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Here To Return to Revelation Part 1
Revelation 12.
The woman and the dragon. There are some who hold that the woman
represents the nation of Israel, once lost to Assyria through captivity, but now
revived but under a different name, and there are some who hold that God
transferred His covenant promises to another nation, or transferred them
spiritually to the Church. Whichever point of view you may hold, the fact is
that history shows a great national awakening in the Isles of Britain.
(Hos.2:1-20, Is.50:1,2 etc,
Jer.3:1-14, 31:1-34 etc, 50:20, 51:5, Ezek.20:37)
It was from Israel that the Messiah came. He is also the “Star of
Jacob, and the Scepter of Israel” Num.24:17, He “sprang out of Judah”
Heb.7:14, Gen.49:8-10, and He is the “Rod out of the stem of Jesse” and the
Branch out of his roots” Is.11:1, and He is the “Lion of the tribe of
Judah” and the “Root and Offspring of David”” Rev.5:5, 22:6. It was to
Israel that God said “Unto us a child is born . . .” s.9,6 and 7.
The “dragon” has ten horns, which identifies it with the “fourth
beast” of Dan.7:8,9, which means that it must represent the Roman Empire in
its first, Pagan stage. At the time of the birth of Jesus three of the Empires
had already passed – Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece.
“his tail drew the third part of the stars” refers to the ruling
powers of the earth. Just prior to the birth of Jesus, the Romans conquered the
remaining parts of the Grecian Empire, Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land.
“the dragon stood before the woman . . .’ When the Romans took the
Holy Land in which the Jewish nation lived, Satan was thus positioned and ready
to destroy the Promised One. Satan already had his army, his rulers ready, and
his corrupted Jewish priesthood. He had every advantage – even including a
treacherous, greedy, unbelieving disciple, Judas. But of course he failed every
step of the way.
The child is born, and then ascends to the throne. Jesus, the mighty
resurrected Saviour and Lord, has taken his place in heaven as Governor among
the nations.
The woman flees into the wilderness for safety. Like a renewed and
reinvigorated army, the people of the British Isles revived from their bondage
and shook off the plague-like disease of the Roman priesthood, rising up in
military and missionary, and colonizing power. They became wealthy. The
influence of Christianity brought about many reforms and eventually the
Commonwealth was formed. The American colonists and other colonists to different
parts of the world also established cities and prosperity on a similar scale
everywhere they went.
War in heaven – Michael and his angels fighting. These are symbols of
the earthly struggle which took place as the power of Christianity battled
against the pagan Roman authorities. For three hundred years the Christians held
on until finally Constantine issued the decree of toleration. This did not mean
that Christianity triumphed, but that the terrible persecutions died down and
people were allowed to believe in Christ without the possibility of torture or
death.
The woman is taken by an eagle into the wilderness where she is nourished
for “a time, and times and half a time”. This is the same as three and a
half times, which comes to 1260 years. In history we see that Israel disappeared
from the scene when she went into captivity (the northern kingdom) but 1260
years later the world saw the rise to power of the British and American people.
This happened during the 18th and 19th centuries. In the
earlier years, Satan tried to engulf or flood the Israelite people as they
migrated through eastern and Western Europe, but he failed. The Goths settled
down and the lands of Britain, Ireland, and Scotland became a suitable place for
the people of Israel to settle in. (I take here the line of only one particular
view of interpretation – please make up your own mind on this one!)
Revelation 13.
The prophet Daniel had shown that the fourth beast, the Roman power, came
in two stages. (Dan.7:7,8 etc) First there was the “ten horned” stage, which
was the Pagan Roman Empire, and then followed the “little horn” stage, which
was the Papal Roman Empire. With the overthrow of the first stage, the second
was allowed to emerge – as it says in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 and 8. The “let”
or “hindrance” of Thessalonians was removed, allowing the Papal stage to
emerge. The papacy was the successor of Pagan Rome, and it took all the power
and authority of the former.
“And I stood” is also rendered “and he stood” that is, the beast
stood on the sand. This passage symbolizes the rise of the Papacy (the
“horn” of the forth beast in Daniel) and it represents not just one
particular Pope, but also all the popes, as they came in succession. It
is very important to note this, because there are some who cannot believe that
some popes in particular were part of a beast system. God sees them all as one
collective Pope, just as He speaks of “the man of God” as if there is only
one, but we know He must be referring to “all men of God.”
The beast has seven heads. These represent the seven mountains –
compare with 17:9 – and thus identify the beast further with the seven hills
upon which Rome sits.
The heads have the name of blasphemy. Bishop Newton says: “In all its
heads, in all its forms of government, Rome was still guilty of idolatry and
blasphemy. Imperial Rome was called, and delighted to be called, the eternal
city, the heavenly city, the goddess of the earth . . .’ and had her temples
and altars of incense and sacrifices offered up to her: and how Papal Rome
likewise has arrogated to herself divine titles and honours . . .”
(Dissertation on the prophecies)
The beast had leopard, bear and lion features. These beasts were symbols
of the first three empires as listed in Daniel 7. Babylon, Medo-Persia and
Greece. The fourth was nameless, but it devoured and broke in pieces the former
three. This can only be the Roman Empire since in history, this is what it did.
Rome bore all the features of the earlier empires.
