This is the Book of Revelation as a working scenario. The purpose is to place its verses in chronological order, continually moving verses to remove contradictions as more is learned. Please feel free to share your comments and insights so we can eventually get a clear picture of what Revelation is saying. INSIGHTS WILL BE ADDED TO THIS CHRONOLOGY, MEANING IT WILL BE CONSTANTLY GROWING AND CHANGING. I want to make three quick points to remember in reading through this document.
ENSAMPLES
2 Pet 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ENSAMPLE unto those that after should live ungodly;Ensample means,
ENSAMPLE - 5262. hupodeigma, hoop-od'-igue-mah; from G5263; an exhibit for imitation or warning (fig. specimen, adumbration):--en- (ex-) ample, pattern.In other words, Sodom and Gomorrha are patterns of a scriptural event that is very much like what the coming of Christ will be like, yet not exactly as it happened back then. These patterns are instructions to give us the flavor of what is to occur when a prophesied event does happen, knowing it will not be exactly the same when it does occur. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT PROPHECY CANNOT ALSO BE SPECIFIC IN ITS CONTENT.ENSAMPLE - 5263. hupodeiknumi, hoop-od-ike'-noo-mee; from G5259 and G1166; to exhibit under the eyes, i.e. (fig.) to exemplify (instruct, admonish):--show, (fore-) warn.
SEMITIC STYLES OF WRITING
The second thing is the style in which I believe Revelation is written:
". . . . The two most acceptable arrangements of seals, trumpets, and bowls may be schematized in the following manner:
"According to the above scheme the events ender the seals, trumpets and bowls will happen consecutively. The trumpets develop out of and constitute the seventh seal; the bowls develop out of and constitute the seventh trumpet.The scenario I use is depicted here:"According to another view, held also in whole or in part by pretribulationists, we are to regard each seventh in the seals and trumpets as reaching to Christ's return and the bowls being poured out at the final crisis. Thus, there is a stepping back between seals and trumpets and between trumpets and bowls:
"The universally acknowledged Semitic style of Revelation favors the second view, according to which the seals, trumpets and bowls will find somewhat concurrent fulfilment. For the sweeping summary of a complex of events with later regressions to add more detail is a well-recognized feature of narrative style in Semitic literature. Chronologically, the apocalyptic visions dart back and forth with a swiftness that sometimes bewilders our Western minds. . . . The Semitic and apocalyptic character of Revelation forbids, then, our assuming that the seals, trumpets and bowls follow one another in smooth succession" (Robert Gundry, The Church and The Tribulation, p. 75-76).
The fifth trumpet is five months long and the first bowl is poured out at the end of this five month period. because the fifth trumpet IS five months long, it seems inappropriate to place it anywhere after the sixth seal as the end of the age comes suddenly from that point on.
For an example of this darting back and forth between seals, bowls and trumpets, see A Workable Scenario For The Seals, Vials And Trumpets
THE BOOK OF REVELATION DEALS PRIMARILY WITH ISRAEL
I think it is very beneficial to study the book of Revelation as it applies to both unbelieving Israel and the Church. Usually, we hear discussion as to when the rapture will occur, but this book is basically a culmination of God's dealings with Israel, Jerusalem and the gathering of all who believe at the end:
Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE and UPON THY HOLY CITY, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy (Daniel 9:24).
Daniel was told that "Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE and UPON THY HOLY CITY." This is speaking of Israel, and the book of Revelation is the book given to bring the events of this 70th week to light. So often we see Revelation applied to the Church, yet it is primarily a book that shows us the dealings of God with Israel and His bringing forth a remnant from those living during this week. The above verse also brings forth the completion of things concerning Israel, to
These things are written primarily to show God's dealings with Israel. Verse 27 also speaks of the antichrist and his association with Israel in the latter days. This, too, has to do with Israel, though he will affect the whole world:
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate (Daniel 9:27).
The fulfillment of these things depended on Israel being back in her land, and that occurred in 1948. It is because of this event that interest in endtime prophecy and Israel climbs by the day, and it is in Revelation that we can understand what will be happening in Jerusalem in these last days. The first 69 weeks of Daniel's weeks had to do with Israel and the final one will do so as well. But we cannot ingore the the saints of the Old testament, the present day saints and the remnant to be gathered at the end of the age from out of Israel.
Finally, I want to add ensamples found in God's feasts to the book of Revelation as it seems fitting.
