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11 they overcame by the blood (part 2) slideshow
1. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Lesson 11
They Overcame by the Blood (Part 2)
Amen! Hallelujah! – A Study of the Book of Revelation
By Dale Wells
Rev. 13:1-14:5
The Devil's Three Forces
Sea beast
Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming
up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten
crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
Earth beast aka False prophet
Rev 13:11 WEB I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had
two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.
Rev 19:20 WEB The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who
worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had
received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These
two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Great prostitute
Rev 17:1 WEB One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came
and spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the judgment of the
great prostitute who sits on many waters,
The Beast out of the Sea
Lesson 11 1
2. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Rev 13:1-10 WEB
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea,
having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his
heads, blasphemous names. (2) The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and
his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The
dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (3) One of his
heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and
the whole earth marveled at the beast. (4) They worshiped the dragon,
because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast,
saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (5) A
mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to
make war for forty-two months was given to him. (6) He opened his mouth for
blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who
dwell in heaven. (7) It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was
given to him. (8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose
name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of
the Lamb who has been killed. (9) If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (10) If
anyone has captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is with the sword, he
must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
Points of identification about the Sea
Beast
Like the dragon, the sea beast has seven heads and ten horns
Rev 12:3. WEB Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great
red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads
seven crowns.
7 heads indicates that it rules by God’s permission.
10 horns indicates that it has power, but its power is limited by God.
Unlike the dragon (7 diadems), this beast has 10 diadems.
10 diadems indicates that God sets limits on its rule.
On each head, the Sea Beast wears
a blasphemous name
"Blasphemous" means "insulting to God."
These are names, or titles, that should be used only of God,
such as "Lord," "God," "Almighty," "Divine," “Worshipful."
These seven heads represent seven rulers who claim divine
rank. Later, we'll see an immoral woman riding atop this beast.
There we'll learn something about the heads:
Rev 17:9-10 WEB Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven
heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. (10) They
are seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet
come. When he comes, he must continue a little while.
The meaning of blasphemous or "insulting" in this context
means "to bring dishonor to God," "to mock God," or "be an
affront to God."
Thus, the idea of this text is "on each of its heads there was a
name that mocked God."
Lesson 11 2
3. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
The Sea Beast is best understood in
light of Daniel 7:1-8
Dan 7:1-8 WEB In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a
dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told the
sum of the matters. (2) Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and,
behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea. (3) Four great
animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (4) The first was like
a lion, and had eagle's wings: I saw until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted
up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man; and a man's heart
was given to it. (5) Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was
raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and
they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. (6) After this I saw, and behold,
another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal
had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (7) After this I saw in the
night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong
exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and
stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that
were before it; and it had ten horns. (8) I considered the horns, and behold,
there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the
first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like
the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Both came out of the sea
John sees one beast; Daniel sees four.
In both, the animals emerge from the sea.
Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast
coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On
his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
Dan 7:3 WEB Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse
one from another.
Both had 10 horns
Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a
beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven
heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads,
blasphemous names.
Dan 7:7 WEB After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold,
a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong
exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in
pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse
from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Lesson 11 3
4. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Both included references to Leopard,
Bear & Lion
Rev 13:2 WEB The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and
his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth
of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great
authority.
Dan 7:3-6 WEB
Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
(4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I saw until its wings
were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on
two feet as a man; and a man's heart was given to it. (5) Behold,
another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side,
and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to
it, Arise, devour much flesh. (6) After this I saw, and behold, another,
like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal
had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Both include references to being
boastful & blasphemous
Rev 13:5 WEB A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy ...
Dan 7:8 WEB I considered the horns, and behold, there came up
among them another horn in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a
man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Dan 7:19-20 WEB Then I desired to know the truth concerning the
fourth animal (20) and that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that
spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
Dan 7:25 WEB He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall
wear out the saints of the Most High...
Lesson 11 4
5. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Both make war against the saints
Rev 13:7 WEB It was given to him to make war with the saints,
and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people,
language, and nation was given to him.
Dan 7:25 WEB He shall wear out the saints of the Most High
and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times
and half a time.
Both oppress the saints for the same
time period
Rev 13:5 WEB Authority to make war for forty-two months
was given to him.
