Revealing Revelation
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Introduction
Revelation is a powerful book.
It has been a positive influence on theology, artistics works, and especially music. In fact, Revelation seems to be sung much more than it is preached.
In a negative sense though, it has caused division and spawned religious movements founded on misguided attempts to discern the date of Messiah’s return.
But we don’t preach this book very often. Why is that? It is because it is difficult to understand, it can lead to division as we get invested in our end times opinions.
The sub title of the message is of course a play on words to the popular book series Left Behind by Tim LaHaye.
Here is a quote from the cover “In one cataclysmic moment, millions around the globe disappear. Those left behind face war, famine, plagues, and natural disasters so devastating that only one in four people will survive. Odds are even worse for enemies of the Antichrist and his new world order,” during “the seven most chaotic years that the planet will ever see.”
The Left Behind series (1995–2007) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which sold millions of copies, helped make “rapture,” “tribulation,” and “Armageddon” into household words for many in the West.
Also, people will be surprised to learn that much of this modern evangelical approach to interpretation was started by an Irish priest named John Darby around the mid to late 1800’s. He was the proponent of dispensationalism.
Darby’s new method of biblical interpretation, which consisted of a strict literalism, the absolute separation of Israel and the church into two distinct peoples of God, and the separation of the rapture (the "catching away" of the church) from Messiah’s Second Coming.
Darby persuaded D.L. Moody of his views which is how it grew exponentially in North America.
With the current societal emphasis upon a future reading of Revelation, what has been forgotten are the timeless truths the book communicates.
We should think of revelation more like a stereogram - if you looked up clsoe it makes no sense. if you stepped back and refocused, an amazing image appears where the details matter much less because the entirety of the image is what amazes.
What Kind of Literature?
If we want to leave behind the thinking we have inherited from socieyt when reading this book, a basic question to ask is “what kind of literature is this book?” This is important.
In Iran, there was a man named Prince Solomon, and it is widely known by many in that place that he killed a 30ft serpent that was terrorising villages across the entire country, and in fact he saved a young lady named Anastasia, who later became his wife.
Once upon a time, in a land far away, in Iran, there was a man named Prince Solomon, and it widely known by many in that place that he slew a 30ft serpent that was terrorising villages across the entire country, and he saved a young damsel named Anastasia, who later became his wife.
‘Once upon a time...’ significantly impacts how would you interpret the remaining information. You can see then that assumptions of the text matters.
Someone who picks up Revelation and thinks that it is a step by step history of the end of the world written in advance is going to approach it differently than someone who doesn’t have that initial assumption.
For us then, an important quesiton is ‘how would the original audience have understood the literature?’
First century readers would have recognized this literary form and the symbolism that comes with it. Unforutnatley we have to work hard to enter into their thinking.
Apocalypse:
Revelation is commonly grouped with other writings known as “apocalypses,” a term that comes from the Greek word apokalypsis, which means “revelation.” This is how the book starts: Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (The Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah)
These apocalypses were a known literature during the 1st century and there are examples - half of the book of Daniel, Book of Enoch, 4 Ezra, and others.
In the various apocalyptic literature, the underlying message is often similar and the basic message of salvation is more important than the details.
Apocalypses assured readers that God would be faithful, despite conditions of evil in the present age, and to encourage readers to remain loyal to God, rather than giving in to powers that oppose God.
Apocalyptic writers were concerned about the future realization of God’s purposes, but exhortation and assurance seem to have been more important than prediction of future events.
*This literature is also highly symbolic. Numbers have symbolic value - 7, 12, 10, 4, 6, *
It is also a very visual type of literature - in Revelation we have visions, scenes, beasts, colours, flashes of light etc.
Prophecy:
Revelation is not only apocalyptic in form, but it is also prophetic. Revelation also identifies itself as a “prophecy” (1:3). It is prophetic both by forthtelling (e.g., 1:8) and foretelling (see 1:19, “write … what will take place later”).
John understood prophecy to be more than predictions of coming events.
