Study of Revelation

Keys to Revelation – Chapter 1

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 1:1 The revelation of Jesus [revelation] – the unveiling or Christ, which God gave him to show uncovering of the truth about his servants what must soon take Jesus Christ. Showing Him is His place. He made it known by sending Splendor and Power. his angel to his servant John, [his angel] – A special Angel was used, possibly Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:2; 21-22; Luk 1:26-31). [John] – The Apostle John

REV 1:2 who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and
the testimony of Jesus Christ. REV 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads Only Book in the Bible that promises the words of this prophecy, and a Blessing to those who read, hear, blessed are those who hear it and and take to heart what is written. take to heart what is written in it, Truly, if you study this Book you because the time is near. will be blessed (made happy). REV 1:4 John, To the seven churches [seven churches] – Seven actual in the province of Asia: Grace and churches that God chose because they peace to you from him who is, and who were typical of all churches in all was, and who is to come, and from the ages. seven spirits before his throne, [seven spirits] – Term for the Holy Spirit (Isa 11 :2-3).

REV 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who
is the faithful witness, the
firstborn from the dead, and the
ruler of the kings of the earth. To
him who loves us and has freed us
from our sins by his blood,

REV 1:6 and has made us to be a
kingdom and priests to serve his God
and Father–to him be glory and power
for ever and ever! Amen. REV 1:7 Look, he is coming with the John is excited to reveal what he clouds, and every eye will see him, has seen and reflects on the Coming even those who pierced him; and all of Jesus back to earth in Judgment the peoples of the earth will mourn and to set up His Kingdom.

because of him. So shall it be! Amen. REV 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the [Alpha..Omega] – First and last Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, letters in Greek alphabet, Jesus and who was, and who is to come, the is everything. He is God, was God, Almighty.” and will always be the Almighty God! REV 1:9 I, John, your brother and John was exiled to Patmos, a small companion in the suffering and 6mi x 10mi island, to forced labor, kingdom and patient endurance that for the crime of Preaching the are ours in Jesus, was on the island Gospel and Testifying about the of Patmos because of the word of God Beautiful Lord Jesus Christ.

and the testimony of Jesus. REV 1:10 On the Lord’s Day I was in [Lord’s Day] – Sunday the Spirit, and I heard behind me a [in the Spirit] – John was carried loud voice like a trumpet, beyond the normal spiritual state to a supernatural one in which he could receive the Revelation. REV 1:11 which said: “Write on a Jesus is speaking and simply tells scroll what you see and send it to John to write a letter to the seven the seven churches: to Ephesus, churches, telling them everything Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Jesus reveals. These letters Philadelphia and Laodicea.” are written to all the Churches and Christians of the Church Age. REV 1:12 I turned around to see the [seven golden lampstands] – these voice that was speaking to me. And are the seven churches (v.20). when I turned I saw seven golden Churches, like Christians are lights lampstands, and some are brighter than others. REV 1:13 and among the lampstands [like a son of man] – looked like a was someone “like a son of man,” man but really different. Jesus is dressed in a robe reaching down to dressed like the man of mercy in his feet and with a golden sash Ezekiel 9:2, 11 before the judgment.

around his chest. REV 1:14 His head and hair were Christ is given the same description white like wool, as white as snow, ascribed to God as the Ruler and the and his eyes were like blazing fire. Judge in Dan 7:9; 10:5. REV 1:15 His feet were like bronze [bronze glowing] – portrays strength glowing in a furnace, and his voice stability and judgment. was like the sound of rushing waters. [rushing waters] – like the sound of Niagara Falls (awe-inspiring and powerful). REV 1:16 In his right hand he held [seven stars] – the seven messengers seven stars, and out of his mouth or Pastors of the seven churches came a sharp double-edged sword. His (v.20). face was like the sun shining in all [sword] – an instrument of judgment its brilliance. with words, the Word of God, see Isaiah 11:4. [face] – shines like the sun, most likely His whole body was brilliant. Pictures His Great Purity and Glory. REV 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at [fell..dead] – Proper response of his feet as though dead. Then he fear when in the presence of the placed his right hand on me and said: Holy God (Ezek 1:28; Dan 8:17, 10:9) “Do not be afraid. I am the First and But Jesus assures John not to be the Last. afraid, because He is All Powerful and in Love with His redeemed! REV 1:18 I am the Living One; I was [Living One] – Resurrected Christ dead, and behold I am alive for ever who died and overcame death to live and ever! And I hold the keys of eternally. death and Hades. [keys] – Jesus decides when a person will die and who goes into Hell. REV 1:19 “Write, therefore, what you [have seen] – Chapter 1, the Glory have seen, what is now and what will of Christ. take place later. [what is now] – Chapters 2-3, the Church Age. [will take place later] – Chapters 4-22, the Rapture, Tribulation, Millennium, Eternal State. REV 1:20 The mystery of the seven [angels] – Messengers, that is the stars that you saw in my right hand Pastors of the Churches.

and of the seven golden lampstands is
this: The seven stars are the angels
of the seven churches, and the seven
lampstands are the seven churches.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 2

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 2:1 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor church in Ephesus write: These are [holds] – to have power over the words of him who holds the [stars] – the pastors of the seven stars in his right hand and seven churches (Rev 1:20) walks among the seven golden [walks among] – patrolling His lampstands: churches, intimately knowing each one REV 2:2 I know your deeds, your [deeds..hard work] – wearisome toil hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate [wicked men] – not the pagans, but wicked men, that you have tested those who claimed to be Christians those who claim to be apostles but but were not

are not, and have found them false. REV 2:3 You have persevered and implies strenuous and exhausting have endured hardships for my name, labor

and have not grown weary. REV 2:4 Yet I hold this against [Yet] – The church was “doing” a lot you: You have forsaken your first for Christ, but was lacking the love. element of Love. REV 2:5 Remember the height from [Remember] – recall the height of which you have fallen! Repent and of the Love that used to exist do the things you did at first. If [Repent] – to change one’s thinking, you do not repent, I will come to to think differently you and remove your lampstand from [at first] – the way you used to be its place. when first in love with Christ [remove..lampstand] – take away the light (ministry, effect, impact) REV 2:6 But you have this in your [practices of Nicolaitans] – word favor: You hate the practices of nikao means “to conquer” and laos the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “the people.” Suspect they were a Sect that imposed a clerical hier- archy on the laity. Much like the Roman Catholic Church and her Pope. REV 2:7 He who has an ear, let him [has an ear] – everyone has ears but hear what the Spirit says to the not everyone listens. Jesus is say- churches. To him who overcomes, I ing take to heart what I am saying. will give the right to eat from the [overcomes] – (1 John 5:5) Those who tree of life, which is in the by Faith, and Repentance come to paradise of God. Christ in humble submission. [tree of life] – First given in Gen 2:9 is restored to man in his new Paradise, the Eternal Home..Rev 22:2 REV 2:8 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor

church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First
and the Last, who died and came to
life again. REV 2:9 I know your afflictions [afflictions] – imprisonment and and your poverty–yet you are rich! death for the cause of Christ I know the slander of those who say [poverty] – lack of wealth and jobs they are Jews and are not, but are because of their Christianity a synagogue of Satan. [synagogue of Satan] – no longer God’s place of worship since they reject Jesus and the cross. Judaism has become a false religion. REV 2:10 Do not be afraid of what [devil..put] – much like Job’s you are about to suffer. I tell suffering, which tested his love for you, the devil will put some of you God. in prison to test you, and you will [ten days] – either a literal 10 day suffer persecution for ten days. Be period or a set time of suffering of faithful, even to the point of limited duration. death, and I will give you the [Be faithful] – Don’t recant by crown of life. denying Christ, proving a lack of true conversion. Hold firm because Christ is on your side. REV 2:11 He who has an ear, let [has an ear, overcomes] – Rev 2:7 him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will [second death] – The first death is not be hurt at all by the second our physical death, but then the death. Christian never dies again, however the unbeliever goes to his second death of eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire (Dan 12:2, John 5:29, Rev 20:14) REV 2:12 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, [sword] – The Word of God from the double-edged sword. mouth of God Himself–Jesus Christ. REV 2:13 I know where you live– [his throne] – Satan is not omni- where Satan has his throne. Yet you present and moves about the earth, remain true to my name. You did not but there are places where his renounce your faith in me, even in influence and power is more evident. the days of Antipas, my faithful [Antipas] – A martyr of the early witness, who was put to death in Church.

your city–where Satan lives. REV 2:14 Nevertheless, I have a [Nevertheless] – God wants us to few things against you: You have strive for perfection, even though people there who hold to the we will fall short, but He never teaching of Balaam, who taught will accept a compromise in His Balak to entice the Israelites to Church or His people. sin by eating food sacrificed to [hold to teaching] – Some there idols and by committing sexual were into false doctrines that in- immorality. cluded worship of idols and sexual sins. (see Num 31:15-16). REV 2:15 Likewise you also have [Nicolaitans] – see Rev 2:6

those who hold to the teaching of
the Nicolaitans. REV 2:16 Repent therefore! [will..come..fight] – Jesus will Otherwise, I will soon come to you fight against His own churches if and will fight against them with they will not repent of their false the sword of my mouth. doctrine. Even if 99 doctrines are “right on” but one is false and the church or christian is unwilling to change then Christ will oppose them. REV 2:17 He who has an ear, let [has an ear, overcomes] – Rev 2:7 him hear what the Spirit says to [hidden manna] – In Exodus 16:32 the churches. To him who overcomes, God had some manna hidden in the I will give some of the hidden Ark as a testimony of God’s grace manna. I will also give him a white and faithfulness, likewise God stone with a new name written on promises the new manna which is it, known only to him who receives Christ in His fullness (John 6:31- it. 33). [white stone] – used in Bible times as a token which provided many priv- ileges. Normally received stone as a reward for service or victory. [new name..known only] – On this stone, which most likely will be a precious stone (large diamond) a very private name will be inscribed that will be special between Jesus and each of His loved believers. REV 2:18 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose [blazing..eyes] – eyes of judgment eyes are like blazing fire and and discernment, burning indignation whose feet are like burnished [burnished bronze] – same as Rev 1:15 bronze. feet were glowing like in a furnace which are feet of judgment. REV 2:19 I know your deeds, your [know] – Christ knows our inner self love and faith, your service and even more than we do (1SA 16:7). perseverance, and that you are now [more than] – This church is really doing more than you did at first. growing and active. REV 2:20 Nevertheless, I have this [Nevertheless] – See Rev 2:16 against you: You tolerate that [Jezebel] – Probably not her real woman Jezebel, who calls herself a name but rather a woman like Jezebel prophetess. By her teaching she who is teaching false doctrine and misleads my servants into sexual leading Christians into serious sin.

immorality and the eating of food
sacrificed to idols. REV 2:21 I have given her time to [given her time] – The grace of God repent of her immorality, but she with sinners, even wicked ones try- is unwilling. ing to destroy God’s people, He is willing that they repent, but she refuses. REV 2:22 So I will cast her on a [cast on a bed] – Not unusual for bed of suffering, and I will make God to judge or discipline a person those who commit adultery with her in the same area as their sin. She suffer intensely, unless they was involved in sexual sins in bed repent of her ways. so she will not suffer pain in bed. REV 2:23 I will strike her [children] – could be her own child- children dead. Then all the ren, but most likely those she churches will know that I am he who brought up in her false teachings. searches hearts and minds, and I [repay..deeds] – Those who have done will repay each of you according to deeds of wickedness get the payment your deeds. of Eternal Hell, whereas those who have done deeds of righteousness will receive Eternal Life.

REV 2:24 Now I say to the rest of
you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not [deep secrets] – the demonic teach- learned Satan’s so-called deep ings of Satan that promise power and secrets (I will not impose any life but only bring utter chaos and other burden on you): punishment. REV 2:25 Only hold on to what you [hold on] – be steadfast and endure have until I come. all your life until either you die our Jesus returns. This is one of the key evidences of salvation, that a person continues in Christ to the end of their lives. REV 2:26 To him who overcomes and [overcomes] – Rev 2:7 does my will to the end, I will [will to the end] – If you endure to give authority over the nations– the end you will be saved and be rewarded. The endurance is also a gift, “God who gives endurance” (Rom 15:5). [authority over nations] – During the Millennium (1,000 year rule of Christ, we will rule and reign with Him (Rev 20:6). REV 2:27 ‘He will rule them with Quote from Psalm 2:9 about the an iron scepter; he will dash them Righteous and Rigorous Rule of to pieces like pottery’– just as I Jesus Christ during the Millennium.

have received authority from my Father. REV 2:28 I will also give him the [morning star] – In Rev 22:16 Jesus morning star. declares that He is the “Bright Morning Star,” and for all that overcome they will receive the precious gift of Christ. REV 2:29 He who has an ear, let [hear] – Again Jesus reminds those him hear what the Spirit says to who have ears to hear to listen the churches. carefully to His words and instruc- tion.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 3

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY

REV 3:1 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the [seven spirits] – Term for the Holy seven spirits of God and the seven Spirit (ISA 11:2-3). Jesus gives the stars. I know your deeds; you have Holy Spirit to those who believe, a reputation of being alive, but repent, and humbly submit to Him. you are dead. [seven stars] – The pastors of the seven churches. Jesus has total con- trol over the church, the pastor, and Christians for their blessing and discipline. [alive..but dead] – They appear as a “right on” Christian Church on the outside, but inside they are dead! REV 3:2 Wake up! Strengthen what [Wake up] – A warning from Jesus to remains and is about to die, for I to “fan into flame” the little spark have not found your deeds complete that is left. The church is dying in the sight of my God. spiritually because the majority of its members are not saved. REV 3:3 Remember, therefore, what [Remember..obey..repent] – They are you have received and heard; obey to remember the Gospel message that it, and repent. But if you do not was preached and repent and obey it. wake up, I will come like a thief, [come like thief] – Suddenly He will and you will not know at what time bring judgment on the church and re- I will come to you. move the remaining light. REV 3:4 Yet you have a few people [few] – There is a minority of saved in Sardis who have not soiled their persons in the church, not many, but clothes. They will walk with me, some. dressed in white, for they are [dressed in white] – REV 19:8 “Fine worthy. linen, bright and clean, was given her {Christians} to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints {after salvation}.” [worthy] – Because we were bought at a great price…the Blood of God! REV 3:5 He who overcomes will, [overcomes] – (1JN 5:5) Those who like them, be dressed in white. I by Faith, and Repentance come to will never blot out his name from Christ in humble submission. the book of life, but will [book of life] – Literal book or acknowledge his name before my record in Heaven that has the names Father and his angels. of the redeemed. Evidence that once saved (overcomer), always saved. REV 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. REV 3:6 He who has an ear, let him See REV 2:7 Comments

hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. REV 3:7 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor church in Philadelphia write: These [key of David] – ISA 22:22 King are the words of him who is holy determines who will be allowed in and true, who holds the key of the Kingdom and who will be shut David. What he opens no one can out. Jesus opens the doors of shut, and what he shuts no one can salvation for His Elect, but shuts open. out the Non-Elect for their willful rejection of His mercy and grace. REV 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I [open door] – Jesus has opened the have placed before you an open door door of ministry to this church, that no one can shut. I know that which means that they will have many you have little strength, yet you opportunities to “bring in” God’s have kept my word and have not Elect. denied my name. [little strength] – Possibly a small church without social prominence and at the poverty level. But they were “big” in Spiritual strength. REV 3:9 I will make those who are [synagogue of Satan] – The false of the synagogue of Satan, who religion of Judaism. The true Jew claim to be Jews though they are is one who truly acknowledges the not, but are liars–I will make Messiah Jesus Christ. them come and fall down at your feet [come and fall] – Ironic that those and acknowledge that I have loved who had the truth (Jews) and would you. not acknowledge that God also loved the Gentiles, will someday come in humility and acknowledge that God loved others besides the Jews. REV 3:10 Since you have kept my [endure patiently] – Something all command to endure patiently, I will Christians will do because of the also keep you from the hour of gift of faith within us. trial that is going to come upon [hour of trial] – Short time of the whole world to test those who suffering for the earth. The seven live on the earth. years of the Tribulation Period as compared to the time man has been on the earth. REV 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on [Hold on] – Don’t give up and turn to what you have, so that no one back to your old way of life. The will take your crown. true believer will “Hold on” because of the Holy Spirit within them who seals us till the end. [crown] – 2TI 4:8 “The Crown of Righteousness” given to all the Christians who finish the race, which will be every true believer! REV 3:12 Him who overcomes I will [overcomes] – See REV 2:7 Comments. make a pillar in the temple of my [pillar] – The temple is the Lord God. Never again will he leave it. God Almighty and the Lamb Jesus I will write on him the name of my Christ (REV 21:22). A pillar is God and the name of the city of my a permanent part of the structure God, the new Jerusalem, which is so we are again promised Eternal coming down out of heaven from my Security in God. God; and I will also write on him [names of God, city, new name of my new name. Jesus] – We only know in part and see through a dark glass, but some- day we will know the complete names of our God, City, and Our Savior. [write] – Either on our skin or clothes we will proudly and joyfully wear the Names of Grace. REV 3:13 He who has an ear, let See REV 2:7 Comments.

him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.

REV 3:14 “To the angel of the [angel] – messenger, pastor church in Laodicea write: These are
the words of the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the ruler of
God’s creation. REV 3:15 I know your deeds, that [cold nor hot] – A cold drink on a you are neither cold nor hot. I hot day refreshes. Likewise, a hot wish you were either one or the drink on a cold day satisfies.

other! REV 3:16 So, because you are [lukewarm] – A lukewarm drink is lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I worthless on either a hot or cold am about to spit you out of my day. Likewise, those who are mouth. indifferent to the things of God give evidence of their lost state. REV 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I [I am rich] – This is a wealthy have acquired wealth and do not church who cares more for outward need a thing.’ But you do not appearances than for the condition realize that you are wretched, of the soul. pitiful, poor, blind and naked. [blind and naked] – Blind to the gospel and without the fine linen from God (acts of righteousness). REV 3:18 I counsel you to buy from [buy..gold] – Instead of buying gold me gold refined in the fire, so you rings and watches, buy the true gold can become rich; and white clothes from Christ (The law from your mouth to wear, so you can cover your is more precious to me than thousands shameful nakedness; and salve to of pieces of silver or gold. put on your eyes, so you can see. PSA 119:72) [white clothes..salve] – Ability to see the truth and have the Faith, to Repent and Submit to Christ then bearing fruit by doing righteous acts (REV 19:8). REV 3:19 Those whom I love I A warning to the church that does rebuke and discipline. So be not feel that they have a problem earnest, and repent. and sense no needs. If they were truly God’s children then they would feel the discipline of God. The lack of discipline means they are not the loved children of the Father and are in great need of repentance. REV 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the Jesus calls all mankind to come to door and knock. If anyone hears my Him, but only those who have been voice and opens the door, I will elected before the foundation of the come in and eat with him, and he earth can hear His voice. The Non- with me. Elect are deaf to the Word of God because of their willful sin. When a person hears the “Knocking” of the Savior then the Spirit will enable them to get up and submit to Christ in an intimate relationship. REV 3:21 To him who overcomes, I [overcomes] – See REV 2:7 Comments. will give the right to sit with me [sit with me] – Reference to REV on my throne, just as I overcame 20:6 where the Christian is promised and sat down with my Father on his the privilege of reigning with Christ throne. for the 1,000 year Millennium. REV 3:22 He who has an ear, let See REV 2:7 Comments.

him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.”

