|
Christianity
Doctrine? Trinity, Hell,
Immortal soul, Antichrist, Israel,
Angels, Demons, Salvation--What DOES the Bible Teach?
Hurricane
in Central America... And God Cried.
A B S C O
GLOBAL FEAST©:
Associated Bible Students
of Central Ohio
REVELATION
How to study it...and have it
make sense
|
REVELATION
HOW TO STUDY IT...
AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSE
CHAPTER III:
SOME IMPORTANT BASICS
What This
Booklet Is and Is Not Supposed To Do
It is not the purpose of this booklet to give an in-depth or detailed interpretation of
Revelation. Instead, it will provide an outline that is generally accepted as sound by
serious, enlightened students of the Bible. It also will provide the tools and processes
which, if applied, will help to understand the meaning of this wonderful prophecy.
Do Not Add Or Take Away
Revelation 22:18, 19 is a warning: "If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book, And if any shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book
of life..." Some, unfortunately, have been so frightened by this as to miss the
point. No sincere Christian would want to add or subtract anything from God's Word. Time,
however, has done that very thing. Now that we live at a time when the older manuscripts
and fragments of the Bible have been found, we are learning that most translations have
been flawed by omissions or additions to what was originally written. In this booklet we
may state that certain words or sections of Revelation are SPURIOUS -- fraudulent. They
have somehow been allowed to creep into the Bible over the centuries. We may also state
that extra words should be added. We base these statements on the best available
scholarship being done on older manuscripts. Rather than adding to or subtracting from the
Bible, we are trying to correct the
additions and subtractions which have already been
made.
It is also of value to know that the early Bibles did not have chapters, verses,
punctuation, or even spaces between 'Words! It is easy to understand why translators must
struggle so.
Five Basic Methods In Good Bible Study
Revelation,- like the rest of the Bible, is best understood when five methods of
investigation are kept in mind. (There are other important
elements in good Bible study, but these five are of fundamental importance.)
1. TOPICAL STUDY
Studying one topic, or even one word, to find its consistent meaning will
help the reader to avoid jumping to conclusions which the writer did not intend. For
instance, a study of IMMORTALITY in all the New Testament books will reap far greater
rewards than the study of Ephesians as a unit. An exhaustive concordance (such as
STRONG'S) is invaluable in this kind of study. Revelation should, thus, not only be
studied by chapter, but also by subject. For instance, a study of the phrase
"peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" will reveal a great deal
throughout Revelation.
2. SYMBOLISM STUDY
When topical study is used, it is possible that seeming contradictions will arise. This
frequently is because a word can be used both symbolically and literally. (The Bible usually explains the symbol when we search.) For
instance, it is possible to find texts which indicate the destruction of the earth (e.g.,
2 Peter 3:10). It also is possible to find texts which state or imply the opposite (e. g.,
Matthew 5:5; 6:10; Ecclesiastes 1:4). Once we learn that EARTH sometimes symbolizes the current social
order, the difficulty disappears and we have a reliable symbol to use in
prophetic interpretation. The planet will remain; the social order (which is corrupt) will
be destroyed and replaced with a perfect one. Revelation is a book of symbols (Revelation
1:1).
3. STUDY USING TYPES AND SHADOWS
Closely related to symbols are types and shadows; these are events which have occurred but
which are prophetic of more significant events later. For instance, Paul, by saying in 1
Corinthians 5:7, "Christ, our Passover, is
sacrificed for us," opens up an entire new world of investigation. He is clearly
telling us that the Passover experiences of Israel TYPED or FORESHADOWED something else.
The deliverance of Israel pictures the
deliverance of the whole world. Thus John the Revelator calls Jesus a "lamb" and
James calls the church "firstboms." Both terms come from the type of the
Passover recorded back in Exodus.
IV. CONTEXTUAL STUDY
All serious writing is related to what has come before and to what follows after. Too many
sensationalists make claims based on Bible passages which, when examined, are being used
totally out of harmony with the passage from which they were lifted. This has given rise
to the saying that the Bible is an old fiddle on which any tune can be played. When properly examined, the Bible can be used to play
only one harmonious tune.
Context also includes considerations such as (1) Who is being addressed? (2) About whom
are they speaking? (3) Which salvation is being mentioned? (4) Is there any peculiarity of
the history of the time which affects this passage? This will all be of great import in
the study of Revelation. Verses from Revelation must be studied in context and in the context of the history of the last two thousand years.
V. TIME-FRAME STUDY
Not all scriptures nor all Scriptural injunctions apply at all times. For example, there
was a time when God dealt with the Jewish nation and no one else (Amos 3:2); and there is tiow a time when placing ourselves under the ten
commandments of the Jewish Law is inappropriate (Galatians 3:10, 11, 24, 25). Some
scriptures apply only during the Millennial Age -- the thousand years of Christ's reign.
(e.g., Revelation 22:12; Ezekiel 18:2, 3; etc.) In the study of Revelation, it will be of
value to keep appropriate time frames in mind. Revelation requires an HISTORIC/PROPHETIC approach. Events must be located in their proper time
frames.
Annotated Chart
At the end of this chapter we have placed a CHART OF THE AGES (page 19) -- an
invaluable help in the study of any part of the Bible. References will be made to it from
time to time in this booklet.
(For a complete discussion of this chart and its
Biblical origins, please send for a copy of THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES listed
at the end of this booklet.)
One More Point
To save space, not all passages under consideration will be quoted. It is expected that
the reader will study with an open Bible when he can and will read thoroughly the texts
mentioned.
CHAPTER IV:
ONCE OVER LIGHTLY
Despite its title, this will be a long
chapter. Its purpose is to show an overview of the book of Revelation so that its construction will be clear to
the student. Once this construction is understood, many of the problems of interpreting
Revelation disappear.
