Revelation Explained

Coming Soon

2009-06-15T19:39:00.001-04:00

"The Angel said to me, 'These are dependable and accurate words, every one. The God and Master of the spirits of the prophets sent his Angel to show his servants what must take place, and soon. And tell them, "Yes, I'm on my way!" Blessed be the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.' " (Revelation 22:6,7 - The Message)

The person speaking changes several times during the last part of this chapter. In these two verses, it is Jesus that is speaking. He emphasis the truth revealed in this book. He gives His pledge to its truthfulness. He also reminds us that the God who inspired the prophets of old is the same God who sent the angel to reveal to John and us the things which will quickly come to pass.

Jesus reminds us that he too will come quickly. This does not mean that he would come soon, but that when the events revealed in this prophecy begin to unfold, they will quickly occur one after another. We have waited more than 1900 years since John received this Revelation. We do not know how much longer we will have to wait. However, once the first seal is opened. The events of the Tribulation will occur quickly and without pause.

To keep the sayings of this book makes a person blessed. This is more than just knowing what the book of Revelation says. It is doing what this book encourages: evangelism.

The River and The Tree

2009-06-01T19:28:00.002-04:00

"Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:1-5 - New American Standard)

The last chapter of Revelation contains more information about the New Jerusalem and some concluding comments. John makes it clear that the Revelation is not meant to distract us from our present circumstance, but encourage us to do all that we can for the Lord while there is time.

In the New Jerusalem, a pure clear river flows out of God's throne. This is the water of life. Also in the city is the Tree of Life which was in the Garden of Eden. After the fall, Adam and Eve were kept out of the Garden and away from this tree. It will have fruit year round. Its leaves bring health to all the people. This does not mean there will be any sickness, anymore than there will be hunger or thirst. The river, the tree and its leaves indicate that all our needs will be provided in the New Jerusalem.

There will be no curse. The curse of sin will be removed. It will be a perfect place.

John tells us that in eternity we will serve God. He does not tell us what that service will be. We will see God.

In the New Jerusalem there will be no night. There will be no need for candles or lamps or light bulbs. There will be no need for the sun or moon or stars to shine. The light of God's glory will illuminate the city.

John ends his description of the New Jerusalem by saying that we will reign with God for ever and ever. He does not tell us whom we will reign over. We must wait for eternity before we will fully understand all that John has told us.

The Glory of New Jerusalem

2009-05-23T17:23:00.002-04:00

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:22-27 - New International Version)

The New Jerusalem has no temple. The temple in the Old Testament represented God's presence with His people. There will be no temple in the New Jerusalem because Jesus will be there.

The city will not require the light of the sun or moon. The glory of God will illuminate it. Notice that John does not say that there will be no sun or moon or stars, only that the New Jerusalem will not require their light.

All the saved will walk in the light of God's glory in this city. The gates of the city will never be shut. No sin or sinner will be allowed to enter the city. The redeemed whose names are in the Lamb's book of life will be there.

New Jerusalem Described

2009-05-09T12:16:00.002-04:00

"And the building of its wall was jasper, and the city is pure gold -- like to pure glass; and the foundations of the wall of the city with every precious stone have been adorned; the first foundation jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each several one of the gates was of one pearl; and the broad-place of the city is pure gold -- as transparent glass." (Revelation 21:18-21 - Young's Literal Translation)

In an earlier post, I mentioned that the names used for gems and stones in ancient times do not correspond with the names we now use. We cannot be certain that what we call a type of stone now was what they called it in New Testament times. So we cannot be dogmatic about many aspects of John's description when he compares it to a type of gem.

The walls of the city are made of jasper, most likely, some type of quartz. The city is made of gold like clear glass. This expression has caused a great deal of speculation. Gold is not clear. Either the gold of this city is some new thing, or else John when he says that it is like clear glass, he is speaking of its quality not its appearance. He might be saying that the gold is free of imperfections like a window that is perfectly clear.

John tells us that each of the foundations was decorated with a different type of stone. As we have mentioned, jasper is likely some type of quartz. It might be blue, green or rosy. Sapphire was used of several types of blue stones but not what we call sapphire. Chalcedony may be some kind of quartz but we cannot be sure. Emerald refereed to our emerald and other green stones. Sardonyx is likely onyx which is layers of different colors. Sardius refers to a stone red in color. Chrysolyte refereed to yellow topaz. Beryl is a stone of sea-green color.

