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- Introduction 1:1-8
  - Title 1:1-3
    - cf. Dan 2:28-30, 45-47
    - Apocalypse (pulling back curtain) of Jesus Christ
    - which God gave Him to make known to His servants
    - -what is necessary to happen soon
    - and He signified it by sending it by His angel to His servant John
    - who testified to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, which he saw
    - Blessed is the one who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and who keep the things that are written in it
    - because the time is near
  - Salutation 1:4-5
    - From: John
    - To: to the seven churches in Asia
    - Blessing:
      - grace to you and peace
      - From the One Who is and Who was and Who is coming
        cf. Exo 3:14
      - And From the Seven Spirits (sevenfold/complete/perfect Spirit) which/Who is before His Throne
        cf. Isa 11:2
        cf. Zech 4:2-7
        seven favorite number of Rev.
        symbolizes completeness, fullness
      - And from Jesus Christ
        the faithful witness
        cf. Psa 89:35-37
        the firstborn from the dead and the one ruling the kings of the earth
        cf. Psa 89:26-27
        Note that John adds "from the dead" to firstborn
  - Doxology 1:5-6
    - To the One Who loved us
    - And freed us from our sins
      - cf. Psa 130:8, Isa 40:2
    - by His blood
    - and He made us a kingdom, priests to God and His Father
      - cf. Exo 19:6, Isa 61:6
    - to Him be glory and power forever and ever amen
  - Theme/Promise/Notice 1:7
    - Behold He is coming with the clouds
      - cf. Dan 7:13, Mt. 24:30
      - as a sovereign conquerer, who rules and inherits the earth
      - "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. (Dan 7:13 NIV)
    - and every eye will see Him
    - also those who pierced Him
      - cf. Zeck 12:10
      - symbol for repentance and mourning and grief for the bad guys
      - "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. (Zec 12:10 NIV)
    - and all the tribes of the earth will mourn for Him
      - cf. Zech 12:10, 12,14
      - bitter mourning and sadness
  - Identity of Christ 1:8
    - I am the Alpha and the Omega
      - cf. Isa 41:4, 44:6, 48 ;12
    - says the Lord God
    - The One Who is
      - cf. Exo 3:14
    - and the One Who was
    - and the One Who is coming
    - The Almighty
      - cf. Amos 3:13, 4:13, Hosea 12:5 LXX translation of Lord of Hosts
      - pantokrator - all powerful
- In the Spirit on the Lord's Day 1:9-3:22
  - John's Commission 1:9-20
    - John's Commission 1:9-11
      - Purposeful description of John
        I, John
        your brother
        and a fellow sharer in the suffering/tribulation
        cf. I Pet. 5:1 - puts self in same boat as readers as not aloof to their suffering
        and kingdom
        cf. I Pet. 5:1 but also reminds them of reward as hope to go through this suffering
        and patient endurance in Christ
        also model of how we should go through suffering
        "John is our guide to the visions, but because he is on our level, as 'brother and companion,' he is as amazed as we are at what he sees and hears. He knows some things we do not, but he misunderstands other things and has to be corrected, even rebuked, by the heavenly beings who appear to him." Michaels p. 17
      - Background situation of John
        I was on the island called Patmos
        penal colony, exile
        because of the Word of God
        typical description of prophecy in OT
        and the testimony of Jesus
      - Context of vision
        I was in the Spirit
        cf. Ezek. 2:2, 3:12, 14, 24, 11:1, 43:5
        Equating John with OT prophets and manner of receiving revelation
        cf. 4:2 - vision, beyond normal this worldly sense and perception
        on the Lord's Day
      - The Commission to write the vision
        and I heard behind me a great voice as a trumpet
        Exo 19:16, 19
        saying, "Write what you see in a book"
        cf, Exo 17:14, Isa 30:8, Jer 37:3 etc.
        equating John with OT prophets
        and send it to the seven churches: in Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamum, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and Philadelphia, and Laodiceia
    - Vision/Description of the Glorified Christ 1:12-18
      - And I turned to see the voice which spoke with me
        cf. Exod. 20:18
      - And as I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands
        cf. 1:20 where lampstands defined as the seven churches
        Jesus is walking in the midst of the seven churhces in glory
        cf. Zech 4:1-10
      - And in the midst of the lampstands, one like a son of man (a humanlike figure)
        cf. Dan 7:13 for one like Son of Man -
        Figure given all authority by God
        Some ways symbolizes the 'saints of the Most High"
        Some ways symbolizes God Himself
        clothed in a long robe
        with a golden sash around His chest
        cf. Dan 10:5ff.
        clothing of heavenly messenger
        His head and hair were white like wool, white as snow
        cf. Dan 7:9
        Hair of 'Ancient of Days' - God
        And His eyes were like flames of fire
        And His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace
        cf. Dan 10:6
        eyes and feet and appearance like heavenly messenger
        And His voice was like many waters
        cf. Ezek 1:24, 43:2
        voice of God
        And in His right hand were seven stars
        about to be defined as the 7 churches or their messengers/leaders
        And out of His mouth came a sharp two edged sword
        cf. Isa 11:4, 49:2 of effective communication
        elsewhere in Rev. of judgment and power of words to judge enemies
        And His appearance/face was like the sun shining in its full power.
        cf. Exo. 34:29 Moses' face shining reflecting God's glory
        cf. Ezek 1:13 bright shining appearance of the living creatures accompanying vision of God
      - John's reaction
        And when I saw Him, I fell toward His feet as dead
        typical response to heavenly messenger
      - Jesus' response
        and He placed His right hand on me saying:
        Do not fear
        typical reassurance by a heavenly messenger
        I am the First and the Last
        cf. 1:8 repetition
        and the Living One
        cf. "Living God" of OT
        as opposed to idols and false Gods
        cf. now Jesus as risen from dead
        And I was dead
        And behold, I am living forever and ever
        cf. Deut. 32:40, Dan. 4:34
        OT God lives forever
        And I have the keys of death and Hades
        comfort to readers who were threatened by death and Hades
    - John's Commission 1:19-20
      - Therefore, write what you see
        both what is
        and what is about to be after these things
        cf. Isa 48:6 LXX, Dan 2:28,29,45
        God sometimes reveals the future
      - The mystery of the seven stars which you have seen in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands:
      - The seven stars are the seven messengers of the seven churches
      - and the seven lampstands are the seven churches
  - Letters to Churches 2:1-3:22
    - Intro.
      - notice how relevant these are for current churches
      - we don't have Nicolaitans, but things similar
      - Twofold threat
        from outside - Society and government
        from inside - false teaching, compromise and apathy
        The real pressure of Roman culture upon the churches did not take the form of direct persecution. Rather, it exerted itself as a subtle inducement to Christians to modify their exclusiveness by accommodating their moral and religious principles to those of the society at large. Corresponding to this external pressure was a movement from within the churches to make things easier all around by means of certain concessions. At Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, and possibly elsewhere were the so-called Nicolaitans, who, like Balaam or Jezebel in ancient Israel, taught God's people to 'eat food sacrificed to idols...and to practice sexual immorality'….It was these...commandments that the Nicolaitans rejected, not necessarily out of sheer apostasy or lust, but out of a desire to be accepted in Roman society. The kind of 'freedom' they urged would have allowed Christians to participate in pagan feasts and in the quasi-religious activities of the urban trade guilds, and so to enter more fully into the mainstream of their culture. This attitude, whatever its motivation, is roundly condemned in the seven letters." BLM NT Speaks p. 369
      - Report card and call to faithfulness based on Revelation of who Christ is and His promised future
      - Pattern
        Addressee, same every time except for the city name - "To the messenger of the church in ..."
        Self identification of Christ - "This says the One who..."
        Description of the church's situation in the world - "I know..." both positive and negative, depending
        Imperative to the church, various commands, depending on what they needed to do - "repent," etc.
        Promise to the faithful - "To the one who overcomes..."
        Final appeal to hear and respond, same every time - "Let him who has ears, hear what the Spirit says to the churches"
        order of pattern sometimes changes slightly
        notice first three have the appeal before the promise and last four have promise before the appeal
      - Proves the lie to the idea that Jesus is not a God of judgment who cares about false doctrine and unfaithfulness
    - Ephesus 2:1-7
      - Address
        to the messenger of the church in Ephesus, write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the One Who holds the seven stars in His right hand
        generic idea of hold
        sometimes connotation of control, uphold/support
        holding something so it cannot be taken away cf. 2:25, 3:11
        holding to/adhering to something cf. 2:13-14
        Seven stars already = seven churches and their messengers
        Jesus is sovereign over the churches
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        Pos.
        I know your works and your labor and your patience/patient endurance
        and that you do not bear evil men
        And you have tested those who claim to be apostles and who are not
        and you have found them false
        And you have patient endurance
        and you have born hardship because of my Name
        and you have not become weary
        great model in these things - to be imitated
        Neg.
        But I have against you
        that you have forsaken your first love
      - Imperative
        Command
        Therefore, remember from where you have fallen
        and repent
        and do the first works
        things you did at first
        most important/primary things
        back to basics/back to first love
        NEVER ASSUME THE GOSPEL
        Warning
        If you do not
        I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place
        i.e. you will cease to be a church
        cf. many "churches" that are not Christian churches, but just moral social clubs
        If you do not repent
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        Pos.
        But this you have (going for you)
        that you hate the works of the Nikolaitans
        could be among them
        could only see from afar at Pergamum and disapprove
        will talk about them in the letter to Pergamum
        which I also hate
        God cannot be a God of love unless He also hates the things that are hateful to His love and the ones He loves
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        not everyone
        but those who have insight, wisdom, faithfulness, care for Godly things
        implicit challenge to have these things
        cf. Isa. 6:9-10 in context against idolatry - as is many of the letters
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
        those who have, will be given more.
