4. Revelation: Unafraid (Intro., pt. 4)

Fear Not! (Introduction, part 4)

e. The Subject is Joyous.

I really wanted to put a lot of words besides "Joyous" to explain what the feeling of Christians should be when they read the book of Revelation, and you can write down words that may come to your mind. In 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Paul wrote in response to Christians who thought the rapture had already taken place. You see some were shaken in their minds; they were troubled because someone had told them that the day of Christ had already come. Notice what Paul says to encourage them about the Revelation of Jesus Christ, when Christ will be revealed. Paul said in verse 3

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed (apokalupsei) from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire He will take vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”

And again, turn to another 1:7, this time Corinthians 1:7, we will read beginning in verse 4:

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

And finally let us turn to a third 1:7, this time 1 Peter 1:7, but starting in verse 3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed (yes, that is the verb form of the word apocalypse, apokaluphthenai) in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into. 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you (when?) at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Why have I asked you to read these three passages? Did you notice something other than all three were 1:7 passages? Did you notice the circumstances that the writers, first Paul, then Peter, and finally from the island of Patmos, the aged and beloved Apostle John, wrote. It was in agony and pain and in suffering that those readers were in the midst of that brought such excitement and longing and joy to hear of the apocalypses of Jesus Christ, the uncovering, the away from veiling, the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Why is the revelation of Jesus Christ so crucial to Christianity? Because true Christians are counted worthy of the kingdom of God and are rewarded with what? PERSECUTION. TRIBULATION. It is a manifestation of evidence of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD.

Revelation 1:7 says, “He comes with clouds.” That is joyful, delightful for the Christian. He’s coming in power, in majesty, in magnificence, in grandeur. The Subject of the Revelation is delicious to the Christian, and especially those who have been persecuted for his or her faith. Revelation uncovers and takes away the veil of the sufferings of Christ, but it also takes away the veil from the sufferings of the saints. And not just the sufferings of this old world, of old age, of the sufferings that overtakes the heathen and the Christian, the atheist and the saint. Paul, Peter, John and Jesus all point to the revelation as a victory to those who have suffered for the cause of Christ.

Look, please, one more time at another writing; this found in Romans 8.

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be (WHAT?!!) revealed (apokaluphthenai, the verb form of “taking off the veil”. REVEALED in who?!!) in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing (your translation may say manifestation, but it might as well say ‘REVELATION’ because it is the same word as found in Revelation 1:1 APOKALUPSES! The taking away of the veil) of the sons of God.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is Joyous, it’s soothing, it’s rapturous, it’s ecstatic because it is not only the revelation and unveiling of Jesus Christ, it is our unveiling too from the sufferings of this world that are not worthy to be compared to the glories which shall be revealed.

One more thing about Revelation: We are to be excited about the revelation of Jesus Christ and also our own revelation, but look once again at Romans 8:19.

19 For the earnest expectation (apo-kara-dokia) of the creation for the revealation (apoc-a-lup-sin) of the sons of God eagerly waits (apek-dech-e-tai). (This is the original Greek order, using a play on words with three words beginning with “apo”)

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

The Revelation is not just Jesus Christ going from from a slain Lamb to a conquering King. Not just we believers from suffering saints to becoming priests and kings unto God and His Father. But the Revelation is of ALL of creation. ALL of creation groans and labors with birth pangs. But even creation will be delivered and revealed to what it should be.  

5. Revelation: Undefeated (Intro., pt. 5)

More than Conquerors (Introduction, part 5)

The Cave in which the Apostle John received the Revelation
(Note the three rocks, reminding us of the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
found repeatedly in the Revelation of Jesus.)

f. The Subject of Revelation is Jesus revealed completely.

Can you imagine Christianity without the Revelation? Ponder for a moment what would the hope have been throughout the last two millennia of Christians and their relation to the plan of God through Jesus Christ. God’s Messiah was not for the Jews only, but He was revealed to be the “Light of the Gentiles.” He was born in abject poverty, lived most, if not all, of his life in obscurity by the world’s standards. Jesus the Son of Man was misunderstood by his peers, from his closest disciples to His most ardent critics. What if this Anointed One had only been described in the pages of the inerrant, inspired, infallible Scriptures of the New Testament by only the gospels and the epistles of six, perhaps seven, early disciples, but not by the Book of Revelation.

