An overview and introduction to the Book of Revelation. The main goal is to help understand and believe in the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecies, recognizing that we are now living in the era of their actual reality fulfillment rather than just having partial knowledge through prophecy. Revelation has 22 chapters and 404 verses written in figurative language and parables that must be matched by corresponding events in reality. The passage explains there are three types of revelation – visions/prophecies from God, their actual fulfillment from God, and false revelations from the enemy to mislead. It outlines the three main events in Revelation as betrayal, destruction, and salvation involving betrayers, destroyers, and those doing the work of salvation. The standard of truth is prophecy coupled with its undeniable matching to events in reality, not mere interpretations lacking this correspondence. Knowing the true God and the “one sent” messenger in each era is key to receiving eternal life. The passage lays this groundwork for properly comprehending Revelation’s prophecies and recognizing their present-day fulfillment.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
Memorization
who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.
Revelation 1: 2
Yeast of Heaven
Why should we rejoice when we receive persecution? It is because of the things that will happen in the days to come. We must endure and persevere.
Our Hope: To believe and keep the fulfillment (Rv 1:3, Jn 14:29)
[Evangelist]
Why should we rejoice when we receive persecution?
Because there are things that will happen in the near future. Among these things is the fulfilment of Revelation. All the prophecies that God has prophesied will be fulfilled in the days to come.
We must endure and persevere. We are officially starting the advanced level of the Course, going into Revelation. This is not a time to relax because we’re almost there, but a time to keep going and work even harder.
We need to prepare the lamp, the oil, the wedding clothes, and be sealed. As we start the Revelation part of the Course, we are really beginning to collect the oil. Let us prepare the oil.
To help with this, we’re adding a lesson. Starting Monday, we’ll have four lessons a week. This is because we have to endure, keep going, and work even faster to be prepared when God, Jesus, and the Kingdom of Heaven come down.
We don’t want to be unprepared when that happens. So, we have to keep going and willingly add this one lesson every week for our own benefit. This way, we can get sealed much faster, get oil much faster, and also get the lamp and wedding clothes prepared. Amen.
Reflection
We’re here. We’ve made it to Revelation.
And as we are about to study Revelation, we’re going to be going over some key things that we need to know and understand about this very important book.
So, we’re starting Revelation, and so as we’re going through this book, there are many things that are important to keep in mind. We need to remember everything that we have studied before. Right?
So, all the parables are going to be really important. So, pull out that parables worksheet that we worked on and have that handy. And over time, as we’re studying Revelation, refer back to the content and the lessons that we have talked about before.
So, go back and review the lessons. Spend five minutes a lesson and just quickly digest it again. And do this daily.
Because when you do this daily, it will make Revelation much easier to understand. And Revelation will actually feel a lot like review. And that’s how it should feel because we’ve been spending a lot of time setting up this important book.
Does that make sense? So, what we’ll be understanding are the details, but the main structure we already know. The main events we’re already aware about.
So, now it’s about learning about the details. So, I’m very excited for us to dive in.
As we explore Revelation, we’ll cover broad points that will help us structure our understanding of this book. We’ll have a second part of this lesson in the next class. After that, we’ll either begin with Revelation Chapter 1:1 or a different lesson.
Our focus throughout the book of Revelation will be “To Believe and Keep Fulfillment.” This is essentially our hope for the entire book.
This concept is supported by two key verses:
- Revelation 1:3, which states: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
- John 14:29, where Jesus says: “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe.”
Let’s strive to be those who believe and keep the words of Revelation’s fulfillment.
Review
In our previous lesson, we covered crucial topics about the Word and Testimony.
ONE – Old Testament Law (Word) + Testimony = Light of Dawn | Is 8:20
We explored the Old Testament Word and Testimony. The law was given to the Israelites, who were expected to keep it daily, along with the prophecy.
At that time, God established a sacred place inside the tabernacle or the Tent of Meeting, called the holiest of holies. It was named the Testimony because it testified to all of God’s actions in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites. This included feeding them in the desert, giving them the law on two stone tablets, and establishing the tribe of Levi as priests. All these items were contained in the Ark, also known as the Testimony or the Covenant Law.
In Isaiah 8:19-20, God reminded His people not to rely on seers, sorcerers, or magic arts. Without the law and the testimony, one has no light of dawn.
We understand that light represents the word of life and a person with the word. Therefore, having the light of dawn means having an understanding of God, which comes from possessing both the word and the testimony.
The Testimony includes the who, what, when, where, why, and how of God’s actions.
TWO – First Coming Word and Testimony
At the first coming, two messengers were promised: the messenger who prepares the way and the messenger of the covenant. John the Baptist, who prepared the way, had a testimony. He was a lamp that burned and gave light.
John could speak some parables, like baptism by fire, clearing the threshing floor, and “you brood of vipers.” However, John’s testimony was not as great as Jesus’ testimony. As stated in John 5:35-36, John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and people chose for a time to enjoy his light. But verse 36 says, “I have a testimony weightier than that of John.”
Jesus had the complete word and testimony. He knew all the realities of Old Testament fulfillment. Jesus understood his role as the light of the world, born to a virgin, who escaped to Egypt as a child and returned. He knew he would start his ministry in Galilee, ride on a donkey, and be the stone on Zion, the cornerstone and capstone, the first and the last. Jesus knew he had to die for our sins on the cross and rise again.
He recognized John the Baptist as the true Elijah promised in Malachi. Jesus also knew the Pharisees were the fulfillment of Isaiah 29, with their heads and eyes sealed, unable to read the sealed scroll. Instead, they filled their teachings with traditions and man’s laws, while their hearts remained far from God. Jesus could identify the realities of the scriptures.
THREE – Second Coming Word and Testimony
The second coming word and testimony are very similar. There will be one who sees and hears the revelation’s fulfillment, overcoming with the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony. This new John sees revelation’s fulfillment.
He knows who the betrayers and destroyers are, and who carries out the work of salvation in this time. As we explore the word and testimony in Revelation, remember that the word (the Bible, prophecy) and the testimony (actual reality) must be together. When combined, they provide a complete understanding of God’s will, enabling one to fulfill God’s purpose in their specific era.
1. Importance of the Eras
So, let’s discuss why that’s important.
And why understanding the eras matters. Let’s explore the importance of the eras.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:8-12
This passage is crucial and can be understood at both historical and moral levels, which is often how it was taught. “When I was a child, I talked like a child. I reasoned like a child.” This could be interpreted literally or as a lesson about physical maturation. However, upon careful reading, Paul is speaking on a deeper, spiritual, figurative level about himself.
