The Book Of Revelation

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< > Chapter One A short introduction to the book of Revelation The person who received this remarkable revelation from Jesus, was undoubtedly the beloved apostle John. Jesus came to comfort His persecuted servant with a wonderful revelation of Himself and His eternal plans and purposes, while John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. Our Lord gave John the privilege of revealing to His Church a series of remarkable prophecies concerning His second coming and eternal kingdom, as well as His personal instructions to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. According to Rev.1v1., the title of the “Apocalypse,” is, “A Revelation of Jesus Christ,” rather than, “The Revelation of John,” for we are told that Jesus personally received the “Apocalypse” from God the Father, and then communicated it to His servant John, through “His angel.” “Apokalupsis,” is derived from “apokalupto,” to unveil, to uncover; in Rev.1v1., it is used without the definite article, it is, “a revelation, an unveiling.” “Apokalupsis,” is used in 1Cor.12v7. and Eph.1v17., of God-given spiritual enlightenment and insight, and in 2Thes.2v8,9. of the revelation and unveiling of Antichrist. There were other churches in the Roman province of Asia, but the Lord confined the proclamation of this prophecy to these seven churches, which formed a circle where John had lived and worked for God. The prophecies for each individual church were understood because of their devastating accuracy. Some of the other prophecies are intended to guide the Church in the very last days of this age, and need a mind that has wisdom and divine revelation to understand. Rev.17v9. However, even when the prophecies are not fully understood, they all clearly reveal he different ends of the righteous and the wicked, and reveal in magnificent detail the glorious eternal future of the redeemed. The letters to the seven churches do not cover all types of churches, nor do they present seven dispensations or periods of Church history. Jesus personally encourages us to read and understand His “Revelation,” and promises a special blessing if we study it, and keep His words. He tells us to take heed to His prophecy and not to let the truths and prophecies of this book slip by, for the time of their fulfilment is near. Rev.1v3. Some prophecies concerning the seven churches had an almost immediate fulfilment, and even the most distant are near in the light of eternity. 2Pet.3v8,9. Rev.22v7,12,20. Ps.90v4. Jesus closes with the grim warning, that those who add to its prophecies can expect severe judgement, and those who take away its prophecies can even have their name removed from the book of life. Rev.22v18,19. We need to tremble at this Word of the Lord, and not misconstrue or neglect its truths and prophecies. Is.66v2-5. Some of the details of the prophecies are not easy to apply or interpret at present. However, it is not necessary to correctly interpret every detail of each prophecy, as long as we have good knowledge of the “Revelation,” and an accurate interpretation of the general outline and theme of its prophecies. The more obscure and ambiguous details of the prophecies will be made clear by their fulfilment in world events. Moreover, when Revelation's prophecies are fulfilled and made manifest by events, their fulfilment will give us a very accurate timing of the proximity of our Lord's coming, for some of these prophecies are given in days and months, and will accurately date last day events. This accurate fulfilment of prophecy will encourage us to hold on in faith, knowing that our Lord's coming will be as sure and certain as the fulfilment of these predicted events. These fulfilled prophecies will enlighten our minds and greatly encourage our faith during the dark days at the end of this age, and this is without doubt one of the major Divine purposes behind the prophecies revealed in Revelation. THE VARIOUS THEORIES AS TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION. There has been a great deal of thought and much unreasonable speculation as to what the prophecies in Revelation mean. Many expositors have ignored the key facts and time periods mentioned in Revelation and the Book of Daniel; this has resulted in many different and obviously false interpretations. These interpretations fall into four main groups. The Symbolic Interpretation. Some expositors say that the majority of Revelation is only symbolic truth, and is not to be looked upon as a prophetic revelation of historical events which are to come. In saying this they reject the remarkable prophetic content of this book. Those who say, “The content of the Apocalypse is not merely prediction; moral counsel and religious instruction are the primary burdens of its pages;” are ignoring the fact that God says that it is primarily a prophetic revelation. God wants us to understand His prophetic truth, as well as keep His moral counsel. Let us remember Christ's awesome warning, in Rev.22v18,19., to those who take away the prophetic content of this book. The Preterist Interpretation. This school of interpreters views Revelation as dealing in a symbolic way with historical events occurring at the end of the first century A.D., and they look upon it as a means of comfort to a persecuted Church. This interpretation throws almost the whole, and some even the whole of the prophecy into the past as already fulfilled. For example, Augustine thought that the Millennium commenced with the reign of Constantine, A.D. 274; and Hengstenberg said that it commenced with the reign of Charlemagne and closed in the year 1848. This interpretation cannot be correct, for it is complete folly to say that the earthly rule of wicked men, is the Millennial reign of Christ. The Preterist school has many different interpretations in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant schools of thought. This interpretation allows the imagination to wander free from the constraint of prophetic truth. We see again that the interpretation of prophetic fact as symbolic truth always results in a prophetic delusion. The Historical Interpretation. This view states that the Book of Revelation forecasts and embraces the chief phases of the whole history of the Church from the time of its writing to the consummation of the ages. Again the interpretation of the prophecies is left to the imagination, intuition and ingenuity of each individual interpreter. This has let to an great diversity of opinion, and those who interpret the “Apocalypse” in this way, find themselves in complete darkness and in a prophetic muddle. Our Lord desires us to hear, understand, and keep His Revelation, and such interpretations make this impossible. Rev.1v3. The Futurist Interpretation. This view assigns all from Rev.4v1. to 19v21., to a short period of time at the end of the age, which ends with the return of Jesus on the day of the