Study of Revelation

            Preface To Revelation

            There's an old saying that goes,

            "He can't see the forest for the trees."

            This study, though focusing on some of the trees, is an attempt to see the forest, to see the big picture. Too often most of us seem to get lost in the details of the imagery, thereby missing the overall picture.

            While we seek to avoid that problem in this current study, we also want to be mindful of the danger in oversimplifying anything to the point of insignificance. And so we wish to strike a reasonable balance so as to not lose sight of the big picture.

            We begin with the understanding that the bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments,

            from Genesis to Revelation, is the inspired Word of God, in fact, "God-breathed," (2 Timothy 3:16).

            As such this is literature designed to communicate the mind of the infinite God to finite human beings, and so is written, so that we might understand it.

            The Old Testament prophets spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:21,

            and this includes the apostles who wrote the New Testament as well, Ephesians 2:19,20,

            whose writings are the word of God, 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

            With this in mind, two basic principles served as guidelines for this study:

            One, THIS BOOK SHOULD BE READ NATURALLY, NOT NECESSARILY LITERALLY, JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE MIGHT BE READ.

            For example, if you read in the newspaper that quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers has a cannon for a right arm, you know that literally that isn't true. You recognize that as a metaphor, an exaggeration for effect, that tells you that he can really throw a football hard. It isn't necessary to know what kind of cannon the writer meant.

            Scripture sometimes is also written in a metaphorical way, meant to convey emotional rather than literal images.

            For instance, in Psalm 22:6 David clearly states that he is a worm and not a man.

            Are we to understand that he literally was a worm, or is this an example of someone humbling himself due to a past action, in this case, David's sin with Bathsheba? The answer is obvious.

            In Revelation, the exact meaning of some of the details may not be as important as the overall effect they have within the context in which they are found.

            For example, who the 24 elders in chapter 4 are isn't nearly as important as what they are doing and why.

            Note here that this contrast is between natural and literal, not between natural man and spiritual man. Of course spiritual truths are to be spiritually discerned, as the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:13,14.

            But we must remember that the same God who inspired Paul also told the prophet Isaiah, "Come now, let us reason together..." in Isaiah 1:18. And so we are trying to spiritually discern what the natural or most obvious message of Revelation is.

            Two, NO PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE CAN MEAN MORE TO US THAN IT DID TO ITS ORIGINAL READERS. OTHERWISE, SCRIPTURE CAN BE MANIPULATED TO MEAN ALMOST ANYTHING.

            This is particularly true for the book of Revelation. So whenever you arrive at an understanding of some part of the book, a good question to ask yourself is, "Is this likely to be the way the original readers understood it?"

            If not, then your understanding is probably wrong. For example, many think that Babylon, described in chapter 17, is the Roman Catholic Church. But is it likely that the original readers would have understood it that way some 400 years before it came into existence? No, and this shows why it is important to try to figure out what their understanding would be before we try to apply it to ourselves today.

            Russ Hicks

            Preparation Revelation = apokalupsis (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis); KJV-- appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.

            Revelation of what? Of Christ Jesus, how He really is today, not just in "future events".

            Revelation is the only book with a promise! The book is a "lens" that puts the entire Bible into focus. The lens is focused on the person of Jesus Christ, and His destiny is imminent. This is a book of victory; We are over comers! We are the ultimate winners in the game of life. (Read the ending, the Saints win!)

            One of the reasons this book strikes us as strange is because of our lack of understanding concerning the Old Testament. The Book of Revelation has 404 verses, and in those verses there are 800 allusions to the Old Testament.

            The more we know about the Bible, and the Old Testament in particular, the more comfortable we will be with the idioms found in the Book of Revelation.

            In the Book of Acts, Luke records the first 30 years of the "Church". The Old Testament has been fulfilled, (Mt. 5:17) The New Testament is in full force. (Heb 9:15-22) Revelation is the climax or ending to Acts, covering the time from the Church being 30 years old to the second coming of Christ Jesus. 2000 years of the Church, so far.

            Redemption is the key issue in the Book of Revelation

            (not salvation).

            Redemption = restoration to the original owner of that which was lost. Deliverance by payment of a price. In the New Testament, redemption refers to salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God by Christ's sacrifice. In the Old Testament, the word redemption refers to redemption by a KINSMAN REDEEMER (Lev. 25:24,51-52; Ruth 4:6; Jer. 32:7-8).

            Genesis = Beginning; Creation Revelation = Redemption; Completion

            ****add pop up window here...... with Genesis/Revelation graph*****

            You need to understand the following:

            In Genesis, the role of the "serpent", the "seed of the woman", the kinsman-redeemer, the coats of skin, the Way of the tree of Life;

            In Exodus, the concept of Redemption, deliverance from bondage, the plagues, the burning bush and why it wasn't consumed;

            In Leviticus, the Feasts, their offerings and the Jewish calendar;

            In Numbers, the way the camp of Israel was laid out;

            In Joshua, the parallels between it and the Book of Revelation;

            In Ruth, the title of real estate, redemption, and the kinsman-redeemer;

            In 2 Samuel, David dividing the priests into 24 courses;

            In Daniel, the 70 Week Prophecy; Distinction between Israel and the Church; Categories of "saints," "elect," etc.

            This is a spiritual and supernatural experience, as always be in prayer.

            "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come". (Joh. 16:13)

            The advesari does not want us here. He is the great deceiver, if we know the means and end to his paths, he has no power over us. Prayer can not be stressed enough, put on the armor of God and praying always with all prayer. (Eph. 6:18)

            Chapter 1

            1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show 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 reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

            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. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

            6 And has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

            7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindred's of the earth shall wail because of him. 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 sees, 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 spoke 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, 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 two-edged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shines in his strength.

            17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. 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 lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

            19 Write the things which thou has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

            20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou saw 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 saw are the seven churches.

            Chapter 2

            1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

            2 I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou can not bear them which are evil: and thou has tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and has found them liars:

            3 And has borne, and has patience, and for my name's sake has labored, and has not fainted.

            4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou has 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 has, that thou hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

            7 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes 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 shall 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

            12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which has the sharp sword with two edges;

            13 I know thy works, and where thou dwells, [even] where Satan's seat [is]: and thou holds fast my name, and has not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.

            14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou has there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

            15 So has 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcomes 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 receives [it].

            18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who has 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 suffers that woman Jezebel, which calls 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 searches 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 overcomes, and keeps 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

            Chapter 3

            1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou has a name that thou lives, 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 has received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee.

            4 Thou has 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 overcomes, 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 has 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 has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;

            8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou has a little strength, and has kept my word, and has 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 has 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 has, that no man take thy crown.

            12 Him that overcomes 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 comes down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

            13 He that has 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 were cold or hot.

            16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

            17 Because thou says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knows 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 may be rich; and white raiment, that thou may be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou may 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 overcomes 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 has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

            Chapter 4

            1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

            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 lightning's and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Previously identified as the church in 1:10, these lamps are now in Heaven. Cross reference in order; Rom. 8:23, Eph 1:13-14

            6 And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

            7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.

            8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

            9 And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who lives for ever and ever,

            10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

            11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

            Chapter 5

            1 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.

            Man cannot redeem himself. Rom. 8:22-23

            5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

            6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

            The number "seven" means completeness. "Horns" is a symbol of power; De. 22:17; 1 Ki. 22:11; Zec. 1:18.