The time between Paul’s spiritual childhood and maturity was brief. His spiritual childhood was before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. As a Pharisee named Saul, he considered himself a child, talking and reasoning like one. This period included his persecution of the church and killing of Christians. Jesus ushered him into maturity, and everything before that moment became like rubbish to him.
Paul realized these earlier things weren’t the deeper knowledge he needed. Yet, he understood there were even more profound truths he still couldn’t access, which likely disappointed him. He thought, “I’ve learned all this, but there’s even more that I only glimpse. Future generations will be very blessed.”
Let’s examine verse 8: “Love never fails.” Amen. But what about prophecies? They will cease.
In this class, we hope to understand the difference between personal prophecies, which we may have received before encountering the open word, and Biblical prophecies. We must consider which prophecies should take precedence. I received many personal prophecies in Babylon about my future, but when I studied Revelation’s fulfillment, I set those aside. I couldn’t confirm their origin, unlike the Biblical prophecies from the written word.
I prioritize Biblical prophecies. Regardless, all prophecies will stop at the time of perfection. One should then seek something greater.
When do prophecies cease? When they’re fulfilled.
It’s not about coincidences, like being told you’ll become a doctor and then becoming one. That’s great, and you can heal many people, but it’s not what we’re discussing here.
We’re talking about the fulfillment of Scripture and God’s will. We shouldn’t be looking for prophecies anymore, but for fulfillment. This is the era we live in now. Even tongues will cease, as there’s no need for a language no one understands. Now is the time of understanding. Knowledge will also cease.
This is what I’ve concluded from reading the Bible many times. It’s my understanding based on this. The knowledge from various scholars and their interpretations of what will be – all of these will stop. They represent the imperfect. Fulfillment brings perfection, making other things seem small and trite. By God’s grace, we’re living in that time today.
This is the transition from infancy to maturity. When Paul said “now,” in our context, he meant the past. It was the time of prophecy. Because we only knew in part then, we were told to love each other. That’s the point of the chapter. Due to our limited knowledge, we should treat each other well as Christians. We should still treat each other with love, so please don’t misunderstand.
Love never fails, meaning it continues. Loving each other was the best we could do when we only knew in part. Does that make sense? This is what Christians teach today, almost exclusively, because they don’t realize things are actually starting to take place.
Paul then said “then,” referring to the future time of fulfillment when we can be fully known. That is the time of actual reality – real people, real events, real places. That’s the era we’re in now. Let’s discern this era and not get caught in the weeds.
2. Book of Revelation
ONE – 22 Chapters | 404 Verses
Revelation consists of 22 chapters and 404 verses. The Revelation titles have been included, and the open word has enabled us to grasp the deeper meaning of each chapter.
Every chapter has a specific title. Similar to the parables worksheet we completed, I’d like you to create a comparable worksheet for Revelation titles. Let me explain what I mean.
As we progress through Revelation, we’ll observe that each chapter is associated with a title. The title figuratively represents the key or most significant points of the chapter. It’s quite straightforward. You’ll create a separate sheet, just like the parables sheet. We can provide a printable copy if you prefer, or you can handwrite it.
Either option is acceptable. As we learn each new Revelation lesson, you’ll add the title to your sheet and keep it accessible. We’ll do this as we go through Revelation, which will be very useful.
A quick note: Revelation 1 has two titles, while Revelation 2 and 3 share the same title. Please prepare this document.
Revelation’s 22 chapters and 404 verses are summarized by these titles. Understanding the titles will help you comprehend the meaning of each chapter.
TWO – Revelation is a book of prophecy | Rv 1:3
Revelation is a book of prophecy. While it contains testimony of fulfillment, its primary nature is prophetic.
Revelation 1:3 states, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
When considering a book of prophecy, we must ask: What language is used? The answer is parables.
This is why we studied parables first. Hosea 12:10 tells us, “I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions, and told parables through them.”
When God communicates prophecy to a prophet, He uses parables. This serves two purposes: to hide His secrets from the enemy and to fulfill prophecy. However, these parables must be opened, and the prophecies must be fulfilled.
Fulfillment means that things are taking place. It is undeniable that Revelation is being fulfilled today.
Therefore, there is no time to wait. We cannot rest on our laurels or take it easy. It’s time to act.
Revelation is a Movie Script
An analogy I find helpful for understanding Revelation is to think of it as a movie script. What does this mean? When creating a movie, it doesn’t begin with cameras rolling. It starts as a draft, a script. This script contains the names of characters, their roles, and what they will do and say. It includes scenes, step-by-step storytelling sections, and has a beginning, middle, and ending. All these details are outlined in the script. However, the script is not the end goal.
The script must be filmed and turned into a movie. When the movie is ready, casting directors select the cast. For example, the character of Han Solo will be played by Harrison Ford, and Luke Skywalker by Mark Hamill. These actors will then act out their roles, saying and doing what was scripted. The events in the script will unfold.
Revelation’s fulfillment is like the movie that comes from the script. Does this example make sense to everyone? It’s time to start watching the movie.
Revelation → Script → Movie → Actual Reality
The events, people, times, dates, and everything described have been fulfilled in reality.
Now, let’s consider what the movie of Revelation represents. What is its structure? How does this movie unfold, from its beginning through the middle to its end?
THREE – Main events of Revelation | 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Three main events are discussed: Betrayal, destruction, and salvation.
We will explore who the betrayers, destroyers, and those who do the work of salvation are.
As we proceed, these concepts will become clearer. Here’s what we understand so far:
Rebellion (Betrayers) → 7 Stars (lampstands) | Revelation 1:20
Those who engage in rebellion are referred to as the seven stars.
According to Revelation 1:20, they were in Jesus’ right hand. Jesus appointed them to deliver a new word during a time of darkness. They were called lampstands.
These lampstands shined in a time of darkness, faithfully fulfilling their role for a period. However, when a lamp shines, it attracts attention.
Satan dislikes God’s light shining. Consequently, Satan invades and brings destroyers.
Destruction (Destroyers) → The beast with 7 heads and 10 horns | Rv 12, Rv 17
The destroyers mentioned in Revelation are the seven pastors and ten authority figures of the beast. This beast is described as having seven heads and ten horns. These destroyers invade the tabernacle and destroy its occupants.
