Foreword to The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages
I made the first revision to this ebook in 2011 to change the choice of a few words, delete or add a few words, change some grammar and make formatting changes for easier reading (I took out much of the overuse of the bold emphasis within my comments) and added some clarification where I felt it was necessary, I also rewrote a few short paragraphs, added a couple and deleted a few paragraphs that were mainly in my final comments. In short, not much of anything of real substance has changed in this first revision for those who might have already read it.
Why another commentary on the book of Revelation?
I wanted to offer a good free commentary on Revelation to readers of my website but worthwhile commentaries in 2004 had copyright protection and were not free for me or for you to copy without permission. I have also concluded that I have some unique views on Bible prophecy and the book of Revelation that I have not found in the works of others.
Many were saying that I had a website on Revelation but until this point, I did not. My website prior to 2004 was primarily about how all world events correlate to indicate that we are near the end time fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Since everyone expected a Revelation study on my website, I decided to write the best one that I could with the gifts that God gave me.
My views will not be exactly like any others that you may have read but I am sure most who take prophetic scripture in the common literal sense will agree with essential points in my commentary.
My qualifications for writing this Revelation Commentary :
(The qualifications were as of 2004, add 7 more years of learning with this 2011 revision)
·I have been an Evangelical Christian for well over thirty years. Before that, I learned the basic tenets of the Christian faith from Roman Catholic education.
·I have written, designed, maintained and defended my website on end time themes for five years and have written about, exposed and debated issues in Christianity that deviate from true biblical Christianity.
·Over the last three decades, I have read well over a hundred books that relate in one way or another to end time theology (eschatology).
·I have listened to thousands of hours of lectures and read countless articles from the top experts in dispensational eschatology.
·For over 30 years, I have privately studied and meditated on the Bible from cover to cover. In this process, I have read every word of the Bible dozens of times over in several different English translations.
·Since my major interest is eschatology, I have studied prophetic passages in the Bible scores of times over and many passages hundreds of times over. For example, I have read or studied the book of Revelation well over one hundred times.
·I am aware of most topics that in any way relate to end time Bible prophecy. This includes but is not limited to ancient and modern day paganism, apostasy in the institutional Christian church, conspiracy theories, trends toward world government, trends toward world religion, the rise of Islam in the world, the reestablishment of the state of Israel, UFO theories, writings in non-canonical books, prophecies by those who claim to be in the Church, prophecies of deception from those outside the Church and world trends that are now leading to all sorts of heresies and abominations.
·Over the years I have discussed and debated this topic for thousands of hours with any who had interest.
·I either have been a part of or am aware of most of the major denominational beliefs and movements within Christianity of our time. Therefore, I am uniquely qualified by having learned many different points of view and am quite sure that no single school of theology or dogma of any denomination is blinding me (one proof is that none of them would agree with me on all points).
This commentary is premillennial and is not denominational.
The majority of Christian denominations are amillennial. They believe that there will be no literal future millennial reign of Christ on earth. The premillennial view says there will be a literal thousand-year reign on the earth by Jesus from Jerusalem to fulfill all the unfulfilled prophecies and covenants made to the natural descendants of Jacob (Israel). One such covenant is the “New Covenant”. This covenant was actually made to the house of Israel and Judah without conditions (Jeremiah 31:31). I believe God keeps all of His promises in the context his prophets revealed because God is always totally reliable.
There are many reasons why I believe the premillennial view is correct and those reasons will become apparent in reading the commentary. If you are amillennial in viewpoint, I hope you will have an open mind about this until I make my case. If I hit amillennial teachers a bit hard in this study, you will at least understand why.
If you can read this entire commentary with a open mind and still remain amillennial, you will at least know you thought this theology through and are not just buying the dogma handed down by your denomination (as if any denomination is totally infallible).
I say the commentary is not denominational because my viewpoints come from decades of independent study and no denomination has had significant influence over my viewpoints. I have had membership in amillennial as well as premillennial denominations. I have been in denominations that teach covenant theology and in denominations that teach dispensational theology. As a result, I am familiar with the major viewpoints in the institutional churches.
Even experts cannot agree on every point in the study of Revelation.
There are many differences even among students who take the prophecies in Revelation as future and literal. There are major timing and interpretation differences even among experts who devote their life to this study. A few examples might be:
·Certain authors will place the opening of the seals in the first century or through history or just prior to the seven-year tribulation and many others will place them all in the first half of the tribulation.
·Some authors will place the trumpet judgments in the first half of the tribulation, others will have them in the second half of the tribulation and still others have them span the two.
·There are authors who say the seven vial judgments last years, others who say they last months and still others who say they last a few days.
·Some have the two prophets of God in the first half of the tribulation, others have them in the second half of the tribulation and still others have them span the two periods.
·Some have the 144,000 witnesses in the first half of the seven-year period; others have them in the second half.
·Some experts think the two prophets are Moses and Elijah, some say Elijah and Enoch, others say John and Peter and a few others say they will be contemporary people.
·The judgments on Babylon in this book have as many different interpretations as there are commentators on this book.
This is only a small sample of the many differences among the "experts" on Revelation events. Any reader would be wise not to cut what I say in stone either, because I am wrong on some points, as is anyone who has ever attempted to do a verse-by-verse commentary on this book. In the end, the book will happen the way God said it would happen and that will not necessarily be how I or anyone else interpreted it.
We simply do not have all the information necessary to be dogmatic on every point and I wish more prophecy teachers would just acknowledge this fact so that we all could be more credible.
The first commentary I read on the book of Revelation was totally correct until I read the next commentary on Revelation. The more books I read on Revelation and the more I study the prophetic scriptures the more I learn how inadequate I am to explain the prophecies before they happen. After all my years of study I still need a dozen books on prophecy at hand just to help me figure out for myself the difficult points of interpretation.
Maybe I should have all the details and events worked out and set in concrete like some TV prophecy teachers and popular authors. However, the more I learn, the more I am convinced that the timing of some of the events in Revelation and the interpretation of some of the passages is nothing more than educated speculation from the author. This commentary is no exception.
Why teaching on the book of Revelation and eschatology is difficult.
More than a third of the Bible is prophetic in one way or another. More than one sixth of the Bible is unfulfilled prophecy. The prophetic passages are integrated throughout the Bible in the Old Testament prophets, the Psalms, the holy rehearsals (feasts and live prophetic plays of Israel’s future – e.g. Hosea), the words of Jesus in the gospels, as well as in the words of Paul, Peter, James, John and Jude.
The book of Revelation written by John tells about the Creator (Jesus) working in His creation and in His people through time but about two thirds of the book is about a short period of distress on the earth that occurs just prior to His second coming.
To correctly correlate all unfulfilled prophetic passages in the Bible to the correct events in Revelation takes diligence, the ability to build on the work of other teachers, the humility to admit you are wrong on an issue and the flexibility and character to correct your errors. It also takes the gifts of wisdom and understanding. You might think it takes a high degree of intelligence but it really does not. Intelligence will help gather and process the data but intelligence alone will not bring proper understanding of these passages.