Topaz refereed to yellow-green stone. Chrysoprasus was greenish-yellow possibly a hornstone which is a type of quartz. Jacinth may be our modern blue sapphire although this is not certain. Amethyst is a purple quartz.

Each of the gates of the city is carved from single pearls. Some commentaries see a symbolic meaning here. A pearl is created when a grain of sand is taken by an oyster and made into a thing of beauty. Jesus takes people who are dirty with sin and clothes them in His righteousness making them pure before God.

The street of the city is paved in pure gold. Again, the phrase, "as it were transparent glass" may be taken in reference to either the appearance or the purity of the gold.

MEGA-City: New Jerusalem

2009-05-02T13:48:00.003-04:00

"And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel." (Revelation 21:15-17 - New King James Version)

The angel that brought John to see the city had a golden reed in this hand. A reed is an ancient unit of measure equal to about 11 feet or about 3.4 meters. The city is either a perfect cube or a perfect pyramid. It's width, length and height are equal. The angel measures the city and it is 12 000 furlongs wide, long and high.

A Greek furlong is about 607 feet or almost 187 meters. Twelve thousand furlongs would be about 1500 miles or 2400 kilometers. This is about the distance from Toronto to St. John's, Newfoundland or to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The earth's atmosphere is about 18,000 miles high. The New Jerusalem will extend upwards almost this entire distance.

One hundred km or sixty miles is usually considered the boundary between the earth's atmosphere and outer space. Ninety-nine percent of the gases that make up our atmosphere are concentrated in this distance. This city will extend far beyond that. Satellites orbit within the outer part of our atmosphere. The orbit of the International Space Station is at about 350 km (210 miles) above the earth.

The wall of the city is 144 cubits. It is not clear if John is referring to the height or width of the wall. A cubit is about 18 inches, a little less than half a meter. The wall is about 216 feet or 66 .5 meters high or wide. This is about the height of a 22 story building. If it is height, this huge wall will be dwarfed by the city itself. The walls purpose is not defense but decoration anyway.

New Jerusalem Described

2009-04-23T18:43:00.002-04:00

"Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:11-14 - King James Version)

This city radiates the glory of God. John tries to describe it. Notice carefully the word: "like." John uses it many times in this passage. The light coming from the city was like that from a precious gem. John goes on to say that it was like jasper, clear as crystal.

This confronts us with a difficult problem. The names used for gems and stones in ancient times do not correspond with the names we now use. We cannot be certain that what we call a type of stone now was what they called it in New Testament times. So we cannot be dogmatic about many aspects of John's description when he compares it to a type of gem.

What we call jasper today is not clear as crystal. Some commentators believe that John is referring to a diamond. Unger's Bible Dictionary suggests that it refers to "several kinds of delicately colored translucent varieties of quartz." (Moody Press, 1957, pg 740)

The light of God's glory shining out of the city, was most likely a mixture of colors. Possibly the colors were slowing changing adding to the beauty of the sight.

John describes the wall in more detail later. At this point, he tells us only that it was great and high.

There are twelve gates in the wall of the city, three on each side. On each gate is the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Forever, we will be reminded that the nation of Israel is God's chosen people. It was through this nation that God brought the Messiah into the world. Jesus was born of a Jewish woman.

Notice carefully what John says next. He says that the wall of the city had twelve foundations. Most commentaries refer to the foundations of the city. John only mentions the foundations of the wall. Maybe these are also foundations for the city, but John does not say that.

A wall around a city with twelve gates would have twelve sections between the gates. For the New Jerusalem, each of these sections has a separate foundation. On each foundation is written the name of the one of the Apostles. Forever, we will be reminded of the great work that these men did in the early days of the Christian Era in taking the Gospel message out to Jew and Gentile. We are still building today upon what they began.

Here Comes the Bride

2009-04-16T19:31:00.002-04:00

"Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven final plagues (afflictions, calamities) came and spoke to me. He said, Come with me! I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife. Then in the Spirit He conveyed me away to a vast and lofty mountain and exhibited to me the holy (hallowed, consecrated) city of Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God." (Revelation 21:9,10 - Amplified Bible)

John's attention now focuses upon the New Jerusalem; the Holy City of God. Much of what he describes is difficult to imagine. Some of it is unclear because of terminology. We will not completely understand the glory of this city until we see it for ourselves. However, John's description does give us an imperfect glimpse of its wonders. The description covers the rest of chapter twenty-one and part of chapter twenty-two.