They force people to eat food sacrificed to idols, commit spiritual sexual immorality, or drink maddening wine. These are the actions they took to destroy these people.
As a result, these people cease to exist because they betrayed their first love. Jesus wrote letters to them, as found in Revelation 2 and 3, urging them to repent and return to their first love. He instructed them to do the things they did at first.
Unfortunately, these people did not heed Jesus’ warning, and consequently, destruction came upon them as promised.
Salvation (Saviors) → New John and the 12 Tribes | Rv 10, 7, 14, 21
There is one who witnesses these events take place. As he observes the occurrences, he must testify to what he has seen. He witnesses the destruction and the betrayal.
He then testifies to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings, urging them to leave Babylon and come to Zion. Those who actually depart – and not everyone will – gather on the mountain and became the 12 tribes. Again, not everyone will make this journey.
Many will be unable to let go of their thoughts and will remain in the field. This will happen to numerous people. Don’t let it be you.
Come out. Who are the ones who do the work of salvation? New John and the 12 tribes.
Of course, God and Jesus in heaven will be at this location helping as well. They’re the ones working behind the scenes. Do you think you arrived here by accident?
Do you believe that suddenly you had the heart to take a 7-month course and commit so much time? Do you think that was coincidental? No.
Your angel was saying, “God, this one’s ready. Let’s harvest.” All right.
Where’s Jesus? This one right here, right? Yeah, okay. All right. Here we go. Here’s a sickle.
And… I’ve never taken a course this long before, but I guess now’s as good a time as any. You think it’s you?
It wasn’t you. I can guarantee it. You were called. And we’ll see why in just a moment.
So the main events of Revelation are betrayal, destruction, and salvation. That’s the whole chapter.
That’s the whole book. If you understand these three things, you already understand the entire book.
FOUR – What is the standard of truth?
The standard of truth is prophecy and its fulfillment, not guesses, conjectures, commentaries, or people’s assumptions about how things will unfold. It’s about the actual fulfillment of prophecy.
In John 17:17, it states: “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.” This affirms that God’s word is truth. However, God’s word must be paired with something else. What is that? It must be paired with reality – the testimony of what actually occurs.
Let’s examine Deuteronomy 18:18-22. In this passage, we see that God understood His people would struggle with discernment. To help them, He provided an important clue about how to recognize truth.
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.” 21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
Deuteronomy 18:18-22
God has given us a clue to discern truth. We can’t rely on worldly standards like someone’s appearance, congregation size, theological education, or years as a pastor. Instead, God provided guidance in Deuteronomy 18:21-22.
How can we know if a message isn’t from the Lord? If a prophet’s proclamation in the Lord’s name doesn’t come true, it’s not from Him. Such a prophet speaks presumptuously, and we shouldn’t fear them. The true word of the Lord always pairs with fulfillment. Prophecy without reality is a lie, while prophecy with reality is truth.
It’s not about one, two, or three verses aligning, but all of them. Jesus fulfilled numerous prophecies: born to a virgin in Bethlehem, escaping to Egypt, starting His ministry in Galilee, riding a donkey, being the cornerstone and capstone, dying on the cross, healing tribes, and having lots cast for His clothing. All prophecies must align, not just a few that seem to match current news.
People have mistakenly thought events throughout history signaled Jesus’ return, but He hasn’t returned as described in Revelation. When God acts, it will happen His way.
To avoid confusion, understand that in New John, Jesus is the Master and Spirit, while New John is a servant and flesh. Jesus opens and fulfills Revelation, not New John. New John is a witness and advocate, speaking on Jesus’ behalf. During Revelation, you’ll have many chances to hear Him speak, like fresh oil from the oil cellar.
Jesus works behind the scenes, appointing the seven stars, allowing the beast to enter, and standing as the Lamb on Mount Zion. As a Spirit, Jesus needs to work through flesh to physically act and speak, similar to God’s relationship with Jesus 2,000 years ago.
Reminder:
Testimony without actual reality = Lie
Testimony with actual reality – Truth
Jesus = Master (Spirit) → Opens and Fulfills
New John = Servant (Flesh) → Witness and Advocate (Sees and Hears)
Quick Review
We’ve been discussing the Overview of Revelation Part 1. Our hope is to believe and keep the fulfilment, as stated in Revelation 1:3 and John 14:29. The importance of eras is emphasized. There was a time of prophecy when people could only know in part, and during this time, we love.
Then comes a time called “today,” the end times, the last days, or the end of the age. These terms all refer to the time of fulfilment. This is when we can be fully known, the time of actual reality. When this reality comes, prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will cease. The imperfect things of infancy will fade away, replaced by what is fulfilled, perfect, and mature – God’s will.
The book of Revelation consists of 22 chapters and 404 verses. As we study the open word, we’ll learn about the spiritual titles of each chapter. You should record these titles for easy access, as they summarize the content of each chapter.
Revelation is a book of prophecy, as mentioned in Revelation 1:3, our home blessing. It is recorded in parables and figurative language, but these must be fulfilled, becoming something tangible – the word becoming flesh. Revelation is like a movie script, containing details of characters, words, places, and events that must take place. When fulfilled, these characters become real people, their words are spoken, and their actions are recorded.
The book of Revelation centers around three main events: rebellion (or betrayal), destruction, and salvation. The betrayers appear first, initially doing God’s work well but becoming weak when Satan infiltrates. Eventually, they are destroyed by destroyers, forced to teach maddening wine and food sacrificed to idols, extinguishing their little light.
However, one person sees these events unfold and fights to overcome the Nicolaitans, the group of the dragon. Upon overcoming them, this individual establishes God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, built according to heaven’s design.
Revelation chapters 4 and 21 are significant. We can speak with authority about this not because of extensive Bible study or concordance use. A concordance, which helps locate words throughout the Bible, is a valuable tool I highly recommend for your studies. However, the open word didn’t come from this method.
The open word also didn’t emerge from combining various teachings. It came directly from God to Jesus, then to an angel, to new John, and finally to many people, nations, languages, and kings as prophesied. This process is necessary because events must unfold as God has written them.
A testimony without actual reality, which is abundant, is a lie. But a testimony backed by reality, fulfilling not just one verse but all of them, is the truth.
Jesus, who is the master and spirit, opens and fulfills the words of Revelation. New John is a servant in the flesh, a person like you and me. He ages, experiences aches and pains, and must overcome himself, just as we do. However, he was chosen to see, hear, and testify as God’s witness, Jesus’ witness, and an advocate.
