John of Patmos

"John the Divine" and "John the Revelator" redirect here. For other uses of John the Divine, see John the Divine (disambiguation). For other uses of John the Revelator, see John the Revelator

For other people called Saint John, see Saint John
John of Patmos
Johannes op Patmos Jeroen Bosch.jpg
St. John on Patmos by Hieronymous Bosch, circa 1489
Seer, Theologian, Eagle of Patmos, and Prophet
Died Patmos (?)
Major work(s) Book of Revelation

John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, or John the Theologian) is the name given to the author of the Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic text forming the final chapter of theNew Testament. The text of Revelation states that the author is called John and that he lives on theGreek island of Patmos, where by some, he is considered to be in exile as a result of anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian.

Traditionally, the John who is the author of Revelation is considered to be John the Apostle, author of all the Johannine works, that is the Gospel of John, the first, second, and third epistles of John, as well as Revelation. However, in the case of Revelation, many modern scholars agree that it was written by a separate, otherwise unknown, author, to whom they have given the name John of Patmos.

Book of Revelation

The author of the Book of Revelation identifies himself as "John" Traditionally, this named author is believed to be the same person as both John the apostle of Jesus and John the author of the Fourth Gospel. The early 2nd century writer, Justin Martyr, was the first to equate the author of Revelation with John the Apostle.[6] However, some biblical scholars now contend that these were separate individuals.

John the Presbyter, an obscure figure in the early church, has also been identified with the seer of theBook of Revelation by such authors as Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome.

Island of Patmos

John is considered to be exiled to Patmos, undergoing a time of persecution under the Roman rule of Domitian. Revelation 1:9 states: “I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation... was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Adela Yarbro Collins, a biblical scholar at Yale Divinity School, writes:

"Early tradition says that John was banished to Patmos by the Roman authorities. This tradition is credible because banishment was a common punishment used during the Imperial period for a number of offenses. Among such offenses were the practices of magic and astrology. Prophecy was viewed by the Romans as belonging to the same category, whether Pagan, Jewish, or Christian. Prophecy with political implications, like that expressed by John in the book of Revelation, would have been perceived as a threat to Roman political power and order. Three of the islands in the Sporades were places where political offenders were banished." (Pliny Natural History 4.69-70; Tacitus Annals 4.30)

See also

A series of articles on
John in the Bible
Johannine literature
Gospel of John · First Epistle of John · Second Epistle of John · Third Epistle of John ·Revelation · Authorship
John the Apostle · John the Evangelist · John of Patmos · John the Presbyter ·Disciple whom Jesus loved
Communities
Twelve Apostles · The Early Church
Related literature
Apocryphon of John · Acts of John · Logos · Signs Gospel

References

  1. Jump up^ Souvay, Charles. "Patmos." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 12 Jan. 2009
  2. Jump up^ Phillips, J. B. "Book 27 - Book of Revelation". 12 January 1962. People, Places, Customs, Concepts, Journeys - the New Testament with integrated notes and maps 1962.
  3. Jump up^ Stephen L Harris, Understanding the Bible, (Palo Alto: Mayfield, 1985), 355
  4. Jump up^ Ehrman, Bart D. (2004). The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford. p. 468. ISBN 0-19-515462-2.
  5. ^ Jump up to:a b "Revelation, Book of." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005
  6. Jump up^ Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 81.4
  7. Jump up^ Harris, Stephen L., Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985. p. 355
  8. Jump up^ Ehrman, Bart D. (2004). The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford. p. 468. ISBN 0-19-515462-2.
  9. Jump up^ Adela Collins. "Patmos." Harper's Bible Dictionary. Paul J. Achtemeier, gen. ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985. p755.

Patmos (Greek, Πάτμος; Italian: Patmo) is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,998 and an area of 34.05 km2 (13.15 sq mi). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 metres (883 ft) above sea level. TheMunicipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi (pop. 44), Marathos (pop. 5), and several uninhabited islets, has a total population of 3,047 (2011 census)  and a combinedland area of 45.039 square kilometres (17.390 sq mi). It is part of the Kalymnos regional unit.

Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos. The churches and communities on Patmos are of the Eastern Orthodox tradition. In 1999, the island's historic center Chora, along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The monastery was founded by Saint Christodulos. Patmos is also home to the Patmian School, a notable Greek seminary.

Patmos is mentioned in the Bible Book of Revelation. The book's introduction states that its author,John, was on Patmos when he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. Early Christian tradition identified this writer John of Patmos as John the Apostle, though some modern scholars are uncertain. As such, Patmos is a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Visitors can see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse), and severalmonasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John.

Forbes in a 2009 research has named Patmos as Europe's Most Idyllic Place to live, due to the fact that "Patmos has evolved over the centuries but has not lost its air of quiet tranquility, which is one reason why people that know it return again and again." 

The current mayor of Patmos is Grigoris Kamposos.

History

John the Apostle on Patmos byJacopo Vignali.
View of the port (Skala)
The beach of Meloi, within walking distanceof Skala

The earliest remains of human settlements date to the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000 BC). They consist of pottery shards from Kastelli, the most important archaeological site so far identified.

Patmos is seldom mentioned by ancient writers. Therefore very little can be conjectured about the earliest inhabitants. In the Classical period, the Patmians prefer to identify themselves asDorians descending from the families of Argos, Sparta and Epidaurus, further mingling with people of Ionian ancestry.

Judging from archaeological finds, Kastelli continued to play an important role on the island throughout the Ancient Greek period (c. 750 BC-323 BC).

During the 3rd century BC, in the Hellenistic period, the settlement of Patmos acquired the form of an acropolis with an improved defence through a fortification wall and towers.[6]

Patmos is mentioned in the Christian scriptural Book of Revelation. The book's introduction states that its author, John, was on Patmos when he was given (and recorded) a vision from Jesus. Early Christian tradition identified this writer John of Patmos as John the Apostle. As such, Patmos is a destination for Christianpilgrimage. Visitors can see the cave where John is said to have received his Revelation (the Cave of the Apocalypse), and several monasteries on the island are dedicated to Saint John.

After the death of John of Patmos, possibly around 100, a number of Early Christian basilicas were erected on Patmos. Among these was a Grand Royal Basilica in honour of Saint John, built c. 300-350 at the location where the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian stands today.

Early Christian life on Patmos, however, barely survived Muslim raids from the 7th to the 9th century.[citation needed] During this period, the Grand Basilica was destroyed. In the 11th century, theByzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos gave Christodoulos the complete authority over the island of Patmos, as well as the permission to build a monastery on the island. The construction of the monastery started in 1101.[6][8]

Population was expanded by infusions of Byzantine immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and Cretan immigrants fleeing the fall of Candia in 1669.

The island was controlled by the Ottoman Empire for many years, but it enjoyed certain privileges, mostly related to tax-free trade by the monastery as certified by Ottoman imperial documents held in the Library.

In 1912, in connection with the Italo-Turkish War, the Italians occupied all the islands of the Dodecanese, including Patmos. The Italians remained there until 1943, when Nazi Germany took over the island.

In 1945, the Germans left and the island of Patmos remained autonomous until 1948, when it, together with the rest of the Dodecanese Islands, joined the independent Greece.[8]

The birth of Patmos according to Greek mythology[edit]

According to a legend within the Greek mythology, the island's original name was "Letois," after the goddess Artemis, daughter of Leto. It was believed that Patmos came into existence thanks to her divine intervention. Mythology tells of how Patmos existed as an island at the bottom of the sea.

Deer-huntress Artemis frequently paid visits to Caria, the mainland across the shore from Patmos, where she had a shrine on Mount Latmos. There, she used to meet up with the moon goddess Selene, who cast her light on the ocean, revealing the sunken island of Patmos.

Selene was always trying to get Artemis to bring the sunken island to the surface and, hence, to life. Selene finally convinced Artemis, who, in turn, elicited her brother Apollo's help, in order to persuade Zeus to allow the island to arise from the sea.

Zeus agreed, and the island emerged from the water. The Sun dried up the land and brought life to it. Gradually, inhabitants from the surrounding areas, including Mount Latmos, settled on the island and named it "Letois" in honour of Artemis.[9]

21st century[edit]

Street of Chora

In September 2008, the municipality of Patmos refused landing to a group of undocumented refugees fromAfghanistan and Iraq. On the weekend of September 19, 2008, about 134 refugees were rescued at sea. The refugees were taken to Patmos, the nearest municipality, for processing and care. The administration refused them permission to land. Eventually they were sent to the island of Leros where they were processed and given humanitarian aid.[10][11] Local authorities justified their action by contrasting it to alleged practices elsewhere in the EU: "Malta sinks their boats and Italy lets them drown", local leaders claimed.[12]

Geography[edit]

Groikos beach

Patmos is situated off the west-coast of Turkey and the continent of Asia. It is one of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex. It is further west than its nearby neighboring islands.

It contains an area of 34.05 km2 (13.15 sq mi). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 metres (883 feet)above sea level.

Patmos' main communities are Chora (the capital city), and Skala, the only commercial port. Other settlements are Grikou and Kampos.

Economy[edit]

Like the rest of Greece, the Euro is the official form of currency.

Tourism[edit]

Christian pilgrims visit Patmos.

Health[edit]

For emergencies, Patmos has a medical center, with several medical doctors on the premises. When residents require hospitalization beyond the first aid care, they are airlifted out of the island by helicopter (on emergencies) to nearby ones or, if the weather permits, they are transported by the ferry.[citation needed]

Infrastructure[edit]

Ferry[edit]

The Island of Patmos has regular ferry service, which connects it to the following ports: Agathonissi Island, Mykonos Island, Paros Island, Piraeus (the main port of Athens), Pythagoreio & Karlovassi on Samos Island, Syros Island, Leros Island, Kotapola Island, Naxos Island, Arkoi, Lipsi Island, Symi Island and Rhodes Island.

Notable people[edit]

International relations[edit]

Twin towns — Sister cities[edit]

Patmos is twinned with:

Picture gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Jump up^ Detailed census results 2011 (Greek)
  2. Jump up^ http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:7L57lx5DvBYJ:greecetravelog.com/patmos-island-greece/+population+of+patmos+greek&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari&source=www.google.com
  3. Jump up^ UNESCO, World Heritage Site #942, webpage:WHC-UNESCO-942.
  4. Jump up^ Wikisource-logo.svg "Patmos". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.
  5. Jump up^ Forbes, webpage:[1].
  6. ^ Jump up to:a b Patmos – official website History. Retrieved on 2008-09-04.
  7. Jump up^ Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 81.4
  8. ^ Jump up to:a b Greeka.com – Patmos history. Retrieved on 2008-09-04.
  9. Jump up^ Patmos – official website Legendary folk tales and mythology. Retrieved on 2008-09-04.
  10. Jump up^ Nylou Editorial
  11. Jump up^ Interpress Agency: Refugees Kept At Sea
  12. Jump up^ "Η Πάτμος δεν δέχτηκε τους 133 αλλοδαπούς". Kathimerini (in Greek). 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  13. Jump up^ "Twinnings". Central Union of Municipalities & Communities of Greece. Retrieved 2013-08-25.

Further reading[edit]

  • Tom Stone: The Summer of My Greek Taverna: A Memoir, Simon & Schuster, New York NY 2003, ISBN 0-7432-4771-X (Stone brings readers into the tiny Greek island world of Patmos)

External links[edit]

he Apostle John is the author of the Book of Revelation. He wrote it when he was about 92 years old, while a prisoner of Rome on the remote desert penal colony of Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea.

Patmos was a quarry mine for the Roman Empire, and was home to many political and religious prisoners or slaves. John, the beloved apostle of Jesus, was being held as a prisoner of Rome on this island for his incessant preaching about Jesus. Rome believed that banishing the old man John to the remote and forsaken island of Patmos, that his voice would be quieted. John was aged in years, and close to the end of his life, probably sent to Patmos in the year 95 by the Roman emperor Domitian, who was reportedly angry at the fact that John was not killed when he was dipped in boiling oil. Since John was a contemporary of Jesus, John would have been by that time, well over 90 years old - making him very likely the only apostle to survive to such an old age. The rest of Jesus apostles and disciples were martyred decades earlier. It was as if God supernaturally preserved John to bare record of The Revelation!
 

Where the Book of "Revelation" was received by John

Patmos, Greece - where the Apostle John was exiled



John's love for Jesus was so strong, that he continued to defy the Roman magistrate's order to no longer proclaim Jesus as Messiah, Savior and Lord; even while a prisoner. On Patmos, John was thrown in with violent criminals, but simply won many of the criminals to faith in Jesus.

It was on Patmos that John wrote down in a scroll all that "he saw and heard". John's sworn testimony about how he received the messages is given in the first chapter.

According to Greek Orthodox Tradition John's vision came to him on a Sunday after saying Mass and preaching the Gospel. Saint John, to escape the heat of the day, remained in the cave where he said Mass. It was here that one day the Lord came to Saint John in a vision. When Saint John awoke, he dictated his revelation to his scribe.  It begins with this assurance:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.  Revelation 1:1-3 (KJV)


 


Cave of John the Apostle

The Book of Revelation, what God revealed to the Apostle John, is a great prophecy mystery.  It's a riddle wrapped in an enigma. It has drawn the attention of numerous scholars throughout the ages, all trying to interpret the meaning of it.  The stakes are worth the challenge to would-be code breakers, because the book of Revelation describes the end of one world and the beginning of the next.  A key to understanding most Old Testament prophecies is to think Israel, the Jews, and Jerusalem in particular.  Just as Jesus' mission was to save the Jews - it was the mission of the prophets to pass God's Word and His warnings on to them.