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 4

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 4:1 After this I looked, and [After this] – Reference to previous there before me was a door standing seven letters to the churches, which open in heaven. And the voice I had represented the Church Age that comes first heard speaking to me like a to a end Chronologically as we enter trumpet said, “Come up here, and I into the events of Chapter 4 and be- will show you what must take place yond. after this.” [door to heaven] – John literally could look into the Third Heaven from the earth and see the Throne Room of God. [voice] – It is Jesus speaking [come up] – Jesus tells, rather commands that John “come up” to Heaven. This event ends the Church Age and starts the Judgments and could be a type of the Rapture, where Jesus calls His Church to “Come Up Here.” REV 4:2 At once I was in the [in the Spirit] – Transported from Spirit, and there before me was a earth (most likely not with his body) throne in heaven with someone through the first heaven (atmosphere) sitting on it. then past the second heaven (outer space) and into the third heaven (location of God, Angels, and the Redeemed). [someone sitting] – Appears to be the Father, since Jesus the Lamb, takes a scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne in REV 5:7. REV 4:3 And the one who sat there [jasper] – in ancient times this had the appearance of jasper and stone would have been a translucent carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an rock crystal like a diamond. This emerald, encircled the throne. brilliant diamond represents the purity, majesty, and holiness of God. [carnelian] – A beautiful, ruby red stone signifying the righteous judgment and wrath of God. [emerald] – Brilliant green color representing the mercy of God. REV 4:4 Surrounding the throne [24 Elders] – Representatives from were twenty-four other thrones, and the Church, wearing crowns of victory seated on them were twenty-four and their white linen robes.

elders. They were dressed in white
and had crowns of gold on their
heads. REV 4:5 From the throne came [seven spirits] – Term for the Holy flashes of lightning, rumblings and Spirit (ISA 11:2-3).

peals of thunder. Before the
throne, seven lamps were blazing.
These are the seven spirits of God. REV 4:6 Also before the throne [sea of glass] – Same glass that was there was what looked like a sea of seen by Moses in Exodus 24:10, “..and glass, clear as crystal. In the saw the God of Israel. Under His feet center, around the throne, were was something like a pavement made of four living creatures, and they sapphire, clear as the sky itself.” were covered with eyes, in front This sea simply adds to the Glory and in back. and Majesty of God. [creatures] – Jesus only created two kinds of intelligent and spiritual creatures–Men and Angels. These four living creatures are angels. [eyes] – Seems strange to us, but we are very limited in our knowledge and understanding of heavenly things. The eyes would make them all-seeing and vigilant, not to mention enhancing their ability to accomplish their main purpose, to give God the glory He deserves as they look upon His Wisdom and Power. REV 4:7 The first living creature Four creatures represent God’s was like a lion, the second was attributes in His creation: like an ox, the third had a face [lion] – Majesty, Omnipotence like a man, the fourth was like a [ox] – Strength, Patience flying eagle. [man] – Intelligence, Rational Power [eagle] – Sovereignty, Supremacy REV 4:8 Each of the four living [six wings] – Matches description of creatures had six wings and was the Seraphims in ISA 6:2, “Above Him covered with eyes all around, even were seraphs, each with six wings: under his wings. Day and night they With two they covered their faces, never stop saying: “Holy, holy, with two they covered their feet, and holy is the Lord God Almighty, who with two they were flying.” was, and is, and is to come.” They were Unique Angels created to give Glory to God forever.

REV 4:9 Whenever the living
creatures give glory, honor and
thanks to him who sits on the
throne and who lives for ever and
ever, REV 4:10 the twenty-four elders Representing the Church in Heaven fall down before him who sits on rightly acknowledging that God the throne, and worship him who deserves their worship and honor. lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and [lay their crowns] – Acknowledging say: that Jesus earned them their crowns by His death on the Cross.

REV 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord
and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you created all
things, and by your will they were
created and have their being.”

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 5

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 5:1 Then I saw in the right [scroll] – Parchment had writing on hand of him who sat on the throne a both sides, then sealed on the edges scroll with writing on both sides in such a way that the seals must be and sealed with seven seals. successively broken if the scroll is to be unrolled and read. REV 5:2 And I saw a mighty angel [mighty angel] – Possibly Gabriel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and [worthy] – The scroll is like a title open the scroll?” deed to the earth and can only be opened by someone capable of being a mediator between God and man. REV 5:3 But no one in heaven or on [in heaven] – Redeemed men and women earth or under the earth could open [on earth] – Living men and women the scroll or even look inside it. [under the earth] – Condemned men and women REV 5:4 I wept and wept because no John was overcome at the thought that one was found who was worthy to there was to be a delay in the open- open the scroll or look inside. ing of the scroll and the resultant judgment of sin, restoration of Israel, and the reign of Christ. REV 5:5 Then one of the elders [Lion of..Judah] – Refers to GEN 49:9 said to me, “Do not weep! See, the where Judah is called a conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lion. Root of David, has triumphed. He is [Root of David] – See ISA 11:1,10

able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” REV 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking [Lamb] – Jesus is the Lamb of God, as if it had been slain, standing the perfect sacrifice (JOH 1:29,36; in the center of the throne, ACT 8:32; 1PE 1:19) encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had [slain..standing] – The lamb has been seven horns and seven eyes, which offered, yet it stands erect with are the seven spirits of God sent visual evidence of the sacrificial out into all the earth. slaughter, a clear reference to the death and resurrection of Christ. [seven] – A term used in Scripture to denote fullness or completeness. [seven horns] – Fullness of power. Horn is a common symbol of strength (DEU 33:17; PSA 18:2; 112:9). Refers to the omnipotence of God. [seven eyes] – In Zechariah 4:1-10 a lampstand with seven lights (v. 2) is referred to as the Spirit (v. 6) and the Spirit is the seven “eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth” (v. 10). Refers to the omniscience of God. REV 5:7 He came and took the [He took] – Jesus took the scroll scroll from the right hand of him from the Father.

who sat on the throne. REV 5:8 And when he had taken it, [fell down] -Elders fell down in the four living creatures and the praise and worship of Jesus for His twenty-four elders fell down before power and mercy. the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full [harp] – There is music and singing of incense, which are the prayers in heaven. Here praise is sung of the saints. to the Sweet Savior Jesus Christ for His grace and mercy. [bowls..incense] – Throughout the ages God’s children have prayed for judgment on sin and for the reign of the Messiah Jesus Christ on earth. These prayers have been as incense before God for centuries and now are about to be fulfilled (PSA 141:2).

REV 5:9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals, because you
were slain, and with your blood you
purchased men for God from every
tribe and language and people and
nation.

REV 5:10 You have made them to be
a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the [reign] – In the Millennium with Our earth.” Lord Jesus Christ (REV 20:6). REV 5:11 Then I looked and heard [numbering] – There were countless he voice of many angels, numbering thousands of angels.

thousands upon thousands, and ten
thousand times ten thousand. They
encircled the throne and the living
creatures and the elders.

REV 5:12 In a loud voice they
sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was
slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!” REV 5:13 Then I heard every [every creature] – A reference to all creature in heaven and on earth and of creation which has been awaiting under the earth and on the sea, and the moment in history when the curse all that is in them, singing: “To will be lifted and the sons of God him who sits on the throne and to revealed in full redemptive glory the Lamb be praise and honor and (ROM 8:18-25).

glory and power, for ever and
ever!”

REV 5:14 The four living creatures
said, “Amen,” and the elders fell
down and worshiped.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 6

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY

REV 6:1 I watched as the Lamb [Lamb] – Lamb of God is Jesus Christ. opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four NOTE: With the opening of the first living creatures say in a voice seal, the beginning of the seven-year like thunder, “Come!” tribulation period is described, which is the time of judgment for Israel and for the whole world. [Come!] – This call is for the first of the four horses. REV 6:2 I looked, and there before [white horse] – It was customary in me was a white horse! Its rider biblical times for a conqueror to held a bow, and he was given a ride in triumph on a white horse. crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. [bow] – Typical weapon for a king to carry into battle in that part of the world. [crown] – Greek word is “stephanos” which is a crown of victory and not a crown of a sovereign. [conqueror] – This is the AntiChrist, the “man of sin” who comes and tries to conquer the world. See DAN 9:26- 27.

REV 6:3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second
living creature say, “Come!” REV 6:4 Then another horse came [fiery red] – A color representing out, a fiery red one. Its rider was bloodshed and sin. given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each [rider..given..power] – A reminder other. To him was given a large that in all events it is God who sword. allows and empowers mankind to carry out His will. [take peace..make slay] – This rider follows the Antichrist who tries to take over the world and the result is war and bloodshed. [large sword] – A long sword often carried into battle that symbolizes violent death and war. REV 6:5 When the Lamb opened the [black] – The color of mourning, third seal, I heard the third affliction, and famine. living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a [scales] – A yoke or beam with a black horse! Its rider was holding weight on one side and the substance a pair of scales in his hand. to be measured on the other. REV 6:6 Then I heard what sounded [quart of wheat] – Dry measure of like a voice among the four living about a quart (1.92 pints). This was creatures, saying, “A quart of daily ration of food for one man. And wheat for a day’s wages, and three he got it for his [day’s wages]. This quarts of barley for a day’s wages, would indicate that the famine and and do not damage the oil and the inflation levels after the first wine!” series of wars was so severe, that a man worked all day for just enough food for himself, leaving his family and those unable to work without meals. [three quarts of barley] – Poor man’s diet and cheaper than wheat. The worker could chose it instead of the wheat. [oil..wine] – Staples of the society and God in His judgment continues to show mercy by not making the famine as severe as He could.

REV 6:7 When the Lamb opened the
fourth seal, I heard the voice of
the fourth living creature say,
“Come!” REV 6:8 I looked, and there before [pale horse] – The word means a me was a pale horse! Its rider was yellowish green, but refers here to named Death, and Hades was the color of a corpse or the look following close behind him. They of a person struck with terror. were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine [Death] – This is the death horse and and plague, and by the wild beasts right behind him is a fifth horse of the earth. named Hades, which is another name for Hell, the place of torment until the Final Judgment. [fourth of earth] – Today it would be approximately 1.5 Billion people killed. [sword] – The wars and bloodshed [famine] – Starvation of the masses [plague] – Diseases from the war, if they used “germ warfare” and/or the simple judgment of God in the form of a Divine ordered disease. [wild beasts] – A revolt of the Animal Kingdom, possibly caused by the displacement of war and the scarcity of an adequate food supply.

REV 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the [under the altar] – In the Levitical souls of those who had been slain rite the blood was poured out at the because of the word of God and the foot of the altar. John sees an testimony they had maintained. altar in heaven with souls (people) under it. [slain] – They were Christians that had been killed for their faith in Christ. It is likely that these Christians were killed during the Tribulation Period. REV 6:10 They called out in a loud [avenge] – They cry out like David voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, for God to judge wickedness because holy and true, until you judge the God is Holy and all sin is an affront inhabitants of the earth and avenge to His Sovereignty.

our blood?” REV 6:11 Then each of them was [white robes] – See REV 19:8 and given a white robe, and they were 19:14 told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants [wait] – God has a timetable for this and brothers who were to be killed world and is very patient with the as they had been was completed. wickedness of man, but the day is coming when the evilness of man will be completed and then Jesus will judge the world. REV 6:12 I watched as he opened [sixth seal] – The first five seals the sixth seal. There was a great were the direct result of man’s earthquake. The sun turned black actions. A man tried to conquer the like sackcloth made of goat hair, world (Antichrist-Seal 1). Men from the whole moon turned blood red, this attempted takeover fought with each other (War-Seal 2). The result of this major war was a worldwide food shortage (Famine-Seal 3). Because of the war, famines, and the problems that ensued many on earth died (Death-Seal 4). The mass killing of Christians by unsaved man. Martyrs-Seal 5) But the sixth seal is the direct action of God, where He pours out His judgments against man and his earth. [great earthquake] – God often has used earthquakes to introduce His judgments. This was not a local quake but rather one that likely shook the entire world. [sun..black] – A black sun is in fact no sun! There would be total dark- ness except for the red moon. [red..moon] – The whole world sees a blood red moon which causes fear and panic in the hearts of sinful man. Since the moon gets its light from the sun, God somehow caused the moon to emit it’s own light of judgment. REV 6:13 and the stars in the sky [stars..fell] – Literally, shooting fell to earth, as late figs drop stars were observed to be “falling” from a fig tree when shaken by a to the earth.

strong wind. REV 6:14 The sky receded like a [sky receded] – Violent sights in the scroll, rolling up, and every heavens that made the sky appear to mountain and island was removed roll up like a scroll. from its place. [mountain..island..removed] – They did not necessarily disappear, but may have literally moved to new locations by the violence of Nuclear War or simply by the finger of God. REV 6:15 Then the kings of the [man hid] – The events on the earth earth, the princes, the generals, and in the heavens were terrifying to the rich, the mighty, and every every man and woman on earth.

slave and every free man hid in
caves and among the rocks of the
mountains. REV 6:16 They called to the [hide us] – God’s judgments were to mountains and the rocks, “Fall on not only judge sin, but also to cause us and hide us from the face of him sinful man to repent and cry out to who sits on the throne and from the God for mercy. However, they would wrath of the Lamb! not acknowledge their sin but only to hide from the wrath of God, wishing that the rocks would crush and kill them, rather than agree with God about their sins and submit to Him. REV 6:17 For the great day of [who can stand] – No one can ever their wrath has come, and who can stand smug in their sins before God stand?” when He comes to judge the earth.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 7

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 7:1 After this I saw four [after this I saw] – Introduces angels standing at the four corners another part of John’s vision. of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any [four angels..four winds] – Four wind from blowing on the land or on angels are seen holding back the four the sea or on any tree. winds of the earth: North Wind, East Wind, South Wind, and West Wind. All winds come from one of these four directions and God has commanded that His servants the angels prevent these winds from blowing, making the entire earth to experience calm winds. [prevent..wind] – Another judgment of God. More and more as we experience energy shortages, man is developing a greater reliance on wind power and by the day of this judgment it could likely be a significant source of energy. Man also has enjoyed the coolness of a breeze on a hot day and has relied on the wind to move the polluted air of major cities to pre- vent a great build-up of smog. But the greatest judgment will be in the change of the weather. Without any wind, the clouds and the rain they bring will not be occurring and the earth’s food supplies will be greatly reduced. Another judgment would be to the reproduction process of plants that rely on the wind to carry the pollen and/or seed. REV 7:2 Then I saw another angel [from the East] – Possibly because coming up from the east, having the Palestine is east of Patmos. seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four [seal] – Word indicates the seal is a angels who had been given power to signet ring, like that used by an harm the land and the sea: Oriental monarch, to give validity to the official documents. [seal of God] – A special mark that was painted, tattooed, or maybe even applied with lasers in a such a way that clearly showed who God’s true children were. It was done before in Ezekiel 9 were God had an ink mark placed on the foreheads of those who hated sin, in order for them to avoid judgment. REV 7:3 “Do not harm the land or In addition to the Calm Wind judgment the sea or the trees until we put a God prepares to pour out His wrath on seal on the foreheads of the the land, sea, and trees, but only servants of our God.” after he first sealed those on the earth who belonged to Him. REV 7:4 Then I heard the number of [144,000] – Not a select group from those who were sealed: 144,000 from among the Believers on the earth, all the tribes of Israel. rather, they are the only faithful Believers alive when this event takes place. All the other Christians were removed from the earth during the Rapture, at the beginning of the Tribulation Period. [from..Israel] – God chose Israel to bring the Good News to the lost but she never fulfilled that command and rather put up barriers to the lost, preventing them from knowing the the truth. But now God is causing Israel to be faithful to their first commission of reaching the lost nations. REV 7:5 From the tribe of Judah [From the tribe of…] – God chose 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe the twelve tribes of Israel for His of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of witness during the Tribulation. Gad 12,000, 12,000 were selected from each tribe. When God was completed He had 144,000 Jewish Evangelists all preaching the pure and holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.

REV 7:6 from the tribe of Asher
12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali
12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh
12,000,

REV 7:7 from the tribe of Simeon
12,000, from the tribe of Levi
12,000, from the tribe of Issachar
12,000,

REV 7:8 from the tribe of Zebulun
12,000, from the tribe of Joseph
12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin
12,000. REV 7:9 After this I looked and [great multitude] – These are the there before me was a great those who the 144,000 witnessed to multitude that no one could count, and who were led to Christ by the from every nation, tribe, people Holy Spirit (see REV 7:14). One must and language, standing before the remember that these believers began throne and in front of the Lamb. the Tribulation Period as wicked They were wearing white robes and sinners in total rebellion to God, were holding palm branches in their but God sent the 144,000 preachers hands. with the Gospel message that brought the Faith to them so they could then Believe in Christ, Repent of their sins and Submit to the Lordship of the Lamb of God–Jesus Christ. [white robes] – See REV 19:8 and 19:14 [palm branches] – The palm is a sign of festive joy and also an emblem of victory. Here they represent the joy and the victory of those who have been redeemed by the Blood of Christ. REV 7:10 And they cried out in a [sits on the throne] – God the Father loud voice: “Salvation belongs to (see REV 4:2 commentary). our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” [Lamb] – Jesus is the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice (JOH 1:29,36; ACT 8:32; 1PE 1:19). REV 7:11 All the angels were [all the angels] – These are the same standing around the throne and angels listed in REV 5:11 as “…many around the elders and the four angels, numbering thousands upon living creatures. They fell down on thousands, and ten thousand times ten their faces before the throne and thousand.” A number that literally worshiped God, cannot be counted by man. [elders…living creatures] – See REV 4:4, 4:7 commentary. [fall down…faces] – Proper response of a creature to its Creator. REV 7:12 saying: “Amen! Praise and [saying] – They respond to the cry of glory and wisdom and thanks and the redeemed (v. 10) with “Amen” and honor and power and strength be to sing praise and glory to God for His our God for ever and ever. Amen!” great salvation to man. Compare this doxology with REV 5:12-13. REV 7:13 Then one of the elders [asked me] – One of the elders, asked me, “These in white robes– anticipating the question which John who are they, and where did they is about to ask, poses a question to come from?” him. REV 7:14 I answered, “Sir, you [washed… made them white] – Both know.” And he said, “These are they verbs indicate a “once-for-all” who have come out of the great action which took place in the past. tribulation; they have washed their (See HEB 9:24; 1JN 1:7-9; ISA 64:6 robes and made them white in the and ISA 1:18).

blood of the Lamb. REV 7:15 Therefore, “they are [serve Him] – All those whose sins before the throne of God and serve have been washed in the Blood of the him day and night in his temple; Lamb will perform worshipful service and he who sits on the throne will to God forever. spread his tent over them. [day and night] – Heaven has no night so the idea is from man’s perspective to indicate for ever and ever. [spread His tent] – God’s presence will ever be with His saints as though He lived in the same tent with them at all times, as though He spread His presence over them like a tent. REV 7:16 Never again will they [hunger…thirst…scorching] – These hunger; never again will they were part of the Tribulation trials thirst. The sun will not beat upon that they faced, but like us, they them, nor any scorching heat. also hungered and thirsted for righteousness (MAT 5:6). REV 7:17 For the Lamb at the [Lamb…shepherd] – An intriguing center of the throne will be their idea that a lamb would become a shepherd; he will lead them to shepherd. springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from [lead them] – Jesus, our Shepherd, is their eyes.” currently leading all of His lambs through this life, on a journey that will ultimately arrive in Heaven at the River of the Water of Life (REV 22:1). [wipe away every tear] – Like a mother who wipes away her child’s tears so they will smile and laugh again. All of our sorrows of this life on earth will be wiped away and a permanent smile with laughter will appear.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 8