Dan 7:25 WEB He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall
think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given
into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
42 months is the same time period as "a time, times & half a
time" (3 ½ years) & 1,260 days.
Daniel's beasts are 4 kingdoms
Dan 7:17-18 NIV 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that
will rise from the earth. (18) But the saints of the Most High will
receive the kingdom and will possess it forever--yes, for ever
and ever.'
In the days of the fourth kingdom, God will set up an everlasting
kingdom.
Dan 7:26-27 WEB But the judgment shall be set, and they shall
take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end.
(27) The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of
the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Lesson 11 5
6. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Daniel's 4 empires: Babylon, Medo-
Persia, Greece & Rome
More important details from Daniel 7
The beast was killed & its body was burned.
Dan 7:11-12 WEB I saw at that time because of the voice of
the great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the
animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to
be burned with fire. (12) As for the rest of the animals, their
dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for
a season and a time.
The son of man was given an indestructible kingdom.
Dan 7:13-14 WEB I saw in the night visions, and behold,
there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man,
and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought
him near before him. (14) There was given him dominion,
and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and
languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting
dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that
which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel wants to know about the
fourth kingdom – Rome.
Dan 7:19-20 WEB Then I desired to know the truth
concerning the fourth animal, which was diverse from
all of them
Explanation:
The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom.
Dan 7:23 WEB Thus he said, The fourth animal shall be a
fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all the
kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it
down, and break it in pieces.
10 horns are 10 kings, followed by an 11th who subdues 3.
Dan 7:24 WEB As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall
ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall
be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.
Lesson 11 6
7. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
The difference between Daniel &
Revelation is a matter of perspective.
Daniel looks forward through history, so he describes
the animals in this order: lion, bear, leopard.
John, living in the time of Daniel's fourth beast,
describes that beast with elements of the earlier
three: leopard, bear & lion. The significance is that
Daniel's fourth beast – the beast described by John,
has characteristics of the earlier three.
The heads are kings
There are 7, but an 8th is coming up.
Rev 17:9-11 WEB Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven
heads are (10) seven kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the
other has not yet come. When he comes, he must continue a little
while. (11) The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an
eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction.
Five have fallen: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero.
One is: Vespasian (this places the writing around 78-79 AD).
One is yet to come: Titus
The 11th king who becomes the 8th is
Domitian
Daniel says the 11th will knock off 3 to become an 8th
Dan 7:8 WEB I considered the horns, and behold, there came up
among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the
first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn
were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great
things.
John doesn’t mention 3, so Domitian is the 8th
Why did Domitian want to be the 8th?
8 is the number of resurrection & supported his claim to deity.
Lesson 11 7
8. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
The Sea Beast appears to have
something in common with the Lamb
The earlier description of the lamb included reference to a fatal wound:
Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in the midst of the throne a Lamb standing, as
though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are
the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
The beast also "had a wound that seemed to be fatal."
The lamb was standing, having actually been slain; the beast only
appears to have suffered a mortal wound, but "his deadly wound had
healed," (i.e. a scar showed how severe the wound had been).
Nero’s persecution of Christians died
with him.
Domitian aspired to the throne after Nero's suicide & was
involved in the overthrow of Galba, Otho & Vitellius.
Domitian fostered the story that he was Nero reincarnated – i.e.
Nero redivivus – and he revived the persecution of Christians.
Rev 13:3 WEB One of his heads looked like it had been wounded
fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled
at the beast.
The dragon shares his power with
the beast
The dragon gave his power, throne and authority to the beast.
From now on the beast is the dragon's deputy, with authority to
speak & act in the name of the dragon.
People worshiped the beast – a reference to emperor worship.
"Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" This is
practically a psalm sung in praise of the sea beast.
This flies in the face of the name of Michael, that means “Who is
like God?”
Lesson 11 8
9. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
The sea beast blasphemes &
exercises authority for 42 months
The beast was given the power of speech. The passive verb
points to God as the one who allows the beast to speak.In other
words, "God allowed the beast to speak ”
"Uttering haughty and blasphemous words": the Greek text says
"great (utterances) and blasphemies," which means "outrageous
blasphemies."
