REVELATION.
PHRASE BY PHRASE EXPLANATION.
Based on the authorized version of the bible, and original Greek where Greek contradicts the authorized rendering / translation.
REVELATION CHAPTER ONE.
VERSE ONE.
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ".
This is the true title of the book, not the one at the beginning of the king James version. See Vatican Manuscript - No. 1160 where no title is given. The word Apocalypse is often taken instead of A Revelation. They mean the same, only Apocalypse is an Anglicized-Greek form of the word Revelation. Revelation - means that something is going to be revealed, uncovered, or manifested and that the words are those of Christ can be seen by the fact that the revelation is of Christ.
"Which God gave unto him."
Obviously, before God gave the Revelation to Jesus, Jesus did not know it. This is certainly not in harmony with what Trinitarian’s believe, that Jesus is coequal with the Father. But it is in harmony with the words of Jesus when he spoke of the time when he would return to the earth, saying "of that day knoweth no man, no, not the angels that are in heaven, neither the son, but the Father". (Mark 13:32). Jesus knows only as much as His Father has told him.
"To show unto his servants."
This message was not sent to all the world. It was sent specifically to his servants / bond-slaves (Greek doulos). This accounts for the difficult form which it was sent. It was intended for people, who, in their knowledge of the purpose of God, as revealed in the rest of the bible possess the key for the opening of this obscure and more elaborate exhibition of the purpose of God in detail. Nobody else could make head nor tail of it. This is one reason why it has been so little understood by the world at large. If it has been sent by Christ to the followers of Christ, obviously everyone desiring to be numbered with the followers of Christ will feel a desire to understand the book.
"Things which must shortly come to pass."
The prophecies in this book began to be fulfilled shortly after they were delivered to the Apostle John. They cover history from his day to the coming of Christ. This means that a lot of the book concerns events which are now past history. This is helpful, because we can make sure that our understanding of symbols is correct, by checking them against history.
"And signified it".
It was not sent in a plain form but in an enigmatical or sign form. "To signify" a thing is to represent it by a sign or symbol. The use of signs or symbols is very characteristic of Gods mode of communication. The Mosaic system was one elaborate system of symbol, as we learn in the New Testament. (See especially Hebrews). The law given to Israel through Moses was figurative in many aspects of the coming of Christ and his sacrifice. The messages of the prophets are often figurative in their dress, though literal in their structure and bearing. Revelation is not the first time pure symbol is used to represent events. The book of Daniel is almost entirely symbolical. The vision of the image and the stone (Daniel 2), the vision of the four beasts (Daniel 7), are two examples. Even in the plainer prophets, there are examples, of pure symbol. The Father alludes to the fact in Hosea thus: "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and used similitude’s by the ministry of the prophets" (12:10). If the similitude’s were employed without any clue as to their significance their use would not be enlightening, but the clues, in almost all cases, are supplied - if not in the immediate context, in some corresponding part of the Bible. With diligent searching and comparison we will find them.
VERSE THREE.
"Blessed is he that readeth"
An anxious desire to learn the wisdom of God characterizes all the true worshippers of God. An increasing knowledge of the truth of the word is an urgent need for mankind. As Paul declared to the elders at Ephesus, "And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). We learn that the sanctifying influence is none other than this word of God from the words of Jesus in his prayer: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). God has promised to help us in attaining knowledge if we approach Him in a right manner - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). "And they that hear" In his book 'Eureka' Doctor John Thomas states that the word in Greek implies one who 'gathers exact knowledge of a matter', or one who 'knows accurately' or 'observes narrowly ' Mere 'reading' is not sufficient for the blessing. It requires the gathering of exact knowledge. You can't just read Revelation and understand what it means, it just is not that simple. We must exercise the greatest care to ascertain the TRUE meaning of this wonderful book - then the blessing will be ours. To do this takes time and effort, but a blessing rests upon those who labour thus in faith.
GREETING OF JOHN & JESUS CHRIST VERSES 4-8.
VERSE FOUR.
