Category Archives: Daniel and Revelation

Daniel and Revelation

DANIEL AND REVELATION OPENED

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I want to invite you to an Answers from Scripture Zoom class called DANIEL AND REVELATION OPENED. It will be facilitated by myself and two other retired men. It will be a verse by study.

We are so sure these classes will benefit you that we will be drawing for a free iPad and other gifts if you attend ten straight classes.

THE ZOOM CLASSES BEGIN 3-1-22 (TUES) AT 7:00 PM CENTRAL AND EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AFTER THAT. TO SIGN UP SIMPLY SEND YOUR EMAIL TO:

DanielRevelation2300@gmail.com.

You may be asking, WHAT CHURCH IS THIS? The short answer is no church. The facilitators of these zoom classes, Eddie, Larry, and Charlie, are retired family men who share a love for Jesus Christ and are excited by the opportunity to open the Books of Daniel and the Revelation of Jesus Christ again. (These classes were conducted last year for the first time. )

The facilitators have backgrounds across multiple denominations, and in these studies, they check denominational hats at the door and let the Bible speak for itself. It is discussion-oriented. Eddie, Larry, and Charlie have decades of experience in leading in-depth but low-pressure scripture studies, including the companion books of Daniel and Revelation.

You will not be asked to join a church. What you do with the information and material is up to you. Where you fellowship is entirely up to you. The desire of these men is for each person who joins the study to discover Jesus Christ or be strengthened in their current faith. We hope you will join us in this journey to see Jesus revealed, perhaps like you have never seen before!

I hope to see you!

Eddie Armstrong (Author of Answers From Scripture Online)

Daniel and Revelation

The Church at Pergamum-A Dangerous Place to Live

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Author’s note: The following is formatted as an example of the student notes for an upcoming Daniel and Revelation seminar conducted by three facilitators who leave denominational hats at the door. The seminar will be conducted for the benefit of the individual to find reasons for a solid faith in Jesus Christ.

The zoom class is a denominational-free and safe zone for those who want to go verse by verse to understand these two great books about the prophecies that all point to Jesus and His soon return.

About the Facilitators:

The facilitators of these zoom classes, Eddie, Larry, and Charlie, are retired family men who share a love for Jesus Christ and are excited by the opportunity to open the Books of Daniel and the Revelation of Jesus Christ again (This seminar was conducted late in 2020 thru early 2021 every Tuesday night via zoom). The facilitators have backgrounds across multiple denominations, and in these studies, they check denominational hats at the door and let the Bible speak for itself. Eddie, Larry, and Charlie have decades of experience in leading in-depth scripture studies, including the companion books of Daniel and Revelation. You will not be asked to join a church. What you do with the information and material is up to you. Where you fellowship is entirely up to you. Their desire for each person is to be strengthened in the faith of Jesus Christ. We hope you will join us in this journey to see Jesus revealed, perhaps like you have never seen before!

If you want to sign up and have an opportunity to win a free iPad for 10 attendance classes, send your email address to danielrevelation2300@gmail.com

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:  “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, [which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

’ Revelation 2:12-17

Keywords and phrases to understand:

  1. Sharp two-edged sword

Answer:

  • Satan’s throne. Where Satan dwells (Seat of Authority). Hint: Rome Pagan and  Roman Emperor Worship center. Pergamum was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia!

Answer:

  • Antipas-faithful martyr. Who is he? Hint: what is he known for?

Answer:

  • Doctrine of Ballam and Balak. Hint: read the story in Numbers 22. What was Ballam’s objective?

Answer:

  • Stumbling block. Eat things sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality.

Answer:

  • Doctrine of Nicolaitans. God hates.

Answer:

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

  • They hold fast to My name and My faith. (Did not say, to your name or your faith. Why?)
  • Some within the congregation hold fast to a false and hateful doctrine of Balaam
  • This doctrine puts a stumbling block to God’s people.  Who said they should not eat food sacrificed to idols?  God.  Who said they should not commit sexual immorality.  Why just these two?  Satan chips away at reversing what God has said (See garden of Eden).  He chips away at what is holy (food dedicated to idols).  See the early church’s council to the newly converted Gentiles. (See Jerusalem decree Acts 15: 22-29)
  • Some within the congregation hold to the doctrine of Nicolaitans. Also, those in the church at Ephesus had the same problem (Rev. 2: 6). But the Ephesus church hated their deeds, as did God.  What are the acts and the doctrine of Nicolaitans?
  • God knows where they dwell.  It is a dangerous place to live literally and spiritually (A religious and more climate dangerous to their faith).  Do we live in a dangerous place? Why didn’t God tell them to move out away from the city?

Historical Significance

“The experience of the church in Smyrna coincided with the severe persecution of the faithful Christian church throughout the Roman Empire during the second and third centuries.  Historicist interpreters have generally applied the “ten days” (2:20) to the notorious intermittent imperial persecution (A.D. 303-313) initiated by Diocletian and taken over by his successor Gallerius.  This period was also characterized by further departure from the simplicity of the gospel.    In such a way, the church in Smyrna could represent the period in church history from the beginning of the second century until approximately A.D. 313 when Constantine the Great issued the famous Edict of Milan granting Christians religious freedom.”  Revelation of Jesus Christ-Stefanovic, p.125

Discussion questions.  What is the description of Jesus, and why is it important to this church?  What is the Two-Edged sword? (See Hebrews 4:12). The false doctrine can be rooted out through God’s word.  What does the sword give the person holding it to do?  How does the description of Jesus in each church provide the solution to the literal church, the historic church, and the church of today?

