We do not do a study guide for each sermon series. We typically used sermon outlines.
Rossing, Barbara R., The Rapture Exposed (New York: Basic Books, 2004).
Study Guide – The book of Revelation
Chapter 20; May 3rd, 2009
Jim Whittaker
Monday, May 4th - Read Revelation 20:1-6 Literal Interpretation
Chapter twenty of the book of Revelation is one of the most difficult in the Bible to understand. There are three main thoughts (pre-millennial, post-millennial, and amillennial) on how to interpret this chapter that each have variants bringing the total up to about six different interpretations. I am going to reduce these different interpretations down to two groups: those who see the 1,000 year reign as a literal time period, and those who see it as symbolic. The earliest church fathers including Ireneus and Justin Martyr saw the 1,000 year reign as literal time period. In time, this literal interpretation became a martyr’s paradise filled with sensual delights including great banquets and sexual escapades. This sounds eerily similar to the Muslim martyr’s paradise that we hear about today. We have this same problem today with those who have a more literal understanding (pre-millennial) since they seem to be driving us toward the War of Armageddon. Their motto is violence is OK if it is done against evil. They have forgotten Jesus’ words to turn the other cheek. Read any of the Left Behind series to see if you do not come out with a view that Revelation is about war and God’s people rising up in war against all of Satan’s devices. I personally reject that type of understanding, because we lose the slain Lamb and adopt a conquering warrior. There is also the danger of this type of belief entering into our political decisions. For example, just think of the war we would have if Israel tore down the Dome of the Rock to rebuild the temple. I do not see Biblically where any prophecy has to be fulfilled before Christ comes again. Christ can come at any time so I do not see the rebuilding of the Temple as part of Biblical prophecy. The US has a very close relationship with Israel so our policies become very important. War should not be our standard answer. If war becomes our ultimate ideology to stamp out evil, where will this lead us too? Or maybe a better way would be to ask is there a better way to conquer evil other than war? Only recently in the last 100 years has the literal interpretation made a come back. While I applaud the literal understanding to bring us to the seriousness of God’s desire to have a relationship with us and the need to deal with us justly when we let sin remain in our life, it also leads to trying to guess, predict and even lead events to our own personal understanding of the prophecies of the Bible. For example, the 10 heads mentioned of the beast become the 10 nations in the European Common Market as a new Roman Empire or the mark on your hand or forehead being the world credit card system. The danger is in worshipping something other than God. Doe our world view match Jesus’ worldview? Jesus defeated the powers to be by allowing himself to be the sacrificial Lamb. Would humility and agape love describe who we are or would revenge and hatred for those Muslim extremist describe us best? Would love or hatred describe how we feel about our neighbor?
Tuesday, May 5th – Read Revelation 20:1-6 – Symbolic Interpretation
One of the greatest theologians (400AD), St. Augustine realized that the literal interpretation had been abused and moved the church to see the 1,000 years as symbolic. This became the way to see the 1,000 years throughout the rest of the current church age (past 1,600 years). Those who follow this believe are either post-millennial or amillennial. Most things in Revelation are symbolic. The color red is for war and bloodshed. White is for victory and purity. Black is for famine and death. In numbers, 6 is for man; 7 is God’s perfection; 10 is for completeness. The dragon is the devil. The woman is the church. Her son is Jesus. The lamb is Jesus. When we look at other scriptures, we often do not see them literally. For example, we often use Psalm 90:4 to show how God is not tied to time: “for a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday.” This is also a good scripture to use in seeing that 1,000 years here is not necessarily a thousand years. II Peter 3:8 says “one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.” Psalm 50:4 says God owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” Surely, we would not try to limit God’s ownership of cattle to only a thousand hills or as in Job 9:3 says “he could not answer him once in a thousand times.” This isn’t a literal thousand times either. The millennium is a time of reign of Christ on earth where Satan is partially or completely bound. We need to move past seeing it as a literal 1,000 years but to a complete time as ordained by God. This is the Church age. How does it change your thinking that God actually reigns now over the earth? Does it put any responsibility back to the Church to live out the Kingdom of God? Are we living into God’s reign and claiming the victory? Or are we conceding victory to Satan?
Wednesday, May 6th – Read Revelation 20:1-6 – The Binding of Satan (vs. 2)
The post-millennialist (Jesus comes after the millennial time) view is similar to the amillennialst (Jesus reigns now) view in that it is symbolic represented by the Church age. Premillenialist believe Jesus comes before a literal 1,000 year reign. There are disagreements about who is there (martyrs only, Jews, or the church). Baptists and Pentecostals would be the main groups to believe in the literal interpretation. Post-millennialist and amillennialist believe the 1,000 reign was ushered in at Jesus’ first coming and will end at Jesus’ second coming. The millennial period means the church age. Obviously, the 1,000 years means a long time and are not an actual number of years under this viewpoint. Catholics and mainline churches (Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Methodists) generally follow this line of thinking (symbolic). The main difference I see between post-millennialism and amillennialism is in how Satan is bound. The post-millennialist sees Satan as partially bound during the Church age, and the Church will be triumphant over Satan where Jesus will then usher in the Kingdom of God completely and fully. The amillennialist sees the binding of Satan is when we claim the victory in the cross as individuals in the body of Christ. It still sees the evil in the world and the power of Satan as very destructive, but believes in the power of God and God’s kingdom. When all is said and done, our theology of Revelation and this chapter specifically must match, the theology of the rest of the Bible and most prominently the teachings of Jesus since he was God in the flesh. The danger of pre-millennialism is it can lead to an escapist mentality. The world is going to Hell so get out while you can, and God will pull the Christian’s out before the worst of it. Post-millennialism sees God’s Church little by little conquering the world systems leading to transformation of the world. It is a very optimistic view of the potential for the world to be transformed. What is discouraging is when it seems to be the other way around. World War I and World War II set this viewpoint back. Amillennialism sees the answer to the world as the slain Lamb (Jesus’ crucifixion) in that the reign of Christ on earth is accomplished through us as we allow God to reign completely in our life and bring the Kingdom of God to earth right now. It claims victory now instead of putting it off to a great battle. A symbolic understanding of the millennial reign moves one to see victory, triumph, and hope in the book of Revelation. It does not try to understate the reality of Christian persecution, but it states who is the ultimate victor. If we are to see the millennial reign as symbolic of the Church Age, what are we doing to claim Christ’s victory? What are doing to make the Church triumphant? Are we proclaiming the Kingdom of God both in what we say and how we live?