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 8:1 When he opened the seventh [He opened] – It is opened by the seal, there was silence in heaven only one worthy to open the seals for about half an hour. –the Lamb of God (see REV 5:2-9). [silence] – The silence is a dramatic pause making even more impressive the judgment that is about to fall upon the earth. While thirty minutes is a relatively short time, it makes for a dramatic break considering the rather quick moving pace of the events of chapters 5-7. REV 8:2 And I saw the seven angels [stand before God] – The fact that who stand before God, and to them these angels stand before God would were given seven trumpets. indicate a place of prominence such as is given to the angel Gabriel (see LUK 1:19). [seven trumpets] – These were seven literal trumpets that were to be sounded to herald judgments of God. REV 8:3 Another angel, who had a [golden censer] – A gold pan filled golden censer, came and stood at with fire (like hot charcoal). the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers [incense] – Aromatic substance that of all the saints, on the golden gives off smoke and aroma when placed altar before the throne. on hot coals. [with the prayers] – Our prayers to God are mixed with incense and are offered to Him as a sweet fragrance. [golden altar] – This is the same altar that was mentioned in REV 6:9 in reference to the saints under the the altar. REV 8:4 The smoke of the incense, [prayers of the saints] – Could it together with the prayers of the be that our prayers, even in this age saints, went up before God from the are so precious to God that they are angel’s hand. placed in golden censers and carried by angels to be placed on the golden altar before God? REV 8:5 Then the angel took the [fire…hurled] – The censers that censer, filled it with fire from carried the prayers of the saints are the altar, and hurled it on the now used to carry God’s judgments to earth; and there came peals of the earth. Many of the prayers of thunder, rumblings, flashes of Christians has been for God’s lightning and an earthquake. righteous judgment on earth, He now answers these prayers. [there came…] – The thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and the earthquake are reminiscent of Sinai when God came to earth to visit with Moses, however, this time it is a visit of judgment (EXO 19:16-19). REV 8:6 Then the seven angels who [prepared to sound] – Most likely had the seven trumpets prepared to means that they raised their trumpets sound them. in readiness to sound. REV 8:7 The first angel sounded [hail…fire…blood] – This could be his trumpet, and there came hail a supernatural event of many gigantic and fire mixed with blood, and it thunderstorms, which have a mixture was hurled down upon the earth. A of hailstones of ice and bolts of third of the earth was burned up, a fire called lightning. The blood third of the trees were burned up, would be like the real blood that God and all the green grass was burned gave the Egyptians to drink in EXO 7. up. The world has shed the blood of men and women since the beginning and now would be getting a judgment of blood, but now mixed with fire! NOTE: The hail, fire, and blood may only be symbolic of destruction that is caused by limited nuclear warfare. [earth, trees, grass…burned] – This first trumpet was an obvious judgment against the vegetation of the earth. Man will suffer greatly due to the greatly reduced food supply, oxygen source, and the obvious psychological effects of such devastation. REV 8:8 The second angel sounded [like a huge mountain] – It is not a his trumpet, and something like a mountain, but like one, which could huge mountain, all ablaze, was indicate something as devastating as thrown into the sea. A third of the a meteorite or asteroid from space sea turned into blood, impacting into the ocean. This would kill a tremendous number of fish from the concussion undersea REV 8:9 a third of the living and of course the waves would disrupt creatures in the sea died, and a the surface of the seas for thousands third of the ships were destroyed. of miles causing ships to capsize and sink. Then along with this God turns one third of the waters into literal blood as a fit judgment for a blood- thirsty world (see EXO 7:20-21). REV 8:10 The third angel sounded [great star…Wormwood] – John sees his trumpet, and a great star, something ablaze like a “shooting blazing like a torch, fell from the star” strike the earth at various sky on a third of the rivers and on places polluting the fresh waters. the springs of water– Again, this could be a supernatural act of God using special poisonous REV 8:11 the name of the star is stars, but it also could be by men Wormwood. A third of the waters launching a germ warfare attack and turned bitter, and many people died using ICBMs as the carrier to the from the waters that had become major water sources.

bitter. REV 8:12 The fourth angel sounded [a third of the sun] – God simply his trumpet, and a third of the sun reduced the hours of sunlight by one- was struck, a third of the moon, third, so instead of sunlight from and a third of the stars, so that a 7am to 7pm it would be reduced to third of them turned dark. A third something like 9am to 5pm. He had of the day was without light, and no problem stopping the sun from also a third of the night. shining on the entire earth when our Lord died on the Cross (MAT 27:45). [a third of the moon] – Like the sun, the moon was prevented from shining for one-third of its normal time of illumination. The night was darker than before due to the reduced number of stars and the lack of the normal moonlight. [a third of the stars] – God just ordered them to cease from shining and one-third of them went out like a candle snuffed out. NOTE: The net result of this fourth judgment is to cause a collapse of the balance of nature. The seasons are thrown into chaos, many crops die because there is too much night and not enough day. Man thought he could ignore God and still grow all the food he desired. REV 8:13 As I watched, I heard an [eagle] – The same word for eagle can eagle that was flying in midair be translated “vulture” which in this call out in a loud voice: “Woe! context would symbolize impending Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the doom. It could be a clear warning to earth, because of the trumpet the inhabitants of the earth or only blasts about to be sounded by the serve as an announcement in heaven to other three angels!” those observing the unfolding of the Judgments of God.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 9

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 9:1 The fifth angel sounded [star] – Symbolic reference to an his trumpet, and I saw a star that angel since the star was given a key had fallen from the sky to the to open the Abyss. Most likely this earth. The star was given the key star is Satan. to the shaft of the Abyss. [fallen] – Term has been used of Satan falling or being hurled to the earth (see ISA 14:12-17, LUK 10:18) and includes other angels along with Satan in Rev 12:7-9. [key] – Jesus has the keys to Death and to Hell (REV 1:18) and it would fit that He also has the keys to the Abyss, the place where the wicked angels are detained. Satan does not have any control over any place, demon, or person unless Jesus gives him that power. [Abyss] – Means the “bottomless pit” and is a place in the “underworld” for certain wicked demons that is made up of “gloomy dungeons” (2PE 2:4). REV 9:2 When he opened the Abyss, [smoke] – Part of God’s torment on smoke rose from it like the smoke wicked men and angels is fire (MAT from a gigantic furnace. The sun 25:41 and LUK 16:24). The Abyss is and sky were darkened by the smoke not only a “holding place” (2PE 2:4) from the Abyss. but also a place of torment. The smoke is so intense that it literally blackens the sun and sky. REV 9:3 And out of the smoke [locusts] – Throughout the OT the locusts came down upon the earth locust was a symbol of destruction, and were given power like that of and here are being used as a judgment scorpions of the earth. from God on mankind. It is important to remember that these creatures are demon-possessed from the Abyss, much like the demon-possessed pigs in MAT 8:31. [power…scorpions] – The locusts have the power of the scorpions which is a wasp-like sting and the ability to secret a poison into their victim. REV 9:4 They were told not to harm [told not to harm grass] – This fact the grass of the earth or any plant reveals that they are real locusts or tree, but only those people who who normally would follow their did not have the seal of God on natural desire to eat grass and their foreheads. plants. God has to command them to go against their natural instinct and to harm unredeemed man instead. REV 9:5 They were not given power [not given power to kill] – God has to kill them, but only to torture sovereign control over Satan and the them for five months. And the agony demons and God alone determines just they suffered was like that of the how much power they will have. Demons sting of a scorpion when it strikes are “set” on destruction and God a man. merely uses them for His purpose. [torture] – God is not being cruel to the unbeliever, but the time has come to judge wickedness. [five months] – A limited duration judgment allowing men and women to turn from their wickedness and repent. It is also interesting to note that the life cycle of locusts is five months. These locusts were all created by Jesus when the Abyss was opened and thus would all reach five months of age at the same time. REV 9:6 During those days men will [seek death] – A reminder that it is seek death, but will not find it; Jesus who determines our moment of they will long to die, but death death and man cannot change that. will elude them. These people who are under the judgment of God try to commit suicide but Jesus prevents their deaths. REV 9:7 The locusts looked like [looked like horses] – Locusts have horses prepared for battle. On heads that are shaped like horses and their heads they wore something here they were made to resemble the like crowns of gold, and their protective armament of war and the faces resembled human faces. eagerness to go into battle and inflict damage to their foes. [like crowns of gold] – They were not crowns but looked something like them which may symbolize their already determined victory over mankind. [resembled human faces] – These were not the passive expressions of an insect but rather the highly intel- ligent cunning and cruelty of demonic beings. REV 9:8 Their hair was like [women’s hair] – The Bible makes a women’s hair, and their teeth were distinction that women’s hair is like lions’ teeth. longer in length than men’s. These locusts appear to have long hair which could be longer than normal antennae for some added capability. This feature is extremely difficult to define as to meaning. [lions’ teeth] – This feature would emphasize the fierceness of the locusts. REV 9:9 They had breastplates like [breastplates of iron] – The scaly breastplates of iron, and the sound backs and flanks of the locusts of their wings was like the resembled coats of armor made of iron thundering of many horses and which may stand for the hopelessness chariots rushing into battle. of any effort trying to destroy these messengers of judgment. REV 9:10 They had tails and stings [tails] – These locusts are designed like scorpions, and in their tails to carry out God’s judgment by the they had power to torment people unusual Scorpion tail with stinger.

for five months. REV 9:11 They had as king over [angel of the Abyss] – This army has them the angel of the Abyss, whose a leader whose task is to lead them name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in to torment the unbelievers. The evil Greek, Apollyon. angels have rank and structure as indicated in EPH 6:12 and the locusts have one known as the “Destroyer.” [Abaddon] – Hebrew word meaning “destruction” or “ruin” and more often “the place of ruin” in Sheol, or “death,” or “the grave.” [Apollyon] – Greek word meaning “exterminator” or “destroyer.”

REV 9:12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come. REV 9:13 The sixth angel sounded [voice…from the horns] – Means from his trumpet, and I heard a voice the center of the altar table where coming from the horns of the golden the incense burned. It would be the altar that is before God. the voice of God. REV 9:14 It said to the sixth [four angels] – These are wicked angel who had the trumpet, “Release demons who have been “bound” at a the four angels who are bound at a particular place along the river the great river Euphrates.” Euphrates. They are held captive until this moment in history when they are released to accomplish their evil deeds. REV 9:15 And the four angels who [released to kill] – These demons had been kept ready for this very are demons of death, in that, when hour and day and month and year they are free to act, death occurs. were released to kill a third of mankind. [third of mankind] – The first kill- ing occurred in REV 6:8 where one- fourth of the earth’s population was destroyed. That would have been near 1.5 Billion people (assuming current world population). In 9:15 we now see one-third of the remaining 4.5 Billion or another 1.5 Billion people killed. REV 9:16 The number of the mounted [mounted troops] – Indicates that the troops was two hundred million. I demon’s weapon of death was a large heard their number. army that they (demons) have caused to attack other countries. [two hundred million] – Some estimate that at the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation there were not even 200,000,000 people on earth! For centuries man has doubted this verse that predicts a 200,000,000 man army. Yet in 1968 the Chinese boasted they could put on the battlefield the Red Guard Army of over 200,000,000 men and women. REV 9:17 The horses and riders I God presents to John a picture of the saw in my vision looked like this: 200,000,000 army and it is in terms Their breastplates were fiery red, that he would understand. It may in dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. fact be that these are not really The heads of the horses resembled horses, but rather modern weapons of the heads of lions, and out of war. For example, a tanklike vehicle their mouths came fire, smoke and with red, blue, and yellow markings. sulfur. The fire, smoke, and sulfur could be the actual discharge of the weapon. REV 9:18 A third of mankind was [out of their mouths] – From the killed by the three plagues of front of the vehicle.

fire, smoke and sulfur that came
out of their mouths. REV 9:19 The power of the horses [power…in…mouths, tails] – Again was in their mouths and in their I believe these are pictures of tails; for their tails were like modern weapons of war. These weapons snakes, having heads with which discharge their bullets, lasers, or they inflict injury. fire, etc., from both the front and the rear of the vehicle. REV 9:20 The rest of mankind that [rest…still did not repent] – God were not killed by these plagues is not only judging the sin of the still did not repent of the work of earth, but is also trying to bring their hands; they did not stop the sinner to repentance. Yet those worshiping demons, and idols of not killed would not repent.

gold, silver, bronze, stone and
wood–idols that cannot see or hear
or walk. REV 9:21 Nor did they repent of A very clear picture of the sins of their murders, their magic arts, the last days of the earth.

their sexual immorality or their
thefts.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 10

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 10:1 Then I saw another [another mighty angel] – This angel mighty angel coming down from is not one of the seven or the four, heaven. He was robed in a cloud, but like the other strong angel in with a rainbow above his head; his REV 5:2 and 18:21 or the other angel face was like the sun, and his legs in 14:6,15. The angel could be the were like fiery pillars. Archangel Michael, “the great prince” in DAN 12:1, or more likely the angel Gabriel as seen in a parallel passage DAN 12:7 and DAN 8:16. Angel cannot be the Christ, for angels are always angels in Revelation, as well as in the rest of the NT. [cloud…rainbow…sun] – A cloud surrounded his body and the glow from a face like the sun could cause a rainbow to appear in the moistness of the clouds. REV 10:2 He was holding a little [scroll…lay open] – Not like the scroll, which lay open in his hand. great scroll of chapter 5 which was He planted his right foot on the fastened with seven seals, this one sea and his left foot on the land, lies open in the hand of the angel. [on the sea…land] – The angel has one foot on the sea and the other on the land which most likely speaks of a coming judgment that will be on the entire earth, both land and sea. REV 10:6 includes reference to land, sea, and heaven in relation to the time having come for judgment. REV 10:3 and he gave a loud shout [shout like…lion] – Angel had a like the roar of a lion. When he voice with a deep resonance which shouted, the voices of the seven would demand the attention of those thunders spoke. who heard. [seven thunders] – Actual voices that sounded like thunder. In JOH 12:28-29 God the Father spoke as with thunder. REV 10:4 And when the seven [about to write] – Just started to thunders spoke, I was about to write what the seven thunders spoke. write; but I heard a voice from John was commanded in REV 1:11 to heaven say, “Seal up what the seven “write on a scroll what you see” and thunders have said and do not write most likely was keeping some sort of it down.” record of everything that had taken place thus far and was simply logging what the voices said. [do not write] – The seven thunders gave descriptions of more plagues for man and his earth, but God has not allowed us to know what kind of wrath is stored up in these plagues. REV 10:5 Then the angel I had seen [raised his right hand] – In the OT standing on the sea and on the land the lifting of the hand was a part of raised his right hand to heaven. oath-taking and here he raises his hand to heaven as part of a very solemn oath. REV 10:6 And he swore by him who [he swore] – When one makes an oath lives for ever and ever, who it is always necessary to swear by created the heavens and all that is someone greater than themselves, and in them, the earth and all that is this is further proof that the angel in it, and the sea and all that is is not Jesus because Christ would not in it, and said, “There will be no need to swear by anyone greater than more delay! Himself. [no more delay] – All throughout the history of man, God has delayed His complete judgment on sin. But the time has come for God to “stop the ticking of the clock” for the earth, the sea, and man himself will now receive God’s last phase of wrath– the seventh trumpet. REV 10:7 But in the days when the [mystery of God] – God’s divine pur- seventh angel is about to sound his pose in history for mankind. Jesus trumpet, the mystery of God will be is the “Mystery of God” in COL 2:2, accomplished, just as he announced and Israel’s final destiny is the to his servants the prophets.” “mystery” in ROM 11:25. When the seventh trumpet is sounded then God unfolds the last part of the mystery.

REV 10:8 Then the voice that I had
heard from heaven spoke to me once
more: “Go, take the scroll that
lies open in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on
the land.” REV 10:9 So I went to the angel [Take it and eat] – Similar to the and asked him to give me the little scroll given to Ezekiel in EZE 2:8- scroll. He said to me, “Take it and 3:3. It was a scroll of judgment eat it. It will turn your stomach but tasted as sweet as honey.

sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” REV 10:10 I took the little scroll [tasted sweet…stomach sour] – Here from the angel’s hand and ate it. the scroll is sweet because it is the It tasted as sweet as honey in my Word of God (PSA 119:103), but is mouth, but when I had eaten it, my also bitter because of the judgment stomach turned sour. and woes it contains. REV 10:11 Then I was told, “You [prophesy] – In EZE 2:8-3:3 we see must prophesy again about many that after Ezekiel ate the scroll peoples, nations, languages and with written words of lament and kings.” mourning and woe, he was to speak to the people of Israel who were very obstinate and hardened in their hearts. In this verse John speaks to everyone about the coming wrath, which would also include the offer of salvation from a loving and forgiving God.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 11