Final Thoughts

Pergamum was a divided church.  It was a dangerous place to be inside and outside the church.  Some remained faithful to Jesus and His word.  Others gave into the false teachings that God hated.  They also lived in a city known for false worship of rulers and false gods.  Those who remained faithful could be martyred at any time.  At any moment, the Roman emperor could have forced them to worship himself or the pagan gods.  If they refused, they would be martyred. 

While the Roman Emperor had a sword representing the rule of power and ending life if non-compliant, Jesus alone has control over life and death.  He has a double-edged sword in his mouth.  When He speaks, the dead rise to life. (See 1 Thess 4: 16-18)

Application for Us:

Are we as individuals remaining faithful to Jesus and God’s word? Where is our loyalty?  Are we a witness even to those in the church that holds to the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans?

Daniel and Revelation

Is The Church At Smyrna A Shadow of the Coming Events

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for the Last-Day followers of Christ?

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.’

Revelation 2: 8-11

Jesus

Four Ways to Hear

1.) Understand the church for which the message was originally intended. What was the city, culture, and condition of the church?

2.) How does that church match up with our local congregation? When you hear the issues of the Revelation church, does it ring a bell related to your congregation? For example, is it loveless, lukewarm, etc.?

3.) How does the message speak to me personally? Are you loveless, lukewarm, etc.?

4.) The contemporary significance of each church as a historical marker of the church’s journey through the ages (Historist view). the first church of Ephesus

Regarding question #1. Here is the description of Smyrna at the time of Jesus message to them:

The Church of Smyrna. Who Were They? Is This Us?

1.) A political, religious, and cultural center noted for the science and medicine that flourished there.

2.) Entertainment was king. They were proud of their largest public theater in the province. It seated twenty thousand people!

3.) The city was wealthy and beautiful, claiming the title of “the glory of Asia.”

4.) It had a special relationship with Rome (the government). The first to build a temple of home to the pagan god Roma.

5.) Christians were not popular and minimized. At the time of the book of Revelation, emperor worship became mandatory. Each citizen was required to burn incense on the altar to the godhead of Creaser, then issued a certificate. To refuse could bring death (Rev. 13?)

6.) There was a large and robust contingency of Jews hostile towards Christians. They joined the pagans against the Christians and incited the authorities to persecute them. They slandered the Christians and made false accusations of creating trouble and misery for them (purposeful misinformation?). Jesus depicts these Jews as the “synagogue of Satan.” As Christians, are we quick to minimize and criticize other Christians, not of our particular denomination? In today’s society, we may be our own worse enemy!

Consequently, there was fear among the Christians. What direction did Jesus give them? Did he tell them to become survivalists and store weapons and food to survive? Did he ask them to compromise their faithfulness to Him? No! He said this: “Stop fearing the things you are about to suffer.”

Here is the message to local congregations and individuals in the church. Stop the gloom and doom messages. Be truthful about the destruction of Christ’s return, but stop fearing and believe in God’s protection for those who love Him and His appearing. If suffering is involved, God will provide the strength to endure! The world fears for the things they see coming upon the earth, not the follower of Christ!

Stop fearing and start trusting in Him!

Jesus message to this city is the shortest of the seven .

Jesus introduces Himself as the first and the last, the one who was dead and came to life (2:8; cf. 1:17) This introduction of Jesus is well suited for a suffering church passing through dire, constant persecution.

Revelation of Jesus Christ, Ranko Stefanovic, p.123

The fact that Jesus died and rose to life after three days is the bedrock of the Christian’s hope. Our hope is not in dying and going to heaven. It is the return of Christ and raising us from the dead. Paul makes this clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15. Like Jesus, we may be persecuted, but we have this hope that even though we die, we shall live again.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Jesus, John 11:25

The Crown of Life

This church was already faithful, but Jesus is telling them to endure and continue to be faithful. The Christian experience of salvation is not a one-time event, but a continued journey.

But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

The Crown is given at the return of Christ. Let those “with ears hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Paul- 2 Timothy 4:18

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Jesus-Revelation 22: 12, 13
Daniel and Revelation

REVELATION-THE CANDLESTICKS

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There is no doubt that the candlesticks of Revelation represent the churches and their responsibility to be a light to the world. First, the seven churches represent each local church of Asia Minor made of individuals and collectively. Jesus had a message for them. But each church also describes the conditions of local churches of today. Even further, they represent the historical events of the church’s journey through time. Next, we can see ourselves in the council given each church.

So we have an individual responsibility to respond to the council.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

This phrase is made to each of the seven churches. How vital, then, is the message to individuals?  The ultimate purpose of God the Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit is to improve and correct each church, each individual.

“The mystery (hidden truth) of the…seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:20

The oil that feeds the lamp represents the church’s dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit to provide the light of the truth as found in Jesus Christ. Each church experiences different manifestations of the Holy Spirit because each has different situations and needs. Jesus walks among them, serving each of the churches individually and meeting them where they are.

The Holy Spirit manifests the reality of Jesus’ presence among the churches. The churches must pay heed to the message and recognize the authority of the One speaking to them.

“As the various churches are weighed and discussed, the living Christ is seen in action among His own people. They do not appear to them as the terrible sovereign on the throne or the conqueror riding to battle. He walks among them as a Lord who seeks to command their virtues even more than exposing and punishing their faults. These letters are His particular warning and counsel to the church of all time as the various aspects appear under the guise of the seven historic places.” Merrill C. Tenney

The strong appeal of the book of Revelation to Christians today is to follow the Lord’s way in proclaiming the gospel message to the world. It is, therefore, the sacred duty of the church to present Jesus Christ—his character and ministry—in a way that meets the people where they are. The symbolic representation of the church as the seven-branched lampstand denotes that the church has the full support of the Holy Spirit and a full task to perform. The first duty is to be the light to the world—to proclaim Jesus in words and action.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14

Through the church today, Christ meets people with aspects of Himself which correspond to their own life circumstances and relate to their individual needs. The church is the only light that Jesus shines through. For the church to fail in her role is to lose her reason for existence; her lampstand will be removed.

