Summary of the Book of Revelation (part 2 of 2)

4, God’s fourth covenant was with Moses. (Deuteronomy 18:15). In fulfilment of that covenant the Lord Jesus Christ is our prophet. As the children of Israel heard the voice of God through Moses, so now every believer can hear the voice of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 3:6-16 we read about hearing His voice three times. We become overcomers by hearing the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever I do otherwise, will be shaken and burned up. I must hear His voice for my personal life, family life and church life. Such a voice makes me an overcomer. “Lord, keep my ears sensitive to Thy voice”.

5. God’s fifth covenant was with David. (2 Samuel 7:12-13). David was shown God’s pattern for the House of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is building the true House of God, and by taking part in that House we become overcomers. David vowed in Psalm 132: 4, 5 that he would not rest till he had found a dwelling-place for God.

At first David thought that God wanted him to be a better king. Later he found that God had a higher plan for him.

In 1 Chron. 28:19, the plan for the temple was given to David after he was completely freed from human wisdom. What we call knowledge God calls chaff. On one occasion in 1 Chron. 13, he organized a grand procession, with a military band to bring up the ark of God to Jerusalem. But he did not ask God for His plan. They carried the ark in a new cart which was the wrong way. When they came to the threshing floor God sifted out the chaff. In Numbers 7:9 God commanded that the things of the sanctuary should be borne on the shoulders of the priests.

How many of God’s servants are depending upon human cleverness to do God’s work and not on God’s order. In 1 Chron, 15:11-13 David repents. He confesses that he did not find God’s due order at first. We can never change God’s plan, or substitute human wisdom or zeal or sincerity. Preachers today want to see crowds, and results, but do not want to obey God’s Word. They will use worldly songs and other means to attract a crowd.

The second time David was brought to the threshing floor, is given in 2 Samuel 24. Pride had come into David's heart, and he was depending on his own strength. He was brought to the threshing floor, 2 Samuel 24:18 which later became the site of the temple as God had foreplanned (2 Chron. 3:1). We are living stones in God’s true House (i Peter 2:5) and must take our share in that House. This does not mean that we think only of meetings, sit in the same seat, have no burden for souls, go to sleep during the message, and then go home. What is my true position in God’s House? Overcomers are those who take their share in building God’s House, which is the whole Church of God, and not a sect, or a denomination.

6. God’s sixth covenant was with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Psalm 2:7-8). The nations and the uttermost parts of the earth have been promised to the Lord Jesus Christ as His inheritance. We must claim His possession as His co-workers (2 Cor, 6:1), He has inheritance in Australia, Canada, America, as well as in India. We are then to claim that inheritance. He has died for all men; but the devil has taken charge. These souls must be delivered. I am here in His Name. I must go in His Name to claim His inheritance for the Lord Jesus Christ.

7, God’s seventh covenant is with the believer. (Hebrews 10:12-17). By the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ sin is gone for ever (Isaiah 43:25), His laws will be written in our hearts, Though a man be illiterate, God can give him knowledge of divine things in spite of his human limitations. I can enjoy heavenly mysteries because of God’s covenant with me. Whenever I see the rainbow, I believe afresh in God’s covenant and by faith in God’s Word, and in His unchanging covenants, God lifts us higher and higher.

Rev, 21:7 promises that the overcomer will inherit all things. God's purpose in helping us to overcome is that we shall be qualified to inherit all things and enjoy fully what God has for us, in the New Creation.

Rev. 4 and 5. These chapters reveal the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenly Church when the Church is perfected. “Come up hither!” the voice said, so that He might reveal to John the things which must be hereafter, the heavenly perfect Church; what we shall see, what we shall be; what shall be our future position; what is going to happen in the end time, and in the life to come.

To understand those heavenly mysteries we must learn to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Those who walk in the flesh find it difficult to understand, for this is not understood by intellectual understanding.

The throne of our ord Jesus Christ is the central object in heaven: Rev. 4:2. He that sat upon it was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone (Rev. 4:3), absolutely transparent, faultless, perfect in purity and holiness; and He wants us to be partakers of that holiness (Hebrews 12:10),

The whole Church consists of those who are redeemed by His Blood out of every kindred, tongue and nation (Rev. 5:8,9).

A Crown (Rev. 4:4) speaks of authority. Adam had been given authority which he fost through disobedience (Genesis 1:26). But the Lord Jesus Christ made us kings and priests and paid a high price to do so (Revelation 1:6).

