Lesson 1The Alpha and the Omega (Part 1)

Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation

By Dale Wells

Text: Rev 1.1-8; Rev 22.8-12

Revelation is a book to be understood

Rev 1:1-3 WEB This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ … Apocalypsis – an “unveiling”, “revealing”, or “disclosure”The book is not a “mystery” (mysterion), but a “revelation”

"Blessed is he who reads"

Rev 1:3 WEB Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it... Ho anaginooskon – “the one reading aloud” Apparent in blessing

“those who hear” Envisions one reading to

a congregation

“Blessed are those who hear”

Akouoo with a genitive noun meant “hear”With the accusative, as here, it meant “understand”Jesus intended the message to be understood

“Blessed are … those who … keep the things … in it”

Terountes means “observe”, or “obey” God intended people to “understand” and “obey”

the book, so he must have written one they could understand and were capable of obeying!

Why is the book misunderstood? People misunderstand the book because of faulty

assumptions they bring to the text, not because of what the text, itself, says

Popular approaches to Revelation

Some see it as a “summary of history” They see the Catholic Church, Reformation, Luther & Calvin

Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s contemporary, took this approach Recent authors are Albert Barnes and John Hinds

Each reapplies history to put himself in the last days

Some believe it only deals with the end of time Authors since 1948 think we are in the last moments of time Each rewrites when time proves him wrong

Something is wrong with an approach that rewrites interpretation every time history disproves it

The time frame is set by two phrases

Dei genesthai en tachei - “which must happen soon” Rev 1:1 WEB … the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave

him to show … the things which must happen soon... Rev 22:6 WEB He said to me, “… The Lord God … sent his angel

to show … the things which must happen soon.”

Some believe that en tachei means “certainly” Not so! Tacheoo always means “quickly”.

Act 22:17-18 WEB “… while I prayed … I fell into a trance, and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly,”

Gal 1:6-7 WEB I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel …

2Ti 4:9 WEB Be diligent to come to me soon...

Readers of Revelation understood that the fulfillment would be soon - from their point of view, not ours!

The time is at hand

Ho gar kairos engus – “for the time is at hand” Engus means “in hand” or “within reach”

The use of “the time is at hand” Rev 1:3 WEB Blessed is he who reads … those who hear … and

keep the things … written in it, for the time is at hand. Rev 22:10 WEB He said to me, “Don't seal up the words of the

prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

This same expression is used elsewhere Mar 1:14-15 WEB … Jesus came … saying, “The time is fulfilled,

and the Kingdom of God is at hand! …” Rom 10:8-9 WEB The word is near you... Phi 4:5 WEB The Lord is at hand.

No text uses engus of something far away

Reasons for interpreting the book in light of its time:

It was a “revelation” to its readers, not a “mystery”It was intended to be read, understood and acted onIts time of fulfillment was close at handPicture yourself as a Christian in Pergamum Antipas has been executed for his faith. You may be next! A messenger comes with John's letter. Do you want to know what to expect in 2000 years? No!

You want to know if you’re going to be alive tomorrow! If not, what then? Was it worth it for Antipas – or for you?

You don’t care about 21st Century writers. You want to know what’s going to happen to you and what God is doing about it!

A message to early Christians about their concerns!

Keys to understanding Revelation

All literature is not read alike Elizabeth Barrett Browning vs. Edgar Allen Poe William Shakespeare vs. Stephen King Newspaper vs. poetry; biography vs. prophecy;

history vs. a math textbook They are not interpreted the same way

Revelation is written in apocalyptic style Makes heavy use of symbols Imagery that is not intended to be taken literally

What if I told you that yesterday, I saw a vision

I saw what looked like a living creature It had four legs, but it stood up on two, like a man. It had a

prominent nose. It was brown with long ears

I saw another living creature It looked like a bird without wings. It was blue and had two

legs with three toes on each foot

The first creature sat astride a red cylinder

The first creature sped toward the second creature

The second stepped aside as the first sped past

Who are the two creatures?