      - Promise to the faithful
        To the one who overcomes
        I will give to him to eat from the tree of life
        (not the tree of temptation, but of eternal life -
        the one that was barred by the flaming sword after sin)
        which is in the paradise (garden) of God
        cf. Gen. 2-3
    - Smyrna 2:8-11
      - Address
        to the messenger of the church in Smyrna write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the First and the Last
        Who became dead and He lived (rose to life)
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        I know your tribulation/suffering and poverty
        cf. Smyrna was a very wealthy city, but the Christians were probably the lower classes
        But you are rich!
        and (I know) the blasphemy/slander from those calling themselves Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of satan
        very likely literal Jews according to the flesh
        but because they didn't recognize the Messiah, were not true Jews
        possibly gentile Christians who had Judaized to avoid persecution from Rome and Real Jews
      - Imperitive to the church
        do not fear what you are about to suffer
        Behold the devil is about to throw some of you into prison
        so that you may be tested and have tribulation for 10 days
        cf. Dan. 1:12-15
        10 days of testing whether God's ways or pagan ways were more healthy and helpful
        Be faithful unto death
        and I will give you the crown of life
        Jms 1:12
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
      - Promise to the faithful
        the one who overcomes
        will certainly not be harmed by the second death
        to be more thoroughly defined later in the book
        cf. also Dan 12:2 resurrection to everlasting shame and contempt
    - Pergammum 2:12-17
      - Address
        And to the messenger in Pergammum write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the One who has the sharp, two edged sword
        cf. 1:16
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        Pos.
        I know where you live
        where "the throne of satan" is
        possibly temple of aseclepis
        pagan deity symbolized by snake
        possibly referring to the persecution that killed Antipas
        more probably refers to the fact that Pergamum was a center or Emperor worship
        yet you hold on to/grasp (same word as 2:1) my Name
        and you have not denied faith in me
        even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness/martyr
        who was killed among you
        where satan dwells
        Neg.
        Yet I have a small thing against you
        That you have there those who hold on to/grasp (same word as 2:1) the teaching of Balaam
        cf. Num. 22:5-25:3; 31:8, 16
        Who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel
        to eat idol's food
        cf. Exod. 34:12-16, esp. v. 15
        important verse not to even begin the compromise because God is a Jealous God
        and to practice sexual immorality (spiritual adultery)
        cf. Num. 25:1-3 - both literal and spiritual adultery with Baal of Peor
        This also you have likewise those holding on to/grasping the teaching/doctrine of the Nikolaitians
        very little is known for sure about Nikolatians
        some suggest they were identical with group who taught teachings of Balaam
        both taught compromise with paganism under the banner of 'Christian liberty' and progressive fitting in with the culture
        The real pressure of Roman culture upon the churches did not take the form of direct persecution. Rather, it exerted itself as a subtle inducement to Christians to modify their exclusiveness by accommodating their moral and religious principles to those of the society at large. Corresponding to this external pressure was a movement from within the churches to make things easier all around by means of certain concessions. At Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, and possibly elsewhere were the so-called Nicolaitans, who, like Balaam or Jezebel in ancient Israel, taught God's people to 'eat food sacrificed to idols...and to practice sexual immorality'….It was these...commandments that the Nicolaitans rejected, not necessarily out of sheer apostasy or lust, but out of a desire to be accepted in Roman society. The kind of 'freedom' they urged would have allowed Christians to participate in pagan feasts and in the quasi-religious activities of the urban trade guilds, and so to enter more fully into the mainstream of their culture. This attitude, whatever its motivation, is roundly condemned in the seven letters." p. 369
      - Imperitive to the church
        Therefore repent
        if not, I will come soon and make war against you with the sword of my mouth (cf. 2:12)
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
      - Promise to the faithful
        to the one who overcomes
        I will give to him the hidden manna
        reward for not participating in pagan feast is to participate in God's wedding feast, which is not yet revealed
        and I will give to him a white stone
        cf. Num 11:7 - manna compared to rock crystal like salt - i.e. white stone?
        many other possible referrents - see commentaries
        and on the stone a new name is written
        cf. Isa. 62:2, 65:15
        new status and intimacy, new identity
        which no one is able to know except the one receiving it
    - Thyatira 2:18-29
      - Address
        And to the messenger of the chuch in Thyatira, write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the Son of God,
        cf. Psa 2
        significant b/c ends with the promise from Psa 2
        who has His eyes like flames of fire
        and His feet in the likeness of fine bronze
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        Pos.
        I know your works and your love and your faith and your service and your patience
        And your last works are greater than the first
        Neg.
        Yet I have against you
        That you permit the woman Jezebel
        cf. I & 2 Kgs
        Who calls herself a prophetess
        and she teaches and deceives my servants
        to commit sexual immorality (spiritual adultery)
        and to eat idol food
        and I have given her time so that she may repent, but she was not willing to repent from her adultery (literal or symbolic or spiritual - all the same)
        behold, I am throwing her into a sickbed
        and those committing adultery with her (literal and symbolic and spiritual)
        [all thrown] into great suffering/tribulation
        if they do not repent from her works
        And I will kill her children with death
        and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches the inner life and heart
        And I will give to each one according to your works
        basically quoting Jer. 17:10
        ambiguous - encouraging to those who are faithful
        warning to those who are not
        God is serious and HE DOES PUNISH SIN AND HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO
      - Imperitive to the church
        do not go with Jezebel (or repent for having done so (as above))
        To you - the rest in Thyatira who do not have this teaching
        Who do not know the "deep things of satan" as they say (so called)
        either ironic twist on those who claim to know 'the deep things of God"
        or referring to compromise, where they litterally experience the depths of the things of the enemy
        I do not put on you other burdens
        yet, grasp/hold on to (same word as 2:1) what you already have until I come
        Steven Wellam - Southern Seminary
        "Around us on every side are calls to revise Christian theology, to reimagine evangelism and to rethink how we do church and even to rearticulate the very nature of the Gospel for our Postmodern times."
      - Promise to the faithful
        and to the one who overcomes and keeps my works (contrast Jezebel's works) until the end
        I will give to him authority over the nations
        and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron
        just as a clay pot is shattered to pieces
        cf. Psa 2:8-9 nations as an inheritance and rule with iron scepter
        promised to Messiah (see below) but now Messiah promises that the overcomers will share in that rule and inheritance
        as I also have received from my Father
        also I will give to him the morning star
        cf. poss Num. 24:17 - star from Jacob, scepter from Israel
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
    - Sardis 3:1-6
      - Address
        and to the messenger of the church in Sardis, write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the one having the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        Neg.
        I know your works - that you have a name that claims you are alive, but you are dead
      - Imperitive to the church
        be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die
        For I have not found your works completed in the sight of my God
        Therefore remember what you have received and heard
        and keep/guard it and repent
        Thferefore, if you are not watchful/awake, I will come as a theif and you will not know what hour I come upon you
      - Description of the church's situation in the World
        Pos.
        but you have a few names in Sardis
        who have not stained/defiled their clothes
        and they will walk with me in white
        because they are worthy
      - Promise to the faithful
        The one who overcomes, in the same way will be clothed in white clothes
        and I will certainly not erase his name from the book of life
        cf. Exo 32:32-33, Psa 69:28, Dan 12:1
        in OT means to die
        later in Rev. is eternal life or death
        and I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
    - Philadelphia 3:7-13
      - Address
        to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the Holy One, The True One
        Who has the key of David
        The One who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one can open
        cf. Isa 22:22
        blessings to God's faithful servant who will have a secure place of leadership
      - Description of the church's situation in the World - all Pos.
        I know your works
        behold I have given in front of you an open door, which no one is able to shut it.
        because you have little power and you have kept my Word and have not denied my Name
        behold, I am giving you some from the synagogue of satan, who call themselves Jews, and are not, but they lie
        Behold I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will know that I loved you
        cf. Isa 45:14,49:23, 60:14
        nations coming to acknowledge God's faithfulness to His own
        because you kept the word of my patience/longsuffering
        And I will keep you out from from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole earth
        BTW Not a prediction of the rapture as avoidance of the tribulation
        language- out from being inside
        cf. Dan 12:1
        to test those living upon the earth
      - Imperitive to the church
        I am coming soon
        grasp/hold on to (same word as 2:1) what you have
        so that no one will take your crown
      - Promise to the faithful
        To the one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God
        and he will certainly not ever go out of it
        and I will write on him the Name of my God
        cf. Isa 56:3-5
        and the name of the city of my God - the New Jerusalem, which is coming down from heaven, from my God
        cf. Ezek 48:35
        Name of God's city "The LORD is there"
        and my new Name
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
    - Laodicea 3:14-22
      - Address
        to the messenger of the church in Laodicea write:
      - Christ's Self Identification
        This says the Amen, the faithful and true witness
        The ruler of the creation of God
        poss. beginning
        cf. Prov. 8:22
      - Description of the church's situation in the World - all Neg.
