Professional Documents
Culture Documents
An Exposition of The Book of Revelation - LECTURE NOTES
An Exposition of The Book of Revelation - LECTURE NOTES
LECTURE NOTES
By James B. Jordan
(These are notes that accompany a 204 audio lecture series of the same name. However, they have been
retyped from the original and have been modified such that the page numbers do not match those of the
original as referred to by JBJ in his lectures.)
Biblical Horizons
P.O. Box 1096
Niceville, FL 32588
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LECTURE #134 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 2 – THE TWO MYSTERIES, PART 1 ................. 222
LECTURE #135 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 3 – THE TWO MYSTERIES, PART 2 ................. 224
LECTURE #136 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 4 – OEDIPUS & THE PHARISEES ..................... 225
LECTURE #137 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 5 – JOB’S DISTRESS ........................................... 226
LECTURE #139 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 7 – CRISIS TIME .................................................. 227
LECTURE #140 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 8 – JEREMIAH & SOCRATES ............................ 228
LECTURE #141 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 9 – SUMMARY, HISTORY OF ISRAEL ............ 229
LECTURE #142 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 10 – THE ROMAN REPUBLIC ........................... 231
LECTURE #143 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 11 – ROME AND ISRAEL ................................... 232
LECTURE #144 – THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY: 12 – RETURNING TO REVELATION 17 .......... 235
LECTURE #145 – THE EIGHTH HEAD - REVELATION 17:11 ............................................................ 237
LECTURE #146 – THE TEN HORNS - REVELATION 17:12-14 ........................................................... 240
LECTURE #147 – EYE FOR EYE - REVELATION 17:15 ...................................................................... 242
LECTURE #148 & #149 – BURN FOR BURN - REVELATION 17:16 .................................................. 245
LECTURE #150 – REVELATION 17:17-18 ............................................................................................. 246
LECTURE #151 – REVELATION 18:1 ..................................................................................................... 247
Revelation 18 ........................................................................................................................................... 247
LECTURE #152 – REVELATION 18:2-3 ................................................................................................. 249
LECTURE #153 – REVELATION 18:4 ..................................................................................................... 250
LECTURE #154 – REVELATION 18:5 ..................................................................................................... 251
LECTURE #155 – REVELATION 18:6-8 ................................................................................................. 252
LECTURE #156 – REVELATION 18:9 ..................................................................................................... 254
The Three Lamentations .......................................................................................................................... 254
The Lamentation of the Kings of the Land ............................................................................................. 254
LECTURE #157 – VINDICATION OF THE PROPHET .......................................................................... 256
LECTURE #158 – THE SMOKE OF HER BURNING ............................................................................. 257
LECTURE #159 – MERCHANTS LAMENT 1 – REVELATION 18:11-12 ............................................ 258
The Lamentation of the Merchants of the Land ...................................................................................... 258
LECTURE #160 – MERCHANTS LAMENT 2 – REVELATION 18:13-17 ............................................ 263
LECTURE #161 – SHIPMASTERS LAMENT – REVELATION 18:17-20 ............................................. 264
The Lamentation of the Seafarers ............................................................................................................ 264
The Festival of the Saints ........................................................................................................................ 264
LECTURE #162 – THE GREAT STONE – REVELATION 18:21 ........................................................... 265
The End of Babylon................................................................................................................................. 265
LECTURE #163 – DECREATION – REVELATION 18:22-24 ................................................................ 268
LECTURE #164 – NEW LITURGY – REVELATION 19:1-2 .................................................................. 270
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:1-10) .......................................................................................... 272
LECTURE #165 – REVELATION 19:3-7 ................................................................................................. 274
LECTURE #166 – REVELATION 19:8 ..................................................................................................... 275
LECTURE #167 – THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY - REVELATION 19:9-10 ........................................... 276
LECTURE #168 – RESURRECTION - REVELATION 19:11 ................................................................. 277
The Battle of the Mountain of Festival Assembly (19:11-21) ................................................................ 277
LECTURE #169 – THE FEAST OF BOOTHS - REVELATION 19:9 ..................................................... 278
LECTURE #170 – THE TOTUS CHRISTUS - REVELATION 19:11 ..................................................... 279
LECTURE #171 – THE CROWNED EMPEROR - REVELATION 19:12 .............................................. 281
LECTURE #172 – THE BLOODY GARMENT - REVELATION 19:13 ................................................. 283
LECTURE #173 – THE WHITE ROBE - REVELATION 19:14 .............................................................. 285
LECTURE #174 – CHURCH AND STATE - REVELATION 19:15-16 .................................................. 286
LECTURE #175 – THE CURSE OF THE COVENANT - REVELATION 19:17-18 .............................. 288
LECTURE #176 – DOOM OF THE ANTI-WITNESSES - REVELATION 19:19-21 ............................. 291
LECTURE #177 – THE MILLENIUM I - REVELATION 20:1-3 ............................................................ 293
The Millennium (I) .................................................................................................................................. 293
LECTURE #178 – THE MILLENIUM II - REVELATION 20:1-3 ........................................................... 296
LECTURE #179 – THE MILLENIUM III - REVELATION 20:1-3 ......................................................... 297
LECTURE #180 – THE MILLENIUM IV - REVELATION 20:4-6 ......................................................... 299
The Millennium (II) ................................................................................................................................. 299
7
Introduction
2. Garden-sanctuary, 2:8
“And YHWH God planted a garden”
6. Community, 2:18-24
“And YHWH God said”
4. Outline
INTRODUCTION: (1:1-9)
v. 4 – addressed to churches
v. 7 – Jesus comes
- Jesus inspects us
Psalm 100:4
Introit
Kyrie
Gloria in Excelsis
Psalms
12
- only takes a second for us today, but because Revelation is more than just a worship service, takes
longer here
Offertory
- offer ourselves & our gifts (14:13-20)
- praise (15:1-4)
1 Corinthians 11:30
Praise (19:1-8)
Epilogue: (22:8-21)
a. Organized
b. Planned
c. Antiphonal
d. Responsorial
e. Instrumental
f. Physical
13
1. Author – v. 1
- “John”
2. Date
Matthew 23:34-38
Matthew 24:34
Luke 21:20-24 + 34
Zechariah 5:5-11
v. 1 –
revelation “of” -
the “Angel” –
signified –
v. 2 –
v. 3 –
16
v. 4-5a
seven churches –
Jesus Christ:
- faithful witness –
1. Is 5. Faithful Witness
2. Was 4. Seven Spirits 6. Firstborn from Dead
3. Is to Come 7. Ruler of Kings of Earth
v. 5b-6 –
1:3 - "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep
those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
This refers to the worship service on the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:10). Those who are invited to the assembly of
God's people, and get to hear His word officially read and preached, are blessed. Those who do not
participate in worship are left outside, under the curse. It is not enough, however, merely to attend church:
We have to honor, guard, and obey God's Word in order to preserve our blessing.
14:13 - "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from now on."
When Adam sinned, God locked the gates of paradise against him. When men died in the Old Covenant,
they did not enter God's heaven, but went to a place of blessing that was outside of heaven in the proper
sense. Luke 16:22 calls it "Abraham's bosom." When Jesus opened heaven at His ascension, all the saints
of the Old Testament ascended with Him to heaven, and were seated on heavenly thrones (Rev. 20:4).
Since heaven is now open, those who die faithful to the Lord now get to go directly to heaven, and thus
receive a fuller blessing than the Old Covenant saints received when they died.
16:15 - "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth (guardeth) his garments, lest he walk
naked, and they see his shame."
The garments refer to the clothing of salvation, which is shown in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. We must
guard our baptisms, and remain faithful to what we have been given. Adam and Eve failed to be watchful,
and Satan defiled them, with the result that their nakedness caused them shame (Gen. 2:25; 3:7). Similarly,
warning about the future, Jesus repeatedly encouraged His saints to be watchful. The foolish virgins of
Matthew 25 were not watchful and lost the blessing.
19:9 - "Blessed are they that are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."
There are two feasts in Revelation 19, the vulture's feast and the Lamb's supper. The vulture's feast pictures
the curse that comes upon the wicked if they do not repent and are destroyed under the wrath of God. The
blessing of the righteous is to be inclined in God's eternal feast, which today we have as the Lord's Supper.
20:6 - "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; over such the second
death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with
Him a thousand years."
The first resurrection was that of Jesus Christ, when he arose that first Easter morning. Those who have a
part in that resurrection are Christians, who have been baptized into Christ's body, and who have received
the inner regeneration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible promises that true Christians will reign with God on
earth during the New Covenant. This may not always be evident to sight, but it is always true, and becomes
progressively more visible as history moves along.
18
22:7 - "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."
Those who heed the warnings of Revelation will evade the curse, and receive the blessing. This actually
happened at the destruction of Jerusalem, in that all the Christians were watchful, and escaped. Let us learn
from them, and keep close to Christ and to His heavenly body, the Church.
22:14 - "Blessed are they that do His commandments (or, that wash their robes), that they
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Some Greek manuscripts say "that do His commandments," while others (probably the better ones) say
"that wash their robes." If we go with "wash their robes," the reference is to baptism. Baptism entitles us to
the Lord's Supper (the tree of life), and this gives us access into Christian culture and civilization (the city).
Christian culture grows out of the Church, because when the Church is pure, and we "seek first His
righteousness," then the world is changed and "all these things will be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).
If we go with "that do His commandments," we are told that those who obey will be given access to the
Lord's Supper (the tree of life). That looks like works-salvation, but the actual meaning would be that those
who obey God in the sense of putting their faith and trust in Him and remaining loyal to Him, receive the
blessing and inherit the Kingdom.
19
v. 7 –
1:6 – He is coming
1:7 – He is coming
(3:14)
5:14 – He rules
7:12 – He rules
7:12 – He rules
19:4 – He has come
22:20 – He is coming
Rev. 5:7
Matt. 24:30
- other "comings" in Matt. 24 use "parousia": 3,27,37,39
Matt. 10:23?
Matt. 16:27-28
Matt. 25:31
- Cloud-comings in Revelation:
Rev. 10:1
Rev. 11:12
Rev. 14:14-16
20
Matt. 24:30
text: does “the first and the last” belong after “the Alpha and the Omega”?
- very little manuscript evidence
- tentative conclusion: omit
God as Word
God as Alphabet
Psalm 1
Proverbs 31
Lamentations 1 – 4
Nahum 1
3. I am that I am – Mosaic
v. 9 –
Psalm 111
Psalm 119
1. All they that are undefiled in the way, walking in the law of the Lord, are blessed.
2. All they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart, are blessed.
3. Also they do no iniquity: they wa1k in his ways.
4. All thy precepts diligently to keep thou hast commanded us.
5. Ah, Lord! that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6. Ashamed I shall never be, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7. Always will I praise thee, with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy
righteous judgments.
8. All thy statutes will I keep: O forsake me not utterly.
9. By what means shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto according
to thy word.
10. By day and by night have I sought thee with my whole heart: O let me not wander
from thy commandments.