Read Revelation the way you watch animations – use your imagination

7-headed dragon, 7-headed beast, lamb with 7 horns and eyes, prostitute on a beast Don’t let details distract you from the pictureLet the picture grab your imagination and you will understand itRevelation uses symbols extensively Some are self-evident

Consider John's description of one like a son of man in Rev 1:13-18

Robe and gold sashHair like white woolEyes like a flame of fireFeet like brassSword out of his mouthFace like the sunI am the first and the last, and the Living oneI was dead, and … I am alive forevermoreThis is clearly Jesus.

Look at the description of the Lamb of God in Rev 5:5-6

Lion of JudahRoot of DavidHe who opens the book and its seven sealsLamb standing, as though it had been slainIt cannot be anyone but Jesus

Consider the vignette about two witnesses in Rev 11:6

Shut up the sky that it may not rain Comes from Elijah

Turn water into blood and strike the earth with plagues Come from Moses

A radiant woman gives birth to a unique child in Rev 12:1-5

Clothed with the sun

Moon under her feet

Crown of twelve stars

Pregnant and in labor

Gives birth to a son who is to rule the nations with a rod of iron

John expects his readers to identify the woman as Mary, and her child as Jesus

A conquering king rides in on a white horse in Rev 19:11-16

Faithful and True

Eyes are a flame of fire

Many crowns

Covered with blood

“The Word of God”

Sword out of his mouth

Rules with a rod of iron

King of Kings and Lord of LordsNo doubt this is Jesus

The text explains the less obvious symbols

What are the stars and lampstands? Rev 1:20 WEB … The

seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

The lampstands are churches and the stars are their messengers

What about the dragon out to devour the child?

Rev 12:9 WEB The great dragon …, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan ... In the Apocalypse, the dragon is Satan

John sees a prostitute riding on a seven-headed beast in Rev 17

Rev 17:18 WEB The woman … is the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”Rev 17:9-11 WEB The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings … Rome sat on 7 hills and ruled the world – the prostitute is Rome

A puzzle to solve, not a mystery to ignore

Start with what you know Lamb is Jesus Dragon is Satan Prostitute is Rome Heads are emperors

Start there and the picture comes together!

Revelation for Dummies

God Rules!

Jesus is Lord!

We win!

The symbolism of numbers

Apocalyptic literature used numbers symbolicallyFour numerals are oppositional pairs. 7 stands opposed to 3 ½ 12 stands opposed to 6

Others are not paired 1/3, 2, 4, 10, 1,000

Oppositional pairs are a feature of Revelation

There are two lambs

The Lamb of God Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in

the midst of the throne … a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain

A lamb that speaks with the voice of a dragon Rev 13:11 WEB I saw

another … He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.

Two oppositional women

The prostitute Rev 19:1-2 NIV … God

… has condemned the great prostitute …

The bride of the Lamb Rev 19:7 NIV Let us

rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Two who claim dominion

God on the throne Rev 4:2 WEB … Behold,

there was a throne … and one sitting on the throne

Dragon who attempts to invade heaven Rev 12:7 WEB …

Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.

Two marks on people’s foreheads

The seal of God Rev 7:3 WEB Don't

harm the earth… until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!

The mark of the beast Rev 13:16-17 WEB He

causes all … to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads …

Kings of the earth and the King of Kings

Rev 17:12 WEB The ten horns … are ten kings … Rev 19:16 WEB He has … a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” There are other opposites, but this gives you the ideaSome numbers are also in oppositional pairs

Seven symbolizes God's completed work

7 occurs … more in Revelation than

the rest of the NT more in Revelation than

in any OT book

7 symbolizes God finishing his work Gen 2:1-3 WEB … On

the seventh day God finished his work … and he rested on the seventh day ...

Revelation begins with a letter to 7 churches.

Rev 1:4 WEB John, to the seven assemblies ...

Rev 1:11 WEB ... “What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies …”

Rev 1:20 WEB ... The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

Ekklesiai is “churches” in other translations

The first vision features two sevens

The son of man is among 7 lampstands Rev 1:20 WEB ... The

seven lampstands are seven assemblies.

