02 the alpha and the omega (part 2) slideshow

The Book of Revelation 03/11/2007

Lesson 2
The Alpha and the Omega (Part 2)

Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation
By Dale Wells
Text: Rev 1.1-8; Rev 22.8-12

The Old Testament background of
the book
In 404 verses, there is
not a single OT quote
Yet, there are hundreds
of allusions to the OT
278 verses (70% of the
book) references the OT
UBS Greek NT cross-
references the OT 500+
times
By contrast, Paul's letters
contain only 95 direct
quotes and about 100
other allusions to the OT

In Revelation, we see, among many
others
Balaam & Balak
Jezebel
Throne in heaven
Four living creatures
Beast out of the sea
Song of Moses
Fall of Babylon
New heaven and earth
New Jerusalem
Tree of life
All right out of the OT

Lesson 2 1


Seven golden lampstands

Rev 1:12 WEB I saw seven golden lampstands.
Reminiscent of the menorah in the tabernacle and in
Zechariah's vision.
Exo 25:31-40 WEB “You shall make a lampstand of pure
gold. You shall make its lamps seven.
Zec 4:2 WEB He said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I
have seen a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl on the top
of it, and its seven lamps thereon

One like a son of man.

Rev 1:13-16 WEB And
among the lampstands
was one like a son of
man, clothed with a
robe reaching down to
his feet, and with a
golden sash around his
chest.

The picture comes from OT image of
the Messiah
Dan 7:13 WEB I saw in
the night-visions, and,
behold, there came with
the clouds of the sky
one like a son of
man,

Lesson 2 2


The scene in Revelation 4-5 takes
place around God's throne in heaven
Rev 4:2-5 WEB
Behold, there was a
throne set in heaven,
and one sitting on the
throne There was a
rainbow around the
throne There were
seven lamps of fire
burning before his
throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.

The description imports aspects of
the visions of several prophets
Isa 6:1 WEB I saw
the Lord sitting on a
throne...
Dan 7:9-10 WEB I saw
until thrones were
placed, and one who
was ancient of days sat
his throne was fiery
flames, and the wheels
of it burning fire. A fiery
stream issued and
came forth from before
him...

Around God's throne in Revelation 4,
John saw 4 living creatures
Rev 4:6-8 WEB The
first creature was like a
lion, and the second
creature like a calf, and
the third creature had a
face like a man, and the
fourth was like a flying
eagle. The four living
creatures, each
having six wings, are
full of eyes around
about and within.

Lesson 2 3


The words are reminiscent of OT
images of God
Eze 1:5-10 WEB Out of
the midst of it came the
likeness of four living
creatures. ... Everyone
had four faces the
face of a man the
face of a lion the
face of an ox the
face of an eagle.

When the Lamb opens the first 4
seals, John sees 4 horses and riders
Rev 6:1-8 WEB the
Lamb opened one of
the seven seals And
behold, a white horse
When he opened the
second seal, Another
came forth, a red horse.
When he opened the
third seal behold, a
black horse When he
opened the fourth seal,
behold, a pale horse

The horses and riders are a reminder
of God's judgments in the OT
Zec 6:1-8 WEB I
saw four chariots
In the first were red
horses; in the second
black horses; in the
third white horses;
and in the fourth
dappled horses, all of
them powerful
“These are the four
winds of the sky, which
go forth from standing
before the Lord of all
the earth.

Lesson 2 4


Rev 7 depicts 4 angels being held
back until God's people are sealed.
Rev 7:1-8 WEB I saw four
angels standing at the four
corners of the earth, holding
the four winds of the earth,
so that no wind would blow
on the earth, or on the sea,
or on any tree. I saw another
angel having the seal of
the living God. He cried with
a loud voice to the four
angels to whom it was given
to harm the earth and the
sea, saying, “Don't harm the
earth until we have sealed
the bondservants of our God
on their foreheads!”

