THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

A good study book describing the four views of Revelation is Revelation Four Views by
Steve Greg1. The four views given in his parallel commentary are 1. The Preterist, 2. The
Historicists, 3. The Idealist or Spiritual view and 4. The Futurists.
These four views are according to the various hermeneutic principles the authors adopted.
Hermeneutic simple means the way a reader interprets Biblical writings.
The Preterist view sees that all of Revelation was fulfilled before AD.70 when Jerusalem fell.
The Historicist view sees that Revelation was fulfilled throughout Church History.
The Idealist view sees the spiritual meanings behind the visions of Revelation, and,
The Futurist view sees Revelation after chapter four is fulfilled in the future.
Throughout Church history many learned men have held to at least one of these four views.
DATE. The date of writing of the book of Revelation is the most important point as it affects
ones interpretation of the Revelation. If it can be proved that the Apostle John wrote the book
before AD 66-70 then the Preterist view is correct.
Dr. Kenneth L. Gentrys arguments to prove a date for writing the book of Revelation before
AD.70 presented in Before Jerusalem Fell are excellent.
A brief overview of eschatological thought in Church history.2
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple had far greater implications than most modern
day believers realize. The Jewish genealogies were destroyed thus resulting in the fact that
none of the modern day Jews can prove they are from Abrahams seed. All the Jews alive
today belonged to other nations that converted to Judaism throughout history. Most Jews are
Ashkenaz Jews coming from Armenia. I dare to say that there are no Jews from Abraham in
the world today and the Encyclopedias say the same. The former Baptist evangelist John L
Bray went to Jerusalem to search in the Jewish Libraries there and discovered that the Jews
know they cannot prove they are from Abraham.
When the temple of Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 the true Israel of God were taken
into the Kingdom of God in Heaven. The true Israel went into the New Jerusalem to rule and
reign with Christ in the Heavenly realm. Gods promises to Abraham and the Prophets were
all fulfilled by the time of the AD.70 destruction of Jerusalem.
Before the end of the Jewish age in AD.70, there was a large scale apostasy sweeping the
Church due to false doctrines spread by the Judiazers. These Judiazers believed in a literal
thousand year reign of Christ in the earthly Jerusalem. Most of the Christian leaders that
remained after AD.70 (the foolish virgins, Matthew 25:8) sought to revive the hope of a
millennial kingdom instead of understanding that Christs spiritual kingdom had begun as
predicted (Luke 17:21, The Kingdom of God does not come outwardly, Lo the Kingdom is
within you. John 18:36, My Kingdom is not from here.).
While some of the Church fathers maintained the biblical fundamentals of salvation there is
no doubt that in the writings of the Church fathers after AD 70 there was a departure from the
doctrines of the Apostles. I believe the apostasy was the main reason for the

Gregg, Steve, Revelation Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville,
Tennessee, USA, ISBN 0-8407 2128-5 (hardcover) 1997.
2 The notes in the overview are draw from Eschatology and The Shape of Christian Belief by Robert C. Doyle,
Paternoster Press, PO Box 300, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 OQS, UK., ISBN 0-85364-818-2, Reprinted 2000.
1

misunderstanding of Biblical teachings after AD.70. They fell away from discerning Christ
spiritually and determined to prove He would come back literally.

In Matthew 23:34-38 Jesus clearly taught that Jerusalem was to be destroyed because she
had killed the Lord and the Prophets. However, not one of the apostolic writers, Barnabas,
Hermas, Clement, etc., made that connection. Not until Justin the Martyr in approximately
AD.150 did any writer make the connection!
The apostasy seemed to grow worse for many centuries after. The eccentricity of the Church
Fathers is amazing to those who know the Scriptures. Many of their historical claims were in
error. For example Iranaeus' claimed that Jesus lived until He was 50 years old.
Regarding the Parousia, Barnabas associated the time of the end with the fall of Jerusalem,
but he seemed confused that the end had not come literally as he expected it.
The early writers struggled to understand why the Lord had not come back openly, physically
as they expected,3 even though Jesus had said the Kingdom would not come with outward
observation, for it would be revealed within the heart, Luke 17:20-21.
In Sam Frost's book, Misplaced Hope, he documents that the Apostolic writers did
associate the end with AD.70, in some ways, but were trying to understand why the "end"
had not occurred physically. They all seemed to be under the Grecian world philosophy
taught in Alexandria. The Alexandrian world view was more literal than Hebraic thought. As
most of the Church were converts from the poorer uneducated masses, and could be called
street Gentiles, there was a growing ignorance of the Prophetic Scriptures, and they did not
understand the correct hermeneutic for interpreting the Scriptures.
It is my belief that the Jewish apostasy and the false doctrines of the Judiazers were the
main reason for the silence, and confusion concerning the Parousia. They had lost the
proper understanding of the spiritual nature of the Parousia, although they knew it was
supposed to occur in AD.70. They failed to understand that God had kept His word. The
church has been paying the price for embracing those false Jewish teachings ever since with
all kinds of false predictions of the date of Christs coming.
Cerinthus (AD.100) and Papias (AD.60-130) taught an earthly millennium of prosperity.
Ireaneus (AD.130-200) believed in a literal millennium and gave a millennial timetable
showing the end of human history. He was influenced by the Jewish hope of a literal
Kingdom of God on earth with the Jews ruling. Ireaneus made mistakes in his writings and
made suggestions that were embraced by the Roman Catholic Church in later years.
Bible teachers who say that Christ will come in the future, and claim that most of the early
Church fathers believed it, are not telling the truth. It is not a fact.
The majority of the Church fathers in that early period where either witnessing for their faith,
fighting error in the Church or suffering persecution. Most of them had no time to write books
on the Last Days things (eschatology).
When the Roman Emperor Constantine converted in AD.312, the Christians experienced a
period of rest throughout the Roman Empire. Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea (died AD.339)
believed and wrote that Constantines rule was a foretaste of the eternal Kingdom, and
stated Gods judgments would take place within Church history as well as after it.
For example the writings of Hermas reveal this struggle, and his attempts to explain the so-called delay of the
end.
3

Eusebius taught the Roman Catholic Church was the Kingdom of God, so why should
believers seek the spiritual kingdom Christ promised in John 3:3-5, and 18:36?

When the barbarians invaded the Roman Empire, during the fourth and fifth century, another
period of social instability caused the revival of end-time predictions amongst the Christian
writers. Towards the end of this period Augustine (AD.354450), the founding father of all
Roman Catholic theology greatly affected the teachings on Last Day things. It was Augustine
who interpreted the millennium of Revelation 20:1-8 as being in the present age and the
Church being the Kingdom of God on earth. Augustines a-millennial views were taught for
over a thousand years, and were held by the founding protestant fathers, Martin Luther and
John Calvin.
To understand the differences between John Calvin and Martin Luther regarding their views
on the last days (eschatology) one must know their approach to interpreting the Scriptures.
Luther moved Bible interpretation away from seeking the spiritual meaning behind a
scripture, to accepting just the literal meaning of a verse.
Luthers eschatology was influenced by the prophecy of Elias which originated in a third
century Jewish Midrash book. It was rewritten several times, and published in AD.1523.
The prophecy divided the history of the world into three periods.
The prophecy reads as follows,
The sayings of Elias house.
The world shall stand six thousand years and after shall it fall.
Two thousand years without the Law
Two thousand years in the Law
Two thousand years the time of Christ.
And if these years be not accomplished, our sins shall be the cause, which are great and
many.4
Philip Melanchthon, (leader of the Lutheran Church after Luther) was responsible for this
prophecy of Elias affecting the interpretation of history and eschatology in the Lutheran
Church. The Lutheran elders taught an imminent final crisis, which would bring the present,
corrupt age to an end and begin a new one.
Luther believed he was living in the Last Days, and that antichrist was the Pope of Rome, the
Turks (Muslims) and the Anabaptists (Baptists), thus proving Christ was coming soon.
A few typical speeches of Luther were, Christs coming is at the door.the angels are
getting ready, putting on their armour.the last day is already breaking..the world will
perish shortly. Luther also said Christ would come in 1558.5 Because Luther made that
prediction, the door was opened in Europe for Pastors to begin setting dates for when Christ
would return.
John Calvin interpreted Scripture by recognizing the figurative, allegorical, types, and
spiritual meanings behind the Scriptures. This was seen in his eschatology. Calvin believed
the mission of the Church was to have a positive role in the Society. He was optimistic about

Doyle, Robert C., Eschatology, The Shape of Christian Belief, Paternoster Press, Page 225, PO Box 300,
Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 OQS, UK., ISBN 0-85364-818-2, Reprinted 2000.
5 Bray, John L. Evangelist, The Second Coming of Christ and related events, Page 12-13, John L. Bray Ministry,
Inc., P.O. Box 1778, Lakeland, Florida, USA. 1983.
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4
Churchs role in history and taught the Kingdom of God would increase on the earth until
the end of the age. Calvin believed the restoration of the world would be through the Church.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-58) an important American theologian taught a golden age of the
Church, which would come through the preaching of the Gospel. Edwards insisted that the
time of the Churches prosperity had begun; a postmillennial hope; and that the revivals of
1740-42, were a sign of it.
The other views since the 1800s are still available in print. Over one hundred thousand
books on the book of Revelation have been written, so there is no shortage of opinions on
the Book of Revelation.
In the 1800s John Darby who was declared a heretic by the Church of England (CNI) went
to USA to spread his dispensational views. His view of an earthly millennium kingdom after
the restoration of the Jews encouraged the Zionist movement of the 1850s which sought to
restore the nation of Israel (accomplished in 1948) in the hope that it would help Christ to
return to earth. The large number of publications teaching Darbys dispensational and premillennium views resulted in the other views of the Last Days never being read.
The view that the nation of Israel must be nationally restored before Christ comes, is similar
to the view the Pharisees held in Jesus day. While it was the majority view it was wrong and
Jesus warned the disciples to beware of it, Luke 12:1-2, Mark 8:15-21. The numerous
teachings that have risen in the last hundred years, (pre-tribulation rapture, mid-tribulation
rapture, pre-wrath rapture, seven years tribulation, 3 years tribulation, etc,) and the
countless failed predictions should warn students to be careful regarding the interpretation
(hermeneutic) they adopt regarding eschatology.6
An excellent book by Francis X. Gumerlock entitled The Day and The Hour 7 supplies a list
from the beginning of Church history of all the failed date-setters who claimed to have
calculated the year when Jesus was returning.
This concludes a very brief historical overview of eschatology.
Introduction.
The book declares itself to be The revelation of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for revelation
is apocalypse which means an unveiling. God was revealing Jesus Christ as Lord and King
of Kings to the Jews. God revealed His Kingdom, His new Government, His method of
judgments and the restoration of mankind to His garden in the Heavenly places. The
restoration of mankind, to the glory, authority and dominion, that Adam had before he fell.
In 1 Timothy 6:14-15, Paul wrote that at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, God would
show who was the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
In John 5:22, Jesus had declared that the Father had committed all judgment unto the Son.
However, it had not been publicly revealed to the Jews that Christ was in fact the Judge.
In Acts 17:31, Paul preached, God had appointed a day when He would judge the world by
Christ whom He had ordained and gave assurance of it by the resurrection.
Jesus said in Mark 13:32, But that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels which
are in Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
The Grammatical-historical method taught by Milton S. Terry in Biblical Hermeneutics is recommended to the
students.
7 Gumerlock, Francis X., The Day and The Hour, Christianitys Perennial Fascination with Predicting the End of
The World, American Vision, PO Box 220, Powder Springs, Georgia, USA, ISBN 0-915815-37-0, 2000.
6

5
It is clear, at the time Jesus was on earth, He did not know the day or the hour of His
coming, though He repeatedly said it would be within the generation of the disciples alive in
His day, Matthew 16:28, 23:36, 24:34.
In Revelation 1:1-3, John declared the Father had finally revealed the time when Christ
could go to the earth and judge the Jews, and that Christ had revealed it to him.
Revelation 6:10, revealed that Christs coming was to avenge the blood of the martyrs. Their
cry was, How long, O Lord,. do you not judge and avenge our blood on them
In Revelation 18:20, the angel cried, Rejoice over her, you holy Apostles and Prophets: for
God has avenged you on her, and in 19:2, God has avenged the blood of His servants.
No other period of Church history can claim to have holy Apostles; only the early Apostolic
Church. Therefore Revelation reveals Christ taking vengeance on those who killed the
Apostles.
Matthew 21:43, It also reveals Christ giving the Kingdom to the saints to fulfill Daniel 7:18,
the completion of the harvest of Israel, 14:15, and the resurrection.
After the ascension Christ ruled from the throne of God where He was taught by the Father
to conquer the enemies of the Kingdom. Psalm 110:1, Matthew 22:7, Luke 21:20-22.
The six enemies were, 1, Satan. 2, The beast. 3, The false prophet. 4, The harlot, and 5,
death and 6, hell.
These six enemies were represented symbolically as follows:
1. Satan, the dragon, 20:10, was cast into the Lake of fire.
2. The Beast, the Roman Government, the Caesars, 19:20, were cast into the Lake of fire.
3. The false prophet, the apostate Jewish leaders,19:20, were cast into the Lake of fire.
4. The harlot, the city of Jerusalem. 1718 was destroyed by fire, described in 18:8.
5. Spiritual death caused by sin and strengthened by the Law, 20:14, cast to Lake of fire.
6. Hell, 20:14, was cast into the Lake of fire.
The story of Revelation.
Revelation reveals a story that completes the story begun in Genesis 3:15, were God
promised Adam that Christ, (the Seed of the woman) would crush Satan (the serpent).
In Genesis, Adams bride fell from her dominion over the earth into sin and spiritual death.
In Revelation, Christs Bride (the true Church of both Testaments), conquers sin, spiritually
rises and has dominion with Christ in the New Jerusalem over the Heavens and earth.
In Genesis, Adams seed and creation fell from glory and dominion. In Revelation, Christs
seed the new creation believers conquer and inherit glory and dominion.
In Genesis, Adam was driven out of the Garden of Eden, the Governmental place of God. In
Revelation, Christ and His Bride enjoy rulership in Gods Presence in the New Jerusalem.
In Revelation the enemies of God are conquered and all things lost by Adam are restored.
Christ takes vengeance on the apostate Jews who crucified Him and His Bride (the Church)
receives her inheritance and begins to rule and reign over Heaven and earth.
The story ends with the Son presenting His Bride to His Father.
They have a marriage Feast and then the Son and His Bride rule the universe together.
John repeatedly said this story was to begin very soon, 22:6,7,10,20.
The Theme.
The theme of the book of Revelation is declared in Chapters 15-18 where the wrath of God
is poured out on apostate Israel for her spiritual adultery.
In Ezekiel 16:8, 31-33, God declared He was spiritually married to Israel, but in Isaiah
50:1, and Jeremiah 3:8, He threatened Israel with divorce because of her idolatry.
In Ezekiel 24:14-27, Ezekiels wife was struck dead the same day the city of Jerusalem was
destroyed by the Babylonians. This was the sign of what God was going to do with

6
Jerusalem in the Last Days of their ruling over the Kingdom of God. The destruction of the
temple in Jerusalem was the sign of Gods divorce of apostate Israel. The Jewish leaders
would no longer rule over the Kingdom Of God with Christ, for they had rejected Him, but
Christ and His Body the Church became the new rulers over the Kingdom.
Then the true Israel (the Princes and Princesses of God) would be presented to the Father,
to complete the restoration of all things that Adam lost, Acts 3:21.
The language and symbols that are in the Revelation were well known to the early Jewish
Christians, for they are all found in the Old Testament.
It is clear the book was written to the Jewish Christians in the seven Churches, 1:11, 3:9.
In 2:9, Those who say they are Jews, but do lie, and those of the synagogue of Satan.
1:7, The families of the earth, should be translated, The tribes of the land meaning of the
land of Judea. It has absolutely nothing to do with people today seeing Him coming on
Television.
John was following the language and imagery of Ezekiel when He was writing. There are
about one hundred and thirty references to Ezekiel in Revelation. John seems to follow
Ezekiel step by step. Philip Carrington said that, Revelation is a Christian rewriting of
Ezekiel.8
Therefore the interpretation of Revelation is the same as that of Ezekiel.
Consider the parallels:
1. The throne-vision (Revelation 4 / Ezekiel 1).
2. The book (Revelation 5 / Ezekiel 2-3).
3. The four plagues (Revelation 6:1-8 / Ezekiel 5).
4. The slain under the altar (Revelation 6:9-11 / Ezekiel 6).
5. The wrath of God (Revelation 6:12-17 / Ezekiel 7).
6. The seal on the saints foreheads (Revelation 7 / Ezekiel 9).
7. The coals from the altar (Revelation 8 / Ezekiel 10).
8. No more delay (Revelation 10:1-7 / Ezekiel 12).
9. The eating of the book (Revelation 10:8-11 / Ezekiel 2).
10. The measuring of the temple (Revelation 11:1-2 / Ezekiel 40-43).
11. Jerusalem and Sodom (Revelation 11:8 / Ezekiel 16).
12. The cup of wrath (Revelation 14 / Ezekiel 23).
13. The vine of the land (Revelation 14:18-20 / Ezekiel 15).
14. The great harlot (Revelation 17-18 / Ezekiel 16,23).
15. The lament over the city (Revelation 18 / Ezekiel 27).
16. The scavengers feast (Revelation 19 / Ezekiel 39).
17. The first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6 / Ezekiel 37).
18. The battle with Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:7-9 / Ezekiel 38-39).
19. The new Jerusalem (Revelation 21 / Ezekiel 40-48).
20. The river of life (Revelation 22 / Ezekiel 47).
M. D. Goulder pointed out the step-by-step pegging of Revelation with Ezekiel.9
Level pegging was used when the Church puts one book alongside another book. For
example, when Genesis is read alongside Romans. Goulder believed John intended it to be
used as a series of readings to be read with the prophecy of Ezekiel. Both books divide into
about fifty units, and the Jewish Christian year consists of fifty-one Sundays.

8
9

Carrington, Philip, The meaning of the Revelation. Page 65. SPCK, London U.K. 1931.
Goulder, M. D., The Apocalypse as an Annual Cycle of Prophesies. Page 350. SPCK, U.K. 1978.

7
Language.
The Bible Prophets used symbolic language. They wrote using poetry, figures, metaphors,
enigmas, allegories, parables and symbols, which they drew from the images found in the
writings of Moses and David.
When interpreting the symbols in Revelation, the reader must seek the same interpretation of
the symbol as used in the rest of the Bible. Otherwise the temptation is to come up with
some other interpretation.
The student must ask the questions: Where in the Bible does this phrase or image come
from, and, what was its significance in that context?
This is why it is necessary to have some understanding of the Prophets use of symbols,
Jewish poetry, Jesus prophecies and the Bibles use of that symbol, if we are to understand
the Revelation symbol.
2 Peter 1:20-21, Peter warned, No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
Prophecy came in old timeswhen holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The symbols of Revelation were understood by the early Church.
For example, the symbolic numbers six hundred and sixty six, 13:18, clearly referred to Nero
Caesar.10 John used the number six hundred and sixty six, because that allowed him to say
many things about Nero by using that number.11
Kindly note, John did not use a triple six number; 666, as some wrongly teach.
The purpose of the Revelation is as follows:
1. To reveal Gods vengeance on the Jews and the Roman world because they crucified
His Son and killed the Apostles, Luke 21:20-22.
2. To show the Kingdom of Christ, and New Jerusalem were established in Heaven.
Isaiah 22:22, 9:7, said Christ would establish His Kingdom with judgment and with
justice forever. This meant that the Kingdom could not be fully released to the saints until
the Son of Man had performed His first universal judgment, spoken of by Jesus in
Matthew 25:31-46, John 20:11-15. Then His Kingdom would be established by His
judgment and justice and would continue forever, Daniel 2:44.
3. To reveal Christ and the sons of God ruling over the earth from Heaven, Romans 8:19,
manifestation of sons of God, Ephesians 2:6, seated in Heavenly places.
4. To encourage the Church on earth that they would be rulers in Christs Kingdom,
Matthew 18:28, sit on thrones judging; Luke 19:17, have authority over ten cities, Luke
22:29-30, I appoint unto you a Kingdom, eat and drink at My table, and sit on thrones
judging the twelve tribes.
5. To encourage the Church that the death of the believer is precious and has value.
The martyrs soul immediately ascends to Heaven, where they sit upon thrones, 11:11,
14:13, 20:4. The blessing is that they ascend into Heaven at physical death in their
spiritual body and reign in Heaven, Revelation 20:4.
Their blood is avenged, 6:9, 8:3, and the earth is affected by their sacrificial death.
Gentry, Dr. Kenneth L., The Beast of Revelation, Page 34-35, Dominion Press, Fort Worth, Texas, USA, ISBN
0-930464-21-4, 1989. and
11 Chilton, David. Days of Vengeance. Page 35. Dominion Press. Ft. Worth. Texas, USA.1987.
10

6. To reveal that the New Covenant between God and His Son was established.

The writer.
1:4, John the Apostle. 1:1, He tells us he was a servant, 1:9, a brother, 22:9, and one of the
Prophets. He assumed that the seven churches of Asia knew him, and he wrote with the
authority of an Apostle.
The date.
There are two views discussed by all scholars regarding the date when John wrote this book.
The two views are:
1. The latter date of approx. AD.95, and
2. The early date of AD.62-65 or earlier.
1. The latter date, AD.95.
It is assumed the Revelation was written during the reign of Caesar Domitian A.D. 81-96.
The external evidences for this view are found in the writings of the following Church
fathers: Ireaneus of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Victorinus of Pettau (d.AD.304),
Eusebius of Caesarea (AD.260-340), and Jerome (AD.340-420).
As Ireaneus is the key witness, some scholars quote only Ireaneus.
The main external evidences are:
1. Ireaneus. (A.D. 130-202), stated, for that was seen no very long time since, but almost in
our day, towards the end of Domitians reign. This is discussed below.
2. Emperor worship. That during Domitian's reign Emperor worship was widespread.
3. That Domitian was in the habit of banishing his enemies.
4. They say that John was released from Patmos on Domitian's death.
The internal evidences (meaning the evidence within the book) for the late date of AD.95
are weak and rarely explained. Milton S. Terry stated, No critic of any note has ever claimed
that the later date can be proved by the internal evidence. Leon Morris, however, did try in
his commentary.
2. The early date AD.6265, during the reign of Nero AD.54-68.
The external evidences are examined critically (in detail) by Kenneth L. Gentry in Before
Jerusalem Fell. Gentry argues that the testimony of Ireaneus should not be used as it is
weak. Gentry then gives a list of those who stated John wrote Revelation during the reign of
Nero AD.56-68.
Gentrys examination of the main witness Ireaneus revealed the following.
1. The testimony of Ireaneus of Lyons, (AD.130-202).
Actually the book written by Ireaneus has not been preserved. The statement Ireaneus made
is preserved in the original Greek in Eusebiuss Ecclesiastical History at 3:18:3 and also
5:8:6 were Ireaneus was dealing with the identification of 666 in Revelation 13:18. Eusebius
says Ireaneus wrote:
We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively the name of Antichrist,
for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it
would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen no
very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitians reign.

