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Schedule Slide

Review:

Last session we completed a study of the seven letters that, while containing

mainly literal messages and images, also relied heavily on picture language

and symbolism. The symbolic message of Jesus’ revelation to Saint John now

increases as John stands before the throne of holy God and the Holy Spirit

directs John to put into human language what is beyond human

understanding.

In this session we begin looking at symbols and compare them to other

sections of Scripture to help us interpret their meaning. As we do so please

keep in mind these pictures are given to offer comfort to Christians of all ages,

especially as they face challenges of and persecution for their faith.

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In this section people tend to focus on the negative (bad news sells better than

good news). But remember why Revelation was written – to offer comfort.

While we will look at the symbolism of the four horseman of this vision, please

keep in mind where this vision is headed…

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Clip.3 – the.7th.seal

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Phrases to note -

1> Revelation 4:1 After this… To understand this part of the vision we must be

careful to place it in its proper context. This is not the next chronological event

of a distant future. The immediate context clearly designates that John is

simply picking up where he left off after the introduction and vision of the

seven letters. From John’s perspective, and the context, the idea of “next” is

what now takes place at the end of the first century, that is, the next thing in

John’s time period. Remember, John saw this while on the island of Patmos on

a particular Sunday. What comes next is next for him, not us.

2> Revelation 4:2 The term “Spirit” in verse 2 is better rendered “spirit” (small

“s”) for two reasons: 1> The big “S” concept is used by millennialists to support

a false teaching concerning rapture (slide #28 of lesson one – point #5 – the

gathering of the saints on Judgment Day as opposed to a prejudgment and

removal of Christians before Judgment Day). 2> What happens to John is

parallel to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 - I know a man in Christ who fourteen

years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out

of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in

the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught

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up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted

to tell.

concept of the third heaven – Scripture speaks of the heavens with the

following division:

1st heaven – the atmosphere (Genesis 1:20)

2nd heaven – the universe (Genesis 1:14)

3rd heaven – dwelling place of God, angels and the saints (2 Corinthians 12)

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This is a pictorial rendition of what John saw. To grasp what God is saying in

this part of the vision, let us connect the symbolism with Scriptural

counterparts:

1> Revelation 4:2 the one sitting on the throne = God is ruling over and in

control of all thing

2> Revelation 4:3 jasper = white, diamond like stone representing that though

God is holy He still reaches out to sinful man (Exodus 28:15-21)

3> Revelation 4:3 carnelian = also known as “red sardine” – red typically

represents judgment (the color of blood – Acts 2:20)

4> Revelation 4:3 rainbow = representing God’s promises (Genesis 9:13)

5> Revelation 4:4 24 thrones/elders = the 12 patriarchs of the Old Testament

and the 12 apostles of the New Testament – representative of the whole

Christian Church (Matthew 19:28)

6> Revelation 4:5 lightning/thunder = God’s glory and power (Exodus 19:16)

7> Revelation 4:5 seven lamps = representative of the Holy Spirit (Exodus

37:17-24 & Zechariah 4:1-6) (see also session 1 – Isaiah 11:1-2)

8> Revelation 4:6 sea of glass = peace of God (Isaiah 57:20-21)

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Phrases to note –

1> Revelation 4:6b-7 four living creatures = four chief angels representing all

the good angels. There is much debate over exactly what these four living

creatures represent. Many feel that their number, four, indicates they must be

representative of everything that God has created. But references later on

create a problem for that interpretation. As with the other symbols Scripture

itself offers us the interpretation. In Ezekiel’s visions he comes across these

same four creatures and there they are described as angels, possibly angels

of a high rank (Ezekiel 1:4-28, Ezekiel 10:20 – identified as cherubim).

Since all of God’s good angels have been given charge by God to watch

over all of God’s creation (Psalm 91:11), then the number four here is better

understood in coordination with the faces of each of these angels. Each face

represents the role of angelic protection as they guard (represented by the

eyes) over specific parts of God’s creation:

face of an eagle = things of the air

face of a lion = the wild and untamed part of creation

face of an ox = the domesticated or tame part of creation

face of a man = mankind

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Further evidence that these four living creatures are angels comes in what

John sees and hears of them as they encircle the throne. It is identical to what

Isaiah saw in his vision when he was commissioned as the Lord as a prophet.

Isaiah 6:1-3 – In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a

throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above

him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their

faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And

they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy , holy is the Lord Almighty; the

whole earth is full of his glory.”