Thursday, May 7th – Read Revelation 20:1-6
The picture of the slain Lamb should be our picture of the millennial reign. In the 16 references to the Lamb in the book of Revelation, only once does it mention wrath (Rev. 6:16). When Jesus shows up all the armies of the world are defeated. It is Christ’s presence that defeated the armies. The Church is Christ’s presence in the world today. Satan was thrown out of heaven through the victory of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Satan is bound (meaning he cannot have victory over the Church), but he is still active. The Christian conquers Satan by accepting the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony to the resurrection’s power. The ultimate defeat of Satan will occur when Jesus casts him in the “lake of fire” (20:10). Are we conquering Satan by relying on the saving blood of the Lamb? James Efird says in Revelation for Today “that the total commitment of God’s servants is the means by which Satan is bound in this world” (113). This really is a call to defeat Satan in our life right now.
This chapter begins with an angel binding up the dragon, the serpent, the devil, or Satan for a thousand years (v. 2). This total commitment called for in this text included not worshipping the Roman emperor (in this case), and had not sold out to the Roman Empire (mark on head and forehead) found in verse 4. Today we should think of any person, cause, government, or world system that demands an allegiance above God. This lasts until the “the thousand years are completed” (v. 7, NASB), which in amillennial thought would be the Church age. Lutheran theologian Dr. Barbara Rossing, in The Rapture Exposed, takes a similar view. She says Satan is bound in two ways: “we conquer not by attacking anyone or shedding of blood – but rather by identifying by Jesus’ own blood that was shed” and “by giving our word of testimony even to give our lives” (119). The easy victory that God has over Satan is a reminder that terror is not defeated by force. All evil is defeated by God. Mennonite John Howard Yoder and Ken Griffith both argue that the book of Revelation is not a book of terror but book of “terror defeated” not “terror inflicted (Rossing, 119). In verse 7 (“when the 1,000 years are ended”), Dr. Efird argues that the translation is important in this verse for the tense of the verb is in the subjective mood meaning if you are faithful, you will experience the reign with Christ. It would seem that martyrs are resurrected to heaven to reign with Christ during the Church age and beyond since 1,000 years is a multiple of signifying inclusiveness and totality (10 X 10 X 10). The condition is faithfulness. What is evident in verse 4 is that it is the martyrs for their testimony of Jesus that are given thrones to help in the final judgment (v. 4) and will reign with him for a thousand years (v. 6). This shows both the kingly and priestly role given the martyr.
Friday, May 8th – Read Revelation 20:7-15
The millennial reign (Church age) now ends. Satan that has been bound between Christ’s first coming and his second coming is released for a brief moment. He is allowed to gather up all the evil in the world (represented by Gog and Magog). Barclay says Gog and Magog became to the Jewish mind anything that was against God as they were always against God’s people. In Ezekiel, Gog and Magog are used and should be thought of as Babylon not as a modern day Russia. All countries, nations, and peoples who are against God gather with Satan. Here all of the armies of the world gather at Israel too numerous to count (vs. 8). Satan was once again allowed to deceive nations just as he did with the nation of Rome. He deceived national leaders just as he did with the emperors of Rome all after the millennial reign (whether literal or symbolic), but the great judgment begins and the unholy trinity (Satan, Satanic nations, and Satanic national leaders) are all thrown into the lake of fire meaning final judgment. The scriptures describe this as a torment that will not go away. Those who have been God’s enemy now get the reward of their service.
We now come to the final judgment – the Great White Throne Judgment. There are two sets of books opened. One is for our belief and one is for our life. Our life (works or deeds) is writing a book. In life, we are writing our own destiny – our own future. Although we know we are saved by grace, it is our works that define our belief in grace. If we have not love, can we say that God’s Spirit lives in us? The second book is the “book of life.” This is the book of believers. It would seem that God wants to know that our belief in God is lived out. Everything is judged even death and hades itself as they too are cast into the lake of fire. They are judged as destructive and against God. To die once is the physical death. To die the second time, is the spiritual death. That is why the scriptures tell us that those who gave their life for Christ will escape the 2nd death. They have proved they are willing to die for their beliefs. Spiritual death will have no power over them because they have defeated the second death by their belief in eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. Are we prepared for the Great Judgment? Does our life reveal a life led by Christ?
Study Guide on the Book of Revelation
Week 3 - Facing Evil and Satan (Chapters 9, 11, and 13)
Jim Whittaker
Introduction for the week: When Christ came the first time, the Jews were looking for a militant Messiah to bash and conquer the bad guys (the Romans). We realize as Christians that they missed the mark and were looking for the wrong Messiah. It would seem strange then that as we look at some of the stories in popular culture including Christian books like the Left Behind series that today we are looking for a militant Messiah that will bash the bad guys. I do believe the book of Revelation is about God’s final victory over evil. Is it possible though that we have missed the mark in our interpretation of the second coming just as the Jews did? Barbara Rossing, Evangelical Lutheran pastor and professor of the New Testament, reminds us that the Lamb power is found just as Jesus taught in “self giving love” as given in the example of the slain Lamb in chapter 5 of the book of Revelation. She states, “Jesus conquers not by inflicting violence but by accepting the violence inflicted upon him in crucifixion” (Rossing, The Rapture Exposed, 135). We are now ready to move into some of the more difficult sections of the book of Revelation. I believe that we can never understand the book of Revelation unless we first understand what it meant to those first and second century Christians. For this reason, I take a more historical approach to the book of revelation in comparison to seeing it only as a book of future events. The book of Revelation is meant for all people and for all times to let us know that God has the victory. This week we begin by setting up the showdown, (notice I did not say battle or war) and the enemy is exposed – Satan. We will take 3 chapters to show Satan this week and next week cover God’s victory. In total we will cover only 9 of the 22 chapters. Perhaps, we can come back at a later date and fill in some of the gaps.
