Keys to Revelation - Chapter 1
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 1:1 The revelation of Jesus [revelation] - the unveiling or
Christ, which God gave him to show uncovering of the truth about
his servants what must soon take Jesus Christ. Showing Him is His
place. He made it known by sending Splendor and Power.
his angel to his servant John,
[his angel] - A special Angel was
used, possibly Gabriel (Dan 8:16;
9:2; 21-22; Luk 1:26-31).
[John] - The Apostle John
REV 1:2 who testifies to everything
he saw--that is, the word of God and
the testimony of Jesus Christ.
REV 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads Only Book in the Bible that promises
the words of this prophecy, and a Blessing to those who read, hear,
blessed are those who hear it and and take to heart what is written.
take to heart what is written in it, Truly, if you study this Book you
because the time is near. will be blessed (made happy).
REV 1:4 John, To the seven churches [seven churches] - Seven actual
in the province of Asia: Grace and churches that God chose because they
peace to you from him who is, and who were typical of all churches in all
was, and who is to come, and from the ages.
seven spirits before his throne,
[seven spirits] - Term for the Holy
Spirit (Isa 11 :2-3).
REV 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who
is the faithful witness, the
firstborn from the dead, and the
ruler of the kings of the earth. To
him who loves us and has freed us
from our sins by his blood,
REV 1:6 and has made us to be a
kingdom and priests to serve his God
and Father--to him be glory and power
for ever and ever! Amen.
REV 1:7 Look, he is coming with the John is excited to reveal what he
clouds, and every eye will see him, has seen and reflects on the Coming
even those who pierced him; and all of Jesus back to earth in Judgment
the peoples of the earth will mourn and to set up His Kingdom.
because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
REV 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the [Alpha..Omega] - First and last
Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, letters in Greek alphabet, Jesus
and who was, and who is to come, the is everything. He is God, was God,
Almighty." and will always be the Almighty God!
REV 1:9 I, John, your brother and John was exiled to Patmos, a small
companion in the suffering and 6mi x 10mi island, to forced labor,
kingdom and patient endurance that for the crime of Preaching the
are ours in Jesus, was on the island Gospel and Testifying about the
of Patmos because of the word of God Beautiful Lord Jesus Christ.
and the testimony of Jesus.
REV 1:10 On the Lord's Day I was in [Lord's Day] - Sunday
the Spirit, and I heard behind me a [in the Spirit] - John was carried
loud voice like a trumpet, beyond the normal spiritual state
to a supernatural one in which he
could receive the Revelation.
REV 1:11 which said: "Write on a Jesus is speaking and simply tells
scroll what you see and send it to John to write a letter to the seven
the seven churches: to Ephesus, churches, telling them everything
Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Jesus reveals. These letters
Philadelphia and Laodicea." are written to all the Churches and
Christians of the Church Age.
REV 1:12 I turned around to see the [seven golden lampstands] - these
voice that was speaking to me. And are the seven churches (v.20).
when I turned I saw seven golden Churches, like Christians are lights
lampstands, and some are brighter than others.
REV 1:13 and among the lampstands [like a son of man] - looked like a
was someone "like a son of man," man but really different. Jesus is
dressed in a robe reaching down to dressed like the man of mercy in
his feet and with a golden sash Ezekiel 9:2, 11 before the judgment.
around his chest.
REV 1:14 His head and hair were Christ is given the same description
white like wool, as white as snow, ascribed to God as the Ruler and the
and his eyes were like blazing fire. Judge in Dan 7:9; 10:5.
REV 1:15 His feet were like bronze [bronze glowing] - portrays strength
glowing in a furnace, and his voice stability and judgment.
was like the sound of rushing waters. [rushing waters] - like the sound of
Niagara Falls (awe-inspiring and
powerful).
REV 1:16 In his right hand he held [seven stars] - the seven messengers
seven stars, and out of his mouth or Pastors of the seven churches
came a sharp double-edged sword. His (v.20).
face was like the sun shining in all [sword] - an instrument of judgment
its brilliance. with words, the Word of God, see
Isaiah 11:4.
[face] - shines like the sun, most
likely His whole body was brilliant.
Pictures His Great Purity and Glory.
REV 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at [fell..dead] - Proper response of
his feet as though dead. Then he fear when in the presence of the
placed his right hand on me and said: Holy God (Ezek 1:28; Dan 8:17, 10:9)
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and But Jesus assures John not to be
the Last. afraid, because He is All Powerful
and in Love with His redeemed!
REV 1:18 I am the Living One; I was [Living One] - Resurrected Christ
dead, and behold I am alive for ever who died and overcame death to live
and ever! And I hold the keys of eternally.
death and Hades. [keys] - Jesus decides when a person
will die and who goes into Hell.
REV 1:19 "Write, therefore, what you [have seen] - Chapter 1, the Glory
have seen, what is now and what will of Christ.
take place later. [what is now] - Chapters 2-3, the
Church Age.
[will take place later] - Chapters
4-22, the Rapture, Tribulation,
Millennium, Eternal State.
REV 1:20 The mystery of the seven [angels] - Messengers, that is the
stars that you saw in my right hand Pastors of the Churches.
and of the seven golden lampstands is
this: The seven stars are the angels
of the seven churches, and the seven
lampstands are the seven churches.
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Keys to Revelation - Chapter 2
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 2:1 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Ephesus write: These are [holds] - to have power over
the words of him who holds the [stars] - the pastors of the
seven stars in his right hand and seven churches (Rev 1:20)
walks among the seven golden [walks among] - patrolling His
lampstands: churches, intimately knowing
each one
REV 2:2 I know your deeds, your [deeds..hard work] - wearisome toil
hard work and your perseverance. I
know that you cannot tolerate [wicked men] - not the pagans, but
wicked men, that you have tested those who claimed to be Christians
those who claim to be apostles but but were not
are not, and have found them false.
REV 2:3 You have persevered and implies strenuous and exhausting
have endured hardships for my name, labor
and have not grown weary.
REV 2:4 Yet I hold this against [Yet] - The church was "doing" a lot
you: You have forsaken your first for Christ, but was lacking the
love. element of Love.
REV 2:5 Remember the height from [Remember] - recall the height of
which you have fallen! Repent and of the Love that used to exist
do the things you did at first. If [Repent] - to change one's thinking,
you do not repent, I will come to to think differently
you and remove your lampstand from [at first] - the way you used to be
its place. when first in love with Christ
[remove..lampstand] - take away the
light (ministry, effect, impact)
REV 2:6 But you have this in your [practices of Nicolaitans] - word
favor: You hate the practices of nikao means "to conquer" and laos
the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "the people." Suspect they were a
Sect that imposed a clerical hier-
archy on the laity. Much like the
Roman Catholic Church and her Pope.
REV 2:7 He who has an ear, let him [has an ear] - everyone has ears but
hear what the Spirit says to the not everyone listens. Jesus is say-
churches. To him who overcomes, I ing take to heart what I am saying.
will give the right to eat from the [overcomes] - (1 John 5:5) Those who
tree of life, which is in the by Faith, and Repentance come to
paradise of God. Christ in humble submission.
[tree of life] - First given in Gen
2:9 is restored to man in his new
Paradise, the Eternal Home..Rev 22:2
REV 2:8 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Smyrna write: These are
the words of him who is the First
and the Last, who died and came to
life again.
REV 2:9 I know your afflictions [afflictions] - imprisonment and
and your poverty--yet you are rich! death for the cause of Christ
I know the slander of those who say [poverty] - lack of wealth and jobs
they are Jews and are not, but are because of their Christianity
a synagogue of Satan. [synagogue of Satan] - no longer
God's place of worship since they
reject Jesus and the cross. Judaism
has become a false religion.
REV 2:10 Do not be afraid of what [devil..put] - much like Job's
you are about to suffer. I tell suffering, which tested his love for
you, the devil will put some of you God.
in prison to test you, and you will [ten days] - either a literal 10 day
suffer persecution for ten days. Be period or a set time of suffering of
faithful, even to the point of limited duration.
death, and I will give you the [Be faithful] - Don't recant by
crown of life. denying Christ, proving a lack of
true conversion. Hold firm because
Christ is on your side.
