Revelation 4-5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NWoN-4h2hA


Bible Study with Dr. Chuck Missler


Revelation 4-5


Overview
Harpazo occurs at Revelation 4:1
Throne of God (Revelation 4:2-3)
24 Elders (Revelation 4:4)
7 Lamps burning (Revelation 4:5)
Sea of Glass (Revelation 4:6)
4 Living creatures (Cherubim) (Revelation 4:6-8)
    - 4 faces: lion, calf, man eagle (Numbers 2)
The Seven-sealed Scroll (Revelation 5)
    - The identity of 24 elders


These are not just visions. These are real experiences.
“I will show thee” (Revelation 4:1; 21:10)
“I looked” is recorded 70 times in Revelation
“I saw” is recorded 35 times in Revelation
“I beheld” is recorded 7 times in Revelation
“I heard” is recorded 23 times in Revelation


Harpazo: To seize, catch up , snatch away
- Voice… Trumpet: Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
- Come (up to Heaven); Heaven is a real, material place (Luke 24:39)

- A door was opened: 4x in Revelation; veil is lifted to open the way for us to go to Heaven (Luke 23:45; Hebrews 10:19-20)

- New Testament evidence: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50; John 14:2-3
- Old Testament evidence: Isaiah 26:19-21; Zephaniah 2:3; Psalm 27:5; Job 19:25-27


Trump of God only occurred twice in the Bible
Exodus 19
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18


The Jewish Wedding
The marriage between Jesus and His Church is illustrated by the Jewish Wedding.
- The Ketubah, Betrothal
- Payment of the purchase price
- Set apart (sanctified)
- Bridegroom departs to Father’s House
- Prepares room
- Bride prepares for imminent return


Doctrine of Imminency
- Believers are taught to expect the Savior from Heaven at any moment (Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:18, 5:8; Revelation 22:20).
- This doctrine expresses the hope and warm spirit of expectancy (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
- This expectancy should result in a victorious and purified life (John 3:2-3).
- Paul included himself among those who looked for Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1).
- Timothy was admonished to “keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 8:14).
- Jewish converts were reminded that “yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37).
- The expectation “occupy til I come” (Luke 19:13) of some were so strong that they had stopped work and had to be horted to return to their jobs (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) and have patience (James 5:8).


The Marriage is fulfilled by Jesus
- Covenant established: 1 Corinthians 11:25
- Purchase price: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- Bride set apart: Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11, Hebrews 10:10; 13:12
- Reminded of the covenant: 1 Corinthians 11:25-26
- Bridegroom left for the Father’s house (Jesus is currently not sitting on His own throne but on His father’s throne)
- Escort to accompany Him upon His return to gather His bride (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)


7 Raptures occurred throughout the Bible
1. Enoch (Genesis 5:42; Hebrews 11:5)
2. Elijah (2 Kings 2:1, 11)
3. Jesus (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 12:5)
4. Philip (Acts 8:39)
5. Paul (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
6. Body of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
7. John (Revelation 4:1)



The Rapture
Believers are translated; translated saints go to Heaven; Earth is not judged; is imminent, can occur at any moment, signless; not explained in the Old Testament; for believers only; occurs before the day of wrath; no reference to Satan; Jesus comes for His own; Jesus comes in the air; Jesus claims His bride; Only His own sees Him; the Tribulation begins; for Church believers only
John 14:1-3
1 Corinthians 15:1-53
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Romans 8:19
1 Corinthians 1:7-8
1 Corinthians 16:22
Philippians 3:20-21
Colossians 3:4
1 Thessalonians 1:10
1 Thessalonians 2:19
1 Thessalonians 5:9
1 Thessalonians 5:23
2 Thessalonians 2:1, 3
1 Timothy 6:14
2 Timothy 4:1
Titus 2:13
Hebrews 9:28
James 5:7-9
1 Peter 1:7, 13
1 John 2:28-3:2
Jude 21
Revelation 2:25
Revelation 3:10



The Second Coming
No translation involved; translated saints return to Earth; Earth is judged; follows definite predicted signs; predicted in the Old Testament; affects all men on Earth; concludes the day of wrath; Satan is bound; Jesus comes with His own; Jesus comes to Earth; Jesus comes with His Bride; every eye shall see Him; Millennium begins; Old Testament saints saved but raised later
Daniel 2:44-45
Daniel 7:9-14
Daniel 12:1-3
Zechariah 14:1-15
Matthew 13:41
Matthew 24:15-31
Matthew 26:64
Matthew 13:14-27
Matthew 14:62
Luke 21:25-28
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 3:19-21
1 Thessalonians 3:13
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
2 Thessalonians 2:8
2 Peter 3:1-14
Jude 14-15
Revelation 1:7
Revelation 19:11-20:6
Revelation 22:7, 12, 20


Thrones
- The word “throne” appears 58 times in the NT; 43 in Revelation; 14 in Revelation 4
- The Messiah will sit on His Father’s Throne (Psalm 110:1; Revelation 3:21), on the Throne of His Mercy (Hebrews 4:16), on the Throne of David (Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32 – The Throne of David did not exist during Jesus’ first coming; i.e., this has not been fulfilled but will be fulfilled in Jesus' Millennial Reign)
- The 12 apostles will sit on 12 thrones and judge the 12 tribes and angels (Matthew 19:28; 1 Corinthians 6:3)
- The 24 Elders will sit on thrones (Revelation 4:4)
- Unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:12)


