THE BOOK OF REVELATION

1. A Commentary by David J Riggs and John Cripps THE BOOK OF REVELATION THE THREE “C’s” OF REVELATION – Rev 2:10 CONFLICT COMFORT CONQUEST

2. Dedication This work is dedicated to my father in law David J Riggs, who was a mentor, teacher and student of God’s Word. His dedication to serving God to the fullest of his ability and the love that he felt for the truths found in the scriptures are readily acknowledged by everyone that knew him. Tho, discouraged to pursue his desire to preach the plain truths of God’s Word, it never stopped him from simply allowing the power of God’s Word to speak to the hearts of good and honest men. He was not an eloquent speaker, nor was he a big name preacher but the humility that David had as he served our God and our Father – brought glory and adoration and attention to the written word and the power it contained to change the hearts and minds of men. It is in David that I learned that the Word of God can be presented in a very simple yet very deep level that all who heard could and would understand. David Jerome Riggs – Sept 30th 1942 / December 28th 2004 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” – Hebrews 11:4

3. An Introduction To The Book of Revelation THE THREE “C’s” OF REVELATION – Rev 2:10 CONFLICT COMFORT CONQUEST

4. NEGLECTED & ABUSED • The book of Revelation is one of the most neglected and yet one of the most abused books of the New Testament today and in times past. • This view point is expressed in various forms by many biblical scholars. • "It is regarded as the most difficult book of the New Testament by most Christians. It is the most 'turned back' book. Classes make their way through the New Testament, but when they get to Revelation they 'turn back' to Matthew." --- (Introducing the Book at the End of the Bible, by Ferrell Jenkins. p. 1) • "Neglected, misunderstood, and grossly perverted, the Book of Revelation stands quite alone in the New Testament." --- (Revelation - "Victory in Christ", by Robert Harkrider. p. 1)

5. The Purpose and Theme of the Book of Revelation • Peter warns us that Satan is constantly seeking for those whom he may devour: • "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1Peter 5:8 • Paul warns us that we are to be constantly aware of the evil devices that Satan will use to entrap and snare the children of God: • "(13) For such {are} false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (15) Therefore {it is} no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." 2Corinthians 11:13-15 • Since the evidence is overwhelmingly clear, that Satan is in constant conflict with the children of God, the message that is contained in the Book of Revelation is applicable. • Though the times have changed and the methods of Satan have taken on a new appearance the basic underlying aim is still the same. • Satan wants all that is good to bow the knee unto him. • To leave the Creator God and worship at His feet.

6. The Purpose and Theme of the Book of Revelation • As one looks at the plight of the First Century Christians one cannot help but wonder what their state would have been, had such a book as Revelation not been written. • In the minds of these Christians the overall result they foresaw must have been that they stood to be defeated and totally eliminated from the face of the earth by Rome who, at this point in time, was well armed and was recognized to be the mightiest army in the world. • Against this army stood a small band of Christians who believed in a Risen Savior whose only weapon of war was the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit, cf. Eph. 6:17. • How hopeless their plight must have looked to them and to others whom they were trying to persuade to believe. • By the year A.D. 95 a Roman Law was proclaimed that it was a crime to be a Christian and that such was punishable by death. • Emperor Worship was at its pinnacle and allegiance to the Caesar was demanded of all Roman subjects. • It is under these circumstances that this struggle between the church of Jesus Christ and the evil forces of Satan is depicted in the Book of Revelation.

7. The Purpose and Theme of the Book of Revelation • "The one proclaimed its allegiance to the Divine Christ, and the other proclaimed its allegiance to Caesar, who himself laid claim to divine rights. Christ versus Caesar! Who would finally win in the fight that lay ahead?" --- (The Seven Churches of Asia by James M. Tolle. Tolle Publications, Box 13. Fullerton, California. 1968. p. 5) • These two forces were diametrically opposed to one another. • Two great kingdoms went out into the world to capture the hearts of men, women, and children. • One empire subjected its subjects by physical force while the Kingdom of Christ subjected its followers with the spiritual message of God. • The vast difference can be seen in the method of subjection: • Roman Empire -- Physical domination with involuntary servitude, threats of death, and destruction if one did not comply. • Kingdom of God -- Spiritual domination with a voluntary servitude, with spiritual blessings to all those who would come.

