The following "sample portion" has been selected to provide an interesting and challenging subject for consideration. It will be found: much contained herein, varies with traditional teachings and beliefs. However, it's "our burden" to encourage as many as will, to honestly consider...with an open mind, and we're trusting the Holy Spirit to
verify as He Wills...
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Preface
The object of revising this book is not for the purpose of changing the line of thought---as already presented, but to add more light in connection to it.
Since writing the book in A.D. 1945 much more brightness of the light is available; this is in line with truth. (Proverbs 4:18)
There will be more brightness of the light coming in connection with that already given us reaching to the end of the seventh seal.
It is clear now, without a doubt, the Lord is setting His hand in this seventh seal, and sounding of the seventh Trumpet, the second time in the 100 years of Preliminary Judgment as explained in this Book, to gather the remnant of His people as we have in Prophecy. (Isaiah 11:11)
The people of God will be a separate people from all the many divisions of the so-called Christian world at the return of Christ.
This people will be known as “The Church of God in Name and Spirit” as explained in this revision.
Read this Book carefully and prayerfully; studying all seals, trumpets and vials, as explained in their proper place in time, and you will see truth brought to light through the Revelation, in connection with Gospel, Prophecy, and Church History.
The Revelation was given for the real people of God. See the first verse of the first chapter of the book.
The time symbols as recorded in the Revelation, brings through to the end, and when rightly applied, they locate each age of time in harmony with history fulfilled.
As time moves on, it will be through walking in the light of truth that the true people of God will be made to see the errors and misunderstandings of the past ages and will eventually be made to see “eye to eye” in the late evening of time, when it is so necessary that all Christians should be workers together with God.
We believe the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 52:8, where the “watchman shall see eye to eye,” will be fulfilled now in the seventh seal and trumpet age, when the fullness of light is revealed. The Revelation, when scripturally understood in full, will surely bring truth that will be clearer than that we have had, which has been only in part under the sixth seal and the past ages.
Many facts and points we are presenting in this book have been gathered or given to us by brethren where we have labored in the field. After hearing us through our series of services, these brethren have been given thoughts in line with truth, and have offered them to us in connection with facts presented. We are always glad to get additional brightness to the light, as now is coming.
Needless ta say, no one man has a monopoly on any part of the Word of God, and the Lord always works through His Church or people as a body. When any one man comes to the place that he’s not willing to consider others, even the least among us, as servants of the Lord, he’s heading into destruction on the “rock of exaltation”. A little child can’t lead them.
Sect-making has its origin through people building on one man’s interpretation of Scriptures to the neglect and failure to rely upon the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to direct---in being able to prove all things and hold fast to truth.
May the Lord take and bless the truth of this book to the good of honest souls. We are passing this work on to the church and all honest and true people of God for their consideration in the light of truth. We earnestly pray that it may be a help to all who read it, in stimulating greater interest in the study of the Bible, and leading souls to deeper depths and higher heights in the service of the Lord.
J. F. LAWSON
P. D. TURNBOW
D. W. ROGERS
Foreword:
Before entering into the study proper and the conflict of the Revelation, we wish to give a brief summary stating why we bring gospel and prophecy in connection with the explanation of the Revelation. By this method we hope to be able to explain some truth relative to how, when and where Daniel and other prophecies as well as Revelation, have their fulfillment in time. To be able to rightly divide the truth, is important in Bible study. Revelation, Gospels and prophecy must (and will) harmonize when rightly interpreted and applied in their proper places and according to time. For this reason, we're using “The Revelation, Gospel and Prophecy” as the title for the book. If we can prove time and fulfillment of each, in relation with church history and the prophecies of Daniel and others in connection with the times referred to in the Revelation, then it is strong evidence and proof enough(?) that the interpretation given is Biblical truth. If Scriptures, in prophecies and facts in church histories do not harmonize; then it is evident that the interpretation of the Bible has been misapplied.(?)
In this foreword explanation, before entering into the actual conflict of the Revelation, we hope to locate some of the errors that have been the means of sidetracking many from the real (spiritual) truth of the Revelation. This will be a great help to honest souls seeking more light and understanding of this book.
We speak of the conflict, and by that we refer to a spiritual warfare, a conflict between the true and the false spiritual forces of the world, as recorded in the Revelation, and extending from the days of Christ’s first advent to this world, then continuing throughout the Gospel dispensation until His second coming.
