UNVEILING REVELATION
Also by Rev. James L. Davis Biblical Questions and Answers Exodus North
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UNVEILING REVELATION
Also by Rev. James L. Davis Biblical Questions and Answers Exodus North
UNVEILING REVELATION THE PROPHETIC VISIONS OF ST. JOHN OF PATMOS
REV. JAMES L. DAVIS KMT Publications SAN FRANCISCO
Copyright 1997 by Rev. James L. Davis All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission ofthe publisher. All inquiries should be sent to KMT Publications, P.O. Box 881913, San Francisco, CA 94188.1913. Cover Concept by Rev. James L. Davis Cover Artwork by Ronnie Prosser of Black Art Productions Co. Cover graphics and final layout by Richard Wei First Edition Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-077009 ISBN 0-9635645-5-2 Published by KMT Publications Printed by Thomson - Shore, Inc. Printed in the United States of America
From Genesis to Revelations, God has prepared a plan of salvation for the redemption of all lost humanity. It is the divine love of God that all men, through Christ, shall be saved. Rev. James L. Davis
CONTENTS Dedication........................................................................................xi Acknowledgments...........................................................................xiii Foreword.......................................................................................xvi The Veiling of Revelation .................................................. ..............xxi Introduction...................................................................................xxii The Fifteen Visions of John...........................................................27
PROPHETIC VISIONS OF AN END TIME Chapter One Christ the Lamb...............................................................................33 Chapter Two The Active Church.......................................................................43 Chapter Three The Seven Churches........................................................................55 Chapter Four The Vision of God’s Throne.........................................................65 Chapter Five The Book of Seven Seals.................................................................70 Chapter Six Opening of the Mysteries..................................................................76
Chapter Seven The Sealing of the Saints.............................................................83
THE DOWNFALL OF BABYLON Chapter Eight Silence in Heaven.........................................................................89 Chapter Nine Unlocking of the Abyss....................................................................95 Chapter Ten The Angel and the Book...................................................................104 Chapter Eleven The Inner Temple Measure..........................................................109 Chapter Twelve A Woman clothed with the Sun...................................................117 Chapter Thirteen The Beast Rising out of the Sea......................................................125 Chapter Fourteen The Lamb and the Heavenly Chorus...........................................133 Chapter Fifteen The Seven Last Plagues.............................................................142
Chapter Sixteen The Vials of Wrath.....................................................................147 Chapter Seventeen The Scarlet Woman....................................................................156 Chapter Eighteen The Downfall of Babylon................................................................164
THE NEW HEAVENLY ORDER Chapter Nineteen Hallelulia Chorus in Heaven............................................................175 Chapter Twenty The Binding of Satan......................................................................185 Chapter Twenty-One The New Heaven and Earth...........................................................195 Chapter Twenty-Two Paradise Restored..........................................................................207 Bibliography...............................................................................216
DEDICATION
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he Book of Revelation is a book of prophecy. It is the last message to dying lost men and women of this world. I am dedicating this book, entitled Unveiling Revelation, to my cousin Mae Ruth Hegger. We grew up together and are the last ones of the old family group still alive. We were born down in the hills of South Carolina. She was born in the city of Spartinburg, South Carolina, and I was born in a rural area on a plantation near the little town of Carlisle. We both were born during a time of hardship. My cousin’s mother (Bell Montgomery) took in wash, which means that she washed clothes for rich white families. This was her year round occupation. All winter and summer Mae Ruth helped her mother wash, some time in hot water and other times in cold water. As of this writing, Mae Ruth is seventy-nine years of age. She has arthritis in both of her hands so bad that she can barely use them. It has been medically determined that the exposure of long periods of being in cold water caused the severe attack of arthritis in her hands. She and I made a promise to see each other once a year as long as we are alive. I love Mae Ruth very much, so I travel from California to South Carolina each year to see her. Mae Ruth love the Lord, and she can see the hand of the Lord helping her through the people around her. Some of them check on her daily, and every Sunday someone brings a Sunday dinner. When she has a Doctor’s appointment, someone is always there to take her. My cousin retired from the Spartinburg Unified School District, therefore she is financially secure. She has a good relationship with her neighbors, and most of all, she has a good relationship with Christ. When I visit her, we sit up late at night talking. Mae Ruth love discussing the Bible. She is not able to get out to church, but she always listen
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to the TV or radio ministry. Every year I get excited when it is time to visit her in April. I am praying that the good Lord will continually bless her and keep her so long as she live.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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thank God the father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the sustaining power of the Holy Ghost, for without their spiritual guidance this book entitled, Unveiling Revelation, would not be in print. I would like to acknowledge the ancestry bloodline of the mother continent, AFRICA. Africa was the cradle of God’s creation, which was known as the Garden of Eden. In this day and time there is scientific proof that God introduced mankind to planet earth on the continent of Africa. The archeologists have proclaimed through their findings of fossils and relics of early humankind on the soil of Africa, that the African world was the beginning of civilization. The anthropologists, through scientific research into the origin of man, have essentially reached the same conclusion. Therefore, these two reliable scientific areas of discipline have revealed to the whole world the truth that Africa was the birthplace of the first man. I’d like to thank Mr. Bert Harrison, a very good friend of mine, who is a retiree of the Richmond Unified School District. We meet once a week and discuss the bible, politics, history and sports. Many times other people will join us in these discussions. He and his wife love to travel; each year they travel to Europe to see their daughter. After vacationing in Europe, they will extend their vacation by traveling to the South Sea Island of Tahiti. Bert was a great help to me in writing this book, he shared his teaching skills and expertise in the areas of American history, geography, spelling, and sentence structure. I am truly thankful to God for our acquaintance. May God bless Mr. Harrison and his family. I want to acknowledge the Reverend R.T.George of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Oakland, California. The Lord called me into his service under the pastorate of Reverend George. I received four years of Bible instructions through the Lyceum at Antioch,
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after which I attended the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. The Seminary offered me the backdrop to enter the Southern Baptist Theological Extension Seminary of Nashville, Tennessee. I graduated from Southern Baptist in 1984. I am very grateful to Golden Gate Seminary and the Southern Baptist Extension Seminary for all the biblical instructions that I received from them. I also want to acknowledge Reverend Ronald Burris, a very dear brother in Christ. I am deeply indebted to him for the services he rendered in helping to edit and review the manuscript of this book. He has his masters’ of divinity, and currently is studying for his doctorate of theology at the Seminary of the West. Nevertheless, he found the time to share his expertise with me during my writing of Unveiling Revelation. I am overly appreciative of his time and effort in helping me. May the good Lord continue his blessings toward my brother. I want to acknowledge “my pastor,” Reverend Dr. Caroll Broadfoot Jr, for allowing me the privilege of preaching for the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Vallejo, California. I want to acknowledge Reverend Leo William and his wife Mrs. Jackie William. Reverend William and I have labored together many hours studying the word of God and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I can attest to the seriousness of Reverend William’s involvement in the work of the Lord. Mrs.William is responsible for a great deal of the typing that went into Unveiling Revelation. There are many others that gave me encouragement when I very much needed it. Some of these dear friends and supporters are as follows: Reverend Lou Johnson, our minister of education; Reverend Terry Long, our minister of youth; Reverend Alfred Roberts, our Sunday school assistant coordinator; and Reverend Owens, a very dear friend of mine who has stood by me in many areas of my ministry.
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I am submerged in a flood of thanks and appreciation for the foundation of Bible teaching by Reverend George of the Antioch Baptist Church, the Bible instructions from the schools of theology, the associated ministers that stood with me, and to my family and friends for all the support that they gave to me while penning Unveiling Revelation. I am very grateful!
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FOREWORD
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he Book of Revelation or the Revelation of St. John The Divine, foretells of a time of the destruction of our present global civilization; it is God’s final judgment of humanity. God returns to the planet earth and destroys the Devil and his works, the resulting upheaval is total revolution, terror, unspeakable horrors and brutal bloodshed. It is the last book of the Bible as foretold by John (the ancient mystic on the Isle of Patmos) nearly 2000 years ago. It speaks of a time of tremendous sorrow and despair, a period when the world will be under trials and tribulations. The final battle between good and evil, the Book of Revelation has been the most difficult prophecy for the Christian world to accept, and many have tried to mentally avoid its dramatic message. It has frightened and fascinated countless generations of devout Christians worldwide, and inspired subsequent prophets and mystics (such as Nostradamus of 16th Century Europe) to peer into the future and foretell the End Time! The Book of Revelation is by far the most explosive prophecy of our day, and many people are now convinced that we are living in the time period that John the mystic spoke about nearly 2000 years ago. As we rapidly approach the year 2000 and the 21st Century, hundreds of religious cults and the major religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism are all predicting some type of catastrophic global upheaval. The Great Pyramid of ancient African-Egyptian civilization records human history (written in stone inside its chambers) up to the year 2000, and then falls silent! However, no one knows the hour or the day ( No Man Knoweth the Time ) when all of this will suddenly happen. In fact, it may have already started, but perhaps we do not understand the signs of the time; our interpretation of current and his-
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Foreword
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torical events may be inconsistent with biblical reality. Are we living in the Last Day? This question begs for an answer, for what are the signs that will help us to (at least) know the time is near. The Bible speaks of wars and rumors of wars, brother killing brother, ethnic cleansing in the name of justice, incurable diseases such as AIDS, massive corruption, devastating natural disasters, a global world order and much more. Are these things happening in the decade of the 1990s? And what happened to our kids in the late 1980s and early 1990s; what strange mental disease has caused their bizarre behavior? The drug culture and gang warfare in America is a vivid example of the mindless behavior of hundreds of thousands of our young people who are lost in the haze of a materialistic society.
SIGNS OF THE TIME Because the Book of Revelation is embedded in symbolic and prophetic language, many people, both Christian and non-Christian alike, do not fully understand the meaning of this powerful prophecy or can grasp the full significance of an impending Final Judgement! In Unveiling Revelation, Rev. James L. Davis provides a clear path for understanding the difficult symbolisms of biblical language. This deeply inspired author clarifies the language of the Bible, accurately interprets its symbolisms and hidden logic, and provides a systematic approach towards understanding the period of time we are living in. Many of us are asking some very serious questions about the final decade of the 20th Century, and the Book of Revelation has answers for many of the difficult realities we bear witness to during the closing chapter of this millennium. The author provides an urgent reality check and encourages us to carefully consider the remaining years of the 1990s and beyond. His clarification of the poetic language of the Bible opens the door to a broader understanding to a very difficult subject. For the Christian, the word of God is revealed. For the secu-
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lar thinker of the world of politics, economics, technology and science, the author’s interpretation brings forth a new level of knowledge for understanding a hidden mystery of our times. For many people living in today’s hi-tech societies, bombarded and systematically exposed to a vast array of media sources, the Book of Revelation is placed in the category of science fiction; a remote possibility in the realm of human existence. Mankind’s current pace of technological advancement is astounding, and in some ways, crucially disturbing. The moral and spiritual imperative to preserve a harmonious relationship with nature has been abandoned by most advanced societies in the name of progress and competition. Biogenetic engineering promises to deliver mankind designer babies, freedom from various diseases, and a superabundance of fatter cows and synthetic foods. Man’s hope, as we move towards the 21st Century, is to imitate God, be a creator, and to ultimately control nature. The rude awakening is that we are not succeeding in this doomed mission. This current civilization is destroying the planet’s ozone system that protects us against the dangerous cancer producing ultra-violent rays of the sun, and global warming is a potent “sign of the times,” highlighting the misguided scientific thinking of this era. Our world has reached a dangerous impasse. Pollution is rampant in many areas of the modern world, and nuclear and biological weapons are more powerful than ever: mankind is clearly on a collision course with nature! What does all of this mean? Are we speeding towards some grand finale in universal time? Is this Revelation? Rev. Davis challenges us to debate these issues and to closely examine our present civilization in regards to the nearly 2000 year-old prophecy of Revelation. The philosophical basis of the dominant civilization of our present world is overwhelmingly focused on a mechanistic, materialistic and linear model of the universe. Value systems and moral precepts are aligned with this dominate civilization model; success in life is measured by material gain and acquisition, with a lesser concern with spi-
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ritual enlightenment or salvation. There is a gross imbalance in the way we view life and the world we live in. Nature is an object to be controlled and manipulated, yet we are constantly reminded by natural disasters that this is not the case. In many respects, our present world is engulfed in an “Age of Darkness” during a period of scientific/ materialistic enlightenment. The human species will be judged, and like the dinosaur, we may come up missing one day. THE FIRE NEXT TIME Have we entered a period of spiritual judgment? My assessment of world events and life-threatening issues - from a purely secular point of view - indicate that we have. We have witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and its control over a vast nuclear arsenal; the explosive growth and spread of the “greenhouse effect” and global warming; the astonishing and rapid technological and scientific advancements of the 20th Century; the absolutely incredible decline in spiritual and moral values by many of the younger generations of our time; the rampant spread of the AIDS epidemic and other STD diseases; the ever increasing destructiveness of natural disasters; drug abuse and drug cartels beyond epidemic proportions; and the widespread proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons. The Fire Next Time ( which is also the title of a book written in 1963 by the African-American author James Baldwin; the subject of the book is neither biblical or related to nuclear war) adequately expresses the terrible possibility of a “nuclear holocaust” taking place in our present-day world. The nuclear arsenal built by Western Civilization since the end of World War II is enough to destroy our present world by fire. Widespread destruction is clearly possible even without God’s help. The Book of Revelation, as interpreted by Rev. Davis, envisions massive destruction by fire, in a world drowning in war, turmoil and suffering.
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Foreword
The harsh reality of our world in the last decade of the 20th Century, is the fact that trillions of dollars of nuclear weapons and nuclear waste are part of our worldwide landscape, which may one day play a key role in some form of end-time prophecy. The scenario of massive computer systems (that are the brains and logic of these nuclear arsenals) accidentally initiating World War III or a deranged dictator or billionaire drug lord generating the same chaos, is not an unrealistic assumption, given the present psychological makeup of our civilization. The entire world is perilously at the crossroads, and this is not science fiction. Given these realities and the spiritual darkness of our world, the Book of Revelation does not appear to be some scientific fantasy or the cloudy delusions of some mystic smoking dope in a cave on the Isle of Patmos nearly 2000 years ago. It is also not a movie scheduled to be released by Hollywood in 1999, but a critical turning point in world history and human civilization: what is clear to happen, as foretold by this prophecy, is the collapse of a major worldwide civilization paradigm. For Christians and non-Christians alike, Unveiling Revelation is a critically important book to read and may represent a major turning point in an individual’s own spiritual and moral salvation. The author has certainly provided the world with a much needed analysis of one of the most explosive books of the Bible. Unveiling Revelation is a timely reminder of a DAY in universal time when everything will change in accordance to divine will.
Khafra K Om-Ra-Seti, Author of Bubble Markets and Boom & Bust Cycles and coauthor of Black Futurists In The Information Age: Vision of a 21st Century Technological Renaissance
THE VEILING OF REVELATION
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HE VEILING OF THE REVELATION WAS UNDERSTOOD BY THE CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR.
THE VEILING OF THE REVELATION WAS A MYSTERY TO THE ENEMIES OF THE CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR. SOME JEWS AND GENTILES WERE ENEMIES TO THE CHURCHES AND BELIEVERS OF CHRIST. CHRIST COMMANDED THE APOSTLE JOHN TO WRITE AN EPISTLE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR. THIS EPISTLE WOULD STRENGTHEN THE BELIEVERS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES, THAT THEY MIGHT OVERCOME THE ATTACK OF THE SATANIC FORCES.
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INTRODUCTION
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he unveiling of the Book of Revelation is very necessary in the time frame that we are living in, for we are living in the days of the End Time. The Book of Revelation is a book of prophesy, and it must be fulfilled. The message it contains is for the church of today, and that message is to be understood by the saints of God, that they might help harvest the souls of lost men and women. Ministers, laypersons, and Sunday school teachers should aggressively study the message of the book boldly through the power of the Holy Spirit, and have no fear not understanding its message, for the Holy Spirit is the greatest of all teachers. Some ministers fail to preach from the Book of Revelation, laypersons evade discussing the different passages of scriptures in Revelation, Sunday school teachers fear the day when they must teach from this great Book, and the saints of God dread it’s ultimate prophesy. Unveiling Revelation will remove the unconscious fears some ministers, laypersons, Sunday school teachers, and some saints of God might have, thus giving them the power to understand the urgent message of this prophecy. Therefore the body of Christ will welcome the reading of the Book of Revelation.
SEVEN STEPS There are seven steps to the unveiling of the Book of Revelation; they are the past, present, future, history, symbols, poetry, and prophesy.
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Introduction
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PAST: The Book of Revelation reveals the past of God’s creation, the world and all the things that are therein. The book is a reminder of things from Genesis up until this present moment. The revelation of God is the past tolerance and patience of God with mankind. Jesus Christ suffered and died on a cross for the sins of men; the Holy Spirit strives with mankind while indwelling them. PRESENT: The Book of Revelation pertains to those things of the present. The omnipresence of God is working everywhere at the same time throughout the universe. God is a God of all operations simultaneously in his creation, and there is nothing lacking or undone by him. FUTURE: The future is the coming advent of Christ to save the church. The coming of the great tribulation lies in the future. The Book of Revelation points to the coming judgments of God upon the earth, which will be the end of this present world: a consuming fire shall destroy the things of the earth. HISTORY: The Book of Revelation is a book of history. It points back to the eternal God: before the eons of time, before darkness or light, before the foundations of the earth, and before anything was made that is made. The Book of Revelation brings into focus the salvation of God for all of mankind. The book updates God’s creation. SYMBOLS: The Book of Revelation is a book of symbolisms, for it expresses the ideas and contents of its writings in no uncertain terms of when these things shall come to pass: “Only I come Quickly.” This means that every man and woman must apply the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ to their lives, repent of their sins, and be ready when he come; for he is coming back after a righteous church, which will contain the righteous people of God.
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POETRY: The Book of Revelation is a book of the sounds of poetry. It carries the sounds of the Old Testament rhythm of psalms, which are sounds of poetry. There are many forms, characters, and qualities of poetry found in the Book of Revelation. PROPHESY: The Book of Revelation is a book of prophesy. The Apostle John was straightforward and dogmatic in his message to the seven churches of Asia Minor, he spoke of the coming judgments of God upon the face of the earth. There was a warning of destruction to the wicked in his message, and the overthrow of earthly powers. The Book of Revelation tells of the gathering of all the saints of God and that they are to reign with Christ throughout all eternity for ever and ever. Amen. “So be it.” The Book of Revelation foretells of the earthly kingdom of God and Christ, which is the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Jesus Christ is the center of the Book of Revelation; he is the author of its message. Revelation is a discourse of the future for Jews, Gentiles, the Church, and the advent of his future appearance. There is a strong theological backdrop that the Apostle John was the writer that penned the Book of Revelation. He was one of the writers of the four gospels. He also wrote first, second, and third John, which are books of the Bible. He was the only apostle of Jesus Christ that died a natural death. John the revelator was persecuted for the cause of Christ. He was banished from society and put on the Island of Patmos in the middle of the Aegean Sea. According to the authorities of the Bible, the writing of the Book of Revelation took place near the end of the first century. In the year of 70 A.D., John the Apostle visited the city of Ephesus. It is also believed that he visited the other churches of Asia Minor.
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The Revelation of John The Book of Revelation or Apocalypse, views the future of the coming end of the world. The Apocalypse discloses or lays bare the facts of the Holy Scriptures, which is the biblical message of redemption. The Book of Revelation should inspire the imagination of its readers. The many details of its poetic sounds should appeal to the intended contemporary believers. The contribution of the Book of Revelation (and its interpretations) should not be neglected. Throughout the centuries, the Book of Revelation has been challenged on a variety of different interpretations. The book offers its deepest truths to those who will observe the future judgments of God. John the Apostle was dogmatic in his approach to the writing of this epistle. He missed nothing in recording what was shown him in the vision. The futurity of the message was the inclusion of God’s plan for the end of the world. The providence of God’s great mercy stands upon the principles of his word. Upon these principles and throughout the history of God’s revelations, the church has found comfort, despite the antagonistic abuse by man and the demonic forces of Satan. There are many apocalyptic figures in the Book of Revelation. Some of them are strange to our imagination. The many interpretations of the Book of Revelation has brought about much confusion in its understanding. When comparing the poetic symbolisms of Daniel and Ezekiel with the Revelation, the light shines brighter on the writer’s meaning. When comparing or referring one to the other, all three of these writers experienced visions and messages from God. These revelations came from God through Christ, which were communicated to them by an angel. The Apostle John’s message was pronounced upon the seven churches of Asia Minor. The number seven depicts the completeness of God: the message to the seven churches, the seven candlesticks, the seven stars, and the seven Spirits of God. This was the complete revelation, the complete message, and the complete timing.
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At that time the churches of Asia Minor were in deep need of a revival. The Book of Revelation is the glorious heavenly anthems which have inspired a great number of poets, artists, hymn writers, and many readers down through the ages.
THE FIFTEEN VISIONS OF JOHN The introduction and promise to obedient readers. The salutation of John and of the glorified Christ.
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he bible verses that are used in the fifteen visions of John will be interpreted in this book. The prophetic Book of Revelation carries a twofold message: (1 ) It carries a message of salvation for the saints of God, and (2) it carries a message of doom for unbelievers, those that are the enemies of Christ. The Book of Revelation is the plan of God to denounce the unrighteousness of evil men on earth: “Christ must return.” The future outlook of the Book of Revelation holds the forecast of universal history, with the church laying claim to its spiritual elements. The mysteries of revelation cannot be understood by mankind, but the instructions of the book are to be understood. During the days of
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the Apostle John, the revelation was to be used immediately by the churches of Asia Minor. The message of the book is for the church of today; it warns us of the future events to come. Without the glorious return of Christ, the future fulfillment of revelation will hang in the balance of time. Vision number one: Chapter 1, verse 13: the glorified Christ. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Vision number two,“partly veiled.” Chapter 4, verses 2-10: The vision of God in heaven. God, the creator of the universe, receives the worship of the living creatures and the four and twenty Elders. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Verse 10: The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Vision number three, “partly veiled.” Chapter 7, verse 3: God offers protection for his chosen people. Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
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Vision number four, “partly veiled.” Chapter 7, verse 9: The comforting assurance of the saints. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palm in their hands. Vision number five, “partly veiled.” Chapter 8, verses l-2: The heavenly silence. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Verse 2: And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. Vision number six, “partly veiled.” Chapter 10, verses 5-6: The heavenly events are moving forward toward the great consummation. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, Verse 6: And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that are therein, and the earth, and the things that are therein, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer. Vision number seven, “unveiled.” Chapter 12, verse 5: The birth of the man child.