9
Gentry questioned the meaning of Ireaneus words and gave seven arguments.
Gentrys four main arguments regarding Ireaneus are as follows:
1. The phrase that was seen or it was seen is the important point. The Greek verb
heorathe, translated was seen, raises the question what is the subject of this verb? Was
Ireaneus referring to he who saw the Revelation (John) or was he referring to the
Revelation itself? It could be easily be translated, John, who saw the Revelation, was seen
alive almost in our own generation.
2. The context of the passage shows that Ireaneus was saying that John was seen alive.
Gentry paraphrased Ireaneus words as, It is not important for us to know the name of the
beast (or antichrist), which was hidden in the number 666. Were it important, why did John
not tell us? After all, he lived almost to our own era, and spoke with some men that I have
known. Ireaneus point was John and his knowledge of the name of the beast.
3. Ireaneus mentioned ancient copies of Revelation. This proves that the original
manuscript of Revelation was ancient. If Revelation was written before AD.68, then it could
be considered as ancient. If it was written in AD.95 Revelation could not be considered
ancient to Ireaneus.
4. Ireaneus made errors in his writings. He wrote that Jesus lived to be almost fifty years old,
Against Heresies 2:22:5.
Gentrys arguments should make one to doubt on the use of Ireaneus as a witness for the
late date.
2. Clement of Alexandria, AD.150-215, wrote: When after the death of the tyrant he
removed from the island of Patmos to Ephesus,
Clements designation of tyrant fits the description of Caesar Nero and not of Caesar
Domitian. Many other writers described Nero as the tyrant. E.g. The Sibylline Oracles,
Sulpicius Severus, Tertullian, Lactantius, Jerome, and Augustine.
Clement wrote Revelation was written under Nero. For the teaching of the Apostles,
including Paul, ended with Nero. Nero died in AD.68.
J. B. Lightfoot wrote Evidence is lacking for any general religious persecution during
Caesar Domitians reign. Though Domitian was a violent man, his violence was not directed
against Christians but against individuals whom he suspected of undermining his authority.
3. Origen of Alexandria, (AD.185-254) stated Revelation was written during Neros reign.
4. The Muratorian Canon, (AD.170) stated the Apostle Paul, following the rule of John,
wrote to no more than seven churches by name. This writer taught that the Apostle John
was before Paul in writing letters to seven churches. It is agreed that Paul died in AD.65-66.
5. The Syriac Tradition made a reference to Johns banishment under Nero.
6. Arethas.
7. Theophylact of Bulgaria, (died AD.1107).
8. The Shepherd of Hermas.
9. Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis, (AD.60-130),
Gentry came to the conclusion that the external evidences point to the fact that Revelation
was written during the reign of Nero, which was between AD.54-68. Please note that Gentry
was a futurist at the beginning of his research. His Bible College professor was a Preterist
who challenged Gentrys beliefs. This resulted in Gentry searching for the truth.

10
The internal evidences in any book are always more important than the external evidences.
The internal evidences that Revelation was written before AD.70 are many:
1. In 1:7, the theme of the book is that of Christ coming in the clouds of judgment to the
apostate Jews. The words 'those who pierced Him' refers only to the first century Jews.
2. The introductory words of 1:1-3, clearly state the time was near for fulfillment. Nothing
happened in the world around AD.95 similar to the visions of Revelation.
3. The references regarding the Judiazers in 2:9, 3:9, and to the twelve tribes, 7:4-8,
strongly point to it being written to the early Jewish believers.
4. The Jewish persecution of Christianity is described in chapters six and eleven.
5. The persecution by Caesar Nero against the Christians fits the Beast, 13:1-10.
6. The seven Kings refer to the seven Caesars of Rome of which five were fallen, 17:10.
The reign of the sixth Caesar points to a date in the AD.60s
7. The temple and Jerusalem were described as standing in 11:1-2. If they would have been
already destroyed, as they were in AD.70, then John would have said so, because it
fulfilled Jesus words in Matthew 24:2.
8. The language regarding Babylon, the Beast, and the references to a time of shaking and
commotion in the Roman Empire fit the last days of Nero, AD.64-68.
9. Everything fits if Revelation is interpreted as describing the Jewish War of AD.67-70.
Parallelism in the Book of Revelation.
Parallelism means to double back, or to cover the same ground as was covered in the
previous section but from a different viewpoint.
Moses used this method of writing, for example in the repeat of the sixth day of creation in
Genesis chapter two. The dreams of Joseph and Pharaoh were also repeated twice.
Most of the Old Testament Prophets repeated their visions or prophecies using different
images, reinforcing the same message. See Daniel 2 and 7.
Parallelism is called, The written language of the Prophets.
William Hendricksen in More than Conquerors, divided Revelation into two parts and then
identified seven parallel sections. Hendricksen called his view Progressive Parallelism.
He taught the seven sections are parallel.
His divisions of the Revelation are very helpful to understanding the book.
The seven divisions are as follows:
1st Part, chapter 1 11.
1. Chp. 1-3. The seven candlesticks represent the churches of Asia.
2. Chp. 4-7. The seven seals showed the judgments upon Israel.
3. Chp. 8-11. The trumpets repeat the judgments and end with the coming of the Kingdom.
2nd Part, Chapter 12 22.
The spiritual background to the Day of the Lord.
4. Chp. 12-14. The woman and man-child are persecuted by the Dragon, Beast and Harlot.
5. Chp. 15-16. The seven bowls of Gods wrath against Israel.

6. Chp. 17-19. The fall of the great Harlot, Jerusalem, and the Beast Nero.
7. Chp. 20-22. The judgment on Satan, sin and death followed by the new creation.

11

There are other similarities that point to parallelism within Revelation. For example.
1. Three different passages describe a similar battle; 16:14, 19:19, and 20:8.
2. The mention of 3 years occurs five times in 11:2,3; 12:6, 14; 13:5 and
3. The similarities between the seven trumpets and the seven bowls of wrath.
They are:
Trumpets
Wrath
The first affects the earth.
8:7 a third
16:2 All
The second affects the sea.
8:8 a third
16:3 All
The third affects the rivers.
8:10 a third
16:4 All
The fourth affects the heavens.
8:12 a third
16:8
The fifth affects men.
9:1 a third
16:10
The sixth affects the river Euphrates.
9:13
16:12
The seventh of each is the end.
11:15
16:17.
The hermeneutic of Revelation.
Hermeneutic refers to the principles used to interpret the Bible text thereby influencing how
the verses are to be understood. The student should realize that teachers often change their
hermeneutic when interpreting a verse that does not fit their view point. The
dispensationalists and futurists are the most famous for doing this. They insist upon a literal
interpretation of scriptures expressed by the words, Literal wherever possible (by H. Bonar)
or Literal unless absurd (by Govett). One minute they say everything is literal but when they
see locusts coming out of the earth, 9:3, they suddenly change their interpretation rules and
state that is a metaphor for something else, such as a helicopter or an airplane.
Their system of interpretation has therefore split into several views.
The historic pre-millennialists, the dispensationalists, the progressive dispensationalists, and
the classical dispensationalists.
Their system of interpretation needs continual revision, therefore showing it is not correct.
The dispensationalists, denounce as spiritualizers those who do not interpret the Bible
literally as they do. They are wrong to do this.
Bible students must keep to the same principles of interpretation when they interpret
Scriptures. The Preterist view, is rooted in correct hermeneutic principles. The Preterists
believe in the Grammatical Historical principle which studies the words used in the day and
culture of John. First they think how the persons receiving the book would interpret the
verses. They try to find out what it would mean to the people living in that day. The Preterists
keep to the historical background of the AD.60s and so do not go far wrong in their
interpretation.
The Futurists view became the popular after 1948 when the United Nations recognized Israel
as being a nation and due to the any moment rapture teaching made popular by teachers
like Hal Lindsay. But due to the continual revision of the futurists predictions many Christians
have begun to abandon it. The publishers in the United States found it to be the most
financially profitable and so it is still the main view in the bookstores.
The Preterist understanding of subjects such as the Last Days, the time of the end and the
prophesies of Daniel need explaining.

12
The Last Days.
The writer to Hebrews in 1:1-2, declared he was in the Last Days of the nation of Israel.
Later in Hebrews 12:26, he referred to another shaking about to come to Israel which
happened during the Jewish War of AD.67-70.
In Hebrews 12:22, the writer stated the Jewish Christians had already come to Mount
Zion the Heavenly Jerusalem. This agrees with Revelation 14:1, and 21:2.
If the writer of Hebrews was Paul then it shows Paul was confirming Johns Revelation which
was already written. We conclude the Last Days were from AD.66-70.
The time of the end is referred to in Daniel 12:4. Note it does not say the end of time as
some teach. The Oryia Bible translates it as the time of the period.
In Daniel 12:9, Daniel was told to seal up the things written in his book regarding the Last
Days of Israel until the time of the end of that nation.
In Daniel 12:6, an angel asked, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? and in
vs. 7 another angel answered and swore there would be three and a half times (3 years),
and then gave another sign, that when the Lord scattered the power of the holy people (the
Jews), then all these things would be finished.
The Oryia Bible states, then all these things shall be perfect, referring to the resurrection of
the righteous mentioned in vs.3.
Thus it was revealed in that in the Last Days of the Jews (vs.1) there would be a 3 year
tribulation period (vs.1, 7) and then the judgment (vs.2) and the resurrection (vs.3) when the
end and perfection of Israel would be reached. The perfection of Israel could not come till
there was a vast ingathering of Gentiles. The harvest from the Gentiles was imperative for
Israels perfection to be completed. Thats why the Apostle Paul was driven to reach all the
Gentiles with the Gospel before the end come.
This 3 year period referred to the time of the Jewish war which was in AD.66-70.
This is the same 3 year period revealed by John in 11:3, 12:6, 12:14, 13:5, at the time of
the end of earthly fleshly Israel. The true spiritual Israel was already reigning in the Heavenly
places. This 3 year period has nothing to do with the end of the physical world.
The King James Version mistranslated the word for age as world.
The Jewish age of ruling the Kingdom of God was finally abolished in AD.70, when the age
of Christ and His Body the Church ruling over the Kingdom began.
Ephesians 3:21, states the age of Christ has no end.
Daniel 2:44-45, The age of Christ refers to the everlasting age where Christ rules the
universe through His Apostles and Prophets.
Daniel 9:24-27. This prophecy is usually called the seventy weeks prophecy.
The six clauses in Daniel 9:24, point to the completion of the resurrection of Israel in AD.70
and the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ with His saints in Heaven.
The six clauses of the prophecy are:
1. To finish the transgression.
This referred to the sin of Adam, John 1:29, Romans 5:14. Christ did this at the cross.
2. To make an end of the sins of the Jews, Acts 3:19, Romans 11:25-27. After crucifying
Christ the Jews continued to sin by persecuting the disciples of Christ. It was clear the
sins of the apostate Jews were not put away till AD.70 when Christ punished them at His
coming in vengeance, Luke 21:22, Matthew 23:35-36.
3. Christ would complete the reconciliation, meaning Christ would bring mankind into Gods
Presence. Christ had to reconcile God with all the children of Abraham.

13
Hebrews 9:28 stated Christ would do this when He came out of the Holy Place in
Heaven at His coming; when He came without sin unto salvation, Romans 13:11. This
means the Old Covenant Jewish saints were taken by Christ into Gods Presence in
AD.70. The Jews were then reconciled and glorified.
4. Christ brought men into a state of everlasting righteousness through faith in Him, and
through His spiritual life He breathed into them by the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9-10.
Romans 14:17, The righteousness of the Kingdom Paul said was in the Holy Spirit.
5. Christ sealed up all the visions and prophecies of the Old Covenant by fulfilling them.
Jeremiah 31:31-34, promised that a New Covenant (agreement) would be made
between God and man before the Old Covenant was finished.
Jeremiah 32:40, said it would be an everlasting Covenant.
Matthew 26:26-28, declared the New Covenant was in His Body and Blood.
Thus the new agreement between God and mankind was made in Christs Body.
However the new covenant was not written until its power to make men perfect was
experienced by the Apostles in Christs spiritual Body. By AD.50 the Apostles were
perfect and were producing perfect disciples, Philippians 3:15.
Then through the years AD.54-66 the New Covenant agreement was written and
completed. The Scriptures were finished before AD.70.12
6. God then anointed the Most Holy place, which was Christs spiritual Body, the true house
of God. In the Old Testament the types of Gods dwelling pace were; the Garden of Eden,
the Tabernacle, and the Temple. In AD.70, Christ Body, the Church, incorporating the
Apostles, Prophets and saints of both Covenants was anointed after presentation to the
Father. Christs Body comprises the overcoming saints that rule together with Jesus
Christ. This Government makes decisions on the Heavenly throne called Zion, in the New
Jerusalem, the city where they lived in fellowship with God the Father and one another.
Daniel 9:25-27, Most teachers agree that Jesus Christ came to confirm the Covenants with
Israel for seven years and that after 3 years Christ was cut off by crucifixion.
This means that there remained 3 years to be fulfilled.
This 3 year period is also referred to in Daniel 12:1-9 and in Revelation 11-22.
This period was fulfilled in the Last Days of Israel, AD.66-70 and is called the Last Days, or
the great Day of the Lords Wrath.
Going back to the fifth clause of Daniel 9:24 for a moment. The angel stated that Christ
would seal up vision and prophecy. The Hebrew word to seal, means to complete, finish,
or fulfill, both the vision and the prophecy. In other words, to bring to conclusion by
fulfillment, visions and prophecy.
The Church father Tertullian, (AD.160-225) believed this signified that the New Testament
Scriptures would be completed by the Jews in the Last Days of Israel before the destruction
of Jerusalem in AD.70. Tertullian wrote, "And thus, in the day of the storming (of Jerusalem)
the Jews fulfilled the seventy hebdomads predicted in Daniel."13
I believe Tertullian was correct and that the remaining 3 years of Daniels prophecy were
fulfilled during the tribulation from March AD.67 to September AD.70 when Jerusalem fell.

Robinson, John A.T., Redating the New Testament.

Roberts, Alexander, & Donaldson, James, editors. The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 3. Tertullian 1st Part, VII, An
answer to the Jews. Chp.8. Page 160. Eerdmans Pub. Co., Grand Rapids. Michigan. USA. 1997.
12
13

14
In Luke 21:20-22, Jesus ties vs.22, the days of vengeance, vs.27, His coming, vs.31,
His Kingdom, and vs.28, the redemption of Israel, to events taking place during the Last
Days of Israel from AD.67-70.
Jesus referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, when He said, vs.22, These are the days of
vengeance when all things which are written, are fulfilled.
Jesus used the word fulfilled repeatedly in 21:22, 24, 32; 22:16; 24:44.
In Luke 21:32 Jesus stated it would be within that generation of Jews alive in Christs day.
What Luke wrote Jesus taught, is the same as what John teaches in the Book of Revelation.
I personally believe the book of Revelation was written before AD.63 for the following
reasons.
1. When Matthew, Mark and Luke included Jesus prophesy on the mount of Olivet in their
Gospels, I question, where is Johns account? I believe John left it out because he had
already written it in Revelation.
2. Hebrews 12:22-24, vision of Zion is the same as Revelation 14:1-5. Therefore Revelation
was written earlier than Hebrews. If Paul wrote to the Hebrews from prison (AD.58-61), then
the book of Revelation would have encouraged him, for John had already revealed the Lord
was coming very soon.
3. James was martyred in Jerusalem in AD.62. Why did John not mention his death?
11:7-8, John prophesied two would die in Jerusalem. Certainly James would be one of them.
During that period Neros persecution of Christians had increased.
1 Peter 4:17, Peter was imprisoned and wrote in April of AD.64 that judgment had already
started with the house of God. It is not much of a revelation if that was written after they had
already died?
If the two martyrs who died in Jerusalem were James and Peter who died in AD.62, and 65,
or Peter and Paul who died in AD.65-66, then John wrote before their deaths, for it was a
prophecy of things about to come.
I believe a date for writing Revelation between AD.58-62 would show John declared the
prophecies of Jesus on the Mount of Olives were about to be fulfilled.
This Preterist view glorifies God in that it shows God kept all His promises to Israel given by
the Prophets. A student does not have to twist the meaning of Scriptures or ignore Scriptures
that do not fit their views of the Last Days.
Students will find also find many other difficult Scriptures in the Bible suddenly make sense.
The more I have studied eschatology the more I see how all the latter Prophets, John the
Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles Paul, John, Peter and James all agree and are united
in their view of the Kingdom coming. It excites me to know that they are all One.
This view also began the expansion of mind concerning the Kingdom of God. I began to
pursue the Kingdom of God fervently. I started to enter the timeless zone of the Kingdom
while entering into deeper intimacy with God the Father and the Lord Jesus. The visions
revealed in the Revelation became realities. One can sit on the throne of God and rule and
reign with Christ over the Heavens and the earth and advance the Kingdom of God on earth.
Two of the best books to introduce one to the Preterist view are: J. Stuart Russells, The
Parousia.14 and Who is This Babylon by Don Preston.

14

The Parousia is available from www.preterist.org, or from Don Preston available at www.eschatology.org.

Notes.

15

Chapter one. The book is a revelation of Jesus Christ as the King ruling the Kingdom.
In his Republic Plato stated The beginning is the most important part of the work.
1:1-7, The key to the meaning of the book is actually found in the first few verses.
:1, God revealed to His Son the time of the judgment and the Kingdom had come. God
wished His Son to show it to the other Apostles. Christ was about to give the Kingdom to the
saints. The foundation of His Kingdom was finally completed.
He signified it by His angel, meant Christ would show the revelation by signs. The visions
would be symbolic and not literal.
When John wrote, vs.1, the things that must shortly come to pass, and vs.3, the time is at
hand, he was fixing the time for the fulfillment of the visions. The visions were quickly going
to happen. These words mean very near.
In 22:6,10, John also used the same words to conclude the book.
These words bracket the entire book and also appear frequently throughout the book.
We find soon in 1:1; 2:16;; 3:11; 22:6,7,12,20, and near in 1:3; 3:10, and 22:10.
We should not change the clear meaning of these words to mean something else in order to
accommodate our thoughts on the subject. Otherwise we are making the Apostle John a liar
and end up trying to prove John was wrong. The Apostle John knew what words he was
choosing when he wrote and if he meant it was going to happen thousands of years in the
future he would have used words to say so. However nowhere does John give that idea.
:2, John bore record of;1. The Word of God, referring to the Old Testament prophesies that were about to be fulfilled.
Deuteronomy 32:29, Moses started to describe the Jews latter end.
Deuteronomy 32:35-43, He said it would be a day of vengeance when the Lord would judge
His people.
Leviticus 26:14-45, Moses declared the curses of sickness and war that the Lord would
bring against the Jewish people. Moses continually said they would be punished seven times
in verses 18, 21, 24, and 28. In verse 35, they would be cast out of their land for 70 years. In
verse 42 in the days of Zerubabel they would be remembered and restored because of the
Old Covenant. Jesus did not give the Jewish leaders a hope of restoration to their land rather
He told them their house would be desolate Matthew 23:38.
In Mark 11:14, when He cursed the fig tree, Jesus said, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter
forever.
2. The testimony of Jesus, especially that on the mount of Olives, Matthew 24-25, and,
3. All the things he saw in the visions.
:3, Blessed are those who read and keep the words of this prophecy for the time was at
hand. As though John quoted Jesus words recorded in Mark 1:15.
:4, John to the seven churches which were in Asia at that time. Seven was the symbolic
number of fullness. John gave a greeting from the triune God of grace and peace to the
seven Churches in Asia.
Seven is not Gods number. However the number three is, and four represent the world.
Throughout this book there are the numbers 4 + 2 + 1, or 4 + 3.
:5, From Jesus Christ, the obedient Son, who is the faithful witness of what God the Father
and His Kingdom is like, Matthew 11:27, John 8:55. Christ revealed the loving Father to us.
So Christ raised up faithful witnesses who also would reveal the loving Father, and Heaven.

