As we begin this new series - #103 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation - let me summarize for new readers, past blogs, where we have carefully defined the symbolism - enigmas, idioms, metaphors, esoteric imagery - while solving riddles that have previously not been understood.
Part 7-16 Seven-headed Beast symbolism
Part 17-22 Mark of the Beast symbolism
Part 23-26 Man of Sin symbolism
Part 27-33 False Prophet & Locust Army symbolism
Part 34-44 Wedding Garment/Wedding Hall in Heaven symbolism
Part 45 Predicting the Future
Part 46-52 144,000 symbolism
Part 53-65 Two Witnesses symbolism
Part 66-68 Author of Revelation - what does church history reveal
Part 69-76 Four Horsemen symbolism
Part 77-102 Daniel's 70-Week Vision symbolism
The Throne Room of Heaven is a fascinating study about God's heavenly home. In this series we will study chapters 4 & 5 of Revelation, which are rife with symbolism, providing a different viewpoint than you have been taught. What have you been taught?
The modern end-time doctrine teaches that chapter 4 describes the "rapture" of the church - a secret removal of all believers from the earth, which ushers in a seven-year tribulation period. All subsequent visions in the book of Revelation will be fulfilled after this event takes place. But is this viewpoint confirmed by the definition of the symbolism and metaphorical language - and church history?
With new eyes, let's take another look at these two chapters to see if we can unravel the message that is ensconced in the esoteric imagery and metaphorical language of these visions. I believe we will find the integrity, character, and holiness of God and Jesus Christ profoundly revealed to us.
Jesus said to John...come up here and I will show you things which must take place after this...immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne...Rev. 4:1-2. Come with me as we take an awesome walk through the Throne Room of Heaven.
John was personally invited by God to leave the natural realm and enter into the private and sacred home of God - seat of power of the sovereign Creator of the universe. He was given the mission to write what he sees and hears to share with all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Who else would be interested?
This sneak preview of eternity is graciously provided by our Creator to whet our spiritual appetite enough to pursue the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who paid our passage into this glorious kingdom. Jesus has made a reservation in your name and He has the tickets. All you have to do is ask Him for your tickets - repentance - which are stamped PAID IN FULL.
Chapter 4 clearly depicts the seat of power in Heaven, while giving us a symbolic description of God and His heavenly government. Chapter 5 reveals the glorified Jesus Christ, receiving the 'red carpet" treatment in Heaven - after His resurrection - after His successful assignment on the earth.
But before we take this tour of the Throne Room of Heaven, let's leave Heaven, and go back to the earth to see what Jesus accomplished. This will help our understanding of these chapters. What did Jesus accomplish on the earth to make Him worthy to open the seals on the scroll, that He took from the right hand of His Father in chapter 5? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together I asked, "Why did Commander Titus understand his divine appointment from God, while God's chosen people had no clue why this was happening to them?"
God's chosen people were filled with religious pride and arrogance, which is idolatry. They refused to believe the ancient prophets, like Daniel, or even Flavius Josephus, that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple had been foretold long ago - as well as recently in the visions of John (55-60 A.D.) Commander Titus had Josephus who revealed God's desires.
As he perused the city of Jerusalem, Titus was aware that many people were still confined inside the rooms of the temple, so he called out to them. Some of those fearing for their lives ran out of the temple begging for mercy. With indifference in his voice, Titus dismissively said to these hapless individuals, "The time for pardon is over," ordering his men to put them to death.
Titus knew there were still many people hiding and he wanted to bring an end to this horrific war. Now was his time to fulfill the 4th objective in Daniel 9:27...and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation. Remember, end of the time means end of the destruction of Jerusalem and Israel as a nation. It does not mean 'end of the ages or end of the world.'
Then Titus saw the temple set ablaze by the stubborn citizens still sequestered in the holy temple. Josephus records how this defiant act by the religious leaders of Jerusalem invoked one last passionate lamentation from Commander Titus who never wanted to see the destruction of the holy temple or Jerusalem.
Titus cried aloud to them, "After every victory, I persuaded you to peace, as though I had been myself conquered. When I came near your temple, I again departed from the laws of war and exhorted you to spare your own sanctuary, and to preserve your holy house to yourselves. I allowed you a quiet exit out of it with security for your protection: nay, if you had a mind, I gave you leave to fight in another place. Yet, you have still despised every one of my proposals, and set fire to your holy house with your own hands. However, I will not imitate your madness. If you throw down your arms and deliver up your bodies to me, I will grant you, your lives." But they refused.
