Keys of Truth: Book of Revelation (Chapter 7)

Chapter summary:
There is now a pause in the blows that have been striking the earth. The judgments are held back while 144,000 Jewish converts, 12,000 from each of 12 tribes, are sealed and commissioned as servants of God (7:1-8). When John looks back toward heaven, he sees a vast multitude standing before the throne and the Lamb—the source of all salvation (vv. 9-10). The angels, elders, and four living creatures join the multitude in praising God (vv. 11-12), and one of the elders explains the multitude to John. They are those who have believed during the Great Tribulation. Freed from all suffering, they serve God in His temple (vv. 13-17).

The believer’s personal application: This writing of John can be understood; all of it glorifies God!
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                                                          TEXTUAL INSIGHT

Some take the Jewish identity of the 144,000 literally, and understand them to be Jewish converts who serve as missionaries during the Tribulation period (Daniel 12:3). The multitude are understood as the Revelation text states, as those saved through faith in Christ during the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. There are others that see the number as symbolic, a "perfect" number; representing the church throughout all history.

"Four corners of the earth" (7:1):
This phrase was used in the ancient Near East to mean "the whole world." It does not imply a belief that the earth is flat.

“Eye of the hurricane” (7:2):
The great silence that falls on earth indicates a pause in the divine judgments, but their suspension is only temporary.

“Sealed” (7:3):
Many theologians argue over the identity of this group that is "sealed" by God. But the seal itself surely represents both God's ownership (14:1) and His protection from demonic forces (9:4), although not apparently from human opponents (13:7; 20:4).

“The 144,000” (7:4-8):
The specific identification of this number as Israelites, and their makeup from 12 specific tribes, makes it difficult to believe these are "the new Israel" composed of the "completed church composed of Jew and Gentile." Such an symbolic interpretation is made even more unlikely by reference in 7:14 to "the Great Tribulation," which is so significant in Old Testament prophecy and predicted by Jesus in Matthew 24.

"Every nation, tribe, people, and language" (7:9):
Every person alive will hear the Gospel at some point. The text is clear; some people will be saved during the Great Tribulation. The text identifies this "great multitude" as those who "have come out of the great tribulation" (v. 14).

"Wearing white robes" (7:9):
In the Book of Revelation white robes typically represent the saved, clothed in righteousness by Christ.

“The Great Tribulation” (7:16):
The theme of a period of intense, worldwide suffering from war and "natural disasters," is deeply rooted in the Old Testament prophet's vision of history's end. Christ speaks of the Antichrist’s appearance just before His return, and said "then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again" (Matthew 24:21). In view of the extensive testimony to such a period in both Testaments, it seems unwise to understand the elder's explanation to John here in a symbolic way.

"God will wipe away every tear" (7:17):
Life in every age involves suffering and pain. Yet our destiny is to be guided by the Lamb (Jesus Christ), and filled with joy.

Keys of Truth: Book of Revelation (Chapter 6)

Chapter summary:
This chapter begins the action of judgment upon the earth for its wickedness. The previous two chapters were introductory, setting the stage, showing “Who was, Who is, and Who will be” in control; preparing the reader for the coming judgments. The judgments can be divided into three main series of sevens—seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials. The trumpets and vials are part of the seventh seal so all the judgments actually come from the seals. The seventh seal, seventh trumpet and seventh vial are all extended in their report compared to the previous six judgments

Jesus, the Lamb, now begins to open the seals on the scroll. As the first four seals are opened: terrible horsemen representing conquest (6:1-2), devastating warfare (vv. 3-4), famine (vv. 5-6), and plague (vv. 7-8) are released. These bear a striking resemblance to signs spoken of by Christ in Matthew 24:1-35, Mark 13:1-37, and Luke 21:5-33. The fifth seal reveals martyrs, crying out for God to judge and avenge them (6:9-11). When the sixth seal is opened earth and even the heavens are shaken, as if by a great earthquake (vv. 12-14). Humanity then realizes that this is divine judgment. Rather than repent, everyone will seek to hide from God's wrath (vv. 15-17).

The believer’s personal application: Those who reject grace now will not repent when judgment comes.

