Welcome to The Deep Dive. Today, we're embarking
on a really incredible journey. We're diving
into one of the most, well, enigmatic, powerful
texts ever written, The Book of Revelation. It's
fascinated people, puzzled them, inspired them
for centuries. The imagery is just so vivid,
the prophecy so dramatic, feels ancient, but
somehow still startlingly relevant. It really
does. It stands apart. Our mission here really
is to unpack parts of the revelation of Jesus
Christ, the one given to John on Patmos. We're
going to try and navigate through all that profound
symbolism, the dramatic story, pull out some
key insights, and sort of track its journey from
that first vision to the, well, the ultimate
conclusion. And it sets the scene immediately,
doesn't it? And offers a promise right up front.
John, he calls himself a brother and companion
in tribulation, exiled for the word of God and
for the testimony of Jesus Christ. And then he
speaks directly to you, the listener, saying,
that readeth and they that hear the words of
this prophecy and keep those things which are
written therein for the time is at hand it feels
like an invitation to really engage with it exactly
that urgency that direct blessing it's striking
it's not just some dusty old prophecy it's presented
as like a living word for now the themes just
resonate don't they Okay, so let's unpack that
opening vision. It kicks off with a really unforgettable
encounter. John says he was in the Spirit on
the Lord's Day and then bam, this great voices
of a trumpet. And the voice says, I am Alpha
and Omega, the first and the last. When you hear
that Alpha and Omega first and last, What does
that immediately signal? Well, it's absolute
comprehensive divine authority right there. Yeah.
Everything starts and finishes with the speaker.
It totally sets the stage for the visions that
follow, which are pretty overwhelming at times.
Definitely. And this voice tells John, write
what thou see is in a book and set it unto the
seven churches, which are in Asia, and then lists
them. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos. Baitira, Sardis,
Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Right. And when John
turns to see who's speaking, Wow, he sees seven
golden candlesticks and right in the middle,
one like unto the Son of Man, the description
is just incredibly detailed. Here it is. Clothed
with a garment down to the foot, a golden girdle
or sash around his chest, hair white like wool
as white as snow, eyes as a flame of fire, feet
like unto fine brass as if they burned in a furnace,
his voice as the sound of many waters. Powerful
imagery. And there's more. In his right hand,
seven stars. Out of his mouth, a sharp two -edged
sword. And his face, as the sun shineth in his
strength. I mean, what are these intense visuals
communicating? It's just an overwhelming image,
isn't it? It's designed to convey immense power,
but also purity, divine judgment. Those fiery
eyes suggest like penetrating insight, holiness,
and the sword from the mouth. That's the power
of his word, sharp, decisive. John's reaction
totally makes sense. He falls. at his feet as
dead. Understandable. But then there's that immediate
reassurance. The figure touches him is fear not.
I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth
and was dead. And behold, I am alive forevermore.
Amen. And have the keys of hell and of death.
That's foundational. Triumph over death itself.
Establishes the authority right away. And with
that, John gets his mission, his mandate. Write
the things which thou hast seen and the things
which are and the things which shall be hereafter.
And the symbolism gets explained right away too,
doesn't it? Mm -hmm. The seven golden candlesticks
or the seven churches and the seven stars are
the angels of the seven churches. That clarification
is so key, right? Because the next big section
is these direct messages to those specific churches
in Asia Minor. Absolutely crucial. These aren't
generic letters. They're tailored. Yeah. Addressing
at the unique spiritual state of each one. Commendations,
critiques, calls to hang in there. And the lessons?
Timeless. They really are. Let's look at a couple.
Take Ephesus. They get praised for hard work,
patience, not tolerating evil, even testing false
apostles. Good stuff. They hated the deeds of
the Nicoletans. But the critique is sharp. Nevertheless,
I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast
left thy first love. The warning, repent, or
your candlestick, your very church, gets removed.
The promise for overcomers, eating from the tree
of life. What do you think that means? Leaving
their first love, especially when they were doing
so much right? Well, it's powerful and relatable
critique, isn't it? Yeah. It suggests that, yeah,
outwardly they were active, doctrinally sound,
diligent against error, but maybe that internal
passion, that, you know, foundational love for
Christ, had cooled off. Oh. It's a warning against
just going through the motions, religion without
the heart. And those Nicolatons, they hated.
Seems they were advocating some kind of dangerous
compromise with pagan culture blurring the line.
So Ephesus standing against that was important.
Okay, that makes sense. Now let's jump to Leoduce.
They get probably the harshest criticism. Neither
cold nor hot. Lukewarm. And the text says, I
would thou art cold or hot. Because they're lukewarm,
they'll be spewed out of my mouth. Ouch. Yeah.
Strong language. They thought they were rich
and increased with goods and have need of nothing,
but were actually wretched and miserable and
poor and blind and naked. The advice is to buy
real spiritual wealth. Gold tried in the fire,
white raiment, eye salve. Right. And then that
iconic image, behold, I stand at the door and
knock. If any man hear my voice and open the
door, I will come into him and will sup with
him and he with me. The promise. Sitting with
Christ in my throne. What's the core message
in that lukewarm self -sufficient state? It's
a critique of spiritual apathy, maybe even like
spiritual delusion. Laodicea was materially wealthy,
yeah, self -satisfied, but spiritually totally
bankrupt. Right. That council to buy gold tried
on the fire, that's true spiritual richness,
forged through testing, not just stuff. Yeah.