We have now reached the conclusion of events predicted in the 70th week of Daniel's vision which began in 63 A.D. Daniel was shown in 9:25...and thou shalt know and understand that from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem until Christ the prince shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: and then the time shall return and the street shall be built, and the wall. All of this portion of the prophecy has been fulfilled.
The last verse of this prophecy says...and the times shall be exhausted. This portion is now being fulfilled by Commander Titus - one week - the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. The times - 70 weeks - have reached fulfillment.
Jesus prophesied about this war when He asked His apostles...do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down...Mark 13:2. It is obvious He was talking about buildings on the surface of the earth, not anything built underground. This was accomplished when the soldiers hacked away at the giant boulders, looking for the precious temple metals - gold/silver - that had melted in the great fire.
Nobody was left except the Roman army and those to whom Titus gave refuge. Titus surveyed the demolished city, fondly remembering its exceptional architecture, the enormity and symmetry of the beautiful natural stones held securely by joints of precision - strong and thought to be impenetrable by invaders. He had always been awed by the palatial grandeur of the temple. Shaking his head and with amazement in his voice, Titus attested to his men:
"We certainly had God for our assistant in this war, and it was no other than God that ejected the Jews out of these fortifications; for what could the hands of men, or any machines do towards overthrowing these strong towers?"
Once the perpetual sacrifice was removed, there would be a thousand two hundred and ninety days until the end of the war...Daniel 12:11. Verse 12 says...blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. What does this mean?
It took 45 days for Titus and the Roman army to sort things out after the war concluded. He had many captives and all their possessions, so it took a few days to give these people back their lives, to begin again, like he had promised when they took his offer of refuge.
The birth of the nation of Israel began with their deliverance from the pagan nation of Egypt in 1533 B.C. Due to idolatry, they experienced a forty-year probation period called The Wilderness, before they were humbled enough to enter into the land God promised to give them for their own nation.
In 70 A.D., after another forty-year probation period was completed, God ejected them from that same land for rejecting His Son, as their Messiah. The nation of Israel ceased to exist - no longer a blip on the radar.
Something for us to ponder. Is it a coincidence or providence that Daniel's vision reached the final completion of all 70 weeks during the numerical year of 70 A.D? Could it possibly be a sign to future generations, that Daniel's 70-week vision has been fulfilled, especially since the number 7 means completion - perfection? You be the judge.
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
Readers of this blog know that we have presented volumes of historical documentation that proves the 70th week of Daniel's vision has been fulfilled. Those who are new to the blog can go back and read the carefully defined evidence - but there is still more.
So far Commander Titus has fulfilled the first three objectives in Daniel 9:27...and one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations. How does he fulfill the 4th objective...and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation? Septuagint Bible.
Abomination means: disgusting; filthy - an idol. After Commander Titus and his men offered sacrifices to their heathen gods on the burned out temple he fulfilled the abomination of desolations. This means: the idol that stuns or idol that devastates. Once this was accomplished Titus and his men put an end to the war.
Remember - in the beginning of this series, I produced evidence that proved Commander Titus did not want to destroy Jerusalem or the temple - he revered their religious practices - feasts and celebrations. But the religious leaders refused the covenant of protection that he offered them. Now the war is drawing to a close.
Titus is thinking back when those behind the wall attempted to escape. The Romans knew of the Jewish propensity to swallow their precious metals, so when they dropped on the outside of the wall, his soldiers killed them. Afterward, the soldiers climbed onto the piles of dead bodies in a frenzied treasure hunt for the gold and silver hidden in the bowels of the dead Jews.
With their spears and sharp swords, one by one, each body was gored and ravished to retrieve the precious commodity. It was so gruesome and gory that the ground outside the city was no longer visible, because of the enormous quantity of blood flowing from the massacred bodies. This was a cruel and bloody war.
Many others that tried to escape were caught. If an escapee was old, infirm or a member of the sedition he was killed. Only the tallest and most physically attractive of the youthful captives were allowed to live - they were sent as slaves to the Egyptian mines. Others were sent to the provinces as a gift from Commander Titus, although many died on the long rigorous journey from wild beast attacks, or by the sword while trying to escape.