Those who have not defiled their garments shall be worthy to walk with Him in white raiment (Rev.3:4)I. In Jude 23, we are exhorted to hate even the garments spotted by the flesh. These are they who have not defiled their garments. We are not to be deceived by worldly attractions. Many believers imitate the people of the world in dress, conversation, habits and haircut. White raiment is given to those who have not defiled their garment. This is illustrated in Gen, 35:2 where Jacob told his family to put away strange gods, and to change their garments. While Jacob was busy with the cattle, his wife and children were imitating the world, wearing worldly garments. Through such things as TV., radio and worldly parties we become defiled.

There was a rainbow round about the throne (Rev. 4:3), The question comes how we weak human beings with so many limitations can come to the throne. If a beggar is told he will be given some food, he will believe it. But if he is told he is going to be a king he will not believe it. We can believe God has forgiven our sins. But how can we overcome and share His throne? The rainbow tells us God’s answer, it is His covenant. Even as God promised the land to Abraham, and though Israel has been stubborn, hard and rebellious, yet God has brought them back to the land from 84 countries, so also will He be true to His covenant with us.

There were lightnings, thunderings and voices out of the throne (Rev, 4:5). These speak of judgments. We are to be made partakers with the Lord Jesus Christ in the coming judgements, The overcomers will be made judges (i Cer. 6:3). The seven Spirits of God speak of the fulness of the Holy Spirit (Rev. 4:5). The sea of glass speaks of multitude of God's people (Rev. 4:6). The four beasts and twenty-four elders are also part of the Church-for in Revelation 5:9 they fell down together and sang: “...thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.”

The Four Beasts:

The four beasts speak of the four great virtues of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which we partake when we come under His Headship.

The lion: The lion is the strongest of beasts (Prov. 30:29,30). It goes straight across a river even though the current is strong. It is never carried away by the current. It will not turn away for anybody or anything. We as believers are often carried away by the current and imitate worldly people. When worldly people wear short dresses, believers also wear short dresses. If worldly people wear long dresses, believers also wear long dresses, Because long hair is now the fashion, long hair is being shipped from India to America! True believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must go straight even if it Means going against the current. Do not let the world carry you away. Some follow preachers, others follow fashions.

The Calf is used for ploughing (Matt. 11:28). A weak ox is yoked to a strong ox which carries most of the burden. In the same way if I take His yoke upon me, the Lord Jesus Christ bears my burden.

The man: The Lord Jesus became a Man like us. He allowed Himself to be tempted like us (Heb. 2:17), Once I was coming home hungry and tired, and saw these words on a wayside pulpit, “made like unto his brethren”. God spoke to me, If Lam hungry. He is hungry, if I am tired, He is tired. I walked home very joyfully and found new strength in that knowledge. Matt. 4;1,2 show Him tempted and hungry. He is willing to bear all my weakness, as Hebrews 4:15 shows, for He is touched with the feeling of my infirmities. So we can come boldly to the throne of grace. “Yes Lord, I have done wrong. I have told a lie. Please forgive me. I am weak.” In every sin, in every weakness, come to Him.

The eagle: (Deut. 32:11) The eagle builds a nest in a high place. The young ones are taught to fly by the mother shaking the nest and pushing them out. The little birds fall, but the mother flies underneath them and lifts them up on her wings. This is God’s way. He shakes our nest and our plans are broken, to teach us to rest on Him. By this means we can learn to fly very high.

We receive these four characteristics by coming under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Elders:

Rev. 4:10. The elders represent the overcomers-full of praise. The strongest proof of an overcomer is that he is full of worship. If there is no worship there is little growth. We may have good teaching, but if there is no worship there is no growth. Simple believers often worship the Lord with shining faces. Educated believers with much Bible knowledge, in time of worship start to pray instead of worship. We tell the believers there should be no prayers, no requests, only worship before the breaking of the bread.

Worship is growth. The wise men came with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, though as yet they had no experience of salvation (Matt. 2: 11). Gold stands for divinity and frankincense stands for resurrection. Myrrh represents suffering. True worship cannot be without experience. In Luke 7 738, the woman came trembling. She knew she was a sinner, but knew also that He would forgive her. She did not come for healing, but she kissed His feet, “Lord, I know Thou hast forgiven me,” her action said. She came repenting and trembling. She knew she was forgiven so she kissed His fect and anointed them with ointment, as an act of worship. This is worship by experience.