The Christian Age
The chart on the preceding page shows that an age (the Gospel Age) was set apart
specifically for calling out from among men a group of people referred to by various
Scriptural names: The Church, The Bride, Christians, A People for Ms Name, The 144,000,
The Little Flock, Saints, etc. (Acts 15:14; Acts 11:26; Revelation 21:29; Revelation 14:1;
Philippians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Luke 12:32) Much of the book of Revelation deals with
this Christian or Gospel Age and its history written in advance.
The Messianic Age
A part of Revelation deals with the Millennial or Messianic Age which follows the
Christian or Gospel Age. This Millennial Age is referred to in the Scriptures by various
names also: The Kingdom, The Thousand Years, The Day of the Lord, The Day of Judgment, The
Regeneration, The Times of Restitution of All Things, etc. (Matthew 26:29; Acts 1:6;
Revelation 20:2, 3, 4, 6; 11 Peter 3:8, 10, 7; Matthew 19:28; Acts 3:20, 21; etc.)
The Harvest
Notice on the chart (page 19) that a transition period, called a HARVEST, is located
where the Gospel and Messianic Ages meet. Jesus taught us about this period in the parable
of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:30, 39). "The harvest is the end of the age." (The King
James version says "world," but this is not the best translation.) A good part
of the prophecies of Revelation focus on this harvest period. Because of its placement in
time, at the juncture of an old "world" going out and a new "world"
coming in, it is a period of much important activity in the world's affairs and in the
religious world. We are now living in this time, and Revelation has much to tell us about it.
Revelation's Three Main Sections
Revelation is neatly divided into three sections corresponding to the three periods of
time just discussed.
1. For all practical purposes, chapters I through 13 deal with the Gospel Age as a
whole, including references to the harvest.
2. Chapters 14 through 19 focus almost exclusively on events of the harvest.
3. Chapters 20 through 22 deal basically with the Messianic Age.
(Please remember that we are generalizing. A few words in each of the above sections
might refer to other periods. We here are merely trying to draw clean lines as a basis of
study.)
A Closer Look at Section I (Chapters 1-13)
". . . the beginning of
Sorrows" - Matthew 24:4-14
The first thirteen chapters cover the long period
of over 1,800 years from Jesus' first advent into the time of his second advent. These
chapters accomplish primarily three objectives:
1. They prophesy the growth and power of the apostasy of which both Jesus and Paul
warn. (Matthew 24:5, 11, 12; 11 Thessalonians 2:3, 4, 7)
2. They document in detail the history during this period which Jesus sums up in only a
few verses in Matthew 24:4-14.
3. They predict in detail the experiences of the Christian Church (true and apostate).
Seven Churches
The Lord decided to divide the history of the Christian Church into seven periods --
periods which are unique in their experiences, history, and doctrinal understandings. He
gives each of these periods a symbolic name and introduces us to them in Revelation 1:11.
Jesus watches over these seven churches as symbolized by his being "in the midst
of seven candlesticks." "The seven candlesticks ... are the seven churches"
(Revelation 1:20). He had said previously that His disciples were "the light of the
world" (Matthew 5:14) and that they were candles on a candlestick (Matthew 5:15, 16).
He continues this symbolism here in Revelation 1:12, 13.
In Revelation 1: 16 we see Jesus holding seven stars in His right hand. Stars are used
in Scripture to symbolize teachers -- good and bad. (Daniel 12:3; Jude 13; Numbers 24:17;
Matthew 24:29; Revelation 12: 1) In Revelation 1:20, the seven stars are said to be the
same as the seven angels mentioned in chapters 2 and 3. The implication is strong, and
history has confirmed it, that during the Gospel Age God sent seven men, each at the
appropriate time, to be messengers (angel means
"messenger") to the seven stages or
periods of the church.
Three Times Seven
Between chapter 2 and chapter I 1, the seven periods of church history are repeated three times
under different symbols. The seven churches are listed in chapters 2 and 3; the seven seals are
listed in chapters 5 through 8; and the seven
trumpets are found in chapters 8 through 11. Here is
a chart showing their locations:
| |
CHURCH |
SEAL |
TRUMPET |
| #1 |
2:1-7 |
6:1-2 |
8:7 |
| #2 |
2:8-11 |
6:3-4 |
8:8-9 |
| #3 |
2:12-17 |
6:5-6 |
8:10-11 |
| #4 |
2:18-29 |
6:7-8 |
8:12-13 |
| #5 |
3:1-6 |
6:9-11 |
9:1-11 |
| #6 |
3:7-13 |
6:12-7:3 |
9:13-11:13 |
| #7 |
3:14-22 |
8:1 |
11:15-19 |
Many students of Revelation believe that each
period of the church has its corresponding concurrent seal and trumpet. Thus, for
instance, the first church, first seal, and first trumpet all refer to events in the same
historical period. This view is based both on internal evidence and historical evidence.
To help understand this approach, note the following four clues:
1. FOUR ANGELS are mentioned in both the sixth seal (7:1) and the 6th trumpet
(9:15).
2. THE IMPLIED RETURN OF JESUS is mentioned in both the seventh church (3:20 --
where he is "standing at the door") and the seventh trumpet (11: 15 -- where his
"reign" begins).
3. INCREASED ENLIGHTENMENT is shown in both the seventh church (3:20 -- where he
promises to serve the evening meal: "sup") and in the seventh trumpet (10:7 --
where enlightenment clears up "the mystery").
4. AN EARTHQUAKE is shown in both the sixth seal (6:12) and in the sixth trumpet
(11:13).
There are many more correspondencies, but this list should help to show why, for
instance, the third church, third seal, and third trumpet are all likely referring to the
same time period from different perspectives. We have neglected much in the first 13
chapters. Remember, however, that this chapter is called, "Once Over Lightly." A
subsequent chapter will seek out more details.