This section deals with events that happened at the time Of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. It will cover the period from when Christ ascended to the Father, led the spirits of the OT saints into heaven and cast Satan out of heaven to the time when John finished prophesying to the seven churches of his time. The messages to the churches of John's time are applicable to Christians to the end of the age.
EPILOGUE
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Of verse 4, Bob Gundry says in The Church and the Tribulation,
"Prima facie, the tribulational events delineated in the major portion of Revelation are meant to be signs for the church; otherwise Revelation loses most of its significance as a document addressed 'to the seven churches which are in Asia. . . .' [This is why] John addresses the Apocalypse 'to the seven churches in Asia' (1:4). See also Revelation 22:16: 'for the churches'" (p. 36).
Though this will be more important later on in Chapter 12, I think there is in verse 2 - "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ" - a distinction being made between the Christian and the unbelieving Jew. "Who bare witness to the word of God" will be seen as referring to the Jews, and while this is true of the Christian as well, only the Christian can "bare record of the word of God, AND OF THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST." I will bring this up in the next section.
THE WOMAN BRINGS FORTH THE CHILD
The Woman is Israel; the daughter of heavenly Zion (Gen. 37:9); Is. 54:1,6 portrays Israel as a married woman. Jer. 3:1,5 and Hos. 2:1-23 Israel is depicted as a harlot. The sun, moon and stars are often used in reference to Israel: Gen. 37:9; Jer. 31:35,36; Josh. 10:12-14; Judges 5:20; Ps. 89:35-37.
Verse 5 in Revelation 12 depicts His ascension into heaven after the finished
work of the cross 2000 years ago. At that time He took to heaven all of the OT Israel who had died with faith in Christ to come and waited for Him to open heaven's gate:
I believe the "man child" here is Christ, meaning the OT saints He took with Him, and the definition appears to support that it could be both. I do not infer any connection to this coporate body as in the false Manifest Sons doctrine:
AV - take up 32, take away 25, take 25, away with 5, lift up 4, bear 3, misc 8; 102
THE DRAGON AND ANGEL WAR IN HEAVEN
In verse 6, above, the scene then jumps ahead to the tribulation period to show what will happen to the woman (Israel) still on earth. I will place this verse later. But, in verse 7 there is a going back to further explain what happened when the manchild was caught up to the throne of God:
The key to placement of this war in heaven is that the devil, "the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." He cannot accuse us because of the blood of the Lamb, how much more the saints in heaven who have entered Jerusalem above. This had to happen at the time of Jesus death, resurrection and glorification.
The Old testament saints now in heaven are told rejoice, while those on earth will go through persecution (Rev 12:13). This persecution will lead to the middle of the tribulation when remnant Israel flees for 3-1/2 years. Also, the fact that the two beasts come one out of the earth and one out of the sea in the next chapter, chapter 13, gives a natural flow to the warning "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you" (v. 12). The "woe" is given to the inhabiters of the earth and sea in chapter 12, and then chapter 13 tells why that warning was given.
After this war in heaven, we know the Jewish dispersion occurred and the devil has been at war with the Church as well (verse 13). The Jews are now gathering in Israel, and the devil will wage all out war on both through the antichrist. The rest of the verses in this chapter will be talked about at the midpoint of the tribulation.
HEAVENLY WORSHIP
This vision is seen in heaven. "After this I looked" = after the appearance of Christ and receiving the letter to the churches, John "looked" and SAW ANOTHER VISION. The context DOES NOT MEAN a transition from the Church age to the tribulation. The verse means the sequence in the experience of John. I have placed the letters to the seven churches after John is caught up to heaven because these messages will be pertinent to the Church when Jesus opens the first seal and the Great Tribulation begins.
"After this" is used to transfer the thought to another vision, and does not mecessarily indicate a progressiveness in what he is seeing. Gundry says,
Jack van Impe says that Revelation 4:1 ff. symbolizes the Church's
rapture before the trib when a voice from heaven said to him,
"Come up hither." If that were true, then that
would mean that there were at least 5 or more raptures during the
tribulation period because John traveled from heaven to earth
during his visions a number of times. Would each change of
location depict another rapture, and if not, when did John stop
being a symbol for the Church? On what basis would he suddenly not
be a symbol for the raptured Church? His viewpoint changes from
earth to heaven and heaven to earth several times in the book:
10:, 11:1ff, 13:1, 14:1, 18:1. There would then be many raptures if van Impe were correct. As it is, he cannot be.