It is by failing to see the truth of Daniel’s prophecy, that many have been sidetracked from the spiritual truth of the Revelation. A few points given here will enable us to get our bearings more perfectly in spiritual matters.
In the first place, we know it has been the business of the enemy of souls, to blind the eyes of people to truth by substituting the natural to cover up the spiritual. This is just what has been done in confusing the minds of many commentators on the Revelation, in connection with the prophecies of the old covenant. Back under the old covenant, they fought literal battles and things were understood literally. However, most of the prophecies have a two-fold meaning(?), and when speaking of things under the law, or under the old covenant, they also have their fulfillment spiritually in the Gospel dispensation. This will be better understood later in this study, but along this line the enemy has confused the minds of many honest souls. Daniel’s vision in the second and seventh chapters of his book, when passing from under the law age or the old covenant into the new dispensation, changed from political to spiritual, reaching through with Revelation to the second coming of Christ.
In the conflict of the Revelation, starting with the first and second seal age---covering a period of 270 years of the Church of the morning, opposed by the Roman government, as referred to in Daniel’s vision in chapter seven, the fourth beast, is where the enemy of souls has taken advantage of the Christian nations and sidetracked them from seeing the spiritual truth of Revelation. Daniel said that the fourth beast of chapter 7 was different from all the beasts before him. (Daniel 7:7) They don't resemble one another in appearance; but what Daniel really meant was that the fourth beast, passing from under the old covenant to the new, would take on a form of Christianity and deceive the nations spiritually rather than politically, thus forcing the nations to accept their pagan worship. This is where he differs from the other beasts before him.
The enemy knew the truth of the Revelation, from the time it was given to John. He even knows very nearly the time of the end of the world. This is made clear in Revelation 12:12, when he was cast down, “He knoweth that he hath but a short time.” This very Scripture proves(?) the war in heaven, mentioned in chapter 12, to extend through to A.D. 1880. If he was cast down during the 270-year conflict of the morning church, as some commentators explain it, then his time could not be called short as that would be more than 1700 years. In A.D. 1880 he was cast down in the fall of Babylon, which will be explained and proved later in this study.
If we can produce truth, to prove that chapters two and seven of Daniel, extend through to the second coming of Christ, then many former interpretations of these scriptures will not stand, or harmonize, and we will endeavor by the help of the Lord and His word to show the contrast between false and true interpretations.
The enemy of souls, seeing the truth of the Revelation as he does, and since he was the underlying power of the Roman Government that opposed Christianity, and knowing that Daniel and Revelation extends through to the second coming of Christ, took advantage of the Revelation truth in blinding the eyes and understanding of Christian nations by dividing the Roman Government into ten factions or minor kingdoms, and by so doing he succeeded in covering up the truth, relative to just when and where the ten horns of Daniel seven, change from political to spiritual. It is true that
Daniel said the ten horns of the fourth beast were ten kings, but he said nothing about the heads. There are seven heads of the four beasts of the seventh chapter of Daniel, and seven heads on the dragon, also the beasts of chapter thirteen and seventeen of the Revelation. John, the Revelator, gives the keynote explanation of the heads and tells us just what they are, and they will be placed according to Revelation.
Daniel said “the ten horns are ten kings” and “he beheld till three were plucked up by the roots.”
In Myer’s Ancient History, page 223, Pagan Rome dates back to 753 B.C. Pagan Rome was typified by the fourth beast of Daniel 7. At the time of this vision Daniel saw in the future where the fourth kingdom, which was Pagan Rome, would bear rule over the other three kingdoms, which were the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Grecian, and that they would be subdued into the Roman Kingdom. Since the ten horns are ten kings and three of them were plucked up by the roots (Dan. 7:8), these three, surely, would be the kings of the three kingdoms that were subdued into the Roman Kingdom, namely the Babylonian, the Medo-Persian, and the Grecian. Then Daniel saw a little horn coming up, which had the eyes of a man. This little horn, according to our former interpretations, which we believe to be correct, is typical of Papal Rome, which followed Pagan Rome. If the three first horns were typical of kings for the three subdued into the Roman kingdom, then the fourth horn would stand for the king of Pagan Rome, and since Pagan Rome was defeated in overthrowing the church of the morning and Christianity eventually won out in the 270-year conflict, the little horn must have originated from the fourth horn.