REV 2:11 He who has an ear, let [has an ear, overcomes] - Rev 2:7
him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches. He who overcomes will [second death] - The first death is
not be hurt at all by the second our physical death, but then the
death. Christian never dies again, however
the unbeliever goes to his second
death of eternal punishment in the
Lake of Fire (Dan 12:2, John 5:29,
Rev 20:14)
REV 2:12 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Pergamum write: These are
the words of him who has the sharp, [sword] - The Word of God from the
double-edged sword. mouth of God Himself--Jesus Christ.
REV 2:13 I know where you live-- [his throne] - Satan is not omni-
where Satan has his throne. Yet you present and moves about the earth,
remain true to my name. You did not but there are places where his
renounce your faith in me, even in influence and power is more evident.
the days of Antipas, my faithful [Antipas] - A martyr of the early
witness, who was put to death in Church.
your city--where Satan lives.
REV 2:14 Nevertheless, I have a [Nevertheless] - God wants us to
few things against you: You have strive for perfection, even though
people there who hold to the we will fall short, but He never
teaching of Balaam, who taught will accept a compromise in His
Balak to entice the Israelites to Church or His people.
sin by eating food sacrificed to [hold to teaching] - Some there
idols and by committing sexual were into false doctrines that in-
immorality. cluded worship of idols and sexual
sins. (see Num 31:15-16).
REV 2:15 Likewise you also have [Nicolaitans] - see Rev 2:6
those who hold to the teaching of
the Nicolaitans.
REV 2:16 Repent therefore! [will..come..fight] - Jesus will
Otherwise, I will soon come to you fight against His own churches if
and will fight against them with they will not repent of their false
the sword of my mouth. doctrine. Even if 99 doctrines are
"right on" but one is false and the
church or christian is unwilling to
change then Christ will oppose them.
REV 2:17 He who has an ear, let [has an ear, overcomes] - Rev 2:7
him hear what the Spirit says to [hidden manna] - In Exodus 16:32
the churches. To him who overcomes, God had some manna hidden in the
I will give some of the hidden Ark as a testimony of God's grace
manna. I will also give him a white and faithfulness, likewise God
stone with a new name written on promises the new manna which is
it, known only to him who receives Christ in His fullness (John 6:31-
it. 33).
[white stone] - used in Bible times
as a token which provided many priv-
ileges. Normally received stone as
a reward for service or victory.
[new name..known only] - On this
stone, which most likely will be a
precious stone (large diamond) a
very private name will be inscribed
that will be special between Jesus
and each of His loved believers.
REV 2:18 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Thyatira write: These are
the words of the Son of God, whose [blazing..eyes] - eyes of judgment
eyes are like blazing fire and and discernment, burning indignation
whose feet are like burnished [burnished bronze] - same as Rev 1:15
bronze. feet were glowing like in a furnace
which are feet of judgment.
REV 2:19 I know your deeds, your [know] - Christ knows our inner self
love and faith, your service and even more than we do (1SA 16:7).
perseverance, and that you are now [more than] - This church is really
doing more than you did at first. growing and active.
REV 2:20 Nevertheless, I have this [Nevertheless] - See Rev 2:16
against you: You tolerate that [Jezebel] - Probably not her real
woman Jezebel, who calls herself a name but rather a woman like Jezebel
prophetess. By her teaching she who is teaching false doctrine and
misleads my servants into sexual leading Christians into serious sin.
immorality and the eating of food
sacrificed to idols.
REV 2:21 I have given her time to [given her time] - The grace of God
repent of her immorality, but she with sinners, even wicked ones try-
is unwilling. ing to destroy God's people, He is
willing that they repent, but she
refuses.
REV 2:22 So I will cast her on a [cast on a bed] - Not unusual for
bed of suffering, and I will make God to judge or discipline a person
those who commit adultery with her in the same area as their sin. She
suffer intensely, unless they was involved in sexual sins in bed
repent of her ways. so she will not suffer pain in bed.
REV 2:23 I will strike her [children] - could be her own child-
children dead. Then all the ren, but most likely those she
churches will know that I am he who brought up in her false teachings.
searches hearts and minds, and I [repay..deeds] - Those who have done
will repay each of you according to deeds of wickedness get the payment
your deeds. of Eternal Hell, whereas those who
have done deeds of righteousness
will receive Eternal Life.
REV 2:24 Now I say to the rest of
you in Thyatira, to you who do not
hold to her teaching and have not [deep secrets] - the demonic teach-
learned Satan's so-called deep ings of Satan that promise power and
secrets (I will not impose any life but only bring utter chaos and
other burden on you): punishment.
REV 2:25 Only hold on to what you [hold on] - be steadfast and endure
have until I come. all your life until either you die
our Jesus returns. This is one of
the key evidences of salvation, that
a person continues in Christ to the
end of their lives.
REV 2:26 To him who overcomes and [overcomes] - Rev 2:7
does my will to the end, I will [will to the end] - If you endure to
give authority over the nations-- the end you will be saved and be
rewarded. The endurance is also a
gift, "God who gives endurance"
(Rom 15:5).
[authority over nations] - During
the Millennium (1,000 year rule of
Christ, we will rule and reign with
Him (Rev 20:6).
REV 2:27 'He will rule them with Quote from Psalm 2:9 about the
an iron scepter; he will dash them Righteous and Rigorous Rule of
to pieces like pottery'-- just as I Jesus Christ during the Millennium.
have received authority from my Father.
REV 2:28 I will also give him the [morning star] - In Rev 22:16 Jesus
morning star. declares that He is the "Bright
Morning Star," and for all that
overcome they will receive the
precious gift of Christ.
REV 2:29 He who has an ear, let [hear] - Again Jesus reminds those
him hear what the Spirit says to who have ears to hear to listen
the churches. carefully to His words and instruc-
tion.
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Keys to Revelation - Chapter 3
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 3:1 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Sardis write: These are
the words of him who holds the [seven spirits] - Term for the Holy
seven spirits of God and the seven Spirit (ISA 11:2-3). Jesus gives the
stars. I know your deeds; you have Holy Spirit to those who believe,
a reputation of being alive, but repent, and humbly submit to Him.
you are dead. [seven stars] - The pastors of the
seven churches. Jesus has total con-
trol over the church, the pastor,
and Christians for their blessing
and discipline.
[alive..but dead] - They appear as
a "right on" Christian Church on the
outside, but inside they are dead!
REV 3:2 Wake up! Strengthen what [Wake up] - A warning from Jesus to
remains and is about to die, for I to "fan into flame" the little spark
have not found your deeds complete that is left. The church is dying
in the sight of my God. spiritually because the majority of
its members are not saved.
REV 3:3 Remember, therefore, what [Remember..obey..repent] - They are
you have received and heard; obey to remember the Gospel message that
it, and repent. But if you do not was preached and repent and obey it.
wake up, I will come like a thief, [come like thief] - Suddenly He will
and you will not know at what time bring judgment on the church and re-
I will come to you. move the remaining light.
REV 3:4 Yet you have a few people [few] - There is a minority of saved
in Sardis who have not soiled their persons in the church, not many, but
clothes. They will walk with me, some.
dressed in white, for they are [dressed in white] - REV 19:8 "Fine
worthy. linen, bright and clean, was given
her {Christians} to wear. (Fine
linen stands for the righteous acts
of the saints {after salvation}."
[worthy] - Because we were bought at
a great price...the Blood of God!
REV 3:5 He who overcomes will, [overcomes] - (1JN 5:5) Those who
like them, be dressed in white. I by Faith, and Repentance come to
will never blot out his name from Christ in humble submission.
the book of life, but will [book of life] - Literal book or
acknowledge his name before my record in Heaven that has the names
Father and his angels. of the redeemed. Evidence that once
saved (overcomer), always saved.
REV 20:15 If anyone's name was not
found written in the book of life,
he was thrown into the lake of fire.
REV 3:6 He who has an ear, let him See REV 2:7 Comments
hear what the Spirit says to the
churches.
REV 3:7 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Philadelphia write: These [key of David] - ISA 22:22 King
are the words of him who is holy determines who will be allowed in
and true, who holds the key of the Kingdom and who will be shut
David. What he opens no one can out. Jesus opens the doors of
shut, and what he shuts no one can salvation for His Elect, but shuts
open. out the Non-Elect for their willful
rejection of His mercy and grace.