2> Revelation 4:10 24 elders … fall down … worship … lay their crowns =

representative of the Church acknowledging true God and honoring Him as

deserving of all praise and glory, and that His authority is perfect and

complete.

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Chapter 5

Because this study session #3 is one of the longer visions, to save some time

you were asked to review the sermon from Easter 2012 on this chapter. The

detailed exegetical study of Chapter 5 offered in the sermon helps us to better

understand how this vision introduces us to the concept of the seven seals,

and Jesus as the Lamb of God who alone is worthy to open them.

Studying chapter 5 in this sermon review format also allows us some time to

do a little more application work – see next slide:

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1> Revelation 5:8 - And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the

twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they

were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Psalm 141:2 - May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting

up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

What is being symbolized in Revelation 5:8 in reference to the saints in

heaven presenting prayers to God?

Romans 1:7 - To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2 - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and

Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the

saints throughout Achaia: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2 - Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the

saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

These three verses define for us who “saints” are. Who are they?

2> Revelation 5:10 - You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to

serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.

Hebrews 12:28 - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be

shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and

awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Did you notice the present tense “are receiving”? What does that mean?

1 Peter 2:9-12 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy

nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a

people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy,

but now you have received mercy.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain

from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among

the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your

good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

How are we ruling with Christ right now?

3> Hebrews 1:14 - Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those

who will inherit salvation?

Revelation 5:11 - Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels,

numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.

They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

Psalm 91:11-12 - For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you

in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike

your foot against a stone.

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Introduction to this section -

As we now enter into an even more symbolic (and often confusing) portion of

this vision we should again remind ourselves that the purpose for these visions

was to comfort hurting Christians. But as we read through these next sections

we may wonder “where is the comfort”? All of the things that Jesus describes

to John that will affect the world will also have an impact on His Christian

Church here on earth during the period of the New Testament times.

Unfortunately, there is the deep human desire to somehow find perfect

peace here on earth. Christians also wrestle with this desire since God

originally created man to live in an earthly paradise. But man’s disobedience

and sin makes a return to any kind of an earthly paradise or achieving world-

wide peace impossible. Therefore, we should be aware that many false

interpretations of Revelation, and of this next section specifically, often begin

with wrong theological concepts, such as: perfectionism (found in universal

Unitarianism), theology of glory (found in many Evangelical circles citing that

true Christians will always be blessed here on this earth), and social Gospel

(found in Liberation theology/Community salvation).

Before Jesus visibly departed from this world He told His followers that they

were to expect difficult and hard times in the coming ages of the New

Testament (Matthew 24:1-14 & Luke 21:5-36). Jesus tells His followers exactly

why God would allow difficult and dark days ahead: Luke 21:34-36 - “Be

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careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and

the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be

always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about

to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Jesus

makes it crystal clear that God would use these things to keep us from

searching for a paradise here on this earth, but rather long for an eternal

paradise with God in heaven.

Part of our appreciation, as well as a proper interpretation of this section,

requires us to drop some of the baggage we have picked up along the way.

For instance, the prophecies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke are usually

referenced as “End Times Prophecies”. This is a human description and title of

those sections. But no where in the verse does Jesus limit His prophecies to

the end. Rather, Jesus speaks about many events and then adds the phrase

“the end is yet to come”. The same is true of this section of Revelation. It often

bears the human description or title of “the four horsemen of the Apocalypse”.

While that could be properly understood (since we have already studied the

correct meaning of the term “apocalypse”), most people associate the four

horsemen as only pointing to the end of time. But each horsemen, each world-

wide influence, will happen, and then the “end is yet to come”. What we

actually have before us now is simply a fuller description of what Jesus had

personally and previously prophesied during His earthly ministry.

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1> Revelation 6:2 …before me was a white horse!

What, not who, is this first horseman? (Each horseman is often misidentified

as a person or entity. But the concept of “four’ reminds us each of these is

better understood as an influence on all of God’s creation.) Some believe this

first horseman represents a false christ or someone/something attempting to

impersonate Jesus. That idea is even reflected in the final phrase of the NIV

translation when it is rendered “bent on conquest”. Some of the NIV translators

hold to a millenialistic view of Revelation and therefore translated it

accordingly.