"rainbow": Rev. 4:3 - of emerald encircling the throne; in Rev. 10:1, a mighty angel clothed in a cloud and a rainbow descended from heaven with a little scroll. This is a reminder of God's promise to Noah, that He would not destroy the earth with water again. This time it will be in fire as 1 Peter 1 indicates.
Ezk 1:28.29 "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."
The next verses in our chronology are:
The seven Spirits before the throne could be the seven spirits, i.e., angels, that stand before God and His throne, e.g.,
But I believe these Spirits represent the Holy Spirit poured out after the Lamb ascended to be glorified by the Father. The KJV capitalizes the word "Spirits" here as well as in Revelation 5:6, where they are called "Spirits of God":
Revelation 1:4 would also point to these "Spirits" being the Holy Spirit since Grace only comes from God:
Proceeding with our chronology:
The four living creatures each have a bowl of incense:
In Revelation 15:7, one of the beasts hands the 7 angels the seven vials of God's
wrath:
THE TWENTY FOUR ELDERS IN REVELATION 4-5
In like visions in the Old Testament (Isaiah, Ezekiel or Daniel), there isn't any sign of these 24 priests in heaven, which doesn't necessarily negate them as an angelic order of some sort. In the Old Testament, David established priests who took care of the sanctuary, dividing them into 24 groups called "courses." These courses may have been the type of these 24 angelic elders seated around the throne:
In Chapter 4 of his book, "The Temple - Its Ministry and Services,"
Alfred Edersheim comments:
It had been their duty to look after the sacred vestments and
vessels; the store-houses and their contents; and the preparation of the
shewbread, of the meat-offerings, of the spices, etc. They were also generally
to assist the priests in their work, to see to the cleaning of the sanctuary,
and to take charge of the treasuries (1 Chron 23:28-32).
Notice that the 24 "courses" were "to bear the ancient names." That these original names of the original heads of these were retained is shown in the opening verses of Luke:
The Old Testament priesthood gave way to the priesthood of Christ and when he died and rose, a promise God made to Abraham was starting to be fulfilled:
The 24 elders (angels, not men) in Revelation 4 and 5 could depict the completion of the duties of the priests of Israel under the Old Covenant because Christ would now make all who believed in Him kings and priests unto God. Thus, they sang a new song because of the Lamb who has now died, risen, and is appearing before the throne of God so that all who believe may become priests in service to the God:
I will place tnhese verses later in Maroon, but an important point to bring out in this chapter is 5:9,10. Notice the wording in two versions of Scripture: (KJV) 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed US to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (NASB) 9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. In "The Church and The Tribulation," Gundry states, "The Textus Receptus reads the first person, but in the Apocalypse the TR is in an "exceptionally corrupt state" (Moffatt, EGT, V, 281). Although it supports the first personal pronoun, Sinaiticus (m) is eccentric in Revelation (Ibid.). Alexandrinus (A), our best manuscript at point, reads the third person and is followed by critical editors. The third personal pronoun does not necessarily exclude the elders from the redeemed (cf. Exod. 15:1, 13, 17), but it does produce the possibility, even the probability, that the elders not include themselves. Furthermore, the twenty-four elders are set off from redeemed men in 11:16-18 and 14:3. And four living creatures join in the song of redemption (Rev. 5:8-10)." In other words, the verses are written in the third person (them, they), not the first person (we, us) as in the KJV. This most likely means the 24 elders do not include themselves in in the redeemed and are therefore some type of angel hierarchy. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown comment in their commentary on verse 9: "kindred . . . tongue . . . people . . . nation--The number four marks world-wide extension: the four quarters of the world. For 'kindred,' translate as Greek, 'tribe.' This term and "people" are usually restricted to Israel: 'tongue and nation' to the Gentiles (Re 7:9; 11:9; 13:7, the oldest reading; Re 14:6). Thus there is here marked the election-Church gathered from Jews and Gentiles. In Re 10:11, for 'tribes,' we find among the four terms 'kings'; in Re 17:15, 'multitudes.'" Therefore, the 24 elders are praising God for men redeemed from Jews and the Gentiles. This may be referring back to those in the churches in chapters 2 and 3. A lesser context would be these angels are referring to the 24 courses of priests from the Old Testament. I have shown these courses in the graphic above, along with the 4 living creatures ("living creatures" is more correct than "beasts"). I found it interesting that the tribes of Israel marched under banners with the same animals and the man represented by the faces of the four living creatures. These four living creatures are typified by the four heads of the four divisions of the tribes of Israel as they encamped around the Tabernacle. I have shown those in the graphic as well (OT configuration). These living creatures, though, are also depicted as the cherubim described in Ezekiel, though they vary somewhat in those descriptions.
