Revealing Revelation - Marriage Supper of the Lamb

After another scene of worship starts Revelation 19 the vision turns to the popular Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It should be noted that the picture of worship found in Revelation 19 is quite similar to the end of Chapter 11 following the seven trumpets.

Rev 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

But our discussion here will center on the Marriage of the Lamb. Futurist place this event at the end of the age, sometime during the futurized Seven year Tribulation. In Dispensational ideology, with the strict contrasting of the Church and Israel, only the Church is present and the Old Testament saints are regulated to “outsider” status during this event.

The point obviously missed by the futurist and especially the Dispensationalist is that that context revolves around the contrasting of God’s new Bride and His former, unfaithful bride, now seen as the Harlot. The Harlot has just been made desolate by the Beast and the New Covenant is initiated with the new Bride, the Church.

This is NOT a future event, but rather a past event the began with the initiation and birthing of the Church at Pentecost and continues to today. This argument also understands that the modern day celebration of Communnion, or the Lord’s Supper, is lacking for it’s sparsity and not recognizing the connection between the two. When the Bride meets together they should be celebrating this supper together regularly.

But with that aside,m the primary focus of this image is to show the contrast between the harlot that has been divorced and the new Bride that continues throughout eternity. This was shown physically with the initiation of the new covenant, formerly administered with the destruction of the symbol of the Old Covenant, the Temple.

The best way to understand this is to examine the image being presented by John in this passage. When is a Marriage Supper celebrated? Some 2,000 plus years after the marriage takes place? that is what the futurist is asking the reader to assume. Is the celebration really postponed to the end of the celebration?

Rather, this supper celebration would be celebrated at the marriage, which should best be seen as Pentecost. This is a long and glorious celebration that continues throughout the ages and for eternity.

And the Old Testament saint is a part of this celebration. Those that are His partake of His body and blood (John 5) and that is the only way to the Father. Those forward thinking, faithful saints of the Old testament are not restricted because they are a part of “true” Israel just as the Church is through the new Covenant.

Chilton argues that the placement of this vision is perfectly positioned right after the final picture of the fall of Jerusalem. With the death of the Harlot, the Bride can then take her rightful place at the table and celebrate this new marriage rightfully. God is never without a Bride!

The new Bride, the church, is also called the New Jerusalem and as we will see she in introduced later to picture how the Heavenly Jerusalem replaces the earthly one covenantally. But this could only take place once the old bride was officially divorced and utterly removed. Jesus own words fit this motif.

Matt 8:11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus predicted this feasting table, which should noted includes the Old Testament saints, and that the sons of the kingdom (the Jews) would be removed and thrown into utter darkness while others invited would partake. this motif is continued in Matt 21 and 22 in the stories of The Vineyard and Banquet Invitation. In fact, the Banquet Invitation parable lends itself nearly directly to the same image as presented in the Revelation.

Before finishing this post I wanted to note one potentially troubling doctrinal issue in this passage. Many have misunderstood the final verse of this passage to refer to a works righteousness. Even though that is not a topic of eschatological concern I do not want it to go forward unaddressed.

Rev 19:8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

It may appear to some that the saints are adorned in their own righteous acts. I just want to make sure and note that they were “given” these linens to wear, they did not possess these linens on their own. It is best understood in relation to Eph 2:10.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Paul argues here that even the good works are a result of the workmanship of Christ and they were prepared far in advance for us to walk in them.

With this behind us we will next venture into possibly the most difficult and controversial section of the book outside of the the Millennium. We are given a picture of a rider on a White Horse coming in battle. Is this the Second Coming? This is where many in the Preterist camp may part ways and will prove to be a difficult but important study.

Revealing Revelation - Babylon Is Fallen...Again

Despite being one of the longest chapters in the Apocalypse we will actually be spending a very limited amount of time here in chapter 18. The reason being, for those who have not been here since the beginning of our discussion, is that the focus of the this study is on the eschatological implications of the passages in question. Here we have a repeated discussion of the fall of Babylon, which was discussed previously in more detail.

Also, the emphasis in chapter 18 is on the city’s demise and not about the events surrounding it, which again has been our focus here. There are some key points in helping understanding the identity of Babylon that will be noted.

Rev. 18:1-2 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. [2] And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

Since the primary debate amongst preterist is whether Babylon represents Rome or Jerusalem that will be the focus in the discussion of chapter 18. I have become more convinced that Jerusalem is in view as the Covenantal judgments make more sense when levelled against a formerly covenanted nation than against the pagan Roman Empire.

More evidence can be pointed to here in the passage directly above. Note that we are told the city is a dwelling place for demons and had been inhabited by unclean birds and beasts. taking the latter point first it should be noted that only to the Covenantal nation the received the “Law of God” (Israel) could an animal be considered “unclean.”