Early in Revelation, one of the seven angels which had the bowls of God's wrath had shown John another city called Babylon. That city had been destroyed. Now one of the seven angels shows John the eternal city that will never be destroyed. Whether this is the same angel or another one we have no way of knowing.

The angel tells John that he will show to Him the bride of the Lamb. He then takes John in the spirit to the top of a high mountain upon the New Earth. The angel shows him the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. This is the bride. Of course, it is the people that make a city not the buildings. So the bride includes all who dwell in the New Jerusalem: the redeemed of every age.

All Things New

2009-04-07T19:24:00.002-04:00

"The Enthroned continued, 'Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.' Then he said, 'It's happened. I'm A to Z. I'm the Beginning, I'm the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I'll be God to them, they'll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the feckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it's Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!' " (Revelation 21:5-8 - The Message)

The new heaven and the new earth will be a totally new experience. All things will be new. John was so overwhelmed at what he was seeing and hearing that he stopped writing. God had to remind him to keep recording the vision.

That we can freely drink of the water of life represents that all our needs will be fully satisfied in eternity. There will be no thirst or hunger.

Those who are saved, the overcomers, will possess all things because we are the children of God. Everything we need will be available. Our relationship with God will be that of father and child.

Lest we become too enraptured with the joys of eternity that we forget, God reminds us that not everyone will enjoy the new heaven and new earth. Many will be excluded because they refused to accept Jesus as their Saviour. All can enter into eternal joy, but they must turn from their sin in sorrow, ask God's forgiveness and trust in Jesus.

Verse eight is not saying that anyone who has done any of these things will suffer eternal torment. All of us have lied. All of us have committed other sins and continue to sin. It is those who do these things habitual because it is their nature that will suffer torment. Those who never received the Holy Spirit so that He could break the bonds of sin in their lives.

Those who are by nature cowards and are more afraid of people than of God are included in this list. Those who reject the Gospel and will not believe what God has said in His Word are in this group. Those who practice and love vile habits are included. Those whose lives are full of hate and anger and the desire to kill other people will not enter the new heaven and new earth.

Those who habitually engage in obscene and immoral relationships are mentioned. Those whose lives are full of occult practices will be separated from God. Those who worshiped idols rather than God will not be with the Lord in eternity. Those who by nature are liars will have their part in the lake of fire.

All these will be separated from God for ever in torment. We can rejoice that we will be in the new heaven and new earth. But that knowledge should not make us unconcerned about others. We must do all that we can to warn those who have not yet turned to God.

The New Jerusalem

2009-04-02T18:50:00.002-04:00

"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.' " (Revelation 21:2-4 -New American Standard)

The New Jerusalem, the Holy City, the Bride, the Lamb's wife, the city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10), Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22): these names describe the place which will be our home for all eternity. We will be free to travel over the new earth, maybe we will even travel into outer space, but the home to which we will always return is the New Jerusalem. It will be as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day and will remain like that for ever.

John hears a great voice making an announcement. Like many other times in this Revelation, John does not tell us whose voice it is.

The voice announces that the tabernacle or temple of God is with men. Jesus is the temple of the New Jerusalem. God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, will live in the New Jerusalem. We are constantly be in His presence. In eternity, we will often worship the Lord.

Many things which are common on this world will not exist on the new earth. There will be no death. No one will ever die. There will be no sorrow or crying. There will be nothing to make us sad. There will be no pain, no suffering, no sickness. This world will know none of the effects of sin with which we must now daily struggle.

A New Heaven and A New Earth

2009-03-23T19:42:00.002-04:00

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea." (Revelation 21:1 - New International Version)

In Chapter 21 of Revelation, the Apostle John begins to describe the Eternal Age. Satan and his demonic allies have been defeated. All of mankind has been judged. The saved are now in the presence of God forever. John's description of this time is majestic. The true glory of it will be greater than we can imagine. So we must approach the last two chapters of Revelation with a sense of humility and wonder.

Heaven is used in the Bible to describe the atmosphere, outer space and God's dwelling place. The passing away of the first heaven refers to the atmosphere and outer space, the physical heaven. It will be destroyed and remade along with the earth.

The Apostle Peter wrote, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (II Peter 3:10 - KJV)

Peter tells us that the heaven and earth will melt away or be burned up. If this refers to the passing away of the first heaven and earth, then it would seem that God will use the same physical matter when he creates the new heaven and new earth.

The Greek word for new that is used in this verse means a new kind. So the new heaven and new earth will have a different nature than the one in which we now live. There will be both physical differences and spiritual differences. John describes some of both of these.