Now at this time we will see by the little horn power that a change is made in the horn from political to the spiritual. The devil knew all of this and this is where he has caused many to lose sight of the genuine truth, by misplacing the horns of the seventh
chapter of Daniel and causing them to be placed as literal kings in the minor kingdoms of the Roman Government, rather than following on out in time, according to John, the Revelator, and placing the rest of the horns (which are seven) through the Gospel dispensation in a spiritual way, in opposition to the seven horns on the Lamb of Revelation five.
The little horn of Daniel 7:21, “Made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; UNTIL THE ANCIENT OF DAYS CAME AND JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN TO THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH; AND THE TIME CAME THAT THE SAINTS POSSESSED THE KINGDOM.”
Since this little horn power was typical of Papal Rome, and Papal Rome was the general outcome of Pagan Rome, we note that the spirit of Daniel 7 was carried up into the Papal beast of Revelation 13. Daniel, referring to the three first beasts (Daniel 7:12), said though “their dominion were taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” When the beast of Revelation 13 came up he was spotted “like unto a leopard,” (like the third beast of Daniel 7), “And his feet were as the feet of a bear,” (like the second beast of Daniel 7), “And his mouth, as the mouth of a lion,” (like the first beast of Daniel 7). By this we see the spirit of the three kingdoms (Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Grecian) handed up into Papal Rome, and their lives prolonged.
Then the dragon that prompted the spirit of Paganism, which was defeated in overthrowing the church of the morning, after seeing his kingdom crumble beneath the forces of Christianity, gave the papal beast of Revelation 13, “his seat and great authority.” In this we have the spirit of Daniel, chapter two and seven, transferred up through the dragon into Papalism, symbolized by the seven-headed and ten-horned beast of Revelation thirteen. This beast has seven heads and ten horns, the same number as in Daniel 7. The dragon of the Revelation has ten horns, and these horns stand for power. Now the beast (Revelation 13) came up with the horns; which symbolizes the power of the dragon given him during the gospel dispensation. The seven horns left over in Daniel 7, stand in opposition to the seven horns on the Lamb. (Revelation 5) In Luke 1:69, the writer refers to the Lord who “hath raised up for us an horn of salvation.” The seven horns on the Lamb here, stand for salvation, or the power of salvation through the gospel dispensation.
These seven horns left over on Daniel 7, surely will stand as kings in opposition to the horns on the Lamb. Christ, the Lamb of God, is the King in the heavenly realm, and in opposition to Christ is the dragon, the devil, king in the earthly. The second chapter of Daniel will be explained later.
In Daniel 7:10, 26, mention is made that the “judgment is set.” This little horn power made war with the saints and prevailed against them till the Judgment was set, and the Ancient of days came. Surely this is in the evening of time. It could not have been back in the morning church age for 270 years for the little horn had not yet appeared.
In A.D. 1880, the Dragon, the devil and Satan (Revelation 20:2) was cast down in the fall of (spiritual) Babylon, where he had been exalted from A.D. 270 to A.D. 1880, during which time he was lifted up in the heavenly place, as the church in the form of Papal Rome, for a period of 1260 years, and then in Protestantism for 350 years, thus bringing to time he was cast out in 1880 through the power of the truth given the saints as recorded in Daniel 7:26; Revelation 12:10, 12. The power and strength of the kingdom is restored to the saints, and he is to be destroyed unto the end. This is in harmony with Daniel relative to the power of the little horn, making war with the saints until he is cast down, when judgment and truth is restored to the saints, which happened in A.D. 1880. This could not refer to the power of the kingdom in the morning and the first advent of Christ to the world, as some suppose. It is by this, that we're made to see and understand the line of truth on this subject, and we will endeavor to carry it through the gospel dispensation to the end of the world, giving scriptural interpretation and prophecy that we trust will be the means of understanding and help on this important subject.
The heads and horns of Daniel and Revelation, with the dragon, the beasts and their horns, will all be placed in their proper place throughout the gospel day, and will all harmonize through to the end.
When Christ was here in the world, He taught men by parables, or simple illustrations to explain spiritual matters. In the Revelation we have a book of symbols, and when we understand their true meaning, we will see the conflict, or opposition in the Revelation to be spiritual in both the heavenly and the earthly, each against the other. “Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” If one side is spiritual, surely the other side must be spiritual. Michael is Christ. (Daniel 12:1). No one could deliver his people other than Christ. The dragon is the Devil and Satan (See Revelation 20:2). Here John tells us in plain words just what the dragon is, and we will take the apostle’s word for it. The conflict, or warfare in the Revelation, covering the gospel dispensation is between right and wrong, the true and the false. Therefore, it is a spiritual conflict.