16
Christ was the first begotten, referring to Christs resurrection, Colossians 1:18, Psalm
2:7. And, Christ was the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Jesus was training His disciples to be kings ruling with Him in His Kingdom.
Many disciples had already begun to exercise their spiritual authority and were spiritually
ruling over the principalities that ruled the earth, 1 Corinthians 4:8-9.
1 Peter 5:1, The Apostles were already receiving the glory, and more was to come when
they became martyrs, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 4:17.
20:4, Christ revealed the martyrs already ruled on thrones in Heaven, Ephesians 2:6.
Matthew 25:21, Christ had promised He would, Make them ruler over many things.
Matthew 24:47, Rulers over all His goods. Luke 12:44, Rulers over all He had.
Luke 19:17, Some would have authority over five cities, some ten cities.
The disciples start to reign while on earth. Through revelations, visions, and prophesies from
Heaven they declare what God is about to do. This book teaches disciples how to interpret
visions of the judgments that God and Christ do, in order to bring the nations into obedience
to them. Disciples learn to talk to angelic visitors who come with messages, visions, and
signs, so that they can forewarn nations before the judgments are poured out.
:6, Christ made them King priests to serve with God the Father.
The king priests bring the Heavenly realm to the earth, influencing the nations for Christ.
Matthew 13:33, They are the leaven that affects and infiltrates every society.
:7, Is the theme of the book. Behold Christ comes with clouds, to judge the apostate Jewish
leaders and to prove He is the Ruler of the universe.
The phrase is taken from Daniel 7:13, and Zechariah 12:10.
It is a prophecy of the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD.67-70.
The following is a brief list to show what Coming in Clouds meant to the Jews.
1. In Daniel 7:13, the phrase coming with clouds is a metaphor the Prophets used
regarding God coming to visit nations in deliverance and judgment.
Exodus 19:16-20, 24:9-15, Moses revealed the cloud was a revelation of the invisible
Heaven, were God sat on His throne, surrounded by His Heavenly court.
Exodus 33:9, From the cloud Christ spoke to Moses.
Exodus 13:21-22, Psalm 105:39, The cloud gave light at night and shade in the day.
Exodus 14:19-25, It also brought judgment on Pharaoh and his army.
Deuteronomy 33:2, Psalm 68:17, Gods cloud was filled with ten thousands of angels.
Exodus 40:38-38, The cloud entered the tabernacle and filled it with the glory of God.
Leviticus 9:23-24, From the cloud Gods fire came and burned the sacrifices.
The cloud was a sort of mobile court for God. It was His fiery chariot.
Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel looked into the cloud and saw fire, lightning and cherubim flying below the
firmament that was below Gods throne. The cloud was filled with noises like wind, thunder,
rushing water, a shout, a trumpet, a marching army, the rumbling of chariots across the
Heavens or fluttering of wings.
Isaiah 19:1, God did not literally ride down on a cloud from Heaven against Egypt. But He
did send a great judgment upon the Egyptians by the Assyrian army.
Joel 2:2, Described the Day of the Lords coming as a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Psalm 18:7-15, David described the Lord coming in clouds to deliver him.
Psalm 104:3, Isaiah 13:1,9-13; Micah 1:3-4, Deuteronomy 33:2, Zechariah 1:16,
Zephaniah 1:15, describe the Lord coming in clouds.
In none of the above verses does it ever refer to the Lord coming visibly on a cloud. The Lord
came nevertheless. The believers who had spiritual understanding knew He had come.

17
2. The word come, or coming, is used in different ways in the New Testament.
The following is a list of eight types of Jesus coming.
1. The coming of Christ to Christians at physical death to take them into Heaven, John 14:3.
2. The coming of Christ in judgment. Matthew 24:30.
3. The coming of Christ to the disciples after His resurrection. John 14:18, 28.
4. The coming of Christ on the day of Pentecost in power. Acts 2:16-21, 33, 41.
5. The coming of Christ to the Churches of Asia Minor. Revelation 2:5, 16, 3:20.
6. The coming of Christ to cities in Palestine during His public ministry. Matthew 10:23.
7. The coming of Christ to believers, spiritually indwelling them. John 14:21, 23.
8. The coming of Christ in glory at the end of the Jewish age, in AD.70. Matthew 16:27.
Of this list, some acknowledge seven and some five. But obviously there are more than two
comings of Christ mentioned in the New Testament.
Hebrews 9:28, is the only verse that mentions the second time. This was because the writer
referred to the Day of Atonement, which type Christ fulfilled when He came out from Gods
Presence in AD.70 having completed the Atonement; reconciling God and Israel.
3. Daniel 7:13, is of the Son of Man coming in clouds into Heaven to receive the Kingdom.
Daniel 7:25, He saw the little Horn, Nero, persecute the saints until the 3 times came.
Daniel 7:10, stated the judgment was set, (Revelation 20:10), and the saints were
vindicated, for in 7:18, the saints received the Kingdom from Christ, see also verses 22, 27.
The vindication meant that the apostate Jews then realized that the disciples of Christ are the
true sons of God who have received the Kingdom, while they were cast out, Matthew 8:1112. Daniel 7, visions were fulfilled during the time of the Roman Empire in the first century.
4. Christs coming in 1:7, was directed against those who pierced Him, that is, the firstcentury Jews who crucified Him.
The judgment caused all the tribes of the earth, referring to the Jewish tribes, to mourn.
The Greek words tes ges translated the earth, referred to the land of Israel.
The land always referred to Palestine or the land in Heaven and not the world or the earth.
Those who translate it as the world, give the wrong meaning.
Vindication, was often spoken by Jesus.
In Matthew 21:33-41, the parable of wicked farmers.
Matthew 22:2-14, the parable of the wedding.
Luke 18:1-8, the parable of the importunate widow.
Matthew 23:1-39, the judgment of the Jews.
Matthew 23:31-36, Jesus stated the martyrs would be vindicated within that generation.
Matthew 24:30, Jesus declared He would come on the clouds, verse 34, within that
generation. The Lords coming in vindication, shows this book is a prophecy of the
destruction of Jerusalem in AD.67-70.
5. The second prophecy of Zechariah 12:10, is also vindication of the suffering Servant.
Zachariah revealed that those who pierced Christ would live to see Christ destroy them.
Zechariah 12:10, hints at another mourning, where God said He would pour out the Spirit
of grace on the house of Israel, and in 13:1, open a fountain for the cleansing of sin.
This was fulfilled in Acts 2:37, on the day of Pentecost when God opened the fountain of
Jesus blood for forgiveness to Israel.
Zechariah 13:8-9, Later at the second mourning, the Lord caused two thirds of the Jewish
people to die, leaving only a remnant saved. 14:1-2, This was when Jerusalem was
destroyed.

18
6. When John declared, every eye will see him, John meant that the Jews would
understand perceive, and spiritually recognize, that Christ had come to take vengeance.
John 5:19, Christ only does what He sees His Father do.
Isaiah 19:1, Psalm 18:11-12, His Father came in clouds of judgment, invisibly but truly, and
so Christ comes in the same way in the New Testament. This coming in clouds is something
believers have to understand so that when God reveals visions of clouds coming towards
cities they can prophesy that the Lord is visiting in judgment or deliverance.
There have been thousands of visitations of the Lord coming in judgment on countries and
cities of the world throughout Church history and the Church has been slow to warn them of
the Lords coming.
Ephesians 5:13-17, The Church must wake up and see that the Lord and His King priests
are ruling from the Heavens and righteously judge the nations of the earth. Ephesians 3:10.
:8, I am the Alpha and Omega, signified Christ is the Beginning and the End of all things
created in the universe. Christ spoke the will of the Father and created everything according
to what was in the mind and Spirit of the Father. As He spoke Let there be Light the Holy
Spirit was released to manifest the light which began to travel throughout the universe, ever
increasing and expanding the Kingdom.
:9, From John who was a companion in the tribulation that Nero had started in AD.58, and
which continued till Neros death in June AD.68.
John was in the Kingdom and patience of Christ meaning he was experiencing being in the
spirit realms in the Heavenly places.
:10, John was in the Spirit on the Lords day. Believers who spend time waiting on God can
experience being in the Spirit. The human spirit becomes so full of the Spirit of Christ that
the human spirit is overpowered so that He can quicken the mind to see visions. All around
the person, underneath their feet and over their head, they can travel in the Spirit throughout
the Heavens. The persons spirit can be transported into the Heavenly realms. While in that
state the human spirit can recognize, remember, and record the things revealed to it. If the
visions are hard to understand, they ask the angels guiding them as to its meaning. They are
often taken from one scene to another scene in visions, 4:2, Ezekiel 2:2. While in the Spirit,
John heard Jesus voice sounding like a trumpet.
:11, John was told to write the things he saw in a book and to send it to the seven churches
that were in Asia. John sent these epistles to the churches, though he remained on the
Island of Patmos until Caesar Galba released Neros prisoners, in June AD.68, when Neros
decrees were made void.
:12, I turned to see the voice. This is a pattern that will be repeated throughout this book.
John heard, and saw.
In 22:8, he state, I, John, saw these things, and heard them.
The spoken revelations help to make the visual revelations understandable.
John saw seven golden candlesticks. Verse 20, states they were Churches. Each Church
was represented as standing in Gods Presence with Christ ministering personally to each of
them.
:13, John saw Christ was standing in the middle of them. We assume Christ was supplying
the Holy Spirit anointing to each of the seven churches. Christs Spirit was ready to minister
prophesies to each Church. 1. To warn them of the trouble approaching. 2. To comfort the
persecuted, and 3. To encourage them to overcome during the time of suffering.

The glorified Son of Man vision is similar to Daniel 10:5-6, 7:9.

Christ was more than a Grecian super-hero, or Roman Caesar.
Christ was the glorious Ruler of a new kind of men that rule over all of Gods works.

19

The vision combines several Old Testament visions.

1. He is the Son of Man, Daniel 7:13.
2. Wearing the High Priests garment of righteousness, Exodus 29:39-41.
3. The golden girdle of the High Priest, showing girded with truth, Exodus 28:6-8. Eph 6:14.
4. His white hair, referred to His divine omniscience and wisdom, Daniel 7:9-10.
5. His eyes were as a flame of fire, representing His zeal and piercing vision, Daniel 10:6.
6. His feet of fine brass, revealed He was purified by fire at the cross, Zechariah 13:9.
7. His voice as the sound of many waters represented the voice of prophecy gushing from a
heart full of Gods Spirit, Ezekiel 1:24. Like an authoritative prophecy bubbling with life.
8. The seven stars in His hand were the seven angels of the churches, 1:20.
9. Out of His mouth a sharp two-edged sword proceeded. Ezekiel 7:1-12. Hebrews 4:12.
10. His countenance was as the bright shinning sun. Christ was glorious, Matthew 17:2.
:17, John fell down under the weight of glory he was beholding and experiencing. This was a
similar reaction to that of Daniel and Ezekiel, Daniel 8:17, 10:8-9, Ezekiel 1:28. The radiant
beams of Gods perfections emanating from the Person of Christ was of a glory brighter than
the sun that overpowered Johns human body as he drew close to Him. That glory permeates
the person and changes them so that they can radiate Gods glory too. In Exodus 34:29
Moses face shone from beholding the Lord as He passed by while beholding the Lords back.
John saw the front side of the Lords face and so was overwhelmed by the radiance. The fact
that John lived to tell of the experience should produce in us a thirst to want to experience
the same kinds of visions. After all, what the Lord showed to one He will show to all. He is no
respecter of persons.
Isaiah 44:6, The Lords hand came upon John as He declared He was the First and the Last.
:18, Christ told John that He lived. He was dead, but He was alive forevermore.
This was to encourage the disciples that were to suffer martyrdom, that Christ had the
authority over death and hell, so they were not to fear.
:19, John was told to write;
1. The things which he had seen, referring to Christ caring for His Churches. Chapter 1-3.
2. The things which are, referring to His exaltation on Gods throne over all. Chapter 4-5.
3. The things what are to take place after these things, referring to how He progressively
destroyed Gods enemies.
:20, Jesus explained the seven stars were the seven angels of the seven Churches and the
lamp stands represented the seven Churches that stood in Gods Presence. When Christ
gives a vision He gives the understanding of it. It was revealed that each Church has an
angel representing them in Gods Presence that ministers Heavenly things to them.
Chapters two and three. The epistles to the seven Churches.
These seven churches were city churches which were in Asia in Johns day. Jesus warned
them that judgment was coming upon their cities through Nero. Nero gave orders to his
captains Vespasian and Titus, to destroy the Jews, and take their wealth and gold. Ephesus
had been at war with Rome before Nero became Caesar, and there was often trouble
between the two cities. The seven cities warned were heavily populated with Jewish
merchants, some of whom were Christians. Those who took the Lords warning moved away.
Those who thought they were alright and trusted in Rome died, for Neros order was to kill all
the Jews.

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There is a pattern Jesus followed when writing to each church.
Jesus introduced each epistle by stating something about Himself. This introduction revealed
how Jesus would meet the particular need of that church.
As Jesus gave rebukes or exhortations it revealed the churches problem.
Jesus gave promises to the overcomers in each Church. These promises reappear in later
chapters, supporting the view that the Church was already part of the New Jerusalem.
The repetitive, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches,
emphasized the importance of listening to what the Holy Spirit says through prophecy in
every church meeting. The Holy Spirit warns believers about the enemies plans and gives
them wisdom what to do about it.
There are other excellent Bible commentaries that give descriptions of the seven cities.15
Therefore the comments on the seven churches are concise.
2:1-7, The Church at Ephesus.
This church fell from their first love of Jesus Christ. They no longer spent quality time
fellowshipping with God and Christ. That zealous burning love for Christ was gone. In the
heart of the believer there are doors that must be kept open in order for Christ to come out
from the heart and manifest in the earth. The door in the heart of first love, and worship must
be kept open and kept clean by the blood of Jesus.
:2, The Ephesian Church had tested those preachers who said they were Apostles, and
found them to be liars. This referred notably to Cerinthius, who claimed angelic revelations,
and wrote his revelations using the Apostles names, (Johns or Pauls). Cerinthius asserted
there would be an earthly Kingdom of Christ for a thousand years in which they would
celebrate wedding festivals. Acts 20:29-30, Paul had warned the elders of Ephesus
regarding Cerinthius.
:3, Christ commended them for their works and patience.
:4, Christ was disappointed because they had lost their first love for Him.
:5, Christ counseled them to repent and do the first works or else He would come to them
quickly and remove them.
:6, Christ commended them for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitanes which He also hated.
The followers of Nicolaus were leaders who tried to rule over Gods people, 3 John 9-10.
They disobeyed the command issued to the Gentile churches, by the Apostolic council held
at Jerusalem in AD.49-50, Acts 15:29.
Their pride resulted in desires for leadership positions. Hence pastoral and layman divisions
arose. The leaders appointed the church ministers instead of waiting on the Holy Spirit to
speak, call and anoint, Acts 13:2.
In the Church of Pergamos this became a practice by the elders.
:7, The promise to eat of the tree of life which was in the midst of the paradise of God links
this with the final vision in 22:2. It reveals that paradise was restored to the overcomers.
Eating the tree of life was a metaphor for partaking in the spiritual life of Christ and
fellowshipping with God the Father, John 17:3.
This church which enjoyed the ministry of Paul and John did not repent and was removed
from standing before God. So keeping ones first love for Jesus Christ is most important.

Clarke, Adam, Commentary on the Bible, Abridged by Ralph Earle, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids,
Michigan, 49516, USA, 1967. Offers very good comments.
15

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2:8-11. The Church at Smyrna.
This Church endured poverty and suffering. She was warned of the tribulation that she was
to endure at the instigation of the Jews.
:9, Christ condemned the Jews who betray the believers in this Church calling them the
synagogue of Satan.
:10, Christ encouraged the believers to be faithful unto death that He might give them the
crown of life. He warned them they would have tribulation ten days which would refer to the
ten years between AD.58 - 68 when Nero was persecuting both Christians and Jews.
:11, Christ promised that they would not be hurt of the second death. The second death was
explained in 20:14. Jesus loved this Church and did not find any fault with them.
2:12-17. The Church at Pergamos.
:13, After Cyrus took Babylon, the High Priest was forced to leave. He went to Pergamos and
made his temple there. Later the Greeks made a health resort dedicated to the god
Asklepios. Many traveled there for baths, music, prayer, and above all for interpretation of
dreams. The other temples dedicated to Augustus Caesar, Zeus, Minerva, Apollo, Venus and
Bacchus made it the most suitable place to be designated as Satans throne.
There were faithful believers in this Church who held fast to Jesus name and had not denied
the faith.
:13, Jesus commended the faithful martyr Antipas, of whom there is no mention in history.
:14-16, Nevertheless Jesus would come quickly and fight with the sword, those who held the
doctrine of Balaam (immorality), Numbers 25:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:8, and Nicolaus (ruling
over Gods people), 3rd John 9.
:17, Jesus promised the overcomers the hidden manna, and a new name, Isaiah 65:15,
Revelation 19:12, 14:1, 3:12.
2:18-29. The Church at Thyatira.
:19, The Lord commended this Church for their works.
:20, However some Jewish elders had the spirit of Jezebel. This was a zealous, religious,
adulterous spirit, which the Nicolaitanes and Balaam possessed. See Galatians 5:1-3.
:21, Jesus said He would throw them into great tribulation of AD.67-70.
It is an error to place the great tribulation in the future when both Jesus and Paul stated the
Church of that generation would suffer tribulation, John 16:33, 1 Thessalonians 3:4.
:22, He threatened to kill her children (the apostate believers) with spiritual death.
:25, Christ exhorted them to hold fast to the faith and to Apostolic teaching till He came.
:26-27, Jesus promised the overcomers power over nations, 19:15, 12:5. Psalm 2:8-9.
The rod of iron represents the kingly priestly authority that is given to Christians to rule over
the powers of darkness. Believers must exercise this spiritual authority, Luke 9:1, 10:19.
This power and authority over the nations is for believers of all generations. It has been seen
throughout Church History. For example, Martin Luther impacted Germany, John Calvin over
Switzerland, John Knox over Scotland, Yongii Choo over South Korea and many others over
the countries or cities where they ministered.
:28, The morning star is declared to be Jesus Christ in 2 Peter 1:19.
Chapter three.
3:1-6. The Church at Sardis.
:1, Jesus came with the fullness of the Holy Spirit to revive the believer from spiritual death.
Through their apostasy they had lost the Spirit of Christ, Hebrews 3:14, 4:2.
Jesus called them dead, and verse 2, ready to die.
:2, Christ encouraged them to strengthen their faith. Their works were not perfect before God
for they were not guided by the Spirit of Christ, nor were they obedient to His will.

22
:3, They were to remember how they had received salvation and the power and gifts of
Gods Spirit, etc. If they would not watch for His coming He would come like a thief and take
away the apostate Jews and give the Kingdom to others, Matthew 21:43.
The removal of the Holy Spirit from the believers, paves the way for the removal of a Church,
either by the destruction of the city in which she resides, or by the spirit of death sweeping
the denomination she represents. This happened in Sardis and constantly happens
throughout Church history.
:4, Only a few overcame and would walk with Christ in white garments of righteousness.
:5, Their names would not be blotted out of the book of life and Christ would confess their
names before God the Father. See 20:5.
:6, He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Church.
3:7-13. The Church at Philadelphia.
Of all the churches this was one Jesus declared His love for.
Together with Smyrna this Church received no rebuke.
Both of these Churches had apostate Jews in them that were of the synagogue of Satan, :9.
:7, Jesus came with the key of David meaning He had received the authority over the house
of Judah, to care for the Jewish people, carry their burdens, and to judge them.
Acts 15:13-17, James stated God was rebuilding the tabernacle of David so that the
Gentiles would seek the Lord. David allowed the Gentiles to come and worship the Lord
before the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. David had placed two tents centrally in Jerusalem, one
in which was the Ark of the Covenant, (Gods throne on earth), where people came to
worship and seek God. And another tent near to it, where Davids throne was, to which the
Jews and Gentile nations came, to receive justice and judgment. King David led the Gentile
nations to worship God. David set musicians, choirs, dancers, Prophets who sang prophesy,
and priests, before the tabernacle. It was a miniature type of Gods throne on earth. Thus the
Jews and Gentiles came and fellowship in Gods Presence. This was a shadow of the true
spiritual Kingdom. Christ bringing the Jews and Gentiles into Gods Presence.
Luke 1:32-33, Gabriel stated Christ would sit on the throne of David forever.
Acts 2:30-36, Peter said Christs reign began at the ascension.
Acts 13:34-36, The sure mercies of David had begun as many Jews received forgiveness.
Therefore all the prophesies concerning David and Christ were fulfilled. The house of David
was perpetuated in the Kingdom of Christ.16 The teaching that Christ must return to sit on the
throne of David in an earthly millennium is a theological error, based on a literal interpretation
of Scripture, instead of understanding the spiritual fulfillment and completion of Christs work
of atonement by AD.70. Christ has already fulfilled the Day of Atonement in AD.70.
The believers at Philadelphia were worshipping God and evangelizing the Gentiles, therefore
Christ promised open doors into Heaven. Christ opened the doors of Heaven to them in
order to extend the Kingdom of God throughout the earth.
:8, Christ set before the believers an open door to go to the nations to preach His Gospel.
Christ desires His Churches manifest His Kingdom power; His healing, miracle power in
order to save humanity. Because Smyrna and Philadelphia were the only two witnessing
Churches of the seven, some commentators have likened them to the two olive trees that
stood before God in Zechariah 4:1-14, and in Revelation 11:3-4. They were the faithful
lights in a world of spiritual ignorance.
:9, Again Christ referred to those who said they were Jews, but were not.