                                                TEXTUAL INSIGHT

As we come to chapter 6, the scene shifts to the earth, and the question naturally is: What happens on the earth when the church leaves? The Great Tribulation takes place, and that is the subject of chapters 6 thru 18. The seven seals open up the Great Tribulation period. The Lord Jesus breaks the seals, and the four horses come forth. We will see the martyred dead during that period, and the coming of the day of wrath. In a very orderly way, the seventh seal introduces the blowing of seven trumpets (Revelation 8:2 – Revelation 11:19). The blowing of the seventh trumpet introduces seven startling persons (Revelation 12 – Revelation 13). The beast out of the sea introduces the seven bowls of wrath (Revelation 15 – Revelation 16). The last bowl of wrath brings to us the judgment of Babylon, and that brings to an end the Great Tribulation period (Revelation 17 -- 18), and then Christ comes to the earth.

The important thing for us to keep before us is the One who is worthy to open this book. He is directing everything now. As we were told at the beginning, this is the Revelation, the unveiling, of Jesus Christ. He is no longer walking among the lampstands, for they have all been removed from this earth. He is no longer the High Priest, standing as intercessor, but He is now the executor of God's will upon the earth as He opens the seals of the book. All the judgments of the Great Tribulation are released as the seals are opened.

The Great Tribulation is initiated from heaven. Jesus Christ directs the entire operation. The Church will be delivered from this period of judgment. Why? Because, we have been saved by the grace of God. Only those who reject the grace of God go into the Great Tribulation period. Every person on earth will hear the gospel, and when they make their decision, that will decide whether or not they are going into the Great Tribulation.

There are certain factors that are brought into focus which increase the intensity and the violence of the Great Tribulation:

1) The Holy Spirit will restrain evil no longer. Will the Holy Spirit leave the world? No, He won't leave. He was in the world before the Day of Pentecost, however, on the Day of Pentecost He assumed a new ministry of baptizing believers into the body of Christ, a ministry of indwelling them, of filling them, and of leading and guiding them in this world. He will take the Church out of this world, but that does not mean that He is going to leave. He will still be here, but He will not restrain evil any longer. In other words, man is going to have his little day during that period, and so is Satan.

2) The true Church, as light and salt, will be gone from the earth.

3) The Devil knows that he has but a short time. He is going to take advantage of it during this period, and God is going to give him free rein.

4) Evil men will be free to carry out their wicked plans. The Antichrist will be allowed to control things on earth for a brief period of time.

5) There will be direct judgment from God. We see that here in verse 17, which says, "For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" 

Keys of Truth: Book of Revelation (Chapters 4-5)

Chapter summary:

John is taken up to heaven to be given a vision of "what must take place after this" (4:1). He sees God upon His throne, worshiped by 24 persons identified only as "elders" (vv. 2-6a). The "living creatures" seen around the throne are also mentioned in the visions of Isaiah (6:2) and Ezekiel (1:5-25; 10:1-22), continuously praising God as Creator and affirming His holiness (4:6b-11).

Then John sees an angel, holding a scroll representing judgment, sealed with seven seals, calling for someone worthy to break the seals and open the book (5:1-2). When no one is found, one of the elders consoles John: the Lion of the tribe of Judah will open the seals—and when John looks, he sees a bloody Lamb (vv. 3-7). When Christ as the Lamb takes the scroll, the inhabitants of heaven fall down in worship, affirming His worthiness "because... with your blood you purchased men for God" (vv. 8-10).

Unnumbered thousands of angels take up the chorus, praising the Lord as "the universe joins in ascribing praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever" (vv. 11-14).

TEXTUAL INSIGHT

“Two interpretations”:

Some see the call to "come up" as the rapture and all that happens after as located in the Great Tribulation. The scroll is related to Daniel 7:13-14 and is seen as the title deed to the kingdom Christ will win through judgment. There are others that see the vision as a call to worship, with the elders representing Old Testament and New Testament saints. The scroll is a symbol of redemption, and so, the vision may be of what takes place in heaven just after the resurrected Christ returned to heaven.

“Praise” (4:8 - 5:14):

 Whatever the interpretation, it's clear that the focus of these two chapters is the five hymns of praise they contain. In chapter 4, God is praised as Holy and as Creator. In chapter 5, Christ is praised as Saviour, the Lamb who was slain, and as a result earned the right to open the sealed scroll.

“The 24 elders” (4:4, 10):

The elders mentioned here reappear again and again in John's vision. But who are they? Over a dozen suggestions have been made. Some suggest that they are representatives of redeemed humanity, 12 representing Old Testament saints and 12 New Testament saints. Others consider them supernatural beings, like the four "living creatures."

“A seven-sealed scroll” (5:1):

A scroll that was sealed could only be read when all the seals were opened. Only when judgment has been fully executed will the ultimate intent of God be revealed.