One of the heads is wounded to death but then it is healed. God once
again covers the same ground. The Pagan Empire is wounded, or slain, and then
suddenly the “head” is resurrected or healed. In history we see that
Diocletian was the last Emperor to be worshipped as a god by the Romans. He,
like other Caesars, took to himself the title Pontifex Maximus, which means the
Chief Priest. When Constantine arrived, this title and practice was abolished,
but in 533 the Byzantine Emperor Justinian constituted the bishops of Rome as
“head of all the holy Churches and of all the holy priests of God”. In other
words, the head of the churches became “Pontifex Maximus” again.
In 606 the Byzantine Emperor Phocas issued a decree, which gave to
Boniface III the headship over all the churches of Christendom. This moment
marked an important point in the rise of the Papacy, because suddenly here was a
man who claimed to have absolute supremacy over all Christians everywhere! And
worse, various states and kings surrendered their kingdoms to the Pope, which
gave him temporal as well as spiritual power. He or they became the Emperors
again, and they often ruled with the same cruelty as the Emperors of Rome used
to.
“They worshipped the dragon (Satan) and gave power to the beast . .
.” Amazingly, many churches also gave allegiance to the Papacy, which was a
form of worship. Instead of acknowledging Jesus as the Head of the Church, many
bishops and so on acknowledged the Popes as their Head. Disgusting.
The historian Macaulay (1800 – 1859) wrote of the Papacy: “It is
impossible to deny that the polity of the Church of Rome is the very masterpiece
of human wisdom. In truth, nothing but such a polity could, against such
assaults, have borne up such doctrines. The experiences of 1,200 eventful years,
the ingenuity and patient care of forty generations of statesmen, have improved
that polity to such perfection that among the contrivances which have been
contrived for the deceiving of Mankind, it occupies the highest place.”
Rev.13:5-10 describe in symbolic terms the power and influence which the
Papal domination had over the world at that time. Amongst the “blasphemies”
spoken by the mouth of this evil terror were the claims to have the “authority
over heaven, earth and hell”, (as signified by the Pope’s triple crown), the
claim to “infallibility”, the assumption of “Divine attributes and
prerogatives” – for example, Pope Boniface (1295 – 1303) claimed to be the
Vicar of God, God upon earth, Divine Monarch, Supreme Emperor, and King of
kings. All these claims were confirmed by the Vatican Council in 1870.
The two-horned beast (13:11-13) is a lamb and a dragon combined. The
beast represents the combination of spiritual and political power wielded by the
Papacy. Even more specifically, it is interesting to note that, from the time of
Pope Gregory I in 590, the archbishops and Bishops of Rome on taking their vows
of obedience have been invested with a pallium made out of blessed lamb’s
wool. The bishop’s or abbot’s mitre (hat) is also cleft from front to back,
giving it the appearance of two horns – in fact these hats were called
“coruti” which means “horned ones” since the Middle Ages.
The image of the beast refers to the formation of the representative
General Councils of the Roman Church. The formation of these Councils was, in
prophetic terms, the making of an “image” of the beast. These Councils
worked for the Papacy, and had the power and authority of the papacy behind
them, and they persecuted anyone who did not give full allegiance (or
“worship”) the papacy.
The “mark of the beast”. To the Futurists, this is usually the
insertion of a bar code into the forehead or hand. Futurists envisage a world
ruled by ‘Big Brother’, with computers and surveillance cameras tracking
their every movement. But even if this did happen, it would still not have
anything at all to do with these verses!
The symbolism here refers to the ancient custom of servants receiving a
mark off their master as an outward sign of subjection, and in other cases those
who ‘belonged’ to a certain god or goddess would wear a mark to show who
they worshipped. In the case at hand, the “mark” refers to all who give
their allegiance to Papal rule. The Bull “Unam Sanctum” declared subjection
to the Roman Pontiff to be essential for salvation. Awful penalties were enacted
against any who refused to submit to him.
Buying and selling with the mark. The Council of Tours, in 1163, stripped
the heretics (the true Christians) of their goods, and ordered that if anyone
tried to help these poor Christians they would be excommunicated, and drove
these poor people out of their homes and lands to perish without mercy. A canon
of the Lateran Council (1179, under Pope Alexander) ordered that there was to be
“no traffic (commerce, buying and selling, trading) with heretics.” The same
Pope, at the Synod of Tours passed a law that said no-one was allowed to
“receive or assist the heretics” and this law was further stated in the
Constance Council, and expressed in the bull by Pope Martin.
666. The number of the beast is given as triple six and readers are urged
to count his name”. A.J.Ferris says “In John’s day it was the custom in
certain religions for the worshippers to wear the “mark” of their god which
was the numerical value of his name . . . as the book of Revelation was written
in Greek, and as Christ took the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet as
one of His own titles (Alpha and Omega – rev.22:13), we conclude that it will
be the Greek form of the word “Latin” which will supply the number 666. The
Greek form of the Latin expression : “Latinus”, meaning “the Latin man”
is Lateinos, which adds up to 666.”
The term Latin came to be applied to those peoples speaking the languages
into which Latin developed. As the Latin peoples were chiefly those connected
with the Roman church, it also came to be known as the Latin Church. Its
priesthood was known as the Latin clergy. Heir Mass, prayers, hymns, Litanies
and so on were all conceived and expressed in Latin.
The Papal power succeeded to the seat of the Latin, or western empire,
and in religious matters has been essentially Latin. It has preferred the Latin
Version of the Scriptures, and has actually resisted the call by people to allow
the Scriptures to be translated so others may read them – this in defiance of
what Jesus said about people being allowed to search the Scriptures” Luke
16:31, Acts 17:11, 2Tim. 3:15, Rev.1:3.
Revelation 14.
Vision One – the vision of victory.