The first difficulty is to determine what passages are unfulfilled prophecies and the next difficulty is to correlate these passages with every other unfulfilled prophetic passage in the Bible. The book of Revelation has among many other things twenty-one separate events called the “seals”, “trumpets” and “vials”. To interpret these events correctly, supporting passages from other scriptures must be considered. To assign supporting prophetic passages to the proper event in Revelation is extremely difficult because it is easy to assign a prophetic scripture to the wrong event. If that is not difficult enough, many Orthodox Jews and Christian scholars agree that some prophetic passages have multiple fulfillment. A passage may begin talking about a future event near the era it was written and then go on to talk about an event near the end of the age. This makes it very difficult to determine where the end time fulfillment begins in some passages.
The book of Revelation describes at least three separate wars over a seven to more than ten year time span. These three wars are described specifically in Psalms 83, Ezekiel Chapter s 38 and 39, and in parts of Daniel and Revelation. All of the other major and minor prophets in the Bible give additional supporting details to these three major wars. There is also the judgments of “Mystery Babylon” and “Babylon the Great” to contend with. Just the judgment on Babylon has major prophetic passages in Isaiah and Jeremiah as well as in Revelation.
To get every prophetic passage applied with one hundred percent certainty to the correct war or event is quite an impossible task. In all honesty, prophecy students cannot even agree on the timing of the three major wars in Revelation. Therefore, it is not realistic to expect them to agree on how each event in those wars relates to a specific Revelation passage.
All prophecy teachers and all theologians make errors and that is the major reason why every book you read will have some differences. All serious students of prophetic scriptures and eschatology should agree foremost that the judgments in the book of Revelation are literal events that will take place on the earth.
If any teacher puts spiritual or allegorical meanings on most of the passages of Revelation to make them esoteric theological mumbo jumbo, you might not waste your time reading them. They may know what amillennial supercession or replacement theologians have taught them but in my opinion, they do not understand the prophetic scriptures at all. I believe it is absolutely impossible to correctly define most of the prophetic events in Revelation if the prophetic passages in Revelation and the Bible are misdirected to the mystical.
The prophetic scriptures need to be taught.
Some pastor/teachers attempt to master the book of Revelation and Bible prophecy in the time it takes to prepare a series of sermons. Some pastors with large followings have even written books on the subject based on a couple of months study, as if that makes them a foremost expert on the subject. What they mainly produce from such efforts is confusion, because their eschatological theories often have holes big enough to drive a Mack truck through. It is like a family practice doctor believing that he is equipped to do brain surgery and then doing it.
Pastors should teach the prophetic truths in scripture but as a teacher, they should be the first to understand that God gave the Church other teachers and equipped them in areas that require a specialist. Before teaching on this subject, most pastors need to study the thoughts of the teachers that God gave the Church for the teaching of eschatology. There are some pastor/teachers who actually qualify as experts in eschatology but they are rare. Most pastors do not have the time it takes to do the exhaustive study it requires.
Many pastors ignore these passages in scripture because they were taught in amillennial seminaries or in Bible colleges that take no position on Eschatology and they realize they know little about this portion of the Bible. Nevertheless, ignoring and not teaching a major portion of scripture is wrong. If Christian leaders do not teach the prophetic scriptures to their people, I can assure you, the cults will. The cults use these same untaught and misapplied scriptures all the time to lead people down the wrong path.
Teaching aids on Bible prophecy in the form of books and CD’s are available to pastor/teachers in many Christian bookstores. If the local store does not carry this information, it can be obtained via mail order or on the Internet. Christian pastors should be able to teach the important prophetic truths for the Church. Examples would be: imminence, covenant promises from God to Israel, the message in the seven letters to the churches in Revelation, the time of future judgment of those dwelling on the earth, the physical second coming of Jesus with His saints in glory, the future restoration and promised kingdom on the earth, the resurrection of the saints, the destiny of the Church in the Holy City, the destiny of Satan and his followers in the Lake of Fire, etc. There is no need to go into fine detail when teaching the truths about prophetic passages. Those who want to know more will find the specialists and they should not be discouraged from doing so.
The broad concepts of Biblical eschatology need to be taught because they lead people to salvation and are essential to equip the saints. The Church should be taught the correct theology of the Lord’s return. It is the blessed hope of the Church. We all should be looking for the Lord’s return at any moment. The Church should be able to correctly apply this twenty percent of the Bible so they will not use these prophetic scriptures out of the proper context to support unbiblical doctrine and practices (such as replacement theology). We must also teach these truths to the Church so that apostate teachers will not deceive the flock by mixing these prophetic scriptures with lies in order to deceive people that attend our congregations into believing that only their demonic cult has the answers and the truth about prophetic biblical passages.
There are the unlearned and unstable who teach Revelation.
Many lay people have tried to tackle Revelation with little training or serious study. Their work can be found plastered all over the Internet. Most of the theories they come up with would be quite comical if the naive did not actually take these people seriously. Prophecy experts with doctorates in theology and majors in eschatology, who have spent their whole lives studying prophetic scripture, cannot get all things in the correct perspective. What motivates these novices to think they have all the answers?
Some of these say they get special revelation from God or they figured out some mathematical formula to ascertain when end time events will take place. They are wrong! God has said all He is going to say about end time events in the Bible until His last two prophets appear. There are no hidden numerical codes or mathematical formulas in the Bible that will give someone the key to the timings of end time events. It is now up to us prophecy students to study the word of God to show ourselves approved.
A few on the Internet and radio have even claimed that they are one of the two witnesses. These people need professional help and they certainly should not be followed or believed by any Christian or rational person. When the real two witnesses appear, they will speak truth and they will be able to back up what they say with scripture and supernatural power. There are also those who think that prophetic scripture has private interpretation for their selective cult. They are in great danger spiritually and possibly physically. These people need to get out before they become so brainwashed that they no longer can.
After a student truly puts in the time necessary in the study on eschatology under learned men in the Church, he might contribute unique thoughts and concepts of his own worth reading. I know of no credible expert on Bible prophecy who has studied any less than many thousands of hours. For example, Dr.Tim Lahaye’s classic work on Revelation - Revelation – Illustrated and Made Plain - was not completed until after decades of study. Contrary to what some think, reading a couple of books on Bible prophecy or hearing a few lectures and rehashing what others said, does not qualify one as a expert on eschatology.
We also have valid experts who have become flawed.
Some prophecy experts who write popular books or who are seen on TV or heard on radio have become flawed because they hold on to disproved pet theories, as if what they teach is Holy Scripture that cannot be in error rather than just a commentary on it. Some even act as if they are a prophet themselves and not just a teacher of prophetic scripture. Some of these, when proven wrong on a pet theory or set date, make the study of end time events look rather foolish. No one knows it all; the best prophecy teachers are those who have sat under many other prophecy teachers and who have built upon what they learned from them by much private study of scripture in the light God gave them for understanding. When we set ourselves up as the only correct teacher on Bible prophecy, we have quit learning. There are now also those using pagan sources to interpret or support Bible prophecy they should be avoided. You cannot interpret reliable end time information through demonic Mayan, New Age, Islamic, etc., teaching or messages from mystics and apparitions
Good prophecy teachers do agree on the essentials.