11. By thy grace I have hid thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
13. By the words of my lips will I declare all the judgments of they mouth.
14. By far more than all the riches I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies.
23
15. By thy help I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16. By thy grace I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy,
And guard the things that are written in it,
For the time is near.
Amen!
Behold, He is coming with the clouds,
And every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him,
And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.
Even so! Amen!
Revelation 1:10-20
And His head and His hair were like white wool, like snow;
And His eyes were like a flame of fire;
And His feet like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace;
And His voice like the sound of many waters;
And in His right hand He held seven stars;
And out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword;
And His face was like the sun shines in its strength.
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.
And He laid His right hand upon me,
saying, "Fear not;
“I am the first
and the last
and the Living One;
and I became dead,
and behold! I am alive age after age,
and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
Write, therefore, the things that you have seen,
and the things that are,
and the things what will take place after these things.
“As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand,
25
v. 10
In Spirit
Trumpet
Revelation 2:10
v. 11
v. 12-13a
Lampstands with Son in center: Christ as both Yahweh & Adam in new grove.
John in Church; hears Voice of God walking among the trees; sees Him; falls dead.
Why?
v. 13b
vv. 14-16
And His head and His hair were like white wool, like snow;
And His eyes were like a flame of fire;
And His feet like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace;
And His voice like the sound of many waters;
And in His right hand He held seven stars;
And out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword;
And His face was like the sun shines in its strength.
2. His eyes.
30
3. His feet.
4. His voice.
5. His hand.
6. His mouth.
7. His face.
31
v. 17-19
“I am the first
and the last
and the Living One;
and I became dead,
and behold! I am alive age after age,
and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
Write, therefore, the things that you have seen,
And the things that are,
And the things that will take place after these things.”
V. 20
"As for the mystery or the seven stars that you saw in My right hand,
and the seven golden lampstands:
The seven stars are the messengers or the seven churches,
and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."
- Unity
- Mystery
- not just something that has to be explained
Holy of Holies
Head, Eyes, Voice, Mouth, Face
Ark-throne
Holy Place
Lampstand and
Table of Bread Hands
Stream of Stream of
Fire Fire
Stream
of
water
Streams of Water
Chariots (Temple)
River of Ezekiel’s
Temple
33
Revelation 2 & 3
B. Historical Recapitulation
Ephesus - garden
Smyrna - patriarchs (especially Joseph)
Pergamum - wilderness
Thyatira – kingdom
Sardis - remnant
Philadelphia - restoration
Laodicea - from abomination under Jason to AD 70
34
2:1 the Lord walking among tree-like the Lord walking in Eden (Gen.3:8) 23
lampstands (Ex.37: 19-21 )
2:4-5 falling from the first love Adam's fall
Reward:
2:7 tree of life; paradise of God Genesis 2:9
Reward:
2:10 prison &elevation to the crown Gen.39, 41
Reward:
2:17 hidden manna Heb. 9:4 (manna hidden in ark)
2:17 white stone Ex. 28:9-12; Zech. 3:5-9
Reward:
2:26f Kingly rule the Davidic Son, Psalm 2
2:28 the morning star Root of David, Rev. 22:16
Reward:
3:5 white garments. Christ defending us Zech.3
against Satan before the Father
Reward:
3:12 rebuilt Temple Haggai, Zechariah, Ezekiel 40-48
3:12 inscribed Name Zech. 3:5,9; 14:20*
Reward:
3:21 enthronement Rev. 20:4-6
35
Ephesus (#1) -
7 stars &
Sardis (#5) –
7 Spirits &
7 stars
Dragon (Satan)
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamum
Ephesus
Pergamum
Smyrna
Philadelphia
Babylon (Jezebel)
37
Thyatira
Sardis
Laodicea
Four:
3. Pergamum: False king and prophet (Balak & Balaam) (focus of the trumpets)
Three:
LECTURE #019 – THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES – THE STRUCTURE OF THE
LETTERS
7. Exhortation to listen
4. Promise that the Lord will come and give rewards and punishments
P. Pergamum: divided church. Good but with a few who should be purged.
R. Sardis: divided church. Evil but with a few who will be saved.
4. I will come and give open door, humble enemies, keep from evil.
6. Hold fast.
7. Pillar in Temple with name of God, City, and Christ.
8. Listen to what has been written.
1. Some churches are compromised and the church as a whole must shape up.
Jerusalem: God as Father, dwell in City, drink Spirit, be a son [ruler], not harmed by second death
(Rev. 21:7-8).
15. Rule with rod of iron - Thyatira (rule with rod of iron promised)
2. Revelation 21-22
21:23. God as light - Ephesus & Sardis (7 stars); Thyatira (morning star promised)
1. Angelic overlord of church? Hardly. What sense does it make for such to receive a letter?
2. The "ideal " of the church before God? Again, what sense does it make to address a letter to such a
thing.
3. Pastor, specifically addressed, in the singular, in these letters. Like the Levites, he is accountable for
his church. If she is unfaithful, he is accountable to rebuke her.
Ephesus 2:1-7
Creation: Day 1 - light
History: Garden
Smyrna 2:8-11
2. Two-edged sword -
Nicolaitans -
No reason to think the same as Acts 6:5.
Nothing from ancient world about any such sect.
Nico-laos = People-conqueror.
Bala-am = People-consumer.
Teaching -
Eating meat sacrificed to idols:
- not forbidden in NT (1 Cor. 8-10)
- in context of Revelation, probably OT sacrifices
Fornication:
- not literal, but spiritual adultery, in Revelation
4. Repent therefore.
white stone –
names on onyx stones on shoulder of High Priest (Gen. 2:12; Num. 11:7)
1 Kings 1 – 8 – Hiram
Revelation 2:26
the "bed" - place to lie down (sleep, dine, sex, sickness, death)
children - followers
5. Hold fast.
48
morning star -
Numbers 24:17
Matthew 2:2
Sardis 3:1-6
Creation: Day 5 - swarms; garments (Ex. 28)
Philadelphia 3:7-13
4. I will come, give open door, humble enemies, keep from evil.
open door = possibly opportunity for service and evangelism, Acts 14:27, etc.
= more likely, door to fellowship with Christ, 3:20
Put out of synagogue, they are admitted to new synagogue, which will defeat the old.
Coming Hour:
tribulation upon the whole oikumene (world)
specifically to test those who dwell on the land (Jews)
6. Hold fast.
Crown, 2:10
Psalm 8
Triune name
My God (Father)
City (Spirit)
My Name (Son)
Daniel 11
Revolt of Jason, then Meneleus
God brings in Antiochus Ephinanes to punish Jews
“Restoration" by Maccabees
Appointment of false high priests by Maccabees (Hasmoneans)
Split between the faithful and the Maccabees
No true Day of Atonement from then on
b. Genesis 8:22 -
Seedtime
Harvest
Cold
Heat
Summer
Winter
Day
Night
b. Garments – garden
A. The Four
C. The Five
1. Call to Worship (Rev. 1)
D. The Seven
1. Revelation 1: Jesus
The First Day
Light = Jesus
The Sabbath (Lev. 23)
Ephesus "Desirable"
Stars, lamps (light)
Revelation 1:14 - His head and his hair were like white wool
Jesus appears as the Ancient of Days
Revelation 4 & 5
A. The Heavenly Temple (Rev. 4)
Ezekiel 10
Man
Revelation 4
Incense
Throne Lamp Sea Altar
on
Heaven Earth
Bull Lion
Lion Eagle
Bull
Man
58
Exodus 28 (revisited)
Compare Revelation 7.
a. Throne as Jasper-Sardius
Exodus 32
Numbers 2-3
Numbers 16-18
1 Chronicles 24-25
5. The Lampstand
2 Chronicles 6:13
8. Exposition
v. 1-2
the door
comparison to first "in Spirit" vision (from C. E. Douglas, New Light on the Revelation of St. John
the Divine, 1923) See next page.
vv. 3-5a
A. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance.
B. And there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.
B’. .And around the throne were 24 thrones, and upon the thrones 24 elders sitting, clothed in white
garments and golden crowns on their heads.
A. .And from the throne proceed flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder .
3. Sardius - red
4. Rainbow
60
3. PLACE. 3. PLACE.
A. Behind the seer. C. In a wilderness.
B. In front of the seer. D. On a mountain great and high.
5. SCENE. 5. SCENE.
A. On earth. C. On earth.
B. In heaven. D. From Heaven.
6. SETTING. 6. SETTING.
A. The seven lampstands, representing seven C. A dress of splendid materials, namely, gold,
ecclesiae. precious stones and pearls, besides purple and
B. (i) Seven Lamps representing “the seven scarlet fabrics.
2
Spirits of God,” i.e., the sum total of Divine activity in D. A dress (21 ) of splendid materials, namely,
things created. (ii) A Circle of twenty-four Elders. gold, precious stones and pearls. The only textile
8
mentioned, however, is fine linen (19 ), which the
harlot does not wear, though it is provided for her
12
(18 ).
7. MESSAGE. 7. MESSAGE.
A. A spoken message, which takes the form of C. A Spoken message in direct explanation of
the concentrated essence or O. T. prophecy, the seated woman and her future.
arranged in seven oracles conforming strictly to D. A visual message in direct development of the
an ordered plan. nature and function of the city.
B. A visual message, which takes the form of the
sum of O. T. vision mixed with elements from
another source, arranged in two series or seven
portents up to the proclamation or the Kingdom in
chapter II.
61
4. Rainbow
5. Emerald
6. 24 thrones
7. 24 elders
8. White garments
9. Golden crowns
10. Lightning
John 12:29
Trumpets: Rev. 8:5 – Throne extends to earth as earthquake; cf. Acts 2:2,6; 4:31
Rev. 11:13
vv. 5b-6a
Ezk.1:22
vv. 6b-8a
full of eyes
four creatures
like a lion
face of a man
flying eagle
six wings
Seraphim
The order:
The pattern:
THE SEER
THE THRONE:
THE BOOK
IV. And I saw upon the right hand of Him who sat on the Throne,
A Book written inside and on the back,
Sealed up with seven seals.
THE LAMB
And He came,
And He took out or the right hand or Him who sat on the Throne.
4. And I looked,
And I heard the voice of many angels around the Throne,
And the living creatures,
And the elders;
And the number of them was myriads of myriads,
And thousands of thousands,
Saying with a loud voice:
"Worthy is the Lamb,
Who was slain,
To receive
the power
and riches
and wisdom
and strength
and honor
and glory
and blessing. "
seven seals
no one able
in heaven
on the land
the Messiah
standing - resurrected
Psalm 139:16
Jude 4
Exodus 32:32-33
Psalm 69:28
Psalm 87:6
Isaiah 4:3
Daniel 12:1
Luke 10:20
Philippians 4:3
Hebrews 12:23
Revelation 3:5
Revelation 20:12,15
Revelation 21:27
Revelation 20:12
Daniel 7:10-14
Isaiah 65:6
Psalm 51:1,9
Colossians 2:14
72
Heaven as witness
Job 16:19
Earth as witness
Genesis 31:48,52
Joshua 22:27-28
Joshua 24:27
Tablets of Stone
Deuteronomy 31:19,21
Deuteronomy 31:26
Romans 3:25
Acts 17:30
2. Red horse - The wicked world was at peace; the gospel could not trouble it
7. Silence in heaven - This is how long the wait is, from God's perspective.
LECTURE #035 – THE WHITE AND RED HORSE RIDER – REVELATION 6:1-4
A. The Giving of the Law // Opening the Book. Initial giving of the covenant // final end of the
covenant.
