Revelation 1

 

The Seven Spirits of God (1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6) – There is not a consensus to the meaning of this but it could be a reference to Isaiah 2.  Also, we know that the Holy Spirit is One and not divided into parts. Since “seven” is a reference to completeness it could mean the completeness of the Holy Spirit.  Some have thought it references seven angelic beings, i.e. seraphim and cherubim.

With Clouds (1:7; 10:1; 11:12; 14:14-16)– This shows the transcendence of God and is a theophany (a visible manifestation of His deity)

The Lord’s Day (1:10) – Probably a reference to the vision John was given to God’s coming judgement.

The Seven Churches (1:11) – Ephesus (the Lost Love Church), Smyrna (the Suffering Church), Pergamos (the Compromising Church), Thyatira (the Tolerant Church), Sardis (the Dead Church), Philadelphia (the Faithful Church) and Laodicea (The Self-sufficient Church)

The Seven Golden Candlesticks (1:12, 20; 2:1, 5) – They are the seven churches in verse 11.

The Seven Stars – (1:16, 20; 2:1; 3;1) – They are the angels of the seven churches.

The Keys of hell and death (1:18) – “Hell” here is hades in Strong’s Concordance # 86 which represents an intermediate state (not purgatory) but a place or state of the departed where some go before God cast them into their eternal state in the lake of fire or Gehenna (Revelation 20:10) Jesus used the name Gehenna as a place of everlasting punishment. Gehenna is actually a place in Jerusalem where people offered human sacrifices.  It is described as a place where parents offered children in sacrifice to the false god Molech. Having the keys is an expression of God’s total sovereignty over all and those in any state of being.

 

What is the significance of the number “seven” as used so frequently in scripture?  “Seven” is the number of perfection and completeness. Man is the number “six” which falls short of “seven” just as man falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Scripture is replete with using the number “seven.” See also Genesis 7:2; Exodus 25:37; Proverbs 6:16; Isaiah 11:2; seven parables in Matthew; seven signs in John’s Gospel, etc.

 

Revelation 2

 

The Synagogue of Satan (2:9; 3:9) – Those who do not have faith in the living God.

The Doctrine of Balaam (2:14) – Balaam wanted to corrupt the Israelites as the verse so indicates.

The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans (2:15) – They had moral issues because of too much liberty.

Jezebel (2:20) – A pagan false prophetess who seduced many to fornication and to eat foods sacrificed to idols.  Many charismatic-leaning churches teach that there is a spirit of Jezebel affecting people today but “she” is not restricted to seduction in fornication and eating foods sacrificed to idols.

The Morning Star (2:28) – This seems to be a reference to Jesus Christ Who will rapture the Church before judgment falls upon the earth.  Jesus Christ repeatedly tells the churches to repent.

 

Revelation 3

 

The Key of David (3:7) – He is Christ Who holds the key to open and close.  See 1:18.

New Jerusalem (3:12) – The future eternal city (Chapters 21 and 22).

 

Revelation 4

 

Stones of Jasper (diamond) (4:3)– Might refer to the purity of God but each tribe of the Old Testament had certain stones on the breast plated.  Jasper represented Rueben (behold a son) the firstborn of Jacob as described in also chapter 21:11.

Stones of Sardine (ruby) (4:3) – Might refer to redemption or judgement.  It represented Benjamin (son of my right hand), the youngest son of Jacob.

Rainbow (4:3) – Symbolic of God’s grace as in followed the flood of Noah’s day.

Emerald (4:3) – Promises to God’s eternal life.

The Four and Twenty Elders (4:4, 10; 5:6, 7, 11, 14; 7:11; 11:16) – According to Walvoord, there are three views to the identity of these elders: 1) they are each representative of all the saints; 2) they are representative of church saints; 3) they represent an order of angels.   Any of these could reflect the 24 elders represented in the OT priesthood.

The Four Beasts (4:6; 5:6, 7, 11, 14; 6:1, 3, 5, 6, 7; 7:11, 13) – Strong’s Concordance # 2226 – a live thing, not necessarily something ferocious.  The beast here probably characterizes the attributes of God.  The fullness of the eyes could tell of God’s omnipresence and omniscience.

• Like a lion – kingship and omnipotence (In Matthew as the Lion of the tribe of Judah)

• Like a calf – patience and continuous labor (In Mark as the Servant of Jehovah)

• The face as a man – man, being God’s greatest creature in intelligence and rational power (In Luke as the Human Jesus)

• Like a flying eagle – symbolic of sovereignty and supremacy (In John as the Divine Son of God)

 

An alternative view is that they could be majestic angels as found Isaiah 6 because of their six wings.