I used the Old Testament order of the tribes from Genesis 49 to make the point (see the chart above):
Just as the four cherubim are shown to be the carrier's of God's throne ("chariot"), so did the four divisions of tribes assign men to transport the ark of the covenent when they had to move it. I discuss this in the series The Throne Of God Above The Cherubim". It would be beneficial to read this series.
The armies camped around the Tabernacle in the same order as the cherubim are around the throne. The "many angels" in Revelation 5:11 could easily be typified by the armies of Israel as they encamped around the Tabernacle:
The Psalms also mention the many angels of "the Lord of hosts":
Psalm 148:2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
"'Host' is the Hebrew tsaba, 'army, armies, hosts.' It is a military term and carries the idea of warfare. Angels are referred to as the 'host,' which calls our attention to two ideas. First, it is used to describe God’s angels as the 'armies of heaven' who serve in the army of God engaged in spiritual warfare (Ps. 89:6, 8; 1 Sam. 1:11; 17:45). Second, it calls our attention to angels as a multitude of heavenly beings who surround and serve God as seen in the phrase “Lord of hosts” (Isa. 31:4). In addition, tsaba sometimes includes the host of heavenly bodies, the stars of the universe" (Angelology: The Doctrine of Angels by J. Hampton Keathley III, Biblical Studies Press, 1998).
A BOOK SEALED WITH SEVEN SEALS,
The seven Spirits of verse 6 is the Holy Spirit, 7 being
God's number for fullness, received and sent into the earth by the Lamb at the time of His ascension and glorification (Revelation 5:6).
The question of who is worthy to open the book is answered that the Lion of Judah is worthy (vv. 3-5), the Lion of Judah being Christ. It is the Lamb here who is spoken of as the Lion of Judah. The sense here is that someone had finally come that would bring "the end" to fulfillment so creation would be set free into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
This book is, I believe, the Book of Daniel. The victorious Lamb has
prevailed over sin and death to come before the Father and receive, reveal,
and bring to conclusion the visions of the Book of Daniel. Daniel had been
told,
Revelation shows the One who now opens the
sealed book to reveal the time of the end and to answer the unanswered questions
Daniel had asked:
ALL HONOUR IS ASCRIBED TO THE LAMB AS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK
Of the "new song" in verse 9, Edersheim says,
It is also viable that the 24 elders before the throne are also typified by the 24 courses of praisers in the OT economy established by David. In Revelation 5:8 and 9, they are shown with harps and singing a new song:
JESUS APPEARS TO GIVE JOHN PROPHECY FOR THE SEVEN CHURCHES
Though John received the letters for the seven churches before being taken to heaven, I place the letters after chapters 4 and 5 because the church will be going through the tribulation and will have to overcome the trials mentioned in them.
The Golden Girdle of the High Priest
"the things which shall be hereafter" = applies again to John's experience, not a prophetic fulfillment of the Church age.
Concerning the golden girdle of the High Priest in verse 13:
The high-priests 'by investiture' had not any more the real
Urim and Thummim (their meaning even being unknown), though a breast-plate,
with twelve stones, was made and worn, in order to complete the eight sacred
vestments. This was just double the number of those worn by an ordinary
priest, viz. the linen breeches, the coat, the girdle, and the bonnet.
To these the high-priest added other four distinctive articles of dress,
called 'golden vestments,' because, unlike the robes of the ordinary priests,
gold, the symbol of splendour, appeared in them. They were the Meil, or
robe of the ephod, wholly of 'woven work,' of dark blue colour, descending
to the knees, and adorned at the hem by alternate blossoms of the pomegranate
in blue, purple, and scarlet, and golden bells, the latter, according to
tradition, seventy-two in number; the Ephod with the breast-plate, the
former of the four colours of the sanctuary (white, blue, purple, and scarlet),
and inwrought with threads of gold; the Mitre; and, lastly, the Ziz, or
golden frontlet. . . .