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 11:1 I was given a reed like [reed] – Near the Jordan were many a measuring rod and was told, “Go bamboo-like canes which were long and and measure the temple of God and rigid, sometimes as long as 15 or 20 the altar, and count the worshipers feet, ideal for a measuring rod. there. [Go and measure] – Gives clear evidence of a literal temple that is to be constructed before or during the Tribulation Period. God measured Jerusalem in Zechariah 2, the Temple in EZE 40, and the New Jerusalem in REV 21:15-17. REV 11:2 But exclude the outer [outer court] – The court which is court; do not measure it, because outside the temple would be the Court it has been given to the Gentiles. of the Gentiles. It would be an They will trample on the holy city uncovered yard outside of the temple. for 42 months. [do not measure it] – The new temple is still a place of false worship that the Jews have rebuilt to return to sacrificial worship, which is no longer acceptable to God because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. And the Jews still are excluding the Gentiles from access to what the Jews believe to be the truth. [Gentiles… they will trample] – The Bible always contrasts two peoples, The Jews and the Gentiles. The Gentiles include all those not born of Jewish heritage and most Gentiles are unbelievers. These unbelieving Gentiles will dominate and rule over Jerusalem. [42 months] – Equates to a three-and- one-half-year period or half of the seven-year period of the Tribulation. The chronology of events would place the 42 months as the second half of the Tribulation. REV 11:3 And I will give power to [I will give power] – God commissions my two witnesses, and they will two persons to speak in a very direct prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in way to the world. sackcloth.” [1260 days] – 42 Months or three-and- one half years (Bible uses 30 day months and 360 day years). [sackcloth] – Rough garb of the ancient prophets made of fabric from sacks and usually dark in color. This garb was especially suited to be worn as a mourning garment. REV 11:4 These are the two olive [olive trees] – Source of olive oil trees and the two lampstands that that is burned in lamps and used to stand before the Lord of the earth. represent the Word of God. In ZEC 4:3, 11, 14, we see the same picture used. The Spirit used the symbols of the trees and the lamps to represent two prophets He will cause to testify on the earth in the spirit and power of Moses and Elijah. REV 11:5 If anyone tries to harm [fire…from their mouths] – Not real them, fire comes from their mouths flames but rather the Word of God and devours their enemies. This is spoken in judgment that will cause how anyone who wants to harm them their would be assailants to be must die. killed. See JER 5:14 for a clear use of God’s Word as fire. REV 11:6 These men have power to [power to shut up sky] – They will shut up the sky so that it will not like Elijah be able to prevent rain rain during the time they are from falling to the earth (1KI 17:1). prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to [turn the waters into blood] – This strike the earth with every kind of is real blood given to a blood plague as often as they want. thirsty world. This same judgment is seen in EXO 7:19 when Moses turned the waters of Egypt into blood. [strike the earth…plague] – These two men have a message to speak and they will perform various miracles of judgment to try to get an unsaved world to believe, but because of the hardness of men’s heart, mankind will refuse God’s grace and simply receive His righteous judgments. REV 11:7 Now when they have [finished their testimony] – In 11:3 finished their testimony, the beast we learned that the period of their that comes up from the Abyss will testimony will be three-and-one-half attack them, and overpower and kill years. them. [beast] – The Abyss is the place for the very wicked demons and one of them, referred to as the beast, will inhabit a man, most likely the one who will assist the Antichrist (see REV 13:11). [attack…kill them] – God removed his protection from the two witnesses because His purposes had been ful- filled. REV 11:8 Their bodies will lie in [bodies will lie] – Literally they the street of the great city, which will be killed as they were speaking is figuratively called Sodom and God’s truth publicly and then left Egypt, where also their Lord was on the street. crucified. [great city] – Clearly it is the City of Jerusalem for it is where our sweet and lovely Savior died for our wickedness. By the time of the Tribulation Jerusalem has become very wicked, even earning the name Sodom and being likened to Egypt, a country of oppression and slavery. REV 11:9 For three and a half days [three and a half days] – Literal men from every people, tribe, time when the bodies were simply left language and nation will gaze on on the streets to decay because of their bodies and refuse them hatred of the two prophets by the burial. unbelieving world. [every…nation gaze] – Every people, tribe, language, and nation gaze or watch the bodies for three and a half days. This means the whole world can see the bodies, which could be easily accomplished by satellite TV. REV 11:10 The inhabitants of the [gloat…celebrate] – The world has a earth will gloat over them and will fiendish glee over the death of those celebrate by sending each other who preached words of judgment and gifts, because these two prophets performed such dreadful miracles. had tormented those who live on the earth. [sending each other gifts] – What a sick and wicked world that would kill God’s prophets and then give gifts to celebrate the occasion. REV 11:11 But after the three and [But] – God will now stop the sick a half days a breath of life from rejoicing of sinful man. God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those [breath of life entered them] – Jesus who saw them. does the same to the two witnesses as He did for Lazarus who was dead for about the same length of time, He brought them back to life, creating new flesh and organs to replace those already destroyed by three plus days of decay. [stood on their feet] – They did not simply start breathing again as they laid there, rather they had full strength, just like many who were healed in the the New Testament days. [terror struck…who saw] – While the wicked was rejoicing over the deaths of God’s anointed and opening their presents as they watch the corpses on International TV, suddenly the bodies began to move and then stand up! The wicked then knew these were God’s prophets and terror “set in” as they fearfully awaited Divine Judgment. REV 11:12 Then they heard a loud [Come up here] – Jesus commands them voice from heaven saying to them, to “Come up to Heaven” and their “Come up here.” And they went up to resurrected bodies simply “lifted” heaven in a cloud, while their off of the earth and most likely enemies looked on. ascended slowly to “capture” the moment. REV 11:13 At that very hour there [terrified and gave glory] – This is was a severe earthquake and a tenth not a turning from sin in faith to of the city collapsed. Seven God, but rather they are simply thousand people were killed in the compelled by overriding terror to earthquake, and the survivors were recognize that God is to be feared terrified and gave glory to the God and glorified.

of heaven. REV 11:14 The second woe has [second woe] – The sixth trumpet passed; the third woe is coming (9:12) with the two episodes attached soon. (10:1-11:13). [third woe] – The seventh trumpet which includes the seven bowls of God’s wrath (16:1). REV 11:15 The seventh angel [world has become kingdom] – With the sounded his trumpet, and there were third woe come the final judgments loud voices in heaven, which said: which open the way for the Glorious “The kingdom of the world has Kingdom of Christ.

become the kingdom of our Lord and
of his Christ, and he will reign
for ever and ever.”

REV 11:16 And the twenty-four See REV 4:4 and 4:9-11 elders, who were seated on their
thrones before God, fell on their
faces and worshiped God, REV 11:17 saying: “We give thanks [great power] – Points to the final to you, Lord God Almighty, the One conflict in which God overpowers all who is and who was, because you of His enemies.

have taken your great power and have begun to reign. REV 11:18 The nations were angry; [nation were angry] – They were and your wrath has come. The time defiant in their anger towards God. has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the [wrath has come] – God has been prophets and your saints and those storing up wrath for generations to who reverence your name, both small be poured out during the end times. and great–and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” [judging the dead] – This takes place at the Great White Throne in REV 20: 11-15. This is only for the wicked dead, because the redeemed have already been judged at the cross. [rewarding…saints] – REV 21:1-4, 22:3-5. REV 11:19 Then God’s temple in [temple in heaven] – The sanctuary heaven was opened, and within his of God in heaven. The temples built temple was seen the ark of his on earth by Moses and Solomon was in covenant. And there came flashes of likeness to the Sanctuary in Heaven lightning, rumblings, peals of to include the Ark. thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm. This last verse pictures the love and faithfulness of God as He reveals His Ark of His Covenant, the promises to His children. Likewise, the latter part of the verse shows the wrath being poured out on His enemies.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 12

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 12:1 A great and wondrous [heaven] – This is the sky rather sign appeared in heaven: a woman than the abode of God and the Angels. clothed with the sun, with the moon Evidence of this is the fact that in under her feet and a crown of 12:4 stars are flung from heaven to twelve stars on her head. the earth. [woman] – This is not Mary the earthly mother of Jesus but rather a woman used as a symbol to represent the nation Israel. In the OT the image of a woman is a classical symbol for Zion, Jerusalem, and Israel. [clothed with the sun] – Display of the glory and brilliance of her Lord that she wears as a garment of righteousness. Would have appeared with the dazzling brightness of light for a garment, meaning that her clothes would have been glowing with the intensity of sunlight. [moon under her feet] – Could speak of the permanence of Israel, see PSA 72:5; 89:37. In Song of Solomon the moon is added to bring more beauty to the scene (SON 6:10). [twelve stars] – May be an allusion to the twelve tribes of Israel. REV 12:2 She was pregnant and [pregnant…about to give birth] – cried out in pain as she was about The whole scene is to picture the to give birth. birth of the Messiah and the hidden events that had taken place. REV 12:3 Then another sign [enormous red dragon] – The dragon is appeared in heaven: an enormous red identified in REV 12:9 as Satan. The dragon with seven heads and ten description here makes it clear that horns and seven crowns on his it is not meant to be a real seven- heads. headed creature with ten horns, but rather to serve as a symbol used to more clearly communicate what God would have us understand about the role of the devil and his forces in relationship to Israel. [red] – The color red may indicate the murderous characteristics of Satan and his demons. [seven heads, ten horns, seven crowns] – These features are very similar to the descriptions found in REV 13:1 and DAN 7:7-8, 24. It is a clear reference to the Antichrist and the revived Roman Empire. The seven heads and ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation (the Antichrist) who reigns over the revived Roman Empire (United Europe?) REV 12:4 His tail swept a third of [tail swept] – This passage gives the stars out of the sky and flung insight of the great deceiving power them to the earth. The dragon stood of Satan in that he is shown to cause in front of the woman who was about one-third of the angels to “fall” to give birth, so that he might from Heaven and become demons serving devour her child the moment it was the father of lies. born. [devour her child] – The child of the nation Israel was Jesus, the Messiah, and Satan’s one aim was to devour or destroy the child. He tried through Herod to destroy the Baby Jesus, also by deception in attempts to tempt the Christ in the desert, and of course Satan’s greatest effort to destroy the child must certainly be the Crucifixion. REV 12:5 She gave birth to a son, [rule…iron scepter] – As a shepherd a male child, who will rule all the defends his flock against the wild nations with an iron scepter. And beasts of prey, so will Christ at His her child was snatched up to God return strike the nations which and to his throne. oppress and persecute His people (see also REV 2:27 and 19:15). [snatched up to God] – Satan’s evil plans were foiled by the successful completion of Christ’s ministry, which culminated in His death, resurrection, and ascension (see Philippians 2:5-11). REV 12:6 The woman fled into the [woman fled into the desert] – The desert to a place prepared for her woman is the nation Israel which at by God, where she might be taken this point in the Tribulation Period care of for 1,260 days. sought refuge in the desert area. It can be assumed that only those of Israel who have become Christians are included, for Satan has no reason to attack those already deceived. [1,260 days] – Equals three and one half years. Appears that for the first half of the Tribulation Israel lives in relative safety, but when the last half begins, Israel must literally “run for her life.” REV 12:7 And there was war in [war in heaven] – A real battle takes heaven. Michael and his angels place in the heavens, with Michael fought against the dragon, and the the Archangel and the Holy Angels dragon and his angels fought back. fighting Satan and the Demons. The actual battle did not take place in the bliss of the Third Heaven, but in the heavenly realms (EPH 6:12). The battle was in our atmosphere (1st Heaven) and possibly in outer space (2nd Heaven). God’s timetable is exact and Michael attacks Satan to remove Satan and the demons from any near access to God. REV 12:8 But he was not strong Satan is powerful, but not greater enough, and they lost their place than Michael nor the power that is in heaven. within us (1JO 4:4). [lost their place in heaven] – It is obvious that Satan and the demons fell into sin prior to the creation of mankind, however, the evil one still had a limited access to God as evident in the events surrounding Job’s life (JOB 1:6-8). God allowed this partial access to serve His overall purpose. REV 12:9 The great dragon was [hurled down] – It is the beginning hurled down–that ancient serpent of the end for the evil one and the called the devil, or Satan, who demons. Jesus saw this day coming leads the whole world astray. He when in Luke 10:18 He said, “I saw was hurled to the earth, and his Satan fall like lightning from angels with him. heaven!” Satan’s main habitat from this point on is the planet earth. [leads whole world astray] – We must remember that this world is under the direct influence of the wicked one and his demons. The unbeliever is blind and deceived by Satan, yet fully responsible for their sins. REV 12:10 Then I heard a loud [Now have come] – The casting of the voice in heaven say: “Now have come devil to the earth is part of the the salvation and the power and the last events that have to take place kingdom of our God, and the in order to return the earth and all authority of his Christ. For the creation to the peaceful rule of the accuser of our brothers, who Lord Jesus Christ. accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. [accuser] – For thousands of years of mankind’s existence on earth, the devil has been accusing us before God similar to the accusation that Job only loved God because of what God could do for him (Job 1:9-11). REV 12:11 They overcame him by the [They overcame him] – These are the blood of the Lamb and by the word accused of Satan. The devil tries of their testimony; they did not to deny God glory by pointing out the love their lives so much as to weaknesses of the flesh of God’s own. shrink from death. But because of the blood of the Lamb and their testimony they died rather than ever deny their Savior. Thus, Satan is again proved a liar. REV 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you [rejoice…heavens] – The evil one heavens and you who dwell in them! is grounded and must now carry out But woe to the earth and the sea, his wicked deeds from the earth and because the devil has gone down to and sea. The heavens rejoice, which you! He is filled with fury, would include the Holy Angels that because he knows that his time is transit the heavenlies as they carry short.” out the will of God. [knows that his time is short] – The devil understands history and the revealed plan of God and thus could see that “his days are numbered” (see MAT 8:29). [filled with fury] – Satan is very aware that he is beaten and all hopes of overthrowing the Trinity have faded, and thus he is extremely angry at God and His people. Since Satan cannot destroy God, he now turns his full wrath on the Apple of God’s Eye –Israel. REV 12:13 When the dragon saw that [pursued the woman] – Israel REV 12:1

he had been hurled to the earth, he
pursued the woman who had given
birth to the male child. REV 12:14 The woman was given the [woman was given] – Israel is unable two wings of a great eagle, so that to withstand the attack of Satan, so she might fly to the place prepared God comes to her aid. for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, [two wings of a great eagle] – A times and half a time, out of the symbol of the fact that God moved serpent’s reach. the remnant of Israel that loves Jesus to safety in the desert. The idea in the verse is that the people of Israel were literally flown to safety. It has been noted by some that the phrase “two wings of a great eagle” could refer to two Airlift Wings (60-80 Transport Aircraft) of the country represented by a Great Eagle–America. This would be a very plausible way of moving the numbers involved here. [time, times, half a time] – Means one plus two plus one half, thus three and one half, the same period as found in REV 12:6. REV 12:15 Then from his mouth the [spewed water like a river] – The serpent spewed water like a river, place of safety in the desert must to overtake the woman and sweep her be relatively close to a large body away with the torrent. of water of some type, for Satan tries to drown out God’s saved people by releasing millions of gallons of water trying to cause flash flooding. REV 12:16 But the earth helped the [earth…opening its mouth] – Jesus woman by opening its mouth and commands the earth to split open and swallowing the river that the swallow the “devil-made river” which dragon had spewed out of his mouth. protects Israel’s saved remnant. REV 12:17 Then the dragon was [dragon was enraged] – With each new enraged at the woman and went off defeat Satan becomes more enraged. to make war against the rest of her He now turns to attack all Christians offspring–those who obey God’s wherever he can find them.

commandments and hold to the
testimony of Jesus.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 13

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 13:1 And the dragon stood on [dragon] – REV 12:3, 9 identify the the shore of the sea. And I saw a dragon as Satan. In the last verse beast coming out of the sea. He had of Chapter 12 we saw Satan enraged ten horns and seven heads, with ten at Israel and going off to destroy crowns on his horns, and on each the rest of God’s people– the head a blasphemous name. remaining Jewish Christians and all the Gentile Believers. The devil now summons the rest of his “unholy trinity” to help him in his efforts to destroy God’s people. [beast] – This is the symbol used for the description of the coming Antichrist and his kingdom–the revived Roman Empire. [coming out of the sea] – Satan calls the Antichrist from the sea which has possible significance in that the sea of prominence to John would have been the Mediterranean, indicating that the Antichrist would come from that area. [ten horns, seven heads] – Beast has the same number of horns and heads as the Red Dragon (Satan) of REV 12:3 and similar to the descriptions found in DAN 7:7-8, 24. It is a another clear reference to the Antichrist and the revived Roman Empire. The seven heads are a symbol of the seven hills of the city of Rome (see REV 17:9) from which the Antichrist will most likely establish his throne during this time. The heads also are used to represent the kings of past and future of this world empire (REV 17:9) The ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of the old Roman Empire of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation (Antichrist) who reigns over the revived Roman Empire (United Europe?), see REV 17:12 [ten crowns on his horns] – Initially the Antichrist will come to power over the ten nations of the old empire and this seems to be somewhat of a peaceful takeover, but later he overthrows three nations and becomes a dictator in total control (see DAN 7:7-8 and REV 17:12-13). [blasphemous name] – Shows the nature of the Antichrist and his kingdom as being directly opposed to God by assuming titles of deity much like the former kings, such as, Augustus who allowed his eastern subjects to pay him divine honors and Nero who was referred to as the Savior of the World. REV 13:2 The beast I saw resembled [leopard, bear, lion] – Daniel 7 a leopard, but had feet like those shows that the successive world of a bear and a mouth like that of empires are described as the lion, a lion. The dragon gave the beast referring to Babylon, the bear, his power and his throne and great referring to Medo-Persia, and the authority. leopard, referring to the Greek Empire. The fourth empire is a combination of the previous three and is the Roman Empire which we see revived as the kingdom of the Antichrist. [dragon gave…power] – It is clear that Satan is the driving force behind the Antichrist and the World System. But we must always bear in mind that Satan is on a leash which Jesus holds in His hand. The devil can only have as much power as the Lord will allow for His purposes. REV 13:3 One of the heads of the [fatal wound…healed] – In keeping beast seemed to have had a fatal with the idea that the heads are wound, but the fatal wound had been kings of the Roman Empire (REV 17:9) healed. The whole world was it could be that the Antichrist is astonished and followed the beast. killed but raised to life by Satan in order to deceive the world by trying to “upstage” the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. [world astonished] – Truly if some world leader would be killed and then somehow raised to life by some great power, then the entire world would follow after him because it would be their desire to have that power to help satisfy their needs. One must remember that the world does not want the true power of God because of the cost involved–the turning from sin and the yielding of one’s life to the true Savior. REV 13:4 Men worshiped the dragon [worshiped the dragon] – This has because he had given authority to always been the goal of Satan to take the beast, and they also worshiped glory from God so that he may receive the beast and asked, “Who is like worship. Satan lost his position as the beast? Who can make war against the greatest of all angels because of him?” his desire to usurp God (see ISA 14:13-14). In Matthew 4:9 we see the wicked one trying to get Jesus to bow down and worship him. [who is like the beast?] – The world is greatly deceived at this point believing that the Antichrist and the revived Roman Empire are the solution to all the world’s problems. They think there is no other force that can overthrow this great power. But they do not realize that the problem with the world is sin and the mighty Savior Jesus Christ will come and destroy the entire evil world system. REV 13:5 The beast was given a [beast given a mouth] – The spokesman mouth to utter proud words and for the World Government is the blasphemies and to exercise his Antichrist and he is given what to authority for forty-two months. say by Satan the Father of Lies. For three and a half years (42 months) he boasts of his power and glory. REV 13:6 He opened his mouth to [blaspheme…slander] – The words of blaspheme God, and to slander his the Antichrist are directed towards name and his dwelling place and God and His Kingdom. He hates all those who live in heaven. that is good and pure. REV 13:7 He was given power to [he was given power] – Just as God make war against the saints and to gave Satan the power to harm Job in conquer them. And he was given order to show to all that Job’s authority over every tribe, people, love was not based on greed, so here language and nation. the saints will be given a chance to testify by their deaths of their devotion and love for Christ. REV 13:8 All inhabitants of the [All inhabitants…worship beast] – earth will worship the beast–all Every unbeliever worships the beast whose names have not been written who is the Antichrist. But all the in the book of life belonging to people who were elected for salvation the Lamb that was slain from the before the earth was formed refuse creation of the world. to worship the beast. No longer are there the non-religious and the religious in the world, for the one world government demands worship as a deity. [book of life] – A book that has all the names of those who were elected by the sovereign choice of God for salvation before the earth began. [slain from the creation] – Jesus was slain at the same time the Christians were elected. Before there was an earth or any man created God saw that all men and women He would create in the future, would reject Him, so in love He planned for His own death, in order, that He could save a remnant for His glory. And what God plans to do can be considered accomplished because no power can stop Him. REV 13:9 He who has an ear, let God now exhorts all readers to give him hear. these verses their special attention. They must listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to them. REV 13:10 If anyone is to go into God is calling the Christian to captivity, into captivity he will display faith and patience in the go. If anyone is to be killed with face of divinely permitted pre- the sword, with the sword he will dominance of evil. The faithful in be killed. This calls for patient Christ are assured that their endurance and faithfulness on the captivity and martyrdom are in part of the saints. Christ’s will. Some believers will be put into prison because of their faith while others will be killed for their allegiance to Christ. REV 13:11 Then I saw another [another beast] – Just as the true beast, coming out of the earth. He Messiah had a forerunner who pointed had two horns like a lamb, but he others to Him, so also the Antichrist spoke like a dragon. will have his own prophet, but one that is a deceiver. [out of the earth] – In contrast to coming out of the sea, the second beast’s origin is not important, out of the earth (mass of humanity) versus the possible significance of coming from a particular area (see REV 13:1). [two horns like a lamb] – The beast has an innocent and harmless appear- ance. It has two little horns like a small pet lamb that appears very harmless. [he spoke like a dragon] – This false prophet appears harmless and gentle but when he speaks he is as dreadful as a dragon. In fact, he speaks like his father the dragon himself–the devil. REV 13:12 He exercised all the [authority of the first beast] – He authority of the first beast on his carries out the desires of the first behalf, and made the earth and its beast (Antichrist) and speaks in his inhabitants worship the first name, much like the prophets of God beast, whose fatal wound had been spoke with His authority. healed. [made…worship] – His task was to make the world system (earth) and all the earth’s people (inhabitants) to worship the Antichrist. Satan is trying to mimic John the Baptist who was to get the people to turn and to worship the true Lamb of God — Jesus Christ. [fatal wound…healed] – See REV 13:3 REV 13:13 And he performed great [he performed…miraculous] – Satan and miraculous signs, even causing has his prophets perform deceiving fire to come down from heaven to miracles throughout the history of earth in full view of men. mankind (DEU 13:1-5; MAT 7:22; 24:24; MAR 13:22, 2TH 2:9). [fire from heaven] – The priests of Baal could not bring fire down from heaven because God was showing the world that there was only one true God–The God of Elijah. Yet here we see Satan given the power to cause real fire to come out of heaven. God has promised that the wicked will, “perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” (2TH 2:10-12). REV 13:14 Because of the signs he [the signs…deceived] – Satan was given power to do on behalf of deceives the unbelieving world by the first beast, he deceived the making them think his miracles were inhabitants of the earth. He by the power of the devil, when in ordered them to set up an image in fact it was by the power of God, in honor of the beast who was wounded order to keep the unbeliever deceived by the sword and yet lived. because they first refused to love the truth about Jesus (2TH 2:10-12). [set up an image] – God has declared that man will not set up an image or worship idols, yet Satan continues to defy God. The false prophet uses the fact of the resurrection of the first beast (Antichrist) to be a cause of worship and adoration. REV 13:15 He was given power to [given power] – From Satan to the give breath to the image of the false prophet but ultimately from God first beast, so that it could speak to continue the earned delusion (2TH and cause all who refused to 2:10-12). worship the image to be killed. [give breath] – Either the statue of the Antichrist “comes alive” (which seems unlikely) or through some more deception he makes the idol appear to be alive and speak. The technology does in fact exist today for such a feat (i.e. Disneyworld’s Hall of the Presidents). [refused to worship] – The statue commands that anyone who refuses to worship it will be killed. It appears to be very convincing, most likely, after the first few folks “laughed it off” and were killed the rest took it serious. REV 13:16 He also forced everyone, [forced everyone] – No person was small and great, rich and poor, allowed to be free, for all must show free and slave, to receive a mark allegiance to the Antichrist and his on his right hand or on his government by receiving the “mark.” forehead, [mark..hand or forehead] – The evil one cleverly finds a way to show allegiance–“The Mark.” It could be visible or invisible to the naked eye, but would be effective in determining who the Christians were. REV 13:17 so that no one could buy [buy or sell] – All commerce would or sell unless he had the mark, depend solely on whether you had the which is the name of the beast or mark or not. Imagine our materialis- the number of his name. tic society saying no to the mark and thereby being unable to buy food or any of their “wants.” REV 13:18 This calls for wisdom. [wisdom…insight] – This verse seems If anyone has insight, let him to indicate that the reader could in calculate the number of the beast, fact identify who the Antichrist is for it is man’s number. His number by a proper understanding of the is 666. number 666. However, no one since the writing of this book has been able to discover the meaning of the number. Some scholars note that in both the Hebrew and the Greek language the letters also have numerical equivalents, therefore they surmise that the Antichrist’s name will add up to the number 666. Since different names can equal the same total of 666 it would be next to impossible to know his real name until he is revealed. In 2TH 2:3-7 we learn that the man of lawlessness will not be revealed until the Holy Spirit’s special presence on earth (the Church) is removed by the event called the rapture. Therefore, one would waste their time trying to determine who the Antichrist is. God’s Word will again be proved true when the revealed Antichrist’s name adds up to the sum “666.”