In this chapter we read first about the Lamb and the 144,000 and then,
later, about two reapings by angels. The Lamb is, of course, a symbol of the
Saviour and we see Him in the “mount Sion”, the “City of God”,
(David’s stronghold too) which is a symbol of his place in the midst of the
Reformed nations. The 144,000 is a symbolic number, meaning a complete number.
The Christians living and working through the time of the Reformation were all
known to God, and so, in symbolic form, God acknowledges them. They had the Name
on their foreheads, which is a symbol of ownership, or allegiance. These were
the overcomers in Christ, the elect saints who stood up for the Lord, the
servants of God. There were, literally, a very different number of them, but God
does not give us a literal picture here.
Vision Two.
Another angel comes flying with the everlasting (or eternal) gospel, and
announcing more judgments to come on the beast system.
Vision Three.
Another angel announces the fall of Babylon, which represents the papacy.
The symbol of being drunk with the wine of fornication refers to spiritual
drunkenness. These two symbols are used quite often through the O.T.
consistently.
Vision Four.
Now comes a warning against worshipping the beast. If you had been living
in a western land at this time, and understood where you were in the history of
Revelation, you would know that a further great judgment was about to fall on
the control of the Roman church.
Vision Five.
The man on the white horse is a symbol of Jesus riding in triumph. It
does not refer to the Second Advent. A
sickle is sent into the world to reap from the nations. The period covered by
this reaping time is that of the Reformation. Interestingly, the people of
Britain were called, at that time “the people of the Book” – Richard
Green, ‘History of the English People.’
Following the first reaping comes the second, and Babylon is completely
judged, with the blood flowing (symbolically) for 1,600 stadia, or approx. 300
kms.
If one wanted to get into the numerics of this symbolic number we could
say that 1600 is 4x4x100. 4 is thought to be the number for the world, and the
100 represents a completeness or universality of judgment.
Revelation 15.
The seven last plagues are prepared. These represent the wars and
troubles, which came upon Europe through the 18th century up until
the ending of the “times of the Gentiles” in 1917 and 18. These final
plagues were poured out on the dominion and power of the Papacy, and they worked
against the Papacy for several hundred years as its power declined.
Revelation 16.
Just to keep things in context, the sounding of the seventh trumpet
signaled the release of the third woe, which was the outpouring of the seven
vials (bowls) of the wrath of God.” So we should see, in history, seven
specific judgments – during the 18th and 19th centuries,
each of which is represented by the pouring of the bowl.
In many of the these prophecies the symbols and the judgments are quite
easy to match up. All one needs is a simple outline of history, and an eye on
the sequence, plus a reasonable grasp of the ‘code’ used by prophets of God.
On the other hand, there are some prophetic areas which seem too non-specific to
be decoded accurately, so some general and broad conclusions have to be reached
– otherwise we may be seen to be running ahead of God, and reading into His
Word things which are not there. So it is with caution that we move into the
‘Bowls’, and as with all the symbols in this study, I leave it to you the
reader to decide whether you accept the interpretation.
Bowl One.
The first judgment falls on “men who have the mark of the beast”.
Obviously this refers to the same people who are part of the Papacy or beast
system. This would cover a wide area and a lot of people, but perhaps the Bowl
judgment refers more specifically to the troubles, which came upon France. The
French were very strongly opposed to the Reformation, and it was in their
country, in 1572, on St.Bartholomew’s Eve that the Hugenots were massacred.
During the last half of the 18th century France became
violently opposed to its own State religion. This antagonism was fanned into
life by such philosophers as Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot and the Encyclopedists,
whose writings were skeptical and scathing regarding religion. Thanks to them
the French developed a great hatred towards the Roman Church, and its hierarchy,
and all the wealthy aristocratic people who supported it. Eventually a
revolution broke out and in 1789 the French Revolution broke out – thousands
of people were murdered, aristocrats, priests, religious orders and anyone who
supported them, and the Roman possessions were confiscated or destroyed. 4000
nunneries and monasteries were suppressed. And at the end of the French
Revolution Napoleon rose to power.
Bowl Two.
This Bowl is poured in judgment on the “sea”. This judgment probably
symbolizes the great naval battles, which took place during the time of
Napoleon. Since they were judgment against the Roman Church we should expect to
find that in these battles the proponents of the Roman Church would lose, and
this is exactly what we do find.
1793
Almost
the whole of the French fleet at Toulon was destroyed by Lord Hood.
1794
Lord
Howe defeated the French off Ushant
1797
The
Spanish fleet was beaten by the British off Cape St.Vincent
1798
At
the Battle of the Nile, Lord Nelson gained victory over the Spanish fleet.
1805
At
the Battle of Trafalgar Nelson was again victorious over the combined fleets of
France and Spain.
British fleets continued to sweep the seas, destroying and disrupting the
navies of France and her allies, which ruined their commerce and closed down
their attempts to start up colonies. As the Bible puts it the sea “became
blood”. (Futurists however expect to see vast amounts of blood in a
literal sea, which would entail literally billions of litres!)
Bowl
Three.
In this next stage of the judgment the “rivers” and “fountains”
are referred to, which would tend to indicate judgments upon the land again. In
history we find the Napoleonic wars in the Continent, around the Rhine, the
Upper Danube and the Po. These were the areas where, in earlier years, many
Christians suffered – the Lutherans, Moravians, Hussites, Albigenses,
Waldenses and others – at the cruel hands of the Papacy. Therefore the Bowl of
judgment is poured out on these countries – Germany, Savoy, Piedmont, Austria
and so on.
Bowl Four.