REV 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I [open door] - Jesus has opened the
have placed before you an open door door of ministry to this church,
that no one can shut. I know that which means that they will have many
you have little strength, yet you opportunities to "bring in" God's
have kept my word and have not Elect.
denied my name. [little strength] - Possibly a small
church without social prominence and
at the poverty level. But they were
"big" in Spiritual strength.
REV 3:9 I will make those who are [synagogue of Satan] - The false
of the synagogue of Satan, who religion of Judaism. The true Jew
claim to be Jews though they are is one who truly acknowledges the
not, but are liars--I will make Messiah Jesus Christ.
them come and fall down at your feet [come and fall] - Ironic that those
and acknowledge that I have loved who had the truth (Jews) and would
you. not acknowledge that God also loved
the Gentiles, will someday come in
humility and acknowledge that God
loved others besides the Jews.
REV 3:10 Since you have kept my [endure patiently] - Something all
command to endure patiently, I will Christians will do because of the
also keep you from the hour of gift of faith within us.
trial that is going to come upon [hour of trial] - Short time of
the whole world to test those who suffering for the earth. The seven
live on the earth. years of the Tribulation Period as
compared to the time man has been on
the earth.
REV 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on [Hold on] - Don't give up and turn
to what you have, so that no one back to your old way of life. The
will take your crown. true believer will "Hold on" because
of the Holy Spirit within them who
seals us till the end.
[crown] - 2TI 4:8 "The Crown of
Righteousness" given to all the
Christians who finish the race,
which will be every true believer!
REV 3:12 Him who overcomes I will [overcomes] - See REV 2:7 Comments.
make a pillar in the temple of my [pillar] - The temple is the Lord
God. Never again will he leave it. God Almighty and the Lamb Jesus
I will write on him the name of my Christ (REV 21:22). A pillar is
God and the name of the city of my a permanent part of the structure
God, the new Jerusalem, which is so we are again promised Eternal
coming down out of heaven from my Security in God.
God; and I will also write on him [names of God, city, new name of
my new name. Jesus] - We only know in part and
see through a dark glass, but some-
day we will know the complete names
of our God, City, and Our Savior.
[write] - Either on our skin or
clothes we will proudly and joyfully
wear the Names of Grace.
REV 3:13 He who has an ear, let See REV 2:7 Comments.
him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches.
REV 3:14 "To the angel of the [angel] - messenger, pastor
church in Laodicea write: These are
the words of the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the ruler of
God's creation.
REV 3:15 I know your deeds, that [cold nor hot] - A cold drink on a
you are neither cold nor hot. I hot day refreshes. Likewise, a hot
wish you were either one or the drink on a cold day satisfies.
other!
REV 3:16 So, because you are [lukewarm] - A lukewarm drink is
lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I worthless on either a hot or cold
am about to spit you out of my day. Likewise, those who are
mouth. indifferent to the things of God
give evidence of their lost state.
REV 3:17 You say, 'I am rich; I [I am rich] - This is a wealthy
have acquired wealth and do not church who cares more for outward
need a thing.' But you do not appearances than for the condition
realize that you are wretched, of the soul.
pitiful, poor, blind and naked. [blind and naked] - Blind to the
gospel and without the fine linen
from God (acts of righteousness).
REV 3:18 I counsel you to buy from [buy..gold] - Instead of buying gold
me gold refined in the fire, so you rings and watches, buy the true gold
can become rich; and white clothes from Christ (The law from your mouth
to wear, so you can cover your is more precious to me than thousands
shameful nakedness; and salve to of pieces of silver or gold.
put on your eyes, so you can see. PSA 119:72)
[white clothes..salve] - Ability to
see the truth and have the Faith,
to Repent and Submit to Christ then
bearing fruit by doing righteous
acts (REV 19:8).
REV 3:19 Those whom I love I A warning to the church that does
rebuke and discipline. So be not feel that they have a problem
earnest, and repent. and sense no needs. If they were
truly God's children then they would
feel the discipline of God. The
lack of discipline means they are
not the loved children of the Father
and are in great need of repentance.
REV 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the Jesus calls all mankind to come to
door and knock. If anyone hears my Him, but only those who have been
voice and opens the door, I will elected before the foundation of the
come in and eat with him, and he earth can hear His voice. The Non-
with me. Elect are deaf to the Word of God
because of their willful sin. When
a person hears the "Knocking" of the
Savior then the Spirit will enable
them to get up and submit to Christ
in an intimate relationship.
REV 3:21 To him who overcomes, I [overcomes] - See REV 2:7 Comments.
will give the right to sit with me [sit with me] - Reference to REV
on my throne, just as I overcame 20:6 where the Christian is promised
and sat down with my Father on his the privilege of reigning with Christ
throne. for the 1,000 year Millennium.
REV 3:22 He who has an ear, let See REV 2:7 Comments.
him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches."
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
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Keys to Revelation - Chapter 4
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 4:1 After this I looked, and [After this] - Reference to previous
there before me was a door standing seven letters to the churches, which
open in heaven. And the voice I had represented the Church Age that comes
first heard speaking to me like a to a end Chronologically as we enter
trumpet said, "Come up here, and I into the events of Chapter 4 and be-
will show you what must take place yond.
after this."
[door to heaven] - John literally
could look into the Third Heaven
from the earth and see the Throne
Room of God.
[voice] - It is Jesus speaking
[come up] - Jesus tells, rather
commands that John "come up" to
Heaven. This event ends the Church
Age and starts the Judgments and
could be a type of the Rapture, where
Jesus calls His Church to "Come Up
Here."
REV 4:2 At once I was in the [in the Spirit] - Transported from
Spirit, and there before me was a earth (most likely not with his body)
throne in heaven with someone through the first heaven (atmosphere)
sitting on it. then past the second heaven (outer
space) and into the third heaven
(location of God, Angels, and the
Redeemed).
[someone sitting] - Appears to be the
Father, since Jesus the Lamb, takes a
scroll from the right hand of Him who
sat on the throne in REV 5:7.
REV 4:3 And the one who sat there [jasper] - in ancient times this
had the appearance of jasper and stone would have been a translucent
carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an rock crystal like a diamond. This
emerald, encircled the throne. brilliant diamond represents the
purity, majesty, and holiness of God.
[carnelian] - A beautiful, ruby red
stone signifying the righteous
judgment and wrath of God.
[emerald] - Brilliant green color
representing the mercy of God.
REV 4:4 Surrounding the throne [24 Elders] - Representatives from
were twenty-four other thrones, and the Church, wearing crowns of victory
seated on them were twenty-four and their white linen robes.
elders. They were dressed in white
and had crowns of gold on their
heads.
REV 4:5 From the throne came [seven spirits] - Term for the Holy
flashes of lightning, rumblings and Spirit (ISA 11:2-3).
peals of thunder. Before the
throne, seven lamps were blazing.
These are the seven spirits of God.
REV 4:6 Also before the throne [sea of glass] - Same glass that was
there was what looked like a sea of seen by Moses in Exodus 24:10, "..and
glass, clear as crystal. In the saw the God of Israel. Under His feet
center, around the throne, were was something like a pavement made of
four living creatures, and they sapphire, clear as the sky itself."
were covered with eyes, in front This sea simply adds to the Glory
and in back. and Majesty of God.
[creatures] - Jesus only created two
kinds of intelligent and spiritual
creatures--Men and Angels. These four
living creatures are angels.
[eyes] - Seems strange to us, but we
are very limited in our knowledge and
understanding of heavenly things. The
eyes would make them all-seeing and
vigilant, not to mention enhancing
their ability to accomplish their
main purpose, to give God the glory
He deserves as they look upon His
Wisdom and Power.
REV 4:7 The first living creature Four creatures represent God's
was like a lion, the second was attributes in His creation:
like an ox, the third had a face [lion] - Majesty, Omnipotence
like a man, the fourth was like a [ox] - Strength, Patience
flying eagle. [man] - Intelligence, Rational Power
[eagle] - Sovereignty, Supremacy
REV 4:8 Each of the four living [six wings] - Matches description of
creatures had six wings and was the Seraphims in ISA 6:2, "Above Him
covered with eyes all around, even were seraphs, each with six wings:
under his wings. Day and night they With two they covered their faces,
never stop saying: "Holy, holy, with two they covered their feet, and
holy is the Lord God Almighty, who with two they were flying."
was, and is, and is to come." They were Unique Angels created to
give Glory to God forever.