Lord. There is a particular emphasis on the last 3½ years of this age; the period known as “The Great Tribulation.” This view follows our Lord's own key to the interpretation of Revelation as given in Rev.1v19.. Christ said that “the things which thou hast seen,” refer to Rev.1v9-20.; “the things which are,” refer to the seven churches of Asia, in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation; (John seems to have been the apostolic overseer of these seven churches after going to Ephesus in about A.D. 70); and “the things which shall be hereafter,” is said in Rev.4v1. to refer to the prophecies recorded in Rev.4v1 to 22v21.. Some futurist interpreters believe that the Church will be caught up before the great tribulation, others, like myself, believe that the Church will be caught up at our Lord's return after the great tribulation. The first three groups of interpreters have ignored the basic facts in Daniel and Revelation, and the result has been a multitude of errors in their predictions of future events, and many unscriptural historical interpretations of prophetic events. The facts of Scripture and Church history prove beyond doubt that the Futurist interpretation of Revelation is correct. THE KEY FACTS NECESSARY FOR A CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF THE APOCALYPSE. God has given prophetic facts in the Scriptures, that are the key to a correct interpretation of the Revelation. The vital connection between the Daniel's prophecies and John's Revelation. It is obvious to the honest mind that many of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation are speaking of the same personalities and events, of Antichrist, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Christ, etc. This is proved by a comparison of the following Scriptures. Dan.7v24-28. 8v9,27. 10v14. 11v21 to 12v13. Rev.12v3,7-12. 13v1-10. 17v3,11-13. and 19v19-21. Compare Rev.12v7. with Dan.12v1. The strong link between some of Daniel's prophecies and the Revelation is also confirmed by the fact that the period of 3½ years is mentioned several times in both books and in obviously related prophecies. Dan.7v25 9v27. 12v7. with Rev.11v2,3. 12v6,14. 13v5. The literal translation of “week” in Dan.9v27. is “seven,” and from the context, this is seen to be seven years, which is divided into two periods of 3½ years. The period of time spoken of as “a time, times, and half a time,” is 3½ years; it is made up of a singular time, a dual time, and half a time. That it is a period of 3½ years is further confirmed by a comparison of Dan.12v6,7,11,12. and Rev.12v6,14.. These time periods prove that Rev.4v1 to 19v21., is dealing with the last 3½ years of this age. We can see from the number of times that the period of 3½ years is mentioned, that Rev.4v1. to 19v21., is concerned with this period of 3½ years. It is mentioned in Rev.11v2. and 13v5. as 42 months; in Rev.11v3 and 12v6. as 1260 days; and in Rev.12v4. as “a time, times, and half a time.” Dan.12v6,7. 7v25. 9v27. There are no long periods of time mentioned in Rev.4v1 to 19v21.. The longest period of time is covered by the seven seals, which reveal the career of Antichrist during the last seven years of this age. Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation speak of events in Heaven just prior to these last seven years. The only other periods of time mentioned besides the 3½ years, are short periods of time. Rev.6v11. 8v1. 9v5,10,15. 11v14. 18v9,17. The year for a day theory is complete nonsense. It is total folly to make a day mean a year, as some have done, for where God means a year, as in Rev.20v2-7., He says so. God gave this period of 3½ years in three ways, days, months and years, to convince us that He means just what He has said. Those who make 2Pet.3v8., Numb.14v34 and Ezek.4v6., the excuse for a year for day theory, are twisting the Scriptures; and disqualify themselves from being taken as serious prophetic students; and prove that they cannot “correctly analyse the Word of truth.” 2Tim.2v15. Their absurd theories make prophetic dating quite meaningless. In Numb.14v34. and Ezek.4v6., the days are literal days, and the years are literal years, they are certainly not a principle of prophetic interpretation. In Numb.14v34., God states a fact of judgement, not a principle of prophetic interpretation; the 40 days of unbelieving spying out of Canaan, received a judicial sentence of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and God's breach of promise. Numb.13v17. to 14v45. In Ezek.4v6., Ezekiel's symbolic act brought to public notice the 430 years of past sin for which judgement was to come, and in 2Pet.3v8., Peter compares the many years of God's longsuffering with His tremendous judgements on the day of the Lord. If we apply the year for day theory to Rev.12v6,14., we have a period of 1260 years from Satan being cast out of the heavenly places and the heavens cleansed, to the return of Christ, which is clearly complete nonsense. People use this method of interpretation, so that they can twist the facts, for a symbolically interpreted prophecy, can be made to mean almost any thing they desire. Who decides which dates are symbolic and which are literal? We should accept the time periods God has given to us and not tamper with them. How do these people explain the “half hour” of Rev.8v1., and the “five months” and “thirteen months” of Rev.9v5,10,15.? If we fail to interpret Scripture dates literally, we end in utter darkness. Jesus interpreted these 3½ years of Daniel's prophecies literally as the other years in this prophecy, let us follow His example. Dan.9v20-27. Mt.24v15-21. God wants us to understand the Book of Revelation. When our heavenly Father inspired and wrote the Book of Revelation He intended that even the difficult parts should be understood. With diligent prayer and study, most of its prophecies can be understood; and the parts that we do not fully understand will be made more clear by their actual fulfilment. The key to the book of Revelation is found elsewhere in the Scriptures, particularly in Daniel's prophecies; they throw light on each other's predictions. It is not necessary, as some would have us believe, to have a course on Church History to understand the Revelation, the key is in the Word of God. The book of Revelation is intended to give us light on, and in, a dark future, and the glorious hope beyond it; not a muddled commentary on the past that many have made it. 1Pet.1v10-12. 2Pet.1v19-21. Those who say that Revelation cannot be understood and serves no useful purpose, have in reality charged God with folly. God has written Revelation for our welfare and profit, He intended ordinary people to read His Word and understand it, He has not written a book which no one, or only the intellectual, can understand. Indeed, Jesus said that God often bypasses the intellectual, wise and prudent, and gives revelations of His power, plans, and purposes to “babes and sucklings,” and this is “good in His sight.” Mt.11v25-27. Lk.10v20-24. The spiritual “babe and suckling” has a far better chance of understanding the Word of God, than the “wise and prudent” unspiritual intellectual. Is.35v8. 