The “sun” is referred to in this judgment. It “scorches men with
fire”. To be consistent with the method of decoding prophecy, we would expect
to find some ruler, or king, or leader whose commands lead to further troubles.
History shows that Napoleon was the most prominent “sun” in Europe for a
while, but then in 1809 he raised himself even higher by appointing himself
successor of Charlemagne, and so became the brightest sun in Europe. Because of
his elevated rank Napoleon was able to make and unmake kings. He deposed many
monarchs of the European Papal nations and replaced them with whoever he liked.
But despite all this, those who were faithful to Papal rule remained faithful,
so God determined to bring in further judgments.
Bowl Five.
In this judgment the “seat of the beast” is referred to. The Greek
for “seat” is “thronos” or “throne”. Originally the throne of the
Emperors of Pagan Rome was Rome, and that was where the Pope was now ruling.
This was the “seat” of the beast.
In 1798 the Papal States were captured by the French army, and the Pope
was removed from Rome, and all his palaces and convents ruined. In the French
Revolution of 1848 the Pope was again forced to leave Rome in haste. In 1860
Sardinian troops led by Victor Emmanuel invaded the Papal States and defeated
the Papal troops. In 1870 Rome fell to Italian troops and was incorporated into
the kingdom of Italy – so ended the enormous power of the Papacy.
Despite all these set backs the Roman Church refused to repent or alter
its creeds. In the very year that Rome fell to the Italians, there was an
Ecumenical Council, in which Pope Pius IX solemnly declared that the Pope is
“in all decisions regarding faith and morals, infallible” (!) Since the
1870’s the Papacy has tried to retrieve its earlier pomp and glory by adding
all sorts of declarations and public displays of piety, but underneath all the
show and decoration the roman Church is still the storehouse of heresies such as
the mass, the worship of Mary and prayers to the saints, and there has been no
acceptance of the simple gospel of grace. If the Roman Church ever did accept
the Bible way of Christianity it would instantly cease to exist. As they say
themselves “Semper idem” which means “always the same”.
Bowl Six.
In this judgment the river “Euphrates” is referred to, and the
“drying up” of the river, and the way of the “kings of the east” is said
to be “prepared”. Also three unclean spirits are released, likened to
“frogs”.
The “Euphrates” is a symbol of the Turkish (or Ottoman) empire, which
has already been likened to the “Euphrates” – see Rev.9:12-19. So here, in
Bowl Six we have a picture of the Mohammedan power beginning to dry up.
Who are these “kings of the east”? Once again we need to look in the
Old Testament for the code-cracking tools. Cyrus was predicted to be the
destroyer of Babylon, and twice he is referred to as coming from the “east”,
or from the “sunrising” (Is.41:25, 46:11). Abraham is also represented as
being raised up from the east, to overthrow and to deliver (Is.41:2,3). So we
expect to see, in history, some mighty national power, raised up by God to
deliver and overcome anti-Christian forces. These “kings” from the east
therefore represent the British and her allies, who battled against European
aggressors during the wars which ended around 1917. During this time Turkey
“dried up” and continued to retreat until at the end of the first WW it was
reduced to Asia Minor and a small territory in Europe.
Three “unclean spirits like frogs”. There have been many attempts to
label these “frogs” under such names as Communism, Ecumenicalism and so
forth, but the Bible here gives us sufficient clues as to the meaning. First,
the “frogs” come from the “dragon, beast and false prophet” so we can be
fairly certain that there is a strong spiritual element. The powers released are
also enemies of God, deceptive, and Satanic in origin. The battle mentioned is
not the last battle of this age but some war, which has already been fought,
because we are following the course of history as a continuous line, and not
jumping about. Who was involved? Nations such as Germany and Turkey,
representing the aspirations of Papal dominion, the occult, and the Islamic
desire for world-domination. The battle was the second world war and, according
to the Bible, it was the last world war in this present age. What remains is a
‘mopping up’ process, consisting of various small wars and continuing
judgment on individuals and groups, which continue to reject God’s rule.
We have also reached the time of the Laodicean church, which is the last
of the seven churches. There are no more church periods to go through. We who
are living at this time are witness to the final winding down of the age of
rebellion, which began when Adam and Eve sinned. If we live long enough we will
see the return of Christ without having to die and be resurrected. This is the
church period to which Jesus gives solemn warning: “buy of me gold . . . white
clothes . . .and anoint your eyes” (Rev.3:18)
As mentioned, part of the end times includes deception, and it is
interesting to note that in the 1830’s a teaching arose which undermined the
understanding of the Historicist interpretation. This deception taught that
Revelation is not an unfolding of history from the time of John through to
today, but that Revelation is largely unfulfilled, and still mainly in the
future. Rome’s attempt to take the spotlight off itself has been so successful
that almost all Protestant Christians today believe either the Praeterist or
Futurist interpretation – in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you, reader,
are already a Futurist. Have you
been told that the Anti-Christ was Nero? Or perhaps Clinton? Or some Jewish man
connected with some Jewish conspiracy to take over the world? Have you been told
that bar codes are part of the Antichrist world domination system? Are you
expecting the Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem? If so, you have swallowed
the Futurist deception. (See my notes on Daniel 9 and the Anti-Christ)
The kings are said to be gathered together to the place that in Hebrew is
called “Armageddon”. Those who are gathered there are “the spirits”.
Armageddon is a symbolic word, not an exact geographical location where some
literal war is fought. The word Armageddon means “mountain of destruction”,
or the place of slaughter The kings of the earth are opposed to the kings of the
east, which shows the battle lines are drawn between those who are for the True
God and those who are against.