Parallel Prophecies

Revelation has been noted in some cases to "parallel" what God revealed to the Prophet Daniel, some 600 years earlier.  For instance, speaking about Jerusalem being in control of the gentiles for "42 months", it appears that God is also telling us that the Gentiles will do something in an area of the temple mount which God was aware of beforehand -- so He marked it off.  It also tells us that someone would control Jerusalem for 42 months.
 

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. Revelation 11:2

According to Bible scholar Ellis Skolfield, Daniel 12 describes what will be put into this area God marked out, and it tells us when it would be built and agrees with John's "revelation" that Jerusalem would be being under foot of the Gentiles for 42 months.  The Gentiles are anyone who is not a Jew.  In this case the Muslims.  A by-product of this is that if God thinks the Muslim shrine to the pagan god Allah and the false prophet Muhammad is a pagan "abomination", then He is also telling us that Islam is false - and it disgusts Him.  Also, of interest are the two prior verses in Daniel (9-10), which tell as when this prophecy will be "cracked" we will be in "the time of the end".  It also tells us of scoffers (wicked that will always refuse to accept), who will most likely be atheists, pagans, and pagan Muslims.

Daniel 12:11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."

It appears Skolfield's teaching that the "abomination of desolation" already happened exactly on schedule (Daniel's 1290 day prophecy)  is correct. When the pagan Islamic Dome of the Rock and the al-Aksa Mosque were built on the temple mount, it made the temple mount "desolated" or contaminated. This was built during the 685 to 705 AD period. During Daniel's day, we know that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the First Temple in 586 BC. We also know from Jeremiah that sacrifices occurred on the temple mount for a year or so after it was destroyed.

Jeremiah 41:5: That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.

So what happened 1290 old testament years in a period of a year or so surrounding 586 BC? The Muslim Dome of the Rock was built on the Temple Mount!

This abomination was built during the 685 to 705 AD period. It took that long to build. During Daniel's day, we know that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the First Temple in 586 BC. We also know from Jeremiah 41:5 that sacrifices occurred on the temple mount for a year or so after The first Jewish Temple it was destroyed. 

The formula for this is converting Old Testament years (360 days a year) into what we are on (solar years-or 365.24 days) is this: 

OT prophetic years of 1290 times .9857 = 1271 solar years. 

Take 705 AD as the year for the Dome of the Rock and add 586 and you get 1291. That's Exactly as Daniel said when you add the short time Jews visited the mount to make sacrifices after it was destroyed. 

1335 - the "double check" number:

It gets even better than this. The Prophet Daniel gave us another number that when added with the same formula, takes us exactly to 1948 --when the Jews were restored to the land. Remember 1948 was their Independence Day when they officially became a nation again after 2500 years.

1335 times .9857 = 1316. 1948 (when Israel became a nation) minus 1316, brings us back to another date the God of prophecy wants us to be mindful of. That equals 632 AD, the date that Muhammad of Islam died.

A little after midday of 8 June, 632, the 62 year old Muhammad died in the house of his wife A'isha who he married when she was 6 (or 7) years old.  Muslim historians back to the early 800's A.D. tell us that Muhammad consummated his marriage with A'isha when she was only 9  - when he was in his 50's. See the Muslim references for this: here

But what about the 42 weeks of Revelation, you may be asking? 

Old Testament calculations:
42 x 30.44  = 1278.48 years

A solar year (which we are on) is 365.24 days. Divide 365.24 by 12 months in the year = 30.44 days

In 688 AD the Dome of the Rock was largely built and the Muslims were in control of Jerusalem. In 1967 the Israeli's finally regained control of Jerusalem after 2500 years. So the Gentiles (Muslims) controlled Jerusalem and the Holy Mount for 1278.48 years as this prophecy predicted. 

1967 - 1278.48 = 688.52

1967
Jews finally in control of Jerusalem again



The Muslims probably thought they were building their monstrosity to their false prophet Muhammad and their false pagan god on the spot where the Holy of Holies was. When actually they built it about 300 feet south of the House of The Lord. God had already measured out a place for it (to keep it away from Him), which is called the Court of the Gentiles. 


Because of the extraordinary vision and prophecy revealed to John many of the descriptions appear vague and somewhat confusing to many! John was commanded to write about the things to which he was an eye witness! It must be remembered that John was writing down what he was seeing and His 1st Century understanding was probably not compatible and adequate to describe things that he saw and now exist in the 21st century. We have found it very helpful to pray to God for understanding before reading Revelation.

Bring yourself back to the Apostle John's time

Put yourself in John's place for a moment. You are miraculously transported from the primitive, non-technical age of the 1st century into the 21st century. You witness the most horrific war of all times, fought with machines completely beyond your comprehension. John is trying to describe things such as:

-supersonic jet aircraft

-modern helicopters

-battle tanks

-ICBM's

-biological and chemical weapons

-aircraft carriers

-laser weapons

-space stations and satellites 

Some of the above is taken from the excellent book by Hal Lindsey, entitled "Apocalypse Code"

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, and among the lamp stands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing In a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last. I am the living one; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 

Revelation 1 :12-18

The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis which literally means, "unveiling" or " to remove from covering", or to “open and unloose (unseal) the detail”. Old Testament Prophet Daniel was informed to “seal up” the prophecy concerning these things until “the time of the end”. The book of Revelation however unseals that epic volume, and is in fact the unveiling of Jesus Christ. It is the unveiling of Jesus Christ because only he is worthy to open, or unveil, and remove the covering from the previously sealed book of prophecy. The book unveils his relationship to the church throughout the long drama of the Church Age, his judgments of this world, and the nations of the world, and it conveys to the present world things that shall come to pass in the near future. The purpose of the Revelation is also to reveal to Christ's watchful servants, all the details concerning the things that must shortly take place, in the interim leading directly to our Lord's grand return to the world stage. He will return as a conquering King, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, which is the exact reversal of his first advent when he came as a meek, humble sacrificial Lamb, a lamb slain even before the very foundation of the world.

 

 

Much of Revelation has already been fulfilled, like Revelation 11:2


 

Revelation 11:2
another prophecy already fulfilled
 
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. Revelation 11:2

Old Testament calculations:

42 x 30.44 = 1278.48 years

A solar year (which we are on) is 365.24 days.  Divide 365.24 by 12 months in the year = 30.44 days

In 688 AD the Dome of the Rock was largely built.  In 1967 the Israeli's finally regained control of Jerusalem after 2500 years.  So the Gentiles (Muslims) controlled Jerusalem and the Holy Mount for 1278.48 years as this prophecy predicted.

1967 - 1278.48 = 688.52

A side note: The Muslims probably thought they were building their monstrosity to their false prophet Muhammad and their false pagan god on the spot where the Holy of Holies was.  When actually they built it about 300 feet south of the House of The Lord.  God had already measured out a place for it, which is called the Court of the Gentiles.

 

To learn more about Revelation and Daniels' prophecy, get Ellis Skolfield's below book:

Dome of the Rock is the "Abomination of Desolation"
another supernatural revelation of God


You won't put this book down!

Islam in the end times
Read more: here

see this book: here
Read more: here

1290 & 1335 days of Daniel
(Daniel 12:11-12)

Proof the true God of the Bible and prophecy (Yahweh/ Jehovah/I am/Jesus) considers Islam as an evil  pagan religion. He is disgusted with those monstrosity's on the Temple Mount.
 

You may ask about the Lord's Olivet discourse on Daniels' prophecy in Matthew 24.  See Ellis Skolfield's excellent answer here

Read more: here


Read this free ebook by Ellis Skolfield about the above. It's called, "The False Prophet".  Read "Muhammad, Terrorist or Prophet?"

 

 Book 27 - BOOK OF REVELATION 
With people, places, definitions, map ......
In 2 Parts

Writer: The apostle John in exile

Date: EITHER c AD68-70 following the persecutions of Emperor Nero, but before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70; OR c AD90-95 during the persecutions attributed to Emperor Domitian at the end of his reign AD81-96

Where written: The Aegean island of Patmos off the west coast of Asia Minor

Reader: The seven named churches of Asia, and the entire Church of Christ

Why: An apocalyptic book describing the revelation Jesus Christ gave to John. The beginning of the Bible (Genesis 1-11) is a prologue describing the downfall of mankind and his separation from God. Revelation is an epilogue in which God and man are reconciled through Christ

Apocalyptic - Greek for "uncover", "reveal". The revealing of great or violent events and especially the end of the world, often described in Jewish apocalyptic literature. The word is applied especially to the Book of Revelation which bears comparison with the Old Testament Books of Daniel and parts of Isaiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah.

According to Some Modern Scholarship: Written towards the end of the 1st century by a close companion of John known as John the Elder, or by another follower. The earlier date of c AD68-70 for the apostle John would help account for the differences in style and language between Revelation and the later Gospel of John

 

Revelation was written .....

To warn and encourage the churches of Asia as they underwent internal problems and external persecution within the Roman Empire (chapters 1:1-3:22). It then describes how Jesus Christ the Lamb of God is the "instrument" of:

(1) God's judgment on the whole universe (chapters 4:1-19:10);

(2) The final defeat of evil (chapters 19:11-20:15), and:

(3) The coming of a new heaven and a new earth - the new Jerusalem (chapters 21:1-22:5).

It closes with Christ's final appeal to all mankind (chapter 22:6-21).

In the Book, John describes a series of highly symbolic, mainly Old Testament-type visions, many of which incorporate the sacred and perfect number "seven" - seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven angels, seven last plagues. Much of the Book appears to be in sequence but many of the events may overlap. Some of the contents and characters seem straightforward; others are confusing and difficult to understand.

The attempts to interpret Revelations are beyond measure but here the aim is simply to clarify how the different stages in the Book develop and to identify the variety of "beings", objects and events the reader encounters.

In making sense of the Book, it can prove helpful to view it at three levels:

(1) John wrote Revelation when the seemingly all-powerful Roman Empire with its cult of emperor-worship was persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ. It was also widely expected that the dead emperor Nero would come back to life to take revenge against the Rome he once ruled. The Book is therefore a product of that period in world history 2,000 years ago;

(2) How mankind behaved and ruled in Roman times is no different from any other period in human history in any other part of the world, right through to the end of time - whether the empire or way of life is Ancient Indian, Chinese, Persian, Islamic, Holy Roman, Incan, Napoleonic, British, modern American, European, Pacific, world government, or some other form of future empire. Certainly the parallels between Rome and the present are striking;  

(3) Most importantly, God is sovereign. He will destroy all forms of evil in his own time and everyone will face a final judgement. Only faith in Jesus Christ can give us life to the full on earth, no matter what trials we may go through, followed by eternal life with Him in heaven - the new Jerusalem.  

However in keeping with this arrangement of the New Testament, the reader is recommended to read Revelation not as a book to be analysed and understood, but as a spiritual book to feed upon, and through it, to better understand the power of God and the place of Jesus Christ in his scheme of things. Later, he or she can study the Book knowing they will never plumb its depths nor make much difference to their Christian lives.

More likely, they could find themselves "engaging in stupid arguments, genealogies, controversies and quarrels (over the Law)" that Paul warned Titus to avoid.

As Paul continued "They settle nothing and lead nowhere" (Titus 3:9-10).

 

Map - John Writes to Seven Churches in the Province of Asia

Map Key:   Letter from 1 to 2  

 


Part 1 of 2, chapters 1-11

 

I - PROLOGUE

GOD CHOOSES JOHN TO RECEIVE AND TESTIFY TO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Revelation 1:1-3 - This is a Revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him (Christ) so that he might show his servants (such as John) what must very soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who is the witness of all that he saw - the message of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 Happy is the man who reads this prophecy (... the Book of Revelation) and happy are those who hear it read and pay attention to its message; for the time is near (when God will judge the world and establish his kingdom on earth. As this has not yet happened, this suggests that some of the visions in Revelation represent events that have already taken place, some refer to events that subsequently existed or continue to exist in the world, and others to events that have yet to happen).

JOHN'S GREETINGS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN THE PROVINCE OF ASIA

Revelation 1:4-6 - John (normally living in Ephesus and ministering to the Christians of Asia), to the seven Churches in Asia:

Grace and peace be to you from him who is and who was and who is coming (... God the eternal Father), from the seven Spirits before his throne (... possibly the Holy Spirit described as an Old Testament-type sevenfold Spirit), and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, first-born of the dead, and ruler of kings upon earth (... Jesus Christ the Son). To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins through his own blood, who has made us a kingdom of priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and power for timeless ages, amen.

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS

Revelation 1:7-8 - See, he is coming in the clouds and every eye shall see him, even those who pierced him, and his coming will mean bitter sorrow to every tribe upon the earth. So let it be!

"I am Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the beginning and the end, the alphabet from which all words, the Word, are formed), says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty."