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Revelation 2:5

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

A church or individual who does not let the light of Jesus flow through them is as worthless as salt that has lost its flavor. The resources of heaven are at the church’s disposal to rectify the shortcomings of all things. But it is of little consequence if we don’t repent and turn from our excuses to behold the One who walks among the candlesticks.

Daniel and Revelation

DANIEL AND REVELATION CONNECTION

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Brief Overview

The two books of Daniel and Revelation are related in a unique way. Both John’s first vision (Revelation 1:12-20) and Daniel’s last vision (Daniel 10-12) are divine scenes where both describe the risen Christ’s vision.

I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:18

Daniel outlines the four great monarchies that would persecute God’s people, but he goes beyond the fourth kingdom (Rome) in his last vision.  This is precisely where the prophecies of Revelation begin.  A resurrected Rome (deadly wound healed) and its spiritual persecution becomes the high point of the chiastic chain of last-day events in Revelations 13 and 14.

Below is an illustrative chart to compare the closing scenes of Daniel’s vision and the beginning of the vision John.

Daniel 10:5-12Revelation 1: 12-18
A certain manOne like a son of man
Clothed in LinenClothe in a robe reaching to the feet
Girded with a belt of pure goldGirded with a golden girdle
His eyes were like torches of fireHis eyes were like a flame of fire
His feet like polished bronzeHis feet like burnished bronze
His voice was like a roaring multitudeHis voice like the sound of many waters
No strength, face to the groundJohn falls at his feet as dead
Hand touches DanielHand laid on John
“Fear Not!”“Fear Not”

Repeat and Expand

God’s merciful principle of “repeat and expand” works within each book and together to prepare them for things they are “not able to bear,” for the time is near.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. John 16:12

Daniel and Revelation

REVELATION-PATMOS AND THE LORD’S DAY

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I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Patmos-Brothers and Companions

In these opening verses, John sets the stage for the remainder of the book. First, he identifies with his audience by referring to himself as a brother and companion. In the context of the teachings of Jesus, believers and followers are a family of brothers and sisters (Matthew 12:48-50). This spiritual relationship continues to this day in the universal body of Christ. As the family of God, it is of great importance to edify each other who are “in Christ.” But this does not discount or diminish our responsibilities and love to all our blood relatives and the other human beings on this earth.

Next, John tells his audience another reason why he is a brother and companion. It is because of the trials and tribulations of the day. He further references the patience of Jesus Christ; a virtue much needed during the times he found himself. In the final days, it will not be churches, denominations, or organizations that bring unity among the brethren, but rather their testimony of Jesus and the trials and troubles which are sure to come upon the body of Christ. The word and idea of “patience” will appear five more times in the message of Revelation:

1.) As part of the message of recognition to the nature of the people in the churches of Ephesus and Thyatira and

2.) Twice to the people living at the end of time:

“Here is the patience of the saints….

Revelation 13:10

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:12

Perhaps nothing brings more unity to the body of Christ than to be persecuted for Jesus. At a time of persecution, petty differences and dogma fade quickly in the unity of the brethren.

Patmos-John’s Platform

There has been some debate about whether Patmos was a penal colony or not. Still, the fact remains there was a reason why John was on this small sixteen-square-mile island some fifty miles off the coast of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). This Alcatraz-type island was situated in the middle of the Aegean Sea because of His firm stance on the Word of God and His testimony about Jesus. Patmos (Now called Patino) was the perfect place for Roman authorities to quiet the tongue of John…or at least they thought.

John’s patience and duress for the the “Word of God” is a reference to Jesus Himself. In his gospel, John describes Jesus as “The Word of God.”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14

So John was not on a Sabbatical at a resort island. Whether it was a penal colony or not, the fact is that He was placed there against his will to silence him. But God transcends any situation where the enemy would discourage or make of none affect our testimony. The Patmos experience of His followers turn the night into day and amplify our testimony. God often takes what was meant for evil and turns it into good (Genesis 50:20) as was the case for the trials of Joseph and others. Their testimony was written to encourage us who were to come after.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope  Romans 15:4

Spiritual Setting

John has described his physical setting and his identification with those of like-faith. Next he turns to the spiritual setting. He was:

“…in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…

The phrase “in the Spirit” indicates the involvement of the third member of the Godhead. As shown in the opening verses, the vision came from God the Father through an angel to John. But, John is “in the Spirit,” which would suggest The Holy Spirit was inspiring (not dictating) him in the writing of the scroll regarding the revelation of Jesus. This is consistent with how the Holy Spirit worked with writers of Scripture in times past.

“…for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit..”

2 Peter 1:21

John put in his own words what he saw but under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Note that neither angels nor the Holy Spirit dictates; they show and reveal and move individuals to talk or write in their own words. As we read words that were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it should likewise inspire and move us as hearers.

Next John tells us the time and space from which He wrote. He states it was on “The Lord’s Day.” The Greek for this phrase is kyriakos hēmera. It is used nowhere else in the Bible. Why would John give us the time of the vision? What importance can it be? There are five proposals as to its meaning. We will examine only three. The last two I will briefly mention.

The Lord’s Day

1.) Most commentators say the Lord’s Day refers to Sunday (the first day of the week set aside in honor of the resurrection). They propose that early Christian writings connect these two dots: Lord’s day equals Sunday and then connects first-day meetings as a change in their habit of meeting and worshiping on the Sabbath.