        I know your works that you are neither cold nor hot
        I wish that you were cold or hot
        reference to water supply of Laodicea and surrounding towns
        hot spring - good drinking water
        cold water - good drinking water
        lukewarm water piped from hotspring through corroding pipes = stinky gross water unfit to drink
        In the same way, because you are neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth
        because you say that "I am rich and I have become wealthy and I don't have need of anything"
        cf. Hos. 12:8
        and you do not know that you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked
        God's eye evaluation of true situation by God's standards
        cf. Prov 30:12 "There is a mn who is pure in his own eyes, but is not washed from his filthiness
        I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich
        cf. Isa 55:1
        and white clothes so that you may be clothed and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed
        and eye salve to smear on your eyes so that you can see
      - Imperitive to the church
        I rebuke and discipline those that I love
        cf. Prov. 3:11-12, Deut 8:5
        Therefore, be zealous and repent
        behold, I stand at the door and knock
        If someone hears my voice and opens the door
        I will enter to him and dine with him and he with me
      - Promise to the faithful
        to the one who overcomes, I will give to him to sit with me in my throne
        just as I also have overcome and I sit with my Father in His throne
      - Final Appeal
        The one having ears
        let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches
    - Summary of churches
      - some doing well
      - some doing very poorly - about to die
      - many halfway - good, but compromised
      - all encouraged, threatened and promised toward faithfulness and away from spiritual adultery
      - Jesus is still Lord of all churches with overabundant resources for what they need
      - "...these congregations were not unlike Christian congregations today, whether in the situations they faced or in the prevailing attitudes with which they faced them. Persecution was a possibility (though not an actuality) for three of the congregations, but divisions and false teaching within the respective faith communities seem to have posed a more serious threat, with complacency representing the worst threat of all" Michaels p. 19
- In the Spirit in Heavenly Vision 4:1-16:21
  - Worship in Heaven 4:1-5:14
    - intro
      - back and forth between narrative and song
      - pay attention to content of worship - why they worship/Who God is - connected with narrative
      - Uses symbolism from OT, esp Dan 7, Isa 6 and Ezek 1 to symbolically describe the reality of God's throneroom and the worship of heaven
      - These purposely obscure as much as they reveal - showing transcendence and how much God is beyond our ability to see or know or understand
      - make sure to soak in the big picture before you try to figure out all the details
      - God is God and we are not! - He is the ONLY God, none is even close to being like Him
    - Introduction to the Heavenly throneroom 4:1-6
      - Intro
        After these things I looked
        and behold - an open door in heaven
        and the first voice which I heard as a trumpet spoke with me, saying -
        Come up here and I will show you what is about to be after these things
        Immediately I was in spirit
      - (non) description of God
        based on OT Theophanies of Isa 6 and Ezek 1
        God shows up as all powerful divine beyond reckoning
        Preparation for an announcement of judgment
        and behold, there was a throne in Heaven
        and One seated on the throne
        notice how many times God is described as the One seated on the throne
        strongly emphasizes His sovereign authority, control and power
        why emphasize this?
        Comfort to those suffering under temporal authorities, that these authorities did not have ultimate power
        And the one seated on the throne had the appearance of the likeness of jasper and carnelian
        John is describing real realities that he saw, not symbolic representation or allegory
        but not exact, precise description - what he saw is beyond description so he has to resort to approximations "It kind of looked like this"
        notice twofold removal from actual - the appearance of something that looked like...
        fit the overall impact of all the images together, not to the exclusion of others - highly symbolic
      - (non) description of God's surroundings
        effect is to set God off from everything else - separate, holy
        a rainbow surrounded the throne with the appearance of the likeness of emerald
        And 24 thrones surrounded the throne
        and upon the thrones sat 24 elders
        clothed in white clothes
        pure, holy people/beings
        and upon their heads were crowns of gold
        important, significant people/beings
        debate whether they are people or angelic beings
        possibly 12 Christian apostles and 12 Jewish patriarchs, cf. new city 12 gates and foundations
        possibly referring to 24 orders of priests in OT temple
        More probably a high order of angels
        And from the throne went out lightnings and noises and thunderings
        God is powerful, not domesticated
        lightning is the most powerful force known to them
        and seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which is the sevenfold Spirit of God
        and in front of the throne was like a glass sea similar to crystal
        represents fallen order separating us from God
        not clear glass, but sparkling, glistening - somewhat obscuring
        setting up for ch. 5 - separated from God by the throneroom of God
    - The Worship of Heaven 4:6-11
      - Four Living creatures
        and in the midst of the throne and surrounding the throne were four living creatures
        cf. Isa. 6, Ezek 1
        full of eyes, in front and back
        all seeing and knowing
        the first living (no noun, just adjective, translations supply 'creature' or 'thing') was similar to a lion
        kingship, royalty
        the second living thing was like an ox
        strength
        the third living thing has a face like a man
        intelligence
        the fourth living thing was like a flying eagle
        speed, compassionate care
        each one of the four living creatures had six wings above around and behind, covered with eyes
        omniscience
        God's throne is strong, royal, compassionate, intelligent, all knowing, etc.
        OT counterparts cover their faces - Pure, perfect beings cannot look at God
        and they never ceased, day and night saying
        Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
        separateness, difference
        transcendence emphasized
        God - the Almighty One - Pantokrator
        The One who was, and Who is and Who is coming
      - Form of Worship
        and when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the One seated upon the throne - to the One who lives forever and ever
        the 24 elders fall down before the One seated upon the throne
        and they worship the One who lives forever and ever
        and they throw down their crowns before His throne
      - Content of Worship
        saying:
        You are Worthy
        Our Lord and our God
        To receive the glory and the honor and the power
        because You created everything
        And because of Your will they were created and they exist
        Pay attention to these songs - soundtrack of Revelation, some of the most important ideas
      - point - everything is derivative, dependent on God
        He is the only uncreated being
        All else is dependent on Him
        He is absolute monarch b/c everything comes from Him
        He deserves to be King, eternal and holy, Nothing like Him
        God is God and we are not, Ceasar is not, everything else is NOT
        We owe God everything based on the fact that we exist, God owes us nothing
        If God were the sort of God who needed anything, He would not be God - doctrine of Aseity
        again - separateness from God, setting up for ch. 5
    - Introduction to the Scroll of History/Kingdom 5:1-5
      - And I saw in the right hand of the One seated upon the throne a scroll
        written front and back
        and sealed with seven seals
        Nature/Content/Significance of this scroll?
        clearly having to do with God's Kingdom purposes for history and the consummation of God's plans for history
        Possibly last will and testament scroll
        typical will had two parts
        1. description of the inheritance
        2. List of heirs cf. book of life 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 21:27
        If this is true, the content of the scrolls is not revealed until 20:12 - all meantime is preliminary
        breaking of 7 seals are preliminary signs
        seals, trumpets, bowls, etc are birth pangs, preparing for final revelation, and wrapping up this world history, but are not yet the final revelation of the content of the scrolls, which is the next age history
      - and I saw a strong angel proclaiming in a loud voice
        Who is worthy to open the scroll
        and to break its seals
        open challenge to any one else to be worthy as God Himself is worthy - worship of true God vs false pretenders
        pressing question- who is able to be God's agent to bring about His purposes?
        in ch. 4 highest of angels cannot even look at God - so awesome
        God is so separate, if He does not bring about His purposes, no one can
        answer, next verse - no one
      - And no one was able to open the scroll or even to see it
        neither in heaven
        nor upon the earth
        nor under the earth
        not only can we not bring about God's purposes, we cannot even know them
      - and I wept much because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to see it
        if the seals are not broken, God's purposes remain unknown and unaccomplished
        if not, no guarantee that martyrs would be avenged
        If not, thousands of injustices are not righted
        If not, God is unconnected and unconcerned and distant
        If not, history has no meaning, our lives have no meaning, nothing has any meaning because nothing has a purpose/telos!
        The meaning of everything needs to be seen from the end
        If no purpose - eat, drink, be merry, nothing matters
      - and one of the elders said to me
        stop weeping
        behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has Overcome
        same word as in letters to churches
        Davidic King
        the Root of David
        Isa 11 root and shoot, cf. also Rev. 22:16
        There IS the promised redeemer, who has come to bring about God's purposes
        He has prevailed in the struggle and won
        to open the scroll and its seven seals
    - Worship of the Conquering Slain Lamb 5:6-10
      - And I saw standing in the middle of the throne and of the four living things and in the middle of the elders, a lamb
        lion/lamb mixing metaphors to get the best of both symbols
        not wimpy lamb
        but Kingly, strong warrior lamb
        as if it were slaughtered
        having seven horns
        perfection of kingly power and authority
        and seven eyes
        which are/is the sevenfold Spirit of God
        sent into all the earth
        knowledge and insight
      - and He came and received (the scroll) from the right hand of the One seated upon the throne
        rest of book of Rev. the Lamb is connected with One who sits on Throne, not separated
      - and when He took the scroll
        perfect effective work
        sacrifice accepted
      - The four living things and the 24 elders fell before the lamb
        cf. worship no other gods - this is blasphemy unless the Lamb is God Himself
        which if you haven't figured it out by now, the Lamb is Jesus, Who is God
      - Each had a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are prayers of the saints
        harp
        harp is musical instrument for joy
        heaven is a happy place
        justice is not only done, but publicly seen to be done
        God's justice that is sometimes hidden here, is public there and is being made public everywhere - point of the book
        therefore public rejoicing
        bowl
        prayer
        prayer actually makes it to the throne of God - effective, answered
        God will prove that prayers of the martyrs have been heard and answered
        every time you pray as a Christian, your prayer is heard because of Christ,
        Not because you have had a good day, and because you have earned it
      - And they sang a new song, saying
        You are worthy to receive the scroll
        and to open its seals
        because You were slaughtered
        and You purchased for God by Your blood people from every tribe and language and people and ethnic group
        and You made them kings and priests to our God
        and they will rule upon the earth
        If Christ had not died and risen, God's purposes would not be fulfilled - not a single redeemed person!