For example, the messages to the seven communities in Revelation 2–3 include condemnations of sin, calls for repentance, and words of encouragement.
The threats to the communities are not simple predictions of future disasters but are given in conditional form, so that the threat will be carried out only if repentance does not occur (2:5, 16; 3:3); and the promises are not so much predictions as expressions of God’s commitment to bless those who “conquer” (2:7, 10–11, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 20–21).
The preface to Revelation says that John wants people to respond to his prophecy by “keeping” it (Rev. 1:3).
If John primarily intended to dispense information about the future, we might have expected 1:3 to speak of the blessing that comes on those that “understand” his book.
The word “keeping,” however, is associated with repentance and a manner of life that is consistent with Messiah (2:26; 3:3). It entails obedience to God’s commands (12:17; 14:12) and a refusal to deny one’s relationship with Messiah (3:8). To “keep” the message of Revelation’s prophecy means to “worship God” (22:9) and to guard the truth as the most important treasure we have.
Letter
John conveys his apocalyptic prophecy in the form of a letter.
People in the ancient world wrote letters that included certain standard elements, just as letters do today.
Modern letters usually have the sender’s address at the top of the page, followed by the date. They begin with a formula like “Dear _____” and conclude with an expression like “Sincerely yours,” followed by the sender’s name.
Ancient letters had their own conventional introductions and conclusions. The opening regularly identified the sender, identified the intended recipients, and extended a greeting.
Letters served as vehicles for preaching among early believers. Revelation also was to be read aloud. The introduction says, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud … and blessed are those who hear” (Rev. 1:3).
Recognizing that Revelation is a letter that was designed to be read aloud to a group helps modern readers envision the way in which communication would take place.
I mentioned that apocalyptic literature is visual. In the case of Revelation it is not only visual, but a sensory overload - sights, sounds - loud trumpets but also moments of complete silence, sweet tastes, smells of incense, …
some say the letter was not only read aloud but potentially dramatized…it was not unheard of in rhetorical speeches during this time to have performance styles to presenting and reading.
Not only was Revelation read, it was mostly likely aslo sung.
At least 17 instances of hymns or acclamations appear in the book of Revelation (1:4–7; 4:8; 4:11; 11:17–18; 5:9–10; 5:12, 13; 7:12; 7:10; 19:1–3; 11:15; 12:10–12; 19:5; 15:3–4, 6–8).
A lot of evidence supports that hymns, liturgical dialogues, songs, and praises were used for worship (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). It would have been natural for the community to appropriate the liturgy in Revelation for these purposes.
Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The Recipients
So we have now answered our question of what kind of literature is Revelation. It is an apocalyptic prophetic letter.
John wrote this letter while being exiled on the island of Patmos around 95AD. Why? Probably because the local roman govenor wanted to impress the emperor and attract an imperial temple and therefore had this pesky John exiled.
So, who are the recipients of this letter?
Revelation begins, “John, to the seven churches that are in Asia” (Rev. 1:4). To take this statement literally means that Revelation is a book for its own time, and that it was written to communicate with believing congregations in first-century Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
The first letter is directed to the church in Ephesus, the city closest to the island of Patmos. The remaining recipients of the letters are Smyrna, Sardis, Thyatira, Pergamum, Philadelphia and Laodicea, which geographically form a loose circuit, thereby making it easy for a messenger to travel and deliver John’s document to the various churches.
The entire book of Revelation is written to the seven communities. It is not written to us, it is written for us.
It is important to understand that there are more than seven communities existing at this time. The symbolism of the number seven is meant to speak to the totality or full community.
So although we are given specific messages to each of the seven communities, the messages are intended for the entire body to reflect on.
For example, a unique message is delivered to each community but each ends with a call to all the communities.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Ruach is saying to Messiah’s communities.
As well, the entire book of revelation is written to be understood by the seven communities of the first century. It was meant to be read, heard, understood, and obeyed by the original recipients.
