Revelations' Commentary from December 2010

December 9, 2010; Revelation 1:1-20

Revelation 1:4b-6a; "peace to you from him who is... was, and who is to come,... and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be... priests to serve his God and Father."

Rev. 1:1-16a; "The revelation... made known by sending his angel [messenger] to... John, who testifies to everything he saw - that is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus... he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double edged sword." Hebrews 4:12; "the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword"

December 10, 2010;  Revelation 2:1-17

Revelation 2:12-14b; "To the angel of the church in Pergamum [height or elevation] write: these are the words of him who has the sharp, double edged sword [Word of God]. I know where you live-where Satan [adversary] has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name... You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam [swallows the people] who taught Balak [devastator] to entice the Israelites [wrestles with God]"

Revelations 2:17b; "To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna [what is it = meaning]; I John 5:5; "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus [Jehovah is Salvation] is the Son [human progeny] of God [the Divine].

My interpretation given these etymologies would then be; "As to the message from the prides of the Holy people, write: Hear the Word of God. You dwell with adversity! Although you remain true to my name, you have the tendency to swallow you...r enemies in devastation while you enrage those who wrestle with the concept of Divine Love. Overcome this temptation and I will grant you hidden meanings to my Word: True freedom lies in the understanding that Jehovah's salvation has come to all of God's children - to All of mankind."

December 11, 2010; Revelation 2:18-3:6

Revelation 2:23b-3:5a; "I say... to you who... have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you)... Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard... walk with me, dressed in white" Ecclesiastes 9:7b-8a; "drink your wine with a joyful heart... God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white"

December 12, 2010; Revelation 3:7-22

Revelation 3:8b-10; "I [Jehovah is Salvation] have placed before you [church of Love/Kindness] an open door that no one can shut... you have kept my word and have not denied my name [Jehovah is Salvation]. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan [adversary/opposition], who... are liars... acknowledge that I have loved you"

Revelation 3:14-18; "To... church [assembly] of Laodicea [Justice of the people]... the words of the Amen [truth]... You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired... But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire... white clothes... and salve... so you can see."

December 13, 2010; Revelation 4:1-11

Revelation 4:1-3a; "After this I (John [Jehovah 'is a gracious giver' or 'has favored freely]) looked and there in heaven [universe, all things visible and invisible]... there before me was a throne... the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper [impure stone of various colors] and Carnelian [redness, wrath].

Revelation 4:5b-6; "From the throne came flashes of lightning [to send forth], rumblings and peals of thunder [rage]... before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal" [calmer of the storm] John 11:51b-52; "Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one."

December 14, 2010; Revelation 5:1-14

Ezekiel 2:8-10; "son of man...Do not rebel like that rebellious house...I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. Revelation 5:9b; "You are worthy to take the scroll...you purchased men for God

Revelation 5:9b-10" because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth" Psalm 99:5; "Exalt the Lord 'OUR' God and worship at his footstool; He is holy."

Destruction of the enemies of Peace; i.e. Pride, Arrogance, Fear, Hatred, Violence, Oppression, Enmity, Strife, Jealousy, Anger, Impurity, Selfishness, Dissension, Dispossession, Hostility, Bloodshed. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, LOVE.

December 15, 2010; Revelation 6:1-17

Ezekiel 31:18b;"you, too, will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth below; you will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword." Revelation 6:9b-11;"the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God...called out...How long...? ...until...their fellow...brothers...were...killed"

Psalm 82:6b-8; "'you are all sons of the Most High.' But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler." Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance." Revelation 6:15-17; "Then the...princes...called... hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne...For the great day... has come, and who can stand?"

I am quite certain "slain" and "killed" of Revelation 6:9-11 refers to the shaming of our ideologies of self righteousness as we find them working in opposition to the command to love our fellowman as ourselves. This absolutely works within the greater Biblical contexts.

December 16, 2010; Revelation 7:1-17

Matthew 24:40; "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left." Revelation 7:14-15a; "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white... Therefore, 'they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple" Mat.24:42b; "...keep watch"

December 17, 2010; Revelation 8:1-13

Matthew 13:47a; "like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish." Revelation 8:8; "something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea" Mat. 21:21b; "have faith and do not doubt" Isaiah 9:5b-6a; "every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born"

Ezekiel 38:21b-23a; "Every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment...bloodshed...hailstones...on his troops...And so I will make myself known in the sight of many nations" Revelation 8:7; "The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail..."

