III. THE REVELATION OF THE FUTURE 4:1--22:5

John recorded the rest of this book to reveal those aspects of the future that God wanted His people to know (cf. 1:19). He revealed the events in chapters 4-18 to enable the readers to understand events leading up to Jesus Christ's second coming.

"The closest modern parallel to this mode of communication is the political cartoon, which has gained an established place in the popular press all over the world."¹⁹⁴

Scholars have proposed many interpretations of the remaining chapters (4-22), but the only ones that make much sense of the text are those that see them as predicting events yet future. This is the futuristic approach. Other approaches are the following. The idealist(or allegorical) approach sees these chapters as containing the story of the conflict between God and Satan in the present age with a symbolic presentation of God's ultimate victory. The preteristapproach sees these chapters as a picture of conflicts that took place in the early history of the church. Some preterist interpreters see these chapters as a symbolic revelation of God's principles of dealing with humankind throughout history. The historicalapproach interprets these chapters as a history of the church from Jesus Christ's first advent to His second advent. A major problem with the approaches just named is that their advocates do not agree with one another on the interpretation of individual passages. Only the futuristicapproach has resulted in consistency in the interpretation of the major interpretive problems. This approach also has the support of 1:19 that promises a revelation of things yet future.

Whereas chapters 4-18 present events culminating in Jesus Christ's second coming, there are clues in the text that not everything in these chapters is in chronological order. I will point out these clues in the exposition to follow. There is also evidence in the text that as the time of Christ's return approaches predicted events will occur more closely together. The revelation of these events becomes correspondingly fuller. Jesus' second coming is the true climax of this section of the book and is the true climax of history on planet earth.

 A. Introduction to the judgments of the Tribulation chs. 4-5

Chapters 4 and 5 prepared John, and they prepare the reader, for the outpouring of judgments on the earth that follow. They present the place from which these judgments originate and the Person from whom they come. Before revealing the judgments God will send on the earth (chs. 6-18), He gave John a second vision (cf. 1:10-3:22). This vision revealed what will take place in heaven (chs. 4-5) following the Rapture and the judgment seat of Christ (1 Pet. 4:17-18). He did this to enable the readers to view coming earthly events from a heavenly perspective.

One writer proposed that God revealed the whole heavenly court scene in chapters 4-5 as a cosmic temple similar to Israel's Old Testament temple. The court scene describes a divine council in session. In it God decides the worthiness of the Lamb to receive the covenant inheritance, symbolized by the seven-sealed scroll, by a process of investigative judgment.¹⁹⁵

"Chapters 4-5 may be viewed as the fulcrum of the Revelation. In relation to what has gone before they provide a fuller understanding of him who dominates the letters to the churches. In relation to the rest of the book they serve the double purpose of initiating the series of judgments which lead to the final advent and descent of the city of God to earth, and of supplying the form for the series of messianic judgments (the seven seals) which immediately follow. In this respect these chapters constitute the pivot of the structure which holds the book together, for the rest of the visions dovetail into this main structure. Yet the vision of chapters 4-5 is also a self-contained whole, serving a highly important function regarding the message of the book. It reveals the ground of assurance that God's gracious purpose for the universe will come to pass, and so it is dominated by praise and adoration."¹⁹⁶

"No part of the Scripture is more calculated to evoke worship than these two chapters of John's prophecy."¹⁹⁷

 B. The first six seal judgments ch. 6 

John received revelation concerning the judgments that would take place on earth after the Lamb opened the seals on the scroll (5:1). God gave him this information to help us understand what will take place in the future. The diagram above places the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgements that begin to unfold here in the context of the earlier revelation concerning Daniel's seventieth week (Dan. 9:24-27).

The failure of scholars to agree on the correlation of events that have happened in church history with these judgments confirms that the events predicted here are still future (cf. 1:19; 4:1). Some interpreters view the seals as describing conditions preparatory to the Tribulation.²⁴⁸Other scholars believe that they picture events that are part of the Tribulation.²⁴⁹I favor the second view. The seals, trumpets, and bowl judgments seem to fit best this last seven-year period of which Daniel prophesied (i.e., the Tribulation, Dan. 9:27).

The order of events predicted in Revelation 6 is very similar to the order Jesus predicted in the Olivet Discourse. That passage is key to understanding the further revelation that God gave John about this future time. These events are the appearance of antichrists, war, famine, death, martyrdom, and earthly and heavenly phenomena. Later in the Olivet Discourse Jesus mentioned an event that occurs at the middle of Daniel's seventieth week, namely, the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14). Consequently the events that He described before the midpoint, namely, those of the first six seals, will probably occur in the first half of the Tribulation. Jesus referred to this three and one-half year period as the "beginning of birth-pangs"(Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8).

