THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

CONTENTS, DEDICATION, AND PREFACE.

A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

A. The various theories as to the interpretation of the book of Revelation.

B. The key facts necessary for a correct interpretation of the Apocalypse.

C. The city called "Babylon," is the city of Jerusalem.

D. A skeleton outline of the book of Revelation. Rev.1v19.

E. The Greek text of the book of Revelation.


JOHN'S INTRODUCTION TO THE REVELATION. Rev.1v1-8.

A. The Source of the Book of Revelation. Rev.1v1-3.

B. John's Greeting to the Seven Churches in the Roman Province of Asia. Rev.1v4-8.

PART 1. THINGS PAST. Rev.1v9-20. John's vision of the Lord Jesus on Patmos.

PART 2. THINGS PRESENT. Rev.2v1 to 3v22. The Letters to the Seven Churches.

1. Ephesus. Rev.2v1-7.

2. Smyrna. Rev.2v8-11.

3. Pergamos. Rev.2v12-17.

4. Thyatira. Rev.2v18-29.

5. Sardis. Rev.3v1-6.

6. Philadelphia. Rev.3v7-13.

7. Laodicea. Rev.3v14-22.

PART 3. THINGS FUTURE. Rev.4v1. to 22v21.

A. THE LAST FEW YEARS OF THIS AGE. Rev.4v1 to 20v3.

1. Events in Heaven just before the last seven years of this age. Rev.4 and 5.

2. The seven seals. Rev.6v1-17. 8v1.

3. The 144,000 Israelites and the victorious Christians. Rev.7v1-17.

4. The seven trumpets. Rev.8 and 9. and 11v15-19.

5. The angel and the little book. Rev.10v1-11.

6. The battle in Jerusalem between God's two witnesses and Antichrist. Rev.11v1-14.

7. The escape of the woman into the wilderness. Rev.12v1-17.

8. Antichrist and the False Prophet. Rev.13v1-18.

9. The 144,000 Christians, the angelic messengers, the two harvests. Rev.14v1-20.

10. The seven vials of God's wrath. Rev.15 and 16.

11. The description of Jerusalem as the Scarlet Woman. Rev.17v1 to 19v4.

12. The wrath of God, and marriage supper, of the Lamb. Rev.19v1 to 20v3. cf. Is.24v21. 25v6-9.


B. GOD REIGNS OVER ALL.

1. THE MILLENNIUM. Rev.20v4-10.

2. THE SECOND RESURRECTION AND THE LAST JUDGEMENT. Rev.20v11.

3. THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE AGES OF AGES. Rev.21 and 22.

APPENDIX 1.THE ISSUES OF DEATH AND ETERNAL JUDGEMENT.

APPENDIX 2.THE GREEK TEXT OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

APPENDIX 3. CHART OF DANIEL'S 70 WEEKS OF YEARS. Dan.9v20-27.


DEDICATION. I dedicate this book to the memory of my dear mother who died on August 4th. 1995. My mother and I knew what it was to suffer real persecution for Christ's sake, and we were at times in real danger of losing our lives, until my father was converted by an experience similar to that of Saul on the Damascus Road. The adversity that we experienced threw us upon God and each other, and developed and deepened our relationship with each other and the Lord. Our fellowship and joy in Jesus was very precious, and He gave us priceless experiences of Himself and His spiritual gifts to comfort, inspire, and protect us in our tribulations. My mother's life in God was a continual joy and inspiration to myself, and many others, and her love and prayers have sustained myself, and many others, down the years. I was about three to four years old when my mother told me that Jesus was the door to Heaven, and asked me if I wanted Him to save me, and I said that I did. This event is still vividly in my memory, even though it occurred some sixty years ago. My mother introduced me to the kingdom of God, and helped me to live and walk in the light of that kingdom; I look forward with joy to the day when I shall meet her, and all my loved ones, in our Father's kingdom. Mt.13v43.

William H. Turner. June 6th. 1997. (My mother's birthday.)


PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

It is high time for the Church of Jesus to awake to the hour that we are living in and prepare for the dark days ahead. Jesus warned us that the darkness of the last days will demand a reserve of oil. Mt.24v1-13. This oil consists of prophetic truth as well as the Holy Spirit's anointing and gifts, for Peter tells us that the sure word of prophecy is a light that shines in a dark place. 2Pet.1v19. Some foolishly look upon those who study prophetic truth as unbalanced cranks, however, the study of prophetic truth is a study of the mind and purposes of God, and the study of Revelation carries a special blessing from our Lord. Rev.1v3. Since the first edition of this book was written in 1958, many significant world events have occurred, which show us that the prophecies concerning the end of this age could soon be fulfilled. The ethnic conflicts, wars and rumours of wars, that our Lord warned us about, have become a daily feature of the news. Mt.24v7. Probably the most prophetically significant of all the present day events is the attempts to make peace between Israel and the Arab states.

