Greetings, Ø Seven Sevens of Revelation

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3 Greetings, Thank you for being a part of this class in Revelation. It promises to be different from any of the previous formats. We will approach the book of Revelation from my personal manuscript of a narrative that revolves around the life of the Apostle John before, during and after his imprisonment in Patmos. Many of the characters in the book are fictional; however, their use offers the reader a picturesque view of the times and circumstances otherwise hidden in Revelation. The narrative consists of an exhaustive exposition of the Book of Revelation. Every word finds its way into the narrative of this book. Objective: You are expected at the conclusion of this class to be able to speak of the book of Revelation with absolute assurance of its promises. Ø Seven Sevens of Revelation 1. Seven Churches 2. Seven Seals 3. Seven Trumpets 4. Seven Personages 5. Seven Vials 6. Seven Dooms 7. Seven New Things The Book of Revelation promises seven blessings. You are required to become very familiar with the location, gist, association, and order of them. They are subtitled in the narrative in the same order as they appear in the book of Revelation. The Churches are evaluated based on the following criteria. Through the narrative you will personally visit each church and experience the events that conclude their findings. 1. Instruction 2. Introduction 3. Commendation 4. Condemnation 5. Correction 6. Admonition 7. Assurance As we leave the seven churches, we will venture with John to heaven and from there we will journey with him to points far and near. I am praying that this study will survive to be an epic experience in Revelation. The secret to such is the spirit that each of you shall bring. The class will discuss the narrative in an open setting. One s participation in the discussion counts toward the final grade. The TOC of the manuscript is the outline of the information that 3

4 the class will cover. The opening of the book is provided for your consideration of the layout of the narrative. I am praying for and expecting an enjoyable time in the experience of the Book of Revelation. 4

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13 CHAPTER 1 A NEW BEGINNING It is near the end of the first century AD and the greatest world power to date is the Republic of Rome. Her Emperor is Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus. The citizens are divided into two classes; the Plebeians are the lower/working class, and the Patricians are the Upper/ruling class. Emperor Domitian is greatly admired by the Plebeians and the soldiers but not so well loved by the Patricians (senators/equestrians). A grave source of offense is his insistence on being addressed as dominus et deus ( master and god ). Such desires were not only offensive but the potential of a growing community of Christians represented a challenge to it as well. The rapid growth of Christianity and its teachings threatened the established religious tyranny of Rome. Rome allows her wards and vassals to continue their religious convictions unless such convictions challenge the supremacy of Rome. One needs only to look into the archives of history to see how past world leaders worked to prevent the uprisings of their dependents. Such was the concern of Egypt s Pharaoh after the death of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. (Exodus 1:8-10) No less were the concerns of Domitian as he would execute genocide rather than chance a political overthrow by a growing populace of religious zealots. ROME S FEAR OF CHRISTIANITY: Domitian was not going to allow the Trojan horse of Christianity to 13

14 influence the people of his kingdom, or so he thought. The last half of the first century AD was extremely violent against Christians and Domitian was not about to let up. Domitian called his court to a meeting concerning the enemies of the kingdom. The consul reported, of all the religions, Christianity refuses to acknowledge the Emperor as God. Domitian s ego was greatly offended that anyone, less knowing these peasant Christians, would deny his deity. Domitian, like his predecessors, concluded that genocide was a sure solution when nations failed to agree with the divine authority of Rome. Caesar, if I may speak, requested the Consul (Marcus Cocceius Nerva)? Speak! To massacre the Christians only causes their numbers to increase. They are convinced that death is but a way to a glorious after life. That is absurd, replied the emperor, what proof do they offer for such a claim? There is a ban of disciples of the man Jesus who attest to His life, death, and resurrection. They say that they actually witnessed Him raise the dead, heal the sick, give sight to the blind and make whole those that were broken. Hell, some are saying that He walks on water. Then the answer to our problem is the removal from their midst all who claim witness to the miraculous life of this Jesus. 14

15 To date, my Emperor, it is reported that all but one of these apostles are already exterminated. Are you saying to me that one mere mortal is the reason for such a meeting as this? The problem Caesar is that his words and his miraculous powers continue to turn the hearts of those that hear him. He is a planter of churches in cities throughout the kingdom. He instructs their leaders to receive a faith worth dying for. The emperor stood and looked down on his court, his concern obvious for that which he was hearing. Domitian would not allow one man to openly or secretly insight rebellion. Have they so soon forgotten what befell their Temple? Caesar, it was not their temple that we destroyed in AD 70. That was the temple of the Jews. We do not have a problem with the Jews, they accept their station in the kingdom. They have as much concern about the Christians as do we. Remember, it was the Jews who insisted on the crucifixion. Caiaphas the High Priest of the Jews held a tribunal with Jesus and found Him guilty of blasphemy. He took him before Pontius Pilate, our governor. Pilate found no offense against Rome and offered; But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. 15