The pagan nations were not restricted from certain fowl or beasts as a result of them being unclean, so to have their city literally or symbolically inhabited by those beasts would not be seen as a curse. Only Israel would see this as the curse it is meant to represent.

These two curses are also found in Lev 26:22 (wild beasts) and Deut 26:28 (wild birds), the two section dealing with the results of covenantal unfaithfulness.

The former points to an increase in demonic activity and that the city would become a dwelling place for demons. this too is represented in curses for covenantal unfaithfulness found in the Old Testament and amplified by Jesus Himself in Matt 12.

Matt 12:43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Jesus predicted that the first century Jews would be impacted by increased demonic activity. This is pictured also in the judgment of the fifth trumpet where the locust from the pit, lead by Satan himself, attack the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Rev 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; 5for her sins are heaped high as heaven,

Like the warning to escape in the Olivet Discourse here the Lord implores His people to escape while they can. Remember, that even though the Lord is peaking in a past sense regarding the destruction of Babylon (Jerusalem) it hadn’t happened at the time of the writing and so this served as a warning to the inhabitants who belonged to the Lord to leave the city immediately.

The passage goes on to describe through powerfully symbolic and literal language the results of the coming destruction upon the city and the surrounding nations that the city was guilty of fornicating with. The passage concludes with another hint as to the identity being that of Jerusalem.

Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”

Though Rome partook in the slaying of many of the Early Church this comment appears much more far reaching as it includes ALL who have been slain on the earth. Only one nation is said to have been guilty of such a crime, and it is in fact, the accusation against Jerusalem Jesus made that lead to the discussion of the destruction of the city and temple in Matthew 23 and 24.

Matt 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

The words of condemnation are nearly identical. This city is guilty of “all the righteous blood shed on the earth” and would pay for that shed blood. It is only directed at one nation in jesus’ words and that nation is represented by the city of Jerusalem.

As we venture next into Chapter 19 we will discuss two major sections. The first is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the other the rider on the White Horse and whether this pictures the actual Second Coming or not.

Revealing Revelation - The Harlot and the Beast

As the angel continues with his explanation of the vision John is experiencing the direction now turns to the relationship between the two. But before addressing that doomed relationship he gives a quick explanation as to the ten horns on the heads of the beast.

Rev. 17:12-14 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. [13] These are of one mind and hand over their power and authority to the beast. [14] They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

There have been several explanations as to the identity of these ten kings. One is that they represent religious leaders and were responsible for the formation and proliferation of the Emperor Worship Cult. The passage, though, dictates more of a civil authority than a religious one.

The best possible understanding is in relation to the governors of the ten Roman provinces. Each of the grew in power at the death of Nero and through Galba’s inability to unify and secure the nation. They all tried through some means to improve their status in hopes are gaining more authority and even possibly being considered for the position of emperor.

Their actions lead to great civil unrest and many civil skirmishes throughout the empire. The further the province was away from the central government in the city of Rome the more daring those leaders were in hopes of possibly even breaking free from the empire.

Their time was short lived, though, as Vespasian was able to wrestle control of the government and put an immediate stop to the civil unrest and hopes for succession. This should be seen as their “one hour” of power as noted in the passage above.

But one aspect that was consistant was that those kings used this time to persecute the Church and martyr those who were members of the Way. Taking their cue from nero’s persecution and also noting the positive response from the Jews when they did persecute the Church, the intensification of persecution increased during this short time period.

But the persecutions were from orders from Rome and by following those orders fulfilled their part of being those that received their power from the Beast. They, in a sense, are like the Harlot that resides “on” the Beast in that she also receives her power and authority from the Beast. This leads then to the next section in the passage in question and the inter-related actions and relationship of the Harlot and the Beast.

Rev. 17:15-17 And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. [16] And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, [17] for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and l handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

The angel continues by explaining that the Harlot resides on the waters and that those waters represent the gentile nations, as has been discussed several times previously. Here, John continues this imagery and symbol. This would symbolize how Israel had harloted herself with the nations of the world.

The Jewish influence in the world at that time should not be missed. Not only was she a great trade center, but also her religion was scattered throughout the entire known world with synagogues found everywhere in every city. One may recall in Acts 2 that it is noted that present during Peter’s famed sermons were “devout Jews from every nation under heaven.” The Jewish influence can simply not be missed.

But note how the passage also tells us that the ten horns and the beast will hate the Harlot and make her desolate. This pictures perfectly the confederation of nations that combined to make the Roman army that surrounded the city and eventually destroyed her.