One physical difference is that the new earth will have no seas or oceans. There will be rivers and possibly lakes, but no large bodies of water. The present earth is about three quarters water so the new earth even if it is the same diameter will have about four times the land area. As well the climate will be effected by the absence of seas, because now they greatly effect our weather patterns.

Great White Throne Judgment

2009-03-02T18:15:00.002-05:00

"And I saw a great white throne, and Him who is sitting upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven did flee away, and place was not found for them; and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and scrolls were opened, and another scroll was opened, which is that of the life, and the dead were judged out of the things written in the scrolls -- according to their works; and the sea did give up those dead in it, and the death and the hades did give up the dead in them, and they were judged, each one according to their works; and the death and the hades were cast to the lake of the fire -- this [is] the second death; and if any one was not found written in the scroll of the life, he was cast to the lake of the fire." (Revelation 20:11-15 - Young's Literal Translation)

This is called the Great White Throne Judgment. It is when those who had no part in the first resurrection will be judged. Jesus will sit on the throne to judge. He will be so somber that the physical creation will not be able to bear His appearance.

The exact meaning of the last part of verse eleven is difficult to determine. From the context, it would seem that this is the time when this universe will be dissolved in preparation for the creation of the new heaven and earth. There are several other passages that suggest that this world will be destroyed. Jesus Himself said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away. . ." (Matthew 24:35)

Those who stand before Jesus at this judgment will be judged out of books. It is generally believed that these books include both the Bible which is God's law, and records of all that people have done in their lifetimes.

Hal Lindsey, in his book There's a New World Coming, graphically describes the scene:

As each man steps before the throne, God will first open the "Book of the Law." He'll show the man what was required of him if he was to come to God by merit of his own good deeds. He'll patiently go over each point of the Law, showing afresh that the standards are so high that no man could keep them. Then God will remind the offender that this is why He sent His Son - to perfectly fulfill the demands of the Law for us and in us.

After this God will open the "Book of Works," with this man's name on it. God will painstakingly compare it point-by-point with the "Book of the Law," showing the man how he failed to measure up to what the Law of God demanded in the way of righteousness. He'll show the many times that he failed to heed the prompting of God's still, small voice in his conscience which told him to get right with God while there was still time.

Then God will quietly lay down these two books and pick up the "Book of Life." It's quite evident by now that the first two books have confirmed the condemnation that has brought the man to this bar of judgment, but just to prove beyond doubt there has been no mistake, God checks His final record.

He solemnly opens the "Book of Life" and begins to scan the pages for the man's name. Those nail-scarred hands turn first one page, and then another, all the time wishing the man's name could be found there. Tragically, it can't be found on any page, and God slowly closes this final book of judgment and says with great reluctance: "Depart from Me, accursed one, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41)

The man begins to tremble, and frantic words rush to his defense - "Lord, Lord, didn't I prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?" (Matthew 7:22,23)

The Father slowly shakes His head and says, "I never knew you."

Those words will ring in the condemned man's ears for all eternity - "I never knew you, I never knew you, I never knew you. . . ."

(There's a New World Coming, Hal Lindsey, Bantam Book, 1975, pg. 273, 274)

Whether this is how it will be or not we do not know. Certainly the spirit of this judgment is shown in this description. Those who never accepted what Jesus did for them will be judged according to their own works and the law of God and will be found guilty.

All the dead, where ever and how ever they died will stand before God in judgment. Those who did not trust in Christ and have their names entered into the Book of Life will be cast into eternal torment in the Lake of Fire.

For a Christian, there can be only one proper response to this passage. We must warn all who will listen of the judgment that they will face while they have time to repent and be forgiven.

The Final Battle

2009-01-13T19:45:00.002-05:00

"Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:7-10 - New King James Version)

For a thousand years, people will live in a perfect environment. Jesus will rule in righteousness and perfect justice. Glorified saints, in sinless bodies, will rule under His authority. At the beginning of the thousand years, everyone that is alive, in mortal bodies, will be saved. Satan will be bound and unable to influence people.

For those thousand years, there will be no war. There will be no corruption in government. There will be very little crime. Wrong doing will be quickly punished. People will live for hundreds of years. It will be utopia. If you think that such a perfect situation would result in perfect people, you are very wrong.