8. THE COMFORT OF GOD • "(1) I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, {who is worthy} to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. The pangs of death encompassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, {even} to His ears." Psalm 18:1-6

9. Our Application Today !!! • The message and purpose of the book for Christians living today is basically the same. • Though our enemy is not the Roman Empire and paganism, and though we are not subjected to bow the knee to any man by force, the enemy remains the same. • Any object that demands that we must have absolute allegiance to it and thus deny the Deity of Christ and His absolute authority is in fact the same conditions under which the book of Revelation was written. • Though we may not have the savage persecution of the Roman Empire, the child of God still faces persecution in the form of: • (1) reproach and slander • (2) cold looks • (3) nicknames • (4) social ostracism ect. • Thus the comfort given in the words of Revelation is applicable today as it was back at the time of its writing.

10. Our Application Today !!! • "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw {some} of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10 • "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those {who are} with Him {are} called, chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14 • The comfort of knowing that through out the trials and tribulations of God's children, the hardships that are endured, and the constant attacks of Satan and His Evil forces against that which is good, is but a small frame in the overall picture. • The whole picture depicts Christ and His forces victorious over the forces of Evil and that which is contrary to God and His will.

11. THE NAME - "REVELATION" • The child of God needs to note that the name of the book is "Revelation" and not "Revelations". • Although the book is made up of many revelations the book’s name is in the singular. • Note this is also true of the Old Testament Book Psalm. • The name Revelation comes from the Greek word apokalupsis {ap-ok-al'-oop-sis} which Strong's defines as "disclosure: -appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.“ • Thayer defines this as - "an uncovering; 1. prop. a laying bare, making naked" • (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament by Joseph H. Thayer. Baker book House Grand Rapids, Michigan. 15th printing 1987 p. 62) • Vine says of this Greek Word - "an uncovering (akin to apokalupto)", which defined "signifies to uncover, unveil". • (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by W.E. Vine edited by F.F. Bruce. Fleming H. Revell Company Old Tappan, New Jersey. 1981 p. 292) • The name Revelation {apokalupsis} classifies the type of literature the writer has used in his effort to uncover the message of God that was revealed unto him.

12. THE NAME - "REVELATION" • "Apocalyptic literature was always relevant to the historical situation of the day. • Daniel and Ezekiel were written during the Babylonian exile to comfort the chosen people in their faithfulness and to prepare them for trails, even down to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes and to the Roman Empire. • Revelation was written at a time when God's saints were being tried in the crucible called Rome." • (Studies in the Book of Revelation by Ferrell Jenkins. p. 1) • In the Old Testament there are three inspired Apocalyptic writings ie. Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. • Revelation is the only New Testament book that takes on this style of literature. • It is with little doubt that the Christians of the first century were well acquainted with this style of literature and therefore the message possibly did not present to them a problem as it does to many of us today.

13. Authorship of the Book of Revelation: • Since the author of the book of Revelation does not disclose who he is, apart from the four times he makes reference to himself as John cf. 1:1 ; 1:4 ; 1:9 ; 22:8, it is up to the student to speculate as to which John this might have reference to. • It is also safe to assert that the writer of Revelation was a Palestinian Jew, from his usage of the Old Testament and Targums, who also was steeped in the rituals of the temple and in the synagogues. • The fact that the very title of the book includes in it the name, John cannot be overlooked. • This title "occurs in several MSS, including the Codex Sinaiticus" – (Hastings Dictionary of the Bible. Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts. January 1989. p. 797).

14. Authorship of the Book of Revelation: • "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants - things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified {it} by His angel to His servant John," Revelation 1:1 • "John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne," Revelation 1:4 • "I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9 • "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things." Revelation 22:8 • From these passages and other passages it is safe to assert that the writer of Revelation was: • A servant of Christ - 1:1 • That he is a Christian, since he refers to himself as a brother and companion in this tribulation - 1:9 • That he was a prophet - since he identifies himself as such in 1:3 ; 10:11 ; 22:6-10, 18, 19 ; 22: 9 ,19. • That he was exiled because of his testimony of Christ - 1:9

15. Authorship of the Book of Revelation: • External evidence is that evidence which is gathered from secular writers who many times wrote according to the voice of tradition. As one examines this segment of history one needs to be reminded that the further away from the first century one gets the less reliable the voice of tradition might be. • Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165) in his Dialogue with Trypho the Jew (LXXXI) says. "There was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ,who prophesied by revelation," and then refers to the thousand years, the resurrection and the Judgment of Revelation 20. --- (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1. p. 240 as quoted by Homer Hailey in his book Revelation an Introduction and Commentary pp. 21-22) • Irenaeus (A.D. 120-202), who had heard Polycarp, a disciple of John the apostle, wrote in his Against Heresies (IV. xx. 11), "John, also the Lord's Disciple ..... says in the Apocalypse," and then quotes profusely from that Book. Having thus identified him as the "Lord's Disciple”.

