Archive for December 2023

John 19:17-27, Revelation 14, Job 36:16-33, Nahum 1-3 Revelation 14: In this section from Revelation 12 to 14, John is using signs and symbols to reveal the cosmic battle (Revelation 12) and the earthly battle in language drawn from Daniel chapters 7 to 12 (Revelation 13). Now as he comes to chapter 14, John shows the Lamb of…

John 19:1-16, Revelation 13, Job 36:1-15, Micah 6-7 Revelation 13: This chapter continues the section running from chapters 12 to 14 that is filled with signs or symbols that further explain the mystery of the open scroll. In Chapter 12, John had had revealed to him the cosmic battle taking place behind the opposition to Christ and his…

John 18:28-40, Revelation 12, Job 35, Micah 4-5 Revelation 12: At this point, it is worth reviewing what we have learnt so from from the book of Revelation. Remember it is the book of Revelation (not revelations), referring to a type of literature that was present in some of the Old Testament and popular at the time of…

John 18:19-27, Revelation 11, Job 34:21-37, Micah 1-3 Revelation 11: Images are drawn here from Ezekiel and the book of Daniel, as John transforms language about the temple to apply to the church, its witness, the preservation amidst persecution, and the ultimate triumph of God and his kingdom as announced by the seventh trumpet: “The kingdom of the…

John 18:1-18, Revelation 10, Job 34:1-20, Jonah 1-4 Revelation 10: There is now another interlude, this time between the sixth and seventh trumpets. The purpose of this interlude is to communicate first that there will now be no more delay, second to reaffirm God’s commission of John as a prophet, and third to communicate the purpose of the…

John 17:20-26, Revelation 9, Job 33:12-33, Obadiah 1-21 Revelation 9: We come now to further calamities that come upon the earth because of the sinfulness and rebellion of people. In this chapter, there is first the fifth angel and his trumpet (v.1-12), then the sixth angel and his trumpet (v.13-21). Note that the judgment of God comes upon…

John 17:6-19, Revelation 8, Job 33:1-11, Amos 7-9 Revelation 8: There is much about the interpretation of this chapter concerning which godly men disagree and which can cause division of viewpoints – but rather than take a side in the various debates, I wish to point out the main import of these words. Namely, that when the gospel…

John 17:1-5, Revelation 7, Job 32, Amos 5-6 Revelation 7: After the previous chapter which described the great destruction and calamities coming upon the earth – in this time after Christ’s triumph on the cross and before his return – there is now a chapter which describes the comfort and protection and consolation afforded God’s people. Note first…

John 16:25-33, Revelation 6, Job 31:24-40, Amos 3-4 Revelation 6: We come now to parts of the book of Revelation that can cause the most head scratching among Christians as they read them. There are great commentaries on these texts that can help; of particular note is G.K. Beale’s commentary on Revelation. It is a massive work –…