Who Shall Be Able to Stand? Supplemental Materials for the Study of Revelation James P. Steel These materials may be.

Who Shall Be Able to Stand? Supplemental Materials for the Study of Revelation

James P. Steel

www.centerforbiblicalministries.com

These materials may be reproduced and distributed freely so long as they are not altered or no charge is made for their distribution.These materials may be reproduced and distributed freely so long as they are not altered or no charge is made for their distribution.

Who Shall Be Able to Stand? 2

Key Themes in Chapters 4-22Key Themes in Chapters 4-22

Throne and Scroll Seals Trumpets Vials Satan’s Activities The 144,000 Babylon

The Beast & False Prophet

The Two Witnesses The Marriage of the

Lamb The Return of Christ Armageddon The End of the

Beginning


~ Revelation ~~ Revelation ~Changing The Way We ThinkChanging The Way We Think

About Prophecy in General About the Nature and Ways of God

Himself About What Really is Real About How We Interpret Prophetic

Symbols


Important Facts About SymbolsImportant Facts About Symbols

1. Symbols often illuminate truth we could not otherwise understand

2. Symbols are not arbitrary.

3. We must never form a Bible doctrine based solely upon a symbol.

4. Most of the symbols we will encounter in Revelation have their origins earlier in the scriptures.


An Overview of J.A. Seiss’s An Overview of J.A. Seiss’s Comments on Chapters 2 & 3Comments on Chapters 2 & 3 It is the prominent portion of the book with It is the prominent portion of the book with

special benedictions promised to attentive special benedictions promised to attentive readers.readers.

They are Christ’s own words, His They are Christ’s own words, His lastlast words to us.words to us.

They impress us with their solemnity.They impress us with their solemnity. They are accompanied with multiple They are accompanied with multiple

commands to hear.commands to hear.


An Overview of J.A. Seiss’s Comments on Chapters An Overview of J.A. Seiss’s Comments on Chapters 2 & 3 (Cont.)2 & 3 (Cont.)

“…“…And yet there is not another portion of And yet there is not another portion of scripture, of equal extent and conspicuity, scripture, of equal extent and conspicuity, to which so little attention has been paid.”to which so little attention has been paid.”

J.A. Seiss then devotes exactly 10 pages of his 529 page volume on chapters 2 & 3!


Understanding LitotesUnderstanding LitotesA Definition: li·to·tes (lì¹te-têz´, lît¹e-, lì-to¹têz) noun plural litotes. A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, as in This is no small problem. [Greek litotês, from litos, plain.][1]

A Warning about their use:

One cannot recognize litotes unless one understands their context. Examples:

“Berkley is not a Bible College,” or “I will not be so forgiving the next time.”

[1]The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from InfoSoft International, Inc. All rights reserved.


Understanding LitotesUnderstanding Litotes

Possible litotes in the “overcomer” promises

Rev 2:11 b …He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Rev 3:5 b 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.The justification for viewing these both as litotes lies not in the grammar but in the context of these verses.


Understanding LitotesUnderstanding Litotes

• In any case, we never establish or In any case, we never establish or add to a Bible doctrine by using a add to a Bible doctrine by using a metaphor or symbol.metaphor or symbol.

Metaphors and symbols may only be Metaphors and symbols may only be used to illuminate known Bible used to illuminate known Bible truth.truth.


SYMBOLSYMBOL ADDITIONAL DETAILSADDITIONAL DETAILS LESSONS/ COMMENTSLESSONS/ COMMENTS

DOORDOOR ““Behold!”Behold!” We are not simply invited; we are We are not simply invited; we are commanded to look inside this door.commanded to look inside this door.

VOICEVOICE As a trumpet speakingAs a trumpet speaking Clearly reminiscent of the rapture (1 Thess Clearly reminiscent of the rapture (1 Thess 4:10)4:10)

THRONETHRONE Daniel 7 tells of this throne being cast Daniel 7 tells of this throne being cast into place. The Psalms prophesy it.into place. The Psalms prophesy it.

Grace is giving way to the consummation of Grace is giving way to the consummation of God’s judicial program. Both creatures and God’s judicial program. Both creatures and creation are affected.creation are affected.

ONE SITTINGONE SITTING Jasper and Sardius (diamond like and Jasper and Sardius (diamond like and ruby like). Daniel 7 expands our ruby like). Daniel 7 expands our image of this enthroned One.image of this enthroned One.

Exquisite and multifaceted beauty. Exquisite and multifaceted beauty. The visual impression of this One and His throne The visual impression of this One and His throne is probably the most awesome view the eye will is probably the most awesome view the eye will ever see.ever see.