A Closer Look at Section II (Chapters 14-19)
"Men's hearts failing them for
fear" - Luke 21:26
Chapters 14 through 19 focus on events at the
close of the Gospel Age -- THE HARVEST. This is a complex period. In it the world is
experiencing troubles it cannot, handle, and Christianity is faced with the kind of
scrutiny that destroys everything that can be shaken. (Hebrews 12:26-29)
Perhaps we can summarize the events of this harvest as three works progressing at the
same time:
1. The unseen presence of Jesus is actively maneuvering the affairs of the Church and
the world in preparation for the peaceable Kingdom. (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 16:15;
Revelation 14:15)
2. A of what has called itself Christianity is being judged by God and by man based on
both doctrine and conduct. (Revelation 14:8; Revelation 18:1-9)
3. A great increase of understanding of Scripture is being fed to sincere, hungering,
Christians. (Revelation 14:6; 17:1; 18:4; Daniel 12:4, 9, 10)
The Wheat and Tares
| A careful examination
of Jesus' parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) will help the reader
understand this harvest time and chapters 14-19 of Revelation which prophesy its details. The
parable first summarizes the Gospel Age by stating that Jesus gave a message which made
real Christians (Wheat). Once the Apostles died -- (verse 25: "while men slept")
-- Satan gave a false message which created false Christians (Tares). The tendency toward
this mixed-up Christianity was already active in the Apostles' day (II Thessalonians 2:7).
Paul calls it the "mystery of iniquity" and the "man of sin."
John calls it "The Antichrist" (I John 4:3).
Revelation calls it "Babylon" (Revelation 14:8). Jesus (Matthew 13:30) shows
that this combination of true and false Christianity would exist together until
the harvest. Jeremiah 51:7-9 explains that God used Christendom (Babylon)
and would have healed her, but she would not be healed. Hence Jesus prophesied the
harvest separation -- the work of destroying the faith and the organization of false
Christianity, along with the work of gathering true Christians. These true Christians
would FIRST be gathered to truth as Luke
17:34-37 suggests; SECONDLY, they would be gathered to heaven itself as Matthew 13:43
suggests. |
Matthew 13:
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a
man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed
tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought
forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and
said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it
tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt
thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the
tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest:
and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares,
and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 31 Another
parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of
mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of
all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so
that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33 Another parable spake
he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in
three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 34 All these things spake Jesus unto
the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I
will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 36 Then
Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him,
saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said
unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the
good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked
one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and
the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire;
so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels,
and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and
gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. |
Chapters 14-19 deal with the work pictured in this parable.
[From here to the end of this chapter, the reader will need a Bible in hand. We regret
this inconvenience, but nothing short of reprinting Revelation could solve it.]
Poor Chapter Division
(A Parenthetical, but important, Thought)
Chapter 14 should begin with its
sixth verse. The first five verses really are an end to chapter 13. Note that chapter
13:16, 17 speaks of some who have marks of the beast on their hands or foreheads. These
are false Christians. Note that 14:1 contrasts
this with true Christians. The true Christians have
"His (the Lamb's) name and the name of Ms Father written on their foreheads."
(New American Standard Translation. This is one of those places the King James Version omits some words
which actually are a part of the Bible). It seems clear that this contrast of names in
foreheads places Revelation 14:1-5 as the true ending of chapter 13. (There are other,
more complicated, reasons also.)
Chapters 14 through 19 in Brief
-- Chapter 14 --
Jesus appears on the scene in 14:14. Note why. Verse 15 clearly states that the time
for HARVEST is begun. As he promised in his Matthew 13 parable, there is a harvest of
TWO groups: (1) The harvest of the earth (THE WIFIEAT) in verses 15 and 16; and (2) The
harvest of the vine of the earth (THE TARES) in verses 18 and 19. This is the central
feature of this chapter.
-- Chapters 15 and 16 --
The Plagues On Babylon
These two chapters deal with the WAY God intends
to destroy the various component parts of Babylon. In chapter 18:4, God warns the WHEAT
("my people") that if they do not "come out" from Babylon during the
harvest, they will be subject to experiencing the "plagues" that He will send on
Babylon. It is the position of some excellent students of Scripture that these plagues are
spread out over a number of decades and that many of them have already been in the process
of fulfillment.* Because it takes a long time to undermine age-old institutions, it is
said to show "the patience of the saints" (Revelation 14:12) who have to wait
for its accomplishment. The experiences and discomforts of the tares during this process,
and of the wheat who do not come out, are symbolically portrayed in Revelation 14:11.
In short, God is undermining Babylon by sending a series of seven events against her
which, step by step, force truths to her attention and destroy the false faith and lies
upon which Babylon grew -- the tare seeds which Satan sowed. Just as God wore down Pharaoh
by a series of plagues which ultimately delivered Israel, so here, God wears down apostate
Christianity so that all the world may be delivered from the influence of her religious
falsehoods.
-- Chapter 17 --
In Scripture, the true Church is always represented by virgins. (Revelation 14:4;
Matthew 25:1-13) In Revelation 17, by contrast, we find Babylon pictured as a harlot. The
harlotry of the apostate church is due to her having a relationship with the world. The
true saints, on the other hand, strive to keep themselves separate from all entanglements
with the world and its ways and aims.
In highly symbolic language, Revelation 17 shows how the apostate church throughout
history has virtually ruled the Western world -- that part of the earth usually called
"Christendom." This chapter shows the steps by which both the harlot and the
"world" she ruled (the "beast") will meet their ends in the harvest
period. This prophecy is closely allied to Paul's prophecy in 11 Thessalonians 2:8-10
which shows how the increase of truth, when Jesus' secret presence begins, destroys the
tares planted by Satan.
* Many excellent students prefer to think
the plagues occur rapidly at the very end of the age.
-- Chapter 18 --
The Decline of Commerce
It would be good to note here what may not have
been obvious. In both sections of Revelation which we have examined, the narrative is not one continuous
flow. The Revelator keeps jumping back to a point in time and retelling the story from
another point of view. Thus 14:5 begins at the harvest's beginning; 15:1 jumps back to the
same beginning as does 17:1 and, now, 18:1. Thus, it will be noticed, that 14:8 and 18:2
have the same statement. This jump-back in time is an imperative element in
the understanding of Revelation. Some other clues to recognizing these jump-backs will be
given later in this booklet.