The collapse of the Communist empire is another remarkable fact, and its confederation of states has also brought about a possible fulfilment of a ten king alliance. A ten king confederation of Arab states is another possibility. These are two possible answers to God's prophetic puzzle. At the strategic divine epoch of human history, Jesus will open the seven seals, and the identities of the ten kings and the Antichrist will be confirmed; God will fulfil His divine purposes and personally unfold these epochal world events. He reigns and rules in the kingdoms of men even when the vilest of kings are set up. Dan.4v17,32. The proximity of these last day events forces us to examine again the foundations of our knowledge of prophetic truth. God has given a prominent place to the closing events of this age and the second coming of Christ, and they should have a prominent place in the studies, thoughts, preaching and witnessing of all Christians. I shall feel very happy if those who read this book are challenged to search the Scriptures, and to purify their hearts and walk closer to the Lord. The blessed hope of the Church is our Lord's appearing in power and great glory; may this hope purify, challenge and comfort every Christian's heart. 1Thes.4v18. Titus.2v13. 1Jn.2v28. 3v2,3.

When I was a young man, I accepted my Pastor's viewpoint on prophecy, because I felt that such a prayerful and godly man must be right, I later found out that God wanted me to examine the Scriptures for myself. Over forty years of study and discussion with others, have convinced me that most Christians have accepted other people's opinions on prophecy exactly as I did as a young man, and have never really tested their teachings by the Scriptures. This is a dangerous practice, for in the day of battle we can only stand and conquer through the truth that we have made our own. It is not being disloyal to test the doctrines that we are taught by our Christian leaders by the light of the Scriptures, for God calls the Bereans "noble-minded," when they eagerly checked Paul's doctrine to see if it was Scriptural, with the same exact research that a person would use in checking a legal document. Acts.17v10,11. Heb.5v11-14. 6v12. 2Tim.3v14-17. I trust that no one accepts my views without thoroughly testing them by the Scriptures. 1Thes.5v21.

In 1Pet.1v10-12., Peter uses three very strong words to describe the prayerful, thoughtful, and intensive efforts that the prophets made in seeking God, to find out WHAT their prophecies meant and WHEN they would occur. We need to seek God with the same earnestness and prayerfulness for the interpretation of prophetic truth that the prophets themselves manifested in searching out the interpretation of their own prophecies, for there is "heavier judgement" for Christian teachers who mislead the children of God. James.3v1. This book has been written with the strong warnings of our Lord in Rev.22v18,19., very much in mind. Let us humbly seek the truth, for God hates pride, and He hides truth from proud and cocksure theologians, and reveals His secrets to humble seekers. Mt.11v25,26. Lk.10v21-24.

I have included many Scripture references, so I advise readers to get a "bird's eye view" of this book by a quick scan of its contents, and then study the references. I hope that consideration of the original Greek Scriptures will help students of God's Word to find the truth they seek, and will not put off people from reading this book. I have put some of this material in the Appendix for those who want to study it. Many books on the Revelation lack any real insight into the meaning of its prophecies; however, I have found books by G.H. Lang and Tregelles to be enlightening and profitable. The notes of the late C.L. Parker have been the most helpful, and one sorrows at the loss of such a gifted teacher and man of God. 2Tim.2v2.

Some say that John could not have written Revelation, because the Greek style and thought content is so different from that of his Gospel. This difference in style is easily explained by the fact that John had someone to write the Gospel for him, but nobody in the isolation of Patmos to write the Apocalypse for him. Anyway it is absurd to expect a person to use the same style in a personal letter, a history like the Gospel, and a revelation from God like the Apocalypse. John could have just written down the Greek he heard, and God may have used the Hebraisms of Abaddon, Rev.9v11.; Armageddon, Rev.16v16.; Hallelujah, Rev.19v1,3,4,6.; and the unusual grammar of Rev.1v4,5,6, 2v20. 3v12. 4v1. 5v11,12, 6v9. 8v9. 14v12. for striking effect. Scholars say that the thought of the Greek is very clearly expressed, and the ungrammatical writing achieves a profoundly moving effect. The Greek oracles were also partial to barbarism's of style. Irregular and unusual language has the effect of detaching divine truths from normal language, as one has said, “only the mysterious appears divine.”

There are real linguistic and doctrinal similarities between John's Gospel and Revelation. Jn.5v28,29. with Rev.20v4-15.; Jn.7v37. with Rev.21v6. 22v17.; Jn.1v1. with Rev.19v13.; Jn.3v36. with Rev.6v17. 14v10,11.. The description of Jesus as “The Lamb of God” “ho amnos tou Theou,” is only recorded by the apostle John in Jn.1v29,36.; and “as a lamb,” “hos amnos,” in Acts.8v32., which quotes Is.53v7.,and “as of a lamb,” “hos amnou,” in 1Pet.1v19.. It is significant that Jesus is described as, “The Lamb,” “to arnion,” 28 times in Revelation, and in Rev.5v6., once as “a lamb,” “arnion.” See Rev.12 7v14. 12v11. etc. There are certainly no doctrinal differences between John's Gospel and Revelation.

