Jesus Christ and His Revelation Revised and Updated: Commentary and Bible Study on the Book of Revelation

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Contrast between the Books of Genesis and Revelation

Suggestions for Studying this Book

Author and Date of Revelation

Related Lesson: Israel Becomes a Nation

Related Lesson: One Day is with the Lord as a Thousand Years

Chapter 1

Ten Characteristics of the Glorified Christ

Chapter 2

Church of Ephesus

Church of Smyrna

Church of Pergamum

Church of Thyatira

FAQ: Women and False Religion

Chapter 3

Church of Sardis

Church of Philadelphia

Church of Laodicea

Illustration: The Seven Churches Chart

Illustration: The Seven Churches Evolution

Chapter 4

The Rapture of the Church

Seven Characteristics of the Throne of God

Related Lesson: Sodom and Gomorrah: A Rapture Analogy

Related Lesson: Words Not Found in the Bible

Illustration: Pre-Tribulation Rapture View

Chapter 5

Five Characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ

Illustration: Two Phases of the Second Coming of Christ

Chapter 6

The Tribulation Period

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Illustration: Daniel’s Seventy Weeks

Chapter 7

144,000 Sealed Servants

A Great Multitude in Heaven

Chapter 8

The Trumpet Judgments

Chapter 9

The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet Judgments

Illustration: Hades Illustration

Chapter 10

The Mighty Angel

The Little Scroll

Bible Reading Calendar: First Quarter

Bible Reading Calendar: Second Quarter

Bible Reading Calendar: Third Quarter

Bible Reading Calendar: Fourth Quarter

Chapter 11

The Two Witnesses

The Seventh Trumpet Judgment

Illustration: Jerusalem’s Four Temples

Illustration: The Temple Mount

Chapter 12

The Woman – Israel

The Red Dragon – Satan

The Male Child – Jesus Christ

The Angel – Michael

The Third Woe

The Remnant of Israel

Related Lesson: The Dragon

Related Lesson: The Sovereignty of God

Chapter 13

The Beast Out of the Sea – Antichrist

The Beast Out of the Earth – The False Prophet

The Mark of the Beast

Related Lesson: Ezekiel’s Latter Days Vision

Invasion of Israel during the Tribulation

Chapter 14

The Lamb and the 144,000

The Three Angels

The Harvest of the Elect

The Harvest of the Wicked

Chapter 15

Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

Chapter 16

The Bowl Judgments

Map of Ancient Israel and Judah

FAQ: Tribulation Saints

FAQ: God Hardens the Heart

Chapter 17

Religious Babylon Destroyed

Chapter 18

Governmental and Commercial Babylon Destroyed

Chapter 19

The Heavenly Hallelujahs

The Wedding of the Lamb

The Wedding Supper of the Lamb

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Battle on the Great Day of God Almighty

Jesus Christ the Victor

Related Lesson: The Judgment Seat of Christ

Chapter 20

Satan Bound for A Thousand Years

The Believers’ Resurrection

The Renewal of the Earth by Fire

Satan’s Release after the Millennium

The Great White Throne

Illustration: The Messianic Kingdom

Illustration: The Third Heaven – Paradise

FAQ: Satan’s Final Assault

Illustration: Time Intervals in the Latter Days Timeline

Chapter 21

The Eternal Age

The New Jerusalem

Illustration: The New Jerusalem

Illustration: Millennium to Eternity

Chapter 22

The New Jerusalem (continued)

Appendix A: Chart Of Events

The First Half Of The Tribulation Period

Mid-Point Of The Tribulation Period

The Second Half Of The Tribulation Period

The Millennial Kingdom

Illustration: Revelation Timeline

Answers to Chapter Review Questions

Bibliography

Abbreviations:

NIV – New International Version

NKJV – New King James Version

KJV – King James Version

OT – Old Testament

NT – New Testament

cf. – Compare to

Foreword

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1, 2, 14).

