Symposium On Revelation

DanielandRevelation
CommitteeSeries
Volume1
Volume2
Volume3
Volume4
Volume5
Volume6
Volume7
SelectedStudiesonPropheticInterpretation
SymposiumonDaniel
TheSeventyWeeks,Leviticus,andtheNatureofProphecy
IssuesintheBookofRevelation
DoctrineoftheSanctuary:AHistoricalSurvey(18451863)
SymposiumonRevelation,Book1
SymposiumonRevelation,Book2
DANIELANDREVELATION
COMMITTEESERIES
Volume6
Symposiumon
Revelation
IntroductoryandExegeticalStudies
Bookl
EditorFrankB.Holbrook
BiblicalResearchInstituteGeneralConferenceofSeventhday
Adventists
SilverSpring,MD20904_,,y35^
Copyright1992bythe
BiblicalResearchInstitute
12501OldColumbiaPike
SilverSpring,MD20904
Unlessotherwiseindicated,theScripturequotationsthroughoutthevolumearefromthe
RevisedStandardVersionoftheBible.
Theauthorsassumefullresponsibilityfortheaccuracyofallquotationscitedinthis
book.
PrintedintheU.S.A.bytheReviewand
HeraldPublishingAssociationHagerstown,
Maryland21740
LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData
SymposiumonRevelation:introductoryandexegeticalstudies/
editor,FrankB.Holbrook.
p.cm.(DanielandRevelationCommitteeseries:v.6)
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN0925675148(v.1)
1.Bible.N.T.RevelationCriticism,interpretation,etc.I.Holbrook,FrankB.
II.Series:DanielandRevelationCommitteeseries;
v.6,.etc.
BS2825.2.S9619922
228*.06dc20923102CIP
Acknowledgements
ScripturesquotedfromNEBarefromTheNewEnglishBible.,copyrightThe
Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge
UniversityPress1961,1970.Reprintedbypermission.
ScripturesquotedfromNIVarefromthe HotyBible,NewInternationalVer
sion.Copyright1973,1978,1984,InternationalBibleSociety.Usedbypermission
ofZondervanBiblePublishers.
Scriptures quoted from RSVare from the Revised Standard Version ofthe
Bible,copyright1946,1952,1971bytheDivisionofChristianEducationofthe
NationalCouncilofthechurchesofChristintheUSA.Usedbypermission.
Abbreviations
AA
TheActsoftheApostles
AUSS
Bib
AndrewsUniversitySeminaryStudies
Biblica
DA
TheDesireofAges
DNTT
EvQ
GC
IB
DictionaryofNewTestamentTheology
EvangelicalQuarterly
TheGreatControversy
Interpreter'sBible
IDB
IEJ
Int
JATS
JBL
JTC
JTS
Interpreter'sDictionaryoftheBible
IsraelExplorationJournal
Interpretation
Journalof'theAdventistTheologicalSociety
JournalofBiblicalLiterature
JournalforTheologyandtheChurch
JournalofTheologicalStudies
AB
CBQ
AnchorBible
CatholicBiblicalQuarterly
DARCOMDanielandRevelationCommittee
ICC
InternationalCriticalCommentary
LXX
Septuagint
NASB
NewAmericanStandardBible
NICNT
NewInternationalCommentaryontheNewTestament
NTS
PP
RB
RevExp
NewTestamentStudies
PatriarchsandProphets
Revuebiblique
ReviewandExpositor
SBT
StudiesinBiblicalTheology
TDNT
TZ
ZA
ZAW
TheologicalDictionaryoftheNewTestament,KittelandFriedrich,
eds.
TheologischeZeitschrift
ZeitschriftrAssyrioogie
ZeitschriftfuralttestamentlicheWissenschaft
IX
XII.
.
vii
ix
xiii
IntroductoryStudies
I.FoundationalPrinciplesofInterpretation.......3
KennethA.Strand
II.TheEightBasicVisions............35
KennethA.Strand
III.^GloriousIntroduction"Scenes.........51
KennethA.Strand
IV.InterpretingRevelation'sSymbolism........73
JonPaulien
V.SanctuaryTypology.............99
RichardM.Davidson
VI.RelationshipsBetweenDanielandRevelation......131
RichardLehmann
VII.EllenG.White'sUseofDanielandRevelation......145
GeorgeE.Rice
VIII.TheInterpreter'sUseoftheWritingsofEllenG.White...163
JonPaulien
IIExegeticalStudies
IX.IssuesinRevelation:DARCOMReport........175
X.SealsandTrumpets:SomeCurrentDiscussions.....183
JonPaulien
XI.TheSevenSeals...............199
JonPaulien
TheMightyAngelandHisMessage...WilliamH.
Shea
TheMightyAngel.......
TheAngel'sMessage......
XIV.TimePropheciesofDaniel12andRevelation1213
WilliamH.Shea
Contents
Acknowledgements
GuidetoTransliteration
Abbreviations..Tothe
Reader..
SealedSaintsandtheTribulation
BeatriceNeall
III
Appendices
A.EllenG.WhiteandRevelation46....
JonFaulienB.WhenDidtheSeventyWeeksofDaniel
9:24Begin?
WilliamH.Shea
Index
XI
TotheReader
WithitspublicationofatwobooksymposiumonRevelation,theCommittee
concludesnearlyadecadeofongoingstudythatfirstfocusedonissuesinDaniel,
Leviticus,andHebrews.InrecentyearstheCommitteehasgivenitstimealmost
exclusivelytomatterspertainingtothebookofRevelation.SymposiumonRevela
tion(books1and2)isnumberedasvolumes6and7intheDARCOMSeries.
InterestinthemeaningofthebookofRevelationiswidespreadamongmany
Christian groups. Critical scholarship relegates its symbolic messages to events
occurringinthefirstcenturyJudaismandtheRomanEmpire.Butmanyconser
vativeChristianshaveembracedsomeformoffuturistinterpretationthatremoves
thefulfillmentofthebulkofthepropheciesfromtheChristianEratothelastseven
yearsoftheageembellishedwithsuchbeliefsasasecretraptureofthechurch,
theconversionoftheJews,anindividualantichrist,anda3^2yearperiodoftribu
lation.
Livinginsuchareligiousclimate,SeventhdayAdventistshavenotescapedthe
influenceoftheseschoolsofinterpretationupontheirownunderstandingofBible
prophecy.Thecommittee'soriginalassignmentinvolvedchallengesthatcamefrom
preterist/highercriticalperspectives.Butmorerecently,viewsarebeingpromoted
thatinvolvedualfulfillmentsofselectedpropheciesinDanielandRevelationor
otherschemesofinterpretation,resultinginvariantformsoffuturism,
Wedonotquestionthesincerityofthosewhodevelopdifferent systemsto
probethemysteriesofapocalypticprophecy,andweencourageearneststudyofthe
Scriptures by every member. Nevertheless, preterist or futurist forms of inter
pretationcanonlyweakenthehistoricallybasedfoundationofDanielandRevela
tion on which Seventhday Adventist selfunderstanding rests. This is not an
arbitrarymatterwithus.SeventhdayAdventistsarehistoricistinterpretersofthese
propheciesbecause webelieveJesusandthebiblicaldataitselfpointustothat
methodofinterpretationastheonlycorrectmethodtouse.
Inthelightofthecurrentinterestseveralchaptersinthesenewvolumesex
aminetheargumentsforinterpretationsgroundedintheassumptionofdualful
fillmentsinapocalypticprophecy.Onechapterinparticularexaminestheviewthat
projectsthetimeperiodsofDaniel12andRevelation13tofutureendtimefulfill
ments.
Soundprinciplesofinterpretationareessentialtoacorrectunderstandingof
xiii
theancientScriptures.ThisisespeciallytrueofthebookofRevelationbecauseits
symbolismisforeigntoourmodernmindset.Thefirstsixchaptersofbook1are
directedtowardestablishingsuchprinciples.SincethewritingsofEllenG.Whiteare
oftencitedasauthorityforviewssheherselfneverheld,twochaptersandanappendix
articledealwithherunderstandingoftheseprophecies.Guidelinesaresuggestedto
avoidthemisuseofthisimportantsourceofbiblicalunderstanding.
Theexegeticalsectionofbook1dealswithdifferentaspectsoftheobscureseries
oftheseals(4:15:1)andthetrumpets(8:111:18).Thecentralquestionofwhetherthe
seals and trumpets are fulfilled in sequences across the Christian Era up to and
includingtheend,orwhetherbothseriesfindfulfillment(oradualfulfillment)onlym
theendtimeisevaluatedinharmonywiththeScriptureindicators.
PresentationsonthesealsandonthevisionofRevelation10(partoftheinterlude
inthetrumpetseries)appearinthisvolume.TheCommitteedidnotwishtofoster
unnecessary speculations on the very obscure trumpet series. It chose not to print
samplesofhistoricistinterpretations.Limitingitspublishedexpressiontothebiblical
evidencethatclearlylocatesboththesealsandtrumpetsinhistorical, probationary
time,theCommitteewouldencouragecontinuedstudywithintheseparameters.
Oncemore,weacknowledgeourappreciationforthescholarsandinviteeswho
haveassistedthecommitteeinitstask,especiallythewriterswhoseessaysappearin
thisvolume:
RichardM.DavidsonJonPaulienRichard
LehmannGeorgeE.RiceBeatriceNeall
WilliamH.SheaKennethA.Strand
DANIELANDREVELATIONCOMMITTEE
GeneralConferenceof
SeventhdayAdventists
XIV
I
INTRODUCTORYSTUDIES
PrinciplesofInterpretationLiteraryStructureSymbolismand
TypologyDaniel/RevelationRelationshipsEllenWhite'sUseof
ApocalypticInterpreter'sUseoftheEllenWhiteWritings
ChapterI
FoundationalPrinciplesof
Interpretation
KennethA.Strand
EditorialSynopsis.ConservativeChristians firmlybelievethat theBible's
messagetranscendsitstimeandculture.Consequently,astheyearspassandthe
gulf of centuries widens between the ancient and modern worlds, it becomes
increasinglyimportantforstudentsoftheScripturestoadherestrictlytosound
principlesofinterpretationlesttheymisconstrueGod'sWord.Thisisespecially
true when it comes todiscovering the truthscouched in the symbolsof the
apocalypticbooksofDanielandRevelation.
In this important chapter the author spells out the characteristics of
apocalyptic prophecy, draws out the purpose and theme of the book of
Revelation, explores the nature of its symbolism, and points the way to
determineitsmeaning.
AllsystemsofinterpretingRevelationmustbeginbylocatingitsseveralseg
mentsinpast,present,orfuturetimeframes.Afteryearsofstudy,itisthepresent
author'sdeepconvictionthataclearunderstandingoftheliteraryarrangementof
Revelation provides the necessary foundation on which to erect a sound
interpretationofitsvisions.Thepropheticbookitselfsuppliesthekeystoexplain
itsstructure.
Thedata indicates thatRevelation is composed of eight visionsinternally
linked to form four pairs. The prophecy divides naturally into two sections,
chapters114andchapters1522.Fourvisionsprecedethisnaturaldividingline
(closeofchapter14),andfourvisionsconcludethebook.Thefirstfourvisions
(historicalseries)findfulfillmentintheChristianEraleadingupattheirendto
theSecondAdvent.Thelastfourvisions(eschatologicaljudgmentseries)cover
eventsafterthedoseofhumanprobation.Becauseacorrectunderstandingofthe
organizationofRevelationissovitaltotheinterpretationofitsvisions,thenexttwo
chapterswillalsotreatthissubjectinsomedetail.
FoundationalPrinciplesofInterpretation
ChapterOutline
I.InterpretationalApproachestoRevelation
II.Exegesis,Theology,andHermeneutic
III.GeneralRulesofInterpretation
IV.SpecialRulesforApocalypticInterpretation
V.PurposeandThemeofRevelation
VI.LiteraryStructureofRevelation
/W\hebookofRevelationhasbeenmisunderstoodandmistreated
ImorethananyotherbookoftheBible.EvenacursoryglanceatJLthelarge
numberofcommentariesonRevelationrevealsaphenomenallywidearrayof
misunderstandings,misinterpretations,andconclusionsthatarenotonly
contradictorybutfrequentlyalsohighlyspeculative.Instarkcontrasttothe
profusionofexpositorymaterialontheApocalypseisthevirtuallackoftreatmentof
thebook'srichtheology.Todate,thereexistsnofullfledged,comprehensive
treatmentofthetheologyofthebookofRevelation,andevendiscussionsofspecific
limitedtheologicalmotifsorthemesinRevelationarerelativelyrareandfrequently
bothperfunctoryandunreliable.1
InterpretationalApproachestoRevelation
Commentaries on the Revelation are classified generally into several major
categories:historicism,preterism,andfuturism.
IIistoricism.Thehistoricalmethodmaytakeeitheroftwobasicapproaches:(1)
The "straightline" approach sees Revelation portraying a sequence of events that
begins in the Apostolic Era and continues on step by step until the grand
eschatologicalclimax.2(2)The"recapitula
1'Topical"articlesfrequentlyrepresentexegesisofapassagemorethantheydothetheologyofthe
Apocalypseasawholeoreventhetheologythatinformsorunderliesthepassageitself.Theremaybe
afewexceptionsinsomeareas,suchas,forexample,Christology,pneumatology,andecclesiology.
Alsotobenotedisthechapteron"Doctrine"in . . Swete, TheApocafypseofSt.John, 3rded.
(Cambridge,England,1908),clixclxxiii.Thistreatsthetopicsofmonotheism,thedoctrineofGod,
Christology,pneumatology,ecclesiology,soteriology,andangclology,butbasicallyonlysurveysthe
data.
2Anumberofwellknowninterpretersofanearliergenerationwereadherentsofthisview,suchas
AlbertBames,AdamClarke,E.B.Elliolt,andAlexanderKeith.Barnes,e.g.,treatsthesevensealsas
belongingtoasequenceofeventsintheearlypostApostolicEra,theseventrumpetsasbeginning
withtheVisigothsackofRomeinA.D.410,thelittlebookopeninRev10asthe
tion"approachinterpretsthevariousvisionsinRevelationasgoingoverthesame
groundfromtheprophet'sowndayuntiltheendtime.Thislattertypeofinterpretation
has been standard for Seventhday Adventists.3 In either case the prophecies are
understoodtomeettheirfulfillmentsinhistoricaltimebetweenthedaysofJohnand
theestablishmentoftheeternalkingdom.
Preterism. Ontheotherhandpreterismhastendedtointerpreteithertheentire
bookofRevelationorvirtuallyallofitasancienthistory.Mostpreteristscholarslook
uponthepropheciesoftheApocalypseasreflectingeventsandconditionsrelatingto
theChristianchurchandRomanEmpireinJohn'sowntime,possiblyreachingalsoa
short while beyond that time to embrace things anticipated by John. There are,
however, a few expositions of preterism that would allow prophecies of the
ApocalypsetoreachasfarasConstantinetheGreatintheearlyfourthcentury,with
thesectionfrom19:11onwardpossiblybelongingtoalaterperiodthatisstillfuturein
ourownday.4
Futurism. Thefuturistsystemofinterpretationseesthefulfillmentofmostof
Revelationrestrictedtoashortperiodoftimestillfuturetoourownday.
Asubclassoffuturismoneintowhichmostfuturistsandevenmostevangelicals
fallisthatofpretribulationism/dispensationalism. 5Thisparticularapproachnormally
interpretsRevelation4:119:10asoccurringin
openBibleatthetimeofthesixteenthcenturyReformation,andthesevenlastplaguesasreflective
oftheFrenchRevolutionofthelateeighteenthcentury.
3The example thatstillisperhapsbestknownisUriahSmith's Thou^ttsonDanielandRevelation
(multipleeditionsandprintings,includingthepresentlyavailable"revisededition"firstpublishedin
1944bytheSouthernPublishingAssociation,inNashville,Tennessee).OtherSeventhdayAdventist
writers,includingS.N.HaskellandR.A.Anderson,haveusedthesameapproach.Themostrecent
thoroughgoingcommentarydisplaying it istheexcellentpublicationbyCMervyn Maxwell, God
Cares,vol.2(Boise,ID,1985).AmongnonSeventhdayAdventistwriters,Ihavefoundnonethat
uses theapproachinthewaySeventhdayAdventists do,butpartial/or incomplete repetitionsof
sequencesaresetforth,e.g.,byS.L.Morris,TheDramaofChristianity(Richmond,VA,1928);and
WilliamHendrikscn,MoreThanConquerors(GrandRapids,1940).
4OriginationofthepreteristviewisusuallyattributedtoLuisdeAlcazar(d.1613),aSpanishJesuit,in
his monumental Investifyition of the Hidden Sense of'theApocalypse (published posthumously in
1614).AlongwithhimandsomeotherearlyCatholicexpositors,variousProtestantcommentatorsof
later centuries (e.g.,I.T.Beckwith, Moses Stuart,andH.B.Swete)havetendedtowardallowing
parts oftheApocalypseafulfillmentreachingintotheearliestpostApostolicChris tiancenturies.
Preteristcommentatorsinthe"liberaltradition,"whetherCatholicorProtestant,interpretthebookas
reflectiveofJohn'sowntime.
5AmongafairlylargenumberofexamplesarerecentcommentariesbyJohnWotvoord, TheRevelation
ofJesusChrist: ACommentary (Chicago,1966);andHalLindsey, There'saNewWorldComing
(SantaAna,CA,1973).Theformerisascholarlytypeofproduction,andthelatterisapopularstyle
work.
asevenyearperiodstillfuturetousaperiodbeginningwitha"secret"raptureand
marked at its close by the glorious visible appearing of Christ. The
pretribulationists/dispensationalistsconsiderthissevenyearperiodastheseventieth
week of years of the prophecy of Daniel 9:2427, although the sixtyninth week
concludedintheearlyChristianEra.6
Otherapproaches. Inadditiontothethreemajorschoolsofinterpretationand
their subdivisions, there are a variety of other interpretational approaches to
Revelationinvoguetoday.Someoftheseoverlaporembraceinpartoneormoreof
thetraditionalapproaches,butalltendtoplacetheirmainemphasisinsomeother
direction.Thereare,forinstance,various^historicalinterpretations.Theseviewthe
Apocalypseasportrayingamythologicaldrama,marvelousideals,valuephilosophy,
orsomethingofsimilarsort,withouttouchingrealhistoryand/orgenuineeschatology
atall.7
Finally,itshouldbenotedthatinrecentyearstherehasbeenatrendtoward
amalgamationofapproaches.Perhapsmostnotablealongthislineareattemptsto
blend preterism into futurism, with the former a backdrop to the latter (for
example,GeorgeEldonLaddandLeonMorris)ortoreinterprethistoricismintoa
futuristic mode (particularly noticeable in expositions by some Seventhday
Adventistswhoarepresentlypublishingtheirprivateviews.
Itisnotmypurposeinthischaptertoillustratefurtherortoevaluatethevarious
approaches.ThisIhavedonebrieflyelsewherewithregardtothethreetraditional
ones,somethingwhichalsohasbeendonebyanumberofotherrecentwriters. 8 In
duecourse,certainbasicprincipleswillbediscussedthatwillaidthereaderinsifting
awayunsoundinterpretationalmodesfromwhatissoundandvalid.
6Prolificliteraturehasbeenproducedbyexponentsoftheview,beginningwithitsoriginatorJ.N.Darby,
ofIreland,whoputtogethertheessenceofpretribulationism/dispensationalismduringthelate1820s
andthe1830s.DarbywasmostprominentforhisactivityinEngland(heisusuallyconsideredtobe
thefounderofthe"PlymouthBrethren"movement),butpersonallypromulgatedhisviewsalsoonthe
EuropeancontinentandinNorthAmerica,towhichhelooksixtrips.InAmerica,theScofield
ReferenceBiblehashadconsiderableinfluenceinpopularizingtheview,enhancedinrecentyearsby
publicationsofHalLindsay.The"systematictheologies"ofAlvaMcClainandL.S.Chaferalso
espousethisview.Amonganumberofgoodsurveysandevaluationsof
prctributationism/dispensationalism,noteshouldbetakenofthefairandveryreadablecritiquegiven
byGeorgeEldonLadd,TheBlessedHope(GrandRapids,1956).
7AmongexpositorswhohavewritteninEnglish,thefollowingcanprobablybeincluded(thoughperhaps
withsomesortofpreteristorother"historical"typeofsettinginvolved):E.W.Bcnson.Raymond
Calkins,WilliamMilligan,PaulS.Minear,S.L.Morris,andD.T.Niles.
8SeeK.A.Strand,InterpretingtheBookof'Revelation,2nded.(Naples,FL,1979),1116;cf.also,e.g.,
MenillC.TeRney,InterpretingRevelation(GrandRapids,1957),13546.
Forthemoment,itwillsufficesimplytopointoutthatanyapproachbasedon
external criteria and opinions (rather than emerging from the Apocalypse itself)
should be considered highly suspect. In fact, the confusions so rampant in most
commentaries,whatevertheirparticularinterpretationalstance,findtheirrootcausein
eisegesisthat is, reading into the text something that is not thererather than
proceedingonthebasisofsoundexegesisdrawingoutofthetextwhatisthere.
This eisegetic pitfall reveals itself in a number of ways. These often seem
plausible because they appear to utilize the valid interpretational principle of
comparingscripturewithscripture.Thereadermustkeepinmind,however,that
itisnottheamountofScripturequoted,referredto,orjuxtaposedthatreallymatters.
What countsisthe soundness of theprocedurebeing used.According to2Peter
3:16 there were in the New Testament era those who wrested the Scriptures to
"their owndestruction." That practice, unfortunately,still isprevalent toahigh
degreeinourday,andtheinterpretingofRevelationseemsparticularlypronetoit.
Exegesis,Theology,andHermeneutic
By way of introduction, we observe that there are both differences and
commonalitiesbetweentheexegeticalandtheologicalapproachestothebookof
Revelation.Exegesisdeals with aspecifictextorpassageand seeksto drawout
theauthor'sintendedmessage in that particulartext or passage.Thisinvolvesall
theconcernsthatanexegetenormallyhasindealingwithanypieceofliterature
(meaning of words, syntactical relationships, etc.), general historical and literary
contexts,andwhatever other informationmayshed light onthemeaningof the
passage,includingrelevantstatementstheauthormakeselsewhere.
Theological study utilizes the same tools and hermeneutical principles. But
whereas exegetical studynormallymeans the careful andsoundexaminationof
particulartextorpassage,theologicalstudyusuallyencompassesthefollowing:
First,itutilizestheexegeticalresultsofanumberofrelatedtextsorpassages.
Second, it seeks to placethesein proper relationshipwith eachother. Finally, it
endeavorstorelatethissynthesistobroaderscripturalevidencesandexpositionsof
thesametheologicalmotifs,themes,orperspectives(fromboththeOldandNew
Testaments).
ThusexegesisinRevelationasksthebasicfoundationalquestion,Whatdoesthis
specificpassageintheApocalypsetellus?Theological
study,ontheotherhandasksthebroaderquestion,Whattheologicalthemesor
motifsareilluminatedandelucidatedbythispassage,andhowdoesthisbook's
presentationofthesethemesandmotifsfitintothewidercontextofbothNew
Testamenttheologyandbiblicaltheologyasawhole?
BecauseofthekindsofmisinterpretationsoftheApocalypsethathavebeen
emerginginrecentyears,notonlyfromnonAdventistwritersbutalsowithin
certain Adventist circles, we will first reiterate briefly the wellknown and
generally received principles of Bible interpretation. Then we will give more
detailedattentiontocertainvitallyimportantmattersregardingRevelationthat
arealltoooftenunknownoroverlookedbypresentdayexpositors.Thepresent
chapterwillnotoverlapundulywhatispresentedelsewhereintheDanieland
RevelationCommitteeseriesonthistopic,butthematterofasoundhermeneutic
issoessentialthatsomerestatementmayevenbehelpful.
GeneralRulesofInterpretation
ThegeneralrulesfortheinterpretationofanyBiblebookobviouslymust
alsoapply tothe book of Revelation. Hence afew comments on these follow
immediatelybelow.
ScriptureAsItsOwnBestInterpreter
Seventhday Adventists firmly believe that Scripture is not of private
interpretationbutthatholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHoly
Spirit(2Pet1:2021).ThisfactofdivineinspirationassuresthatHolyScriptureis
totally reliable truth. It leads to the conclusion that Scripture is its own best
interpreter,aninterpretationalprinciplealreadymentionedabove.
Biblepassages,however,mustnotbeputtogetherinawillynillyfashion.A
soundapproachtakesintoaccountthefollowingfacts:(1)TheScripturesarenot
onlytruthinanoverallsense,butalsocontainmanyindividualtruths.(2)Therefore,
indealingwithanyScripturepassageitisimportanttoascertainpreciselywhatthat
particularpassagetreatsand
9WilliamG.Johnsson,"ConditionalityinBiblicalProphecyWithParticularReferencetoApoca
lyptic," TheSeventyWeeks,Leviticus,andtheNatureofProphecy, DARCOMSeries,ed.F.B.
Holbrook,vol.3(Washington,DC:BiblicalResearchInstitute,1986),25987;andGerhardF.
Hasel,"FulfillmentsofProphecy," TheSeventyWeeks,Leviticus,andtheNatureofProphecy,
DARCOMSeries,ed.F.B.Holbrook,vol.3(Washington,DC:BiblicalResearchInstitute,1986),
288322.
whatits own specificmessage is in itsown specific context. (3)Whereasbringing
together two or more Bible passages having relevance for the same topic will
illumine our understanding of the divine truth that is involved, combining
fallaciouslytwoormoreitemsthatareabsolutelytrueinthemselvesmayverywell
leadtoasynthesisthatiswhollyunsoundanderroneous.
Thelastpointneedsparticularemphasis.Forinstance,ifwewouldattemptto
merge a fully accurate biography of Augustus Caesar with a fully accurate
biographyofGeorgeWashington(eachoftheseindividualswascalled"fatherof
hiscountry"),obviouslywewouldhaveacombinedaccountfilledwitherror.So
also would be the case if we were to intrude a factual account of Napoleon
Bonaparte'smilitarycareerintoafactualaccountoftheSecondWorldWar.
Playingloose in thisfashionwith individuallytrue and thoroughlyaccurate
piecesofhistoricalinformationseemsludicrous,andsurelyitisso.Yetthisverysort
ofmethodologyis paralleledtoday incertain interpretational schemesappliedto
the book of Revelation!10 Whether the field is general historiography or biblical
studies(orforthatmatter,anyotherfield),theendresultisnottruth,butconfusion
anderror.
DiligentStudy,UsingAllAvailableTools
The Bereansare referred toas being "morenoble"thantheThessalonians
because they readily received the word of the apostles and then studied the
Scripturestodeterminewhetherthemessageoftheapostleswastrue(Acts17:11).
Thesearchfordivinetruthmustbecareful,diligent,andbalanced.
Suchstudyinvolvesa propercomparingofscripture with scripture, taking
care that as much knowledge as possible be gained from each Bible passage
utilized.Thissuggestsaseriousandproperuseoftoolsthatareavailable:Bible
concordances, Bible dictionaries, Bible handbooks, reference works on biblical
historyandarchaeology,mapsandtreatmentsofthegeographyoftheBiblelands,
lexicons, andotherhelpswithregard to thebiblicallanguages.(Ifpossible,the
biblicaltextshouldbereadinitsoriginallanguages.)
10SeventhdayAdventiststendtobeamazedthatdispensationalistevangelicalscanmovetheseven
tiethweekoftheprophecyofDaniel9:2427fromtheNTeradownintoatimestillfutureinour
own day, and that they then make Rev 4:119:10 virtually an exposition of that socalled
"seventieth week" of Daniel. However, certain recent Seventhday Adventist writers with a
futuristbentdisplaythissamesortoftechniqueintheirprivateexpositionsofRevelation.
Although we must be wary of what is simply human traditionsomething
which all too frequently includes errorwe must recognize that theproper and
judicioususeofrelevanthistoricalandarchaeologicalbackgroundsourcematerials,
lexicons,andsimilarhelpscanbemostusefulandilluminatinginthesearchforand
discoveryof,scripturaltruth.
Individualswho are lay persons to the various disciplines mentioned above
shouldnotdespair.Reliableinformationisreadilyavailabletoanyonewillingto
study.WhethersuchBiblestudentsrealizeitornot,theirveryreadingofScripture
in English or in another modern language carries indebtedness to scholars
knowledgeable in the biblical languages and in historical and other relevant
backgroundstotheBible.Fortunately,too,thereareavailableanumberofBible
translations(atleastinEnglish)thatcanbecomparedwithoneanother.
ItiswelltonoteatthisjuncturethatBiblestudentswhoaregenuinelysearching
fortruthwillnotsimplyselecttranslationsortraditionalwordingstomeettheirown
fancyondisputedpoints.Rather,theywillsearchforthepreponderanceofevidence
astowhatiscorrect.
Bibletranslationsdifferinchoiceofwordsandinmannerofexpression,yet
divine truth is usually set forth in almost all translations so accurately and
adequatelythatnooneneedgoastrayatleastnotonmattersvitaltosalvation.
Itistrue,however,thatsometranslationsareingeneralmoretrustworthythan
others.Asarule,atranslationofthemore"literal"kindshouldbepreferredoverthe
"free" or "paraphrastic" type.11 Often people will speak of the latter kind of
translation (exemplified, for example, by the Living Bible) as what they prefer,
becausesuchatranslation"issoclear."Therealquestion,though,shouldbethis:In
thesefreetranslations,whatisitthatissoclearthewordofGod,ortheopinionof
thetranslator?
WillingnesstoDoGod'sWill
Another general rule of interpretation relates to the reader's attitude toward
truth.AsstatedbyourLord,"ifanyman'swillistodohis[God's]will,heshall
knowwhethertheteachingisfromGod"(John7:17).
The book of Revelation itself is most forceful in emphasizing that nothing
shouldbeaddedtoandnothingtakenawayfromwhatiswrittenthere
11Examplesofthe"literal"or"formal"translations:KingJames,NewKingJames,RevisedStandard
Version, New American Standard Bible, etc. Examples of the "free" or dynamic method of
translation: New English Bible, Jerusalem Bible, Today's English Version, New Internation al
Version,PhilipsTranslation,LivingBible,etc.
10
in.Indeed,pronouncesablessingonthosewhoheedthebook'smessage,anda
curseonthosewhodistortit(seeRev1:3;22:7b,1819).
PrayerfulStudy
Prayerful studyof theScriptures isaprinciple of utmostimportance. The
sameHolySpiritwhoinspiredtheBiblewriterstorecorddivinetruthmustalso
bepresent to illumineourminds to thattruth.This particularprinciple could
have been stated First amoung our general principles because of its extreme
importance.Ihavechosentoplaceitattheconclusioninstead,foritembracesall
theotherswhenitisundertakenconscientiously.
Prayerful study means study that uses a sound method in comparing
scripture with scripture, that takes advantage of all available tools in doing
diligentstudy,andischaracterizedbyawillingnesstodoGod'swilland follow
theresultsofone'sstudywherevertheymaylead.
SpecialRulesforApocalypticInterpretation
ImpactofLiteraryForm
Bible truth is manyfaceted and the Bible writers have utilized a great
varietyofliterarytypesinordertoconveythedivinemessage.Itisfundamental
torecognizethattruthexpressedthroughaparticularliteraryformdisplaysthe
characteristics of thatform andis understoodonly when dueconsiderationis
givento thosecharacteristics. Historicalnarratives,legalprescriptions, wisdom
sayings,letters,poeticreflectionsandacclamationsareamongthenumerousand
varied types of literature included in the Bible. They appear also at times in
combinationwithoneanother.
Formostreaders,thedifferencebetweenproseandpoetryisperhapseasiest
to recognize.For example, in theproseaccountofthe Exoduswearetoldthat
Godsent"astrongeastwind"todrivebackthewatersofthesea(Exod14:21).In
thepoeticaccountthestatementismadethat"attheblastofthy[God's]nostrils
thewaterspiledup"(Exod15:8).
Thefigurativeness of thepoeticexpression isimmediately apparent.Most
readerswouldnotvisualizeGodasactually crouchingonhands andknees and
snortingthroughHisnostrilsatthewatersofthesea!Andyet,thatpicturesque
descriptionaddslegitimateemphasis andeffectivenessin settingforthadivine
truthwhenitisreadproperlyasthefigurativelanguagethatitis.
ThebookofRevelationrepresentsatypeofliteratureandstyleunique
11
among the books of the New Testament. Its closest Bible parallel is the Old
Testamentbook ofDaniel.These twoBible booksgenerallyare classifiedas
"apocalyptic prophecy," in contrast to "classical prophecy" (sometimes called
"generalprophecy"),thelatterbeingrepresentedbysuchbooksasthemajorand
minorprophets.
Bothkindsofpropheticliteratureteachdivinetruth,asdoalltheotherkinds
ofliteratureintheBible.Butjustasinthecaseoftheotherliterary types,the
characteristicspeculiartothiskindofliteraturemustbetakenintoaccountby
the student. Unfortunately, the distinction between classical and apocalyptic
prophecyisfrequentlyblurredbyBibleexpositors.
In the paragraphs below, we will First note briefly some of the more
generallyrecognizedcharacteristicsof apocalyptic. Thenwewill deal inmore
detail with some features of this literature that usually are not given due
consideration.
GenerallyRecognizedFeaturesofApocalyptic
Variousauthorshavepointedoutfeaturescommontothegenreofliterature
knownasapocalyptic.Thefollowinglist,basedlargelyonmyInterpretingtheBook
ofRevelation,maybeconsideredrepresentative:12
Strikingcontrasts.Apocalypticprophecymakesaclearandinvariablelineof
demarcation between good and evil, between God's forces and Satan's forces,
betweentherighteousandthewicked,betweensalvationforGod'schildrenand
doomfortheirenemies. Amongthenumerousstrikingoppositesinthebookof
Revelation are the seal of God and the mark of the beast, the faithful and true
witnessandtheserpentthatdeceivestheworld,thevirginofRevelation12andthe
harlotofRevelation17,thearmiesofheavenandthearmiesofearth,thefruitofthe
treeoflifeandthewineofthefuryofGod'swrath,theNewJerusaleminglorious
splendorandBabyloninflamingdestruction,andtheseaofglassandthelakeof
fire.
Cosmic sweep. Classical prophecy deals with the local and contemporary
situationasitsprimaryfocus,withacertaindegreeofbroadeningtodepictafinal
great day of the Lord. Apocalyptic has instead, as its very warp and woof, the
elementofcosmicsweeporuniversalscope.Apocalypticprophecyapproachesthe
great controversy between good and evil, not within a local and contemporary
historical framework (such as depicted in the messages of the major and minor
prophets),butfromthevantagepoint
12Strand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,18
20.12
thatdrawsasidethecurtain,asitwere,onthe entireworld forthe wholespan of
humanhistory.
Forexample,Daniel2and7treatworldempiresinsuccessionfortheremainder
ofearth'shistoryfromDaniel'stimeuntilthefinalconsummationandsettingupof
God'severlastingkingdom.Revelationlikewisescansmajorhistoricaldevelopments
fromJohn'sdayuptoandincludingaportrayalofthegrandeschatologicalfinale.
Eschatologicalemphasis.Attimesthegeneralprophetsbroadenthescopeof
thedoomoraclesor"dayoftheLordjudgments"whetherdirectedagainstIsrael,
Judah,Nineveh,Babylon,Moab,Edom,orwhateverentityitmightbetoportray
brieflyafinaljudgmentattheendofearth'shistory.However,themajorthrustof
theirwritingisforthesituationoftheirownday.
Ontheotherhandapocalypticprophecy,althoughittreatshistorydownthrough
the stream of time, has a particular focus on the endtime events. Apocalyptic
describesanongoingstrugglebetweengoodandevilinhistory,ahistorythattends
todegenerateasitproceedsintime,Butitisahistorythatisactuallymovingtoward
an end at which time God Himself will directly intervene to destroy evil and
establishrighteousness.
Inasensewemaysaythatthegeneralprophetslookeduponhistoryfromthe
standpointoftheirownpositionintime,whereastheapocalypticprophetsenvisage
asweepofhistorywithaspecialfocusonhistory'seventualclimax.
Originintimesofdistressandperplexity. Initshistoricalsetting,biblical
apocalypticsuchasDanielandRevelationaroseintimesofdistress,perplexity,and
persecution. Thus, it appears that Apocalyptic prophecy emerges when dire
circumstancesforGod'speoplemightwellleadthemtoquestionwhetherGodis
stillactiveandincontrol.AnditteachesclearlyandforcefullythatGodisindeed
stillthemasterofhistory,thatHeiswithHispeople,andthatHewillfullyvindicate
thematagrandandgloriouseschatologicalclimax.Apocalypticprophecyisakind
ofliteraturethatisparticularlysuitedtogivecomfortandhopetooppressedand
downtrodden servants of God in their time of critical need for precisely such
comfortandhope.
Basis in visions and dreams. A comparison of apocalyptic prophecy with
classical prophecy and other biblical literature indicates that apocalyptic is
characterizedbymorefrequentreferencetovisionsanddreamsthanistrueofany
otherkindofliteraturefoundintheBible.Also,theappearanceofangelstointerpret
suchvisionsanddreamsisnotuncommon.
13
Extensive use ofsymbolism.Althoughclassicalprophecyusessymbolismto
somedegree,apocalypticmaybedistinguishedbyit.ThebookofRevelationis
permeatedwithsymbolsofvarioussorts;itsimageryisparticularlyrich.
Use of composite symbolism. Moreover, whatever symbolism the classical
prophets use, it tends to follow truetolife patterns, whereas apocalyptic often
departs from conventional forms. It depicts, for example, animals that are
nonexistent in nature, such as the sevenheaded dragon and the sea beast of
Revelation,thewingedlionandthefourheadedleopardofDaniel,etc.Composite
symbolismwascommon,ofcourse,intheartandliteratureoftheancientNear
East.
Summary.Althoughclassificationonthebasisofsuchcriteriahasbeencalled
into question," most scholars still give weight to these elements as being basic
characteristicsofapocalypticprophecy.Inanyevent,thesimplefactisthatthereis
abodyofancientliteraturethatmanifeststoagreaterorlesserdegreemostofthese
elements;therefore,fordescriptiveandutilitarianpurposesaclassificationonthe
basisofthemseemsbothusefulandwarranted.Knowingandunderstandingsuch
special characteristics of apocalyptic is, of course, a first step in proper
interpretation.
Itshould be noted, too,thatall thecharacteristicssetforthaboveare not
necessarily completelyuniquetoapocalyptic.Theextenttowhich theyappear
andthemannerinwhichtheyareusedinapocalypticis,however,quitedistinctive
andservestoprovideasignificantcontrasttothedynamicevidencedinclassical
prophecy.
VerticalandHorizontalContinuity
Asusefulastheforegoinglistofcharacteristicsis,itdoesnotgetusfullyto
the"heart" of apocalyptic prophecy. Wemaynotbe able tounderstandand
appreciateitsufficientlyunlesswecanputasideour"twentiethcenturyglasses"
andplaceourselvessquarelywithinthebiblicalperspective.
Here we turn our attention specifically to two elements absolutely vital to
understandifwearetograspthetruedynamicofapocalyptic.Iwillrefertothemas
thedimensionsof"verticalcontinuity"and"horizontalcontinuity."
Verticalcontinuity. TheancientSemiticmindsawheavenandearthinclose
touchwitheachother.Unfortunately,thisisaperspectivethatweinourmodern
scienceorientedcivilizationhavelargelylost.Themodem
13Seeesp.PaulD.Hanson,TheDawnofApocalyptic(Philadelphia,1975),67.
14
mindtendstoseparateheavenandearth,notsimplyspatiallyorphysically,
butalsospiritually.EvenasChristians, we findourselvestoooftenoutof
touchwiththeframesofreferenceandconceptualizationscharacteristicof
theBiblewritersandtheiroriginalhearers.
Godcommunicates,ofcourse,throughthelanguageofhumanity.This
obviouslymeansmorethanvocabulary,syntax,andthelike.Itinvolvesthe
wholeconceptualframeworkofthepersonswithwhomthecommunication
isbeingestablished.
We moderns believe that our twentieth century scientific frames of
referencearemuchbetterthantheconceptualizationsoftheancients,and
undoubtedly in some ways ours are more "up to date" and accurate.
However,whethertheworldviewisanancientoneoramodernone,itfalls
far below the ultimate realities of God's universe. His condescension to
communicatewithusinourlanguagethroughourconceptualframework
issogreatthatanyhumandifferencecreatedbytwoorthreemillennia
makesvirtuallynodifference.
Itisforus,however,thattheBiblewaswritteninancienttimes.There
fore,thoseframesofreferencepertinenttotheancientwritersandhearers
mustbeborneinmindbyusasweseektounderstandGod'smessagetoday
throughHiswrittenword.14
While modern scientific conceptualizations of reality have provided
someimportantgainsorcorrectives,atothertimestheyhaveledtoserious
loss.Empiricalscientificverificationissimplynotpossibleforallspheresof
reality (in fact, may be limited to a rather small part of total reality, as
scientiststhemselvesarecomingmoreandmoretorealize).Isuggestthat
one of the greatest losses from the ancient Semitic conceptualization of
realityisthismatterweareconsidering:the"verticalcontinuity"thatsees
heavenandearthinclosetouchwitheachother.
This"verticalcontinuity"isbasicto,andaxiomaticfor,theentirebibli
calcorpus,bothOldandNewTestaments.Nowhereisitmoreprominently
displayed, however, than in apocalyptic. It is not without reason, for
instance,thatthebookofRevelationrepeatedlypresentsheavenlysettingsin
connection with its description of activities that take place on earth.
Actually,apocalypticprophecy pictorializes and dramatizes thisvitalele
mentofthebiblicalperspective.
Theessenceandimportanceofthisconceptof"verticalcontinuity"as
14AnexcellentdiscussionofthenatureoftheinspiredwritingsisgivenbyEllenG.Whiteinher"In
troduction"toTheGreatControversy(MountainView,CA,1950).
15
applicabletothemessagesofthebookofRevelation,hasbeenaptlyexpressedinthe
following beautiful words penned by Ellen White: "One thing will certainly be
understoodfromthestudyofRevelationthattheconnectionbetweenGodandHis
peopleiscloseanddecided."15
IfwearetograsptherealbeautyandreceivetheefficacyofGod'smessagestous
inHisWord,wemustreturntothisconceptofrealitythatputsheaveninclosespiritual
touchwithearth.Thistruthiscrucial forourunderstandingofthemessagesofthe
apocalypticbooksofDanielandRevelation.
Horizontalcontinuity. Thesecondcentralfeatureofapocalyptic,thedimension
of "horizontal continuity," also needs careful consideration. Just as apocalyptic
prophecypictorializesanddramatizesaverticalcontinuityofactivitybetweenheaven
andearth,soitalsopictorializesanddramatizesahorizontalcontinuityinitsforward
outlook. History is a continuum under God's control, moving ever closer to that
gloriousconsummationwhenGod'sownkingdomofrighteousnesswillbeestablished
foreternity.
Thisparticulartypeofpropheticforecast thatdelineatesdevelopmentswithina
historicalcontinuumisafeaturethatstandsinstrikingcontrasttoclassicalprophecy.
Asalreadymentioned,thelatterfocusesontheprophet'sowntime,andthenmayoffer
anexpansionforafurtherandbroaderfulfillmentofcosmicscopeattheendofthe
age.Itisproper,therefore,tospeakinacertainsenseofthetwofocalpointsor"two
foci"ofclassicalprophecy.
Incontrast,apocalypticprophecydoesnotproceedonthisbasisatall.Rather,
apocalypticprophecyseesa continuum, aprogressionorsequenceinhistory.Itdoes
notlooksimplyupontwofocalpointstheprophet'stimeandtheendoftimewitha
gapbetween.Theapocalypticstyleisclearlyillustrated,forexample,inthesequences
oftheimagesceneofDaniel2andthefourbeastsandtheirhornsofDaniel7.
ButthissortofapocalypticapproachtohistoryisnotuniquewithDaniel.The
extracanonical apocalypses have indications of the same. For instance, the brief
"ApocalypseofWeeks"inEthiopicEnoch91:1217and93:110divideshistoryinto
10successiveperiods,thelastoneembracingthefinaljudgmentandintroducingthe
eternal age. Another illustration is Baruch's parable in chapters 5374, of a
thundercloudwhichrainsdownclearandinkywatersinsome12alternatelybrightand
darkperiods,finally
15EllenG.While,TestimoniestoMinisters(MountainView,CA,1962),114.
16
reaching the eschatological consummation. And there are a number of other
examplesaswell,includingthevisionofthemultiwingedeaglein4Ezra,chapters
1112,andthedreamvisionofbullsandsheep(plusawidearrayofotheranimals)
inEthiopicEnoch,chapters8590.
Sequentialhistoricaldevelopmentsorprocessesarealsoapparentinthedivinely
inspiredbookofRevelation.Wemaycertainlythinkofthestrikingexampleswithin
thesequencesofthesevensealsandoftheseventrumpets,thesealsbeingbrokenin
succession andthetrumpetsbeingblown insuccession. Likewise,thedepictionof
theanimosityofthedragoninchapter12embracesasequence,forhefirstattacks
theManchild, then thewoman, andfinallytheremnantofthewoman'soffspring.
Alsoindicativeofthissamesortofsequentialperspectiveisthereferencein17:10to
thesevenheadsofthebeastasbeingsevenkings,ofwhomfive"havefallen,""one
is[inJohn'stime],"and"theotherhasnotyetcome."
Wehavepurposelyplacedemphasisonthis"horizontalcontinuity"dimension
of apocalyptic, for two reasons: (1) It is absolutely central to the apocalyptic
portrayalofhistoryasasuccessionofevents,and(2)inrecentwritingsbycertain
prominent evangelical scholars (such as G. E. Ladd and Leon Morris), the
apocalypticviewofhistoryhasbeenconfusedwiththeclassicalprophecyapproach
of"dualfulfillment"or"twofoci."
Forexample,LaddsetsforththeideathatthebookofRevelationenvisagesthe
leopardlikeseabeastofchapter13asasymbolofboththeancientRomanEmpireof
John'sday(preterism)andanAntichriststilltocome(futurism). 16Butthiskindof
twofocalpointsinterpretationalprocedurewrongfullytransposesthecharacteristics
ofonetypeofpropheticportrayaltoanothertype,whereitsimplydoesnotfit.In
fact,whenthedualfocipatternisimposedontheapocalypticbooksofDanieland
Revelation,itbringsdistortiontotheverymessagesGodintendstoconveyinthese
prophecies.
Classical prophecy, with its emphasis on the prophet's own day and an
occasional"twofoci"perspective,neverelaboratesontheeventsleadinguptothe
final great "day of the Lord." There is, for example, no reference in classical
prophecytoanupcoming,endtimeAntichristpower.Laddarrivesatthissortof
Antichrist,aswehavenoted,bywronglyimposingthetwofociclassicalprophecy
modalityuponRevelationwhereAntichristisindeedfound.But,inRevelation(and
Danielaswell)theAntichristappearswithin
16SecG.E.Ladd, ACommentaryontheRevelationofJohn(GrandRapids,1972),13;andLadd's
articleentitled"Apocalyptic, Apocalypse," in Baker'sDictionary ofTheology (Grand Rapids,
1960),53.
17
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atotallydifferentframeofreference,namely,withinahistoricalcontinuum,
asasegmentofRevelation'songoinghorizontalcontinuity.
Inshort,theverynatureofapocalypticprophecyrulesoutpreterism,
futurism,andanycombinationofthem,infavorofthehistoricistapproach.
Thisfactisvitalandhasimportanttheologicalimplicationsforourstudyof
theApocalypse.
One further point may need some clarification here: Why does this
conceptofhistoricalcontinuumemergeinapocalypticindistinctionfrom
the"twofoci"conceptofclassicalprophecy?Isuggestthataspecificback
ground from the biblical literature itself serves as the pattern for this
characteristicof apocalyptic, namely, the OldTestament historical narra
tives.Apocalypticprophecyprojectsintothefutureacontinuationofthe
Bible'shistoricalrecord.
God'ssovereigntyandconstantcareforHispeoplearealwaysinthe
forefrontoftheBible'sportrayalofthehistoricalcontinuum,whetheritis
depictedinpastevents(historicalbooks)orineventstocome(apocalyptic
prophecy). Both Daniel and Revelation reveal a divine overlordship and
masteryregardingtheonwardmovementofhistorybeyondtheprophet's
owntimeafuturehistorythatwillculminatewhentheGodofheaven
establishesHisowneternalkingdomthatwillfillthewholeearthandstand
forever.17
Inbrief,themostnotableofthegenerallyrecognizedcharacteristicsof
apocalypticisitsuseofsymbolism.Thereisobviouslyaheightenedem
phasisonthisfeature,andmanyofthesymbolsarecompositeinnature.
Moreover, the symbolisms reflect the striking contrasts so evident in
apocalyptic,andtheyfrequentlygiveevidenceofbroadorcosmicscope.
Determining the source of the symbols employed, ascertaining their
rangeofmeaning,andtheirparticularfocusintheimmediatecontextof
Revelationarevitalconsiderationsfortheinterpreter.Thetopicisdiscussed
elsewhereinthisvolume.18
Undoubtedlythemostmisunderstoodandmisusedfacetofapocalyptic
relates to its horizontal continuity. Most of the generally recognized
characteristicsofapocalypticappearattimesinotherpropheticliteraturein
the Bible. But apocalyptic prophecy's horizontal continuity is a charac
teristic that stands in sharp contrast to the approach to history given in
classicalprophecy.
17Dan2:35,4415;cf.Rev21.22.
18Seechap.4inthisvolume,"InterpretingRevelation'sSymbolism."
18
Theological interpretation of Revelation, in order to be sound, must be
compatiblewiththishistoricalperspective.Revelationembraces,asdoesthebook
ofDaniel,astepbystepprogressionthroughhistory,notapolarizedfocusoneither
theancientperiodortheeschatologicalclimaxorboth.Thosecommentatorswho
wishtocombinepreterismandfuturismasthebestapproachtoRevelationflyright
inthefaceoftheverynatureofthebookitselfasanapocalypse. 19Itisvitalthatwe
betruetotheactualhistoricalperspectiveofRevelationifwearetoderivecorrect
conclusionsaboutthisbook'simportantmessages.
SpecialQuestions
Atthisjuncture,twospecialquestionsarise,especiallyinviewofwhathas
been said above about apocalyptic's "horizontal continuity": (1) In apocalyptic
prophecy, is there such a thing as repeated fulfillments! (2) Does the historical
portrayal in apocalyptic envisage a tentativeness or conditionality, so that if
conditionsweretochange,thehistoricalfulfillmentswouldlikewisechange?
Repeatedfulfillments? InpreviousdiscussionsonapocalypticIhavenoted
thatthereisacertain"philosophyofhistory"perspectiveinthiskindofprophecy. 20
By "philosophyofhistory," however, I do not mean the "valuephilosophy"
approachthatsetsforthphilosophicalconsiderationsor"ideals"withouttouching
historicalreality.Itmustbeemphasizedthatapocalypticprophecydealswithreal
events and developments in the historical continuum, from the prophet's time
onwardtotheendoftime.Anyapproachthatdivorcesfulfillmentofapocalyptic
forecasts from real history goes contrary to the very essence of apocalyptic
historicalportrayal.
Thekindof"philosophyofhistory"towhichIcallattentionhasacertainkind
ofrecurringapplication.Wewillfirsttookforevidencesand/orillustrationsofthe
phenomenon; and second, we will note the type of material to which the
phenomenonisapplicable.
Althoughtheevidenceisnotsoclearcut,thiskindofliteraturedoescontain
someindicationsoftheconceptthat"historyrepeatsitself."
In the noncanonical apocalypses, for example, Baruch's parable of the
thunderclouddividesitshistoricalcontinuumintoalternately"clear"and
19ExpositorswhoacceptahistoricistfulfillmentinthepastofcertainvisionsinDanielandRevelation,
butwhothenoptforasecondandprimaryendtimefulfillmentofthesame,comeunderthis
strictureaswetl.Ed.
20Strand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,1416;andsomewhatmorefullyinid.,Perspectivesin
theBookofRevelation(Worthington,OH,1975),2932.
19
"inky"periods.Thereis,indeed,analmost"singsong"patternofhistorical
repetition.InthecanonicalbookofDaniel,theriseandfallofkingdoms
conveysthesamethoughtwithregardtorepetitivenessinhistory,especially
soinviewoftheundergirdingstatementthatGod"removeskingsandsets
upkings'*(Dan2:21).
Theconceptisexpressiveofthe"blessingsandcursings"formularyof
Deuteronomy(2728)andfindsgraphicillustrationinIsrael'sownhistory.
Thisiswellillustrated,forexample,inthebookofJudges.WheneverIsrael
failedinitscovenantcommitment,oppressionbyforeignnationsresulted.
DeliverancecamewheneverIsraelturnedtotheLordinsincererepentance.
Although each instance was a different episode, with a different judge
leadingthedeliverance,thekindofhistoricalphenomenonineachcasewas
the same. Thus, it may be said that Israelite "history repeated itself"
mprinciple,thoughnotinspecificdetail.
In the book of Revelation we find similar suggestions of repetitive
patterns,suchasinthefourthreedivisionwithinvariousseptets.Onemay
think,forexample,ofthestrikingsimilaritiesfoundintheletterstoEphesus
andSardisandagaininthosetoSmyrnaandPhiladelphia(thefirstandfifth
churchesandthesecondandsixthchurches,respectively,inRevelation23).
Furthermore,theverymannerinwhichsymbolismisusedinRevelation
implies at times a repeated (and possibly a continuous) application.
ParticularlyimpressiveistheexpressioninRevelation11:8"thegreatcity
which is allegorically called Sodom and Egypt, where their [the two
witnesses']Lordwascrucified."Here we findthreeplaces(Sodom,Egypt,
Jerusalem)broughttogetherand identified insuchawayastocarryour
mindsbacktoeventsbothinthedistantpastandinmuchclosertime.These
eventswerealsoseparatedgeographically.
Whatthistexttellsusisnotthatthereisgoingtobeasecondorevena
thirdfulfillmentofSodomormultiplefulfillmentsoftheancientEgyptthat
heldIsrael inoppression. Rather, themessage is that these three distinct
entitiescanbeidentifiedinasortof"togetherness"astotheirunderlying
characterofwickednessandoppression.Hence,theycanfittinglyserveina
symbolic way for the "great city" that embodies and repeats a similar
characterofwickednessandoppression.
EllenWhite,too,incommentingonJohn'svision,makessomestate
ments indicativeof this kind of historical repetition. We may notice, for
instance,thisstatement:"Lookingdownthroughlongcenturiesofdarkness
andsuperstition,theagedexilesawmultitudessufferingmartyrdombecause
20
oftheirloveforthetruth.ButhesawalsothatHewhosustainedHisearlywitnesses
wouldnotforsakeHisfaithfulfollowersduringthecenturiesofpersecutionthatthey
mustpassthroughbeforethecloseoftime."21
WhenclaimsaremadethatEllenWhitesupportsrepeatedfulfillmentsinthe
booksofDanielandRevelation, 22 thecontextofwhatshesaysmustbecarefully
notedandwhat sort of"repetitionofhistory" isinvolved.Thereisnot asingle
instancewheresheindicatesdualormultiplefulfillmentsofthelittlehornorofany
ofthebeastsofDanielorRevelationand
theirtimeperiods.
Thoseentitiescomeintoexistenceonceandonceonly.Theirkindofserviceas
vehiclesforSatan'sattackuponGodandGod'ssaintsmayreadily,however,leadto
a repetition of the general processes used, whether these are deceptions or
persecutions(seeJohn8:44).Butnoapocalypticprophecyisunderstoodtoembody
dualormultiplefulfillmentsinitself.
Conditionality in apocalyptic? In recent private writings among some
Seventhday Adventists, the claim is made that there is conditionality in the
historicalforecastsofapocalypticbookssuchasRevelation.Theargumentisthat
suchfulfillmentsasSeventhdayAdventistshavelongheldasgenuinewereonly
partialonesiffulfillmentsatallbecausecertainconditionswerenotmet.Hence,
wecanlookforayetfuturefulfillment.Itemsthathavebeenplacedinthiscategory
arethegreatearthquake,DarkDay,andfallingofthestars(Rev6:1217),theendof
Daniel's2300dayprophecyin1844,othertimeperiodsinDanielandRevelation,
andtheapocalypticportrayalofhistoryevenmoregenerally.
What must be said first in response to this approach is that the principles
enunciatedaboveregardinghistoricalportrayalinapocalypticprophecyholdtruefor
thisquestionaswellasforthatof"repeatedfulfillment."Thoseprinciplesallowno
roomwhatever fordefault inthefulfillment orpostponement oftheapocalyptic
forecastbecauseofconditionality.
Inshort,apocalypticprophecysetsforthahistoricalprogressionthatallowsno
roomforvariability,asGodforetellswhat "must shortlycometopass"(Rev1:1,
KJV).Thereis,forexample,noquestionwhetherthefourhorsemenofRevelation6
aregoingtoride;theywill indeedgoforthintheprogressionindicated.Thesame
holds true with the trumpet warnings, the plagues of doom, the destruction of
Babylon,etc.Theseareallthingsthat
21EllenG.White,TheActsoftheApostles(MountainView,CA,1911),588.
22Foradiscussionofthisclaim,seepamphlet,"EllenG.WhiteandtheInterpretationofDanieland
Revelation,"BiblicalResearchInstitute,GeneralConferenceofSeventhdayAdventists.
21
Johnisshownandtoldwouldhappen.Theresimplyisnoelementofcontingency
involved!
Onemayargue,however,thatthereisanelementofconditionalityintheletters
tothesevenchurches.Thisisindeedso.Thewholeconceptoftheselettershas
conditionalityasanunderlyingframeofreference.Butthisparticularconditionality
doesnotrelatetothehistoricalportrayalofthechurches'situations,buttohowthe
churchesandindividualsinthemwillrespondtoChrist'sappeal,howtheywill
decidetostandinthefutureregardingtheircovenantrelationshipwiththeLord.
Thehortatorynatureofepistolaryliteraturecomestotheforehere.Thefact
thatthebookofRevelationisaletteraswellasanapocalypticprophecygivesita
certainflavorofexhortation.Butthisexhortation,itmustbeemphasized,islimited
toappeals(whereverfoundinthe book,see16:15,foranexample)anddoesnot
applytothespecifictypeofpropheticforecastthatispartandparcelofthenature
ofapocalypticliterature.ThebookofDaniel,too,haselementsofconditionalityin
itshistoricalsectionsandinanyappealsthataremade.
However, in neither Daniel nor Revelation is the prophetic forecast itself
subjecttoconditionality.Theeventsarefixedandtheprescribedtimeperiodsare
definiteandinvariable.TheseelementsfitthepatternsofwhatDanielsaidtoKing
Nebuchadnezzar:"Godhasmadeknowntothekingwhat shallbe hereafter.The
dreamiscertain,anditsinterpretationsure"(Dan2:45).
SymbolisminRevelation
Asnotedearlier,amongthegeneralcharacteristicsofapocalypticprophecyis
its extensive use of symbolism, especially composite symbolism. The book of
Revelation is filled with symbolism and imagery, a fact that causes much
consternation and confusion to interpreters. Part of the problem is that modem
expositorsfrequently interject their ownmeaningsontothesymbols,rather than
determiningthescripturalrangeofmeaning.
AsonesurveystheRevelation,itbecomesevidentthatthevastmajorityofits
allusionsinsymbolism andimagery are totheOldTestament Thissubject is
addressedindetailinanotherchapterofthisvolume.Atthispointwewillsimply
addsomecommentsonafewotherconsiderations.
Symbolism'sliterary role. AvalidruleofScripture interpretationisthat a
givenpassageshouldbeinterpretedliterallyunlessthereisevidence
23Seechap.4,"InterpretingRevelation's
Symbolism.22
ofsymbolicorfigurativelanguagepresent.Formostbiblicalliteraturethisprinciple
workswell.Butwhenconfrontedbyapocalypticprophecy,wemustrecognizein
thiskindofliteratureapreponderanceofsymbolicusage.Thus,ourapproachmay
havetobeturnedaroundsomewhatsoastofindreasonsforaliteralinterpretation
ofmanypassages.
Inanycase,therearespecificconsiderationsweshouldkeepinmindwhenwe
ask,Whyistheresomuchsymbolisminapocalypticprophecy,and,whataresome
guidelinestodeterminewhentoexpectsymbolicusage?Asidefromthefactthat
symbolismisabasiccharacteristicofthiskindofliterature,thefollowingreasons
cometomind.
1.Effectiveportrayal.Symbolisoftenthemostconvenientorforcefulwayto
portrayamessage."Apicturecanreplaceathousandwords,"andfrequentlydoes,
moreaccuratelyandeffectivelythanaprolongedverbal description.Roadmaps,
chemicalformulae,artist'ssketches,architect'sblueprints,portraits,andsculptures
areexamplesof"symbolicusage"thatexpresswhatwordsthemselvescouldnever
adequatelyportray.
Inthecaseofapocalypticliterature,whichdepictsthegreatstrugglebetween
goodandevil,theuseofsymbolandimageryshouldbeexpected.Issuesofcosmic
scopecouldnotbesetfortheffectivelybyliteralexpression.Hereisacasewhere
human inability to understand the complexities of the moral controversy gives
reasonfortheuseofsymbols..
2. Portrayal of the future. Future history itself would be a phenomenon
difficulttodescribeliterallyinanywayintelligibletothereadersandhearersofthe
prophecy.Revelationclaims,ofcourse,tounveilthefuture,andthequestionthen
arises,Howbettercouldthefuturebeportrayedthaninsymbolicterms?
3.Commonpoolsymbols.Anotherexplanationfortheuseofsymbolismisthe
factthatcertainsymbolicexpressionswereapartofIsrael'svocabulary,apoolof
commonsymbolicusage.Thus,forexample,theexpressions Egypt and Babylon
wouldbereadilyunderstoodintheirsymbolicimportinthebookofRevelation.
Symbolism's fluidity. By their nature, symbols fluid. They are word
pictures.Someelementsofthisfluiditymaybenoted:
1. The same symbol may signify different things in different contexts. For
example,thelionmaybeusedtorefertoChrist(LionofJudahinRev5:5),tothe
devil("roaringlion"in1Pet5:8),toJudah("lion'swhelp"inGen49:9),andto
AssyriaandBabylon("lions"inJer50:17).
2.Differentsymbolsmayrepresentthesamething.Forinstance,bothlionand
lambrepresentChristinRevelation5.
23
3.Theremaybeavariationofsymbolsdepictingthesamethingwithinthe
verysamecontext.Forexample,Christisportrayedasboththe shepherd andthe
doorintothesheepfoldinJohn10;thesevenheadsofthebeastofRevelation17are
declaredtobebothsevenmountainsandsevenkings.
4.Detailsmayvaryinwhatareapparentlythesamesymbols.Forexample,the
four living creatures in Ezekiel 1 form the background for the throne scene of
Revelation4.Intheformerpassageeachcreaturehasfourfaces,whereasinthe
latterpassageeachcreaturehasonlyoneface.Butthedescriptionsofthefacesare
thesameinbothinstances.OtherexampleswouldbethehorsesofZechariah1:8
(compare also6:23)andRevelation6,andtheolivetreesinrelationshiptothe
lampstandsasgiveninZechariah4andRevelation11.
The modern western reader is prone to desire mathematical exactness with
respecttosymbolicusage,butsuchiscontrarytotheverynatureofsymbolism.
Whenthefluidnatureofsymbolisunderstood,asillustratedabove,variationsand
variablenessshouldnottroubleus.Infact,thisfluidnatureofsymbolshoulditself
beadeterrenttousagainstoverliteralnessininterpretation.
Itisimportant,nevertheless,thatwestaywithintheboundsoftheconventional
usage of symbols. When interpreting any particular symbol in the book of
Revelation, for example, we must think in terms of the range of conventional
meanings.Thenwedoourinterpretationonthebasisofameaningthatharmonizes
withthespecificcontextintheApocalypse.
Symbolism'sinnerreality.Onereasonsymbolsarefluidisthattheyportrayan
innerrealitythatfunctionsbeyondthesignificanceofthespecificitemoritemsthat
serveastheirsource.Minearexplainsthisfunctionasfollows:
Thisisacomprehensive rather thanadisjunctivemodeofseeingand
thinking.Itapprehendseventsintermsoftheirinnerstructureasresponsesto
God'saction.God'sactionineachepochinducedarecognizablepatternof
reactions,andtheprophetsoughttodiscernthatpatternforthesakeofhis
readers. Egypt remained a distinctive name but it conveyed a symbolic
richnessofmeaningneitherlimitedbytheoriginalcontextnorscornfulofit.
Behindthismodeofviewingwasadistinctiveontologicalstance,towhichwe
shouldgivemoreattentionthanweusuallydo.24
24PaulS.Minear,"OntologyandEcclesiologyintheApocalypse," NewTestamentStudies13(1965
1966):9596.
24
ExamplesofthisdynamiccanbeeasilysuppliedinthebookofRevela
tion.Infact,itwouldnotbeamisstostatethatthisrepresentsthebasic
mannerinwhichsymbolismfunctionswithintheApocalypse.Forexample:
1.Thesymbolsofthe"twowitnesses"(Rev11)havebackgroundsfrom
Zechariah4andfromMoses,Elijah,Jeremiah,andotherprophets.
2.InthecentralportionofthebookofRevelation(8:218:24)liesa
doubleportrayalofwhatmightbecalledthe"ExodusfromEgypt'7'Fallof
Babylon"motif.Thefirstfivetrumpetshaveastheirbackgroundsourcethe
plaguesonancientEgypt,whereaswiththesixthtrumpetthesceneshiftsfor
backgroundtotheRiverEuphrates,theriverofBabylon(9:14).Likewise,
thefirstfiveplaguesareagainbasedontheplaguesonEgypt;
whereaswiththesixthplaguethesceneagainchangestotheRiver
Euphrates(16:12).
3.Whatmightbetermeda"FallofBabylonTElijahonMt.Carmel"
motifoccursinthesixthplague(16:1216).
HereOTbackgroundsprividearealityfortheChristiancommunitythat
surpassestheoriginalmeanings.Wenotetwoaspectsofinterest:
1.God'sconstantcareforHispeopleofearliertimescontinueswiththe
Christian community, for whom Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday and
todayandforever"(Heb13:8).Theconceptisinherentintheaffirmationof
our Lord's being the Alpha and Omega (1:8; 22:13). Indeed, the new
Christian community, including that segment represented by the Asian
congregationsthatconstitutedJohn'sparish,wasacontinuationinthelineof
thepeoplewhomGodhadchosenandsustainedinthefaceofadversityand
thewilesofthedevil.
2.TheChristianchurchrepresentsa heightening ofallthatGodhad
doneforHispeopleinthepast.Notonlyisthiscommunityinthelineof
faith,itrepresentsaculminationofGod'spurposesandplansforHispeople.
Hence,allthemeaningfulexperiencesinthehistoryofGod'sdealingwith
HischosenpeopleintheOTcanillustrate,atleasttoapoint,theexperience
thatmaybeexpectedbyChristians.AndChristianexperience,asjustnoted,
willtranscendthoseoriginalexperiencesoreventsuponwhichthesymbolic
representationsarebased.
Fromtheforegoingdiscussionweseethatsymbolicbackgroundsare
often merged or blended. Thisblendingofsymbolismfortheimageryof
Revelationis,indeed,characteristicofthebook.Hence,weemphasize
25 See WilliamH.Shea,"TheLocation and SignificanceofArmageddon inRev 16:16," AUSS 18
(1980);15762
25
againthatineachcasetheoriginalmeaningsofthebackgroundmaterialshavenot
beendestroyed.Neitheristhereadenialorminimizationofthehistoricaleventsor
situations alluded to in the imagery. Rather, this blending of the symbolic
backgroundsdepictsanewrealitythattranscendsanyindividualbackground,or
eventhecombinationofbackgrounds,sothat thewholeexceedsthesumofthe
parts.26
Suggestions for interpreting symbolism in Revelation. As a matter of
conveniencewesupplythefollowinglistofsuggestionsforinterpretingsymbolsin
Revelation.Thislistisnotcomprehensive;moreover,theinterpretershouldnotuse
itwoodenly,butshouldconsideritasuggestiveguideforthereaderconfrontedby
thevastandpuzzlingusageofsymboliclanguageintheApocalypse.27
1. Understand the symbol for what it is: a Figure or sign that is fluid and
representativeinnature.
2.Recognizethereasonsforusingthesymbolintheparticularpassageand
contextunderstudy.
3.Discoverasfaraspossiblethesource(s)ofthesymbolism,notingthe
originalmeaningandanyderivedmeaningsforthecommunitynowusingit.
4.Considerthesymbolfromthestandpointofthekindofliteraturewhereit
occurs(apocalypticforthebookofRevelation,aliteraturethatischaracterizedbya
cosmiceschatologicalemphasis,strikingcontrasts,etc.).
5.Notetherelationshipofthesymboltothemainthemebeingtreated.For
instance,themessageofanyoneoftheseventrumpetsmustbecompatiblewiththe
broaderthemeoftheentireseventrumpetsvision.
6.Considerthesymbolwithinitsimmediateliterarycontextortextualsetting.
Theremustbecompatibilityatthisleveltoo.
7.Interpretthesymbolinrelationshiptoitsconventionalusage.Itsprecise
meaning(withintherangeofitsconventionalusage)istobedeterminedbythe
themebeingtreatedandinharmonywiththeimmediatetextualsettingthe
principlesenunciatedinnumbers5and6above.
8.Whenlookingforthehistoricalapplication,takecarenotto"tailor
26Inthiswholeprocesssomething has occurredwhich,louseAustinFarrer'sterminology,mightbe
called"arebirthofimages."(This,infact,isthetitleofhiscommentary,ARebirthofImages:
The Making of St. John's Apocalypse [Gloucester, MA, 1970].) There is more than rebirth,
however.While rebirth mightpertainsimplytoindividualimagesandpossiblyalsotocombina
tions,themefgmgorMoidlingtowhichattentionhasjustbeencalledinvolvesadynamicwherein
broadgraphicrepresentationsgetustotheheartofthegreatontologicalandsoteriologicalrealities
ofNTtheologywhicharevital and ofconcernfortheongoinglifeandserviceoftheChristian
church.
27ThislistingisalmostverbatimfromStrand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,29.
26
tOundationalFnncTpTesoTTnierpretation
make"historytofitpreconceivedideasofwhattheapplicationofthemessage
shouldbe;rather,letthemessageitselfbetheguidetothehistorical
fulfillment.
9.Donotseektofindanapplicationforeverydetailofanextendedsymbolism;
instead,getthemainpictureorlesson.Partsofsymbolicpresentationsoftensimply
roundoutthepicture.
10.Recognizethattheextentofasymbolicpresentationmayvaryfromasimple
metaphortoanextendedallegoryandthatthemeaningofaspecificsymbolmay
varyindifferentcontexts.
PurposeandThemeofRevelation
TodeterminethepurposeandthemeofagivenbookoftheBibleisoneofthe
basicproceduresofsoundbiblicalinterpretation.ThisholdstruefortheRevelation,
aswellasforanyotherBiblewriting.Asarule,commentatorsarecarefultonote
clues indicating the writer's purpose and theme. But insufficient care has too
frequentlybeengiveninthisrespecttothebookofRevelation.Letusseewhatthe
Apocalypseitselftellsus.
Revelation'sPurpose
ThepurposeofthebookofRevelationissetforthclearlyinitspreamble:"The
revelationofJesusChrist,whichGodgavehimtoshowtohisservantswhatmust
soontakeplace..."(1:1).
Inviewofthisexplicitstatementitisremarkablethatsomecommentatorsclaim
RevelationhasnothingtosayabouteventsfuturetoJohn'stime.Theysuggestthat
theApocalypseissimplyabeautifulpictureofChristandtheidealsthatemerge
fromthatpicture.AbeautifulpictureofChristisindeedpresentedthroughoutthe
Revelation, but to deny the book's stated purpose to disclose future events
contradictsitsownassertion.
Revelation'sTwofoldTheme
Revelation's twofold theme elaborates on the purpose of the prophecy. As
statedinboththeprologueandepilogue,thethemeisasfollows:
Behold,he[Christ]iscomingwiththeclouds,andeveryeyewillsee
him,..."IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,"saystheLordGod,whoisandwho
wasandwhoistocome,theAlmighty.(1:78)
Behold,I[Christ]amcomingsoon,bringingmyrecompense,torepay
everyoneforwhathehasdone.IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,thefirstand
thelast,thebeginningandtheend.(22:1213)
27
ruuiTuauuimiinKirpreianon
Return.OnemainfocusofthebookofRevelationisthesecondadvent
ofChristOurLordwillcometoputanendtothereignofsinandsorrow,
painandsuffering,sicknessanddeath.AndwhenHecomes,Hisreward
willbewithHimajustreward,torecompenseallpeopleaccordingto
theirdeeds.
Hisreturnwillbringthefinaleradicationofsinanditshorribleaccom
paniment of misery and woe, will destroy the destroyers of the earth
(11:18),andwillguaranteeaneternalinheritancetothosewhohavefol
lowedloyallyinHisfootsteps.
Everpresent ButChristisalsodepictedintheRevelationasbeing
everpresentwithHisfaithfulfollowersduringalltheirtribulationsinthe
"hereandnow."HeistheAlphaandOmega,theOnewhowasdead,isnow
alive,livesforever,andhasthekeysofdeathandHades(see1:1718).His
victoryisourvictorytoo,eveninthefaceofdeath(cf.Rev12:11).Oras
putsobeautifullyinthebookofHebrews,Jesusisboththe"authorand
finisherofourfaith"(Heb12:2,KJV).
LiteraryStructureofRevelation
Bibleexpositorsgenerallyattempttoascertainnotonlyagivenwriter's
purposeandtheme,butalsohisprocedureindevelopingthattheme.Thus,
commentatorsfrequentlyincludeanoutlineofthebookunderstudy.
Commentaries on Revelation usually include outlines. But when we
comparethem,wefindthemajoritytobeinconsistentwitheachotherand
frequentlyincompatiblewiththetextofRevelationitself.Someoutlinesthat
differ from one another are nonetheless mutually compatible, as I have
pointedoutelsewhere,whereasotheroutlines(andthisisthemajorityof
them)simplywillnotfitintoacoherentpattern. 28
Itisnotourpurposetocallattentiontothevarietyofoutlinesavail
ableincommentariestoday.Rather,wewishtobringintofocusaspecific
outline that emerges directly from the text of Revelation itself.
Subsequently, we will notice other literary patterns with an important
bearingonhowtheApocalypseshouldbeinterpreted.
ALiteraryChiasmus
Wemustletthebookitselfgiveusthecluesforitsoutline.Whenthis
procedureisfollowed,abeautifulbroadliterarypatternfortheentirebook
28SeemydiscussioninInterpretingtheBoukofRevelation,3341.Avarietyofoutlinesarecalledtothe
reader'sattention.SeealsotheAppendixessaysonpp.65,7579.
28
indeedemerges from thetext. It takestheformof a chiasmus, that is,a

patterninverseparallelism.Thesupportingdatafortheoutlinecannotbe
givenindetailhere,butafewobservationsdemandmention.
There is a major structural division between chapters 14 and 15. A
prologueandfourmainvisionsprecedethatdividingline,andfourmain
visionsandanepiloguefollowit.Theprologueandepilogueparalleleach
other.Thereisasimilarparalleling(ininverseorder)ofthevisionsfromthe
firstdivisionofthebookwiththevisionsofthelastdivision.Seediagramin
chapter2ofthisvolume.
Weseethatthevisionspriortothebreakattheendofchapter14deal
primarilywiththeChristianEra.Thevisionsafterthatbreakarefocusedon
theeraofeschatologicaljudgment.Thevisionsofthefirstpartofthebook
revealthatthechurchisdefective,God'ssaintsarepersecuted,andthefor
ces of evilarehavingaheyday. By contrast, thevisions beginningwith
chapter15reveala"turningofthetables,"sothatthereisgloriousvictory
forGod'ssaintsanddoomfortheerstwhilepowersthatlordeditoverthem.
Thevisionsupthroughchapter14maybecharacterizedasthe"historical
era," and those thereafter as the "eschatologicaljudgment era." In the
former,thecrygoesforthfromthesoulsunderthealtar,"0SovereignLord,
holyandtrue, howlongbeforethouwiltjudgeandavenge ourbloodon
thosewhodwellupontheearth?"(6:910).Inthelatterwefindacounterpart
in the acclamation, "he [God] has judged the great harlot... and he has
avengedonherthebloodofhisservants"(Rev19:2).
InthescenesofthefirstmajorpartofRevelation,visions2,3,and4
reveal a succession of events or developments that reach to and include
Christ'ssecondadvent.Thusthelastitemineachseriestakesustothefinal
eschatological climax. Nevertheless, the events prior to that climax deal
specificallywiththehistoricalera.Becauseofthisprimaryemphasisthey
maybedesignatedproperlyas"historicalera"visions.
In the second half of the book the visions themselves consistently
manifesttheperspectiveoftheeschatologicaljudgmentNevertheless,they
include two kinds of material that pertain to the historical era: (1)
explanations, whichnecessarilymustbefromtheprophet'sownpointin
timeinordertobeunderstoodbyhimandhisreaders;and(2) appeals,
whichobviouslymustbeapplied
29ForamoreextensivestudyoftheliteraryarrangementofRevelationanditsimpactoninterpretation,
see the next two chapters by the same author, "The Eight Basic Visions"; and " 'Victorious
Introduction' Scenes." See some of the author's other presentations: Interpreting the Book of
Revelation,4352;"ApocalypticProphecyandtheChurch,"pt.1,inMinistry,October1983,2223.
29
lÔunoauonalPrinciplesotIriteipretation
intheperiodbeforehumanprobationclosesiftheyaretobeheeded.Hese
arenot"crossovers"inthevisionsproper,fortheeschatologicaljudgment
settingofthevisionsthemselvesisinvariable,beginningwiththesevenlast
plaguesandcontinuingthroughsubsequenteventsuntilthegloriousclimax
isreachedintheportrayaloftheNewJerusalemandnewearth.
WhenweconsiderthischiasticstructureofRevelation,weimmediately
seethatitalignswellwiththetwofoldthemestatedintheprologueand
epilogue.Thefirstmajorpartofthebook(chaps.114)dealswiththeerain
whichtheAlphaandOmegaistheprotectorandsustainerofHispeoplein
spiteoftrialandpersecutionthatmaycometheirway.Thesecondmajor
part of the book, beginning with chapter 15, deals with eschatological
judgmentsthatclusteraroundandcenterintheconsummationoftheage:
Christ'ssecondadvent.
DeterminingRevelation'sLiteraryArrangement
The broad chiastic structure that encompasses the whole book of
Revelationisvitalinitstheologicalimplications.Foronething,itunder
scores theprophecy's twofoldthemenotedabove. More importantly, the
scheme enables the interpreter to recognize the proper placement and
emphasistobegiventothebook'sspecifictheologicalthemesormotifs.
Consequently,wecanexaminemorecloselytheprocedurebywhichthis
chiasticstructurewasascertained,aprocedurethatshouldguideinthedis
coveryofallbiblicalliterarypatterns.
Derivedfromthetext.Thepointofcentralimportance,onethatcannot
beoveremphasized,isthatthe textitselfmustbe thesourcefor,andthe
guidetodeterminingliterarystructure.Indevelopingthepatternoutlined
above,nootherconsiderationwasinvolved,forproperhermeneuticrequires
thatwedrawoutofthetextitspattern.Eventheexistenceofthemajor
chiasmhadtobeseeninthetextofRevelationitself.
Notmanyscholarshadconsideredthepossibilityofachiasticstructure
inRevelationuntilmyownpiecebypiecediscoveryofitoveraperiodof
yearsduringthedecadeofthe1950s.Today,variousresearchersarenow
alerttoit,includingC.M.Maxwell,whohasutilizedmyoutlinewithslight
adaptationsasthebasicstructureofRevelationinvolume2of his God
Cares.30 Intheprocessofdiscovery,certainparallelismsinthe textitself
keptconfrontingme;theseeventuallyledtotheoutlinedescribedabove.
Parallelsections.Althoughthereaderisreferredelsewheretothe
30Seen.3.
30
rbundationaTFnncipTesOFInlerpretaiioh
supportingdatafortheoutlinewehavepresented, 31 afewobservationsshouldbe
madehere.
First, in order to be genuinely parallel counterparts, the visions must give
evidenceofpronouncedsimilarityinitemsmentioned,inbroadbasiccontextsor
settings.Isolatedsimilaritiesarenotimportantinthisregard.Butwhenthereare
clusters of similarities, then we take seriously the possibility of chiastic
counterparts.
Forexample,anumberofexpositorshavenoticedsuchclustersbetweenthe
prologueandepilogue.Ineachoftheseshortsectionswefindmentionofthebook's
messageasbeingsentbyanangelandpertainingtothingsthatmustsooncometo
pass(1:1;22:6),referencetoJohnasrecipientofthevision(1:9;22:8),mentionof
the"churches"(1:46;22:16),andpronouncementofablessingonthosewhoheed
themessages(1:3;22:7),aswellasthestatementofthetwofoldthemenotedearlier
(1:78;22:1213).
Mostexpositorsrecognizethatthedescription oftheNew Jerusalem/new
earth in the final chapters of Revelation recall (as fulfillment) the promises
madetotheovercomers inthe messagestotheseven churchesintheinitial
chapters.
Similaritiesbetweenthe"doublet"visions(whatwehavecalledthe"Exodus
fromEgypt"/!'FallofBabyon"motif)frequentlyhavebeennoted:suchassimilar
targetsforthetrumpetsandplagues(earth,sea,rivers,andsprings,etc.),andmotif
andverbalparallelsbetweenchapters1214and1718(awomanineach;seven
headed,tenhomedanimals;pronouncementsofthefallofBabylon;etc.).Despitea
recognitionofsuchsimilarities.Revelationscholarshavenot,generally,discerned
howtheyparalleleachotherinachiasticmanner.
Less frequently observed by commentators is the chiastic parallel between
Revelation 4:18:1 and 19:121:4. But these two sections also have clusters of
similarities. They both have a setting in which God is seated on a throne,
surroundedbyfourlivingcreaturesandtwentyfourelders.Inthissettingtheyboth
havesimilaracclamationsandanthemsofpraisetoGodandtheLamb.
Inthelattervisiontheresponsecomestothemartyrs'cryintheformervision,
relating to God's "judging" and "avenging" them. A rider on a white horse is
portrayedinbothvisions.Woecomestothe"kingsofearth"andotherspecified
groups.ReferenceismadetotheblessingsofGod'sdwellingwithHispeopleand
"wipingawayalltearsfromtheireyes,"etc.
Surelysuchanabundanceofsignificantsimilaritiesbetweentwovisions
31Secchap.4inStrand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,4547.
31
ToulKIaTllonarrancipIesorTnterpretation
indicates that they are counterparts. When placed in position with other
pairsofvisionsthathavesimilarrelationships(asindicatedinthebiblical
textitself),theoverallchiasticstructureofRevelationappears.
OtherChiasmsinRevelation
Revelationalsocontainschiasticliterarypatternsotherthanthemajor
onewehavediscussed.Thesemayembracemultiplechapters,coverone
chapter(Rev18,forexample),oroccurinevenshortersections.Herewe
presentoneoftheseasanexample.Itembracescertainitemsandapar
ticulardynamicinchapters1220.
ManyexpositorsbelieveabasicdividinglineintheApocalypseoccurs
betweenchapters11and12.Onereasonisthatchapters12and13intro
ducewhatappearstobeanewelement:namely,theantidivinetrinityof
dragon,seabeast,andearthbeast.Shouldthebookbedivided,therefore,at
thispointratherthanbetweenchapters14and15?
Itisclearfromthebiblicaltextthatthevisionsupthroughchapter14
areindeed"historicalera"ones(withthreeofthemclimaxinginChrist's
secondadvent),whereasthesubsequentvisionsareplacedinasettingafter
humanprobationhasclosed.However,theveryportrayaloftheantidivine
trinityplus"Babylon"andthebeastworshippersrevealsachiasm.
Inthisseriestheentitiesdepictedenterthesceneduringthehistori cal
eraintheorderof:
1.Dragon(chap.12).
2.Seabeastandearthbeastor"falseprophet"(chap.13).
3.Babylon(14:8).
4.Beastworshippers(14:911).
They meet their doom during the eschatologicaljudgment era in the
exactreverseorderof:
4.Beastworshippers(16:2).
3.Babylon(16:1918:24).
2.Seabeastandfalseprophet(19:20).
5.Dragon(20:110).
Thesignificantpointtonoticehereisthatthedividinglinebetweenthe
era when they have sovereignty and when they meet their doom comes
preciselywherethechiasticbreakoccursfortheentirebook:atthecloseof
chapter14.
PatternsRevealingSequence
InthehistoricalerasectionofthebookofRevelationthereisaliterary
patternrepeatedatleastthreetimes.Itstartswithchapter4andendswith
32
J'UUUUauuUBlvn.iiiwipiuiinwii
chapter14.Thisfourfoldpattern(orseriesofpatterns)maybeillustratedas
inthechartonpage34.
Inthefirstthreevisionsofthe"eschatologicaljudgment"era(Rev15
21:4)series,asimilarsortoffourfoldpatternexists,adapted,ofcourse,to
whatisappropriateforthatparticularera.Thoughitisbeyondourscopeto
outlinethosevisions,wenotethatthesecondsectioninthemmaybetermed
"TheJudgmentalProgression,"andthethirdsectionprovides"Appeals." 32
In summary, we rightly conclude that Revelation has a remarkable
balanceinitsliterarypatterns.Asafinalnote,weshouldobservethatthe
introductory scenes to the eight visions are set in a temple context or
embracetempleimagery.33Itwillsufficetopointoutthatthis"templeset
ting"forthe"VictoriousIntroduction"scenesprovidesoneofthemeansby
whichRevelation'sstrong"verticalcontinuity"isdepicted.
LiteraryStructureandInterpretation
While other factors besides the literary structure of the Apocalypse
impactonitsinterpretation,asoundprocedureofstudymustnotexclude
RecapitulationSequencesinRevelation414
Seals
(4:18:1)
'lYumpets(8:211:18)
ContestingForces(11:19
14:20)
1.VictoriousVision
ThroneRoom,&Lamb IncenseMingled
WorthytoOpenthe
WithPrayersof
Scroll(4:15:14)
Saints(8:25)
2.TheHistorical
Progression
FirstsixSeals(6:117) FirstsixTrumpets(8:7 EvilForcesAttackGod's

9:21)
People(12:113:18)
3.SpotlightonLast
Events
Sealingof144,000;
GreatMultitude
(7:1
17)
Angel&Scroll;
TheRedeemed144,000;
Temple&Two
theThreeAngels'
Witnesses(10:111:14) Messages(14:112)
4.GloriousClimax
SeventhSeal(8:1)
SeventhTrumpet
(11:1518)
32Seechaps.23inthisvolumewiththeiraccompanyingdiagrams.
33
OpenTemple,WithArk
ofTestamentVisible
(11:19)
HarvestofEarth(14:14
20)
itsinput.Infact,thebasicstructureandotherpatternswehaveindicatedabove
provideimportantguidelinesforinterpretation.
First, the literary structure indicates that any interpretation that makes the
messagesoftheRevelationeither entiretyhistorical or entirelyeschatological is
incorrect, for the book is divided into major parts that are historical and
eschatological,respectively.
Second, no absolutely straightline method of interpretation setting forth a
completelysequential chainofeventsordevelopmentsisvalid,whether thisbe
fromthepreterist,continuoushistorical(historicist),orfuturistpointofview.Forif
the book is indeed to be divided at the end of chapter 14 into historical and
eschatological divisions, this literary chiastic arrangement renders suspect any
interpretationthatbridgesthedividinglinewithacontinuing"lockstep"sequence
ofevents.Thisistruewhetherthatsequenceislookeduponasmeetingfulfillment
intheancientworld,inacontinuousstreamofeventsdownthroughtheChristian
Era,orinayetfutureseriesofevents.
Third,theevidencesforrecapitulationinRevelation(comparetheparalleling
literarystructuresnotedabove)makeitreasonabletoassumethatwithineachmain
partoftheApocalypsethesamegeneralgroundiscoveredinrepeatedsequences(at
leastinsomerecapitulationaryoroverlappingmanner).Thus,the samehistorical
eraorsettingisviewedfromdifferentperspectivesorindifferingaspectsinthefour
visionsthatformthefirstdivisionofthebook.
Fourth,wemustinterpretagivensectionofmaterialsaccordingtotheirlocation
in the book's major chiastic structure. For example, the socalled "amillennial"
positionthatequatesthethousandyearperiodinRevelation20withtheChristian
EraisnegatedbythefactthatJohnplacesitsquarelywithinthe"eschatological
judgment"seriesofvisions.
Finally,itmustnotbeoverlookedthatthedivisionofthebookintotwomajor
partswithparalleling subsectionscan guideustoward aproper interpretation of
specific passages. Thus, whenever a passage in one division of Revelation is
understood,itcanprovidecluestowardthemeaningofthecorrelativepassageinthe
otherdivisionofthebook.
34
ChapterTheEightBasic
Visions
KennethA.Strand
^W\hebookofRevelationisaremarkablywellconstructedliterary
piece,containingamultiplicityofneatlyintertwiningpatterns._&.Such
patterns are more than simply demonstrations of aesthetic taste and
compositionalskill,andtheyalsotranscendtheusefulpurposeofservingas
mnemonicdevices.Indeed,inaforthrightandforcefulwaytheyhighlight
variousaspectsofthebook'stheologicalmessage.
In broadest scope, the entire Apocalypse is structured into an overall
chiastic pattern in which prologue and epilogue are counterparts and in
whichtheinterveningmajorpropheticsequencesorvisionsarealsopairedin
achiasticorinverseorder.ThisbroadchiasticstructureanditssignificanceI
have treated on several previous occasions, 1 and they need no further
elaborationforourpurposeshere,excepttonoticetwospecificfeatures:(1)
Aside from the prologue and epilogue, there are eight major prophetic
sequencesfour that precede and four that follow a line drawn between
chapters14and15.(2)Thevisionsprecedingthechiasticdividinglinehave
basicallyahistoricalperspective(thatis,theyrelatetotheChristianEra),
andthevisionsafterthechiasticdividinglinedepictthe
eschatologicaljudgmentera.
Withrespecttothefirstitemabove,itshouldbeemphasizedthatthere
areindeedeightmajorpropheticsequencesintheApocalypse,notseven,
Reprintedbypermission,AUSS25(1987),107121,underthetitle,"TheEightBasicVisionsin
theBookofRevelation."
1Eg.,editionsofTheOpenGatesofHeaven(AnnArbor,Ml,1969and1972)andofitssuccessor,
Interpreting the Book of Revelation (Worthington, OH, 1976, and Naples, PL, 1979); also
"ApocalypticProphecyandtheChurch,"pt1,inMinistry,October1983,2223.Secespecially
thediscussioninInterpreting4351andthediagramon52.Theexactdivisionsbetweenblocsof
textintheApocalypsehaveinseveralinstancesbeenmodifiedslightlyinthepresentarticlefrom
thewaytheyhavebeengiveninearlierpublications.
35
f)
as various interpreters have assumed Concerning the second item, several

qualificationsshouldbenoted:Inthesecondthroughfourthvisions,eachhistorical
sequenceconcludeswithasectionthatportraysthetimeofeschatologicaljudgment;
andinthesubsequentvisions,whichintheiressencefurnishanenlargementonthat
eschatologicaljudgment era, there are two kinds of material that pertain to the
historical eraexplanations (which must obviously be made in terms of the
prophet'sownperspectiveinhistory);andexhortationsorappeals(whichhavevalue
only prior to the eschatological judgment and which would, of course, be
meaningless at the time of the final eschatological judgment itself). These
qualificationsconcerning"exceptions"tothemainthrustorcoverageofthevisions
oneachsideofthechiasticdividinglineshouldnot,however,beconsidered as
"crossover"
Diagram1.TheChiasticStructure
I
II
4:1:1
God's
Ongoing
Workof
Salvation
(7Seals)
l:10b3:22
"Church
Militant"
(Churchon
Earth:the7
Churches)
Prologue
l:l10a
III
8:211:18
Trumpet
N^rnings
(7Trumpets)
IV
11:1914:20
EvilPowers
OpposingGod
andHisSaints
"Exodus"/"FallofBabylon"
Motif
\
<
2Suchinterpretershaveapparentlydrawntheconclusionthatbecause"seven"isasignificantnumber
symbolinRevelationoccurring,forinstance,infourexplicitseptets(thechurches,seats,trumpets,
andbowls)thereisalsosupposedtobeatotalofsevenbasicvisions.For examplesoftheseven
visionapproach,secErnstLohmeyer,DieOffenbarungdesJohannes(Tubingen,1926);JohnWick
Bowman,TheDramaoftheBookofRevelation(Philadelphia,1955),and"Revelation"inIDB,4:64
65;andThomasS.Kepler,TheBookofRevelation(NewYork,1957).LohmeyerandBowmanfind
septets,aswell,withinalloftheirsevenmajorvisions,thoughtheylackagreementevenastothese
seven visions themselves.Kepler on(he other hand,findsonlya totalof tensubsections(called
"scenes")withinhissevenmajorvisions(major
visionswhosetextualboundariesvaryonlyslightlyfromthesevenmajorvisionsoutlinedby
Bowman).
36
TheEignt'BasicVisions
materials. These data are important parts of their own sequences, are in proper
positionastheystand,andspeaksignificantlytothecontextsinwhichtheyare
found.Moreover,theyarediscreteandmeaningfulunitsastonature,placement,
and/orpurpose,withintheirownspecificvisions.
For convenience, the comprehensive chiastic structure of Revelation into
prologue,epilogue,andeightvisionsissetforthinoutlineformindiagram1,which
includesalsomysuggestionsastothetextualboundariesandgeneraltopicsofthe
variousvisions.Inthisdiagramandthroughouttheremainderofthediscussionin
thisarticle,theterm"visions"willrefertotheseeightcompletepropheticsequences,
nottoindividualvisionaryexperiencesoflesserextent.Also,Romannumeralswill
beusedtoidentifythevisionsinsequence.
oftheBookofRevelation
V
VI
VII
VTII
15:116:17 16:1818:24
BowlPlagues EvilPowers
(The"7Last JudgedbyGod
Plagues")
19:121:4
God'sJudg
mentFinale
(Christ's2nd
Advent,the
"Exodus"/"FatlofBabylon"Motif Millennium,
theWhite
/
r
Throne
Judgment)
^
21:522:5
"Church
Triumphant"
("NewHeaven
andNew
Earth";Holy
City,New
Jerusalem)
Epilogue
22:621
Thepresentstudyhastwomainpurposes,andthedatapertainingtoeach
of these will be presented in separate articles: First, the present essay
analyzesbrieflysomeparallelpatternsintheeightmajorvisionsofthebook
ofRevelation.Thenafollowuparticle 3willfocusabitmoreintensivelyon
theparticularblocsoftextthatintroducetheseeightvisionsandwhichcan
bedesignatedas"victoriousintroductionscenes,"inasmuchas
3Thisappearsaschap.3inthisvolume.
37
AUl/LagIllDHSH.V1S1UUS
theyprovideforeachvisionasettingwhichportraysindramaticfashion
God'spresentcareforHispeopleandgivesassuranceofultimatevictoryfor
Christ'ssaintsor"loyalones."R)rpurposesofidentificationinthepresent
article,Romannumerals(I,II,etc.)willcontinuetobeused,asindiagram
1,fordesignatingtheeightvisions.Eachvision,however,haseithertwoor
fourmainsectionsorblocsoftext,andcapitalletters(A,B,etc.)willserve
asidentifiersforthese.
1.AnAnalysisofPatterns
WithintheEightVisions
Thefirstandthefinalvisions(IandVIII)oftheApocalypsearecom
posedofa"VictoriousIntroductionScene"(A),plusonefurthermainbloc
oftext(B)thatmaybecalledthe"BasicPropheticDescription."Theother
sixvisions(IIVII)havethesesametwoblocs,butwiththeadditionoftwo
furtherblocs(CandD).
Diagram2.ParallelingStructures
A I
IIIIIIV
Victorious
Victorious
Victorious
Victorious
IntroductionScene
IntroductionScene
IntroductionScene
IntroductionScene
BasicProphetic
BasicProphetic
BasicProphetic
BasicProphetic
Description
Description
Description
Description
CD
Interlude
Interlude
Interlude
Eschatological
Eschatological
Eschatological
Culmination
Culmination
Culmination
38
TheEigntBasicVisTons
Inthisessay,thethirdblocsoftextinthesecondthroughseventhvisionsare
throughoutgiventhebasiccaptionof"Interlude"atermquiteregularlyappliedby
the exegetes for these particular sections in visions II, III, and IV, but equally
applicabletothecorresponding(butmuchshorter)sectionsinvisionsV, VI, and
VII. It should be noted, however, that although the term "interlude" frequently
suggestsaninterruptionto,orhiatuswithin,theflowofthought,whatthesethird
blocsofmaterialdoinvisionsIIVIIoftheApocalypseistoenhanceorintensifythe
thrustoftheimmediatelyprecedingmaterial. 4Thefourthbloccanbedesignatedas
the"EschatologicalCulmination";andinacertainsense,bothitandthepreceding
"Interlude"areactuallyanextensionofthe"BasicPropheticDescription"begunin
thesecondbloc.
Although it will be necessary later in this article to add certain further
refinements tothe foregoing basicanalysis,at this pointwe may summarizein
diagram form the results reached thus far. Such a summary is provided in
diagram2.
inRevelationÊightMajorVisions
___________________yn______
VVIVIIVIII
VictoriousIntroduction victoriousIntroduction VictoriousIntroduction Victorious
Scene
Scene
Scene
IntroductionScene
BasicProphetic
Description
BasicProphetic
Description
BasicProphetic
Description
Interlude
Interlude
Interlude
Eschatological
Culmination
Eschatological
Culmination
Eschatological
Culmination
BasicProphetic
Description
C
D
Victorious|VictoriousVictoriousVictoriousIntroductionIIntroduction
IntroductionIntroduction
A
B
4PaulS.Minearhasspokenpoignantlytothismatterinconnectionwiththe"interlude"whichoccursat
16:15.Seebelow,n.9andthequotedmaterialtowhichthatnoterefers.
39
111CJulgUlDWSICVISIUIIS
2.SummaryofContentsoftheVisions
Atthisjunctureitisusefultotakeanoverviewofthecontentofeachofthe
eightvisions.Thesummariesgivenherefollowthebroadlinesofstructureindicated
above.Itshouldbeemphasizedthattheseareindeedsummaries,andthereadercan
fillindetailsbyconsultingthetextsindicatedforeachofthevisions.
TheHistoricalVisions
VisionI,l:10b3:22
BlocA,VictoriousIntroductionScene,l:10b20.ChristappearstoJohnon
PatmosastheeverlivingandallpowerfulOne,whowalksamongthe
sevengoldencandlesticksthatrepresentthesevenchurches.
BlocB,BasicPropheticDescription,chapters2and3.Christgivesmessages
ofpraise,rebuke,warning,andexhortation
totheindividualchurchesastheirvaryingconditionsrequire.
VisionII.4:1:1
BlocA,VictoriousIntroductionScene,chapters4and5.
Johnseesathronesetinheaven,withaseaofglassandseven
lampsoffirebeforethethrone,andwithfourlivingcreaturesand
twentyfour elders surrounding the throne. In a dramatic and
suspenseful scene the declaration is made that the slain Lamb
alone is able to take from the hand of the One seated on the
throneasevensealedscrollandtobreakthesealsandopenthe
scroll. The Lamb then takes the scroll, and anthems of praise
ascendfromthefourlivingcreatures,thetwentyfourelders,and
theentireuniverse.
BlocB,BasicPropheticDescription,chapter6.Thefirstsixseals
ofthescrollarebroken,withtheresultthatfourhorsemengo
forth,soulsunderthealtarutteracryof"Howlong"untilthereis
judgmentandvindicationforthem,andsignsaregivenonearth
andinheavenofimpendingjudgment.
BlocC,Interlude,chapter7.Thesequenceis"interrupted"tofocuson
thesealingof144,000duringtheendtime.
40
TheEigBtBasic^Vlsions
Bloc D, Eschato logical Culmination, 8:1. The seventh seal is opened, at
whichthereis"silenceinheaven"forthedurationofhalfanhour.
VisionIII,8:211:18
BlocA,VictoriousIntroductionScene, 8:26.Sevenangelswithtrumpets
appear,andanotherangelgoestothegoldenaltarandthereoffersincense
whosesmoke,mingledwiththeprayersofthesaints,ascendstoGod.
Next,theangelfillsacenserwithlivecoalsfromthealtarandthrowsthis
upontheearth,resultinginthejudgmentsymbolsofvoices,thunder,
lightning,andearthquake.
Bloc B, Basic Prophetic Description, 8:79:21. The first six trumpets are
blown,releasingforcesofdevastationthatembracethesymbolismsofa
stormofhailupontheearth,agreatburningmountainthrownintothe
sea,etc.Thefirstfiveofthesetrumpetsdrawimageryfromtheplagues
onancientEgypt,butthesixthtrumpetshiftsthebackgroundtoBabylon
bymentionofthe"greatriverEuphrates"in9:14.5
BlocC,Interlude,10:111:13.Anangelholdinganopenscrollannounces(10:6)
that"thereshouldbetimenolonger"(KJV);
or,asalternativelytranslated,"thereshouldbenomoredelay"(RSV). 6
Johniscommandedtoeatthescrollanddoesso,findingitsweetinhis
mouthbutbitterinhisstomach;theprophetistheninstructedtomeasure
thetemple,altar,andpeople(adirectallusion,asIhaveshownelsewhere,
totheyearendDayofAtonementritualintheancientJewishcultus;and
thetestimonyandcareerofthetwowitnessesaredescribed.
5Thephenomenonencounteredheremaybetermedthe"ExodusfromEgypt"/"FallofBabylon"
moiif.Itoccurstwice,ineachinstanceembracingtwocompletevisions.Thefirstoccurrenceis
Rev8:214:20inclusive,andthesecondisRev15:118:24inclusive.Forfurtherdetailanda
diagram,seeK.AStrand,"TheTwoWitnessesofRevelation11:312,"AUSS19(1981):12829.
6Thedifferenceinrenditionisnotreallyassignificantasmightatfirstappear.Thepassageisan
obviousallusiontothebookofDanielthatwastoremainsealeduntil"thetimeoftheend"(Dan
12:4;cf.Rev10:2)andtothequerybyDaniel,"Untilwhen...?"(Dan12:6).Eithertranslationof
thisparticularstatementinRev10:6fitswellasaresponsetothequestionraisedbyDaniel,and
indeedisanemphaticproclamationofthearrivaloftheendofthetimeperiodprojected"atime,
twotimes,andhalfatime"(Dan12:7).TheGreekofthislastclauseofRev10:6reads,hou
kronosouketiestai.(Cf.the"untilwhen"inDan8.13.)
7K.A.Strand,"AnOverlookedOldTestamentBackgroundtoRevelation11:1,"AUSS22(1984):
31725.
41
111CuiglllOHMCVISIUIIS
Bloc D, Eschatological Culmination, 11:1418. The seventh trumpet is

blown,resultingintheannouncementthat"thekingdomoftheworld
hasbecomethekingdomofourLordandofhisChrist"; 8thenananthem
of praise arises, emphasizing, among other things, that the time has
come for judgment of the dead, for rewarding the saints, and for
destroyingthe"destroyersoftheearth."
VisionIV,11:1914:20
BlocA,VictoriousIntroductionScene,11:19."God'stempleinheavenwas
opened,"makingvisible"thearkofhiscovenant";
then"flashesoflightning,voices,pealsofthunder,anearthquake,and
heavyhail"occur.
BlocB,BasicPropheticDescription,chapters12and13. Thedragon,
leopardlike sea beast, and twohorned earth beast persecute God's
people.
Bloc C, Interlude, 14:113. John sees (1) the Lamb and the 144,000
victorioussaintsstandingonMt.Zion,and(2)threeangelsflyingin
heavenandproclaimingwarningmessages.
BlocD,EschatologicalCulmination,14:1420.Earth'stwofoldharvestis
reaped(1)theharvestofgrain,and(2)thegrapesthatarethrown
intothegreatwinepressofGod'swrath.
TheEschatologicalJudgmentVisions
VisionV,15:116:17
BlocA, VictoriousIntroduction Scene, 15:116:1.Thevictorious
saintsstandontheseaofglassandsingtheSongofMosesand
the Lamb; and when the "temple of the tent of witness in
heaven"isopened,sevenangelscomeforthandreceiveseven
bowls"fullofthewrathofGod,"smokefillsthetemplesothat
noonecanentertilltheplaguesofthesevenangelshavebeen
completed,andfinallyinstructionisgiventotheangelstogo
theirwaysandpouroutthebowls.
BlocB,BasicPropheticDescription,16:214.Thefirstsixbowls
ofwratharepouredout,withdevastatingeffectsonearth,sea,
8HereinaftertheRSVwillbeusedforEnglishrenditionsofthebiblicaltext,withthepossibleex
ceptionofbrieftwoorthreewordexcerpts.
42
TheEightBasicVisions
riversandfountains,etc.(Again,asinthetrumpetsseptet,imageryfor
thefirstfivebowlsispatternedaftertheplaguesonancientEgypt,with
thesceneshiftingtoBabylonasthesixthbowlreferstothe"greatriver
Euphrates"in16:12.)
BlocC,Interlude,16:15.Intothedescriptionofthesixthbowlinedryingup
oftheEuphratesandthepresenceofdemonicspiritsthatdeceivethe
kingsoftheearthandleadthemtothe"battleonthegreatdayofGodthe
Almighty"(16:1214)isinsertedastrikingmacarisminverse15:"Lo,
I[Christ]amcominglikeathief.Blessedishewhoisawake...."Then
followsanaddedcommenttotheeffectthattheplaceofthebattleis
called"Armageddon"(vs.16).
SincewehavenowmovedintothesectionoftheApocalypsethat
providesvisionsoftheeschatologicaljudgment,ratherthanpertainingto
the historical era, it is obvious that a new sort of "interlude" can be
expected, as is indeed the case here. The earlier interludes were
somewhat detailed descriptions ofeventsorconditionsduringafinal
portionofthehistoricalera.TheinterludesthatoccurinvisionsVVII
areratherofacrisp,hortatorynature.
The question may be asked. Why such interludes here? For this
particularoneinRevelation16:15,PaulS.Minearhasaptlypointedout,
"The saying reveals the terrible danger in which the unsuspecting
Christianstands.IfoneaskswithR.H.Charles,*Howcouldanyone
sleepthroughthecosmicearthquakeswhichwerehappening?'onemay
answer,'Thatisjustthepoint.'TherewereChristiansasleep,soJohn
believed,quiteundisturbedbydinordoom,unawarethatanythingwas
happeningthatcouldthreatentheirtreasureorleavethemexposedand
naked.Tobeasleepwastobeunconsciousoftheurgentnecessityofthe
time. (Compare the disciples in GethsemaneMark 14:2642.) The
beatitudewasdesignatedforsentinelswhohadforgottenthatawarwas
beingfought."9
BlocD,EschatologicalCulmination,16:17.Theseventhbowlofwrathis
pouredout,andthereissuesfromthethroneinthetempleinheaventhe
declaration,"Itisdone!"
9PaulS.Minear,/SawaNewEarth(Washington,DC,1968),150.43
VisionVI,16:1818:24
BlocA,VictoriousIntroductionScene,16:l817:3a.Thetraditionalsigns
ofjudgmentoccur(voices,thunder,lightning,earthquake,andhail),and
"great Babylon" comes into "judgmental remembrance" before God.
John is then taken into the wilderness to see this judgment upon
Babylon.
Bloc B, Basic Prophetic Description, 17:3b18:3. A description of
Babylonasaharlotandalsoofthesevenheadedandtenhomedscarlet
coloredbeastuponwhichsheridesisintroducedintheearlyversesof
chapter 17 (vss. 3b8). This descriptive scene is followed by
considerableexplanatorydetail(vss.918)thatculminatesinareference
tothedevastationoftheharlotbythebeast'stenhorns(vss.1617)and
theidentificationofthisharlotasthegreatcitythatrulesoverearth's
kings(vs.18).Inthefirstthreeversesofchapter18,arecitalofvarious
aspectsofBabylon'scorruptionsetsthestagefortheinterludeappeal
andthedescriptionofdestructionthatfollow.
Bloc C, Interlude, 18:48,20. Before the actual portrayal of Babylon's
devastationthroughfire,anappealismadeforGod'speopleto"come
out"ofBabylon,sothattheydonotbecomeparticipantsinhersinsand
recipientsofherplagues.Inthisconnectionthereisalsoareiteration,in
elaboratedform,ofGod'sdecreeofjudgmentagainstBabylon.
Inasmuchasinthechiasticstructureofthematerialinchapter18,
verse 20 is a chiastic counterpart of verses 48, 10 both of these
"interludes"withinthisparticularchiasmshouldprobablybeconsidered
asthetotal"interlude"forthelargersequencefrom17:3b18:24.Verse
20givesacallforrejoicingoverthefactthatGodhasproclaimedagainst
Babylon herself the judgment which she had imposed upon God's
people.11
BlocD,EschatologicalCulmination,18:919,2124.Thecentral
10SeeWilliamH.Shea,"ChiasmbyThemeandbyForminRevelation1S,"AUSS20(1982):24956;
andKennethA.Strand,"TwoAspectsofBabylon'sJudgmentPortrayedinRevelation18,"AUSS
20(1982):5360.
11SeeStrand,'TwoAspectsofBabylon'sJudgment,"5559;andforanupdated,moreliteralrendition
ofRev18:20b,seeid.,"SomeModalitiesofSymbolicUsageinRevelation18,"AUSS24(1986):
4345.InthebackgroundofbothRev18:48andvs.20isthelawofmaliciouswitness(cf.Deut
19:1619;alsoseeEsth7:910).
44
section of chapter 18 (vss. 919) portrays, through a threefold