“Lion and Lamb” (5:5-6):

The surprise implied in looking for a Lion and seeing a bloody Lamb is intended. Both "Lion of Judah" and "Root of David" are titles of the conquering Messiah. The vision reminds us that Jesus conquered by giving His life for us. The bloodstained Lamb, still bearing the visible marks of His execution, is about to be revealed as the executor of God's final judgment!

"A new song" (5:9):

The song is "new" in that it has never been heard before. At last, the full meaning of the redemptive death of Christ is about to be displayed—both in salvation and in judgment. Soon all will be forced to acknowledge that Jesus, who died a criminal's death, is worthy to rule this universe and the next.

Keys of Truth: Book of Revelation (Chapter 3)

Chapter summary:

This chapter continues the messages the glorified Christ sends via John to contemporary Churches. The letters in this chapter are addressed to believers in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Like the letters in chapter 2, these messages have a distinct pattern.

Each letter is addressed to the "angel" or "messenger" of the church. Again each message has a fourfold focus: identifying Jesus in a special way, revealing an intimate knowledge of the Church addressed, pinpointing the Church's major flaw, conveying a command intended to correct the Church. The letter closes with an eschatological promise of reward to the obedient victor with each promise alluding to some element in Revelation 21-22.

The believer’s personal application: We can apply the exhortation given to each of these churches to our lives—and win the reward they are promised.

TEXTUAL INSIGHT

“Sardis: the counterfeit” (3:1-6):

Sardis lay in an important river valley and was both a trade and military center. Although its greatest significance lay in the past, and in a sense the city was dying, it remained prosperous for some two centuries into the Christian era.

“Holding the sevenfold Spirit” (3:1):

The Spirit of God is the key to vitality in the believer’s life. Remain faithful to Jesus, and He will bring us to vital life. If we desert Him our lives will be as dead as those who lay in the vast cemetery, marked by hundreds of burial mounds, that existed seven miles from Sardis, but visible from that city.

"Wake up!" (3:2):

The call is for constant alertness, just the opposite of the spiritual laziness which sapped the vitality of the church at Sardis. The situation is so serious that the first order of business is to "strengthen what remains" rather than recapture an earlier commitment. Even their past deeds are "not complete," meaning they fall short of the standards of love, faithfulness, perseverance, and commitment required to Christ.

"They are worthy" (3:4):

Even in an apostate Church or age, God reserves some who are faithful to Him. Having soiled clothing in the 1st century kept a person from ceremonies honoring pagan deities. There is likely a touch of irony here. The pagans worried about externals. What Christ cares about is whether a person "walks with" (stays in fellowship with) Him.

“Philadelphia: obedient to God” (3:7-13):

This was an important fortress city on a major highway and an imperial post road. Although devastated in A.D. 17 by an earthquake, the city was quickly rebuilt. Eusebius reports that the Church was led in the first half of the 2nd century by a gifted prophetess named Ammia and prospered under her leadership.

“Faithful with little” (3:8):

No matter how weak we are, Christ keeps the door open for us. We can remain faithful, not because we are great, but because He will not let our enemies prevail.

"Endure patiently" (3:10):

It's much easier to be enthusiastic when we're winning great victories. However, faith often calls for us to be still, and obedience means simply to keep "My command to endure patiently" (2 Thessalonians 3:5; Hebrews 12:3).

"The hour of trial" (3:10):

Many believe that this is a time of worldwide divine judgment. For some this is evidence that the rapture of Church will take place before the tribulation.

“Laodicea: lukewarm” (3:14-21):

This city was famous for wealth and medicines, particularly an eye ointment. The Christians of this city took pride in their material well-being, without seeing their spiritual poverty. Jesus warns these believers to spend their funds on the true riches Christ provides. Jesus is eager to enter and fill their lives and ours. He knocks at the door of our hearts. It's up to us to open up our lives and let Him in, not only to save, but to fill and control.

                                      

The characteristics of and admonitions to the Churches

“Sardis, the Counterfeit” (3:1-6):

The Church: reputed to be alive but spiritually dead; deeds are incomplete.

Jesus’ description: holds the Spirit, angels, in His hand.

Jesus’ admonition to the Church: wake up; obey what they have already heard.

“Philadelphia, the Obedient” (3:7-13):

The Church: has little strength yet has kept the Word, patiently endures.

Jesus’ description: holds the key of David (messianic authority).

Jesus’ admonition: hold tight to what they have.

“Laodicea, the Materialistic” (3:14-22):

The Church: neither cold nor hot; wealthy, but poor spiritually.

Jesus’ description: Ruler of Creation

Jesus’ admonition: be earnest, repent under discipline.