He is holding 7 stars Rev 1:20 WEB ... The

seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies...

Before God's throne were 7 lamps

Rev 4:5 WEB ... There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

These are seen elsewhere Rev 1:4 WEB ... Grace to

you and peace ... from the seven Spirits who are before his throne

A 7-sealed scroll was opened by a Lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes

Rev 5:1-6 WEB I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals … (6) I saw … a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes …

God's judgments were announced by 7 angels with 7 trumpets.

Rev 8:2-6 WEB I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them … (6) The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7 angels administer God's judgments

Rev 15:1 WEB I saw … seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. Rev 15:6-8 WEB … One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God...

7 bowls of wrath were poured out on the earth.

Rev 16:1 WEB I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!”

3½ depicts Satan's attempt to thwart God's purpose

3 ½ is opposed to 7 7 is God doing his will. 3½ is a time of suffering

Daniel envisioned a 3 ½ year oppression Dan 7:25 WEB He shall

speak … against the Most High, and … the saints … be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

A year (“time”) + 2 years (“times”) + 6 months (“half a time”).

A time of oppression and provision

Drought during the reign of Ahab Jam 5:17 WEB Elijah …

prayed … that it might not rain, and it didn't rain on the earth for three years and six months.

God provided for Elijah 1Ki 17:3-6 WEB … (6)

The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

The picture comes from military sieges

Measured in months Roman army surrounded

a city, cutting off supplies Built siegeworks and

starved the city

Jewish-Roman War Began in 66 AD Jerusalem fell 42 months

later in 70 AD

A time when Satan tries to stop God’s work, but God is still in control!

3½ years in Revelation 11

Gentiles besiege God’s city for 42 months Rev 11:1-2 … They will

tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.

God's witnesses preach for the same 1260 days Rev 11:3 … my two

witnesses … will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days

3½ years as 1260 days and “a time, times, and half a time”

God cares for the woman for 1260 days Rev 12:6

Satan tries to get at the woman for a time, times and half a time Rev 12:13-14

He can’t get to her, because God is protecting herThe outcome is always the same – God wins!

Twelve symbolizes God's people

12 and multiples (24, 12,000, 144,000) is the second most prominent number in RevelationIn Rev 4:4, 24 elders sit on thrones24 elders are God’s people in two covenants 12 patriarchs (Old

Testament) 12 apostles (New

Testament)

In Revelation 7 there are 144,000 people sealed

Rev 7:4 WEB … one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel

These are people with God’s seal of approval on their foreheads

12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel

The number is not literal

The radiant woman in Rev 12 wears a crown of twelve stars

Rev 12:1 WEB … a woman … and on her head a crown of twelve stars

We saw this woman earlier as an idealized picture of Mary

The 12 stars represent God’s people – her crowning glory

12 dominates the description of the holy city in Rev 21:10-17

12 gates12 angelsNames of 12 tribes12 foundations12 names of the 12 Apostles12,000 stadiaWall is 144 cubits

This is the city where God’s people live!

It is a cube 12,000 stadia on each side, with 12 gates, having walls 144 cubits thick.

The city has plenty of access (gates) room (dimensions) security (angels at the

gates) protection (walls)

6 symbolizes rebellion against God

It depicts man’s attempt to dispense with GodContrast of 6 and 12 12 is God’s faithful

people protected by him 6 is man in rebellion

against God

Like Satan’s attempts to stop God (3 ½), man’s rebellion always fails

The most infamous use of 6 is the number of the beast in Rev 13:18

Rev 13:18 WEB … His number is six hundred sixty-six. Rebellion compounded Man’s attempt to usurp

God’s throne

666 is a gematria The number concealed a

name the readers knew, but history quickly forgot

Irenaeus (2nd Century) suggested names, but couldn’t determine the name behind the number

Ancient alphabets were not like our modern alphabets

Hebrew and Greek had alphabets composed of characters that served a dual purpose as letters and numbers

Thus “a” could either serve as a letter, or it could be the numeral “1”, “b” could be used as the numeral “2”, etc.