  II -THE FIRST VISION OF CHRIST

JOHN RECEIVES HIS FIRST COMMAND FROM JESUS TO WRITE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA

Revelation 1:9-11 - I, John, who am your brother and your companion in the distress (and persecution), the kingdom and the faithful endurance to which Jesus calls us, was on the island called Patmos (as an exile) because I had spoken God's message and borne witness to Jesus. On the Lord's day (a Sunday) I knew myself inspired by the Spirit, and I heard from behind me a voice loud as a trumpet-call saying, "Write down in a book what you see (in a series of visions), and send it to the seven Churches - to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea! (lying on a clockwise circular route from Ephesus on the coast to Laodicea inland)"

HE DESCRIBES THE AWESOME APPEARANCE OF JESUS CHRIST

Revelation 1:12-16 - I turned to see whose voice it was that was speaking to me and when I had turned I saw seven golden lamp stands (representing the seven churches, in turn representative of all churches), and among these lampstands I saw someone

'like a Son of Man' (Daniel 7:13).

He (Christ, now described in essentially Old Testament priestly terms) was dressed in a long robe with a golden girdle around his breast; his head and his hair were white as snow-white wool, his eyes blazed like fire, and his feet shone as the finest bronze glows in the furnace. His voice had the sound of a great waterfall, and I saw that in his right hand he held seven stars (representing the angels, or possibly guardians or leaders of the seven churches). A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face was ablaze like the sun at its height.

CHRIST REPEATS HIS INSTRUCTIONS, AND EXPLAINS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STARS AND LAMPSTANDS

Revelation 1:17-20 - When my eyes took in this sight I fell at his feet like a dead man. And then he (Christ) placed his right hand upon me and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the living one. I am he who was dead, and now you see me alive for timeless ages! I hold in my hand the keys of death and the grave. Therefore, write down what you have seen, both the things which are now, and the things which are to be hereafter. The secret meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden lampstands is this: the seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches and the lampstands are the Churches themselves."

  III - SEVEN COVERING LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES OF ASIA

FORMAT OF THE LETTERS

All seven named churches receive the entire Book of Revelation, but each with its own covering letter. Each letter is in three parts


(Part 1) A greeting from Christ, using some of the imagery of chapter 1, to the "angel" of that church - possibly the guardian or leader  


(Part 2) A summary of the church's strengths and weaknesses, together with encouragements and warnings. The problems collectively faced are both

internal - false prophets and teachers, lack of love for God and each other, sexual immorality, apathy and complacency and

external - paganism, Roman emperor-worship, Jewish hostility, persecution.

As so often in human affairs, most of the problems are internal, with the possible exceptions of Smyrna and Philadelphia


(Part 3) A closing promise of the rewards for those individual Christians who endure the trials their churches face


TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS - STEADFAST, BUT LACKING IN LOVE

- Ephesus is already known from Paul's visit there (Acts 17:19-21), his three year stay (Acts 19), and his Letter to the Ephesians:

Revelation 2:1-7 - (Part 1) "Write this to the angel of the Church in Ephesus: 'These words are spoken by the one who holds the seven stars safe in his right hand, and who walks among the seven golden lampstands. ....

 (Part 2) ... I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and what you have endured. I know that you will not tolerate wicked men (... false teachers), that you have put to the test self-styled 'apostles', who are nothing of the sort, and have found them to be liars. I know your powers of endurance - how you have suffered for the sake of my name and have not grown weary. But I hold this (internal problem) against you, that you do not love as you did at first. Remember then how far you have fallen. Repent and live as you lived at first. Otherwise, if your heart remains unchanged, I shall come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Yet you have this to your credit, that you hate the practices of the Nicolaitans (little is known of them, and there is no reason to link them with Nicolas of Antioch, one of the first deacons, Acts 6:5), which I myself detest. ...

(Part 3) ... Let every listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches: 'To the victorious I will give the right to eat from the tree of life which grows in the paradise of God.'  

TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA - TROUBLED AND POOR, BUT RICH IN SPIRIT

Revelation 2:8-11 - (Part 1) "Write this to the angel of the Church in Smyrna: 'These words are spoken by the first and the last, who died and came to life again. ...

 (Part 2) ... I know of your tribulation and of your poverty - though in fact you are rich! I know how you are slandered by those who call themselves Jews, but in fact are no Jews but a synagogue of Satan (because they reject Christ as the Jewish messiah of prophecy). Have no fear of what you will suffer. I tell you now that the devil is going to cast some of your number into prison where your faith will be tested and your distress will last for ten days (... symbolically a short period). Be faithful in the face of death and I will give you the crown of life. ... 

(Part 3) ... Let every listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches: 'The victorious cannot suffer the slightest hurt from the second death (when mankind is finally judged).'

TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM - FAITHFUL, BUT SOME FOLLOW FALSE AND IMMORAL TEACHING

Revelation 2:12-17 - (Part 1) "Write this to the angel of the Church in Pergamum: 'These words are spoken by him who has the sharp two-edged sword. ...

 (Part 2) ... I know where you live - where Satan sits enthroned (... a large altar to the god Zeus dominated Pergamum, which was also a centre of Roman emperor-worship). I know that you hold fast to my name and that you never denied your faith in me even in the days when Antipas (an early named Christian martyr, about whom nothing more is known), my faithful witness, was martyred before your eyes in the very house of Satan.

Yet I have a few things (of an internal nature) against you - some of your number cling to the teaching of Balaam, the man who taught Balak (king of Moab) how to entice the children of Israel into eating meat sacrificed to idols and into sexual immorality (... the full story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22-24 and summarised in Numbers 31:16). I have also against you the fact that among your number are some who hold just as closely to the teaching of the Nicolaitans(as in the Ephesus church). Repent then, or else I shall come to you quickly and make war upon them with the sword of my mouth. ...

 (Part 3) ... Let the listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches: 'I will give the victorious some of the hidden manna, and I will also give him a white stone with a new name written upon it which no man knows except the man who receives it.

TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA - HARD-WORKING, BUT SOME REMAIN PAGANS

- Thyatira was the home town of Lydia, converted by Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:14):

Revelation 2:18-29 - (Part 1) "Write this to the angel of the Church in Thyatira: 'These are the words of the Son of God whose eyes blaze like fire and whose feet shine like the finest bronze: ...

(Part 2) ... I know what you have done. I know of your love and your loyalty, your service and your endurance. Moreover, I know that you are doing more than you did at first. But I have this (internal problem) against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess (.. apparently a local woman who is a contemporary version of the pagan wife of King Ahab who seduced Israel into idolatry and immorality. The story of Ahab and Jezebel can be found in 1 Kings 16:29-22:40, and Jezebel's fate in 2 Kings 9:30-37), but who by her teaching deceives my servants into sexual immorality and eating idols'-meat. I have given her time to repent but she has shown no desire to repent of her immorality. See, now, how I throw her into bed and her lovers with her, and I will send them terrible suffering unless they repent of what she has done. As for her children (or followers), I shall strike them dead. Then all the Churches will know that I am the one who searches men's hearts and minds, and that I will reward each one of you according to your deeds.

But for the rest of you at Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, and have not learned what they call 'the deep things of Satan' (.. a secret, and it was claimed, superior knowledge of God known as Gnosticism - a major Christian heresy), I will lay no further burden upon you, except that you hold on to what you have until I come (... the burden John is referring to, is the guidelines laid down for Gentile converts at the Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:28-29. John was no doubt present when they were drawn up)!

(Part 3) To the one who is victorious, who carries out my work to the end, I will give authority over the nations, just as I myself have received authority from my Father, and I will give him the morning star.

'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potter's vessels shall be broken to pieces' (Psalm 2:9).

Let the listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.

TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS - APPARENTLY ALIVE, BUT MAINLY DEAD

Revelation 3:1-6 - (Part 1) "Write this to the angel of the Church in Sardis: 'These are the words of him who holds in his hand the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ... 

(Part 2) ... I know what you have done, that you have a reputation for being alive, but that in fact (your problems are internal, and ...) you are dead. Now wake up! Strengthen what you still have before it dies! For I have not found any of your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember then what you were given and what you were taught. Hold to those things and repent. If you refuse to wake up, then I will come to you like a thief, and you will have no idea of the hour of my coming.

Yet you still have a few names in Sardis of people who have not soiled their garments. They shall walk with me in white (... a symbol of purity), for they have deserved to do so. ...

(Part 3) ... The victorious shall wear such white garments, and never will I erase his name from the book of life. Indeed, I will speak his name openly in the presence of my Father and of his angels. Let the listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.  

TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA - WEAK IN POWER, BUT LOYAL

Revelation 3:7-13 - (Part 1) "Then write this to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia: These are the words of the holy one and the true, 

'He who has the key of David. He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens' (Isaiah 22:22).

(Part 2) I know what you have done. See, I have given you a door flung wide open, which no man can close! For you have some little power and have been faithful to my message and have not denied my name. See how I deal with those of Satan's synagogue, who claim to be Jews, yet are no Jews but liars (... as in Smyrna, persecution came from local Jews, not pagan Gentiles)! Watch how I make them come and bow down before your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Because you have obeyed my call to patient endurance I will keep you safe from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world, to test all who live upon the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have - let no one deprive you of your crown. ...

(Part 3) ... As for the victorious, I will make him a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he will never leave it. I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven from my God. And I will write upon him my own new name. Let the listener hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.

TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA - WORLDLY SUCCESSFUL, AND COMPLACENT

- Laodicea is referred to in Paul's Letter to the Colossians, 4:15-16:

Revelation 3:14-22 - (Part 1) "Then write this to the angel of the Church in Laodicea: 'These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation: ...

(Part 2) ... I know what you have done, and that you are neither cold nor hot (as a church). I could wish that you were either cold or hot! but since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I intend to spit you out of my mouth! While you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and there is nothing that I need', you have no eyes to see that you are wretched, pitiable, poverty-stricken, blind and naked (in God's sight). My advice to you is to buy from me that gold which is purified in the furnace so that you may be rich, and white garments to wear so that you may hide the shame of your nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes to make you see. All those whom I love I correct and discipline. Therefore, shake off your complacency and repent. See, I stand knocking at the door. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will go into his house, and dine with him, and he with me. ...

(Part 3) ... As for the victorious, I will give him the honour of sitting beside me on my throne, just as I myself have won the victory and have taken my seat beside my Father on his throne. Let the listener hear what the spirit says to the Churches."

 


 Revelations continues with vision's of God's judgements and the defeat of evil:

SUMMARY OF THIS CENTRAL PART OF REVELATION
Chapters 4:1-19:10

The seven letters to the churches of Asia are followed by GOD'S JUDGMENT ON THE UNIVERSE.

The heart of this major section is three sets of sevenfold judgments:

(1) The opening of Seven Seals (chapters 6:1-8:1);

(2) The sounding of Seven Trumpets (chapters 8:7-11:15);

(3) The pouring out of Seven Plagues (chapters 16:2-16:21);

 Sometimes preceding, sometimes interposed within, sometimes following these judgments are a variety of other visions and deeds:

(1) The opening of Seven Seals (chapters 6:1-8:1):

- The opening of the First Seal (6:1) is preceded by John's vision of heaven and the Revelation that only Christ, the lamb of God is worthy to open all Seven Seals (4:1-5:14);

- Before the Seventh Seal is opened (8:1), there is an interlude in which the Jews of Israel and a multitude of mankind are marked or identified for rescue before God's final judgment (7:1-17);

(2) The sounding of Seven Trumpets (chapters 8:7-11:15):

- Before the First Trumpet sounds (8:7), an angel appears with an incense burner. The incense and the prayers of the saints rise up before God (8:2-6).

- Before the Seventh Trumpet (11:15), another angel hands John a "little book" to eat and he is told to prophesy (10:1-11). The Temple is measured (11:1-2), two witnesses are killed by Satan but taken up into heaven (11:3-12), and an earthquake takes place (11:13-14);

(3) The pouring out of Seven Plagues (chapters 16:2-16:21):

- After the Last Trumpet sounds (11:15) but before the First Plague is poured out (16:2), there are a number of major visions:

11:16-19 - God is worshipped and the ark of the covenant revealed;

12:1-17 - A woman and a dragon appear; the dragon attempts to destroy her;

13:1-18 - Two beasts appear - one from the sea, one from the earth;

14:1-20 - The Christians saved in heaven are described; six angels make a series of pronouncements;

15:1-16:1 - Seven more angels prepare to pour out seven plagues:

- Between the Sixth Plague (16:12) and the Seventh (16:17-21) a great struggle, the Battle of Armageddon takes place (16:13-16)

- The pouring out of the Last Plague leads to the Fall of "Babylon" and approaching victory for those Christians who endured (17:1-19:10)

The Conclusion of Revelation, Chapters 19:11-22:21 has its own Introduction


 

IV - VISION OF HEAVEN 

 THE THRONE OF GOD

JOHN'S VISION - THE THRONE OF GOD, THE 24 ELDERS, THE SEVEN SPIRITS

Revelation 4:1-6a - Later I looked again, and before my eyes a door stood open in Heaven, and in my ears was the voice with the ring of a trumpet, which I had heard at first, speaking to me and saying, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen in the future."

Immediately I knew myself to be inspired by the Spirit, and in my vision I saw a throne had been set up in Heaven, and there was someone seated upon the throne. His appearance (could not be described in human terms, but ...) blazed like diamond and topaz, and all around the throne shone a halo like an emerald rainbow. In a circle around the throne (of God) there were twenty-four thrones and seated upon them twenty-four elders (... possibly 12 patriarchs and 12 apostles representing the entire Church and all mankind saved by God) dressed in white with golden crowns upon their heads. From the central throne come flashes of lightning, noises and peals of thunder. Seven lamps are burning before the throne, and they are the seven Spirits (or sevenfold Holy Spirit) of God. In front of the throne there appears a sea of glass as clear as crystal.

THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES, WHO WITH THE 24 ELDERS WORSHIP GOD ETERNALLY

Revelation 4:6b-11 - On each side, encircling the throne, are four living creatures (or "beings", perhaps representing all living creation) covered with eyes in front and behind. ...

- The four living creatures are similar in appearance to the Cherubim (heavenly angels) of Ezekiel 1 and 10, and the Seraphim (heavenly beings or attendants) of Isaiah 6 in the Old Testament -

... The first living creature is like a lion, the second is like a calf, the third has a face like a man, and the fourth living creature appears like an eagle in flight. These four creatures have each of them six wings and are covered with eyes, all around them, and even within them. Day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is coming."

The ceaseless worship of Heaven

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honour and thanksgiving to the one (God) who sits upon the throne, who lives for timeless ages, the twenty-four elders prostrate themselves before him who is seated upon the throne and worship the one who lives for timeless ages. They cast their crowns before the throne and say, "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things and by your will they exist and were created."

 THE SEVEN-SEALED BOOK, AND JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD

THE BOOK WITH SEVEN SEALS IN GOD'S HAND; THE CALL FOR ONE WORTHY TO OPEN IT; THE LION OF JUDAH IS PROCLAIMED WORTHY

Revelation 5:1-5 - Then I noticed in the right hand of the one (God) seated upon the throne a book (presumably containing the world's destiny - God's final judgment) filled with writing both inside and on its back, and it was sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel who called out in a loud voice, "Who is fit to open the book and break its seals (and release God's judgments)?"

And no one in Heaven or upon the earth or under the earth was able to open the book, or even to look at it. I (John) began to weep bitterly because no one could be found fit to open the book, or even to look at it, when one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. See, the lion from the tribe of Judah (... one of Christ's titles), the root of David, has won the victory and is able to open the book and break its seven seals."

JOHN'S VISION OF THE SACRIFICED LAMB WHO TAKES THE BOOK; THE CREATURES AND ELDERS WORSHIP HIM

- Christ appears not as a mighty king but as the gentle, slaughtered Lamb of God:

Revelation 5:6-10 - Then, standing in the very centre of the throne and of the four living creatures and of the elders, I saw a Lamb that seemed to have been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes (symbolically holding all power and all wisdom respectively), which are the seven Spirits (Holy Spirit) of God and are sent out into every corner of the earth. Then he (the Lamb) came and took the book from the right hand of him (God) who was seated upon the throne.

The new hymn of the created and of the redeemed

When he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each of them had a harp, and they had golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sang a new song and these are the words they sang, "You (Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God) are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."

THE WHOLE OF CREATION PRAISES AND WORSHIPS THE LAMB

Revelation 5:11-14 - Then in my vision I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, the living creatures and the elders. There were myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, crying in a great voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!"

Then I heard the voice of everything created in Heaven, upon earth, under the earth and upon the sea, and all that are in them saying, "Blessing and honour and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever!"

The four living creatures said, "Amen", while the elders fell down and worshipped.

V - THE SEVEN SEALS ARE BROKEN 

 THE LAMB BREAKS THE FIRST FOUR SEALS - THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE ARE RELEASED

  - The first horseman represents the desire for empire and power, leading on to war, famine, and death:

THE FIRST SEAL IS BROKEN BY THE LAMB - A WHITE HORSE APPEARS, ITS RIDER "CONQUEST"

Revelation 6:1-2 - Then I watched while the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice of thunder, "Come out!"

I looked, and before my eyes was a white horse. Its rider carried a bow, and he was given a crown. He rode out conquering and bent on conquest (empire and domination).

THE SECOND SEAL IS BROKEN - A RED HORSE, THE RIDER "WAR"

Revelation 6:3-4 - Then, when the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature, cry, "Come out!"

And another horse came forth, red in colour. Its rider was given power to deprive the earth of peace, so that men should kill each other. A huge sword was put into his hand.

THE THIRD SEAL - A BLACK HORSE, "FAMINE"

Revelation 6:5-6 - When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come out!"

I looked again and there before my eyes was a black horse. Its rider had a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard a voice which seemed to come from the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a shilling, and three quarts of barley for a shilling (... a day's wages for one man's food for a day) - but no tampering with the oil or the wine!"

THE FOURTH SEAL - A SICKLY GREEN HORSE, "DEATH"

Revelation 6:7-8 - Then, when he broke the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature cry, "Come out!"

Again I looked, and there appeared a horse sickly green in colour. The name of its rider was death (from the disease and pestilence that follows hard on the heels of famine), and the grave (Hades or hell) followed close behind him. A quarter of the earth was put into their power, to kill with the sword, by famine, by violence, and through the wild beasts of the earth.

THE LAMB BREAKS THE FIFTH AND SIXTH SEALS

 - The cries of the martyrs and the release of cosmic forces:

THE FIFTH SEAL - THE MARTYRS OF GOD CRY OUT FOR JUSTICE

Revelation 6:9-11 - When the Lamb (of God) broke the fifth seal, I could see, beneath the altar, the souls of those (martyrs) who had been killed for the sake of the Word of God (the Gospel of Christ) and because of the faithfulness of their witness. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell (in prosperity) on the earth?"

Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little longer, until the number of their fellow-servants and of their brethren, who were to die as they had died, should be complete.

THE SIXTH SEAL - UNIVERSAL CATASTROPHE; MANKIND, IN TERROR, HIDES FROM THE ANGER OF GOD AND THE LAMB

Revelation 6:12-17 - Then I watched while he (the Lamb) broke the sixth seal. There was a tremendous earthquake, the sun turned dark like coarse black cloth, and the full moon was red as blood. The stars of the sky fell upon the earth, just as a fig-tree sheds unripe figs when shaken in a gale. The sky vanished as though it were a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was jolted out of its place. Then the kings of the earth, and the great men, the captains, the wealthy, the powerful, and every man, whether slave or free, hid themselves in caves and among mountain rocks. They called out to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand against it?"

INTERLUDE - VISION BEFORE THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED

 - There is now a pause before God's final judgments, while those who are to be saved are marked and identified: 

GOD'S SERVANTS FROM THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL ARE MARKED FOR PROTECTION

Revelation 7:1-8 - Later I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth holding in check the four (destroying) winds of the earth that none should blow upon the earth or upon the sea or upon any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending out of the east, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who had the power to harm the earth and the sea: "Do no harm to the earth, nor to the sea, nor to the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads."

I heard the number of those who were thus sealed and it was 144,000 (or 12 x 12 x 1,000 - a symbolic number based on the square of twelve representing completeness or a great multitude of people), from every (one of the twelve Jewish) tribe(s) of the sons of Israel. Twelve thousand were sealed from the tribe of Judah; twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben; twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad; twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher; twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali; twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh; twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon; twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi; twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar; twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun; twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph; and twelve thousand from the tribe of Benjamin.

THE EVEN GREATER MULTITUDE OF MANKIND WHO ARE SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB

Revelation 7:9-17 - When this was done I looked again, and before my eyes appeared a vast crowd (of presumably the world's Gentiles, saved by God and carried to heaven) beyond man's power to number. They came from every nation and tribe and people and language, and they stood before the throne of the Lamb, dressed in white robes with palm-branches in their hands. With a great voice they shouted these words: "Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb!"

Then all the angels (of heaven) stood encircling the throne, the (twenty four) elders and the four living creatures, and prostrated themselves with heads bowed before the throne and worshipped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and strength be given to our God for timeless ages!"

The countless host explained

Then one of the elders addressed me (John) and asked, "These who are dressed in white robe - who are they, and where do they come from?!

"You know, my Lord," I answered him.

Then he told me, "These are those who have come through the great oppression (or the tribulation and saved by God): they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they now have their place before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits upon the throne will be their shelter. They will never again know hunger or thirst. The sun shall never beat upon them, neither shall there be any scorching heat, for the Lamb who is in the centre of the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

THE SEVENTH SEAL IS OPENED - SILENCE

- The opening of the Seventh Seal is followed by the release of seven more judgments:

Revelation 8:1 - Then, when he had broken the seventh seal, there was utter silence in Heaven for what seemed to me half-an-hour.

 VI - SEVEN TRUMPETS ARE SOUNDED 

SEVEN ANGELS BEFORE GOD ARE GIVEN SEVEN TRUMPETS

Revelation 8:2 - Then I saw the seven angels who stand in the presence of God, and seven trumpets were put into their hands.

THE EIGHTH ANGEL AND THE INCENSE-BURNER; THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

Revelation 8:3-6 - Then another angel came and stood by the altar holding a golden censer (a pan for burning incense). He was given a great quantity of incense to add to the prayers of all the saints, to be laid upon the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense rose up before God from the angel's hand, mingled with the prayers of the saints. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it upon the earth (as a symbol of disaster). And at that there were thunderings and noises, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Then the seven angels who were holding the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

FOUR ANGELS SOUND THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS

 - The trumpets announce natural disasters which destroy a third of heaven and earth: 

THE FIRST TRUMPET - HAIL AND FIRE DESTROYS A THIRD OF THE EARTH AND ITS VEGETATION

Revelation 8:7 - The first angel blew his trumpet. Hail and fire mingled with blood appeared, and were hurled upon the earth. One-third of the earth was burnt up, one-third of all the trees was burnt up, and every blade of green grass was burnt up.

THE SECOND TRUMPET - A FIERY MASS DESTROYS A THIRD OF THE SEA AND ITS CREATURES AND SHIPS

Revelation 8:8-9 - The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a vast mountain (a mass as large as a mountain) blazing with fire was thrown into the sea. A third-part of the sea turned into blood, a third of all live creatures in the sea died, and a third-part of all shipping was destroyed.

THE THIRD TRUMPET - A BLAZING STAR POISONS A THIRD OF THE WORLD'S FRESH WATER

Revelation 8:10-11 - Then the third angel blew his trumpet and there fell from the sky a huge star blazing like a torch. It fell upon a third of the rivers and springs of water. The name of the star is said to be Apsinthus (Wormwood). ...

- "Wormwood", a type of wood, "apsinthion" in Greek. A liqueur made from extract of wormwood is the French "absinthe". In Old Testament terms the bitterness of wormwood represents divine punishment -

... A third of all the waters turned into wormwood, and many people died because the waters had become so bitter.

THE FOURTH TRUMPET - A THIRD OF THE UNIVERSE IS DESTROYED

Revelation 8:12 - The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third-part of the sun, a third-part of the moon and a third of the stars were struck. A third-part of the light of each of them was darkened, so that light by day and light by night were both diminished by a third-part.

THE THREE CRIES OF WOE BECAUSE OF THE THREE REMAINING TRUMPETS

- The cries of the eagle separate the first four natural disasters which destroy a third of heaven and earth, from the last three which directly involve mankind:

Revelation 8:13 - Then in my vision I saw a solitary eagle flying in mid-heaven, crying in a loud voice, "Alas, alas, alas for the inhabitants of the earth for there are three more trumpet blasts which the three angels shall sound!"

 


THE SYMBOLS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The Book of Revelation is full of symbolism, no more so than in the remaining chapters. Some of the symbols are outlined here together with their possible interpretation, both contemporary and eternal:

  THE SERVANTS OF GOD

THE PREGNANT WOMAN - possibly representing God's chosen people, both Jew and Christian; possibly the mother of the Messiah and the Church

JESUS CHRIST, THE MESSIAH - possibly the male child born to the pregnant woman. Also THE LAMB and THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE (but not the rider of Revelation 6:2, one of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse)

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST; also THE BRIDE

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL - the Protector or guardian angel of Israel (Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1)

THE SAINTS - God's people, Christians, the saved

  POWERS OPPOSED TO GOD

THE DEVIL or SATAN - possibly the Star fallen from heaven, the Angel or star of the Pit, Angel of the Abyss; personified as "Abaddon" (destruction) in Hebrew or "Apollyon" in Greek.

Also THE DRAGON, the red dragon, the primeval Serpent who is called the devil or Satan, the Adversary, the Accuser

HELL or THE GRAVE - the fathomless pit, the Abyss, "Sheol" or "Abaddon" (destruction) in Hebrew, "Hades" or "Apollyon" from the Greek; the place of the dead, where fallen angels are imprisoned, eternal separation from God

DEMONS, EVIL SPIRITS - the locusts or scorpion locusts

Contemporary translation - possibly mounted Parthian archers who could shoot backwards from their horses on the gallop. The Parthian Empire across the River Euphrates was a major threat to the Roman Empire

THE ANIMAL FROM THE SEA - the Beast from the Sea, an anti-God power, an authoritarian godless state 

Contemporary translation - the Roman Empire. The capital Rome was "over the seas" relative to the province of Asia where John was writing. Personified as the dead emperor Nero who "returns to life" as the Book of Revelation develops. 

Eternally - any world empire or system, and its leaders.

THE PROSTITUTE OR HARLOT; also "BABYLON", THE WOMAN

Contemporary translation - the city of Rome.