The most substantial evidence for this view is found in extra-biblical works, Didache and the letter of Ignatius of Antioch to the Magnesians (The Apostolic Fathers p. 154-155). But they don’t use the Greek phrase of kyriakos hēmera (Lord’s Day) but rather kata kuriaken (according to the Lord.) This insinuates that the term “Lord’s Day” was not intended, but rather He was in the Spirit “according to the Lord”.

But, another extra-biblical source (the apocryphal book of The Gospel of Peter) uses kyriakos hēmera (Lord’s Day). The first church father to use the Lord’s day for Sunday was Clement of Alexandria (ca. A.D. 190).

This early writing appears almost one hundred years after Revelation. This alone is not admissible as evidence for understanding this phrase. A sound exegesis of this text is to compare similar Biblical words and phrases regarding the fact that Lord has a day.

2.) Probably the least palatable with modern churches, particularly those steeped in tradition, is that the “Lord’s Day” means Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. The phrase Lord’s day states God has a day. It shows exclusive possession. It belongs to no one but Himself. At the same time, the Lord’s day is never used elsewhere; similar phrases are. Here are a few. Here is where proponents of the seventh day Lord’s Day find their basis:

 “…the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God…”Exodus 20:10

The fourth commandment makes explicit reference to the beginning of time and the creation as the start of the Lord’s Day:

 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20: 11

Other than the seventh-day Sabbath, no other day of the week comes with a blessing for a particular reason from God.

Other passages indicate the seventh day Sabbath as belonging to God Himself.


“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight,

Isaiah 5813

Jesus, who co-created with God the Father (See John 1), refers to Himself as in possession of the seventh day Sabbath when He and His disciples are accused of desecrating the Sabbath by walking through grain fields and eating grain. The legalistic Sabbath guardians (Pharisees) accused the disciples of some sort of weird unbiblical prohibition about thrashing and eating grain on the Sabbath.

But Jesus’ defense of their actions was very profound to His religious listeners. The Pharisees, perhaps, thought of it as blasphemous, but to His followers, it further solidified Him as the “Son of God.” It also meant, He possessed a day of the week for a good reason; He was (an is) its author:

 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:8

Again, Jesus (The Lord) indicates possession of the Sabbath, and for a good reason.

Massynberde Ford, who struggles with the meaning of the expression, admits: “most probably the Christians would still be keeping the Sabbath, the Seventh-day.”

3.) A number of scholars avoid the debate of the Sunday vs. Saturday argument by placing the phrase in the context of the eschatological day of the Lord (hemera tou kuriou or hemerera kuriou). The phrase “the day of the Lord” is often used by prophets n the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Joel 2:11, 31; Amos 5:18-20; Zeph. 1:14, Mal. 4:5). Here is an example. Notice its clear reference to the end of time.

For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible;
Who can endure it?…The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. Joel 2: 11, 31

Peter quoted Joel in his famous sermon of repentance to the vast crowds in Jerusalem. The entire sermon can be found in Acts 2.

 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:…The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. Acts 2: 16, 20

Despite this, John does not use the Greek for “the day of the Lord” but rather “the Lord’s day“.

4.) A few scholars think that “the Lord’s day” refers to “Easter Sunday as an annual event rather than a weekly Sunday. But again, the evidence for this is extra-Biblical and based on a tradition of a much later time (2nd century) than at the time of John’s writings. As such, it cannot be used as proof for a much earlier usage of the phrase from the book of Revelation.

5.) Some authors think that the reference is to the Emperor’s day.” Adolf Deissman shows that the word kuriakos was current in the first century, denoting what belonged to the Roman emperor who claimed the title kurious (‘lord”). Although inscriptions confirm that Egypt and Asia Minor had a day known as Sebaste, which was devoted to the Roman emperor, it is difficult to see a connection between “Lord’s day” and “Sebaste day.” First of all, the two phrases are completely different; no conclusive evidence has been discovered indicating that the phrase kuriake hemera was used for an imperial day honoring the emperor. Also, it is unlikely that John referred to the Emperor’s day in Revelation 1:10 at the time when Christians in Asia were persecuted for refusing to call the emperor kurios and to worship the emperor.

So, when did John receive the vision? Sunday as the Lord’s day is doubtful because it cannot be supported by biblical or first-century extra-biblical evidence. Stronger biblical evidence favors the seventh-day Sabbath as the Lord’s day. Again, as mentioned before, this does not set well with most people who have traditionally designated Sunday as the Lord’s day.

On the other hand, the eschatological character of the book, as a whole, is also in favor of the eschatological day of the Lord (See Rev. 1:7). Perhaps there is a double meaning related to John’s recognition of the time and space as the Sabbath and the end time day of the Lord. A time of rest in the day belonging to the Lord, even during the stressful events that surely must come to pass at the day of the Lord.

And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:33

To this writer, we mustn’t get hung up on this “gnat,” as it were, forgetting there is a whole camel to examine in the remainder of the book. Even more important is where we started in this writing. John seeks to identify with believers in their persecution for their witness and thereby unify us all in the Lord. While some will disagree with some of the conclusions regarding the “Lord’s day,” let us agree to disagree and move on to the “weightier matters of the law.” The arguments in this phrase pale when compared to the entire message of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Daniel and Revelation, Reasons to Believe

REVELATION-THE AUDIENCE

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Overview

Of utmost importance in reading the messages to the seven churches is grasping how they should be understood and to whom they are addressed.  The book’s contents indicate a particular time and place (The Seven Churches in Asia Minor).  Nevertheless, in Revelation 1:19, it states it is also prophetical

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later.” Revelation 1:19

It can be said that the messages were for both the churches at that time but also for those who would come after, particularly those in the last days. Interestingly, the letters have an additional application for the different modern churches and individuals.  As you are reading, you may see yourself in one of the churches. All of the messages end on a very personal level,


“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:22

Notice, the plural is not used, but instead, John uses the singular.  It doesn’t say “ears,” but rather “ear.”  Each person should therefore read as it talks to you directly.  While the message is to a congregation, it does no good if we look at the message as applying to someone else.