Therefore, we must listen to his words.
3. Types of Revelation
Three types of revelation exist, with the first two being quite familiar.
ONE – revelation (open and show)
What does small “r” revelation mean? Not the book of Revelation, but to open and show.
Imagine a present under the Christmas tree. You can see the wrapped gift, but you don’t know what’s inside yet. To get to the gift, you have to take the box, tear off the paper, and open the lid. Then you’ll see the present inside.
God did something similar with prophecy. He sealed it, using parables as the wrapping. When one understands the parables, the gift box is opened, and the meaning inside is shown to them. Seeing the box under the Christmas tree represents the first type of revelation – recognizing there’s something to unlock later. The second type comes on Christmas day when you actually open it and see what’s inside.
TWO – 3 Types of Revelation
The two types of Revelation on God’s side are:
1.- Vision Revelation (prophecy)
Vision revelation is essentially another term for prophecy.
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7
God’s plan is revealed to His servants, the prophets, before He acts. This plan is sealed in parables.
God’s Plan → Sealed in Parables
It’s only a vision. For instance, Apostle John saw a beast with seven heads and ten horns, a monster emerging from the sea. He recorded what he saw, but someone must come later to see the reality of what John saw as parables.
It’s important to understand that actions in a vision don’t necessarily happen in real life. Consider dreaming about doing your taxes during tax season. When you wake up, your taxes aren’t actually done. Similarly, the actions John took in his vision weren’t actions he physically performed 2000 years ago.
John didn’t actually write letters, ascend to heaven, see four angels on horses, or speak to people of various nations, languages, and kings. He recorded these visions in the scroll of Revelation before his death.
So, John didn’t personally experience the events we read about. He saw them in a vision or dream and wrote down what he saw. This is God’s plan.
There must be a second revelation. John didn’t intuit these things; they were revealed to him, hence the name “Revelation.” God’s plan was revealed to him but sealed in parables. This means someone must come later who will see the real people and events. This is the second type of revelation.
2.- Actual Reality Revelation (fulfilment)
For fulfillment to occur, someone must witness these events taking place in reality.
This is the essence of fulfillment. I aim to demonstrate what it’s like to observe actual reality. Let’s examine Revelation 17 to understand John’s experience when these events were unfolding.
Here’s one clear example.
Revelation 17:3-7 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 This title was written on her forehead: mystery babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
This example illustrates what John was shown. Did you notice that John was astonished? To be astonished means to be shocked and surprised. This indicates that John didn’t invent these ideas; they were revealed to him.
When John saw these things, he was amazed. He, too, had to have these things revealed to him. He had to come to a realization and say, “I understand now, though I didn’t before.” This process is similar to how all of us are revealed things we didn’t previously know.
That’s the essence of revelation – being shown things we didn’t realize before, with these revelations coming from heaven, God, and Jesus.
In actual reality revelation, when the word is opened, we can understand real people and real events. We learn the details: who, what, when, where, why, and how. This is how actual reality revelation works, following the 5W1H principle.
Satan’s Side | Jer 14:14, Jer 23:25-28 at Old Testament
There exists a third type of revelation, distinct from God’s side. This revelation comes from Satan.
Satan also provides revelations, but his purpose is to lead people away from the correct understanding. It’s comparable to covering tracks or using different scents to mislead a hound dog. Satan attempts to divert attention, saying, “Over here!” causing the dog to go in the wrong direction. This is Satan’s preferred tactic.
Satan obscures the truth, making it difficult for people to discern. He combines many elements that appear similar to the open word. When these elements are proven false, people become guarded and may automatically reject the truth because it sounds like those discredited ideas. Many of us have experienced such thoughts during our studies, wondering if what we’re learning sounds too similar to discredited teachings.
This confusion is Satan’s doing. By muddying the waters, he causes people to automatically reject the truth, mistaking it for previously disproven concepts. This is why the word must be explained in detail first, allowing people to realize that it’s separate from other ideas. Similar does not mean the same; it’s different.
Let’s examine how Satan employs these tactics.
3.- False Revelation | 2 Cor 11, Gal 1 at the First Coming)
Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.
Jeremiah 14:14
Satan’s revelations are false revelations. Importantly, they also come from visions.
Did you notice that? They are prophesying false visions to you, which often means they are seeing something. Frequently, something is being revealed to them.
It’s often shrouded in light, making them think it came from an angel or from God. In reality, Satan’s thinking, “I’ve got them. They’re going to do a lot of damage. Go on, brother. Go on, deceive many people.”
Like that! And God often has to combat all these false things.
But they spread like wildfire. When they are shown to be false, people get hurt. So hurt, in fact, that they refuse the truth.
Because it sounds too similar to the time their hearts were broken by something false in the past. That’s Satan’s work. That’s not the work of God.
God and the Holy Spirit are not confused. It is us who are confused. So just because Satan was cast out of heaven doesn’t mean he’s powerless.
False realities are given by Satan to throw people off God’s true scent, where God actually is.
Let’s read another passage about this because it’s so important.
25 “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:25-28
God provides an important warning about how events unfold. He asks, “How long will this continue in the hearts of lying prophets, who prophesy delusions of their own minds?”
These prophets believe that by sharing their dreams with one another, they can make people forget God’s name, just as their ancestors forgot His name through Baal worship. This is an interesting observation.
Consider how Satan must evolve his plan to remain effective in deceiving God’s people. In the beginning, Satan used a serpent to lie about the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Later, he employed idols and false gods to mislead the people of Israel in their early history.
However, as people began to return to God, these tactics became less effective. By the time of the prophets, people had grown weary of these false gods. Consequently, Satan could no longer rely on this strategy to deceive God’s people.
Satan’s new strategy
Satan employed a strategy of deception by placing visions and dreams in the prophets of God’s people. This allowed individuals to claim, “I had a vision from God,” to which others would respond, “You did? What did you hear?” Some would admit, “I haven’t heard anything from God in a long time.” Then these false prophets would speak lies, enabling Satan to be effective once again.
At the first coming of Christ, the strategy changed slightly but remained similar. There were “righteous” priests of God (righteous in air quotes) who claimed to speak the law of Moses. They asserted, “We know the law of God.” However, they put traditions above the word of God. When questioned, they would respond, “Who were you to say that of us? We sit on the priest’s seat.”