16. Authorship of the Book of Revelation: • Irenaeus says later: "In a still clearer light has John, in the Apocalypse, reveled certain things," which the writer proceeds to discuss (V.xxi 1). --- Ibid., p. 491-492) Ibid., p.554) • Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 153-217) in his treatise, Who is the Rich man that Shall be Saved? (XLII), writes of "the apostle John" who "returned to Ephesus from the Isle of Patmos" after "the tyrant's death." The tyrant is unnamed. ---- Ibid.,Vol II, p. 603). • Tertullian (A.D. 145-220), sometimes called "the Father of Latin Christianity," a voluminous writer, wrote five books Against Marcion. In book III. xxv, Tertullian writes of the Jerusalem let down from heaven. He quotes Paul, who called it "our mother" (Galatians 4:26), and he says, "the apostle John beheld" it, referring to Revelation 21:2. --- Ibid., Vol III, p. 342).

17. Authorship of the Book of Revelation: • GRAMMATICAL EVIDENCE:

19. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • IMPORTANT SYMBOLICAL NUMBERS IN REVELATION • ONE : • Symbolizes unity or independent existence (not actually used in Revelation, but stands behind several others.) • TWO : • Symbolizes strengthening, confirmation, redoubled courage and energy. • Two witnesses confirm the truth of God --- Rev. 11:3-12. • Two wild beasts supporting each other oppose the truth --- Rev. 13:1ff. • Note Eccl. 4:9-12 for the strength and power of two. • God has a twofold instrument of warfare: • The conquering Christ and the sickle of Judgment. • These defeat the beasts. • Symbolism teaches triumph of good over evil.

20. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • THREE: Man found in his primitive home the divines things life could offer --- father love, mother love, filial love. He found God in the interplay of love and kindness in his home. Thus, "3" became the symbol of the Divine. For us today it is easier to see since there are three in the God Hood - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. • GOD --- Revelation 1:4 -- ".... Him who is and who was and who is to come,...“ • JESUS CHRIST --- Revelation 1:5 -- "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.“ • BELIEVERS --- Revelation 1:5c-6 -- " To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, (6) and has made us kings and priests...“ • THREEFOLD DIVISION OF BOOK --- Revelation 1:19 -- "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.“ • THREE EVENTS --- Revelation 4:1 "... and behold, a door {standing} open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard {was} like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."

21. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • OCCUPANT ON THE THRONE --- Revelation 4:3 -- "And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and {there was} a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.“ • TWENTY FOUR ELDERS --- Revelation 4:4 -- "Around the throne {were} twenty four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.“ • OUT OF THE THRONE PROCEEDED --- Revelation 4:5 -- "And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices....“ • FOUR LIVING CREATURES CHANT --- Revelation 4:6b,8,9 -- ".... and around the throne, {were} four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. (8) ...saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" (9) Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,“

22. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • GOLD CROWNED ELDERS ASCRIBE HIM --- Revelation 4:11 -- "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." • THREE WOE TRUMPETS --- Revelation 8:13 -- "And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" • THREE FROG LIKE SPIRITS issue from the mouth of : --- Revelation 16:13 -- "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs {coming} out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet." • THREE PLAGUES UPON BABYLON --- Revelation 18:8 ".... death, mourning and famine...." Three classes of men wail over Babylon's fall : KINGS (vrs 9), MERCHANTS (vrs. 11), SEAMEN (vrs. 17) --- See Ezek. 27.

23. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • FOUR : Cosmic number! The world in which men lived, worked, died! Supposed to be the number of creation. Usual reference made to the "four corners of the earth.“ • FOUR LIVING CREATURES with four faces --- Revelation 4:6-8 --- “four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature {was} like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature {was} like a flying eagle. And {the} four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" • FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH --- Revelation 7:1 -- "After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree."

24. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • FOUR ANGELS at river EUPHRATES. They watch --- Revelation 9:14-15 -- "saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates. So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind." • TRODDEN WINEPRESS --- Revelation 14:20 -- "And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs." • a) This is the square of 4 X 100.

25. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • FOUR SEALS --- Revelation 6:1-8 -- "Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." And another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that {people} should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see. And I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth." • a) Four horses go forth at the call of four living creatures. • EIGHT descriptive EPITHETS touching the wicked : --- Revelation 21:8 --"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." • a) 4 X 2 or 2 X 4

26. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • FIVE : Number on hands and feet (five fingers and toes). Frequently cut-off or maimed and crippled through disease, accident or warfare! • "A perfect, full-rounded man was one who had all his members intact" (Ibid. p.23) • "Five doubled to ten --- human completeness". (ie Parents look at baby's hands and feet!) • "Whole duty of man" --- Ten Commandments! • "Complete authority or power in government" --- beasts with ten horns. • Dragon , chp 12 ; First beast, chp 13 ; Scarlet beast chp 17 --- all have ten horns. • TEN : Used in Combinations with other single numbers. • 70 --- sacred number --- Numbers 3 added to 4 = 7 multiplied by 10 • Symbolizes God with His Creation is Completeness. • 1000 --- this symbolizes ultimate completeness, nth degree.

27. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • SIX : A sinister meaning! Six fell short of seven and failed! • "The charge that met defeat, with success just in its grasp" --- represented by six (Summers p. 24) This represents doom! Just as 13 does to many today. • SEVEN : Combination of perfect world number and perfect Divine number, therefore it was the most sacred number to the Hebrews! • "The number of completeness, of perfection, and of dispensational fullness.“ EARTH CROWNED WITH HEAVEN: • Seven Churches (2-3) • Seven Candlesticks. • Seven seals (5-8:1) • Seven Spirits (1:4)

28. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:16) • Seven Stars (1:16) • Seven Bowls (15:5-16) • Seven Sections to the Book. • Seventy members of Jewish Council. Jesus sent out seventy Disciples. • Fourteen songs in Revelation (7 X 2) : 4:8, 11 ; 5:9,12,12 ; 11:15,17,18 ; 12:10-12; 15:3,4 ; 19:1,2,5,6-8. • The Lamb has Seven horns and seven eyes (5:6), "which denote the almighty power, the supreme intelligence, and the perfect omni-potence and omniscience which He is endowed with" (Moorehead, p. 32). • Seven attributes of praise to the Lamb --- (5:12) --- to God (7:12). • Chapter 19 --- six angels and One Like the Son of Man.

29. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • TWELVE : 4 X 3. In Hebrew religious thought 12 equals symbol of organized religion in the world. 12 Tribes, 12 Apostles, 12 Gates. 144,000 equals 12,000 X 12. • "The number of final and eternal perfection and duration" -(Moorehead). • Note the Celestial City, the New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5) • 12 foundations. • 12 gates. • 12 Angel sentinels and guardians. • The city is a majestic cube, 12,000 furlongs being the measure of its form. • The tree of life yields 12 manners of fruits and yields them through 12 months of a cycle.

30. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • THREE and ONE HALF : • Seven cut in half! Symbol of incompleteness. Restless, longings unfulfilled; aspirations unrealized ; world awaiting for something. • Men of despair and confusion waiting for peace and light. Rev. 6:4 • Two witnesses preached 3 and one half years --- indefinite period. Rev 11:3. • Court of Temple trampled by ungodly 3 and one half years. Rev. 11:2 • Saints persecuted 42 months. Rev. 11:2 • Church in wilderness 1,260 days. Rev. 12:6 & 14. • Sea Beast exercises his authority 42 months. Rev. 13:5.

31. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • TEN : "the number of secular organization and of power" --- (Moorehead, p. 32). See notes under number five. • "Ten joined with seven signifies the perfection of satanic force and worldly dominion. The Beast with seven heads and ten horns is the embodiment of devilish energy, and of apostate, imperial supremacy." (Ibid., p. 32) --- {Notes taken from Revelation Class Taught by Melvin Curry at Florida College 1987) • In understanding the imagery of John's Revelation one must also be aware that these are drawn from all of the realms known to man, ie. the heavenly, the spiritual and the material universe. • Having looked at the symbols let us now consider the various realms that John draws from.

32. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • DEITY • God The Father the occupant on the throne: • Sparkling white diamond - (jasper) • And as a precious ruby - (sardius) --- 4:3. • Jesus the Son of God: • Is a lamb --- 5:6. • The lion of the tribe of Judah --- 5:5. • The Root of David --- 5:5. • The bright and morning star --- 22:16. • The Holy Spirit: • Seven Spirits. • Seven Lamps of Fire. • Seven Eyes which are the Seven Spirits of God --- 1:4; 5:6.

33. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • SPIRIT REALM • The revelations embraces heaven, hades, and the lake of fire (hell). • Includes a great Red Dragon. • A Serpent (Satan). • Angels. • Demons. • Unclean Spirits. • And Souls. • There are beasts that come from a variety of places: • One out of the Sea. • One out of the Earth. • The revelation also embraces: • Death. • And the Resurrection

34. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • THE NATURAL WORLD • In this aspect the symbols and imagery are drawn from every realm of the natural world. • Geology to Astronomy. • Reference made to: • The Sun. • The Sun-Rising. • The Moon. • The stars. • Day and Night. • The Air. • The earth, earthquakes. • Sea and great waters, Rivers and fountains. • Clouds, lightening, thunder. • Great winds, hail and rainbows. • Fire, smoke and brimstone. • Of wilderness and an abyss.

35. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • EARTHLY KINGDOMS • Once again the imagery is drawn from every social aspects of human life. • Kings ,Princes and Captains. • Bondmen and Freemen. • Rich and Poor. • The Great and the Servants. • Our interests and understanding are challenged by: • References to , Nations • Thrones. • Diadems and Victory Crowns. • Keys. • A Rod (or Scepter) of iron. • Great Swords , two edge swords , Slaughtering swords. • A Bow. • A Prison. • And the wine press of judgment.

36. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • CULTURE and SOCIETY • There is the ever on going conflict of war present. • Armies clash either to suffer defeat and destruction or winning in victory. • Chariots and armor. • Wars and clashing forces. • Plagues and fears. • Suffering and Mourning. • Also drawn into the scenes are marriage: • The Bride and the Groom. • The marriage and the marriage supper. • Lamps, voices. • A thief. • A woman in childbirth. • Added to these are also: • Measuring Reeds. • Doors of Admission. • Doors through which we see and behold.

37. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • RELIGION • Most of these images are drawn from the Old Testament Religious system. • Prophets and Priests. • Altars of sacrifice and the Golden altar. • Lampstands. • Sacrifice , blood and incense. • Synagogue , sanctuary, temple pillar. • The ark of the Covenant and trumpets. • There are also symbols of the heathen nations which depict the opposite of what is pleasing before God. • Seeks to seduce the faithful. • Idols and images. • Sacrifices to the idols and images. • False Prophets. • Sorcery. • False Teachers: • Balaam. • Jezebel. • Nicolaitans.

38. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • LOCALITIES • These places which are flashed across the screen to convey ideas: • Egypt • Babylon the Great. • The Euphrates. • Sodom. • Mount Zion. • Harmageddon (Mount Magedo). • Specific Localities: • The Great City. • The Holy City. • The New Jerusalem for the New Heaven and earth. • Some of these would survive and endure the tests placed upon them, others would be destroyed.

39. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • PERSONS • These are a array of people from every walk of life, each depicting an idea or telling a story or revealing a truth. • A radiant woman. • Arrayed in the sources of light. • Sun. • The moon. • And the Stars. • A man child born to her. • Virgins. • A Wife. • A Queen. • A Great Harlot and her daughters. • Those who have committed fornication with the Harlot. • Also listed in images are: • Children. • Servants. • Balaam. • Jezebel. • Gog and Magog --- cf. Ezek. 38:2 -- "Gog of Magog".

40. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • DRESS • As is the case today, much can be determined by the manner of attire a person has on. • Kingly and Priestly garments ; White Robes. • Fine Linen ; Sackcloth. • Colors used to describe the garments worn: • Purple ; Scarlet. • PHYSICAL ANATOMY • Much of the anatomy of man comes into play of the great unveiling of Christ and Spiritual truth. • The Head: • Hair, forehead, eyes (and tears), ears. • The Mouth: • Tongue and teeth. • The Heart: • Blood, Reins (kidney or loins). • The Belly. • The hands and the feet. • These may be insignificant to the vision but play a supplementary role in the vision.

41. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • VEGETATION and AGRICULTURE • In this realm the writer introduces both the necessities as well as the luxuries. • Grains: • Wheat, barley. • Fruit: • grapes, figs. • Products: • Wine, oil from olive trees, honey, spices. • Natural elements: • Trees , wood, palms, grass and wormwood. • Equipment of Agriculture. • Sickle, winepress and vintage. • Harvest and Reaping.

42. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • MINERAL KINGDOM • Man has always had a fascination with the gleaming beauty of various precious stone and minerals. These precious stones find a place in the visions of Revelation. • Gold. • Silver. • Brass. • Sea of Glass. • Precious stones: • White stone. • Jasper. • Sardius. • Emerald. • Pearls and others.

43. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • ANIMAL KINGDOM • In this section John uses and depicts both the greatest and the lowest forms of animals. • Those animals which are friendly to mankind. • Calf (or OX) ; Lamb • Horses of Various Colors ; Frogs. • Those that are unfriendly: • Lion ; Bear. • Leopard ; Flying Eagles. • Vultures ; Wild Beast bristling with Horns. • Locusts ; Scorpions and their stings. • Serpents ; Sea Beast and "every created thing". • All of these pass before in visions in some meaningful and instructive way.

44. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • TRADE and COMMERCE • Ships: • Shipmasters, sailors, mariners. • Merchants: • Tradesmen ; Craftsmen ; Millstones • Trade: • Coins ; Goods. • Balances used in trade. • LITERATURE • John is told to write in a book: • He writes of a book that is written within and on the book. • He writes of a little book. • He writes of the Book of Life. • John also writes of: • Seals ; Alphabet --- (Alpha and Omega). • And in Numbers --- Which we have already considered.

45. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • MUSIC and MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS • Music: • Both Vocal and instrumental. • Plays a part in the: • Emotional ; Spiritual ; and Physical life of the human family. • Trumpet blasts ; Harps ; Flutes • And Choirs. • Instruments: • Minstrels ; Harps ; Flutes ; Trumpets.

46. SYMBOLS & NUMERALS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION • TIME and ETERNITY • Various periods are designated: • half an hour ; One Hour. • 1/3 part of a day. • Three days and a half. • Ten Days. • Twelve Hundred and sixty days. • Forty-two months. • A Thousand Years. • A day and a Night. • Then beyond time: • Forever and Ever. • {Notes Taken from Homer Hailey's - Revelation an Introduction and Commentary p. 37-41} and Melvin Curry’s Bible Class Study at FC

47. THE PLACE OF WRITING • The place of the writing takes on two distinct questions. • Did John Receive the Revelation one place and write in another? • Did John write the Revelation in the same place that he received the Revelation. • I believe that the answer to the first question is an absolute No! • The text tells us that John wrote the things as he was seeing them cf. 1:11 ; 1:19. • At certain times he was instructed not to write: 10:4. • Three times after this he was instructed to write: 14:13 ; 19:9 ; 21:5. • The scriptures clearly show that John wrote while still on the Island of Patmos.

48. THE PLACE OF WRITING • According to some the island of Patmos is a "rocky and uninviting island located about seventy miles southwest of Ephesus, about forty miles from Miletus, and twenty four miles from the shore of Asia Minor.“ • One must not confuse the Asia known today as the Asia Minor of the Bible. • The province of Asia was a Roman colony in the region that is now known as Turkey. • The Island Patmos is about ten miles long and at its widest point about six miles across. There is an area where the sea almost pinches off the Island forming a natural harbor. Tradition says that exiles were sent here to work in the mines. • Eusebius, relying on tradition says John, was exiled here during the reign of Domitian.

49. The Writing on the Isle of Patmos

50. THE DATE • Most probably it was written during the years A. D. 91-96 during the reign of Domitian. • The background of the development of the Roman attitude offers strong supporting evidence for the later date. • Philip Schaff, who accepts and defends the earlier date (A.D. 64-68), has said of John's exile to Patmos and the disputed date, • "External evidence points to the reign of Domitian, A. D. 95; internal evidence to the reign of Nero, or soon after his death, A.D. 68."Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. I. page 427.