The "beginning of birth-pangs"(Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8)

The first half of the Tribulation

Matt. 24:4-5

Mark 13:6

Luke 21:8

Antichrists

Rev. 6:1-2

First seal

Matt. 24:6-7

Mark 13:7-8

Luke 21:9-10

War

Rev. 6:3-4

Second seal

Matt. 24:7

Mark 13:8

Luke 21:11

Famine

Rev. 6:5-6

Third seal

Matt. 24:9

Mark 13:12

Luke 21:16

Death

Rev. 6:7-8

Fourth seal

Matt. 24:9-13

Mark 13:9-13

Luke 21:12-19

Martyrdom

Rev. 6:9-11

Fifth seal

Luke 21:11

Earthly & heavenly phenomena

Rev. 6:12-17

Sixth seal

The "abomination of desolation"(Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14)

The middle of the Tribulation

 C. Supplementary revelation of salvation in the Great Tribulation ch. 7

God led John to record what he saw between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals to explain how God would be merciful during this period of judgment.²⁷³John received two new visions that corrected the possible impression that no one would survive the "beginning of birth-pangs"(6:17). God will deliver two groups of people during the first half of the Tribulation (cf. Matt. 24:14). He will preserve 144,000 Israelites alive on the earth, and He will take to heaven a multitude of people from all nations who will die then. John saw both groups in this chapter. It contrasts the security of believers in Jesus with the panic of unbelievers during the period just described (ch. 6).²⁷⁴It also answers the question posed in 6:17: "Who is able to stand?"Furthermore it serves as a dramatic interlude delaying briefly the disclosure of what will follow in the seventh seal to heighten expectation.

 D. The first six trumpet judgments chs. 8-9

John received a revelation of more judgments to take place next on earth to prepare his readers for these events.³⁰⁵

 E. Supplementary revelation of John's preparation for recording the remaining judgments in the Great Tribulation ch. 10

John proceeded with his revelation to unfold the future course of events for his readers. We have already seen that God interrupted the sequence of the seven seal judgments with revelation concerning other events happening at approximately the same time. This took place between the sixth and seventh seals (ch. 7). Now He interrupted the sequence of trumpet judgments between the sixth and seventh trumpets with the insertion of other revelation (10:1-11:14).³⁴⁰The emphasis shifts temporarily from the outpouring of God's wrath on unbelievers to the consolation and encouragement of believers.

 F. Supplementary revelation of the two witnesses in the Great Tribulation 11:1-14

John recorded the revelation dealing with the two witnesses to inform his readers of the ministries of these important individuals during the Great Tribulation. This section continues the parenthetical revelation begun in 10:1. It is one of the more difficult chapters to interpret, and students of the book have proposed many different explanations.

 G. The seventh trumpet judgment 11:15-19

John's revelation continued to unfold future events as God revealed these to him in his vision. The scene John saw next was in heaven. The seventh trumpet judgment did not begin immediately (cf. 8:1-5), but John received information preparatory to it (11:15-15:8).

11:15 When the seventh angel sounded loud voices in heaven announced that the long-expected reign of Jesus Christ over the world would begin soon (20:1-10; cf. Ps. 2:2; Isa. 9:6-7; Ezek. 21:26-27; Dan. 2:35, 44, 4:3; 6:26; 7:14, 26-27; Zech. 14:9). "Has become"(Gr. egeneto) is proleptic.³⁷⁴This will happen after the seventh trumpet has run its course.³⁷⁵The loud voices probably belong to the whole host of heaven. "Lord"refers to God the Father.

"Jesus will return and assume the throne of His father David in this future crisis, at which time He will replace the satanically energized sovereignty of world rulers that has prevailed for so long. The whole theme of Revelation is the purging of evil from the world so that it can become the domain of the King of kings (cf. 19:16). Only a physical kingdom on earth will satisfy this."³⁷⁶

"He"includes both the Father and His Christ. The earthly reign of Christ will continue in the new heaven and earth when He will turn over control to the Father and "God will be all in all"(21:1-22:5; cf. Dan 2:44; 7:14, 27; 1 Cor. 15:24, 27-28).

11:16 The 24 elders' (4:10; 5:8, 14; 7:13-14) response to this announcement was to prostrate themselves before God. Worship in heaven contrasts with rebellion on earth.

11:17 The elders thank God for taking His power in hand and finally reigning.³⁷⁷In the vision He was about to do this. "Lord God, the Almighty"stresses God's irresistible power and sovereignty, which now become evident. "Who art and who wast"emphasizes God's uninterrupted existence, which makes His endless rule possible. Until now God had allowed powers hostile to His people to control the earth, but now He will begin to rule directly.

