Teaching Notes

JET THROUGH REVELATION

REVELATION 1-22

NEW YEAR'S EVE 1997

The book of Revelation is one of the most exciting books in the Bible, and yet it is one of the most misunderstood. Some even go to the extreme of saying that the book of Revelation is not for us to understand, so they don't read it or apply it to their lives. Many churches won't even teach from this book because they feel it is so controversial. But in doing that you are missing some blessings from God.

In Revelation 22:10 we are told "...'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.'" We are to know this book, and according to God's timetable, this is the next major event. This is also the only book to begin and end with a blessing to those who read, hear, and apply what is written here. (Revelation 1:3, 22:7).

My goal for you this New Year's Eve 1997, is to take you through these 22 chapters to help you to understand the things that will be taking place. And to cover that much ground, we will take an overview of this book, covering as much material as possible. So strap yourself in, and hold on tight as we launch ourselves into this great book called REVELATION!

REVELATION 1

This book is about the Revelation of Jesus Christ which will shortly come to pass. It reveals Him in His full glory, the glory that was seen on the Mount of Transfiguration. And so this is an unveiling of Jesus in all His glory.

VERSES 1-6

Notice the route in which the message was passed down to John. First the Father gives it to Jesus, who reveals it to an angel, who gives it to John and he writes this message down to tell us the things that "must shortly take place".

John is writing this primarily to the 7 churches in Asia Minor, which were founded or born out of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Now why only 7? Because 7 is the number of completeness and even though these churches were real, fitting their own individual historical, geographical identity of each city, they also represent churches throughout the church age, and it also speaks of our hearts individually.

The 7 spirits spoken of in verse 4 is not speaking of 7 spirits, but the seven fold working of the Holy Spirit, or the complete work of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 11:2 we read "The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him [empower], The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

We also see that this letter is from the Trinity: the Father, the Holy Spirit, and from Jesus Christ. And it is because of Jesus washing us with His blood, cleansing us from our sins, that we are made kings and priest unto God.

VERSES 7-8

Speaking of a future event, and when he comes, all will see Him, not just a select few. And so this book is an unveiling of Jesus in all His glory.

VERSE 9

John received this revelation while he was banished on the Island of Patmos for his testimony of Jesus Christ. It was a 50 mile square Island that was rocky, barren and used as a place of banishment for criminals by the Roman government.

VERSES 10-18, 20

Here is a picture of Jesus moving through 7 lamp stands, which represent the churches, all his churches. In His hands are 7 stars which represent either angels who are watching over these churches or the pastors of these churches. And the thing to take notice is that Jesus is actively involved in His church, moving about, directing, and-so-on.

VERSE 19

This is the key to this book, the outline you might say. First, the things that John has seen, which speaks of the things of chapter 1. Next, the things which are, which speak of the things that are presently taking place, the church age, chapters 2 & 3. And the things that will take place after this, which speaks of the things that will take place after the church age, chapters 4-22. If you follow this outline that John gives us, this book will be much easier to understand, as we shall see.

REVELATION 2

This begins the letters to the 7 churches located in Asia Minor, or modern day Turkey. Historically, Jesus was writing to actual churches in Asia. Those churches had their own problems that needed to be dealt with. The second way to look at these letters is to apply them individually, looking at our own hearts. And thirdly, these letters can be taken prophetically, for as you look at these churches they show us a summation of the church age.

EPHESUS - 2:1-7 LOVELESS CHURCH

This represented the Apostolic church of the first century. It was pushing on for the Lord, very active, and yet they had left their first love. They were cold to the Lord and yet orthodox on doctrine.

SMYRNA - 2:8-11 PERSECUTED CHURCH

This represented the persecuted church from the end of the first century to the middle of the fourth century. During this time millions of Christians were slaughtered by Rome for their faith in Christ. Nothing is spoken against this church because the church that is persecuted is pure, for who is going to be persecuted for what they do not believe. And the persecution was limited, as illustrated by the 10 days.