Ancient writers engaged in “gematria” (Greek isopsephia)

They added the letter values and the sum was the "number" of the name The sum represented the name when they wanted to reveal

the identity to some, but conceal it from others This is important to understanding “666” in Rev 13:18

Ancient examples of gematria Graffiti in Pompeii: “I love her whose number is 545.” Only

the couple would know about whom he was writing. A Roman inscription describes Gaius as holy and good

Gaios = 3 + 1 + 10 + 70 + 200 = 284 (Ha)gios = 1 + 3 + 10 + 70 + 200 = 284 Aga(th)os =1 + 3 + 1 + 9 + 70 + 200 = 284 The words are gematrically interchangeable

Possible names that make sense in light of the historical setting

Lateinos = “Latin” (e.g. Rome, the city or the empire) = 30+1+300+5+10+50+70+200 = 666Teitan = “Titus” (common name of the Flavian Emperors. Vespasian was emperor when Revelation was written. Titus ascended shortly thereafter. Domitian began the empire-wide persecution of Christians.) = 300+5+10+300+1+50 = 666Kaisarsebaston = “Caesar Augustus” (“worshipful Caesar”). The imperial name = 20+1+10+200+1+100+200+5+2+1+6+70+50 = 666 (Note: this requires using the obsolete letter stigma (= 6) in the

place of the letters sigma (= 200) and tau (= 300). Recall the book was intended to be read aloud. The hearers would be used to associating the “st” sound with the value of 6.)

1/3 symbolizes God’s restraint in judgment in Rev 8:6-12

1/3 earth burnt up1/3 trees burnt up1/3 sea became blood1/3 sea creatures died1/3 ships destroyed1/3 rivers struck by star1/3 waters became wormwood 1/3 sun, moon and stars darkened

Old Testament roots in Ezekiel 5 where he was told to shave his head

Eze 5:1-2 WEB … (2) A third part you shall burn … in the … city … take a third part, and strike with the sword … a third part you shall scatter to the wind ….Eze 5:12 WEB A third … shall die … and a third … shall fall by the sword … and a third … I will scatter to … the winds, and … draw … a sword after them

Two symbolizes testimony

Emissaries sent in pairs Mar 6:7 WEB He …

began to send them out two by two …

Mat 11:2-3 WEB … John … sent two ... disciples

Jewish law of evidence required two witnesses Deu 19:15 WEB One

witness shall not rise up against a man … at the mouth of two witnesses, or … three … shall a matter be established.

The only significant usage of two is in Rev 11:3-11

2 witnesses prophesy 1260 days They are 2 olive

trees They are also 2

lampstands, standing before the Lord

They are also 2 prophets

The image comes from Zechariah 4

Zec 4:2-3 WEB … “I have seen, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, … (3) and two olive trees by it…”Zec 4:11-14 WEB Then I asked him, “What are these two olive trees … (14) Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

The two represent the testimony of the Law and Prophets

Moses and Elijah at Transfiguration Mat 17:1-3 WEB … (2)

He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. (3) Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.

In Rev 11 they are sent to proclaim God's word

Four symbolizes the entire earth and universe

Symbol of 4 derives from 4 compass points, 4 wind directions and 4 seasonsBabylonian mythology: 4 signs of the Zodiac, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, powerful figures supporting heaven by 4 corners, or as the beasts of burden of the 4-wheeled heavenly chariot

Ezekiel 1 described 4 creatures of God's heavenly entourage

4 living creaturesEach had 4 faces: man, lion, ox and eagleEach had 4 wingsEze 1:4-28 WEB This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh.

John saw 4 creatures around God's throne worshiping him in Rev 4:6-8Rev 4:6-8 WEB … around the throne were four living creatures ... (7) The first … like a lion, … the second … like a calf, and the third … had a face like a man, and the fourth … like a flying eagle. (8) … They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty …”

The 4 creatures worship the Lamb in Rev 5:6-14

Rev 5:6-14 WEB … (8) … the four living creatures … fell down before the Lamb … (9) … saying, “You are worthy … (11) … I heard … a voice of many angels … (12) saying … “Worthy is the Lamb …” (14) The four living creatures said, “Amen!”