The elders' statement has led some interpreters to conclude that it signals the beginning of Jesus Christ's reign. In view of the events that seem to follow this one and precede the beginning of His reign in chapter 20, a different understanding is preferable. It seems better to regard the elders' statement as anticipatory of the inauguration of that reign.

"The event is so certain that throughout this section it is repeatedly spoken of as already having taken place."³⁷⁸

11:18 The elders continue to anticipate the beginning of Messiah's rule on earth by foreseeing the raging response of unbelieving Gentiles (cf. 16:14, 16, 19; 20:8-9; Ps. 2:1, 5, 12) and the outpouring of God's holy wrath (cf. Matt. 3:7; Luke 3:7; Rom. 2:5, 8; 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9). They also see the judgment of the dead and the rewarding of believers. They not only give thanks that Christ reigns supremely (v. 17) but that He judges righteously and rewards graciously (v. 18).

"Although rewards are all of grace (Rom. 4:4), they vary according to what each has done (I Cor 3:8)."³⁷⁹

"The elders in their song make no attempt to separate the different phases of judgment as they are separated in the closing chapters of Revelation. They simply sing of that future judgment as though it were one event, much on the order of other Scriptures that do not distinguish future judgments from each other (cf. Mark 4:29; John 5:25, 28-29; Acts 17:31; 24:21)."³⁸⁰

The elders distinguished two groups of believers: the Old Testament and New Testament prophets, who communicated divine revelation, and the saints, namely, other believers.³⁸¹They further described these saints as even (ascensive use of "and,"Gr. kai) those who fear God's name both small and great (e.g., both slaves and nobles; cf. 13:16; 19:5, 18; 20:12). The elders also anticipated the destruction of the wicked who have been responsible for the divine judgments that have destroyed the earth. John would soon learn of the destruction of some of these destroyers, namely, Babylon, the beast, the false prophet, and Satan.

11:19 John then saw the temple in heaven opened (cf. Heb. 9:23).³⁸²This event, as the others in this pericope, is proleptic (cf. 15:5).³⁸³The opening of the temple probably pictures the immediate fellowship with God that believers will enjoy following these judgments. In the temple, John viewed the ark of God's covenant, the emblem of His faithfulness, presence, and atonement to the Israelites. The last chronological reference to the ark in the Old Testament is in 2 Chronicles 35:3. What happened to it after that is unknown. Many scholars believe it perished in Shishak's invasion, during Manasseh's apostasy, when Nebuchadnezzar burned the temple in 586 B.C., or during the Babylonian captivity (cf. 1 Kings 14:26; 2 Kings 25:9; 2 Chron. 33:7; Jer. 3:16.³⁸⁴There was no ark in the second temple.³⁸⁵What John saw, however, was not the earthly ark but its heavenly counterpart (cf. Heb. 9:24). Its appearance in the vision suggests that God would resume dealing with Israel and would soon fulfill His covenant promises to that nation.

As elsewhere, the storm theophany portrays the manifestation of God's presence (cf. 4:5; 16:18; Exod. 19:16-19) and His wrathful judgment (cf. 8:5; 10:3; 16:18).³⁸⁶It concludes this part of John's vision that proleptically anticipates the end of the Tribulation judgments and the inauguration of God's kingdom.

This verse is transitional concluding the present pericope and introducing what follows.

There is no revelation in this pericope (vv. 15-19) of the judgment announced by the blowing of the seventh trumpet. The record of this judgment appears in chapter 16. There we have a prophecy of seven bowl judgments. It appears that as the seven trumpet judgments were a revelation of the seventh seal judgment so the seven bowl judgments will be a revelation of the seventh trumpet judgment.³⁸⁷Consequently the revelation in chapters 12-15 seems to be another insertion of information about this time, the Great Tribulation, not advancing the chronological sequence of events on earth (cf. 7:1-17 and 10:1-11:14). The chronological progression resumes again in 16:1.

 H. Supplementary revelation of Satan's activity in the Great Tribulation chs. 12-13

God gave John knowledge of the forces and persons behind the climax of anti-God hostility so he could understand the bowl judgments, which the seventh trumpet judgment contained.

 I. Supplementary revelation of Preparations for the final judgments in the Great Tribulation chs. 14-15454

 J. The seven bowl judgments ch. 16

John revealed the outpouring of the bowls to enable his readers to understand the climactic judgments of the Great Tribulation. The setting of John's vision in this chapter is the earth.

"These plagues are not the expression of God's wrath against sin in general, nor are they punishments for individual wrongdoing. They are the outpouring of his wrath upon him who would frustrate the divine purpose in the world--the beast--and upon those who have given their loyalty to him.