This is important because in my opinion it means revelation is not a code book only to be understood by later generations - nucelar bombs, helicopters, credit cards, microchips - all of that is foreign to the intent of the book.
So, to properly understand this book, we need to understand the messages being delivered to the original audience.
In doing so, we will uncover the timeless truth that is intended to benefit us as God’s community in our context as well.
The Message of Revelation
This is a book that reveals or uncovers what is hidden. It is the revelation of Yeshua to the seven communities and we are told in 1:1
The revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah—to everything he saw.
One of the great tragedies in the church in our day is how Revelation has been so narrowly and incorrectly interpreted with an obsessive focus on the future end time, with the result that we have missed the fact that it contains many profound truths and encouragements concerning Christian life and discipleship. - Beale, G. K.
The message of Revelation is simple - it is a message about the risen Yeshua ruling from the heavens. The “last time” prophecies of the Tanach are being fulfilled.
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden menorot. In the midst of the menorot, I saw One like a Son of Man, clothed in a robe down to His feet, with a golden belt wrapped around His chest.
another point on the message, John sees Yeshua not in a forest, not in a hammock on the beach, but in the very throne room and presence of God.
It is a message from Yeshua and about Yeshua - it says he is the faithful witness, the fistborm from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is to him that dominion will be forever and ever.
John is seeing and describing a royal messiah one who has supreme authority. This is a fundamental message of revelation - this is in fact the revelation - that uncovered thing - Yeshua is Lord both now and forever and he will put things right.
More than anywhere else in the Bible revelation displays the final victory of God over the forces of evil. This is the theme. Final victory is certain in king Yeshua. This is the core message for the seven communities and for us.
So if you’re ever asked what is the apocalypse - you can say Yeshua ruling heaven and earth as the risen king - that is the ‘revelation’.
Outline
One way to outline this book would be by the visions, and the phrase “In the Ruach” is a good way to divide the general visionary divisions:
Intro - “Obey for the time is near!”
Warning Messiah’s Body (Chapters 1-4)
Vision of Yeshua
Seven Communities
Warning the Nations (Chapters 4-16)
Heavenly Court 4:1-5:14
Warning Depiction 1- Seven Seals 6:1-7:16
Warning Depcition 2 - Seven Trumpets 8:1-15:8
Warning Depiction 3 - Seven Bowls 16:1-17:2
Verdit & Execution (Chapters 17-21)
Judging Babylon (17:1-18:24)
Vindication of God’s People (19:1-10)
Sentences Carried Out (19:11-21:8)
Inheritance & Restitution (Chapters 21:9-22)
New Jerusalem
Conclusion - “Obey for I am coming soon!”
Very much like OT prophets where warning against Israel first, followed by warning against nations, followed by salvation and message of hope.
What we have in Revelation is a heavenly law court view. Where there are thrones, books oepened, accused, innocents, pleadings, evidence presented, judgments, and restitituion.
The seven seals (comment on seal finding) opens up and leads to seven trumpets, opens up and leads to seven bowls.
The seals, trupmes and bowls should not be understood not in a linear fashion but as a series of warning depictions. One warning depcitions leads into another more intesnse depiction, so that each depcitions becomes more and more intense. They are a restating of the same basic point, three times over, for a total of 21.
The seals, trumpets, and bowls are warning depictions, not the judgement. This is very important because at the conclusion of each mankind are aware and acknowledge that it is the wrath of God - they have the opporuntinty to repent. But they reject it - more than that - they curse God! So when judgement is ultimately rendered, Adonai is proven just in doing so.
The final judgement is started at the pouring of the 7th bowl - it says in 16.17 “It is done!”.
What is also striking is the fact that only 2 chapters are related to warning the body, but the many events and chapters are given warning the rest of mankind.
The longsuffering nature of God is astounding - to the point that the Kedoshim who are martyrd cry out from under the altar - ‘how long oh lord?!’. He gives such a time to the ungodly to repent. What a merciful God. If you ever think you are too far removed for God to show you mercy you are entirely wrong. God’s mercy is abundant.