Layers of Application

The beautiful aspect of these seven “letters” and their audience is the layers of application. We have seen above that one layer is the literal churches of Asia Minor. Next, we must keep in mind if it is prophetical.  Third, the messages can be for almost any modern church. There are examples of the kinds of things that can go wrong in any church.  Finally, and the most important, is the message to the individual.  After all, the body of Christ is not limited to buildings and denominations.  A congregation made of solid and committed followers of Christ individuals will result in a robust and productive church for servitude.

The messages were not sent out separately but rather as a whole book.  This indicates the value of each church reading and understanding the trials of each congregation.  Here is where empathy (not judgment) can go a long way to “enduring to the end.”

But there is still yet another layer of application dealing with its prophetical message of “…what will take place later.”

The History of The Church

We live in a modern society where there are attempts to destroy history because of the bad things that have happened years ago. If this is the reason for killing history, little history would remain.

Memorials of the past are judged by whether they were pure or not.   But individuals and organizations are more effective if they can objectively look back and appreciate the struggles and mistakes of those who went before us.  One writer suggested the importance of learning from the past in these words. 

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our past history.” E. G. White

The writing of the entire Bible is based on learning from the journey of God’s people, both the good and the bad, to not only learn but to have hope.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope. Rom 15:4

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.1 Corinthians 10:6

God has laid out an underlying revelation of how the church would fare during different points of history.  The book of Revelation claims to be a prophecy and must be approached as prophecy and messages to churches and individuals (1:3, 22:7, 10, 18-19).  Like bookends, Revelation starts with the prophetic platform and ends with the same (1:3, 22:7, 10, 18, 19)

And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 

Revelation 22:10

Therefore, it is appropriate to view the messages to the seven churches as prophetical for John’s perspective. Here is another layer that many Christians would like to avoid because it forces us to see the bad things done in the name of Christ throughout the aging of the church.  At the time John wrote the letters, the course of the church was unknown to him.  But God knew the trials yet to come for His people. Despite the trials and tribulation, it gives us hope for the future of God’s people.  We must remember, these messages didn’t come from John. They came from God the Father.

As we get deeper into the study of Revelation and begin to look back at the history of the church, we will see there are seven eras in church history as symbolized by the characteristics of each of the seven churches:

ChurchEra
Ephesus1st Century of Christian Era
SmyrnaPersecution of the 2nd and 3rd centuries
PergamumChurch of Compromised 4th and 5th centuries
ThyatiraMiddle ages
SardisReformation and Post-Reformation
PhiladelphiaMissionary movements of the late 18th century
LaodiceaEnd of time church

Summary

The messages to the churches are multi-dimensional.  It has layers of information and application.  First to the believers for which it was originally written (inclusive of all the churches in the area not addressed in the book: [Colossae (Col 1:2) Hierapolis (Col. 4:13), Troas (Acts 20:5, 2 Cor. 2:22) And Miletus (Acts 20:17)]

Next, the message is for all churches of all ages, but particularly for those at the end of time. Most importantly it is for individuals (those who have an ear), regardless of the organized church they associate with or identify themselves. Lastly, it gives us a two-thousand-year-old history of the challenges of the church from John’s time to ours. By looking backwards, we can see clearer those things “yet to come.”

Daniel and Revelation, Reasons to Believe

THE BOOK OF REVELATION-PART 3-The THEME

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Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1: 7-8

After John’s Prologue, Greetings and Doxology, John turns the reader’s attention to what Jesus will do. He then reminds us of who Jesus is.

What Will He Do?

The principal of understanding Revelation’s message is to know when John talks in symbolic language and when he describes the literality of situations or events. There is nothing in Revelation 1:7 that would indicate symbolism. It concerns the eyes of every person who is alive (and resurrected) at the return of Christ and their reaction. He also includes another group in this spectacular event: “they who pierced Him.” This is a direct reference to those who were responsible for His crucifixion. How can this happen? Aren’t those people dead already? That will be answered later in Revelation.

Verse 7 obviously describes the literal second coming of Christ and the end of the world’s history as we know it. How do we know His coming is literal? To solidify the event as tangible, a comparison of the exact same event from other inspired writers of the Bible is critical. Here are just a few passages:

Daniel 7:13

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!

Daniel sees a similar vision of the “Son of Man” (Jesus) coming with the clouds of heaven. Notice it is not the clouds of the earth but heaven. Both John and Daniel “SEE” with their eyes as does every believer throughout the ages. including this special group of persecutors.

Zechariah 12: 10-14

“…then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. in that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem,

Zechariah describes those who” pierced” Jesus and their location: Jerusalem, the place where Jesus was crucified. They will look on Me (Jesus). Again, the eyes are used to see the events of Jesus’ return.

Finally, we hear from the lips of Jesus Himself as recorded by Matthew, a description of His return that matches Daniel and Zechariah, to name a few.

Matthew 24:30

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

There is something mentioned by Jesus that is not be the other writers. It is the “sign” of the Son of Man. It appears John is describing something just before Jesus appears. This sign, indicates that Jesus is coming and the mourning begins. Then they see Jesus coming in “the clouds” of heaven. It is a powerful and glorious thing to see.

Jesus talked directly to those who were soon to “pierce Him.”

Mark 14: 61:62

Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Summary-What He Will Do.