PERGAMOS - 2:12-17 WORLDLY CHURCH

This represented the church that was married to the world. The Emperor Constantine in 312 AD had a so-called conversion experience, and made Christianity the state religion. And when he did, not to offend anyone, he allowed pagan priests to enter the church and fill it with their evil influences. This was from around 312 AD to 500 AD. It is as G. Campbell Morgan said, "That the church of Christ persecuted has been the church of Christ pure. The church of Christ patronized has always been the church of Christ impure."

THYATIRA - 2:18-29 CORRUPT CHURCH

This is the church that allowed idolatry, false doctrine into it, and is the period of the middle ages. The push here is Roman Catholicism, which allowed many corrupt practices into the church.

REVELATION 3

SARDIS - 3:1-6 DEAD CHURCH

This represented the reformation period as the church came out of the previous religious system, but they did not come out far enough and became dead in their orthodoxy. It was 1517 AD when Martin Luther hung his "95 Thesis" on the church door in Wittenberg, which began the separation from Catholicism, and thus the Protestant Reformation.

PHILADELPHIA - 3:7-13 FAITHFUL CHURCH

This speaks of the faithful church of today, which began with the revival of the nineteenth century. It represents those churches that love the Lord and His Word and are obedient to it.

LAODICEA - 3:14-22 APOSTATE CHURCH

This also speaks of the church today, but it speaks of them being apostate, where Jesus is on the outside of the church knocking to get in.

It is interesting to note that the last four churches; THYATIRA, SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA and LAODICEA will be around in the last days. That is the church of Rome, the church of the Reformation, the faithful church and the apostate church. All but the church of Philadelphia are called to repent or they will enter into the tribulation period. But there is no rebuke for the faithful church, who will not enter into the tribulation period, as we shall see. And the faithful church is not seen again on earth in the book of Revelation until they return with the Lord in Revelation chapter 19.

REVELATION 4

John opens up chapter 4 with the Greek phrase META TAUTA, which means "after these things". This is the last part of the outline that John gave us in Revelation 1:19, and is what happens after the church age comes to an end. That is what the rest of the book deals with.

Now some would like to know where the rapture of the church occurs in the book of Revelation. It is right here, as John hears the voice as of a trumpet, calling him to come up, and immediately he was before the throne of God. This is very similar to what Paul speaks of, regarding the rapture of the church, in I Corinthians 15, and I Thessalonians 4.

The theme in heaven is worship. We see the 24 elders, who represent the church, dressed in white and wearing victors crowns. And the Bible tells us that when Jesus come back for us, He will have our rewards with him. Also, the song they sing in chapter 5 can only be sung by the redeemed. They are praising God, so are the living creatures. Heaven is filled with worship.

REVELATION 5

Here in chapter 5 we see the Father have a scroll in His hand, that no one was able to take from His hand. This scroll was the title deed to the earth and sealed with 7 seals. Roman law required a will to be sealed 7 times so that it could not be broken open. You would roll the scroll part way, seal it, roll it some more, seal it, seven times total.

This world was given to us by God to care for, and sin transferred that title to Satan. But Jesus purchased it back by shedding His blood, redeeming us and this earth back to Him.

Now John saw that no one was able to take back the earth from Satan, and he began to weep convulsively. But Jesus steps up, who appeared as a Lamb as though it had been slain, and took the scroll and is going to redeem the earth back to Himself, to the state it was in before the fall. And what breaks forth when Jesus takes the scroll? Worship by the church, worship by the angelic hosts, heaven is filled with the worship of God.

REVELATION 6

Now we move into what is known as the FOUR HORSEMAN OF THE APOCALYPSE.

FIRST SEAL - 6:1-2 THE WHITE HORSE:FALSE PEACE

This rider on the white horse is not Christ, but the antichrist. He has a bow, and no arrows, which speaks of obtaining his power base through peaceful means. He comes on the scene bringing answers to a world that is trying to re-group from a nuclear holocaust in the Middle East, as Russian and its Muslim allies come against Israel, and the Russian army is destroyed. You can read of this battle in Ezekiel 38 & 39. Those first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period are a time of false peace, set-up by this man. And he is wearing a victors crown, a STEPHANOS; and not the crown of a true king, a DIADEMA, which Jesus wears in Revelation 19:12.