"These plagues are God's answer to Satan's last and greatest effort to frustrate the divine rule."⁵⁰⁵

 K. Supplementary revelation of the judgment of ungodly systems in the Great Tribulation chs. 17-18 

Further revelation concerning the destruction of Babylon follows in chapters 17 and 18. Both chapters are parenthetic in that they do not advance the revelation chronologically. They give further supplementary information about matters referred to in the chronological sections (as do 7:1-17; 10:1-11:14; and 12:1-15:8). Babylon in chapters 17 and 18 represents the head of Gentile world power. For this reason many interpreters take the city and empire in view as referring to Rome (cf. 1 Pet. 5:13). Daniel saw Babylon as the gold head of an image that represented Gentile world powers in Daniel 2.

The focus of attention in chapter 17 is on the religious system that God identified with Babylon in Scripture, and that of chapter 18 is on the commercial system He identified with it. Babylon is not just the name of a city in the Middle East. It is also a name that symbolizes the chief characteristics of that city throughout history, which have been a certain religious system and a certain commercial system. We need to keep this double use of the name as a real city and as a symbol in mind as we study these chapters. In a similar way "Rome"may mean the Roman Catholic Church as well as the city of Rome in Italy, and the name "Hollywood"represents both a town and an industry associated with that town.

"She [Babylon] stands for civilized man apart from God, man in organized but godless community."⁵⁵⁰

"The ancient Babylon is better understood here as the archetypal head of all entrenched worldly resistance to God. Babylon is a trans-historical reality including idolatrous kingdoms as diverse as Sodom, Gomorrah, Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Nineveh, and Rome. Babylon is an eschatological symbol of satanic deception and power; it is a divine mystery that can never be wholly reducible to empirical earthly institutions. It may be said that Babylon represents the total culture of the world apart from God, while the divine system is depicted by the New Jerusalem. Rome is simply one manifestation of the total system."⁵⁵¹

 L. The second coming of Christ ch. 19

John wrote the record of his vision of events surrounding the Lord Jesus' second coming to share the future vindication of Jesus Christ with his readers. The chapter has two parts: the rejoicing triggered by Babylon's fall (vv. 1-10), and the events surrounding the Lamb's return to the earth (vv. 11-21).

 M. The millennial reign of Christ ch. 20

John recorded his vision of Jesus Christ's reign on the earth for 1, 000 years to inform his readers of what would take place after He returns to the earth.

"Few verses in the Bible are more crucial to the interpretation of the Bible as a whole than the opening verses in Revelation 20."⁶⁶⁹

Many other passages in Scripture indicate that a reign of peace and righteousness on earth will follow the Second Coming (Ps. 2; 24; 72; 96; Isa. 2; 9:6-7; 11-12; 63:1-6; 65-66; Jer. 23:5-6; 30:8-11; Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14; Hosea 3:4-5; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 4:1-8; Zeph. 3:14-20; Zech. 8:1-8; 14:1-9; Matt. 19:28; 25:31-46; Acts 15:16-18; Rom. 11:25-27; Jude 14-15; Rev. 2:25-28). Therefore it seems clear that chapter 20 describes what will follow chapter 19 in chronological sequence.⁶⁷⁰Evidently Jesus Christ will begin to reign almost immediately after He returns to the earth.

". . . we may note that the ancient church down to the time of Augustine (354-430) (though not without minor exceptions) unquestionably held to the teaching of an earthly, historical reign of peace that was to follow the defeat of Antichrist and the physical resurrection of the saints but precede both the judgment and the new creation . . ."⁶⁷¹

Mounce, who believed that the Millennium will be an earthly reign of Christ following His second coming, held an unusual view of this period.

"The millennium is not, for John, the messianic age foretold by the prophets of the OT, but a special reward for those who have paid with their lives the price of faithful opposition to the idolatrous claims of Antichrist. . . .

"In short, John taught a literal millennium, but its essential meaning may be realized in something other than a temporal fulfillment."⁶⁷²

 N. The eternal state 21:1-22:5

The next scenes in John's visions proved to be of conditions that will exist after the Millennium. He recorded this insight to reveal the final home of believers. There are many allusions to Isaiah 60 and 65 and Ezekiel 40-48 in this pericope. The final two chapters also tie up strands of revelation from every major previous section of the book.⁷¹⁶This pericope is a picture of new beginnings, a sharp contrast with the lake of fire, another final end, in the previous one.

Note some contrasts between the former creation and the future creation.⁷¹⁷

Genesis

Revelation

Heavens and earth created (1:1)

New heavens and earth (21:1)

Sun created (1:16)

No need of the sun (21:23)

The night established (1:5)

No night there (21:25; 22:5)

The seas created (1:10)

No more seas (21:1)

The curse announced (3:14-17)

No more curse (22:3)

Death enters history (3:19)

No more death (21:4)

Man driven from the tree (3:24)

Man restored to paradise (22:140

Sorrow and pain begin (3:17)

No more mourning, crying or pain (21:4)