            7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

            Only one man has that kind of access to God's throne. Christ the Mediator!

            8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

            9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and has redeemed us (men) to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Isa. 42:9-10

            10 And has made us (them) unto our God kings (kingdom) and priests: and we (they) shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

            12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.

            13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

            14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that lives for ever and ever.

            Chapter 6

            1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

            2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

            Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. The rider of this horse is "the prince that shall come". His career begins as a peacemaker, with the covenant of peace with Israel (Dan 9:26-27). "conquering, and to conquer" = overcoming, and to overcome: Eze. 14:21; Mt. 24:5; Mk. 13:6; Lk. 21:8; Isa. 14:16-17. Bloodless conquest, the blood comes shortly.

            3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

            4 And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

            "Red" is associated with terror and death: the red dragon (12:3) and the red beast (17:3). Mt. 24:6-7; Mk. 13:7-8; Lk. 31:9-10; Dan. 11:36. "Sword": Eze. 38:28; Jer. 25:15-33(29); Mic. 7; Dan 11:33

            5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

            6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

            "Black" is associated often with famine Lam. 4:4-8; 5:10; Jer. 14:1-2. "To eat bread by weight" is a Jewish expression indicating that food is scarce: Le. 26:25-33; Eze. 4:10-11, 16. "Oil and wine": equivalent, in our culture, to toiletries, beauty aids and liquor. This is more than famine alone. It describes global rationing and controls. The coming world leader will control the economy. Rev. 13:17; Am. 8:11

            7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

            8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. "Pale": light green mixed with the color of flesh.

            In Leviticus, the color of leprosy.

            Mk. 6:39; Rev. 8:7, 9:4.

            "Death and Hell" Death claims the body,Hell claims the soul.

            John say these enemies going forth to claim their prey, armed with the weapons of the sword, hunger, death (pestilence) and wild beasts.

            These four judgments are mentioned in Eze. 14:21,

            All these are but the "beginnings of birthpangs." Isa. 13:6-13; Zec. 1:14-18; 1 Thess. 5:1-3

            The Great Tribulation itself has yet to begin.

            There are 7 trumpets and 7 bowls of wrath still to be poured out. Jer 30:7 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.

            9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

            Mt. 24:9-26

            10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, does thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

            11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled. Others will join them.

            Rev. 11:7; 12:11; 14:13; 20:4-5 There are two responses to the opening of the seals; one in Heaven and the other on Earth.

            12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

            "Earthquakes" the first of three, with close reading we can see that they are at different times (6:12; 11:13; 16:18-19). These are literal earthquakes (Ex. 19:18; 20:18-19; 1 Ki. 19:11; Mat. 27:51-52). There are going to be more disturbances in nature after the sixth seal.

            Keep in mind that the things in these seals are still going on into the seven trumpets and seven bowls. "The beginning of birth pangs". Sun and Moon; Isa 13:9.

            13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

            Dan. 8:10-14

            14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

            Heavens departing as a scroll: Isa. 34:4 (Isa. 13:6-13); Heavens stretched: Isa. 40:22; 42:5; 44:27; 45:12; 51:13; Jer 10:12; 51:15; Zec. 12:1. Mountain (idiom): symbol of government. Isa 14:13; Dan. 2:35.

            15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

            The martyrs cry, "Avenge us!" The rebellious on earth say "Hide Us!"

            Kings hide in caves: Isa. 2:10-19; Josh. 10:16

            16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

            Jer. 8:3; Lu. 23:30

            17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

            These people are impenitent (not repentant). Proof that judgment by itself does not change the human heart, just like the miracles that Jesus did at His first coming didn't change the hearts of the Pharisees.

            These six seals are the "wrath of the Lamb". The first four seals correlate with Eze. 14:21, which tells us that the seals are the judgments of God, upon the nations.

            The fifth seal reveals the " fence line" Christian that are martyred during the first four seals, remember more will be added. The sixth seal deals with nature itself.

            Verse 13 correlates with Dan. 8:10-14. If we take the 2,300 days and divide them by 360 it equals 6.38 years. We'll use a 360 day year because that's what Daniel's calendar was at the time of this prophecy and it seems we will revert back to a 360 day year, Rev 12:6,14.

            This will be helpful to make a time line. We will see more of the "wrath of God"; 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15.

            We are not appointed to the day of wrath (1 Thes. 5:9; Heb. 10:26-31; Lu. 21:36).

            Matthew Cht. 24 has to be understood here. Rev. 6 correlates with the first part of Mat. 6.

            Revelation 6 Matthew 24

            White horse rider (v. 1-2) False Christs (v. 4-5) Red horse - war (v. 3-4) Wars (v. 6) Black horse - famines (v. 7-8) Famines (v. 7a) Pale horse - death (v. 7-8) Death (v. 7b-8) Martyrs (v. 9-11) Martyrs (v. 9) Worldwide chaos (v. 12-17) Worldwide chaos (v. 10-13)

            Chapter 7 Matthew Cht. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

            Rev. 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

            Chapter 7 will answer the question posed at the end of Cht. 6 and fulfill the statement Jesus made in Mat. 24:14.

            In each series of the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls; notice that there always appears to be an inserted parenthetical passage (pause, or a closer look at what is going on at the same time) between the sixth and seventh of each series.

            Paul explains the blindness of Israel during the "mystery, the hidden, which God ordained before the world unto our glory" (Ro. 11:25 ( cf. 1 Co. 2:7)).

            Now in chapter 7 the until of Rom. 11:25 is fulfilled.

            Israel is the centerpiece in the OT; it now reemerges as the centerpiece.

            1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

            "Four corners of the earth": Isa. 11:12; Jer. 49:36; Dan 7:2; 8:8; 11:4; Zec. 2:6; Mt. 24:31. "Winds": (judgments) Jer. 49:36; 51:1; 2 Sam. 22:11. Earth = Israel; Sea = Gentiles; Tree = Individuals (Ps. 1:3; Jug. 9:8-15; Dan 4)

            2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

            "Seals": Eze. 9:4, 6, 26; 10:23; 11:7. Saints sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30); Here sealed and protected (Rev. 9:4). Counterfeit seal in Rev 13:16-18.

            3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

            Saints are friends; Jo. 15:15.

            4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and]forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

            5 Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand.

            6 Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand.

            7 Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand.

            8 Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.

            These 144,000 are destined to be the New Temple's "bodyguard" (Rev. 14:4). The next verse shows their fruit.

            9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's,and people,and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Joel 2:28-32 (quoted in Acts 2:16-21)links with these prophecies of the Great Tribulation.

            Palm branches: as on "Palm Sunday"; Jo. 12:13

            10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

            11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

            12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power,and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

            13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

            14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knows. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

            Mat. 24:9; Dan. 11:33

            15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.

            This would be the Millennium Temple, In heaven there is no night (Rev. 21:25). Added people of Seal #5 Age of Grace ends a 11:6-7

            16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

            17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

            Isa. 49:10

            Chapter 8

            Four judgments against nature

            1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

            There has been a great effort among commentators to interpret the meaning of this silence. Remember, the scroll is completely open now. This might be the hush of awe before the start of the awful judgments about to come, the calm before the storm breaks forth, the oppressive silence before the burst of battle. It is designed to emphasize the events that follow.

            2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

            Don't confuse the 7th trumpet judgment with the last trump of 1 Cor. 15:52.