RAINBOWRAINBOW Fully encircles the throne (not a Fully encircles the throne (not a semicircle).semicircle).

Associated with God’s Everlasting Covenant Associated with God’s Everlasting Covenant and the accountability of mankind for its and the accountability of mankind for its violation.violation.

24 MORE 24 MORE THRONES & THRONES & THEIR ELDERSTHEIR ELDERS

Clothed in white (overcomers).Clothed in white (overcomers).Victor’s (stephanos) crowns.Victor’s (stephanos) crowns.

The facts that these men, 1) are resurrected, The facts that these men, 1) are resurrected, and; 2.) are victors provide evidence that they and; 2.) are victors provide evidence that they are elders from the church age. Possibly 12 are elders from the church age. Possibly 12 apostles and 12 others.apostles and 12 others.

LIGHTNINGS, LIGHTNINGS, VOICES, TRUMPETSVOICES, TRUMPETS

These proceedThese proceed from from the throne. See the throne. See Exodus 9:28 and similar verses.Exodus 9:28 and similar verses.

These phenomenon are associated directly These phenomenon are associated directly with the awesome Shekinah glory of God. with the awesome Shekinah glory of God.

SEVEN LAMPS SEVEN LAMPS OF FIREOF FIRE

Burning before the throne. See 1:4 Burning before the throne. See 1:4 and Isaiah 11:1-2.and Isaiah 11:1-2.

This classic representation of the Holy Spirit This classic representation of the Holy Spirit depicts His prime character traits and depicts His prime character traits and underscores His intense involvement in this underscores His intense involvement in this scenario.scenario.

SEA OF GLASSSEA OF GLASS It It is beforeis before the throne. the throne. Like the Shekinah glory, it underscores the great Like the Shekinah glory, it underscores the great distance there will always be between the nature distance there will always be between the nature of God and the nature of man. It also speaks of of God and the nature of man. It also speaks of the inaccessibility of sinful creatures to a Holy the inaccessibility of sinful creatures to a Holy God.God.

FOUR FOUR CREATURES CREATURES FULL OF EYESFULL OF EYES

Eyes front & behind. Faces of lion, Eyes front & behind. Faces of lion, calf, man, and eagle. With wings, calf, man, and eagle. With wings, crying Holy, Holy, Holy. See Ezekiel 1.crying Holy, Holy, Holy. See Ezekiel 1.

Their wings represent their aggressive mobility in Their wings represent their aggressive mobility in declaring and defending the holiness of God. declaring and defending the holiness of God. Their faces represent the four aspects of God’s Their faces represent the four aspects of God’s interfacing with His creation; the four key tribes of interfacing with His creation; the four key tribes of Judah; the four reasons why men reject Messiah.Judah; the four reasons why men reject Messiah.


A possible analogy….A possible analogy…. J. Dwight Pentecost (J. Dwight Pentecost (Things To ComeThings To Come) proposes a ) proposes a

parallelism between Matthew thirteen and Revelation two parallelism between Matthew thirteen and Revelation two and three.and three. He notes, “While the mystery form of the He notes, “While the mystery form of the kingdom is not synonymous with the visible church, yet, kingdom is not synonymous with the visible church, yet, since the time period is essentially the same in the two since the time period is essentially the same in the two passages, we may reasonably expect that there would be a passages, we may reasonably expect that there would be a parallelism of development.” The following is a parallelism of development.” The following is a summarization of his chart on page 153. summarization of his chart on page 153.

Pentecost is not making any interpretive claims. He is Pentecost is not making any interpretive claims. He is only citing an interesting parallel…only citing an interesting parallel…


Matt. Matt. 1313

Rev. Rev.

2 & 32 & 3

Name Name MeaningMeaning

Approximate Approximate DatesDates

CharacteristicCharacteristic

SowerSower EphesusEphesus DesiredDesired Pentecost to Pentecost to 100 A.D.100 A.D.

Sowing, organization, Sowing, organization, evangelismevangelism

Wheat & Wheat & TaresTares

SmyrnaSmyrna MyrrhMyrrh Nero to Nero to

300 A.D. 300 A.D.

PersecutionPersecution

Mustard Mustard SeedSeed

PergamosPergamos Thoroughly Thoroughly MarriedMarried

300 to300 to

800 A.D.800 A.D.

Enemy revealedEnemy revealed

LeavenLeaven ThyatiraThyatira Continual Continual sacrificesacrifice

800 to 800 to

1517 A.D.1517 A.D.

Worldly alliance, great Worldly alliance, great growth, papal growth, papal domination, doctrinal domination, doctrinal corruptioncorruption