But the literal translation gives us insight that this first horseman is a true

conqueror (present tense – he went forth conquering). The color of the horse

gives us further identification – white. White is the color of holiness and

perfection. The placement of the white horse and its rider in the first position

also goes to the purpose of Revelation – comfort. Before the Lord speaks

about the effects of sin on this earth through the New Testament era, He offers

comfort by speaking about a positive influence. The first horseman is the

power of the Gospel and its influence in this world until Judgment Day. This

corresponds to Jesus’ prophecy of Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the

kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and

then the end will come.

Reasons why some interpreters are uncomfortable with seeing the first

horseman as the influence of the Gospel is twofold:

1> The rider only has one crown. Later in Revelation 19:11-12a Jesus is

clearly identified as wearing many crowns (19:11-12a - I saw heaven standing

open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful

and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing

fire, and on his head are many crowns.) But when we remember these visions

are seven pictures of the same thing – the New Testament period – and that in

the visions we recognize the progression of time through the New Testament

period, over time Jesus gains many victories, many crowns, by the power of

His Word. So here we begin with one crown, one victory – the cross, and as

time progresses many other “victories” are gained by the power of the first

crown.

2> Many interpreters are uncomfortable recognizing this as the influence of

the Gospel because of the choice of weapon – a bow. Often Scripture

identifies the Word and its power with a sword. It will do so in chapter 19:15 -

Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.

But be careful with such ideas. Symbolism, especially in Revelation is not so

confining. Since these are seven different visions of the same thing, it would

be very redundant to always use the same symbol over and over. While doing

so might help us understand better, we could run the risk of becoming “bored”.

Each vision keeps the words of encouragement refreshing for us.

To that end please be aware of the fact that the Word of God is sometimes

referenced with a bow and arrow symbol. In fact, sometimes the Bible will use

multiple symbols even in the same passage. Psalm 45:3-5 –

Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;

clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. 4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;

let your right hand display awesome deeds. 5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;

let the nations fall beneath your feet. 6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Another good example of God’s Word being symbolized with various weapons

is in Ephesians 6:10-18. As the true Conqueror Jesus has every weapon

available for our comfort.

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What is this second horseman?

1> Revelation 6:4 red – besides the color of red symbolizing judgment in

Scripture it is also used to represent evil, such as in Revelation 12:23 where

“the dragon” is described as red. Red can also represent sin and its wicked

and evil effects, as it is in Isaiah 1:18 - Though your sins are like scarlet, they

shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like

wool.

Here the second horseman symbolizes the concept of war (NOT one specific

war). Because of sin there is no worldly peace but rather constant dissention

and strife between nations and peoples. This corresponds to Jesus’ prophecy

of Matthew 24:6a-7 - You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it

that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to

come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

2> Revelation 6:4 a large sword With this second horseman we also have the

opportunity to recognize just how careful we must be interpreting symbols, and

to recognize how the context must determine meanings. Often the sword is

representative of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is

living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.) But in these verse

the sword is clearly not symbolizing the Word of God.

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What is this third horseman?

1> Revelation 6:5b black – doom, evil, calamity (Joel 2:1-2a - Blow the trumpet

in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for

the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand — 2 a day of darkness and

gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.)

2> Revelation 6:5b pair of scales – often scales are symbolic of judgment and

justice, and ordinarily that might make sense here. But be sure to consider the

immediate context and what the third living creature cries out. Remember that

balance scales were used in ancient times to weigh out and determine the

price for food. That is what is described here and as that process takes place,

famine and pestilence are represented by the high cost of the food.

3> Revelation 6:6 a quart of wheat for a day’s wage – to put this in modern

terms what the third angel is saying is that after working hard all day you would

be paid only one loaf of bread.

4> Revelation 6:6 damage (literally “adulterate”) the oil and wine – this refers

to the temptation of making daily staples last longer by adding water to them.

Their purity and value would be compromised and their nutritional value would

become worthless.

The third horseman is famines, droughts and other earthly afflictions that make

life difficult. This corresponds to Jesus’ prophecy of Matthew 24:7b - 8 - There

will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the

beginning of birth pains.

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What is this fourth horseman?

1> Revelation 6:8 pale – green. The Greek word for this color is CHLOROS.

We get our word chlorophyll from it. In ancient times physicians described ill

patience with this term. It is where we get the express “green around the gills”.

2> Revelation 6:8 Death – this term, of course, is self-explanatory. But here it

describes many facets of death. The rider himself represents death that comes

by illness as is seen in the color. But then with the phrase “given power over a

fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts

of the earth” this fourth horseman incorporates other ways of death described

by the previous two. Each term describes the unnatural act of death, that is to

say, we do not hear mention of those who simply pass away due to old age.