"Churches" - The original word is compounded of two Greek words: "EK", meaning 'Out of', and 'KLEISIS', signifying 'a call or invitation '. Thus an ecclesia is an assembly of people who have obeyed the 'invitation' or 'call' to come out from among the Gentiles - as James stated at the council in Jerusalem, "Simeon hath declared how God at first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name" (Acts 15:14).
"Him which is, and which was, and which is to come."
The reference is to the Father, the great Increate. In the Revelation, the Great Creator is set before his servants in the several phases of manifestation in which He has revealed and will reveal Himself. This manifestation is referred to in Isaiah 41:4: "I am the first and with the last". The word 'first’ in this verse is singular, and the word 'last' is plural. I.e. The 'first one' relates to the Lord Jesus who is the manifestation of the Father; the 'last ones' relate to the brethren of Christ who will be exalted to similar glory at his return. God was revealed in His word from the beginning. He is today revealed in his son. He is yet to be revealed in the glorious company of the redeemed, at the second advent of the Lord. The name that God gives himself. (Exodus 3 verse 14, 6 verse 3) Yahweh signifies 'He who will be' and speaks of the intention of the Deity to reveal himself in a number of the descendants of Adam. I.e., He will manifest Himself in them. They will show forth His Characteristics etc.
"The Seven Spirits"
Many writers, from the earliest times, have called attention to the importance of the great subject of Number in Scripture. I must, therefore, be content with the setting forth of general principles, and with giving a few examples from God's Word which illustrate them, leaving others to extend the application of these principles and search out illustrations of them for themselves.
We must first decide then, upon a meaning for the number seven in the scripture, to see the true significance of this phrase.
SEVEN.
We come now to the great number of spiritual perfection. A number which, therefore, occupies so large a place in the works, and especially the Word of God as being inspired by the Holy Spirit. We must first consider the meaning of the word. In the Hebrew, seven is shevah. It is from the root Savah 'to be full or satisfied, have enough of '. Hence the meaning of the word 'seven' is dominated by this root, for on the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation. It was full, and complete, and good and perfect, Nothing could be added to it or taken from it without marring it. Hence the word Shavath, to cease, desist, rest, and Shabbath, Sabbath or day of rest. It is seven, therefore, that stamps with perfection and completeness that in connection with which it is used. Of time, it tells of the Sabbath, and marks off the week of seven days, which, artificial as it may seem to be, is universal and immemorial in its observance amongst all nations and in all times. It tells of that eternal Sabbath keeping which remains for the people of God in all its everlasting perfection. In creative works of God, seven completes the colours of the spectrum and rainbow, and satisfied in music the notes of the scale. In each of these the eighth is only a repetition of the first. If we can accept that seven implies completeness or unity then we can take this as granted in future reference, and use this as a basis for future reference. Ephesians 4:4 tells us that there is only one spirit, but it is manifested in various ways, and (in the days of the apostles) through many individuals. Thus to express the principle of 'one spirit' in a multitudinous manifestation the term "seven spirits" is used. The number seven implies completeness or unity. It defines the 'one spirit' in its complete, multitudinous manifestation. God has revealed himself to man through his spirit, for his spirit is His power by which he does things. God uses his spirit as we do electricity. It becomes our servant by which we can speak to others in distant places or by which work can be done according to our will. An interesting note: The word 'are' in the AV. is the word 'is' in the Greek, this obviously did not make grammatical sense to the translators, but in the light of what we have just said, we can see how that this can be so. The servants of the most high God, his agents for doing his will, sent their best wishes. Perhaps one might go as far as to say that these could be seven angels, one over each of the ecclesias, working as one, to do Gods will.
VERSE SIX.
"For ever and ever"
This is not eternity, as it would seem to imply, for the reign of Christ will ultimately be given up to the Father, as Paul says: "Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father... then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all ". (1 Cor.. 15:24,28). Therefore Christ's reign lasts one thousand years as Revelation 20:6 tells us. "Ever and ever" in the Greek is "The ages of the ages". The thousand years reign of Christ will include many smaller ages, even as the Mosaic age was divided into the epoch of the Judges, of the Monarchy, and so forth. "Ages of the ages" therefore signifies the period of Christ's reign, at the end of which epoch sin and death will be destroyed and mortality will cease. After this age will be the Aion of the New Things to be created by the Eternal Power, when the 7000 years shall have passed away - Revelation 21:5. Of the duration of this the Apocalypse says nothing. It may or may not be boundless, but this we cannot tell. Whatever may be its constitution, of this we are certain, that sin, curse, and death will have no more place in the earth, or the nature of its inhabitants. Its circling will be around incorruptibility and life.