 

Revelation 5

 

A Book (5:1) – Most likely a will or inheritance for the believers.

Seven Seals (5:1) – An ancient Roman way of sealing a legal document.

Lamb (5:6) – A reference to Jesus Christ first coming sacrifice.

Seven Horns (5:6) – Most likely a reference to Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 13:1.

Seven Eyes (5:6) – Most likely a reference as identified as “the seven Spirits of God” sent forth into all the earth (Zechariah 3:9; 4:10).

 

Revelation 6 – The Beginning of the Great Wrath of God (a parallel to Matthew 24 and the judgement upon Israel).

 

The First Seal (6:1, 2) – First horseman (white) – the Antichrist

The Second Seal (6:3)– Second horseman (red) – brings war and destruction to earth

The Third Seal (6:5) – Third horseman (black) – represents famine following war

The Fourth Seal (6:7)– Fourth horseman (pale) – represents death and hell (hades or place of departed souls)

The Fifth Seal (6:9) – Martyrs seen

The Sixth Seal (6:12) – Divine wrath with calamities in heaven and the earth

 

Revelation 7

 

Of Great Tribulation (7:14) – Gill believes that those who came out of tribulation includes all the elect of God from Abel to that time in future as written.

Revelation 8

 

The Seventh Seal (8:1) – The last seal marking prophetic judgements of God.

The Seven Angels (8:2, 6) – Specific angels chosen by God who were given seven trumpets.

The Seven Trumpets (8:2, 6) – Symbolic of getting someone’s attention, either in the marketplace or in battle.

Another Angel (8:3) – Some believe this to be the Lord Jesus Christ because of the mediatorial role.

Wormwood (8:11) – Strong’s Concordance #894 describes this a as a type of bitterness or calamity.  The translation to Russian means Chernobyl.

 

Revelation 9

 

A Star (9:1) – Probably not a literal star but a person as indicated by the pronouns of “him” and “he” so someone with the authority given because of the possession of the key to the bottomless pit.

The Bottomless Pit (9:2, 11; 11:7) – It is the abode of demons (Luke 8:31).  Although some versions say “deep”, Strong’s Concordance # 12 describes this as depthless.

Seal of God (9:4) – The elect of God. Strong’s Concordance # 4973 describes “seal” as strengthened from, or a stamp impressed as a mark of privacy.

Apollyon (9:11) – Strong’s Concordance #623 The angel of the abyss. The destroyer, i.e. Satan. US Spacecraft are named Apollo.

The Four Horns (9:13) – According to Walvoord the horns refer to the sovereignty and judicial government of God similar in design of the altar of incense used in the Tabernacle and in the Temple.

 

Revelation 10

 

Another Mighty Angel (10:1) – Some view this angel as Jesus Christ but it is probably an angel who swears by the person of God. Strong’s Concordance # 243 has it as another of the same kind, perhaps like the previous angels.

A Little Book (10:2) – Probably a scroll containing the next prophecies to unfold.

The Seven Thunders (10:4) – Probably further revelation to which John could understand about the future.

The Voice of the Seventh Angel (10:7) – The sounding of the seventh trumpet that signals the culmination or finish of the mystery of God.

The Little Book (10:9, 10) – Probably contained all the prophecies that John saw and wrote.  Sweet because it showed the future return of Jesus Christ but bitter because it showed the disastrous prophecies that the earth would absorb.

 

Revelation 11

 

The Temple (11:2) – The third Jewish temple to be built in Jerusalem.  Reference Daniel 9:27 when the antichrist desecrates the Temple.

Forty and Two Months (11:2) – A reference to the time that it is under Gentile control.

The Two Witnesses (11:3) – Could be Elijah (Malachi 4:6) and Moses or Enoch and Elijah.

The Two Olive Trees and Two Candlesticks (11:4) – Reference Zechariah 4 as being real people (Zerubbabel (a civic leader) and Joshua (a religious leader).

The Beast (11:7) – Strong’s Concordance # 2342 defines this as a dangerous animal. Walvoord identifies it as Satan, himself, that God has allowed out.

Sodom and Egypt (11:8) – A reference to Jerusalem.  Sodom because of the sin that abounded at the time. Then God destroyed (Genesis 19).  Egypt is the country where God’s people lived as slaves at the time of Moses (Exodus 1:8-14). Some believe that it was not a reference to Jerusalem but a reference to the city of Babylon.  They contend that Sodom stood for wickedness and that Egypt stood for worldly lusts. Still others interpret the city of Sodom meaning that Jesus Christ wiped out sin as He did in the real Sodom and Gomorrah when He destroyed it with fire and brimstone.  They say that Jerusalem is mystically called Egypt because when He rose from the dead, He set the captives free.