SECOND SEAL - 6:3-4 THE RED HORSE:WAR

The first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation are that of peace, but that quickly ends with the antichrist going into the temple, demanding to be worshipped as God, and from that point on till the end of the tribulation period, there will be wars.

THIRD SEAL - 6:5-6 THE BLACK HORSE:FAMINE

With worldwide wars there will be worldwide famine also. You will have to work 1 day to get a daily ration of wheat to live on, or you could buy 3 times more barely. But the very rich, those in power, will not be affected by this famine.

FOURTH SEAL - 6:7-8 THE PALE HORSE:DEATH

What is born out of wars and famine is death. The earth's population is around 6 billion today. That means 1.5 billion people will die as a result of wars, famine, pestilence, and by the beasts of the earth.

FIFTH SEAL - 6:9-11 SOULS OF THE SAINTS UNDER THE ALTAR

These souls under the altar are those who have come to know the Lord during the tribulation period and have been put to death for their faith in Christ. In fact Revelation 7:14-15 tells us that they are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. And they will continue until the last one is martyred for their faith and taken up into heaven.

SIXTH SEAL - 6:12-17 CATACLYSMIC DISTURBANCES:THE END

This brings us to the end of the tribulation period as the sun becomes black, the moon like blood, stars are falling out of the sky, and the sky is receding like blinds being pulled down and let go, every Island

and mountain is moved out of place. And the earth is filled with great fear but they still refuse to repent even though they know this judgment is coming from God.

With the close of this seal we are at the very end of the tribulation period. Now some of the details are going to be filled in for us. This type of writing produces the highest interest level for the reader, and John is able to take a respite from all that he is seeing. It must have been overwhelming!

REVELATION 7

In the midst of this judgment, God seals 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. And God lists the tribes so we won't mistake what He is saying, although many try to spiritualize this and make this the church, which it is not. Dan and Ephraim are not listed here because of the idolatry they were involved with, (Judges 18:30, Hosea 4:17-19). But in Ezekiel chapter 48 we see them receive their portion in the millennial kingdom.

These are saved by the two witnesses spoken of in Revelation chapter 11, and so the ministry of the 144,000 begins around the 3 1/2 year mark of the tribulation period and continues till the end. Their fruit is seen in verses 9-17, a great multitude that are saved through their witnessing during the tribulation period.

REVELATION 8

SEVENTH SEAL - 8:1-5 SILENCE IN HEAVEN

The seventh seal speaks of silence in heaven for about a half an hour. And this is not proof text that there are no women in heaven - let me be clear on that or I will be sleeping on the sofa tonight! But if there is silence in heaven, what has stopped? WORSHIP! They are in awe of all the devastation that has taken place and they are awaiting for that to pass and the kingdom to be established.

Now as we move into the trumpet judgments we do not pick up at the end of the seal judgments, for the sixth seal brought us to the very end, or very close to it. The trumpet judgments come during the last half of the tribulation period, probably very close to the third seal which deals with famine, and moves forward from there.

FIRST TRUMPET - 8:6-7 1/3 OF THE VEGETATION DESTROYED

Here we see 1/3 of the earth's vegetation destroyed by this hail and fire judgment. Thus, widespread famine will occur for both man and beast.

SECOND TRUMPET - 8:8-9 1/3 OF THE SEAS AND THE SHIPS DESTROYED

Here we see a huge object hit the sea and destroy 1/3 of the living creatures in the sea and 1/3 of the ships in the sea.

THIRD TRUMPET - 8:10-11 1/3 OF THE FRESH WATER BECOMES BITTER

This star, called wormwood, falls from the sky and affects 1/3 of the fresh water supply, destroying it.

FOURTH TRUMPET - 8:12 1/3 REDUCTION OF DAYLIGHT

Here we see 1/3 of the sun, moon and stars affected. A 33% reduction in light, and possibly an 8 hour total reduction in sunlight during the day.

And if you think this is bad, the angel says "Woe, Woe, Woe!" Wait till you see the next 3 judgments!