Do not take all this wrong; prophecy experts who take the prophecies in a literal sense actually do agree on most of the major points in the interpretation of the book of Revelation. Where they differ is usually on the exact timing of those events or they differ on how some literal events will literally be fulfilled. Teachers and students should generally have no problem using commentaries from any well-known prophecy expert who takes the prophecies in a literal common sense way. The differences in the detail between authors may be substantial but the differences will not be critical to the “essential truths” taught by the prophetic scriptures.
Amillennial theology on Revelation is not relevant to most Christians.
Catholic and main line covenant theology Protestant churches that allegorize and spiritualize the book of Revelation to find all fulfillment in the spiritual, cannot possibly interpret most of the passages in Revelation correctly and they cannot agree among themselves how major passages should be spiritualized or allegorized. When prophetic passages in Revelation are taken as allegory and spiritualized as metaphors about the mystical war between good and evil, each denomination will place different meanings on the allegory to satisfy their own theology. You will seldom ever have a Bible study on the book of Revelation in these churches and when it does occur, it is always interpreted through a particular book that reflects only the theology of that denomination.
The reason why dispensational books based on Revelation are so popular today is because people are looking for an end time scenario that they can see in scripture and that is relevant to the troubled times we live in and to their lives. Interpretations of Revelation from amillennial theologians that spiritualize the meanings are just not relevant to most Christians. The “ Left Behind” series is the biggest selling book series in Christianity as of this writing because the theme is found in the common reading of scripture and the message seems relevant to our times. The relevancy of Jesus actually fulfilling the prophetic scripture in a literal way is the attraction.
The 21 Revelation events may not be limited to the classical seven years.
When I started writing this book, I took the classic approach and tried to package the seals, trumpets and vials into the customary seven-year period. As much as I tried, I could not do it. In my opinion, it simply does not all fit in seven years. I have concluded that limiting these events in Revelation to seven years is the main reason why prophecy teachers cannot agree on some of the timing of some of the events.
10 ½ years from the opening of the first seal to the second coming.
After much thought, I have concluded that the classic seven years is just not a long enough period for the seals, trumpets and vials to take place. I now believe these events span 10 ½ years. Most experts conclude that it is seven years, because according to the prophecy in Daniel there remains a week of years still to be fulfilled to the Jews before the kingdom is restored. According to the prophecy, this last week of years occurs after the Messiah is cut off. Daniel also says this week of years will begin with a seven-year covenant that will be broken exactly in the middle. This is all correct; however, Daniel’s prophecy of 70 weeks of years is about what happens to Israel and Jerusalem. Daniel’s prophecy is not about the Church and it is not about anything that happens in the world prior to the start of this last week of years.
A study of the seals in the book of Revelation reveals no prophecies directed toward the Jews until after the opening of the sixth seal. It is my opinion that the seven years does not start until after the announcement of the imminent day of the “wrath of the Lamb” at the sixth seal and the parenthetical chapter telling about the sealing of the 144,000 Jews and their ministry on earth during the tribulation. Therefore, it is my position that at the opening of the seventh seal, a world leader will sign a seven-year covenant with Israel and this event will begin the final seven years rather than the opening of the first seal.
The final seven years starts at the full opening of the scroll.
When what is written in the scroll is fully opened at the breaking of the seventh seal the requirements to restore the kingdom to Israel in this final week of years will be seen.
·Phase one - God sends His two prophets - they will tell the world the truth for 1,260 days.
·Phase two - the Beast Antichrist and False Prophet - they will tell lies and deceive the evil people of the earth, leading them onto a path of self-destruction for 1,260 days.
·After this, the righteous will inherit the earth and the kingdom will be restored to Israel.
It is clear from scripture that there are two separate 3 ½ year periods but scripture does not limit the seals, trumpets and vials in Revelation to just seven years. One of the 3 ½ year periods is for the testimony of the two prophets and the other is the period the world is under the control of the Beast. (The scriptures also tell Israel to flee to the mountains for this same 3 ½ years so they can be protected from this Beast.) Adding the two separate periods together does make seven years but nowhere in scripture does it say these two periods begin at the opening of the first seal.
If the seven years do start at the first seal like many experts think, it raises the question as to how the two prophets of God can effectively be doing their ministry giving their testimony and bringing judgments as often as they wish when the world wars, famines and sicknesses described at the opening of the first four seals are raging and destroying ¼ of the earth or ¼ of mankind? The way some answer that question is to put all these events in the final 3 ½ year period but doing so in my opinion raises more problems than it solves.
The Antichrist will come when the world is expecting a Christ.
I have concluded that the rapture will likely occur 10 ½ years prior to the second coming of Jesus. One of the main reasons I believe this is that I think Antichrist will come as a counterfeit Christ seven years after the rapture when the harlot “world religion system” is truly expecting the appearance of some type of all-inclusive Christ.
The incarnation of Satan in the Beast (Antichrist) is likely to come 3 ½ years before Jesus returns on a fall feast day. This probably will occur on the same feast day that Jesus rose from the dead. In fact, I believe God will permit Satan to duplicate this resurrection event to deceive the world. If the rapture of the faithful body of Christ is seven years prior to this event, it also will happen on the same feast day that the body of Jesus rose from the dead (how appropriate). The rapture of the faithful Church then will be seven years before the coming of the counterfeit Christ and 10 ½ years before the true second coming of Jesus Christ.
The seals contain a counterfeit tribulation for a counterfeit Christ.
From the rapture until Satan incarnates the Beast could be seven years. When the world is expecting the return of a Christ, they could get the deception of the Beast Antichrist. The 3 ½ years of the opening of the seals could only be the beginning of sorrows and false birth pains. It could be a time of war and persecution on the earth inspired through the demonic to counterfeit the true biblical tribulation judgments that later come by way of God’s angels.
Satan may bring about the world wars, plagues and famine described at the opening of the first four seals. He may bring about a false tribulation to set up the deception that his counterfeit Christ with his counterfeit kingdom is the fulfillment of scriptures. After this false tribulation, the world will be looking for a Savior and they will embrace the one from Satan. It could happen because most people are ignorant of the prophetic scriptures themselves and only know what others have claimed. Others only know the incorrect teaching of theologians that makes the prophecies allegorical metaphors. So most could be easily deceived.
The actual birth of God’s kingdom on earth may not begin until the world experiences the birth contractions (trumpet judgments) and the actual pain of birth (vial judgments). If this whole period for the 21 events is 10 ½ years as I propose, it allows everything in prophecy to fit without resorting to taking liberties with the text. In addition, the passages about an unexpected delay “after the announcement that the bridegroom is coming” makes much more sense (Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:45, etc.).
The rapture may be years before the final unfulfilled week for Israel.
Many prophecy teachers think that when the faithful Church is taken in the rapture that this immediately starts the seven year period for the Jews. Nevertheless, Scripture does not say that. Perhaps God has other plans. The tribulation that the Gentile harlot church goes through may not even cover the exact same time span as the 70 th week of Daniel. This week of years is all about Israel and her relationship to the world. Perhaps the tribulation and persecution for those who identify with Christianity (and who were left behind at the rapture) actually starts some time before the final week of years for Israel. That would explain the persecution at the fifth seal.
Those that are included as part of the bride of Christ end at the bride’s marriage to Jesus. This marriage occurs in heaven shortly before the actual second coming. This means that the last months of the 3 ½ years under the Beast may have nothing to do with anyone who will be included as part of the bride of Christ. As proof, the bride is seen around the throne in heaven before the last vial judgments are poured out on the earth.