Satan in fury comes out of his prison. He finds that there are many people, maybe even the majority, who have been born physically but not spiritually during the thousand years. They are rebels in their hearts against the government of Jesus. They are willing to follow Satan into battle against the world's capital, Jerusalem. Satan will be able to gather millions of people.

This will prove beyond all doubt that man is sinful by nature. Even living in an utopia, man will build up rebellion in his heart. He will take the first opportunity he has to express his rebellion.

This will also remove the excuse that some may seek to use when God judges them that if they had lived at a better time than they would have been better people. Regardless of circumstance, it is up to the individual to decide how he will respond to the work of God in his life. Some in the worst situations have trusted the Lord. While many in this time of peace and prosperity will reject Jesus.

This battle is over very quickly like the Battle of Armageddon. Satan and the army that he has gathered surrounds Jerusalem. God sends fire down from heaven and destroys them.

Satan is then cast into the Lake of Fire. He will remain there for eternity.

Those Who Reign With Christ

2008-12-08T20:12:00.002-05:00

"Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4-6 - English Standard Version)

John tells us that there is a group of people who will reign with Christ during these thousand years. This group is made up of those who were beheaded for Christ, those who did not worship the beast and those who have a part in the first resurrection. If we only had this passage to help us identify who this group is, we might conclude that they are the Tribulation saints who were martyred. However, we must consider other passages as well.

Jesus told the twelve, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28 – New American Standard) The Apostles will reign with Jesus during the thousand years.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “If we endure, we will also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:12a)

This promise would apply to all saved of all times. The Tribulation saints will reign with Christ. The Apostles will reign with Christ. New Testament saints will reign with Christ. Old Testament saints will reign with Christ. All believers, who have died up to that time, will reign with Jesus in their glorified perfect bodies.

At the beginning of the thousand year reign, Jesus will judge all those still alive on the earth. Those who are saved will enter into the thousand year kingdom in their physical mortal bodies. Those who rejected Jesus will be cast into hell to await final judgment. At the beginning of his reign, Jesus will be ruling from Jerusalem. Glorified saints will be serving him and ruling with him. We will be ruling over an initially small population of saved people. It will be earth's golden age.

Some Old Testament passages that describe this coming kingdom are:

Haggai 2:6-9
Micah 4:1-7
Joel 3:18
Amos 9:11-15
Daniel 7:13,14
Zechariah 2:10-12; 14:9-11
Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:1-9; 35:1-10; 65:17-25

Satan Bound

2008-11-18T20:03:00.002-05:00

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." (Revelation 20:1-3 - King James Version)

To us it may seem strange that a spirit being such as Satan can be bound. However, our view of the spirit world has been greatly influenced by movies and television. The Bible clearly teaches that spirit beings can be confined and prevented from going certain places.

The souls of those who have died without Christ are now confined to hell; they cannot escape. Jesus told us that the souls of those who are believers cannot enter hell; it is off limits to them. Daniel was told by an angel about how other wicked spirit beings, demons, had kept him from coming to Daniel.

So, at the beginning of the thousand year reign of Christ, Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit. This is the fourth passage in Revelation that refers to this pit. In previous lessons, I said that the bottomless pit is the center of the earth. This may be where hell is located.

John uses in the passage all four names that he uses for the devil in Revelation: the dragon, the old serpent, the Devil (which means accuser) and Satan (which means adversary). For a thousand years, man's accuser and adversary will be prevented from working upon this world. Then he will be allowed freedom again, a future blog will deal with that.

Battle of Armageddon

2008-10-29T19:41:00.002-04:00

"Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: 'Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.' Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies." (Revelation 19:17-21 - New Living Translation)

An angel calls to all the birds that eat flesh to gather to the scene of the battle. Vultures, ravens and other meat eating birds will eat the flesh of the fallen army of the Anti-Christ. Kings, captains, soldiers, horses, riders, slaves will all die on the battle field. The birds will eat their flesh.

John does not really describe the battle itself. He simply tells us that it will result in the supper of the great God: this supper is the dead bodies of the army that the birds will eat. There is a great contrast between this supper and the marriage supper of the Lamb spoken of earlier in this chapter.

Satan knows that the end is near. He gathers together the largest human army possible. Although John does not mention it, the great demonic army must also be gathered for this battle. Again, against all reason, Satan throws his forces against those of heaven. As before, the result is certain. Satan cannot win.

The Anti-Christ and the false prophet are taken alive in the battle. They are immediately thrown into the Lake of Fire. They are the first ones to enter this place of final suffering. The rest of those who have rejected Jesus will not be cast into the Lake of Fire until a thousand years later!

