THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Truth fears no investigation, on the contrary, it welcomes it.
The Book of Revelationʼs central theme is Christ, the Son of God, who has forever united Himself with humanity. The books, Daniel and the Revelation describe events which are leading to the vindication of God, showing that He is worthy of our love and worship throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, and that Godʼs government is the only way to universal happiness. Daniel and Revelation also unmask the worldly power(s) at war against God and his commandment keeping people (Rev 12:17) It is our hope that you will find Him in whom is salvation and everlasting joy - Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Son of man. Grace and peace be with you.
THE STRUCTURE OF REVELATION
The sanctuary figures prominently in the book of Daniel and an understanding of the sanctuary and its services is necessary to understand things such as the “cleansing of the sanctuary” (Daniel 8:14).
Revelation is structured around the sanctuary and even the sanctuary services. By understanding the sanctuary and itʼs services one can better understand the Revelation and the gospel itself.
The mirror-like arrangement of the book of Revelation gives us a time frame for each of the visions.
Those parts in the first section, except the 7th church, 7th seal & 7th trumpet, have been fulfilled in the past. Those in the second section are still to be fulfilled in the future.
The first section ends when Christ ceases His ministry in heaven. The second section begins when Christʼs ministry has ended. The 7th church, 7th seal, and 7th trumpet extend beyond the close of Christʼs ministry, reaching up to His return.
The pattern does not follow the chapter breaks, but the chapter breaks were not inspired. They were added centuries after the Bible was written.
REVELATION HAS MANY SYMBOLS
Symbols are used for a variety of reasons:
1. Preserve the book. If the enemies of truth had been described in plain language they may have destroyed the Bible.
2. To preserve those who share the truth. Had it been in plain language the enemies of truth would have tried to silence Godʼs messengers.
3. The symbols make it memorable.
4. The symbols regulate the flow of truth. Figuring it out takes time!
5. Using symbols is an effective means of teaching.
6. The symbols awaken inquiry.
RULES OF INTERPRETATION
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Every word must have its proper bearing. (Matt 5:18).
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All scripture is necessary, and may be understood. (2Tim 3:15-17).
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Nothing revealed in the scripture can
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or will be hid from those who ask in faith, nothing wavering. (Deut 29:29; Matt 21:22; 10:26,27; Phil 3:15; John 14:13-14; 15:7; James 1:5,6; 1John 5:14-15).
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To understand doctrine, bring all the scriptures together on the subject you wish to know. If you can form your theory without a contradiction, you cannot be in error. (Isa 28:9-13; 35:8; Prov 19:27; Luke 24:27,44-45; Rom 16:26; 2Pet 1:19- 20).
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Scripture must be its own expositor. (Ps 19:7-11; Ps 119:97-105; 1Cor 2:12-16).
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God has revealed things to come by visions, in symbols and parables. The same things are often revealed again and again, by different visions, symbols, etc. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. (Hos 12:10; Hab 2:2; Acts 2:17; 10:9-16; 1Cor 10:6; Heb 9:9,24; Ps 78:2; Matt 13:13,34; Gen 41:1-32; Dan 2, 7, 8).
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Parables are used as comparisons to illustrate subjects, and must be explained in the same way as symbols. (Mark 4:13).
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Symbols sometimes have two or more meanings. eg. a day may be an indefinite period or a definite period. The correct interpretation in each case will harmonize with the Bible and make good sense. (Ecc 7:14; Eze 4:6).
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If something makes good sense as it stands then it must be understood literally, if not, symbolically. (Rev 12:1-2; 17:3-7).
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To learn the true meaning of a symbol, trace the symbol through the Bible, and where you find it explained, put that meaning on your symbol. If it makes good sense you need look no further, if not, look again.
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If you find every word of the prophecy (after the symbols are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the true event. But if one word lacks a fulfilment, then you must look for another event, or wait its future development. For God takes care that history and prophecy agree, so that the true believing children of God may never be ashamed. (1Pet 2:6; Rev 17:17; Acts 3:18).
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The most important rule of all is, that you must have faith and be willing to give up anything to follow Godʼs Word (John 7:17). If anything should hinder us believing any part of Godʼs word, it would show our faith to be vain. We must also believe that God takes care of the translation of His word so that all who sincerely trust in Him may put implicit confidence in his word, though they may not understand Hebrew or Greek.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND PROPHECY
The Bible teaches one method of interpretation - Line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10). We must compare one passage with another (1Cor 2:13) allowing one text to explain the meaning of another.
(1) This method is the only way to avoid private interpretation (2Pet 1:20).
(2) It does not require special training or knowledge so its something anyone can do.
(3) It saves people from dependence on men (scholars, ministers, pastors, priests, popes).
(4) It leads to a comprehensive reading of the Bible which is a blessing.
(5) It does not rely on definitions of words & allows Scripture to define its own meanings.
(6) Once the symbols are decoded one must then look to history for fulfilled prophecy.
