Part 5 – The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Daniel’s 70th week – the Great Tribulation – the Day of the Lord
In Part 4 we read about the prophet Daniel’s vision of 70 weeks (of 7s) or 70 x 7 years = 490 years. The 70 weeks are decreed for the Jews and Jerusalem.
Dan9:24“Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
In this chapter we’ll take a closer look at Daniel’s 70th week. The final 7 years before the end of the age and the return of Jesus. With most the emphasis on the final 3.5 years called the “great tribulation”. And the best way to do that is with an overview of the Book of Revelation. As most of the Book of Revelation is a description of the events and characters of the great tribulation. We also have the Book of Exodus as a pattern to show us how God delivers His people. And knowing that Jesus is coming back to deliver us, and that God uses the same patterns. We can learn a lot by comparing end time prophetic events with the events of the Book of Exodus.
Jesus the man died (most likely) April 3, AD33 (AM4033). He was resurrected 3 days later. 40 days after the resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven where He now sits with God on God’s throne. 50 days after the resurrection (on the Day of Pentecost) the Holy Spirit came down from Heaven to Jerusalem. The Spirit of God came to dwell in the body of believers! That was the beginning of the Church. Then sometime between AD60-95 the glorified Jesus Christ called down from God’s throne in Heaven to the Apostle John on earth (the Island of Patmos). Jesus had a message for His Church. That message included prophetic visions of the day Jesus returns to earth to establish His kingdom. That day is called the “Day of the Lord” in the Old Testament and the return of Jesus (2nd Coming) in the New Testament. The day that Jesus will be revealed to the world!
The Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Here is the Greek definition of the word revelation.
Revelation (Strong’s Greek #602) Cognate: 602 apokálypsis – properly, uncovering (unveiling). See 601 (apokalyptō). 602 /apokálypsis (“revelation, unveiling”) is principally used of the revelation of Jesus Christ (the Word), especially a particular (spiritual) manifestation of Christ (His will) previously unknown to the extent (because “veiled, covered”).
It’s also the English word apocalypse a word that is now associated with the destruction of the world.
We started in the Book of Genesis with the creation and the fall of mankind. Now we will end with the Book of Revelation and the judgement and redemption of mankind.
Chapter 1 – the glorified Jesus visits John on the island of Patmos
Rev1:1The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and communicated it to His servant John.1:2This is the John who taught the truth concerning the Word of God and the truth told us by Jesus Christ— a faithful account of what he had seen.
How did the angel of the Lord communicate this knowledge to John? He took John to Heaven (in the Spirit) on the (future) Day of the Lord! John witnessed (had visions of) the Day of the Lord (2nd Coming) and the events of the great tribulation leading up to it. John then communicated his vision(s) to us by writing the Book of Revelation.
Rev1:10On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Berean Bible Translation
or
Rev1:10In the Spirit I found myself present on the day of the Lord, and I heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a trumpet.11saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Weymouth Bible Translation
The first thing John saw was Jesus Himself. He was in His glorified body.
Rev1:12I turned to see who it was that was speaking to me; and then I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and in the center of the lampstands some One resembling the Son of Man, clothed in a robe which reached to His feet, and with a girdle of gold across His breast. 14His head and His hair were white, like white wool—as white as snow; and His eyes resembled a flame of fire. 15His feet were like silver-bronze, when it is white-hot in a furnace; and His voice resembled the sound of many waters.16In His right hand He held seven stars, and a sharp, two-edged sword was seen coming from His mouth; and His glance resembled the sun when it is shining with its full strength. 17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
Jesus came to visit John on the island of Patmos off the coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). At that time the Church had spread out from Jerusalem into this region. It’s here we find the actual 7 churches of the Book of Revelation–Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
The Age of Grace has just started, and Jesus has come to John with a message of warning and encouragement for the early Church. Also, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass.
Chapters 2 & 3 – Letter to the 7 churches
John was told to write a letter from Jesus to the 7 churches. In the letter Jesus gives a specific message for each church. The (7) messages in the letter address the issues that each church was dealing with at that time (AD60-95). Jesus gives encouragement to those following His words-keeping the faith. But words of warning to those who weren’t. Then each message ends with a reminder of the rewards that God offers to those who overcome.
overcome (Strong’s Greek #3528) nikáō (from 3529 /níkē, “victory”) – properly, conquer (overcome); ” ‘to carry off the victory, come off victorious.’ The verb implies a battle” (K. Wuest).
But who overcomes? What do they overcome? How do they overcome?
