Rev – Part 2

The calling and sealing of the elect

This short overview and study of key themes in the book of Revelation are intended as a gateway to begin to engage with this book and with related sections of the Bible that are perhaps less accessible and harder to interpret than other parts.

Context: The previous study started with an analysis of the overall structure of the book of Revelation as 7-fold repetitions that were compared to 7 stanzas (I to VII) of a song:

  • Each stanza describes in different images the events between the ascension of Jesus until his return when he will judge the living and the dead.
  • The repetitiveness and symmetry are most overt in stanzas III and V (flanking # IV in the middle), since they are nearly identical in content. In addition, each stanza concludes with a description of the end of time as we measure it in 24 hours.
  • Preceding this chorus, there is also always a ‘bridge’: If this 7-fold repetitive overall structure of the book is not recognized, it is less obvious that also this bridge has one common theme, namely how Jesus presently rules from heaven (a theme that eventually becomes the topic of the entire 7th stanza).
  • That each stanza covers the entire “end time” period between the 1st and 2nd coming of Jesus is suggested by at least 3 observations:
    1. They all extend until the return of Christ;
    2. Stanza IV explicitly starts with the ascension of Christ into heaven and ends with the final judgment (Babylon) and the “great harvest”;
    3. Stanza IV explicitly names a “1260d/42mo/3.5yrs” period as the time of the second diaspora of the Jews among the nations. In the same era, the church is like 2 witnesses who preach the gospel, or two lamp stands that shine its light, for a time until their death as martyrs.
  • Also in the first stanza, this period spans not only the 1st century: Rather, each of these 7 types of churches are found in every age all over the world.

Aim: Focusing on the ‘bridge’ elements of each stanza, the goal will be to take note of another 7-fold repeated element (the “voice of an angel”) and of its effects: This is one aspect of what these bridge elements are talking about. A second aspect will be what Revelation says about the kingdom of heaven (next week).o

1) Read Rev 6:1-8. Compare these predicted hardships to the ones foretold by Jesus in Mt 24 and Lk 21: Why are they in exactly the same order? 

  • How about the events described after the 4 horses: What are these?
  • And do they still follow the pattern in the sermons of Jesus? Why? cf Mt 24:9-10; Lk 21:12-19

2) After the first 6 seals/disasters, Rev 7:1-8 describes 144’000 who are sealed. Who are they? 

  • v4: From all the tribes of “Israel” -> Why is one tribe (Dan) missing (even though it is still counted as part of Israel, Ez 48:1)?
  • Seeing how strictly Rev 6 follows the order of Jesus’ end-time predictions in Matthew and Luke, a clue about the identity of that group of “144’000” should be expected in the same place. Do Luke or Matthew mention this group of people?

3) How are the elect “sealed”, and in which era of world history?  cf Eph 1:13.

  • All of the 7 letters to the churches call on ‘those who have ears’ to hear that they should hear. Do you think it is possible to ‘hear’ and not be sealed with the Holy Spirit? Why or why not? [cf e.g. Mk 4, parable of the sower]

4) Every stanza at the transition to its ‘bridge’ has an angel calling with a loud voice. What does he shout e.g. in Rev 18:1-5? [dual call: “Fallen…” (v2) and “Come out of her…”]

  • This language is borrowed from Jeremiah: Read Jer 51:6.13.45; why did Jeremiah call on Jews to ‘come out of Babylon’?
  • Why does Rev 12 apply this call to all believers?
    • What do they have in common with Israelite captives during the Babylonian exile? cf Mt 24:29; Lk 21:26

5) A final call by the last trumpet will gather all believers at the 2nd coming of Christ. How many times should we expect Jesus to return? 

  • Read 1Th 4:16-18. According to this and the above texts, where does the ‘raptured’ church go with Jesus? Back to ‘heaven’ or ‘down’ to earth to attend a final judgment?

6) Personal & application

  • What does the metaphor of Babylon mean to you?
  • How are we supposed to heed this call to “leave” Babylon?

Outlook on the content of the remaining studies:

  • A ‘millennial’ rule of Christ from heaven with an iron scepter, until the promised ‘restoration of all things’ (Acts 3:21)
  • The beast, its counterfeit lamb (antichrist), and their destruction: Comparison of Rev 13:1-18, 17:1-11 with Mi 5:1-14
  • Armageddon and the new heaven and the new earth