Only a few weeks past, Titus remembered hearing the voices behind the wall begging for their misery to cease. The once elegant and stately city was filled with the dead - bloated and stinking because there was no means to dispose of this grisly sight. Tens of thousands of people with swelled bodies due to starvation, could be seen mindlessly trudging through the streets strewn with mounds of decomposing bodies.
As the war was concluding, Commander Titus Vespasian was making his rounds along the valleys outside the city, where he saw thousands of dead decomposing bodies oozing discharge, after their dissection. History records the anguish and frustration that caused his spirit to grieve at this grisly sight. Victory was bittersweet, because he never wanted this war to take place.
Thrusting his hands toward Heaven, Titus called God to witness, yelling out, "This was not of my doing! The Jews refused to accept my covenant to preserve and protect them!" Did anyone in your denomination ever tell you about this recorded fact? Of course not - it wouldn't fit into their modern end-time doctrine.
Here we have Titus, a pagan, and the commander of the greatest army on the face of the earth at that time, who understood his divine assignment from God. His own words were recorded for posterity by Josephus, an eyewitness, who heard Titus loudly reminding God that he desperately tried to make a covenant with Israel to preserve and protect them, as he was divinely directed - Israel refused his covenant.
Why did Commander Titus understand his divine appointment from God, while God's chosen people had no clue why this was happening to them? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together we were studying Daniel chapter 12 where Daniel heard a conversation between angels regarding the end of the time - end of the great tribulation. Daniel heard an angel ask the man clothed in linen...when will be the end of the wonders which thou hast mentioned?...Dan. 12:6. Wonders - what does this mean?
The word wonders means: miracle - an event distinguished from all others. The word miracle means: a sign. This particular wonder or sign - great tribulation - is an event distinguished from all others, and was permitted by God. How is this wonder distinguished from all others?
Jesus distinguished this event - wonder - when He said...there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world...Matt. 24:21. While tribulation will be experienced throughout the ages, this horrific tribulation is distinguished because it is vengeance upon Israel for rejecting their Messiah. It is the Wrath of the Lamb executed upon them for rejecting Him...Rev. 6:16.
Israel was never annihilated until this time. This wonder is an event distinguished from all others. Once the Wrath of the Lamb is satisfied, this event will never occur again just as Jesus promised.
In this vision Daniel...heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to Heaven, and sware by him that lives forever, that it should be for a time of times and half a time, when the dispersion is ended they shall know these things...Dan. 12:7. What does dispersion mean?
Beginning with Nero's persecution of Jewish Christians, and during the time of the Roman siege, beginning in 66 A.D., many fled for their lives into many nations during these dark days of evil. This was the beginning of the dispersion. By dispersing survivors into many nations, God will preserve the progeny of Abraham, who will be witnesses to the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. God will protect the holy nation He promised to Abraham...I Pet. 2:9
Many must be tested and thoroughly whitened, and tried with fire and sanctified...Dan:12:10. During this persecution the followers of Christ will be purified - allegiance to Christ must be confirmed during this period of time - a time of times and a half time. What is the translation of this metaphorical language?
We find the answer in the same angelic conversation overhead by Daniel...from the time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when the abomination of desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days...Dan. 12:11. I described the removal of the perpetual sacrifice in Blog #22. What is the abomination of desolation?
In Daniel's 70-week vision he was shown...on the temple shall be the abomination of desolation...Dan. 9:27. Jesus confirmed Daniel...when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place...Matt. 24:15. We can see clearly now how these references are all referring to one event.
As the war was drawing to a close, Commander Titus Vespasian and his pagan army finally took possession of the city, after his pleas for surrender fell on deaf ears. His men brought their ensigns to the burned temple and set them against the eastern gate. At this time, they offered sacrifices to their heathen gods, while designating Titus as Imperator - on the temple shall be the abomination of desolation.
And one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation...Dan. 9:27 Septuagint.
During this final week of Daniel's vision - 70th - Commander Titus fulfilled the first 3 objectives in this prophecy: 1) established a covenant 2) sacrifice taken away 3) abomination of desolation of desolation on the temple. At the end of the war of 70 A.D. an end shall be put to the desolation. How does Titus accomplish the 4th objective? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together we were at the point of the 70 A.D. war that left Commander Titus with one alternative. By now, during the 70th week of Daniel's vision, he had fulfilled two objectives of Daniel 9:27...and one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away. What is left to be accomplished in this verse?
There are two more objectives to be accomplished in Daniel 9:27...and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolation, and at the end of the time an end shall be put to the desolation.