In the tenth chapter of Revelation, John saw what he termed, “another angel coming down.” This angel follows the six trumpet angels, recorded in the eighth and ninth chapters, and is the seventh trumpet angel. He had a little book open in his hands, and in verse 7 we read, “IN THE DAYS OF THE VOICE OF THE SEVENTH ANGEL, WHEN HE SHALL BEGIN TO SOUND, THE MYSTERY OF GOD SHOULD BE FINISHED, AS HE HATH DECLARED TO HIS SERVANTS THE PROPHETS.”
In the explanation to follow, we will prove that we're now in the seventh trumpet age; and it's at the time that the little book (which is the Revelation) is opening up in its fullness. The restoration of truth given to us through the Revelation and prophecy beginning with A.D. 1880 was given to us only in part under the sixth seal, but now there are many more truths opening up to the church, that were not and could not be seen clearly in the sixth seal. We don't have to discard any of the fundamental truth that we had under the sixth seal, for all truth that was true and clear then, is still that way today, which is the prelude to spiritual harmony of the seventh seal age. Error cannot and will not stand, and genuine Bible truth will cast no reflection on any honest people. True, sincere, honest souls will exchange error for the truth at any time, when their spiritual understanding sees the contrast.
So with these few remarks we will enter into the study of the Revelation in connection with the Gospels and prophecies. This foreword is given only to help those who are interested in the study of this book, which will be given in the fullness with all the Scriptures and all the symbols properly placed in time throughout the Gospel day of Grace.
10
CHAPTER ONE
THE DIVIDING OF THE REVELATION
Revelation 1:1-20:
1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4. JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8. I am Alpha, and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10. I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me, And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
(IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE PREFACE AND FOREWORD OF THIS BOOK, THE AUTHORS REQUEST THAT YOU READ THEM BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE STUDY OF THIS BOOK).
In this first chapter of the Revelation, in connection with the fifth chapter, we give the explanation of how the Revelation is rightly divided. Chapter one (notice chart illustration accompanying this book) is used as an introduction. In fact this chapter is a brief outline of facts extending through to the end, and in this chapter we have symbols, when properly placed in connection with symbols of the fifth chapter, that bring out the principal keynotes to the entire book.
We notice by verse 1, that the Revelation is for the servants of Christ, the real true people of God. And according to John, there's a blessing awaiting those who read and understand the Revelation, although there are comparatively few who actually understand this book of symbols in its true meaning.
John was exiled to this island called Patmos, a small rocky, barren island, less than twenty miles from the mainland of Asia Minor. It was here that John received the vision of the Revelation in about A.D. 96.(?)
He was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day (verse 10) and received this vision. He was instructed to write in a book what he saw, and send it to the seven churches of Asia. In verse 19, he was told to “write the things he had seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” The Revelation was written 66(?) years after the death of Christ. In this vision John saw things that happened back at Pentecost, things that were taking place while he lived, and also the things that would happen in the future. The Revelation starts with the day of Pentecost and extends throughout the Gospel dispensation, to the end of the world.
In this first chapter, John saw one like the Son of man, “standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks and in his right hand seven stars.” The candlesticks and the stars are outstanding symbols of this book, and the 20th verse of this chapter gives us their meaning. “The stars are the seven angels of the seven churches and the candlesticks are the seven churches.”
In chapters two and three, we have seven letters addressed to the seven churches of Asia; and in this first chapter John was told to write the things he saw and send it to these seven churches. We're not questioning or doubting the fact there were literal local congregations in Asia at the places named, and they were in the spiritual conditions as described in the seven letters. But do we suppose the Revelation given to them as a whole was profitable to them, and do we suppose they understood even the first seal age? We have history, which will be quoted later, that in the morning church age, there was an attempt made to destroy the entire book of the Revelation, even by the followers of Christ, in order to refute a false doctrine that was being advocated at that time. The genuine meaning of the book to the congregations in Asia in their day was unknown; however, a portion may have been understood. Since the book is a symbolical representation of the entire Gospel dispensation, we consider it as it refers to the various conditions in the church from the morning to the coming of Christ. Christ knew the spiritual conditions of those seven local congregations in Asia and He chose them, not to symbolize the church, but the spiritual condition of the church in each one of the seven ages of the gospel dispensation. The seven candlesticks symbolize the seven churches in the seven periods of time of the gospel age.