        Death qualified Jesus to open the scrolls
    - Universal Worship of the Conquering Slain Lamb 5:11-14
      - And I looked and I heard a voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders
      - And their number was ten-thoushand ten-thousands and a thousand thousands
      - saying with a loud voice
        The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive
        power and riches and wisdom and strength
        and honor and glory and thanks
        notice sevenfold attributes - perfection
      - and I heard every created thing
        in heaven
        and on the earth
        and under the earth
        and on the sea
        and the things in it
        Whole universe is transformed - renewed creation is part of salvation
      - saying:
        To the One seated on the throne and to the lamb
        blessing and honor and glory and power
        forever and ever
      - And the four living things said "Amen"
      - and the elders fell down and worshipped
    - Significance
      - God is beyond description,
        only hinted at
      - God is Self-existent/separate
        We are dependent for everything
      - God is creator
        We are debtors for everything
      - God is Sovereign Lord of history- opening scrolls
        We have meaning only in God’s meaning and plan- it is not about us because it is bigger than us
        He is sovereign sitting on the throne, not us
      - God is gracious redeemer
        We are double debtors for everything
        He has purched us by His own blood to be priests and kings under Him
      - God has destined us
        We are double dependent debtors with a destiny
      - See everything else from this perspective
        this is the most fundamental/foundational reality
        Everything else will eventually be conformed to this
        If something is out of whack with this reality, it is temporary/ephemeral and not as real and will soon be changed into this reality
        If someone disagrees with or denies this reality, they are wrong and will be shown to be wrong
  - Series of Sevens on Earth (preparations for consummation) 6:1-16:21
    - Intro
      - outline
        7 seals
        7 trumpets
        interlude I've called 7 signs b/c has signs, organized in same grouping pattern
        7 bowls of wrath
      - relation to one another
        strait chronological, prob. not
        not separate and subsequent
        some sort of recapitulation?
        not in sense of parallel telling of same reality
        7 trumpets are the 7th seal
        7 bowls are the 7th trumpet
        7 signs probably broad stroke for all of history
        trumpets are in many ways parallel to the bowls - BLM p. 374
        no order, but purely symbolic? - probably not
        but all demonstrate Christ's sovereignty over all events- real or symbolic
        all intensify toward end in response to hardness of heart
        probably spiral, going over same general ground more than once from different angles
      - relation to rest of book
        most likely NOT the content of the scroll
        preliminary events to be wrapped up before the contents of the scroll
        just the birth pangs of the new creation
        finishing/vindicating this-worldly history before next-worldly history can begin
      - relation to reality
        symbolic/metaphorical - beware of trying to find historical events that closely reflect the details of the symbols used
        pointing to real world realities that were in the first century/ were throughout history/ are in our time/ and will be at the very end (whenever that will be)
        beware of thinking you know the historical correspondence except from the hindsight of eternity
        look rather for the significance and application for John's readers and us
        identity of the beast is not as important as the character of the beast
        knowing the significance of 666 not as important as not worshipping anything but God
      - overall background and symbols
        Exodus, esp. plagues
        judgment related to giving of law, Ex. 19: 16-18
        cf. 15:1 "seven last plagues" = perfection of plagues
        God's revelatory purpose to display His Name
        Daniel suffering under ungodly kingdoms and vindication
        Counterfeit/parody of true Christ/true sovereignty - deception/antichrist
    - 7 Seals 6:1-8:5
      - Four horsemen/first 4 seals 6:1-8
        First seal 6:1-2
        And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals
        The Lamb opens the seal
        because the lamb is sovereign over all history and worthy to bring about what happens next
        and i heard one of the four living creatures saying as a voice of thunder - "Come"
        and I looked and behold a white horse
        and the one sitting on it had a bow
        and a crown was given to him
        and he went out conquering/overcoming and so that he may conquer/overcome
        Second seal 6:3-4
        And when He opened the second seal
        I heard the second living creature saying "Come"
        and another horse (red like fire) went out
        and to the once seated on him was given to take peace/prosperity from the earth
        and so that men may kill one another
        and a great sword was given to him
        Third seal 6:5-6
        And when He opened the third seal
        I heard the third living creature say "Come" and I saw
        And behold, a black horse
        and the one seated on it had scales in his hand
        and I heard as a voice in the midst of the four creatures saying
        a quart of wheat for a denarius
        three quarts of barley for a denarius
        and do not harm the oil and wine
        Fourth seal 6:7-8
        and when He opened the fourth seal
        I heard the voice of the fourth living thing saying "Come"
        I looked and behold a pale (light greyish green) horse
        and the name of the one sitting on it was death
        and hades followed with him
        and authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth to kill them by sword, famine, deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth
        transition question - how could God do this? Isn't He a God of Love?
      - Fifth seal - the martyrs calling for justice 6:9-11
        and when He opened the fifth seal
        I saw under the altar the souls/lives of those killed because of the Word of God and because of the testimony which they were having
        cf. description of John and reason for his exile on Patmos 1:9
        and they cried out with a great voice, saying
        How Long O Master, who is the Holy and True one?
        cf. lament Psalms
        term 'Master' used only here in Rev. - one in charge, soverign
        on 'holy and true" cf. 3:7
        will You not judge and pay back our blood upon those living on the earth?
        and each of them was given a white robe
        and they were told to rest/wait for a small time yet
        until the servants with them and their brothers, who were about to be killed as they were, were completed/fulfilled
        i.e. untill all of them were killed
        God fore knew who would be killed
        and it all works out perfectly according to plan
      - Sixth seal - the wrath of the Lamb 6:12-17
        And I saw when He opened the sixth seal.
        Natural work impacted
        and there was a great earthquake
        and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair
        and the whole moon became as blood
        and the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops it figs when a strong wind shakes it.
        and the sky was split/opened as a scroll being rolled up
        and every mountain and island was moved from its place
        Humanity impacted
        and the kings of the earth and the great ones and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and freeperson hid themselves in the caves and rocks of the mountains
        and they said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb.
        because the great day of their wrath has come
        and who is able to stand?
      - Interlude 7:1-17
        The sealing of the 144000 7:1-8
        After this, I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth
        holding back the four winds of the earth
        so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.
        and I saw another angel goimg up from the rising of the sun/East - having the seal of the Living God
        and he cried out with a great voice to the four angels to whom were given the power to damage the earth and the sea.
        saying, "Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants/slaves of God upon their foreheads
        cf. Ezek 9:4, 6
        and I heard the number of those being sealed
        144,000 being sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel
        from the tribe of Judah, 12000 being sealed
        from the tribe of Reuben, 12000
        from the tribe of Gad, 12000
        from the tribe of Asher, 12000
        from the tribe of Naphtali, 12000
        from the tribe of Manasseh, 12000
        from the tribe of Simeon, 12000
        from the tribe of Levi, 12000
        from the tribe of Issachar, 12000
        from the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim), 12000
        from the tribe of Benjamin, 12000 being sealed
        literal Israel or figurative? most likely figurative, in any case, Christian, whether converts from Jewish or Pagan, Jews must convert to Jesus to be saved
        different group than multitude that follows or same? Probably the same, in this section showing that they are protected from the Wrath of God, in the next section to show that they are NOT protected from persecution by the antichrist
        Why Dan missing? possibly no significance, possibly associated with idolatry in Judges, possibly b/c of Jewish tradition (also see Irenaeus) that the antichrist would come from Dan, most probably as a signal that this is not literal Israel, but symbolic for the Spiritual Israel, the church
        Numberless multitude in worship 7:9-12
        After these things I looked, and behold, a manifold, large crowd, which no one is able to count
        from every ethnic group and tribe and people and tongue standing before the throne and before the Lamb
        clothed in white robes and harps in their hands
        and crying out in a great voice, saying
        Salvation to our God
        to the one seated upon the throne
        and to the Lamb
        and all the angels standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures also fell before the throne upon their faces and worshipped God, saying
        Amen
        Blessing and glory and wisdom
        and thanks and honor and power and strength (7 attributes)
        be to our God forever and ever
        Amen
        Interpretation of the Vision of the multitude 7:13-17
        and one of the elders answered me, saying
        who are these who are dressed in white clothes and from where did they come?