There is an insatiable desire to know even more than what we now know through the Bible. But because of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, penned by the Apostle John, we have a vastly greater and immensely more impressive understanding of the Alpha and Omega than we would have had otherwise, even if we were to include the prophecies from the Old Testament passage.

If we had not the book of Revelation, we might have concluded that perhaps some of the prophecies of those inspired writers of the Old Testament were not to have been fulfilled at all since they were not realized in Christ’s first coming.

If you think that Revelation is a sealed, mysterious, hidden and obscure book, look at what you already understand about our Savior and Lord as a result of John’s Revelation on the island of Patmos.

Because of the book of Revelation, Christ is shown to be the ruler over the kings and lords of the earth and that He has made us kings and priests to God.

Without the book of the Revelation, we would not have seen Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

That He holds the keys of Hades and of Death, and yet He stands at the door and knocks and comes in to those who open the door to Him; that He gives a crown of life to those faithful unto death, but will spew out the lukewarm from His mouth; that even though He appeared as a slain Lamb at His first coming, He is nevertheless the Creator of all things and is the only One worthy to unseal God’s final judgment on the earth.

Because of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we know that the sky will one day recede as a scroll when it is rolled up, that 144,000 Jew men, undefiled by women and totally without guile and deceit, will come from every tribe of the nation of Israel will be on earth, following Christ.

We know that multitudes, an innumerable amount of people from every nation, from every tribe, every ethnicity, every tongue, of every language, of every people will be in heaven, praising the Lamb of God.

Because John on the island of Patmos received the Revelation of Jesus Christ and because he wrote in this unsealed book, we know that in heaven harpists will play harps, and the redeemed will sing songs, songs that are as old as Moses, songs that are a new as the new millennium and songs that no one but those who have been redeemed from the Tribulation will be able to sing.

And for those who are not in heaven during those last days, they will be able to see in this unsealed book that a demonic leader will perform signs and miracles and call fire down from heaven to earth, so that he might deceive those still on earth.

Amazingly, the Revelation of Jesus Christ shows that that despite God’s mercy and despite God’s wrath, there will always be those who refuse to repent of their sinful deeds.

John's eyes had seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, who is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; and that mighty Savior will sound forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; that God still has the ark of the covenant in his heavenly temple, that Satan will be bound into a bottomless pit, chained for a thousand years, sealed so never to deceive the nations again.

This prophetic book reveals the great white throne judgment, it reveals the book of life, it reveals the lake of fire, it reveals the new heaven and new earth, it reveals the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, the dwelling of God with humanity.

This Apocalypse unveils that there will be many things NOT in heaven: we shall no longer hunger, we shall no longer thirst, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain, no need for light, no more defilement, no more abomination, no more lies.

Christ will make all things new, the fountain of the water of life given freely to all, the gates made of pearl, the streets made of gold, the city will have the glory of God to illuminate it.

In it there will be the tree of life, the presence of the dwelling of the God of all Creation and the presence of His Son, Jesus Christ.

No wonder than John, who in his youth had unabashedly and unashamedly said, “Yes, Lord, I am ready to be baptized with the baptism you are to be baptized with and drink from the same cup from which you will drink,” now old and who had seen every one of his fellow disciples crucified, beheaded, cut down by a sword, beginning with his own brother James, now this same John who had lived through the persecution of his own Jewish brothers, and then seen the persecution of Nero, of the Emperor Vespasian, of the Roman Emperor Titus, who destroyed Jerusalem, even as it almost destroyed itself, and now living in exile under the Emperor Domitian, at the age of at least 80 years old, said from his banished island and his baptized life of suffering and his bitter cup of a martyr’s life, “even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Revelation should not make us afraid, it should make us jump up and shout, Hallelujah, to the Lamb. Hallelujah to the King of Kings. Hallelujah to the Lord of Lords. We who have the testimony of the Lamb’s blood shed for our very souls should have no fear of the coming of the Lord. Notice Jesus says in verse 17, “Do not be afraid.” In 2:10, Jesus again says, “Fear not what you must suffer.”

The book of Revelation is a book that reveals that uncovers and takes away the veil of Jesus Christ in order to depict Him as He really is. 