            3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

            Saints = one separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ (Ps. 16:3; Rom. 1:7; 8:27; Phil. 1:1; Heb.6:10). The "saints" spoken of in Jude 1:14 are probably not the disciples of Christ, but the"innumerable company of angels" (Heb. 12:22; Ps. 68:17), with reference to Deut. 33:2.

            This word is also used of the holy dead (Mat. 27:52; Rev. 18:24). It was not used as a distinctive title of the apostles and evangelists and of a "spiritual nobility" till the fourth century. In that sense it is not a scriptural title.

            4 And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

            Adam, Noah, Abraham, David, and Paul prayed this prayer: "thy kingdom come Thy will be done." The purpose of prayer is not to get man's will done in heaven, but God's will done on Earth.

            5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightning's, and an earthquake.

            Remember for every action in Heaven (the celestial world) concerning mankind or the Earth, there is a reaction on Earth (the temporal world), i.e. 2 Sa. 24 The fire from the alter has unique qualities, Isa. 6:5-7; preparing the Earth for cleansing.

            6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

            7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

            Hail = always used of judgment (Isa. 28:12; Job 38:22-23; cf. Egypt, Ex. 9:23-25 (Joel 2:30)).

            Trees:Greek word, dendron = fruit trees

            8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

            Ex. 7:19-21; Ps. 105:29; Jer. 51:25; Mat.21:21. More than ¾ of the earths surface is ocean. (Atlantic = 1/3?)

            9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

            Hos. 4:3; Zeph. 1:3; Isa. 2:16.

            10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

            Idioms: Jon. 4:13,14; Ps. 84:6-7. Literal: Ex. 15:23, 25; Jer. 9:14-15; 23:15.

            11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

            Jer. 9:15; 23:15;Lam. 3:15, 19; Amos 5:7 12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

            9th plague on Egypt: Ex 10:21-23;Amos 5:18; cf. Rev. 16:8-9; Mt. 24:29-30; Lk. 21:25-28; Heb. 12:26-28; Isa. 30:26; Joel 2:1-2.

            13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhibitors of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

            Angel = aietos = eagle (rev. 12:14; Mat. 24:28;Lu. 17:37. "Inhibitors of the earth" (12X): Rev. 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2,8.

            Opposite of citizens of heaven: Phil 3:18-21. Earth dwellers are not born again: Rev. 13:8.

            "Judgments of the Thirds"

            1st Trumpet

            Aimed at the earth; 1/3 trees, grass dies.

            2nd Trumpet

            Aimed at the sea; 1/3 of fish, ships destroyed

            3rd Trumpet

            Aimed at the waters; 1/3 part dies.

            4th Trumpet

            Aimed at the sun, moon, stars: 1/3 sky darkened

            Trumpets vs. Bowls (Cht. 16)

            1. 1/3 of the Earth

            The earth, beast worshippers

            2. 1/3 of the the sea;

            all die

            3. 1/3 of the waters

            The waters

            4. 1/3 of sun, moon

            The sun scorching

            5. Woe #1: Abousso opened

            Throne of beast; Air darkened

            6. Woe #2: Demon Army

            Euphrates;Kings of the East :Armegeddon

            Chpt.10&11 Rev. 16:15

            7. Woe #3: Kingdom claimed "It is Done";

            Babylon falls

            Idioms of Judgment

            Hail Isa. 28:2, 17

            Judgments Fire Deut. 32:22; Isa. 33:14

            Judgments Sea Dan 7:2, 3; Isa, 57:20

            Gentile humanity Trees Dan 4:10,20-22; Eze. 31:31

            Pride of man Grass Isa.40:6-7

            People Mountain Jer. 51:25; Dan 2

            Government Star Rev 1,8

            Spiritual leaders

            Chapter 9

            The Woe Judgments

            1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

            Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. (NAU) "Star": already fallen = Rev. 12:3-13 "Star" = angel Dan. 12:3; Isa. 14:12-16 "Him" given a key; a king over the beings of the pit (v.11). Authority not complete, key had to be given to him. "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" Lk. 10:18. Prophesied by Isaiah (14:12-17). "Bottomless pit" = Abousso Greek Angels that sinned (Gen. 6:2,4; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). Demons beg to avoid Abousso (Lk. 8:31) The Abousso will be visited (Isa. 24:21-22). Satan is imprisoned there in Rev 20:10. Now would be a good time to understand Isaiah 24.

            2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

            3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

            First demonic army of two: (8th plague of Egypt (Ex. 10:14-15); those locusts were after herbs; no king(Pro. 30:27)). "Gog" is also King of locus (Amos 7:1 - LXX only) Five months? Gen. 7:24. "Scorpion": Isa. 9:15 (cf. Joel 2:2,4; Eph. 6:12).

            4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in theirforeheads.

            2 Ti. 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his...

            5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment [was] as the torment of a scorpion, when he strikes a man.

            6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

            Isa 2:19 Jer 8:3 Ho 10:8

            7 And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men.

            8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as [the teeth] of lions.

            Joel 1:6

            9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was]as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

            10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power[was] to hurt men five months.

            Isa. 9:14-17 and Amos 5:18-19

            11 And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has [his] name Apollyon.

            Abaddon = 6 times in the OT (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12; Ps. 88:11; Pro. 15:11; 27:30)

            Apollyon = "prince of the air": Eph 2:2; Jn. 14:30; Isa 14:15

            12 One woe is past; [and], behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

            Supernatural armies: Elijah taken up into heaven (2 Kg. 2:11); God opened the eyes of Elijah's servant (2 Kg. 6:13-17) Second demonic led army

            13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

            **This is at the Altar of Incense talked about in Rev. 8:3-5. The Avenger of Blood is about to answer those prayers. [Blood sprinkled on Moses's Golden altar one a year on Yom Kippur (Ex.30:10; cf. 1 Kg. 13:2-3).]

            14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

            Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

            15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month,and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

            Since ¼ were killed already (Rev. 6:8), this means that over half of the world's population will be dead by the time the sixth trumpet id completed.

            16 And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

            17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

            200 Million China involved? Smoke = of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; (NAU)

            18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

            19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents,and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

            Fire = Fiery red; Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest (Le. 20:14; 21:9). The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews (2 Sam. 12:31; Jer. 29:22). The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned (Josh. 7:25; 2 Kings 23:16). Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah's presence and the instrument of his power (Ex. 14:19; Num. 11:1, 3; Jug. 13:20; 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10, 12;2:11; Isa. 6:4; Eze. 1:4; Rev. 1:14, etc.).

            Smoke = dark blue Brimstone = bright yellow; an inflammable mineral substance found in quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. The cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain of fire and brimstone (Gen. 19:24, 25). In Isa. 34:9 allusion is made to the destruction of these cities. This word figuratively denotes destruction or punishment (Job 18:15; Isa. 30:33; 34:9; Ps. 11:6; Eze. 38:22). It is used to express the idea of excruciating torment in Rev. 14:10; 19:20; 20:10

            20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass,and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

            21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

            Murders = Willful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Num. 35:16, 18, 21, 31; Lv. 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Gen. 9:5, 6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12, 15). Sorceries = In Dan. 2:2 it is the rendering of the Hebrew mekhashphim, i.e., mutterers, men who professed to have power with evil spirits. The practice of sorcery exposed to severest punishment (Mal. 3:5; Rev. 21:8; 22:15). Fornication = in every form of it was sternly condemned by the Mosaic law (Le. 21:9; 19:29; Deut. 22:20, 21, 23-29; 23:18; Ex. 22:16). But this word is more frequently used in a symbolical than in its ordinary sense. It frequently means a forsaking of God or a following after idols (Isa. 1:2; Jer. 2:20; Eze. 16; Hos. 1:2; 2:1-5; Jer. 3:8,9).