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Unveiling Revelation
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all Nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Vision number eight, “partly veiled.” Chapter 14, verses 10-13: The unrest of the wicked. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. Verse 13: And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Vision number nine, “partly veiled.” Chapter 14, verses 19-20: The harvest of the grapes. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Verse 20: And the winepress was trodden without the city, and the blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Vision number ten, “partly veiled.” Chapter 15, verse 3: The early victors and their songs. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou
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King of saints. These were the songs of victory by the overcomers. Vision number eleven, “veiled.” Chapter 17, verse 5: The doom. and downfall of BABYLON. And upon her forehead was a name written MYSTERY, BABYLON the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. Verse 6: And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. Verse 2: And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hole of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclear and hateful bird. Vision number twelve, “partly veiled.” Chapter 19, verse 1: The halleluia chorus in heaven And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Halleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God. And the four and twenty Elders and the four beast fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne saying, Amen; Halleluia Vision number thirteen, Chapter 19, verse 11: Christ the Spiritual conqueror.
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Unveiling Revelation
I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Vision fourteen, Chapter 20, verse 1: The binding of Satan. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. Vision number fifteen, Chapter 21, verse 1: The new heaven and the new earth. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Je-ru’sa-lem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The apostle John described his view of heaven, as being radiant and beautiful, safe and protected: nothing defiled can enter therein. The city has a hue foundation and cannot be moved. The Spirit of God is seen there, divinely bright, glorified and unchangeable. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Rev. 22:1. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Rev. 22:8.
CHAPTER ONE
CHRIST THE LAMB B
ehold, the revelation of saint John the divine; the writer is the apostle John. The foundation of the book is the outstanding personality of Christ, the Lamb of God. Verse 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Unveiled - Verse 1: This revelation came from God through Christ, which was communicated to the Apostle John by an angel: “a revelation is to uncover.” This uncovering came to the Apostle John in the form of a vision. It was given as a benefit to the churches of Asia Minor. It was the inspired word of God and the testimony of Christ, the
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Lamb of God: it tells what must soon come to pass. The Apostle John was chosen by God to write this revelation and quickly deliver it to the seven churches in Asia Minor. The churches of Asia Minor needed a strong revival because of the strong hold that the satanic forces had on them. This revelation and its prophecy gave the churches new hope and stronger faith in Christ the Lamb. Verse 2: Who bare record of the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Unveiled - Verse 2. The Apostle John was an eye witness to all that he saw and heard. He heard the testimony of Christ, the Lamb of God. He recorded all things as he saw them. He concealed nothing, he added nothing, and he took away nothing. He gave the churches the whole counsel of God as it was shown unto him. It was a powerful message to those churches in a time of need, for the churches were spiritually weaken under the attack of the Jews, and the influence of the gentiles. These attacks came from those that were against Christianity.
Blessings promised for reading and obedience. Verse 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Unveiled - Verse 3: Blessed is he that keep the revelation of this prophecy. It is a blessing to enjoy the promises of God. Not only that, but the assurances of God is true: “they shall come to pass.” The readers of this revelation must keep what is written therein, which is the righteousness of God. This message must be read to the congre-
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gation in the churches of Asia Minor. By observing the prophecy of this revelation, the churches in Asia Minor will gather strength end continue in faith by Christ, the Lamb of God.
The message to the seven churches. Verse 4: John to the seven churches which are in A’sia; Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before his throne. Unveiled - Verse 4. This was the apostle John’s letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor: “Grace be unto you.” The churches in Asia were very much in need of the grace of God, for they were under the rulership of the Roman government. They were being influenced by emperor worship; the admonition was to worship the emperor of Rome and not God. The seven churches received the message, the promise, and the grace of God. The Apostle John gave the name of him who sent the message. Peace from him and the seven Spirits of God, which was, which is, and which is to come. The whole counsel of God is accountable for the seven churches of Asia Minor. Verse 5: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and prince of kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Unveiled - Verse 5. Christ was the faithful eye witness of creation. He is the eternal eye witness of all that God created. He is the prince of the saints of God, and the first born of the resurrection. His blood has washed the universal church clean of its sins through the power of his love. By his testimony the church can safely depend upon his faith-
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fulness, which is toward the saints of God. Christ is a friend of the church (the high priest of the saints), his power is unlimited, and he upholds the counsel of his father. All the earth belong to him. Verse 6. And has made us kings and priests unto God and his father; to him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Unveiled - Verse 6: Christ has freed the church of sin, and have made the saints kings and priests unto God the father; and to him be the glory, dominion, and power for ever more. Amen. This benediction seals the makings of the saints as kings and priests of God throughout all eternity.
The vision of the second coming of Christ. Verse 7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Unveiled - Verse 7: The theme of this revelation is the second coming of Christ. The Apostle John writes as if he lived in that day. “Behold, he cometh with clouds”; these are not clouds of the sky, but are clouds of the heavenly host. He is coming with angels, chariots, and with great power. Those that pierced him afresh without repenting shall see him. Every eye shall see him. All kindreds of the earth shall see him. His enemies shall bewail him, but the saints of God shall rejoice at his coming. The unbelievers who crucified his name and transgressed his gospel under their feet, will bemoan his coming. They will seek places to hide their faces from the sight of his coming. This advent is confirmed by another benediction.
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Verse 8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the almighty. Verse 8: This verse is self-explanatory, with the exception of the word Almighty, which means that Christ is one with the father, who is the eternal God.
John’s vision on Patmos. Verse 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Unveiled -Verse 9: The Apostle John was in exile on an island called Patmos, which was located in the Aegean Sea. John was banished to this island because he preached a strong message of God’s word and the gospel of Jesus Christ. At that time the churches in Asia Minor were under great pressure from some Jews and outsiders. Church leaders and witnesses for Christ were persecuted and thrown into prison. The Apostle John being the last living apostle of Christ, was strong in delivering his message to the churches and was severely punished and sent into exile for doing so. On the isle of Patmos, Christ visited with him and gave him this revelation. The Apostle John wrote the revelation in a book and sent it to the seven churches of Asia Minor. Verse 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.
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Unveiled - Verse 10: The Apostle John in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and being in the Spirit he heard the voice of Christ, and that voice sounded like music. The Apostle John was caught up in a form of rapture by the Spirit of God. While in the Spirit of God, he was prepared to receive the message and prophecy of this revelation. Verse 11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia, unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Unveiled - Verse 11: The voice of Christ had the Apostle John to know who was speaking to him, which was the eternal Son of God: “what thou seest write.” This was a command for the Apostle John to write. He was to write what was shown to him in a book and send it quickly to the seven churches in Asia. The churches that were to receive the revelation were called by name. These churches were located in western Asia Minor, and they were under Roman authority. During this time the Romans were persecuting the churches because they were holding fast to their faith in Christ. Verse 12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. Unveiled -Verse 12: When the Apostle John turned around to see who was speaking to him, a great sense of inspiration opened unto him. He envisioned the seven churches of Asia as seven golden candlesticks. Candlesticks give light in a dark place, and light symbolize the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel offers light in dark places of sin on earth. Western Asia Minor was a place of darkness for the church at that time.
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The vision of the glorified Christ. Verse 13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Unveiled - Verse 13: There in the midst of the golden candlesticks was one walking, like unto the Son of man. Today Christ walks in the universal church. Christ’s garment is the robe of righteousness, which is his royal dress. A girt was about his breast, which was a golden band fitted across his chest. This is how Christ appeared unto the Apostle John while walking among the seven churches in Asia Minor. Verse 14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire. Unveiled - Verse 14: The white hair on the head of Christ was a symbol of ancient days, which mean that Christ is eternal. “His eyes were as a flame of fire”: these are the eyes that search out the hearts of men, the eyes that pierce the unseen things of the universe. Christ watches all things throughout heaven and earth at all times. Verse 15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. Unveiled -Verse 15: The feet of Christ appeared to be as polished brass, which was a symbol of beauty. This is also a symbol and color for a high ranking personality, such as a high priest. Christ is the high priest of God’s saints. His name is above every name in the counsel of God, his father. The voice that the Apostle John heard was the voice of Christ mangled with the waters of the Aegean Sea. This was the glorious communication of Christ unto the Apostle John.
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The chosen instruments. Verse 16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Unveiled - Verse 16: Christ was holding seven stars in his right hand. These seven stars were the symbol of the ministers in the seven churches of Asia Minor. Out of his mouth went a two-edged sword, which was the power of God’s word and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ is going forth in the world and it shineth as the sun in the hearts of men. These ministers were to preach this message to the congregation in the churches of Asia. The countenance of Christ was bright like the sun, which is the symbol of righteousness. The Apostle John was deeply moved by the appearance of Christ, despite the fact that he walked with him while he was on earth; to behold Christ now was more then he could stand. Verse 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. Unveiled - Verse 17: When the Apostle John saw Christ, he was overcome by the presence of him and he fell as a dead man. Christ reached down with his right hand and raised him up, thus showing the Apostle John his great love, his goodness and kindness, and comforting him: “fear not,” saith Christ, “I am the first and the last,” the eternal Son of God.
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The conqueror of death. Verse 18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death. Unveiled - Verse 18: Christ wanted the Apostle John to recognize who he was. He said, I am he that was dead, but am alive for evermore. Amen. Not only that, but I “have the keys of Hell and of death.” Christ is the conqueror of death through the power of the resurrection. He holds the keys to the bottomless pit, which is the destination of old Satan. This is the divine authority of Christ in heaven, earth, and hades. The keys are the symbol of all power given unto him. Verse 19. Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. Unveiled -Verse 19: The Apostle John was commended to write the things that he had seen, the things of the present, and the future things that were to come. These were the things given by God to Christ, communicated by Christ to the Apostle John, which John delivered unto the seven churches in Asia Minor.
The mystery explained. Verse 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest, are the seven churches.
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Unveiled - Verse 20: The hidden mysteries in Verse 20 are unveiled to the Apostle John. The seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches of Asia Minor. The seven stars are the seven ministers in the churches of Asia Minor. The golden candlesticks are symbolic of the churches, and the stars are symbolic of the ministers in the churches. These ministers are responsible for preaching the light of God’s word and the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were to deliver this message of revelation to the congregation of those churches, thus allowing the saints of God to hold fast to the faith, hope, and trust in Christ, the Lamb of God.
CHAPTER TWO
THE ACTIVE CHURCH T
he active church in sound doctrine, but deficient in love.
Verse 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Unveiled - Verse 1: The letters that made up the Book of Revelation were sent to the seven churches in Asia Minor, and each contained a different message. Each letter stated that Christ had given this message to the Apostle John. These letters reminded the seven churches of their shortcomings. The Church at Ephesus received the first letter: “Write these things,” saith the Lord. “He that holdeth the seven Stars in his right hand, and he that walketh in the midst of the seven candlesticks,” this is none other then the divine presence of Christ in the churches of Asia Minor, which is the Spiritual power of God supporting the seven churches.
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Church discipline. Verse 2. I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Unveiled -Verse 2: Christ is saying to the church at Ephesus, I know your works and your labour. These are comforting words from Christ to the church. The Ephesians were toiling in good works, and they had patience and endurance. They were toiling to overcome false teaching in the church. Some in the church proclaimed to be prophets and were not. The church found these evil men to be liars and tried them. They were exposed as deceivers among the congregation. Verse 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Unveiled-Verse 3: The Ephesian Christians had suffered under the burdens of evil doers in the church at Ephesus. They performed good works, had faith and demonstrated patience in the name of Christ. Also, they did not faint, but remained strong in the Lord’s work. They continued to hold fast to that they had. Divine reproof. Verse 4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Unveiled-Verse 4: The church at Ephesus was chastised by Christ because she left her first love. Because they left their “first love,” Christ had somethings against them. With all the ungodly things that
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were happening in Ephesus, their love for Christ had grown somewhat cold. Their faith had weaken under the pressure from the Jews outside of the church, and pressure from others who wanted to disrupt Christianity. Verse 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Unveiled-Verse 5: If the church at Ephesus would remember their first love, they could return to the fullness they once enjoyed in Christ. Their first love was rooted deep in Christ. They must repent and return unto their first works (their first love). Without repentance the church is threaten by Christ: “I will come quickly and remove thy candlestick out of his place.” The candlestick is a symbol of the church. The grace of Christ and the Spirit of God had been slighted by the Ephesian church. They now had to repent to get back into the good grace of God. Through repentance the church would continue in spiritual growth and prosper under the leadership of Christ. Verse 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nic-o-la’i-tanes, which I also hate. Unveiled-Verse 6: The church had a mind to serve Christ for they hated the same things that Christ hated. They found no pleasure in the deeds of the Nicolaitanes. The Nicolaitanes served the things of Baal and ate things that were sacrificed unto idols; moreover, they denied the God of creation. This is why the church at Ephesus hated the things of the Nicolaitanes. The church had fallen short in her love for Christ, and yet, she hated the things that were evil. They knew the difference between truth and error, they continued in patience and endurance. As a result, Christ was pleased.
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Verse 7. He that hast an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Unveiled - Verse 7: This verse is a clear message, with the exception concerning the tree of life. The tree of life is found only in the paradise of God, which is in heaven.
The poor but rich church. Verse 8. And unto the angel of the church in Smyr’na write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; Unveiled - Verse 8: The church at Smyrna was the second church to receive the letter. Christ identifies himself to the church. Write these things saith the first end the last, the eternal Son of God. He is the first, and will always be the last. Furthermore, he was dead and is now alive and lives through the power of the resurrection. He was buried, but God raised him up from the grave and he is yet alive. The church at Smyrna now had the assurance that Christ was alive. Verse 9. I know thy works, and tribulation and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Sa’tan
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Unveiled - Verse 9: Christ is saying to the church at Smyrna, I know thy works, tribulation, and poverty. Your outward appearance is poor, but your inward parts are rich. You are rich in faith, good works, and in the deep chambers of your heart there is faith. Therefore the burdens of persecution are easier to bear. I know the blasphemers, those proclaiming to be Jews and are not; they are the children of Satan. These Jews were proclaiming to be the covenant people of God, and yet they were serving things of Satan, which were things of a satanic nature. Verse 10. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; end you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Unveiled - Verse 10: Christ tells the foreknowledge of the suffering of the church: “Fear none of these things.” Some of you will be cast into prison, tried, and have tribulation for ten days. “Be faithful unto death,” and you shall have a crown of life. By the counsel of Christ, the church would be rewarded for its faithfulness. This is a call to the entire church. The church throughout all eternity will wear a golden crown. There is no suffering on earth that can hinder the church from receiving that glorious resurrection in Christ. Verse 11. He that hast an ear, let trim hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Unveiled-Verse 11: If the church at Smyrna hear what the Spirit of God saith unto them, they will be spared the second death. All overcomers will stand at the white throne judgment and be rewarded with eternal life. They will not be cast into eternal punishment of utter darkness or the
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place known as Hell. The church has escaped the second death through the blood of Christ. The wicked men and women of the unsaved will be hurt by the second death. They shall be cast out into utter darkness. Verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hast the sharp sword with two edges; Unveiled - Verse 12: The church at Pergamos is called the heretical church. The word heretical pertains to heresy, and heresy means to have a belief that is against the doctrine of the church. The church was to use the two-edged sword; it was the gospel that was to drive these corrupted persons to repentance: “These things saith he which hast the sharp sword with two edges.” These despisers of the word of God must come to the altar and repent. Verse 13. I know thy works, and where thou dwelleth, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein An’ti-pas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Sa’tan dwelleth. Unveiled-Verse 13: Christ is saying to the church in Pergamos, “I know thy works and also where thou dwelleth.” I know “where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name.” The church in Pergamos was located in the midst of pagan temples, emperor worship, and all kinds of idolatry. The city of Pergamos was the seat of Satan. The church and the faithful servants of Christ were being persecuted His faithful servant Antipas was slain (and became a martyr) in Pergamos. Satan had a stronghold in the city. Christ understood the difficulty this church was having. Nevertheless, “thou holdest fast my name, and has not denied my faith.” These were words of encourage-
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ment, comfort, and strength to the church at that time. False doctrine condemned. Verse 14. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Ba’laam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Is’ra-el, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Unveiled - Verse 14: There were a few things in the church at Pergamos that Christ was not pleased with. They were associating with evil doers in the church. There were some in the church that held to the doctrine of Balaam. This was a stumblingblock to the congregation because it was a false doctrine. During the Old Testament period, King Balac asked Balaam the prophet to cast a curse upon the children of Israel because he feared the Israelites. This stumblingblock in the church came through eating things that were sacrificed to idol gods and committing fornication. Associating with persons of filthy minds, leaves a blemish on a clean mind. Therefore Christ is reminding the church of its failure to rid itself of evil toleration. The church must hold fast the gospel of Christ and cast aside the doctrine of Balaam. Verse 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nic-o-la’i-tanes, which things I hate. Unveiled - Verse 15: This church, like the church at Ephesus, had those among them that held the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. This doctrine was against the doctrine of the church. Christ was not pleased with the church at Pergamos because of the presence of the Nicolaitanes.
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Verse 16. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Unveiled -Verse 16: Christ is calling for repentance in the church, and he warned them that when he come he will come quickly. God comes to the church by his Spirit, by his word, and by the gospel of Christ. If the church fail to hear, then he comes to chastise the corrupt persons of the church. God also chastises the church for tolerating evil doers in the church. It is the duty of the church to gather those that are corrupted and call for their repentance before God. Christ said that he would fight against them. Verse 17. He that hast an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Unveiled - Verse 17: They that hear will be the overcomers and Christ will give them to eat the hidden rnanna, which is the bread of eternal life. Christ will also give the overcomers a white stone (the stone of acquittal). They have been acquitted of all sin and have been justified by his blood. The stone which they shall receive will have a new name written on it, and no man knows the name except he that receive the stone. This will all take place in the New Jerusalem.
The church of the false prophetess. Verse 18. And unto the angel of the church in Thy-a-ti’ra write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.
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Unveiled - Verse 18: The Son of God has piercing eyes, he sees all the works of the church, and he searches the hearts of all men. Moreover, his feet are like fine brass, which is the symbol of strength and beauty, yet in his beauty, he judges with perfect wisdom and in all righteousness. Verse 19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Unveiled - Verse 19: I know thy works saith the Lord. You have hearts of charity, and your service and faith are before the Lord. And your patience is well noticed by the Lord and thy works are fruitful. Thy works now are better than at first. By the counsel of Christ their faith, charity, patience, and service served the church well in Thyatira. It was not their works that displeased Christ, it was the things that the church tolerated. There were false prophets in the church at that time. Verse 20. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Unveiled-Verse 20: Christ is saying to this church, nevertheless, “I have something against you.” Thou has tolerated that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. “This Jezebel” symbolize the Jezebel of the Old Testament. This wicked seducer was compared to Ahab’s wife. This Jezebel and her seducers were drawing the church into fornication and eating things that were sacrificed to idol gods. These were the things that Christ was concerned about in the church.
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Verse 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Unveiled-Verse 21: Jezebel and her evil associates were given time and space to repent, but they repented not. Christ even delayed their punishment, and they continued their ways of seducing the church into the things of idols. Verse 22. Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Unveiled - Verse 22: Christ at this time gave these wicked seducers a stern warning. They had been warned before, but to no avail. So now this Jezebel (who is the symbol of evil) is to be cast into a bed of great tribulation along with those evil men that committed adultery with her. This suffering symbolize the great tribulation of the end time, which will be for all unbelievers. This is the suffering for all of those that followed the teaching of these wicked seducers, they shall suffer great tribulations unless they repent of their evil deeds; pain and suffering will be their bed. Verse 23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Unveiled - Verse 23: Jezebel is the symbol of evil. Her children, those that followed her in committing those damnable acts, will die the death of sin; for they shall be severely punished. By this severe punishment, all churches shall know that Christ searches the hearts of men and will judge every man according to his works. Evil seducers
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in all other churches should expect the same judgment. Christ, the righteous judge, is watching all churches. Verse 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thy-a-ti’ra, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Sa’tan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. Unveiled-Verse 24: Christ is saying to the church at Thyatira, if you have not this doctrine I will put no other burdens upon you, for you have not known the depths of Satan. These Jewish seducers proclaimed to know the mysteries of God, but Christ called their knowledge the depths of Satan. Christ is tender toward those that kept the doctrine of the church, which was not to commit fornication and not to eat things that are sacrificed unto idols. They were to hold fast to that which was good. Verse 25. But that which you have already hold fast till I come. Verse 25. Shall stand as read: He is coming. Verse 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. Unveiled -Verse 26: Those that overcome are the steadfast believers. They resisted temptation and kept the faith They are now conquerors through the blood of Christ. They shall rule with him in the New Jerusalem. They shall be exalted to sit with him in his kingdom and rule the nations. This is the sacred promise to those that kept the works of the Lord.
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Verse 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my father. Unveiled -Verse 27: Christ will rule them with a rod of iron, he shall break in pieces the evil works in the church: “Break into shivers,” thus breaking the wicked men in all churches. The evil seducer sin the church in Thyatira shall be judged by Christ: “even as I received of my father” (orders from God). Verse 28. And I will give him the morning star. Unveiled - Verse 28: The church shall have Christ, for he is the bright morning star. He is the one who brings light into the church and into the hearts of men. He is the example that the seven churches of Asia Minor should follow. Verse 29. He that hast an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Verse 29. Stands as read, with the inclusion of the church hearing what the Spirit of God has to say. Amen.
CHAPTER THREE
THE SEVEN CHURCHES T
he Dying Church.
Verse 1. And unto the angel of the church in Sar’dis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Unveiled - Verse 1: This verse refers to the eyes of the seven Spirits of the living God which have seen the works of a dead church. There were some saints in the church at Sardis that held fast to their faith in Christ. However, the church as a whole was unfaithful to Christ. As a result, Christ charged the church as a whole with neglect. By the Spirit of God, through the angel of the church, the church can be redeemed to life through faith. The Holy Spirit works the ministry of the church, for God is the power source of all. Those that are faithful will have fellowship with Christ, and those that are unfaithful must repent of their evil deeds.
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Verse 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Unveiled -Verse 2: Christ is saying to the faithful ones of the church, be strong and watchful. Be faithful and hold on to what is left, for the things, “that are ready to die.” Their works were almost gone; they needed to strengthen their labours in Christ. It was hard for the faithful in the church to hold fast to their faith when the unfaithful were so relaxed in their service to Christ. The city of Sardis at the time was a thriving city, therefore the saints of the church had an attitude of imperfection, and Christ wanted them to improve in their works. The saints had fallen from their bygone glory, and the church was reflecting the history of the city in its faith to Christ. Their laboring in Christ was not found perfect before God, and there was a great need for repentance in the church at Sardis. Verse 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard; and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Unveiled - Verse 3: Christ wanted them to turn their minds back to the things of the gospel, for this was when they first heard and received the gospel, and found grace and comfort in Christ. Christ wanted the church to hold fast to what was left, and repent. The church at Sardis was to watch, wait and pray; for they knew not when Christ would come. They were to be faithful unto the end, because unfaithfulness is weakness in the church. Therefore, they must strengthen their undone works and be ready at the coming of Christ.