REV 4:9 Whenever the living
creatures give glory, honor and
thanks to him who sits on the
throne and who lives for ever and
ever,
REV 4:10 the twenty-four elders Representing the Church in Heaven
fall down before him who sits on rightly acknowledging that God
the throne, and worship him who deserves their worship and honor.
lives for ever and ever. They lay
their crowns before the throne and [lay their crowns] - Acknowledging
say: that Jesus earned them their crowns
by His death on the Cross.
REV 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord
and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you created all
things, and by your will they were
created and have their being."
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
Modem (318) 949-1456
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RM79
Keys to Revelation - Chapter 5
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 5:1 Then I saw in the right [scroll] - Parchment had writing on
hand of him who sat on the throne a both sides, then sealed on the edges
scroll with writing on both sides in such a way that the seals must be
and sealed with seven seals. successively broken if the scroll is
to be unrolled and read.
REV 5:2 And I saw a mighty angel [mighty angel] - Possibly Gabriel
proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who
is worthy to break the seals and [worthy] - The scroll is like a title
open the scroll?" deed to the earth and can only be
opened by someone capable of being a
mediator between God and man.
REV 5:3 But no one in heaven or on [in heaven] - Redeemed men and women
earth or under the earth could open [on earth] - Living men and women
the scroll or even look inside it. [under the earth] - Condemned men and
women
REV 5:4 I wept and wept because no John was overcome at the thought that
one was found who was worthy to there was to be a delay in the open-
open the scroll or look inside. ing of the scroll and the resultant
judgment of sin, restoration of
Israel, and the reign of Christ.
REV 5:5 Then one of the elders [Lion of..Judah] - Refers to GEN 49:9
said to me, "Do not weep! See, the where Judah is called a conquering
Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lion.
Root of David, has triumphed. He is [Root of David] - See ISA 11:1,10
able to open the scroll and its
seven seals."
REV 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking [Lamb] - Jesus is the Lamb of God,
as if it had been slain, standing the perfect sacrifice (JOH 1:29,36;
in the center of the throne, ACT 8:32; 1PE 1:19)
encircled by the four living
creatures and the elders. He had [slain..standing] - The lamb has been
seven horns and seven eyes, which offered, yet it stands erect with
are the seven spirits of God sent visual evidence of the sacrificial
out into all the earth. slaughter, a clear reference to the
death and resurrection of Christ.
[seven] - A term used in Scripture to
denote fullness or completeness.
[seven horns] - Fullness of power.
Horn is a common symbol of strength
(DEU 33:17; PSA 18:2; 112:9). Refers
to the omnipotence of God.
[seven eyes] - In Zechariah 4:1-10
a lampstand with seven lights (v. 2)
is referred to as the Spirit (v. 6)
and the Spirit is the seven "eyes of
the Lord, which range throughout the
earth" (v. 10). Refers to the
omniscience of God.
REV 5:7 He came and took the [He took] - Jesus took the scroll
scroll from the right hand of him from the Father.
who sat on the throne.
REV 5:8 And when he had taken it, [fell down] -Elders fell down in
the four living creatures and the praise and worship of Jesus for His
twenty-four elders fell down before power and mercy.
the Lamb. Each one had a harp and
they were holding golden bowls full [harp] - There is music and singing
of incense, which are the prayers in heaven. Here praise is sung
of the saints. to the Sweet Savior Jesus Christ for
His grace and mercy.
[bowls..incense] - Throughout the
ages God's children have prayed for
judgment on sin and for the reign
of the Messiah Jesus Christ on earth.
These prayers have been as incense
before God for centuries and now are
about to be fulfilled (PSA 141:2).
REV 5:9 And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals, because you
were slain, and with your blood you
purchased men for God from every
tribe and language and people and
nation.
REV 5:10 You have made them to be
a kingdom and priests to serve our
God, and they will reign on the [reign] - In the Millennium with Our
earth." Lord Jesus Christ (REV 20:6).
REV 5:11 Then I looked and heard [numbering] - There were countless
he voice of many angels, numbering thousands of angels.
thousands upon thousands, and ten
thousand times ten thousand. They
encircled the throne and the living
creatures and the elders.
REV 5:12 In a loud voice they
sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was
slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honor
and glory and praise!"
REV 5:13 Then I heard every [every creature] - A reference to all
creature in heaven and on earth and of creation which has been awaiting
under the earth and on the sea, and the moment in history when the curse
all that is in them, singing: "To will be lifted and the sons of God
him who sits on the throne and to revealed in full redemptive glory
the Lamb be praise and honor and (ROM 8:18-25).
glory and power, for ever and
ever!"
REV 5:14 The four living creatures
said, "Amen," and the elders fell
down and worshiped.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
Modem (318) 949-1456
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Keys to Revelation - Chapter 6
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 6:1 I watched as the Lamb [Lamb] - Lamb of God is Jesus Christ.
opened the first of the seven
seals. Then I heard one of the four NOTE: With the opening of the first
living creatures say in a voice seal, the beginning of the seven-year
like thunder, "Come!" tribulation period is described,
which is the time of judgment for
Israel and for the whole world.
[Come!] - This call is for the first
of the four horses.
REV 6:2 I looked, and there before [white horse] - It was customary in
me was a white horse! Its rider biblical times for a conqueror to
held a bow, and he was given a ride in triumph on a white horse.
crown, and he rode out as a
conqueror bent on conquest. [bow] - Typical weapon for a king to
carry into battle in that part of the
world.
[crown] - Greek word is "stephanos"
which is a crown of victory and not
a crown of a sovereign.
[conqueror] - This is the AntiChrist,
the "man of sin" who comes and tries
to conquer the world. See DAN 9:26-
27.
REV 6:3 When the Lamb opened the
second seal, I heard the second
living creature say, "Come!"
REV 6:4 Then another horse came [fiery red] - A color representing
out, a fiery red one. Its rider was bloodshed and sin.
given power to take peace from the
earth and to make men slay each [rider..given..power] - A reminder
other. To him was given a large that in all events it is God who
sword. allows and empowers mankind to carry
out His will.
[take peace..make slay] - This rider
follows the Antichrist who tries to
take over the world and the result is
war and bloodshed.
[large sword] - A long sword often
carried into battle that symbolizes
violent death and war.
REV 6:5 When the Lamb opened the [black] - The color of mourning,
third seal, I heard the third affliction, and famine.
living creature say, "Come!" I
looked, and there before me was a [scales] - A yoke or beam with a
black horse! Its rider was holding weight on one side and the substance
a pair of scales in his hand. to be measured on the other.
REV 6:6 Then I heard what sounded [quart of wheat] - Dry measure of
like a voice among the four living about a quart (1.92 pints). This was
creatures, saying, "A quart of daily ration of food for one man. And
wheat for a day's wages, and three he got it for his [day's wages]. This
quarts of barley for a day's wages, would indicate that the famine and
and do not damage the oil and the inflation levels after the first
wine!" series of wars was so severe, that a
man worked all day for just enough
food for himself, leaving his family
and those unable to work without
meals.
[three quarts of barley] - Poor man's
diet and cheaper than wheat. The
worker could chose it instead of the
wheat.
[oil..wine] - Staples of the society
and God in His judgment continues to
show mercy by not making the famine
as severe as He could.
REV 6:7 When the Lamb opened the
fourth seal, I heard the voice of
the fourth living creature say,
"Come!"
REV 6:8 I looked, and there before [pale horse] - The word means a
me was a pale horse! Its rider was yellowish green, but refers here to
named Death, and Hades was the color of a corpse or the look
following close behind him. They of a person struck with terror.
were given power over a fourth of
the earth to kill by sword, famine [Death] - This is the death horse and
and plague, and by the wild beasts right behind him is a fifth horse
of the earth. named Hades, which is another name
for Hell, the place of torment until
the Final Judgment.
[fourth of earth] - Today it would be
approximately 1.5 Billion people
killed.
[sword] - The wars and bloodshed
[famine] - Starvation of the masses
[plague] - Diseases from the war, if
they used "germ warfare" and/or the
simple judgment of God in the form of
a Divine ordered disease.