White raiment is righteousness, I salvage spiritual
sight. And Christ at the door, It's an invitation
to intimacy for a church that it basically shut
him out through complacency. Wow. And the other
churches get specific messages too, right? Smyrna
praised for enduring hardship, promised a crown
of life. Yeah, and warned about the synagogue
of Satan. Then Pergamos, holding fast where Satan's
seat is, but criticized for the doctrine of Balaam
and Nicolotanes, promised hidden manna and a
white stone. Fyatira, good works, but tolerating
Jezebel and her immorality, promised power over
the nations. Sardis, having a name that they
live, but actually dead, pulled to wake up. Mm
-hmm, promised walking in white if they did.
And Flandelfia, commended for keeping his word
with little strength, promised an open door and
protection. It's a whole spectrum of church life,
real. It really is. So after these messages,
John's vision shifts again dramatically. He sees
a door opened in heaven, and that same trumpet
voice says, come up hither, and I will show thee
things which must be hereafter. Yeah, this is
where it goes cosmic, from earthly churches to
the throne room of God itself. And the description.
Just incredible. A throne, someone seated looking
like Jasper in a sardine stone, an emerald rainbow
around it, four and twenty elders in white with
gold crowns from the throne. Lightning and thunderings
and voices, seven lamps of fire, the seven spirits
of K -God, and below this sea of glass like a
crystal. It's meant to inspire awe, isn't it?
Pure holiness and power. Absolutely. Pure majesty.
But then come these unique creatures. Four beasts
full of eyes before and behind. Yeah, strange.
One like a lion, one like a calf, one with a
face as a man, one like a flying eagle. Each
has six wings covered in eyes inside and out.
Wild imagery. And they never stop worshiping.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was
and is and is to come day and night. What's the
significance of these specific creatures in their
constant praise? Well, their ceaseless worship
just underscores God's absolute holiness, His
eternal nature. They're like the vanguard of
creation's praise, setting the stage. It's a
moment of profound reverence before the main
action starts. Okay. And then in the hand of
the one on the throne, John sees a book written
within and on the backside, sealed with seven
seals. And a mighty angel asks the crucial question,
who is worthy to open the book and to loose the
seals thereof? And this is where it gets really
dramatic, because nobody in heaven, on earth,
anywhere is found worthy. And John just weeps.
He weeps much. It's a moment of crisis. But an
elder tells him, weep not. Behold, the lion of
the tribe of Judah, the root of David, have prevailed
to open the book. And John looks, expecting maybe
a fierce lion, but sees. A lamb, as it had been
slain, standing there, with seven horns and seven
eyes, which are the seven spirits of God. That
imagery is so central. The lamb, slain, yet powerful,
all seeing. What does that dual image lion and
lamb tell us about who's worthy? Well, it completely
subverts expectations, doesn't it? The conqueror
isn't a military hero in the usual sense, but
a sacrificial lamb. Yet he holds ultimate authority,
perfect insight. It shows victory, redemption,
comes through sacrifice, not just brute force.
And the lamb takes the book. Instantly, the four
beasts, the 24 elders, they fall down, singing
a new song about how the land was slain, redeemed
people from everywhere by his blood, made them
kings and priests who will reign on earth. And
the worship just explodes. It's like 10 ,000
times 10 ,000 and thousands of thousands of angels
join in, shouting worthy as the lamb that was
slain. to receive power and riches and wisdom
and strength and honor and glory and blessing.
Every creature in creation joins this massive
chorus. It's a universal crescendo of praise.
Truly cosmic. And then the lamp starts opening
the seals one by one. Each reveals something
new, right? Exactly. And the first four are famously
known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Powerful symbols of judgment and suffering. Okay,
first seal. White horse. Rider has a bow, given
a crown, goes out conquering and to conquer.
What's that usually taken to mean? Often interpreted
as conquest, maybe the spread of a powerful force,
possibly even deceptive, like a false peace or
ideology. Okay, second seal. Red horse. Rider
gets a great sword to take peace from the earth,
causing people to kill one another. Pretty straightforward
symbol there. War, bloodshed, widespread violence.
Third seal. Black horse. Rider holds a pair of
balances. A voice announces extreme scarcity.
A measure of wheat for a penny and three measures
of barley for a penny. And see thou hurt not
the oil and the wine. Yeah, that vividly portrays
famine, economic collapse. Yeah. Basic food becomes
incredibly expensive. But luxuries like oil and
wine are untouched, maybe highlighting inequality.
Interesting. And the fourth seal, a pale horse.
The writer's name is Death. and hell followed
with him. They get power over a fourth part of
the earth to kill the sword and with hunger and
with death and with the beasts of the earth.
So this one combines the previous judgments,
war, famine, plague, even wild animals into widespread
death and devastation. It shows this relentless
progression of turmoil on earth. It's intense.
So beyond the horsemen, what's next? The fifth
seal. Yes, the fifth seal shifts perspective.
John sees the souls of martyrs under the altar.
those slain for the word of God crying out for
justice for vengeance. What happens to them?