        and I said to him, my Lord, you know
        i.e. I don't know
        and he said to me
        These are those who are coming out from the great tribulation
        and they have washed their robes
        and they have made them white in the blood of the lamb
        obviously figurative for salvation in Christ
        literal blood does not make white, but the death of Christ makes pure
        holiness effected by His atonement
        therefore
        they are before the throne of God
        and they serve Him day and night in His temple
        and The One sitting on the throne will tabernacle over/upon them
        cf. translations = shelter
        cf. Jn 1:14 dwelt among them
        and they will never hunger or thirst
        and the sun and burning heat will never fall on them
        because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them
        and He will lead them to springs of living water
        cf. Jn 4, 7, 16:13
        and God will wipe every tear from their eyes
        Summary of interlude
        they will be protected from the Wrath of God
        They will not be protected from the persecution/suffering from men
        They will be blessed beyond imagination by God in vindication for this suffering
        This is a ground for much worship
      - Seventh Seal 8:1-2
        And when He opened the seventh seal
        it was silent in heaven for a half an hour
        possibly, signifying rest
        possibly making the prayers of the saints heard
        most likely - dramatic silence of awe and humility before the wonder of God and what He is about to do - humility of silence before God - "Trembling Suspense" - Ladd
        and I saw the seven anges which were standing before God
        and seven trumpets were given to them
      - Prayers of the saints 8:3-5
        another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer
        censer is a bowl for burning incense
        and much incense was given to him
        so that he may give all of the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne
        cf. insense altar/golden altar in temple before the ark
        and the smoke of the incence, with the prayers of the saints, went up before the throne from the hand of the angel
        and the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it onto the earth
        poetic payback for the suffering reflected in the prayers of the saints, cf. 5th seal
        And there was thunder and noises and lightning and an earthquake
        cf. Sinai
    - 7 Trumpets 8:6-11:19
      - Preparation to blow the trumpets 8:6
        And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared them, so that they may trumpet
      - First Four Trumpets 8:7-13
        First trumpet 8:7
        And the first trumpeted
        and there was hail and fire mixed with blood
        and it was thrown to the earth
        and a third of the earth and a third of the trees and all green grass was burned up
        Second trumpet 8:8-9
        And the second angel trumpeted
        and a giant mountain of burning fire was thrown into the sea
        and a third of the sea became blood
        and a third of the creatures in the sea that have life died
        and a third of the boats were utterly destroyed
        Third Trumpet 8:10-11
        And the third angel trumpeted
        and a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky
        and it fell on a third of the rivers and springs of water
        and the name of star was Bitterness
        cf. Prov. 5:4, Jer. 23:15
        and a third of the water became bitter
        and many men died from the water
        because it was made bitter/poisoned
        Fourth trumpet 8:12-13
        and the fourth angel trumpeted
        and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon and a third of the stars
        so that a third of them were darkened and a third of the day did not shine and likewise the night
        and I looked and I heard an eagle flying in midair saying with a loud voice
        Woe, Woe, Woe to those living on the earth
        from the remaining sounding of the trumpets of the three angels that are about to trumpet
      - Fifth Trumpet- Torment of unbelievers 9:1-12
        The differentiated torment of unbelievers 9:1-6
        And the fifth angel trumpeted
        opening the abyss
        and I saw a star falling from heaven to the earth
        and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him
        and he opened the bottomless pit
        and smoke went up from the pit as smoke from a giant furnace
        and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit
        locust from the abyss
        and locust went out from the smoke onto the earth
        and power was given to them like the power of scorpions of the earth
        differentiating between believers and unbelievers
        and it was told to them so that they would not destroy the grass or the trees
        and so that they would not destroy humans except for those having the seal of God upon their forehead
        The torment from the locust
        and it was given them so that they would not kill them, but so that they would torture them for five months
        and their torture was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man
        and in these days men will seek death and they will not find it
        and they will strongly desire to die and death will flee from them
        Description of the locust 9:7-11
        and the likeness of the scorpions was like horses prepared for battle
        and on their head were something that looked like gold crowns
        and their faces looked like human faces
        and they had hair like a woman's hair
        and their teeth were like a lion's teeth
        and they had breastplates like breastplates of iron
        and the sound of their wings was like the sound of a chariot with many horses running into battle
        and they had tails and stings like scorpions
        and in their tails was their power to damage men for five months
        They had over them a king - the angel of the pit
        His name in Hebrew is Abbaddon
        and in Greek his name is Apollyon
        both names mean "destroyer/destruction"
        The First Woe 9:12
        The first woe has come
        Behold, two woes are still coming after these things
      - Sixth Trumpet- 1/3 of humanity killed 9:13-19
        and the sixth angel trumpeted
        and I heard one voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God
        saying to the sixth angel that had the trumpet
        release the four angels that are bound at the great river - the Euphrates
        and the four angels that were prepared for the hour and day and month and year were released
        so that they would kill a third of humanity
        and the number of the horse soldiers was 200 million
        I heard their number
        and in this way I saw the horses in the vision and those sitting on them
        having breastplates that are fiery and purple and sulfurous
        and the heads of the horses were like the head of a lion
        and from their mouths came fire and smoke and sulfur
        a third of mankind died from these three plagues - from fire, and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths
        for the power of the horses were in their mouths and in their tails
        for their tails were like serpents having heads and damaging with them
      - Interlude 9:20-11:14
        Men refuse to repent 9:20-21
        and the remaining men, who were not killed in these plagues
        they did not repent from the works of their hands
        so that they would not worship demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood
        which are not able to see or hear or walk
        and they did not repent from their murder or from their sorcery or from their adultery or from their theft
        The Mystery of God will be completed 10:1-7
        and I saw another angel coming down from heaven clothed with a cloud
        and there was a rainbow/halo upon his head
        and his face/appearance was like the sun
        and his feet were like pillars of fire
        and he had in his hand an open little scroll
        and his right foot was on the see and his left foot on the ground
        and he cried out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring
        and when he cried out, the seven thunders spoke their own sounds
        and when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write
        and I heard a voice from heaven saying- "seal up that which the seven thunders spoke and do not write it"
        and the angel, which I saw standing on the sea and on the land, lifted up his right hand to heaven
        and he swore by the One Who lives forever and ever
        Who created heaven and the things in it
        and the earth and the things in it
        and the sea and the things in it
        That there will be no more time/delay
        but in the days of the sound of the seventh angel
        when he was about to trumpet
        and the mystery of God will be completed as His own servants the prophets evangelized
        Renewed Call to Prophecy 10:8-11
        And the voice which I heard from heaven spoke with me again and said
        Go, take the open scroll from the hand of the angel standing upon the sea and upon the land
        and I went toward the angel saying to him, "give me the scroll"
        and he said to me, "take and consume it"
        "and it will make your stomach bitter
        but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth"
        and I took the scroll from the hand of the angel and I consumed it
        and it was sweet as honey in my mouth
        and when I ate it, my stomack was made bitter
        and they said to me, "It is necessary for you to prophecy again concerning many people and nations and tongues and kingdoms
        The Two Witnesses 11:1-13
        Measuring the Temple
        And a measuring reed was given to me, saying-
        get up and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who are worshipping in it
        and the outer court of the temple do not measure, exclude it
        because it is given to the nations
        and the holy city will be trampled for 42 months
        Two Witnesses witness
        and I will give to my two witnesses
        and they will prophecy for 1260 days, wearing sackcloth
        These are the two olive trees and the two lamps standing before the Lord of the earth
        cf. Zech 4:3
        and if someone wishes to harm them, fire is coming out from their mouths and it is consuming their enemies
        and if someone will wish to harm them, in the same way, it is necessary for this someone to be killed
        These ones have power/authority to close the sky so that it will not rain for the days of their prophesying
        cf. Elijah
        and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood
        cf. Exodus plagues
        and to strike the earth with all kind of plague whenever they wish
        Two Witnesses are killed
        When their testimony is completed, the beast who came up from the pit make war agains them and overcame them and killed them
        and their corpses were on the street of the great city, which is called spiritual Sodom and Egypt, where also thier Lord was crucified
        i.e. Jerusalem
        and those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and ethnic groups saw their corpses for three and a half days
        and they will not permit their corpses to be buried in a tomb
        and those living on the earth are rejoicing over them and they will celbrate and send gifts to one another
        because these two prophets had been a torture to those living on the earth
        Two Witnesses are vindicated
        and after the three and a half days, a living Spirit from God entered in them and they stood upon thier feet.
        And a great fear fell on those who saw them
        and they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here"
        and they went up into heaven in the cloud
        and their enemies saw them
        and in this hour was a great earthquake and a tenth of the city fell and 7000 men were killed from the earthquake
        and those who remained became fearful and gave glory to the God of heaven
        The Second Woe 11:14
        The second woe went out
        Behold, the third woe is coming soon
      - Seventh Trumpet 11:15-19
        and the seventh angel trumpeted
        and there was a loud voice in heaven, saying
        The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ
        and He will reign forever and ever
        and the 24 elders seated on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying
        We thank You, Lord, God, the Almighty
        Who was and Who is
        Because You have taken Your great power and reigned
        and the nations were enraged
        and Your wrath came
        and the time to judge the dead
        and to give the reward to your servants the prophets
        and to the holy ones and to those who are fearing Your Name
        Both the small/insignificant and the great
        and to destroy those who destroy the earth
        and the temple of God in heaven was opened
        and The Ark of His Covenant was seen in His Temple
        and there was lightning and noises and thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm
    - 7 Cosmic Events 12:1-14:20
      - 1. The Woman and the dragon 12:1-6
        First Sign - Woman
        And a great sign was seen in heaven
        a woman clothed with the sun
        and the moon under her feet
        and a crown of twelve stars on her head
        and she was pregnant
        and she cried out in pain and the torment of childbirth
        Interpretation
        signifies the People of God
        Israel gave birth to Jesus
        Second Sign - Dragon
        and another sign was seen in heaven
        and behold a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns
        and there were seven crowns on their heads
        diadem - crown of the highest king in the area
        false king/pretender
        and its tail dragged a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth
        Interpretation
        signifies the enemy of God
        satan fighting against God and against His people throughout history
        The Woman and the Dragon
        and the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth
        so that when she gave birth to her child, he would eat it
        and she gave birth to a male child, who is about to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod
        and her child was snatched up toward God and toward His throne
        and the woman fled into the desert
        where she had a place prepared from God
        so that they could take care of her there for 1260 days
        Interpretation
        the devil consistently fighting against God and His people
        tries to kill Jesus
        e.g. slaughter of the innocents in Mt. 2, attempt to wipe out the Jews in Esther
        engineered the crucifixion as a way to kill the Christ, but was defeated thereby - failed miserably
      - 2. The dragon is thrown out of heaven to earth 12:7-12
        And there was a war in heaven
        Michael and his angels warring against the dragon
        and the dragon and his angels also fought (back)
        and they were not strong enough and a place was not found for them still in heaven
        and the dragon was thrown out - the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan
        who deceived the whole world
        he was thrown to the earth
        and his angels were thrown down with him
        and I heard a loud voice in heaven saying
        now is the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God
        and the authority of His Christ
        because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down
        who accuses them before our God day and night
        And they overcame him
        because of the blood of the Lamb
        only ground for our success
        not our works or good behaviour
        Carson - "Do you not understand that we overcome the accuser on the ground of the blood of Christ? Nothing more, nothing less. That is how we win. It is the only way we win. This is the only groundof our acceptance befroe God. That is why we can never get very far from the cross without distorting something fundamental, not only in doctrine, but in elementary discipleship, faithful perseverance, obedience, and spiritual warfare against the enemy of our souls. If you drift far from the cross, you are done. You are defeated. We overcome the accuser of our brothers and sisters, we overcome our consciences, we overcome our bad tempers, we overcome our defeats, we overcome our lusts, we overcome our fears, we overcome our pettiness on the basis of the blood of the Lamb." scandalous p. 103
        and because of the word of their testimony
        advance of the Gospel by testifying to Jesus
        not about ourselves
        not just to protect ourselves, but overcome the dragon, do damage to the enemy
        by proclaiming the death and resurrection and cosmic Lordship of Christ
        and they did not love their lives unto death
        simply being willing to die rather than being unfaithful to Christ
        "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain"
        because of this- Rejoice O heavens and those who dwell in them
        Woe to the earth and the sea
        because the devil has been thrown down toward you, having great anger
        knowing that he has little time
      - 3. The dragon pursues the woman's offspring 12:13-18
        And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down into the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child
        and two wings of a great eagle were given to her
        so that she might fly into the desert to her place
        where she was taken care of for three and a half lengths of time from the presence of the serpent
        cf. 12:6
        and the serpent threw water as a river out of his mouth after the woman
        so that he might make her swept away by the flood
        and the earth helped the woman
        and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river which the dragon put out of its mouth
        and the dragon was enraged with the woman
        and he went out to make war with the rest of her offspring
        who are keeping the commands of God and are having the testimony of Jesus
        and he stood on the shore of the sea
      - 4. The beast from the sea that fights against the saints 13:1-10
        Beast = anti-God empire
        and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea
        having ten horns and seven heads
        and upon its heads it had ten crowns
        cf. 12:3
        and upon its heads it had blasphemous names
        and the beast which I saw had the likeness of a leopard and its feet were like the feet of a bear and its mouth were like the mouth of a lion
        and the dragon gave to him his power and his throne and great authority
        compare with ch. 17 beast
        Beast = sporadic and regular opposition
        and one of its heads was like it was slain unto death
        and the wound of his death was healed
        Beast = worldly success
        and the whole world marveled after the beast
        and they worshipped the dragon
        because he gave the authority to the beast
        and they worshipped the beast, saying
        who is like the beast?