            Chapter 10

            Remember Cht. 7 was a parenthetical passage, (interlude or intermission), between the sixth and seventh seal. Just as the seventh seal turned into the seven Trumpet Judgments, the seventh Trumpet Judgment will bring forth the seven Bowl Judgments. [The seventh angle sounds in 11:15-19, which can be correlated to the seven bowls judgments by verse 18a (see note on 11:18). Cht. 9 ended with the sixth Trumpet Judgment, the seventh Trumpet Judgment won't fully be initiated (begin, start) until Cht. 15 as the seven bowl Judgments. Cht. 10 through Cht. 14 are parenthetical passages.

            1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

            ** Knowing the idioms that describe this "messenger", the conclusion would be that this is Christ. Clouds: Ex. 16:10; 19:9; 24:15; 43:5; Ps. 104:3; Mat. 17; Lu. 21:27; Acts 1:9; Rev 1:7. Rainbow: Rev. 4:3. Sun: Rev. 1:16; Mat. 17. Feet: Rev. 1:15. Lion (v. 3): Rev. 5:5. Jesus often appeared in the O. T. As "the angle of the Lord" (Ex. 3:2; Jug. 2:4; 6:11-12; 21:22; 2 Sam. 24:16). This is the third appearance of a distinctive angle: 7:2, holding back judgment for a special work of grace (Prophet). 8:5, messenger of the covenant (Priest). 10:1, declaring no more delay (King).

            2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left[foot] on the earth,

            ** Is this the scroll of Cht. 5? It seems He is claiming the whole earth (Deut. 11:24;Josh. 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 10:26, 28; Col. 1:16). All things will be put under His feet (Ps. 8:6; Heb. 2:8).Ps 2:7-9 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

            Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [ for] thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

            3 And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roars: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. When the Father spoke to the Lord Jesus on earth, the people that stood by heard it and said it thundered.

            Jn. 12:28-29

            4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered,and write them not.

            The only sealed part of this book.

            5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And swear by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

            God has put Himself under oath before, Heb 6:13-20;7:20-22; Acts 2:29-30.

            7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets.

            Ro 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Cf. Rev. 11:17

            8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke unto me again, and said, Go [and] take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which stands upon the sea and upon the earth. The seals are loosen and the book is completely open.

            9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me,Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

            John had to stop here and totally digest what he has written so far. It wasn't enough just to see and here. He had to thoroughly know the Revelation before going on. God's word is often compared to food: Bread: Mat. 4:4. Milk: 1 Pet. 2:2. Meat: 1 Cor. 3:1-2. Honey: Ps. 119:103.

            10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

            11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

            Could it be that after John had assimilated the book that he did not want to come back but to stay with Jesus. Remember in his gospel John always referred to himself as "the apostle whom Jesus loved", John experienced that agape in the flesh and now again in a more spiritual manifestation. Maybe Jesus is telling John that his ministry on earth isn't complete yet.

            Chapter 11

            1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

            Temple = naov naos nah-os'

            1) used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies (in classical Greek it is used of the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of gold was placed which is distinguished from the whole enclosure).

            Measuring Rod = Ps. 64:2; Jer. 10:16; 51:19; In this verse and the following, (2:27; 12:5; 19:15), an instrument of chastisement.

            2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

            "leave out" 1544 ekballw ekballo ek-bal'-lo

            1) to cast out, drive out, to send out 1a) with notion of violence 1a1) to drive out (cast out) 1a2) to cast out 1a2a) of the world, i.e. be deprived of the power and influence he exercises in the world 1a2b) a thing: excrement from the belly into the sink 1a3) to expel a person from a society: to banish from a family 1a4) to compel one to depart; to bid one depart, in stern though not violent language 1a5) so employed that the rapid motion of the one going is transferred to the one sending forth 1a51) to command or cause one to depart in haste Luke 21:24 (until Zech 14:3-4).

            The Holy City = Jerusalem Neh. 11:1,18; Isa. 52:1; Dan. 9:24; Mat. 4:5; 27:52-53.

            Half week designations: 1260 days (11:3; 12:6); 42 months (11:2; 13:5); Time, times, the dividing of time (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev 12:14). "Times" = duel, used of years (Dan. 4:16, 23, 25). Half of the 70th week of years (Dan. 9:24-27; Rev. 12:14).

            3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

            Two is the required number of witnesses before the law (Duet. 17:6; Mat. 18:16). These two witnesses reflect the OT law. Everything associated with them we learn from the OT.

            4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

            "Olive trees" = "trees of oil"; anointed ones

            = (Zeck. 4). This can be a reference to Zerubbable and Joshua, (Zeck. 4:10-14).

            5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Interesting.....

            6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

            Three people are expected to come before the end of this age, Messiah (Mal. 3:1-3, 5, 6), Elijah (Mal. 4:5-6), Moses (Deut 18:15-19). John the Baptist tells us he is not, Jn. 1:19-20; Mat. 11:14; 17:10-11. Elijah will be one, Mat. 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. Elijah ministry was cut short by God. (2 Kings 2:1-12). Who else was translated and ministry cut short by God?

            The son of Jared, and father of Methuselah (Gen. 5:21; Luke 3:37). His father was one hundred and sixty-two years old when he was born. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch "walked with God three hundred years" (Gen. 5:22-24), when he was translated without tasting death. His whole life on earth was three hundred and sixty-five years. He was the "seventh from Adam" (Jude 1:14), as distinguished from the son of Cain, the third from Adam. He is spoken of in the catalogue of Old Testament worthies in the Epistle to the Hebrews (11:5). When he was translated, only Adam, so far as recorded, had as yet died a natural death, and Noah was not yet born. Mention is made of Enoch's prophesying only in Jude 1:14.

            7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

            Origin of beast; Cht. 13

            8 And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

            9 And they of the people and kindred's and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

            Ps. 79:1-3;10-11.

            10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

            The only celebration in Revelation.

            11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

            Mat. 24:15

            12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

            Rev. 4:1; 2 Kn. 2:11

            13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

            Earthquakes = 6:12 six seal; 7th bowl 16:18-20.

            14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe comes quickly.

            Ends parenthetical section between the 6th and 7th trumpets. Opens up the Seven Personalities in Cht. 12-13.

            15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

            Kingdom = singular. Satan has had control of the earth; Mat. 4:8-9; 12:26; Jn. 12:31;14:30; 16:11. Trumpet of an angle not the Trump of God, (Ex. 19; 1 Thes. 4:16-17).

            16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

            Threefold praise: Christ reigns supremely v. 17, He judges righteously v. 18, He rewards graciously v. 18.

            17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and was, and art to come;because thou has taken to thee thy great power, and has reigned.

            "And has reigned" = and has begun to reign. Rev. 4:10-11 elders worship the Creator, 5:9-14 they worship the Redeemer, here they worship the Conqueror and King.