In John 12:3 there is a still deeper experience. God’s power is manifested in the whole household; first, what He has done for me, and then, what He has done for others in my family.

In Matt. 26:7 the woman poured ointment on His head, not on His feet as in Luke 7:38. This woman was not doing it for herself. She saw He was to die for the whole world, and her action said: “Now I praise Thee tor what Thou art doing in every part of the world.” By true worship we grow spiritually.

Mysteries are not understood by human wisdom (Rev. 5:3). We must go upon our knees and claim the precious Blood for understanding. Then the mysteries are revealed to us. If you seek understanding by commentaries and big books only, the true revelation of the mysteries will not become so clear to you. John 1:29 shows us that we must know Him first as the Lamb of God. Mohammedans accept Him us prophet, but not as God's Lamb. By the Lamb and His precious Blood we understand the mysteries.

In John 20: 17, He said to Mary: “Touch me not”. In Matt. 28: 9 women held Him by the feet. These two events happened the same morning. Why? He had to ascend to Heaven before anyone could touch Him, Why did He ascend? Hebrews 9: 12 gives the answer. In the Old Testament the high priest could go behind the veil only once a year with blood. Then divine fire would fall upon the blood. The Lord Jesus Christ is our Heavenly High Priest. He has entered once into the Holy place, by His own Blood. Every sin we commit by thought, word or deed, leaves its mark upon the conscience, like sounds on a tape-recorder. When we sin we must claim the precious Blood immediately (Heb.9:14).

In the midst stood a Lamb as it had been slain. No commentary can open the book. Only the slain Lamb. Rev. 5:6,7. The word Lamb is mentioned in the book of Revelation twenty-eight times. This gives a twenty-eight fold meaning of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The seven horns show that He is a King, for the horns mean kingship (Rev. 17:12). He is a Heavenly King with an everlasting Kingdom-1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16, Daniel 2:44;7:14. We are invited to be with Him as kings in that kingdom. The more we are cleansed by the precious Blood, the more clear will be our spiritual sight or understanding.

The seven eyes speak of the great secret of the fulness of the Holy Spirit by identification with the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no fulness without the Cross. The more you are identified with the Crass, the more you are filled, This does not come by prayer or by fasting, but by faith. Believe you are the weakest person on the earth, die to yourself, die to your will. That is fulness. You cannot die by your own efforts. You can commit suicide, but you cannot crucify yourself; someone must nail you there. I cannot crucify myself, I must ask the Lord to take away my desire for power by the power of His Cross; to take away my will, and my plans by the same power. In Colossians 2:9-10, we are told that we are complete in Him. This is real fulness.

Revelation 5:7-10 shows us that by worshipping we get a deeper understanding of the work of Christ, and what He has made us. Worship is the big secret of fulness. Many say long prayers, but there is no worship. In Luke 17:15 we read that all the lepers were cleansed, but only one gave thanks, and he received the blessing.

In Rev, 5:1 the angels are standing but the elders are sitting. Angels will serve us in the coming new creation (Hebrews 1:13,14). We shall give commands and they will obey (Isaiah 45:11).

All His riches are for us (Rev. 5:12-14), and we are made partakers of His glory. The four beasts and the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation chapters 6 to 10

These chapters should be read together, as they speak of the same period. In Daniel 9:24,25 the prophet Daniel was told that seventy weeks were to pass. In prophecy a day is given for a year. See Ezekiel 4: 6. Six great events were to be accomplished in those 70 weeks. The time was to be divided into three periods.

1. The first division was from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem (2 Chron, 36; 21-23), In forty-six years Jerusalem and the temple were rebuilt under Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Zechariah.

2, The second division was from the completion of Jerusalem to the Cross. This was 62 weeks or 434 days. On that day Christ died according to the prophecy.

3. The third division of one week was to cover the confirmation covenant made by the “prince that shall come,” which is Anti-Christ. This period of one week corresponds with the period of Rev. 6 to 10. It is one week, that is seven years.

In the middle of the week, i.e.. after 3½ years, Anti-Christ will cause the sacrifices to cease, and as we read more clearly in Matt. 24:15 the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place. So greatly will he deceive that at the beginning, the Jews will accept Anti-Christ as the Messiah.