They're given white robes and told to just rest
yet for a little season until the full number
of their fellow servants were also to be killed
is complete. It's a moment of Divine acknowledgement
for their suffering. Powerful. Okay, then the
sixth seal. This sounds as things really ramp
up. Oh massively. It's a huge cosmic upheaval.
A great earthquake. The sun goes black. The moon
turns blood red. Stars fall from the sky. As
a fig tree cast at their untimely figs. The heavens
roll up like a scroll. Every mountain and island
gets moved. Wow. And everyone from kings to slaves
hides in caves and rocks, terrified, crying out
to the mountains, fallen us and hide us. from
the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day
of his wrath has come, and who shall be able
to stand?" So, total panic. Everyone realizes
judgment has arrived? Yeah. But before the seventh
seal, there's a pause, right? An interlude. Yes,
a really vital one. John sees four angels holding
back the four winds, delaying further destruction.
Another angel appears, telling them not to harm
anything until the servants of our God are sealed
in their foreheads. Protection for God's people.
And this is where we hear about the 144 ,000.
Exactly. 144 ,000 are sealed. Specifically named
as coming from all the tribes of the children
of Israel, 12 ,000 from each tribe listed. They
seem to be this specially protected group. But
then immediately after seeing them, John sees
something else, doesn't he? Yes. He sees a great
multitude which no man could number. People of
all nations and kindreds and people and tongues
standing before the throne wearing white robes
holding palms. A countless crowd from everywhere.
And they're crying out salvation to our God.
And Elder explains who they are. These are they
which came out of great tribulation and have
washed their robes and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb. So they've come through intense
suffering but are now redeemed. Exactly. They'll
serve God day and night, hunger no more, thirst
no more. The sun won't beat down on them and
best of all, God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes. It's this beautiful sweeping picture
of global salvation and ultimate comfort. What
a contrast. Okay, so after that hopeful interlude,
the seventh seal is finally opened and what happens
first? Silence. Silence in heaven about the space
of half an hour. That's unsettling. A dramatic
pause before the next storm. Precisely. Then,
seven angels are given seven trumpets. Another
angel comes with a golden sensor, mixes the prayers
of the saints with incense and fire from the
altar and casts it down to earth. The result?
Voices and thunderings and lightnings in an earthquake.
The trumpets are about to sound. And these trumpets
unleash another series of judgments, right? Focus
more on the natural world. Yes. The first four
trumpets bring partial devastation, often affecting
a third of something. So the first trumpet, hail,
fire, blood hit the earth, burning up a third
of the trees and all green grass. A third, okay,
second trumpet. A great mountain burning with
fire is thrown into the sea. A third of the sea
becomes blood. A third of sea creatures die.
A third of ships are destroyed. Third trumpet,
a star called wormwood falls, poisoning a third
of the rivers and springs, making the water bitter,
killing many. Right. And the fourth trumpet.
A third of the sun, moon, and stars are struck,
darkened. So a third of the light is gone. These
are serious ecological disasters, but still partial.
Then comes a warning. Yeah. A big one. An angel
flies through the middle of heaven, crying loudly,
whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, to the inhabitants of
the earth by reason of the other voices of the
trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to
sound. Okay, so buckle up. The woes are coming.
Things are about to get worse. Definitely. The
fifth trumpet sounds the first woe. John sees
a starfall, given the key of the bottomless pit.
He opens it, smoke pours out, darkening the sun
in air, and out of the smoke come locusts. But
not normal locusts. Not at all. They're told
not to harm the grass or trees, only people which
have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
And crucially, they don't kill them, they torment
them for five months. The pain is like a scorpion
sting. People will want to die, but won't be
able to. That sounds horrific. And their appearance?
Terrifying. Like horses geared for battle, gold
-like crowns, human faces, women's hair, lion's
teeth, iron breastplates. Their wings sound like
charging chariots, and they have scorpion tails
with stingers. And they have a king. Yes, the
angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew
is Abaddon. In Greek, Apollyon. Both mean destroyer.
And the text notes, one woe is past. Okay, deep
breath. Sixth trumpet the second well what happens
now even greater destruction Four angels bound
to the Euphrates River are released They were
prepared specifically for this hour day month
and year to kill a third part of men a third
of humanity kill Yes, an immense army of horsemen
appears 200 ,000 thousand 200 million they have
breastplates of fire Jacinth, Leet Jem, and Brimstone,
Sulphur. Their horses have lion's heads and out
of their mouths come fire, smoke, and Brimstone,
which kill that sort of mankind. Unbelievable
scale of death. But what's maybe even more shocking
is the reaction of the survivors, right? That's
the chilling part. The text explicitly says...
And the rest of the men which were not killed
by these plagues, yet repented not of the works
of their hands. They kept worshiping idols, didn't
repent of their murders, nor of their sorceries,
nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
So even after plagues kill a third of the world,
people still don't turn back. What does that
say about repentance? It's a really sobering
commentary on human stubbornness, isn't it? It
suggests that even immense suffering might not
be enough to change someone's heart if they don't
genuinely want to turn from evil. True repentance.
seems to be more than just being scared. Wow.
Okay, after this there's another interlude with
a mighty angel. Yes, a powerful figure descends.
