Lesson # 4b Introduction Cont.

Transcription

1 Lesson # 4b Introduction Cont.

2 SIX : A sinister meaning! Six fell short of seven and failed! "The charge that met defeat, with success just in its grasp" --- represented by six (Summers p. 24) This represents doom! Just as 13 does to many today. SEVEN : Combination of perfect world number (4) and perfect Divine number (3), therefore it was the most sacred number to the Hebrews! - "The number of completeness, of perfection, and of dispensational fullness. EARTH CROWNED WITH HEAVEN: Seven Churches (2-3) Seven Candlesticks. Seven seals (5-8:1) Seven Spirits (1:4) 2

3 Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:16) Seven Stars (1:16) Seven Bowls (15:5-16) Seven Sections to the Book. Seventy members of Jewish Council. Jesus sent out seventy Disciples. Fourteen songs in Revelation (7 X 2) : 4:8, 11 ; 5:9,12,12 ; 11:15,17,18 ; 12:10-12; 15:3,4 ; 19:1,2,5,6-8. The Lamb has Seven horns and seven eyes (5:6), "which denote the almighty power, the supreme intelligence, and the perfect omni-potence and omniscience which He is endowed with" (Moorehead, p. 32). Seven attributes of praise to the Lamb --- (5:12) --- to God (7:12). Chapter six angels and One Like the Son of Man. 3

4 TWELVE : 4 X 3. In Hebrew religious thought 12 equals the symbol of organized religion in the world. 12 Tribes, 12 Apostles, 12 Gates. 144,000 equals 12,000 X 12. "The number of final and eternal perfection and duration" -(Moorehead). Note the Celestial City, the New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5) 12 foundations. 12 gates. 12 Angel sentinels and guardians. The city is a majestic cube, 12,000 furlongs being the measure of it s form. The tree of life yields 12 manners of fruits and yields them through 12 months of a cycle. 4

5 THREE and ONE HALF : Seven cut in half! Symbol of incompleteness. Restless, longings unfulfilled; aspirations unrealized ; world awaiting for something. Men of despair and confusion waiting for peace and light. Rev. 6:4 Two witnesses preached 3 and one half years --- indefinite period. Rev 11:3. Court of Temple trampled by ungodly 3 and one half years. Rev. 11:2 Saints persecuted 42 months. Rev. 11:2 Church in wilderness 1,260 days. Rev. 12:6 & 14. Sea Beast exercises his authority 42 months. Rev. 13:5. 5

6 TEN : "the number of secular organization and of power" -- - (Moorehead, p. 32). See notes under number five. "Ten joined with seven signifies the perfection of satanic force and worldly dominion. The Beast with seven heads and ten horns is the embodiment of devilish energy, and of apostate, imperial supremacy." (Ibid., p. 32) --- {Notes taken from Revelation Class Taught by Melvin Curry at Florida College 1987) In understanding the imagery of John's Revelation one must also be aware that these are drawn from all of the realms known to man, ie. the heavenly, the spiritual and the material universe. Having looked at the symbols let us now consider the various realms that John draws from. 6

7 DEITY God The Father the occupant on the throne: Sparkling white diamond - (jasper) And as a precious ruby - (sardius) --- 4:3. Jesus the Son of God: Is a lamb --- 5:6. The lion of the tribe of Judah --- 5:5. The Root of David --- 5:5. The bright and morning star :16. The Holy Spirit: Seven Spirits. Seven Lamps of Fire. Seven Eyes which are the Seven Spirits of God --- 1:4; 5:6. 7

8 SPIRIT REALM The revelations embraces heaven, hades, and the lake of fire (hell). Includes a great Red Dragon. A Serpent (Satan). Angels. Demons. Unclean Spirits. And Souls. There are beasts that come from a variety of places: One out of the Sea. One out of the Earth. The revelation also embraces: Death. And the Resurrection 8

9 THE NATURAL WORLD In this aspect the symbols and imagery are drawn from every realm of the natural world. Geology to Astronomy. Reference made to: The Sun. The Sun-Rising. The Moon. The stars. Day and Night. The Air. The earth, earthquakes. Sea and great waters, Rivers and fountains. Clouds, lightening, thunder. Great winds, hail and rainbows. Fire, smoke and brimstone. Of wilderness and an abyss. 9

10 EARTHLY KINGDOMS Once again the imagery is drawn from every social aspects of human life. Kings,Princes and Captains. Bondmen and Freemen. Rich and Poor. The Great and the Servants. Our interests and understanding are challenged by: References to, Nations Thrones. Diadems and Victory Crowns. Keys. A Rod (or Scepter) of iron. Great Swords, two edge swords, Slaughtering swords. A Bow. A Prison. And the wine press of judgment. 10

11 Lesson # 4c Introduction Cont.

12 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. 12

13 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. 13

14 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. 14

15 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". 15

16 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. 16

17 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. 17

18 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. 18

19 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. 19

20 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. 20

21 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. 21

22 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 22