Monday, April 27th – “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12 NRSV). The book of Revelation above anything else is a book for Christians to remind them that no matter how bad things are right now, we worship the one who will have the final victory so do not lose faith. After the periods of worship in chapters 4 and 5, the seals are opened in chapter 6. We discover a time of natural calamities and war. There is a break in the opening of the seals between the sixth and seventh seal with the revealing of the 144,000. Numbers are important in Revelation so we get 12 tribes and the number of completeness 10, and the 12 disciples and the number of completeness 10 (12 X 10 X 12 X10 = 144,000). The 144,000 represents God’s people, and they have been sealed by God. In other words, the only way we can lose the salvation that God has given us is for us to give it up. Again, the call is for faithfulness. This same 144,000 is also mentioned in chapter 14:1-5. While there are some literal interpretations given for these 144,000, we should also note they are virgins (14:4) meaning pure and faithful. These are God’s faithful people going through a trial. In chapter 8, the seventh seal is opened, which reveals seven angels blowing trumpets. Again, we get natural calamities and disasters that are increasing in their severity. Now we join, our text.
Read Revelation chapter 9
“I saw a star that had fallen from heaven” (9:1). Stars are divine beings and could be either good or evil. Isaiah 14:12 says, “How you are fallen from heaven O Day Star” (NRSV). Rev. 9:2 says, “he opened the shaft of the bottomless pit (abyss).” Whether this fallen star is Satan or not, we should certainly make the connection that the Satanic forces are being unleashed. This means to us the true source of tribulation and certainly Christian persecution is Satan himself. Satan then lets out from the pits of hell locusts who normally would devastate crops but God instructs them to torture people but not God’s people. God put limits on what Satan could do in this case. Joel chapter 2 gives us a similar picture and with a reasoning for those dreadful creatures, “return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, and slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Joel 2:13 NRSV). God’s purpose here for allowing Satan to work is so that people would repent of their own evil ways. Revelation 9:20-21 says they “did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshipping demons and idols….they did not repent of their murders, or their sorceries, or their fornication or their thefts.” The king of these locusts is in Hebrew “Abaddon” and in Greek, “Apollyon.” These words often are used with death and destruction. Here they represent the “Destroyer” – Satan. The length of tormenting is limited to a locust’s lifespan of 5 months. The message is clear in this section: God allows Satan the ability to torment humans that in hope that some would turn back to God and repent of their ways. God knows that humanity on their own will never turn back to God. It is only by God’s grace. God allowed this torture to occur with the Roman emperors and does also today. Is there something that we need to turn over to God? Do you we put our complete trust in God that we have been sealed? This doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen to Christians. It means that eventhough bad things do occur, our future with God is secure. Nothing can take that away – not even Satan. Next a vast army from the east comes and kills 1/3 of humankind. The Romans were never able to defeat the people beyond the Euphrates, the Parthians. They would ride directly at the Roman soldiers on horse only then to turn and flee while shooting arrows at the Romans. They were able to hold off the Roman attack by killing and wounding the soldiers. Here John visualizes a Parthian army that is fierce and large. There is no doubt that devastation will occur. We end with a call to repentance but none will repent from worshipping the devil or to the devil’s works. We are called to be as resilent as those following evil and Satan. We do not compromise our faith. We do not confess anyone is Lord except Jesus Christ. The Roman government at times demanded that its people confess the emperor as Lord. Great persecutions occurred under Nero and Domitian. Do we confess that something else or someone else is Lord? These people could not give up their idols in this chapter of Revelation. Can we?
Tuesday, April 28th – The Romans were brutal and used all out force to conquer their foes. There was a saying in their time, “Romans always win.” Can you imagine the pressure a Christian would have felt to confess that the Roman emperor is divine and Lord. Our modern day communist governments would have come the closest to re-enacting this, but don’t think it couldn’t happen here and now. We are becoming a country that is tolerant of anything except Judeo Christian beliefs. Could there come a day when to confess you are a Christian could jeopardize your job or livelihood? I believe it is possible. We are to remember evil will not win in the end. Evils time is limited. Julius Caesar said, “I came, I saw, I conquered.” John is willing to say Rome does not always win, and the final victory is not in oppressive and violent force but by the lamb who is slain. God never instructs his servants to take up arms and to fight as in the Tribulation Force book in the Left Behind series. I take a quick peek ahead at the last battle where in chapter 19:11 and following it describes the great last war some call “Armageddon.” Everyone is there ready for battle and Christ comes out of heaven on a white (means conquering) horse to make war. I love this in the TNIV translation in verse 20. It begins with “But” – remember but changes everything that just has been said. “But the beast was captured and the false prophet….the two of them were thrown into the lake of fire” (TNIV). Christ appears, and it is over. Christ’s presence is all it takes. This is the slain Lamb who conquers not in war but in self giving love. We are not to give into violence as our solution to the world’s problems. Certainly Christians should not think we are to take up a jihad or holy war against the world.
Read Revelation 11. In this passage the term 42 months, 1,260 days (or 3 ½ years) and 3 ½ days are mentioned. Whether it is days, months, or in years, 3 ½ years meant something to the Jews. It takes significance going back to the Maccabean War. In June 168BC, Antiochus ruled Syria, and took over the temple. He set up an image of the Greek god Zeus. It had take him 3 ½ years to accomplish this, and he desecrated the Temple for 3 ½ years when finally in December 165BC the Temple was recovered. This ties with Daniel’s 70 weeks and the last week, which is divided in half (3 ½ years), which is called the great desecration. This 3 ½ years regardless of the form (day, months, or years) means that evil will only triumph over God’s people for a short time. This is very important to know this before you begin reading chapter 11 of the book of Revelation.
Another important part of the story: who are these two witnesses? Zechariah 4:3, 12 talks of the two olive trees or branches, which is a symbolic reference to king and priest. There is an obvious symbolic interpretation for the church, and some see this as the church of Philadelphia and Smyrna (faithful witnesses). Probably the most common interpretation is this is Moses (lawgiver) and Elijah (prophet) who come to give final witness for the church. Some scholars say the Law and the Gospel. In any case, this is the witness of the Church. Is our witness true to Christ?