The early Church leaders who lived in the area to which the letters to the seven churches were sent, all testify that the Revelation was received, written and verified by the apostle John. Papias, a disciple of John, who lived at Hierapolis, a few miles from Laodicea, said that John the apostle was entrusted with the Revelation. The same testimony is given by Justin Martyr, Melito of Sardis, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexander, the Muratorian fragment, Tertullian of Carthage, Origen of Alexandria, and Hippolytus. The Revelation is pervaded with apostolic authority, and consists of heights of prophetic and spiritual revelation that were only experienced by the greatest Old Testament prophets, and by leading apostles in the New Testament. See Rev.12v1-4,12. The honest mind cannot doubt that the Revelation was given by Christ to His beloved apostle John; read and meditate upon it and you will be awed, inspired and blessed. Rev.1v3.

The Eastern churches were slower to recognise the Apocalypse of John than the Western churches, because it was not in the Peshitta Syriac Version. The Council of Laodicea (about A.D. 360) omitted it from the canon, but the third Council of Carthage (A.D. 397) accepted it. However, after a period of doubt the Apocalypse was accepted as canonical in the East, just as Hebrews was in the West.

Of the five uncials that have the text of the Apocalypse, Aleph A C P Q, only Aleph, A, and Q are complete. Of these Aleph belongs to the fourth century, A and C to the fifth, Q (really B2) to the eighth, P to the ninth. C lacks Rev.1v1, 3v19 to 5v14, 7v14-17, 8v5-9:16, 10v10 to 11v3, 14v13 to 18v2, 19v5-21., P lacks Rev.16v12 to 17v1, 19v21 to 20v9, 22v6-21.. C and P are palimpsests. Because of the poor state of the text, the versions translated from the Greek into other languages are of considerable importance.

The book is an unveiling “apokalupsis,” from “apokalupto,” a special kind of prophetic revelation from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, which contains vivid pictorial images like the visions of Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Daniel in the Old Testament.

I apologise to the Lord and to the readers of my previous books on Revelation, for not previously examining the subjects of death and eternal punishment in sufficient depth, and with the necessary clarity. I hope and pray that my study on, "The Issues of Death and Judgement," in the Appendix of this book will rectify this in some measure.

The background of John’s imprisonment was severe persecution. The Roman emperors claimed that they were gods, and to a varying extent, insisted on being worshipped, and this was the reason for some of the major persecutions of the early Church. Satan was undoubtedly the power behind this persecution. Nero and Domitian were the two worst opponents of the Church, and huge numbers of Christians died at their hands. Domitian, insisted that he be called “Dominus ac Deus noster,” “Our Lord and God.” The deranged Emperor Caius Caligula claimed divinity, and insisted that his image should be set up and worshipped in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem, he was killed in January of A.D. 41 before this order could be put into effect. Nero also demanded worship and in A.D. 64 blamed the burning of Rome on the Christians, though he was the guilty party, all kinds of lies and slander were circulated about Christians. Emperor worship did not effect the worshippers of other gods, but it caused problems for the Jews, and even greater problems for Christians, for after the burning of Rome Christians were no longer categorised as a variety of Jews, and had no standing in law by themselves. Many Christians, like Polycarp, were martyred because they refused to say that Caesar was Lord and God. After Nero it was a crime to be a Christian, but some emperors were more tolerant than others, but even these recommended that “stubborn cases” should be put to death.

This prophecy assures us that Jesus watches over suffering saints and martyrs, and guarantees a certain triumph over Satan and evil in both Heaven and earth. Jesus is the Lamb that was slain, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the victorious Word of God, over all evil enemies, and is worshipped in heaven like the Father. This same Jesus, who was John’s Captain of salvation in the time of Domitian is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith today. The Apocalypse inspires us with the true picture of our future, and fills us with faith, hope, joy and praise. The persecuted Christians in these churches would have listened to the reading of this great prophetic revelation from God with the most intense interest, in many churches their lives were under great threat, this greatly concentrates your attention to listen to what God has to say to you. The Revelation is compelling reading for those who are not under this kind of persecution, I remember how, as a child, I used to read it through time and time again, and I was always enthralled and fascinated by its vivid imagery, and captivated and blessed by its spiritual content, even though I failed to understand most of what I was reading. May you too be blessed by reading this prophecy from our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

W. H. Turner. November 19th. 1998. (Edited again January 9th 2001.)

The prophetic conclusions and teaching in this latest edition of my commentary on “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” have not changed from those in the previous edition of this book. However, I have added some new material, and rewritten some parts of the of the book, which were poorly, or not clearly written, in order to make the material more readable and easier to understand. I have also changed the format and text, from 10 point Arial Narrow to 11 point Arial Narrow, to make the book easier to read. May God’s blessing rest upon it, and you, as you read it.