For those that try and argue that the harlot is Rome have a real dilemma here as it is clear that the beast and the ten horns on the beast attack and make desolate the harlot. This leaves only Jerusalem and Israel in view of the Harlot’s identity. And, of course, any reader here would recognize the fact that this played out in history in 70 AD.

One last and very important point to consider is exactly who is controlling the events. None other than God Himself! Many have complained in the exegesis of the 70 weeks passage in Daniel that it would be flatly absurd and horrific to consider that the “prince” leading the charge of desolating the city would be Jesus Christ. But it is clear here in this passage that these events are under the direct control, command, purpose and will of God! Note in the passage from Ezekiel below the incredible similarity.

Eze 16:37 therefore, behold, I will gather all your lovers with whom you took pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from every side and will uncover your nakedness to them, that they may see all your nakedness. 38 And I will judge you as women who commit adultery and shed blood are judged, and bring upon you the blood of wrath and jealousy. 39And I will give you into their hands, and they shall throw down your vaulted chamber and break down your lofty places. They shall strip you of your clothes and take your beautiful jewels and leave you naked and bare. 40 They shall bring up a crowd against you, and they shall stone you and cut you to pieces with their swords. 41 And they shall burn your houses and execute judgments upon you in the sight of many women.

This Old testament image is nearly identical to the point that John is making in the Revelation. The “adulteress woman” is Israel and the result of her adultery will be here humility and her destruction. And it is God directing the entire event.

Also note that that they would accomplish these things and continue to do so until the words of God are fulfilled. Those promised seven fold judgments and the wrath of God set against the Covenantally Unfaithful will be fulfilled. It is done with the fall of the city and the destruction of the ultimate symbol of the Old Covenant, the Temple.

Revealing revelation - The Seven Heads of the Beast

With the introduction of the angel sent to help John decipher the bizarre image of the inter-connected Harlot and beast, comes a shift from the focus of the description being about the harlot to an identification of the Beast. We here will find out both who or what the beast represents and the “timing” of the Beast’s existence in relation to the writing of the book of Revelation.

Rev. 17:7-11 But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. [8] The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.[11] This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; [10] they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. [11] As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.

As we saw in the previous post it is definitely best to consider the harlot as representing Israel, Jerusalem and the religious leaders of the Jews. She is seen “sitting” on the Beast in the wilderness and receives her power and is dependent upon the beast. This is not a matter of location as it is a matter of dependence and reliance.

So now this angel appears and to John to help him (and us) understand the mystery of the Harlot and the beast. He begins with the Beast. The first thing we learn is that this is the same seven headed beast that appeared in chapter 13 and the same one who was to make war with the saints.

The angel than explains that the seven heads has a dual representation. The first is that the seven heads represent seven mountains or hills upon which the woman is sitting. remember that the woman is “sitting” on the beast and so the beast is represented by it’s placement on seven hills, not the woman. She is seated on the beast, who is, in turn, placed amongst the seven hills.

History and the poets of the day readily support the idea that Rome was the famous city set amongst the seven hills. Some have attempted to make Jerusalem be surrounded by seven hills but are at a great disadvantage here as limited support can be provided. But again, when one looks at the passage and notes that we are told originally that the woman (harlot) is seated on the Beast, it is the beast that is found amongst the seven hills and her covenantal dependence place her upon the beast.And re,member, the heads are part of the beast, not part of the woman and therefor they would represent the placement or location of the beast.

So, the first point has to do with location. Since the seven heads represents the seven hills upon which Rome resides there is no difficulty as finding the location of the beast as the city of Rome, or more precise, the city represents the entire nation as the national capital.

To confirm even further the identity of the beast we are also told the actual timing of the events and the writing of the book. We are told the seven heads of the beast (corporately Rome) are the seven kings of the nation of Rome. These individual heads are “beasts” as well since they come from the corporate and larger beast (the nation).

So, we have a dual representation here as the term “beast” represents both the nation and the individual kings. The greatest “beast” of them all would be the one mentioned in Revelation 13 who also matches the number 666 and was alive at the time of the writing of the book.

We are told that the seven heads not only represent the seven kings, but that of those seven kings five have already passed away (fallen), and that one currently was reigning. We are then told the seventh would reign but for a short while. So, a simple history lesson in monarchical succession should prove helpful. But for a more detailed exposition on the Beast of Revelation the reader may want to refer to the following previous posts.

http://low5point.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/character-and-themes-introducingthe-beast/

http://low5point.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/characters-and-themes-a-beastly-nation/

http://low5point.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/characters-and-themes-the-beast-revealed/

http://low5point.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/characters-and-themes-one-beastly-man/

For quick review of the above post let’s consider this basic information.

• The five fallen kings would be the first five kings or emperors of Rome. They include Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius.
• Nero is the sixth emperor of Rome and the last in the line of Julius
• Galba is the seventh and reigns for roughly six months.

