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READING REVELATION
A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Grace Notes by Timothy Hoelscher
August-September 1998
A teaching ministry of First Baptist Church Royal City, WA.
Reading Revelation
While the book of Revelation is fascinating, even read and
studied by unsaved people, for most Christians it is a cryptic book.
We can understand various events in the book but also find ourselves
lost in a maze of prophecies. We sometimes even ask ourselves or God
the question, "Why do I need to know these things?" Much of this book
reveals God's plan for the future. Since Christ calls us friends, he
tells us what He is doing (John 15:25-26). The book of Revelation
explains to us many of the things God is doing now and will do in the
future.
Revelation has a simple three part outline described in 1:19,
"Write (1) the things which you saw and (2) the things which are and
(3) the things which shall come to be after these things." Chapter
1 is the things which John had seen -- the vision of Christ. Chapters
2 and 3 then address seven literal Churches as to their relationship
to the character of Christ, their works and their faults. These are
the things that are! Then in chapters 4-22 we find the things which
necessarily come to be after these things (4:1). After the Church's
time on earth is complete we find the unfolding of events in God's
plan, many which have not been or not as clearly revealed as in this
book.
In chapter one we not only are introduced to the writer but to
a vision of Jesus Christ which communicates aspects of His character
and present work which we need to know.
As is seen in the letters to the seven Churches, a deficiency in
understanding any aspect of our Lord's character can have disastrous
repercussions.
1) The Church needs to know that the messengers [A.V. "angels" i.e.
"bishop/pastor-teacher] are accountable to Christ and Christ is to be
manifest among them (2:1).
2) The Church needs to know of Christ's authority over death so that
they will not fear death itself (2:8, 10).
3) We need to know that Christ is also judge, who will judge by His
word the unsaved with whom we often entangle ourselves (2:12).
4) We need to know that Christ has eyes which can look in judgment
and possesses the ability [feet] to carry out that judgment upon those
who would seek to religiously adulterate His slaves (2:18, 20-22).
5) We need to know that Christ as Lord of the Church has sent the
Holy Spirit Who empowers Grace believers for service rather than mere
ritual (3:1).
6) The Church needs to know that Christ is the One Who has the keys
of David (3:7).
He provides the opportunities or closes them off and no amount of
earthly strength or the lack there of on the part of the church will
change what He desires to be accomplished.
7) Finally, the Church needs to know that God the Son is exactly Who
He claims to be (3:14).
We find in this last Church an assembly of people operating in their
own sufficiency rather than His, people who are a Church in name only!
The revelation concerning these seven churches helps us understand
what is taking place now. These seven churches serve two purposes.
First, they give us a general outline of the history of the
Church by describing the predominant characteristics of the Church
whether good or bad in seven / stages.
Second, they provide a divine description and analysis of the
Churches we will find.
In whatever church we may be we can measure that church by God's
standard, discover of what type of church we are a part. With that
knowledge, we can see Christ's appraisal of that church and His
instruction to those within that church:
1. what characteristic of Christ they need to understand most or have
failed to consider,
2. what they should do,
3. how they should respond.
To the true believers ["overcomer" cp 1 John 5:4, 5] in each of
these Churches Christ gives unconditional promises intended to
encourage them to do God's will. These promises are not conditioned
upon obedience. Believers who understand God's future plans for them
have a greater encouragement for obedience. Many Christians, through
ignorance of God's plan for this world and for them, fail to do God's
will. They often operate with an entirely different agenda than God's,
even though it may seem "righteous". Each promise has special import
and encouragement for the believer in the circumstances of that
church.
1) To those believers who have left their first love [Christ] and
fail to see Christ's authority over the messenger, they are told of
the promise to sustain them even in death, eating of the Tree of life
(2:7).
2) To those believers experiencing persecution, needing to remember
Christ's eternality and victory over death, He promises that nothing
coming out of the second death will hurt them. We know they
will not experience this death but nothing associated with this death
will haunt them or do any harm (2:11).