Allusions to the Dress in the New Testament
We add some further particulars, chiefly in illustration of
allusions in the New Testament. The priest's 'coat' was woven of one piece,
like the seamless robe of the Saviour (John 19:23). As it was close-fitting,
the girdle could not, strictly speaking, have been necessary. . . . In
point of fact, it may be regarded as the most distinctive priestly vestment,
since it was only put on during actual ministration, and put off immediately
afterwards. Accordingly, when in Revelation 1:13, the Saviour is seen 'in
the midst of the candlesticks,' 'girt about the paps with a golden girdle,'
we are to understand by it that our heavenly High-Priest is there engaged
in actual ministry for us. Similarly, the girdle is described as 'about
the paps,' or (as in Rev 15:6) about the 'breasts,' as both the girdle
of the ordinary priest and that on the ephod which the high-priest wore
were girded there, and not round the loins (compare Eze 44:18). Lastly,
the expression 'golden girdle' may bear reference to the circumstance that
the dress peculiar of the high-priest was called his 'golden vestments,'
in contradistinction to the 'linen vestments,' which he wore on the Day
of Atonement (Edersheim, Chapter 4).
TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS
Those who return to loving the Lord and those He died for and doing the good works concerning these prepared in advance by the Father will overcome and eat of the tree of life in the millennial kingdom. Verse 7 is complementary to:
AT SMYRNA
Fear was the problem with this church, fear of suffering under trials and fear of death for the Lord. But, He said that those who overcame would not be hurt by the second death. This overcoming the fear of death receives its reward in:
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
AT PERGAMOS
Pergamos was called to overcome the doctrine of Balaam and the Nicolations. The rewards (in this case, a new name) for doing so are given in verse 17, complementary to:
AND AT THYATIRA
Gundry mentions the complementary verses in this quote:
It is when he returns at "the end" that the Church will receive authority over the nations from and with Him. This cannot occur at any point before the end of Daniel's 70th week.
AT SARDIS
White raiment...Name not blotted out of the
Book of Life
On Revelation 3:5, Edersheim writes,
"No special disqualifications for the Levitical office existed,
though the Rabbis insist that a good voice was absolutely necessary. It
was otherwise with the priest's office. The first inquiry instituted by
the Sanhedrim, who for the purpose sat daily in 'the Hall of Polished Stones,'
was into the genealogy of a candidate. Certain genealogies were deemed
authoritative. Thus, 'if his father's name were inscribed in the archives
of Jeshana at Zipporim, no further inquiry was made.' If he failed to satisfy
the court about his perfect legitimacy, the candidate was dressed and veiled
in black, and permanently removed. If he passed that ordeal, inquiry was
next made as to any physical defects, of which Maimonides enumerates a
hundred and forty that permanently, and twenty-two which temporarily disqualified
for the exercise of the priestly office. Persons so disqualified were,
however, admitted to menial offices, such as in the wood-chamber, and entitled
to Temple support. Those who had stood the twofold test were dressed in
white raiment, and their names properly inscribed. To this pointed allusion
is made in Revelation 3:5, 'He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed
in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.'"
The rewards spoken of to Sardis are found at:
The reward spoken to the Church of Philadelphia is, of course, the new Jerusalem spoken of at the end of Revelation:
AT LAODICEA
All these things that these churches were told to overcome and all that they had already overcome are things the church will have to overcome during the tribulation if they have not already.
John finishes his prophecies to the churches. This ends Section One. In this section, the Revelation 4 and 5 show the Lamb ascending to the throne of God, bringing about the effects of the New Covenant with the Old Testament saints taken captive by Him and lead into the heavenly sanctuary.
WHO WILL RULE THE NATIONS
Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a
woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head
a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and
pained to be delivered.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold
a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns
upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which
was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all
nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to
his throne.Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)MAN - 730 arrhen {ar'-hrane} or arsen {ar'-sane}
probably from 142; adj
AV - male 4, man 3, man child 1, man child + 5207 1; 9
1) a maleCHILD - 5043 teknon {tek'-non}
Notice in the meaning of "man" above that it is "probably from 142." The child, Chirst jesus, was caught up to the throne of God after coming forth from Israel. This is because Christ as a Man is God's sinless, righteous one, but also His are all who Christ redeemed through His shed blood, including the OT saints. This is the meaning we see in G142:
from the base of 5098; TDNT - 5:636,759; n n
AV - child 77, son 21, daughter 1; 99
1) offspring, children
1a) child
1a) a male child, a son
1b) metaph. . . .