The Apostle John answers all three questions in one verse. The verse comes from one of John’s earlier writings – 1John5:4.
1John5:4 because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 5Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Who are the overcomers? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
What do they overcome? because everyone born of God overcomes the world.
How do they overcome? And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
Because Jesus overcame the world. Those who have faith in Jesus will also overcome the world! His victory is our victory!
John16:33I (Jesus) have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
1Cor15:57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Below is a list of rewards that Jesus offers to the one who overcomes?
By using this list of rewards, we can identify who the overcomers are as we continue reading through the Book Revelation. Basically, whoever receives one or more of the rewards listed is an overcomer (the Church, a believer)! And as they are overcomers, they will receive all the rewards listed!
Jesus called down from Heaven to John on earth sometime between the years AD60-95. This means the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple (AD70) is either about to happen or it just had happened. So, Jesus is sending a message and a vision to John to share with the early Church (7 churches of Asia minor).
But now in chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation Jesus is calling John up to Heaven through an open door. Immediately John is in Heaven in the Spirit on the Day of the Lord!
Chapter 4 – John is called to heaven in the Spirit on the Day of the Lord
Rev4:1After all this I looked and saw a door in Heaven standing open, and the voice that I had previously heard, which resembled the blast of a trumpet, again spoke to me and said, “Come up here, and I will show you things which are to happen in the future.” 2Immediately I found myself in the Spirit, and saw a throne in Heaven, and some One sitting on the throne.
Rev1:10In the Spirit, I found myself present on the day of the Lord, and I heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a trumpet
Immediately John leaves (his body on) earth at the start of the Age of Grace. He has been called up to Heaven (in the Spirit) almost 2,000 years later on the last day of the Age of Grace-the Day of the Lord!
John is in Heaven on the day of the Lord! He is writing the Book of Revelation from that point in time!
He is told to write down:
The things he has seen – the events leading up to the day of the Lord (2nd Coming).
The things that are – the events of the day of the Lord.
The things that will happen after this – the Millennial reign of Jesus. Followed by God the Father coming down from Heaven (with the new Jerusalem) to dwell with His people.
Rev1:19Therefore write down the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.
All the events of the Book of Revelation fall into one of these three categories. With that in mind we will sort the events as we continue the overview of the Book of Revelation.
Is Rev4:1 the rapture of the Church? What is the rapture? When is the rapture?
Let’s read a few more chapters and then we’ll come back and answer all 3 questions.
Once John is in Heaven, he sees God the Father sitting on His throne. Then John gives us a glimpse of God the Father.
The appearance of God the Father.
Rev4:3The appearance of Him who sat there was like jasper or sard; and encircling the throne was a rainbow, in appearance like an emerald.
But no man has seen the Father…right? Well, we as overcomers will see the (our) Father and His angels on the Day of the Lord!
Rev3:4But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white. 5Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
Because on the on the day of the Lord Jesus will send out His angels to gather His elect.
Mat24:30At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
The next thing John sees are 24 elders surrounding the throne.
24 elders – sitting on thrones surrounding God’s throne.
If we jump ahead in the Book of Revelation and pull together all the scriptures that reference the 24 elders. We can then read the descriptions and actions of the 24 elders to see if they match any of the rewards given to the overcomers. And yes! They do. So, below I have added the verses that describe the 24 elders with their rewards printed in bold print. Under each verse is the verse(s) that show the rewards offered to the overcomers (red print).
Rev4:4 Surrounding the throne (of God) were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.
Rev3:5Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white.
Rev3:11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown
Rev3:21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Rev4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
Rev3:11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown
Rev3:21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Rev5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne. 8When He had taken the scroll; the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.
Eph1:14The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people.
Rev1:5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, 6who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
Rev11:16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: “We give thanks to You, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Rev3:21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
The 24 elders are overcomers! That means they are a part of the Church, spiritual Israel also called a kingdom of priests to God the Father. Can we find another reference from the scriptures concerning 24 elders who were also priest? Yes!
1Chr24:11These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. 3With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. 4Since more leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than those of Ithamar, they were divided accordingly. There were sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar.
Remember during the Exodus when God made Aaron and his sons to be His priests. Later during the time of King David, the priesthood was divided between the descendants of Aaron’s 2 sons Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. sixteen heads of families from the descendants of Eleazar and eight from the descendants of Ithamar. (16+8=24)
So, Aaron’s priesthood (his sons) was divided into 24 orders. Each order was led by 24 heads of families. But Aaron’s priesthood ended with the old covenant.