Yet the entire letter is given for the body to see and understand. All of the events are for th ecommunities to read and understand the heavenly truth and coming salvation. God will ensure resititution.
These could have described events of the past and perhaps if the communities saw these events having already happened it would highlight the coming soon feature of the book and the need to heed and persevere.
The First Vision
Starting at vs 12, John experiences a vision being in the spirit on the Lords Day (TLV says Day of the Lord which is interesting).
This is not a future event but a present reality - this is what exits in heaven and John sees into it.
He hears a voice so loud it is like a shofar! And he turns to see and what he sees is the vision he must write to the seven communities.
He sees seven golden lampstands, which are in fact menorahs, and how many branches on a menorah? Seven of sevens.
You can imagine how bright it must have been in his vision.
All those lights shining on the gold reflecting everything,
and in the middle is one like a son of man,
royally dressed, a golden sash also reflecting the light
and his hair and head are white like snow again reflecting the light
and his eyes are like flames and his feet like polished bronze
and it also tell us his face was shining like the sun at its brightest
and he’s holding seven stars in his right hand.
John wants the communities to know that the vision was bright and intense. It was so intense that when he sees Yeshua John falls at his feet:
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the One who lives. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever! Moreover, I hold the keys of death and Sheol. Therefore write down what you have seen, what is, and what will happen after these things. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden menorot—the seven stars are the angels of Messiah’s seven communities, and the seven menorahs are the seven communities.”
What follows next is the explanation of the vision.
The seven stars in the right hand of this awesome lord are the seven angels.
and he stands right in the midst of the seven menorot which represent the seven communities
The one with a sharp two edged sword coming from his mouth is in their midst and holding the angles.
This is the backdrop to which the seven communities are given their message.
And so what follows now is the message to each community and with that image as the backdrop it will now become clear why John says this is a prophecy to keep - because the one in their midst Yeshua stands ready to encourage but also to judge.
This is of course the irony. Yeshua can eitehr be a source of security or a source of concern. This all depends on what state he will find you when he returns - behold, I come quickly! - then takes on a real sobering tone and becomes a call to righteous living.
The book of revelation has few direct quotes from the Tanach, but the most allusions out of any other book in the apostolic writings. More than the letters of Paul combined.
The allusions demonstrate that the prophecies of the tanach were beginning to be fullfilled in Yeshua. But John creates a complex mosaic or a painting that incoproates all the colours of the prophecies of old and mixes them all into an explosion of beauty.
But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the poor of the land. He will strike the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.
“I was watching in the night visions. Behold, One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days, and was brought into His presence.
The book of revelation assumes that Yeshua’s ressurrection was the moment when dominion was transferred to Yeshua as king.
The “Revelation” is that all of the Scriptures find their amen in the risen Yeshua as king rendering judgment and ensuring restitution for his people. the revelation is not a sequence of events as the focus, the revelation is Yeshua as king as the focus.
Warning Messiah’s Body
Each community is addressed. In fact, it is the angel who is addressed. But it seems clear that the angel is not meant to be the ultimate recipient of the message but the community itself.
Let’s picture it - we have a radiant Yeshua, holding these angels in his hand, and each community has an angel appointed, with a message of warning - What do you think this conveys? It reminds of Yeshua sending his angels into the world to select for judgement or salvation.
What a thought - does Yeshua have an angel assigned to our community? What would he see? What message would Yeshua give? These are the questions we are meant to ask when reading revelation.
The Context
We’ll look at a few key themes arising from the messages to the seven communities but first we need to understand the context.
Early Christian writers, including Irenaeus, held that John received his vision during the reign of Domitian (81–96), and it was during that reign that a cult of emperor worship was established at Ephesus and some form of persecution broke out against the communities.
Believers to whom John was writing were being forced to participate in this imperial cult (see on 2:9, 13–14; 13:15).
in fact, From about 100AD, the usual basis for charges against Christians was their refusal to worship the emperor.