1b4) children of God: in the OT of "the people of Israel" as
especially dear to God, in the NT, in Paul's writings, all
who are led by the Spirit of God and thus closely related
to God . . . .
142 airo {ah'-ee-ro}
a primary root; TDNT - 1:185,28; v
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up
1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
1c) to draw up: a fish
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
3a) to move from its place
3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
3c) to remove
3d) to carry off, carry away with one
3e) to appropriate what is taken
3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed
to him, to take by force
3g) to take and apply to any use
3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death,
or by violence
3i) cause to ceaseRev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Before going to the cross, Jesus said in John 12:31,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more
in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called
the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out
into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 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.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by
the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come
down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but
a short time.
Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child."Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince
of this world be cast out.
Salvation was established right after Jesus said this by His going to the cross, with the promise that the devil would be "cast out." In verse 10, the praises are sung of the Lamb's finished work of salvation. The devil could accuse the dead Jewish saints waiting for Him no more (Revelation 12:9-11). They were taken to heaven and the devil was cast out of heaven. There is nowhere else in Scripture that shows the devil cast out of anywhere except Revelation 12:7-12 where the OT saints finally overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. The devil could accuse them no more, for the devil would be cast out of heaven, and these now-heavenly saints were told to rejoice:
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
will draw all men unto me."Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by
the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
These saints did not have a testimony to Jesus, but looked forward to His coming. These are the dead saints of the OT, saints that in the old economy "loved not their lives unto death." Those of Hebrews 11 are one good example. Therefore, they are now told to rejoice for salvation has come to them in the resurrection of Christ through the blood He shed. That blood silenced the accusations of the enemy before God, and he is cast out and down to earth from this "war in heaven" (v. 7).
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. . . .Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things
which must be hereafter.
"the phrase ["after these things"] signifies passage from one vision to another in 7:9; 15:5; 18:1; 19:1; and in 9:12 and 20:3, transition within a single vision. Since the phrase indicates merely a progression from or within THE TIME a vision was RECEIVED, we have no warrant for assuming that it indicates passage from one period of time to another in fulfillment of the contents" (p. 65).
Rev 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne
was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Rev 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine
stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto
an emerald. Gen 9:14,15 "When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all beasts of every kind. Never again will all the waters become a flood to destroy all life."
Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and
upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment;
and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings
and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne,
which are the seven Spirits of God.Rev 8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets."
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto
you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;
and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto
crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were
four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast
like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast
was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him;
and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to
him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat
on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast
their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and
power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are
and were created.
Ps. 141:2 "May my prayer be set before you like incense."
7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
1 Chr 24:4 And there were more chief men found of the sons
of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among
the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their
fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of
their fathers.
1 Chr 24:5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another;
for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God,
were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
1 Chr 24:6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of
the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the
priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the
fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken
for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
1 Chr 24:7 Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second
to Jedaiah,
1 Chr 24:8 The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, . . .
1 Chr 24:19 These were the orderings of them in their service to
come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron
their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.The institution of David and of Solomon continued till the
Babylonish captivity. Thence, however, only four out of the twenty-four
'courses' returned: those of Jedaiah, Immer, Pashur, and Harim (Ezra 2:36-39),
the course of 'Jedaiah' being placed first because it was of the high-priest's
family, 'of the house of Jeshua,' 'the son of Jozadak' (Ezra 3:2; Hagg
1:1; 1 Chron 6:15). To restore the original number, each of these four
families was directed to draw five lots for those which had not returned,
so as to form once more twenty-four courses, which were to bear the ancient
names. Thus, for example, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, did
not really belong to the family of Abijah (1 Chron 24:10), which had not
returned from Babylon, but to the 'course of Abia,' which had been formed
out of some other family, and only bore the ancient name (Luke 1:5). Like
the priests, the Levites had at the time of King David been arranged into
twenty-four 'courses,' which were to act as 'priests' assistance' (1 Chron
23:4,28), as 'singers and musicians' (1 Chron 25:6), as 'gate-keepers and
guards' (1 Chron 26:6 and following), and as 'officers and judges.' Of
these various classes, that of the 'priests' assistants' was by far the
most numerous, and to them the charge of the Temple had been committed
in subordination to the priests.
Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and HAST REDEEMED US to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Rev 5:10 And hast MADE US UNTO OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: and WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.
10 And hast made US unto our God kings and priests: and WE shall reign on the earth.
10 "You have made THEM to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and THEY will reign upon the earth."