W. H. Turner. Oct. 29th. 2003.


A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

The person who received this remarkable revelation from Jesus, was undoubtedly the beloved apostle John. Jesus came to comfort His persecuted servant with a wonderful revelation of Himself and His eternal plans and purposes, while John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. Our Lord gave John the privilege of revealing to His Church a series of remarkable prophecies concerning His second coming and eternal kingdom, as well as His personal instructions to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. According to Rev.1v1., the title of the “Apocalypse,” is, “A Revelation of Jesus Christ,” rather than, “The Revelation of John,” for we are told that Jesus personally received the “Apocalypse” from God the Father, and then communicated it to His servant John, through “His angel.” “Apokalupsis,” is derived from “apokalupto,” to unveil, to uncover; in Rev.1v1., it is used without the definite article, it is, “a revelation, an unveiling.” “Apokalupsis,” is used in 1Cor.12v7. and Eph.1v17., of God-given spiritual enlightenment and insight, and in 2Thes.2v8,9. of the revelation and unveiling of Antichrist.

There were other churches in the Roman province of Asia, but the Lord confined the proclamation of this prophecy to these seven churches, which formed a circle where John had lived and worked for God. The prophecies for each individual church were understood because of their devastating accuracy. Some of the other prophecies are intended to guide the Church in the very last days of this age, and need a mind that has wisdom and divine revelation to understand. Rev.17v9. However, even when the prophecies are not fully understood, they all clearly reveal he different ends of the righteous and the wicked, and reveal in magnificent detail the glorious eternal future of the redeemed. The letters to the seven churches do not cover all types of churches, nor do they present seven dispensations or periods of Church history.

Jesus personally encourages us to read and understand His “Revelation,” and promises a special blessing if we study it, and keep His words. He tells us to take heed to His prophecy and not to let the truths and prophecies of this book slip by, for the time of their fulfilment is near. Rev.1v3. Some prophecies concerning the seven churches had an almost immediate fulfilment, and even the most distant are near in the light of eternity. 2Pet.3v8,9. Rev.22v7,12,20. Ps.90v4. Jesus closes with the grim warning, that those who add to its prophecies can expect severe judgement, and those who take away its prophecies can even have their name removed from the book of life. Rev.22v18,19. We need to tremble at this Word of the Lord, and not misconstrue or neglect its truths and prophecies. Is.66v2-5.

Some of the details of the prophecies are not easy to apply or interpret at present. However, it is not necessary to correctly interpret every detail of each prophecy, as long as we have good knowledge of the “Revelation,” and an accurate interpretation of the general outline and theme of its prophecies. The more obscure and ambiguous details of the prophecies will be made clear by their fulfilment in world events. Moreover, when Revelation's prophecies are fulfilled and made manifest by events, their fulfilment will give us a very accurate timing of the proximity of our Lord's coming, for some of these prophecies are given in days and months, and will accurately date last day events. This accurate fulfilment of prophecy will encourage us to hold on in faith, knowing that our Lord's coming will be as sure and certain as the fulfilment of these predicted events. These fulfilled prophecies will enlighten our minds and greatly encourage our faith during the dark days at the end of this age, and this is without doubt one of the major Divine purposes behind the prophecies revealed in Revelation.

A. THE VARIOUS THEORIES AS TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

There has been a great deal of thought and much unreasonable speculation as to what the prophecies in Revelation mean. Many expositors have ignored the key facts and time periods mentioned in Revelation and the Book of Daniel; this has resulted in many different and obviously false interpretations. These interpretations fall into four main groups.

1. The Symbolic Interpretation.
Some expositors say that the majority of Revelation is only symbolic truth, and is not to be looked upon as a prophetic revelation of historical events which are to come. In saying this they reject the remarkable prophetic content of this book. Those who say, “The content of the Apocalypse is not merely prediction; moral counsel and religious instruction are the primary burdens of its pages;” are ignoring the fact that God says that it is primarily a prophetic revelation. God wants us to understand His prophetic truth, as well as keep His moral counsel. Let us remember Christ's awesome warning, in Rev.22v18,19., to those who take away the prophetic content of this book.

2. The Preterist Interpretation.
This school of interpreters views Revelation as dealing in a symbolic way with historical events occurring at the end of the first century A.D., and they look upon it as a means of comfort to a persecuted Church. This interpretation throws almost the whole, and some even the whole of the prophecy into the past as already fulfilled. For example, Augustine thought that the Millennium commenced with the reign of Constantine, A.D. 274; and Hengstenberg said that it commenced with the reign of Charlemagne and closed in the year 1848. This interpretation cannot be correct, for it is complete folly to say that the earthly rule of wicked men, is the Millennial reign of Christ. The Preterist school has many different interpretations in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant schools of thought. This interpretation allows the imagination to wander free from the constraint of prophetic truth. Here again we see that the interpretation of prophetic fact as symbolic truth always results in a prophetic delusion.