Jeremiah 23:15; "I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land." Revelation 8:10-11; "The third angel sounded his trumpet... and many people died from the waters that had become bitter"

Revelation 8:12; "The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and... A third of the day was without light" Isaiah 9:2; "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

December 18, 2010; Revelation 9:1-21

Revelation 9:10-11a; "They had tails and stings like scorpions...power to torment people...as king over them [destruction]" Ezekiel 2:6b-7a; "Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions...You must speak my words to them" II Thessalonians 2:8b; "overthrow with the breath of his mouth"

Even the name 'Jesus' gives the glory back to Our Father! [Jesus means (Jehovah is Salvation)] To Him be all glory and honor, both now and forevermore as we speak His words of Peace into our warring, fearful world. Jesus was sent to save, not to condemn. There is therefore, now, no condemnation - but we must stop sinning.

Revelation 9:19-21; "The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands...Nor did they repent of their murders. Isaiah 47:10; "You have trusted in your wickedness...Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me'"

The struggles of our lives are meant to bring us back to God - to question our own actions and to bring us to our knees in response to His call to love His gifts to us. It is when our spirit dies to our own pride and idealism and we become dedicated to His Glory and Love that we truly live - and that, in happiness, ever after with everything we love and hold dear - everything!

December 19, 2010; Revelation 10:1-11

Psalm 22:1b;"God, why have you forsaken? Why...so far from saving" Amos 3:6b-7a;"When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan" Revelation 10:7b;"the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished"

When our mighty prides come under attack and come falling down - when the very earth beneath our feet is shaken in a renewed fear of men; instead of seeking revenge against our enemies, we must ask; "my God, why?" When our knees get shaky, its best to bow.

December 20, 2010; Revelation 11:1-19

Revelation 11:4b-18; two olive trees [Zech.4:14; "two... anointed to serve the Lord]... If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies... Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city...where also their Lord was crucified [figuratively called Sodom and Egypt]... The time has come for judging"

As I have mentioned before, the Bible was primarily written to Jews and Christians in an Old and New Covenant. These two people groups have been called to bear witness to the God of Creation through this Word of God which was made flesh and dwelt among them. The world now stands in judgment upon their warring natures and their fiery use of His Word in judgment and condemnation upon their fellowman.

December 21, 2010; Revelation 12:1-13:1a

Revelation 12:10b; "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven [all things visible] say: "Now have come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ [anointed]. For the accuser [diabolos i.e. false witness] of our brothers ["I said, 'you are gods'" Psalm 82:6, John10:34]...has been hurled down"

Psalm 82:6b; "you are all sons of the Most High"

December 22, 2010; Revelation 13:1b-18

Revelation 13:11-18; "I saw another beast...like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast(vs.18 His number is 666)" I Kings 10:9-14; "he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness...The gold that Solomon received yearly was 666" Mark 11:17; "you have made...den of thieves"

As Solomon received 666 talents of Gold yearly for the temple of the Lord - and wealth and honor continues to follow the people God has given power, the symbolism of Eustace becoming a dragon in C.S. Lewis's movie The Dawn Treader makes more and more sense.

December 23, 2010; Revelation 14:1-20

Revelation 14:20a; "They were trampled in the winepress outside the city"
Jeremiah 25:28b-30a; "You must drink it! See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my Name, and will you indeed go unpunished?...I am calling down a sword upon all who live on the earth, declares the LORD...Now prophesy"

John 3:16b-18a; "God so loved the world... whoever does not believe stands condemned"
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=this+is+the+covenant+in+my+blood&version1=102&searchtype=all

December 24, 2010; Revelation 15:1-8

Revelation 15:5b-8; "I looked and in heaven...the tabernacle of the testimony was open...and no one could enter until the [last] seven plagues...were completed" Rev.15:1; "last, because with them God's wrath is completed." Daniel 12:7; "When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

Zechariah 7:9; "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."