[wild beasts] - A revolt of the
Animal Kingdom, possibly caused by
the displacement of war and the
scarcity of an adequate food supply.
REV 6:9 When he opened the fifth
seal, I saw under the altar the [under the altar] - In the Levitical
souls of those who had been slain rite the blood was poured out at the
because of the word of God and the foot of the altar. John sees an
testimony they had maintained. altar in heaven with souls (people)
under it.
[slain] - They were Christians that
had been killed for their faith in
Christ. It is likely that these
Christians were killed during the
Tribulation Period.
REV 6:10 They called out in a loud [avenge] - They cry out like David
voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, for God to judge wickedness because
holy and true, until you judge the God is Holy and all sin is an affront
inhabitants of the earth and avenge to His Sovereignty.
our blood?"
REV 6:11 Then each of them was [white robes] - See REV 19:8 and
given a white robe, and they were 19:14
told to wait a little longer, until
the number of their fellow servants [wait] - God has a timetable for this
and brothers who were to be killed world and is very patient with the
as they had been was completed. wickedness of man, but the day is
coming when the evilness of man will
be completed and then Jesus will
judge the world.
REV 6:12 I watched as he opened [sixth seal] - The first five seals
the sixth seal. There was a great were the direct result of man's
earthquake. The sun turned black actions. A man tried to conquer the
like sackcloth made of goat hair, world (Antichrist-Seal 1). Men from
the whole moon turned blood red, this attempted takeover fought with
each other (War-Seal 2). The result
of this major war was a worldwide
food shortage (Famine-Seal 3).
Because of the war, famines, and the
problems that ensued many on earth
died (Death-Seal 4). The mass killing
of Christians by unsaved man.
Martyrs-Seal 5)
But the sixth seal is the direct
action of God, where He pours out His
judgments against man and his earth.
[great earthquake] - God often has
used earthquakes to introduce His
judgments. This was not a local
quake but rather one that likely
shook the entire world.
[sun..black] - A black sun is in fact
no sun! There would be total dark-
ness except for the red moon.
[red..moon] - The whole world sees a
blood red moon which causes fear and
panic in the hearts of sinful man.
Since the moon gets its light from
the sun, God somehow caused the moon
to emit it's own light of judgment.
REV 6:13 and the stars in the sky [stars..fell] - Literally, shooting
fell to earth, as late figs drop stars were observed to be "falling"
from a fig tree when shaken by a to the earth.
strong wind.
REV 6:14 The sky receded like a [sky receded] - Violent sights in the
scroll, rolling up, and every heavens that made the sky appear to
mountain and island was removed roll up like a scroll.
from its place.
[mountain..island..removed] - They
did not necessarily disappear, but
may have literally moved to new
locations by the violence of Nuclear
War or simply by the finger of God.
REV 6:15 Then the kings of the [man hid] - The events on the earth
earth, the princes, the generals, and in the heavens were terrifying to
the rich, the mighty, and every every man and woman on earth.
slave and every free man hid in
caves and among the rocks of the
mountains.
REV 6:16 They called to the [hide us] - God's judgments were to
mountains and the rocks, "Fall on not only judge sin, but also to cause
us and hide us from the face of him sinful man to repent and cry out to
who sits on the throne and from the God for mercy. However, they would
wrath of the Lamb! not acknowledge their sin but only to
hide from the wrath of God, wishing
that the rocks would crush and kill
them, rather than agree with God
about their sins and submit to Him.
REV 6:17 For the great day of [who can stand] - No one can ever
their wrath has come, and who can stand smug in their sins before God
stand?" when He comes to judge the earth.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
Modem (318) 949-1456
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Keys to Revelation - Chapter 7
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 7:1 After this I saw four [after this I saw] - Introduces
angels standing at the four corners another part of John's vision.
of the earth, holding back the four
winds of the earth to prevent any [four angels..four winds] - Four
wind from blowing on the land or on angels are seen holding back the four
the sea or on any tree. winds of the earth: North Wind, East
Wind, South Wind, and West Wind. All
winds come from one of these four
directions and God has commanded that
His servants the angels prevent these
winds from blowing, making the entire
earth to experience calm winds.
[prevent..wind] - Another judgment of
God. More and more as we experience
energy shortages, man is developing
a greater reliance on wind power and
by the day of this judgment it could
likely be a significant source of
energy. Man also has enjoyed the
coolness of a breeze on a hot day and
has relied on the wind to move the
polluted air of major cities to pre-
vent a great build-up of smog.
But the greatest judgment will be in
the change of the weather. Without
any wind, the clouds and the rain
they bring will not be occurring and
the earth's food supplies will be
greatly reduced. Another judgment
would be to the reproduction process
of plants that rely on the wind to
carry the pollen and/or seed.
REV 7:2 Then I saw another angel [from the East] - Possibly because
coming up from the east, having the Palestine is east of Patmos.
seal of the living God. He called
out in a loud voice to the four [seal] - Word indicates the seal is a
angels who had been given power to signet ring, like that used by an
harm the land and the sea: Oriental monarch, to give validity to
the official documents.
[seal of God] - A special mark that
was painted, tattooed, or maybe even
applied with lasers in a such a way
that clearly showed who God's true
children were. It was done before in
Ezekiel 9 were God had an ink mark
placed on the foreheads of those who
hated sin, in order for them to avoid
judgment.
REV 7:3 "Do not harm the land or In addition to the Calm Wind judgment
the sea or the trees until we put a God prepares to pour out His wrath on
seal on the foreheads of the the land, sea, and trees, but only
servants of our God." after he first sealed those on the
earth who belonged to Him.
REV 7:4 Then I heard the number of [144,000] - Not a select group from
those who were sealed: 144,000 from among the Believers on the earth,
all the tribes of Israel. rather, they are the only faithful
Believers alive when this event takes
place. All the other Christians were
removed from the earth during the
Rapture, at the beginning of the
Tribulation Period.
[from..Israel] - God chose Israel to
bring the Good News to the lost but
she never fulfilled that command and
rather put up barriers to the lost,
preventing them from knowing the
the truth. But now God is causing
Israel to be faithful to their first
commission of reaching the lost
nations.
REV 7:5 From the tribe of Judah [From the tribe of...] - God chose
12,000 were sealed, from the tribe the twelve tribes of Israel for His
of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of witness during the Tribulation.
Gad 12,000, 12,000 were selected from each tribe.
When God was completed He had 144,000
Jewish Evangelists all preaching the
pure and holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.
REV 7:6 from the tribe of Asher
12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali
12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh
12,000,
REV 7:7 from the tribe of Simeon
12,000, from the tribe of Levi
12,000, from the tribe of Issachar
12,000,
REV 7:8 from the tribe of Zebulun
12,000, from the tribe of Joseph
12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin
12,000.
REV 7:9 After this I looked and [great multitude] - These are the
there before me was a great those who the 144,000 witnessed to
multitude that no one could count, and who were led to Christ by the
from every nation, tribe, people Holy Spirit (see REV 7:14). One must
and language, standing before the remember that these believers began
throne and in front of the Lamb. the Tribulation Period as wicked
They were wearing white robes and sinners in total rebellion to God,
were holding palm branches in their but God sent the 144,000 preachers
hands. with the Gospel message that brought
the Faith to them so they could then
Believe in Christ, Repent of their
sins and Submit to the Lordship of
the Lamb of God--Jesus Christ.
[white robes] - See REV 19:8 and
19:14
[palm branches] - The palm is a sign
of festive joy and also an emblem of
victory. Here they represent the joy
and the victory of those who have
been redeemed by the Blood of Christ.
REV 7:10 And they cried out in a [sits on the throne] - God the Father
loud voice: "Salvation belongs to (see REV 4:2 commentary).
our God, who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." [Lamb] - Jesus is the Lamb of God,
the perfect sacrifice (JOH 1:29,36;
ACT 8:32; 1PE 1:19).
REV 7:11 All the angels were [all the angels] - These are the same
standing around the throne and angels listed in REV 5:11 as "...many
around the elders and the four angels, numbering thousands upon
living creatures. They fell down on thousands, and ten thousand times ten
their faces before the throne and thousand." A number that literally
worshiped God, cannot be counted by man.
[elders...living creatures] - See
REV 4:4, 4:7 commentary.
[fall down...faces] - Proper response
of a creature to its Creator.