Treasure Treasure HidHid

SardisSardis Those Those escapingescaping

ReformationReformation Empty profession, Empty profession, rise of state churchrise of state church

PearlPearl Phila-Phila-delphiadelphia

Brotherly Brotherly lovelove

Last daysLast days True last days churchTrue last days church

DragnetDragnet LaodiceaLaodicea People People rulingruling

Last daysLast days ApostasyApostasy


MACEDONIAMACEDONIA

ASIAASIA

EGYPTEGYPT

MEDITERRANEANMEDITERRANEAN

SEASEA

AGEANAGEAN

SEASEA

BLACK SEABLACK SEA

PERGAMOSPERGAMOS

THYATIRATHYATIRA

SARDISSARDIS

PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA

LAODICEALAODICEA

SMYRNASMYRNA

EPHESUSEPHESUS

CRETECRETE

PATMOSPATMOS

JERUSALEMJERUSALEM

ANTIOCHANTIOCH

ACHAIAACHAIA

CORINTHCORINTH

THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIATHE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA


The Seven ChurchesThe Seven ChurchesA Typical Outline (Laodicea)A Typical Outline (Laodicea)

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans

write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and

true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

{15} {15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor

hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} {16} So then So then

because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I

will spue thee out of my mouth.will spue thee out of my mouth. {17} {17} Because thou Because thou

sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have

need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art

wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and

naked:naked: {18} {18} I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in

the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,

that thou mayest be clothed, and that thou mayest be clothed, and that that the shame of the shame of

thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes

with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. {19} {19} As many as I As many as I

love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and

repent.repent. {20} {20} Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if

any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will

come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

{21} {21} To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me

in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set

down with my Father in his throne.down with my Father in his throne. {22} {22} He that hath He that hath

an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the

churcheschurches. (Rev 3:14-22 KJV). (Rev 3:14-22 KJV)

THE CONTEXTTHE CONTEXT

THE CONDITIONTHE CONDITION

THE CONSEQUENCETHE CONSEQUENCE

THE CAUSETHE CAUSE

THE COUNSELTHE COUNSEL

THE CHASTENINGTHE CHASTENING

THE CALLTHE CALL


The Lamb The Lamb isis the Lion! the Lion!

TThhee LLaammbb TThhee LLiioonn

TThhee llaammbb iiss iinn rreeffeerreennccee ttoo hhooww HHee ffiirrsstt ccaammee..

TThhee lliioonn iiss iinn rreeffeerreennccee ttoo hhooww HHee wwiillll ccoommee tthhee sseeccoonndd ttiimmee..

TThhee llaammbb rreefflleeccttss HHiiss

mmeeeekknneessss..

TThhee lliioonn ssppeeaakkss ooff HHiiss mmaajjeessttyy..

TThhee llaammbb ppooiinnttss ttoo HHiiss ssaaccrriiffiiccee aass oouurr SSaavviioorr..

TThhee lliioonn ppooiinnttss ttoo HHiiss aabbssoolluuttee SSoovveerreeiiggnnttyy..


The Kinsman Redeemer

The Kinsman Goel Our Goel

Redeemed persons and or inheritance which had been disponed. Lev 25:25,48

Christ came to be our redeemer. Gal 4:5

Redeemer must be a kinsman. Lev. 25:48,49, Ruth 3:12,13

Christ is the Lion of Judah and the Root of Jesse. Rev. 5:5, Gal 4:4

Redeemer must be able and willing to redeem. Ruth 4:4-6

Christ prevailed to open the scroll. Rev. 5:5,7 Jn. 10:11,18

Redeemer must pay the demand in full. Lev. 25:27

Christ paid the penalty for our sins in full. Rev.5:7,9 1 Peter 1:18-19, Rom. 3:24-25


Revelation 1-22

1-3

Christ &

The Seven

Churches

4-19

The Throne,

Seals,

Trumpets &

Bowls

20:1-5

The

Millennial

Reign

21:1-22:5

The

Eternal

State

22:6-21

Epilogue and

Benediction


The Seven Critical Themes of Rev. 4 & 5 Which Bring Us to Critical Mass*

• The holiness of God - “ Holy, Holy, Holy” 4:8

• The eternality of God - “Who was, and is, and is to come.” 4:8-10, 5:14

• God is the creator of all things - 11

• God as creator has the right of worship - 11

• God as creator has absolute right to rule. (The word throne occurs 17 times in these 2 chs.!)