This picture is reminiscent of a
similar passage in Ezekiel 9
Eze 9:1-6 WEB Behold,
six men every man with
his weapon in his hand;
and one man clothed in
linen, with a writer's inkhorn
by his side. The glory of
the God of Israel called to
the man clothed in linen,
Go set a mark on the
foreheads of the men that
sigh over all the
abominations To the
others he said Go you
through the city after him,
and strike: don't let your eye
spare, neither have you pity;
but don't come near any
man on whom is the mark

In Revelation 10, John is told to eat a
little book that an angel gives him
Rev 10:8-11 WEB “Go,
take the book which is open
in the hand of the angel who
stands on the sea and on the
land.” I went to the angel
He said to me, “Take it, and
eat it up. It will make your
stomach bitter, but in your
mouth it will be as sweet as
honey.” I took the little book
out of the angel's hand, and
ate it up. It was as sweet as
honey in my mouth. When I
had eaten it, my stomach
was made bitter...

Lesson 2 5


This episode is reminiscent of an
experience of the prophet Ezekiel
Eze 2:8-3:3 WEB When I
looked, behold, a scroll
He said to me, Son of man,
eat that which you find; eat
this scroll, and go, speak to
the house of Israel. So I
opened my mouth, and he
caused me to eat the scroll.
He said to me, Son of man,
cause your belly to eat, and
fill your bowels with this
scroll that I give you. Then
did I eat it; and it was in my
mouth as honey for
sweetness.

In Revelation 11, John is told to
measure God's temple
Rev 11:1-2 WEB A reed like
a rod was given to me.
Someone said, “Rise, and
measure God's temple, and
the altar, and those who
worship in it. Leave out the
court which is outside of the
temple, and don't measure it,
for it has been given to the
gentiles. They will tread the
holy city under foot for forty-
two months.

Zechariah similarly envisioned a man
measuring Jerusalem
Zec 2:1-5 WEB behold, a
man with a measuring line in
his hand. Then I asked,
“Where are you going?” He
said to me, “To measure
Jerusalem ...” and another
angel went out to meet him,
and said to him, “Run, speak
to this young man, saying,
'Jerusalem will be inhabited
as villages without walls,
For I,' says Yahweh, 'will be
to her a wall of fire around it,
and I will be the glory in the
midst of her.

Lesson 2 6


In Rev 12, John sees a war in
heaven with Satan thrown to earth
Rev 12:7-9 WEB There was
war in the sky. Michael and
his angels made war on the
dragon. The dragon and his
angels made war. They
didn't prevail, neither was a
place found for him any
more in heaven. The great
dragon was thrown down,
the old serpent, he who is
called the devil and Satan,
the deceiver of the whole
world. He was thrown down
to the earth, and his angels
were thrown down with him.

The description sounds like a similar
description in Isaiah 14
Isa 14:12-15 WEB How you
are fallen from heaven, day-
star, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the
ground, who laid the nations
low! You said in your heart, I
will ascend into heaven, I will
exalt my throne above the
stars of God; I will make
myself like the Most High.
Yet you shall be brought
down to Sheol, to the
uttermost parts of the pit.

In Revelation 13, John sees a beast
coming out of the sea
It has features of a leopard,
bear and lion.
Rev 13:1-2 WEB Then I
stood on the sand of the sea.
I saw a beast coming up out
of the sea, having ten horns
and seven heads. On his
horns were ten crowns, and
on his heads, blasphemous
names. The beast which I
saw was like a leopard, and
his feet were like those of a
bear, and his mouth like the
mouth of a lion. The dragon
gave him his power, his
throne, and great authority.

Lesson 2 7


In a similar OT passage, Daniel saw
four beasts coming out of the sea
Dan 7:1-7 WEB I saw in
my vision behold, the four
winds of the sky broke forth
on the great sea. Four great
animals came up from the
sea... The first was like a
lion, and had eagle's
wings another animal, a
second, like a bear
another, like a leopard,
which had on its back four
wings of a bird; a fourth
animal and it was diverse
from all the animals that
were before it; and it had ten
horns.