Eternally - the centre or centres of any world power or powers

THE ANIMAL FROM THE EARTH - the Beast from the Earth, an anti-god power, state-sanctioned, state-dominated religion

Contemporary translation - the high priest of Roman emperor-worship, possibly centred in the province of Asia.

Eternally - the god's, their worship and the "high priests" of material, spiritual, cultural or religious gods in any age

  (any notes following in the text on the Powers Opposed to God are in RED)

A NOTE ON TIMES

"TIME, TIMES AND HALF A TIME" - "one year, two years and half a year" from Daniel 7:25, the 3 1/2 year period 168-165BC when the Jerusalem Temple was desecrated. Also equal to:

1,260 days or 42 months


 

THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TRUMPETS

THE FIFTH TRUMPET - A STAR FALLS WITH KEYS TO THE ABYSS; THE FIRST WOE STARTS

Revelation 9:1 - The fifth angel blew his trumpet. I saw a star (... the Angel of the Abyss, possibly Satan), that had fallen down from Heaven to earth, and he was given the key (of Death and Hades) to the fathomless pit (... the Abyss)

THE ABYSS IS OPENED, SMOKE ASCENDS, LOCUSTS APPEAR WITH THE POWER TO TORTURE THOSE WITHOUT GOD'S PROTECTION

Revelation 9:2-6 - Then he (the Angel of the Abyss) opened the pit and smoke like the smoke of a vast furnace rose out of it, so that the light of the sun and the air itself grew dark from the smoke of the pit.

Then out of the smoke emerged locusts (evil spirits or demons) to descend upon the earth. They were given powers like those of earthly scorpions. They had orders to do no harm to any grass, green thing or tree upon the earth, but to injure only those human beings who did not bear the seal of God('s protection)upon their foreheads. They were given no power to kill men, but only to torture them for five months. The torture they could inflict was like the pain of a scorpion's sting.

In those days men will seek death but they will never find it; they will long to die but death will elude them.

THE APPEARANCE OF THE LOCUSTS; THEIR KING, THE ANGEL NAMED "DESTROYER"; THE FIRST WOE ENDS

Revelation 9:7-12 - These locusts (possibly now symbolising mounted Parthian archers as instruments of Satan's purpose) looked to me in my vision like horses prepared for battle, On their heads were what appeared to be crowns like gold; their faces were like human faces, and they had long hair like women. Their teeth were like lion's teeth, their breasts were like iron-breastplates, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of a host of chariots and horses charging into battle. They have tails and stings like scorpions, and it is in their tails that they possess the power to injure men for five months. They have as their king the angel of the pit (possibly Satan), whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon, (meaning the destroyer).

The first disaster (or woe) is now past, but I see two more approaching.

THE SIXTH TRUMPET SOUNDS - FOUR ANGELS OF DEATH ARE RELEASED; THE SECOND WOE STARTS

Revelation 9:13-15 - Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a solitary voice speaking from the four corners of the golden altar that stands in the presence of God. And it said to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates (... the eastern boundary between Rome and her enemy, the Parthian Empire)!"

Then these four angels who had been held ready for the hour, the day, the month and the year, were set free to kill a third-part of all mankind.

A VISION OF 200 MILLION MOUNTED TROOPS; THE HORSE'S "BREATH" KILLS A THIRD OF MANKIND

Revelation 9:16-19 - The number of their horsemen (the possible Parthian invaders?) was two hundred million - I heard what their number was. In my vision I saw these horses and their riders, and their breastplates were fiery-red, blue and yellow. The horses' heads looked to me like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths poured fire and smoke and sulphur. A third of all mankind died from the fearful effects of these three, the fire, the smoke and the sulphur which pours out of their mouths. For the power of these horses lies in their mouths and in their tails. Indeed their tails are like serpents with heads, and with these they inflict injury.

THE REST OF MANKIND CONTINUES TO SIN

- With Six Trumpets sounded, and only one remaining, most of mankind still refuses to turn to the one God, and continues to worship the many gods of their own making:

Revelation 9:20-21 - The rest of mankind, who did not die in this fearful destruction, neither repented of the works of their own hands nor ceased to worship evil powers and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone or wood, which can neither see nor hear nor move. Neither did they repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual sins, nor of their thieving.

 INTERLUDE - VISIONS OF THE POWERFUL ANGEL WITH THE LITTLE BOOK; THE TWO WITNESSES

ANOTHER ANGEL APPEARS, HOLDING A LITTLE BOOK; THE VOICES OF SEVEN THUNDERS SPEAK BUT ARE NOT REVEALED

Revelation 10:1-4 - Then I saw another mighty angel (like the "mighty angel" who called for someone to open the seven-sealed book, Revelation 5:2)descending from Heaven. He was clothed in a cloud, and there was a rainbow around his head. His face blazed like the sun, his legs like pillars of fire, and he had a little book ...

- Possibly the originally sealed scroll of Revelation 5:1 now open for all to see. Alternatively another scroll containing judgments specific to the "Roman Empire", rather than all mankind -

... lying open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea (Rome?), and his left foot on the land (the province of Asia where John is writing?), and then shouted with a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted the seven thunders (perhaps another set of visions that John is told not to reveal) lifted their voices. When the seven thunders had rolled I was on the point of writing but I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders said, but do not write it down!"

HIS WARNING; WHEN THE SEVENTH TRUMPET SOUNDS, GOD'S PURPOSE WILL BE COMPLETED

Revelation 10:5-7 - Then the angel whom I had seen bestriding the sea and the land raised his right hand to Heaven and swore by the living one of the timeless ages, who created Heaven, earth and sea and all that is in them: "There shall be no more delay! In the days which shall soon be announced by the trumpet-blast of the seventh angel the mysterious purpose of God shall be completed, as he assured his servants the prophets."

JOHN TAKES AND EATS THE ANGEL'S LITTLE BOOK; HIS DUTY TO PROPHESY

Revelation 10:8-11 - Then the voice which I had heard from Heaven was again in my ears, saying, "Go, and take the little book which lies open in the hand of the (mighty) angel whose feet are planted on both sea and land."

So I went off towards the angel, asking him to give me the little book.

"Take it," he said to me, "and eat it up (... absorb the "little book's" contents and message). It will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth(... the sweetness of God's words, but the bitterness of his judgments)."

Then I took the little book from the angel's hand and swallowed it. It was as sweet as honey to the taste but when I had eaten it up it was bitter to my stomach.

John is instructed to prophesy

Then they said to me, "It is again your duty (John's) to prophesy about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."

THE INNER TEMPLE OF GOD IS TO BE MEASURED; THE OUTER COURT IS FOR THE GENTILES

Revelation 11:1-2 - And I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Get up and measure the Temple of God, and the altar (... suggesting the Temple is to be preserved and protected), and count those who worship there. But leave out of your measurement the (Gentiles) courtyard outside the Temple - do not measure that at all. For it has been given over to the (pagan) nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months (or desecrate it for "time, times and half a time")."

THE POWER OF THE TWO WITNESSES UNTIL THEIR TESTIMONY IS FINISHED

Revelation 11:3-6 - "And I will give authority to my two witnesses (... the minimum legal requirement in Jewish law. There are various theories about their identity, but they bear some resemblance to Elijah and Moses who appeared with Jesus at his Transfiguration ...) to proclaim the message, clothed in sackcloth for twelve hundred and sixty days ("time, times and half a time")."

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands (related to the message of Zechariah 4) which stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire issues from their mouths and consumes their enemies. Indeed, if anyone should try to hurt them, this is the way in which he will certainly meet his death. These (two) witnesses have power to shut up the sky and stop any rain from falling (as Elijah did, 1 Kings 17:1) during the time of their preaching. Moreover, they have power to turn the waters into blood, and to strike the earth with any plague as often as they wish (as Moses did with the plagues of Egypt, Exodus chapters 7-12).

THEY ARE KILLED BY THE BEAST OF THE ABYSS; MANKIND GLOATS OVER THEIR UNBURIED CORPSES

Revelation 11:7-10 - Then, when their work of witness is complete, the animal will come up out of the pit (... the first appearance of the Satanic Beast of the Abyss) and go to war with them. It will conquer and kill them, and their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is called by those with spiritual understanding, "Sodom" and "Egypt" - the very place where their Lord himself was crucified (... the great city is Jerusalem in this instance, but more likely Rome - "Babylon" in the rest of Revelation). For three and a half days (in return for three and a half years of preaching by the witnesses) men from all people and tribes and languages and nations will gaze upon their bodies and will not allow them to be buried. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will hold celebrations and send one another presents, because these two prophets had brought such misery to the inhabitants of the earth.

GOD BREATHES LIFE INTO THEM; THEY GO UP TO HEAVEN

Revelation 11:11-12 - But after three and a half days the Spirit of life from God entered them and they stood upright on their feet. This struck terror into the hearts of those who were watching them, and they heard a tremendous voice speaking to these two from Heaven, saying "Come up here!" And they went up to Heaven in a cloud in full view of their enemies.

AN EARTHQUAKE KILLS 7,000; THE SECOND WOE ENDS

Revelation 11:13-14 - And at that moment there was a great earthquake, a tenth-part of the city fell in ruins and seven thousand people were known to have been killed in the earthquake. The rest were terrified and acknowledged the glory of the God of Heaven.

The second disaster (or woe) is now past, and I see the third disaster following hard upon the heels of the second.

  THE SEVENTH TRUMPET

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET SOUNDS - THE END TIMES HAVE COME; THE THIRD WOE STARTS

Revelation 11:15 - The seventh angel blew his trumpet. There arose loud voices in Heaven and they were saying, "The kingship of the world now belongs to our Lord and to his Christ, and he shall be king for timeless ages (... the end-times and the kingdom of Christ have come)!"

THE TWENTY FOUR ELDERS WORSHIP GOD, AND GIVE THANKS FOR HIS JUDGMENT

Revelation 11:16-18 - Then the twenty-four elders, who sit upon their thrones in the presence of God, prostrated themselves and, with bowed heads, worshipped God, saying: "We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was and who is to come, because you have taken your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should reward your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth!"

GOD'S TEMPLE IS OPENED AND THE ARK REVEALED; THE ELEMENTS RAGE

Revelation 11:19 - Then the Temple of God in Heaven was thrown open and the ark of his agreement (or covenant) within his Temple could be clearly seen (... the sacred and previously hidden ark of the covenant is revealed to all mankind with the coming of the Messiah). Accompanying this sight were flashes of lightning, loud noises, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a violent storm of hail.

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on to Part 2, Revelation 12-22 OR back to J B Phillips with Notes

 BOOK OF REVELATION

Part 2 of 2, chapters 12-22


  VII - A SERIES OF SIGNS:
THE WOMAN; THE DRAGON AND WAR IN HEAVEN; THE TWO BEASTS AND WAR ON EARTH 

 THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON
 
 A PREGNANT WOMAN APPEARS IN HEAVEN

Revelation 12:1-2 - Then a huge sign (or symbol) became visible in the sky - the figure of a woman (probably representing God's chosen people - both Jew and Christian, and the mother of the Messiah and the Church) clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars upon her head. She was pregnant, and cried out in her labour and in the pains of bringing forth her child (the Messiah who will defeat Satan)

A DRAGON APPEARS, READY TO DEVOUR HER NEWBORN

Revelation 12:3-4 - Then another sign (or symbol) became visible in the sky, and I saw that it was a huge red dragon (representing the primeval Serpent, the devil or Satan) with seven heads and ten horns (representing empires and rulers, the significance of which is outlined below), with a diadem upon each of his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them upon the earth (... perhaps the fallen angels who joined Satan). The dragon took his place in front of the woman who was about to give birth to a child, so that as soon as she did so he might devour it.

SHE BEARS A SON; HE IS TAKEN TO GOD'S THRONE, SHE FLEES TO A DESERT REFUGE

Revelation 12:5-6 - She gave birth to a male child (the Messiah and the Church) who is to shepherd all the nations "with a rod of iron". Her child was snatched up to God and to his throne, while the woman fled into the desert where she has a place prepared for her by God's command. There they will take care of her for twelve hundred and sixty days ("time, times and half a time").

A HEAVENLY WAR WITH THE DRAGON - SATAN, WHO IS THROWN TO EARTH

Revelation 12:7-9 - The war broke out in Heaven. Michael (one of the seven archangels of Judaism; the Protector, Defender, or guardian angel of Israel, Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1) and his angels battled with the dragon. The dragon and his angels (... Satan and the angels, soon to become "fallen") fought back, but they did not prevail and they were expelled from Heaven. So the huge dragon, the serpent of ancient times, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was hurled down upon the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.

THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB OVERCOMES HIM; SATAN, IN FURY, THREATENS THE EARTH

Revelation 12:10-12 - Then I heard a great voice in Heaven cry: "Now the salvation and the power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ have come! For the accuser (Satan) of our brethren has been thrown down from this place (heaven), where he stood before our God accusing them day and night. Now they have conquered him through the blood of the Lamb, and through the Word to which they bore witness. They did not cherish life even in the face of death!

"Therefore, rejoice, O Heavens, and all you who live in the Heavens! But alas for the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great fury, knowing that his time is short (... Satan, thrown down from heaven to earth is determined to wreak vengeance)!"