In our time, Satan’s strategy has morphed again. Unfortunately, he is using those who resemble preachers, holding the Bible and preaching from the pulpit. It’s the same strategy, although it had to evolve to continue being effective. The approach remains consistent: use methods that will be effective in deceiving God’s people.
We must not be deceived any longer. That time is long gone, as actual reality isn’t found in these deceptions.
4. The Importance of Revelation
What we should keep in mind. Why is true revelation important?
Know True God + One Sent → Eternal Life
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
John 17:3
Jesus emphasized something crucial about discernment and receiving eternal life. He stated that eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ and the true God. Why did Jesus use the term “true” to describe God? Isn’t there only one God? This was because of false gods.
However, at Jesus’ first coming, the concern wasn’t about Baal or other detestable gods. It was about the Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law. These groups claimed to be on God’s side and to lead people to God. In reality, where were they leading people? To Babylon. They were leading them to Satan.
This is why Jesus rebuked them in John 8 and Matthew 23, saying, “You are children of the devil. You carry out your father’s desires who was a liar from the beginning.” He called them a “brood of vipers” and said they make people “twice as much a son of hell” as they are. Jesus had to reveal where Satan was actually working so people could see it, flee, and turn to the truth, which was Jesus himself.
Jesus, the one sent, actually points people to the true God. That’s why he said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the light.” Jesus was showing where God really was. God wasn’t with the Pharisees and Sadducees, but right there in front of them in Jesus. As he said, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.”
Jesus was helping people realize this through the truth and the word of life, which is his blood and flesh. The concept of one sent is biblical, appearing many times throughout the Bible. God often sends one to testify to many, allowing everyone to come to one person as the standard bearer of God. If there were many people at the same time, people wouldn’t know who to go to.
One Sent in Each Era:
1.- Moses (Old Testament)
During the Old Testament era, Moses was the one sent. He became the standard bearer of the law and the first covenant. For a powerful account of this, refer to Numbers 12. This chapter describes God speaking exclusively to Moses, which upset some people, leading God to correct the record. It’s a very impactful passage.
2.- Jesus (First Coming) | John 5:17-19, Luke 22:14-20
At the time of the first coming, Jesus was the one sent. Figuratively speaking, Jesus opened and ate the Old Testament, though it was truly God who opened it. Jesus then testified to many people and established a new covenant. He became the standard bearer of the one sent.
3.- New John (Second Coming)
There’s also a one sent for the second coming, following a similar logic. This second coming one sent is New John, the one who overcomes. New John testifies to the fulfillment of the new covenant. This is referenced in Revelation 22:8-16 and also in John 13:20.
I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
John 13:20
The logic of the sender and the one sent is important. Jesus said, “If anyone accepts the one I send.”
Jesus promised to send someone. If someone claims Jesus didn’t make this promise, direct them to this chapter and verse. You can explain that Jesus did, in fact, promise to send people. They might argue that Jesus was referring to sending the disciples, but this isn’t the only instance where Jesus promises to send someone.
He made this promise multiple times. In Revelation, we clearly see who that person is. So, what is the logic of the one sent?
Let’s consider the importance of eating the open scroll, which we’ve discussed before. In Ezekiel 1-3, Ezekiel is given a familiar title. Do you remember what he was called? Son of man.
Ezekiel is referred to as the son of man. For those familiar with the New Testament, this name should immediately bring to mind someone else: Jesus. While Ezekiel testifies to seeing this in a vision, who actually lived it out? Jesus did.
Ezekiel “Son of Man” Ez 1-3 → Jesus, Son of Man | Mt 11:27, Mt 15:24
Jesus, the true Son of Man, is the one who actually consumed the open scroll of the Old Testament.
He is the individual who was genuinely sent to testify to the people.
Ezekiel 2:6-9 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. Ezekiel 3:1-7, 11 1 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. 4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel— 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. 11 Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen. ”
Ezekiel’s vision presents many parallels between man and the wild. It’s important to note that Ezekiel is seeing this as a vision, not experiencing it in his own time. This vision represents events that would unfold in the future.
The fulfillment of this prophecy comes through Jesus, the Son of Man. Jesus is the one who actually ate the open scroll and taught the rebellious house, as Ezekiel had foreseen. Jesus faced the challenges described in the vision, confronting those who were figuratively described as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and a “brood of vipers.” He also instilled confidence in His disciples to face these challenges.
Two verses that support this interpretation are Matthew 11:27 and Matthew 15:24. These passages highlight Jesus’ role in fulfilling the prophecy Ezekiel saw in his vision.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Matthew 11:27
At the first coming, no one truly knew God. As stated, no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son. People had fallen far away from God and become rebellious.
Jesus was sent to reveal the true God again and correct their direction. However, only those chosen could understand. This wasn’t due to their intelligence or righteousness, but because their hearts were open and they desired to know more. Consequently, they learned more. Those with closed hearts received only parables, while those with open hearts received detailed explanations.
In Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” to first correct them and show them the way. But they rejected him.
So then, the message went to the Gentiles – those of obscure speech who would listen. This is true because the Gentiles accepted Jesus. The logic, everyone, is the same for the second coming.
God’s Logic Does Not Change
In Revelation 10:8-11, we find words that are almost exactly the same as those in Ezekiel chapters 2 and 3. This similarity is like a carbon copy. The reason for this is that God’s logic remains unchanged. God’s logic is consistent throughout.
Apostel John → Vision
Revelation 10:8-11 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
Here’s a revised version of the text, preserving the key vocabulary and ideas while improving readability:
Wow. The same copy refers to peoples, nations, languages, and kings.
- People represent congregation members.
- Languages symbolize doctrines.
- Nations stand for churches.
- Kings signify pastors.
This aligns with 1 Peter 2:9, which speaks of a royal priesthood.
These are the groups that need to hear this word. Yes, nonbelievers should hear it too, but the primary audience is those at risk of becoming subjects of the kingdom. They must hear it first.
Christians and churches are the initial recipients of these words.
Many nonbelievers will also come, and it may be easier for them as they carry less baggage.
In fact, this is already happening. People globally are coming to this word. It’s incredible.
Apostle John, similar to Ezekiel who was called the son of man, is instructed to eat this scroll. We know John died 2000 years ago.