VERSE SEVEN.
"He cometh with clouds"
In Malachi 4:2 Christ is likened to the Sun: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings". This is Christ returning Matthew 24 v 30 "All the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." But what are the clouds? Jeremiah gives us the answer, he talks of the destruction of Jerusalem so:- "At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse, even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them. Behold, he shall come up as CLOUDS and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us ! For we are spoiled." So clouds are used to signify great companies of people. In this verse in Revelation his immortalized brethren, the saints are compared to clouds, his army if you like, with all the power of God. The "Coming" referred to is not his descent from heaven, but his presence before mankind generally. He will come firstly to his saints, unknown to the world; but then, in company with the elect he will appear before the warring nations at Armageddon.
VERSE EIGHT.
"I am the Alpha and Omega"
Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Heb. 12:2 calls Jesus the "Author and finisher of our faith". Gods work of salvation was "begun" with Christ who was the first man to be made immortal, and it is through Christ's sacrifice that the work will be finished, when those who have been faithful through the ages will be raised from the dead and glorified with Christ.
JOHN'S INTRODUCTION - VERSES 9-11.
VERSE NINE.
"Patmos"
Patmos is a small desolate isle on the west coast of Asia Minor. To the solitude of this place he was banished on because of his belief in Christ, by the Roman Emperor Domitian, who it is said by historians first tried unsuccessfully to destroy him by immersing him in boiling oil. Obviously if this was so, it didn't work!.
VERSE TEN.
"In the Spirit"
The meaning of this phrase is unmistakably illustrated a little further on. At the close of the first series of things shown to him, John heard a voice addressing him thus: "Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter" (Ch. 4:1). "And" says he, "immediately I was in spirit, and behold a throne...". To be "in spirit", then, is to be seized, covered, or held by the spirit (power) of God for the purges of seeing a vision or revelation. Now for John to be "in the Spirit on the day of the Lord", was to be present on that day in vision by the spirit. He was watching these things happen, as if he was there.
"On the Lord's day"
He tells us that before the vision began, he was "in spirit on the Lord's day". Some people take this to mean that he received the vision on Sunday. There are various objections to this. First Sunday is never called the Lord's day in the scriptures. Even under Moses, the Sabbath was "the seventh day" (Saturday) - not the Lord's day. The only use to which we ever find "the day of the Lord" put is to express an appointed day of the Lord's coming or manifestation in some form or another, particularly the day appointed for the judging of the world in righteousness by Christ. This last is the most commonly expressed by the phrase "day of the Lord". An example of this oft used phrase is found in 1 Thess. 5:2 - "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."
"And heard behind me."
The voice caused him to turn back and look behind him, and what he saw when he did so had relation to the events preceding "the Lords day". He saw history unfolding towards him.
"Voice as of a trumpet"
In Numbers chapter ten we learn that under the Law of Moses, a trumpet was used to gather the people together. It here speaks of the gathering of the people together for judgment prior to the manifestation of the great day of the Lord when all nations will be brought into subjection to the Son of God. Concerning this Paul wrote, "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" (1 Thess. 4:16).
VERSE ELEVEN.
Here it is well to realize that though sent to seven ecclesias contemporary with John, the messages were really intended to be of world-wide application so far as saints are concerned. It was not only for them: it was for all the friends of Christ. We learn from the
message: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear". We also learn from this that Jesus, in sending the messages, contemplated the possibility of some not having ears to hear. This apparently unimportant deduction may often be of great practical value. We are liable to be depressed and even diverted from right conclusions by the general apathy and want of interest shown towards the great matters involved in the Revelation. The messages were sent to seven ecclesias because seven is the perfect number. They represent all the states that the ecclesias are found in, in any place, and at any time.