Bowl Seven.
Now we come to the Battle itself. It is seen as a global conflict,
because the Bowl is poured into the air, which the Bible also says is the
dwelling place of the powers of darkness (Eph.2:2, 6:12 and Is.24:21-23) As to
the global aspect, World War I certainly covered that. “There was a great
earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth . . .” refers to the
immense size of the battle.
Churchill wrote: “(It) differed from all ancient wars in the immense
power of the combatants and their fearful agencies of destruction . . . all the
horrors of the ages were brought together, and not only armies but whole
populations were thrust into the midst of them . . . Germany having let Hell
loose kept well in the van of terror; she was followed step by step by the
avenging nations she had assailed. Every outrage against humanity and
international law was repaid by reprisals often on a greater scale and of longer
duration . . . merchant ships . . . and hospital ships were sunk on the seas . .
. every effort was made to starve whole populations into submission . . .cities
and monuments were smashed . . .bombs from the air were cast down
indiscriminately . . . Europe and parts of Asia and Africa became one vast
battle field on which after years of struggle, not armies but nations broke and
ran . . .” (Churchill, The World Crisis, 1911-1918)
The
Armageddon battle is gone into in more detail in Rev. chapter19.
Revelation 17
Now some may object to God’s judgment and say that the Papal powers did
not deserve such treatment as God served to them. As if to reply to this
question God now supplies two chapters in which He details the qualities and
sins of the Papal system, revealing just how well-deserved the judgments were.
The “great whore sits on “many waters” means that this power in the
world has influence over many nations. She also sits on “seven mountains”
which are also “seven kings” (verses 9 and 10).
She also sat on a “scarlet beast” (Verse 3) and in verse 18 she is
called “the great city” so we have multiple layers of symbols here, each
with a different overlapping shade of meaning, but all centered around the same
power. The greatest source of false doctrines and false claims the world has
ever seen have come from the Papacy, and many nations in the world have drunk
deeply of these claims and accepted them. The whore is drunk “with the blood
of saints” (verse 6) and “martyrs” and it is a fact of history that the
Roman Church has been the initiator of great persecution and slaughter of true
Christians for several centuries. (Read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs)
A short list of the “abominations and filthiness” would include
impostures (such as the claim to have the “keys” of Peter, and to be in
direct line with Peter who was, supposedly, the first Pope!), delusions (such as
the triple crown which supposedly means that Popes rule heaven, earth and the
grave!), promises of impunity (Popes have granted all sorts of heavenly favour
in return for money or allegiance!), indulgences, absolutions and hopes of
worldly interest and advancement. Rome has used many seductions to win over the
leaders and people of other nations – and quite often forgeries have played an
important part in this. Some of the Popes had documents forged in whatever
direction they wanted to go. For example, one said “Not even among the
Apostles was there equality, but one was set over all”, and another, by
Clement in about AD 90 said that Peter was “the prince of the apostles”.
These forgeries soon came to have equal of more authority than the Bible, and
were added to the Vatican as supposedly divinely inspired works.
Verse 10 covers seven kings, five are said to have fallen while one
remains, and one is yet to come. God has here helped us by explaining that the
kings are also seven mountains. Quite literally, Rome is built on seven hills
(the Palantine, Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquilian, Coelian and Aventine)
but spiritually, the Roman Church was enthroned in Rome, and here were held
several Church Councils by which many nations were ruled.
There were seven forms of government through the time of Rome’s Empire.
The Roman historians Livy and Tacitus (who lived about the same time as the
disciple John) listed these forms of government in order: Kings, Consuls,
Dictators, Decemvirs and military Tribunes. When John received the book of
revelation, five of these forms of government had already fallen, but the sixth
form was at that time in power: Imperial Caesars. The seventh was “not yet
come” and was to “continue a short space” as Rev.17:8-10 says. When the
seventh form of government arrived it was the Despotic Emperors, beginning with
Diocletian. During this time the Senate, which was meant to have a balancing
effect on the Caesars, was ignored, and the Emperor took full control like a
military dictator. It was Diocletian who brought back Emperor worship and the
title Pontifex Maximus, or High Priest.
Rev.17:11 refers to a beast which is “of the seven
. . .but is the eighth . . . and is not . . .” so we have here an
authority which come after the last form of Pagan Rome but which grows out of
this last form. History records only one power which succeeded the fall of Rome
– the Papacy, which grew out of the ashes of fallen Rome and took over the
Roman earth as Roman Pontiff, or Emperor, just like the Emperors of old, ruling
from the seven hills and accepting worship, just as those Emperors had done.
They also made war against the saints. But the Papacy is the last stage of the
Babylonian Succession of Empires listed in Daniel 7 and its decline and final
extinction are assured.
The ten horns of the beast, the Bible tells us, are also ten kings.
History records ten small kingdoms which lasted but a short time: the Franks (1)
of Central France, the Allemans (2) of eastern France, the Burgundians (3) of
S.E. France, the Visigoths (4) and Vandals of Spain, the Sueves (5) of Portugal,
the Goths (7), Lombards (8), Heruli (9), and Huns (10) of Italy. The coins of
their kings can be seen in the British Museum. All through the 1260 years of
papal dominion there were, on average, ten Latin kingdoms – A.J. Ferris, The
Book of Revelation’
Revelation 17 goes on to say that those ten kings, or kingdoms, because
they represent dynasties, or successions of rulers, go from being allies of the
beast to enemies. The French Revolution was a classic example of allies turning
into enemies, and so was the rise of Napoleon. He made open war against Pius VI
and compelled him to sign a humiliating treaty by which Ferrara, Bologna and
Romagna were given to France with an indemnity of a million and a half pounds,
plus a hundred of the finest pictures and statues from the Vatican. The Pope’s
temporal power was declared at an end and he was carried captive to France
where, in 1799, he died in exile.
