The demons that emerge from the abyssal cloud in Revelation 12 are initially are described as being like locusts. We know what that means. In the Egyptian plague, the scorpions cover the ground so that no one can see the land, and they eat and eat, eating everything that is left behind after the . . . . Continue Reading »
In his lecture at the Biblical Horizons Summer conference this morning, Jim Jordan pointed out that the rivers that flow out of Eden are connected with commerce and economy. The rivers flow from the garden, where there are good things to eat, to the outer lands where there are minerals and gems. . . . . Continue Reading »
The third trumpet blows, and a star named Wormwood poisons the rivers and springs (Revelation 8). Since the trumpet sequence is following the sequence of creation days, we would expect a judgment on the land or the grain and trees at the third trumpet. Instead, we get a judgment on rivers. The . . . . Continue Reading »
When John first sees the heavenly worship as he ascends to heaven, the four living creatures take the lead with an unceasing Sanctus. The twenty-four elders fall down before the One on the throne, cast their crowns before the throne, and praise God for His glory, honor, and power. They are not . . . . Continue Reading »
144,000 are sealed, 12,000 from 12 tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4-7). Those are consecrated for martyr sacrifice. Immediately John sees a great multitude from every tribe and tongue and nation and people (7:9), holding palm branches. It reminds one of Elim, with its 12 springs and 70 palm trees . . . . Continue Reading »
Developing some observations and ideas from James Jordan’s lectures and writings on Revelation. Cherubim have four faces: ox (sometimes calf), lion, eagle, man. And from Ezekiel we learn that these four faces correspond to the four points of the compass: The ox stands at the east and looks . . . . Continue Reading »
Twice in the New Testament, people appear crying out to God for salvation, or praising Him for accomplishing it, holding palm branches. Why palm branches? The Hebrew word “palm” is tamar , the name of Judah’s daughter whose husband die and who has to disguise herself as a temple . . . . Continue Reading »
Building on some insights from James Jordan’s lecture on Revelation 7, where he explains the absence of Dan from the tribal list there. Dan is the first Rachel son, not a son of Rachel herself but of her handmaid Bilhah. He is the firstborn that comes from Rachel’s house. Dan means . . . . Continue Reading »
Depending on the Greek text used, the word “Lamb” appears in Revelation 28 or 29 times. Why is Jesus identified so frequently as the Lamb? There’s obviously a rich Old Testament and Johannine background to that title, but, as James Jordan has pointed out, the key seems to be the . . . . Continue Reading »
The scene that greets John when the fifth seal is broken is at the altar, and the saints are “underneath the altar.” When John ascended to heaven in the Spirit, he did not see an altar in the heavenly sanctuary. There was a throne (ark) and a lampstand and a sea, but no table and no . . . . Continue Reading »
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