REVELATION 9

FIFTH TRUMPET - 9:1-12 FIRST WOE: RELEASE OF BOUND DEMONS

A FALLEN star speaks of a past event, and is speaking of Satan, (Isaiah 14:12-14). He goes down and releases those demons that have been bound in this bottomless pit and they will torment men for 5 months. And their torment will be so bad, so intense, that men will want to die, but death takes a holiday. (Jude 6, 7. Genesis 6:1-2, 4. II Peter 2:4). And the leader of these demonic forces is ABADDON in the Hebrew, and APOLLYON in the Greek, that is Satan! One woe down, two to go!

SIXTH TRUMPET - 9:13-21 SECOND WOE: RIVER EUPHRATES DRIED

Here we see the river Euphrates dried up to make way for the kings of the east to pass through, this 200 million man army. Way back on May 21, 1965, Time Magazine stated on page 35 that Red China makes the claim of having an army of 200 million. This was unheard of in John's day. Also, Turkey has built a dam that is able to cut off the water supply of the Euphrates river, drying it up to make way for the kings of the east to pass through.

REVELATION 10

John is given another respite here and sees a vision of God. And John is told to eat this little book, the Scriptures, which were sweet as honey in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach. It is sweet because Jesus will rule and reign on this earth in righteousness. It is bitter because all those who reject Him will suffer His judgment before His kingdom is set-up.

REVELATION 11

VERSES 1-2

Here we see that the temple will be rebuilt, the temple proper that is, for the outer court is given to the gentiles, we are told. If the temple is built on the site of the dome of the spirits, to the north of the dome of the rock, which is a Muslim holy site, then the temple proper could be completed and the dome of the rock could be left standing for it would be in the outer court.

Today the plans are set up to rebuild the temple, with a model already put together. Most of the temple implements have been completed and the priests are going to school to learn the sacrificial system. And they tell us that from the date they get the word that they can rebuild the temple, until it is up and running, would only take them 3 to 6 months!

VERSES 3-13

These two witnesses, who I believe are Moses and Elijah, come forth at the beginning of the tribulation period and are the ones who lead the 144,000 Jews to Christ. And the world wants these two trouble makers dead, they can't stand them. But nothing can touch them, and if anyone tries, fire comes from them and devours their enemies. But once their ministry is over, at the end of 1,260 days, 3 1/2 years, they are killed and their bodies are left in the streets of Jerusalem, as the world rejoices and gives gifts to each other that these 2 trouble makers are dead. "Happy dead witnesses day!" Maybe a Hallmark holiday? But at the end of 3 1/2 days they rise to their feet and are caught up into heaven, which caused great fear to all who saw. Can you imagine what CNN will be reporting of this event? And there is also a great earthquake and 7,000 people are killed.

SEVENTH TRUMPET - 11:15-19 THIRD WOE: KINGDOM ESTABLISHED

Here we see the kingdom of God established, it takes us to the very end. And worship breaks out in heaven as Jesus is going to take back that which was taken from Him, and restore the earth.

REVELATION 12

VERSES 1-6

Speaks of the persecution of the Jews, the woman; and her child, the Messiah.

VERSES 7-12

Here we see war break out in heaven as Michael and his angels cast Satan and his forces from the presence of God. And thus, he knows his time is short and his fury will be poured out. I believe this is at the 3 1/2 year mark of the tribulation period.

VERSES 13-17

Again, during the tribulation period the Jews will be persecuted. Jesus told them when they see the antichrist enter into the temple and demand to be worshiped as God, then flee to the mountains, where God will protect them for 1,260 days, or 3 ½ years. The place they will be protected is the rock city of PETRA!

REVELATION 13

VERSES 1-10

Here we see the introduction of the antichrist, the beast, whose false peace turns to war as he demands to be worshiped as god and have total control of the world. And the people are drawn to this man as he has the psuedo-resurrection from an assassination attempt.

VERSES 11-15

His side kick is the false prophet who leads people to worship the antichrist in this false religious system, that will for a time embrace many faiths. We see a strong push today to unite the religions of the world together, as many faiths are willing to compromise their beliefs for the sake of unity. And the Christian church is following right along.