2Pet.1v9,19. 3v16. Mt.13v10-17. This does not mean that we should be lazy in our study of the Scriptures; those “who labour in the word and doctrine,” and are “labouring fervently in prayers,” will be given the light they seek. In 1Tim.5v17., “labour” is “kopiontes,” the present active participle of “kopiao,” to labour, to work until one is exhausted.” In Col.4v12., “labouring” is “agonizomenos,” the present middle participle of “agonozomai,” to struggle, to agonise. Obtaining divine truth and a God-blessed ministry is costly and demands a consecrated heart and mind, and real effort in study and prayer. Acts.17v11. Heb.5v11-14. 1Pet.1v10-13. Prov.16v3. We must study God’s Word with an open mind, for it is folly to twist the Scriptures to make them fit our theories. We recognise that God uses parables, figurative language, symbols, or heavenly cartoons in the prophetic truth that He has given to us in His Word, and that great truth is given by these means. However, it is important to recognise that prophetic truth should be interpreted, like any other Scriptural truth, the literal being interpreted as literal, and the symbolic as symbolic, otherwise the result will be a prophetic delusion. 2Pet.3v16-18. The kingdom of the Antichrist is not based on Rome. Rome is not the city of Babylon named in Revelation. The Antichrist has been linked with Rome on the basis that the seven hills mentioned in Rev.17v9., are the seven hills of Rome. Christians have felt that the great persecutions of the Church by the Roman state and Roman Church, also confirms their identification of the harlot city of Babylon in Rev.17., with the city of Rome. However, we will now show why this cannot be so. The seven mountains are ruled by seven kings, and are seven kingdoms. When the Scriptures speak of mountain in a symbolic prophetical way, it represents a kingdom. Dan.2v35,44,45. Is.2v2. Rev.13v1,7. with Rev.17v12,17. These seven hills are seven different kingdoms, over which seven kings rule. The Antichrist is the seventh and eighth head of the Beast. We are told in Rev.17v10. that the final Antichrist is the seventh and eighth head of the Beast, and that Rome, the sixth head, was in power in John's time, so the final Antichrist and beast cannot be Rome. We are told in Rev.13v3. and 17v8.; that Antichrist appears to imitate Christ's resurrection from the dead. We read in Rev.17v10,11., that before his death Antichrist is the seventh king, and after his resurrection he is the eighth king, when he becomes even more wicked, merciless, ruthless, and cruel. Antichrist is possessed and dominated by Satan, and puts all his desires and plans into operation; he will be the most evil and most malevolent and pitiless man, that the world has ever seen. In John's time it says that the seventh head of the beast of Rev.17., had yet to come, and when it did it would only last a short time. The Antichrist is also spoken of as "the king of the North." The kingdom of Antichrist is said to be north of Palestine in Dan.11v40 to 12v7., this kingdom cannot be Rome, for Rome is certainly not north of Palestine. We are also told in Daniel eight, that the Antichrist comes out of part of the Grecian empire north of Palestine. The legs of iron of Dan.2v33,40-43. and the fourth beast of Dan.7v7,8,17-28. were only partially fulfilled by Rome. The stress of these prophecies was upon the fourth kingdom and last days, as Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar; “God hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” Dan.2v28. The stone cut without hands, Christ and His kingdom, fell on the feet of the image and destroyed it. Dan.2v35,44,45. Antichrist will try to fight Jesus at His coming, and will be destroyed by Him for his gross wickedness and impenitence. Rev.17v11-14. 19v19-21. Dan.8v25,26. THE CITY CALLED "BABYLON" IS THE CITY OF JERUSALEM. "The city, the great one" is the city of Jerusalem." The emphatic and exclusive phase, “the city, the great one,” which describes “Babylon” in Rev.14v8. 16v19, 17v18. 18v10,16,18,19,21.; is said, in Rev.11v8., to be the place “where also our Lord was crucified,” that is, Jerusalem. Those who say that “Babylon” is Rome, admit that it is very difficult to ignore this plain statement that “the city, the great one” is Jerusalem. They admit that they lay aside the revealed facts of God’s Word for their own opinion. In Rev.11v8., the name “Sodom” is given to Jerusalem to show the rioting in the sins of the flesh, and the going after “strange flesh.” Dan.2v43. Gen.6v2. Jude.v6. Rev.12v9. Ezek.16v45-56. The name of “Egypt” is given to Jerusalem to show that her king sets himself forth as God, and rejects all the mighty manifestations of God's power through God's servants. Just as in the time of Moses and Pharaoh there will be a violent conflict between the powers of good and evil. 2Tim.3v8. Mt.23v31. John.8v44. The name of “Babylon” is given to Jerusalem to show its spiritual condition under Antichrist, it's worship of false Gods, its hatred of God, its sinful luxuries, and the extent of Antichrist's power and kingdom. Dan.2v39. Rev.17v4. 18v2,3,9-19. The adjective “megale,” great, is used in connection with Babylon every time it occurs in Revelation. Rev.14v8. 16v19. 17v5. 18v2,10,21. “Babylon” is also called “the great whore,” who is drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs. Rev.17v1,6. 19v2. These names give a very graphic description of the spiritual condition of Jerusalem under Antichrist; its abominable wickedness, idolatry, hatred of God, and its ultimate judgement by God. The city of God becomes the city of the Devil, and a partaker of the sins that resulted in the destruction of the other kingdoms that make up the head of the Beast. Jerusalem’s trust in Antichrist will bring about its destruction, it will again taste the fruit of her unfaithfulness to God, and will be mercilessly ruled by men who are under Satan’s control. Rev.17v5,16. Rome has never been looked upon as God's wife, so she can never have been His unfaithful wife; this is the sin and name that the prophets hurl against Jerusalem. Is.1v21. 57v8. Jer.2v20 3v1-25. 4v30. 11v15. 13v27. Ezekiel. Chapters. 16, 22 and 23. Babylon has committed the sins which are exclusively Jerusalem's sins." Babylon is said to have shed the blood of saints, martyrs, apostles, and prophets. Rev.17v6. 18v6,20,24. This is the righteous blood that our Lord said Jerusalem had, and would shed. Mt.23v29-34. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament saints suffered at the hands of apostate Jews. How can people say that apostate Jews, who kill the children of God, reject Christ and His Gospel, and accept Antichrist and partake of his wickedness, are the elect of Mt.24? Christ called such Jews serpents and vipers, and children of the Devil, and says that they are destined for the lake of fire. Mt.23v33. John.8v43-45. Rev.14v9-12. The Scriptures tell us that the only people who will not be deceived and will not follow Antichrist in the countries under his sway, will be those who are saved. Rev.13v8. The destruction of "Babylon" is the destruction of Jerusalem." The destruction of “Babylon” by Antichrist in Rev.17v16,17., occurs just before the end of the age, and cannot be any other than the destruction of Jerusalem just before the second coming of the Lord Jesus. It coincides exactly in time, place, and in fulfilment of prophecy. Mt.24v28. Lk.21v20-24. Rev.14v8,19,20. Zech.14v1. Joel.3 all. Antichrist rules from Jerusalem in the great tribulation." The fact that “Babylon” rules over the kings of the earth is another proof that she is Jerusalem, for Antichrist rules his kingdom from the Temple at Jerusalem, and sets up his image there. Rev.13v14,15. 17v18. 2Thes.2v3,4. Mt.24v15. Dan.9v17. 11v31. 12v11. The Scriptures we have examined prove that “Babylon” is Jerusalem, not Rome, and that Antichrist's rule is centred around Jerusalem, not Rome. Conclusion. It is clear from the evidence that we have given, and from the number of times that the start of the kingdom of God, and the judgement of the wicked at Christ's coming, is mentioned in Rev.4v1 to 19v21., that they are a commentary on the closing events of this age. Rev.6v12-17. 7v9-17. 10v5-7. 11v15-19. 14v1-20. 15v1. 16v17-21 17v14. 19v1-21. These Scriptures prove, establish, and verify, that Revelation is not written in chronological order. The above facts prove the truth of the Futurist interpretation and the error of the other schools of thought. It will greatly help the study of the Book of Revelation if the facts that we have stated are firmly fixed in the mind before the rest of the book is studied. A prayerful attitude is essential for a correct interpretation of God's Word, for the carnal, unspiritual mind will receive very little, if anything, from God. Rom.8v5-7. 1Cor.2v7-16. James.1v4-8. A SKELETON OUTLINE OF REVELATION. Rev.1v19. Introduction. The source of Revelation and John's greeting to the Churches. Rev.1v1-8. Things Past. "The things which thou hast seen." Rev.1v9-20. John's vision of our glorified Saviour, and the comfort and commission that He gave to His aged beloved apostle. Things Present. "The things which are," in the seven churches. Rev.2v1 to 3v22. Christ's revelation of the spiritual condition of the seven churches in Asia and His messages to them. These messages reveal the relationship and attitude of Christ to His Church on earth. Things Future. "The things that shall be hereafter." Rev.4v1 to 22v21. Events in Heaven and earth from just prior to the last 7 years of this age, to the return of Jesus. Rev.4v1 to 19v21. This portion concentrates mainly on the last 3½ years of this age, the period of time known as the great tribulation. The Millennium. Rev.20v7-10. The last judgement and the second resurrection. Rev.20v7-10. The eternal kingdom and the ages of ages. Rev.21 and 22. A Brief Outline of Rev.4v1 to 19v21. Rev.4 and 5. The revelation of the events in Heaven just prior to the last seven years of this age. The vision of the glory, activity and holiness of God the Father and the perfect sacrificial devotion of Christ to His creation and His worthiness to open the seals and rule in the Millennial kingdom, that follows these seals. Rev.6v1-17. and 8v1. The seven seals. These seals show the stages and results of the career of Antichrist, who at first seems to be a small and harmless peace-maker, but his career becomes more and more devilish and destructive, until Jesus destroys him at His coming. Rev.7v1-17. The sealing of the faithful Old Testament saints for ruling in the Millennium, and the vision of the eternal blessedness of the victorious great tribulation saints. Rev.8 and 9 and 11v15-19. God's answers to the prayers of His people, seven trumpet judgements. Rev.10v1-11. God promises to set up His kingdom at the seventh trumpet. Rev.11v1-19. A picture of the conflict in Jerusalem between Antichrist and God's two witnesses. This conflict ends when our Lord returns to destroy the wicked and judge and reward His saints. Rev.12v1-17. The martyrdom of the manchild, and the escape of Christians into the wilderness. Mt.24v15-21. Dan.11v41. Satan is expelled from the heavenly places into the earth and his evil plans (“the mystery of iniquity,” 2Thes.2v7.) and malicious interference in the affairs of the world causes the great tribulation. Rev.12v12. Rev.13v1-18. Antichrist and the False Prophet, their character and power. Rev.14v1-20. The Christian rulers, the angels and their messages, the two harvests. Rev.15 and 16. The vials of God's wrath on the wicked. Rev.17v1 to 19v4. The description of Jerusalem as the unfaithful wife, the scarlet women, Babylon the Great, who as the bride of Satan shares in the punishment of his sins. Rev.19v5 to 20v4. Christ's returns and judges the wicked, the two suppers. Satan is chained for 1,000 years. THE GREEK TEXT OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION. I am not a Greek scholar, but I have gleaned the facts on the Greek of Revelation from those who are Greek scholars, and I, for one, am greatly indebted to them for their meticulous and exhaustive studies. We learn from them that the Authorised Version of the New Testament faithfully follows the majority of the Greek manuscripts except in “The Book of Revelation;” as the outstanding scholar, Bishop C. Wordsworth states; “The English Version of the Apocalypse does not rest upon the same sound basis of manuscript authority as the Authorised Translation of the other books of the New Testament. It stands in a place by itself, and ought to be regarded accordingly.” I have not commented on the minor textual variations, which do not effect the meaning of the text or prophecies, but have considered the major textual variations that effect or alter the meaning of the text and prophecies. The Authorised Version text is referred to as A.V., and it is based on Stephens 1550 Greek text, known as the Received Text or Textus Receptus, or T.R. in our evidence. In the Apocalypse the Textus Receptus often does not follow the Majority Text. Where there is a need, we will refer to the evidence of the major early translations from the Greek into other languages, and quotations from the “Church Fathers.” We thank God for ALL those who have preserved the Scriptures and laboured in the field of textual criticism, we owe them an incalculable debt of gratitude, for giving to us the Word of God as spoken to and through His prophets and apostles. For further study see, Appendix Two. The Greek text of the Book of Revelation. < >
The Disastrous Effects Of The Doctrine Of Original Sin \| By His Stripes We Are Healed \| The Book Of Revelation \| The Second Coming Of Christ \| The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit \| The Comforter Is Come