The "proud claims" were insults to God. The idea is that the
beast was claiming rights and authority that belong only to God.
It was allowed to exercise authority. This again shows that God
is in control. In other words, "God allowed the beast to have
authority."
The time period is the same as the time in Revelation 11:2:
Rev 11:2 WEB Leave out the court which is outside of the temple,
and don't measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will
tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.
Encouragement for Christians to hold
fast
Rev 13:9-10 WEB If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (10) If anyone
has captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is with the sword, he
must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
This is like the exhortation to the seven churches in chapters 2-3.
The idea is that expressed in Jeremiah:
Jer 15:2 WEB It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go forth?
then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: Such as are for death, to
death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the
famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.
The meaning is that anyone destined
to be imprisoned will be imprisoned
It is likely that this is a way of counseling Christians to submit to
arrest and imprisonment, without trying to escape their God-
given destiny.
The Good News Bible does a better job, especially with the
reference to being killed by the sword:
Rev 13:10 GNB Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be
captured; whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be
killed by the sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of
God's people."
Killed by the sword refers to people being executed for their beliefs.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith.
Awareness of the fact that it is God's will that many of them be
imprisoned and slain calls for endurance and faith on their part.
However, in the book of Revelation, the one ultimately destined
for captivity & the sword is not the Christian, but the beast!
Lesson 11 9
10. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Earth Beast
Rev 13:11-18 WEB
I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a
lamb, and he spoke like a dragon. (12) He exercises all the authority
of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who
dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
(13) He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the
sky to the earth in the sight of people. (14) He deceives my own
people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to
do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that
they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and
lived. (15) It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the
beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as
many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. (16) He
causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free
and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their
foreheads; (17) and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless
he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.
(18) Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the
number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six
hundred sixty-six.
This beast appears gentle
It looked like a lamb. A lamb always a has a religious
significance. Hence, this beast has an outwardly
religious appearance
It had two horns like a lamb: these horns are small
and inoffensive and depict this beast as a gentle
creature.
Lesson 11 10
11. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
In reality, it exercises the power of
the Devil
It has the voice of the dragon. Remember who the dragon is:
Rev 12:9 WEB The great dragon he who is called the devil and
Satan, the deceiver of the whole world....
This beast has the authority of the first beast, who has the
authority of the dragon. This beast is backed by the power of
Rome, which is backed by the power of the Devil.
Rev 13:12 WEB He exercises all the authority of the first beast in
his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to
worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
It forces people to worship the first
beast (sea beast)
Hence, he is going to be called “false prophet”.
Rev 19:20 WEB The beast was taken, and with him the
false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which
he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast
and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown
alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Rev 13:13 WEB He performs great signs, even making fire
come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
It forces people to worship the first
beast (sea beast)
“All these characteristics seem to identify the second
beast as the ‘commune’ or ‘concilia’ set up in Asia
Minor to enforce the state religion. This was an
official body which had charge of the state religion
and had as its duty to force all to do homage to the
image of the emperor” (Ray Summers, Worthy is the
Lamb, p. 178).
Lesson 11 11
12. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Images to beast – emperor temples
in all cities
Without the mark, cannot work or trade. Starving out Christians
Not a literal mark of beast any more than a literal mark of God
Rev 7:3 WEB "Don't harm the earth sea, nor the trees, until
we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"
People take it figurative till they get to this or to 1000 year reign,
then all of a sudden want it to be literal. Hogwash.
One couldn’t get work unless he belonged to trade guilds.
Otherwise, forced out of work & into black market.
Tertullian
Early in the Third Century, a convert named Tertullian
challenged Christians involved in the trade guilds "head-on".
Tertullian, son of a Roman officer, was a lawyer.
After his conversion, he became something of a "conscience" to
the church of his day, with some of his writings.
Among other things, he wrote a series of essays on idolatry.
Tertullian
The basic idea of the piece was this:
A Christian might confess Caesar as Lord, or engage in some
pagan ritual, possibly involving idolatry or immorality, so that he
might be able to continue in his trade.
He might justify himself by glibly saying, "I must live".
Tertullian asked scathing questions, "But must you live?" "Where is
it written that you must live?"
Christ does not demand that we must live – only that we be faithful!