REV 7:12 saying: "Amen! Praise and [saying] - They respond to the cry of
glory and wisdom and thanks and the redeemed (v. 10) with "Amen" and
honor and power and strength be to sing praise and glory to God for His
our God for ever and ever. Amen!" great salvation to man. Compare this
doxology with REV 5:12-13.
REV 7:13 Then one of the elders [asked me] - One of the elders,
asked me, "These in white robes-- anticipating the question which John
who are they, and where did they is about to ask, poses a question to
come from?" him.
REV 7:14 I answered, "Sir, you [washed... made them white] - Both
know." And he said, "These are they verbs indicate a "once-for-all"
who have come out of the great action which took place in the past.
tribulation; they have washed their (See HEB 9:24; 1JN 1:7-9; ISA 64:6
robes and made them white in the and ISA 1:18).
blood of the Lamb.
REV 7:15 Therefore, "they are [serve Him] - All those whose sins
before the throne of God and serve have been washed in the Blood of the
him day and night in his temple; Lamb will perform worshipful service
and he who sits on the throne will to God forever.
spread his tent over them.
[day and night] - Heaven has no night
so the idea is from man's perspective
to indicate for ever and ever.
[spread His tent] - God's presence
will ever be with His saints as
though He lived in the same tent with
them at all times, as though He
spread His presence over them like a
tent.
REV 7:16 Never again will they [hunger...thirst...scorching] - These
hunger; never again will they were part of the Tribulation trials
thirst. The sun will not beat upon that they faced, but like us, they
them, nor any scorching heat. also hungered and thirsted for
righteousness (MAT 5:6).
REV 7:17 For the Lamb at the [Lamb...shepherd] - An intriguing
center of the throne will be their idea that a lamb would become a
shepherd; he will lead them to shepherd.
springs of living water. And God
will wipe away every tear from [lead them] - Jesus, our Shepherd, is
their eyes." currently leading all of His lambs
through this life, on a journey that
will ultimately arrive in Heaven at
the River of the Water of Life (REV
22:1).
[wipe away every tear] - Like a
mother who wipes away her child's
tears so they will smile and laugh
again. All of our sorrows of this
life on earth will be wiped away and
a permanent smile with laughter will
appear.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
Modem (318) 949-1456
300/1200/2400/9600 Baud
Keys to Revelation - Chapter 8
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 8:1 When he opened the seventh [He opened] - It is opened by the
seal, there was silence in heaven only one worthy to open the seals
for about half an hour. --the Lamb of God (see REV 5:2-9).
[silence] - The silence is a dramatic
pause making even more impressive the
judgment that is about to fall upon
the earth. While thirty minutes is a
relatively short time, it makes for a
dramatic break considering the rather
quick moving pace of the events of
chapters 5-7.
REV 8:2 And I saw the seven angels [stand before God] - The fact that
who stand before God, and to them these angels stand before God would
were given seven trumpets. indicate a place of prominence such
as is given to the angel Gabriel
(see LUK 1:19).
[seven trumpets] - These were seven
literal trumpets that were to be
sounded to herald judgments of God.
REV 8:3 Another angel, who had a [golden censer] - A gold pan filled
golden censer, came and stood at with fire (like hot charcoal).
the altar. He was given much
incense to offer, with the prayers [incense] - Aromatic substance that
of all the saints, on the golden gives off smoke and aroma when placed
altar before the throne. on hot coals.
[with the prayers] - Our prayers to
God are mixed with incense and are
offered to Him as a sweet fragrance.
[golden altar] - This is the same
altar that was mentioned in REV 6:9
in reference to the saints under the
the altar.
REV 8:4 The smoke of the incense, [prayers of the saints] - Could it
together with the prayers of the be that our prayers, even in this age
saints, went up before God from the are so precious to God that they are
angel's hand. placed in golden censers and carried
by angels to be placed on the golden
altar before God?
REV 8:5 Then the angel took the [fire...hurled] - The censers that
censer, filled it with fire from carried the prayers of the saints are
the altar, and hurled it on the now used to carry God's judgments to
earth; and there came peals of the earth. Many of the prayers of
thunder, rumblings, flashes of Christians has been for God's
lightning and an earthquake. righteous judgment on earth, He now
answers these prayers.
[there came...] - The thunder,
rumblings, flashes of lightning, and
the earthquake are reminiscent of
Sinai when God came to earth to visit
with Moses, however, this time it is
a visit of judgment (EXO 19:16-19).
REV 8:6 Then the seven angels who [prepared to sound] - Most likely
had the seven trumpets prepared to means that they raised their trumpets
sound them. in readiness to sound.
REV 8:7 The first angel sounded [hail...fire...blood] - This could be
his trumpet, and there came hail a supernatural event of many gigantic
and fire mixed with blood, and it thunderstorms, which have a mixture
was hurled down upon the earth. A of hailstones of ice and bolts of
third of the earth was burned up, a fire called lightning. The blood
third of the trees were burned up, would be like the real blood that God
and all the green grass was burned gave the Egyptians to drink in EXO 7.
up.
The world has shed the blood of men
and women since the beginning and now
would be getting a judgment of blood,
but now mixed with fire!
NOTE: The hail, fire, and blood may
only be symbolic of destruction that
is caused by limited nuclear warfare.
[earth, trees, grass...burned] - This
first trumpet was an obvious judgment
against the vegetation of the earth.
Man will suffer greatly due to the
greatly reduced food supply, oxygen
source, and the obvious psychological
effects of such devastation.
REV 8:8 The second angel sounded [like a huge mountain] - It is not a
his trumpet, and something like a mountain, but like one, which could
huge mountain, all ablaze, was indicate something as devastating as
thrown into the sea. A third of the a meteorite or asteroid from space
sea turned into blood, impacting into the ocean.
This would kill a tremendous number
of fish from the concussion undersea
REV 8:9 a third of the living and of course the waves would disrupt
creatures in the sea died, and a the surface of the seas for thousands
third of the ships were destroyed. of miles causing ships to capsize and
sink. Then along with this God turns
one third of the waters into literal
blood as a fit judgment for a blood-
thirsty world (see EXO 7:20-21).
REV 8:10 The third angel sounded [great star...Wormwood] - John sees
his trumpet, and a great star, something ablaze like a "shooting
blazing like a torch, fell from the star" strike the earth at various
sky on a third of the rivers and on places polluting the fresh waters.
the springs of water-- Again, this could be a supernatural
act of God using special poisonous
REV 8:11 the name of the star is stars, but it also could be by men
Wormwood. A third of the waters launching a germ warfare attack and
turned bitter, and many people died using ICBMs as the carrier to the
from the waters that had become major water sources.
bitter.
REV 8:12 The fourth angel sounded [a third of the sun] - God simply
his trumpet, and a third of the sun reduced the hours of sunlight by one-
was struck, a third of the moon, third, so instead of sunlight from
and a third of the stars, so that a 7am to 7pm it would be reduced to
third of them turned dark. A third something like 9am to 5pm. He had
of the day was without light, and no problem stopping the sun from
also a third of the night. shining on the entire earth when our
Lord died on the Cross (MAT 27:45).
[a third of the moon] - Like the sun,
the moon was prevented from shining
for one-third of its normal time of
illumination. The night was darker
than before due to the reduced number
of stars and the lack of the normal
moonlight.
[a third of the stars] - God just
ordered them to cease from shining
and one-third of them went out like a
candle snuffed out.
NOTE: The net result of this fourth
judgment is to cause a collapse of
the balance of nature. The seasons
are thrown into chaos, many crops die
because there is too much night and
not enough day. Man thought he could
ignore God and still grow all the
food he desired.
REV 8:13 As I watched, I heard an [eagle] - The same word for eagle can
eagle that was flying in midair be translated "vulture" which in this
call out in a loud voice: "Woe! context would symbolize impending
Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the doom. It could be a clear warning to
earth, because of the trumpet the inhabitants of the earth or only
blasts about to be sounded by the serve as an announcement in heaven to
other three angels!" those observing the unfolding of the
Judgments of God.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
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Keys to Revelation - Chapter 9
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 9:1 The fifth angel sounded [star] - Symbolic reference to an
his trumpet, and I saw a star that angel since the star was given a key
had fallen from the sky to the to open the Abyss. Most likely this
earth. The star was given the key star is Satan.
to the shaft of the Abyss.