Clothed in a cloud, rainbow over his head, face
like the sun, feet like pillars of fire. He holds
a little book open. He cries out like a lion
roaring and then seven thunders uttered their
voices. Seven thunders. But John isn't allowed
to write what they said. Exactly. He's explicitly
told, seal up those things which the seven thunders
uttered and write them not. A divine secret within
the revelation. Fascinating. What else does this
angel do? He lifts his hand to heaven and swears
by the eternal Creator that there should be time
no longer, meaning delay is over. But the mystery
of God should be finished when the seventh angel
is about to sound his trumpet. And then John
has to eat the little book? Yeah, he's told to
take it and eat it. He does and finds it in my
mouth sweet as honey. And as soon as I had eaten
it, my belly was bitter. And he's told, that
one's prophesied again before many peoples in
nations and tongues and kings. Sweet and better.
What's the symbolism there? Receiving God's word.
It perfectly captures that dual nature, I think.
Receiving God's truth can be wonderful, sweet
initially. But understanding and proclaiming
its full implications, judgment, difficult realities,
can be hard. Bitter to digest and share. That
makes sense. And this leads into the story of
the two witnesses. It does. John has given a
measuring read, told to measure the temple and
altar, but leave out the outer court because
it's given to the Gentiles, who will tread the
holy city underfoot 40 and two months. 42 months.
That's 3 .5 years again. Exactly, a recurring
timeframe. And during this period, God's two
witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days, also 3
.5 years dressed in sackcloth. They're described
symbolically as the two olive trees and the two
candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
And they have incredible power, right? Immense
power. Fire comes from their mouths to destroy
enemies. They can stop the rain, turn water to
blood, strike the earth with plagues whenever
they want. They have a powerful, protected ministry.
But it doesn't last forever. No. When they finish
their testimony, the beast that ascended out
of the bottomless pit, we'll hear more about
them later, shall make war against them. and
shall overcome them and kill them. And their
bodies are left in the street. Yes, in the main
street of the great city, which spiritually is
called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was
crucified, likely Jerusalem, symbolizing its
fallen state at that time. People from all nations
see their dead bodies for three and a half days
and refuse to allow them burial. They actually
rejoice, celebrate, send gifts to each other,
because these two prophets who tormented them
are dead. But the story doesn't end there. Not
at all. After three and a half days, the spirit
of life from God entered into them, and they
stand up. Great fear falls on everyone watching.
Then they hear a voice from heaven saying, Come
up hither, and they ascend to heaven in a cloud
while their enemies watch. What a vindication,
and then? In that same hour, a mass of earthquake
hits. A tenth of the city collapses, and 7 ,000
people are killed. The text says the survivors
were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
And it notes, The second woe is passed, and behold,
the third woe cometh quickly." So that marks
the end of the second woe. Then the seventh trumpet
finally sounds. What does it signal? It signals
the climax, the transition of authority. Great
voices in heaven proclaim. The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and
of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and
ever. This feels like the turning point. It absolutely
is. The 24 elders fall down and worship, thanking
God for taking His great power and beginning
His reign. The nations were angry, but now God's
wrath has come. It's time for judgment, time
to reward His servants, prophets, saints, those
who fear His name, and to destroy those who destroy
the earth. And something else happens in heaven.
Yes, the temple of God was open in heaven, and
inside John sees the ark of his testament, the
ark of the covenant. This is accompanied by more
lightnings and voices and thunderings and an
earthquake and great hail. Seeing the ark signifies
God's covenant faithfulness and his presence
ready for decisive action. wow okay the scene
then shifts again doesn't it to a big cosmic
conflict yes a major symbolic vision unfolds
john sees a great wonder or sign in heaven a
woman closed with the sun the moon under her
feet and upon her head a crown of 12 stars she's
pregnant crying out in labor pains a celestial
woman and then another wonder A great red dragon,
huge with seven heads and ten horns and seven
crowns on his heads. His tail sweeps a third
part of the stars of heaven and throws them to
the earth. This dragon stands before the woman,
waiting to devour her child as soon as it's born.
The child who was to rule nations. Exactly. She
gives birth to a man child who was to rule all
nations with a rod of iron. But the child is
immediately caught up under God into his throne.
Safe. The woman then flees into the wilderness
where God has prepared a place for her to be
nurtured for 12 ,260 days. And another 3 .5 years.
So this sounds incredibly symbolic. Who are the
woman, the child, and the dragon? Well, traditionally
the woman is often seen as representing Israel,
the community from which the Messiah came, and
perhaps by extension the faithful people of God,
the church, the man -child is clearly Christ,
destined to rule, and the dragon, the text later
explicitly identifies him. Later in the chapter
it says there was war in heaven. Michael and
his angels fought against the dragon and his
angels. The dragon lost and was thrown out of
heaven. He's called that old serpent called the
devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.
He was cast out into the earth and his angels
were cast out with him. So the dragon is Satan.
This is depicting his ancient rebellion and fall
and his ongoing opposition. Precisely. It's showing
the spiritual battle behind everything. After
Satan is cast down, a loud voice in heaven celebrates.