This makes Nero not only the best option, but really the only one. The comment regarding the eighth may best be considered Vespasian for Otho and Vitellus reigns were quite short as they took place during the Roman Civil War and many believed they were never given authority from the Senate as emperor and gained the throne through murder and corrupt means.

Vespasian, though, ended the civil unrest and brought the throne back into control of the land. he was also responsible for the order to attack and destroy Jerusalem (the Harlot). And, as we will see, this command is very important in the following passages.

Revealing Revelation - Introducing...The Harlot

We now turn the corner in the book of Revelation. Behind us are the three primary cycles of judgments found in the seals, trumpets and bowls. Before us lies the description of the two great enemies of the Church and the purpose of their judgment explained fully. We will encounter an odd vision to start Chapter 17 and then will receive a visit from an angel with an explanation of that vision.

This angel guide will make clear to those “who have ears to hear” as to the identity of the beast and woman. There are many clues to the identity of these characters that make the previous exposition easier to understand and should help in connecting the dots. We will also note the Covenantal ideas behind these images.

Rev. 17:1-3 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, [2] with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” [3] And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.[4] The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. [5] And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” [6] And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

This is a rather large chunk of information and we will walk through the points in bold above systematically in this post.

The first character we come across is the prostitute, or as is best know, the Harlot. She is juxtaposed in the book against the true Bride of Christ. Where one is adorned with a white robe and is a perfect bride, the harlot is adorned with purple and scarlet with gold, pearls and precious stones.

We are also told that she “sits” on many waters which shows how widespread her harlotry extended. She was not only an adulteress, but a wicked whore that spread her wares across the many gentile nations. One would assume this is a present and a past reality.

At this point John is transported by the angel to the wilderness to get a larger and fuller picture of this harlot. This is interestingly also juxtaposed against the majority of the visions which were from the point of view or centered in Heaven. This time the wilderness is the geographic placement of the vision.

Immediately we are shown that this harlot is in league with the beast, which previously we discovered is the nation of Rome. This will later be confirmed in this chapter. But this section is more concerned with the harlot than the beast. The beast is simply revealed to show that this harlot has whored herself with this beast and sits on the beast, symbolic for receiving support for her actions from the beast. Dr. Ralph Bass states it best in his work, “Back to the Future,” when he notes, “It indicates not identity with Rome, but dependence on Rome.”

The confirmation that this beast is the same beast as was seen in Chapter 13 is noted by the identical description. Once again this beast has seven heads and ten horns. Remember, though, that the same physical description of that beast is identical to the beast in Chapter 12 which was clearly Satan. This should not be forgotten since the actions of the Beastly Nation of Rome and the support it gives to the harlot both are centered in the heart and actions of Satan!

The colors of her wardrobe may serve a dual descriptive device. It may from the outset appear to be the lavish wardrobe of a middle eastern prostitute or Roman religious prostitute, but in actuality the garment best resembles the garments and adornation of the Jewish Priestly wardrobe.

This connection to the Priestly class of the Jewish leadership makes even more sense when we are told that she has in her hand a golden cup full of the abominations and unclean things of her immorality. This cup may have meant an abominable use of the Temple wares symbolic of her unBiblical and immoral actions. The cup meant to be used for holy uses is used symbolically to describe her whoring ways. Jesus own words in Matt 23 ring true here.

Matt 23:25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

So now this cup used for holy means has been dirtied by the abominations of the Jewish religious leaders. That same cup makes her drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs. This is clearly a picture of Jerusalem as the words match Jesus’ own.

Matt 23:32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. 33You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Here we see a similar indictment as is found in passage in Revelation 17…

[6] And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus

Though some argue that this should be applied to Rome, the fact that the “she” is associated with Rome, but is not Rome itself is apparent as she sits upon Rome (beast) but is clearly a separate character.. But more importantly there are two issues that need to be resolved to help the readers understanding as to the relationship between Jerusalem and the Harlot.

Both clues are found within the context of the passage in question…

Rev 17:5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”

First is the use of the term “Babylon.” Many have immediately made this relate to Rome as some sort of revived Babylonian Empire. But since this is related to the harlot and Rome is distinct and represented as the Beast there must be another consideration. In fact we will find later that the Beast will hate the Harlot and make her desolate (Rev 17:16). This should make it more obvious that the Harlot is Jerusalem, but we will deal with that in a later post.

But for now let us consider this term, Babylon the Great, and how it should be seen as a description of Jerusalem and apostate Israel. This is the view that has been assumed in previous discussions, but now must be addressed specifically.

