Thus far in the
introductions of this book written by John the apostle, we have
learned the word “Revelation” means “unveiling or
revealed” and is like the “unveiling of a statue” upon the day
of it's presentation. We have also learned there are blessings
associated with the study of this book for those who “read, hear
and keep the words written therein”. This final introduction
shall reveal the three divisions of the book of Revelation given to
John, and as we study them we shall learn to keep the order of this
book in its proper perspective. In Revelation chapter one and verse
nineteen we read,
Write the
things which you have seen, and the things which are,
and the
things which shall be hereafter;
The
first division of this book provided by John is “the
things which you have seen”.
These are the things of the “past” and relate to the things John
saw and recorded in chapter one of this “Revelation”.
Whatever is written in chapter one are things John “saw”, and to
keep this book in perspective, we must realize what John “saw”.
The
next division of the book is described by John as “the
things which are” which are
“present things”.
These “present things”
are recorded by John in the second and third chapters of “Revelation”
and relate to the age of the
church. John writes to the “seven churches”
within chapter two and three, and we shall learn much about the
“churches” and
church ages in the verses within them.
The
final division within the book is described as “ the
things which shall be hereafter” or
in the future. The word “hereafter”
in Greek are the words “meta tauta” which means, “after these
things”. The idea is “after the things of the church or church
age”. Chapter four and verse one begins with the words, “meta
tauta” and repeats the idea that these are the things of the
future. By understanding chapters four through twenty-two are in the
future, we shall not confuse present things with future, past things
with present or otherwise.
Therefore,
as we study this book, let us keep in mind the three divisions of
“Revelation” -
“the past (Chapter One), the present (Chapters two and three) and
the future (Chapters four thru twenty-two)”, and when we do so we
shall put some of our confusion to rest and begin to see more clearly
what God intends for those who read these words.
Next
time
we shall begin the verse by verse study of this book,
so read chapter one and verse one, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Some interesting observations in my study:
ReplyDeleteThe Revelation (Apocalypse):
Is a revelation (unveiling) of Jesus Christ (1:1-2)
Was written to seven literal churches (see a good Bible map) (1: 4)
Is an epistle (a letter) just like Romans and 1 Corinthians.
Is given as a vision to “show” “all things he saw” in highly symbolic terms “signified” – symbols are not up for grabs. (1:1-2)
These symbols are rooted in the Old Testament. (See below)
Was written to a suffering church “companion in tribulation” (1: 9)
Is the most Biblical of Bible books – Hebraic Greek – priestly language and symbols.
Was expected to happen soon after the letter was written – "time is near" (1: 1,3)
Like other Bible books, it has many applications but only one interpretation.
REVELATION IS FILLED WITH OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES
ReplyDeleteThere is a similarity between Revelation and the Old Testament story in both wording and content. There are approximately 348 Old Testament allusions in Revelation.
IF you know your Bible well enough you will immediately recognize the reference source! Herein lays the problem. American Christians are not really familiar with the story. They think they are because they remember the stories of “Noah and the Ark”, “Jonah and the Whale”, “David and Goliath” Daniel and the Lion’s Den” etc. from Sunday school but they are not intimately familiar with the World of the Tabernacle and Temple.
The biggest danger is that people think they know this stuff already – they don’t. They are really getting it from current preachers and teachers who have gone before them. Many times they pick things up from the Jewish community. But remember, modern day Judaism is not the same as the Biblical counterpart. Remember also that unconverted Jews do not have Jesus or the Holy Spirit as their guide and interpreter. They also accept the Mishnah as their version of the New Testament.
If you want to understand this Revelation (not secret code but a full unveiling of Jesus Christ given to us by God), then you must begin by listening to the Old Testament Law, Prophets, and Psalms. I say listen - not merely read as in "read the Bible through the year". You must hear this story. Fortunately, there are a number of excellent dramatic readings on CD and MP3 that you can listen to while driving or doing housework.
The other thing to do is quit listening to the end-time preachers. This includes otherwise godly men like David Jeremiah. He and so many others are products of their Bible College and Seminary education and have staked their reputations on a futuristic view of things. Turn them off for a year and only listen to the Bible. See if it doesn’t make a big difference.
Ezekiel is a good place to start. Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything. It takes a lifetime of listening and study. The goal is to become familiar with the text not to understand it fully. It's like your spouse, you become more and more familiar but are much further behind in actually understanding. Understanding will come in the most unsual times as you meditate. Oh, and you must listen to the book a couple or three times before moving on to the next one.
EZEKIEL AND REVELATION PARALLEL
(Ezekiel was a priest and Jesus is our high priest)
Ezekiel uses the words "the end is come,the end is come". ( Ezekiel 7:2,6)
Does this mean that when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC that this was the end of the planet?
THRONE VISION (Rev 4/Ezek 1:26-28).
A SCROLL(Rev 5/Ezek 2:9,10)
EATING THE SCROLL (Rev 10:8-11/Ezek. 2:1)
THE PLAGUES ( A THIRD PART)(Rev 8/Ezek 5).
A MARK UPON FOREHEADS (Rev 7/Ezek 9:4-6)
COALS FROM ALTAR (Rev. 8/Ezek 10:2).
NO MORE DELAY (Rev. 10:1-7/Ezek 12:28).
MEASURING THE TEMPLE (Rev. 11:1-2/Ezek. 40-43)
JERUSALEM AND SODOM (Rev. 11:8/Ezek 16:46-63)
CUP OF WRATH (Rev. 14-16/Ezek. 23).
VINE OF THE LAND (Rev. 14:18-20/Ezek 15)
JERUSALEM AS GREAT HARLOT (Rev 17-18/Ezek. 16, 23).
LAMENT OVER THE CITY (Rev. 18/Ezek 27)
SCAVENGER'S FEAST (Rev. 19/Ezek 39)
FIRST RESURRECTION (Rev 20:4-6/Ezek 37).
BATTLE WITH GOG AND MAGOG (Rev. 20:7-9/Ezek 38-39)
NEW JERUSALEM (Rev 21/Ezek 40-48)
RIVER OF LIFE (Rev 22/Ezek 47)