        and who is able to fight with him?
        Beast = prideful/hateful opposition to God
        and a mouth was given to him to speak great and blasphemous things
        and authority was given to him to do so for 42 months
        and he opened his mouth in blasphemies toward God
        to blaspheme His Name and His dwelling place and those dwelling in heaven
        and it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them
        and authority was given to him over every tribe and people and tongue and people group
        Beast = both challenge and opportunity for God's people
        and all those living in the world worshipped him
        whose names were not written in the book of life of the Lamb - those sealed from the foundation of the world
        if someone has ears, let him hear
        if someone is going into captivity, he will go into captivity
        if someone will be killed by the sword, he will be killed by the sword
        This is the longsuffering and the faith of the saints
      - 5. The beast from the earth that deceives the world 13:11-18
        Beast = deceiving false prophet
        and I saw another beast coming up from the ground
        and he had two horns in the likeness of a lamb
        and he spoke like a dragon
        and all the authority of the first beast he did before him
        Beast = Causing idolatry via even miraculous deception
        and he made the earth and those living in it so that they will worship the first beast, of whom was healed his deadly wound
        and he made great signs so that he even caused fire to come down from heaven to earth before men
        and he deceived those living on the earth because of the signs which were given to him to do before the beast
        telling those who live on the earth to make an image/idol of the beast, who had the wound of a sword and lived
        and it was given to him to give a spirit to the image of the beast
        so that the image of the beast may speak
        Beast = Jealously exclusive in its deception
        and so that it may make whoever does not worship the image of the beast to die
        and he is making everyone - the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves - so that he will give to them a mark/stamp upon their right hand or upon their forehead
        and so that no one will be able to buy or sell if they do not have the mark/stamp - the name of the beast or the number of his name
        Beast = both challenge and opportunity for God's people
        here is the wisdom
        let the one who has insight calculate/figure out the number of the beast
        for it is a human number
        and the number is 666
        one short of perfect 7 3 times
        gematra - unreliable, almost anyone can be made, suggestions include Nero (by twisting) Titus, Hitler, latin empire (Irenaeus), etc.
        sybolically characterize the beast, not name
        OT usage- I Kgs 10:14
        Solomon's tribute in God
        Prosperity and pleasure leading to forsaking God for foreign gods
        the mark of the beast is about worship and money
      - 6. Lamb and His army 14:1-5
        and I looked
        and behold the Lamb standing on Mount Zion
        and with Him 144000 having His Name and the Name of His Father written on their forehead
        and I heard a voice from heaven as a voice of many waters and as a voice of great thunder
        and the voice that I heard was like harpists playing their harps
        and they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders
        and no one was able to learn the song except the 144000 - the ones purchased from the earth
        These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women - for they were virgins
        They follow the Lamb wherever He goes
        They were purchased from men as the firstfruits of God and of the Lamb
        and in their mouths falsehood was not found - they were blameless
      - Interlude 14:6-12
        First Angel 14:6-7
        and I was another angel flying in midair
        he had the eternal Gospel to evangelize those dwelling on the earth - to every ethnic group, tribe, tongue and nation
        Saying with a loud voice
        Fear God
        and give Him glory
        because the hour of His judgment has come
        Vindication of God is good news
        Worship the One Who made the heavens and the Earth and the sea and the springs of Water
        Second Angel 14:8
        and a second angel followed
        saying
        Fallen, Fallen is Babylon the Great
        all the nations have drunk from the wine of the wrath of her adultery
        Third Angel 14:9-12
        and a third angel followed them
        saying in a loud voice
        If someone worships the beast and its image and receives the mark upon his forehead or upon his hand
        this one will also drink from the wine of the wrath of God
        which has been mixed full-strength in the cup of His anger
        and they will be tormented in fire and sulfur before His holy angels and before the Lamb
        and the smoke of their torture will go up forever and ever
        and the ones who worship the beast and his image and if someone receives the mark of his name
        they will not have rest day and night
        Challenge and opportunity
        Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commands of God and the faith in Jesus
      - 7. The Harvest of the Earth 14:13-20
        First Harvest 14:13-16
        and I heard a voice from heaven
        saying, "write..."
        Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on
        The Spirit says "Yes"
        so that they may rest from their labor
        for their works will follow after them
        i.e. the reward for their good works
        and I looked and saw a white cloud
        and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man
        having a crown of gold on His head
        and having a sharp sickle in His hand
        and another angel went out from the temple, crying out with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud
        send out your sickle and harvest
        because the hour to harvest has come
        because the harvest of the earth is ripe
        and the One seated on the cloud put out His sickle on the earth and harvested the earth
        Second Harvest 14:17-20
        And another angel went out from the temple in heaven
        he also had a sharp sickle
        and another angel went out from the altar
        having authority over the fire
        and He made a loud call to the one having the sharp sickle, saying
        send your sharp sickle
        and harvest the grapes of the vine of the earth
        because its grapes are ripe
        and the angel put out His sickle into the earth
        and he harvested the the vines of the earth
        and he put it into the great winepress of the wrath of God
        The winepress was trampled outside the city
        and blood went out of the winepress as high as the bridle of a horse for 1600 stadia
        a little less that 200 miles
        a little more than 300 km
    - 7 Bowls 15:1-16:21
      - God's justice is justified 15:1-4
        and I saw a great and marvelous sign in heaven - seven angels having the seven last plagues
        because in them is completed the wrath of God
        and I saw a sea of glass mixed with fire
        and those who had overcome the beast and his image and the number of his name standing by the sea of glass - having the harps of God
        and they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the lamb
        saying
        great and marvelous are Your works
        Lord, God, the Almighty (pantokrator)
        righteous and true are Your ways
        King of the Nations
        who will not fear and glorify Your Name O Lord
        because only You are holy
        because all the nations will come and worship before You
        because Your righteous deeds has been revealed
      - Giving the seven bowls 15:5-8
        and after these things, I looked
        and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened
        and seven angels went out, having the seven plagues from the temple
        dressed in clean bright linen
        with gold sashes around their chest
        and one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God - Who lives forever and ever
        and the temple was full of smoke from the Glory of God and from His Power
        and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed
      - Command to pour out the seven bowls 16:1
        and I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels
        Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth
      - First Four Bowls - on Nature 16:2-9
        First Bowl - on the earth 16:2
        and the first went out and poured out his bowl upon the earth
        and there was bad and painful sores on the men who had the mark of the beast and those worshipped his image
        Second Bowl - on the sea 16:3
        and the second poured out his bowl on the sea
        and it became blood like of a dead man
        and every living thing in the sea died
        Third Bowl - on the waters 16:4-7
        and the third poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water
        and they became blood
        and I heard the angel of the water saying
        You are righteous
        the One Who is and Who was, the Holy One
        because You created these things
        because they poured out the blood of your saints and prophets
        and blood was given them to drink - they are deserving of it
        and I heard the angel of the altar saying
        Yes Lord, God, the Almighty (Pantokrator)
        true and righteous are Your judgments
        Fourth Bowl - on the sun 16:8-9
        and the fourth poured out His bowl upon the sun
        and it was given to it to burn men with fire
        and men were burned a great burning
        and they blasphemed the Name of God, Who had authority over these plagues
        and they did not repent - in order to give Him glory
      - Fifth Bowl - on the beast and his followers 16:10-11
        and the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast
        and his kingdom became dark
        and they gnawed their tongues in pain
        and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pain and their sores
        and they did not repent from their works
      - Sixth Bowl - preparation for battle 16:12-16
        and the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river - the Euphrates
        and the its water was dried up
        so that the way was prepared for the kings of the east
        and I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out from the mouth of the dragon and from the mouth of the beast and from the mouth of the false prophet
        for they are demonic spirits doing signs,
        which are going out on the kings of the whole earth
        to gather them into the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Pantokrator)
        Interlude
        Behold, I am coming as a thief
        blessed is the one watching and keeping his clothes
        so that he would not walk naked and they would see his shame
        and He gathered them into the place called Armageddon in Hebrew
      - Seventh Bowl - judgment on Babylon 16:17-21
        and the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air
        and a great voice went out from the temple, from the throne, saying, "It is done"
        and there was lightning and a loud noise, and thunder
        and there was a great earthquake
        such as there never was as long as men were on the earth
        so large an earthquake as this one was
        and the great city was broken into three parts
        and the cities of the nations fell
        and Babylon the great was remembered before God
        to give to her the cup of the wine of the anger of His wrath
        and every island fled and mountains could not be found
        and huge hailstones, weighing about 100 pounds fell down from heaven on men
        and the man blasphemed God because of the plague of hailstones
        because the plague is extremely great
- In the Spirit Vision of the Prostitute 17:1-21:8
  - The Great Prostitute 17:1-18
    - Vision of the Great Prostitute 17:1-6
      - Angel shows the Prostitute
        and one of the seven angels that have the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying
        come
        I will show to you the judgment of the great prostitute, who is sitting on many waters
        with whom the kings of the earth committed adultery
        and those inhabiting the earth became drunk from the wine of her adultery
        and he carried me into the desert in the Spirit
      - Allied with the Beast
        and I was a woman seated upon a red beast
        filled with blasphemous names
        having seven heads and ten horns
        and the woman was clothed in purple and red
        and was covered with gold and precious stones and pearls
        having a gold cup in her hand, filled with abomination and the uncleanness of her adultery
      - Babylon the Prostitute - tempting away from God
        and upon her forehead a name was written - Mystery, Babylon the Great
        the mother of the prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth
        and I saw the woman drunk from the blood of the saints and from the blood of the witnesses of Jesus
        and when I saw her, I marveled with great astonishment
    - Interpretation of the beast and its destiny 17:7-14
      - and the angel said to me,
        why are you marveling?