Many astute Jews talk of ten days of awe not just seven (years). There are ten days from the Feast of Trumpets until the Day of Atonement. Ten days is also mentioned in both Daniel and in Revelation as a time of proving for God’s people. The ten days of proving may have more future prophetic significance than has thus far been reported. There may be up to ten years of persecution on earth after the rapture and not just seven (I am not saying that those being persecuted for confessing Jesus will live through that whole ten year period. For example the Harlot may persecute all that do not join the pluralist one world religious system much like the Catholic inquisitions and then the Beast arrives on the scene and persecutes the Harlot and she then realizes the errors of their ways).
The methodology used to write this book:
In this commentary, I use the 1769 Authorized Version of the King James Bible because it is a good translation and it allows the use of the Strong's concordance for checking the original Greek. The version I am using is a free off-line bible software downloaded from www.onlinebible.net. I notice there are some minor spelling and punctuation differences between this version and some other versions of the King James (e.g. show and shew), but there is nothing quoted from this software version that will alter the meaning of any text.
The Revelation scriptures will be in bold italics and my comments on the verse will follow. Supporting scriptures quoted in full will be mostly in plain italics, indented, and will be a bit smaller in type. I will use bold for emphasis both in the supporting scripture passages and in my comments. When I believe additional emphasis is needed in my comments I may use “quotation marks”.
In a few cases, the translation of words or passages in the King James is not the best choice of words. In the cases where I think the King James Version is not a good translation I will explain why. When appropriate, I will use an alternate translation that better conveys what the passage or word actually says. No translation from one language to another is without minor errors. The Bible was not written in English and no translation into English perfectly translates the word of God given in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. Some modern dynamic equivalent translations have built in prejudices to some prophetic passages so I would not advise a broad use of them for a serious study of eschatology. You will be safe using King James, New King James or the New American Standard translations.
I first wrote the commentary and then checked my sources.
The method I used to write my commentary is as follows: I first wrote my views on the passages in each chapter and then checked what I wrote against eight or more modern commentaries on the book of Revelation. Where I found interesting or appropriate supporting material I tried to retain the information. Where I found conflict with my own views, I searched all my sources to determine what is more likely to be the truth.
In almost every case, I could not include supporting information as I found it. That is because what I wrote in most paragraphs ended up being my own thoughts seasoned with information that came from a mix of many different authors. Since few passages contain information anywhere near what was written by any single author I could not footnote where the information originated. The books from which I obtained much of my supporting information are listed in my bibliography.
The main exception to my writing the information first and then adding supporting data is the historical background information on the seven churches in Chapter s two and three. Much of this information was gleaned from Missler’s, Lahaye’s, Jeffrey’s, Agee’s and Lindsey’s descriptions of these historical seven churches and cities in their own commentaries on Revelation. There really was no reason to try to totally recreate this historic wheel.
The background information on what certain symbols represent can be found in classic writings on Revelation that are in public domain. I found it much easier to get some of this information from works of more modern authors but that does not mean that they conceived the information.
Where I believe the use of someone else’s material is significant I have given credit in the passage where the material appears. As I said, most background historical data on the seven churches was taken from those that have more resources to know the history of the ancient cities than I do but this in no way degrades my own unique contribution on the interpretations of the prophetic passages to these seven churches.
When some of the passages in Revelation were still not clear to me after checking modern commentaries and other sources, I checked the Greek meanings and various other Bible translations. Finally, I also checked several classic commentators on these passages. Where I thought it was appropriate I inserted supporting scriptures from other parts of the Bible.
If I could not find any biblical sources to provide answers to questions the passages brought up in my own mind, I used logic derived from my overall understanding of the scriptures and non-canonical ancient writings. As a last resort, when scripture was silent, my theories may also draw from less reliable sources of murky information that pop up out of my brain if I dwell on the obscure longer than I probably should. Anyone that interprets Revelation is going to come up with some conjectures about the meaning of what is described and I am no exception. Consequently, if you find a conjecture that you feel is off-the-wall, I have just provided my excuse to you why it was included.
I have included many complete passages from the Bible.
In many cases, I put in the whole supporting passages from scripture and not just references to the chapter and verse. I think most people are like me and will not stop what they are reading to look up the references. Putting in supporting passages from other parts of the Bible makes this commentary longer that it could have been but I think having the references at hand in many cases is more important than the size of the commentary. I believe the supporting passages are necessary to understand some passages and especially to understand them in the proper context.
Bibliography information:
Some of the books that I have read that contribute to my understanding of prophetic scriptures are given in the bibliography. Many other books that I have read have long since departed from my library so they are not Included. Within this bibliography is Chuck Missler’s verse-by-verse audio MP3 file CDROM’s on several books of the Bible. Although technically they are not books, I included these audio references because I think for rapid understanding of the prophetic scriptures these audios are hard to beat. Each CD contains 20 to 30 or more hours of lectures. Most of them also contain detailed supplemental written notes that are equal or superior in informational content to most books. I highly recommend that any serious student of Bible prophecy consider purchasing Missler's teachings at HYPERLINK "http://www.khouse.org/". Missler’s site also contains hundreds of hours of free audios on many topics for those who cannot afford to purchase the more formal studies offered on CD’s. (I certainly do not endorse everything that Missler teaches but his teaching is the most thought provoking that I have found, Missler will at times venture out of the comfort zone of most modern theologians with his conjecture. Yet, he certainly does teach all the essentials of the faith rather splendidly.)
I am not receiving anything for any endorsement in this book.
This commentary is copyrighted but free to download for study.
This is copyrighted material but all are free to download this book for study. If you print or reproduce portions of this e-book, you may do so without prior permission as long as you give the proper source of the material. The source is HYPERLINK "http://www.thepropheticyears.com/". When the book is printed for others or forwarded to others you must also include the book cover or credits page. No right is given for any reason to sell this e-book for monetary gain or for anyone to claim any content within as being a work of his or her own origin unless it really was. The apostle John can certainly claim the portions he wrote as being his own work.
Introduction to " The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages "
Different views in the Church on the interpretation of the book of Revelation:
1. Preterist The judgments in the book of Revelation already happen at or before 70 AD. The book was written prior to 70 AD to comfort Christians persecuted by Jews and by others. This view claims the Church has been reigning on earth in the kingdom since Pentecost. The world according to the preterist will become progressively more and more Christian and will get better and better. The Church is true Israel.
2. Idealist - Revelation contains mostly figurative symbolism and metaphors about the spiritual battle between good and evil. There is no future physical fulfillment of the judgments in Revelation on earth. The Church is true Israel or replaces or supersedes Israel and inherits all promises to divorced natural Israel.
3. Historicist - The events in Revelation unfold through history - the papal system fulfills the role of the Antichrist. The Church fulfills all promises given to natural Israel.
4. Futurist Most of the prophecies in Revelation have a literal future fulfillment. Christ will come again and set up His kingdom on earth from Jerusalem for one thousand years and the establishment of this kingdom will fulfill all promises given to natural Israel.
