48
EZEKIEL 1-10
* In Ezekiel 1 the prophet sees four living creatures (with faces like a man, lion, ox, and eagle) in the context of God on his throne in heaven.
* This is what John sees (with some variations) in Revelation 4.
* In Ezekiel 2, the prophet is told he is being sent “. . . to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation . . .” (v. 3).
* Ezekiel is given a scroll with writing on the inside and on the outside that is full of lamentations and woe for Israel (Ezek. 2:9-10).
* The same kind of two-sided scroll is shown in Revelation 5 (vv. 1-7).
* Both Ezekiel and John are instructed to eat their respective scrolls; both scrolls are said to be sweet “like honey” (Ezek. 3:1-4; Rev. 10:8-11).
* In Ezekiel 4 the famine resulting from the sixth-century BC siege of Jerusalem is portrayed; it would become so bad that basic foodstuffs would be measured by weight (Ezek. 4:7-17). The same measuring of foodstuffs by weight is shown in Revelation 6:5-6;
* In Ezekiel 5 the prophet is told that four plagues would be brought on Jerusalem: “So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you . . .” (Ezek. 5:17).
* These plagues correspond to Revelation’s second seal (a great sword), the third seal (famine) and the fourth seal (death by “sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth”) Revelation 6:3-8
* Also note that in Ezekiel 5 the manner of the destruction of Jerusalem is described: it is said that one third would be destroyed by famine and pestilence, one third by the sword and one third would go into captivity (v. 11). Compare this with the threefold division of the great city (where Jesus was crucified, Rev. 11:8) in Revelation 16:17-21.
* In Ezekiel 7 the day of God’s “wrath” has arrived on Jerusalem and the land of Israel. This is paralleled in the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17) where we are told, “. . . the great day of His wrath has come . . .” (v. 17). Revelation tells us that men would hide in caves at this time and beg for the mountains to fall on them in an attempt to hide from God’s wrath (Rev. 6:15-16). This is the day of the Lord that Jesus said would come on Jerusalem and the generation that rejected him (Luke 23:29; cf. Josephus, The Jewish War 6, 7, 3).
* In Ezekiel 9 a mark is put on the foreheads of the righteous in Jerusalem just before judgment goes forth on the Land. This parallels Revelation 7, where God’s people are marked on their foreheads with his seal (v. 3) right before the great tribulation occurs (v. 14).
* In Ezekiel 10 an angelic figure takes coals of fire from between the cherubim and scatters them over Jerusalem. This is paralleled in Revelation 8:3-5 where an angel takes coals from the altar and casts them to the earth.
EZEKIEL 10-20
In Ezekiel 12 (vv. 17-28) the prophet is told that the judgment on Jerusalem and the Land will not be postponed any longer. This parallels Revelation 10:1-7 where we are told that there “should be delay no longer” when the seventh trumpet sounds (vv. 6-7).
* The seventh trumpet is sounded in Revelation 11:15-18; it results in the kingdom of this world becoming the kingdom of God at the destruction of those who were (morally) destroying[3] the Land (Rev. 11:15-18 NASB; cf. Dan. 7:21-27; 12:7).
* In Ezekiel 13 God denounces the false prophets of Israel who see visions of peace for Jerusalem “when there is no peace” (v. 16). In Ezekiel 14 God tells the elders of Israel that those who set up idols in their heart will be punished. This parallels Revelation 13, where the beast from the Land (later referred to as a “false prophet” Rev. 16:13; 19:20) sets up an idol and requires the dwellers on the Land to worship it (vv. 11-18).
* In Ezekiel 15 God says that he will burn Jerusalem just as wood from a grapevine is burned, and will make the Land desolate (vv. 6-8).
* This is paralleled in Revelation 14 where an angel with power over fire commands the vine of the Land to be gathered
* Revelation 14:20 says the blood from this judgment covers a distance of one thousand six hundred furlongs—the north to south length of the Land.
* Ezekiel 16 speaks of the harlotries of Jerusalem (i.e., her going after the gods and ways of the Gentiles, vv. 15-32).
* God proclaims that her lovers would turn on her and burn her with fire (vv. 35-43).