        I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that supports her - having the seven heads and the ten horns
      - Same old Beast - Anti-God pretention to rule - earthly empires serving self
        the beast which I saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and he will go into destruction
        and those inhabiting the earth would marvel seeing the beast
        those whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world
        because he was and is not and will come
      - Roman Empire is one example, but not the only example
        This is the mind that has wisdom
        The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits
        and they are seven kings
        Five have fallen, one is, another has not yet come
        and when he comes, he must remain for a small time
        and the beast who was and is not, this one is an eighth, and he is from the seven, and he is going to destruction
        and the ten horns which you saw, they are ten kings who have not yet received their kingdom
        but they will receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast
      - Unified in opposition to God
        cf. Psa 2
        these ones are having one knowledge/mind/purpose
        and they will give their power and authority to the beast
        These will make war with the lamb
      - Unified in their failure to overcome God and its reason
        and the lamb will overcome them
        because He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings
        and those with Him are called and chosen and faithful
    - Interpretation of the woman and her destiny 17:15-18
      - and he said to me
      - World system - used by the beast as a tool to tempt people away from God
        the waters which you saw on which the prostitute was sitting are nations and crowds and ethnic groups and languages
      - Hated by the beast and thrown away once its usefulness is done
        and the ten horns which you saw and the beast - these will hate the prostitute
        and they will make her desolate and naked and they will eat her flesh and they will burn her with fire
        For God gave into their hearts to do His purpose
        and to do the same purpose
        and to give their kingdom to the beast until the words of God are completed/fulfilled
      - But for a while sucessful in tempting people
        and the woman which you saw is the great city having dominion/kingship over the kings of the earth
  - Fall of Babylon 18:1-24
    - Announcement of Babylon's Fall 18:1-8
      - after these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority
      - and the earth was lighted by his glory
      - and he cried out with a strong voice, saying
        fallen, fallen is Babylon the great
        Her destiny
        and she has become a dwelling place of demons
        and a prison of all unclean spirits
        and a prison of all unclean birds
        and a prison of all unclean and detested beasts
        The Reason
        because all the nations will drink from the wine of the wrath of her adultery
        and the kings of the earth committed adultery with her
        and the merchants of the earth got rich from the power of her luxury/sensuality
      - and I heard another voice from heaven saying
        Call for God's people to be separate - cf. letters to 7 churches
        come out from her my people
        so that you do not share in her sins
        and so that you do not receive from her plagues
        because her sins are joined together unto heaven
        and God remembers her unrighteous deeds
        Her punishment and its reason
        give to her just as she gave
        and give a double portion according to her works
        mix to her double from the cup which she mixed
        and the same way that she glorified herself and lived in luxury, to this extent give to her torment and mourning
        because in her heart she said
        I sit as a queen
        and I am not a widow
        and I will certainly not see mourning
        because of this, in one day her plagues will come - death and mourning and famine
        and she will be burned in fire
        because the Lord who is judging her is strong
    - The three Woes as people mourn over Bablyon 18:9-20
      - The Kings Mourn for Babylon 18:9-10
        and the kings of the earth, who committed adultery with her and lived in luxury wept and mourned over her
        when they see the smoke of her fire
        standing far off because of the fear of her torment
        saying
        Woe, Woe, the great city
        Babylon the strong city
        because in one hour her judgment has come
      - The Merchants Mourn for Babylon 18:11-17
        and the merchants of the earth wept and mourned over her
        because no one buys her cargo anymore
        cargo of gold and siver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple cloth and silk and red cloth
        and every scented wood and every article of ivory and every article from precious wood and bronze and iron and marble
        and cinnamon and spice and incense and myhrr and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep and horses and chariots and bodies and souls of men
        and your fruit of the lust of the soul will be taken from you
        and all the luxuries and splendours will be destroyed from you
        and they will certainly no longer be found
        the merchants of these things who became rich from her stood from afar because of the fear of her torment
        crying and weeping
        saying
        Woe, Woe, the great city
        clothed in fine linen and purple and red
        and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls
        cf. 17:4
        because in one hour such great riches was laid in ruin
      - The Sailors Mourn for Babylon 18:17-19
        and every ship's captain and all who travel by sail and sailors and those who work the sea stood far off
        and they cried out when they saw the smoke of her fire
        saying
        who was like this great city?
        cf. "Who is like God?" in many Psalms
        cf. 13:4 "Who is like the beast?"
        and they threw dust on their heads
        and they cried out weeping and mourning
        saying
        Woe, Woe, the great city
        in which all who had a ship in the sea grew rich from her wealth
        because in one hour she was destroyed
      - But heaven rejoices 18:20
        rejoice over her - heaven
        and the saints and apostles and prophets
        because God judged your judgment against her
    - Babylon will be thrown down 18:21-24
      - and one strong angel lifted a stone like a huge milstone and threw it into the sea
      - saying
        Babylon will be destroyed
        In this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down with violence
        and she will certainly no longer be found
        and the sound of harpists and musicians and flute players and trumpeters will certainly no longer be heard in you
        and all craft of all craftsmen will certainly no longer be found in you
        and the sound of a mill will certainly no longer be heard in you
        and the light of a lamp will certainly no longer shine in you
        and the sound of a bride and groom will certainly no longer be heard in you
        reason
        because your merchants were the great men of the earth
        because by your sorceries you deceived all the earth
        and the blood of the prophets and saints and of all those slaughtered on the earth was found in her
  - Final Victory over Evil 19:1-20:15
    - Hallelujah (3 Hallelujahs coresponding to the 3 woes) 19:1-8
      - Hallelujah because of God's judgments 19:1-3
        after this I heard something like a huge crowd of many from heaven
        saying
        Hallelujah
        the salvation and the glory and the power of our God
        because true and just are His judgments
        because He judged the great prostitute
        who corrupted the world with her adultery
        and He has vindicated/avenged the blood of His servants from her hand
        and they said for a second time
        Hallelujah
        and her smoke is rising up forever and ever
      - Amen, Hallelujah 19:4
        and the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell and worshipped the God who is seated on the throne
        saying
        Amen
        Hallelujah
      - Praise God 19:5
        And a voice went out from the throne
        saying
        praise our God, all His servants
        and those who fear Him, both small and great
      - Hallelujah because God reigns and His wedding has come 19:6-8
        and I heard something like a huge crowd and like a voice of many waters and like a voice of loud thunder
        saying
        Hallelujah
        because the Lord God, the Almighty (pantokrator) reigns
        we are rejoicing and being glad
        and we will give the glory to Him
        because the marriage of the Lamb has come
        and His bride has prepared herself
        and it was given to her so that she would be clothed with pure shining linen
        for the linen is the righteous deeds of the saints
    - Worship God 19:9-10
      - Interaction with the revealing angel
        And he said to me
        Write
        Blessed are those who have been invited to the feast of the wedding of the Lamb
        and he said to me
        this is the true Word of God
      - and I fell before his feet to worship him
      - and he said to me
        NO
        I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus
        WORSHIP GOD
        For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy
    - The Rider on the White Horse comes in Judgment 19:11-16
      - Vision of the Triumphant Christ
        And I saw the heavens opened
        and behold a white horse
        and the One seated on it is [called] faithful and true
        and in righteousness He judges and makes war
        His eyes are like flames of fire
        and many crowns are on His head
        He had a name written which no one knows except Himself
        and He was dressed in clothes dipped in blood
        and His Name was called the Word of God
      - He judges the nations
        and the warriors in heaven followed Him upon white horses
        wearing clean white linen
        and a sharp sword came out from His mouth
        so that with it He may strike the Nations
        and He will shepherd them with a rod of iron
        and He will tread the winepress of the wine of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty (Pantokrator)
        and He has written upon His clothes and upon His thigh - King of Kings and Lord of Lords
    - The Feast of Judgment 19:17-21
      - The Gathering for the feast
        And I saw one angel standing in the sun
        and he cried out with a loud voice
        saying to all the birds flying in midair
        Come
        gather together for the great feast of God
        so that you may eath the flesh of kings and the flesh of generals and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those seated on them and the flesh of all, the free and the slaves and the small and the great
        cf. 6:15
        and I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war on the one seated upon the horse and against His warriors
      - Punishment of the beast and false prophet
        and the beast was captured and the false prophet with him, who did the signs before him
        in which he deceived those receiving the mark of the beast and those worshipping his image
        the two of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with sulfur
      - Punishment of those who followed them
        and the rest died by the sword coming out of the mouth of the one seated upon the horse
        and all the birds were satiated with their flesh
    - Binding satan for 1000 years 20:1-3
      - and I saw an angel coming down from heaven
      - having the key of the pit and a great chain in his hand
      - and he grabbed the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and the accuser