dirge,Babylon'sutterdesolationbyfire;andthefinalsectionof
the chapter (vss. 2124) emphasizes Babylon's doom and her
utterlydesolateconditionafterGod'sjudgmentuponher.
VisionVII,19:121:4
BlocA,VictoriousIntroductionScene,19:110.Inaheavenlysetting
that parallels the setting given in chapter 4, anthems arise in
praiseofGodforHishavingjudgedthegreatharlotBabylonand
vindicatedGod'speople;thenreferenceismadetotheLamb's
bridebeingreadyforthewedding,andablessingispronounced
uponthosewhoare"invitedtothemarriagesupperoftheLamb."
(Itshouldbenotedthatthoughtheheavenlytemplesettingof
chapters45andchapter19isthesame,thereisdifferencewith
respecttoactivityandperspectiveafactalsomadeclearbythe
content of the anthems in the two visions. The former vision
pertainsclearlytothehistoricalera,andthisonepertainsjustas
clearlytotheeraofeschatologicaljudgment.
Bloc B, Basic PropheticDescription, 19:1120:5. Christ's second
advent is dramatically portrayed, and consequences of it are
given.Amongthenegativeresultsenumeratedarethebirds'feast
consistingoftheenemiesofGod(19:1718),thelakeoffirefate
forthebeastandfalseprophet(19:1920),andtheimprisonment
ofSataninthe"bottomlesspit"or"abyss"forathousandyears
(20:13).Onthepositivesideisthefirstresurrection,inwhich
themartyredsaintsarise.TheythenliveandreignwithChristfor
athousandyears(20:45).
BlocC,Interlude, 20:6."Blessedandholyishewhosharesinthe
firstresurrection!Oversuchtheseconddeathhasnopower...."
Bloc D, Eschatological Culmination, 20:721:4. The culminating
events at the end of the thousand years are set forth. On the
negative side are the loosing of Satan, the resurgence of his
deceptivework,thevaineffortofhisevilconfederacytocapture
"thecampofthesaints,"andthefinalfierydestructionofthis
confederacy. On the positive side is John's vision of "a new
heaven and a new earth," with the holy city New Jerusalem
descendingfromheaventoearth,andGodHimselftabernacling
withHispeople.
45
VisionVIII,21:522:5
Bloc A, VictoriousIntroduction Scene, 21:5lla. The proclamation is
madethatChrist'svictoriousoneswillinheritallthings,andJohnsees
the holy city New Jerusalem descend from heaven to earth. (As a
backdrop,thefinalsectionoftheprecedingvisionhasalreadyportrayed
theconditiononearthafterthedescentoftheNewJerusalem[21:14].)
Bloc B, Basic Prophetic Description, 21:llb22:5. The holy city New
Jerusalemisdescribedindetail.
3.FurtherAnalysisofTextBlocsA,B,
C,andD
With the foregoing background, we may now proceed to some further
generalizationsconcerningthenatureoftherespectivesections(A,B,etc.)within
theeightvisions.Also,wecansuggestadditionalnotationsforthecaptionstothese
blocsoftext,beyondwhathasalreadybeenindicatedintheearliersectionsofthis
articleandindiagram2.
As we consider the "VictoriousIntroduction Scene" for each of the eight
visions,wefindthatthereisalwaysabasictemplesettingand/ortempleimagery
background of some sort.12 Therefore, our caption of "VictoriousIntroduction
Scene"(blocA)cannowbesupplementedwiththephrase,"WthTempleSetting."
Asforthesecondthroughfourthblocsoftext(blocsB,C,andD),adifference
inperspectiveshouldbenotedbetweenthevisionsprecedingthechiasticdividing
line(visionsIIV)andthevisionsfollowingit(visionsVVIII).Withrespecttothe
former,the"BasicPropheticDescription"is
12Insomecasesthetempleinheavenismentionedexplicitly,asintheintroductoryscenestovisionsIV
andV;andinothercases,theallusiontotemplefurnituregivesevidenceofatemplesetting, even
though the word"temple"doesnotoccur,asinIhescenesforvisions I, II,and III. Theonly
introductoryscenesthatdonothavesoobviousacluetotempleimagery arethoseforvisionsVI
andVIII.Inthecaseoftheformer,thereis,however,intheprecedingverse(16:17,ihefinalbowl
plague,butalsoa"swingclement"towhatfollows)thementionofavoice"outofthetemple,from
thethrone."WithrespecttovisionVIII,thereisreferencetotheOnewho"satuponthethrone"
identifiedearlierasGodin His lemple(cf.,e.g.,4:211;19:15);andmoreover,theimmediately
precedingblocoftext(againasortof"swingelement")referstoGodas"tabernacling"inthe"new
earth"/"NewJerusalem"withHispeople(21:3).Additionallyitshouldbenotedthatthefollowing
blocoftext,or"BasicPropheticDescription"forvisionVIII,statesthatthetempleintheholycity
NewJerusalem"istheLord GodtheAlmightyandtheLamb"(21:22).Mysecondarticleinthis
serieswillelaborateonthenatureandtheologicalsignificanceofthetempleimagerythatappearsin
theintroductoiyscenestotheeightmajorvisionsoftheApocalypse.
46
withinthehistoricalarena;withrespecttothelatter,thebasicvisionmaterialinthe
Bblocspertainstotheeschatologicalorfinaljudgment.ForvisionsIiytherefore,
the"BasicPropheticDescription"needstheaddedqualification"inHistory";and
forvisionsVVIIIthatqualificationwouldbe"inFinalJudgment."
Asforthethirdblocsoftext(C),invisionsIITVthebasicdesignationof
"Interlude"maylikewisebesupplementedwithanadditionalphrase"Spotlight
on Last Events" (meaning prior to Christ's second advent), inasmuch as the
"Interlude" in each instance enlarges on the period of time just before the
eschatological culmination. For visions VVn the added phrase "Exhortation or
Appeal"isappropriate,fortheterrorsofthefinaljudgmentscenesare"interrupted"
inordertogiveshortblocsoftextsettingforthencouragementtofaithfulnessand/or
appeals for repentance. (In two of these instances of exhortation or appeal, the
interludeiscast,aswehavealreadyseen,basicallyintheformofamacarism
16:15and20:4.)
Thesectionson"EschatologicalCulmination"(theDblocs)allpertaintothe
finaleschatologicalconsummation,asnotedearlier;butthoseconcludingsections
forvisionsIVprovideaclimacticconclusiontoseriesthatrelatetothehistorical
era,whereasthoseforvisionsVVIIdealspecificallywiththefinalorterminating
portionofeschatologicaljudgmentseriesalreadyinprogressintheearliersections
of those visions. Blocs D for visions IIIV may therefore be designated as
"EschatologicalCulmination:ClimaxtoHistory";andtheDblocsforvisionsVVII
maybetermed"EschatologicalCulmination:TheJudgmentFinale."Diagram3(on
thenextpage)incorporatestheabovementionedrefinementstothedatagivenin
diagram2,andalsoincludesmysuggestionsastothetextualboundariesforthe
blocsofmaterialassetforthinthesecondsectionofthepresentarticle.
4.Conclusion
In this article, we have observed that there is a very consistent and
balancedliterarystructureinthebookofRevelation.Thisstructurenotonfy
hasaestheticandmnemonicvaluesorqualities,butalsospeakssignificantly
tothetheologicalmessageofthebook.Variousaspectsofthetheologywill
bedealtwithinafollowuparticlethatwillexploreinfurtherdetailthe
"victoriousintroduction scenes" to the eight visions, but one significant
theologicalfocusmaybementionedhere:Thebroadchiasticstructureitself
emphasizes a twofold theme that embraces and undergirds the various
messagesofthebook(1)thatChristisAlphaandOmega,and
47
Diagrams.OverviewofStructure
HistoricalEraVisionsIIIIIIIV
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
A
TempleSetting
(l:10b20)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
History
(chaps.2&3)
CD
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
(chaps.4&5)
BasicProphetic
(8:26)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
History
Descriptionin
History
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
(11:19)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
History
(chap.6)
(8:79:21)
(chaps.12,13)
Interlude:
Interlude:
Spotlighton
LastEvents
Interlude:
Spotlighton
LastEvents
(10:111:13)
(14:113)
Spotlight on
LastEvents
(chap.7)
Eschatological
Culmination:
ClimaxtoHistory
Eschatological
Culmination:
ClimaxtoHistory
(8:1)
(11:1418)
Eschatological
Culmination:
ClimaxtoHistory
(14:1420)
(2)thatHewillreturnattheendoftheagetorewardallpersonsaccording
totheirworks(Rev1:78and22:1213).Inotherwords.Heisaconsistent,
trustworthy,andeverpresenthelpandsupporttoHisfaithfulonesduring
thishistoricaleraofadversityforthem(cf.Rev1:1718;Matt28:20b;John
16:33;Heb12:2a;13:8);andHewillpersonallyreturntousherintheseries
ofeventsthatdestroythe"destroyersoftheearth"andthatprovidetoHis
loyalfollowerstheinheritanceofthe"newearth"andthefulfillmentofall
thegoodpromisesmadetothem(seeRev11:1518;21:14,7,2227;22:1
5).lThefourpropheticsequencesprecedingthechiasticdividinglinedeal
primarilywiththefirstaspect,andthefourmajorvisionssubsequenttothat
13Itisnoteworthythattheitemsofpromisemadetothe"overcomers"or"conquerors"intheseven
churches(2:7b,lit,17b,2628;and3:5,12,21)areforthemostpartmentionedagainspecifically
in21:522:5asfulfilled(e.g.,21:27;22:2,4),aswellasbeingalludedtoinageneralwayinthe
statementthattheconquerorwillinherit"thesethings"(21:7).
48
andContentoftheApocalypse
EschatologicalJudgmenlEraVisionsVVIVIIVIII
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
(15:116:1
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
FinalJudgment
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
(16:1817:3a)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
FinalJudgment
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
(19:110)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
FinalJudgment
(16:214,16)
(17:3018:3)
(19:1120:5)
Interlude:
Exhortationor
Appeal
Interlude:
Exhortationor
Appeal
Interlude:
Exhortationor
Appeal
(16:15)
Eschatological
Culmination:
JudgmentalFinale
(16:17)
(18:48,20)
Eschatological
Culmination:
JudgmentalFinale
(18:919.2124)
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
TempleSetting
(21:51la)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
FinalJudgment
(21:llb22:5)
CD
(20:6)
Eschalological
Culmination:
JudgmentalFinale
(20:721:4)
dividinglinearedevotedmainlytothesecondaspect.
Inclosing,onefurtheritemmayalsobebrieflyintroducedhere:Itis
noteworthythatintheintroductoryscenesoftheeightvisions,thetemple
imageryrevealsapatternoffirstanearthlyvenueinvisionI(candlesticks
thatrepresentchurchesonearth),followedbyaheavenlyvenueinvisions
IIVII(either[a]anexplicitmentionofthe"templeinheaven"oritsfur
nitureand/or[b]abackgroundthatindicatesthisheavenlysetting), 14 and
followedfinallybyareturnagaintoanearthlyvenueinvisionVIII(God
tabernacling in the "new earthTNew Jerusalem" [cf. 21:3,22]). This is a
strikingphenomenon,whosetheologicalsignificanceandwhosecorrelation
withemphasisingeneralNTtheologywillbesetforthinthesubsequent
articleinthisseries.
14ConcerningtheapparentexceptioninthecaseofvisionVI,seen.12,
above.49
ChapterVictoriousIntroduction^
Scenes*
KennethA.Strand
^\ ^hischapterisafollowuptomyearlieressayonthebasicliterary|
structureoftheeightmajorvisionsofthebookofRevelation. 1 For * the
sake of convenient reference, diagram 3 of my previous article is here
reproduced(onthefollowingpages)asdiagram1forthepresentarticle.
Theblocsoftextuponwhichourattentionfocusesinthisstudyare
thosedesignated"A*inthisdiagram;namely,thosecarryingthecaption
^GloriousIntroduction Scene With Temple Setting." We first take an
overviewofthecontentofthesescenesforvisionsIthroughVIII,andthen
considersomeofthespecificphenomenaandtheologicalimplications.
1.Summaryofthe"Victorious
IntroductionScenes"
Inprovidingthefollowingoverviewof thecontent of the eightvic
toriousintroductionscenes,Ifurnishherebothasummaryofthetextual
materialitselfandafewpreliminarycommentsconcerningthismaterial.It
shouldbenotedinthesesummariesthatnotalldetailsofthescenesare
included;2 however,precedingthesummariesthemselves,theappropriate
Scripturereferencesarepresented(asalsosetforthindiagram1),andthe
readercangotothebiblicaltextitselfforamorecompletepicture.
'Reprinted by pemassmn,AUSS25 (1987),26788,under the title,"The'VictoriousIntroduction'
ScenesintheVisionsintheBookofRevelation."
1KennethA.Strand,"TheEightBasicVisionsintheBookofRevelation,"AUSS25(1987):107121,
reprintedaschap.2ofthisvolume.
2Hereinthesummariesare,nevertheless,invariousinstancesmoreextensivethantheparalleling,but
generallyverybrief,summariesprovidedinibid.,11217(whichseealsoforsummariesofthe
contentsofblocsB,C,andDinthevariousvisions).
51
"VictoriousIntroduction"Scenes
Diagram1.OverviewofStructure
HistoricalEraVisionsIIIIIIIV
Victorious
Victorious
Victorious
Victorious
IntroductionScene
WithTemple
IntroductionScene
WithTemple
IntroductionScene
WithTemple
Introduction
SceneWith
Setting
(l:10b20)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
History
(chaps.2A3)
CD
Setting
Setting
TempleSetting
(8:26)
BasicProphetic
(11:19)
BasicProphetic
Descriptionin
History
Descriptionin
History
Descriptionin
History
(chap.6)
(8:79:21)
(chaps.4&5)
BasicProphetic
Interlude:
Spotlight on
LastEvents
(Chap.7)
Interlude:
Spotlight on
LastEvents
(10:111:13)
(chaps.12,13)
Interlude:
SpotlightonLast
Events
(14:113)
Eschatological
Eschatological
Eschatological
Culmination:Climax
toHistory
Culmination:Climax
toHistory
Culmination:Climax
toHistory
(8:1)
(11:1418)
(14:1420)
IntroductiontoVisionI
Text:Revelationl:10b20
Summary: Oo theislandofPatmos(1:9), the resurrected, heavenlyChrist
appearsingloriousvisiontoJohn,revealingHimselfastheonewhowas
dead, nowlives, is alive forever, andhasthekeys ofhades and death.
John sees Christ holding seven stars in his right hand and walking
among sevengolden lampstands. The seven starsare defined as "the
angels of the seven churches" (vs. 20), and the seven lampstands are
defined as "the seven churches" (1:11)namely, Ephesiis, Smyrna,
Pergamum,Thyatira,Sardis,Philadelphia,andLaodicea(vs.11).
Comment:Thefactthatthelampstandsaretempleimageryis
52
andContentoftheApocalypse
EschatologicatJudgmentEraVisionsVVIVIIVIII
Victorious
Victorious
Victorious
Victorious
Introduction
SceneWith
Introduction
SceneWith
Introduction
SceneWith
IntroductionScene
WithTemple
TempleSetting
TempleSelling
TempleSetting
Setting
(15:116:1)
BasicProphetic
DescriptioninFinal
Judgment
(16:214,16)
(16:1817:3a)
BasicProphetic
(19:110)
BasicProphetic
(21:5lla)
Basic Prophetic
DescriptioninFinal
Judgment
DescriptioninFinal
Judgment
Description in
FinalJudgment
(17:3b18:3)
(19:1120:5)
(21:llb22:5)
Interlude:
Interlude:
Interlude:
Exhortationor
Appeal
Exhortationor
Appeal
Exhortationor
Appeal
(16:15)
(18:48,20)
CD
(20:6)
Eschatological
Eschatological
Eschatological
Culmination:
JudgmentalFinale
Culmination:
JudgmentalFinale
Culmination:
JudgmentalFinale
(16:17)
(18:919,2124)
(20:721:4)
generallyrecognizedbytheexegetes,thoughtherehasbeendif
ference of opinion as to the precise background. The question
usuallyraisediswhetherthatbackgroundisthe one lampstandin
the"holyplace"(outerorfirstapartment)oftheancientwilderness
tabernacle (Exod 26:35; in HenxTs temple there was also one
lampstand)orthetenlampstandsinthefirstapartmentofSolomon's
Temple(1Kgs7:49).Athirdalternative,generallymissedbythe
commentators,isthelampstandsymbolismofZechariah4,which
playsaveryobviousroleasbackgroundforalatervisioninthe
ApocalypseRevelation11,"thetempleandtwowitnesses." 3 Or
theremaybeintentionalmultipleback
3TherearetheologicalovertoneswhichfavorlookingupontheZechariah"lampstand"asatleast
53
grounds.4Themainpointforushere,inanycase,isthatthesettingofthis
visionanditstempleimageryisonearth,notinheaven.Thisfactisclear
from two main considerations: that the heavenly Christ meets John on
earth(atPatmos),andthatthe"lampstands"amongwhichChristmanifests
Hispresencearechurchesonearth.Thefactthatthenextvisionindicatesa
transitiontoheaven,asweshallseeinourattentiontothatvision,maybe
consideredathirdevidencepointinginthedirectionoftheearthlyvenue
ofthisfirstintroductoryscene.
Afurthernoteworthypointisthatthisvictoriousintroductionscene
functionstoprovidecomfortandassurancetoChrist'sfaithfulfollowers:
Hispresenceisamongthemastheyfacethemightyforcesofdeception
andpersecution.5Aposi
one probablesourcefortheimageiy. SeeKennethA. Strand, "The Two Witnesses ofRevelation
11:312," AUSS 19(1981);12735,especiallypp.13134;andcf.id.,"The TwoOlive Treesof
Zechariah 4 and Revelation II," AUSS 20 (1982): 25761. Not only should certain theological
affinities be noted, but also consideration should be given to the further backgrounds (beyond
Zechariah4) for the olive trees/lampstands imageiyof Rev 11:4 namely,the JachinandBoaz
templepillars(cf.1Kgs7:21;also2Kgs11:12.14and23:13),andbeyondthemthe"pillarofcloud"
inwhichtheLordappearedtoMosesandJoshuaatthe"entrance"tothewildernesstabernacle(Deut
31:1415).IfthebackgroundforthesevenlampstandsinvisionIofRevelationliesinthisdirection,
itisthecourt,ratherthaneitherofthetworoomsofthetabernacle/templeproper,thatwould bein
focushere(apossibilitywhichisenhancedbyaconsiderationofthetheologicalimplicationsofRev
11:2regardingthe"outercourt"ofthetemple).However,wemustnotoverlookthepossibilitythat
therearemultiplebackgroundsforthissevenlampstandsymbolism,aswellasforotherimageryin
thebookofRevelation.Cf.n.4,below.
4PaulS.Minear,"OntologyandEcctesiologyintheApocalypse,"NTS13(1965/1966):96,hascalled
attentiontothismultiplebackgroundtypeofphenomenoninwhathereferstoasa"transhistorical
model"and"acomprehensiveratherthanadisjunctivemodeofseeingandthinking."Bothinthat
articleandinhis/SawaNewEarth(Washington,DC,1968),102,hemakesreferencetoRev11:8,
wherethereisacoalescingofseveralentitiesSodom,Egypt,andJerusalemintooneimage,the
"greatcity."Minearsuggeststhatthis"onecityhadbecomeinprophetictermsallcitiesSodom,
Egypt,Babylon,Nineveh,Rome..."(ISawaNewEarth,102).
InvariouspapersandessaysIhavefurtherelaboratedthephenomenon,referringtoitasthe
"blending"or"merging"ofimages. See, e.g.,my"AnOverlooked Old TestamentBackgroundto
Revelationll:l,"4t/5522(1984):31819,wherelnotonlyrefertoMinear'sperceptiveremarks(esp.n.
6onp.319) butalsofurnishsome addedexamples.Cf.,aswell,the discussionof Strand,'Two
Witnesses,"13031,wherestillanotherillustrationhasbeenprovided.
5Deceptionandpersecutionarethetwobasicweaponsmanifestedbytheadversarialforcesthroughout
thebookofRevelation,justasintheGospelofJohnthesesametwoevilcharacteristicssummarize
theattitudeofthedevilandhisfollowers(e.g.,inJohn8:44thedeviliscalled"amurdererfromthe
beginning"and"thefatheroflies").WefindprominentillustrationintheApocalypseinthemessages
tothesevenchurches,wherethereiswarningagainstdeception(whetherexternalorselfimposed)in
theletterstoPcrgamum,Thyatira,Sardis,andLaodicea;
and where the danger of persecution is particularly highlighted in the letters to Smyrna and
Philadelphia.TheactivitiesoftheantidivinetrinityinRev1213furtherforcefullyexemplifythese
demonicweapons(notice,forinstance,the deceptive "signs"andthe deathandembargo activities
mentionedin13:1317).
54
fiveaspectofthissortisindeedcharacteristicofalleightoftheintroductory
scenesforthemajorvisionsoftheApocalypse.
IntroductiontoVisionII
Text:4:15:14
Summary:Johnseesanopendoor"inheaven"andhearsavoicebeckoning
himto"comeuphither."HethenisimmediatelyîntheSpirit"andsees
"athrone""inheaven,"withoneseateduponthethrone(namely,God,
as the contextitselfand alsofurthervisionsofRevelation make clear
[cf.4:911;7:10;
19:15]). Surrounding the throne were twentyfour elders seated on
thrones;beforethethronewere"sevenlampsoffire"andacrystallike
"seaofglass";and"inthemidstof"and"around"thethronewerefour
living creatures. After an anthem ofpraiseto God for His creatorship,
thesceneturnstoasevensealedscrollinHishandascrollwhich"no
one"inheaven,onearth,orundertheearthwasabletoopen.However,
inthe progressionof thedrama,oneBeing wasfoundworthytoopen
that scrollnamely,the Lamb"as thoughithadbeenslain." As the
Lambtookthescroll from the right handoftheOne sittingon the
throne,aseriesofanthemsofpraiseensued.
Comment: The first striking feature that confronts usin this scene is the
doublereferencetoanewvenueheaven,ascontrastedtotheearthly
settingoftheintroductoryscenetovisionLThisheavenlysettingis,in
fact,emphasizedbythedoublereferenceto"heaven"theopendoor"in
heaven" andthethrone"inheaven." The"sevenlampsoffire" would
locatethesettingmorespecificallyasthe"holyplace"orouterapartment
ofthetempleinheaven(theterm"templeinheaven"isusedspecifically
in11:19andcertainothertexts).6Ifthe"seaofglass"is
6Thetemplefurnitureimageiyfurnishescluestolocaleandtomovementthatweretoucheduponinthe
summariesinmypreviousarticle("Eight Basic Visions,"11217), but whichwillbecomemore
apparentaswecontinueheretoproceedthroughthevictoriousintroductionscenes.Althoughtwo
apartmentsarenotspecificallymentionedinconjunctionwiththis"templeinheaven"archetypeof
theancientIsraelitetabernacleandtemple,the"furniture"thatismentioneddoesrelatetotwosuch
"rooms" as known not only from the OTand traditional Jewish sources but also from the
descriptionintheNTbookofHebrews(seeHcb9:15;cf.Exod25:8and26:3035).Itmayappear
thatthepresenceofthethroneinthe context of"outerapartment"imageryinRev4reducesthe
heavenly temple to but one room "architecturally" (even though not functionally), but such
isnotneccssarilythecase(orinanyevent,isnotofprimeimportance).
55
imagerybasedonthe"laver"ofthewildernesstabernacle(Exod
30:18;38:8)orthe"moltensea"and/ortenlaversoftheSolomonic
Temple (1 Kgs 7:2339), as various commentators suggest, we
appeartohave"outercourt"imageryratherthan"firstapartment"
imagery.Thisinitselfwouldnotposeaproblemwithrespectto
thesea'sbeingdesignatedas"beforethethrone,"forallfacetsof
the temple construct could be considered from that perspective.
Morelikely,however,thesymbolicbackgroundforthis"seaof
glass"isthe"firmament"overtheheadsofthelivingcreaturesand
underGod'sthroneinEzekiel1:2228and10:1.7
ThisheavenlysceneinRevelation45obviouslyhasapositive
thrust.Thetwinthemesofcreation(4:11)andredemption(chap.5)
givehopeandassurancetoChrist'sfollowers,especiallyasthey
recognizethattheLambisadjudgedworthytobreakthesealsand
open the scrolla scroll which has appropriately been called a
"scrollofdestiny."8
Seefurtherinn.11,below.Foraveiyhelpfuldiscussionof"heavenlytemple"imageryinthe
bookofHebrews(adiscussionwhichhasaconsiderabledegreeofrelevancealsofortheApoca
lypse),seeRichardM.Davjdson,TypolofyinScripture:AStudyofffermeneuticalStruc
tures, Andrews UniversitySeminary DoctoralDissertationSeries,vol.2 (Berrien Springs,MI,
1981),33667.
7Robert .Mouncc,'HieBookofRevelation,NICNT,17(GrandRapids,1977);13637,hasaptly
notedthis,andhasalsocalledattentionto2Enoch3:3andPs104:3(p.136),thoughitisnot
clearwhetherMouncehimselfactuallyconsiderstheimageryofthesepassagesasbackgroundfor
the"seaofglass"inRevelation.Forarecentdetailedandcomprehensiveanalysisoftheimagery
ofRev45,secR.DeanDavis,"TheHeavenlyCourtSceneofRevelation45"(Ph.D.dissertation,
AndrewsUniversity,1986).
8"Scrollofdestiny"and"bookofdestiny"aretermsappliedbyvariousexegetcsandcommentatorsto
this sevensealed document Many who do not use this exact terminology indicate the same
conceptintheirdiscussionofthescroll.EdwinR.Thicle,OutlineStudiesinRevelation,rev.ed.
(BerrienSprings,MI,1959),97(paginationmayvaryinothereditions),specificallyutilizesthe
term"bookofdestiny."CharlesM.Laymon,TheBookofRevelation:ItsMessagesandMeaning
(NewYork,1960),77,referstothesceneinRev5asthe"preparationfordestiny";andMounce,
142,speaks ofthescroll ascontaining "the full account ofwhatGodinhissovereign willhas
determinedasthedestinyoftheworld."
However, a fundamental question remains: What is meant by the term "destiny"? Is it
earth'sfuturehistoryfromJohn'sperspective?Ontheotherhand,isittheeschatologicalrewards
thataremetedoutattheterminationofearth'shistory?Orisitpossiblyacombinationofboth?
WilliamHendriksen.MoreThanConquerors:AnInterpretationoftheBookofRevelation(Grand
Rapids,MI,1940),109,seemstohaveoptedforthethirdpossibility:Thescroll,ifleftunopened,
wouldsuggesttohim"noprotectionforGod'schildreninthehoursofbittertrial;nojudgments
uponapcrsecutingworid;noultimatetriumphforbelievers;nonewheavenandearth;nofuture
inheritance!"Mounce,142,hasoptedforthefirstalternative.AlongwithThiele,9798,1adopt
the middle alternative. My basisfor thisisthe distinct probability(in my view) that the back
groundforthesevensealedscrollistobefoundinoneoftheformsofanancientRomanwill
56
IntroductiontoVisionIII
Text:8:26
Summary:SevenangelswithseventrumpetsareseenbyJohn;
butbeforetheyproceedfromthetemple(inheaven)tosoundtheir
trumpets, another angel appears with a censer before the golden
altar of incense. Mingled with the prayers of saints is incense
ascendingbeforeGodonthethrone.Thenthecenseristhrownonto
the earth, followed by typical symbols of divine presence and
judgment: "peals of thunder, voices, Hashes of lightning, and an
earthquake."9
Comment: The settinginthisvisionisonce again that ofthe temple in
heaven,andisstillalsowithintheouterapartmentor"holyplace."But
theactivityhasnowmovedclosertowardtheinnershrine,forthegolden
altarofincenseiswheretheactionoccurs. 10Thisscene,liketheonesfor
visionsIandII,containsthetypicalelementofassuranceinthiscase,
the portrayal of the saints' prayers mingled with incense ascending
beforeGod.However,nowinadditiontothispositiveaspect,thereisfor
thefirsttimealsoanegativeone:Theuseofthejudgmentalsymbolsof
voices, thunderings, lightnings, and earthquake, as the censer with
burningcoalsisthrownontotheearth.
IntroductiontoVisionIV
Text:11:19
Summary:Johnsees"God'stempleinheaven"opened,withthearkof
God'stestamentorcovenantinview.Thenthereare"Hashesof
lightning,voices,pealsofthunder,anearthquake,andheavyhail."
Comment: This victorious introduction scene takes us to a new setting
withinthe"templeinheaven":namely,intotheinner
or testament and also in Jeremiah's titledeed (Jer 32). Thiele, 9596, has called attention lo
documentationfortheconceptoftheRomanwillbackground;andinaddition,wemayaddherea
specificreferencetoonesuchwillthathasbeenputintoEnglishtranslationbyNaphtaliLewisand
MeyerRemhold,RomanCivilization,vol.2,TheEmpire(NewYork,1955),27980.
9RSV. HereinafterScripturequotations in English are fromthe RSV, exceptforoccasionalshort
phrases.
10 For a study of the NT perspective of the relationship of this golden altar to the innermost
apartment(MostHolyPlace),see,e.g.,thediscussionbyHaroldS.Camacho,"TheAttarofIn
censeinHebrews9:3^,"AUSS24(1986):512.
57
shrineor"MostHolyPlace." 11 ThereJohn'sfocusisonthearkofGod's
testament orcovenant.Onthebasisofanalogyfrom thetabernacle on
earth,thetwomostsignificantaspectsrelatingtothisarkwouldbetheten
commandmentlawandthemercyseat (cf.Exod40:20).Itistherefore
interestingtonotethatinthefollowing"propheticdescription"thesig
nificantstrugglethatthe"remnant"haswiththedragonisoverwhatis
representedbythesetwofeaturesoftheark:the"commandmentsofGod"
andthe"testimonyofJesus"(Rev12:17).
IntroductiontoVisionV
Text:15:116:1
Summary:John seesseven angelshaving the seven lastplagues of"the
wrathofGod."Inafirstsectionofthissceneheobservesona"seaof
glass mingledwithfire**thosewho had gainedthevictory over the
beast,overhisimage,andoverthenumberofhisname.Thisgroupsing
"thesongofMoses...andthesongoftheLamb."Inthesecondsection
ofthisscene,
11Regardingthepossible"architecture"ofthe"templeinheaven,"thefollowingobservationsmaybe
made(cf.alson.6,above):(1)ItisatypicalnotionamongexegetesthatGod'sthroneisconfinedto
thetemple'sMostHolyPlace,sothattheouterapartmentimageryinRev4wouldsignalthatinthe
heavenly archetype of the ancient Israelite tabernacle/temple the latter's tworoom structure is
coalescedintooneroom.AnexampleofthisgenerallineofthoughtistheexcellentstudybyMario
Vcloso,"TheDoctrineoftheSanctuaryandtheAtonementasReflectedintheBookofRevelation,"
in The Sanctuary and the Atonement: Biblical, Historical, and Theological Studies, cd. A. V.
WallenkampfandW.RLesher(Washington,DC,BiblicalResearchInstitute,1981),394419.(2)
On the basis otapossible analogywiththethoughtexpressedconcerning the "veil"or"curtain"in
Heb 10:20(with its toofrequentlyoveriookedhistoricalbackdropof the rentasunderveilinMatt
27:51)therecouldbeinRevelationanunderlyingconceptofoneroomintheheavenlytemple,but
the functional significance of the tworoom model is nevertheless present in Revelation in the
dynamicthatisevidentfromscenetoscene.(3)AnalternativesuggestedbyC.MervynMaxwell,
GodCares2(Boise,ID,1985):171,deservesnotice:
"TheassumptionthatGod'scelestialthroneislocatedonlyintheheavenlymostholyplaceoverlooks
thefactthatinOldTestamenttimesOod'spresencewasnotalwaysconfinedtothemostholyplace
butwassometimesrepresentedintheholyplace."MaxwellcitesExod33:9andEzek9:3,andalso
referstothebreadofthePresenceintheouterroom.(ElsewhereinthepresentessayIcallattention
toExod40:34andDeut31:1415,whichbroadenthelocationofGod'spresenceevenfurther.)(4)
Itmustberecognizedthatlocalizingthe"throne"symbolintheApocalypsefliesinthefaceofthat
book'sownuseofthesymbolasapervasivesortofsymbol(e.g.,theusagerepresentedinRev6:16
and22:3ascomparedand/orcontrastedwiththatwhich is set forth in Rev 4.5).(5) Thepoint of
primeimportanceisthatthe"throneofGod"motifinRevelationsignifiestheDivinePresenceand
authority, andis notbasically an indicatorof aspecificlocale (andcertainlynot"geographical"
confinement!). The conceptisnotthatthe "throne" Fixes God's location, but ratherthereverse:
WhereGodis,thereisthethrone!(6)Finally,thebackgroundfromchaps.1and10inEzekiel,witha
movingthroneofGod,shouldnotbeoverlookedwheninterpretingthesceneofRev45.
58
John observes "the temple of the tent of witness In heaven"

opened, and seven angels with the bowls of wrath exiting
therefrom. The temple became "filled with smoke from the
gloryofGodandfromhispower,"sothat"noonecouldenter
thetemple"tillthesevenplagueswereover.Thenavoicefrom
thetemplecommandedthesevenangelstogoandpourouton
earththebowlsofthewrathofGod.
Comment:Onceagainthesettingforthevisionisthatofheavenor
morespecifically,thetempleinheaven.Fromthattempletheseven
angelswiththebowlsofwrathemerge.Itisinconjunctionwiththat
templethata"seaofglass"hadearlierbeenseen(Rev4).Anditis
that temple which is now filled with smoke. There is a positive
emphasisinthefactthatthesaintsontheglassyseasingthesongof
MosesandoftheLamb,justasancientIsraelhadsungthesongof
MosesafterdeliverancefromancientEgyptianbondage(Exod14
and15).Andthereisatwofoldnegativeaspectinthescene:first,in
thattheangelscarryforthbowlsofwrathfromthetempleinorder
tothrowthemupontheearth;andsecond,inthatthetempleisfilled
withsmokeduringthetimeoftheplagues,sothat"noonecould
enterthetemple"asuggestion,undoubtedly,thatnoministration
ofmercywouldproceedfromthetempleatthattime. 12
IntroductiontoVisionVI
Text:16:1817:3a(with16:17asbackground)Summary:Aftertheseventh
angelhaspouredhisbowlofwrathintotheair,aloudvoice"outofthe
temple,fromthethrone,"declares,"Itisdone"(16:17).(Thiscanbe
consideredasasortoftransitionalor"swing"elementwhichconcludesthe
seventhplagueandintroducesthisnewvictoriousintroductionscene.)13Then
immediatelythesignsofdivinejudgment
12Thisconclusionisfortifiedalsobythefacts(1)thatthesevenplaguesthemselvesaredescribedin
15:1asthe"last"andascompletingthe"wrathofGod,"(2)thatthedescriptioninchap.16ofthe
outpouringofthisdivinewrathinthebowlsthemselvesrevealsnosah/ificeffect,butratherthevery
opposite(cf.e.g.,16:6,9,10,14),and(3)thatBabylon'sjudgmentisdescribedin16:19asbeinga
"remembrance"byGodthatmakesher"drainthecupofthefuryofhiswrath."
13 The moreclearcutdivisionbetween sequences inthefirstmajorpartof Revelation (visionsIIV)
gives way in the second major part of the book (visions VVIII) to the presence of "swing"
elements.This,interestinglyenough,seemstoparallelthefactthattherccapitulationarynature
59
follow:"Andtherewere flashesoflightning,voices,pealsofthunder,
and agreatearthquake such as hadnever beensince menwereon the
earth,sogreatwasthatearthquake."ThecityofBabylonissplitapart,
thecitiesofthenationscollapse,andgreathailfallsfromheaven,with
everyhailstoneas"heavyasahundredweight"(or"abouttheweight
ofatalent"[KJV]).Thereafteroneofthesevenangelshavingtheseven
bowlsofwrathtalkedwithJohn,takinghimtoseethejudgmentofthe
great harlot (Babylon, as the ensuing prophetic description makes
clear).
Comment: At first sight, it would appear that solely a negative aspect is
emphasized in this victoriousintroduction scene, for it utilizes
immediately the judgmental symbolismsin this instance heightened
again, with an emphasis on the exceedingly fierce nature of both the
earthquakeandthehail.Althoughthereisonlynegativejudgmentinthe
devastationtocomeuponBabylonbecauseofthe"cupofthefuryofhis
[God's]wrath"(16:19;seealso17:12),nevertheless,thereisimplicitlya
positive assurance for God's saints in this scenein that Babylon's
nefariousactivityhasnowbeenterminated,withherherselfundergoing
thedivinejudgmentforhermisdeeds.(Cf.18:20foracallto"rejoice.")
IntroductiontoVisionVII
Text:19:110
Summary:Inthesettingofthethrone,thetwentyfourelders,andthefour
livingcreatures(cf.chap.4),Johnbearsthevoiceof"agreatmultitude
inheaven"praisingGodforhavingjudgedthegreatharlotandhaving
avengedthebloodofHisservantsuponher.Furtheranthemsofpraise
aresung, andannouncementismade that themarriageoftheLamb
hascomeand that"hisBride hasmadeherselfready."A blessing is
pronounceduponthoseinvitedto"themarriagesupperoftheLamb."
Comment:Thescenehereisonethatisobviouslyparalleltothat
ofthesequencesthemselvesinbothmajorpartsalsodiffersomewhatinthatthe"chronological"or
"succession"framesareicssdistinctinthesecondmainpart.Notice.e.g.,theimplicationsthatnow
from the brief overviews given in Kenneth A. Strand, Interpreting the Book of Revelation:
Hermeneutical Guidelines, With Brief Introduction to Literary Analysis, 2nd ed. (Naples, FL,
1979),489.^^^
60
ofRevelation45withthethrone,fourlivingcreatures,twenty
fourelders,andanthemsofpraisebeingbasictoboth." However,
whereasinRevelation45,thereisa"scrollofdestiny"stilltobe
opened,andwhereasalsoduringtheactualbreakingofthesealsof
that scroll in chapter 6 therewas a cry of "How long" until the
vindicationforGod'smartyrswouldcome(see6:911),thereisin
chapter19astrikingreversal:thereisherepraiseandacclamationto
GodforHishavingnowbroughtaboutthatvindication.
In the introduction of vision VII, there is, moreover, an
emphasis on the "marriage supper of the Lamb" (vs. 9) and
reverencetotheLamb's"Bride"(vs.7).Thewhiteclothing(vs.8)is
reminiscent, of course, of the similar imagery in vision II with
regardtothemartyrsofthefifthsealandthegreatmultitudeofthe
"Spotlight"section(6:911and7:917,respectively).Itshouldalso
benotedthat thesequenceinvision VII concludes, interestingly
enough, with a further reference to the "bride"namely, John's
viewoftheHolyCity,NewJerusalem,descendingfromGodoutof
heaven"asabrideadornedforherhusband"(Rev21:2).
IntroductiontoVisionVIII
Text: 21:5lla (and reference to verses 14 as background)
Summary:Inthecontextofthe"newheaven"and"newearth,"
with"theholycity,NewJerusalem,"havingcomedownfromGod
outofheaven,Johnnowbeholdstheonesittinguponthethrone.
This Divine BeingGod Himself in previous visionsdeclares,
"Behold,Imakeallthingsnew."ThenHespeakstoJohn,saying,
"Writethis,forthesewordsaretrustworthyandtrue,"andfurther
declarestoJohn,"Itisdone!IamtheAlphaandtheOmega...."A
twofold judgment is declared: inheritance of all things for the
conqueror;butdestructioninthelakeoffire,"whichisthesecond
death,"forthosewhoarenotconquerors.Thenoneoftheangels
withthesevenbowlsofwrathtakesJohntoahighmountain,show
inghimthegreatcity,theholyJerusalem,descendingoutof
14Foravaluablestudyontheanthemsinbothpassages,seeWilliamH.Shea,"Revelation5and19
asLiteraiyReriprocals,"ÛS522(1984):24957.
61
heavenfromGodandhavingthegloryofGod.Comment:Incontrastto
the introductory scenes for visions IIVII, where the setting was in each
instanceclearlystillinheaven,nowthereisabackdropthathasanearthly
settingaparalleltothesituationwithrespecttovisionI.InvisionVIII,this
introductory scene deals indeed with a tabernacle or temple setting, but
whetherthesceneitselfasgivenin21:51laisintendedtobebasicallyfrom
theearthlyperspectiveortobeatransitionalonefromheaventoearthisnot
absolutelyclear(norisitofmaterialimportancetoourstudy).In21:3,thedec
larationismade,ofcourse,thatGod'stabernacleisonearthafterthedescentof
theHolyCity(vs.2),andthisfinalportionofvisionVIIwouldseemtoprovide
thesettingforouropeningsceneinvisionVIII(whichitself,however,also
replicatesadescriptionofthedescentoftheNewJerusalem[21:10]).Inany
case,themainpointisthatthefocusofthisintroductoryscenehasshiftedfrom
thetempleinheaveninsuchawayastoplaceemphasisonceagainonan
earthlyvenue.Theactualtempleimageryutilizedwillbetreatedmorefully
laterinthisarticle.
2.SomeImplicationsoftheStructure
Thesummariesprovidedintheprecedingsectionofthisarticlehavebroughtto
attentionseveralelementsconcerningtheintroductoryscenestotheeightmainvisions
of the Apocalypse. Prominent among these features are the following: (1) the
pervasiveness of temple imagery in the settings of these scenes, (2) positive and
negativethrustswithinthescenes,
(3)acertaindynamicormovementbothinthetempleimagerythroughoutandinthe
negativejudgmentsymbolismthatappearsinvisionsIIIVI,and
(4) a special similarity structurally and contentwise between the First and eighth
visions. We will now give somewhat further attention to these elements, but as a
preliminary step will first take brief notice of the kind of relationship that the
introductoryscenesholdtotheirownpropheticsequences.
IntroductoryScenesandTheirRespectivePropheticSequences
Inanyanalysisoftheintroductoryscenesfortheeightmajorvisionsofthebook
ofRevelation,thelogicalandbasicfirstconsiderationisthe
62
factthatthereisacloserelationshipbetweenthesescenesandtheremainderofthe
propheticsequenceswhichtheyintroduce.Thus,forvisionItheportrayalofChristas
walkingamongthesevenlampstands/churchesfittinglyprecedesHiscounselstothose
churches,andforvisionIIthescenewiththeLambproclaimedworthytoopenthe
sevensealedscrollandthenactuallytakingthatscrollfromthehandoftheOneseated
onthethroneprovidesanappropriatebackdropfortheLamb'sactualbreaking
oftheseals.
Theseintroductoryscenes provideinthiswayapositivelyoriented settinga
messageofassurance,asitwerethatrelatestothesequencethatensues.Inthefirst
instance,ChristassuresHispeopleofHispresencewiththemintheirstrugglesagainst
deceptionandpersecutionstruggleswhichrequirefromHimwordsofcounseland
encouragement,andfrequentlyrebuke(chaps.2and3).
Likewise,inthesecondvisionthereisassurancethattheforcesreleasedbythe
breakingofthesealsarewithintheredemptiveframeworkoftheslainLamb'sworkin
heaventhatwilleventuallyresultinopeningthebookofeternaldestinyfortheLamb's
faithfulones.15Thesealsaresuccessivelyopenedinchapters6and8:1,intensifyingat
eachsteptheprogression,untiladramaticsilenceoccursasthescrollitselfisfinallyto
beopened.The"interlude"inchapter7isveryvisiblyanappropriate"Spotlighton
LastEvents"forthisparticularsequence.Byitshighlightingofthe sealingofGod's
servants,thereisinthis"Interlude"asortofplayonthe"seal"terminology.Butthe
wholeconceptofownershipandpreservationinherentinthesymbolismof"seal"also
verydirectlyconnectsthissceneinchapter7withthebreakingoftheseals: 16 God's
144,000sealedonesareprotectedfromtheravagesofthehorsemenofthefirstfour
seals,17andeveninthesortofmartyrdomportrayedinthefifthseal
15Cf.n.8,above.
16TheIcxicaandtheologicaldictionaries(suchasTDNT)andsimilarreferenceworks(s.v.
orsphragis) have amply elucidatedthesignificanceofthe"seal"andof the "sealing" process or
practice in the ancient world. For a succinct reference to six possible significations, sec J.
MassyngberdeFord, Revelation, AB, 38(Garden City, NY,1975); 116.17. Cf.alsothesomewhat
detailedtreatmentof"SealsandScarabs"inIDB4:25459.
17 Commentators generallymissthislinkbecauseofafailuretotake careful enoughnoteoftheOT
backgroundinZech6,wherehorsesofvariouscolorsgooutto"patroltheearth"(vs.7)andwhere,
inresponsetothepropheticinquiryastotheidentityofthefourgroupsofhorses,anangeldefines
themasthefourruh6t_(winds)ofheaventhatgooutfromthepresenceoftheLordofthewhole
earth(vss.45).CommentatorswhohavemadetheconnectionincludeG.R.BeasleyMurray,The
BookofRevelation,NewCenturyBible(London,1974),142;andLeonMorris,TheRevelationof
St.John,TyndalcNTCommentaries(GrandRapids,MI,1969),113.Unfortunately,theRSVin
thisinstancecompletelydistortsthemeaningoftheHebrewbyits
63
"^ctoriousIntroduction"Scenes
theycanrestinfullassuranceofGod'scare. 18ThisemphasisonGod'scareis
highlightedfurtherinthedepictioninsectionsbandcofchapter7(vss.917)
ofthegreatmultitudecomingoutofgreattribulation(these,likethemartyrsin
thefifthseal,havewhiterobes!).
Theforegoingillustratesthemannerinwhichthereisclosecorrelation
betweenthevictoriousintroductionscenesandtheremainderoftherespective
visionswhichthesescenesintroduce,anditwillnotbenecessarytoelaborate
herebeyondthesetwosamples.Infact,aquickreviewofthemaincontentof
each vision may be obtained by consulting section 2 of chapter 2 in this
volume. The one additional observation that should be made here is that
although all the victoriousintroduction scenes have a positive note of
assurancefor Christ's loyalones, someespeciallythose for visions IIIVI
(thetwofoldseries withthe"ExodusfromEgypr/'TaIIofBabylon" motif
alsoportraynegativeaspects.Thismatterwillreceivefurtherattentionbelow.
TheTempleImageryandItsSignificance
Aswehaveobserved,templeimageryispervasiveintheintroductoryscenes
totheeightmainpropheticsequencesinRevelation.ForvisionsII
VII,thesettingsarein"thetempleinheaven,"and"furniture"inthattemple
comestoview.InvisionI,however,thetempleimageryisthatoflampstands
thatrepresent"thesevenchurches"onearth.Andinvision
VIII,thereisagainanearthlyvenuebutthistimeinthecontextoftheholy
cityNewJerusalemandthe"newearth,"withGodHimself"tabernacling"
directlywithHispeople(21:34)andwith"GodandtheLamb":
describedasthe"temple"oftheNewJerusalem(21:22).
ItisimmediatelyapparentthatallthreeofthemainNTapplicationsof
templeimagerycomeintoplayintheseintroductoryscenes.Inthefirstvision,
wehavetheNTconceptoftheChristianchurchasthe"newtemple."The
classical loci forthisconceptareundoubtedly1Corinthians3:1617and2
Corinthians6:1617,butcertainlythereisreflectionofitin1Peter2:5,as
well,andalsointheproclamationofJamestotheJerusalemcouncilreferredto
inActs15:1318.Inthelastmentionedreference,Jamesmakesapplicationof
theprophecyofAmos9:1112referringtoGod'sreturning
wording, "These [thegroupsofhorses]aregoingforthtothefourwindsofheaven,"whenitisin
realitythewinds(=horses)thatdothegoingforth.
18ForacomprehensivestudyoftheFifthseal,seenowJoelNobelMusvosvi,"TheConceptofVengeance
in the Book of Revelation in the Old Testament and Near Eastern Context" (Ph.D. dissertation,
AndrewsUniversity,1986).
64
"VictonousMtroauCtion"scenes
tobuildagainthe"tabernacleofDavid,"whichhadfallendown,asbeingdirectly
applicabletotheinfluxofGentilesintotheapostolicchurch.
The NT parallel closest to the usage reflected in the introductory scenes for
visionsIIVIIinthebookofRevelationisthatwhichisfoundinthebookofHebrews.
ThereChristisspokenofas"ahighpriest,onewhoisseatedattherighthandofthe
throneoftheMajestyinheaven,aministerinthesanctuaryandthetruetentwhichis
setupnotbymanbutbytheLord"(Heb8:12;seealsovs.5).19
Finally,whatisundoubtedlythemostbasicandcentralapplicationofNTtemple
imagery is that which is illustrated in the introductory scene and in the prophetic
descriptioninvisionVIIIoftheApocalypse:namely,areferencetothedirectdivine
presence. In theprologuetotheGospelofJohn,itisstatedthatChrist"tabernacled
amongus'*(John1:14;comparethesituationinthe"newearth"afterthedescentof
theheavenlyJerusalem,inwhichitisstatedthatGodnowtabernacleswithhumanity
[21:3]). Perhaps an even more forceful reference is that in which Jesus declared,
"Destroythistemple,andinthreedaysIwillraiseitup."TheJewsunderstoodthisas
referringtoHerod'stemple,buttheEvangelistmadetheexplanationthat"he[Christ]
spokeofthetempleofhisbody'*andthatwhenthereforeJesushadrisenfromthe
dead,Hisdisciples"rememberedthathehadsaidthis"(John2:1922).
Thedivinepresencewasthecentralfocusoftheancienttabernacle/
î\
templeeconomyinIsrael."Moseswasgiveninstructiontobuild"asanctuary,thatI
[God]maydwellintheir[Israel's]midst"(Exod25:8).Andwhentheconstructionof
thetabernaclewascomplete,"thecloudcoveredthetentofmeeting,andthegloryof
theLordfilledthetabernacle"(Exod40:34).Itisthisfundamentalthoughtthatofthe
divinepresencethatlikewisepervadestheintroductoryscenestoalleightvisionsof
theApocalypse.Thedivine,everlivingChristis,inthefirst instance, depictedas
presentwithHispeopleonearth,sustainingthemandprovidingmessagestothem
throughHisHolySpirit(visionI); 21thenthescenechangestotheheavenlysanctuary,
whereChristisactivelyministeringinbehalfofHis
19SeeagaintheexcellentdiscussioninDavidson,33667;alsoDavidson's"Excursus"ontuposstructures
inExod25:40,onpp.36788.
20Foragoodoverviewofthisfundamentaltheme,seeAngelManuelRodriguez,"SanctuaryTheologyin
theBookofExodus,"AUSS24(1986):12745.
21ItisinterestingtoobservethateachofthesevenmessagesisintroducedbyChristandthenissummed
upineachinstanceas"whattheSpiritsaystotheChurches"parallelingthestatementsinthe
FourthGospellotheeffectthattheParacletewillsetforthChrist'swords(see,e.g.,John14:2526;
15:26;16:1215).
65
people(visionsIIVII);andfinally,whenGodandtheLambdwellwith
redeemedhumanbeingsinthe"newearth"and"NewJerusalem,"thereis
broughttoearththeveryultimateinclosenessandtangibilityofthedivine
presence(visionVIII).
PositiveandNegativeElementsintheIntroductoryScenes
Asnoticedearlier,thevictoriousintroductionscenesforvisionsIand
IIcontainonlyapositivethrust,butthethirdintroductorysceneaddsalsoa
negativeelement.Inthisthirdscene,thepositiveemphasisisfoundinthe
mingledincensesmokeandprayersofthesaintsascendingtoGod,andthe
negativeaspectisdescribedintermsoftheangel'sthrowingacenseroflive
coals to earth, with the resulting judgment signs of voices, thunder,
lightning,andanearthquake.
InthepreviousarticleinthisseriesIpointedoutthatthevisionsfrom
IIIthroughVIconsistofatwicerepeatedmotifthatmayaptlybedesig
natedasthe"ExodusfromEgypfTFallofBabylon"motif.(Seediagram2
on the next page for illustration of the motif.) It is interesting that it is
preciselyinconjunctionwiththesefourvisionsthatthestrongestreferences
tonegativejudgmentoccur.Thereisalsoaprogressionofintensityinthe
judgmentsymbolism,aswewillobserveshortly.
TheintroductoryscenesforvisionsVIIandVIIIrevertpartlytothe
positivethrustofthecomparablesectionsofvisionsIandII.However,there
is at least an oblique (but nonetheless forceful) reference to negative
judgmentineachofthesefinaltwovisions,eventhoughtheirprimarythrust
ispositive.visionVII,thereisacclamationtoGodforhavingjudgedthe
harlotandhavingvindicatedthesaints.Evenso,theblessednessofsalvation
isthekeynoteoftheanthemsofpraise;andespeciallyinthereferencesto
theLamb'sbrideandtotheweddingsupperoftheLambistherejoyatits
highest! For vision VIII, there is inserted within a generally felicitous
picture(21:5lla),oneversethatdescribesthosewhowillmeetdoominthe
"lakeoffire"(vs.8)astatementobviouslypresentedsoastocontrastwith
therewardoftheconquerorsorovercomersmentionedjustpreviously(vs.
7).22
22Itshouldnotbeoverlookedthatjustas21:7statesbroadlytheultimaterewardfostheovercomersin
the seven churches of chaps. 2 and 3, 21:8 reflects comprehensively the doom of the "non
ovcrcomcrs" inthose sevenchurches.Theterms"cowardly,""faithless,""polluted,""sorcerers,"
"liars," etc., in 21:8 are reminiscent of the descriptions and counsels in the seven messages
regarding faithfulness unto death (Smyrna), the danger of the wiles of Balaam and Jezebel
(PergamumandThyatira),andtheperjuryagainstChrist'sfaithfuldisciples(Philadelphia),etc.
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Judgmentonthe
EvilForces
6,7156,7
ExodusfromEgypt
Motif
FallofBabylon
Motif
ExodusfromEgypt
Motif
FallofBabylon
Motif
12Revelation
Revelation8:214:20
15:118:24
Diagram2.The"ExodusFromEgypt"/"FallofBabylon"MotifinRevelation
(ThisdiagramisanenlargementoftheoneinKennethA.Strand,"TheTwoWitnessesofRevelation11:312,"AUSS19
[1981]:129.Thediscussionofthismotifonp.128ofthatarticleshouldalsobenoted.)
Concerningthis positiveandnegative thrust of the opening and closing

victoriousintroductionscenes,itappearsthatthetotallypositivethrustsofthe
scenesinvisionsIandIIarenotkeptfullyparallelorbalancedintheirchiastic
counterpartsinvisionsVIIandVIII,andthisisforgoodreason:Theformer
refer specifically to ongoing salvific processes, a major theological concern
duringthehistoricalera;butthelatter,bywayofcontrast,pertaintoatimein
theeschatologicaljudgmenterawhenultimatesalvationandglorificationawait
Christ'ssaints,butwherealsothereare"unsaved"whosedoomhasnowbeen
fully sealed. These "unsaved" cannot be ignored in presenting a complete
picture, for as G. E. Mendenhall has pointedout in adifferent context, the
vindication of God's saints has two sides "to the coin": The obverse that
representssalvationforthesaintshasareversesidethatspellsdoomforthose
whohavebeenthesaints'oppressors.23
"Movement"inPortrayaloftheImagery
Inadditiontoastrikingverticaldimensionmanifestinthevisionsofthe
Apocalypse, there is a certain type of horizontal movement evident in the
symbolic usage within the sequence of the eight "victoriousintroduction"
scenes.Wehavealreadyobserved,fromanotherperspective,themovementin
templesettingfromanearthlyvenuetoaheavenlyvenueandbackagaintoa
new earthly (i.e., "new earth") venue. But the heavenly temple scenes
themselves (in visions IIVII) show an interesting progression in the
symbolismwhichoccurs.Thisweshallbrieflylookat,followedbysuccinct
notice also of a progression that occurs in the negativejudgment imagery
utilizedinvisionsIIIVL
Templeinheavenimagery.InvisionII,thesevenlampsortorchesoffire
suggestafirstapartmentorholyplacesetting.Next,visionIIItakesustothe
goldenaltarofincensebeforethethrone,andthenvisionIVopenstoviewthe
arkofGod'scovenantintheinnershrineorMostHolyPlace. 24Thisappearsto
correlatewithanincreasingemphasisontheendtimeintherespective"Basic
PropheticDescriptions"and"Interludes,"eventhoughallofthesesequences
spantheerafromtheprophet'stimeonwardtotheend.(Thisphenomenonhas
been treated sufficiently in the previous article, and therefore need not be
elaboratedfurtherhere.)
23GeorgeE.Mendenhall,TheTenthGeneration:TheOriginsoftheBiblicalTiadttion(Baltimore,1973),
83.ThisisinthecontextofanexcellentstudyofNQM(the"vengeance"/"vindication"motif)in
biblicalandotherancientNearEasternliterature.
24Cf.againn.11,above,
68
Afterthechiasticdividingline,thetempleimagerynolongerembracestemple
furniture, for the functions represented by such furnitureor the salvific activities
indicatedtherebynolongerexist.Rather,smokefillsthetemplesothatnoministryof
mercycontinues(15:8);proclamationsand/orjudgmentalsignsoccur,withonlygeneral
referencetotheirsourceinthetemple,fromthethrone,and/orinheaven(cf.16:17ff.;
19:15;21:5).
Negativejudgmentimagery.ThecentralfourvisionsoftheApocalypsenamely,
IIIthroughVIhaveintroductionsthatsetforthstrongnegativejudgmentsymbolism.
Aninterestingfeatureistheintensificationofthenegativethrust.ThesignsinvisionIII
arethunder,voices,lightning,andanearthquake(8:5);tothese,visionIVadds"heavy
hail" (11:19); and finally, vision VI sets forth these same judgment harbingers but
intensifiesconsiderablyboththeearthquake("suchashadneverbeensincemenwere
ontheearth,"16:18)andthehail(eachhailstone"heavyasahundredweight,"16:21).
Vision V omits this particular series of judgment symbols, possibly because in
inauguratingitsdepictionoftheeschatologicaljudgment,itschiefemphasesalready
carryaheavyburdenofdoom:thefullnessofGod'swrathbeingcarriedforthfromthe
templeinthesevenbowlsandthetempleitselfassmokefilledandunoccupied(15:5
8).
Inanyevent,thefirstdoubletofvisionswiththe"ExodusfromEgypt"/"Fall
ofBabylon"motif(visionsIIIandIV)beginswithintroductory scenes thatalready
showaprogressionofintensityofjudgment.Thisintensityisthenfurtherenhanced
bythesymbolicportrayalsintheseconddoublet(visionsVandVI).Thetheological
significancehereappears tobetheconceptthatincreasingwoe is commensurate
withapatternofcontinuingandmoreflagrantrejectionofChrist'sofferofsalvation.
Assuch, itwouldbeasort of extendedcommentaryontheprinciple that Jesus
enunciated in declaring that the Judgmental doom upon Bethsaida, Chorazin,
Capernaum, and other rejecters of His mercy would exceed that of Sodom and
Gomorrah(cf.,e.g.,Matt10:1415and11:2024).
RelationshipoftheIntroductionsforVisionsIandVIII
Wehavealreadyanalyzedthetheologicalsignificanceofthetempleimageryinthe
eightintroductoryscenesinRevelation.Itremainsheretocallmorespecificattention
tooneparticularfeaturenamely,theenvelopestructureinwhichtheintroductionto
visionIandthattovisionVIIIenclose,asitwere,thesixinterveningintroductions.The
primaryfeatureoftheenclosureschemaisthatofvenueearthlyforvisionsIandVIII,
andheavenlyforvisionsIIVII.Thus,theemphasisatboththebeginning
69
andtheendofthebookisonanimmanenceofthedivinepresence.
Is there here a suggestion, perhaps, of the two advents of Christ and of their
ultimateresults?Inthefirstintroductoryscene,JohnseestheChristwhohadcomeas
God incarnate in His first adventwho was killed and then resurrected, and who
ascendedtoheavenafter40days.NowthissameDivinePersonappearstoJohnasthe
onewhowasdeadbutlivesforever(Rev1:1718)andispresent,walkingamongHis
churchesAampstands. This first victoriousintroduction scene thus evidences the
continuingandclosepresenceofthisveryJesuswithHischurchonearth.Hisown
victoryduringHisincarnationhasassuredtheexistenceofthiscovenantcommunity
itself, and His own divine presence remains verily with His people throughout the
historicalera(bymeansofHisHolySpirit). 25InthefourthGospel,theprologuerefers
toChrist's"tabernacling amongus" (John1:14),buttheDiscourseontheParaclete
indicatesthatevenafterJesus*departureintoheaven,bothHeandtheFatherwould
cometomaketheir"home"withJesus*faithfuldisciples(seeJohn14:1521,23).
Thecounterparttothisdivinepresenceinthe"hereandnow"isthefullnessof
experienceofthedivinepresencecontingentuponJesus'secondadventtobringrewards
toallpersonsaccordingtotheirdeeds(Rev22:12).Inthefinalstagesofthoserewards
thatis,inthe"newheaven"/"newearths/NewJerusalemexperienceGodandthe
Lambagain"tabernacle"withtheirpeople,butnowthistabernaclingisinanimmediate
anddirectpresence(see21:3,22;and22:14).
Thus,inthebeginningandclosingvictoriousintroductionscenes wefind,ina
sense, an elaboration of the Apocalypse's twofold theme (called to attention in my
earlierarticle):Christ'spresencewithHispeopleinthispresentageasthe"Alphaand
Omega,"andHisreturnattheendofthehistoricaleratousherinthoseeventsthatwill
culminateinHispresencewithHispeoplethroughouteternity(cf.Rev1:78and22:12
13).
But what function, then, do the introductory scenes for the interveningvisions
serve? Whereas immanence is the emphasis of visions I and VIII, including their
victoriousintroduction scenes, transcendence is the emphasis of the other visions.
Thesesixvisionshighlightactivityinheaven,whileGod'speopleareonearth.Butthis
transcendenceisnotbyanymeansaloofness,norisitanylackofconcernandcontact
between heaven and earth. Rather, all of these visions (through their victorious
introductionscenes,andalsotheirsubsequentdescriptivesequences)revealavery
25Cf.againn.21,above.
70
decidedverticalcontinuity.Whatisdoneinthetempleinheavenisdoneforthebenefit
ofGod'speopleonearth,andthereforetheheavenlyactivityportrayedinthevictorious
introductionscenesfindsanimmediatecounterpartinforcesreleasedonearthinorder
toaccomplishGod'spurposeforHispeople.
Broad"EnvelopeStructures"
Briefmentionshouldbemadeofthefactthatintheforegoinganalysisand
discussionwehavecomeupontwobroad"envelopestructures." 26Oneofthese
wehavealreadydiscussedindealingwiththevenueofthetempleimagery:for
visions I and VIII, an earthly venue (presenthistorical and newearthly,
respectively);andforvisions , asettinginthe"templeinheaven."The
other envelope structure relates to the "NegativeJudgment Imagery" and
encloses the harsh negativejudgment thrusts of the introductory scenes for
visionsthroughVIwithinthesolelypositivethrustoftheparallelingscenes
forvisionsIand ,ontheonehand,andthepredominantlypositivethrustof
the scenes for visions VII and Vffl, on the other hand.27 (These two broad
envelopestructuresaresetforthinsketchformindiagram3.)
Thetwoexamplesofinclusioareofinterestfromthestandpointofliterary
artistry,ofcourse.Butwemusteverbearinmindthatthisartistry was not
utilized as an end in itself; rather, it was incorporated because of, and in
relationship to, its functionality for conveying forcefully the theological
perspective and motifs that are foundational in the Apocalypse and that
constitutethebook'sprimaryconcern.
3.SummaryandConclusion
The previous article and the present one have outlined certain literary
structuresintheApocalypseandgivenattentioninparticulartothevictorious
introductionscenesfortheeightmainvisionsinthebookofRevelation.Itis
obvious,inthefirstplace,thatRevelationisaveryneatlyorganizedliterary
piece.However,theliterarypatternsrepresentmore
26"Envelopestructures"or"inclusions"arecommonintheliteralypatternsoftheApocalypse.See,e.g.,
WilliamH.Shea,"TheParallelLiteralyStructureofRevelation12and20,"AUSS23(1985):
3754(esp.4445),fortwostrikingillustrationsofthisphenomenon.
27Withrespecttothematterofpositiveandnegativeaspects,ourreferenceis,ofcourse,toonlythe
victoriousintroductionscenestheblocsdesignated"A"indiagram1.Inotherblocsofmaterialin
visionsI,II,andVII,thereareindeedmanynegativeelements,butthisfactdoesnotaffectthe
distinctivepatternwehavenoticedintheintroductoryscenes.
71
thansimplyaesthetictasteandmnemonicconcern;theyhighlightinaveryrealway
certain major theological themes and motifs. These are themes and motifs that
parallel and elaborate aspects of general NT theology, and that are especially
valuableinspeakinghopeandassurancetoChrist'sloyalfollowersintheirstruggle
againstforcesofdeceptionandpersecution.
Diagram3.Two"EnvelopeStructures"intheIntroductoryScenesoftheBook
ofRevelation
1.EarthlyandHeavenlyVenues
Thoroughly
PositiveThrust
Predominantly
PositiveThrust
Both Positive andNegatjye Emphasis
I&II
F'HI&IVV&VI\!
2.PositiveandNegativeJudgment VII&VIII
Emphases
72
ChapterIV
InterpretingRevelation^
Symbolism
JonPaulien
EditorialSynopsis.AlthoughtheapostleJohnneverquotestheOTdirectlyin
hiswritingoftheprophecy,itisevidentthathedrawsheavilyonitsimagery.These
allusions, forming as they do a veritable mosaic of OT phraseology, may be
classifiedundertwoheadings:(1)echoes,and(2)directallusions.
ThroughthecenturiesmanyOTconceptsbecamedetachedfromtheirscriptural
rootstoformapoolofsymbolicideascommonlyusedandunderstoodbyeveryone.
John'suseofthesecommonsymbolsmaybetermed"echoes"(oftheOT);they
carrytheirownsignificance,apartfromtheiroriginalOTmatrix.
OntheotherhandJohnsometimesmodelsagivenportionofhisprophecyona
selectionfromtheOTthat heintendshisreaders tonote.Designatedas"direct
allusions,"theseOTpassagesmayshedlightonthemeaningofthatportionof
RevelationinwhichJohnusestheborrowedimagery.
Inthischapterthepresentauthorclassifies"directallusions"accordingtotheir
helpfulnessininterpretingRevelationandsuggeststhecriteriabywhichtheymay
beidentifiedas"directallusions."
Letnonethink,becausetheycannotexplainthemeaningofeverysymbol
intheRevelation,thatitisuselessforthemtosearchthisbookinaneffortto
know the meaning of the truth it contains. The One who revealed these
mysteriesto John willgivetothediligentsearcherfortruthaforetasteof
heavenlythings.Thosewhoseheartsareopentothereceptionoftruthwillbe
enabled to understand its teachings, and will be granted the blessing
promisedtothosewho"hearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethings
which are written therein." (Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles
[MountainView,CA,1911],58485.)
Whilewemustnotforgettheabovecounsel,thestudyguidessuggestedinthis
chapterwillenabletheseriousBiblestudenttominemoreaccuratelytheveinsof
spiritualtruthbeneaththesurfaceofthiscrowningprophecyofScripture.
73
InterpretingRevelation'sSymbolism
ChapterOutline
I.TheBookofRevelation:ItsNature
II.InterpretingRevelationIII.Conclusion
TheBookofRevelation:ItsNature
Godhas seen fit at every stage in the production ofthe Scriptures to offer His
revelation in language appropriate to the time, place, and circumstances of the
originalwriter.Goddoesnotbypasstheculture,background,literarystyle,orways
of thinking of the individuals to whom He reveals Himself. Instead He seeks
earnestlytomeetthemwheretheyaresothattheycanunderstand,asfaraspossible,
Hisrevelationstothemandthroughthem(cf.1Cor9:1923).
For example, God presented the same basic message to Nebuchadnezzar in
Daniel2asHedidtotheprophetinDaniel7.Buttothepagankingthenationswere
portrayedintheformofanidol.Thisisnaturalsinceheunderstoodthenationstobe
glorious,shiningrepresentationsofthegodstheyserved.TotheHebrewpropheton
theotherhandthenationswereportrayedashesawthem:vicious,ravenousbeasts
who were enslaving and destroying his people. God spoke to each within his
languageandculturalsettinginordertocommunicateamessageaboutHisplansfor
thefuture.
Thewordsthatpeopleuseandthemeaningsthatthosewordscarryarethe
product ofapeople'spastexperience. Language islimitedinexpressiontothat
whichisfamiliartopeopleinagiventimeandplace.Eventhefuturecanonlybe
describedinthelanguageofapeople'spastandpresentexperience.
WhentheExodusofIsraelfromEgyptisdescribedintheOTforexample,the
languageusedremindsthereaderofthephraseologybywhichGod'smightyactivity
intheCreationandtheFloodaredescribedinthebookofGenesis.Forexample,
bothNoahandMosesweredeliveredbyan"ark"coatedwithpitch. 1IntheExodus,
asatCreation,thedivinepresencebroughtlightintodarknessandadividingofthe
waters.2Com
lExod2:3;cf.Gen6:14.2Exod13:21;cf.Gen1:35;Exod
14:21;cf.Gen1:68.
74
montoallthreedescriptionsaretheuseof"dryland"3and"befruitfuland
multiply."
Justas theportrayalof the Exodus makesuseofthedescriptions of God's
previousactions,sotheexiletoandtherestorationfromBabylonaredescribed
in the prophets by the language of Creation and the Exodus. Creation, for
example,isthepatternforIsaiah65:1719.TheExodusprovidesthepatternfor
anumberoftheprophets.
InlikemannerthepropheciesconcerningtheMessiahwerevoicedintermsofa
prophetlikeMoses,asonofDavid,andapriestaftertheorderofMelchizedek.God
ineachcaseusedthelanguageofthepastasatooltocommunicateHispresentwill
and/orHisplanforthefuture.
It should come as no surprise, therefore, to discover that the visions of
Revelationarenotfilledwithhelicopters,spaceships,computers,andnuclearbombs.
Instead,theyarecouchedintheimagesoftheNTchurch'spast.Thoughoriginating
fromthethroneofGod,Revelationwascommunicatedinlanguageappropriateto
thetime,place,andcircumstancesofthehumanauthor,John.
"TheBibleisnotgiventousingrandsuperhumanlanguage.Jesus,inorderto
reachmanwhereheis,tookhumanity.TheBiblemustbegiveninthelanguageof
men.1'6 Although a prophecy of future events from the author's perspective, the
languageofthechurch'spreviousexperienceprovidedthelanguagewithwhichto
describethatfuture.
WhiletheBiblemayoftendescribeourfuture,itisimportanttokeepinmind
that the language through which such prophecies were communicated was the
languageofanothertimeandplacethanourown.Itisalltooeasytoimposeupon
thetextmeaningsmoreappropriatetoourtimeandplacethantothesituationwithin
whichGodoriginallyspoke.Discoveringtheoriginalmeaningofthelanguageofthe
textsafeguardsusagainstournaturaltendencytoremakethebiblicaltextintoour
ownimage.7
Whenwespeakof"originalmeaning/Ofcourse,weshouldnotassumethatthe
originalauthorortheoriginalaudiencefullyunderstoodthedivine
3Josh4:18;Exod14:21,29;cf.Gen8:11,13;1:910.
4Exod1:7;cf.Gen9:7;1:28.
5Hos2:815;Mic7:1520;Isa4:26;11:1516;43:1619,etc.
6EllenG.White,SelectedMessages,Book1(Washington,DC,1958),20.
7WhileaknowledgeofGreekandHebrewisnotnecessaryforanunderstandingoftheBible(seethe
conclusionofthischapter),readingthetextintheoriginallanguagehelpsonetobreakawayfrom
thefamiliarassociationsthattheEnglishwordshavewithourmodernsetting.Intranslationitis
easiertoimportunknowinglycontemporarymeaningsintoourreadingofthetext.
75
purposeintherevelationcommunicatedtothem.Whatwearesayingisthatthe
divinepurposewasfullyandadequatelyrepresented inthefeeble andlocalized
expressions of a fallible human writer. 8 Therefore, the original meaning of the
languageofthetextiscriticaltoacorrectunderstandingofScripture.Toapplyto
thelanguageofthetextmeaningsmoreappropriate toourtimeandplaceisto
launchourselvesintoajourneytoallmanneroffantasticdestinationswhich,though
theymayappearbiblical,areinfactcontrarytothedivineintentforthatpassage.
Ourstudyofmethod,therefore,willbeginwithacarefulexaminationofthe
languageofRevelationinordertodeterminewhatproceduresaremostappropriate
tothestudyofthebook.OnlyaswearepatientenoughtostudyRevelationonits
owntermswillwerightlyunderstandthevisiongrantedtoitsauthor. 9
AChristianBook
Itisevidentfromtheveryfirstphrase("therevelationofJesusChrist")that
Revelation is a Christian book (1:1). Jesus Christ is present everywhere, both
explicitly10 andinsymbol.11 Therearereferencestochurches 12 andtothecross.13
The careful reader also becomes aware of scores, if not hundreds, of echoes
recallingNTthemes,vocabulary,andtheology. 14Althoughthebookhasadifferent
style,vocabulary,andsubjectmatter,weshouldnotexpect,therefore,itstheology
toberadicallydifferentfromwhatwefindelsewhereintheNT.15
8"TheBibleiswrittenbyinspiredmen,butitisnotGod'smodeofthoughtandexpression.Itisthat
ofhumanity.God,asawriter,isnotrepresented.Menwilloftensaysuchanexpressionisnotlike
God.But God hasnotput Himself inwords,inlogic,inrhetoric,on trial intheBible. The
writersofTheBiblewereGod'spenmen,notHispen.Lookatthedifferentwriters.
"ItisnotthewordsoftheBiblethatarcinspired,butthementhatwereinspired.Inspiration
actsnotontheman'swordsorhisexpressionsbutonthemanhimself,who,undertheinfluenceof
theHolyGhost,isimbuedwiththoughts.Butthewordsreceivetheimpressionoftheindividual
mind.Thedivinemindisdiffused.Thedivinemindandwilliscombinedwiththehumanmind
andwill;thustheutterancesofthemanarethewordofGod"(White,SelectedMessages,21).
9ElisabethSchusslerRorenza,TheApocalypse(Chicago,1976),13.
10Rev1:1.2,5,9;11:15;12:10,17;14:12;17:6;19:10;20:4,6;22:16,20,21.
11Rev1:1216;5:5ff.;7:17;12:5,11;14:lff.,etc.
12Rev13;22:16.
13Rev1:18;5:6,9,12;11:8;12:11.
14ForlistingsofparallelstoNTlanguageandthemesseeRudolfHalver,DerMythosimLetztenBuck
derBibel,TheologischeForschung,vol.32(HamburgBergstedt.1964):5870;WilliamMilligan,
LecturesontheApocafypse(London,1892),4270;Henry .Swete,TheApocalypseofSt.John
(London,1906),clicliii.
15Halver,58.
76
ADivineRevelation
Accordingtothepreface(1:13)theauthorunderstandshisworktobethatof
transmittingtothechurchavisionarymessagefromGod.Herepeatedlypointstoa
supernaturaloriginforthescenesportrayedinhisbook. 16 Heconsidershimselfa
prophetandhisworkaprophecy.Hisauthorityisequaltothatoftheapostlesand
the OT prophets. The "words of the prophecy" are to be obeyed (1:3). Their
authorityissounquestionablethatnotawordistobeaddedorsubtracted(22:18
19).
On the other hand, there is considerable evidence (outlined below) that a
multitude of allusions to earlier literature with which John the Revelator was
familiararesprinkledthroughoutthevisions.Towhatdegreeisthebookvisionary
andtowhatdegreeisitresearched,developed,andwrittenbythehumanauthor?
Fortunately we do not need to make such a difficult distinction. Whether the
allusionscomefromGodoraretheresultofJohn'smeditationuponthevisions
makesnodifferencetotheresult.If,aswaspointedoutabove,Godalwaysspeaks
inthetime,place,andcircumstancesoftheoriginalwriter,theendproduct(the
text) speaks adequately for both! For the sake of convenience and ease of ex
pression,however,inthischapterwewillspeakgenerallyintermsof"theauthor's
intent"or"John'sintent"withouttherebyintendingtoimplythatthebookismerely
ahumanproduct.
ForSeventhdayAdventistsitmaybeinstructivetorecalltheexperienceof
EllenG.White,whohadvisionsofheavenlythingssimilartothoseofJohn.Recent
studyhasindicated,however,thatsheresearchedlongandhardtofindthebestway
to express what she had received in language that would be appropriate to the
readers inher timeandplace. Visionsandresearch canworktogether withina
singlehumanbeingtoproduceabookthatimpartscommunicationsfromthemind
ofGod.
ThepresenceofthedivineelementinRevelationindicatesthattheultimate
meaning of the book will often go beyond what the human author might have
understood.This,however,doesnotlicenseinterpreterstoindiscriminatelyseekall
kindsofextendedmeaningsinthebook.JustasGodlimitedHimselfwhenHetook
onhumannatureintheincarnation,soHealsolimitedHimselfwhenHechoseto
expressHimselfinScripturethroughthelanguageofhumanauthors.
16Rev1:1020;2:7,11,etc.;4:12;10:11;17:13;19:910;22:610.
17"TheBible,withitsGodgiventruthsexpressedinthelanguageofmen,presentsaunionofthe
divineandthehuman.SuchaunionexistedinthenatureofChrist,whowastheSonofGodand
77
InterpretingRevelation^Symbolism
WhileGod's intent maytranscend thehuman author's understanding, His
intentisexpressedbymeansofthelanguagechosenbythehumanauthor.Thus,
whateverdivineintentisperceivedinapassage,itshouldbeanaturalextension
oftheauthor'sownlanguageandpurpose.18
APropheticBook
Relatedtothematterofthedivineintentisthebook'sclaimtoprovidegenuine
informationwithregardtothefuture.Revelationconcernsthingsthat"mustsoon
takeplace'"(1:1);thingsthatwill"takeplacehereafter"(1:19).ItspeaksofChrist's
returnandofOne"whoistocome"(Rev1:78;4:8). It promisesrewardstothe
overcomer(Rev2:7,11,etc.).
Revelationpointsforwardtoafuturesealingtime(7:13);toafuture"hourof
trial"(3:10;7:14);toafutureredeemedmultitude(7:9ff.;19:lff.);
toagreatfinalproclamationofthegospel(10:811;14:612);toafinalJudgment
(11:18;20:1115);andtoagreat,finalbattle(1220)climaxinginChrist'scoming
(14:1420; 19:llff.), ushering in God's final, universal rule (11:1517; 2122:5).
Thus,Revelationisconcernedlargelywitheventsthatarefuturefromtheauthor's
perspective.
SettinginAsiaMinor
The text of Revelation makes clear that the book was addressed to seven
churchesintheRomanprovinceofAsia(1:4;cf.22:16). 19Itshouldnotsurpriseus,
then, if at times the book uses symbols and concepts that occur in nonbiblical
literatureandmythology.Theauthordidn'tnecessarily"research"thesesymbols;
theycametohimaslivingexpressionsthatwouldbefamiliartoanyonewholived
inAsiaMinoratthetime.20
Whileatfirstwemaybesomewhatuncomfortablewiththeideathatabiblical
writermayhaveemployedsomemythologicalfiguresinhisbook
theSonofman.ThusitistrueoftheBible,asitwasofChrist,that'theWordwasmadeflesh,and
dwelt among us.' John 1:14" (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, CA,
1950],vi),
18InspiredwritersdidnotalwaysgraspthecontentofGod'srevelation(seeDanieland1Pet1:1013).
Buttheyretainedcontrolofthetext(secn.8).InthecaseofRevelation,thetextwasintendedto
makesensetoitsoriginalreaders(Rev1:34,911;22:16)aswellaslaterones.
Editorialnote:TheviewthatRevelation"madesense"totheoriginalreadersdoesnotmean
thatthelattersaworexpectedimmediatefulfillmentsofthetotalprophecyintheirday(apreterist
view).Manyaspectsofthevisionlayinthedistantfuture.TheMessianicprophecies"madesense"
totheOTprophetstoo,buttheyknewtheirfulfillmentwouldbefuturetotheirtimes(1Pet1:10
12).
19Aswithanyinspiredapostoliccommunication,theprophecywouldhavehadsignificanceforother
Christiancongregationsaswell(cf.Col4:16).Ed.
20PeterMorant,DOSKommendesHorn(Zurich,1969),19.
78
(for example, sevenheaded beasts), we must remember the prophetic nature of
Revelation. Prophets used the common language of the time to communicate
effectively.Thus,scholarswhohavefoundancientparallelstovariouspartsofthe
Apocalypsecanhelpustounderstandbettertheintentofthebook'simagery.21
ApocalypticLanguage
ItisimmediatelyevidentthatthebookofRevelationisnotwritteninordinary
prose.Rightatthebeginningthebookisdeclaredtobe"signified"(1:1,KJV).An
eaglespeaks,locustsignorevegetation,agreatreddragonchasesawomanthrough
thesky,alionistransformedintoalambwhichconquerseverything.Thisisnot
typical NTlanguage.22 Revelationissosymbolicthatthereader needstoguard
againstbeingoverlyliteralininterpretation. 23
Nevertheless,suchcosmicsymbolismwasarathercommonformofliterary
procedureinthosedays.BookslikeEthiopicEnoch,4Ezra,and2Baruchexpress
feelingsandtheologyinwhathasbeentermed"apocalypticlanguage."24Thus,while
thelanguageofRevelationisoftenstrangeandsymbolic,itsmessageisgrounded
firmlyinreality.QuitelikelythefirstcenturyChristianreaderhadrelativelylittle
difficultyunderstandingthemainsymbolsofthebook.
ThemoderndayinterpreterofRevelation,then,willneedtotakeintoaccount
the apocalyptic literature of the times, which will help him to understand how
apocalypticlanguagewasperceivedinthefirstcenturyA.D.
21See,e.g.,HansDieterBetz,"OntheProblemoftheRcligioHistoricalUnderstandingofApoca
lypticism,"JTC6(1969):155;WilliamKimbroHedrik,"TheSourcesandUseoftheImageiyin
Apocalypse12"(Th.D.dissertation,GraduateTheologicalUnion,1971)9495;J.P.M.Sweet,
Revelation,WestminsterPelicanCommentaries(Philadelphia,1979),41.Ofparticularhelpmaybe
theforthcomingcommentaiyonRevelationbyDavidAuncintheWordBiblicalCommentary
series.AuneisadualexpertinRevelationandintheancientRomanworld.
22Halver,156.
23PhilipMauro,ThePatmosVisions(Boston,1925),23.Thereisnoquestionthatmanythingsin
Revelationareintendedtobetakenliterally(thesevenchurches,Christ,John,war,anddeath,e.g.),
buttheclearstatementatthebeginning(1:1)combinedwiththephenomenaofthebookindicates
thatsymbolismistheprimarylanguagetoolusedinthebook.
24SeeJamesH.Charlesworth,ed.,TheOldTestamentPseudepiyapha,vol.1(GardenCity,NY,1983
1984).
25DavidL.Barr,"TheApocalypseasaSymbolicTransformationoftheWorld:ALiteraryAnalysis,"
Inl3&(1984):4041.TheGreekconstructioninRev1:3(akouowithaccusative)impliesthatthe
readersandhearersweretohavesufficientunderstandingofthebooktoobeyit.
79
ImportanceoftheOldTestament
While some allusions to nonbiblical sources may appear, it is certain that
Revelation cannot be understood without continual reference to theOT It is"a
perfect mosaic of passages from the OT The allpervasiveness of the OT in
Revelationindicatesthatitisthemajorkeytounlockthemeaningofthebook's
symbols.TheearsofJohn'saudiencewerefarbetterattunedtopickupOTallusions
than is the case with most Christian congregations today. 28 The OT provided a
means of "decoding" the message of Revelation that was not available to the
outsider.29
OurstudyofRevelationmust,therefore,includeathoroughunderstandingof
OT history, poetry, language, and themes. Without such an understanding, the
meaningofthebookremainshiddentoalargeextent.
ProblemofAllusions
To assert that Revelation is saturated with OT concepts does not by itself
addresstheissueofhowtheyareusedinthebook.Areaderthoroughlyacquainted
withtheOTquicklynoticesthatRevelationneverquotestheOT 30Rather,italludes
toitwithawordhere,aconceptthere,aphraseinanotherplace. 31Whileitisclear
thattheOTisbasictoanyunderstandingofRevelation,itisnotalwaysclearwhat
partoftheOTisbeingalludedtoinagivenverse. 32
AnexegeticalmethodthatwillunlockthesymbolsofRevelationmust
26.W.Bullinger,TheApocalypse(London,1935),5;AustinFairer,ARebirthofImages(Gloucester,
MA,1970),17;A.Feuillet,"LeMessieetsaMered'aprestechapitreXIIde1'Apocalypse,"RB
66(1959):55;WilliamG.Scroggie,TheGreatUnveiling(GrandRapids,1979),22.
27Milligan,LecturesontheApocalypse,72.
28BamabasLindars,"ThePlaceoftheOldTestamentintheFormationofNewTestamentTheology,"
^723(1976):65.
29EdythArmstrongHoyt,StudiesintheApocalypseofJohnofPatmos(AnnArbor,MI,1953),7.
Whiletheauthordoubtlesshadvisionaryexperiences,whathewrotedownisclearlyalsothe
productoftheologicalinterpretationandreflection.
30Ofthescoresofscholarswhomakethisassertion,afewleadingFigureswillsuffice:KurtAland,
TheGreekNewTestament,3rded.(NewYork,1975),903;AdelaYarbroCollins,Crisisand
Catharsis:ThePoweroftheApocalypse(Philadelphia,1984),42;ElizabethSchiisslerFiorenza,
"ApokalypsisandPropheteia:TheBookofRevelationintheContextofEarlyChristian
Prophecy,"inI'ApocalypsejohanniqueetI'ApocalyptiquedansleNouveauTestament,108;Hal
ver,1112;PierrePrigent,L'ApocaIypsedeSaintJean,ConunentaireduNouveauTestament,vol.
14(Lausanne,1981):368;.BarclaySwete,AnIntroductiontotheOldTestament(Cambridge,
1902),392.
31GerhardF.Hasel,"LaPropheticetsonaccomplissement,"inPropheticetEschalologfe,trans.from
Englishofunpublishedsyllabus,ed.RichardLesher(Washington,DC,BiblicalResearchInstitute,
1982),1:105;Sweet.39.
32LouisArthurVos,TheSynopticTraditionsintheApocalypse(Kampen,1965),18.
80
includeguidelinesfordeterminingwhenandinwhatmannertheauthorisalluding
totheOT.
RepetitiveStructure
AsthereadergainsgreaterfamiliaritywithRevelation,itbecomesclearthat
thebook'sstructureiscloselyrelatedtoitsmeaning.Therearesevenchurches,
sevenseals,seventrumpets,andsevenbowls.Manythemesandsymbolsreappear
atregularintervals.33 Almostevery passagehasparallelselsewhere inthebook.
Revelationcontainssuchacomplexityofinterlockingparallelsthatagivenpassage
may be more closely related to material at the other end of the book than to
neighboringpassages.34Thus,theinterpreterneedstohaveagoodknowledgeofthe
structureandcontentoftheentirebookandtobeawareoftheimpactofthewhole
on
thepassageunderstudy.
/^c
AWorshipSetting
OneofthemoststrikingfeaturesofRevelationisitsrepeatedportrayal
ofworshipscenesinheaven,usuallyinthecontextofimageryrelatedtothe
OTsanctuary.36Notonlyarethereagreatnumberofhymnsinthebook, 37
buttheveryblessingsandcursesonthosewhoreadandhearRevelation
implyapublicreadingofthebookinaworshipsetting(1:3;
22:1819).
These facts suggest that attention needs to be given to the Christian
worshippracticesofthefirst century, OTsanctuaryimagery, theJewish
synagogueservice,andtheAramaictargumsthatdevelopedintheJewish
synagogues.
Conclusion
The characteristics of the book of Revelation Just examined call for
attentiontomethod.ThepropermethodforstudyingRevelationwill
33Bair,43.
34Leonard Thompson, "TheMythicUnityoftheApocalypse,"in SocietyofBiblicalLiterature
1985SeminarPapers,ed.KentHaroldRichards(Atlanta,1985),1617.
35Someof the better structures ofRevelation includethefollowing: JohnWickBowman, "The
Revelation to John: ItsDramaticStructure and Message," Ins 9 (1955):44(M3;Elisabeth
SchusslerFiorenza,"CompositionandStructureoftheBookofRevelation,"CBQ39(1977):
35866;LcroyC.Spinks,"CriticalExaminationofJ. W.Bowman'sProposed Structureofthe
Revelation," EvQ 50 (1978):21122; . A.Strand, The OpenGatesofHeaven, 2nded.(Ann
Arbor,MI,1972),48.
36Rev4;5;7:912;8:26;11:1519;15:58;19:1.8,etc.
37Rev4:11;5:9.10,12.13;7:10,12;11:15,17,etc.
81
reflectthesecharacteristicsandutilizethemtoclarifytheauthor'sintention.Weturn
nowtoaproposedmethodfor"breakingthecode"ofthisfascinatingbook,with
specialemphasisonhowtodiscoverandvalidateallusionstoJohn'sOTsources.
InterpretingRevelation
The realities previously observed in the text of Revelation suggest that the
interpreter should take four fundamental steps in his study: (1) Make a basic
exegesis (or explanation) of the passage being studied. (2) Examine relevant
parallelsinotherpartsofRevelation.(3)FindtheOTrootsourcesoftheimagery.
(4)DiscoveriftheNTexpandsthemeaningofthosesymbolsinthelightofthe
Christevent.
BasicExegesis
ThefirststeptowardunderstandingthemessageofRevelationistodetermine
what the author was saying to his original readers in their time, place, and
circumstances.Theterm"exegesis"isaloanwordfromtheGreekwhichmeansto
"drawout."Thusithascometodesignatetheprocessoflettingthebiblicaltext
speakforitself,ratherthanimposingonthepassageameaningthatoriginateswith
thereader.Consequently,basicexegesisgivesattentiontothemeaningofwords(by
theuseoflexiconsandtheologicaldictionaries),tosyntax(howwordsrelatetoeach
otherinasentence),tothestructureofthepassageanditsimmediatecontext,andto
therelationshipthepassagehastoitscontemporarysituation.
Thecontemporarysituationisclarifiedbylearningwhatcanbeknownabout
thefirsthearersandtheirsocialsetting,theconcernsthatpromptedtheauthorto
write, and parallel literature of the time, if available. Helpful introductions to
Revelationcanbefoundinmostcommentariesandin"Introductionstothe NT."
ForRevelation,anexaminationofotherapocalypticwritingsisparticularlyhelpful.
Such methods of exegesis, carefully carried out, yield a reasonably clear
understandingofmostNTbooks.ButinRevelationtheyproduceanunsatisfying
result.ItisquitepossibleinRevelationtoknowfullwellwhatJohnissayingand
stillhaveabsolutelynoideawhathemeans. 38 Thus,abroader,moretheological
methodofexegesisisnecessarytodojusticetotheApocalypse.
38Hatver,7.
82
ParallelsWithinRevelation
Thenextstepistoexaminehowthesymbolsandstructuresofagiven
passage are used elsewhere in Revelation. When the author has clearly
definedhisintentioninthecontext,itispointlesstosearchoutsidethebook
forcreativeinterpretations.Forexample,in3:21and11:18theauthorhas
providedaninterpretivesummaryinadvanceofthematerialtofollow.To
ignorethatsummaryinfavorofsomeexternal"key"wouldlimit,ratherthan
enhance,theunderstandingofhisintention.
Revelationisuniqueforitsincrediblyinterwovenstructure.Thisisso
muchsothatthekeytomaterialatoneendofthebookmayoftenbefound
attheoppositeend.Theimmediatecontextofanypassagemaybeasbroad
as theentirebook. Examplesofobviousparallel structures inRevelation
include the trumpets and the bowls, and the rider on the white horse in
chapters6and19.
Theexaminationofsuchparallelstructuresenablesthestudenttoapply
todifficultpassagesinsightsobtainedfromclearerones.Forexample,most
exegetesagreethatthesevenbowlsorplagues(chap.16)arejudgmentsof
GodonthosewhohaverejectedHim.Itwouldappearreasonable,then,to
expectasimilarthemeintheseventrumpets,asegmentonwhichthereis
littleagreement.
TheOldTestamentSource
The nextimportantstepistodeterminetowhichpassage(s)oftheOT
Johnisalluding.
Aswemoveintothiscrucialsectionthereaderisremindedoftheearlier
discussiononthedivine/humanauthorshipofRevelation.Theimpression
leftbythebookisofheavenlyvisionswrittenoutbyonewhocarefully
researchedhisexpressionsintheOTScriptures.SinceJohnonPatmosmay
nothavehadaccesstotheOT,itispossiblethathemayhave"researched"
hismemoryorhadtheallusionsbroughttohisminddirectlybyGod.
WhethertheallusionsaroseinthemindofGodorofJohn,however,
they reflect both the mind of God and the mind of John to which God
revealed Himself. As was pointed out earlier, expressions such as "the
author,""John'sintent,"or"theRevelatorcites"arenottobeunderstoodto
imply that the book of Revelation is merely a human product. Such ex
pressionsaremerelyaconvenientwayofreferringtothecomplexityofthe
divine/humanauthorshipofthebookinitstotality.
83
ItbecomesincreasinglyevidenttothosewhostudyRevelationindepth
thattheexpressionsinthebooksarethoroughlysaturatedwithOTlanguage,
history,andideas.Thus,itisimpossibletounderstandRevelationrightlyif
itsOTbackgroundisnottakenseriously.
"Wecansayinageneralway,thatuntilwehavesucceededinlayingout
the Old lestament source for an apocalyptic prophecy, we have not
interpretedthatpassage."39
ItisonlywhentheOTbackgroundisunderstoodthatRevelationcanbe
expectedtoyieldsecrets thatmayhavebeenperfectlyplaintothefirst
centuryreader.40TheproblemishowtoknowwhatOTpassage(s)Johnhad
inmindwhenhewrote.41TherevelatornevercitestheOThowever;
JA'
'
hemerelyalludestoit.Theproblemofidentifyinganallusionbecomesmore
complicatedwhenwediscoverthatonmanyoccasionsJohnappearstohavequoted
looselyfrommemory,43oradaptedtheOTlanguagetofithisneed. 44Itisalsoquite
possiblethatheusedadifferenttexttraditionthanwehaveavailabletous. 45
Tocomplicatemattersevenmore,theOTiswritteninadifferent lan guage
fromtheNTThus,OTexpressionsinHebrewarefoundin"translationGreek"in
theNT46 It wouldsimplifymatters agreat deal iftheauthorofRevelationhad
alwaysquotedfromaGreektranslationofthe
39 Heinrich Kraft, Die OffenbamngdesJohannes, Handbuch zum Neuen Testament, 16a (Tubingen,
1974):16,trans.mine.
40 Eugenio Corsini, The Apocalypse, GoodNews Studies, vol. 5, trans.FrancisJ. Moloney(Wil
mmgton, DE, 1983),33;Hoyt,1.2,7; Robert . Mouncc, The Book ofRevelation, NICNT,17
(GrandRapids,1977):39;McrrillCTenncy,InterpretingRevelation(GrandRapids,1957),112.
41RobertHortonGundry,TheUseoftheOldTestamentinSt.Matthew'sGospel,SupplementstoNT18
(Leiden,1967):45;Tenney,101;LconhardP.Trudinger,"TheTextoftheOldTestamentinthe
BookofRevelation"(Ph.D.dissertation,BostonUniversity,1963),40;Vos,1819,112.
42ContrastRevelationwiththeGospelofMatlhcwwhousuallyidentifiestheOTsourceofhisquota
tions. Matthew 2:17,19; 3:3; etc. A. Vanhoyc, "L'utilisation du livre d'Ezechiel dans I'Apoca
lypse,"ffi&43(1962);436.
43FranklinJohnson,TheQuotationsoftheNewTestamentFromtheOld(Philadelphia,1896),29;
D.MoodySmith,Jr.,"TheUseoftheOldTestamentintheNew,"inTheUseoftheOldTestament
intheNewandOtherEssays,cd.JamesM.Efird(Durham,NC,1972),61;CrawfordHcwellToy,
QuotationsintheNewTestament(NewYork,1884),xx.
44Collins,42;Corsini,32;EdwinD.Freed,OldTestamentQuotationsintheGospelofJohn,Supple
mentstoNT,11(Leiden,1965):129;ErnestLeslie Peenaaa,LivingMessagesFromPatmos (New
York,1941),53;Ronald . PrestonandAnthonyT.Hanson, TheRevelationofSaintJohnthe
Divine(London,1949),35;F.Stagg,"InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,"RevExp72(1975):
33334;KristerStcndahl,TheSchoolofSt.Matthew(Uppsala,1954),159;Vanhoyc,46172;Vos,
2332.
45RogerNicole,AStudyoftheOldTestamentQuotationsintheNewTestamentWithReferencetothe
DoctrineoftheInspirationoftheScriptures"(M.S.T.Thesis,GordonCollegeofTheologyand
Missions,1940),911;Tenney,103;Trudinger,17.
46Nicole,1112.
84
OTsuchastheSeptuagint.ButrecentstudieshaveshownRevelationtodiverge
widelyfromtheSeptuagint.ItisquitepossiblethatJohndidthetranslating, 47andat
timesutilizedtexttraditionswithwhichwearerelativelyunfamiliar,suchasthe
AramaictargumsandtheHebrewtexttraditionrepresentedatQumran.48
Thus, the search for allusions cannot be considered scientifically complete
withoutafarwiderexaminationofOTsourcesthanhasbeenpossibleinthepast 49
Fortunately,itisnotnecessarytoidentify every allusiontotheHebrewBiblein
ordertorespondtoRevelation. 50Nevertheless,carefulcontrolsmustbeputinplace
ifalistofOTparallelstoRevelationistobeworthanything. 51Itisinterestingto
observe that 10 major commentators on the book of Revelation offer widely
differinglistsofallusionstotheOTintheApocalypse. 52Thisdemonstratesthatthe
taskisnotaneasyone.
Two kinds of allusions. Before outlining a method for determining the
presenceofanOTallusionwemustdistinguishbetweentwokindsofallusions.One
kindassumestheauthor'sintentiontopointthereadertoapreviousworkasameans
of expanding the reader's horizons. The portion of the text under study can be
understoodonlyinthelightoftheallusioninitsoriginalcontext. 53Anintentional
allusionsuchasthisiscalleda"directallusion."
Theotherkindofallusion,whichwewillcallan"echo,"doesnotdependonthe
author's conscious awareness of an earlier literary usage. Many of the literary
figuresinRevelationwere"intheair"oftheenvironmentinwhichJohnlived.55
Thoughheutilizesa"livesymbol,"referredtoindozensofplacesintheOT,heis
notnecessarilyawareofitshistory.
47R.H.Charles,TheRevelationofSt.John.ICC(Edinburgh,1920),l:lxvi.
48LconhardP.Trudinger,"SomeObservationsConcerningtheTextoftheOldTestamentinthe
BookofRevelation,"JTS,n.s.,17(1966):8288.
49InadditiontotheSeptuagint,GreektranslationssuchasAquila,Symmachus,andTheodotion;
AramaicTargumssuchasNeoHtiIandPseudoJonathantothePentateuch,andtheMasoretic,
Qumran,andSamaritantraditionsoftheHebrewshouldbeconsulted.
50Collins,44,48.
51MatthewBlack,"SomeGreekWordsWith'Hebrew*MeaningsintheEpistlesandApocalypse,"
inBiblicalStudies:EssaysinHonourofWlliamBarclay,eds.JohnstonR.McKayandJamesF.
Miller(London,1976),135.
52Seemybook,DecodingRevelation'sTrumpets,AndrewsUniversitySeminaryDissertationSeries,
11(BcrrienSprings,Ml,1988):12154.
53NotethewordsofJohnHollanderinhisTheFigureofEcho:AModeofAllusioninMiltonand
After(Berkeley,CA,1981),95:"Thetextalludedtoisnottotallyabsent,butispartoftheporta
blelibrarysharedbytheauthorandhisidealaudience.Intentiontoalluderecognizablyisessen
tialtotheconcept."
54Ibid.,64.
55RichardT.Allick,TheArtofLiteraryResearch(NewYork,1975),94.
85
Rather,hedrawsfromacommonstockoflanguagereadilyunderstoodby
hisreaders.56
Anechoisthusdivorcedfromitsoriginalcontext.TolistOTpassages
whereanechoisfoundisnothelpful.Whatmattersisthebasicmeaningof
theecho.Agoodexampleofanechoisthefigureofvegetationasasymbol
forthepeopleofGod.Usedwithsuchregularity,itappearstohaveattained
a fixed meaning by NT times.57 This in no way excludes, however, the
possibilitythatanechooffairlyfixedmeaningcouldbeapplieddifferently
indifferentcontexts.58
summarize,allusivereferencestotheOTcanenterRevelationin
twoways.JohnmayuseanOTsourcedirectlyandconsciouslywithits
originalcontextinmind.Suchanallusionis''willedintobeing.*' 59Johnis
fullyconsciousofthesourceaswellasitsrelevancetohiscomposition.He
assumesthereader'sknowledgeofboththesourceandtheauthor'sintention
torefertothatsource.60
Ontheotherhand,therevelatormay"echo"OTideas,theoriginof
whichdoesnotconcernhim.Inanechohedoesnotpointthereadertoa
particularbackgroundsource;hemerelyutilizesa"livesymbol"thatwillbe
understoodgenerallybyhiscontemporaryreaders.
Thedistinctionbetweendirectallusionsandechoesisverysignificant
forthestudyofRevelation.Infailingtomakethisdistinction,commentators
haveattimesinterpretedechoesasthoughtheauthorintendedhisreaderto
incorporate a source context into his understanding of Revelation. The
distinction between allusions and echoes actually calls for two different
approaches to interpretation, depending on the nature of the author's
relationshiptoaparticularsourceinagivenpassage. 61
Direct allusions. The presenceofa direct allusionrequirestheinter
preter to trace the material to its source. 62 John assumes that the source
literatureisfamiliarandthatthereadercandrawinsightsfromthecontextof
thesourcethatenhancehisunderstandingoftheprophecyofRevelation.But
inordertohandledirectallusionsproperly,itisnecessarytoidentifytheir
sourcescorrectly.
56Hedrik,17;DouglasEzell,RevelationsonRevelation(Waco,TX,1977),21.
57.Ps1:3;Isa5:17;Jcr2:21withRev8;7;9:4.
58ContrastRev7:13and9:4,wherethegrecnetyisprotectedbyamartfromGod'sjudgments,with
Rev8:7wheregrecneiyisdestroyedbyGod'sjudgments.
59CariosBaker,TheEchoingGreen(Princeton,NJ,1984),78.
60Hollander,106.
61Altick,9596.
62Hollander,106.
86
Theprocedureforidentifyingdirectallusionsworksbyaprocessofelimination.
Suggestedparallelsmaybegatheredfromcommentaries,marginalreferences,and
listsofOTallusions.Thesearethenexaminedtoseeiftheymeetoneormoreofthe
threecriteriaforadirectallusion(seebelow).Themorecriteriaareferencemeets,
themorelikelyitisthatJohnhadthisparticularOTpassageinmindwhenhewrote
thatportionofRevelation.Thethreecriteriaareasfollows:
1. Verbal parallels. The term "quotation" is not clearly defined in the
literature.63However,aworthwhiledefinitionisgivenbyTrudinger: 64 "Onecanbe
saidtobequotingwhenoneuseswordcombinationsinaforminwhichonewould
nothaveusedthem hadit notbeen foraknowledgeoftheiroccurrence inthis
particularforminanothersource."
Bythisdefinitionitisevidentthattheterm"quotation"canonlyrarely,ifever,
beappliedtotherevelator'suseoftheOTOnlyonoccasiondoesJohnusemorethan
threeorfourwordsinthesamesequenceinwhichtheyarefoundintheOT 65Thus,
verbalparallelsmustbeunderstoodinabroadersensethanquotations.
Averbalparallel,therefore,isdefinedasoccurringwheneveratleasttwowords
ofmorethanminorsignificance(articles,prepositions,andminorconjunctionsare
normallyexcluded)areparallelbetweenapassageinRevelationandapassageinthe
Septuagint orother firstcentury A.D. version.66 These twomajorwordsmay be
coupledtogetherinaphrase,ortheymayevenbeseparatedprovidedtheyarein
clearrelationshiptoeachotherinbothpassagesofthesuggestedparallel.
VerbalparallelsarediscoveredbyplacingthetextofRevelationsidebyside
withthepotentialsourcetext.Wordingthatisexactorsimilarisunderscored,and
thepotentialrelationshipbetweenthepassagesisassessedonapreliminarybasis.
AgoodexampleofaverbalparallelisfoundinRevelation9:2,"Andthesmoke
ofthepitwentuplikethesmokeofagreatfurnace"(trans.byauthor).Thisbearsa
strikingresemblancetothewordingofExodus19:18
63Trudinger,"TheTextoftheOldTestamentintheBookofRevelation,"1215.
64Trudinger,"SomeObservationsConcerningtheTextoftheOldTestamentintheBookofRevela
tion,"82.
65Tenney,101.
66TheversionsextantinOrigen'sHexapta(cf.FredericusField.OrigenisHexaplorum,2vols.[Hil
desheim:GeorgOlmsVerlagsbuchhandlung,1964])likelyreflectatleastsomereadingscurrent
whenRevelationwaswritten.Verbalparallelsdonotworkintranslationunlesstransliterationis
involved.E.g.,"Messiah"isclearlyaverbalparalleloftheHebrewmeshiach.
87
intheSeptuagint.67Anexampleofaverbalparallelwheretwokeywordsare
not intimately connected grammatically can be seen by comparing
Revelation9:2withGenesis1:2.68Themoremajorwordsthatarefoundin
common,thegreaterthelikelihoodthatadirectallusionispresent.Adirect
allusionisnottobeassumedwitheveryverbalparallel;theobservationof
commonwordingisonlypartoftheprocessofaccumulatingevidencefora
directallusion.
2.Thematicparallels.ManytimestherevelatorclearlyhasanOTpas
sageinmindbutusesadifferentGreekwordfromtheSeptuagint,oruses
onlyasinglewordtomaketheconnection.Thisshouldnotbesurprising.
Allusions by their very nature are not bound to reproduce the precise
wordingoftheoriginal.69 Theymayinvolveideasaswellaswording,and
includebothsimilarityofthemeanddeliberatecontrast. 70Suchsingleword
parallelsaredistinguishedfrom"echoes"inthatthereisanapparent
thematicrelationshipbetweenthecontextsinwhichtheparallelwordsare
found.
Thematic parallels can be found not only by comparing with the
Septuagint,butalsobycomparingtheintentoftheGreekofRevelationwith
theHebrewandAramaicOT 71SuchGreek/Semiticequivalentsareplacedin
a separate category because of the greater level of uncertainty as to the
author'sintention.
AnexampleofathematicparallelisgivenbyTenney. 72 Henotesthat
whiletheterm"almighty"occursmanytimesintheOT,onlyinAmos4:13
(LXX)isitusedinacontextthatisparalleltoRevelation1:8.Theconceptof
parallelcontextsprovidesasafeguardagainstindiscriminateselection.
AnotherthematicparallelmaybefoundbycomparingRevelation9:4
andEzekiel9:4.Inbothcasesamarkisplacedontheforeheadforthepur
pose of protection against the judgments of God. The two passages are
clearlyparalleleventhoughadifferentGreekwordfor"mark"isused. 73
67Rev9:2,kaianetiSkapnosektouphreatososkapnoskaminoumegales;Exod19:18intheLXX,kui
anebainenhokapnos,hSSeikapnoskaminou.
68Thekeyconnectionsarctheterms"darkness"(noun,skotos;verb,skotoo)and"abyss"(abussos).
Gen1:2,LXX,kaiskotos,eparioOsabussou.Rev9:2,kaienoixentophrearfSsabussou...kai
eskofffthShoHelioskaihoaSr.
69Vos,112.
70Baker,10;Teoncy,101.
71Cf.MartinMcNamara,TheNewTestamentandthePalestinianTargumtothePentateuch,Analecta
Biblica,vol.27a(2ndprintingwithsup.,Rome,1978);andTrudinger,"SomeObservationsCon
cerningtheTextoftheOldTestamentintheBookofRevelation."
72Tenney,102.
73Ezek9:4,LXX,sSSmeion,Rev9:4,sphragida.
88
InterpretingRevelation*sSymbolism
However,itisnottobeassumedautomaticallyfromthisparallelalonethat
therevelatorwaspointingtoEzekiel9:4.Buttheobservationofthissimilar
themeispartoftheprocessofaccumulatingevidencetodetermineJohn's
intention.
3.Structuralparallels. AttimestheseerofRevelationusestheOTby
buildingontheliteraryortheologicalstructureofwholesectionswithout
necessarilyfollowingtheexactwording. 74Astructuralparalleloccurswhen
JohnmodelsagivenpassageonanOTtext,utilizingitslanguageandthemes
inroughlythesameorder.
Agoodexampleofsuchastructuralparallelcanbeseenbycomparing
Revelation9:111withJoel2:111.Noticethatbothpassagesbeginwitha
trumpetcall,mentiondarkness,alocustarmy,adescriptionofthatarmy,and
finallyareferencetotheleaderofthatarmy.Otherparallelsbetweenthetwo
passages include the anxiety of those affected by the locust army, the
darkeningofthesun,andthenoiseofchariots.75
Structuralparallelsarenotlimitedtoparallelpassages.Attimesthey
occurinrelationtolargerhistoricalortheologicalstructuresthatgobeyond
specificOTpassages.Forexample,theseventrumpetsaswellastheseven
lastplaguesofRevelationareunquestionablyparalleltotheplaguesofthe
ExodusdescribedexplicitlyinExodus712andotherportionsoftheOT
(Pss78,105.135,136)andimplicitlyinamultitudeofreferencesinthe
prophets.TheOTaccountsofCreation,thefallofBabylonandtheconquest
ofJerichoalsoseemtolieinthebackgroundofthematerialintheseven
trumpets.
Theabovemaysoundsimilartothematicparallels,butthereisasubtle
andimportantdifference.Athematicparallelislimitedtoaparticularideain
Revelation which has a potential predecessor in a specific OT passage.
Alongwithverbalparallels,thematicparallelsmakeupthebasicbuilding
blocksbywhichdecisionsconcerninginfluencecanbemade.
74G.K.Beale,TheUseofDanielinJewishApocalypticLiteratureandintheRevelationofSt.John
(Lanham,MD,1984),307;Hcdrik,17;Vanhcye,44041.ThiscriterionincludeswhatMorion
Smith(pp.78,115)calls"ParallelsofLitcraiyForm"and"ParallelsinTypesofAssociation."Lars
Hartman (Prophecy Interpreted, trans. Neil Tomkinson, Coniectanea Biblica, New Testament
Series,No.1[Uppsala,1966],126)appearstobesuggestingsomethingsimilartomyconceptof
"structuralparallel"inhisuseofthephrase"patternsofthought"(pp.95,118,137).Healsonotes
(p.89)thatZech12:24providesthe"framework"for1Enoch56:58.
75FurtherexamplesofparallelsinliterarystructuremaybeseenbycomparingRev1:1218withDan
7:913andDan10;Rev13withDan3and7;Rev18withEzek2628;andRev19:11*16with
Isa63:16.SomeevensuggestthattheentirebookofRevelationisstructuredtoparallelthebook
ofEzekiel.Eg,seeM.D.Gouldcr,"TheApocalypseasanAnnualCycleofProphecies,"NTS27
(1981):343.50;Vanhoyc,43676;Vogelgesang,6672.
89
Incontrast,structuralparallelsoccurifasectionofRevelationisbasedeither
on a literary predecessor (such as Joel 2:111 for Rev 9:111) or on a large
theologicalstructuresuchastheExodustheme.Suchstructuralparallelsnormally
compriseanumberofverbaland/orthematicparallels.
Summaryofcriteria.InordertoqualifyasadirectallusiontotheOT,aword
orphraseinRevelationmustmeetatleastoneoftheabovecriteria.Manywillmeet
morethanone.
Ofthethree, verbal parallelsareoftentheweakest criterion.Theirvalue as
evidenceincreases,however,asthenumberofparallelwordsincreasesandtothe
extentthattheparallelwordsareorderedinasimilarwayinbothpassages.Since
structuralparallelsconsistofanumberofinterlockingverbalandthematicparallels,
theynormallyconstitutethestrongestevidenceforadirectallusion.
Themorecriteriaaparticularproposedallusionfits,themorecertainitisthat
theauthorconsciouslymoldedhispassagewiththatOTcontextinmind. 6Certainty
isalsoaffectedbythenumberofpassagesinpreviousliteratureinwhichparticular
words,concepts,andstructuresarefound.Whenagivenparallelisuniqueinprior
literature,thelikelihoodthatJohn
isdirectingourattentiontothatparticularpassageiscorrespondinglyincreased.7'
ClassificationofDirectAllusions
OurlistingofallusionstotheOTinRevelationareonlyprobabilities.Theone
whocreates thelist of allusionsmust, therefore, indicate the level of uncertainty
involvedand,wherepossible,thereasonsforthatuncertainty.
Potentialallusionsmaybeclassifiedintofivecategoriesofprobability:
certainallusions,probableallusions,possibleallusions,uncertainallusions,and
nonallusions.
Certain allusions. These exist when the evidence for dependence is so
overwhelmingthattheinterpreteriscertainorvirtuallysothatJohnwaspointingto
theantecedenttext.Anexampleofacertainallusionisthereferencetotheseventh
plagueonEgyptinthefirsttrumpet(cf.Exod9:2326;Rev8:7).Theplaguesofthe
Exodusareastructuralparallelunderlyingtheseventrumpetsasawhole.
Thus,wewouldexpectJohntoreflectspecificplaguesatvariouspoints
76C.H.Qodo,AccordingtotheScriptures(London,1952),126.
77Hartman,85,155.
90
inthenarrative.Theactionofboththefirsttrumpetandtheseventhplague
originatesinheaven,involvesamixtureofhailandfirefallingtotheearth,
and results in destruction to the vegetation of the earth. There is also a
thematicparallel:bothstrokesaredivinejudgmentsonthosewhoopposeGod
andHispeople.Thisconfluenceofevidencelendsthisdirectallusionahigh
levelofcertaintythatisrareinRevelation.
Probable allusions. Such a classification is assigned a passage when
evidenceforitsrelationshipisconsiderablebutfallsshortofcompletecer
tainty.Anexampleofaprobableallusionistherelationshipbetweenthefirst
trumpetandEzekiel38:22.Theverbalandthematicparallelsarevirtuallyas
extensive as is the case with Exodus 9:2326. Not only so, but the
combination of hail, fire, and blood being used in judgment is unique to
Ezekiel38.
However,theseventrumpetsareaportionofRevelationthathasonly
minimalreferencestoEzekiel,sothestructuralparallelisabsent.Thus,there
is enough uncertainty concerning this direct allusion to cause it to be
classifiedas"probable"ratherthan"certain."Nevertheless,sincebothcertain
andprobableallusionsareconsideredlikelytohavebeeninthemindofthe
revelatorwhenhewrote,theinterpretershouldtakethesourcetext'soriginal
context into account when interpreting the passage in Revelation which
containstheallusion.
Possible allusions.Withapossibleallusionthereisenoughevidenceto
indicatethatJohnmayhavebeenmakingadirectallusiontotheOTpassage,
butnotenoughtobereasonablycertain.Anexampleofapossibleallusionis
therelationshipbetweenthefirsttrumpetandIsaiah30:30.
In Isaiah 30:30 fire and hail are poured out as judgments on the
Assyrians.However,thoughthefirsttrumpetcontainsaverbalandathematic
paralleltoIsaiah30:30,thereisnostructuralparalleltospeakof,andthe
otherparallelsarerelativelyweak.Thus,itispossiblethatJohnhadthisOT
passageinmindwhenhewrotethefirsttrumpet,butthereisnotenough
evidenceforareasonablecertainty.Suchaparallelmaybeinstructivetothe
interpreterbutshouldneverbeusedasthesoleevidenceforaninterpretation.
Uncertainallusions. These seem to have some parallel ideas, but the
allusionsareveryweak.Nonetheless,theinterpretercannotconclusivelydeny
thattheyaredirectallusions.
InthemarginoftheNestleAlandtwentysixtheditionoftheGreekNew
Testament,Ezekiel5:12islistedasparalleltothefirsttrumpet.Thelackof
verbalandthematicparallelsindicatesthatitisuncertainthatJohn
91
hadEzekiel5:12specificallyinmindhere,althoughtheexpression"thirdpart"is
presentinbothpassages.Butiftheconceptofa"third"wasdrawnfromthe OT,it
was probably based on Ezekiel 5:14 or Zechariah 13:89 rather than on this
passage.'8 Thecontextofanuncertainallusionshouldnotbeusedininterpreting
Revelation,butitcouldbeasourcefordefiningoneormore"echoes."
Nonallusions.Thecategoryof"nonallusions"isrelevantonlywhenevaluating
listsofsuggestedallusions.Afterexamination,theinterpreterconcludesthatthereis
noevidencethattheauthorintendedaparallelbetweenthetwotexts.EugenHuhn,
forexample,feltthatthefirsttrumpetmadereferencetoIsaiah2:13inwhichtrees
are used as a symbol of the proud andhaughty whom Godwill humble. 79 The
absenceofaverbalparallelintheGreek,andofanythematicorstructuralparallels,
deniesthissuggestedparallelthestatusofadirectallusion.Isaiah'sdefinitionof
trees,however,maybe"echoed"byJohninthefirsttrumpet.
Theconclusionsofsuchstudymust,ofcourse,remainsomewhattentative.But
itisnotnecessarytotraceeveryparalleltotheOTinordertounderstandthebasic
messageofthebook.00Whiletheinterpretermustbeopentonewevidencethatmay
causeparticularparallelstobereevaluatedfromtimetotime,theaboveprocedure
placesonamoreobjectivebasistheinterpretationofdirectallusionstotheOTin
Revelation.
TheNewTestament
WehavenoticedalreadythatthebookofRevelationisaChristianbookandis
filledwithamultitudeofparallelstotheotherbooksoftheNT.Whatwehaveinthe
ApocalypseisastatementfromJesusin"many,manypictures." 81 Asaveritable
summaryoftheNTmessage,itisrightlyplacedattheendoftheNTcanon. 82
DrawingparallelsfrombothTestamentssuggeststhatthebookofRevelationis
virtuallyasummarystatementofthethemesofthewholeBible. 83Onescholarcalls
theApocalypse"thefinaleoftheBiblicalsym
78Ezekiel5:12couldconceivablybelistedwith5:14,whichisaprobableallusion,butthiswouldadd
nothingtoourunderstandingofthefirsttrumpet.
79EugenHuhn,DiealttestamentlicheCitatoundReminiscenzenimNeuenTestament(Tubingen
1900),247.
80Collins,44,48.
81KariLudwigSchmidt."DieBilderspracheinderJohannesApokafypse,"723(1947):177.
82Hatver,58.
83DonationMollat,i/n<Lecturepouraujowd'hui:L'Apocatypse,3nded.(Paris,1984),30.
92
phony.'184 Anotherstates,"inthisbookall theother booksoftheBibleendand
meet."85
TheauthorofRevelation,therefore,doesnotusethelanguageandideasofthe
OTinawoodenlyliteralfashion. 86ThemeaningwhichtheOTallusionssuggestfor
thesymbolsofRevelationmustbeseeninthelightoftheChristevent. 87Thevictory
ofJesusChrististheneworganizingprincipleofhistoryinRevelation.88
ItisclearthathisexperiencewithJesusandtheinspirationoftheHolySpirit
(1:10)hasledJohntoChristianizetheOTmaterialswithwhichhewasworking. 89
Thus,wetoomustinterprettheseconceptsthroughtheprismoftheChristevent. 90
The best way to do this is to seek out NT parallels for the OT expressions in
Revelation. This process can proceed by means of the same method used to
determineOTallusionsinRevelation.
ThewritersoftheNTunderstoodChristtobethefulfillmentofthebasicintent
oftheOT91ThisistruenotonlyofselectedMessianicprophecies,butoftheentire
spectrumofOThistory.Jesusisthenewcreation(2Cor5:17),bornbymeansofthe
SpiritthatovershadowsMary(cf. Luke 1:35withGen1:2).HeisthenewAdam
(Rom5and1Cor15):madeintheimageofGod(2Cor4:4;Col1:15),marriedtoa
newEve(Eph5:3233thechurch),andinfulldominionovertheearth(John6:16
21),overtheFishofthesea(Luke5:111;John21),andovereverylivingthing
(Mark11:2).
JesusChristisanewMoses(John5:4547)whoisthreatenedatHisbirthbya
hostileking(Matt2),spends40daysfastinginthewilderness,rulesover12and
ordains70,givesthelawfromahighmountain(Matt5:12),feedsHispeoplewith
breadfromheaven(John6:2835),andascendstoheavenafterHisresurrection.He
isthenewIsrael,whocomesoutofEgypt(Matt2),passesthroughthewaters(Matt
3:1317),isledbytheSpiritintothewilderness,passesthroughthewatersasecond
time(Luke
84Ibid.
85RobertJamicson,A.F.Fausset,andDavidBrown.CommentaryPracticalandExplanatoryonthe
WholeBible(reprinted.,GrandRapids,1961),1526.NoteEllenWhite'sapprovingparaphrase
ofthisstatementinTheActsoftheApostles(Mt.View,CA,1911),585(verbalandthematic
parallel').
86Vos,3640.
87Ezelt,23;DesmondFord,Crisis1(Newcastle,CA,1982):98;Kraft,85;PierreLcstringant,Essai
swi'wuledelarevelationbibliaue(Paris,1942),152.
88HeinrichSchUer.BesinnungaufdasNeueTestament(Freiburg,1964),361.
89Ban,42.
90Ezetl,23;Ford,98.
91John5:3940;Luke24:2527,4447.AnexcellentstudyfromanAdvcntistperspectiveisHans
LaRondelte,TheIsraelofGodinProphecy(BerrienSprings,MI,1983).
93
12:50baptismatthecross)andenterstheheavenlyCanaan.
Suchexamplescouldbemultiplied.IntheNTJesusisthenewIsaac,
thenewDavid,thenewSolomon,thenewElisha,thenewJoshua,andthe
newCyrus.TheNTwritersseeJesus*life,death,andresurrectionasfulfill
ingthewholeexperienceofGod'speoplefromAdamtoJohntheBaptist.
HowwastheChristiantorelatetothishistory?Infulfillingthewhole
OTinHisownexperience,Jesuswasactualizingthatexperienceforallwho
are"inhim."InHimthebelieverbecomesatrueIsraelite(Gal3:29;
Acts 13:3233; 2 Cor 1:20) when heconfesses that Jesus is the Messiah
(John1:4750), theOnewho was tofulfill the hopes of Israel. Thus the
wholeOTismaderelevanttotheChristianasexperience.Thebelieverin
Christ is part of a new Israel. 92 "There is no change in the phraseology
employedintheNewTestament,butthereispositivelyachangeregarding
thepeopletowhomthesepropheciesanddesignationsnowapply.IntheNT;
the church is spokenof in the language employed in the OT concerning
Israel."93
TheNTtransferoftheterm"Israel"fromtheJewishnationtothechurch
hasaprofoundimpactonthewayOThistoryandprophecyisplacedinthe
serviceofthechurch.TheNTuniversalizesthecovenantpromises. 94Israelis
nolongertobeseeninethnicorgeographicterms(1Pet2:410;James1:1),
theShekinahisseeninthegatheringofthosewhobelieveinJesus(Matt
18:20).Thetruetempleonearthisspiritualandworldwide,modeledafter
the true tabernacle in heavenly places. Babylon and Egypt are also
spiritualizedandrepresenttheenemiesofthechurch.
Thus, OT imagery should not be woodenly applied to the book of
Revelation.LiketheauthorsoftheN1^Johnisfullyconsciousoftheimpact
of the Christevent on spiritual realities. Unless the significance of Jesus
ChristandHiscrossisallowedtopermeatethesymbolsofRevelation,the
resulting interpretation will not be a Christian one, no matter how often
Christmaybenamedinitsexplication. 96
92Ibid.,21.
93LouisF.Were,TheMoralPurposeofProphecy(n.p.,1977),30.
94JonPaulicn,reviewofHansLaRondelle,TheIsraelofGodinProphecy,AVSS22(1984):375.
952Cor6:1418;Gal4:26;Heb8:12.
%AnexcellentapplicationofthisprinciplecanbefoundinHansK.LaRondelle,ChariotsofSalvation
(Washington,DC.1987),108145.
94
Conclusion
Becauseofspacelimitationsthischapterhasbeentoobrieftolayoutallthe
implicationsofanexegeticalmethodforthestudyofRevelation.Thus,aspectsof
themethodthatmightbepertinenttothespecialisthavebeenleftout.Thosewho
wouldliketoexploreindepththeissuesinvolvedintheapplicationofthemethodto
thecomplexitiesoftheoriginallanguageswouldbeadvisedtoexaminemymore
technicalbookonthesubject?7
Themethodcannotbelearnedbythemerereadingofthischapter.It
mustbediscoveredinhandsonexperiencewiththetext.Themoretimeonespends
examiningverbal,thematic,andstructuralparallels,themoreofafeelonehasfor
thedynamicsinvolvedintheauthor'suseoflanguage.
In determining where the author is making a direct allusion we are dealing in
probabilities.WhereweareuncertainwhetherJohnismakingadirectallusion,it
wouldbebesttoleavetheOTcontextoutofthediscussionofthatparticulartextin
RevelationWhilenotunreasonable,itisnothistoricallycertainthattheauthorof
RevelationhadaccesstoanyoftheNTdocuments(hisknowledgeofNTteaching
may have come through direct experience with Christ, oral tradition, and/or
documentsnowlosttohistory).Thus,itisgenerallysafertoassumethatJohnbuilds
onacommonlyunderstoodtraditionratherthan
uponparticularNTdocuments.
Nodoubtthenonspecialistreadingthischapterwillfeeldiscouragedaboutthe
possibilities of using such a method. With little experience in the practice of
exegesis,littleornoknowledgeofJewishapocalypticoroftheculturalsettingof
Firstcentury Asia Minor, no knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, most
readerswillbetemptedtothrowuptheirhandsin
despair.
Fortunately, while the aforementioned knowledge and skills are extremely
helpful,theyarerarelycriticaltotheinterpretationofthebookofRevelation.For
example,thevastmajorityofallusionstotheOTinthebookofRevelationare
plainlyevidenteveninEnglishtranslation.TheapocalypticimagesofRevelation
arecertainlystrange;butforthosewhoarefamiliarwiththeOT,thebooklosesa
greatdealofitsstrangeness.
Itistobegranted,ofcourse,thatthescholarlyspecialist'sabilitiesandtraining
cansafeguardhim/herfromfaultyjudgmentsbasedoninadequate
97SeePauiien,DecodingRevelation'sTrumpets.
95
information.However,individualsnotfamiliarwiththeoriginallanguagesor
withancientbackgroundmaterialscancontributeagreatdealtothechurch's
ongoinggrowthinthisareabytheapplicationofothersafeguardssuchasthe
following:
1.AteveryopportunityforstudythestudentofRevelationshouldpray
earnestlyforalearningattitudeandanopennesstotheleadingoftheHoly
Spirit.WithoutprayerandtheenlightenmentoftheHolySpirit,theworkof
eventhefinestscholarmaysubtlygoastray.Divineintentisnotmasteredby
secularminds.TheunitedtestimonyofScriptureisthatGod's"thoughtsare
notyourthoughts"(Isa55:8)andspiritualthings"arespirituallydiscerned"
(1Cor2:14).
2.TheuseofseveraltranslationscansafeguardBiblestudyfromthe
occasional aberration introduced by faulty translation or by errors in
manuscript transmission. These can be supplemented by the use of an
analyticalconcordance,suchasStrong'sorYoung's,thatwillleadthestu
dentbacktotheoriginalwordingwithouttheneedtolearnanunfamiliar
alphabet.
3.Thebulkofone'sBiblestudytimeshouldbespentinthesectionsof
Scripture that are reasonably clear It is through the clear passages of
Scripturethatunclearpassages,suchasthesealsandtrumpetsofRevelation,
canbeunderstoodmoreaccurately.Excessivefascinationwithproblematic
textsandissuescanresultingradualdistortionofunderstanding,leadingto
narrowandoftenfanaticalviewsthatwilldividethechurch.
4.Theresultsofdetailedstudy,suchasconcordancesearchesandallu
sionanalysis,shouldbecomparedwithmuchgeneralreadingoftheScrip
tureslesttheobsessionwithdetailleadoneawayfromthecentralthrustof
thepassagesbeingstudied.Itispossibletoprovealmostanythingwitha
concordance. This danger is minimized, however, when each passage is
understoodinthelightofmuchgeneralreadingoftheScripturesincontext,
preferablyinaclearanduptodatetranslationwherethebroadcontextcan
beseentoemerge.
5.SoundmethodsshouldbeappliedtothecontributionsEllenWhite
offerstotheunderstandingofdifficulttexts. 98Muchharmcanbedonewhen
her authority in the church is used in a haphazard way, resulting in a
distortionoftheScripturewriter'sintention.Rightlyunderstood,inspiration
harmonizeswithitself.Principles3and4aboveapplyalsototheSpirit
98Seein this volume chap. 7,"Ellen G.White'sUseofDaniel andRevelation." and chap.8,"The
Interpreter'sUseoftheWritingsofEllenG.White."
96
InterpretingReveIation'sSymboIism
ofProphecywritings.
6.Itiswiseforindividualinterpreterstobeopentotheconstructive
criticismsoftheirpeers,particularlythosewhodisagreewiththem.Those
whodisagreewithusoftencanpointtorealitiesinthetextthatwehave
missedbecauseofourownnarrowperspective.Suchcriticismisparticularly
valuablewhenitcomesfromindividualswhoaregiftedwithunusualability
and/orwithtools,suchastheknowledgeoftheoriginallanguages,
thatcanaidinexegesis.
Inconclusion,thetaskoutlinedinthischapterisnotaneasyone,butitis
anexcitingone.Throughacarefulapplicationofthemethod,Biblestudents
can gain a deeper understanding of the message of Revelation. As such
understandingsaresharedwithinthebodyofthechurch,mutualcorrection
cantakeplace.Together,wecangrowinourunderstandingofRevelation
andmovetowardthatpromisedgreatrevival."
99EllenG.White,TestimoniestoMinisters(MountainView,CA,1962),113:"Whenweasapeople
understandwhatthisbook[Revelation]meanstous,therewillbeseenamongusagreatrevival."
97
ChapterVSanctuary
Typology
RichardM.Davidson
EditorialSynopsis. EvenacasualreadingoftheScripturesrevealsthatGod
speakstoHispeopleinavarietyofways.Typologyisoneofthosemethodsby
whichtheHolySpiritexplainedinaconcreteorpictorialmannerthevariousfacets
ofspiritualtruth.Themindgraspssymbolicrepresentationmorereadilythanitdoes
abstractreasoning.Inthischapterthewriterdefinesbiblicaltypologyas"divinely
designed prefigurations ( the form of persons/events/institutions) that point
forwardtotheirantitypicalfulfillmentinChristandgospelrealitiesbroughtabout
byChrist." Asignificant portionofinspiredScripture rests onthissubstructure
ofOTtypeandNTfulfillment.
Israelite worship centered in the rites and festivals of the templesanctuary
system.Morethanritual,however,thesystemitselfcomposedanintegratedtypol
ogythatforeshadowedtheChristeventandthecompletecarryingoutoftheplanof
salvation.
TheNTrecognizesathreefoldfulfillmentofallOTtypesincludingthatof
theinstitutionofthesanctuary.Thus,sanctuary typologyfindsintheNT(1)a
ChristologicalfulfillmentinthatChristisperceivedasthetruetempleHimself
(John1:14;2:21);(2)anecclesiologicalfulfillmentinthatthechurchisunder
stoodasthetempleofGod(1Cor3:1617;2Cor6:16);and(3)anapocalypticful
fillmentin that Christ ministers the merits of His sacrifice in the antitypical
heavenlysanctuary,inthepresenceofGodforus,aministrythatconcludeswith
finaljudgment(Heb8:12;9:24;Rev3:5).
It isnotsurprising,therefore,todiscoverthatJohn'svisionsofthecelestial
realitiescenterintheheavenlytemplesanctuary.Thefocusonthissanctuaryasthe
location of all divine redemptive activity is an integral part of the literary
arrangement oftheApocalypse.Eachofitsmajorvisionarysequences(whether
seven or eight, scholars differ on numbering) begins with a heavenly temple
sanctuarysettingthataffectstheinterpretationofthesubsequentprophecy.
Revelation features both linear and recapitulation progressions. While the
individual sequencessuch as the churches, seals, and trumpetsfollow a
recapitulationmovement(likethefourvisionsofDaniel),thetemplesanctuary
99
saftCtuarylypology
introductoryscenesappeartoalludetotheimportantsanctuarythemesinalinearmanner.Two
progressionshavebeenidentified:(1)Themeslinkedtotheyearlyfestivalcyclearealludedto
intheirnormalcalendarsequence:Passover/FeastofUnleavenedBread,Pentecost,Trumpets,
DayofAtonement,andFeastofTabernacles.(2)Themeslinkedtopriestlyservicearealso
alludedtointheirnaturalsuccessionofthedaily(famfd)ministrationandtheyearly(Dayof
Atonement)ministrationoffinaljudgment.Theseportrayalsofsanctuarytypologyilluminate
theantitypical,twofoldhighpriestlyministryofChristintheheavenlytemplesanctuary.
Thus,thesanctuarytypologyinthebookofRevelationprovidesanimportantkeyforthe
fullinterpretationofitsmessagesforthechurch,andespeciallysointheendtime.
ChapterOutline
I.BiblicalTypology
II.UnderstandingSanctuaryTypologyinRevelation
III.SanctuaryTypologyintheLiteraryArrangement
IV.Conclusion
V.Charts14
BiblicalTypology
Introduction
In recent years a number of scholars have underscored the importance of
typology for the NT writers. Chart 1 (see p. 127) samples some of these
modernassessmentsandsummarizesbycomparingthetwomajorviewsof
biblical typology that have vied for attention in the scholarly world: the
traditionalandthe"postcritical."1
In my published dissertation, I sought to determine the true nature of
biblicaltypology.Itsbasiccharacteristicsemergedfromananalysisofrep
resentativeScripturalpassages.Thesewereclearlytypologicalbecausethe
1Formoredetaileddiscussionofthematerialonthischart(withbibliographicreferencesforcita tions),
seeRichardM.Davidson,"TypologyintheBookofHebrews,"IssuesintheBookof
Hebrews,DARCOMSeries,ed.FrankB.Holbrook,vol.4(SilverSpring,MD:BiblicalResearch
Institute,1989),12528.
100
SanctuaryTypology
Biblewritersemployedthehermeneuticaltermstupos(type)orantitupos
(antitype).2 The following basic elements of biblical typology have
consistentlyemergedfromthisstudy:3
BasicElements
Historical element. Thehistoricalelementunderscoresthefactthat
typologyisrootedinhistory.Threecrucialaspectsareinvolved.(1)Both
thetypeandantitypearehistoricalrealitieswhosehistoricityisassumed
and is essential to the typological argument. For example, historical
persons(Adam,etc.),events(Exodus,Rood),orinstitutions(sanctuary)
are used as prefigurations. (2) Their antitypes inthe NT are likewise
historicalrealities.Thereisahistoricalcorrespondencebetweentypeand
antitype which moves beyond general parallel situations to specific
correspondingdetails.(3)Thereisan escalation or intensification from
thetypetoantitype.
Prophetic element. The prophetic aspect of biblical typology
involves three essential points. (1) The OT type is an advance
presentation orprefigurationofthecorrespondingNTantitype.(2)The
typeis divinely designed toprefigure the NTantitype.(3) There isa
mustneedsbe quality about the OT type, giving it the force of a
predictiveforeshadowingoftheNTfulfillment.Forexample,Adamis
seenasa"typeoftheonewhowastocome"(Rom5:14).
Eschatological(endtime)elementThiselementoftypologyfurther
clarifiesthenatureofthepropheticcorrespondenceandintensification
betweentypeandantitype.TheOTrealitiesarenotjustlinkedtoany
similarrealities,buttoanendtimefulfillment.Threepossiblekindsof
eschatologicalfulfillmentmaybeinviewunderthisheading:(1)inaugu
rated, connected with the first advent of Christ; (2) appropriated,
focusingonthechurchasshelivesintensionbetweenthe"already"and
the "not yet"; and (3) consummated, linked tothe apocalyptic second
comingof
Christ.
Christological(Christcenteredsoleriological(salvation
centered)
element.Thisaspectoftypologypointsoutitsessentialfocusandthrust.
TheOTtypesarenotmerely"bare"realities,butsalvationrealities.They
findtheirfulfillmentinthepersonandworkofChristand/oringospel
2RichardM.Davidson,typologyinScripture:AStudyofHermeneuticalTypes
Structures,AndrewsUniversitySeminaryDoctoralDissertationSeries,vol.2
(BcrrienSprings,MI:AndrewsUniversityPress,1981).
3Foramoredetailedsummary,seeibid.,41624;id.,'TypologyintheBookof
Hebrews,"12933;
andid.,'TypologyandtheLeviticalSystem,"Ministry,February,1984,1619,30.
101
SanctuaryTypofogy
realitiesbroughtaboutbyChrist.Christisthustheultimateorientationpoint
ofOTtypesandtheirNTfulfillments.
Ecclesiological(churchrelated)elementThischaracteristicofbiblical
typologypointstothreepossibleaspectsofthechurchthatmaybeinvolved
in the typological fulfillment: the individual worshipers, the corporate
community,and/orthesacraments(baptismandLord'sSupper).
Puttingthisalltogether,wemaydefinebiblicaltypologyasaNTstudy
of the OT salvation historical realities, or types (persons, events, institu
tions),thatGoddesignedtocorrespondto,andpredictivelyprefigure,their
intensified antitypical fulfillment aspects (inaugurated, appropriated,
consummated) in NT salvation history. In sum, the traditional view of
typology,notthepostcriticalposition,isaffirmedbythedataofScripture
(seechart1,p.127).
These five basic elements of typology undergird the entire range of
references and allusions to the sanctuary in the book of Revelation, thus
indicatingthetypologicalnatureofthismaterial.Acloserlookattheim
plicationsdrawnfromthecharacteristicelementsofbiblicaltypologyhelps
toclarifythenatureofsanctuarytypologyintheApocalypse.
UnderstandingSanctuaryTypology
inRevelation
ImplicationsFromtheHistoricalElement
Thehistoricalelementofbiblicaltypologyiscrucial,becauseitunder
scores the literal, spatiotemporal reality of the heavenly sanctuary as
describedinthebookofRevelation.Inallbiblicaltypology,bothhorizontal
andvertical,thehistoricalrealityofbothtypeandantitypeareindispensable
tothetypologicalargument.
Thecaseforhistoricalcontinuitybetweentypeandantitypeisdoubly
emphasizedinthetypologyofthesanctuary.Theheavenlysanctuaryisnot
onlytheNTantitypicalfulfillmentoftheOTearthlysanctuary,butitisalso
the original, preexistent prototype after which the earthly sanctuary is
modeled.
In the very first instructions regarding the building of the earthly
sanctuary,itis implicit thattherealityof the earthlyis derivedfromthe
realityoftheheavenly.Exodus25:40(cf.Heb8:5)isthefoundationalpas
sageaffirmingthebasiccontinuitybetweenearthlyandheavenlysanctu
4ThiswillbecomeapparentasweproceedtoexaminethesanctuaiymaterialoftheApocalypse.
102
SanctuaryTypology
aries.5WhatisimplicitinExodus25ismadeexplicitthroughouttherest
oftheOT
Passages from cultic, narrative, hymnic/wisdom, prophetic, and apocalyptic
genres all concur in assigning spatiotemporal reality to the heavenly sanctuary. 6
Scenesfromthedivineassembly,fromheavenlyliturgy,fromtheheavenlycourtin
session,7 converge in ascribing literal reality to a place in heaven known as the
heavenlysanctuaryortemple.Undergirdingthesesurprisinglynumerousreferences
to the heavenly sanctuary is the consistent biblical world view that refuses to
dichotomizerealityintoliteraVearthlyontheonehandandnonliteral/heavenlyon
theother.
ThroughouttheNTthissamebiblicalworldviewismaintained.Despitesome
claimstothecontrary,evidenceispersuasivethattheauthorofHebrewsrejectsthe
dualistic,philonicallegorizationoftheheavenlyworldinfavorofarealheavenly
sanctuaiy and liturgy. As William Johnsson expresses it, "His [the author of
Hebrews] concern throughout the sermon is to ground Christian confidence in
objective/acts...Realdeity,realhumanity,realpriesthoodandwemayadd,areal
ministryinarealsanctuary."8
ItisinthissamebiblicaltrajectorythatwemustplacethebookofRevelation.
Onecannot demythologizetherealityoftheheavenlysanctuary,dismissingitas
imagery within the symbolic world of apocalyptic literature. The OT control
passages, which clearly form the backdrop to the sanctuary descriptions of
Revelation,inalltheirmanifoldwitnessof
5SeemyexegesisofExodus25:40forsubstantiationofthispoint:TypologyinScripture,33688;and
"TypologyintheBookofHebrews,"13469.
6SecDavidson,TypologyinScripture,38283;id,"TypologyintheBookofHebrews,"16566;cf.
William Shea, Selected Studies on Prophetic Interpretation, DARCOM Series, ed. Frank B.
Holbrook.vo!.1(SilverSpring,MD:BiblicalResearchInstitute,1982),58,forfurtherexamples
andmoredetailedanalysis.Seealsotheauthor'sunpublishedpaper,"TheHeavenlySanctuaiyin
theOldTestament,"AndrewsUniversityTheologicalSeminary,1976;andNielsErikAndreascn,
"TheHeavenlySanctuaryintheOldTestament,"TheSanctuaryandtheAtonement,ed.ArnoldV.
WallenkampfandW.RichardLesher(SilverSpring,MD:BiblicalResearchInstitute,1981),6786.
7Onthedivinecouncilorassembly,see,E.C.Kingsbury,"TheProphetandtheDivineCouncil,"JBL
(1964);27986;R..Whybray,TheHeavenlyCouncellorinIsa.Xl1314(Cambridge,1971);
andAndreasen,7778.Onthecorrespondencebetweenearthlyandheavenlytempleliturgy,seecsp.
J.C.Matthews,"DiePsalmenundderTempcldienst,"ZAW22(1902):6580;RichardPreuss,"Die
Gerichtspredigt der vorexilischen Propheten und der Versuch einer Steigerung der kultischen
Leistung,"ZAW70(1958):18184;andHansStrauss,"ZurAuslegungvonPs.29,"Z4W82(1970):
91102.Ontheheavenlycourtinsession,seeArthurFerch,"TheJudgmentSceneinDaniel7," The
SanctuaryandtheAtonement,15776;WilliamShea,"SpatialDimensionsintheVisionofDaniel
8,"SymposiumonDaniel:ExegeticalandGeneralStudies,Book2,DARCOMSeries,ed.FrankB.
Holbrook,vol.7(SilverSpring,MD;BiblicalResearchInstitute,
1986),497526.
8WilliamG.Johnsson,InAbsoluteConfidence:TheBookofHebrewsSpeakstoOurDay(Nashville,
TN,1979).91,italicshis.
103
different writers using different genres (including apocalyptic), unitedly