Within the Futurist camp, there are three main sub-divisions:
A. Historic premillennialism - Is distinctively non-dispensational. This means that it sees no radical theological distinction between Israel and the Church. It is often post tribulation meaning that the rapture of the church will occur after a period of tribulation. Historic premillennialism maintains chiliasm because of its view that the church will be caught up to meet Christ in the air and then escort him to the earth in order to share in his literal thousand year rule.
B. Post-tribulation removal of the Church - The Judgments in Revelation are literal events on earth but the Church will go through most or all of this time of trouble.
C. Pre-tribulation removal of the Church - The true Church will be removed at the rapture prior to the judgments described in Revelation but many will find salvation afterward during the time known as the tribulation on the earth.
Within the pre-millennial view that sees a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church, there are two main schools of thought:
a. Classical Dispensationalism - There will be a literal normal fulfillment of the things written in the book. The Church does not replace Israel and is distinct from Israel. Most see prophetic fulfillment in the return of Jews to the land of Israel.
b. Progressive Dispensationalism - There is a past and future literal fulfillment of prophetic scripture to the natural descendants of Israel. Most also claim spiritual fulfillment of some prophetic scripture to the Church "the Israel of God". Some claim the seal events had partial fulfillment in 70 A.D. However, many that do, claim there will be a more complete or "progressive" fulfillment of these prophecies in the future. Some progressive dispensationalists see no prophetic significance to the new nation of Israel and the return of the Jews to the land. They believe God is not fulfilling and will not fulfill any unfulfilled prophecy to the descendants of Israel until they repent in the tribulation and accept their Messiah. The Progressive Dispensationalist viewpoint varies quite a bit. It attempts to bridge theologies on eschatology and is becoming the prevalent view taught in most dispensational evangelical seminaries and Bible colleges.
My perspective of these different views:
The Historical view - is pretty much dead because history cannot produce the events in the book of Revelation. The papal system did not and could not possibly literally fulfill the prophecies of the Beast/Antichrist.
The Preterist view - requires that the book of Revelation be written prior to 70 AD. However, almost all historical scholars agree that the book was written in 95 to 96 AD. If this is true, preterist theology cannot stand. This view also requires us to believe that the prophecies were fulfilled in a manner different from the clear descriptions in the prophecies. Obscure historical events are used by the preterist to try to fulfill the prophecies but few if any credible historians think that past events happened as described in Revelation and the Olivet discourse.
This view also requires that many unfulfilled prophetic passages in the Bible be explained away by allegorizing them and spiritualizing them to the Church. The preterist says Christ is already ruling in His kingdom on earth and thus the earth will become progressively better. Yet, scripture indicates the world will get more evil until the judgment. What we see happening in the world confirms that the world is not becoming more Christian and less evil; it is becoming less Christian and more evil. Most in this theology have also embraced replacement or supercession theology (the Church is Israel or replaces Israel). They see no fulfillment of prophecy for natural Israel. However, any common sense reading of prophecy and the book of Romans makes it abundantly clear that God will restore the natural descendants of Israel in the end times.
The Idealist view - says the book is about a spiritual battle between good and evil and it contains allegorical metaphors describing this battle. Therefore, the Idealist denies that the prophecies in Revelation are predictive of any future events on earth. This is the prevalent view in most mainline denominations. It includes those who are amillennial and some who are postmillennial. This theology requires spiritualizing and allegorizing Revelation so the passages become an exercise of interpretation through denominational theology. Thus, only theologians who hold views close to their denominational belief can properly discern the symbols and give the correct allegorical and spiritual meanings of the book.
The idealist believes all the unfulfilled prophetic scriptures in the Bible have spiritual fulfillment in the Church. Most of the clergy in these denominations think the book of Revelation cannot be understood by the average lay person, so the book is hardly ever taught or read in their churches. On rare occasions when Revelation is taught, it is always taught through an approved book that reflects the view of that particular denomination. The idealist believe none of the prophecies of a physical restoration for natural Israel can be literal events on earth, because natural Israel has been cursed and divorced and the spiritual Church inherits her promises.
This view makes all the earthly promises in the Bible to the physical nation of Israel about a restored kingdom totally meaningless. Most in this theology think the Church receives all the promises to Israel and none of the curses.
Both the Preterist and the Idealist interpretation require that most prophetic scripture be taken as allegory. However, there is proof that the very early Church believed that Jesus would come and set up his physical kingdom on earth and that they expected his return to be imminent.
This allegorical method of interpretation of scripture began with the Alexandrian school of theology in the second century. The Church later rejected most of this allegorical theology as heresy. Augustine refuted much of this allegory but retained allegory for the prophetic scriptures. He claimed Jesus would rule on earth through His Church spiritually for a thousand years and then He would return. Some think his theology may have been influenced by pressure from the Roman government. They would not allow a theology where there was any suggestion that Jesus would come back and rule in the time of their own reign. When Jesus did not come back after the thousand years were completed the Catholic Church allegorized the six passages in Revelation that said the reign would be a thousand years to mean it would be an undisclosed period of time.
The Protestants in the reformation retained this theology. Later, when the bible was printed and common people got educated in the bible, teachers emerged that claimed that the prophetic passages should be taken in a normal literal sense. Today the normal literal approach to prophetic scriptures is what is taught in many evangelical churches. The old mainline denominations still retain the idealist amillennial view, although there are some members within her that have become educated about the futurist view through popular books and teachers and some now accept the futurist view in private.
The futurist view includes mostly pre-tribulation and post-tribulation classical and progressive dispensationalists that hold to the theology that unfulfilled prophecy and the book of the Revelation are about literal prophetic events. They believe many other scriptures can support the position that Revelation is about future events that will happen on earth in the last days. In their opinion, this view is explicitly supported by Daniel and by Jesus in His Olivet discourse. All fulfilled prophecy in the Bible was fulfilled literally and they expect future prophecy will also be fulfilled literally. They believe this normal literal interpretation of prophecy is really the only view that makes any common sense and it provides logical answers for the things written in Revelation rather than mystical interpretation by theology.
I believe the futurist view is correct.
Only the futurist view teaches the truth that Revelation is a book of prophecy that is meant to be understood by all without resorting to allegorical gymnastics. Only the futurist view makes common sense and is honest in following the common communication rules of language. Only the futurist view allows unfulfilled prophecies in the Bible, that often define in great detail, happenings on the earth, to literally take place on the earth as written. Taking scripture in a normal common sense means not taking liberties with the literal intent of the author when there is no indication from the author to do so. The only exception might be be when the figure of speech is totally obvious to the audience because the idiom or allegory should be commonly understood.
I guess I would label myself a modified dispensationalist. I would think that the progressive dispensationalist might say my views are more like the classical dispensational views and the Classical might say I am have progressive views since I do not have all the events in the tribulation in a 7 year package. I find the theology of the classical dispensationalists to be the sounder of the two on most points, but I also think they have missed some important points the progressive dispensationalists have picked up on. The progressive, on the other hand, in my opinion, fell off the scaffolding in their attempt to bridges theologies that cannot be bridged. I say I am a modified dispensationalist because I do not agree with a few of the usual dispensational views.
I believe the Bible and Revelation was given to be understood.
I do not think God would promise a blessing to those who read and obey what is written in this book if it required theology degrees to understand the message.