      - and he bound him 1000 years
      - and he threw him in to the pit
      - and he shut it and sealed it over him
      - so that he would not still deceive the nations until the 1000 years were completed
      - after these things it is necessary to release him for a small time
    - Those reigning with Christ 1000 years 20:4-6
      - and I saw a throne
      - and they were seated on it
      - and judgment was given to them
      - and the souls of those beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the Word of God
        cf. 1:2, 1:9, 6:9
      - and who did not worship the beast and his image
      - and they did not receive the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand
      - and they will live and reign with Christ 1000 years
      - the rest of the dead will not live until the thousand years were completed
      - this is the first resurrection
      - blessed and holy is the one having a part in the first resurrection
      - The second death will not have authority/power over these
      - but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with Him 1000 years
    - final deception and defeat of the devil 20:7-10
      - Final Deception
        and when the 1000 years were completed
        satan was released from his prison
        and he went out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth - Gog and Magog
        cf. Ezek 38:2, 39:1
        to gather them together into war
        their number was like the sand of the seashore
        and they went up upon the breadth of the earth
        and they surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city
      - Final Defeat
        and fire came down from heaven and consumed them
        and the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where also the beast and the false prophet were
        and they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever
    - The Great White Throne Judgment 20:11-15
      - and I saw a great white throne and the One seated upon it
      - from whose faith the earth and heaven fled
      - and no place was found for them
      - and I saw the dead, the great and the small standing before the throne
      - and a book was opened
      - and another book was opened, which is the book of life
      - and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their works
      - and the sea gave up the dead that were in it
      - and death and hades gave up the dead that were in them
      - and each was judged according to his works
      - and death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire -
      - this is the second death, the lake of fire
      - and if someone is not found written in the book of life, he is thrown into the lake of fire
      - summary
        2 choices
        emphasize based on their works - without contradicting saved by grace
        emphasize presence or absence in the Lamb's Book of Life
  - New Creation Purged of Evil 21:1-8
    - New Heaven and New Earth 21:1-4
      - Description of the New Creation
        And I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth
        cf. Isa 65:17, 66:22
        for the first heaven and the first earth went away
        just like resurrection body will be similar to present body, but drastically different
        cf. PPP will walk and run in heaven, so no ozone problem in new earth
        and the sea did not still exist
        sea symbolic of chaos and untamed evil
        and I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem coming down from heaven from God
        eschaton will in some sense be "in heaven"
        and in another sense will be on a new earthly existence - beyond our present ability to understand
        prepared as a bridegroom beautified for her husband
      - and I heard a great voice from heaven saying
        behold the dwelling place of God is with men
        cf. Lev. 26:12, Jn 14:23, Ezek 37:27, Jer 32:38
        and he will dwell with them
        and they will be His people
        and this God will be with them
        and He will wipe every tear from their eyes
        cf. 7:17, Isa 25:8
        and death will no longer exist
        neither will mourning or crying or pain
        because the first things have passed away
    - The Soveriegn God makes everything new 21:5-8
      - and the One seated on the Throne said
        Behold I am making everything new
      - and He said
        write that these words are faithful and true
      - and He said to me
        It has become/It is done
        God's Character
        I am the Alpha and the Omega
        the beginning and the end
        to the thirsty, I myself will freely give from the spring of the water of life
        Reward of the Overcomers
        the one who overcomes will inherit these things
        and I will be God to him and he will be a son to me
        Punishment of the Rebels
        but to the cowardly, and unfaithful and detestable and murderers and adulterers and sorcerers and idolaters and all the false
        their place will be in the lake burning with fire and sulfur - which is the second death
- In the Spirit Vision of the Bride 21:9-22:5
  - New Jerusalem 21:9-27
    - The New Jerusalem 21:9-14
      - and one of the seven angels having the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came and spoke with me
      - saying
        come
        I will show to you the bride - the wife of the Lamb
      - and he brought me in the Spirit upon a great and high mountain
      - and he showed me the Holy City Jerusalem coming down from heaven from God
        cf. 3:12, 21:2
      - having the glory of God
      - the shining of it had the appearance of a precious stone as a stone of crystal clear Jasper
      - having a great and high wall
      - having twelve gates and upon the gates were twelve angels
      - and a name was written, which are the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel
      - three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south and three gates on the west
      - and the walls of the city had twelve foundations
      - and on the twelve were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
    - Description/Measurement of the City 21:15-21
      - and the one speaking with me had a gold measuring rod
        cf. measuring the temple in Ezek 40ff.
      - so that he may measure the city and its gates and its walls
      - and the city was laid out as a square and its breadth was equal to its width
      - and he measured the city with the measuring rod - 12000 stadia (1500 miles)
      - the length and breadth and height is equal
        cf.the perfect cube shape of the Holy of Holies in the OT temple
      - and he measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measure, which is the angel's
      - and the material of its walls was Jasper
      - and the city is pure gold with the likeness of pure glass
      - the foundations of the walls of the city were decorated with all kinds of precious stones
        the first Jasper
        the second sapphire
        the third aggate/calchedon
        the fourth emerald
        the fith sardonyx
        the sixth ruby/sardis/carnelion
        the seventh chrystalite/hyacynth
        the eighth beryl
        the ninth topaz
        the tenth chrysoprase/turquoise
        the eleventh jacinth
        the twelfth amethyst
      - and the twelve gates were twelve pearls - each one gate was made from a single pearl
      - and the main street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass
    - The Glory of the City 21:22-27
      - and I did not see a temple in it
      - For the Lord God, the Almighty (pantokrator) and the Lamb is the temple in it
      - and the city does not have need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it
      - For the glory of God lights it, and the Lamb is its lamp
      - and the nations walk by its light
      - and the kings of the earth bear their glory into it
      - and its gates are certainly not shut by day
      - for there is no night there
      - and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it
      - and every common thing will certainly not enter into it
      - and the one doing abomination and deceit (will not enter)
      - except those written in the Book of LIfe of the Lamb (will not enter)
  - Eden Restored 22:1-5
    - and he showed me the river of the water of life - bright as crystal - going out from the throne of God and the Lamb
      - cf. Ezek 47:1ff.
    - in the middle of its main street
    - and on either side of the river and their was a tree of life making twelve fruits
    - according to each month it gave its fruit
    - and the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations
    - and every curse will not be there
    - and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it
    - and His servants will serve Him
    - and they will see His face
    - and His Name will be on their forehead
    - and there will no longer be night
    - and they will not have a need for the light of a lamp or light of the sun
    - because the Lord God will shine upon them
    - and they will reign forever and ever
- Epilogue 22:6-21
  - Inclusio - reiteration of title and introduction of the book 22:6-7
    - and he said to me
    - These words are faithful and true
      - cf. 21:5
    - and the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent His angel/messenger to show to His servants what is necessary to be soon
      - cf. 1:1
      - Inclusion of whole book
    - and behold, I am coming soon
      - cf. 22:12, 20
    - blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book
      - cf. 1:3, also blessed for other reasons in 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:14
  - John's Testimony about the book 22:8-11
    - and I, John, was the one hearing and seeing these things
    - and when I heard and saw, I feel to worship before the feet of the angel/messenger who showed me these things
      - cf. 19:10
    - and he said to me -
      - NO
      - I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and the prophets and those keeping the words of this book
      - Worship God!
    - and he said to me -
      - Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book
      - Because the time is near
      - let the wrongdoer still do wrong
      - and let the filthy still be filthy
      - and let the righteous still do righteousness
      - and let the holy still be holy
  - Jesus' Testimony about the book 22:12-13
    - behold, I am coming soon
    - and my reward is with me
    - to reward each one as his work deserves
    - I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last
    - The beginning and the end
  - Blessing on the righteous 22:14-15
    - Blessed are those who are washing their robes
    - So that their authority will be for the tree of life
    - and to those washing, they may enter into the city
    - Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the adulterers and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who is loving and doing falsehood
  - Jesus is and the church desires Him 22:16-17
    - I, Jesus, sent my angel/messenger to testify these things to you for/about the church
    - I am the root and branch of David
    - The bright, morning star
    - and the Spirit and the bride are saying "Come"
    - and the one hearing, let him say, "Come"
    - and the one who thirsts, let him come, the one wishing to freely receive the water of life
  - Warning to take this prophecy seriously- as it statnds 22:18-19
    - I am testifying to all those hearing the words of the prophecy of this book
    - if someone adds to these things, God will add upon him the plagues written in this book
    - and if someone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share from the tree of life and from the holy city which are written in this book
  - Come Lord Jesus 22:20
    - The one testifying these things says
      - YES
      - Come soon
      - AMEN
      - Come Lord Jesus
  - Blessing 22:21
    - May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all