So, What will Jesus do? He will return visibly. It will be an event that is powerful and glorious to see. Every eye of those who are alive (and those resurrected in the first resurrection-(See 1 Thess 4: 16-18) and those who pierced Him will see Him coming (See Mark 14: 62), Matthew 26:64). Those on earth will mourn (grieve) like someone who has lost someone very close to them. As described later in Revelation. those who mourn are under tremendous conviction of remorse and lost opportunity. They have been such great enemies of Jesus that they can’t stand to look at him. They run from Him to hide His face from their sight:

Revelation 6: 14-17

Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

The other eyes that will see Him are those who are “in Christ” and alive at His return. The follower’s of Christ living and the those who “died in Christ” from all ages will see His return. The “dead in Christ” are resurrected to see Him coming. It is something they were promised before they fell asleep in Christ. Perhaps the clearest description of this portion of Christ’s return comes from Paul. Paul was encouraging the believers of the Thessalonian church by describing that great day of Jesus’ return. These early believers thought Jesus should have returned already. But Paul described things that had to happen first (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3). As this church watched believers die and buried, they longed for Jesus, as do many today, to come quickly and put an end to death.

1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18

 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Our comfort is to know that Jesus is coming! The saved of all ages will rise from the dust of the ground along with those who alive to meet Jesus in the air. Here is where eternity will begin. It is after those who are asleep in death are raised and their bodies are changed (See 1 Corinthians 15: 51:55). Then we all meet Jesus in the air. He takes us back to where He is now (See John 14: 1-3)

The saved will not be mourning, rather they will be praising.

Isaiah 24:9


And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

Who is this Jesus?

This question is answered in the context of the previous verses about Jesus return. After John describes the return of Christ, He reminds us who Jesus is, especially as it relates to that glorious event of Jesus’ return.

Revelation 1:8

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

First, John describes Jesus as the “Alpha and the Omega”. These are the Greek letters we would describe as “A” to “Z” The start and the finish. The Beginning and the End. This world’s history started with its creation and it will end with the return of Christ. Peter described the world’s end as the “day of the Lord”:

2 Peter 3: 10,

 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  

Again, another inspired writer and an apostle of Christ (Peter) describes the end of this world as a destructive event at the return of Christ or “the day of the Lord.”

Jesus is both the beginning and the end. He acted in the past, he is present now, and he will always be .

“The conclusion of world’s history will not be through ‘a gradual process’ of either degradation or development but through the coming of Christ in glory and majesty.” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” Stefanovic, p.71

Finally, Jesus is referred to as “The Almighty.” The Greek word for Almighty is pantokratōr. It is used in the Old Testament as “Lord of the Sbaoth” (“Lord of Hosts” or Lord overall). It is used nine times in the book of Revelation (1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 15: 21:22; 19:6;)

To put it plainly, John in both Revelation and His gospel, describes Jesus as God Almighty, the Creator (beginning) and Sustainer of life on earth

John 1: 1-3, 14

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him (Jesus), and without Him (Jesus) nothing was made that was made. 

And the Word (Jesus) became flesh (incarnation) and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth

Conclusion

There can be little doubt that the theme of Revelation is centered on What Jesus will do: A very literal destructive return to planet earth . Every eye will see Him coming in heaven’s clouds. “Every eye” includes the living; those who are resurrected; and those who pierced Him. The lost living will “mourn” and try to hide their face from Him. The saved of all ages will rejoice at the fulfillment of His promise to return.

John reminds us of who Jesus is: This is important in the scope and reason for Jesus’ return. He is the one who began life on earth (The Alpha) and is the one who will end it (Omega) except for those who are “in Him.” He is everything in between. Finally, Jesus is the Lord Almighty, The Lord of Hosts. He will return and not keep silent:

Psalm 50:3

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

This is the theme, the foundation of the Book of Revelation. Everything revolves around the literal event of Jesus’ return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Revelation 19:16

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Daniel and Revelation

THE BOOK OF REVELATION PART 2-PROLOGUE NOTES

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The first eight verses from the Prologue answers the basic questions of “Who?”, “What?”, ” “When?”, Where?” and “How?”. Included in these opening verses is the most critical question: The purpose of the book…the “Why?” These opening pages promises an incentive for reading and understanding the contents of its pages: A simple but yet dynamic blessing.

These first eight verses can easily be grouped into three sections: the introduction, the greetings and doxology, and the book’s main theme.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 1: 1-3

Introduction

Who?

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” The book’s topic is all about the revelation of Jesus. The reader must keep this in mind so that the beasts and other symbols don’t replace or cover up Jesus. The book is a “revealing” of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for Revelation is apokalupsis (the Apocalypse). It is a compound word of apo (away from) and kalupsis (a veiling or covering). Thus, the “apocalypse” means and “unveiling” or an “uncovering.” This denotes a disclosure of something that was previously “covered up.” or “concealed.”

Included in the “who?” question is the person of John, our earthly guide through its pages. He personalizes the information and writes what he saw, heard, and felt.

What?

“…God gave Him to show His servants…” God (The Father) gives Jesus (The Son) information to show to “His servants ” information. This information is mainly for those who serve Jesus. They are active followers of Jesus down through the ages. Therefore, it does not appear to be for anyone else, such as the enemies of God or the unbelievers. However, as we will see, there is a remarkable transformation (blessing) promised for anyone “with an ear” who hears this information and follows up with action or doing.

When?