VERSES 16-18

Today we are moving towards a cashless society. John tells us that one day you will not be able to buy or sell without this mark on your hand or forehead, the mark of the beast. And this identification mark could be some kind of computer chip placed underneath the skin. We are already identifying dogs and cats that way, and I'm sure humans are not far off from being identified in this manner. You couldn't lose it, you would not have a wallet full of different cards, you would always have the identification with you, no one could steal it, and-so-on. But to take the mark you will be identifying yourself with the beast, and you will enter into eternity without Christ.

REVELATION 14

VERSES 1-5

These are the 144,000 who were sealed by God and are now standing with Him on Mount Zion at the end of the tribulation period.

VERSES 14-20

Here we see a glimpse of the harvest judgment that is summed up in verse 20, which speaks of the blood bath that takes place, blood flowing some 5 feet deep for 200 miles in the Valley of Megiddo.

REVELATION 15

Here we see the preparation for the bowl judgments, that will be fired like a gatling gun, in rapid fire succession. These bowl judgments will be poured out towards the very end of the tribulation period.

REVELATION 16

FIRST BOWL - 16:1-2 RUNNING SORE ON MAN

This could be some kind of cancerous sore, possibly related to the depletion of the ozone layer, causing skin cancer upon man. Even today we see a tremendous increase in the number of skin cancer cases, and it will only get worse, as the judgment says.

SECOND BOWL - 16:3 SEA DESTROYED

Here we see everything in the sea destroyed.

THIRD BOWL - 16:4-7 FRESH WATER SUPPLY DESTROYED

Here we see the fresh water supply destroyed.

FOURTH BOWL - 16:8-9 SUN SCORCHES MAN

Here the suns heat intensifies and it scorches, burns man, but they still refuse to repent.

FIFTH BOWL - 16:10-11 DARKNESS

Complete, total darkness fills the land. And verse 11 tells us that these judgments are cumulative, one built upon the other, and they still refuse to repent.

SIXTH BOWL - 16:12-16 THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

The armies of the world are gathered together in the Valley of Megiddo, a plain that Napoleon said was the finest battle plain he ever saw. And these demonic spirits gather the nations of the world for this last great battle, the battle of Armageddon!

SEVENTH BOWL - 16:17-21 AIR

Here we see earthquakes and thundering and hail weighing some 125 pounds crashing down and instead of repenting, they are blaspheming God. This brings us to the end of the tribulation period. Now John is going to fill in some more details for us.

REVELATION 17

This harlot is the false religious system, the false church. The harlot rides the antichrist, the beast, for a time, but then the antichrist wants the world to worship him alone, and he devours this false religious system.

REVELATION 18

This describes the commercial or economic view of the tribulation period. And when this system falls, all the merchants, the leaders, all will mourn over the destruction of this commercial center called Babylon the Great. And as the world mourns over this, heaven is rejoicing as the Lord is preparing to set up His kingdom.

REVELATION 19

Here we see the marriage supper of the Lamb that leads to Jesus returning back to earth, riding a white horse, and His bride, the church is following behind Him. The battle is quickly over when the Lord

returns, and tramples under foot all those who rejected Him and are fighting against Him. The beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire at this point, and that is their eternal resting place.

REVELATION 20

Satan is now bound for 1,000 years, as Christ rules and reigns on this earth. At the end of the 1,000 years Satan is loosed for a time to give those who have entered into the kingdom and those who have been born during this time, a chance to chose between the Lord and Satan. When that time is over, Satan is cast into the lake of fire and the great white throne judgment is set up. And all the dead and living who have rejected Christ will be cast into the lake of fire!

REVELATION 21

Here we see God create a new heaven and new earth and verse 4 says "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." This is the eternal state, dwelling with the Lord forever. No more pain, no more death, no more destruction, just the joy of dwelling with our Lord forever!

REVELATION 22

We see here more of a description of the new heaven and new earth, and in verse 17 we read "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." The last invitation in the Word of God to come and partake of Him, for if you don't it will be to late!

Can you say as John did, MARANATHA! "LORD COME!"? Are you ready for Him? He has given you an open invitation, don't pass it up, for in death, it is to late!