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 14

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 14:1 Then I looked, and there [I looked] – In bold contrast John before me was the Lamb, standing on sees the gentle and pure Lamb rather Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 than the ugly and evil dragon and who had his name and his Father’s beasts of chapter 13. name written on their foreheads. [the Lamb] – The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. [standing on Mount Zion] – We saw in REV 13:1 that Satan was standing on on the shifting sands of the seashore but here the King of the Universe is standing on Mount Zion! [Mount Zion] – A sacred place known for its divine deliverance (see JOEL 2:32). [144,000] – These are the same group of Jewish born believers found in REV 7. They were evangelists that were ordained by God to carry the message of Salvation throughout the Tribulation Period. [written on their foreheads] – The followers of the Antichrist have a “mark” on their forehead or right hand (REV 13:16). But the followers of the Pure and True God have the name of the Lamb and of the Father on their foreheads to display the fact that the 144,000 belong to both the Father and the Son. All believers will have inscribed on them the Name of the Father and the New Name of Christ according to REV 3:12. Just like a woman takes the name of her husband as part of her name so we will take the name of our God as a permanent part of our new identity. REV 14:2 And I heard a sound from [sound from heaven] – John’s point of heaven like the roar of rushing reference seems to be the earth with waters and like a loud peal of the 144,000 standing on Mount Zion. thunder. The sound I heard was like The sound from heaven is very loud that of harpists playing their and sounded like harps playing. The harps. harpists could be angels or fellow saints in heaven. REV 14:3 And they sang a new song [they sang] – The 144,000 Jewish before the throne and before the Evangelists standing on Mount Zion. four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song [new song] – There are numerous OT except the 144,000 who had been references to the redeemed singing redeemed from the earth. a new song (PSA 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9; 149:1; ISA 42:10). The new song is like the new name (REV 2:17) that is known only to its hearer. The unbeliever with the old nature of sin cannot learn the new song because it is a song of redemption and deliverance. [learn the song] – The only persons could learn the song are those who have been redeemed from the earth. In this verse the 144,000 are in view and contrasted with the unsaved of the earth. REV 14:4 These are those who did [These] – The 144,000 not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They [not defile themselves with women] – follow the Lamb wherever he goes. This is not to mean that they were They were purchased from among men not married, for marriage does not and offered as firstfruits to God defile anyone. These 144,000 men and the Lamb. led pure lives and did not yield to the seductions of the world. In our age, sexual immorality is rampant, but in the Tribulation Period it will be much worse (REV 9:21). [firstfruits] – After the Rapture there were only Unbelievers on the earth. Then God called 144,000 Jews and gave them the faith to believe. These were the firstfruits in that they were the first of the many that would be converted during these last seven years before the Millennium. REV 14:5 No lie was found in their [No lie] – Someone has said, “after mouths; they are blameless. purity truthfulness is the most distinctive mark of the followers of Christ.” REV 14:6 Then I saw another angel [another angel] – In addition to the flying in midair, and he had the angels already seen (REV 8:2; 8:3; eternal gospel to proclaim to those 10:1). who live on the earth–to every nation, tribe, language and people. [flying in midair] – Like the eagle in REV 8:13 it flies in mid-air to be seen and heard by all who dwell on the earth. No one on the earth will have an excuse for not hearing the gospel message since God has an angel broadcasting it from the heavens. [eternal gospel] – It has never changed throughout time, for the Gospel has called mankind to fear, honor, and worship the Creator. The NT Gospel showed that the only way it was possible to fear God and to honor and worship Him was through the free gift of faith, along with true repentance, and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ — the Sweet God of the Universe. REV 14:7 He said in a loud voice, [He said in a loud voice] – The angel “Fear God and give him glory, is flying in the sky and cannot be because the hour of his judgment stopped by the evil forces of the has come. Worship him who made the world because God is showing mercy heavens, the earth, the sea and the and grace by offering, the rebellious springs of water.” of the earth, an opportunity to make peace with God, rather than receive the full force of His judgments. [Worship Him who made] – COL 1:16 “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.” The Him of course is the Lord Jesus Christ. REV 14:8 A second angel followed [followed] – The second angel and said, “Fallen! Fallen is followed the first and thus likewise Babylon the Great, which made all flew in midair. the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” [Fallen is Babylon] – The idea is that Babylon’s fall is still future but it is so certain to happen that the angel can announce it as fallen, because no power can stop the fall of Babylon. Babylon is the name for the world system that at this time is headed by the city of Rome (See 1PE 5:13). The ancient city of Babylon was the religious and political capital of of a world empire, renowned for its luxury and moral corruption. Above all it was the great enemy of the people of God. For the early church the city of Rome was a contemporary Babylon. [adulteries] – Primarily speaking of the influence that Rome and the world system has had on making mankind be “unfaithful” to the true God. The last world empire was the Roman Empire and even though it fell, it has left a tremendous influence on world that earned it the title of Babylon the Great. REV 14:9 A third angel followed [If anyone worships] – Can you them and said in a loud voice: “If imagine being on earth and seeing all anyone worships the beast and his these mighty angels flying in midair image and receives his mark on the giving warnings of coming judgments? forehead or on the hand, The majority of mankind will not respond to the message of the angels. REV 14:10 he, too, will drink of [be tormented] – This is a direct the wine of God’s fury, which has reference to the Lake of Fire, also been poured full strength into the known as the Lake of Burning Sulfur cup of his wrath. He will be (REV 20:10-15). God is very clear tormented with burning sulfur in about the fact that those who fail the presence of the holy angels and to receive His Grace will receive of the Lamb. His Wrath. The torments are real and forever. [in the presence] – The King over Hell (Lake of Fire) is the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan is only one of the prisoners there. Jesus and His angels can and will observe the torments being levied there. REV 14:11 And the smoke of their [for ever and ever] – To understand torment rises for ever and ever. what eternity is, then think of the There is no rest day or night for fact, that when a person has been in those who worship the beast and his Hell suffering torment and agony image, or for anyone who receives (LUK 16:24) for 10,000 years, that at the mark of his name.” the end of the 10,000 years he has just as much eternity left as he had when he started. There is never any parole boards for those in Hell. REV 14:12 This calls for patient [patient endurance] – The pressure to endurance on the part of the saints take the mark of the beast will be who obey God’s commandments and great, for no one can buy or sell nor remain faithful to Jesus. secure a job without the mark. To be a Christian will be extremely costly for the individual and his family. But Our Lord Jesus will empower His believers during that time with a special grace, much like the dying grace given to Stephen during his stoning (ACT 7:55). REV 14:13 Then I heard a voice [who die…from now on] – These are from heaven say, “Write: Blessed the Tribulation Martyrs that will be are the dead who die in the Lord killed for their love of Jesus and from now on.” “Yes,” says the their refusal to receive the mark and Spirit, “they will rest from their to worship the beast. labor, for their deeds will follow them.” [deeds will follow] – Their testimony will not be forgotten, but will be rewarded in heaven by their Savior Jesus Christ. REV 14:14 I looked, and there [like a son of man] – This is the before me was a white cloud, and Exalted Lord Jesus Christ whom Daniel seated on the cloud was one “like a had prophesied, “coming with the son of man” with a crown of gold on clouds of heaven” (DAN 7:13). Jesus his head and a sharp sickle in his used the term “Son of Man” of Himself hand. in MAT 8:20. [crown of gold] – The golden crown or wreath given to a victor and this designates Jesus Christ as the One who has conquered and thereby won the right to act in judgment. REV 14:15 Then another angel came [another angel] – Not in reference to out of the temple and called in a “one like a son of man,” but rather loud voice to him who was sitting to the continuing series of angelic on the cloud, “Take your sickle and beings carrying out the will of God. reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth [out of the temple] – A reference to is ripe.” the immediate presence of God the Father. [Take your sickle] – This angel came directly from the presence of God the Father with a message for the Savior to begin to reap the harvest of the earth, for sin has run its full course. There is no problem with an angel giving a message to Jesus, for it is a command direct from God the Father. REV 14:16 So he who was seated on [earth was harvested] – Most likely the cloud swung his sickle over the Jesus harvested the remaining Saints earth, and the earth was harvested. from the earth (the wheat). REV 14:17 Another angel came out [another angel] – An angel of wrath of the temple in heaven, and he too whom God has called for this moment. had a sharp sickle. He too will do some harvesting, but will bring in the tares. REV 14:18 Still another angel, who [charge of the fire] – His special had charge of the fire, came from task as assigned by the Lord. Could the altar and called in a loud fires of judgment from heaven to voice to him who had the sharp earth or the fires of Hell. sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from [grapes from the earth’s vine] – The the earth’s vine, because its context of the next verses infer that grapes are ripe.” this is a harvest of the wicked. The time is most likely the judgment of the nations outside the city of Jerusalem.

REV 14:19 The angel swung his
sickle on the earth, gathered its
grapes and threw them into the
great winepress of God’s wrath. REV 14:20 They were trampled in [blood flowed…1,600 stadia] – The the winepress outside the city, and distance would approximate 200 miles. blood flowed out of the press, The literal meaning would be a divine rising as high as the horses’ bloodbath of judgment. God crushes bridles for a distance of 1,600 the wicked so that their blood would stadia. be up to the bridles of the horses and would extend for 200 miles. This would be a real lake of human blood. Some people do not believe that this is literal, but God has spoken very specifically here and has the power to bring the necessary numbers in the area for a judgment that would crush their bodies to ensure a lake of blood.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 15

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 15:1 I saw in heaven another [another great…sign] – Since the great and marvelous sign: seven first chapter John has observed one angels with the seven last plagues- amazing revelation after another. -last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. [seven last plagues] – The anger of God has been pent up until now, when it is about to burst forth. These plagues are the last warning God will give to man. Mankind cannot say that God failed to communicate His anger over their sinful ways. [wrath is completed] – These plagues usher in the final phase of God’s judgment of mankind on earth. REV 15:2 And I saw what looked [sea of glass] – Same glass that was like a sea of glass mixed with fire seen by Moses in Exodus 24:10, “..and and, standing beside the sea, those saw the God of Israel. Under His feet who had been victorious over the was something like a pavement made of beast and his image and over the sapphire, clear as the sky itself.” number of his name. They held harps This sea is before the throne of God given them by God (REV 4:6) and simply speaks of His great glory and majesty. [mixed with fire] – Adds to the awe of our Mighty God, speaking of divine judgment proceeding from His precious holiness. [those…victorious] – The martyred dead that have been destroyed by the beast and his followers. They would not worship the beast or receive his mark. [held harps] – These instruments were seen in the hands of the elders in REV 5:8 and the 144,000 in 14:2. Harps are an instrument that pleases God and can be expected to be played all through eternity in praise and honor of His name. REV 15:3 and sang the song of [song of Moses…Lamb] – The Song of Moses the servant of God and the of Moses has been identified in the song of the Lamb: “Great and following two sections of the Bible marvelous are your deeds, Lord God EXO 15:1-8 and DEU 31:30-32:47. But Almighty. Just and true are your here a new song is listed, and titled ways, King of the ages. (REV 15:3-4) the Song of Moses and of the Lamb. This song is a song of praise to God for His great and marvelous acts. The song does not rejoice in the judgment of God upon His enemies but the righteousness of His great redemptive acts.

REV 15:4 Who will not fear you, O
Lord, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy. All nations
will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been
revealed.” REV 15:5 After this I looked and [the temple] – The tabernacle of in heaven the temple, that is, the Testimony. In the OT it was called tabernacle of the Testimony, was the “tent of the testimony” and opened. contained the ark with the stone tablets from Sinai (NUM 17:7; 18:2; EXO 32:15; DEU 10:5). It was the place where God met with man. This earthly tent was modeled after a heavenly tabernacle where God dwelled. In this verse, it represents the very presence of God. REV 15:6 Out of the temple came [Out…came] – Out of the presence of the seven angels with the seven God came the seven angels. These are plagues. They were dressed in same angels mentioned in 15:1. clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. [shining linen] – Like the garments of the saints, they represent the righteousness and holiness of the wearer. Their robes also denote the nobleness and sacredness of their position. [golden sashes] – These angels are servants of the God of the Universe and one would expect that they would be adorned with precious garments. The sash was used in both the OT and NT times to hold up the long flowing robes. REV 15:7 Then one of the four [living creatures] – Guardians of the living creatures gave to the seven Throne of God seen in (4:6; 5:6; 6:1; angels seven golden bowls filled 7:11; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4) and they act with the wrath of God, who lives as intermediaries between God and for ever and ever. these avenging angels. [bowls] – In REV 5:8 there were golden bowls filled with incense which represented the prayers of the saints. God now answers these prayer requests, for judgment upon sin and “His Kingdom Come” by filling golden bowls full of His wrath. [wrath of God] – Our God is a Holy and righteous God who must by His nature punish sin and all who fail to give Him the glory that He deserves. Man can never “pay back” to God for the wrong they have done towards Him. Torment and agony for ever and ever is what God has decided will satisfy and yet even that never will pay the price. The wicked with their free wills have willfully chosen to disobey God and have refused His grace in order to remain in their sin. The writer of Hebrews said of God’s wrath, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (HEB 10:31). REV 15:8 And the temple was filled [filled with smoke] – Symbolizes the with smoke from the glory of God power and glory of God (EXO 19:18; and from his power, and no one 40:34; ISA 6:4). The smoke here could enter the temple until the reveals the presence of God and that seven plagues of the seven angels He is glorifying Himself by judging were completed. sin and a wicked world with the seven last plagues. [no one could enter] – The glory of God was so dense and no one could stop His final judgments for the time for intercession is past.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 16