VISION OF THE MULTITUDINOUS CHRIST - VERSES 12-20.
VERSE THIRTEEN.
John saw one "like unto the son of man." Who is the son of man? Mark 13v32 gives us the answer. Jesus is telling a parable of himself. "But that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven... For the son of man (Jesus) is as a man taking a journey", Christ calls himself the son of man; therefore the son of man is Christ.
He was a descendant of Adam through Mary his mother. The title Son of man, reminds us that Jesus was tempted like as are we; to do sin. The vision was not of Christ himself, although Christ is part of it, but of one "like" him, what John saw was the multitudinous Christ. The glory that Christ manifested during his ministry on earth, consisted in the exhibition of those "moral attributes" set forth in the name of the Lord
God - and in the display of the Spirit power, by which he performed the display of those marvelous works, the miracles of his grace. Part of this glory appeared through his character as a sufferer. The sufferings are referred to by the prophet Isaiah, in chapter 53 - where the "long-suffering", patience, and forbearance, and meekness of the savior are portrayed. Paul prays on behalf of the believers that they might be "filled with the fruit of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God" (Phil. 1:11) And earnestly enjoins upon them to "Put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24), "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom" (Col. 3:16). 1 John 3 v 2 says "but we know, that when he (Jesus) appears, we shall be like him" The righteous will receive immortality. Their bodies will be changed in a moment by the spirit power of God and they will be promoted to rulership and honour in the kingdom. (Phil. 3:20-21;1 Jn. 3:2; Rev. 5:9,10). The vision then is of a multitude of righteous people like to Christ; they have the characteristics that Christ had. The Lord Jesus is the head of this body of people, as Paul mentions in his letter to the Colossians (1:18) - " And he is the head of the body, the ecclesia who is the beginning, the first born of the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence". The glorified body of Christ is developed out of the ecclesia and is here represented as being "in the midst" of the churches (Candlestick = Churches see v 20). It reminds us that all who claim association with the ecclesia will not necessarily be found members of the true body of Christ. Not everyone who goes to church, week by week are necessarily good people, and obey all God's commands.
"Clothed with a garment"
Nakedness is a symbol of a state of sin. Adam and Eve sinned. Their sin was covered by being clothed with animals skins (Gen. 3). Man only needed clothing once he had sinned. Cloths remind us of our sin. Nakedness is symbolic of a state of sin, teaching that we must be figuratively covered by that garment spoken of in Isaiah (61:10) - "My soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garment of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decked himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels". The nakedness of Adam and Eve was covered with the skin of a slain animal, pointing forward to Christ whom we "put on" in baptism. Israel was taught the need for a covering on the Day of Atonement, or more accurately, the Day of Covering, where their sins were covered over, or hidden from view by being forgiven. When we "put on" Christ, we put on his garment. We must be unspotted, and if we do, we will be permitted to wear the linen robe in the Age to come - the robe of righteousness and immortality. In keeping with the more privileged positions the sons of Aaron wore special garments - coats, girdles, bonnets and breeches, all of linen (Exod. 28:40-43; 39:27-29) - and underwent a far more complicated and significant ceremony of initiation than the mass of the Levites (Lev. 8).
This was even truer of Aaron their father. He wore special High Priestly robes besides the coat, girdle and breaches worn by his sons; where they wore only a bonnet he wore a miter (or turban); oil was used to anoint his sons heads but not with the some profusion as in his case (Lev. 10:7 and Lev. 21:12; Psa. 133). Moreover the demand for holiness assumed its most intense form in his case; for laced to his turban was a plate, a holy crown (Exod. 29:6), and deeply engraved upon it the words, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" (Exod. 28:36-37). White is a symbol of purity, righteousness goodness, and linen is white, also, linen does not make someone sweat, sweat is showing that someone is mortal, food is being burnt up, so linen can also be seen as a symbol of immortality. It is likely that the linen garment is what is here being meant.
"Girt about with a golden girdle"
We take gold to be a symbol of tried faith, in view of what Peter says in 1 Pet. 1:7, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ." In John 13:14, before Jesus began to wash the feet of his disciples, we read that he "girded himself" in preparation for action. The golden girdle around the body of the multitudinous Christ is, then, faith proven by works, and tried in the fire of affliction. This army is ready for war.