Another key word here is prophesy (vs 3). Our culture has taken over this word to mean predicting future events. Prophesy is both a forth telling (giving of God’s word and plan of salvation) and a foretelling (what will happen if people reject God’s word). It is always salvific meaning it should be leading us to salvation in Jesus Christ. Remember John the Baptist’s call for repentance and Jesus then also picks up that call for repentance. The prophet Amos called for the people to care for the orphans, the aliens, and the poor while living justly in their relations with their neighbors. The prophet’s biggest concern is always living for God (think of Elijah and Jeremiah), and being saved. The message of a Christian prophet is “Jesus saves.” Especially after Jeremiah’s brutal treatment, prophet became to mean authenticity. Certainly, prophet and martyr came to mean the same thing, which means a faithful witness may mean you lose your life. The bottom line is these prophets represent the authentic prophetic voice of the church. There is no Lord but Jesus. Is this our cry? Are we comforted that any discomfort we find as Christians is short lived? Certainly when we compare our sufferings here on earth, they are not worthy to compare to the heavenly city that awaits the faithful.
Wednesday, April 29th - Read Revelation 11
We have covered the background, now let’s look at this passage closer. John is instructed to measure the Temple. The Temple has been destroyed in 70AD. Our understanding of this passage should always be first directed at the first century audience. This is not the actual Temple or a rebuilt Temple. I Corinthians 3:16 says, “do you not know you are God’s temple…?” (NRSV). Ephesians 2:20-21 says, Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is jointed together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” The Temple is God’s people the Church. When John is told to measure the temple, he is being asked to measure or evaluate the faith of a true believer. Barclay says measuring is in preparation for building or destruction. Are there those in the Church that will stand for their witness even at the risk of death?
How long will the Church be trampled upon? Only a short time – 42 months. God will grant the Church a 1,260 day (short time) window to witness. Remember to God a day is as a thousand years. The Church has been granted the ability to do great signs for the world, but when their time of witness was over that God had granted them a beast comes up from the pit to slay them.
In Daniel 7, four great beasts representing kingdoms come up out of the sea (the sea always represents chaos and evil). John picks up on this picture by having a beast coming up out of the pit. This is Satan rising from Hell. The Churches witness has been so great that the Church finds themselves in a fight with Satan himself. This is a reminder to individuals who are part of the body of Christ that our witness may bring us to do battle with Satan. In this picture, Satan kills them meaning we might have to give up our own life for the witness of Christ. We are not protected from physical death, but our fates have been sealed by God. Also see Revelation 14:17.
Sodom and Egypt – To the Jew, these cities represented unrivaled sin. For the Christian, we find that we are not guaranteed by God to not lose our life. In places filled with sin and rebellion, the Christian may be terrorized or even destroyed by the evils of that city (evil people), but their death is short lived. They lie in the city for 3 ½ days (meaning short time). The strange thing is people will party and exchange gifts because the churches witness has been killed. This certainly is a reminder that not all accept Christians. But, God does not allow evil to have the final say. The witnesses are resurrected showing God is victorious over Satan’s attempts to kill the Church. Have you felt attacked by Satan? Remember our fate is sealed. Only we can give up our faith. God has guaranteed all that we need for salvation. We are called to be faithful.
Thursday, April 30 – Read Revelation 13:1-9
The dragon has been introduced in chapter 12. The dragon is Satan. Chapter 12 has some background that is important. It talks about a woman (God’s people) where a child comes forth (Jesus), and the Satan tries to kill the child. This male child who will rule the world with a rod of iron is soon taken up to heaven before Satan devours him. Satan is tossed out of heaven and now attempts to set up his own kingdom on earth - A kingdom that is contrary to God. Since he did not stop the man child (Jesus), he now seeks to devour the woman’s children (the church). We find that Satan uses two allies to help him in his battle against God’s people – a sea beast and a land beast. We cover today, the sea beast. Anything coming out of the sea would be evil and chaotic. We find a beast (empire or nation) comes up with 10 names on its horns. These names at the time of the first century church would have been the 10 Roman emperors. There were blasphemous names written on its heads. Remember the emperor considered himself divine and Lord (God). John then combines the beasts in Daniel 7 to represent a threat greater than any that has ever been faced. Satan has given this empire its power – this is the Romans or the Roman empire. One of the heads (emperors) appears to have been killed but has come back to life again. The emperor Nero (55-68)became a ruthless, violent, and sadistic ruler. Under his reign, both Paul and Peter were martyred. He set fire to Rome and then blamed it on the Christians beginning one of the worst persecutions the young Church had ever seen. He finally committed suicide, but most people refused to believe he was really dead and twenty years later there was a common belief that Nero would come back again. The emperor Domitian (81 to 96) became Nero reborn. Under Domitian, Christian persecution increased once again. It is under this emperor that John does his writing. So the first beast is the evil empire of Rome. H.B. Swete writes, “any empire founded on brute force and not on moral greatness is anti-God” (Barclay, 94). John lets the Christian know (vs. 5 – 42 months) that Satan’s time is short. Robert Conn writes this passage means to the Christian: “accept prison, do not kill; endure” (Conn, 92). This passage is certainly true to us today. Any nation that demands god like allegiance and worship is an instrument of Satan and as a Christian, we cannot comply. Remember Rev. 13:9, “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” We are called to endure and not to lose our faith. Anything we lose is temporal. We must hold on to what has eternal worth and that is our faith in a good and saving God. Can you think of nations or times in history with Christian or non-Christian nations has called for such allegiance?
