"The Blessed Hope"
Our difficulty with this book is due to our unfamiliarity with apocalyptic literature as a method of communicating a message. We are also far removed from the historical and cultural context of the times which would make the symbolism easier to understand. To properly interpret the book, we must try to understand the historical context in which it was written. We must also interpret it in a manner that would have been meaningful to those to whom it was first addressed.
This may seem to be a rather strange time to bring up the various views of how to interpret the book of Revelation. However, in that the subject now to be discussed has such a ‘soon-to-happen' importance to Christians – now some 2,000 after projected, it seems to me that there could be no better time than now.
DIFFERENT VIEWS OF INTERPRETATION:
For years I have read, studied and written on various chapters of this great and most important book in the Bible. I have never swayed in my opinion that it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, recorded by St John the Divine (The Apostle John (Rev. 1:1) And, as well, it is given to us in a threefold way. Jesus is addressing the message herein as to time: "which is, and which was, and which is to come (Rev. 1:4); and, as to relationships it is written to the churches (Rev. 1:9-3:22), to the tribulation (a time in history) (Rev. 4:1-19 & 21), to the kingdom (Rev. 20:1-22), and to his offices as High Priest (Rev. 8:3-6), the Bridegroom of his Church (Rev. 19:7-9) and, as King and Judge (Rev 20:1-15).
As we begin to approach the book in ways it can be understood in our day and time it is only natural to reach out to learned scholars for information. It soon becomes apparent that there is a mountain of varying views. The importance of the meanings can easily be covered over (as a slip of land being converted to a concrete roadway). This is actually to the benefit of Satan. Who else would profit by clouding the message we study?
Different views of interpreting the book are more numerous than I care to acknowledge at this point but generally they would seem to fall into four categories:
The "preterist" view - The book refers to events that were fulfilled in the first century A.D., or shortly thereafter. It was written primarily to encourage the original readers. Its value for today would therefore be didactic (teaching the value of faithfulness to God).
The "historicist" view - The book provides a panoramic view of the future of the church from as it goes through history. This view finds in the book such events as the rise of Catholicism, Islam, the Protestant reformation, world wars, etc., ending with the return of Christ. As such it would encourage Christians no matter when they lived. (Read again, Rev. 1:4)
The "futurist" view - Apart from the first few chapters, the book depicts events which immediately precede the second coming of Christ. Therefore most of the book has yet to be fulfilled (or is being fulfilled now), and its value is primarily for Christians who will be living at the time Jesus returns.
The "idealist" view - The book does not deal with any specific historical situation. Instead, it is simply enforcing the principle that good will ultimately triumph over evil. As such the book is applicable to any age.
WHAT IS THE PREFERRED METHOD OF INTERPRETATION:
As you are well aware, I believe a proper interpretation of the book incorporates the second view to the greatest extent, the third one to some extent and the first and fourth can be observed for consideration only. In my estimation, the "preterist" view has the least merit of the four. I believe our study to this point clearly points this out.
I only direct our attention to these four points of view because it would only be normal for one that would spend as much time in this one book of the Bible and spend time as well reading other commentators. Therefore it is imperative that you and I understand with clarity where we are coming from and where we wish to end up – figuratively and physically.
Introduction to Revelation chapter 19
After all of these lessons on prophecy, you may be groaning and say, "Remind me, again, of the reason for this study?" The reason is to give us confidence as we see the events that lead up to the Second Coming of Jesus. We finally get to the ultimate object of these prophecies – the Second Coming.
Chapter 19 begins with the glorified saints and their shouts of acclamations, "alleluias." It will be helpful here to compare Rev. 19:1-7 with Rev. 17:1-7 and Rev. 18:1-8. In this chapter we first have a further account of the triumphant song of angels and saints for the fall of Babylon (Rev. 19:1-4). Second, the marriage between Christ and the church proclaimed and perfected (Rev. 19:5–10). Third, another warlike expedition of the glorious head and husband of the church, including the success of it (Rev. 19:10, etc.).
So, as we begin chapter 19 we are shown, praise in heaven – (1-5) Praise for the long awaited judgement of Babylon. This is Praise for the judgment of Babylon. In this section we really see the climax of chapter 18. In chapter 18, friends mourned Bablyon's fall. In the first part of chapter 19, God's people celebrate it. . "Hallelujah" (or, Alleluia) occurs four times here, and not again the New Testament.