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Verse 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sar’dis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. Unveiled - Verse 4: The righteous saints of the church in Sardis are known by Christ. There are a few names in Sardis that are spotless, and their garments are clean; and they shall walk with Christ in white garments of righteousness. They are his glorious saints of the coming New Jerusalem. Christ is saying that their names are worthy of the book of life, and that they shall walk with him in victory. Christ watches over the churches, and he does not leave them without comfort, for they are precious in his sight. Verse 5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my father, and before his angels. Unveiled -Verse 5: These are the righteous saints of God; they shall wear the garments of victory and their names shall not be blotted out of the book of life. Christ shall own them on that day, and they will be present before his father and the angels. How blessed are those that shall be owned by Christ on judgment day. They shall have no part in the second death, for their names are written down in the Lamb’s book of life. They are owned by Christ and are worthy to reign with him throughout eternity. Verse 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Unveiled - Verse 6: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion of the churches being obedient to the gospel of Christ.
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The Loyal Church Verse 7. And unto the angel of the church in Phil-a-del’phi-a write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hast the key of Da’vid, he that openth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Unveiled - Verse 7: Christ is informing the church at Philadelphia of his authority. He is the true one, he is the holy one of God’s people, and he holds the key of David (the key to the throne of David). God has promised Christ the throne of David. Christ holds the keys to heaven, earth and hell. These things are locked up in the power of Christ. He is in heaven - the earth is his - and he controls the key to the bottomless pit. No man can open what he has shut, and no man can shut what he has opened: “All power is in his hand.” Verse 8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Unveiled - Verse 8: There were some strong saints in the church at Philadelphia which gave the church a little strength. The faithful few held fast to the doctrine of Christ; they did not deny their first love. The city of Philadelphia was an ancient city and the people loved and cared for one another, therefore the church had a good foundation to build upon. Through Christ, the church at Philadelphia carried the reflection of the people and was excellent. Christ found no fault within the church at Philadelphia. Thus, he set before them an open door, and no man could shut that door. This door was an opportunity for growth in the church, they were to grow in faith, wisdom, and knowledge in Christ, that they might gain holiness, righteousness, and love. To this church Christ offered an open door to the New Jerusalem.
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Yes, they were worthy of their admission to the earthly kingdom of Christ, for they did not deny his name. Therefore they shall reign with him forever. Verse 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Sa’tan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Unveiled - Verse 9: The church at Philadelphia was feeble in strength, and yet Christ would sustain them during their struggle with the forces of Satan. There were some Jews in the church that were not worthy to be called Jews. They claimed to be Jews and were not. By right, they were enemies of the church. Through the power of God, they shall be brought low and be made to worship at the feet of the righteous in the church. By the favor of God toward the church, they shall know that God love the church at Philadelphia. Therefore he will stand by the righteous. Verse 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Unveiled - Verse 10: The gospel of Christ is the patience of his love for the righteous. The hour of temptation is the test of the church. Satan’s attack will come upon the saints of God. He will daily bring temptations before them. All that dwell upon the face of the earth will experience the forces of Satan, but those that keep the gospel of Christ shall enjoy peaceful times. Christ shall sustain them in the time of temptations, and they shall be able to stand the trials of life.
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Verse 11. Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Unveiled-Verse 11: “Behold, I come quickly”: hold fast to what you have and let no man tempt you into backsliding. The believers are to be watchful while keeping the righteousness that they have, for Christ will “come quickly.” The churches are to be ready for his arrival. “Hold fast thy righteous crown,” saith the Lord. Verse 12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Je-ru’-sa-lem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Unveiled - Verse 12: The overcomers shall become pillars in the temple of God. Pillars are symbols of steadfastness and cannot be moved. Therefore the saints shall not go in nor out, but they shall be in God’s presence forever. They shall have new names written upon them and the New Jerusalem shall be their eternal home. Their new names lay claim to the Holy City, therefore they belong to God and Christ. Verse 13. He that hast an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Unveiled - Verse 13: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion that the churches are to hear the gospel of Christ.
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The Lukewarm Church. Verse 14. And unto the angel of the church of the La-odi-ce’ans write; These things saith the A-men, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Unveiled - Verse 14: Here, Christ is strongly identifying himself to the church at Laodicea: “write; These things saith the A-men.” This is the A-men to what has been said, “so shall it be.” This was none other than the Son of the living God. He was there when it all began, and he was an eye witness to the creation of God. All things were made for him, and by him were all things created. He is the source by which the universe was created. He is the faithful and true witness of his father: “He is eternal.” In him there shall be no ending. The church at Laodicea was in a choice area in Asia Minor. It is believed that the city was a banking center at that time, therefore the people were prosperous. This prosperity caused the church to be slack in its faith toward Christ. When the people should have been doing more, they were satisfied with their service to the church and Christ. Verse 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. Unveiled - Verse 15: The works in the church at Laodicea were done halfheartedly. The people were not serious about the things of the church. They were not strong in faith or righteousness. They were neither cold nor hot; it would have been better for them if they had been one or the other. Christ said, “I would thou wert cold or hot.” It was a satisfied church, spiritually weak and halfhearted. There is no place in the church for halfhearted works.
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Verse 16. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Unveiled - Verse 16: Here, Christ is telling the church at Laodicea that he is tired of their backsliding ways and their halfhearted works. “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” As lukewarm water turns the stomach, lukewarm behavior turned Christ against this church: he would bear their halfheartedness no longer. They must repent or be rejected by him. “I will spue you out,” is a severe threat. None of the other churches in Asia Minor received such a threat, because they did not come up short on the expectations of Christ. The church at Laodicea was criticized severely because of her action toward Christ. Verse 17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increase with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Unveiled - Verse 17: “Because thou sayest, I am rich,” was the opinion the church had of itself, but this was not the opinion that Christ had of the church. Laodicea was a prosperous city and in want of nothing. Thus, the church was weak in faith and could not see its spiritual condition. Christ witnessed the condition of the church; wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. All of these conditions were caused by its spiritual neglect. The church was materially rich, but spiritually destitute; it suffered spiritually in the midst of plenty. Verse 18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
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Unveiled - Verse 18: Christ offers the church wise counsel: “buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (spiritually rich). When saints are tried by fire, they are like pure gold. They shall wear white raiments (which are the garments of righteousness), thereby having their shame of unrighteousness cleanse by Christ through faith. Christ wanted the church to see their spiritual condition. He wanted them to quit being stiff-necked, and quit their self-proclaimed richness and righteousness. Christ wanted them to aspire their hearts to their first works, which was their love toward him. Henceforth, their eyes will be open unto righteousness, then they will see the glorious spiritual blessings of God flowing into the church Verse 19. As many as I Love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. Unveiled - Verse 19: As many as Christ love, he will rebuke and chasten. The saints of God must be zealous toward repentance: “be zealous and repent.” This is a reminder to the church for the need of repentance. Verse 20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Unveiled - Verse 20: This is the divine nearness of Christ. He stands at the door of every man’s heart desiring to come in and fellowship with him. I will come in and sup with him, sayest the Lord. Christ will break the bread of life with him, that he may fellowship with him forever. Christ is saying, “if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him.” By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christ comes
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into the hearts of men when they hear his voice. As men respond to Christ through faith, he will forgive their sins. Verse 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my father in his throne. Unveiled - Verse 21: The overcomers are those that held fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christ overcame the world by faith, they too can overcome. All overcomers shall be exalted to sit with Christ in the New Jerusalem, which shall come down from God out of heaven. This shall be their eternal home. Verse 22. He that hast an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Unveiled - Verse 22: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion of the church being obedient to the gospel of Christ.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE VISION OF GOD’S THRONE T
he Vision of God’s Throne.
Verse 1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven; and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Unveiled - Verse 1: In this chapter the prophetical scene opens and John began to explain the heavenly vision. This was the vision of God’s throne: the door of heaven was open unto John, the Apostle. He was caught up in the Spirit of God. The voice of a sweet sounding trumpet spoke to him, “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” This was an invitation for the Apostle John to visit heaven. “The first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me,” was the voice of Christ. He revealed the true condition of his churches to the Apostle John. Heaven is opened by Christ so that John might view the throne of God, revealing to him what must take place in the hereafter.
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Verse 2. And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne as set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Unveiled -Verse 2: The Apostle John was caught up in the Spirit and he viewed the throne of God. This is the God of absolute authority throughout the universe. The glorious presence of heaven was a spiritual exaltation for the Apostle John. The first object to catch the eyes of the Apostle was the throne of God and all the radiance of its glory. The Apostle was taken up quickly, for he said, “I was in the Spirit, and, behold, a throne was set in heaver, and one sat on the throne.” He that sat on the throne was invisible to the Apostle John. Verse 3. And he that set was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Unveiled -Verse 3: The divine presence of God was described as precious stones. There was a bright radiance around the throne of God. Heaven is garnished with many beautiful stones of color. Around the throne of God was a rainbow, the sight was like unto an emerald. He that sat upon the throne was not described by any human form, for no man has seen God and lived. The significance of the rainbow is similar to that which symbolized the covenant that God made with Noah. Never again will water destroy the earth.
The Exaltation of the Elders. Verse 4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
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Unveiled -Verse 4: These four and twenty Elders are the representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel, which were for the building of the Nation of Israel. They are also the representatives of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, which went forth preaching the good news of the gospel. The four and twenty Elders are angelic beings. They are dressed in white robes of righteousness. They have the golden crowns of life on their heads. They are permanent fixtures around the throne of God. Verse 5. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Unveiled - Verse 5: These are the seven operating Spirits of God, which are the eyes of God throughout the universe: all power, all knowing, and all places at the same time. Holy and righteous is his name. He is the one and only God of creation. The seven lamps symbolize the seven Spirits of God. The Spirit of God operates in all places of his dominion. He sees all that is to be seen. Out of the throne proceeded thunder and lightning and voices, which was the heavenly host giving praises to God. Verse 6. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts, full of eyes before and behind. Unveiled - Verse 6: The Sea of glass symbolize the multitudes of the Saints of God standing before the throne of God. The four beasts symbolize the whole of God’s creation. The four beasts, full of eyes before and behind, symbolize the watchfulness of God throughout the universe. There is no area of God’s creation that is not seen by him. All nations, kindreds, and tongues, the animal kingdom, and the deep things of the Sea are all under the watchful eyes of God.
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Verse 7. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. Unveiled - Verse 7: The first beast appeared as a lion, which symbolize the cat family in God’s creation. The second beast was like a calf, which symbolize the split-hoofed animals of the earth. The third beast had the face of a man, which symbolize God’s creation of mankind. The fourth beast was as a flying eagle, which symbolize the many fowls of the air. Verse 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Unveiled - Verse 8: Above the altar stood the seraphims, each having six wings: with twain (two) he covered his face, with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. The explanation of this scripture is drawn from Isaiah, 6:2. The covering of the faces by the four beast were in adoration to the Almighty God. There was a neverending song of Holy, holy, holy unto the living God. These praises continued day and night, praises which were directed to the God of creation, the God of the past, the God of the present, and the God of the future.
Praises to the God of Creation. Verse 9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.
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Verse 10. The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Unveiled -Verses 9-10: Praise to him that sat on the throne; the creatures worship the Creator. They give reverence, glory, and honour to the Almighty God. These two verses are in total adoration unto the all powerful God. They are giving him the praise because he is worthy to be praised, saying, thou art worthy oh God to be praised. The heavenly host gave reverence to Almighty God; by glorifying him, honoring him, thanking him and worshiping him. The Elders and the living creatures are giving praise to the God of creation. They were praising and worshiping him that liveth forever, by casting their golden crowns before him that sat on the throne. Verse 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Unveiled -Verse 11: The Almighty God is receiving this exaltation because he is the creator of all that was created. God created everything for his good pleasure. The blessed results of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation, is that all men of the earth should take it to heart. This is the revelation of God to the human race, the uncovering of hidden things of old. It is now time for this to be revealed, which is to inform mankind of the future coming of God’s judgment upon a sinful world. The saints of God, which is the body of Christ, is not in the dark concerning the future of the church. The unbelievers are those that are living in the dark, for they are refusing to accept the light, which is the light of the world. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, he is the light of the heart of every man that cometh into this world.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE BOOK OF SEVEN SEALS T
he Book of Revelation is an introduction to a modern unbelieving world and the impending judgments of God during the end time.
Book of the Seven Seals.
Verse 1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. Unveiled-Verse 1: The counsel and decrees of God are set before the Apostle John; a book sealed in the hand of God. It was closed and sealed with seven seals. These seals were the plans of God for the future. Only God himself knew the contents and purposes of the scroll. Each seal had its own individual seal. These seals were to be explained as they were broken.
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Verse 2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? Unveiled - Verse 2: An angel with authority gave the invitation to all creatures to come and break the seven seals, but there was no created being that was worthy to break the seven seals. They searched heaven and earth and even under the earth, but no one was found worthy of this task. No man was able to loose the seven seals. Verse 3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. Verse 3: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion that no man is worthy. Verse 4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. Unveiled - Verse 4: The Apostle John cried bitterly when there were none worthy to open the seven seals, in order that the plans of God could be carried out. The Apostle John was comforted by one of the four and twenty Elders. He said unto him, “weep not, lo, the Lion of Judah, the root of David has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” This Lion of Judah - the conqueror of Satan - is the saviour of the world; he is worthy to open the seven seals. Verse 5. And one of the Elders saith unto me, weep not, behold: the Lion of the tribe of Ju’da, the Root of Da’vid, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
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Unveiled - Verse 5: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the root of David, the reconciler, and according to his priestly office, he bears the name Intercessor: he stands between God and man. He is worthy to initiate the plans of God. Jesus was of the lineage of Judah, which was the tribe of Israel. He was born of the house of David. Verse 6. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the Elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Unveiled - Verse 6: The sacrificial death of Christ on calvary’s cross made him worthy to open the scroll. He is the one who conquered Satan, death, and the grave through the power of the resurrection. He is the Lamb that was slain in the mind of God before the foundation of the world. He is God’s complete sacrificial Lamb for redemption. He has the complete number seven; seven horns, symbolize the complete power of God; seven eyes, symbolize the complete insight of God. The Holy Spirit of God is given without measure. Verse 7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Verse 7: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion that it is Jesus receiving the book from him that sat on the throne.
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Verse 8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty Elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. Unveiled - Verse 8: At first Jesus was seen as a Lion of Judah, for he was to conquer Satan. Then he is seen as the slain Lamb, for he was to purchase men from the death of sin. Now the angelic heavenly host are worshipping him. Their adoration came with applause and musical instruments. The incense gave off a sweet smelling odour in heaven. The golden bowls are for the prayers of the saints here on earth, which are giving praises to the slain Lamb with the heavenly host. Verse 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; Unveiled - Verse 9: They are singing a new song, saying, “Worthy art thou.” They were basing their worthiness upon his suffering on Calvary’s cross. His suffering was the spiritual sword that pierced their souls. The suffering of Jesus ushered in a new covenant of redemption, for he replaced the law with grace; grace for all kindreds, tongues, and nations. The blood of Christ has redeemed them, even before the foundation of the world. These praises shall continue throughout all eternity with Christ. Verse 10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
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Unveiled -Verse 10: In the spirit realm, the saints of God will become kings, queens, and priests, because the church of Christ is a body of priesthood believers. Therefore, the body of Christ shall reign with him forever. Verse 11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the Elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Unveiled - Verse 11: The Apostle John saw around the throne of God, “myriads after myriads,” which were thousands upon thousands; and they were saying worthy is the Lamb. This was a universal worship giving all praises to the victorious Lamb of God, thus giving him all glory, honor, and power. Verse 12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Unveiled -Verse 12: This was the wonderful and worthy heavenly praises offered to the sacrificial Lamb of God, glorifying and exalting Christ, the universal saviour. To him be the glory forever: all wisdom, knowledge, and strength belong unto him. Verse 13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
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Unveiled - Verse 13: This verse speaks to the whole of God’s creation. Let everything that have breath praise the Lamb. All creatures glorify the slain Lamb, that is, everything that is in the air, in the sea, and on the land. This was a universal worship to the Almighty God and Christ, the victorious Lamb of God. Verse 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Unveiled - Verse 14: The heavenly host fell to their knees worshipping God and the Lamb, saying, Amen, So be it: it has been said and done. Amen is the stamp of approval.
CHAPTER SIX
OPENING OF THE MYSTERIES T
he Book of Revelation has been an inspiration to the body of Christ throughout its existence, regardless of the tremendous pressure by the demonic forces of evil. The biblical message of revelation offers a clear picture of the coming judgments of God upon the evil forces of Satan. The book unveils the total recourse of the consummation, which is the fulfillment of God’s earthly Kingdom coming down from heaven: The New Heaven and the New Earth. This is the order in which the first six seals would be opened.
Verse 1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beast saying, come and see.
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Unveiled - Verse 1: Christ (the Lamb) opened the mysteries of the seven seals revealing what is to take place in the writings of the scroll. A voice of thunder came from one of the four creatures saying, “Come and see.” Verse 1 sets the stage for the opening of the next five seals. One of the beast would show the Apostle John what was to take place. Verse 2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Unveiled - Verse 2: The white horse symbolize a conquering power that no other power can equal. The rider of the white horse is the victorious Christ. Because of his victory, a crown was given unto him. As long as the church stays humble, they will find victory in Christ. He is the conqueror of the enemies of his people. Satan and his Emps are the enemies of God’s people. Verse 3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, come and see. Unveiled - Verse 3: The Apostle John is invited to view the opening of the second seal and what is to take place after it is opened. Verse 4. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Unveiled - Verse 4: And there went out a Red horse; this horse is a war horse. The rider is given a great sword and with this sword he will remove peace from the earth. The Red horse symbolize bloodshed, and there will be much war upon the earth as the severe
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judgments of God go forth in the world. Men will scarcely find peace on earth. Where true love should abound, men will enjoy killing one another. Take notice of what is happening on earth this day and time. Verse 5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and, lo, a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. Unveiled - Verse 5: The third seal was opened a black horse went forth. The black horse symbolize great famines on the earth; hunger will be widespread in the world. When there is war in a land, hunger will follow. One judgment will follow upon another. There are famines in the land today for the lack of food, but the greatest famine in the world today is the lack of God’s word, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Famines are terrible, but when there is no God in the land, suffering will rule therein. Verse 6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beast say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Unveiled - Verse 6: Verse 5 denotes famines in the land. Verse 6 denotes a shortage of grain, cheap buying is at hand. “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny;” orders are given from heaven to hurt not the oil and the wine. This means that there will be no shortage of oil and wine. Oil is a symbol of anointing, and food preparation and wine is used as a sacred drink in the body of Christ; it is a symbol of his blood.
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Verse 7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. Unveiled - Verse 7: This is another invitation for the Apostle John to come and see the destruction of the pale horse, the symbol of death and pestilence. Verse 8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat on him was death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. Unveiled - Verse 8: The Apostle John looked and he saw a pale horse. The pale horse was the symbol of death and pestilence upon the earth. Pestilence come in many forms upon the land, epidemics of diseases, famines, and war. The sword carries death upon the earth. A ring of terror will follow the rider on the pale horse, which is symbolic of Hell. This means terrible times will come upon the earth. A fourth part of the earth will be devastated, and many people shall die in the world. The judgments of God have been published through his Word, therefore death shall come by the beast of the earth (evil and wicked men of the earth). This is why the Apostle John was given the invitation to “Come and see.’’
When the fifth seal was opened, John saw the martyrs of Christ. Verse 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
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Unveiled - Verse 9: When the fifth seal was opened, the martyrs of Christ were seen by the Apostle John under the alter in heaven. These are they which sacrificed their lives for the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ; for this noble cause they were killed. They died because of their strong faith in the testimony of Christ. Verse 10. And cried with a loud voice, saying, How long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Verse 11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Unveiled - Verse 10 and Verse 11: These are they which died because of their witnessing to evil men of the earth The trials of those who slaughtered the saints of God and the body of Christ, have been prolonged until judgment day. The martyrs of Christ are crying out for justice not because they want to pass judgment upon their enemies, but because they are anticipating that a righteous God will do so. They were told to wait, “yet for a little season” until their brethren be killed as they were, that it might be fulfilled. Thus, the prophecy of this book would be complete and the end of the world has come. Rev. 6: 10-11. Verse 12. And I beheld when he open the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Unveiled- Verse 12: The opening of the sixth seal caused violent upheavals in the earth. Radical changes will take place in the Cosmos.
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No man will be able to stand before an angry God. Earthquakes will be in many places. Stars will fall from their sockets, the sun will be darken as sackcloth, and the moon will be as blood. The sun and the moon will eclipse. Verse 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. Unveiled -Verse 13: These are signs of God’s coming judgments, which shall occur during the end time. On that great judgment day, he shall shake the heavens as a mighty wind shaketh the fig tree. Verse 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Unveiled -Verse 14: The heaven and the earth were both violently shaken, so much so until rocks, islands, and mountains were loose from their places. The wrath of God has come upon the earth. The violent upheaval seen here is symbolic of what will take place during the last judgment. Verse 15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. Unveiled - Verse 15: The unrighteous men of the earth will seek places to hide from the judgments of God. Only the righteous will be able to stand on the day of judgment. Whatever their circumstances may be, their spiritual security will be in Christ.
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Verse 16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Unveiled - Verse 16: Wicked, evil, and unrighteous men of the earth will be seeking hiding places among the rocks and mountains, in the hope of being crushed by falling rocks; but there will be no place to hide from the wrath of the Lamb. Verse 17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Unveiled - Verse 17: On the day of judgment, all classes of people of an unrighteous society will be seeking ways to escape the wrath of an angry God. During the last days, God will carry out his judgments to bring about the end of this present world. Christ, the Lamb of God, will deny the names of unrighteous men and women, saying unto them, “depart from me, I know you not!” .
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE SEALING OF THE SAINTS T
he ultimate victory of the saints of God will be their ability to resist the power of Satan and his demonic forces on earth. They will receive their just reward in the hereafter - in a beautiful heaven - with all its glorious joy, peace, and rest. This marvelous utopia awaits the arrival of the saints of God. The Book of Revelation has been an inspiration to the body of Christ throughout its existence, regardless of the tremendous pressure of the demonic forces of evil. The biblical message of revelation offers a clear picture of the coming judgment of God. The satanic forces of Satan and his emps will have their day in court with the Almighty God. The Book of Revelation unveils the total consummation, which brings in the fulfillment of God’s earthly kingdom. The Apostle John saw a new heaven and a new earth coming down from God out of heaven.
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Verse 1. And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Unveiled - Verse 1: The four winds had power to rule over the earth. The four winds were forbidden to blow on the earth by the four angels. These winds were a threat to the inhabitants of the earth, but the angels of the Lord were providing security for the saints of God, that they might be safe from the plagues of the earth. Verse 2. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea. Unveiled - Verse 2: The Apostle John looked and behold, another angel ascended from the rising sun, having with him the seal of the living God. He is crying out to the four angels that were going to harm the earth. They were told by this angel not to hurt the earth and the sea, until the saints of God had been sealed in their foreheads, so that they might be identified during the coming judgments of God. This seal will provide protection for the saints of God. These are the things that took place in Verse 2 and Verse 3. Verse 3. Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
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Unveiled - Verse 3: The greatest victory that the saints of God can obtain is the victory over death by the Antichrist; even death shall not change their hearts about Christ. They are sealed in their foreheads by the angels of God, this is their guarantee to eternal life with Christ forever. Verse 4. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Is’ra-el. Unveiled - Verse 4: John heard the number of them which were sealed. There were twelve tribes in the Nation of Israel. Twelve thousand were selected from each tribe, thus allowing a total count of one hundred and forty-four thousand. The names of the twelve tribes are given in Verses 5-8: The tribes of Judah, Rueben, Gad, Asher, Nepthalim, Manasseh, Semeon, Levi, Issachar, Zabulon, Joseph, and Benjamin. Of the tribes of Ju’da, Reu’ben, Gad, A’ser, Nep’tha-lim, Ma-nas’ses, Sim’e-on, Le’vi, Is’sa-char, Zab’u-lon, Jo’seph, and Ben’ja-min, each “were sealed twelve thousand.”