Friday, May 1 – Read Revelation 13:11-18
There is another alliance that Satan uses with one who looks like the Lamb (Christ) but talks like the dragon (Satan). Our first thoughts should be the anti-Christ. I John 2:22 says an anti-Christ is anyone that denies that Jesus is God. It is obvious then there are many anti-Christ’s. This anti-Christ is empowered by Satan to make war against the Church. Verse 12 says this anti-Christ makes people worship the one beast (emperor) who came back to life. This is in reference to Nero and the Roman empire. In the temple cult of the Roman empire, they even set up dragons with mouths made to move with a pulley system and given the ability to have fire and smoke in their mouth. You can imagine how this must have come off to a first century citizen of Rome. They become marked or sold out to the empire. The number is 666. Six is the number of man so 666 is a great man. In some of the ancient languages, numbers were not used. You double used letters for numbers. For example, A would be 1 and B would be 2, and so on and so on. You would take a name and assign each letter a number then add all the numbers up to get a total. The Greek name for Jesus equals 888. Since 7 is the number of perfection this would seem to indicate he is greater than perfection. 666 is less than perfection and less than Jesus. Many people have been given the number of the anti-Christ like Hitler and the Pope, but our first indication should come from the first century time. There we find that Nero’s number equals 666. Most mainline scholars agree that Nero is the best candidate, and remember anyone can be an anti-Christ who denies the divinity of Jesus. So our second ally of Satan is the emperor Nero reborn as Domitian. John sees the Roman empire as evil and Satanic because of their insistence for worship as normal humans as divine and Saviors. Could there be new anti-Christ’s today? Certainly, anytime someone denies the divinity of Christ and then persecutes those who believe in Christ is an anti-Christ.
Study Guide
The Seven Churches of the book of Revelation (Chapters 2 and 3)
Monday, April 20th
The book of Revelation is different than most of the Bible though parts of Daniel and Zechariah also has this apocalyptic writing style. Apocalyptic is a symbolic type of writing. It flourished between 400BC and 100AD, and then disappeared. This particular text was written for an audience that was already familiar with the Jewish and Christian religion. Generations began to misinterpret the book of Revelation because they did not understand the writing style. For example, the church began to teach that Christ would come again in 1030AD, because they thought they were now in the 1,000 year reign. Obviously, no one believes that now. Today, we look at the background of the text.
Read Revelation 3:14-22
Each of the seven cities mentioned are real and historical cities. John began with Ephesus (the first city you would come to from the Isle of Patmos) and makes a loop ending with Laodicea. This would be following the local trade route. In the write up, Laodicea is criticized for being poor, blind and naked. Obviously, Jesus is saying they are on the wrong track. Now, let me demonstrate how the background adds in your understanding. Ephesus was a very successful city commercially. They had become wealthy and filled with pride. When they were hit with an earthquake in 61AD, they refused the government aid package sent by Rome. They could repair the city on their own. They also were known around the world for their medical knowledge and especially in regard to eye salve. They were able to help people regain their sight. They had a clothing industry that produced some of the finest clothes in the world at that time. They thought they were rich, gave sight, and were clothed in the best the world had to offer. Jesus said they were poor, blind, and naked. They had placed their priorities on the wrong things. You can see how understanding the text in its original setting aids in your own understanding. This reading today begs us to ask if we have lost our focus. Jesus wants a relationship with us. He doesn’t want our second best. Listen, Jesus is at the door knocking. There is no door handle on the outside only in the inside. We have to open our heart to Jesus for us to have a relationship with him. Have we opened the door, and then tried to close it back? Is the door open only in certain situations?
Tuesday, April 21st
Read Revelation 2:1-7
Each church begins with Christ addressing the angel of the local church. Each address ties to how Christ has already been described in chapter one. What is important is how each one is customized for each church. With the church of Ephesus, Christ is described as one who holds the seven stars and walks among the seven golden lampstands. This address is really more for all of the seven churches and for Christ’s church including us today. Christ has complete control over the church (the meaning of the seven stars in his hand), and Christ unweariedly walks in the midst of the Church (meaning Christ is in their midst). Ephesus was a church that had become tired and burned out. In these words he is reminding Ephesus that God is in control, and he is unweariedly walking among the church though they have become weary. God has not forgotten them. He will walk for them when they no longer can walk (think of the poem “footprints in the sand”). This is quite an encouragement for those who are tired, weary, and burned out. Again, we can see where understanding the original church, helps us to understand the text.
I will now give you an example how I believe the background can be misused. In Apocalyptic writing, often there is a vision where an angel then describes what has been seen and makes a tie to past history and how God is in control and then moves to predicting the future. A good example is Daniel chapter 7. Daniel approached an attendant and asked what was the meaning of what he had seen. He said, “as for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth” (Daniel 7:17). There are some differences of opinion whether or not these four kings were Babylon, Medes, Persians, and Greeks or Babylon, Mede-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The first three had already come and the fourth was to come so the 4th beast was either the Greeks or the Romans. There is a group of futurist called “dispensationalist” who take this same approach on the book of Revelation. A dispensationalist is one who says there are usually 7 dispensations of God and we are in the last one now the church age. There are some famous TV preachers and writers who believe this way. How chapters 2 and 3 in the book of Revelation is like this: Chapter 4 is the key chapter as John is called up into a heavenly vision “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place
after this” (Rev. 4:1). Based on this reference to “after this,” they see the 7 churches as 7 dispensations of the church age. The first church, Ephesus
Is the Apostolic age and ended with the first century. They continue to define by year how each church is representative of a time in history. While this seems interesting, from a Biblical interpretation standpoint, there is no reference or indication that the 7 churches are ages in history outside of “after this.” This is a very subjective understanding and I think a weak Biblical interpretation so I personally reject that the 7 churches are 7 ages. They are 7 historical churches that have something to say to us today. Today’s church can say just as the historical church did, “eventhough we are weary and tired, Jesus is there for us.” Today, we should be challenged to give our weakness and our tiredness to God. Are you weary and heavy laden? Jesus said come unto him and he will give you rest.
Wednesday, April 22nd
Each church is addressed similarly. First Christ gives witness to the church, then praises the church, followed by a rebuke of sin, which leads to an antidote or formula for change to correct the sin, and then a final commendation (good thing) with a saying of victory to end that church’s writing. It is evident that Christ sees both good and bad in the church and encourages the good they are doing while chastising the bad. Everyone is given a final victory saying meaning keep Jesus first and stay the course.
Read Revelation 2:8-11
While most problems in the church are inside (lack of spiritual fervor, compromised beliefs, or a non-willingness to stand up for your beliefs), two churches and part of a third one are experiencing external problems through persecution mainly from the Jews, but also in a state religion that sometimes would ask its citizens to confess the Roman emperor as Lord. Atheists to the Romans, were those who refused to confess the emperor’s sovereignty. Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna in 155AD refused to say the Roman emperor is Lord and was burned at the stake. Government can overstate its authority. While we all live better lives because of government, the government is not there to demand a god like allegiance. All governments are fallible (not perfect) so they should not ask us to worship the government. Our own government asks for there to be a separation from church and state in order to keep worship separate from the purpose of government.