THE DRAGON PURSUES THE WOMAN; WITH EAGLE'S WINGS, SHE FLIES TOWARDS SAFETY

Revelation 12:13-14 - And when the dragon (Satan) saw that he had been cast down upon the earth, he began to pursue the woman (the mother of the Messiah and the Church) who had given birth to the male child (the Messiah). But she was given two great (symbolic) eagle's wings so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where she is kept safe from the serpent (Satan) for a time and times and half a time.

HE SPEWS OUT A RIVER TO SWEEP HER AWAY; SHE ESCAPES, HE MAKES WAR ON GOD'S SAINTS

Revelation 12:15-17 - Then the serpent (Satan) ejected water from his mouth, streaming like a river in pursuit of the woman, to drown her in its flood. But the earth came to the woman's rescue, opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon (Satan) had emitted from his mouth. Then the dragon raged with fury against the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her children (of the Church) - those who keep the commandments of God and bear their witness to Jesus.

THE FIRST BEAST - FROM THE SEA

THE BEAST IS GIVEN THE DRAGON'S THRONE AND POWER

Revelation 13:1-3 - Then, as I stood on the sand of the sea-shore, there rose out of the sea before my eyes an animal (the Beast from the Sea) with seven heads and ten horns (see below). There were diadems upon its horns and blasphemous names upon its heads. The animal which I saw had the appearance of a leopard, though it had the feet of a bear and a mouth like the mouth of a lion (... the description derives from Daniel 7:1-7). Then the dragon gave it his own power and throne and great authority (... Satan delegates his powers to the Beast from the Sea, the world empire, the Roman Empire?). One of its heads appeared to have been wounded to death but the mortal wound had healed (... possibly referring to the dead emperor Nero, who it was believed at that time would return from the dead).

THE WORLD WORSHIPS THE DRAGON AND THE BEAST, WHO IS THOUGHT INVINCIBLE

Revelation 13:4 - The whole earth followed the animal (the Beast from the Sea) with wonder, and they worshipped the dragon (Satan) because he had given authority to the animal (the Beast, the world empire, Rome?). Then they worshipped the animal, too, saying, "Who is like the animal? Who could make war against it?"

THE BEAST BLASPHEMES GOD; WITH AUTHORITY OVER ALL MANKIND, HE WARS AGAINST THE SAINTS; THEY ARE COUNSELLED TO ENDURE

Revelation 13:5-10 - It (the Beast, Rome?) was allowed to speak monstrous blasphemies (against God) and to exert its authority for forty-two months ("time, times and half a time").

So it poured out blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling place and those who live in Heaven. Moreover, it was permitted to make war upon the saints (the Christians) and to conquer them; the authority given to it extended over every tribe and people and language and nation. All the inhabitants of the earth will worship it (in the form of emperor-worship) - all those whose names have not been written in the book of life (for saved Christians) which belongs to the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Parenthetical: a word to the reader

Let the listener hear this: If any man is destined for captivity he will go into captivity. If any man kills with the sword he must himself be killed with the sword. Amid all this stands the endurance and faith of the saints.

THE SECOND BEAST - FROM THE EARTH

HE FORCES MANKIND TO WORSHIP THE FIRST BEAST

Revelation 13:11-12 - Then I saw another animal rising out of the earth (the Beast of the Earth, the high priest of emperor-worship), and it had two horns like a lamb (representing the anti-christ) but it spoke in the voice of a dragon (like Satan). It uses the full authority of the first animal (the Beast from the Sea, Rome?)in its presence. It compels the earth and all its inhabitants to worship the first animal (the Beast from the Sea) - the one with the mortal wound which had healed.

HIS MIRACLES DECEIVE MANKIND; THEY MUST HONOUR THE FIRST BEAST'S IMAGE, OR DIE

Revelation 13:13-15 - It (... the Beast from the Earth, the high-priest of emperor-worship, the anti-christ) performs great signs: before men's eyes it makes fire fall down from heaven to earth. It deceives the inhabitants of the earth by the signs which it is allowed to perform in the presence of the animal (the Beast from the Sea, Rome), and it tells them to make a statue (of the emperor) in honour of the animal which received the sword-thrust and yet survived. Further, it was allowed to give the breath of life to the statue of the animal so that the statue could speak (through priestly trickery and mechanisms) and condemn to death all those who do not worship its statue.

UNLESS MANKIND IS "MARKED" NONE CAN BUY AND SELL; THE MARK OF THE BEAST IS "SIX SIX SIX"

Revelation 13:16-18 - Then it (the Beast from the Earth, the high priest) compels all, small and great, rich and poor, free men and slaves, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads (... possibly a real identification mark allowing economic control to be exercised). The purpose of this is that no one should be able to buy or sell unless he bears the mark of the name of the animal or the number of its name (... the mark of the Beast). Understanding is needed here: let every thinking man calculate the number of the animal. It is the number of a man, and its number is six hundred and sixty-six.

- Of the various interpretations of this ancient art of using numbers to symbolise names, the most frequently suggested is the emperor Nero and the Roman Empire's agents of control and persecution.

INTERLUDE - VISIONS OF THE SAVED IN HEAVEN AND DOOMED ON EARTH; THE SIX ANGELS

 - Persecution and hostility may be the lot of Christians on earth, but they will know the very opposite in heaven:

THE LAMB ON MOUNT ZION; THE 144,000 MARKED BY GOD; THE HEAVENLY CHOIR

Revelation 14:1-5 - Then I looked again and before my eyes the Lamb (of God, Jesus Christ) was standing on Mount Sion (or Zion), and with him were a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written upon their foreheads (either the same group from Revelation 7:1-8, or saved Christians in general; the Mark of God contrasts with the mark of the Beast). Then I heard a sound coming from Heaven like the roar of a great waterfall and the heavy rolling of thunder. Yet the sound which I heard was also like the music of harpists sweeping their strings. And now they are singing a new song of praise before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the (twenty-four) elders. No one could learn that song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. These are the men who have never defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate (possibly a literal meaning. Alternatively, as celibacy is not considered more Godly than marriage in the Bible, it may mean those who have been obedient to God's commandments). These are the men who follow the Lamb wherever he may go; these men have been redeemed from among mankind as first-fruits to God and to the Lamb. They have never been guilty of any falsehood; they are beyond reproach.

- Six angelic pronouncements are now made, three on God's approaching judgment on the world, three on the execution of his verdict:

THE FIRST ANGEL PROCLAIMS THE GOSPEL; A LAST CALL TO EVERYONE TO WORSHIP GOD

Revelation 14:6-7 - Then I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, holding the everlasting (eternal) Gospel to proclaim to the inhabitants of the earth - to every nation and tribe and language and people. He was crying in a loud voice, "Reverence God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment has come! Worship him who made Heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

THE SECOND ANGEL ANNOUNCES THE FALL OF WICKED BABYLON

Revelation 14:8 - Then another, a second angel, followed him crying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great (pagan Rome?)! She who made all nations drink the wine of her passionate unfaithfulness (or adultery - idolatry in Old Testament terms)!"

THE THIRD ANGEL DECLARES THAT ALL WHO WORSHIP THE BEAST WILL KNOW GOD'S WRATH; THE SAINTS MUST STILL ENDURE

Revelation 14:9-13 - Then a third angel followed these two, crying in a loud voice, "If any man worships the animal (the Beast from the Sea, Rome?) and its statue (raised by the Beast from the Earth, the high priest of emperor-worship) and bears its mark ("666") upon his forehead or upon his hand, then that man shall drink the wine of God's passion, poured undiluted into the cup of his wrath. He shall be tortured by fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb (of God). The smoke of such men's torture ascends for timeless ages, and there is no respite from it day or night. Such are the worshippers of the animal and its statue and among their number are all who bear the mark of its name ("666")."

The call to stand fast

In all this stands the endurance of the saints - those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

The security of the saints

Then I heard a voice from Heaven, saying, "Write this! From henceforth happy are the dead who die in the Lord!"

"Happy indeed," says the Spirit, "for they rest from their labours and their deeds go with them!"

- Like the Gospel parables on the final separation of good from evil, such as "the wheat and weeds in the field" (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43), the final harvest now takes place. This may be in two parts - Christ harvesting the wheat, the "saved"; then an angel harvesting the grapes, the "wicked":

THE "SON OF MAN" SEATED ON A CLOUD, HOLDING A SICKLE

Revelation 14:14 - Once again I looked, and a white cloud appeared before me with someone sitting upon the cloud with the appearance of

'the Son of Man' (Daniel 7:13).

He (presumably Christ) had a golden crown on his head, and held a sharp sickle in his hand.

THE FOURTH ANGEL CALLS FOR THE "SON" TO HARVEST THE EARTH

Revelation 14:15-16 - Then another angel came out from the Temple, calling in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, "Thrust in your sickle and reap, for the time of reaping has come and the harvest of the earth is fully ripe!"

Then the one sitting upon the cloud swung his sickle upon the earth, and the reaping of the earth was done (Christ has harvested the "saved"?).

THE FIFTH ANGEL APPEARS, ALSO WITH A SICKLE

Revelation 14:18 - Then another angel came out from the Temple in Heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle.

A SIXTH ANGEL ORDERS THE EARTH'S GRAPES TO BE HARVESTED, AND THROWN INTO GOD'S WINEPRESS; BLOOD FLOWS DEEP AND FAR

Revelation 14:18-20 - Yet another angel came out from the altar where he had command over the fire, and called out in a loud voice to the angel with the sharp sickle, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and harvest the clusters from the vineyard of the earth for the grapes are fully ripe!"

Then the angel swung his sickle upon the earth and gathered the harvest of the earth's vineyard (the wicked?), and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. The grapes were trodden outside the city (probably Jerusalem), and out of the winepress flowed blood for two hundred miles (or 1600 stadia, possibly another symbolic number - 4 x 4 x 100, representing the destruction of all evil) in a stream as high as the horses' bridles.

- Although chapter 14 has seen the final harvest or at least its description, there is a final set of sevenfold judgments to be endured:

VIII - SEVEN ANGELS POUR OUT THE LAST SEVEN PLAGUES OF GOD'S WRATH 

JOHN SEES THE ANGELS AND THOSE WHO ENDURED PERSECUTION; THEIR SONG GLORIFIES GOD

Revelation 15:1-4 - Then I saw another sign (or symbol) in Heaven, vast and awe-inspiring: seven angels are holding the seven last plagues, and with these the wrath of God is brought to an end.

The hymn of the redeemed

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass shot through with fire, and upon this glassy sea were standing those (the Christians who had endured persecution) who had emerged victorious from the fight with the animal (the Beast from the Sea, Rome?), its statue (erected by the Beast from the Land) and the number ("666") which denotes its name. In their hands they hold harps which God has given them, and they are singing the song of Moses the servant of God (sung after the crossing of the Red Sea, Exodus 15:1-21), and the song of the Lamb (of God), and these are the words they sing: 'Great and marvellous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O king of the saints! Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you, for your judgments have been manifested!" (The Song of Moses may represent the 144,000 saved of Israel, and the Song of the Lamb, the great Multitude of Gentiles, Revelation 7).

SEVEN ANGELS LEAVE THE TEMPLE WITH THE PLAGUES; THEY RECEIVE THE BOWLS OF GOD'S WRATH

Revelation 15:5-16:1 - Later in my vision I saw the Temple of the tabernacle of testimony in Heaven wide open, and out of the Temple came forth the seven angels who hold the seven plagues. They were dressed (as priests) in spotless shining linen, and they were girded round their breasts with golden girdles.

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God who lives for timeless ages. The Temple was filled with smoke from the glory and power of God, and no one could enter the Temple (to plead with God for further mercy) until the seven plagues of the seven angels were past and over (and the doom of the wicked complete).

(Chapter 16 ....) Then I heard a loud voice from the Temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out upon the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God!"

- Now the Beast has appeared (Revelation 13), the Seven Bowls of wrath, unlike the the judgments of the Seven Seals and Seven Trumpets, are poured out on him and his followers, and with a far greater intensity and completeness. Some of the plagues are like those visited on Egypt by Moses before the Exodus:

THE FIRST ANGEL ON THE LAND - SORES BREAK OUT ON THE WORSHIPPERS OF THE BEAST

Revelation 16:2 - The first angel went off and emptied his bowl upon the earth. Whereupon loathsome and malignant ulcers (similar to those of Exodus 9:8-12)attacked all those who bore the mark ("666") of the animal (the Beast from the Sea) and worshipped its statue.

THE SECOND ANGEL ON THE SEA - EVERYTHING IN IT DIES

Revelation 16:3 - The second angel emptied his bowl into the sea, which turned into a fluid like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in it died.

THE THIRD ANGEL ON THE FRESH WATERS - HE SPEAKS OF GOD'S JUDGMENT

Revelation 16:4-7 - Then the third angel emptied his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned into blood (the last two judgments are similar to those of Exodus 7:17-21). And I heard the angel of the waters say, "You are righteous, O Lord, the one who is and who was and who is to be, because you have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due."

And I heard the altar say, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments."

THE FOURTH ANGEL ON THE SUN - THE PEOPLE ARE SCORCHED

Revelation 16:8-9 - The fourth angel emptied his bowl over the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch men in its fiery blaze. Then men were terribly burned in the heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has control over these afflictions; but they neither repented nor gave him glory.