16 Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:39-40) Although they look for the coming of their God, they are insulted by the insinuation that he came in the flesh of Jesus. Jews consider the teaching that Jesus by the Holy Spirit takes residence in the soul of His believers as ludicrous. Jesus is to them the bastard child of a whore named Mary. Therefore, my Emperor, we must in this matter consider the Jews our closest allies. Since the destruction of the temple of the Jews apparently worked to our favor we shall do the same to the fleshly kingdom of the Christians. No one in my kingdom will elevate a temple above the temples of Rome. Today you men and brethren are part of the greatest dynasty the world has ever known. AD 81 will be remembered for all of eternity as the year of the noblest of all the Emperors, ME! And this one of whom you speak, what is his name? He is the apostle that they call John. He goes about testifying to the masses of his personal walk with this Jesus. He offers them the proof of Jesus life, death and resurrection. Unlike those who may only speak of that which they have heard or read, these apostles are supposed to be the living proof of such substance. Then we must see what proof of life they have when they shall all have succumbed to death. Where is the domicile of John? Well, he moves about the kingdom setting up dwellings with teachers and spreading his venom everywhere. Last I heard he was in Ephesus trying to turn the people away from Artemis, the Greek goddess. Imagine the message that he must be spreading concerning Diana our own goddess of love. This John, bring him to me, to answer for his blasphemous teachings. I will make every god of the pantheon proud of my relentless pursuit of the enemies of our dynasty. My father Vespasian, my brother Titus, 16

17 and I shall be hailed as the family of the greatest of all leaders of Rome. I do not refuse a man his will to affirm his god, or to have his shrine but no religion shall be allowed that refuses to bow down to Rome, and to Me! Now get on with your task and swiftly return, but not until you have this John sprawled on the floor before me. Nerva nodded to the Maguster Utriusque Militiae (Senior officer in charge of both military services foot and horse), to carry on with the orders of Caesar. The general replied, Hail to the Emperor, our master, and our god. He bowed to the knee, swiftly got up, hastened together a squad of soldiers, then ordered the Tribunus cohortis (commander) to arrest John and bring him to have audience with Domitian. ON THE ROAD TO EPHESUS: As ordered, young commander Scipio led the soldiers quickly from the palace venturing out to find and apprehend John. They happened upon a family of travelers on the road who bore the sign of the cross on one of their wagons. Hold up sir, I see a cross on your wagon, is there some significance to it? Yes, it is the cross of Jesus Christ. Then why do you bare it and not He Himself? 17

18 The Man smiled and responded, But He does bare it even now, in His kingdom, in heaven. Have you not heard the words of Paul, the apostle of Christ who stated, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect...? (1 Corinthians 1:17) This cross signifies to what end we who have accepted the call of salvation will go. The commander looked at the pilgrim and replied, Foolishness, your plight in life attests to your thoughtless logic and stupid cultish thinking. The old man looked at the commander and replied, Of such reasoning Paul also spoke, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) The commander laughed; So it is I who perish and you who are saved? All of the soldiers joined in with uncontrollable laughter due to the apparent helplessness of the pilgrims. Then you had better get your wagons in order old man because you and all who claim to be followers of this Christ shall soon join Him. And oh, by the way, we know where Paul is laid, his head in one place and his body in another. To seek him we must go among the dead, it is one by the name of John that we seek. Have you any knowledge of his whereabouts? The old man pondered the answer that he was to give, fearing that John could be placed in peril by his words. The commander stated, Maybe John can convince the emperor that Christianity should become the national religion of Rome; however, I personally have my doubts. The old man thought, John surely is covered by the blood of Jesus and to reveal his location shall cause no more than God would allow; For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 16:25) So the old man replied, Yes, you might find him in Ephesus. That is where I last saw 18

19 him. Releasing the caravan, the commander commented, old man, your words of the loci of John stayed my sword from killing you on the spot. I was simply corroborating information previously received from one that I hold to be far more trustworthy than thou. Of what I have heard from your teachings I will repeat this; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32) Since you like to quote your scriptures, you might want to remember how this one proved to be true the day I released you. The soldiers sat out towards Ephesus. THE EMPEROR SEEKS DIVINE GUIDANCE: Looking forward to sharing with you in the exciting study of the Book of Revelation. Njm 19