upholdtheobjectiverealityoftheheavenlysanctuary.Thehistoricalelement
and the vertical dimension of typology do not allow for a different
conclusionregardingRevelation.
We must hasten to add, however, that the heavenly sanctuary is not
exactlyliketheearthlysanctuary.TheOTalreadypointstoaverticalin
tensification between earthly and heavenly as well as a horizontal inten
sificationbetweentheOTshadowandtheNTsubstance.AsEllenG.White
putsit:
The matchless splendor of the earthly tabernacle reflected to human
vision the glories of that heavenly temple where Christ our forerunner
ministersforusbeforethethroneofGod.TheabidingplaceoftheKingof
kings,wherethousandthousandsministeruntoHim,andtenthousandtimes
tenthousandstandbeforeHim(Daniel7:10);thattemple,filledwiththeglory
oftheeternalthrone,whereseraphim,itsshiningguardians,veiltheirfacesin
adoration,couldfind,inthemostmagnificentstructureeverrearedbyhuman
hands,butafaintreflectionofitsvastnessandglory.9
Butthedifferencebetweentheearthlyandheavenlysanctuaryisnotthatthe
heavenlyislessliteral,lessreal,asourwesternoverdoseofGreekdualismmight
leadusunsuspectinglytosuppose.PerhapsC.S.Lewispointsthewaytowardan
antidote for this equation of heavenly with nonliteral. In his book, The Great
Divorce,heeffectivelydeliversthemessagethatheavenlyrealitiesarenotless,but
morereal.10
AccordingtothetestimonyofJohntheRevelator,theheavenlysanctuaryis
notametaphorforheaven,butaplaceinheaven(11:19;14:17;
15:5).EllenG.White,hereagain,seemstobeonthemarkandinharmony
with the cumulative testimony of Scripture when she takes very literally
John*sviewoftheheavenlysanctuary:
AsinvisiontheapostleJohnwasgrantedaviewofthetempleofGodin
heaven, hebeheld there "sevenlampsoffireburningbefore thethrone."
Revelation4:5.Hesawanangel"havingagoldencenser; andtherewas
givenuntohimmuchincense,thatbeshouldofferitwiththeprayersofall
saintsuponthegoldenaltarwhichwasbeforethethrone."Revelation8:3.
Heretheprophetwaspermittedtobeholdthefirstapartmentofthe
9Ellen0.White,TheGreatControversy(MountainView,CA,1950),414.
10CS.Lewis,TheGreatDivorce(NewYork,1946).
104
Sanctuary
Typology
sanctuaryinheaven;andhesawtherethe"sevenlampsoffire"and
"thegoldenaltar."representedbythegoldencandlestickandthe
altarofincenseinthesanctuaryonearth.Again,"thetempleofGod
wasopened" (Revelation11:19),andhelookedwithintheinner
veil, upon the holy of holies. Here he beheld "the ark of His
testament,"representedbythesacredchestconstructedbyMosesto
containthelawofGod.
Inaswiftsweepthroughthebiblicalwitnessshesummarizes
theconsistentbiblicalpicture:"Mosesmadetheearthlysanctuary
afterapatternwhichwasshownhim.Paulteachesthatthatpattern
wasthetruesanctuarywhichisinheaven.AndJohntestifiesthathe
sawitinheaven."12
1^
RecentresearchbysystematictheologianFemandoCanalehas
shownhowthemajortheologicalsystemsoftraditionalChristian
thought (Protestant, Catholic, and postmodern ecumenical) have
been built upon the Platonic paradigm of the "timelessness" of
God. However, the sanctuary doctrine of Scripture reveals this
fundamentalparadigmtobeadistortionofbiblicalreality.
According to Scripture God is not essentially incompatible
withspaceandtime;HeistheveryGodwhohasdwelt"fromthe
beginning"(Jer17:12)inaheavenlypalaceortemple;whotruly
dwelt in the sanctuary in the wilderness and in the Jerusalem
Temple;who,intheongoingworkofredemption,isnowengaged
in a real, historicaltemporal activity in a real spatiotemporal
heavenlysanctuary.
Thus, the sanctuary integrates and constitutes the whole
flowofthehistoryofredemption.Itistheonlyfoundationfor
theodicythe vindication of God. And with redemption
completethesanctuarywillreachitsgoalwhenGodliterally
in space and time"tabernacles"with us forever (Rev 21:3).
TheimplicationsofCanale'sconsistentapplicationofthebiblical
paradigm as revealed in the spatiotemporal reality of the
sanctuaryareindeedprofound.
Anotherpartoftheproblemindealingwiththenatureofthe
heavenly sanctuary stems from an additional inroad of Greek
dualism into our thinking. Greek dualism makes a dichotomy
between literal and symbolic. According to the biblical view,
however,manyconcreterealitiesareatthe
11White,TheGreatControversy,1950,41415.
12Ibid.,415.
13Forhisfundamentalcritiqueofmajortheologicalsystemsviewedinlightofbiblical
data,seeFernandoCanale,ACriticismofTheologicalReason:Timeand
TimelessnessasPrimordialPresuppositions,AndrewsUniversitySeminaryDoctoral
DissertationSeries,vol.10(BerrienSprings,Ml:AndrewsUniversityPress,1983).
Canale'sexplicationofthebasicbiblicalparadigmcenteredinthespaliotemporal
realityofthesanctuaryisthesubjectofhisforthcomingbook.
105
SanctuaryTypology
same time both literal and symbolic. We may illustrate this point with the
typology of Flood and baptism in 1 Peter 3 and the Exodus/sacramental
typology of 1Corinthians10.Both type and antitypeofthese examples are
historicalrealities.Butletusnote the factthatbaptismand theLord'ssupper
(theantitypes)areveryreal,literalentities.Yetatthesametimetheysymbolize
or point to important spiritual truths beyond themselves. In the same way
Scriptureupholdstheliteralrealityoftheheavenlysanctuaryanditsliturgy,and
at the same time these very realities point beyond themselves to ultimate
spiritualtruths(forexample,thelampsrepresentingtheHolySpirit,Rev4:5).
Two dangers mustbeavoided.Wecan concentratesolelyonthe"heavenly
geography"andlosethespiritualmessagesthatarecommunicated.Butwecan
alsospiritualizeawaythespatiotemporalrealityandtherebyloseboththeliteral
substanceandspiritualtruth.
ImplicationsFromthePropheticElement
Thepropheticelementofbiblical typologyis important asit underscores the
prospective/predictivenatureofsanctuarytypology.Johndidnot"reinterpret"the
OTsanctuaryintoatypeoftheheavenlysanctuary.Rather,theOTforeshadowed
theredemptiveaspectsofthelatter.
Inasmuch as biblical types are divinely designed to serve as prospec
tive/predictive prefigurations, some indication of the existence and predictive
qualityofthevariousOTtypesshouldoccur before theirantitypical fulfillment.
Thisaspectoftypologyhasnotbeenwidelyrecognized,butsuchistheconsistent
pattern that emerges throughout Scripture: the OT types referred to by the NT
writershavealreadybeenidentifiedastypologicalbeforetheantitypicalfulfillment.
Chart2(p.128)illustratesthispattern.ThemiddlecolumnpointsouttheOT
verbalindicatorsoftypology.Withrespecttosanctuarytypology,pleasenoteitem2
(boldedboxinthechart).Theearthlysanctuaryrealitiesalreadyareindicatedas
typologicalintheOTinnumerouspassagesandareinrelationshiptotheheavenly
realities.JohntheRevelatoris,therefore,simplyannouncingthefulfillmentofthe
OT sanctuary types and shadows that pointed to the substance of the heavenly
sanctuaryandChrist'satoningdeathandpriesthood.
ImplicationsFromtheEschatologicalElement
The eschatological (endtime) element of biblical typology is a key to
understandinghowsanctuarytypologyisfulfilledthroughoutthebookof
106
SanctuaryTypology
Revelation.Chart3(p.129)summarizestheeschatologicalsubstructure
ofNTtypology.14
In brief, we may say that the OT kingdom prophecies and types have one
eschatological fulfillment withthree aspects: (1)the basicfulfillment of theOT
eschatologicalhopescenteringintheearthlylifeandworkof Jesus Christat His
firstadvent;(2)thederivedspiritualfulfillmentbythechurch,thebodyofChristin
thetimeoftensionbetweenthe"already"and"notyet";and(3)the apocalyptic
consummation andfinalusheringinoftheagetocomeat thesecondadventof
Christandbeyond.
These three fulfillment aspects may be termed respectively inaugurated,
appropriated, and consummated eschatology. Or, for convenience, they may be
designatedChristological,ecclesiological,andapocalyptic.\J
Itshouldbeemphasized(asillustratedinchart3,p.129)thattheeschatological
substructure described above is overarched by a verticalheavenly dimension.
Throughout OT history, throughout the "tabernacling" of Christ on earth, and
throughouttheexistenceoftheChristianchurchasthebodyofChrist,wemust
recognizethecosmicrealityofGod'srule.Thereisaverticalcontinuitythroughout
salvationhistory;theconnectionbetweenheavenandearthiscloseanddecided.
At the same time, until the final climax, there is a vertical tension. Man
experiencestheheavenlythingsbyfaith,spiritually;butheisstillonearth.Notuntil
theapocalypticconsummationwhenthesaintsgotoheavenattheSecondAdvent,
andafterthemillenniumwhenGod'sthroneistransportedtothisearth,and"the
tabernacle of God is with men"will the tension between the earthly and the
heavenlyfindcompleteresolution.
An important implication for sanctuary typology logically follows from the
eschatologicalperspectivewehavesummarized.Wewouldexpecttheantitypical
fulfillmentofOTsanctuarytypologytocorrespondtooneormoreofthethreeNT
eschatologicalmanifestationsofthekingdomofGodinaugurated,appropriated,or
consummated. Inasmuch as these "kingdom manifestations" are just different
aspectsoftheoneeschatologi
14Formoredetaileddiscussion,seeDavidson,TypologyinScripture,39094;GeorgeEldenLadd,The
PresenceoftheFuture:TheEschatologyofBiblicalRealism(GrandRapids,1974);andHansK.
LaRondelle,TheIsraelofGodinProphecy:PrinciplesofPropheticInterpretation,Andrews
UniversityMonographs,StudiesinReligion,vol.13(BerrienSprings,MI:AndrewsUniversity
Press,1983).
15AsnotedinlypohgyinScripture,394,"Weusethesethreetermsadvisedly,becauseallthreeterms
couldbeconstruedtoapplytoallthreeaspects.Butwithaviewtotheirobviouspointofemphasis,
webelievethese'shorthand'distinctionsoftheaspectsinthesalvationhistoricaleschatological
fulfillmentwillbehelpfulinfurtherdiscussion."
107
SanctuaryTypology
calkingdom,itwouldnotbesurprisingiftheantitypicalfulfillmentofOTsanctuary
typologyshouldregularlyencompassallthreeaspects.
Theexampleatthebottomofchart3(p.129)showsthistobethecase.Christis
viewed as the antitypical temple (John 1:14; 2:21; Matt 12:6). The church is
designatedasthetempleoftheHolySpirit(1Cor3:16,17;2Cor6:16).Theheavenly
temple overarches the entire endtime fulfillment and comes into particular
prominenceatthetimeofapocalypticconsummation(Rev3:12;7:15;11:19;21:3,
22,etc.;moreontheseRevelationpassagesshortly).
ImplicationsFromtheChrist/Salvation/ChurchElements
OncewehaverecognizedtheexistenceoftheeschatologicalsubstructureofNT
antitypical fulfillments, it is important to realize the three different modes of
fulfillmentinthissubstructure.Thesedifferent modes offulfillmentarisefromthe
characteristicsoftypologyinvolvingChrist,salvation,andthechurch(summarized
above,pp.101102)
ThekingdomofGodisChristcentered.Christisnotthecenterabstractly,but
insavingrelationtoHispeople.ThekingdomofGodsharesthesamemodalityas
Christ'sconnectionwithHispeople.Thus,thefulfillmentofthetypessharesthe
samecharacterasthenatureofChrist'spresence.
For example, at the first advent the kingdom (or rule) of God is literally
embodiedinJesus(Matt12:28).ThetypesarefulfilledliterallyandlocallyinHim.
AfterChrist'sascension,Hiskingdomor"rule"isfromheaven,and His subjects
throughouttheworldrelatetoHimonlyspiritually,byfaith.ThroughHisSpiritthey
receive only the firstfruits, the partial fulfillment of the ultimate gifts He has
promised(Rom8:23).Thus,thenatureofthefulfillmentinthechurchonearthis
spiritual,universal,andpartial.Atthesametimethesanctuarytypeshavealiteral
fulfillmentintheheavenlysanctuary,sinceChristisliterallypresentthere.Atthe
finalconsummationChristisliterallyreunitedwithHispeople,andthetypeshavea
glorious,final,universal,literalfulfillment.16
16ForasuccinctpresentationofthiseschatoEogicalsubstructurefromaChristocentricperspective,see
EllenG.White,ProphetsandKings(MountainView.CA,1943),1522;cf.chap.59,"TheHouse
ofIsrael,"forparallelmaterial.SeealsoLaRondelle,IsraelinBibleProphecy,passim;
andLouis Were, TheCertainlyoftheThirdAngel'sMessage, reprint(BerrienSprings,MI:First
Impressions,1979),esp.30814,thoughtheentirebookshedslightonthispoint.Itshouldalsobe
notedthattheapplication ofOT typestospiritual Israel couldhavebeenentirelydifferenthad
nationalIsraelremainedfaithfultoGodandacceptedJesusastheMessiah.Israelwouldhavebeen
thegreatestnationonearth(Deut28:1,13;EllenG.White,Christ'sObjectLessons
108
SanctuaryTypology
AnImportantKeyforInterpretation
Thesehermeneuticalinsightsintothedifferentmodesoffulfillmentin
sanctuarytypologyhelpustoreconcileproperlyourpreviousconclusion
regarding a real, literal heavenly sanctuary with several apparently
spiritual/figurative sanctuary allusions. Note the following: the seven
lampstandsrepresentingthesevenchurches(Rev1:12,20),thesoulsunder
the altar of burnt offering crying for vengeance (Rev 6:911), and the
"courtoutsidethetemple"givenovertothenations(Rev11:2).Dothese
references mitigate against a literal understanding of the heavenly
sanctuaryscenesintheremainderofthebook?Tothecontrary!Agraspof
theeschatologicalsubstructureofNTtypologyprovidesakeytounlock
the consistent and coherent usage of sanctuary typology found in the
Apocalypse.
Wenoted(seechart3,middlecolumn,p.129)thatinthetimeofthe
church the earthly antitypes in the spiritual kingdom of grace find a
spiritual
(nonliteral), partial (nonfinal), and universal
(nongeographical/ethnic) fulfillment, since they are spiritually (but not
literally)relatedtoChristin the heavenlies.Thus, we shouldexpectthat
when sanctuary/temple imagery in Revelation is applied to an earthly
settinginthetimeofthechurch,therewillbea spiritual andnotliteral
interpretation,sincethetempleisaspiritualonehereonearth.
In harmonywiththishermeneutical principle,theantitypicallamp
stands onearth inRevelation1arenotliteralbutspiritual.Thechurch
living between "the already and the not yet" is portrayed elsewhere in
Scriptureastheantitypicalecclesiologicaltemple.Revelationisconsistent
withthisinutilizingthesanctuaryterminologyofthelampstandstoapply
[Washington,DC,1941],288),inprosperity(Deut28:3,1113),intellect(4:67),health
(7:13, 15), andspirituality(28:9).Thiswouldhavebeenawitnesstoothernations
(Deut28:10;White, Christ'sObjectLessons, 232; Isa 43:10);Jerusalemwouldhave
beenthemissionarycenterfor the spirituallydynamic Jewish nation.Othernations
wouldjoinIsrael(Zech8:2123)untilthekingdomofIsraelembracedtheworld(Isa
27:6;54:3;White,Christ'sObjectLessons,290).ThetempleofJerusalemwouldhave
stoodforever(Jer7:7;White,TheGreatControversy,19).Followingafinalrebellion
of insurgents(Zech12:29)and theirdestruction(14:12,13),theLordwouldbe king
overalltheearth,andallwouldbefollowersoftheLord(Zech14:3,8,9,13,16;
Jer 31:34, etc.). Christ would still have died as the representative man and
representative Israelite,butthefulfillmentofthetypestoGod's peoplewouldhave
been withinnationalIsraelin aliteral, geographical way.But sincenational Israel
rejectedtheMessiahanddivorced themselves fromthe theocracy,all thecovenant
promiseswillbefulfilledto"spiritualIsrael"(White,ProphetsandKings[Mountain
View,CA,1943],714).ForadetailedsummaryofGod'soriginalplanforIsrael,see
"TheRoleofIsraelinOldTestamentProphecy,"TheSDABibleCommentary,ed.F.
D.Iîchol(Washington,DC,1976),4:2538.
109
SanctuaryTypology
tothespiritualbodyoftheearthlychurch.Jesus(throughHisSpirit)isspiritually
presentwithHischurchonearth.
ButinRevelation4:1,thesceneshiftstoheaven,andJohnisinvited,"Comeup
hither,andIwillshowyouwhatmusttakeplaceafterthis."Thenfollowsthescene
inthe heavenly sanctuary where Christ reigns aspriestking.Aswehave seen,
duringthetimeofthechurch,theearthlyspiritualkingdomisoverarchedbythe
literal ruleofChristintheheavenlies.ConsistentwiththisNTperspective,the
sanctuary typology of Revelation, when focused upon the heavenly sanctuary,
partakesofthesamemodalityasthepresenceofChrist,thatis,aliteralantitypical
fulfillment.
Wewilllookattheseheavenlysanctuaryscenesshortly.Butherewenotethat
amidsttheheavenlysanctuaryscenesofRevelation,therearebriefshiftstoearthly
sanctuaryallusions.Forexample,inRevelation6:911wefindmentionofthealtar
(ofburntoffering).17Sincethisaltarwasintheoutercourtoftheearthlysanctuary,
andsinceaccordingtoRevelation11:12theoutercourtsymbolizesearthlyandnot
heavenlythings,wemustinterpretthisasashifttotheearthlyrealm. 18Inharmony
withtheecclesiologicalaspectofthetypologicalfulfillment,weshouldinterpret
theseearthlyreferencesinaspiritual,nonliteralway.
Thesceneof"soulsunderthealtar"cryingoutforvengeancealludestothe
blood(thatis,"thelife,"Lev17:11)ofthesanctuarysacrificespouredoutatthe
baseofthealtar(Lev4:7).ThesymbolismechoesareferencetothebloodofAbel
cryingtoGodfromtheground(Gen4:10;
cf.Heb12:24).Johnmakesthisconnectionbetweenthemartyrdomofsaintsand
the pouring out of the sacrifice more explicit in Revelation 16:6, in which the
wickedaresaidtohave"pouredout"(ekcheo)thebloodofsaintsandprophets.So,
not a literal altar, not literal "souls" under the altar, are in view, but rather an
ecclesiological fulfillment in the martyred saints and prophets whose blood
spirituallycriesoutforvindicationbyGod.
Likewise,notaliteral"court"isinviewintheearthlysettingofRevela
17Forevidencethatthisisthealtarofburntoffering,andnotthegoldenaltar,seeJonPaulien,
DecodingRevelation'sTrumpets:LiteraryAllusionsandInterpretationsofRevelation8:712,
AndrewsUniversitySeminaryDoctoralDissertationSeries,vol.11(BerrienSprings,MI;
AndrewsUniversityPress,1988),31518.
18Cf.Heb13:10(andimpliedinHeb8:15)forplacementofthealtaronearth,Christologicallyful
filledinthecross.TheecclesiologicalfulfillmentinconnectionwithChristianmartyrsfollowingin
Jesus'stepswouldbeanaturalextensionofthetypology.SeealsoPaulien,316,forsubstantiation
oftheadditionalpointthat"Jewishapocalypticallowsforonlyonealtarinheaven(excludingthe
altarofburntofferingwhichhadstoodintheoutercourtoftheIsraelitesanctuary)."
110
SanctuaryTypology
tion11:2,buta"trampling"orpersecutionoftheearthly/spiritual"holycity,"the
saints,bythe"Gentiles,"thespiritualenemiesofGod,for42propheticmonths.
AswearriveattheclosingscenesofRevelation,theapocalypticfulfillmentof
sanctuarytypologyresolvesthetensionbetweenearthlyandheavenly.Inthetime
ofthechurchspiritualIsraelis spiritually gatheredtoheavenlyJerusalemonMt.
Zion(Heb12:2224).Butwhen"thetabernacleofGodiswithmen"(Rev21 3,
KJV),theIsraelofallageswillhavebeenliterallygatheredtotheirNewJerusalem.
Afteraliteralthousandyears, 19theheavenlyJerusalemwillhavedescendedliterally
tothisearth.Followingthefinaljudgmentandcleansingoftheearthbyfire,the
court(arecreatedearthafterthefashionofEden)willbeunitedwithitscenter,the
literaltabernacleofGod,ataliteralNewJerusalem.
With these general hermeneutical considerations of the nature of sanctuary
typologyinmind,letusnowturnmoredirectlytotheroleofsanctuarytypologyin
thestructuredflowofthebookofRevelation.
SanctuaryTypologyinthe
LiteraryArrangement
Theliterary analysisofRevelationbyKennethStrandhasdemonstratedthe
book'sbasicchiasticliteraryarrangement. 20C.MervynMaxwellfollowsingeneral
the same chiastic outline, with additional insights on certain details. 21 These
analysesrevealthepairedhalvesofthebook:
historical (Rev 114) and eschatological (Rev 1522), as well as the chiastic
matchingoftheircorrespondingsubsections.
IntroductorySanctuaryScenes
WithinthisoverallarrangementofRevelationmostofthesanctuaryimagery
occursinthescenesthatintroducethevariousvisionsequences.
19ThethreefoldsubstructureofNTeschatologyalsoclarifieswhethertointerpretthetimeperiodsof
Revelationsymbolicallyorliterally.PriortotheSecondAdvent,whileChristisonlyspiritually
relatedtoHispeople,thetimereferencesarespiritual(i.e.,prophetictime,usingtheyearday
principle).ButafterthesaintsareliterallygatheredtoChristattheParousia,thentimereferences
partakeofthatsamemodality.Thusthemillenniumisaliteralthousandyears,andthesymbolic
yeardayprinciplenolongerapplies.
20SeeKennethStrand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation:HermeneuticalGuidelineswithBriefIn
troductiontoLiteraryAnalysis,2nded.(Naples,FL,1979),4352.Alsochaps.2and3ofthis
volume.
21SecC.MervynMaxwell,GodCares2(Boise,ID,1985):5462.
Ill
SanctuaryTypology
Recent studies have indicated the crucial significance of these sanctuary

scenes. Maxwell rightly argues that "the heavenly sanctuary is a central
pivotofthemessageofRevelation,"andthe"sanctuaryscenesareland
marks,guidingustothemeaningofRevelation.*Strandhasshownhowthe
Apocalypseisdividedintoaseriesofvisionarysequencesandhoweachof
thevisionsopenswithanintroductorysanctuaryscene. 23 Thustheentire
bookisstructuredbysanctuarytypology.
Allusionstofirstapartmentministration. Perhapsthemostsignifi
cantinsightintheserecentstudiesisthedemonstrationofhowtheintro
ductory sanctuaryscenes highlight theprogressionof redemptionhistory
withinthebookofRevelation.Thefirstthreesanctuaryscenes(Rev1:12
20;45;8:25)centerin,orrelateto,theholyplaceofthesanctuary.Thus,
theyservetosituatethetemporalsettingofthesceneswithinthetimeof
Christ'sdaily(famid)holyplaceministry.
Thefirstscene(1:1220)isonearthandnotintheheavenlysanctuary.
NowhereelseinthebookissuchaconcentratedemphasisuponChrist's
earthlydeathandresurrectiontobefound.Atthesametime,theexplicit
mentionofsevenlampstandsrecallsthesevenbranchedlampstandburning
continually(farmd)intheholyplaceofthesanctuary.
Thesecondscene(4:15:14)explicitlymovestotheheavenlysanctuary
(cf.4:1).JonPaulienhasshownhowthethoroughmixofimageryfromthe
entiresanctuary,butwithoutthelanguageofjudgment,pointstoasettingof
inauguration.24 Christ, not present in Revelation 4, is in Revelation 5
installedinHisongoing ((amid) workintheholyplace 25 oftheheavenly
sanctuaryasaresultofHisvictoryonthecross.
Thethirdsanctuaryscene(8:25)revealsthatthebasicfocusofChrist's
ongoing(famid)ministryisintercession.Thereferencetotheofferingof
22Ibid.,164.
23KennethStrand,"TheEightBasicVisionsintheBookofRevelation,"AUSS25(1987):107121;
id.,"The 'VictoriousIntroduction'Scenes in theVisions in the BookofRevelation," AUSS 25
(1987):267288(see reprintinchap.2inthisvolume).Maxwell,164,arrives at similar conclu.
sions withregard to the first Fivesanctuaryscenes.Jon Paulien, "Sealsand Trumpets: Some
CurrentDiscussions,"chap.10inthisvolume,reducesStrand'seightscenestoseven,eliminat
ing Strand's sixth scene (16:1818:24) which has a voice from the temple but not an actual
sanctuarywene.Thesevensceneschemaisfollowedhere,
24Paulien,"SealsandTrumpets:SomeCurrentDiscussions";id..TheSevenSeals,"chap.11inthis
volume; and C. Mcrvyn Maxwell, "In Confirmation of Prophetic Interpretation," JATS 2/1
(1991):147.148.
25AlthoughthereisathoroughmixofsanctuaryimageryinRevelation45inasmuchastheentire
sanctuaryisinvolvedintheinauguration,yettheprimaryFocusoftheenthronement/inauguration
sceneinRev45appearstobetheholyplace.SeeStrand,"VictoriousIntroductionScenes,"271
(seereprintinchap.3ofthisvolume);andWhite,TheGreatControversy,41415.
112
SanctuaryTypology
incenseatthegoldenaltarclearlyindicatesadaily (tamid),holyplace
intercessoryministry.
Second Temple daily service. The daily (iamid) setting of
Revelation18isfurthersubstantiatedasthesechaptersarecompared
withtheorderofdailyservicesinthesecondTempleofthecenturyin
which John wrote. Recent studies have set forth the striking parallels
between the order of sanctuary allusions in Revelation 18 and the
descriptionofthedaily (0mu) servicesdescribedintheMishnah.27 We
summarizeasfollows:
1.Trimmingthelampstand(m.Tamid3.9;cf.Rev1:1220)
2.Greatdooropen(m.Tamid3.7;cf.Rev4:1)
3.Lambslain(m.Tamid3.7;4:13,cf.Rev5:6)
4.Bloodpouredoutatbaseofbronzealtar(m. Tamid 4.1;cf.Rev
6:9)
5.Incenseofferedatgoldenaltar(m.Tamid5.4',cf.Rev8:3,4)
6.Breakinthesinging(m.Tamid7.3;Rev8:1)
7.Trumpetsblowntosignalcompletionofsacrifice (m.Tamid 7.3;
cf.8:26)
Paulien concludes, "Not onlydoesthisportionof theApocalypse
containallthemajordetailsofthe {amid liturgy,italludestothemin
essentiallythesameorder.Thusthematerialmakinguptheseptetsofthe
churches,seals,andtrumpetsissubtlyassociatedwiththeactivitiesinthe
templerelatedtothecontinualor(amidservice."28
Allusions to Second Apartment ministration. In contrast to the
focusuponthedailyserviceintheHrstpartofthebook.Revelation11
shiftstheemphasistotheannualliturgyoftheDayofAtonement.This
YomKippurmotifissustainedthroughoutthelatterportionofthebook
asfaraschapter20.29
26JonPaulien, "Intertextuality,the Hebrew Cultus, and the Plot oftheApocalypse,"

paperpresentedattheannualmeetingoftheSocietyofBiblicalLiterature,Literary
Criticism and the Apocalypse Consultation, November 18,1990, p. 9. Note 32
providesevidencethatthissceneatthealtarofincenseisapartofthedaily(nwtf(f)
holyplaceministryandnottheyearlyDayofAtonement(T&una)ministry.Inthe
sceneofRev8:26,(1)theincensealtariscentralasinthefamid,notbypassedasin
theYoma(MishnahTamid6.2,3;cf.m.Ywna5.1);(2)theofficiatingpriestreceives
theincense,asinfamid,anddoesnotgatherhisown,asinYoma(m.Tumid6.2,3;
cf.Yoma5.1);and(3)theincenseisofferedatthegoldenaltar,asinthefamid,not
attheArk,asinKwia(m.Tamid6.3,cf.Yoma5.5).
27ForthebasicdescriptionofthedailyorderofservicesinthesecondTempletimes,see
the tractate Tamid in the Jewish Mishnah. Paulien, "Seals and Trumpets: Some
Current Discussions," chap. 10 in this volume; and id., "Intertextuality," 1213,
summarizestheparallels.D.T.Niles,AsSeeingtheInvisible(NewYork,1961).112
14,observestheconnectionbetweenRev18andtheMishnahtractateTamid,butas
Pauliencorrectlynotes,NilcsunsuccessfullyattemptstocontinuetheC&nUparallels
throughouttherestofRevelation.AcarefullookattheevidencerevealsthattheiamSd
liturgyprovidesstructuralparallelsonlyasfarasRev8.
28Paulien,"Intertextuality,"13.
29This willbediscussedin moredetailin thesection ofthischapter dealingwiththe
"YearlyCycle
113
SanctuaryTypology
Strandhasshownhowthemeasuringofthetemple,altar,andworshipers(Rev
11:1)hasitsmostcompletethematicandsequentialparallelinthedescriptionofthe
DayofAtonementrituals(Lev16). 30Thiscomesimmediatelyafterthecompletion
ofDaniel'sprophetictimeinRevelation10:56(cf.Dan12:7).31
Thefourthsanctuaryscene(Rev11:19)explicitlyportraystheopeningofthe
"innertemple"(naos)orMostHolyPlaceandfocusesuponthearkofthecovenant.
The immediate Judgment context of this scene (cf. 11:18) supports the Day of
Atonementsetting,andalsothelargercontextpointsinthisdirection.
RecentstudieshavedemonstratedhowthebookofRevelationoftenfollows
thebasicstructureanddetaileddescriptionsofEzekiel, 32andtheEzekielpatternis
decisiveinRevelation1011.Ezekielisgivenascrolltoeat(Ezek2:93:3)andthen
isimmediatelycalledtogiveamessageofaninvestigativejudgmentfromtheMost
HolyPlaceofthesanctuary(3:48:18). 33InasimilarmannerJohnistoldtoeata
scroll (Rev 10:811) and then is immediately given a message to measure the
temple,altar,andworshipers(Rev11:12),withafocusupontheMostHolyPlace
oftheheavenlysanctuary(11:19).
Thefifthsanctuaryscene(15:58)markstheclosingupor"deinauguration"of
thesanctuary.ItisfilledwithsmokefromthegloryofGod,andnoonecanenter:
probationisclosed.Thesevenlastplaguesfollow,God'swrathunmingledwith
mercy(16:121).
Thesixthsanctuaryscene(19:110)describessanctuaryworshippraiseto
GodforHisjustjudgmentsbutthereisnoexplicitmentionofthesanctuary.The
sanctuary'ssavingfunctionhasgivenwaytodoxology.
Thefinalsanctuaryscene(21:122:5)returnstoearth.Nowtheten
ofFestivals"inRevelation,119126.
30SeeKenneth Strand, "An OverlookedOld TestamentBackgroundtoRevelation11:1." AUSS 22
(1984); 317325, Note in particular how the "measuring" of Rev 11:1 and the
"atonement/cleansing"ofLev16encompassesthesameaspectsofthesanctuaryinthesameorder
(temple,altar,andworshipers).
31SeeW.H.Shea,"TheMightyAngelandHisMessages,"chap.13inthisvolume.
32Seccsp.,AlbertVanhoye,"L'UtilisationduLivred'Ezechieldans1'Apocafypse,"Bib43(1962):
436476; Jeffrey . Vogclsang, "The Interpretation of Ezekiel in the Book of Revelation"
(Ph.D. diss., Harvard University, 1985); and Johann Lust, The Order of Final Events in
Revelation andinEzekiel," in L 'Apocalypse johannique etI'apocatyptiquedans Ie Nouveau
Testament,ed.JanLambrecht(Lcuven:LeuvcnUniversityPress,1980),17983.
33SecWilliamShea,"TheInvestigativeJudgmentofJudah,Ezekiel110,"TheSanctuaryandthe
Atonement,283291;RichardM.Davidson,WhattheHeavenlySanctuaryMeanstoMe:Yom
KippurCallsUs to Repentanceand Joy," Advenust Review, February19,1987,1214;id., "In
ConfirmationoftheSanctuaiyMessage,"JATS2(1991):97100.
114
SanctuaryTypology
sionbetweenheavenlyandearthlyiscollapsed:"thetabernacle [sksne]ofGodis
withmen"(Rev21:3,KJV).
Thus,theintroductorysanctuaryscenesstructurethebookofRevelationand
providethekeysfordeterminingtheprogressionofthebook.Thespatiotemporal
flowofthesanctuaryscenesfromearthtoheavenandbacktoearth,andfromdaily
to yearly ministrations to the cessation of all salvation functions, may be
summarizedasfollows:
1:1220
(1)
45
(2)
8:35
11:19
15:58
19:110
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
21:122:5
(7)
EarthfocusonearthlyworkofChrist(combinedwith
holyplaceimagery)
Inaugurationofheavenlysanctuary(thoroughmixof
sanctuaryimagerybutholyplacefocus)
Intercessioninheavenlysanctuary(holyplace)
Judgmentinheavenlysanctuary(MostHolyPlace)
Cessationofheavenlysanctuaryministry
Doxoiogyinheaven(absenceofexplicitheavenly
sanctuaryimagery)
BacktoEarth"TabernacleofGodiswithmen."
In the historical half of Revelation, the introductory sanctuary scenes

naturallyflowfromChrist'sdeathandresurrection(Rev1:5,17,18;cf.5:6,9,12)to
theinaugurationofChrist'ssanctuaryministrymadepossibleby His deathand
resurrection(Rev5),toHisintercessoryministryfollowingHisinauguration(Rev
8:3,4),andontotheworkofendtimejudgment(Rev11:18,19).
Linearflow/recapitulation sequences.Thislogicaltemporalprogressionof
sanctuary scenescross, inauguration, intercession, judgment does not,
however,implythatthefirsthalfofRevelationproceedschronologicallyverseby
verse.Alongsidethebasic linearplot highlightedbytheintroductorysanctuary
scenes,thereisfoundthe recapitulation schemasimilartothevisionsofDaniel
(Dan2,7,8).Ahistoricalprogres.KOnfollowseachintroductorysanctuaryscene
andmovesthroughtheChristianEratoterminateinaspotlightonlasteventsanda
descriptiont0fthegloriousclimax. 34 ThustheoverallstructureofRevelationis
both
34Strand,InterpretingRevelation,48,outlinesthebasicfourfoldpatternof(1)victorioussanctuary
115
SanctuaryTypology
linearandrecapitulating,likea"conicspiral," 35orbetter,likea"musicscale,that
continuallyprogressesinalineardirectionwhilereviewingearliertonesinever
richervibrations."36
Thematic relations between sanctuary introductions and messages. The
introductory sanctuary scenes not only structure the book of Revelation and
demonstrate its spatiotemporal progression, but they also serve to enhance the
messageofthemainsectionstheyintroduce.37
Before John is given the messages for the seven churches, he sees Christ
dressedasapriest,walkingamongthesevenlampstands(thesevenchurches,Rev
1:20). Christ, the antitypical high priest, is tending the sanctuary lamps. He is
dischargingHisfSmid(continualordaily)responsibilitytokeepthelampsburning
brightlyandcontinuously.
Thesymbolicdetailsemployedtodescribe thepriestlyChristinRevelation
1:1020arehighlightedinRevelation2and3astheyareappliedtoeachindividual
church'ssituation.TherebyanintimateconnectionbetweenHeaven'spriestandHis
messagestothesevenchurchesisrevealed.Theconnectionmeansassuranceand
comfort:Christisinthemidstofthelampstands(1:12),walkingamongthem(2:1).
Heknowstheirconditionandcares.Butthereisalsowarning:Christannouncesthe
covenantcursesagainstthechurchesiftheycontinueindisobedience.
Moving to the seven seals, Kenneth Strand has shown how these seals
"representthestepsormeansbywhichGodthroughChristpreparesthewayin
historyfortheopeningandreadingofthegreatbookofdestinyatthejudgmentin
theeschatologicalconsummation."38 Strandentitlesthissection,"GodWorksfor
Man's Salvation."39 It is appropriately introduced in a heavenly sanctuary scene
revealingGodonHisthrone(Rev4)withChristinHispresencetrulyqualifiedto
breakthesealsandopenthescroll(Rev5).
DespitethetrialsandtribulationofGod'speopleandtheseemingdivinedelay
invindicationofthepersecutedandmartyred(6:9,10),yet,accordingtoRevelation
4,Godisincontrol!AsinPsalm2:4andHabak
vision;(2)historicalprogression;(3)spotlightonlastevents;and(4)gloriousclimaxasitappears
inthescenesoftheseals(Rev4:l8:l),trumpets(Rev8:211:18),andthecontestingforces(Rev
11:1914:20).Secalsochaps.2and3inthisvolume.
35ElisabethSchiisslerFiorenza, The BookofRevelation:JusticeandJudfynent (Philadelphia,1985)
171.
36Paulien,"Intertextuality,"20.
37Maxwell,16466,andpassim,ishelpfulinpointingoutthecloserelationshipbetweenthesanctuaiy
scenesandthesectionsthatfollowtheminRevelation.
38Strand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,57.
39Ibid.
116
SanctuaryTypology
kuk2:20,GodLordAlmighty,theCreator,sitsserenelyonHis
throne,theOnewhowas,andis,andabouttocometosetthings
right.Furthermore,accordingtoRevelation5,"thetitledeed,as
it were, to man's lost inheritance ... has been repurchased by
Christ,theLamb."40ThePaschalLambhasbeenslainandbyHis
bloodHehasransomedmanforGod.Heisworthy,therefore,to
takethescrollandbreaktheseals:Hewillbepresentwithandat
workforHispeopleduringthetimeoftheiraffliction.
The close thematic relationship between the introductory
sanctuarysceneanditsmessagethatfollowsisfoundalsointhe
thirdmajorsectionofthebook.Intheintroductiontothetrumpet
series (Rev 8:26) the angelmediator mingles incense with the
prayers of the saints upon the golden altar in the heavenly
sanctuary,aportrayalofthe"ongoingmediationofChristinthe
heavenlysanctuary."
According to Jon Paulien's analysis of this passage and its
relationship to the fifth seal (Rev 6:911), the "prayers of the
saints" refer particularly to the imprecatory prayers of the
persecutedandmartyredsaints(receivedbytheministeringangel
fromtheearthly"altarofburntoffering,"andthenministeredina
heavenlycontextatthegoldenaltaroftheheavenlysanctuary). 42
Theincense(asymbolofChrist'smerits)makestheseprayers
acceptable, and "the seven trumpets are God's response to the
prayersofthesaintsforvengeanceonthosewhohavepersecuted
and martyred them." In the heavenly sanctuary typology, the
goldenaltarandincense,thesourcesofmediationintheearthly
type, merge with a portrayal of judgment that fall upon the
rejectorsoftheheavenlymediation.Thecenserisfilledwithfire
andthrowntotheearth,consonantwiththedepictionofdivine
executivejudgmentfromthesanctuaryinEzekiel10:16andremi
niscentoftheexperienceofNadabandAbihu(Lev10:13). 44 As
Paulienputsit,"Thecenserofprayerandthecenserofjudgment
havebecome
one.
InthefourthsectionofRevelation,theintroductoryscenein
Revelation 11:19 clearly points to the Most Holy Place of the
heavenlysanctuary,
40Ibid.,55.
41Pauiien,DecodingRevehaon'sTrumpets,313;Paulienhere(31213)givesseveral
linesofevidencethatsupporttheequationofChristwiththeangeloratleast
indicatethattheincenseisgivenbyChrist.
42Ibid.,31123.
43Ibid.,320.
44Seeibid.,320*22,fordiscussionandelaboration.
45Ibid.,322.
117
SanctuaryTypology
andinparticulartotheheavenlyarkofthecovenanttherein.Attentionisthusdrawn
totheLawofGod(containedintheark) asthebasisofjudgment(theDay of
Atonement)andtothemercyseatasthesourceofassuranceinthejudgment.These
themesarethendevelopedthroughoutthesection.Theannouncementofendtime
judgmentisproclaimed(14:6,7),andthemarksofGod'speopleareemphasized:the
keepingofthecommandmentsandthefaithofJesus(14:12;cf.12:17).
WiththefifthintroductorysanctuarysceneinRevelation15,wehavemoved
fromthehistoricaltotheeschatological(postprobationary)halfofthebook.Thus
thesanctuarysceneisreallytwofold.
First,wefindinverses24apictureofthosewhoareconquerorsinthestruggle
againstthebeastandhisimageandthenumberofhisname,standingupon(epi)the
heavenlyseaofglass(partoftheheavenlysanctuarysceneinRevelation4:6;the
antitypical"moltensea"?) 46singingtheSongofMosesandtheLamb(atypological
themefromtheExodusmotif,Exod15).
Second,inverses58,the"templeofthetentofwitnessinheaven"isopenedto
releasethesevenplagueangelsandthenclosed.JustasthegloryoftheLordfilled
the sanctuary/temple on earth at the close of Judah's probation and the
commencement of the executive judgment uponher (Ezek 10:34), 47 sohere in
RevelationthesmokefromGod'sglory,fillingthetemplesothatnonecanenter,
appears to signal the close of probationary time and the commencement of
executivejudgmentupontheenemiesofGod.
ThesetwosanctuaryscenesinRevelation15arepreludestothefinalrewards
forthesaintsandfinalpunishmentsforthewicked;theyareappropriatelyfollowed
(ininverseorder)byafocusuponpunishmentandrewardintheremainderofthe
book.48
Thesixthsanctuaryscene(Rev19:110)focusesuponheavenlypraise
46Furtherstudyisneededtoconfirmwhetherthetypologyheregoesbeyondthe"RedSea"Exodus
motiftoincludeanallusiontotheantitypical"tavec"ofthesanctuaiy.Althoughthewordplayin
kiyyor(meaningboth"laver"and"somethingtostandon")andtheverbalparalleloflhalassa(the
sameGreekwordfor"sea"inRev15:2andinthedescriptionofthe"moltensea"inSolomon's
temple,2Chr4:2,LXX),makeittemptingtoacceptsuchaninterpretation,thelackofclear
evidenceinthetext,andtheoutercourtsettingforthelaver(whichcourtsettinginRevrefersto
earthlythings)makesuchaviewproblematic.
47ManyhavepointedtotheparallelOTpassageswherethegloryoftheLordfillsthesanctuary/temple
atitsinauguration:Exodus40:3435;1Kgs8:1011;2Chr5:1314;7:12.However,thepassage
inEzekiel,oftenoverlooked,seemstoprovideacloserthematicandstructuralparallelinits
"closeofprobation"andexecutiveJudgmentcontext.
48SeeMaxwell,425.
118
SanctuaryTypology
forGod'sjustjudgmentsthatarelargelypastandthemarriagesupperof
the Lambthat isjust ahead. While the doxologycrescendos, explicit
depictionsoftheheavenlytempleareabsent.Thesectionthatfollows
this scene is transitional. Wth Christ's salvation work complete the
heavenlysanctuaryasthecenteroftheredemptiveactivityfadesfrom
view.ThefinalphasesofJudgment(tobediscussedbelow)arecarried
out,andthewayispreparedfortheearthheaventensioninsalvation
historytoberesolved.
Intheseventhsanctuaryscene(21:122:5),theNewJerusalemde
scendstoearth,andthepronouncementismade,"Behold,thetabernacle
[skehS]ofGodiswithmen"(Rev21:3,RSV).Theultimatepurposefor
whichtheearthlysanctuarywasbuiltonearth,"thatImaydwellintheir
midst"(Exod25:8),isnowconsummated: "He willdwellwiththem."
(Rev21:3).Theultimatetheocentric/Christocentricfocusoftheheavenly
sanctuaryishighlightedasJohnwrites,"AndIsawnotempleinthecity,
foritstempleistheLordGodtheAlmightyandtheLamb."(Rev21:22).
The focus of activity in the city is now doxological 49all the
redeemed gather about the throne in the city to worship Him, their
ultimateTemple(22:3).50
YearlyCycleofFestivals
Another major area of sanctuary typology appears to be
embeddedintheoverallliteraryarrangementofRevelation.This
isthetypologyoftheIsraeliteculticfestivals(Lev23),
Already in the OT there are hints that the yearly cultic
calendarofIsraelprefiguresthesweepofsalvationhistory.The
author of Hebrews asserts this truth when he says that the
sacrificial system was "a shadow of the good things to come"
(Heb10:1).Therewasagenuinerealitytowhicheachofthese
typespointed.Thefactthattheceremoniesneededtoberepeated
"year after year" revealed their own inadequacy and
impennanence,butunderscoredthesufficiencyandpermanence
ofthecomingrealities.
Israel'smajorfestivals.ThePassoverseemstobeidentified
withcom
49Attheconsummationofsalvationhistory,theheavenlysanctuaryortemple
apparentlyreturnstoitsoriginaldoxologicalfunction.Inharmonywiththis
suggestion,EllenWhitewritesthatthroughouteternitytheredeemedwillworship
fromSabbathtoSabbath"inthesanctuary"(EllenG.White,Testimoniesforthe
Church6[MountainView,CA,1948]:368).
50IthasbeensuggestedbysomethatthecubicalshapeoftheNewJerusalem(Rev
21:16)indicatesthattheentireNewJerusalembecomesthe"MostHolyPlace"of
thenewearthandtheplaceofworshipfortheredeemedaroundthethroneinthe
city(Rev22:13).See,GeorgeEldonLadd,4CommentaryontheRevelationof
John(GrandRapids,1972),282;Robert.Mounce,TheBookofRevelation,
NICNT(GrandRapids,1977),380.
119
SanctuaryTypology
mencementofIsrael'ssalvationhistory:**Iliismonthshall be foryouthe
beginningofmonths;itshallbethefirstmonthoftheyearforyou"(Exod
12:2).
The Feast of Tabernacles, thelast festival inthe yearly cultic cycle,
seemstobeidentifiedwiththeapocalypticconsummationofIsrael'ssalva
tionhistory.God's originalplanforthe windupof the great controversy
between goodand evil was to bethrough the agency of literal, national
Israel (had she remained faithful to God). In this context Zechariah
describeshow,followingthefinalapocalypticbattleandtherestorationof
Jerusalemandtheearth,theinhabitantsoftheearthwouldcomeyearby
yeartothegreateschatologicalfeast parexcellence, theFeastofTaber
nacles(Zech14:16).
Thus,thefirstandlastfeastsofIsraeFsculticcalendarseemtiedtothe
inaugurationandconsummationofIsrael'ssalvationhistoryrespectively.
It can be argued that the three major feasts of Israel prefigure the
threefold substructure of NT salvation history. 51 God commanded Israel,
"Threetimes inthe year you shall keepa feast untome" (Exod 23:14).
These are identified as the Feast of Unleavened Bread (connected with
Passover),theFeastofHarvest(Pentecost),andtheFeastofIngathering
(Tabernacles),inverses1416.Thesearetheonlytimesofassemblyinthe
culticcalendaractuallycalled"feasts"(hag)inScripture.
Correlative with the NT salvation history. The significance and
timing of these three feasts correlates well with the dynamics of NT
salvation history. The time of the first Passover and unleavened Bread
broughttemporalredemptiontoIsrael.Theywere"redeemedbytheblood
ofthelamb'*(cf.Exod12:2123).Theyweredeliveredfrombondage,but
they had not yet arrived in Canaan. Salvation history for them was
inaugurated,butnotyetconsummated.
Inthewildernesstheywerelivinginthetensionbetweenthe"already"
andthe"notyet."Itisinharmonywiththebiblicaldata,andheldbyJewish
tradition,thatthegivingofthelawfromMt.Sinaitookplaceatthetimeof
theoriginalPentecost.52 AtthistimethecovenantwithIsraelwasratified.
Thus,thenationwasincorporatedasGod'scovenantpeople.For40years
theperiodofliving"betweenthetimes"continued,andIsraelappropriated
thecovenantblessings.
AtlastIsraelreachedCanaan,andhertemporalredemptionwas con
summated.ThenationcouldnowcelebratetheFeastofTabernacles,aglad
51Seechart3(p.129).
52Exod19:1;cf.BabTalmud,Pes.68b;Zohar,Vitro,78t>.
120
SanctuaryTypology
reminderofdivineprotectionduringtheperiodofwildernesswandering,
andanoccasionofrejoicingovertheconsummationoftheirtemporalsal
vationhistory.
SeventhdayAdventistsaregenerallyfamiliarwithhowtheNTfinds
theantitypicalfulfillmentofthesethreefeasts(andtheassociatedcultic
"high days") in the eschatological salvation history brought about by
Christ.ChristdiedatPassovertime,astheantitypicalpassoverLamb(1
Cor5:7),withunbrokenbones(John19:36;Exod12:46). He aroseon
thethirddayastheantitypicalwavesheaf,firstfruitsofthefutureharvest
(1 Cor 15:23; Lev 23:1011). Fifty days later antitypical Pentecost is
fullycome.AsintheoriginalPentecostatMt.Sinai,therenowcomes
fire,earthquake,andablastofwind(Acts2:13;cf.4:31).AsGodhad
writtenHislawontablesofstonewithHisownfinger,Heagainwrites
thelawwiththefingerofHisSpirit(Luke11:20;Matt12:28),thistime
upon men's hearts (Jer 31; Heb 8; 10). And as Israel became God's
special covenant people, so the New Israel becomes Christ's new
covenantchurch.
TheSpringfeastsmetthisfulfillmentatthecommencementofNT
salvationhistory.Inlikemannerthefallhighholydays(Trumpetsand
DayofAtonement)leadinguptoandincludingTabernaclesattheendof
theculticcalendar findfulfillment inconnection withtheapocalyptic
consummationofNTsalvationhistory.Thisisthespecialfocusofthe
bookofRevelationthatliesattheheartofAdventistselfunderstanding
asaprophetic/apocalypticmovement.
Festival typology.TheoverallstructureofthebookofRevelation
maybeseentofollowthesweepofsalvationhistoryassetforthinthe
OT festival typology. The general outline of Revelation appears to
progresssequentiallythroughtheOTfestivals.However,whileanOT
typefindsbasicfulfillmentinoneofthethreeaspectsofsalvationhistory
(Christ,church,finalclimax),atthesametimeimplicationsofthesame
typemaybefoundintheotheraspectsofeschatologicalfulfillment.Such
seemstobethecaseinsanctuaryfestivaltypology,asillustratedinchart
4(seep.130),andthereforeeachsucceedingsectionofRevelationmust
notbeexpectedtohaveexclusivereferencetothecorrespondingfestival.
7. Passover themes. In the introductory sanctuary scene of
Revelation1thereisastrongemphasisuponpaschalthemes.Onlyhere
inthebookistheresuchastrongconcentrationuponChrist'sdeathand
resurrection.53ChristsaystoJohn,"Fearnot,Iamthefirstandthelast,
andthe
53AlthoughthereferencetotheslainLambisfoundinRev5;6,itisaLambthathadbeen
slain,im
121
SanctuaryTypology
livingone;Idied,andbeholdIamaliveforevermore,andIhavethekeys
ofDeathandHades."(1:1718).Earlierinthechaptergraceisseentocome
fromJesusChrist,"thefaithfulwitness,thefirstbornofthedead,...who...
hasfreedusfromoursinsbyhisblood"(1:5).
PauliennotesthatChrist's"scrutinyofthechurchesremindsoneofthe
Jewishhousehold'ssearchforleavenjustbeforePassover(cf.Exod12:19;
13:7)."54 M.D.Goulderpointsto"anancienttraditionforeachchurchto
haveapaschalcandleburninginworshipfromEastertoPentecost,"55 and
suggeststhisasabackgroundforthesceneofsevenlampstandsforthe
sevenchurches.Goulderalsoprovidesintriguingevidencethatothermajor
motifs in Revelation 1are intimately tiedtoPassover. 56 And the earthly
settingcomportswithPassover,theonlyfestivalwithitsprimaryfulfillment
intheearthlyChrist.
2.Pentecostthemes.TheintroductorysanctuarysceneofRevelation4
5appearsmostlikelytoportraytheinaugurationceremonyoftheLambin
theheavenlytemple,57aneventthattookplaceduringthetendaysfollowing
Christ's ascension, reaching its climax on the day of Pentecost. 58 If this
interpretationiscorrect,thenthesecondmajorsectionofRevelationmaybe
regardedasintimatelyconnectedwiththeantitypicalPentecost.Atthetime
ofJohn'svisionboththeantitypicalPassoverandPentecostwerepastevents
withongoingconsequences.IntheheavenlyliturgyJesus,theLion/Lamb,is
declared worthy to open the seals, to commence His heavenly salvation
workpreparatorytoopeningthebookofdestinyatthefinaljudgment.
ItisnotwithoutsignificancethatthetraditionalJewishlectionaryread
ingsforPentecostareExodus19:120:23andEzekielI. 59Thatthethrone
plyingthatitsdeathprecededthethronesceneofRev5.
54Paulien,"Intertcxtuality,"15.Ibid.,alsodocumentstheconnectionbetweenthemanna(Rev2:17)
andPassoverinEarlyJudaism,andnotestheallusiontoa"mealofmutualfellowship"inRev
3:20.
55.D.Goulder,"TheApocalypseasanAnnualCycleofProphecies,"NTS(1981):355.
56Ibid.,pointsoutthatthemotifofChrist'sreturnuponthecloudswouldbeidentifiedbyFirstcentury
readerswithPassover,inasmuchas"itwasatPassoverthattheearlychurchmostwidely
expectedChrist'sreturn."(Seehisn.24forJewishandChristianevidence.)Hefurther(p.356)
arguesthatthe"Lord'sday"(Rev1:10)inJohn'sdayreferstoEaster.Itseemsmoreprobable,
however,thatthisphrasereferstotheweeklySabbath,althoughthiscouldatthesametimebea
highSabbath.
57Seen.24above,
58SeeEllenG.White,TheDesireofAges(MountainView,CA,1940),834;andid.,TheActsofthe
Apostles(MountainView,CA,1911),3839,forsupportofthisview.Basicbiblicalevidenceun
dergirdingthispositionincludessuchpassagesasDan9:24;Acts1:8;2:3233;Heb1:8,9;Ps
133:2.
59SeeGoulder,356(and.3334).GoulderpointsoutthattheRabbinicattempttoforbidtheread
122
Sanctuary
Typology
visionofRevelation4isdrawnlargelyfromEzekiel1isunmistakable
withtheirsimilar portrayalsofthethrone,therainbow,andthefour
livingcreatures.SeveraldetailsalsoappeartoalludetoExodus19:Note
especiallythevoicesandthelightnings(Rev4:5;cf.Exod19:16),the
voiceofthetrumpet(Rev4:1;cf.Exod19:1619),andthesummonsto
"comeup"(Rev4:1;cf.Exod19:24).
TheconnectionwithExodus19isnotsurprisingsince,aswehave
already noted,thegivingoftheTorah(Law) onMt.Sinai probably
coincidedwiththefirstPentecost.IfmodeledaftertheSinaiexperience,
Revelation5maybeseeninasensetopresentChristastheantitypical
Moses,receivingthenewTorahfromGod.AtthefirstPentecostMoses
offeredthebloodysacrificetoratifytheSinaiticcovenantofredemption
(Exod24:8;cf.Exod20:2;Deut9:11),andIsraelwasinauguratedasa
"kingdomofpriests"(Exod19:6).InlikemannertheslainLamb,by
His"bloodofthecovenant"(Matt26:28=Exod24:8),redeemedmen
forGod(Rev5:6,9)andinauguratedthemasa"kingdomandprieststo
God"(Rev5:10).
3.Trumpetthemes. InthethirdmajorsectionofRevelationthe
seventrumpetsrecallthesevenmonthlynewmoonfestivalswhichform
atransitionbetweenspringandfallfeastsandclimaxinthe"Feast"of
Trumpets(Num 10:2,10; 29:1).Just astheFeastofTrumpets(also
calledRoshHashana,theJewishNewYear),summonedancientIsrael
to prepare for the coming day of judgment, Yom Kippur, so the
trumpets of Revelation especially highlight the approach of the
antitypicalYomKippur.
Whilethesealsviewthesweepofhistoryfromtheperspectiveof
Christ'sinaugurationandforward,thetrumpetsseemtoreachbackward
insalvationhistoryastokensthroughouttheChristianErathatGodwill
"remember"(thatis,actonbehalfof)Hispeopleandaswarningsto
prepare for the antitypical day of atonement. 60 The trumpetcalls to
repentancecomethroughsuccessivewarningjudgmentsandreachtheir
climax in the interlude after the sixth trumpet (Rev 1011). It is in
keepingwiththeFeastofTrumpetsimagerythatthespotlightonlast
events(inthisinterludebetweenthesixthandseventhtrumpets)details
the time of the Great Disappointment and the beginning of the
investigativejudgmentin1844.61
Theseventhtrumpetbringstoconsummationthehistoricalsweep
of
ingofEzek1comesaboutJohn'slime(p.357).
60SeePaulien,DecodingRevelation'sTrumpets,chap.3,forafullerportrayalofthe
meaningoftrumpets.
61Seethediscussionofthe"Ezekielpattern"above,pp.11415;andMaxwell,26980.
123
SanctuaryTypology
thissectionofRevelationwithadescriptionofthegloriousclimax:"The
kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ,andheshallreignforeverandever."(Rev11:15).Thentheresponse
ofthetwentyfourelders(11:18)summarizesinadvancetheflowofthe
remainderofthebook:thenationsrage,divinewrath,judgmentofthedead,
rewardofthesaints,destructionofthewicked. 62
4.DayofAtonementthemes. Theintroductorysanctuaryscenetothe
fourthmajorsectionofRevelation(Rev11:19)ushersusintotheMostHoly
Placeforthecommencementoftheantitypicalholiestdayoftheculticyear,
thedayofatonement(YomKippur).Thesevengreatcontroversyscenesthat
followhighlighttheannouncementthat"thehourofhisjudgmenthascome."
(14:7).
ThetypicalYomKippurincludednotonly(1)theworkofinvestigative
judgment,finalatonement,andthecleansingofthesanctuary(Lev16),but
also (2) retributive/executive judgment upon unrepentant sinners in the
camp(Lev23:2930),and(3)theriteofeliminationbymeansofAzazel's
goatbeingsentawayintothewilderness(Lev16:10,2022).
Likewise,intheantitype,thedayofatonementinRevelationcarriesus
throughtheinvestigativejudgment(11:1,2,19;14:7);throughthesevenlast
plagues(chaps.1516),andthejudgmentofBabylon(17:119:4);andon
through the millennial consignment of Satan to the "wilderness'Vbot
tomlesspitandtheconcurrentreviewjudgmentbythesaints(20:110)to
theclimaticwhitethronejudgmentandthefinaleliminationofsininthe
seconddeath(20:1115).Thedayofatonementthusencompassesthein
vestigative,review,andexecutivephasesoffinaljudgment. 6^
5.FeastofTabernaclethemes.InRevelation21theantitypicaldayof
atonement(YomKippur)isover,the"campisclean,"andtheantitypical
FeastofTabernaclescancommence.Itisamazingtonotehowmuchofthe
finalsectionofRevelation(andthespotlightsonthefinalrewardsofthe
redeemedinearliersections)iscouchedintheimageryoftabernacles.
TheFeastofTabernacleswasalsocalledtheFeastofIngathering,com
ingaftertheharvesthadbeengatheredintothegamer.Likewisetheanti
62Paulien,DecodingRevelation'sTrumpets,33739.
63AnumberofallusionstoOTpassagesinthesesectionsactuallyconstituteinvestigativejudg
ment/DayofAtonementimagety.Forexample,thereferencetoSatanasthe"accuserofour
brethren"(Rev12:10)recallstheinvestigativejudgmentsceneofZechariah3(cf.White,TheGreat
Controversy.484;EllenG.White,TestimoniestoMinisters[MountainView,CA,1962],3841).
ForananalysisoftheinvestigativeandexecutivejudgmentuponBabylonalongthelinesofthe
lawofthemaliciouswitnessinDeut19:1621,secKennethStrand,"TwoAspectsofBabylon's
JudgmentPortrayedinRevelationW;'AUSS20(1982):5360.
124
SanctuaryTypology
typicalfeastfollowstheharvestoftheearth(Rev14:1420)andconstitutes
thefinalingatheringofGod'speopleintotheirharvesthome.Israelofold
cametoJerusalematthe"revolution[i^qufwh]oftheyear"(Exod34:22)to
celebratethefeastforsevendays(plus an eighth. Lev 23:3337).Inthe
antitype,apocalypticIsraelenterstheNewJerusalemattherevolutionofthe
ages("'theformerthingshavepassedaway.*...'Behold,Imakeallthings
new'"[Rev21:4,5])tocelebrateand"worshipforeverandever!"
(7:917:22:35).
InthehistoricalOTfeasttheIsraelitesdweltin"tabernacles" (sukkot)
from whence the feast derived its name. In the antitypical finale, "the
tabernacle [skSn?, asinLev23:42LXX]ofGodiswithmen,andhewill
dwell [skSnoo] withthem,andtheyshallbehispeople,andGodhimself
shall bewith them" (Rev 21:3, KJV). Ancient Israel was commanded to
"rejoicebeforetheLord"(Lev23:40)atthefeast.Inactualpracticethis
meantthewavingofpalmbranches,singing,theplayingofinstrumentsof
music and a great feast. In the apocalyptic fulfillment there is again the
wavingofpalmbranches(Rev7:9),gloriousanthemsofpraise(7:10;14:3;
15:24),harpersplayingontheirharps(14:2),andthegreatmarriagesupper
oftheLamb(19:9).
Duringthetypicalfeasttheworshipersweretoremembertheirtimeof
wilderness wandering (Lev 23:43). In practice this developed into two
impressive ceremonies: (1) "the water of outpouring," symbolizing the
waterfromtherockthathadsustainedIsraelinthebarrenwilderness;and
(2) the "ceremony of lights," commemorating the pillar of fire that had
guided them through the desert.65 Both of these ceremonies by the first
centuryA.D.hadbeenrecognizedfortheirMessianicimport.Jesusclearly
pointedtowardtheirChristologicalfulfillmentinHimselfasthelightofthe
worldandthewateroflife(John7:37;8:12) 66
Inthefinal,glorious,apocalypticfulfillmentofthefeast,thewaterfes
tivalisthere.NotJustagobletfromthepoolofSiloam,norevenwater
gushingfromarock,buta"riverofthewateroflife,brightascrystal,flow
ingfromthethroneofGodandoftheLamb"(Rev22:1).Andthelight
ceremonyisthere.Notlampstandsinthecourtofthewomen,norevena
pillaroffire,noreventhedazzlingsun,butthe"gloryofGodisitslight,
anditslampistheLamb"(21:23).Jesus'finalappealinthebookseemsto
64Fortherabbinicalpractice,see,Mishnah,Sukkah5.14.
65Foradescriptionoftheseceremonies,seeMishnah,Sukkah4.9;5.13.
66SeeRaymondBrown,TheGospelAccordingtoJohn(ixii),AB(GardenCity,NY,1966),326
30.34345.
125
SanctuaryTypology
continuethetabernaclesimagery:"Lethimwhoisthirstycome,lethimwhodesires
takethewateroflife[thewateroftheultimateTabernacles]withoutprice"(22:17).
Conclusion
As we conclude this survey of sanctuary typology, we should note some
additionalrelatedtypologicalimagerynotreferredtointhegeneraldiscussionofthe
sanctuarymotifwithintheoverallstructureofRevelation.Someoftheseallusionsare
explicit; other references are more elusive. The "hidden manna" (2:17) certainly
belongstotheExodusmotif,butitmayalsorefertothemanna"hidden"insidethe
ark in the Most Holy Place (cf. Exod 16:3234; Heb 9:4). The promise to the
overcomers in Sardis that they would be clothed in white garments (3:4), may
sumbolizemorethanpurity/righteousness.Thesymbolmayalsopointtotheirroleas
antitypicalpriestswithChrist(sucharoleismadeexplicitin1:6;5:10).Theseveral
references to the twentyfour elders (4:4, etc.) may allude back to the Levitical
priesthoodanditstwentyfourcoursesofLeviticalpriests(1Chr24:119).
Thefourlivingcreatures,mentionedrepeatedlythroughoutRevelation(4:69,
etc.)arealmostidenticalwiththebeingsinEzekiel1and10.Inthelatterpassage
theyareidentifiedas"cherubim."Thesebeingsmayberegardedastheantitypical
correspondentstothecherubimoverthearkintheearthlysanctuary. 67
Finally,inasimilarvein,thenumerousallusionstothePsalmsandotherOT
hymnic passages in the heavenly liturgy of praise may be seen in antitypical
relationshiptotheearthlyliturgicalpsalmsinancientIsrael'ssanctuary. 68
ItisnotanoverstatementtoconcludethatthefinalbookoftheNTgathersall
themajorthreadsofOTsanctuarytypologyandweavesthemintoanintricateand
beautiful tapestry to form the backdrop for the entire book. In the process, the
prophetrevealsthecentralityandcrucialityofthesanctuarymotifforunlockingthe
structure,message,andmeaningoftheApocalypse.
67Interestingly,EitenG.Whiteindicatesthat"fourheavenlyangelsalwaysaccompaniedthearkofGod
inallitsjoumeyings,toguarditfromalldanger,andtofulfillanymissionrequiredofthemin
conneclionwiththeark"(TheSpiritofProphecy[BattleCreek.Ml,1870],1:399).
68Seeabove,n.7;cf.majorcommentariesonRevelationforexamplesofthecopiousallusionstothe
PsalmsintheliturgicalhymnsofRevelation.
126
Sanctuary
Typology
Chart1BiblicalTypology:An
OverviewofIssues
I.SignificanceofNTTypologicalInterpretationoftheOT
A.ModernAssessments:
1.LeonardGoppelt:Typology"isthecentralanddistinctive
NewTestamentwayofunderstandingScripture."
2.G.EmestWright:"Theonewordwhichperhapsbetterthan
anyotherdescribestheearlyChurch'smethodofinterpreting
theOTis'typology.*"
3.RobertM.Grant:"TheNTmethodofinterpretingtheOldwas
generallythatoftypology."
4..EarleEllis(quotingW.G.Kiimmel):"Typological
interpretationexpressesmostclearly*thebasicattitudeof
primitiveChristianitytowardtheOT;"
B.Critique:Theaboveassertionsmayoverstatethecase,but
certainlytypologyprovidesanimportantcasestudyintoNT
hermeneutics.
II.TwoModernViewsofBiblicalTypology:Traditionaland
"Postcritical"
A. Traditional: Typology is the study of divinely designed
prefigurations (in the form of persons/events/institutions) that
pointforwardtotheirantitypicalfulfillmentinChristandgospel
realitiesbroughtaboutbyChrist.
B."Postcritical Neotypology": Typologyisthestudyofhistorical
correspondences between OT and NT persons, events, and
institutions, retrospectively recognized within the consistent
revelationofGodinhistory.
C.Majorelementsofdifference:
TraditionalHistoricalCritical
1.Rootedinhistoricalrealities1.Historicitynot
essential.(historicityessential).
2.Divinelydesignedprefigu2.
Analogies/correspondencesrations,
withinGod'ssimilarmodesofactivity.
3.Prospective/predictive.3.Retrospective(littleorno
predictiveelement).
4.Prefigurationsextendto4.Involvesonlygeneral
"parspecificdetails,allelsituations."
5.Includesvertical(sanctu5.Rejectsverticalasalien
toary)typology,biblicalperspective(He
brews=mythic/dualistic).
6.Involvesconsistentprinci6.Nosystemororder
freepiesofinterpretation,domofSpirit.
127
SanctuaryTypology
Chart2TypologicalInterpretationof
theOldTestament:
IdentifyingTheTypes
OldTestamentlype
(Person/Event/Institution)
OldTestamentVerbalIndicator
ofTopology
NewTestamentAnnouncement
ofAntitype
1.Exodus:
BookofExodus;Hos
11:1;etc.
NewExodus1
AntitypicalExodus2
Hos2:1415;12:9,13;13:45;Jer Matt15;Luke9:31;etc.
23:48;16:15;31:32;Isa
11:1516;35;40:35;41:1720;
42:1416:43:13.1421;48:20
21;49:812;51:911;52:36,11
12;55:1213
2.Sanctuary
Exod2540
HeavenlyOriginal3
HeavenlyOriginal
Exod25:40;Ps11:4;18:6;60:6; Heb8:5;9:24;Rev8:15;
63:2;68:35;96:6;102:19;150:1; 11:19;16:1;etc.
Isa6;Jonah2:7;Mic1:2;Hab
2:20;etc.
3.Jonah
TheBookofJonah
NewJonah
AntitypicalJonah
Hos6:13(=Israel);Isa4153
Matt12:40;etc.
(Messiahrepresentsand
recapitulatesexperienceof
Israel:Isa41:8;42:1;44:1;49:3
6;52:1353:11;etc.)
4.Elijah
1Kgs1719
NewElijahMal4:5,6
AntitypicalElijah
Matt11:14;Mark9:11;Luke
1:17
5.Moses
Pentateuch
NewMosesDeut18:15.19
AntitypicalMoses
John1:21;6:14;8:40;etc.
1SeeC.Dodd,AccordingtotheScriptures:TheSubstructureofNewTestament
Theology(London,1952),esp.75133.
2SeeGeorgeBalentine,"TheConceptoftheNewExodusintheGospels,"(Th.D.
diss.,SouthernBaptistTheologicalSeminaly,1961);cf.id.,"DeathofChristas
aNewExodus,"RevExp59(1962):2741.
3SeeDavidson,TôlofyinScripture,36788;id.IssuesintheBookofHebrews,
15669.
128
SanctuaryTypology
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Chart3
FourfoldEschatologicalSubstructureofTypology
Resolve
lension
OverarchingVerticalDimension
IrruptionofPowersofAgetoComePentecost
FirstAdvent[
/HolySp
'ml
OldTestament
SecondAdvent
ThisAge>AgetoCome*
InKingdomLanguage
InEschatologicalLanguage
TYPOLOGY
TypologicalFulfillment
Aspects
OLDTESTAMENT
CHRIST'SFIRST
ADVENT*
TheocraticKingdom(Direct KingdomofGrace(Matt
RulebyGodorHisEarthly 12:28;Heb4:16)
Vicegerent)
VerbalPredictionsofEnd
InauguratedEschatology
time
THECHURCH
CHRIST'SSECOND
ADVENT**
TensionBetween"Already" KingdomofGlory(Matt
and"NotYet"fMatt16:19) 25:31)
AppropriatedEschatology
ConsummatedEschatology
Church(Ecclesiological)
FinalClimax(Apocalyptic)
Glorious,FinalLiteral
Fulfillment
ApocalypticIsrael
(Rev7:4)
ApocalypticExodus(Rev
15:13)
OldTestamentTypes
Persons,Events,Institutions
NewTestamentAntitypes
Christ(Christologicat)
FulfillmentMode
National,Ethnic
Literal,LocalFulfillment
Examples(1)
Israel
NewIsrael(Matt2:15)
(2
Exodus
Christ'sExodus(Matt15;
Luke9:31)
Spiritual,Universal,Partial
Fulfillment
IsraelofGod
(Gal6:16)
SpiritualExodus
(Heb4;2Cor6:17)
(3)
Sanctuary/Temple
ChristasTemple
(John1:14;2:21;
^]^.
ChurchasTemple
(lCor3:16,17;
^L
See1CorIftll,"endoftheage';Heb1:2,"theselastdays";1Pet1:20."endofthetime*.'
HeavenlyTemple/
UltimateTemple(Rev
3.2^.15^9^2U^2)
"See1Cor15:24,"end";Heb9:28,"second[iine;1Pel1:5,"lasttime."
Chart4
FestivalsOfLeviticus23:TypologicalAspectsintheNewTestament
A.SPRING:**
1(NISAN)14
***
OTFESTIVAL
CHRISTOLOGICAL*
ECCLESIOLOG1CAL*
APOCALYPTIC*
Passover(Pesach)(Lev
23:4,5;Exod12:114)
Crucifixion(Matt26:2728;
27:46;John19:3137)
Lord'sSupper(ICor5:7;11:23
26)
FeastofTheLamb(Luke
22:1516;Matt26:29;Rev
19:79;15:13)
RemovalofSin(1Cor
15:22,53;Rev14:45)
1(NISAN)1521
FeastofUnleavened
ProvisionforRemovalofSin
Bread(Lev23:58;Exod (ICor5:68)
12:820)
RemovalofSin(ICor5:68)
1(NISAN)16
FirstFruits(Lev23:914) Resurrection(1Cor15:23)
FirstFruitsofSpirit(Rom8:23) 144,000asFirstFruits(Rev
14:4)
3(SIVAN)6
Pentecost(Shavuot)(Lev AnointingWiththeSpirit(Matt "EarlyRain"|"LatterRain"(Joel2:23;Acts2)|(Joel2:23;Rev

23:1522)
3:16,17;Acts10;38)
18:1)
.FALL:
7(TISHRI)1
Trumpets(Rosh
CalltoJudgment(John12:31)
Hashana)(Lev23:2325)
7(TISHRI)10
DayofAtonement(Yom Lord'sGoat(Heb9:25,26;DA ChristCleansestheSoulTemple 1844toCloseofMillennium

Kippur)(Lev16;23:26 24,757;AA33);ChristComes (Mal3:13;2Cor6:1617;ICor (Dan8:14;Rev11:19;14:68;
31)
SuddenlytoCleanseHis
3:1617;DA161)
20)ChristCleansesthe
Temple(Mal3:13;John2:13
HeavenlyTemple(Mal3:13;
22;DA161)
GC424426)
7(TISHRI)1522
Tabernacles(Sukkoth)
(Lev23:3336)
CalltoJudgment
(Rev8&9;lPel4:17)
CalltoJudgment(Rev14:6,7;
Joel2:1)
ChristTabernacles"(John1:14); KeeptheFeastTodayPP540
AntitypicalWaterCeremony
541,AntitypicalWater(John
(John7:37)andLightCeremony 7:38)andLight(Matt5:1416;
(John8:12a)
John8:12b)
NewEarth(Zech14:16;
Rev7:912;14:15;
19:610;2122)
I1IIIIII
'Darklyoutlinedboxes=Primaryfulfillmentinthesweepofsalvationhistory.
**lnthedalesforthefeasts.thefirstnumberreferstothemonthandthesecondnufflber(i)totheday(s)ofthemonth.
'"Thenumbersindicatethethreefestivals(Passover/UnleavenedBread.Pentecost,Tabernacles)actuallydesignatedasihag(feast)inScripture.
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ChapterVI
RelationshipsBetweenDaniel
andRevelation
RichardLehmann
Editorial Synopsis. Ashistoricistinterpreters,Adventistshavealwaysrecog
nizedtheclosebondbetweenDanielandRevelation.Somesubjects,firstpresented
inDaniel,arerepeatedandelaborateduponinRevelationinasmuchasbothcover
thesweepoftheChristianEra.
In1902EllenWhitewrote, "Itwasmyideatohavethetwobooksbound
together,RevelationfollowingDaniel,asgivingfullerlightonthesubjectsdealt
withinDaniel.Theobjectistobringthesebookstogether,showingthattheyboth
relatetothesamesubjects"{TestimoniestoMinisters[MountainView,CA,1962],
117).
Sincemodernliberalscholarship denies the possibility of prophecyandre
stricts Daniel and its message to a second century B.C. Palestine setting, the
presentauthor suggeststhat today's churchneeds further reasonsto justify its
studyofDanielandRevelationtogether.
Inadditiontothetiesofcommonliterarygenre(apocalyptic)andcommon
subjectmatter,hesuggestsanotherlineofevidence: NT referencestoDaniel2,7,
and9.TheNTwriterswerenot"futurists"inthemodernreligioussenseoftheterm.
Rather,theyrecognizedthattheeschatologicalpartsofDaniel hadnotyetbeen
fulfilled intheirtimeorpriortotheirtimebutweredestinedforfulfillmentat
some point future to them. Consequently, it is legitimate to link Daniel with
RevelationattheirpointsofcommonconcernintheChristianEra.
Fromawiderperspectivetheauthorsuggeststhatcommonethicalconcerns,
chronologicaltimeperiods,aswellastheemphasisontheMessianicSonofmanin
Daniel and Revelation so complement and supplement each other that the two
propheciesmustbestudiedtogether.
131
RelationshipsBetweenDanielandRevelation
ChapterOutline
I.Introduction
II.NewTestamentUseofDaniel
III.Revelation'sAllusionstoDaniel
IV.WhyStudyDanielandRevelation?
Introduction
It is traditional procedure among Seventhday Adventists to analyze the
booksofDanielandRevelationaccordingtotheirmutualrelationships.1For
example,itshouldbeevidenttoanyreaderthattheanimalsofDaniel7are
tobefoundagainintheseabeastofRevelation13,thatthemillennialand
executive phases of final judgment in Revelation 20 are not without
connectionwiththedescriptionofthepreadventjudgmentinDaniel7,and
thatthesojournofthewomaninthewildernessinRevelation12:6,14is
identicalwiththatofthepersecutionofthesaintsmentionedinDaniel7:25.
But not all researchers see the linkage in the same way. Certain
theologiansprefertoseeIsaiahandEzekielasthebackdroptoRevelation.2
It becomes necessary, therefore, todaymuchmore than inthe pastto
justifyourchoiceandourreadingofthebookofRevelationinconnection
with the book of Daniel. What reasons can we advance for aligning
RevelationespeciallywiththebookofDaniel?
Ifweseearelatedlinkbetweenthetwoprophecies,itisessentiallybe
causewefindinthemthesamedescription,bothrecurringandcontinuous,
ofthehistoryoftheworldandofthechurch.Webelievethesebooksdeal
withourworld'shistoryandsetitsmainstagesinconnectionwiththestory
ofredemption.
HistoricalcriticalscholarshipregardsthebookofDanielasrestrictedto
secondcenturyB.C.Judaism.Onlyafewversesareacceptedaspro
1"StudyRevelationinconnectionwithDaniel"(EllenG.White,TestimoniestoMinisters[Pacific
Press.1962],116);ThebooksofDanielandtheRevelationarcone"(EllenG.WhiteComments,
inF.D.Nichol,ed.,TheSDABibleCommentary7[Washington,DC,1957}:971).
2Eg.,J.Comblin,LeChristdansI'ApocafypseCTournai,1965),11.
132
phetic in nature. Consequently, it is necessary to establish from the
ScriptureswhetherDanielhadanapocalypticmessagereachingbeyond
thatera. We maylegitimatelyasktheNTwritersifDanieltoucheson
endoftimeeventsandwhethertheysawthefulfillmentofitsprophecies
astakingplaceatpointsfuturetotheirday.
Ifwecananswerthesequestionsintheaffirmative,wethenhavethe
righttolinkDanielandRevelationonthebasisofacommoninterpreta
tion.Moreover,ifwecanestablishthatDaniel'sprophecieswereper
ceivedinNTtimestohaveprecisehistoricalapplications,thenwewill
beabletointerpretthetwobooksasdealingwiththecontinuoushistory
ofthisworldinrelationtotheplanofsalvation.
NewTestamentUseofDaniel
TheStrikingStone
TheprophecyofDaniel2isanarrationofasuccessionofpolitical
powersextendingfromDaniel'sdaytotheendoftime(Dan2:3645).
DidtheNTauthorsviewthisprophecyalreadyfulfilled?Itistruethat
theGospelsreferonlytothelastpartofitthestonethatstrikesthe
metallicimageuponitsfeet.Butitisofinterest toseewhetherthey
perceivedthedestructiveactionofthestoneasapastorafutureevent.
TworeferencesaremadetotheprophecyofDaniel2.InLuke20:18
andMatthew21:44referenceismadetoastone."Whosoevershallfall
on this stoneshallbebroken:butonwhomsoeveritshallfall,itwill
grindhimtopowder"(Matt21:44,KJV).Thereadingofthesetwotexts
couldsuggestthattheyarealludingtoPsalm118:2223ratherthanto
Daniel2sincetheformerpassagedealswiththestone,rejectedbythe
builders, that became the cornerstone of the Temple. However, for
several reasons we believe that in this case Jesus combines both
references(Ps118andDan2)inHisstatement.
BothGospeltextsseemtorecallthetwofoldactionstatedinDaniel
2:3435.Thestone,it wassaid, breaks thekingdomsintopieces and
scattersthemlike"thechaffofthesummerthreshingfloors."Inother
words,thestonebreaksandthreshes.IntheGospelspersonsarebroken
whofallonthestoneorarecrushedifthestonefallsonthem.
Inaddition,MatthewandLukeusethesameGreekverbastheLXX
(Theod.) in Daniel 2:44 for "crushing" or "threshing." "To thresh"
(Greek, \ occursintheLXX(Theod.)onlyinDaniel2:44and
Ruth3:2.
It seemsevidentthatwhenMatthewandLukestatethathewho
falls
133
uponthestonewillbe broken andheuponwhomthestonefallswillbe

threshedthesameverbalorderasinDanieltheyhaveDaniel2inmind.
ItisworthknowinghowJesusandtheGospelwritersunderstoodthis
stonereferenceinDaniel.Didtheylookattheeventsofthefirstcenturyasa
fulfillmentoftheprophecy?Somethinktheydid;Idonot.
Luke20:18.Letusanalyzetheimmediatecontextofthereferencetaken
fromLuke20.Itfollowstheparableofthewickedhusbandmen(Luke20:9
16)andforetellsIsrael'sjudgment.Whentheharvesttimeapproaches,the
ownerwishestoreceivethefruitofhisvineyard.Butthewickednessofthe
husbandmencompelshimtoexercisejudgmentonthemandtoletoutthe
vineyardtoanewteam.
Hislistenersmentallyrefusesuchanoutcome.HowcouldGodchoose
another nation? So Jesusspeaking to the silent questionasks them,
"Whatisthisthenthatiswritten,Thestonewhichthebuildersrejected,the
sameisbecometheheadofthecomer?"(vs.17,KJV).ThenHebringsup
thereferencetoDaniel2(vs.18).
AsuperficialreadingmightleadthereadertothinkthatJesusseesHis
rejectionbytheJewsasthefulfillmentbyIsraeloftheprophecyofDaniel2.
Acloserreadingshowsthatthisisnotthecase.
Theeschatologicalfutureofverse18shouldbenoted(shallfall/shallbe
broken; shall fall/will grind to powder). The effects of the stone are
projectedtowardanundeterminedfuture.
Furthermore,ifthedesignation,"builders,"pointstoIsrael'sleadersor
to the nation itself, the "whosoever" of verse 18 suggests a universal
application.ThejudgmenttofalluponIsraelinA.D.70isbutahistorical
examplepointingtowhatwillhappento"whosoever"rejectstheMessiah.
ThisinterpretationisconfirmedbyMatthew'spassage,whichismore
elaboratethanLuke's.
Matthew 21:44. This verse has not been retained by all exegetes. I
believe,however,alongwith TheSDABibleCommentary, thatitcanbe
maintained.Theverseappearsinimportantmanuscripts;anditsomissionin
otherscanbeexplainedasacopyist'serrorduetothesimilarendingwordin
verses43and44(aufesfauton)intheGreektext.Furthermore,verse44fits
perfectlyintothelineofreasoninginthecontext.
TheGospelofMatthewisstronglychurchoriented.BedaRigauxsays
thattoenterintoMatthew'sGospelislikeenteringacathedral.Itisnot
surprising that Matthew is more detailed and precise here than is Luke.
HenceherecordsJesus'sstatement,"ThekingdomofGodshallbe...given
toanationbringingforththefruitsthereof(vs.43).Furthermore,
134
JesusdoesnotmakeHisreferencetoDaniel2afterthePsalm118citation
butimmediatelyafterHisnotingthecomingofanother"nation."
Wehave,therefore,insuccessiveorder:verse42andPsalm118;verse
43andthetransferofthekingdom;verse44andDaniel2.Thereferenceto
thechurch(kingdomofGod)issetbetweenthetworeferencestoastone.
Verse42islinkedtoverse43bymeansofaconjunction"therefore"(dia
touto)whichshowsthatifJesusisthecornerstone,Heisthecornerstone
ofthechurch.
Verse44islinkedtoverse43bymeansofthedemonstrativepronounof
closeness (houtos,"this")insteadofthedemonstrativepronounofdistance
(ekeinos,"that")foundinLuke.HadMatthewwantedtoskipthereference
to the church (vs. 43) in order to link verse 44 to 42 (the two stone
statements),hewouldhavesimplyusedLuke's"that[ekeinos]stone."This
lineofthoughtmeansthatthechurchisbuiltuponJesusChrist(vs.42),and
thatitpartakesinHisvictory(vs.43).TheattitudeoftheJewstowardthe
churchissimilartotheonetheyhavetowardChrist.
DoesthismeanthenthatthechurchisthekingdomforetoldinDaniel's
prophecy?Notatall.Forthreereasonsthestoneisnottobeidentifiedwith
thechurchatChrist'sfirstadvent.First,thereisthefuturetenseofverse44
asweobservedearlier("whosoevershallfallonthisstoneshallbebroken,"
etc.).Onlythefinaljudgmentwillrevealanddemonstratethevictoryofthe
church.
Second,thereisthedistinctionthatJesusmakesintheparablebetween
thefirstandthesecondcomingofthehouseholder.Whenhesendshisson,
thetimeoftheharvestisnotyetcome.AsMatthewsaid,itisonlydrawing
"near"(vs.34).Butwhenthehouseholdercomestoexecutejusticeonhis
wickedhusbandmen(vs.40),itisalsowithaviewofreceivingthefruitsin
theirtime.So,accordingtotheparable,thereisonlyonetimeofharvest;
whenJesuswasonearththistimewasonly"approaching."
AnadditionalreasonliesinthefactthatMatthewgivesadetail(vs.
41)thatdoesnotappearinLuke:thenewhusbandmenwill"renderhim
thefruitsintheirseasons,"thatis,atharvesttime.Itisnotuntilthenthat
theirfaithfulnesswillbedemonstrated.Thisunwitting allusiontothe
churchbythePhariseescanbeexplainedintermsoftheparableandthe
record by the Semitic method of inclusion. This method consists of
repeatingattheendofastory(vs.41)thethemeofthebeginning(vs.34)
inorder togivetheaccountcoherence. 3Theproper function ofthe new
hus
3Seee.g.,Matt7:16,20;12:39,45;15:2,20;16:6,12;18:1,4,etc.
135
bandmenrecallsthepointofthestory,itsmainobject.Atthetimeoftheharvestthe
Lordwillcometoreceivethefruit.Thereisthereforeatimeinthefuturewhenthe
LordwillcometoHisvineyard;atthattimeHewillbereceivedbyHisown.
TheprophecyofDaniel2concerns theendoftime. Thestone(kingdom)that
would"thresh"(grind)thenations,accordingtoChrist'swords,wasfuturetoHis
dayandpertainstothevictoriousestablishmentoftheeternalkingdomofGod.This
findsconfirmationalsointhefactthatthechurchofgenuinebelieversisnotfully
manifested until "the time of the harvest," "when he [Christ] shall come to be
glorifiedinhissaints,andtobeadmiredinallthemthatbelieve...inthatday"(2
Thess1:10,KJV).
TheSonofMan;AbominationofDesolation
AfterDaniel2,itisnotsurprisingtoseetheNTgiveevenmoreatten tionto
Daniel7.C.H.DoddthinksthisOTchapter"belongstotheveryfoundationsof
NewTestamentthought."4ThischapterservedasapointofreferenceforJesusas
wellasfortheapostles.Themostobviousreference(althoughnotdirectlyquoted)
isDaniel7:13theprophecyoftheSonofmancomingintheclouds.
Again, according to Dodd, "obviously we have to deal with one of those
passageswhichfromthebeginningguidedinadecisivefashionthethoughtandthe
vocabularyofthechurchconcerningthatwhichhadtodowithoneoftheessential
pointsoftheKerygma,thereturnofChristasjudgeandSaviourofhumanity." 5
TheSonofmaninthecloudsismentionedbyJesusinHiseschatological
discourse."Andthenshalltheysee,"Hesaid,"theSonofmancomingintheclouds
withgreatpowerandglory"(Mark13:26,KJV).BeforetheSanhedrin,Heincluded
withtheDanielallusionareferencetoPsalm110:1."YeshallseetheSonofman
sittingontherighthandofpower,and cominginthecloudsof heaven" (Mark
14:62,KJV).AnimplicitreferencetoDaniel7ispresentedinthewordsofthe
angelstotheapostlesattheascensionofJesuswhen acloud receivedhimoutof
theirsight:"ThissameJesus,whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven,shallsocome
inlikemanner" (Acts1:11,KJV).TheapostlePauldrewanobviousconclusion
fromit:AtthereturnofChristtheredeemedwillbecaughtup "intheclouds,to
meettheLordintheair"(1Thess4:17,KJV).
4C.H.Dodd,ConformanentauxEcriiures(Paris,1968),69.
5Ibid,67.
136
ItispossiblethatwhenPaulassertsthatthesaintswilljudge
theworld(1Cor6:2),heisthinkingofDaniel7:22whereitsays
that"judgmentwasgiventothesaints"(KJV)andtheypossess
thekingdom(seealsoRev20:4).Daniel7:18alsodeclaresthat
the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom. This
allusiontothereignofthesaintsisreflectedin2Timothy2:12.
FinallyJesusassertsthatitisHewhoappointsthekingdomunto
thesaintssothattheymayreignwithHim(Luke22:29,30;cf.
Rev 5:910).ThethoughtsofDaniel7:18,22arecombinedina
singlestatementbyJesusinMatthew19:28"Intheregeneration
whentheSonofmanshallsitinthethroneofhisglory,yealso
shallsitupontwelvethrones,judgingthetwelvetribesofIsrael"
(KJV).Letusnotethatthesepredictionsdonotrefertoanevent
inthepastbutareorientedtowardthefuture.
Let us observe that these Daniel references inAdventist
interpretation have a future eschatological character. It is the
sameintheusemadeofthembytheNT. Andthesearenotthe
only ones. Others could be added. For example, Daniel
12:2/Matthew25:46;Daniel12:3/Matthew13:43.
Let us conclude this part of our study by examining the
explicit reference by Jesus to the "abomination of desolation"
(Matt 24:15, KJV). The Jews were familiar with the book of
Daniel. They apparently saw in the sacrilege perpetrated by
AntiochusEpiphanesthefulfillmentofoneofitsprophecies(1
Mace 1:54; 6:7). How could it have been otherwise for an
afflicted people who attempted to understand contemporary
eventsinthelightofprophecy?Allthattheystillwaitedforwas
"theconsummation,andthatdeterminedshallbepoureduponthe
desolate" (Dan 9:27, KJV) and the Messiah's appearance. The
adventoftheMessiahandtheendoftheworldwereoneandthe
sameeventintheirestimation(Matt24:3).
WhatisstrikingaboutJesus'referenceto"theabominationof
desolation,spokenbyDanieltheprophet"isthatHecorrectsthe
interpretationthattheJewsgaveofit.ForHim"theabomination
ofdesolation"hadnotyetamved\Jesusprojectedintothefuture
beyondHistimewhatJewish thought consideredtohavetaken
place.Assuredly,itisJudea,andmorepreciselyJerusalem,says
Luke, which sees the beginning of these events, but they will
extenduniversally,fortherighteoushavetobegatheredfromthe
fourwinds,theutmostpartsoftheearth,uptotheeternityof
heaven(Mark13:27).
Wemayconcludethissectionbyobservingthatasfaraswe
havesurveyedDaniel'spropheciesinterpretedinthe W, noneis
seenashavinghadanapplicationinthepastorthepresentbythe
writersoftheNTEach
137
timethematerialisinterpretedeschatologically,itispartofthepropheciesofDaniel
thatdealwiththeendoftime.Therefore,wehaveeveryreasontothinkthatthe
bookofDaniel isseenbythewritersoftheNTasabookwhosefulfillment is
expectedinthefuturebeyondthem,thatis,attheendoftheage.
Does this mean that the NT writers are adopting a futuristic method of
interpretation?No,becauseaswehaveseen,theyarequotingthoseportionsofthe
prophecies of Daniel 2 and 7 that are themselves dealing with the end of time.
ReferencestothetextofDaniel9willshowusthattheprimitivechurchreadthe
propheciesofDanielinachronologicalandcontinuousframework.ForJesusandthe
authorsoftheNT,thebookofDaniel(specificallychapters2and7)isnottobe
interpretedinapreteristicsense.Inthesegreatoutlinesceneswearedealingmuch
morewiththetimetocome.
Jesus,theAnointedOneofDaniel9
Theprophecyofthe70weeks(Dan9)hasbeenthesubject ofconsiderable
study.Ourquestionis,Didtheearlychurchseetheprophecyofthe70weeksaswe
do?Thatis,diditseeinJesusthefulfillmentofthisprophecy?Didtheyregarditas
havingachronologicalcharacter?Wehavereasontosayyestotheseinquiries.
Unanimously,historiansaffirmthatinthefirstcenturyofoureratheMessianic
expectationinIsraelwasinferment.WehavesomeevidencesofthisintheNTFor
example,theapostlePauljustifieshisappealtoCaesarbeforethechiefoftheJewsat
Romebecauseof"thehopeofIsrael"(Acts28:20).Thishopecouldonlybethatof
the Messiah (1 Tim 1:1). Luke notes that when John the Baptist appeared, "the
peoplewereinexpectation,andallmenmusedintheirheartsofJohn,whetherhe
weretheChrist,ornot"(Luke3:15, KJV). ForPaul,thematterisclear."Indue
time,"hesays"Christdiedfortheungodly"(Rom5:6,KJV).
Jesus Himself appears to be aware of the time element of this prophecy
foretellingtheappearanceanddeathoftheMessiah(Dan9:2526;cf.Mark1:15).
The evangelist John, who gives great attention to the question of chronology,
underlinesthisemphasiswhenherecordsJesus'repeatedobservationthatHishour
wasnotyetcome(John7:6,8;2:4;7:30).Intheupperroom,justbeforehewas
arrested,Jesusprayed,"Father,thehouriscome"(John17:1,KJV).
InthiscontextwemustunderstandtheapostlePaul'swords,"whenthefullness
ofthetimewascome.GodsentforthhisSon"(Gal4:4,KJV).
138
AndwhenhestatespreciselythatJesuswas"madeofawoman,made
underthelaw,"itisbecausehethinksofthecomingofJesusassituated
inhistory.
Itisfeasible,therefore,toassumethattheprimitivechurchrecognized
JesustobetheChrist,thatistosay,theAnointedOne,becauseitsawHis
timedappearanceandexecutionasafulfillmentofDaniel9.Animportant
statementbyJesusindicatesquitewellthat HeconsideredHimselfthe
AnointedOneforetoldbytheprophecy.HesaidinMatthew26:28,"thisis
mybloodofthenewtestament[covenant],whichisshed/ormany"(KJV).
PhilipMauromakestheremarkthatChrist'swordscouldnotbeinmore
perfectagreementwiththoseoftheprophecy:"Andheshallconfirmthe
covenantwithmany."6
SotheNTconfirmsthattheprophecyofthe70weeksconcerningthe
AnointedOnefindsitsfulfillmentinthepersonofJesus.Hiscomingand
Hisdeathweredependentuponaprogramknownandannouncedlongago
bytheprophecy.
WemayaddthattherelationshipbetweenthebooksofDanieland
RevelationisalsointhisareaofMessianicprophecy.TheSeventhday
Adventist Church has good reasons to be interested in both prophetic
books.Asapocalypticprophecies,theypresenthistoryinitsunfoldingby
associatingitwithHeaven'scentral focusthePersonandtheworkof
JesusChrist.
Revelation'sAllusionstoDaniel
WhatplacedoesthebookofDanieloccupyinRevelation?If
these two bookshaveacloserelationship,weoughttofindsome
aspectsofthebookofDaniellinkedtoRevelation...Swetehas
made an analysis of the vocabulary of Revelation. Although his
work is quite old (the date of the second edition which I have
consultedis1907)7itwillbeusefultousforourpurpose.
While certain Bible books are used more than others in
Revelation,thereisatotalabsenceofformalquotations.Morethan
halfofthereferencesaredrawnfromthePsalms,thepropheciesof
IsaiahandEzekiel,andthebookofDaniel.ButaccordingtoSwete,
proportionaltoitslength,
6PhilipMauro,TheSeventyWeeksandsheGreatTribulation(Boston,1923),81,quoted
byD.Ford,Daniel(Nashville,1978),201.
7Henry.Swete,TheApocalypseofSt.John:TheGreekTextWithIntroduction,Notes
andIndices,2nded.(London,1907).
139
thebookofDanielisbyfarthemostused. 8AccordingtoP.M.Bogaert,"Implicitor
explicit,thereferencetoDanielconstitutesoneofthemostcertaincharacteristicsof
literatureofapocalypticorigin."Itwouldbetedioustogiveallthereferences,for
therearemorethan30.Butletusnoteseveral.
First,imageryfromDaniel2.ThisprophecyofDanielconcerns,"whatshall
come to pass hereafter" (Dan 2:45, KJV). John uses this vocabulary in some
nondescriptive sections to specify that his visions concern "things which must
shortlycometopass"(1:1;22:6,KJV)or"hereafter"(4:1).AccordingtoDaniel
2:28,theprophetdeclaredthattheGodwhorevealedsecretshadmadeknownto
the king whatshould come topass hereafter.Nowaccordingto John,itisJesus
Himselfwhoaskshimtowritethethingswhichshallbehereafter,themysteryof
thesevenstars(Rev1:20).
TheseallusionstoDaniel2providemorethanlinguisticimagery.Theyare
writtenintheseriesofeventsthatsucceedeachother.Theuseofthevocabulary
ofDanielisnotdonebychance.Forexample,thevisionofDaniel(chap.2)closes
with the judgmentofGodsymbolizedby astone that smashesthe imageand
scattersits pieces tosuchan extentthat"thewind carried them away,that no
place wasfoundforthem" (Dan 2:35,KJV). In likemannerthe vision givento
Johnaboutthepresentworld finisheswiththefinaljudgmentscene of"agreat
whitethrone,andhim thatsatonit,fromwhosefacetheearthandtheheaven
fledaway;andtherewasfoundnoplaceforthem"(Rev20:11,KJV).Thereisa
clearcorrespondence between theendofthevisionof Daniel andtheendofthe
presentworldaccordingtoJohn.
The chapter of Daniel most cited in Revelation is chapter 7. See 12
references listedbelow.10 Allusions toDanielappear at times todomorethan
provide phraseology. Rather, they are written in the perspective of a linear
interpretation,inconformitywithwhatwehavefoundelsewhereintheNTFor
example,Jesuscomeswithclouds(Rev1:7;Dan7:13),andHeshowsHimselfto
JohnasonelikeuntotheSonofman(Rev1:13;Dan7:13).
AsinDaniel,theactionofthelittlehornendsinthewarthatitwages
8Ibid.,CLII.
9P.M.Bogaert,"LesApocalypsescontemporainesdeBaruch,d'EsdrasetdeJean"inL'Apocalypse
johanniqueetI'Apocalyptique...,36.
10Dan7;3/Rev11:7;Dan7:46/Rev13:2;Dan7:7/Rev12:3;Dan7:9/Rev1:14;Dan7:10/Rev
20:12;
Dan7:10/Rev5:ll;Dan7:13/Rev1:7;Dan7:13/Rev1:13;Dan7:18/Rev22:5;Dan7:20/Rev13:5;
Dan7:21/Rev13:7;Dan7:25/Rev12:14.
140
againstthesaints(Dan7:2122,25),soinRevelationitisthesamefortheseabeast
thatuttersblasphemiesandmakeswaragainstthesaints(Rev13:110).Tobesure.
Revelationis an original work and nota copy ofDaniel. Thetwo books are
marked,however,bysimilaritiesthatjustifytheirmutualreadingastheSeventh
dayAdventistChurchdoes.
Inadditiontothemanyallusionsto Danieltobefound in Revelation isthe
factthatbothprophetic bookssharethecommoncharacteristicsof apocalyptic
writing.11Apocalypticprophecypresentsacosmicsweepofthegreatcontroversy
betweengoodandevil,assuringthebelieverofGod'scontrolofhistoryandthe
certainty of thevindicationofHispeopleinaglorious eschatalogical climax.
Thus, the unfoldingoftheircommon theme serves toilluminate therespective
propheciesofeach.
WhyStudyDanielandRevelation?
Wenownotethreecharacteristicsthatespeciallyjustifythecommonstudyof
DanielandRevelationinourtime.
Ethical quality. Ellen G. White writes concerning Daniel and Revelation,
"WhenthebooksofDanielandRevelationarebetterunderstood,
1"?
believerswillhaveanentirelydifferentreligiousexperience.""Andagain,"We
needtostudytheworkingoutofGod'spurposeinthehistoryofnationsandin
therevelationofthingstocome,thatwemayestimateattheirtruevaluethings
seenandthingsunseen."13
Outoftheseapocalypticbooksspringimportantethicalconsequences...
Rowley recognizesthistruthwhen hewrites,"Thevisions ofDaniel andof the
bookofRevelationdeserveourattentionnotonlyforthedetailsoftheirform,
butforthegreatspiritualprinciplethattheyupholdthroughout."14Thegeneral
convictionregardingthisethicalcharacteristicissuchthatcertainwritersthinkit
is the only one. P. Fruchon, for example, declares that the understanding of
apocalypticshouldbepsychologicalorsociological,evenaesthetic.15
It isinfact remarkable tonote that Daniel and Revelationbothbeginwith
eminentlyethicalaccounts(Dan1:621;Rev1:9).Throughoutthe
11Foracomprehensivereviewofthese,seeinthisvolume,KennethStrand,"FoundationalPrinciples
ofInterpretation,"chap.1.
12White,TestimoniestoMinisters,114.
13EllenG.White,Education(MountainView,CA,1952),184.
14..Rowtey,TheRelevanceofApocalyptic(London,1944),12.
15P.Fruchon,"SurVifiterpr6tationiiesapocaiypses,"mApocalypsesettheologiedel'esperanc(Paris,
1977),96.
141
visionsthereispresentedachoicebetweenfaithfulnesstothewillofGodor
retreatbeforetheterriblepressureofevilpowers.Thesymbolicvisionsdo
notproposesimplytodenounceGod'senemies,buttocallbelieverstocom
pletefaithfulnesstotheOnewhoreignsandwhocomestorenderjustice.
Theethicalcontentofapocalypticprophecygivesitaneternalcharacter.
ItrecallsthatthepropheticcontentconcernsthegreatconflictbetweenSatan
and God in which God's victory is guaranteed. Thus, attention is turned
towardthefinalvictoryofGodanditssignificanceforthebeliever.
ThefaithfulreaderofDanielandRevelationisnotlostinspeculation
aboutthefuture,ratherhefindsinthesetwobooksaclearunderstandingof
thetimeinwhichhelivesandamotiveforaction.LiketheapostlePaul,
whoannouncedthefuturecomingoftheLordinthecloudsofheavenand
thenadvancedtotheethicsofmarriage,politicalattitudes,socialrelation
ships, and the like, just so the apocalyptic writers also sound an ethical
dimension calling for the exercise of faith and obedience. Nothing can
provideabetterfoundationforethicsthantheexpectationofaSaviourwho
is coming and the assurance Daniel and Revelation provide by the
methodicalandsuccessivefulfillmentoftheirprophecies.
Chronological characteristic. Chronology is a major element in the
booksofDanielandRevelation.Thisisthesecondsimilarcharacteristicwe
shallconsider.
AlthoughJ.Moltmanndoesnotgiveeschatologythesamemeaningas
Adventistsdo,hesayswithgoodreason,"Christianityiscompletelyescha
tology,itishope,visionandorientationinadvance,hencealsoadeparture
andachangefromthepresent....Theeschatologicalperspectiveisnotan
aspectofChristianity,itisineveryrespectthecentreoftheChristianfaith.
There is assuredly only one real problem in Christian theology; it is
presentedtoitbyitspurpose,andthroughit,itisposedtohumanityandto
humanthought:itistheproblemofthefuture."16
U.Vanni,too,recognizesthat"Revelationwouldbe,beyonditsliterary
clothing, a book of prophecy."17 And P. Prigent, whoisnot sympathetic
towardareadingofRevelationintheSeventhdayAdventiststyle,hasto
admitthat"itisnotaquestionofreducingthemessageofRevelationtothe
affirmationofaneternalpresent."Thebook,"hesays,"isfullofstatements
relatingtotimeandeventochronology.Wemustdojusticetothem."
16J.Moltmann,ThcofoffedeI'esperance(Paris,1970),12.
17U.Vanni,"L'Apocalypsejohanniquc.Etatdelaquestion,"mL'Apocafypsejohamiufue...,27.
142
TheseideasarearrangedbothinDanielandRevelationinamanner
of recurrentcomposition.J.Lambrecht,whoanalyzedthestructureof
Revelation,declaresthatrepetitionandprogressionconstitutetheessen
tialcharacteristicsofthecompositionofthebook.
Now,ifthese characteristics relate Daniel and Revelationtoone
another,itrelatesthemalsointhemethodofritualdiscourse.According
to LeviStrauss, this discourse is the opposite of myth and tries to
"remakeacontinuityfromadiscontinuity." 19Appliedtohistoryitcould
showthat itformsanentityandtendstowardagoal.Eachsectionisa
sequentialresumptionofthesameglobalhistoryinordertoadddetails
andtoprogresstowardtheexplanation.
We have cited several references, but they show well that
researchers of all shades of opinion admit, sometimes in spite of
themselves,thatapocalypticprophecydemandsitbeorientedtowardthe
futureinamannerquitedifferentfromtheclassicalprophets."Tothe
cry of the prophets, 'How long, 0 Lord, how long?' the apocalyptic
writers give the year, the day, and the hour,'120 as it were. "In other
words,prophecyisunderstoodnolongerasapromisewhichunlocksthe
futurebutas ^prediction ofeventswhichhavetobefulfilled.Atthe
sametimeapocalypticinterpretationunderstandsitselfandfulfillsitself
asreckoningandforecast.""
SinceDanielandRevelationcoverthesameperiodsofhistory,they
certainlydeservetobestudiedtogether.Atpointstheirchronological
dataoverlapeachother,expressedsometimesinthesameterms(Rev
12:14;
Dan7:25).
Finallyletusnoticealastcommonelement.
TheChristcenterednatureofapocalyptic.Wecannotfailtolink
DanielandRevelationwhenwediscoverineachthecentralfigureofthe
Sonofmanwhocomesinthecloudsofheaven."TheChristianvisionof
historythatcomestousfromPatmosisfirstofallthat:avisionofChrist
andofHisindivisiblebutcertainandirresistiblepartinhistory." 22The
firstpropheticwordofRevelationconcernsthecomingoftheSonof
manon
18J.Lambrecht,"AStnicturationofRevelation4,122,5,"inL'ApocalypseJohanniquc
elI'ApocalypliquedansIeNouveauTestament(Gembloux,1980),103.
19QuotedandusedagainbyJ.C.Picard,"LesTroisinstancesnarratique,symbolique
etideologique,"inFoietvie75(1976),1225(=Cahiersbibliques15).
20D.S.RussetusedagainbyP.Fruchon,"Sur1'interpretationdesapocalypses,"in
ApocalypsesettheologiedeI'esperance...,435.
21Ibid.;cf.JamesBan,"Thechronologicalschemeisoffundamentalimportancefor
theunderstandingofthebiblicaltext,"BiblicalWordsforTime.SET,vol.33
(London,1962),29.
22..Fcret,L'ApocalypsedesaintJean.VisionchretiermedeI'histoire(Paris,
1943),98.
143
theclouds(1:7).Thewholebookiscenteredonthiscoming.Itisgivenasapointof
referencetoalmosteverychurch(2:5,16,25;3:3,11,20).Itisgivenasaterminal
point:"SurelyIcomequickly"(22:20,KJV).
Conclusion
ManyrelationshipsbetweenDanielandRevelationareevident.Forexample,
theworshipoftheimageofgoldinDaniel 3andoftheimageofthebeast in
Revelation 13; the vision of Christ in Daniel 10 and Revelation 1; the fall of
BabyloninDaniel5andRevelation14,and18;theGodwhocomestodeliverHis
owninDaniel3and6andRevelation14;thebeastsofDaniel7andRevelation13
and17;thetimesofDaniel 7andRevelation11,12,etc. Bothpropheticbooks
overlapintheirchronologicaldataandethicalconcerns.
JesusHimselfdrewtheattentionofHiscontemporariestothestoneofDaniel2
andtotheSonofmanofDaniel7.TheevangelistspointedtotheAnointedOneof
Daniel9.ThecentralplaceofChristinbiblicalapocalyptic,theemphasisplacedon
Hiscoming;allthesejustifyforeveryChristianthemutualstudyofDanielandof
Revelation.
144
Chapter
EllenG.White'sUse
ofDanieland
Revelation
GeorgeE.Rice
Editorial Synopsis. Some Adventist Bible students who propose dual
fulfillmentsforselectedpropheciesinDanielandRevelationarguethatthey
HndendorsementforthisapproachinthewritingsofEllenG.White.Afew
wouldabandonthehistoridstmethodaltogetherinfavorofafuturistformof
interpretation. ButthereisnoevidencethatEllenWhitethoughtthechurch
would follow any other method of interpreting these prophecies than the
historidstmethod.
In her own writings, the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation unroll in
historicaltimefromthedaysofDanielandJohnuntiltheestablishmentofthe
eternalkingdomofGod.Forexample,sherecognizesthesequentialfulfillment
acrosstheChristianEraofthepropheciesofRevelationinamajorstatement:
IntheRevelationareportrayedthedeepthingsofGod....Its
truthsareaddressedtothoselivinginthelastdaysofthisearth's
history,asweltastothoselivinginthedaysofJohn.Someof
thescenesdepictedinthisprophecyareinthepast,someare
now taking place; some bring to view the close of the great
conflict between the powers of darkness and the Prince of
heaven, and some reveal the triumphs and joys of the
redeemed in the earth made new. (The Acts of the Apostles,
[MountainView,CA,1911],584,emphasisadded.)
In thischaptertheauthordemonstratesthehistoridstperspectiveofthe
pioneersandEllenG.White.Heexaminesanumberofcitationsdrawnfromher
writings that are alleged to teach a double fulfillment principle that can be
applied to the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. The study focuses
particularly on the significance other oft repeated phrase, "history will be
repeated"andherremarksregardingChrist'sprophecyaboutthedestructionof
Jerusalemandtheendoftheworld.
145
EllenG.White'sUseofDanielandRevelation
ChapterOutline
I.Introduction
II.PioneerPrinciplesofPropheticInterpretation
III.TheHistoricistPerspective
IV.JerusalemStatements
V.NonexpositionalUsesofPropheticLanguage
VI.AnExpositor
VII.Conclusions
Introduction
SincetheformationoftheSeventhdayAdventistChurchtherehasbeenatendency
on the part of some to move away from the sixteenthcentury Reformation
historicist approach to the interpretation of Bible prophecy. Whereas Adventists
haveturnedtohistoryforthefulfillmentofprophecyandtounderstandtheleading
ofGod'shandintheaffairsofnations,somebelievethatthisapproachtoprophecy
isafaultyhermeneutic.
Pointingtothegreatdisappointmentof1844asaprimeexample,somecritics
of the historicist method insist that Adventists today have closed the door of
advancing truth by perpetuating the erroneous hermeneutics of the Adventist
pioneers.Truthcannotbeseenbytheuseofthismethod,theysay,becauseSatan
has counterfeited and manipulated secular history for the expressed purpose of
misleadingthosewhowouldinterpretprophecybythehistoricistmethod!Students
ofDanielandRevelationmustunderstand,rather,thatthepropheciesofbothbooks
havetheirfulfillmentinasinglegenerationthelastgenerationattheendoftime.
Thus,therearesomewhowouldlooktothefutureforthefulfillmentofmostof
DanielandRevelation.
ThepurposeofthisstudyistoexamineEllenWhite'sunderstandingastohow
thepropheciesofDanielandRevelationaretobestudied,andhowsheherselfused
passagesfromthesebooksinherownwritings.
PioneerPrinciplesofPropheticInterpretation
EllenWhiteisveryclearthattheAdventistpioneerswhostudiedthemessages
ofDanielandRevelationwereledbyGodastheyusedthehistoricistmethodto
interpretapocalypticprophecy.ConcerningtheexperienceofWilliamMiller,she
says,
146
Ellen G. White's Use of Daniel and