3. The Historical Interpretation.
This view states that the Book of Revelation forecasts and embraces the chief phases of the whole history of the Church from the time of its writing to the consummation of the ages. Again the interpretation of the prophecies is left to the imagination, intuition and ingenuity of each individual interpreter. This has let to an great diversity of opinion, and those who interpret the “Apocalypse” in this way, find themselves in complete darkness and in a prophetic muddle. Our Lord desires us to hear, understand, and keep His Revelation, and such interpretations make this impossible. Rev.1v3.

4. The Futurist Interpretation.
This view assigns all from Rev.4v1. to 19v21., to a short period of time at the end of the age, which ends with the return of Jesus on the day of the Lord. There is a particular emphasis on the last 3½ years of this age; the period known as “The Great Tribulation.” This view follows our Lord's own key to the interpretation of Revelation as given in Rev.1v19.. Christ said that “the things which thou hast seen,” refer to Rev.1v9-20.; “the things which are,” refer to the seven churches of Asia, in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation; (John seems to have been the apostolic overseer of these seven churches after going to Ephesus in about A.D. 70); and “the things which shall be hereafter,” is said in Rev.4v1. to refer to the prophecies recorded in Rev.4v1 to 22v21.. Some futurist interpreters believe that the Church will be caught up before the great tribulation, others, like myself, believe that the Church will be caught up at our Lord's return after the great tribulation.

The first three groups of interpreters have ignored the basic facts in Daniel and Revelation, and the result has been a multitude of errors in their predictions of future events, and many unscriptural historical interpretations of prophetic events. The facts of Scripture and Church history prove beyond doubt that the Futurist interpretation of the book of Revelation is correct.

B. THE KEY FACTS NECESSARY FOR A CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF THE APOCALYPSE.

God has given prophetic facts in the Scriptures, that are the key to a correct interpretation of the Revelation.

1. The vital connection between the Daniel's prophecies and John's Revelation.

It is obvious to the honest mind that many of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation are speaking of the same personalities and events, of Antichrist, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Christ, etc. This is proved by a comparison of the following Scriptures. Dan.7v24-28. 8v9,27. 10v14. 11v21 to 12v13. Rev.12v3,7-12. 13v1-10. 17v3,11-13. and 19v19-21. Compare Rev.12v7. with Dan.12v1. The strong link between some of Daniel's prophecies and the Revelation is also confirmed by the fact that the period of 3½ years is mentioned several times in both books and in obviously related prophecies. Dan.7v25 9v27. 12v7. with Rev.11v2,3. 12v6,14. 13v5. The literal translation of “week” in Dan.9v27. is “seven,” and from the context, this is seen to be seven years, which is divided into two periods of 3½ years. The period of time spoken of as “a time, times, and half a time,” is 3½ years; it is made up of a singular time, a dual time, and half a time. That it is a period of 3½ years is further confirmed by a comparison of Dan.12v6,7,11,12. and Rev.12v6,14.

2. These time periods prove that Rev.4v1 to 19v21., is dealing with the last 3½ years of this age.

We can see from the number of times that the period of 3½ years is mentioned, that Rev.4v1. to 19v21., is concerned with this period of 3½ years. It is mentioned in Rev.11v2. and 13v5. as 42 months; in Rev.11v3 and 12v6. as 1260 days; and in Rev.12v4. as “a time, times, and half a time.” Dan.12v6,7. 7v25. 9v27. There are no long periods of time mentioned in Rev.4v1 to 19v21.. The longest period of time is covered by the seven seals, which reveal the career of Antichrist during the last seven years of this age. Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation speak of events in Heaven just prior to these last seven years. The only other periods of time mentioned besides the 3½ years, are also short periods of time. Rev.6v11. 8v1. 9v5,10,15. 11v14. 18v9,17.

The year for a day theory is complete nonsense.

It is total folly to make a day mean a year, as some have done, for where God means a year, as in Rev.20v2-7., He says so. God gave this period of 3½ years in three ways, days, months and years, to convince us that He means just what He has said. Those who make 2Pet.3v8., Numb.14v34 and Ezek.4v6., the excuse for a year for day theory, are twisting the Scriptures; and disqualify themselves from being taken as serious prophetic students; and prove that they cannot “correctly analyse the Word of truth.” 2Tim.2v15. Their absurd theories make prophetic dating quite meaningless. In Numb.14v34. and Ezek.4v6., the days are literal days, and the years are literal years, they are certainly not a principle of prophetic interpretation. In Numb.14v34., God states a fact of judgement, not a principle of prophetic interpretation; the 40 days of unbelieving spying out of Canaan, received a judicial sentence of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and God's breach of promise. Numb.13v17. to 14v45.