* This is exactly what happens to harlot Babylon in Revelation 17-18; the beast she is committing whoredom with (Rome), turns on her and destroys her with fire (Rev. 17:11-18)
* In Ezekiel 26-28 there are lamentations over the fall of Tyre. This is paralleled in the lamentations over the fall of harlot Babylon in Revelation 18:9-20.
* In Ezekiel 27 the fall of Tyre is likened to the sinking of a ship that loses its merchandise (v. 34); this merchandise is listed in verses 12-24. In Revelation 18 the merchandise of harlot Babylon is similarly listed (vv. 12-13); the merchants who supplied these goods mourn their economic loss at the city’s destruction (vv. 9-20).
COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE VISIONS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND THE VISIONS OF THE PROPHETS EZEKIEL AND DANIEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
* Below are two tables showing side by side prophecies between the two Old Testament books and the book of Revelation.
* If we want to understand Revelation we must look back to the Prophets of old, as we will see they foretold of these Revelations 1000′s of years in advance.
THE VISION
EZEKIEL
REVELATION
1. The Throne Vision
Chapter 1
Chapter 4
2. The Book Being Opened
Chapters 2-3
Chapter 5
3. The Four Plagues
Chapter 5
Chapter 6:1-8
4. Those Slain Under the aAtar
Chapter.6
Chapter 6:9-11
5. The Wrath of God
Chapter 7
Chapter 6:12-17
6. The Seal on the Saint’s Foreheads
Chapter 9
Chapter 7
7. The Coals from the Altar
Chapter.10
Chapter 8
8. The 1/3 Destruction
Chapter 5:1-4 and 12
Chapter 8:6-12
9. No More Delay
Chapter 12
Chapter 10:1-7
10. The Eating of the Book
Chapter 2
Chapter 10:8-11
11. Prophecy against the Nations
Chapters 25-32
Chapter 10:11
12. The Measuring of the Temple
Chapters 40-43
Chapter 11:1-2
13. Comparing Jerusalem to Sodom
Chapter 16
Chapter 11:8
14. The Cup of Wrath
Chapter 23
Chapter 14
15. The Vine of the Land
Chapter 15
Chapter 14:18-20
16. The Great Harlot
Chapters 16, 23
Chapters 17-18
17. The Lament Sung Over the City
Chapter 27
Chapter 18
18. The Scavenger’s Feast
Chapter 39
Chapter 19
19. The First Resurrection
Chapter 37
Chapter 20:4-6
20. The Battle of Gog and Magog
Chapter 38-39
Chapter 20:7-9
21. The New Jerusalem
Chapters 40-48
Chapter 21
22. The River of Life
Chapter 47
Chapter 22
THE VISION
DANIEL
REVELATION
1. Three and a half time period (a time, 2 times and ½ a time)
Chapter 12:7
Chapter 11:9, 11
2. The ten horns
Chapter 7:8
Chapters 12:3, 13:1; 17:3, 8
3. The Leopard, the Bear, and the Lion
Chapter 7:4-6
Chapter 13:2
4. The Beast mouthing boasting and blasphemies
Chapter 7:8, 11
Chapter 13:5
5. The war against the Saints
Chapter 7:21
Chapter 13:7
6. The worship of the Beast’s statue
Chapter 3:5-7, 15
Chapter 13:15
7. The Son of Man coming on the Glory-Cloud
Chapter 7:13
Chapter 1:7 and 14:14
COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE VISIONS OF ST. JOHN IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND THE VISIONS OF THE PROPHETS EZEKIEL AND DANIEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Parallels between the visions of the Book of Revelation and the visions of the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel
THE VISION
EZEKIEL
REVELATION
1. The Throne Vision
Chapter 1
Chapter 4
2. The Book Being Opened
Chapters 2-3
Chapter 5
3. The Four Plagues
Chapter 5
Chapter 6:1-8
4. Those Slain Under the aAtar
Chapter.6
Chapter 6:9-11
5. The Wrath of God
Chapter 7
Chapter 6:12-17
6. The Seal on the Saint's Foreheads
Chapter 9
Chapter 7
7. The Coals from the Altar
Chapter.10
Chapter 8
8. The 1/3 Destruction
Chapter 5:1-4 and 12
Chapter 8:6-12
9. No More Delay
Chapter 12
Chapter 10:1-7
10. The Eating of the Book
Chapter 2
Chapter 10:8-11
11. Prophecy against the Nations
Chapters 25-32
Chapter 10:11
12. The Measuring of the Temple
Chapters 40-43
Chapter 11:1-2
13. Comparing Jerusalem to Sodom
Chapter 16
Chapter 11:8
14. The Cup of Wrath
Chapter 23
Chapter 14
15. The Vine of the Land
Chapter 15
Chapter 14:18-20
16. The Great Harlot
Chapters 16, 23
Chapters 17-18
17. The Lament Sung Over the City
Chapter 27
Chapter 18
18. The Scavenger's Feast
Chapter 39
Chapter 19
19. The First Resurrection
Chapter 37
Chapter 20:4-6
20. The Battle of Gog and Magog
Chapter 38-39
Chapter 20:7-9
21. The New Jerusalem
Chapters 40-48
Chapter 21
22. The River of Life
Chapter 47
Chapter 22
M. Hunt ©, 2000, www.agapebiblestudy.com
VII. Revelation takes a high view of God’s inspired Word. It claims divine inspiration for itself (1:2)
* It has been estimated that 278 of its 404 verses allude to the inspired Old Testament Scriptures.