New John (Eat) | Acts 8:34 → Revelation → Actual Reality | Rv 22:8, 16
Is Apostle John going to return miraculously? Let’s consider who the prophet is actually referring to. It’s not about himself, but someone else who will adopt the name John. This person will experience the realities of what John saw figuratively. He will witness the beast with seven heads and ten horns, but not in a literal sense. Instead, he might perceive it as 7 pastors and 10 evangelists or authority figures.
This individual won’t see a mountain being thrown into the sea literally. Rather, he’ll observe a church being judged by the word of God, becoming part of Babylon. He will perceive the true meanings behind the parables and then testify about what he has seen to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.
1 Peter 2:9 states, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare his praises of him who called you out of the darkness and into his wonderful light.” This refers to both royal priesthood (kings) and congregation members who need to hear this word.
Who will respond to this message? The wheat – those born of the good seed. They will not remain in the field destined to be burnt. I hope you’re among those in yellow, those who are harvested.
Now, some of you might say, “Instructor, this lesson was entirely review.” Good! It should feel like a reminder. Hopefully, you didn’t learn too many new things here, but it should have refreshed your memory.
Memorization
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 1:3
Let’s Us Discern
Discernment is still a work in progress …. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Analysis
Questions to Self-Reflect
Outline
Outline
I. Introduction and Foundation
- A. The Importance of Belief and Fulfillment: This section establishes the central theme of believing and keeping the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecies, supported by Revelation 1:3 and John 14:29.
- B. Understanding the Eras: This section emphasizes the transition from the era of prophecy, where knowledge was partial, to the current era of fulfillment, where God’s plan unfolds in reality, rendering previous prophecies, tongues, and knowledge obsolete.
II. Deciphering the Book of Revelation
- A. Structure and Format: This section details the book’s structure with 22 chapters and 404 verses, each chapter possessing a symbolic title summarizing its core message.
- B. The Prophetic Nature of Revelation: Revelation 1:3 identifies it as a book of prophecy, communicated through parables to conceal God’s secrets from the enemy and ensure fulfillment. These parables require interpretation to reveal their meaning.
- C. Revelation as a Movie Script: Revelation is likened to a movie script, outlining characters, events, and actions, with fulfillment representing the actual movie, where these scripted elements come to life in reality.
III. Unfolding the Main Events
- A. Rebellion (Betrayal): This section introduces the betrayers, symbolized by the seven stars or lampstands, who initially serve God faithfully but succumb to Satan’s influence, leading to their downfall.
- B. Destruction (Destroyers): This section describes the destroyers, depicted as the beast with seven heads and ten horns, who invade and corrupt the tabernacle, forcing its occupants into spiritual immorality and ultimately causing their destruction.
- C. Salvation (Saviors): This section presents the saviors, represented by New John and the 12 Tribes, who witness the events of betrayal and destruction, testify against Babylon, and guide the faithful towards Zion, forming the foundation of God’s kingdom on Earth.
IV. Establishing the Standard of Truth
- A. The Importance of Fulfillment: This section emphasizes the importance of fulfilled prophecy as the ultimate standard of truth, contrasting it with mere guesses, conjectures, or interpretations that lack tangible evidence.
- B. God’s Word and Actual Reality: Deuteronomy 18:18-22 underscores the need for aligning prophecy with reality to identify truth. True prophecy is always accompanied by its fulfillment, while unfulfilled prophecy signifies a lie.
- C. The Roles of Jesus and New John: This section clarifies the distinction between Jesus, the Master and Spirit, who opens and fulfills the words of Revelation, and New John, the Servant and Flesh, who acts as a witness and advocate, testifying to the events unfolding before him.
V. Exploring the Types of Revelation
- A. Revelation (Open and Show): This section introduces the basic concept of revelation as the act of opening and revealing something previously hidden, using the analogy of unwrapping a Christmas present to demonstrate the process of uncovering the meaning behind the parables.
- B. God’s Revelation:1. Vision Revelation (Prophecy): This refers to prophecies given by God through visions to prophets, who record their visions in symbolic language, requiring interpretation to reveal their true meaning.
- 2. Actual Reality Revelation (Fulfillment): This signifies the fulfillment of prophecy in real-world events, witnessed by individuals who can decipher the symbolic language and understand the deeper meaning behind the events.
- C. Satan’s Revelation:1. False Revelation: This highlights Satan’s attempts to deceive through false revelations, often presented as visions or dreams, aiming to mislead people away from the truth and towards his own agenda.
VI. Emphasizing the Importance of True Revelation
- A. Knowing the True God and the One Sent: This section connects true revelation with eternal life, as emphasized in John 17:3, which highlights the importance of recognizing both the true God and Jesus Christ, the one sent by God.
- B. Identifying the One Sent in Each Era: This section explores the concept of “the one sent” across different eras, highlighting Moses in the Old Testament, Jesus at the first coming, and New John at the second coming, each serving as a standard bearer of God’s truth and testament.
- C. The Unchanging Logic of God: This section emphasizes the consistency of God’s logic, using the parallel between Ezekiel’s vision of eating the scroll and John’s experience in Revelation 10 to illustrate the unchanging nature of God’s plan.
VII. Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action
- A. The Significance of Fulfillment: This section reiterates the importance of understanding fulfillment as the realization of God’s plan, bringing about blessings such as heaven, eternal life, and rejoicing.
- B. Discerning True Revelation from Lies: The need to distinguish between true revelation and false revelations is emphasized, encouraging readers to seek the true word of God and avoid being deceived by Satan’s schemes.
- C. Embracing the Era of Fulfillment: The lesson concludes with a call to action, urging readers to recognize the present era as the time of fulfillment, embracing the truth revealed through the fulfillment of prophecies and actively participating in the unfolding of God’s plan.
A Study Guide
Understanding Revelation: A Study Guide
Short Answer Questions (2-3 sentences each)
- What is the central message of Revelation, and how do Revelation 1:3 and John 14:29 support this message?
- Explain the analogy of Revelation as a movie script. How does this help us understand the book’s structure and purpose?
- What are the three main events of Revelation, and who are the key players involved in each event?
- According to Deuteronomy 18:18-22, what is the standard of truth when evaluating prophecy?
- Differentiate between the roles of Jesus and New John in the context of Revelation’s fulfillment.
- Describe the three types of revelation discussed in the source material, providing examples for each type.
- How does the concept of “One Sent” apply to different eras in biblical history? Provide examples for each era.
- Why is the distinction between “true God” and “false gods” important in understanding the importance of true revelation?