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 16:1 Then I heard a loud voice [the temple] – The tabernacle of from the temple saying to the seven Testimony. In the OT it was called angels, “Go, pour out the seven the “tent of the testimony” and bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” contained the ark with the stone tablets from Sinai (NUM 17:7; 18:2; EXO 32:15; DEU 10:5). It was the place where God met with man. This earthly temple was modeled after a heavenly tabernacle where God dwelled. In this verse, it represents the very presence of God in Heaven. [seven angels] – In REV 15:1 these seven angels were identified as the seven angels with the seven last plagues. They bring God’s final phase of judgment to a close. [bowls] – In REV 5:8 there were golden bowls filled with incense which represented the prayers of the saints. God now answers these prayer requests, for judgment upon sin and “His Kingdom Come” by filling golden bowls full of His wrath. REV 16:2 The first angel went and [poured on the land] – The Apostle poured out his bowl on the land, John sees the first angel tip his and ugly and painful sores broke bowl and pour its contents on the out on the people who had the mark land (vice the sea REV 16:3). of the beast and worshiped his image. [sores] – This is a very similar plague to the one God caused to fall upon the Egyptians in EXO 9:9-11, where festering boils broke out. The Christians alive at this point in the Tribulation Period are exempt from being “marked” by the boils because they refused the mark of the beast (see REV 13:16). It is interesting to note that many countries presently have canisters and missiles loaded with Chemical Agents which will cause painful blisters to appear on mankind. They are intended for use on the enemy in a time of war. God may actually use man’s chemical weapons to effect His purposes. REV 16:3 The second angel poured [on the sea] – This judgment is upon out his bowl on the sea, and it the waters of the sea. turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in [blood like…a dead man] – This is the sea died. not like the bright red blood that appears from a fresh cut on the skin, rather, it is the coagulated and rotting blood of a dead man. [every living thing…died] – Because of the blood all the creatures of the sea died. REV 16:4 The third angel poured [rivers, springs…became blood] – out his bowl on the rivers and After a span of time, God then caused springs of water, and they became the rest of the earth’s waters to be blood. turned to blood. When only the seas were blood man still had drinking water, but now all water was turned into the rotting blood of a dead man. REV 16:5 Then I heard the angel in [angel in charge of the waters] – charge of the waters say: “You are Appears that certain angels are given just in these judgments, you who particular assignments. In REV 7:1 are and who were, the Holy One, we saw angels in charge of the winds, because you have so judged; in 14:18 we saw an angel in charge of the fire, and of course the angel Michael given the charge over Israel (DAN 12:1). REV 16:6 for they have shed the [blood to drink] – God has issued a blood of your saints and prophets, a punishment tailored to fit the and you have given them blood to crime, for the wicked had poured out drink as they deserve.” the blood of the saints and now receive blood to drink. Since they liked blood they now can drink it in lieu of water. REV 16:7 And I heard the altar [the altar respond] – Most likely the respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, voices are the saints under the altar true and just are your judgments.” as seen in REV 6:9-10, for the blood judgments would be a direct answer to their “cries” of REV 6:10. [just] – No one can fault God for His judgments being too harsh when seen in the light that He offered Grace and Mercy to them first, but they refused to repent, believe, and submit to Jesus Christ. REV 16:8 The fourth angel poured [scorch people] – Fire is commonly out his bowl on the sun, and the connected with judgment in Scripture sun was given power to scorch (DEU 28:22; 1CO 3:13; 2PE 3:7). Here people with fire. the sun’s power is greatly increased to the point where people on the earth a burn as with a fire. REV 16:9 They were seared by the [cursed…refused to repent] – The intense heat and they cursed the people on the earth are aware of the name of God, who had control over source of the judgments, yet they these plagues, but they refused to willfully chose to curse God rather repent and glorify him. than cry out for forgiveness. REV 16:10 The fifth angel poured [plunged into darkness] – Just like out his bowl on the throne of the the ninth Egyptian plague (EXO 10:21- beast, and his kingdom was plunged 29), it was a darkness that could be into darkness. Men gnawed their felt and no one could see anyone else tongues in agony nor be able to leave their place. I would imagine that not only did God cause the Sun to go black, but like- wise all batteries and lighting would also fail, in order to make God’s judgment complete. REV 16:11 and cursed the God of [pains and sores] – The suffering heaven because of their pains and from the previous judgments are their sores, but they refused to cumulative and make the curse of the repent of what they had done. searing heat and darkness all the more severe. [refuse to repent] – They will not repent of their sins and therefore will face the full force of the wrath of God for an eternity. REV 16:12 The sixth angel poured [water dried up] – Similar to the out his bowl on the great river time when God dried up the Red Sea Euphrates, and its water was dried to save the Jews from Pharaoh (EXO up to prepare the way for the kings 14:21) and the drying of the Jordan from the East. (during flood stage) in JOS 3:14-17). Here, the Euphrates is dried up to allow a devastating army cross over into Israel. [kings from the East] – This is the same 200 million man army of REV 9:16. Many of the judgments actually occur simultaneously even though they are revealed separately. REV 16:13 Then I saw three evil [looked like frogs] – Interesting to spirits that looked like frogs; note that Satan is said to look like they came out of the mouth of the a snake, these evil spirits like dragon, out of the mouth of the frogs, but the Holy Spirit looks like beast and out of the mouth of the a dove. false prophet. [out of the mouth] – These three evil spirits come from the unholy trinity, namely, Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. REV 16:14 They are spirits of [gather them] – They go to the kings demons performing miraculous signs, and cause them to desire to go to war and they go out to the kings of the by working in their hearts. They whole world, to gather them for the bring them together for that last battle on the great day of God battle fought by mankind.

Almighty. REV 16:15 “Behold, I come like a Jesus interrupts the description of thief! Blessed is he who stays the end time events, to remind all awake and keeps his clothes with peoples the need to stay awake, by him, so that he may not go naked continuing in the faith and being and be shamefully exposed.” steadfast, being dressed with the robes of righteousness (REV 3:18, 7:14). REV 16:16 Then they gathered the [Armageddon] – Located in the Valley kings together to the place that in of Megiddo. One of the world’s most Hebrew is called Armageddon. famous battlefields. REV 16:17 The seventh angel poured [It is done] – God has begun the out his bowl into the air, and out grand finale, for His judgments are of the temple came a loud voice almost complete.

from the throne, saying, “It is
done!”

REV 16:18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No
earthquake like it has ever
occurred since man has been on
earth, so tremendous was the quake. REV 16:19 The great city split [great city] – Most likely it is the into three parts, and the cities of city of Rome, the new Babylon, and the nations collapsed. God seat of the Antichrist. remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the [cities of the nations] – All the wine of the fury of his wrath. major cities of the world are destroyed by this earthquake, such as, Paris, London, New York, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Dallas, Shreveport, Indianapolis, etc. REV 16:20 Every island fled away [island fled away] – All the islands and the mountains could not be disappeared, and only the mainlands found. were left. Even the mountains were made flat because of this earthquake. REV 16:21 From the sky huge [hailstones] – Imagine 100 pound hailstones of about a hundred hailstones falling from the skies! pounds each fell upon men. And they What roof could withstand such force? cursed God on account of the plague Many men and animals would surely of hail, because the plague was so have died. terrible. [cursed God] – Instead of crying out for forgiveness, repenting of their sins, the unsaved people cursed God.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 17

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 17:1 One of the seven angels [seven angels…bowls] – See REV 15:1 who had the seven bowls came and and 15:7. said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great [great prostitute] – Defined in REV prostitute, who sits on many 17:18, “The woman….is the great waters. city that rules over the earth.” The great city is best understood, in the last days of the earth, as Rome. Actually, it was the ancient city of Babylon, that had the first major worldwide influence for evil. This influence impacted such areas as: government, politics, commerce, education, art, manufacture, labor, amusement, etc. Eventually, Rome, as the last world empire became the symbol for the Babylonian system which is opposed to the ways of God. [sits on many waters] – REV 17:15 defines the waters, “The waters…. where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.” During these last years of the Tribulation Period it will be the city of Rome which will be the capital city of the world and will have great power and influence over the entire earth, leading it into spiritual and physical adulteries. REV 17:2 With her the kings of the [kings of the earth] – Represents all earth committed adultery and the the nations of the earth that have inhabitants of the earth were had illicit relations with the city intoxicated with the wine of her of Rome. Rome, of course, being the adulteries.” final and last symbol of the worldly system that began with Babylon. [committed adultery] – Nations that have not only committed immoral acts and engaged in unlawful sex, but also were involved in religious apostasy. [intoxicated] – They were controlled by the immorality and the powers of the false religion. REV 17:3 Then the angel carried me [carried me away] – John is trans- away in the Spirit into a desert. ported in his vision to the desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with [desert] – Not a place of blessing or blasphemous names and had seven nourishment, but rather a place that heads and ten horns. is appropriate for divine judgment. [a woman] – This is the woman called the great prostitute (17:1) and continues to represent the city of Rome and the entire Babylonian influence throughout the ages. [sitting] – A position by which she can manage and guide the beast. [scarlet beast] – Same beast that rose out of the waters in REV 13:1. It is the symbolic for the great Christ-hating power of the Antichrist and his revived Roman Empire. [blasphemous names] – The leaders of world systems have continually mocked the name of God and even at times made blasphemous claims of being deity themselves. [seven heads, ten horns] – Beast has the same number of horns and heads as the Red Dragon (Satan) of REV 12:3 and similar to the descriptions found in DAN 7:7-8, 24. It is a another clear reference to the Antichrist and the revived Roman Empire. The seven heads are a symbol of the seven hills of the city of Rome (see REV 17:9) from which the Antichrist will most likely establish his throne during this time. The heads also are used to represent the kings of past and future of this world empire (REV 17:9) The ten horns refer to the original ten kingdoms of the old Roman Empire of which three were subdued by the little horn of Daniel 7:8, who is to be identified with the world ruler of the great tribulation (Antichrist) who reigns over the revived Roman Empire (United Europe?), see REV 17:12 REV 17:4 The woman was dressed in [purple and scarlet] – Purple was purple and scarlet, and was often the color of royalty and the glittering with gold, precious color scarlet indicated luxurious and stones and pearls. She held a haughty splendor. This world system golden cup in her hand, filled with promoted pride, luxury, and self abominable things and the filth of devotion. her adulteries. [golden cup…filled with…filth] – Just like the woman and the world system, they both glitter on the out- side but are filled with the filth of their spiritual and physical sins of adulteries within. REV 17:5 This title was written on [written on her forehead] – Roman her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE prostitutes wore a label with their GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND names on their foreheads. Likewise, OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. this harlot proudly displays her descriptive name. [MYSTERY BABYLON] – Although once a real city, it now no longer exists, however, the influence of the “ways” of the city and empire continue until the last days of the Tribulation. [MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES] – This city has had the influence over all other cities and cultures, as a mother’s ways would influence her daughters. REV 17:6 I saw that the woman was [drunk with the blood] – One of the drunk with the blood of the saints, great sins of the city and empire of the blood of those who bore Rome was the slaughter of the saints. testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, The history of the church reveals I was greatly astonished. that a great many Christians were martyred by the Roman Government and later, by the Catholic Church of Rome during the Inquisition. Of course, it is the revised Roman Empire of these last days that murder the Tribulation Saints.

REV 17:7 Then the angel said to
me: “Why are you astonished? I will
explain to you the mystery of the
woman and of the beast she rides,
which has the seven heads and ten
horns. REV 17:8 The beast, which you saw, [the beast] – Again it is the Revised once was, now is not, and will come Roman Empire and its leader — the up out of the Abyss and go to his Antichrist. The Roman Empire’s most destruction. The inhabitants of the famous leaders was Nero, and he was earth whose names have not been known for his treacherous treatment written in the book of life from of Christians. This type of leader the creation of the world will be and the Roman Empire was passing astonished when they see the beast, from the scene and would appear to because he once was, now is not, be gone forever. However, to the and yet will come. utter amazement of the entire world, the old Roman Empire, with its wicked rulers, will be revived in the end times. It will not be Nero who comes back to life but the Roman Empire. In addition, it could be that the Antichrist is also killed but raised to life by Satan in order to deceived the world by trying to “upstage” the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. [world… astonished] – Truly if some world leader would be killed and then somehow raised to life by some great power, then the entire world would follow after him because it would be their desire to have that power to help satisfy their needs. One must remember that the world does not want the true power of God because of the cost involved–the turning from sin and the yielding of one’s life to the true Savior. Both the resurrection of the Roman Empire and the Antichrist would truly cause a wicked world to be deceived. REV 17:9 “This calls for a mind [seven hills] – The woman, the city with wisdom. The seven heads are of Rome, sits on seven hills. Rome seven hills on which the woman was known as the city on seven hills, sits. these hills received the names of Palatine, Aventine, Caelian, Esquiline, Viminal, Quirinal, and Capitoline. REV 17:10 They are also seven [also seven kings] – The heads are kings. Five have fallen, one is, not only symbolic of the hills of the other has not yet come; but Rome but also of the kings of the when he does come, he must remain Roman Empire. for a little while. [five have fallen] – These would have the five emperors before John, that is, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. [one is] – The emperor ruling at the time of the this vision would then have to be Vespasian. [the other has not yet come] – After Vespasian came the emperor Titus, who became the instrument in the hand of God of destroying the holy city and the temple. REV 17:11 The beast who once was, [eighth king] – The last emperor was and now is not, is an eighth king. Titus and the next one will be after He belongs to the seven and is the revival of the Roman Empire and going to his destruction. will be known as the Antichrist. [belongs to the seven] – That is, he also is a Roman Emperor. [going to his destruction] – He will not remain in power, but like the rest, will die and face the his own judgment (see REV 19:20). REV 17:12 “The ten horns you saw [ten kings] – These are the ten kings are ten kings who have not yet or leaders of the ten nations that received a kingdom, but who for one will make up the revised Roman Empire hour will receive authority as during the Tribulation Period.

kings along with the beast. REV 17:13 They have one purpose [give their power] – They are raised and will give their power and to power by God for the sole purpose authority to the beast. of giving their power and authority over to the Antichrist. These are ten European countries that all were original members of the old Roman Empire. REV 17:14 They will make war [will make war] – As allies of the against the Lamb, but the Lamb will Antichrist, they fight with him in overcome them because he is Lord of a war against Christ (see Rev 19:19). lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and [with Him….His called] – When Jesus faithful followers.” returns at the end of the Tribulation Period, He has with Him His redeemed, dressed in fine linen and riding on white horses. It is incredible to realize that we Christians are in the very pages of the book of Revelation. We who have Repented, Believed, and Submitted to the Lordship of Christ will be with Jesus as He takes over the earth from the wicked forces of evil. Amen and Hallelujah!! REV 17:15 Then the angel said to [prostitute sits] – The city of Rome me, “The waters you saw, where the and the entire evil world system has prostitute sits, are peoples, influenced and ruled over peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. multitudes, nations and languages of all the world. REV 17:16 The beast and the ten [hate..bring…to ruin] – In the last horns you saw will hate the days there is a one world government prostitute. They will bring her to ruled by the Antichrist from the city ruin and leave her naked; they will of Rome. There is also a one world eat her flesh and burn her with religion that also headquarters in fire. Rome. The alliance, between the Government and this false church, which no doubt helped the Antichrist rise to power, is no longer needed. Therefore, the government destroys the religious system and sets up Emperor worship (REV 13:8). Literally the church system is burned and destroyed. [eat her flesh] – Probably not to imply cannibalism, but rather to destroy her people and system. REV 17:17 For God has put it into [God has put] – God promised in the their hearts to accomplish his letters to the Churches (REV 2-3) to purpose by agreeing to give the destroy those churches that failed to beast their power to rule, until remain true to His Word. Therefore, God’s words are fulfilled. this false church of the end was once a true one that had “gone their own way,” following the teachings of men rather than the truths of God’s Word. REV 17:18 The woman you saw is the [city that rules] – Again, Rome is great city that rules over the this city, but represents Babylon kings of the earth.” of old, and the entire evil system.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 18

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 18:1 After this I saw another [After this] – The revelation of angel coming down from heaven. He chapter 17. had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. [another angel] – Not the same angel of chapter 17:1, but one that has a a special purpose of announcing a revelation of judgment. [great authority] – This angel has the authority of the Almighty God to herald the pending judgment on the evil world system that has as its seat, the city of Rome. [earth…illuminated] – The angel came directly from the presence of God and just like Moses, he too reflects the Glory of God (see EXO 34:29-35). But Moses saw a veiled Glory because he was human, however, this angel is a spirit and could experience more of God’s brilliant Glory. So bright was the angel’s reflective light that the earth was illuminated by it. It may very well be that all Christians will someday, be able to reflect the Glory of our Savior. In fact, Revelation 21:23 reveals that in the New Jerusalem, our final home, all light will come from the Glory of God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. REV 18:2 With a mighty voice he [mighty voice] – It is not only a shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon voice that announces, but one that the Great! She has become a home announces God’s message, and in this for demons and a haunt for every case, it is one of judgment. evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. [Fallen! Fallen is Babylon] – The evil world system is being judged and the result is the collapse of this antichristian world order that was determined to defeat the purposes of God throughout the generations of mankind. [home for demons] – The city of Rome is to receive the same fate as the ancient city of Babylon (ISA 13:20- 22). Although the original Babylon was once destroyed, the Babylonian sinful and wicked lifestyle lived on in societies around the globe, but finds its utter demise in the final and complete destruction of the city of Rome and its World Empire. In the ruins of Rome, not only will birds roost, but demons and evil spirits will make their home. This is fitting, since mankind was so proud of Rome and its influence over the rest of the world. Now she lies utterly desolate, her beauty is replaced with the horrible ugliness of demonic beings. REV 18:3 For all the nations have see comments on REV 17:2

drunk the maddening wine of her
adulteries. The kings of the earth
committed adultery with her, and
the merchants of the earth grew
rich from her excessive luxuries.” REV 18:4 Then I heard another [another voice] – Most likely another voice from heaven say: “Come out of angel that speaks on behalf of God. her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you [Come out] – An urgent call for God’s will not receive any of her people to separate from the judgment plagues; about to fall on Babylon. One should note that up until this point it has been God’s will to have His people in the darkness of Babylon, in order to be light to the those living in sin. But the time of God’s grace is ending for the world as He begins to unfold His judgments. This calling out of God’s people most likely is the physical removal from the city of Rome that God is about to destroy. This idea is very similar to the calling out of Lot and his family from the city of Sodom in GEN 19:12-17. REV 18:5 for her sins are piled up [sins…piled up] – God does remember to heaven, and God has remembered sin, but only the sins of the unsaved her crimes. person, of cities, nations, and the world. However, when a person is born again, God takes all of their sins and charges them to the sinless one Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is impossible for God to remember the sins of the redeemed since they have been acquitted of every sin! REV 18:6 Give back to her as she [her own cup] – In REV 17:4 we see has given; pay her back double for her cup being a “golden cup…filled what she has done. Mix her a double with abominable things and the filth portion from her own cup. of her adulteries.” Now this same cup that she gave to the world is now given to her, but now filled with a double portion of judgment for her crimes. REV 18:7 Give her as much torture [torture] – Rome has given to itself and grief as the glory and luxury much luxury and pleasure while giving she gave herself. In her heart she to God’s people torture and grief for boasts, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a many generations. Now the wrath of widow, and I will never mourn.’ God will give to this wicked world a double portion of torment and grief as a fitting judgment. [I sit as queen] – Rome and the whole antichristian system believed that they were apart from God and had no accountability to anyone. They had not known that they were always the creatures that Christ had created (see COL 1:15-16) and that all of their sins were being held against them for a coming day of judgment. [I will never mourn] – So typical of the attitude of the world today. They think that they are in control of their lives. That they can avoid all problems by their insurance and other protection programs. They think that even death will simply bring eternal sleep. Little do they realize that every breath and heartbeat is given to them by the precious Lord Savior Jesus Christ. Death will bring much mourning and torment, that will last forever. REV 18:8 Therefore in one day her [in one day] – In one 24-hour period plagues will overtake her: death, these judgments will come, much mourning and famine. She will be like the sudden judgment that came consumed by fire, for mighty is the upon Belshazzar the very night he Lord God who judges her. saw the “finger of God” on the wall (DAN 5:30). It could be an attack by a nuclear missile or simply fire from heaven, either way, it will have come by the will of God. REV 18:9 “When the kings of the [weep and mourn] – The nations of the earth who committed adultery with earth mourn the passing of the great her and shared her luxury see the world system of Babylon, symbolized smoke of her burning, they will by the burning of the capital city of weep and mourn over her. Rome. Note they are not weeping over their sins, but rather over the loss of the capitol city of sin. REV 18:10 Terrified at her [terrified at her torment] – They see torment, they will stand far off the devastation and realize that this and cry: “‘Woe! Woe, O great city, “city of power” was wiped out so O Babylon, city of power! In one quickly, giving evidence of a much hour your doom has come!’ greater power. REV 18:11 “The merchants of the [no one buys] – These are merchants earth will weep and mourn over her who really mourn over the lost trade because no one buys their cargoes rather than the millions killed in any more– the devastation.