The Lamb opens the seals, and as the first seal is broken John sees a white horse (Rev. 6 :1-2). The rider on the white horse is not the Lord Jesus Christ. The white horse on which He will ride is seen in Rev. 19:11-16. The Anti-Christ comes trying to deceive people that he is Christ. He has power to conquer in the first period of three-and-a half years and goes about making leagues and covenants with many people, Because of disorder and confusion the world will need the help of some great and wise person. The world authorities will appoint the Anti-Christ as their leader, and he will became a world dictator.

In the second seal the rider on the red horse in Rev. 6:3-4 is given a great sword. This speaks of the many wars, Matt. 24:6-8: Mark 13:7: Luke 21:10. This is the beginning of sorrows, the first part of the tribulation era, when there will be strikes and violence in many countries.

At the third seal is revealed a black horse in Rev. 6:5-6 which foretells a great famine for food in many parts of the world. A measure of wheat or three measures of barley were to be sold for the price of man’s full wages for a day. But the oil and wine, symbols of man’s pleasures, were to be unchanged. Those who can afford will still have their pleasures, eating and drinking while others starve. Eating and drinking for pleasure though there is no food.

In Rev. 6:8 the fourth seal revealed the rider on the pale horse which is Death, accompanied by Hell. Power is given to him to destroy a quarter of earth’s inhabitants by war, and starvation and by hungry wild animals.

At the fifth seal, in Rev.6:9-11, John saw that many who are faithful will be killed. There will be worldwide persecution which goes on till the end of the tribulation (Rev. 10: 7), till the mystery of God is finished, Many will be born again during the tribulation period (Rev. 7:9,13,14). These are before the throne of God.

In Rev. 6:12-17, at the sixth seal, the sun became black, the moon as blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth. Compare Matt. 24: 29. Rather than repent of their sins the people of the earth, great and small, try to escape the judgment of God. There are kings, great men, rich and proud, some bondmen but mostly the great and rich. Those to wealth and position find it hard to repent.

Rev, 7 :1-14. It is here we read of the sealing of the 144,000 of Israel, which refers to the conversion of the Jews as a nation (Isaiah 66: 5-8). When Anti-Christ begins to offer the sacrifice of abomination their eyes are opened (Matt. 24:15). Anti-Christ then begins to persecute the Jews. 144,000 is a symbolic number 12,000 of each tribe, 12 is the number of government and foundation. The number speaks of those Jews who have fully repented and overcome.

“Alter this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and pals in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying. Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9-10).

This great multitude are those who have passed through the great tribulation (v. 14). They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lumb. God Himself wilt dwell among them and they wall never again hunger or thirst. The Lamb will feed them and lead them to living fountains of water, and God Himself shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,

Revelation chapters 8 and 9 tell of the last days of suffering. There is silence in heaven, for the time is very serious (Rev. &:1). The prayers of those interceding for the protection of God's people during this period are answered.

To seven angels were given seven trumpets in Rev. 8:2, The first angel sounded his trumpet and hail and fire, divine fire, fell open the earth, The second angel sounded and a burning mountain was cast into the sea. There was judgment on earth and sea. The third angel sounded, and a great star fell on the rivers and fountains of water. This was God’s systematic judgment on the earth. The fourth angel sounded, and divine judgment fell on sun, moon and stars (v.12). Men many touch the moon, but they cannot destroy the sun, moon and stars. Only God can do this. The fifth angel sounded, (Rev. 9:1) and God's judgment fell on the whole universe. Even an atomic bomb cannot shake the stars, but God will (Heb. 12:26,27).

God allowed strange creatures to come upon the earth, for judgment (Rev, 9:3). When God wants to intervene in the affairs of man, creatures can be created for the purpose of God at His command. If men refuse God’s love and mercy, and 20 on rejecting the gospel there must be judgment. This is the beginning of hell fire. The creatures had hair like women which is God’s judgment on those who, full of lust, have been worshipping women (Rev. 9:7-10), Those creatures had a king over them, Apollyon, the angel of the bottomless pit (Rev. 9:11). Though there was judgment men did not repent but became harder and harder.

In Rev. 9:13 the sixth angel sounded and more terrible creatures were sent on the earth, by whom a third part of men were killed. Seven thunders uttered their voices, bringing in the last part of the tribulation, but what the thunders said was so terrible that John was told to seal them up and utter them not. In Rev, 10:7 John was cold that when the seventh trumpet would sound, the mystery of God would be finished. God has a certain number whom He brings right through the tribulation (Rev. 10:9,10). The angel gives John a little book which in his mouth was as sweet as honey, but in his belly it was bitter. There is the sweetness of reward and the bitterness of judgment. The message of the gospel must go to all the nations, Rev. 10: 11.