From then on the papacy went into decline. Now and then it seemed to be
gathering power again but always it fell further at the next event. It will
never regain its former power – the Bible says so.
Revelation 18.
In this chapter God declares the utter and final fall of everything
Papal.
Revelation 19.
Many have seen the Second Advent in this chapter, but the context and
general flow of history do not support this view. We must also take into account
the fact that we are reading a book of code, or symbols. We may see in the white
horse vision a picture of Christ’s literal return, but we must remember that
equally startling and dramatic things have been described already which were
nothing more than events in history on a more earthly scale.
The Hallelujahs are sung to God, as the gradual overthrow of Satan’s
kingdom is replaced by the gradual setting up of God’s Kingdom. This process
has taken centuries and it has meant conflict and violence and affected millions
of lives, but God has brought His will to pass and established what He wanted.
This chapter is an acknowledgment of the part all people play in the unfolding
story. Each saint who has stood up for Jesus and suffered or debated, struggled
or died for the Saviour has had a part to play in the story. It is not as if God
has done it all. He has worked through the free will and free choices of people
as they have taken either Satan’s of Christ’s side in the battle.
With great caution I would suggest that the world is still divided into
two main national entities, which represent, with many obvious faults and
failings, the two kingdoms. On the one hand are the nations which do not
acknowledge God, the One True God, or the Saviour. These would include the
atheist states, Communist China and the like, and the Islamic world, plus others
of similar beliefs. On the other hand we have ‘Christianized’ Britain and
America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand plus a few other smaller
countries and pockets. I say this with fearful caution, because there are people
who will instantly list the terrible crimes and failings of these nations, and
quite rightly so, because it is obvious that no nation is completely righteous.
However, there is a difference between the two types of nation. One enjoys
prosperity, democracy, free speech, economic and agricultural bounty, a wide
range of social, educational, medical, employment and housing benefits (to name
a few) and so on, while the other struggles under one form of bondage or other.
Many countries cling to their religious beliefs and also suffer endless wars,
famines and diseases. Wherever Christianity is rejected, great troubles seem to
follow inevitably in its wake, but where it is accepted, even nominally, by a
nation, great blessings follow.
But what dangers there are to Christians today! There are several false
doctrines circulating in this modern world, which are designed to destroy faith
in God’s Word. Gnosticism is one, and Liberalism is another. Praeterism and
Futurism are others.
Liberal theology rejects God’s Word and puts Man’s Word in its place.
Liberals do not believe in the Bible being God’s Word, nor do they accept the
literal resurrection, or the return of Jesus.
Futurists jumble the Word of God up, picking out bits and labeling them
‘literal’, but calling other bits ‘spiritual’. The result is a mish mash
of interpretations, and the postponement of the Second Advent until after some
future Anti-Christ has come. Futurists ignore the Historical interpretation, and
also the great signs of the end of this age: the deliverance of Jerusalem in
1917, the restoration of the Jews to nationhood in 1948, and the blossoming of
the land of Israel.
Praeterists think Jesus set up his Kingdom 2000 years ago and call Nero
the Anti-Christ.
Perhaps it is the desire for sensationalism, or an interest in things
gimmicky and novel which has made futurism so widely accepted? Perhaps the idea
of connecting Revelation with plain old history is too boring for most
Christians? Whatever the reason, the great deception continues, as such
Christian sources as the Christian Recording Centre, Radio Rhema, New Tribes
Mission, Derek Prince and a huge host of other spokespeople for God repeat the
same old deceptions about some future Anti-Christ. It seems that the old saying
is true, that if you repeat something often enough everyone will believe it.
The angel is pictured standing in the sun, probably to symbolize the
glory and power of Christ (1:16), who is brighter than the sun. The rest of the
scene is a prediction which shows that God intends to make a complete and utter
end of His enemies. The birds are called to eat the flesh of kings, captains,
mighty men and so forth – all who have chosen to reject and/or fight against
the True God.
Then comes the capture of the beast and his forces, the Papal system and
all who have adhered to it. Once again we have to remember that we are dealing
with symbols or pictures, not literal scenes. In the historical setting we can
expect to see the downfall and final destruction of the political, spiritual,
economic, and social power of the Papal and anti-God systems of the world. The
lake of fire is not literal either, but a symbol of utter destruction. It would
be foolish to say that “Hell” is a “lake of fire” because that would be
inconsistent with the whole method of the whole book of Revelation. But having
said this, the punishment meted out on those who have promoted the anti-God
system is no symbol, but a very real punishment! We saw something of this in the
description of WWI by Churchill. Jesus himself warned that “they that take up
the sword (the aggressor) will die by the sword (avenger)”.
Revelation 20.
There is no break in the passage in the Greek, se ought to read straight
through from 19:21 to 20:1 and on.
The 1000 years. At the risk of wearing out the phrase, we must remember
that we are dealing with symbols, not literal things here. There has been much
made of this “1000 years” and most Christians I talk to accept the time as a
literal 1000 years, but I have never been one to accept the views of the
majority unless I can see that the majority is correct.