Jesus praises the church here because they have been faithful through “afflictions and poverty.” The Roman government normally didn’t kill you if you did not say the Roman emperor was Lord, but they considered you a “bad citizen.” Anyone who did not say the Roman emperor was Lord would often be driven out of the city markets and had to rely completely on their own ability to provide food for their family. Even then, you would be on edge as anytime, there might be an uprising or riot to kill the atheists (those who do not worship the Roman emperor). Jesus said, I know you been hauled to prison yet your time will be short (meaning they will not suffer long before they are killed). Jesus’ advice, “be faithful unto death.” His words of encouragement were the physical death of yourself will not be the end because you worship the one who gives life to the dead.
It is hard to conceive of persecution this bad. What we fail to realize and I also believe dispensationalist fail to realize, is there are more people being killed for Christ today than at any time in our history. Even in the face of death, we are called to be faithful. Do we believe in Christ strong enough that we would be willing to give our life if we had to make that choice? Does our answer reflect our belief in Christ, in his power, and in his ability to give us new life? Do we truly believe in a resurrected Christ?
Thursday, April 23rd
Read Revelation 2:12-29 (the churches of Pergamum and Thyatira)
Whom do you love? The very first commandment is for us to love God with all of our heart, our soul, our strength. This means to love God with all you have. Today, we will look at Christ’s rebuke to two churches. They have both compromised their beliefs by allowing unscriptural beliefs to creep into their teaching. This reminds us of the importance to study. Do we know what the scriptural truth is? The only way that unscriptural truth could creep into a church is they have forgotten or never knew what they believed. God has given us the Word of God for a reason. It is not to be a dust gathering object. If your Bible has dust on it, or if you do not know where your Bible is, repent and take God’s Word seriously.
The teachings that Jesus spells out are of Balaam, the Nicolaitans, and Jezebel (not of Elijah but that does put her into proper focus). All of these put stumbling blocks to faith in front of the people. The Nicolaitans believed that it didn’t matter what you did with the body since it is a temporary vessel we live in so getting drunk, or sexual promiscuity was OK. Jezebel taught the same thing when she said to join the trade guilds, which often had wild parties. This was contrary to Christian beliefs. I Corinthians says we are a “temple of God.” We should not be doing anything to our body that we do not want to take Christ along for the ride – remember the
Holy Spirit dwells in us. As Christians, we have been called to be holy (means to be “set apart”), and sanctified (set apart). We live in the world, but we are not to take on the world’s standards. Just as well, we are not to rub our differences (our holiness, being set apart, or different) in other people’s faces. We are holy (set apart) to bring us closer to God. For example, being drunk is often a part of deaths by motor vehicle, rapes, physical and mental abuse, and unfaithfulness in marriage. It was a problem in those early churches, and it is still a problem. When you are not in control (the alcohol is), you are out of control. Today, we would also have to list drug use as being part of this problem. You cannot show God’s witness of love when we are not in control of our body. The Spirit is supposed to be in control of us not the spirits (strong alcohol). Sexual promiscuity is a symbol of unfaithfulness. If we cannot be faithful to ourselves (wait until marriage) or to our loved one (marriage partner), then we certainly cannot be faithful unto God. There was certainly a “do what feels good” mentality. Jesus was serious on this issue as he gave this advice. I will come to you soon and make war against them (2:16), and I will give to each of you as your works deserve (2:23). With both of these saying he says “to the one who conquers” (2:17 & 2:26). We are in a spiritual battle. The devil seeks to devour and to bring to destruction all that he can. What better way is there than to pervert the churches teachings. Galatians 5:19 lists the works of the flesh and included in them are fornication (sexual immorality), and drunkenness. Instead, we are to have the fruits of the Spirit, which lists faithfulness and self control (Gal. 5:22). Are we making health of our body a priority? Do we consider that what we do with the body, we are doing with Christ? Are there any habits that are in control of you rather than you in control of your bodily senses. Do your respect other people’s bodies? Are we in mission to help those who have been abused? Are sick? Are addicted? Paul says in Galatians, “those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (5:24).
Friday, April 24th
Read Revelation 3:1-13 (The church of Sardis and Philadelphia)
Today, we will look a the commendation section and the victory saying finishing up the churches and as well the structure of this writing. Sardis was a city that had degenerated with a church that had done the same. The church in Philadelphia received no rebuke (only one of two churches to do so) and also is the only church that is still going. The church in Sardis is almost dead, and they receive a call to “wake up.” They were conquered
twice by guards who had abandoned their posts to sleep at night so the call to wake up would really mean something to them. Their commendation is this: not all are dead. There are a few that have not compromised themselves with the world. Those who have not compromised their beliefs will be victorious not only in this life but also in the life to come.
The church of Philadelphia has no rebuke but is praised for keeping God’s word and enduring persecution. Their final commendation, because of their faithfulness, they will be saved from a time of trial. Again, the commendation is that they have not compromised themselves to deceivers in the church, and from persecutors outside the church. They have resisted temptations to go the easy or convenient route. In both cases, we are reminded to be faithful. Most in Sardis have fallen asleep meaning their Christian life has absolutely no meaning. It doesn’t touch their life nor does it touch others. While we do live in the world, when we compromise our beliefs, we compromise the Bible. While I do believe today we need to heed the call of tolerance, it reminds us that Religious wars are senseless. Neither do we need to build up prejudice that often then leads to hatred. The church in the past has allowed this to happen. All you have to do is look at the Jew. People have been killed just because they were a Jew. That said, we should not throw out the baby with the bath water. We are Christians. We believe that Christ saves us and we cannot surrender this to the modern call of tolerance. Churches that teach that all ways lead to heaven have left the Christian faith. They are the Nicolaitans and the Jezebels of today. They are still in the church and saying it doesn’t matter how you get to heaven. Look at the similarities between them and those in the early church: it doesn’t matter what you do with the body, and it doesn’t matter how you get to heaven. Jesus is saying it does matter, and calls us to be faithful to “what you have received and learned; obey it and repent” (3:3). Rev. 3:12 says “if you conquer” (NRSV – meaning conquer or overcome), you will be a pillar in the temple. First, that is saying we have to overcome temptations we encounter in life. Second, it is saying if we do, we will be remembered as a pillar of faith, pillar in the community, and a pillar in God’s church. Jesus says, “Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (3:13). If you would like my study notes for this week, send me an e-mail requesting them, and I will e-mail them back to you. They are 7 pages long and in a Word document. Praise be to God for God’s Word. Amen.