3) Believers, who tolerated false teaching neglected the fact that
Christ is a righteous judge with a two edged sword. They married the
Church to the world and its religions. But genuine believers are
promised to partake of the hidden manna, Christ Himself in an intimate
relationship, receiving the white stone a token of Christ's love for
His bride. Simply, we will have a better marriage to Christ than we
could ever have with the world (2:17).
4) The tolerant Church married to the world produced children, not
remembering that God the Son is coming in judgment. The believers
are promised to have authority over the nations and be given the
Morning Star, Christ in His glory (2:26-28). Rather than experiencing
judgment they will be involved in meting out judgment.
5) Eventually the Church reached the point of having the reputation
of life but was dead in orthodoxy (3:1). They had neglected the
ministry of the Holy Spirit and Christ's authority over the
messengers.
6) But to the true believers, Christ promises a garment of glory the
security of his future and the confession of the believer's name
(3:10-12). This is far from dead orthodoxy The Philadelphian Church
lacked strength due to its smallness but are promised to be pillars in
God's temple, a structure of people not stone from which God will
never depart (3:12). They are promised to have the name of God, the
name of the Heavenly city and the new name of God the Son written upon
them (3:12). What prominence in contrast to their insignificant
earthly status.
7) Finally, to the Church that has failed to realize the full deity
of Christ, assured in their own works, the true believers are promised
a seat on Christ's own throne (3:21).
Immediately in chapter four, John is called up to heaven to
witness the things which necessarily come to be after the seven
Churches (4:1). From this point, the Church is absent on earth,
present in heaven, represented by twenty-four priestly elders around
the throne of God (4:4). John first sees a vision of God the Father
(4:2-3, 5). Since this is a vision, we are probably seeing a
manifestation of God's character and not His actually physical
manifestation. The elders are joined by four cherubs in worship to God
and observation of the events about to unfold (4:8-11). The worship is
also directed at the Son of God, the Lamb, with angels and all
creatures joining the cherubs and elders (5:12-13).
Chapters 6-20 describe God's wrath and judgment in the world.
Chapters 6-19 describe that judgment during Daniel's 70th week a
period of time specifically designed to bring an end to sin and
transgression in the nation Israel (Daniel 9:24). The 70th week is
also described as Jacob in labor-pains, a part of which Christ called
the beginning of sorrows (Jeremiah 30:6-7; Matthew 24:8). John is
shown these judgments in three groups.
Chapters 6-11 show God's judgment as it relates to Israel, first
in the Seals [the beginning of Sorrows] during the first three and a
half years and ending in the Trumpets the last three and a half years.
Chapters 12-16 reveal God's judgment on Satan and his men who
have opposed God and His people. These judgments are seen in the vials
of plagues.
Chapters 17-18 reveal God's judgment of Babylon, the system which
has opposed God and His people through religion, commerce and
politics.
The benefit for us in knowing these judgments is that we in the
Church today, face these same forces today, though not in the
magnified form they will be during Daniel's' 70th week. Israel has
resisted God and persecuted the Church (Acts 28:25-28). Satan has been
the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). Organized religion has
also been a major force of opposition to true Christianity (Revelation
18:20).
The seals form the beginning of sorrows, a milder form of the
Lamb's wrath (6:16). In the Trumpets and Vials, God's wrath is seen
supernaturally causing great judgments. But the wrath in the seals, is
the removal of His restraint upon Satan. Paul explains in 2
Thessalonians 2:7-8 that Satan is ready to bring his man on the seen
but the Holy Spirit restrains him. God the Holy Spirit departs and the
restraint ceases. We therefore observe judgments by this unrestrained
state. The Lamb allows the world to unite under one government (6:1-2)
which is quickly robbed of peace and sustenance resulting in death
(6:3-8). Believers upon the earth will be killed, but their cry for vengeance rises to heaven (6:9-11). Then
the physical light of the world is dimmed and the world itself shaken
(6:12-14). But rather than repent, the people seek to hide from the
Lamb.