First, we ought to go back to the 1st Advent. During the 1st
Advent, Jesus was born, lived, and then died, and then ascended into heaven, and
seated himself at the right hand of glory. He presided from that moment as the
King of kings, and as such He directed His own forces, angelic and human in the
long battle against Satan and his forces. This means that, for the last 2000
years Jesus has been continually “coming down” in judgment, and time after
time He has fought battles and won victories. This also means that the 1st
and 2nd Advents are really the beginning and ending of one single
work of God – it is not as if Jesus died, went to heaven, and then watched and
waited until he returned to do something else. No, He has been working with
great power every second of the day and night for the last 2000 years! His
unceasing efforts have been focused on winning back the planet to Himself
through various means, all of which are very difficult for humans to grasp. In
His infinite wisdom He has used the Gospel and Christian love, and a
comparatively small number of committed saints to accomplish what seemed to be
an enormous and impossible task. But He has prevailed, and the saints who have
lived and died for Jesus will receive great rewards.
However, the number 100 is mentioned, here, in this chapter, and (please
note) nowhere else in the Bible.
The 1000 years has, over many centuries, been traditionally viewed by the
Church as an interim period, a small space of time, in which Satan is bound and
the saints are given great freedom to live without Satan’s attacks. This
period is also called “the millennium”. It is taught that at the end of the
1000 years Satan will be let loose again and more global troubles begin again.
But following the manner in which Revelation presents history, the 1000
years is more likely a short time in which Satan’s power is limited or
curtailed. It probably refers to the binding of the papal system, the
suppression of Babylon the Great, the beast system.
To back this up, compare the verses about the binding of Satan with
Dan.2:31-35. Here we are given the whole list of Empires which God said would
rise and fall on earth. The time they lasted, from Babylon’s rise to the fall
of the last Empire is “Seven Times” which translates to mean 2520 years.
Half this 2520 is 1260 years which was given to the Papal dominion. So the end
of the 2520 years is described as the “binding of Satan”.
So where are we in history, according to Revelation? We are in the time
between the fall of Babylon and the return of Christ. At the time of this
writing it is the year 2001. The Pope is an old man who travels about waving
from his bullet-proof car and saying positive things, but he has no power to
command kings, or to force nobles to bow at his gates. The Roman church still
holds many thousands in its grip but it is failing. God has vanquished it, and
the remnants will pass away. What is left of it will be totally finished when
Jesus returns in glory.
Just prior to the “great white throne” Satan is said to be released
for a final attack but he fails utterly. God defeats him before he can do
anything substantial. In today’s terms, there has never been a better time to
be a Christian. Satan may make threats and try to provoke war against the
saints, but Christianity is on the rise, and it will win. There may be a rise in
anti-Christina, or anti-Christian nations feelings around the world, but this
will be brief and it will come to nothing.
Considering the military might of America at the moment it is doubtful
whether any real damage could be done against this people, and, to a lesser
extent, to the Commonwealth countries. God has armed and equipped these peoples,
despite their many faults and failings, and set them up as a mighty force for
peace. There may be a worldwide uprising of antagonism against the Western
nations, but it will be short lived and ineffectual.
One very clear example of the “Gog and Magog” symbols (Rev.20:7-9)
would be the rise of Communism. It began in 1917 with a handful of followers,
with the Bolshevik Revolution and quickly grew immense – some 800,000,000 in
only 35 years. Its aim was to infiltrate the West with lies, propaganda and
deception, but suddenly, in 1990-91 Communism collapsed. The West went in to see
what the “wonderful communist state” had achieved, and found pollution,
weapons, disease, poverty and a miserable land full of atheism and hopelessness.
Truly “fire” had come down from heaven and destroyed this attack on the
countries where the Reformation had taken place.
Another clear example is WWII, when the Germans and allied nations
mustered. Hitler announced the 1000 year Reich and a New World Order, just as
the Communists had, but after a short but terrible war, Hitler was dead and the
threat to Christianity gone. “Fire” had come down from heaven.
The remainder of Revelation 20 continues in the same style and manner as
the beginning of the chapter. In symbolic form God describes not a literal
resurrection, but an acknowledgement of all the precious saints who witnessed
and died for Him. All who have suffered for the Word of God, and for the
testimony which they held are here pictured as receiving their rewards. All who
died are called up, and all who deserve rewards are given them. No-one misses
out. All are dealt with. By these symbols God is telling His children that He
sees all they do, and assures them that the wicked will not go unpunished.
The chapter ends with a picture of a “great white throne” because God
is the Judge of all things. Despite what sinful Man may do, God is in charge. No
individual will ever be missed. All who have rejected Christ will have to face
the Law of God – the books are opened – the books of the Law. This chapter
gives us tremendous assurance because it shows that not even death can keep the
wicked from their fair punishment. Hitler will stand before God just as surely
as the nasty neighbour and the gossip down the road.
Revelation 21.
Most Christians I hear from accept chapter 21 as depicting events after
the 2nd Advent. I have no problem with other people having their own
personal views about this, and it has never been my intention to draw a line in
the sand and start an argument over such things After all, what will happen will
happen regardless of what we think! However, my own personal view about this
chapter is based on all that has come before, so my interpretation is not
entirely as ‘spiritual and heavenly’ as some of my brethren. The problems
which people have in understanding or interpreting Revelation, as I see it, is a
result of their cutting parts of it off from the whole Bible and reading it
without reference to the Old Testament. The code needs a code-breaker, otherwise
we are left to our imagination.
For example, here in Rev. 21 we have first a picture of a city coming
down from the sky, and then in verse 9 we are told that the city is actually a
woman. So which is it to be? An architectural symbol, or a human symbol? But
then we know that the woman, the “Lamb’s bride” is also a symbol of a
nation. So in three ways at least, God is trying to show us a fully redeemed and
restored national entity – not a literal woman or city or bride.