23
Christ was interested in the Jews because as the Shepherd of Israel, He had to gather the
scattered tribes, and bring them together with the Gentiles, into Gods Presence, Isaiah 49:5.
In Romans 15:8-9, Paul stated, Jesus Christ was a minister of the Jews, to confirm the
promises made unto the fathers, so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.
Ezekiel 37:15-24, The Prophets promised the regathering of the scattered tribes of Israel
and the joining of Judah and Israel together. These promises were fulfilled as Christ through
the Apostles went throughout the Roman Empire preaching the Gospel. As the scattered
Jews received Christ they were gathered together and became one in Christs Spiritual Body.
In AD.70 Christ raised up all the Jews and Gentiles from the Old Testament, judged them,
and then took them into Gods Presence, presenting a Kingdom of both Jewish and Gentile
saints. All the promises to the Jewish Prophets were fulfilled by Christ by AD.70.17
It is finished, Revelation 21:6.
:10, Christ promised to keep this Church from the hour of temptation (the tribulation of
AD.67-70). The test in those days was whether the believers were still a Jew or a Christian?
Did they love Rome or Christ? If they listened to the prophecies given by the Spirit they
would be saved. Otherwise their faith would be tested through the fires of suffering.
Those willing to stand would be kept by the power of God, 1 Peter 1:5.
:11, Jesus again stated He would come quickly to judge the apostate Jews. The faithful Jews
must hold on to Christ so that no one could take their crown of glory.
:12, Those who overcame would be a pillars in the Temple of God, the New Jerusalem.
Christ would write upon them spiritually the new names of the Christians, Acts 11:26.
The new names are:
1. The name of God the Father, John 17:26.
2. The name of New Jerusalem, and,
3. Christs new name;- the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Jewish believers recognized that this referred to the golden plate on the hat of the High
Priest on which was inscribed, Holiness to the Lord.
3:14-22. The Church at Laodicea.
:14, Christ greeted the believers as the Amen, the Beginning of the creation of God.
:15-17, Their lukewarmness produced a nausea in Christ.
To be spewed out of Christs mouth is the same as being cut out of the book of life, 20:15.
:18, Christ counseled them buy gold tried in the fire.
1 Peter 1:7, To have pure doctrines tested in the furnace of sufferings.
Revelation 19:8, 1 Peter 5:5, To be clothed with the white garment of Christs
righteousness.
Matthew 5:8, To anoint their eyes with ointment that they might spiritually see. To have a
heart to see, love and understand the invisible God. Many were blind to spiritual realities.
:19, Christ encouraged them to change their minds regarding the things of the spiritual world
and to be zealous for Christ. If they sought the spiritual Kingdom it would open to them.
:20, Christ stood at the door of their heart and knocked. This refers to Christ through the Holy
Spirit gently knocking at the door of the believers heart seeking entrance. Christs Spirit
What Jesus said to the Jews then, could not be said today, for there are no true Jews of Davids line. The Jews
today are mainly from Armenia when that nation converted to Judaism. The modern day American support of
the Jews for the land of Israel is based on an incorrect interpretation of Scripture.
17

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mixes with the believers personality. Christ in us, takes us into God the Fathers Presence
where we fellowship with Him. It is described as eating with Him. The believers must open
the doorways of their heart for Christ to come in so that He can open the doors to Heaven.
:21, Christ promised those who overcame would sit with Him on His throne. This was a
reference to the martyrs that were already sitting on thrones with Him, 20:4-6.
I believe John saw Stephen who was martyred in Acts 7:55-60, and James, his own brother,
who was martyred in Acts 12:2, as already seated on thrones on the throne of God.
They were part of the first-fruits, Revelation 14:4.
Part 2.
Revelation 4-7. Worship at the throne of God.
Chapter four.
The worship of God the Father.
:1-2, John was in the Spirit, and was told that he was going to see the things that would fulfill
the warnings and promises Christ had revealed to the churches of Asia.
The door opened in Heaven, was a similar experience as Ezekiels in Ezekiel 1:26-28, 2:2,
3:12,14, 24, 11:1. It was also similar to Paul being caught up to Heaven in 2 Corinthians
12:2. This verse is not a picture of the rapture of the Church.
John needed to show to the Judiazers his visions were on the same level as those of the Old
Testament Prophets thereby declaring he was a Prophet.
:2, Gods throne is mentioned forty times in Revelation 6:10; 11:18; 15:4; 16:5-7; 18:8.
:3, God the Father was not personally seen, but the radiance of His glory was.
The two stones, jasper and sardine (red and white) shot out glorious rays of powerful light,
representing the perfections of Gods character. His love, righteousness, mercy, justice, etc.,
From this throne, God directed Christ to judge the apostate Jews, in order to bring the
fulfillment of the Old Covenant.
Gods throne which is in the center of the universe, in the highest and holiest of realms
declares that God controls all events, everywhere, in all ages.
What is so exciting about this throne is that God has room on His throne for others. E.g. The
twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
The twenty-four elders are angelic advisers to God the Father. Some say they represent the
twelve Patriarchs and the twelve Apostles, the representatives of both the Old and the New
Covenants, providing a perfect Government to oversee the Kingdom.
:4-5, The seven Spirits, represent the fullness of the Holy Spirit. John has already introduced
the Holy Spirit as being seen as seven Spirits in Revelation 1:4. The Holy Spirit ministers
the presence and power of Christ in the Church. This refers to Isaiah 11:2 where the seven
Spirits were revealed to Isaiah. The Blessed Holy Spirit adopts a humble position as the
Intercessor for the Church before the throne, Romans 8:26-27. He oversees the Church,
brings her before the throne of God and represents her constantly. Together with the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit prays, Romans 8:27, 34. They are a powerful prayer duo on
behalf of men.
:6-9, The Cherubim, covered with eyes, are angels that oversee and pray for the creation.
They sing of creation, verses 7,11. The number four points to the four-corners of the earth,
verses 7, 7:1, 21:13. These Cherubim as representatives of the creation stand before God,
interceding and offering praise on behalf of creation. The lion as the king of beasts, the eagle

25
as the king over the birds, the calf as the king of the servant animals, and man as the head
over the earth.
:10-11, Adoration and praise is offered to the Creator. The purpose of His creation is stated.
Man was created to give God pleasure. The first goal of man is to please God; to cause God
to rejoice. As Jack Hayford stated, The book of Revelation is a handbook on worship. It is a
call to adoration. It begins and ends with worship.18
Chapter five.
A Lamb was seen standing before the throne of God. It is an enigma, for the Lamb is also the
Lion of Judah. It is a sacrificial Lamb that has the nature of a Kingly Lion. Jesus the perfect
man has been sacrificed, and only He was worthy to take the scroll and open it. The Lamb
was being presented to God as the offering to fulfill the Day of Atonement.
:1-7, The book in the right hand of God was that which the angel told Daniel to seal till the
end of the Jewish age in Daniel 12:9. It was Gods sentence of judgment against Jerusalem
because they had shed, all the righteous blood of the martyrs, Matthew 23:35.
In Deuteronomy 28:15, Moses warned the Jews of all the curses that would come upon
them. In vs. 33, they would be crushed and vs. 61, every sickness, and every plaguethe
Lord, would bring upon them, till they were destroyed.
One must study Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 27-28, and the Song of Moses in
Deuteronomy 32, to understand the covenantal background to Revelation.
Once Christ opened the Book, the visions would continue going forward till they reach the
climax in the destruction of Jerusalem. Then John would repeat the judgments from another
angle, till he reached the destruction of Jerusalem again.
:8-9, Christ was the only one worthy to open the Book of judgments on the apostate Jews
because He had suffered the wrath of God on their behalf on the cross, and was suffering
through the members of His Body the Church.
Luke 23:4, Pilate stated he could not find any fault in Jesus.
John 8:46, nor did any of the Pharisees find any sin in Him.
Nor was there any creature in the universe who could find fault with Him.
Their Creator had humbled Himself to died on their behalf. He rose from the dead on their
behalf and offered them Gods salvation, and eternal life, John 20:21-23.
Heb.7:24-26, He had ascended to Gods right hand to be their High Priest and make
intercession for all of them to be saved.
He sent His disciples empowered with His Spirit to regather Israel.
He fulfilled the promises made by the Prophets of pouring out His Holy Spirit on them so that
they could have fellowship with God. He had united the Jews and Gentiles in His Body
through the dynamic ministry of Paul and his team. Some sat in Heavenly places, had
authority and were gifted with spiritual gifts. He inspired them to write the Gospels and
Epistles upon which the Jews could mature as Sons of God.
What more could Christ do for His people the Jews?
He had given them sufficient time to repent, and yet all they did was to persecute His
disciples more and more!
It was therefore time to complete their age, their authority over Gods Kingdom, so that He
could expand His reign throughout the Heaven and earth through His Body the Church.
Hayford, Jack, E Quake, A New Approach to Understanding the End Time Mysteries in the Book of
Revelation. Pages 11,12,16,24. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville, Tenn, USA. 1999. ISBN 0-7852-7472-3.
18

Jesus Christ was the only one worthy to open the Book of judgment on apostate Jews.

26

It was time to reveal Christ as the Son of God and to show His disciples were the true sons
of God. To manifest the sons of God to the universe.
An good example to illustrate the point is. A judge is sitting in court, when an innocent boy
staggers in covered in bruises and blood. He has been severely beaten. The boy pleads for
vengeance because the judge is a righteous man, and is his father. Shall the boy not expect
vengeance? In the same way should the Son of God not request vengeance from His
Father? God gave the judgment to His Son, and showed Him how to avenge Himself at the
right time, and in the right manner (invisibly), John 5:22.
Chapter six.
These prophesies are similar to Jesus prophecy in Matthew 24:1-34.
:1-2, The first seal.
The four angelic creatures called for horses to come and bring the destruction upon the land
of Israel.
See Zechariah 6:5, where the four winds of the Heavens, are seen as chariots going back
and forth patrolling the earth. They serve the Holy Spirit and together with the angels bring
judgments upon the earth.
In the Old Testament these four types of judgments are repeatedly seen.
In Jeremiah 15:2-4, there are four judgments, 1. sword, 2. famine, 3. captivity, 4. pestilence.
In Ezekiel 5:1-4; 7:2,15, 21, 1. the sword, 2. famine, 3. evil beasts, and 4. the plague.
In Leviticus 26:25, 1. the sword and pestilence; 2. vs.16, disease; 3. vs.26, famine; and 4.
vs.38, death.
Deuteronomy 32:23, 1. arrows; 2. vs.25, the sword; 3. vs.24, pestilence and 4. famine.
In Matthew 24:6, 1. Wars, 2. vs.7 Famines, 3. Pestilences, and 4. earth quakes.
:2, While the other horses are symbols of earthly judgments, this vision of a white horse has
to be interpreted with reference to a similar vision in 19:11-16.
The rider on the white horse is symbolic of Christs Spirit in His Apostles and evangelists that
conquers the nations through His powerful Gospel.
In 19:11, the rider on the white horse is the Lord Jesus Christ who conquers nations through
His Body, His Kingdom, and His Churches.
Zechariah 10:3, said, God has made Judah as His goodly horse in Battle.
The word conqueror in this book always refers to the Lord Jesus and His Kingdom, See
1:13, 2:26-27, 5:5, 11:11-15, 12:11, 20:4, and 22:16.
In Romans 8:37, Paul stated, We are more than Conquerors.
:3-4, The second seal.
The rider on the red horse, took peace from the earth.
Matthew 24:6-7, This speaks of the trouble that came upon the Jews from AD. 64-70.
:5-6, The third and fourth seal.
The riders on the black and pale horses represent the famine and death that issued from the
Jewish war of AD.67-70. This refers to the civil war between the Zealots and the Moderates.
The Zealots started a reign of terror and eventually took Jerusalem and the temple. The
Jews starved in the famine and death was reported in every house in Jerusalem.
Several Historians testify of various signs occurring at that time.

27
Josephus reported, Before sun set, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were
seen running about in the clouds, and surrounding the cityThere was a star resembling a
sword, which stood over the city, and a comet that continued a whole year 19
Schaff wrote, The temple hill seemed covered in one sheet of flaming fire. The blood was
more that the fire, and those slain more that those who killed them. The ground was not
visible as all was covered with dead bodies. Thus the prophecy about the abomination of
desolation standing in the holy place was fulfilled.20
:9-11, The fifth seal revealed the martyrs under the Heavenly altar crying for vengeance.
Stephen was martyred in Acts 7:59. James, Peter, and Paul all were martyred, along with a
multitude of Christians who choose to pass through the fire in order to inherit a greater
degree of glory.
In 11:12, we are told two martyrs ascend into Heaven and in 20:4, we see they are already
sitting on thrones judging those who killed them, Matthew 19:28.
The martyrs were given white robes and told to wait a little while till the end in AD.66-70.
In the most wise and perfect way God responded to the cries of the martyrs and executed
vengeance on those who killed the Apostles and Prophets, 18:20, 19:2.
:12-17, The sixth seal.
In verse 17, is called the great Day of His Wrath.
Malachi 4:5-6, stated the Lord would send Elijah before the great Day of the Lord.
Matthew 11:13-14, and 17:10-13, Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah.
Malachi 3:1-2, said John the Baptist would be the (New) Covenant messenger.
Matthew 3:7, John, warned the Pharisees to flee from the coming Wrath?
Matthew 3:10, John said the axe was laid to the root of the trees, referring to the apostate
Jewish leaders, and in vs.12, Christ had his fan in His hand, to clean His threshing floor, (the
nation of Israel) and gather the wheat into the barn (into His Kingdom in Heaven).
John preached Christ would hold instruments of both harvest and judgment in His hand.
Jesus also taught harvest and judgment in his parables in Matthew 13:37-43, 47-51, and
referred them to the end of the Jewish age.
Both John the Baptist and the Apostle John saw Christs coming in judgment as imminent.
To say they were wrong by thousands of years is to misrepresent their words.
:12, In Prophetic literature a great earthquake represents a great political or spiritual
revolution. It is common for the sun, moon, and stars to represent the political or religious
leaders over nations. This scene parallels Joel 2:30-31, and Christs promise in Matthew
24:29. This earthquake shook the Government leaders in Jerusalem out of their place.
This earthquake is seen again in this book in 16:18; 11:13,19, and 8:5.
Chilton wrote, Just as Gods salvation is spoken of as a creation, 2 Corinthians. 5:17, so
Gods judgments are spoken in terms of a de-creation.21
:13, The Stars, here represent the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. These leaders fell through the
civil strife during AD.68-70. They fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when
shaken by a great wind. Jesus referred to the fig tree as a figure of Israel in Matthew 21:19,
24:32-34, Mark 11:13-14.

Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 6, Ch 5, Section 3.

Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol.1 p. 398.
21 Chilton, David, The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation, Page 196. Dominion Press,
Ft. Worth, Texas. USA. 1987.
19

20

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:14, The Heaven vanished like a scroll when it is rolled up. See Isaiah 51:15-16;
Jeremiah 4:23-31, Hebrews 12:26-27. Every mountain and island was moved out of their
places. Mountains represent Kingdoms, and so this refers to the ten Gentile nations
belonging to the Roman Empire which were shaken after Neros death in AD.68.
:15, The list of men reveals seven types of men destroyed: 1. The kings of the earth, 2. great
men, 3. commanders, 4. rich 5. strong, 6. every slave and, 7. every free man.
:16, Taken from Hosea 10:6-8, Jesus spoke this on the way to the cross, Luke 23:27-30.
:17, The great Day of His Wrath had come.
This is repeated again in visional form in Revelation 15-16.
Chapter seven.
After the opening of the sixth seal one would expect that the seventh seal would follow.
Instead John gives a gap between the announcements of judgments and the execution of
them. Seven times John gave a vision of comfort and victory between the scenes of
judgment. That is again similar to how the Prophets prophesied.
1. Between the fourth and sixth seals he showed the martyrs were comforted.
2. Between the sixth and seventh seals, Gods servants were sealed, chapter 7.
3. Between the sixth and seventh trumpet, the two witnesses ascend, 11:3-12.
4. Between the two beasts and Babylons fall, the overcomers are seen on Mt. Zion, 14:1-5.
5. Between the winepress of wrath and the seven last plaques, the overcomers sing the
song of Moses, 15:2-4.
6. Between the fall of Babylon and Christs coming, the hallelujah chorus is sung, 19:1-6.
7. Between the binding of Satan and the final battle, the martyrs are enthroned, 20:4-6.
This short interlude allowed the Jews to flee to the mountains as Jesus directed in Luke
21:20-21, Matthew 24:16-22, and was prophesied in Joel 2:32.
The visions of this chapter answer the question in 6:17, Who can stand in day of wrath?
The answer to who can stand? is given in 7:4-8. Those sealed among the Jews, and in 7:9
the multitudes of Gentiles that stand before the throne. Note the contrast between the
remnant of the Jews and the multitudes of the Gentiles.
:1-2, Four angels are seen holding back the winds of destruction that will destroy Israel,
Zechariah 6:4, Daniel 7:2, Jeremiah 49:36-37; 51:1-2. The angels were holding back the
army of Titus from overcoming the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem. God protected His people
and not one perished in the final destruction of Jerusalem on September 10th AD.70.
:3-8, It does not say that John saw a hundred and forty-four thousand sealed, rather John
only heard the number of those that were sealed.
Afterwards he saw a great multitude, for the Jews and Gentiles were one in Christs
Spiritual Body.
The angels sealed the true Jews so that the death angel passed over them, as in Ezekiel
9:3-4.
The sealed Jews represent those who escaped Jerusalem before the invasion by Titus in
February AD.67. They obeyed Jesus direction in Matthew 24:16-22 and fled.22
I believe the number 144,000 is symbolic and represents All of Israel that will be saved,
Romans 11:26.
22

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Bk 3, Ch 5, P 85, (See also Hort, Judaistic Christianity, 1894 ed, pp 174-175.)

29
The great multitude represents the fullness of the Gentiles, of that day, Romans 11:25.
In Revelation 14:4 John called the 144,000 the first fruits, because they were the first fruits
of Christs resurrection, James 1:18, John 11:25-26.
1 Cor.15:20-24, Paul also spoke of a first fruit group in the resurrection order he preached.
1. Christ was the 1st fruit of resurrection.
2. Then the martyrs. The 1st fruits, for they were mature and suffered like Christ.
3. Then the rest of Israel, together with the Gentile believers, who gathered together in the
harvest taken at the end of the Jewish age.
:9-17, The vision of an innumerable multitude was the harvest of souls Christ and the
Apostles took in that first generation. Christ as the Good Shepherd sent Paul and his team
throughout the Roman Empire to gather the Gentiles into His Kingdom. It was the latter day
harvest and Paul had preached to every person under Heaven in his day, Colossians 1:23.
:11, The white robes symbolize the righteousness of Christ received through faith.
They are holding palms, the symbol of peace and victory, vs. 9.
:14, They came out of great tribulation.
In Daniel 12:1 the great tribulation belonged to the end of Israels age, vs.7, stated it was
when the power of the Jews was shattered, AD.70.
Matthew 24:15-21, Jesus encouraged the disciples that after they were persecuted by the
Jews then great tribulation would come on those apostate Jews who persecuted them.23
The vision brings us again to the end of the Jewish age and shows Christ leading the first
fruits, the 144,000, the true Israel, the Apostles and Prophets, etc, into the Fathers
Presence. They were surrounded by a huge harvest of those saved from the Gentiles.
This is the re-gathering all the Prophets spoke about in the harvest at the end of the Jewish
age, Matthew 13:37-43, 47-51.
All the land promises are fulfilled to the Jews in Heaven in AD 70. Ezekiel 37:21-22, 24-28.
Joshua 21:43-45, 23:14, stated that God had given all the land to the Jews which He had
promised to the Fathers. Abraham looked for a Heavenly city not an earthly one.
John saw

Christ as a Shepherd gathered Israel

Both the remnant from the Jews and
the fullness from the Gentiles & joined them
into the Great Congregation of the Gentiles.

John heard
The 144,000 Overcomers.
The man child.
The first fruits.
Zion. The Bride of Christ.
The King & Priests,
Prophets & Apostles

John saw

The Great Congregation of the Gentiles.

The
Fathers
Presence
In Heaven
Christ lead them into
New Jerusalem.
The promised land

Part 3.
Revelation 8-11. The seven trumpets.
:1, There was silence in Heaven for half an hour.
During the Jewish temple services, the High priest offering the incense entered the holy
place with his assistants. One assistant put the coal on the golden altar while the other
prepared the incense. Then the priest was left alone while he waited for the signal to burn the
This doesnt mean the Church did not suffer during this time. Christians were killed as Romans wreaked
havoc on the land of Judah, and on the Jews throughout the Empire.
23

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incense. When the command was given, the people outside, fell down before the Lord in
prayer. The half an hour period was while the priest offered the incense. Then the prayers
from the martyrs ascended to God, 6:10.
:2, Seven angels were given seven trumpets.
During the worship time in the temple, seven trumpets were blown, 1 Chronicles 15:24;
Nehemiah 12:41.
The earthly worship is to be patterned after the Heavenly angelic worship, Hebrews 8:5,
9:23-24, Matthew 16:19; 18:18, John 20:23.
:3-6, The martyrs cry for vengeance, 6:10, was being answered. The apostate Jewish
leaders were to be judged. The angel threw fire on the land of Israel.
The thunder, voices, lightening and earthquake were signs that Gods cloud was moving
towards the earth, see Exodus.19:16-18, Ezek.1:4, 3:12-13, 43:1-4.
Chilton stated when a city was to be destroyed the priest would take fire from Gods altar,
and use it to light the pile of booty so offering the entire city as a sacrifice.
In Deuteronomy 13:15-16 this put the city under a ban so that nothing survived the
burning.24
:7-13, The seven trumpet judgments affected a third of the land of Judea and the people
showing the judgments were increasing, See 6:8.
:7, The first trumpet.
See Exodus 9:18-24. The trees refer to the leaders of Israel, (Psalm 1:3), and the grass to
the people (Isaiah 40:6), who were slain in the destruction of Judea and Jerusalem.
:8-9, The second trumpet.
The mountain represented the nation of Israel being thrown into the sea, never to rise again.
Daniel 2:35,44 showed that mountains represent Kingdoms. See Jeremiah 51:24, Isaiah
34:3, 64:1,3, Ezekiel 6:2-3, Daniel 2:35, 45. 9:16, 20, Zechariah 4:7, Mark 11:23. Luke
3:5, Psalm 72:3, 83:14.
:10-11, The third trumpet.
The great star falling from Heaven could refer to Ananus, the High Priest, who led the
apostasy in Jerusalem; or to Eleazer, his son, who excited the Zealots to introduce a reign of
terror in Jerusalem. The Zealots appointed their own priest to do the temple services, who
was considered an antichrist.
See Jude 13, Daniel 8:10, Genesis 37:9, Isaiah.14:12-15, Matthew 24:29.
Wormwood, see Deuteronomy 29: 18, Proverbs 5:4-5, Jeremiah 9:15, Amos 5:7, the pure
waters of Gods Spirit were polluted with bitter poisonous doctrines that resulted in the
deaths of multitudes of Jews.
:12, The fourth trumpet.
A third part of the sun, moon and stars were smitten. This imagery commonly used by the
Prophets, refers to the rulers of nations falling, Isaiah 13:9-11, 24:19-23, Ezekiel 32:7-8,
Joel 2:10.
Farrar wrote, Ruler after ruler, of the Jewish nation and the Roman Empire was
assassinated and ruined. The leading High Priest of Jerusalem, perished in disgrace, or in

24

Chilton, David, The Days of Vengeance, Page 232. Dominion Press, Ft. Worth, Texas. USA. 1987.