The Ark of the Testament (11:19) – Its earthly equivalent contained the law and speaks of God’s righteousness.

 

Revelation 12

 

A Woman (12:1) – This is clearly Israel.  Some say it represents the Church.  Some cults identify this woman as the founder of their denomination, i.e. Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science).

Clothed with the Sun and the Moon…Crown of Twelve Stars (12:1) – This is a reference to Genesis 37:9-11 and Jacob and Rachel identifying the woman as fulfilling the Abrahamic Covenant.

A Great Red Dragon (12:3) – Satan

Seven Heads and Ten Horns and Seven Crowns (12:3) – An early reference to Daniel 7 and Revelation 13. Some believe that this is identifying the revived Roman Empire.  And the seven heads and ten horns are the original ten kingdoms of which three are subdued by the little horn in Daniel 7:8 who is the world leader during the Tribulation.  The original ten kingdoms are a reference to Daniel 7. The names could change as history and the developing nations have changed their names. The seven horns could be referenced to seven Roman governments.  Matthew Henry believes the seven heads are symbolic of the seven hills that surround Rome.

A Third Part of the Stars (12:4) – Satan seems to be gathering his army for battle and the stars represent his fallen angels.

The Man Child (12:5) – This is Christ.  Some want to say it is the Church as a branch of Israel but the Church is always referred to in the feminine (she, her, wife, Bride).

Caught Up (12:5) – The same word here is the same word used in I Thessalonians 4:17 and Acts 8:39, harpazo.  

Thousand Two Hundred and Three Score Days (12:7) – 3 ½ years, the first half of the Tribulation which is a time of peace/tranquility for Israel.

 

Revelation 13

 

The Beast on the Sea and Sand (13:1) – Again, a reference in Daniel 7:7-8, showing that the Beast will come out of the Roman Empire and its ruler over humanity.  Beast is “dangerous animal.”

A Leopard, a Bear and a Lion (13:2) – As listed in Daniel 7: the leopard was Alexander the Great in his conquest; the bear was the Medo-Persian Empire; and the lion was the Babylonian Empire.  Some say that these three symbols represent forms of paganism.

Forty and Two Months (13:5) – The remaining 3 ½ years of the Tribulation.

Another Beast (13:11) – The False Prophet.  The two horns represent authority.  The description of a lamb represents religion.  The word “another” is the same word used when speaking of the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ.  It simply means “another of the same kind.”

 

Revelation 14

 

144,000 (14:3) – Perhaps the same group as found in Revelation 7:4.  Walvoord believes that they are not evangelists but only a protected group throughout the Tribulation.  There is no scripture to accurately refute Walvoord. Others believe that they will evangelize because of their protection by God and the fact hat some will be saved during the Tribulation.  

Another Angel (14:6) – This angel seems to actually bring the gospel to the world, as some thought that the 144,000 would be.

Judgment (14:7) – Strong’s Concordance #2920 defines this as a decision for or against; justice by tribunal (divine law): --accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.  Does not sound to favorable.

Unto the Horses Bridles (14:20) – Seemingly a future picture of extreme judgment

 

Revelation 15

 

Nations (15:4) – Not literal countries or territories but as Strong’s Concordance says, ethnos (Gr.) which can mean tribes, people, Gentiles or heathens.

Beasts (15:7) – Living thing as opposed to dangerous animal per Strong’s Concordance Strong’s Concordance # 2226.

 

Revelation 16

 

Spirits (16:13) – Obviously evil spirits as defined in verse 14.

Dragon, Beast and False Prophet (16:13) – References to the unholy trinity

Frogs (16:13) – Appearance like aliens as described today with big heads, thin bodies, no external genitals, skinny legs and arms (???).  

It Is Done (16:17) – Action accomplished. The final act before the Second Coming of Christ.

 

Revelation 17

 

Waters (17:1) – many nations as noted in v. 15

The Woman on the Beast (17:3) – The woman as introduced in vs. 1-2 seems to point to something/someone of a spiritual nature who has seduced the “kings of the earth.”  She seems also to be representative of Babylon as defined by different interpreters. She is referred to as that “great city” in v.18. The “beast” is identified in its character as the Roman Empire with its center of the world government of Gentiles.  It is the same character as defined in Revelation 13.

Waters

Mystery Babylon (17:5) – Seems to be a total system controlled by the antichrist with the woman on the beast playing a critical role.