Chapter One

A short introduction to the book of Revelation

The person who received this remarkable revelation from Jesus, was undoubtedly the beloved apostle John. Jesus came to comfort His persecuted servant with a wonderful revelation of Himself and His eternal plans and purposes, while John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. Our Lord gave John the privilege of revealing to His Church a series of remarkable prophecies concerning His second coming and eternal kingdom, as well as His personal instructions to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. According to Rev.1v1., the title of the “Apocalypse,” is, “A Revelation of Jesus Christ,” rather than, “The Revelation of John,” for we are told that Jesus personally received the “Apocalypse” from God the Father, and then communicated it to His servant John, through “His angel.” “Apokalupsis,” is derived from “apokalupto,” to unveil, to uncover; in Rev.1v1., it is used without the definite article, it is, “a revelation, an unveiling.” “Apokalupsis,” is used in 1Cor.12v7. and Eph.1v17., of God-given spiritual enlightenment and insight, and in 2Thes.2v8,9. of the revelation and unveiling of Antichrist.

There were other churches in the Roman province of Asia, but the Lord confined the proclamation of this prophecy to these seven churches, which formed a circle where John had lived and worked for God. The prophecies for each individual church were understood because of their devastating accuracy. Some of the other prophecies are intended to guide the Church in the very last days of this age, and need a mind that has wisdom and divine revelation to understand. Rev.17v9. However, even when the prophecies are not fully understood, they all clearly reveal he different ends of the righteous and the wicked, and reveal in magnificent detail the glorious eternal future of the redeemed. The letters to the seven churches do not cover all types of churches, nor do they present seven dispensations or periods of Church history.

Jesus personally encourages us to read and understand His “Revelation,” and promises a special blessing if we study it, and keep His words. He tells us to take heed to His prophecy and not to let the truths and prophecies of this book slip by, for the time of their fulfilment is near. Rev.1v3. Some prophecies concerning the seven churches had an almost immediate fulfilment, and even the most distant are near in the light of eternity. 2Pet.3v8,9. Rev.22v7,12,20. Ps.90v4. Jesus closes with the grim warning, that those who add to its prophecies can expect severe judgement, and those who take away its prophecies can even have their name removed from the book of life. Rev.22v18,19. We need to tremble at this Word of the Lord, and not misconstrue or neglect its truths and prophecies. Is.66v2-5.

Some of the details of the prophecies are not easy to apply or interpret at present. However, it is not necessary to correctly interpret every detail of each prophecy, as long as we have good knowledge of the “Revelation,” and an accurate interpretation of the general outline and theme of its prophecies. The more obscure and ambiguous details of the prophecies will be made clear by their fulfilment in world events. Moreover, when Revelation's prophecies are fulfilled and made manifest by events, their fulfilment will give us a very accurate timing of the proximity of our Lord's coming, for some of these prophecies are given in days and months, and will accurately date last day events. This accurate fulfilment of prophecy will encourage us to hold on in faith, knowing that our Lord's coming will be as sure and certain as the fulfilment of these predicted events. These fulfilled prophecies will enlighten our minds and greatly encourage our faith during the dark days at the end of this age, and this is without doubt one of the major Divine purposes behind the prophecies revealed in Revelation.

THE VARIOUS THEORIES AS TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.
There has been a great deal of thought and much unreasonable speculation as to what the prophecies in Revelation mean. Many expositors have ignored the key facts and time periods mentioned in Revelation and the Book of Daniel; this has resulted in many different and obviously false interpretations. These interpretations fall into four main groups.

The Symbolic Interpretation.
Some expositors say that the majority of Revelation is only symbolic truth, and is not to be looked upon as a prophetic revelation of historical events which are to come. In saying this they reject the remarkable prophetic content of this book. Those who say, “The content of the Apocalypse is not merely prediction; moral counsel and religious instruction are the primary burdens of its pages;” are ignoring the fact that God says that it is primarily a prophetic revelation. God wants us to understand His prophetic truth, as well as keep His moral counsel. Let us remember Christ's awesome warning, in Rev.22v18,19., to those who take away the prophetic content of this book.

The Preterist Interpretation.
This school of interpreters views Revelation as dealing in a symbolic way with historical events occurring at the end of the first century A.D., and they look upon it as a means of comfort to a persecuted Church. This interpretation throws almost the whole, and some even the whole of the prophecy into the past as already fulfilled. For example, Augustine thought that the Millennium commenced with the reign of Constantine, A.D. 274; and Hengstenberg said that it commenced with the reign of Charlemagne and closed in the year 1848. This interpretation cannot be correct, for it is complete folly to say that the earthly rule of wicked men, is the Millennial reign of Christ. The Preterist school has many different interpretations in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant schools of thought. This interpretation allows the imagination to wander free from the constraint of prophetic truth. We see again that the interpretation of prophetic fact as symbolic truth always results in a prophetic delusion.

The Historical Interpretation.
This view states that the Book of Revelation forecasts and embraces the chief phases of the whole history of the Church from the time of its writing to the consummation of the ages. Again the interpretation of the prophecies is left to the imagination, intuition and ingenuity of each individual interpreter. This has let to an great diversity of opinion, and those who interpret the “Apocalypse” in this way, find themselves in complete darkness and in a prophetic muddle. Our Lord desires us to hear, understand, and keep His Revelation, and such interpretations make this impossible. Rev.1v3.

The Futurist Interpretation.
This view assigns all from Rev.4v1. to 19v21., to a short period of time at the end of the age, which ends with the return of Jesus on the day of the Lord. There is a particular emphasis on the last 3½ years of this age; the period known as “The Great Tribulation.” This view follows our Lord's own key to the interpretation of Revelation as given in Rev.1v19.. Christ said that “the things which thou hast seen,” refer to Rev.1v9-20.; “the things which are,” refer to the seven churches of Asia, in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation; (John seems to have been the apostolic overseer of these seven churches after going to Ephesus in about A.D. 70); and “the things which shall be hereafter,” is said in Rev.4v1. to refer to the prophecies recorded in Rev.4v1 to 22v21.. Some futurist interpreters believe that the Church will be caught up before the great tribulation, others, like myself, believe that the Church will be caught up at our Lord's return after the great tribulation.