B. Waving of two loaves, representing the formed covenant people; now judged (6:6).
VIII. Exposition
Deuteronomy 33:23
Luke 1:28
Judges 4:6
Judges 5:24
Genesis 49:19
Deuteronomy 33:20-21
a. Sardius is 'edom.
c. "Man” is 'adam.
a. Conquest of Canaan.
LECTURE #036 – THE BLACK AND GREEN HORSE RIDER – REVELATION 6:5-8
- oil represents the Spirit, and is always put with the bread offered to God.
d. Thus, the wicked are judged, while the saints are preserved.
5. The Church removes old bread, and brings oil to quicken new bread, and wine for rule
and prosperity.
8. Here, famine is against the altar: no bread for altar worship, tough tantalizingly oil and
wine are still plentiful.
1. Levi was stationed around the Tabernacle and Temple to kill would-be
encroachers.
5. Only a fourth of the Land is destroyed. This provides hope for the rest.
6. Real death.
Additional Note: Stones and Signs of the Tribes. Stones are in "birth order." Signs are in adjusted position
of tribes around Tabernacle. See Jordan, Behind the Scenes: Orientation in the Book of Revelation.
79
Star Chart
Eagle Dragon
Beheader Lion Crab
& King Dragon Issachar
Gershon Throne
Lamb Two
Temple
Manassah Bull Bears
Dragon Aaron
Man Dragon
Twins
Zebulun
Swan & Winged Horse
Kohath
Bull
Ephraim
7:9,13-17 - what the seals have restrained. What John sees does not come into being
until the millennium.
Hebrews 11:40.
b. Leviticus 17:11.
d. Saints are parallel to innocent animals whose blood fills the gutter on the ground
around the Altar.
e. The seven-fold sprinkled blood of the Sin Offering parallels the blood of the
saints, and is poured back on Jerusalem in seven bowls.
a. The Kinsman
b. The Psalms
5. History's Pattern:
From evangelism
to conflict
to suffering
to prayers for vengeance and relief
to the destruction of the wicked.
82
3. Moon -red (eclipse); blood (death of martyrs visible in sky before God)
A. Caves of the mountains implored to hide them from the face of God, before which all men must fail.
- not given the protection provided Moses and Elijah.
B. Rocks implored to fall on them, rather than they experience the wrath of the Lamb in the Day of wrath.
- prefer to be stoned than face Christ
Part 2: Judgment Halted While the Elect Are Sealed (7: 1-8)
1. Judgment halted
- cosmos:
land - Israel
sea - Gentiles
tree (6:13 - sky) - Demonic host
2. The Sealing
- forehead
- high priest
- Ezekiel 9
- not literal
- the Sealer
85
3. The Sealed:
Judah
Reuben
Gad
Asher
Naphtali
Manasseh
Simeon
Levi
Issachar
Zebulun
Joseph
Benjamin
b. Given the quadrilateral orientation in Revelation, perhaps four groups of threes. So, we try it
and see if anything meaningful results.
Judah
Reuben - Red - Red Horseman - Ox
Gad
Asher
Naphtali - White - White Horseman - Lion
Manasseh
Simeon
Levi - Green - Green Horseman – Eagle
Issachar
Zebulun
Joseph - Black - Black Horseman - Man
Benjamin
c. With 12,000 in each tribe, and given that Revelation is about the Great War , we are entitled
to set out the list as a war camp, analogous to Numbers 2. Reading clockwise in each
instance.
d. There is a parallel between the four horsemen, the four winds of heaven (the saints), and the
four companies of Israel.
The order of praise is not the order of evangelism and conquest. Thus, ox precedes
lion, and eagle precedes man. This is the order of history also.
Altar comes first. This is the Mosaic period: conquest and occupation. .
Lion and Archer are only warriors in zodiac.
Judah is named first; leads in war and praise. Judah is ruler.
Reuben is named unstable by Jacob. Moses says, "may Reuben live and not die, and may his men
not be few, " both references to military might.
Gad is a raider (Jacob), and a lion, ruler, leader (Moses).
Throne comes second. Bride on throne here. Lioness. This is the Kingdom period: peace and
prosperity.
Wrestling (conquest) leads to happiness as troubles are forgotten.
Conquest: In Revelation, the Lamb (Manasseh) has overcome (5:5ff.)
Asher has royal food (Jacob), and is favored with oil and walks leisurely (Moses): so is the Christian
conquest of the world, for time is on our side.
Naphtali is a doe set loose who gives beautiful words (the means of conquest) (Jacob). He is blessed
by God and conquers south and sea (Moses).
Manasseh inherits Dan's place. Jacob says Dan will judge and be a serpent to his enemies. Important
because the Saint-army in the 6th Trumpet has serpent tails. Moses does not bless Dan. Moses
says Joseph will push with ox-horns, and drive the heathen to the ends of the earth.
Lampstand comes third. This is the Cosmopolitan period: witness to the heathen.
God hears the cry of the saints, because He is attached to them, and He gives the wicked their
wages.
Goats, eagles, and crabs are scavengers; eat the dead bodies of the wicked after the batt1e.
Jacob denounces Simeon and Levi. Moses says nothing about Simeon.
87
Moses blesses Levi for killing the wicked, and says that his incense will cause God to destroy his
enemies. Note that the rising incense in Revelation calls forth judgment upon the wicked.
Jacob says that Issachar is a willing laborer, who makes himself virtually into a slave in his hard
work. Moses says that Issachar will draw the heathen to God from the "sea. " This will offer
sacrifices, instead of being killed.
1. The Multitude
2. Their Position
- before the Throne and the Lamb - what will be when the restraint is lifted in AD 70.
- the angels standing around the Throne are specified as elders and living creatures.
3. Their Acclamation
“Salvation”:
Now the salvation has been accomplished; God is praised for it.
a. The human voice naturally rises a fifth from a low note, or drops a fourth from a high note.
Thus, one tunes upward in fifths from the last note in the list.
b. It seems that under human direction, the angels re-tune their lyres in fifths.
89
c. The list of those excluded from God's kingdom is re-tuned and abridged after the revelation of
the holy city.
d. "Riches" is changed to "thanksgiving," possibly because God's riches, restrained by the seals,
have now been poured out, and thanks is given for them.
e. This type of thinking almost certainly lies behind the order of the weekdays:
1.) Mercury was originally considered closer to Earth because its faster motion put in on a
lower sphere.
f. Let us now put the original ascription next to the qualities of the original creation days:
blessing - sabbath
wisdom - bread and wine plants (table)
glory - humanity (priest)
riches - firmament (altar)
honor - swarms (incense)
power - light (throne)
might - astral rulers
h. This list won't work, because the priest-Son must die and be resurrected to create the bread and
wine Bride of the table. Thus, the revised list will be:
i. We could go farther and consider these relations in connection with the seven qualities of Christ
in Revelation 1, the seven cities, the seven sections of Revelation, and other places where the
seven days of creation are in the background. But we won't.
4. Their Privileges
a. The angel expects John (and us) to know who they are.
Revelation 6:12-17
Matthew 24:15-29
Daniel 12:1
Alternatives:
Habakkuk 2:19-20
Zephaniah 1:7
Zechariah 2:13
2 Chronicles 29:25-29
Revelation 6:11
Revelation 9: 17
C. "Hours" in Revelation:
1. The hour of the ten Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar to AD 70, 17:12; about 105 years.
2. The hour of the whole witness of the First fruits Church, 9:15; almost 40 years.
3. The hour of testing, 3:10, = ten days, 2:10; the last few of the 40 years.
D. So, why do the Trumpets last only half an hour? My guess is that the Bowls are the other half hour.
Revelation 15.
E. Seven angels given seven trumpets: Breaking of seventh seal opens the Book.
Jesus as Lamb/Lion
Judgments of bowls
g. Exhortation to listen
Golden censer -
Fire of the altar - the glory cloud of God, manifestation of the Spirit
Fourfold manifestation
- extends Throne to earth (Revelation 4:5)
- Sinai manifestations: Law given on first Pentecost
First Trumpet
1. Against the Land.
- Collected in heaven, now poured out so that it can call for vengeance.
Second Trumpet
1. Against the Sea
3. 1/3 of sea becomes blood = gentile martyrs follow gospel; sea is sacrificed
4. 1/3 of sea creatures and ships = judgment on gentiles (people and cultures)
95
Third Trumpet
1. Against the Sanctuary (rivers/springs of Eden)
Fourth Trumpet
1. Against the Rulers (sun, moon, stars)
2. Old Creation lights begin to dim; after AD 70, Christ is Light of the City
Three Woes
1. Announced by eagle (part of fourth trumpet).
b. 6th day: God blesses men; here men bring curses to men.
96
e. Sun and air darkened: 9th Egyptian plague; cp. Joel 2:10.
3. Locust-scorpions:
c. Ezekiel 2:6.
a. God's people set apart for last 7 Egyptian plagues (cp. 7:3; 8:7).
c. Period from Pentecost to Trumpets, which is a1so the dry season when locusts might
come.
7-9. Description:
(1) The demons are "like" the things they resemble, while the good angels actually
have golden crowns, animal faces, etc.
(2) "Like horses," contrast the army of the saints, cp. Joel 2:4.
99
(3) "Like golden crowns," contrast crowns on angels' heads in Revelation 4-5.
(4) "Like men, like lions," contrast cherubim in Revelation 4-5, cp. Joel 1:6; 2:5.
(7) "Like sound of chariots in wings," contrast Ezekiel 1:24; cp. Joel 2:5.
(1) An army
(2) Equipped for rule and battle
(3) Ruling and advancing
(4) Dedicated soldiers
- Summary:
a. Demonic host was held back from directly afflicting Israel during Old Creation.
b. Demonic host allowed to afflict Israel in days of Jesus, to oppose Jesus.
c. Demonic host set free at Pentecost:
- mystery of Kingdom, Spirit sent down
- mystery of Iniquity, Satan sent down
d. Demonic host once again restrained in ad 70, dawn of millennium.
a. Jesus, 8.3
17. Description
- smoke, incense.
- brimstone.
gospel fire
incense prayer
brimstone threats
- tail: judgments and destruction (cp. Ananias & Sapphira, Simon Magus, etc.)
- work of hands = worship of demons = worship of idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and
wood = the Temple
- murders = killing of the saints, Stephen and the saints under the altar , all those from Abel
to Zechariah
- Summary:
a. Under angelic guidance, the horses of the Church ministered in the first- fruits era.
b. The ministry consisted of proclamation of the kingdom, warnings of hell, and prayer.