Judaism enjoyed certain freedoms under Roman law, including the right to worship in synagogues and some degree of exemption from the imperial cult. However, as believers became identified as a separate group from Jews, such privileges would not have been extended to them.
It seems from Revelation that some Jewish beleivers were tempted to flee persecution by returning to the synagogue and that Gentile believers were tempted to avoid persecution by giving in to the demands of emperor worship.
In Asia Minor, where the churches addressed in Revelation were located, the demands of emperor worship were particularly strong from about 90 onward. People were even required to participate in sacrifices as ritual processions passed their homes.
The impetus for this cult seems to have come more from local and provincial officials seeking to ingratiate themselves with Rome than from the emperor himself.
Their attempts to make themselves look good depended on their ability to force the local population to support the cult enthusiastically, and detractors had to be punished.
In Revelation, Rome, along with other kingdoms, is identified with Babylon, which was also the case outside of the Bible amongst the Jews. The destruction that happened in 70AD was deemed similar to that carried out by the Babylonians many centuries before.
All the evidence suggests that there was no wide scale imperial persecution at this time but there was varied local persecution.
Not all of it entailed death but sometimes it involved an economic persecution. For example if you wanted to run a business you had to be part of a trade guild and in those times the guilds had religious elements to them.
This means faithful followers couldn’t participate and risked losing their income. There is no government welfare system.
Key Themes
Prepare & Persevere
Prepare yourself for perseuction. Revelation doesn’t say ‘believe in me and nothing will go wrong’. It says hold firm, endure to the end,... overcome. The time to mentally prepare for persecution is before it happens. And what does prepartion look like? It looks like the lamb who was slain.
“Have this attitude in yourselves as was in Messiah Yeshua” - this is the way to ensure that knees bow and tongues confess that you will rule the world.
Persecution isn’t always death, in fact, most of the communities revelation was written to were not persecuted to that degree yet.
But if and when perseuction does come, regardless of the severity, persevere in the faith.
Resist Compromises
Several of the communities faced issues of assimilation. Blending into the worldly culture around them.
A question they had to grapple with was, to what extent could followers of Jesus participate in gatherings where people ate meat that had been offered to the Greek and Roman gods and deified emperors?
Civic festivals, meetings of trade associations, and family gatherings often had religious dimensions. Some in the communities thought it acceptable to share in such meals to maintain good social relationships, but John and others disagreed, insisting that doing so was a form of idolatry, which was incompatible with Christian faith (2:2, 6, 14, 20).
This is why the visions sharply contrast worship of the Creator and the Lamb with worship of the tyrannical beast in order to press for clarity of commitment.
Worship
What is worship? Revelation is centered around worship. Worship is not just singing revelation song. Worship is bowing down.
In Revelation when someone worships or is called to worship, it is an act of declaring that the object of worship is Lord.
The key question in Revelation is - who will you declare as Lord? That is the question facing us just as it was the first century communities.
The heavenly revelation demands that people realign their views with the heavenly view, not earthly. The courtroom is in session now! Evidence is being presented now! Warnings are happening now!
The seven communities are exhorted to submit to the demands of the book’s message, or else face judgment.
John’s readers live in a worldly culture which makes sin seem normal and righteousness appear strange. Does that sound familiar?
John writes because he perceives there is a real danger that the communities will conform to what are considered the “normal” values of the world-system rather than to God’s transcendent truth. When persecution comes will we compropise and redirect our worship?
The focus of the revelation John received from God is how the body of messiah is to conduct itself in the midst of an ungodly world.
The heavenly revelation gives an entirely different perspective from that offered by the world. Believers are faced with the choice of lining their lives and conduct up with one perspective or the other, and their eternal destiny depends on that choice.
So you can see how sad it is when the study of Revelation today regards it merely as futurology rather than setting in place a proper mindset and worldview for the body of messiah!
Complacency
Another issue facing some of the communities was complacency.