Revelation
Linkafterlinkofthechainoftruthrewardedhisefforts,asstepby
stephetraceddownthegreatlinesofprophecy.Angelsofheavenwere
guidinghismindandopeningtheScripturestohisunderstanding.
Takingthemannerinwhichtheprophecieshadbeenfulfilledinthe
pastasacriterionbywhichtojudgeofthefulfillmentofthosewhich
werestillfuture,hebecamesatisfiedthatthepopularviewofthespiritual
reignofChrist~atemporalmillenniumbeforetheendoftheworld
wasnotsustainedbythewordofGod.
Finding fault with the historicist method is not a new

developmentamongAdventists.Acknowledgingthattherewere
thoseinherdaywhowishedtoreinterpretthesetwobooks,Ellen
WhitepointsoutthatthesepeopledidnotunderstandthatGod
wasleadingtheverymenwhodidaspecialworkinsettingforth
truthattheappointedtime. 2 "TheLorddoesnotlayuponthose
whohavenothadanexperienceinHisworktheburdenofmaking
anewexpositionofthoseprophecieswhichHehas,byHisHoly
Spirit,moveduponHischosenservantstoexplain." 3
Concerning the pioneer historicist interpretation of the
propheciesofDanielandRevelation,EllenWhitesays,"Irepeat,
He[God] is not leadinganyone byHis Holy Spirit to frame a
theorythatwillunsettlefaithinthesolemnmessagesHehasgiven
Hispeopletobear toour world." 4 In1907she wrote toA.G.
Daniells,"WehavesearchedtheScriptures;wehavebuiltsolidly,
andwehavenothadtotearupourfoundationsandputinnew
timbers.'
For the benefit of later generations, lest they forget, the
experienceofthosewhoworkedthroughthepropheciesandwho
had a part in the proclamation of the first and second angels'
messagesshouldberehearsed.
TheLordhasdeclaredthatthehistoryofthepastshallberehearsed
asweenterupontheclosingwork.EverytruththatHehasgivenforthese
lastdaysistobeproclaimedtotheworld.EverypillarthatHehasestab
lishedistobestrengthened.Wecannotnowstepoffthefoundationthat
Godhasestablished.Wecannotnowenterintoanyneworganization;for
thiswouldmeanapostasyfromthetruth.
1EllenG.White,TheGreatControversy(MountainView,CA,1950),321.
2EllenG.White,SelectedMessages,Book2(Washington,DC,1958),111.
3Ibid..112.
4Ibid.,115.
5EllenG.Whnc,ManuscriptReleasesI(Washington,DCEllenG.WhiteEstate,1981):
54.
6White,SelectedMessages,Book2,390.
147
TheHistoricistPerspective
AlthoughEllenWhitedoesnotusetheterm"historicist,"itisclearthatshe
understoodtheonlyproperwaytointerpretDanielandRevelationwastolookfor
theunfoldingoftheir prophecies withinthehistorical events that have occurred
throughouttheages.RatherthanatoolinthehandsofSatantomisleadandconfuse
God'speople,humanhistory,bothsecularandreligious,isthebasisforinterpreting
prophecy."InthehistoryofnationsthestudentofGod'swordmaybeholdtheliteral
fulfillmentofdivineprophecy."7
ConcerningthescrollofRevelation5,EllenWhitesays,"ThereinHisopen
handlaythebook,therollofthehistoryofGod'sprovidences,theprophetichistory
ofnationsandthechurch....andthehistoryofallrulingpowersinthenations." 8
LinkbylinkthehistoryofthehumanraceasoutlinedbyGodinHisword,formsa
propheticchain.Withinthischainwecantell"wherewearetodayintheprocession
oftheages."9Bybeholdingfulfilledprophecywithinthecourseofhumanhistory,
God'speoplefacethefuturewithconfidenceknowingwhatistocome.
EllenWhitespeaksintermsofthepropheticchainrunningthroughhistory.
Linkafter link,Godreveals history"from eternity inthepast toeternity inthe
future."10ShespeaksinasimilarwaytothepropheciesinDanielandRevelationas
sheexhortsministersandpeoplealiketotracethelinesofprophecysothatthey
"mighthaveanintelligentunderstandingoftheperilsandconflictsbeforethem." 11
Concerning the nature of apocalyptic prophecy in general, she says, "The
prophecies present a succession of events leading down to the opening of the
judgment. This is especially true of the book of Daniel." 12 And concerning the
propheciesofJohn,shewrites,
ThebookofRevelationopenstotheworldwhathasbeen,whatis,and
whatistocome;itisforourinstructionuponwhomtheendsoftheworld
arecome....Inthisbookaredepictedscenesthatarenowinthepast,and
someofeternalinterestthataretakingplacearoundus;other
7EllenG.White.ProphetsandKings(MountainView,CA,1943),501.
8EllenG.While,ManuscriptReleases9:7;alsoManuscriptReleases12:296.
9EllenG.White,Education(MountainView,CA,1952),178.
10Ibid.;White,ProphetsffndKmgs,536.
11EllenG.White,TheActsoftheApostles(MountainView,CA,1911),583;seealso,BibleEcho,
June3,1889;ReviewandHerald,March29,1870;SelectedMessages,Book1,56.
12White,TheGreatControversy,356.
148

Revelation
ofitsprophecieswillnotreceivetheircompletefulfillmentuntiltheclose
oftime,whenthelastgreatconflictbetweenthepowersofdarknessand
thePrinceofheavenwilltakeplace.13
AllIsNotFuture
Itis withinthecontextofthispropheticchainconcept thatEllen
White'sstatementabouttheeleventhchapterofDanielmustbeunder
stood. "The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly
reached its complete fulfillment."14 The prophecy is indeed a chain,
presentinglink bylink theeventsthatdownthroughhistorybearupon
the experience of God's people until the end of time. Ellen White's
emphasisisthatwehavenowreachedthefinallinksinthechain.
Thatsheunderstandstheprophecytofindfulfillmentwithinthesuc
cessivehistoryofnationsisseenbythenextsentenceofLetter103,1904,
"Muchofthehistorythathastakenplaceinfulfillmentofthisprophecy
willberepeated."Theeventsinthelivesofhumankindandtheriseand
fallofnationsiswhathistoryisallabout.Becauseprophecypredictsthe
riseandfallofnationsandtheeventsthatwilltranspire,itisonlylogical
thatwelooktohistoryforanunderstandingofprophecy.
Eachlinkinthepropheticchainistoprepareustounderstandthe
nextseriesofeventsthatarethemselvestobecomehistory."Eachperiod
ofthefulfillmentofprophetichistoryisapreparationfortheadvanced
lightwhichwillsucceedeachperiod.Astheprophecycomestotheend,
thereistobeaperfectwhole."15
Keepinginmindthathistoryistheunfoldingofapropheticchain
willguardusfromtheerrorofplacingthefulfillmentofallapocalyptic
prophecywithin a single generationthe last generation at the end of
time.Statementslikethefollowingwillbeunderstoodwithinthecontext
ofthischain:
"ThelightthatDanielreceivedfromGodwasgivenespeciallyforthese
lastdays.ThevisionshesawbythebanksoftheUlaiandHiddekel,the
greatriversofShinar,arenowinprocessoffulfillment,andalltheevents
foretoldwillsooncometopass.' Thisstatementcanhardlymeanthat
noneofDaniel'sprophecieswillbefulfilledpriortotheclimacticevents
ofhistory.ForDanielhimselftellsusthatcertainsymbolsinthisbook
refertoBabylon,
13EllenG.WhiteComments,TheSDABibleCommentary7(Washington,DC,1957):
954;cf.,id.,TheActsoftheApostles,58485.
14BlenG.White,Testimonies9(MountainView,CA,1948):14;id.,Manuscript
Releases13:394.
15White,ManuscriptReleases13:15.
16White.TestimoniestoMinisters,11213.
149
Persia,andGreece.ItisinthosepropheciestakenupbyJohnintheRevela
tion,whichrealizetheirfulfillmentinthepreachingofthefirst,second,and
thirdangels'messages,thatDanielstandsinhislot.
"Danielshallstandinhislotattheendofthedays[Dan.12:13].John
seesthelittlebookunsealed. ThenDaniel's prophecies havetheirproper
place in the first, second, and third angels' messages to be given to the
world."17
EllenWhitewarnsagainstmisapplyingprophecy.Shesayssuchexperi
ences"beginbyturningawayfromthelightthatGodhasalreadygiven." 18
Partofthedangershewarnsagainstisthedesireonthepartofsometofind
afuturefulfillmentforpropheciesthathavealreadymetfulfillment."There
arethosewhoaresearchingtheScripturesforproofthatthesemessages
[threeangels']arestillinthefuture.Theygathertogetherthetruthfulnessof
the messages, but they fail to give them their proper place in prophetic
history."19
TheservantoftheLordwarns,
The great waymarks of truth, showing us our bearings in prophetic
history,aretobecarefullyguarded,lesttheybetorndown,andreplacedwith
theoriesthatwouldbringconfusionratherthangenuinelight....
Somewilltakethetruthapplicabletotheirtime,andplaceitinthefu
ture.Eventsinthetrainofprophecythathadtheirfulfillmentawayinthepast
aremadefuture,andthusbythesetheoriesthefaithofsomeisundermined.
FromthelightthattheLordhasbeenpleasedtogiveme,youarein
dangerofdoingthesamework,presentingbeforeotherstruthswhichhave
hadtheirplaceanddonetheirspecificworkforthetime,inthehistoryofthe
faithofthepeopleofGod.YourecognizethesefactsinBiblehistoryastrue,
butapplythemtothefuture.Theyhavetheirforcestillintheirproperplace,
inthechainofeventsthathavemadeusapeoplewhatwearetoday,andas
such,theyaretobepresentedtothosewhoareinthedarknessoferror.
HistoryNotProphecytobeRepeated
EllenWhiterepeatedlystatesthatasthecontroversybetweenChristand
Satanmovestowarditsclimax,scenesfromformerpagesofhistorywillbe
repeated. Thus it is that she says, "Study Revelation in connection with
Daniel,forhistorywillberepeated."21Shedoesnotsaythatspecific
17EllenG.WhiteComments,TheSDABibleCommentary7:971.
19White,Evangelism,613.
20White,SelectedMessages,Book2,101.3.
21White,TestimoniestoMinisters,116.
150
propheciesinthesetwobookswillberepeated,butthateventssimilarto
thosethatfulfilledtheminthepastwillbeseenagain.
These events will be seen within a different context, within a
different timeframe, andwithdifferent actors. Thustheyare not the
sameeventsthatfulfilledtheprophecies,butsimilarevents.Theissues,
however,will be thesameasthosethatledtothehistoriceventsthat
originallyfulfilledcertainpropheciesinthecontroversybetweengood
andevil.
The Lord has set before me matters which are of urgent
importanceforthepresenttime,andwhichreachintothefuture.
Thewordshavebeenspokeninachargetome,"Writeinabook
[The Great Controversy] the things which thou hast seen and
heard,andletitgotoallpeople;forthetimeisathandwhenpast
historywillberepeated."
Circumstancessimilartothosethatfulfilledprophecyinthepast
may existinthepresent.Presentcircumstances arenot, however,a
fulfillmentoftheprophecy,fortheprophecywasfulfilledhistorically
bytheoriginalsetof circumstances.Butthepresentgenerationmay
beinformedbythestudyoftheprophecyandthehistoricalrecordof
theeventsthatfulfilledit,andthusbepreparedtoplayanintelligent
roleinthesimilar,present circumstances. Soitisthataprophecy,
previously fulfilled, may in this sense be "applied" to a present
situation.Isaiah58:1214maybecitedasanexample.
Theprophetthuspointsouttheordinancewhichhasbeen
forsaken:
"Thou shaltraise upthefoundationsof manygenerations;and
thoushaltbecalled,Therepairerofthebreach.Therestorerof
pathsto dwellin."...Thisprophecyalsoappliesinourtime.
ThebreachwasmadeinthelawofGodwhentheSabbathwas
changed by theRoman power.Butthetimehas comefor that
divineinstitution toberestored. Thebreachistoberepaired
andthefoundationofmanygenerationstoberaisedup.
Hereweseetheissueisthesamethecontroversybetweengood
and evil. Circumstances are similar. People professing great
righteousnessinIsaiah'sdaywere"tramplinguponthedivineprecepts."
But we have different contextsthe Jewish nation and the Christian
church; a different time frameseventh century B.C. and
twentiethcenturyA.D.;differentactorstheJewishpeople/Isaiahandthe
Christianchurch/God'sremnantpeople.AstudyofIsaiah'sprophecyand
itsfulfillmentmaybeappliedtotheexperienceofGod'sremnantpeople
tohelpthemseetheirroleas
22White,Selected
Messages,Book3,113.
23White,TheGreat
Controversy,45253.
151
repairersofasimilarbreachmadeinthelawofGodintheChristianEra.
ReturningtoEllenWhite'sstatementaboutDaniel11,weseehowthis
principlecanbeapplied."Theprophecyintheeleventh[chapter]ofDaniel
has nearlyreached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has
taken place in fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated." 24 Events in
historyhavealreadyfulfilledcertainpredictionsinthischapter.However,
similar circumstances will again develop at the close of the great
controversy,andinthiscosmicstrugglehistorywillbeseenasrepeatingit
self.EllenWhitedoesnotsuggestthatthosepropheciesinDaniel11that
havealreadybeenfulfilledwillreceiveasecondfulfillment.
Noticethevariouscontexts,propheticandnonprophetic,withinwhich
EllenWhitesayshistorywillberepeated.Alsonoticesheisnotsuggesting
thatagivenprophecyitselfistoberepeated.
GreatempiresofDaniel'sprophecy."Prophecyhastracedtheriseand
falloftheworld'sgreatempiresBabylon,MedoPersia,Greece,andRome.
Witheachofthese,aswithnationsoflesspower, historyrepeateditself.
Eachhaditsperiodoftest,eachfailed,itsgloryfaded,itspowerdeparted,
anditsplacewasoccupiedbyanother."
The prophecies concerning these nations of antiquity met fulfillment.
Similarcircumstanceshavebeenseeninthehistoryofothernations,great
andsmall.Eachhasbeentested,eachhasfailed,eachhaslostitsgloryand
power,andeachhasbeenreplacedbyanother.ThusthehistoryofBaby lon,
MedoPersia,Greece,andRomehasbeenrepeated.Buttheprophecyrelating
tothesespecifickingdomshasbeenfulfilledonlyonce.
PersecutionofGod'speople."Wearestandingonthethresholdofgreat
andsolemnevents.Manyofthepropheciesareabouttobefulfilledinquick
succession.Everyelementofpowerisabouttobesettowork.Pasthistory
willberepeated; oldcontroversies will arousetonewlife, andperilwill
besetGod'speopleoneveryside.'126
Morespecifically,"ThescenesofpersecutionenactedduringChrist'slife
willbeenactedbyfalsereligioniststillthecloseoftime.Menthinktheyhave
arighttotakeintotheirchargetheconsciencesofmen,andworkouttheir
theoriesofapostasyandtransgression.Historywillberepeated."27
ThepropheciesthatpredictedthesufferingoftheMessiahhavemettheir
fulfillment.Theywillnotberepeated,butthescenesofabusethat
25White,Education,177,emphasisadded.
26EllenG.White,ReviewandHerald,August31,1897,emphasisadded.
27White,ManuscriptReleases13:394,emphasisadded;id.,TheActsoftheApostles,8485.
152
ChristsufferedwillberepeatedintheexperiencesofHisfollowers,and
thushistorywillberepeated.
Noah, Sodom andGomorrah. "Historywillberepeated. Christ
declaredthatpriortoHissecondcomingtheworldwouldbeasitwas
inthedaysofNoah,whenmenreachedsuchapassinfollowingtheir
ownsinfulimaginationthatGoddestroyedthembyaflood.'128
And Jude says, "Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities
about them in like manner, giving themselves over to
fornication, and going afterstrange flesh,aresetforthforan
example,sufferingthevengeanceofeternalfire."
Hereispresentedtousastateofthingswhichhasbeen,and
historywiilberepeated.
Fourth horse (Rev 6:78). In Revelation 6 the fourth horse
symbolizes the religious intolerance and persecution that existed in
Europe underthe papal power. "The samespirit isseentoday that is
representedinRevelation6:68.Historyistoberepeated.Thatwhichhas
beenwillbeagain."30 Oncemore,itisevidentthatthestatementdeals
witharepetitionofhistory,notasecondfulfillmentofprophecy.Ineach
casethecontext,thetime,andtheactorsaredifferent.
Nebuchadnezzar."Itisafearfulthingforanysoultoplacehimself
onSatan'ssideofthequestion; forassoonashedoesthisachange
passesoverhim,asitissaidofthekingofBabylon,that hisvisage
changedtowardthethreefaithfulHebrews.Pasthistorywillberepeated.
MenwillrejecttheHolySpirit'sworking,andopenthedoorofthemind
tosatanicattributesthatseparatethemfromGod."31
Thus, Ellen White does not speak in terms of a given prophecy
receivingasecondfulfillment.Thatwouldnecessitatethesamehistorical
context, the sametimeframe,andthesameactors.However,shedoes
speakin terms ofsimilar circumstances, butadifferent context,time
frame,andactors.Withinthesesimilarcircumstancestheoriginalhistoric
eventsthatoncefulfilledprophecywillberepeated,suchastheriseand
fallofnations,persecution,etc.
Somemisunderstoodstatements.Beforeleavingthistopicthereare
twostatementsthatshouldbenoted.Bothmaybeeasilymisunderstood
andtheconclusiondrawnthatEllenWhiteadvocatestheideathattheful
28White,ManuscriptReleases12:413,emphasisadded.
29While,ManuscriptReleases19:105,emphasisadded.
30White,ManuscriptReleases9:7,emphasisadded.
31V/hite,ManuscriptReleases19:122,emphasisadded.
153
fillmentofanapocalypticprophecymayberepeated.Shesays,"Someprophecies
Godhasrepeated...."Thecontextisnotsuggestingthatsomeprophecieswillhavea
multiplefulfillment,butthatsomepropheciesgiveninDanielareofsuchimportance
GodsawfittohaveJohnrestatetheminhisbook.BoththeprophecyofDanieland
thatofRevelationwillhaveonlyasinglefulfillment. 32
Thenthereisthefollowingwellknownstatement:
Thegreatworkofthegospelisnottoclosewithlessmanifestationof
thepowerofGodthanmarkeditsopening.The prophecies whichwere
fulfilledintheoutpouringoftheformer rainattheopeningof the gospel
areagaintobefulfilledinthelatterrainatitsclose.'
ItwouldappearatfirstglancethathereisacasewhereEllenWhitespeaksofa
single prophecy havinga dual fulfillment.However, we must remember that the
propheciesshecitesinthispassagethatpredicttheformerrainalsopredictasecond
event,thelatterrain.InthecontextEllenWhitequotesHosea6:3,"andheshallcome
untousastherain,asthelatterandformerrainuntotheearth,"andJoel2:23,"he
willcausetocomedownforyoutherain,theformerrain,andthelatterrain."So
Hosea'sandJoel'ssinglestatementslookforwardtotwoseparateevents:theearly
andthelatterrainendowmentsoftheSpirituponthechurch.
JerusalemStatements
StatementsmadebyEllenWhiteconcerningthepropheciesofMatthew
24aremostfrequentlyseizeduponasprooffordual/multiplefulfillmentsor
forfuturefulfillmentsofallprophecy.However,wemustkeepthefollowing
inmindwhendealingwithourLord'sapocalypticprophecy:
1.Thediscoursedealswithtwomajorevents,notjustasingleevent.
JesusdidnotanswerHisdisciplesbytakingupseparatelythedestruction
ofJerusalemandthegreatdayofHiscoming.Hemingledthedescriptionof
thesetwoevents....InmercytothemHeblendedthedescriptionofthetwo
greatcrises,leavingthedisciplestostudyoutthemeaningforthemselves.
2.Matthew24isapropheticchain.
34White,TheDesireofAges,628;cf.p.631.
154
InMatthew24,inanswertothequestionofHisdisciplesconcerningthe
signofHiscomingandoftheendoftheworld,Christhadpointedoutsomeof
themostimportanteventsinthehistoryoftheworldandofthechurchfrom
HisfirsttoHissecondadvent;namely,thedestructionofJerusalem,thegreat
tribulationofthechurchunderthepaganandpapalpersecutions,thedarkening
ofthesunandmoon,andthefallingofthestars.AfterthisHespokeof His
cominginHiskingdom,andrelatedtheparabledescribingthetwoclassesof
servantswholookforHisappearing.35
3.ThefateofJerusalemisaprophetictypeofthefateoftheworld."The
ruinofJerusalemwasa symbol ofthefinalruinthatshalloverwhelmthe
world.Thepropheciesthatreceivedapartialfulfillmentintheoverthrowof
Jerusalemhaveamoredirectapplicationtothelastday.
Thus,thefateofJerusalembecomesatypeoffutureevents. 37
4.LikeDaniel,someofthepropheciesinMatthew'spropheticchainare
takenupbyJohnandrepeatedinRevelation.
SaidJesus:"Thestarsshallfallfromheaven."Matthew24:29.AndJohnin
theRevelationdeclared,ashebeheldinvisionthescenesthatshouldheraldthe
dayofGod:"Thestarsofheavenfelluntotheearth,evenasafigtreecasteth
heruntimelyfigs,whensheisshakenofamightywind."Revelation6:13.This
prophecyreceivedastrikingandimpressivefulfillmentinthegreatmeteoric
showerofNovember13,1833.
The preceding categories summarize Ellen White's statements on Jesus*
apocalyptic sermon. Time and space will not permit an examination of each
statement,butrepresentativereferencesaregivenabove.
Thereisonestatementthatmustbeexamined,however,becauseithasbeen
usedasproofformultiplefulfillment.
Inthe prophecy ofJerusalem's destructionChristsaid, "Becauseiniq
uityshallabound,theloveofmanyshallwaxcold.Buthethatshallendure
untotheend,thesameshallbesaved.Andthisgospelofthekingdomshall
be preached in alltheworldfora witnessuntoallnations; andthen shall
theendcome."Thisprophecywillagainbefulfilled.Theaboundinginiq
35EllenG.White,TheGreatControversy,393;cf.id.,TheStoryofRedemption(Washington,
DC,1947),320.
36EllenG.White,ThoughtsFromtheMountofBlessing(MountainView,CA,n.d.),12021,
emphasisadded.
37Cf.White,TheGreatControversy,2526,351;id.TestimoniestoMinisters,232.
155
uityofthatdayfindsitscounterpartinthisgeneration.Sowiththepredictioninregard
tothepreachingofthegospel.
Thefollowingaretobenoted:(1)EllenWhite'sstatementtakesintoaccount
that this is a twopart prophecy dealing with events surrounding the fall of
Jerusalemandtheendoftheworld.(2)ThefateofJerusalemisaprophetictypeof
whatawaitstheworld,ascanbeseeninthewords,"IntheprophecyofJerusalem's
destruction.... The abounding iniquity of that day finds its counterpart in this
generation."(3)Theprophetictypeisappliedtothelossofloveandthepreaching
ofthegospel.
Twoseparateanddistinctpropheciesarebeingaddressed.Thefirstisnotto
haveadualormultiplefulfillment.Forthetemplewouldhavetobereconstructed
andthecityfallasecondtime.Thefulfillmentofthefirstpartofthisprophecywas
aonceforallevent.Thispropheticfulfillment,however,wasitselfanexampleof
themoreextensiveeventsthatwillfulfillthesecondpartoftheprophecy.40
NonexpositionalUsesofPropheticLanguage
EllenWhiteusedpassagesfromDanielandRevelationmuchassheusedother
portionsofScripture.Severalexamplesfollow.
DescriptivePurposes
Thiscan beseenclearly in TheGreat Controversy whereshedescribesthe
Second Advent.41 Verses and parts of verses are woven freely into her
descriptiveaccount,producingaflowingnarrativeoftheevent.
Asshedescribesthefinal,"desperatestruggle"betweenthepowersofgood
andevil,shesays,
ThepoweroftheHolyGhostmustbeuponus,andtheCaptainofthe
Lord'shostwillstandattheheadof theangelsofheaven todirectthe
battle.Solemneventsbeforeusareyettotranspire.Trumpetaftertrumpet
istobesounded, vial aftervialpouredout oneafter anotheruponthe
inhabitantsoftheearth.
39White,TheDesireofAges,633.
40ThecontextsuggeststhatEllenWhiteisdealingwitharepetitionofhistoryratherthanarepetitionof
thespecificprophecypertainingtoJerusalem.Endtimeiniquityandtheworldwidepreachingof
thegospelareforetoldbyotherNTprophecies(cf.2Tim3:15;Rev14:6).Ed.
41Pp.63552.
156

Revelation
Obviously the reference to the trumpets is not an attempt to

interprettheirmeaning,nortotiethemtothesevenlastplagues.Her
intent, rather, is to impress the reader with the magnitude and the
devastatingconsequencesoftheclosingstruggle.
WhiledescribingtheendtimetrialsandvictoriesofGod'speople,
sheweavesinRevelation14:1.
While Satan was urging his accusations and seeking to
destroythiscompany,holyangels,unseen,werepassingtoand
fro,placinguponthemthesealofthelivingGod.Thesearethey
thatstanduponMountZionwiththeLamb,havingtheFather's
namewrittenintheirforeheads.Theysingthenewsongbefore
thethrone,thatsongwhichnomancanleamsavethehundred
andfortyandfourthousand.
EllenWhiteisnotwritingadiscourseonthe144,000,norisshe
attempting to identify them. She simply uses Revelation 14:1 for
descriptivepurposesandthenfillsoutthescenebyquotingRevelation
directly:
"ThesearetheywhichfollowtheLambwhithersoeverhegoeth,"etc.
IllustrativePurposes
Thisexampleissomewhatsimilartotheabove.However,where
EllenWhiteusespassagestoenhanceherdescriptionintheprevious
example,heresheusesshortsentencesfromDanielandRevelationto
illustrate what she has Just said. For example, she reinforces her
statement that a few upon earth remain true to God by quoting
Revelation 14:12, "Not all in this world have taken sides with the
enemyagainstGod.Notallhavebecomedisloyal.Thereareafaithful
fewwhoaretruetoGod;forJohnwrites:Herearetheythatkeepthe
commandmentsofGod,andthefaithofJesus.'Revelation14:12." 44
Again,asshedescribestheshowersofgracethatwillcomeinthe
latter rain, sheusesRevelation18:1toillustratewhat shehadjust
presented.
Wemustnotwaitforthelatterrain.Itiscominguponall
who will recognize and appropriate the dew and showers of
gracethatfall uponus.Whenwegatherupthefragments of
light,whenweappreciatethesuremerciesofGod,wholovesto
haveustrustHim,theneverypromisewillbefulfilled....The
wholeearthistobefilledwiththegloryofGod.45
43White,Testimonies5:47576.
44White.Testimonies9:15.
157
IncorporationofLanguage
TimeandagainEllenWhitewill incorporatethe language of Daniel and
Revelationintoherdescriptionofascene given her by theLord, orinto her
narrativeofabiblicalevent.Thisissimilartotheexamplecitedaboveinwhich
sheusesScriptureorscripturallanguagetodescribeascene.Here,however,we
notesheoften incorporates scriptural language intoherownuseofwords.We
cite,foranexample,aviewoftheinvestigativejudgmentgiventoheronOctober
23,1879.46
Throughout her account she incorporates the language of Daniel and
Revelation.Phrasesusedinclude:"ten thousandtimestenthousand," "several
bookswerebeforeHim,""anotherbookwasopened,""youareweighedinthe
balancesandfoundwanting,""Whyhaveyounotwashedyourrobesofcharacter
andmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb?""Hethatisunjustlethimbe
unjust still," etc. In The Great Controversy volume Ellen White gives a
descriptionofAdamandhisdescendantsbeingusheredintotheHolyCity.Again
wecanseehowsheincorporatesthelanguageofDanielandRevelationintoher
ownlanguage.47
Expansion
OnoccasionEllenWhite,havingciteda passage,willexpand upon it. For
example,shequotesRevelation5:11,"I beheld,and Iheardthe voice ofmany
angels round about the throne." She then elaborates upon the citation by
describinghowtheangelsunite withJesusinthe workofministeringtothose
whoaretoreceivethesealofGod.Shetellshowangelsarearestrainingpower
totheforcesofevil,howtheybe!theearthrefusingSatanhisclaimoverGod's
people,andhowtheyaretheministersofJehovah.
SometimesEllenWhitebeginsachapterbyquotingapassageofScripture;
for example, she begins chapter 38 of The Great Controversy ("The Final
Warning")bycitingRevelation18:1,2,4.Thechapterthenbecomesanexpansion
of this passage. Immediately following the quote are several lines of
interpretation.
Thisscripturepointsforwardtoatimewhentheannouncementofthe
fallofBabylon,asmadebythesecondangelofRevelation14(verse8),isto
berepeated,withtheadditionalmentionofthecorruptionswhich
158
havebeenenteringthevariousorganizationsthatconstituteBabylon,
sincethatmessagewasfirstgiven,inthesummerof1844.
This short interpretation is then followed by the descriptive

expansionintheremainderofthechapter,"Aterribleconditionofthe
religiousworldisheredescribed."
DidacticUse
Spiritualteachingisstrengthened by theuseofpassages from
DanielandRevelation.Forexample,afterquotingDaniel12:1,Ellen
Whitedealswiththesealingandthecloseofprobationwhileworking
in the counsel of the True Witness from Revelation 3:18.50 In the
course of interpreting the parable, the man without a wedding
garment, she uses Revelation 22:12 to teach that the character of
every man'sworkwillbe determined before Jesusreturns "togive
everymanaccordingashisworkshallbe."51
PastoralAdvice
Often Ellen White shows a pastoral concern for God's people.
Scripture is freely used, including Daniel and Revelation, in these
passages of pastoral admonitions. Daniel 8:14 forms the basis of a
pastoralappealtobereadyforthesolemntimeofjudgment.
What is ourconditioninthisfearful andsolemntime?...
ShallwenotsearchtheScriptures,thatwemayknow where
weareinthisworld'shistory?Shallwenotbecomeintelligent
inregardtotheworkthatisbeingaccomplishedforusatthis
time,andthe positionthatweas sinnersshouldoccupywhile
thisworkofatonementisgoingforward?Ifwehaveanyregard
foroursouls'salvation,wemustmakea decidedchange.We
must seek the Lord with true penitence; we must with deep
contrition of soulconfessour sins, thattheymaybeblotted
out.
ExamplessimilartothisaboundinEllenWhite'swritings.
ExtendedUse
TheextendeduseofscriptureisseenfrequentlyintheNTandinthe
writingsofEllenWhite.Thisoccurswhenaninspiredwritergivesa
meaningtoapassagethatisbeyondwhattheoriginalwriterintended.
Forex
51BlenG.White,Christ'sObjectLessons(Washington,DC,1941),310.
159
ample,EllenWhitewrites,"Theminglingofchurchcraftandstatecraftis
representedbytheironandtheclay,"astatementbasedonNebuchadnezzar's
vision of the metallic image (Dan 2:43). This moves beyond simple
interpretationbaseduponcontext,words,syntax,etc.Hereaninspiredwriter
givesanewmeaningtoafamiliarpassage,muchasPauldoesinGalatians
3:16,withGenesis22:18.
AnotherexamplemaybeseeninwhichEllenWhiteextendsRevelation
1:7(areferencetotheSecondAdvent)totheendofthemillennium."Then
atthecloseoftheonethousandyears,Jesus,withtheangelsandallthe
saints,leavestheHolyCity,andwhileHeisdescendingtotheearthwith
them,thewickeddeadareraised,andthentheverymenthat'piercedHim/
beingraised,willseeHimafaroffinallHisglory,andtheangelsandsaints
withHim,andwillwailbecauseofHim." 5Expositor
SomearereluctanttosaythatEllenWhiteexegetesScripture.Itistrue
thatshedidnotworkasanexegetewouldtodaydoingwordstudiesand
examiningindetail thesyntaxofpassages inthe originallanguages,etc.
However, there is no question that she is an interpreter of Scripture,
includingthepropheciesofDanielandRevelation.Aswenotedearlier,the
basic prophecies had been studied and explained by the pioneers of the
Advent movement under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These inter
pretations are endorsed by Ellen White in her own presentation of these
subjects,forexample,inTheGreatControversy.
However,EllenWhitebuildsupontheworkofthepioneersbyfleshing
outtheirearlierworkwithextensiveinterpretativedetails.Thisworkofin
terpretationcanbeseenintheadditionaldetailsdealingwith(1)theroleof
evilsupernaturalforcesintheclosingconflict, 55(2)especially,thedescrip
tionofSatan'sattempttoimpersonateJesus, 56 (3)thethreefoldunionbe
tween Protestantism, Catholicism, and spiritualism, 57 (4) conditions upon
whichthemarkofthebeastwillbereceived, 58etc.Hereareonlyafewex
amplesofmanythatshowEllenWhiteatworkasaninterpreterofprophecy.
54EllenG.White,EarfyWritings(Washington,DC,1945),53.
56Ibid,624.
57Ibid.,588.
58Ibid.,6045.
160

Revelation
Conclusions
Asaresultofthisstudywemaydrawthefollowingconclusions.
1.EllenWhiteendorsesthehistoricistapproachtointerpreting
prophecy.Thismethodofpropheticinterpretationwasusedbythepio
neersintheformativeyearsofourchurch.
2.AlthoughEllenWhitedidnotusetheterm"historicist,"itisclear
thatsheunderstoodthisapproachtoprophecytobetheonlycorrect
methodforitsinterpretation.
3.EllenWhitecounselsthatthereisaveryrealdangerinlookingto
thefutureforallpropheticfulfillment.
4.Eventssimilartothosethatfulfilledagivenprophecymay
arise.Thus,historyisrepeatednotthefulfillmentoftheprophecy.
Iftheprophecyweretobefulfilledagainitwouldrequirethesame
historicalcontext,thesametimeframe,andthesameactors.
5.WhendealingwithEllenWhite'sstatementsonJesus'apocalyptic
discourserecordedintheSynopticGospels,itmustberememberedthat
thisdiscourse(1)centersaroundtwomajorpredictionsthedestruction
ofJerusalemandtheendoftheworld;(2)butyetisapropheticchain;
and(3)presentsthefateofJerusalemasaprophecyofthefateofthe
world,yetbotheventsareseparateanddistinct.
6.Apartfromherstraightforwardexpositionsoftheprophecies
alonghistoricistlines,EllenWhiteattimesemployedtheir
phraseologyandimageryinanontechnical,pastoralmanner.
161
ChapterVm
TheInterpreter'sUseoftheWritings
ofEllenG.White
JonPaulien
EditorialSynopsis.LiketheapostleJohn,EllenG.Whitewassteepedthelanguage
oftheScriptures.AlthoughsheandherpioneerassociatesbelievedthattheHolySpirithad
bestoweduponherthepropheticgift,shealwaysrecognizedandacknowledgedtheauthority
ofthe HolyScriptures (theOld andNew Testaments) asthe ultimaterule forfaith and
practice.Shewrote:
InHisword,Godhascommittedtomentheknowledgenecessaryforsalvation.
TheHotyScripturesaretobeacceptedasanauthoritative,infalliblerevelationofHis
will. Theyarethe standardofcharacter,therevealerofdoctrines,andthetest of
experience.(TheGreatControversy[MountainView,CA,1950],vii.)
Ellen White saw her particular role, under the Spirit, to be that of clarifying and
applyingBibletruthsandprinciplestobelievers*livesandforwardingthemissionofthe
church.
Irecommendtoyou,dearreader,theWordofGodastheruleofyourfaithand
practice.BythatWardwearetobejudged.Godhas,inthatWord,promisedtogive
visionsinthelastdays';notforanewruleoffaith,butforthecomfortofHispeople,
and to correct those who err from Bibte truth. (Earty Writings [Washington, DC,
1945],78,emphasisinoriginal.)
Likeapastor,EllenWhiteemploystheScripturesinseveraldifferentways.Sometimes,
shepresentsastraightforwardexposition,asmaybeseeninsuchworksasThoughtsFrom
theMountofBlessing(Christ'smajorrecordedsermon)andChrist'sObjectLessons(Chrisfs
parables).AtothertimessheadaptsthephraseologyoftheScripturessoastoportraytheir
largertheologicalpictureortoapplytheirteachingsinahomileticalmanner.Suchusageof
biblical phrasing may express a universal truth, althoughitmaynotharmonizewiththe
contextfromwhichthephraseologywasappropriated.
163
TheInterpreter'sUseoftheWritingsofEllenG.White
Becauseofthisvaried(butproper)useofScripture,thestudentisfacedattimeswitha
certainambiguityinEllenWhite'scitationofBiblepassages.Theoverallmessagewillbe
clear;theintent,plain.Buttheproblemariseswhenthestudentdesirestoknowifthecited
textofScriptureisbeingusedandexplainedinitscontext,orwhetheritsphraseologyhas
beenborrowedtoexpresssomethingotherthanwhatitmeansinitsprimarysetting.
Inthischaptertheauthorsuggestsfundamentalgroundrulesforthestudenttoemploy
when faced with such an ambiguity, lest he misunderstand the intent of an Ellen White
statement,theScripturepassageemployedorboth.Rightlyused,thewritingsofEllen
White continue to shed important light on both the teachings and prophecies of Holy
Scripture.
ChapterOutline
I.Introduction
II.BasicPrinciples
III.PrinciplesIllustrated
IV.Conclusion
Introduction
dventistinterpretersofRevelationshareadeep appreciationfor
Adven^\ the writings of Ellen G. White. Her comments on the bookof
thei^L Jievelationstimulatemuchproductiveinsight,particularlytothe
JLReve "big picture"; namely, how the symbolic visions of Revelation
contributeto the cosmicperspectiveofthe"great controversy."

ShewaswellawarethatRevelationbringstogetherlanguage,ideas,andtypes
fromthroughout Scripture,formingaconsummate conclusion to the Bibleasa
whole.1Thus,Adventistscholarshipwouldberemisstoignoreherperspectiveon
thesymbolsandtheologyofthebookofRevelation.
Havingsaidthis,wemustalsoremindinterpretersthatthewritingsofEllen
Whitecanbemisusedinsuchawayastoobscurethemeaningofthebiblical
textandmakeitservetheagendaoftheinterpreter.2Offhandcom
1"IntheRevelationallthebooksoftheBiblemeetandend.Hereisthecomplementofthebookof
Daniel"(TheActsoftheApostles[MountainView,CA,1911],585).
2"Thosewhoarenotwalkinginthelightofthemessagemaygatherupstatementsfrommywritings
thathappentopleasethem,andthatagreewiththeirhumanjudgment,andbyseparatingthese
statementsfromtheirconnectionandplacingthembesidehumanreasonings,makeitappear
164
mentsinvariouscontextscanbeuniversalizedorappliedinwaysthat
runcountertotheimplicationsofthebiblicaltextitself.Suchuseis
really abuse and results in diminishing her authority rather than
enhancingit.4
Inspirationistrulyhandledwithrespectwhentheintentionofan
inspiredwriterispermittedtoemergefrom the text initsoriginal
context(exegesis).Wemustavoidreadingintoa passage ourown
interests and presuppositions (eisegesis). Messages from living
prophetscouldbeclarified uponrequest.Butsincethisisnolonger
possible, we are on safest ground when the intent of the written
messageisallowedtosurfacebymeansofcarefulexegesis.Thedesire
toestablishaparticularpositionoffersnolicensetodowiththetext
whatevertheinterpreterwantsInterpreterswithstrongpreconceived
ideas sometimes utilize Ellen White's scriptural quotationsinsucha
way as to overthrow the plain meaning of the text in its biblical
setting.6 Inferencesdrawnfrom thetextof Revelationare at times
creativelycombinedwithinferencesdrawnfrom
thatmywritingsupholdthatwhichtheycondemn"(EllenG.White,Letter208,1906).
3The factthatEllenWhitecalledforDanielandRevelationtobepublishedtogether
withoutcommentindicatestheimportancesheattachedtocarefultextualstudyand
comparison.Cf. Ellen G. White, TestimoniestoMinisters (MountainView,CA,
1962),117.
4AcompanionstudyontheuseandabuseofEllenWhite'sreflectionsonDanieland
RevelationispublishedbytheBiblicalResearch Institute (GeneralConferenceof
Seventhday Adventists) in a pamphlet entitled "Ellen G. White and the
InterpretationofDanielandRevelation."
5 "Many from among our own people are writing to me, asking with earnest
determinationtheprivilege of usingmywritingstogive force tocertainsubjects
whichtheywishtopresenttothepeopleinsuchawayastoleaveadeepimpression
uponthem.
"Itistruethatthereisareasonwhysomeofthesemattersshouldbepresented;
butIwouldnotventuretogivemyapprovalinusingthetestimoniesinthisway,or
tosanction the placingof matter whichis goodinitself inthe waywhichthey
propose.
"Thepersonswhomakethesepropositions,foraughtIknow,maybeableto
conducttheenterpriseofwhichtheywriteinawisemanner;butneverthelessIdare
notgivetheleastlicenseforusingmywritingsinthemannerwhichtheypropose.In
takingaccountofsuchanenterprise, there aremanythingsthatmust comeinto
consideration;forinusingthetestimoniestobolsterupsomesubjectwhichmay
impress the mindoftheauthor,theextractsmaygive.adifferentimpressionthan
thatwhichtheywouldweretheyreadintheiroriginalconnection"("TheWritingand
SendingOutoftheTestimoniestotheChurch,"2526,quotedinSelectedMessages,
Book 1 [Washington, DC, 1958], 58; also in Arthur White, Ellen G. White,
MessengertotheRemnant,
86).
6Whensheappliedthephrase"touchnot,tastenot,handlenot"totheuseoftea,coffee,
alcohol,andtobacco (TheMinistryofHealing [MountainView, CA, 1942],335),
shewasechoingthelanguageofCol2:21,butcertainlynotinthemannerinwhich
Paulusedit!Forherthephrasehadapositiveuseinrelationtoaproperabstention
fromharmfulsubstances,forPaulthephrase,incontext,representedanunhealthy
asceticismthatdivertedattentionfromChrist(Col
2:1823).
Whensheappliedthephrase"Godmademanupright"totheneedforgood
posture(Education[MountainView,CA,1952],198),sheneverintendedtoimply
thattheauthorofEcclesiasteswasdiscussingpostureinEcci7:2729.In Patriarchs
andProphets(MountainView,CA,1958),49,sheusedthephraseinharmonywith
themoralintentionofthebiblicalauthor.
165
theSpiritofProphecytoproducearesultthatcannotbedemonstratedby
eitheranaturalreadingofRevelationorofthewritingsofEllenWhite.
Though usually wellintentioned, such sidetracks divert our readers/
hearersfromtheplainmeaningofthetextandencouragecarelessmethodsof
interpretation that can damage the cause of God. With the goal of safe
guardingherinspiredintention, we suggestnowsometentativeguidelines
fortheuseofEllenWhiteinthestudyofRevelation.
BasicPrinciples
Citationorecho?ItisimportanttodeterminewhetherEllenWhiteisintending
tociteaparticularbiblicaltextorismerely"echoing"it.Thesameprocedurewe
applytoRevelation'sallusionstotheOTwouldbehelpfulhereaswell.Whenshe
simply echoes a text, she is not expressing a judgment on the biblical writer's
intentionfortheuseofthattext.Shemaybedrawingavalidspirituallessonwhen
sheechoes Scripture, butitisnot necessarily thesamelessonthebiblical writer
soughttoimpressuponhisreadersintheoriginalsetting.
Use:exegesis,theology,orhomily?WhenEllenWhiteclearlyrefersthereader
toascripturalpassage,thereadershouldaskhowsheisusingthepassage.Isshe
usingitexegeticallymakingastatementaboutthemeaningofthepassageinthe
author'scontext?Issheusingittheologicallydiscussingtheimplicationthatthe
passagehasforalarger theologybasedonScriptureasawhole?Issheusingit
homileticallyenjoyingtheeffectivenessofthebiblicallanguagethatmovespeople
toactioninaworshipsetting?8
Tointerpretahomileticalusageasthoughitwereanexegeticalstatementwill
distortnotonlyherintentioninitsusebutthemeaningofthebiblicalstatement
aswell.Whilemorestudyneedstobedoneonthisquestion,itismyopinionthat
EllenWhiterarelyusesScriptureexegetically
7Anexampleofsuch"hybridtheology"canbefoundinthebookGiveGlorytoHimbyRobertHauser
(515PineHillRd.,Angwin,CA,1983),3032.BycomparingstatementsfromtheBibleandEllen
WhitetheauthorseekstodemonstratethatRev4:15:6takesplaceintheholyplaceoftheheavenly
sanctuary,that5:814takesplaceintheMostHolyPlace,andthatinRev5:7Jesusmovesfromthe
holyplaceintothe MostHolyPlace.Asbrilliantasthissuggestionis,itisrenderedextremely
unlikelybythesimplefactthatnosuchmovementbetweenapartmentsisdetectableinthetextof
Rev45itself,andEllenWhitenowheredescribessuchamovementintermsofRev5.Theauthor's
suggestion transcends the intention of both John and Ellen While. Thus, Ellen White's use of
ScriptureismisusedinorderlodemonstratesomethingneithershenorJohntherevelatorintended.
8SeetheaboveillustrationfromheruseofCol2:21.
166
(that is,expoundingthebiblical writer'sintent). 9 Aswasthecase
withtheclassicalprophetsoftheOT,hermainconcernistospeakto
her contemporary situation. This will generally cause her to use
Scripturetheologicallyandhomileticallyratherthanexegetically.
saythis,isnottolimitEllenWhite'sauthority.Herintention
inagivenstatementshouldbetakenwithutmostseriousness.Atthe
same time we must be careful not tolimit the authorityof the Bible
writer.WeoughtnottodenytheBiblewriter'sprimarymeaningonthe
basisofahomileticalusageofhispassage.WhatIampleadingforhere
isthatwerespectEllenWhite'sownintentioninherhandlingofbiblical
material.SincesheoftenusesScriptureinotherthanexegetical ways,
statementsquotingRevelationmustbeexaminedwithgreatcarebefore
being applied dogmatically in the exegesis of the bookConsistent
intention?EllenWhiteherselfmakesadistinctionbetweenherpublished
writings and other material.11 Thus, we can best understand her
theologicalintentioninthewritingsthatweremostcarefullywrittenand
edited by her. Offhand comments in letters or stenographically
reproducedfromsermonsmaynotreflecthersettledopinionontimeless
issues.Compilationsofherwritingsassembledbypastorsorlaityneedto
beusedevenmorecautiously,sincetheorderingofmaterialcan,initself,
makeatheologicalstatement.Ifsomethingisfoundonlyinlettersand
manuscripts,particularlyifitoccursonlyonce,theinterpreterneedsto
determine that it is a true reflection of her considered and consistent
intent.
Central to argument? The question should be asked, Is Ellen
White'suseofagivenscripturetextcriticaltotheconclusionshecomes
toinagivenportionofherwritings?Ifheruseisperipheraltohercentral
theme,
9AhighpercentageofherexegeticalstatementsareprobablyfoundinthebookTheActs
oftheApostles whichcontainsspecificdiscussionsof NT booksintheiroriginal
setting;alsoChrist'sObjectLessons(MountainView,CA,1941)andThoughtsfrom
theMountofBlessing(MountainView,CA,n.d.).SeealsoRobertW.Olsonand
David C. James, "Olson Discusses the Veltman Study," Ministry, December
1990,17.
10Wheresheappearstouseatextexegetically,yetatensionremainsbetweenheruseof
atextandtheapparentintentoftheauthor'slanguage,twopossibilitiesshouldbe
keptinmind.(1)It is possiblethattheinterpreterhasmisunderstoodtheintentof
eitherthebiblicalwriterorEllenWhite,orboth.(2)Aninspiredpersoncanapplya
biblicalpassagetohiscontemporarysituationinalocalsensewithoutexhaustingthe
ultimateintentionoftheoriginalwriter.(NotePeter'suseofJoel2:2832inActs
2:1621andJesus'useofDan7:1314inMatt9:6.)
11 "Andnowtoallwhohaveadesire for trothIwouldsay:Donotgivecredenceto
unauthenticatedreportsaslowhatSisterWhitehasdoneorsaidorwritten.Ifyou
desiretoknowwhattheLordhasrevealedthroughher,readherpublishedworks.
Arethereanypointsofinterestconcerningwhichshehasnotwritten,donoteagerly
catchupandreportrumorsastowhatshehassaid"(EllenG.White, Testimonies
[Mountain View, CA, 1948], 5:696; cf. id., Selected Messages, Book 1,66; id,
TestimoniestoMinisters,33.
167
itmaynotpartakeofathoughtoutexegesis.AsisthecasewithScripture,weareon
safest ground when we refer to passages in which the specific topic we are
concernedwithisbeingdiscussed.SincemuchofRevelationisnevermadecentral
toanyofherdiscussions,wemustexercisecautionindrawingfirmconclusions
fromperipheralusesofRevelationinsuchdiscussions.I
Later clarification?EllenWhite'slaterwritingsshouldbeallowedtoclarify
positionstakeninearlierwritings.Asherskillsasawriterincreased,herabilityto
expressaccuratelyandclearlythethoughtsshereceivedfromGodcorrespondingly
increased.Andasearlierstatementswereopposedorbecamesubjecttocontroversy,
shewouldofferclarifyingstatementstomakeherintentionclear.Awellknown
exampleofthisisfoundinEarlyWritings,pages8596,wheresheoffersaseriesof
clarificationsofearlierstatementsandvisionarydescriptions. 13
Frequency of concept How often did she utilize a scriptural passage in a
particular way? Generally speaking, the number of times a specific concept is
repeatedisindirectproportiontothewriter'sburdenthattheconceptbeclearly
understoodbythereadingpublic.Itisnotasafeproceduretobaseaninterpretation
onasinglepassage.Anideathatisrepeatedinavarietyofcircumstancesandby
differentexpressionsisnoteasilymisunderstoodormisused.
Problemofambiguity.Themainreasonforsuggestingthesebasicguidelines
indeterminingherintentistheproblemofambiguityinEllenWhite'swritings.Her
statementsareattimessusceptibleofmorethanoneinterpretation. 14Thisisnotdue
toconfusionorlackofclarityonherpart
12Revelationiscentraltohcrdiscussioninchap.57ofTheActsoftheApostles(578592)andtomuch
ofthelatterpartofthebookTheGreatControversy(MountainView,CA,1950).
13A theologicalexampleof hermaturing clarityof expressionisherunderstandingofthedeityof
Christ.Noonecanmistakeher clear beliefinthefulldivinityofChristas expressedinlater
statements suchas SelectedMessages, Book 1,296; TheDesireofAges (MountainView, CA,
1940),530;ReviewandHerald,April5,1906;andSiffisoftheTimes,May3,1899.Butprc1888
statements such as The Spirit of Prophecy (Washington, DC, 1870), 1:1718, are ambiguous
enough tobereadas Arianifthelaterstatementsare ignored.(Sheupdatesandclarifies The
SpiritofProphecy1:1718,inPatriarchsandProphets,3738.)TodrawherviewfromTheSpirit
ofProphecy1:1718,whileignoringthelaterclarifyingstatementsistohopelesslydistortherin
tention.
14AnexampleofanambiguousstatementisfoundinTestimoniestoMinisters,445.Shestatesthere
that"thissealingoftheservantsofGodisthesamethatwasshowntoEzekielinvision.Johnalso
badbeenawitnessofthismoststartlingrevelation."Shefollowswithanumberofitemsthatare
commontoboth books. Sincethe visions ofJohnand Ezekiel areanalogous,but certainly not
identical,twopossibilitiesofinterpretationemerge.(1)Theeventsofaround600B.Cpartookof
thesameprinciplesthatwillmanifestthemselvesinthefinalcrisisportrayedinRev7.(2)Ezekiel
describesnottheeventsof600B.C.buttheendtime.Whileoneorthe
168
necessarily; it is due to the fact that she often did not address the
questionsdirectlythatconcernusmosttoday.Unbiasedreadersmayfind
statements that answer our concerns with less clarity than we would
prefer.Thebiasedreader,however,whenconfrontedwithanambiguous
statement, picks the option that best fits his preconceived ideas and
hammersithometothosewhomightdisagree.
The reality is that many exegetical questions cannot be clarified
from the Ellen White writings. The wisest course is to avoid using
ambiguous statements as definitive evidence to prove a point. It is
alwaysappropriate,ofcoursetopointoutthepossibilitiesinherentin
suchstatements.
PrinciplesIllustrated
Toillustratetheuseofthesesix principles it maybehelpful to
examinethestatementinEarlyWritings.l5
Anangelwithawriter'sinkhornbyhissidereturnedfromthe
earthandreportedtoJesusthathisworkwasdone,andthesaints
were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been
ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments,
throwdownthecenser.HeraisedHishands,andwithaloudvoice
said,"Itisdone."Andalltheangelichostlaidofftheircrownsas
Jesusmadethesolemndeclaration,"Hethatisunjust,lethimbe
unjuststill:andhewhichisfilthy,lethimbefilthystill:andhe
thatisrighteous,lethimberighteousstill:andhethatisholy,let
himbeholystill."
The subjectofthispassageisthecloseofprobation.EllenWhite
utilizeslanguagereminiscentofEzekiel9,16Revelation8:5,17Revelation
16:17,18 and then quotes Revelation 22:11. The latter two texts (Rev
16:17;
22:11)clearlybelongina"closeofprobation"context.Ourinterestcon
cernsthesignificanceofheruseofthelanguageofRevelation8:5inthis
context("theangeltookthecenser,andfilleditwithfireofthealtar,and
castitintotheearth,"KJV).
Does EllenWhiteinthe EarlyWritings passageunderstandthe
act of throwing down the censer depicted in Revelation 8:5 to be a
reference
otherinterpretationwillbeconsideredmorelikely,basedonthepriorassumptionsa
readerbringstothetext,eitherispossible,basedonthelanguageshechosetousein
context.
15(Washington,DC,1955),27980,emphasisinoriginal.
16"Anangelwithawriter'sinkhornbyhisside...reported...."(EarlyWritings,279),
Ezek9:2,3,.
17"Throwdownthecenser"(ibid.).
18"Loudvoice...'Itisdone'"(ibid,emphasisinoriginal).
169
totheendtimecloseofprobation?Wewillapplytheguidelinessketchedabove
inanattempttodeterminetheanswercorrectly.
First, itis notclear that sheintended thereadertoperceiveanallusionto
Revelation 8:5 in herEarly Writings statement.The phrase,"throwdownthe
censer," is certainly unmistakable. If there isanallusiontoScripture atall,
wheninvisionsheseesJesus"throwdownthecenser,"itisclearlyanallusion
toRevelation 8:5. Buta numberofindicationsdemonstrate thatshewas not
alludingtoRevelation8:5inanexegeticalmanner.Noteherobservations:Itis
Jesuswhoministerstheincense,notanangel.Jesusministersbeforetheark,not
atthealtarofincense.Jesusthrowsdownthecenserinfrontoftheark,notto
the earth. Thus, her statement merely echoes the language of Revelation 8:5
withoutreferringthereadertothattext.Itisprecarioustodrawspecificexegetical
informationfromanechoofbiblicallanguage.
Second, no attempt to exegeteRevelation 8:5 isevident in thepassage.
Thestatementispartofavisionarydescriptionofafutureevent:thecloseof
probation. As such, itis atheologicalor homileticalusage ofRevelation8:5.
ThemeaningofRevelation8:5intheoriginalcontextisnotaddressed.
Third, the statement occurs in a published work that was edited with
considerable care. However, since the echo is unique to this statement, it is
indecisivefordeterminingwhetherhersettledunderstandingassociatedRevelation
8:5withtheendtimecloseofprobation.
Fourth,asmentionedearlier,theexegesisofRevelation8:5isnotcentraltothe
issuein EarlyWritings, pages279280.Theissueathandisadescriptionofthe
closeof probation,not thecontext ofRevelation8.The phraseologythrowing
down the censercould be omitted without materially affecting the theological
contentofthestatement.
Fifth,thestatementisanearlyone.Thus,aninterpreterwishingtounderstand
herusagehereshouldbepreparedforthepossibilitythatalaterstatementmay
decisivelyclarifythisone.Thepossibleimplicationsofthisstatementshouldnotbe
pressedinthefaceofalaterone,particularlyifthelaterstatementsignificantly
modifiesthematerialatissue.
Finally,theallusiononlyoccursonetimeinallofheravailableworks.Evenif
itsmeaningappearedcleartoailinterpreters,itcouldbequestionedwhetherEllen
White'sintentionintheallusionhadbeenrightlyunderstood.Certainlyshehasnot
goneoutotherwayinherwritingstoclarifytherelationofRevelation8:5tothe
closeofprobation.
To summarize: As much as we would like to have exegetical help in
determiningthemeaningofRevelation8:5anditscontext,EarlyWritings,
170
pages279280,thoughitmaywellalludetoRevelation8:5,shouldnotbeusedfor
thatpurpose.Itisnotexegeticalorcentraltothetopicinitscontext,neitherisit
reasonablycertainthatEllenWhiteintendedthereadertoperceiveanallusionto
Revelation8:5.
Ofgreat interest tothisissueisthefact thatthestatement islaterrepeated
(nearlyinitsentirety)inTheGreatControversy,page613.Thatstatementisquoted
belowwiththeitalicsrepresentingallwordsthatare identical tothepassagein
EarlyWritings.
Anangelreturningfromtheearthannouncesthathisworkisdone;the
final test has been brought upon the world, and all who have proved
themselvesloyaltothedivinepreceptshavereceived"thesealoftheliving
God."ThenJesusceasesHisintercessioninthesanctuaryabove.Helifts
Hishandsandwithaloudvoicesays,"Itisdone;"andalltheangelichostlay
offtheircrownsasHemakesthesolemnannouncement:"Hethatis unjust,
lethimbeunjuststill:andhewhichisfilthy,lethimbefilthystill:andhethatis
righteous,lethimberighteousstill:andhethatisholy,lethimbe holy still."
Revelation22:11.19
Thesubjectofthispassageandtwothirdsofthewordingareidenticalwith
Early Writings, pages 279280. Even where the wording is changed the basic
meaning is the same. But two significant changes in Ellen White's use of
Scripturehavetakenplace.ThelanguageofEzekiel9andRevelation8:5hasbeen
dropped. In place of Revelation 8:5 is the statement that Jesus "ceases His
intercessioninthesanctuaryabove."
TheGreat Controversy passageclarifies themeaningoftheearlierpassage.
Apparently,EllenWhitedidnotwanttoleavetheimpressionthatherallusionwas
intendedtobetakenasanexpositionofRevelation8:5initscontext.Therefore,in
the later depiction she employed explicit terminology instead of an echo of
Revelation8:5.
Thisillustration indicates that to carry outtheseguidelinestakes patience
andtime.Probably,inmanycases,theflavorofherviewpointmaybeobtained
byacarefulsurfacesurveyofherstatements.Itbecomesessentialtofollowthese
guidelines carefully, however, whenever a particular statement or series of
statementsbecomescontroversial,usuallyduetoambiguity.Insuchinstancesthe
burdenofproofisontheinterpreter todemonstratethat Ellen White(wereshe
alive)wouldsupporthisparticularuseofagivenstatement.
19White,TheGreatControversy,613,emphasisadded.
171
Conclusion
Afterthoroughstudyofthescripturaltext,itwillbehelpfulfortheAdventist
interpretertoexamineEllenWhite'suseofRevelationforprofitableinsights.Her
unparalleledgraspoftheuniversalissuestowhichthebookofRevelationpoints
makesherstatementsaboutthebookofenormousinterestandimportance.
Nevertheless,hercontributiontothediscussionmustnotbeexpandedbeyond
her own intention. To do so will distort both her intention and John's, thus
underminingtheauthorityofinspiration.Theaboveguidelinescanhelpprovide
safeguardsagainstsuchunintentionalmisuse.
II
EXEGETICALSTUDIES
Revelation4:18:1
Revelation8:211:18
Revelation10:111
Daniel12/Revelation13TimePeriods
172
ChapterIX
IssuesinRevelation:
DARCOMReport*
iedistinctiveframethatholdstogetherthepictureofbiblicaltruthastaughtby
SeventhdayAdventistsistheir understandingofthe propheciesof
Daniel and Revelation. In these prophecies the Adventist people
as havefoundtheirtimes,theiridentity,andtheirtask.JesusChristisat
.Api thecenter of the propheticWord, and itsdynamicinthe Adventist
faith(John14:29;2Peter1:19).
SeventhdayAdventistsarrived attheirinterpretation ofBible prophecy by
employing the principles of the historical school of prophetic interpretation,
sometimescalledthehistoricistmethodorthecontinuoushistoricalmethod.The
historicist method accepts the assumption that the prophecies of Daniel and
Revelation are intended tounfoldandtofind fulfillmentinhistorical timein
the span between the prophets Daniel and John respectively and the final
establishment of God'seternalkingdom.Theyeardayprinciple(a symbolic
dayequalsa literalyear)isan integralpart of themethod;foritfunctionsto
unroll the symbolic time periods, enabling us to locate the predicted events
alongthehighwayofhistory.
Jesusemployedthehistoricist methodwhen He announced the time ofHis
ministryasafulfillmentofprophecy(Mark1:15;cf.Dan9:25),andlaterwhen
HereferredtotheprophesiedruinofJerusalemandtheTemple(Matt24:15;cf.
Dan9:26).TheMillerites,ourimmediateforebears,werehistoricists,aswerealso
thesixteenthcenturyProtestantReformers.
In its endeavor to meet Protestant interpretations, the Roman Catholic
Churchintroducedpreterismandfuturismascountermethodsofinterpretation.
Thesetwomethodsformthebasisoftwoschoolsofpresentdayinterpretation
ofDanielandRevelation.Thepreterist/historicalcritical
/ir\h<
'ReprintedfromAdventisiReview,August3,1989;Ministry,January1991.
%'175
I'
IssuesinRevelation
positionregardsthepropheciesofDanielasmeetingfulfillmentinthetimesand
events of second century B.C. Palestine, and restricts Revelation to the first
centuries A.D. Futurism slices off the seventieth week of Daniel's 70week
prophecy,placingitattheendoftheage,whereitalsoexpectsthefulfillmentof
most of thebook of Revelation. TodaySeventhdayAdventistsvirtually stand
alone as exponents of the historicist method, since nonCatholic groups in
generalhaveabandonedthisapproachinfavorofoneoftheothertwomethods
mentioned.Asmightbeexpected,thechangeinmethodhasinevitablybrought
aboutchangesinconclusions.
The Daniel and Revelation Committee wishes to reaffirm to the world
church thevalidityof the historicist approachto thesetwo apocalyptic books.
The committee seesit as the only sound method touse.Ourpioneersdid not
follow"cunninglydevisedfables"whentheysearchedandpreachedthetruths
oftheseprophecies.Theyhave passedonto usarichheritage.We call our
memberstoarenewedstudyofthesegrandpropheticbooksthatcontinuetogive
certaintyandstabilitytoourpersonalfaithinChristandHiscomingandtothe
worldwideoutreachoftheAdventpeopleinthissolemneraofGod'sjudgment
activityintheheavenlysanctuary(Rev14:614;Dan7:9,10,13,14).
NotallsegmentsofDanielandRevelationareasclearlyunderstoodasothers.
Thereisatendencyforsomeearnest personstofocusonthelesserunderstood
portionstosuchanextentthattheymissthegrandsweepoftheclearerpassages
andtheimportanttheologicaltruthstheypresentforourtimes.Thedesiretounlock
theseobscureportionspromptsthetendencytoaltermethodologyandtoemploy
unsound principles in order to Find satisfactory solutions. Two sections of
Revelation especially fall into this category: the seals (Rev 4:18:1) and the
trumpets (Rev 8:211:17). While the church may never fully understand these
portionsofthelargerprophecy,wecanlearnimportantlessonsfromthem,andwe
wouldencouragepersonalstudy.
Thecommitteeatthispointhasnotdevelopedasatisfactoryinterpretationof
thesepropheciesthatsolvesalltheproblemsinherentinthem,butithascometo
agreement on some general principles and some specific insights. If we would
preservethetruthandsecureatrueinterpretationofthesechallengingprophecies,
wemustdoourstudywithintheparametersofsoundprinciplesofinterpretation.
Thecommitteeagreesonthefollowingpoints,andsubmitsthemtoourpastorsand
membersfortheirprayerfulconsideration.
176
IssuesinRevelation
GeneralPrinciples
Thecommitteeagreesthat:
1.TheliterarystructuredividesthebookofRevelationintotwomajorsections:
(1)ahistoricalsection(Rev114)thatemphasizestheexperienceofthechurchand
relatedeventsduringtheChristianEra,and(2)aneschatological(endtime)section
(Rev1522)thatfocusesparticularlyonendtimeeventsandtheendoftheworld.
AlthoughBiblestudentsmaydiffersomewhatontheprecisepointwherethe
dividinglineshouldbeplaced,seriousstudybyAdventistscholarssuchasKenneth
A.Strand (InterpretingtheBookofRevelation, 2nded.,1979),C.M.Maxwell
(GodCares, vol.2,1985),andW.H.Shea(variousarticles mAndrewsUniversity
SeminaryStudies) fullyconfirmthisliterarydivisionanditsconsequenteffecton
interpretation.
2.Theseriesofthesealsandofthetrumpetsoccurinthehistoricalsectionof
Revelation.Consequentlytheirfulfillmentshouldbesoughtforinhistoricaltime,
theChristianEra.
3.Thepropheciesofthesealsandofthetrumpetshaveonlyoneprophetic
fulfillment.
a.TheDanielmodelofapocalypticprophecyisclearonthispoint:
Eachmetal,beast,andhornhasonlyonefulfillment.(Eventhe"littlehom"of
Daniel8,usedasasymbolforRomeinitstwophases,hasonlyonefulfillment:
Rome.)ThereisnocontextualevidencethattheapocalypticpropheciesofDaniel
andRevelationshouldbegivendual/multiplefulfillments.Thislatterproposition
was examined at length and rejected by the Sanctuary Review Committee
(representativesfrom theworlddivisions)in1980(see"Statement onDesmond
Ford Document," Ministry^ October 1980). The Daniel and Revelation
Committeehaslikewiserejectedit(see"FulfillmentsofProphecy," TheSeventy
Weeks, Leviticus, and the Nature of Prophecy, pp. 288322). Dual/multiple
fulfillments of Daniel/Revelation also fail to find support in Ellen White (see
Biblical ResearchInstitutetract,"EllenG.WhiteandtheInterpretationofDaniel
andRevelation").
b. Dual fulfillment may be present in some general/classical prophecies in
whichtherearecontextualmarkersindicatingsuchforexample,theprophecyof
theoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,Joel2;theprophecyofthevirginbirth,Isaiah7.
But no such markers are present in the apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel and
Revelation.
c.Inregardtothetrumpets,Revelationitselfmakesanendtime
177
IssuesinRevelation
application of the language of the trumpets in its description of the seven last
plagues.Itisthereforeanunnecessarypressingofthesescripturestoplaceboththe
trumpetsandtheplaguesinasimultaneouspostprobationfulfillment.
TheSealsRevelation4:18:1
Thecommitteeagreesonthefollowing:
I.Setting
1.Revelation45isaunit,describingthesamescene(Rev4:2;5:1).
2.Revelation45portraysathronesceneintheheavenlysanctuary(cf.Rev
4:3;8:3).
3.TheemphasisofthethronesceneisuponChrist'satoningdeath,His
accomplishmentatthecross(Rev5:6,9,12).
4.ThethronesceneisoitheinvestigativejudgmentofDaniel7:9,10.
a.TheRevelationsceneisnotdesignatedajudgment;theDanielsceneis
(Dan7:10,26).
b.TheRevelationscenehasonlyonebook:ItisintheFather'shand;
itisclosedandsealed;nobeingintheuniverseexcepttheLambcanopenit;the
bookisneveropenedinthevision.Bycontrast,intheDanielscenetherearetwo
ormorebooks.They are open,anditisimplied that theywere openedfor the
Ancientofdaysbytheattendingholybeings(Dan7:10).
II.TimeFrame
1.ThethronescenestandsatthecommencementoftheChristianEra.
a.Johnisshown(bythesequentialopeningoftheseals)"thingswhichmust
behereafter"(Rev4:1;cf.Rev1:1,19).
b.TheFather'sthrone(Rev4),theovercomingofChrist(Rev5:5),andHis
joiningtheFatheratHisthrone(vs.6;cf.Rev3:21)arecentralthemesinthisthrone
scene(Rev4and5).ThevictoriousredeemedjointhethronesceneinRevelation7
(vss.9,10).BetweenthesetwothronescenesliethesealeventsofRevelation6.
ThusthesealsofRevelation6aretobelocatedbetweenthecrossvictoryofChrist
and the victory of the redeemed, that is, in the Christian Era. III. General
ObservationsontheSeals
1.TheimageryofthefourhorsesandtheircolorsisdrawnfromZechariah1:8
11;6:16;10:3,butisemployedbyJohntosymbolizeadifferentmessagethanthat
conveyedbyZechariah.
2.Thesealsaresequential,representingsucceedingeventsacrosstheChristian
Era.Thisisevidencedbytheorderofthevision:Thesealsare
178
IssuesinRevelation
I,brokenoneafteranother,notallatthesametime(Rev6:1,3,5,7,9,12;
8:1).
3.Thesealsofferageneralprogressionofhistoryratherthanade
tailedchronology;theirinterpretation,therefore,isnotboundspecifically
totheprophecyofthesevenchurches.
4.ThesealsareaparalleldevelopmentofMatthew24and25(the
Synopticapocalypse).Thislinkisanotherevidencefortheirfulfillmentin
theChristianEra.
a.Preachingofthegospel(Matt24:14).
b. Wars, famines, pestilences, earth
quakes(vss.68).
c. Period of great tribulation/perse
cution(vs.21).
d.Signsinsun,moon,stars(vs.29).
e.SecondComing(vss.30,31).f.
Judgment(Matt25:3146).
a.Firstseal:white horse
(Rev6:2).
b.
Secondthroughfourthseals:
war,famine,pestilence
(vss.38).
c. Fifth seal: cry of
martyrstobeavenged
(vss.911).
d. Sixth seal: great
earthquake;
signsmsun,moon,
stars(vss.12,13).
e.Sixthseal:"thegreat
dayofhiswrathiscome"
(vss.1417).
f.Seventhseal:"silencein
heaven" (Rev 8:1);
possibly millennial or
executivephasesofthe
final judgment (Rev
20:4,11
15).
5. While there are similarities between the seals and the

Synopticapocalypse,therearealsodifferences.Insomeinstances
the symbolism appears to extend the meaning beyond a simple
repetitionofMatthew24.
Porexample:
a.Ifthefirstsealsymbolizes,initially,theapostolicoutreach
withthegospel(cf.Zech10:3),thenthechangingcolorsofthe
horses (white, red, black, pale/green) suggest progressively
deepeningapostasy.
b. The physical signs such as war, famine, and pestilence
wouldbetransmutedbythesymbolismtoportraytheadditional
featuresGod'speoplewouldhavetolivethrough:unrestbecause
ofreligiousdifferences,famineforGod'struth,severepersecutions
ofChristiansbyChristians.
179
IssuesinRevelation
c.SinceChristianapostasyappearstobepresentinthesecondthroughfourth
seals,theunhappyeventsdepictedinthesesealsmayreflect theimageryofthe
covenantwoes/cursespredictedtooccurwhenthecovenantisbroken(Lev26:14
39).
6.Whileeachofthefirstfoursealshasaninitialbeginning,theactiononce
begunmaycontinueonwithvaryingdegreesofintensity.
a.First seal:Althoughbegunbytheapostles, thepreaching ofthegospel
continuesacrosstheera.Themartyrsunderthefifthsealaretoldthatmorewill
yetbekilled(Rev6:11).
b.Apocalypticmodelsforthiskindofsymbolism:(1)Theinfluenceofthe
fourbeastslingersafteraninitialsequentialrule(Dan7:12);(2)the
sequentialmessagesofthethreeangelscontinueonaftertheirinitial
announcement(Rev14:612).
7.Thefirstsealrepresentsthe gospelmessagebeginninginthefirstcentury
(Rev6:2).ThefifthsealrepresentsthepersecutionsoftheMiddleAges(vss.911).
The sixth seal relates to the signs of Christ's second coming (vss. 1217). The
seventhsealrelatestosomeeventofcosmicsignificanceaftertheSecondComing
(8:1).
8.ThesealingactivityofRevelation7:18isincludedinthetimeframeofthe
sixthsealandistheresponsetothequestion"Thegreatdayofhiswrathiscome;
andwhoshallbeabletostand?"(Rev6:17).
9.Thegreatearthquakeandthesignsofthesun,moon,andstarsof
thesixthsealareliteral,andthesixthsealopenswiththeLisbonearthquake.
10.Thecelestial signs in the sixthsealmay have natural/physical causes(cf.
openingof the Red Sea,Exod 14:21); nevertheless, they are significant events
becausetheyoccurattherighttimeinconnectionwiththecloseofthe1260year
periodofpapalsupremacyandpersecution(cf.Mark13:24).
TheTrumpetsRevelation8:211:17
Thecommitteeagreesthat:
1.Thetrumpetsaresequential,asevidencedbytheiroccurringone
afteranotherinthevision.
2.Thetrumpetsappearaswarningsorannouncementsofadverse
eventstocome(cf.Num10:110).
3.Aparticulartrumpeteventmayoccupyanextensiveperiodoftime
(Rev9:5,15;10:7).
4. Revelation 10:lll:14is an interlude between the sixth and seventh
trumpets(justasRevelation7isaninterludebetweenthesixthandseventh
180
IssuesinRevelation
seals)andbelongsunderthesixthtrumpet(otherthantheflashbacktothe
1260yearperiod[Rev11:3]).
5.Thetrumpeteventsoccurinhistorical,probationarytime.a.
Introduction(Rev8:26):Functioningasanannouncementofthe
upcomingseventrumpets,verses2and6aremarkerstoformaliteraryin
clusionaroundthetwoprocessesdescribedinverses35:
(1)TheongoingintercessoryministryofChrist(vss.3,4).
(2)ThecessationofChrist'sintercessoryministryandthecloseof
humanprobation(vs.5;cf.Ezek10:17).
Thisliterarydevice,aninclusionintroduction,definitelytiesthetrumpet
eventseriestotheeraofChrist'shighpriestlyintercession,probationary
time.
b.Seventhtrumpet:Thesoundingoftheseventhtrumpetislinked
withthefinishingof"themysteryofGod"(Rev10:7)."ThemysteryofGod"
isthegospelanditsproclamation(Eph3:4;6:19;Col4:3;Rom16:25,26).If
theseventhtrumpetistiedtotheclosingupofthegospelwork,thegospel
dispensation,thentheprecedingsixtrumpetsmustofnecessitysoundduring
probationarytime.
c.Goldenaltar:Referencetothegoldenaltarofincenseatthecom
mencementofthesixthtrumpetisamarkerintheprophecy,indicatingthat
Christ'spriestlyintercessionisstillinprocess(Rev9:13;cf.8:3,4).
d.Interlude(seeNo.4inthissection):Gospelworkiscarriedonunder
thesixthtrumpet.
(1)Thechurch(symbolizedbyJohn)istopreach"again[to]many
peoples,andnations,andtongues,andkings"(Rev10:11).
(2)PeoplecanrepentandgiveglorytoGod(Rev11:13;cf.16:9).e.
Timeperiods:Thepresenceoftimeperiodsinthefifthandsixthtrumpets
aremarkersindicatingthatthesetrumpetsappearinhistoricaltimebefore
thecloseofhumanprobation.
181
ChapterX
SealsandTrumpets:
SomeCurrentDiscussions
JonPaulien
EditorialSynopsis: InrecentyearsAdventistscholarshiphasfocusedontheliterary
structure of the book of Revelation. ThesestudieshaveconfirmedtheAdventistpioneer
consensus that the fulfillments of the parallel lines of the prophecy (namely, the seven
churches,sevenseals,andseventrumpets)extendedacrosstheChristianEra,beginningin
John'sdayandreachingtotheSecondComing.
Todaysomearearguingfortwodistinctfulfillmentsofthesealsandtrumpets(andother
portionsofRevelation,includingthetimeperiods).Theyseea second (primaryforthem)
endtimefulfillmentbothofthesealsandtrumpets,commonlylinkingtheformertothe
investigativejudgmentofDaniel7.Thetrumpetsareplacedeitherintheendtimejustprior
totheSecondComing,orimmediatelyafterthecloseofprobationarytime.
Inthischapterthewritersummarizestheevidenceembeddedintheintroductions
totheseseriesaswellasinthesanctuarypatternsandfestivalsreflectedinthebook.The
collecteddata,heaffirms,clearlyendorsesthecorrectnessofthepioneerhistoricistview
that theseseries extendacrosstheChristian Age and were neverintended (aswhole
series)tofindasecondfulfillmentattheendoftheage.
ChapterOutline
I.CurrentIssues
II.The"GrandStrategy*'ofRevelation
III.HistoricismandtheSevenSeals
IV.HistoricismandtheSevenTrumpets
V.Conclusions
183
SealsandTrumpets:SomeCurrentDiscussions
CurrentIssues
PioneerConsensus
TowardtheendofthelastcenturyleadingSeventhdayAdventistBiblestudents
arrivedataconsensusonhowtoapplythe
variouspartsofthebookofRevelationtothehistoryoftheChristianEra.
Theyunderstoodtheletterstothesevenchurches(Rev13)tobeaddressed
initially to seven firstcentury churches over which John had a supervisory
interest. The meaning of these letters extended as well (by symbolic
representation)tothesevenmajorperiodsofChristianhistory.
Seventhday Adventist pioneers understood the seals, the trumpets, and
chapter12 (Rev 412)to offer three parallellinescovering theentire Christian
Era.(1)Thesevensealsparalleledthesevenchurchesasanoutlineofthemajor
periods ofChristianhistory. (2) Theseventrumpetscontainedprimarilythe
judgments of God upon the Western and Eastern portions of the Roman
Empire. (3) Chapter 12 depicted the great controversy in heaven and its
outworkingintheexperienceofthechurchonearth.
Thepioneersalsoagreedthatthebulkoftheeventsdescribedinchapters1319
concernedtheendtime,leadinguptothesecondcomingof
Christ.Revelation2022,ontheotherhand,wasseentofallbeyondtheSecond
Coming.
Historic Adventism, therefore, came to agree that the book of Revelation
dividednaturallyintotwoparts.Thefirstcoveredmajoreventsofprophetichistory
between the two advents ofChrist,thougheach series leduptothe end.This
interpretiveapproachtoRevelation112,knownashistoricism,wasbasedonthe
modeofDanielandofJesusHimselftoportraythefutureintermsofaseriesof
historicaleventsleadingfromthetimeoftheprophettotheestablishmentofthe
eternalkingdom.1
TheseconddivisionofRevelationwasunderstoodtocoverprimarilytheevents
connectedwiththeSecondAdventitself.Althoughfollowedinexactdetailbyfew
today, DanielandRevelation, byUriahSmith,continuesasanexpressionofthis
basicconsensushammeredoutaboutahundredyearsagobyourspiritualforebears. 2
1Daniel2isagoodexample.
2UriahSmith,DanielandtheRevelation(BattleCreek,MI,1897).
184
NewInterpretationsAdvancedbySome
In recent years several Seventhday Adventists have

explored the possibility that the endtime perspective of
Revelationmightbemuchbroader than Adventistshave
thought. By and large, these interpreters agree with the
historic consensus regardingthe churches (Rev 13) and
thelatterhalf
ofthebook(Rev1322).
However,theycommonlyargueforasecondfuturefulfillment
of certainportions ofRevelationincludingtheirtimeperiods.A
majorpointofdisagreementliesinhowthesealsandthetrumpets
(Rev 411) are to be understood. These "endtime interpreters" 3
believe that the seals and trumpets (Rev 411) portray events
associatedwiththeendtimeratherthanwiththeoverallsweepof
theChristianEra.Theseals(Rev46)areusuallyunderstoodto
portrayaspectsoftheinvestigativejudgmentthatbeganin1844,
andthetrumpets(Rev811)areunderstoodtofollowthecloseof
probationjustbeforethereturnofChrist.Forsome,theseare
viewedassecondfulfillments.
Whathasemergedfromtheirstudiesandensuingdiscussionsis
therealizationthatSeventhdayAdventistshavenotinvestedthe
kind of creative energy upon the seals and trumpets that would
enablethehistoricistposition,oranyotherposition,tobedeclared
firmlyestablished.Adventistshavetendedtoassumethattheseals
andtrumpetsaretwohistoricalseries,extendingfromtheprophet's
daytotheend,buthavenotestablishedthatviewpointonthebasis
of careful exegesis of the text. 4 Whether the emerging endtime
interpretationsofthesealsandthetrumpetsprovetobecorrect,the
authorsoftheseinterpretationshavestimulatedstudybydrawing
attentiontothesemoreobscureportionsofRevelation.
Althoughanunderstandingofthesealsandtrumpetsmaynot
becriticaltosalvation,currentrealitiesrequirethattheybegiven
more careful attention than has been the case in the past. This
chapter,therefore,attemptstodescribeanumberofrealitiesinthe
book of Revelation that need to be taken into account when
addressinghowthesealsandthetrumpetsaretobeinterpreted.
3Theyareoftenlabeled"futurists"butwhilcthisdesignationisdescriptiveuptoapoint,
they usually disclaim any acceptance of the futurist dispcnsational system of
interpretation.
4Insupportofthisassertion,noteUriahSmith'scommentaryonRev8:79:21.Sixtytwo
percent of Smith's comments are directly quoted from nonSevcnthday Adventist
commentators.Mostoftherestisparaphrased.Thereishardlyaninstanceinwhich
referenceismadetothetext.Thehistoricistpositionisassumedasagiven,itisnever
arguedfromthetextofthetrumpets.
185
The"GrandStrategy"ofRevelationFunction
oftheLiteraryArrangement
Amajorpieceofevidencecitedindefenseofahistoricistunderstanding
of the seals and trumpets is based on the observation that the book of
Revelationisstructuredasa"chiasm." 5 A"chiasticstructure"occurswhen
wordsandideasparalleleachotherinreverseorderfromthebeginningtothe
endofabook.
InthecaseofRevelation,thematerialbeforeRevelation15is,onthe
whole,paralleledinreversebythematerialcomingafterchapter15.Kenneth
Strandconsidersthefirst(andlarger)halftobeconcernedwiththeentire
Christian Age. The content of Revelation following chapter 15 concerns
almostexclusivelythetimeafterthecloseofearth'sprobation,aneventthat
stillliesinthefuture.The"chiasm"anditsresultsareselfevidentwhenone
comparesthefirstthreechaptersofRevelationwiththelasttwo. 6 Endtime
interpreters, however, have resisted this understanding of the literary
arrangementofRevelation,sinceitimpactsnegativelyontheirinterpretations
ofthesealsandtrumpets.
IhavesoughttoclarifytheapplicabilityofKennethStrand'soutlineto
thesealsandthetrumpetsbycarefullycomparingchapters47withchapter
19, as Strand suggests. I found, in the original language, four clusters of
parallelideasbetweenthesealsandchapter19,twoofwhichbeardirectlyon
theissueathand.7
1.Inchapters4and5,theworshipscenesdepictpraiseofferedtoGodfor
Creationandthecross.However,parallelscenesinchapters7and19depict
praise to God for redeeming His people from endtime Babylon. This
observationsuggeststhatthebestplacementofchapters4and5isatthe
beginningoftheChristianEra.
2.Revelation6:10depictsatimewhenGodis"notyetjudging."
5KennethA.Strand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation.2nded.(Naples,FL,1979),4359.
6Notethefollowingparallels:
l:l........................"whatmustsoontakeplace"..........................22:6
1:3................."blessedarethose...whokeep..."....................22:7
1:3................................."thetimeisnear"....................................22:10
1:4.............................."thesevenchurches"...........................22:16
1:17..........................."thefirstandthelast".................21:6
2:7..................................."trecoflife"..................................22:2
2:11..............................."seconddeath"................................21:8
3:12................................"newJerusalem"...........................21:10
7Foramorecompletediscussionoftheseparallelclusters,seechap.11,"TheSevenSeals,"inthis
volume.
186
Seals and Trumpets: Some Current

Discussions
Revelation 19:2 comes after the judgment is completed. The

judgment does nottakeplaceinchapters4and5whentheseals
haveyettobeopened.Itisobviousthatthejudgmentmustoccur
sometime between the opening of the fifth seal (in which the
martyrs call for judgment) and the pronouncement of judgment
completedinRevelation19:2.
These two observations coincide with what one would
expectifthefirstpartofRevelationconcernsthewholeChristian
Ageandthelatterparttheendtime.
FunctionoftheSanctuaryinRevelation
Introductory sanctuary scenes. Research has uncovered a
seriesofindicationsthatJohnhimselfunderstoodthesealsandthe
trumpetstocoverthebroadsweepofChristianhistoryratherthan
the endtime alone. For example, the sanctuary scenes that
introduce various parts of Revelation8 demonstrate a significant
progression.
The first sanctuary scene (1:1220). Here the vision uses
sanctuaryimagerytoportrayChrist'spresenceamongthechurches
onearth;however,itisnotaglimpseintotheheavenlysanctuary.
The scene occurs on Patmos itself, and the seven lampstands
representthesevenchurches.Theexplicitinvitationto"comeup"
totheheavenlyrealmcomeslaterin
Revelation4:1.
Thesecondsanctuaryscene(4:15:14).Thefocusnowshifts
to the sanctuary in heaven. The largest collection of sanctuary
imageryinthebookisfoundinthisintroductiontotheseals.The
scene contains a thorough mix of imagery from nearly every
aspectoftheHebrewcultus.
IntheIsraelitesanctuaryonearthonlytwooccasionstouched
base with nearly every aspect of its worship: the inauguration
serviceatwhichtimethesanctuarywasdedicated(cf.Exod40)
andtheDayofAtonement.
Thesanctuarysceneinchapters45isthefirstviewofthe
heavenly sanctuary in the book. It is best identified with the
inaugurationordedicationserviceoftheancientsanctuary.The
centralfocusisontheconsequencesofthecross,oneofwhich
wastheestablishmentofChrist'sreignintheheavenlysanctuary.
Theportrayalisdefinitelynotajudgmentsceneasonemight
expectiftheDayofAtonementwereinview.Infact,theexplicit
languageofjudgmentistotallyabsentfromthescene.9Theonly
timeaGreekwordfor
8Rev1:12.20;4:15:14;8:26;11:19;15:5.8;19:18;21:122:5.
9TheGreekwordsfor"Judgment,"krisis,krima,andlaino,arequitecommoninthe
secondhalfofthebook.
187
judgingappearsinthefirsthalfofthebookisinRevelation6:10,andthere
theassertionisthatGodhasnotyetbeguntojudge!Sincethesanctuary
sceneinRevelation5precedestheopeningoftheseals,theevidencethatthe
fifthsealoccursinatimeof"notjudging"isdecisiveinlocatingthesealsin
thegeneralChristianEra.
The third and fourth sanctuary scenes (8:26 and 11:19).
Thesecontinue in the heavenly sanctuary. The former (8:26) presents an
explicitviewofthefirstapartmentwithitsservicesofintercession.Thelatter
(11:19)portraysanexplicitviewoftheSecondApartmentinthecontextof
judgment(cf.11:18).
Thefifthsanctuaryscene(15:58).Thisviewtakesupthelanguageof
inaugurationagain(gloryfillingthetemple),butactuallyportraysashutting
downofthesanctuary,itsdeinaugurationorcessationofitsministry.
Thesixthsanctuaryscene(19:110).Thelanguageofthrone,worship,
and Lamb ischaracteristicofthesecondscene,butallexplicitsanctuary
imagesareabsent.Theheavenlysanctuaryhasfadedfromview.
The seventh sanctuary scene (21:122:5). The focus of the vision
returnstoearth,thecounterparttochapter1.TheLordGodandtheLamb
are
thetempleoftheHolyCity(21:22).GodisnowwithHispeopleonearth
(21:3).
These introductory sanctuary scenes show two definite lines of pro
gression.First,thereader'sattentionisdrawnfromearthtoheaven,andback
again to earth. Secondly, he is led from the inauguration of the heavenly
sanctuarytointercession,tojudgment,tothesanctuary'scessation,andfinally
toitsabsence.Thisprogressionisillustratedbelow.
(1)Rev1:1220
(2)Rev4and5(Inauguration)(3)
Rev8:26(Intercession)
EARTH
(4)Rev11:19(Judgment)(5)Rev
15:58(Cessation)(6)Rev19:110
(Absence)
(7)Rev21:122:5
HEAVEN
EARTH
In this progression the first explicit day of atonementjudgment scene

takesplaceonlyin11:18,19.Thefirsthalfofthebookfocusesoninaugura
188
tionandintercession;thelatterhalfmovestojudgmentandrejection.
ThisissupportiveofthepioneerconsensusandKennethStrand'sbasic
insight that the book of Revelation is divided into historical and
eschatological
halves.
Thedaily/yearlypattern.WhenthebookofRevelationasawhole
isexaminedinthelightofthesanctuary,discoveriesofamoreimplicit
naturearemade.Fromhistoricalsourceswehavebecomefamiliarwith
thewaythedailyandyearlyservicesofthesanctuarywerecarriedonin
thecenturywhenRevelationwaswritten.AcomparisonofRevelation1
8withthesesourcessuggeststhatthissectionofRevelationreflectsthe
dailyservicesofthesanctuarythatforeshadowedthecross.10
The first major act in the daily (tami() sacrificial service of the
Templewasforaselectedpriest toentertheholyplace andtrimthe
lampstand,makingsurethateachofthelampswasburningbrightlyand
hadafreshsupplyofoil(cf.Rev1:1220).Followingthisministrythe
greatdooroftheTemplewasleftopen(cf.Rev4:1).Thenalambwas
slain(cf.Rev5:6)anditsbloodpouredoutatthebaseofthealtarof
burntofferingintheoutercourtoftheTemple(cf.Rev6:9).Afterthe
pouringoutoftheblood,incensewasofferedatthegoldenaltarinthe
holy place (cf. Rev 8:34; Luke 1:810). Then during a break in the
singing (cf. Rev 8:1) the trumpets were blown to indicate that the
sacrificewascomplete(cf.Rev8:2,6).
NotonlydoesthefirstpartofRevelationreflectallthemajordetails
ofthedailysacrificeintheTemple,butalsoitalludestothemessentially
inthesameorder.Thus,thematerialmakingupthechurches,seals,and
trumpetsappearstobesubtlyassociatedwiththeactivitiesintheTemple
relatedtothedaily (tamid) service.SeventhdayAdventistsunderstand
thesedailyservices tobetypical oftheintercessoryphaseofChrist's
ministrybegunintheheavenlysanctuaryatthetimeofHisascensionin
AD.31.Thefactthattheintroductoryscenestothesealsandthetrum
petsareassociatedwithsanctuaryinaugurationandintercessioniscer
tainlycompatiblewiththisfinding.
Itisinteresting,therefore,tofindinchapter11thatthebookmoves
totheexplicitlanguageoftheyearlyservicesoftheDayofAtonement.
KennethStrandhaspointedoutthatRevelation11:12containsastrong
allusiontotheDayofAtonement,whichcomesimmediatelyaftera
10 The source for Ihe description of the daily sacrifice is the tractate Tanud in the
Mishnah, a second century A.D. collection of earlier traditions pertaining to Ihe
laws,traditions,andpracticesof
EarlyJudaism.
189
referencetothecompletionofthetimepropheciesofDaniel(Rev10:5,6). 11
InLeviticus16themajorDayofAtonementchapteratonementismade
forthehighpriest,thesanctuary,thealtar,andthepeople.Theonlyother
placeinScripturewherethetermssanctuary,altar,andpeoplearecombined
isinRevelation11:12.SincetheNTHighPriest,JesusChrist,needsno
atonement, the common reference to sanctuary, altar, and people being
measuredappearstobeadeliberaterecollectionoftheDayofAtonementas
thedaywhenthesewereevaluatedor"measured"(ef.2Sam8:2;Matt7:2).
ThissubtleDayofAtonementallusioncomesjustpriortothemoreexplicit
oneofRevelation11:1819.
Inconclusion,wemayinferthatthedaily/yearlypatternembeddedinthe
sanctuaryimageryofRevelationsuggeststhatthefirstportionofthebook
(Rev110)waswrittenwiththeintercessoryministryofChristinmind.In
the eleventh chapter, imagery related to the daily services is replaced by
allusionstothejudgmentorientedministryoftheDayofAtonement.Thisis
whatwewouldexpectifthefirsthalfofthebookfocusesprimarilyonthe
largeeventsoftheChristianAgeandthelatterhalfonthefinaleventsofthat
agewhenjudgmentwillbringsinandsinnerstoanend.
AnnualfeastsinRevelation. Equallystrikingistheevidencethatthe
bookofRevelationappearstobepatternedalsoaftertheannualfeastsofthe
Jewishyear.12
Passover.TheletterstothesevenchurchesarereminiscentofthePass
over,theprimaryfeastofthespringseason.Forexample,nowhereelsein
RevelationaretheresuchstrongconcentrationsofreferencestoChrist'sdeath
and resurrection (cf. Rev 1:5,1718). 13 Christ's intense scrutiny of the
churchesremindsusofeachJewishhousehold'ssearchforleaventoremove
itjustbeforePassover(Exod12:19;13:7).SincePassoveristheonlyfestival
fulfilled by the earthly Christ (1 Cor 5:7), it is fitting that it would be
associatedwiththatportionofthebookwhereHeisportrayedinHisministry
tothechurchesonearth.
Pentecost. As the inauguration of the heavenlysanctuary, the throne
sceneofRevelation45isfittinglyassociatedwithPentecost.ThefirstPen
11KennethA.Strand,"AnOverlookedOldTestamentBackgroundtoRevelation11:1,"AUSS22(1984):
31725.
12IamindebtedtoRichardDavjdson,SDATheologicalSeminary,formanyoftheparallelsdescribed
here.
13AlthoughtheslainlambismentionedinthenextpartofRevelation(Rev5:6),ithasdiedpreviousto
thesceneinRev5(Rev5:56;cf.3:21).
190
Seals and Trumpets: Some Current

Discussions
tecosttookplaceduringthetimewhenthelawwasgiventoMoses
onMountSinai(Exod1920).AsthenewMoses,Christreceives,
as it were, the new lorah from God (Rev 5). Exodus 19 also
involved theinauguration of Israel as the people of God(Exod
19:56; cf. Rev 5:910). The Jewish liturgy for the feast of
PentecostincludedthereadingofnotonlyExodus19butalsoof
Ezekiel1,amajorliterarybackgroundtoRevelation
45.
FeastofTrumpets,DayofAtonement.Theblowingofseventrumpets
near thecenterofthebook(Rev89,11)remindsthereaderof
thesevenmonthlynewmoonfeaststhatclimaxedintheFeastof
Trumpets,markingthetransitionbetweenthespringandfallfeasts.
TheFeastofTrumpetsitself,fallingonthefirstdayoftheseventh
month(correspondingtotheseventhtrumpet)usheredinthetime
ofjudgmentthatleduptotheDayofAtonement(cf.11:1819).
ThereisanincreasingfocusontheconceptofJudgmentfromthat
pointoninthebook.14
FeastofTabernacles.Thelastofthefivebasicfeastsofthe
Leviticalsystem(cf.Lev23)wastheFeastofTabernaclesthat
followedtheDayofAtonement.Harvestwasover(cf.Rev14
20).Godwasnow"tabernacling"withHispeople(Rev21:3).The
endtime celebrations of Revelation are filled with images of
feasting,palmbranches,music,andrejoicingbeforetheLord. 15
The primary images of the Feastwater and lightfind their
ultimatefulfillmentinRevelation22:1,5.
Within Adventism, the spring feasts have been associated
withthecrossofChristandHisinaugurationandministryinthe
heavenlysanctuary. The fall feasts findtheir fulfillment inthe
time of the end and in the preadvent judgment and events
surrounding the second coming of Christ. What has been
overlookedisthefactthattheFeastofTrumpetscomesasthe
climax of seven new moon feasts (Num 10:10) and forms the
bridgebetweenthespringandthefallfeasts.Itis,therefore,inthe
seven trumpets of Revelation that one finds the chronological
bridgebetweenthespringandfallfeasts,betweenafocusonthe
crossandthebeginningoftheChristianAge,andafocusonthe
endtimeinRevelation.
Thus,thefirsthalfofRevelation,basedonthedailysacrifices
and the spring feasts, offers an emphasis on the cross and its
effects; while the latter half of the book, based on the yearly
sacrifices and the fall feasts, focuses onthe end. The Feast of
Trumpets(thefirstdayoftheseventhmonth)in
14Rev14:7;16:5,7;17:1;18:8.10,20;19:2;etc.
15Cf.Rev7:9ff.andRev19:1.10aswellasRev2122.
191
troducedthetimeoftheyearinwhichjudgmenttookplaceandthe
sanctuarywascleansed(Rev11:1819).
Summary
TheabovematerialonthesanctuarybackgroundofRevelationindi
catesthatKennethStrand'schiasmiswellsupportedbybroadtrendsthat
spanthebookofRevelationasawhole.ThesetrendssuggestthatJohn
understood theseals and trumpets tocover the entire spanof Christian
historyfromhisdayuntiltheSecondAdvent(howeverlongJohnunder
stood that to be). The main point of difference with Strand concerns
whetherthecenterpointofthebookisRevelation1112or1415.
Thismatterisnot,however,asubstantivedifference.Thematerialin
Revelation1214istransitional.Itsgoalandfocusisonthefinalwrathof
the nations against the remnant (12:17; 13). But it spends much time
recapitulating the history that would lead up to that climax, setting the
stageforthefinaloperationsofcharactersthathavebeenfunctioningfor
muchoftheera.Beginningwithchapter15thenearlyexclusivefocusison
theveryendoftheendtime.
HistoricismandtheSevenSeals
Spacedoesnotpermitapointforpointresponsetotheargumentsof
those who feel that the prophecy of the seals (Rev 48) are intended to
portraytheeventsoftheendtime. 16Themostcrucialbiblicalargumentfor
thisposition,however,growsoutoftwoobservations:(1)Itisclearthat
Revelation4and5containparallelstoDaniel7,Ezekiel110,andRevela
tion19.Sincejudgmentistheprimarythemeoftheseparallelpassages,itis
inferredthatthesceneinRevelation45mustbethatoftheinvestigative
judgmentbeginningin1844.(2)Itisalsoclearthatsomeoftheimageryin
Revelation45recallsaspectsoftheservicesontheDayofAtonement. n
Thus, it may be assumed that the entire scene is a Day of Atonement
portrayal. These arguments certainly merit investigation, but they do not
overturnthelargerpictureoutlinedbrieflyabove.
16Foradiscussionoftheprophecyoftheseals,seechap.11inthisvolume.
17The"door"of4:1canrefertothedoorbetweentheapartmentsintheearthlytabernacleoftheOT
(itcanbeusedforotheropeningswithinthesanctuaryaswell).Thethronemayrecallthemercy
seatuponthearkofthecovenant.ThethreestonesintheearlypartofRevelation4canbefound
onthebreastplateofthehighpriest,whoministeredofttheDayofAtonement.Thefourliving
creaturesremindoneofthefourcherubiminSolomon'sTemple.
192
Foronething,theparallelstoEzekielandDanielareinformativebutdo
nottelltheentirestory.TheRevelatoralludestoothermajorpassagesinthe
OTaswell.18ThecommondenominatoramongallfiveOTpassagesisnot
judgmentbutadescriptionofGod'sthrone.Infact,Johnselectsthroneroom
imagery from Daniel 7 and Ezekiel 110 but avoids employing their
judgmentaspects.19
Especially strikingarethe strongdifferences between Revelation 45
and Daniel 7. In Daniel thrones areset up(Dan7:9); in Revelationthe
thronesarealreadythere(Rev4:24).InDanielmanybooksareopen(Dan
7:10); inRevelationone bookis sealed (Rev 5:1). In Daniel the central
figure is "the son of man" (Dan 7:13; a term the Revelator is certainly
familiarwith1:13);inRevelationitistheLamb(Rev5:6;aterm more
appropriatetothedailyservicethantotheDayofAtonementinany
case).
Asnotedabove,thelanguageofjudgmentinthesceneofRevelation4
5istotallyabsentuntil6:10whereitisclearthatjudgmenthasn'tyet
begun.ItseemsinconceivablethatRevelation45couldbetheendtime
judgmentscenewhenthatjudgmenthasnotyetbegunevenbythetimethe
fifthsealisopened!
WhilethereareafewallusionstothesanctuaryinRevelation45that
canberelatedtotheDayofAtonement,therearemanymorethatrelateto
otheraspectsofthesanctuaryanditsservices.Theoverallimpressiongiven
bythispassagedoesnotpertaintoanyoneapartmentorservicebutsuggests
acomprehensivelistingofnearlyeveryaspectoftheancient
ministry.
Theaboveseriesofobservationsregardingthesanctuaryintheliterary
structureofRevelationstronglyindicatethatRevelation45isasymbolic
descriptionoftheinaugurationserviceintheheavenlysanctuarythattook
placeinA.D.31.Whatfollowstheinaugurationscenehastodowiththe
entireChristianAge,notjustitsend.
Recent attempts to locate Revelation 4 in the first apartment of the
heavenlysanctuaryandRevelation5intheSecondApartmentfounderupon
theabsolutelackofevidenceinthetextforanymovementofthethrone
between the two chapters. The two chapters depict a single visionary
location.
18Isa6;1Kgs22:1922;Exod19.
19Laterbiblicalwritersfrequentlyuseearlierinspiredwritingsforadifferentpurposethanthemajor
intentofiheoriginalwriter.
20InGreekthewordsarekrima,krisis,andhinV.
193
HistoricismandtheSevenTrumpets
Theargumentsforanendtimeinterpretationofthetrumpetseries(Rev
811)aresomewhatmoreimpressivethanthoseofferedforthesealsseries.It
isarguedthatthethrowingdownofthecenser(Rev8:5)depictsthecloseof
probation.Thus,thetrumpetseriesthatfollows(8:7ff.)mustfindfulfillment
afterthecloseofprobation.Furtherevidenceforapostprobationfulfillment
istobeseeninthefactthattheobjectsdestroyedbythefirsttwotrumpets
theearth,sea,andtreesarenottobehurtuntilafterthesealingofchapter
seven is complete (Rev 7:13). The third piece of evidence for a
postprobation interpretation of the trumpets is the fact that the
locust/scorpionplagueofthefifthtrumpetisnotpermittedto
affectthesealed,thussuggestingasettingafterthecloseofprobation(Rev
9:4).
These arguments, of course, fly directly in the face of the above
evidencethatJohnhadaconcernfortheChristianAgeasawholeinthe
firsthalfofRevelationandonlyfocusedspecificallyontheendtimeinthe
latterhalfofthebook.Under closer examination,however,itbecomes
evidentthattheargumentsforapostprobationsettingforthetrumpetsare
basedmoreonassumptionsratherthanontheactualevidenceofthebiblical
text.
IntroductorySanctuaryScene:Revelation8:26
The major assumption that lies behind the first argument is that the
introductory sanctuary scene that depicts symbolically Christ's priestly
ministry of intercession is concluded before the trumpets begin. Thus, the
throwing down of the censer (the close of human probation) precedes the
eventsthatfollowinthechapter.Asaresult,allseventrumpetsareunderstood
tocomeafterthecloseofprobation.
The assumption that the introductory scene is concluded before the
trumpetsbegincanbetestedintwoways.First,Dotheotherintroductory
scenes(precedingthesevenchurches,thesevenseals,andthesevenbowls)
concludebeforeeachsevenfoldseriesbegins?Ordotheycontinuetoremain
inthebackgroundoftheentirevisionarysequence?Second,Ifthetrumpets
largely take place during probationary time, what evidence is there in the
seriestoindicatethatprobationisstillopentohumanity?
When we examine the introductory scenes to the sevenfold visions of
Revelation,wediscoverthattheynotonlyprecedethesubsequentscenesbut
remaininviewthroughout.Forexample,inthesevenchurchesthein
194
troductory vision precedes the letters in the literary

arrangementofthebook,buteachletterrefersbacktothe
characteristics of Christ listed in that introduction. Since
thelettersarewritteninordinaryprose,theyprovideaclear
indicationoftheauthor'sliterarystrategy.
The seven seals are each opened during the Lamb's
continued activity in the heavenly throne room (Rev 56). That
scene,beginningwiththeinaugurationoftheheavenlysanctuary,
continuesthroughthebreakingofthesealstotheSecondComing
andontothetimewhenallcreationpraises
God(Rev5:13).
Theintroductoryscenetothesevenbowls(Rev15:58)portraysan
emptytabernacleinheaven,whichiscertainlyfittingfortheentire
period
afterthecloseofprobation.
Thus,eachintroductoryvisionprovidesthesettingforthe
subsequent
activity and remains active in the background right up to the
conclusionofthevision.Sincethisissoclearlythecaseforthree
ofthefoursevenfoldvisions,theburdenofproofisonanyonewho
wishestoarguethatRevelation8:26isanexception.Itismore
likelythatJohnintendedthereadertoseetheintercessionatthe
goldenaltarasbeingavailablerightuptotheinstanttheseventh
trumpetblows,leadingtothefinishingofthe"mysteryofGod"
(Rev10:7),thatis,theclosingupofthegospel(Rom16:2527;
Eph3:27;6:19).
OtherEvidencesofProbationaryTime
Theaboveissupportedbyabundantevidencethatprobation
remains open through the sixth trumpet. The sixth trumpet is
equated with the second woe and as such clearly runs from
Revelation 9:12 to 11:14. In Revelation 9:13 there is a voice
"from the four horns of the golden altar before God," a clear
referencetothegoldenaltarofRevelation8:3,4. This suggests
thatintercessionisstillinprocessatthetimethesixthtrumpetis
blown.
InRevelation9:20,21thosewhoexperiencetheplagueofthe
sixthtrumpetfailtorepent,whichmayindicatethatrepentanceis
stillanoption.
InRevelation10:11theprophetleamsthathemustprophesy
again,somethingthatwouldmakelittlesenseafterthecloseof
probation.
Butmostimportant,agroupofpeopledescribedinRevelation
11:13 as the "rest" or "remainder" (hoi loipoithe same word
appliedtotheremnantofRevelation12:17) 21"wereterrifiedand
gaveglorytotheGod
21AlsoindeliberatecontrasttotheunrepentanthoiloipoiofRev9:20.
195
of heaven." Whatever point in history we may take this to be, it is clearly an
appropriateresponsetothegospelproclaimedbythefirstangelofRevelation14:6,7
"FearGodandgivehimglory.'122
Thusitisevidentthatprobationremainsopen,andtheintercessionofRevelation
8:3,4continuesuntiltheendofthesixthtrumpet.Theseven
trumpetsasawholeareclearlynotunderstoodtobeafterthecloseofprobation.
AretheTrumpetsSequentialtotheSealing(Rev7)?
Afurtherargumentforanendtimeinterpretationoftheseventrumpetsnotesthe
similarityinlanguagebetweenRevelation7:13andRevelation8:79.Accordingto
Revelation7theearth,sea,andtreesarenottobehurtuntilthesealingworkis
completed.Sincethesearetheveryobjectsaffectedbythefirstandsecondtrumpets,
itissuggestedthatthesetrumpetsmustfollowthesealingchronologicallyand,thus,
occurinpostprobationarytimes.
However, it should be noted that Revelation 8:2 introduces a new series;
consequently, it is necessary to demonstrate that the trumpet series follows
chronologicallytheliterarysectionthatprecedesit.Chapters4and
12certainlygobacktoanearlierstageofhistory.Whynotchapter8aswell?
Althoughitistruethattheobjectsfordestructioninthefirsttwotrumpetsare
protectedinRevelation7:13,theyarealsoprotectedinthefifthtrumpet(Rev9:4).
Thisfactraisesseriousquestionswhetherthetrumpetseriesistoberelatedasan
immediatesequeltothevisionofchapter7.
Evenmoredecisive,however,isthefactthatthestrongestparallelbetweenthe
firstpartofRevelation7andtheseventrumpetsisinRevelation9:14,16.Inboth
sectionsbindingandloosingarerelatedtofourangels.Inbothsectionsapeopleare
beingnumbered:inRevelation7thepeopleofGod;inRevelation9theirdemonic
counterparts.AndthesearetheonlytwoplacesinRevelationcontainingthecryptic
words, "I heard the number [ekousa ton arithmon}." If probation remains open
throughthesixthtrumpetandthencloseswiththesoundingoftheseventh,thesixth
trumpet is the exact historical counterpart of Revelation 7:18. It is the last
opportunityforsalvationjustbeforetheend.
Theseventrumpets,therefore,donotfollowtheeventsofRevelation
22IndirectcontrastarethoseinRev16;9whoprefertorejectrepentanceandblasphemeGodrather
thangiveHimglory.Notethatunrepentancehasadvancedin16:9,11beyondthestageof9:20,21.
196
7 in chronological order. The trumpets take their cue and
commencement, instead, from the introductory vision of
Revelation8:26.Themainthemeofthatvisionisintercessionat
the altar of incense. This is an appropriate followup to the
inaugurationoftheheavenlysanctuaryasdescribedin
Revelation5.
ThebookofRevelationflowsnaturally,asshownabove,froma
view
ofthecross23toaviewoftheinaugurationofChrist'sministryinthe
lightofthecross(Rev5),toapictureoftheintercessoryministrythat
results(Rev8:3,4),andultimatelytothejudgmentthatprecedesthe
end(Rev11:18,19).Thisorderofeventsischaracteristicoftheentire
NT
SealofGod(Rev9:4)
Thefinal major argumentfor an endtime interpretation of the
trumpetsrestsontheobservationthatthefifthtrumpetdoesnotaffect
those whoaresealed(Rev9:4).It is arguedthatif thesealing is the
lastevent beforetheclose ofprobation, then theeventsof the fifth
trumpet must occur after the close of probation. This argument,
however,assumesanumberofpointsthatneedtobedemonstrated.
Itassumesthat"sealing"meansexactlythesameinbothcontexts.It
assumesthat"sealing"islimitedtotheendtime.ItassumesthatEllen
White's views on the sealing in Revelation 7:13 apply also to
Revelation9:4.
IfoneapproachesRevelation9:4withinthelargerNTcontext,these
assumptions are difficult to sustain. The Greek words for sealing
(sphragis,sphragizo)aremultipleinmeaning.Forexample,whenaseal
isplacedonadocument,message,ortombitspurposemaybetoconceal
or to confine. An alternative meaning is to certify that something or
someone is reliable. But when related to God's people, the
predominant meaning of sealingisownership andacceptance byGod
("theLordknowsthosewhoarehis").26 Inthissenseitwasapresent
realityalreadyinthetimeof
Abraham(Rom4:11),
Ifinagivenpassagethecontextindicatesthatwe areprior tothe
closeofprobation,theconceptofasealedpeoplemustbeunderstoodin
thegeneralsenseofthosewhobelongtoGodinanyage.Thus,itshould
not be assumed that the sealing in Revelation 7:13 is identical
necessarilywiththatofRevelation9:4.
23Rev1:5,17.18;cf.5:6,9,12.
24Matt27:66;Rev5:1,2,5,9;6:1,3,5,7,9,12;8:1;10:4;20:3;22:10.
25John3:33;6:27;Rom15:28;1Cor9:2.
262Tim2:19;cf.2Cor1:22;Eph1:13;4:30.
197
It shouldalsonotbeassumedthatthesealingofRevelation7:13is
limitedtotheendtime.Revelation7:13doesnotexplicitlylimitthesealing
totheendtime;itmerelyfocusesonthesignificanceofsealingworkinan
endtime setting. Related to this is the observation that whatever Ellen
WhiteunderstoodbyRevelation7:13,sheneverquotesRevelation9:4in
anendtime context, thus it is unwise toassume what she herself never
stated.
Summary
Itis,therefore,clearthattheargumentsmanyhaveutilizedtoplacethe
trumpetsinanendtimesettingdonotcarrytheweightnecessarytooverturn
the larger perspective outlined in the first part of this chapter that the
trumpetscovertheentireChristianAge.
Conclusions
Inthisbriefchapterwehavecombinedanumberoftextualobservations
todemonstratethattheprophetJohnhadtwogreatperspectivesinmindwhen
he wrote out his visions. In the first half of the book he focused on the
ChristianEraasawhole,movingfromhistimetotheend.Inthesecondhalf
ofthebookhedelineatedprimarilytheeventsoftheend.
This insight parallels the pattern of the other two great "apocalyptic"
passagesoftheNT:Matthew24(anditsparallels,Luke21;Mark13)and2
Thessalonians2.Eachofthesepassagescontainsasectionthatfocusesfirst
on the Christian Age as a whole. 27 These sections are followed then by
specialattentiontotheclimaxattheend. 28 ThusthebookofRevelation,
rightly understood, is in perfect harmony with the theology and literary
practicesoftheNTeventhoughitslanguageisquiteunique.
Thethrustoftheevidencebroughtforthinthischapteristherecognition
thattheconsensusoftheSeventhdayAdventistpioneersonthesealsand
trumpets, though marred by some historical inaccuracies and limited
exegeticalinsights,neverthelesswasaccurateinitsperceptionthattheseals
andthetrumpetswereintendedbyJohnunderinspirationtocovertheentire
ChristianAgeandnotjusttheendofthatage.
27Cf.Matt24:314and2Thess2:37.
282Thcss2:812;Matt24:2351;csp.vss.2731.Itshouldbenotedthatthisdoubleperspectiveis
particularlyclearinLukewherethe"timesoftheGentiles"(Luke21:24)formsabridgebetweenthe
descriptionofA.D.70andthegeneralrealitiesoftheChristianAge(Luke21:723)andthe
descriptionoftheendtime(Luke21:25ff.).
198
ChapterXIThe
SevenSeals
JonPaulien
EditorialSynopsis.AsobservedintheDARCOMReport(chapter9inthisvolume),
thescenesportrayedonearthatthesequentialbreakingofthefirstsixsealsoccuracrossthe
Christian Era. A throne scene in the heavenly sanctuaryRevelation's portrayal of the
inaugurationofJesusatHisascensionasa"PrinceandaSaviour"attheFather'sside(Acts
5:31, KJV)is the historical settingfor Christ's reception ofthe sealedscroll. Fromthis
pointintimeHebeginstobreak
theseals,onebyone.
AmajorkeyforunlockingthesymbolisminthebookofRevelationisthe
imageryJohndrawsfromtheOTtodescribethecontentofhisvisions.Thepresentwriter
providesahelpfultoolinthisrespectbyappendingthreetablesofOTallusionsthatimpacton
theprophecy ofthe seals. Afourth table, comparingRevelation 6with Jesus'apocalyptic
sermonintheGospels,isalsoincluded.
Althoughthesealedscrollisneveropenedinprobationarytime,itsidentityisimportantto
theinterpretationofthissectionofthegeneralprophecy.Thepresentwritersuggeststhatthe
scrollshouldbeunderstoodasrelatedtothebookofRevelationitself.Thus,thescrollthatthe
FatherhandstothevictoriousLambtoopenandread(5:17)isthesameasthe"revelation"
GodgivestoChristof"thingswhichmustshortlycometopass"(1:1,KJV;cf.1:19).Inthat
casethescrollcontainsnotonlythehistoryanddestinyoftheworldandthechurch,butalso
God'splantodeliverHispeopleandtoresolvethemoralcontroversythathastornthe
unityofHiscreation.
Thelanguageofthesealscontainsstrongallusionstothecovenantcursesor
judgmentsthatthreatenedIsraeluponherrejectionofGod.Atthesametimetheexperiences
occurringattheopening ofeach sealparallelinastriking mannertheeventsforetold by
ourLordontheMountofOlives(Matt2425;Mark13;Luke21)eventsthatwouldtake
placepriortothefallofJerusalemandpriortoHis
returnandtheendoftheworld.
Thus,thesuccessfulpreachingofthegospel(whitehorse)resultsnotonlyinvictoriesfor
thekingdom,butisfollowedbypersecutions,divisions,and(forthosewhorejectHisgrace,
increasingspiritualfamineanddecline).Thefifthsealrecordsthecryofthe
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TheSevenSeals
martyrsfordivinejustice,whereasthesixthdropsthesymbolism,asitwere,and
sketchesinboldstrokestheeventsthatpointtotheapproachinggreat"dayofthe
Lord."
Whiletheprophecyofthesealsbrieflysurveysthesuccessandtrialsofthe
"churchmilitant,"itkeepspresentbeforetheeyeoffaiththegreattruthsthatthe
LambofGod,theLionofJudah,hasprevailedovertheforcesofevilatCalvaryand
ispresentlyreigningwithHisFather.AllthingsareunderHiscontrol.InHishands
isthedestinyofhumankind.
ChapterOutline
I.Introduction
II.GeneralExegesis
III.IntroductorySanctuaryScene
IV.BreakingtheSeals
V.TablesofAllusions(14)
Introduction
InrecentyearstheprophecyofthesevensealsofRevelationhasexcited
increasinginterestamongSeventhdayAdventistpastorsandlay
people.Inthischapterweexaminethemajorissuesthatarisefromthe
textofRevelation46.Itishopedthatthisbriefintroductionwillstimulate
carefulanalysisofthepassageandprovideguidancetofuturestudy.Sinceno
interpretationofthesealshassodecisivelysettledtheissuesastobeself
evidenttoallhonestseekers,nointerpretationoftheseals(includingthis
one)shouldbecomeacenteroftheologicalcontroversy.
GeneralExegesis
ThepassageopenswithaninvitationtoJohnto"comeup"throughan
opendoorintoheavenitself(4:1).Thereheispermittedtoviewthethroneof
God surrounded by the heavenly court (4:28). In a scene of unutterable
praiseanddevotion(4:811),the"Onesittingonthethrone"isadoredforHis
holinessandHisroleinthecreationofallthings.
Theworshipsceneisinterruptedbyamomentofcrisis.Ascrollofgreat
importanceinthehandoftheenthronedMonarchcannotbeopenedunlessa
"worthy"individualisfoundtobreakitssevenseals(5:14).Christ,depicted
asa"slainlamb"andpronouncedworthy,presentsHimselfandtakesthe
scrollfromtherighthandoftheOnesittingonthethrone(5:5
200
TheSevenSeals
7).ThisactcallsforthanevengreatercrescendoofpraisetoboththeLambandthe
Onesittingonthethrone(5:814).Theimpressionisleftthatthisis,perhaps,the
mostdecisivemomentinthehistoryoftheuniverse.
ThescenenowturnstotheLamb'ssuccessivebreakingofthescroll'sseven
seals(6:117).Whileasealedscrollcannotbereaduntilallsealsarebroken,the
actionofbreakingeachsealtriggersfrightfuleventsonearth. The breakingofthe
first four results in the appearance of riders on horses whose actions produce
increasingdisunityanddistressupontheearth(6:1
8).Thebreakingofthefifthandsixthsealshighlightsthesufferingofthemartyrs
andthecosmicsignsthatleaduptotheend(6:917).Thechapterconcludeswitha
solemnquestioninthefaceofthegreatdayofthewrathofGodandtheLamb:What
humanbeing"canstandbeforeit"(6:17)?
Theanswerisofferedinchapter7.Whenthewindsofstrifeblowuponthe
earth, those marked on the forehead with the seal of the living God will be
sheltered (7:13). These "standing ones" are described by a pair of images:
144,000composedof12,000fromeachofthe12tribesofIsrael(7:48),andan
innumerablemultitudefromeverytribeon earth(7:917). Whetherthesetwo
designationsrepresentonegrouportwo,theyclearlyportraythetotalityofthose
whoareshieldedfrom thegreatday of wrath. Theyjointheheavenlycourtin
praise(7:912)andinservicebeforethethrone(7:1417).
SealsinContext
Statements of introduction and conclusion are of major importance in