The first three groups of interpreters have ignored the basic facts in Daniel and Revelation, and the result has been a multitude of errors in their predictions of future events, and many unscriptural historical interpretations of prophetic events. The facts of Scripture and Church history prove beyond doubt that the Futurist interpretation of Revelation is correct.

THE KEY FACTS NECESSARY FOR A CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF THE APOCALYPSE.
God has given prophetic facts in the Scriptures, that are the key to a correct interpretation of the Revelation.

The vital connection between the Daniel's prophecies and John's Revelation.
It is obvious to the honest mind that many of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation are speaking of the same personalities and events, of Antichrist, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Christ, etc. This is proved by a comparison of the following Scriptures. Dan.7v24-28. 8v9,27. 10v14. 11v21 to 12v13. Rev.12v3,7-12. 13v1-10. 17v3,11-13. and 19v19-21. Compare Rev.12v7. with Dan.12v1. The strong link between some of Daniel's prophecies and the Revelation is also confirmed by the fact that the period of 3½ years is mentioned several times in both books and in obviously related prophecies. Dan.7v25 9v27. 12v7. with Rev.11v2,3. 12v6,14. 13v5. The literal translation of “week” in Dan.9v27. is “seven,” and from the context, this is seen to be seven years, which is divided into two periods of 3½ years. The period of time spoken of as “a time, times, and half a time,” is 3½ years; it is made up of a singular time, a dual time, and half a time. That it is a period of 3½ years is further confirmed by a comparison of Dan.12v6,7,11,12. and Rev.12v6,14..

These time periods prove that Rev.4v1 to 19v21., is dealing with the last 3½ years of this age.
We can see from the number of times that the period of 3½ years is mentioned, that Rev.4v1. to 19v21., is concerned with this period of 3½ years. It is mentioned in Rev.11v2. and 13v5. as 42 months; in Rev.11v3 and 12v6. as 1260 days; and in Rev.12v4. as “a time, times, and half a time.” Dan.12v6,7. 7v25. 9v27. There are no long periods of time mentioned in Rev.4v1 to 19v21.. The longest period of time is covered by the seven seals, which reveal the career of Antichrist during the last seven years of this age. Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation speak of events in Heaven just prior to these last seven years. The only other periods of time mentioned besides the 3½ years, are short periods of time. Rev.6v11. 8v1. 9v5,10,15. 11v14. 18v9,17.

The year for a day theory is complete nonsense.
It is total folly to make a day mean a year, as some have done, for where God means a year, as in Rev.20v2-7., He says so. God gave this period of 3½ years in three ways, days, months and years, to convince us that He means just what He has said. Those who make 2Pet.3v8., Numb.14v34 and Ezek.4v6., the excuse for a year for day theory, are twisting the Scriptures; and disqualify themselves from being taken as serious prophetic students; and prove that they cannot “correctly analyse the Word of truth.” 2Tim.2v15. Their absurd theories make prophetic dating quite meaningless. In Numb.14v34. and Ezek.4v6., the days are literal days, and the years are literal years, they are certainly not a principle of prophetic interpretation. In Numb.14v34., God states a fact of judgement, not a principle of prophetic interpretation; the 40 days of unbelieving spying out of Canaan, received a judicial sentence of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and God's breach of promise. Numb.13v17. to 14v45. In Ezek.4v6., Ezekiel's symbolic act brought to public notice the 430 years of past sin for which judgement was to come, and in 2Pet.3v8., Peter compares the many years of God's longsuffering with His tremendous judgements on the day of the Lord. If we apply the year for day theory to Rev.12v6,14., we have a period of 1260 years from Satan being cast out of the heavenly places and the heavens cleansed, to the return of Christ, which is clearly complete nonsense. People use this method of interpretation, so that they can twist the facts, for a symbolically interpreted prophecy, can be made to mean almost any thing they desire. Who decides which dates are symbolic and which are literal? We should accept the time periods God has given to us and not tamper with them. How do these people explain the “half hour” of Rev.8v1., and the “five months” and “thirteen months” of Rev.9v5,10,15.? If we fail to interpret Scripture dates literally, we end in utter darkness. Jesus interpreted these 3½ years of Daniel's prophecies literally as the other years in this prophecy, let us follow His example. Dan.9v20-27. Mt.24v15-21.

God wants us to understand the Book of Revelation.
When our heavenly Father inspired and wrote the Book of Revelation He intended that even the difficult parts should be understood. With diligent prayer and study, most of its prophecies can be understood; and the parts that we do not fully understand will be made more clear by their actual fulfilment. The key to the book of Revelation is found elsewhere in the Scriptures, particularly in Daniel's prophecies; they throw light on each other's predictions. It is not necessary, as some would have us believe, to have a course on Church History to understand the Revelation, the key is in the Word of God. The book of Revelation is intended to give us light on, and in, a dark future, and the glorious hope beyond it; not a muddled commentary on the past that many have made it. 1Pet.1v10-12. 2Pet.1v19-21.

Those who say that Revelation cannot be understood and serves no useful purpose, have in reality charged God with folly. God has written Revelation for our welfare and profit, He intended ordinary people to read His Word and understand it, He has not written a book which no one, or only the intellectual, can understand. Indeed, Jesus said that God often bypasses the intellectual, wise and prudent, and gives revelations of His power, plans, and purposes to “babes and sucklings,” and this is “good in His sight.” Mt.11v25-27. Lk.10v20-24. The spiritual “babe and suckling” has a far better chance of understanding the Word of God, than the “wise and prudent” unspiritual intellectual. Is.35v8. 2Pet.1v9,19. 3v16. Mt.13v10-17. This does not mean that we should be lazy in our study of the Scriptures; those “who labour in the word and doctrine,” and are “labouring fervently in prayers,” will be given the light they seek. In 1Tim.5v17., “labour” is “kopiontes,” the present active participle of “kopiao,” to labour, to work until one is exhausted.” In Col.4v12., “labouring” is “agonizomenos,” the present middle participle of “agonozomai,” to struggle, to agonise. Obtaining divine truth and a God-blessed ministry is costly and demands a consecrated heart and mind, and real effort in study and prayer. Acts.17v11. Heb.5v11-14. 1Pet.1v10-13. Prov.16v3.