6. Numbers and Meanings (Overview, pt. 1)

The Significance And Symbolism Of Numbers

In The Book Of The Revelation

A portrait of the Apostle John over the entrance
of the monastery, dedicated to John, atop the highest mountain
on the Island of Patmos.

What the significance of numbers in Revelation is a matter of interpretation, but that the numbers have significance is not in dispute. Revelation 19:10 says “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” According to The Complete Biblical Library, one of the purposes of prophecy “is to bear witness to Jesus, to exalt Him and to reveal His redemptive work.” (Revelation, pg. 295). Studying the amazing detail in numbers and symbolism in the book of Revelation is a testimony to how marvelous Jesus is and how powerful prophetic books like the Revelation is.

It is incorrect to call the study of numbers in the Bible “numerology.” Such a name conjures up practices in the occult which are inconsistent with the Bible. However, to ignore or fail to study the repeated use of numbers, especially three, six, seven, and twelve, and multiples of those, would be a disservice to the Scriptures and an incomplete study of the book. This study is by no means exhaustive, but it will delve into the most significant elements of numbers and their symbolisms. The practical relevance of the study is to affirm the divinity and wonder of the Scriptures, to alert us to the corresponding significance (for instance, upon seeing a theme of the number three, we should look for the holiness or heavenly significance of the passage), and to help in interpreting the objects corresponding to the numbers.

Perhaps the most discussed number in the book of Revelation comes from Rev. 13:18: “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” The speculation that this number refers to Nero Caesar is a forced and false interpretation, since Nero had been dead for nearly 30 years by the writing of Revelation and also because the number is only arrived if you spell Nero as “Neron Kaisar”. More recent false designations have been Ronald Wilson Reagan (six letters in each name), Henry Kissinger, Hitler, Mussolini, the Pope, you name it.

The most repeated number in Revelation is seven and its multiples and divided in half, it is 3 ½ or sometimes seen as 42 months or 1260 days (a Jewish month is exactly 30 days). The number seven is used 31 times in the Greek, and represents a holy completion by God. With the Tribulation period existing for seven years in length, it is the final pouring out of wrath from God upon the earth, but it is also the time when an almost innumerable amount of persons will possibly come to Christ from every part of the earth.

Of all the significant words used in the book of Revelation, the singular and plural form of “angel” is one of the most recurring. From the Greek word aggelos, the word literally means messenger. It is likely that the angels of the seven churches are in fact the pastors, or messengers of the church, since the Lord Jesus would not need to communicate with them via a letter from John. The following study will show that the word angel is used exactly 72 times in the Greek, a holy number signifying three times 24, or the number of representatives from the Old Testament tribes of Israel and New Testament Apostles.

When the angels are not grouped together, there are exactly:

7 angels who stand alone

3 groups of angels which are in threes (the number of heaven and holiness)

2 groups of angels grouped in fours (the number of the earth)

3 groups of angels which are in sevens (including the seven “angels” of the churches)

7 groups of numerous angels which are only mentioned once in Revelation.

If this seems confusing, realize that this is merely one study of numbers as it relates to one group: angels. Volumes could be written on other divine numberings within the book of Revelation.

At the end of this study, we will see that Revelation also contains three signs in heaven, three voices from the throne in heaven, seven voices from heaven, and exactly 21 “great” (Greek: mega) voices from heaven (21 is the heavenly number of 3 times the completed by God number of 7).

We would be wise to listen to what the voices say…

Generally accepted applications of significant numbers are as follows:

7. Numbers and Angels (Overview, pt. 2)

A Numerical Study of Angels

(mentioned 72 times in Greek)

Truly a breath-taking view of the bay from in front of the cave at Patmos

Seven Individual Angels

1. JESUS’ ANGEL

Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. 22:16 - "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

2. A STRONG (MIGHTY) ANGEL

Revelation 5:2 - Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"

3. AN ANGEL ASCENDING FROM THE EAST

Revelation 7:2 - Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,

4. AN ANGEL WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

Revelation 8:3 - Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 - And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 - Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

5. THE DEMONIC ANGEL

Revelation 9:11 - And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon (Destruction), but in Greek he has the name Apollyon (Destroyer). (Note Rev. 9:1b - And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.)