Chapter 18 begins when Babylon is "fallen." The thought is FALLEN FROM
FAVOR. Her actual total destruction is later and is detailed in 18:2 1. This fall from
favor (as we saw in 14:8) happened many years ago when the harvest began. As 14:12 shows,
the gradual events leading to her total destruction are long enough to require
"the patience of the saints." Chapter 18 gives much more detail regarding this
gradual decline. It focuses on its effects on various parts of society. These are
symbolically called by several names:
- the kings of the earth (18:9)
- the merchants of the earth (18:11)
- every shipmaster (18:17)
- all the company in ships (18:17)
- sailors (18:17)
- as many as trade by sea (18:17)
The world, as we know it, functions on a political-commercial basis. The weakening of
that international economic system, which is plain to see in current news reports, is the
focus of chapter 18. According to this chapter, the world as we know it (religious,
political, and economic) will soon fall apart.
-- Chapter 19 --
This chapter could well be two chapters. The first ten verses deal with "the
marriage of the lamb." The remainder jumps back to the beginning of the harvest to
give us yet another perspective on how the current social order will meet its end.
The "marriage of the lamb" is a symbol for the time when Jesus has (in terms
of his Matthew 13 parable) gathered all of the wheat into the barn. Near the end of the
harvest his entire bride of 144,000 individuals will have been selected and will have been
"changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51) to "be like Him" and to "see Him
as He is." (1 John 3:2) Throughout the Gospel Age this group has been in the process
of being selected to be "kings and priests" and to "reign on the
earth" (Revelation 5: 10) in answer, finally, to the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6: 1 0).
While the harvest work of completing the Church progresses, the additional work of
destroying Babylon is in progress (19:11-21). Thus chapter 19 confirms what we saw in
chapter 14: the harvest has two works (14:16; 14:18) -- harvesting the wheat and
harvesting "the vine of the earth," Babylon. (Compare also 14:19, 20 with 19:15
-- the same event.)
It might here be important to note a connection between chapters 16 and 19.
In the midst of the plagues (16:13) appear three symbolic characters united to take one
last stand at deceiving the world -one last attempt to hold the old social order together.
According to 16:14 they will be under the influences of demons. (Compare Jude 6.) We
should, thus, expect during the sixth plague a dramatic increase in the influences and
manifestations of the occult.
Who are these three symbolic entities in 16:13? Where did they come from? The
"beast" and "false prophet" first occurred in chapter 13. The false
prophet was not there called by the same name; but a careful comparison of 19:20 with
13:14 should convince the careful student that the same creature under a different name is
meant. The third creature, the "dragon," first appeared in chapter 12. Without
an explanation of why, it will here merely be suggested that many astute students of
Revelation believe the dragon to be a symbol of civil power. The beast, in this instance,
appears to be the most entrenched of religious systems, the Church of Rome* --
"Babylon the Great, the MOTHER of harlots." (Revelation 17:5) Because she is
called a mother, it is manifest that she has harlot daughters. These daughters apparently
combine their influence at the end of the age to be collectively called, "The False
Prophet." Together, mother and daughters are the great institutions of false
Christianity which Jesus called bundles of tares. (Matthew 13:30)
Note as chapter 19 ends that only two -- the religious two -- of these creatures are destroyed. The third, the
dragon of civil power, is not destroyed until a thousand years later, though he is bound
(restrained from exercising power) during that period (Revelation 20:2, 3, 10). These are
highly symbolic passages, but they are extremely reasonable once the symbols are
understood.
The literalist has impossible problems with these texts. Consider Daniel 7:3, 7, 17,
19, and 23 where a "beast" is seen to "devour the whole earth." What a
picture! On what does it stand while it eats the earth? Are we now in its stomach? Of
course not! The angel in Daniel 7:16, 17 was kind enough to interpret the symbolism. An
exhaustive topical study of "beast"* in the ible will clearly show that, when
the word is used symbolically, it always represents a group of men with
unholy characteristics trying to control others.
___________________________________
*The identity of the Papal system as the antichrist is common to Protestant
Christianity, at least from the time of Peter Waldo. Martin Luther clearly identified it
as such, as did the translators of the King James Bible in their Dedicatory Epistle.
Believing that the Papal system is the antichrist does not make one prejudiced against
Catholics; it shows merely that the doctrine of the Roman Church is antagonistic to true
Christianity. The more modem tendency to apply the antichrist name to an individual at the
end of the age is an idea invented by Roman Catholic theologians to counteract Protestant
accusations. it is unfortunate that many Protestants have fallen for this deception.
Thus we come to the close of the second structural section of Revelation. As we prepare
to look at the third and final section, it will be beneficial to look again at the chart
on page 19. Note that, just as the harvest ends
one age, it also begins another. The
harvest, in time, is also the beginning years of the Messianic Age -- the thousand years.
_______________________________
* Please note: "Beast," when associated with God, in passages such as
Revelation 4:6-9, is translated from another Greek word which would be better rcndered
"living ones." These four beasts represent the living attributes of God's
character which, in perfect balance, make Him so magnificent. The attributes are LOVE,
POWER, JUSTICE AND WISDOM. The same four "living creatures" appear in the
opening chapter of Ezekiel.
A Closer Look at Section III
(Chapters 20-22)
"The healing of the nations" -
Revelation 22:2
These chapters conclude the Bible. All of the
loss suffered in the opening three chapters of the Bible is here undone in its last three.
It is a glorious ending, worthy of a Glorious God.
-- Chapter 20 --
The Thousand Years
When chapter 20 opens, we again jump back to the
beginning of the harvest, but only for the briefest of moments. The first three verses
show the return of Jesus with the great chain of truth that will bind the errors of men
and their systems (Psalm 2:1-9).
Many students of Revelation interpret the four-name entity of 20:2 NOT as the personal devil, but
as the social-civil order which the personal devil has directed from the beginning. The
personal devil is not excluded from this name, but it is not aril about him. (Ezekiel
28:13-15 and Isaiah 14:12-16) This four-name appellation of verse 2 occurs originally in
chapter 12 where it has the same meaning.