The seals conclude with a half hour of silence at the mid-point
of the seven years. Chronologically the seventh seal is the silent
battle of chapter twelve between Satan and his angels and Michael and
his angels (12:6-17). The unrestrained state culminates in Satan
attempting His "I wills" of Isaiah 14 again. The result of that battle
is Satan's wrath targeted especially at Israel. But God supernaturally
protects her resulting in Satan's attack against that part of her seed
known as the 144,000 sealed for protection outside the land (12:14-17;
7:1-8). The result of the 144,000 is the salvation of a great
multitude by the end of the Great Tribulation (7:9-17).
With the sealing of the 144,000 accomplished, the second half of
Daniel's 70th week commences with the 7 trumpets extending past the
Great Tribulation (chapters 8-9, 11:15). These trumpets are
contemporaneous with the vials, some following and others preceding
their numerical counterparts. However, the trumpets target first a
smaller area "a third" (8:7-9,10-12; 9:15, 18) being the revived Roman
empire of which the land of Israel is a part. Therefore the trumpets
target those at the center of the persecution of believers and
especially the land of Israel, the people themselves being divinely
protected. During the final days of the trumpets, John witnesses 7
thunders, which God has chosen not to explain to us (chapter 10). The
content of those thunders were initially sweet but soured John's
stomach. Had God fully explained those 7 thunders, in our present
unglorified state we like John may only end up with sour stomachs. We
see God's two witnesses prophesying for 42 months, killed,
resurrected, caught-up to heaven and avenged. With their removal the
seventh trumpet sounds and the kingdoms of this organized kosmos
system become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation
11:15-18). Verses 17 and 18 view the resurrection of believers at the
end of Daniel's 70th Week and the destruction of the unsaved at the
end of the 1,000 year kingdom (18b). This large view is intended to
sum up the result of the Seven trumpets, results which extend over
1,000 years.
Chapter 12 begins a section of God's judgment against Satan, his
ruler, his prophet and those who worship his ruler (chapters 12-16).
It begins with a review of Satan's opposition to the nation Israel,
pictured by the sign of the woman (v 1). Verses 3-4 explain Satan's
position, pictured as a ruling dragon. When he fell, a third of the
spirit beings fell with him (v 4). Satan's opposition was directed in
the past at Jesus Christ during His earthly life (vv 4b-5). After
Christ ascended, Satan turned his attack on the nation Israel (v 6).
But God divinely protects her for the last three and a half years of
Daniel's 70th Week. The reason for Satan's persecution of the woman is
explained by his failure to defeat Michael and his army (v 7). This
battle takes place at the middle of Daniel's 70th week followed by
Israel's protection for the last half of the week (Times [2], a Time
[1] and half a time [1/2] v 14).
In connection with Satan's opposition he employs a man and his
kingdom viewed as a beast and a man and his religious system also
viewed as a beast (chapter 13). The first beast is worshipped by the
people of the earth who also worship the dragon himself (vv 3, 4).
The arrogance of Satan, who claimed he would be like God is now
mirrored by the beast blaspheming God, His tabernacle, the Lamb and
those who have died or been killed. But those who carry out the
instructions of the beast, taking captives and putting believers to
death will experience the same (13:10). An understanding of this
provides the basis for patience, the ability to bear up under an
adverse circumstance without changing one's character. Therefore,
Tribulation saints will not compromise but endure the persecution
knowing that the time for their persecutors is short.
Chapter 14 bears out God's vengeance on the beast worshipers as
well as the victory of those who would not compromise though under
persecution. The worshipers of the beast are tormented without rest,
this again is the basis of the patience of the saints (14:11-12).
Chapters 15-16 describe the seven vials, seven judgments
contemporaneous to the trumpets. Whereas the trumpets affect a smaller
portion of the world, the vials affect the whole of the beast's
kingdom (16:2, 10). The vials also complete God's wrath (15:2). When
the last vial is poured out, God's wrath is done and we will only see
God's righteous judgment. God ironically changes the fresh water to
blood in judgment which an angel describes as "righteous" (16:4-5).
The irony of this judgment is due to the fact that they have shed the
blood of saints and prophets (16:6). Again, God has avenged their
blood. The word "avenge" [ekdikeo] (6:10; 19:2) is a form of the word
"righteous" [dikia]. When God avenges, He is acting righteously. This
is important to understand, lest our "humane" sensibilities should be
offended.