Salvation and strength in the kingdom of God
have come, the authority of His Christ, because
the accuser of our brethren is thrown down. And
how do people overcome Him? The voice says they
overcame Him by the flood of the Lamb and by
the word of their testimony, and they loved not
their lives unto the death. Faith in Christ's
sacrifice, bold witness, and willingness to endure
anything, even death. But it's bad news for earth,
right? Yes. Woe to the inhabitors of the earth
and of the sea, for the devil has come down unto
you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that
he hath but a short time. His time is limited,
so his fury is intense. And he goes after the
woman. He persecutes the woman who bore the child,
but she's given two wings of a great eagle to
fly to her place in the wilderness, safe from
the serpent for that period, a time and times
and half a time, 3 .5 years again. And he tries
to get her anyway. He spews water like a flood
out of his mouth after her, trying to sweep her
away. But the earth helps the woman, opening
its mouth and swallowing the flood. So nature
itself intervenes. What does the dragon do then?
He's furious. Since he can't get the woman, he
goes off to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God and
have the testimony of Jesus Christ. He targets
individual believers who remain faithful. This
really sets the stage for the conflict on earth,
and this leads to the appearance of the beasts.
Exactly. John is standing on the seashore, and
he sees a beast rising up out of the sea. This
one has seven heads and ten horns, ten crowns
on its horns, and upon his heads the name of
blasphemy. What does it look like? It's a composite
creature, like a leopard, feet like a bear, mouth
like a lion. And the dragon Satan gives this
beast his power, his throne, and great authority.
So it's empowered by Satan. What else is significant
about it? One of its heads looked like it had
been wounded to death, but his deadly wound was
healed. And this causes all the world wondered
after the beast. They're amazed. It's a miraculous
recovery. What does this beast likely represent?
It's often interpreted as representing a powerful,
world -dominating political system or empire.
maybe a specific ruler embodying that system,
the Antichrist figure. It demands worship, wields
immense power derived directly from Satan. The
healed wound makes it seem invincible, promoting
awe and worship. And people do worship it. Yes,
they worship the dragon for giving power to the
beast, and they worship the beast itself, saying,
who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make
war with him? It seems unbeatable. How long does
its reign last? It's given authority to continue
for 40 and two months. There's that 3 .5 years
again. It speaks great things and blasphemies
against God, His name, His dwelling place, and
those in heaven. It's allowed to make war with
the saints and overcome them. Its power extends
over all kindreds and tongues and nations. So,
total global dominance, who worships it? All
that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him.
whose names are not written in the Book of Life
of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world. Only true believers resist. Okay, that's
the beast from the sea. But there's another one.
Yes, John C. is another beast, this one coming
up out of the earth. It has two horns like a
lamb, but it speaks as a dragon. Like a lamb
speaks like a dragon, deceptive. This second
beast exercises all the authority of the first
beast acting on its behalf Its main job is to
make the inhabitants of the earth worship the
first beast the one with the healed wound How
does it do that? It performs great wonders spectacular
signs even making fire come down from heaven
on the earth and the sight of men It deceives
people through these miracles A miracle worker
for the dark side. Exactly. And it tells people
to make an image to the first beast. It's even
given power to give life or breath to this image,
so the image can speak in command that anyone
who refuses to worship it should be killed. Wow.
An animated idol demanding worship. And this
is where the mark comes in. This is it. This
second beast often called the false prophet because
he mimics divine power for deceptive ends Causes
everyone small and great rich and poor free and
bond to receive a mark in their right hand or
in their foreheads and the purpose of the pure
control That no man might buy or sell save he
that had the mark or the name of the beast or
the number of his name It's total economic and
social exclusion for anyone who refuses and the
number 6006. Yes. The text says, here is wisdom.
Let him that have understanding count the number
of the beast, for it is the number of a man and
his number is 603 score and six. What's the core
idea behind this mark and number beyond just
identification? It represents absolute allegiance,
total submission to this anti -God system. Taking
the hark means identifying completely with the
beast, participating in its economy and its ideology.
The number 666. being the number of a man, is
often seen as symbolizing ultimate human rebellion
and imperfection, falling short of divine perfection,
often symbolized by seven. It's the signature
of the system that opposes Christ. Chilling stuff.
Okay, so we've seen the depths of evil. Does
the vision offer a contrast? Immediately. Right
after the beasts, John sees the Lamb Christ standing
on Mount Sin, and with him are the hundred forty
and four thousand, the one sealed earlier. But
now they have his father's name written in their
foreheads. Not the beast's mark, but God's name.
Exactly. They sing a new song before the throne
that only they can learn. They're described as
redeemed, virgins symbolizing purity or undivided
devotion, following the lamb wherever he goes,
offered as first fruits unto God and to the lamb.
They are without fault before the throne of God.
It's this beautiful picture of faithfulness,
purity, and divine protection amidst all the
chaos. A powerful counter image. Then come more
messages from angels. Final warnings. Yes. A
series of three angels fly mid -heaven with critical
proclamations. The first angel has the everlasting
gospel to preach to everyone on earth, every
nation and kindred and tongue and people. What's
the message? A loud call. Fear God and give glory
to him for the hour of his judgment has come,
and worship him that made heaven and earth and
the sea and the fountains of waters. It's a final
universal appeal to turn to the Creator before
judgment falls. Okay, the second angel. Fall
is immediately shouting, Babylon is fallen, is
fallen, that great city because she made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her
fornication. It announces the downfall of the
corrupt world system. I'm the third angel. This
one sounds serious. Extremely. This angel delivers
a terrifying warning. Anyone who worshipped the
beast in his image and received his mark in his
forehead or in his hand will face God's undiluted
wrath. They shall drink of the wine of the wrath
of God which is poured out without mixture into
the cup of his indignation. And the consequences.