Exo19:5-6 5Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. 6And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
But Israel didn’t keep the old covenant, so the old covenant came to an end and Aaron’s priesthood with it.
Now with a new covenant a new priesthood is being established. And it starts with 24 elders from the Church.
Rev1:4-6 4John, To the seven churches in Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven Spirits before His throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, 6who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
Who are the 24 elders?
Mat19:28Jesus said to them (12 Disciples), “Truly I tell you, in 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.
We have the 12 Disciples sitting on thrones with Jesus and they are judging the 12 tribes of Israel (spiritual Israel-the Church). I believe the 12 disciples are 12 out of the 24 Elders. The Church started with the 12 Disciples making them the elders of the Church. Also notice that Jesus is now sitting on His own throne. Where earlier He was on God’s throne.
The old covenant that God made with Abraham and his descendants came to an end. But remember the new covenant (the Church) also started with 12 descendants of Abraham. As the 12 Disciples are descendants of Abraham. The 12 Disciples were called out of the unbelieving kingdom of Israel into spiritual Israel-the Church. They were witnesses to the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. As the Gospel spread outside of Jerusalem (the nation of Israel) to the (gentile) nations we see the believers from the nations grafted into spiritual Israel-the Church. Since it all started back with Abraham and his descendants through Israel (Jacob) and his 12 sons. I believe the 12 sons/tribes are the other 12 elders.
The 12 sons/tribes of Abraham + the 12 apostles = the 24 elders.
Later in chapter 21 we will read about the holy city of New Jerusalem. With 12 gates named after the 12 tribes of Israel. And 12 foundations named after the 12 apostles.
Rev21:10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,
Rev21:12The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates. 13There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The 24 elders are in heaven dressed in white robes. Wearing crowns while sitting on 24 thrones. They are before God who is sitting on His throne.
The appearance of God’s throne.
Rev4:5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God. 6And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within
We can’t fully understand or visualize God’s throne without looking into the 4 living creatures. Because the 4 living creatures carry the throne when the throne is in motion. But they stand around (before) the throne when it’s stationary. The Apostle John wasn’t the first man to see (in the Spirit) the throne of God. During the Babylonian captivity the prophet Ezekiel also saw God sitting on His throne. And Ezekiel gives us more details of the appearance of the throne and the 4 living creatures. So, let’s read from the Book of Ezekiel.
The 4 living creatures (Cherubim)
Eze1:1-28 1In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened, and I saw visions of God. 2On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.
4I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber 5and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, 6but each had four faces and four wings. 7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze. 8Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four living creatures had faces and wings, 9and their wings were touching one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead.
10The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle. 11Such were their faces. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching the wings of the creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved. 13In the midst of the living creatures was the appearance of glowing coals of fire, or of torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.
The Four Wheels – called “the whirling wheels.”
15When I looked at the living creatures; I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16The workmanship of the wheels looked like the gleam of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. Their workmanship looked like a wheel within a wheel. 17As they moved, they went in any of the four directions, without pivoting as they moved. 18Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around. 19So as the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them, and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. 20Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise alongside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21When the creatures moved, the wheels moved; when the creatures stood still, the wheels stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose alongside them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 22Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of an awesome expanse, gleaming like crystal. 23And under the expanse, their wings stretched out toward one another. Each one also had two wings covering its body.
24When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the roar of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army. When they stood still, they lowered their wings. 25And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads as they stood still with their wings lowered. 26Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. 27From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. 28The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.
Ezekiel has another vision of the glory of the Lord on His throne. But this time Ezekiel is taken back to Jerusalem from Babylon. Where he sees the glory of the Lord leaving the temple and then Jerusalem.
Eze10:1 And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire. 2And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coal from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in. 3Now when the man went in, the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple, and a cloud filled the inner court. 4Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with clouds, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. 5The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks. 6When the LORD commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from within the wheelwork, from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel. 7Then one of the cherubim reached out his hand and took some of the fire that was among them. And he put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who received it and went out. 8(The cherubim appeared to have the form of human hands under their wings.) 9Then I looked and saw four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub. And the wheels gleamed like a beryl stone. 10As for their appearance, all four had the same form, like a wheel within a wheel. 11When they moved, they would go in any of the four directions, without turning as they moved. For wherever the head faced, the cherubim would go in that direction, without turning as they moved.
12Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels. 13I heard the wheels being called “the whirling wheels.” 14Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle. 15Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the River Kebar. 16When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved beside them, and even when they spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not veer away from their side. 17When the cherubim stood still, the wheels also stood still, and when they ascended, the wheels ascended with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 18Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim. 19As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went. And they stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, with the glory of the God of Israel above them. 20These were the living creatures I had seen beneath the God of Israel by the River Kebar, and I knew that they were cherubim. 21Each had four faces and four wings, with what looked like human hands under their wings. 22Their faces looked like the faces I had seen by the River Kebar. Each creature went straight ahead.
Eze11:22 Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them. 23And the glory of the LORD rose up from within the city and stood over the mountain east of the city. 24And the Spirit lifted me up and carried me back to Chaldea, to the exiles in the vision given by the Spirit of God. After the vision had gone up from me, 25I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me.
King David was also a prophet. His prophetic writings are found in the Book of Psalms. In Psalm18:9 and 104:1 David gives us his vision of God on His throne.
Psalm18:9He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet. 10He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind. 11He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him. 12From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire.
Psalm104:1Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty.2He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, 3laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. 4He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.”
Luk24:44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
As we just read the 4 living creatures who carry God’s chariot throne are cherubim. They are heavenly beings who have remained loyal to God. So, they are not overcomers one because they don’t receive any of the rewards of the overcomers and two, they aren’t redeemed from the nations of sinful man. The Church is made up of the (believing) sons of Adam (mankind).
Ok, John is in Heaven on the (future) day of the Lord. So far, John has seen God sitting on His throne. With Him John sees Jesus the Lamb of God, 7 angels, 4 cherubim and 24 elders. While many angels are encircling the throne.
Now God the Father is offering a scroll with 7 seals to whoever is worthy to open the scroll.
Chapter 5 – The Lamb (Jesus-the Son) takes the scroll with 7 seals from His Father
Rev5:1Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
Only the Lamb is Worthy to break the seals and open the scroll
Rev5:11Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. 12In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!” 14And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Chapter 6 – The Lamb opens the scroll with 7 seals
The Lamb (Jesus) is given a scroll with 7 seals and told to open it.
As Jesus breaks the seals one by one, we get an overview of the events of the great tribulation.
The opening of the first seal starts the great tribulation. A rider on a white horse comes to conquer the earth. This rider is the antichrist. Remember Jesus tells us in the Book of Matthew that the great tribulation starts when you see the abomination of desolations. Which happens in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week when the beast-antichrist comes.
Mat24:15So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Mat24:21For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. 22If those days had not been cut short nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.
When does the great tribulation start Jesus? when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel – at that time there will be great tribulation.
When does the abomination of desolation happen Daniel? In the middle of the ‘seven’ he (antichrist)will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation.
Dan9:27And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.
Also, in the Book of Matthew (Chapter 24) the disciples ask Jesus 3 Questions.
Matthew24:1As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings.2“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us, “They said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Questions 1) When will the temple be thrown down. 2) What will be the sign of Your coming and 3) of the end of the age.
History tells us that the 2nd temple was thrown down in AD70. This means Jesus (~AD30) was warning the disciples of the tribulations they (the Jews) would be going through 40 years from that day. Because it’s at that time (AD70) the Romans came to Israel and destroyed the city of Jerusalem and in the process, they burned down the 2nd temple. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple was the end of the old covenant and the age of Israel. That answers the first question.
And Jesus answers the 2nd and 3rd questions in Matthew 24:4-31. In these verses Jesus gives us the sign of His coming and of the end of the age.
So, let’s compare what Jesus said in Matthew 24 to what John saw in Revelation 6. Then we can see if there are any similarities or a common pattern?
And yes… Both books are telling us the exact same flow (pattern) of events. The events start with (1st seal) the coming of antichrist-beast (riding a white horse) and end with (seals 6 and 7) the coming of Jesus Christ (riding a white horse Rev19:11). It’s the time of the great tribulation. The last 3.5 years (of the 7 years) of Daniel’s 70th week. With the 7th and final seal broken the scroll can be unrolled (opened). And now the contents are revealed to John who sees 7 angels in the presence of God. The 7 angels are given 7 trumpets.
Chapter 7 – The 144,000 sealed – the great multitude
Rev7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: 5From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
Rev14:1 Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and the loud rumbling of thunder. And the sound I heard was like harpists strumming their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
The great multitude
Rev7:9-17 9After this I looked and saw a great multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” 14“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So, he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15For this reason, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ 17For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water’, and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
Rev19:1-10 1After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! 2For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.” 3And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.”4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!” 5Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!” The Marriage of the Lamb 6And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. 8She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. 9Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
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