Revelation of John – Study Guide
Week 1 – The Theme of Resurrection
How is Jesus described after the resurrection? (Use Chapters 1, 5, and 19 for answer).
A. The Son of Man (Rev 1)
Monday, April 13th(Chapter 1):
The theme for the next two days is Jesus as the “Son of Man.” Read Chapter 1 of the Book of Revelation. Then read the following study helps. Notes from William Barclay, The Revelation of John Vol. 1 in reference to Revelation 1:12-16: For a greater understanding of this passage, we must understand them in the proper context.
- Seven – This is the number of completeness that is God ordained or reached perfection.
- Golden candlestick – it reminds us of the tabernacle, Solomon’s Temple, and from prophecy in Zechariah. Barclay gives this study advice: “The best way to prepare oneself for new revelation is to study the revelation which God has already given.” Considering this, what does it mean that Jesus walked among the seven golden candlesticks? This is in reference to Jesus’ priestly role.
- Allusion to Daniel 7:13, In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man [Jesus], coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days [God]and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (NIV). Reference to Revelation 1:13. The book of Revelation has many references back to the book of Daniel. Remember that in Jesus’ lifetime, he called himself the “Son of Man.” This is in reference to Jesus’ kingly authority.
- Robe to his feet – (Priestly Role), The garment of priests and the High Priest. This symbolizes the high priestly character of the work of the Risen Lord. The priest was a man who opens the way for others to come to God. Jesus in the heavens is opening an access to God for all peoples. (Kingly Role), This could also be the robe of royalty. He truly is dressed like a king not the mock king that Roman soldiers made Jesus to be. Bottom line: Christ is Priest and King.
- Golden Sash - accompanied with the fine linen robe mentioned above, this is the dress of a Messenger of God. Jesus is the supreme messenger of God. Christ then is the supreme Prophet. Note that now we have Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King. The Prophet brings the truth of God. The Priest allows access unto God. The King has authority and dominion forever and ever. This is the three-fold ministry of Christ.
What does it mean to you that Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King? Think word of truth, saving action, and authority with power. Scan read chapter one again and reflect on what is said.
Tuesday, April 14th (Chapter 1):
Read Chapter 1 of the Book of Revelation. Today continues the theme of the “Son of Man.”
Notes from William Barclay, The Revelation of John Vol. 1 in reference to Revelation 1:14-18:
The resurrection of Christ is central in our understanding of Revelation. Rev. 1:18 says, I am the Living One: I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! (NIV). In the following section in the book of Revelation with Chapter 2 and 3, general warnings and encouragement is given to the churches at that time as well as to churches now. Out of the seven churches mentioned, six of them make reference back to the resurrected Christ in chapter one. Follow these comparisons.
- Seven Stars in 1:16 and in 2:1. Signifies authority belonging only to God.
- First and Last and came to life in 1:5, 17 and in 2:8. Signifies there is only one Christ, and he was resurrected from the dead. Christ was there in the beginning (Gen. 1) and will be there in the end when all are judged (Rev. 19).
- Sharp two edged sword in 1:16 and 2:12. God’s word is truth and just. The word saves and condemns. Both saving and condemning are an attribute given to Christ. The sword represents both the power to heal and the power to judge. From Barclay, “If we listen to it, no shield of self-deception can withstand it; it strips away or self-deludings, lays bare our sin and leads to pardon.” See also Hebrews 4:12.
- Eyes of flame & feet of bronze in 1:15, 16 and 2:18. Eyes of flame represent Jesus can see the real us and judges by what he sees. Glowing bronze represents holiness attributed only to God.
- Seven Spirits & Seven Stars in 1:4, 20 and 3:1. Seven represents completeness. Signifies Christ’s ultimate authority over all the heavens and earth.
- Keys of David (death and Hades) in 1:18 and 3:7. Christ brings life and those who believe in him receive life. Death is not the final say. Only God can gives us the keys (doorway or entrance) into life eternal. Jesus is that key. Reference to John 14:6.
The first three chapters are filled with references to Jesus as God, the resurrected one, prophet, priest, and king with all authority and all power. Christ is said to be who is, who was, and who is to come (1:4, 8). He is the first and last (1:8, 17). He freed us from our sins (1:5). He also has called us to be priests (1:6). If a priest is who provides access to God, then we are to be winning people to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Count how many references that you can find that Jesus is God in chapter one. What does that mean to us?
B. The Lamb of God (Rev. 5)
Wednesday, April 15th (Chapter 5):
Read Revelation Chapter 5. The theme is Jesus the slain Lamb of God. Here are some helps in our interpretation from William Barclay, The Revelation of John Vol. 1.
The Lion of Judah (vs. 5) – In Genesis 49:9, Jacob calls Judah a “lion’s whelp.” The Lion is all grown up now. In the time between the two testaments (400BC to 100AD), the “Lion of Judah” had grown to be a title for the Messiah; thus, in this passage, the Messiah or Jesus will open the scrolls. He alone is worthy to pen the secrets of God.
The Root of David (vs. 5) – (reference to Isaiah 11:1, 10). Jesus fulfills the prophecy that said the Messiah would come from a Son of David (reference to genealogy in Matthew 1). Jesus is the promised Messiah.
The Lamb (vs 6) – See I Peter 1:9 for an understanding of the lamb and Jeremiah 11:19 for a reference to the exact same word. There are different words for lamb. Clearly sacrificial lamb is intended as the lamb has been slain (vs. 6).