God’s original desire was to live in perfect communion with mankind, the glory of His creation. In response, mankind was to worship and praise the Creator and live in such a manner that glorified God’s greatness. However, mankind was disobedient and that perfect communion was lost, for a time. God, gracious and loving as He is, provided another way. Now, perfect communion with the Father is possible again through a personal relationship with the Son, God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus comforted His disciples with these simple words: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

The word revelation is translated from the Greek word apokalupsis, which means manifestation or appearing. When used as a verb, the Greek word is apokalupto, which means to uncover or unveil. This word describes the progressive and immediate unveiling of the otherwise unknown and unknowable God to His Church. Here, in the last book of the Word of God, is the unveiling of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, in all His glory and majesty. Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of God’s universe. He is the plumb line God uses to reconcile all things to Him. Jesus is our Lord and our Redeemer; He is our King and our Brother. The book of Revelation is God’s message to the world and His children (the Church) revealing how He intends to finish out the history of mankind, as well as the fate of those who have trusted in His Son, and those who have not.

Eschatology is defined as theological doctrines associated with death, judgment, and immortality. To the layman, it is simply the study of end-time prophecies. Many fiction and non-fiction books have been written that use end-time prophecies as a basis for their narratives. Accordingly, a number of these books became the inspiration for me to begin my own practice of reading and studying the Scriptures in order to better understand the prophetic and apocalyptic message found in the book of Revelation.

God is omniscient. Simply stated, this means that God is all-knowing (Proverbs 15:3). God is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful (Romans 11:36). God is also omnipresent, which simply means that God is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7 – 12). Lastly, God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God is a phrase used to express the absolute, irresistible, infinite, and unconditional exercise of God’s self-will over every aspect of His creation, including the eternal destiny of mankind; therefore, nothing can disrupt it. The book of Revelation reveals in detail the awesome prophecies describing the events leading up to and following the glorious return to earth of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, when all things in heaven, on earth, and beneath are brought under Christ’s complete dominion and authority.

Our study begins with a stern but wonderful message of encouragement from Christ to His Church through the apocalyptic visions given to the Apostle John (chapters 2 and 3). As we move further into John’s Revelation, we will take a thorough look at the Rapture of the Church (chapter 4), when Christ descends to the clouds to call all His children home to be with Him in heaven and the Apostle Paul’s detailed description of this wondrous event. In addition, we will study the dreadful Tribulation Period, the Antichrist, and the judgments imposed on a rebellious and unrepentant world (chapters 6 – 19). Afterward, Christ will return again to earth, not as Savior, but as Judge and Warrior-King. Consequently, we will discuss His final judgment of the nations, His Millennial Kingdom, the demise of Satan, and the fate of unbelievers from all ages (chapters 20). Lastly, we will look at what is in store for the redeemed people of God and His marvelous plan for eternity (chapters 21 and 22).

My first printing of Jesus Christ and His REVELATION (2017) was the result of almost a decade of disciplined study and multiple drafts which ultimately evolved into a concise verse-by-verse study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. My goal was to make the study of the book of Revelation comprehensive but not complex, thorough yet easy to follow. Bible commentary, related subject lessons, charts and illustrations, and frequently asked questions (FAQ) taken from years of teaching Bible study classes on the subject all combined to add redundancy and visual appeal to the study.

This revised and updated edition is written to appeal to all age groups, young adults through seniors. Throughout the chapters references are made to supporting verses located elsewhere in Scripture. Some of these passages are quoted in their entirety, while others are simply noted in parentheses. Those references are left unquoted for the purpose of encouraging the reader to dive deeper into his/her Bible. This is why I have chosen not to include the complete Revelation Bible text in this book. Scripture segments are taken from the New International Version (NIV), unless otherwise noted. The unquoted passages can also be used in a classroom setting to facilitate oral class reading and participation. At the end of each chapter are Review Questions meant to highlight and emphasize key elements in order to build upon the reader’s knowledge of the message. The Up For Discussion sections are optional and can be used for personal reflection or to facilitate additional classroom discussion on a deeper level. This may include relating the subject matter to current events or encouraging class members to share some of their own personal experiences.