            18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

            This is a table of context for the rest of Revelation, a scope statement like Dan. 9:24."The time of the dead to be judged" carries over to Cht 20. This verse covers the whole period of the Day of the LORD. Just like Jesus stopped at the comma in His reading of Isaiah 61:2. Lu 4:18-20

            The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

            19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightning's, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

            Chapter 12

            1 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:

            Gen. 37:9-10

            2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

            Ex. 4:22-23;Nu.24:8

            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.

            12:9 [see Job 41:34] Dan. 2:42; 7:7, 8, 20-24

            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.

            Dan. 8:9-12; 2 Ex 1:16 Mat. 2:3-16

            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.

            Mic. 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time [that] she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

            Ps 2:9,10; 110:1-2

            6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.

            Fled = Mat. 24:15-20,prepared = Dan. 11:41 also Jordan.

            7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, One of the chief princes

            (Dan. 10:13). Israel's prince (Daniel) (Dan.10:21. Warrior for Israel (Dan 12:1). Fights for the body of Moses (Jude 9). Fights in the wars of the Lord (Zech. 14:13; Num. 21:14).

            8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

            This is were Michael stands up (Dan. 12:1). Lk. 10:18; Jn. 16:11; 12:31

            9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives 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.

            His blood Heb. 9:12. Word of testimony Cht. 7 the 144 thousand that have the Lords seal on their foreheads, also the 2 witness' of Cht. 11. Also verse 17.

            12 Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibitors of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he has but a short time.

            The third woe 8:8; 11:14; 15:1.

            13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].

            Satan's focus is on Israel, Jer. 30:7; Mat. 24:15-22.

            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.

            Note on verse 6. What will happen Isa. 11:16; Eze. 20:35-38. Door of hope,Hos. 2:14-15; Ex. 15; Zeph. 2:3.

            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.

            Earth swallows enemies of God, Num. 16:31-33;Micah 7:15.

            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.

            Verse 11

            Chapter 13

            Daniel's fourth beast Dan. 7:26. The "ten horns" are explained in Dan 7:24 Re 17:12 to be ten kings, and the whole vision is of the last form of Gentile world-power, a confederated ten-kingdom empire covering the sphere of authority of ancient Rome. Re 13:1-3 refers to the ten-kingdom; vs. 4-10 to the "emperor, who is emphatically "the Beast"

            A beast rises out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns, to whom the dragon gives his power (1). Another beast comes out of the earth (11); causes an image to be made of the former beast (14); and that men should worship it (15), and receive his mark (16).

            The seventh trumpet introduces seven personages: The Women, Man-Child, Red Dragon, The Remnant of Israel, and now, two more beasts.

            1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

            This "wild beast from the sea," as in Dan 7:17,23, is a empire used in the interest of brute force. This beast, like the dragon (12:3), has ten horns and seven heads, but the horns are crowned, not the heads.

            The Roman Empire seems to be meant here (17:9,12). On "diadems" (êmata) see 12:3, only ten here, not seven as there. "sand of the sea" Isa. 10:22 (Israel), "sea" Ps. 98:7 (Gentiles) heads and "horns" Re 12:3; 17:3,7-12, blasphemy. 5,6 17:3,5 Dan 7:25 11:36 2Th 2:3,4

            2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear,and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

            Reversed from Dan. 7:2-4; Re 17:8

            3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

            Zec 11:14-17

            Scofield: "Fragments of the ancient Roman empire have never ceased to exist as separate kingdoms. It was the imperial form of government which ceased; the one head wounded to death. What we see prophetically in Re 13:3 is the restoration of the imperial form as such, though over a federated empire of ten kingdoms; the "head" is "healed," i.e. restored; there is an emperor again--the Beast."

            4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

            "Worshipped the dragon" 1 Cor. 10:20

            They worshipped the beast; not only in a civil way, being subject to him as their temporal lord, to whom they give homage; obedience, and tribute, but in a religious way. The antichrist sits in the temple to be worshipped as God, showing himself that he is God, and receives worship from his subordinates, the cardinals, and others (Dan. 11:39 i.e. them); but woe to them that worship this beast Re 14:9-11.

            5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

            The beast is said to have a mouth before,like the mouth of a lion, 13:2; but now he is moved and stirred up by the dragon, the devil, to open it,not only in a cruel way, but in a lying, and blasphemous manner: and this was given him, it was at the instigation of Satan, and by divine permission; his coming, speaking, and acting, were after the working of Satan, but not without the will of God; who, as he gave up many to a judicial blindness, to believe his lies and blasphemies, gave up him to speak them (Rom. 9:13-22).

            6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

            Dan 7:8,11,25 11:36

            7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindred's, and tongues, and nations.

            This is a world leader, "all kindred's,tongues, and nations". Dan 11:33-35; Rev 11:7.

            8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

            Moses knew of the Book of Life (Ex.32:32). Also Isa. 4:3; Dan. 12:1; 1 Pet. 1:19-20.

            9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

            10 He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

            The devil, by whom men are led captive at his will, will be himself held captive for a thousand years (20:2). He that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword; the design of the phrase is to show, that there will be a just retaliation made to the beast, for all his cruelty to the saints, and the murders of them; and that because he has shed much blood of the saints, and he shall be used in like manner he has used others; 18:19-21; Ge 9:6; Mt 26:52.

            11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

            "Earth" = Jewish. Satan plus the first and second beast = Satanic trinity!

            12 And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

            13 And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

            Signs and miracles: Jannes & Jambres Ex. 7:11; 2 Tim. 3:8; 2 Thess. 2:9-11 (2 witnesses Cht. 11). This is prophecy not miracles Mat. 11:1-6.

            14 And deceives them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

            15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

            Spirit possessed: Acts 16:16-18; 19:15-16.

            16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

            17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

            {That no man should be able to buy or to sell} (mê tis dunêtai agorasai ê pôlêsai). Final clause with and present middle subjunctive of with aorist active infinitives.

            This is a regular boycott (Ramsay, _Seven Letters_, p. 106f.) against all not worshippers of the emperor. {Save} (mê). "If not," "except." {Even the name} (onoma). No "even," just apposition with (the mark). {Or the number} (ê ton arithmon). The stamp(the mark) may bear either the name or the number of the beast. The name and the number are one and the same. They could write the name in numerals, for numbers were given by letters. Swete suggests that it was "according to a sort of known to the Apocalyptist and his Asian readers, but not generally intelligible." Robertson NT Word Pitchers

            18 Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

            This is a clue to the people mentioned Dan. 12:4 who will go to and fro through scripture in the seventieth week of Daniel. This refers to the son of perdition fulfilling on earth the first six Seal Judgments, first six Trumpet Judgments, and the first six Bowl Judgments, which were ordained of God from Gen. 3:15 on.

            Chapter 14

            This chapter contains three visions; one of the Lamb on Mount Zion, another of the three angels preaching against Babylon, and the third of the harvest and vintage.

            Chapter 14 is an out line of the next five chapters up through Cht. 19. There are seven events which are described within these visions. These events can be seen as a table of context for the next five chapters. 1st angel preaching the Gospel (6-8), 2nd angel saying Babylon has fallen (8), 3rd angel giving a warning to the beast worshipers, 4th angel (voice) saying blessed are they that die in the Lord, 5th angel announcing the time of the harvest, 6th angel that has the "sickle", 7th angel which has power over fire.

            1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and]four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

            The Lamb is Jesus (5:5-9;7:9-17). 144 thousand Chapter 7.

            2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harper's harping with their harps:

            3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand,which were redeemed from the earth. No one else can learn this song

            (Ps. 3:3; 40:30; 96:1; 98:1;144:9; 149:1).