* Revelation reveals God the Father in all His glory and majesty, describing Him as holy (4:8), true (6:10), omnipotent (4:11), wise (7:12), sovereign (4:11), and eternal (4:10).
VIII. The time of the Revelation is at hand.
* Nothing else now has to occur before the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation Period.
V. Revelation details the depths of man’s depravity.
* Despite experiencing the final outpouring of God’s devastating wrath and judgment on sinful mankind, people will nevertheless harden their hearts (like Pharaoh before them; 1 Sam. 6:6) and refuse to repent (9:20–21; 16:9, 11).
DIRECT REFERENCES TO REVELATION--FOUND IN THE REST OF THE BIBLE
* In looking through the Bible, we can find at least these (and possibly more) DIRECT references to what is recorded in the Revelation.
* There are 13 SPECIFIC references in Genesis, 27 in Exodus, 3 in Numbers, 4 in Leviticus and 10 in Deuteronomy--which totals 57 references in the Pentateuch, the books of Moses.
* There are 12 references in Joshua, 1 in Judges--leading to a total of 23 within the historical books.
* There are 43 references in Psalms and 2 in Proverbs.
* There are 79 in Isaiah, 53 in Daniel--arriving at a grand total of 197 references in the MAJOR prophets which have a DIRECT relation to what is recorded in Revelation. There are 38 references in the MINOR prophets.
* All this adds up to a total of 360 places in the Old Testament that DIRECTLY refers to what is written in the Revelation, and these verses are VERY NON-TRIVIAL, meaning that they uphold and support the Revelation by DIRECT wording. With this in mind, we can UNDERSTAND HOW the book of Revelation is indeed THE CLIMAX of what has been recorded previously. We can also see WHY a study of Revelation will become a study of the WHOLE COUNSEL of God as it is brought forth in the COMPLETE scripture. Revelation is THE LENS, through which the rest of scripture is focused.
XI. The ten great subjects of prophecy which find their consummation here are these:
1. The Lord Jesus Christ. He is the subject of the book.
* The subject is not the beasts nor the bowls of wrath but the Sin-bearer. The first mention of Him is way back in Genesis 3:15, as the Seed of the woman.
* The subject of this book is very important to see. To emphasize and reemphasize it, let me direct your attention to chapter 1, verse 1—“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.
* The Book of Revelation is the Revelation. It is the apokalupsis, that is, “the uncovering, unveiling, or revelation” of Jesus Christ.
* Let’s keep in mind that this book is a revelation of Jesus Christ.
* In the Gospels you see Him in the days of His flesh, but they do not give the full revelation of Jesus Christ. There you see Him in humiliation.
* Here in Revelation you see Him in glory. You see Him in charge of everything that takes place. He is in full command. This is the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
* In the first division of the Book of Revelation we will see the person of Christ in His position and glory as the Great High Priest who is in charge of His church.
* We will see that He is in absolute control.
* In the Gospels we find Him to be meek, lowly, and humble. He made Himself subject to His enemies on earth and died upon a cross!
* We find a completely different picture of Him in the Book of the Revelation. Here He is in absolute control.
* Although He is still the Lamb of God, it is His wrath that is revealed, the wrath of the Lamb, and it terrifies the earth. When He speaks in wrath, His judgment begins upon the earth.