They shall be tormented with fire and brimstone
in the presence of the holy angels and in the
presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their
torment ascendeth up forever and ever, and they
have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast
and his image, and whosoever receiveeth the mark
of his name. It's an incredibly stark warning
about the eternal consequences of aligning with
evil. And this relates to the perseverance of
believers. Yes, the text immediately adds, here
is the patience of the saints. Here are they
that keep the commandments of God and the faith
of Jesus. Their endurance through this pressure
is highlighted. And then comes a comforting voice
from heaven. Right, blessed are the dead, which
die in the Lord from henceforth. Their struggles
are over. Okay. After these warnings, the imagery
shifts to harvest. Yes, two harvest visions.
First, John sees one likened to the Son of Man
sitting on a white cloud, wearing a golden crown,
holding a sharp sickle. An angel tells him, Thrust
in my sickle and reap. For the time has come
for thee to reap, for the harvest of the earth
is ripe. And he swings the sickle. and the earth
is reaped. This seems to represent the gathering
of the righteous. And the second harvest. Another
angel comes from the temple, also with a sharp
sickle. A different angel, who has power over
fire, tells him to gather the clusters of the
vine of the earth for her grapes are fully ripe.
So this angel gathers the grapes and throws them
into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
The winepress of God's wrath. What happens there?
The wine press is trodden without the city and
blood flows out reaching even under the horse
bridles for a distance of 1 ,600 furlongs, about
180 miles. It's an absolutely gruesome image
of judgment on the wicked. That's incredibly
graphic. This leads then to the final plagues.
Yes, the seven last plagues contained in seven
golden vials or bowls carried by seven angels.
These plagues represent the completion. the filling
up of God's wrath. Before they're poured out,
John sees those who had gotten victory over the
beast, his image, his mark, and number, standing
on a sea of glass mingled with fire, holding
harps, singing the song of Moses and the song
of the Lamb, a song of deliverance and praise.
A moment of victory before the final judgments
and the temple. The temple in heaven is filled
with smoke from the glory of God and his power,
and significantly, no man was able to enter into
the temple till the seven plagues of the seven
angels were fulfilled. It emphasizes the unique,
direct, and intense nature of these final judgments.
Okay, let's walk through the vials quickly. What
does each one bring? Right. The first vial is
poured on the earth. Noisome and grievous sore
afflicts those who have the mark of the beast
and worship his image. Painful sores. Second
vial. Cored on the sea. It becomes as the blood
of a dead man and every living soul died in the
sea. Total marine devastation. Third vial. poured
on rivers and fountains. They become blood. An
angel declares God is righteous in these judgments,
because the wicked shed the blood of saints and
prophets, so they are given blood to drink. Poetic
justice. Fourth vile. Poured on the sun. The
sun is given power to scorch men with fire. People
are seared by the intense heat, but instead of
repenting, they blaspheme the name of God, which
hath power over these plagues, and they repented
not to give Him glory. Still no repentance. Fifth
vile. Poured on the seat or thrown to the beast,
his kingdom is plunged into darkness. People
gnaw their tongues because of the pain and sores,
but they still blaspheme God and repented not
of their deeds. Incredible hardness of heart.
Sixth file. Poured on the Great River Euphrates,
its water dries up that the way of the kings
of the east might be prepared. Then John sees
three unclean spirits like frogs come out of
the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the
false prophet. Frogs, what do they do? They are
spirits of devils working miracles, which go
out to the kings of the earth and to the whole
world to gather them to the battle of that great
day of God Almighty. This gathering place is
called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Armageddon, the
final battle setup. Okay, seventh vial, the last
one. Poured into the air. A loud voice comes
from the temple throne saying, it is done. the
absolute end of this judgment secret. And the
effects. Voices, thunders, lightnings, and the
biggest earthquake in human history. The great
city, likely referring to Babylon or perhaps
Jerusalem as representative of the world system,
is split into three parts. Cities of the nations
fall. Great Babylon comes into remembrance before
God to receive the cup of the wine of the fierceness
of his wrath. Total destruction. Islands vanish,
mountains disappear. In enormous hailstones,
weighing about a talent, maybe 7500 pounds each,
fall from the sky. And still, men blasphemed
God because of the plague of the hail, for the
plague thereof was exceeding great. Unbelievable.
Even giant hail doesn't make them repent. This
leads directly to the judgment of Babylon. Yes.
One of the vile angels takes John to show him
the judgment of the great whore that siteth upon
many waters. She represents the corrupt world
system influencing peoples and multitudes and
nations and tongues. How is she described? Opulently.
dressed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold
and precious stones and pearls. She holds a golden
cup full of abominations and filthiness of her
fornication. On her forehead, a name is written.
Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots
and abominations of the earth. A symbol of ultimate
corruption and her actions. John sees her drunken
with the blood of the saints and with the blood
of the martyrs of Jesus. She represents the system
that has persecuted God's people throughout history.
And the angel explains the mystery. Yeah, the
mystery of the woman and the beast carrying her,
the one that was and is not, and shall ascend
out of the bottomless pit. The seven heads are
explained as both seven mountains on which she
sits and seven kings. The ten horns are ten kings
who receive power for a short time with the beast.