- Explain the significance of eating the open scroll in both Ezekiel’s vision and the book of Revelation. What is the symbolic meaning of this act?
- According to John 17:3, what is the key to achieving eternal life?
Short Answer Key
- The central message of Revelation is to “believe and keep fulfillment.” Revelation 1:3 emphasizes the blessing of understanding and taking to heart the prophecy, while John 14:29 highlights the importance of believing in the fulfillment of Jesus’ words.
- The analogy of Revelation as a movie script suggests that the book outlines characters, events, and scenes that will unfold in reality. This helps us understand Revelation as a prophetic blueprint for actual events, moving from the written word to tangible reality.
- The three main events are rebellion (betrayal), destruction, and salvation. The betrayers are the seven stars (lampstands), the destroyers are the beast with seven heads and ten horns, and the saviors are New John and the 12 Tribes.
- Deuteronomy 18:18-22 states that a true message from God will be evidenced by its fulfillment. If a prophecy does not come true, it is not from the Lord and should not be feared.
- Jesus is the Master and Spirit who opens and fulfills Revelation, while New John is a servant in the flesh who witnesses and testifies to the fulfillment.
- The three types of revelation are: 1) Vision revelation (prophecy), like John’s vision of the beast. 2) Actual reality revelation (fulfillment), seen in the real-world events mirroring the prophecy. 3) False revelation (from Satan), which aims to deceive and mislead, like false prophets claiming divine dreams.
- The concept of “One Sent” refers to a chosen individual who embodies God’s message in each era. Moses was the One Sent in the Old Testament, Jesus at the First Coming, and New John at the Second Coming.
- The distinction between “true God” and “false gods” is important because true revelation leads to the true God, while false gods and their teachings lead to deception and spiritual death.
- Eating the open scroll symbolizes internalizing and understanding God’s word, transforming it from written text to lived experience. Ezekiel’s vision prefigures Jesus, the true Son of Man, who fully embodies the prophecy by living out God’s word.
- According to John 17:3, eternal life is found in knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. This knowledge comes through true revelation and accepting Jesus as the way to God.
Essay Questions
- Analyze the concept of the “importance of eras” in understanding Revelation. How does the transition from prophecy to fulfillment impact our interpretation of the book?
- Discuss the role of New John in Revelation. How does his function as a witness and advocate connect to the concept of “one sent” and the fulfillment of prophecy?
- Compare and contrast vision revelation and actual reality revelation. How do these two types of revelation work together to reveal God’s plan?
- Examine the dangers of false revelation and the methods Satan employs to deceive God’s people. How can we use the standard of truth to discern between true and false messages?
- Explore the significance of Revelation’s message for contemporary Christians. How should the understanding of fulfillment and the concept of “one sent” impact our lives and faith?
Glossary of Key Terms
- Betrayal (Rebellion): The act of the seven stars (lampstands) turning away from their initial faith and purpose.
- Destruction: The judgment brought upon the betrayers by the beast with seven heads and ten horns.
- Salvation: The deliverance and establishment of God’s kingdom on Earth by New John and the 12 Tribes.
- Eras: Distinct periods in biblical history, each with its own characteristics and revelation from God.
- Fulfillment: The realization of prophecy in actual reality, confirming the truth of God’s word.
- Lampstands (Seven Stars): Represent individuals or groups initially tasked with spreading God’s light but eventually fall into betrayal.
- New John: The “one sent” in the era of the Second Coming, who witnesses and testifies to the fulfillment of Revelation.
- Prophecy: A divinely inspired message or vision revealing God’s plan for the future.
- One Sent: A chosen individual in each era who embodies and communicates God’s message to humanity.
- Vision Revelation: Prophecy received through visions or dreams, often symbolic and requiring interpretation.
- Actual Reality Revelation: The tangible manifestation of prophecy in real-world events, confirming its truth.
- False Revelation: Deceptive messages or visions originating from Satan, designed to mislead and obstruct God’s plan.
- Standard of Truth: The principle that true prophecy is validated by its fulfillment in reality.
- Open Scroll: Represents God’s word being revealed and understood, transitioning from written text to lived experience.
- True God: The one true God, as opposed to false gods and idols, who is revealed through Jesus Christ.
- Eternal Life: The ultimate goal of faith, achieved through knowing the true God and Jesus Christ.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events
This timeline is based on the interpretation of Revelation presented in the provided source. It should be noted that this interpretation is specific to this source and might differ from other interpretations of the Book of Revelation.
Before Time:
- God exists as the ultimate authority.
Old Testament Era:
- Moses acts as the “one sent” by God, delivering the law and establishing the first covenant. He is the standard-bearer of God’s word during this time.
First Coming of Jesus:
- Jesus, the true “Son of Man,” is sent by God and fulfills the prophecies foreshadowed in the Old Testament, including the vision of Ezekiel.
- Jesus opens and “eats” the scroll of the Old Testament, revealing the true God to those who are chosen.
- He establishes a new covenant, becoming the standard-bearer of God’s word for this era.
- The message is then spread to the Gentiles after the Jewish people reject Jesus.
Second Coming (Present Era):
- New John, the “one sent” for the Second Coming, witnesses the fulfillment of the new covenant.
- He sees and experiences the events described in Revelation in their true, spiritual form, understanding the parables and their real-world counterparts.
- New John testifies to the fulfillment of Revelation to many people, nations, languages, and kings, urging them to leave Babylon and come to Zion.
- The “wheat” – those born of the good seed – will hear and understand New John’s message and be saved.
Future:
- God’s kingdom on earth is established as it is in heaven.
- Those who have heeded New John’s message and left Babylon will experience the blessings of God’s kingdom.
Cast of Characters
God: The ultimate authority and source of all truth. He sends prophets and “ones sent” to reveal his will and plan to humanity.
Jesus: The “Son of Man” and the “one sent” for the First Coming. He fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and establishes a new covenant. He acts as the bridge between God and humanity, revealing the true nature of God.
Moses: The “one sent” during the Old Testament era. He delivers the law and establishes the first covenant, acting as the standard-bearer of God’s word during his time.
New John: The “one sent” for the Second Coming. He witnesses and experiences the fulfillment of Revelation in its true, spiritual form and testifies to this fulfillment, calling people to leave Babylon and come to Zion.
Apostle John: The author of the Book of Revelation. He received visions from God, which he recorded in symbolic language. His visions depict the events of the Second Coming and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
Ezekiel: An Old Testament prophet who received a vision of the “Son of Man” eating a scroll. This vision foreshadowed Jesus’s role in fulfilling the Old Testament and establishing the new covenant.