31
exile, or by violent hands. All these were quenched suns and darkened stars. 25 Genesis
37:9.
When James, the brother of Jesus was murdered by Ananias the High Priest, Josephus
wrote there was a gloom that came over Jerusalem. Then the Christian Jews started to leave
Jerusalem. They knew Jerusalem was doomed.
:13, Three woes were announced by an eagle.
In Hosea 8:1, warnings of Israels destruction are often in terms of eagles descending upon
rotting dead flesh, see Deuteronomy 28:49, Jeremiah 4:13, Lamentations 4:19,
Habakkuk 1:8; Matthew. 24:28.
Part of the curse was being devoured by birds, Deuteronomy 28:26, Jeremiah 7:33-34,
Ezekiel 39:17-20, Revelation 19:17-18.
Chapter nine.
:1-2, The fifth trumpet.
Smoke and locusts came from the bottomless pit to cover Judea. Deuteronomy 28:38, Joel
2:1.
Gessius Florus, the procurator of Judea, in May AD.66 started killing 3,600 Jews. He
terrorized the Jews for five months deliberately seeking to make them rebels. He was
successful and Josephus dated the start of the Jewish War from this.
In February of AD.67 Nero, while in Greece, called for his Captain Vespasian, who arrived
with his son Titus, and their troops. Nero gave Vespasian the decree of war against Israel.
Vespasian ordered Titus to go to Egypt to bring the fifth and tenth legions to help in the war.
Vespasian went for the two other legions that were stationed near the Euphrates in
Cappadocia.
:3-4, The locusts refers to the demons released on the earth to excite the 30,000 Zealots to
rob, kill and terrorize Judea. Before Vespasian marched towards Israel, the Zealots
destroyed Judea as they moved towards Jerusalem. The Zealots entered Jerusalem, took
control of the Government and the temple, and appointed their own High Priest. One of their
wicked leaders, John, murdered many of the Jewish leaders and incited the men in
Jerusalem to fight.
:5-10, The Zealots took lots and appointed wicked priests, Jesus, son of Damneus, Jesus
son of Gamaliel, Matthias son of Theophilus, and Pannias son of Samuel. This was when the
son of perdition, prophesied by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10, sat in the house of God,
and began acting like he was God.26
In a five month period from May to September AD.67 these men took all the food supplies
inside Jerusalem for their army. The people perished for lack of food, others ate those who
died from starvation, while some killed, cooked and ate their children.
Josephus wrote, Neither did any age ever breed a generation more fruitful in wickedness
than those Jews in Jerusalem. The madness increased with their hungerthe robbers
searched mens houses; and if they found any food they tormented them, and if they found
no food, they tormented them more because they thought they had hidden it.
Luke 23:28-31, Jesus declared they would desire to die.

25
26

Farrar, F. W., The Early Days of Christianity, Page 519, Clarke & Co., Pub. Chicago, USA 1882.
Josephus, War of the Jews, Book 4, chp. 2:3, 3:5, 3:8, 3:10.

32
:8, Referring to the hair of women, Josephus wrote, With their hunger for loot, they
ransacked the houses of the wealthy, murdered men, raped women, drank, and gave
themselves up to effeminate practices, plaiting their hair and putting on womens clothes,
wearing perfume and makeup, and copying the passions of women. Though they had put on
womens faces if they heard any man approaching they would suddenly turn into murderous
men and kill them.27
:11-13, During the ministry of Christ, Satan had fallen to the earth like a star from Heaven.
See also Revelation 12:4, 9, 12, where Satan is seen as falling. The key of the Abyss was
given to him.
Matthew 12:41-45, Jesus told the Jews who received the benefits of His ministry but
rejected Him, that they would be overtaken by demons. The words Abaddon and
Apollyon, simply mean Destroyer and refer to the Zealots who destroyed Jerusalem.
:13-14, The sixth trumpet.
In answer to the prayers from the martyrs below the altar, the Lord told the angel to lose the
four angels bound by the Euphrates. The Roman army that had two legions stationed near
the Euphrates was called for.
:15-19, John heard the number of the horsemen, was two myriads.
See Psalms 68:17, The chariots of God are double myriads, thousands of thousands.
The ancient dictionaries inform us that a myriad consists of 10,000 men.
Therefore two myriads refer to 20,000 men.
Vespasian marched his army through Asia towards Judea. He was joined with 10,000 men
from Euphrates and marched on Syria killing all the Jews in his way. At Askelon there was a
great slaughter of Jews. All the cities were plundered, burned, and Jewish citizens murdered.
Titus came to Syria by ship with 10,000 from Egypt and joined his father Vespasian.
The two myriads marched through Judea to Jerusalem taking everyone they did not kill as
prisoners, and burning everything in sight, as they moved towards Jerusalem,
Vespasian had to suddenly leave due to Neros death and return to Rome to become
Emperor of Rome, late in AD.68. He charged his son Titus to continue the war against the
Jews. Titus killed over 13,37,490 Jews in Jerusalem alone. The blood ran as deep as 2
feet high, (a horses bridle).28
:20-21. Still the Jews did not repent. Josephus wrote, Even up to the end, after famine,
mass murders, cannibalism, crucifixion of Jews at the rate of 500 per day, the Jews still
listened to their false prophets who assured them of deliverance and victory. They were
blind, to the clear warnings and signs of God.29
I am persuaded that when nations refuse to repent, God allows demonic powers to rise up
and stir up religious fanatics to discipline that nation. If the Church will not do spiritual warfare
and bind these demons then they will rise up to torment the Church. It is to be hoped that
Europe and USA will repent so that they will not have to suffer continual torment by these
terrorist organisations. History does indeed repeat itself.
Josephus, War of the Jews, Book 4, chp. 9:10.
Josephus, War of the Jews, Book 2, pages 485-537..
29 Josephus, War of the Jews, Book 6. chp 5:3
27

28

33
Chapter ten.
The little book and seven thunders.
There is a gap between the sixth and seventh trumpets. John introduces all that he can
before the Last Trumpet, so that he can record the end in a few words. The Seventh Trumpet
corresponds with the Last Trumpet of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:52.
Four things are presented:
1. The Mighty Angel coming down from Heaven, 10:1-7.
2. The eating of the little book, 10:8-11.
3. The measuring the temple of God, 11:1-2.
4. The two witnesses, 11:3-13.
:1, The mighty angel is the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Clothed with the cloud, means Christ was clothed with judgment, Psalms 104:1-3.
2. The rainbow upon His head, as Ezekiel 1:27-28, refers to the covenant He had made.
3. His face was like the sun, 1:16, Matthew 17:2, shows Christ radiates Gods glory.
4. His legs were like pillars of fire. Exodus 14:24, the pillar of fire and cloud.
Terry stated, In apocalyptic prophecies the Son of Man is revealed in different ways.
First the glorious Christophany in 1:13-17.
Then as the Lamb in 5:6.
Then as the Mighty Angel in 10:1.
Again as the Lamb in 14:1;
The Son of Man on a cloud in 14:14.
The rider on the white horse in 19:11. and
Finally as the Judge in 20:11.
All these revealed Christs character and glory.
So also the antichrist, appears under various forms of manifestation.
As Abaddon, the angel of the abyss in 9:11.
As the great red dragon in 12:3.
As the beasts in 13:1,11.
As the scarlet-colored beast in 17:3. and
As Babylon the habitation of devils in 18:2.30
:2, The Angel, holding the little book, placed His right foot on the sea and his left foot on the
land. The sea represented the Gentiles nations and the land represented Judea.
It revealed Jesus Christ standing, towering over Judea and Rome ready to judge them both.
The little scroll is the scroll that Jesus received from God in 5:7. It was gradually opened from
chapter 6:1 to 8:1 so that John can now read it.
This was the scroll Daniel said was sealed, Daniel 12:4, 9.
:3-4, In response to the Lords loud voice, seven peals of thunder utter their voices. See
Psalm 29, where the mighty effects of the Lords voice is noted: It shatters cedars in pieces,
rocks nations with earthquakes, lightning, etc. John was told not to write these thunders.

30

Terry, Milton S., Biblical Hermeneutics, Page 363. Wift and Stock Publishers, Eugene, OR., USA. 1999 .

34
:5-6, The angel lifted up His right hand to Heaven like a witness in a court of law and
swore an oath that there would be no more delay, but that the mystery of God would be
fulfilled, which God told the Prophets.
Ephesians 3:3-8, stated the mystery of God was the uniting of the Jews and Gentiles in one
Body of Christ, and that the Spirit of Christ was within them, Romans 16:25-26. Col.1:27.
Colossians 1:25, Paul knew he was chosen to bring the revelation of the mystery to its
completion through his own personal sufferings for Christ. Paul had fulfilled the word of God
and taken the mystery to every creature under Heaven.
In 2 Timothy 4:7, 17-18, Paul knew he had completed his missionary work of spreading the
Gospel throughout the whole Roman world before he appeared before Nero. He understood
the end of the Jewish nation could then come, Matthew 24:14.
2 Timothy 4:7 He had finished the duty assigned to him by the Lord. Acts 26:19, He was
obedient to the Heavenly vision, Acts 9:15.
This meant that by June AD.66 when Paul died, the Seventh Trumpet began to blow (it will
blow for 3 years) and the Day of the Lord began.
:7, In the days of the seventh trumpet the other mysteries would also be completed, namely,
the resurrection, the judgment and the end of spiritual death by the removal of the Law, when
the temple was destroyed.
:8-11, The instruction to take and eat the book is similar to the one given to Ezekiel in
Ezekiel 2:8-10, and 3:1-3, where Ezekiel was to prophesy about Israels destruction.
Like Ezekiel, John was to commit the vision to memory in order to continue to declare it.
The book of prophecy was sweet, in that John could rejoice in the victory of the remnant over
the enemies of God.
But, it was also bitter, in that he heard Jerusalem was to be pulled down, the temple burned,
and thousands of his countrymen killed.
Chapter eleven.
:1-2, The temple, the altar and those who worship are measured.
The imagery is similar to Ezekiel 40-43 where an angel measured Gods ideal temple.
Measuring is a symbolic action to reveal the spiritual height, or maturity of the worshippers,
Ephesians 4:13-15, Ezekiel 22:26, Zechariah 2:1-5. Jesus Christ and Apostles set the
height, referring to the spiritual standard their followers were to reach.
The measuring was to separate the true spiritual believers (martyrs) from the rest of the Jews
(apostates), before the judgment came upon the city of Jerusalem and its temple.
Luke 21:24, Jesus used similar words to that which John used, Jerusalem will be trampled
on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
11:2, ..given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
These verses teach that Jerusalem would be trampled by the Gentiles, meaning the Roman
army of Vespasian and Titus, until the time of the Gentiles ruling over the Jews (3 years)
was fulfilled, which was within 42 months (3 years).

35
In Daniel 2:31-45, the times of the Gentiles, referred to the time when the kingdoms of
Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome, ruled over Israel until Christ came who would
then established His rule over the earth.
In Daniel 2:34, the Stone cut without hands refers to Christ being cut at Calvary by Gods
Spirit leaving Him. This cutting paved the way for the Stone to rise again and become in
Verse 35, the Stone that smote the image which became the mountain (Kingdom) that filled
the earth. There is no indication of a gap between the Stone being cut, smiting the image,
and growing and filling the earth.
Daniel 7:14, When Christ rose and ascended He received a Kingdom. That Kingdom has
been filling the earth ever since.
Daniel 2:44, states Christs Kingdom will stand forever, suggesting it is going to continually
be filling the earth till the earth is filled with the glory of God. As it is in Heaven, so it will be
on earth one day.
This treading of the city refers to the Romans surrounding and destroying it, from AD 67-70.
After Jerusalem was destroyed, the Gentiles would no longer be able to trample on Gods
temple, for Gods temple would be a universal, spiritual one, referring to Christs Spiritual
Body, John 2:21, 4:21. The teaching that a temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem is in
opposition to the teaching of Christ and the Apostles who insisted that Gods new dwelling
place is in Christs spiritual body, John 2:21, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 12:12-13.
In Daniel 9:26-27, the timing of the destruction of the temple can only refer to the period
when Herods temple was standing. The forty-two months was from the spring of AD.67 to
August of AD.70, which was the time of the Roman War against Jerusalem.
:3-13, The two witnesses prophesied for 1260 days.
John arranged these time periods chiastically, showing they were symbolic.
A. 11:2 forty-two months.
B. 11:3 twelve hundred and sixty days.
C. 11:9 three and a half days.
C. 11:11 - three and a half days.
B. 12:6 - twelve hundred and sixty days.
A. 13:5 - forty-two months.
The number seven prophetically represents wholeness, and completion.
The number three and a half represents a broken seven, and so refers to a time of breaking,
death, and destruction.
During this time period;The saints were persecuted, corresponding to Daniel 7:25.
The great tribulation and time of the end took place, corresponding to Daniel 12:7.
Jerusalem was treaded down, 11:2.
The two witnesses ministered, 11:3.
The Woman was protected, 12:6, and,
The Beast persecuted and blasphemed, 13:5.
During this intense period of persecution God protected His people, 12:16.
At the end, the persecutors were judged and the saints glorified, 20:4, 10, 14.
:3-4, The two witnesses are described as the two olive trees and the two candlesticks that
stand before God. They were clothed in sackcloth, the dress of the Prophets that symbolize
their mourning over Jewish apostasy. As the Law required two witnesses, it suggests they

36
represented the Prophets who bore witness against Jerusalem throughout her history. The
early Church would have connected this to Zechariah 4:2-14, symbolizing the Holy Spirit
who empowered the two leaders Joshua and Zerubbabel.
:5-6, These two witnesses were described like Moses and Elijah, the representatives of the
Law and the Prophets. The fire coming out of their mouth was a standard symbol for the
power of the anointed Prophetic word, Jeremiah 5:14, Numbers 16:35, 2 Kings 1:9-12.
Some teach they represent the witnessing Churches, e.g. Smyrna and Philadelphia.
:7, The enemy of God and the Church, has always been depicted as a beast with its various
manifestations throughout history.
:8, The two witnesses were killed in the great city Jerusalem, described symbolically by the
names of Sodom and Egypt, and where also the Lord was crucified. The only city, in all the
Bible that is ever called Sodom, other than historical Sodom, was Jerusalem. Isaiah 1:9-10,
Jeremiah 23:14, Ezekiel 16:35-49.
:11-12, Similar to Acts 7:56 where Jesus stood up to receive Stephens spirit as he
ascended into Heaven, so John symbolized the ascension of the witnesses into Heaven.
This assured Jesus followers of their reward, Matthew 10:16-32, 24:9-13, Luke 21:12-19.
This ascension corresponds to the vision in Revelation 20:4-6, were it is called, the first
resurrection. When martyrs die they go straight to the throne of God. Hebrews.12:22-24.
:13 A great earthquake took place. This referred to the great political upheaval that took
place in Jerusalem. A tenth part of the city fell, referred to many of the leaders being killed.
Seven thousand of the Jewish ruling class died. Finally a remnant of Jews gave glory to God.
:14, The third woe is coming quickly. John has brought us to the final catastrophe to which all
things in this first part were pointing.
:15-19, The Seventh Trumpet.
There are three parts to the description of Seventh Trumpet.
1. Loud voices announce in Heaven that the Kingdom has become Christs, vs.15.
2. The twenty-four elders sing the song of triumph, vs.16-18.
3. A vision of the temple of God opened in Heaven, vs.19.
:15, The seventh trumpet declared that the mystery of God announced in 10:6-7 was fulfilled.
All of Heaven rejoiced that the Kingdom of the Lord and His Christ prophesied in Psalm 2,
and Daniel 2:44, 7:14,18,27, was at last established.
With the fall of Jerusalem, Christianity was liberated from the chains of Judaism, thus
releasing the Church to bring the nations to Christ.
In the Jewish calendar year, the Seventh Trumpet sounds on the first day of the seventh
month, called Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Trumpets.
The Jews believe it is the first day of creation and the birthday of the world, Genesis 1:1-5.
The birthday of the new earth after the flood of Noahs day was on this day.
Most of the kings of Judah choose it as their coronation day. On the coronation day of the
kings, the final act was the blowing of trumpets, 1 Kings 1:34, 2 Kings 9:13; 11:14.
:16-18, The twenty-four elders were worshipping God.
Previously, God was declared to be the One who was and is and is to come, 4:8.

Here, however, only the past and present tenses are used, as they speak to God as
Youwho are and who were, 11:17.
The omission of the future tense showed the end had arrived.
The mystery of God was finished. From the Elders point of view the Kingdom had come.

37

Several things happened that had eternal consequences.

1. God took His power and began to reign through His Sons.
2. The nations were angry, for Gods wrath had come, Psalm 2:1-5.
3. The time for the judgment of the dead and for avenging the martyrs had come.
The little time of 6:11 was finished.
4. The time for God to reward His servants had arrived.
5. The time for God to destroy those that destroyed Israel; namely Satan, and the two
beasts had finally come.
:19, Gods temple in Heaven was opened and the ark of His testament was seen.
The ark represented the throne of God on earth. The manifest Presence of God on earth.
To the Church it represented Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God.
From this ark the wrath of God was to pour out. After the wrath of God was poured out there
would be no more need of the temple or the ark for in the New Jerusalem Christ and His
spiritual Body would be Gods dwelling place, 21:22.
The lightnings, voices, thundering, an earthquake show there was still more to come.
Part 4.
Chapters 12-14 describe the woman, the man-child, the dragon, and the harlot.
Chapter twelve is the beginning of the second main division of the book.
Introduction.
The first division pictured the outward struggle between the Church and the apostate Jews.
The second part of the book reveals the spiritual background to this war. What was
happening in the spiritual realm behind the curtain separating Heaven and the earth.
In each of the three parts before, John went over the same time period from the first advent
of Christ to His return in judgment.
The same happens in 12:1-5 where John went back to Christs birth and ascension, and then
continues to chapter 14:14, where Christ was seen crowned and reaping the earth.
The Revelation is the conclusion of the story started in Genesis one.
The symbols of the woman, her Seed called the man-child, the dragon, the beast, Babylon,
and finally New Jerusalem, not only symbolize the fulfillment in Johns day, but also
symbolize events that happen repeatedly throughout all generations of future history.
God wants all generations of Christians to understand what is happening behind the scenes.
Chapter twelve.
:1-6, This vision of a woman is a glorious vision of the Church in her purity, as the wife of
Christ. Like Christ she is clothed with the sun representing Christ, the glory of God.
She represents Eve, the mother of all the living ones, who crush Satans head, fulfilling
Genesis 3:15. This woman also represents Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Jochebed, Hannah,
and the other Jewish women who gave birth to deliverers, who were forerunners of Christ.
She also represents the virgin Mary, through whom Christ came.
From the garden of Eden to the birth of Christ, Gods people were laboring and paining for
Christ to come into the world, Isaiah 26:17-18, 66:7-8; Jeremiah 6:22-25, 30:6-7 and Micah
4:8-10, 5:1-3.

The woman gave birth to Christ and to the apostolic Church, which flees Jerusalem before
the Jewish War of AD. 67-70.
Paul in Galatians 4:26, said she is Jerusalem which is above, which is our mother.

38

Chilton wrote, In the constellations of the stars, Virgo the virgin, has a crown of twelve stars.
The twelve signs of the Zodiac were regarded as symbols of the Government in the
Heavens. Professor Ernest Martin calculated the birth of Christ to about September 3 B.C.
He stated At Christs birth the sun entered the head position of Virgo about August 13, and
left her feet about October 2. .The sun clothed Virgo for twenty days between August 27
and September 15. The moon was under her feet. In the year 3 B.C. was on September
11th from 6:15 p.m. till 7:45 p.m. That September 11 th 3 B.C. was the beginning of the Day of
Trumpets!31
:3-4, The great red dragon, whose tail drew a third of the stars of Heaven and cast them to
the earth was revealed in verse 9 as Satan who caused a third of the angels to join him in the
rebellion against God, 2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6.
:5, The imagery of the child with the iron rod comes from Psalm 2:9.
The man-child represents the overcomers in the Churches, for the following four reasons.
1. In 2:26-27, overcomers are promised they shall rule all nations with a rod of iron, 12:5.
2. In 2:10, Jesus promised, Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life.
In 12:11, They loved not their lives even in the face of death.
3. In 3:10, Jesus promised He would keep them from the hour of temptation.
This was fulfilled when they were caught up to God, 12:5.
4. In 3:21, overcomers sit on thrones with Christ.
This man-child also sits on a throne, 12:5.
The man-child group are the apostles who rule in the Kingdom together with Christ.
Ephesians 2:6, They sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
As in Genesis 3 Satan attempts to kill the overcomers in the Church.
:6, The woman fleeing into the wilderness calls up several Old Testament associations.
1 Kings 17:3-6, Elijah was in the wilderness for three and a half years.
Exodus 12-14 The flight of Israel into the wilderness from Pharaoh.
Matthew 2:13-21 and the flight of Mary and Joseph to Egypt from King Herod.
When this woman flees she is assured God has a place prepared for her, 2 Samuel 7:10,
1 Chronicles 17:9, John 14:2-3.
This was fulfilled when the Jewish Christians left Jerusalem in A.D. 67.
:7-12, Michael the Archangel, and his angels fight against Satan and his princes and casts
them out of Heaven. This explains why the woman had to flee. Once this is explained, John
returns to the flight of the woman. Michael is a symbolic representation of Christ.
The story is like this; The Lords Bride, bears a son. This son will crush the dragon. There is
a war with the dragon, in which the son tells Michael to cast the dragon out of Heaven. The
dragon then goes to make war with the rest of the womans children.
Jesus gave Michael the joy of casting Satan out of Heaven. Christ also gives the believers
the joy of casting demons out of nations in His name.
:9, Three times it states Satan was cast down, vs.9 (2) and vs.10.
This confirmed Luke 10:18, Matthew 16:18.
31

Chilton, David, The Days of Vengeance, page 301, Dominion Press, Tyler, Texas. USA, 3 rd print 1990.