Jesus speaks, and his enemies fall down dead. The battle will be short and one-sided. Now that Jesus has returned, and defeated his enemies, he can set up his Kingdom on Earth.

The King of Kings and His Army

2008-10-22T15:06:00.002-04:00

"And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath and indignation of God the All-Ruler (the Almighty, the Omnipotent). And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:14-16 - Amplified Bible)

The army of heaven follows Jesus upon their own horses. Certainly this will include the angels of God who have been waging a long and bitter war with the demonic forces. Most likely, it will also include all the glorified people who will have been in heaven since they were raptured.

This sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus represents the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It would seem that Jesus will battle his enemies with his word. He will speak and his word will cut down the enemy like a blade harvesting wheat.

We are told that he will rule with a rod of iron. During his reign, Jesus will not be the soft man he is often pictured as. He will be a strong and firm ruler. He will quickly punish any who oppose his rule.

The image of the winepress is used in Scripture of God's punishment. In my last posting, I quoted Isaiah chapter sixty-three verse three, where the Messiah says, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.” (King James Version)

This passage describes the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returning to earth to establish His eternal Kingdom.

Rider on the White Horse

2008-09-21T09:34:00.002-04:00

"Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that's known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as 'Word of God.' " (Revelation 19:11-13 - The Message)

The Great Tribulation is at its end with the last half of this chapter The rule of the Anti-Christ is finished. Satan's hold on this world will be broken. Evil will be put down. After this battle, there will be a long and prosperous peace. John describes the leader of heaven's army and then the results of the battle.

John sees a rider upon a white horse. The rider is Jesus Christ. He is the Lord of hosts, the leader of heaven's army.

He is faithful: trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, steady. He is true; there is no falsehood in him. His actions are righteous; they are pleasing to God; they are right, just, proper, fitting. He is not acting according to wrong motives. He judges according to what is just. This battle is a just one.
His eyes are like fire. They are bright, penetrating, lively. They seem to look right into and through people and things.

On his head are many crowns. This is the King of kings and Lord of lords coming to claim his throne.

Jesus has a name that no one knows except himself. This would imply that there are aspects and depths of the nature and character of Christ of which we, and even the angels, are unaware. We will never fully understand God.

Jesus is wearing a garment dipped in blood. There is some debate over this verse as to whose blood this is. It is either his own blood that he shed on the cross for our sins, or the blood of his enemies. This second possibility is based upon Isaiah chapter sixty-three verse three, where the Messiah says, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.” (King James Version)

Since John sees this vision before the battle is joined, it would seem most likely that is is his own blood that stains his clothes. So as Jesus rides into battle, his enemies will see the blood that was shed for their sins. They will the scars in his hands from when he was crucified for their sins. They will the one who died for them. The one they rejected.

The Marriage Supper

2008-05-15T20:54:00.002-04:00

"Then he said to me, 'Write, "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb" ' And he said to me, 'These are true words of God.' Then I fell at his feet to worship him But he said to me, 'Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.' " (Revelation 19:9,10 - New American Standard)

The celebration of the Marriage Supper will occur after the Battle of Armageddon when the New Jerusalem descends from heaven. To this feast will be invited all the saved who are in glorified bodies whose home will be the New Jerusalem and all the saved in fleshly bodies who enter into the Millennial Reign of Christ.

In New Testament times, marriage suppers were the most joyous and festive events which the average person ever attended. This Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be the most joyous and festive event of all time.

At this point, John is so overwhelmed with emotion that he falls down before the angel who is showing him these things and begins to worship him. The angel immediately stops him. The angels of God do not desire our worship.

This great and mighty angel is but a fellow servant of God with us. He is our brother in the service of the Lord. We worship God. He worships God.

We should not give worship to any created being. No angel, no saint, no creature is to be given the praise, glory, worship and adoration that belongs to God. With the conclusion of heaven's Hallelujah chorus, the army of heaven is ready to march. The Battle of Armageddon is about to begin.

The Bride is Ready

2008-05-03T19:55:00.003-04:00

"The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: 'Amen, Hallelujah!' Then a voice came from the throne, saying: 'Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!' 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. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.' (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" (Revelation 19:4-8 - New International Version)

As the worship continues, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures join the multitude praising God. A voice from God's throne calls upon all God's servants to praise him.

The voice that John hears in verse six was loud, melodious and powerful. He does not tell us who it was that spoke. This voice announces that God Almighty reigns.