The fact that this horseman, Death, is then followed closely by Hades, also

represents the concept of physical death being followed by eternal death, that

is, damnation in hell.

3> Revelation 6:8 one fourth of the earth – don’t start taking this literally!

Remember the number four, and its derivatives, are representative of earthly

things. This is NOT saying something so bad will happen that one fourth of the

world’s population will be killed all at once. It is speaking symbolically. Over the

age of the New Testament a set number of people will die, some naturally,

many unnaturally. A set number will remain alive until Judgment Day. And a set

number of people died previous to the New Testament era.

The fourth horseman is the concept of all violent and painful death that will

take place through New Testament times. This corresponds to Jesus’ prophecy

of Luke 21:11b - … pestilences in various places, and fearful events.

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Phrases to note -

Now we shift from the effects on the earth of all mankind to one specific group,

Christians. Now we shift from unnatural death of anyone and everyone to

those who have died for their faith (please note that this does not account for

all the saints in heaven, only a portion of them from persecutions of the New

Testament era).

1> Revelation 6:9 under the altar – one of the descriptive features of

Revelation is the comparison of heaven to the Tabernacle Israel used to

worship God before the time of the temple. It makes sense, both are the house

of God. Here we have insight into this phrase (which has not been previously

used but is identified with the definite article meaning this alar was known).

The best reference we have is in the book of Hebrews where the symbolism of

the Tabernacle is apparent. (cf. Hebrews 8:1-5 - The point of what we are

saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand

of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the

true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was

necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he

would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed

by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in

heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the

tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown

you on the mountain.”)

The souls of the persecuted and slain correspond to Jesus’ prophecy of

Matthew 24:9-13 - “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to

death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many

will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many

false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the

increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands

firm to the end will be saved.”

2> Revelation 6:10 how long … avenge our blood – many have trouble

understanding how saints in heaven could call for vengeance, especially

considering all of Jesus’ lessons about forgiving the sins of others. But

remember, this is a picture of heaven. These souls are on the other side of

judgment, not still existing temporally on earth. What these saints are asking

for is exactly what Jesus prophesied, that then “the end would come”. This is a

cry for not only God’s just judgment, but also an end to pain and suffering of

Christians still suffering on earth.

3> Revelation 6:11 white robe – symbol of purity and holiness

4> Revelation 6:11b until the number … was completed – even in heaven we

see that the minds of believers, while now perfect in nature, still are not equal

to God. Human existence, even in heaven, is still subservient to God, His ways

and His wisdom – Isaiah 55:8-9 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are

higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts

than your thoughts.” What a comfort to know, that while even Christians suffer

on earth, God is in control, has a plan and has a perfect time for everything.

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Phrases to note -

1> Revelation 6:12-13 the signs/fig tree - These correspond to Jesus’

prophecy of Matthew 24:7 – 8 - There will be … and earthquakes in various

places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

and Luke 21:25-31 – “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the

earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the

sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world,

for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of

Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin

to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is

drawing near.”

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When

they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom

of God is near.”

2> Revelation 6:15-16 hide … fall on us – These correspond to Jesus’

prophecy of Luke 21:21-24 - “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by

armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in

Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the

country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of

all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant

women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath

against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners

to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times

of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

3> Revelation 6:17 great day of their wrath – this is the reference to the “end is

near”. We have now seen a snapshot of the New Testament era and what is

left is Judgment Day. For the unbeliever it will be a day of wrath. This is a

common reference for Judgment Day in Scriptures:

Romans 2:5 - But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart,

you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath , when his

righteous judgment will be revealed.

Ezekiel 7:19b - Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of

the LORD’s wrath.

Zephaniah 1:14 – 15 - “The great day of the LORD is near — near and coming

quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the

warrior there. 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish,

a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and

blackness.”

So far we have seen the judgment for unbelievers – a day of wrath. Now we

go on to see the other side of the sixth seal - a day of joy for the believer.

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Phrases to note -

1> Revelation 7:1 after this – time context is what John was seeing – not a

chronological sequence as in earthly time (false notion of epochs)

2> Revelation 7:1-3 four angels … do not harm – cf. Matthew 13:47-50 -

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the

lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up

on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but

threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels

will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into

the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The

angels are part of the “harvesting” process (Judgment Day) and part of their

work is to insure that no believer is grouped with those who will suffer God’s

wrath.