Ever since I was given a Bible Reading Calendar by a wise reverend in 2004 at a weekend spiritual retreat called The Walk to Emmaus, it has been a disciplined practice of mine to read the Bible cover-to-cover every year. This year, 2022, marks my eighteenth reading of the Word of God. I am so thankful for the reverend’s gift and inspiration; thus, there is nothing greater that I could recommend to anyone than to spend time every day reading and dwelling on God’s Word. I have included a copy of our Bible Reading Calendar at the end of chapter 10 to encourage you to start your own tradition of reading God’s Word daily, if you have not done so already. I promise you God will honor that commitment in your life. You will come to realize that the Holy Scriptures and the prophecies included, from the early chapters of Genesis to the last chapter of Revelation, all point to our Messiah and Lord Jesus Christ.

Introduction

The subject of this book is very important to recognize, and it is emphasized in the very first sentence of chapter one, The revelation of Jesus Christ … (Revelation 1:1). The Lamb is the center around which everything in this book revolves. The Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ, and our generation has more reason to believe Jesus could return for His children (the Church) during our lifetime than any generation in the almost 2,000 years of Church history. This removal of the Church from the earth, often referred to as the Rapture, puts into motion a string of prophetic events that are foretold in this book. The Lord Jesus Christ directs all these events from heaven while using various figures, both good and evil, to accomplish His plan and purpose on earth. There are a number of exciting and unique reasons for studying the book of Revelation:

1)Though some prophecy is mentioned in the gospels and epistles, Revelation is the only complete book of prophecy, containing both prophetic and apocalyptic (end-times) writings, to be found in the NT. In contrast, there are twenty-four books in the OT (including the Psalms) that contain some measure of prophecy.

2)A special blessing is promised to those who read this book. This book opens and closes with a blessing for those who read it and keep the message dear to their hearts.

3)Revelation is not a sealed book of prophecy. The Prophet Daniel was told to seal his book until the time of the end (Daniel 12:9) because it concerned a distant future time. We will consider Daniel’s prophecy later in chapter 5. John, on the other hand, is told: Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near (Revelation 22:10). The book of Revelation reveals God’s ultimate and wonderful plan for the future.

4)Revelation gives clearer detail concerning biblical prophecy than any other book in the Bible. All prophecies originating elsewhere in the Scriptures find their conclusion in the book of Revelation. For example, John describes the dreadful events of the Tribulation Period, the rise and fall of Antichrist, the glorious return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the establishment of His earthly kingdom, the demise of Satan, and the Holy City that Christ is preparing for His saints, to name just a few.

5)The book of Revelation completes the cycle of biblical truths – Genesis gives us the beginning and Revelation gives us the end.

Contrast between the Books of Genesis and Revelation

In Genesis, we see mankind’s beginning and how he communed with God in a paradise called Eden (Genesis 2:8; 3:8). Revelation details the beautiful paradise yet to come where mankind will again commune intimately with God (Revelation 21:10 – 22:5).

In Genesis, the darkness was called night and the waters called seas (Genesis 1:4; 1:10). Revelation describes the new heaven and the new earth as having no more night and no longer any sea (Revelation 21:1, 25).

Genesis shows how mankind lost a chance to eat from the tree of life (Genesis 3:22, 23). Revelation tells us that God’s people will one day eat fruit from that tree (Revelation 22:1, 2).

Genesis introduces the serpent (Satan) as the deceiver of mankind and pronounces his fate (Genesis 3:1 – 15). Revelation details Satan’s last rebellion and his final judgment (Revelation 20:10).

Genesis tells of mankind’s first rebellion against God (Genesis 3 – 4). Revelation promises an end to all rebellion against God (Revelation 20:10; 21:8).

In Genesis, we see mankind’s first temptation from Satan in his attempt to discredit the Word of God (Genesis 3:1 – 5). In Revelation, God gives a dire warning to all who deliberately seek to manipulate His written Word (Revelation 22: 18, 19).

In Genesis, man’s sin resulted in the curse (Genesis 3:15 – 18). Revelation promises an end to the curse (Revelation 22:3).