December 25, 2010; Revelation 16:1-21

Revelation 16:4b-7a; "water...became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: 'You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One...for they have shed the blood...and you have given them blood to drink'...And I heard the altar respond...Lord God Almighty, true and just are you"

Zechariah 8:19-22; "This is what the Lord Almighty says: "The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah, Therefore love truth and peace... many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord"

December 26, 2010; Revelation 17:1-18

Ex.28:15;"breastpiece of judgment...of gold/blue/purple/scarlet"vs.36-38;"a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD...on Aaron's forehead"Rev.17:7-17;"the angel said to me:' Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides...to accomplish his purpose...until God's words are fulfilled"

Biblical truth lies not in Israel's holiness, but in God's Holiness in spite of Israel's striving! This "zionist" act again is not in Israel's nor their ally's holiness, but in the revelation of their sin! His stage is now set to show the world the Salvation of our Lord as it saves these people from their wickedness. Stay tuned!

Psalm 141:5b-7;"my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers...the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken...As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave" Prov.30:20;"This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong"

Revelation 17:15b-17; "where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled"

Jerusalem of the ages has come to strongly represent the three Abrahamic faiths. The present religious power struggle of the ages shows Holy People devouring one another, to lay their claims on God's chosen city! I cannot help but see these prophesies being fulfilled before our eyes. The next act of the Biblical play is a time of Peace! Come Lord, the judgment of our ideologies which have brought us to war lie at the gate prepared for the refinement of your redemption!

December 27, 2010; Revelation 18:1-24

I Kings 10:24-26; The whole world sought audience with Solomon...everyone who came brought a gift...silver and gold...weapons...chariots and horses" Rev.18:3-24; "For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries...In her was found the blood...of all who have been killed on the earth"

Revelation 18:1; "I [John] saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor." Isaiah 6:3; " “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 6:5-7; "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." " Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

December 28, 2010; Revelation 19:1-21

John 18:27; "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." Revelation 19:10b; "Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" Rev.19:1b-8; "Salvation... and power belong to our God...He has condemned the...corrupted...earth... his bride... Fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear"

Rev.19:1-18; "Hallelujah!...Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!... on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows...the Word of God... He treads the winepress of the fury of [His] wrath... gather together to eat... the flesh of all people" This is His Story!

December 29, 2010; Revelation 20:1-15

Genesis 3:1; "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. Revelation 20:2; "He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent" Job 41:1-5; "Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook...Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls?"

Revelation 20:11-13; "I saw a great white throne and him...Earth fled...And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life [His Story?] The dead were judged according to what they had done... death and Hades gave up"

This is His Story! Few of us understand or comprehend - and most of what we have been taught regarding everlasting punishment does not fit with the God of Love reflected in the Bible. Satan seems to be shifting sand, a little snake, a giant dragon - yet the faithfulness of the Love of God has remained a constant and in the end, death is thrown away, emptied refuse for Gehenna.

December 30, 2010; Revelation 21:1-27

Rev. 20:15-21:4; "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the 'lake of fire'. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea...no more death...He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new"

John did not break his line of thinking between the mention of the 'lake of fire' and the fact the "sea" would be no more. Oh grave, where is thy victory, oh death where is thy sting? There will be no more death - no more judgment. Father forgave Cain, Ishmael, Esau, Pharaoh, Judas, the Pharisee, you and me. The rough places have been made plain.

Revelation 21:9b; "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." vs.24-25; "The nations will walk by its light...On no day will its gates ever be shut" Proverbs 31:21-23; "When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet...Her husband is respected at the city gate"

 

Psalm 149:4; "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:2; "Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King."

December 31, 2010; Revelation 22:1-21

Revelation 22:16;"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches" Malachi 3"18-4:6a;"you will again see the distinction between...those who serve God and those who do not...He will turn the hearts" Revelation 22:17; "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come'... and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift"

in the midst of our present darkness [this tribulation], we can experience a renewed belief in a Universal Prince of Peace all over again. He is making all things new. We have been called to serve as the mountains of man's pride crumble, the abyss of oppression shall be filled and we are being changed in brotherly love.