REV 18:12 cargoes of gold, silver,
precious stones and pearls; fine
linen, purple, silk and scarlet
cloth; every sort of citron wood,
and articles of every kind made of
ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron
and marble; REV 18:13 cargoes of cinnamon and [bodies and souls of men] – Could be spice, of incense, myrrh and the prostitution of men and women in frankincense, of wine and olive the last days, for surely this is the oil, of fine flour and wheat; direction of this present world. It cattle and sheep; horses and is also possible that in addition to carriages; and bodies and souls of prostitution, that there is a return men. of the slave markets.

REV 18:14 “They will say, ‘The
fruit you longed for is gone from
you. All your riches and splendor
have vanished, never to be
recovered.’ REV 18:15 The merchants who sold [stand far off] – By satellite TV these things and gained their they could stand “far off” and still wealth from her will stand far off, see the destruction of Rome.

terrified at her torment. They will
weep and mourn

REV 18:16 and cry out: “‘Woe! Woe,
O great city, dressed in fine
linen, purple and scarlet, and
glittering with gold, precious
stones and pearls!

REV 18:17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’
“Every sea captain, and all who
travel by ship, the sailors, and
all who earn their living from the
sea, will stand far off. REV 18:18 When they see the smoke [see the smoke] – So great is the of her burning, they will exclaim, burning of this city that even from ‘Was there ever a city like this such a distance these ships could great city?’ see the smoke and the glow of her burning.

REV 18:19 They will throw dust on
their heads, and with weeping and
mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe, O
great city, where all who had ships
on the sea became rich through her
wealth! In one hour she has been
brought to ruin! REV 18:20 Rejoice over her, O [Rejoice over her] – While the world heaven! Rejoice, saints and mourns over the destruction of the apostles and prophets! God has capitol city of evil, the Christian judged her for the way she treated is to rejoice! Surely, we have asked you.'” God to judge this wickedness in each generation and now God answers our prayers. All of us agonize over the abortions, adulteries, immoralities, murder, thefts, and drug use of our generation, however in this verse we can find hope, for the day of justice is coming. REV 18:21 Then a mighty angel [With such violence] – Speaks again picked up a boulder the size of a of the suddenness and completeness large millstone and threw it into of the judgment.

the sea, and said: “With such
violence the great city of Babylon
will be thrown down, never to be
found again.

REV 18:22 The music of harpists
and musicians, flute players and
trumpeters, will never be heard in
you again. No workman of any trade
will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone will never
be heard in you again.

REV 18:23 The light of a lamp will
never shine in you again. The voice
of bridegroom and bride will never
be heard in you again. Your
merchants were the world’s great
men. By your magic spell all the
nations were led astray. REV 18:24 In her was found the [found the blood] – God holds Babylon blood of prophets and of the and this city of sin responsible for saints, and of all who have been the deaths of all the saints and the killed on the earth.” prophets. Rome is also judged guilty for all the murders on the earth. Truly this evil world system deserves all of these judgments. This passage of Scripture holds much encouragement for Christians when faced with the overwhelming wickedness of this generation.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 19

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 19:1 After this I heard what [After this] – Beginning in REV 17:1 sounded like the roar of a great we saw the introduction of the city multitude in heaven shouting: of Rome, the capitol city of the “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory world, and the head of the wicked and power belong to our God, world system. In chapter 18, the Fall of Babylon (Rome) is revealed and in REV 18:20 we, the Saints of God, are commanded to rejoice over her final fate, because of the way she had treated God’s children in the many generations previous. [great multitude] – The redeemed of God in heaven. Throughout the history of man, it has only been a remnant that has accepted God’s message and believed. One just needs to look at our generation to realize that very few of any society really believe and are saved. It has been estimated that since the days of Adam and Eve that approximately 41 billion people have lived on this planet. If only a remnant equal to 1% was saved, that would make heaven’s population of saints equal to about 400,000,000. Of course, God is not finished calling all of His servants yet so the number will continue to grow. [Hallelujah!] – There are only four instances in the New Testament of the term Hallelujah, all of which occur in this chapter (vs 1, 3, 4, 6). The OT word Hallelujah comes from two Hebrew words (halal and Jah), and means “Praise Yahweh!” [belong to our God] – Salvation is of God and not of man. All men turned away from God and earned their place in the torments of the Lake of Fire. But, our God is a Gracious God, and chose “some” to be saved (not many). He also prescribed the exact manner of salvation, it would not be of works, but rather, of faith. A faith that manifests itself in the three- fold act of Believing in Christ, Repenting of our sins, and Submitting to the Lordship of Our Savior Jesus Christ, the God of the Universe! REV 19:2 for true and just are his [true and just] – There can be no judgments. He has condemned the doubt that God judged rightly in the great prostitute who corrupted the case of Babylon (Rome). In fact, He earth by her adulteries. He has demonstrated great patience and avenged on her the blood of his mercy waiting all these many years servants.” while she committed her acts of adulteries. [avenged on her the blood] – God had declared in DEU 32:43 that He would ultimately avenge the blood of the saints, “Rejoice, O nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants; He will take ven- geance on His enemies and make atonement for His land and people.” REV 19:3 And again they shouted: [smoke..goes up…for ever] – This is “Hallelujah! The smoke from her not a reference to the city itself, goes up for ever and ever.” but will be fulfilled by the eternal judgment of the people who sinned in and through the evil world system of Babylon. It will be literal smoke rising from the burning of the bodies of these unbelievers in the endless torment of the Lake of Fire. REV 19:4 The twenty-four elders [twenty-four elders] – See comments and the four living creatures fell on REV 4:4-11

down and worshiped God, who was
seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” REV 19:5 Then a voice came from [a voice] – Not the voice of the the throne, saying: “Praise our Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, but God, all you his servants, you who rather it is the voice of an angel fear him, both small and great!” who commands us to praise “our” God. [Praise] – Present tense and is a command to “keep on praising” the Lord. [small and great] – Believers from every socioeconomic level, and from various stages of spiritual maturity.

REV 19:6 Then I heard what sounded
like a great multitude, like the
roar of rushing waters and like
loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God
Almighty reigns. REV 19:7 Let us rejoice and be [wedding of the Lamb] – For a proper glad and give him glory! For the perspective of this event we need to wedding of the Lamb has come, and remember the customs of the Bible his bride has made herself ready. Times in regard to marriage. First, there was the Betrothal, which was a public declaration by the two families that the two participants were now betrothed, that is, legally husband and wife. Following the Betrothal came a period of time that was used by the groom to prepare a home for the bride (usually a room in his father’s house). This could be a year or so. The bride also used this time to prepare herself for the wedding feast. When the time was ready, the bridegroom would travel to the bride’s home and take her back with him to the new home (room). Shortly after the couple and the families arrived at the new home the wedding feast began and lasted for a week or longer. The Bride here is the Church (each Christian from the Church Age) and the Groom is Jesus. We were betrothed on the day of our salvation as the announcement was made on earth and in heaven that we and Jesus were legally married (committed) to each other. Again, the Bride is the Church and the guests are all the Old Testament saints and the Martyred Tribulation saints. Jesus has been “preparing our rooms in His Father’s house” (JOH 14:2-3) and came back for us in the Rapture of the Church. The wedding feast was delayed until the Lord had taken back the earth from the control of the evil one. REV 19:8 Fine linen, bright and [given her] – Most likely at the Bema clean, was given her to wear.” Seat (Judgment Seat of Christ) the (Fine linen stands for the brilliant garments of linen were righteous acts of the saints.) given to each of the saints. When a person is saved they receive the righteousness of Christ, however, their transformed life will be evidenced by the actual righteous acts they do by the Spirit (JAM 2:14-18). REV 19:9 Then the angel said to [those…invited] – The Church is the me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who Bride and the invited wedding guests are invited to the wedding supper are the Old Testament saints (see of the Lamb!'” And he added, “These MAT 8:11) and the martyred saints of are the true words of God.” the Tribulation. REV 19:10 At this I fell at his [worship him] – John is overcome by feet to worship him. But he said to the tremendous picture of the coming me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow blessedness of the Kingdom of God, servant with you and with your and falls down and worships an angel. brothers who hold to the testimony This only shows the humanness of the of Jesus. Worship God! For the Apostle John. The angel quickly testimony of Jesus is the spirit of informs John that angels are also prophecy.” servants of God (HEB 1:4-14). [spirit of prophecy] – The prophecy that John was watching unfold was the testimony of Jesus, not of angels, therefore, God is the one who is to be worshiped for such a revelation. REV 19:11 I saw heaven standing [heaven standing open] – When a door open and there before me was a is opened a person can see in or out. white horse, whose rider is called John is now on the earth and can see Faithful and True. With justice he into the third heaven, the residence judges and makes war. of the Saints, the Angels and the Throne Room of God. Remember, that the First Heaven is the atmosphere, and the Second Heaven is Outer Space (see 2CO 12:2). John can see into heaven as clearly as we can see a cloud in the sky. The opening to heaven is so wide that a whole army can pass through. [white horse] – A real horse, just like the literal donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on (MAT 21). It was prophesied hundreds of years earlier that the Messiah would ride into the city on a donkey (ZEC 9:9), and here we listen to the spirit of prophecy tell us that when Christ, the Magnificent King, returns He will be riding a white horse–Believe it! [Faithful and True] – Our sweet Lord and Savior is truly faithful. He is faithful when we are faithless (2TI 2:13). He is faithful and true in all of His promises to return to the earth and establish His kingdom. He will fulfill all of His promises made to His people. [judges and makes war] – The right- eous vengeance that is about to be enacted upon the Antichrist and his followers will be harmonious with truth and justice. He has judged mankind and now makes war against them. REV 19:12 His eyes are like [eyes…blazing fire] – These are blazing fire, and on his head are eyes of judgment that are burning many crowns. He has a name written and all-penetrating, from which on him that no one knows but he nothing can be hidden. himself. [many crowns] – The symbols of royalty. These are kingly crowns and should not be pictured as many large crowns “stacked and balanced” one upon another. Rather, they most likely are various “bands” linked together in a very lovely series of crowns that is in proper proportion to His head. [name…no one knows] – It is foolish to try to guess this name since it is known only to Jesus. We could guess that someday, when we are in our eternal state, that we will be able to comprehend what the meaning of this special name. REV 19:13 He is dressed in a robe [robe dipped in blood] – This is the dipped in blood, and his name is blood of His enemies already defeated the Word of God. by His wrath (see ROM 1:18 and REV 14:19-20). It will also be dipped or splattered by the blood of those on earth whom He fights against as He returns (REV 19:21). [name is the Word of God] – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (JOH 1:1). “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (HEB 4:12). Jesus is the living and active Word of God that has come in judgment to judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. REV 19:14 The armies of heaven [armies of heaven] – Comprised of were following him, riding on white both the holy angels (MAR 8:38) and horses and dressed in fine linen, the called, chosen and faithful white and clean. followers (REV 17:14). [riding on white horses] – Literal white horses just like the one that Jesus is riding on. The white horse has always been used by conquerors, and also symbolizes purity. [fine linen] – See Rev 19:8 REV 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a [sharp sword] – Christ conquers by sharp sword with which to strike the power of His Word and not by a down the nations. “He will rule sword in His hand. “For the word of them with an iron scepter.” He God is living and active. Sharper treads the winepress of the fury of than any double-edged sword” (HEB the wrath of God Almighty. 4:12). Literally, Christ does not have a sword “sticking” out of His mouth, rather this symbolizes His Word, which will be used to strike down the wicked on the earth. He simply speaks their judgment and they will die. [rule…with an iron scepter] – This rod is a shepherd’s staff used to make the sheep conform to the rules of the shepherd. Jesus will rule all the nations of the earth during the Millennium with an unyielding, firm and absolute government that demands total allegiance to God. [wrath of God] – “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (HEB 10:31). Mankind is under the delusion that God either doesn’t care or is not able to deal with man’s willful disobedience. But God has simply been storing up the wrath that each person deserves, “Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are stor- ing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath….” (ROM 2:5). The day of God’s fury has arrived and for those who have refused His mercy He has nothing left but wrath. REV 19:16 On his robe and on his [one His robe] – Most likely on His thigh he has this name written: robe near His chest. KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. [on His thigh] – Not a tattoo but on something attached to His thigh, like the sheath of a sword or on that part of the garment which fell open across the thigh. [KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS] – One of the most beautiful and most powerful passages in all the Bible. Now let those in our day, who say that a person can become a Christian without submitting to the Lordship of Christ, be filled with shame. For to advocate that one can come before the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, refusing to repent and submit, all the while asking for salvation, is a doctrine straight from the pit of Hell! REV 19:17 And I saw an angel [standing in the sun] – The angel standing in the sun, who cried in a was located at a place where all the loud voice to all the birds flying birds of the air could see him — in in midair, “Come, gather together the brightest part of the sky. Most for the great supper of God, likely standing between the sun and the earth. [Come, gather] – The angel is calling all the birds to a the great supper of God where they can gorge them- selves on the flesh of the fallen enemies of God. This fulfills the prophecy that was spoken through the prophet Ezekiel: EZE 39:17 “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacri fice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. EZE 39:18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls–all of them fattened animals from Bashan. EZE 39:19 At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. EZE 39:20 At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,’ declares the Sovereign LORD. EZE 39:21 I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them. EZE 39:22 From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God.” REV 19:18 so that you may eat the In the time of judgment it makes no flesh of kings, generals, and difference if you were rich or poor, mighty men, of horses and their famous or unknown, free or a slave, riders, and the flesh of all the wrath will know no favorites.

people, free and slave, small and
great.” REV 19:19 Then I saw the beast and [beast…make war] – Even after the the kings of the earth and their Lord God returns with magnificent armies gathered together to make glory and power, Satan, through the war against the rider on the horse Antichrist, tries to destroy Jesus. and his army. But this time Jesus did not come to die, but rather to rule with power and authority. One can imagine these evil armies turning their weapons upon Christ and His glorious army, thinking that they will be easily killed as were all the martyrs of the previous generations. REV 19:20 But the beast was [beast was captured] – Before a laser captured, and with him the false or a bullet was fired, Jesus had the prophet who had performed the Antichrist and his false prophet miraculous signs on his behalf. captured. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of [thrown alive] – There is no soul the beast and worshiped his image. sleep for the wicked. They will enter The two of them were thrown alive the fires of torment with full into the fiery lake of burning consciousness for all eternity. sulfur. [lake of burning sulfur] – The final place for the wicked. It is a literal place of torment and agony. God has determined that these two evil men deserved final judgment ahead of all the others who will be thrown into the lake of fire after the 1,000 year rule (REV 20:15). REV 19:21 The rest of them were [killed with the sword] – Here Jesus killed with the sword that came out simply uses the words from His mouth of the mouth of the rider on the to effect judgment and death upon the horse, and all the birds gorged wicked.

themselves on their flesh.

Tony Capoccia
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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 20