Interestingly, these ten horns, along with the
beast, will eventually hate the whore, and shall
make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her
flesh and burn her with fire. So the powers that
support her ultimately destroy her. Seems so.
God puts it in their hearts to fulfill his will,
and she's identified explicitly as that great
city which reigneth over the kings of the earth,
a dominant, corrupting global influence. And
her fall is announced. Dramatically. Another
mighty angel descends, illuminating the earth
with his glory, crying, Babylon the great is
fallen, is fallen, and has become the habitation
of devils. Her influence corrupted everyone,
nations, kings, merchants. And there's a call
for God's people. Yes, a voice from heaven calls,
come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers
of her sins and that you receive not of her plagues.
A call for separation from the world's corruption.
Her destruction is sudden. Incredibly swift and
complete, judgment comes in one day, death, mourning,
salmon, and she's utterly burned with fire. Kings
and merchants who benefited from her weep and
wail from a distance. Lamenting the loss of her
immense wealth and luxury. The text lists everything
from gold and silver to spices, fine chariots,
slaves, and even souls of men. All gone in one
hour. Total economic and cultural collapse. What
happens to her symbols of life? They cease completely.
No more music, no craftsmen, no light from a
candle, no voice of bridegroom or bride will
ever be heard in her again. Complete desolation.
What a contrast what happens in heaven. Exactly.
While earth mourns, heaven rejoices. A great
voice of mush people in heaven cries, Alleluia,
salvation and glory and honor and power unto
the Lord our God, for true and righteous are
his judgments. For he has judged the great whore.
They celebrate because God has avenged the blood
of His servants. And then comes the marriage
supper. Yes. The voice proclaims, The wife is
the church, the believers. Yes, a raid in fine
linen, clean and white, which is explicitly defined
as the righteousness of saints. It's the moment
of ultimate union and celebration between Christ
and His redeemed people. And the angel tells
John, right, blessed are they which are called
into the marriage supper of the Lamb. A joyous
culmination. What happens next? Heaven opens
again. It does. And John sees a white horse.
This writer is called Faithful and True. and
in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
This sounds like Christ returning in power. Unmistakably,
his eyes are as a flame of fire. On his head
are many crowns. He has a name written that no
one knows but himself. His clothes and a robe
dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word
of God. The Word of God, John 1. Exactly. The
armies of heaven follow him on white horses out
of his mouth goes a sharp sword that with it
He should smite the nations and he shall rule
them with a rod of iron He treads the wine press
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God and
his ultimate title written on his robe and thigh
King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the
conquering Christ returning to execute judgment
and establishes kingdom. So the final battle
happens now? Yes. An angel standing in the sun
calls all the birds of the air to gather for
the supper of the great God, to feast on the
flesh of the defeated armies, kings, captains,
mighty men, horses and riders, all people. Grim
invitation. John then sees the beasts, the kings
of the earth, and their armies gathered together
to make war against the rider on the white horse
in his army. How does it end? Swiftly. The beast
was taken, and with him the false prophet that
wrought miracles before him, the one who deceived
people into taking the mark. These two are cast
alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Alive into the lake of fire, and the rest of
the armies. They were slain with the sword of
him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded
out of his mouth, utter defeat for the forces
of evil, and all the birds were filled with their
flesh. So the human antagonists are dealt with.
What about the dragon, Satan? His turn comes
next. An angel descends from heaven with the
key of the bottomless pit and great chain in
his hand. He seizes the dragon, that old serpent,
which is the devil and Satan, binds him for a
thousand years and casts him into the bottomless
pit. He shuts it and seals it over him. That
he should deceive the nations no more, till the
thousand years should be fulfilled. And after
that he must be loosed a little season. So a
thousand year period of peace without satanic
deception. And what happens during this millennium?
John sees thrones and judgment is given to those
seated on them. He sees the souls of those beheaded
for the witness of Jesus and for the word of
God, those who refuse to worship the beast or
receive his mark. They lived and reigned with
Christ a thousand years. This is the first resurrection.
Yes, the text explicitly calls it that. Blessed
and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.
On such the second, death hath no power, but
they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with him a thousand years. The rest
of the dead don't live again until a thousand
years are finished. Okay, so a thousand year
reign, but Satan gets out at the end for a little
season? Yes. When the thousand years are over,
Satan is released from his prison and goes out
to deceive the nations which were in the four
quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather
them together to battle, the number of whom is
as the sand of the sea. One last rebellion. One
final massive rebellion. They surround the camp
of the saints about in the beloved city. But
the battle is short -lived. Fire came down from
God out of heaven and devoured them. And Satan's
final fate. And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet are and
shall be tormented day and night forever and
ever. The absolute final eternal end of evil.
With Satan dealt with what's the very last judgment
scene? The Great White Throne Judgment. John
sees a great white throne and him that sat on
it, from whose face the earth and the heaven
fled away, and there was found no place for them.
A scene of ultimate divine authority? Who stands
before the throne? The dead, small and great.
Everyone who has ever lived and died, it seems,
apart from those in the first resurrection, perhaps.
And the books were opened, and another book was
opened, which is the Book of Life. Judge from
books? Yes. The dead were judged out of those
things which were written in the books, according
to their works. The sea gives up its dead, death
and Hades, hell. Give up their dead and everyone
is judged based on their actions. And the fate
of death and Hades? They themselves are cast
into the lake of fire. This is the second death,
the end of death itself. And for individuals?