In Rev. 14, God's judgment is seen
as a harvest of grain, then grapes

Rev 14:14-20 WEB “Send forth your sickle, and reap for
the harvest of the earth is ripe!” He thrust his sickle on the
earth, and the earth was reaped “Send forth your sharp sickle
for the earth's grapes are fully ripe!” The angel gathered
the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of
the wrath of God. The winepress was trodden and blood
came out even to the bridles of the horses, as far as one
thousand six hundred stadia.

In the OT, harvesting grain and
grapes depict God's judgment
Joe 3:12-14 WEB " Put in
the sickle; For the harvest is
ripe. Come, tread, for the
winepress is full, The vats
overflow, for their
wickedness is great.”
Isa 63:1-6 WEB Who is this
who comes from Edom
Why are you red in your
clothing, and your garments
like him who treads in the
wine vat? I have trodden the
winepress alone I trod
down the peoples in my
anger and I poured out
their lifeblood on the earth.

Lesson 2 8


Rev. 18 begins with the proclamation
that “Babylon the great” has fallen
Rev 18:1-3 WEB After these
things, I saw another angel
coming down out of the
sky He cried with a mighty
voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen
is Babylon the great For all
the nations have drunk of the
wine of the wrath of her
sexual immorality, the kings
of the earth committed
sexual immorality with her,
and the merchants of the
earth grew rich from the
abundance of her luxury.”

The prophets made similar
proclamations in the OT
Isa 21:9 WEB Fallen, fallen
is Babylon; and all the
images of her gods are
broken to the ground.
Jer 51:7-8 WEB Babylon
who made all the earth
drunken: the nations have
drunk of her wine; therefore
the nations are mad.
Babylon is suddenly fallen
and destroyed

We could go on and on
These examples barely
scratch the surface of the
rich allusions to the Old
Testament that permeate
Revelation.
John refers to Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel,
Psalms, Exodus, and
Deuteronomy.
He often reinterprets Old
Testament passages, giving
them new meanings.
In order to understand
Revelation, you have to
know the Old Testament.

Lesson 2 9


The historical setting of the book

Julio-Claudian Dynasty Civil War
Augustus (27 BC-14 AD) Galba (68-69 AD)
Tiberius (14-37 AD) Otho (69 AD)
Caligula (37-41 AD) Vitellius (69 AD)
Claudius (41-54 AD) Flavian Dynasty
Nero (54-68 AD) Vespasian (69-79 AD)
Titus (79-81 AD)
Domitian (81-96 AD)

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Imperator Caesar Augustus
Emperor 27 BC - 14 AD
Founder of the Roman Empire
& nephew of Julius Caesar.
On Caesar's death (44 BC), he
used Caesar's money and
name (both acquired by will) to
raise an army and extort a
consulship from the Senate.
He had the Senate declare
Julius a God, thus making
himself the “son of god.”
Octvaius took the western
Roman world, leaving Antony
the eastern. Octavius defeated
Antony & Cleopatra in 31 BC
and emerged as the sole ruler
of the Roman world.

Lesson 2 10


The significance of the throne name
Augustus
His throne name, Augustus (“exalted”), had religious overtones.
Rome gave him the title Pater Patriae (‘Father of his Country’) in
2 BC, and on his death made him a god (Divus Augustus).
Augustus accepted deification in the Roman provinces, thus
laying the foundation for the concilia, or emperor cult.
Jesus was born during his reign.
Luk 2:1-5 WEB Now it happened in those days, that a decree went
out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
(4) Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and family of David; (5) to enroll himself with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being
pregnant.

Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus
Emperor 14 – 37 AD
Stepson of Augustus.
His reign was a political
disaster and a reign of terror by
the praetorian prefect Sejanus.
The people despised him. He
moved to the island of Capri in
26 & never returned to Rome.
Jesus’ ministry and death
occurred during his reign.
Luk 3:1-2 WEB Now in the
fifteenth year of the reign of
Tiberius Caesar (2) in the
high priesthood of Annas and
Caiaphas, the word of God
came to John, the son of
Zacharias, in the wilderness.

Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
(Caligula)
Youngest son of Germanicus
and Agrippina.
He was brought up in an army
camp and nicknamed Caligula
from his little boots (caligae).
He was extravagant, autocratic,
vicious, and mentally unstable.
He wreaked havoc with the
state finances and terrorized
those around him, until he was
assassinated.
He demanded worship and
ordered that his statue be
placed in the Jerusalem temple,
but he died before the order
was carried out.

Lesson 2 11


Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus
Germanicus
Emperor 41 - 54 AD
Nephew of Tiberius.
He was kept secluded because
of physical disabilities.
He became emperor after
Caligula's murder.
He was progressive, engaging
in public works and reform.
Poisoned by his fourth wife,
Agrippina.
He expelled Jews from Rome.
Act 18:1-3 WEB (2) He
found a certain Jew named
Aquila who had recently
come from Italy, with his wife
Priscilla, because Claudius had
commanded all the Jews to
depart from Rome

Imperator Nero Claudius Caesar
Augustus Germanicus
Emperor 54 - 68 AD
Agrippina, urged Claudius to
adopt Nero, then poisoned him,
making Nero emperor.
First years were good, thanks
to his mother, Seneca, and the
Praetorian Prefect Burrus.
After his mother's murder (59),
corruption set in.
He was blamed for the Fire of
Rome (64) and tried to blame
Christians.
Rome endured four more years
of tyranny before he was
toppled by the army, and forced
to commit suicide.
Peter and Paul were martyred
during Nero’s reign.

Civil War

69 AD – The Year of Four Kings
On January 1, 69 AD, Galba was on the throne
On December 31, 69 AD, Vespasian was on the throne.
Between Galba and Vespasian, two emperors occupied the throne.
Otho (3 months)
Vitellius (8 months)

Lesson 2 12


Flavian Dynasty

Imperator Caesar Vespasianus
Augustus
Declared emperor by the troops
during the Jewish Revolt.
He ended civil wars, put Rome
on a good financial footing, and
restored military discipline.
He built the Colosseum.
His last words: “Puto deus fio”
(“I think I'm becoming a god”).
After death, he was deified.
Revelation was likely written
during his reign.
Rev 17:9-11 WEB ... The
seven heads (10) are
seven kings. Five have fallen,
the one is, the other has not yet
come (11) The beast is
an eighth

Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus
Augustus
Emperor 79 - 81 AD
Elder son of Vespasian. He was
popular for his generosity,
charm, and military prowess.
He was exceptionally good-
looking, cultivated, refined and
friendly. Suetonius called him
“the darling of the human race”.
He engineered the destruction
of Jerusalem (70) and
suppressed the Jewish Revolt.
He completed the construction
of the Flavian Amphitheatre,
better known as the Colosseum.
His sudden death at age 41 was
likely hastened by Domitian.

Lesson 2 13


Imperator Caesar Domitianus
Augustus Germanicus
Younger son of Vespasian, and
last of the Flavians.
He was paranoid about
opposition after the revolt of
Saturninus, the Governor of
Upper Germany (89).
He unleashed a reign of terror in
Rome that lasted until his
assassination.
He demanded to be called Lord
and God.
He initiated an extremely severe
persecution of Christians.
Revelation was written to
prepare Christians for his
persecution.