In Ezek.4v6., Ezekiel's symbolic act brought to public notice the 430 years of past sin for which judgement was to come, and in 2Pet.3v8., Peter compares the many years of God's longsuffering with His tremendous judgements on the day of the Lord. If we apply the year for day theory to Rev.12v6,14., we have a period of 1260 years from Satan being cast out of the heavenly places and the heavens cleansed, to the return of Christ, which is clearly complete nonsense. People use this method of interpretation, so that they can twist the facts, for a symbolically interpreted prophecy, can be made to mean almost any thing that they desire. Who decides which dates are symbolic and which are literal? We should accept the time periods that God has given to us and not tamper with them. How do these people explain the “half hour” of Rev.8v1., and the “five months” and “thirteen months” of Rev.9v5,10,15.? If we fail to interpret Scriptural dates literally, we end in utter darkness. Christ interpreted these 3½ years of Daniel's prophecy as literally as the other years in this prophecy, let us follow His example. Dan.9v20-27. Mt.24v15-21.

3. God wants us to understand the Book of Revelation.

When our heavenly Father inspired and wrote the Book of Revelation He intended that even the difficult parts should be understood. With diligent prayer and study, most of its prophecies can be understood; and the parts that we do not fully understand will be made more clear by their actual fulfilment. The key to the book of Revelation is found elsewhere in the Scriptures, particularly in Daniel's prophecies; they throw light on each other's predictions. It is not necessary, as some would have us believe, to have a course on Church History to understand the Revelation, the key is in the Word of God. The book of Revelation is intended to give us light on, and in, a dark future, and the glorious hope beyond it; not a muddled commentary on the past that many have made it. 1Pet.1v10-12. 2Pet.1v19-21.

Those who say that Revelation cannot be understood and serves no useful purpose, have in reality charged God with folly. God has written Revelation for our welfare and profit, He intended ordinary people to read His Word and understand it, He has not written a book which no one, or only the intellectual, can understand. Indeed, Jesus said that God often bypasses the intellectual, wise and prudent, and gives revelations of His power, plans, and purposes to “babes and sucklings,” and this is “good in His sight.” Mt.11v25-27. Lk.10v20-24. The spiritual “babe and suckling” has a far better chance of understanding the Word of God, than the “wise and prudent” unspiritual intellectual. Is.35v8. 2Pet.1v9,19. 3v16. Mt.13v10-17. This does not mean that we should be lazy in our study of the Scriptures; those “who labour in the word and doctrine,” and are “labouring fervently in prayers,” will be given the light they seek. In 1Tim.5v17., “labour” is “kopiontes,” the present active participle of “kopiao,” to labour, to work until one is exhausted.” In Col.4v12., “labouring” is “agonizomenos,” the present middle participle of “agonozomai,” to struggle, to agonise. Obtaining divine truth and a God-blessed ministry is costly and demands a consecrated heart and mind, and real effort in study and prayer. Acts.17v11. Heb.5v11-14. 1Pet.1v10-13. Prov.16v3.

We must study God’s Word with an open mind, for it is folly to twist the Scriptures to make them fit our theories. We recognise that God uses parables, figurative language, symbols, or heavenly cartoons in the prophetic truth that He has given to us in His Word, and that great truth is given by these means. However, it is important to recognise that prophetic truth should be interpreted, like any other Scriptural truth, the literal being interpreted as literal, and the symbolic as symbolic, otherwise the result will be a prophetic delusion. 2Pet.3v16-18.

4. The kingdom of the Antichrist is not based on Rome.

Rome is not the city of Babylon named in Revelation. The Antichrist has been linked with Rome on the basis that the seven hills mentioned in Rev.17v9., are the seven hills of Rome. Christians have felt that the great persecutions of the Church by the Roman state and Roman Church, also confirms their identification of the harlot city of Babylon in Rev.17., with the city of Rome. However, we will now show why this cannot be so.

a. The seven mountains are ruled by seven kings, and are seven kingdoms.

When the Scriptures speak of mountain in a symbolic prophetical way, it represents a kingdom. Dan.2v35,44,45. Is.2v2. Rev.13v1,7. with Rev.17v12,17. These seven hills are seven different kingdoms, over which seven kings rule.

b. The Antichrist is the seventh and eighth head of the Beast.

We are told in Rev.17v10. that the final Antichrist is the seventh and eighth head of the Beast, and that Rome, the sixth head, was in power in John's time, so the final Antichrist and beast cannot be Rome. We are told in Rev.13v3. and 17v8.; that Antichrist appears to imitate Christ's resurrection from the dead. We read in Rev.17v10,11., that before his death Antichrist is the seventh king, and after his resurrection he is the eighth king, when he becomes even more wicked, merciless, ruthless, and cruel. Antichrist is possessed and dominated by Satan, and puts all his desires and plans into operation; he will be the most evil and most malevolent and pitiless man, that the world has ever seen. In John's time it says that the seventh head of the beast of Rev.17., had yet to come, and when it did it would only last a short time.

c. The Antichrist is also spoken of as "the king of the North."