* The person of Jesus Christ is the theme of this book.
* When the scene moves to heaven, we see Him there, too, controlling everything.
* Not only in Revelation but in the entire Bible Jesus Christ is the major theme. The Scriptures are both theocentric and Christocentric, God-centered and Christ-centered.
* Since Christ is God, He is the One who fills the view of the total Word of God. This needs to be kept in mind in a special way as we study the Book of Revelation—even more than in the Gospels.
* But the book of Revelation is preeminently the “Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1).
* It describes Him by many titles:
- “the faithful witness” (1:5)
- “the firstborn of the dead” (1:5)
- “the ruler of the kings of the earth” (1:5)
- “the Alpha and the Omega” (1:8; 21:6)
- “the first and the last” (1:17)
- “the living One” (1:18)
- “the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand”
- “the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands” (2:1)
- “the One who has the sharp two-edged sword” (2:12)
- “the Son of God” (2:18)
- “the One “who has eyes like a flame of fire, and … feet … like burnished bronze” (2:18)
- the One “who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (3:1)
- “the One “who is holy, who is true” (3:7)
- “the holder of “the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens” (3:7)
- “the Amen, the faithful and true Witness” (3:14)
- “the Beginning of the creation of God” (3:14)
- “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah” (5:5)
- “the Root of David” (5:5); the Lamb of God (e.g., 5:6; 6:1; 7:9–10; 8:1; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7; 21:9; 22:1)
- the “Lord, holy and true” (6:10)
- the One who “is called Faithful and True” (19:11)
- “The Word of God” (19:13); the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (19:16)
- Christ (Messiah), ruling on earth with His glorified saints (20:6)
- “Jesus … the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (22:16).
Revelation also affirms the full deity of Jesus Christ:
He possesses the attributes and prerogatives of God, including:
-sovereignty (1:5)
- eternity (1:17–18)
- the right to judge men (19:11)
- to decide who lives and who dies (1:18; 2:23)
- He receives worship (5:13)
- rules from God’s throne (22:1, 3)
* Revelation affirms His equality of essence with God the Father by applying Old Testament passages that describe God to Jesus Christ (cf. Deut. 10:17 with 19:16; Prov. 3:12 with 3:19; Dan. 7:9 with 1:14; Isa. 44:6 with 1:17; also cf. 1:8 with 22:12–13).
* The Bible as a whole tells us what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do.
* The Book of Revelation emphasizes both what He is doing and what He will do.
* The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, closes with the mention of the Sun of Righteousness which is yet to rise.
* It holds out a hope for a cursed earth, and that hope is the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ.
* The Book of Revelation closes with the Bright and Morning Star, which is a figure of Christ at His coming to take the church out of the world.
* The Rapture is the hope of the New Testament, just as the revelation of Christ was the hope of the Old Testament. And the Book of Revelation will complete the revelation of Christ.
2. The church does not begin in the Old Testament. It is first mentioned by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 16:18: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
3. The resurrection and the translation of the saints (see John 14; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; 1 Cor. 15:51–52).
4. The Great Tribulation, spoken of back in Deuteronomy 4 where God says that His people would be in tribulation.
5. Satan and evil (see Ezek. 28:11–18).
6. The “man of sin” (see Ezek. 28:1–10).
7. The course and end of apostate Christendom (see Dan. 2:31–45; Matt. 13).
8. The beginning, course, and end of the “times of the Gentiles” (see Dan. 2:37–45; Luke 21:24).
* The Lord Jesus said that Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles until the Times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
9. The second coming of Christ. According to Jude 14–15, Enoch spoke of that, which takes us back to the time of the Genesis record.
10. Israel’s covenants, beginning with the covenant which God made with Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3.
Notes on Revelation Chapter 1
Revelation 1–3:22 (KJV 1900)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ,
* 1:1 The Revelation. The Gr. word from which the Eng. word “apocalypse” comes lit. means “to uncover, or to reveal.” When it refers to a person, it means that person becomes clearly visible
which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;
* This is verification that this is a book of future prophecy, not past, or present events but events of a time that would come after the writing of this book.
* The three-fold purpose of this book is revealed in this first verse:
1) To uncover, or reveal Christ, in his full glory.
