Notes on the Daily Readings – The Revelation

Following are some points that may make your reading of the Revelation more enlightening and enjoyable this time through.

Methods of interpretation

The praeterist (immediate) view

This view contends that, except for those sections obviously referring to the kingdom, the prophecies relate to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and events that occurred shortly thereafter. Critical to this view is the contention that the Revelation was written before the fall of Jerusalem. If it can be demonstrated that the book was written in A.D. 94-96 (the traditional date), then the praeterist view is shown to be incorrect. In his booklet, “The Apocalypse– A Background Study” (available from the Christadelphian office), Bro. Joe Banta summarizes available evidence on dating of the Revelation. He clearly demonstrates that the strongest evidence favors the later (A.D. 94-96) date.

The futurist view

This view contends that the fulfillment of the prophecies from chap­ter four onward are still in the future. Adherents to this view usually hold that the symbols (numerical or otherwise) are to be taken literally. For example, the temple is literal and not a symbol for the multitudinous Christ: 1,260 days are 1,260 literal days rather than 1,260 years.

The continuous historical view

This is the view of Bro. Thomas, Roberts, etc. that in the Apocalypse, God has provided a prophecy of the major historical events affecting the ecclesia from the first century until the end of the Millennium. This view holds that the prophecy begins with the situation as it existed in John’s day. The Revelation then portrays the developments in the Roman Empire and the church/state system which grew out of it. It covers the ever-changing face of Daniel’s fourth beast climaxing with the conquest of the nations by Christ and the saints. Thus, at any time subsequent to the Revelation, a believer could be assured, from prophecy fulfilling in his own time, that God was working out His plan to its fulfillment.

Repetitive patterns in the Apocalypse

“Sevens” in the instruments of revelation

The most apparent pattern in the book is that of the seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven woes, seven plagues and seven vials. Such obvious repetition encourages us to look for more, and when we do, we find it.

Content of 7 trumpets and vials

Rev. 8 and 9 cover the seven trumpets, Rev. 15 and 16 the seven vials. When read carefully, a striking parallel is noted.

  1. First trumpet and first vial both affect the “The first angel sounded and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth” (8:7); “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth” (16:2).
  2. Second trumpet and vial both affect the “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea” (8:8); “and the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea” (16:3).
  3. Third trumpet and vial both affect the rivers (8:10; 16:4).
  4. Fourth trumpet affects sun, moon and stars (8:12), fourth vial the sun (16:8)
  5. Fifth trumpet brings darkness and scourge as does the fifth vial (9:2,3; 16:10-11).
  6. Sixth trumpet concerns the river Euphrates and a great army (9:14­16); the sixth vial affects the Eu­phrates and the kings of the earth (16:12).
  7. Seventh trumpet announces the fall of the kingdoms of the earth (10:4-­6); the seventh vial brings Armageddon (16:16-17).

The true ecclesia and the apostate system

The similarities between the symbols used to represent the true and the false systems of Christianity indicate the systems will be difficult to distinguish by the person not familiar with the word of God.

  1. The true ecclesia has God’s name written in their foreheads (14:1); worshippers of the beast have a mark on their foreheads (13:6).
  2. Christ likened to a lamb on Mount Zion (14:1); the earth beast has two horns like a lamb (13:11).
  3. The Lord destroys with the sword of his mouth (19:15); the im­age of the beast speaks and kills those who do not worship him (13:15).
  4. Christ riding a horse while he is clothed with a vesture dipped in blood (19:11,13); the whore riding a beast while she is clothed in purple and scarlet (17:3-7).
  5. Christ has many crowns on his head (19:12); the beast has ten crowns on his horns (13:1).
  6. ..is, was and is to come (1:4); the beast…was and is not and yet is (17:8).
  7. Fire comes down from God out of heaven (20:9); earth beast makes a fire come down from heaven (13:13).
  8. The holy city New Jerusalem, is of pure gold with foundations of precious stones and gates of pearls (21:throughout); a harlot decked with gold, precious stones and pearls (17:4).

References to the Old Testament

Revelation has more quotations from and allusions to the Old Testa­ment than any other New Testament book. Ezekiel (at least 58 times) and Daniel (at least 66 times) are referred to the most, but there are many other examples. Note, for instance, the comparisons between Gen. 1-3 and Rev. 21-22.

  1. Gen 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth:” Rev. 21:1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth.”
  2. Gen 3:17, “…cursed is the ground…;” Rev. 22:3, “And there shall be no more curse.”
  3. Gen 2:9, “…the tree of life also in the midst of the garden:” Rev. 21:2 “In the midst of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life.”