understandinganybiblical book.Itisparticularlyimportant,where Revelationis
concerned. The prophet John has a technique of artfully embedding each of his
introductorysummariesintheprecedingsection,usually
attheclimacticspot.
Forexample,whilethesufferingofthesoulsunderthealtar(6:911)providesa
pointedclimaxtothewar,famine,andpestilencesequenceofthefourhorsemen,the
answertotheircry,"Howlong,0Lord?"awaitstheplaguesoftheseventrumpets
(cf. 8:35,13). Likewise, the five central concepts of 11:18 become the ordering
principleofchapters12through22. 1 Thethirdangel'smessage(14:912)climaxes
God'sresponsetotheattackofthedragonandhisallies.Atthesametime,however,
thelanguagepointsforwardto15:1whichintroducesthebowlplagues.Revelation
21:18func
1ThisisworkedoutinmoredetailinmybookDecodingRevelation'sTrumpets(BerrienSprings,MI,
1988),33739.
201
TheSevenSeals
tions as both the climax of the vision of the thousand years and as the in
troductiontothedetaileddescriptionoftheNewJerusalem.
Springboardpassage:Revelation3:21. Thekeytothelargersignificanceof
most portions of Revelation is, therefore, often located in a preceding climax
statement.Withthatinmind,itshouldcomeasnosurprisethatthebeststarting
pointforastudyofthesealsandtheircontextisRevelation3:21.Althoughthe
passagefunctionsastheclimaxofallthepromisestotheovercomer(Rev23),its
languageprovidesasummaryoverviewofthecontentofthesevenseals:
Totheonewhoovercomes
Iwillgivetherighttositwithmeonmythrone,just
asIalsoovercame
andsatdownwithmyFatheronHisthrone.
InthistextChristpromisestorewardtheovercomer(honifwn}withasharein
Histhrone.Ananalogytothisaction("justas"hos)istheovercoming(enikesa)of
ChristthatresultedinHisjoiningtheFatheronHisthrone.Fromthestandpointof
theprophet,thebeliever'sovercomingisdescribedasapresentongoingexperience, 3
buttheirsittingonChrist'sthroneisfuture(dQso).Bywayofcontrast,bothChrist's
overcoming(enikesa)andbeingseated(ekathisa)arespecificpasttimeevents.4
The Father's throne (4:2ff.), the overcoming of Christ (enikesen, 5:5), and
Christ'sjoiningtheFatheronHisthrone(5:6ff.)arethecentralthemesofRevelation
4and5.NotuntilRevelation7aretheredeemedexplicitlypermittedtojoininthe
rejoicingandtheworshipoftheheavenlycourt(7:912).Justastherewardofthe
saintsisrelatedtoChrist'sinRevelation3:21,sothetwothronescenesofRevelation
5and7:9ff.arerelated,althoughequallyseparatedchronologically. 5
2Unlessotherwisespecified,allquotationsfromtheNTtextarethewriter'sowntranslation.
3TheGreekpresentparticipleexpressesactionasacontinuousprocess.
4BothverbsareGreekaoristindicativesandexpresspastactionaspointsintimeratherthana
process.
5Noticetheliteraryparallelsbetweenthetwoscenes:
Rev5:12Rev7:12
WorthyistheslainLambtoreceivepowerAmen.Blessingandgloryandwisdomand
andrichesandwisdomandstrengthand""'''
honorandgloryandblessing thanksandhonorandpowerandstrengthto
Rev5:13 ourGodforeverandever.
TotheOnesittingonthethroneandtothe Rev7:10
Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and SalvationtoourGodtotheOnesittingon
mightforeverandever.
thethroneandtotheLamb.
202
TheSevenSeals
The introductory scene of the seals (Rev 45) is, therefore, an
elaborationofthelatterpartof3:21(concerningChrist'sovercomingand
enthronement).Thepraisesceneof7:917fulfillsthepromisethatthe
overcomerwilljoinChristonHisthrone.Betweenthetwothronescenes
ischapter6.Therefore,thesealsofchapter6correspondtotheassertion
of3:21("totheonewhoovercomes");theyspanthetimefromtheover
comingoftheLambtotherewardofthesealed.
Thesealsofchapter6havetodowiththeongoingperiodinwhich
God'speopleareintheprocessofovercoming.Sincethemanypromises
to theovercomer(2:7,11,17,26;3:5,12,21)areofferedtotheseven
churchesoffirstcenturyAsiaMinor,theperiodoftheirovercominghad
alreadybeguninJohn'sdayandwillcontinueuntilallGod'speoplehave
joinedJesusonHisthrone.
Locationoftheseals.Whateventdidtheprophethaveinmindfor
thebeginningpointoftheseals?Theexpressions"I overcame,""I sat
down,""heovercame"providemarkerstopointusbacktoChrist'sdeath,
resurrection,andinaugurationasHighPriestintheheavenlysanctuary. 6
Thecrosscenterednatureofthisovercomingisconfirmedbythe"new
song"ofthefourlivingcreaturesandthe24elders(5:9):
Youareworthytotakethebookandtoopenits
sealsbecauseyouwereslainwdpurchasedfor
Godwithyourblood
somefromeverytribeandlanguageandpeopleand
nationandmadethemakingdomandprieststoourGod
andtheywillreignontheearth.
InthissongtheGreektenseoftheverbs7refersbacktotheChrist
eventanditsconsequences.ItistheslainLambwho,bymeansofHis
blood,purchaseshumanityandoffersitanewstatusinHim.Itisthe
crossthathasmadeChrist"worthy"(5:2;cf.5:9)totakeupHiswork
forour salvation inthe heavenlysanctuary.It isthe deathofChrist
thatprovidesthebasisforthebeliever'sovercoming(12:11).
SincetheeventsofRevelation7fallatthecloseofearth'shistory,8
whereastheemphasisofthethronesceneinRevelation5isonChrist's
death,itisevidentthatRevelation6isavisionarydescriptionofevents
on
6TheGreekverbs(enikSsa,ekalhisa,"Iovercame...satdown,"3:21;enikesen,"he
overcame,"5:5)areaoristindicative,indicatingspecificeventsinpasttime.
7"Youwereslain"(esphagSs),"bought"(egorasas),"made"(epoiesas).
8TheyareinthecontextofthegreatdayoftheLord(Rev6:1217)andthesealing(Rev
7:13).
203
TheSevenSeals
earthbetweenthecrossandtheSecondComing.Thereisaparticularfocusonthe
gospelofJesusChristandonthepeoplewhoacceptandproclaimthatgospel.
StructuralParallels
ItisessentialfortheinterpreterofRevelationtobesensitivetotheotherparts
ofthebookthatmayrelatetothepassageunderstudy.InthebookofRevelationthe
keytothemeaningofonepassagemaylieattheoppositeendoftheprophecy.
Kenneth Strand has concluded that the First 14 chapters of the book
functioninchiasticparalleltothelasteightchapters.9John'schoiceoflanguage
suggests to him thatRevelation 47is paralleled primarilyby the material in
Revelation 19 (although elements in 7:1517 are closely related to 21:3,4).10
Building onStrand'swork,Icarefully compared the languageofchapters 47
withthatofchapter19.11Thereappeartobefourmainclustersofparallelwords
andideas.
Worship scenes. The first cluster involves the worship scenes. The only
passagesthatcombinethefourlivingcreatures,the24elders,God'sthrone,and
scenes of praise and worship are found in Revelation 4, 5, 7, and 19. 12 Other
commonelementsinthesechaptersincludethewordschosentopraiseGod 13 and
thegarmentsworn.
In chapters4 and 5, Godandthe Lamb arepraisedfortheiractivityin
Creationandatthecross(4:11;5:9,12).Butinchapters7and19theyarepraised
forredeemingthegreatmultitudeatthecloseoftheirtribulation(7:914)andfor
destroyinggreatendtime Babylon(19:18).This confirms theposition that the
sceneinRevelation45pertainsprimarilytothebeginningoftheChristianEra,
butthoseofRevelation7and19focusontheendofthatera.
Horsescenes.Thesecondmainclustertiestheactivitiesofthefour
9ForadiagramofhewthisworksforthewholebookseeKennethA.Strand,InterpretingtheBookof
Revelation,2nded.(Naples,FL,1972),52.ForamorelimitedsummarizationofStrand'sanalysis,
seechaps.13inthisvolume.
10SecStrand'sfairlydetailedchartinibid,46.Thereareotherpointsofconnectionwiththesealsin
Revelation,particularlyinchap.14,butthesearefarlessexplicitthanthoseinchap.19.
11WhilevariousAdventistwritershavesoughtlofindparallelstochaps.18,20,and21,thesehave
tendedlofocusonthematicparallelsthaifallshortofbeingconvincingdemonstrationsofJohn's
intention.Revelation6and19containamultitudeofverbalandthematicparallelsuponwhichto
buildourexamination.
12Rev4:611;5:814;7:914;and19:4.
13Cf.thelanguageofRev4:8,11;5:12,13;7:10,12;19:1,6,7.
14Differentwordsareusedtodescribeessentiallysimilargarmentsin4:4;6:11;7:9,13;19:8,14.
204
TheSevenSeals
horsemen(6:18),particularlythefirst,withthehorseandriderin19:1115.
Thecommonelementsincludethewhitehorse,thecrown,andthesword. 15
Themoststrikingparallelisthatofthewhitehorse,asymbolappearing
nowhereelseinRevelation.Theimageryinbothcaseshasto
dowithconquest.
In 6:2, however, the Greek word for "crown" (Stephanas) implies a
rewardforvictory.ButtheGreekwordin19:12 (diademata) indicatesa
royalcrown,implyingtherighttorule.
Initscontext(seebelow)6:2highlightsthevictoryonthecrossandits
consequences,while19:1115highlightsthefinalconquestofevilatthe
secondcomingofChrist,whenChristliterallytakesoverHiskingdom.This
parallelsignalsthemovefromestablishingChrist'srighttoruleinheavenly
places(chaps.45)todemonstratingthatrighttoruleonearthatHisreturn
(19:1115).
Thewhitehorseofchapter6symbolizesthevictoryofChristinthe
spreadofHisinvisiblekingdomthroughthepreachingofthegospel.The
white horse(s) of chapter 19 symbolizes the total subjugation of evil by
ChristatHissecondcoming.
JudgmentThethirdclusterofparallelsconnectsthefifthseal(6:911)
with Revelation 19:1,2. The former is a call for judgment (krineis) and
vengeance(ekdikeis)onthosewhodwellontheearth.Thelatterproclaims
that judgment (kriseis, ehinen) and vengeance {exedikesen} have been
carriedoutonBabylon,theendtimeequivalentofthosewhotormentedthe
martyrsthroughouttheChristianEra.
ThetimeofjudgmentandvengeancementionedinRevelation19does
notreferdirectlytoanythingintheseals,butsummarizestheexplicitcon
tentofRevelation18,whichinturnbuildsonRevelation17and14:811.
Thus,theriseofendtimeBabylonanditsjudgmentanddestructionfall
betweenthetimeofthefifthsealandtheproclamationofRevelation19:2.
OfthefourmainclustersofparallelsbetweenthesealsandRevelation19,
thethirdisthemostdirectandcomprehensive,withsevenverbalparallels
between19:2aloneand6:1011(tenif19:1isincluded). 17
Dayofwrath. Finally,thefourthclusterinvolvesaparallelbetween
thosewhoareterrifiedonthedayofwrath(6:1517)andthosewhoare
consumedinGod'sendtimebanquet(19:1718).Sincethesetwoevents
15Thewordusedin19:15,21for"sword"ishromphdia,usedonlyin6:8,butnotin6:4(ffuic/mya).
16Thetermisplural(manycrowns).
17Since19:1hasnineverbalparallelsofitsownwith7:912,therelevanceof19:12tothesealsis
certainlyindisputable.
205
TheSevenSeals
appeartobethesame,itmaybesafetoconcludethatthesixthsealclimaxeswith
thegruesomedestructiondescribedin19:1721.
The above examination supports the general observation (Strand) that the
prophecyofthesealscoversthebroadsweepofChristianhistory,whilethematerial
inchapter19focusesonthefinaleventsleadinguptotheconsummationofthat
history. This does not rule out the obvious fact that elements of this historical
sequencemayintheirorderfocusontheendaspartofthathistoricalsweep.The
evidencesuggeststhatthefifthandsixthsealsdefinitely"leantowardtheend"and
pointtowardthesameclimaxreferredtoinRevelation19.Ontheotherhandthe
four horsemen (6:18) take their cue from the cross and its consequences, with
emphasisontheearlierpartoftheChristianEra.
IntroductorySanctuaryScene
ThroneCentered
Theword"throne"(thronos),representingtherighttorule,isundoubtedlythe
keywordinRevelation4.Itappears14times.Stillcentraltothescene'sactivity,it
appearsfivetimesinthenextchapter.Italmostdisappearsfromviewinchapter6
(onetime),butreturnsin7:917withanemphasiscomparabletoitspositionin
chapter4(seventimesinonlynineverses).
Thus,chapter4setsthestagefortheheavenlyactivityinchapter5,while7:9
17isanextensionofchapters4and5initsrenewedfocusonthethrone.Thethrone
nearlydropsfromviewinchapter6becausethatchapterisconcernedwithevents
onearth.18
Thethrone,therefore,isclearlycentraltothevisionarydescription(Rev45). 19
ItisthefirstthingJohnseesinheaven;afterthat,allactivityisorientedtoit. 20
Althoughtheword"throne"normallyislinkedwithGodinthebookofRevelation,
itcanbeassociatedwithSatanandhiscohortsaswell. 21Thus,thecentralityofthe
throneinthisportionofRevelation
18Astrongliteraiytie,nevertheless,connectschap.6withchaps.4and5inthaicveiythingthattakes
placeinchap.6isconnectedwiththeLamb'sopeningofthesealedbookandfrequentreferences
aremadetothefourlivingcreatures.
19OttoSchmitz,"thrones,"inTDNT3(GrandRapids,1964):165.
20Activitytakesplace"onthethrone"(epilonthronon4:2,4,9,10),"around[fotkloihensndfaildff}the
throne"(4:3,4,6),"outfrom[ek]thethrone"(4:5),"infrontof[enopion]thethrone"(4:5,6,10),
and"inthemidst[enmesS}ofthethrone"(4:6).
21Rev2:13;13:2;16:10.Thewordisalsoappliedtothe24elders(4:4[twice]and11:16)andtothe
martyrs(20:4).WhiletheGreekof20:4isdifficult,thethronesappeartobetherefortheuseofthe
martyrsinaworkofjudgment(hima).Nosuchjudgmenttaskisgiventotheeldersin
206
TheSevenSeals
highlightsitsconcernwiththecontroversybetweenGodandSatanover
thedominionoftheuniverse.
Theopening verses ofRevelation5portray a crisispoint inthe
developmentofthatcontroversy.Theremainderofthechapterasserts
thatthedeathofChristhasguaranteedtheoutcomeofthatcontroversy,
andthattheexaltedChristnowsharesthethroneofGod.23
SoundofSinging
Thereisdeliberateprogressionofthoughtinthefivehymnsofthis
introductoryscene.TwohymnsareaddressedtotheFather(4:8,11).
ThenexttwoareaddressedtotheLamb(5:910,1112).Thefifthand
finalhymnisaddressedtoboththeFatherandtheLamb(5:13).
Thattheequalityofpraiseistheexplicithighlightofthisbackdrop
isevidentfromtheeverincreasingvolumeofparticipants.Thehymnof
4:8issungbythefourlivingcreaturesalone.Thehymnof4:11issung
bythe24elders.Thehymnof5:910issungbyboththelivingcreatures
andtheelders.Withthehymnof5:1112,scoresofmillionsofangels
jointheheavenlychoir.Thefifthandfinalhymn(5:13)issungbyall
creation.Thiseverincreasingparticipationindicatesthatitisheaven's
greatestjoytoexaltJesusChristevenasHisFatherisexalted(cf.John
5:23).
The allencompassing language of 5:13 suggests that this final
hymnisproleptic(portrayedinadvance):theentireuniverseinpraiseto
God(cf.Phil2:9II).24Therefore,whilethesceneofchapter5highlights
theenthronementofChristatthebeginningoftheage,italsopoints
forwardtotheuniversalrejoicingattheend.
SanctuaryScene
NosingleelementofRevelation4isdrawnexplicitlyfrom
theOTsanctuary;yetthecumulativeeffectofallusionsreflectsa
strong reminiscence of that sanctuary and its services. We
enumeratetheevidence.
Thewordfor"door" (thura, 4:1)appearsover200timesin
the Greek OT (LXX), scores of which relate directly to the
sanctuary.25Trumpets(4:1)wereusedinworshipaswellasbattle
(Num10:810).Itispossible
chaps.4and5;theydo,however,engageinsomesortofintercessoiytask(5:8).
22J.MassyngbcrdcFord,Revelation,AB,38(GardenCity,NY,1975),76.
23Rev3:21;cf.5:614;7:15,17;22:1,3.Schmitz,16667.
24Ford,95
25Cf.Exod29:4,1011;Lev1:3,5;1Kgs6:3132,34.Asareadingofthelistedpassages
shows,theworditselfgivesnoinformationonwhichsanctuarydoormightbein
view.
207
TheSevenSeals
thatthethrone(4:2)wasintendedtorecallthearkofthecovenant(cf.11:19;Ps
99:1),butthatcannotbeassumed.Itmightcorrespondtothetableofshewbreadin
the holy place,26 since the table is the only article of sanctuary furniture not
mentionedexplicitlyinRevelation.
Thethreepreciousstones(4:3)arealsofoundinthebreastplateofthehigh
priest(Exod28:1721).27The24eldersremindusofthe24coursesofpriestsinthe
Temple (1 Chr 24:419). The seven lamps (lampades, 4:5) may recall the
candlestickintheholyplace,althoughadifferentGreekwordisused. 28Theseaof
glass(4:6)makesuseoftheGreekword(thalassa)appliedtothe"moltensea"in
Solomon'sTemple(1Kgs7:2324).Theproximityofthefourlivingcreatures(4:6
8)tothethroneinEzekiel1and10remindusofthecherubimassociatedwiththe
arkofthecovenant (Exod25:1820;1Kgs6:2328).Cherubim were, however,
visiblealsointheholyplace(Exod26:1^3135).Jewishtraditionalsoassociates
the lion, calf, man, and eagle with the four banners or standards around which
MosesorganizedtheIsraeliteencampmentinthewilderness(cf.Num2).
Inchapter5manyoftheseimagesarerepeated,withsomeadditions.Theslain
Lamb(5:6),reminiscentofIsaiah53:7,remindsusofthemomingandevening
sacrifices(Exod29:3842)orthePassoverSacrifice(1Cor5:7).Thebloodofthe
Lamb(5:9)providesthemeanstopurchasethepeopleoftheearthforGod.Theyin
turnserveGodinanalogytothepriestsoftheOTsanctuary(5:10).The24elders
holdgoldenbowlsofincensewhichareinterpretedastheprayersofthesaints(5:8).
Boththeincense andtheprayersofthesaintsareassociatedwiththecontinual
morning and evening sacrifices of the sanctuary. 29 No passage in Revelation
containsalargerquantityorawidervarietyofallusionstothesanctuarythanthis
introductorysanctuaryscene.
TherewereonlytwooccasionsintheHebrewcultuswhentheentiresanctuary
wasinvolved:theDayofAtonementandtheserviceofinauguration(cf.Exod40).
InasmuchasRevelation45presentssuchastrongsanctuaryscene,towhichof
theseritesshoulditbelinked?Since3:21
26C.MervynMaxwell,GodCares2(Boise,ID,1985);16367.Maxwelldesignatesthethroneof4:2,
"thetablethrone."
27Theconnectionwiththehighpriest'sbreastplateisenhancedbythefactthatthesardiuswasthefirst
stonelistedintheHebrewofExod28andthejasperthelast.Thusallthetribesarcrepre.sentedin
thestonesoftheoldestandtheyoungestsonsofJacob(Ford,71,85).IntheGreek(LXX)ofExod
28:21,thebreastplateissaidtobe"sealed"(sphragidon)withthenamesofthe12tribes.
28TheGreekOTwordforthecandlestickisluchnia,thewordusedinRev1:12,1320
29Cf.Ps141:2;Exod29:3843;30:78;Luke1:910.
208
TheSevenSeals
associatesthis scenewiththe crossandtheenthronementofChrist, since the
languageof"temple" (naos) and"judgment"(cf.11:1819) is absent, andsince
theimplicitstructureofRevelationplacestheDayofAtonementinthelatterhalf
of the book,30 the best identification for the introductory sanctuary scene in
chapters45istheserviceofinauguration.
Thus, we conclude that the scene is best understood as a portrayal of the
inaugurationoftheentireheavenlysanctuaryinAD.31.In8:35theauthorfocuses
morespecificallyonthedailyservicesassociatedwiththefirstapartmentofthe
sanctuary.Later,in11:19thearkoftheSecondApartmentisclearlybroughtto
view.
OldTestamentAllusions
Inanappendixtothischapterareaseriesoftables.Includedintable1areOT
passagesJohnlikelyhadinmindashedescribedthesceneinRevelation4.An
examinationoftable1indicatesrepeatedparallelstothreegreatthronevisionsof
theOT:Isaiah6;Ezekiel110;andDaniel7:914.Infact,onlytwomajorelements
intheRevelationscenearenotfoundinthem,namely,the24eldersandthecreation
hymn (4:4,11). The three OT visions are roughly equal in their importance to
Revelation4,withEzekiel1holdingaslightedgeininfluence.
ThereisalsoarelationshiptotwoearlierthroneorientedpassagesoftheOT;
thevisionofMicaiah(1Kgs22:19;2Chr18:18)andGod'sappearance atSinai
(Exod19:1624).Inaddition,anumberofelementspresentinthisscenearenot
foundinanyoftheOT"thronevisions." 31Therefore,althoughEzekielandDaniel
areofmajorsignificancetoRevelation4,onlyaboutathirdofthematerialinthe
chapter reflects them. Revelation 4 parallels a wide variety of sources in its
descriptionoftheheavenlycourt.
Chapter5buildsonthe sceneinchapter4.Therefore,mostofthekey OT
thronepassagescontributelittleornothingnewtothescene.33Daniel
30Seeprecedingchap.10,"SealsandTrumpets:SomeCurrentDiscussions."
31Theseincludethe"thingswhichmusthappenafterthesethings";thethreestonesofvs.3;the24
elders;thesevenlamps;thephrase"Lord,GodAlmighty"(usedintheGreekOTfortheHebrew
"Lord,GodofHosts");thephrase,"Himwholivesforever";andtheapprobationofGodasthe
Creatorofallthings.
32ItisalsopossiblethatJohnwasawareof1Enoch14:825,apassageabout200yearsolderthan
RevelationthatalsoisreminiscentofEzekielandDaniel.Forthetextof1EnochinEnglishsee
JamesChartesworth,ed..OldTestamentPseudepiyapha1(GardenCity,NY,19831985):1389.
33Seetable2foralistofdirectallusionstotheOTinRev5.ApossiblecontributionfromEzek110
isthebookwrittenontheinsideandontheback,whichcanbefoundinEzek2:910.Exodus
^contributestheconceptofGod'speopleasakingdomofpriests(Rev5:10).Isaiah6and1Kgs22
havenoadditionalcontributionatall.
209
TheSevenSeals
7,however,providesthemostprominent structural parallel.Forexample,

Daniel7depictsGodonthethrone,booksopenforjudgment,thecomingof
the"sonofman,"thebestowalofdominionovertheearth,thepresenceof
thesaints,aswellasmultipliedmyriadsoftheheavenlyhost.
Revelation5:914seemstobestructuredonmajormovementsinDaniel
7:1327.First,theSonofmanreceivesdominion(Dan7:1314;cf.Rev5:6
9).Thenpeoples,nations,andmenofeverylanguagearementioned(Dan
7:14;cf.Rev5:9).Thenthepeoplesreceivedominion(Dan7:18,22,27a;
cf.Rev5:10);andfinally,controloverallthingsisreturnedtoGod(Dan
7:27b;cf.Rev5:1314).
There are, however, significant differences between Daniel 7 and
Revelation5.ManyinterveningelementsinDanielareleftoutandmany
otherelementsareaddedinRevelation. 34 InDanielthebooks(plural)are
openbeforetheSonofmanappearsonthescene;inRevelationthebook
(singular)isneveropenedinthevision.
Although John is familiar with the Danielic term "Son of man" for
Christ(Rev1:13),hedeliberatelyavoidsusingithere.Rather,heprefers
using the titles Lamb, Lion of Judah, and Root of David instead. In
actuality,inspiteofsomegeneralsimilarities,lessthanaquarterofRevela
tion5isdrawnfromDaniel7.
Moststrikingofall,however,isthefactthatJohnstudiouslyavoidsthe
languageofjudgmentinthisthronescene.IntheGreeklanguagejudgment
isusuallyexpressedbythenounskrisisandkrima,andtheverbkrinQ.35As
thereferencesindicate,Johnisquitefamiliarwiththelanguageofjudgment
butdeliberatelyavoidsusingitinthefirsthalfofthebookofRevelation.
Theseemingexception(6:10)isnotadescriptionofthejudgment,butacall
forthatjudgmenttobegin.
Incontrasttotherestofthe ; wherethelanguageofjudgmentis
sometimesappliedtothecross(cf.John12:31;Rom8:3)andthepreaching
of the gospel,36 the language of judgment in Revelation is reserved for
descriptionsofendtimeevents(Rev1220).
Wemustresistthetemptation,therefore,toassumethatsinceDaniel7
andEzekiel110involveinvestigativejudgments.Revelation45must
34Significantelementsofchap.5suchastheLionofJudah,theRootofDavid,theslainLamb,the
seveneyes,theascendingincense,thenewsongandthethreetiereduniverse(Rev5:13)parallel
otherOTsettings.Onekeyconcept,"worthy,"maynotbebasedontheOTatall.
35Krisis,Rev14:7;16:7;18:10;19:2;krima.Rev17:1;18:20;20:4;lamQ,Rev6:10;11:18;16:5;
18:8,20;
19:2,11;20:1213.
36Cf.John3:18.21;5:2225;9:35^1.
210
TheSevenSeals
likewise be an investigative judgment scene. John, in fact, generally
avoidsthosepartsofDanielandEzekielthatinvolvejudgment.Rather,
heconcentratesonthosepartsofferingfamiliarlanguagewithwhichto
describetheheavenlythroneroom.
Forexample,EzekieFsthronescene(Ezek1,10)isrepeatedlyparal
leledinRevelation4.Butjudgmentportions,likeEzekiel 9(markon
forehead),comeintoplaynotintheintroductoryscenebutin7:18,a
clearendtimesetting.The24eldersaregivenanintercessorytask(5:8),
butnotajudgmentalone(likethemartyrsof20:4).Thecrisisofchapter5
isresolvednotbyjudgment,butbythedeathoftheLamb.
To speak thus is not to deny that the cross itself was an act of
judgment(John12:3132;Rom8:3).IfJohnhadwishedtoemphasizethe
judgmentaspectsofthecross,itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtodoso.
ButJohndeliberatelyavoidsusingthatkindoflanguage. 37Therefore,as
significant as thestructural parallels toDaniel andEzekiel are tothis
scene,theydonotrequireustosuggestthatanyportionoftheheavenly
eventsinRevelation45portraytheendtime,preadventjudgment
ThissurveyofOTbackgroundstothefirstintroductorysanctuary
scene in the book demonstrates the extent to which Revelation draws
fromelementsinitsliterarybackground.Italsodemonstrateshowthe
HolySpiritpackagestheseelementsincreativeways,resultinginafresh
and original product. The interpreter must, therefore, avoid a random
searchofbackgroundsourcesforsymbolsthatcanbepluggedinatwill.
Symbolsbytheirvariednaturearefluidinmeaning.Theirparticular
significancemustbedeterminedbytheimmediatecontext,andnotneces
sarilybytheiruseinapreviouscontext.Wheretheauthor'spointisnot
plainfromtheimmediatecontext,theinterpretermayseekcluesinthe
themes and context of background passages; but such "clues" should
never be permittedtoundothemeaningoftextswhicharereasonably
clearintheirownright.
ChurchSeriesSetstheTone
Beforebeginningamoredetailedanalysisoftheintroductoryvision
tothesealsitmaybehelpfultoconsidertheroleandfunctionofthein
troductory scenes in Revelation. The best starting point for such an
analysis is the introduction to the seven churches (1:920). It setsthe
pattern,in
37 There arcactuallyfewpassagesoftheOTthatarenotassociatedwithjudgmentin
somesense.John,whiledrawingonsomeofthese,hasgoneoutofhiswaytohelpthe
readeravoidraisingthewronginferencesfromthatlanguage.
211
TheSevenSeals
relativelyclearlanguage,forwhatJohnwilldoinmorecrypticfashionfrom
chapter4on.
Theintroductoryscenetothesevenchurchesprovidesthetheologicalbasis
forthe lettersto thesevenchurches(Rev23).Jesus comes tocomfortJohn
witharevelationofHimself(1:1718).WhatHehasdoneforJohnHewilldofor
allthechurchesthatJohnrepresents(U920).38
ChristpresentsHimselftoeachchurchintermsofthecharacteristicslistedin
thefirstchapter.39NochurchisofferedallHischaracteristics;itreceivesonlythose
appropriatetoitscondition.Inthismannertheintroductorysceneremainsinthe
backgroundofthereader'sconsciousnessthroughouttheletterstothechurches.
ManycharacteristicsofRevelationrecall thedramasoftheancient,Greco
Roman world.40 The sanctuary scenes at the beginning of most sections of
Revelationfunctionasthestagesettingsfortherespectiveactsofthedrama. 41Each,
therefore, is intended to be constantly in view throughout the section that it
introduces.Thescenesprovidethetheologicalundergirdingforallthatfollowsin
thatsectionofthebook.Theyarenottobeunderstoodascompletedbeforethe
followingblockofmaterialbegins.
Asimilarliterarypatterncanbefoundinthesealssectionofthebook(4:18:1).
Theintroductoryscene(Rev45)isrepeatedlyrecalledinchapter6throughthe
breakingoftheseals(6:1,3,5,7,9,12)andmentionofthelivingcreatures(6:18).
Theeventsofchapter6resultfromthesuccessiveactsofbreakingtheseals.Since
the song of 5:13 can only be truly fulfilled in the new earth (Rev 2122), the
introductorysceneiscontemporarywiththeentirespancoveredbytheseals(6:1
8:1).
ThecentralfocusofRevelation5isthecrossofChrist(5:5,6,9,12;
cf.3:21).Christ'sovercomingonthecrossprovidesthetheologicalbasisforthe
eventsofchapter6,whichisconcernedwiththepeopleofGodastheyseekto
overcomebyHisblood(cf.12:11).Thus,thesealsextendfrom
38Noticethesignificanceofthe"therefore"(owi)invs.19intheGreektext,linkingJesus'ministryto
John'sministrytothesevenchurchesthroughthebookJohnwillwriteforHim.
39Pleasenotethefollowing:
"cf.1:13,16cf.1:17,18cf.1:16cf.1:14.15cf.1:4,16
cf.1:18
Ephesis
2:1
Smyrna
2:8 40JohnWickBowman,"Revelation,Bookof,"IDB4:58
Pergamum
2:12 71.
Thyatira
2:18 41Rev1:920;4.5;8:26;11:19;15:18.Ibid.,6364.
Sardis
3:1
Philadelphia
3:7
212
Laodicca
3:14
TheSevenSeals
thecrossandenthronementofChristtotheendofthegreatcontroversy between
ChristandSatanwhentheentireuniversewillbefilledwithacompleteharmonyof
praisetoGod(5:13;cf.7:917).
TheCreatorGod
AfterthisIsaw,andbeholdadoorhadbeenopenedinheavenandthe
firstvoicewhichIhadheard
(speakingwithmeintrumpetliketones)said,"Comeup
here,andIwillshowyouthethings
whichmusthappenafterthis."
Rev4:1
HeavenlySanctuaryScene. Theprophecyofthesealsopenswithan
introductorysceneinwhichJohnascendsintotheheavenlysanctuary.The
open door (thura fneOgmerie) is reminiscent of the open door (thuran
VneGgmenSn)ofaccesstoChristthatbolstersthePhiladelphiachurchinits
weakness(3:8).42 ThetrumpetlikevoicerecallsJesus'previousappearance
toJohn(1:10).
The phrase "what must happen after this" 43 deliberately recalls the
purposeofRevelation(1:1,19).Jesusstatesthatthe"thingswhichareand
thethingswhichareabouttohappenafterthis"arethesubstanceofthe
bookof Revelation (1:19). Revelation 1:1 indicates that the emphasis is
uponthelatter).
Theabsenceofthe"thingswhichare"in4:1tellsustwothings:(1)the
letterstothechurchesfocusprimarilyontheoriginalsituationofJohn's
timeratherthanonlaterhistory, 4and(2)withchapter4wearemovingto
themainemphasisofthebooktheeventstotakeplaceafterthetime
AH
ofthevision.Seeninthislight,theliteraryconnectionbetweenthe"open
door"of3:8and4:1doesnotpresupposeanendtimesettingforthethrone
sceneinRevelation45.
42AddaYarbroCollins,TheApocalypse,NewTestamentMessage,vol.22(Wilmington,DE,1979),
27,34.
43AmajorverbalparalleltoDan2:28,29,45,intwodifferentGreekOldTestaments,theSeptuagint
(LXX)andTheodotion.
44InRev1:1thephrase"thingswhichmusthappen"(hadeiynesthai)isfollowednotby"afterthis"
(metatauta)butby"shortly"or"soon"(enlachei).InRev1:19"must"(dei)isreplacedby"about
to"(mellei);"thingswhicharcabouttohappenafterthis."
45Thattheletterstothechurcheshaveaprimaryintentintheoriginalsituationinnowayexcludes
thevalidityoftheirpropheticsymbolizingofcertainaspectsofchurchhistoryacrosstheChristian
Era.
46ThefutureorientationofRev4andsubsequentchaptersdoesnotruleoutflashbackstoeventsinthe
past(suchasthebirthofChrist,12:15)ortodescriptionsofthegroundsuponwhichChristwill
actinthefuture(suchasthedescriptioninRev5).
213
Theopendoor,throughwhichJohnascendsintotheheavenlycourts,enables
himto"see"the"revelationofJesusChrist"thatwillresultintheproductionofhis
book. It isnot,therefore,strainingthetexttosuggestthatchapter4providesan
introductionnotonlyforthesealsbutfortherestofthebookofRevelation.
"Inthespirit"(4:2)seemstobeJohn'swayofintroducingavisionarysequence
(cf.1:10;17:3;21:10).ThetenseoftheGreekverbtranslatedintheNASB,"was
standing" (ekeiio),47 atteststhattheprophetdoesnotunderstandthethronetobe
recentlysetup,butrathertohavebeencontinuallyinthatplaceuntilthattime.This
isincontrastwithDaniel7:9wherethronesare"placed"or"setup," 48aclearsignal
thatJohndoesnotperceivethisscenetobeaduplicateofthatfoundinDaniel.
Thisheavenlysanctuaryvisionoffersaseriesofimagesthathighlighttheglory
of the scene (Rev 4:36a). There are precious stones, a rainbow, thunder and
lightning,sevenlamps,acrystallineseaofglass,and24elderswhositonthrones
aroundthethronedressedinwhiterobesandwearinggoldencrowns{stephanoi)on
theirheads.
Whoarethese24elders?Theyarementioned12timesinRevelation.49Thefact
thatthenumeral24isthesumoftwosetsof12maysuggestalinkwiththeNew
Jerusalem's12gatesnamedafterthe12tribesofIsrael and 12foundationsnamed
afterthe12apostlesoftheLamb. 50Aconnectionwiththe144,000(12times12)may
alsobeindicated.
The 24 elders apparently represent exalted and redeemed humanity.
OvercomingbelieversshareGod'sthrone,notangels(3:21).Whiterobesnormally
arewornbythesaintsinRevelation. 51Andthegoldencrownsarenotroyalcrowns
{diademata, cf. Rev 19:11) but crowns of victory {stephanoi), particularly
appropriatetotheredeemedandChrist.52
47AGreekimperfectindicativeofkeimai(lie,recline).Thetenseexpressesongoingaction,likethe
presenttense,butinpasttime.
48TheGreekOTdoesnotuseekeitoinDan7:9,butemploystheaoristformoitifh^mi(setuporplace),
implyingtheactofsettingthethronesinposition.
49Rev4:4,10;5:5,6.8,11,14;7:11,13;11:16;14:3;19:4.
50Itisinterestingtonotethatthewallsandfoundationsarementionedtwice,andeachtimeinrelation
toeachother (21:1214,1921). This isevidently intendedto draw the reader'sattention tothe
relationshipbetweenthetwosetsof12.
5 Rev3:4,5,18;6:11;7:9,13,14.Inthis,of course,theymodelafter Christ(Rev1:14).A possible
exceptionisRev19:14,wherethosewhoaccompanyChristatHisParousiaaredressedinwhite.
TheGreekwordfor"white"isnotusedinRev19:8,althoughthattextundoubtedlysupportsthe
earlierreferencestobelieversinwhiterobes.
52Rev2:10;3:11;12:1;14:14.AndalsotoHiscounterfeit(cf.Rev9:7).Itmaybeofparticularinterestto
SeventhdayAdventistreadersthattherearcanumberofcontrastingliteraryconnectionsbetweenthe
24eldersandthelettertotheLaodiceans,Theeldersarc ina worshiprelationshipwithJesusin
heavenlyplaces,theearthlyLaodiceansarerepulsivetoJesus.Theelderswear
214
TheSevenSeals
This evidence of their humanity is further supported by the back
groundevidence.AngelsneversitonthronesanywhereintheBibleorin
early Jewishliterature. 53 Christians, onthe otherhand, whohave royal
functions54 canbesodepicted. 55 Thewordfor"victorycrowns" (stepha
noi) isusedofChrist'scrownofthorns 56 andthatofbelieversandtheir
reward.57 Angels never wear them.58 Neither are angels called elders,
althoughthisisacommondesignationfortheleadersofbothsynagogue
andchurch.59
The24elders,therefore,appeartobehumanbeingsexaltedtoheaven
priortotheconsummationofallthings.Theyareprobablytobeidentified
withtheindividualsraisedattheresurrectionofChrist. 60Theysymbolize
whatallbelieverscanbecomeinChrist.61
Livingcreatures. Thefullsignificanceofthefourlivingcreatures
(4:6b8)becomesevidentonlywhentheyareseeninthelightofJohn's
literarybackground,atopicthatcannotbeexploredhereforlackofspace.
Asheavenlythronecreatures,theyintroducethefirsthymnsunginthe
throneroom,thethreefold"holy"(4:8).Thishymnisstronglyreminiscent
of1:4,8.
"Whenever"(hotan)thefourlivingcreaturespraisetheFathersitting
onthethrone,the24eldersfalldowninworship,casttheircrownsbefore
thethrone,andsingasongoftheirown(4:911).Theword"whenever"
makesitclearthatthissceneinchapter4isnotaparticularpointintime
(such as A.D. 31 or 1844). Rather, it portrays the ongoing nature of
heavenlyworship.Chapter4isnotaonetimeevent,butthebasicsetting
forallactivityintheheavenlythroneroom.
Inchapter5ontheotherhandagreatcrisisstrikestheheavenlycourt.
Theelders'songin4:11beginswithawordthatwillbecomecentraltothe
resolutionofthatcrisis:
white garments, the Laodiceans are naked and are called to purchase such
garments.Thecidersweargold,theLaodiceanslackit.TheeldershavejoinedGod
onHisthrone,theLaodiceansarepromisedsuchstatusiftheyovercome.Theelders
arc totallyGodfocused,theLaodiceansare selfsatisfied.Theelders are insidean
opendoorwithJesus,the Laodiceans areinsideashut door, with Jesusstanding
outside.TheliteraryimpactofthiscomparisonexpressedacalltotheLaodiceansto
movethroughtheopendoorintoheavenlyplacesinChristJesus.
53A.Feuillet,"Lcsvingtquatreviellardsdc1'Apocalypse."RB65(1958):7.
541Pet2:910;Rev1:6;5:910.
55Matt19:28;Luke22:30;Rev20:4.
56Matt27:29;Mark15:17;John19:2,5.
57Phil4:1;1Thess2:19;2Tim4:8.
58Ibid.
59Ibid.,914.
60Matt27:5253;Eph4:8.
61Rev3:21;12:11;cf.Eph2:6.
215
TheSevenSeals
Youareworthy,
ourLordandGod,toreceiveglory
andhonorandpower,becauseyou
createdallthings,andbyyourwill
theywerecreatedandhavetheir
being.
TheeldersascribeultimateworthtoGodonthegroundsthat,asCreator,
Heisthesourcefortheexistenceofallcreation. 6"Thuschapter4isbrought
toitsgloriousclimaxwithnohintofthecrisistofollow.
CrisisandResolution
Revelation5movesfromthegeneraldescriptionofthethroneroomand
itsactivitiestoaparticularpointintimewhenacrisisdevelops.Thecrisisis
a decisive, onetime event. But it is overcome by the death of the
Lion/Lamb,resultinginuniversalrejoicing.
Althoughthethroneispresent,itismentionedlessfrequentlythanin
chapter4.<"Nowtheliteraryfocusisonascroll(biblion),itsseals(sphragi
das\theLamb(amion)andtheissueofwhoisworthy(axios)tobreakthe
sealsandopenthescroll.
Thesevensealedscroll.Amajorproblemfortheinterpretationofthis
sectionofRevelation(4:18:1)istheidentityandsignificanceoftheseven
sealedscroll.64
Whenpeoplearesealed(inRevelation),thesealingfunctionsasamark
ofprotectionorasignofGod'sownership(7:2;9:4;cf.14:1). 65But
whenabookoramessageissealed,concealmentnormallyisinview(22:10;
cf.10:4).66
Whatisthemysteriouscontentofthescroll?Itappearstohavesome
thingtodowiththeoverallpurposeofthebookofRevelation(1:12):
62Collins,37,
63Godcontinuestositon(epi)thethrone(5:1,7,13),theLambappears"inthemidstof(en/nero)the
throne(5:6),andahostofangelsaround(kukliS)thethrone(5:11)jointheeldersandthefourliving
creaturesinpraisetotheLamb.
64Thesevensealedbookisclearlyascroll(cf.Rev6:14)notacodex,wherepagesarestitchedtogether
atacentralbinding.
65GottfriedFitzer,"sphragis,sphragizo,katasphragizo,"inTDNT7(GrandRapids,1964):951.
66Ibid.,950.
216
TheSevenSeals
TherevelationofJesusChrist,which
GodgaveHim,
toshowtohisservants
thethingswhichmustsoonhappen,andHe
signifieditsendingitthroughhisangel
toHisservantJohn,whotestifiedconcerning
theWordofGod
andtheTestimonyofJesusChrist,whichhe
saw.
ThebookofRevelationcameintobeingbyathreefoldprocess.God
handed"revelation"toJesusChrist,whoconveyeditinsymbolthroughan
angeltoJohn.Johnthenpassedontothechurch,intheformofa"book
{biblion}ofprophecy"(22:7,10,18,19),thethingsthathehadseen. 67Thus,
itisastrikingparallelwheninchapter5Godhandsa"book"{biblion)over
toJesus.
Thecontentofthetransmissionissummedupparticularlyin1:1bythe
phrase"thingswhichmustsoonhappen,"thatis,futureevents.Thesecon
siderations,combinedwiththenumberofparallelsbetween1:48and4:1
8,68 leave the impression that the scroll of chapter 5 is the content of
Revelationitself.Thus,itmaybeinferredthatthesealedscrollcontainsthe
destinyoftheworld,andthepurposeandplanofGodtodeliverHispeople
attheendoftime,andtoresolvethemoralcontroversyinthe
universe.
ThisfutureactionofGodisfixedinHispurpose(writtendownina
legaldocument),butiswithdrawnfromhumanknowledge(sealed); 69 hence
John'sweeping.Thankfully,itcanbeopenedasaresultofthecross.
PossibleOTallusions.Significantbackgroundinformationoffersother
perspectivesonthemeaningofthescroll. 70TwoOTsettingsplacescrollsin
ajudgmentcontext.TheunrolledscrollwrittenontwosidesinEzekielcon
67Althoughtheterm"bookofprophecy(iespropheieiastoubibliw)isnotusedintheimmediate
contextofRev1:12,vs.3talksabout"thewordsofthisprophecy"whicharcwrittendown,and
vs.11talksabout"writewhatyouhaveseeninabook."SothebookofRevelationwasmediated
byaprocessmovingfromGodtoChristtoJohntothewrittenbook.
68E.g.,suchparallelsastheOnewho"isandwasandistocome,"theAlmighty,andthesevenspirits
beforethethrone.
69GottlobSchrenk,"biblion,"inTDNTI(GrandRapids,1964):619.
70SecSchrenk,61819,foranothersummaiyofbackgroundconsiderationstothesealedscroll.Cf.
alsoDouglasWaterhouse,"TheOpeningoftheSevenSeals,Rev4:18:1,"unpublishedpaper,
AndrewsUniversity,1983,3235.
217
TheSevenSeals
tains"wordsoflamentation,mourningandwoe,"awarningofthejudgments
abouttofalluponJudah(2:910).Thegiganticfiyingscrollwrittenonboth
sidesofZechariahcontainsthecursesofGodagainsttheflagrantsinnersin
theland(5:14).Thescrolls,however,arealreadyopenwhentheprophets
seethem,sotheparallelsarenotfullyconvincing.
Twootherpossiblebackgroundsrelatetomattersofinheritance.Roman
willsweresealedbysixwitnessesandthetestator. 71AndinJeremiah'stime
writtenscrollsguaranteethathispurchaseoflandaccordingtothelawofthe
go'el72willbevalidevenafterthereturnfromBabylonianexile(32:615).
Bothideasareattractive.Asawill,thescrollcouldbeopenedandits
instructionscarriedoutbecauseofChrist'ssacrificialdeath.Asadeedof
purchase, the scroll would represent the title deed to the world. John's
weeping(4:4)wouldreflecttheforfeitureofthatinheritanceasaresultof
sin.ThroughHisdeaththeLambredeemstheforfeitedinheritanceand,thus,
isworthytobreakthesealsandrestoretherightfulownership. 74
Asattractiveastheseideasare,andastruetotheNTconceptofthe
cross,theyarenotcarriedthroughconsistentlyinthebookofRevelation.If
inmindhere,theymayfunctiononlyasaliterarydevice. 75
AnothersealedscrollisfoundinIsaiah(29:11,18;30:8).LikeRevela
tion,thescrollofIsaiahcontainsthemessagesoftheprophethimself.The
absenceofastrongstructuralparallelbetweenIsaiah2930andRevelation5
makesitlessthancertain,however,thatJohnwasdrawingonIsaiahforhis
descriptionofthesealedscroll.
Theenthronementimageryofchapter5isquitecompatiblewithanother
OT concept. At the coronation of a new Israelite king, the scroll of the
covenant(Deuteronomy)wouldbepresentedtohim. 76 Thereceptionofthe
scrollandtheabilitytoopenandreaddemonstratedtherighttoruleandto
deal with any crisis that might occur. It would have been helpful to our
understanding,however,ifthepossibleallusiontoDeuteronomyhadbeen
moreexplicit.
71See,eg,Fitzer,950;Schrenk,61819;KennethStrand,InterpretingtheBookofRevelation,2nded.
(Naples,FL,1982),55.
72Accordingtothislaw,apersonindangeroflosinghisinheritancecouldappealtoanextofkinto
purchasethepropertyandtherebykeepitinthefamilyuntilsuchatimeashecouldaffordtobuyit
back.SecthestoryofRuth.
73Schrenk,61819.
74SeeWaterhouse,33.
75Fitzer,950.
76Deut17:1820;2Kgs11:1217;23:23;Waterhouse,32.
218
TheSevenSeals
Somehavearguedthatthesealedscrollshouldbeidentifiedwiththe
Lamb's book of life (13:8; 21:27). Since this is the only book in
Revelationwhosecontentisclearlyidentified,itisworthconsideration.
Thecontentofthesealedscroll,however,seemstobebroaderthanthat
ofthebookoflife.
PossibleNewTestamentallusions.Amorepromisingbackground,
perhaps,istheNTconceptof"mystery"(musfSrion).IntheNTtheterm
"mystery"isalwaysusedinaneschatologicalsense. 77Itwouldonlybe
revealedinthelastdays.ButsinceJesusistheMessiah,thelastdays
have already come.78 The apocalyptic kingdom has become apresent
reality.79 Therefore,thefullnessofthegospel,thoughhiddenforages,
hasnowbecomeanopenmystery.00ToannouncethemysteryofGod(1
Cor2:1)istopreachChristcrucified(1Cor1:23;cf.2:2).
ButeventhoughthemysteryisopentothefollowersofJesus,itis
closedtothosewhodonotknowHim(Matt13:11;Mark4:11;Luke
8:10). Furthermore, certain aspects of that mystery are not yet fully
disclosedeventothebeliever. 81Althoughinonesensethelastdayshave
comeintheChristevent,inanothersense,theyarealsoyetfuture. 82
Revelation shares the NT tension between what has already been
revealedinChrist,andwhatcanonlybemadeknownattheend. 83Inthe
"days"oftheseventhtrumpetthe"mysteryofGod"willbecompleted
(10:7).
Thecrisisintheuniverse(5:14)isprecipitatedbythecombined
rebellionofSatanandhiscohortsinheavenandthehumanfamilyon
earth. The scroll is the heavenly book of destiny, containing the
substanceofGod'sordainedplantomeetthatcrisis.Assuchitwould
includealltheinformationdisclosedinRevelation,Daniel,andmore.
BecauseofHissacrificialdeath,theLambisabletosetinmotionevents
thatwillbringhistorytoitsforeordainedconclusion.84
Theseriesofthesevenseals,nevertheless,portraysaperiodwhen
God'spurposeremains,toalargedegree,hiddenfromearthlyview(cf.
77ForathoroughdiscussionofthiswordseeGuntherBomkamm,"musterion"in
74(GrandRapids,1964):802828.
78Heb1:2;9:26;1Pel1:20;1John2:18.
79Matt12:22.28;13:2426,3133;Luke11:2022;17:2021.
80Rom16:2527;1Cor2:710;Eph3:310;6:19;1Tim3:16.
81Rom11:25;Cor13:2;cf.12:Eph1:910.
82Matt6:10;25;lff.;31^6;Luke13:2829;19:11;John6:39,40,44,54;11:24;12:48;
2Tim3:1;1Pet1:5;2Pet3:3.
83ArelatedNTconceptisthatofthetwoages.ThepromisedOTagetocomeis
understoodasapresentrealityinChrist(Matt28:20;Rom12:2;2Cor4:4;Gal
1:4)althoughitsfullnessisconsummatedonlyinthefutureagetocome(Eph2:7;
Heb6:5).
84Collins;Strand,55;RobertH.Mounce,TheBookofRevelation,NICNT(Grand
Rapids,1977),14243.
219
TBeSevenSeals
6:911). But from chapter 10 on, that purpose is to be clearly revealed

throughthemessagesofthethreeangelsandthevisibleeventsofthecon
summation.
TheLamb^squalifications.Thattheuniverseisincrisisbecomesevi
dentfromthedescriptioninthispassage.GodhasabookinHishandthat
canbeopenedonlybyafitperson.Butnosuchpersonisfound,leadingthe
prophet to weep. The question "Who is worthy?" calls for unique
qualifications.85Accordingto5:9,10,12theLamb'suniquequalifications
derivefromthefactthatHewasslainandthusenabledtoredeemhumanity
withHisblood.
Davidic dynasty reestablished. Tlie Lion of Judah symbolism is, of
course,basedonthepromiseofrulershiptothetribeofJudah(Gen49:910).
Combiningthiswiththesymbolismofthe"RootofDavid"yieldstheidea
thattheenthronementoftheLambimpliesthereestablishmentoftheeternal
DavidicdynastypromisedintheOT 86 TheLambisthepromisedMessiah.
Thus,JesusisunderstoodtohavereestablishedtheDavidicdynastywhenHe
proclaimedthearrivalofHiskingdom(Matt12:28;Luke17:2021).
ThefirstimpressionisthattheLambhadbeenslain(vs.6,hffsesphag
menon).However,theLambmovestotakethebook,makingitclearthatHis
deathhasbeenovercome(vs.7;cf.1:18).TheLambthenproceedstojoin
GodonHisthrone,receivetheworshipoftheheavenlyhost,andtakeover
thegovernmentoftheworld(5:1214;17:14;19:16;22:3).Finally,atthe
conclusionoftheprophecy,theLambmarriestheNewJerusalem,symbolic
oftheChristiancommunity(19:68;21:9ff.) 87
TherecanbenoquestionthatforJohn,theLambistheexaltedChristof
Revelation13,whoisqualifiedtotakethebook,notonlyonaccountof
whatHehaddone(Hisdeathonthecross),butonaccountofwhoHeis.
Thus,implicitinthetextisthefulldivinityandhumanitythattheLambhad
toembodyinordertocarryouttheredemptivetask.TheLamb'shumanityis
evidentinthatHewasslain.HisdivinityisevidentinthatHeisexaltedtothe
throneofGodtoreceivetheworshipofallcreation. 88
ThesevenhornsoftheLambrecallOTimagesofpoliticaland/ormilitary
power.89TheseveneyesoftheLambrecallZechariah'svision
85WeraerFoeistcr,"axios,"inTDNT1(GrandRapids,1964):379.
862Sam7;1Chr17;Dan9:2427;Luke1:3233.
87JoachimJercmias,"amion,"in72WT1(GrandRapids,1964):341.
88Rev3:21;5:714.
89Deut33:17;Dan7:8,21,22,24;8:312;Collins.41.
220
TheSevenSeals
(4:10)inwhichtheLordHimselfhasseveneyestoscanthewhole
earth.90 Bythesetwosymbolstheallpowerful,allknowingdeityof
theLambis
clearlyestablished.
SomesuggestthatwhenJesustakesthebookfromtheFathers
hand,itimpliesthatHehasmovedfromthefirstapartmentintothe
SecondApartment oftheheavenlysanctuary. But thereisnohint
anywhereintheimmediatevisionthatthethroneofGodismoved.Nor
are the Lamb's movements significant to the scene, since He already
stands"inthemidstofthethrone"(5:6).Itisbesttounderstandthevision
ofchapters4and5 as asinglesceneinasingleplaceintheheavenly
sanctuary. The exact location does not seem to be critical to the
interpretationofthevision.
Anewsong. Theideaofsinginga"newsong"ofpraisetoGodis
commonintheOTNewsongsaresungtopraiseGodforarecentdeliver
ance,91 for acts ofsalvationand judgment, 92 or forHiscreative power
whichismanifestcontinuallyonearthinfreshways. 93Suchanewsongis
entirelyappropriateinthewakeofGod'sgreatestactofalltime,theaton
ingdeathofJesusChrist(5:810).
Theroyalpriesthood(vs.10)isbasedonGod'sdeclarationtoIsrael
that the nation was to have a special priestly role (see Exod 19:56).
TiroughIsrael,YahwehplannedtobringtheblessingofAbrahamtoall
thenations(Gen12:13;22:18).InChristthatprivilegeistransferredto
thechurch.Thus,Revelation5:910declaresthefollowersofChristtobe
a New Israel, with a worldwide role of dominion and blessing. This
dominionisanoutgrowthofChrist'sdominionthatwasestablishedasa
resultofthecross(Rev5:13;cf.Matt28:18).
Inverses1114thecrescendoofpraisereachesamagnificentclimax.
AlltheintelligentcreationpraiseboththeLambandtheFathersittingon
thethrone.WhileappropriateinthecontextoftheenthronementofChrist
atHisascension,thefinalhymnextendsbeyondthebanishmentofsinand
itseffectstothedaywhenallcreationwilllivetopraisetheDeity(cf.Phil
2:911).
90Ibid.
91Pss40:13;144:910;Isa
42:1013.
92Pss96:12;98:1.2;149:19.
93Ps33:19;Isa42:5,10.
94Matt21:43,1Pet2:910;Gal
3:29;6:1516.
221
TheSevenSeals
BreakingtheSeals
Inchapter6thethrone,thescroll,andeventheLambfadelargelyfromview.
Thepointofconnectionwiththeintroductorysanctuarysceneistheopeningor
breaking of the seven seals that bind the scroll. The events delineated do not
disclosethecontentsofthebook.ButastheLambopenseachseal,certainevents
takeplaceonearth.
StructuralParallelstotheOldTestament
Covenant curses.Wefoundthemainstructuralparallelstochapters4
and5inthethronevisionsoftheOT.Ontheotherhandchapter6recalls
thecovenantcursesinthePentateuchandtheirexecutioninthecontextof
theBabylonianexile.95
Theconceptof'Svar,famine,andpestilence"originatedintheblessings
and curses that climaxed the Holiness Codes 96 of the Pentateuch. The
covenantcursesofLeviticus26:2126containmanyparallelstothefour
horsemenofRevelation6:
Ifyouremainhostiletowardme
andrefusetolistentome,Iwillmultiplyyourafflictionsseventimes
over,
asyoursinsdeserve.Iwillsendwildanimalsagainstyou,...Iwill
bringthesworduponyou
toavengethebreakingofthecovenant....Iwillsendaplagueamong
you,
andyouwillbegivenintoenemyhands.WhenIcutoffyoursupply
ofbread,
tenwomenwillbeabletobakeyourbreadinoneoven,
andtheywilldoleoutthebreadbyweight.
Lev26:2126,NIV
95Seetable3foralistofpossibledirectallusionstotheOTinRev6.Theitemsmarkedbyanasterisk
are cited byatleastthreemajorcommentators.Theothersareaddedbytheauthorbecausethey
shedsomelightonthelanguageofRev6.
96Leviticus1726isknowntoscholaisastheHolinessCode.Itcontainsaseriesofdetailedcommands
relating todaily life in the light of the covenant betweenGodand Israel. Leviticus 26 offers
rewards and punishments (blessings and curses) for obedience and disobedience to the
stipulations ofthe HolinessCode.A parallel section ofmaterial can be found in Deut 1230,
wherea seriesofdetailed commands (1226) is alsofollowedbyblessingsandcurses(2730).
Althoughnottechnicallypartoftheblessingsandcurses,thesongsofMosesinDeut32and33
continuethosethemeswithmanyparallelstoLev26.
222
TheSevenSeals
War, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts are preliminary judgments

from God, intended to bring about repentance (Vss. 27, 4042) so that
God*sblessingsmayberestored.97Furtherrebellion,however,willresultin
desolationandexile,theultimatecursesofthecovenant(vss.2839).
Deuteronomy32hasmanyparallelstoLeviticus26.Verses2325are
aboutpunishmentforIsrael'sidolatry.Verses4143,however,movebeyond
Leviticus26.HeretheLord'sswordandHisarrowsareexercisedtoavenge
Hispeople:
WhenIsharpenmyflashingsword
andmyhandgraspsitinjudgment,Iwilltakevengeanceon
myadversaries
andrepaythosewhohateme.Iwillmakemyarrowsdrunk
withblood,
whilemysworddevoursflesh:...Rejoice,0nations,withhis
people,
forhewillavengethebloodofhisservants.
Deut32:4143,NIV
WhenexerciseduponHispeople,thesword,famine,andpestilenceare
preliminaryjudgmentsintendedtoleadthemtorepentance.Whenexercised
uponnationswhohaveshedthebloodofHispeople,theyarejudgmentsof
vengeance(cf.thefifthseal).
War,famine,andpestilencebecomestereotypedimagesintheproph
ets, who use them, as threats to ward off Israel and Judah's increasing
apostasy.98 Failingtorepent,bothdivisionsofthenationsreapedtheulti
matecurseexile.
WiththeExile,however.God'sattentionisdirectedincreasinglytoward
the nations who are afflicting His people. The judgments that had been
directed toward them are now turned against their enemies. The great
turningpointinthatprocessisdramatizedinZechariah(1:817;6:18).The
settingisaplaintivecryforhelpfromtheangeloftheLord:
97Inpracticalterms,war,famine,andpestilencearethelanguageofasiegewithitsresultingfamine,
epidemics,anddeath.
98Jer15:23;Ezek5:1217;14:1223;andHab3:216havesufficientparallelstoIhesevensealsto
suggestthepossibility,butnotthecertainty,thattherevelatorwasawareofthemashewrote
Rev6.
The centrality of sword, famine, and pestilence among the curses of the covenant in
Leviticus and Deuteronomy appears to have led to a stereotyped usage by the time of the
Babylonianexile(Jer14:1213;21:69;24:10;29:1718;Ezek6:1112;33:27).War,famine,and
pestilencebecametechnicaltermsforthecovenantwoesbywhichGodpunishesapostasyfrom
thecovenant.
223
TheSevenSeals
"LordAlmighty,howlongwillyou
withholdmercy
fromJerusalemandfromthetownsofJudah,whichyouhavebeen
angrywith
theseseventyyears?"SotheLordspokekindandcomfortingwords
totheangelwhotalkedwithme.
Zech1:1213,NIV
Zechariah'shorses.Itisquitelikelythatthevisionofthesealsdrawsits
majorimageryfromZechariah'scombinationoffourcoloredpatrolhorses
withaplaintive"Howlong,0Lord?"ThescenerelatestothecloseofJudah's
exileinBabylon.Thewickedareatease.GodhadgivenJudahintotheir
handsaspunishmentforhersins.Buttheheathenoverplayedtheirjudgment
role.Godisnowabouttoactinresponsetothecovenantplea,"Howlong?"
Particularlysignificantforthesevensealsistheequationofthefour
horseswiththe"fourwinds[spirits]ofheaven"(Zech6:5).Thismayindicate
thatthefourwindsofRevelation7:13arethehorsesofchapter6unleashed
inacovenantreversallikethatofDeuteronomy32."
The OT allusions thus imply that the seals focus particularly on the
experienceofGod'speopleintheworld.Thesword,famine,andpestilence
ofthehorsesarecovenantwoesbywhichGodpunishesthosewhorejector
disobeyHiscovenant,withtheintenttoleadthemtorepentance.
IntheNTcontext,ofcourse,thecovenantistobeunderstoodintermsof
theproclamationofthegospelofwhatGodhasdoneinChrist.TheNew
IsraelinChrist(5:910)conquerswhenitreckonsitselfintothevictoryofits
commander,theslainLamb.Butfailuretoappropriatethegospelproduces
inevitableandeverincreasingconsequences.
WhenGod'speoplecryouttoHimintheirdistress(6:911),Heturnson
thosewhopersecutethem.Thehorsesapparentlyhavetheircounterpartin
thedestroyingwindsofchapter7.Theseareturnedonthosewhodonothave
thesealofGod.Thehorsejudgmentsaffectonlyquartersoftheearth(6:8);
they are preliminary and partial. Their endtime counterparts, the wind
judgments(7:13),affectthewholeearthwithfinality.
99Editorialnote:Thishypothesis,however,wouldrequirethewhitehoiseanditsridertoreverseroles
andbecomeadestructiveforceasterribleastheotherthree,adoubtfulinference.
224
TheSevenSeals
SynopticApocalypse
Parallels.IntheSynopticApocalypse100Jesusappearstohave
combinedtheOTcovenantwoeswiththeOTheavenlysignsofthe
"DayoftheLord."TheparallelsbetweentheSynopticApocalypse
andthesealsarenotalwaysinthesameorder,butthemultitudeof
verbal and thematic links makes it virtually certain that John
intendedthereadertoperceive
astronganalogybetweenthem.101
JustasisthecaseintheSynopticApocalypse,sothereisa
generalprogressionintimeasonemovesthroughtheseals.The
languageofthefourhorsemenparallelsthelanguageJesususedto
describethegeneralcharacteroftheChristianAgebetweenHis
time and the Second Coming. It is a time of proclaiming the
gospel,andofwar,famine,pestilence,andpersecution.!Afterthe
fallofJerusalem/Judah,Christ'spropheticgazerestedbrieflyona
periodofheightenedtroublesandpersecution.103
This era of persecution would be followed by endtime
deceptionsandheavenlysignsleadinguptotheSecondComing
itself.104Itshouldbenotedthattheendtimedeceptionsareomitted
inJohn'sbriefdescriptionofeventstooccuratthebreakingofthe
sixth seal. However, these are taken up later in great detail in
Revelation1317.105 Thus,theeventsofthesixthsealaretobe
understoodascontemporarywiththosedepictedinthatportionof
theRevelation.
Significanceoftheparallels.Theparallelsbetweentheseals
andtheSynopticApocalypse,therefore,arenotonlyenormousin
quantity, but share a remarkable clustering along chronological
lines.Thisclusteringunderscorestwomainpoints.First,theseals
parallel the Synoptic Apocalypse as a description of the entire
ChristianAge,notjustitsendtime.Second,itunderscoreswhat
wasobservedearlierincomparingRevelation6withchapter19.
Thatistosay,thefourhorsemenexpresstherealitiesoftheentire
ChristianAgewithemphasisonitsbeginning.Thefifthandsixth
sealsdealwitheventsleadinguptothecloseoftheage.
100Jesus'apocalypticsermonrecordedinMatt2425,Mark13,andLuke21.
101Sectable4.
102Mark13:513;Matt24:414;Luke21:89,12.19.
103Mark13:19.20;Matt24:2122;cf.Dan7:25;Rev6:911;12:6,1314.
104Mark13:2427;Matt24:2331;Luke21:2528;cf.Rev6:12.17.
105ParallelsbetweenMatt24:2327andRev1217includesuchconceptsasmiraculous
signsdesignedtodeceive(Rev13:1314;16:1314);falsechrists(seabeast);false
prophets(landbeast;cf.16:13);deserts(Matt24:26;cf.Rev12:14;17:3),andthe
sunrise(Matt24:27;cf.Rev16:12).
225
InterpretationofRevelation6
Timeoftheseals.Werecognize,inspiteoftheabovediscussion,thata
numberof elementsinRevelation46suggest tosome thatthe passage
involves the investigative judgment as portrayed in Daniel 7:914. It is
urgedthattheintroductorysceneisdrawnfromtheimageryofDaniel7.
Thus the throne could be associated with the Most Holy Place of the
heavenly sanctuary.106 Furthermore, it is thought that the sixth chapter
drawsonthelanguageofjudgment.However,wemustcounterbyobserv
ingthatthisisnotthemostnaturalwaytoreadtheseals.
The connection between the seals passage and 3:21, as outlined in
detailabove,impliesthattheintroductoryscene(Rev45)depictssym
bolically the enthronement of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary at His
ascension.Chapter7endswithGod'speopleinthethroneroom.Therefore,
thesealsofchapter6portrayeventsonearthfromthecrosstotheSecond
Coming, with particular focus on the gospel and the experience of the
peopleofGod.
WhiletheintroductoryscenedrawsimageryfromDaniel7,largedif
ferencesbecomeobviouswhenthetwovisionsarecompared.Forexample,
attentionisdirectedtoonebookincontrasttoseveralinDaniel.Thethrone
hasnotbeensetuprecently.Thebookissealedinsteadofopen.TheOne
whoapproachesthethroneissymbolizedastheLamb,notastheSonof
man.Thus,itisevidentthatthetwoscenesarenotthesame.Itismore
natural to understand the introductory scene as the inauguration of the
heavenlysanctuaryratherthanitsgreatendtimedayofatonement.
Thisconclusionissupportedbyanumberofotherobservations.There
isatotalabsenceof explicit judgmentlanguageinthewholesection.The
oneexceptiontothisis6:10,wherethejudgmentisunderstoodtobestillin
thefuture!AlthoughsomefeeltheconceptofJudgmentispresentinchapter
6,107itisnotoutofplaceinthecontextofthepreachingofthegospel(John
3:1821;5:2225).Endtimejudgment,however,onlybecomesexplicitin
thelanguageofthebookfrom11:18onward.
Theparallelstochapter19andtheSynopticApocalypsealsounderline
theplacementofRevelation46inthehistoricalportionofStrand's
106IthasbeensuggestedthatsinceJesusisintheholyplaceinRev1:1220(notethementionofthe
lamps),Rev4.5portraysamoveintotheMostHoly.However,inRev1Jesusisnotintheholy
place;Heisamongthechurchesonearth.OnlyinRev4doestheheavenlysanctuarycomeinto
view.
107Waterhousc,6.
226
TheSevenSeals
chiasm.ThisplacementisfurtherunderlinedbyJohn'slargerstrategyforthe
FirsthalfofthebookofRevelation. 108
We conclude, therefore, that the introductory sanctuary scene is a
description of the enthronement of Christ and the inauguration of the
heavenlysanctuaryinA.D.31.ThiseventwasmadepossiblebyHisvictory
onthecross.Chapter6portraystheconsequencesonearthfromthattime
untiltheSecondComing.Itsfocusisonthegospelandonthehistorical
processwithinwhichGod'speopleovercomejustasChristovercame.
First seal (6:12). The first living creature (Lion, with a voice like
thunder!)callsforthawhitehorsewhoseridercarriesabowandgoesout
conquering.Theinterpretationofthissealisdecisiveforunderstandingall
fourhorsemen.Therearethreemajorviews.
Mostpreteristscholarsprefertounderstandthesealsasdescribingin
literallanguageeventsshortlytotakeplaceintheRomanEmpire. 109Inthis
interpretationtherideronthewhitehorsesymbolizesmilitaryconquest 110
Otherscholarsseeinthewhitehorseaportrayalofthefutureantichrist,a
parodyoftheChristportrayedinchapter19.Inthisinterpretation,theseals
portraytheactivityofSatan'skingdomintheeventsleading
uptotheend.
Athirdgroupofscholarsunderstandthefourhorsemenofthesealstobe
a symbolic portrayal of the victorious spread of the gospel and the
consequencesofitsrejection.Eachofthesewillbetakenupinitsturn.
1.Thepreterist view. WhileAdventistsdonotacceptthepresupposi
tionsofpreteristscholars,itispossiblethatthewar,famine,andpestilence
ofthesealsaretobetakenintheirnaturalmeaningasisthecasewiththe
parallelimageryoftheSynopticApocalypse.Ifso,themessageoftheseals
wouldexactlyparallelthatoftheSynopticApocalypse,aportrayalofthe
naturaldisastersandthepersecutionthatcharacterizetheChristianAgeand
leaduptotheheavenlysignsthatmarkitsclose.However,anumberof
factorssuggestamoresymbolicapproachtotheseals.
First,theentirebookofRevelationis"signified"(eSemanen,1:1).Much
ofitsimagerywouldmakelittlesenseiftakenliterally.Second,thehorses
themselvesareneverinterpretedasliteralThird,sincechapters4and5are
filledwithsymboliclanguage,whatindicationistherethatchap
108Secchap.10,"SealsandTrumpets:SomeCurrentDiscoveries,"inthisvolume.
109SuchasaParthianinvasionfromthecastthattherevelatorfeelswillusherinthecelestial
consequencesofthedayoftheLord.Cf.Collins,4445.
110Thefourhorsemenaccordingtothisinterpretationportraywar,strife,famine,andpestilence,the
latterthreebeingtheconsequenceofthefirst.
227
ter6isanydifferent?CertainlynoAdventistwouldinterpretthefifthseal
literally.Finally,thedetailedimagesofthefourhorsemenmakecoherent
sense when understood in the light of figurative and spiritual meanings
familiartopeopleatthetimeRevelationwaswritten.
2.Thefuturistview.Manyscholarsinterpretthesealsinasymbolicway,
but argue that the rider on the white horse is the antichrist on several
grounds.(1)The"bow"representsthepowerofGogandBabyloninthe01;
andthesearetypesoftheantichrist.(2)thesatanicbeastsofchapters11and
13"conquer"thesaints(11:7;13:7,nikaeS,thesameverbasusedin6:2).(3)
Here is a continual interaction in Revelation between the true and the
counterfeit.111(4)The"itwasgiven"(edothe,6:2)isa"divinepassive"and
is parallel to 9:1 where God permits the angel of the abyss to lead his
demonichordesagainsthumanity.(5)Whilethewhitehorseof6:2isan
exactverbalparalleltothewhitehorseof19:11,therearemanystrikingdif
ferencesbetweenthetwoaccounts;112thus,theyshouldnotbeequated.
Theseargumentsinfavoroftheantichristhypothesisarenotasstrongas
theymayatfirstappear.
a.WhilethebowisusedtoportraythepowerofGod'senemiesinthe01;
it is in each case introduced so it can be smashed by Yahweh's superior
power,i13 Inanevengreaternumberofcases,bowsandarrowsrepresent
Yahweh'sweaponsdirectedagainstHisenemies. 114
b. Although the Greek word for "conquering" is used to refer to the
beastsandtheirpersecutionofthesaints,themoreimmediatecontextof6:2
isthe"conquering"ofChristonthecross(5:5,6,9;cf.3:21),whichprovides
thebasicsubstanceofthegospelproclamation.
c.Thedragon,beast,andfalseprophetdoindeedcounterfeittheTrinity.
Theirevilcharacterisclearlyportrayedintheiroppositiontothewomanand
thesaints.Ontheotherhand,inthecaseof6:2Johngivesnohintthatthe
colorwhiteshouldbetakeninanegativesense. 115Andwith
111Noticethatthedragon,beast,andfalseprophetofRev12and13areacounterfeittrinitywith
characteristicsthatparalleltheFather,Son,andHolySpirit.
112E.g.,twodifferentGreekwordsareusedforthecrown(Rev6:2stephanos;Rev19:12diade
mata)wornbytheridersrespectively.
113Jer51:56;Ezek39:3;Hos1:5.
114Dent32:4143;Ps7:13;Lam2:4;3:12;Hab3:89.Itissignificantthattherevelatorwasprobably
intentionallyalludingtoDcut32,andpossiblyalsotoHab3.
115Noticethefollowingassociationsof"white"inthebookofRevelation:
(1)WithChrist,1:14;14:14;19:11,14.
(2)Withbelievers,2:17;3:4,5,18;7:9,13,14;15:6;19:8.
(3)Withheavenlybeings,4:4;19:14.
(4)WithGod,20:11.
228
TheSevenSeals
onlyoneexceptioninthe a stephanos (victorycrown)is

alwaysassociatedwithChristorHispeople.116
d.WhileitistruethatGod'sactivityistobeseenbehindthe
judgmentsofthefifthtrumpet,thegivingofthekeyin9:1and
authority in 9:3,5 indicates that God is permitting, with
limitations,theactivityofSatantorunrampant.Butinchapter6
theactivityofthefourhorsesisnotpermitted;
itis"commanded."117 DoesGodcommandantichristtobehave
theway
hedoes?
e.Thedifferencesbetweenchapters6and19areexplainablein
terms
of the difference between the church militant and the church
triumphant. Christ wears the diadem 118 in 19:12 because His
conquering activity119 is complete. He wears the victory crown
(stephanos} in6:2becausetheheavenlykingdomattainedbythe
crossisstillintheprocessofestablishing
itsdominiononearth.
3.Thehistoricistview.Thepositivenatureofthewhitehorse
issupportedbythefactthatthefirsthorsemandoesnotproduce
afflictionsasdotheotherthree.Thereisnohintofcounterfeitin
thetextitself.Andiftherideronthewhitehorsesymbolizesthe
gospel,theanalogywiththeSynopticApocalypseismore
completethanitwouldotherwisebe. 120
Itseemsbest,therefore,tounderstandthewhitehorseto
symbolizeChrist'skingdomanditsgradualconquestoftheworld
throughthepreachingofthegospelbyHischurch.Whatwas
ratifiedinheavenattheenthronementoftheLambisnowactuated
intheexperienceofHispeopleinthecourseofhumanhistory.
ThispictureisprobablybasedontheIsraelitekingshipmotifin
Psalm45:37,NIV:
116Sec.eg.,Matt27:29andparallels;1Cor9:25;2Tim4:8;Jas1:12;Rev2:10;3:11;
14:14.TheexceptiontothisruleisRev9:7wherethesiephanoiareplacedonthe
headsofthedemonicridersfromtheAbyss.Evenhere,however,theusageis
qualifiedbytheuseof"asitwere"(hos).Thedemonicridersdonotreallywear
stephanoi,theyonlyappearto.
117Cf.therepeatedcommand"come"(erchou).
118Theroyalcrownofrulingauthority.
119Symbolizedbythevictorygarland(stephanos)ofRev6:2.
120IntheSynopticApocalypseitisthepreachingofthegospelthatprecipitatestheevents
ofthecschaton.
229
TheSevenSeak
Girdyoursworduponyourside,0mightyone;
clotheyourselfwithsplendorandmajesty.Inyourmajestyride
forthvictoriously
inbehalfoftruth,humilityandrighteousness;
letyourrightbanddisplayawesomedeeds.Letyoursharparrows
piercetheheartsofthelong'senemies;
letthenationsfallbeneathyourfeet.Yourthrone,0God,willlast
foreverandever;
ascepterofjusticewillbethescepterofyourkingdom.Youlove
righteousnessandhatewickedness;
thereforeGod,yourGod,hassetyouaboveyourcompanionsby
anointingyouwiththeoilofjoy.
Psalm45combinesthismilitaryimagewiththatofaroyalwedding(Ps
45:1015).Whentheconquestiscompletetheweddingcantakeplace.But
inRevelation6:2theconquestisjustgettingunderway,theweddingmust
awaitafuturetime(19:68;21:9ff.).
Sincethephrase"conqueringandtoconquer"expressesaprogressive
increase of victory, the white horse does not end with the first century.
Rather, the symbol portrays in a general way the progress of the gospel
duringtheentireChristianEra.
Secondseal (6:34).Attheopeningofthenextsealthesecondliving
creature(thecalforyoungbull,4:7)callsfortharedhorse.Itsriderreceives
agreatswordandispermittedtotakepeacefromtheearth,resultinginwar
andmutualhumandestruction.
Thehorseisnot"red"inthetechnicalsense.Theadjectiveisdrawn
fromtheGreekwordfor"fire"(pur).FireinthebookofRevelationisoften
associatedwithheavenlythings(8:5;14:18)butalwaysforthepurposeof
judgment(8:7;20:10,14,15).121
Althoughtheimageryinthispassagerecallsmilitarywarfare,theonly
othermentionof"peace"inRevelationisofaspiritualnature(1:4).The
Greekwordfor"slay"isnormallyusedofthedeathofChristandofHis
i^y>
saints.1Consequently,itisunlikelythatthesecondsealrefersprimarilyto
militarystrife.Itmayratherrepresentpersecution,thelossofspiritualpeace,
anddivisionoverthegospel.
121Foramorethoroughdiscussionof"fire"asasymbolicconceptsecmyDecodingRevelation's
Jhmipets,24849,36869.
122Rev5:6,9,12;6:9;13;8;18:24.TheoneexceptiontothisisRev13:3wheretheseabeastisdescribed
asacounterfeitofChrist.
230
TheSevenSeals
InPsalm45thesamehorsemanwhoshootsarrowsathisenemies
alsocarriesaswordasheridesoff.Thesamegospelmessagethatisa
savoroflifeuntolifecanalsobecomeasavorofdeathtothosewho
rejectit.123OneisremindedofthewordsofJesus:
Whoeverconfessesmebeforemen,
Iwillalsoconfessbeforemyfatherinheaven.
Butwhoeverdeniesmebeforemen,
Iwillalsodenybeforemyfatherinheaven.Donotthink
thatIhavecometobringpeaceupontheearth:
Ihavenotcometobringpeacebutasword.ForIhave
cometoturn
amanagainsthisfatheradaughteragainst
hermotherandadaughterinlawagainst
hermotherinlaw.Aman'senemieswill
beofhisownhousehold.
Matt
10:3236
Whereverthegospelispreachedvictoriestakeplace,butevenmore
oftencomesdivisionandpersecutionasaresultofitsrejection. 124The
peacethatcomesfromunionwithChristmustnotbeconfusedwiththe
peacethatcomesfromthefavorofothers.
Thirdseal(6:56).Attheopeningofthethirdsealthethirdliving
creature(presumably,theonewiththefaceofaman)callsforthablack
horse.Itsriderholdsapairofscales.
The color "black" is not otherwise symbolic in the Greek
Scriptures.Itisnormallyusedforthecolorofhairorskinontheone
handandfor"ink"ontheother.Itsmeaninginthispassageprobably
derivesfromitscontrastwiththewhitehorseofthefirstseal.
The "scale" (zugon) is often used as a symbol of God judging
people.125Inthiscaseitwouldbejudgmentaccordingtothegospel.126
Theriderontheblackhorse,unlikethefirsttworiders,apparently
engagesinnoaction.Avoicefromthemidstofthefourlivingcreatures
proclaims:
Aquartofwheatforadenarius,
andthreequartsofbarleyforadenarius:
anddonotinjuretheoilandthewine.
1232Cor2:1416;cf.
Isa26:3;57:1921.
124Matt10:3439.
125Job31:6;Dan5:27.
126John3:1821;5:22
25.
231
TheSevenSeals
Grain,oil,andwinewerethethreemaincropsofancientPalestine.Assuch
theyrepresentedtheblessingofGod.127Sincegrainisshallowrooted,itismore
easilydamagedinadroughtthanolivesandgrapes.Adenariuswastheancient
designationforaday'swage.Underthesecircumstances,aday'searningscould
onlyprovideenoughwheat(thegrainofpreference)foronepersontosurviveon.
The picture is ofadroughtinduced famine thathasnotyetprogressedtothe
levelwheredeeprootedplantsandtreesareaffected.
Once again the language of the seal suggests a spiritual rather than literal
application. If the white horse represents the gospel, the black horse would
representitsopposite,erroneousdoctrine.
AlthoughinRevelation14thegrainharvestrepresentstherighteousandthe
grape harvestthewicked,in this instancethefamine contextimplies thatall
three food products represent spiritual benefits. Thus, the seal essentially
depictsafaminefortheWordofGod(cf.Amos8:1112),butafaminethatis
limitedbythecommandofHeavensoastonotremovethemeansofgrace.129
Thegospelhasbeenobscured,butitsbenefitsarestillavailable.
Fourth seal (6:78). Asthe fourth seal isopened, thefourth livingcreature
(probablytheeagleorvulture)callsfortharideronayellowgreencoloredhorse.
Thisrider,Death,isfollowedbyHades,andhasauthority
1'^f\
over a quarter of the earth to kill with the sword,"" famine, pestilence
(death),131 and the beasts of the earth. This intensification of the harmful
activitiesofthesecondandthirdhorsemenisaugmentedbytheothertwo
elementsofcovenantjudgment:pestilence(death)andwildbeasts.
Ifthesealistobeunderstoodinspiritualterms,itdepictsbyfarthemost
seriousspiritualdeclensionyetdescribedinthebook(theclimaxcomesin
18:23).Itisapestilenceofsoul.Theseplaguesfallonthose
127Deut7:13;Hos2:8;Joel2:19,24.
128AccordingtoLev26:26,whichliesinthebackgroundofthispassage,todoleoutbreadbyweightisa
signofseriousfamine.
129InthisunderstandingtheoilcouldrepresenttheSpiritandthewinethebloodofChrist.Intheparable
ofthegoodSamaritanthesewerehealingremedies.
130TheswordinthesecondsealisadifferentGreekword(machaira)thantheoneinthefourthsea!
(rhomphaia).MachairaisthewordusedinLev26andDeut32.Theusageinthe"sword,famine
andpestilence"passagesofJeremiahandEzekielisdividedbetweenthetwowords;sotheyseem
essentiallyidenticalinmeaninghere.
131IntheGreekOTthewordfor"death"(thanatos)translatestheHebrewwordfor"pestilence"inthe
keycovenantcursepassages.Cf.,c.g.,Jcr14:12;24:10;Ezek5:12,17.Sincethanatosisfollowed
byHades(theabodeofthedeadinHebrewthought),bothideasseemtocombine,although
personifiedseparately.
132Cf.Ezek14:20.21;5:12,17;Jer14:12;29:1718.
232
TheSevenSeals
whoserejectionofthegospelhashardenedtothepointofnear
hopelessness.
In1:18deathandHades (grave)are clearlyunder Christ's
control.In20:14theyareinassociationwiththeconceptofthe
"seconddeath."Thistripleparalleloffersevidencethatthefourth
sealinvolvesthethreatofpermanentexclusionfrommercy.
Thisseal,however,asterribleasitis,isnottobeequated
withthefinalendtimecloseofprobationofwhichitisclearlya
foretaste.Aswasthecasewiththethirdhorseman,thisriderdoes
not"goout,"thuslimitingtheplague.Inthebackgroundtextsof
Leviticus26andDeuteronomy32theseplaguesarenotfinalbut
areintendedtoevokerepentance.Furtherjudgmentsonthewicked
lieaheadinthefifthandsixthseals.
Four horsemen. The four horsemen probably should be
understood more as a progression of thought than as a rigid
historicalsequence.Inthefirstplace,thevirtualabsenceofany
referencetotimeisinstrikingcontrast,forexample,totheseven
trumpets.133 Furthermore, the woes reflected in seals 24 are
orderedinawidevarietyofwaysintheOT. 134Asimilarvarietyof
usagecanbeseenbycomparingthethreeversionsoftheSynoptic
Apocalypse(Matt24;Mark13;Luke21),wherethesewoescon
stitutethegeneralcharacteroftheChristianAge.
Thedescriptionoftherideronthewhitehorse"conquering
andtoconquer"suggestsanongoingactivityratherthanaperiod
ofhistorytobefollowedbyanotherperiod.
Thus, the four horsemen most likely represent a general
descriptionofthespreadofthegospel(whitehorse),theresulting
persecution and division (red horse), and the increasing
consequencesofrejectionofthatgospel(blackandpalehorses). 135
Thecentralthemeisthatthepreachingofthegospelandthearrival
ofthenewageinChristdoesnothaltthespreadofevilinthe
world.Thisexpresseswellthetensionbetweenthetwoagesso
characteristicoftheNTasawhole.
However,havingsaidthis,itisnoteworthythatthethematic
progres
133Notethesuccessivewoesofthetrumpets(Rev8:13;9:12;11:14),thefivemonths
(9:5,10),thefortytwomonths(11:2),andthethreeandahalfdays(11:9).
134AdozenOTpassageslistatleastthreeoftheFivewoetypeimagesinthefour
horsemen(arrows,sword,famine,pestilence,andwildbeasts).Fourofthefiveare
foundinLev26:2126;Deut32:2325;Jer15:23;Ezek5:1217;14:1319,21;butin
notwoofthesearetheyinthesameorder.Ofthetriplelistings,fourofferthesame
sequenceasRev6:war,famine,andpestilence(plague):
Jer14:1213;24:10;29:1718;Ezek6:1112;buttwochangetheorderJer21:69;Ezek
33:27.
135Inthelanguageofthecovenant,therideronthewhitehorseoffersblessing,whilethe
otherthreedoleoutthecursesofthecovenantduetorejectionofthegospel.
233
TheSevenSeals
sionofthefourhorsesfitswellwiththehistoryofthefirstthousandyearsofthe
ChristianEra.
First,therewastheinitial,rapidexpansionofthechurchthroughoutmuchof
thethenknownworld.Thesucceedingperiodbroughtdivisionandcompromisein
thefaceofpersecution.Thelossofaclearunderstandingofthegospelfollowedas
thechurchsettledintoanearthlykingdomintheyearsafterConstantine.Finally,the
Dark Ages of spiritual decline and death engulfed Christendom. Thus the
progressionofthoughtmaywellbechronological,atleastinthefirstappearanceof
eachchange.1
This view is supported by the fact that the four living creatures are never
separatedinScriptureexceptinthefourhorsemen.Theirsuccessiveinvolvementin
(6:18)isacluethatacertainchronologicalprogressionparallelstheprogressionof
thought.Thefourhorses,therefore,outlineboththetrendofhistoryatthebeginning
oftheChristianEra,andthegeneralrealitiesoftheChristianAge. 137
The preaching of the gospel and its consequencesvictories for the
kingdom,persecution, division,and(forthosewhoreject),increasing spiritual
famineand declinehave proventobe realities atboth the corporateandthe
individuallevel.Thefinalgoingforthoftherideronthewhitehorseisattested
bythesealingmessageinchapter7andthethree angels'messagesinchapter
14.
Asmentionedearlier,thefirsttworidersaresaidto"goout,"whereasthelast
two are only seen. Each affects only a quarter of the earth (6:8). Thus, the
"judgments" of the horsemen are partial and restrained. The third and fourth
horsementhemselvesarenotfinalevents.Theyarepreliminaryandpartialforetastes
ofthegreatendtimecollapseofspirituallifeandunderstanding.Historicallytheyfit
theMiddleAgesbest,atimeofspiritualdeclineandpersecution.
Fifth seal (6:911). The opening of the fifth seal reveals a picture of slain
righteouspersons"underthealtar"whocryout,
Howlong,0Lord,
theholyandtrueOne,doYounotJudge
andavengeourbloodonthosewholiveon
theearth?
136Anexampleparalleltothisarethethreeangels'messages.Theyarechronologicalinorderof
commandment;thereafter,theyareproclaimedsidebysideuntiltheend.
137AparalleltothistwofoldemphasiscanbefoundinDan7:1112.EachofthebeastsofDan7hasa
primetimeofactivity,yetthespiritofeachbeastlivesontotheend.
234
TheSevenSeals
Thesceneissymbolizingbelieverswhohavebeensacrificed
fortheirfaithintimesprevioustotheopeningofthisseal.After
receiving white robes these martyrs are informed that they
shouldrestalittlewhilelongeruntiltheirfellowservantsand
brethren, who are about to be killed as they were, are
"completed"or"fulfilled."
The imagery of the dead beside the altar represents the
frustrationofGod'speopleforwhomthecontentofthesealed
scrollisyethidden.ThoughtheirtrustinGodisunshaken,they
longforthefinaljudgmentwhentheirnameswillbeclearedina
highercourt.Thefifthsealrepresentsthedivineawarenessof
Hispeoples'sufferings,andHewillrespondwhenthetimeis
right.God'sconcernforHissufferingpeopleisthepointofthe
passage;itisnotintendedtoexplainthestateofthedead. 138
The phrase "how long" is used frequently in the 01^
particularly in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem by the
Babylonians(Hab1:2).Psalm79isofinterest:
Howlong,0Lord?Willyoubeangryforever?
Howlongwillyourjealousybumlikefire?Pouroutyour
wrathonthenations
thatdonotacknowledgeyou,onthekingdoms
thatdonotcallonyourname;...Whyshouldthenations
say,
"WhereistheirGod?"Beforeoureyes,makeknown
amongthenations
thatyouavengetheoutpouredbloodofyourservants.
Vss.5,6,10,
NIV
Inthefifthsealweseetheresultsofthepersecutionswhich
havebeenalludedtointhehorsemen,particularlythesecond.Thus
thefifthsealrepresentsalaterpointintimethanthefourhorsemen
themselves.139Since
138Thealtarinviewhereisthealtarofburntoffering,notthealtarofincense.Ofteninthe
OTsanctuaryservice,bloodwaspoured out {ekcheo. Lev 4:7,18,25,30,34; 8:15;
9:9,LXX)atthebaseofthealtarofburntoffering,whereasnothingeverhappened
at the baseoftheincense altar.InRev 16:6thebloodofsaintsandprophetswas
"poured oat^fexechean) bythewicked,anevidentsanctuaryreference.Howcould
martyringbereferred to intermsofsanctuary service? "Thehouriscomingwhen
everyone who kills you will think that he is offering sacrificial service (&amon
prospherein)toGod"(John16:2).Thedeathofthemartyrsispartofagreatbattle
over the proper way to serve God, Since the altar of burnt offering is never
portrayedin heaven, rather is symbolic ofChrist'ssacrifice onearth, these souls
underthealtararenotinheaven,theyarcintheirearthlygraves.Theydonot"come
tolife"untiltheSecondComing(Rev20:4).ThusthecryingoutofRev6:10isonly
symbolic,likethecryingoutofAbel'sblood
inGen4.
139ThecorrespondingeventintheSynopticApocalypseisthegreattribulation(cf.Matt
24:2122).
235
TheSevenSeals
thephrase"Howlong?"isappliedinDaniel7:21,25;12:67tothegreattribulation
oftheMiddleAges,Revelation6:10appropriatelyrepresentsa"cry"ofprotestfrom
themartyrsofthatsameera.
It is evident that the cry of the martyrs occurs prior to the actual time of
judgmentandthefinalcrisis.Theterms"judge"and"avenge"indicateatwopart
request.Themartyrswishtobevindicatedandavenged. 140Fromtheperspectiveof
the"Howlong?"crybothjudgmentandvengeancearefuture.Thegivingofwhite
robes (vs. 11) symbolizes the vindication of the martyrs in the investigative
judgment(cf.3:5).Nevertheless,theexecutionofthatjudgmentisstillfuture.
Thecomparisonbetween6:10and19:2(seeabove)indicatesthat6:11alludes
to the beginning of the investigative judgment, while chapter 18 portrays its
conclusionjustbeforetheSecondAdvent. 141Thus,thefifthsealisdividedintotwo
partschronologically:(1)Themartyrs'cryispriortotheinvestigativejudgment(vs.
10).(2)Thegivingofwhiterobessignalstheonsetofthatjudgment.
Therefore,thefifthsealfitswellbetweenthegreatpersecutionsoftheMiddle
Agesandtheconclusionoftheinvestigativejudgment.Theendhasbeendelayed.
Thegospeltaskisnotyetcompletewhenthissealdrawstoaclose.
Sixthseal(6:1217).Theopeningofthesixthsealunleashesmassiveheavenly
andearthlyphenomena.Thereisagreatearthquake(evidentlypriortoanddistinct
fromtheonein16:18),aseriesofheavenlysigns,andanevengreaterearthquake
thatmoveseverymountainandislandoutofitsplace(probablytheearthquakeof
16:18).
Thefinalearthquakeleadstothegreatterrorofunsavedhumanity,whoutilize
caves and the rocks of the mountains in a futile attempt to hide from the
approachingpresenceoftheOnesittingonthethroneandofthewrathoftheLamb.
Theunsavedcryout,
ForthegreatdayofHiswrathhascome,
andwhowillbeabletostand?
Theheavenlysignsandearthquakesofthissealarenotuniquetothispassage.
Theyrecallalonghistoryofsimilarphenomenainthe"dayoftheLord"passagesof
theOT142Perhaps,evenmoreimportanttoJohnisJesus'useofheavenlysignsin
Matt24:29
140TheverbkrinV(tojudge)appliestoinvestigativejudgmentaswellasexecutivejudgment.
141SeeStrand,"TwoAspectsofBabylon'sJudgment,"5360,foranexcellentdiscussionofRev18.
142Cf.Ezek32:78;Amos8:810;Jer4:2327;Isa34:4;13:1013;Nah3:12;Ezek38:1920;Hag2:6
9Isa50:17;Joel2:2831;Ps102:2527.
236
TheSevenSeals
Immediatelyafterthedistressofthose
daysthesunwillbedarkened,and
themoonwiltnotgiveitslight;
thestarswillfallfromthesky,and
theheavenlybodieswillbeshaken,
TheparallelwiththeSynopticApocalypsearguesthatsome,atleast,
ofthesephenomenafallshortlyafterthegreattribulationperiodalludedto
inthefifthseal.Thattheheavenlysignsaretobeunderstoodasliteralis
indicatedbythefactthateachisfollowedbyan"as"(hos)whichinthis
constructionintroducesafigurativeanalogytoanactualevent. 14
The sixth seal, therefore, spansthe period from the cry of the
martyrstotheendtime.Sincetheheavenlysignsof1780and1833had
agreatimpactonthedevelopinginterestinthestudyofprophecy,the
Lisbonearthquakeof1755isthebestcandidatefortheearthquakeof
6:12.144 Revelation6:14pointsforwardtothe finalcrashof altthings
terrestrialandcelestialinsofarastheypertaintothisplanet(cf.2Pet
3:912).
Seventhseal(8:1).Theopeningoftheseventhsealresultsinonlya
simplestatementtotheeffectthatabriefsilenceoccursinheaven.The
silencefunctionslikeacalmafterthestormofdestructionoccasionedby
Christ'ssecondcoming.Anumberofexplanationshavebeenofferedto
explainthemeaningofthissilence,butnonehasproveddecisive.
Onepossibilityisthatthesilenceisanannouncementthatthejustice
ofGodhasbeenfullyexecuted.Thisisbasedontextualstatementsthatin
the face of injustice God refuses to keep silent until justice has been
served(cf.Ps50:36;Isa65:67).
143Noticethefollowingpattern:
Thesunbecomesblack...........................as(hos)......sackclothofhair.
Thewholemoonbecomes.....................as(hSs)......blood.
Thestarsofheavenfalltotheearth.....as(hSs)......aFigtreediscardsitsfigs.
Theheavensplitup.................................as(HSs)......arolledupscroll.
144ManyhaverejectedtheDarkDayandthefallingofthestarsasafulfillmentofthis
prophecybecausetheyhavecometobeunderstoodasnaturalevents.However,God
oftenusesnaturaleventstoaccomplishHispurposes(cf.Exod14:21andtheopening
oftheRedSeaforIsrael).ThesignificanceoftheLisbonearthquake,DarkDay,and
thefallingofthestarsistheirtiming,theirappearanceinconnectionwiththeclosing
yearsofthe1260yearsofpapalsuppressionbothbeforeandafter1798.
237
TheSevenSeals
ForZion'ssakeIwillnotkeepsilence,for
Jerusalem'ssakeIwillspeakout,
untilherrightshinesforthlikethesunrise,
herdeliverancelikeablazingtorch,untilthenations
seethetriumphofyourrightandallthekingsseeyour
glory.
Isa62:12,NEB
Otherpossibilitiesforinterpretingthesilenceofthissealincludethe
endtimecounterparttothesilenceatthebeginning(Gen1:2;cf.4Ezra
7:2631);thesilenceoftheuniverseasitwatchesthedestructionofevil(in
starkcontrast to the celebrationof Revelation5); andthe silence of the
courtroomwhenthebookisfinallyopened.145
SincethesixthsealportraystheeventssurroundingtheSecondComing
itself(6:1517)anddescribesthepresenceoftheredeemedbeforethethrone
(7:917), the seventh seal may be best understood as either a cryptic
precursor of the millennium or the universal peace that results from the
consummationattheendofthemillennium(cf.Rev20:915).
Conclusion
Althoughnoattemptwasmadetoaligntheinterpretationsofthischapterwith
those of Uriah Smith, his views on the seals are remarkably similar to the
conclusionsofthischapter. 146 Whileattimeshehimselfdidnotgrapplewiththe
text,147hisconclusionsmustbetakenseriouslybyAdventistswhenhedid.
WhatdifferencedoesitmaketoeverydayChristianlivingthatwehavegaineda
better understanding of this prophecy? Of major importance is the fact that our
passagedrawsasidethecurtainthathidestheunseenworldofspiritualrealityfrom
uswholiveonearth.Thegrandintroductoryscene(Rev45)impressesuponusthat
the scenes that follow are a visible and earthly expression of the invisible and
heavenlyconflictbetweenChristandSatan.148
ThesameChristwhosafeguardsthechurches(Rev13)alsositson
145Cf.theintensesilencewhenthecontentsofawillareabouttoberevealed!
146UriahSmith,DanielandtheHcvelation(BattleCreek,MI,1897),384434.
147Anexampleisthematerialonthetrumpets,wherenoobservationsaremadeconcerningthetext,but
pagesofhistoryarequotedfromotherwriters.Seeibid.,45587.Notethedisclaimeronp.455
whereheindicatesthateventhiswastakenfromananonymousReviewandHeraldpublication
authoredoriginallybyJamesWhitein1859.
148JohnR.W.Stott,TheCrossofChrist(Downer'sGrove,IL,1986),247.
238
TheSevenSeals
God'sthroneinheavenlyplaces(Rev45).Heknowsandcares
whenHispeoplesufferorareforcedtowalkthislifealonebecause
of their faith in Him. It is, therefore, not surprising that God's
peoplethroughouttheChristianErahavefoundmeaningfortheir
lives in the strange collection of images that make up the
apocalypticportionsofthebook.
Thesealsofchapter6provideatellingdescriptionofChristian
lifeonthisearthbetweenthecrossandtheSecondComing.God's
sufferingpeoplemayattimeswonderifrealitydoesnotprovetheir
faithanillusion.Thegloryandtheglitterseemtoresidewiththe
opponents of the gospel. But the fact that the grim realities of
earth'shistoryandexperiencefollowupontheopeningoftheseals
inheavendemonstratesthattheserealitiesareunderthecontrolof
the Lamb, who is already reigning (Rev 5) and whose perfect
kingdomwillsoonbeconsummated(11:1518).
Tobeleagueredsaintsatheologicaltreatiseisfarlesseffective
than the apocalyptic pictures of a slain lamb who wins an
irreversiblevictory.ThroughcontemplationofthatLambandHis
victorybyfaith,thesufferingandharassedonesgaincourageto
finishtheircourse.AfterquotingportionsofRevelation5and7,
EllenWhitesays,
Willyoucatchtheinspirationofthevision?Willyouletyourmind
dwelluponthepicture?Willyounotbetrulyconverted,andthengoforth
tolaborinaspiritentirelydifferentfromthespiritinwhichyouhave
laboredinthepast,displacingtheenemy,breakingdowneverybarrierto
theadvancementofthegospel,fillingheartswiththelightandpeaceand
joyoftheLord?150
If wewouldpermitourmindstodwellmoreuponChristandthe
heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in
fightingthebattlesoftheLord.Prideandloveoftheworldwilllosetheir
poweraswecontemplatethegloriesofthatbetterlandsosoontobeour
home.BesidethelovelinessofChrist,allearthyattractionswillseemof
littleworth.
Thereisonefurtherinsightofcrucialimportance.Westandin
history between two earthquakes and two sets of celestial
phenomena (Rev 6:1214). The portents of the endtime have
already gotten under way. Though the apparent delay of the
Adventcausesmanytosay"Howlong?"itiscomfortingtoknow
thatfromthestandpointoftheFather,whoseestheendfromthe
beginning,wearenearlyhome!
149Ibid..248.
150Testimonies8:45.
151ReviewandHerald,
November15.1887.
239
TheSevenSeals
TablesofAllusions(14)
TableITheOldTestamentinRevelation4
Rev4:1
Ezek1:4,13,14
Exod19:24
Ezek10:67Dan
Ezek1:1,4
Ezek3:1213
7:9Zcch4:2
Ezek8:14
Rev4:67
Ezek11:1.24
Dan2:28,29,45(Theod)
Ps18:1011
Dan7:67
Ezek1:5,6,10.13.18,22Ezek
10:1,12,14Dan7:2,3.10
Rev4:23
Exod28:1721
IKgs22:19
2Chrl8:18
Isa6:2
Ezek1:2628
Ezek28:13Dan
7:9
Rev4:8
Exod3:14
Ps99:l
Isa6:23
Ezek1:6,18
Ezek10:12
Amos3:13;4:13(LXX)
Rev4:910
Rev4:4
1Chr24:419
Isa24:23Dan
7:9
IKgs22:19
2Chrl8:18
Isa6:1,3
Dan4:34;6:27;12:7(Theod)
Rev4:5
Exod19:1618
Exod25:37Isa
6:6
Rev4:11
Dan4:37(LXX)
240
T
h
e
S
e
v
e
n
S
ea
ls
Table2TheOldTestamentinRevelation5
Rev5:8
Ps
Rev5:1
141:2
1Kgs22:19
Isa
2Chrl8:18Isa6:1
Isa29:11Dan8:26 24:23
Ezek
Dan12:4,9Ezek
1:5,1
2:910
0Dan
Rev5:23
7:18,2
Exod20:4Deut
2,27
5:8Dan7:10Dan
12:4,9
Rev5:45
Gen49:910Isa
11:1,10Dan7:10
Rev5:6
Isa24:23Isa53:7
Jer11:1819Ezek
1:5,10,13Zech3:9
Zech4:2,6,10
Rev5:7
1Kgs22:19
2Chr18:18Isa6:l
Dan7:13
Rev5:910
Exod
19:6
Ps33:3
Ps40:3
Ps96:l
Ps98:1
Ps
144:9
Ps
149:1
Isa
42:5,10
Dan7:14,27
(vs.9)
Dan
7:18,22,27
(LXX)
Rev5:1112
Isa
24:23
Ezek
1:5,10
Dan
7:10
Rev5:13
Exod
20:4
1Kgs
22:19
2Chrl
8:18
Isa6:l
Dan
7:27
Rev5:14
Isa
24:23
Ezek
1:5.10
241
TheSevenSeals
Table3TheOldTestamentinRevelation6
Rev6:12
Jer21:69*
Ezek38:1920
Ps45:37
Hab3:89
Zech1:817*
Zech6:18*
Jer24:10
Jer29:1718
Ezek5:12,17*
Ezek14:1521*
Ezek29:58
Ezek33:27*
Hos8:1
Hos13:14*
Joel2:*
Joel2:2831
Amos8:8,*
Nah1:58*
Hag2:69*
Rev6:34
Exod32:27
Deut7:2225
Deut9:15
Judg7:2022
Ps45:34
Isa19:2
Isa26:34
Isa57:1921
Zech14:13
Rev6:56
Lev26:26
Deut7:13
Deut11:14
Deut28:51
2Kgs7:l
Jer2:3
Ezek4:1617*
Dan5:27
Hos2:8,22
Amos8:1112
Rev6:78
Prov5:5
Jer14:12*
Jer15:23*
Rev6:911
Gen4:1011
Exod29:12
Lev4:7*
Lev17:11*
Deut32:43*
2Kgs9:7*
Ps79:5,*
Isa6:lff.*
Isa57:12
Dan8:13
Dan12:6,7,13
Hos4:I*
Hab1:2
Rev6:1214
Ps102:2526
Isa13:1013*
Isa34:4*
Isa50:17*
Isa54:10
Jer4:2327*
Ezek32:78*
Rev6:1517
Gen3:8*
1Kgs22:19*
2Chrl8:18*
Ps2:2*
Ps33:16
Ps34:1518
Ps46
Ps47:8*
Ps76:410
Isa2:1011*
Isa2:1721*
Isa6:1*
Isa24:2123*
Isa34:12*
Jer4:29*
Hos10:8*
Joel1:15
Joel2:1
Joel2:11
Joel2:31*
Nah1:6*
Zeph1:14,15,18*
Zeph2:23*
Mal3:2*
'Theitemsmarkedbyanasteriskarecitedbyatleastthreemajorcommentators.
242
TheSevenSeals
Matt 24:14 Mark
13:10
Matt24:6,7,10Mark
Thble4SynopticApocalypseandRevelation6
Rev6:12
GospelWar
Rev6:34
Famine
Rev6:56
Pestilence
Rev6:78Rev
Persecution
6:911
Tribulation
Rev7:14
VengeanceHeavenly
Rev6:10Rev
Signs
6:1213
TribesMournSonof
Rev6:1517
Rev6:17
Rev7:13Rev
ManComes
Send
Angels
GatherElect
7:3
13:7,8,12Luke
21:9,10,16,25
Mark13:8Luke
21:11
Luke21:11
Matt24:910Matt10:17
22Mark13:9,1113Luke
21:12,16,17
Matt24:9,21.29Mark
13:19.24
Luke21:22
Matt24:29Mark
13:2425Luke21:25
26
Matt24:30
Matt24:30Mark
24:26Luke21:27
Matt24:31Mark
13:27
Matt24:31Mark
13:27
243
Chapter
SealedSaintsandthe
Tribulation
BeatriceS.Neall
EditorialSynopsis.Revelation7isoneofthemostimportantsegmentsinthe
propheticseriesofthesevenseals.Itoccursasaninterludebetweenthesixthand
seventhseals.Sincetheeventsofthesixthsealextendbeyondthecloseofproba
tiontoincludethesecondcomingofChrist,itisobviousthatthetimeframeofthe
interludewouldhavetooverlaythelastportionofprobationarytimeinthesixth
seal.Itanswersthequestionforcedfromtheunwillinglipsoftheimpenitent:The
greatdayofdivinewrathhascome,"andwhocanstandbeforeit?"
Adventistshavegenerallyheldthatthesealingangelof7:23,whosealsGod's
endtimepeople(whileotherangelicforcesholdbackthewindsoftotaltroubleand
strife),istobeidentifiedwiththeworkofthethirdangelof14:911.Bothhavea
worldwidemessage,bothpresentthatmessageinthesametimeslotpriorto
Christ'sreturn,andbothdealwiththeSabbathtruth.Oneheraldsitasthesealof
God'slawoftheTenCommandments;theotherwarnsagainsttheacceptanceofa
counterfeitSabbath,themarkofthebeast.
Inthisstudytheauthorexpandsonwhatisinvolvedinthesealingwork,the
characteristicsofthesealed,andthetribulationperiodthatfacesthesealedsaints
(the144,000)whenthewindsofstrifeandpersecutionarereleased,ultimatelyfol
lowedbythesevenlastplagues.AlthoughAdventistshavegenerallyseparatedthe
144,000fromthegreatmultitudeseenbeforethethroneintheinterlude'sclosing
scene,evidencesupportsthebeliefthattheyareoneandthesamegroup.Thatis,
thesealed144,000 symbolize thegreatmultitudefromeverynation,kindred,and
tonguewhowillremainloyaltoGodintheclosingconflictofthegreatcontroversy
betweenGodandSatan.Thesewilleventuallystandvictoriousbeforethethroneof
GodandtheLamb.
Althoughthesealedsaintsareexposedtothe"wrath"ofthedragonandhis
associateagencies,theyaresustainedandprotectedbyGodwho,insealingthem,
acknowledgesthemasHisowntreasuredpossession.Theirkeyvirtuewillbean
undying,unyieldingfaiththatisrivetedtothePersonandpromisesofChrist.
245
ChapterOutline
I.Introduction
II.CovenantThemes/Allusions
III.ChiasticCounterpart
IV.TheTribulation
V.TheSealing
VI.CommentaryonRevelation7
VII.The144,000andtheGreatMultitude
VIII.CharacteristicsoftheSealed
IX.SomeTheologicalConcerns
Introduction
êvelation7picturesthesecurityofGod'sservantsinthemidstof
^k earth'sfinalcrisis.Thissegmentofthesealseries occurs as an interÂ
^Judebetweenthecataclysmiceventsofthesixthsealandthe
silenceoftheseventh.Tograspitssignificancewewillexploreseveralareasinthis
study.
CovenantThemes/Allusions
Thebookof Revelation (in common withnoninspiredapocalypticliterature)
showshowthecovenantpromisesofagloriousfuturewillbeultimatelyfulfilledto
thepeopleofGod.1Itrevealshistoryasacontroversybetweentheforcesofgood
andevil,thelattercausinggreathavocto the covenantpeopleuntil God finally
intervenesandconquers.Revelation7developsthecovenantthemesannouncedin
theprecedingchapters.
1Theproblemthatapocalypticliteratureconfrontsistheapparentfailureofthecovenant.Thecovenant
betweenGodandIsraelstipulatedthatiftheyobservedthecommandmentstheywouldberewarded;
iftheydidnot,theywouldbepunished.Butmanytimesitseemedthatthemostfaithfulwere
persecuted.(See.D.S.Russell'sdiscussionoftherelationshipof
apocalyptictofailedprophecyinTheMethodandMessageofJewishApocalyptic[Philadelphia,
1964],18183.)
246
TheSevenChurches:CovenantAllusions
The messages to the seven churches introduce the covenant theme, with
Jesusassuzerain("therulerofkingsonearth,"1:5)exhortingthechurchestobe
loyaltotheirSovereignevenuntodeath(2:10).2Thepromisestothechurchescan
beseenascovenantblessings,and the threatsascovenantcurses.Themajor
violation warned against is apostasy (loss of love, 2:4; apathy, 3:1; and
lukewarmness,3:16;orintermsofamarriagecovenant,fornication,2:14,20;cf.
14:8;17:12).
Punishmentsforviolatingthecovenantincludeexcommunication(2:5;
3:16),war(2:16),anddeath(2:23).Thecovenantblessingsincludethegiftofthe
whiterobe(3:5),deliverancefromthehouroftrial(3:10),aplaceinthetempleof
God (3:12), and the nameofGodontheforehead (3:12) allconspicuous in
chapter7.
CovenantBlessings/CursesAsPredictions
InboththePentateuchandRevelationthecovenantblessingsandcursesare,in
a sense, predictions, outlining the future consequences of obedience or
disobedience.TheTorahnarratesthegivingofthecovenant;
therestoftheOldTestamentistheaccountofwhathappenedtoIsraelwhenthey
obeyedorviolatedthecovenant.ThebookofRevelationfollowsasimilarpattern.
Thefirstunit, liketheTorah,spells out the covenant,while the restof the
booktellswhatwouldhappeninconsequenceofadherencetoorviolationofthe
covenant.The144,000ofthe12tribesofIsrael(thatis,thechurch)standingwith
theLambonMountZion(Rev14:1)arethefaithful;theharlotBabylonisIsrael
(symbolizingagain,thechurch)in
2AsWilliamH.Sheahaspointedout,afttheelementsofthecovenantarcfoundinRevelation:
identificationofthesuzerainking(1:5),recitalof hisactsof benevolence entitling himtothe
loyaltyofhisvassals(vs.5),stipulationsorcommandsdemandingloyaltytohimalone(2:10),
provisionstodepositthetreatydocumentandreadit(1:3),andblessingsandcursesuponthosewho
keeporviolatethecovenant(thepromisesandthreatstothesevenchurches).Sheaanalyzesthe
covenantstructureofthemessagestothesevenchurches.Furtherstudyneedstobegiventothe
developmentofthecovenantthemeintherestofRevelation.("TheCovenantalFormoftheLetters
totheSevenChurches,"AUSS21/1[Spring1983]:7184.)
3MuchinRev1recallsthegivingofthecovenantatSinai.Jesus"freedusfromoursins"(vs.5)asHe
freedIsraelfrombondage;"byhisblood"suggeststhebloodofthePassoverlambontheeveof
Israel'sdeliverance.He"madeusakingdom,prieststohis God" (vs.6)asIsraelwastobe"a
kingdomofpriestsandaholynation"(Exod19:6).JesusappearedtoJohnwith"aloudvoicelikea
trumpet"(vs.10)reminiscentofthetrumpetblastatSinai(Exod19:16,19).His"eyeswerelikea
flameoffire"(vs.14)recallthefireonthemount(Exod19:18).John'sprostrateresponserecalls
Israel'sfearbeforetheoverpoweringtheophany.
247
apostasy.4Thebooknarratesinvividdetailtheresultingconflictbetween
faithfulandapostateIsrael.
TheSeals:CovenantAllusions
Thesealsunit,ofwhichchaptersevenistheclimax,depictstheoutcome
oftheblessingsandcursesuponthechurches.FirstisseentheSuzerainon
Histhrone,encircledwiththecovenantrainbow,entitledtoworshipbecause
Hecreatedallthings(4:211).TheLambalsoisworthyofworshipbecause
ofHissupremeactofbenevolencedyingtoredeemHispeople(5:6,9,12).
SinceitwasHewhotookthemfromeverynationandtribe,andmadethem
akingdom,theyrespondincovenantloyaltyandworship(5:910).
TheLambthentakesabookfromtheone"seatedonthethrone"(5:1,
78)andopensitssealsonebyone.AsHedoesso,thefutureofthechurch
unfoldsincovenantblessingsandcurses.Thewhitehorsepersonifiesthe
covenantblessingofconquest:thechurchvictorious,goingforthtoconquer
(6:2;cf.Lev26:78thecovenantblessingofvictoryoverenemies).Here
arerepresentedtheconquestsoftheapostolicchurch.
Thered, black,andpalehorses are symbolicpersonifications of the
covenant curses resulting from apostasy: sword, famine, pestilence, and
deathbywildbeasts(6:38,notethesummaryattheendofverse8). 5Since
thechurcheshavenotheededChrist'swarnings(Rev23)theyhavebecome
subjecttothethreatsofswordanddeath(2:16,23). 6
Wheneverthecovenantcursesgointoeffect,therighteousremnantalso
suffers(asdidDanielandhisfriendsduringthecaptivity).Underthefifth
sealthecryringsoutfrom"thesoulsunderthealtar"thosewhohavebeen
faithfultothecovenant,butwhohavesufferedpersecution
4ForthefigureoftheharlotBabylonJohndrawsheavilyontheOldTestamentpictureofIsraelasthe
harlotwifeofYahweh.CovenantlanguageisusedtoshowIsrael'sviolationofthemarriagevow.
Zechariah portrays Israel's "wickedness" asa hiddenBabylonianwoman(Zech5:511). Isaiah
(1:21), Hosca (2:2,4),Jeremiah(3:13,89),andespeciallyEzekiel(16:1534)describe apostate
Israel who, as the wife of Yahweh, became the greatest prostitute on earth, subject to the
covenantwrathofGod.Alsotwoofthepowersinthe"falsetrinity"thedragon,beast,andfalse
prophet,whichparody the heavenlyTrinityareapostateChristian,mimickingJesusChristand
theHoly Spirit. "The beast,"likethe Lamb, waswoundedto death, andhealedor resurrected
(13:3). Thethirdbeast was likea Iambandhad power tobreathelifeinto an image. Bythese
figuresJohnissayingthatthesehostilepowerswerepseudoChristian.
5Cf.Ezek14:21God's"foursoreactsofjudgment"basedonthecovenantcuisesofLev26:22,
25,26.
6Thecursesareinherentinapostasyitself,sinceturningawayfromGodleadstostrife,famineforthe
wordofGod(thewheatandthebarley),thepestilenceofheresy,anddeathbywildbeasts,later
describedinRev12,13,and17aspersecutionofthefaithfulbyatrinityoffiercebeasts.
248
fromtheapostatechurch."0SovereignLord,holyandtrue,howlongbefore
thouwiltjudgeandavengeourbloodonthosewhodwelluponthe
earth?"(6:10).
ThesefaithfulonescrytotheirSuzerainforjustice.As"SovereignLord,
holy and true," He has pledged Himself to be faithful to His covenant
promises.'Themartyrs*urgentcryforjusticebecomespivotaltotherestof
thebook.8 Totheirquestion,"Howlong?"theanswerisgiven,"untiltheir
fellowservantsandtheirbrethrenwhoweretobekilledastheythemselves
hadbeenshouldbecomplete"(6:11,Greek).
Fromthetextitisnotclearwhethertheirnumberorcharacteristobe
madecomplete,sincetheword number isnotintheGreektext.Ineither
caseitistemptingtoseeinRevelation7thefulfillmentofthispromise.The
servantsofGodarecompleteinnumber(144,000)andincharacter(theyare
sealedincovenantloyaltytoGod).Thegreatmultitudebeforethethroneare
clothed in white robes (7:9). They experience the ultimate covenant
blessing:dwellingwithGodinHissanctuary(cf.Exod25:8),thatis,they
serve God "within his temple" (en autou) as He spreads His
tabernacleoverthem(skenoseiep'autou,7:15;cf.21:3).
Thus,Revelation7highlightsthefactthatinthemidstofapostasyGod
hasHistrueIsrael,loyaltoHim,whowillwithstandtheconflictwithevil
andreceivetheultimateblessingsofthecovenant.
ChiasticCounterpart
TheunitonthesealsinthefirstpartofRevelation(4:18:1)isechoedby
acorrespondingunitneartheendofthebook(19:121:8).Thefirstcouldbe
calledthehistoricalseals;thelastwemighttermtheeschatological"seals."
The"historicalseals"arenumberedfromonetoseven;anequalnumber
of"eschatological seals"aremarked off by the formula "and I saw" (kai
eidon). Henceitis possibleto match them exactly. Withinthis structure
thereisaparallelvisiontochapter7whichshedslightuponit.Thisdiagram
isadaptedfromtheliteraryarrangementworkedoutbyWilliamH.Shea.9
7TheOldTestamentmeaningoftrueandtruthis"constancytoaplightedwordorpurpose,faith
fulness."RH.Charles,ACriticalandExegeticalCommentaryontheRevelationofSt.John,2
vols,ICC(Edinburgh,1920),1:8586.
8ThecryfromthealtarshowstheJusticeofmakingtheirpersecutorsdrinkblood(16:47).These
samepersonswilleventuallysitonthronestojudgetheirpersecutors(20:4).
9"LiteraryStructureandtheInterpretationofRevelation"(unpublishedmanuscript,1988),1119.
249
ChiasticStructureoftheSeals
TheSevenEschatologJcal"Seals"
TheSevenHistoricalSeals
19:110SanctuaryScene
Chapters45SanctuaryScene
Twentyfoureldersandfourlivingcreatures
AthronewithGodonit.Fourlivingcrea worshipOneseatedonthethrone.Marriage
turesand24eldersworshipHim.Praiseto
oftheLamb.Voicefromthrone,thunder.
theLamb.Voicefromthrone,thunder.
Observations: Initially God is praised for
Creation;attheendoftime,forHisworkof
judgment. At first the Lamb is praised for
ransomingHispeople;attheendHisbrideis
praisedforpreparingformarriagetotheLamb.
19:1116
6:342
6:12119:11161
WhitehorsewithriderwhohadbowandWhitehorsewithriderwhohasswordcrown.
Hegoesoutconquering,makeswar.Hasdiademsonhead.
Observations:AtthebeginningoftheChristianEraJesusleadsHischurchtoinitialvic
tories.AttheendoftimeJesusconsummatesthevictoryoverHisenemies.
19:17182
Livingcreaturecalls"Come."Rideronredhorsetakespeacefromearth;menslayone
another.Riderhassword.
Angelcalls"Come"tobirdstoeatfleshof
Observations:Thechurchinapostasy(red,
colorofsin)bringsinstrife.Attheendthose captains,horsesandriders.
wholulledarethemselveskilledandeatenby
Beast and false prophet who deceived
beastworshipersthrownintolakeoffire.
Observations:TheapostatechurchwhichcausedafaminefortheWord(wheatand
barley),andthreatenedtoobscuretheSpiritandthegospel(oilandwine),iseventually
thrownintothelakeoffire.
vultures.
19:19213
6:563
Rider on black horse has balance in

handWheat and barley sold for
exorbitant price; oil and wine
endangered.
6:784
Livingcreaturecries"Come." Death onpale 20:13,7104
horse,followedbyHades,givenpowertokill Angel with key and chain seizes dragon,
fourthofearthbysword, famine, pestilence, throwshimintopit,andsealsitsohecan
andwildbeasts.
deceivenationsnomore.
Observations: Satan, riding the apostate
church,intensifiestheworkofdestructionwhile
hisaccomplice,Hades,swallowsthedead.IntheendSatanishimselfthrownintothepit
andconfinedthere.
250
6:9115SoulsunderthealtarslainfortheirtestimonytoJesus,cryouttoGodto
avengetheirbloodonearthdwellers.Ibidtowait;givenwhiterobes.
Observations:Thesoulsunderthealtarareeventuallyelevatedtositonthrones.Theones
who cried out to God to judge their 20:465Soulsslainfortestimony
persecutorsarethemselvesgiventhepowerto toJesuscometolifeandareelevatedto
judge.
throneswheretheythemselvesdothe
judging.
6:12176Skyvanisheslikerolledup
scroll. Kings, generals, peoples, hide from
faceofOneseatedonthroneandLamb.
Observations:Priortothesecondcomingof 20:116Earthandskyfleefrom
Christthevaultofheavenvanishes,exposing
thewickedworldtothepresenceofGodon presenceofHim
HisthroneandtothewrathoftheLamb.At whositsongreatwhitethrone.
the end of the thousand years the wicked
worldagainstandsarraignedbeforethethroneofGod.
Chapter7Interlude144,000of
Israelaresealed.Greatmultitudefrom
everytribestandbeforethronepraising
Godforsalvation.Nomorehunger,
thirst;Godwipestearsfromeyes.Lamb
leadstolivingwater.Godtabernacles
overthem.
,.20:12157Deadstandbefore
throne;booksareopened.Bookoflife
opened.Deadjudgedbywhatiswrittenin
books.DeathandHadesthrownintolake
offire.
21:18;22:1I.Interlude
New Jerusalem descends. God dwells with

His people;wipes tears away,nomoredeath,
crying, pain. Water of life for thirsty. The
tabernacleofGodis,withmen.
Observations:Theopeningoftheseventhseal
removesthelastbarriertoopeningthebook.Thesilenceinheavenforhalfanhourmight
applytoheaven'ssilenceasthelivingarearraignedbeforeChristatHissecondcoming.
(Thisappearstobeajudgmentscenebecauseitschiasticcounterpartisajudgmentscene.)
AttheendofthethousandyearsthedeadarearraignedbeforethethroneandJudged
accordingtothebooksofrecord.Thebookoflifeisalsoopened,revealingwhoaresaved
andwhoarelost.
(Theinterludes.)Judgingfromthecontexts,thetimeframeofeachinterludeseemsclear.
Revelation7depictsthesecurityofthesaintsduringthescenesconnectedwiththesecond
coming,whereasRevelation21showsthesecurityofthesaintsattheendofthethousand
years.Revelation7depicts12tribesoffaithfulIsrael;Revelation21depictsthebride/city
(markedwiththenamesofthe12tribes).AtbotheventsGodtabernacleswiththem.They
neitherhungernorthirst,forGodgivesthemlivingwater.Pain,crying,anddeathareno
more;Godwipesthetearsfromtheireyes.
8:17Lambopensseventhseal
(makingitpossibletoopenthebook).
Thereissilenceinheavenforhalfan
hour.
251
The historical seals appear to begin at the ascension/glorification of

Christ(5:6,9)andterminatewiththesecondcoming(6:1617;8:1).The
eschatological"seals"beginattheSecondAdvent(19:1Iff.)andterminate
attheendofthethousandyears(21:18).Therearejudgmentscenesbothat
the Second Advent and at the end of the thousand years, in which the
rebelliousworldstandsarraignedbeforeGodonHisthrone.
Atthetimeofeacheventtherighteousaresecure.AttheSecondAdvent
they are already sealed (7:3); at the executive judgment, they are found
writteninthebookoflife(20:12,15).Both"interludes"picturerelieffrom
trouble:Intheformercase,fromthegreattribulation(7:14);
inthelatter,fromallthesorrowsoflife(21:4).EachtimeGodprovides
reliefbytabemaclingwithHispeople,wipingthetearsfromtheireyes,and
quenchingtheirthirstwiththewateroflife.
TheTribulation
Revelation7:13describesatimewhenthefourwindsoftheearthare
abouttobeunleashedtoharmtheland,thesea,andthetrees.Verse14refers
to"thegreattribulation"presumablythesameevent.
ThegreattribulationisfirstmentionedinDaniel12:1inthesettingof
thefinalactofthe"kingofthenorth,"whogoesforthwithgreatfuryto
"exterminateandutterlydestroymany"ashepreparestoattackthe"glorious
holymountain"(Dan11:4445).Thisiswhatunleashesthetimeoftroubleor
tribulation{thiipsisinbothDaniel12:1,Septuagint,andRevelation7:14).
He shall go forth withgreat fury toexterminate and utterly destroy
many.Andheshallpitchhispalatialtentsbetweentheseaandtheglorious
holymountain....AtthattimeshallariseMichael,thegreatprincewhohas
chargeofyourpeople.Andthereshallbeatimeoftrouble,suchasnever
hasbeensincetherewasanationtillthattime;butatthattimeyourpeople
shallbedelivered.(Dan11:4412:1)
JohnusessimilarsymbolismtodescribethesaintswhoarewiththeLamb
onMountZionhavingbeenpreviouslyattackedbyhostilepowers
fromtheseaandtheearthwhohadcondemnedthemtodeath(Rev14:1;
13:1,11,15).
JesusalsoreferredtothetribulationmentionedbyDaniel,applyingit
bothtothedestructionofJerusalemandtoasubsequentlongperiodof
persecution:
252
SowhenyouseethedesolatingsacrilegespokenofbytheprophetDaniel,standing
intheholyplace...thenletthosewhoareinJudeafleetothemountains....Forthenthere
willbegreattribulation,suchashasnotbeenfromthebeginningoftheworlduntilnow,
no,andneverwillbe....Immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysthesunwillbe
darkened,...thenwillappearthesignoftheSonofmaninheaven.(Matt24:1530;Mark
13:1420)
Danielidentifiesthreeoccasionswhenthe"desolatingsacrilege"would
invade the holy land or temple and attack the covenant people: (1) the
destructionofJerusalem(Dan9:2627);(2)theoppressionofthecovenant
peoplewhentheywould"fallbyswordandflame,bycaptivityandplunder"
forthe"time,twotimes,andhalfatime"(11:3135;7:25);and(3)aFinal
attackatthe"timeoftheend"(11:4012:1).
Jesus appears to blend these first two events, referring clearly to the
destruction of Jerusalem (Matt 24:1520; cf. Luke 21:20) and to a later,
longer period of persecution (Matt 24:21, see also the "falling away" of
verses. 910, an allusion to Dan ll:34b35). Just as the presence of the
RomansintheholyareasofJerusalemmarkedatimeforGod'speopletoflee
inapostolictimes,andantichrist'sseatinghimselfinthetemple/churchof
God(2Thess2:34)markedatimeofgreatpersecutionintheMiddleAges,
so Satan's final attack on theendtimechurch (Rev 12:17; 13:1517) will
precipitatethegreattribulationofthelastdays.
AnotherreferencetothetimeoftroubleisinJeremiah30:57:'Alas!that
dayissogreatthereisnonelikeit;itisatimeofdistressforJacob;yethe
shallbesavedoutofit."
JeremiahwaspredictingthehorrorsoftheBabyloniancaptivityaboutto
afflicttheJews,intermsofJacob'sdistresswhenhefacedanattackbythe
armyofEsau.Jacob'sanguish,ashewrestledwithanangel,hascometo
symbolizethetimeoftroublewhichGod'speoplewillexperienceinthelast
days.
Thus, the final tribulation is typified by several earlier troubles: the
Babyloniancaptivity(describedintermsofJacob'sanguish),theattackon
JerusalembytheRomans,andthepersecutionduringthe"time,times,and
half a time" of the medieval period (5381798). All of these events,
mentionedinthebookofDaniel,arecharacterizedbyenemyattacksuponthe
sanctuaryandthepeopleofGod.
Thefinalgreattribulationisalsoreferredtoasthe"houroftrialwhichis
comingonthewholeworld,totrythosewhodwellupontheearth"(Rev.
3:10).Earthdwellerscouldbethewickedingeneral,butmayrepresent
253
SealedSamts~aridtheTribulation
morespecificallyapostateChristians(seefootnote23).Thesewillbetried
andfoundwanting.
AstudyofRevelation7willrevealthatGodhasmadeampleprovision
forprotecting,nurturing,andcomfortingHispeopleduringthistime.The
greattribulationcanbeatimeofspecialclosenesstoGodifHispeoplehave
madeahabitofcoming"boldlybeforethethroneofgrace"andpraising
Himduringthecrisesoflife.
TheSealing
Beforethegreattribulationcomesupontheworld,anangelissummonedto
sealthepeopleofGodupontheirforeheads.
ThenIsawanotherangelascendfromtherisingofthesun,withtheseal
ofthelivingGod,andhecalledwithaloudvoicetothefourangelswhohad
beengivenpowertoharmearthandsea,saying,"Donotharmtheearthor
theseaorthetrees,tillwehavesealedtheservantsofourGodupontheir
foreheads."(7:23)
WhilethesaintsreceiveGod'sseal,Hisenemiesreceiveamarkupon
therighthandorforehead,knownas"themarkofthebeast"(16:2).
Alsoitcausesall,bothsmallandgreat,bothrichandpoor,bothfree
andslave,tobemarkedontherighthandortheforehead,sothatnoone
canbuyorsellunlesshehasthemark,thatis,thenameofthebeastorthe
numberofitsname.(13:1617)
Sealingormarkingpeopleandthingshadthefollowingmeaningsin
Bibletimes:
CharacterLikeness
ThesealofGodconsistsofthenameofGodupontheforehead.
Hewhoconquers,...IwillwriteonhimthenameofmyGod,...andmyown
newname.(3:12)
ThenIlooked,andlo,onMountZionstoodtheLamb,andwithhima
hundredandfortyfourthousandwhohadhisnameandhisFather'sname
writtenontheirforeheads.(14:1)
Theyshallseehisface,andhisnameshallbeontheirforeheads.(22:4)
Themarkofthebeastconsistsofthebeast'snameupontheforeheador
hand(13:17).Inantiquityanamemeantmuchmorethanalabel.Itrep
254
resentedcharacter.WhenGodproclaimedHis"name"toMoses,HedescribedHis
character:merciful,gracious,slowtoanger(Exod34:57).Thus,thereceptionofthe
markofthebeastandthesealofGod,consistingofthenamesofthebeastandof
God, denotes conformity to the character of Satan or God. In the final conflict
everyonewillbeartheimageofthedemonicorthedivine.10
Ownership
The sealing or marking of animals, objects, and men, indicated ownership.