Lesson 11 12
13. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Number of the name:
Man’s number – Not “a man” just “man”.
6 falls short of 7 every time. The more it tries to catch up, the
farther it falls behind.
6 is one short of 7; 66 is 11 short of 77; 666 is 111 short of 777.
See, it just gets farther behind.
John probably has a gematrical
number in mind
Ancient alphabets shared number & letters, so letters stood for
numerals – unlike English. Thus a was both the first letter & the first
number, b was both the second letter & the second number. Context
determined whether the character was used as a letter or number.
Gematria was the practice of encoding words by adding up the
numerical values of the letters. Thus, David (spelled DVD in Heb) had a
value of 4+6+4 or 14 (Matt. 1)
Likely, John had a word in mind, but what was it? Suggestions have
included the Pope, Hitler, Nero & a host of others.
Jack Van Impe believes it is VISA
“The number “6” in Roman numerals is made up of the letters, “VI”. The
ancient Greek number “6” was taken from the sixth letter of their
alphabet, the letter “sigma” which looks like the English letter “s.”
Returning to the Babylonian empire and their sexagesimal system of
numbers, the [computer] programmer considered that the possibility
that their letter “A’ equaled 6. Thus, from the three great world
empires of history, he found that the composition of the number “666”
spells the word VISA – the exact name of today’s most accepted and
popular credit card” (11:59 and Counting, pp.106,107)
The Greek word for that is "Baloney!"
Lesson 11 13
14. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
666 in Rev 13:18 is a gematria
Rev 13:18 WEB He who has understanding, let him calculate
the number of the beast .... His number is six hundred sixty-six.
666 is rebellion, compounded and compounded again!
666 is man’s attempt to usurp God’s throne!
666 in Rev 13:18 is clearly a gematria
The number concealed a name known to the hearers and readers.
The name behind the number was quickly lost. Irenaeus, a 2nd
Century Christian posed several possibilities, but he didn’t know the
name behind the number.
Possible names that make sense in
light of the historical setting
Lateinos = “Latin” (e.g. Rome, the city or the empire) =
30+1+300+5+10+50+70+200 = 666
Teitan = “Titus” (the common name of the three Flavian
Emperors: Vespasian,Titus and Domitian. Vespasian was the
emperor at the time Revelation was written. Titus came to the
throne shortly thereafter. Domitian began the first empire-wide
persecution of Christians.) = 300+5+10+300+1+50 = 666
Kaisarsebaston = “Caesar Augustus” (“worshipful Caesar”). The
imperial name = 20+1+10+200+1+100+200+5+2+1+6+70+50 =
666
(Note: this calculation requires using the obsolete letter stigma (= 6)
in the place of the letters sigma (= 200) and tau (= 300). I do not
regard this as particularly objectionable, since the book was
intended to be read aloud. The hearers would be used to
associating the “st” sound with the value of 6.)
John equates the “name” of the sea
beast with the “number” of the name
Rev 13:16-17 WEB He causes all, the small and the great, the
rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks
on their right hands, or on their foreheads; (17) and that no one
would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the
name of the beast or the number of his name.
Lesson 11 14
15. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Recall the first beast had 7 heads
with a blasphemous name on each
One name common to all heads, not seven different names, as
many translations suggest.
Rev 13:1 MSG I saw a Beast rising from the sea. It had ten
horns and seven heads--on each horn a crown, and each head
inscribed with a blasphemous name.
The "heads" are elsewhere identified as kings
Rev 17:9-10 WEB The seven heads ... (10) are seven
kings. Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come.
When he comes, he must continue a little while.
The common theme of the 1st
Century Roman emperors names
Caesar Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD)
Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus (14 – 37 AD)
Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Caligula) (37 – 41 AD)
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (41 – 54 AD)
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (54 – 68 AD)
Servius Galba Caesar Augustus (68 – 69 AD)
Marcus Otho Caesar Augustus (69 AD)
Aulus Vitellius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (69 AD)
Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (69 – 79 AD)
Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (79 - 81 AD)
Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus (81 – 96 AD)
Caesar Augustus means “worshipful
Caesar”
Clearly this is a blasphemous name
Rev 13:1 Webster And I stood upon the sand of the sea,
and saw a beast rise out of the sea, having seven heads and
ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his
heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:1 YLT And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and I
saw out of the sea a beast coming up, having seven heads
and ten horns, and upon its horns ten diadems, and upon its
heads a name of evil speaking,
Rev 13:1 GNB Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea.