3> Revelation 7:3b seal – it is here (and when we get to the “mark of the

beast”) that all of a sudden people forget we are working with symbols and

they want to go to a literal seal. All kinds of ideas have been presented as to a

sign or actual mark on people to identify them as God’s children. Scripture

offers a different explanation: 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a

royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may

declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful

light. Colossians 3:3-4 - For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in

God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with

him in glory. God’s seal and the “mark” of a Christian is the faith God gifts to us

through the Holy Spirit.

4> Revelation 7:4 144,000 – for a time some churches held to the belief that

there would only be this many people in heaven (Jehovah Witnesses still do

have a similar teaching). Here is where our previous work with numbers will

begin to pay off. How do we get to this number? (12x12x10x10x10) What did

12 stand for? (The product of God’s number (3) and man’s number (4). God’s

gracious interaction among men, often portrayed in the visible and invisible

Christian Churches. Also, a number of completeness and perfection as the

outcome is based on God, not man.) What did 10 stand for? (The number of

completion and perfection, an amount designated and limited by God.)

So the product of this equation is a perfect group of people designated by

God. This is to say that at the judgment no believer will be overlooked or

missed. God knows exactly how many of us are going to heaven without

predetermining anyone must go to hell.

5> Revelation 7:4 from the tribe of – it is interesting to note that many false

interpreters, who just a few words before want to make the numbers literal, in

these next few words have no problem with a figurative or symbolic meaning.

There is no religion that claims only Israelites will be in heaven. So why would

God use this symbol? Besides the perfectly designated sub-number of 12,000

God often uses the concept of the nation of Israel in a spiritually figurative way.

Consider Romans 11:26 where Paul describes the elect of God as… And so all

Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will

turn godlessness away from Jacob. Also consider the opposite. Being born

with Israelite blood does not automatically place one in heaven - John 8:39-40

- “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,”

said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are

determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God.

Abraham did not do such things. We’ve also had insight into this concept

already in Revelation 2:9 - I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you

are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but

are a synagogue of Satan.

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Phrases to note -

1> Revelation 7:9 after this – are you beginning to see how John uses this

phrase to simply relate a series of events that he sees in his visions?

Understanding this helps so much not to mix up John’s time with our time (his

future).

2> Revelation 7:9 great multitude – not that we needed confirmation, but John

goes on to tell us the 144,000 was not a literal number. This group of believers

was uncountable to John, but not to God. John also confirms the symbolism of

spiritual “Israel” as he sees people from every nation and race.

3> Revelation 7:9 holding palm branches – a symbol of celebration and victory.

We are familiar with this as well as the victory chant of the people – John

12:12-13 - The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard

that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went

out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”

4> Revelation 7:12 praise and … - did you notice how many characteristics of

God the angels celebrate? Why that number?

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Phrases to note -

1> Revelation 7:13 one of the elders – remember, John was facing the throne

of God which was surrounded by the 24 elders, the Old and New Testament

representatives of the Christian Church. To help John understand what he is

seeing one of them now turns to John and inquires if he knows these people.

John is not able to identify them, at least not in as accurate a way that

someone already in heaven would be able to do so. Remember, this is a

vision. This is not John’s abode. He is only visiting this place. So whether or

not faces and names would have been familiar to him is not the question. The

question was whom does this massive group represent?

2> Revelation 7:14 who have come out of the great tribulation – here is where

context is vital. Millenialists want to affix some strange meaning to and time

reference for the tribulation. But it is a general term. Also, since we have just

come through the previous 5 seals which clearly show us this is a vision of the

entire New Testament period of time, then “the tribulation” is referencing what

John has just observed = all the events leading up to Judgment Day and not

just some preconceived period of suffering.

3> Revelation 7:15 before the throne of God - ah, now we see the comfort.

Now we understand better the purpose of the previous seals. What good are

these words if we had not been shown what the days and years leading up to

them looked like? How can we know true joy if we have not first known

sadness? That is what Jesus has done for John. Now he would be able to

write and encourage from a very first-hand point of view to comfort the

Christians of his day as they suffered.

As a side note on these specific verses – there may be few words as

comforting as these in all of the Bible. Not only do they “undo” all the pain and

suffering of the previous seals, but they incorporate bits and pieces of the most

supportive sections of previous Scriptures, such as Psalm 23 and John 10

where Jesus describes Himself as the “Good Shepherd”.

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