Genesis chronicles the first death (Genesis 4:8). Revelation also promises an end to death (Revelation 21:4).

Suggestions for Studying this Book

1)Follow the golden rule of interpretation of Bible prophecy: When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, then seek no other sense. Let us take every word at its usual and literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate text clearly indicate otherwise.

2)Locate the scene of activity. Keep in mind whether the scene under discussion takes place in heaven or on earth.

3)For the most part, Revelation unfolds chronologically. But rather than looking at it chronologically, let us approach this study in a logical order because some chapters represent an interlude in the chronology. These chapters will introduce elements or events that further on in the book will be recounted with added detail. The Holy Spirit has used this method throughout the Scriptures to convey God’s truths. For example, we have the giving of the Mosaic Law in Exodus and then in Deuteronomy the interpretation of the Law with greater detail added. Also, in the NT, we find not only one but four Gospel records because it takes four to give the many sides of the glorious Person of Jesus Christ.

Author and Date of Revelation

All indications point to the writing of the book of Revelation by the Apostle John, the writer of the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John, while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (A.D. 81 – 96). Historian and Christian theologian, Eusebius, confirmed that while in Ephesus, John was exiled by Emperor Domitian to the Isle of Patmos, a penal colony off the coast of present-day Turkey. That would place the writing of Revelation in and around the traditionally accepted date of A.D. 95, near the end of John’s life.

It was at Patmos, according to tradition, that the sacred text of the book of Revelation was given to John and recorded while he was in a cave now known as the cave of the Apocalypse. This cave is now hidden inside and beneath the buildings of the Monastery of the Apocalypse, built in the seventeenth century to house a theological school called the Patmias. Its structure has been altered very little since then. The holy cave, or grotto, has long since been transformed into a small church dedicated to John. Inside remain signs of long tradition that bear witness to the apostle’s presence. In one corner of the stone floor is the place where he laid his head to rest. Close by was the place where he spread his parchments. In the roof of the cave was the triple crevice in the rock through which he heard the great voice of the Lord. Eusebius wrote: The cave is small, and the light is dim; it is a place that draws one to meditation, prayer, worship, contemplation … a place of which a man might say, ‘How fearful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven.’

As a result of his excessive cruelty, the Emperor Domitian was assassinated in A.D. 96 by a conspiracy led by his own wife. Subsequently, the senate later annulled his acts and this allowed John to return to Ephesus under Emperor Nerva. Tradition has it that John lived until the time of Emperor Trajan, whose reign began in A.D. 98, sixty-eight years after the resurrection of Jesus.

John founded and built churches throughout Asia Minor. During his last days John appointed bishops in the new Christian community. John died a natural death and was buried in Ephesus. Polycarp and Papias were his disciples. Eusebius confirmed the location of the tomb of John by his quotation from the Epistle of Polycarp (the Bishop of the Church of Ephesus) which read: John that rested on the bosom of our Lord … he also rests at Ephesus.

A story was told and handed down that John, as an old man in Ephesus, had to be carried to the church in the arms of his disciples. At these meetings, he was accustomed to say no more than, Little children, love one another! After a time his disciples, wearied at always hearing the same words, asked their leader, Master, why do you always say this? John replied, It is the Lord’s command. And if this alone be done, it is enough!

John outlived all the other apostles; thereby making this unique revelation of Jesus Christ and the wonderful prophetic plan God has for all of His children a fitting closure for the entire volume of the sixty-six books of God’s revelation to mankind.

Israel Becomes a Nation

Throughout the OT there are prophecies of a final return of the Jewish exiles to the Promised Land in the latter days. The Prophet Ezekiel, like Daniel, was carried off to Babylon as a captive. Also, like Daniel, he was aware from the prophecies of Jeremiah that the captivity in Babylon would last seventy years. When the Lord appeared to Ezekiel in a vision, he gave him the following prophecy:

Then lie on your left side and put the sins of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sins for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sins. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the house of Israel. After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the house of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year (Ezekiel 4: 4 – 6).