Chapter 20 has four pictures of the thousand years -- the Millennium:
1. verses 1-3: the "binding of Satan"
2. verses 4-10: the reward of the church and destruction of Satan
3. verse 11: the replacement of rulership
4. verses 12-15: the learning and judgment of individuals
A few observations on Chapter 20:
1. That the actual devil will be bound, as well as this symbolic devil, is assured by
the Lord's parable in Matthew 12:29. The Millennium is for the regeneration of the
race. (Matthew 19:28) All things that would make this judgment day (2 Peter 3:7, 8)
difficult will be cleared out of the way (Isaiah 35:8-10). This is the reason for not only
binding the literal devil, but also the influences of the beastly governments (Daniel
7:17, 18) which have made life so difficult for the human race.
2. The first sentence of verse 5 is spurious. In the best manuscripts, the words
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished" are not found. This has confused many sincere seekers of truth. Not only do
the words not occur in early manuscripts, but logic teaches that they make no sense. If,
as verse 3 states, Satan is bound so as not to deceive the nations, the nations must still
be alive! Read from verse 4 through verse 6 WITHOUT the spurious words and see the logical
flow and the resulting sense it makes.
3. Consult the chart on page 19. The "little season" (verse 3) of Satan's
loosing (verse 7) is clearly shown as the last judgment event of history. After it, peace
for evermore Verse 10 finds the destroyed religious systems (beast and false prophet from 19:20) and the
destroyed civil power, finally gone -- gone in every way except in the minds of men whose
memories will forever vex or torment any reference to these undesirable parts of human
history.
4. Apparently the final deception will occur when The Christ is ready to step aside (1
Corinthians 15:24-28) and turn the kingdom over to the Father. The deception will be an
attempt by the devil and men of pride to re-establish a civil government. (Revelation
20:7-9) God destroys them. (See Matthew 25:46 - note that the opposite of punishment is life. Eternal punishment is death.)
The everlasting "fire" is everlasting
destruction. What better symbol of destruction exists than fire which totally consumes what it bums?
Thus in 20:9, the personal devil and his followers are destroyed; in verse 10, the symbolic devil is
consigned to a tormented spot in the eternal memory of the pages of history.
5. An important item: The awakened dead (not the Church) will be judged by works -- they will
be, under the mediator (Revelation 5:10; 20:6), progressing toward perfection. Perfect
works will be required of them in the end. (See also 22:12.)
6. Another important item: In verse 13 we note that "hell" gives up its dead.
Then, in verse 14, hell is destroyed in oblivion, where the beast, false prophet, and
devil are (verse 10). The Bible hell is the condition of nothingness in the grave
(Ecclesiastes 9:5). "Death" in verse 14 is the condition of being alive but not
having received the right to continue living -- i.e., "death" is the condition
of DYING. Thus Jesus could say, "Let the dead bury their dead." (Luke 9:60) Both
"hell" (being dead) and "death" (dying)
are consigned to oblivion. Life will reign for all
who progress to perfection through the thousand years and the little season because of
their faith and obedience.
-- Chapters 21 And 22 --
The Glorious Ending (Really the Beginning)
Chapters 21 and 22 are ecstatic in their
descriptions of the new government. (A "city" in symbolism is a government. Even
today we refer to Tokyo, London, Paris or Washington when referring to the governments
housed in these capital cities.)
In symbolic terms "the healing of the nations" (22:2) occurs because of the
fruitage of the trees. These trees are the Church glorified (Isaiah 61:3). Jesus and I-lis
bride (?2:17) offer the water (truth) of life to all who wish to avail themselves of it
without the deceptions of Satan to hinder them.
It is no wonder that John's final prayer (22:20) was, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord
Jesus!"
CHAPTER V: OTHER
LESSONS FROM SECTION I
(CHAPTERS 1-13)
A Warning and An Apology
If this booklet were to go into great detail it
would become a book. That is not the intent. It should be noted that the more detail which
is given, the more likely that the opinions of the author will surface. The author wants
to state clearly that he is not dogmatic in his views. Many fine expositors of Revelation
are writing many fine things about it. It is the author's contention that the harvest
saints DO UNDERSTAND the book of Revelation in its entirety, although he doubts that any one writer does. This
is as it should be. The Lord, and not any one individual, will thus be glorified.
Nevertheless, there seems to be a need for this kind of introductory text on Revelation.
With the Lord's help we are trying to meet that need.
Thus, as we look closer at this great prophecy, please remember that what now follows
is an attempt to build on the foundation laid in the previous four chapters. If any feel
the need to improve upon the interpretations which follow, the author will be pleased to
see the honest spirit of difference and searching because he believes that God encourages
and rewards an honest and searching spirit. We merely supply what we believe to be sound
in light of the study methods and the basic outline already suggested. (Revelation 1:3)
The Seven Periods of Church History
Over a century ago, a list of the probable seven messengers to the Church (the seven
angels of Revelation 2 and 3) was suggested. It is such a good list as to need little or
no adjustment a century later.
A word of caution: the religious world has had prejudice against many who have spread
light. This problem was experienced even by Jesus. Therefore, should the reader look up
histories of the following men, the accepted biographies may be either erroneous or
prejudicial against some of them. Indeed, all of them had detractors in their day.
The likely messengers to the church are:
1. St. Paul to the Church of Ephesus
2. St. John to the Church of Smyrna
3 Arius* to the Church of Pergamos
4. Peter Waldo to the Church of Thyatira
5. John Wycliffe to the Church of Sardis
6. Martin Luther to the Church of Philadelphia
7. Charles Russell* to the Church of Laodicea.
___________________________________
* Arius and Russell are two particularly maligned men. Because Christendom became
blindly trinitarian, Arius has been dismissed as a heretic due to his defense of the
separateness of Jesus from Yahweh. Russell has had the same treatment. Additionally, the
Jehovah's Witnesses have claimed fraudulently that Russell is their founder, adding to his
disrepute. While the Witnesses sect is a religious aberration which grew out of Russell's
movement, Russell did NOT found them. Their practice, organization, hopes, and doctrine
are repudiations of Russell's teachings.