Was, and Is Not; and Shall Ascend/Yet Is (17:8) – Someone who will be resurrected.  Some think it is Nero.

Some think it is Antiochus Epiphanies.  Some think it is Nimrod.

Perdition (17:8) – Strong’s Concordance # 684 shows us it is apoleiq which means ruin or loss damnable,

destruction, die, pernicious.  We get the name Apollo from this word.

The Eighth (18:11) – The last great leader over the final form of government after the rapture of the

Church.

 

Revelation 18

 

(The destruction of Babylon “in one hour.”)

 

Revelation 19

 

The Spirit of Prophecy (19:10) –

The Beast (19:19, 20) – Strong’s Concordance # 2342 defines this as a dangerous animal. The antichrist.

The Lake of Fire (19:20) – Eternal punishment

 

Revelation 20

 

1,000 Years (20:2 – 7) – The time of the millennial reign.

The First Resurrection (20:5-6) – This is the resurrection of the dead who are the blessed ones.

Gog and Magog (20:8) – This is the second battle called Gog and Magog which will be at the end of the

millennium.  Gog is the name referencing a leader.  Magog is the coalition of countries that generally end

their names with “stan.”  He other countries could be Russia, Turkey, Iran, Ethiopia and Libya.  This war

happens at the end of the millennium when Satan is cast into the lake of fire.

The Beloved City (20:9) – Jerusalem

The Great White Throne (20:11) – The judgement for the lost.  Jesus Christ is the Judge (Matthew 28:18).

 

Revelation 21

 

The Tabernacle of God (21:3) – Meaning that God is with His saints.

The Water of Life (21:6; 22:1) – According to Walvoord this is a reference to “the abundant character eternal life and the blessings which flow from it and is a fulfillment of the invitation of Isaiah 55:2 as well as that of Christ in John 4:10, 13 -14.”

Nations (21:24, 26) – Not literal countries or territories but as Strong’s Concordance says, ethnos (Gr.) which can mean tribes, people, Gentiles or heathens.  Since there is obvious attention given to the Jews, the most likely interpretation to “nations” is “Gentiles.”

 

Revelation 22

 

The Tree of Life (22:2) – Unlike the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, this tree has fruit that can be eaten and is for health providing not just a healing.

Dogs (22:15) – Literally a dog but not to the physicalness of one but to the descriptive sinfulness of the lost who will not or cannot enter the New Jerusalem.

Whosoever (22:17) – Strong’s Concordance #3588 (#3739) defines this has a demonstrative pronoun which points directly to something specific as “who” not a looser version meaning “whosoever.”

 

A refutation to the Arminian interpretation to Revelation 22:17

 

It reads, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say Come.  And let him that is a thirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”  Throughout the Book of Revelation John uses the conjunctive Greek word kai, meaning “and.”  This word is used to show sequence of events throughout the book.  Starting only as far back as chapter 19 we see each chapter beginning with “And.”  Since chapters were only added from the translations they were not as such in the original text.  Therefore, John is saying “this happened” “and” (then) “this happened, “and”, etc.  Chapter 19 tells us of the marriage supper of the Lamb “and” chapter 20 tells us of the first resurrection where we see Satan bound for a thousand years with the judgment of those not written in the book of life “and” the new heaven and earth are described in chapter 21 which is describing the future of the saints of God with descriptions in the future city and who is not going to be there “and” he describes the “river of life” as chapter 22 begins with the throne of God and of the Lamb with His servants (the redeemed) “and” so we see clearly who is allowed the opportunity to drink from the river of life.  It is the saints of God who are already with Him in the new city. This verse is NOT a verse that should be used in an Arminian invitation service.  It is not salvific at all when read in its proper context. The “whosoever” translated in the KJV is actually not there. The translation is the word “willing” which is not used in a salvific context.  So, who is willing to drink? It is those who have heard and are thirsty. It is not reference to the “whosoever” wills. In fact, it makes better understanding if someone translates the word to “who” which gives it more of a restricted, limited meaning to those present, as opposed to “whosoever” which gives a flippant and unsure interpretation.

 

Referenced sources:

Exposition of the Bible by John Gill

Matthew Henry’s Commentaries

Place for Truth, Biblical Theology for Clouds by Nick Batzig, 2016

Revelation by H.A. Ironside

Revelation -Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, Ed. Steve Gregg

The End by Mark Hitchcock

The Interlinear Bible – Hebrew-Greek- English, Ed. Translator Jay P. Green, Sr.

The New Strong’s Concordance of the Bible

The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook by John Walvoord

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, A Commentary by John Walvoord

101 Answers to Questions About the Book of Revelation by Mark Hitchcock