The essential message of the book
Revelation is a message to
seven churches in First Century
Asia Minor.
Rev 1:4-5a WEB John, to the
seven assemblies that are in
Asia
These seven churches are
typical of the church as a whole.
We know that, because each
letter ends with a word to all the
churches.
He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the
assemblies. Rev 2:7, 11, 17,
29, 3:6, 13, 22 WEB

The author identifies himself as John
four times.
Rev 1:1 WEB This is the
Revelation of Jesus Christ
which he ... made known by his
angel to his servant, John,
Rev 1:4 WEB John, to the
seven assemblies that are in
Asia
Rev 1:9 WEB I John, your
brother and partner with you in
oppression, Kingdom, and
perseverance in Christ Jesus,
was on the isle that is called
Patmos because of God's Word
and the testimony of Jesus
Christ.
Rev 22:8 WEB I, John, am
the one who heard and saw
these things

Lesson 2 14


Revelation was written as Christians
were facing impending persecution.

Most hold it was during the reigns of Nero (54-68) or Domitian (81-96).
I believe it was during Vespasian's reign (69-79).
Rev 17:10-11 WEB They are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the
other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.
The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the
seven...
The 5: Julio-Claudians: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero
The 3: Flavians: Vespasian, Titus, Domitian

Roman authorities were beginning to
enforce emperor worship.

Christians were facing increasing hostility.
Warning to Smyrna:
Rev 2:10 WEB ... the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that
you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to
death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Promise to Philadelphia:
Rev 3:10 WEB I will keep you from the hour of testing which is to
come on the whole world ...

Christians were already suffering for
their faith.

In Pergamum, Antipas had given his life.
Rev 2:13 WEB You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in
the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you,
where Satan dwells.
Others had been martyred.
Rev 6:9 WEB I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had
been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which
they had.

Lesson 2 15


John had been exiled to a penal
colony on Patmos.
Rev 1:9 WEB I John, your
brother and partner with you
in oppression, Kingdom, and
perseverance in Christ
Jesus, was on the isle that is
called Patmos because of
God's Word and the
testimony of Jesus Christ.

John's purpose in writing is clear.

He writes to encourage the faithful to resist the demands of emperor
worship.
He tells his readers that the final showdown between God and Satan is
imminent.
Satan will increase his persecution of believers, but they must be
faithful, even if it means death.
They are sealed against any spiritual harm and they will be vindicated
when God judges his enemies and rewards his people.

The message is “grace” and “peace”.

“Grace” refers to blessings we don’t deserve.
“Peace” refers to harmony with God in the middle of turmoil.
There is a good reason why biblical writers like Paul and John made
use of the combined greeting: “Grace and peace”.
In the 1st Century, the greeting of the Greeks was the Greek charis,
meaning “grace”; the greeting of the Jews was the Hebrew shalom,
meaning “peace”.
By using both greetings, the writers emphasized the inherent unity of Jew
and Gentile in Christ!

Lesson 2 16


Who is the author of grace and
peace?

The eternal God, “who is was and is to come”.
This is the way God identified himself to Moses.
Exo 3:14 WEB God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You
shall tell the children of Israel this: “I AM has sent me to you.”
It is also one way God identified himself to Israel.
Isa 41:4 WEB Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the
beginning? I, Yahweh, the first, and with the last, I am he.
The meaning of “Yahweh” is “the existing one”.
It doesn't matter whether you are talking about the past, or the present, or
the future, God always IS!

Grace and peace are also gifts from
the Holy Spirit.

“[T]he seven Spirits who are before his throne” refers to the Holy Spirit.
The NIV footnote suggests an alternate reading that may actually give
us a better concept of what John is getting at: “the sevenfold Spirit”.
Remember the use of numbers in the Book of Revelation? To say that
the Spirit is “the sevenfold Spirit” is to say that the Holy Spirit is
engaged in seeing that the whole work of God is accomplished. It is
God's Spirit at work!

Last, but not least, grace and peace
are the gift of Jesus Christ, himself.