102
(NO OUTLINE)
104
I. Ezekiel:
A. The Archetype: Glory Cloud & commissioning of Ezekiel, ch. 1-3.
1. Ammon
2. Moab
3. Edom
4. Philistia
5. Tyre (7 oracles, ch. 26-28)
6. Sidon
7. Egypt (7 oracles, ch. 29-32)
I. Ezekiel:
1. Ammon
2. Moab
3. Edom
4. Philistia
5. Tyre (7 oracles, ch. 26-28)
6. Sidon
7. Egypt (7 oracles, ch. 29-32)
B. The Commission
C. The Addressees
D. The Message: Don't look back to Old Jerusalem, but forward to New Jerusalem
E. The Examples:
F. The Victory:
H. The Ectype:
Sunset
A. Vision 1: Zech. 1:7-17- sunset/rainbow colored horses; the host of Yahweh of hosts. The Four Winds of
Heaven ready but not yet moving out.
B. Vision 2: Zech. 1:18-21- altars, true and false. False Babylonish altar scattered Israel, as at
tower.
C. Vision 3: Zech. 2 -God dwells in their midst. Spiritual Jerusalem is spread wherever
God's people are spread as the Four Winds of Heaven, but they must flee spiritual Babylon,
though they remain among the nations as witnesses.
Midnight
D'. Vision 5. Zech. 4- Temple (people) restored; messianic anointing power flows out
from the two prophets.
C'. Vision 6. Zech. 5: 1-4 -God's judgment dwells in their midst, destroying with house
leprosy those who follow the principles of spiritual Babylon: false worship and theft. Jesus
pronounced this of the Temple in His day, identifying Jewry with spiritual Babylon.
B'. Vision 7. Zech. 5:5-11- Temples true and false. Erection of true worship will visibly separate
spiritual Babylon from spiritual Jerusalem.
A'. Vision 8. Zech. 6: 1-8 -sunrise/rainbow colored horses, the Four Winds of Heaven, now ready to move
out in a mission of conquest/conversion.
Sunrise
108
Sunset
A. Vision 1: Zech. 1:7-17- sunset/rainbow colored horses; the host of Yahweh of hosts. The Four Winds of
Heaven ready but not yet moving out.
B. Vision 2: Zech. 1:18-21- altars, true and false. False Babylonish altar scattered Israel, as at
tower.
C. Vision 3: Zech. 2 -God dwells in their midst. Spiritual Jerusalem is spread wherever
God's people are spread as the Four Winds of Heaven, but they must flee spiritual Babylon,
though they remain among the nations as witnesses.
Midnight
D'. Vision 5. Zech. 4- Temple (people) restored; messianic anointing power flows out
from the two prophets.
C'. Vision 6. Zech. 5: 1-4 -God's judgment dwells in their midst, destroying with house
leprosy those who follow the principles of spiritual Babylon: false worship and theft. Jesus
pronounced this of the Temple in His day, identifying Jewry with spiritual Babylon.
B'. Vision 7. Zech. 5:5-11- Temples true and false. Erection of true worship will visibly separate
spiritual Babylon from spiritual Jerusalem.
A'. Vision 8. Zech. 6: 1-8 -sunrise/rainbow colored horses, the Four Winds of Heaven, now ready to move
out in a mission of conquest/conversion.
Sunrise
109
Day 2: "And I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold" (Zech. 1:18).
Old altar torn down; new altar being erected.
Firmament platform over the world.
Day 3a: "And I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold" (Zech. 2:1).
Separation of God's people from the world system.
Separation of land from the sea.
God's glory in and around His people.
Day 4: "The angel returned, roused me as from sleep, and said, 'What
do you see?'... I see, and behold" (Zech. 4:1-2).
Lampstand.
Sun, moon, and stars.
Day 5: "And I lifted up my eyes again, and looked, and behold" (Zech. 5:1).
"Leprosy" (anti-glory) uncleanness on the houses of secret sinners.
Swarms of birds and fish: glory clouds.
Parallel houses of Israelites gathered around God.
Parallel Feast of Tabernacles (vine & fig tree; 3:10).
Day 7: "And I lifted up my eyes again, and looked, and behold" (Zech. 6:1)
Horses & chariots ride forth and cause God's Spirit to rest in the North.
Sabbath rest.
110
Olive / Olive /
Cherub Cherub
Prophet Prophet
/ Tree / Tree
Church (lampstand)
Old Creation: Gold fire-oil proceeds from angels (cherubim olive trees) through prophets, through kings
and priests, to Israel, to enflame Israel's witness.
New Creation: Gold fire-oil is possessed by saints (new cherubim olive trees), who are prophets, and who
as prophets bear kingly and priestly witness.
112
Trumpet 6: Overview
Parallels;
A. Christ initiates each parallel action.
B. Three actions:
1. Primarily angelic army of gospel
2. Angel-thunders pass words to John
3. Human testimony of the Church (two witnesses)
C. Three effects:
1. Many "killed"; the rest don't repent
2. John's preaching seals the Church
3. Witnesses are slain and a tithe of the Church is claimed by God.
A. GLORY RAPTURES EZEKIEL, AND SHOWS HIM THE SINS OF JERUSALEM (EZK. 8).
B. The righteous are sealed, and then the city is destroyed by the sword (Ezk. 9).
Revelation 8: Pentecostal altar-fire cast to earth, but this fire has a dual effect.
Revelation 10: John given the little book to preach, but in terms of the city:
1. God's people are protected in Him, while their outward lives are trampled (11:1-2)
2. The counterfeit city persecutes God's people (11:8-9)
3. God takes a tithe of His city, and the rest of God's city praises Him (11:13)
a. These people are numbered, therefore saints.
b. 7000 did not bow the knee to Baal (1 Ki. 19: 18)
c. 7000 is the number of faithful Israel at that time (Rom. 11:4)
d. They are named (2:17; 3:4-5,12)
4. The counterfeit city is utterly destroyed (ch. 17-18)
114
And I saw Another Angel, a Strong One, coming down out of heaven,
Rev. 10 Rev. 1
2. Rainbow on head =
5. Litt1e scroll =
v. 3 - lion roars
v. 3 - seven thunders
v. 4 -
AD 30 Spring to AD 30 Fall
Beginning: Pentecost
Leaders: Peter & John
Writings: Matthew
Satan: Cast down; attempts to silence the Church (Rev. 12:13)
End: Death of Stephen; Paul goes forth to destroy Church; Church scatters
Period II: Scattering from Jerusalem to Death of James (Judea & Samaria Period)
AD 30 Fall to AD 44
Beginning: Conversion of Paul
Leaders: Peter James & John
Writings: James & Mark
Satan: Bound by conversion of Paul; period of peace for the Church (Acts 9:31, Rev. 12:14)
End: Death of James; "death & resurrection" of Peter; Paul becomes leader (Acts 12)
Period III: The Judaizing Conflict, to end of Acts (Hellenistic Oikumene Period)
AD 44 to AD 60 (approx.)
Beginning: Peter moves off stage; James the Lord's brother takes over Jerusalem Church, Paul
becomes leader of Gentile mission. Antioch becomes center.
Leader: Paul
Writings: Luke, Acts, most of Paul's letters, including Hebrews; 1 Peter (?)
End: Paul casts off the Jews (Acts 28:25-28)
Satan: Loosed to attack Church by means of false doctrine (Rev. 12:15-16; Rev. 9)
AD 60 to AD 64 Summer
Beginning: Satan returned to the abyss (Rev. 17:8)
Leader: John
Writings: 2 Peter, John, Revelation, John's letters, Paul's pastoral letters
End: Completion of the creation of the Church
Satan: back in the abyss for a season
AD 64 to AD 70
Beginning: Satan released from abyss (Rev. 17:8)
Leaders: The Two Witnesses
Writings: Jude (the predicted apostasy has happened)
End: Satan bound (Rev. 20)
Satan: Deceives nations for a brief time
117
- Rev. 11:15-19
118
Zechariah 5
Revelation 17:5&7
The Law: man given all wisdom to rule as Son after the Son
Everyone wants knowledge. This becomes clear the instant we realize we don't know something
that we need to know.
The Manna: man given all life and power by the Spirit
Everyone wants life and power. This becomes clear the instant we become sick.
1. Completion of the creation of the New Body, new glorious humanity in Christ.
v.8
vv. 9-10
Numbers 5:18-19,23-24,27
Proverbs 5:4
Lamentations 3: 15
Ruth 1
Revelation 8:11
Ezekiel 3:3&14
- not literally "in” - only two priests served at Incense Altar at a time.
- symbolically: Temple = church; all saints are now priests
- The three are equivalent; better translation: "Rise and measure God's temple, that is, the [incense]
altar; that is, those who worship in it. "
- those who pray through Christ, in Jesus' name, are the Temple.
- unmeasured = bodies and outer lives of the saints are not the place where security is lodged.
- Luke 21:24
- Romans 11:25
B. Martyrdom or the witnesses is parallel to martyrdom of 144,000 in chapter 14. Both come at the end of
the 6th trumpet.
C. Symbolic structure:
Elijah Moses
Power over fire Water to blood
no rain earth plagues
Fire – Sodom Blood - Egypt
Kingly period Priestly period
Trumpets Bowls
Kingly judgment first Priestly judgment final
D. Exposition
v. 3
v. 4
- In Zechariah 4:
two olives = angelic cherubim
two clusters = prophets Haggai & Zechariah
two pipes = priest and king
one lampstand & 49 lamps = witness of Israel
golden oil = flaming sword of Spirit
vv. 5-6
Note:
Heaven above (B)
Earth beneath (D)
Waters under the earth (C)
- 1 Kings 18:38
125
- Numbers 16 – as a sign
- increasing distress of Jews during this time, provokes revolt against Rome
v. 7
v. 8
- street
v. 9 - Gentile response
b. do not permit buria1 (Jews would have wanted to bury, to eliminate uncleanness)
1st possibility: Gentiles desire to curse witnesses, Ps. 79:2. But then why “look”?
2nd possibility: Gentiles consider death of witnesses, keep them in sight, ponder.
v. 10 - Jewish response
v. 11 - Resurrection
v. 12 - Ascension
- "Come up here" 4:l, associated with John. Compare 10:10-11. John's death?
- Elijah
v. 13 - Further martyrdoms
- earthquake: on land
- remainder terrified:
Gentiles, Mt. 28:4
Weak believers, Lk. 24:5
- paralle1 14:1-7,13,14-20
128
v. 15 - the loud voices: since the elders respond, probably the four living creatures
- cosmos; 13:8 & 17:8 - the Adamic creation, now given to Jesus
- our Lord and His Messiah - angelic language; not the saints speaking
- compare 19:6
vv. 16-17 - why do the 24 angels thank? I suspect because their duties are completed, and now a human
being reigns. They thank for the privilege of serving, and now the privilege of rest.
- His coming involves taking His great power and beginning His full reign.
v. 18 - the inauguration of this full reign involves a judgment of the righteous dead.