The kingdom of Antichrist is said to be north of Palestine in Dan.11v40 to 12v7., this kingdom cannot be Rome, for Rome is certainly not north of Palestine. We are also told in Daniel eight, that the Antichrist comes out of part of the Grecian empire north of Palestine. The legs of iron of Dan.2v33,40-43. and the fourth beast of Dan.7v7,8,17-28. were only partially fulfilled by Rome. The stress of these prophecies was upon the fourth kingdom and last days, as Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar; “God hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” Dan.2v28. The stone cut without hands, Christ and His kingdom, fell on the feet of the image and destroyed it. Dan.2v35,44,45. Antichrist will try to fight Jesus at His coming, and will be destroyed by Him for his gross wickedness and impenitence. Rev.17v11-14. 19v19-21. Dan.8v25,26.

C. THE CITY CALLED "BABYLON" IS THE CITY OF JERUSALEM.

a. "The city, the great one" is the city of Jerusalem.

The emphatic and exclusive phase, “the city, the great one,” which describes “Babylon” in Rev.14v8. 16v19, 17v18. 18v10,16,18,19,21.; is said, in Rev.11v8., to be the place “where also our Lord was crucified,” that is, Jerusalem. Those who say that “Babylon” is Rome, admit that it is very difficult to ignore this plain statement that “the city, the great one” is Jerusalem. They admit that they lay aside the revealed facts of God’s Word for their own opinion. In Rev.11v8., the name “Sodom” is given to Jerusalem to show the rioting in the sins of the flesh, and the going after “strange flesh.” Dan.2v43. Gen.6v2. Jude.v6. Rev.12v9. Ezek.16v45-56. The name of “Egypt” is given to Jerusalem to show that her king sets himself forth as God, and rejects all the mighty manifestations of God's power through God's servants. Just as in the time of Moses and Pharaoh there will be a violent conflict between the powers of good and evil. 2Tim.3v8. Mt.23v31. John.8v44. The name of “Babylon” is given to Jerusalem to show its spiritual condition under Antichrist, it's worship of false Gods, its hatred of God, its sinful luxuries, and the extent of Antichrist's power and kingdom. Dan.2v39. Rev.17v4. 18v2,3,9-19. The adjective “megale,” great, is used in connection with Babylon every time it occurs in Revelation. Rev.14v8. 16v19. 17v5. 18v2,10,21. “Babylon” is also called “the great whore,” who is drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs. Rev.17v1,6. 19v2.

These names give a very graphic description of the spiritual condition of Jerusalem under Antichrist; its abominable wickedness, idolatry, hatred of God, and its ultimate judgement by God. The city of God becomes the city of the Devil, and a partaker of the sins that resulted in the destruction of the other kingdoms that make up the head of the Beast. Jerusalem’s trust in Antichrist will bring about its destruction, it will again taste the fruit of her unfaithfulness to God, and will be mercilessly ruled by men who are under Satan’s control. Rev.17v5,16. Rome has never been looked upon as God's wife, so she can never have been His unfaithful wife; this is the sin and name that the prophets hurl against Jerusalem. Is.1v21. 57v8. Jer.2v20 3v1-25. 4v30. 11v15. 13v27. Ezekiel. Chapters. 16, 22 and 23.

b. Babylon has committed the sins which are exclusively Jerusalem's sins.

Babylon is said to have shed the blood of saints, martyrs, apostles, and prophets. Rev.17v6. 18v6,20,24. This is the righteous blood that our Lord said Jerusalem had, and would shed. Mt.23v29-34. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament saints suffered at the hands of apostate Jews. How can people say that apostate Jews, who kill the children of God, reject Christ and His Gospel, and accept Antichrist and partake of his wickedness, are the elect of Mt.24? Christ called such Jews serpents and vipers, and children of the Devil, and says that they are destined for the lake of fire. Mt.23v33. John.8v43-45. Rev.14v9-12. The Scriptures tell us that the only people who will not be deceived and will not follow Antichrist in the countries under his sway, will be those who are saved. Rev.13v8.

c. The destruction of "Babylon" is the destruction of Jerusalem.

The destruction of “Babylon” by Antichrist in Rev.17v16,17., occurs just before the end of the age, and cannot be any other than the destruction of Jerusalem just before the second coming of the Lord Jesus. It coincides exactly in time, place, and in fulfilment of prophecy. Mt.24v28. Lk.21v20-24. Rev.14v8,19,20. Zech.14v1. Joel.3 all.

d. Antichrist rules from Jerusalem in the great tribulation.

The fact that “Babylon” rules over the kings of the earth is another proof that she is Jerusalem, for Antichrist rules his kingdom from the Temple at Jerusalem, and sets up his image there. Rev.13v14,15. 17v18. 2Thes.2v3,4. Mt.24v15. Dan.9v17. 11v31. 12v11. The Scriptures we have examined prove that “Babylon” is Jerusalem, not Rome, and that Antichrist's rule is centred around Jerusalem, not Rome.

Conclusion. It is clear from the evidence that we have given, and from the number of times that the start of the kingdom of God, and the judgement of the wicked at Christ's coming, is mentioned in Rev.4v1 to 19v21., that they are a commentary on the closing events of this age. Rev.6v12-17. 7v9-17. 10v5-7. 11v15-19. 14v1-20. 15v1. 16v17-21 17v14. 19v1-21. These Scriptures prove, establish, and verify, that Revelation is not written in chronological order.