The dates of these churches are possibly as follows:
1. Ephesus Pentecost to about 100 (death of John)
2. Smyrna 100 to 313 (Edict of Milan)
3. Pergamos -- 313 to 1161 (ministry of Peter Waldo)
4. Thyatira -- 1161 to 1371 (excommunication of Wycliffe)
5. Sardis -- 1371 to 1521 (Diet of Worms)
6. Philadelphia -- 1521 to 1874 (the 1335 "days" of Daniel 12)
7. Laodicea -- 1874 to the completion of the church
A Biblical Key
Please note that expert Biblical scholarship over
the years has virtually proven that in prophecy a day equals a year. (See Ezekiel 14:34
for an initial clue.) The Bible uses a 360-day year as its basis. Thus, for example,
Revelation 11:2, 3 and 6 all refer to a common period of time: 42 months (verse 2) = 1,260
days (verse 3) since 42 times 30 = 1,260. Verse 6, if carefully noted, also refers to
time. It is clear that Elijah (who stopped the rain) and Moses (who turned water to blood)
are being mentioned. Elijah's drought was three-and-a-half years (James 5:17).
Three-and-a-half years is 1,260 days (360 days per year). Thus verse 9 must refer to
three-and-a-half years since it says three-and-a-half days. This principle applies
throughout the Bible when symbolic time is used. With this key in mind, note the following
texts regarding the seven churches, seals, and trumpets.
Revelation 2:10
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life." |
The Smyrna church
suffered especially during the ten years of
horrid persecution prior to the Edict of Milan in
313. |
Revelation 2:21
"And I gave her space to
repent of her
fornication; and she repented not." |
"Space"
here is the Greek word for a time." The same expression is used in 12:14 where
three-and-a-half "times" are mentioned -- the same 1,260 years as in 11:3 and in
Daniel 12:7. So, "space" or "time" is one year symbolically
which equals 360 years literally. Adding 360 years to the beginning of Thyatira (which began in 1161
with the ministry of Peter Waldo) brings us to 1521. This is the date of Luther's
condemnation by the Diet of Worms. "Fornication" is, of course, the mixture of
church and state which makes Babylon a harlot. |
Revelation 2:23
"And I will kill her
children with death; and
all the churches shall know
that I am he which searcheth
the reins and hearts: and
I will give unto every one of you according to your works." |
The great "Black
Death" (Bubonic Plague) which killed over half the population of Europe occurred from
1334 to 1354, during Thyatira. |
Revelation 6:8
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his
name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them
over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death,
and with the beasts of the earth." |
This text, which is
pan of the fourth seal, would correspond in time to the fourth church (Thyatira) and,
thus, likely also refers in part to the Black Death. |
Revelation 9:5, 10
"And to them it was given that they should not
kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the
torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man." Vs. 10: "And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there
were stings in their
tails: and their power was to hurt men five months." |
This is during the
fiflh trumpet (and, thus, the fifth church -- Sardis -- and the fifth seal). It seems to
define Sardis as 150 years (five months times 30 days in length -- 1371 to 1521). |
Revelation 6:12
"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal,
and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and
the moon became as blood;" |
"Earthquake"
in Scripture is a symbol for revolution. During the sixth church (1521-1874), seal, and
trumpet, occur a number of revolutions. Scripturally, the most important is the French
Revolution (1789) which challenged religion, the Bible, and life as it had been lived. |
Revelation 11:13
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake,
and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven
thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." |
The same event is
shown here. France, which had been under Papal dominion for ages ceased to be under it.
(Ten is a number symbolic of a complete worldly unit.) In short, the Roman Church was
embarrassed by losing one of its most faithful supporters. |
Revelation 11:15
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." |
As the last (7th)
period of the church begins, the announcement is made in the religious world
("heaven") that the invisible ("like a thief') presence of Jesus has
occurred, and he has begun to take charge in earth's affairs -- though very secretly until
the time the Church will be completed. (This corresponds to Revelation 3:20.) This
announcement WAS made and WIDELY promulgated beginning in the 1870s. |
Chapter 12
Among the 13 chapters which form the first
section of Revelation, chapter 12 is one of the most complete units. Being able to
interpret it correctly is the key to interpreting the remainder of Revelation. It might
even be wise for a student to begin with chapter 12 and then work both directions to
understand the remainder of Revelation. Following is a relatively complete exposition of
chapter 12.
Before beginning its examination in detail, however, it is VERY IMPORTANT to remember
the symbolic nature of Revelation (1:1). Many interpreters will look at verse 5 and
innnediately assume this refers to Jesus. But Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4) tells us that
another (FAKE) MANCHILD -- the man of sin -- would be exalted to religious superiority
and, in this position, rule the religious world. Likewise, some will look at 12:7 and
assume Jesus is here meant because Jesus also owns the name of Michael. But whatever Jesus
owns, the man of sin (Jesus' counterfeit) also
owns by usurpation. Verse 7 does not best apply to
Jesus because heaven HAS NO WAR. If it did, how terrible
would be the prayer, "Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven."
We recommend to you the following interpretation because it provides the only known
approach to this chapter which gives a smooth consistency throughout the chapter, an
accurate reference to the events of history, an appropriate context for its placement here
in Revelation, a reasonable and consistent use of symbolism for the time elements
mentioned (vss. 6 and 14), and a consistency of symbolism not only with the rest of
Revelation, but also with the rest of the Bible. We are not twisting the Scriptures,
but consistently unraveling its symbolisms.