- compare 19:5
- note structure:
Wicked Gentiles judged
Godly Jews rewarded
Godly Gentiles rewarded
Wicked Jews judged
Comment: We are not used to thinking of Christ's inaugurating His reign in AD 70, because in a great sense
He inaugurated it at Pentecost. But in the full sense, He inaugurated it in AD 70, and that is the focus of
Revelation.
130
Trumpets, Part 2: The Three Star-Signs of Old Creation History (11:19- End)
12:1 First Star-Sign: Virgo (Eve)
12:3 Second Star-Sign: Draco (Dragon)
15:1 Third Star-Sign: The Seven Planets (Bowl Angels)
Purpose of section: History of the Old Creation under God's Ark-Cherub Control
Initiated, 11:19
Concluded, 15:5
New Creation under Christ's control
11:19 - Introduction
God's glory
"Crown of 12 stars"
Laboring with child = all of Old Creation history before Christ's birth
131
Nahash - serpent
Tannin – dinosaur
Isaiah 27:1
Genesis 3
Revelation 13:2
Wormwood (8:11)
Apollyon, Abaddon (9:11)
Dragon, Serpent, Devil, Satan (12:9)
132
133
Courtyard Altar
(Earth)
134
1. The Dragon is between the Virgin and the Pole Star (God's throne in the far north)
3. The moon, the holy bride-people, is under the Virgin, supporting her feet.
She is enthroned on Israel. That is, the Godly line is supported by the whole nation of the Church.
Lion Judah
Crab Issachar
Twins Zebulun
Bull Ephraim
Lamb Manasseh
Fish Benjamin
Man Reuben
Goat Simeon
Archer Gad
Eagle/Scorpion Dan
Scales Asher
Virgin Naphtali (substitute Levi)
Summary:
War in Heaven
v. 6 – Exodus
- ½ of 7 years
- Michael does not fight alone; compare the Church with Christ today
The reason Satan cannot stay in heaven is that a man has become king; Adam's work has been
completed. Proclamation of this event seems to be the weapon.
Satan is bound, trampled, cast down by preaching and faithful witness. Stands to reason that the
same principle is involved here.
- cast from heaven. Heaven is place of rule. Now Last Adam rules.
v. 9
Praise in Heaven
v. 11 - overcomers:
"And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman"
"And the protection of the Roman Empire was given to the woman"
- in sky, eagle flies directly away from the direction the dragon points
Temple in wilderness = Sinai, place with God, where new Tabernacle is built
= 42 months, nights
Other half of the 7 times - the time of nourishment for the Church
Death of Herod, AD 44
remember:
Dragon attacks Seed
Serpent deceives Woman
139
Genesis 1:2
Daniel 7:2-3
Horns:
Daniel 7:7
Revelation 17:12
Heads:
Lion: Babylon
Bear: Persia
Leopard A: Alexander
Leopard B: Hellenistic Syria
Leopard C: Hellenistic Egypt
Leopard D: Hellenistic Rome
Ten-horn: Imperial Rome
3a. And one of his heads was as if it had been smitten to death, and his fatal wound was healed.
A. Homage.
3b-4. And the whole land was amazed after the beast, and they rendered homage to the
dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they rendered homage to the beast,
saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?"
C. Attacks God.
6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His
tabernacle, those who tabernacle in heaven.
2:10; 3:10
7:14
Matthew 24:21
A’. Homage.
8. And all who dwell on the land will render hol1iage to him, those whose name has not been
written the book of life of the slain Lamb, {from the foundation of the cosmos.
9-10. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone leads into captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone
kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the steadfastness and the faith of the
saints.
lb. And I saw a beast arising from the sea, 11a. And I saw another beast arising from the land.
lc-2a. Having ten horns, and seven heads, and on his 11b. And he was having two horns like a lamb.
horns ten diadems, and on his heads blasphemous
names. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard,
and his feet were bear's, and his mouth like the
mouth of a lion.
2b. And the dragon gave him his power and his 11c-12a. And he was speaking like a dragon, and he
throne and great authority. exercises all the authority of the first beast in its
presence.
3-4. And one of his heads was as if it had been 12b. And he causes the land and those who dwell in
smitten to death, and his fatal wound was healed. it to render homage to the first beast, whose fatal
And the whole land was amazed after the beast, and wound was healed.
they rendered homage to the dragon, because he
gave his authority to the beast; and they rendered
homage to the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast,
and who is able to wage war with him?"
5. And there was given to him a mouth speaking 13. And he performs great signs, so that he even
great things and blasphemies; and authority to act makes fire come down out of heaven to the land in
for 42 months was given to him. the presence of men.
6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against 14. And he deceives those who dwell on the land
God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, because of the signs that it was given him to
those who tabernacle in heaven. perform in the presence of the beast, telling those
who dwell on the land to make an image to the beast
who had the wound of the sword and has come to
life.
7. And it was given him to make war with the saints 15. And there was given to him to give breath to the
and to overcome them. And authority over every image of the beast, that the image of the beast might
tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to even speak and cause as many as do not render
him. homage to the image of the beast to be killed.
8. And all who dwell on the land will render 16-17. And he causes all, the small and the great,
homage to him, those whose name has not been and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the
written the book of life of the slain Lamb, from the slaves, that they be given a mark on their right hand
foundation of the cosmos. or on their forehead, and that no one should be able
to buy or to sell except the one who has the mark,
the name of the beast or the number of his name.
9-10. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone 18. Here is wisdom: Let him who has understanding
leads into captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone reckon the number of the beast, for the number is a
kills with the sword, with the sword he must be human number, and his number is 666.
killed. Here is the steadfastness and the faith of the
saints.
143
Land
Esau-Edom
Constant in OT
Edom-Amalek
Edom-Idumea-Herod
Daniel 11:36-45
False apostles and prophets of Pauline letters, Rev. 2:2, Matt. 24, etc.
11c-l2a. And he was speaking like a dragon, and he exercises all the authority of the first beast in its
presence.
And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority (v. 2b).
Speaking:
doctrine
Sea Beast passes on his authority, diadem, lion-mouth to the Land Beast
12b. And he causes the land - that is, those who dwell in it - to render homage to the first beast, whose
fatal wound was healed.
And one of his heads was as if it had been slain. ...And the whole land was amazed...and worshipped
the beast... (vv. 3-4).
13. To wit: he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the land
in the presence of men.
And there was given him a great mouth speaking great things and blasphemies (v. 5).
False prophet:
Counterfeit Elijah
Counterfeit two witnesses
False Christ:
Counter-Pentecost
3. A pentecost, an epiphany occurs. People are converted to the “old ways.” But what they call the
“old ways” are not really old; the people just think they are.
4. Fanaticism ensues. It was because we forgot the “old ways” that things have gone bad. There is
excitement, crusades, enthusiasm.
5. But who is to blame for the crisis? Those who reject the revival of the “old ways.” Those who
refuse to join the marches. It is their fault.
b. The scapegoats are persecuted & killed, and people feel good about it.
c. Celebrating the death of the scapegoats releases cultural power for a while; new Enochs
are built.
d. But if the scapegoats were really innocent, sooner or later their killers feel guilt and
become open to the message of the scapegoats.
146
14. And he deceives those who dwell on the land because of the signs that it was given him to perform
in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the land to make an image to the beast who
had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name, that is, His
tabernacle, those who tabernacle in heaven (v. 6).
Counterfeit of New Covenant church: Beast died and came to life again.
15. And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
might even speak and cause as many as do not render homage to the image of the beast to be killed.
And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority over every
tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him (v. 7).
Gospel preaching "kills" those who won't worship God (Rev. 9:13-21)
False Church kills those who won't worship Sea Beast (Rev. 14)
False Levites
Image worship:
We expect to read "and cause as many as do not render homage to the Beast whose deadly
wound was healed to be killed."
We read instead: "and cause as many as do not render homage to the image of the Beast to be
killed."
Contrast:
The Church -- image of God -- rejects any worship of the Church, because it is worship of
the creature. The Image of God calls on men to worship the Father.
The false church -- image of the Sea Beast - accepts worship of the church, because that is
the heart of idolatry: worship of the creature. Thus, the Image of the Beast calls on men to
worship itself.
Initially, the Sea Beast sets up the Land Beast as his agent. Similarly, the Land Beast sets up
the Beast Image as their agent.
The Beasts are happy for the Beast Image to seek worship for itself, because this helps
undermine God's Kingdom.
BUT, eventually there will be a competition for this worship. The Beasts will turn against the
Harlot, because instead of making men worship them, she got them to worship her (17:16).
Note historically: state and false-church fight each other for worship and allegiance, but join
forces against the true Church. We see some of this at the Reformation. Also when Herod,
Pilate, and the High Priest become friends to get rid of Jesus.
148
16-17. And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the
slaves, that they be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and that no one should be
able to buy or to sell except the one who has the mark, the name of the beast or the number of his
name.
And all who dwell on the land will worship him.
On forehead:
Ezekiel 9:4 & 6
On right hand:
Priestly: Leviticus 8:23; 14:14&17
18. Here is wisdom: Let him who has understanding reckon the number of the beast, for the number
is a human number, and his number is 666.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone leads into captivity... (v. 10).
Jesus' new name // Jesus' new number (unknown: Rev. 19: 12)
Jesus' name on us // Jesus' number on us
Solomon:
Built Temple; installed High Priest (Zadok over Abiathar) – cp. Herods
666:
Daniel 3:1
151
- forehead
sealed, 7:3
names, 13:16-17
- v. 3: on earth, 7:15
Exodus 19:15
Leviticus 15:16-18
Deuteronomy 23:9-10
Samuel 21:4-5
2 Samuel 11:11
v. 4 - first-fruits
- Satan as liar
153
v. 6 contrast 8:13
v. 8 compare chapter 11
v. 11 compare chapter 9
Structural Considerations
I. Presuppositions:
A. The sky was given to the nations as a revelation of the Word of God.
2. Psalm 19
3. The Magi
4. Just as the Word can be perverted by sinful men, so the sky revelation can also be
perverted.
5. The Word is superior to the sky revelation (Ps. 19); thus, when Joseph and Daniel appear
in Gentile courts, the interpreters of the sky fail.
B. The seven stars are the seven planets that rule the zodiacal constellations.
D. The sky reveals God's glory, law, and purposes (Ps. 19).
E. With the coming of the New Creation, the sky is tuned (or retuned).
F. The Book of Revelation reveals the end of the Old Creation for both Jews (Word) and Gentiles
(sky).
G. The superiority of Word over sky is finalized as the gift of tongues authorizes the translation of
the Word to every language of mankind; thus, the sky no longer functions as revelation of the
Word in the New Creation.
156
2. Jeremiah 13
B. The other constellations may have related to the nations, but we have no way of unpacking these
associations.
C. Comets were common in the ancient world, and were called by various names and categories. As
they were associated with falling stars, they were signs of disaster .