THE FIFTH ANGEL ON THE BEAST'S THRONE - IT'S KINGDOM IS IN DARKNESS, MEN ARE IN AGONY; BUT STILL THEY WILL NOT REPENT

Revelation 16:10-11 - Then the fifth angel emptied his bowl upon the throne of the animal (the Beast from the Sea, the City of Rome?). Its kingdom was plunged into darkness; men gnawed their tongues in agony, cursed the God of Heaven for their pain and their ulcers, but refused to repent of what they had done.

THE SIXTH ANGEL ON THE RIVER EUPHRATES - ITS WATERS DRY UP

Revelation 16:12 - Then the sixth angel emptied his bowl upon the great River Euphrates (separating the Roman and Parthian empires). The waters of that river were dried up to prepare a road for the kings from the east (Either to allow the Parthians or these kings to invade the west at their leisure, or for them to join with the Beast in his attack on the Lamb).

THREE SPIRITS GATHER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH FOR THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

Revelation 16:13-16 - And then I noticed three foul spirits, looking like frogs (mythological miracle-working demons or agents of Satan; also related to the plague of frogs in Exodus 8:2-6) emerging from the mouths of ...

the dragon (Satan),

the animal (the Beast from the Sea, Rome?) and

the false prophet (the Beast from the Earth, the high priest of emperor-worship). ...

... They are diabolical spirits performing wonders and they set out to muster all the kings of the world for battle on the great day of God, the Almighty (drawing together all the nations and forces of evil to resist God's judgment).

So they brought them together to the place called, in Hebrew, Armageddon (Har-Magedon, the "Mount" or "Mountain of Megiddo", an ancient city on the coastal road through Israel from Egypt to the North, the scene of many battles in Old Testament times and later, including 1918. It is used as a symbol of all battles and the final battle).

The words in the background

- An insertion into these cataclysmic events allowing Christ to comfort faithful Christians:

"See, I am coming like a thief! Happy is the man who stays awake and keeps his clothes at his side, so that he will not have to walk naked and men see his shame."

THE SEVENTH ANGEL INTO THE AIR - NATURAL CATASTROPHES STRIKE MEN AND CITIES, ESPECIALLY BABYLON

Revelation 16:17-21 - The seventh angel emptied his bowl into the air. A loud voice came out of the Temple, from the throne, saying, "The end has come!"(The final judgment, this time not poured out on the earth, but in the air.)

Then followed flashes of lightning, noises and peals of thunder. There was a terrific earthquake, the like of which no man has ever seen since mankind began to live upon the earth - so great and tremendous was this earthquake. The great city (usually considered to be "Babylon" - Rome) was split into three parts, and the (remaining) cities of all the nations fell in ruins. And God called to mind Babylon the great and made her drink the cup of the wine of his furious wrath. Every island fled and the mountains vanished. Great hailstones (as in Exodus 9:18-26) like heavy weights fell from the sky and men blasphemed God for the curse of the hail, for it fell upon them with savage and fearful blows.

- So ends the series of Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Bowls of Wrath. Whether these follow each other in time, overlap, or more likely take place simultaneously is not known. The end of the age, the end-times, have now come when the forces of Heaven and of Satan will do final battle.

 IX - THE FALL OF BABYLON 

 THE PROSTITUTE BABYLON SITTING ON THE BEAST 

- Babylon, the ancient city on the River Euphrates, had become an emblem of a godless culture at the heights (or depths) of its powers, and was often pictured as a prostitute dominating her clients. By New Testament times, Rome and the Roman Empire with its corruption, emperor worship, torture and persecution had become equated with the Babylon of old:

AN ANGEL ANNOUNCES THE PUNISHMENT OF THE GREAT WORLD PROSTITUTE, BABYLON

Revelation 17:1-2 - Then came one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls, and said to me, "Come, and I will show you the judgment passed upon the great harlot ("Babylon", Rome?) who is seated upon many waters. It is with her that the kings of the earth have debauched themselves and the inhabitants of the earth have become drunk on the wine of her filthiness (Old Testament imagery for accepting the overlordship of "Babylon", the worship of Rome and its paganism)."

JOHN SEES THE WOMAN SITTING ON A SCARLET BEAST, DRUNK WITH THE SAINT'S BLOOD

Revelation 17:3-6a - Then he carried me away in spirit into the desert. There I saw a woman ("Babylon", Rome) riding upon a scarlet animal (the great political and military power of the Roman Empire. Scarlet represents the pomp and splendour of that power), covered with blasphemous titles (imperial titles claiming divinity) and having seven heads and ten horns (see below). The woman herself was dressed in purple and scarlet, glittering with gold, jewels and pearls(symbols of her incredible wealth). In her hand she held a golden cup full of the earth's filthiness and her own foul impurity. On her forehead is written a name with a secret meaning - BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF ALL HARLOTS AND OF THE EARTH'S ABOMINATIONS.

Then I noticed that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and of the martyrs for Jesus.

THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED; THE BEAST OF THE ABYSS WILL BE DESTROYED

Revelation 17:6b-8 - As I watched her, I was filled with utter amazement, but the angel said to me, "Why are you amazed? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman (Rome) and of the animal (the Roman Empire, perhaps now personified as the dead emperor Nero) with seven heads and ten horns which carries her. The animal, which you saw, once lived but now is no more ("Nero"?) - it will come up out of the pit (or Abyss of the dead) only to meet with destruction. The inhabitants of the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will be utterly astonished when they see that the animal was, and is not, and yet is to come (Nero supposedly returning from the dead?).

THE BEAST'S SEVEN HEADS REPRESENT THE RISE AND FALL OF KINGS; THE BEAST IS THE EIGHTH KING

Revelation 17:9-11 - (Here we need a mind with understanding.)

"The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman takes her seat (Rome, the city on seven hills). There are also seven kings (emperors or empires);

five have been dethroned (if these are Roman emperors, possibly Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula or Gaius Caesar, Claudius and Nero who reigned from 30BC to AD68, then all are by now dead. Three more emperors then appeared in quick succession AD68-69),

one reigns (possibly the emperor Vespasian, AD69-79. If so suggesting an earlier date for the Book of Revelation)

and the other has not yet appeared (this would then be the emperor Titus, AD79-81) - when he comes he must remain only for a short time. ...

... As for the animal which once lived but now lives no longer, it is an eighth king (possibly the returning dead "Nero"? Domitian AD81-96 who was nicknamed "Nero", actually succeeded Titus) which belongs to the seven, but it goes to utter destruction.

THE TEN HORNS ARE TEN MORE KINGS WHO WILL WAR UNSUCCESSFULLY AGAINST THE LAMB

Revelation 17:12-14 - The ten horns which you saw are ten kings (perhaps Roman emperors or province governors, or minor kings of Parthia who will ally themselves with "Nero") who have not yet received their power to reign, but they will receive authority to be kings for one hour (a short period equivalent to the short reign of "Nero") in company with the animal ("Nero"?). They are of one mind, and they will hand over their power and authority to the animal. They will all go to war with the Lamb (of God), and the Lamb, with his called, chosen and faithful followers, will conquer them. For he is Lord of lords and King of kings."

GOD WILL ALLOW THE BEAST AND TEN KINGS TO DESTROY BABYLON

Revelation 17:15-18 - Then he said to me, "As for the waters which you saw, on which the woman took her seat, they are peoples and vast crowds, nations and languages. The ten horns (minor Parthian kings?) and the animal ("Nero"?) which you saw will loathe the harlot (Rome?), and leave her deserted and naked("Nero" will take his revenge on Rome for his enforced suicide in AD68). Moreover, they will devour her flesh, and then consume her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by making them of one mind, and by handing over their authority to the animal, until the words of God have been fulfilled.

"The woman that you saw is the great city ("Babylon", Rome) which dominates the kings of the earth."

THE FALL, EARTHLY LAMENT FOR, AND DESTRUCTION OF BABYLON

AN ANGEL ANNOUNCES THE FALL OF WICKED BABYLON

Revelation 18:1-3 - Later I saw another angel coming down from Heaven, armed with great authority. The earth shone with the splendour of his presence, and he cried in a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great (Rome?)! She has become a haunt of devils, a prison for every unclean spirit, and a cage for every foul and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk the wine of her passionate unfaithfulness and have fallen thereby. The kings of the earth have debauched themselves with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the extravagance of her dissipation (reflecting Rome's vast wealth and power)!"

GOD'S PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO LEAVE AND ESCAPE THE JUDGMENT ON BABYLON

Revelation 18:4-8 - Then I heard another voice from Heaven, crying, "Come out from her, O my people, lest you become accomplices in her sins and must share in her punishment. For her sins have mounted up to the sky, and God has remembered the tale of her wickedness. Pay her back in her own coin - yes, pay her back double for all that she has done! In the cup which she mixed for others mix her a drink of double strength! For the pride in which she flaunted herself give her torture and misery! Because she says to herself, 'Here I sit a queen on a throne; I am no woman who lacks a man and I shall never know sorrow!' So in a single day her punishments shall strike her - death, sorrow and famine and she shall be burned in the fire. For mighty is the Lord God who judges her!"

- Three groups now lament the fall of Babylon (Rome?) - the kings who relied on her support and power, and the merchants and seafaring traders who grew rich on her vast consumption and commerce:

THE WORLD'S RULERS AND MERCHANTS LAMENT HER DESTRUCTION

Revelation 18:9-17a - Then the kings of the earth, who debauched and indulged themselves with her, will wail and lament over her. Standing at a safe distance through very fear of her torment, they will watch the smoke of her burning and cry, "Alas, alas for the great city, Babylon the mighty city, that your judgment should come in a single hour."

The merchants of the earth shall also wail and lament over her, for there is no one left to buy their goods - cargoes of gold and silver, jewels and pearls, fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet, all kinds of scented wood, every sort of ivory vessel, every kind of vessel of precious wood, of bronze, iron and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour and corn; cattle, sheep and horses; chariots, slaves (and gladiators to die for public entertainment), the very souls of men.

Those who bought and sold these things, who had gained their wealth from her, will stand afar off through fear of her punishment, weeping and lamenting and saying, "Alas, alas for the great city that was dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and was bedecked with gold and jewels and pearls - alas that in a single hour all that wealth should be destroyed!"

THE SEAFARING TRADERS OF THE WORLD JOIN IN THE LAMENT

Revelation 18:17b-19 - Then every shipmaster and seafarer - sailors and all whose business is upon the sea - stood and watched the smoke of her burning from afar, and cried out, "What city was ever like the great city?"

They even threw dust on their heads and cried aloud as they wept, saying, "Alas, alas for the great city where all who had ships on the sea grew wealthy through the richness of her treasure! Alas that in a single hour she should be ruined!"

AN ANGEL DESCRIBES THE VIOLENT END OF BABYLON AND ITS PEOPLE

Revelation 18:20-24 - Rejoicing in heaven is now heard:

"Rejoice over her fate, O Heaven, and all you saints, apostles and prophets! For God has pronounced his judgment for you against her!"

The words of Babylon's doom

Then a mighty angel lifted up a stone like a huge mill-stone and hurled it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon the great city (Rome?) be sent hurtling down to disappear for ever (never to rise again)! Never more shall the sound of harpists and musicians, flute-players and trumpeters be heard in you again! Never again shall a craftsman of any craft be found in you; never again will the sound of the mill-stone's grinding be heard in you! No light of a lamp shall ever shine in you again, and the voices of bridegroom and bride shall be heard in you no more! The fruit of your soul's desire is lost to you for ever. All your luxuries and brilliance are lost to you and men will never find them in you again!

"For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were seduced by your witchery!"

For in her was discovered the blood of prophets and saints, indeed the blood of all who were ever slaughtered upon the earth (possibly both Jews and Christians, but only during Rome's period of power).

HEAVEN'S JOYFUL RESPONSE TO THE FALL OF BABYLON

- Heaven now rings out with four Alleluia's or Hallelujah's - from the Hebrew for "praise the Lord". This is the only time the term appears in the New Testament.

Joy over the destruction of the city and its people, and the avenging of Christian martyrs is not easy to accept. Yet the Bible is full of warnings about the fate of those who fail to worship and obey God, and in the New Testament to do so through Jesus Christ. We can accept or reject this in the light of our own views on fairness, humanity, love and so on, but we cannot with any sincerity, soften or explain away these and similar divine warnings:

A HEAVENLY CHOIR SINGS OF GOD'S JUDGMENT ON BABYLON

Revelation 19:1-3 - Afterwards I heard what sounded like the mighty roar of a vast crowd in Heaven, crying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. He has judged the great harlot (Babylon, Rome?) who corrupted the earth with her wickedness, and he has avenged upon her the blood of his servants!" Then they cried a second time, "Alleluia! The smoke of her destruction ascends for timeless ages!"

THE ELDERS AND LIVING CREATURES WORSHIP GOD; THERE ARE MORE CALLS TO WORSHIP

Revelation 19:4-5 - Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures prostrated themselves and worshipped God who is seated upon the throne, saying, "Amen, alleluia!"

Then out of the throne came a voice, saying, "Praise our God, all you who serve him, all you who reverence him, both small and great!"