* The gospels unveil Christ at His first coming in humiliation; Revelation reveals Him in His exaltation:
1) in blazing glory (vv. 7–20)
2) over His church, as its Lord (chaps. 2, 3)
3) in His second coming, as He takes back the earth from the usurper, Satan, and establishes His kingdom (chaps. 4–20)
4) as He lights up the eternal state (chaps. 21, 22).
* The New Testament writers eagerly anticipate this unveiling:
2 Thessalonians 1:7–10 (KJV 1900)
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven
with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
* Look at the words in verse one:
Revelation 1:1 (KJV 1900)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
* As a reward for Christ’s perfect submission and atonement, the Father now presented to Him the great record of His future:
Philippians 2:4–11 (KJV 1900)
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
* In the book of Revelation, readers eavesdrop on the gift of this book, from the Father to His Son. (Daniel 7), (Revelation 4-5).
2) To show, or prepare what is going to come to pass for the servants of God.
* Look also in verse one at the words “Which must shortly come to pass:” and then in verse three: “for the time is at hand.”
Revelation 1:1–3 (KJV 1900)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
* This underscores the imminence of Christ’s return.
Revelation 3:11 (KJV 1900)
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 22:12 (KJV 1900)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
3). To bring comfort to those believers who were suffering, and would suffer, under the kingdoms of this world for the testimony of Christ.
* In the other epistles to the churches the saints were told that their sufferings were only temporary and that their sorrows would not compare to the joy and gladness that they would experience when Jesus vindicates them before all the kingdoms of this world.
Romans 8:16–19 (KJV 1900)
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
1 Corinthians 1:7–9 (KJV 1900)
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Peter 1:3–7 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
* Look in verse three at the words “Blessed is he that readeth:”
* This is one of 7 beatitudes found in the book of Revelation.
* "Happy are you if you do these things, stay with it, for indeed there is a blessing in the end."
* Nearly 60 years after Jesus gave the beatitudes to his disciples while he walked this earth, the ascended Jesus Christ, the true Author of the book of Revelation, offered additional beatitudes to reinvigorate His followers to stick with it!
* He wanted them to hold on and realize that while it wouldn't be easy to be a Christian in A.D. 90 or 2005, it would be worth it.
The Seven Beatitudes of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to His Servant John
#1. Revelation 1:3
Revelation 1:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
#2. Revelation 4:13
Revelation 14:13 (KJV 1900)
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
#3. Revelation 6:15
Revelation 16:15–16 (KJV 1900)
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. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
#4. Revelation 19:9
Revelation 19:9 (KJV 1900)
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
#5. Revelation 20:6
Revelation 20:6 (KJV 1900)
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
#6. Revelation 22:7
Revelation 22:7 (KJV 1900)
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
#7. Revelation 2:14
Revelation 22:14 (KJV 1900)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.
* (See Daniel)
Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
* (Again see Daniel)
Daniel 7:12–14 (KJV 1900)
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.
* See (Zachariah)
Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos,
for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,
and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son
of man,
* (See Daniel)
clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
* (See Zachariah)
7 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.
* (See Daniel)
And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
2 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
3 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
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; 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. 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. 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 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. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
* God promised Israel five things, and God says in Revelation that He will fulfill them all.
AUTHOR: John
TIME WRITTEN: A.D. 95 or 96
POSITION IN THE BIBLE: • 66th and last Book in the Bible
• 27th and last Book in the
New Testament
• 1st and only Book of Prophecy in
the New Testament
• None to follow it.
CHAPTERS: 22
VERSES: 404
WORDS: 11,995
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT REVELATION:
n The author is the apostle John.
n Revelation is from a Greek word meaning “to uncover, to
unveil.”
n The island of Patmos was:
• Located in the Aegean Sea.
• Located 24 miles west of Asia Minor.
• 10 miles long.
• 6 miles wide.
* It is believed that John was 90 years old when he was exiled
to the island of Patmos.
* At the time of the revelation, the church was being greatly
persecuted by the Romans.
• For several decades Christianity had remained unnoticed
by the Roman government because they had regarded it
as a part of the Jewish religion.
• When it was determined that Christianity was not a part of
the Jewish religion, it became an illegal religion.
* The great message of the Revelation is that Satan and the
world cannot win, and that Christ and His church cannot
lose.