We must study God’s Word with an open mind, for it is folly to twist the Scriptures to make them fit our theories. We recognise that God uses parables, figurative language, symbols, or heavenly cartoons in the prophetic truth that He has given to us in His Word, and that great truth is given by these means. However, it is important to recognise that prophetic truth should be interpreted, like any other Scriptural truth, the literal being interpreted as literal, and the symbolic as symbolic, otherwise the result will be a prophetic delusion. 2Pet.3v16-18.

The kingdom of the Antichrist is not based on Rome.
Rome is not the city of Babylon named in Revelation. The Antichrist has been linked with Rome on the basis that the seven hills mentioned in Rev.17v9., are the seven hills of Rome. Christians have felt that the great persecutions of the Church by the Roman state and Roman Church, also confirms their identification of the harlot city of Babylon in Rev.17., with the city of Rome. However, we will now show why this cannot be so.

The seven mountains are ruled by seven kings, and are seven kingdoms.
When the Scriptures speak of mountain in a symbolic prophetical way, it represents a kingdom. Dan.2v35,44,45. Is.2v2. Rev.13v1,7. with Rev.17v12,17. These seven hills are seven different kingdoms, over which seven kings rule.

The Antichrist is the seventh and eighth head of the Beast.
We are told in Rev.17v10. that the final Antichrist is the seventh and eighth head of the Beast, and that Rome, the sixth head, was in power in John's time, so the final Antichrist and beast cannot be Rome. We are told in Rev.13v3. and 17v8.; that Antichrist appears to imitate Christ's resurrection from the dead. We read in Rev.17v10,11., that before his death Antichrist is the seventh king, and after his resurrection he is the eighth king, when he becomes even more wicked, merciless, ruthless, and cruel. Antichrist is possessed and dominated by Satan, and puts all his desires and plans into operation; he will be the most evil and most malevolent and pitiless man, that the world has ever seen. In John's time it says that the seventh head of the beast of Rev.17., had yet to come, and when it did it would only last a short time.

The Antichrist is also spoken of as "the king of the North."
The kingdom of Antichrist is said to be north of Palestine in Dan.11v40 to 12v7., this kingdom cannot be Rome, for Rome is certainly not north of Palestine. We are also told in Daniel eight, that the Antichrist comes out of part of the Grecian empire north of Palestine. The legs of iron of Dan.2v33,40-43. and the fourth beast of Dan.7v7,8,17-28. were only partially fulfilled by Rome. The stress of these prophecies was upon the fourth kingdom and last days, as Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar; “God hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” Dan.2v28. The stone cut without hands, Christ and His kingdom, fell on the feet of the image and destroyed it. Dan.2v35,44,45. Antichrist will try to fight Jesus at His coming, and will be destroyed by Him for his gross wickedness and impenitence. Rev.17v11-14. 19v19-21. Dan.8v25,26.

THE CITY CALLED "BABYLON" IS THE CITY OF JERUSALEM.
"The city, the great one" is the city of Jerusalem."
The emphatic and exclusive phase, “the city, the great one,” which describes “Babylon” in Rev.14v8. 16v19, 17v18. 18v10,16,18,19,21.; is said, in Rev.11v8., to be the place “where also our Lord was crucified,” that is, Jerusalem. Those who say that “Babylon” is Rome, admit that it is very difficult to ignore this plain statement that “the city, the great one” is Jerusalem. They admit that they lay aside the revealed facts of God’s Word for their own opinion. In Rev.11v8., the name “Sodom” is given to Jerusalem to show the rioting in the sins of the flesh, and the going after “strange flesh.” Dan.2v43. Gen.6v2. Jude.v6. Rev.12v9. Ezek.16v45-56. The name of “Egypt” is given to Jerusalem to show that her king sets himself forth as God, and rejects all the mighty manifestations of God's power through God's servants. Just as in the time of Moses and Pharaoh there will be a violent conflict between the powers of good and evil. 2Tim.3v8. Mt.23v31. John.8v44. The name of “Babylon” is given to Jerusalem to show its spiritual condition under Antichrist, it's worship of false Gods, its hatred of God, its sinful luxuries, and the extent of Antichrist's power and kingdom. Dan.2v39. Rev.17v4. 18v2,3,9-19. The adjective “megale,” great, is used in connection with Babylon every time it occurs in Revelation. Rev.14v8. 16v19. 17v5. 18v2,10,21. “Babylon” is also called “the great whore,” who is drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs. Rev.17v1,6. 19v2.

These names give a very graphic description of the spiritual condition of Jerusalem under Antichrist; its abominable wickedness, idolatry, hatred of God, and its ultimate judgement by God. The city of God becomes the city of the Devil, and a partaker of the sins that resulted in the destruction of the other kingdoms that make up the head of the Beast. Jerusalem’s trust in Antichrist will bring about its destruction, it will again taste the fruit of her unfaithfulness to God, and will be mercilessly ruled by men who are under Satan’s control. Rev.17v5,16. Rome has never been looked upon as God's wife, so she can never have been His unfaithful wife; this is the sin and name that the prophets hurl against Jerusalem. Is.1v21. 57v8. Jer.2v20 3v1-25. 4v30. 11v15. 13v27. Ezekiel. Chapters. 16, 22 and 23.

Babylon has committed the sins which are exclusively Jerusalem's sins."
Babylon is said to have shed the blood of saints, martyrs, apostles, and prophets. Rev.17v6. 18v6,20,24. This is the righteous blood that our Lord said Jerusalem had, and would shed. Mt.23v29-34. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament saints suffered at the hands of apostate Jews. How can people say that apostate Jews, who kill the children of God, reject Christ and His Gospel, and accept Antichrist and partake of his wickedness, are the elect of Mt.24? Christ called such Jews serpents and vipers, and children of the Devil, and says that they are destined for the lake of fire. Mt.23v33. John.8v43-45. Rev.14v9-12. The Scriptures tell us that the only people who will not be deceived and will not follow Antichrist in the countries under his sway, will be those who are saved. Rev.13v8.