The vision of the redeemed. Verse 9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Unveiled - Verse 9: After the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand, John saw another number that no man could number. They were people from all tongues, kindreds, and nations of the earth. They were standing before the throne of God and the Lamb. They were dressed in white raiments with palm leaves in their hands. White
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is a symbol of righteousness, and palm leaves is a symbol of victory. The saints of God gained victory through the washing of the blood, which is the blood of Jesus Christ who was slain before the world began. Verses 10-12. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the Elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saving, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Unveiled - Verses 10-12: These three verses are in the act of glorifying, praising, and worshipping God Almighty and the slain Lamb. They are the redeemed of the Lord, standing before the throne of God with reverence unto him, exalting and honoring the divine God of the universe. These praises shall continue throughout all eternity- all day long- for there is no night there. Verse 13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Unveiled - Verse 13: One of the elders asked the Apostle John a question; who are these arrayed in white robes and where did they come from? The Apostle John gave the indication of not knowing: “Sir, thou knowest.” Therefore, in the next verse the elder gives the Apostle John the answer.
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Verse 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Unveiled -Verses 13-14: The garments of the redeemed have been washed in the blood of the lamb, therefore the presence of God shall cover them throughout all eternity, for he shall spread his tabernacle over them forever. Verse 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them Unveiled - Verse 15: The saints of God will be exalted in heaven, they will be in the presence of God and Christ the Lamb. There is much reverence given to God the creator, and to the Lamb, the mediator. They are in the presence of God, and the abundance of salvation is realized. They will serve in the temple of God throughout all eternity. The fullness of spiritual promises have come to pass. Praying days are over and they are satisfied around the throne of God. Verse 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Unveiled - Verse 16: The divine presence of God shall overshadow them. There will be no need for the sun to shine, for Christ will give light in the temple of God. The scorching sun of the earth shall never burn their bodies anymore. They are now abiding under the divine shadow of the Almighty God. Their trials and tribulations have ceased to be, and there shall be no more earthly temptation.
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Verse 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountainsof water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Unveiled - Verse 17: The Lamb of God shall be in the midst of them. He shall feed them from the tree of life and they shall drink from the fountains of living water. All sorrows have vanished, for God will wipe away every tear. Their striving for perfection has ended. They are now at rest with their saviour, Christ, the Lamb of God.
CHAPTER EIGHT
SILENCE IN HEAVEN G
od, in the midst of his judgments, is working through the power of the Holy Spirit, allowing his righteousness to reign on earth. God the creator, Jesus Christ the mediator and the indwelling Holy Spirit; these three are bringing an end to sin upon the earth, which has been brought on by the wicked men of this world. The opening of the seventh seal. Verse 1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Unveiled - Verse 1: The opening of the seventh seal brought about silence in heaven. The great quietness in heaven depicts the terrible plagues that were to come upon the earth. “A silent note struck the cords of heaven,” because of the tremendous compassion that heaven has for the earth. For one half hour heaven stood still waiting to hear what orders would be given to the seven angels. They were given seven great plagues to pour out upon the earth. Never before nor since, have any judgments as severe as these come upon the earth. 89
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Verse 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God: and to them were given seven trumpets. Unveiled -Verse 2: These seven angels which stood before God, were waiting to receive their orders for the sounding of the seven trumpets. Verse 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. Unveiled - Verse 3: This censer contains the prayers of all saints of God, and it is like a prayer box in heaven. Much incense was given to the angel with the censor. The prayers of all saints were offered up with incense before the throne of God. Incense is a sweet smelling fragrance unto God. The prayers of the saints that reaches heaven, brings about great changes on earth. The prayers of the saints are sweet smelling incense unto God, as they thank, praise, and worship him. Verse 4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. Unveiled - Verse 4: The prayers from the saints on earth have accomplished their mission in heaven. Now they are being burned with fire and incense from the golden altar before the living God. Afterwards, they are poured out upon the earth, thus confirming that those prayers had been answered by the living God. Christ, the Lamb of God, makes intercessions for the saints of God, for he receives our prayers as sweet incense.
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Verse 5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Unveiled -Verse 5: No prayers from the saints of God (that enter heaven) have been denied the audience of acceptance before the Almighty God. There were thunderings, lightnings and an earthquake. These were the consequences of an angry God, the acts of nature and the angels discharging their duties around the throne of God. Verse 6. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Unveiled - Verse 6: These seven angels were standing before the throne of God waiting for their orders to sound their trumpets to loose his wrath upon the earth. Verse 7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. Unveiled - Verse 7: After the sound of the first trumpet ( on the day of judgement) terrible calamities will fall upon the wicked men and women of the earth. There will be great suffering among the wicked of the earth; some will repent of their sins, but most of the wicked will curse God and die. Proud men and women are lofty and highly evil, but during the judgments of God they shall be abased (brought low).
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Verse 8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; Unveiled -Verse 8: “And I John saw”: John saw a great ball of fire (resembling a mountain) falling into the sea, and the third part of the sea turned to blood, and the third part of everything in that area was destroyed. The mountain of fire symbolize the power of the living God. God is a consuming fire, while displaying his anger upon a rebellious people. On the great day of the Lord, no place on earth, in the air, or on the sea will be safe from the wrath of God’s judgments. The portions of these calamities symbolize God’s mercy, by limiting his judgments to one-third destruction. The unveiling of these future prophecies will furnish the basis for preparing for the coming end of the present world as it is known. Verse 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. Unveiled - Verse 9: God is limiting his judgments to a “third part” of destruction upon the earth. In Verse 8 he limited his destruction to one-third part of the sea, here in Verse 9 he is destroying one-third of everything in the sea. Thus, the mercies of God are still at work, even as his judgments are justified because of sin. Verse 10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
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Unveiled - Verses 10: The third angel sounded trumpet to unleash the third plague: a star burning as a lamp fell to the earth. This star was a symbol of God’s power, a symbol of poison for it polluted one-third part of the fresh water fountains. One-third part of men on earth suffered from thirst. Verse 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. Unveiled -Verse 11: The name of the fallen star was Wormwood, which is a symbol of bitterness. The fountains of water were made bitter, and as men drink from these fountains of water they died: the judgments of God were upon them. Nevertheless, the glorious brightness of God’s mercy spared the earth from total destruction all at once. Verse 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. Unveiled - Verse 12: When the fourth trumpet sounded, a third part of the heavenly bodies gave way to God’s judgments. They were smitten by an angry God to give up one-third part of their light to darkness. A third part of the day was unable to offer light, “and the night likewise.” The fourth sounding of the trumpet caused the cosmos to react to the wrath of God. The earth will be denied one-third part of its light. Without light, men are most miserable. The display of these heavenly bodies gave warnings that the time now shall be no more. Therefore the sun, moon and stars ceased to give their full brightness on earth and to the heavens.
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The fearful woes predicted. Verse 13. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! Unveiled - Verse 13: Fearful times are yet to come: “three more angels are yet to sound.” An angel passes through the midst of heaven and announces three great woes. This means that the judgments and plagues to come will be more grievous then those that have passed. These woes are directed at the evil men of the earth: “They are the nonbelievers.” These three woes precede the sounding of the last three trumpets, thus allowing an early waning to the wicked and corrupted earth dwelling men, that the impending judgments will be dreadful and terrible upon the earth.
CHAPTER NINE
UNLOCKING OF
THE ABYSS T
he unlocking of the Abyss.
Verse 1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. Unveiled - Verse 1: This angel fell from heaven to loose the plague of locusts from the bottomless pit. He has the turnkey to open the pit that has a profound depth with no bottom, which contained an army of terrifying demonic locusts. This awful plague will be loosed upon the third part of unsaved men of the earth. Verse 2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
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Unveiled - Verse 2: The angel opened the pit and there arose a mighty smoke out of the hole, liken unto a great furnace. The smoke created a thick darkness upon the earth. This was Satan’s way of disguising himself from light, that he might attack men on earth. “Men stumble in darkness, and they follow Satan; for there is no light in them.” Verse 3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Unveiled - Verse 3: Men of the earth stumble in darkness, and in their stumbling they follow Satan. The power that these locusts possessed was given to them by Satan. Men of the earth will either reject Satan or they will follow him. These locusts were to attack ungodly men of the earth Verse 4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. Unveiled - Verse 4: As this darkness spread over the earth, these dreadful locusts were given the power as scorpions of the earth have power: locusts and scorpions are symbols of destruction. There will be pain and much suffering upon wicked men and women of the earth. These locusts were commanded by God not to hurt any green thing. They were to attack those men that did not have the mark of God in their forehead. This is God’s divine protection for the saints that had already been sealed. They were to strike the wicked with the sting of a scorpion, but not to slay them. This was a sting of punishment. This tormenting would continue for a period of five months. Scorpions symbolize pain and misery to those that are stung by them.
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Verse 5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. Unveiled - Verse 5: These locusts were allowed to torture wicked men of the card, but not to kill them. This tormenting would continue for a period of five months. The sting of a scorpion is the symbol of suffering; suffering will ensue the sting. Verse 6. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. Unveiled - Verse 6: These locusts were stripped of their power to kill. The torment and suffering that these men had to endure after having been stung by these locusts, produced a craving to die; the pain and misery was to much to bear. They longed to die but death would not come to them; death flea from their presence. These locusts had no power to harm the saints of God, for they had the seal of God in their foreheads. The description of the locusts. Verse 7. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. Unveiled - Verse 7: The likeness of these locusts were the images of horses, which were prepared for battle; “and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.” The golden crowns symbolize the authority given to them by God. Though they had appearance of men, they were Satan’s workmanship
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in disguise. They were monstrous and powerful, but they were limited by the power of God. Verse 8. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. Unveiled - Verse 8: They had the hair of women and the teeth of lions. Hair of women symbolize deception, and the teeth of lions symbolize a destructive force. Although they appeared to be innocent, they carried deception and destruction. These terrible creatures were equipped to carry out their assignment against wicked men and women. They were given permission by God to hurt the unsaved of the earth. Verse 9. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. Unveiled - Verse 9: These creatures had breastplates like unto iron, thus symbolizing their defense and protection against earthly powers. As they flew, their wings made great noises, like horses and chariots running to battle. The noise of their wings symbolize the noise of a mighty army going to war. These demonic creatures were on a mission to destroy evil men and women of the earth, they had their authority from heaven, given to them by God. Verse 10. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. Unveiled - Verse 10: Although they appeared to be harmless to men, they had the sting of scorpions in their tails. These satanic demons will carry out their assigned judgment against evil men and women, which has been allotted to them by God. Their sting of a scorpion is to torment man.
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This misery, pain and suffering will last out its duration, which is a period of five months. The King of the Abyss. Verse 11. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the He’brew tongue is A-bad’don, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apol’ly-on. Unveiled - Verse 11: The king of the bottomless pit is the Devil himself. He is the commander and chief of this hellish squadron of locusts that is going forth tormenting men on earth. In the Hebrew language they called him ABADDON, but in the Greek language they gave him the name of APOLLYON. The Devil has many names. He is a destructive force upon the face of the earth. He is a deceiver, for he can appear as an angel of light, and yet he is a dark-hearted tormentor of men. Verse 12. One woe is past; and behold, there come two woes more hereafter. Unveiled - Verse 12: This verse gives the indication that there is much more to follow, for the sixth and seventh trumpets are yet to sound. Verse 13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God. Unveiled - Verse 13: The four-horned golden altar is the altar of incense, which stands before the throne of God; there the burning of incense takes place.
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Verse 14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet. Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphra’tes. Unveiled -Verse 14: The great river Euphrates will represent a very important body of water during the end time of God’s judgments on earth. The Euphrates river was the ancient boundaries of Assyria, Syria and the Babylonian Empire; and it was also positioned at the borders of the Roman Empire. This is the area where many invading forces of ancient armies fought. Great fear fell upon the Nation of Israel in those days. The four angels are to loose the wrath of God in the area of the great river Euphrates. Verse 15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. Unveiled - Verse 15: The four angels are to loose the wrath of God in the area of the river Euphrates. The time that will be allotted to them will be an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year. This is the time table given to the four angels to accomplish their task. Nevertheless, the mercies of God will limit the destruction to one third part of men on earth. Verse 16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
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Unveiled - Verse 16: The Apostle John heard the number of this powerful invading army, which is symbolic of the great invading forces that will come upon the breast of the earth to attack Israel during the end of the consummation ( the end of the world). Verse 17. And thus I saw the horsemen in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. Unveiled -Verse 17: The description of the horses and their riders were made known. The riders of the horses had on breastplates as of fire in color: “A fire color, smokey blue, and sulphur yellow.” The danger of these invaders came from the mouths of these horses, and not from the riders. These horses are symbolic of monstrous fighting machines, which came belching out smoke, fire, and brimstone from their mouths. Brimstone and fire is a very destructive force. The number of this invading army cannot be numbered, just as it is impossible to number the invading locusts. Verse 18. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. Unveiled - Verse 18: This invading army is symbolic of today’s modern army. The destruction came from the mouth of a horse, which is symbolic of a field gun (heavy artillery). Wounded men will die in the midst of smoke on the battlefield. The brimstone comes from the explosion of rounds from artillery shells, men are killed by these explosions. The fire is the firing of the artillery guns on the battlefield. Thus, one third of the men on earth will be destroyed by war. Men of war will be riding these horses
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(driving these war machines). Death shall come from the mouth of a horse (the muzzle of a cannon). Verse 19. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. Verse 19. The Apostle John declared the terms of this terrible invading army. They were terrifying and destructive, and their attack was to be made upon the anti-Christian generation. They had heads and tails like unto serpents. This is symbolic of modern war machines. Verse 20. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Unveiled - Verse 20: This judgment failed to produce repentance, and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not from the evil works of their hands. They continued to worship devils, idols of gold, silver, brass images, images of stone and wood, which neither can see, hear, feel, talk, or walk, neither can they understand. Men of the earth are very materialistic and will not turn from their wicked ways, even in the midst of God’s judgments. Verse 21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Unveiled -Verse 21: Some men of the earth will never repent to the God of creation, regardless of how severe God’s judgment will be. They will continue to rob, kill, cheat, and gain through trickery. They have been
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blinded by the power of Satan and repentance is beyond their reasoning. They continued in their rebellion against God. Those that were not destroyed, continued in sorcery and fornication. They are a generation of men without hope. The Book of Revelation is the ultimate and conclusive word of God to all of mankind concerning his impending judgment upon the unbelievers of the earth
CHAPTER TEN
THE ANGEL AND
THE BOOK
T
he book of revelation is the last inspired word of God, which is given to the people of the world (mankind) that they might prepare themselves for the great day of God’s judgments. Those that are not regenerated will suffer the second death and will go down to the lake of fire. There they will be with the Devil and the false prophet. Verse l. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. Unveiled - Verse 1: A mighty angel from heaven came down in view of the Apostle John, and his garments were as a cloud, which is the symbol of the power and wisdom of God. The rainbow about the angel’s head symbolize the awful judgments of God upon the earth. His face had the radiant appearance, “as it were the sun,” and the ra-
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diance of his face gleaming through the cloud created the rainbow about his head. “His feet as pillars of fire,” symbolize strength and destruction, which shall come upon the earth. Verse 2. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth. Unveiled-Verse 2: This is the station and posture of the mighty angel: he stood upon the sea and on the earth with an open book in his hand. The little book held the rest of God’s judgments, which were to take place on the earth. The mighty angel would announce the impending judgments of God upon an evil generation of unbelievers. This judgment would come upon the sea and the land. Verse 3. And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. Unveiled - Verse 3: The mighty angel’s voice echoed throughout the heavens. It was a very strong voice, like the roar of a lion. This loud cry brought about the utterance of the seven thunders. Thunder symbolize the power of God shaking the heavens.
The utterances of the seven thunders. Verse 4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Unveiled - Verse 4: The Apostle John heard a voice from heaven; it was Christ, the Lamb of God, forbidding him to write the utterances of the seven thunders. These things were not to be revealed at this
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time, for they are to take place at the very end of God’s judgments. Thus, the utterances of the seven thunders were sealed. Verse 5. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, Verse 5: This verse is self-explanatory, it is the action of the angel making ready to announce God’s decision of the end of time. Verse 6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: Unveiled - Verse 6: This highly exalted angel is announcing the plans of the Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth; that the remaining time on earth shall no longer be delayed. Therefore the end of evil corruption upon the earth has arrived. All things must come to an end.
The culmination of God’s divine plan is at hand. Verse 7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets. Unveiled -Verse 7: The seventh angel is yet to sound. He holds the seven mysteries of God, which are the promises that God made to the prophets. In the days that this angel “shall begin to sound,” the destructive plan of God will began to unfold. The prophets of old and their prophecy will come to pass. When all of these things have finished, time on earth will come to an end.
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Verse 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. Unveiled -Verse 8: By the voice of Christ (the Lamb of God), the Apostle John was invited to receive the little book out of the angel’s hand. Verse 9. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up: and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. Unveiled - Verse 9: The mighty angel gave the Apostle John the little book and told him to eat it up. This little book was a special message to the Apostle John concerning things yet to come. As the Apostle John ate the little book, it was sweet as honey in his mouth, but it was bitter to his stomach The sweetness of the scroll came from the prophecy of God’s word, and the bitterness derived from digesting its contents, are the terrible unfolding judgments of an angry God. There will be no hiding place for lost men and women; during this time there will be total chaos on earth. Verse 10. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. Verse 10. This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion of the Apostle John being obedient to the instructions of the angel. Verse 11. And he said unto me, Thou must prophecy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
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Unveiled - Verse 11: After the Apostle John had digested the little scroll, he was given a command to go and deliver the prophesy concerning things he seen and heard. The mighty angel, through the Apostle, is serving notice to all nations on earth that God’s impending destructive judgments are at hand.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE INNER TEMPLE MEASURE T
he Book of Revelation keeps mankind up-to-date on its past, presence and future. This is in regards to mankind’s relationship with the God of the universe. All men one day must give an account of their deeds before God. Whether their deeds be good or bad, they must stand at the bar of judgment. Verse 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. Unveiled - Verse 1: The measuring of the temple symbolize the church in the time of trials and tribulations: there is help for those that worship therein. This is the preservation of the saints of God on earth. The presence of God shall always be with them on earth and in heaven.
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Verse 2. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gen’tiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. Unveiled -Verse 2: The command was given to the Apostle not to measure the outer court. This portion of the temple was known as the court of the Gentiles, for they were not yet included in the promise. They were treading the word of God under their feet, this would reach a span of forty and two months, which is a period of three years and six months. This is the setting of the holy city, Jerusalem. Verse 3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Unveiled - Verse 3: The two witnesses are dressed in black sackcloth. God will empower them for a period of time, one thousand two hundred and threescore days. This period of time is symbolic of three and one-half years. They will be sending a powerful ministry of God’s word and the gospel of Christ. The black sackcloth is a symbol of “seeking peace with God.” They went forth preaching the gospel of peace on the earth. They are seen as two candlesticks, which is a symbol of the church, for the church is a beacon of light in the world. Verse 4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. Unveiled - Verse 4: Here are the two last witnesses that will present the prophesy of the word of God and the gospel of Christ during the last days of the great tribulation. They are the two olive trees standing before God. They were faithful to their mission unto death. They are
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the two candlesticks standing before God, and they are lighting the way to the hearts of men with the word of God and the gospel of Christ. They are dressed in sackcloth (black cloth): this is to draw the attention of the lost wicked men and women of the city. They are preaching the last message of salvation to a lost world. Verse 5. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any men will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Unveiled - Verse 5: This is the power that is given to the two witnesses until their mission has been accomplished. If any man should attack them, “he must in this manner be killed.” Verse 6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Unveiled - Verse 6: The two last witnesses on earth for the word of God and the gospel of Christ, will be Moses and Elijah (the days of their prophecy will be given during their time here on earth). Moses, while down in Egypt, smote the waters of Egypt, turning them to blood. He also caused plagues to ravish the land of Egypt. Elijah, through prayer, caused heaven to shut up, that it rain not for a period of three years and six months. He prayed again and heaven opened up and watered the earth. These two witnesses will stand before God for three and a half years ministering to evil men and women of the earth. This will be the last allotted time given to the reign of the Antichrist.
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Verse 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Unveiled - Verse 7: When their ministry has been accomplished and at the appointed time, God will allow the satanic force to overcome and kill them, just as he allowed Satan to kill Christ. They will be persecuted because of Christ and the word of God. Verse 8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sod’om and E’gypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Unveiled - Verse 8: The last two witnesses are slain Their testimonies must be sealed by their blood, therefore God allowed their enemies to triumph over them and put them to death. The Antichrist will make war against them with open force and violence. God permitted his enemies to prevail over his last two witnesses. Their dead bodies shall lie in the streets of the great city (the Holy City of Jerusalem), which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified. Verse 9. And they of the people and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, shall see their dead bodies three days an a half, and shall not suffer their bodies to be put in graves. Unveiled - Verse 9: Evil men of the earth, both Jews and Gentiles, consented to the death of the two last witnesses and pursued them even after death, therefore refusing to bury them. Their dead bodies were to lie in the streets of the city. It was a pleasure and great joy for an anti-Christian world to look upon their dead bodies. All nonbelievers rejoiced over the end of their ministry.
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Verse 10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. Unveiled - Verse 10: The whole earth will celebrate the death of these two witnesses. Their death was an earthly joy to the anti-Christian world. They made merry and sent gifts to each other, for the two witnesses that tormented them were dead. This celebration was cut short because it was only temporary. Verse 11. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Unveiled - Verse 11: After three and a half days a resurrection will take place. The two witnesses will be raised from the dead. The quickening Spirit of God brought them to life again, and they will stand on their feet. The whole non-Christian world will be gripped in fear, because the two last witnesses have been restored to life. This great fear cause many to glorify the God of creation. Verse 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Unveiled - Verse 12: The Almighty God of judgment called out to them, “Come up hither.” By this great command, the last two witnesses were exalted up on high.