* The key to Revelation is found in Revelation 1:1 - “The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show
His servants - things which must shortly take place...”
* Those to whom the revelation letter was written would
understand the message convey by using the largely
symbolic language. Should the letter be intercepted, the
Romans would not.
* The Seven Churches of Asia:
• Letter to the church at Ephesus. 2:1-7
• Letter to the church at Smyrna. 2:8-11
• Letter to the church at Pergamum. 2:17-18
• Letter to the church at Thyatira. 2:18-29
• Letter to the church at Sardis. 3:1-6
• Letter to the church at Philadelphia. 3:7-13
• Letter to the church at Laodicea. 3:14-22
n Revelation contains several sets of sevens:
• The Seven Churches of Asia. 1:9 - 3:22
• The Seven Seals. 4:1 - 8:1
• The Seven Trumpets. 8:6 - 11:19
• The Seven Bows of Wrath. 15:1 - 19:6
* Strong external evidence seems to indicate the Book of
revelation may have been written during the reign of
Domitian, A.D. 81-96.
• Domitian was the one who “bathed his empire in the blood
of Christians.”
• While worship of deceased emperors had been practiced for
years, Domitian was the first emperor to demand that he
be worshipped while he was still alive.
* Out of 404 verses in the Book of Revelation, there are some
278 allusions to the Old Testament.
The gospels unveil Christ at His first coming in humiliation; Revelation reveals Him in His exaltation: 1) in blazing glory (vv. 7–20); 2) over His church, as its Lord (chaps. 2, 3); 3) in His second coming, as He takes back the earth from the usurper, Satan, and establishes His kingdom (chaps. 4–20); and 4) as He lights up the eternal state (chaps. 21, 22). The NT writers eagerly anticipate this unveiling (1Co 1:7; 2Th 1:7; 1Pe 1:7).
God gave Him. As a reward for Christ’s perfect submission and atonement, the Father now presented to Him the great record of His future glory (cf. Php 2:5–11). Readers eavesdrop on the gift of this book, from the Father to His Son.
But although Christ’s coming is the next event, it may be delayed so long that people begin to question whether He will ever come (cf. Mt 24:36–39; 2Pe 3:3, 4).
The book was anticipated by Jesus before His death when He declared that the Holy Spirit would show the apostles “things to come” (John 16:13). This was begun through the eschatological teachings of Paul and Peter, but most completely fulfilled through the apostle John on Patmos. The phrase “and I saw” occurs more than 40 times in Revelation, and the statement “I was in the Spirit” is common. Twelve times throughout the book John reports that he was told to write down what he saw.
The Book of Revelation builds heavily upon the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Many symbols introduced in Daniel are repeated and further clarified in Revelation. A full understanding of Revelation is impossible without an accurate understanding of the prophecy of Daniel.
The number seven is very prominent in Revelation. There are seven churches (1:11), seven candlesticks (1:13), seven stars (1:16), seven letters (2:1–3:22), seven Spirits (4:5), seven seals (5:1), seven trumpets (8:2), seven thunders (10:3), seven heads (12:3; 13:1), seven angels (15:6), seven bowls or vials (15:7), seven mountains (17:9), and seven blessings (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Many interpreters believe that the number seven, when given symbolic significance, represents completeness and perfection. The numbers four (4:6; 6:1–8; 9:14) and twelve (7:4–8; 21:12, 14; 22:2) also appear to have special significance in Revelation.
Parallels between the visions of the Book of Revelation and the visions of the Book of the Prophet Daniel
THE VISION
DANIEL
REVELATION
1. Three and a half time period (a time, 2 times and ½ a time)
Chapter 12:7
Chapter 11:9, 11
2. The 10 horns
Chapter 7:8
Chapters 12:3, 13:1; 17:3, 8
3. The Leopard, the Bear, and the Lion
Chapter 7:4-6
Chapter 13:2
4. The Beast mouthing boasting and blasphemies
Chapter 7:8,11
Chapter 13:5
5. The war against the Saints
Chapter 7:21
Chapter 13:7
6. The worship of the Beast's statue
Chapter 3:5-7, 15
Chapter 13:15
7. The Son of Man coming on the Glory-Cloud
Chapter 7:13
Chapter 1:7 & 14:14
Michal Hunt, Copyright © 2000 Agape Bible Study. Permissions All Rights Reserved.
