The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By August of 2019, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Introduction – The book of Revelation climaxes with Jesus’s victorious reign over evil, the righteous justified and rejoicing for all of eternity, the wicked receiving their eternal punishment, and the name of God being glorified on high. However, before we can enjoy the victorious ending, there is a drawn out conflict between good and evil. John takes his readers through the battle and reveals the final victory that promises believers hope and joy for all of eternity.
Opposition and Persecution – Metaphors: Throughout the narrative, Rome is described as Babylon and beast. The Roman Empire was inhumane as it lacked compassion for its citizens and sought only to build its kingdom. It was known for its cruelty and destroyed all who opposed it. However, behind the beast was the dragon, who was the Devil himself. The beast has an ally in the second beast which is likely the religious establishment in Rome. The first beast kills those who worship the true God, acting on behalf of Satan. The battle between the offspring of the woman and the serpent reaches a head in Revelation.
Additionally, there is another woman who represents Jesus’s church who flees from Satan into the wilderness under immense persecution. Two witnesses also represent the church, and proclaim the Gospel during this time as the “lampstands.” As a result, Jesus functions as an example for us to be faithful witnesses in the midst of opposition.
Numbers: Many like to read this book literally, but apocalyptic literature often contains symbolism, particularly with numbers. The number 7 is universally understood to be the perfect number, so the time period of 3.5 years is a deformation of the perfect number and expected to be the hour of evil.
God’s Sovereignty and Christ’s Supremacy – Revelation drives home the truth of God’s sovereignty and Christ’s victory over death. The word throne is used 47 times in the book. Even authority over the beast is given to us by God. “It was given” is said 22 times, and each time God is the one giving. Even though God Himself is not evil, the dragon and beasts are not outside the realms of His authority. “Knowing about God’s rule is not intended to raise questions about God’s goodness. Rather, believers are comforted knowing that their suffering is not due to fate or chance. They are in the hands of God in the midst of the titanic battle that they are facing.”
The everlasting kingdom is that of Christ. The vision of the Son of Man features God’s glory and sovereignty as well as His humanity and deity. We also see that Jesus is the first and the last. Both God and His Son rule over the end of times. We therefore are strengthened to endure the oppression and hardship. Additionally, we see that the slain lamb is worthy to be praised over and over again. John makes it clear to the readers that Jesus is not a second God, but rather a crucial part of the one everlasting God of Israel.
The Judgment of God – The sovereignty of God ensures that all will be judged for its evil. It is no longer a matter of if, but when this judgment will take place. The intensity of the bowl judgments that escalates the trumpet judgments indicate that the end of history may be nearing. At that point, Evil will be OVER.
Redemption and the Cross– Those who chose evil will no longer be able to withstand the wrath of God. However, those who are sealed will be protected and spared.
Metaphors & Numbers: The 144,000 does not represent a literal number. Instead, it symbolically encompasses all the people of God (both Jew & Gentile alike), a countless multitude. Mount Zion, the metaphor for Heaven, is where these believers will be set free. They are described as “those who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins.” This symbolically implies that believers have exhibited faithfulness and devotion to Yahweh just as is expected with a wife to her husband.
The cross, though never explicitly mentioned, plays an important role in the book. No human or angel is worthy of opening the sealed book. However, Christ as the Lion of Judah and King of David is worthy of the task as a result of His ransomed blood. Chapter 5 is the key moment. Opening the seals initiates the entire rest of the passage. Chapter 12-14 then display the epic battle between God and the dragon. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we can be certain of the winner.
Endurance and the New Creation -- Only the believers that endure will receive the ultimate reward. The new creation is the fulfillment of what was promised to Adam in the beginning and was confirmed with Abraham, David, and the new covenant. The description of the new creation in 21 & 22 are closely linked to the building of the temple that is described in Ezekiel 40-48. However, it is clear that there is no need for a literal temple as the Lord is our eternal temple. “The glory of the new creation is seeing the glory of God.” We must understand the new creation language to be symbolic of a new creation that is outside the scope of our own imagination. We can be certain that the new Jerusalem is beautiful as it is the expressed glory of our God. No enemy or evil will ever threaten the new Jerusalem for darkness will be eliminated forever. Praise God!
Conclusion – God’s kingdom has been established in and through Jesus as the lion and the lamb. He won the battle over the dragon, Satan himself, through the cross and resurrection. The seals, trumpets, and bowl judgments indicate God’s sovereignty over our history. Even though we are suffering on Christ’s behalf, we will ultimately experience vindication. Believers must simply persevere until the end. The Church is the new Israel with God as their sovereign king. In the meanwhile, we must entrust our lives to Him. Judgment is coming to those who resist His promises. Only the saved will see the King in His beauty.
Themes: Believers must endure persecution to receive the final rewards of God’s kingdom. Death, sin, and darkness will be overcome once and for all. Believers must be faithful witnesses in the midst of the oppression.