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Verse 13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Unveiled - Verse 13: Immediately after the ascension of the two witnesses, there was a tremendous earthquake, and a portion of the city fell. Seven thousand people were slain. Great fear fell upon the remaining population of the city. Thereupon, they gave glory to the Almighty God and repentance ensued. This repentance came because of the resurrection of the two witnesses, the ascension of the two witnesses, and the great earthquake. The mighty shaking of the holy city Jerusalem, gave vent to the great and terrible judgments of the Almighty God. Verse 14. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Unveiled - Verse 14: The first and second woes have passed, and behold, the third woe is on its way. This third woe means another major disaster will come to pass very soon. These woes seem to follow one after the other, and at this point, time is of the essence. Verse 15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Unveiled -Verse 15: There will be great joy and peace in heaven, because the earthly kingdoms of Christ are beginning to emerge, thus symbolizing the millennial reign of eternal peace upon the earth. The millennial is the one thousand year reign of Christ’s kingdom on earth.
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A new heaven and a new earth will come into being. Therefore, heaven is rejoicing because Christ has taken unto himself the glory and honour that he is worthy of. Heaven is offering reverence to the Almighty God for his righteous judgments. The host of heaven is praising, thanking, and worshipping God for the never ending reign of Christ’s kingdom on earth. The full sovereignty of God’s pleasure will reign throughout all eternity. There shall be no end to the kingdom of Christ. Verse 16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Unveiled - Verse 16: This is the heavenly host worshipping and praising the Almighty God of the universe. All reverence, glory, honour, and exaltation belong to him. Verse 17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Unveiled - Verse 17: They are worshipping and glorifying the God of the universe: thou art God, and was God, and art God to come. This will be the advent of the coming of Christ. In the past thou has ruled with great power, at the present thou art God, and in the future thou shall be God. Thou art the everlasting power of the universe, and shall be throughout eternity. Verse 18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, srnall and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
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Unveiled - Verse 18: This is the last judgment, and the nations of the earth are angry because the wrath of God has come down to them. As the wrath of God increases, the resentment of the nations grows stronger. By their anger they are hastening their destructive end. Therefore, the manifestation of God’s judgments are in order, and the fate of unrighteous men are justified. God, in the midst of his judgments, remembers his prophets and the saints of God, that he might reward them. Verse 19. And the temple of God was open in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Unveiled - Verse 19: The doors of heaven were opened, and there was seen in his temple the holy of holies ( the ark of his testament and the covenant of his testimonies), which is the promise of a new kingdom. The testament of God standeth forever. All the voices, thunderings and lightnings, hail and earthquakes, caused great excitement in heaven. This ushered in the arrival of the millennial age, which shall end this present age. The great excitement in heaven came about because of the coming kingdom of Christ on earth.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN B
iblical revelation is the inspired word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation is the prophecy of God given to mankind for the purpose of announcing the coming end of the world. The book was written to provide grounds for personal faith in Christ. During the great tribulation period, the saints of God are going to need strong and great faith in Christ, which will enable all universal believers to hold fast to his testimony. The Book of Revelation was written to acquaint the human race with the oncoming judgment of God upon the earth. The human race is in great need of preparing itself to meet an angry God. This can only be done by accepting Christ as saviour; there is no other way for the human race to be saved. During the period of the great tribulation (the end time), the Antichrist and the non-Christian world are going to persecute all believers in Christ. Therefore all believers in Christ will become martyrs, and they shall have eternal life. The churches of Asia Minor each received the message of this book and its prophecy.
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Christ made himself known in the message to each church. The word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ are speaking to the church of today. He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit is saying to the church. Verse 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: Unveiled -Verse 1: This woman is a symbol of the church and she is clothed with the sun, which symbolize righteousness. “The moon under her feet,” is symbolic of her head being in heaven. The crown upon her head symbolize the power of the gospel going forth The twelve stars in her crown are symbolic of the twelve apostles of Christ that went forth preaching the good news of the gospel. Verse 2. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Unveiled - Verse 2: This birth was the fulfillment of a fourteen hundred year promise. The messianic hope will now be a reality: the woman is ready to deliver a child. Her travailing in pain symbolize the suffering church. The readiness to be delivered symbolize the time for the establish church of Christ to take place. From Moses to Malachi, the promise was kept alive. Verse 3. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Unveiled - Verse 3: This is the second wonder that took place in heaven: behold Satan, “a great red Dragon.” He appeared with power, having seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on the seven
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heads. The ten horns are symbolic of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire was divided into seven provinces with seven rulers, which received the seven crowns on their heads. Satan will use one of those crowns (Kings) to try and stop the church. It was a plan of Satan to destroy the church in its infancy, for he is the grand enemy of the church. Verse 4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the red dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. Unveiled - Verse 4: The third part of the stars are symbolic of fallen angels. They were enemies of heaven with Satan, and were cast out of heaven down to earth with him. Satan wanted to ruin the plan of salvation before Christ established the church. He wanted to destroy Christ at birth. As soon as the church was born Satan began attacking it. Verse 5. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. Unveiled - Verse 5: This was the birth of Christ. He has the power to rule over all nations, for all power has been given to him by God. He has the power to overcome death and the grave. He is now caught up unto God and his throne, and returned to his place in heaven at the right hand of God. Verse 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
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Unveiled-Verse 6: This is divine preparation and protection for the church. The wilderness is symbolic of the earth. The woman, which is the church, has a safe place in the earth wilderness. The church is protected by the powers of heaven and is fed spiritual food. The word of God and the gospel of Christ is the foundation of the church. The one thousand and two hundred and threescore days represent the three and one-half year period. This is the time frame set by God to protect the church. Verse 7. And there was war in heaven: Mi’chael and his angers fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, Unveiled -Verse 7: Michael (the archangel of heaven) and his angels fought against Satan and his angels. The war in heaven was fought because Satan wanted to dethrone God and be the ruler of his throne room. Nevertheless, Michael and his angels prevailed over Satan and his army of angels, and they were ultimately thrown out of heaven. Verse 8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found anymore in heaven. Unveiled -Verse 8: Satan and all the angels that joined him in the attempt to overthrow heaven and exalt himself above God, were thrown out of heaven down to earth. Their place in heaven cease to exist. Verse 9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Sa’tan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
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Verse 9: This verse is self-explanatory, Satan was cast out of heaven.
The triumphant kingdom of God foretold. Verse 10. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Unveiled-Verse 10: It is foretold, that the triumphant over death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ, provided strength for salvation. Christ, the Lamb of God, was the acquittal of Satan’s accusations before God. Satan appears before God day and night accusing the saints. The foretold victory of Christ over Satan is the foundation of salvation. Now that Satan is cast down, he can no longer falsely accuse the saints of God, for their acquittal by Christ has been secured. They are reconciled unto God by the blood of Christ at Calvary’s cross. Verse 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Unveiled - Verse 11: These are the overcomers, saved by the blood of the Lamb. Their testimonies are given by faith in the word of God, and the gospel of Christ. Many gave their lives for Christ and for the sake of the gospel. Now they are victorious in Christ who is the strength and head of the church. Verse 12. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea!
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for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Unveiled - Verse 12: Heaven is rejoicing because the red dragon has been east out of heaven. He can no longer aggravate the host of heaven. Therefore, heaven warns earth and the sea of Satan’s coming. “Woe unto the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for Satan is come down unto you having great wrath.” Satan is angry because of his fall; he is going to cause great harm in the earth. He knows that his power is limited and that he have only a short while on earth. Verse 13. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. Unveiled -Verse 13: When the reality of Satan’s presence on earth came to him, he took his displeasures out on the women, which was a symbol of the church. He could no longer disrupt God’s plan in heaven, therefore he would interrupt God’s plan on earth. Thus, Satan began persecuting the church. He wanted to destroy the church at its birth. The potential of Christ establishing the church was a disadvantage to the cause of Satan. The fact that the woman brought forth a man child, which was the Christ child, caused many problems for Satan. The foundation of the church would come through the Christ child. Verse 14. And to the women were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
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Unveiled -Verse 14: The church is safe: the woman was given wings of an eagle (spiritual wings) and flew to her place of safety in the wilderness. The wilderness is a symbol of an earthly heaven. There the woman, which is the church, will be fed spiritual food for a time (twelve months); and times (twenty-four months); and half a time (six months). The sum of these “times” equal forty-two months, which is three and one-half years. During this time period the woman will be safe from the face of the serpent, Old Satan. Verse 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood, after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Unveiled -Verse 15: There will be blatant hostility against the church There will be a flood of attacks upon the Christian community by Satan and his emps. All kinds of verbal and defame language will pour from the mouth of Satan. Blasphemy will come from all quarters of the earth: most of it will be slanderous remarks concerning Christ. Satan had high hopes that his flood attack would wash the woman/ church away. When Satan’s flood and verbal attacks failed to stop the church, he became very violent. Satan began to persecute the church, which was the woman’s offspring. Many of the saints of God were slain and became martyrs. Verse 16. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Unveiled - Verse 16: The earth helped the woman by allowing freedom of religious movements throughout the known world. The Spirit of God moved in the earth, empowering believers to go forth with the word of God and the gospel of Christ. The spiritual movement of God overwhelm Satan’s attempt to flood out the church, therefore the
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earth swallowed up the flood. Now nothing can be done by Satan to stop the church. The security of the church is in the spiritual realm of Heaven; the place of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Verse 17. And the dragon was wrath with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Je’sus Christ. Unveiled -Verse 17: Satan was very angry with the woman, and turned on the seed of her offspring, which is the church, causing evil activity in the church by his fallen angels. Satan is at war with the saints of God, because believers are keeping the commandments of God; and they have the testimonies of Christ. As long as the church is protected by the Holy Spirit, Satan can do the church no harm.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE BEAST RISING OUT OF THE SEA C
hapter Thirteen of the Book of Revelation makes it clear that the beast which rose up out of the sea is the Antichrist, and that he will be a human being (not a myth or spirit). The beast that rose up out of the earth is the false prophet, he also will be a human being (flesh and blood). During the period of the great tribulation, old Satan will try in every way to portray himself before mankind as God. God manifested himself to mankind through his Son, Jesus Christ. This is impossible for Satan to do. God is eternal, and he created Satan as a beautiful angel. Satan tried to exalt himself in heaven and God banished him out of heaven down to earth. God’s son, Jesus Christ, was incarnated (he has always been). Satan’s Antichrist is not eternal and must be born by a natural birth. The same type of birth will apply to the false prophet, for he will not be eternal. It is very clear that Satan is way off coarse when trying to imitate God.
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Verse 1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Unveiled -Verse 1: Satan alone has failed to stop the church. He is now seeking help. A beast comes up out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads symbolize the heads of states. The ten horns are symbolic of ten earthly powers of the non-Christian world. The ten crowns will accompany the heads of those states. The beast that came out of the sea is the earthly Antichrist (Satan’s helper). The ten heads that wear the name of blasphemy are those that hate the word of God and the gospel of Christ. Therefore, they did not glorify the God of the universe. Blasphemy is symbolic of the filthy and defaming language coming from those that dislike God; they are the great powers of the earth. Verse 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Unveiled -Verse 2: The beast that the Apostle John saw was like unto a leopard, and he had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. These are the symbols of the Antichrist. As a leopard, he will be cunning and deceptive. By having the feet of a bear, he will cover the earth. His mouth will blaspheme the living God throughout the world. As a lion, he will be ferocious among the saints of God. Under his authority there will be great martyrdom in the Christian world. During the reign of the Antichrist, there will be great power given to him by Satan.
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Verse 3. And I saw one of his heads, as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. Unveiled -Verse 3: This beast that the Apostle saw was wounded unto death, but his deadly wound was healed. This is seen in light of an assassination attempt of the Antichrist. Nevertheless, through the power of Satan, he was healed. Therefore, he still had power of authority and the whole earth wondered after him. All people of the world will be touched by the Antichrist. The saints of God will fear him, and all nonbelievers will follow and worship him. Nevertheless, all believers will reject him. Verse 4. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? Unveiled -Verse 4: During the reign of the Antichrist, there will be many kinds of anti-Christian worship throughout the earth, and the Antichrist will be their Christ. The non-Christian world will believe that there is no other power above him. They will say, who can make war with the beast? Who is like him? Idolatry will flood the world of the unbelievers. The internal policy of all anti-Christians will be to persecute all Christians, and by the power of Satan they will be obedient unto the Antichrist; for they are enemies of the living God. Verse 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
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Unveiled -Verse 5: This internal monstrous beast went forth blaspheming the name of the living God and Christ the lamb. This will be a defile and harsh language. Nevertheless, God allowed him to continue for a period of time. During his allotted time he continued his assault on the believers of Christ. The forty and two months that were allotted to him by God, represents the three and a half year period. This is the power of the mighty God bringing about limitations upon Satan. “Satan is limited under the power of the all Mighty God.” Verse 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Unveiled -Verse 6: The beast has permission to speak terrible utterances against the living God. God allowed the beast to assert himself by speaking blasphemous words of abuse toward him, not only here on earth, but also in heavenly places. This means that Satan is going to harm the church and blaspheme those that are in heaven. Verse 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Unveiled -Verse 7: The beast cannot harm the heavenly host, so he attacked heaven verbally with blasphemous words of foul language. The saint (here on earth) are exposed to the persecutions of Satan Though the beast was given authority by Satan, the sovereign rulership of God imposed limitations upon Satan and the beast. All nations on earth will face the Antichrist and his jurisdiction.
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Verse 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Unveiled-Verse 8: All the saints of God whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, shall have eternal life. For all of those that worship the beast, their names will be excluded from the Lamb’s book of life. All of this was decided by God and Christ the Lamb before the foundation of the world. Verse 9. If any man hath an ear, let him hear. Verse 9. This verse is self-explanatory. The word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ have been preached throughout the whole world: if any man hear, he shall be saved. If any man hear not, he will serve the beast and die a second death. Thus, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Verse 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Unveiled -Verse 10: Satan and his evil demonic forces shall bring great destructive measures upon the saints of God. Nevertheless, the powers of heaven shall bring Satan and his emps into captivity. They shall be locked away in the big pit. Many saints of God shall become martyrs through the power of Satan. Satan and his helpers shall be destroyed by the sword that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Satan and all that serve him will be overcome by the power of God. The captivity that Satan measured out was recompensed unto him by God, for he will be locked away in the big pit.
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Verse 11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Unveiled -Verse 11: The Apostle John saw another beast coming up out of the earth, having two horns as a lamb, but speaking as a dragon. The appearance of a lamb is the symbol of deception, and talking like a dragon is one of the symbols of Satan. The beast could not disguise his voice. Therefore, he was recognized by the saints of God as their enemy. Although he had the power of deception, he could only deceive the anti-Christian world, for the believers of Christ rejected him. Verse 12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Unveiled -Verse 12: This false prophet ( the great impostor) is now in charge, for the first beast has been wounded. However, by the power of Satan his deadly wound was healed. Therefore this false prophet will impose his authority as profoundly as the Antichrist, which was before him. This false prophet will cause the non-Christian world to serve the first beast. The false prophet is third in command, but he was loyal to his leader. Verse 13. And he doeth wonders will, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. Unveiled -Verse 13: The false prophet will cause great wonders on earth to be seen by men. He will cause fireworks to be seen in a greater dimension as never before. His thriftiness and great wonders
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will cause many unbelievers to follow after the beast. His deceptions will be accepted wholeheartedly by the non-Christian world, and he will go about persecuting all believers. Verse 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. Unveiled -Verse 14: The false prophet becomes a powerful arch deceiver. This will be the greatest deception that men have ever witness on earth. The false prophet will perform great miracles in the sight of the Antichrist and men of the earth. He now tells his followers to make an image of the Antichrist, the beast that was healed from his deadly wound. Verse 15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Unveiled -Verse 15: Here, the false prophet will use his ultimate deception, having his followers to make an image of the Antichrist. He had the power to give life to this image ( a statue). This image had the appearance of a living being, also being able to speak as a person. This symbolize the future of human likeness generated by computers and genetic engineering. All the believers that failed to worship the image of the Antichrist shall be slain and become martyrs. This persecution will continue until all the saints of God are eliminated from the face of the earth This will be the suffering period of the great tribulation.
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Verse 16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Unveiled-Verse 16: The false prophet caused all non-Christians to continue in their wickedness. They repented not, neither did they confess unto Christ, nor did they turn from their way of sinning. This was their badge loyalty to the first beast. They are now servants of the Antichrist and his image. Verse 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Unveiled -Verse 17: In order to buy and sell, all people of the earth must have the name and mark of the Antichrist. These identifications must be visible at all times. This demand will not include the saints of God, for they are being eliminated from the earth by the martyrdom of Satan. These are they that failed to worship the image of the Antichrist. Verse 18. Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six. Unveiled-Verse 18: Here lies the powerful informative structure of Chapter Thirteen: “Here Lies Wisdom.” All unbelievers of the earth should definitely understand this verse. This verse most surely uncovers the symbolisms of the Antichrist and the false prophet. These two make up the trinity of Satan: (1) Satan himself (2) The Antichrist and (3) The false prophet. Satan is a spirit, and the Antichrist and the false prophet are symbolic of living beings. These two men will appear on earth at their appointed time. Satan and these two make three, which is the trinity of Satan.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE LAMB AND THE HEAVENLY CHORUS T
h e Book of Revelation is to be understood as a warning to ungodly men of the earth, that a day of judgment is coming. Therefore, the long suffering and patience of God is coming to an end, and the great tribulation will set in motion the coming of the end time.
The Fall of Babylon. Verse 1. And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Si’on, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. Unveiled - Verse 1: Christ, as the sacrificial Lamb, will stand on mount Sion in the New Jerusalem. The one hundred and forty-four thousand standing with him will already be sealed; they are the total
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number of the faithful redeemed of Christ, having the stamp of God in their foreheads. They are counted in with the heavenly host. They will be standing with Christ during the millennial age, which is the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth. These are the faithful ones who were steadfast and loyal to Christ the Lamb. Therefore, they shall forever be with him. Verse 2. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: Unveiled -Verse 2: The Apostle John heard the voice of musical notes coming from heaven. This is heavenly joy and heavenly praises, which sounded as many waters and as a great thundering. A great thundering is symbolic of a loud noise. The harpers played on their musical instruments, rejoicing and offering thanksgiving to their God and Christ the Lamb. Verse 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Unveiled -Verse 3: This crowd of singers stood before the throne of God and sang a new song before the heavenly host. This was their victory song “No man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand.” Only the redeemed could join together and sang this melody (this was their song). This was a victorious song that came by the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God. Given their steadfast faith and love for Christ, God was pleased with the singers. Verse 4. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they were virgins. These are they which followed the Lamb
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whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb. Unveiled - Verse 4: These were the pure in heart. They did not follow after idolatry and pagan worship, neither did they defile themselves with the whoredom of the earth. They were spotless in the sight of God through the blood of the Lamb. This is seen as the symbolic spirituality of the church, which is faith, righteousness and the love of Christ. God is satisfied with the redeemed, thus making them the first fruit unto God and Christ the Lamb. Verse 5. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Unveiled - Verse 5: These are the ways the righteous. They did not blaspheme the name of God while on earth. Around the throne of God they were found to be innocent and faultless. There was no spiritual adultery found in them. Therefore, they were followers of the Lamb of God. Their place around the throne of God was received with gladness and satisfaction. Verse 6. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Unveiled - Versed 6: There will come a time when the last gospel shall be preached on earth. This is when the last judgment of God shall be fulfilled. There will be no other time frame left for the gospel to be preached. All nations of the earth will have heard the gospel. There will be a universal gospel delivered throughout the world. All nations, kindreds, tongues and people will hear the gospel of Christ before the end time.
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Verse 7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Unveiled - Verse 7: An angel with a loud voice is telling the earth to fear and glorify the God of creation, for the day of judgment has come. Men of the earth should fear the Almighty God and repent of their sins. This will be the last judgment, and all men of the earth need to worship the living God. He is the creator of heaven and earth, and all that are therein. The sea and the fountains of waters belong to him. This is the final and last warning given to all unbelievers on earth. All nations are called to repentance, and to hear the everlasting gospel. The good news of the gospel still remains for those that will hear: “He that has an ear let him hear.” Verse 8. And there followed another angel, saying, Bab’y-lon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all rations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Unveiled -Verse 8: This is the announcement of the great city of Babylon: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” This is the anticipation of God’s appointed and time. This is the symbolic end of all powerful earthly civilizations, mainly the Roman Empire. It is accused of spiritual adultery against Christ and the saints of God. During the consummation, the name Babylon will be the symbol of all earthly powers that will come to an end under the judgments of God. All these great nations have committed spiritual fornication before God and Christ the Lamb. Verse 9. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
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Unveiled - Verse 9: This is the third angel with a loud voice warns the earth concerning idol worship. These are worshippers of the Antichrist. This angel is proclaiming the voice of doom for idol worshippers, and the coming of the wrath of God’s Judgment upon them. Nevertheless, the saints of God that suffered martyrdom under the persecution of the Antichrist, shall receive recompense by Christ for their faithfulness. Verse 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Unveiled -Verse 10: The “wine of the wrath of God,” is a symbol of the full power of God’s judgments upon the earth. Those that persist in idolatry shall have no mercy. This punishment (the cup) will not be diluted (unmixed). The strong hand of God’s judgments will be fire and brimstone upon them that remain in the city of Babylon: “These are those that refused the gospel of Christ.” This is the divine righteous anger of God toward unrepentant men of the earth. This cup of the undiluted wrath of God which is poured out upon the earth, is observed from heaven by the heavenly hosts, which is God, Christ the Lamb and the angels. Verse 11. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
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Unveiled -Verse 11: There is no rest for the wicked, which are the evil end corrupted men of the earth. There will be continued torment and pain for the worshippers of the Antichrist. They shall receive the plagues of the beast, for they have received his name, image, and his mark. The smoke of their sins “ascendeth up forever and ever” before God and the Lamb of God. Verse 12. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Je’sus. Unveiled -Verse 12: Here lies the patience and obedience by the saints of God. They have kept the commandments of God, and have kept their faith in Christ, the Lamb of God. Verse 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, blessed are the deed which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Unveiled -Verse 13: This is the inspired word of God spoken by Christ the Lamb: Write, blessed are those that die in Christ. This is the first fruit of Christian character, to die in Christ is a pleasure; it is the benediction of a finished work here on earth. The faithful saints of God through their suffering, came into the likeness of Christ. They have labored in the name of Christ and for the sake of the gospel; their day of rest has come. The evidence of their laboring are recognized by Christ, and their works do follow them. Thus saith the Spirit of the lord.
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Verse 14. And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. Unveiled -Verse 14: The Apostle John had a vision of the glorified Christ coming on a white cloud. This Christ is coming in his glory. He is the Son of God, having on his head a golden crown, which is the symbol of having authority and great power as a king. “Christ the king is coming,” he has a sharp sickle in his hand, which is the symbol of harvest time. This is the final time of harvest and judgment upon an anti-Christian world. Nevertheless, the saints of God shall be harvested by Christ the Lamb and the angels of God. Verse 15. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Unveiled -Verse 15: There came another angel out of the temple of God, crying with aloud voice to the Son of man that sat upon a cloud, saying unto him, this is the time of harvest. Thrust in thy sickle saith the angel, for the harvest of the earth is ripe. This refers to a twofold harvest: (1) It is time for the security of the saints of God and (2) The assembling together the wicked for destruction. This command symbolize the last days for wicked men upon the face of the earth. Verse 16. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Unveiled - Verse 16: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion of Christ being the reaper, gathering the saints of God to his father.