Chapters 17-18 briefly trace the nature of the Great Harlot, a
political and commercial entity knit to religion (17:1-5). Note in
verse 1 that the angel still has the vial, therefore, we have jumped
back prior to the vials for this view. She is responsible for the
deaths of many saints to the point that she is described as drunken
(17:6). The beast is the last of a series of kings and kingdoms. He
was killed and has come back to life and is worshipped by the unsaved
of the world (17:8). The woman sits upon seven mountains identified as
kings (17:9-10). According to Daniel there would be five kingdoms: the
Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, the Grecian, the Roman and the revived
Roman. Here we find three additional forms: the Beast with 10 kings (
Daniel 7:8), the Beast with 7 kings following a revolt by three, the
Beast alone. The result is a total of eight kingdoms. The beast and
kings make war against the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and are defeated by Him
(17:14). The woman also sits on many waters, a picture of people,
tribes, nations and tongues (17:15).
The woman is identified as a specific great city (17:18). In 17:5
she is called mystery Babylon. By the biblical definition of "mystery"
this is not the Babylon of old, but a Babylon not previously revealed
(cp Ephesians 3:9). This city is described as a woman living in sin
and luxury, a harlot who claims she is queen and not a widow (18:1-8).
As a harlot she is a religious entity which has adulterated herself
with the world (cp James 4:4). Christ described this state as a
mystery form of both the kingdom from the heavens and the kingdom of
God, growing great and giving shelter or shade to Satan and his host
(Mark 4:4, 13, 30-32; Matthew 13:31-32). While the true Church becomes
Christ's bride at the rapture (Ephesians 5:31-32), Christ warned some
of the Churches of the woman who entices them to commit fornication
and the church who claims to have need of nothing (2:20-22; 3:17).
Following the Rapture of the Church these churches with no restraint
become united in this blasphemous religious entity. This organized
religious system is responsible for the deaths of apostles, prophets
and saints (17:6; 18:20, 24). Therefore, this harlot doesn't exist
only during Daniel's 70th week. This harlot has existed at least from
the earliest years of the Church and will continue through Daniel's
70th week. But her form, which we find in these chapters, is one which
will not be seen until such a time as the Holy Spirit's restraint of
Satan is removed and Satan's man is brought on the seen (2
Thessalonians 2:6-8).
Regardless of her great religious power, at the mid point of
Daniel's 70th week, the kings hate the harlot and strip her and feast
upon her (17:16). Babylon ceases to be this perverted "Christian"
religious system and in chapter 18 becomes the refuge and prison of
demons retaining her political-commercial face. Religion in a
"Christian" form ceases and the Beast sets himself as the god! It is
this form that will be in existence during the last half of the
Tribulation period.
Chapter 18 describes God's final judgment of this system. Rather
than stripping her and feasting upon her, the people mourn at God's
judgment of her.
We have just witnessed the destruction of the woman Babylon!
She is a city, yet a system operated by people. In contrast to this
woman, we meet Christ's bride! She too is associated with a city
(21:9ft). Chapter 19 views the return of Christ and the wedding feast.
The marriage has taken place and Christ is ready to present His bride
at the wedding feast (vv 7-9). The guests at the wedding feast seen in
the Gospels are always first Israel and then the Gentiles. Neither are
the Bride. The Bride is the Church, an entity which God does not view
as either Jewish or Gentile (Ephesians 5:30-32; Colossians 3:10). In
this event the believers of the Church are unveiled as sons of God
(Romans 8:19). Christ comes out of heaven to destroy the armies of the
earth with a word, pictured as a sword going out of His mouth (19:15).
The Beast and False prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire
(19:20).