This prophecy makes it clear that each day represents one biblical year. Ezekiel was told Israel would be punished for 390 plus 40 years. Additionally, the Prophet Jeremiah wrote: This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11). At the end of seventy years of captivity in Babylon, as prophesied, during the spring of 536 B.C. and under the decree of King Cyrus of Persia, less than 43,000 Jews, a small remnant of the house of Judah returned to Jerusalem to begin the rebuilding of the temple. However, the vast majority of Jews (an estimated 15 million) were content to remain in the pagan Persian Empire as colonists. From the total prophesied punishment of 430 years for Israel and Judah’s sin (390 years + 40 years = 430 years), deducting the seventy years of Babylonian captivity which ended in 536 B.C., there yet remains a total of 360 years of further punishment beyond the year 536 B.C.

The Lord warned Israel regarding disobedience with these words: If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over (Leviticus 26:18). Remember that only a remnant returned to Jerusalem while the majority of the Jews remained in Persia. In other words, if Israel did not repent (which the majority did not), then the punishment already promised would be prolonged or multiplied seven times:

360 years × 7 = 2,520 biblical years. Next, we convert the years to days.

God’s Word is consistent; thus our prophetical chronology should use a thirty-day month:

30 days × 12 months = 360 days

2,520 biblical years × 360 days = 907,200 days of further punishment.

Next, we must convert this figure to our present day calendar by dividing 365.25 into 907,200 days. We reach a total of 2,483.8 calendar years of further punishment remaining for Israel. We can now start our calculation from 536 B.C., keeping in mind there is only one year between 1 B.C. and A.D. 1 (because there is no year zero). This puts the end of Israel’s worldwide captivity at 1948!

On May 15, 1948, the Jews proclaimed Israel as an independent state. As an old Jewish rabbi blew on the traditional shofar, the Jewish people celebrated the end of their worldwide dispersion and captivity at the exact time prophesied over twenty-five hundred years earlier by the Prophet Ezekiel. This means that despite the apparent anarchy of the events of our time, God is still in full control of worldwide events and the universe is unfolding precisely as our Lord ordained millennia ago. This revelation regarding Israel’s rebirth in 1948 renews our interest in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ taken from His Olivet Discourse:

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth; this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened (Matthew 24:32 – 34).

The fig tree (Israel) has put forth its leaves (been reborn). It is our generation that has witnessed the miracle of Israel’s rebirth from the valley which was full of dry bones as described by the prophet (Ezekiel 37:1). The Bible defines a generation as a hundred years (Genesis 15:13 – 16). A generation was also defined as the age of a man when his first son was born, and in the case of Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, that also was a hundred years. Thus, we have more reason then any generation before to believe we are living in the last days – that is, the end-times.

With that in mind, what did our Lord Jesus Christ preach in his last sermon to his disciples? It was not love, or family, or the importance of the Church. Jesus made preparedness the theme of that last sermon. His message spoke of the wise and foolish servant. The wise one was ready for the return of the master where the foolish one was not. His message spoke about the ten virgins. Five were wise and ready when the groom came, and the other five were foolish and at the market looking to buy more oil. Lastly, His message spoke of the three servants and the bags of gold. Two of the servants put the money to work and made more money for their master while the third hid his money in a hole. The first two were ready and rewarded when the master returned. The third servant was unprepared and punished.

Be prepared and ready was the theme of Jesus’ last sermon, and so in the words of our Lord:

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come (Matthew 24:42).

Therefore, let us join with the Apostle John in his closing prayer: He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

One Day is with the Lord as a Thousand Years

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught the apostles for three years before His crucifixion and forty days following His resurrection. During this time, He opened the Scriptures to His disciples concerning prophecies about Himself (Luke 24:25 – 27, 45). As a result of this time of training, the Apostle Peter discussed the Lord’s Second Coming. Knowing that this event was far into the future, he wrote the following:

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation’ (2 Peter 3:3, 4).

Peter then explained to the Church that there was one particular fact regarding this apparent delay of the last days of which we should be aware:

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8, 9).

The day the apostle spoke