D. The seven planets (moving stars) are the lords of the firmament.
1. The order of the planets was in their supposed circles around the earth.
2. These qualities display God's attributes in Revelation 5:12, but Mercury and Venus have
changed positions.
wisdom sophia - feminine in Greek & in Proverbs Venus Venus jealous love
honor time - respect for position or attainment Mars war Mars war
blessing eulogia - good speech; vs. curse Saturn blessing & curse
158
3. If we put this back into Genesis 1, and use the true order, we get:
2. Venus firmament - the Word and its wisdom in the creation (feminine)
6. Jupiter rulers
7. Saturn blessing and curse: judgment in its fullest (" And God saw all. ...")
4. Why did Venus and Mercury change position? My guess is that the expulsion of Adam
from the garden means that he lost his firmament position (Day 2), and had to approach
God from the altar of earth (Day 3). Thus, instead of moving down from firmament to
earth, man must now move up from earth to firmament.
5. The order of the trumpets and bowls is the order of the planets and days, with Mercury
and Venus switched. This reflects the destruction of the Old Creation:
6. The tuning of the sky means the tuning of the planets, in their post-fall order (Mercury
and Venus reversed):
c. The reversed order starts with Blessing and ends with Might.
blessing Saturn
glory Jupiter
wisdom Venus
thanksgiving Mercury
honor Mars
power Moon
might Sun
e. Why?
1. Original creation hymns the attributes in original astral order: the universe
displays the glory of God (Psalm 19).
2. New creation hymns the attributes in tuned order: the universe is retuned as
a lyre, to sing God's praises.
3. New creation hymns the attributes also in reverse tuned order, signifying
that the new creation reverses the order of the old, with men now over
angels.
4. New creation hymns with a shift in position so that Might (Sun) comes at
the climax.
160
161
162
8. If we take the tuned attributes/sky in unreversed order, and begin with Power (as the
untuned order does), we have the order of the Seals:
power Moon
1st seal: feminine: white: church
Called by Lion, the original Day 1 Moon
honor Mars
2nd seal: masculine: red: warfare
Called by Ox, the original Day 2 Venus
thanksgiving Mercury
3rd seal: masculine: black: sacraments (riches & thanksgiving)
Called by Man, the original Day 3 Mercury
wisdom Venus
4th seal: feminine: green: Levites (teachers and judges)
Called by Eagle, the original Day 4 Sun
glory Jupiter
5th seal: saints under altar given first taste of glory
blessing Saturn
6th seal: curse on world begins
might Sun
7th seal: Christ (the Sun) begins Trumpets
Why? The seals hold closed the completion of history, the New Creation climax of the whole
Book. Thus, the tuned order is in view. It is not reversed, because the inversion of men and
angels has not yet happened, but it is tuned because it reveals the new tuning of the cosmos.
4. Venus - wisdom
163
A. The rainbow traditionally has seven (7) colors. If the rainbow sequence has some
relationship to what we have been studying, other then 7 = 7, I don't know what it
is.
C. Sidereal periods are the lengths of time it takes for a planet to return to the same
position in the zodiac. The order of the planets comes from these sidereal periods:
D. Sidereal periods should not be confused with synodic periods. The synodic
periods of the planets are their conjunctions with the sun in the sky. Since the sun
moves in the sky, these conjunctions do not happen in the same cycles as the
return of the planet to the same place among the stars. The synodical periods of
the planets are:
Moon 27 days
Mercury 116 days
Venus 584 days
Mars 780 days
Jupiter 399 days
Saturn 378 days
165
Temple open; Ark appears (11:19a) Temple open; Ark appears (15:5)
No more protective firmament barrier between God’s throne and sinful Old Creation.
Notice that they are dressed like Jesus, the Angel of the Lord (1:13).
The seven bowls will pour back upon the wicked the blood offered on the Day of Atonement.
14:15&17; 15:6 - now all the angels have come out, but men not yet in (20:4).
Exodus 40:35; 1 Kings 8:10-11 – God’s glory-filling starts a new covenant; new priests will be
admitted soon (Rev. 20:4)
167
I. Introduction
A. phiale (“vial”)
B. The Meaning of Bowls as “mediators”: bowls carry stuff to God, and from God to us
2. Bowls carry water to us, so that we are cleansed with heavenly water .
2. Defiling waters poured out: sinners not baptized but drowned (Flood).
5. Incense, which is the saints as pray-ers, poured out on wicked, so that the saints have a hand in
their destruction.
A. Bowls as Anti-Lavers
4. Scorching sun.
5. Darkness.
- the leper is expelled from the camp and from the city.
B. Bowls as Anti-Libations
- beer on Table a sign of God's peace with His people (Num. 28:7; Ex. 25:29)
- she eats and drinks the people into herself, making herself the god and ruler of the people
Eph. 5:2
Phil. 4:18
Lev. 16:12-13
2 Cor. 2:14-16
Rev. 9:17
Rev. 19:14
Rev. 16:12
172
Numbers 7:13.
Exodus 25:37
Numbers 4:9
Zechariah 4:2
Matthew 25:1-13
Revelation 14:4
Revelation 16:8-9
174
Not seven at once, but seven with one finger = seven days (Lev. 8:33; 9:1)
Lev. 14:7
Lev. 14:51
176
2. Bowls not used, but hand and finger: blood of priest himself
1. Jesus as Passover
a. death of Stephen
b. in Hebrews
c. in Revelation
A. Ark-Cover Door Opened: relationship between eternal God and human history covered
-----
A’ Ark-Cover Door Opened: relationship between eternal God and human history covered
4. Atonement for Holy Place: heptamerous finger-sprinkling before veil (16b; 4:5-7)
D. Top to Middle of Mountain opened: God meets Israel half way at calendar feasts
4. Application:
a. Jesus cleanses and covers whole world and history first -- gospel offer to all
b. Those who reject are taken out and burned up (cp. harlot, and Babylon)
c. Jesus is glorified by His people's being taken up into community around Him
F. Application in Zechariah
Zechariah 3 –
Zechariah 4 –
Zechariah 5a -
182
Zechariah 5b –
183
184
cedar - Temple
vv. 6-7: same blood on symbol of community and on leper = joins the two (opens doorway between them)
Leviticus 8:24
Exodus24:8
Hebrews 9:19
Zechariah 5a
Zechariah 5b
1. The sevenfold sprinkling covers the week, and done before God's eyes, shows that we accept the
Substitute (goat, bird) who has died for our sins.
2. The alternative is to be cast out to Azazel.
3. If we reject God's appointed Substitute, then the sevenfold sprinkling is poured back upon us,
and we are cast out to Azazel.
4. Thus, seven bowls of blood poured back upon the wicked in Revelation 16 lead to the casting
out and burning of the city in Revelation 17-18.
186
3. Leviticus 8:10-12
4. Leviticus 14:10-20
5. The environment is glorified with respect to the person about to enter it.
6. Thus, in Revelation 16, the rejection of the oil means heaven is not glorified for them, because
they are not glorified.
8. The Sevenfold Spirit of fire, oil, etc.: 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6.
187
b. a1l the good things rejected by outpoured bowls // ashes taken out of sanctuary
c. ashes on them means they are rejected, dead (compare ashes on head for mourning)
And the second poured out his bowl into the sea
and it became blood like a corpse's,
and every soul of life died that was in the sea.
d. Every source of life in the Gentile world is gone: so now it is Jesus' blood or nothing at all.
The older sustenance from the first creation is gone.
f. Before the gospel, God sustains the Gentiles under the Noahic covenant with archaic
religion. When the gospel comes, those sustaining rituals and customs start to become death-
dealing. After a generation there is nothing left in them at all.
3. The death of the sea here means "no more sea" (21:1). What remains is the City and those outside
the City.
189
1. Against the rivers and springs: the priesthood and worship of Israel and mankind.
2. Rivers:
a. Eden
6:9-11
16:5-7
3. Springs:
b. Ezekiel 47
4. Contrast the sea: this is water to drink; water that flows downhill (from above).
b. Now this water becomes blood, and the wicked drink it.
190
5. Allegorical:
a. The waters that flow from God are His prophets, messengers, servants, who "give out cups of
water in Jesus' name."
c. They drink the blood instead of drinking the water: rejoicing in the murder of the prophets
instead of rejoicing in the teachings of the prophets.
e. Matthew 23:34-36.
6. Justice: eye for eye; blood for blood (death for death).
2. Promise to Abram:
4. Fiery furnace
5. 2 Peter 3:10-12
192
2. Which Beast?
3. Throne
4. Meaning
5. Continual gnawing of tongues - unable to speak decrees against God's people any longer (contra
Revelation 13:14-17).
6. Notice that the brightening of the sun (God's presence, Christ's face) leads to a darkening of the
throne-people of the Beast. Gospel light scorches men and is perceived as darkness.
193
A. Immediate prelude:
3. Massacre of faithful Jews in Palestine as Oral Law Judaism has a false pentecost (revival). This
is the Great Tribulation (which is upon the saints). (Revelation 14)
4. Fanatically enthusiastic Jews rebel against Rome, certain that God will bless them.
B. Three "into" judgments - the beginning of the last period of the Old Creation.
1. Bowl into the land: suggest the Roman invasion and war against Jewish rebels that began in
AD 67.
2. Bowl into the sea: suggest the tribulation in Rome and Empire after Nero went insane sowed
confusion in the empire.
3. Bowl into the springs: suggest the hardening of the hearts of the Jewish religious leaders, who
"drink" the already-shed blood of the Christians by affirming to themselves that what they did
was just.
C. Four "upon" judgments - down to the end of the Old Creation's center, the false Garden.
4. Bowl upon the sun and "men" (Jews): suggest the brightening of the sun means the brightening
of God's glory and Christ's sun-like face; the fact that the Church had not been killed but was
coming to life again and continuing to witness to Jews outside of Jerusalem.
5. Bowl upon the Roman oikumene, throne of Satan: suggest the darkening of the Roman Imperial
Seat during the chaos of the Year of Three Emperors (AD 68-69; Galba, Otho, Vitellus).
6. Bowl upon the Euphrates and the Battle of the Mountain of Assembly: suggest conflict between
Church and Gentiles begins in earnest, for the battle with Jewry is essentially over. Compare
17:12-15 and as continued in 19:11-21.
7. Bowl upon the air and destruction of Babylon: suggest the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70,
the end of the Garden-center of the Old Creation. Delineated in more detail in chapters 17-l9a.
D. Immediate aftermath of the destruction of the False Garden = destruction of Old Creation and coming
of New.
a. Millennium begins with ascended saints now enthroned with Christ (20:1-6).
2. Beast (Rome) and False Prophet (Herods) destroyed, at least insofar as they had any special
place in God's plan (19:17-21).
E. Later events:
LECTURE #117 – KINGS & FROGS & THE EUPHRATES – REVELATION 16:12-13
1. Overview:
a. The battle is between the Kings from the Sunrising and the Kings of the Whole Oikumene.
b. The drying up of the Euphrates releases the saints from the holy land into the whole world.
c. The plague of frogs came after the plague of blood, and this battle begins right after the
destruction of Jerusalem. (Here they are just being gathered.)
d. The original battle at the Mountain of Assembly was against the Amalekites, in Exodus 17.
e. Jesus comes like a thief to the churches, and thus this is not the second coming, but a general
warning to be ready at all times to fight the war.
f. The battle being prepared here is fought first in chapter 17 and then in chapter 19.
g. The Victory over the Oikumene is a sign of eventual victory over the entire world and all
nations.