Peoplewereoftensealedbymarksuponthebody:Aservant'searwaspiercedto
showhebelongedtohismasterforever(Exod21:6);circumcisionwasamarkupon
thebodyshowingthatIsraelbelongedtoYahweh(Gen17:912).Thehighpriestin
theIsraelitesanctuaryworeaturbanwithaplateoverhisforeheadengravedwiththe
words,"HolytotheLord"(Exod28:3638),indicatinghisspecialconsecrationto
God.SincethesaintsarecalledpriestsinRevelation(1:6;5:10;20:6),themarkon
theirforeheadsuggeststhisdedicationtoGod.
IsaiahdescribedthejoyofbeingmarkedforGod."Thisonewillsay,amthe
Lord's,'anotherwillcallhimselfbythenameofJacob,andanotherwiltwriteonhis
hand,"TheLord's,'andsurnamehimselfbythenameofIsrael"(44:5).Conversely,
GodengravesZiononthepalmsof
Hishands(49:16).
The sealing, then, is a marking off of the people as belonging to God, His
possession.11Similarly,thosemarkedwiththenameofthebeastarethepropertyof
thebeast.
Protection
Sealingwasasignnotonlyofpossessionbutalsoofprotection.Whateveris
calledbysomeone'snamecomesundertheprotectionaswellastheauthorityofthe
owner.Theconceptofamarkorsealtoindicateprotectionisasoldasthemarkon
Cain(Gen4:15).ThebloodofthePassoverlambsprinkleduponthedoorpostsof
Israelitehomeswasasigntothedestroyingangel thatheshouldpassovertheir
homes (Exod 12:7,1213). Ezekiel's vision of judgment shows a writer with an
inkhom setting a mark upon the faithful to protect them from death by the
executioner(Ezek9:45).12
10Secmydissertation,"TheConceptofCharacterintheApocalypse"(Washington,DC:University
PressofAmerica,1983),14953.
11GotlfriedFitzer."Sphragis,"7(97):93953.
12OttoBetz,"Stigma,"(1971):65764.
255
ThesealofGodisintendedtoprotectthesaintsfromdemonicpowers
whotorturemensothattheyseekdeathratherthanlife(Rev9:46).Also
thesaintsareprotectedfromthesevenlastplagues,whichfallonlyupon
thebeastworshipers(16:2).Theseal,then,protectsthesaintsfromdefeat
bytheenemyandthejudgmentsofGod.Itdoesnotprotectthemfromthe
wrathofthebeast(13:15,17).Similarly,themarkofthebeastprotects
itsfollowersfromthepersecutionofthebeast,butnotfromthewrathof
God(14:911).
Genuineness
Sealingalsoindicatesgenuineness.Intheancientworldvessels,houses,
graves, and documents were sealed as a guarantee against violation or
change.13Thesealdenotesreliability(John6:27).Saintsaresealedtomake
themGod'sowninviolablepossession. 14 Thesealonthesaintsguarantees
their immunity to apostasy and their eternal security during the great
tribulation.15 TheircharactersarefixedinloyaltytoGod.Asconquerors,
bearingGod'snameontheirforeheads,theynevermoregooutofHistemple
(Rev3:12).Beingrighteous,theyarerighteousstill(22:11).
SignificanceoftheForehead/Hand
Theforeheadandhandasthesitesforreceivingthemarkandtheseal
aresignificant.ThesetermsarefirstmentionedinthePentateuch 16 incon
nectionwiththecommandsofGod:"Youshallbindthemasasignupon
yourhand,andtheyshallbeasfrontletsbetweenyoureyes"(Deut6:8).
Thecontextindicatesthatthismeansthetotalresponseofthemind,
emotions,andbehavior:"YoushalllovetheLordyourGodwithallyour
heart,andwithallyoursoul,andwithallyourmight"ineveryactivityof
life,whetherteachingortalking,sittingorwalking,lyingdownorrisingup
(Deut6:58).Theforeheadsymbolizesthemind,thethoughtlife;andthe
righthandindicatesthedeedoraction.
Bothrivalpowerswishtocontrolthemindandbehavior.Thefollowers
oftheLamballhavethenameofGodupontheirforeheads;whereasthefol
lowersofthebeasthavethemarkontheforehead(indicatingbelief,alle
giance) or the hand only (indicating forced obedience without mental
assent).
13Fitzer.
142Cor1:22;Eph1:1314;4:30.
15Hocksema,Herman,BeholdHeCometfti'AnExpositionof'theBookof'Revelation(Grand
Rapids,1969),259.
16Exod13:9,16;Deut.6:58;11:18,20.
256
God'sCommandmentsintheMarkSealControversy
Astudyofthemarkofthebeast(Rev13and14)andthesealornameof
God(7:23;14:1)revealsthatthecommandmentsofGodareaprimary
issueintheconflict.
God's law substitutedbythebeast's. Themarkontherighthandor
forehead (13:16) is an allusion to Deuteronomy 6:68, where God com
mandedIsraeltobindHiscommandments(especiallytheTenCommand
mentsjustreviewed,Deut5)"asasignuponyourhand,and...asfrontlets
between your eyes." This injunction the Jews literally carried out in the
wearingofphylacteries.Hence,themarkonthehandorforeheadsignifies
thewritingofGod'slawsintothemindsandbehaviorofHispeople.Theuse
oftheforeheadandhandbythebeastsuggestsaparodyofGod'scommand:
thesubstitutionofthelawsofthebeastforthelawofGod.
Issue:obedience/disobedience.IntheApocalypse,thosewhohavethe
markofthebeastaresetincontrastwith"thosewhokeepthecommand
mentsofGod"(14:912).Hence,itappearsthatthemarksealissuehastodo
withtheviolationofthecommandmentsofGodontheonehand,andthe
keepingofthemontheother.
Antichristpoweropposedto God's law. Theantichristpoweriscited
frequentlyasbeingopposedtothelawofGod."Heshall...thinktochange
thetimesandthelaw"(Dan7:25);hecaststhetruthtotheground(8:12);
andhehatesthe"holycovenant"(11:28,30,32)whichisbaseduponthelen
Commandments(Deut4:13).In2Thessalonians2heisrepeatedlycalled
"thelawlessone"or"mysteryoflawlessness"(vss.3,79).
Fourthpreceptinvolved. Thecommandinchapter13toworshipthe
beastandreceivehismarkiscounteredbythecommandinchapter14to
worship "him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of
water"(vs.7),anallusiontothefourthcommandment:"Forinsixdaysthe
Lordmadeheavenandearth,thesea,andallthatisinthem"(Exod20:11).
ThewaytoworshipGodasCreatoristoobserveHisSabbathinmemoryof
Hisworkofcreation(Gen2:13).
Sabbath: Seal of God's law. The Sabbath in the heart of the law
correspondstothestamporsealofthesuzerainintheheartofancienttreaty
documents.TheSabbathisasignorsealofGod'sauthorityasCreator,the
sphereof His authoritybeing"heavenandearth." 17 Sabbathkeepingthus
becomesasealupontheonewhobearsGod'simage,
17Exod31:17;20:11;Gen2:13.
257
Seale3SaintsandtheTribulation
proclaimingGod'sabsolutesovereigntyoverhimandhiscovenantconsecrationto
God.18
Sabbath:Adistinguishing sign.TheSabbathiscalledGod'ssign(signand
seal are synonymous as in Romans 4:11). Its observance by His people
distinguishesthemfromthoseoutsidethecovenant.
Youshall keep mysabbaths,for thisisa signbetween meandyou
throughoutyourgenerations,thatyoumayknowthat I, theLord,sanctify
you....ItisasignforeverbetweenmeandthepeopleofIsraelthatinsix
daystheLordmadeheavenandearth,andontheseventhdayherested,and
wasrefreshed.(Exod31:13,17)
MoreoverIgavethemmysabbaths,asasignbetweenmeandthem,that
theymightknowthatItheLordsanctifythem....andhallowmysabbaths
thattheymaybeasignbetweenmeandyou,thatyoumayknowthatIthe
LordamyourGod.(Ezek20:12,20)
EndtimeSabbathreform.ThebookofRevelationpointstoagreatworkof
Sabbath reform in the last days. 19 While the sealing angel of Revelation 7:23
impressesuponthefaithfultheexternalsignoftheirallegiancetoGodobservance
ofthetrueSabbaththefirstandthirdangelsofRevelation14exhorttheworldto
worshiptheCreatorandshunthemarkofthebeast,thatis,tokeepthetrueSabbath
andnotthesubstitutedayofworship(vss.612). 20Thisisthefinaltestwhichwill
determinethedestinyofeveryhumanbeing.Thenexteventistheappearanceofthe
Sonofmanuponthecloudstoreaptheharvestoftheearth(Rev1420).
TimingoftheSeal
WhenarethepeopleofGodsealed?AllthroughhistoryGod'speople
havehadHisseal.JesushadthesealofGod("foronhimhasGodtheFather
sethisseal,"John6:27).GodhasputHissealuponHispeople(2Cor1:22);
theHolySpiritistheagentwhoseals,andpossessionoftheSpiritisthe
guaranteeofeternallife(Eph1:1314).Thepurposeofsealingistomake
one secure for eternity, the "day of redemption"; but one can lose this
securitybygrievingawaytheSpirit(Eph4:30).Thus,it
18MeredithG.Kline,TreatyoftheGreatKing:TheCovenantStructureofDeuteronomy(Grand
Rapids,1963),1819.
19TheendtimeSabbathreformbyGod'speopleinaworiddominatedbyspiritualBabylonmaybe
seenasaparalleltotheSabbathreformofancientIsraelreleasedfromBabylonianexile(Isa
58:1214).Ed.
20UriahSmithbelievedthatthesealingangelofRev7andthethirdangelofRev14wereidentical
(DanielandtheRevelation[MountainView,CA,1897J,46667).
258
appears that the saints of all ages have been sealed. What, then, is the
meaningandpurposeofthesealinginRevelation7?
AlthoughGod'speoplethroughtheageshavebeensealed,Hehashad
specialsealsforspecialcrises.Forexample,thebloodonthedoorpostsof
IsraelitehomesatthetimeoftheExoduswas,inasense,aspecialsealing.
Justso,theangelfromthesunrisingsealstheservantsofGodtoprepare
them for the greatest tribulation in history (7:13). The seal on their
foreheads guarantees their fixity of character: righteous, they will be
righteous still (22:11). The eschatological seal is their special protection
duringthefinalcrisis.Themarksealcontroversyinthelastdayshastodo
withaconflictbetweenthepowersofChristandantichrist.Everyindividual
will bear the seal of God or the mark of the beast, indicating fixity of
characterintheimageofGodorSatan.
PreparationfortheEndTimeSealing
The bestpreparationforthesealingiscontainedinthemessagetothe
Philadelphiachurch,whichcorrelatescloselywithchapter7."Tothischurch
isgiventheprivilegeoftheopendoor(3:8)thedoortothethroneroom
andhereverlivinghighpriest(4:1416;7:25).Ifitishardforthemto"come
up hither," they are assured that the heavenly city comes down to them
(3:12),givingthemeasyaccesstoGod.
Thisisapicturesquewayofdescribinganactivedevotionallife.The
qualitiestheyhavewhichassurethattheywillbekeptfromthehouroftrial
(vs.10)arethattheycherishtheword,donotdenythefaith(vs.8),and
patientlyendure(vs.10).Theyareexhortedtoholdfasttothesequalities,so
asnottolosetheircrown(vs.11),andtobeamongtheconquerors(vs.12).
NobettercounselcouldbegiventoGod'sservantstoday.
CommentaryonRevelation7
PrecedingRevelation7isapictureofaterrifiedworldarraignedbefore
thethroneofGodandtheLamb,cryingout,"Thegreatdayoftheirwrath
hascome,andwhoshallbeabletostand?"(thesixthseal,6:1617).Chapter
7consistsoftwosegmentswhichcontrastthepreparednessofthesaintswith
thepanicofthedoomedworld.Thefirstsegmentorvision(7:1
21Notetheparallels:kept"fromthehouroftrial"(3:10);"comeoutofgreattribulation"(7:14)."I wul
writeonhimthenameofmyGod"(3:12);"sealed...upontheirforeheads"(7:3).Made"apillarin
thetempleof myGod; nevershallhegooutofit"(3:12);"servehimdayandnightwithinhis
temple"(7:15).
259
8)showsthatonlythosewhoaresealedwillstandinthedayofwrathabout
to break upon the world. The second (7:917) shows the triumph of the
redeemedastheycomeoutofthegreattribulation.
Verses13
Significanceofthesymbols.Initially,fourangelsarepicturedstanding
atthefourcornersoftheearthholdingbackthefourwindsuntiltheservants
ofGodaresealedintheirforeheads(7:1,3).Inapocalypticthoughtangels
havecontrolovertheelements(hereoverwinds;alsooverfireandwater,
14:18;16:5).ThefourwindsrepresentwarfareandstrifepermittedbyGod
andbroughtaboutbyhumanagencies. 22Thewindsaresaidtomenaceearth,
sea,andthetrees(vss.1,3),withtreesespeciallymentionedbecauseoftheir
vulnerabilitytostorm.
Symbolically,whenearthandseaarejuxtaposed,earthoftenrepresents
theorderedworld,oreventhelandofIsrael,whileseareferstotheGentile
nationsthatmenaceitastheseamenacestheland. 23 Trees insymbolism
refertopowerfulindividualsandnations;grasstotransitoryhumanlife. 24
Botharevulnerabletothecalamitiesabouttotakeplace;yetthegreengrass
andtreesundertheprotectionofGodcannotbehurt(9:4).Atthispoint
anotherangelascendsfromtherisingofthesun(meaning
22Jeremiahusedthefourwindsassymbolsofdestructionevil,thesword,andthefierceangerofGod
unleashedagainst the nationsbyNebuchadnezzar(Jer49:3537).Danieldescribesfourwinds
stirringupthegreatseaafigureforturmoilamongthenationsasfourmajorpowersweretoarise
(Dan7:2).Sometimesnationswerefatedtobescattered toward thefourwindsofheaven(Dan
11:4),thatis,tobeatthemercyofthedestructivepowers.ThusthewindsofRev7comingfromthe
fourcomersoftheeartharcdestructive.
23Forearthastheholyland,seeExod20:12;Ps37:11(cf.Matt5:5).Theseainancientthoughtbe came
theembodimentofthesphereofdisastersinceitisconnectedwiththeabyss(Heb. tehom, Gr.
abussos).Itisthehabitatofthedragon(Isa27:l;51:9;Ps74:1314)andpredatorybeastsrisefromit
(Dan7:23;Rev13:1).(0.Bocher,"Water,Lake,Sea,Well,River,"DNTT3[1978]:
98285.) Watersmeanmultitudes,nations,andlongues(Rev17:14).Intheseathepowerofwater
hostiletoGodandmenopposesthepeopleofIsrael.Theroaringoftheseaandwavesmeansthe
tumultofthenations(Ps65:7;cf. Luke 21:25).Revelationdivides theenemies of God intotwo
groups:inhabitantsoftheearthandofthesea(2:12),theformer(called"thosewhodwell
onearth")beingtheprofessedpeopleofGodbutactuallyapostateChristians,andthelatterthevast
nonChristianworld.
24Trees(alsovines)inScriptureareusedasparablesofpeople.IsraelisatreeofGod'splanting(Ezek
17:5ff.;Isa65:22;Hos14:56;Luke13:69;Matt21:19;Romll:16ff.).Egyptwasaflourishingtree
tobecutdown(Ezek31:211);GodisagainsttheloftycedarsofLebanonandoaksofBashan.Both
therighteousandthewickedflourishliketrees(Pss1:3;37:3536),thoughthewicked arecutoff.
Nebuchadnezzarwascomparedtoagreattree(Dan4:10ff.)SeealsoJudg9:715,theparableofthe
trees.(SecE.M.Embry,DNTT3[1978]:86570.)
Humanlifeistransientlikegrass(2Kgs19:26;Pss90:56;103:1516;Matt6:30;James1:10
11;1Pet1:24.ThegreengrassofRev9:4referstothosewhohavethesealofGod.(SeeN.Hiltyer,
"Herb,Plant,Grass."DNTT2[1976]:21011.
260
east) withthecommandtoholdthewindsuntiltheservantsofGodare
sealed(7:23).God'sgloryisoftenmanifestedintheeast. 25Incontrasttothe
angels thatdescendfromheaven lightingtheearthwiththeirglory(10:1;
18:12;20:1),thisoneascendsfromthesunrising,suggestingthatthesealing
workthat he doesstartsinthedimnessofdawnandincreasesinsplendor
like the morning sun bursting over the horizon. The character of God,
secretlytransformingtheheartsofHisservants,finallyisemblazonedon
theirforeheads(14:1),givingtheworlditslastrevelationofthegloryof
God.26
Purposeofsealing. ThepurposeofthesealingisnottoprotectGod's
servantsfromdangerordeath,sincemanydieunderthepersecutionsof
antichrist(14:13;17:6).Itisrathertosecurethemfromthedestructiveforce
ofthesevenlastplagues(16:12;cf.Ezek9:6).
Theonestobesealedarealready"servantsof...God"(vs.3),buttheir
charactersneedtobefixedsothatbeingrighteous,theywillberighteous
still(22:11),incapableofcompromisewiththeantichristpowers(13:1517;
14:1). It is through the sealing work that the promise to Philadelphia is
fulfilled:"Iwillkeepyoufromthehouroftrialwhichiscomingonthe
wholeworld,totrythosewhodwellupontheearth"(3:10).
InthispassagethewindsareheldbackthedayoftheLordisdelayed
foraworktobedoneinthelivesofGod'speople(cf.2Pet3:810).Here
isonefactorthatcontributestotheapparentdelayoftheAdvent 27
Verses48
InhisvisionJohnheardthenumberofthesealed:144,000fromallthe
tribesofIsrael,12,000fromeachtribe.ThenameIsraelrecallsJacob'snight
ofwrestlingwiththeangelandthenewnamehewasgiven,"foryouhave
strivenwithGodandwithmen,andhaveprevailed"(Gen32:28).
25Edenislocatedthere(Gen2:8);thegloiyofGodreturnedtothetemplefromtheeast(Ezek43:2);
theSunofRighteousnessriseswithhealinginhiswings(Mal4:2);JesusatHissecondadvent
comesfromthecast(Matt24:27;Rev16:12).
26Charicscommentstrenchantly,"OntheeveofthisepiphanyofSatan,GodsealsHisservantson
their foreheadstoshow thatthey are His ownpossession....Initsdeepestsensethissealing
meanstheoutwardmanifestationofcharacter.ThehiddengoodnessofGod'sservantsisatlast
blazoned outwardly and the divine name thatwaswrittenin secretbyGod'sSpirit ontheir
heartsisnowengravedopenlyontheirbrowsbytheverysignetringofthelivingGod.Inthe
reign of the antichrist goodness and evil, righteousness and sin, come into their fullest
manifestationand antagonism.Character ultimately enters on the stageof finality" (1:206).
EllenWhitewritesinasimilarvein:"Thelastraysofmercifullight,thelastmessageofmercy
tobegiventotheworld, isa revelation ofHis character of love.Thechildrenof God areto
manifestHisgloryintheirownlifeandcharacter"(Christ'sObjectLessons[MountainView,CA,
1941],41516).
27Inanswertothequestion"Howlong?"Rev6:11suggeststhatanumberistobemadeup.Luke
14:23suggests that God wants His houseto be full.Matthew24:14saysthe gospelwill be
proclaimedtoalltheworldbeforetheendcomes.
261
Juan.*!JaiimaiioHigTHBuIafion
/iW/isthusafittingnameforthesaintsinRevelation,frequentlycalled
conquerors(2:7,etc.;15:2;21:7).TheIsraelofGodallconquersinfrom
withinandtheenemyfromwithout.
Thechurch:SpiritualIsrael.IsraelmustrefertospiritualIsraelthe
churchratherthanJewsorJewishChristiansonly,sincetheonestobe
sealedarethe"servantsofourGod"(vs.3),thosewhoareChrist's(1:1),
Jewish and nonJewish alike. Similarly in 14:1 the 144,000 are the
followersoftheLamb,allwhohaveHisnameontheirforeheads.The
New Testament repeatedly affirms that Israel's heritage belongs to the
church.28ItfollowsthatIsraeliscoextensivewiththewholechurchthe
covenant
people,faithfultoGodinahostileworldofapostateChristiansandnon
Christian.
Symbolicnumber:144,000.Thenumber144,000(12121000)is
baseduponthekingdomnumber12.Thenumbersuggestsperfectsymme
tryandcompletenessaswellasthevastnessofthemultitudeofthesealed.
TwelveisthenumberofancientIsrael,baseduponthe12tribes.Itisalso
thenumberofthechurch,builtuponthe12apostles.TheNewJerusalem,
structuredtorepresentbothOldandNewTestamentIsrael,has12gates
withthenamesofthe12patriarchs,and12foundationscontainingthe
namesofthe12apostles(21:1214;cf.Eph2:2021).Thedimensionsof
thecityareinmultiplesof12(21:1617).
Thegreatsquarecityisdesignedtoaccommodatethe"hollowsquare"
ofsaintswhowillenteritsgatesbythenamesoftheirrespectivetribes,
12,000througheachgate.Thissuggeststhatallwhoenterthegatesofpearl
willbeassignedtoatribe,perhapsonthebasisofcharacter(seeGen49for
apreliminarydescriptionoftheirtraits).Theblendingofthetribesandthe
apostlesinthestructureofthecitysuggeststheunityofGod'schurch,Jews
andGentilesunitedintoone(Eph2:14,1822).Thenumber144,000should
thusbeunderstoodasasymboloftheunity,perfection,andcompletionof
God'schurchcompletebecausethenumberhasbeenmadeup(6:11).
Triballisting.John'slistingofthetribesisdifferentfromanyotherin
Scripture(7:58).Thenamesarenotgivenaccordingtoageorstationor
matrilineage (cf. Gen 35:2226). Judah takes the primary position, un
doubtedlybecauseJesushasbeenintroducedas"theLionofthetribeof
Judah"(Rev5:5).Danisomitted,possiblybecauseofDan'scharactera
serpentbitingatthehorse'sheels(Gen49:17),andbecauseDanbecame
28SeeMatt21:43;Rom2:2829;Gal3:29;6:1516;James1;1;1Pet2:910.
262
acenterofidolatryinthenorthernkingdom(1Kgs12:2930).Thesesins,however,
werecommontoallofIsrael.InnoninspiredJewishwritingDanisassociatedwith
sinandSatan.29TocompensatefortheomissionofDanfromthelist,Johninserts
Manasseh,thoughheshouldbeincludedinJoseph.Ineffect,then,Joseph'snameis
symbolizing the tribe ofEphraim, the descendants of his younger son. The
irregularitiesinthelistingofthetribesconfirmtheconclusionthatthetribeswere
notmeanttobeunderstoodliterally.
Thus,thefirstvisionofRevelation7picturestheservantsofGodaboutto
entertribulation(symbolizedbythe 144,000,vss. 48), andthesecondagreat
multitude coming out of it (vss. 914); but there is no description of the
tribulationitself.Thatisdescribedlaterin thebook wherewarfare (12:17), a
deathdecree(13:1517),andmuchmartyrdomarementioned(17:6).
Verses912
The greatmultitude.Inthesecondsegmentofchapter7Johnseesa
greatmultitudestandingbeforethethrone,praisingGod.Incontrasttothe
preciselynumbered144,000,thisgroupcannotbenumbered.Inplaceofthe
12tribesofIsraelarepeoplefromeverynation,tribe,peopleandlanguage.
The great multitude stand before the throne and the Lamb singing,
"SalvationbelongstoourGod...andtotheLamb!"(vss.910).
Themultitudecontrastswiththekingsoftheearth,greatmen,generals,
andtheirhosts(6:1517).Theformerdelighttostandbeforethethroneand
theLamb;thelattercannotbearthesight.Theformerareclothedinwhite
robes;thelatterseektocoverthemselveswithrocksandmountains.
Source ofthe tribulation. AsJohndevelopstheseedthoughtsintro
ducedhere,itbecomesapparentthatthekingsandgeneralsaretheoneswho
war against the Lamb and His people (17:1214; 19:1819). They have
causedthe"greattribulation"thedestructivewindsagainstwhichGod's
servantsweresealed.InthisbattletheLambdoesthelighting"theLamb
willconquerthem"(17:14;cf.19:15).Theprimaryroleofthefaithfulisto
bewithHim(17:14c).Hencetheycry,"SalvationbelongstoourGod...and
totheLamb!"(7:10).
Atthiscrytheheavenlyhostsurroundingthethronefalldownandwor
shipGodwithasevenfoldascriptionofpraise(7:1112).Thesalvationof
29IntheTestamentsoftheTwelvePatriarchs,Dan5:56,Dantellshissonsthattheywillcommitevil
becausetheirprinceisSatan.Thismaybetheoriginofthepatristiclegendfirstpropoundedby
Ircnacus,andthenbyHippolytus,thatantichristwouldcomefromthetribeofDan.(SeeCharics,
1:2089.)
263
JcaicusamisandfneTribulation
sinners, costly as it has been, brings back to God a harvest of blessing, glory,
wisdom,thanksgiving,honor,power,andmight.Theoutpouringoflovethatdrained
Heaven'sresourcessurgesbackinatidalwaveofpraise.The
throneattheheartoftheuniverseisforevermadesecurebecauseonlylovehas
ultimatepowerandmight.
Verses1314
Thegreatmultitude:Marksofidentification.Oneofthe24eldersasks
Johntoidentifythegreatmultitudeandtellhowtheyreachedthethroneroom
ofGod.Johnhasnoidea.Thequestionissignificant,andtheelderproceeds
toanswerhisownquestionsincethisgrouphadneverappearedinthethrone
room before. In chapters 4 and 5 the arrangement of the throne room is
described: the throne of God at the center, surrounded by the four living
creatures,the24elders,andthehostsofangels.
The24eldershadpreviouslypraisedGodforthethrongsfromeverytribe
and nation who had been redeemed by the Lamb (5:89). Now this vast
multitudeappearsbeforethethrone,anewelementinGod'stemple.Theelder
explainstoJohn,"Thesearetheywhohavecomeoutofthegreattribulation"
(7:14),elsewherecalled,"atimeoftrouble,suchasneverhasbeensincethere
wasanationtillthattime"(Dan12:1).Theyendurethewrathofallthepowers
ofhell;theyconquerinthefinalconflictbetweenthearmiesofheavenandthe
armiesofearth(19:14,1920),
stand in the temple before the throne of God they must wear
priestlywhiterobesTheyare,indeed,prieststoGod(1:6;5:10;20:6).The
white robe,symbolizingrighteous character,30 isessential forthebeliever,
whether it is ordinary dress (himatia leuka, 3:18), priestly robes (stolas
leukas,7:9,1314,stolebeingthefavoredwordintheSeptuagint[LXX]
forthepriestlyrobe),31ortheweddinggarmentoftheLamb'swife(bussinon
lampronkatharon,19:8).
Therobeisobtainedduringthislife(3:18).Inthejudgmentitensuresthe
retentionofone'snameinthebookoflife(3:5).Itisawardedasvindicationfor
thosewhowereunjustlycondemnedbyearthlycourts(6:911).Therobekept
unsoiledinthislifewillberetainedintheagetocome."Theyshallwalkwith
meinwhite,fortheyareworthy"(3:4).Allmustwashtheirrobesinorderto
enterthegatesofthecity(22:14).
Washedbytheblood.Thegreatmultitudehave"washedtheirrobes
30SeeIsa61:10;Dan11:35;12:10;Zech3:34;Matt22:1112;Rev19:8.
31.Weigelt,"Clothe,Naked,Dress,Garment,Cloth,"DNTT1(1975);316.17.
264
andmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb"(7:14).Johndelights
insuchstartlingcontrasts. 32Garmentswashedinbloodarementioned
inthe Old Testament: theLord comes in crimsoned garments; He
treads the winepress alone and stains His raiment with blood (Isa
63:13).Theideaofwashingawayscarletsinssothattheyarewhiter
thansnowisfoundinIsaiah1:18andPsalm51:7.Buttousebloodfor
bleachingisuniquetoJohn.Perhapsacontrastcanbeseenhere:Jesus
stainedHisgarmentsinourbloodHebecamesinforusthatour
garments might become white in His bloodwe become the
righteousnessofGodinHim(2Cor5:21).33
Verse15
"ThereforetheyarebeforethethroneofGod,andservehimdayand
nightin histemple."Their white robes entitlethemto minister dayand
nightinGod'stemple.34ThusthepromisetoPhiladelphiaisfulfilled:"He
whoconquers,IwillmakeapillarinthetempleofmyGod;nevershallhe
gooutofit"(3:12).
"Andhewhositsonthethronewillspreadhistentoverthem"(vs.
15,NIV).35ThisisarenewalofthecovenantpromisethatGodwouldtent
among His people (Lev 26:11; Zech 2:1011; cf. Exod 25:8). "My
dwellingplace[tent]shallbewiththem;andIwillbetheirGod,andthey
shallbemypeople"(Ezek37:27).ButinRevelation7:15thefigureisa
littledifferent:Hewilltentoverthem.
32 Some ofJohn'sotherstanlingimagesarethefollowing:TheSonofmanwill shepherd
(poimanei tenderlycarefor,7:17) His enemieswitha rodofiron asclaypotsare
dashedtopieces(19:15)strongironyintended.OthercontradictionsappearwithJesus'
designationasLamb:The Lion ofthetribeofJudahisaslainLomfc(5:56).Thegreat
andthesmallofearthcryouttobehiddenfromthewrathoftheLom&(6:16).Similarly,
thebeastworshiperswillbe tormented withfireandbrimstoneinthepresenceofthe
Lamb(14:10).TheLambwillshepherdHispeople(7:17).Alamblikebeastspeakslikea
dragon(13:11).Thetwomajorantagonistsofthebook,theLambandthebeast,areboth
diminutiveformsintheGreek (amion from aren and therion from ther, hence"little
lamb"and"littlebeast").Thoughthetermsmayhavelosttheirdiminutivesensewhen
Johnusedthem,thereispossiblyatraceofironyintheterms:thatis,"littlelamb"indi
catesthepowerofgentlenessand"littlebeast"theweaknessofforce.
33ThebloodoftheLambisapowerfulagent,ablenotonlytowashone'srobesandmake
them while, buttofreeusfromoursins(1:5),paythepriceofredemption(5;9),and
overcomethe
accusationsofSatan(12:11).
34NotethatwhenAaronandhissonswereconsecratedforthepriesthoodtheirgarments
weresprinkledwithblood(Lev8:30).Cleansinggarmentswithbloodwasthuspartof
thepriestly
ritual.
35Fromthevertskenoo(totent,pitchatent).TheGreekverb,coincidentally,hasthesame
consonantsastheHebrewequivalent,skn,fromwhichthewordShekinah(thepresence
ofGod)isderived.TheideaisthatGodpitchesHistent,ordwells,withHispeople.The
NewTestamentuseoftheverbislimitedtotheJohanninewritings:TheWordtentsin
humanflesh(John1:14);
GodspreadsHistentoverHispeople(Rev7:15);finallyGod'stentiswithhumanityand
Hedwellswiththem(21:3).
265
"win*uuuiuciiluuiaiion
TheverbtotentinHebrewisrelatedtothewordShefanah,thegloryor
presenceofGodwhichrestsuponHispeopleasthesignofHispresence,asthe
pillarofcloudandfireovershadowedthemintheirdesertwanderings(Exod
13:21).Isaiahdescribesthepillarofcloudandfireasacanopyorpavilion
spreadoverGod'speopletoprotectthemfromthestorm(chap.4.56). 36David
expressedasimilarviewinPsalm27:45inthedayoftroublewhilehostswere
encampedagainsthimandevildoersassailedhim,GodwouldhidehiminHis
shelter,underthecoverofHistent.ThereinGod'stemplehewouldbeholdthe
beautyoftheLord(asdothegreatmultitudebeforethethrone).TheOld
TestamentsourcesofRevelation7:15speakofbeingwithGodduring
tribulation.TheversesuggeststheninretrospectthatGodwillspreadHisglory
overHispeopleasatenttoprotectthemfromthestorm,thegreattribulation.
Verses1617
These verses are derived from Isaiah 49:10, describing Israel's return
fromBabylonianexile:37
Theyshallnothungerorthirst,
neitherscorchingwindnorsunshallsmitethem,for
hewhohaspityonthemwillleadthem,
andbyspringsofwaterwillguidethem.
Thehunger,thirst,andheatsuggesttheagonyofIsrael'spreviousdeath
marchintoBabylonianexile.Thegreatmultitudeexperienceasimilardeath
march through tribulation, thirsting for God in the horror of His apparent
absence.ThentheLambappearstoshepherdthemtofountainsoflivingwater,
afavoriteJohanninetheme.38
Drinkinglivingwatermeanssatisfyingone'sspiritualthirstbycomingto
ChristfortheinfillingoftheSpirit.Jesussaid,"Hewhocomestomeshall
nothunger,andhewhobelievesinmeshallneverthirst"(John6:35).
36G.R.BeaslcyMurray,TheBookofRevelation(GrandRapids,1974),148.
37ManyoftheOldTestamentliteraiysourcesforRev7aredrawnfromreferencestotheEgyptianand
Babyloniancaptivities.ThehorrorofIsrael'sexileandthejoyofdeliverance,bothfromEgyptand
Babylon, become types of the final tribulation and deliverance of God's people. The
Egypt/Babylon experiences weresuchapartof theauthor'smindsetthattheyprovide amajor
sourceoftheimageryofthewholebook.Forinstance,theplagues,thesongofMoses(15:2),and
nourishmentinthewilderness(12:6),areallusionstotheexodusfromEgypt,whilethe
dryingupoftheEuphrates(16:12)andthecalltocomeoutofBabylon(18:4)alludetotheexodusfrom
Babylon.
38John4:14;6:35;7:37.
39John4:1314;7:3739;Rev22:17.
266
InRevelationthespringsoflivingwaterturnouttobetheriverofwater
oflife(22:lH.).
JohndrawsuponrichsourcesinpicturingChristasshepherd. 40"TheLord
is my shepherd, I shall not want.... He leads me beside still waters'* (Ps
23:1,2);"Hewillfeedhisflocklikeashepherd,hewillgatherthelambsinhis
arms,hewillcarrytheminhisbosom,andgentlyleadthosethatarewith
young" (Isa 40:11). In the Fourth Gospel Jesus calls Himself the good
shepherd whose sheep follow Him because they know His voice (John
10:4ff.).
Thetextholdsfurthersurprises."TheLamb inthemidstofthethrone
willbetheirshepherd,and...willguidethemtospringsoflivingwater."The
Lamb's position on the throne speaks of glory and majesty; His work in
guidingthesheepspeaksofgentleness,servanthood,andselfsacrifice.Jesus
revealsthemajestyofhumbleservice.
ButwhiletheSonofGodservesHispeople,theFatherHimselfperforms
amovingservice.ThoughHehasalwaysseemedremote,seateduponthe
throne,hereHestoopstowipethetearsfromtheeyesofHispeople(7:17;cf.
21:4).ThisstatementisdrawnfromtheapocalypticsectionofIsaiah(chaps.
2426),describingthedevastationoftheearthunder God's wrath,andHis
protectingloveforHispeople:"Hewillswallowupdeathforever,andthe
LordGodwillwipeawaytearsfromallfaces"(25:8).
The144,000andtheGreatMultutude
Therehasbeenmuchspeculationovertheidentityofthe144,000and
thegreatmultitudeinRevelation7.Thefollowingisareviewofthemajor
views.
ViewILiteralJewsContrastedWithGentiles
The literalIsrael view is held largely by dispensationaUsts. Dispen
sationalistsbelievethat afterthechurch israptured, 144,000Jewswill be
convertedtoChristianityandwillevangelizetheworld,bringingthegreat
multitudetoChrist.The144,000willbeprotectedfromthetribulationbythe
seal,butthegreatmultitudewillbemartyred,theirsoulsappearingbeforethe
throneofGodaftertheyhave"comeoutofgreattribulation."41
40TheFigureofaLambshepherdinghisdockisnotasincongruousasitseems,since
sometimessheepandcattlearetrainedtoleadtheflock(BeasleyMurray,149).
41J.DwightPentecost,ThingstoCome(GrandRapids,1958),214,29798,300;JohnF.
Walvoord,TheRevelationofJesusChrist(Chicago,1966),14316.
267
Thereareseriousdifficultieswiththisview.SuchadistinctionbetweenJewish
andGentileChristiansisnotdrawnelsewhereinRevelation.Allthe"servantsof...
God"aretobesealed(vs.3),whetherJewishorGentile.The144,000areidentified
asthosewhofollowtheLamb(14:1,4),soallthefaithfulmustbeincluded.All
conquerors have the seal on their foreheads (3:12; 22:4). The seal must be
coextensive with the peril, and must therefore embrace the entire Christian
community.42Furthermore,whenJohnwrote,mostofthetribesnolongerretained
theiridentity.
TheideathatthesoulsoftheGentilemartyrs(thoughttobethegreatmultitude)
gotoheavenatdeathisnotsupportedbyRevelation.Themartyrsdonotcometo
lifeuntilthethousandyearsbegin(20:4).Untilthenthey"restfromtheirlabors"
(14:13).
View2LastGenerationSaintsContrastedWithRedeemedof
AllAges
Some hold the view that the 144,000 are the faithful who are sealed
throughthefinalcrisis,whereasthegreatmultitudearethesavedofallages. 3
Althoughthisisareasonableunderstandingofthetext,carefulexamination
revealssomeproblems.
UriahSmithreasonedthattheelder'squestion, "Whoare these... ?"in
verse13referstothe144,000ratherthanthegreatmultitude.Heassertsthat
John already knew the identity of the great multitudethe faithful out of
everynation,raisedfromthedeadatthesecondcomingofChrist.Sothe
elder'sdescriptionofsaintsinwhiterobeswhocameoutofgreattribulation
mustapplytothe144.000.44
Smithdividesthechapterintothreeparts:the144,000,verses18;the
greatmultitude,verses912;andthe144,000,verses1317.Thus,theones
whocomeoutofgreattribulation(vs.14)arethe144,000whoaresealed
againstthewinds.Thegreatmultitude,asdescribedinverses912,canthen
applytothefaithfulofallages.
Mostscholars,however,seeonlytwosegmentsinthechapter:the144,000
(vss. 18) and the great multitude (vss. 917). This is because the elder*s
questionanddescriptionclearlyapplytothegreatmultitudethey
42Charies,1:200.
43Forexample,RobertH.Mounce,TheBookofRevelation(GrandRapids,1977),171;UriahSmith,
DanielandtheRevelation,47071.
44Smith, DanielandtheRevelation, 47172. In TheGreatControversy (Mountain View,CA, 1950),
EllenWhiteusesvss.1417todescribethe144,000(64849).Itisnotclearwhethershethinksthe
elderisactuallydescribingthe144,000,orwhethersheassumesthatthe144,000areidenticalwith
thegreatmultitude(describedinview3below).
268
aretheoneswithwhiterobeswhostandbeforethethroneofGod(cf.vss.
1415withvs.9).Thisunderstandingintroducestheproblemthatthegreat
multitudearenolongerthefaithfulofallages,butarelimitedtotheones
whoexperiencethegreattribulation.
accommodatethisproblem,someredefine"thegreattribulation"as
persecutionoftheChristianchurchthroughtheages, 45 orspecificallythe
persecutionofthemartyrsin6:911(cf.Matt24:2122).Thewhiterobed
multitude then completes the number of the whiterobed martyrs (7:14;
6:11).Thisaccommodationweakensthemeaningofthe"greattribulation"
(specific intheGreek), anallusiontoDaniel's"timeoftrouble,suchas
neverhasbeensincetherewasanationtillthattime"(Dan12:1).
View3TheSameGroupUnderDifferentCircumstances
Numerousscholarshaveconcludedthatthe144,000and thegreat
multitudearethesame,46theformerbeingtheendtimechurchmilitant
engaged in struggle on earth, while the great multitude are the same
grouptriumphantaftertheysafelyreachheaven.Theyreasonthatinthe
first segment(vss. 18) John hearsthenumberofthesealed,butin the
second(vss.917)heseeswhotheyactuallyare:agreatmultitudewhom
noonecannumber.Thenumber144,000issymbolicofthevastnessof
theinnumerablemultitude.
Thenation Qilsraelwith its12tribes signifies the host ofspiritual
Israel from all nations and tribes. The sealing work is analogous to
washingtherobesandmakingthemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb.The
windsletlooseupontheworldareafigureofthegreattribulation.Thus
thesecondsegment ofthe vision isnotacontrast to thefirst,but an
explanation of it. Inotherwords, the firstscene (vss.18)describesthe
churchonearthabouttoexperiencetribulation;thesecondscene(vss.9
17)describesitinheavenaftertribulationispast.
Thisviewislogicalandfaithfultothetext.Itsolvestheproblemsthat
comewitha rigidly literalview ofthe144,000:thearbitrarinessofthe
number 144,000 divided into 12 equal parts, the smallness of the
number in viewof the sizeoftheworldchurch, theidentity of thelost
tribesofIsrael,
45HermanHoeksema,BeholdHeCometh(GrandRapids,1969),26566.TheSDABible
Commentary(Washington,DC,1957)referstothisview(p.785).
46SomeofthemanywhosecommentariesholdthisviewareBeasleyMurray,Caird,Charles,
Kiddle,Ladd,Lenski,Summers,andSwete.TheSDABibleCommentarypresentsa
convincingcaseforthisviewwithouttakingaposition(7:784).
269
andthenatureofthegroupascelibatemales(14:4).Positively,itmakesapowerful
statementthatIsraelequalsthechurch.
View4TheChurchinTribulation:SpirituallyBeforetheThrone 47
Thereisoneproblemthepreviousviewdoesnotsolve.Ifthesecondsceneof
chapter7showsthechurchinheavenafterChrist'scoming,thenthefaithfulofall
agesshouldbepresentaroundthethrone,notjustthefinalgeneration.Butitseems
evidentthatthegreatmultitudearetribulationsaintsonly.Whythenaretheothers
ignored?Furthermore,theyserveGod"dayandnightwithinhistemple"(vs.15)
thoughineternitytherearenonightandtemple(21:22,25). 48Alsotheelderdoesnot
say(intheGreektext)"they...havecome,"but"they...arecomingoutofthegreat
tribulation."49 Tribulation is still in progress as this scene takes place. Is there a
dynamicherethathasbeenmissed?
ThereappearstobearecurringpatternintheJohanninewritingsthatexposes
moreofJohn'sstartlingparadoxes.TheFourthGospelisnotedforitsconceptof
eternallifenow,heaveninthislife. 50Whatisliteralandrealinthefutureentersthe
presentasaspiritualexperience.ThesamemodeofthoughtappearsinRevelation.
Thesaintswillreignforeverandever(22:5),buteveninexileJohnshares
thekingdom(1:9).Theriverflowsthroughtheholycity(22:12),butthethirsty
maydrinkofitnow(vs.17).GodwilldwellwithHispeoplefacetoface(21:3;
22:4),butnowChristentersthedoortodinewiththem(3:20).Christiscoming
soonwithHisrecompense(22:12),butHecomesnowtoHischurch(2:5,16,25).
Theholycitywillcomedownfromheaventothenewearth(21:2),butitcomes
downevennowtotheonewhoconquers(3:12).51
47Thefollowingviewrepresentsthepersonalunderstandingoftheauthor,nottheconsensusoftheDaniel
and Revelation Committee, and is printed here for wider study without attempt to provide
counterarguments.Ed.
48Somemightarguethatthetempledoesnotdisappearuntiltheendofthethousandyears.Inany
caseitseemslhatwhenGodandHispeopleenjoyfacetofacecommunion,thetempleimageryisno
longerused.
49The Greek usesthepresentparticiple, hoierchomenoi, rather than theaorist, hoieithontes. Fora
similarconstruction see also15:2theoneswhostandonthesea of glass areconquering(tous
nikSntos)thebeastandhisimage,nothaveconquered.Theyarcstillengagedinthestrugglewiththe
beastwhilestandingontheseaofglass.
50TheFourthGospelrepeatedlyspeaksofthefutureblessingsoccurringnow:acquittalinthejudgment
(5:24),resurrectionfromdeath(5:25),eternallife(6:47),thecomingofChrist(14:1future;18,23
preseni).
51Again,apresentparticiple,heluttabainousa.
270
Inharmonywiththisthinking,Johnconsistentlyreferstothe
enemies of God as those "who dwell on earth" (13:8) while the
opposingcommunityofsaintsarecalled"thosewhotentinheaven"
(13:6)^ Livinginheavenisthusapresentexperience.Healsohas
frequentvisionsofthesaintsinheaven"beforethethrone,""with
theLambonMountZion,""ontheseaofglass"wherethecontext
ofeachpassageindicatesthatthefinalconflictisstillinprogress. 53
Hecasuallymentionssaintsworshipinginthetempleduringthe42
monthsofoppression(11:1;cf.7:15).
Mostinterpretersseetheseas"proleptic"(anticipatory)visions
ofheavenlybliss.Certainlytheyare.Therewillbeadaywhenthe
faithfulwillstandbeforethethronepraisingGod.ButtheJohannine
writingsarenotedforthe doubleentendre (doublemeaning).For
instance,Jesussaid,"Thehouriscoming,andnowis,whenthedead
willhearthevoiceoftheSonofGod,andthosewhohearwilllive"
(John5:25). Thefuture meaning is clearat Christ's coming the
dead will be raised. But the present meaning is also there
spirituallydeadpeoplearenowbroughttolifebyhearingthevoice
ofJesus.
If adoubleentendre inRevelation7isunderstood,thepassage
becomespoignantwithmeaning.Sincethegreatmultitudearestill
emerging from tribulation (vs. 14), they have not yet reached
heaven; they are there in spirit. Their exclamation,"Salvation
belongstoGod!"(vs.10)becomesacryforhelp.Godrespondsby
spreadingHis tabernacleover them (vs. 15). While under God*s
tabernacletheyareprotectedfromthefiercewindsofdestruction
(vs.1)andthesearingheatofthefourthplague(vs.16;cf.16:8).
Whiletheearthdwellersarebatteredbytempestandconsumed
bydrought,theLambleadsHisfollowerstospringsoflivingwater,
and wipes the tears from their eyes (vs. 17). For the heaven
dwellers,tribulationisrobbedofitsterrors.Theystand"beforethe
throneofGod,"and"servehim"bytheir
52"Thosewhodwell on earth" are always the enemiesof God's people. They shedthe
bloodofmartyrs(6:10),arctargetsofthetrumpetwoes(8:13),rejoiceatthedeathof
thetwowitnesses(11:10),worshipthe beastandmarvel atit (13:8,12; 17:8), are
deceivedbythefalseprophet(13:14),andbecomedrunkwiththewineoftheharlot
(17:2).Theopposingcommunityarccalled"thosewho[tent,tabernacle]inheaven"
(12:12; 13:6). When describing the final battle, John describes two armies
confrontingeachother,thearmiesofheavenandthearmiesofearth(19:14,19).The
armiesofheavenarcmadeupofthe"calledandchosenandfaithful"(17:14),thatis,
saints.ThearmiesofeartharetheenemiesofGod.
53Peopleworshipinthetempleduringthe42monthsofoppression(11:13);the144,000
standonMountZionwhilethemarkofthebeastisbeingissuedandwarnedagainst
(14:15);beastconquerorssingontheseaofglassbeforetheplaguesarepouredout
(15:24); the chosen are with the Lamb when the ten kings make war with Him
(17:1314).
271
constantpraise"dayandnight"duringtribulation(vs.15).Thepassage
thusfollowsitsOldTestamentsource:inthedayoftroublewhenwars
rageagainsthim,thebelieverdwellsinthehouseoftheLord,beholding
thebeautyoftheLord."Far hewillhidemeinhisshelterinthedayof
trouble;hewillconcealmeunderthecoverofhistent"(Ps27:35,cf.Isa
4:56).
Ascommonlyunderstood,thefirstsceneofRevelation7describesthe
preparation for tribulation, and the second scene, the deliverance from
tribulation,withnomentionaboutthetribulationitself.Butifadouble
meaningisintended,thechaptertellshowChristianscopewithtribulation
whenintheheatofithowtheyarekeptfromthehouroftrialthatis
comingonthewholeworld(3:10).
God has set before them the open door into the throne room (3:8).
Througheverycrisis,asprieststheypressintotheMostHolyPlacetothe
very presence of God and the Lamb (7:9). Their priestly white robes
washedinthebloodoftheLambentitlethemtofullacceptancewithGod
(7:14).WithprayerandpraisetheyserveHimdayandnightinHistemple
(vs.15).TheyovercomefearanddespairthroughshoutingGod'spraises
(vss. 1012). When the world is parched with drought, they follow the
Lamb to fountains of living water (vs. 17b). When they are broken by
sorrow,thehandofGodwipesawaytheirtears(vs.17c).Theytranscend
their troubles instead of being crushed by them because they view the
overwhelming evils of earth from the perspective of the throne and the
sovereigntyofGod.
CharacteristicsoftheSealed
Revelation14:15givesafurtherdescriptionofthe144,000sealedsaints:
DivineNamesonForeheads
TheyhavethenameoftheLambandtheFatherontheirforeheads(vs.
1).EarlierweobservedthatbeingsealedwiththenameofGoduponthe
foreheadmeanttoreflectthecharacterofGod;tobelongtoHimasHis
slave;tobeprotectedfromthewrathofGod;tobegenuine,notsubjectto
change;tobeobedienttothecommandments;andtoobservetheSabbathas
theoutwardsignofallegiancetoGodasCreatorandRedeemer.
SingaNewSong
Theysinganewsongbeforethethrone(vs.3).AnewsonginScripture
indicatesjubilationforGod'sdeliveranceandvictory."0singtotheLorda
newsong,forhehasdonemarvelousthings!Hisrighthandandhis
272
holyarmhavegottenhimvictory'*(Ps98:1). 54Anewsongwassungbythefour
livingcreaturesand24eldersontheoccasionoftheLamb'svictory
(Rev5:810;cf.vs.5).
Thesongofthe144,000isdescribedin15:23asthesongofMoses
andtheLamb, andcelebrates their victory over thebeast anditsimage. While
facingthedeathdecreeofantichrist,theypraiseGodforvictory.Theirsingingisso
powerfulitisliketheroarofmanywatersandloudthunder(14:2)."Noonecould
learnthatsongexceptthehundredandfortyfourthousand"(vs.3)becausenoone
hasexperiencedasgreatatrialandasgreatavictoryasthey.
RedeemedFromEarth
Theyareredeemedfromtheearth(vs.3).Theirredemptionwassecured
bythebloodoftheLamb(5:9).
SpiritualVirgins
Theyhavenotdefiledthemselveswithwomen;theyarechaste(vs.4).
The"women"arelateridentifiedastheharlotBabylonandherdaughters,55
andrepresentapostatereligion.Tobechastemeanstokeeponeselfpure
fromapostasy,torefusetoworshipthebeastorreceiveitsmark,evenunder
pressureofdeath.
FollowersoftheLamb
They"followtheLambwhereverhegoes"(vs.4).WhereHeleadsis
described in 7:17. "The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their
shepherd,andhewillguidethemtospringsoflivingwater."Thecaring
leadershipofJesuscontrastswiththeharshruleofthebeast.
SincetheabovetextsindicateaShepherdsheeprelationship,theybring
tomindJesus'descriptionoftherelationshipbetweenHimandHisflock:
He whoentersbythedooristheshepherdofthesheep....Thesheep
hearhisvoice,andhecallshisownsheepbynameandleadsthemout....He
goesbefore them,andthesheepfollowhim,fortheyknowhisvoice.A
strangertheywillnotfollow,buttheywillfleefromhim,fortheydonot
knowthevoiceofstrangers.(John10:25)
54SeealsoPss98:23;33:3;40:23;96:14;149:14;Isa42:10.
55See14:8;17:45;cf.2:2023,Jezebelandherchildren.
273
The"stranger"ofthelastdaysisthebeastpower.Thesheepdonot
listentohim,butfollowonlytheirShepherd.Thereiscomfortheredespite
thethreatofdeath.Hesheepareconsciousofbeingcaredforeventhough
theymaybesufferingextremehardship.
FirstFruits
"ThesehavebeenredeemedfrommankindasfirstfruitsforGodand
theLamb"(vs.4).Inancienttimesbeforeacropwasharvestedthefirst
fruitswerededicatedtotheLordasarecognitionthatthewholebelonged
toHim(Lev23:914).Thefirstfruitswerebroughttothetempleforsacred
use(Exod23:19;Neh10:3537).Israelwascalled"holytotheLord,,the
firstfruitsofhisharvest"(Jer2:3).ThoughallthenationsbelongedtoGod,
Israel was His special treasure, priests to the world (Exod 19:56).
LikewisetheendtimesaintsofRevelationareGod'sspecialpeople,con
secratedtoHimforserviceinthetemple(Rev7:15).
Therearetwopossibilitiesforinterpretingthe"firstfruits"expression
inthispassage.OneisthatasGod*sIsrael,the144,000contrastwiththe
world in general (the first fruits have been redeemed from mankind,
14:4).56Theotheristhatthe144,000,asthefinalgenerationofsaintstrans
lated at Christ's coming, are contrasted with the faithful of previous
generationswhoareresurrected. 57Thisviewcanalsobesupportedbythe
text,sincetheharvestoftherighteousisdescribedinverses1416. 58
TruthfulandLoyal
"Intheirmouthnoliewasfound"(vs.5).Thisdescriptionisuseda
numberoftimesinScripture,eitherwiththeword dolos (deceit,cunning,
treachery) orpseudos (lie,falsehood).Thepsalmistdescribestherighteous
man as being without guile. He who dwells on God's holy hill (as the
144,000 on Mount Zion) "speaks truth from his heart" and "does not
slanderwithhistongue"(Ps15:13;cf.32:12).JesusrecognizedNathanael
asonesuchIsraelite"inwhomisnoguile"(John1:47).
AbsenceofguileisalsoaMessianictrait(1Pet2:2223,drawnfrom
56Lenskiarguesthatthe144,000were"boughtawayfrommen,"theearthdwellerswhowantnoother
home.Hedeniesthatthereisanyspecialholinessorspecialsalvationofthisgroupoveranyother
believers(p.425).
57ThisappearstobeEllenWhite'sview:"These,havingbeentranslatedfromtheearth,fromamong
the living,arecounted as 'thefirstfruitsunto God andtotheLamb'" (TheGreatControversy,
649).
58Mostscholarsagreethaitheharvestofvss.1416meanstherighteous,whereastheharvestofgrapes
invss.1720appliestothewicked.
274
Isa53:9).ItissignificantthatlieintheApocalypsemaymeanmorethancommon
untruthfulness,just asparthenoi (virgins)meansmorethancommonchastity.One
ofthecharacteristicsoftheantichristpowersisdeceitfulness(13:14).Thesaints
areloyaltotheGodwhoistrue(19:11).
Blameless
"Theyarespotless"(14:5).Spotless(amomos)literallymeanswithoutblemish
ordefect.ItcomesfromtheSeptuagint(LXX)translationoftheHebrewadjective
tamim,meaningunblemished,whole,orhealthywhenappliedtosacrificialanimals.
Later the word shifted in meaning from cultic perfection to moral and ethical
blamelessness.59TobeblamelessmeanttowalkwithGod(asNoahandAbraham,
Gen6:9;17:1),andthustoexperienceintimatefellowshipwithHim.ThePsalms
describetheblamelessmanasobeyingGod'slaws,walkinginHisways,seeking
Himwiththewholeheart,anddelightinginHiswill(119:13,14;18:2223).
TheuseofamomosintheNewTestamentfollowsasimilarpattern.Jesuswas
thesacrificiallamb,withoutblemishandwithoutspot(1Pet1:1819;Heb9:14).
Thesaintsaretobethesame(2Pet3:14)."Spotsandblemishes"arereveling,
carousing,adultery,andgreed(2:1314).Anobviousmeaningamomos,then,is
freedomfromthesinsoffleshandpassionthatcharacterizetheworldling.Christ
wishestocleansethechurchsothathemightpresenthertoHimself"insplendor,
withoutspotorwrinkle...thatshemightbeholyandwithoutblemish"(Eph5:25
27).
The144,000,withthesealofGodontheirforeheads,thusreflecttotheworld
theirharmonyofsoulwithGodandHislaw.
SomeTheologicalConcerns
Severaltheologicalconcernssurfacefromthisstudy,notallofwhichcanbe
definitivelysettled.
OnePeople
DoesthedataofRevelationsupporttheviewthatGodhastwoseparatepeoples
onearth,ethnicIsraelandthechurch?TheanswerisNo.Ourstudyfavorstheview
thatthe144,000(sealedoutthetribesofIsrael)andthegreatmultitude(fromall
nations)ofchapter7areidenticalandsymbol
59 Swcte, 181; cf. F. Hauck, "Momos," TIWT'4 (Grand Rapids, 1967), 829; Richard C. Trench,
SynonymsoftheNewTestament(GrandRapids,1948),379.
275
izethelastphaseofthechurch.ElsewhereinthebookJohnindicatesthathe
hasonlyonepeopleinmind,nottwo.Thewomanclothedwiththesun(Rev
12)hastworoles.AsmotheroftheMessiah,sheisIsrael;aspersecuted
people, she is the church. Yet there is one woman, not two. The New
Jerusalemcombinesthesymbolsofthe12tribes(Israel)andthe12apostles
(thechurch)intoonecity(21:914).Thebride,thewifeoftheLamb,isone.
All this harmonizes with Paul's teaching that God has broken down the
barrierbetweenJewandGentileandmadethem"onenewmaninplaceof
thetwo"(Eph2:1416).ThechurchiscomposedofconvertedJewsand
Gentiles trusting alike in the merits of the Messiah (Gal 3:2629) and
appropriatelydesignated"theIsraelofGod"(Gal6:1516).
NoChangeinPlanofSalvation
Whereinliestheuniquenessofthe144,000thefinalgenerationof
saints?Theyarenotthefirstonestobesealed;saintsweresealedinPaul's
day.ITleyarenotthefirsttobewithoutguileandblameless.Theyarenot
thefirsttobepersecuted,ortofollowtheLamb,ortoberedeemedfromthe
earth,orto"singanewsonguntotheLord."John'seightfolddescriptionof
the144,000foundinRevelation14:15indicatesthattheyshareacommon
heritagewiththesaintsofallages.
What,then,isuniqueaboutthem?Doesthefinalgenerationofsaints
achievealevelofholinessneverreachedbefore?Aretheretwolevelsof
holiness,oneforresurrectionandonefortranslation?
Atthispointitisimportanttoclarifysomedifferencesbetweenjusti
fication and sanctification. In all generations there has been only one
methodofsalvation:"Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith;and
thisisnotyourowndoing,itisthegiftofGodnotbecauseofworks,lest
anymanshouldboast"(Eph2:89).Godhasonlyonecriterionforsalva
tion:faithinthemeritsofacrucifiedSaviour.Justificationaloneisourtitle
toheaven.ForGodtochangetherequirementsonthelastgenerationwould
beunjust.
Havingsaidthis,wemustalsorecognizethatthroughtheagesGod's
servantshaveexperienceddifferentlevelsofgrowthandexperience.Some,
likeJosephandDaniel, livedlivesof extraordinaryvirtue andinfluence,
with no sin recorded against them. Others like Samson and Manasseh
committedhorrendouscrimes,repentingonlyattheendoflife.Someserved
faithfullythroughtheheatoftheday,othersonlythelasthour.Nonewere
savedbytheirholinesssanctificationisnotthemeans,buttheresultof
salvation.
276
It oughtnottobeamatteroftheologicalconcernifGodshouldliftawhole
generationtoaheightofholinessrarelyachievedbefore inordertogivetothe
worldthelastrevelationofGod'slove.The144,000standingonMountZionwith
thesealofGodilluminatingtheirfacesarethatfinalwitnesstoaworldcalledto
choosebetweentheworshipofGodandtheworshipofthebeast(14:112).Instead
ofapitifulremnantNoah'seight,Elijah's7,000Godwillhaveafullcomplement
ofsaintstocalltheworldoutofBabylon.
The question regarding a state of sinlessness depends upon whether sin is
definedasactornature.ThelastlivinggenerationofGod'speopleshouldcertainly
befreefromsinfulacts;however,theydonotlosetheirsinful,corruptiblenature
untiltheyputonincorruptionattheSecondAdvent(1Cor15:53).
In thebookofRevelationthesaintsare always conquering (markedbythe
presenttenseintheGreek);onlyChrist hasconquered (theaoristtense).60 Even
duringthesevenlastplaguesthesaintsarestillconqueringthebeastanditsimage
(15:2,Greek).Theystillcontendwiththeenemywithoutandwithin.Theirgreatest
sin,whichtheymustovercomeduringthetribulation,islackoffaith.Yettheyare
conquering,notbeingconquered.Theyarevictoriousinthestrugglewithevil.They
are perfect in characterthey choose only God*s willwhile they are still
consciousofhavingtoovercometheirsinfulnature.However,theystandsealedand
spotlessthroughthemeritsoftheLamb(7:14).
CircumstancesoftheFinalConflict
What is unique about the great tribulation? What makes it worse than any
previousone(Dan12:1)?EllenWhiteemphasizestwofactors:livinginthesightof
aholyGodwithoutanintercessorwiththefearthatnotallsinsareforgiven,and
persecutionculminatinginthedeathdecreethesecondcausinglessanxietythan
thefirst.Todescribetheanguishofthetimeoftrouble,shedrawsheavilyuponthe
experienceofJacobashewrestledwiththeangel. 62Heremphasisisonthestruggle.
Revelation7,
60Numerouspromisesaregivento"theonewhokeepsonconquering"(thelinearmeaningofthe
presenttense)asinthemessagestothechurchesandthefinalreiterationin21:7.Bycontrast,
Christconquered(3:21).Theonlytimeitissaidthatthesaintsconqueredisaftertheyaredead
(12:11).
61"Whateverdoesnotproceedfromfaithissin"(Rom14:23).Thosewhohaveneverlearnedtotrust
inGodwillsufferthegreatestdistressduringthetimeoftrouble(seeWhite,TheGreat
Controversy,622).
277
bycontrast,dwellsonthevictoriousemergenceofthesaintsfromtribulation.
Thoughthetwopicturesseemdiametricallyopposedtoeachother,theyare
actuallytwosidesofthesamecoin.Intimesofcrisisoranguishthegreatesthorror
istoexperiencetheabsenceofGod.WhenGoddoesnotrescue,whenHedoesnot
makeHispresencefelt,whenHisonlyanswertoourquestionsissilence,thenthe
soulisoverwhelmedwithdoubt,despair,anddarkness.Thegreatstruggleofthe
timeoftroubleistohavefaithinthesimplewordofGodwithoutanyexternalor
internalevidencetosupportit.ThiswasthestruggleofChristwhenHecriedout,
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" His triumphant cry, "It is
finished!"wasavictoryofnakedfaithwithoutanyevidenceexceptthewordof
Godtosupportit.
IfourinterpretationofRevelation7iscorrect,itdepictsthesoul'sascentto
Godthroughfaith.IfwecanriseabovethehorrorsofearthtothepresenceofGod,
wecanfindthesupportofthewholeheavenlyhostthereJesusleadstofountains
oflivingwaterandGodwipesthetearsfromtheeyes.Theabsenceorpresenceof
faith makes the difference between Jabbok darkness or throneroom glory. To
exercisethisfaithunderthemostextremepressureistheuniqueexperienceofthe
finalgeneration.
VisionObjective
Whatistheoverallpurposeofchapter7inthebookofRevelation?
Undoubtedlyitismeanttoalertthechurchtoitsneedtogetreadyforthe
finalconflict.Thewindsofstrifeareabouttobegintheirworkofdevasta
tion.Thereisnotimefordelay.Atthesametimetherestrainingofthe
windsshowsGod'smercyingivingHispeopletimetoprepare.Thereis
alsoassuranceinthesealingmessage.Thesealitselfistheguaranteethat
thesaintsaresecure.Oncetheyaresealedtheircharactersareinviolable,
notsubjecttochange,nomatterhowseverethetemptation.The mathe
maticalperfectionandsymmetryofthe144,000indicatesthatGod'splan
forHisIsraelisperfectlyrealized,inspiteoftheeventsthatrockthechurch
andtheworld(6:1217).
Whetheroneacceptsthedoubleentendreconceptornot,thevisionof
thegreatmultitudebeforethethroneimpliesonthefaceofitslanguagethat
God shelters and feeds and comforts His people throughout the great
tribulation.AndwhileRevelation7dealswiththefinalconflict,itundoub
tedlycanbeappliedinprincipletothelessertrialsthatassailthepeopleof
Godthroughouttheirearthlysojourn.
278
ChapterXfflTheMightyAngelandHis
Message
WilliamH.Shea
EditorialSynopsis.Revelation10comprisesthefirstsegmentofaparentheti
calpassageoccurringbetweentheaccountsofthesixthandseventhtrumpets.This
"envelope"figureissimilartothatofRevelation7whichliesbetweenthepresenta
tionofthesixthandseventhseals.Inbothinstancesthe"sides"(sixth,seventh
seals;
sixth,seventhtrumpets)oftheliteraryenvelopeshedlightonlocatingtheevents
portrayedbetween.
Importantinsightsfortheinterpretationofthisprophecyarediscoveredwhenit
iscomparedwiththeimageryandsubjectmatterofDaniel12:412.Onthisbasis
theopenscroll intheangel'shandisidentified astheformerly sealedbookof
Daniel;theoathregardingthecessationoftimeisseentodealwithprophetictime;
andthehistoricaltimeframefortheseeventsportrayedsymbolicallyisdeter
mined.
Sevenchronologicalrelationships,drawnfromtheimmediatecontextofthe
angel'soathaswellasfromDaniel,provideasolidbasisforidentifyingthekindof
"time"aboutwhichtheangelswearsandforlocatinginthenineteenthcenturythe
eventsportrayedtheprophecy.Thesceneisespeciallylinkedtothecrucialyear
of1844andtheclosingofthegreattimespanofthe2300years(Dan8:14).
Withthenatureofthetimeelementintheangel'soathclarifiedandthehis
toricaltimeforhisactiondetermined,thefulfillmentinthereallifeofthechurch
maybeseenintheMilleritemovementbasedonthebookofDanielandtherise
oftheSeventhdayAdventistpeoplewiththecommissionto"prophesyagain"from
thepropheciesofDanielto"peoples,""nations,""tongues,"and"kings."
279
TheMightyAngelandHisMessage
TheMightyAngel
SectionOutline
I.Introduction
II.DescriptionandIdentification
III.TheSevenThunders
IV.TheOath
IntroductionA
ParentheticalPassage:ItsContext
wêvelationlOcomprisesthefirstsegmentofaparentheticalpassager^roccurring
betweentheaccountsofthesixthandseventhtrumpetsJLX^(Rev9:1321;11:15
17). The other segment consists of a command to the prophet to evaluate the
heavenlytempleandtheprophecyoftheTwoWitnesses(Rev11).Asimilarliterary
patternplacesRevelation7asaparentheticalpassagebetweenthesixthandseventh
seals(Rev6:1217;
8:1). The connections between these parenthetical passages and their contexts
provideanaidfortheirinterpretation.
Revelation7.TheparentheticalpassageofRevelation7dealsfirstwithanend
timeevent:thesealingofthe144,000(vss.18).Thenfollowsadescriptionofan
eventthatwilltakeplaceafterChrist'ssecondcoming:
thegatheringoftheredeemedaroundthethroneofGod(vss.917).Thedescriptions
ofthesetwoevents,oneoccurringjustbeforeandoneafterthecomingofChrist,are
setinatextualjunctureappropriatetotheendtimeofsalvationhistory.
Asaparenthesisthesetwoscenesaredescribedinorderafterthesixthseal
depictsthecomingofChrist,buttheyarereallyanintegralpartofthesixthseal.
Thus,theactivityofsealingdescribes theacceptance ofthosewho,inthefinal
generation of earth's history, will be received by Christ at His coming. The
descriptionofthegreatmultitudeoftheredeemedfollowsnaturallythereafter,a
scenethatwilltakeplacearoundGod'sthronefollowingChrist'scoming.
Revelation10.AswithRevelation7,itisreasonabletoexpecttheparenthetical
passage of Revelation 1011 to be found in a literary context appropriate to its
contents.Itstwomajorsegmentsoccurbetweenthe
280
descriptionsofthesixthtrumpetatthe end ofchapter9andtheseventh

trumpetattheendofchapter11.
Revelation11providesamorespecificpropheticcontextforRevelation
10thanchapter 9, becauseitreferstothetimewhen"thekingdomofthe
world"willbecomethekingdomofourLordandofhisChristandtheirrule
over that eternal kingdom will be taken up (11:15,17). While the sixth
trumpetismoredifficulttointerpret,stillitmaybeexpectedtoleadupin
onewayoranothertotheclimaxofhistorythatisannouncedunderthe
seventhtrumpet.
Wemayexpect,therefore,thattheeventsprophesiedinRevelation10
(and 11) should contain some connection with endtime events. This
connection is made explicit in 10:7 where it is stated that the message
proclaimedbythemightyangelrelatesdirectlytothetimewhenthetrumpet
oftheseventhangelistosound.
R.H.Mouncecapturesthepurposeofthisrelationshipbetweenchapter
10anditscontextbyobservingthatparentheticalinterludeslikethisoneare
"literarydevicesbywhichthechurch is instructedconcerningits role and
destinyduringthefinalperiodofworldhistory." 1Thethrustofchapter10in
this literary arrangement can also be seen from Mounce's comment that
"eachnumberedseriesmovesusclosertotheend,notsomuchbecauseit
follows the preceding series in sequence but because it heightens and
intensifiesthefinalandclimacticconfrontationofGodandtheforcesof
evil."2
LiteraryStructure
Revelation10dividesintothreemainsections.Thefirst(vss.14)con
tainstwoparts:thedescriptionofamightyangel(vss.l3a);hisfirstmes
sageandtheseventhunders(3b4).Thesecondsectionrecordstheoaththat
themightyangelswearsregardingthetimewhenthemysteryofGodwillbe
fulfilled(vss.57).ThethirdsectiondescribesJohn'svisionaryexperience
with the scroll that he takes from the mighty angel (vss. 811). Before
proceedingthroughastudyofeachsection,however,weshouldmakeafew
additionalremarksaboutthechapter'sgeneralthematicandliteraryfeatures.
1R.H.Mounce,TheBookofRevelation,NICNT,17(GrandRapids,1977),205;cf.G.R.Beaslcy
Murray,TheBookofRevelation,TheNewCenturyBible(GrandRapids,1978),170:"Inhis
visionJohnstandsnearthecloseoftheperiodoftheMessianicjudgmentssixtrumpets
havealreadysounded."
2Mounce,205.
281
Athematiclinkrunningthroughthethreesectionsisthemightyangel,
hisdeeds,andhiswords.Heisdescribedphysicallyinthefirstsectionand
hisdescenttotheearthismentioned.Thatisfollowedbyhiscalleliciting
theseventhunders.Thus,inthefirstsegmentofthischapter,wefindthe
appearanceof,actionsby,andanannouncementfromthemightyangel.
Theoathofthemightyangelisthesubjectofthesecondsection.Inthis
wealsofindbothwordanddeed.Theactiondescribedisthatofraisinghis
handtoswearanoath.Thewordsoftheoathdealwithanendtotimewhen
themysteryofGodwillbecompleted.Inthethirdsectionthemightyangel
againspeaksandacts.Hisactionisthatofgivingtheopenedscrolltothe
prophetforhimtoeatanddigest.Hiswordsrequesttheprophettoeatand
describehissubsequentreactiontothestrangefood.
Fromthisbriefsurveyitisevidentthatthemightyangeliscentralto
thischapterfrombeginningtoend.Nomajorsectionliesoutsidetherealm
ofhisactivity.Itisquiteappropriate,therefore,todesignatethischapteras
belongingtothemightyangel,althoughthedirectionofhiswordsanddeeds
vary.Inthecentralepisode(vss.57)hiswordsandactionsaredirected
towardheaven,whileinthefirstandlastsectionshiswordsandactsare
directedtowardearth(vss.14,811).
Several literary ideas link the first and third sections, but only one
specificideaconnectsthecentralsectionandtheothertwo.Forexample,the
"littlescrollopen"ismentionedonceinthefirstsection(vs.2)andthree
timesmoreinthethirdsection(vss.810).Theangelisalsodescribedin
bothsectionsasstanding"onthesea"and"ontheland"(vss.2,8).Thethird
connectionisthevoicefromheaven.Itisheardattheendofthefirstsection
(vs.4)andthebeginningofthethird(vs.8).Inthefirstinstancethevoice
tellsJohnnottowritewhattheseventhunderssaid(vs.4),while
thethirdsectionbeginswithareferenceto"thevoicewhichIhadheard
fromheaven"(vs.8).
Thescrolldoesnotappearinthesecondsection,noristhevoicefrom
heavenheard.Themainconnectionbetweenthissectionandtheother
twoliesinthedescriptionoftheangelas"standingontheseaandtheland"
(vss.2,5,8).
Afeatureoftheliterarystructureinthethirdsectionmaybenotedin
passing.Thetworeferencestothesweetnessofthescrollintheprophet's
mouthanditssubsequentbitternessaregiven,asJ.M.Fordhasnoted, 3ina
chiasticorder:
3J.M.Ford,Revelation,AB,38(GanienCity,NY,1975),165.
282
A
'
Itwillbebittertoyourstomach(vs.9a).Butitwillbesweetashoneyto
yourmouth(vs.9b).Itwassweetashoneytomymouth(vs.lOa).But...
bittertomystomach(vs.lOb).
A'
This minor literary feature does not make a major contribution to

interpretationoftheepisode,butitdoescomplementnicelythereversalin
experiencethattheprophethadwiththescrollinthissymbolicexperience.
Thefinalsectionisfurtherframedbyavoicefromheaventhatspeaksto
Johnatthebeginningoftheexperience(vs.8)andavoicethatspeakstohim
againattheendtellinghimtoprophesyagaintothenations
(vs.11).
The literary and thematic relations mentioned briefly have a bearing
upon the unity of this chapter. An older, critical methodology, espoused
especially by J. Wellhausen and his followers, divided this chapter into
multiple sources. In this, Wellhausen was consistent all the way from
GenesistoRevelation.R.H.Charleshasrespondedtothisprocedurewitha
thoroughandpersuasivereviewofthelexicalandgrammaticalevidencefor
theunityofthechapter.4
For our present purposes, therefore, the chapter may be taken as a
unifiedcompositionandanalyzedfromthatstandpoint.Thisistheposition
takenbymostmoderncommentatorsonRevelation.Thebriefobservations
wehavemadeontheliteraryandthematicconnectionswithinthenarrative
pointinthesamedirectionofasingleauthorasevidencedbythechapter's
overallunityofcomposition.
DescriptionandIdentification
Description
ThefirstthreeversesofRevelation10giveadetaileddescriptionofthe
angelJohnseesdescendingfromheaven.Sixcharacteristicsaregiven.First,
a pair of descriptive modifiers that refer to the angel as "another" and
"mighty."Then,twophrasesthatdescribetheadornmentoftheangel:
acloudygarmentaroundhisbodyandarainbowoverhishead.Lastly,two
phrasesdescribehisfaceandfeet(legs?).
Anotherangel.TheidentificationofthisangelinRevelation10as
4R.H.Charles,TheRevelationofSt.John,ICC,1(Edinburgh,1920):25658.
283
"another"(olios)angelisnotespeciallysignificant,butitdoescontrastthis
angelwiththeoneswhohaveprecededhim.Thetermisappliedtoangels
elsewhereinthebookonvariousoccasions."Another"angelin8:3con
trastsdirectlywiththesevenangelswhotookupthetrumpetsin8:2.The
secondandthirdangelsbearingmessagesinRevelation14areeachreferred
toas"another"incontrastwiththeangelbearingthefirstmessage(14:6,8).
'Another"angelcomesdowntoearthin18:1incontrastwiththeseven
angelswhopouredouttheirvialsinRevelation16.Sincethisangelin10:1
is"another"angelfollowingthefirstsixtoblowtheirtrumpets(chaps.89),
thereisacontrastherewiththem.
Amightyangel.Theangelin10:1isnotjustanotherangel,however;
heisanother"mighty"(iskuros)angel.Thus,hecontrastsnotsomuchwith
theprecedingtrumpetangelsashedoeswiththemightyangelin5:2who
calledforsomeoneworthytoopenthesealedscrollintherighthandofGod.
Theadjective"mighty"isappliedtooneotherangelinRevelation,theone
whocaststhegreatmillstoneintotheseaasatokenofthefallofspiritual
Babylon(18:21).
OfthethreeangelsinRevelationreferredtoas"mighty,"thisonein
chapter10isthemostcentrallylocatedintheoverallstructureofthebook.
Heisalsotheonlyonewhosepersonalappearanceisdescribedinspecific
terms.
Theangel'sface.WhenJohnlooksuponthefaceofthismightyangelit
appears"likethesun."Themostdirectcomparisonwiththistypeoflan
guageisfoundinthedescriptionofChristatthebeginningofRevelation
(1:16),andinMatthew'saccountofthetransfigurationofChrist(Matt17:2).
AsJ.M.Fordnotes,"InRevelation1:16thevisage (apsis,notproso
pon) ofonelikeasonofmanappearedlikethesuninitsstrengthbutthe
wording of the description differs considerably from that of 10:1. In the
accountofJesus'transfigurationMatthewsaysthatHisfaceshonelikethe
sun(Matt17:2),buttheotherevangelistsdonotmakethiscomparison." 5
ThedescriptionofthefaceofthedivinelikebeinggiveninDaniel10:5
mentionsitsgloryintermsoflightningandfire,butthesunisnotalludedto.
Ezekiel1:27describesthegloryoftheuppertorsoofthepersonofGod
asresemblingburnishedbronzeandflamingfire,buttheappearanceofHis
faceisnotsingledout.
Rainbow.Johnseesarainbowovertheheadoftheangel.Theonly
5Ford,158.
284
otherplaceinRevelationwhereasimilarphenomenonappearsisthethronescenein
whichJohnseesarainbowencirclingthethroneuponwhichGodsitsinheaven
(4:3).Thus,theuseofthissymboltodescribetheangelmayimplysomethingabout
hisdivinelikenature.
NorainbowappearsinthevisionofChristinRevelation1,norisoneseen
around the divinelike personage in Daniel's vision (Dan 10:56). However, a
rainbowdoesattendthepersonofGodasHeisbeingtransportedbyHismobile
throneinEzekiel'svision(Ezek1:28).TheuseoftherainbowasatokenofGod's
faithfulnesstoHiscovenantwithNoahisnotableamongtheOTusesoftherainbow
(Gen9:1217).ItspresenceinRevelation10mayemphasizetheextensionofthat
faithfulnesstoincludetheNTcovenant.
Makingacomparisonwithnaturalphenomena,wemayinferthattheproduction
ofthisrainbowresultsfromthegloryoftheangel,especiallyhisface,reflecting
uponthecloudinwhichheiswrapped.AsCharleshasnoted,"therainbowisdueto
thelightfromtheangeFsfaceonthecloud."6
Theangel'sfeet Thedescriptionofthe"feet" (podes) oftheangelseemsto
presentaparadox,becausetheword"pillars"(stuloi)isusedtodescribethem.Since
pillarsextendupwardfromtheirbases,thisisthoughtbysometorefertothelegsof
the angel, not his feet. Charles notes that ^stuloi as applied to feet seems
unintelligible."7 Since the Hebrew word for "foot" has a secondary extended
meaning of "leg," Charles suggests the latter meaning has been taken over into
Greekhere.ButevenCharleshimselfhasnotedtheweaknessofhisownsolution. 8
Thiswordfor"feet"occursatleasthalfadozentimeselsewhereinRevelation. 9
Inallinstancesthereferenceclearlyisto"feet,"not"legs."Thelanguageusedhere
comes especially close to the description of Christ's feet and His garment in
Revelation1:13,15.Thus,thereisnolexicalwarrant fortranslatingthiswordas
"legs,"astheRSVdoes.Itshouldbetranslatedas"feet."
Our interest does not lie in understanding the angel's anatomy, but in
determining the historical and literary locus from which this kind of language
originated.Anumberofcommentatorshaveproposedaconnectionbetweenthese
pillars and those pillars of cloud and fire that led the Israelites during their
wanderingsinthewildernessafterleavingEgypt.
6Charles,259
7Ibid.
8Ibid.,260.
9Rev1:13,15;2:18;3:9;13:2;and22:8
285
Ford,forexample,notesthatthe"angel'sfeetwhicharelikepillarsoffire
arereminiscentofthepillaroffireintheExodusnarrative." 10G.B.Caird
hascontributedasimilarobservation.11 H.B.Swetesuggestedaspecific
textual relationship: "Instuloipuros there is perhaps areference toExod.
XIV19,24."12SincethePresenceenclosedwithinthepillarofcloudandfire
wasGodHimself,theemploymentofthiskindofdescriptionforthisangel
emphasizesoncemorehisdivinelikecharacter.
Theangel'sgarmentTheuseofExodusimagerydoesnotstopwitha
considerationoftheangel'sfeet.Itcontinuesonintoaconsiderationofthe
angel's garment He is described as being "wrapped in a cloud." After
referencestonormalatmosphericcloudsarediscarded,wediscovermany
instancesinwhichcloudsareconnectedwiththepersonofGod. 13 Clouds
areapartofthelanguageoftheophany.
Ilius,thiskindofdescriptionemphasizestheangel'sdivinelikenature.
ButtheconnectionofcloudsandtheDeitymaybemorespecific.Forex
ample,coupledwiththepillaroffire(intheExodus)wasthepillarofcloud
similartothatinwhichthegloriousangelwaswrapped.Thisassociation
makesiteasytoseeareferencetothepillaroffireandthepillarofcloudin
thedescriptionofthisangel.BothfeaturescomefromGod'srevelationof
HimselftoIsraelduringtheirwildernesswandering.
Theverbusedforthewrappingofthecloudygarmentaroundtheangel
of Revelation 10 (peribeblSmenon from periballi!, "to put on, wearof
clothing")isnotusedintheExodusaccount,eitherforGodwrappingthe
pillarofcloudorfirearoundHimselforaroundMountSinai.Itisused,
however,twiceintheLXXofDaniel12:6,7torefertothewaythelinen
garmentwaswrappedaroundthedivinelikefiguredescribedthere,anditis
usedthereinessentiallythesameform(peribeblemenQ).
Thespecificuseofthissameverbinasimilarway,connectedwitha
similarfigurewhodoesthingssimilartothethingsthattheangelinRevela
tion10does,isoneofthereasonswhycommentatorshavemadeadirect
connection between these two passages. These connections are reviewed
furtherbelow.Forthepresent we maysimplynotethatthisangelalready
demonstratesrelationstothepillaroffireandcloudintheExodusandwith
thedivinelikefigureinDaniel10and12.
10Ford,162.
11G.B.Caird,TheRevelationofSt.JohntheDivine(NewYork,1966),125.
12..Swcte,TheApocalypseofSt.John(London,1909),126.
13ThisappliestotheOT(Pss97:2;104:3;1Kgs8:11;Ezek1;4;Dan7:13),totheNT(Matt17:5;
24:30;Acts1:9;1Thess4:17),andtoIhcbookofRevelation(1:7;14:14).
286
Actions
Sixmajoractionsofthemightyangelareidentified:
1.Hecomesdownfromheaventoearth.
2.Heholdsanopenscrollinhishand.
3.Heplacesonefootupontheearthandtheotheruponthesea.
4.Hecallsoutwithaloudvoicethatsoundsliketheroarofalion(andthis
elicitstheseventhunders).
5.HeraiseshishandandswearsanoathbytheCreatorGod.
6.Hegivestheopenscrolltotheprophetforhimto"eat."
Thelastthreeactionsformanintimatepartofthemajorpropheticstatementsof
thenarrative.Theyarediscussedinsucceedingsections.We will reviewonlythe
firstthreebrieflyatthispoint.
Descenttoearth.Sincetheangelproclaimsaspecialmessageuponhisdescent
fromheaven,itisevidentthatheissentataparticulartimetoproclaimaspecial
messageonearth;heisaspecialmessenger.
The uniqueness of this angel's work may be emphasized by comparing his
activitywiththatofotherangelsinRevelation.Forexample,theangelsinthecourt
scene(Rev45)arerestrictedtoheaveninthatportrayal.Thetrumpetsblownby
sevenangels(Rev89)haveearthlyeffects, butthereisnoindicationthatthey
descendtoearthtosoundtheirinstruments.Theangelswhopourouttheplague
vials(Rev16)aremoredirectlyconnectedwithearth,buteventhatpointisnot
statedasdirectlyasitisinRevelation10:1.Theangelswhogivethreeendtime
messages(Rev14)flyinmidheaven;theotherthreeangelsdescribedattheendof
thechapteraremoredirectlyconnectedwithearththroughtheirparticipationinthe
harvest.
ThemostdirectparallelinRevelationtothedescentoftheangelinchapter10
istheangelatthebeginningofRevelation18:1whocomestoearthtogivehis
specialendtimemessageaboutBabylon.InthecaseoftheangelinRevelation10it
isapreendtimemessagethathegives.Thisdirectionalactivityemphasizesthe
importanceofbothoftheseangels*messages.AsMouncehasstated,"thedramatic
appearanceofanauthoritativefigurefromheavenstandsinmarkedcontrasttothe
immediatelyprecedingtableauofman'srebelliousidolatryandimmorality." 14
Theuseofthepresentparticiple"comingdown" (kaiabainonta)indicatesthat
Johnwatchedthisangeldescend"Thisnotonlyemphasizes
14Mounce,208.
15Ibid..207.
287
TTie^^ghtyAngelandHisMessage
thattheangelcameataparticulartimetogiveaparticularmessage,italso
sayssomethingabouttheperspectivefromwhichtheprophetviewedthis
scene.Variouscommentatorsholdthatfrom4:1tothispointJohnviewed
thechangingscenesasthoughhewereinheaven.Theygenerallyagreethat
henowseesthisscene(Rev10)fromanearthlyperspective."
Holdinganopenscroll.Thesecondactionoftheangelisthatofhold
inganopenscrollinhishand.Whenhelaterswearshisoath(vs.6)helifts
hisrighthandtowardheaven.Thus,wemayassumethatheheldthelittle
scrollinhislefthand.Noparticularsignificanceneedbeattachedtothis
useofhandsexcepttonotethatprobablytherighthandwasnormallyraised
toswearanoath.17
Thenatureofthisscrollanditssignificanceareofobviousimportance
tothisprophecy.Itiscommonlypointedoutthatthewordusedfor"little
scroll"or"book"differsfromthatwhichisusedinRevelation5:1.Thatisa
correctobservationforinRevelation5:1thewordusedis biblion (book,
scroll),adiminutiveformofbiblos(book),whereasinRevelation10the
wordusedfourtimesisbiblaridion(littlebook),adiminutiveformof
biblarion(littlebook).
Biblionisthecommonwordusedfor"books"or"scrolls"inRevelation,
occurring20times.Themorestandardformofbiblosoccursonlytwice(3:9;
20:15). Biblaridion (little book) occurs nowhere in Scripture other than
Revelation 10. Regardless of the distinction between biblos (book) and
biblion (book, scroll), therefore, the contrast between biblaridion (little
book)inRevelation10andbiblion(book,scroll)intherestofRevelationis
quite sharp and distinct and surely must be intentional. 18 The "book" of
Revelation10thusstandsincontrastto,andisnotidentifiedwith,theonein
Revelation5:1.
Itshouldbenotedthatthelittlebookisalreadyopenwhentheangel
descends.Thebookismentionedbeforetheangelplaceshisfeetonlandand
sea.Thismeans thebookwas opened,presumablyinheaven, beforethe
angelwassentwithhismissionandmessagebasedonitscontents.
Given the emphasis that this scroll is now open, it is reasonable to
assumethat,liketheonein5:1,itwassealedorcloseduntiltheangel's
16ForacommentaiyexpressionofthisviewseeG.E.Ladd,/lConwnetUaryof'theRevelationofJohn
(GrandRapids,1971),141;"Since4:1hehasbeenwritingasthoughhewereinheavenbuthis
positionhasnowshiftedbacktoearth."Cf.IB12(Nashville,1957);43839.
17ForanexampleofanoathswornbyonemantoanotherseeGen14:22.Forexamplesofoaths
swornbyGodtomenseeErod6:8;Mum14:30;Ezek20:15,28.
18Althoughbibfion(book,scroll)doesoccuronetimeinRev10:8,thedominantemphasisonbib
laridion(littlescroll[fourtimes])indicatesthatthisscrollisdifferentfromthescrollinRev5.
288
appearance. The use of the perfect participle to describe this openness

emphasizesnotonlythatthescrollhadbeenpreviouslyopened,butthat
itwastoremainopenthereafter.19
Atthispointthediscussionofthelittlescrollmaybeleftincomplete
withoutmakingafinalidentificationofit.Wewillexaminethatissuemore
fullylateron.
Standingonseaandland.Theangelplaceshisrightfootuponthesea
andhisleftfootupontheearthorland.Thismeans,incidentally,thatthe
handwiththescrollwasheldoutovertheearth;thehandhelduptoswear
theoathwasoverthesea.Thus,thelandandsea(combinedinsynthetic
parallelism)canbetakentorepresentthewholeearth.Thisangelicaction,
and the language describing it, refers to the worldwide extent of the
proclamationofthemessageandtheauthorityofthisangel. 20
AminorityviewexpressedbyBamhouseseestheseaandlandasrefer
ringtotheGentilenationsandIsraelrespectively. 21Ifthiswerethecasethen
thesymbolismresultsinabadlymixedmetaphor:landrepresentingoneland
(Israel) and waters representing other lands (Gentiles). However, the
conclusion of the chapter regarding John's preaching to all nations again
impliesthatnosuchdistinctionwasintendedattheoutsetofthisnarrative.It
ispreferable,therefore,toseethelanguageoflandandseaasportrayinga
pictureofuniversalismhere.
SpecificIdentification
Iwoviews.Therearetwomainviewsontheidentificationoftheangel
inRevelation10.Oneisthatthisisaspecialangelofexaltedrank.The
other is that this is an angelic representation of God, more specifically
Christ.
J.A.Seissisamongthosecommentatorswhohaveidentifiedthisangel
asChrist.22 Drawingcomparisonswiththeangel'sglory,cloudygarment,
andrainbowheaddress,D.G.Bamhousealsohasidentifiedthisfigureas
Christ.Fordhasdrawnespeciallyuponcomparisonswithelementsinthe
Exodus narrative to identify this figure as probably "the Angel of the
Covenant,sometimesidentifiedwithYahweh."24Inhisolderwork..
19Mouncc,207.
20AsrepresentativeofthispointsecMounce,208;L.Morris,TheRevelationofSt.John,TyndaleNew
TestamentCommentaries.,20(Leicester,England,1983):137;Ladd,142;Caird,125.
21D.G,Bamhouse,Revelation:AnExpositoryCommentary(GrandRapids,1971),181.
22J.A.Seiss,TheApocalypse(Philadelphia,1865),223.
23Bamhouse,179.
24Ford,163.
289
ElliotthasurgedtheinterpreterofRevelation10to"considertootheperson
announcingit;thesamedivineCovenantAngel,JehovahJesus." 25
Inarguingthealternatepointofview,Charleshasproposedthatthis
angelmaybeGabriel. He arguesthatthisangelisnotChristbecausethe
useofanoathbyGodHimselfisinappropriate. 26G.E.Laddholdsthatthis
isapurelyangelicfigureonthebasisthatinRevelationangelsareonly
angels,andGodisnotrepresentedasanangelanywhereinthebookof
Revelation.27
Thesetwoobjectionsarenotasformidableastheymightappear.There
areinstancesintheOTwhereGodisstatedtohavetakenoaths.Threeof
thesehavebeencitedabove. 28 Itistruethattheword"angel"isusednot
specificallyforGodinRevelation,butthefigureofMichaelinRevelation
12isbothangelicandChristlikeincharacter.
Oneshouldalsotakeintoaccounttheoriginoftheimageryemployed
here.ThepillaroffireandcloudimageryisdrawnespeciallyfromtheExo
dusaccount.InthataccountYahwehistheOnewhoissaidtohavein
habitedthepillarofcloudandactedfromit(Exod13:21).Onatleastone
occasion,however,itissaidthatitwas"theangel"ofYahwehwhodidso
(Exod14:19).Thiskindofconnectioncouldhavebeentakenoverintothe
imageryofRevelationalongwithotherelementsfromtheExodusaccount.
Evidence for a Christlike figure. In favor of the identification with
Christ,weobservethatthefourmaincharacteristicsofthisangelaremost
commonly connected with representations of God. This applies to the
appearance of his feet as pillars of fire, to the cloudy garment wrapped
aroundhim,tothegloryseenradiatingfromhisface,andtotherainbow
seen over his head. All four characteristics occur in connection with
descriptions of God elsewhere in the Bible. None of them are used ex
clusivelyforangels.Ifthisisonlyanangelicfigure,hesurelyhasbeen
endowedwithextensivedivinelikecharacteristics.
An additional point derives from a consideration of similar passages
availableforcomparison.TheseareRevelation1,Daniel10and12,and
Ezekiel1.Inthesepassagesthemainfigureisdivine.InRevelation1itis
Christ. Ezekiel 1 identifies its central character as Yahweh. The figure
presentinDaniel10iscertainlyGodlikeandmoreexaltedthantheangels
presentinthenarrative.
2$E.B.Elliott,HoraeApocatypucae2(London,1846),123.
26Charles,258.
27Ladd,141.
28Exod6:8;Num14:30;Ezek20:15,28.
290
Sincethesecomparisonscometheclosesttothedescriptionoftheangel
of Revelation 10, and since these Persons are divine, these comparisons
suggestthatthefigurepresentinRevelation10isChristlike,andnotjustan
angel.
GeneralIdentification
ComparisonwithDaniel10:6;12:7.Bytheexpression"generaliden
tification"Iintendedtoevokeanotherrelationshiporlinkwiththeangelor
divinelikefigureinDaniel10and12.Manycommentatorshavenoteda
relationship. While some have described it in more detail than others, a
surveyofthecommentarieshasfailedtoturnupanyinstanceinwhichthis
relationshiphasbeendenied.29
In his commentary on Revelation 10 Elliott referred to Daniel as "a
prophet and prophecy here evidently referred to." 30 Of the relationship
between the angels found in these two passages Charles observes, "our
author(ofRev10)hadtheangeldescribedinDanX.6,XII.7beforehis
mind."31LeadinguptohisquoteofDaniel12:67,CairdconnectsRevelation
10:56withthatpassagebynotingthat"atthispointJohnbeginstoadaptto
hisownpurposesanOldTestamentpassagewhichwillfigureprominently
inmanyof his subsequentvisions....Johnbelievedthatthis prophecyof
Daniel,alongwithotherOldTestamentprophecies,wasabouttohaveanew
and richer fulfilment."32 In his comment on this passage in Revelation
Mouncenotes, "It isDaniel12:7,however,thatsuppliestheinterpretive
backgroundforthissection."33
Inadditiontosuchgeneralconnections,commentatorshavealsomade
specificconnectionsbetweenthesetwopassagesintermsoftheirdetails.In
hiscommentsonDaniel12:7 Clarkenoted,"thisisverysimilartothe
description of the angel (in) Revelation 10:5." 34 Elliott noted that in
Revelation10"thesameCovenantAngel,JehovahJesus,thatnowbrought
withhim,ashisownproperinvestiture,thesamegloryastheGodmanin
Daniel'searliervision."35
29Someexamplesofthosewhohavenotedthiscorrelationingeneralterms:Elliott,Charles,Caird,
andMounce.
30Elliott,121.
31Charies,259.
32Caild,127.
33Mounce,210.
34A.Clarke,"TheHolyBible,"ACommentaryandCriticalNotes,Revelation(Reprint,Nashville,
1938),618.
35Elliott,123.
291
Oath.TheactionoftheangelofDaniel12andtheangelofRevelation
10canbecomparedintermsoftheirverysimilaroath.Ofthisrelationship
Elliottwrote,"Besidesallwhich,itismostimportant(aswillsoonappear
onourenteringonthehistory)thatwemarktheparallelismoftheactand
oath,withthatotherjustalludedtoinDaniel;aparallelismsostrikingthatit
seemsincrediblebutthattheallusiontoitmusthavebeenmeant,andone
imprestonthemindofSt.John."36
Fordalsocommentsonboththeoathandtheactionswhichaccompany
it:"TheoathsworninRevelation10:67reflectsDaniel12:79wherethe
angelclothedinlinenswearswithhisrightandlefthandstoward
heaventhattherewillbe*atime,twotimes,andhalfatime'beforetheend
ofthewonders."37
Cairdisconcernedespeciallywiththecontentoftheoath.Henotesthat
RevelationhasaddedtotheoathasitisfoundinDaniel:"John'sangelmakes
oneimportantadditiontothewordsofDaniel'sangel.Heswears,notsimply
bytheeternalGod,butbyhim whocreatedheaven,earth,andsea,and
everythingin them [author's emphasos]. "3 Kiddle also refers more to the
wordsoftheoaththantheactionsconnectedwithitwhenheobserves,"the
angel'soathisanechoofDaniel12:7."39
Sealing.Thereisalsoareferencetoaworkofsealinginbothpassages.
ThesealinginRevelation10involvestheseventhunders;inDaniel12it
involvesthescrolloftheprophet.However,ithasbeennotedthattheuseof
thiskindoflanguageinthecontextofanoathappearstohavebeentaken
overfromtheearlierpassageintothelaterone.
F.Glassonhasnotedthisconnection:"Thesealinghere(inRevelation
10:5) shows the influence of Daniel 12:4 and 9.... The same chapter of
Danielhasnodoubtsuggestedthelanguagehere(inRevelation10:6),aman
clothedinlinen,clearlyanangel(quotesDaniel12:7)." 40
Fordhasmadeasimilarstatementabouttheuseofthisphraseologyandhas
observedthatSwetetookthisphraseascomingfromDaniel12:4:
"But the application of the metaphor to unwritten utterances is a bold
innovation."41
Prophetictime.Finally,anotherimportantconnectionbetweenthese
36Ibid,124.
37Fon),162.
38Caird,129.
39.Kiddie,TheRevelationofSt.John(London,1940),172.
40.F.Glasson,TheRevelationofJohn(Cambridge,1965),67.
41Ford,159.
292
two passages involves the fact that both personages swear in their oaths about
prophetictime.Sincethatelementbelongstoadiscussionofthecentralpassagein
thechapter,itsdiscussionisreserveduntilwearriveatthatpointinourstudy.
TheSevenThunders
UniqueMessage
An examination of the seventhunder passage discloses a problem of
considerablemagnitude(vss.34).Whenthemightyangelcalledout,the
seven thunders sounded. When they sounded, the prophet listened and
understoodthem.Afterthethunderingceased,theprophetstartedtorecord
theirmessage.Atthispoint,however,heisinstructednottowritebuttoseal
uptheirmessage.Wearefaced,therefore,withamessagethatwasgivenbut
takenback.
Lionlike call. Analyzing the passage, we should note first that the
thundersissueinresponsetoaloudcallfromthemightyangel.Thecallis
describedassounding"likealionroaring."Thefigureofalionroaringis
usedonoccasionintheOTtoconveytheideaimpendingjudgment.
AmoswarnedIsraelofcomingjudgmentswiththiskindoflanguage:
"Doesalionroarintheforest,whenhehasnoprey?,..Thelionhasroared;
whowillnotfear?TheLordGodhasspoken;whocanbutprophesy?"(Amos
3:4,8).TheenemysurroundingthesufferingservantofGodinPsalm22is
describedfirstasa"raveningandroaringlion"(vs.13).Afterthebeasthas
attacked,theservantpleadsfordeliverance"fromthemouthofthelion"(vs.
21).
Mounceobservesthatthecallor"roaring"iscommensuratewiththesize
of the mighty angel; the call is given with a deep resonant voice that
demands attentionsFord focuses on the quality of the angel's utterance
conveyedbytheNTword,"mukatai'roar'onlyhereintheBible.Lowsound,
growl of thunder. Loud in volume and extremely deep but not actual
words."43
Givencomparisonswiththiskindoflanguageemployedelsewhereinthe
Bible,itisreasonabletoexpectthattheangel'scrycarriesaconnotationof
judgmenthere.
42Mounce,208.
43Ford,159.
293
ThunderSymbolism
Inresponsetotheloudcryofthemightyangel,seventhundersrumbled.
Wearenottoldfromwheretheyissuedorwhocausedthem.However,on
thebasisofparallelsfoundelsewhereinRevelation,itisreasonabletotake
thesethundersashavingsoundedfromheaven.Thatbeingthecase,they
mostlikelywouldhavesoundedatthecommandofGod.Thus,Godcaused
thesethundersinresponsetotheangel'scall.
Theuseofthenumber7impliesthatlikethesevenchurches,seals,
trumpets,andplaguestheseseventhunderssoundedsuccessivelyandnot
allatonce.discoverwhattheseseventhundersmightrepresent,weneed
toexaminetheusesoftheword"thunder"elsewhereinRevelation.
Asidefromthethreetimesthewordoccursinthepassageundercon
sideration,itappearsinsevenotherpassagesinRevelation.Threeprovide
littleinsight;theotherfourareofmoremajorsignificance.
In the three lesser important occurrences the word is used for com
parativeanddescriptivepurposes:onceforthevoiceofoneoftheliving
creatures(6:1),andtwiceforthesoundofgreatmultitudesofredeemedin
heavenastheysingsongsofpraise(14:2;19:6).
Inthefourremainingpassagesthewordfor"thunder"mayshedmore
lightinoursearch.InallfourinstancesthetempleofGodinheavenis
described.Furthermore,thesedescriptionsoftheheavenlytempleserve
eitherasanintroductionoraconclusiontooneofthemajorlinesofprophecy
inthebook.
Inthefirst instance,thethronesceneserves as anintroductiontothe
seriesofseals(4:5).Inthesecondinstance,thethundersoccurinthetemple
aspartoftheintroductiontothetrumpets(8:45).Inthethirdinstance,the
thunders occur with the description of the temple that serves as the
introductiontothemajor prophecies of Revelation 1214 (11:19). 44 In the
finaloccurrenceofthiskindoflanguagethethundersfromthethroneandthe
templeserveastheconclusiontothevialplaguesequenceinRevelation16
(16:18).
Inthesefour instances thewordfor "thunder" is found ina series of
wordswithotherassociatedphenomena.Thecompletelistincludesflashesof
lightning,voicesorloudnoises,pealsofthunder,earthquake,andgreat
44IconcurwiththeviewofKStrandwhoplacesRev11:19astheintroductiontochaps.1214ratherthan
astheconclusionofchap.11.K.Strand,"The'VictoriousIntroduction'ScenesintheVisionsinthe
BoohofRevelation,"AVSS25(1987):273.Seereprintinchap.3ofthisvolume.
294
hailstones.Ascanbeseenreadilyfromthislist,allthesewordsrefertodifferent
phenomenathatmayaccompanyastorm.
Theseportrayalsareinessence,therefore,descriptionsofatheophanyofGod,
actingasthestormGodontheparticularoccasionsdescribedinthesepassages.The
questionis,Whatiscommontoallfouroftheseoccasionsthatwouldelicitthis
particulartypeofresponsefromGod?
Beforedealingwiththiscentralquestion,someotherfeaturesinthesescenes
should be marked. For example, there is a progression in the elaboration of the
elementspresentintheselistsastheyarerecordedsuccessivelythroughthebookof
Revelation.Thefirstscenecontainsthreeelements;thesecondhasfour;andthelast
twolistfive.Thus,thereaderismadeawareofacrescendointheaccumulationof
theseelementsashe
proceedsthroughtheIrook.
Althoughthereareoccasionalinversions,thesestormelementsare
listedinsomewhatthesameorderinallpassages.Inthefirstandlastinstancesthese
elementsaresaidtoissuefromthethroneofGodinheaven;
intheothertwocasestheyaresimplysaidtooccurwithoutsodirectaconnection.
Noneofthefourpassagesdescribethephenomenaasproceedingdirectlyfromthe
personofGodHimself,althoughtheyareobviously
underHiscontrol.
Thecommondenominatorthatappearstorunthroughthesefourscenesisthat
ofjudgment.ThephenomenaareseentoissuefromGod'sthroneatthetimesHe
sendsforthHisjudgments.Thisisquiteevidentinthecaseofthetrumpets(8:45)
andtheplagues(16:18).
The concept of judgment is likely in 11:19, the verse that introduces the
propheticscenesofwarfarebetweenthedragonandthewoman(Rev1213)leading
up to the judgment announced in Revelation 14. Since the throne scene of
Revelation45alsoservestointroducetheseriesofseals(Rev6),andsincethe
sealscanbeseenascontainingelementsofjudgmenttoo,theappearanceofthe
thunderanditsassociatedstormelementscanalsobeseenasconnectedwiththe
ideaofjudgment.
Ifthethundersissuingfromthethroneinthesefourpassagesareconnectedwith
the Judgments of God, then one might expect that the seven thunders heard in
Revelation10wouldberelatedalsotothethemeofjudgment.Thisconnectionhas
beennotedbysomeofthecommentators.Barnhouse,forexample,refers tothe
seventhundersastherecordofjudgmentsagainsttherebellious.45 Laddrefersto
thesethundersaspremoni
45Bamhouse,182.
295
tionsofthecomingjudgmentsofGod'sdivinewrath.45
BothBarnhouseandLaddhavecalledattentiontotheparallelbetween
thesethundersandthesevenfoldthunderingofthevoiceofYahwehinthe
storm described in Psalm 29. In this connection it should be noted that
Psalm29isalsoapsalmofjudgment,andthatjudgmentissentfromthe
throneofGodintheheavenlysanctuary(vss.12,911).ThattheCanaanites
arethetargetofthejudgmentbroughtbythestormisevidentfromthefact
that,accordingtothegeographicalreferencesinthePsalm,thestormnever
touchesIsraeliteterritory.
FromtheseparallelsfoundelsewhereinRevelationwewouldhaveex
pectedtheseventhunderstohaveannouncedaseriesofjudgmentsiftheir
messagehadbeentransmittedwithoutinterruption.However,theprophet
wasinstructedtosealupthemessagesandnottorecordthem.Whatdoes
thismean?Ifnothingwasevertobeknownaboutthem,thenitwouldseem
strangetohavemadeanyannouncementaboutthematall.
Theirannouncementfollowedbytheirsealingshould,therefore,have
some prophetic significance and explanation. Several theories have been
proposedtoexplainthishimofcircumstances.Oneideaisthatthisconsti
tutesaliterarydevicetoinsertasequencethatisalreadywellknowntothe
readers.Anotherexplanationwouldlocalizethesethundersinheaven;
therefore,noexplanationwasnecessarytobegivenonearth.Thepreferable
explanation,thusfar,isthatofCairdwhosuggeststhattheseseventhunders
announcedjudgmentsofdoom,butthatthedoomwascancelled. 47
SealingtheThunders
The use of the verb for sealing to describe the concealment of the
message of the seven thunders is unusual. Elsewhere in the book of
Revelationsealingrelatesdirectlytowhatthatactionentailed:placingaseal
uponanobjectordocument.Forexample,weareshownthesealingofthe
servantsofGodintheirforeheads(7:3);thesealingofthescrollwithseven
seals(5:1);andwehavetheinstructionsnottosealupthemessageofJohn's
propheticscroll(22:10).
InRevelation10:4,however,theprophetistoldnottowritedownwhat
theseventhundershadannounced,andinthismannerhewastosealup
whattheyhadsaid.Theproblemhereisthatyoudon'tnormally"sealup"an
oralcommunication.
46Ladd,142.
47Caird,126.
296
Aratherreadyexplanationforthisunusualcircumstanceemergesfrom
Daniel12,themajorparallelforthesceneinRevelation10. InDanielthe
prophetlooksoninverse5;thegloriousangelappearsinverse6;andthe
angeltakeshisoathinverse7.Ifwegobacktotheinstructionsimmediately
precedingtheseverses,weFindthecommandtotheprophettoboth"shut
upthewords"and"sealthebook"(vs.4).
ThesamekindoflanguageisusedintheRevelationscene,butina
dynamic,notafrozenway.InDaniel12theprophet shutsup thewords
whenhe seals thescroll.InRevelation10theprophet seals upthewords
whenheshutsthemupbynotrecordingthem.Similarinstructionsaregiven
inasimilarcontext,buttheyarecarriedoutinadifferentmannertofitthe
newsettinginRevelation.Thus,thesolutiontotheproblemposedbythe
tensionbetweenthetwodifferentkindsofactionsdescribedinRevelation
10:4(sealup;don'twrite)appearstobeprovidedbytheoriginalsourcefrom
whichthisimageryisderived.
ThundersReplacedbyPlagues?
Somecommentatorsseeaconnectionbetweentheseventhundersand
thesevenplaguesofRevelation16.Glassonspeaksinlanguagethatsug
geststhatthesevenlastplaguestaketheplaceofwhattheseventhunders
wouldhaveprovided:"Referencetotheseventhundersmightleadoneto
expectanotherseriesofwoes:thefirstthunder,thesecond,andsoon.But
thisideaisnotdeveloped;andasweshallsee,theseventrumpetsarein due
course followed by theseven bowls (chap. 16)." 48 Mounce refers to the
seventhundersas"anotherseriesofwarningplagues." 49
Thesevenbowlsarereferredtoasthesevenlastplagues,becausethey
arethefinaljudgmentstofallbeforeChristcomesthesecondtime(15:1).
In Revelation 10 we find seven thunders: judgments or plagues that
apparentlywouldhavecomeveryneartheendoftime,fortheywouldhave
occurredinthetimewhentheseventhangelwastosoundhistrumpetand
themysteryofGodwastobefinished(10:7).
Hadthethunderssoundedatthetimewhentheywereannouncedand
notbeenshutuptheycouldwellhavebeenthefinaljudgmentplagues
themselves.Asitworkedout,thiswasnottobethecase.Theirplacewas
taken by the plagues of Revelation 16. We may put this relationship in
anotherway:ThesepenultimateJudgmentsoftheseventhunders
48Glasson,63.
49Mounce,209.
297
were announced but recalled, only to be replaced by the ultimate judgments
deliveredinthesevenlastplagues.Isthereatimeinpropheticandsalvationhistory
whensuchpreliminaryjudgmentswouldhavebeenannouncedbutrecalled?That
questionoftimetakesustothenextsectionoftheprophecy.
TheOath
ThePositionoftheAngel
Thecentralpassageinthischapterisverses57.Itiscentralnotonlyinterms
ofliterarystructure,butalsointermsofthematicimportance.
Thefirstelementmentionedisthestanceoftheangelwithonefootonthesea
andtheotherontheland.Weobservedthatthistypeofsymbolismrepresentsthe
worldwideextentofthemessageofthemightyangel.
Thenewactionintroducedistheangel'sraisinghisrighthandtoswearanoath.
SincethiswasthemannerinwhichoathsweremadeinJohn'stime,thesymbolism
isdrawnfromnormalhumanexperience.Thefactthattherighthandwasliftedto
dothisswearing(RSV)indicatesthattheopenscrollwasstillheldinhislefthand.
TheOpenScroll
Althoughtheopenscrollisnotmentionedagainintheseverses(vss.57),its
presenceshouldbeassumedtobeanimportantpartofthisscene.Thefactthatthe
angelraisesonehandtosweartheoathandatthesametimeholdstheopenscrollin
theotherindicatesthattheoathshouldberelatedtothecontentsofthescroll.This
makestheidentificationofthescrollamatterofconsiderableimportanceifweare
tounderstandthemessageofthevision.
EarlierweobservedthattheGreekwordusedfor"scroll"inchapter10differs
fromthatusedin5:1andelsewhereinRevelation.Hence,thescrollinRevelation
10shouldbetakenasdistinctfromthoseotherscrolls.Thedistinctiontellsuswhat
thisscrollwasnot,butnotwhatitis.
DanielParallel
Thebestwaytoidentifythislittlescrollistocompareitscontextwithparallels
foundelsewhereintheBible.Whenthisisdone,theparallelbetweenthispassage
and that of Daniel 12 become apparent. Several similarities already have been
referredtoabove.Tothesemaynowbeaddedtheactionofswearinganoath.
298
Daniel12andRevelation10aretheonlytwopassagesintheBiblethatreferto
angelsswearingoaths.Bothoccupyrelativelysimilarpositions.TheangelofDaniel
10/12standsovertheTigrisRiverwhiletheangelofRevelation10standsastride
landandsea.Whenswearingbothraisetheirhandstoheaven.InDaniel12both
handsareraisedtoheaven;inRevelation10,onlytherighthandisraised.
WenoteinpassingthattherighthandismentionedfirstinDaniel12whilethe
righthandistheonlyhandmentionedinRevelation10.Theobviousexplanation
forthisdifferenceisthattheangelofDaniel12didnothaveascrollinhishand;
thushecouldraisebothhands.TheangelofRevelation10hadascrollinhisleft
hand,sohecouldraiseonlyhisrighthand.
IdentityofOpenBook
Thisdifferenceprovidesadirectwaybywhichtoidentifytheopenscrollheld
bythemightyangel.Immediatelyprecedingthedescriptionoftheangel'soathin
Daniel12,referenceismadetothescrolloftheprophetDaniel(12:4).Danielis
instructedtoshutupthewordsofhiswrittenpropheciesbyrollinguphisscrolland
sealingit.ThesealingwasnotaliteralsealingtoauthenticatehisFinishedwriting.
Rather,itsymbolicallyrepresentedthefactthatatalatertime"thetimeofthe
end"thepropheciesofhisscrollwouldbeopenedtotheunderstandingofthose
whowouldsearchbackandforthinthatscrollforitsimportantmessage.
NowwecometotheangelwhoholdsascrollopeninhishandinRevelation
10.Theemphasisupontheopenstateofthisscrollstandsincontrasttotheclosed
stateofthescrollofDanielinthatformertime.Thisemphasisalsosayssomething
aboutthetimewhenthescrollofRevelationlOwasopened.Itsopening,impliedby
Revelation10:7,wouldoccurinthetimewhentheseventhandlasttrumpetangel
wasabouttosoundhistrumpet.Inotherwordstheactionoftheangelwiththe
openedbookisanendtimeeventoraneventwhichwastooccurinthe"timeofthe
end."Inonecase(Dan12:4),wehaveascrollthatissealeduntil"thetimeofthe
end."Intheothercase(Rev10:2,57)wehaveascrollthathasbeenopenedinthe
endoftime.
Eventhoughitisusedin different ways inthe two passages, theverb"to
seal"strengthensthe linkbetweenthem, becauseit isfoundinthe immediate
contextoftheoathsoftheangels.Thisevidence,andmoretocomebelow,points
usinthedirectionofidentifyingtheopenscrollinthehandoftheangelwiththe
scrolloftheprophetDanielthathewasinstructedtosealcloseduntil"thetimeof
theend"(Dan12:4).
299
SwearingbytheTitlesofGod
AfterraisingtheirhandsboththeangelofDaniel12andofRevelation10begin
withanidentificationoftheGodbywhomtheyareswearingtheiroaths.Thereisa
directsimilaritybetweenoathsatthispoint.Thiscanbedemonstratedbyplacing
theinitialpartsoftheoathssidebyside:
Daniel12:7
andIheardhimswearbyhim
wholivesforever...
Revelation10:6
and[he]sworebyhimwholives
for ever and ever, who created
heavenandwhatisinit,theearth
andwhatisinit,andtheseaand
whatisinit,...
BothoathsbeginbyidentifyingGodaseternal, but inadditiontheoathin