And whosoever was not found written in the book
of life was cast into the lake of fire. Entry
into eternal life is based on being recorded
in the Lamb's book of life. The final separation.
With all judgment done, evil gone. What's next?
The ultimate renewal. John sees a new heaven
and a new earth. For the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away, and there was no
more sea. A completely new creation. And the
climax of this new creation. John sees the holy
city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out
of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her
husband. The New Jerusalem, like a bride. and
a loud voice from heaven proclaims behold the
tabernacle dwelling place of God is with men
and he will dwell with them and they shall be
his people and God himself shall be with them
and be their God direct unhindered fellowship
and the famous promise about tears yes and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and
there shall be no more death neither sorrow or
crying neither shall there be any more pain for
the former things are passed away complete restoration
the end of all suffering. What is the city like?
The description sounds amazing. Breathtaking.
It has the glory of God shining like a stone
most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear
as crystal. It has a great and high wall with
twelve gates and at the gates twelve angels and
the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are
written on them. Each gate is a single massive
pearl. Twelve gates, twelve tribes and foundations.
Twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb. These foundations are adorned
with every kind of precious stone. Jasper, Sapphire,
Calcedonia, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardias, Chrysolite,
Barrel, Topaz, Chrysopraces, Jasinth, Amethyst.
It symbolizes the unity of old and New Testament
believers, built on the foundation of the apostles,
reflecting God's glory. What about its shape
and size? It's measured with a golden reed and
found to be a perfect cube. Its length, breadth,
and height are equal. 12 ,000 furlongs each.
roughly 1 ,400 miles. The city itself is pure
gold, like unto clear glass, and a wall is made
of jasper. It speaks of divine perfection, immense
scale, and utter purity. Is there a temple inside?
No. John says, I saw no temple therein, for the
Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple
of it. No need for a special building when God's
presence is everywhere, directly accessible.
And no sun or moon needed? Correct. The city
had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to
shine in it. For the glory of God did lighten
it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. God's
own glory provides the illumination. Who lives
there? Who comes in? The nations of them which
are saved shall walk in the light of it, and
earthly kings bring their glory and honor into
it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day,
for there shall be no night there. But crucially,
there shall in no wise enter into it anything
that defileeth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination,
or makeeth the lie, but they which are written
in the Lamb's Book of Life. only the redeemed
belong there. Absolute purity. Is there a river,
like in Eden? Yes, a pure river of water of life,
clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne
of God and of the Lamb. It flows down the middle
of the city's main street. And the Tree of Life?
It's back. On either side of the river was there
the Tree of Life, which bears twelve manner of
fruits, yielding its fruit every month. And the
leaves of the tree were for the healing of the
nations. Paradise restored and enhanced. Healing
for the nations and no more curse. And there
shall be no more curse. The throne of God and
the Lamb will be in it, his servants will serve
him, they will see his face, and his name shall
be in their foreheads. They will need no lamp
light or sunlight, for the Lord God gives them
light, and they shall reign forever and ever.
It's the ultimate picture of restored fellowship,
eternal life, and blessedness. Wow. How does
the book actually wrap up after such a vision?
With affirmations and final warnings, the angel
confirms to John, these sayings are faithful
and true. He reiterates the imminent return.
Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth
the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And
John tries to worship the angel again. He does,
falling down at his feet. But the angel stops
him again. See thou do it not. For I am thy fellow
servant. Worship God. Then comes that serious
warning about tampering with the book. Yes, a
very solemn warning directed to everyone who
hears the words of this prophecy. If any man
shall add into these things, God shall add unto
him the plagues that are written in this book.
And if any man shall take away from the words
of the book of this prophecy, God shall take
away his part out of the book of life and out
of the holy city. It underscores the sacredness
and integrity of this revelation. Don't mess
with the message. And the final invitation. It's
beautiful and universal. And the spirit and the
bride say, come. And let him that heareth say,
come. And let him that is a thirst come. And
whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely. An open invitation to accept God's grace.
And the very last words. Jesus himself speaks.
Surely I come quickly. And John responds for
all believers. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus,
followed by a final blessing. What an incredible
journey, this deep dive. We've covered so much
ground. From John's vision, the messages to those
churches still so relevant through all the cosmic
battles, the seals, trumpets, vials, the judgments.
Mm -hmm right through the fall of Babylon the
triumph of Christ and that breathtaking vision
of the new Jerusalem the new creations an immense
scope Absolutely and the core message seems to
be about perseverance doesn't it holding on to
faith through immense trials But also the certainty
of defined judgment and ultimately this profound
hope for those who overcome it keeps saying these
things must shortly come to pass that sense of
urgency is always there It is, and the book itself,
revelation with all its intricate symbols and
its incredibly dramatic story, it really stands
as this testament to our human capacity, or maybe
our need to grapple with the big questions, good
versus evil, judgment, redemption. So here's
a thought to leave you with. The book of Revelation
has indulged for nearly 2 ,000 years. It's captivated,
confused, inspired generations. What does the
sheer endurance of a text like this, with its
focus on the end, reveal about our own deep -seated
need maybe to understand the ending? And perhaps,
through that, the purpose of it all, something
to think about.