“things which must shortly take place…” (These words are repeated at the end of the book in Revelation 22: 6 like book ends) This small section of this verse has troubled some readers because 2,000 years have passed since John wrote these words. If you include Daniel’s similar words as he revealed the vision of the rise and fall of nations (Daniel 2:28), we can add several hundred years to the timeline. In our way of thinking, this is not a short period of time. But, we must keep in mind a couple of things. First, God does not view the passing of time as we do, neither should we when we understand the character of God. Peter explains to us:

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2 Peter 3:8

So in comparing the whole of time, to God it has only been 2 days since John was given the visions! The context of Peter’s statement is regarding the timing of the second coming of Jesus Christ. A concern of all Christians since He first ascended into heaven. Peter goes on to explain why there is an “apparent” delay in the return of Christ:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. v. 9

God is longsuffering (patient). Why? Because he doesn’t want any person to “perish.” But, what does “perish” have to do with the second coming? Within the context of Peter’s declaration of God’s patience is the ultimate end of those who will not repent and therefore perish. God’s longsuffering goes all the way to the end of time and beyond! The events of Revelation will reveal to us Jesus’ coming and its destructive nature, which includes the end of any more opportunities to repent and turn to Him for salvation. The events which shortly must come to pass ultimately describes the perfection that comes out of the chaos.

Secondly, as we take the Historicist view of Revelation we will understand that “those things which must shortly come to pass” was “soon” for those who lived through the early prophecies of Revelation. As we progress through the rise and fall of nations and the history of the church, the prophecies that are fulfilled during those particular times were “soon enough” for those at that time. Likewise, the remaining prophecies regarding the actual coming of Christ will be “soon enough” for us. Even though Jesus told His servants to watch and pray that we are not surprised by the thief. It will still be an a time we do not expect.

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:44

Where?

When John received these visions and wrote them down, he was in prison on the Island of Patmos. He is still on earth, but like Paul is “caught up in vision”. Where he heard and saw things around the throne of God.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12;2

Paul “heard inexpressible words” (v. 3) John heard and saw similar things as did Daniel and other prophets. This may be the reasons symbols are used to described things that are “inexpressible.”

The point is this. God meets us where we are. We are on earth in the soupy mix of sin, death, confusion and misery. But, through a vision of the future that God gives us hope and happiness. There are “things” He has prepared for us, Their description is “inexpressible.”. Paul again tells the believers what John conveys in the whole book of Revelation:

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

How?

“… And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” The Greek word for signify is sēmainō which translates as “show or explain by a sign or symbol.” In other places in the Bible the signification is figurative and relates to something in the future. A good example of the word used by John describes the type of death of Jesus would die. It was yet future but was “shortly to come to pass.” in the time of the Apostles.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. ” This He said, signifying (sēmainō) by what death He would die.

John 12:32-33

The use of symbols were things John was familiar with in his time, e.g., candlesticks, beasts, shields, horses, lambs, sacrifices, etc. “The setting for revelation is the ancient sanctuary, which in itself is a complex symbol. Not only the place itself but its furniture, priests and the regularly scheduled services are symbols of things that are “inexpressible.” A good understanding of the sanctuary on earth, which is a shadow of the one in heaven, would add to a deeper understanding of Revelation since this is the all-encompassing symbol of the plan of salvation

 “Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

Hebrews 9: 23-24

God’s “way” (Greek word dereḵ for the direction of the journey or pathway) is found in the sanctuary.

Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?

Psalm 77:13

Why? (Purpose)

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

The incentive for us to read is to “bless” us or make us happy. The Greek word for “blessed” is makarios which means (‘happy) from which the word “macarism” (happiness) is derived. It is the same word used by Jesus in the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 3-12). Secondly, it is to prepare us and the world to be ready for those things “which shortly must come to pass.”

John will use the word “blessed” 7 times in Revelation. It therefore, demonstrates the completeness of happiness for those who reads, hears, and keeps those things written…Why? Because the time is near. The happiness for those who do these things can start today.

Summary

So the story of Revelation is about Jesus from start to finish and His mediation for us as the High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary before He comes. The great truth about Jesus and the prophecies are expressed in symbols. Many prophecies have been fulfilled, but many are yet to come. In either case, the time was and is short. It was written for those “with an ear” which is symbolically is saying it is for everyone, but especially for those who willing to to know, to learn, and respond.

God’s delivery of the message starts with God the Father who sent it to Jesus, and then to an angel (messenger) who passed it on to John and now us. If we have an ear and are willing, we will find happiness on earth before the return of Christ. That is purpose of this book…It is for you to read, understand, and keep.

Daniel and Revelation

The Book of Revelation-Introductory Notes

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This begins a multi-part series on Revelation. It is the book of the hour, but there is so much confusion over its contents. As I write this, I am preparing with two other facilitators for an interdenominational verse-by-verse study of Daniel and Revelation.

It will be a zoom class for those who want an in-depth study of end-time events from Revelation that is supported by the many other prophets, most particularly the book of Daniel.

The ideal person for this study is either unchurched but feels the Holy Spirit’s conviction or the person who is not afraid to let the scriptures speak to them personally and therefore is not denominationally dogmatic. The purpose of the study is not to convert anyone to any particular denomination. What you do with the information is up to the person. The goal is for all to come to more excellent knowledge and an increased measure of faith in Jesus. John’s book is a “Revelation” of Jesus Christ. It starts and ends with Jesus. We are promised a blessing if we read and understand this inspired book. As John tells us in the opening verses of Revelation,

 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Much thanks to Ranko Stefanovic and his fine commentary on Revelation of Jesus Christ for much of this material

4 Main Methods of Interpretation

Teachers often follow one of four methods in the study of Revelation. This will usually result in forcing passages to conform to their method.  But many contemporary teachers have found value in combining the most vital elements of two or more.

Below we will briefly review the four methods of interpretation:  Preterist, the Idealistic, the Futurist, and the Historical approaches.

1.)   Preterism

  • The Book of Revelation is focused on the issues of the Christian church in the Roman province of Asia during the 1st century.
  • The primary purpose of Revelation was to encourage the churches to endure because the Lord would be coming soon and overthrow Rome and rescue His people
  • It contains no prophecies beyond the 1st century. And does not provide insight into the events leading to the return of Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom.