[fallen] - Term has been used of
Satan falling or being hurled to the
earth (see ISA 14:12-17, LUK 10:18)
and includes other angels along with
Satan in Rev 12:7-9.
[key] - Jesus has the keys to Death
and to Hell (REV 1:18) and it would
fit that He also has the keys to
the Abyss, the place where the wicked
angels are detained. Satan does not
have any control over any place,
demon, or person unless Jesus gives
him that power.
[Abyss] - Means the "bottomless pit"
and is a place in the "underworld"
for certain wicked demons that is
made up of "gloomy dungeons"
(2PE 2:4).
REV 9:2 When he opened the Abyss, [smoke] - Part of God's torment on
smoke rose from it like the smoke wicked men and angels is fire (MAT
from a gigantic furnace. The sun 25:41 and LUK 16:24). The Abyss is
and sky were darkened by the smoke not only a "holding place" (2PE 2:4)
from the Abyss. but also a place of torment. The
smoke is so intense that it literally
blackens the sun and sky.
REV 9:3 And out of the smoke [locusts] - Throughout the OT the
locusts came down upon the earth locust was a symbol of destruction,
and were given power like that of and here are being used as a judgment
scorpions of the earth. from God on mankind. It is important
to remember that these creatures are
demon-possessed from the Abyss, much
like the demon-possessed pigs in MAT
8:31.
[power...scorpions] - The locusts
have the power of the scorpions which
is a wasp-like sting and the ability
to secret a poison into their victim.
REV 9:4 They were told not to harm [told not to harm grass] - This fact
the grass of the earth or any plant reveals that they are real locusts
or tree, but only those people who who normally would follow their
did not have the seal of God on natural desire to eat grass and
their foreheads. plants. God has to command them to
go against their natural instinct and
to harm unredeemed man instead.
REV 9:5 They were not given power [not given power to kill] - God has
to kill them, but only to torture sovereign control over Satan and the
them for five months. And the agony demons and God alone determines just
they suffered was like that of the how much power they will have. Demons
sting of a scorpion when it strikes are "set" on destruction and God
a man. merely uses them for His purpose.
[torture] - God is not being cruel to
the unbeliever, but the time has come
to judge wickedness.
[five months] - A limited duration
judgment allowing men and women to
turn from their wickedness and
repent. It is also interesting to
note that the life cycle of locusts
is five months. These locusts were
all created by Jesus when the Abyss
was opened and thus would all reach
five months of age at the same time.
REV 9:6 During those days men will [seek death] - A reminder that it is
seek death, but will not find it; Jesus who determines our moment of
they will long to die, but death death and man cannot change that.
will elude them. These people who are under the
judgment of God try to commit suicide
but Jesus prevents their deaths.
REV 9:7 The locusts looked like [looked like horses] - Locusts have
horses prepared for battle. On heads that are shaped like horses and
their heads they wore something here they were made to resemble the
like crowns of gold, and their protective armament of war and the
faces resembled human faces. eagerness to go into battle and
inflict damage to their foes.
[like crowns of gold] - They were not
crowns but looked something like them
which may symbolize their already
determined victory over mankind.
[resembled human faces] - These were
not the passive expressions of an
insect but rather the highly intel-
ligent cunning and cruelty of demonic
beings.
REV 9:8 Their hair was like [women's hair] - The Bible makes a
women's hair, and their teeth were distinction that women's hair is
like lions' teeth. longer in length than men's. These
locusts appear to have long hair
which could be longer than normal
antennae for some added capability.
This feature is extremely difficult
to define as to meaning.
[lions' teeth] - This feature would
emphasize the fierceness of the
locusts.
REV 9:9 They had breastplates like [breastplates of iron] - The scaly
breastplates of iron, and the sound backs and flanks of the locusts
of their wings was like the resembled coats of armor made of iron
thundering of many horses and which may stand for the hopelessness
chariots rushing into battle. of any effort trying to destroy these
messengers of judgment.
REV 9:10 They had tails and stings [tails] - These locusts are designed
like scorpions, and in their tails to carry out God's judgment by the
they had power to torment people unusual Scorpion tail with stinger.
for five months.
REV 9:11 They had as king over [angel of the Abyss] - This army has
them the angel of the Abyss, whose a leader whose task is to lead them
name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in to torment the unbelievers. The evil
Greek, Apollyon. angels have rank and structure as
indicated in EPH 6:12 and the locusts
have one known as the "Destroyer."
[Abaddon] - Hebrew word meaning
"destruction" or "ruin" and more
often "the place of ruin" in Sheol,
or "death," or "the grave."
[Apollyon] - Greek word meaning
"exterminator" or "destroyer."
REV 9:12 The first woe is past;
two other woes are yet to come.
REV 9:13 The sixth angel sounded [voice...from the horns] - Means from
his trumpet, and I heard a voice the center of the altar table where
coming from the horns of the golden the incense burned. It would be the
altar that is before God. the voice of God.
REV 9:14 It said to the sixth [four angels] - These are wicked
angel who had the trumpet, "Release demons who have been "bound" at a
the four angels who are bound at a particular place along the river
the great river Euphrates." Euphrates. They are held captive
until this moment in history when
they are released to accomplish their
evil deeds.
REV 9:15 And the four angels who [released to kill] - These demons
had been kept ready for this very are demons of death, in that, when
hour and day and month and year they are free to act, death occurs.
were released to kill a third of
mankind. [third of mankind] - The first kill-
ing occurred in REV 6:8 where one-
fourth of the earth's population was
destroyed. That would have been near
1.5 Billion people (assuming current
world population). In 9:15 we now
see one-third of the remaining 4.5
Billion or another 1.5 Billion
people killed.
REV 9:16 The number of the mounted [mounted troops] - Indicates that the
troops was two hundred million. I demon's weapon of death was a large
heard their number. army that they (demons) have caused
to attack other countries.
[two hundred million] - Some estimate
that at the time of the writing of
the Book of Revelation there were not
even 200,000,000 people on earth!
For centuries man has doubted this
verse that predicts a 200,000,000 man
army. Yet in 1968 the Chinese boasted
they could put on the battlefield the
Red Guard Army of over 200,000,000
men and women.
REV 9:17 The horses and riders I God presents to John a picture of the
saw in my vision looked like this: 200,000,000 army and it is in terms
Their breastplates were fiery red, that he would understand. It may in
dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. fact be that these are not really
The heads of the horses resembled horses, but rather modern weapons of
the heads of lions, and out of war. For example, a tanklike vehicle
their mouths came fire, smoke and with red, blue, and yellow markings.
sulfur. The fire, smoke, and sulfur could be
the actual discharge of the weapon.
REV 9:18 A third of mankind was [out of their mouths] - From the
killed by the three plagues of front of the vehicle.
fire, smoke and sulfur that came
out of their mouths.
REV 9:19 The power of the horses [power...in...mouths, tails] - Again
was in their mouths and in their I believe these are pictures of
tails; for their tails were like modern weapons of war. These weapons
snakes, having heads with which discharge their bullets, lasers, or
they inflict injury. fire, etc., from both the front and
the rear of the vehicle.
REV 9:20 The rest of mankind that [rest...still did not repent] - God
were not killed by these plagues is not only judging the sin of the
still did not repent of the work of earth, but is also trying to bring
their hands; they did not stop the sinner to repentance. Yet those
worshiping demons, and idols of not killed would not repent.
gold, silver, bronze, stone and
wood--idols that cannot see or hear
or walk.
REV 9:21 Nor did they repent of A very clear picture of the sins of
their murders, their magic arts, the last days of the earth.
their sexual immorality or their
thefts.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
Modem (318) 949-1456
300/1200/2400/9600 Baud
Keys to Revelation - Chapter 10
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 10:1 Then I saw another [another mighty angel] - This angel
mighty angel coming down from is not one of the seven or the four,
heaven. He was robed in a cloud, but like the other strong angel in
with a rainbow above his head; his REV 5:2 and 18:21 or the other angel
face was like the sun, and his legs in 14:6,15. The angel could be the
were like fiery pillars. Archangel Michael, "the great prince"
in DAN 12:1, or more likely the angel
Gabriel as seen in a parallel passage
DAN 12:7 and DAN 8:16. Angel cannot
be the Christ, for angels are always
angels in Revelation, as well as in
the rest of the NT.