COMPARISON OF REVELATION CHAPTERS 4 & 5 WITH DANIEL 7
Bro. Michael Jacob
The scene shown in Daniel 7 and Revelation 4&5 are one and the same.
1 . THE ANCIENT OF DAYS APPEARS SITTING UPON THE THRONE
Rev. 4:2 shows Deity, or the Ancient of Days sitting upon a throne. " And behold a throne was set in heaven, and ONE sat upon the throne".
Daniel 7 goes further and gives a description of the Ancient of Days who is on the throne. " And I beheld till the thrones were set and the ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as Snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool : His throne was like the fiery flame; and His wheels as burning fire" (Dan 7 :9).
2 . THE SCENE ABOUT THE THRONE .
Rev 4:5, describes this throne of Deity "And out of the throne proceeded lightening and thundering and voices : and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God". The description is of a judgment throne. Dan. 7, portrays the scene about the throne even more vividly. "His throne was like a fiery flame, and His wheels are burning fire. The fiery stream issued and came forth before Him......" (Dan. 7 : 9 - 10).
3. THE THRONES WERE SET :
This statement in Dan 7 : 9-10 shows that there were other thrones included in the setting. Rev. 4:4 reveals that these other thrones are occupied by 24 Elders. "And round about the throne were four and twenty (thrones) and upon them (thrones), I saw four and twenty elders clothed with white raiment : and they had on their heads crowns of gold"
4. THE TEN THOUSAND TIMES TEN THOUSAND ATTENDING ANGELS.
Rev. 5:11 records the attending angels. "And I beheld and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beast and the elders : and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands" Daniel describes the same picture, and the numbers tally with those of Rev 5.
" Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him : The judgment was set and the books were opened"(Dan7:10).
5. THE PURPOSE OF THE JUDGMENT THRONE
" The Judgment was set and the books opened", The chief difference between accounts of Daniel and the Revelation is this :
(a) In Daniel, the narrative swiftly covers the whole apocalyptic revelation down to the destruction of the Beast and giving lo the saints the kingdom.
(b) In contrast, practically the entire Book of Revelation is an elaboration of the details given in Daniel 7. The 4th and 5th Chapters of Revelation thus narrate only the preliminary scenes of the judgment
6. JUDGMENT AND DESTRUCTION OF THE BEAST KINGDOMS :
Dan. 7 therefore continues the judgment scene, showing its results. It reveals how the Beast is taken and delivered to destruction. " I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame..... and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end" (Dan 7 : 11, 26).
The essential purpose therefore of the judgment throne is to take over and destroy the dominion that Satan has held over the earth and return it to the rightful heirs, the Saints of God.
7. THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH.
But who is to accomplish this? Who can open the book with the title deed to the earth? Who is able to disposes the usurpers? Daniel tells us "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days and they brought Him near before Him " (Dan 7 : 13).
This verse carries a two-fold picture.
(a) Christ is presented before the Ancient of days. He takes the book of the title deed out of the hand of Him who sits on the throne (Rev 5 : 5 -7). There are at least three books which will be opened during the judgment (Dan 7 : 10). There is the book of life. There is the book of the deeds of the wicked (Rev. 20 :12). There is the book of remembrance of the works of the righteous (Malachi 3:16). However, at this time we are concerned with the book with the title deed to the earth, which the Son of Man has in His hand. This book is sealed, but the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has been found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals.
(b) Christ comes in the clouds of heaven to fulfill the purposes unfolded in the loosing of the seals.
WHY WAS THE BOOK SEALED?
As we have seen, this revelation of the dispossession of Satan was given to the prophet Daniel. But in his (Daniel's) day, the time had not yet come for the prophecy to be fulfilled. For that reason the words of the book were sealed up till the time of the end.' Christ had not come as redeemer at that time. He had not yet paid the ransom. He was not yet, " the lamb that had been slain".
"And He said , Go thy way Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end" (Daniel 12:9).
In the vision in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, we see the book reappear for unsealing. With the loosing of the seals, Christ will dispossess the usurpers, and turn over the kingdom to the saints.
"And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom-"(Daniel 7:14)
" And the kingdom, and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom - shall be given to the people of the most high" (Daniel 7:27).
And thus we find that Daniel 7 and Revelation chapters 4-5 are parallel accounts of the judgment scene.
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