Compelled By Reality

Revelation: 7 Main Symbols

Filed under: Christianity, End Times, Jesus, Prayer

Inside of the “Angelic Explanations” or (parenthetical sections), we find these 7 main symbols. When we look to understand the book of Revelation and to interpret its meaning, we should interpret Revelation in the plain sense reading of the text (the literal interpretation). It’s numbers are literal unless the Scripture specifically indicates that they are symbolic.

Here are the 7 Symbols and their meanings.

1. The dragon: is always symbolic of Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2).
2. The first Beast: is symbolic of the Antichrist (Rev. 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10).
3. Another Beast: is symbolic of the False Prophet who is only called, “another Beast” one time (Rev. 13:11).
4. The 7 heads: are 7 empires from history that persecuted Israel (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, revived Roman Empire of Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3-16).
5. The 10 horns: speak of a future 10-nation confederation of ten kings (Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12-14, 16-18).
6. The Harlot Babylon: will be established in the literal re-built city of Babylon on the Euphrates River in Iraq as a worldwide demonic religious and economic center (Rev. 17-18; Jer. 50-51).
7. The Woman with the Mail-child (Jesus): the woman is the faithful remnant of Israel through history (Rev. 12:1-5). Satan wars with her offspring who are Gentile believers (Rev. 12:17).

Tags: 10 Horns, 5 Chronological, 5 Parenthetical, 7 Bowls, 7 Heads, 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, Antichrist, Babylon, Beast, Christianity, Dragon, End Times, Eschatology, False Prophet, God’s Wrath, Great Tribulation, Harlot Babylon, Interpretation, Jesus, John, Prophecy, Rapture, revelation, Satan, Symbolism, The Bride, The Woman

Revelation: 5 Chronological & 5 Angelic Explanations

Filed under: Christianity, End Times, Jesus, Life, Prayer

Revelation: 5 Chronological & 5 Angelic Explanations

In the last article in this series I laid out the 4 Part Overview of the Book of Revelation. Part 4 is the story line of the book unfolding here on earth. It spans from chapter 6 to 21, so putting it into one part of a 4-part overview doesn’t help much unless we unpack it. So that is where this next part comes in.

5 Chronological Sections

As the story line unfolds, there are 5 sections of the book that happen in chronological order, we call these the 5 Chronological Sections… very clever, I know. These 5 sections give the details, as they happen in succession, in which God’s judgment on the Antichrist’s empire unfolds on earth.

5 Angelic Explanations

During the process of unveiling the story as it happens in order, from one thing to the next, there is a pause in the story line. There is a pause after each of the 5 Chronological Sections. This pause allows for further explanation to give details and insight into what happens to God’s people. These sections answer some of the tough questions such as “Why is God’s wrath so severe?” and “What will happen to the saints?”

Chronological Section #1: 7 Seals (Rev. 6:1-17)
- Angelic Explanation #1: Protection (Rev. 7:1-17)
Chronological Section #2: 7 Trumpets (Rev. 8:1-9:21)
 - Angelic Explanation #2: Direction (Rev. 10:1-11:13)
Chronological Section #3: Rapture & Jesus Replacing All World Governments (Rev. 11:15-19)
 - Angelic Explanation #3: Confrontation: Antichrist and False Prophet (Rev. 12:1-14:20)
Chronological Section #4: 7 Bowls (Rev. 15:1-16:21)
 - Angelic Explanation #4: Seduction (Rev. 17:1-19:10)
Chronological Section #5: Jesus Enters Jerusalem as King Over the Nations (Rev. 19:11-21:8)
 - Angelic Explanation #5: Glorification: Victory and Reign of the Bride (Rev. 21:9-22:5)

In the next article in this series I’ll go over the 7 Primary Symbols that occur in the Angelic Explanations.  

Tags: 5 Chronological, 5 Parenthetical, 7 Bowls, 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, Antichrist, Babylon, Christianity, End Times, Eschatology, God's Wrath, Great Tribulation, Jesus, John, Prophecy, Rapture, revelation, The Bride

Revelation: The Basics

Filed under: Christianity, End Times, Jesus, Life

Here it is in its most basic form. It’s not difficult, and it’s not my opinion mixed in with interpretations, it is just a plain sense reading of the book of revelation and breaking it down into 4 parts.

4 Part Overview of the Book of Revelation:

1. John’s Prophetic Commission (Chpt. 1)
2. Letters to the 7 Churches (Chpts. 2, 3)
3. Jesus’ Heavenly Commission (Chpts. 4, 5)
4. Jesus’ Action Plan to Cleanse the Earth of Evil (Chpts. 6 - 21)

Simple. It is of course missing the details, but its a great way to approach the book. 

So now that we’ve figured out that it isn’t so difficult to wrap our minds around, let’s just look at these 4 sections  and break it down a little further.  

Part 1: John’s Prophetic Commission (Chpt. 1): In chapter 1 John is given a commission to prophesy in writing the things he has seen through the lens of Jesus’ majesty. 

Part 2: Letters to the 7 Churches (Chpts. 2, 3): In chapters 2 and 3 Jesus is speaking throughout the 2 chapters and giving the 7 churches exhortations to be overcomers.

Part 3: Jesus’ Heavenly Commission (Chpts. 4, 5): In chapters 4 and 5 Jesus is given the scroll and given His mandate to take over the earth. In these chapters we also get a glimpse of the throne room of heaven.

Part 4: Jesus’ Action Plan to Cleanse the Earth of Evil (Chpts. 6 - 21): In these chapters we are taken through the story line of Jesus’ actions to cleanse the earth (Great Tribulation). In these passages there are 2 main literary sections:

1. 5 Chronological Sections (the chronological order in which God’s judgments unfold on earth)
2. 5 Angelic Explanations (the story line is put on “pause” to answer important questions)

Tags: 7 Churches, Christianity, End Times, Eschatology, Great Tribulation, Jesus, John, Overview, Prophecy, revelation

Revelation: A Series

Filed under: Christianity, End Times, Featured, Jesus, Knowledge of God, Life, Prayer

The book of Revelation is meant to be read and understood by everyone not just the scholars. This book gives us more information about the severe coming crisis than any other book in the Bible. As the body of Christ, we are responsible to know and act on this information. 

Below is a series of articles to jump start you in your journey through the book of Revelation and ultimately help you to pursue knowledge of God. By reading and praying through this book you will get to know the leadership of Jesus at the end of the age. 

1. Revelation: Is For Everyone
2. Revelation: The Basics
3. Revelation: 5 Chronologicals & 5 Angelic Explanations
4. Revelation: 7 Primary Symbols

Tags: 5 Chronological, 5 Parenthetical, 7 Bowls, 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, Antichrist, Babylon, Christianity, End Times, Eschatology, God’s Wrath, Great Tribulation, Jesus, John, Prophecy, Rapture, revelation, Series, The Bride