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Verse 17. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. Unveiled -Verse 17: This is the second-fold of the harvest. This angel used his sickle to cut the clusters from the grape vine. Clusters symbolize unrighteous men living among the saints of God, and they must be separated from the believers. Therefore, this angel separated the clusters from the grapes. Thus, the unrighteous shall be destroyed by the judgment of God. Verse 18. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her rapes are fully ripe. Unveiled -Verse 18: The angel that came out from the altar had power over fire. Fire is the symbol of destruction. The angel gave the command to him that had the sharp sickle saying, “Thrust in thy sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth.” Clusters symbolize the unrighteous who are living among the righteous. Their cup of unrighteousness is filled to the brim and is now ready for the winepress. This is the messianic judgments of God coming to their fullness. Verse 19. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
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Unveiled - Verse 19: The angel with the sharp sickle thrust it into the earth and gathered the vines of the earth. The vines are the symbol of men on the face of the earth. The great winepress is the symbol of God’s wrath and judgments upon the wicked and unrighteous men of the earth. Verse 20. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Unveiled -Verse 20: The great winepress was on the outside of the city, the great city of Babylon. Babylon symbolize the great cities of this civilization. During the terrible judgments of God, rivers of blood will flow. The blood flowed from the winepress up to the horse’s bridle. This symbolize the depth of the blood that will flow upon the earth. It shall be by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs, which symbolize the area of ground that will be covered by blood. During the time when Christ was on earth, measurements were taken by Roman standards. Six hundred and twenty-five feet equaled one mile. Six hundred and twenty five feet times, one thousand and six hundred furlongs equal one million feet of blood. This is the quantity of blood that symbolize the shedding of blood during the days of God’s judgments upon the earth. Christ, the Lamb of God, is the threader of the winepress, and the blood of God’s wrath will be flowing from the cup of unrighteousness.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES T
he Book of Revelation was not only written for the church in the days of John the beloved, but was also written for the present day church. By following church history from the time of John the writer, one can plainly see that the satanic forces of this world have continued persecuting the church. The saints of God have suffered under the forces of the evil one. Satan is angry with God, and he will never allow the church to rest.
Verse 1. And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. Unveiled - Verse 1: The Apostle John saw another great and marvelous vision in heaven. He saw seven angels coming out of the temple with the seven last plagues of God to pour out upon the earth. In these seven last bowls are the end of God’s wrath. These seven angels will bring about the final destruction of the Antichrist. The charge given to them symbolize the wrath of God against the forces of Satan, for Satan has inspired many generations to rebel against God.
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Verse 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. Unveiled-Verse 2: This is the second glorious vision seen in heaven by the Apostle John. He saw a sea of glass mingled with fire. This vision symbolize a multitude of saints, they are the ones that did not bow to the image of the Antichrist, nor did they receive his mark. The sea of glass symbolize the overcomers. Through their suffering, they will reign with Christ; by his blood they are victorious. They are now spectators and witnesses to the judgments of God against, a fallen humanity. They appeared in heaven as a sea of glass standing before the throne with the harps of God, ready to sang the victory song, glorifying, praising and honoring the Almighty God. They have been tried by fire. Verse 3. And they sing the song of Mo’ses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Unveiled -Verse 3: And they sang the victory song. This song symbolize the song of Moses, praising the strong arm of God that led them out of the land of Egypt. This is a heavenly praise to Christ the Lamb. There have been no greater deliverance than to bring them into the presence of the Almighty God. His divine works and ways are just and true. They stood as a great number before the living God. They were called out of all nations, kindreds, and tongues. They are the servants of God: “Who shall not fear him,” thou King of saints.
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Verse 4. Who shall not fear thee, Oh Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. Unveiled -Verse 4: The coming judgments of God have been announced by the seven trumpets, and they have been announced by the seven angels. The discovery of his truth and the execution of his judgments must go forth. The manifestation of his promised consummation is at hand, therefore the whole earth is called into worship. Nevertheless, the strong hand of Satan and his demonic kingdom has turned sinful men against the gospel of Christ. Until the day of the Lord, the ritual of idolatry will persist in the hearts of men. They will continue to ignore the word of God and the gospel of Christ. Verse 5. And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: Unveiled -Verse 5: The Apostle John saw the doors of the tabernacle in heaven open. The temple and tabernacle symbolize the place of worship for the people of God. In the temple of God is the mercy seat, a symbol of the holiness of God; therein lay the testimonies of God and the ark of the covenant, and the promised prophecy of the execution of God’s judgments upon the earth. The opening of the temple emphasized the expression of God’s judgements going forth on the earth. The doors of the temple in heaven are opened, and the doors of the church on earth are opened. The gospel of Christ is preached on earth, that lost men might enter the temple in heaven.
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Verse 6. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breast girded with golden girdles. Unveiled-Verse 6: The seven angels that came out of the temple with the seven plagues were dressed in white garments. White symbolize the righteous judgments of God upon the earth. They wore golden girdles about their breasts. Gold is a symbol of heavenly beauty. These are the true and holy angels of God, they did not follow Satan in his rebellion against God. They are the true servants of God and are helping to execute his judgments upon Satan and his kingdom. Verse 7. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever, Unveiled -Verse 7: One of the living creatures gave the seven angels seven vials filled with the wrath of God. Vials symbolize bowls, and these bowls are filled with the measurements of God’s judgments upon the earth. These bowls will be poured out upon the non-Christian world. This is the judgment of God that liveth for ever and ever. Verse 8. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. Unveiled -Verse 8: This is the fullness and power of the Almighty God in the temple. The smoke in the temple symbolize the presence of God in the temple. No man was able to enter the temple until the plagues were over. God himself filled the temple, and there was no room in the temple for the angels or man, God was alone in his pulpit
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preaching the truth of his judgments to a world of unrighteous men. Regardless of the terrible calamities brought on by God’s judgments, men of the earth still rebelled against the God of creation. This glorious God would be alone in the temple until the seven angels carry out their mission of the seven plagues. After these events, the heavenly angels and the saints of God will be able to enter the temple.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THE VIALS OF WRATH C
hrist is the spiritual center of the Book of Revelation. His message is interwoven throughout the Revelation. The greatness of its truth is practical and inspirational. When its message is accepted, it carries with it salvation and redemption. God manifested himself unto mankind (in-the-flesh) in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ. Vials of Wrath. Verse 1. And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. Unveiled -Verse 1: The seven angels with the seven vials of God’s wrath, were ready, but nothing was done until God spoke from the temple. A great voice came from the temple saying, “Go your ways, and pour out the wrath of God upon the earth.” There will be great calamity upon the face of the earth. Heaven will be reminded of the
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terrible plagues of Moses that came down in Egypt. There will be much hurt and pain on the day of judgment. There will be no mercy nor compassion coming from God: “It will be to late,” for the hardness of the hearts of men will not allow them to repent under the judgment of God. They will be to angry with God to repent of their evil deeds. Verse 2. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. Unveiled -Verse 2: The pouring out of the first vial brought about a grievous disease upon those that had the mark of the beast (the Antichrist), for they did serve and worshipped his image. This was their rebellion against the God of creation. God saw the falsehood of their religion through their service to the false prophet. His affliction upon these false worshippers symbolize the suffering of the Egyptians by the plagues of Moses. They had marked themselves with the mark of the Antichrist. There will be no place found in heaven for them. Verse 3. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. Unveiled -Verse 3: The second angel’s bowl brought an end to all living things in all the sea: the sea became as blood. This symbolize the end of life on the waters, and in the waters of the earth. When the seven trumpets gave rise to the Antichrist, the seven angels of God will end his reign. As Babylon fell, and Rome fell, so great will be the fall of the Antichrist. This bowl that is poured out now shall spread throughout the waters of all the seas. Therefore no life shall be able to survive. This angel of God controls all waters of the earth.
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The Third Vial was poured out.
Verse 4. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. Unveiled -Verse 4: The third bowl was poured out upon the rivers and fountains, which is the fresh waters of the earth. These waters are now impossible for human consumption. They are now as blood. The evil men of the earth shall suffer great thirst. Verse 5. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. Unveiled -Versed 5: This is the righteous judgments of God going forth. The agency which God is using to execute his judgment over these waters, are called the angels of the waters. These are the judgments of the eternal God, who art the only God of the universe, and who is the all powerful God, and who shall remain the everlasting God. The Almighty God is just in his judgments. Verse 6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. Unveiled -Verse 6: Satan and his demonic forces have slain the saints of God. Now he will recompense the saints that were slain by giving their enemies blood to drink: “This was their due judgment.” This symbolize, “as one five by the sword, one may die by the same,” for they have slain many of the saints of God. Now the judgments of God have come to them.
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Verse 7. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments Verse 7: This verse is self-explanatory, with the inclusion of a voice coming from the altar giving consent to God’s judgments upon the earth
The Fourth Vial was poured out. Verse 8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. Unveiled -Verse 8: The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun and its heat was intensified, so as to bring burning misery upon the evil men of the earth. But even a scorching and burning hot sun could not bring them to repentance. Verse 9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not, to give him glory. Unveiled -Verse 9: The judgments of God came upon corrupted and evil men of the earth with a terrible scorching and burning heat from the sun. However, this divine retribution from God had no effect upon these sinful men, for they still refused to repent and give glory to the living God.
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The Fifth Vial was poured out.
Verse 10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, Unveiled -Verse 10: This portion of God’s judgment engulfed the whole kingdom of the Antichrist in darkness. This bowl of wrath brought about pain, torment and confusion in the camp of the Antichrist. These idolaters have the understanding that light is opposed to darkness, and corrupt men love darkness. Nevertheless, this kind of darkness brought displeasure to these evil men, for they are grinding their teeth in pain. Verse 11. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. Unveiled -Verse 11: Though the corrupt men on earth were full of sores and blisters from a scorching hot sun, the pain and misery harden their hearts against God and they continued to blasphemed his holy name.
The Sixth Vial was poured out. Verse 12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Eu-phra’tes; and the water thereof was dried up, that the ways of the kings of the east might be prepared. Unveiled -Verse 12: The drying up of the great river Euphrates symbolize the ancient times when the great kings of the east came together in order to cross the mighty Euphrates to do battle with the .
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armies of Israel. There will be another great gathering in the area of the Euphrates river. Many mighty armies will gather at this river to fight against the Israelites on the great day of the Lord. Verse 13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Unveiled -Verse 13: The Apostle John saw three foul spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon (the Devil); and out of the mouth of the beast (the Antichrist); and out of the mouth of the false prophet (the helper of the Antichrist). It appeared as if each one of them spat out a foul spirit. These miracles were demonic in nature and instruments of Satan. Satan was mustering together a mighty army for the last battle to be fought on earth. These frog like spirits are the tools that Satan is using to persuade the armies of the world to side with him and fight against the God of righteousness. These three spirits are loathsome and offensive. Their talk is to bring forth results by effectively lying to men on earth to join them in following their leader, the Antichrist. The Devil, the Antichrist and the false prophet are going to bring destruction on the saints of God during the great tribulation period. Verse 14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Unveiled -Verse 14: These evil creatures symbolize the power of Satan which will try deceiving the whole world into fighting with him and his armies on the day of God’s judgment. They will not realize that they shall be defeated.
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Verse 15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Unveiled -Verse 15: On that great day of God Almighty, Christ will come as a thief in the night: “No man knows the time.” Blessed is he that is dressed, his garments will symbolize the righteousness of Christ (he that watches) and a state of readiness. “Lest he walk naked,” means walking without the Spirit of God, which is a shameful condition.
The battle of Armageddon. Verse 16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the He’brew tongue Ar-ma-ged’don. Unveiled -Verse 16: This is the climax of the seven trumpets and the seven angels. Old Satan (the dragon), the beast, the false prophet, and also the three frog like creatures have deceived the whole world into collaborating with them to fight the battle of Armageddon. The name Armageddon symbolize the place where ancient armies came to fight with the armies of the Israelites (the hill of Megiddo). This is the final place where the heavenly host will do battle against Satan and his demonic creatures.
The Seventh Vial was poured out. Verse 17. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
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Unveiled -Verse 17: This angel poured out his bowl into the air in order to destroy the presence of Satan in heavenly places. Satan is known as the prince of the air. The wrath of this bowl brought Satan into total control of God’s power. This will definitely limit the cause of Satan, the Red Dragon. Therefore he will be prevented from persecuting the saints of God. Verse 18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. Unveiled -Verse 18: Because of the consummation on the earth, there were praises, thundering and lightning in heaven offering glory to the Almighty God. There was so great an earthquake; not since man have been on the earth has there been such a calamity. On that day the power God will be shown throughout the foundation of the whole world, and the whole world will be shaken. Verse 19. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Bab’y-lon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Unveiled -Verse 19: This symbolize the fall of the great city Babylon, which once again refers to the Roman Empire. Here, God remembers the terrible sins of Babylon. The pouring out of this bowl will bring about complete destruction on an anti-Christian civilization. The non-Christian world will be made to drink from the cup of God’s wrath. Great cities and nations will be destroyed. When this happens, the coming of God’s judgments upon the earth will cease.
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Verse 20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. Unveiled -Verse 20: During the terrible earthquake and the shaking of earth’s foundation, some islands and mountains will disappear on the great day of God’s judgment. This will happen in the middle of the great waters of the earth. They shall never be seen anymore. Their places cease to exist. Verse 21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. Unveiled -Verse 21: There fell from heaven a great hailstorm, and it weighed heavily upon the men of the earth. Because of the fierceness of this hail storm, men began to blaspheme the righteous name of God. Nevertheless, this terrible calamity does not bring evil men to repentance. Therefore, the non-Christian world will be doomed on the day of judgment.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE SCARLET WOMAN T
he revelation of God is the last book of the New Testament; it is the consummation of biblical prophecy. It is the disclosure of the future for Jews, Gentiles and the church, which is the body of Christ. The Book of Revelation reveals the coming kingdom of Christ here on earth. The Scarlet Woman. Verse 1. And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: Unveiled -Verse 1: The great city of Rome sat upon seven hills. In ancient times, great cities that sit by water fronts were called harlots by the prophets of God. This was because of their great sin of idolatry. Many men of the earth were made drunk from the sins of the great city. Babylon and Rome have already been destroyed because of their wicked ways. Just as these ancient cities and great nations fell in the past, there will come a time when the powerful cities and nations
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of this earth will fall under the judgments of God, never to exist anymore. The angel showed the Apostle John the future destruction of the great city. Verse 2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. Unveiled - Verse 2: Kings and men of the earth committed spiritual adultery within these great cities because they had no God on their industrious minds. The inhabitants of Rome were living in riches, drinking the wine of adultery and fornicating with the harlots of the city. They committed falsehood against one another. The city of Babylon was condemned by the prophets of old because of her wicked ways before God. Babylon was known by the prophets as the city of harlots. Verse 3. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. Unveiled - Verse 3: John was taken into the wilderness by the spirit. The wilderness symbolize the earth. There he saw a red colored beast, which the woman sat upon. This is the symbol of the Roman Empire. Under the Roman reign, the satanic forces of Satan brought great persecution and afflictions upon the saints of God, at the same time they were blaspheming the name of the living God. “Having seven heads and ten horns,” symbolize seven kings or rulers that were to govern the Roman Empire. The ten horns is symbolic of ten kings that will appear, but have not yet received their kingship. The woman upon the scarlet beast symbolize the great city of Babylon, filled with blasphemy against the living God.
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Verse 4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. Unveiled -Verse 4: The woman made her appearance as the symbol of the great city of Rome. She was decked in purple, having gold, pearls and precious stones that represent the symbol of riches in a great city. Her Garments were in scarlet color. During ancient times, Babylon and Rome were cities that symbolized great wealth in the world. The gold cup that the woman drunk from was a thing of beauty, it was filled with the filthiness of her fornications. This was the fullness of her satisfaction. Her evil ways and corrupted living was an abomination before a righteous God. Verse 5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BAB’Y-LON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Unveiled -Verse 5: Ancient Babylon was the city that she proclaimed to be. She professed to be the wonder city of the world, she mystified those that came to see her. Upon her forehead she wore her mark: “the mother of harlots.” She carried the abominations of the earth in her midst. Her greatest pleasure was to corrupt men of the earth. Ancient Rome was the executioner of the saints of God. During the time of the great tribulation and under the reign of the Antichrist, once again non-Christians will persecute the saints of God through the power of Satan. Here lies the future suffering of the believers in Christ. Therefore suffering is the symbol of love by those in Christ.
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Verse 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Je’sus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. Unveiled -Verse 6: There will be great persecution in the cities of the world on the great day of God’s judgment. The woman, who is the symbol of the non-Christian world, will intoxicate herself with the blood of many saints. This means that a great martyrdom will take place among the saints of God. Satan will be at the height of his reign here on earth. He will realize that this is his last stand against the powers of heaven. The Apostle John was shocked at the horrifying persecution he saw, but during this time there will be short suffering among the saints of God. Verse 7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. Unveiled -Verse 7: The angel asked the Apostle John a question: “wherefore didst thou marvel?” The Apostle John could not believe what he saw; the mysterious beast with seven heads and ten horns, and the woman was riding upon him. This mystifying sight was explained to the Apostle by the angel in the next verse. Verse 8. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
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Unveiled -Versed 8: The beast that the angel showed the Apostle was the symbol of the great Roman Empire and her works. “That was,” symbolize the fall of Rome; “is not,” symbolize the lost of power in the Roman Empire; “and yet is,” symbolize the continued satanic forces at work in the world today. The name of the beast was not written in the Lamb’s book, for he must go into perdition. Therefore he will bring horrible suffering upon the saints of God, not as they did under the Romans, but worse persecution shall befall them under the reign of the beast (the Antichrist). When God is finished judging the world of sin, old Satan will be locked away into perdition. Perdition symbolize a place called Hell. All whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life shall follow Satan and the beast into perdition. The word, when they beheld the beast, refers to the non-Christian world following the Antichrist. The existence of the demonic forces upon the face of the earth will cause great disturbance among Christendom. This disturbance will continue on earth until God put an end to the existence of Satan upon the earth. This will happen on the great day of God’s judgments. Verse 9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. Unveiled -Verse 9: This verse refers to the fact that ancient Rome was built upon seven hills, and the woman symbolize the wicked city of ancient Rome. Verse 10. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come, and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. Unveiled -Verse 10: There were seven kings, and five have fallen. These were the five fallen kings of ancient Babylon. “And one is,” represents the present existence of Satan upon the earth; “another is
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to come,” describes the future reign of the Antichrist. He has but a short while to reign on earth, which is a seven year period of time that God has allotted to him. Verse 11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. Unveiled -Verse 11: The beast that was, and is not, represent the city of Rome and the Roman Empire. “Even he is the eighth,” symbolize the presence of Satan, for he is of the seven. Five of the kings have fallen, at the time one is on the throne and the Antichrist is to come. Even he is the eighth (Satan), for the first five kings followed him. The one on the throne followed him, and the Antichrist will follow him, which is the seventh. He is the eighth, and is of the seventh, which goeth into perdition. Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet shall have their place in a burning Hell. Verse 12. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. Unveiled -Verse 12: These ten horns are seen as political leaders who have not yet rose to kingship in the Roman Empire, but have power in the position which they are holding. Nevertheless, they shall continue in their office for a short while before reaching another level in the Roman Empire. They will use the short time they have (which is one hour) to collaborate with the beast against Christ the Lamb and his saints. Verse 13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
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Unveiled -Verse 13: These kings of the earth have one goal in mind, and that is to collaborate with the evil powers of the earth and make war against the Lamb of God. This is symbolic of an anti-Christian world that will form an alliance with Satan to overcome Christ and the saints of God. Verse 14. These shall make war with the lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Unveiled -Verse 14: The evil forces of Satan will engage in warfare against Christ the Lamb. However, Christ shall overcome the evil forces of the Devil. Christ is Lord and King, and all power has been given unto him. He holds the keys to heaven, earth and Hell. Therefore, his chosen and faithful ones shall be with him forever. Verse 15. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people, and multitudes, and nations and tongues. Unveiled - Verse 15: The angel said unto the Apostle John, “The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” A great body of water symbolize an enormous gathering of people. This was the great multitude of the non-Christian world, a worldly host gathered together with Satan to fight against the heavenly host. They are from all nations, kindreds and tongues of the earth. Verse 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
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Unveiled -Verse 16: The angel explained the meaning of the ten horns to the Apostle John. The ten horns which John saw, which had not received their kingships, realized the power of God’s judgment and turned against the whore of Babylon. They destroyed the city, stripped her naked of her riches, ate her flesh and burned her with fire. Moreover, they laughed while Rome burned. Just as some of these political figures turned against the whore of Babylon, multitudes will turn from Satan during the great tribulation period. Verse 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. Unveiled -Verse 17: This is the divine God at work in his judgments on the earth. During the judgments of God, a multitude of men will give up their kingdoms of sin and wickedness and convert their will to the will of the Almighty God. These acts will continue among men until the judgments of God be fulfilled. Verse 18. And the woman which thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Unveiled -Verse 18: During ancient times, the great cities of Babylon and Rome ruled over men. Great cities of the earth today are still ruling over men. There will come a time when these powerful cities shall fall under the power of God’s judgments. The ancient city of Babylon has already been destroyed, never to be rebuilt again. They stood afar and watched Rome burn.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THE DOWNFALL OF BABYLON T
he Book of Revelation is to be understood; it is the future triumphant plan of God over evil men of the earth. It is also the future redemptive plan of God for the saints of God. The Book of Revelation depicts the earthly kingdom of Christ’s reign. Here is wisdom: let men get understanding.
The Downfall of Babylon.
Verse 1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. Unveiled -Verse 1: The Apostle John is speaking about the things that took place in Chapter Seventeen; the scarlet woman, the mystery of Babylon and the scarlet colored beast. Now the Apostle’s attention is drawn to another angel coming down from heaven with great power. The glory of his countenance lit up the earth. He was to an-
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nounce the end of the great city Babylon and the full judgment of God upon her.
The stronghold of Sin is Doomed. Verse 2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Bab’y-lon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Unveiled -Verse 2: This angel had a strong and powerful voice. His voice echoed with a melody of doom for the great city of Babylon: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” This is the poetic prophecy given by the prophets of old. They preached the doom of unrighteousness and the destruction that follows it. The great city of Babylon corrupted the inhabitants within her gates. Within the great walls of the city are satanic spirits. These foul spirits are like mean and hateful birds of the city. These spirits symbolize the stronghold that Satan had in the city. On the day of God’s judgments, great cities like Babylon and Rome will fall. The cry of this mighty angel will be heard again: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” In the great cities of the earth, Satan has his stronghold and satanic spirits are lurking in their ruins. Verse 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Unveiled - Verse 3: The nations and merchants of the world have committed spiritual fornication with the woman. They have committed many sins within her gates. They became rich by trading within her
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walls. She has called to herself persons from around the world. She turned from the true God and set up idols to her liking. Through her the ancient kings of Babylon have retained the luxury of their hearts. The impurity of their passion brought about the downfall of the great city (the woman). By the hand of God, the great city of Babylon lies in desolation until this day, never again to be rebuilt.