The above facts prove the truth of the Futurist interpretation and the error of the other schools of thought. It will greatly help the study of the Book of Revelation if the facts that we have stated are firmly fixed in the mind before the rest of the book is studied. A prayerful attitude is essential for a correct interpretation of God's Word, for the carnal, unspiritual mind will receive very little, if anything, from God. Rom.8v5-7. 1Cor.2v7-16. James.1v4-8.

D. A SKELETON OUTLINE OF REVELATION. Rev.1v19.

Introduction. The source of Revelation and John's greeting to the Churches. Rev.1v1-8.

1. Things Past. "The things which thou hast seen." Rev.1v9-20.

John's vision of our glorified Saviour, and the comfort and commission that He gave to His aged beloved apostle.

2. Things Present. "The things which are," in the seven churches. Rev.2v1 to 3v22.

Christ's revelation of the spiritual condition of the seven churches in Asia and His messages to them. These messages reveal the relationship and attitude of Christ to His Church on earth.

3. Things Future. "The things that shall be hereafter." Rev.4v1 to 22v21.

a. Events in Heaven and earth from just prior to the last 7 years of this age, to the return of Jesus. Rev.4v1 to 19v21. This portion concentrates mainly on the last 3½ years of this age, the period of time known as the great tribulation.

b. The Millennium. Rev.20v7-10.

c. The last judgement and the second resurrection. Rev.20v7-10.

d. The eternal kingdom and the ages of ages. Rev.21 and 22.

A brief outline of Rev.4v1 to 19v21.

1. Rev.4 and 5. The revelation of the events in Heaven just prior to the last seven years of this age. The vision of the glory, activity and holiness of God the Father and the perfect sacrificial devotion of Christ to His creation and His worthiness to open the seals and rule in the Millennial kingdom, that follows these seals.

2. Rev.6v1-17. and 8v1. The seven seals. These seals show the stages and results of the career of Antichrist, who at first seems to be a small and harmless peace-maker, but his career becomes more and more devilish and destructive, until Jesus destroys him at His coming.

3. Rev.7v1-17. The sealing of the faithful Old Testament saints for ruling in the Millennium, and the vision of the eternal blessedness of the victorious great tribulation saints.

4. Rev.8 and 9 and 11v15-19. God's answers to the prayers of His people, seven trumpet judgements.

5. Rev.10v1-11. God promises to set up His kingdom at the seventh trumpet.

6. Rev.11v1-19. A picture of the conflict in Jerusalem between Antichrist and God's two witnesses. This conflict ends when our Lord returns to destroy the wicked and judge and reward His saints.

7. Rev.12v1-17. The martyrdom of the manchild, and the escape of Christians into the wilderness. Mt.24v15-21. Dan.11v41. Satan is expelled from the heavenly places into the earth and his evil plans (“the mystery of iniquity,” 2Thes.2v7.) and malicious interference in the affairs of the world causes the great tribulation. Rev.12v12.

8. Rev.13v1-18. Antichrist and the False Prophet, their character and power.

9. Rev.14v1-20. The Christian rulers, the angels and their messages, the two harvests.

10. Rev.15 and 16. The vials of God's wrath on the wicked.

11. Rev.17v1 to 19v4. The description of Jerusalem as the unfaithful wife, the scarlet women, Babylon the Great, who as the bride of Satan shares in the punishment of his sins.

12. Rev.19v5 to 20v4. Christ's returns and judges the wicked, the two suppers. Satan is chained for 1,000 years.

E. THE GREEK TEXT OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

I am not a Greek scholar, but I have gleaned the facts on the Greek of Revelation from those who are Greek scholars, and I, for one, am greatly indebted to them for their meticulous and exhaustive studies. We learn from them that the Authorised Version of the New Testament faithfully follows the majority of the Greek manuscripts except in “The Book of Revelation;” as the outstanding scholar, Bishop C. Wordsworth states; “The English Version of the Apocalypse does not rest upon the same sound basis of manuscript authority as the Authorised Translation of the other books of the New Testament. It stands in a place by itself, and ought to be regarded accordingly.”

I have not commented on the minor textual variations, which do not effect the meaning of the text or prophecies, but have considered the major textual variations that effect or alter the meaning of the text and prophecies. The Authorised Version text is referred to as A.V., and it is based on Stephens 1550 Greek text, known as the Received Text or Textus Receptus, or T.R. in our evidence. In the Apocalypse the Textus Receptus often does not follow the Majority Text. Where there is a need, we will refer to the evidence of the major early translations from the Greek into other languages, and quotations from the “Church Fathers.” We thank God for ALL those who have preserved the Scriptures and laboured in the field of textual criticism, we owe them an incalculable debt of gratitude, for giving to us the Word of God as spoken to and through His prophets and apostles.

For further study see, Appendix 2. The Greek Text of the Book of Revelation.


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