An MBA graduate's thoughts from a place of prayer, study and waiting on God…
Revelation 12:1-5, 9 A woman in the Bible is used as a symbol for God’s people (2 Cor. 11:2): a chaste woman stands for faithful believers, while a harlot stands for apostate/impure Christians. The woman in Revelation 12 first symbolizes Israel, to whom the Messiah came (Rev. 12:1-5); in verses 13-17 she stands for the … Continue reading The woman and the dragon
Revelation 14:1-5, 12 3 characteristics of the 144,000: they’re not defiled with women i.e. virgins 🤯, they follow the Lamb wherever He goes, and no deceit is found in their mouth (Rev 14:1-5). Revelation 14:4-5 is a description of the 144,000 that aligns with God’s last day people, who “keep the commandments of God, and … Continue reading Three characteristics of the 144,000
John sees a “great multitude, which no one could number,” who came “ ‘out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb’ ” (Rev. 7:14, NKJV). That is, they are a special group of people who, despite whatever tribulation they went through, have stayed faithful … Continue reading Who are the saved “great multitude” which no-one could number?
Revelation 7:9, 13-17 The announcement by John in Rev 7:4-8 of the number of those who are sealed marks the completion of the sealing. John hears that their number is 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel. The reference here is not to a literal number but to what it signifies. The number 144,000 consists … Continue reading Who are the 144,000 – the sealed people of God?
Ezekiel 9:1-11; Ezekiel 20:12, 20; Hebrews 4:9-11; Revelation 7:1-3; Revelation 14:9-10, 12 In the Old Testament, winds stand for destructive forces by which God executes judgments upon the wicked (Jer. 23:19, 20; Dan. 7:2). These destructive forces are being restrained by divine intervention while the sealing of God’s people takes place. In ancient times, the … Continue reading What is this seal of God that saves from the seven last plagues; and what is the ultimate final test for God’s children?
Revelation 5:1-7 The scroll was lying on the throne at the right hand of the Father. It waited for the One who was worthy to take it and “ ‘to loose its seals’ ” (Rev. 5:2, NKJV). In the words of Ellen G. White, the sealed scroll contains “the history of God’s providences, the prophetic … Continue reading What is the scroll with seven seals?
Isaiah 6:2-3; Ezekiel 1:5-14; Ezekiel 10:20-22; Revelation 4:6-8 The four living creatures symbolize the exalted beings who serve God as His agents and the guardians of His throne (Ps. 99:1). They are higher order angels - cherubim and seraphim. Their wings point symbolically to their swiftness in carrying out God’s orders, and their eyes point … Continue reading What are these “four living creatures” in heaven?
Matthew 27:52-53; James 1:12; Revelation 3:4-5; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 5:8-10 The description of the elders in Revelation 4:4 shows that they are not angelic beings. The title “elders” in the Bible always is used for humans. In contrast to angels, who invariably stand in God’s presence, these elders sit on thrones. The white robes they … Continue reading Who are these 24 “elders” in heaven?
Revelation 1:20 Revelation’s seven messages to the churches show spiritual decline in the seven churches and have three main applications: Historical application. Those messages originally were sent to seven churches located in prosperous cities of first-century Asia. The Christians there faced serious challenges. Several cities set up emperor worship in their temples as a token … Continue reading Summary notes on Revelation ch. 2 & 3
Revelation 3:14-22; Revelation 16:15 The lukewarm church AD1844 till the end of time: The last church addressed by Jesus was in Laodicea, a wealthy city situated on a major trade road. It was famous for its woolen manufacturing industry; its banks (which held a vast quantity of gold); and a medical school, which produced eye … Continue reading The lukewarm church: AD1844 till the end of time