2. The Euphrates
Genesis 15:18
Exodus 23:31
196
197
2 Kings 24:7
(1) In Revelation 9:14, Sixth Trumpet, the Euphrates army invades the holy land, moving
inward.
(2) In Revelation 16:12, Sixth Bowl, the Euphrates army seems to move outward from the
holy land, toward the Oikumene.
Jeremiah 13:4-11
(1) The army comes from the Euphrates, i.e., from the place where Babylon-Jerusalem has
been destroyed.
(a) Not the drying up of the Jordan, for the army is not going into the holy land.
(b) But the drying up of the Red Sea, for the army has left Egypt-Sodom-Babylon-
Jerusalem behind, and is on its way to the Mountain of Assembly.
b. The same is the Angel of Yahweh, who led Israel from Egypt to Sinai.
c. Same army as that of the Sixth Trumpet, or its replacement (since the blood of martyrs is the
seed of the Church).
b. Satan, having failed to destroy the Church through Judaism, now moves Rome and its
puppets against the Church.
c. Frogs
d. Signs
e. Unclean
f. Literary structure:
Bowl 4: Fire
Bowl 5: Water Plague 1: Nile to Blood Magicians duplicate
Bowl 6: Earth Plague 2: Frogs on Land Magicians duplicate
Bowl 7: Air Plague 3: Dust to Gnats Magicians defeated
The destruction of Babylon in Bowl 7 implies the defeat of the central "Egyptian magicians," the false
Jews/Judaizers. This implies the defeat of the frog-demons as "Egyptian magicians." Thus, the definitive
blow against the Old Creation is the destruction of Jerusalem, and the rest (the battle of the Mount of
Assembly) is just a mopping-up operation.
5. The Kings of the Entire Oikumene - those who rule over the whole empire.
c. In 17:14, they will war against the Lamb's people (after AD 70)
d. In 17:16, they first destroy Jerusalem/Babylon, apparently thinking they are at war with God.
e. They are gathered at this point, before AD 70, so they can do their first work.
200
6. The Thief
(1) He comes unexpectedly, at least not expected by the false virgins and the wicked.
(2) But why use the analogy of a thief! Because He comes in the persons of wicked people. The
Romans are His army. The Frog-demon army is under His control, and does His bidding.
7. The Garments
(2) People gathered for Passover, then Romans locked them in.
d. Transfer to Church.
e. Amalekites.
(1) Descending to sack Egypt, fight Israel along the way. Exodus 17.
Numbers 24:20
Genesis 14:7
Genesis 36:12
f. Pattern:
g. Exception on this occasion: At the Exodus, God destroyed Egypt and then brought the
Amalekites on the scene. Here the "Amalekites" are brought on the scene earlier so they can
destroy "Egypt," and then they war against the Church.
a. Euphrates dried up to prepare for the coming of the Christian army, in two senses:
(1) The river dries up to make possible a new exodus out of Babylon:
Isaiah 11:15-16
Isaiah 43:14-16
Jeremiah 51:36
b. So:
(1) The River Euphrates dries up and removes a11 "common grace" from Babylon-Jerusalem.
The place goes insane.
(2) The Kings From the East leave Babylon-Jerusalem, and get ready for the Battle of the
Mountain of Festival Assembly.
(3) The Three-Frog Army moves in and destroys Babylon-Jerusalem, which removes the Great
Harlot and greatly prepares the way for the Church's mission.
c. Cyrus
13
And I saw
out of the mouth or the dragon
and out of the mouth of the [sea] beast
and out of the mouth of the false prophet
Three unclean spirits like frogs.
14
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs,
Which go out to the kings of the whole oikumene,
To gather them together for the war of the great Day of God, the Almighty.
204
d. Seek to arouse the Oikumene against the Church; 17:13-14; Acts; Epistles.
e. Eye for eye, God turns the Oikumene Army against Babylon; 17:16-17.
f. After destroying Babylon, the Oikumene Army is still active, and turns to fight the Church at the
Battle of the Mountain of Festival Assembly.
15
Behold, I am coming like a Thief.
Blessed is the one who stays awake and guards his garments,
Lest he walk about naked and they see his shame.
- Same warning as Matthew 24 and Parables: When the Kings of the Oikumene (Romans) show up,
go to the Mountain.
16
And they gathered them together to the place that in Hebrew is called Mountain of Assembly.
17
And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air.
And a great voice came out of the sanctuary from the throne, saying, "It has occurred."
18
And what occurred were lightnings and voices and thunders.
Trumpets: Rev. 8:5 - Throne extends to earth as landquake; cf. Acts 2:2,6; 4:31
Rev. 11:13
Zechariah 14:4
c. Memorial - (anti-)sacrament
- 17:4,6; 14:19-20
b. Ezekiel 5
209
7. Hail -
a. Collapse of firmament -
Genesis 7:11
Ezekiel 1:22
Revelation 4:6
= firmament
8. Babylon
c. Thematic essence:
(1). Personnel:
e. Babel in history.
Priestly era:
1. Establishment of true Tower (ladder to heaven) with patriarchs.
2. Tower and shadow-City (land) at Sinai and Conquest.
3. Judgment of apostate Tower (Tabernacle) in 1 Samuel 1-4.
Kingly era:
4. Reestablishment of true Tower (worship) by Samuel.
5. City and restored true Tower with David and Solomon.
6. Judgment on apostate City (and Tower) at exile.
Priestly era:
1. Tower built, now embracing Jerusalem as sacrally-bounded "Holy City," in days of Zechariah
and Nehemiah.
2. Judgment on apostate Tower when Jesus leaves the Temple and Jerusalem and pronounces
judgment on them in Matthew 23-25.
Kingly era:
1. Jesus ascends to right hand of the Father as King. Jesus as True Tower and the Church as
Temple-City.
2. Apostasy of the Church under Judaizers, and judgment of the whole old creation in AD 70.
212
D. Jesus, 19:11
Structure of Revelation 17
A. The Woman, 1-2
B. The Beast, 3
Beast
Heads
Horns
1
And came forth one of the seven angels,
Of those having the seven bowls,
And spoke with me, saying:
"Come hither!
I shall show you the judgment of the Harlot, the Great one,
The sitter upon many waters,
2
With whom fornicated
The kings of the land;
And were made DRUNK
The dwellers on the land,
From the WINE of her fornication.
1. Genesis 1:2.
2. "Marriage Feast."
5. False Israel married to self, "fornicated" at feasts: selfish taking. (e. g., Cor. 11)
3
And he carried me away to a wilderness in the Spirit.
And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast,
Full of blasphemous names,
Having seven heads and ten horns.
A. Wilderness:
E. The Cup:
F. Abominations:
Genesis 9:4
Leviticus 17:10-14
Matthew 24: 15
Ezekiel 8-11
218
H. Name on Forehead:
a. the GREAT versus "can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46).
I. Drunk on blood:
J. Wonder:
2. After all the visions of God, John is now amazed at original sin.
1. Nakedness
2:25
Now the two of them were naked ('arummim), the man and his woman, and they did not sense shame.
2. Serpent's nature
3:1
And the serpent: He was crafty ('arum), more than all the beasts of the field that Yahweh God
made.
3. Serpent speaks
And he said to the woman, "Indeed, did God really say, 'NOT shall you eat from any tree of
the garden'?"
4. Woman speaks
2
And the woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may
eat. 3And from the fruit of the tree that is in the center of the garden, God said, 'NOT
shall you eat from it, and NOT shall you touch it, or YOU WILL DIE.
5. Serpent speaks
4
And the serpent said to the woman, "NOT DYING YOU SHALL DIE.
5
For God is knowing that in the day of your eating from it
your eyes will be opened
and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
7. Nakedness
7a
And the eyes of both of them were opened
and they knew that they were naked.
3:7b
A. And they sewed fig leaves and made for themselves girdings.
8a
B. And they heard the sound/voice of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
8b
C. And they hid -- the man and his woman -- from the face of Yahweh God among the
garden's trees.
9a
D. And Yahweh God called to the man.
9b
C' And He said to him "Where are you?"
10a
B' And he said "Your sound/voice I heard in the garden,
10b
A' "And I was afraid because I was naked and I hid."
1. False prophets in OT
2. Matthew 24
3. 2 Thessalonians 2
4. Judaizers
1. Murder of prophets
2. Divisions in Corinth
3. Paul’s self-vindications
Ba1aamites
Nicolaitans
Lording it over
Laying new laws on the people
222
6d
And I wondered, when I saw her, with a great wonder.
7
And the angel said to me, "Why did you wonder?
I shall tell you the mystery
of the woman
and of the beast that carries her,
which has the seven heads
and the ten horns.
8
A. The beast that you saw
a
was,
b
and is not,
c
and is about to come up out of the abyss,
d
and to destruction goes.
B. And those who dwell on the land will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of
life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that he
a
was,
b
and is not
c
and will appear.
9
B’ Here is the mind that has wisdom:
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits,
10
And they are seven kings.
the five fell;
the one is;
the other has not yet come;
and when he comes, a little while he must remain.
11
A’ And the beast that
a
was,
b
and is not,
c
also he is an eighth,
and or the seven is,
d
and to destruction goes."
The chiasm:
6d
And I wondered, when I saw her, with a great wonder.
7
And the angel said to me, "Why did you wonder?
I shall tell you the mystery
of the woman
and of the beast that carries her,
which has the seven heads
and the ten horns.
A. Wondering or marveling:
B. The Mystery:
1. Note that the goat covers a whole list of types of sins in 16:16.
2. Only after both have gone into Holy of Holies is the earth (altar) covered.
- of wickedness:
- symbolically, the woman out of the ephah, Revelation 17:5&7
- personally, the man of lawlessness, beast, 2 Thessalonians 2:7
- doctrinally, evil teaching, 2 Thessalonians 2:7
- simultaneous exposure: the revelation of the Kingdom exposes the mystery of iniquity.
- The mystery of iniquity is this: to maintain a civilization by blaming innocent people for your own
sins, making them the scapegoat to bear away your own sins.
1. A disaster comes.
2. It cannot be our fault.
3. We must find someone to blame.
4. The person to be blamed is the person who does not fit in (stranger, widow, lame, etc.)
- especially, the person who is blaming us for the disaster (a prophet)
5. We cannot face what we are really doing, without admitting our own fault, so:
6. The victim must be forced to admit guilt.
7. The scapegoat must then be killed or exiled.
8. This resolves the problem, makes us feel good.
9. Out of this rest comes social energy, and civilization is re-founded.
10. Suppressed guilt is assuaged by making the innocent victim into a god.
225
Examples:
1. The forced confessions under Soviet communism, when the 5-year plans failed.
2. Oedipus the King and Qedipus at Colonos
- (only in the pre-Christian world do we see the pattern in its totality, because Christianity
defuses it. )
2. Job. (Note that the victim needs to be readjusted after his trauma.)
227
3. Jeremiah. (Note that the Jews built monuments to the prophets they killed.)
- Note that the upheavals in Palestine brought about the scapegoating of the Christians. Nero
did the same when Rome burned.