Note:
1) Hallelujah is Hebrew for "Praise the Lord," in the imperative (do it!) sense. Some today seem afraid of saying Hallelujah, but we'll all be saying it in heaven; but we should never use such a glorious word without thinking.
2) A great multitude (similar to the tribulation martyrs described in Rev. 7:9,14), the twenty-four elders, and the cherubim all join in this praise.
3) Here, the focus of worship is on the great works of God, specifically, His work of righteous judgment.
4) The voice from the throne (saying, Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great) might be Jesus, but more likely it is from one of the angels who attends the throne of God.
Rev 19:1-4
The fall of Babylon being fixed, finished, and declared to be irrecoverable in the foregoing chapter, this begins with a holy triumph over her, in pursuance of the order given forth: Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, Rev. 18:20.
They now gladly answer the call; and here you have described the form of their thanksgiving, utterances of that heavenly and most complete word, Alleluia, praise you the Lord: with this they begin, with this they go on, and with this they end (verse. 4); their prayers are now turned into praises, their hosannas end in alleluias.
Not only is their thanksgiving in gratification: they also praise him for the truth of his word, and the righteousness of his heaven-sent conduct, especially in this great event—the ruin of Babylon, which had been a mother, nurse, and nest of idolatry, lewdness, and cruelty (v. 2), for which signal example of divine justice they ascribe salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto our God.
The effect of these their praises: when the angels and saints cried Alleluia, her fire burned more fiercely and her smoke ascended for ever and ever, v. 3. The surest way to have our deliverance continued and completed is to give God the glory of what he has done for us. Praising God for what we have is praying in the most effectual manner for what is yet further to be done for us; the praises of the saints blow up the fire of God's wrath against the common enemy. The blessed harmony between the angels and the saints in this triumphant song, v. 4. The churches and their ministers take the melodious sound from the angels, and repeat it; falling down, and worshiping God, they cry, Amen, Alleluia.
This Time Around
To get a real feel for what is happening, or about to happen let us read Acts 1:9-11.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Here we are somewhat reminded of that popular TV show, "Star Trek." A common event on the program was where people got "beamed" up or down? Is this how Jesus left the earth? No, Jesus did not just vanish into thin air, in an instant. This description is more like a balloon drifting up until it gets lost in the clouds. I seriously doubt that Jesus kept "drifting" all the way to heaven. He could have simply "dematerialize" like our recollection of Star Trek? However, had Jesus just disappeared, the disciples would have suffered complete discouragement and the book of Acts would have been a wonderment where He had gone. Jesus wanted His disciples to know that He went to heaven. By actually seeing Him disappear in a cloud, that idea was reinforced.
So, we can well envision the disciples are all standing there, their heads cranked back staring into the sky. They get interrupted by angels. Jesus was proceeded by angels, angles ministered to him while on earth, and here angles appear at his leaving. What do you think about the question the angels asked in verse 11?
a) Did the angels just happen to be in the neighborhood, stumble across this group staring up, and really want to know?
1) What point were the angels making? The angels did not want to know why the disciples were looking upward. They wanted to know why they KEPT looking up – as if they might catch another glimpse of Jesus or He might float lower. The angels wanted the disciples to know Jesus was going to heaven. He would return – just not right now. No need to keep staring.
2) The lesson for us here is that we are not to be about looking up to see where Jesus went, or to be wondering around with no purpose looking here and there with no direction. We are supposed to be preparing for the Second Coming.
3) Why did the angels say (verse 11), "This same Jesus" is coming again? This was further reinforcement that Jesus was God. Their friend would be the One coming again.
Next Time Around
The Attitude Toward Christ's Second Coming
Read Matthew 24:30-31.
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
A. We just read in Acts 1:11 that Jesus will come back in the same way He left. This is consistent with Matthew 24, but with greater impact! It is a much larger event. Jesus is coming again with "power and great glory."
B. Read Revelation 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."
The disciples were likely mourning when Jesus left. Who is mourning now? Both Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 refer to the "nations" and "peoples" of the earth mourning.
C. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Paul tells us that there will be much encouragement for the saints! Encouragement is unbelievably an inadequate word to describe was is soon to come to pass! What a glorious day that will be.
D. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Notice the tremendously different reactions to the Second Coming of Jesus! So much anguish and pain are being directed toward the true Christians. These Christians will, in face of impossible odds, be "Ready, Working and Watching" for Jesus' return. Undoubtably the unsaved and those busy tormenting Christians will recognize immediately their demise. Even so called religious scholars defame and scoff at our belief in this return. However, no one will be more aware and understand the significance when it happens. The wicked enjoy what they are doing even today to persecute the Saints and they do not want Jesus to bring an end to their evil.
E. Read Isaiah 35:4-6
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
These verses are part of the reason I began this part of our study with consideration of some of the differing views of the meaning, timing and purpose of the Book of Revelation. Even Isaiah was able to foresee the return of Christ and the benefits for the Saints. What a glorious day it will be. The sins of Adam and Eve will be disposed of once and for all that are, again, Ready, Working and Watching! The effects of sin will be no more!
Next Time Around - Action
A. Read Revelation 19:11-13
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Who is the Rider? Jesus, of course. Compare John 1.)
— What do we learn about Jesus' activities? Are they set out in order? This sets out the sequence of Jesus first judging and then making war. His Second Coming involves this addition factor: war.
B. Read Revelation 19:14-16
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
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.
Unnoticed here is that when we see Jesus' ascension to heaven is He leaves alone. However, with great funfair, when He returns it is with a great army.
Evil is not at all uninformed of the future as it relates to them. In Revelation 19:19, we see where the wicked will mourn at Jesus' Second Coming. What else are they doing, other than being depressed? They are gathering for war. They know there is a battle ahead. Just think, all those people of our day that would do away with croses, manger scenes and the ten commandments will be prepared to go to war when Jesus returns. What an exciting moment! Today they outwardly deny Him, however, behind the scenes they are arming themself for WW 3. And we know something they don't know – they will loose!
Leading the opposition is the beast. This would be the "Sea Beast" we have discussed in the last few lessons. We know that because we learned the "Earth Beast" is also known as the "False Prophet." It appears from the capture scene (verse 20) that they are still working together.
In texts such as Matthew 24:30-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 we have a picture of Jesus staying in the air while His angels gather the righteous to meet Jesus in the air. The whole feeling of this is that Jesus comes and we are whisked away with Him almost immediately. How do you reconcile that picture of the Second Coming with the picture in Revelation 19:19 of Jesus being here long enough for the opposition to organize an army against Him to attack? I am convinced that the Beast is even now gathering his army and the battle won't last long at all. Read Revelation 19:20-21. How long a battle does this suggest? What is meant by a sword that comes of out Jesus' mouth? If you recall the account of creation in Genesis 1, you know that Jesus created the world by speaking. The sword coming out of Jesus' mouth probably means that He simply speaks the destruction of the wicked. This accords with 2 Thessalonians 2:8. This means that the battle is over with very quickly.
Read again Matthew 24:30. What is the "sign" of Jesus' Second Coming? This is the reason I believe that the wicked knows in advance of the Second Coming and this may explain how they are organized to oppose Jesus. This seems to be the logical answer to this organization unless Jesus is here a little longer than we think.
I have heard people stress the fact that Jesus will be in the air and that His FEET will not touch the earth. That, they assure me, is the true way to tell the true Second Coming from the false. I've often wondered what happens if the exact position of Jesus' feet is not visible. Based on these texts we have studied, is there a more obvious way to tell the true from the false without keeping track of feet? It is so obvious. The world hates the Lord and tries to attack when He comes. Any false Christ would be welcomed by the world. You don't need to see feet, you need to check if a battle is underway!
How many battles over Jesus' coming are there? When Jesus comes to get the saints we have the battle that we just studied. However, when Jesus brings the saints back with Him from heaven along with the New Jerusalem, we have another (and final) battle that is described in Revelation 20:1-10; SRB Pages 1348 & 1349; SRB Page 1350 & 1351) Let's turn to the positive side of that event next.
E. Friend, Jesus is coming again! There will be a resolution to the sin problem, and God will reign with His people here in the earth made new. Would you like to spend eternity with God? An eternity that will be so great we cannot grasp it now? If so, I invite you today to repent and ask Jesus to save you.
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