God has always reigned in heaven. However, this passage should be seen in relation to ruling the earth. God's reign on earth is about to begin. The god of this world, Satan, is about to be dethroned.

Who is the bride of Christ in Revelation? Most commentators state that it is the Church. Ephesians tells us that the relationship of Christ and the Church is like the relationship between husband and wife. This is figurative.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation is also figurative. There is not going to be an actual marriage ceremony. Jesus is not going to actually marry some person. In Revelation, John uses the term bride four times. He speaks of marriage twice. He writes of a wife twice. Of these eight times, seven refer to Christ and his bride in two passages. The first passage is the one we are studying. This passage does not tell us who the bride is.

The other passage is Revelation chapter twenty-one verses nine and ten. This passages does tell us who the bride is.

“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, 'Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.' And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” (New International Version)

The bride of Christ in Revelation is a city: the New Jerusalem. When we get to chapter twenty-one in our study, we will discuss the symbolism of this if more detail. For our understanding of the passage before us, we only need to understand that the bride is this city.

At the time to which our passage relates, the city will be ready. It will be ready to descend from heaven to the earth.

The beauty of the New Jerusalem is described in more detail latter. Her beauty will be based upon both the work of God and the work of the saints. She will be decorated with the glory of God and the godly deeds of the redeemed. This is figurative.

Heaven's Hallelujah Chorus

2008-04-21T06:23:00.002-04:00

"And after these things I heard a great voice of a great multitude in the heaven, saying, `Alleluia! the salvation, and the glory, and the honour, and the power, [is] to the Lord our God; because true and righteous [are] His judgments, because He did judge the great whore who did corrupt the earth in her whoredom, and He did avenge the blood of His servants at her hand;' and a second time they said, `Alleluia;' and her smoke doth come up -- to the ages of the ages!" (Revelation 19:1-3 - Young's Literal Translation)

This passage is the only place in the King James Version where the word Alleluia or Hallelujah appears. In the Old Testament, it is always translated: Praise ye the Lord. It is not found anywhere else in the New Testament.

This Hallelujah chorus in heaven is before the return of Christ for the Battle of Armageddon. The forces of the Anti-Christ prepare for the battles with curses and blasphemy. Heaven's army prepares with worship and praise.

The Apostle John hears a great crowd in heaven. He does not tell us who make up this crowd. It may include angels and saved human beings.

They praise God. They declare him to be the source of salvation, of glory, or honor and of power. They give both a general and specific reason for their praise.

The general reason is that God's judgments are true and righteous. The word true carries with it the thought of being ideal. Righteous has a similar idea. God's judgments are just. The punishment fits the crime.

The specific reason for the praise of this crowd is that God has judged the great prostitute. This refers to both Religious Babylon of chapter seventeen and Commercial Babylon of chapter eighteen. Both will draw people away from God. Both will kill those who do not submit to their authority. Both will make war on God's children. Their destruction as described in Revelation fits their awful deeds.

Babylon Thrown Down

2008-04-19T19:57:00.002-04:00

"Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, 'Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.' ” (Revelation 18:21-24 - New King James Version)

The angel in verse twenty one throwing the stone into the sea symbolizes the complete and final destruction of Babylon. It will be quickly destroyed. It will never again be built.

The destruction of Babylon will be complete. There will no more singing or music in the city. There will be no one working a trade. There will be no one preparing food. There will be no light in the city. There will be no rejoicing. It will be totally destroyed. If any survive the destruction, they will leave and never return.

This city will be the center of the world. All will adore her. Yet the respect and admiration she gets will be based upon lies. Satan will blind people's eyes to the ugly truth.

Her destruction will come because she will kill God's people and all others who might oppose her rule. This will happen near the end of the Tribulation just before the battle of Armageddon. Chapter nineteen tells us about that battle.

Rejoice, Babylon Has Fallen

2008-04-12T15:37:00.002-04:00

"The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, 'Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.' And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, 'What city was like the great city?' And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, 'Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.' Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets,for God has given judgment for you against her!" (Revelation 18:15-20 - English Standard Version)

The third group who mourn for the city are those who made their living bringing the merchandise to the city: the sailors and ship owners. These mourn more than the others, even throwing dust on their heads. With her sudden destruction, their jobs are gone.

While those who profited from the wickedness of Babylon mourn, those who are godly are called upon to rejoice. God has avenged the blood of his servants. We are not to be glad because people suffer or die. We are to be glad that wickedness will be destroyed and that good will prevail. It is the end of their wicked deeds that cause us to rejoice.