Lesson 2 17


Jesus is described three ways.
He is the “faithful (reliable) witness”.
Rev 3:14 WEB “The Faithful and True Witness says...
Rev 19:11 WEB I saw a white horse, and he who sat on it is
called Faithful and True
He is the “firstborn of the dead”.
This is reminiscent of the Davidic king.
Psa 89:27 WEB I will appoint him my firstborn
Paul describes Jesus this way:
Col 1:18 WEB He is the firstborn from the dead
He is “ruler of the kings of the earth”.
The descriptions of the king and of the Messiah.
Psa 89:27 WEB I will appoint him ... highest of the kings of the earth.
Rev 19:16 WEB “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation turns on the question: Who rules?
The emperor thought he ruled the world. He was mistaken!
Revelation has as its theme: God Rules!

Doxology

At this point in the text, John erupts in spontaneous praise. He
extols the wonderful works that Jesus has done on our behalf!
Rev 1:5b-6 WEB To him who loves us, and washed us from our
sins by his blood; and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his
God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and
ever. Amen.

He begins with the words, “To him
who loves us”.

This is a present, active participle. (The KJV incorrectly renders it as a
past tense, “loved”.)
Often, in Greek, when a word is in the present tense and active voice, it
conveys both (1) present action, and (2) ongoing action.
Thus, the meaning is not just that Jesus loves us now, but that he
never stops loving us! His love continues – past, present, and future.
There is no end to Jesus' love for us!

Lesson 2 18


John says that Jesus “washed us
from our sins by his blood”.

That may be an incorrect translation.
Most modern Greek editions have lusanti, (“loosed”), not lousanti
(“washed”). They sound the same, but they are spelled slightly differently.
Regardless of whether we read “loosed” or “washed”, the meaning is not
radically different for the Christian.
It is the form of the word that is telling.
It is an aorist participle – referring to a completed past action.
Jesus has “loosed” or “washed” us from our sins, so that we are no longer
bound to, or sullied by them.

John continues to say that Jesus has
made us into something special.

Rev 1:6 WEB... [H]e made us a kingdom, priests to his God
This was God's plan for Israel:
Exo 19:6 WEB “you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation”
Isa 61:6 WEB But you shall be named the priests of Yahweh; men shall call
you the ministers of our God
The church, “God's Israel” (Gal 6:16), is “a kingdom” (not “kings”, as in
KJV); Christians are “priests”.
1Pe 2:9 WEB But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the
excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

The coming of the Lord

Rev 1:7 WEB Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will
see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will
mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
The Bible says a lot about the “coming” of the Lord.
Most people do not understand the “coming” of the Lord. Most think of
the “Second Coming”.
Much of the time, when the Bible talks about the Lord “coming”, it is not
talking about the "second coming."
The Bible speaks of several times when the Lord has “come”.

Lesson 2 19


Prophets used it to describe God's
judgment on a nation, or a people.

Isa 13:9-11 WEB the day of Yahweh comes For the stars of the
sky and the constellations of it shall not give their light; the sun shall be
darkened in its going forth, and the moon shall not cause its light to
shine. I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their
iniquity: and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will
lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
This is not the end of the world, but the end of Babylon's world:
Isa 13:1 WEB The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah did see.

In other passages, the same motif
occurs.
Isa 19:1 WEB The burden of Egypt. Behold, Yahweh rides on a
swift cloud, and comes to Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall
tremble at his presence; and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the
midst of it.
According to Isaiah, God is riding on a cloud and wreaking all sorts
of havoc in the world.
But the text clearly says that this is God's judgment on Egypt.
Isa 30:30-31 WEB Yahweh will cause his glorious voice to be
heard, and will show the lighting down of his arm, with the
indignation of his anger, and the flame of a devouring fire, with a
blast, and tempest, and hailstones. For through the voice of
Yahweh shall the Assyrian be dismayed; with his rod will he
strike him.
In this text, God describes a coming judgment on Assyria in terms
reminiscent of the Book of Revelation.