God’s People called out of evil surroundings. Verse 4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Unveiled -Verse 4: There has been an angelic announcement of doom upon the great city. The people of God are summoned to leave the doomed city. All of those who are looking to God for mercy must bid the woman farewell. They are warned not to partake of her evil ways, that they might escape the plagues of her doom. The Almighty God is a hater of sin and a producer of plagues. The great city in ancient times was charged by God for the persecution of his beloved saints. So will it be on the day of God’s judgments upon the earth. Nevertheless, they were called out. The people of God will be the inhabitants of every great city on earth when the judgments of take place, and they will hear his call to come out of Babylon, come out of Rome, and come out of the Tyres of this world. On the day of judgment, God will call his people to him. Verse 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
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Unveiled - Versed 5: The sins of the great city have reached the heights of heaven; God has not forgotten her sins (the great city must be judged ). Her iniquities are many, and the judgments of God must come. Verse 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. Unveiled -Verse 6: The great city of Babylon shall be recompensed double according to her evil deeds that cause the suffering of the saints. Now she must drink a full double portion of her wicked works, which is her reward according to the cup she has filled. Verse 7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Unveiled -Verse 7: The woman has glorified herself, lived deliciously, and played the harlot of the earth; yet there is no rejoicing in her heart. She beckon the pleasure seekers of the world unto her. She had no time for patience: “I am Queen saith she.” Nevertheless, she found herself reckless before the Almighty God. The judgments of God are an aggravation to her. She does not feel as a widow because the men of the earth visit with her, therefore she is never lonely. This is a symbol of false security. Thus, the judgments of God shall be terrible upon the great city. Verse 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
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Unveiled - Verse 8: The severe judgments of God shall come quickly upon the city. Mourning and sorrow shall pierce her heart. The pestilence of fire shall burn her. The kings and merchants of the earth shall lament her fall, for they were made rich within her gates. Now their hearts are made to mourn over her destruction. Death shall come within the gates of the great city. There is no repentance by those who are following her wicked ways. The satanic forces of the great city have blinded the inhabitants within her gates. All in one day will the judgments of God come upon the great city. It is the strong hand of God that judgeth her.
The kings and merchants lament for her. Verse 9. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Unveiled -Verse 9: The kings of the earth, the merchants within her gates, and the mariners from around the world mourned her as they watched her plague of burning. The good living, their glorious riches and the false security that she had, shall all go up in smoke. “The kings” this verse speaks of are not in line with the Antichrist, but are those that have enriched themselves by their wicked dealings in Babylon. Helpless, and at a great lost, they stood “afar off’ watching in terrible agony. There was nothing they could do to stop the flames of destruction. Verse 10. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Bab’y-lon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
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Unveiled - Verse 10: The kings and merchants, and those that loved the great city stood at a distance watching and lamenting the great city as she burned. They feared the intense heat of the powerful flames. They cried aloud with their voices, “Alas, alas,” which is a cry of wretchedness. Oh thou great city of Babylon, just in one hour thou art burned and destroyed; thou great city Babylon, thou have bewitched the many financial gainers by their wealthy trading within thy walls. Now your torment is more than they can stand, now they are standing outside of thy gates observing thy burrung. Verse 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise anymore; Unveiled -Verse 11: This is the manner in which they lamented. They stood afar off not willing to partake of the plague of fire. They were friends of the great city, but in her hour of destruction they deserted her. The kings and merchants, and all her lovers stood afar off, weeping and mourning over her because never again will their merchandise be sold within her gates. This symbolize the end of all buying and selling on earth when the terrible day of God’s judgments take place. Therefore all operation upon the face of the earth shall cease. Verse 12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, Verse 13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and
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beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. Unveiled -Verses 12-13: These two verses offer a list of the merchandise that were bought and sold in the great city of Babylon. Verse 14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. Unveiled-Verse 14: The lost to the inhabitants of the great city was disastrous. The fruits of their labor, the things their souls lusted after, and the beauty of the great city have disappeared. All the things that their hearts desired have departed from them. The satisfaction of their dainties have gone up in smoke, never to be tasted again. Verse 15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, Unveiled -Verse 15: The painful lamenting came from the profiteers of the great city. They were the kings and merchants which were the financial gainers of the city; they were those that received the greatest lost. The ship owners and the sailors who committed fornication within her gates, had to stand outside of her walls and watch her burn. All the inhabitants of the great city stood mourning and bewailing their lost. The torment was more than they could stand.
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Verse 16. And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stone, and pearls! Unveiled -Verse 16: Once again the wretched cry of regret goes up: “Alas, alas,” they cried. Once again they described the dress of the scarlet lady (oh Babylon the great city). This verse tells of her riches and how she appeared before the world. She was decked as the show place of the whole earth. Those that pleasured themselves within her gates, were the first to desert her. They fled the great city to stand at a distance and watch her burn. They were not willing to suffer her torment. Verse 17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, Unveiled -Verse 17: The kings and merchants of the great city are saying, in one hour’s time the great city will be destroyed. This is the time that God allotted for the destruction of the city. The judgment of God in one hour will take away the riches of the great city. The riches of her glory has come to nought. The shipmasters and sailors, and the many that traded within her walls, stood afar and watched the destructive end. Verse 18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! Unveiled -Verse 18: All those who had traded in the great city of Babylon, those that visited with her, and the inhabitants of the city cried, “what city is like unto this great city!” They believed that there was no city like the city of Babylon. Therefore they bewailed their great lost.
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Verse 19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Unveiled -Verse 19: During the affliction in the great city of Babylon, there were some worldly support. It came from those that loved the powerful city. The sorrowful threw dust upon their heads crying aloud for the third time, “Alas, alas, that great city.” They regretted the great lost of their earthly possessions, which was the riches of their merchandise and the lost of the city itself. They are hearing for the third time, in one hour all is made desolate. The inhabitants of the city ignored the judgments of God, but they bewailed the vanishing of their wealth on earth. Verse 20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. Unveiled -Verse 20: This is a time of rejoicing. The prophets of old can rejoice, the apostles can rejoice, and the saints of God can rejoice, for God has recompensed the great city of Babylon for the persecution of his beloved saints. This was divine vengeance through the judgment of God.
The Fate of the wicked City. Verse 21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Bab’y-lon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
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Unveiled -Verse 21: Just like a great millstone that was cast into the Sea and sank to the bottom, was the great city of Babylon thrown down. She fell into the ruins of her burned ashes, never to be rebuilt again. This symbolize the quickening destruction of this civilization on the great day of the Lord. The judgments of God shall be strong and quick, and terrible things shall be the end of that day.
The end of the music world shall come to a stop. Verse 22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; Unveiled -Verse 22: The musicians and their musical instruments shall be heard no more at all in the city of Babylon. On the day of God’s judgments all operations on earth shall cease. The grinding of the millstone and the works of the industry shall come to a standstill. The making of all material things will end. The great city of Babylon will be made to keep quiet. The excitement and bright lights of the earth will be snuffed out, as a candle goeth out. All activities shall be heard no more in the great city of Babylon. For thy merchants were the great men of the earth, and by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Verse 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
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Unveiled -Verse 23: The lights of the city will be put out and darkness shall blanket her. The voices of lovers shall be heard in the city no more. The powerful merchants of the earth came, and by thy trickery (sorcery) were they deceived within the city. They were deceived through the power of greed, lust and fame. It was the opportunity of becoming rich that engulfed the hearts of the merchants. The excitement of the city cease to be, for darkness covered her. There was confusion and great fear within the walls of the city. This symbolize the frustration that will take place on the day of God’s judgment upon the earth. There will be total destruction upon the anti-Christian world. The inhabitants of cities like Babylon will be destroyed. Verse 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all were slain upon the earth. Unveiled -Verse 24: Within the gates of the city, the blood of prophets and saints were found. The anti-Christian world have led many believers to the slaughter. This symbolize the ancient persecution of the prophets and saints. Similar persecutions will come against the believers of Christ by the Antichrist during the days of the great tribulation. Nevertheless, God will recompense their martyrdom, which is divine vengeance through God’s judgments.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
HALLELULIA CHORUS IN HEAVEN T
he Book of Revelation holds the great theme of the rise of Christ: he is the giver of revelations. He is the present intercessor of the church and the future champion over all evil. He is the redemptive saviour of the saints of God and he shall reign in the earthly kingdom of God. At his second advent, all power in heaven and in earth will be at his command. This will be the grand fulfillment of the Book of Revelation. Revelation is the final warning to mankind concerning the last catastrophic condition that will take place on earth. This calamity shall rid the earth of all evil activity. When Satan and his demonic forces are removed from the earth, the kingdom of God shall be fully realized upon our planet. After which, love, joy and peace shall reign upon the face of the earth.
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The marriage of the Lamb Verse 1. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia: Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God. Unveiled -Verse 1: This will be a further account of the triumphant song of rejoicing by the angels and saints of God in heaven. Here they are praising God for the downfall of Babylon. There will be an inspired thundering of praises coming from heaven because of the judgments of God upon the evil forces of Satan and the anti-Christian world. Halleluia and glory be unto God in the highest, for salvation has come: “glory, honour, and power unto the Lord our God.” These praises and worship services will continue without ceasing throughout eternity. Verse 2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Unveiled -Verse 2: This is the manifestation of God’s justice finishing off the anti-Christian world; the fall of the great whore, which was the great city of Babylon. The judgments of God have been accomplished, and she can never be recovered. She cause the whole world to drink of her fornication, and God have avenged the blood of those that she sent to martyrdom. The praise of thanksgiving does not stop here, it continues on and on forever; this is a victory for the God of creation. HALLELUIA. Verse 3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
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Unveiled -Verse 3: As the smoke rose up from the burning of the great whore (the great city) towards heaven, the great celebration in heaven continued. The heavenly host and the saints of God were giving thanks unto the God of the universe for his just judgments on the unbelievers of the earth, saying “Alleluia, Alleluia.” Verse 4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beast fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. Unveiled -Verse 4: Everything in heaven around the throne of God gave thanks unto him. The four and twenty elders and the four beast fell down worshipping the God of creation, “saying, Amen, Alleluia.” This celebration is faithful and with patience, for heaven has waited long for the judgments of God to take place. The patience of the saints have now turned into praises of thanksgiving. There is harmony between the angels and saints of God in this song of praise. Verse 5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and you that fear him, both small and great. Unveiled -Verse 5: The voice of an angel called out of the throne of God, he is calling for heavenly praises from the servants of God; those that fear him, both small and great. This symbolize the God-fearing church, made up of the very elect which is the body of Christ. There are many that are called the first in the church, and they are those that were slain for the cause of Christ. They counted their lives as nothing for the sake of him.
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Verse 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Unveiled -Verse 6: The Apostle John heard the voices of a great multitude, they were like the voices of many waters, and the voices of mighty thunderings. This was the heavenly host giving their approval of the omnipotent God and his judgments over the evil men of the earth. These voices were blended together as the rush of many waters. They were rejoicing over the fall of earthy powers. There will be a constant dialogue of heavenly praise in heaven forever. The Omnipotent God, which is the all powerful God, shall judge the quick and the dead. The theme of this praise and worship points to the triumphant judgments of God over Satan and his demonic forces on earth. The voices were loud and noisy; halleluia, the omnipotent God reigneth. Only the redeemed and the angels could partake of this praise.
The marriage of the Lamb. Verse 7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Unveiled -Verse 7: The saints of God are rejoicing over the great marriage that is going to take place, and the heavenly host are rejoicing with them. “The Lamb is come,” he has come to proclaim his bride, the body of Christ, which is the church of the living God. The church as the bride, is ready to be received by the bridegroom, (Christ) the saviour of the world. This marriage symbolize the whole universal church of God and Christ, and the redemption of his people. They are saying let us rejoice and be glad for the marriage of the lamb, and give honour unto him. The church must be ready at the coming of Christ.
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Verse 8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Unveiled -Verse 8: The bride, which is the church, was granted the dress of righteousness. She was dressed in clean white linen, this is the robe of righteousness which has been washed in the blood of the Lamb. She did not buy her ornaments, they were purchase by the blood of Christ which made them whiter then snow. This symbolize the righteous appearance of the saints of God. Verse 9. And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Unveiled -Verse 9: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, for they shall feast at this sacred supper. This is a feast which was called by divine declaration. The invitation was given and the host came: the bridegroom and the bride, the heavenly angels and the saints of God. All of these significant parties are one in Christ. This spiritual marriage and feast shall continue throughout all eternity. Verse 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Je’sus: worship God: for the testimony of Je’sus is the spirit of prophecy. Unveiled -Verse 10: The angel accepted the Apostle John as his spiritual brother. Both of them had the testimony of Christ, and they were sharing in the worship of God. The heavenly host and the body of Christ (which is the church) are holding fast to the righteousness of
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God. The saints of God have received the promise, which is the spiritual prophecy of Christ. This is the prophecy of a coming redeemer, to redeem the people of God back to himself.
The rider upon a white horse. Verse 11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Unveiled-Verse 11: The Apostle John saw heaven opened, and he saw a rider upon a white horse. This rider is the victorious Christ and he is leading his heavenly armies. His name is called faithful and true: “his gospel is true.” His greatness surpasses all human understanding. He is the glorious head of the church and he is going to declare war against the Devil and his demonic forces on earth; in righteousness will he judge the earth. The white horse is a symbol of victory, and Christ shall have the victory on the Lord’s day. Verse 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. Unveiled -Verse 12: This is Christ, the righteous judge. His eyes were as a flame of fire, which symbolize vision of a divine nature. Upon his head he wore many crowns, and this symbolize his status as Lord and King. He had an unknown name, only he knew it. This symbolize the mysteries of God; neither the angels nor man knows the depth of God. He is the glorious commander of the heavenly armies. He is the key holder of all power in heaven, earth and hell. Therefore, no man can escape his righteous judgments.
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Verse 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Unveiled -Verse 13: His vesture (clothes) was dipped in blood, for he was the Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world: “his name is called The word of God.” Christ was the word of God incarnated, wrapped in the flesh of man. He suffered, bled and died for the sins of men. His “vesture dipped in blood,” symbolize his death, burial and resurrection. All of his suffering ended at calvary’s cross. Therefore, he is coming to judge the world.
The Great Spiritual Conflict. Verse 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Unveiled -Verse 14: These are angelic beings, the heavenly host, and the saints of God that make up the armies which follow Christ. They are arrayed in clean white linen and riding on white horses. Their conquest is referred to as a victory over the beast. They overcame the satanic forces of Satan. They were dressed in raiments of righteousness, which is the symbol of power and victory. They shall be known as the overcomers. The mighty armies of heaven appeared with the victorious Christ riding upon white horses, which are the horses of victory. Verse 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
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Unveiled -Verse 15: Christ, the commander and chief of his armies, goes into battle against Satan and his armies. Christ’s weapon of warfare is the sword of the spirit, which proceedeth out of his mouth. This is the power of his true gospel and the unfailing word of God. He shall smite the ungodly nation of the earth: the rule of his kingdom shall have no end. With a rod of iron he will judge the anti-Christian world. He will come treading the winepress, “of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” His garments were dipped in blood for the remission of sin which he paid with his death on calvary’s cross, and now he is coming forth with the judgments of God. Verse 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Verse 16: This verse is self-explanatory, with the exception of the clothes of Christ: “His dress, which is his victorious vesture, his royal heavenly dress, his kingly clothes.” He is King of Kings. Verse 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; Unveiled -Verse 17: The Apostle John saw an angel standing high in heaven; “standing in the sun.” He was crying with a loud voice, telling the fowls of the air to come together for a great feast. This symbolize the making of a great battle. There will be a great slaughter, and the birds shall pick the bones of the wicked. The great God of the universe has set the table for a mighty feast, and the birds of the air shall come and eat.
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Verse 18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. Unveiled -Verse 18: An angel have summon the birds of prey to partake of a great feast. The fowls of the air were invited to pillage the battlefield, that they might gorge themselves on the flesh of dead men. They shall eat the flesh of men and the flesh of beast. This symbolize the cleansing of the battlefield after the battle between Christ and Satan. The satanic forces of Satan shall receive a great slaughter on the battlefield by the hand of the victorious Christ. The instructions given to the birds of prey were very clear, they were invited to come and eat. Verse 19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. Unveiled -Verse 19: The beast (Antichrist) and the kings of the anti-Christian world, have assembled their armies to do battle against the armies of Christ. Christ, the rider on the white horse, shall receive the victory.
The victory of the Lamb. Verse 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
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Unveiled -Verse 20: This is the final battle between the Lamb of God and the evil forces of Satan. The Antichrist and the false prophet stand in readiness with their armies to do battle against the King of Kings. However, the victory is won by the great head of the church. The demonic and satanic forces of Satan will be annihilated. After this great battle, Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet will be taken prisoners, and all three will be cast alive into the lake of fire. This fire is everlasting, it burns with brimstone all day. This last event gives proof to the timeless future of everlasting life, for those that are in Christ shall have eternal life. Verse 21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Unveiled -Verse 21: All of those who were not saved, died by the sword of him that sat upon the horse. Christ, the Lamb of God, rode the horse of victory. Christ’s weapon proceeded out his mouth, which was the promised word of God and his gospel. The theme of God’s word and the gospel of Christ, is to destroy Satan and his evil kingdom from the face of the earth.
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE BINDING OF SATAN T
he Book of Revelation has been rejected by some men who tried to distort the inspired word of God: “The minds of men are corrupted.” The church on the other hand has received the revelation of God. The church has found comfort in the prophecy of the Book of Revelation. Christ delivered the word and its prophecy to the Apostle John. This revelation was for the strengthening of faith among the congregation in Asia Minor. This message directed God’s people toward hope in Christ. The Book of Revelation carries a straight forward message to believers and unbelievers alike, that one day this world, as the human race knows it, is going to reel and rock under the mighty shaking of God’s judgments.
The Binding of Satan. Verse 1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
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Unveiled -Verse 1: The Apostle John saw a mighty angel come down from heaven with a key and a great chain. This mighty angel was sent by God to bind old Satan in a pit without a bottom for a thousand years. Verse 2. And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Sa’tan, and bound him a thousand years. Unveiled -Verse 2: This mighty angel laid hands on old Satan and bound him for a thousand years. This is to be understood as the completion of the martyrdom of Christians on earth. The saints of God will be untroubled by the Devil for a thousand years. Satan had no power nor strength to sustain himself against the power of the mighty angel. Only angels have power to subdue the Red Dragon and break his power. The thousand year reign of Christ and the saints of God, is symbolic of an everlasting period of time This time will be allowed by God after his judgments upon the earth. This is the time of the consummated kingdom of God, which is the theme of the revelations of Christ. Therefore, the mighty angel with the key and the great chain shall imprison Satan for a thousand years. His persecution of the saints of God will cease to be, his activities on earth will come to an End. Verse 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed a little season. Unveiled -Verse 3: This is the end of Satan, for he is destined for the big pit where he shall be shut up and sealed for a thousand years. In this confinement, he will be unable to persecute the saints of God nor will he be able to deceive the nations of the earth. However, after the thousand years are over, he will be set loose for a little while. The
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concept of God binding evil spirits is to overshadow them in a sea of darkness. Thus, old Satan is chained up in a bottomless pit of darkness and a seal has been set upon him, whereby he can not reign anymore as the prince of the air. Nevertheless, after the thousand year period has expired, he will be “loosed for a little season.” He must be loosed to destroy God’s last two witnesses, and afterwards he shall be destroyed. Verse 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Je’sus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Unveiled -Verse 4: The Apostle John saw many thrones in heaven, and judgment was given those that sat upon them; they were the exalted saints of God. They were faithful over some things on earth, now they are rulers over much more. The Apostle saw those that were beheaded on earth, for they were witnesses for both Christ and the word of God. They did not worship the beast nor his image, neither did they receive his mark upon their forehead or in their hands. They are the righteous saints of God and will reign with Christ forever, for they are the saints of the great tribulation period. They suffered martyrdom at the hands of the anti-Christian world.
The First Resurrection. Verse 5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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Unveiled -Verse 5: Those of us who are alive today must keep in mind that the first resurrection is yet to come. When the first resurrection does take place, those that are dead in Christ shall be resurrected; those that died without receiving Christ will sleep on until the last resurrection: “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were ended.” After this period, they must stand at the white throne judgment and be judge by God for their sins. The saints of God shall be raptured from the face of the earth to meet Christ in the air, whereupon they shall be with him for ever and ever.
The blessed ones. Verse 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Unveiled -Verse 6: Blessed are those that have part in the first resurrection, for they shall not be subject to the second death. The second death consist of those that are banished into utter darkness by God at the last resurrection, for they did not know Christ. The second death has no power over the members of the church of Christ. They shall become priests of God to reign with Christ in the holy city of New Jerusalem; there they shall praise and worship God throughout all eternity. Verse 7. And when the thousand years are expired, Sa’tan shall be loosed out of his prison. Verse 7: This verse is self-explanatory in regards to the thousand year imprisonment of Satan. However, the answer as to why he is
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Verse 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Ma’gog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Unveiled -Verse 8: The arch-deceiver will go out once again and deceive the nations of the earth, and gather them together to fight against Christ. Their numbers shall be as the sand of the seas. He shall bring Gog, the prince of Meshech in the land of Magog. They will invade the land as clouds in the sky. The satanic forces of Satan will be mighty in numbers when he come against Christ, the Lamb of God.
Satan‘s final doom. Verse 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Unveiled -Verse 9: They came up and spread themselves out round about the beloved city of Jerusalem. This symbolize the universal church. Next will come divine protection from God. He will cause fire to fall from heaven and destroy the armies of Satan. This is Satan’s last stand. The old Red Dragon will share the same fate as the Antichrist and the false prophet. All three shall spend eternity in Hell. Verse 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
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Unveiled -Verse 10: Satan, that old Devil, has been defeated, along with the beast and the false prophet, which is the trinity of Satan’s kingdom. Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet are the same; they shall all be defeated by God and go down in the lake of fire. After this, they shall be tormented with fire and brimstone throughout all eternity. The plight of Satan’s followers shall be the same.