Some have opposed the using of the seven churches as symbols. We don't use them to symbolize the church, since this would be error in proper use of symbols. They are only used to make clear the spiritual conditions of each one of the seven church periods during their particular time of existence.
We'll make it clear without doubt, further in this study, THAT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO INTERPRET CORRECTLY THE REVELATION (AS A WHOLE) WITHOUT PLACING THE CANDLESTICKS, ONE IN EACH ONE OF THE SEVEN AGES. The seven candlesticks are the seven churches. They are due to be used as symbols. And since we're going to have to deal with candlesticks in the various ages of the dispensation, we'll be able to explain more clearly the proper meaning of them by placing them in this manner throughout the gospel dispensation. Otherwise, it would difficult to understand their meaning.
There are seven series of the Revelation, retracing seven times through the entire Gospel dispensation. The chart illustration shown in this book makes this point clear, showing at what age the various chapters of the book begin and end. The letter “C” is used for the word “chapter” in the illustration. Then notice also the dates (A.D.) on the chart and at the top of the dividing diagram, running parallel through to the end of the seventh seal. At a glance we can see when each chapter of the Revelation takes its place in time. To endeavor to explain the chapters out of their particular places of their fulfillment would not harmonize. Series one begins with the first chapter, as an introduction, then chapter two holds four letters to the seven churches. These four letters are placed one in each of the four periods of time, beginning with the letter to the church at Ephesus, for a period of 270 years, then to the church at Smyrna for 260 years; then Pergamos for 1,000 years; and Thyatira for 200 years, bringing up to A.D. 1730 in time. Then chapter three takes its place in fulfillment and extends out to the end of the seventh seal. It is in the fourth chapter that the Apostle John was caught up at the end of the first series.
The second series starts with the fifth chapter as an introduction to series two. This chapter leads up to the opening of the seals of the Revelation. The second series begins with chapter six, and extends to the opening of the sixth seal, after which the seventh chapter comes in for fulfillment, extending through to the end of the seventh seal. Chapter 8, verse 1, brings the seventh seal to an end.
Then the third series is the trumpet series beginning with the morning church age, and extends throughout the gospel dispensation unto the end. (Chapter 8, 9 and 10).
The fourth series referred to in the eleventh chapter of the Revelation, concerning the two witnesses, extends from the morning church age to the end, and is a series in full.
The fifth series is made up with the twelfth chapter, referring to the woman clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, and it reaches throughout the entire gospel dispensation.
The sixth series begins with A.D. 270, the thirteenth chapter, and extends through to A.D. 1880, where chapters 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 come in for fulfillment and all of these latter chapters are fulfilled during the period of 100 years. Chapter 19 is fulfilled
after the seventh seal is opened and the door of mercy closed. This is in the camp of the saints’ periods and will be explained later.
The seventh series is the bringing in of the fulfillment of the twentieth chapter and extends from the morning church age to the final judgment. Chapter 21 and 22 leads from this world into the New Heaven and New Earth.
In this explanation of the Revelation we will not take the book chapter after chapter but we will rightly divide the scriptures and explain each period of time as they are divided on the chart; first explaining the 270 years, by rightly dividing scriptures that belong to that period of time, then taking each following age, explaining each of the seven ages throughout the dispensation accordingly and each in a separate manner. There will be some symbols in the various ages as we move up, that will be explained, when we will go back and review through the ages. The entire book will have been explained in full at the end of the study.
Many commentators of the Revelation, even in these modern days, explain only a portion of the Revelation, leaving out many of the vital symbolical meanings without making any attempt whatever to explain them. To do this is only trying to explain the Revelation in part, then, when the truth of the entire book is brought to light, much of their interpretation cannot be substantiated. The correct interpretation of the entire book of Revelation will harmonize with the prophetic authors of the Old Testament, the gospel writers of the New Testament, and the historical facts of church history. Nothing short of the entire book and its full meaning will satisfy the Lord, or man’s soul, nor will it stand in the day of judgment. (See Revelation 22:18-19)
In this first chapter we have placed a candlestick in each age. We are told by John (Revelation 1:20) that the seven stars in the right hand of Christ are the seven angels of the seven churches. Since that is true, the letters addressed to the angel of the church would symbolize the pastor, or minister. Placing a star in each one of the seven periods of time they would symbolize the ministry of each age. The pastor is the message bearer to the church, just as angels are ministering spiritual beings. So where we have candlesticks recorded in the Revelation they will be the symbol of the church, and where stars are recorded in the Revelation they will stand for the ministers of the gospel. If the candlestick is symbol of the church in the morning for 270 years, then they will stand for the church in each one of the seven ages of the gospel dispensation, and there is no scripture to change the interpretation and use candlesticks to symbolize something else. This is so in all other symbols; no one symbol can be used to symbolize one thing at one time or place and then something else at other times and places, as we have done back in the sixth seal interpretation. Scripture rightly divided and placed in their proper place in time will fit in with no cross, and the church can be seen beautifully portrayed in print through out Revelation reaching to the end.