7. 'Note: You don't have to understand this pattern, this mystery or secret of iniquity, in order to be
victorious over it. The Bible only teaches this mystery by implication. All the saints need to do is
obey Jesus and stand fast, and the mystery of iniquity will be broken.
229
Summary points:
1. In normal times, society exists in a balance brought about by a tension of envy and rivalry, with
some scapegoating and persecution, but nothing major.
2. In crisis times, society falls apart into open discord, and a scapegoat is sought that all can agree
in persecuting.
3. The scapegoat tends to cooperate because the need to "belong" and to "be a part of” the society
is greater than his need to maintain innocence, unless he keeps his mind firmly fixed on his membership in
the Society of God.
4. Every non-Christian society is fragile, a house of cards built of mutual envy, ready to shatter in
times of crisis. The more Christian influence there is, the more love and mutual service overcome envy &
rivalry and make for long-term stability.
5. After a crisis, when the scapegoat has been punished, society re-forms and settles down, with
new "myths" (stories that tell how the society came to be).
6. If the scapegoating process fails to work, the society will not re-form, and the tension will
become worse and worse. The crisis is prolonged.
7. The Truth destroys the scapegoating process, because Jesus refused to admit guilt, resisted the
temptation to be part of the old fallen community, and kept His eyes on the Society of God. After His
death, His followers insisted on His innocence.
8. The sacrificial life and death of Jesus exposed the horror of human society, built on envy and
rivalry. Those involved in His death felt guilt. Many changed, and formed a new society around Jesus,
based on love and mutual service.
9. Jesus was identified as the perfect scapegoat by the wicked because He appeared to be an open
blasphemer. Christians are similarly identified, because they claim to know God personally. This claim is
intellectually offensive to “Greeks,” morally offensive to “Jews.” Thus, like Jesus, Christians make good
scapegoats. As with Jesus, men must lie about Christians in order to criminalize them.
10. Those who do not move into the new Christian society become more and more mutually
destructive, as the crisis is prolonged.
a. In the days of Antiochus Epiphanes, the Jews committed the abomination of desolation and
destroyed the Restoration Covenant.
b. They united against Antiochus, but then broke apart into rivalrous factions.
d. The pressure increased with Roman rule, which became harsh in response to repeated Jewish
rebellions.
e. All the Jewish factions united to kill Jesus; even Herod and Pilate became friends.
230
f. The apostolic church, by insisting on Jesus' innocence and on His resurrection and
continuing presence, destroyed the value of the scapegoating process.
g. The Jews could not re-form into a new, more unified society on the basis of scapegoating
Jesus, and so the tensions threatened to break out. But they kept the temporary unity because
the crisis was prolonged for six months until the martyrdom of Stephen.
h. The departure of the Christians from Jerusalem allowed the Jews to settle back down into
their rivalrous society. The immediate crisis was over, but the deeper problem has not been
resolved, and so tensions increased. The Jews became more and more mutually destructive,
and more and more rebellious against Rome. Harsh pressure from Rome increased, and so
did the hatred of the Jews for each other.
j. In the late 60s, the Romans surrounded Jerusalem and destroyed it, but not before the Jews
had killed each other off to a great extent inside the city.
k. The Jews were finally able to re-form as a community on the basis of hatred of Jesus and of
the Christians, in the form of "Oral Law" Judaism.
231
a. The expansion of the Roman empire and of prosperity, and the expansion of Rome itself into the
Italian countryside, created conflicts between the patricians and plebeians in Rome. This led to
the century-long Roman Civil War, which was only relieved by occasional wars with Carthage,
which would temporarily unify the people. This was the first phase of the Roman Revolution: the
"period of rising expectations.”
b. The second phase, the “revolution of the moderates," took place when the three most powerful men
in Rome formed a new kind of government, a "triumvirate." This did not last long.
c. Soon came the "revolution of the radicals." The decadent but heroic Julius Caesar became a hero to
the Romans, but he greatly offended them by bringing the Egyptian Cleopatra to Rome with their
son, and by courting a crown, which the Romans all rejected. The Romans unified to a degree and
put Caesar to death. This scapegoating process did not quite work, however, because Caesar's
supporters insisted on his righteousness, stated that he had wanted to give money and rights to all
the people (the "radical" side) and Caesar's nephew Octavian (Augustus) mounted an army to
avenge his family.
d. The once adored, then feared and vilified Caesar was divinized and made a god, and the line of his
heirs became "emperors" (not "kings"). This settled the Roman Revolution, and reconstituted the
Roman Oikumene into a new form at the top. (The fourth phase of revolution: "the triumph of a
dictator. ")
e. During this period, as we have stated, the new 7th Head Roman Oikumene coexisted with the older
6th Head Hellenistic Oikumene (in its fourth, Roman, phase). The 7th head desired to complete the
conquest of the 6th, and so the Emperor-worship cult was spread into the empire. Finally, Caesar's
descendant Nero burned Old Rome in AD 64 in order to build a new one designed by himself. Nero
fancied himself virtually a god, a "renaissance man" with all talents, and godlike, he wanted to build
a new world.
f. The crisis precipitated by the burning of Rome called for a scapegoat, and Nero picked the
Christians. Thus ensued the first great persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Note that
Roman and Jew unite in scapegoating Christians after AD 64. As we have seen, scapegoating
Christians does not work, and so the Roman crisis was not resolved. Soon Nero was dead, and a
civil war erupted in Rome in the "year of three emperors.” Because the scapegoating of Christians
did not work, Roman and Jew were soon at each other's throats again. A new scapegoat for Rome
was found: Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem successfully completed the scapegoating
process, and the leaders of the Jerusalem campaign (Vespasian and Titus) became the new line of
Roman emperors.
g. The settling of this Neronic crisis ended the 7th Head Roman Oikumene of the line of the Caesars,
and created a new Rome outside of the sequence of Biblical prophecy.
232
Chronology:
753 BC Founding of Rome.
509 BC Overthrow of the seventh 'Roman king, Tarquin the Proud, by Lucius
Junius Brutus.
2nd Head 323 BC Alexander dies; Ptolemies of Egypt control Palestine (King of the
South).
264 BC First Punic War (Rome against Carthage in North Africa) begins.
3rd Head 199 BC After many conflicts, Seleucids of Syria (King of the North) take
control of Palestine.
(4th Head) 142 BC Judea throws off Syrians, but appeals to Rome for help. With Rome's
blessing Judea remains relatively independent until 63 BC.
133 BC Tiberius Gracchus, a tribune, seeks land reform in Rome to favor the
poor, but is assassinated. Beginning of the Roman Civil War, which
was mainly a political conflict, and lasted about a century.
101 BC Gaius Marius, a popular Roman leader and general, becomes a great
hero for defeating Germans and extending the Roman territories.
100 BC Marius has several tribunes of the people, who wanted more cheap food
for the poor, killed.
80 BC After many victories, Sulla returns and takes over Rome as Dictator.
Institutes many reforms, stops the free distribution of grain, and
abolishes the Tribunes of the people.
70 BC Crassus and Pompey become Consuls, restore free grain, restore the
office of Tribune; begin the course of ruling by buying the popularity
of the people. A new kind of Rome is rising.
4th Head 63 BC Pompey completes Roman conquest of Syria with the subjugation of
Judea. Meanwhile a rebellion of the disgruntled and unenfranchised in
Rome under Sergius Cataline is crushed.
60 BC Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar form the First Triumvirate to rule
Rome in a new way. Fourth Beast begins to arise.
49 BC After ten years of fighting in Gaul and Britain, for which he has
become famous, Caesar crosses the Rubicon River and takes Rome
away from his opponents. Over the next few years he defeats Pompey
and fights in the east and in Africa.
Fourth Beast 44 BC Caesar is made Dictator For Life, and assassinated by Crassus, Marcus
1st Horn Brutus and others.
2nd Horn 27 BC Octavian becomes first Roman Emperor, changing his name to
Augustus Caesar
AD 33 End of Daniel 9's 490 years "for Jerusalem." Christian center shifts to
Antioch. Paul visits Jerusalem and then begins teaching in Tarsus and
then in Antioch.
5th Horn AD 41 Ca1igula murdered. Claudius reigns. Herod Agrippa I becomes king of
Herod 3 Judea.
7th Horn AD 68 Nero sentenced to death, suicides. Galba rules for six months.
8th Horn AD 69 Otho kills Galba, rules one month. Vitellus kills Otho, rules five
months. Vespasian returns to Rome and Vitellus is killed in a street
brawl. Vespasian rules.
9th Horn AD 70 Vespasian leaves Titus to complete siege of Jerusalem, which falls on
10th Horn September 7.
235
1. True justice: The sins are put on the wicked, where they belong, and the wicked are exiled or
killed.
2. In mystery form: The day of atonement: goat carries sins to azazel (destruction).
4. Verse 7 describes the authority (heads) and power (horns) of the Beast to show that this is not
some partial resolution of the problem, but a total one, in two phases:
8
The beast that you saw
a
was,
b
and is not,
c
and is about to come up out of the abyss,
d
and to destruction goes.
And those who dwell on the land will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life
from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that he
a
was,
b
and is not,
c
and will appear .
A. The wicked (non-elect) are impressed with signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24),
9
Here is the mind that has wisdom:
The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits,
10
And they are seven kings.
the five fell;
the one is;
the other has not yet come;
and when he comes, a little while he must remain.
D. Five fell = i.e., did not go to destruction, but may still be around:
1. Babylon
2. Persia
3. Greece
4. Greek Egypt
5. Greek Syria
G. Summary: Wisdom sees the reality that is it not so impressive. It is not really Satan's signs and
wonders, but the succession of empires, none of which last very long. Meanwhile, "His kingdom is
forever," as Luther wrote.
237
11
And the beast that
a
was,
b
and is not,
c
also he is an eighth,
d
and to destruction goes."
B. Or: perhaps more likely, the 8th head refers to the Land Beast, the Herod-High Priest complex of
Temple ruler, the False Prophet
Danie1 7:8
Daniel 7:19-27
- The Land Beast is the face of the Sea Beast in the Land, among God's older people, the Jews and
Jewish Christians. Revelation 13:3,12,14.
- Either this means "apart from the seven," the spirit animating the seven-headed beast, but apart
from it.
- Or it means "one of the seven," the actual seventh head, of which Nero is only a puppet. This goes
with A. above, and assumes that Satan possesses Nero as he possessed Judas.
- Or, perhaps more likely, it means "out of” and refers back to the Little Horn of Daniel 7, who
comes "out or' the Roman beast.
- Jesus is the True Eighth Head, who does not come "out of” the seven. The false 8th head is, thus,
the False Prophet, False Messiah(s) of Matthew 24; the Man of Sin.