Seven Stars / Lampstands: Represent individuals or groups initially appointed by Jesus to spread his message during a time of darkness. They eventually betray their first love and are destroyed.
Beast with Seven Heads and Ten Horns: Represents the forces of destruction that invade the tabernacle and destroy the Seven Stars. The seven heads and ten horns are interpreted in the source as seven pastors and ten authority figures.
The Woman (Babylon the Great): Represents a corrupt system or entity that is opposed to God and aligned with the Beast. She is depicted as being drunk with the blood of the saints.
The 12 Tribes: Represent those who heed New John’s message, leave Babylon, and gather on Mount Zion. They represent the saved people of God who will inherit his kingdom.
Satan: The ultimate deceiver who opposes God and attempts to lead people astray. He uses false revelations and visions to confuse and mislead those seeking God.
Overview
Overview
Main Themes:
- The importance of understanding eras: We are now in the era of fulfillment, where prophecy comes to life. This transition necessitates a shift from focusing on love and prophecy to actively seeking and believing in the fulfillment of scripture.
- Revelation as a book of prophecy and fulfillment: Revelation is a prophetic blueprint, like a movie script, outlining events that must occur. These events are revealed through parables and figurative language, which require interpretation and understanding. The fulfillment of prophecy occurs in actual reality and serves as the standard of truth.
- The three main events of Revelation: Betrayal, destruction, and salvation are the core events of Revelation, played out by specific characters: the betrayers (7 stars), the destroyers (the beast with 7 heads and 10 horns), and the saviors (New John and the 12 Tribes).
- Discerning true revelation: Understanding the difference between vision revelation (prophecy), actual reality revelation (fulfillment), and false revelation (Satan’s deception) is critical for correctly interpreting Revelation.
- The importance of the “One Sent”: In every era, God sends a chosen individual to act as a standard bearer of truth. Moses in the Old Testament, Jesus at the first coming, and New John at the second coming. This “One Sent” consumes the open scroll of prophecy and testifies to its fulfillment.
Most Important Ideas/Facts:
- We must “Believe and Keep Fulfillment” (Revelation 1:3, John 14:29), actively seeking and believing in the fulfillment of prophecy.
- Prophecies cease when they are fulfilled (1 Corinthians 13:8-12).
- We must be able to discern true revelation from false revelation. False revelation, often presented through visions and dreams, seeks to deceive and lead people away from God (Jeremiah 14:14, Jeremiah 23:25-28).
- Eternal life comes from knowing the true God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
- God’s logic is consistent: The pattern of a “One Sent” consuming the open scroll and testifying to its fulfillment is consistent throughout scripture (Ezekiel 2-3, Revelation 10:8-11).
Key Quotes:
- Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:8-12: “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away… When perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”
- Deuteronomy 18:22: “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.”
- John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
- John 13:20: “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
Action Items/Discussion Points:
- How can we effectively transition from the era of prophecy to the era of fulfillment?
- What steps can we take to discern true revelation from false revelation?
- How can we deepen our understanding of the role of the “One Sent” in each era?
- What does it mean to actively “believe and keep fulfillment” in our daily lives?
Overall Impression:
This document emphasizes the importance of understanding Revelation within the context of fulfillment. It encourages a shift from focusing on prophecy to actively seeking and believing in its real-world manifestations. The document also stresses the need for discernment, urging readers to distinguish between God’s true revelation and Satan’s deceptive tactics. By understanding these concepts, individuals can more effectively navigate the complexities of Revelation and prepare for the second coming of Christ.
Q&A
Q&A
1. What is the significance of understanding the different eras in biblical prophecy?
The Bible speaks of different eras, notably a time of prophecy and a time of fulfillment. The era of prophecy, characterized by partial knowledge, emphasized love and patience. Now, we are in the era of fulfillment, where prophecies come to life and our understanding becomes complete. This shift signifies a transition from spiritual infancy to maturity.
2. How is the book of Revelation structured?
Revelation comprises 22 chapters and 404 verses. Each chapter has a spiritual title that summarizes its main themes. The book is written in a prophetic style, using symbolic language and parables. Understanding these titles and deciphering the parables is key to comprehending Revelation’s message.
3. What are the three main events described in Revelation?
Revelation centers around three major events: betrayal, destruction, and salvation. A group symbolized by seven stars initially does God’s work but falls into rebellion. This leads to their destruction by a beast with seven heads and ten horns. Ultimately, salvation arrives through a figure known as New John and the 12 Tribes who guide people away from the forces of destruction.
4. What is the ultimate standard of truth when interpreting Revelation?
The standard of truth is not personal interpretations, assumptions, or commentaries, but the fulfillment of prophecy in actual reality. God’s word is truth, but it must be validated by real-world events that align with what was foretold. Prophecy without fulfillment is a lie, while prophecy with fulfillment is the undeniable truth.
5. What are the three types of revelation discussed in the source material?
The source identifies three types of revelation:
- Vision Revelation (Prophecy): God reveals His plan to His prophets through visions, often using symbolic language and parables.
- Actual Reality Revelation (Fulfillment): This involves witnessing the actual events that correspond to the prophecies, confirming their truth.
- False Revelation: This originates from Satan and aims to deceive and mislead people away from the true understanding of God’s word.
6. Why is it vital to understand the concept of the “one sent” in each era?
God consistently sends individuals to serve as His standard-bearers and reveal His truth to humanity. In the Old Testament, it was Moses. At Jesus’ first coming, it was Jesus himself. Now, in the time of the second coming, it is New John who is sent to testify to the fulfillment of the new covenant and guide people to salvation.
7. What is the significance of the analogy of “eating the scroll” in both Ezekiel and Revelation?
Both Ezekiel and Apostle John are instructed to eat a scroll in their visions. This act symbolizes fully internalizing and understanding God’s word, even its bitter parts. The fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision comes through Jesus, who lived out what Ezekiel saw prophetically. Similarly, New John is the one who fulfills Apostle John’s vision by witnessing and testifying to the events of Revelation in actual reality.
8. Why is true revelation crucial for attaining eternal life?
True revelation is essential because it leads us to know the one true God and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. This knowledge is the key to eternal life. By distinguishing between true and false revelations, we avoid the deception of those who falsely claim to represent God but ultimately lead people away from Him.