6. AN ANGEL STANDING IN THE SUN

Revelation 19:17 - Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,

7. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD GOD

Revelation 22:6 - Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

A TRIO OF THREE ANGELS RELATED TO HEAVEN

THREE ANGELS FLYING IN THE MIDST OF HEAVEN

1.      Revelation 8:13 - And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" Revelation 14:6 - Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--

2.      Revelation 14:8 - And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

3.      Revelation 14:9 - Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,

THREE ANGELS COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN

1.      Revelation 10:1 - I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven…8 - Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." 9 - So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." 10 - Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

2.      Revelation 18:1 - After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 - And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  21 - Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.

3.      Revelation 20:1 - Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 - He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 - and he cast him into the bottomless pit...

THREE ANGELS OUT OF THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE (FROM THE ALTAR)

1.      Revelation 14:15 - And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe."

2.      Revelation 14:17 - Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 19 - So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.  

3.      Revelation 14:18 - And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe."

TWO SETS OF FOUR ANGELS RELATED TO EARTH

FOUR ANGELS AT FOUR CORNERS

Revelation 7:1 - After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 - Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,

FOUR ANGELS BOUND AT EUPHRATES

Revelation 9:14 - saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 - So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.

A TRIO OF SEVEN ANGELS RELATED TO JUDGMENT

SEVEN ANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA

1.      Revelation 2:1 - To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

2.      Revelation 2:8 - And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

3.      Revelation 2:12 - And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

4.      Revelation 2:18 - And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:

5.      Revelation 3:1 - And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

6.      Revelation 3:7 - And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":

7.      Revelation 3:14 - And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

SEVEN ANGELS WITH TRUMPETS

Revelation 8:2 - And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

Revelation 8:6 - So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Revelation 8:7 - The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Revelation 8:8 - Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.

Revelation 8:10 - Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

Revelation 8:12 - Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

Revelation 9:1 - Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9:13 - Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

Revelation 9:14 - saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."

Revelation 10:7 - but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

Revelation 11:15 - Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

SEVEN ANGELS WITH SEVEN PLAGUES

Revelation 15:6 - And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 - Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 - The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Revelation 16:1 - Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls* of the wrath of God on the earth." 2 - So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

Revelation 16:3 - Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

Revelation 16:4 - Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 - And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things.

Revelation 16:8 - Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire.

Revelation 16:10 - Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.

Revelation 16:12 - Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.

Revelation 16:17 - Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!"

SEVEN GROUPINGS OF NUMEROUS ANGELS

THE FATHER’S ANGELS

Revelation 3:5 – He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

MANY ANGELS AROUND THE THRONE

Revelation 5:11 - Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,

ALL THE ANGELS AROUND THE THRONE

Revelation 7:11 - All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

FIGHTING ANGELS (WITH MICHAEL)

Revelation 12:7 - And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

HOLY ANGELS

Revelation 14:9-10 - Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

DEMONIC ANGELS

Revelation 12:9 - So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

TWELVE ANGELS AT THE GATES

Revelation 21:12 - Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

8. Numbers and Voices (Overview, pt. 3)

A Numerical Study Of Voices

From The Revelation of Jesus Christ

THREE VOICES FROM THE TEMPLE/THRONE

One of the paintings of John located at the monastery of John on Patmos

Revelation 16:1 - Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls* of the wrath of God on the earth."

Revelation 16:17 - And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 

Revelation 19:5 - And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.  

SEVEN VOICES FROM HEAVEN

1.      Revelation 10:4 - And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Revelation 10:8 - Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth."

2.      Revelation 11:12 - And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

3.      Revelation 12:10 - And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

4.      Revelation 14:2 - And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 

5.      Revelation 14:13 - And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 

6.      Revelation 18:4 - And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 

7.      Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  

TWENTY ONE GREAT (Greek: MEGA) VOICES

1.      Revelation 1:10 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet

2.      Revelation 5:2 - And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 

3.      Revelation 5:12 - Saying with a LOUD VOICE, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 

4.      Revelation 6:10 - And they cried with a LOUD VOICE, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 

5.      Revelation 7:2 - And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a LOUD VOICE to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 