•The Redeemer’s work as the Lamb slain - 5:6, 8-9,12-13

• The Redeemer’s worthiness to open the redemptive scroll. 5:5

• The Redeemer’s right to rule - 5:12-13*See Maranatha, Renald Showers, Pg 74


The HorsemenWhite

Red

Black

Pale

WHITE

Rev. 6:1,2

Mat. 24:2-5

RED

Rev. 6:3,4

Mat. 24:6-8

BLACK

Rev. 6:5,6

Mat. 24:7

PALE

Rev. 6:7,8

Mat. 24:7-10

1

2

3

4


The Three Remaining Seals

The Martyrs Rev. 6:9-11 & Mat. 24:14

Cosmic Changes Rev. 6:12-13 & Mat. 24:29

Trumpets Introduced Rev. 8:1 ff

5

6

7

Parenthetical Break - The 144,000, and another

heavenly scene of universal praise.


The Convergence of Apocalyptic Indicators

2. Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:20-27)

1. The Day of the Lord

3. The Corresponding Teachings of Matthew 24

and Revelation 4-19

• The Day of the Lord passages stress the pervasive

gloominess and desperation surrounding this event.

• Daniel’s 70 weeks provide the Jews with their

timetable - and stress God’s sovereign purpose.

• Matthew 24 and Rev. 4-19 stress the important

legal aspects of our redemption.



1. The Day of the Lord

The Tribulation

• General Definition - Any intervention in the affairs of men to effect God’s program.

• Narrow Definition - The Tribulation Period.

•The most severe part of the tribulation is called the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord

• 700-500 B.C. - Typical O.T. Manifestations relate to Assyria (Amos

5:18-20), Babylon Judging Southern Kingdom and Egypt (Ezek 13:5,

Jer 46:10), and Medo-Persia’s judgment of Babylon (Isa. 13:6-9)

• Peter tells us that the events of Pentecost relate to the Day

of the Lord. (Acts 2:16-21, Joel 2-3)

• The combined periods of the Tribulation and the

Millennium make up the evening or judgment aspect.

See Zech 14:1-9.

The Great and

Terrible

Day of the Lord

Stresses Mood -

Great gloominess

and

darkness.



2. Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:20-27)

(One prophetic week = 7 yrs. For a total of 490 yrs.)

7 Wks = 49 yrs. ~

Decree to rebuild

Jerusalem. Vs 25

60+2 Wks = 434 Yrs ~ This

brings us to the Cross where

Messiah is cut off. Vs 26

The Tribulation

(Church age not

seen by Daniel.)

•The 70th week of 7 yrs. is seen in two

3½ yr. Periods.

•Sacrifices cease in the middle.

This road map

for the Jews

stresses the

chronology of

God’s

purposes for

His people.



3. The Corresponding Teachings of Matthew 24

and Revelation 4-19The Tribulation

Seals cover

whole period.

Bowls cover

months or

days at very

end.

Trumpets

cover most

of second

half. » »

•The Seals stress the redemptive aspect; (Kinsman Redeemer)

•The trumpets vindicate suffering and martyrdom of saints (8:1-6)

•The Bowls vindicate God Himself. 15:4

Legal

Aspects


Thematic Nesting

( )

( )

( )

The first four seals probably correspond

to the first half of the Tribulation. The

Remaining seals, trumpets, and bowls

move with increasing speed in the last

half.

First 3 ½ Years Last 3 ½ Years

Understanding the Flow

7th

Seal

7th

Trumpet

7th Vial

Information about the background

is inserted without regard for

timing.

The setting of Revelation

switches back and forth

continually from heaven to

earth.


Temple Talk

Herod’s Temple

Left: Model of Herod’s Temple (Destroyed)

Top: New Temple Cornerstone being sprinkled

Bottom: One of Two Red Heifer Candidates


The Seals – Chs. 6-16The Seals – Chs. 6-16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The SealsThe Seals

1. White Horse 6:11. White Horse 6:1

2. Red Horse 6:32. Red Horse 6:3

3. Black Horse 6:53. Black Horse 6:5

4. Pale Horse 6:74. Pale Horse 6:7

5. Martyred Remnant 6:95. Martyred Remnant 6:9

6. Earth & Stars 6:126. Earth & Stars 6:12

7. Trumpets 8:17. Trumpets 8:1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Trumpets – Chs. 8 – 16 >Trumpets – Chs. 8 – 16 >

The Trumpets The Trumpets

1. Hail, Fire, Blood 8:71. Hail, Fire, Blood 8:7

2. Mt. Into Sea 1/3 Die 8:82. Mt. Into Sea 1/3 Die 8:8

3. Star Poisons Water 8:103. Star Poisons Water 8:10

4. 4. 1/3 Sun, Moon, Stars 8:121/3 Sun, Moon, Stars 8:12

5. Scorpions Torture 9:15. Scorpions Torture 9:1

6. 200,000 Horsemen 9:136. 200,000 Horsemen 9:13

7. Bowls7. Bowls

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Bowls – Ch. 16 >The Bowls – Ch. 16 >