When you read those texts a
common theme emerges.
The Coming, or Day of the Lord,
refers to the day when the Lord
judges a nation and punishes it
for its sins.
John says the Lord is coming.
We must view that from a First
Century perspective.
God had judged Babylon,
Egypt, Assyria and Israel with
previous comings.
John assures 1st Century
Christians that he is going to
judge Rome, as well. As we
shall see, that is the empire
against whom the Lord's
coming is directed in the Book
of Revelation.

Lesson 2 20


And the ungodly will be sorry about
the way they treated Jesus.

Rev 1:7 “[E]very eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All
the tribes of the earth will mourn over him.”
That is reminiscent of the prophet Zechariah.
Zec 12:10-14 WEB I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me
whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him,
The “coming” of the Lord is the day of reckoning and the day of reward!
Whether the coming of the Lord is good news or bad news depends
entirely on your relationship to him when he comes!

Trust God!

Rev 1:8 WEB “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,
“who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation's message is simple: “Trust God”.
God describes himself as “the Alpha and Omega”. These were the first
and last letters of the Greek alphabet. That is like saying he covers our
needs from “A to Z”. There isn't anything he isn't capable of dealing
with.

He is the one “who is and who was
and who is to come”.

This reminds us of his self-revelation to Moses at Sinai.
Exo 3:14 WEB God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You
shall tell the children of Israel this: “I AM has sent me to you.”
Yahweh signifies existence.
God IS! Others come and go. In Egypt, there were many Pharaohs and
many dynasties. One had a 10 lesson course in who rules – we call it the
plagues. He finally learned that Pharaohs come and go; but God IS and
God RULES!

Lesson 2 21


Down through the OT, others had to
learn their lesson the hard way.

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that led to him being deposed. He was
off the throne, and quite insane, until he acknowledged that God IS and
God RULES! You can read the story in Daniel 4, but the bottom line
was Nebuchadnezzar's final realization:
Dan 4:34-35 WEB At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up
my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I
blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives
forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom
from generation to generation.

Revelation was written when the
church was facing more upstart kings

In First Century Rome, there was a group of fellows who thought they
ruled the world.
Revelation is God's promise that the Roman emperors were going to
learn the same lesson Egypt's Pharaohs and Babylon's
Nebuchadnezzar learned:
Kingdoms of the world come and go; God's kingdom remains. In other
words, God IS and God RULES!

There is one last, great word that
John uses to describe God.
It is the Greek pantokrator,
which means “all powerful”.
This is a word that we're
going to find in a number of
contexts through the book.

Lesson 2 22


Those around God's throne extol him
as “the Almighty”.

Rev 4:8 WEB The four living creatures, each one of them having six
wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day
and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who
was and who is and who is to come!”
Rev 11:16-17 WEB The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones
before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We
give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was;
because you have taken your great power, and reigned.

The “Song of the Lamb” and the altar
praise God as “the Almighty”.

Rev 15:3 WEB They sang the song of Moses, the servant of
God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous
are your works, Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are
your ways, you King of the nations.
Rev 16:7 WEB I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God, the
Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.”

There is a battle on “the great day of
God, the Almighty”.

Rev 16:13-14 WEB I saw coming out of the mouth of the
dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth
of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, something like frogs;
for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth
to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them
together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty.

Lesson 2 23


When God judges Rome, the elders
praise God as “the Almighty”.
Rev 19:6 WEB I heard
something like the voice of a
great multitude, and like the
voice of many waters, and like
the voice of mighty thunders,
saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord
our God, the Almighty, reigns!
Jesus executes the wrath of
God, “the Almighty”.
Rev 19:15 WEB Out of his
mouth proceeds a sharp,
double-edged sword, that with it
he should strike the nations. He
will rule them with a rod of iron.
He treads the winepress of the
fierceness of the wrath of God,
the Almighty.

In the description of the “the new
Jerusalem”:

Rev 21:22 WEB I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the
Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.
John never lets us forget that God is “the Almighty”.
He doesn't want the reader to lose sight of who’s really in control
– God IS and God RULES!

Lesson 2 24

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