Revelation chapters 11 to 19. These chapters contain a description of the last 34 years of the tribulation period. The Jews as a nation repented at the end of the first part of the tribulation period, and are then bitterly persecuted (Matt. 24:15-22).

Rev. 11:1-2. There was a small remnant in the temple but the court of the temple was to be trodden under foot for 34 years, the second half of the tribulation period.

In Matt, 17:3 two men appear with the Lord Jesus on the Mount, and were talking about His suffering and death. These were Moses and Elijah. Two witnesses (Rev. 11:3) perhaps the same, will come again to warn people of the coming wrath and judgments.

In Rev. 11:6, though they warn men and perform miracles, the people will not repent. The two witnesses prophecy fram Jerusalem and it is possible there will be a small remnant in the temple with them.

Then the beast appears out of the bottomless pit (Rev. 11:7). He appears suddenly as one who has come to life again, and the two witnesses are killed by the Anti-Christ in Jerusalem.

Rev. 11:8-10. Everybody rejoices over their dead bodies, but after 35 days God raises them up, and they ascend to heaven, The same hour thousand men are killed.

Rev. 11:11, 16, before the Kingdom of Christ can begin He must judge the Anti-Christ.

The seventh angel sounds, and now all can see that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to reign.

In verse 19, there is a warning of coming judgments, and to the end the Lord gives a chance to men to repent.

Compare Rev, !2:1; Song of Solomon 6:10 and Malachi 4:2. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness. Here is a woman clothed with the sun; she is fully identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. The moon represents God’s prophets. They have no light of their own, but what they receive, they give to the Church (Eph.4:11). God conveys light to the Church through His servants. The moon at the fect of the woman means that it is at her service. Even so God’s servants are to serve the Church. Upon her head are 12 stars. Through the ministry of the twelve apostles believers began to understand the Headship of the Lord Jesus (Col. 1:16-18).

The woman in Rev. 12:2 is with child, travailing-in birth. There is tribulation and suffering and hardship for those who want to follow the Lord fully, The dragon in verse 3, with seven heads and ten horns is Anti-Christ. In Rev. 17:9 we read of seven mountains, and in verse 12 of ten kingdoms. That speaks of the ten powers of Europe. Jerusalem is built on four mountains. Rome is the only city in the world built on seven mountains. Here is Anti-Christ with his head-quarters at Rome.

Rev, 12:4. The dragon stood before the woman. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ brings forth a man-child, who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron; compare what Rev.

2:26, 27 says of the overcomer. The rod of iron speaks of wrath and judgment. God’s mercy and love have been shown, but now from chapter 6 onwards come judgment and wrath. In Rev, 12:5 the man-child is caught up to God and the throne.

Rev. 12:6. Then the woman fled. These are the believers still on the earth, who flee to the wilderness to hide for three and a half years, and there God feeds them.

In Rev. 12:6-9 the Devil comes with three weapons:

1. He deceives (verse 9).

2. He accuses (verse 10).

3. He persecutes (verse 13).

1. He has deceived the whole world with all kinds of wrong teaching (2 Cor. 11:14) coming as an angel of light.

2. He is the accuser of the brethren. Believers will be arrested, will be tried and faced with charges as has happened already through Communists,

3. Because of his persecution, believers will suffer torment, and agony, and be killed as has happened in China, Russia and other places.

We too have three weapons with which to overcome the devil- Rev.12:11.

1. The first is the Blood of the Lamb. As we keep on claiming the precious Blood, sprinkling our conscience constantly, we have boldness in God’s presence, and inward cleansing. By faith we have eternal life through the Blood of Jesus Christ, just as we have physical hfe through the blood in our veins. If there is no blood, there is no life. Compare Heb. 10:22; Heb. 9:14 and John 6:51-58. Those who eat the Bread of life and drink His Blood shall live for ever. By faith we drink His Blood. By faith we claim the sprinkling from an evil conscience. By His precious Blood we are protected from the enemy and his wiles.

2. ‘The second is the word of our testimony. We cannot defeat the devil by argument. At every opportunity we should give our testimony to what God has done for us.

3. The third weapon is we should not love our lives unto death. By a bold stand we are able to defeat the enemy. In Rev. 12:13-16, the believers are being persecuted and the overcomers are caught up. Daniel 7:7-9, 15-18 are being fulfilled in these verses. The saints possess the kingdom, even the overcomers. Anti-Christ goes to make war with the woman, i.c. the believers (Rev. 12:17).