--REVELATION 12-
A Detailed Exposition:
| v. 1 In the religious
world (heaven) appears a sign (see margin) -- a sign of a change from the Jewish Age to
the Gospel Age. The sign is a woman. (A woman can be the true church if she's a virgin,
the false church if she's a harlot, or a covenant if she is a good woman with children:
Galatians 4:24.) This woman is the "Sarah Covenant" ("The New
Jerusalem" covenant of Galatians 4:26; the "covenant by sacrifice" of Psalm
50:5). Some call her the grace covenant. She is the covenant under which the Church is
developed.* She is clothed with the sun (the gospel) but has the moon (the Jewish Law and
prophets) as a foundation. Her head (the part which thinks) is crowned by the 12
light-bearers (the Apostles). |
"And
there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:" |
| v. 2 She wants to be
delivered of her true seed, and as we know from Jesus' parable, there will also be a false
seed (tares). That her seed is plural may be seen by reading verse 17 where it refers to
the "remnant of her seed." (All the descendants of this woman exist because God supplied
this covenant for the work of the Gospel Age. All of Christianity, therefore, are her
descendants -- true and apostate.) |
"And
she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." |
_______________________________
* Many prefer simply, and with good reason, to think of the woman as the true church.
| vs. 3 Another sign of
the changing age occurs: a great red dragon. A dragon is a civil power. The red dragon
actually became the official symbol of pagan Rome, replacing the symbol of the eagle. This
dragon is the civil power, known as pagan Rome, on its way out of power. Paul refers to it
in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 as "he who now letteth." The New American Standard reads,
"...he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way." In short: Pagan
Rome fought the development of Christianity (false as well as true); but pagan Rome
was to disintegrate, making way, as Paul points out, for the "mystery of
iniquity" --the "tare" class which would dominate Christianity and make
Babylon such an anti-Christian institution even though it would claim the name of Christ.
This dragon has seven heads (forms of government) and 10 horns (supporting powers). The
antichrist was eventually to dominate these 10 powers. Thus we see in 11:13 that a tenth part
(France) falls in the French Revolution. The crowns upon the heads show Rome's sovereignty
during its seven stages. |
"And
there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads
and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." |
| v. 4 The tail of this
dragon is Constantine as he was the LAST emperor in Rome; he moved the Impenal
capital to Constantinople thus setting up great changes in history. Constantine embracing Christianity,
and being chief religious ruler of the empire, called the Council of Nicea which drew to
it one third of all the bishops ("stars"; i.e., teachers) of heaven (the
Christia religious rulership). It is almost at this point that Babylon is born. The
bishops are "cast ... to the earth" they now become primarily embroiled in
earthly power grabs and political maneuvering. Their spirituality is lost. The dragon,
wishing to use newly-bom Babylon (the wheat-tare mixture) to strengthen Rome, is ready to devour (assimilate)
this "new" religion for political reasons. |
"And
his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and
the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child
as soon as it was born." |
| v. 5 The child of the
covenant (Which was supposed to
be true Christianity) turns out to be a "manchild" -- "the man of and
her child was caught up sin" which, during the Christian age, would rule all nations
with total authority (a rod of iron). This is the clear history of the Roman Church during
what most scholars call the Dark Ages. This "child" (the Papacy) was exalted to
being "God on Earth." (Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.) |
"And
she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her
child was caught up unto God, and to his throne." |
| v. 6 Consequently,
the true covenant (and her true seed) had to flee into a condition of mind-separateness, away from
this symbolic "city" (government) which persecuted her (17:18). Here for 1,260
years (from 539, when the Pope had obtained dominance in the city of Rome, until 1799,
when the French Revolution ended with the embarrassing capture of the Pope by Napoleon),
those under the covenant (the true saints) fed on whatever truth God let be known in the
midst of the darkness. |
"And
the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they
should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." |
| v. 7 How did this
happen? There was a great struggle (war) in the religious world (heaven) between the
Papacy ("Michael" means "One Who As God") and its followers, versus
Rome's pagan religious interests. |
"And
there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon
fought and his angels," |
| v. 8 The dragon did
not win. Papacy did. Pagan Roman religion disappeared -- no room found for it in heaven
(the religious world). |
"And
prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." |
| v. 9 Rome, and all
subsequent civil power, now did not exercise religious authority. The emperor relinquished
to the Pope the title "PONTIFEX MAXIMUS" (Chief Religious Ruler) -- a title only the emperors had
worn. Now civil power was cast to the "earth" (a secular rule only). Note the
four-name entity here: "dragon, serpent, Devil, Satan." This has been discussed
in the treatment of 20:2 where this symbol also represents a purely civil power (but under
the dominion of the literal devil). |
"And
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out
with him." |
| v. 10 The result of
this rise to power of the Roman Church was the loud boast in heaven (the religious world):
"We are the kingdom of God on earth! We have conquered pagan religion! They who is
have persecuted us are now beneath our power." |
"And I
heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom
of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
which accused them before our God day and night." |
| v. 11. Naturally,
Papacy attributed this victory to Jesus. Papacy also attributed it to its martyrs whom it
venerates. Thus they claim the victory due to the martyrdom of those "accused"
(v. 10) and to their life-stories ("the word of their testimony"), and also to
their willingness to love the church over life itself ("loved not their lives unto
the death"). Papacy would thenceforth be willing to ask others to sacrifice for the
maintenance of church power. |
"And
they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they
loved not their lives unto the death." |
| v. 12 The rejoicing
continues IF you are part of the apostate church ("ye heavens, and ye that dwell in
them"). IF you are not, WOE! The false church quickly took on the power of the
persecutor, and it used the dragon (civil power) to enforce its persecuting power. Throughout
the 1,260 years of Papal dominance, the earthly princes readily obeyed Papal dictates
knowing that the rule of the church seemed endless, but that of the civil princes, only a
"short time" -- unless, of course, they obeyed. If they did not obey, the Pope
had the power to dethrone them. |
"Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of
the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that
he hath but a short time." |
| v. 13 From this time
on, the civil power relished its job of enforcing cooperation with the man of sin by
putting down all "heresies." Many "heresies," of course, were truths promulgated by
the "woman" (covenant) and those being developed under her. |
"And
when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought
forth the man child." |
| v. 14 The Dark Ages
(3-1/2 symbolic years) were pictured by the 3-1/2 Year
period in the life of Elijah when there was no rain.