39
Satan who pulled down a third of the angels, vs.4, suffered a tragic reversal in that he was
thrown down with his evil angels too.
There are seven lessons the Church needs to learn from this vision.
1. Angels and demons are warring in Heaven and angels always win, vs.7-8.
2. Demons no longer have a place in Heaven, vs.8.
3. Christ has victory over Satan, vs.10.
4. Satan accuses the believers before God, vs.10.
5. The Church has power through the blood of Jesus Christ, vs.11.
6. The testimony of the saints overcomes Satan, vs.11.
7. Satan had only a short time before his rule over mankind was finished, vs.12.
This confirmed Jesus words in John 12:31, Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
:12-17, The casting out of Satan. There was rejoicing in Heaven when Satan was cast out,
but it was a woe to the Jews for Satan was full of wrath.
Satan is always seen as falling in the Scriptures. Like the snake fell to the ground in Genesis
3:14 so Satan has always been presented as a continually defeated foe, Luke 10:17-18.
:13-15, The persecution of the Jewish Church began, Matthew. 24:9-10.
The imagery is taken from Exodus 14:29, Numbers 16:28-33. The wings given to the
woman are symbolic of the Holy Spirits power given to help the Jewish Christians to escape.
Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11, This was similar to when Israel was carried on eagles
wings to Mount Sinai, were God had a place prepared for her. This was fulfilled when the
early Jewish Church was delivered from the armies of Edom and Rome during the Jewish
war.
Chapter thirteen.
:1-10, The first beast.
John was standing on a beach and saw a beast like a leopard having seven heads and ten
horns rising out of the Mediterranean Sea. This beast was the Government of the Roman
Empire.
In 17:15 John described the sea as peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues, out of which
came a Caesar and Government that had the heart of a beast. Each Caesar of Rome was
named Augustus meaning the One to be worshipped. Many called themselves Divus or
god, and temples were built to honor them, especially in Asia Minor. Nero made a one
hundred and twenty foot high image of himself and demanded it to be worshipped. For this
reason some say Paul called Caesar Nero the man of sin, in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
:2 The three animals, combined together in this beast, symbolize speed and fierceness.
The vision is similar to Daniel 7:1-7.
As God made man in His image so Satan made the beast in His image, and gave him his
power, throne and great authority.
The ten horns represented the Roman Governments power. They are described in chapter
17:12 as ten kings, referring to the ten Roman Governors of the Roman provinces.
The seven heads of the beast are explained to be the Caesars in 17:9-11.
The beast is an enigma for it is not just an empire but also a person; specifically, Caesar
Nero. The empire and its leader should be considered as one, as the spirit of the empire is in
the Emperor. As the human race was reckoned to be in Adam and fell when he fell, so the
Roman Empire is represented and embodied in the reigning Caesar, who at the time of
writing Revelation was Nero. Both Nero and the Roman Empire were sunk in low,

40
degenerate, animal-like activities. Nero made four hundred senators and six hundred
Roman officers fight in the stadium in order to kill them. He murdered his parents, brother,
aunt, his pregnant wife, whom he kicked to death, and many others close to him. He
castrated a boy named Sporus and married him. His favorite pastime was watching people
suffer tortures. He dressed up as a wild beast in order to attack prisoners. He used the
bodies of Christians as candles and burned them to light up his garden parties. He started
the first Government persecution of Christians at the instigation of the Jews. He was
described as an animal, a tyrant, a monster, the lowest of men, and a mad man. He set the
standard for his people making Rome the most immoral city in the world.
:5 The forty-two months signified, Neros persecution of the Church which lasted from
November AD.64 to June AD.68.
:9-10 John declared the coming of the judgment on the apostate Jews, who are working with
Nero in persecuting the Church. The patience and faith of the saints was revealed. The beast
was given power to war with the saints for a short time.
:11-12 The second beast was like a lamb with two horns. It was also an image of the first
beast. It was seen as coming up from the land of Judea.
In 16:13, and 19:20, it is called the false prophet.
Matthew 24:5,11 Jesus warned of false prophets. The Judaism of Jesus day was based on
the false teachings of the Pharisees taken from the Talmud.
Matthew 7:15, Jesus warned the Jews to Beware of the false prophets, who..inwardly
were ravening wolves, a reference to this beast, which appeared like a lamb, but spoke like
the dragon.
In John 19:15, the Jewish leaders supported Caesar. They said, We have no king but
Caesar.
:3, 12, 14, The beasts deadly wound was healed.
This counterfeit resurrection was not a bodily resurrection but the resurrection of Rome. The
fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the political events in Rome of that period.
Nero committed suicide on June 8th A.D. 68 due to the civil wars in Rome.
After Neros death, there were disasters, wars, and civil struggles due to Rome being
financially bankrupt. Four Emperors were chosen and killed by the sword. The History writers
of the time considered this to be the death of Rome.
Gentry wrote: Before the worlds startled eyes, Rome, the seven-headed beast was toppling
to its death as its sixth head (Nero) died. Rome died as it were and then suddenly returned
again to life by Vespasian 1. 32
:13-14, Israels Governor, Gessius Florus, intent on pleasing Nero caused the Jews to
worship Neros image. Gessius turned to sorcerers like Simon Magus, Acts 8:9, Elymas,
Acts 13:8, and other sorcerers throughout the Empire, Acts 19:19, 2 Timothy 3:8.
:15-16, The Jewish leaders promoted the authority of the beast. The imagery is taken from
Genesis 2:7-8, when God breathed into His image, Adam and gave him authority to rule the
earth, Genesis 1:28, 2:19. Similarly Satan raised up this beast of Jewish leaders who
supported Neros authority over them. These Jewish leaders refused to sell food to those
who would not submit to Caesar as Lord. Some Jewish leaders excommunicated and put to
death those Jews who did not bow to Nero.

32

Gentry, Dr. Kenneth, The Beast of Revelation, page 73, Institute for Christian Economics, Tyler Texas, USA.

41
:17-18, The mark of the beast was Satans duplicate of the seal of God. As God sealed
the righteous Jews with the Holy Spirit so they would not receive the false doctrines of the
Judiazers, so Satan sealed his followers to trust on Nero to help them. It was either Caesar
is Lord or Jesus is Lord. The apostates among the Jews chose to be saved by the Roman
Government, and so persecuted those who sought salvation in Christ. Paul described the
Judiazers as wild beasts, in Acts 20:19, and 1 Corinthians.15:32.
:14-15, Satans image of the beast was a reversal of Gods order.
The Divine order.
The Satanic copy.
Father.
Dragon.
Son (Image of the Father).
Beast (Image of the snake).
Holy Spirit, prophesying
False prophet.
Church (Image of the Son).
Synagogue of Satan (Image of the beast).
John revealed that when the Church prayed and prophesied, then the angels bound the
demons and loosed the people. Satan copied this and had the synagogue speak resulting
in the Jews betraying the Christians.
The reformers saw the second beast as the Roman Catholic Church who adopted an
organizational structure similar to that of the Roman form of Government. Many
denominations innocently follow this Roman pattern of Government, which often grieves the
Spirit of Christ. The following diagram illustrates this point.
The First Beast
His Image
Caesar. Prime Minister.

Pope. 1st Bishop.

Cabinet.

Cardinals.

Ministers of Parliament

Archbishops.

Junior Ministers

Bishops.

Secretaries

Priests.

Under Secretaries

Monks.

People

People

:18, The number of the beast.

Gentry provides strong points to show that the number six hundred and sixty six refers to
Caesar Nero. John wrote the number of the beast points to a man.
The Hebrew form of Caesar Nero is Nrwn Osr, pronounced Neron Kaiser.
Gentry wrote, The name Nero well meets the three fundamental criteria: 1. proper
numerical valuation, 2. reference to a man and 3. contemporary relevancy, for proving the
number six hundred and sixty six refers to Nero. 33
The numerical value is as follows.
N R W N
O S R
50+200+6+50 +100+60+200 = 666.
The beast was alive at the time of writing, 13:10, and the sixth Emperor alive at that time
was Caesar Nero, 17:10.

33

Gentry, Kenneth L, Before Jerusalem Fell, Pages 199-201, American Vision, Atlanta GA. USA.

42
Chapter fourteen.
The Lamb and the 144,000 on mount Zion.
John revealed the saints ruling in the Government of Heaven following Jesus their leader.
The three enemies, the dragon, the beast and the false prophet were way below the
mountain and were overcomed. Ephesians 1:21, Far above all principality and power.
In this chapter John gave seven prophesies of victory and judgment.
1. A vision of the Lamb and 144,000 on mount Zion, 14:1-5.
2. The eternal Gospel will conquer, 14:6-7.
3. A prophesy that Babylon is fallen, 14:8.
4. A prophesy of warnings, 14:9-12.
5. Blessings for the saints who die, 14:13.
6. The harvest from the earth, 14:14-16.
7. The winepress of wrath for the Jews, 14:17-20.
:1-5, A vision of the overcomers in Gods Government on Mount Zion.
Zion is mentioned seven times in the New Testament34. Christ and the sons of God make
decisions affecting the universe, Isaiah 2:2-4, Daniel 2:32-35, 44-45, Micah 4:1-4.
The number hundred and forty four thousand is symbolic of the perfect number of
overcomers who together with Christ rule the universe.
Exodus 14-15, when Israel crossed the Red sea the people stood on a mountain and
watched as their enemies drowned. Israel then burst into a new song of joy. This was a
similar situation. The dragon and the beasts are in the valley below while the saints of God
are in the heavenly places singing the song of victory.
:2-3, New songs were sung celebrating the victory of Christ over Satan.
:4, The one hundred and forty-four thousand have the following description.
1. They were redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
2. They were virgins in their doctrines.
3. They followed Jesus wherever He went.
4. They had no guile in their mouths.
5. They were without fault before God.
6. They were the first fruits to be presented to God. The man-child group of 12:5.
:4, The first fruits is a title referring to those believers that have fully matured and reached
the height of Christ, Ephesians.4:13-16, Philippians 3:15. They have matured into the
image of the Son of God, and as the sons of God, Romans 8:29.
The description not defiled with women for they are virgins refers to spiritual purity in their
doctrines. They did not mix with other philosophies or religious ideas. They are Christs
friends, who are Kings and rulers with Him in the Kingdom of God.
:6-7, An angel flew preaching the everlasting Gospel to those who dwelt upon the earth.
This is the Gospel of the Kingdom which Jesus declared had to be preached in the world
before the end of the Jews, Matthew 24:14. This was the last call to the apostate Jews,
made during the period AD.62-68 before the end of their nation.

34

Matthew 21:5; John 12:15; Romans.9:33; 11:26; Hebrews.12:22, 1 Peter.2:6, and Revelation 14:1.

43
:8, Another angel followed crying Babylon is fallen, is fallen. The description of Babylons
fall will be described later in 17-18. Here it is introduced as that great city referred to earlier
as Jerusalem, 11:8.
The wine of her fornication, suggests her religious spirit which was mixed with demons.
People from all the Roman Empire came to visit Jerusalem in order to worship. They drank
from the spirit within her.
:9-11, The third angel followed warning those who worshipped the beast and his image of the
judgment that was coming. They would be tormented with fire and brimstone. John is not
referring to having a number stamped on a persons forehead. It refers to those who have
already bowed to the ideologies of the Government and embraced their philosophies which
control mens minds. Christians should fear having the title worldly, socially inclined,
nominal, politically correct, etc., stamped upon ones mind. While one cannot see these
titles nevertheless they are there. To be politically correct and socially acceptable by any
Government would suggest I have failed to please the Government of our Lord Jesus Christ.
:12, The martyrs were encouraged to keep Gods commandments and their faith in Jesus
Christ during the tribulation period.
:13, Blessed are those martyrs who die in the Lord. Their works follow them into Heaven.
This refers to all the good works wrought in fellowship with the Spirit. It is indelibly written into
their human spirit that these works were done by them while on earth; so that when others
look at them in Heaven their good works shine out of their glorified bodies.
They, die in the Lord, can only be said of born again Christians, as it is the Holy Spirit who
is the witness who said, Yes to this. This verse opposes those who teach a rapture of the
Christians before the seals and trumpets begin.
Note from this time onwards, meant John referred to the martyrs killed from AD.62-70. They
are blessed for they went immediately to Heaven to be with the Lord.
In Philippians 1:21, Paul wrote to die is gain. They were not required to wait till death was
destroyed in AD.70.
John 11:25, Jesus said they had resurrection life and so went immediately to Christ.
:14-16, The harvest of the earth. The following two visions have much in common that they
seem designed to supplement each other. These visions are similar to the parable of the
wheat and tares in Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43, and are closely related to Joel 3:13.
John has already stated the first fruits are in Heaven. It only needs for Christ to complete
the harvest for the time has come for Him to reap.
The souls waiting on the earth are described as a great harvest, Mark 4:26-29, and Jesus
told His disciples to ..look on the fields, for they were white for harvest. John 4:35-36.
The word reap is repeated three times vs.15 x 2, vs.16. A harvest is not a few grains of
wheat but the fullness of the fields.
The Lord Jesus took the harvest of souls, from among the Gentiles from all over the Roman
Empire in that first generation and continues to take a harvest in each and every generation
since. Christ gathers the harvest, Matthew 3:12, and Matthew 24:30-31.
:17-19, This vision is of the gathering of the wicked Jews for judgment.
The repeated mention of the land verses 15, 16, 18, 19, and the city in verse 20, show that
John is referring to the land of Judea. God intended Israel to be His fruitful vine but all she

gave to Him was wild grapes. Around the city of Jerusalem the Roman armies gathered to
complete her judgment, Luke 21:20-24. See Joel 3:9-14, and Isaiah 63:1-6.

44

:20, The blood. even to the horse bridles is an extravagant hyperbole that suggested the
horses that trod down the land walked in a sea of blood which extended for one thousand six
hundred furlongs. This number is forty multiplied by forty, the number of judgment and
penalty, Numbers 14:34, Genesis 7:12.
Modern Bible translations incorrectly state two hundred miles revealing that the publishers
willfully rejection of Biblical symbolic meanings.
Part 5.
Revelation 15-16, The seven bowls of wrath.
Chapter fifteen.
:1, This new sign shows seven angels having seven bowls of wrath containing the final
judgments on the Jews. They are similar to the seven trumpets of chapters 8 - 11.
:2-4, A vision of the overcomers singing a victory song as in chapter 7:9-17.
The glassy sea mingled with fire, refers to the sea before Gods throne filled with those who
had the baptism of suffering which the martyrs had experienced.
The song of Moses and the song of Christ refer to the song Moses taught to Israel in
Deuteronomy 32. The vision is similar to the victory of Israel at the Red Sea, where they
saw Gods vengeance on the Egyptians, Exodus 15:1-18.
See Isaiah 12, and Habakkuk 3, for similar songs.
:5-8, The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in Heaven was opened. The time had
come for the old Temple in Jerusalem to be finished.
:7, The drink-offering, was poured at the daily sacrifice, just after the trumpets had begun to
sound. In Philippians 2:17, Paul said the drink offering was poured on the sacrifices burning
in the fire.
:8, God filled the temple with His glory cloud as His power and anger were poured out upon
the apostate Jews. No one could enter His Presence to pray. His mercy for apostate Israel
was finished. Exodus 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 5:11-14; 7:1-3.
Chapter sixteen.
The wrath of God.
The bowls of wrath in chapter sixteen, correspond to the seven trumpets. However,
apocalyptic repetition of symbols is never exactly the same. The new vision always adds
something to the one before. So the seven last plagues are more destructive and affect all.
They move on quickly till It is done, is reached. Then the climax is reached when God
remembered Jerusalem, now referred to as Babylon.
The following chart shows the similarities between the bowls, trumpets and the plagues on
Egypt.
Bowls of Wrath

1 On the land becoming

sores (16:2)

2 On the sea, becoming

Trumpets
On the Land 1/3 trees, grass,
earth burned (8:7)

Plagues on Egypt
Boils (6th plague Exodus. 9:8-12)

On the sea; 1/3 sea becomes Waters become blood

Blood 16:3

3 On rivers and springs,

becoming blood (16:4-7)

4 On the sun, causing it to

scorch (16:8-9)

blood,1/3 sea creatures ships

destroyed.

(first plague: Exodus. 7:17-21)

45

On the rivers and springs; 1/3 Waters become blood (first

waters become wormwood plague: Exodus. 7:17-21)
(8:10-11)
1/3 of sun, moon, and stars
darkened (8:12)

Darkness (ninth plague:

Exodus. 10:21-23)

5 On

Locusts (eighth plague: Exodus

10:4-20.

6 Euphrates, dried up so
Army from Euphrates kills
Kings of East come
1/3 mankind (9:13-21)
Frogs,
Armageddon
16:12-16

Invasion of frogs from river

(second plague: Exodus. 8:2-4)

7 Storm, earthquake hail Voices, storm, earthquake,

16:17-21
Hail 11:15-19

Hail (7th plague: Exodus. 9:1826)

the beast throne Demonic locusts tormenting

darkness 16:10-11
Men 9:1-12

:1-2, The first bowl of wrath caused sores and ulcers, on those who worshiped Nero in Judea
cf. Deuteronomy 28:27, 35. This was still not as painful as what Nero did to the martyrs.
:3, The second bowl of wrath. The sea turned to clotted blood and began to smell. Four times
blood was mentioned as it covered the land of Judea.
:4-7, The third bowl of wrath. The rivers turn to blood. An angel declared God was righteous
for they shed the blood of saints so God had given them blood to drink.
:8-9, The fourth bowl of wrath. The sun burned men with fire. This was a reversal of the
blessing of protection from the sun, stated in Exodus 13:21-22, Psalm 91:1-6.
:10-11, The fifth bowl of wrath. The throne of Caesar Nero in Rome became darkened as the
light of the knowledge of God and His Presence were removed, Exodus 10:21-23.
This resulted in wars, riots, and a world-wide shaking that took place in the Roman Empire
after Nero died in AD.68. The judgments happened so quickly that people were still suffering
from the one before it. However they still did not repent.
:12-14, The sixth bowl of wrath. The Roman armies came from the Euphrates.
:12, The drying of the river Euphrates made the way for the Roman armies of Titus to move
towards Jerusalem. The armies were camped near the Euphrates.
Exodus 14:21-22, this is similar to when God dried the Red sea for Moses and Joshua.
:13-14, The three unclean spirits were spirits from Satan, Caesar Vespasian, and the Jewish
leaders who encouraged their men to war. 1 Kings 22:19-22, Micah gave a similar message
to King Ahab, A spirit said, I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his
prophets.
:15, Behold, I am coming like a thief. This is a reminder of the theme in 1:7.
Christ said in 3:3, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon
you, Matthew 24:42-44, Luke 12:35-40, 1 Thessalonians. 5:1-11.

46
:16, Megiddo was first mentioned in Judges 5:19 in Deborahs song.
2 Kings 23:29, the death of King Josiah was in Megiddo, followed by a great lamentation.
The word is spelled literally is Har - Magedon, meaning Mount Megiddo. However Megiddo is
a city on a plain. There never was, nor ever will be, a literal, Battle of Armageddon, for there
is no such place, It is a prophetic name.
The nearest mountain to the plain of Megiddo is called Mount Carmel.
Farrer stated, Megiddo stands for the place where lying prophets die. Where kings and their
armies are deceived and die. It represents defeat to those who war against God.
:17-18, The seventh bowl declared there was a great earthquake.
Israels reign over the earth had ended. It is done!
Gods wrath was poured out. The sin of Israel was finally removed through the outpouring of
Gods wrath, and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Earthly Israel was finished as far as God was concerned.
The true Israel was already in Heaven in the Kingdom of God and of Christ.
21:6, Christ again said It is done! when the New Jerusalem was revealed.
The seventh trumpet and bowl occur at the same time.
Seven times John has mentioned the earthquake in 6:12; 8:5; 11:13 x 2; 11:19; 16:18 x2.
The word earthquake was a metaphor used by the Prophets for the end of a ruling power,
Isaiah 24:19-20.
In Revelation it was the sign for the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New
Covenant ruling over the earth, Matthew 24:21; Exodus 9:18,24; Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:1-2.
The Old Covenant between God and Israel was forever gone.
The New Covenant between God and Christ replaced it.
:19, The great city was Jerusalem which was split into three parts.
Three groups of men were fighting among themselves inside Jerusalem even before Titus
surrounded it. Because of this internal fighting the city was quickly delivered to Titus. See
Ezekiel 5:1-12.
:21, Josephus referred to the huge white stones thrown by the Roman catapults into the city.
They weighed a talent and traveled two furlongs or more. They put fear into people. When
the Jews saw the white stones flying towards them they mocked and blasphemed, The Son
is coming! The Jews knew the hope of the Christians was the return of Christ, James 5:8.
Part 6.
Revelation 17-18. The fall of Babylon.
Chapter seventeen.
:1-6, Babylon the harlot was sitting on the beast. The harlot symbolically represented the city
of Jerusalem, whose leaders were trusting in Romes power. This harlot had to be destroyed
to show Christs Bride was avenged. The conflict between these two women is what is
described in the last chapters of Revelation. The harlot was destroyed so that everyone
would know the Bride was the true house of God.
That Babylon is Jerusalem is proved by the following points.
1. Babylon the great, was called the great city in 11:8, 14:8; 16:19; 17:18, 18:10,16,21.
In Psalm 48:1-2; 87:3; Matthew.5:35, Jeremiah 22:8, Lamentations 1:1, Jerusalem was
called a great city.
2. Jerusalem was full of the blood of the saints throughout her history, 16:6; 17:6; 18:21, 24.
Rome had never killed any of the Old Testament Prophets. See Acts 7:52.

47
3. The harlots garments were the same color as the High Priests garments.
4. The harlots name on her forehead was a reverse image.
In Exodus 28:36-38, the High Priests hat had Holy to the Lord engraved on it. Here the
harlot had, Mystery, Babylon the mother of harlots, on her forehead, 17:5.
5. John gave other pagan names also to Jerusalem such as Sodom and Egypt 11:8; Isaiah
1:9-10.
6. There is a contrast between the drunken harlot and the pure Bride. The fact they are put
side by side shows John is deliberately contrasting the Old Jerusalem below and the New
Heavenly Jerusalem, as Paul did in Galatians 4:24-31; Hebrews.12:18-24.
Revelation 17

Revelation 21

1. An angel introduces John 17:1 One of the seven angels

to the harlot and to the
who had the seven bowls came
bride in the same way:
and said to me, Come, I will show
you the punishment of the great
harlot, who sits on many waters.

21:9 One of the seven

angels who had the seven
bowls full of the seven last
plagues came and said to me,
Come I will show you the bride,
the wife of the Lamb.

2. The two women have

contrasting character:

17:1b: Come, I will show you the

punishment of the great harlot,
who sits on many waters.

21:9b: Come, I will show you

the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

3. The two women appear

In two different places:

17:3: Then the angel carried me

away in the Spirit into a desert.
There I saw a woman sitting
on a scarlet beast.

21:10: And he carried

me away in the Spirit to an
mountain great and high, and
showed me the holy city,
Jerusalem coming down out of
Heaven

7. 17:3, The harlot sitting on the Roman beast was ironic, vs.3.
It showed Israel leaning on Rome and leading them to attack Christians.
Chilton stated Jerusalem was to be the true Babylon meaning the Gate of God.
Jerusalem was to be the Heavenly place on the earth, where Gods Government resided
through those who exercised their authority over the earth.
As Satan took over the original Babylon of Genesis 11, in the same way he had taken over
the city of Jerusalem.
:7-18, The angel revealed the mystery of the beast that, was and is not and shall ascend.
This is an enigma, meaning a riddle about Satan.
This riddle shows the different manifestations of Satan, Sometimes Satan was and then is
not as though he disappeared for a time. Then suddenly he rises again in some other form.
This reveals that Satan and his beasts are allowed their hour, when it appears they are
winning. First in one form, and then in another.
For example in 12:3, Satan was in Heaven, but then he was cast out in 12:17.
Then in 13:1-2, he reappeared in the sea beast and then as the land beast of 13:13-15.
In 9:11, he was the King of the bottomless pit and then in 11:7, he was the beast that killed
the witnesses. It seems Satan appears for a time in a wicked person like a persecuting
leader that rises to fame and then after some time he fades away, Matthew 12:43-45.
:9, The beasts seven heads are explained to be mountains and kings. John wrote at the time
of the Roman Caesars so it is logical that the seven kings were the Caesars of Rome.
:10, The word fallen describe an unnatural death.

