Lesson # 4c Introduction Cont.

Transcription

1 Lesson # 4c Introduction Cont.

2 CULTURE and SOCIETY There is the ever on going conflict of war present. Armies clash either to suffer defeat and destruction of winning in Victory. Chariots and armor. Wars and clashing forces. Plagues and fears. Suffering and Mourning. Also drawn into the scenes are marriage: The Bride and the Groom. The marriage and the marriage supper. Lamps, voices. A thief. A woman in childbirth. Added to these are also: Measuring Reeds. Doors of Admission. Doors through which we see and behold. 2

3 RELIGION Most of these images are drawn from the Old Testament Religious system. Prophets and Priests. Altars of sacrifice and the Golden altar. Lampstands. Sacrifice, blood and incense. Synagogue, sanctuary, temple pillar. The ark of the Covenant and trumpets. There are also symbols of the heathen nations which depict the opposite of what is pleasing before God. Seeks to seduce the faithful. Idols and images. Sacrifices to the idols and images. False Prophets. Sorcery. False Teachers: Balaam; Jezebel ; Nicolaitans. 3

4 LOCALITIES These places which were are flashed across the screen to convey ideas: Egypt Babylon the Great. The Euphrates. Sodom. Mount Zion. Harmageddon (Mount Magedo). Specific Localities: The Great City. The Holy City. The New Jerusalem for the New Heaven and earth. Some of these would survive and endure the tests placed upon them others would be destroyed. 4

5 PERSONS These are a array of people from every walk of life, each depicting an idea or telling a story or revealing a truth. A radiant woman. Arrayed in the sources of light. Sun. The moon. And the Stars. A man child born to her. Virgins. A Wife. A Queen. A Great Harlot and her daughters. Those who have committed fornication with the Harlot. Also listed in images are: Children ; Servants ; Balaam. Jezebel ; Gog and Magog --- cf. Ezek. 38:2 -- "Gog of Magog". 5

6 DRESS As is the case today, much can be determined by the manner of attire a person has on. Kingly and Priestly garments ; White Robes. Fine Linen ; Sackcloth. Colors used to describe the garments worn: Purple ; Scarlet. PHYSICAL ANATOMY Much of the anatomy of man comes into play of the great unveiling of Christ and Spiritual truth. The Head: Hair, forehead, eyes (and tears), ears. The Mouth: Tongue and teeth. The Heart: Blood, Reins (kidney or loins). The Belly. The hands and the feet. These may be insignificant to the vision but play a supplementary role in the vision. 6

7 VEGETATION and AGRICULTURE In this realm the writer introduces both the necessities as well as the luxuries. Grains: Wheat, barley. Fruit: grapes, figs. Products: Wine, oil from olive trees, honey, spices. Natural elements: Trees, wood, palms, grass and wormwood. Equipment of Agriculture. Sickle, winepress and vintage. Harvest and Reaping. 7

8 MINERAL KINGDOM Man has always had a fascination with the gleaming beauty of various precious stone and minerals. These precious stones find a place in the visions of Revelation. Gold. Silver. Brass. Sea of Glass. Precious stones: White stone. Jasper. Sardius. Emerald. Pearls and others. 8

9 ANIMAL KINGDOM In this section John uses and depicts both the greatest and the lowest forms of animals. Those animals which are friendly to mankind. Calf (or OX) ; Lamb Horses of Various Colors ; Frogs. Those that are unfriendly: Lion ; Bear. Leopard ; Flying Eagles. Vultures ; Wild Beast bristling with Horns. Locusts ; Scorpions and their stings. Serpents ; Sea Beast and "every created thing". All of these pass before in visions in some meaningful and instructive way. 9

10 TRADE and COMMERCE Ships: Shipmasters, sailors, mariners. Merchants: Tradesmen ; Craftsmen ; Millstones Trade: Coins ; Goods. Balances used in trade. LITERATURE John is told to write in a book: He writes of a book that is written within and on the book. He writes of a little book. He writes of the Book of Life. John also writes of: Seals ; Alphabet --- (Alpha and Omega). And in Numbers --- Which we have already considered. 10

11 MUSIC and MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Music: Both Vocal and instrumental. Plays a part in the: Emotional ; Spiritual ; and Physical life of the human family. Trumpet blasts ; Harps ; Flutes And Choirs. Instruments: Minstrels ; Harps ; Flutes ; Trumpets. 11

12 TIME and ETERNITY Various periods are designated: half an hour ; One Hour. 1/3 part of a day. Three days and a half. Ten Days. Twelve Hundred and sixty days. Forty-two months. A Thousand Years. A day and a Night. Then beyond time: Forever and Ever. {Notes Taken from Homer Hailey's - Revelation an Introduction and Commentary p } and Melvin Curry s Bible Class Study at FC