The expression in verse 1 is also a symbol – not a literal statement
(if we are to remain consistent). A “new heaven and a new earth” need not be
taken literally. The word for “new” in Greek is ‘kainos’ meaning
“fresh”. It denotes new, or unaccustomed, or unused, not new in time,
recent, but new in form or quality, of a different nature from what is
contrasted as old” (Vines) So a
new heaven and a new earth does not necessarily mean ANOTHER earth and heaven.
In the same way, when God speaks about Christians being a “new man” in
Christ, it does not mean that one person is exchanged for a completely different
person, but that by the work of the Holy Spirit changes are made in the existing
person. (Gal.6:15, Eph.4:24)
Again, in 2Pet.3:10-12 it says “the heavens shall pass away . . . the
earth also . . . shall be burned up” but compare this with the statement that
in Noah’s day “the world that then was perished” – from this passage it
is clear that the earth was not annihilated, but that its known order was
reduced to another form. It is prophetic language and there is plenty like it
through the Old Testament.
Since the Fall, God has been working towards complete renewal and
restoration of all things. God wants to reverse the downward direction of life
and turn it around. He wants to regenerate all the saints and restore the earth
to its former perfection – not totally replace it.
The reference to there being “no more sea” means there will be no
more enemies left. “Sea” is quite often put for “people” or
“nations”. As Jesus said “The sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:25 –
see context)
The fact that the “city” comes down out of heaven indicates that its
origin is God not Man. The city represents the restored nation of Israel, which
God promised to restore many centuries ago. Jesus came as the messiah and
Redeemer of Israel, and gave His life for His people. Because the Jewish remnant
rejected Jesus, the gospel was offered to all the world, but the covenant
promises still stood, and God continued to seek out the “lost sheep of the
house of Israel”. Now, in Rev. 21 we see the final stage of God’s work. The
national entity which the Great Shepherd came to rescue, is now restored and
perfected.
(Some helpful references: Lev.23:26-32 describes the Feast of Atonement,
which is a prefigurement of the restoration of Israel, Is.32:15 – 20, Jer.
3:20 – 25, 31:1-9, 50:20, Ez.36:25-28 and forward, Hos.14:1-4 and forward,
Zech. 12:10-14, Rom.11:15-32 and forward.)
“And they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and
be their God” For helpful supporting references, seeLev.26:12, Ps.68:18,
Is.41:10, Jer.30:22, 31:1,33, Ezek.34:30,31, 37:23 – 27,
43:7-9, 48:35,
Hos.2:23.
“There shall be no more death” This statement gives us some idea of
the context. But since it has not yet happened, I am not willing to say what I
think because prophecy is not always easy to understand until after the event.
However, taking a stab at it, I think we have passed the 2nd Advent
here, since death is the last enemy to be destroyed. This would also imply that
the resurrection has occurred.
“For the former things have passed away” means “For the old order
of things has passed away.”
Alpha and Omega is the name used by God. Jesus uses it because He is God.
Here is no escaping this logic. The
Greek actually has the definite article “the” and says “I am THE Alpha and
THE Omega.” See Isaiah 41:4.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars . . .”
All these categories are symbolic, and refer to what we have already been
reading through the whole book of Revelation. On the other hand, if we say that
“murderers” means people who simply kill other people, we miss the point,
and why, we may ask, does God omit those who covet, or steal, or commit all the
other sins we know of? Why only these eight sins?
The context of “fearful” is those who failed to “overcome”. These
are people who have shrunk from the struggle and given in to the pressure of
conformity. They have preferred the world to the Lord’s ways.
“Unbelieving” people are probably atheists and faithless. “Abominable”
people are literally vile or polluted, as the Greek suggests – polluted by
idolatry – those who have drunk from the great whore’s cup. “Murderers”
are those who have slaughtered the saints. “Whoremongers” are not the
sexually immoral, but those who have committed apostasy, and mixed the truth
with heresy. “Idolatry” is spiritual infidelity. “Sorcerers” are those
who teach spiritual error and enchant or stupefy others with their lies.
“Liars” are those who practice and teach false truth. And “the lake of
fire” is a symbol of punishment, not a literal lake.
Revelation 22.
This chapter continues without a break from 21 and goes on to describe
the great national and international changes, which will happen on earth. The
symbols are all good, and they depict health, happiness, purity, holiness, joy
and so on. God’s restoration of all humans, animals, plants, and every living
and non-living system will be complete and perfect. Life will burst from every
place and all the harmony and peace which people often long for will be present
in a fully restored planet.
…………………………………………………….
In the above brief summary I have tried not to be dogmatic, but in many
places I have had to be firm, especially where there seemed to be a good backing
from other Scriptures to support my case. I ask Readers to be tolerant and
forgiving towards me if I have written things, which they may have found
offensive. I, like all Christians, am but a student, trying to learn, and I have
a long way to go!
I must also say that I have not intended any offense towards Roman Catholics (or Islamics, or any other persuasion). If the Bible says something about the path of history, and the rising of the Papacy out of the ashes of fallen Pagan Rome, or the rise of Islam, or the restoration of Israel) that is not something from me, but from God. The facts of history are objective, not personal, and if there is a correlation between what Scripture says and what history shows, then God is trying to reveal something, not deliberately start an argument. I love all people of whatever religion or creed, and my only wish for them is to find the true fellowship of Jesus and be raised in the truth.