The destruction of "Babylon" is the destruction of Jerusalem."
The destruction of “Babylon” by Antichrist in Rev.17v16,17., occurs just before the end of the age, and cannot be any other than the destruction of Jerusalem just before the second coming of the Lord Jesus. It coincides exactly in time, place, and in fulfilment of prophecy. Mt.24v28. Lk.21v20-24. Rev.14v8,19,20. Zech.14v1. Joel.3 all.

Antichrist rules from Jerusalem in the great tribulation."
The fact that “Babylon” rules over the kings of the earth is another proof that she is Jerusalem, for Antichrist rules his kingdom from the Temple at Jerusalem, and sets up his image there. Rev.13v14,15. 17v18. 2Thes.2v3,4. Mt.24v15. Dan.9v17. 11v31. 12v11. The Scriptures we have examined prove that “Babylon” is Jerusalem, not Rome, and that Antichrist's rule is centred around Jerusalem, not Rome.

Conclusion. It is clear from the evidence that we have given, and from the number of times that the start of the kingdom of God, and the judgement of the wicked at Christ's coming, is mentioned in Rev.4v1 to 19v21., that they are a commentary on the closing events of this age. Rev.6v12-17. 7v9-17. 10v5-7. 11v15-19. 14v1-20. 15v1. 16v17-21 17v14. 19v1-21. These Scriptures prove, establish, and verify, that Revelation is not written in chronological order.

The above facts prove the truth of the Futurist interpretation and the error of the other schools of thought. It will greatly help the study of the Book of Revelation if the facts that we have stated are firmly fixed in the mind before the rest of the book is studied. A prayerful attitude is essential for a correct interpretation of God's Word, for the carnal, unspiritual mind will receive very little, if anything, from God. Rom.8v5-7. 1Cor.2v7-16. James.1v4-8.

A SKELETON OUTLINE OF REVELATION. Rev.1v19.
Introduction. The source of Revelation and John's greeting to the Churches. Rev.1v1-8.

Things Past. "The things which thou hast seen." Rev.1v9-20.
John's vision of our glorified Saviour, and the comfort and commission that He gave to His aged beloved apostle.

Things Present. "The things which are," in the seven churches. Rev.2v1 to 3v22.
Christ's revelation of the spiritual condition of the seven churches in Asia and His messages to them. These messages reveal the relationship and attitude of Christ to His Church on earth.

Things Future. "The things that shall be hereafter." Rev.4v1 to 22v21.
Events in Heaven and earth from just prior to the last 7 years of this age, to the return of Jesus. Rev.4v1 to 19v21. This portion concentrates mainly on the last 3½ years of this age, the period of time known as the great tribulation.
The Millennium. Rev.20v7-10.
The last judgement and the second resurrection. Rev.20v7-10.
The eternal kingdom and the ages of ages. Rev.21 and 22.

A Brief Outline of Rev.4v1 to 19v21.

Rev.4 and 5. The revelation of the events in Heaven just prior to the last seven years of this age. The vision of the glory, activity and holiness of God the Father and the perfect sacrificial devotion of Christ to His creation and His worthiness to open the seals and rule in the Millennial kingdom, that follows these seals.

Rev.6v1-17. and 8v1. The seven seals. These seals show the stages and results of the career of Antichrist, who at first seems to be a small and harmless peace-maker, but his career becomes more and more devilish and destructive, until Jesus destroys him at His coming.

Rev.7v1-17. The sealing of the faithful Old Testament saints for ruling in the Millennium, and the vision of the eternal blessedness of the victorious great tribulation saints.

Rev.8 and 9 and 11v15-19. God's answers to the prayers of His people, seven trumpet judgements.

Rev.10v1-11. God promises to set up His kingdom at the seventh trumpet.

Rev.11v1-19. A picture of the conflict in Jerusalem between Antichrist and God's two witnesses. This conflict ends when our Lord returns to destroy the wicked and judge and reward His saints.

Rev.12v1-17. The martyrdom of the manchild, and the escape of Christians into the wilderness. Mt.24v15-21. Dan.11v41. Satan is expelled from the heavenly places into the earth and his evil plans (“the mystery of iniquity,” 2Thes.2v7.) and malicious interference in the affairs of the world causes the great tribulation. Rev.12v12.

Rev.13v1-18. Antichrist and the False Prophet, their character and power.

Rev.14v1-20. The Christian rulers, the angels and their messages, the two harvests.

Rev.15 and 16. The vials of God's wrath on the wicked.

Rev.17v1 to 19v4. The description of Jerusalem as the unfaithful wife, the scarlet women, Babylon the Great, who as the bride of Satan shares in the punishment of his sins.

Rev.19v5 to 20v4. Christ's returns and judges the wicked, the two suppers. Satan is chained for 1,000 years.

THE GREEK TEXT OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.
I am not a Greek scholar, but I have gleaned the facts on the Greek of Revelation from those who are Greek scholars, and I, for one, am greatly indebted to them for their meticulous and exhaustive studies. We learn from them that the Authorised Version of the New Testament faithfully follows the majority of the Greek manuscripts except in “The Book of Revelation;” as the outstanding scholar, Bishop C. Wordsworth states; “The English Version of the Apocalypse does not rest upon the same sound basis of manuscript authority as the Authorised Translation of the other books of the New Testament. It stands in a place by itself, and ought to be regarded accordingly.”

I have not commented on the minor textual variations, which do not effect the meaning of the text or prophecies, but have considered the major textual variations that effect or alter the meaning of the text and prophecies. The Authorised Version text is referred to as A.V., and it is based on Stephens 1550 Greek text, known as the Received Text or Textus Receptus, or T.R. in our evidence. In the Apocalypse the Textus Receptus often does not follow the Majority Text. Where there is a need, we will refer to the evidence of the major early translations from the Greek into other languages, and quotations from the “Church Fathers.” We thank God for ALL those who have preserved the Scriptures and laboured in the field of textual criticism, we owe them an incalculable debt of gratitude, for giving to us the Word of God as spoken to and through His prophets and apostles. For further study see, Appendix Two. The Greek text of the Book of Revelation.

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