            4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were redeemed from among men,[being] the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.

            The first redeemed from the 70th week of Daniel or Jacob's Trouble (Jer. 30:7).

            5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

            These were not deceived by the "lie" (2 Thess. 2:11).

            6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

            Men preach the Gospel of Grace today (Mk. 16:15). At this time it will be preached by an indestructible angel (Mat. 24:14).

            7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

            8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

            Jer. 51:6-9

            9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

            10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

            They still have a choice.

            11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.

            This is also a preview of the Bowl Judgments of Cht. 15 and 16 which ends in 19:21.

            12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

            Mat. 24:13

            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 labors; and their works do follow them.

            14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

            Mat. 24:30 (Rev. 19:15;Jer. 25:30)

            15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

            Mat. 13:47

            16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

            "Reaped" of the unrightous gentiles.

            17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

            18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

            This harvest is of "grapes" not "wheat".

            19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

            Israel is God's vine. They failed to bear fruit and had to be cut down (Ps. 80:8-16; Isa. 5:1-7; Mat. 21:3-46).

            Christ is the True Vine, the church is its branches, this is not the church. (Ps. 80:8; Jn. 15)

            20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

            Isa 34:5-7 66:24

            Chapter 15

            1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

            These are called the last plagues, because they will be the last plagues upon the earth, there will be no other after them. There have been plagues before, as at the destruction of the old world (the flood), and of Sodom and Gomorra, and the plagues of Egypt, and the downfall of several monarchies and kingdoms,and of Paganism in the Roman empire.

            These plagues are the same with the third woe (11:14-18), and are an explanation of it, and belong to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. These plagues do not follow upon the believers, nor has this vision any respect to them, nor to be connected with the preceding chapter, but with 11:1-19 and gives an enlarged view.

            2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

            This sea of glass is described by John in 4:6.

            This group of believers are first mentioned in the fifth Seal Judgment, and added to through out the time line of Revelation until here at this point of the 70th week of Daniel.

            Daniel 11:35 explains the idiom of "mingled with fire". Harps seem to be the instrument of music in this book, mentioned here and also in 5:8; 14:2.

            3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.

            Song of Moses, Ex. 15:1-19; Deut. 32:1-43 (cf. Rev. 11:8?). Song of the Lamb, Rev. 5:9. The King; Isa. 9:6,7; 32:1,2; 33:22; Zec 9:9; 1 Tim. 1:17.

            4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

            Fear: is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Pro. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion,and as an incentive to penitence (Mat. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).

            Chuck Missler wrote; "Note the decline of the fear of God in our age... There is little reverential fear of God, even among believers.

            5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

            11:19 Moses was told to build a "tabernacle of the testimony" and instructed the Levies on how to maintain it (Nu 1:50,53). The writer of Hebrews tells us that the "tabernacle of the testimony" that Moses had built is a "shadow of heavenly things" (Heb 8:5).

            6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

            This is the reality that the Levies were typed after.

            7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

            "Wrath of God" Ps. 78:31; Jo. 3:36; Ro. 1:18; Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:6; Rev. 14:10,19; 15:1,7; 16:1.

            8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

            Paul told the church of Thessalonica about the destructiveness of the glory and power of God concerning these ungodly people left on earth (2Th 1:9). God is alone in the throne room. He will pour out His judgments on man and suffer alone for the abhorrence of sin. This will be the third time that man has put his Creator in this position.

            Genesis 6 has God grieving that He made man, prior to the flood and starting over again with eight people.

            Then our Creator became one of us to take the sin of the world upon Himself, again alone. Our God is a just God; He will judge. We live in the Age of Grace, let us not throw our souls away on the cares of this world.

            Ps 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

            Chapter 16

            1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

            2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image.

            First bowl, Plague of boils predicted, not yet fulfilled (Deut. 28:15, 27), incurable (Deut. 28:35). Cf. 6th plague (Ex. 9:8-11).

            3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea.

            Is this literally blood? Ps. 105:29; Lev. 17:11; Rev. 16:6 Cf. First plague Ex. 7:20-25.

            4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

            Nothing to drink but blood! (Ex. 7:20-21)

            5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and was, and shall be, because thou has judged thus.

            5 kai {AND} hkousa {I HEARD} tou {THE} aggelou {ANGEL} twn {OF THE} udatwn {WATERS}legontov {SAYING,} dikaiov {RIGHTEOUS,} kurie {O LORD,} ei {ART THOU,} o {WHO} wn {ART} kai {AND} o {WHO} hn {WAST} kai {AND} o {THE} osiov {HOLY ONE,} oti {THAT} tauta {THESE THINGS} ekrinav {THOU DIDST JUDGE;} "shall be" is actually "Holy One"

            6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou has given them blood to drink;for they are worthy.

            Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

            7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.

            Who's voice is this? Could it be the martyrs? (6; 6-11).

            8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

            Isa 24:23; Lu 21:25; Ac 2:20

            9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which has power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

            "Heat" Deut. 32:22,24; Mal. 4:1; Isa.24:4-6; 2 Pet. 3; Lk. 21:25. Quote from Albert Einstein; "It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man."

            10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

            Here is the answer to the question raised in 13:4...who shall make war with the beast? The LORD!

            11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

            These bowl Judgments only effect the beast worshipers (inhibitors of the earth). We have already discussed in Cht. 14 that all 144 thousand Jews with the Lords seal on their forehead made it through with out losing one. The LORD does something here we can't understand just yet. As in the 9th plague (Ex. 10:21-23) when darkness was upon Egypt for three days, it wasn't so for the Israelites; Ex 10:23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. Darkness: Isa 8:21-22

            12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

            Cf. Red Sea, Jordan River. The place of beginning and end of mans civilization (Zech. 10:11; Isa. 11:15-16). The Euphrates is the eastern boundary of Israel (Gen. 15:18). It was also the boundary of the Roman Empire. In 1991 a coalition army of 30 nations bottled up Saddam Hussein's forces against the Euphrates.

            "The Kings of the East" These kings, we are told in Eze. 38, are the nations of China and Russia. This verse parallels Rev. 20:8.

            13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

            14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

            Frogs: 2nd plague Ex. 8:2-5, 14. Cf. Locusts as demons (Rev. 9; Amos 7:1 [LXX]; Ex. 8:7 frogs responded to the Pharaoh's magicians).

            15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

            This is the parenthetical passage between the 6th and 7th Bowl Judgments. The "144 thousand" and the Jews which fled at the abomination of desolation (Mat. 24; Rev.12) may perhaps read this and be comforted by this scripture while the armies are being gathered (Dan.11:40-45; 12:1,4,7-12).

            16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

            Zeph 3:8; 2 Chr. 35:22; Zech. 12:11

            Megiddo: place of troops, originally one of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Josh. 12:21), belonged to the tribe of Manasseh (Jug. 1:27), at the time of Solomon (1 Kings 4:12; 9:15).

            The valley or plain of Megiddo was part of the plain of Esdraelon, the battlefield of Palestine. It was here Barak gained a victory over Jabin, the king of Hazor, whose general, Sisera, led on the hostile army. The army of Sisera was thrown into complete confusion, and was engulfed in the waters of the Kishon,which had risen and overflowed its banks (Jug. 4:5).