RevelationacknowledgesGodasCreator.Thus,thereisadirectrelationshiphere,
butthere isalsoanelaboration inthelatterinstance. Theelaboration about the
CreatorhaslinkstootherpassagesinRevelation,mostnotablytheCreatorhymnin
4:11andthefirstangel'smessagein14:6.Thelinkwiththeformerismorethematic
innature;thelinkwiththelatterismoredirectlylexical.
Some commentators have called attention to this part of the oath and its
significance.Laddhasobserved,"Theangelannouncestheimminenceoftheendin
thenameoftheeternalGod,whoisalsoCreatorandLordofallcreation.Inother
words,theimminentendwilloccurbecauseGodistheeternalandsovereignone
whoultimatelyrulesandoverrulesallthingsinHisuniverse." 50
Caird,notingthestressthatisputuponCreation,holdsthatthesecretpurpose
ofGodreferredtonextinvolvesgoingbacktotheoriginalCreation.51Fordpoints
outthat"thereisanechoofthecommandments"(Exod20:11)intheoath. 52Thisis
anaccurateobservation,forthefourthcommandmentdoescontainthesamethree
elementsofheaven,earth,andseainthesameorder.Thequalifyingphrase"andall
thatinthemis"is
50Ladd,144.
51Caird,129.
52Ford,160.
300
addedonlyafterthethirditeminExodus20,buthereintheangel'soathitisadded
aftereachofthethreelistedareas.
Tbsummarizethispartofthediscussionoftheoathtwomainpointsmaybe
made:First,thereissufficientsimilaritybetweentheinitialpartsoftheoathsin
Daniel12andRevelation10toindicatethattheyaredirectlyrelated.Second,an
emphasishasbeenaddeduponGodasCreatorintheoathofRevelation,andthe
languageusedinthisemphasiscomesmostdirectlyfromthefourthpreceptofthe
TenCommandments.
TheMightyAngersMessage
SectionOutline
I.Introduction
.PropheticProuncementAboutTime.
TheBittersweetBook
IV.HistoricalFulfillment
V.Conclusions
Introduction
"Wallowing the identification of the God in whose name the oath is r^
sworn,theangelofRevelation10makesastatementabouttime.In JL.
olderversionshiswordsaretranslated,"thereshouldbetimenolonger"
(KJV);inmorerecentversionsitistranslated,"thereshouldbenomore
delay"(RSV).
Ineithertranslationitisevidentthattheangel'ssolemnoathdealswith
time.Inordertodeterminetheintentofthisexpressionitwillbeneces sary
forustoexamineitsphraseologyfromanumberofdifferentpointsofview:
lexical,contextual,parallels,andhistoricopropheticfulfillment.
301
PropheticPronouncementAboutTime
DefinitionandUseofChronos(Time)
Thewordtranslated"time"intheKJVand"delay" intheRSVis chronos
(time).Theideathat thisoccurrence chronos shouldbetranslated"delay" is
foundnotonlyinsomemodernversions,buttoaconsiderableextentincurrent
commentaryliterature.Laddnotes,forexample,"Whattheangelannouncesisthat
there will be no more time intervening before the coming of the end. The
consummationwillbenolongerdelayed;theprayersofthesaintsareabouttobe
answered."1 Bamhouse adds the idea that there will be no more delay until the
blowing of the seventh trumpet. 2 Given the prominence of this view about the
translationofchronos,wemustaskourselveswhatisthemostaccuratewaytotreat
it?
Abasicstartingpointfordeterminingthetranslation ofchronos shouldbegin
withitsuseinRevelation.Besidesthisoccurrencein10:6,chronosisfoundinthree
otherpassagesinRevelation.In2:21itreferstothetimegiventoJezebeltorepent.
In6:11itreferstotheadditionaltimethemartyrsweretorestunderthefifthseal.In
20:3itreferstothelittletimethatSatanisgivenafterheisloosedattheendofthe
millennium.Inthelattertwocasesthiswordfor"time"ismodifiedbytheword
mikrosfor"little."InthefiveotherinstancesinRevelationwheretheEnglishword
"time"occurs,thetranslatedGreekwordiskairos,notchronos.3
ThusnoneoftheinstanceswherechronosisusedinRevelationsupplytheidea
ofdelay.Toemploythatmeaningin10:6lackssupportintheusageoftheauthor
andcanonlybeseenasanarbitrarycaseofspecialpleading.Anadditionalpoint
againstthatkindoftranslationmaybedrawnfromthemannerinwhichthisword
functionsinitsownlanguage.AsElliotpointedoutlongago, 4theverbchronizocan
mean"todelay,"butthesubstantivechronosisnotusedthatway.
Fromtheseconsiderationsitappearsthatthemorepopular,recenttranslation
and interpretation of this word as "delay" is not justified in 10:6. The older
translationshouldberetained("thereshouldbetimenolonger,"KJV).
1G.ELLadd,/*CommentaryoftheRevelationofJohn(GrandRapids,1971),144.
2D.G.Barnhouse,Revelation:AnExpositoryCommentary(GrandRapids,1971),185
3Rev1:3;11:18;12:12;12:14:22:10
4..Elliott,HoraeApocalypucae2(London,1846),121.
302
ContextualTimeElements
WerefertotimeelementsfoundinRevelationoutsidechapter10.These
arelocatedorstatedinsuchawayastoprovideakindofframeworkforour
statement about time in Revelation 10. Three of these appear. One
immediatelyprecedesinchapter9,andonefollowsinchapter11.Thethird
statementoccursinthefifthsealinchapter6.Theconnectioninthislatter
caseismadebythethemeandlanguageused.
Revelation6:11. Thispassagesymbolicallydepictsagroupofmartyrs
under the altar upon the opening of the fifth seal. They have a burning
question,andthatquestionis,Howlongisthecurrentstateofaffairsgoing
tocontinue?"0SovereignLord,holyandtrue,howlongbeforethouwilt
judgeandavengeourbloodonthosewhodwellupontheearth?"Inanswer
totheirquestionandappealeachoneofthemisgivenawhiterobeandtold
towaitalittletime(chronos)untilthenumberoftheirbrethreniscomplete.
Discussingthestatementmadeabout"time"or"delay"inchapter10,
Barnhousesuggeststhattheanswertothemartyrs'question,"Howlong?"
(6:1011)isgivenbythemightyangel(lO^.^Laddlikewisethinksthatthe
statementmadein10:6indicatesthat"theprayersofthesaints(in6:1011)
areabouttobeanswered."6
Agoodcasecanbemadeforthisviewonlexicalgrounds.Theword
usedinbothpassagesis chronos. In6:11thesaintsaretoldtorestalittle
morechronos,in10:6theangelstatesthatthereshallbenomorechronos.If
thesetwostatementsareconnected,thenthefirstwouldgivesomethingofa
timeframeforthesecond.
Themartyrsceneoccursunderthefifthseal,andappearstorefertothe
greatpersecutionoftheMiddleAges.Accordingtothehistoricistschoolof
interpretation this era of persecution closed by the end of the eighteenth
century. The opening of the sixth seal that follows refers to the second
comingofChristandthesignsthatimmediatelyprecedeit.Thestatementby
the angel in Revelation 10 regarding "time," therefore, should fall
somewherebetweenthesetwopoints(theendoftheMedievalpersecution
andtheSecondAdvent)elaboratedunderthefifthandsixth
seals.
Noteshouldbetakenofwhatthemartyrsrequest(6:10).Theyaskhow
5Bamhouse.183.
6Ladd.144.
303
longitwillbebeforeGodjudgesandavengestheirdeaths.Itispossiblethat
the judging and the avenging are one and the same action. The other
alternative is that they are successive. In this case the judging would be
judicialincharacter,whiletheavengingwouldbeexecutiveincharacter.
Asuggestioninsupportofatwophasesequencemaybefoundatthe
endofverse11wheretheprocessofmakingupthenumberofthesaintsis
hinted. To makeupsuchanumberwouldrequiresomesortofdecision
making process. Thus the time referred to here (that they should rest,
literally,"alittletime")maybethetimeforthecommencementandduration
ofthedecisionmakingprocess.Suchajudgmentultimatelywouldresultin
avengingthebloodofthesaintsandinusheringthemintoGod'seternal
kingdom.
Revelation9:15.Ifoneislookingforstatementsabouttimeintheim
mediate context of Revelation 10 then the nearest preceding quantified
statementofthatnatureisfoundwiththetimeprophecyunderthesixth
trumpet,inRevelation9:15.Sincethespecifiedamountoftimereferredto
thereisappliedtoeventsunderthesixthtrumpet,theangelofRevelation10
couldnothavesaidthattimeliteralorpropheticshouldbenomoreuntil
after the conclusion of this time period. This raises the question of the
historicalperiodtowhichthatprophetictimespanshouldbeapplied.
AnumberofSeventhdayAdventistcommentatorshavefoundinthis
prophecy a description of the attack of the Ottoman Turks upon Chris
tendom.' The details of these applications cannot be explored here, but
sufficeittosaythatingeneraltheprinciplepresentintheseapplications
seemscorrect,thepoliticalpowerenvisionedhasbeenidentifiedcorrectly.
Thetimeperiodassociatedwiththisprophecy,however,doesnotyetappear
tohavebeenunderstoodcorrectly.Amoreaccurateassessmentofitmay
lendfurthersupporttothecorrectnessofthisoverallinterpretation.
Applyingtheyeardayprinciple8tothetimeperiodfoundinRevelation
9:15 provides 360 historical years for the prophetic year (compare
Revelation11:23;12:6,14forthefactthatapropheticyearconsistsof360
7ForrepresentativeviewsonthissubjectinSeventhdayAdventistcommentaiyliterature,seeU.
Smith,PropheciesofDanielandtheRevelation,rev.andnewlyillustrated(Nashville,1944),497
517;F.D.Nichol,ed.,TheSDABibleCommentary7(Washington,DC,1957):79296.
8ForadiscussionoftheyeardayprincipleintheinterpretationofapocalyptictimepropheciesseeW.
H.Shea,SelectedStudiesonPropheticInterpretation,DARCOMSeries,ed.FrankB.Hoibrook,
vol.1(Washington,DCBiblicalResearchInstitute,1982).5688.
304
days),30morehistoricalyearsforthepropheticmonth,andoneadditional
yearforthepropheticdayinthistimestatement.Thisgivesatotalof391
historicalyearstodealwiththusfar.Thequestiontheniswhattodowith
"thehour"withwhichthisstatementabouttimebegins.Sincethewordfor
"hour"maynotbesospecificintermsofhistoricalfulfillment,elsewherein
Revelation,itneednotbetakenaspartofthechronologicalequationhere.
Thoseothertimeelementsbringustothetimeor"hour"whenthisprophecy
wouldculminate.
IfonelooksforthemajoreventwithwhichtheassaultoftheOttoman
TurksonChristendombegan,onesurelywouldlooktothefallofConstan
tinopleastheeventwhichmarkedtheopeningofthefloodofTurksonthe
continentofEurope,andthatfloodeventuallywashedrightuptothegatesof
Vienna. The fall of Constantinople led to a distributionof writtenworks
across Europe that aided the Renaissance and the fall of that city was
consideredalandmarkeventbyChristianswholivedinEuropeatthetime.
Thisoccurredin1453.Threehundredninetyoneyearsfromthattimetakes
one to 1844. This was the year the Sublime Porte issued his edict of
toleration prohibiting citizens of the Turkish empire to persecute or kill
Christiansbecauseoftheirfaith.Sincethiswasapropheticperiodduring
whichmembersofmankindweretobekilled,thecessationofthistypeof
activity(bythepowerthathadcarriedoutthatkindofactivitypreviously)
fitsthespecificationsofthisprophecyverywell.Thetimeperiodalsofitsthe
natureofthiseventverywell,from1453whenthekillingbeganatCon
stantinopleuntil1844,391yearslater,whenthistypeofkillingcametobe
prohibited.
Theconclusionreinforcestheimpressionoftheoverallcorrectnessof
thisinterpretationoftheprophecy,bothwithrespecttoitsapplicationtothe
politicalpowerinvolvedandwithregardtotheaccuracyofthetimeperiod
allotedtoittodotheworkascribedtoit.AllofthiscametoanendonMarch
21,1844.NotuntilthatpointcouldtheangelofRevelation10saythatthere
shouldbetimenolonger, forthepropheticandhistorical time periodof
Revelation9:15wasstillrunninguntilthen.
Anytimeaftertheconclusionofthisprophetictimeperiod,however,it
wouldhavebeenappropriatefortheangeltohavemadesuchastatement
accordingtothispartofthechronologicalframeworkwhichsurroundsthe
prophecyofRevelation10.Inthiscasethewordchronosusedin10:6isalso
particularlyappropriate.Ifoneweretomentionthedays,months,andyears
of9:15overagain(inordertosaythattherewouldbenomoreofthem
hereafter),itwouldhaveledtoarathercomplexState305
mentInstead,allthesetimeelementsaresubsumedundertheheadingof
chronos,anditincludesallofthemcollectively.
Revelation11:23,9,11. ThemainnarrativeofRevelation11ispaired
withthatofRevelation10toformtheparentheticalmaterialbetweenthe
presentationsofthesixthandseventhtrumpets.Becausethesetwounitsare
pairedinthismanner,wemayexpectsomekindofrelationshipbetweenthe
contentsoftheirpropheciesandthewaytheytreatprophetictime.
ThetimeperiodsgiveninRevelation11arespecific.Thereisalongand
ashortperiod.Thelongtimeperiodisgiventwice:as42months(11:2)and
as1260days(11:3).Theshorttimeperiodisgiventwicelaterinthechapter
as 31/2 days (11:9,11). The longer symbolic time element is of more
importancetousbecauseitobviouslyrepresentsamuchlongerperiodof
timethanthe3Vidayssymbol.
Ofcentralimportancetothisnarrativeandthelongertimeelementisthe
state of God's witnesses testifying in sackcloth. In terms of historical
fulfillmentthisfitswellwiththeDarkAgesduringwhichthetruthofGod
was obscured in spiritual darkness while the saints of God underwent
persecution predicted also for the the same 1260day period in the next
chapter (Rev 12:6, 14). The yearday principle applied to this time span
provides a period of 1260 years for this era of spiritual darkness and
persecution. This fits well with the historical markers that have been
proposedtodemarcatethisperiod:extendingfromthemidsixthcenturyto
thelateeighteenthcentury,or538to1798inmorespecificchronological
terms.9
Forourpurposeitdoesnotreallymatterwhetherthe3^daysoryears
occurattheendofthistimespanorshortlythereafter.Theneteffectisthe
same,namely,thatthetwotimeperiodsofRevelation11cometoanendby
the beginning of the nineteenth century. Revelation 11 thus provides a
marker beforewhich theangelofRevelation10couldnothaveswornhis
oath that "there should be time no longer" (KJV). The time periods of
Revelation11werestillrunningonthepropheticclock.Onlyatsomepoint
aftertheyhadfinishedcouldtheangeltrulyswaretohisannouncement.
9Forsample presentations of the datesof5381798 for the 1260day.yearperiodofpersecutionin

prophecy,seetheworksreferredtoinn.55;TheSDABibleCommentary4:83334;andU.Smith,
14345,53334,551.58.
306
ParallelTime
Daniel 12. Comparisons have been drawn between Daniel 12 and
Revelation10atvariouspointsintheprecedingdiscussion.Wecomenowto
onemorecomparison:theirmutualinterestin"time."Forexample,theangel
ofDaniel12swearsthat"theshatteringofthepoweroftheholypeople"
wouldcometoanendafter"atime,twotimes,andhalfatime"(Dan12:7,
RSV).OntheotherhandtheangelofRevelation10swearsthattimeshould
benolonger.Sincesomanyotheraspectsofthesenarrativescorrespond,it
isonlynaturaltoexpectthatthesetimeelementsare
relatedinsomeway.
Therelationshiphasbeennotedbyanumberofcommentators.Among
olderworks,M.Habershonwrotein1841,"Itwouldnowexpressmyown
convictionthattheassertionherebroughtforwardrelatestothesamething,
theonlydifferencebeingthattheoneexpressesthisperiodof1260yearsas
future,'itshallbeforatime,times,andanhalf;whiletheotherexpressesit
aspast*timeshallbenolonger.'"
In1854S.Despreznoted,"Bothpredictionsrelatetothesametime;
theoneisbuttheechooftheother." 11In1884P.W.Grantwrote,"Theoath,
too,is quiteofthesamenaturenay,asalreadysuggested,itisthevery
sameoath,onlyreferringinonecasetothewholetimeofantiChristian
oppression, ... and referring in the other to the close of the same sad
period."12
Qarke's commentary is more tentative: "This is very similar to the
descriptionoftheangel.Revelation10:5,6, andintheseventhversethere
seemstobeareferencetothisprophecy,'atimeandtimes,andahalf.'"
Thisrelationshiphasalsobeennotedbymorerecentcommentaries.In
hisworkpublishedin1940M.Kiddlewrote,"inrealitytheangelisspeaking
ofpreciselythesameperiodasthatmentionedinDaniel." 14
Whilemodemcommentatorscontinuetonotetherelationshipbetween
these two statements about time, they have, in some cases, turned the
relationship around. They argue that the announcement in Revelation 10
indicatesthatthe31/2timesofDaniel'spersecutionistobegin,notend.
Cairdexpressesthisview:"JohnbelievedthattheprophecyofDaniel,
10.Habershon,AnHistoricalExpositionofthePropheciesoftheRevelation(London,1841),208.
11P.S.Desprez,TheApocatypseFulfilled(London,1854),226.
12P.W.Grant,TheRevelationofJohn(London.1889),267.
13A.darke,"TheHolyBible,"ACommentaryandCriticalNotes,Revelation(Reprint,Nashville,
1938),618.
14MKiddle,TheRevelationofSt.John(London,1940),17273.
307
alongwithotherOldTestamentprophecies,wasabouttohaveanewand
richerfulfilment.Thethreeandahalfyearswereabouttostart...;andhe
interpretedthelastsentenceoftheangel'swordstoDanieltomeanthatwith
thedestructionofthepersecutorthesecretpurposeofGodwillhavebeen
accomplished[author'semphasos].Thepersecutionofthechurchisthusthe
secretweaponbywhichGodintendstowinhisvictoryoverthechurch's
persecutorsandtoachievehispurposeofredemption.Itisalsothecontent
ofthelittlescroll."15
The older viewpoint, that puts the announcement of the angel of
Revelation10atthe end ofthetimeperiodannouncedbytheangelof
Daniel12,appearstobesuperiortothemodernviewthatwouldinvert
these relationships. The more recent view is based in part upon the
application of Daniel's prophecy to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes
(secondcenturyB.C).ThustheuseofthistimeperiodinRevelationbe
comesareapplication,nottheoriginalintentoftheprophecy.
Inthehistoricistview,however,Daniel'sprophecylooksfartherdown
intimethanjustthesecondcenturyB.C.Indeed,itextendsintotheChris
tianErawhenthispersecutionwastotakeplace.Theapplicationofthe
yeardayprincipletothistimeperiodindicatesthatanannouncementabout
it in Revelation should refer to its conclusion rather than its com
mencement.
ThesamepointisborneoutbythecontextinRevelation10.Theoath
expressedtherewastofinditsfulfillmentinthetimewhentheseventhangel
was going to sound his trumpet, clearly an endtime event. Thus, the
conclusionofolderhistoricistcommentatorsseemsmoresoundonthispoint
thandoesthemoderncriticalapproach.
These commentators, whether they have writteninthe nineteenthor
twentiethcenturies,havemadeadirectconnectionbetweentheendoftime
inRevelation10:6andthe 31i2 timesinDaniel12:7.Whilethisgeneral
conclusionisundoubtedlycorrect,thereisoneflawinmakingtheapplica
tionsospecific.Thisflawhasarisenfromafailuretogiveattentiontothe
specificGreekwordemployed.IntheSeptuagintofDaniel12:7(thethird
second century B.C. Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, commonly
designatedastheLXX)thewordusedfor3i/z"times"iskairos,whereasthe
wordusedinRevelation10:6ischronos.EnglishBiblesdonotbringoutthe
distinctionthatispresentintheseGreekterms.
Thisisoneinstanceinwhichwecanbequitesurethatadistinction
15G.B.Caird,TheRevelationofSt.JohntheDivine(NewYorit,1966),12728,
308
wasintendedbytheauthor.Thisisevidencedbythefactthattheidentical
time period, drawn from Daniel 12:7, appears in Revelation 12:14 and
employsthesameword kairos asfoundintheLXXofDaniel.Itseems
clear,therefore,thatJohnintendedtouseadifferentwordinRevelation
10:6thanheusedin12:14ortheLXXusedinDaniel12:7.ButJohnstill
usedawordthatreferredtotime(chronos).Whyshouldthisdistinctionbe
presentinthetext?
AnanswertothisquestionmaybeinferredfromotherdatainDaniel12.
Followingtheoathaboutthe3li2times,theangeltakesupthesubjectofthe
abominationofdesolation.Itsduration,hesaid,wouldlast1290days(vs.
11).Andhecontinuesbypronouncingablessingonthosewhowillcometo
the1335days(vs.12).
Thus,attheendofDaniel12twoadditionaltimeperiodsarementioned
bythesameangel.Inthelatterinstances,however,thetimeperiodsare
givenindifferentunits;insteadof"times,"theunitemployedis"days."
IftheangelofRevelation10hadintendedtoreferonlytothe3lt2times
ofDaniel12:7,heshouldhaveusedthewordkairos.ButDaniel12contains
two longer prophetic time periods in addition to the 3^ kairoi. To
accommodatetheseotherreferencestotime(givenin"days"),adifferent
wordfromkairoswouldhavetobeused.Whilekairoscouldrefertoonly
oneofthethreetimeperiodsinDaniel12,chronosfitswellasanoverarch
ingterm,coveringboththetimeunitsgivenin kairos andthosegivenin
"days."Thus,thedistinctivenessfor chronos inRevelation10:6isthatit
functionstoincorporatethethreetimeperiodsofDaniel12intoitsframeof
reference.
Sincetheangel'soath(10:6)appearstoincludethethreetimeprophe
ciesinDaniel12,someattentionshouldbegiventotheirhistoricalfulfill
ment.The3^2times(vs.7)referstothesameeraasgiveninDaniel7:25.
Bothpassagesmettheirfulfillmentinthepersecutionthatextendedthrough
theDarkAgesfrom538to1798.16
The"abominationofdesolation"(vs.11)wassetupbythesamepower
carryingoutthatpersecution(cf.Dan11:31and8:1112).Sincethedomin
ionofthatpowerwastocometoatemporaryendatthetimethepersecution
wasover(7:25),soalsointhisparallelprophecy(12:11)themanifestation
of the abomination of desolation would end at the same time as the
persecution.Thisisbutanotherwaytosaythatthe3^2timesor1260days
shouldendtogetherwiththe1290days,bothin1798.Figuringback
16Secn.9.above.
309
wards,notforward,meansthatthemanifestationofitspowerbeganin508.
ThefinaltimeperiodofDaniel12,the1335days,isgiveninthesametypeof
timeunitastheimmediatelypreceding1290days.Itisreasonable,therefore,to
assume that both run together. This means the 1335 days extend 45 dayyears
beyondtheendofthe1290dayyearsin1798,orto1843.
Itshouldbenotedherethatwearedealingwithhistoricaleventsinwestern
EuropethataremeasuredoffbytheRomanJulianGregoriancalendarthatbegins
eachyearinJanuaryandendsinDecember.
ThetimepropheciesofDaniel8and9,however,havebeenfiguredaccording
totheJewishfalltofallcalendarbecausethatwasthecalendarfunctioninginthe
placeandtimewhenthesetimeperiodsbegan(Neh1:1;
2:1).Whenwecometothe1335 thdayyearofDaniel12:12,therefore,itsJanuary
toDecemberyearin1843overlappedwiththe2300 thdayyearofDaniel8:14that
extendedfromthefallof1843tothefallof1844.Forpracticalpurposes,therefore,
we may say that the 1335 days take us to the same year of 1844 as does the
prophetictimeperiodofDaniel8:14.
ThisspeechofthegloriousangelinDaniel12suppliesthreetimeperiods:the
3^2times,the1290days,andthe1335days.Historically,theseendrespectivelyin
1798,1798,and1844.Ourreferencetochronostimeappearstotakeintoaccountall
threeoftheseprophecies, notjustthefirstofthem.Thismeansthattheangel's
statementinRevelation10that"thereshouldbetimenolonger"(KJV)couldnot
have been pronounced until the third and last of the three periods had been
completed.Thistookplacein1844.Anytimeafterthat,thisstatementcouldhave
beenspoken.
Daniel S:14.ThereisnodirectlexicalconnectionbetweenRevelation10and
Daniel 8:14, but there may well be a thematic connection between them. That
connectionhastodowiththetimeunitsinDaniel8:14,the2300eveningmornings
(days).Whatisaneveningmorning?Thesuccessiveuseofthiskindofphraseology
forthedaysofcreationinGenesis1indicatesthata24hourdaywasintended,an
expression of only chronological significance. May there be some theological
significancetotheuseofeveningmorningsinDaniel8:14?
Daniel 8 is above all a prophecy about the sanctuary. A struggle over the
sanctuarytakesplacebetweenthePrinceofthehostandthelittlehorn.Hebrew
wordsforsanctuaryoccursthreetimesinthisnarrative(vss.11,13,14).Theword
tamid(daily,continual)foundinthispassage(vss.It13)occurs30timeselsewhere
intheOTconnectedwiththesanctuary.Thetwoangelsof8:13arecalled"holy
ones,"araretermforangelsintheOT;butherethese"holyones"arereferredtoin
thesettingofthe"holy
310
place"or"sanctuary."Theramandthegoatusedassymbolsatthebegin
ningofthechapterwerealsousedassacrificialanimalsatthesanctuary.
Thus,itisevidentthatDaniel8isathoroughgoingsanctuaryprophecy.
Itisinthislightthatthe"eveningmornings"ofitstimeelementshould
beexamined.Therewasaparticularaspectofthesanctuaryservicethattook
placeeveningandmorning.Intheeveningthepriestburnedincenseand
lightedthelamps;inthemorninghetrimmedthelampsandburnedincense
again.Theseactivitiesweretobecarriedout"eveningtomorningbeforethe
Lordcontinually[famid^(Lev24:3).
Throughtheuseof His pillarofcloudandpillaroffire,GodHimself
markedoffjustthetimewhentheseactivitiesweretobeperformed.One
changedtotheotheratsunsetandsunrise,thusmarkingthetimewhenthe
priestwastocarryouttheseactivitiesinthetabernacle.Thiswasthewaythe
Lordled,guided,andwatchedoverHispeopleandHissanctuaryevening
and morning for the 40 years of their wandering in the wilderness
(Num9:15,21).
Giventhisspecialsanctuarysignificancefortheeveningandthemom
ingsequence,itmaybesuggestedthattheeveningsandthemorningsinthe
prophecyofDaniel8takeonaddedsignificance.Aneveningmomingisnot
justa24hourperioditisa"sanctuaryday."
ReturningtoRevelation10,weshouldnoteagainthesymbolismofthe
dressandappearanceofthemightyangel.Thecloudwrappedaroundthe
angelwehavediscussedabove.ItcanberelatedtothecloudGodwrapped
aroundHimselfwhenHeledthechildrenofIsraelinthewilderness.The
feetofthismightyangelappearedlikepillarsoffire.Thepillaroffirethatis
knownbestintheBibleisthepillaroffirewhichledthechildrenofIsraelin
thewilderness.Thus,intermsofimagery,themightyangelofRevelation10
presentsthetwomainelementsthatdemonstratedthepresenceoftheGodof
IsraeloverHissanctuaryandoverHispeople:
thepillarofcloudandthepillaroffire.
Thatsamepillarofcloudandpillaroffireisreferredtoindirectlyin
Daniel8,iftheeveningmorningsofverse14areindeedsanctuarydays.
Sincetheangelwhoappearsinthismannerisdealingwthprophetictime,and
sincethisspecificelementofthesanctuarydayisusedinoneparticulartime
prophecy, a connection between that language in Daniel 8:14 and this
imageryinRevelation10canbesuggested.
SuchapotentialconnectionwiththeprophecyofDaniel8:14should
alsobetakenintoaccountwhenoneconsiderswhatthemightyangelof
Revelation10meanswhenhesaysthat"thereshouldbetimenolonger."
311
As understood by Seventhday Adventists, those eveningmornings extendedin
historicalfulfillmentfrom457B.C.toA.D.1844.
Thus,thislineoftimeprophecyalsopresentsthedateof1844asthejuncture
beforewhichtheangelcouldnothavemadehisstatementabouttime,butafterwhich
hecouldjustifiablyhavedoneso.
IntraOathRelations
Inthedaysoftheseventhtrumpetangel (vs.7).Themightyangel's
crythat"thereshouldbetimenolonger"(KJV)isespeciallyrelatedtothe
twostatementsthatfollowimmediately(thedaysoftheseventhangel;the
finishingofthemysteryofGod).Bothstatementsbearuponthequestionof
time,thefirstmorethanthesecond.Themoredirecttimestatementoccursin
thenextphrasethatreferstothesoundingoftheseventhangel'strumpet.Itis
importanttotranslatethisphrasepreciselyinordertodeterminewhatitsays
abouttime.
Literally,thephrasetranslates,"butinthedaysofthesound/voiceofthe
seventhangel,whenheisabouttosoundthetrumpet."Thisportionofthe
passageconsistsofaprepositionalphrasefollowedbyadependentqualifying
clause.Ifwehadonlytheprepositionalphrase,wemightassumethatthe
soundorvoice(phon?s)oftheseventhangelreferredtotheblowingofhis
trumpet,justasthepreviousangelsblewtheirtrumpets(8:78,10,12;9:1,
13). The qualifying phrase, "when/whenever he is about to sound the
trumpet,'*however,indicatesthatthisisratheraperiodoftimeleadingupto
theactualblowingofthetrumpet.
This distinction has been noted by various commentators. Ladd, for
example, first translates this phrase by transposing the qualifying clause
forwardintotheprepositionalphrase:"Inthedaysofthetrumpetcalltobe
soundedbytheseventhangel,..," 17Hethenproceedstonotethesignificance
oftheverbmeltQ(tobeabouttodosomething)andcitesitsuseelsewherein
Revelation(3:2;8:13;and10:4inthissamepassage).InRevelation10:4it
refers to John as he was about to write down the message of the seven
thundersbutwastoldnottodoso.
Laddalsocallsattentiontothetimeunit(inthedays)whichfitsinwith
theuseoftheverb"tobeaboutto.""Thiswilloccurnotwhentheseventh
angelsounds,but'inthedays'ofthesoundingoftheseventhtrumpet." 18 His
conclusionabouttheimplicationsofthesetwofactsfromthetextis,
17Ladd,141.
18Ibid..145.
312
"Theversedoesnotsay,'whenthetrumpetsounds,'but*inthedaysofthe
trumpetcall.'Thissuggestsclearlythatthesoundingoftheseventhtrumpetis
not to be thought of as a simple act; it embodies a period of time." 19
Barnhousenotesthesamefactorasoperativehere:"Thevoiceoftheseventh
messengerisheardforsomeconsiderabletime,'inthedaysofthevoice.'Itis
notasharppiercingcry,butalongdrawnoutjudgment."20
ThepicturedescribedandalludedtointhelargerpassageofRevelation
10appearstobeasfollows:Thesixthangelhasblownhistrumpet(9:13).
Followinghissounding,theeventsthataretooccurtakeplaceinthetime
frameallottedtothem.Whenthosedaysandeventsconclude,thetimeis
turned over to the seventh angel, but he has not yet actually blown his
trumpet;heisonlygettingreadytodoso(aboutto).Itisinthisseventh
trumpetintervalthatthemightyangelofRevelation10saysthatthereshould
betimenolonger.
Sincehistoricaltimecontinues,obviouslytheangel'sreferenceisnotto
thatkindoftime.Someotherkindoftimeisinvolved.Furthermore,inthis
intervalthereisnocalibratedsymbolicorprophetictimeliketherewasunder
thesixthtrumpet(cf.9:15).Thus,themightyangelappearstobedeclaring
underoaththatallprophetictimeperiodshaveended.Theeventsthatoccur
whentheangeldoessoundhistrumpet(describedinRevelation11:1518)
areeventsofgreatfinality.Humanhistorycomestoanend,andthedirect
ruleofGodinHiskingdomisestablished.Thesaintsarerewarded,andthe
wickedaredestroyed.
ThemysteryofGod.Thefinalphraseofthethreeelementsthatconsti
tutetheangel'soathhastodowiththecompletionofthemysteryofGod.
"Butthatinthedaysofthetrumpetcalltobesoundedbytheseventhangel,
themysteryofGod,asheannouncedtohisservantstheprophets,shouldbe
fulfilled"(10:7).
SincethepropheciesofDanielhavebeeninviewthroughoutthispas
sage,itisnaturalthatheshouldbeconsideredoneofthoseprophetswho
announcedthismystery.Daniel'sconnectionisnotedbysomecommentators.
Cairdobserves,"Itmightappearselfevidentthatthisreferstotheprophecies
oftheOldTestament,andinparticularDaniel." 21Fordsaysthatthiskindof
language has been used in Daniel: "The Hebrew word raz, 'mystery,' is
frequentinDanielandtheQumranscrollsandrefersprimarily
19Ibid.
20Bamhouse,184.
21Caird.129.
313
tothesecretofthetimes,andthesequenceofeventsandtheconsum
mation."22
Anumberofsuggestionshavebeenmadeabouttheprecisenatureofthe
mysterybeingdiscussed.Boussetsuggeststhatitreferstotheoverthrowof
Satan.Whilethiselementmaywellbeincluded,itshouldnotbelimitedto
justthatevent.Anotherideaproposedhasbeenthatthisreferstothebirthof
theMessiah(Vischer).Thisseemsunlikelyinviewoftheendtimefocusof
thisprophecy.
Amorebroadlybasedsuggestionisthatthe"mystery"involvesevery
thingaboutGod'spurposeintheworld(Charles).Thegeneralnatureofthis
suggestionmakesitdifficulttodisagreewith.Lookingatthecontextinthis
oath,Cairdhassuggestedthatthemysteryhastodowithgoingbacktothe
originalcreation. LaddhasdrawnuponparallelswithDaniel(especially
Daniel2:2930,referringtoGodasarevealerofpropheticmysteries)to
suggestthatanothermysteryofprophecyisinvolvedhere. 24 Themystery,
however,appearstodealmorewiththeactualcloseoftheplanofsalvation
thanitdoeswiththeannouncementoffurtherpropheticmysteriesleadingup
tothatclose.
Analternativesuggestionaboutthenatureofthemysterytobefinished
can be made from its context in Revelation. The event immediately
preceding the reference to this mystery is the sounding of the seventh
trumpet.Itsmentionformspartofthesentence.Thatbeingthecase,itis
reasonabletolookattheeventstooccurundertheseventhtrumpet(Rev
11:1518)todeterminewhatkindofmysterywillbe"fulfilled"atthattime.
Theeventsareessentiallythreefoldinnature.
First,thesoundingoftheseventhtrumpetdisclosesthefullestablish
mentoftheruleofGodandHiseternalkingdom(11:1517).Thishasbeen
somethingof a mysteryupto thepresent time, because that kingdom is
presently a spiritual one, not fully visible to the natural eye. When the
seventhtrumpetsounds,however,therealnatureofGod'seternalkingdom
willbecomefullyapparent.
Second,whentheseventhangelsounds,itmeansthatthetimehascome
for the wicked to meet their just rewards (11:18). This, too, has been
somethingofamystery.Forexample,theidentificationofthewicked.In
somecasesthismaybereadilyapparent;butinothercasesthedistinction
22J.M.Ford,Revelation,AB,38(GardenCity,NY,1975),163.
23Caird,129.
24Ladd,145.
314
isnotyetcleartooureyes.Then,thereisthematterthathaspuzzledmenand
womenforages:Whydothewickedprosperandtherighteoussuffer?Now
theanswertothequestionswillbefullyandfinallyrevealed.
Third,withthesoundingoftheseventhangel'strumpettherighteouswill
receivetheirreward,especiallytheirwelcomeintoGod'seternalkingdom
(11:18).Thishasalsobeenamysteryhiddenfromhumaneyes.Butthenit
willbecomeclear.Thus,thesoundingoftheseventhtrumpetterminatesand
answersquestionsabouttheplanofsalvationthatpreviouslyhaveappeared
tobemysteries.
Muchofthiskindofinformationseemstorevolvearoundtheruleof
God'seternalkingdom.Threespecificthingsaboutitwillberevealedatthat
time:thegreatdivineRulerofit,thecitizenswhowillinhabitit,andthose
whowillbeexcludedfromit.Theseparticularspiritualsecretsofthemystery
of the plan of salvation will be revealed clearly when the seventh angel
soundshistrumpetand"thekingdomoftheworldhasbecomethekingdom
ofourLordandofhisChrist"(11:15).25
Summaryon"Time"
Theabovediscussionhascentereduponthechronologicalrelationsof
severaltimestatementstotheangel'soath("thereshouldbetimenolonger,"
10:7,KJV). Threedifferentareashavebeenexaminedtodetermine these
relations:(1)theimmediatecontextoftheprophecyofRevelation10,(2)the
nearcontextofthebookofRevelation,and(3)parallelsfromDaniel.This
inquiry has produced a total of seven chronological relationships for
examination.
Ifwelookattheselinesofprophecyfromahistoricistperspective, we
seethattwohaveprovidedgeneralperiodsoftimeforconsideration,butfive
haveprovidedspecifictimingstorelatetothisswornstatementinRevelation
10. This information cannow besummarizedas shown on the following
page.
Itmaybeseenfromthechartthattheselinesofprophetictimeextendno
fartherthan1844.Nootherapocalypticpropheciesofspecificamountsof
symbolictimeareknowntoreachbeyondthatpoint.Consequently,itcanbe
saidcorrectlythatin1844propheticsymbolictimecametoanend.
Thattheendofhistoricaltimeisnotmeantbytheangel'soathisclear
25Thisviewisnotinimicaltothefactthatthesoundingoftheseventhtrumpetseesalsothetermination
of"themysteryofthegospel"(Eph6:19);hence, the close ofhuman probation.This is plain
evidencethatthetrumpetseriesofeventsoccursinhistorical,probationarytime.Ed.
315
fromthecontentsofRevelation10itself.Themightyangel'sannouncementshould
thusbetakenasdealingwithsymbolicprophetictime.Withtheknownlinesof
prophetic time converging to conclude at 1844, that point provides the most
appropriateoccasionforthisannouncementoftheangeltobemade.Themighty
angel's oath is best taken then as an announcement of the end of symbolic
apocalyptictimepropheciesin1844.
ChronologicalRelationsof"NoMore[Prophetic]Time
(Rev10:6)
I.General
A.Asananswertothequestion"Howlong?"(Rev6:10).
. "In the days when the seventh Pointstocomingjudgmentand
angel is about to sound" (Rev rewardsforthesaints.
10:7).
Intheintervalbetweentheendof
.Specific
the sixth angel's trumpet and the
A.Afterthe1260days(Rev11:3) soundingoftheseventh.
. After the daymonthyear (Rev
Ended 1798
9:15)C.Afterthe1290days(Dan12:11)..D.Afterthe Ended 1844
1335days(Dan12:12)..
Ended 1798
.Afterthe2300eveningmornings(Dan8:14)....Ended
1844
Ended1844
TheBittersweetBook
Wenowturntoexaminethethirdandfinalsectionofthenarrative(vss.
811).Thissectiondescribestheprophet'sexperiencewiththelittlescroll.
Heisinstructedtotakethescrollfromtheangelandtoeatit.Thesymbolic
mealprovedsweetinhismouthbutbitterinhisstomach.Followingthis
experience, he was told toprophesy again tomany peoples, nations, and
tongues.
Therangeofsymbolismisconsiderable.Wewillexamineitsdetailsby
dividingthepassageintoseveralsections.
316
DescriptionoftheAngel
Thedescriptionofthemightyangelisgivenagain,butmorebriefly.
Mouncecallsthisa"rhetoricaldevice." 26 Itisemployedtotietogetherthe
opening and closing sections of the narrative and to emphasize the links
betweentheangelandtheopenbookinthosetwoscenes.
Theangelisdescribedagainasstandingoverlandandsea,asignofthe
universalityofhismessage.Thisuniversalityiscomplementednowinthis
thirdsectionbythedirectionsgiventoJohntoprophesyanewmessageto
"manypeoplesandnationsandtonguesandkings"(vs.11).
Theopenbookinthehandoftheangelisnotedonceagain.Thiselement
iscentraltotheexperienceoftheprophet.Thefirstvoiceheardcomesfrom
heavenandisprobablythevoiceofGodHimselfspeaking(10:8).Mounce
placesemphasisuponthesignificanceoftheoriginofthecommunication:
"Thatthevoiceisavoicefromheavenemphasizesthe
authoritativenatureofthecommand."
f'7
TimeFactor
Barnesisonecommentatorwhohasstressedthetimefactorsinvolvedin
thissection.Attheoutsethenotes,"Thepassagehere(ver.8)introducesa
newsymbol,thatof'eatingthebook/andevidentlyreferstosomethingthat
wastooccurbefore[author'sitalics]the'mysteryshouldbefinished';thatis,
beforetheseventhtrumpetshouldsound." 28
Intheconclusiontothissectiontheprophetisinstructedtoprophesy
again.Thisalsoinvolvesatimefactor,asBarnesnotes:"Theexpression
heremustrefertosomethingthatwouldoccur after [author'sitalics]the
symbolical action of *eating' the little book, or to some consequence of
eatingit...,"29Mounceconcurs,"Itisafter[author'sitalics]theeatingofthe
bookthatJohnistoldhemustprophesyagain...."30
The chronological significance of both activities described at the
beginningandtheendofthispassage(eating,prophesying)isthattheyboth
occur in the interval during which the seventh angel is getting ready to
soundhistrumpet.
26R.H.Mounce,TheBookofRevelation,NICNT,17(GrandRapids,1977),214.
27Ibid,,213.
28ABarnes,NotesontheBookofRevelation(London,1852),262.
29Ibid.,263.
30Mounce,216.
317
ConsumingtheLittleScroll
Theprophetisinstructedbythevoicefromheaventoapproachtheangelandto
takethelittlescrollfromhishand.Inhisvisionaryexperiencetheprophetdoesso.
Inresponsetheangelinstructshimtotakeandeatthescroll.Thistheprophetdoes
also.
Inthevisiontheactionnowshiftstotheprophet.Uptothispointtheprophet
hasbeenanobserver.Nowhebecomesaparticipant.
Beforeexaminingtheissueofthesweetnessandbitternessofthescroll, we
mayaskthemoregeneralquestion,Whatdoesitmeantoeatthescroll?Bames
interpretsthus:"Themeaninghere,then,isplain.Hewastopossesshimselfofthe
contents of the book; to receive it into his mind; as we do food, for spiritual
nourishment...."31
Buttheconsumptionofthelittlescrollisnotjustforinternalassimilation,itis
also for public proclamation. As Barnes puts it, "The meaning is, that, as a
consequenceofbecomingpossessedofthelittlevolumeanditscontents,hewould
be called to proclaim divine truth, or to make the message of God known to
mankind."32
Mounce also emphasizes both the assimilation and communication factors
involved here: "[This] symbolizes the complete appropriation of prophetic
revelation.Johnistoassimilatethecontentofthescrollbeforecommunicatingitto
others."33
Theintentionoftheangelingivingtheopenscrolltotheprophethasbeen
emphasizedbyBarnes:"Andhesaiduntome,lakeit,'asifhehadexpectedthis
application; or had come down to furnish him with this little volume, and had
anticipatedthattherequestwouldbemade.Therewasnoreluctanceingivingit
up."34Thus,thenarrativeconveystheimpressionthatthemightyangelwastocome
fromheavenatjustthetimehedidinordertogivetheopenscrolltotheagentor
agents(whomJohnrepresents)whoweretobeinvolvedwithitinthisintimateway.
SweetandBitterTaste
Thereareseveralbiblicalpassagescitedinthecommentariesasparallelstothe
propheticexperienceoftastedescribedhere. 35Proverbs9:17
31Barnes,263
32Ibid.
33Mounce,214.
34Barnes,263.
35Job20:1214;Prov9:1718;Pss19:10;119:103;Jer15:16;andEzeic2:83:3.
318
TheMightyAngelandTEsîessage
18andJob20:1214tellhowsweettheevildeedistotheevildoer,butitturnsto
bitterness and death when its effects are felt. The sweetness of God's word is
extolledinbothPsalms19:10and119:103.Inthemidstofhispropheticbiography
Jeremiahexclaimes,"Thywordswerefound,andIatethem,andthywordsbecame
to me a joy and the delight of my heart." Of course, his experience turned to
bitterness when he experienced the rejection and persecution of the people in
bringingthatwordtothem(cf.vss.1718).
The most direct and frequently cited parallel to that which is described in
Revelation10,however,comesfromEzekiel'ssimilarexperiencewithascroll(Ezek
2:810;3:14).Ezekielheardavoiceinstructinghimtoeatwhatwasgivenhim.
Thenhesawahandextendingascrolltohim.Thescrollwasspreadoutbeforehim,
andtheprophetreadwordsofmourningandlamentation,obviouslyrepresentingthe
fatethatwasgoingtobefallhispeople.ThenEzekielwastoldtoeatthescrollandto
goandspeaktothehouseofIsrael.Heateandthescrolltastedsweetinhismouth.
This experience of Ezekiel provides the most direct biblical model for what is
describedinRevelation10.However,itfallsshortinoneparticular:
theresultantbitternessinthebelly.Nordotheexperiencesofthewickeddescribed
inJobandProverbsprovideacompleteparalleleither.Theyhavebothelementsof
sweetandbitter,butthesearetheexperiencesofthewicked,nottherighteousaswe
encounterinRevelation10.
Even though a different group is addressed here, these experiences of the
wickedcanprovidesomesortofgeneralparallel.Therealcruxbetweenthesweet
andthebitteristhatthedeeditself(whichissweet)doesnotprovidetheanticipated
results(hence,causingbitterness).Thesamemaybesaidoftheprophetandthe
churchherepresentsinRevelation10.ThesweetnessofthemessageofGod'sword
turnstobitternesswhentheanticipatedresultdoesnotmaterialize.
The sweetness and bitterness have been viewed in several ways by the
commentators.Forexample,FordseesEzekiel'sbitternessinthefactthat"heistold
thatIsraelwillnotlistentohim." 36ForMounce,thesefiguresofspeechindicatethat
"thesweetscrollwhichturnsthestomachbitterisamessageforthechurch.Before
thefinaltriumphbelieversaregoingtopassthroughaformidableordeal." 37
Kiddletakesasimilarview:"John,however,soonfindsthescrollbitter
36Fori,164.
37Mounce,215.
319
TB@MfgntyAngelandHisMessage
todigest.HismessageistothetrueIsrael,theChristianchurch:andthough
itendswiththetriumphofGod'speople,itspeaksalsoofaformidableor
dealwhichmustprecedetheirvindication.Thenewbittersweetknowledge
hemustbroadcasttothechurchesinalllands." 38
BamhousecomesclosertothepropheticcharacterofRevelation10
whenhestates,"knowledgeofthefuture issweet, but whatitholds is
bitter."39
Someevaluationofthesepointsofviewshouldbegivenhere.Whileit
istruethatJohn'sexperienceisamessageforthe churchoftheChristian
Era,itdoesnotseemjustifiedtolimitthismessagetojustthechurchitself.
Attheendoftheepisodetheprophetistoldtoprophesy againto many
peoples,nations,tongues,andkings.Itseemsunlikelythattheseelements
areallChristianpriortothetimeheistoprophesytothem.Inlikemanner,
theearlierprophesyingbythechurch(alludedtobytheword"again,"vs.
11)shouldalsotakeinasimilarbroadaudienceinitsmissionarythrust.
Partoftheprophet'sbitternessofstomachmayhavecomethroughthe
inattentivenessofhisaudience,butitdoesnotseemwisetolimitthisfigure
of speech to that alone. And there is nothing in this narrative itself to
identify the bitterness with persecution. The persecution described by
Revelation12:17;13:1317appearstobethefinalpersecutionthatshould
takeupaftertheprophethasprophesiedagaintothenations.
Thesweetnessofthispassageisnotdifficulttounderstand,butthe
bitternessismoredifficulttointerpret.Parallelsfromthebeginningofthe
chaptermayoffersomeassistance.
Atthebeginningofthechapter,afterthemightyangelspokeforthefirst
time,seventhunderssounded;buttheirmessagewassealedup(vss.34).It
wassuggestedthattheseseventhundersmayhaverepresentedsevenfinal
judgmentsbeforetheend,andthattheirplacemayhavebeentakenbythe
sevenlastplagues.
Attheendofthechapterthemightyangelisdescribedagain,followed
nowbytheexperienceoftheprophetwiththescroll.Theexperienceisone
ofbitternessanddisappointment.
Bothelementsinthenarrativeappeartobedescribingsimilarsituations,
but from different points of view. If the message linked to the angel
descendingwiththelittlescroll(atthebeginningofthechapter)wasoneof
finalJudgmentthatdidnotcome,thenthedisappointmentorbitternessthat
John(representingthechurch)experienced(attheendofthechap
38Kiddle,173.
39Bamhouse,190.
320
ter)maywellhavecomeaboutthroughthenonfulfillmentofthatmessageoffinal
judgment.
The bitterness presented by the prophecy seems to derive from an internal
experience, from disappointment with an anticipated result, rather than from
external factors such as the nonacceptance of the message by the audience, or
persecutionoftheonesgivingthemessage.
NewMission
Thepluralverblegousin(theysay,arcsaying[tome])atthebeginning
ofverse11hasoccasionedsomecommentWewouldordinarilyhaveex
pectedasingularverbhere(hesays[tome]).FollowingCharles,Ibrdsug
gests that the function of this plural is to supply an indefinite subject. 40
Mounce suggests that it may function with a passive meaning here. 41
However,thevoiceofthemightyangelandthevoicefromheavencouldbe
speaking in concert here. Or, the angels with the trumpets could be
speaking.Anotherpossibilitywouldbetheeldersandthelivingcreatures
aroundthethroneinheaven.Thismattercannotbesettledwithfinality;
however,itdoesnotbeardirectlyuponthemeaningofthecontentofthe
messagetotheprophet
Theprophetshouldbetakenhere,andpreviously,assymbolizingthe
humanbeingswhowouldmakeupthemovementgivingthisfinalmessage.
John lived at the beginning of the Christian Era when he received this
vision.Butthepropheticsceneitselflooksdowntowardtheendoftime,
longafterJohn*sdeath.Heshould,therefore,betakenasrepresentativeof
thosewhowillbearthisfinalmessage,theparthewasactingoutunder
thosecircumstances.ItwouldhavebeenphysicallyimpossibleforJohnto
havebornehismessagetoallofthegroupshewastoldtoaddress(vs.11).
Wemaylook,therefore,foragroupormovementtofulfillthiscommission
intheendtime.
Theconnectionofthisprophecywiththeendtimeisemphasizedbyits
connectionswiththeotherendtimepropheciesinRevelationthroughthe
languageitusesforthegroupstobeaddressed(peoples,nations,tongues,
kings(vs.11]).Charleshasnoted,*isinterestingthatthisenumeration,
whichoccurs seventimesintheApocalypse...ishere givenadifferent
form,andbasueusin(kings)isputintheplaceoiphidais(tribes).Thekings
areespeciallythosementionedinXVII10,12.ITieSeerisrecastingthis
40Ford,160.
41Mounce.216.
321
MIgmyAngel^ntTHisMessage
characteristicphrasewithaviewtothecontentsofhislatervisions.
Theextenttowhichthismessageistobegivenisalsoemphasizedby
thetermpollois(many).AsFordnotes,"Pollois,'many,'referstothevast
nessofthemissionfield,applyingnottooneempirealone,buttoamul
titudeofracesandkingdomsandcrownedheads.'*43
Weshouldalsocommentbrieflyontheuseoftheverb"toprophesy."
Somecommentatorssoftentheforceofthisverb,construingittomeana
merespeakingforGod.However,thisnarrative,asawhole,hasbeendeal
ingwith a propheticmessage. Consequently, the presentation of athor
oughly prophetic message to the world again would fit best with the
meaningofthisverbhere.
ITiemightyangel'soath/messageisbaseduponorrelatedtotheopen
scrollinhishand.Sincethatscrollmaybeidentifiedasthepropheticbook
ofDaniel,afurtherreasonisgivenhereforseeingthisfinalmessageas
trulypropheticincharacter.
Mouncehasplacedsomestressuponthepropheticnatureofthisfinal
message: "It is the final act in the great drama of God's creative and
redemptiveactivity.Themeaningofhistorycomesintosharpfocusatthe
end point in time. . . . His prophecy is the culmination of all previous
prophecies in that it leads on to the final destruction of evil and the in
augurationoftheeternalstate.'*44
HistoricalFulfillment
Timeandspacepreventathoroughreviewofthehistoryoftheinter
pretationofthischapteroracompleterecordingofthehistoricaldetailsof
theapplicationmadehere.Somebriefcommentsshouldbemade,however,
onthebasisoftheexegeticalinsightsobtainedfromourexaminationofthe
chapter.
The central thrust of the narrative is that a special message is to be
broughttotheworldintheendtime.Thistruthisrepresentedsymbolically
byamightyangelcomingdownfromheaventoearth(vs.1).Themessageis
to be worldwide in extent. This fact is represented symbolically at the
beginningofthechapter(vs.2),anditisstatedliterallyatitsend(vs.11).
Thespecialmessageforthistimeisrelatedtotheopenscrollinthe
42R.H.Charles,TheRevelationofSt.John,ICC,1(Edinburgh,1920):269.
43Ford,161.
44Mouoce,217.
322
TheMightyAngelandTlisMessage
handoftheangel.FromthevariousparallelsbetweenthischapterandDaniel
12wemayconcludethatthescrollnowopenedisthesamescrollthatthe
prophetDanielwastoldtosealup,hisownbookofprophecies.Thus,inthe
endtimeaspecialmessageistobegiventotheworld,andthatmessageis
related directly to the prophecies of the book of Daniel, to be opened,
studied,andproclaimed.
Theangel'scommunicationisseentoinvolveamessageofjudgment.
This is represented by theseven thunders. Since elsewhere in Revelation
thundersfromthethroneofGodaccompanyjudgments,thesethunderstoo
maybetakenasrepresentingjudgments.Theirmessagewas,however,tobe
sealeduportemporarilywithdrawn.Theirplaceappearstobetakenbythe
sevenlastplaguesofRevelation16,thenextsequenceofseveninthebook,
andasequencewhichisconnectedwithfinaljudgments.Thepresentation
andimmediatesealingupoftheseventhundersappeartobeapreliminary
announcement of judgment that is withdrawn or deferred to a later time,
accordingtothissymbolism.
Thesecondmajorpointmadeinthemessageofthemightyangeldeals
withprophetictime.Heannounceswithasolemnoaththat"thereshouldbe
timenolonger."Fromthecontextofthisoathitisclearthathistoricaltimeis
notbeingalludedto,becausehistoricaltimecontinuesthroughanotherseries
of prophetic events. The time must, therefore, be prophetic or symbolic
apocalyptic time. It is this kind of time that is found especially the
apocalyptictimepropheciesofDanielandRevelation.Theyweretocometo
anendwiththeoathofthisangel.
Ourstudyofthetimeprophecies,especiallythosethatcanbelinkedto
Revelation10directlyorindirectly,leadstotheidentificationoftheyear
1844astheterminationpointforseveraloftheseprophetictimelines.No
time prophecies in Daniel andRevelationextend beyondthat point. This
chronologicaljunctureprovidestheappropriatelocationfortheannounce
mentofthemightyangeltobemadeaboutthecessationofprophetictime.
This important chronological juncture in the middle of the narrative
formsapivotaroundwhichtheeventsprophesiedintheotherpartsofthe
narrativecluster.Thisappliestothepostponedjudgmentannouncedatthe
beginning of the chapter; it applies to the experience of the bitter dis
appointmentfollowingthemiddleofthechapter;anditappliestothenew
prophecytobegivenattheendofthechapter.
Inthepassagedealingwiththeprophet'ssweetandbitterexperience,
John (representing endtime Christians) first tastes the sweetness of the
messagederivedfromthescrollofDanielwhenitwasstudied,absorbed,
323
TheMighfyAhgeTandHisMessage
andproclaimed.Butaftertheinitialsweetness,tastedbythoseexperiencing
thejoyandhopetheyfoundinthoseprophecies,theirexperienceturnedto
bitternesswhentheanticipatedfulfillmentwasnotrealized.
Thecentralchronologicaljunctureofthischapteralsopresentsatime
frame in which to look for the historical occurrence of this experience.
During the course of Christian church history in the nineteenth century,
theredevelopedagreatexpectancythatthesecondcomingofChristandthe
endoftheworldwasathand.InNorthAmericathiswasembodiedespe
ciallyintheMilleritemovement,proclaimingtheadventofChristthrough
the1830sand1840s,untilthebitterdisappointmentofOctober,1844.
The Millerites based their convictions upon a careful study of the
propheciesofthenowopenedbookofDaniel.OnthatbasistheMillerites
correctlydeterminedthatprophetictimewouldcometoanendin1844,as
swornintheoathofthemightyangel.Sweetasthismessagewastothem,
however,theyincorrectlyidentifiedtheeventthatwouldoccurattheendof
those prophetic time periods. As a result, they suffered a bitter dis
appointment when the sweet hope of their Saviour's return failed to
materialize. The bitterness of this experience was so great that contem
porary adherents of the movement and their later spiritual heirs have
referredtothisturnofeventsastheGreatDisappointment.
Butthemembersofthismovement(representedsymbolicallybythe
prophet)werenottoremaininthiscrestfallencondition.Onthecontrary,
theyaretotakeupthechallengeofanewcalltoprophesytotheworld
again.Jesuswillstillreturnandtheplanofsalvationwillstillbecompleted.
Theyliveandprophesynow,throughouttheworldaftertheendofall
timeprophecies,astheangelhadsaid.Theyaretogivethisnewmessagein
atimewhentheseventhangeliscomingcloserandclosertosoundingthe
finaltrumpetsound.Whenhefinallydoesblowhistrumpet,theirtaskwill
havereacheditsfulfillment.Therewillbenobittertasteofdisappointment
thistime. This is indeedthetaskthat thespiritual heirs ofthe Millerite
movementseebeingfulfilledintheworkandmessageoftheirworldwide
movement.
Conclusions
Revelation10dividesoverthewatershedstatementabouttheendof
prophetic time. The statement locates the portrayal of the scenes of the
visionintotheframeworkofthehistoryofthechurchinthenineteenthand
twentiethcenturies.Thevariousaspectsoftheprophecycanbeout
324
linedintheirsuccessiveorderaroundthefocalpointoftheangel'soathabout
prophetictimeinthefollowingsummaryfashion:
1.Anewmessageistobegiventotheworldrepresentedbythedescentofthe
mightyangelwhostandsonlandandseawithanopenbook
inhishand.
2.Themessagegivenisoneofjudgment,butthatjudgmentwillbe
delayedrepresentedbytheseventhundersandthesealingupoftheir
message.
3.Asolemnoathissworn,thatthereshouldbenomore(prophetic)
timefulfilledbythelinesoftimeprophecieswhichconvergeupon1844.
4.Anexperienceofdisappointmentwouldoccuratthistimerepresentedby
thebittertasteofthescrollwhentheendoftheworlddidnot
occur.
5.Apropheticmessageistobeproclaimedtoalloftheworldagain:
Theendofprophetictimeisnowunderstood.This
preachingtakesplaceinthe"timeoftheend."
Theendofallthingsisathand.Theseventhangelwill
soonsoundhistrumpet,Andthenthekingdomsofthis
worldwillbecomethekingdomofourLordandofHis
Christ!
Author'strans.
325
ChapterXIV
TimePropheciesof
Daniel12andRevelation
1213
William.Shea
EditorialSynopsis.Asthereaderwouldsuspect,thepreterisl/historicalcritical
schoollocatesthesetimeperiodsinthepast(secondcenturyB.C.forDarnel;first
centuryAD.forRevelation).Thefuturistschoolprojectsthesametotheendofthe
age.Bothregardtheperiodsasexpressionsofliteraltime.Thehistoridstschoolon
theother handacceptsthese timeperiodsassymbolicoflongerspansofyears
accordingtotheyeardayprincipleandlocatesthemintheflowofhumanhistoryat
thepointindicatedbytheprophecy.SeventhdayAdventistsidentifywiththislatter
methodofpropheticinterpretation,thehenneneuticoftheProtestantReformation.
InrecentyearssomehistoridstshavebeguntoarguethatDaniel12:513with
itsthreetimeperiods(3l'2times;1290days;1335days)isafreestandingprophecy
(or,atleastsubjecttoadualfulfillment)focusedontheendtime.Supportforthisis
alleged to be found in the time period of Revelation 13:110, in which the 42
monthsoftheleopardlikebeastismentionedsubsequent(vs.5)tothereference
regarding itswounding(vs.3).Fromthisitisinferred thatthebeast willhave
anotherpersecutingreignthefuture,areignof42monthsor1260literaldays.
Consequently,likeclassicalfuturism,thetimeperiodsofDaniel12andRevelation
13areconstruedtobeperiodsofliteraltimethatshouldbelocatedinthelastfew
yearsofhumanhistory.
Thesefuturistproposalsrestessentiallyonamisunderstandingofthethought
patterns of Hebrew prophecy. They represent a reading of the Hebrew idiom
throughWesterneyeglasses.Theresultisthattheconclusionsdrawnareuntrueto
theintentoftherespectiveprophecies.
Itisnotthepurposeofthewritertogiveanexpositionoftheseparticularchap
terswithhistoricalapplication.Rather,heproposestodiscoverineachprophecythe
biblicalindicatorsthatpointtowherethesetimeperiodswereintendedtobelocated
bytheinspiredprophet.Theevidenceisclearineachcase.
ThebiblicaldataindicatesthatDaniel12:513isnotafreestandingprophecy.
327
TimePropheciesofDaniel12andRevelation1213
ItsthreetimeperiodsformtheconclusionofDaniel'sfourthvisionwith10:521servingas
introductionand11:112:4asthebodyofthevisionproper.Furthermore,its31/2timesand
1290daysaretiedlinguisticallyandsubjectwisetothebodyofthevision(Dan11:3135).
Beingboundtothe1290daypassage,the1335dayperiodlikewisehasitsstartingpointin
thesameversesinthebodyofthevision.
ThismeansthatthethreetimeperiodsofDaniel12cannotbeprojectedtoanendofthe
agefulfillment.TheyarelockedintotheflowofhumanhistorywhereDaniel11:3135has
placedthemthatis,inthepast,andtotheperiodofthemedievalpapacyanditsrule.The
literaryarrangementofRevelation12,withits
doublereferencetothe1260yearperiod,affirmsthesamelocationforthisoftenmentioned
era.
TheorganizingprincipleoftheRevelation13:110visionisparallelismofthought.This
isacommonidiominHebrewpoetrythatalsospillsoverintoHebrewproseandprophecy.
Verses14arethedescriptiveaspectsofthevisionthatdescribeintersephrasestheriseand
careerofthebeast,itswounding,andintimatesitsfuturerevival.Verses510presentsthe
secondmemberofthethoughtparallel.Itistheexplanatorysectionandexplainstheactivities
ofthebeastbeforeitswounding.Theperiodofthesespecifiedactivities(42monthsor1260
years)ispartoftheexplanation.Itinformsthereaderofthetimeperiodduringwhichthe
beastwouldcarryoutitspersecutingandblasphemousruleuntilitsnearfatalwounding.It
thenfollowswithmoreinformationonitsrevival.Thebiblicalindicatorsareclearthat13:1
10isoneunitandspeaksaboutthesameperiodoftimeasgiveninDaniel12andRevelation
12.
Thereisnoevidenceinthebiblicaldatatosuggestthatthesetimeperiodsaretohavea
dualfulfillmentoneinthepastandoneintheclosingdaysofhumanhistory.Suchaview
oftheapocalypticvisionsofDanielandRevelationiswithoutscripturalsupport.
ChapterOutline
I. Introduction
II. Daniel12
m. Revelation12
IV. Revelation13
V.Conclusion
328
Introduction
TwodozentimepropheciesfoundintheBibleareidentifiedasbelongingto
theclassicalprophets.Expositorsagreethattheseshouldbeinterpretedas
literaltime.Abouttwodozenmorearefoundinthespecializedprophetic
books classified as apocalyptic: Daniel and Revelation. There are more
differences of opinion about interpreting these time elements. Historicist
interpreters, including Seventhday Adventists, hold that these time
expressionsaresymbolicandstandforlongerperiodsofactualhistorical
time.Otherinterpretersfromboththepreteristandfuturistschoolsbelieve
theyshouldbetakensimplyasliteraltime.
ElsewhereIhavediscussedthenatureoftheapocalyptictimeperiods
andtheyearforadayprinciple. 1 InthischapterIproposetomakeacon
textualandcontentstudyofafewapocalyptictimeperiodstodiscoverthose
featuresthatwillindicatewhentheyshouldfindfulfillment.Thisisnota
historicalstudyindepth.Itisratheratextualstudytoseewhatthetextitself
saysabouttheapplicationofthesepropheciesinitsownterms.Obviously,
thetextshouldhavesomethingtosayaboutwhichschoolofinterpretation
linesupmostcloselywithitsdata.
SameTimePeriod
Onereasonforselectingthesethreepassages(Dan12;Rev1213)is
thattheyhaveanumberofelementsincommon.Allthreepassagesdescribe
theidenticaltimeperiod.InDaniel12:7itisgiven(inHebrew)as31/2
times.Thesamephraseologyof3 1/2timesappearsinRevelation12:14(in
Greek). This in turn is paired with the 1260 days of verse 6. Finally,
Revelation13:5repeatsthissametimeperiodagain,inthisinstanceas42
months.Thus,acommonnumericalthreadrunsthroughthesethreetextsin
thatthe31^timesequals42monthsandthe42monthsequals1260days.
SameEvents
Thesepassagesnotonlyrefertothesametimeperiod,buttheyalso
describe the same events that occurred during that period. Daniel 12:7
identifies this as a period for the "shattering" of the power of the holy
people.Revelation12:6and14identifyitasatimewhenthewoman,who
1W.H.Shea,"TheYearDayPrinciplePartI,"inSelectedStudiesonPropheticInterpretation,
DARCOMSeries,vol.1(Washington.DC:BiblicalResearchInstitute,1982),5688.
329
TunePropheciesofDaniel12andRevelation1213
represents the church, is forced to flee from her persecutor, the dragonbeast
motivated by the devil, and to hide in the wilderness. The final passage, in
Revelation13:5,identifiesthisperiodasatimewhenthebeastpowerexercisesits
authorityagainstthesaints.
Thus, we have a common time period in these passages (1260 days and
equivalents)andacommonevent:persecutionofthesaints.Thereare,ofcourse,
otherelementsinthesepassages.Thefeaturesmentionedabovealongwiththese
havebeenmattersofdisputedinterpretation.Thereforeanewexaminationofthe
passages from the standpoint of their context and contents maybe helpful in
elicitingabetterunderstandingtowardtheirinterpretation.
Daniel12
ThreeTimePeriods
ThereareactuallythreetimeperiodsinthispartoftheprophecyofDaniel.
Verse7mentionsthe312timesfortheshatteringofthepoweroftheholypeople.
Verse11mentionsaperiodof1290daysinconnectionwiththetakingawayofthe
"daily"or"continual"andthesettingupoftheabominationofdesolation.And
verse12mentionsaperiodof1335daysuntilacertainblessingwillbebestowed.
Allthreetimepropheciesneedtobestudiedheretogether.
Commentatorshavetakennoteofthesetimeperiods,andtheirexplanations
reflect the different schools of prophetic interpretation. The preterist school
regardstheseperiodsasliteraltime,referringtoeventsinthereignofAitiochus
Epiphanes(secondcenturyB.C.).Futuristinterpretersconstruethesesametime
periodstoberelatedtotheendoftheage,stillfutureloourowntimenowasthis
isbeingwritten.Theyalsoseethemasunitsoftiteraltime.Historicistinterpreters
ontheotherhandunderstandthesetimeunitsassymbolsand,thus,standingfor
longerperiodsofactualhistoricaltime.
Preteristapproaches. illustratethepreteristapproachfirst,thestandard
commentaryofJ.A.MontgomeryintheInternationalCriticalCommentaryseries
maybecited.MontgomerycreditsthegreatformcriticHermanGunkelforthe
viewwhichheadoptsinhiscommentary:
Gunkel's suggestion .... accepted by [other commentators], is here
followed,thatthetwow.[12:11,12]aresuccessiveglossesintendedto
prolongthetermof1,150daysannouncedat8:14;thattermwasnotful
filledandtheseglosses,whichmustbeveryearly,successivelyextendthe
330
timeto1,290and1,335days.Forthedifficultiesinthewayofassimilationofthe
threecontradictoryfiguresoneneedonlyglanceatthelaborsofthe
comm.atthispoint.
Several problems with this interpretation may be noted at the outset.

Montgomerydividesthe2,300daysofDaniel8:14accordingtoaneveningand
a morning sacrifice; but this separation and division is not justifiable.3 The
figures arenotcontradictorybecausetheydonotdeal with thesamethings:
Verse 7speaksabout thepersecutionofthesaints;verse11talksabout the
abomination of desolation; and verse 12 emphasizes a positive feature, a
blessing.Montgomeryhimselfnotesthedifficultiesinvolvedwithworkingwith
thesefiguresinthisway.
Amorerecent statement of thiscommon view ispresented in thecom
mentaryonDanielbyE.Heaton:
Many scholars take the view that these two verses are successive
glossesaddedwhentheNewAgestilltarriedaftertheexpiryofthe1,150
daysof8.14.Thenewdatingofv.111,290daysisthelongestvalue
whichcanbegiventothethreeandhalfyearsfoundinv.7and7.25.The
further extension of the period to 1335days in v. 12leaves everybody
guessing.
Thus,the standard interpretation of these three time periods inDaniel 12
according tothepreterist school isthat thepseudepigraphic author (ora later
redactor)addedthesethreetimeperiodsinsuccessioninanappendixtothescroll
whentheexpected eventsdidnottake place. Hehadtokeep lengtheningthe
supposed1150dayswhenoneafteranotherofhispredictionsdidnotcometo
pass(1150*1260*1290>1335).Thisinterpretationobviouslyentailsavery
differentviewfromthatofScriptureonthenatureofrevelationandinspiration.
Thisisnottruedivineforeknowledgerevealedtotheprophet.Rather,asahuman
being,the"prophet"simplyguesseswrong.Thereisnodivineaid.
There are, of course, other views of these time periods even within the
preterist school.A.Lacocque, forexample, takes these datesasthe occasions
uponwhichsuccessiveeditionsofthebookweremadeupanddistributed.
2J.A.Montgomeiy,ACriticalandExegeticalCommentaryontheBookofDaniel,ICC(Edinburgh,
1927),477.
3S.J.Schwantes,"Ereb.twqerofDan8:14Reexamined,"AUSS16(1978):37585.
4E.Heaton,Daniel,TorchBiblePaperbacks(London,1956),250
331
Therefore1,290days=threeandhalfyearsplusonemonth.Itmaybethatthis
extramonthrepresentstheperiodofcompositionofthegreatvisioninDan.1012;
(d)'1,335days'inDan12.12addinganothermonthandhalftothepreceding
figure.WemayseeherethedelaybeforethefinalpublicationoftheBookofDaniel
initsentirety(=twoandahalfmonthsafterthepurificationoftheTempleon12
December,164,orFebruary163).5
Notallcommentatorswithinthepreteristschoolconsidertheideaof
successiveglossesextendingthetimesatisfactory.HartmanandDiLeila
criticizethisviewbecausethefiguresdonotfitthehistoricalperiodsthat
areknown:
ThetroublewiththistheoryisthataccordingtoIMaccabees,theTemplewas
defiledon6December167B.C.(IMace1:54),aperiodofthreeyearsandeightdays
intheJuliancalendar,orasumof1,103days(3653)+8somewhatlessthan
the1,150dayspredictedin8:14,andthethreeandahalfyearsor1,260days....In
viewofthesecircumstances,itseemsbesttoadmitthatwhattheglossatorshadin
mindashappeningattheendofthe1,290daysin12:11and1335daysin12:12
simplycannotbeascertainedwithanyconfidence.Onlyguessesarepossible.
Futuristapproaches.Turningfromtheconfusionofthepreteristcom
mentators,wenotethatfuturistinterpretershaveaneasiertime.Sincethey
puttheseeventsinthefuture(nonehaveoccurredyet),theinterpreterhasno
historicaldatawithwhichtotestorfalsifythistheory.Nevertheless,there
aredisagreementsamongthescholarsofthisschoolastohowthesetime
periodsshouldbeappliedandwhattheymean.
J.Walvoordseestheseadditionaltimeperiodsasreferringtoalittlelag
time between the Second Coming of Christ and the setting up of His
millennialkingdom:
AlthoughDanieldoesnotexplainthesevaryingdurations,itisobviousthatthe
secondcomingofChristandtheestablishmentofHismillennialkingdomrequires
time.The1,260dayperiodorpreciselyfortytwomonthsofthirtydayseach,canbe
regardedasculminatingwiththesecondadventitself.Thisisfollowedbyseveral
divine judgments such as the judgment of the nations (Mt 25:3146), and the
regatheringandjudgmentofIsrael(Eze20:3438).ThesegreatJudgmentsbeginning
withthelivingonearthandpurgingoutofunbelieverswhohaveworshippedthebeast,
althoughhandledquickly,willrequiretime.Bythe1,335days,orseventy
5A.Lacocque,TheBookofDaniel(Atlanta,1979),250.
6L.P.HartmanandA.A.DiLeila,TheBookofDaniel,AB,23(GardenCity,NY,1978):31314,
332
fivedaysafterthesecondadvent,thesegreatjudgmentswillhavebeenaccomplishedandthe
millennialkingdomformallylaunched.Thosewhoattaintothisperiodareobviouslythose
whohavebeenjudgedworthytoenterthekingdom.Hencetheyarecalled"blessed."Leon
WoodfollowsthesameapproachinhisfuturistorientedcommentaryonDaniel,butheisa
bitmorespecificaboutit.
Aclueastohowthey(theextra30daysofthe1290)fitthisweek(ofTribulation)
is found in Matthew 25:3146, which describes a time of judgment by Christ
immediately after He comes in power to close this period. The purpose of the
judgmentis todetermine thosewho willbe permittedto enterinto andenjoy the
blessednessofthemillennialperiod.
Onthe1,335daysWoodobserves,
The thought is thus suggested that it will be the actual starting point of the
Millennium.ThosewhowillhavepassedthejudgmentofChrist,duringthepreceding
thirtydays,wouldbethosewhowouldattaintoit,afterthesefortyfiveadditional
days.Whatwillbetheneedofthesefortyfivedays?Itmaybethetimenecessaryfor
settingupthegovernmentalmachineryforcarryingontheruleofChrist.Thetrueand
fullborderofIsrael...willhavetobeestablished,andappointmentsmadeofthose
abiding in the government. A period of fortyfive days would again seem to be
reasonableinwhichtoaccomplishthesematters.
Havingthese30and45dayperiodsextendbeyondthesecondcoming
ofChristandintrudingintooruptothemillenniumseemslikeanawkward
situation. It creates a kind of vacuum between Christ's coming and the
beginningofthemillennium,whenthetwoeventsshouldactuallybesimul
taneous.
Historicist approach. Historicist interpreters have treated the time
periods in these verses as symbolic and have applied the yearforaday
principletothem.Thisprovideslongerperiodsofactualhistoricaltime:
1260,1290,and1335years.Foranexampleofhowthesetimeperiodshave
beeninterpretedbyonecommentator,theworkofU.Smithmaybecited.
Smithidentifiesthefirstperiodbystating,"the1260yearsmarkthe
periodofpapalsupremacy."Elsewhere,inhiscommentonDaniel7:25,
SmithexplainsthisperiodasextendingfromA.D. 538 toA.D.1798.
"From
7J.F.Walvoord,Daniel:TheKeytoPropheticRevelation(Chicago,1971),29596.
8L.Wood,4CommentaryonDaniel(GrandRapids,1973),328.
9Ibid.
10U.Smith,ThePropheciesofDanielandRevelation,rev.ed.(Nashville,1944),320.
333
this point [538, the effective date of Justinian's decree] did the papacy hold
supremacy for twelve hundred and sixty years?Exactly. For 538 + 1260 =
1798; and in the year 1798 Berthier, with a French army, entered Rome,
proclaimedarepublic,tookthepopeprisoner,andinflicteda deadly wound
uponthepapacy."11
Goingontothe1290daysSmithnotes,"Thetwoperiods,therefore,the1290
andthe1260days,terminatetogetherin1798,thelatterbeginningin538,andthe
formerin508,thirtyyearsprevious."12ThepropapalvictoryofClovisoftheFranks
overtheArianVisigotharethencitedasthesignificanteventin508.13
Takingupthe1335daysofDaniel12:12,Smithnextcalculates,"Fromthis
point theywouldextendto 1843, for 1335 added to508 make 1843."14 Smith
citestheMilleriterevivalofthattimeastheblessedeventthatwastooccurthen:
Abouttheyear1843,therewasagrandculminationofallthelightthat
had beenshed on prophetic subjectsup tothat time. The proclamation
wentforthinpower.Thenewandstirringdoctrineofthesettingupofthe
kingdom of God shook the world. New life was imparted to the true
disciplesofChrist.Theunbelievingwerecondemned,thechurcheswere
tested,and aspirit of revivalwasawakenedwhichhashadnoparallel
since.
ContextualRelationships
Havingcanvassedthesethreepointsofviewfortheirinterpretationsof
thetimeperiodsinDaniel12,wemaynowaddressthecontextualissue.
This is especially germane to the preterist point of view, for preterist
scholarstreatthissection(12:512)withthedatesasanappendix,glosses
addedafterthemainbodyoftheprophecywaswritten.Isthisreallythe
natureofDaniel12:512?
Literaryarrangementofthefourthvision.First,theoverallstructure
oftheentirevisionshouldbenoted.ThissegmentofthebookcoversDaniel
1012.Thesethreechapterscompriseoneentireprophecy.Basically,chapter
10istheintroduction;chapter11:112:4isthebody,thedidacticportionof
Gabriel'sprophecy;and12:513isitsconclusion.
11Ibid.,145.
12Ibid.,32324.
13Ibid.,32432.
14Ibid.,331.
15Ibid.
334
Istheconclusion(12:513)simplyanappendix,somethinginthenature
ofanafterthoughtoranadjustment?Orisitanintegralpartoftheprophecy
as a whole? The former view is the preterist proposal; the later is the
positionadvocatedhere.
Locationoftimeperiods. Onewaytoapproachthetimeperiodpas
sages in chapter 12is tonote theposition of their parallels inthe other
propheciesofthebook.Forexample,Daniel7describesitsvisioninverses
1to14.Thetimeperiod(fortheactivitiesofthelittlehorninthevision)is
thengiveninverse25.ThesamesortofphenomenonoccursinDaniel8.
Thevisioncoversverses112.Attheendofverse12thevisioncutsoffand
there begins an audition. The prophet listens while two angels converse
aboutwhathasbeenshowntoDaniel.Itisinthisauditionthatthedateline
aboutthe2300daysisgiven.
In other words, the standard method in Daniel for presenting time
periodsisfirsttopresentthevisionorprophecyproper;thenthetimeperiod
isgiven.Butthetimeelementisunderstoodtorelatedirectlytotheprior
descriptionofthevision.Thesamemodelcanbeappliedtothefourthvision
recordedinDaniel1012.Inthiscasethetimeperiodsstatedinchapter12
(the conclusion of the vision) relate directly to the historical events
describedinchapter11(thebodyofthevision).Thiswewilldemonstrate
linguisticallylater,butherewesummarizeinchartformtherelationship(in
terms of location) between the vision proper and its accompanying time
period(s):
Chart1
Daniel7
DanielS
Daniel1012
Visionproper
vss.114
vss.112
11:112:4
Timeelements
vs.25
vss.1314
12:513
The exception to this rule is the prophecy found in Daniel 9:2427.

Thereprobablyisareasonforthisexception.Thenatureofthatprophecyis
different. Daniel 7, 8, and 11 are what we may call outline prophecies,
propheciesthatoutlinetheriseandfallofnationsandtheirrulers.Daniel2
is also of this nature, but it does not contain any specific time periods.
Daniel9:2427,however,isamorelocalandlimitedprophecy.
335
GabrieltellsDanielthatthisisaprophecyfor"yourpeopleandyourholycity."
Itisnotanoutlineprophecy,butonethatzeroesinontheJewsandtheircapitalof
Jerusalem in Judah. The time period is given at the beginning and distributed
throughtheprophecy.Thisisalsoanotherwayofdemonstratingthattheprophecy
ofDaniel9islinkedtotheprecedingone.Thepriorprophecy(Dan8)endedwitha
timeperiod,andthisonebeginswithone,thusshowingthatthelinkedsubjectof
timeisbeingtakenupagain.
LeavingtheuniquesituationofDaniel9aside,wemaysaythatthedistribution
ofthetimeperiodsinDaniel12fitsthesamepatterninrelationshiptoDaniel11,
thatwefindinthecaseofthepropheciesandtheirtimeelementsinDaniel7and8.
TherearenoliterarystructuralgroundsforleavingDaniel12apartfromthemain
bodyoftheprophecyasanappendixorseriesofglosses.Takeninconnectionwith
theothercriticismsofthepreteristpointofviewmentionedabove,thisaspectofthe
preteristtheoryrestsuponaveryweakbasisindeed.
Verballinks.Weturnnowtothequestionofspecificanddirectlinguisticlinks
intheconclusionofthevision(12:513)withthebodyofthevision(11:112:4).If
theliterarystructuralevidenceweakensthepreteristinterpretation,itcanbesaid
thatthelinguisticlinksweakenthefuturistinterpretation.Theselinksleavenoroom
forthetimeperiodsofDaniel12tobeappliedafterthestandingupofMichael
(12:1). On the contrary, these periods must be applied before that point in the
prophecy.Thus,theycannotbelocatedintheintervalbetweenthesecondcomingof
Christandthebeginningofthemillennium.Wewilltreatthesetimeperiodsin
order.
1.Daniel 12:7. Thefirstone,consistingof3^2times,occursinDaniel12:7.
Thispassageisinextricablyintertwinedwithaspecificpassageandjunctureinthe
prophecyofDaniel11accordingtotheverbsandnounsusedtoexpresstheseideas.
Thelinksformedinthiswayaretootighttobebroken.Fromthisonecanconclude
thatDaniel12cannotbeseveredfromDaniel11.Seecharts2and2a.
ItshouldberecalledthatDaniel12:7isananswergiventoaquestion.The
questionobviouslyhadtodowiththeprophecyDaniel hadjustreceived (11:1
12:4).Danielhadasked,"Howlongwillitbetotheendofthesewonders?"(Dan
12:6,RSV).Inanswertothistheangelrespondedunderoath,"itwouldbefora
time,twotimes,andhalfatime;andthatwhentheshatteringofthepowerofthe
holypeoplecomestoanend,allthesethingswouldbeaccomplished"(vs.7).
336
UnlessthisquestionandanswerarecompletelyunrelatedtowhatGabrielhad
beenpreviouslytellingtheprophet,thereshouldbesomeevidenceinthebodyof
theprophecyastowhenthisshatteringofthepoweroftheholypeopleoccurred.
Indeedthereis.Thereispreciselyoneplacewherethepersecutionofthesaintsis
describedinthebodyoftheprophecyandthatisinDaniel11:3235.Accordingto
thenatureofthecontentsofthepassage,uniqueinallofDaniel11,thisiswherethe
timeperiodofDaniel12:7shouldbeapplied.ThelinguisticlinksbetweenDaniel
11:3235(body)andDaniel12:710(conclusion)demonstratingthedirectnessof
theirconnection,maybeoutlinedasfollows:
Chart2
TheGreatPersecution*
Daniel12:710,NIV
Daniel11:3235,NIV
4."Manywillbepurified
\yitbwwu}^
1."Thosewhohaveviolated
{marSVS}thecovenant"(vs.32). 5."madespotless[weyitjabbenu]"
5."andmadespotless[weialben}1*
3."andrefined[weyifsarepu}"
2."Thosewhoarewise
(vs.10)1."butthewicked[reSatm]
[uma^kHS]willinstructmany
[ye&fmi]"(vs.33).
will
3."Someofthewise[hammaS
kiltm}willstumblesothatthey 6. "untilthetimeoftheend"(vs.
mayberefined[lifroe},"
35).
4."purified[ulefwvr}"
continuetobewicked
[wehirSTuy
2a."Noneofthewicked[reSafm]
willunderstand[weZo*
yabtnu},"
2b."butthosewhoarewise
[wehammaifdiim]willunderstand
\yabinu}"(vs.10).
Note:Thecteusesdtedoccurmtheirn^pcctivepassagesintheorderinwhicfatheyarenumbered,
337
Sixverbal parallelsaredocumentedhere.InDaniel11:3235fiveofthese
termsareusedonceandoneofthemisusedtwice.InDaniel12:710fourofthese
termsareusedonceandoneisusedtwiceandanotherisusedthreetimes.There
canbenodoubtonthebasisofthesestronglinguisticlinksthatthesetwopassages
aretalkingaboutthesamething.Thus,thetimeperiodofDaniel12:7shouldbe
appliedtodatethelengthofthepersecutiondescribedinDaniel11:3235.
Thisistheplaceinthebodyoftheprophecywherethisprophetictimeperiod
belongs. It does not.belong to an era after the end of the prophecy. Rather, it
belongstotheheartofthebodyoftheprophecy,rightinitsmainstreamthrough
timeandevents.Chart2asummarizesthesesamelinksandmaybehelpfulforthe
readerunfamiliarwithHebrew.Notethatwhiletheformsmayvaryinthetwo
passages,thesesixverbalparallelsarefromthesameroots.
Chart2a
SummaryofSixHebrewParallelsfor
Daniel11:3235and12:710
Root
l.*rS'
2.*fkl
Forms
Daniel11:3235
marSfe
Forms
Daniel12:710
reSa'im
Translation
(rootidea)
"actwickedly"
wehirSm
reSatm
wehammaskiUm
"haveinsight"
yabtnu
"understand"
3.*byn
umaskile
hammasfalim
yabfnu
4.*srp
lisros,
welo'yabmu
weyisfarepu
"refine"
5.*brr
ulebarer
yitbardru
"cleanse"
6.*lbn
welalben
weyiflabbenu
"makewhite"
2. Daniel 12:11. Progressing next to Daniel 12:11, we observe that

therecanbenodoubtwherethistimeperiodbelongs.Itisconnected
338
directlywithDaniel11:31.Themoreimportantphrasesfromthesetwopassages
canbecitedsidebyside,andthemostimportantverballinksinHebrewcanbe
shownintransliteration.Seechart3:
Chart3
TheAbominationofDesolation
Daniel11:31,NIV
"Hisarmedforceswillriseupto
desecratethetemplefortressand
Daniel12:11,NIV
"Fromthetunethat
willabolish[wehesini}the<\thedailysacrifice[hattamid}is
dailysacrifice[hatfamt^.Then<âbolished[husar}
dailysacrifice
theywillsetup[wenatenu]the
abomination[hasSiqqus]that
causesdesolation[meSomem].'
andtheabomination[Siqqus]that
causesdesolation[Somem]issetup
[welaiet],therewillbe1,290days."
ThesamesortoftabulationthatwemadeforDaniel12:710incon
junctionwithDaniel11:3235cannowbeassembledforDaniel12:11and
Daniel11:31.TherearefivedirectverbalparallelsinHebrewbetweenthese
two passages. The main difference between these two passages is that
Daniel 11:31 is written in the active voice and 12:11 is written in the
passive.Theformertellswhowoulddothethingsmentioned,whilethe
latteremphasizedwhatwastobedone.Thelinguisticlinks,nevertheless,
aresostrongthattherecanbenodoubtthatthetwopassagesaretalking
preciselyaboutthesamething.Thismeansthatthe1290dayssuppliedby
Daniel 12:11 should be applied to Daniel 11 at that point in which the
eventsdescribedinverse31occur.Thistimeperiodisdefinitelyconnected
with the 11:31 events. It cannot be placed later in the sequence of the
prophecyoratsomefuturetimebeyondtheendoftheprophecy.These
relationsaretabulatedinchart3atoshowthesamefiverootsthatappearin
bothpassages.
339
Chart3a
SummaryofHebrewParallelsforDaniel11:31and12:11
Root
FormsDaniel
11:31
FormsDaniel
12:11
Translation(rootidea)
1.*swr
wehesiru
husar
"turnaside"
2.famid
hatfwnid
hatfamid,
"continual"
3.*ntn
weriatenu
wetafet,
"give"
4.Siqquf
haSSiqquf
SiqqQf
"abomination"
5.*Smm
meSomem
Somem
"beappalled,desolated"
We may now summarize the relations that have developed from our
comparisonofthesetwosetsofpassages.Accordingtotheirlinguisticfea
turesitcanbedeterminedthatthe3!^timesofDaniel12:7shouldbeused
todatethepersecutionofDaniel11:3234.Itisalsoevidentthatthe1290
daysfromDaniel12:11shouldbeusedtodatethetakingawayofthedaily
orcontinualandthesettingupoftheabominationofdesolationinDaniel
11:31.ThesearethelocationsintheflowofeventsinDaniel11wherethese
timeperiodsshouldbelocated.Thetimeperiodsdonotbelonglaterinthe
prophecy nor do they belong after its end, as an afterthought. They are
intimatelytiedandlinkedtotheprecedingprophecyatthesepoints.
3.Daniel11:40. Ofspecialimportanceinthisconnectionistherefer
encetothe"timeoftheend"inDaniel11:40.InthebookofDanielthetime
oftheendisnottheendoftime,asifitwereapointintimewhenallthings
cometotheirconclusion.Onthecontrary,thetimeoftheendinthebookof
Danielisaperiodoftime(cf.8:17;11:35;12:4).Eventsoccurinthatperiod
oftime,andsomeofthoseeventsaredescribedinDaniel11:4045.
Nowthequestionarises.Whatistherelationshipofthetimeperiodsin
Daniel12to"thetimeoftheend"prophesiedatthecloseofDaniel11.The
answerhasalreadybeengivenabove. Theyoccurbeforeit. Theyarenot
timeperiodswhichbelonginthetimeoftheend.Theydonotmeasureoff
eventswhichoccurinthetimeoftheend.Theyoccurbeforethatera.
340
Weknowthisbecausethe1290daysofDaniel11:31andthe1260daysof
Daniel11:3235occurinthisprophecybeforethetimeoftheendappearsin
Daniel11:40.Thismakesitimpossibletoconnectthe1260and1290time
periodswithanythingthathastodowiththesecondcomingofChristand
the beginning of the millennium, as has been advocated by futurist or
dispensationalistinterpreters.
Thisstudyisnotatreatmentofhistoricalapplicationsindetail. It is
ratheracontextualandcontentstudyoftherelationsofthesetimeperiodsin
thetextofDaniel11and12.Whenthattextisstudiedcarefullyitcanbe
seen that the preterist interpretation does not fit well. The historical
applicationsproposedforthesetimeperiodsdonotfitourknowledgeof
theirlengthoftimefromhistoricalsources.Daniel12isnotamisguided
appendixwithaneverlengtheningseriesoffailedprophecies.Nordothese
events fit well with events following the second coming of Christ and
precedingthemillenniumasfuturistinterpretershaveheld.Fromthepointin
theprophecyatwhichtheybeginaccordingtotheirlinguisticconnections
they should precede, not follow, the time of the end. From intratextual
relations,therefore,the1260and1290daysofDaniel12donotbelongto
thetimeofAntiochusEpiptianesbackinthesecondcentury B.C., asthe
preteristshold;nordotheybelongtotheendoftime,asthefuturistshold;
buttheyarebestconnectedwiththeheartoftheflowofhistoryasfoundin
Daniel 11:31 and 11:3235 as the historicist view upholds. Detailed
historicalapplicationsofthismustbereservedforanotheroccasionandthe
historicistcommentariesthathavealreadytreatedthesetimeperiods.
4.Daniel12:12.Theangelsaysnothingaboutthe1335dayperiodother
thantopronounceablessingontheonewho"waitsandcomes"totheendof
that period. It is not explained why such should be blessed. Linguistic
parallelssuchaslinkthe3^2timesandthe1290daystodefinitelocationsin
Daniel11areunavailable.Ontheotherhandnoonearguesthatthe1335day
period should be separated from the 1290 day period. All schools of
interpretationagreeatleastonthismuch:ThethreetimeperiodsofDaniel
12mustbestudiedtogether.
Theobvioussenseofverses1112bindsthe1290and1335dayperiods
togetherinaspecialrelationship.Sinceitcanbedemonstratedonlinguistic
groundsthatthe1290dayperiodislockedintothetimelocationforthe
eventsofDaniel11:31,wecanconcludethatthe1335dayperiodbeginsat
thesametimewiththesameevents.ThehistoricistviewexpressedbyU.
SmiththattheseperiodsbegininA.D.508andendin1798
341
and1843respectivelyfitswellherewiththebiblicaldata. 16
Asforthe"blessing"attheendofthe1335daysinDaniel12:12,we
maylookforapocalypticconnectionsinanotherquarter.Itisofinterestto
notethatablessingispronouncedinthebookofRevelationforacertain
endtimegroup.Irefertotheblessingpronounceduponthosewhodiein
the Lord in connection with the three angels' messages. The messages
themselvesarefoundinRevelation14:612andtheattendingblessingis
foundinverse13.ThesecondcomingofJesusisdescribednextinverse
14.
Herethenisablessingthatcomesclosetobutprecedesthecomingof
Jesus. It is pronounced in relation to the judgment that is heralded in
Revelation 14:6. That judgment should be identified by the prophecies
aboutthejudgmentintheheavenlycourtinDaniel78.Thejudgmentis
describedinchapter7anditstime(1844)isannouncedinchapter8.It
wouldbenaturalandlogicalforthisblessingfoundattheendofDanielto
find a connection with that judgment, the conclusion of which is also
describedearlierinDaniel12:14.
Fromthesepotentialconnectionsitmaybesuggestedthattheblessing
pronounced in Daniel 12:12, in connection with a prophetically dated
judgment, is linkedwith theblessing that is pronouncedin the bookof
Revelationafterthatjudgmenthasbegun,butbeforeitendswithChrist's
coming.ThesuggestionherethenisthattheblessingofDaniel12:12can
probably be viewedassupplementingtheblessingofRevelation14:13in
theNTTheformerblessesthoseprivilegedtolivetoseethebeginningof
thefinal judgment inheaven, which will reconcile all things. The latter
blessesthosebelieverswhomaydieduringthetimeandpreachingofthat
judgment.
Revelation12
ThesameprophetictimeperiodfoundinDaniel12:7appearstwicein
Revelation12.Inverse14itappearsas3^2times;inverse6itisequatedto
1260days.
Itsinterpretationfollowsthesamepatternsthatwefindintheliterature
on Daniel and Revelation generally. Preterists locate the events of this
chapteranditstimeperiodsbackinthefirstcenturyoftheChristianEra.
Futurists,especiallydispensationalistfuturists,placethistimeperiod
16Secn.14.
342
andthepersecutionassociatedwithitattheendoftheage,inthetimeofagreat
tribulationoccurringinthesecondhalfofthelastsevenyearsofearth'shistory.
Historicistsontheotherhandtakethisprophecyasutilizingsymbolictime(=1260
years)andapplyittothegreatpersecutionofthetruechurchduringtheDarkAges
(5381798). The differences between these approaches can be noted by a few
commentsfrominterpreters.
Preterist approaches.InspeakingofthepersecutiondescribedinRevelation
12, Mounce steps back, as it were, to determine "the underlying cause for the
hostilityabouttobreakuponthechurch." 17Hetreatsthesubjectofpersecutionin
thischapterrathergenerally,butinterpretsverse6asfollows:"Thewomanflees
intothewildernesstobenourishedtherebyGodfor1260days.Theflightofthe
woman may in part reflect the escape of the Palestinian church to Pella at the
outbreakoftheJewishwarinA.D.66.God'schildrenhaveoftenbeeninflight." 18
J.M.Fordpresentsasimilarfirstcenturyemphasisbyinterpretingthewoman
tobethecommunityofChristiansinthefirstcentury,andasomewhatrestricted
communityatthat:"Ifthewomanisthefaithfulcommunity,suchasonefindsat
Qumran,itisacommunitywhichlives,works,prays,andfights,inthecompanyof
thegoodangelswhichmayevenbeincludedintheimageryofthestarsroundher
head."19Shegeneralizesinhercommentonthetimeunit.Thewomanisnourished
for31^timesor1260days,"perhapsmeaninguntiltheendofthepersecution....Itis
atimeoftrialwhichcomesbeforethefinalcommencementofthekingdomofGod.
Italsorepresentstheoppositeofeternity.Butitmay,inaddition,beamessianic
number."20
Futuristapproach.Attheotherendofthescalewefindthedispensationalist
interpreterJ.F.Walvoord.Inthissystemthewomanisnotthechurch,butIsrael,as
shewillexistinthelastdaysduringthegreattribulation.Thetimeelement(1260
days)isliteraltimebuttheperiodoccursattheoppositeendoftheChristianAge
fromwherepreteristinterpreterswouldlocateit.Walvoordadmitsthegreatgapthat
must exist between this endtime application of the 1260 day period and the
beginningoftheage(withIsraelasthemotheroftheMessiah):
17R.HMounce,TheBookofRevelation(GrandRapids,1977),234.
18Ibid.,239.
19J.M.Ford.Revelation,AB,38(GardenCity,1975):200.
20Ibid.,202.
343
Attentionisthendirected,however,tothemotherofthechild,againrepresented
asIsrael.Heresheisseeninthetimeofgreattribulationasfleeingintothewilderness
toaplacepreparedofGodwherefor1,260dayssheiscaredfor(againtheexact
length of three and onehalf years). There is obviously a tremendous time lapse
betweenverses5and6,butthisisnotanuncommonoccurrenceinprophecy;thefirst
andsecondcomingsofChristarefrequentlyspokenofinthesamesentence.Inas
muchasIsraelisincomparativetranquillityandsafetyinthefirstthreeandonehalf
years of Daniel's seventieth week (Dan. 9:27), the reference must be to the
preservationofaportionofthenationIsraelthroughthegreattribulationtoawaitthe
secondcomingofChrist.
Asimilarcommentandapplicationismadeofthe31i^timesinverse14since
heconsidersthemtodelimitthesameperiodofpersecutionasmentionedinverse6.
"ThetimeelementofIsrael'ssufferingisdescribedas'atime,andtimes,andhalfa
time.' This again seems to be a reference to the three and onehalf years, the
mentionoftimebeingoneunit,thesecondreferencetotimes,beingtwounits,
which the addition of onehalf a time would make three and onehalf units. A
parallelreferenceisfoundinDaniel7:25and12:7referringtothesameperiodof
greattribulation."22
Idealistapproach. Incontrasttothepreteristwhoputsthistimeperiod {^n
times;1260days)atthebeginningoftheageandthefuturistwhoputsthematthe
endoftheage,therearethosewhogeneralizethemmorethanthat.Theidealist
appliestheperiodtotheChristianAgeingeneral.ThecommentsinP.E.Hughes
representthisapproach:
There,nourished\syGod,sheisenabledtosurviveforonethousandtwo
hundredandsixtydays,otherwisedefined,inverse14below,as"atimeand
timesandahalfatime"and,in13:5,as"fortytwomonths,"thatis,fora
periodoflimiteddurationwhichisshortincomparisonwiththelimitless
eternityofpeaceandfreedomthatwillfollowinthenewheavenandearth....
ThesymbolisminSt.John'svisiondepictsthehistoryofthepeopleofGod
forwhomthewildernessistheworldinitsfallennessanditshostilitytothe
truth.23
Hughesfollowsthiswithasimilarcommentonthe31^timesinverse14.He
statesmoreclearlythatthetimeelements(vss.6,14)simplysymbolizetheentire
ChristianEra:
21J.P.Walvoord,TheRevelationofJesusChrist(Chicago,1966),191.
22Ibid.,195.
23P.E.Hughes,TheBookofRevelation(GrandRapids.1990),137.
344
Thisperioddenotesthreeandahalfyearsandisthesameasthe1,260
daysinverse6andthefortytwomonthsin13:5.Itsymbolizesthetime,
limitedbyGod,ofthechurch'spersecutionbySatanonearth,thetime,thatis,
betweenthecomingsofChrist.
Historicist approach. The historicist school, following the yearday

principle,delimitsthe1260yearstoacertainportionoftheChristianEra,
nottheerainitstotality.TheportionoftheChristianEratowhichthis
prophetictimeperiodisappliedisthatoftheDarkAgesorMiddleAges
whenmembersofthetruechurchofGodhadtofleetomoreremoteplaces
becauseofthepersecutionslaunchedagainstthem.
Representative of this view is the commentaryby U. Smith, already
citedaboveonDaniel1112.Smithstatesthispositionclearlyinhiscom
mentonRevelation12:6
Thechurchfledintothewildernessatthetimethepapacywasfirmly
established in 538, where it was nourished by the word of God and the
ministrationofangelsduringthelong,dark,andbloodyruleofthatpowerfor
1260years.25
HereiteratesthisviewinhiscommentonRevelation12:14
Thementionoftheperiodduringwhichthewomanisnourishedinthe
wildernessas"atimeandtimesandhalfatime,"similarphraseologytothat
usedinDaniel7:25,furnishesakeyfortheexplanationofthelatterpassage.
ThesameperiodiscalledinRevelation12:6,"athousandtwohundredand
threescoredays."Thisshowsthata"time"isoneyear,360days;two"times,"
twoyears,or720days;and"halfatime,"halfayear,or180days,makingin
all1260days.Thesedays,beingsymbolic,signify1260literalyears.
Thus,thepatternthatwefindamongtheexpositorsisthesameasthat
we encounteredinthecaseofDanielintheprevioussectionofourstudy.
Thepreteristinterpretersputtheseprophetictimeperiodsbackintimespast;
thefuturistputsthemstillinthefuture;andthehistoricistappliesthemas
extendingthroughhistoryfrompasttimesuptomoderntimes.Thequestion
is,Whichoftheseviewsdoesthetextfavor?Whatelements
24Ibid.,141.
25Smith,ThePropheciesofDanielandRevelation,553.
26Ibid.,558.
345
arethereinthepassagethatlendsupporttooneortheotherofthesein
terpretations?
Ourstudyinthischapterisonliterarystructure,context,andcontents
toseeinwhatwaytheseaspectsofthepassagesunderexaminationaddress
thisquestion.Sooncemorewetakeupliterarystructurefirst.Iwouldsay
thatitisanessentialelementinunderstandingthetextofRevelation12.
Oncethatstructureisunderstood,thepatternitpresentslendsstrong
supporttothehistoricistviewwhichseesthistextanditstimeperiodsas
extendingthroughtheChristianEra.Asamatteroffact,whenthisaspectof
thetextisappreciated,itrevealswhataremarkablepassagethisis,covering
theeraofthechurchfromthefirstadventofChristtothefinalphaseofthe
churchbeforeHissecondcominginabrief17verses.
IhavetreatedtheliterarystructureofRevelation12inanotherprevious
study.27Becauseoftherelevanceofthatstudyforourpresententerprise,a
significantportionofthatessayisrepeatedhereverbatim.Thisshouldgive
aclearpictureoftheliterarystructurepresentinRevelation12.
TheLiteraryStructureofRevelation12
Regardless of any difficulties in interpretation, the progression of
thoughtinRevelation12isstraightforward.Asoutlinesinthecommentaries
illustrate, the transitions between that chapter's main thought units or
sectionsarerelativelywelldemarcated.
Thenarrativeopenswithafiveversesectiondepictingaconflictbe
tweenaglorifiedwoman(vss.12)commonlyinterpretedasthechurch(or
Israel as an earlier phase of the church)and the dragon (vss. 34)
commonlyinterpretedasthedeviland/orhisearthlyagent(s).Theparticular
point of this conflict revolves around the manchild whom the woman
delivers.SincethismanchildwascaughtuptothethroneofGodandisto
rule all nations with a rod of iron (vs. 5), he is commonlythough not
universallyidentified by the commentaries as representing Jesus Christ.
Thus, we may identify this initial fiveverse section of chapter 12 as
describingtheearlyphaseofconflictbetweenthedragonandthewoman.
Thenextverseinthisnarrative(vs.6)shouldbeseenastransitionalto
an intermediate section that deals further with the conflict between the
dragonandthewoman.Thistransitionalverseindicatesthathavinggiven
birthtothemanchild,thewoman,nowmoredefinitelyidentifiablewith
27W.H.Shea,"TheParallelLiteraryStructureofRevelation12and20;'AUSS23(1985):3754.
346
thechurch,founditnecessarytofleeintothewildernessforthepurposeof
selfpreservation. There she remained, protected by God, for a specified
periodoftime1260days.
Atthispoint,theflowofthenarrativedealingwiththeconflictbetween
thedragonandthewomanisinterruptedtoincludeaparentheticalsection
(vss. 712) which explains the origin of the dragon's enmity toward the
woman.Thissectionofthenarrativeisinpartdescriptive(vss.79)andin
parthymnic(vss.1012).Thefirstportionofthiscentralsectiondescribesa
conflictinheavenbetweenthedragon("thatancientserpent,whoiscalled
theDevilandSatan"[vs.9])andhisangelswithMichael,theleaderofthe
angels on God's side. Michael and his host emerged victorious, and the
dragonandhishostwerecastdowntoearth.Thesecondpartofthiscentral
sectioncelebratesthedefeatofthedragonandwarnstheinhabitantsofearth
ofhisenmity.
Severaldifferentinterpretationshavebeengiventothiscentralsection.
Someinterpretersseeitasadescriptionofaconflictinheaveninwhichevil
originatedpriortothecreationofmankind.Othersseeitasadescriptionof
thevictorygainedbyGodoverthedevilatthetimeoftheincarnationof
Christ. Still others see it as a description of the victory gained by God
throughChrisfsatonementonthecross.Ourpurposehereisnottogivea
detailedexegesisorinterpretationofthispassage.Itisrathertoseewhere
theseversesfitintheliterarystructureofthechapter.Thatpointisclear,
eventhoughcommentatorsmaydifferintheirinterpretationofthetextitself.
Theseversesprovideacentralblocofmaterialinthechapter;andthemain
flow of the narrative which is more directly concerned with the conflict
betweenthedragonandthewoman,resumesfollowing
thisexcursus.
The next section of the narrative, verses 1316, returns, then, to the
subjectofthewomaninthewilderness,underattackbythedragon.Inverse
6,whichwehavenotedabove,itismainlytheactionsofthewomanherself
thatareinview.Thatsubjectisnowtreatedagaininverse14.Butverse15
thencontinueswiththeotheraspectofthesubjecttheactionsofthedragon
towardthewomanduringherresidenceinthewilderness.Hepursuedher
thereandpouredoutagreatflooduponhertosweepheraway.Theearth
helpedthewoman,however,andrenderedthefloodineffectual(vs.16).The
lengthoftimethatthewomanwasresidentinthewildernessisgivenagain,
inthisinstanceas"atime,andtimes,andhalfatime"(vs.14),whichis
equivalenttothe1260daysmentionedearlierinverse6.
347
Forliterarystructuralpurposes,itisimportanttonotehowcloselythecontents
ofverse14correspondtothoseofverse6:
Revelation12:6
Revelation12:14
"Andthewoman
fled
intothewilderness,
whereshehasaplace
preparedbyGod,
inwhichtobenourished
foronethousandtwo
hundredandsixtydays."
"Butthewomanwasgiventhetwo
wingsofthegreateaglethatshemight
flyfromtheserpentintothewilderness,
totheplace
wheresheistobenourished,for[three
andonehalftimes]."
AcomparisonoftheGreekphraseologyfoundinthesetwoversesindi
catesthatthesamewordsareusedinthemfor"intothewilderness"andthe
"place"towhichthewomanfled.Thesameverbalrootfor"nourish"isused
indifferentformsinitstwooccurrences.Whiletheverbs"toflee"and"to
fly"arenotthesame,theyconveyasimilaridea.Finally,bothversesend
withatimeperiod,andthosetimeperiodsshouldbeequated.
From these specific lexical relationships, and also from the general
thematic relationships present, it is evident that the content of these two
versesmakesadirectconnectionbetweenthemandthatinfactverse6and
verses 1316 form an inclusio around the central section of verses 712.
Specifically, verse 6 provides an initial statement about the flight of the
womanintothewilderness,whileverses1316provideanamplifyingand
concluding statement on the same subject. Thus, the complete or overall
statementabouttheintermediateperiodofconflictbetweenthedragonand
thewomanhasbeendivided,anditstwopartshavebeenutilizedtoframeor
enclosethecentralstatementaboutthewarbetweenMichaelandthedragon
inheaven.
Thefinalverseofthechapter,verse17,referstothethirdandfinal
phaseofconflictbetweenthedragonandthewoman.Inthiscase,attheend
ofthe1260days,itistheremnantofherseedoroffspringwithwhichthe
dragonaimsatmakingwar.Thenatureofthisfinalconflictisspelledoutin
moredetailinthesubsequenttwochapters,whichcontributeinmakingup
theblocofpropheciesinRevelation1214.
Thereisacertainthematiclinkbetweenthebeginningandtheendof
Revelation12.Bothdealwiththedragon'sattackuponthewoman'soff
spring.Inthefirstcase,itisherprincipaloffspring,themanchild,thatis
348
T^mePropheciesofDaniel12andRevelation1213
attacked;andinthelattercase,itistheremnantofheroffspringthatishis
target.Furthermore,themanchildatthebeginningofthenarrativeshould
beinterpretedasreferringtoJesus,withtheremnantattheendofthenar
rativebearingtestimonytoJesus.Andfinally,inverse5,thedragon"stood"
beforethewomanwhenshewasabouttobearherchild,andattheendof
thenarrativethedragon"stood"uponthesandofthesea.(Thesameverbal
rootispresentinthesetwopassages.Someholdthatthisfinalstatement
shouldbeconnectedwithRevelation13,butthislexicalcorrelationsuggests
thatitmaybecorrectlylocatedattheendofRevelation12.)
FromthissurveyofRevelation12,thecontentsofthischaptercannow
bereducedtoabasicoutline:
A.Vss.15Earlydragonwomanconflict
B1.Vs.6Intermediatedragonwomanconflict
X.Vss.712Michaeldragonconflictinheaven
B2.Vss.1316Intermediatedragonwomanconflict(resumed)
C.Vs.17Finaldragonwomanconflict
General historical applications. Having outlined the passage in this