It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there
was a crown, and on each of its heads there was a name
that was insulting to God.
Lesson 11 15
16. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Eight contrasts with six in other
apocalyptic writings.
Eight symbolizes resurrection (not used in Revelation).
Early writers said Christians met on”the 8th day of the week,
which is also the 1st”, because of Jesus’ resurrection!
In contrast with “666”, Jesus is “888”.
2nd Century Sybilline Oracles, says that Jesus is 888.
The gematrical value of “Jesus” (Ieesous) is 888.
The writer said 8 symbolized resurrection. Thus, Jesus is truly 888.
The one who is 666 can never measure up to the one who is 888!
The Lamb & the 144,000 (14:1-5)
Rev 14:1-5 WEB I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion,
and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his
name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. (2) I
heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the
sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of
harpists playing on their harps. (3) They sing a new song before the
throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one
could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those
who had been redeemed out of the earth. (4) These are those who
were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who
follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus
from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (5) In their
mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
By contrast with those with the names of the beast, these have the
name of God on their foreheads
Rev 7:2-3 WEB I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the
seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom
it was given to harm the earth and the sea, (3) saying, "Don't harm the
earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants
of our God on their foreheads!"
They’re in the presence of the Lamb
Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four
living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing,
as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven
eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the
earth.
They’re standing on Mount Zion.
Search the scriptures & you’ll find that Zion is where God is &
wherever God is is Zion (Like President & Air Force 1)
Lesson 11 16
17. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
David captures Jerusalem
2Sa 5:6-10 WEB The king and his men went to Jerusalem
against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to
David, saying, Unless you take away the blind and the lame,
you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here.
(7) Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is
the city of David. (8) David said on that day, Whoever strikes
the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the
lame and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore
they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can't come into
the house. (9) David lived in the stronghold, and called it the
city of David. David built around from Millo and inward. (10)
David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies,
was with him.
Zion is symbolic of Jerusalem
Psa 2:6 WEB "Yet I have set my King on my holy hill
of Zion."
Psa 48:1-2 WEB Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be
praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
(2) Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great
King.
Psa 132:13-14 WEB For Yahweh has chosen Zion.
He has desired it for his habitation. (14) "This is my
resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have
desired it.
Zion is a symbol of the church
Heb 12:22-24 WEB But you have come to Mount Zion, and to
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to
innumerable multitudes of angels, (23) to the general assembly
and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to
God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
(24) to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling that speaks better than that of Abel.
1Co 3:16 WEB Don't you know that you are a temple of God,
and that God's Spirit lives in you?
Eph 2:19-22 WEB So then you are no longer strangers and
foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God, (20) being built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief
cornerstone; (21) in whom the whole building, fitted together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom you also are
built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
Lesson 11 17
18. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
This Zion is in Heaven (14:2-3)
Rev 14:2-3 WEB I heard a sound from heaven, like the
sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great
thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists
playing on their harps. (3) They sing a new song before
the throne, and before the four living creatures and the
elders. No one could learn the song except the one
hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been
redeemed out of the earth.
Who are these people? (vv.4-5)
Rev 14:4-5 WEB These are those who were not defiled with
women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the
Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from
among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (5) In their
mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
Sexually pure
Follow the lamb – i.e. obedient.
Purchased from among men – by the
blood of Christ
Rev 5:8-10 WEB Now when he had taken the book, the four
living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the
Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of the saints. (9) They sang a new song,
saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals:
for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out
of every tribe, language, people, and nation, (10) and made us
kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth."
Lesson 11 18
19. The Book of Revelation 5/13/2007
Firstfruits to God
Jam 1:18 WEB Of his own will he brought us forth by the word
of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Everyone in the book of Revelation has a mark on his forehead
– either the name of God or the mark of the beast.
The mark signifies who that person belongs to.
Look in the mirror – If you don’t see the name of God – then put
his name on now.
Lesson 11 19