The remaining chapters provide a picture of the Millennial
kingdom. Satan is bound for those thousand years so that he can not
deceive the nations (20:1-3). Literally interpreted, this can not be
true of our present state for Satan is blinding the eyes of those who
don't believe the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:1-6). For this reason we
understand that the six times we are told this kingdom lasts for 1,000
years speak of a literal thousand year reign of Christ (20:2, 3, 5, 6,
7). The martyred Tribulation saints are resurrected to reign in a
loose association [Greek meta] with Christ (vv 4, 6). the Church which
is His bride reigns in a close association [Greek sun] with Christ (2
Timothy 2:12). At the end of the thousand years, Satan is loosed and
by deception rallies an army to surround the earthly Jerusalem
(20:7-9). Christ ends the rebellion with a judgment of fire and Satan
is finally cast into the lake of fire where the Beast and False
prophet have already been (20:10).
At this point there is only one group of humans who have not been
resurrected, the unsaved dead. They are the end group in a series of
resurrections (cp 1 Corinthians 15:22-24). They stand in judgment,
judged by their works as proof that they deserve the Lake of fire for
everyone in this resurrection goes into the Lake of Fire (20:11-15).
The present heavens and earth cease to exist and death and Hades are
also cast away.
Chapters 21-22 picture the New Jerusalem a heavenly city under
which the earth will enjoy the blessings of the Millennium. This city
is the temporary home of Christ and His church along with many angels
and the Old Testament saints who existed from Adam to Abraham (Hebrews
12:22-24). Access to this city is limited to believers (21:25-27). The
unglorified Millennial saints will find fruit and leaves for the
healing of their unglorified bodies (22:2). The earth shall enjoy
productivity apart from the curse (22:3-5).
How do we respond to this book? With praise and worship for our
God's righteousness and power! With patience, for we can endure the
pressures of this life knowing what a great future is in store for us.
We are encouraged not to become entangled in the religious, political
and commercial interests of this world which under Satan's lead,
amounts to nothing and ultimately opposes God and will be judged by
God!
The book of Revelation is not strictly chronological. It contains
chronology, but that chronology does not begin at 1:1 and continue to
22:21. The chronology of this book covers various lines of thought.
For example, The chronology of the Seals. The chronology of Satan's
opposition to God and His saints.
Chapters -- Chronology or Events
1 -- The Vision of Christ
2-5 -- The Church here and in heaven
6 -- The Seals -- The beginning of the Lamb's Wrath and Judgment. 1st 3
1/2 years of the Tribulation
7:1-8 -- Middle of the Tribulation
7:9-17 -- Remainder of the Tribulation for the believers (v 14).
8:1-11:18 -- Trumpets -- Jewish judgment -- ending in Christ's return
11:15. (With 2 witness interval 11:1-14 -- witnesses for Israel
12 -- Satan's program of opposition to God culminating with a heavenly
attack at Mid-Trib and His heavenly defeat.
vv 1-5 -- look at his opposition prior to the cross.
13 -- Satan's men which he has been using and will continue to use.
General overview of the career of the:
1st Beast -- man of sin -- 2 Thess. 2:3 and
2nd Beast -- false prophet.
14:1-5 -- Satan's failure to wipe out Israel.
14:6-20 -- The punishment of those who worship the Beast.
15-16 -- The martyrs of the Beast, False prophet and harlot resulting in
part in God's wrath on the nations.
17-18 -- The History and Judgment of Babylon the Harlot
v 1 -- The angel is still holding the vial therefore, prior to its pouring out.
The Mystery -- something different about this Babylon -- unreveal-ed.
v 1 -- over many nations (v 15).
V 3 -- controls government
V 8 -- rides the beast.
V 9 -- 7 mountains (lit. or fig.).
V 18 -- a literal city - with great power. She has been a problem even
to the apostles and prophets
(18:20) -- We have to deal with her.
19 -- The Lord's return and marriage feast. Triumph over Nations --
2 Beasts thrown into Hell.
20 The slanderous deceiver -- SATAN -- Bound -- released -- finally
judged,
[chapters 17-20 -- the dealings with the end of these earthly empires]
21:1-8 -- Our future home in eternity -- the New Jerusalem
21:9-22:17 -- The Millenial Kingdom and the New Jerusalem's
relationship during:
those 1,000 years.
The relationship to it, of the unglorified Millenial saints.
22:18-21 -- Closing words.