Many say that the book of Revelation cannot be understood by a common reading of the book because it is full of symbols and allegory. They make it a mystical book that can only be interpreted by theologians. Because of this belief, many in the Church avoid this book and do not teach it at all. Others allegorize and spiritualize the prophecies to make this book cryptic non-sense.
The first part of the book contains seven letters to seven Churches in existence at the time of John. Just the fact that Jesus told John to give this book of prophecy to the seven churches and promised a blessing to those who read and obeyed what was written within, should make it quite obvious that this book was given to the Church to be read, understood and obeyed.
Those that say most of the things John saw were only symbolic and are subject to allegorical interpretation have never adequately explained how symbolic allegory can also be applied to the things that John heard and then wrote about. The words John was told to record were so important that Jesus proclaims at the end of the book that if anyone takes away from what was written he will lose his salvation. Jesus also says, if anyone adds to the prophecies of this book, to him will be added the plagues that are within this book. This warning should be clear enough that no one should try to put mystical meaning on these prophecies that the author has not defined. That does not mean we cannot try to explain the events written but it does mean that the events written will actually take place as written.
If I live until Jesus comes for His Church, I hope to be taken in the rapture before the tribulation on earth, so that puts me in the pre-tribulation rapture camp. The post-tribulation rapture believers in the futurist camp may be right or wrong depending on their point of view of who the Church is. If the Church is all spirit filled Christians doing the work of the Lord, they are wrong. This Church will not go through the tribulation. However, if their view of the Church is everyone who claims to believe in Jesus but are doing the work of the devil they are correct; a large portion of these will be found unworthy to escape this time of trial on earth.
A Brief introduction to Revelation:
The entire book of the Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ in time. Catholics call the book "the Apocalypse" which in English used to have the same meaning, "the unveiling". Since the book called the Apocalypse has the end time judgments, the word apocalypse has now taken the meaning of a time of world judgment. In reality, the Apocalypse or Revelation of Jesus contains much more information than just these judgments.
John writes the book in 95 or 96 AD while imprisoned on the island of Patmos. The events that John writes about are actual events, even though symbols are sometimes used to give the message.
After a description of God and Jesus in the past and present, the book contains the message Jesus has to His Church. This is given in seven letters to seven churches that existed in the time of John.
Jesus picked just seven of many churches of that era so that He could give His message and foretell what was to take place in the Church and the Church age until He comes. The works of the Church did not end at the last page of the book of Acts. The work of God's Spirit in the Church will be ongoing forever and the works on earth before His coming is foretold in these letters. The seven letters foretell the successes and failures and the instructions that Jesus gives to all those identified with each assembly type or Church era.
After the Church era, Jesus will take a sealed book from Father God that shows the events that must happen before the kingdom is restored to Israel. As the seals are opened it speaks of a time of great war, famine and death on earth and a time of persecution for believers. The persecution will bring the wrath of the Lamb on the earth in the form of seven trumpet judgments. Before any judgment from Jesus begins, He remembers His covenant with Israel and the last week of years spoken of by Daniel the prophet begins. He sends two prophets and 144,000 Israelite witnesses who will receive the commission to spread the truth of Jesus and His coming kingdom to the whole world.
Next, the book tells us what will happen to those who will not allow Jesus to rule over them on earth. The book indicates that God will deal with these by giving them Satan incarnated into a counterfeit Messiah called the Beast who will establish a counterfeit kingdom of god that will bring the earth to near destruction. God deals with this counterfeit kingdom with the seven last vial judgments, and Jesus defeats the Beast and his armies at His coming.
The book also contains a chapter on Mystery Babylon and another on Babylon the Great. It tells about the judgments they receive from God, who they are and why they receive it.
After the judgments, the book tells of the return of Jesus, the resurrection of the tribulation saints and the binding of Satan for one thousand years. Jesus and the saints will rule with a rod of iron to restore all things on earth to the way they were before the fall of man. All enemies of God are defeated during this thousand-year reign with the last enemy being death.
The book then speaks of a final deception and rebellion led by Satan and tells of God's reaction to it. Satan is then taken and cast into the Lake of Fire and the earth is renewed by fire. Next, the book tells of a final resurrection where all who did not take part in the first resurrection appear before God and are judged according to God's eternal law for whatever they did in their body. After these are judged according to their deeds, all not written in the book of life are also cast into the Lake of Fire.
The last part of the book describes the fate of all that belong to Jesus and describes the Holy City where the bride of Christ will dwell for eternity.
Afterword to The Revelation of Jesus Christ - Is Bible prophecy a distraction?
After reading all in the book of Revelation any reasonable person should be able to see that no man could have written the book because of the truth within and how the book integrates with all scriptures and prophecy in the Bible. If you read all this and you still do not believe that Jesus is Lord, it is likely that you have allowed yourself to be blinded or you are blinded by Satan. Either way, you have a fatal problem that can only be solved by asking God to take off your blinders so you can see the true light.
Jesus is who He claimed to be and He is who real Christians claim He is. He is God. All of scripture speaks of Him but you will not see and believe if you make yourself God by denying that there is a true God of creation. This God gave us proof of His existence in His written word; in the Word made flesh that dwelled among us and in fulfilled prophecy. It is mathematically impossible for anyone to accidentally fulfill the scores of prophecies about the Messiah in Isaiah and the Psalms. No man could even fulfill them all on purpose. Nevertheless, Jesus did fulfill all prophecies related to His first coming and He will fulfill all the prophecies of His second coming in glory. Those who say the Old Testament prophecies were written after the birth of Jesus or that Jesus did not even exist have been thoroughly discredited by historical facts.
There remains no reason not to believe in the God that Jesus revealed. Those who reject the truth after having been given the facts simply have their own agenda to love lawlessness. This choice leaves no possibility for fellowship with a Holy God and thus they have “condemned themselves” to eternal separation from Him.
Some say study on Bible prophecy is a diversion and a waste of time.
Many pastors and leaders think all of this is a great waste of time. Why should we speculate on the future when we have enough to take care of right now? They think it is unbalanced for anyone to speculate on the second coming or to dwell on Bible prophecy.
My reply to them is that the prophetic essentials are not speculation nor are they difficult to understand. Teaching on the second coming is not a diversion because it gives hope to the saved, and provides real answers to the unsaved who correctly see that the world is heading toward destruction. The answers for these astute people are found in prophetic teaching. This author was saved by that message and so were millions of others. This teaching tells about a God who knew the end from the beginning and who told His prophets to write about it for our information, education and foreknowledge. No message other than “salvation by grace through faith in Christ” brings more people to Jesus and into church fellowship.
The prophetic scriptures tell us that God is coming back to save His people and He will restore His creation back to the way it was before the fall. All Christians should be taught the truths within the unfulfilled prophetic scriptures. A sixth of the Bible should not be ignored or misapplied because some pastors/teachers believe that only their theology has a lock on the truth the world needs, or how souls are reached for Christ. Either these scriptures are taught in the normal context, they are twisted to mean what the prophets never implied or they are not taught at all. Those who do not teach these scriptures have opened the door for the cults to teach them. The cults teach and misapply these scriptures to attract people and they are very successful at it because the topic interests people, is relevant to what people see is going on in the world and because most of the churched and the un-churched are ignorant about these prophecies. Those that teach but twist these passages have allowed heresies such as the false teaching of “replacement theology” to come into the Church. This heresy in the past set the stage for physical persecution of the Jews and it will again in the future.