While fulfilling the last two objectives, Commander Titus will fulfill the three objectives in Daniel 9:26...and He shall destroy the city and the sanctuary with the prince that is coming: they shall be cut off with a flood, and to the end of the war which is rapidly completed he shall appoint the city to desolation - Septuagint Bible.
Since Jesus described this war as the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled, we understand that this is the Wrath of the Lamb upon the those who rejected Him as their Messiah. So Daniel 9:26 becomes clear that it is Jesus Christ who appointed the city and the sanctuary to be destroyed by the prince that is coming - Commander Titus - a Prince of Rome. Jerusalem had been surrounded by the Roman army since 66 A.D...they shall be cut off with a flood.
Now Commander Titus, having exhausted all attempts to end the war peacefully, was left with one alternative...he shall appoint the city to desolation. Was this war described in another chapter of Daniel?
In chapter 12 of Daniel, Michael, the great prince, appears to Daniel and explains there shall be a time of tribulation, such tribulation as has not been from the time that there was a nation on earth until that time. This is because Israel had not rejected their Messiah until this time in history. The Wrath of the Lamb will annihilate them as a nation - this has never happened in history. At that time thy people shall be delivered, even everyone that is written in the book. What does this statement mean?
The angel is telling Daniel that though this horrific war will end with the loss of life for many people, if their names are written in the Book of Life they will be delivered. Daniel and his people asleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproach and everlasting shame when Jesus Christ was resurrected. At that time many arose from the grave and preached in the streets of Jerusalem...Matt. 27:51-54.
And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased...Dan. 12:4. This means: at the end of the time. Time means: week - 70th week of Daniel...Dan. 9:27. At the end of Daniel's 70 weeks (times) vision - an end shall be put to the desolation.
Before all this takes place men must be taught, and knowledge increased. What could this mean? Daniel was shown that the Anointed One will arrive and be destroyed. Israel must be taught about the coming Messiah, the truth about what the prophets have foretold, and how to prepare for His arrival. The Messiah would personally increase their knowledge, not only about His plans and purposes, but also how to understand the signs that will precede the devastating annihilation of their nation - at the end of the time - 70th week.
Daniel was instructed to close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end - end of the determination revealed in his 70-week vision. Why was this important? It would only be necessary to prepare the hearts and minds of the people who would actually experience the fulfillment of this prophecy. Near the end of the 62 weeks portion of Daniel's vision, God sent John the Baptist to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming Messiah.
Daniel heard a conversation between angels - one asked the man clothed in linen, "When will be the end of the wonders which thou hast mentioned?" Wonders? What could that mean? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
In the last blog (#21) we began to correlate other scriptures with the events of Dan. 9:27 - the 70th week of Daniel's vision, confirming the fulfillment of his prophecy. Commander Titus is the Prince who established a covenant with Israel, but they rejected it, so war continued.
And from the time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when the abomination of desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days...Dan. 12:11 Septuagint. This verse describes the same event described in Dan. 9:27...in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink offering shall be taken away - but gives us a time frame for its fulfillment. From the day the perpetual sacrifice is removed, until the abomination is set up, will be 1290 days.
The angel gives to Daniel a very clear, unambiguous numerical calculation of 1290 days as the exact amount of time, set by God. The time between the last day the daily sacrifice was performed, to the time when the abomination of desolation is set up is 1290 days - 3.7 years.
Jesus warned His apostles about this time and told them how to recognize the signs that will precede the appearance of the abomination of desolation so they could escape, when He said...therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains...Matt. 24:15-16.
Jesus said...whoever reads, let him understand. We can understand clearly when we read historical documentation regarding the fulfillment of this event. Regarding this event Jesus said...for there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be. What does this mean?
God created this nation as His chosen people - an example to other nations of how He will treat anyone who choses to trust in Him. For many centuries His relationship with His chosen people was often strained - they sinned - He punished - they returned their allegiance to Him once again. Daniel's 70-week vision revealed events that would take place over several centuries, culminating with the annihilation of this nation.
He raised Israel up - His chosen people - and closed them down. There has been no war like 70 A.D...nor ever shall be. This war describes the Wrath of the Lamb against Israel for rejecting Jesus Christ as the final sacrifice for their sins...Rev. 6:16. Once the Wrath of the Lamb is executed there will be no need to do it again. As a nation, Israel will no longer be a blip on the radar.