Also we must remember the church is not complete until the return of Christ for it in the end. When He said He would build His church He meant from Pentecost through to the end, and He is still building. So many try to establish the church in the fullness from Pentecost, then bend the ages up through time to fit in with light as they had it then, when in each one of the seven ages people will be judged by light given them at the time they lived in. We will be judged by the light offered us now when Christ comes, and He is coming for a sanctified Church, (Ephesians 5:25-27) for judgments are now made manifest, (Revelation 15:4) with those failing to walk in light, cut off, explained further on in this study.
The Church, following the days of Christ and the apostles, apostatized and spiritual darkness in general covered the earth. The Church was 530 years going into this spiritual darkness from the days of Christ. So we could not expect light in the fullness, as the morning church had, given back immediately on coming out of the dark night of apostasy. All will be judged by light they have been privileged to know, and to reject any light they go into darkness.
The Revelation gives a beautiful picture of the entire gospel day reaching to the end and there is no Bible for laying down rules for interpreting the Revelation. Revelation means truth revealed, and it comes through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and not through any set up rules of man.
Rightly dividing scriptures as 2 Timothy 2:15 and Isaiah 28:9-10, directed by the Holy Spirit, is all that is needed to understand the meaning of the symbols of Revelation and types in Prophecy, for no prophecy is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). Surely, the Revelation is prophecy covering the whole gospel day of grace, and harmonize with the prophecy under the old covenant dispensation.
In this age there is so much false teaching by depending on the natural; not willing to study relying only upon the Holy Spirit as the teacher needed, which is our only hope for the real truth of the Revelation. So in this study we will look to the Lord through the teacher, the Holy Spirit to direct in bringing the truth of the Revelation, and not some set of rules laid down by man.
Follow through the book as a whole, studying all explanations in the light of each other, and you will see truth as never before.
Next we quote from chapter five. Revelation 5:1-14:
1. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?
3. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5. And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints.
9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by the blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.
14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
The fifth chapter is used as an introduction to the Seal series, which begins with the sixth chapter. The person on the throne with the book in hand, would surely refer to God, the Father; and the book which was sealed on the backside, is the Word of God, including both the Old and the New Testament, or covenants and also including the Revelation, the last book in the Bible, or the backside of the Bible, the book with the seven seals.
The Lamb in the midst of the throne, we surely believe to be the Christ, or a symbol of Christ. Some have said that Christ is never symbolized but He always appears for Himself, but this Lamb “as it had been slain” with seven horns and seven eyes, is evidently without question a symbol of the Christ of the Bible. There is no question that Christ was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, but there is some doubt as to what the seven horns and seven eyes symbolize. However, John answers this for us in the latter part of verse 6, where we are told that they are the “seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”
Since there are seven periods of the gospel dispensation, we can apply a horn for each period of time, also an eye in each period of time; and turning to Luke 1:69, we read, “And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of David.” This makes it clear that in each one of the seven periods of time there is salvation through Christ.
We will find up through the seven ages that people were saved according to the light given them in each church age and their obedience to that light. The Lord has always been reasonable and merciful with humanity and is yet. All he requires of man is that he obey His truth which is given in His Word.
Considering the seven eyes of the Lamb—as the eye is the light of our natural being—the seven eyes of the Lamb, one placed in each period of the seven ages of time, is the light of Christ in the body which is the church, in each age. Simple, but true.
There was great rejoicing around the throne of God when the Lamb had taken the book to open the seals. If we today will look to the Lamb for the genuine truth of the Revelation, there will be no doubt in our minds but that it will be definitely clear and right, and unless this is done we cannot hope for the proper truth.
With the explanation of the first and the fifth chapters of the Revelation as means of introducing the study and after showing the dividing of the various ages, we are now ready to proceed in bringing other truths from this book of symbols in connection with the use of Old and New Testament scriptures.
NOTE: If you'd like to read more...even the whole book...send me an e-mail. See the e-mail link below.