The last judgment. Verse 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Unveiled -Verse 11: The great white throne judgment is the place of the last judgment. This will take place around the throne of God. God himself will be the judge. The dreadfulness of the scene will be an awesome sight to behold. Those without Christ will stand in awe before an angry God, for they are going to face the second death. No place shall be found in heaven for unbelievers. The second death shall be their end. Consequently, they shall be sent away into eternal darkness for all eternity. Verse 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Unveiled -Verse 12: Everyone shall stand at the great white throne judgment of God and give an account of their deeds while on earth: the old accounts must be settled. “The books are opened,” the books
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which are the records that have been kept during the lives of men while on earth. All men will be rewarded according to their works. After the records have been searched, another book was opened, which is the Lamb’s book of life. All men will be judged out of those things that are written in the books. As for the book of life, in it are written the names of the saints of God. Thus, when the roll is called around the throne of God, they will answer to their names, for they have inherited eternal life through the blood of Christ. Verse 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Unveiled -Verse 13: This verse refers to those that died and were buried in the sea; those that were killed or died of natural causes. Death and hell gave up their dead; those that were held captives in the place of torment and judged according to their evil deeds while on earth. This will take place at the last resurrection, because they were not awaken during the time of the rapture and had to sleep on until the last judgment. Verse 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Unveiled -Verse 14: Almighty God at this time will judge all of the unrighteous, all unbelievers and non-Christians. They shall be banished from the sight of the living God. They will be sent down to the lake of fire where the Devil, the Antichrist and the false prophet are inhabitants, which burns in an everlasting fire. This is the second death. Verse 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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Unveiled -Verse 15: The lake of fire is a permanent place of eternal punishment that is called Hell. All those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life and who refuse to accept Christ as Lord, will not be acceptable in his sight neither will they be able to answer his roll call. Their second death at the white throne judgment will be similar to their earthly death. They died without Christ in their earthly life and they shall be without God in their eternal torment, for the second death will banish them from the sight of the living God.
CHAPTER 19 and CHAPTER 20: UNVEILING of SATAN’s FINAL DEMISE
CHAPTER 19 Verse 20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Unveiled -Verse 20: This verse spells out the finishing destructive judgment of God on the Antichrist and the false prophet. Old Satan will find himself alone to carry out his demonic activities against the saints of God. However, his persecution on Christendom will soon come to an end, for the next two verses will declare Satan’s doom.
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CHAPTER 20
Verse 1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Verse 2. And he laid hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Sa’tan, and bound him a thousand years. Unveiled -Verses 1 and 2: Here we witness Satan’s imprisonment of a thousand years. In Chapter 19, the Antichrist and the false prophet were removed from the face of the earth forever; now Satan is locked in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. Thus began the thousand year reign of Christ’s kingdom here on earth. The body of Christ (which is the church) will be at rest for a thousand years, with the absence of Satan’s demonic powers. Only after the expiration of the thousand year period, will Satan be able to attack the saints of God again; for he must be “loosed out” of the big pit for a little season. Verse 7. And when the thousand years are expired, Sa’tan shall be loosed out of the prison. Unveiled -Verse 7: Old Satan immediately resumed his old occupation, which was the persecution of the saints of God. He went out and gathered together the whole anti-Christian world to join with him to fight against the powers of heaven. Despite these massive efforts, Satan’s attacks were short lived. A consuming fire and brimstone of almighty God fell from heaven upon the devil and his mighty satanic armed forces, and all were destroyed. Old Satan was taken and cast into the lake of fire where the Antichrist and the false prophet reside.
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Verse 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Unveiled -Verse 10: This act by the powers of heaven ended the thousand year reign of Satan and his evil activities on earth. The consummation of God’s judgments upon the earth have been fulfilled. Thus, as soon as the white throne judgments are over, the promised new heaven and earth will take place. There will be joy, peace and rest in the new Jerusalem; God and Christ (the Lamb of God) will be praised throughout all eternity.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH T
he future prophetic theme by the writer of revelation, offers a very clear picture of the coming end of time, as earthly beings understand time. This physical unrighteous earth as men know it, shall be done away with and become a spiritual paradise as God will have it to be. The message of this book is to be understood, that the day of judgment is coming and all earthly beings must be ready when it arrive. In the twenty-first chapter, the saints of God are allowed to have a pictorial view of heaven. What is revealed is the beauty of heaven with all its glorious joy, peace and rest. All of this marvelous utopia awaits the arrival of the saints of God.
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The new heaven and earth.
Verse 1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Unveiled -Verse 1: The Apostle John saw a new heaven and a new earth coming down from God. This means that all creation will be renewed. The earth will be freed of all satanic activities and will be transformed by Almighty God during the end time. The new earth shall be the holy city of God and nothing shall defile it; it shall exist in a perfect state. The dawning of a new day will arrive and the presence of sin will vanish. When this happen, former things will have passed away and all things will become new. In the new earth, the saints of God shall spend eternity in a glorious surrounding in the presence of God. They shall always be praising and worshipping the Almighty God. There will be no more sea; the sea symbolize all the trouble, violence and unrest that believers have gone through. These things shall not exist in the New Jerusalem and must be done away with forever. Verse 2. And I John saw the holy city, new Je-ru’sa-lem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Unveiled -Verse 2: The Apostle John saw the holy city, The New Jerusalem. It was coming down from God, dressed up as a bride waiting for her groom. This represents the church waiting for Christ the bridegroom. This will be a glorious victory for the church and the beginning of a new relationship with Christ, the bridegroom. At this time, New Jerusalem and the church of Christ, will be in a perfect state: the blessed eternal God has proclaimed the church of Christ. With the God of creation proclaiming the church of Christ, the kingdom of God will be
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fully manifested on earth. Therefore, he has gathered his creation to himself. Verse 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Unveiled -Verse 3: The Apostle John heard a great voice from heaven; this was God himself speaking to the saints: “the Great I Am.” He will be with his people and they shall worship in his tabernacle, which is in heaven. They shall continually be in the presence of Almighty God. This is the fulfillment of his promise, for his dwelling place will be among his people. This will be their final resting place. The voice of God will echo throughout his new creation with the greatest comfort. His people (the saints) shall forever be in his presence. Verse 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Unveiled -Verse 4: God shall wipe away all tears of the saints; all sorrow shall vanish from their midst: death will be no more, misery and pain shall cease to be, and trials and tribulations will be banished. There will be nothing but joy, peace, rest and divine worship for the saints of God. He shall forever be with them. Thus, the things of the old order will have passed, and the New Jerusalem will be the new order of things.
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Verse 5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said, unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.. Unveiled -Verse 5: God proclaimed, “I make all things new.” This statement was to be put into writing, for God told the Apostle to “Write: for these words are true and faithful.” The saints of God have tasted the sweetness of his truth; his ancient promises have come to pass. They are now experiencing the sight of God’s throne. Their long period of waiting is over. It is now time for rejoicing and praising the God of creation. Verse 6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Al’pha and O-me’ga, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Unveiled -Verse 6: This is the voice of the Almighty God: “I am Alpha and Omega.” This statement is true and complete. The saints of God can take his word as a precious payment for eternal life. In the beginning God created all things, and he shall be the end of all things. All things are freely given to the saints by design. The springing up of living water that springs up into eternal life can be drunk to their satisfaction. The perfect word of God has been fulfilled in the ears of the saints. They are now the overcomers of the promise. Their thirst has been quenched forever. Verse 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Verse 7: This verse is self-explanatory. The overcomers are the sons and daughters of God.
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Verse 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Unveiled -Verse 8: The Apostle is speaking of the fearful, those that fear the day of judgment but will not accept Christ as their saviour. They are the unbelievers, the abominable, those that practice sin and work evil against God. Some are murderers, those that kill others and have no repentance in their hearts; the whoremongers, those men and women that commit adultery and fornication; the sorcerers, those that use trickery and cheat and con their way through life; the idolaters, those that put their material possessions first in life instead of God; the liars, those that lie their way through life without coming to Christ, asking for forgiveness: all will have their part in the lake of fire that burneth with fire and brimstone and represent the second death. This is the crowd that saw no need to worship the true and living God. The second death shall put them out of touch with God. Verse 9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife Unveiled -Verse 9: One of the seven angels that was commissioned to pour out the seven vials full of the plagues, came to the Apostle John and talked with him, saying, “Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” This angel was commissioned to show the Apostle this great sight, the church of Christ arrayed in white, which is the bride in waiting for the groom to come.
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Verse 10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Je-ru’sa-lem, descending out of heaven from God. Unveiled -Verse 10: The Apostle John was carried away to a very high mountain where he had a glorious vision of the New Jerusalem. As the Apostle stood on the mount, he viewed the holy city (New Jerusalem) descending out of heaven. This is the kingdom of God (and its fullness) descending to the earth where Christ and the saints of God shall live forever. Verse 11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; Unveiled -Verse 11: This is the New Jerusalem, which is the earthly kingdom of God. The glory of God lit up the holy city as a jasper stone clear as a crystal. The appearance and brightness of God gave light to the city, and there was no need for the sun. God and Christ the Lamb, were the source of life in the city. The holy city, this New Jerusalem, is the symbol of the church. This is the glorious triumphant victory of Christ, the Lamb of God. Verse 12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Is’ra-el: Unveiled -Verse 12: This is the New Jerusalem, the great city of God, having a great and high wall round about it. There are four sides to the city, and on each side there are three gates. Thus, there are twelve gates to the city. Each gate is guarded by an angel. Each gate has one of the twelve tribes of Israel’s name written thereon. The great high wall enclosing the holy city is a symbol of protection.
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Verse 13. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Verse 13: This verse is self-explanatory; it describes the location of the various gates. Verse 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Unveiled -Verse 14: The wall of the holy city had twelve foundations. Each one of these foundations had the name of an apostle of Christ written on it. This symbolize the everlasting remembrance of God of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Christ the Lamb. Verse 15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. Unveiled -Verse 15: The Apostle John was given a golden reed, which was a measuring stick. The Apostle needed to know the capacity of the city. Therefore he was ordered to measure the city and its gates. Verse 16. And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
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Unveiled -Verse 16: The Apostle John measured the holy city, and it measured four square. This means that the holy city was equal on all four sides. The wall was as high as the length. At the time the measuring stick was given to the Apostle, the Roman measuring rod was in use. Therefore, the measurements of the holy city is described as a cube. A cube is perfect, therefore the holy city, New Jerusalem, shall be perfect. The length, the breadth and the height will be the same. The holy city measured twelve thousand furlongs. By using modernday measurements of one furlong, the holy city will have these dimensions: one furlong is an eighth of a mile. It takes ten furlongs to equal one mile, and one hundred furlongs to equal ten miles, and one thousand furlongs to equal one hundred miles, and twelve thousand furlongs will equal one thousand and two hundred miles. Therefore the dimensions of the holy city will be twelve hundred square miles. Verse 17. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Unveiled -Verse 17: The Apostle John was told to measure the wall of the holy city, and he measured it according to a man or an angel. The measurements were, “an hundred and forty and four cubits.” This figure symbolize the thickness of the wall around the holy city of the New Jerusalem. Verse 18. And the building of the wall of it was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. Unveiled -Verse 18: The wall of the holy city was like jasper, clear and bright. The city itself was pure gold in a radiant setting; a symbol of resplendent beauty. Heaven is a beautiful place.
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Verse 19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; Verse 20. The filth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. Unveiled -Verses 19 & 20: The walls of the holy city were decorated with all manner of precious stones. These precious stones on the walls are associated with the precious stones worn on the breastplate of the earthly high priest. These stones are very precious in the sight of God. The clear brightness of the jasper stone is the appearance of the Almighty God in the holy city. The pearls on the gates of the holy city symbolize Christ, the Lamb of God. The rest of the precious stones on the walls set forth the glorious display of heaven. There is nothing of the old world that can compare with the New Jerusalem.
The Pearly Gates. Verse 21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the streets of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Unveiled -Verse 21: Every gate of the holy city had a pearl on it. These pearls symbolize the presence of Christ in the New Jerusalem. The streets of the holy city are paved with gold, and the saints of God walk in the light. They are the overcomers of Christ walking in perfect peace. The number twelve symbolize the perfect number of
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God, which relates to the blessed twelve tribes of Israel and the glorious twelve Apostles of Christ. There were twelve gates to the holy city and twelve angels, with each anger standing at one of the gates. Each gate had the name of one name of the twelve tribes of Israel written upon it. There were twelve fountains in the holy city, one name of the twelve Apostles of Christ was written upon each fountain. This symbolize God’s concern and his purpose for the Old and New Testament; the twelve tribes of Israel of the Old Testament, and the twelve Apostles of Christ in the New Testament. Verse 22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. Unveiled -Verse 22: The Apostle John saw no temple in the holy city. There was no need for a temple, for God Almighty and the Lamb of God are the temple in the New Jerusalem. The saints are rejoicing with God and Christ the Lamb. Verse 23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Unveiled -Verse 23: There was no need for the sun or the moon to give their light in the holy city, for God the creator and Christ the Lamb shall light up the New Jerusalem. The blessed saints of God shall join in with the heavenly host and give thanks to the living God. They are rejoicing and offering glory to God and the Lamb of God, for God has saved the great and the small, kings and queens, rich and poor, free and bond. There is continuous marching through the twelve gates of the holy city, which seem to have no end, for the twelve gates to the holy city are never closed.
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Verse 24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. Unveiled -Verse 24: All nations, kindreds, tongues, and kings and queens that are saved, shall walk in the light of the holy city. God allowed them to come in with their glory and with their honour. This symbolize the glory of the living God in heaven and his earthly kingdom Verse 25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Unveiled -Verse 25: The gates of the heavenly city are never closed. They are opened wide all day long, for darkness has no place in heaven. There is nothing but light in the holy city, for Christ the Lamb is light. Throughout all eternity the holy city shall shine by the brightness of his glory. Verse 26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. Unveiled -Verse 26: This means that God shall welcome all righteousness of the saints of earthly inhabitants, to bring in their righteous glory and honour of God. Verse 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
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Unveiled -Verse 27: This verse indicates that nothing that is unclean or unrighteous shall enter into the holy city. All that is abominable shall be turned away, anything that is defiled shall not be allowed to enter. Only the righteous saints of God shall enter therein, those who are written down in the Lamb’s book of life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
PARADISE RESTORED S
ome present day saints of God are struggling to understand the Book of Revelation. The message and the prophecy of Revelation is to be understood in the church of today. In this day and time, there are many interpretations of Revelation. These different interpretations have confused many saints of God. This confusion will continue until the appearance of Christ; at that time the struggle will be over. Until that time, the holy spirit of God will give utterance to the church and the saints of God, for he is the sustainer of the church. The revelation or apocalypse, is the only book in the New Testament that is called a prophetic book. John’s message to the seven churches of Asia Minor are relevant to the churches of today. The churches of today stand in need of a strong revival. Like the churches in Asia Minor, Satan is still in the midst of them. He is there to steal, kill and destroy the saints of God. There is a great need today for the saints of God to understand the message of the revelation from Christ. This message is to all people of the earth, warning them of the coming judgment of God upon our 207
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world. The Book of Revelation is an eschatological disclosure of God’s future plan to destroy this sinful world. The biblical revelation is the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ; it is a book of prophecy. It was written for the purpose of informing all of mankind of the coming end of the world. The message of the revelation is to allow all people of the earth to have a personal relationship with Christ. This will enable all believers to hold fast the testimony of Christ. The message of revelation is to acquaint all people with the gift of salvation, that they might prepare themselves to meet an angry God: this can only be done through faith in Christ. During the great tribulation period, non-Christians will persecute all believers in Christ. Nevertheless, all believers in Christ shall have eternal life. The churches in Asia Minor each received a letter from Christ, and Christ revealed himself to each one of those churches. The word of God and the gospel of Christ is speaking to the churches of today. He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches. Verse 1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Unveiled -Verse 1: A river of pure living water is flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. This river of water is a blessing from the Almighty God. It is living water from the fountain of life; spiritual water symbolizing paradise restored. In the first paradise there were only two people, which was the Garden of Eden. In the new paradise there will be multitudes of nations. In this paradise there will be joy, peace and rest in abundance; and living water springing up into life eternal. All springs of life comes from God the creator. All grace and forgiveness streams from him through Christ the Lamb. All earthly rivers become muddy, but this river is crystal clear. This river of pure living water is given freely to every one that thirst.
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Verse 2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Unveiled -Verse 2: In the midst of the holy city flows the river of living water, and on either side of the crystal clear river grows the tree of life. On the tree of life grows twelve different kinds of fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are good for the healing of the nations (spiritual healing), for there will be no need for physical healing. The living water and the tree of life will quench the thirst and heal the needs of the saints of God. These are the spiritual substances that await the overcomers of Christ. Throughout all eternity, nothing earthly will be needed any more for the saints of God. Verse 3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: Unveiled -Verse 3: The saints of God are in the land of the New Jerusalem, and the curse of the earth has been removed. Paradise has been restored and the kingdom of God has descended upon the earth This is the fullness of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. God and the Lamb shall shine forth in it, and there his servants shall worship the God of creation forever. Verse 4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
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Unveiled -Verse 4: For the saints of God to see the savior’s face will be their crowning joy in glory, for they were sealed by him through the power of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, the name of God was stamped in their foreheads. Verse 5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Verse 5: This verse is self-explanatory. Verse 6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Unveiled -Verse 6: The Apostle John was told that these things “are faithful and true.” The Lord God of heaven sent his angel to the prophets of old to show unto them the things which must come to pass. The things referred to are the prophecy of this book, the coming advent of Christ, the great tribulation, and the consummation bringing about the end of this world. This warning is consistent in the prophecy of this book. Verse 7. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Verse 7. This verse is self-explanatory, with the addition of understanding that the Book of Revelation is to be understood by all people. Verse 8. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
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Unveiled -Verse 8: The Apostle John saw and heard all these things. Once he had seen and heard them, he fell upon the ground to worship the angel. Earthly beings have great respect for heavenly beings. It wasn’t too much for the Apostle John to fall at the feet of the angel which showed him all the things that will come to pass. The Apostle was a living witness to all the things that were to take place. What were the things that he saw? He saw the crystal clear river, the tree of life, the angels of God, and heard the voice of Christ speaking to him. Christ said unto him, “these things are faithful and true.” Verse 9. Then saith he unto me, see thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Unveiled -Verse 9: The angel said unto the Apostle John, “see thou do it not.” Heavenly beings have no desire for earthly beings to worship them. They consider themselves as fellow servants with earthly beings in the service of Christ, the Lamb of God. The angel was concerned about people keeping the prophecy of the book, for he had no need for the Apostle John to worship him. The angel reminded the Apostle to worship God. This is a testimony of the providence of God, for it is the good pleasures of God that his servants worship him Verse 10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. Unveiled -Verse 10: The prophecy of the Book of Revelation is not be sealed, it is to be understood by all people. It is intended to warn the people of the coming end of this Age and time. The angel confirmed this by the testimony of Christ. Christ is the spirit of prophecy, and the time of his appearance is at hand. God’s divine will cannot be changed; mankind must change to fit into the plan of God.
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Verse 11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Unveiled -Verse 11: When the day of judgment arrive, whoever is righteous will stay righteous, and whoever is unrighteous will stay unrighteous. Whatever condition men and women are found in, they must stand at the white throne judgment of God in that condition. The end of the age has come and it is too late to make changes. There will be no changes made in heaven. Men and women must take sides with God here on earth, or else they will spend eternity in the lake of fire with Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet. Verse 12. And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Unveiled -Verse 12: The day of judgment will not be a long drawn out period of time. Christ said, “behold, I come quickly.” He will pay every men according to his works; he is the author and finisher of our faith, and will give us our just reward. Those that insisted on being evil will continue therein, and their reward will be their punishment of utter darkness. This will be out of the presence of Almighty God, which will be for ever and ever. Verse 13. I am Al’pha and O-me’ga, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Unveiled -Verse 13: Christ is the eternal Son of God. Eternal means everlasting; Christ shall always be the everlasting Son of God. He was before the world began and he shall be after the world end. As the eternal Son of God, all power in heaven and earth have been given unto him. He is all that there is to be: Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.
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Verse 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Unveiled -Verse 14: Blessed are those that keep the commandments of God, for they can enter into the holy city. They are the conquerors through the Lamb of God. They are the overcomers through obedience and the redeemed through righteous living. They have earned the right to the tree of life which offers them the sustaining power of eternal life. Verse 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Unveiled -Verse 15: The wicked are called dogs because they are the outsiders. They have been excluded from entering the New Jerusalem. They are impure, the defiled, and are those who rejected Christ. They chose a wicked life style and will not receive salvation or entrance into God’s kingdom. Therefore, they are unfit because of their continued wicked ways. Verse 16. I Je’sus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of Da’vid, and the bright and morning star. Unveiled -Verse 16: This is the testimony of Christ to the body of Christ, which are the churches of the world. Christ said that, “I am the root and the offspring of Da’vid,” which is the bloodline of David. Here Jesus is proclaiming his humanity. The bright and morning star is the star of David. Christ is the light of the world, therefore the church should follow him. Christ has overcome the world and has fulfilled his promise; that as he overcame, they too would overcome and sit with him in his kingdom.
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The last invitation.
Verse 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Unveiled -Verse 17: The spirit of God and the Lamb are calling to men on earth. They are calling them to the New Jerusalem, saying, Come. The Holy Spirit and the church is in waiting, waiting for Christ and the New Jerusalem to come and take up the rule of his earthly kingdom. All of those that have heard the gospel are saying, come, come Lord! Whosoever is thirsty let him come and drink the water of life freely. Verse 18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: Unveiled -Verse 18: This is a universal warning by the Apostle John. If any man hears the prophecy of this book and add to it or take away from it, God shall punish him. He will bring upon him the plagues that are written in this book. This stern warning was offered by the Apostle John for the promised prophecy of this book. It is the inspired word of God and it shall not be changed for any reason. Verse 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
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Unveiled -Verse 19: Whosoever shall change the written words of this book and its prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Lamb’s book of life. He shall not enter into the holy city neither shall he inherit the things that are written in this book. He chose not to believe in the prophecy of this book, therefore he must die a second death. He cannot inherit the kingdom of God and eternal life. He must die a second time because his name was excluded from the book of life. Verse 20. He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Je’sus. Unveiled -Verse 20: Christ, the Lamb of God, testifieth of these things. Now he is saying, “I come quickly, Amen.” This is the stamp of assurance concerning the coming advent of Christ. This is his announcement to the church and to a lost society of unbelievers. The appointed time is at hand. He shall tarry no longer: behold, I come quickly. Verse 21. The grace of our Lord Je-sus Christ be with you all. Amen.
THE END
Bibliography Adams, J. McKee, Biblical Background, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1979. Baker, Robert, A Summary of Christian History, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1959. Bright, John, A History of Israel, Westminister Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1952. Bruce, F. F., New Testament History, Doubleday and Co., Inc., Garden City, New York, 1957. Childs, Brevard S., Introduction to the Old Testament, Fortress Press, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, 1979. Crumpler, Frank H., The Invincible Cross, Word Book Press, Waco, Texas, 1977. Harrison, Everett F., Baker ‘s Dictionary of Theology, Baker’s Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1979. Hayes, John H., Old Testament Study, Parthenon Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1979. Henry, Matthew, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Rev. Leslie F. Church, Editor, Marshell, Morgan, Scott, Ltd., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1960. The King James Version of the Bible, Frank Charles Thompson, Editor, The Thompson Chain, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1964. Oats, Wayne E., The Christian Pastor, Westminister Press Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1982. Robertson, A. T., Harmony of the Gospels, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucly, 1922.
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About The Author
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n the year of our lord, 1977, Rev Davis was called by God into his services to preach the good news of the gospel of Christ. He graduated from Southern Baptist Extension Seminary in 1984. Rev. Davis currently serves as the minister of hospital and convalescent outreach for the sick and elderly. His church home is Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Vallejo,California. The Rev. Dr. Caroll Broadfoot Jr. is presiding pastor.
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