Babylon the Great is a symbolic description of the formerly great city of Babylon. This is the same Babylon that was Israel’s greatest enemy and the first to destroy the city and the first Temple. This sworn enemy and despised people of the Jews would now become the ultimate insult to Israel as her beloved city would be referred to using this same name. The point that a city is in view is found later in the same context as John is told that the woman is the “great city.”

Earlier in Revelation we find that Jerusalem is called Sodom and Egypt. At that same time she is called a “great city” using the exact same language applied to the harlot in Revelation 17.

Revelation 11:8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified.

In case John’s readers were confused as to which “great city” was in view with the symbolic reference to Egypt and Sodom, he confirms it as Jerusalem by adding to it the description that it is the same “great city” in which the Lord was crucified. There should be no confusion here as the words are quite clear.

So when we read that Babylon is the “great city” we must first consider that the first previous usage of that term is in relation to Jerusalem. The second time the term “great city” is used is when we see Jerusalem divided into three parts. This is dealt with in the previous post in the seventh bowl. This can only relate to Jerusalem as no comparison to Rome can be found.

Much of Revelation 18 will deal with the fall of the “great city” and how it took place at the hands of the beast. This will serve to further the point that this is speaking of Jerusalem.

The other point can be found in the embodiment of the character herself. She is a harlot. As has been asked several times in the blog, one must answer the question as to “who can be a harlot” to God and Jesus. Can a nation (city) that has never been Covenanted to God ever be considered a harlot against Him? Assuredly not!

For a nation to Harlot herself with others would mean that at one point she had to be contracted/covenanted to someone else. Only the nation of Israel ever had the status of a nation that was covenanted to God. He made that Covenant binding at Mt. Sinai and she broke the covenant over and over until a final breaking took place with the murder of His own Son, Jesus Christ. It is through that murder that the Covenant is officially broken and the vineyard (symbol of the Covenantal promise) belonging to that nation is taken from them and given to another (Matt 21).

This also matches a similar and consistent description of Jerusalem or apostate Israel found in the Old Testament. The story of Hosea is in itself and blatant picture of this Truth.

Isa 1:21 How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

Isa 57:8 Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your memorial; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a covenant for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness.

Jer 2:1 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2″Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown… 20″For long ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds; but you said,’I will not serve.‘ Yes, on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed down like a whore.

The Old Testament is replete with this imagery and the picture of Israel whoring herself with the other nations and their gods is common. So, as a result, the official symbol of that covenant’s dissolution would come with the temple not having one stone left upon another and the city that housed it utterly destroyed.

There are few more points worthy of discussion as well as they too point to Jerusalem as the Harlot and why Rome cannot be seen as such. Plus the Harlot is contrasted with the Bride of Christ and there would be sense in contrasting a pagan nation with no covenant relationship with God against the true and eternal Bride of Christ. So, let’s quickly consider the following.

1. As mentioned previously Rome cannot be said to attack itself as we are told later in Chapter 17 that the beast will despise the harlot and desolate her.

2. If, as we have shown, the Olivet Discourse is a more concise treatment of similar events, it should be noted that Rome is not seen as “falling” in the Discourse.

3. The greatness of the city derives from it’s covenantal status and using that term to describe Jerusalem makes complete sense covenantally.

In the following post we will examine the explanation given to John by the angel as the discussion of the harlot is expanded and the identity of the Beast is more obviously revealed.

Revealing Revelation - The Seventh Bowl

With this seventh and final Bowl of Judgment we find a conclusion to the part of Revelation dealing with judgmental acts of God against the enemies of His Church. And here again we will find a common thread of themes running throughout. The first is that there is no repentance (much like Egypt – a nation Israel is likened to in the book) and the second is the similarity to the trumpet judgment earlier in the apocalypse.

Rev. 16:17-21 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” [18] And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. [19] The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. [20] And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. [21] And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Let’s now consider the similarities between this seventh bowl and the seventh trumpet judgment.

Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” … There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

The similarities are virtually unmistakable. There is a proclamation of victory and completion followed by disruptions including lightning, thunder, an earthquake and even hail. This leads many to rightfully conclude that this judgment is best seen as being related to the final and utter destruction of Jerusalem.

Many that hold to the view that Rome is the recipient point to the use of the term “great city” and the description of that city as being Babylon. But as we have previously seen Jerusalem is called by many of her most hated enemies and evil cities of Biblical pasts. This includes clear descriptions of comparisons to Egypt and Sodom.

Also, since the book is Covenantal in nature, the reference to the city being great must not be necessarily related to the worldly system of a great city (though Jerusalem was, in fact, quite a great worldly city), but rather the greatness of the city is in relation to the promises, blessings and birthright associated with this city in Scripture from the Lord God.