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 20:1 And I saw an angel coming [coming down] – John is most likely down out of heaven, having the key situated on the earth looking up to to the Abyss and holding in his heaven and sees an angel descending hand a great chain. out of the Third Heaven. [key] – A key allows the owner to exercise authority over an object or place. Here it is a symbol of God’s absolute authority over the Abyss. [Abyss] – The place of confinement for the wicked angels who are await- ing the final judgment of the Lake of Fire. Jude 6 reveals that it is a place of darkness where angels are bound with chains. It is a place so terrible that the demons in Luke 8:31 begged Jesus, “…repeatedly not to order them into the Abyss.” [great chain] – A real chain in the hand of the angel, that was large, long, and indestructible. REV 20:2 He seized the dragon, [seized the dragon] – He is a mighty that ancient serpent, who is the angel, which could imply the angel devil, or Satan, and bound him for was Michael the Archangel, who has a thousand years. great strength. He was the one in DAN 10:13 that had to “free” another angel of God who was being detained by the wicked forces of evil, that were the power behind the Persian Kingdom. [bound] – Satan is literally tied up by the great chain that God has made for the purpose of incapacitating the Father of Lies. [thousand years] – A literal period of 1,000 years that coincide with the thousand year rule of Christ on the earth. In fact, Jesus had the evil one bound to ensure Millennial peace of His Kingdom. REV 20:3 He threw him into the [He threw] – The angel bound Satan Abyss, and locked and sealed it with the chain and then threw him over him, to keep him from into the Abyss. This is the same deceiving the nations anymore until way the unbeliever is treated after the thousand years were ended. the judgment of REV 20:14. God does After that, he must be set free for not merely “send” or “place” them a short time. into torment, but rather, He has them “thrown” into judgment. While our God is a loving God, He is also a God of judgment, who is an enemy to those who refuse to love and obey Him. [after that] – After the 1,000 years are over, God in His wisdom lets the evil one go free for a short time. It could be to show mankind that evil still lurks in the heart of the unredeemed of the Millennium, for as soon as Satan is released, he leads them in rebellion against God. REV 20:4 I saw thrones on which [thrones] – These thrones are part of were seated those who had been the King’s Court that will rule over given authority to judge. And I saw the earth for one thousand years. the souls of those who had been Jesus is the king of the earth and beheaded because of their testimony has given the authority to judge to for Jesus and because of the word those seated on these thrones. of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not [seated] – The identification of received his mark on their those seated on the thrones is not foreheads or their hands. They came limited to one specific group. We to life and reigned with Christ a can find numerous verses that speak thousand years. of various groups that will rule during the Millennium. In DAN 7:18 and 7:27 we see the Old Testament Saints promised a part in the rule of the Kingdom. The Apostles are promised thrones when Jesus sits on His “Glorious Throne” (MAT 19:28). Every New Testament Saint is promised the task of judging the world in a coming day (2CO 6:2). There can be numerous thrones (millions) in the Millennium replacing the civil courts of law of this age. In this case John does not tell us exactly who is sitting on the thrones. But we do know it is the redeemed. [saw the souls] – Somehow in Heaven souls (Spirits) are visible even before the resurrection of the body. Here, John sees the souls of those from the Tribulation Period and then watches as their glorified bodies are resurrected and reunited with their souls (end of verse 4). [beheaded] – These Tribulation Saints literally were beheaded because they refused to deny Christ and worship the Antichrist. It is interesting that France, one of the nations of the revised Roman Empire, has been considering the revival of the old guillotine style of capital punish- ment. [They came to life] – This is the final phase of the resurrection of the Righteous. The first phase was the resurrection of the King of Righteousness — Jesus Christ, then came the firstfruits — the Rapture of the Church, and finally this last phase where the Tribulation Saints are resurrected along with all the Old Testament Saints (EZE 37:12; DAN 12:2, 12:12; 1CO 15:23). It might be noted that during the Millennium there will be others who become Christians, but they will not die, rather they will be translated into their glorious bodies at the end of the 1,000 year Kingdom. [reigned with Christ] – All the Saints of all ages will rule and reign with Jesus for the 1,000 years. What a truly glorious time when the name of Jesus will be honored and those who try to do evil will be judged instantly. REV 20:5 (The rest of the dead did [rest of the dead] – These are the not come to life until the thousand unbelievers from all ages (billions) years were ended.) This is the that we see alive and standing their first resurrection. final judgment in REV 20:11-15. REV 20:6 Blessed and holy are [second death] – The first death is those who have part in the first our physical death. The second death resurrection. The second death has is the eternal torment of the Lake of no power over them, but they will Fire (REV 20:14) reserved solely for be priests of God and of Christ and those who refused God’s Way of Grace will reign with him for a thousand through Faith in Christ, Repentance years. of sins, and Submission to the Lord Jesus — The Eternal and Holy God. REV 20:7 When the thousand years [Satan…released] – God does not are over, Satan will be released tell us why He allows Satan to again from his prison exercise his wicked power on the earth. It does show that man, whose heart has not been changed by Christ, is still easily controlled by the evil one. REV 20:8 and will go out to [the nations] – These are all the deceive the nations in the four countries of the earth with the corners of the earth–Gog and exception of Israel. They are given Magog–to gather them for battle. the title of the enemies of God — In number they are like the sand on Gog and Magog. the seashore. [number…like the sand] – Amazing that after a 1,000 reign of peace by Jesus and His Saints, there are still multitudes who have refused to submit to Him and try to destroy the Savior and His people. These are the youth of the Millennium, under the age of 100. Those who become Christians in the Millennium will not die. But the unbeliever will be allowed only 100 years to “come to Christ,” after which he will be killed (ISA 65:20). REV 20:9 They marched across the [camp of God’s people] – The city He breadth of the earth and surrounded loves is Jerusalem (PSA 78:68; 87:2). the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from [but fire came down] – These wicked heaven and devoured them. forces never got to “fire a shot” because to Mighty Savior Jesus Christ called down fire from heaven to destroy the attacking armies. REV 20:10 And the devil, who [devil…thrown] – This is the last deceived them, was thrown into the time Satan will ever be seen or heard lake of burning sulfur, where the of again. He has plagued mankind for beast and the false prophet had thousands of years and has been the been thrown. They will be tormented constant troubler in the Bible from day and night for ever and ever. Genesis to Revelation. But praise to the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS that He has defeated the evil one. [tormented] – This final place of torment is a literal place of fire, agony, loneliness, hunger, thirst, etc., and never ends. After Satan and the rest of the wicked have been there 10,000 years, they will have the same amount of eternal judgment as they had when they first started! REV 20:11 Then I saw a great white [great white throne] – This throne throne and him who was seated on is the same one referred to in DAN it. Earth and sky fled from his 7:10. It is massive, brilliant white, presence, and there was no place flaming with fire, and is mounted on for them. wheels of fire. There is a river of fire coming out from the throne and most likely pours into the Lake of Fire. The river of fire before this throne of judgment is filled with the wicked awaiting judgment (verse 12). There is no rest from the torment the wicked experience. An unsaved person who died in 1930 would be placed in in the fires of Hell until this time of final judgment. They then would be instantly placed in the River of Fire before the Great White Throne, only to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. [Him who was seated on it] – This is Jesus Christ the Judge, “… the Father judges no one, but has en trusted all judgment to the Son” (JOH 5:22). [Earth and sky fled] – This is a reference to the complete destruction of the earth and heavens. 2PE 3:10 “…The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” All mankind has been removed from the earth. The righteous are in the bliss of the Third Heaven and all the unbelievers are standing in the River of Fire awaiting judgment. There is no need of the old corrupt earth and heavens. REV 20:12 And I saw the dead, [the dead] – These are the wicked great and small, standing before from all ages past. They are called the throne, and books were opened. dead because they have never received Another book was opened, which is Life in Christ. They willfully have the book of life. The dead were refused to repent of their sins and judged according to what they had commit their lives to Christ. They done as recorded in the books. are destined for the Second Death. [great and small] – The rich and the poor of the earth, the famous and the undistinguished, the prominent and the obscure, and the attractive and the homely. It made no difference what status they had in their life on earth, they all are standing awaiting judgment. [books were opened] – There are three books that are opened: The Book of the Law (Bible), the Book of Sins, and the Book of Life. The Book of the Law – All mankind is judged on the basis of whether they obeyed the revealed Word of God. If they did then they enter into Heaven. For each sin they commit they receive eternal torment, with increasing intensity of suffering for each added sin. The Book of Sins – Throughout the Bible we find verses that reveal that man will be judged by his deeds (PSA 62:12; JER 17:10; ROM 2:6; 1PE 1:17). Book of Life – The Book that has the names of those who were chosen for salvation before the world began. REV 20:13 The sea gave up the dead [sea gave up the dead] – Here is the that were in it, and death and the Second Resurrection. The bodies Hades gave up the dead that were in of those drowned or buried at sea. them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. [death…gave up the dead] – This is the grave (both under the earth and out in space), giving up the bodies of the unbeliever. [Hades gave up the dead] – This the spirits of the unsaved. The bodies are resurrected from the sea and death to be united with the souls (spirits) from Hades. [each person was judged] – Each of the unbelievers has their “Day in Court” where they are shown the Laws they were responsible for (Bible), and their records of violations. Each sinner is found “guilty as charged.” REV 20:14 Then death and Hades [death and Hades] – The reunited body were thrown into the lake of fire. and spirit were thrown (not sent, The lake of fire is the second placed or led) into the final place death. of torment — The Lake of Fire. [second death] – This is a living death. A place where the agony of of a painful death continues forever. REV 20:15 If anyone’s name was not [name not found] – Another statement found written in the book of life, of the fact that no man or woman was he was thrown into the lake of ever capable of saving themselves. fire. Only those who were elected by God before the foundation of the earth and given the Faith to Believe along with a heart of Repentance and Submission could be saved. Every person listed in the Book of Life will be in Heaven and every name that is not in the Book will be rightly judged to the Lake of Fire.

Final Note: It has often been said that this Judge on the Great White Throne is much too harsh. He doesn’t give them a second chance. And the fact that He commands that the condemned be “thrown” into the Lake of Fire seems a bit rough. Let it be clearly understood that this judge Jesus Christ is a God of Love.

Look closely at the Judge’s hands and feet to observe the scars from the nails of the Roman soldiers. Examine also His side and see the place where the Roman spear pierced Him. This judge offered forgiveness for every sinner before Him. But they refused His Mercy and now justly receive His Wrath.

We also deserve this same wrath but were saved by the Grace of Election. There was no good found in us to cause Jesus to choose us for such a marvelous gift of salvation. We should be eternally thankful and humble for such a gift of grace.

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Keys to Revelation – Chapter 22

BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY REV 22:1 Then the angel showed me [river] – A literal river that is the river of the water of life, as called the “Water of Life River.” clear as crystal, flowing from the The name of the river agrees to the throne of God and of the Lamb concept of “living water” found in John 4:10. This river consists of water that is the very essence of life. There is a similar description of a river that flows from the Millennial Temple out onto the land in Ezekiel 47:1-12. The inhabitants of the eternal city will drink from this special river (REV 22:17) and it will somehow provide them with life. Because there is no death in heaven, we can assume that no one will ever fail to drink from this river. In fact, it will be one of the many great pleas ures of the eternal state. [clear as crystal] – This gives the picture of a bright pure river, glistening like a liquid diamond. In fact, the term translated as “clear,” really means “brilliant.” This implies having a light bearing quality, appearing like a liquid, lighted, sparkling, diamond crystal. [flowing] – The Water of Life River is no still stream of water, rather it flows from the throne of God and “winds” its way throughout the Golden City (1400 mi cube). I believe that it continues to flow out of the city onto the new earth. [from the throne] – The source of the river is the very throne of God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. During our present age, most rivers have as their source rain and/or snowfall. But, the river of the Water of Life, has as its origin, God the Father and Jesus Christ, literally creating the brilliant crystal water instantly and thus causing it to flow into a river. REV 22:2 down the middle of the [down the middle] – In the city of great street of the city. On each New Jerusalem there is a “Great side of the river stood the tree of Street” that proceeds throughout life, bearing twelve crops of every part of its vast area. The fruit, yielding its fruit every street is literally split in the month. And the leaves of the tree middle by this beautiful, life are for the healing of the nations. giving river. Imagine, the street is very wide and made of pure gold, like transparent glass (REV 21:21), and flowing down the middle is the Water of Life river. [on each side stood] – On both banks of the river were trees. The picture is the redeemed saints traveling on the great street with a tree-lined river flowing down the middle. The saints on both sides of the street can simply walk to the center of the street and have access to the trees and the river. [tree of life] – Just as drinking from the River of the Water of Life brings life, so will eating from the fruit of the Tree of Life. We first saw the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden (GEN 2:9). It was right next to a tree that brought death. Adam and Eve could and did eat regularly from the Tree of Life and they would live forever as long as they continued to eat from the tree. But then they sinned against God and He prevented them from eating from the life-giving tree so that they would not continue to live indefinitely with their unredeemed sins. However, in our redeemed state in the New Jerusalem, we will never fail to eat from the Tree of Life and will thus live forever. [bearing twelve crops] – These trees that line the river bear fruit in a regular cycle. Every month a new crop of fruit is produced. This seems to present a problem when one considers the fact, that some say there is no time in heaven. Actually, while there is no day and night, that is no reason to assume that there is no time. God gave the Sun and Moon to mark the day and night, but in reality, time continues to advance, whether they exist or not. Take the astronauts into space with their TIMEX watches and removed them away from our Sun and they still can mark the 24-hour day by their watches. Likewise, God has revealed that in eternity there will be a measurement of time that will allow for a monthly (30 day cycle) crop of fruit. One should note that in Ezekiel’s description of the Millennial Kingdom there also appears a river with fruit trees on each side. The river comes from the temple and causes the dead sea to become fresh water. The fruit trees are said to produce fresh fruit each month due to the water flowing from the special river (EZE 47:12). [leaves of the tree] – These trees are to be pictured as looking very much like the trees of this age. They will have a wooden tree trunk with branches with green leaves and colorful fruit. [healing of the nations] – A very difficult phrase to understand. Somehow the leaves are therapeutic and bring about healing. But who would need healing in the eternal state? The word for “healing” is therapeian, which would be better understood to mean “health giving.” Therefore, the leaves provide a healthy, enjoyable environment. It could be like the Water of Life that is to be drunk, although no one thirsts. Also, the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is to eaten, although no one hungers. God has determined that the redeemed will drink and eat in the eternal state. He has somehow “tied” our eternal life to these two activities. He will ensure that all will desire to drink and eat for He desires it. Likewise, these leaves will have some life-giving effect to the saints and we will not fail to use them for that purpose. [nations] – See REV 21:24 REV 22:3 No longer will there be [No longer…any curse] – The curse any curse. The throne of God and of was placed upon man and the universe the Lamb will be in the city, and when he sinned in Genesis Chapter 3. his servants will serve him. The whole universe has been subject to decay and death because of the sin of mankind, but promised liberation from this curse in Romans 8:21. In the Millennial Kingdom there is a partial lifting of the curse, for sin and death do occur, but in a very limited way (ISA 65:20). However, in the New Heavens and New Earth, there will be no curse at all. [throne of God and of the Lamb] – The Father will be visible as Light and the Son in His Glorified body that still bears the marks of cruci fixion (JOH 20:27). We do not see the Holy Spirit described, but can assumed that He too will be there with us. Oh, what a glorious time living in the very presence of the Almighty Triune God! [servants will serve Him] – There is purpose and function in Eternity. Our great God has a purpose for each of us and we will serve Him to that end. There will absolute perfect obedience to God in our service. REV 22:4 They will see his face, [see His face] – We will have and his name will be on their immediate access to the face of God, foreheads. perpetually looking upon His Glory. We will have perfect communion with Him. [His name…on their foreheads] – See REV 14:1 for comments. REV 22:5 There will be no more [no more night] – Night on this earth night. They will not need the light is produced when the earth rotates of a lamp or the light of the sun, away from the Sun. However, on the for the Lord God will give them new earth the light comes, not from light. And they will reign for ever the sun, but from the Lord God. This and ever. is very similar to the light of GEN 1:3, when God created light, but had not yet created any stars to include the sun. God can and has created light without a source! [reign for ever and ever] – The “they” spoken of is the redeemed. We are to reign as Kings with Him forever, ruling over the Kingdom of Heaven (DAN 7:18, 27). I am not sure what we will rule over. It could be angels and the various plans and programs of God. REV 22:6 The angel said to me, [angel] – Same one that showed John “These words are trustworthy and the New Heavens and the New Earth to true. The Lord, the God of the include the New Jerusalem. spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the [words are trustworthy] – Possibly things that must soon take place.” John was overwhelmed with all the beauty and reality of the coming eternal state that the angel felt a need to reassure to John the truth of all that has been expressed. [spirits of the prophets] – Referring to all the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments that spoke of these coming events. They, along with what has been revealed here, testify to the truth of what God has revealed. [show his servants] – God gave the Revelation as an encouragement to us in our Christian Walk. This Book gives us the “Big Picture” so we can focus on our assigned task on this earth. We do not need to focus on acquiring wealth and position, for that is waiting for us in the eternal state. We can gain hope from these verses as we struggle with the wickedness of this age and our own personal weaknesses. [soon take place] – In the whole of the history of man (10,000 to 12,000 years) these are the last events, for it is the final phase. We can see in the world today that we are waiting for the Rapture of the Church. And that event will begin this last phase which ends with the redeemed possess ing the New Earth. REV 22:7 “Behold, I am coming [I am coming soon] – These are the soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the risen Christ. He is words of the prophecy in this saying that the time is near and for book.” His saints to live in the expectation of His return. Again, the very next event on God’s timetable is the visible, physical return of Christ with the Rapture of the Church. [blessed is he who keeps] – God is declaring a special blessing for those who keep the prophecy of this Book of Revelation. In other words, those who read the book and take it to heart, allowing it to affect their actions in this age. See additional comments on REV 1:3. REV 22:8 I, John, am the one who [fell down to worship] – John became heard and saw these things. And overwhelmed at what he had heard and when I had heard and seen them, I seen and felt very humble before such fell down to worship at the feet of a great person and started to worship the angel who had been showing them the angel (see REV 19:10).

to me. REV 22:9 But he said to me, “Do [fellow servant] – The angels are not do it! I am a fellow servant serving God as we also try to do. with you and with your brothers the They are confirmed in righteousness prophets and of all who keep the and therefore cannot sin against God. words of this book. Worship God!” Thus, they serve Him with perfect obedience, as we will someday do. REV 22:10 Then he told me, “Do not [Do not seal up] – In verse 10:4 John seal up the words of the prophecy was told to “seal up what the seven of this book, because the time is thunders have said…” He was not near. allowed to write it down for our reading, but here John is reminded to write down everything else that was revealed to him. The churches of John’s day needed desperately to read these words to encourage them in their persecution. REV 22:11 Let him who does wrong [Let him who does…] – This is continue to do wrong; let him who another difficult passage. God is is vile continue to be vile; let not commanding wickedness, but saying him who does right continue to do that we cannot and should not make right; and let him who is holy the unbeliever (those doing wrong and continue to be holy.” the vile) correspond to Christian lifestyle and commands. It would be impossible and could make them either resentful of the Gospel or to think themselves “saved” because they keep the external rules. The Holy Spirit will convict them of sin and lead them to salvation if they are willing. However, for the saved (those doing right and holy), His command is for them to persevere.

REV 22:12 “Behold, I am coming [I am coming soon] – See REV 22:7 soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to [reward…I will give …according] – what he has done. This passage speaks of the Mercy Seat where the saints will be rewarded for their works of righteousness done on earth by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is possible that there will be varying rewards for the diversity of works performed by the different saints. However, it may also be possible that all Christians will receive the same rewards as pictured in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (MAT 20:1- 16).

REV 22:13 I am the Alpha and the See REV 21:6 Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. REV 22:14 “Blessed are those who [Blessed are] – In light of the many wash their robes, that they may judgments and blessings depicted in have the right to the tree of life this book, it is truly a blessing not and may go through the gates into to suffer the described wrath and the city. to be a partaker of the bliss and beauty outlined by John. [wash their robes] – God described the situation of lost man as being clothed with filthy rags (ISA 64:6). In REV 7:14 He stated clearly the process by which we could solve our problem, “…they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Only those who <1> Believe in Jesus Christ, <2> Repent of their sins, and <3> Submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ will have their robes washed in His pre cious, precious Blood! [right to the tree of life] – The only ones who can live eternally in the glorious bliss of Heaven with the Triune God are those who eat from the Tree of Life. Those who have been washed in the Blood of Christ gain access to the life-giving tree. [may go through the gates] – The home of the redeemed is in the New Jerusalem with God, and only those who have come to Christ by Believing, Repenting, and Submitting have the right to enter the pearly gates into the city. REV 22:15 Outside are the dogs, [Outside] – This is outside of the those who practice magic arts, the the New Heavens and the New Earth sexually immoral, the murderers, in the place called the Lake of Fire the idolaters and everyone who (REV 20:15). loves and practices falsehood. [dogs] – Not literal dogs but those who are evil, “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh” (PHI 3:2). REV 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my [sent…for the churches] – Jesus has angel to give you this testimony specifically given this Revelation of for the churches. I am the Root and Himself for the churches. Yet, this the Offspring of David, and the Book of Revelation, is one of the bright Morning Star.” most neglected books of the Bible. [Root and the Offspring of David] – Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah that would come from the “stump of Jesse” (ISA 11:1, 10; ROM 1:3). [bright Morning Star] – When the long night of darkness is about over, the first sign of day is the bright morning star. Jesus is the promised star (NUM 24:17) that will end the darkness of this age. REV 22:17 The Spirit and the bride [The Spirit] – This is the Holy say, “Come!” And let him who hears Spirit, equally God in every way to say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, the Father and the Son. He is our let him come; and whoever wishes, sweet helper and teacher in this age. let him take the free gift of the water of life. [the bride] – The saints currently in Heaven waiting for our coming. See REV 21:9 for comments. [Come!] – The Spirit and the Bride call out to all who would read or hear the words of this Book to come to the bliss of Heaven and the presence of the Almighty God. [free gift] – Salvation is free but it is not cheap. It costs no money or works, but simply the giving up of oneself to Christ, by believing who Christ claimed to be, by repenting of one’s sins, and by submitting our will to His. REV 22:18 I warn everyone who [I warn] – God warns everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of would hear this revelation about this book: If anyone adds anything Jesus Christ, not to tamper with it. to them, God will add to him the This severe warning is for those who plagues described in this book. would willfully tamper with the message that is contained here. This warning is similar to the one in Proverbs 30:6, “Do not add to His words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Likewise, like the warning given in Gal 1:8-9, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” [if anyone adds] – For those who would add to God’s words in this book, God will ensure they will receive the judgment described in this Book of Revelation. REV 22:19 And if anyone takes [if anyone takes words away] – For words away from this book of those who would take away from God’s prophecy, God will take away from words in this book, God will ensure him his share in the tree of life they will not taste of the Tree of and in the holy city, which are Life, that would have been theirs, described in this book. had they not refused to Believe, Repent, and Submit to Christ. It becomes obvious that those who would willfully add to or take away from the Book of Revelation are not Christians. REV 22:20 He who testifies to [He who testifies] – This book is the these things says, “Yes, I am testimony of Jesus Christ, revealing coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord who He is and what He will do in the Jesus. future. [I am coming soon] – Jesus promises that He is in fact coming soon. We must realize that each generation is actually closer to the return of Christ than the previous ones. The next event on God’s timetable is the return of Jesus for His Church. [Come, Lord Jesus] – this should be our response to the reading and hearing of this book. There is no family, career, home, car, etc., that can compare to the glories of an eternity with God. We should all cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus!” REV 22:21 The grace of the Lord John ends this marvelous letter with Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. a benediction.

Tony Capoccia
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