So what is the perpetual sacrifice that will be removed during the War of 70 A.D? The perpetual sacrifice describes the continual sacrifice that was ordained at Mount Sinai. Two unblemished lambs were offered to the Lord continually, one in the morning and one in the evening with oil. But on the Sabbath, wine is mingled with the oil as a drink offering. Once every year the kid of a goat - the scapegoat - is offered to the Lord for the sins of the people...Lev. 28:1-15.
After Jesus Christ became the blood sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, the animal sacrifice was supposed to cease...but it didn't. God gave Israel 40 years to repent and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior - but they didn't. Remember, 40 means a probationary period of time. During the great tribulation - War of 70 A.D. - God will make sure the perpetual animal sacrifice will cease. - by force. God is not mocked...Gal 6:7.
The final week - 70th - of Daniel's vision was fulfilled between 63 A.D. and 70 A.D. When General Vespasian arrived in 66 A.D. he cut off Jerusalem from the outside world. After a few months of confinement all food supplies were eaten, including animals for sacrifice, wine, oil and all food...in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away...Dan. 9:27. This is the beginning of the 1290-day countdown...Dan. 12:11.
After the animal sacrifice ceased, Commander Titus arrived in 68 A.D. offering a covenant to preserve them, their city, and their temple from any further damage - but they refused protection from their enemy. See Blog #18 for details.
Their refusal of Commander Titus' covenant leaves him with one alternative - what was it? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
For those who are new to this Blog, its purpose is to adhere to the admonishment of the Apostle Peter...no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...II Pet. 1:20-21. Millions of Christians are captivated by people who interpret prophecy of scripture, laying out future events categorically, but they do so by defying the clear instructions of Peter.
Sadly, the modern end-time doctrine espoused by all mainstream denominations, predicts future events unequivocally as if they know more than the Apostle Peter, so do not have to listen to his words of warning. When we research church history we will find clear documentation of fulfilled prophecy in Revelation and Daniel. Looking back at fulfilled prophecy provides accuracy - predicting the future places us in a dangerous position - a position of error.
As we continue our study of Daniel's 70-week vision, we are defining the black horse prophecy as it pertains to the War of 70 AD...so I looked and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand...and I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius...Rev. 6:5-6. This prophecy reveals the horrible judgment Israel experienced during the war.
Remember, a sword was seen in the sky above Jerusalem for a year, warning them the war was coming. This sword was placed in the hands of Commander Titus who fulfilled the red horse prophecy...another horse, fiery red, went out...and it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another, and there was given to him a great sword...Rev. 6:4.
Before Titus took over, the war devastated the people behind the wall of Jerusalem. Food became so scarce it would take a full days wage to buy only one quart of wheat or three quarts of barley. Wheat was considered a more valuable grain, used by the wealthy, while barley was less valuable and used by the poor, but in these desperate times both would cost a denarius - wage for a full day of work.
To understand more clearly in modern times, if your daily wage is $200.00 and you had to use all of it on only one loaf of bread, it would create a severe hardship for you. Only the wealthy could buy the scare food. Near the end, no amount of money could buy any food because it was all gone.
History records how these poor souls dredged sewers and dung hills for any semblance of food. Even old belts and shoes were not left untouched as a source for food by the despairing, humiliated, vanquished populous. This once proud, wealthy, and religious people were reduced to repulsive savages before their God, their countrymen, and their enemy.
There is also a warning in Rev. 6:6...do not harm the oil and wine. What could this mean? It means do not be unjust to this action. By the time Titus took over the war, the few surviving priests had no animals left to sacrifice, because they had been eaten by the citizens languishing in the misery of their confinement. Even the oil and the wine preserved for the daily sacrifice had been consumed. This loss is because of their refusal to repent - so this daily sacrifice was removed by God.
God couldn't force them to accept Jesus Christ as the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind, but He could forcefully and justifiably remove the animal sacrifices that had become a stench in His nostrils.
This brings us back to Daniel 9:27...in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away. This is objective #2 - out of 4 - listed in Blog #18 - outlining the events of Dan. 9:27. Figuratively, the word midst in this text means - midnight hour. The end of the perpetual sacrifice would be the "midnight hour" to these religious people, when the war heads into its final days, rushing Israel to annihilation.
What does the 12th chapter of Daniel have to say about the removal of the daily sacrifice during the final week (70th) of Daniel's prophecy? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