Problem with Preterism

  • Since it limits the writings of John the Revelator to the events taking place in the first century, it does not provide insight into the events leading to the return of Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom.
  • There is no extra-biblical history to support the Preterist assumption of empire-wide systematic persecution of the first-century church
  • Revelation itself refers to local persecution of the Christians in Asia. Example Revelation 2:10, 13, 3:10.  John was a victim of this Asian persecution and was exiled to Patmos (Rev. 1:9). (Note: This is not to say severe persecution would come upon the church at many places and at later times.)
  • Preterism denies the prophetic character of Revelation for ages from the first century to our time and the coming of Christ.
  • Even though the messages to the churches can apply to believers at any time in history, the Preterist approach limits the news about the conditions of churches, believers, and enemies of the church to John’s day.  Therefore, it would have little to say about the church’s journey through the dark ages and up to our time. 
  • Because of the elimination of the prophecies of the end-time Christians, it denies the God who knows the future of His people to the end.

For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,”

Isaiah 46: 9-10

2.)   Idealism

  • Argues against any historical purpose through John’s use of symbolism.
  • Sees Revelation as a symbolic description of the ongoing struggle between good and evil.  It does not apply Revelation to any particular historical time or place.
  • Shares much with the Preterist’s view. They do not see a literal or historical picture of John’s vision
  • Assumes the purpose of Revelation is to stress ethical truth that applies to any person at any time.

Problem with Idealism

  • The issues with Idealism are very similar to the problems with Preterism. This approach discounts the prophetic power of the vision given to John for future generations.

3.)   Futurism

  • It contrasts with Preterism and Idealism completely.
  • It pushes the prophecies in Revelation to the future (Chapter 4-22), even to those of us today. The approach sees John’s recorded signs as taking place just before and after the Second Coming.
  • Thus, the Book of Revelation prophecies are mostly relevant to those who are “left behind” after those who are in Christ are removed from planet Earth.
  • Futurism is the basis of, perhaps, the most popular view of mainline evangelical churches today.

Problem with Futurism

  • Encourages believers to ignore or, at the least, minimize the prophecies in the Revelation. The prophecies are considered to be relevant only to those “left behind” who weren’t saved the first time or to the lost.
  • Has been made popular by unreliable extra-biblical books and movies. This has made it easy for people to accept the Futurist conclusions using popular “entertaining” sources.
  •  It disregards the end-time education that would come from the historical markers of the journey of God’s people from the beginning to our time and the practical application to prepare for enduring times of trouble that is to come upon “the whole world.”   One prominent preacher promoting Futurism said,

 “I don’t have to worry about the end-time events or the beast of Revelation 13 because I won’t be here.”

That statement is presumptuous, but many Christians have adopted this point of view.  But it begs this question, “What if they find themselves on earth when the time of trouble comes?”  Does God not ask us to prepare spiritually for those days?  It might be appealing to believe that Christians will not have troubles, but that is not what Jesus tells us. Jesus tells us to watch and pray:

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

4.) Historicism

  • The Historic view understands that the visions given by God and recorded by John the Revelator provide a symbolic presentation of the prophetic outline of the course of the church from apostolic times to the time of the end and beyond. It is the history of the gospel era and God’s plan to eliminate sin for all time.
  • Revelation has two main sections: Historical and Eschatological. The condition of the seven churches is literal and symbolic of the church at various times during its journey, including our day. Many of the things yet future are for our generation and those alive at the soon return of Jesus Christ.
  •  The Historicist view is all-encompassing and reinforces the prophetic powers of God as communicated to John and other Bible prophets and eventually to “all who have an ear.”
  •  The Historicist application reveals the strong relationship of the prophecies and visions in Revelation to the signs and visions of other prophets of God in the Old Testament, particularly the book of  Daniel. It provides a sequential view of the rise and fall of nations and its effects of God’s people in each generation.  Many scholars have considered Daniel to be the key that unlocks Revelation.
  • Many of Daniel and John’s prophecies predict future events to specific generations.  But as time passed, the future events became history to them. In this way, Revelation continually gives Christians in each era an inside look at “what will shortly take place.”
  • Generations have been able to look back through events that confirm the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Our generation is in the unique position to look back through reliable extra-biblical history books over most of the gospel era (some contemporary to the events predicted) and appreciate how God’s prophecies have been fulfilled.  This gives us confidence in God’s power and the prophecies still yet future.

Problem with Historicism

  • Historists will sometimes try to force each verse into a historist’s viewpoint.  However, there are often times when the strengths of the other views should be considered.  

Conclusion

  • Preterism, Idealism have elements of truth, i.e., the overall universal message to God’s people of any age.
  • Futurism message has the element of truth regarding being ready for the “rapture.”  But it has little value to understanding the trials of the early church and as it went through persecution during the different ages, particularly the dark and reformation ages.  It places little to no relevance on the church’s history and the end-time church. 
  • The Historical (or timeline view) view combined with the vital elements of the other ideas provide a well-rounded and biblical view of the visions of John.
  • The Historic view is strengthened by the solid parallels and consistency with the prophecies recorded in Daniel and other prophetic books of the Bible.
  • The story of the plan of salvation and the challenges put forth by the enemy is more apparent when we study the history of God’s people and their struggle with the originator of rebellion against God.  It has often been said, “We learn about the future from the past.” 
  • Seeing the prophecies confirmed throughout the church’s history increases our faith in the scripture.  The Historicist approach gives us wisdom and insight into the hand the enemy will play at the end of time.  This better prepares us and gives us faith and trust in God

“We have nothing to fear for the future unless we forget how God has led in the past.”