Zechariah 6 has 4 chariots depicting God's omnipresence & omniscience

4 chariots drawn by red, black, white, and dappled horsesZec 6:5-8 WEB … “These are the four winds of the sky, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. …” (7) … So they walked back and forth through the earth …

In Rev 6:1-8, 4 creatures announce 4 horses with the opening of 4 seals

1st seal – 1st creature announces 1st rider on a white horse2nd seal – 2nd creature announces 2nd rider on a red horse3rd seal – 3rd creature announces 3rd rider on a black horse4th seal – 4th creature announces 4th rider on a pale horse

The OT mentions the 4 winds & the 4 corners of the earth

4 corners of the earth from which God gathers Isa 11:12 WEB He will

… assemble … Israel, and gather … Judah from the four corners of the earth.

4 winds by which God scatters his enemies Jer 49:36 WEB On Elam

will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of the sky …,

Revelation has 4 angels at 4 corners of the earth holding back judgment

Rev 7:1 WEB I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth …Rev 9:13-15 WEB … (15) The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they might kill one third of mankind.

Ten symbolizes limits

Relates to anatomy: ten fingers on the human hand Once you’ve counted to ten, you’ve exhausted all of your

fingers, and all of your chances

Many places in the Bible where one counts to ten and then says: “Enough!”

Ten years was limit of Abram's patience with God's promise

Gen 13:16 WEB I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth…

Gen 16:3 WEB Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife.

Ten was the limit of God's patience with Sodom

Abraham bargained with God to spare Sodom, testing God’s limits till he reached the ten Gen 18:32 WEB “Oh

don't let the Lord be angry … What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten's sake.”

Ten changes in terms was the limit of Jacob's patience with Laban

Gen 31:41 WEB These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.

The Ten Commandments were the limits God set on Israel's conduct

Exo 34:28 WEB He was there with Yahweh forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread, nor drank water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

God gave people ten chances – as seen in two other events during the life of Moses

Ten plagues showed the limit of God's patience with Egypt.

Egypt suffers for Pharaoh's refusal to let Israel goIn spite of plague after plague, Pharaoh continues to harden his heartThe tenth plague results in final judgment on Egypt

Ten rebellions test the limits of God's patience with the Exodus generation

Num 14:20-23 WEB Yahweh said, … because all those men who have seen my glory, and my signs … yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice; surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers …

The uses of “ten” in Revelation

Pergamum would suffer ten days before God said, “Enough!” Rev 2:10 WEB … the devil

is about to throw some of you into prison … and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Devil is limited by what God allows him to do!

The dragon and the sea beast have 10 horns

Rev 12:3 WEB Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns …Rev 13:1 WEB I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns … On his horns were ten crowns …They have power, (horns), but only the power God gives them – God sets their limits!

10 horns are 10 kings – God sets limits on the beast's power

Rev 17:7 WEB I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast … which has the seven heads and the ten horns. Rev 17:12 WEB The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour.

1,000 symbolizes limitlessness

Psa 50:10 WEB For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills.

God is not exempting the livestock on other hills, nor the livestock in valleys. What he’s saying is that all livestock belongs to him

Apply that reasoning to other passages:

Deu 7:9 WEB … Yahweh your God … keeps covenant … with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations Message: God loves everyone who loves and obeys him

Psa 68:17 WEB The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands … Message: God has immeasurable power

And when we come to that text about 1,000 years Time is insignificant to God. Man’s eon is God’s moment

Psa 90:4 WEB For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.

God’s schedule is not to be judged by man's. 2Pe 3:8 WEB But don't forget … that one day is with the Lord as a

thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Remember the symbolic use of 1,000 when we get to Rev 20:2-7

He seized the dragon … and bound him for a thousand years … I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus … They lived, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years … Devil’s power is limited (10 horns), but God’s dominion over him is unlimited (1,000 years)