The sea beast that appears in Revelation 13 is a composite of beasts from Daniel 7, with features of leopard, bear, and lion and seven heads equal to the total number of heads on the beasts that Daniel sees in vision. But the beast is also a parody of Yahweh, who threatens to tear and devour Israel . . . . Continue Reading »
Beale helpfully notes the links between Revelation 10:6-7 and 6:11, both of which speak of the time being fulfilled. 6:11 speaks of the completion of the suffering of the saints, while 10:6-7 says that the time is no longer (that is, there is no more delay) and that the mystery of God is fulfilled. . . . . Continue Reading »
Another strong angel descends to John with the rainbow around his head (10:1). The previous reference to rainbow said it surrounded the heavenly throne (4:3) Hence: The angel’s head = the heavenly throne. The angel descends from heaven, but he is gargantuan, able to place a foot in the sea . . . . Continue Reading »
Revelation uses the word “city” ( polis ) 28 times, that is, 4 x 7. The city is the four-cornered world through the seven days of the creation week. In the history of that world city, the new Jerusalem comes to dominate John’s closing vision. Fittingly, 12 uses of polis are in . . . . Continue Reading »
The Greek word abussos is used seven time in Revelation, and that makes one wonder if they correspond to the days of creation. SOme do pretty well. Day 1: A star falls from heaven with a key to the abyss (9:1). the world is de-lightened. Day 2: From the abyss comes a cloud that snuffs the sun; it . . . . Continue Reading »
The two witnesses of Revelation 11 are implicitly linked to Elijah adn Moses, Joshua and Zerubbabel, the two olive trees in Zechariah’s vision, and the lampstands of Zechariah’s vision. But the fire-breathing part (v. 5) is not so directly linked with these Old Testament precedents. . . . . Continue Reading »
Locusts come from the smoke that comes from the pit, and these locusts are granted authority like the authority of scorpions. Revelation 9:3 includes a chiasm that reinforces this connection: A. Locusts to the eart B. And was given to them authority B’. As have authority A’. The . . . . Continue Reading »
When the fallen angel opens the pit, the smoke that comes out is like the smoke of a great furnace (Revelation 9:2; Gr. kapnos kaminou megales ). Only two passages in the LXX use a similar phrase. Sinai smokes with the smoke of a furnace (Exodus 19:18), and according to Job Leviathan breathes out . . . . Continue Reading »
With the fifth trumpet, the fallen star opens the pit with a key that has been given to him. From the pit comes ascending smoke like a great furnace (Revelation 9:1-2). The smoke ascending from the pit reminds us of the smoke ascending from the sacrifices of the altar, the smoke of incense and . . . . Continue Reading »
The seven trumpets of Revelation 8-11 link up at most points with the days of creation. As James Jordan has pointed out, the very structure of the trumpet section nods vigorously toward Genesis 1; the sequence of seven is divided into a 4 + 3 pattern, with four quick judgments and then three longer . . . . Continue Reading »
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