[cloud...rainbow...sun] - A cloud
surrounded his body and the glow from
a face like the sun could cause a
rainbow to appear in the moistness of
the clouds.
REV 10:2 He was holding a little [scroll...lay open] - Not like the
scroll, which lay open in his hand. great scroll of chapter 5 which was
He planted his right foot on the fastened with seven seals, this one
sea and his left foot on the land, lies open in the hand of the angel.
[on the sea...land] - The angel has
one foot on the sea and the other on
the land which most likely speaks of
a coming judgment that will be on the
entire earth, both land and sea. REV
10:6 includes reference to land, sea,
and heaven in relation to the time
having come for judgment.
REV 10:3 and he gave a loud shout [shout like...lion] - Angel had a
like the roar of a lion. When he voice with a deep resonance which
shouted, the voices of the seven would demand the attention of those
thunders spoke. who heard.
[seven thunders] - Actual voices that
sounded like thunder. In JOH 12:28-29
God the Father spoke as with thunder.
REV 10:4 And when the seven [about to write] - Just started to
thunders spoke, I was about to write what the seven thunders spoke.
write; but I heard a voice from John was commanded in REV 1:11 to
heaven say, "Seal up what the seven "write on a scroll what you see" and
thunders have said and do not write most likely was keeping some sort of
it down." record of everything that had taken
place thus far and was simply logging
what the voices said.
[do not write] - The seven thunders
gave descriptions of more plagues for
man and his earth, but God has not
allowed us to know what kind of wrath
is stored up in these plagues.
REV 10:5 Then the angel I had seen [raised his right hand] - In the OT
standing on the sea and on the land the lifting of the hand was a part of
raised his right hand to heaven. oath-taking and here he raises his
hand to heaven as part of a very
solemn oath.
REV 10:6 And he swore by him who [he swore] - When one makes an oath
lives for ever and ever, who it is always necessary to swear by
created the heavens and all that is someone greater than themselves, and
in them, the earth and all that is this is further proof that the angel
in it, and the sea and all that is is not Jesus because Christ would not
in it, and said, "There will be no need to swear by anyone greater than
more delay! Himself.
[no more delay] - All throughout the
history of man, God has delayed His
complete judgment on sin. But the
time has come for God to "stop the
ticking of the clock" for the earth,
the sea, and man himself will now
receive God's last phase of wrath--
the seventh trumpet.
REV 10:7 But in the days when the [mystery of God] - God's divine pur-
seventh angel is about to sound his pose in history for mankind. Jesus
trumpet, the mystery of God will be is the "Mystery of God" in COL 2:2,
accomplished, just as he announced and Israel's final destiny is the
to his servants the prophets." "mystery" in ROM 11:25. When the
seventh trumpet is sounded then God
unfolds the last part of the mystery.
REV 10:8 Then the voice that I had
heard from heaven spoke to me once
more: "Go, take the scroll that
lies open in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on
the land."
REV 10:9 So I went to the angel [Take it and eat] - Similar to the
and asked him to give me the little scroll given to Ezekiel in EZE 2:8-
scroll. He said to me, "Take it and 3:3. It was a scroll of judgment
eat it. It will turn your stomach but tasted as sweet as honey.
sour, but in your mouth it will be
as sweet as honey."
REV 10:10 I took the little scroll [tasted sweet...stomach sour] - Here
from the angel's hand and ate it. the scroll is sweet because it is the
It tasted as sweet as honey in my Word of God (PSA 119:103), but is
mouth, but when I had eaten it, my also bitter because of the judgment
stomach turned sour. and woes it contains.
REV 10:11 Then I was told, "You [prophesy] - In EZE 2:8-3:3 we see
must prophesy again about many that after Ezekiel ate the scroll
peoples, nations, languages and with written words of lament and
kings." mourning and woe, he was to speak to
the people of Israel who were very
obstinate and hardened in their
hearts. In this verse John speaks
to everyone about the coming wrath,
which would also include the offer of
salvation from a loving and forgiving
God.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD
Box 130
Shreveport, LA 71110
Modem (318) 949-1456
300/1200/2400/9600 Baud
Keys to Revelation - Chapter 11
Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (C) 1978 by the New
York International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Publishers.
BIBLE TEXT COMMENTARY
REV 11:1 I was given a reed like [reed] - Near the Jordan were many
a measuring rod and was told, "Go bamboo-like canes which were long and
and measure the temple of God and rigid, sometimes as long as 15 or 20
the altar, and count the worshipers feet, ideal for a measuring rod.
there.
[Go and measure] - Gives clear
evidence of a literal temple that is
to be constructed before or during
the Tribulation Period. God measured
Jerusalem in Zechariah 2, the Temple
in EZE 40, and the New Jerusalem in
REV 21:15-17.
REV 11:2 But exclude the outer [outer court] - The court which is
court; do not measure it, because outside the temple would be the Court
it has been given to the Gentiles. of the Gentiles. It would be an
They will trample on the holy city uncovered yard outside of the temple.
for 42 months.
[do not measure it] - The new temple
is still a place of false worship
that the Jews have rebuilt to return
to sacrificial worship, which is no
longer acceptable to God because of
the finished work of Jesus Christ.
And the Jews still are excluding the
Gentiles from access to what the Jews
believe to be the truth.
[Gentiles... they will trample] - The
Bible always contrasts two peoples,
The Jews and the Gentiles. The
Gentiles include all those not born
of Jewish heritage and most Gentiles
are unbelievers. These unbelieving
Gentiles will dominate and rule over
Jerusalem.
[42 months] - Equates to a three-and-
one-half-year period or half of the
seven-year period of the Tribulation.
The chronology of events would place
the 42 months as the second half of
the Tribulation.
REV 11:3 And I will give power to [I will give power] - God commissions
my two witnesses, and they will two persons to speak in a very direct
prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in way to the world.
sackcloth."
[1260 days] - 42 Months or three-and-
one half years (Bible uses 30 day
months and 360 day years).
[sackcloth] - Rough garb of the
ancient prophets made of fabric from
sacks and usually dark in color. This
garb was especially suited to be worn
as a mourning garment.
REV 11:4 These are the two olive [olive trees] - Source of olive oil
trees and the two lampstands that that is burned in lamps and used to
stand before the Lord of the earth. represent the Word of God. In ZEC
4:3, 11, 14, we see the same picture
used.
The Spirit used the symbols of the
trees and the lamps to represent two
prophets He will cause to testify on
the earth in the spirit and power of
Moses and Elijah.
REV 11:5 If anyone tries to harm [fire...from their mouths] - Not real
them, fire comes from their mouths flames but rather the Word of God
and devours their enemies. This is spoken in judgment that will cause
how anyone who wants to harm them their would be assailants to be
must die. killed. See JER 5:14 for a clear
use of God's Word as fire.
REV 11:6 These men have power to [power to shut up sky] - They will
shut up the sky so that it will not like Elijah be able to prevent rain
rain during the time they are from falling to the earth (1KI 17:1).
prophesying; and they have power to
turn the waters into blood and to [turn the waters into blood] - This
strike the earth with every kind of is real blood given to a blood
plague as often as they want. thirsty world. This same judgment
is seen in EXO 7:19 when Moses turned
the waters of Egypt into blood.
[strike the earth...plague] - These
two men have a message to speak and
they will perform various miracles
of judgment to try to get an unsaved
world to believe, but because of the
hardness of men's heart, mankind will
refuse God's grace and simply receive
His righteous judgments.
REV 11:7 Now when they have [finished their testimony] - In 11:3
finished their testimony, the beast we learned that the period of their
that comes up from the Abyss will testimony will be three-and-one-half
attack them, and overpower and kill years.
them.
[beast] - The Abyss is the place for
the very wicked demons and one of
them, referred to as the beast, will
inhabit a man, most likely the one
who will assist the Antichrist (see
REV 13:11).
[attack...kill them] - God removed
his protection from the two witnesses
because His purposes had been ful-
filled.
REV 11:8 Their bodies will lie in [bodies will lie] - Literally they
the street of the great city, which will be killed as they were speaking
is figuratively called Sodom and God's truth publicly and then left
Egypt, where also their Lord was on the street.
crucified.
[great city] - Clear