VERSE 14.
"His head and hairs"
As Paul taught the brethren at, Ephesus, "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body" (5 v 23). Jesus, the head of the body of the saints, was without sin, hence the use of these symbols which are also used in Isaiah 1:18 - "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson; they shall be as wool" Red/Scarlet = sin / wickedness. White = good / Righteousness.
"His eyes were as a flame."
The eye is a symbol of intelligence. In the past, the angels have acted as the eyes of the Almighty, guiding the destiny of men and nations for the ultimate benefit of the elect. Nebuchadnezzar, having seen an angel in a vision wrote - "I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and behold, a watcher, and an holy one came down from heaven" (4:13). In the future age, the saints will occupy this position, as Paul remarks "For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come whereof we speak" (Heb. 2:5). The "flame of fire" in the eyes speaks of the judgments that will be administered by Christ and the saints, this great army, Christ and the saints will appear "in flaming fire" taking vengeance on them that know not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:8).
THE RETURN OF CHRIST.
THE ORDER OF EVENTS
The first work of Christ will be to resurrect the responsible dead - the resurrection will precede the gathering of the responsible living - 1 Thess. 4 :14-17.
1 THESS. 4:14-17.
v 15
"shall not prevent them which are asleep" - "prevent" is the Greek word PHTHANO - to come or do before, get first in doing or being anything, be before with. Hence the Diaglott translates "will by no means precede those who fell asleep". Paul comforts the Thessalonians with the knowledge that those believers who had died would be the first to know that the Lord was in the earth, through their resurrection to life.
v 16
"with a shout" - KELEUSMA - (from KELEUO, to put in motion by word or command), a call, summons, a shout or command which assembles, any signal shout that summons and assembles all at once. (In Greek literature it is used of the shout to co-ordinate the timing of rowers, on a galley.) Prov. 30:27 "The locusts... at the word of command march in rank." The shout is not necessarily audible to all but only to those for whom it is intended; in this case the responsible dead. So John 5:28 -29 will come to pass and they "that are in the graves shall hear his voice."
"With the voice of the Archangel"
The only Archangel mentioned in scripture is Michael, Jude 9. The name means "Who like unto God". Michael appears to be the angel charged with guiding the destiny of the nation of Israel. This is the inference gained from verses such as Jude 9, Daniel 10:21, 12:1. It is highly probable that Michael was the angel of the LORD'S presence (Isa. 63:9), the name bearing angel of Exodus 23:20-21 who accompanied Israel through the wilderness and encountered Joshua outside the walls of Jerico describing himself as "the prince of the hosts of the LORD" Joshua 5:14. Christ is God's name-bearer (John 17:6, 26) and is called "Michael" in Daniel 12:1. Unto him is now given all power and authority in heaven and earth including the power of life and death; the authority to forgive and punish sins once exorcised by Michael - Ex. 23:21. Thus comes with the voice of the Archangel.
"And the dead in Christ shall rise first"
Notice the sequence of events provided by the apostle to this point.
1) The living saints will not precede the dead.
2) Christ will return with a "shout" or command that will awaken the dead.
3) He will come with the authority of the Archangel to forgive or condemn, to invite in participation or banish.
4) The dead raised, he will gather the living with them into a place of judgment.
This now over. Those judged worthy by Christ are now ready to go to battle with the evil that remain on the earth.
Revelation 1 v 15.
"His feet like brass"
A similar figure is used in Micah 4:13 - "Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people". The brass feet of the Symbolic Body of Christ are, then indicative of the judiciary work of the saints at the return of Christ; when God will give them authority "to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their king with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron", to execute upon the judgment written: this honour have all his saints" (Psalm 149:7-9).
"As if they burned in a furnace"
The saints will continue to execute judgment upon the nations until there is none to oppose the rightful authority of Christ, King of Israel. So widespread will be the military operations of Christ, that it is likened to a furnace. Jeremiah (25:31-33) makes mention of this time - "The Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth." "His voice as the sound of many waters" Habakuk 2:14 tells us that "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea". But for this state of things to prevail, the saints must extend the knowledge of the truth throughout the world by their "voice" - which we are told is as "the sound of many waters", for it is the voice of many people (Compare this figure with the one used in Revelation 17:15). The use of this symbol in this place indicates that the "one like unto the son of man" is really a community welded together as one.