We who teach Bible prophecy are watchmen on the wall.
God appointed some in the Church to be watchmen on the wall. He of course did not appoint everyone to be watchmen on the wall or nothing would be done in the city. It is the ministry and the service of the watchmen in the spiritual city of God to know the prophetic scriptures, to hear the hoof beats, to see the signs of dust on the horizon and to let the city know when danger approaches. The watchmen also check the wall of the city to make sure it remains on a sure foundation so the enemy cannot breach it and ravage the city. The watchman does not sleep but keeps his eyes opened in the long night for the sentries the King always sends in advance that announce His soon coming. This ministry is just as important as the ministry God gave others to serve the city with the gifts that they have. If everyone were on the wall and not doing their job in the city, I would have to agree with the pastors that say time is being wasted but that simply is not the case. Since when is giving hope to the city that the King is coming soon a diversion or a distraction? Since when is a message that brings millions of new citizens into citizenship in the King’s city a diversion from the gospel?
Many erroneously think the Church will bring in the kingdom.
Many of those who hold the belief that this is a time wasting diversion also believe the Church will bring the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world and that most will accept it before the return of Jesus Christ. The scriptures do not teach this! The great commission for the Church is to tell the whole world about God’s grace through His Son. The gospel of the kingdom was taught only by John the Baptist and by Jesus. This gospel about the promised restored kingdom on earth will be taught to the whole world as a witness by the 144,000 sealed Israelites and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). The context of the passage in Matthew makes that quite clear, as does chapter seven of Revelation.
Some think the Church will bring in the kingdom on earth. However, nowhere in scripture does it say things will get better on the earth or that the earth will become Christianized before the return of Jesus. On the contrary, scripture indicates that the world is heading for destruction and unless Jesus comes back to shorten the days of this destructive period no flesh can be saved. If we look at the condition of the world today, it is clear that Christianity has lost ground to demonic religion. True Christianity has even lost ground within institutions of Christianity and her established churches, many of which are now into apostasy. Paul even told us there will be a great falling away from the faith in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
We do not know the day or hour but we can know the time is near.
Some critics of those who teach Jesus is coming soon say the scripture says we cannot know the day or hour of His coming. What these critics ignore is that scripture also says we will know when the time that His coming is near“even at the door” ( Matthew 24:33). We certainly can know when the time is near ( Luke 21:28).
Some teachers quote the scripture verse that says, “no one knows the day or hour” as proof that those teaching that Jesus is coming soon are teaching something nobody can know. However, they ignore the clear passage in scripture that tells us, “we are not in darkness that this day would come on us as a thief” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:4). If the true Church were not in darkness, why would not some see the light of His soon return and point it out to all the Church?
Why is it that these critics ignore the many passages that speak of this awareness just prior to His return and the command for Christians to watch? They also ignore the signs of the times that God gave in the scriptures themselves, because they have twisted the meaning of prophetic scripture to some obscure mystical fulfillment. Jesus chided the leaders of His day for not knowing the time of His coming, so is it any wonder that this would also occur at His second coming?
We should be aware of the signs of the time.
How any Christian leader can read the Old Testament prophecies and not see prophetic significance in the re-establishment of the state of Israel and her being surrounded by enemies just as the prophets foretold is beyond me. How Church leaders can look at what is going on in the world with the violence and immorality and with man’s ability to destroy the world by weapons made by his own hands and not know that we are near what the prophets spoke of is beyond me. How any Church leader can look at the condition of the Church with all its apostasy and not know that this is the fulfillment of what scripture said would take place in the “last days” is beyond me - unless they are part of that apostasy. I have a 25 article series on my website that should convince any reasonable person that most world trends indicate that we are very close to the Lord's return. If these articles do not convince you, then look at my article on present day apostasy in the Church.
Does God let His children know when His Son’s return is near?
Obviously many critics of those teaching that Jesus is coming soon, have their own agenda to create the kingdom on earth by their own efforts and they do not want that agenda to be disturbed by any “so called distraction” about the likelihood of Jesus returning in our time and setting it up Himself.
Those who claim that even Jesus still does not know the day or hour have basically made Jesus less than God. If Jesus is God, He is all knowing. You cannot have it both ways – you cannot teach that Jesus is God and is omniscient and then expect anyone to believe you when you teach there is still something Jesus does not know.
The answer to this apparent contradiction is simple. Jesus was speaking as a man who limited Himself to His brain of flesh and what the Father chose to reveal to Him when He made the statement that only the Father knows the time. Later, after Jesus rose from the dead when the apostles asked Him if He would “now” restore the Kingdom to Israel on earth, He did not tell them, I am not omniscient and do not know when it will come. Neither does Jesus say, you are wrong - there will be no Israelite Kingdom on earth it is now only a spiritual kingdom in heaven. Jesus says, “it is not for 'them' to know the times or the season (for the restoration of Israel’s earthly kingdom), the Father has set by His own power” (Acts 1:6-7).
The apostles were witnesses just as Jesus said they would be in this passage and the apostles died “not knowing the times or season” of His return. However, to leap from the statement that was directed to those of “that era” and to make it apply to those who by all appearances “are in the season of Jesus’ return” is quite an assumption! The Holy Spirit and the whole Canon of scripture were since given to the Church, were they not?! So is the Church now in darkness that this day would overtake us as a thief? Paul says we are not in darkness! Yet, these critics think the Holy Spirit gives no light to the Church about the timing of the return of the King!
I have heard some of these same critics tell us that God spoke to them and told them to take this job, go to this church, do this ministry or move to another location etc. Personal revelation from the Holy Spirit on the paths one takes in life is perfectly acceptable to them but revelation to the Church as a whole about the nearness of the Lords return is not! What is such an inconsistent theology founded on?
It should be apparent to the wise that God is telling the Church through His Spirit to prepare for the soon return of Jesus. We can see this message in the reception the true Church is giving to anointed songwriters and authors who proclaim this message. We can also see the truth of His soon coming in the fulfillment of the scriptures that told us how it would be on earth and in Israel in the last days before His coming. The evidence cannot be denied; the true Church is expecting His return very soon and these are watching.
Some wrongly judge the ministry God called others to do.
If after reading all this, you are still one who thinks the teaching about the second coming and soon return of Jesus is a waste of time and a diversion; especially if you speak against those who do, I would like to ask you, who appointed you judge over how God calls His people to serve Him? ( Romans 14:10-13; Romans 14:1 Colossians 4:5). You critics of how God called others to serve Him might do better to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Php_2:12). After all, you will answer to God when people put under your charge go to the cults for relevant answers on Bible prophecy.
Most of the time the criticism comes from pastors who just want to punch square pegs in round holes to fill the pegboard committee in their local church. Never mind that the peg will be damaged and the board may split! God wants those in His Church to serve Him using the gifts He gave them for His service. It is just too bad if you feel this service does not fit your own personal agenda. Pastors are fallible; God is not. Pastors are given to the Church to care for the flock of the Good Shepherd they are not to attack the sheep who are walking on the path God gave them.