REJOICING THAT THE LAMB IS TO MARRY THE BRIDE; BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE INVITED

Revelation 19:6-10 - And then I heard a sound (from heaven) like the voices of a vast crowd, the roar of a great waterfall and the rolling of heavy thunder, and they were saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, has come into his kingdom! Let us rejoice, let us be glad with all our hearts. Let us give him the glory, for the wedding-day of the Lamb (Christ) has come, and his bride (the beloved Church, Ephesians 5:25) has made herself ready. She may be seen dressed in linen, gleaming and spotless - for such linen is the righteous living of the saints (the simplicity of the bridal Church is contrasted with the gaudiness of the prostitute Babylon)!"

Instruction to John

Then he said to me, "Write this down: Happy are those who are invited to the wedding-feast of the Lamb!"

Then he added, "These are true words of God."

At that I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "No! I am your fellow-servant and fellow-servant with your brothers who are holding fast their witness to Jesus. Give your worship to God!"

(This witness to Jesus inspires all prophecy.)


THE CONCLUSION OF GOD'S JUDGMENT ON THE UNIVERSE
Chapters 19:11-22:21

 The Book of Revelation concludes with:

- God's final victory over Satan and his Final Judgment (19:11-20:15),

- Followed by the descent from heaven of the new Jerusalem where He will live with the saved (21:1-22:5).

An epilogue is Christ's final appeal to all mankind to be saved by God's grace (22:6-21).


 X - FINAL VICTORY AND JUDGMENT

   CHRIST'S VICTORY OVER THE TWO BEASTS

THE RIDER, CHRIST, ON THE WHITE HORSE, AND HIS ARMIES

Revelation 19:11-16 - Then I saw Heaven wide open, and before my eyes appeared a white horse, whose rider (Christ) is called faithful and true, for his judgment and his warfare are just. His eyes are a flame of fire and there are many diadems upon his head. There is a name written upon him, known only to himself. He is dressed in a cloak dipped in blood, and the name by which he is known is the Word of God.

The armies of Heaven follow him, riding upon white horses and clad in white and spotless linen. Out of his mouth there comes a sharp sword with which to strike the nations.

'He will rule them with a rod of iron' (Psalm 2:9),

and alone he will tread the winepress of the furious wrath of God the Almighty. Written upon his cloak and upon his thigh is the name, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE DESTROYED

Revelation 19:17-21 - Then I saw an angel standing alone in the blazing light of the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice, calling to all the birds flying in mid-air, "Come, flock together to God's great feast! Here you may eat the flesh of kings and captains, the flesh of strong men, of horses and their riders - the flesh of all men, free men and slaves, small and great!"

And I saw the animal (the Beast from the Sea, Rome now personified as "Nero"?) with the kings of the earth (the Parthian kings?) and their armies massed together for battle against the rider upon the horse and his army. The animal was captured and with it the false prophet (still the Beast from the Earth, the high priest of emperor-worship?) who had performed marvels in its presence, which he had used to deceive those who accepted the mark of the animal ("666") and worshipped its statue. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with sulphur (fire and brimstone).

The rest were killed by the sword which issues from the mouth of the rider upon the horse; and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

SATAN IS OVERTHROWN; GOD MAKES HIS FINAL JUDGMENT 

SATAN, THE DECEIVER, IS BOUND AND IMPRISONED FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

Revelation 20:1-3 - Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven with the key of the pit (Abyss) and a huge chain in his hand. He seized the dragon (Satan), the serpent of ancient days, who is both the devil and Satan, and bound him fast for a thousand years (a millennium). Then he (the angel) hurled him (Satan)into the pit (the Abyss), and locked and sealed it over his head, so that he could deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were past. But then he must be set free for a little while.

- The period of a thousand years and sequence of events has led to endless speculation and theorising over the centuries. It is possibly a length of time symbolic of the Church's life on earth, during which time the Gospel is preached to all mankind while Satan is restrained by God. At the end-time, the second coming of Christ and the destruction of Satan finally takes place.

THE FIRST RESURRECTION - CHRIST AND THE SAINTS REIGN FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

Revelation 20:4-6 - And I saw thrones, with appointed judges seated upon them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been executed for their witness to Jesus and for proclaiming the Word of God - those who never worshipped the animal (Beast from the Sea, Rome?) or its statue, and had not accepted its mark upon their foreheads or their hands. They (the Christian saints and martyrs only) came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (the millennial kingdom. The rest of the dead - all the other Christians - did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first resurrection. Happy and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death (after the Last Judgment) cannot touch such men; they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him for the thousand years.

SATAN IS RELEASED; THE FINAL BATTLE; HIS DESTRUCTION

Revelation 20:7-10 - Then, when the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison, and will set out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog ( ... representing all who oppose God in the last great battle by Satan at the end of time, Ezekiel 38), and to lead them into battle. They will be as numerous as the sand of the seashore.

They came up and spread over the breadth of the earth; they encircled the army of the saints defending the beloved city (Jerusalem). But fire came down from the sky and consumed them. The devil (Satan, the first of the "trinity" of evil) who deceived them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulphur to join the animal and the false prophet (the second and third parts of this same "trinity"). And there they shall be tortured day and night for timeless ages.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD; THE LAST JUDGMENT

Revelation 20:11-15 - And then I saw a great white throne, and one seated upon it from whose presence both earth and sky fled and vanished (heaven and earth have perhaps disappeared).

Then I saw the dead (who had not shared in the first resurrection), great and small, standing (risen and embodied) before the throne and the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books concerning what they had done. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up the dead which were in them. And men were judged, each according to what he had done.

Then death and the grave (Hades) were themselves hurled into the lake of fire, which is the second death (following the Last Judgment). If anyone's name (the wicked) was not found written in the book of life he was thrown into the (eternal) lake of fire.

XI - GOD'S NEW WORLD

  THE NEW JERUSALEM - A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

GOD PROCLAIMS THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

- Satan and all his evil works are no more; the Last Judgment has taken place; God now provides a new dwelling for all who have been saved:

Revelation 21:1-5 - Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth (the new Jerusalem), for the first Heaven and the first earth had disappeared and the sea was no more (they are no longer fit for God's people). I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride (the Church)dressed in beauty for her husband (Christ). Then I heard a great voice from the throne crying, "See! The home of God is with men, and he will live among them ...

- The "Shekinah" glory, a Hebrew term expressing the majesty of God living among his people. Also "Immanuel" or "Emmanuel" meaning "God with us" - the prophecy about Jesus in Matthew 1:23:

... They shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more, and never again shall there be sorrow or crying or pain. For all those former things are past and gone (suffering, pain, death, and all the results of the fall of man are no more)."

Then he who is seated upon the throne said, "See, I am making all thing new!"

And he added, "Write this down for my words are true and to be trusted!"

THE GLORIOUS REWARDS OF THE BELIEVER; THE DEATH OF THE WICKED

Revelation 21:6-8 - Then he said to me, "It is done! I am Alpha and Omega (a description of God in Revelation 1:8, and of Christ shortly in 22:13), the beginning and the end. I will give to the thirsty water without price (as in John 7:37-38) from the fountain of life. The victorious (referred to in the third part of each of the covering letters to the seven churches of Asia) shall inherit these things, and I will be God to him and he will be son to me. But as for the cowards, the faithless and the corrupt, the murderers, the traffickers in sex and sorcery, the worshippers of idols and all liars - their inheritance is in the lake which burns with fire and sulphur (fire and brimstone), which is the second death (following the Last Judgment)."

THE NEW JERUSALEM REVEALED, MEASURED, AND DESCRIBED

Revelation 21:9-21 - Then one of the seven angels who hold the seven bowls which were filled with the seven last plagues, came to me and said, "Come, and I will show you the bride (the Church), the wife of the Lamb (of God - Christ)."

Then he carried me away in spirit to the top of a vast mountain, and pointed out to me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending from God out of Heaven, radiant with the glory of God. ...

- John describes the New Jerusalem in terms of the most beautiful objects he can imagine. To some modern readers, these might even conjure up visions of the colossal, magnificent structures of some science fiction galactic city:

... Her brilliance sparkled like a very precious jewel with the clear light of crystal. ...

Around her she had a vast and lofty wall in which were twelve gateways with twelve angels at the gates.

There were twelve names inscribed over the twelve gateways, and they are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.

On the east there were three gateways, on the north three gateways, on the south three gateways and on the west three gateways.

The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on these were engraved the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The measurement of the city

The one (an angel) who was talking to me had a golden rod in his hand with which to measure the city, its gateways and its wall. ...

The city lies foursquare, its length equal to its breadth.

He measured the city with his rod and it was twelve thousand furlongs (or stadia, about 1,400 miles or 2,200 km. Again presumably a symbolic number, 12 x 1,000) in each direction, for its length, breadth and height are all equal (a cube 1,400 miles on each side). Then he measured its wall, and found that to be one hundred and forty-four half-yards (or cubits, about 200 feet or 65 metres) high by human measurement, (which the angel was using).

The splendour of the city's building

The wall itself was built of translucent stone, while ...

... the city was of purest gold, with the brilliance of glass.

The foundation stones of the wall of the city were fashioned out of every kind of precious stone (similar to the stones in the breastpiece of the high priest, Exodus 28:17-20).

The first foundation-stone was jasper,

the second sapphire,

the third agate,

the fourth emerald,

the fifth onyx,

the sixth cornelian,

the seventh goldstone,

the eighth beryl,

the ninth topaz,

the tenth green goldstone,

the eleventh zircon, and

the twelfth amethyst

(the identification of some of these stones is uncertain).

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl (the "pearly gates" of popular culture).

The street of the city was purest gold gleaming like glass.

NEW LIFE WITH GOD AND THE LAMB

Revelation 21:22-27 - I could see no Temple in the city, for the Lord, the Almighty God, and the Lamb are themselves its Temple (the city is the Temple, and God lives directly with his people). The city has no need for the light of sun or moon, for the splendour of God fills it with light and its radiance is the Lamb (who provide all the illumination required). The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. The city's gates shall stand open day after day (as there is nothing more for the saved of mankind to fear) - and there will be no night there. Into the city they will bring the splendours and honours of the nations.

But nothing unclean, no one who deals in filthiness and lies, shall ever at any time enter it - only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 XI - PARADISE REGAINED 

THE GARDEN OF EDEN RESTORED

Revelation 22:1-5 - Then he (the angel) showed me the river (suggesting the river of the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:10) of the water of life, sparkling like crystal as it flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of the street of the city and on either bank of the river grew the tree of life (no longer denied to mankind as it was so long before to Adam in Genesis 3:22-24), bearing twelve fruits, a different kind for each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Nothing that has cursed mankind shall exist any longer; the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be within the city. His servants shall worship him; they shall see his face, and his name will be upon their foreheads. Night (and all the natural and symbolic darkness implied) shall be no more; they have no more need for either lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will shed his light upon them and they shall reign as kings for timeless ages.

 XII - EPILOGUE: CHRIST'S FINAL APPEAL 

A CALL TO OBEDIENCE

Revelation 22:6-11 - (The angel to John ....) Then the angel said to me, "These words are true and to be trusted, for the Lord God, who inspired the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants (such as John) what must shortly happen."

(The voice of Christ is now heard .....) "See, I come quickly! Happy is the man who pays heed to (obeys) the words of the prophecy in this book."

John's personal endorsement

(It is now John's turn to speak as his visions come to an end ...) It is I, John, who have heard and seen these things. At the time when I heard and saw them I fell at the feet of the angel who showed them to me and I was about to worship him. but he said to me, "No! I am fellow-servant to you and to your brother, to the prophets and to those who keep the words of this book. give your worship to God!"

Then he added, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy in this book, for the time of their fulfilment is near. Let the wicked man continue his wickedness and the filthy man his filthiness; let the good man continue his good deeds, and the holy man continue in holiness.

JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN

Revelation 22:12-15 - "See, I (Christ) come quickly! I carry my reward with me, and repay every man according to his deeds (we are saved by God's grace or goodness, but rewarded according to how we use this priceless gift). I am Alpha and Omega (first applied to God the Father in Revelation 1:8, and now to Christ the Son), the first and the last, the Beginning and the End. Happy are those who wash their robes, for they have the right to the tree of life and the freedom of the gates of the city (the new Jerusalem). Shut out from the city shall be the depraved, the sorcerers, the impure, the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises a lie!

THE FINAL INVITATION

Revelation 22:16-17 - "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you (John) with this testimony for the Churches. I am both the root and stock of David (Revelation 5:5), and the bright star of the morning!"

The invitation of the Church and the Spirit

The (Holy) Spirit and the bride (the Church) say, "Come!"

Let everyone who hears this also say, "Come (either the Christian's response to Christ, or their cry to the unsaved in the world to hear and respond to the Gospel)!"

Let the thirsty man come, and let everyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

THE FINAL WARNING; A FINAL BLESSING

Revelation 22:18-21 - Now I (presumably John) bear solemn witness to every man (and woman) who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to these words God will add to him the disasters described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of prophecy in this book, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city (the new Jerusalem, Paradise regained) which are described in this book.

He, who is witness to all this, says, "Yes, I (Jesus Christ) am coming very quickly!"

"Amen, come Lord Jesus (in Aramaic, "Maranatha" - "come, Lord" or "the Lord is coming". Return again Lord, the Christians cry out in response)!"

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all his people.

 


back to J B Phillips with Notes

J.B.Phillips, "The New Testament in Modern English", 1962 edition, published by HarperCollins, is presented here with the kind permission of Mrs Vera Phillips and the J.B.Phillips estate