SYMBOLS USED IN PROPHECY FOR KINGDOMS, NATIONS OR POWERS
1. “King” used interchangeably with Kingdom - Dan 2:37-38, Dan 7:17,23
2. “Mountain” symbolic of a kingdom - Dan 2:35, Rev 17:9
3. “Beasts” used interchangeably with “Kings”- Dan 7:17,23
4. “Beasts” are also said to be Kingdoms - Dan 7:23
5. “Horns” represent Kings / Kingdoms - Dan 8:20-22
6. “Heads” are symbolic of kingdoms - Dan 7:6, Dan 2:38
7. “Waters” symbolic of kingdoms, nations, tongues - Rev 17:15
8. “Great City” used interchangeably with kingdom - Rev 14:8, 16:19
9. “Ribs” symbolic of kingdom - Ram conquers in 3 directions. Bear has 3 ribs - Daniel 7:7, 8:4
These symbols bar "ribs" all meet in Revelation chapter 17.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE COUNTERFEIT
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There are many counterfeits in Daniel and the Revelation.
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There is a genuine and a counterfeit judgment,
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There is a genuine and a counterfeit 'trinity'
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There is a genuine and a counterfeit church
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There is a genuine and counterfeit Seal
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Once identified, a counterfeit can help reveal and confirm aspects about the true.
THE COUNTERFEITS IN SCRIPTURE
DRAGON
Gave power to the Beast (Rev 13:2, 4) Gave seat to the Beast (v2)
Gave authority to the Beast (v2)
Beast came forth from the Dragon World worship him (v 4)
BEAST
A Beast
Arose from the waters (Rev 13:1)
Sits on Dragonʼs seat (Rev 13:2)
Died & was resurrected (Rev 13:3)
Claims to forgive sins (Rev 13:5-6; Mark 2:7) Made war with saints (Rev 13:7)
All the lost worship him (Rev 13:8)
ʻMinisteredʼ 42 prophetic months (Rev 13:5) Lord of the Sunday (See on Dan 7:25; Rev 13)
LAMB-LIKE BEAST (False Prophet)
Came after the first Beast was wounded
Calls down fire, does miracles (Rev 13:13) Speaks like a dragon (Rev 13:11)
Creates an image of the Beast
Marks (SEALS) men to destruction (Rev 13:16) Mark given to commandment breakers
Is the false prophet (cf. Rev 13:13-14; 19:20)
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
In the forehead or right hand (faith OR works)
Received by commandment breakers
Mark applied to the unfaithful (Rev 13:16) “the mark of his name” (Rev 14:11)
Received by those who break Godʼs law
THREE FROGS
From the Dragon, Beast & False Prophet (Rev 16:13-14)
Go to all mankind (Rev 16:14)
Gather men into Satanʼs ranks
THE FALSE CHURCH (Rev 17)
A whore (Rev 17)
Joined to the kings of the earth (Rev 17:2) Experienced a wilderness period (Rev 17:3) Mother of harlots (Rev 17:5)
SPIRITUAL BABYLON
Babylon means confusion (Gen 11:9)
A “great” city (Rev 18:10).
Watered by the Euphrates.
Where Christ was crucified (Rev 11:8). Associated with a river (Euphrates). The Street of the great city (Rev 11:8)
“Home” of the wicked.
FATHER
Gave power to the Son (Matt 28:18; Rev 2:27) Gave seat to the Son (Rev 3:21)
Gave authority to the Son (Heb 1:6-8)
Son came forth from the Father (John 8:42) Universe worships Him (Rev 5:13-14)
SON
A Lamb (Rev 13:8)
Arose from the waters (baptism Matt 3:16)
Sits on Godʼs throne (Rev 3:21; Heb 12:2)
Died and was resurrected (Rom 8:34)
Can actually forgive sins (Mark 2:5)
Makes war with the beast (Rev 19:19-20)
All the saved worship Him
Christʼs ministry lasted 42 literal months (Dan 9:27) Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28).
HOLY SPIRIT (Spirit of Prophecy)
Came after Christʼs crucifixion (Acts 2)
Calls down fire, does miracles (Acts 2:3, 4) Speaks like the Father
Creates an image of Christ in us (2Cor 3:18) SEALS (marks) men to redemption (Eph 4:30) Seal given commandment keepers (Rev 14:9-12) Is THE Spirit of Prophecy (Rev 19:10)
THE SEAL OF GOD
In the forehead only (salvation is by faith not works)
Received by commandment keepers
Seal of God is applied to the faithful
“Fatherʼs name written in... foreheads.” (Rev 14:1) Given those who keep Godʼs Law.
THREE ANGELS
From the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Rev 14:6-12)
Go to all mankind (Rev 14:6)
Gather men into Godʼs church
THE TRUE CHURCH (Rev 12)
A pure woman (Rev 12)
Joined to the King of kings
Experienced a wilderness period (Rev 12:6, 14) Mother of the faithful (Matt 12:49; Gal 4:26)
NEW JERUSALEM
Jerusalem means “Peace.”
“That great city” (Rev 21:10).
Watered by the River of Life.
The great city where Christ is King. Associated with a river (River of Life).
The Street (Rev 22:2).
Home of the redeemed.
May the Lord's blessing be upon you as we commence this journey in the Book of Revelation:
Elias