They were prospering in the Roman-era economy and seemingly oblivious to the issues facing other communities.
In terms of faith they are depicted as spiritually dead or dying (3:1–2) and are as unappealing as lukewarm fare served at a banquet (3:15–17). To startle them out their complacency, satirical visions picture Rome as a harlot whose commercial empire seduces people with promises of wealth, which lull them into accommodating a brutal and arrogant ruling power.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. Oh, that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spew you out of My mouth.
Laodicea was the financial hub of the province, a very wealthy city. The cit was located between two other cities - heirapolis and colossae. The former was known for medicinal hot springs good for healing and the latter for their cold springs which was thought to be healthy and good for drinking. Laodcea had a series of acqudcts used to pump water in and by the time it arrived it was lukewarm and dirty hence spit out.
So the picture is not that Yeshua desires someone to be either a strong believer on fire or a cold hearted non beleiver. No, the picture is that this city had all the wealth yet it has to go exteranlly to obtain its useless water. It was complacent and good for nothing.
I believe Covid was a plague from God for a purpose - it was a warning to the body of messiah in the West in particular. In a short time God showed us how quickly the thikning of our entire society can change and implement policies that leave a person on the outside and shunned from economic and social life. It certainly woke me up.
We cannot become complacent!
Hope
the hope of a better world is utlimately where Revelation is heading.
Symbolism
I can’t give a sermon on Revelation and not give you my perspective, however limited, on what some of the interpretations mean.
I think the book should be interpreted symbolically unless you are forced to interpret it literally.
Revelation 1:1 introduces the book, not only by using the word ‘apocalypse’, but also by saying that God ‘made known’ to John the contents of the book through an angel.
The translation ‘made known’ is a rendering of the Greek word σημαίνω but it is best understood here as “communicate by symbols,” which is a similar usage to Dan 2.45.
For just as you saw a stone cut out of a mountain, yet not by hands, crush the iron, bronze, clay, silver and gold, the great God has made known to the king what will happen in the future. Now the dream is certain, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
Unless there is strong evidence in the text to the contrary, the visions (whether, for instance, those of the beast, the false prophet, the seven kings, the ten horns, the army of two hundred million, the twenty-four elders, or the millennium) are for the most part to be taken non-literally.
This does not mean that they have no meaning or historical reference, but that the meaning is to be found symbolically—and almost always within the context of OT references which run through the visions God gave to John (on which see further the next section).
There is always a literal meaning underlying the symbolic meaning, though this literal meaning is often about spiritual realities and sometimes about physical realities, both of which have to do with some kind of historical reality.
So unlike some commentators I don’t see the falling of one-hundred-pound hail (Rev. 16:21) as literal, nor the fire coming from the mouth of the two faithful witnesses and devouring their enemies.
There is also the symbolic significance of numbers in Revelation. Three numbers in particular —four, seven, and twelve, along with their multiples. We do the same thing; if I said that car is a 10 - you would know I mean it is a sweet ride.
seven is symbolic for completeness, perfection or fullness. So does it mean God has seven actual spirits in His hand or does it mean He has fullness of Spirit or spirits? The same question can be asked of seven communities, seven angels, seven seals, trumpets, bowls, heads on a beast, etc.
the number four usually represnts universality - for example the four corners of the earth.
twelve symbolizes appointed represenation - think twelve tribes, spies, apostles.
And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal. In the middle of the throne and around it were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature was like an ox, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
Here we are in the heavenly court, the One seated on the throne is surrounded by the 24 elders seated on thrones (the representatives of God’s people).
These creaturse are there - why four creatures? they represnted a universality of some kind - the number four is the clue.
Why eyes all around? they represent the affairs of the world being fully seen and known by God in before his throne of judgment. No injustice will escape.
Why a lion, ox, man, eagle? Perhaps Lion best of the wild beasts, ox best of the domesticated beasts, man best of all life, eagle best of the air.
And so whenever these creatures that represent all creation give glroy, the elders fall and worship God, and say...
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, For You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created!”