Another clue historically that this may best be seen as Jerusalem is relating to how the city is divided into three parts. There is no historical data to support that Rome was divided up into three parts, but John, borrowing here from Ezekiel 5 and the prophecy relating to the coming Babylonian captivity, related similarly to the events of 70 AD.

Eze 5:1 “And you, O son of man, take a sharp sword. Use it as a barber’s razor and pass it over your head and your beard. Then take balances for weighing and divide the hair. 2 A third part you shall burn in the fire in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are completed. And a third part you shall take and strike with the sword all around the city. And a third part you shall scatter to the wind, and I will unsheathe the sword after them.

The above relating to the Babylonian captivity was fulfilled when a third of Jerusalem’s citizens were burned during the siege, a third were killed by the Babylonian soldiers and a third were scatted or taken into captivity.

John here is relating those events to the events to unfold in 70AD. It is argued that these “thirds” may relate to two different possibilities. The first is that it related to a third who died during the siege, a third who dies during the actual assault and a third that were scattered throughout the Roman Empire after the battle.

The other view is that we do know that there were three waring factions within the city itself in the time leading up to the assault. In fact many believe that the Jews could have staved off or even been victorious against the onslaught by the Romans if they were not so completely consumed with a civil battle within it’s own walls. This division caused its ultimate defeat.

What is one to make of the physical disturbances. Things like lightning, thunder, earthquakes and even hail. First off, it should be noted that these images are quite familiar Old testament language relating to the presence of God. Even when the Covenant with Israel was made on Sinai we see God’s presence described with similar language.

Ex 19:16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

These images relating to God’s presence are now present at the confirmation of the New Covenant He makes with His people. The proof of the new covenant is found in the destruction of the symbol of the Old Covenant, the Temple. This is underscored in the book of Hebrews as well. In fact, within the context of the Covenant confirmation we find the words from Hebrews helpful in dealing with an earthquake greater than one ever felt previously.

Heb 12:26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken-that is, things that have been made-in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29for our God is a consuming fire.

The Old Covenant was “shakable” as it rested on things that could not and did not last. But with the New covenant and the finished work of Jesus Christ we now have a kingdom that simply cannot be shaken. This is within the same context of Hebrews where we are told that the Old Covenant was “vanishing away.” God declares through the author of Hebrews that He would “shake” things so violently that only those things that cannot be shaken would remain. This is that same Covenantal earthquake of shaking. The Temple could be and was “shaken” so that not one stone was left upon another. This symbolism should not be missed.

The last image is that of the horrific hailstones. The hailstones as described in the trumpets are referred to as “great” while a more definitive picture of hailstones weighing some 100 pounds is described with this bowl judgment. What, though, should the writer make of this image.

The first point relates to actual historical data. Josephus describes that the assault began with a great attack of catapults against the city walls. One interesting fact amongst the description by Josephus is the size of the stones that rained down on the city.

“Now, the stones that were cast were the weight of a talent (100 pounds) … ” (Wars – Josephus)

The second point to note is that this is also a plague which impacted Egypt. There it is called heavy hail and described as hail that had never been seen before up to that time. And the reader should remember that God promised that Covenantal Unfaithfulness would demand a punishment like that which Egypt received, but at a rate seven times those plagues. This may be what is pictured here.

The third may refer to the presence of God in judgment. In Joshua we read of God protecting Israel by sending large stones from heaven against Israel’s enemy. destroying them. Here, as a result of their unfaithfulness, God turns the same judgment against them.Or note the uses below in relation to the presence and judgment of God.

Psa 18:11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. 12Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.13The LORD also thundered in the heavens… hailstones and coals of fire.

Psa 78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost. 48He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts.

Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.

Isa 28:2 Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand.

Isa 28:17 And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”

And note below how the imagery is used to describe the coming assault of the Babylonians.

Isa 30:30 And the LORD will cause his majestic voice to be heard and the descending blow of his arm to be seen, in furious anger and a flame of devouring fire, with a cloudburst and storm and hailstones

Isa 32:19 And it will hail when the forest falls down, and the city will be utterly laid low.

Eze 13:11 say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out…13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end.

Ezekiel 38:22 With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.

Finally note how the Old Testament even uses hail as a judgment to cause repentance…

Haggai 2:17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD.

And like the Israelites of old, those in Jerusalem did not repent in 70 AD either. In fact their response was to curse God.

Rev 16:21 And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

This concludes the discussion of the seven bowl judgments. We will next turn our attention to Chapter 17 and the discussion related to the Harlot.

Revealing Revelation - The Sixth Bowl

With the sixth Bowl we once again see a similar picture of that of the the Trumpet judgments. Both are related to Euphrates River. Here is the description found in the discussion of the Bowl Judgments.

Rev. 16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.