(Water is a symbol of truth. See also Amos 8:1 1.) The true church was fed during this
time by the two wings (Old and New Testament writings) of a great eagle. (The eagle is
far-sighted and represents WISDOM. This wisdom, of course, is the Bible itself which
sustained true Christians all during the 1,260 years of Papal persecution.) Notice that
the woman is hidden from "the face of the serpent." A face is a symbol
of favor. She was OUT OF FAVOR with the civil authorities. (Serpent and dragon are the
same character as is shown by comparing verses 15 and 16.) |
"And to
the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness,
into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the
face of the serpent." |
| v. 15 Eventually
elements of society were tired of being under the thumb of the Pope. They revolted. They
revolted by what history calls the "Age of Enlightenment." There was a large and
dramatic spread of TRUTH (water) -- so much truth that it was a flood. This flood, in the eyes of the people,
would do away with the oppression of religion (false or true -- it made no difference) and
the oppression of tyrannical kings. This movement was centered in France and erupted into
what we know as the French Revolution. Among other things, it OUTLAWED RELIGION. But it
was, according to this verse, the personal devil behind this flood of truths. Recognizing
the decline of his church-state empire, he wanted men to see the chaos caused by much
truth and thus send them running back to the old arrangement. He helped by encouraging the
spread of libertarian truths. |
"And
the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause
her to be carried away of the flood." |
| v. 16 Things didn't
quite work as expected. The earth (society everywhere) liked the idea of
truth. Revolution spread everywhere. But many also liked religious truth. By
accepting revolutionary trends, the world actually opened the way for religious
freedoms. This "helped" the woman even though it certainly frustrated Satan.
Since 1799 Papacy has been unable to control the rapid rise of religious truth-seeking and
investigation. In terms of the Elijah picture: it rained everywhere! Bibles and Biblical
truth-seeking have flourished since the early 1800's. |
"And
the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood
which the dragon cast out of his mouth." |
| v. 17 Religious truth
is always a threat. This final verse indicates that, before the Church is completed, the
civil power will yet "make war" with the remaining members of the true Church. |
"And
the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." |
NOTE: The first phrase of 13:1 appears to belong in chapter
12. It reads (in its corrected translation), "And he stood upon the sand of the
sea." (Chapter 13 then begins, "And I saw a beast...") The sand of the sea
is a symbol for the great masses of humanity. The civil powers yet dominate the masses
until the Lord overthrows their selfish rulerships.
TWO MYSTERY CHARACTERS FROM CHAPTER 7
The Great Multitude
While chapter 7 is part of the sixth seal discussion (6:12), the Revelator, in verses 4
through 17, takes the opportunity afforded by the context to look forward to the time of
the completion of the Church, the 144,000. In verse 9, however, it is as if he sees
something he had not before noticed, a "great multitude." This group is clearly not the church. The
church is in the throne (3:21), whereas this great multitude is " the throne."
The Church is a "little flock" of 144,000, whereas this multitude is preat and
not of a pre-set number (7:9). The true church ecomes fountains of water (John 4:14),
whereas this group is led to water (7:17). Just who are they?
The 24 Elders
"Just who are they?" is the very question asked in verse 13 by "one of the
elders." Identifying this "elder" first will help answer the question. We
have photographed, on the following page, a copy of the title page of a Jewish Bible.
Please note carefully the reference to the TWENTY-FOUR BOOKS. To the Jewish nfind (and a
large portion of the early church was Jewish), the mention of 24 likely would have brought
to mind the Old Testament writings -- the Prophets. The 24 elders are first introduced in
Revelation 4:4, commonly called The Throne Scene. It is likely that these 24 represent the
prophecies of the Hebrew Bible which always magnify God's name -- especially as their
prophecies come true.
From Whence Comes the Great Multitude?
In verse 13, one of the elders asks John, WHO ARE THESE? John's answer (verse 14) is
revealing. In essence, he asks the prophet to stop and think: "Sir, thou
knowest." This answer indicates that this great multitude has been prophesied from
olden times -- but not very obviously, not easily discerned without rethinking through the
prophecies.
This group was typified in the Hebrew Scriptures by the tribe of Levi, as opposed to
the priests (Exodus 28:1; 38:21); by the scapegoat, as opposed to the Lord's goat
(Leviticus 23:17); by Lot (Genesis 19; Luke 17:28, 29; 2 Peter 2:7); and by several other
types. The group also appears in such Old Testament prophecies as Jeremiah 8:20; Zephaniah
3:17, 18; Isaiah 66:7, 8; and numerous others. New Testament references also abound.
Consider the foolish virgins of Jesus' parable (Matthew 25); the man whose flesh was to be
destroyed but his spirit saved (1 Corinthians 5:3-5); and those less-than-adequate
servants of Luke 12:47, 48.
When God accepts a man to become a part of the body of Christ and begets that man with
the Holy spirit, a binding contract has been negotiated. These embryo "new
creatures" (2 Corinthians 5:17) have, by God's arrangements in the Gospel Age, given
up their rights to a resurrection on earth as human beings. They have had Jesus' blood
applied to them the one time allowed (Hebrews 10:26). Thus, typically, the tribe of Levi had
no inheritance in the land: Thus (1 Corinthians 9:27) the Apostle Paul feared that, unless
he suppressed his flesh, he could lose his place in the body of Christ. Thus John
cautioned that we could receive less than "a full reward" (2 John 8). Thus the
Corinthian man's flesh would perish, but he would yet have his spirit saved (1 Corinthians
5:3-5). And thus (Psalm 45:14) these secondary virgins enter heaven but not as part of the
bride. Probably millions of consecrated Christians will enter heaven as parts of the Great
Multitude, having fallen short of the mark for the prize (Philippians 3:14). They will be
part of the "resurrection of the just" (Acts 24:15), but they will not be a part
of the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6). They will, no doubt, have some tearful
regrets, but "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)
|
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Preface & Chapters 1,2 | Chapters 6, 7, Appendix A & B |