Five of the Roman Caesars had died unnaturally, either by murder or by suicide.

48

The list of the Emperors in the first century was:

1. Julius Caesar
49-44 B.C.
2. Augustus
31 B.C. A.D. 14.
3. Tiberius
A.D. 14-37.
4. Gaius also known as Caligula A.D. 37-41.
5. Claudius
A.D. 41-54.
6. Nero
A.D. 54-68.
7. Galba
A.D. 68-69.
8. Otho
A.D. 69.
9. Vitellius
A.D. 69.
10. Vespasian
A.D. 69-79.
Nero the sixth, was alive at the time John wrote and so is the one is.
The other who has not yet come, and only reigns for a short time, was Galba who reigned
from June AD.68 to January AD.69 (the seventh).
:11, With reference to the eighth king, Johns grammar changes.
In the list of the seven kings John used the definite article in his grammar. But when he wrote
of the eighth king he said an eighth, and not the eight. This showed John was not
concerned with the Emperor after the seventh. John just stated an Emperor is coming soon,
that would bring life back to the Roman Empire. That Emperor is not important to his story.
John is warning that though the Roman Empire may seem to end after the death of Nero, it
will rise again.
:12, The ten horns are the ten governors of the Roman provinces, holding authority from
Rome for a limited period. The ten provinces were Italy, Achaia, Asia, Syria, Egypt, Africa,
Spain, Gaul, Britain, and Germany.
:13 The ten horns joined with the beast and persecuted the Church throughout the Roman
Empire.
:14, Those that are with Christ are called, chosen and faithful.
In 12:17, they are the remnant of the womans seed.
:15, The waters where the harlot sat are the peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
Jerusalem was seated on many waters spiritually because of the great influence her religion
held in all parts of the Roman Empire.
:16-18, God put it in the hearts of the ten governors to pour His wrath on Jerusalem till the
words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 23:35-36 were fulfilled.
Chapter eighteen.
This chapter continues with a lamentation over the fall of Jerusalem, revealing the joy the
saints in Heaven have that God has finally judged her.
:1-3, The angels proclaim, Babylon is fallen.
The same as 14:8, which is taken from Isaiah 21:9, and Jeremiah 51:7-8.
The habitation of devils. is from Isaiah 13:21, Jeremiah 9:11, 50:39, 51:37.
Jerusalem was full of demons described in 9:1-11.

:3, The wine of the wrath of her fornication was in 14:8 and from Jeremiah 25:27, 51:7.

49

:4-8, Another voice from Heaven cried, Come out of her my people.
The same as Luke 21:20-21. The Apostles in the last days of Jerusalem called the Jews to
separate from Judaism and join the Church before the judgment, Hebrews. 6:4-8, 10:19-39,
12:15-29, 13:10-14, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
:5 Her sins have reached to Heaven, Jeremiah 51:9, 50:15,29, and Psalm 137:8.
Double see Isaiah 40:2 and Jeremiah 16:18, and 17:18.
:7, I sit a queen, see Isaiah 47:5,7,8.
:8, In one day, which means suddenly, see Isaiah 47:9.
:9-20, Dirges and rejoicing over her fall.
:9,11,18. The picture of the wailing made by kings, merchants, ship masters, and sailors is
taken from the fall of Tyre as recorded in Ezekiel 26:16,17; 27:36.
:12-13, Merchandise of goldpurple.ivory.spice. Ezekiel 27:12-22.
:17, Ship masterssailors. Ezekiel 27:26-33.
:18, Look to the smoke of her burning. From Genesis 19:28 and Isaiah 66:24.
:20, Rejoice over her you Heavens. This call for the Heavenly saints to rejoice over the fall
of Jerusalem is in contrast with the crying of the earthly friends of the harlot. See Isaiah
44:23; 49:13 and Jeremiah 51:48. Like the hallelujahs of 19:1-7, it is the joy for the victory of
Gods righteousness. The martyrs prayer of 6:10, has been answered.
:21-24, The symbolic act and word of doom. Cast into the seathus shall Babylon be cast
down. This is taken from Jeremiah 51:63-64. Ezekiel 26:21.
This no more - forever destruction of Jerusalem means that the Jews will never more be the
people of God. God will no longer consider the earthly city of Jerusalem as religiously being
above other cities. The modern day Jerusalem stands the same as any other city on earth.
The modern day Israel, geographically and politically will never rise again as Gods city ruling
over the spiritual world.
Jesus Christs spiritual mystical Body, the universal Church, is Gods holy city forever.
Ephesians.2:14, 2:16, Galatians 3:26-29.
:22-23, Voice of harpersno more. See Ezekiel 23:13; Jeremiah 25:10, 7:34, and 16:9.
:24, And in her was found the blood of Prophets and saints. Compare Matthew 23:34-35;
Luke 11:49-51; and 13:33-34.
Chapter nineteen.
:1-10, The marriage supper of the Lamb occurred at the seventh trumpet, 11:15-19.
The following chart shows the similarities.
Revelation 11.
Revelation 19.
11:15, loud voices in Heaven
19:1, a loud voice of a great multitude in Heaven.
11:15,17, He will reign forever

19:1,6, Hallelujah the Lord Almighty reigns.

50
11:16, The twenty-four eldersfell on
their faces and worshipped God.

19:4, the twenty-four eldersfell on

their faces and worshipped God.

11:18, The time came for the dead to

be vindicated,
and the time to give rewards

18:24-19:2, In her was found the blood

of the Prophets and of the saints..
His judgments are true and righteous for
He has avenged the blood of His servants.

11:18, Thy servants.. those who fear

Thy name, the small and the great.

19:5, All you His servants, you who fear Him,

the small and the great.

11:19, There were lightnings, noises,

19:6, The voice of a great multitude thundering

the sound of mighty peals of thunder.

:1, The multitude praise God in obedience to the angels command in 18:20.
Christ returns in glory to take His Bride, the over coming Apostles and disciples.
This Hebrew expression, Hallelujah, means Praise you the Lord.
It was a new song and the reason for the song was that the Bride had made herself ready!
The custom in a Jewish marriage was to do the engagement first.
From the engagement day the couple are to be considered legally husband and wife.
2 Corinthians 11:2, even though the marriage is not consummated.
Then there is an interval of time between the engagement and the wedding.
During this period the groom pays the dowry to the father of the bride, Genesis 34:12.
Then at the close of the interval period, there is a procession by the groom and his friends to
the home of the woman. The groom receives the bride and takes her in a procession to his
home, Matthew 9:15, 25:1.
Then there is the wedding and the wedding feast.
The feast could last from seven to fourteen days, Matthew 22:1.
The Jewish marriage presented a shadow of Christs spiritual attachment to the believers, for
whom Christ paid the dowry of His blood. The interval represented the thirty odd years period
between Christs ascension and His coming again. During that period the apostolic Church
made herself ready, many through martyrdom. At the end of that period Christ, accompanied
by His angels, came to receive His bride the overcoming Church. Then the wedding feast
began with Israel and the Gentiles present.
:7, His Bride had made herself ready. The Apostles had prepared the Church for her
marriage. Paul wrote of Christs love for the Church, Ephesians 5:25-27,
:8, Fine linen, represented the righteousness of the saints shinning forth from their glorified
spiritual bodies.
:9, The fourth beatitude of Revelation. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage
supper of Christ. Many relate this to the Holy Communion service.
:10, John fell at the angels feet to worship him. (Repeated in 22:8-9.) Overcomed in the
Presence of this glorious angel John fell at his feet as one giving respect to a superior
person. This is still the custom in India. See 3:9.
The angel said he was a fellow servant and a brother to show they had the same spirit of
Christ and of prophecy, cf. Numbers 11:19, 1 Corinthians 14:31.

51
The angel said Jesus testimony was the Spirit of prophecy. See John 5:31-39.
The testimony of Jesus is not only recorded in the four Gospels and Acts but also continues
throughout history in the believers lives. When the Lord performs miracles, healings, signs
and wonders it is imperative that the believers testify of it, not only to glorify Jesus but also to
provide another opportunity for Jesus to manifest the same type of miracle again in another
persons life.
In 1:20, the angels over the Churches receive prophecies for the believers and minister to
the Prophets who speak it in the Church service. This follows the pattern in 1:1, God the
Father gave to Jesus, who gave to His angel, to give to John.
:11-16, This begins the final section comprising of seven visions, each one starting with the
words, and I saw.
The seven visions are:
1. 19:11, Jesus as the Judge came to fight His enemies.
2. 19:17, The birds are called to Gods feast, Ezekiel 39:17.
3. 19:19, The beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire.
4. 20:1, Satan was bound so that he could not deceive the nations any more.
5. 20:4, The martyrs and saints were reigning with Christ.
6. 20:11, The great white throne judgment on the Old Testament. The Old Covenant fulfilled.
7. 21:1, The new Heaven and earth, the Government of Christ and His Apostles manifested.
The scenes are connected. The visions are not running one after the other.
The visions are moving forward together at the same time and adding details to each other.
:11, The first I saw. This vision is of the conquering Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:25 says Christ, must reign until He has put all His enemies under His
feet.
In 6:2, and 14:14, the white horse is the symbol of victory and dominion.
It represents a righteous, strong spirit which runs fast. A horse carries the burden of its
master and works together with him to get to his goal. A horse has no fear and keeps going
in all kinds of weather until the master reaches his goal. This white horse represents Christs
Spirit as He conquers the world with the Gospel together with His Bride.
John is not describing the Second Coming at the end of the world. He is describing the
Gospel spreading throughout the world.35 And Terry stated This may take a million years.36
Christ had many crowns on His head for He has conquered, sin, death, hell and Satan.
Christ brought Israel and Rome under His authority and through the early Church He
conquered the world with the Gospel. Jesus continues this victory march with His Bride at
His side conquering Gentile nations.
Isaiah 9:7, The increase of Christs Government and peace will continue on the earth
through His Bride until He has conquered the earth and the earth becomes like it is in
Heaven. It does not glorify the Lord, nor to the Holy Spirit who has been poured out on the
Church, to preach that the darkness is conquering, that everything is going worse, therefore
the Lord must come soon. That mind set is the result of a faulty hermeneutic. Actually the
very opposite is true. The light of the Lord is shinning in His true Church and conquering the
earth with the Gospel. The Lord is developing the earth magnificently and everything is
getting better. So arise and shine and let the glory of the Lord shine upon you.

35

Chilton, David, The Days of Vengeance, Page 481.

36

Terry, Milton S, Biblical Apocalyptics, Page 445.

:12, He has a name written which no one knows except Himself. This means only Jesus
can own that name. It belongs only to Him.

52

:13, His robe dipped in blood refers to 14:20, the winepress of wrath outside Jerusalem.
This continues throughout Church history as Jesus makes nations bow to His authority.
:14, The armies in Heaven, 17:14, The called, chosen and faithful. Today these armies are
the evangelists and believers who follow Christ in His victory march throughout the earth with
the Gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 16:27, Jude 14.
:15, The sword coming out of Christs mouth is symbolic of the word of God, Hebrews 4:12,
and the Gospel of Christ that cut His enemies and establishes Gods Kingdom in power,
Romans 1:16.
:16, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 17:14.
This is the title of Christ the Ruler of the nations, 1 Timothy 6:15; Deuteronomy 10:17;
Daniel 2:47. Christ is doing an excellent job ruling the nations. His justice cannot be
compared too! His decisions are perfect and always right. His love, mercy, and grace is
abundantly increasing on the earth. I personally think His Government and Rulership in our
age is magnificent. He is so wise! We are living in a great age and can magnify the Lord for
the great goodness He has poured out upon the earth. To think otherwise is to negate the
magnificent achievements of the Government of Christ and the Apostles. We should all be
busy extending His rule and reign over the earth and filling the earth with the glory of God. All
the kingdoms of the world one day will come into the Kingdom of Christ, 11:15; Psalm 2:2-8.
:17-18, The second I saw, is the angels invitation to all the birds to come and eat.
Ezekiel 39:17-20. The warning is to those nations that refuse to bow to Christ.
Psalm 2:10-12, commands that they serve the Lord with fearand Kiss the Son, lest He
gets angry.
:19-20, The third I saw, reveals the defeat of Nero and the false prophet, the apostate
Jews. They are cast into the lake of fire.
Psalm 110:1 was fulfilled as two of Christs enemies were destroyed.
:21, The rest of the beasts followers, are killed by the Word of God.
Part 7.
Revelation 20-22.
The Dragon judged. The New Heaven and Earth.
Chapter twenty.
Introduction.
At this time in the Church there are three millennium views that have a name that refers to
the timing of the millennium. All three views were held by sincere Christians. The different
views are because of their hermeneutic. Each view has had periods in Church History when
their view was the main belief of the Church.
The three views are:
1. Pre-millennialists. Pre means before. They understand Christ will physically return to
the earth before a thousand year Kingdom starts on the earth. They take the words a
thousand literally. There are two main groups.

53
1. Dispensational pre-millennialists who teach the nation of Israel and the temple will be
restored. The Church will be raptured seven years before Christ comes. They teach three
comings of Jesus, several resurrections and judgments.
2. Historic pre-millennialists teach the Church will reign in the millennium. They teach two
comings of Jesus, two resurrections and judgments.
2. Postmillennialists. Post means after. They understand Christ will return after a
millennium period. The number thousand is symbolic and represents an indefinite period of
time. This millennium has been taking place during the last two thousand years of Church
history. They do not state when the millennium starts, nor when it will finish, because it is not
literal years. The Kingdom of God is expanding through the preaching of the Gospel. They
believe that the world will eventually become Christian and Christ will come at the end of this
long period.
Notable Postmillennialists are: Daniel Whitby (1638-1725). Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758),
Ladd. David S. Clark, Benjamin B. Warfield, A.A. Hodge, Kenneth Gentry, and Chilton.
3. A-millennialism. A means no. They teach there will be no millennium.
They teach Revelation 20 is symbolic of the forty year period from AD.33-70.
There are two views on the saints reigning.
1. They are the martyrs reigning in Heaven during the present age.
2. They are the believers who get the victory over sin and are ruling and reigning in life.
They teach the binding of Satan started during Christs first coming and at the resurrection.
The fire from Heaven in 20:7, is at the end of the millennium, and is Christs final coming.
Notable A-millennialists are: Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, Jay Adams, Hendricksen, Wilcox,
John L. Bray and many others.
The orthodox Churches have always rejected a literal millennium. They call the literal
millennium teaching chiliasm, (meaning thousand-year-ism). They state it is not a Christian
doctrine. They state that pre-millennialism originated through Cerinthus, a false apostle who
opposed the Apostles Paul and John, see Galatians 1:18. Justin Martyr and some Church
fathers adopted pre-millennialism because they were Gentiles that choose to ignore the
prophetic language, of metaphors, symbols and images. They state the views of Augustine
were mature and had a better view of Christs Church in the world and have been well
received.
Augustine taught the words one thousand were a symbol that represented everlasting.
It was used this way in Deuteronomy 7:9, Psalm 50:10; 105:8, Joshua 23:10, and Psalm
91:7, etc., Augustine wrote A thousand years was never used in Scripture for a literal
number of years.
Chapter twenty.
:1-3, The binding of Satan.
Chapter 20 again starts a new division in the book. The visions go back to Christs first
coming, where Christ had victory over Satan. The binding of Satan only refers to Satans
power to deceive the Gentile nations. Satan was not bound in every area but just in this one
area, so that he could not stop the Gentile nations coming to Christ.
Matthew 12:29, Jesus first bound the strong man and then took from his house.
Luke 11:22. Jesus cast out devils proving He had already started to bind Satan.
Matthew 16:19, Peter received the keys to bind things on earth. 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14.
It is clear Satan was bound from deceiving Gentile nations after Christs advent. Before
Christ came all the Gentile nations were idolatrous. After Christ and Paul blazed a trail
through the Roman Empire many Gentile nations were set free and throughout history many
nations have become Christian nations.

54
:4-6, The everlasting reign of the martyrs.
John revealed the martyrs were already judging the nations from Heaven fulfilling Daniel
7:22.
Stephen, Acts 7, and James, Acts 12:1, who were martyred, were reigning in their spiritual
bodies in Heaven. The everlasting age of Christ had already begun for them.
Revelation 2:26, promised the overcoming believers power over the nations to rule them
with a rod of iron.
The forty year period between the first and second coming of Christ is represented as an
everlasting age that had already started. The word thousand is not literal but means
everlasting. This interpretation agrees with the Jewish view that the forty year period
between the time Israel came out of Egypt and entered the Promised land is the intermediate
period before Christs Kingdom was consummated. This interpretation involves no twisting of
scriptures.
:5, The rest of the dead lived not again.
This refers to the rest of the apostate Jews who were spiritually dead who were waiting in
hell for judgment day.
Those who made the verse divisions made a mistake here. The words This is the first
resurrection, should have been placed at the beginning of verse 6.
The first resurrection pertains to the martyrs living and reigning with Christ in verse 4.
John 5:25-27, The first resurrection is a spiritual resurrection when one is born again.
Romans 5:17, They begin to spiritually rule and reign with Christ in Heavenly places while
still on earth. This reigning life continues in Heaven after the believer departs from this world
when their spiritual body is glorified.
John is comparing the martyrs of Christ that lived and reigned, with the apostate Jews who
died and waited for judgment.
:6, Those believers who had part in the first spiritual resurrection are blessed and holy.
The second death, described in verse 14 as the Lake of fire has no power over those who
have part in the first resurrection. They are priests of God and of Christ.
:7-10, Satan was released again and came to attack the Church.
Johns visions follow in the same direction Ezekiels visions go.
In Ezekiel 37, Israel was spiritually resurrected.
Then Ezekiel 38-39, there was a war with Gog.
Gog represented the rebellious Gentile nations of Psalm 2:2.
Then Ezekiel 38:22, 39:6, fire fell from Heaven destroyed the army.
Then Ezekiel 39:17. The birds ate the bodies.
Then Ezekiel 40-48, Ezekiel described symbolically the temple-city where God lived.
John also showed fire coming down from Heaven to destroy the enemies of God.
This was symbolic of Jesus return in clouds of fire to judge them in AD.70.
See 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Peter 3:10.
:11-15, The great white throne judgment.
The sixth And I saw.
This is the one and same judgment described throughout the New Testament.
Matthew 25:31-32, Jesus judging Israel and the nations. This took place in AD.66-70.
2 Timothy 4:1, Christ would judge the living and dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.
John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15, Matthew 16:27; 25:31, Romans 2:5-10.
Spiritual death was the last enemy of Christ to be thrown into the Lake of fire in AD.70.

This occurred when the Law, which was the strength of sin, was finally removed.
1 Corinthians 15:56, Pauls point was that the Law made sin strong.
Take the Law away and sin no longer has power to make men sinners.
Take sin away and death is destroyed.
The Law was taken away when the temple was destroyed in AD.70.
Thus the Law, sin and death were destroyed in AD.70.

55

:13, Every man was judged by his works, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5. James 2:15-18, Titus
1:16, 2:14, 1 Peter 1:17.
:14, Death and Hell were cast into the Lake of fire. This means that Hell the waiting place of
the Old Testament people, (Abraham bosom in Luke 16:22) was emptied, when everyone
was raised up in their spirit bodies to judgment. I believe the waiting place of Hell is finished.
When a sinner dies they go immediately to judgment and then are cast into the Lake of Fire.
In Matthew 23:35-36, 19:28, 12:41, Jesus stated various people groups of the Old
Testament were to be judged, when that generation of Jews was to be judged.
Isaiah 9:7, The judgment that Jesus performed in AD.70 through His Apostles established
His judgments which were then the example to be followed throughout eternity.
Christ established judgment, justice, righteousness, mercy and grace in Heaven and earth.
This meant spiritual death is finished for those who believe in Christ.
Spiritual death came through the condemning sentence pronounced after Adam sinned.
That condemning sentence was made stronger by the Law.
The cross finished sin and spiritual death for the believer, but there was still the condemning
sentence held over Israel because after the cross they were still persecuting the disciples.
That condemnation was the key of death and hell held over the Jews which was not removed
till Israel paid for their sin.
The AD.70 destruction of Jerusalem was the final act of Gods wrath that took away the
condemning sentence over Israel thus removing what caused spiritual death, and hell.
When Jerusalem was destroyed, the condemnation of Israel occurred, thus removing the
condemnation, thereby freeing the Old Testament saints to rise from the dead.
Spiritual death had no more power over the Old Testament saints for God was satisfied.
Christ removed spiritual death hanging over mankind through the judgment on the cross and
through the judgment He executed on the apostate Jews.
Hebrews 9:28, Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for
Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. For the Jews the second
time He appeared in AD 70 it was for their salvation.
Romans 13:11, Paul said, Now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.
Luke 21:28, Jesus told them to look up when He came for the Jews redemption drew near.
Luke 21:22, That was in the day of vengeance.
So for the Jews their salvation was not completed till their great High Priest, Jesus Christ
came out from the Holy of Holies having completed the Atonement. Christ had to go in to the
Holy of Holies in Heaven and intercede for Israel so she could be saved. Father made Him
wait thirty odd years and then sent Him to save Israel. And so all Israel was saved.
Referred to the remnant of Israel. The majority never believed in Christ but followed idols.
Isaiah 25:8, had prophesied spiritual death would be destroyed.
At the Kingdom feast, it was said, Christ would Swallow up death in victory, and the Jews
would say Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him, and He will save us.