Now the kingdom of Anti-Christ spreads very rapidly Rev. 13:1, 2. By the wound upon his head the deceiver will tell people that he was dead and is now alive again. He has a mouth that speaks great things and blasphemies, and continues for three-and-a-half years. All the earth will be worshipping the Anti-Christ, but believers will be revived through persecution and suffering (vs. 7-9). As the Holy spirit causes the believers to worship Christ, so the false prophet will cause men to worship the Anti-Christ (vs. 11-15), He will do miracles. Here is Satan’s Trinity: Anti-Christ, false prophet, and the image.

The false prophet also decrees that no man will be able to buy or sell unless he has the mark of the beast on his forehead, or the number of his name, 666. In the days of rationing we have to have a card. In India some have a mark on their forehead to show whom they worship. In those coming days men will have to have the mark of the beast, or his name or the number of his name in order to buy or sell. That will mean they have agreed to worship the beast (vs.16-18).

In Rev. 14:1-3 we read of 144,000 with the Lamb on Mount Sion; these are the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb. This is not the same 144,000 as in Revelation 7 who were converted Jews. This is again a symbolic number, 12 times 12,000. Twelve speaks of a strong foundation and divine order and government. This represents a company of overcomers, who have come on a strong foundation.

We must note the following:

I) They are not defiled with women. 2) They are not overcome by lust. 3) They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. 4) They are the firstfruits to God. In Lev. 23:10 we read of the sheaf of the firstfruits. In 1 Cor. 15:20 Christ is called the firstfruits of them that slept; in v.23 “every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

In Rev.14:6 an angel flying in the midst of heaven has the everlasting gospel to preach. Many were worshipping idols worldwide, but God in his mercy gave them another warning —of judgment; of the fall of Babylon the great city (v.8) and of the punishment for those who worship the beast and his image (vs, 9,10), Certainly it would be better to suffer and die than to worship the beast. The time had come for God’s wrath to be poured out (vs. 14-20). Details are given in chapter 16 onwards. God's message 10 us at this time is given in 2 Thess. 2:2-10.

In Rev. 17, God's judgment falls on Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Roman religious system which has defiled all the higher powers (vs.2-4) and has slain believers (v.64). Verses 12 and 13 speak of the confusion in the last days. The rulers of earth give their power to the Anti-Christ and he takes over. Peoples, and multitudes, nations and tongues are defiled by the whore which reigns over the kings of the earth (v.18).

In Rev. 18:4 the last chance is given, a voice from heaven calls: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” That judgment took place in one hour, and the great city was thrown down (vs. 8, 21). By her were the nations deceived and in her was found the blood of prophets and saints and of all that were slain upon the earth (v.24).

Then comes the marriage of the Lamb (Rev, 19:7) and He that is called ‘Faithful and True’ comes from an open heaven on a white horse (v.11).

Chapter 20

The Devil is seized and bound for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2, 3). Those who had been slain for their testimony of Jesus, and those who did not take the mark of the beast on their foreheads or in their hands have part in the first resurrection and live and reign with Christ a thousand years (v.4).

At the end of the thousand years Satan is loosed (vs.7, 8) and goes out to deceive the nations again, and to gather them together to battle. But fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. Then the devil is judged and cast into the lake of fire (v.10), and the dead are raised to stand before the great white throne. Those whose names are not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire (vs. 1-15).

Chapters 21, 22

The first, that is the present heaven and earth, pass away in Rev. 21:1 and a new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, are prepared by God (2 Pet. 3:13). The New Jerusalem. prepared as a bride adorned for her husband comes down from God out of heaven (v.2). Then God declares: “Behold, I make all things new” (v.5). A beautiful picture of the bride, the Lamb’s wife is given in Rev. 21:9-27. In that wonderful paradise, the tree of life is restored, and there is no more curse. The throne of God, and of the Lamb is in it and His servants shall serve Him, and they shall see His face and His Name shall be in their foreheads, Rev. 22:1-4. They have right to the tree of life and to enter in through the gates into the city (v. 14). Eating the fruit of the tree of life enables them to enjoy all things of the New Creation. Verses 18 and 19 contain final warnings against adding to or taking away from the words of the prophecy of this book and the book closes with the marvellous promise: “Surely I come quickly: Amen”: and the writer replies: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”, and adds: “‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Rev. 22:20, 21).