6.      Revelation 7:10 - And cried with a LOUD VOICE, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 

7.      Revelation 8:13 - And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! 

8.      Revelation 10:3 - And cried with a LOUD VOICE, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 

9.      Revelation 11:12 - And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 

10.       Revelation 11:15 - And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

11.  Revelation 12:10 - And I heard a LOUD VOICE saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

12.  Revelation 14:7 - Saying with a LOUD VOICE, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

13.  Revelation 14:9 - And the third angel followed them, saying with a LOUD VOICE, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 

14.  Revelation 14:15 - And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a LOUD VOICE to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 

15.  Revelation 14:18 - And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 

16.  Revelation 16:1 - And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 

17.  Revelation 16:17 - And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. 

18.       Revelation 18:2 - And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 

19.  Revelation 19:1 - And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: 

20.  Revelation 19:17 - And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a LOUD VOICE, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 

21.       Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation: Is Jesus Coming Quickly?

Is The Time of Revelation “At Hand”?

Why is it that several times in the Revelation does it appear that the events will take place “shortly” (1:1), that Jesus will be coming back “quickly” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20) and that the time was “at hand” (1:3).

We know that the Bible is without error or mistake. Otherwise, if we say the Bible or the author was in error, then there would be nothing that we could be sure of at all. We rightly know that the Bible is not dishonest and does not “shade” the truth. But if there is more than one way to read and interpret a passage and at the same time retain its veracity and accuracy, and also still retain the holiness and inerrancy of the Scriptures, and keep its consistency with other parallel passages, then that will be the proper and appropriate interpretation of the passage. That especially applies with the words in relation to the timing of Christ’s return and the fulfillment of the Book of Revelation.

It is a matter of God’s perspective and purpose versus our own perspective and purpose that God used words that may imply “immediacy” of Christ’s return to ensure readiness of the believers, but those same words can also mean “imminence” or “suddenness” so as to retain the accuracy of the prophecy.

In relation to perspective and purpose, a helpful but admittedly incomplete analogy can be in thinking of how parents and children will view a long car trip. A child will ask, sometimes as soon as he or she begins a trip, “are we there yet?” or “how much longer will it be?”

When Melissa and I would make that trip from our home in Brownsville to Grandma and Granddad’s house in Weatherford, the journey of 10 or 12 hours would sometimes seem overwhelming to our children. In fact, the younger the child, the shorter the attention span (we measured it to be somewhere between a millisecond and a nanosecond). The more mature the child (or in some cases, the parent), the less tedious the wait. So, what was our response to the proverbial question “how much longer? It was of course the proverbial euphemistic answer, “Just a little bit longer.”

Now the purpose is NOT to lie or be dishonest with our kids, but to give them encouragement; we really did not want to frustrate the little ones. The purpose is to let the child know that in the long-run, and in the grand scheme of things, it will in fact only be “a little bit longer.” The purpose is to keep the child from the agony of anticipating something that really won’t be as long as what he or she would imagine once the end of the journey has come. And, by saying “just a little bit longer” actually served the purpose of making the trip seem only “a little bit longer.” The anticipation of a soon arrival helped make the journey enjoyable (especially for the parents!)

The perspective also is that for an adult, who has made many trips before, 10 or 12 hours is in fact actually only “a little bit,” when considering how wonderful the destination will be and in perspective that the length of time the adult has experienced. A day’s journey for a person of 40 years is 1 out of 14,610 days. But from the perspective of a 4 year-old child, a day’s journey is 1 out of 1,461 days, and when you discount the number of days that the child can’t remember from infancy, the perspective of a day is even greater than that of his 40 year-old father. That’s why years go by so quickly as we grow older, and Christmas always seems to never get here for a child. It’s a difference in perspective.

It’s more important to God and His revelation to humanity that we know the certainty of His return than the time of His return. The purpose and perspective of believers is of greater worth to God that we be ready whenever it is that He returns than for us to know the exact hour of His return.

In fact, if the early believers had known that it would have been 2,000 years in the future before some of the things would be fulfilled, their urgency would not have been nearly as great and their despair in the tribulation they experienced might have overwhelmed them. And as we will see, some of the things prophesied in Revelation and certainly in the New Testament passages did actually occur in their lifetimes and throughout the history of the church. That is what Jesus was referring to when He commanded John to write “what you have seen” and “the things which are.”