Numbers 2:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
3 And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: . . .
4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: . . .
7 Then the tribe of Zebulun: . . .
10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: . . . .
12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: . . .
14 Then the tribe of Gad: . . .
18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: . . .
19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: . . .
22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: . . .
25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: . . .
26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: . . .
29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: . . .
32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.
33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Psalm 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
The definition for "hosts" is as follows, possibly making the armies that encamped around the Tabernacle a type of the host around the throne in Revelation 5:
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
WHICH COULD BE OPENED BY NONE BUT CHRIST,
WHO TOOK THE BOOK TO OPEN IT
Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the
throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Rev 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?
Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,
was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open
and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the
Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the
book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of
the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had
been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits
of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him
that sat upon the throne.
Dan 12:4 "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,
even to the time of the end."
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
Rev 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one
of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of
saints.
Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation;
Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we
shall reign on the earth.
Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round
about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them
was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Rev 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.
Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth,
and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,
heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him
that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Rev 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty
elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.To the wealth and splendour of the Temple corresponded the character of its
services. The most important of these, next to the sacrificial rites, was
the hymnody of the sanctuary. We can conceive what it must have been in the
days of David and of Solomon. But even in New Testament times it was such
that St. John could find no more adequate imagery to portray heavenly
realities and the final triumph of the Church than that taken from the
service of praise in the Temple. Thus, when first 'the twenty-four elders,'
representing the chiefs of the twenty-four courses of the priesthood [I believe these are 24 angels-Ed], and
afterwards the 144,000, representing redeemed Israel in its fulness (12 x
12,000), sing 'the new song'--the former in heaven, the latter on Mount
Zion--they appear, just as in the Temple services, as 'harpers, harping
with their harps' (Rev 5:8; 14:2,3). Possibly there may also be an analogy
between the time when these 'harpers' are introduced and the period in the
Temple-service when the music began--just as the joyous drink-offering was
poured out (Edersheim, Chapter 3).
1 Chronicles 25:25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
4 Of Heman: the sons of Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth:
5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
7 So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
9 Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who with his brethren and sons were twelve:
10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
11 The fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
12 The fifth to Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
13 The sixth to Bukkiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
14 The seventh to Jesharelah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
16 The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
18 The eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
19 The twelfth to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
20 The thirteenth to Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
21 The fourteenth to Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
22 The fifteenth to Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
23 The sixteenth to Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
24 The seventeenth to Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
25 The eighteenth to Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
26 The nineteenth to Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
27 The twentieth to Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
28 The one and twentieth to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
29 The two and twentieth to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
30 The three and twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
31 The four and twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve.Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion
in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in
the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony
of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind
me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and,
What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which
are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto
Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being
turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto
the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about
the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as
snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in
a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his
mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth
in his strength.
Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he
laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and
the last:
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive
for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which
are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my
right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the
angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest
are the seven churches.The Dress of the High-priest
Rev 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These
things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh
in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and
how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which
say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake
hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou
hast left thy first love.
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent,
and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,
which I also hate.
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree
of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;
These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou
art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and
are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and
ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I
will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;
These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Rev 2:13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's
seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even
in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among
you, where Satan dwelleth.
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed
unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes,
which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden
manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.Revelation 14:14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Rev 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write;
These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame
of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Rev 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith,
and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
Rev 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because
thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess,
to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and
she repented not.
Rev 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Rev 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches
shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will
give unto every one of you according to your works.
Rev 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many
as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan,
as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Rev 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels
of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.Gundry: "Jesus admonishes the saints in the Thyratira
church to 'hold fast until I come. And he who overcomes, and he
who keeps My deeds UNTIL THE END, to him I will give authority
over the nations' (Rev. 2:25, 26). Here the 'end' links with the
coming of Christ (only the posttribulational has received mention
- 1:7) and the inauguration of the millennial kingdom (see also
2:27). In other words, Christians must go through the tribulation
if they are to be confirmed to the end, to persevere till the end,
to prepare themselves for the end, and to hold fast until the end"
(p. 141).
Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;
These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven
stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art
dead.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that
are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and
hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on
thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled
their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess
his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches."Disqualifications for the Priesthood
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
AT PHILADELPHIA
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key
of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man
openeth;
Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast
kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which
say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to
come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also
will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple
of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name
of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him
my new name.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor
hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and
that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with
eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,
and repent.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear
my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my
throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his
throne.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.