56
Isaiah 26:19, declared Christ said, Thy dead will live, their dead bodies will rise. You who
lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, for the earth will give birth to departed spirits.
Hosea 6:2, said, He will revive us after two days, He will raise us up on the third day, that
we may live before Him.
Job 19:25-26, Job declared Yet without my flesh I shall see God.
Daniel 12:2, Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, some to
everlasting life, some to destruction.
Daniel 12:7, The angel asked when would this happen? The angel answered when God has
scattered the power of the holy people, the Jews in AD.70.
The second death was the Lake of fire where they were eternally separated from God.
The first death was spiritual death, and if they did not repent, then
Hebrews 9:27, after physical death was the judgment.
Then they were cast into the Lake of fire.
The believers spiritually were already entering into the New Jerusalem in their spirit man.
They tasted the glory to be revealed.
The unbelievers are judged by the very people who they persecuted here on earth.
There are three kinds of death.
1. Spiritual death, is the separation of the spirit and soul of a person from Gods Presence.
2. Physical death is the separation of the spirit and soul from the physical body.
3. Eternal death which is the separation of the spirit and soul from God forever in the Lake of
fire.
Spiritual life, is the joining of the spirit and soul of a person to Gods spirit through Jesus
Christ.
Eternal life, is that continual fellowship of the spirit and soul of a person to God and Christs
Spirit.
At the end of physical life the spirit and soul of a person passes over from this realm into the
Heavenly realm to receive the glory, rewards, fullness of the inheritance, mansions, and area
of service that they are assigned. There is no death for a Christian. They live and never die.
While humans acknowledge three deaths the Lord Jesus only acknowledged two deaths.
The first spiritual death in John 5, and 11, and the second death eternal death in 20:15.
Chapter twenty one.
:1-8, The seventh vision contains the seventh and eight, I saw in verse 1-2.
John revealed the new Heaven and the new earth. The beginning of the Day of Christ, the
Day of Israels salvation, the Day the Gentile nations and the earth were restored, under the
governance of Christ, and His Bride, the Apostles and Prophets.
In 20:11, the first Heaven and earth passed away. The first Heaven and earth was a
symbolic representation of the Jewish Old Covenant Age.
The New Heaven symbolizes the new Heavenly Government of Jesus Christ and the
Apostles ministering the Gospel of the Kingdom of the love, mercy, grace and Spirit of God.
Isaiah 65:17-18, Isaiah saw Christ will start a new Government ministering the Spirit of
mercy and grace of God. Isaiah wrote there would still be physical death, building, planting,
working and having children, etc.
Isaiahs New Heaven and earth referred to the age of Christ.
Matthew 19:28, Jesus preached a new creation and Acts 3:21, spoke of the restoration of
all things, see Hebrews 12:26-27.

57
The restoration of all things was accomplished in AD.70 when Adam and Israel were
resurrected and gathered together and presented to God the Father in the New Jerusalem.
The restoration of all spiritual things happened in Christ in AD.70.
The restoration of all earthly things for mankind will happen progressively throughout history
as the early Church takes her place in the Heavenly places and exercises her authority in the
heavens and the earth. Christ through His Spiritual Body the Church seeks to influence every
institution in every country.
In 21:24, 22:15, John wrote the nations bring their honor into it, and dogs are outside of it.
These are expressions that show John was not referring to a literal Heaven.
:1, There was no longer any sea.
See 13:1, 17:11, where the Beast ascended from the sea.
The sea referred to the multitudes of Gentile people.
The multitudes cannot influence or affect this new creation of God. Rather the New Creation
affects and influences them.
:2, The eight And I saw, reveals the New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God.
This is another beautiful vision of Gods house; Gods dwelling place; which is in the Body of
Christ, here portrayed as the Holy City. A vision of a city should immediately give the thought
of a group of people who all live in harmony and safety who work for its advancement.
This city portrays the universal, corporate, New Covenant Spiritual Church of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which comprises the saints both in Heaven and on earth.
The Bride comprises the Government leaders who sit with Christ on the throne of God, which
is in the central place within the city of New Jerusalem.
The New Jerusalem represents all the believers in Christ who live together in fellowship from
both Covenants, as in verse 9-10. Hebrews.12:22-23, and Galatians 4:26.
Revelation 3:12, stated the believers in the Church were in the New Jerusalem already.
This New Jerusalem city is in a continual state of coming down and developing in the earth.
:10, John repeated, It was descending out of Heaven from God.
This city has been continually descending from Heaven to earth as angels come down and
saints go up.
Genesis 28:12-13, Like Jacobs ladder, it is a Kingdom that encompasses both Heaven and
earth, progressively advancing throughout history till the earth becomes like Heaven.
Hebrews 1:1, 2:5, declared it as the the world to come, which should be translated as the
age to come, which had already started in those days.
:3, The tabernacle of God is with men. Meaning Gods house is among.
God lives in their spirits because they yield to Christ and the Holy Spirit. They live
consciously in Christs Spirit and fellowship with God the Father resting in His bosom. They
experience Gods house, eat at Gods table, rest in Gods bed, laugh and joy together with
God in the Spirit realm. God the Father shares His heart, His secrets, His plans, and
everything He has, is theirs to be enjoyed. Luke 15:31, Son you are always with me and all I
have is yours.
Ephesians 2:19-20, Paul wrote the, household of God was built on the foundation of the
Apostles and Prophets. John states the same in 21:14.
In 3:12, John said the overcomers would be pillars in the temple of God. Also 7:15-17.
God will dwell with them, is the promise fulfilled when Christ lives in the believer by the Holy
Spirit, Leviticus 26:11-12, Ezekiel 37:26-28.

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Genesis 2:1-3, God created Adam to enjoy fellowship with him. The purpose for the
Sabbath day was God and man having fellowship. This was restored by Christ.
Genesis 1:28. God made Adam to rule and have dominion over the earth in a similar way to
how He ruled over the Heavens. This was restored by Christ.
Acts 3:21, Peter preached, The Heavens had received Christ until the restoration of all
things spoken by the Prophets since the world began. Christ had returned and all things
spoken by the Prophets have been restored.
:4, There shall no longer be any death refers to spiritual death, John 11:25-26.
God wipes away their tears, shed in the times of sufferings, by giving them a crown of glory.
1 Thessalonians 4:13, I Corinthians 15:55-58.
:5, Behold, Father has made all things new.
The new Heavenly Government ruling over the earth through the Body of Christ was
established. The Garden of Eden, the first Heavenly place, was restored.
All things new, is Johns way of saying the New Creation of God had come.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul called the individual believer a New Creation.
John saw the corporate Body of Christ, the new Jerusalem, as the New Creation.
Paul described the New Creation doctrinally.
John described the New Creation apocalyptically.
Paul wrote of the New Creation in epistle form.
John wrote of the New Creation in prophesy form.
However both Apostles are one and agree together and reveal the same truth.
The believers in the Church are recreated, renewed, and restored in Christs salvation.
They sit in Heavenly Governmental positions and rule over the earth together with Christ.
There is no other creation after this, for as Paul stated in Ephesians 1:10 in the fullness of
times, in the fullness of the ages, God gathered together in one, all things in Christ, both
things which are in Heaven, and things which are on earth; even in Him.
Jesus Christ and His Body the Church is the New and final Creation of God.
:6, It is done.
In John 19:30, Christ cried It is finished, and Adam and Lucifers sin was paid for.
In Revelation 16:17, the voice cried, It is done, and Gods wrath was poured out.
Here Christ told John, It is done, because New Jerusalem had finally arrived.
The New spiritual City ruling the earth was established.
Christ was the Beginning and the End of this New Creation.
Christ had planned it before the Jewish world begun.
Christ will give the Holy Spirit life to those who thirst.
The vision is another view of the vision described in 7:16-17.
:7, He that overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
The overcomers rise in spirit and sit with together with Christ on the throne of God. They
exercise authority over the part of the earth that is their inheritance. The Father shows them
things in the future and so they decree things and it happens. The Father is pleased to have
sons that do His will as His Son does and so He shares His Heavenly things with them.
It is an encouraging promise.
John sees only one kind of Christian, and that is a conqueror, 1 John 5:4.
:8, Christ Himself names the fearful and unbelieving first, because the two main causes of
sin are fear and unbelief.

Sinners were cast into the Lake of fire referred to as the second death.

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:9, This verse ties this final section to Gods wrath described in chapter 15:6-8.
After the seventh bowls were poured out, the cry in chapter 16:17, was, It is done!
It resulted in an earthquake in which Jerusalem was destroyed.
In 20:11, 21:1, John stated the old Heaven and earth had fled away.
Then in 21:3, The tabernacle of God was among men.
In 21:6, it resulted in the final, It is done, as the New Jerusalem was established.
:10-27, The new Jerusalem. The Lambs wife.
:10, John was carried away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, a deliberate contrast to
the wilderness where he saw the harlot, cf. 1:10, 4:2, 17:3.
1. The image of the mountain speaks of the Kingdom of Christ and His Spirit and life that
flows from it and fills the earth, Daniel 2:35-44.
2. The New Jerusalem descending from Heaven is the dwelling place of God.
3. Continually descending, because it perfectly describes how Christ through His Body
continually expands His Kingdom throughout the ages.
:11, The Bride has the glory of God. Her light of the knowledge of God shone like clear glass
from her being. She is described as having the same jasper color as God is described in 4:3.
Habakkuk 2:14 stated she is filled with the knowledge of the glory of God which fills the
earth.
:12, A wall great and high so it can resist the attacks of the enemies, Nehemiah 2:17.
:12-13, Twelve gates are mention for the twelve tribes, of the Jews.
John 4:22, salvation was of or from the Jews.
LEAH
1
Judah
2
Reuben
H
A
N
D
M
A
I
D
S

3
Gad

7
Simeon
8
Levi

4
Asher

N
5
Naphtali

S
W

9
Issachar
10
Zebulun

6
11
Manasseh
Joseph
12
Benjamin
RACHEL

J
U
N
I
O
R
L
E
A
H

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John expected the Jewish believers to solve the riddle of 7:5-8. The twelve tribes of Israel
were listed in such a way as to make a balance between the sons of Leah and Rachel. The
order in which the gates are listed, East, North, South, West, corresponds to this list of tribes.
:13, From the four points of the world people come into this city, Jews first followed by
Gentiles, Isaiah 49:12, Luke 13:29.
:14, The City had twelve foundation stones on which were the names of the twelve Apostles.
This refers to the apostolic doctrine upon which the Kingdom is founded.
Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul also referred to the Apostles being the foundation of Gods house.
1 Corinthians 3:10-12, Paul laid the foundation. Matthew 16:16, and 1 Peter 2:5.
:1517, He measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. See Ezekiel 40:3-5.
John did not go into detail as Ezekiel did. John measured only the city, the gates and the
walls for symbolic purpose. Like in 11:1-2. The city itself is the temple, a perfect cube.
The multiples of twelve are symbolic of the majesty, vastness and perfection of the Church.
:18, The city is described in terms of jewelry, Ezekiel 28:13. The walls were jasper stones,
the same description used of God used in 4:3, 21:11. The city was pure gold representing
glory; and clear glass, representing the knowledge of God that was shinning from the City.
:19-20, The twelve foundation stones of the city were adorned with every precious stone, like
the High Priests breastplate, which had four rows of three stones on each, representing the
twelve tribes of Israel, Exodus 28:15-21.
The colors of the stones represent the shades of character that shine out from the glorified
bodies of the believers. John put the jasper stone first for it stood for Judah of whom Jesus
Christ was the King. Jasper is the main color of Divine Glory.
:21, In Isaiah 54:11-12, Isaiah described salvation as a city of jewels. The Bride is adorned
with jewels because of her union with Christ. The colors of the Jewels represent the spiritual
virtues that shine out from the glorified spirit body of the saints.
1 Peter 3:5, The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
The single street in the city revealed there was only one way to God through Jesus Christ.
:22, God and Jesus are the holy temple. They indwell, cover and fill every part of the city
both in Heaven and on earth. God is in all believers spiritually and fellowshipping with all.
God spreads His wings, referring to the Spiritual covering of His Presence over them all, so
that all His children dwell in His goodness and love.
:23, The city has no need of the sun.
Isaiah 60:19-20: The Lord is the everlasting light. Christ continues to reveal Gods
personality, and secrets to His creatures. I doubt we will ever come to the end of knowing
God the Father. When He fills us with His fullness and we see a new aspect of His
greatness, we are overwhelmed with the revelation, and bubble with joy. However, we
understand there is so much more to still know and find out about Him; and so continue to
thirst for more of Him throughout all eternity.
:24,The nations of those who are saved walk in the light of it. From Isaiah 60:5-6, 9,11,
where the nations bring the richness of their cultures into the Church. Nations still exist as
nations in the New Covenant, New Creation, New Jerusalem.
:25-26, The gates are not shut by day, is taken from Isaiah 60:11.

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No night there, showed that the veil of darkness that Lucifer through over the earth is not
there in Heaven. There is no ignorance in the knowledge of God the Father in this city. All
know Him. How much is dependant upon their thirst and intimacy with God cultivated while
on earth. This is repeated in 22:5.
The Gentile nations are seen coming to worship God, bringing their glory and honor into it.
This is what the Prophets had declared would one day happen, Isaiah 60:1-3, 5, 11.
:27, Is a warning to Christians to fear uncleanness or anything which defiles the spiritual life
for only the holy and those whose names are written in Jesus book of life can enter.
Chapter twenty-two.
:1-2, The pure river of life came from the throne of God and Jesus, See Genesis 2:6,10-14,
Ezekiel 47:1-12, and Zechariah 14:8. This river is the spiritual life of God, coming to the
believer through the Holy Spirit. This life of God flowing through Christs Spirit in the Body of
Christ flows to the entire world, bringing salvation, healing and restoration, John 7:37-39.
As one continues to pray with and in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ rises within the
believer so that Christ manifests Himself. God the Father will then come to the Spirit of Christ
within the believer and fellowship.
Ephesians 3:16-19, This is the same doctrine as Pauls. Its a pure river of Gods life pouring
from Father, through the Son, through the Holy Spirit into us. We experience the Holy Spirit
first within our spirits and as we obey Him, Christ is formed in us and as we grow in the
height and depth of His love, God the Father comes and fills us with His fullness.
:2, On either side of the river was the tree of life.
Ezekiel 47:7,12. There were many trees on either side of the river.
The tree of life gave twelve fruits, referring to the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23.
There is a never-ending supply of the fruits of the Holy Spirit for the believers as they spend
time in His Presence. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
:3, No curse goes with verse 5, no night.
All wickedness is outside this the New Jerusalem. Therefore Christians are not to talk on
what the enemy is doing in his Kingdom. In Christs Kingdom paradise has been regained.
:4, The throne of God is available to all the children of God.
Spiritually they can see His face.
This seeing refers to understanding what God the Fathers face is like.
It is not a physical seeing with earthly eyes, for that would be an idol and God is a Spirit.
They see in the understanding of their spiritual mind, a loving, merciful, happy Father who is
so incredibly good.
And His Name is in their foreheads.
Exodus 34:5-7, God the Fathers name radiates from their spirits. I believe His name to refer
to God the Fathers MERCY, GRACE, and GOODNESS which is stamp on the tender spirits
of those who stay in His Presence.
In Exodus 33:20, the Lord told Moses that no man could see His face and live.
However here the believers through the revelation of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are
able to imagine what God is like and enter His bosom for fellowship.
The human spirit enters Heavenly places and enjoys the beautiful visions of God through
waiting upon the Lord and soaking in His Presence.
Psalm 17:15, I will behold thy face in righteousness. Psalm 27:8 My heart said thy face
will I seek. Matthew 5:8, The pure in heart shall see God. 1 Corinthians 13:12, Face to
face. 1 John 3:2. We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

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They reign with God. This is the final act of the restoration of mankind.
:5, The eternal Day of Christ had come. No need of the earthly lamps or sun light, 21:23;
Psalm 36:9. Christ has given the light of the knowledge of God, so there is no ignorance of
God anymore. No darkness anymore.
:6-19, The last messages of the book.
:6, Again the angel reassures John of the truthfulness of his words and visions.
1:5, 3:14, 19:11. The visions will be fulfilled very soon.
The God of the spirits of the Prophets refers to the Holy Spirit.
The angel again repeats that God told, These things must shortly come to pass.
:7, Behold I come quickly. The angel repeated the theme of the prophecy, declaring it is
about to happen immediately, 1:7, 2:5,16, 3:11, 16:15.
The word come is used seven times in chapter 22 alone.
They are blessed if they keep the words of this prophecy and prepare to meet Jesus when
He comes. This was the sixth beatitude.
:8-9, This caused John to fall down in reverence as in 19:10. The angel told John, that he
was a fellow servant to Johns brothers the Prophets, indicating this book was in total
agreement with the Old Testament Prophets.
:10, The angel told him not to seal up the words of the prophecy.
Isaiah 8:16, was told to seal up his prophecies.
Daniel 12:9, also was told to seal them up, for they were for the Jews in the future.
However Johns book was not sealed as it was to be fulfilled very soon.
This fact again proves those who say this book is not yet fulfilled are wrong, for if it was to be
fulfilled two thousand years later then the book would have been sealed.
Daniels book was sealed because it was not fulfilled till four hundred years later.
:11, This exhortation shows the end was so near John did not expect the wicked to repent,
therefore the believers must stay righteous and holy.
:12, Jesus was coming very soon and His reward was with Him.
See Psalm 58:10-11, Isaiah 40:10, Matthew 16:27-28, Luke 19:17, Hebrews 9:27.
:13, Jesus confirmed the promise with an oath showing the genuineness of the prophecy.
:14, The seventh beatitude, Blessed are those who do His commandments, 7:16-17.
Similar prophecy to Isaiah 51:1-6. They have the right to the tree of life to receive the Holy
Spirit fruit and to enter the City into the fellowship with God the Father.
:15, The dog was considered was vile by the Jews, Deuteronomy 23:18.
Here dog was used as a metaphor for vicious and unclean people who were outside the
Kingdom, along with the liars and sinners. This verse also proves the New Jerusalem is now
present during the present age. If it was in the future after the destruction of the world then
how is it dogs and unclean persons are still there?
:16, John sealed his book with attestations and warnings.
1. vs. 6, the attestation of the angel.
2. vs.10, the order to publish the prophecy for the time was at hand.

3. vs.16, the attestation of Christ.

4. vs.17, the attestation of the Spirit. And finally
5. vs.18-19, a warning to the copyists.
Jesus declared He sent His angel to testify of these things.
Jesus was the bright and morning star, 2:26-28, Numbers 24:17, Psalm 2:8-9.

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:17, The invitation was given by the Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ. They were calling the
Jews throughout the Churches in Asia to come to Christ and receive salvation.
He that hears referred to those hearing the Spirit as this book was being read in the
Churches. He that was thirsty, for the spiritual life of God in Christ, let him come.
:18-19, A warning was given to all those who would change the words of Johns prophecy.
Similar to Deuteronomy 4:2, and typical in apocalyptic books.
:20-21, The book ends with short phrases.
The last promise from the Lord, Surely I come quickly.
The last prayer of the Church, Amen. Come Lord Jesus, which was the same as
Maranatha, 1 Corinthians 16:22.
In the early Churches the believers use to say Amen and Hallelujah in response.
And the last provision, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The power of Johns final words, must not be missed. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit,
the angels, and John, were stirring the believers up in a forceful call to repentance because
Christ was coming soon. Note how often Christ said, I am coming quickly.
:7,
Behold, I come quickly, blessed is he that keeps..
:12-14, Behold, I come quickly...
:20,
Surely, I come quickly, Amen.
Conclusion.
The book revealed to the believers in the seven Churches of Asia that Christ was coming
soon to judge the Jews and the Romans who had crucified Christ and were persecuting the
disciples. He was going to send Nero and Vaspasian to Ephesus and take all their wealth.
The overcomers were to continue to be faithful witnesses unto death.
The sealed book of Daniel was opened and they were in the Last Days of the Jews.
The seals, trumpets and bowls of Gods wrath, were all judgments on the Jews.
The six enemies of Christ were destroyed, namely the dragon, the beast, the false prophet,
the harlot, death and Hell.
Christ and His Apostles were victorious, living far above Principalities and Powers in
Heavenly places.
Therefore the believers can boldly declare that Christ has conquered His enemies, and start
to conquer them as the early Church did. Christ and His Bride will always be victorious.
The believers need not to fear demonic opposition. Even if they are martyred they rise and sit
on thrones in Heavenly places and rule with Christ over their enemies.
Whenever the Church is in tribulation it is delivered and is caught up in visions into Heaven
where it rules and reigns with Christ.
You ask why did God leave some of the enemies in the spirit realm and in the world?
The answer is because they are useful in testing the true and the false, the faithful and the
backslider, the weak and the overcoming believer.

If there was no harlot how could we know who the Bride of Christ was?
If there were no corrupt politicians how would we know who the true one where?

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However believers should realize the demons cannot deceive the nations any more unless
the Governments allow it. Christ has given an open door to the believers to preach to the
nations, therefore they must go and take the harvest of souls. The believers should be busy,
winning or affecting the leaders of nations for Christ. They should catch the vision of Christ
and His Bride riding on the white horse, preaching the Gospel and begin to conquer the
nations with the love of God. Jesus said the Kingdom is like leaven affecting every part of
society, culture, and the Government. The Church must rise up and start affecting the
nations.
Revelation will always be relevant for the overcomers in future generations. They will catch
the Spirit within this book and understand the messages.
Those who will be Prophets will understand the meaning of the symbols of this book and so
be able to interpret the visions and dreams the Lord gives them.
The Lord will continue to give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know the things that are
to occur in nations. Hes looking for persons who will receive His revelations.
Those who wait upon the Lord, soak in His Presence and mediate upon the visions in this
book will rise into Heavenly places and exercise their authority from the throne of God. They
will see future things and be able to prophesy what is to happen hundreds of years into the
future.
Therefore let us rise up and have the same spirit of victory. Lets throw off the spirit of
pessimism that has captured so many believers and embrace the truth. Jesus Christ and His
Kingdom are ruling and they are doing a good job on the earth.
Let us be witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Lets be willing to give our lives even unto death!
Lets embrace the message of this book and constantly be witnessing Christ lives within us
and takes us into Heavenly places.
Christ comes in power, constantly to His Church.
Christ comes in judgment, to those families and nations that resist His rulership.
Christ comes in His spiritual Kingdom, both now and forever!
Christs Kingdom is within us. Luke 17:21.
Christs Kingdom is in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17.
Christs Kingdom is in Power. 1 Corinthians 4:20.
Christs Kingdom is always at Hand. Mark 1:15.
The Kingdom came 2000 years ago and is now filling the earth with the glory of God.