24 Elders
- There were priests that did not belong to the Levitcal Priesthood Orders: Jethro (Exodus 3:1); Jacob gave tithes to a priest (Genesis 28:22); Melchizedek was a king and priest (Genesis 14:18-20) (Melchizedek is Messianic, Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5-7)
- Represents a complete group (1 Chronicles 24)
- They cannot be tribulation believers (Revelation 7:13-14), angels (Revelation 7:11), or the Nation of Israel (Revelation 7, 12)
- Their distinguishing characteristics include sitting on thrones (Revelation 3:21), clothed in white raiment (Revelation 3:25), wearing crowns of gold (Revelation 2:10; 3:11), singing Song of Redeemed (Revelation 5:9-10), and called “Elders” and “Kings and Priests” (Revelation 5:10).
- They are composed of the Church (because they are kings and priests) (Revelation 5:9-10); they are already in Heaven before Jesus opens the Scroll; and the Great Tribulation doesn’t start until the Scroll is opened.


Crowns Promised
- Crown of Life for those who have suffered for His sake (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10)
- Crown of Righteousness for those who loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8)
- Crown of Glory for those who fed the flock (1 Peter 5:4)
- Crown of Incorruptible for those who press on steadfastly (1 Corinthians 9:25)
- Crown of Rejoicing for those who win souls (1 Thessalonians 2:19)


The Design of the Gospels
Matthew: What Jesus said (Messiah); written to the Jews; ends with Jesus’ resurrection; camp east, representing Lion of Judah
Mark: What Jesus did (suffering servant); written to the Romans; ends with Jesus ascension; camp west, representing Ox of Ephraim
Luke: What Jesus felt (Son of Man); written to the Greek; ends with promise of the Spirit, and continues to Acts; camp south, representing Man of Reuben
John: What Jesus was (Son of God); written to the Church; ends with the promise of return, and continues to Revelation; camp north, representing Eagle of Dan


The 7-Sealed Scroll


Jeremiah 32:1-14
God’s promise that they will return; when they do return, they would dug the deed up and reclaim their land. This is a model of Revelation 5:2-4.


The scroll is the title deed to the Earth that Adam forfeited. Only a man could open the scroll, a Kinsman Redeemer. This is why John sobbed convulsively because John knew that no man was found worthy.


Book of Ruth
- Boaz is the Kinsman Redeemer
- Law of Redemption: land for Naomi
- Law of Levirate Marriage: Ruth, the Gentile Bride (Leviticus 25:23-25)
- Redemption is sealed: Cf. Daniel 12:4-9; Revelation 10:8-11; Ezekiel 2:10; Zechariah 5:1-4; Isaiah 29:11


Jesus is our kinsman redeemer (Goel)
4 Criteria of a Kinsman Redeemer:
1. He has to be a kinsman (aka, kinsman of Adam, because Adam who received the deed from God)
2. He has to be able (aka, sinless)
3. He has to be willing
4. He has to assume all the obligations of the beneficiary


Titles of Christ
- Revelation 2-3: Each Church received a title of Christ; none of those titles were Jewish
- Revelation 4 and on: all titles of Christ given were Jewish (e.g., the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, the Lamb – Revelation 5:5-6)
- The Lamb speaks of Jesus’ first coming
- The Lion speaks of Jesus’ second coming


Seven Horns
- Symbol of power (Deuteronomy 22:17; 1 Kings 22:11; Zechariah 1:18; Psalm 75:4)
- Also, symbol of honor (1 Samuel 2:1-10; Psalm 89:17-24; Psalm 112:9-10, 148:14)


Seven Eyes
- Seven spirits of God (Zechariah 3:8-10)


Yeshua Ha Mashiach
Jesus is to reign from Mount Zion (Jerusalem), cf Psalm 2:6
- Jesus is the Lion: Jacob’s final blessing on his sons (Genesis 49:8-10; Hosea 5:14; Hebrews 7-1)
- Jesus is the Root of David (Isaiah 11:1, 10; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Romans 15:12; Revelation 22:16)
- Jesus was the result of David’s line, yet He was the one who brought David (and the line) into existence. He used this paradox to baffle the Pharisees (Matthew 22:41-46).
- In God’s covenant with David, His line was to rue over all the whole earth (2 Samuel 7; Psalm 2:8).
- This covenant was confirmed to Mary (Luke 1:33).


Seven Possessions
1. Power: He is not one who can dream and never realize; plan but never achieve. He is able (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3; Mark 5:1-20, 25-29, 35-43)
2. Riches: There is no claim on Him which He cannot satisfy, no promise He cannot carry out (2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 3:8)
3. Wisdom: Both secrets and practical knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:24; James 1:5)
4. Strength: Can disarm even the powers of evil and overthrow Satan (Psalm 24:8; Matthew 12:29; Luke 11:22)
5.Honor: Before Him every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord indeed (Philippians 2:11; Psalm 104:1; Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7-9)
6. Glory: Glory is His alone (John 1:14; 2:11, 11:4, 40; 17:5-24)
7. Blessing: This is the inevitable climax of it all—He pours this all out on us (Psalm 103:1-2)


Four things out of place but will be restored
1. The Church, which is now in Heaven (in Revelation 5)
2. The Nation Israel, which should be in the Land as promised
3. Satan, who should be in the Lake of Fire
4. Christ, who is to be on His Own Throne, as opposed to be on His Father's Throne in Heaven


Revelation 6-19
These chapters detail the traumatic events of the most documented period in both the Old and the New Testaments. These chapters correspond to the 70th Week of Daniel.