VERSE 16.
"A sharp, two - edged sword"
A sword proceeding out of the mouth of a symbol indicates that the community represented is prepared for military operations. "The LORD" says Moses" is a Man of War"; and that warrior is before us in John's similitude of the Son of Man. The mouth of such a similitude, with a sword affirmed to be proceeding out of it, is representative of the commander in chief." Joseph gave them wagons, according to the mouth of Pharaoh"; that is according to the command of Pharaoh. When the word of command passes out of the mouth of a general, it moves armies, and causes them to destroy their enemies with great slaughter. His word that goes out of his mouth causes blood to flow; and, as the sword is the instrument of blood shedding, the idea is fitly symbolized by placing a sword in opposition with the mouth, and affirming that it is going forth... Thus, Isaiah speaking of the One Body in its Alpha and Omega manifestation says "the Rod of Jesse's stem shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked... and the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (11:4).
"His countenance as the sun".
This is better rendered "aspect" - or general appearance of the whole body. From this we might conclude that in the immortal state, Jesus and his saints will all literally "shine" as does the Father, who dwells in "light unapproachable". The words of the angel in Daniel 12:3 confirms this conclusion "And they that be teachers (margin) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Therefore, the shining aspect of this symbolic Body of Christ informs us that the saints will not only shine physically, but they will shine forth to illuminate the darkness of men’s minds as "teachers" : as the Psalmist sang. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (119:105).
VERSE 17.
"I fell at his feet as dead"
Having been shown the vision of coming glory, John is now taught how he will attain unto a place therein. He enacts his own death and resurrection, as did Daniel on a like occasion (Daniel 10:8-19).
VERSE 18.
"Amen"
This is from the Hebrew Ahmain, "faithfulness" ... All the elements of this body are faithful and true witnesses, and believers of the promises of the Deity, which in Christ, are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of the Deity by us (2 Cor. 1:20) The Son of Man (all the true saints) being constituted of firm believers of the promises, is styled
the faithful one, hence all his constituents are Elohai Amen, (Mighty Ones of Faithfulness), being all of that principle, faith without which, "it is impossible to please the Deity" (Heb. 11:6)... In the Millennium "he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the Elohim of Amen; and he that sweareth in the land shall swear by the Elohim of Amen (the Mighty Ones of Faithfulness - the saints); because the former
troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. For behold, I create New Heavens (the new government and priesthood of the saints) and a new earth (the reorganized peoples of the kingdom). for, behold, I create Jerusalem, a rejoicing and her people a joy" (Isaiah 65:13-18). These Elohim (Mighty Ones), then, embodied in the symbolic Son of Man, are "the Amen" (The faithful).
"The keys"
An understanding of the gospel provides one with the key, or the power, to unlock both the grave and death. Jesus conferred this knowledge on Peter later styled "the apostle of the Circumcision", who went forth, and preached the gospel to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, delivering those who believed from eternal prison of the grave and death. But of course, it is Jesus who has the actual authority, with the knowledge, to unlock the power of death. Paul wrote to the brethren (1 Cor. 15:55-57) - " O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory - through our Lord Jesus Christ."
"Hell"
THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF HELL.
1) The popular doctrine. - teaches that Hell is the place were the "spirits" of the wicked go. It is presided over by the "Devil" who, with the demons, perpetrates torment by fire, etc. the idea came originally from paganism.
2) The Bible doctrine. - "Hell" in the Bible simply signifies "the grave". The translators of the Bible have been inconsistent through bias towards orthodoxy. Thus the same word has been translated "hell" or the "grave" to suit their whim.
3) The Church doctrine of Hell falls; - Because:
a) It depends on the false teaching of the immortality of the soul.
b) The wicked die and corrupt in the grave.