The prophetic message brings many to salvation
Even those who call this teaching a diversion should see that the works of most prophecy teachers include a strong salvation message. We cannot be just a diversion if people are finding out the good news of Jesus Christ by reading our commentaries on Bible prophecy. How can the “End Time Rogues” enter Satan’s home turf, strike out his heavy hitters and recruit the elect that misguidedly signed on with the losing “World Devils” team, if we are throwing only curveballs?
Most churches that are actually leading people to Christ rather than just recruiting members for a Laodicean social club or a Dominion Theology cult or a mystical New Spirituality trip are also teaching the imminent and soon return of Jesus Christ. Most of the souls being saved are saved through the efforts of individuals, churches and denominations that teach about the soon return of Jesus. People want answers for the long-term problems in the world. The solutions for the problems cannot be found in humanistic answers; they can only be found in a returning King.
This teaching becomes more relevant as we see the day approaching.
Another reason to study this subject is that the time the prophetic scriptures speak of is very near. It certainly is nearer than it was two thousand years ago. If interest and teaching about Christ’s return was reasonable in biblical days, it should be much more reasonable now. Those who say the days we are in have no significance to end time prophecies are sleeping. Jesus told us to WATCH. Scripture makes it clear in many passages that watching is not an option - it is a directive.
There are real consequences if you do not watch.
In Revelation, we are told that one Church will not know the time of His coming because they did not watch. We are also told in Revelation that one Church will escape the trial coming upon the earth because they did watch. Today, what group in Christianity is obeying Christ and can be identified as those watching and what group in Christianity can be identified as those who are not watching and are not aware that the time is short? The choices are between the mainline amillennial churches, the post millennial and dominionists, and the premillennial fundamental Evangelical and Pentecostal Bible churches. If I really have to give the correct answer to that question, you fail “Church Awareness 101”.
This message of the imminent return of Jesus Christ gives hope to the Church when she is going through trials. His soon return is our blessed hope. Why would we be ignorant? His Spirit in us is telling us He is coming very soon. As Paul said, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief,” yet some apparently are in darkness and are so delighted to be there that they keep all light of His soon return out of their own local church.
Comments are welcomed.
If you found this book helpful let me know (whether you agree with all my comments or not) constructive comments are always welcomed. My email is [email protected]. The book was much more work than I expected but I learned a lot by writing it.
More arguments for various topics on my theology are on my website and Blog. Use the search boxes provided there to find information on various topics that I wrote about. As I debated my theological views on the Internet over the years, I quickly found out that some topics become endless debates, so do not expect that type of dialogue I do not have the time. There are few arguments against my general theology that I have not already heard.
Links from other websites to my website are highly encouraged. It took about two-thousand hours of my time to research, write and edit the material for this free commentary. I know you will not find this study perfect but if you found this study on Revelation useful and thought provoking give me thanks by passing on information about this study to others.
If you are wondering if we are near the end times spoken about in this book, you might check out the reasoning I give on my website that this is the prophetic generation. My Blog on this website also keep up with current events and Bible prophecy and there are thousands of comments further explaining the issues from me and from others.
Selected Bibliography on "The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages"
Agee, M.J. Revelation 2000. Avon Books, 1998.
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Baer, Randall N. Inside the New Age Nightmare. Huntington House Inc., 1983.
Bloomfield, Arthur E. The End of the Days. Bethany House Publishers, 1961.
Booko, John. Assyria the Forgotten Nation in Prophecy. John Booko Ministries, 1992.
Brown, Michael H. The Final Hour. Faith Publishing Co., 1992.
Bulle, Forence. God Wants You Rich and Other Enticing Doctrines. Bethany House Publishers, 1983.
Church, J. R. The Song of Moses. Prophecy Publications, 1991.
--------------- They Pierced the Veil. Prophecy Publications, 1993.
Cumby, Constance. The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow. Huntington House Inc., 1983.
Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy. Tan Books and Publishers Inc., 1970.
Ellisen, Stanley A. 3 Worlds in Conflict. Multnomah Publishers Inc., 1998.
Fogle, Larry W. Revelation Explained. Bridge Publications Inc., 1981.
Heiser, Michael. The Facade. Replica Books, 2000.
Honorof, Richard Aaron. The Return of the Messiah the King of Glory. Feed my Sheep, 1997.
Hunt, Dave. A Women Rides the Beast. Harvest House Publishers, 1994.
-------------- Beyond Seduction. Harvest House Publications, 1987.
-------------- How Close Are We. Harvest House Publishers, 1993.
-------------- & McMahan T.A. The Seduction of Christianity. Harvest House Publications, 1987.
Ice & Price. Ready to Rebuild. Harvest House Publishers, 1992.
Jeffrey, Grant R. Apocalypse. Frontier Research Publications, 1995.
------------------- Armageddon Appointment With Destiny. Bantam Books, 1990.
------------------- Heaven the Last Frontier. Frontier Research Publications, 1990.
-------------------- Messiah. Bantam Books, 1992.
------------------- Prince of Darkness. Frontier Research Publications, 1994.
------------------- Triumphant Return. Frontier Research Publications, 2001.
Jeremiah, David. Escape the Coming Night. Word Publishing, 1990.
-------------------- The Handwritting on the Wall. Word Publishing, 1992.
Kah, Gary, H. The New World Religion. Hope International Publishing Inc., 1998.
Kirban, Salem. What in the World Will Happen Next. Salem Kirban Inc., 1994.
Koch, Kurt. Satan's Devices. Kregel Publications, 1978.
LaHaye, Tim. No Fear of the Storm. Zondervan Publishing House, 1977.
---------------- Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain. Zondervan Publishing House, 1975.
Lindsay, Gordon. God's Plan of the Ages. Christ for the Nations Inc., 1988.
Lindsay, Hal. Amazing Grace. Western Front Ltd, 1995.
---------------- Apocalypse Code. Western Front Ltd, 1997.
---------------- Combat Faith. Bantam Books, 1986.
---------------- Planet Earth 2000 A.D. Western Front Ltd, 1994.
---------------- Planet Earth the Final Chapter. Western Front Ltd, 1998.
---------------- The Late Great Planet Earth. Zondervan Publishing House, 1970.
---------------- The Rapture. Bantam Books, 1985.
---------------- The Road To Holocaust. Bantam Books, 1990.
---------------- There's A New World Coming. Vision House publishers, 1973.
Martin, Walter. The Kingdom of The Cults. Bethany House Publishers, 1985.
McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Here's Life Publishers Inc., 1979.
Miller, D.A. Forbidden Knowledge. Job Publishing Co., 1994.
Missler, Chuck. Learn the Bible in 24 Hours (24 hour Audio commentary CD-ROM). Koinonia House, 2001.
------------------ The Book of Daniel (20 hour audio commentary CD-ROM). Koinonia House, 2000.
------------------ The Book of Daniel Supplemental Notes. Koinonia House, 1994.
------------------ The Book of Ezekiel (30 hour audio commentary CD-ROM). Koinonia House, 2000.
------------------ The Book of Isaiah (28 hour audio commentary CD-ROM). Koinonia House, 2000.
------------------ The Book of Revelation (30 hour audio commentary CD-ROM). Koinonia House, 2000.
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