And also here in the discussion of the Trumpet Judgments.

Rev. 9:13-15 Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, [14] saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”

Where the Trumpets declare that the coming onslaught is spear headed by the angels who are bound near the Euphrates, the Bowl judgment is related directly the the drying up of the great and famous river. Both judgments are related to the river and should cause one to pause and discover the similarities to events familiar to the first century reader.

The imagery is taken directly from the fall of Babylon at the hands of the Persians in the 6th century BC. The Persian king, Cryrus, diverted the water of the Euphrates around the city of Babylon causing the riverbeds that flowed under the city walls to dry up. This allowed his army to enter silently in the night and take the great city with little to no resistance.

The imagery of the river drying is unmistakable and is related to the “fall” and end of Babylon. Here in revelation we have seen that Jerusalem is the “New Babylon” and this picture most likely related to the fall of that city. It is a symbol of defeat, and one that would be quite familiar to the first century reader.

There is, like the previous judgments, a spiritual, symbolic picture represented as well. The drying up of a waterway in Israel’s past actually showed God’s providence and supernatural support of Israel. We should remember the story of the passing through the Red Sea and the River Jordan in Israel’s past. In those cases God supernaturally provided for Israel. But now, as the new Babylon, the drying of the river meant her doom.

The passage continues with a discussion of the coming ultimate destruction of the city at the hands of the armies of the world gathering around her to bring her doom. This relates to the famed Battle of Armageddon, which has been discussed in detail previously, and so will not be dealt with here. For those that want to refer to those post they can be found here…

http://low5point.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/armageddon-the-mother-of-all-geddons/

and here

http://low5point.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/mega-geddon-the-biggest-of-all-geddons/

I would also recommend the latest book by Gary DeMar which discusses the Battle of Armageddon and it’s relation to Ezekiel 39 and 39. The book can be found here.

http://www.americanvision.com/endoftheworldisnotinyourfuture.aspx

Two final notes for consideration regarding this judgment.

The first is that historically speaking it should be known that Titus, the General now in charge of the siege and battle at Jerusalem only attacks the city after calling in a large force of reinforcements of the finest fighting regiment stationed at the Euphrates. This may be what is pictured here and in the sixth trumpet judgment.

Finally, as the book continues to compare Jerusalem with her greatest oppressors and enemies we see that the Battle is assembled by three unclean spirits that appear as frogs. This unmistakable allusion to the famous plague of frogs should not be missed. If the reader recalls, Jerusalem is now also being referred to as Egypt and the plagues of Egypt are revealing themselves now against the apostate nation that was once rescued by these same plagues.

Revealing Revelation - The Fifth Bowl

Rev. 16:10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish

Where the first four plagues could have been applied to Jerusalem, Rome or both, this one appears to be directed primarily at Rome with the mentioning of the “throne of the beast.” As we have seen previously and will note again in Chapter 17, the Beast (corporately speaking) is seen as the nation of Rome as it is the city that sits on the seven hills.

We also discovered that the term “beast” may also refer to the individual king or leader of that nation. So, at the time of John’s writing, the emperor under consideration would be Caesar Nero.

So, with this knowledge considered it is important to note the historical implication that did impact Jerusalem and the Jews at that time. What we are getting at is this; just because the plague may be directed at Rome does not mean it did not have an impact on Judea as well.

We have also noted previously that darkness over a land represents the fall or disturbance within the nation in question. This could internal turmoil, civil war, economic strife of even attack and conquering. Here we see darkness as the primary agent of the plague. The fact that it is directed against the “beast” means that the nation could be under tribulation and/or the emperor is the victim.

In this case it is quite possible that both the nation and the ruler are in view. Remember, that by this time both Rome and Israel have “covenanted” to persecute the Church of Jesus Christ. This starts with the combined effort to kill the Lord Himself and continued to the persecution of the followers of Christ, especially in the last few years of Nero’s reign.

In 68 AD, though, a darkness came over the nation of Rome with the suicide of Nero. There was no easy succession to the throne for any descendant as their were no descendants of Nero. This is unique in Rome’s history up to that point since all the previous emperors could point to a lineage traced back to Julius Caesar. But with Nero the line of Julius was severed.

This brought tremendous turmoil to the nation and the next two years were filled with chaos, upheaval, civil war and tyranny. In fact, the next three emperors to ascend to the throne reigned for no more than six months. Galba (the 7th) remained a little while (Rev 17) and reigned less than six months. He was followed by Otho and Vitellius who also could not least more than six months.

It wasn’t until 70 AD when Vespasian took the throne that order was restored. This ascendancy, though, had great impact on the nation of Rome and upon Israel.