The Bowls (Ch 16)The Bowls (Ch 16)

1. Foul Sores 11. Foul Sores 1

2. Sea Becomes Blood 3 2. Sea Becomes Blood 3

3. Fresh Water = Blood 43. Fresh Water = Blood 4

4. Sun Scorches 84. Sun Scorches 8

5. Darkness / Pain 105. Darkness / Pain 10

6. Euphrates Dries 126. Euphrates Dries 12

7. Universal Lightning, 7. Universal Lightning, Earthquake, Hail & Earthquake, Hail & Plagues 17Plagues 17

The Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl Judgments The Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl Judgments


The Seals – Chs. 6-16The Seals – Chs. 6-16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The Trumpets – Chs. 8 – 16 >The Trumpets – Chs. 8 – 16 >

The Bowls – Ch. 16 >The Bowls – Ch. 16 >

The 144,000 – Ch. 7aThe 144,000 – Ch. 7a

The Gentile Multitude The Gentile Multitude saved and martyred – saved and martyred – Ch 7bCh 7b

Little Book & No More Delay – 10bLittle Book & No More Delay – 10b

The Two Witnesses – 11aThe Two Witnesses – 11a

77thth Trumpet Blown and … Trumpet Blown and …

Millennial Reign Foreseen:Millennial Reign Foreseen: The Universal Contest Described The Universal Contest Described Rise of Beast & False Prophet Rise of Beast & False Prophet The Lamb & the 144,000 The Lamb & the 144,000 Fall of Babylon & Beast WorshippersFall of Babylon & Beast Worshippers

Armageddon Armageddon Bowl Judgments Activated Bowl Judgments Activated (Chs 12-15) (Chs 12-15)

Armageddon – Armageddon –

16b16b

The Thematic InterruptionsThe Thematic Interruptions


Satan Hates the Seed of Christ The “Shell Game” of Arnold Murray’s British Israelism

(How to get away with hating the Jewish People)

Anglo-Saxons are the lost tribes who migrated north.

Eve was “wholly seduced” and bare Cain from a union with Satan. (2 Cor. 11:3).

The offspring of Cain are the Kenites – a “hybrid” people.

God “more or less” killed all mankind at the flood (Gen. 6:7; Two of every kind of flesh (including Kenites) were brought into the ark.

Many of the Kenites are Jewish people. Jesus said their father is the devil. (John 8:44).

Those who stand in Jerusalem today are the devil’s seed.


Basic Principles of Bible StudyBasic Principles of Bible Study1.1. Always accept the Bible as your Always accept the Bible as your onlyonly authority. authority.2.2. Interpret the Bible literally whenever possible.Interpret the Bible literally whenever possible.3.3. Obey Obey allall the truth God has shown you in His Word. the truth God has shown you in His Word.4.4. Submit your wisdom to God’s Wisdom.Submit your wisdom to God’s Wisdom.5.5. Let the Bible interpret itself.Let the Bible interpret itself.6.6. Let the Bible explain your experience; never vice Let the Bible explain your experience; never vice

versa.versa.7.7. A Bible passage has only one interpretation.A Bible passage has only one interpretation.8.8. Behind every Bible symbol there is a literal reality.Behind every Bible symbol there is a literal reality.9.9. Symbols and metaphors are used only to illuminate Symbols and metaphors are used only to illuminate

existing Bible truthexisting Bible truth..


• Jesus Christ is the Son of GodJesus Christ is the Son of God (John 10:36-(John 10:36-38)38)

• He shed His blood and died on the cross He shed His blood and died on the cross to take away our sins.to take away our sins. (Romans 3:25)(Romans 3:25)

• We cannot make up for the bad we have We cannot make up for the bad we have done by being good.done by being good. (Ephesians 2:8-10)(Ephesians 2:8-10)

• We can have the righteousness We can have the righteousness (goodness) of Jesus Christ given to us.(goodness) of Jesus Christ given to us. (Romans 5:1)(Romans 5:1)

• Agree with God that you are sinful (repent) Agree with God that you are sinful (repent) and, by faith, receive God’s forgiveness!and, by faith, receive God’s forgiveness! (Acts 17:30, Romans 10:9-10)(Acts 17:30, Romans 10:9-10)

Who Shall Be Able to Stand? Supplemental Materials for the Study of Revelation James P. Steel These materials may be.

Documents

beginning slide

litotes ltetz

prophetic symbols

bible doctrine

totz noun plural litotes

seisss comments

bible college

known bible truth