The point John wants us to see is that we have a just God that is worthy of glory and knows what is taking place on earth because he has sight from the midst of His throne.
Chapter 5
And I saw in the right hand of the One seated upon the throne a scroll, written on both the front and the back, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?”
Found in trash pile in Egypt , seven sealed scroll. Unrolled seven times and on the seventh roll was script and it was a legal document.
Revelation 5 continues the court scene, this time with the scrolls with seven seals. There was a lamb standing as if it had been slain. What does a slain lamb stand like? It is the resurrected Yeshua standing in power and honour.
Chapter 6
refers to the four horsemen. The text makes clear that the horsemen represent conquest, violence, economic hardship, and death.
The four horsemen are designed to shatter the illusion that people can find true security in the borders of a nation or empire, in a flourishing economy, or in their own health.
I picked up a news paper only to read about SVB and the banking crisis right now. Here is another warning from the Lamb. Will we be complacent in our wealth? Inflation is causing that collapse and this is the warning from the economic horseman. This book is so relevant for the body of messiah in every generation!
Notice this is the Lambs doing. No one can hide from the wrath other lamb. These are warnings of His coming judgment.
Which is why these have a purpose of eliciting repentance yet we see restraints - ⅓ or ¼ these depict messiah holding back in his warnings.
The martyrs cry out from under the altar ‘how long oh lord before you judge?’ Rest a little longer.
Revelation assumes martyrdom but God Loves these people, he gives them a white robe.
Chapter 7
chapter six ends by asking the question ‘ who can stand in the wrath of God and the lamb’ and chapter 7 answers that question.
Those who are sealed will stand. This is not an actual seal or mark but is symbolic.
A seal is a mark that protects them spiritually and also from God’s coming judgment. This is not to say believers aren’t called to suffer, but it means that our ultimate end is not judgement which is something that can’t be said for the ungodly.
The seal on the forehead is a contrast to the mark of the beast on the forehead. The seal and mark is gods name or the bests name.
The 144,000 come after the question is asked ‘who can stand’.
So 12 x 12 = 144 entire covenant people represented and then x 1000 entirely full for the great tribulation period. At this time, I take the tribulation period to be the period of Messiah until now.
The 144,000 are heard by John, but then he sees the mulitude in verse 9 which is clearly all believers from all tribes and tongues. Believers are fully integrated into Israel’s story.
Chapter 8
Seventh seal is opened and you would expect the final contents to be read - Judgment - …but instead this seal opens to trumpets.
This pictures further warnings by the Lamb given to undeserved mankind, but the seven trumpet warnings are more intense than the seals.
Don’t think John is giving a chronological time, he is giving a pttern of warnings to the world and shows how God is intensifying them to elicit repentance.
God doesn’t wipe everyone out at this tpoint, but he affects their surroundings and circumstances to demonstrate their need to repent.
are these past or future? I think both. they are warnings that God gives throughout the ages.
impact to vegetation, economic crisis, plague, despair. These are the symbolic meanings of the trumpet events.
Chapter 9
chapter 8 ends with three woes reminicist of messiah’s woes to the people and leads into the 5th trumpet.
Things intensify in chapter 9 with the introduction of demonic forces. when an angel “symboilzed by a star” is sent to open the bottomless pit . This pit represents spiritual darkness and demonic powers. This is where the angels are held - you’ll recall this language in a previous message I gave on Peter and elements of Jude included.
the locusts represnt demonic powers who are not allowed to touch those sealed, and their king is Abbadon which means destoryer.
Chapter 10
turning point. 7th angel is going to bring something different and will mark a special period of time when God’s mystery and propheices will be completed.
john is given a tiny scroll likely related to the scroll of the lamb, but can’t share the contents of it yet.
this will be delcared when the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth merge enitrely and fully - ie the good news of Yeshua as king. this is set to happen at the 7th trump.
again, not linear, but the point is as things intensify it will get to a point where the end is near.
Chapter 11
two witnesses