Vespasian took control by starving the citizens of Rome. This may actually account for the idea that the inhabitants would gnaw at their tongues, a possible phrase representing hunger and emotional chaos.

Israel was impacted as well since Vaspasian was the general that was besieging the city of Jerusalem until the chaos in Rome erupted at the death of Nero. Vespasian would not forget the troubling zealots and had his heart set against the people of Judea from his time spent there. So, one of the first things that Vespasian did after taking control of the nation of Rome was to order the attack on the city to be led by his own son, Titus.

One must wonder what would have happened if Vespasian never took over the throne. Would another emperor have ordered the same vicious attack against the city? This proved to be a truly dark time for Israel as well. Their covenant was broken, their city destroyed and their Temple levelled with not one stone left upon another. All of this at the direct command and will of God.

This leads to the second reference to the reaction of the people. Rather than seeing their tribulation as coming as a result of the covenantal unfaithfulness and their horrific actions regarding Jesus and His church…

They did not repent of their deeds.

Revealing Revelation - The Fourth Bowl

The fourth bowl, just like the previous bowls presented, contains both a potential literal, physical application as well as a spiritual and Covenantal application as well. And just like the previous bowls there appears to be a connection to the corresponding trumpet judgment.

In this case, though, the correspondence appears to look like an opposite until one seriously considers the consistent Biblical symbolism employed by John in the book of Revelation. In the fourth trumpet we see the celestial beings, the sun, moon and stars, going dark, while in this fourth bowl we see the power of the sun increased. But what we will find, like the previous bowl judgments, is that there is a “reversal” of Covenantal benefits in view.

Rev. 16:8-9 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. [9] They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

While the fourth trumpet shows the sun going dark, here we see the intensification of the sun causing scorching. This scorching is actually a promised result of Covenantal Unfaithfulness found in Deuteronomy 28.

Deut 28:22 The LORD will strike you with wasting disease and with fever, inflammation and fiery heat

So, here we have the spiritual, covenantal result of the unfaithful covenant breaking by Israel. This promised result is amplified in the book of revelation and again directed at Israel, the only nation that could receive the punishment of Covenantal Unfaithfulness.

This also reverses the blessing of God found in covering and protecting His people. This is found in the cloud that covered the children of Israel in the wilderness and the concept of God’s continuing to act as a refuge from the “destruction of the noonday” in the Psalms.

But taking a look at how celestial beings are used as symbols throughout the Scriptures may give us another potential interpretation of this passage. If the reader recalls, we previously noted that the sun quite often represents a nation or the king of that nation. When the sun is rising on a nation it is said to be in it’s glory, but when the sun fades it is seen as the end for that nation.

Here we have the nation of Rome that is seen as so oppressive and overbearing that it is like it is scorching it’s enemies. To Israel, the sun of Rome is a scorching, blistering machine of oppression. This oppression comes from the rulers of that nation and is set against it’s enemies like the sun scorching the earth. It is inescapable.

Finally, it should be noted that it is quite common for temperatures to be impacted by the actions we know took place in the siege of Rome. With the destruction of the vegetation and the polluted waterways, it would most certainly impact that natural temperate climate of the Judean area. This coupled with the lack of fresh water would only add to the misery.

Revealing revelation - The Third Bowl

This relatively quick look at the third bowl is based somewhat on it’s historical connection to the second bowl and to the events surrounding the third trumpet. Again we have a similar plague impacting the fresh water supply of the city and surrounding areas.

Rev. 16:4 The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood.

This is how it was presented in the third trumpet judgment.

Rev. 8:10-11 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. [11] The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

In the post on the third trumpet you will find a detailed look at the Old Testament reference of Wormwood and the spiritual and covenantal implications. Again, we also see a similar picture represented in the plagues of Egypt and the exodus.

This is a “reversal” of covenantal status for Israel. Where in the exodus God turns the bitter water to sweet for Israel, here God makes the sweet water bitter and undrinkable. This is done as the result of Covenantal Unfaithfulness. This is made even more clear in the following verses within the context in question.

Rev 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!”

This is clearly related to Israel. No other nation can this be said about. Rome may be guilty of persecuting and martyring the early Church, but the reference to “saints and prophets” gives this a much more historical and Old Testament revelation. In fact, it is nearly a quote from Jesus Himself related to the first century Jewish religious leaders in His diatribe against them known as the Seven Woes.

Matt 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, 35so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth… 37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!

This is the sin of Israel. This is nothing new. It can only be attributed to Israel, especially in a Covenantal document. So, the placement and target of this judgment plague is without a doubt Israel.

Rome, though, like the previous plague is impacted as well since their fresh water supply would be impacted in the same manner, so here the plague is expanded to include many nations represented by the Roman army and citizens in the Judean area.