God is not happy that the wicked are destroyed. He is happy when the wicked repent, turn their lives over to him and change their ways. He is happy when evil is no longer practiced. Unfortunately some will never turn to him, and their evil will not end until they are destroyed.

Mourning for Babylon

2008-03-31T19:50:00.001-04:00

"And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all." (Revelation 18:9-14 - King James Version)

When God destroys this city, the rulers of the world will mourn. They will miss the pleasures and luxuries that they enjoyed there. Her destruction will make them sad.

However, they will mourn her from afar. They will not go to her aid. They will simply watch her burn. They do not want to suffer the fate of her residents. The destruction is so sudden that the rulers describe it as occurring in one hour.

The items listed in verses twelve and thirteen are all luxuries. During the last part of the Tribulation, most people will be struggling just to survive. Those connected to the government will be living well. With the destruction of the capital, no one else will be able to afford these things. There will be no market for them.

Babylon will have enjoyed fine jewelry, the latest fashions, expensive furniture and ornaments, spices, perfumes, strong drink and exotic foods. It will also attract those whom it can use for their pleasure: people so desperate that they will sell themselves to survive. The citizens of this city will use them like slaves, like animals, and think nothing of it.

This city will never again enjoy those things after which she lusted. Those who supplied this city's desires and became rich will also stand afar off and mourn. They will not try to help but be sad that no one will buy their goods any longer.

Both the rulers and the merchants will be sad because Babylon is destroyed. Not because they cared about the city. They will be sad because her destruction will be bad for them.

Commercial Babylon Destroyed

2008-03-25T12:59:00.001-04:00

"Repay to her what she herself has paid [to others] and double [her doom] in accordance with what she has done. Mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed [for others]. To the degree that she glorified herself and reveled in her wantonness [living deliciously and luxuriously], to that measure impose on her torment and anguish and tears and mourning. Since in her heart she boasts, I am not a widow; as a queen [on a throne] I sit, and I shall never see suffering or experience sorrow--So shall her plagues (afflictions, calamities) come thick upon her in a single day, pestilence and anguish and sorrow and famine; and she shall be utterly consumed (burned up with fire), for mighty is the Lord God Who judges her." (Revelation 18:6-8 - Amplified Bible)

Verses six through eight make it clear that what happens to this city is according to justice. It is the result of their own wickedness.

God will do to them what they have done to others. What she has made others drink, she will drink in double portion. The misery, torture and death that she has caused will be brought upon her. According to how she has lifted herself up, and exalted herself and lived in luxury while others suffered, so will be the measure of her downfall. This city will think itself invincible, secure and strong. God will destroy it in one day.

The fifth bowl of God's wrath will bring darkness upon this city. The seventh bowl will bring her complete destruction. Revelation chapter sixteen verse nineteen tells us that God will remember great Babylon and “give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath!”

The great earthquake of that day will destroy the city and the volcanic activity that follows will bring more death and destruction. The city will burn.

Come Out of Her

2008-03-22T16:35:00.003-04:00

"Just then I heard another shout out of Heaven: 'Get out, my people, as fast as you can, so you don't get mixed up in her sins, so you don't get caught in her doom. Her sins stink to high Heaven; God has remembered every evil she's done.' " (Revelation 18:4,5 - The Message)

John hears another voice from heaven. He does not tell us whose voice it was. The context would suggest that it is the voice of Jesus.

God's people are called upon to remove themselves from the city of Babylon. This call is a warning for those who will live during the Tribulation to avoid compromise with the government, system and religion of the Anti-Christ. Its application, however, extends to all Christians who live at any time. We are to avoid becoming a part of the worldly and immoral society in which we live.

Those Christians who compromise or ignore the social evils of their society will soon fall victim to the sins around them. Their morals will slip and soon they will be in bondage to sinful habits that will greatly limit their ability to serve God. Such things may destroy their testimony and even their lives. “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins!”

Jesus warns that those who ignore his warning face the same destruction as is reserved for this city. Lot and his family suffered because they were living in Sodom when God destroyed it. They lost all their possessions. Lot's wife lost her life. It is dangerous to continue a love affair with the things of the world.

People may think that God does not see their sinful ways. They may think that judgment and eternal punishment are outdated concepts. They may continue in wickedness for a long time. But God sees. He remembers. And his wrath will fall upon this world. It is certain. We should not doubt it.