Seven Horns (vs 6) – The perfection of power or a literal meaning of “sheer power.” Jesus is “omnipotent” meaning all powerful. It also means honour. See Pslam 89:17.
Seven Eyes (vs 6) – The perfection of seeing or knowing. Barclay says, “the eyes are the Spirits that are dispatched into all the earth” (reference Zechariah 4:10). The best way to think of this is Jesus is omniscience (all knowing). There is no place we can go that the Lamb of God cannot see us.
It is clear from above that Jesus fulfilled prophecy by being the Lamb of God. The sacrificial lamb represents Christ death on the cross. The seven horns and eyes represent the absolute and almighty authority given to Jesus. Clearly, this passage is telling us that this was God’s plan for the Messiah to be the lamb that was slain yet lives. Reflect upon this passage and its meaning. Join in with the heavenly chorus, “worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Thursday, April 16th (Chapter 5)
Read Revelation Chapter 5. Today, we find praise and song for the slain Lamb of God. We continue to use William Barclay, The Revelation of John Vol. 1 for study helps.
Four Living Creatures and 24 Elders – These represent all that is in nature and in the universal Church combining to praise the Lamb.
Each one had a harp – A harp stands for music of praise.
Golden Bowls – These are full of incense and the incense is the prayers of God’s dedicated people. (Ref. Psalm 141:2).
New Song – A new song is always a song for new mercies. (Ref. Psalm 40:3; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1). In the book of Revelation we have a new name (2:17), a new Jerusalem (21:2); a new song (5:9), a new heaven and a new earth (21:1), and a promise for God to make everything new (21:5). Here the word new means “not only recently produced but whose like has never existed before” (Barclay, 176). There are three songs given in chapter 5, or it might be better to see it as a choir who adds more parts and voices to bring the praise to a crescendo. There is first, the living creatures and the elders representing all that is in nature and the church. Then, the angels or the heavens join in. Finally, every creature in every part of the universe join in for a heavenly crescendo.
In more detail….the song of the living creatures (nature) and the 24 elders (12 tribes of Jerusalem + 12 disciples representing all of God’s people, the Church). This is our song – the church’s song. Here are the main parts:
1) Sacrificial death (because you were slain) – The purpose of Christ’s sacrifice was and is to restore humanities relationship with God.
2) Emancipating or liberating death (because you were slain, you purchased for God) - I Peter 1:18-19, For it was not with perishable things……you were
redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you by your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ (TNIV).
3) The death of Christ was universal (from every tribe and language and people and nation) in its benefits.
4) The death of Christ was availing – not for nothing – see vs. 10 for the results
a. Kings (you have made them to be a kingdom)
b. Priests (priests to serve our God)
c. Triumph (they will reign on earth).
What a new song to sing. Christ has done so much for us. I get down on my knees and ask for forgiveness and then stand up and praise my God. The Lamb of God is the victor. When we claim the Lamb of God as our own, we too then are victorious over sin and death.
C. Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11-16)
Friday, April 17th (Rev. 19:11-16)
Read Revelation 19:11-16. We will tie the remainder of the chapter to a different section. It is important that we also see Christ as the victor. We began that picture in chapter 5, but we get more detail as we move toward the end of the book. What we find is the scene of the second coming. God judges the earth. While we are disturbed about the events of this last judgment, we find that God is just in his judgment. In the context of the resurrection theme, we find it is Christ who judges. Again, we will look for William Barclay, The Revelation of John Vol. 2, to give us some study helps:
White Horse – This is a symbol of a conqueror. The one who rides the horse is the conqueror. Remember the Jewish understanding of the Messiah was one of conqueror. At the second coming, Jesus will be that Messiah.
Faithful and True – Faithful and true are words describing God, and this rider is Christ. Faithful means to be “absolutely trusted.” True can mean two things. First, Jesus brings truth and there is no falsehood in him. Second, in Jesus we meet genuine reality. There is nothing unreal about him.
Flame of Fire – The consuming power of Christ. Jesus judges rightly and has all power and authority to render judgment.
Many Crowns – Multiple crowns means king over many kingdoms. Here in reference to Christ, it means to be King and Lord over all.
Unknowable Name – In an ancient understanding, if you could know the name of a god, then you had power over that God. In this context, it means
no one has power over Jesus. Barclay says, “Only the Son of God can understand the mystery of his own being.” Jesus is more than we can understand since he is infinite and we are finite.
Robe Dipped in Blood – There are two possible meanings here. It could have a similar meaning as the sacrificial lamb of chapter five or it could represent the judgment he renders on all who are enemies of God.
His Name is the Word of God – In a Hebrew understanding, God’s word is alive. It would mean to do things not just a sound uttered. Barclay says, “Everything that God has said, and threatened, and promised is embodied in Christ.”
This certainly is a different picture of the resurrected Christ, but remember it is the second coming. We are now presently in the Church age. The resurrected Christ is seeking out the lost to offer them salvation. Christ uses us as his instruments of giving the gospel message. We should all be aware that one day we will face the resurrected Christ. The one to whom all authority and power has been given who will judge us by our response to his offer of grace. While this passage makes us shudder, it also should move us to ask those to come and hear God’s word. The early disciples used this technique as they said “come and see.” Let us be busy about the Lord’s business as we do not know when the Lord shall return.
Understanding the Book of Revelation
The book of Revelation is probably the most difficult book in the Bible to understand. I believe we are best suited to not conjecture what difficult passages mean, but to study what we do know from passages that are clear. We will do this in this study. The first 3 chapters are more like an epistle. The real difference in interpretation begins with chapter 4. There are actually 4 different views on interpreting the book of Revelation. The first view is a Preterist view, which believes the events in the book of Revelation are symbolic and largely contained to the first century. Mainline churches are either here or a combination of this view and the futurist view. The second view is Historical. In this view, the events of the book of Revelation are events that occur after Jesus’ death. The third view is the Futurist view. Many conservative Protestants take this view. The last view is the Ideal view, which sees the book of Revelation as a battle between good and evil. The bottom line is there are different ways to see this book. I prefer to not concentrate on making predictions on the future; instead, I like to see what the book says to me now in how I live. The book of Revelation is a theological goldmine. I am looking forward to this study. Pastor Jim.