Revelation

 Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Bible, Reference Edition of 1977, The Lockman Foundation.  Holman Bible Publishers

     These notes always assume that the inspired Bible text that is being commented on is before the reader, and are of little use apart from it.

“The sum of thy word is truth”  (Psalm 119:160).

   The Revelation (Gr.; Apocalypse, or unveiling) is the unveiling of the way history is ordained to work during the last days, the age between Jesus Christ’s first and second coming, with a view beyond into the new heaven and earth.

     These notes owe much to these works: 1. James Ramsey (1814-1871), The Book of Revelation, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1984;  2. William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors, Baker Book House, 1939, 1967;  3.  Dennis Prutow, In Response articles, 1996-1998.     Unfortunately, Ramsey’s book only covers the first eleven chapters.  Hendriksen takes the same general approach as Ramsey, which he calls “progressive parallelism.”  This means that the seven sections of the book are parallel, not consecutive history.  They each cover the entire age between Christ’s first and second coming.  However, each is a different and progressively deeper and higher view of the same history, and beyond into glory.  I believe every generation of men should recognize this history as familiar territory.  Every war, every natural disaster, indeed every death that falls close, brings the look of alarm.  Did the earth tremble?  Does the darkening cloud approach too fast?  Suddenly men are moved by an instinct they didn’t know they had.  This could be the day that He comes (cf. Rev. 22:12). 

     Of course everything is described in language appropriate to John’s time.  The seven churches, for example, were real first century churches, but their various conditions are typical of any age, and the words of Christ to them are true for every generation.  Likewise, the weapons of warfare are first century weapons, such as swords and horses; never tanks, airplanes, and bombs.  But these are generally symbolic in any case, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2 Cor. 10:4).  Great empires like Rome come and go, but the Lord reigns.  Nothing is out of his control, and he comes not only to judge the wicked, but to vindicate his people.  “Therefore,” says the apostle Peter, “gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13).

     Symbolism abounds, mostly drawn from the OT.  The number seven (occurring 54 times) is always a symbol standing for completeness.  It gets its meaning from Gen. 2:1-3, God’s completed work of creation from which he rested on the seventh day.  It maintains that same meaning throughout Scripture, which is a rule for symbols.  Their symbolic meaning does not change.  Another related rule of interpretation is, difficult passages should be interpreted where possible by clearer ones.   We should not, as so many seem to do, impose a literal meaning on the symbols in Rev. 20, for example, and then interpret the rest of Scripture by the fantastic result.  It should work the other way around.  The best aid to understand symbolic passages is not an overheated imagination, but a knowledge of Biblical history, poetry, and prophecy.  The advantage of symbols and poetic images is that they speak volumes in brief.  They speak to the heart, even where the mind is not always able to follow.  After all, these are mysteries, things into which angels long to look (1 Pet. 1:10-12).

     The very helpful outline below is basically Hendriksen’s, who acknowledges that his is much like that of many others before him.  There are two major divisions (chapters 1-11, three sections; and chapters 12-22, four sections) containing seven parallel but progressive views of redemptive history throughout these last days.  We see a world in which God’s people always have tribulation (John 16:33).  We see our Savior conquer all his and our enemies, and come to lead us in his great triumph.  And we get to see it all seven times.

I.   The Church Persecuted By the World; Avenged, Protected, and Victorious.  Chapters 1-11:

      l.   Chapters 1-3.  Christ in the Midst of the Seven Golden Lampstands.

      2.  Chapters 4-7.  The Scroll with the Seven Seals.

      3.  Chapters 8-11.  The Seven Trumpets of Warning Judgments.

II.  The Deeper Spiritual Battle; Christ (and the Church) Persecuted By the Dragon (Satan) and his Helpers.  The Victory of Christ and His Church. Chapters 12-22:

      4.  Chapters 12-14.  The Woman and the Man-Child persecuted by the Dragon and his Helpers (the two Beasts and the Harlot). 

      5.  Chapters 15-16.  The Seven Bowls of Wrath.

      6.  Chapters 17-19.  The Fall of the Great Harlot and the Beasts.

      7.  Chapters 20-22.  The Judgment upon the Dragon, followed by the New Heaven and Earth; New Jerusalem.