            Many years after this (BC 610), Pharaohnecho II., on his march against the king of Assyria, passed through the plains of Philistia and Sharon; and King Josiah, attempting to bar his progress in the plain of Megiddo, was defeated by the Egyptians. He was wounded in battle, and died as they bore him away in his chariot towards Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chr. 35:22-24).

            17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

            The last mention of the temple in Heaven. This is the last Judgment of God on mankind until the end of the "Millennium". The rest of the verses in this chapter and Cht. 17 through 18 will detail the wrath of God on the "great city" of Babylon. Chapter 19 brings an end to this seventh bowl judgment.

            18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightning's; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.

            Isa. 29:6; Ps. 50:3-4; Zech. 14:4; 13:9; Hag. 2:6-7

            19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

            20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

            Jer. 4:23-27

            21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent:and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

            Job 38:22-23

            Chapter 17

            1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me,saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters:

            whore: harlot = Jer. 3:6, 8-9; Eze. 16:32; Hos. 1:2; Rev. 2:22. Also Jerusalem was called a harlot (Isa. 1:21); Tyre was a harlot (Isa. 23:16-17); and so was Nineveh (Hah. 3:4) Waters v. 15

            2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

            3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

            "He carried me away" detachment necessary.

            4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

            Golden cup: (Jer. 51:7) pseudo religion counterfeit. "Abominations": (Isa 44:19)

            5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

            Mystery Babylon vs. Mystery of the "True Church" (Eph. 3:1-9).

            6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

            Rev. 16:5-6

            7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore did thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

            Dan. 7:24

            8 The beast that thou saw was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

            9 And here [is] the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits.

            Mountains: idiomatically are Governments (Dan. 2:25, 44), The next verse explains it in further detail.

            10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, [and] the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space.

            1. Egypt (Isa. 52:4; 10:24; 27:13; Hos: 9:3; 11:11; Zech. 10:10-11)

            2. Assyria

            3. Babylon (The book of Daniel from here on...)

            4. Persia

            5. Greece

            6. Rome (phase 1)

            -church gap- 2000 years? (Hos. 6:2 [cf. 2 Pe. 3:8])

            7. Rome "revived" phase 2

            8. Incarnated Satan: the antichrist

            11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goes into perdition.

            12 And the ten horns which thou saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

            Dan 7:7 Are these the "them" of Dan. 11:39?

            13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

            14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

            15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

            Isa. 8:7 This city is the commercial and economic center of the world.

            16 And the ten horns which thou saw upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

            Kings eventually destroy the harlot. This harlot rides the best but then the beast destroys her!

            17 For God has put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

            18 And the woman which thou saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.

            Chapter 18

            1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

            2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

            3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

            The book of Hosea tells of the northern kingdom of Israel being a harlot, drinking, and committing fornication exactly like Babylon here. Then Gods wrath came upon her. Does this scenario resemble America today?!

            4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

            All 144 thousand sealed Jews made it out. Rev. 14:2-4

            5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

            6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled fill to her double.

            Ps. 137

            7 How much she has glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

            Jerusalem is refereed to a widow (Lam. 1:1; cf. Isa. 47).

            8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judges her.

            Isa. 47

            9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

            10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

            11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more:

            12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

            13 And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour,and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

            14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shall find them no more at all.

            Eze. 26, 27

            15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

            16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet,and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

            17 For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

            18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What [city is] like unto this great city!

            19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!For in one hour is she made desolate.

            20 Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.

            First time in Revelation is the command to "rejoice" given. Cf. Rev. 6:10

            21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying,Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

            22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft [he be], shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Babylon is no more;never to reemerge.

            23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

            24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

            Verse 19:3 tends to lean towards an eternal monument to the enemies of God, manifested through His servants.

            Chapter 19

            1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia;Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:

            meta tauta: meta tauta; (4X) 4:1; 7:1 18:1; 19:1. After the Church things...

            The four hallelujahs (1-3) sung foe three reasons, God has judged His enemies (1-4), God is reigning (5-6),the bride is ready (7-10, cf. Rom 8:18-23).

            2 For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

            Heaven was commanded to "rejoice over her" when she fell (18:20). Believers do not avenge themselves (Rom 12:19).

            3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

            4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

            Last appearance of the 24 Elders. They become the Bride. Notice the "amen" unique to this verse only.

            5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

            6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns.

            Ps.110:1

            7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.

            Church is a virgin waiting for the bridegroom; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph.5:22-23. The church is engaged; 1 Pet. 1:8. Jesus will take His bride to heaven; Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Thes.4:13-18.

            8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Granted not earned

            (Ps. 45)

            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.

            Bridegroom: Mt. 19:15; 22:1-13;; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32.

            John The Baptist: Friend of the bride, Jn. 3:29; Lk. 16:16; Mt. 11:11-13.

            Banquet: Isa. 25:6-10; 26:1-4, 19; cf. Lk. 22:15-16; Mt. 26:39.

            The Bride has a unique relationship; Jn. 17:23-26.

            The guest are the OT saints; Heb. 11

            The OT saints and the Bride certainly appear to be combined in the New Jerusalem in Cht. 21 and 22 in the eternal state.

            10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

            11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.

            Coming King; Ps. 45; 46; 47; 50:1-6; 68; Isa. 11; 24:19-23; 25; 26:20; 21; 63:1-6; 65:5-16; Dan. 2:44-45;7:9-14; Joel 3; Hab. 3; Zech 14.

            Enemies know He is coming: Mt. 24:29-30; 26:64; Rev. 12:12.

            Her He is not coming in the air to take His people home (1 Thes. 4:13-18), but to the earth with His people!

            12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

            13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

            Isa. 63:1-4; Rev. 14:20

            14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

            Peter referred to this day in Acts 2:19-20. Armies: Jude 14; Zech 14:5. Angels with Him: Mt. 13:41; 25:31; 2 Thes. 1:7. So are we: 1 Thes. 3:13; 2 Thes. 1:10; Heb. 2:10; Col. 3:4; Zech 14:5

            15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

            The Word: Heb. 4:12; 2 Thes. 2:8; Isa. 11:4. Rod of Iron: Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27; 12:5

            16 And he has on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

            17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

            Mt. 24:28; Lk. 17:37

            18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.

            19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

            No mention of any struggle 2 Thes.2:8.

            20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him,with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

            This is the second beast of Cht. 13.

            21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword]proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

            Remnant = more than two thirds of the worlds population is dead by now!

            Mt. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

            Chapter 20

            1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

            2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

            3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

            Satan was cast out of Heaven in 12:9, now he is cast out of the earth. "...a thousand years" is specified six times in this chapter. This "millennium" has not begun yet. Satan not bound alone, but his demons with him (Isa. 24:21-23).

            4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw]the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

            Four classes of people:

            OT Saints. Dan 12:1-4; Isa. 25:8-9

            Church: Rev. 5:10; 2:26-28; 3:12, 21; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Tim. 2:12

            Tribulation Martyrs: Rev. 6:9

            Tribulation saints still living, "worshipped not the beast": current verse

            There is no resurrection here. The rapture has already occurred. The "Second Resurrection" occurs 1,000 years later. Unbelievers, when they die go to Hades, the unseen world, the (temporary) realm of the dead (Lu 16:19-31).

            Believers go immediately into the presence of the LORD (Phil. 1:19-23; 2 Cor.5:6-8).

            Hades will be emptied of its dead in Rev. 20:13.