manner, we may make some general historical applications. 20 Specific
detailsneednotbeaddressedhere,butthebroadsweepofthechaptercanbe
giveninoverview.Sidingwiththemajorityofcommentators(evensomeof
thosecitedabove)whoseethewomanasthechurch,wecanseeportrayed
threephasesofconflictinvolvingthewomanorchurch.
Thefirstphaseofconflictwiththedevil(vss.15)shouldrefertothe
earlybeginningsofthechurch.Thefinalconflict(vs.17)shouldrefertothe
final phase of the church here on earth. Between these two poles we
encounterthechurchinthewilderness,thepersecutedchurch.Giventhe
intermediatepositionofthisphaseofthechurchinthenarrative,thisshould
bethechurchoftheMiddleAges,thatistosay,thetrueorpurechurchof
thatperiod.Thechurchthatwaspersecutedanddrivenintothewilderness
andthemoreremoteportionsoftheearthforprotection.
Thus,thechapter'snarrativepresentsuswiththeearlychurch,thepure
churchoftheMiddleAges,andthechurchofthelastdays.Inonebriefspan
of17versesthenarrativehascoveredthesethreemainphasesofchurch
history.
Atthecenterofthispanorama,thechapterframesthestrugglebetween
ChristandSatan,thecontroversythatstandsbackofitall.Theprin
28Theportionofmyarticlequotedabovecomesfromibid,
39.42.349
Forliterarystructuralpurposes,itisimportanttonotehowcloselythecontents
ofverse14correspondtothoseofverse6:
Revelation12:6"And
thewoman
fled
intothewilderness,
whereshehasaplace
preparedbyGod,
inwhichtobenourished
foronethousandtwo
hundredandsixtydays."
Revelation12:14
"Butthewomanwasgiventhetwo
wingsofthegreateaglethatshe
mightflyfromtheserpentintothe
wilderness,totheplace
wheresheistobenourished,for
[threeandonehalftimes]."
AcomparisonoftheGreekphraseologyfoundinthesetwoversesindi
catesthatthesamewordsareusedinthemfor"intothewilderness"andthe
"place"towhichthewomanfled.Thesameverbalrootfor"nourish"isused
indifferentformsinitstwooccurrences.Whiletheverbs"toflee"and"to
fly"arenotthesame,theyconveyasimilaridea.Finally,bothversesend
withatimeperiod,andthosetimeperiodsshouldbeequated.
From these specific lexical relationships, and also from the general
thematicrelationshipspresent,itisevidentthatthecontentofthesetwo
versesmakesadirectconnectionbetweenthemandthatinfactverse6and
verses1316formaninclusioaroundthecentralsectionofverses712.
Specifically,verse6providesaninitialstatementabouttheflightofthe
womanintothewilderness,whileverses1316provideanamplifyingand
concludingstatementonthesamesubject.Thus,thecompleteoroverall
statementabouttheintermediateperiodofconflictbetweenthedragonand
thewomanhasbeendivided,anditstwopartshavebeenutilizedtoframe
orenclosethecentralstatementaboutthewarbetweenMichaelandthe
dragoninheaven.
Thefinalverseofthechapter,verse17,referstothethirdandfinal
phaseofconflictbetweenthedragonandthewoman.Inthiscase,attheend
ofthe1260days,itistheremnantofherseedoroffspringwithwhichthe
dragonaimsatmakingwar.Thenatureofthisfinalconflictisspelledoutin
moredetailinthesubsequenttwochapters,whichcontributeinmakingup
theblocofpropheciesinRevelation1214.
Thereisacertainthematiclinkbetweenthebeginningandtheendof
Revelation12.Bothdealwiththedragon'sattackuponthewoman'soff
spring.Inthefirstcase,itisherprincipaloffspring,themanchild,thatis
348
attacked;andinthelattercase,itistheremnantofheroffspringthatishis
target.Furthermore,themanchildatthebeginningofthenarrativeshould
beinterpretedasreferringtoJesus,withtheremnantattheendofthenar
rativebearingtestimonytoJesus.Andfinally,inverse5,thedragon"stood"
beforethewomanwhenshewasabouttobearherchild,andattheendof
thenarrativethedragon"stood"uponthesandofthesea.(Thesameverbal
rootispresentinthesetwopassages.Someholdthatthisfinalstatement
shouldbeconnectedwithRevelation13,butthislexicalcorrelationsuggests
thatitmaybecorrectlylocatedattheendofRevelation12.)
FromthissurveyofRevelation12,thecontentsofthischaptercannow
bereducedtoabasicoutline:
A.Vss.15Earlydragonwomanconflict
B1.Vs.6Intermediatedragonwomanconflict
X.Vss.712Michaeldragonconflictinheaven
B2.Vss.1316Intermediatedragonwomanconflict(resumed)
C.Vs.17Finaldragonwomanconflict
General historical applications. Having outlined the passage in this
manner, we may make some general historical applications." Specific
detailsneednotbeaddressedhere,butthebroadsweepofthechaptercan
begiveninoverview.Sidingwiththemajorityofcommentators(evensome
of those cited above) who see the woman as the church, we can see
portrayedthreephasesofconflictinvolvingthewomanorchurch.
Thefirstphaseofconflictwiththedevil(vss.15)shouldrefertothe
earlybeginningsofthechurch.Thefinalconflict(vs.17)shouldrefertothe
final phase of the church here on earth. Between these two poles we
encounterthechurchinthewilderness,thepersecutedchurch.Giventhe
intermediatepositionofthisphaseofthechurchinthenarrative,thisshould
bethechurchoftheMiddleAges,thatistosay,thetrueorpurechurchof
thatperiod.Thechurchthatwaspersecutedanddrivenintothewilderness
andthemoreremoteportionsoftheearthforprotection.
Thus,thechapter'snarrativepresentsuswiththeearlychurch,thepure
churchoftheMiddleAges,andthechurchofthelastdays.Inonebriefspan
of17versesthenarrativehascoveredthesethreemainphasesofchurch
history.
Atthecenterofthispanorama,thechapterframesthestrugglebetween
ChristandSatan,thecontroversythatstandsbackofitall.Theprin
28Theportionofrayarticlequotedabovecomesfromibid.,3942.
349
'nonePropheciesofDaniel12andRevelation1213
ciplethathasbeenworkedoutinthesephasesofchurchhistoryisthean
tagonismofthedevilandhisevilforcesarrayedagainstthechurch.Thisis
notanewstruggle.Itbeganevenbeforetherewasachurch.Byplacingthis
sceneatthecenterofhissurvey,John,underinspiration,hasidentifiedthe
principlebeingworkedoutthroughthiseraofchurchhistory.
Itisevidentatoncethattheprophecy'ssweepofchurchhistorydoes
notfitwellwitheitherthepreteristorthefuturistinterpretation.Ifitsup
portedthepreteristinterpretation,itshouldhaveconcentratedonlyuponthe
firstphaseofchurchhistory,intheperiodoftheRomanEmpirewhere
preteristslocateallofthis.Butitsviewextendsbeyondthatpoint,well
beyondit.Ifitsupportedthefuturistviewofprophecy,itshouldhavecon
centratedonlyuponthefinalphaseofchurchhistory.Instead,itstartswith
thebeginningofchurchhistory,whentheChristofthatchurchcameinto
theworldandthenascendedtoheaventoministerforit.Theevidenceis
clearthatthisnarrativepresentsacontinuoushistoricalflowthroughthe
ChristianEra;thus,itismostcompatibleinitsperspectivewiththehis
toricistorcontinuoushistoricalview.
Locationoftimeperiods. Wemayalsoaskthequestion,Whereare
thetimeperiodslocatedinthischapter?Aretheyfoundintheearly,middle,
orendphaseofthewoman'spilgrimageonearth?Ifthetimeperiodswere
foundinthefirstsegment,theywouldfavorthepreteristposition.Ifthey
werefoundinthefinalphase,theywouldfavorthefuturistposition.But
theyarefoundinneither.Rather,thetimeperiodsarelocatedinthemiddle
segment of that church history. They are found in connection with the
segmentwhichextendsthroughtheheartoftheage.Thisismostcom
patiblewiththehistoricalviewofthisprophecy.
Infact,thesetwocombinedandlinkedstatementsabouttime(vss.6,
14)gotogethertoframethecentralfeatureofthechapter,thegreatcon
troversyinheaven.Thewritergiveshisfirststatementabouttimeinverse
6.Hefollowsthenwithadescription(vss.712)ofthewarinheavenbe
tweenMichaelandthedragon.Hethenreturnstothesubjectoftimeagain,
restating in almost identical words the same period of time previously
mentioned(vs.14).
Thus,fromthestandpointoflinked linguistics, andfrom the stand
pointofliterarystructure,thesepairedstatements abouttimebelong in
themiddleofthenarrative,inthemiddleofthehistorythatthechapter
narrates, and thus in the Middle Ages of church history. They do not
belong,eitherofthem,downattheendoftime.Endtimechurchhistoryis
nottakenupuntilthelastverseofthechapter(vs.17).
350
Revelation13
We come now to a third major statement of prophetic time similar to that
presentedinDaniel1112andRevelation12.Inthosepreviousnarrativesthetime
periodwasgivenaseither1260daysor3'/2times.Inthisnewnarrativeitisgivenas
42 months (13:5). There can be little doubt that we are talking about the same
propheticandhistoricalperiodoftime,since42months,usingaschematicprophetic
monthofauniformnumberof30days,providesaperiodoftimethatlikewiseequals
3li2yearsor1260days.
Expositors'Interpretations
Preteristapproach.Againwefindthesamedistributionofinterpretationsthat
weencounteredpreviouslyinconnectionwiththeothertwopassagesstudiedabove.
PreteristsputtheseeventsinthefirstcenturyAD.,intheperiodofImperialRome.
AsJ.M.Fordplainlystates,"themonstersrepresenttheRomanEmpireandthose
whocooperatewithher."29Asforthe42monthsoftheauthorityofthisbeast,Ford
relatesit,byparallel,withthepersecutionoftheJewsunderAntiochusEpiphanes.
Thus,itbecomes"symbolicofaperiodofterroranddemonicevilbeforethefinal
victoryofGod."30Inthisparticularcase,itmayalsoberelatedtothedesecrationof
thetempleinJerusalembyeitherCaligulaorTitus(orboth).
Futuristapproach.DispensationalistsagreethatthisistheRomanEmpire,but
itistherevivedRomanEmpireattheendoftime,nottheempireofthedaysofJesus
andtheapostles.ThusWalvoordnotes,"Theidentityofthisbeastisquiteclearinits
referencetotherevivedRomanEmpire,asthedescriptionissimilartothatfoundin
Daniel7:78andinRevelation12:3and17:3,7.Thestageoftheempiredepictedby
thebeastistheperiodaftertheemergenceofthelittlehorn,thefutureworldruler,
displacingthreeofthehorns(Dan7:8).Thedescriptionfitsthetimeoftheempire
duringthegreattribulation."32Hispositiononthe42monthsisastobeexpectedin
connection with this interpretation: "His authority [that of the personal future
antichrist]continuesforfortytwomonths."33
Historicistapproach.Thehistoricistinterpretersremainconsistentheretoo.The
beastisalsoidentifiedasRomeinthisschoolofthought.
29Ford,Revelation,218.
30Ibid.,222.
31Ibid.,223.
32Walvooni,TheRevelationofJesusChrist,19798.
33Ibid.,200.
351
TunePropheciesoFDaniel2andRevelation1213
Because of the distinctly religious aspects of its character and activities,

however, it is identified as the religious phase of the Roman activity,
epitomized in the papacy. In this case Imperial Rome (symbolized in a
secondaryrolebythereddragon[chap.12]),precedestheleopardlikebeast
(chap.13).Thelatterreceivesfromtheformerits"power,seat,andgreat
authority"(vs.2).AsputbrieflybyU.Smith,"Inverse1ofRevelation13
wearecarriedbacktothetimewhentheleopardbeast,thesuccessorofthe
dragon, begins his career. From this power the church suffers war and
persecutionforthelongperiodof1260years." 34This1260yearperiodis,of
course, the same which has been described above with the previous
prophecies.
Thestance,then,ofthethreeinterpretiveschoolsisaswehavefound
them in the previous prophecies. Preterists see Revelation 13:110 at the
beginningoftheChristianEra,futuristsattheendoftheera,andhistoricists
throughthecourseoftheera,interpretingthetimeunitshereassymbolic
ratherthanliteralinnature.Foramoredefinitiveidentificationofthebeast
powerinvolved,thestudentnaturallyneedstoworkthroughitssymbolic
characteristics.Thishasalreadybeendoneinthecommentariesandneednot
be repeated here. Our interest is more localized to the time prophecy
connectedwiththisbeast.Whereshouldthistimeperiodbeapplied?
LocatingtheTimePeriod
Whydoesthisquestioncomeup?Someinterpreters,evensomeworking
fromthehistoricistpointofview,suggestthatthistimeperiodshouldbe
located after thedeadlywoundisreceivedbythebeastratherthanbefore.
Locatingthetimeperiod before thedeadlywoundandleadinguptoithas
beenthemorecommonapproachamonghistoricistwritersintimespast.
U.Smithputtherelationshipthisway:
Attheendofthesameperiod[the1260years],theleopardbeast was
himselftobeled"intocaptivity."Revelation13:10.Boththesespecifications
were fulfilled in the captivity and exile of the pope, and the temporary
overthrowofthepapacybyFrancein1798.
Thusitisevidentthatitwasthepapalheadthatwaswoundedtodeath,andwhose
deadlywoundwashealed.Thiswoundingisthesame
34Smith,ThePropheciesofDanielandRevelation,562.
35Ibid.,565.
352
TunePropheciesofDaniel2aridRevelation1213
asthegoingintocaptivity.(Revelation13:10.)Itwasinflictedwhenthepopewastaken
prisonerbyBerthier, theFrenchgeneral, andthepapalgovernmentwasforatime
abolished,in1798.
TheviewrepresentedbySmith'sinterpretation,secondedbymanyother
historicistinterpreters,isthatthe42monthsoftheprophecy,or1260actual
historicalyears,leduptothedeadlywoundwhichbroughtanendtothat
periodofpapaldominationandreligiousauthority.
Morerecently,theoppositeviewhasbeenadvocated:thatthe42months
should follow some time after the deadly wound. The basis for this
interpretationistheorderofthetext.Thedeadlywoundisreferredtoin
verse3andthe42monthsarereferredtoinverse5.Assumingthatthe
eventsofthispassageareinchronologicalorder,the42monthstimeperiod
shouldfollowafterthedeadlywoundingofthebeast.
Repeatedsequences.Thisraisesthequestion,Aretheeventsdescribed
inthispassagegiveninstrictchronologicalorder?Theevidencefromthe
passageitselfindicatesthatisnotthecase.Followingastrictlychronological
ordercreatessomedifficultiesininterpretation.
Forexample,verse1notesthatthebeasthadablasphemousnameupon
its heads. Verse 5 observes that the beast was given a mouth uttering
blasphemous words. If these two episodes are strictly chronological and
consecutive,theblasphemythatthebeastuttersinverse5hasnorelationto
theblasphemyuponitsheadsinverse1.Thelogicalconnectionis,however,
thattheblasphemousheadsinverse1areofsuchacharacterthattheyutter
the blasphemous words in verse 5. The two references are connected by
natureandaction;theyshouldnotbeseparatedwithoneputinthepastand
theotherinthefuture,
Thiscanalsobenotedinthecaseoftheword"authority."Thisisfound
firstinverse2wherethedragongivestotheseabeastseveralthingsin
cluding"greatauthority."Theninverse5itisstatedthattheseabeastis
allowedtoexerciseauthorityfor42months.Ifwetakethestrictlychrono
logical approach, then we have two different authorities here. The more
logicalconnectionisthattheauthoritygiveninverse2isthesameauthority
thatisallowedtocontinuefor42monthsaccordingtoverse5.
Asimilarissuecomesupinthecaseofblasphemybetweenverse5and
verse 6. Verse 5 says that the sea beast is given a mouth uttering blas
phemies.Then,attheendofthatversethe42monthsofitsauthorityare
36Ibid..567.
353
TimeFropHecieôfDaniel12aridRevelation1213
mentioned.Verse6beginsbyidentifyingwhatisblasphemed:thenameof
God,Hissanctuaryinheaven,andthoseofearthwhohaveplacedtheirfaith
there.Ifthesetwoversesarereadinastrictlychronologicalorder,thenthe
blasphemy of verse 6 occurs 42 months or 1260 years later than the
blasphemyspokeninverse5.
Butthisisnotreallythecase.Verse1notesthatthenameofblasphemy
wasontheheadsofthebeast;verse5notesthatthebeastwasgivenamouth
utteringthoseblasphemies;andverse6givesthecontentofsomeofthose
blasphemies.Theseareallcontemporaneousandinterrelatedactions;they
arenotseparateanddistinctandoccurringlaterintimethantheprevious
ones. The development upon the theme of amplifying the matter of
blasphemyissupplementedbyeachadditionalreference.
Onceagainthematterofworshipmaybetakentoillustratethesame
type of phenomenon in this passage. The endof the first section of this
passage describes men worshiping the dragon and the beast (vs. 4). The
secondsectionofthispassageendsinasimilarway,withallwhodwell
upontheearthworshipingthebeast(vs.8).Thetwothemesareinterrelated
andoccurinsimilarpositionsintheirrespectivepassages.Theyshouldbe
relatedtoeachother,notseparated.
Wehavedescribedvariousaspectsofthistexttodemonstratethewayin
whichitstermshavebeendistributed.Wehavechosenkey,thematic,or
theological terms inthis passage. Theyinclude "blasphemy," "authority,"
and"worship."ThesameGreekwordsareusedineachofthesecaseswhere
pairedpassagesareemployed.
Hebrewparallelism. Thequestionmaynowbeasked,Whydoesthe
passageoperateinthismanner?Whydoesitcomebacktosomeofthese
themesoverandoveragain?Whydoesn'titjusttreateachthemeonceand
thenmoveontoanotherinalinearfashion?Thematterforstudyinthis
connection is again one of literary structure. The organizing principle is
parallelismofthought.ThisisverycommonintheBible.
OnethirdoftheOTiswritteninpoetry;allHebrewpoetryexercises
parallelismofthought.OnecannothaveHebrewpoetrywithoutit.Italso
spillsoverintobiblicalprose,bothintheOTandintheNTExamplesofthis
are too numerous to mention. So it is not unexpected to find that same
principleoperatinghere.Itisimportant,therefore,tonotekeywordswhich
arerepeatedinthepassage.
1wodistinctsections.Wewilldividethisportionoftheprophecyintoits
twomajorsectionsbeforeworkingwithitindetail.Verses14formthefirst
section;verses510formthesecond.Theshiftintheuseofverbsbe
354
tweenthesetwopassagesisoneindicatorthattheyaredistinct;thenatureof
thecontentsdescribedisalsodifferent.
ThefirstsectiondescribeswhatJohnsawthevisionproper.Thesecond
describesactionsthattookplacethereafter.Theverb"Isaw"(eidon)occurs
twiceinthefirstsection(vss.12);itdoesnotoccuratallinthesecond.
Bothsectionsclosewithaversethattellsabouttheworshipoftheworld
towardthebeast.Thisoccursinverse4inthefirstsectionandinverse8in
thesecondsection.Theyarecomparedfurtherbelow.
Whilethefirstsectioninthispassageisdescriptive(visual)inemphasis,
thesecondsectionisdidacticinitsemphasis.Thisarrangementmakesthese
two sections relate to each other as vision and audition, or vision and
explanation.Whenthisfunctionalrelationshipisunderstood,itcanbeseen
thatthesecondsectionexplainswhatwasseeninthefirstsection.
Thevision'sdescription (vss.14).Thedescriptionofthebeastinthe
firstsectionbeginswithitsrisefromthesea.Thefirstpartstoappearareits
headsandhorns.Afurtherdescriptionisgivenofthesefeatures:Thehorns
havecrownsandtheheadshavethenameofblasphemyuponthem.The
descriptioncontinuesasthebeastrisesfurtheroutofthesea.Itsbody,which
lookslikealeopard's,isseennext;anditsfeet,whicharelikeabear's,are
seenlast.Theattentionoftheprophetisthenturnedbacktothemouthofthe
beast.Itwaslikethemouthofalion.Thereasonwhytheprophet'sattention
isturnedtothemouthisbecauseitsspeechisanimportantelementinthe
subsequent explanatory section of the vision. The scene shifts now to
describewhatthedragonofchapter12didforthisseabeastofchapter13.
He gave him three things: power, a throne, and great authority. John's
attentionwasthendrawntooneoftheheads.Sixofthesevenheadslooked
healthy,butoneofthemhadbeenwounded.Indeed,thewoundlookedso
seriousthatitappearedtohavebeenfatal.Butthewoundhadnowhealed
over and that head too was alive again. The passage concludes with
statementsontheworshipofthedragonandbeastbytheworld.
Thevision'sexplanation(vss.510).Thesecondsectionisdistinctivein
termsofitsverbalcontents.Itcontainsfourphrasesthatstartinexactlythe
sameformintheoriginalGreek, kaiedothe ("andtherewasgiven
untohim...").Thephraseoccurstwiceinverse5andtwiceinverse7.Each
timethephraseintroducessomethingthatisgiventothebeast.Thefirst
"given"isamouthspeakinggreatthingsandblasphemies.Thesecondis
authority.Thethirdthinggivenistheabilitytomakewaronthesaints.The
fourth"given"isauthorityoverthenations.Thenthepassageconcludes,as
didthefirstone,withastatementofworshipbytheworld.
355
T%ae~ROpfiecieiroFT5ameri2and'Reveiation1213
Itshouldbeclearfromthissketchofthetwosectionsthatween counterfirstthe
visionofthebeastandnextthedescriptionofitsactionsbywayofexplanation.Both
sectionsendinthesameway:withthedescriptionofworshipbytheworld.This
double description of worship not only serves to divide the passage, but also to
emphasizetheunityoftheprophecy.Thisbriefoutlinemaybecharted:
Chart4
Revelation13:110
TwoSections
Description
Explanation
vss.13
vss.57
Worshipvs.8
Worship
vs.4
Linksbetweensections.Weturnnowtoexaminethelinksbetweenthe
twosections,betweenthedescriptionandtheexplanation.Wehavealready
notedsomeoftheseinanegativeway,todemonstratethatwecannotfollow
a strictly chronological approach to this passage. We examine these
relationshipsnowaccordingtotheirintendedfunctions.
The first linking word is "mouth" (stoma), and its associated word,
"blasphemy"(blasphemia).Themouthofthebeastisdescribedasthemouth
of a lion (vs. 2). When the mouth goes into operation (vs. 5), it speaks
haughtywords(againsttheMostHigh,cf.Dan7:25)andblasphemy.The
mouthinverse5isfunctionallylinkedtothemouthseenpreviouslyinverse
2,andtheblasphemyheardhere(vs.5)islinkedtothenameofblasphemy
seenwrittenoutontheheads(vs.1).Verse6thentakesupthethemeof
blasphemyagainandtellsexactlywhatisblasphemed:God,Hisname,and
Hisheavenlysanctuary.
Apairofphraseswhichbegin"andtherewasgiventohim"(kaiedothe
auto)occursinverse7.Theretheydescribetwogroupsofpeople.Thefirst
consistsofthesaints.Thebeastwaspermittedtomakewaragainstthemand
defeatthem.Thesecondgroupconsistsoftherestoftheworld'spopulations.
Incontrast tothesaints whoattemptedtowithstandthebeast,this group
acquiescedtoitandeventuallywillgosofarastoworshipit.Hencethe
contrastbetweenthetwogroups:thoseopposedtoitandthosewhoagreeto
sidewithitandevenworshipit.
356
Thewayinwhichthepersecutionofthesaintsisphrasedisinterest inginviewof
thepreviousstatementaboutthetimeperiodgiventothebeastforitsauthority42
months.Thesetwolinesoftextshouldbecomparedinaliteraltranslationandin
transliteration:
him|authoritytomake|(X)months,fortyandtwo."menas40kai2
vs.5b"Anditwasgiventokai metaionhagionkainikesai
edotheauto
vs.7akaiedothe
wxousiapoiesai withthesaintsanddefeat[them]"
awiesaipolemon
"Anditwasgiventohim[tomakewar
Thephraseinverse7aistheonlyoneofthesefourdonationphrasesin
whichthewordorderisreversed.Normally,aftertheintroductorydonation
phrasethenounreferringtotheobjectdonatedisstatednext.Thatisnotthe
caseherem7a.Insteaditisaverb(poiesai)"todo,make"thatfollows.But
thisisthesameverbthatisfoundinverse5b.Thisiscommonlytranslatedin
suchawayastousetheword"authority"whichprecedesitasanobject.But
thatisnotreallythecase.Thebeastwasgivenauthoritytodosomething,not
toexerciseauthority.
Butwhatwasitgivenauthoritytodo?Thatisleftforthenextdona tion
phrasetosay.Accordingtoverse7athatauthoritywastomakewaronthe
saints. Thus the linguistic and structural arrangement and relations here
indicatethatthebeast'sauthoritywastobeexercisedespeciallyinmaking
waragainstthesaints.Thisfeatureofthetextbringsitintolinewiththe
passageswehavediscussedaboveDaniel1112andRevelation12.Inboth
passages this same time period was especially and above all one of
persecutionofthesaints.
Thelinksoftheword"authority" (exousia) betweenthesetwopassages
shouldalsobenoted.Accordingto13:2thedragongavetotheseabeast
power, seat, great (megaten) authority (exousia). Then, according to
verse 5, the sea beast goes on to exercise that authority (exousia) for 42
months.Indeed,thelengthoftimethatthebeastexercisesthatauthorityis
onereasonwhyitisgreat.
Itisalsoofinterestthatthesetwowords(great/authority)arepairedin
verse2,butarethendistributedinverse5.Inverse2itistheauthoritythatis
great (exousian megaten). In verse 5 the word for great (megala) is used
independentlytorefertothegreatthingsor"haughty"(RSV)wordsthatthe
beastspeaksagainstGod;theninthenextphrasethewordauthority(exousia)
appears.Whatappearsasawordpairinthefirstpassageisbrokenupand
distributedtosuccessivephrasesinthesecondin
357
nmeFrbpEedôn5amelI2and1R.evelation1213
stance,therebypointingtoadirectrelationshipbetweenthetwosections.
Therearetwootherinterestingwordlinkspresenthere.Oneistheverb
"toworship" (proskuneff). Inverse4(inthefirstsection)itisusedinan
aoristform,butinverse8(thesecondsection)itisusedinafutureform.
ThelatterhasbeencommonlytakenasaHebraismforaverbwhichequals
animperfectorpresenttense.However,thereversecouldbetakenforits
occurrence in verse 4. If one takes the aorist in verse 4 as reflecting a
Hebrew "prophetic perfect" as used by the OT prophets (a past tense to
describeafutureevent),thenitwouldfitwellwiththevisionarynatureof
thatpassage("men...willworshipthedragon....andtheywillworshipthe
beast").Ifthisexplanationiscorrect,itwouldharmonizeverse4withverse
8,placingthatactioninthefuturefromJohn'stimeintotheeraspecifiedby
theprophecy.
Theotherwordofnotehereisthewordfor"wound"whichtheheadof
thebeastreceivesina"deadly"formaccordingtoverse3 (sphazo). The
samewordisusedforChristastheslainlamb(5:6,9,12).Thosewhoare
excludedfromtheheavenlykingdomarethosewhoarenotwritteninthe
bookoftheLambwhowas"slain"(wounded)fromthefoundationofthe
world(13:8).Thesamewordisusedinbothpassages,andthusacontrastis
drawnbetweenthebeastandthe"Lamb."Bothreceivedawoundthatwas
deadly,butcamebacktolifeOnetoworkfortheredemptionofmankind,
theotherforitsdestruction.
Inthedescriptionsection(vss.14),thewoundingofthebeastcomes
towardthecloseofthepassage(vs.3).Intheexplanationsection(vss.510)
thiswoundingisalsoalludedtoattheendofthepassage("Ifanyoneslays
withthesword,withtheswordmusthebeslain,"vs.10;cf.vs.14,"the
beastwhichwaswoundedbythesword").Inbothcasestheliterarystructure
and relations involved indicate that the authority that the beast exercises
comesbeforethatwounding.
Thereisalsoanaturalandlogicallinkfromthegivingofauthoritytoits
exercisebetweenthefirstpassage(vs.2)andthesecond(vs.5).
Asthemanyliterarystructuralrelationspresentedhereandthelinguistic
linksbetweenthesectionsshow,aparallelismofthoughtiscarriedoutby
Johnashedescribedthevisionofthebeastthatheseesandtheexplanation
ofthevisionthathereceives.Thetwopartsformonewhole.
The strictly chronological reading of this passage cannot be applied,
because that procedure would not make any sense out of the multiple
parallelshere.Themorelogicalunderstandingofthetwosectionsisthatthe
secondisanexplanationofthefirstandthatputsthe42monthstime
358
periodinrelationshiptoeventsin the First passagewhichoccurred beforethe
deadly woundwasseen.Thetraditionalorder andrelationscommonlyfollowed
byhistoricist interpreters isthe correct onefromthestandpoint ofthesenewly
observedcontextualrelations.
This meansthe42monthsofthetimeprophecyshouldleaduptothe deadly
wound,notfollow.Italsomeansthattheoccurrenceofthedeadlywoundmakes
anexcellentdemarcatorfortheendofthattimeperiod.Intermsoftheflowof
historythatfitswellwithendingthisperiodin1798ashasbeendescribedbythe
historicistcommentatorSmithcitedabove.
Conclusion
In this chapter we have examined three biblical passages that contain
prophetictimeelements:Daniel12,Revelation12,andRevelation13Onetime
periodiscommontoallthree.The31/2timesofDaniel12:7equalsthe3^2times
ofRevelation12:14,whichinturnequalsthe1260daysofRevelation12:6and
finallythe42monthsofRevelation13:5.Inaddition,twomoretimeperiodsare
foundinDaniel12:the1290andthe1335days.
Wehavenotsoughttomakeverydirecthistoricalapplicationsofthesetime
periodsinthisstudy.Our intenthas beenotherwise.Ourpurposewastosee
whatinformationthe textitselfsupplies for locating these time periodsinthe
sweepofhistory.
ThelocatingofthetimeperiodsinDaniel12cannotbedeterminedonthebasis
ofthatnarrativealone.TheseversesformonlytheconclusionofDaniel'sfourth
vision.ComparisonmustbemadewithDaniel11,thebodyofthatsamevision.
Whenthatcomparisoniscarriedout,itcanbeseenthatthedatesinDaniel12donot
representawishfulextensionofthetimethattheprophetguessedat(preteristview).
Rather,theyareeach connected withspecific eventsnarrated intheflowofthe
historydescribedinthebodyofthevision.
The3^2timesandthe1290daysbelonginloci(Dan11:3135)priortothetime
oftheendthatismentionedinDaniel11:40.The1335dayperiodalsohasitsroots
inthesameDaniel11location.Thismeansthatthehistoricistview,whichplaces
thesetimeperiodsasstandingsymbolicallyformuchlongerperiodsofhistorical
timeintheflowofthehistoricalprocess,fitsbestwiththecontentsoftheDaniel12
passage.
ThesituationinRevelation12issomewhatdifferent.Herethetwotimeperiods
(31/2times;1260days)arefoundinrelationshiptoeachotherinthestructureofthe
narrativeitself.Theyareplacedinthemiddleor
359
TTmeTropnecIesoFDariiel\1andTlevelation1213
core of the narrative about the church; they donot belongat either pole of that
history.ThustheyarebestappliedtotheMiddleAgesor,asthisageofpersecution
hasbeendesignated,theDarkAges.
Thosetimeperiods(thetwosymbolsinactualitydenotethesameera)spanthat
periodandtakethenarrationofchurchhistorydowntothebeginningofitsfinal
period,the time whentheremnant seed ofthe womantake the stagefor action.
Again,theenvelopeconstructionofthisnarrativeandtheparticularpointsatwhich
thetimeperiodsarelocatedsupportthehistoricistinterpretationprecisely.Thedata
donotpointtoeitherapreteristorfuturistinterpretation.
TheliterarystructureofRevelation13withitstimeperiodof42monthsfeatures
yetanotherHebrew thoughtpattern.Hereparallelism ofstatementsoperates.The
visionofthebeastisdescribedinthefirstsectionofthatnarrative(vss.14)andthis
is followed by the explanation of that vision (vss. 510). This means that this
narrative(vss.110)cannotbereadinastraight,linearsequence;rather,itmustbe
understoodasgoingoverthesamegroundtwice.
Inthisinstance,thesecondsection,whichsuppliestheexplanation,includesthe
timeperiod.Wecannotseeatimeperiod,butwecanseetheactionsthatthebeast
carriedout,likepersecuting,speakingblasphemy,andexercisingauthorityoverthe
peopleoftheearth.Wehavetobetoldhowlongthesethingsweretolast.Forthat
reasonthetimeperiodoccursinthepartofthetextwhichdealswiththeexplanation.
The place where the time period connects with the preceding description
indicatesthatitbelongstothoseactivitiesofthebeastwhichweretooccurbefore
thatpowerreceiveditsdeadlywound.Eventhoughthatdeadlywoundwastobe
healed,thistimeperiodmeasuredofftheyearsuptothatwounding,notafterwards.
Byshowingthatthe31/2times(andthe1290days)ofDaniel12belongtothe
middleofthehistoricalflowofDaniel11,byshowingthatthetwotimeperiodsof
persecutioninRevelation12(3V2times;1260days)belongtothemiddleofthe
ChristianAge,andbyshowingthatthe42monthsofthebeastbelongtothetime
before its wound was received, we have demonstrated that the historicist
interpretation of these time prophecies is soundly based in the features of the
passages.Thepreteristviewwhichputsallofthesebackinthemoreremotepast
with Antiochus Epiphanes (second century B.C.) or the Caesars (first century
A.D.)andthefuturistviewwhichputsalloftheminthestillunfulfilledfuture
donotdrawstrongsupportfromthetextandarethereforeuntenable.
360
III
APPENDICES
EllenG.WhiteandRevelation46
457B.C.Verified
AppendixAEllenG.Whiteand
Revelation46
JonPaulien
A\hepurposeofthisappendixistoclarify,asfaraspossible,theviews
EllenWhitehasexpressedinwritingabouttheprophecyinReve_&.
lation 46. All the statements in the available Scripture indexes to the
writingsofEllenWhiteonthissectionofRevelationhavebeenexamined.
However,spacewillpermitdiscussionofonlyafewthatareconsidered
especiallypertinenttotheAdventistinterpretationofthispassage.
Thosewhomaythinkaparticularstatementiseither"misinterpreted"or
"ignored"shouldrecognizethatthisappendixisnotwrittenas"thefinal
word,"butisintendedtostimulatediscussionandencouragecarefulappli
cationofthesuggestedmethodofstudy1tocontrovertedpoints.
TheBroaderContext
Theclosestthingtoamajorinterpretivestatementfortheentirefirst
halfofthebookofRevelationisfoundinthebookTheGreatControversy2
HereEllenWhiteoffersaclearstatementregardingthesignificanceofthe
sanctuarymaterialinRevelation4,8,and11:
Theholyplacesofthesanctuaryinheavenarerepresentedbythetwo
apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was
grantedaviewofthetempleofGodinheaven,hebeheldthere"sevenlamps
offireburningbeforethethrone."Revelation4:5.Hesawanangel"havinga
goldencenser;andtherewasgivenuntohimmuchincense,thatheshould
offeritwiththeprayersofallsaintsuponthegoldenaltarwhich
1Seechap.8inthisvolumeonTheInterpreter'sUseoftheWritingsofEllenG.White."
2(MountainView,CA,1950),41415.ThisstatementisalsofoundinPatriarchsandProphets
(MountainView,CA,1958),356.Bothstatementsareanexpansionandclarificationoftheearlier
andmoreambiguousStoryofRedemption(Washington,DC,1947),377.
363
AppendixA
wasbeforethethrone."Revelation8:3.Heretheprophetwaspermittedtobehold
thefirstapartmentofthesanctuaryinheaven;andhesawtherethe"sevenlampsof
fire"and"thegoldenaltar,"representedbythegoldencandlestickandthegolden
altarofincenseinthesanctuaryonearth. Again,"thetempleofGodwasopened"
(Revelation11:19), and helooked withintheinnerveil,upontheholyofholies.
Here he beheld "the ark of His testament," represented by the sacred chest
constructedbyMosestocontainthelawofGod.
ThereisnoquestionthatEllenWhitehadthesespecificBiblepassagesinmind
asshewrote.Thestatementalsoappearstobeanattempttoexplainthesignificance
oftheauthor'soriginalvisionregardingthesematters.Thepassageisdrawnfrom
one other major works and is central to the discussion of the sanctuary in its
context.3However,thepurposeofthechapterisnottoexegetetheintentionofthe
Revelator.Thepassagemay,therefore,qualifymoreasatheologicalstatementthan
exegetical.
Bethatasitmay,thisstatementisEllenWhite'smostcomprehensivestatement
onthemeaningofRevelation411.Thus,itisoffirstimportanceforunderstanding
herviewofthemeaningofthisportionofthebook.Itseemsevidentfromthis
statementthatEllenWhiteunderstoodtheeventsofthesealsandthetrumpetstobe
takingplaceundertherubricofthefirstapartmentoftheheavenlysanctuary.The
SecondApartmentministrycomesintoviewonlyinRevelation11:19.
Whilethismayseemamajorconclusiontodrawfromjustafewwords,Ellen
White clarified this statement in a Review and Herald article published on
November 9,1905. There she repeats the above statement with the following
addition:
Theannouncement,"ThetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven,andthere
wasseeninhistemplethearkofhistestament,"pointstotheopeningofthe
most holyplace oftheheavenly sanctuary, at theendofthetwentythree
hundreddaysin1844asChristenteredtheretoperformtheclosing
workoftheatonement.ThosewhobyfaithfollowedtheirgreatHighPriest,
asheentereduponhisministryinthemostholyplace,beheldthearkofthe
testament.
The titleof thearticleis"TheArk of theCovenant."IfEllen White had
considered itappropriate to indicate that the arkshould beequated with the
throneinRevelation45,orwiththeactivityinRevelation8:34,
3Chap.23ofTheGreatControversy.409422,isentitled,"Whatisthesanctuaiy?"
364
AppendixA
thiswouldhavebeen the idealplace todoso.Instead, she makesitclear that
Revelation11:19 (forming thesanctuaryintroductiontoRevelation 1214the
sectionthatfeaturesthethreeangels'messages)isthepointatwhichRevelation
beginstoconcentrateontheendtimejudgment.
Oncloseanalysisthese citations callinto questiontheassertionssome are
making that theEllenWhitewritingssupporta day of atonementor endtime
setting for the seals and trumpets as a whole. Such a position cannot be
maintainedinlight of the fact that there are no clear andexplicit statements
from her pen to that effect, and the citations we have noted seem to imply
otherwise.
EndTimeSignificanceofRevelation5
ThereisonlyonestatementthatIamawareofthatimputesunusualimportance
toanypartofRevelation46.ThatstatementisfoundinTestimoniesfortheChurch,
volume9.
Thosewhohumbletheirheartsandconfesstheirsinswillbepardoned.
Theirtransgressionswillbeforgiven.Butthemanwhothinksthatshouldhe
confesshissinshewouldshowweakness,willnotfindpardon,willnotsee
Christ as his Redeemer, but will go on and on in transgression, making
blunderafterblunderandaddingsintosin.Whatwillsuchaonedointhe
daythatthebooksare openedandevery manisjudgedaccording tothe
thingswritteninthebooks?
Thefifth chapter ofRevelation needstobe closely studied.Itis of
greatimportance to thosewhoshallactapartin thework ofGod for
theselastdays.Therearesomewhoaredeceived.Theydonotrealizewhat
iscomingontheearth.Thosewhohavepermittedtheirmindstobecome
becloudedinregardtowhatconstitutessinarefearfullydeceived.Unless
they make a decided change they will be found wanting when God
pronouncesjudgmentuponthechildren of men.They havetransgressed
thelawandbrokentheeverlastingcovenant,andtheywillreceiveaccord
ingtotheirworks.
ThestatementispartofanaddressreadtotheGeneralConferencesessionof
1909entitled,"ADistributionofResponsibility."Thefirsthalfconcernstheneedto
makewisechoiceswheretheleadershipofthechurchisconcerned.Thelatterhalf
(pp.26569)isaseriesofwarningsmadeuplargelyofquotationsfromMatthew
11:2030;Revelation6:1217;Revela
4(MountainView,CA,1948),26667.Fortheentirecontext,see26269.
365
AppendixA
tion7:917;Luke21:3336;andMatthew24:4251.Theabovestatementprecedes
thequotationofRevelation6:1217.
Thestatementismoreambiguousthanwewouldlike.ItisclearthatRevelation
5isintendedtoplayasignificantroleforthosewhoaretoactapartintheclosing
up of earth's history. But it is not clear what that role is. Does Ellen White
understandthechapteritselftobeendtime?Isthereaneventportrayedtherethatis
ofparticularimportancetothosewholiveattheend?Aretheretimelesstheological
truths there that will play their usual role also at the end? Is the passage
inspirational becauseofitscleardepictionofheavenlypraiseandworship?She
doesnotsay.Ablankspaceisleft,asitwere,tobefilledinbythereader.
One possibility lies in the mention of judgment both before and after the
reference tochapter5.Butthissectionoftheaddressisneitheranexegesisof
Revelation 5 nor a theology of judgment. The previous statement associates
judgment withtheopeningofthebooks,whileinRevelation5thesinglebook
remainssealeduntilafterthescene,sothereisnoexplicitconnectionthere.The
laterstatement leadsintothequotationofRevelation6:1217wheretheSecond
Comingwithitsjudgmentisinview.Therefore,thereisnoexplicitconnectionin
herappealtostudyRevelation5withthesetworeferencestojudgment.
ThesoundestwaytodeterminethereasonforEllenWhite'semphasisonthe
importanceofRevelation5forthosewholiveinthelastdaysistoreadallher
statementsregardingthatchapter.5Whenthisprocedureisfollowed,thereader
isimpressedbyherrepeateduseofthechapterasaninspiringvisionofheaven
thatcanmotivatethechurchonearth.
"Whocan betrifling, whocanengagein frivolous, common talk, whileby
faithheseestheLambthatwasslainpleadingbeforetheFather...?""Byfaithlet
uslookupontherainbowroundaboutthethrone." 6"ThinkofJesus,Heisin
His holy place... ."7 * view oftherevelation madetoJohn on theIsle of
Patmos,...howcanthosewhoclaimtoseewondrousthingsoutofthelawofGod,
befoundinthelistoftheimpure,ofthefornicatorsandadulterers...."8
AfterquotingportionsofRevelation5shesays,
5Ihavelearnedfromexperiencethatitisunwisetosay"EllenWhitesays"untilonehasreadevery
statementshehasmadeonasubject
6SeecontextinTestimoniestoMinisters(MountainView,CA,1962),157.
7SeecontextinLetter134,1899(quotedined.F.D.Nichol,TheSDABibleCommentary7
(Washington,DC,1957):933.
8SeecontextinTestimoniestoMinisters,433.
366
AppendixA
Willyoucatchtheinspirationofthevision?Willyouletyourmind
dwelluponthepicture?Willyounotbetrulyconverted,andthengoforthto
laborinaspiritentirelydifferentfromthespiritinwhichyouhavelaboredin
thepast...?
If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the
heavenlyworld,weshouldfindapowerfulstimulusandsupportinfighting
thebattlesoftheLord.Prideandloveoftheworldwilllosetheirpoweras
wecontemplatethegloriesofthatbetterlandsosoontobeourhome.Beside
thelovelinessofChrist,allearthlyattractionswillseemoflittleworth. 10
Inthesekindsofstatementswefind,perhaps,thebestcluetoEllenWhite's
viewofthesignificanceofRevelation5inthelastdays.Itistheclearestandmost
excitingdepictionofheavenlyworshipinallofScripture.Thosewhomeditateupon
thisscenewillfindencouragementandmotivationtoremainfaithfultotheend,
even as their spiritual forefathers in earlier times found encouragement and
motivationinthesamepassage.
DidEllenWhiteassociatethesceneofRevelation5withanyparticulareventin
history? The Desire of Ages ties the entire scene of Revelation 45 to Christ's
ascensionandHissubsequententhronementintheheavenlysanctuary. 11Thereisno
questionthatEllenWhitehasRevelation45inmindinthispassage,andthatthis
scriptureplaysacentralroleinthepassage.Herstatementisfoundinoneofher
majorbooks,anditisinharmonywiththemostnaturalunderstandingoftheBible
text.
However, although the events of Revelation 5 originally took place at a
particularpointintime,weshouldnotinsistthatthethreehymnsofacclamation
(vss.913)weresungonlyonce.Nodoubttheyentertherepertoireoftheongoing
worshipservicesintheheavenlysanctuary.
Thus, Ellen White can quote from this section in the context of what is
happeninginheavennow,12 yetcanalsoquoteverses913inthecontextofthe
experience of the redeemed as they enter the heavenly courts after the Second
Coming.13Thisapplicationissupportedbytheobserva
9SeecontextinTestimonies/ortheChurch8:4445.
10SeecontextinReviewandHerald,November15,1887.
11(MountainView,CA,1940),83335.ThisstatementisrepeatedmorebrieflyReviewand
Herald,July29,1890.
12TheSDABibleCommentary7:933;Christ'sObjectLessons(MountainView,CA,1941),
176;TheMinistryofHealing(MountainView,CA,1942),417.NotethatinPatriarchsand
Prophets,36,shequotesRev5:11inapreCreationcontext!
13TestimoniestoMinisters,433;TheGreatControversy,545,64748,65152,671;TheSDA
BibleCommentary6:1093;TestimoniesfortheChurch8:44.TheGreatControversy,545,
inparticularappearsexegeticalwithrespecttoRev5:13.
367
AppendixA
tionthatthesongofverse13presupposestheinvolvementoftheentirecreation,an
eventonlyfullyrealizedafterthedestructionofsinandsinnersatthecloseofthe
millennium.
Some suggest that a statement written in a letter by Ellen White in 1900
indicatesthatsheunderstoodChrist'stakingofthebook(Rev5:7)tohaveoccurred
in1844,notA.D.31.14Letusexaminethisstatementwithsomecare.
Johnwrites,"Ibeheld,andIheardthevoiceofmanyangelsroundabout
thethrone."AngelswereunitedintheworkofHimwhohadbrokentheseals
andtakenthebook.Fourmightyangelsholdbackthepowersofthisearthtill
theservantsofGodaresealedintheirforeheads.Thenationsoftheworldare
eager for conflict; but they are held in check by the angels. When this
restrainingpowerisremoved,therewillcomeatimeoftroubleandanguish.
It is evident that the paragraph's initial sentence is from Revelation 5:11.
AccordingtotheargumentEllenWhite'sstatement,ineffect,placesRevelation5:11
afterthebreakingoftheseals.SinceRevelation5:11containsanallusiontoDaniel
7:910,itisfurtherarguedthatitslocationisintheMostHolyPlaceatthetimeof
judgment.Thus,itisconcludedthatthereceptionofthebookandthebreakingof
thesealsoccurintheMostHolyPlacefrom1844on.WhentheLamb"cameand
tookthebook"(vs.7,KJV),itisassertedthatHeismovingfromtheholyplaceinto
theMostHoly.15
Whilethiskindofreasoningisbothflawedandstrained,itdoesraisequestions
abouttheintentoftheEllenWhitestatement.Itdeservesacloserexamination.First,
itcertainlyassociatesRevelation5:11withtheeventsofRevelation7:13,whichare
endtime.However, herstatementisageneraldescriptionoftheworkofangels.
And Ellen White repeatedly uses the language of Revelation 5:11 in general
descriptionsoftheministryofangels. 16 Therefore,itisquitepossiblethatweare
dealing with a general Ellen White statement on angel ministry and should not
overratethecita
14Letter79,1900;EllenG.WhiteComments,TheSDABibleCommentary7:967;RobertHauser,
GiveGlorytoHim(Angwin,CA,1983),31.
15ThefactisoverlookedthattheLambisalreadystanding"inthemidstofthethrone"(Rev5:6)
beforeHe"comesandtakestheboot."ToassumeachangeofapartmentsinRev5:6.7isto
suggestthatthe"throne"isawayofspeakingfortheentiresanctuary,somethingFoundin
neithertheBiblenorthewritingsofEllenWhite.
16Cf.TheSDABibleCommentary7:933,96768;TheGreatControversy,511.12;Patriarchsand
Prophets,36;CounselsonHealth(MountainView,CA,1951),32,amongothers.
368
AppendixA
tionofverse11forinterpretivepurposesinthisinstance.
Moreproblematicisthephraseinhersecondsentence:"theworkofHimwho
hadbrokenthesealsandtakenthebook."Thisreversestheorderofthebiblicaltext.
Itseemstoplacethebreakingofthesealsinthepastfromherperspective. 17
ThestatementistakenfromLetter79,1900,writtenonMay10ofthat year.
TheletterisaramblingappealtoaWilliamKerr,callingforafullercommitmentto
thegospelandtoobediencetoGod'scommandments.EllenWhite'spersonaljournal
indicatesthatshewasextremelyweakandwearyfromoverworkandsleeplessness
onthatday,18whichwouldaccountfortheramblingnatureoftheletter. 19Itnearsits
conclusionwithageneraldescriptionoftheworkofangelsinhelpingGod'speople
obey.20Thereisnoreferencetotheinvestigativejudgment.
Thestatementweareexaminingisfoundnowhereelseinherwritings.Norisit
centraltothepointoftheletterwhichisquitehomileticalinitsthrust.Suchan
isolatedstatementinanunpublishedlettershouldnotbeusedtooverturntheimpact
ofcarefulexegesisandsuchmajorpublishedstatementsasTheGreatControversy,
pages414415,and TheDesireofAges, pages833835.21 Thefact thatshewas
extremelytiredonthatdaymayaccountforherconfusionregardingthetimingof
thebreakingofthesealsandtheorderinwhichthebreakingofthesealsandthe
takingofthebooktookplace.22
TheSealedScroll
EllenWhitemakesahandfulofbriefstatementswithregardtothesealedscroll
ofRevelation5.SheappearstosuggestinTestimoniestoMinisters,page115,that
thesealedscrollisthebookofDaniel.AfterquotingDaniel12:813shesays, "It
wastheLionofthetribeofJudahwhounsealedthebookandgavetoJohnthe
revelationofwhatshouldbeintheselastdays."
17ThebreakingoftheseventhsealwouldappeartobeatoraftertheSecondComing.
18Shehadnothadsignificantsleepforthreedays!
19Althoughtheletterislengthy,thereislittlecoherentflowofthoughtfromoneparagraphto
another.
20ThesectionoftheletterjustprevioustothecitationinTheSDABibleCommentary7:967is
publishedinTheSDABibleCommentary7:922(quotingRev1:6;5:910;12:11).
21ThereisnotasinglestatementinherwritingsthatspecificallyinterpretsRev5;7,soitshouldnot
beassumedthatshesawasignificantchangethere.
22Inthetypewrittenmanuscriptofthetettertheoriginal"angelsareunited"wasreplacedwith
"angelswereunited,"asifshesensedacertainawkwardnessinthestatement.
369
AppendixA__
AfterparaphrasingDanielforsomelines23shestates,"ThebookofDaniel
isunsealedintherevelationtoJohn,andcarriesusforwardtothelastscenesof
thisearth'shistory."
ItisclearfromthestatementthatthebookofDanielisunsealedinthebookof
Revelation.Whatislesscleariswhetherthescrollofchapter5itselfisthebookof
Danielinherthinking.Otherstatementsmakeitmorelikelythatsheunderstood
thescrolltocontainthefullaccountofhumanhistory,muchasanexegesisofthe
passageindicates("abookofdestiny").24HerstatementinChrist'sObjectLessons,
page294,fitsthatconclusionwell:
ThustheJewishleadersmadetheirchoice.Theirdecisionwasregis
teredinthebook which JohnsawinthehandofHimthat satuponthe
throne,the book which nomancouldopen.Inall its vindictiveness this
decisionwillappearbeforetheminthedaywhenthisbookisunsealedby
tieLionofthetribeofJudah.
Thescrollcontainsboththehistoryandthedestinyoftheworld:
Thelightwehavereceiveduponthethirdangel'smessageisthetrue
light.Themarkofthebeastisexactlywhatithasbeenproclaimedtobe.
Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be
understooduntiltheunrollingofthescroll;butamostsolemnworkisto
beaccomplishedinourworld.
BothstatementssuggestthatEllenWhiteunderstoodthefullunrollingofthe
scrollasamatterforthefuture,notthepast(suchas1844).
Morerecently,aletterhascometolightwhichcontainsafairlyclearstatement
ontheidentityofthescroll.26AfterquotingRevelation5:13shestates,
ThereinHisopenhandlaythebook,therollofthehistoryofGod's
providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was
containedthedivineutterances,Hisauthority,Hiscommandments.Hislaws,
thewholesymboliccounseloftheEternal,andthehistoryofall
23Secincontext,TestimoniestoMinisters,115.AsimilarstatementismadeinSelectedMessages,
Book1(Washington,DC,1958),105.InbothinstancesEllenWhiteisspeakingdirectlyabout
tlieunsealingofthebookofDaniel,notthescrollofRev5.
24Secchap.11,"TheSevenSeals,"inthisvolume.
25TfefliffiCTiiesfortheChurch6:17.
26EllenG.White,Letter65,1898,inManuscriptReleases9(EllenG.WhiteEstate,SilverSpring
I^D,1990):7.
370
AppendixA
ruling powers in the nations. Insymboliclanguagewascontainedinthatrollthe
influenceofeverynation,tongue,andpeoplefromthebeginningofearth'shistoryto
itsclose.
Thisrollwaswrittenwithinandwithout.Johnsays:[Rev5:45;5:814;6:811;8:14,
quoted].
ThisexplicitstatementaboutthescrollofRevelation5indicatesthatit
containstheentiresweepofthegreatcontroversybetweengoodandevilas
itpertainstothis earth, includingboththe actsofGodandHis created
beingsthroughouttheirhistory.Thereareonlytwopointsinhumanhistory
whichsumupallthings.OneisinChristatthecross; 2'theotherisatthe
closeoftheMillenniumwhenallhistoryislaidopentoview. 28 Sincethe
preadventjudgment,associatedwiththeyear1844,islimitedaccordingto
EllenWhitetothosewhohaveprofessedfaithinGod, 29herstatementhere
wouldnotpinpointthatyear(1844)asthetimewhentheLambtookthe
book.
ThemostlikelyreferencepointforthisstatementisChrist'senthrone
mentinheavenasourKingPriestinA.D.31(Acts5:31).Notethatthe
scrollcontains"therollofthehistoryofGod'sprovidences,"anappropriate
designationfortheOTera,andthe prophetic historyofnationsandthe
church,astatementmostappropriateatthebeginningoftheChristianEra,
notnearitsclose.
Combiningalloftheabove,itappearsthatEllenWhiteunderstoodthe
scrollofRevelationtobethesumandsubstanceofhistory,prophecy,and
theentireplanandpurposeofGod.Assuchitcontainsthattowhichboth
DanielandRevelationpointandmore.Assuchitisnotfullyopenedto
viewuntiltheendofhistory.Itistrulythe"bookofdestiny."
InterpretingtheSeals
Thereisapaucityofstatementsassociated withthesealsofRevelation6.
MostofEllenWhite'sscripturalallusionstothesealshavetodowiththesouls
underthealtarintheFifthsealandtheheavenlysignsmentionedinthesixthseal.
Thereis,however,onemostinterestingreferencetothehorsemenofRevelation
6:18.
ThesamespiritisseentodaythatisrepresentedinRevelation6:68.
27AtthecrossChristembodiedinHimselfboththecharacterofGodandthesinsofafallencreation.
28TheGreatControversy,66671.
29Ibid.,480,483.
371
AppendixA
Historyistobereenacted.Thatwhichhasbeenwillbeagain.Thisspiritworksto
confuseandtoperplex.Dissensionwillbeseenineverynation,kindred,tongue,
andpeople;andthosewhohavenothadaspirittofollowthelightthatGodhas
given through His living oracles, through His appointed agencies, will become
confused.Theirjudgmentwillrevealweakness.Disorderandstrifeandconfusion
willbeseeninthechurch.30
Thisstatementinitscontextisunquestionablyacitationofthebiblicaltextof
theseals.Thefirsttwosentencesimplythatthethirdandfourthseals(Rev6:68)
refertohistoricalrealitiesthatarepast,butthespiritofwhichcontinuesinEllen
White'spresent andfuture.Herstatementasawholeimpliesthatthethirdand
fourthsealsrepresentspiritualconfusionandperplexityinthechurch.
These seals have their historical fulfillment in the corrupted church of the
MiddleAges,but theprinciple ofconfusionandapostasyisnot limitedtothat
periodofhistory.
InTestimoniesfortheChurch,volume5,page614,shealludestothethirdseal.
viewoftheinfinitepricepaidforman'sredemption,howdareany
professingthenameofChristtreatwithindifferenceoneofHislittleones?
Howcarefullyshouldbrethrenandsistersinthechurchguardeverywordand
action lest they hurt the oil and the wine! How patiently, kindly, and
affectionatelyshouldtheydealwiththepurchaseofthebloodofChrist!
Thisechoofbiblicallanguagesuggeststhattheoilandwinerepresentthose
whobelieveinJesus.Ifso,thecommandofRevelation6:6nottohurttheoiland
thewinesymbolizesGod'sprotectingcareforHis"littleones."
Oftheroughlyhalfdozenstatementsalludingtothesoulsunderthealtarinthe
fifthseals,oneappliesthecryofthemartyrstothepersecutionsoftheOTera! 31
Twoapplythecryofthemartyrsinageneral sense. 32 ThecryrepresentsGod's
continuingawarenessoftheinjusticeintheworld.Otherstatementsclearlyimplyan
endtimesetting,althoughevenhere (withthepossibleexceptionofManuscript
39,1906)theusageisprimarilyinageneralsenseratherthanasaspecificexegetical
interpretation.33
30EllenG.White,Letter65,1898,inManuscriptReleases4(EllenG.WhiteEstate:SilverSpring,
MD,1990),152.
31ReviewandHerald,July17,1900.
32"Thevoicesofthoseunderthealtar...arestillsaying,..."(ReviewandHerald,May2,1893,emphasis
added.CfChrist'sObjectsLessons,17980).
33TheSDABibleCommentary6:1081(ReviewandHerald,December21,1897);TheSDABibleCorn
372
AppendixA
Thismultiplefocusandapplicationisunderscoredbyanexegesisofthe
passage.34 The souls under the altar are the product of persecution
throughouthistoryleadinguptothetimeoftheircry.Thatcryispriortothe
preadventjudgment(cf. Rev 6:10).Thefactthatthecryreceivesapartial
responseimpliesthattheJudgmenthasbegunwithinthesealsubsequentto
thetimeofthecry.Thelastpartofthesealhasenteredintothetimeof
judgmentandanticipatesthefinalpersecutionofearth'shistory.Soanend
timefocusisnotinappropriatewithinabroadhistoricalperspective,butthe
sealasawholecoversabroaderscopethanjusttheendtime.
ItisevidentthatEllenWhiteunderstandsthefifthsealtobefigurative.
Whenshediscussesthesixthseal,however,sheseesitinliteralterms.The
earthquakeofRevelation6:12isidentifiedwiththeLisbonquakeof1755.
Thesignsinthesun,moon,andstarsaretiedtothosepredictedbyChrist. 35
These are identified withthe DarkDay, May 19,1780, and the meteoric
shower of November 13, 1833, both occurring in North America.36 The
dramaticeventsofRevelation6:14,ontheotherhand,areassociatedwith
thereturnofChrist.37Thedespairingcryofthewickedtobehiddenfromthe
wrathofGodandtheLambislikewiseunderstoodtotakeplaceatChrist's
secondadvent.38
Conclusion
ManyofthestatementsinwhichEllenWhiteutilizeslanguageremi
niscentofRevelationareattimesambiguous.However,herclearest,most
exegeticalstatements,aresupportiveoftheexegesisofthetextitself.
memory7:968(MS39,1906);TestimoniesfortheChurchSA51;ReviewandHerald,June
15,1897.
34Secchap.11,"TheSevenSeals,"inthisvolume.
35Rev6:1213;cf.Matt24:29;Luke21:25.
36TheGreatControversy,37,3048,33334.
37Siffisoftherones,April22,1913;TheStoryofRedenytum,411,FairiarchsandProphets,340,
Renew
andHerald,September22,1891;ReviewandHerald,January12,1886.
38TestimoniestoMinistcrs,444;PatriarchsandProphets,34041;TheStory
fRedemfftion,4ll;Reviewandfitraid,March18,1S80,ReviewandHerald,January
12,1886;ReviewandHerald,April28,1891;ReviewandHerald,June18,1901(TheSDA
BibleCommentary6:1070);TestimoniesfortheChurch,2:4142;etc.
373
AppendixB
WhenDidtheSeventyWeeksof
Daniel9:24Begin?*
WilliamH.Shea
InthefirstyearofDariustheMede(538B.C.),Daniel,theprophetandBabylonian
courtofficial,setaboutofferinguptoGodearnestprayersonbehalfoftheexiles
fromJudah.
Inhisprayer(Dan9:119)DanielpledwiththeLordtoforgiveHisrebellious
peopleandrestorethemtotheirlandandcapitalcity.HesoughttheLordforthe
fulfillmentofHispromisestotheprophetsthatJerusalemanditstemplewouldbe
rebuiltafterthedestructionthatitsuffered.
GodansweredDaniel'sprayer.HesawtoitthatHispeopleweresentbackto
theirhomelandbyCyrus(Ezra1,2),rebuiltthetemple(Ezra5,6),andeventually
rebuiltthecityofJerusalem(Neh15,6:1516).AndGodwentbeyondDaniel's
requests.ThroughthepropheticwordtransmittedbyGabriel(Dan9:2123),God
gaveDanielinstructionabouttheMessiahwhowastocometoHispeopleafterthe
cityandtemplewererebuilt.
Inthisprophecy,GoddesignatedthetimewhentheMessiahwouldcome. It
wastobemarkedofffromthetimeoftheeventDanielhadbeenprayingabout,the
rebuildingofJerusalem.GabrielsaidtoDaniel,"Knowthereforeandunderstand,
thatfromthegoingforthofthewordtorestoreandtobuildJerusalemuntothe
MessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks,andthreescoreandtwoweeks:thestreet
shallbebuiltagain,andthewall,evenintroubloustimes"(Dan9:25,translatedby
auithor).
Clearly,thisremarkableprophecyisamajorpropheticlandmark.It
*Copyright1991bytheauthor,usedbypermission.Reprintedfromihe JournaloftheAdventist
TheologicalSociety2/1(1991),11538.
375
AppendixB
offersavaluablecriterionbywhichthetrueMessiahcouldbedistinguishedfrom
falseones.IfapersonclaimingtobetheMessiahdidnotcomeattherighttime,he
couldnotbethetrueMessiah.Giventhismajorsignificanceofthisprophecywedo
welltopaycareful attentiontoitsdetails.Theminorfocusofourstudyofthis
prophecywillbeonthelengthoftimeinvolved;
ourmajorfocuswillbeonitsstartingpoint.Wewilldealbrieflywiththelengthof
timefirst.
TheTimePeriod
A.Length. Thefirstmattertodealwithintermsofthelengthofthe
periodhastodowiththeunitsbywhichitwastobemeasuredoff.Older
translationssuchastheKJVtranslatedthewordinvolvedhereas"weeks,"
whileamorerecentone,theNiyprefersthetranslationof"sevens."Thenet
effectofbothtranslationsisthesamelengthoftime,forthosecommentators
whopreferthetranslationof"sevens"acknowledgethattheyaresevensof
years.1 Forthosewhoretaintheoldertranslationof"weeks,"eachofthe
weeksismadeupofsevenpropheticdays,andeachpropheticdayistaken
asahistoricalyearaccordingtotheapocalyptichermeneuticalprincipleofa
dayforayear.(SeeEzek4:6;Num14:34). 2 Thustheonlyrealdifference
betweenthetwoschoolsofthoughtiswhetherornottheyeardayprinciple
needstobeinvokedhere.Inbothcasesthetotalnumberofyearscomesout
to483years(7+627=483).Whilethetranslationofthecrucialwordis
ofinterest,itneednotdetainus,forthelinguisticevidencerelevanttothe
questionstillfavorsthetranslation"weeks." 3 EventheNIVputs"weeks"in
themargin.
B. Punctuation and division. The other question involved with the
lengthoftimel>eforetheMessiahwouldcomehastodowithpunctuation.
Shouldthepassagebetranslatedinsuchawayastoindicatethattheseven
weeksandthesixtytwoweeksbelongtogetherasacompoundunit,orin
suchawayastoapplyittotwoseparateevents.Somemodemtranslations
separatethem,whereasoldertranslationskeepthemtogether.TheRSV,in
speakingoftheprince,saysthat"thereshallbesevenweeks."Thenafter
1LWood,CommentaryonDaniel(GrandRapids,1973),247.Woodgivesfourmainreasonswhy
heholdsthateachunitofthe"sevens"shouldbeinterpretedasaliteralandhistoricalyear.
2Foranextendeddiscussionoftheyeardayprincipleasappliedtoapocalyptictimeprophecies
seemystudyinchap.3ofSelectedStudiesonPropheticInterpretation,DARCOMSeries,vol.
1(Washington,DC:BiblicalResearchInstitute,1982),5688.
3Ibid.,7477.
376
AppendixB
insertingaperiodtoclosethesentence,itbeginsanewsentence,"Thenfor
sixtytwoweeksitshalll?ebuiltagain."Thispunctuationgivestheseven
weekstotheprinceandallowssixtytwoweeksforthereconstructionofthe
city.Butifthetwotimeunitsarekepttogether,thenboththesevenandthe
sixtytwoweeksmustbefulfilledbeforethePrincecouldcome.
Therationalebywhichthesetimeunitshavebeenseparatedintrans
lations,suchastheRSyinvolvestheamountofstressandweightputonthe
punctuationmark,'athnah,intheHebrewtextaspointedbytheMassoretes.
Thereareanumberofproblemswiththistreatment.Inthefirstplace,an
'athrilShisnotasophpSsuq,Justasacommaisnotaperiod.Asophpasuq
endsversesoftheHebrewtextjustasaperiodendsanEnglishsentence,but
the'athriShisusedonlyattheapproximatemiddleoftheHebrewsentence,
incontrast tothe comma, which sets off phrases. divide the Hebrew
sentenceintotwosentenceswithaperiodasadividerinEnglishjustbecause
an'athriShislocatedinthemiddleofitgoesfarbeyondthesignificanceof
the'athnah,turningitintoasophpasuq.Doingsuchathingisnotwarranted
bytheHebrewaccentandisnotgoodtranslating.
ThearbitrarynatureoftheRSVpunctuationherecanbeborneoutbya
comparison with what it has done with the rest of Daniel 9. No other
examplesoccurintheRSVtextofDaniel9inwhichan 'athnah isrepre
sentedwithaperiod.Further,therearefourcasesinwhichtheRSVdoesnot
representevenasophpISsuqwithaperiod.Daniel9:1treatsasophpSsuqas
a hyphen, verse 4 as a comma, and verses 5, 20 as a semicolon. When
measuredagainstitsownpractice,whattheRSVhasdonewiththe'athnah
inDaniel9:25isnotonlypoortranslatingbutalsoquiteanarbitrarycaseof
specialpleading.Theolderpairedtranslationofthetimeunitsshouldbe
retained.EventheLXXsupportsthepairedtranslationinthiscase.
TheStartingPoint
OurconclusionthusfaristhatthesevenandsixtytwoweeksinDaniel
9:25belongtogetherasacompoundmakingupsixtynineweeksor483
historicalyearsuntilthecomingoftheMessiah.Ifthestartingpointforthis
periodcanbefound,thenthedateforHiscoming483yearslatercanbe
Fixed.Soweturnnexttotheimportantstartingpoint.
Daniel9:25statesthatthestartingpointwastobeagoingforthofa
"word" (Hebrew dabar) to restore Jerusalem. Before looking for
specific
377
AppendixB
decreesandtheactualrebuilding,weshouldaskafewquestionsabouttheterm,
"word."
A.TheDecree.Thereasonwhythetermcomesupisbecauseanefforthasbeen
madebysomehistoricalcriticalscholarstoequatethis"word"inDaniel9:25withthe
"wordoftheLordtoJeremiah"towhichDanielreferredinverse2ofthischapter. 4
DanielwasstudyingthescrollofJeremiahabouttheprophecyofthedesolationof
Jerusalemforseventyyears.Jerusalemwastoberestoredattheendofthatperiod.
Because the message that came to Jeremiah was termed a "word" and the same
HebrewtermwasusedinDaniel9:25,shouldtheybeequated?Doingsowouldplace
thecommencementofthe70weeksofDanielbackinthetimeofJeremiah,about593
B.C.
Thistypeofinterpretationoverlooksthefactthatthetermfor"word"isused
againtwiceinDaniel9:23.Ifoneistolookforlinguisticconnections,hereinverse23
is a far more reasonable one to use than the reference in verse 2 to the time of
Jeremiah.
Butevenherethereisadifferencebetweenthe"word"ofGabriel'sintroduction
andthe"word"intheprophecyitself.Inthefirstpartofverse23,GabrieltoldDaniel
thatawordhadgoneforth (yasa"), obviouslyfromGodwhosentthemessageto
Daniel.Thefactthattheperfectformoftheverbisusedindicatesthatthewordhad
alreadygoneforth,andhavinggoneforthithadreachedGabriel,whowasnowgoing
togiveittoDaniel.ThereferenceistoapastactionorcommunicationwhichDaniel
isnowtounderstand.
ButthewordwhichDanielistounderstandisnotthedecreefortherebuildingof
Jerusalem. It istheentireprophecy,allofwhichconstitutesthisparticular"word."
Thusthe"word"aboutthereconstructionofJerusalemwascontainedintheentire
overallpropheticwordormessagethatGabrielbroughttoDaniel.Thatwordwasa
descriptionoffutureevents.Andoneofthosefutureeventswastobethegoingforth
ofthe"word"ordecreetorebuildJerusalem.Thusthe"word"ofverse25isneither
thewordoftheLordtoJeremiahinverse2northewordoftheLordthroughGabriel
toDanielinverse23.Itissomethingtobefulfilledinthefuture.Forcorroborationwe
notethatthetermfor"goingforth"(Hebrewmasa")thatisusedinverse25isneither
thetermthatisusedforthewordinverse2(Hebrewhayah)northeverbusedinverse
23(Hebrewyasa').Afurther
4J.A.Montgomery, ACriticalandExegeticalCommentaryonsheBookof'Daniel (Edinburgh,
1927),378.
378
Appendix
contrastbetweenverse2andverse25isthattheformerisspecifically"the
word of the Lord," in a construct chain with God's name in the genitive
relationship,whereasinverse25itisj'ust"aword"withneitheradivinename
noranarticleusedwithit
B.Thekingofthedecree.Thenextpointtobecoveredhereiswhatitwas
thattheprophecyforetoldwastoberebuilt.Theverseinquestionusesthe
specificnameofthecity,Jerusalem.Therecanbenoquestion,therefore,that
we must look to the circumstances under which that city was rebuilt. The
specificmentioningofthename"Jerusalem"helpsavoidconfusionwiththe
rebuildingofthetemplewithinJerusalem.Acityisnotatempleandatemple
isnotacity,althoughacitymaycontainatempleorbelocatednearone.This
distinctionisimportantbecausethedecreeofCyrusinEzra1:24specifically
mentionsauthorizationfortherebuildingofthetemplebutdoesnotmention
thecity.Inresponsetothatdecree,andtoasupplementarydecreebyDariusI,
thetemplewasinfactrebuilt(Ezra6:1416);butevenafteritsreconstruction
thecityofJerusalemstilllayinruins,andthiswastheconditioninwhich
NehemiahfounditinthetwentiethyearofArtaxerxesI,some70yearslater.
ThetemplewascompletedinthesixthyearofDariusI,515B.C.,butthecity
was still unreconstructed in the time of Artaxerxes in the middle of the
following
century.
Wemustnowattempttodiscoverthedecreethathadtheeffectofleading
totherebuildingofthecity.ItwasnotthedecreeofCyrusinEzra1;norwas
itthedecreeofDariusinEzra6,whichwasinactualityanauthorizationto
carry out the stipulations of the original decree of Cyrus. Both of these
decreesdealtwiththetempleandbothofthemwerebroughttotheirfinal
consummation when the temple was finished. We must look beyond the
rebuilding of the temple for the next major building project relating to
Jerusalem.Thereactuallyweretwodecrees,oradecreeandanauthorization,
thatwereinvolvedinthislaterevent,muchliketheprevioustwodecrees
focusedonthetemple.ThisnewpairofofficialrulingsisfoundinEzra7and
Nehemiah2.Thecircumstancesandcontentsofthesedecreesrequireclose
examinationinourquestforthestartingpointofDaniel'stimeprophecy.
C.Thenatureofthedecree.ThedecreegiventoEzraisrecordedinEzra
7:1226asanofficialdecreeofArtaxerxes.Itisquotedinthetextasacopy
ofthedecreeintheoriginalAramaiclanguage.BecausethedecreeofDarius
inEzra6actuallycontainsareiterationoftheantecedentdecreeofCyrus,the
decreeofArtaxerxesislongerthanthatofDarius.The
379
AppendixB
decreesgetlongerasonegoesthroughthebook.ThedecreeofCyrusinchapter1is
theshortest,thedecreeofDariusinchapter6isofmediumlength,andthedecree
ofArtaxerxesinchapter7isthelongestandshould,therefore,beaccordedaspecial
measureofimportance.
ContributingtoitsimportanceisthewiderangingauthorityitaccordedtoEzra
inthisdecree.Bythisdecreehewasnotonlygivenprivilegestopayforandoffer
sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem, but he was also given power to appoint
magistratesandjudgesintheprovinceofBeyondtheRiver.TheprovinceofBeyond
theRiverincludedmorethanJudea.ItincludedallofSyriathatwaslocatedwestand
southoftheUpperEuphratesRiver.ThusbythisdecreeEzrawasgivenauthoritynot
overtheJewsalone,butalsooverthepersonsandterritoryoutsideofJudea(Ezra
7:25).Hewasalsogivenpermissiontodrawonthetreasuryofthatprovinceupto
theamountof100talentsofsilver.(SeeEzra7:2122.)
IncludedamongEzra'sresponsibilitiesunderthisdecreeofArtaxerxeswasthe
authorizationtoteachthelawofHisGodtoJewsandnonJews alikeinthesame
extendedterritory.Foranyonewhowouldnotobeyhisteachingsinthesemattershe
wasauthorizedtoexecutepunishmentuptothedeathpenalty.(SeeEzra7:2526.)
HisauthorityovernonJewsisprobablythemostremarkablefeatureofthedecree.
TheextentandimportanceofEzra'spositionshouldbenotedcarefullyinorderto
understandthenatureofhisactionthatfolloweduponhisarrivalatJerusalem.
AsecondmajorreturnofJews(Ezra8)tookplaceunderthissamedecree.This
wasonlythesecondofficiallargescalereturnofJewssincethePersianconquestof
Babylon,thefirstbeingunderCyrus.(SeeEzra12.)WhileatrickleofJewsmay
havereturnedbetweenthesetwoevents,thefullandofficialnatureofthisauthorized
returnshouldbenoted.(SeeEzra7:13.)Inthesamewaythatanofficiallydecreed
returninitiatedthereconstructionofthetemple,thissecondofficiallydecreedreturn
servedasthestimulustocommencethereconstructionofJerusalem.
D.Theresults ofthe decree. NowwecometothequestionofwhatEzradid
uponhisarrivalatJerusalem.Weknowthathehadtodealwiththequestionofmixed
orforeignmarriages(seeEzra9,10),butwhatelsedidhedo?Hisothermainactivity
isrecordedinEzra4:716,inaletterfromthewesterngovernorstoArtaxerxes,the
kingwhohadissuedthedecree.Thegovernorsstruckanoteofalarm,reporting,"be
it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to
Jerusalem.Theyarerebuildingthatrebelliousandwickedcity;theyarefinishingthe
wallsandrepairingthefoundations"(Ezra4:12).Thenthegovernorswent
380
AppendixB
on to threaten the king where it could hurt him most, in the treasury or
pocketbook:"Ifthiscityisrebuiltandthewallsfinished,theywillnotpay
tribute,custom,ortoll,andtheroyalrevenuewillbeimpaired"(vs.13).
Someimportantaspectsofthisreporttothekingneedtobeconsidered.
First,thereportisrecordedinaletterfromthewesterngovernors.Itisfound
inAramaicinthebookofEzraasanofficialdocumentofthePersianarchives
(seevss.711).Therecanbenoquestionabouttheidentityofthekingto
whomitwasaddressed.ThetitletotheletterbearsthenameofArtaxerxes
(vs. 11), who allowed a group of Jews to return to Judea. The Jews had
stoppedtoseethegovernorsontheirwaytoJerusalem(cf.Ezra4:12with
8:36).ThisinformationfitswellwiththeauthorizationgiventoEzratodraw
upon the treasuries of the western provinces. Undoubtedly, the western
governors were saddened that their resources had been depleted by
authorization from the king. When they wrote their letter, finances were
uppermostintheirminds.
AfterstoppingfortheirofficialvisitwiththegovernorsthereturningJews
hadgoneontoJerusalem.ThecityofJerusalemismentionedbynamein
Ezra4:12anditscharacterisdescribedratherextensivelybythegovernorsin
theirreport.Theonlyquestionis,whatgroupofJewsisunderdiscussion?
ThebookofEzraprovidestheanswer.EzrabroughtagroupofJewsback
from Babylon under authorization from Artaxerxes. The governors then
reportedtothekingthatagroupofJewishreturneeshadcometothemand
goneontoJerusalem.BecausenootherofficiallyauthorizedreturnofJewsis
knowninthePersianperiodsincethetimeofCyrus,andcertainlynootheris
known to have taken place in the reign ofArtaxerxes, this group is
unquestionablytheJewswhoreturnedwithEzra.Theonlywaythatonecan
avoidsuchaconclusionistopositsomebodyJustlikeEzradoingthesame
workthatEzradid.Suchconjecturingisunnecessary.
ThelogicalconclusionthatEzraandhisreturneesarethegroupreferred
toherehasbeenhintedatobliquelybyotherscholars.Forexample,L.W.
Battenstates,
We note that the Jews here denounced are recent arrivals. There must
thereforehavebeenanextensivemigrationinthetimeofArtaxerxes,ofwhich
wehavenootherrecord[sic!].Fromtheirundertakingsthecompanymusthave
beenalargeone.
5L.W.Batten,ACriticalandExegeticalCommentaryontheBooksofEzraandNehemiah
(Edinburgh,1913),173.
381
AppendixB
F.C.Fenshamnotesthat"thereferencetoamigrationin12probablyrefers
toareturnofcertainJewsbeforeNehemiah." 6
OneofthereasonswhysomescholarshavebeenloathetoacceptEzraasthe
leaderofthisgroupofreturneeshastodowiththelongdiscussedquestionofthe
sequenceofEzraandNehemiah.DidEzraprecedeNehemiahordidNehemiah
precedeEzra?Scholarsunsureoftheanswertothisquestionare,ofcourse,unsure
abouttheidentityofthegroupthatprecededNehemiahbacktoJerusalemduringthe
reignofArtaxerxes.ButifoneagreestotheideathatEzraprecededNehemiah,then
Ezraandhisfellowreturneesaretheonlylogical candidatestofitthetext.The
sequenceofEzraandNehemiahistoolargeaquestiontobediscussedhere. 7Suffice
it tosay that thetraditional, classical, and canonical order of Ezra followed by
Nehemiahisaccepted andutilized here.ThePersianperiodhistoryisdescribed
from its beginnings in Ezra but Nehemiah discusses only his own experiences
duringthereignofanArtaxerxes,thesamenameofthekingwithwhomthebookof
Ezraends.AndNehemiahusesadatelaterinthereignofthatkingaccordingtothe
regnalyearnumber.ThisalsomakesgoodsenseoutofthereferencestoEzrainthe
bookofNehemiah(8:1,2,4,5,6,9,13,RSV;and9:6,LXX).Ifonereversesthe
orderofthesetwomen,thesereferencesandthisnarrativeneedstobeemendedor
changedinsomeotherfashion.Thelogicalanddirectinterpretationofthedatais
thatEzrareturnedbeforeNehemiahdidandwaspresentfortheeventsofNehemiah
8and9.ThebookofEzratellshowhecametobetherebeforehand.
With this order applied to the events described in Ezra 4:1223 (but not
includingverse24),Ezranowbecomesthepersonwholedoutinthereconstruction
ofthecityofJerusalemuponthereturnofthewaveofexileswhocamewithhim
duringthereignofArtaxerxesI,beforethetimeofNehemiah.Reconstructingthese
eventsinthisway,however,createssomethingofaproblemintheorderofthetext.
The return of the Jews under Ezra is described in chapters 7 and 8 but their
rebuildingofthecityisdescribedinchapter4.Whyarethingsoutoforderlikethis?
Itshouldbepointedoutthatthereismorethanonewayinwhichtoorganizea
book,biblicalorotherwise,andanauthordoesnotalwayshavetosubscribetothe
strictlychronologicalapproach.Hemightalsofollowa
6F.C.Pensham,TheBooksofEzraandNehemiah(GrandRapids,1982),73.
7Ibid.,69.Theliteratureonthissubjectisextensiveandcannotbecitedindetail.Foronestudy
amongmanythatupholdsthetraditionalorderofEzraNehemiahseeC.G.Tuland,"Ezra
NehemiahorNehemiahEzra?"/iu^12(1974):4762.
382
Appendix
topical approach. And this is what has happened here. There is a parenthesis
between Ezra 4:5 and 4:245:1. The parenthesis continues its own recital along
chronological lines, the topic or subtopic being opposition to the Jews. This
oppositioniscitedfirst forthereignofCyrusinEzra 4:15,thenfor thereign
ofAhasuerus(orXerxes)inEzra4:6,thenforthereignofArtaxerxesinEzra4:723.
ThenwithEzra4:24thenarrativereturnstothetimeofDariusbetweenthetimes
ofCyrusandAhasuerus.
Thetopictreated inthissubsection(Ezra 4)isoppositiontotheJews.The
oppositionisinthefirstcasetorebuildingthetemple(timeofCyrus),thenamore
generalopposition(timeofXerxes),andfinallyanoppositiontobuildingthecityof
Jerusalem (time of Artaxerxes). Fensham has given a nice evaluation of this
problem,inhisstatement:
Inspiteofthis[thechronologicalorderofPersiankingsinchapter4],
Rudolph presumes that the Chronicler had no idea of the historical
sequence ofthe Persian kingsandmentionedtypical nameswhichare
accidentally correct chronologically. Rudolph arrives at this conclusion
because of thesuddenswitchtoDariusin 4:24. . . .Thusitisunder
standablethat modernscholars, reasoningfromtheirown logic,should
regardthehistoricalreliabilityofthischapterwithsuspicion.Butthereis
anotherkindofperfectlylegitimatelogictothereasoningoftheauthorof
thischapter:heisreferringinthischapterinchronologicalordertothe
hindrancesplacedinthewayofJewstorebuildthetempleandthewallof
Jerusalem.Whenhediscussedtheproblemsofthebuildingofthetemplein
4:15,itremindedhimoflatersimilartroubleswiththerebuildingofthe
wallofJerusalem,andso4:623hasbeeninserted,almostparenthetically,
beforetheargumentofthebuildingofthetemplehasagainbeentakenup
on4:24ff.(alreadynotedbyCF.Keilinthelastcentury).
Thusthere isaperfectly goodexplanationastowhythedecreeandthe
returnaredescribedinchapters7and8buttherebuildingundertakenbythe
very same people who returned in these chapters is described in chapter 4.
There is no conflict. The chapter arrangement merely reflects the author's
decisiontotreathismaterialsinatopicalratherthaninastrictlychronological
manner.
Two final questions about these events arise before we turn to more
specificallychronologicalmatters.Thefirstquestionis,WhydidEzraundertake
therebuildingofthecitywhenitwasnotmentionedspecificallyintheauthorizing
decreefromArtaxerxes?Thesecondquestionis,Why
8Fensham,TheBooksofEzraandNehemiah,6970.
383
AppendixB
didArtaxerxesstoptherebuildingifheauthorizeditandwassofavorableto
Ezra?
Inansweringthefirstquestionwecansimplysupplythehistoricalproof.
Ezra 4:12, 13 indicates that Ezra did indeed go ahead and undertake the
rebuilding.Heappearstohavemadenoefforttoconcealwhathewasdoing.
Hedidnotdoitsurreptitiouslybutinfullviewofthewesterngovernors.
Giventheopennatureoftheproject,onecanonlysaythatEzraunderstood
thattherebuildingfellwithinthejurisdictionoftheauthorizationgivento
him.AsconscientiousanobserverofthelawofGodashewasandeven
Artaxerxesnotedthispointhemadenoattempttodeceiveanyoneinregard
to what was being carried out. Ezra had been granted legal and judicial
courtroom authority (Ezra 7:25, 26) which needed to involve the
establishmentofplacesofjudgment.Suchplacesweretypicallythe"gates"
ofthecitywallwherethejudgesmetfortheirjudgmentactivities.There
seemstobehereaclearindicationthatEzramusthaveprovidedthebuilding
facilities where proper civil judicial activities were to be carried out.
Jerusalem was also a religious precinct surrounding the temple area in a
sense, and Ezra's authority over legal religious matters seems to have to
includealsothereconstructionofJerusalem.
E. Response of the king. What kind of king was Artaxerxes, who
reversedhisowndecree?Historiansdescribehimastwofaced.Probablythe
classicexampleofhisduplicityoccurredinthedispositionofInarus,who
rebelledagainsthiminEgypt.AfterInaruswasdefeatedandcapturedby
Artaxerxes'general,Megabyzus,in454B.C.,Artaxerxespromisedhimsafe
conducttoPersiaandassuredhimthathewouldnotbeexecuted.Artaxerxes
honoredthispromiseforsomefiveyearsbuteventually,atthepleadingofthe
QueenMotherAmestris,hehadInarusimpaled.Megabyzuswassoupsetat
theking'sperfidythatheraisedarevoltSyria.9
Chronology
We nowturntothequestionofthechronologyoftheeventsinvolved.
Oncethechronologicalissuesaresettledadirectcalculationofthedatefor
theMessiahcanbeproposedandhistorycanbeexaminedtoseewhofits.
Thedateforthebeginningofthisperiodoftheprophecymustcoin
9A.T.Olmstcad,HistoryofthePersianEmpire(Chicago.1948),
308312.384
Appendix
cidewiththegoingforthorissuingofthewordordecreethatledtothe
commencement of the reconstruction of Jerusalem. According to the in
terpretationsdiscussedabove,thedecreethatledtothatcommencementcan
beidentifiedasthedecreethatArtaxerxesIgavetoEzra.Nowthatdecree
needstobedated.ThenarrativeconnectedwithitindicatesthatEzraandhis
fellowreturneesleftBabylononthefirstdayofthefirstmonthofArtaxerxes'
seventhyear(Ezra7:9),or1/1/7.Afterajourneyoffourmonthstheycameto
Jerusalemonthefirstdayofthefifthmonthoftheseventhyear(vs.10),or
V/l/7.Twomainissuesareinvolvedhere:(1)absolutedatesforthereignof
Artaxerxes,and(2)thekindofcalendaraccordingtowhichthesedateswere
reckoned.
A. Regnal years of Artaxerxes. Absolute dates for the reign of Ar
taxerxes I can beestablishedthroughknowledge of the dates for the two
precedingkings, Darius I and Xerxes. The dates for those kings are well
knownbecausebothmenconductedinvasionsofGreeceandGreekhistorians
datedtheirreignsintermsofthewellunderstoodOlympiaddatingsystem.In
additionwehavesourcesfromtheAncientNearEastwhichincludepapyri
fromEgyptdatedtothereignofArtaxerxesandaconstantflowofcontract
tabletswrittenincuneiformwhenBabyloniawasunderPersiancontrol.We
alsohavePtolemy'sCanon,inwhichthereignsofancientkingsbacktothe
mideighth century B.C, were dated and fixed by means of eclipses and
astronomicalmathematical calculations. In other words, we are in a very
goodpositiontogiveanaccuratefixtothedatesforXerxesandofhisson
Artaxerxes,whofollowedhim.
1. Classical historical sources. We will start with some of the latest
sourcesandworkourwaybackwards.Atleasthalfadozenclassical(Greco
Roman) historians mention something about the time or circumstances
surroundingthedeathofXerxes.TheGreekhistorianCtesiastellsusthe
mostaboutthecircumstancesinvolvingXerxes'murderbyArtabanus,but
hedoesnotdatetheeventprecisely. 10DiodorusofSicilygivesusthemore
precisedateforthoseevents,datingbothbytheAthenianarchonshipandthe
Roman consular year. These two types of years overlap to indicate that
Xerxeswasmurderedsometimeduringthelasthalfof
theJulianyear465B.C.11
2.AnEgyptianastronomicalsource.BecausetheEgyptiansolar
calendarwasonefourthdayshortofatruesolaryearitadvancedregularly
10Persica,2931.
11DiodorusSiculus,id.69.16.
385
AppendixB
inrelationtotheJulianyearsusedtocalculateB.C.dates.Thisfeaturehasbeenused
bymodernhistorianstoworkoutancientEgyptiandatesbyfiguringbackwardsinthe
Egyptiancalendar.ItwasusedalsobytheastronomerPtolemyinhisAlmagest.12For
theyearinwhichXerxesdied,465B.C.,theEgyptianNewYear'sday,Thoth1,fell
onourDecember17.IfXerxesdiedbeforeDecember17,thenArtaxerxes'second
regnalyearwouldhavebegunonthatday;butinstead,Artaxerxes'firstyearbeganon
December17,andthismeansaccordingtotheEgyptiansystemthatXerxesdied
betweenDecember17andthePersianBabylonianSpringNewYear,Nisanu1,inthe
spring.
3.Babylonianastronomicalsource.TheBabylonianswereawarethatsolarand
lunar eclipses repeated themselves almost exactly in cycles of 18 years. Ancient
astronomerscalledtheseperiods"Saroscycles."CuneiformtabletsrecordingSaros
cyclesintermsoftheyearsofreigningkingsareknownfromtheHellenisticperiod. 13
Tablesderivedfrom thesetabletsmeasureoffthesecyclesfrom theninthyearof
XerxestothesixthyearofArtaxerxestothetwentyfourthyearofArtaxerxes.Aside
from the fact that modern astronomers can determine when these astronomical
phenomenatookplace,theyalsomeasureoffforusthenumberofyearsbetween
theseregnaldates.Inthiswaythiscycledatesthe18yearsbetweentheninthyearof
XerxesandthesixthyearofArtaxerxestothespanbetween477B.C.and459B.C.
ThisfixestheyearofXerxes'deathandArtaxerxes'accessionin465B.C.
4.EgyptoJewishhistoricalsources.PapyrifromthefifthcenturyB.Cwritten
in Aramaic by Jewish military mercenaries in Persian employ on the island of
ElephantineinEgyptsupplyuswithadditionalvaluablehistoricalandchronological
information. These documents carry dates in terms of both of the overlapping
Egyptian and PersianBabylonian calendars. The mathematical junctures at which
thesetwovariablecalendarsintersectwithdoubledateshelptofixthedatesforthe
reignsofthekingsduringwhichthesedocumentswerewritten.Acaseofspecial
importancehereisCowleyPapyrusNo.6,whichwasdatedtoboththetwentyfirst
(andlast)yearofXerxesandtotheaccessionyearofArtaxerxes. 14The
12ForanextendedtreatmentofPtolemyandotherworksinrelationtothisproblemsecJ.Neuffcr,The
AccessionofArtaxcnccsl,''AUSS6(1968):6087
13BasicstudiesoftheSarostabletsmaybefoundinJ.N.Strassmaier,"EinigechronologischeDatenaus
astronomischenRcchnungcn,"Z47(1892):197204,andid.."ZurChronologicdcrSeleudden,"ZA
8(1893);106113.
14A.BCowley,AramaicPapyrioftheFifthCenturyB.C.(Oxford:1923).PapyrusNo.6appearsonpp.
1518ofthiswork.
386
AppendixB
dayandmonthdatesutilizedinthisdocumentfixitswritingtoJanuary2,464
B.C.ThistextitselfindicatesthatXerxes*deathhadbeenreportedinEgypt
bythattime.SincethePersian"ponyexpress*'typeofcouriersystemwasin
effectbythattime,thedeliveryofthatnewsinEgyptmaybelocatedlatein
465B.C.ThissupportstheotherindicationsthatXerxesdiedlateinthatyear,
toward the very end of 465 B.C. (In the previous section we reviewed
evidencethathediedafterDecember17,465B.C.)
5. Babylonian historical sources. The flow of contract tablets from
BabylonianscribescontinuedunderthePersiankings,butoursourceshavea
tendencytothinouttowardthelaterPersiankingsofthatperiod.Thusthese
tabletshavenotbeenashelpfulasonewouldwishintermsofpinningdown
theprecisedateofthetransitionbetweenXerxesandArtaxerxes,inspiteof
the recent publication of additional collections of these tablets 15 and of
catalogs of unpublished collections of these tablets. 16 They do, however,
abundantlyconfirmthepreviouslyestablishedpatternwhichindicatesthat465
B.C.wasthetwentyfirstandlastyearofXerxesandthatArtaxerxesI'sfirst
fullregnalyearbeganinNisanu1inthespringof464B.C.Recentpublication
of astronomical tablets from the eleventh and twentyfourth years of
Artaxerxes I have provided even more precise support for that same
chronologicalpattern17
6.SummaryonArtaxerxes'regnaldates.Insummary,wecansaythat
there are a number of very important chronological lines which focus on
dating the regnal years of Xerxes and those of his son Artaxerxes I. A
knowledgeofthesedateswasneverlost,becausetheywerepreservedbythe
classical historians of Greece and Rome and in the tables of Ptolemy's
Almagest.Thesedocumentsindicateclearlythat465B.C.wasthetwentyfirst
andlastyearofXerxesandthat464B.C.wasthefirstfullofficialyearof
ArtaxerxesI.Archeologicaldiscoveriesfromlateinthenineteenthcentury
and from this present century have provided ample confirmation of the
accuracyofthosecalculations.Supportforthesedateshasbeenfoundinthe
Elephantinepapyriandinamoregeneralbutstillstronglyaccurate
15CuneiformTextsFromtheBabylonianTabletsintheBritishMuseum,vols.55,56,and57(London,
1982).ThesethreevolumespresentanextensivecollectionofpreviouslyunpublishedNeo
Babyloniantablets.
16ThemassiveSipparcollectionofNcoBabytoniancontracttabletshasnowbeencatalogued,butmost
ofthetabletsremainunpublished.ForthecatalogseeE.Leichty,CatalogueoftheBabylonian
TabletsintheBritishMuseum,voLVI:TabletsfromSipparI(London,1986);andE.Leichtyand
A.K.Grayson,ibid.,voLVII:TabletsFromSippar2(London,1987).
17A.J.SachsandH.Hunger,AstronomicalDiariesandRelatedTextsFromBabylonia,I:Diaries
From652to262B.C.(Vienna,1988).
387
AppendixB
wayintheSarostabletsandthecompilationofBabyloniancontracttabletsfromthe
Persian period. There need be no doubt for anyone familiar with the available
chronologicalsourcesthatwehavetheregnalyearsofArtaxerxesIaccuratelyfixed.
Indeed,thedatesaresowellsetinthecementofthesesourcesthatitishardtoimagine
anykindoffuturediscoverythatcouldpossiblymovethem.
B. The calendar for calculation of the king's years. Having established the
absolutedatesforthereignofArtaxerxes,wecomenowtothepointofhowtheJewsof
Ezra's time used contemporary dating methods. Ezra, living under this same
ArtaxerxesasacitizenofBabylonia,knewverywellwhenXerxeswaskilledand
whenArtaxerxestookthethrone.Thus,whenhedatedhisownreturntoJudeainthe
seventhyearofArtaxerxes(Ezra7),hewasmakinguseofthisliving,active,andon
going chronological information. The only question is whether he used that
information,accordingtothePersianandBabyloniansystemofdating,oraccordingto
hisownJewishcalendar.
The difference can be illustrated quite simply. The Babylonian calendar year
beganwiththemonthofNisanu(JewishNisan)inthespringoftheyear,MarchApril
inourcalendar.IfEzrafollowedtheBabyloniansystem,whichcontinuedtobeused
bythePersiankings,hedatedtheregnalyearsofArtaxerxes,includingtheseventh
yearmentionedinEzra7,asbeginninginthespring.Bywayofcontrast,therewasthe
Jewish civil calendar which began in the fall with Tishri 1 (Tashritu of the
Babylonians).Inthecasewhichweareconsidering,thisprovidesuswithadifference
of6months.
IfEzrabeganArtaxerxes'yearsaccordingtothePersianBabyloniansystemthen
hisfirstregnalyearofArtaxerxesbeganinthespringof464B.C.ButifEzrabegan
Artaxerxes'yearsaccordingtotheJewishcivilyearthenhisfirstyearbeganinthefall
of464B.C.Inbothsystemsaking'sfirstregnalyearbeganonthesystem'sNewYear's
day.Theperiodbetweenthemomentwhenakingdiedandanewkingofficiallycame
tothethroneonhisfirstNewYear'sdaywasknownashisaccessionyear.InEzraand
Nehemiahwearedealingwithregnalyearsonly.
These considerations affect the date for the beginning of the seventyweek
prophecy,becausewehavelookedtothedecreeofEzra7asrepresentingthegoing
forthofthe"word"inresponsetowhichthereconstructionofthecityofJerusalem
began.EzrasaysthatheleftBabylonon1/1/7ofArtaxerxesandarrivedinJerusalem
fourmonthslater,onV/l/7ofArtaxerxes. (SeeEzra 7:79.)Ifhegavethesedates
accordingtothe
388
AppendixB
PersianBabylonian springtospring year, then they fell in the spring and

summeroftheyear458B.C.Thedecreewouldthenhavebeengivenbefore
Nisan1of458B.C.,orsometimeinthesixthyearofArtaxerxes,459458B.C.
ButiftheseeventsarecalculatedaccordingtotheJewishcivilyear,which
beganwithTishri1inthefallof458B.C.,thenthedecreewouldprobably
havebeengivenduringthatwinterof458457B.C.,andtheJourneytookplace
duringthespringandsummerof457B.C.(Inthecaseofthefalltofallyear,
themonthnumbersdonotchange.Theyrun
,,,,,,,,in.iv,yVL)
Thematter may beboiled down to the fact that, if Ezra was usingthe
PersianBabyloniancalendar,thedecreeandthereturnoccurredin458B.C.;
whereas, if the decree and the return were dated by Ezra according to the
Jewish civil year, they fell in 457 B.C. Which of these two alternatives is
correctandwhy?TheoverwhelmingevidenceisinfavorofEzra'suseofthe
Jewishfallcalendar,astheparagraphsbelowwillreveal.
1.TheJewishfallcalendarduringtheunitedmonarchy.First,itshould
benotedthatthereweretwocalendarsinuseinancientIsrael,thereligious
calendarthatbegan(liketheBabyloniancalendar)inthespring,andthecivil
calendarthatbeganinthefall.TheJewishnewyearofRoshHashanah,that
survivesintheliturgicalcalendarofsynagoguestoday,isasurvivalofthecivil
calendar.Theuseofthefallcalendarforcivilorpoliticalpurposesgoesback
tothetimeofSolomon.AsE.R.Thielehasshownsoeffectively,theregnal
yearsofSolomonastheywereappliedtotherecordofbuildinghispalaceand
thetempleweredatedbyafallcalendar. 18
2.TheJewishfallcalendarduringthedividedmonarchy. Whenwe
comparetogetherthevarioussynchronismsandtheregnaiyearrecordsin12
Kings,weseethattheuseofthefallcalendarpredominatedinthesouth,inthe
kingdomofJudah,whilethespringcalendarwasmorecommonlyusedinthe
northernkingdomofIsrael.19
3.TheJewishfallcalendarattheendofthedividedmonarchy.Theuse
ofthefallcalendarinJudahcanbeelucidatedwithspecialdetailattheendof
thekingdomofJudah,duringtheyearsofitslastkingsastheywentdownto
defeatatthehandsofNebuchadnezzarandhistroopsfromBabylon.Theuse
ofafallcalendarintheserecordsof2Kingscanbedemonstratedespecially
wellbecausethebiblicaltextgivesnotonlythe
18Thebiblicaltextsinvolvedare1Kings6:1,3739;7:1.Foradetaileddiscussionofthedatesinthese
passagesandthewayinwhichtheyfitafallcalendarbetterthanaspringcalendarseeE.R.
Thietc,TheMysteriousNumbersoftheHebrewKings(GrandRapids,1965),2830.
19Ibid.,18.20,30.
389
AppendixB
yearsofthekingsofJudahinvolved,butitalsogivessomereferencestothe
yearsofkingNebuchadnezzar.WiththepublicationofNebuchadnezzar'sown
royalchroniclesdowntotheyear593B.C., 20 thedatesintheBibleandin
thosechroniclescanbecompared.Whensuchacomparisoniscarriedout,it
can be demonstrated that the writer of 2 Kings was indeed using the fall
calendaroftheJewstocalculatethesedates.Onlyinsuchawaycanthese
biblicalandextrabiblicaldatesbeharmonized.
Theuseofthefallcalendarforthecivilorregnalyearsofthekingswho
reignedinJerusalemcanbedemonstratedattheoutsetfromthebiblicaldates
for Solomon. Their use continued through the divided monarchy, as
demonstratedbythesynchronismsinthebiblicalrecord,andtheyarereadily
evident as checked with an extrabiblical source at the end of the Judahite
monarchy.
4. The Jewish fall calendar during the Babylonian exile. The fall
calendarcontinuedinuseamongtheJewsinexileinBabylon.Thisisevident
fromthesystemofdatingemployedinthebookofEzekiel,theprophetwho
wrotefromexileinBabylon.Hedidnotdatehisvisionssaccordingtothe
regnalyearsoftheBabyloniankingsunderwhomhelived,butratherdated
themaccordingtotheyearsoftheexileoftheJews.Thisisapparentfromthe
dateinthetitletothebookfoundinEzekiel1:2;
8:1;40:1.
5.TheJewishfallcalendaraftertheBabylonianexile.Wecomenowto
Ezrahimself.Isthereanyevidencefromhisbookthatheusedafallcalendar?
unfortunately, there is not; however, we have precisely that kind of
information in Nehemiah 1,2. Because Nehemiah was a contemporary and
compatriotofEzra's,theuseofafallcalendarinNehemiah'sbookcanbe
takenasstrongevidencethatEzrausedittoo.Whatthenistheevidencefor
thefallcalendarinNehemiah?
InthefirstchapterofNehemiahwearepresentedwithcircumstancesin
whichNehemiahfoundhimselfatthecourtofArtaxerxes.Hehadreceived
recentnewsthatJerusalemhadbeendamagedandburned.(SeeNeh1:13.)
Weshouldemphasizethatthiswasrecentnewsaboutrecentevents.Nehemiah
wasnottalkingaboutwhatNebuchadnezzardidtothecitymorethanacentury
before.
20D.J. Wiscman, ChroniclesofChaldeanKings(626556B.C.)intheBritishMuseum (London,
1961).
21S. Horn,"TheBabylonianChronicleandtheAncientCalendaroftheKingdomofJudah,"AUSS5
(1967):23;A,Malamat,"ANewRecordofNebuchadnezzar'sPalestinianCampaigns," IEJ6(1956):
148,
390
Appendix
Ifweunderstand that Ezrahadalready gottenthereconstructionof thecity
underwaywhen hereturned(seeEzra 4:1216), then somelater assaultuponthe
citywouldbewhatNehemiahwasconcernedabout.SeeingNehemiah'sdistress,the
kinginquiredaboutitscause.Whenhefoundout,thekingauthorizedhimtogo
toJerusalemandtendtothe
matterstherehimself.
Of chronological interest in this narrative is the way in which the two dates
involvedarestated.Nehemiah1:1datesNehemiah'sreceiptofthenewsconcerning
JerusalemintheninthmonthofArtaxerxes 1twentiethyear.Theauthorizationgivento
Nehemiah to attend to these matters was of course given later, yet according to
Nehemiah2:1itwasgivenint\\efirstmonthofthesametwentiethyearofArtaxerxes!
Therecanbeonlyonewayinwhichtoexplainthesedateshistoricallyastheystand,
thatis,thattheywerereckoneduponthebasisofafalltofallyearwhichbeganinthe
seventhmonthforaswenoticedafewparagraphsago,inthefalltofallyearthe
numberofthemonthsranVIIVIII,IX,X,XI,XII,I,II,III,IV,V,VI.Thusinthefall
tofallyearthefirstmonthcamesixmonthsafterthe
seventhmonth.
Asthetextstands,andthisisthebasisuponwhichscholarsshoulddrawtheir
conclusions,thesedatesin Nehemiah1,2 presentthe strongest possibleevidence
that Nehemiah used a falltofall calendar, and that, therefore, it is most
reasonabletoconcludethathiscontemporarycolleague
Ezradidtoo.
6.TheJewishfallcalendarduringthecontemporaryEgyptianexile.
AfinalsupplementarylineofevidenceisfoundintheElephantinepapyri,asecond
batchofwhichwaspublishedin1953.Amongthesepapyriisonewhichhasdirect
implicationsforthetypeofregnalyearthatwasemployedbyJewswhoservedin
Egypt.KraelingpapyrusNo.6containsdateswhichlocateitinthemonthTammuz,
thefourthmonthoftheJewishyear(orJuly)420B.C.KraelingpapyrusNo.7isdated
toTishri(orOctober)ofthesameyear420B.C.ButtheregnalyearnumberofDarius
II,underwhomthesetextswerewritten,changesbetweenthetextsfromyear3ofthe
July papyrus to year 4 of the October papyrus. This change means that the year
numberoftheking,accordingtotheusageofthepeoplewhowrotethesepapyri,
changedatthefallnewyearofTishri1ratherthanof
thespringnewyearofNisan1.
ThishasbeenexaminedandexplainedindetailbySiegfriedHorn22in
22S.H.HornandL.H.Wood,TheChronologyofEva7(Washington,DC,1953).
391
AppendixB
hisstudyoftheseandrelatedtexts.Thus,whileEzraandNehemiahusedthe
Jewishfallcalendarintheirdocuments,otherJewsexiledinEgyptwerealso
usingitaquarterofacenturylaterintheirpartofthediaspora.
7.SummaryoftheuseoftheJewishfallcalendar. Tosummarize,it
maybenotedthattheHebrewmonarchystartedoutusingthefallcalendarfor
theregnalyearsofSolomonandcontinuedtouseitinthekingdomofJudah.
Its use is specifically demonstrated by a comparison between 2 Kings and
extrabiblical documents at the end of the monarchy. Jews carried the fall
calendarintoexilewiththemintoBabylonandcontinuedtouseitthere,as
evidencedbythedatesinEzekiel.InthepostexilicperiodNehemiah,Ezra's
fellow worker, provides direct textual evidence of the use of this kind of
calendar.Otherexileselsewherealsocontinuedtousethesamefallcalendar.
ThustheconclusionthatEzrausedafalltofallcalendarforthedatesinhis
book rests upon very solid ground. This means that "the seventh year of
Artaxerxes"inEzra7is457B.C.ratherthan458B.C.aswouldbesuggested
ifhehadbeenusingaspringcalendar.
C. Conclusions on chronology. Through these two chronological pro
cedures,asearchforanabsolutedatefortheregnalyearsofArtaxerxesandan
examinationofthequestionofwhichkindofcalendarEzraused,wehave
arrivedat457B.C.asthedateforthedecreeofArtaxerxesinEzra7.Because
thiswasthedecreewhichledtothecommencementofthereconstructionof
thecityofJerusalem,wehavecometoanabsolutedateforthespecification
fortheprophecyofDaniel9:25.Thatpassagemaynowbeparaphrasedto
identifyitsstartingpointas,"Fromthegoingforthoftheword(thedecreeof
ArtaxerxesI)torestoreandtorebuildJerusalem(byEzraaccordingtothe
decreeofEzra7andtheactionsofEzra4),in457B.C..."
D.Nehemiah'sdecree.Twofinalpointsneedtobemadeinrelationtothe
"decree"toNehemiahrecordedinNehemiah2.Thefirsthastodowithits
relationship to the antecedent decree of Ezra. Actually, this later
communicationwasnotquiteonthesamelevelastheofficialdecreegiven
earliertoEzra.Nehemiahwasgivenaletterthatauthorizedhimtoreceive
recognitionandassistanceforthetasksthatthekingpermittedhimtoper form.
It had thenet effect of a decree, but it was not quite the same thing. The
relationbetweenthetwocommunicationswasthatofinitialauthorizationand
supplementaryauthorization.WhatEzrastartedwastakenupandcarriedto
partial completion by Nehemiah. As inthe precedingcase of Cyrus' initial
decree in Ezra 1 and Darius' supplementary authorization in Ezra 6,
Artaxerxes'twodecreesinEzra7andNehemiah2canbeseen
392
_____AppendixB
asapair.Inbothcases,theinitialdecreeledtothecommencementofthe
project,butbothreconstructionprojectsrequiredsupplementaryauthorization
tocompletethem;withthetempleinthefirstcaseandthecityin
thesecond.
E.Alternate interpretations. Becauseitreallywasthefirstdecreeofthe
secondset,theonegiventoEzrain457B.C.,whichledtothecommencement
oftheconstructionofthecity,isthedecreetowhichweshouldlookforFixing
thepointforthestartofthepropheticandhistoricalperiodoutlinedbyDaniel.
ButsomeEvangelicalcommentatorsholdthatweshouldworkinsteadfrom
thedateof444B.C.(thecommunicationgiventoNehemiah)tobeginthis
period. In order for this period to predict when Jesus of Nazareth would
become the Messiah, however, those beginning in 444 B.C. are forced to
shortenit.Afull483yearsfrom444B.C.overshootstheministryanddeathof
Jesus by at least fiveyears by almost any standard.There is no way to
reconcilethedate444B.C.andtohavethe490yearsterminateanywhereclose
tothetimeofJesusChrist'sdeath.
Conclusion
When the procedures described above are carried out, it can be seen that the
prophecyofthe69weeks,orthe483fullhistoricalyearsofDaniel9,culminatesin
A.D.27.Thefinalquestionofthisstudyis,Whatdothewords"untotheMessiahthe
Prince"mean?TheyshouldindicatethetimeforthecomingoftheMessiah.Itshould
benotedcarefullywhataMessiahis.Accordingtoitsverbalroot,Messiahmeansan
anointedone.ThustheMessiahisonewhoisanointed.Beforebeinganointedthe
personinvolvedwasnotfullytheMessiahyet.Thuswearenottalkinghereaboutthe
timeoftheMessiah'sbirthorthetimeofHisdeath;wearetalkingaboutthetimewhen
HewouldappearastheMessiah.Thereisonepersonandonlyonewhofulfillsthis
requirement,andthatistheonewhowasanointedastheMessiahinA.D.27Jesusof
Nazareth.HisanointingattheJordanRiverbybothJohntheBaptistandHisheavenly
Father,tookplaceinthefifteenthyearofTiberiusCaesaraccordingtoLuke3:1,21,
23Anexcellentreviewofhowevangelicalcommentatorshavehandledthesedateswithacritiquecanbe
foundinGerhardF.Hasel,"InterpretationsoftheChronologyoftheSeventyWeeks,"in Seventy
Wkeks, Leviticus, and the Nature of Prophecy, DARCOM Series, vol. 3, ed. F. B. Holbrook
(Washington, DC: Biblical Research Institute, 1986), 364, sec especially 1421 for the type of
calculationscitedabove.
393
AppendixB
22.WhilethereareotherpossiblewaysofreckoningthisregnalyearofTiberius,it
certainlyisareasonableandstandardprocedureacceptedbymanycommentators,
chronographers,andhistorianstoreckonitfromA.D.12.Utilizingthatprocedure
andstartingfromthebeginningpointestablishedabovein457B.C.leadustoone
specificindividualastheMessiahofthisprophecyJesusChrist.Inotherwords,the
establishmentof457B.C.asthestartingpointofthe70weekprophecyofDaniel9
is one of the strongest indicators among the messianic prophecies of the Old
TestamentthatJesustrulywasallthatHeclaimedtobe.
Index
A
Allusions,8394NTsources,
9294OTsources,8392
direct,identifyingandclassification,8694echoes,
8586Sanctuary(ministrations),112115Seals209
211,240242
Angel(Rev10),description/identification,283293
historicalfulfillment,322325similaritiestoDan10and
12,291293Apocalyptic,overview,1222
comparedwithclassicalprophecy,1718general
features,1219symbolismof,2227,7397
vertical/horizontalcontinuity,1419repeated
fulfillmentissue,1921conditionalityissue,2122
B
"Book/scroll,little"(Rev10),288289,316322
Identityof,298299,369371
C
Charts
Biblicaltypology:Overviewofissues,127Chiastic
structureofRevelation,3637Chiasticstructureof
theseals,250251ChronologicalRelations(Rev
10:6),316Envelopestructures,72
ExodusFromEgypt/FallofBabylonMotif,67Festivalsof
Leviticus23:typologicalaspectsinNT,130Fourfold
eschatologicalsubstructureoftypology,129
395
24ForthedifferentwaysinwhichtheregnalyearsofTiberiuswerecalculatedseeJ.Finegan, Hand
bookofBiblkalChronology (Princeton,NJ,1964),25972.Notethat at leastfourorFiveofthe
solutionsdiscussedleadtoA.D.27asthedateforthecommencementofJesus'ministiy.
394
LocationoftimeelementsinDaniel,335
OTallusionsinRev4,240
Overviewofstructure&contentofRevelation,4849,5253
Parallelingstructuresintheeightmajorvisions,3839
Recapitulationsequences(Rev414),33
Seals&SynopticApocalypsecompared,179
SynopticallusionsinRev6,243
TypologicalinterpretationofOT,128
VerballinksbetweenDan11:31&12:11,339,340
VerballinksbetweenDan11:3235&12:710,337,338
UnityofRev13:110,356
Chiasmus,literaryarrangement,2838,186187,249252Conditionality,
issueof,2122Covenant,themes/allusions(Rev17),246249Curses,
covenant,andtheseals,222224,247248
D
Daniel,bookof,relationshiptoRevelation,131144NTuseof,133139
Dan2,133136
Dan7,136137
Dan9,137139
Revelation'sallusionsto,139141Daniel,.G.White'suseof,145161
Daniel(9:24),whendidthe70weeksbegin?375394Daniel(12:513),time
periods,327342DARCOM,report,issuesinRevelation,175181
Discussions,current(seals/trumpets),183198
F
Festivals,yearlycycleof,119126,190192
457B.C..verified,375394
Fulfillments,dual/multiple,issueof,1921,150156,327360
Futurism,methodof,56,175176
appliedtoseals,228229
appliedtotimeperiods,332333,343344,351
396
GGreatmultitudeand144,000,viewson,
267272
Historicism,methodof45,1619,175176
appliedtofirstseal,229230
.G.White'suseof.146150,161
History,repeated(notprophecy),150154
Idealism,viewoftimeperiods(Rev12),344345
Interpretation,principlesof,334,177178
generalrulesof,811,177178
literaryarrangement,impacton,1112,2872
methodsof,47,1619
relationshiptoexegesis&theology,78
sanctuarytypology,insightsfor,99130
specialrulesforapocalyptic,1127,177181
symbolism,unlockingfor,2227,7397Interpreter,his/heruse
ofE.G.Whitewritings,163172
basicprinciples,166169
principlesillustrated,169172Introductoryscenes,summary
andsignificanceof,5172
relationshiptosubsequentmessage,116119,187188,194195
Jerusalemstatements,.G.White's,interpretationof,154156
L
Language,prophetic,E.G.White'snonexpositionaluseof,156160
Linear/recapitulation,sequences,115116
Literarystructures(chiasmus),2834,186187,249252
eightbasicvisions,in,3549
howdetermined,3033
sanctuarytypology,involvedin,111119
significanceforinterpretation3334,(7segmentsequence,187188),204206,
249252,346350
397

Message,bymightyangel,301325
Oath,angel's(Rev10),298301144,000,and
greatmultitude,viewson,267272
Preterism,methodof,5,175176
appliedtoseals,227228
Prophecy,classical,"twofoci"concept,1719
R
Revelation,bookof,purpose&theme,2728
characteristicsandsettingof,7482
currentdiscussionson(seals/trumpets),183198
.G.White'suseof,145161
eightbasicvisions,analysisof,3549
Revelation46,exegesisof,199243Revelation
7,exegesisof,245278Revelation10,exegesis
of,279325Revelation12,exegesisof,342350
Revelation13:110,exegesisof,351359
Revelation,issuesin,DARCOMreport,175181
Sealing,the,254259
characteristicsofthesealed,272275Seals,prophecyof,
178180,192193,199243,371373
breakingtheseals,222238
chiasticstructureof,249252
covenantallusionsin,248249
currentdiscussionson,192193
introductorysanctuaryscene,206221
pioneerconsensus/newinterpretations,184185
thronescene,locationintime,192193,200206,225227
Scroll,sealed,(Rev5),.G.Whiteon,369371
Symbolism,2227,7397
398
Temple,imagery,itssignificance,6466Thunders,seven
(Rev10),293298Time,nolonger(Rev10),prophetic,
302316Tribulation,thegreat,252254Trumpets,
prophecyof,180181
currentdiscussionson,194198
sealofGodproblem(9:4),196198Typology,general,
characteristicsof,101102Typology,sanctuary,102130
festivalcycles,119126,189192
introductoryscenes,111119,187189
V
Victoriousintroductions,analysisof,5172Visions,eight
basic,analysisoftheirpatterns,3849
W
White,E.G.,interpretersuseof,163172
basicprinciples,163169
principlesillustrated,169172White,E.G.,onRev4
6,363373
endtimesignificanceofRev5,365368
scroll(Rev5),369371White,E.GuseofDaniel&
Revelation,145161
399

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DanielandRevelation

indeedemerges from thetext. It takestheformof a chiasmus, that is,a

FirstsixSeals(6:117) FirstsixTrumpets(8:7 EvilForcesAttackGod's

as various interpreters have assumed Concerning the second item, several

Bloc D, Eschatological Culmination, 11:1418. The seventh trumpet is

section of chapter 18 (vss. 919) portrays, through a threefold

John observes "the temple of the tent of witness In heaven"

Concerningthis positiveandnegative thrust of the opening and closing

different writers using different genres (including apocalyptic), unitedly

Recent studies have indicated the crucial significance of these sanctuary

26JonPaulien, "Intertextuality,the Hebrew Cultus, and the Plot oftheApocalypse,"

In the historical half of Revelation, the introductory sanctuary scenes

Pentecost(Shavuot)(Lev AnointingWiththeSpirit(Matt "EarlyRain"|"LatterRain"(Joel2:23;Acts2)|(Joel2:23;Rev

DayofAtonement(Yom Lord'sGoat(Heb9:25,26;DA ChristCleansestheSoulTemple 1844toCloseofMillennium

.G.sr'accr ^" W2ff2

uponthestonewillbe broken andheuponwhomthestonefallswillbe

Ellen G. White's Use of Daniel and

Finding fault with the historicist method is not a new

Ellen G. White's Use of Daniel and

Ellen G. White's Use of Daniel and

Obviously the reference to the trumpets is not an attempt to

This short interpretation is then followed by the descriptive

Ellen G. White's Use of Daniel and

contributeto the cosmicperspectiveofthe"great controversy."

5. While there are similarities between the seals and the

In recent years several Seventhday Adventists have

Seals and Trumpets: Some Current

Revelation 19:2 comes after the judgment is completed. The

In this progression the first explicit day of atonementjudgment scene

Seals and Trumpets: Some Current

troductory vision precedes the letters in the literary

Statements of introduction and conclusion are of major importance in

7,however,providesthemostprominent structural parallel.Forexample,

6:911). But from chapter 10 on, that purpose is to be clearly revealed

War, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts are preliminary judgments

onlyoneexceptioninthe a stephanos (victorycrown)is

Rider on black horse has balance in

New Jerusalem descends. God dwells with

The historical seals appear to begin at the ascension/glorification of

The sealing or marking of animals, objects, and men, indicated ownership.

descriptionsofthesixthtrumpetatthe end ofchapter9andtheseventh

This minor literary feature does not make a major contribution to

appearance. The use of the perfect participle to describe this openness

BothoathsbeginbyidentifyingGodaseternal, but inadditiontheoathin

9Forsample presentations of the datesof5381798 for the 1260day.yearperiodofpersecutionin

Several problems with this interpretation may be noted at the outset.

The exception to this rule is the prophecy found in Daniel 9:2427.

2. Daniel 12:11. Progressing next to Daniel 12:11, we observe that

Historicist approach. The historicist school, following the yearday

General historical applications. Having outlined the passage in this

Because of the distinctly religious aspects of its character and activities,

PersianBabylonian springtospring year, then they fell in the spring and

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