4) God's character denied. - If God is the merciful Being of order Justice and Harmony of scripture, how is it possible that with all His foreknowledge and omnipotence, he can permit the majority of the human race to come into existence with no other destiny than to be tortured ? What would you think of a man who tortured even a savage dog for a week ?
5) Hell as a word. It is Anglo - Saxon in origin and means "covered or hidden place". Compare "HELMET" = head cover; "Heler" = tiller or thatcher of roofs; "Heling" = thatching; "Heling" potatoes to cover with dirt (plant).
6) In the Old Testament. One word "SHEOL" is translated "hell" it means "concealed or covered place" and simply denotes the "grave" and as so translated in the following cases. Psa. 49:14,15 (3 times) 141:7; Ecc. 9:10; Isa. 14:15; Ezek. 32:27; Hos. 13:14. "SHEOL" is also translated "pit" Num. 16:30-33 (where Korah and his company perished); Job 17:16. In the following quotations the Oxford margin gives "grave" as an alternative translation and this is obviously the sense and meaning. Psa. 55:15; 86:13; Isa. 14:9; Jonah 2:2.
7) In the New Testament. Three words are translated "Hell":-
1) "HADES" derived from "A", the Greek negative, and "EIDON" = "to see". Hence "the unseen or hidden, invisible place" - a fitting symbol for the grave and the death state. In the Septuagint (Greek Bible at the time of Christ)."Hades" is always translated from Hebrew "Sheol" and therefore has the equivalent significance. The word occurs 10 times in the New Testament 1 Cor. 15:55 translated "grave" and the Oxford margin gives the alternative "hell". Acts 2:27,31 (twice); Psa. 16:10 is quoted "hell" = Christ's sepulcher. Rev. 1:18;6:8; 20:13, 14 (note margin gives "grave" as alternative). Mat. 11:23; Lk. 10:15; Mat. 16:18; Lk. 16:23.
2) "GEHENNA" which refers to the Jerusalem rubbish tip. It was a place; the valley of the son of Hinnom (Heb. "Gai Ben Hnnon") These three Hebrew words are condensed and combined to give the word "Gehenna."
3) "TARTAROO" occurs once, in 2 Pet. 2:4.
1. To Greek and Roman it was the place of punishment for the lost, eg. Homer makes Zeus say "I will cast him into misty tartaros... deepest gulf beneath the earth". Hera "called all the gods, even those below Tartaros"
2. The Septuagint uses the word twice, viz.: * Job 40:29 translated "deep". (The Hebrew word is translated "field" in the AV. It can also mean level or low place) i.e. the abode of the Hippopotamus.
* Job 41:32 = "lowest part of the deep" i.e. the abode of the crocodile.
3. The essential idea is depth and darkness: a fitting description of what happened to Korah and company "They went down into the pit (Sheol) and the earth closed upon them" (Num. 16:33).
VERSE TWENTY.
"The mystery"
This is more accurately translated "secret". In the book of Revelation, Christ whispers a secret to his friends of which the world knows nothing.
"The seven golden lamp-stands"
The ecclesias are likened to lamp-stands because they radiate the light of the gospel in the midst of spiritual darkness. The word is the light, and where that is found expounded in truth, a lamp-stand exists. The symbol is taken from the seven - branched lamp-stand in the tabernacle. The oil for this lamp-stand (without which it would not provide light) was supplied by the common people of Israel. There are two significant features about this oil. Firstly, all Israel had to provide it - it was not left for a few to do so; secondly, the olives had to be thoroughly beaten to obtain the finest oil. As a symbol, it teaches that it is the duty of all to study the Word and provide light, and in order to do so effectively, careful toil is necessary - the olives must be thoroughly beaten.
"The seven stars.. the angels"
The term "angel" in scripture does not necessarily denote a divine being, but can also be a mortal appointed to a position of authority. The word signifies a "messenger" and in Apostolic times, there were men (Symbolically styled stars because they figuratively shone with one of the spirit - gifts) appointed by the Spirit to act as the Lord's messengers to the ecclesias. They were the elders of the ecclesias, and were unique to that age, being appointed to their positions by the power of the Holy Spirit. There are, of course, no such elders in the churches today.