            5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

            This [is] the first resurrection. This is the end of the First Resurrection. The First Resurrection is not a single event,but each believer that dies is a subdivision of the larger group belonging to the First Resurrection.

            6 Blessed and holy [is] he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

            The second death = twice dead? Jude 12

            7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

            8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

            Eze. 38?

            9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about,and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

            Ps. 2

            10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

            Here is insight to the eternal soul. The two are still there after a thousand years. There is no annihilation in the Word.

            11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

            12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

            13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

            14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

            15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

            Judge = Christ: Jn. 5:22, 27, 29; Mt. 19:28; Acts 10:42; 17:31.

            Books? John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

            Chapter 21

            1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

            Mat. 24:35; Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Heb. 11:13-16; 2 Pet. 3:7-13 cf. Mat. 6:10

            2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

            Heb. 11:10, 16

            3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men,and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

            "tabernacle" Mat. 12:6; cf. Jn. 1:14. (Mat. 23:37-39; Jn. 14:2-3; Heb. 11:10, 16; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ex. 40:34; 1 Kgs. 8:10-11)

            4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

            5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,Write: for these words are true and faithful.

            6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

            7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

            "overcomer" = 1 Jn. 5:4

            8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers,and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

            Mk. 4:40; Jn. 14:27; 2 Tim. 1:7-8

            9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

            10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

            "Mountain" = Dan. 2; Abraham looked for this city after tithing to Melchizedek the King of Salem (Heb. 11:10).

            Jerusalem = Mlswry = jireh-shalom, provides peace.

            "She that has the bridegroom.." Jn. 3:29

            11 Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

            "light" Isa. 60:1-3

            12 And had a wall great and high, [and] had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

            "Twelve tribes" = Salvation is of the Jews (Mat. 15:24) to get to Jerusalem you have to go through Israel. "Light" Isa. 60:1-3.

            13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

            14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

            Apostles are the foundation (Mat. 19:28), but Jesus is the chief cornerstone ( Jer 51:26 cf.Mat. 21:42).

            15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

            16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

            17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to]the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

            18 And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.

            19 And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

            20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

            Isa. 54:11-12

            21 And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

            "Pearls" are not kosher (Mat. 13:45-46 cf. Mal. 3:17-18).

            22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

            Mat. 12:6

            23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

            Jn. 14:3

            24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.

            25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

            26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

            27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither [whatsoever] works abomination, or [makes] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

            God has accomplished His original purpose with mankind (Eph. 2:7).

            Chapter 22

            1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

            Gen. 2:9-10; Eze. 47:1-12; cf. Jn. 4:14; Jn. 6:35, 51: this is the fulfillment of these verses.

            2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life,which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.

            There will be a form of time in the eternal state (Gen. 8:22).

            3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: No more sin, no more death (cf. Ro 8:22 ).

            4 And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads.

            1 CO 13:12

            5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

            The throne is in the New Jerusalem. "they" = the citizens of the New City.

            6 And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

            Heaven is a destination, also our motivation and hope.

            7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

            Faith: more than just believing (Jas. 2:19-20).

            8 And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.

            9 Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

            10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

            This is the Age of Grace, TODAY, "... now is the day of salvation" (2 CO 6:2).

            11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

            "All things continue" (2 Pet 3:1-4)

            12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

            13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

            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.

            Seventh beatitude. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14

            15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and makes a lie.

            16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.

            Mal. 4:2

            17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

            18 For I testify unto every man that hears 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:

            19 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.

            Duet. 4:2

            20 He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

            21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

            Quote from Missler "The Bible begins with a garden and ends with a city. Everything which began in Genesis has its culmination in Revelation."

            Appendix A

            Seven Churches

            Letter

            Scripture

            Church

            Age

            History Dates (AD)

            Ephesus At. 18-20 Eph. 3;5

            Apostolic <100>

            Smyrna At. 15 Age of Persecution

            100-313

            Pergamos Num. 22-24; 33

            Imperial Church 313-590

            Ac.15; 1 Cor. 6

            Thyatira 1 Kgs. 16; 21 Age of Papacy

            590-Tribulation 2 Kgs. 9:36

            Sardis Gal.; Rom.

            Reformation 1517-Tribulation

            Philadelphia Thes. Missionary

            Church 1730-Rapture

            Laodicea Col. Apostate

            Church 1900-Tribulation

            Paul also wrote seven epistles to the seven churches. There are similarities between the epistles and the letters in Revelation, and the history of the church over the last 2,000 years.

            Ephesus: Ephesians (Preparation for the ministry)

            Smyrna: Philipians (Joy through suffering)

            Pergamos: Corinthians (Espoused to the world)

            Thyatira: Galations (False teaching; Call out of religious externalism)

            Sardis: Romans (Salvation by faith)

            Philadelphia: Thessalonians (The Rapture)

            Laodicea: Colossians (Reiterating the foundation of the Gospel; told to exchange letters with Laodicea. Laodicea had had a letter from Paul (Col. 4:13-16), now lost.

            References

            Chapter 1

            1:1 = Dan. 2:28-29

            1:4 = Isa. 11:2

            1:5 = Gen. 49:11; Ps. 89:27

            1:6 = Ex. 19:6; Isa. 61:6

            1:7 = Dan. 7:13; 10:5-6

            1:8 = Isa. 41:4

            1:12 = Ex. 25:37; 37:23

            1:13 = Dan. 7:13; 10:5-16

            1:14 = Dan. 7:9; 10:6

            1:15 = Eze. 1:7, 24; 43:2; Dan. 10:6

            1:16 = Jg. 5:31; Isa. 49:2

            1:17 = Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Dan. 8:17-18; 10:9, 10, 12, 15, 19

            1:18 = Job 3:17; Ho. 13:14

            Chapter 2

            2:4 = Jer. 2:2

            2:7 = Gen. 2:9; 3:22-24; Pr. 11:30; 13:12; Eze. 31:8

            2:12 = Isa. 49:2

            2:14 = Nu. 25:1-3

            2:17 = Ex. 16:33-34; Isa. 62:2; 65:15

            2:18 = Dan. 10:6

            2:20 = 1 Kg. 16:31-32; 2 Kg. 9:7,22

            2:23 = Ps. 7:9; 26:2; 28:4; Jer. 11:20; 17:10

            2:27 = Ps. 2:7-9; Isa. 30:14; Jer. 19:11

            Chapter 3

            3:1 = Isa. 4:1

            3:4 = Ec. 9:8

            3:5 = Ex. 32:32-33

            3:7 = Isa. 22:22

            3:9 = Isa. 43:4; 49:23; 60:14

            3:12 = Isa. 62:2; Eze. 48:35

            3:14 = Gen. 49:3; De. 21:17

            3:18 = Isa 55:1

            3:19 = Pr. 3:12

            "These things says He..."

            To Ephesus, a great and powerful church, but loosing zeal; "These things says He That holds seven stars in His hand."

            To Smyrna, a poor, suffering church, facing martyrdom; "These things says He that was dead, and lived again."

            To Pergamum, tolerating teachers of immorality; "These things says He that has sharp two edge sword."

            To Thyatira, growing in zeal, but tolerating Jezzabel; "These things says the Son of God, Who has eyes like fire."

            To Sardis, with a name that it lived, but was dead; "These things says He that has the seven Spirits of God."

            To Philadelphia, a nobody in the city, but faithful; "These things says He that opens and none shall shut."

            To Laodicea, the lukewarm church; "These things says the Faithful and True Witness."

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