MYSTERIES IN THE REVELATION

1. The Seven Spirits of God (Revelation 1:4-5; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6; Isaiah 11:1-2) 

2. Numbers in The Revelation (Revelation 1:10-13, 16, 20; 5:1; 8:2; 15:1; 16:1; 4:2, 4, 6-11; 14:1; 12:1-9; 13:1, 4) 

3. The Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:1, 16-18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2) 

Central Truth: John’s Revelation of Christ was given to reveal, not to conceal, truth. 

Focus: Perceive and live out the practical truths in The Revelation. 

Evangelism Emphasis: Jesus Christ is the world’s only hope of salvation. 

Text: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:7). 

INTRODUCTION 

The Book of Revelation belongs to a special category of prophecy called apocalyptic literature. The Greek word for apocalypse means “revelation,” “unveiling,” or “revealing.” Apocalyptic literature has a heavy interest in events of the last days, and it tells its story with extensive use of symbolism. The Books of Daniel and Revelation are classified as apocalyptic literature, and sections of other Old Testament books are also apocalyptic (Jer. 33:14-26; Ezek. 38—39; Joel 3:9-17; Zech. 12—14). The Jews and early Christians wrote many other apocalyptic books that were not included in the Bible. Apocalyptic literature is a preview of the end that shows how God will overthrow the present ruling powers and set up His eternal kingdom. Thus, apocalyptic writing is highly theological in its message. These books, with their monsters and cataclysms, are both fascinating and perplexing. 

The first step in understanding Revelation is to realize that its symbolism must be interpreted much like other figurative language in Scripture. The symbols used in Revelation can have various meanings. The interpreter must determine which meaning applies within the given context. We begin by examining the Biblical background of the symbols. For example, the beasts in the Book of Revelation probably represent human kingdoms and their rulers, just as they did in the Book of Daniel. We must be very careful, however, because symbols can carry very different meanings. For example, the lion is used in the Bible to symbolize the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:9); God (Hosea 13:7); Jesus Christ (Rev. 5:5); and Satan (1 Peter 5:8). We must depend on the context to help us determine the meaning of the symbol. 

As you read the Book of Revelation, the following five guidelines may be helpful: 

1.  Outline your passage and observe how it fits within the overall progress of the Book of Revelation. 

2.  Note what elements are emphasized and which are less important. Observe any repetitions. 

3.  List the possible functions and meanings of the symbols. 

4.  Observe the theological message of the text. The future elements of an apocalyptic text are not an end in themselves. The purpose is to turn the reader toward God. 

5.  Apply the message to our present-day situation. Revelation presents a powerful message to the people of God, especially during difficult times. We are living in a day of great uncertainty, international conflicts, economic upheaval, and religious persecution. The themes of Revelation are important for the Church today. Like the early Christians, we can live faithfully and hopefully in the face of opposition. In the midst of crisis, we can live in light of the end because we know the end is controlled by God. Jesus holds the keys in His hand and He holds the churches in His hand. The Church must maintain its witness even in the midst of suffering. God will finally put all things under His feet and establish His eternal kingdom where we will find joy and peace. 

1.  THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD 

A. The Sevenfold Spirit of Revelation (Rev. 1:1-5) 

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne. 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. 

The formal opening to this prophetic letter contains several important items of information. First, the writer is John the apostle, who is called God’s “servant” (v. 1). He also wrote the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John. 

Second, John identifies his addressees as the “seven churches which are in Asia” (v. 4). These seven churches are located in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The fact that there were more than seven churches in Asia Minor points to the symbolic nature of the number seven, which signifies completion (as in the seven days of one week). The seven churches, therefore, serve as representatives of all the churches. Although the messages to the seven churches are sometimes called “the seven letters,” they are really seven parts of one long letter. The entire Book of Revelation is a long letter that describes John’s prophetic vision. Each church, therefore, should read the book as a whole, and a blessing is pronounced upon everyone who reads it and everyone who hears it (v. 3). 

Third, John conveys a greeting of grace and peace from God (“him which is, and which was, and which is to come”), from the “seven Spirits,” and from Jesus Christ (vv. 4-5). This trinitarian greeting is unusual only in its reference to the Holy Spirit as the “seven Spirits.” Once again, the word seven implies completion; therefore, the seven Spirits refer to the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the presence of the One who sits on the throne. 

Some interpreters have suggested the seven Spirits are seven angelic beings, but that cannot be the case because of their close connection to God and to Christ. The phrase “seven Spirits” is a symbolic representation of the Holy Spirit, who will take on different forms throughout the Book of Revelation. We are reminded of the seven-branched lampstand in the Tabernacle and in Zechariah 4:2. The Book of Revelation is revealed from God, the Spirit, and Jesus Christ. “Grace . . . and peace” are also given by the Holy Trinity (1:4). Only the Holy Spirit could qualify for these important tasks. 

The role of the Holy Spirit is prominent in the Book of Revelation. At four strategic locations, the phrase “in the Spirit” occurs (1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). Each occurrence marks the beginning of a new section of the book. 

• Explain the three titles given to Jesus in verse 5.  

B. The Sevenfold Spirit of God (Revelation 3:1; 4:1-5; 5:5-6) 

3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 

4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.  

5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 

The fifth church to be addressed is the church at Sardis. John’s prophetic messages come from the mouth of Jesus Christ (see 1:18-19); and in this message, Jesus is described as the One who has the “seven Spirits of God” (3:1). We know from the Gospel of John that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus (1:32) and He has the Spirit “without limit” (3:34 NIV). Therefore, the Spirit of God can also be called the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9; Phil. 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11). 

The Spirit is significant in this message to Sardis, because the church is almost dead. As the one who has the Spirit, Jesus can restore life to this lifeless church. Just as God breathed into Adam the breath of life, the Spirit can breathe into a dead church and give it life. 

After delivering the prophetic messages to the seven churches, John sees a door open in heaven and hears a voice that calls him up into heaven (Rev. 4:1). In heaven he sees the throne of God surrounded by twenty-four elders and seven blazing lamps in front of the throne, “which are the seven Spirits of God” (vv. 4-5). Earlier, John had seen a vision of Jesus, but now he sees a vision of the entire Trinity. He sees God the Father sitting on His throne (vv. 2-3), and he sees the Holy Spirit in the form of seven flaming torches (v. 5). These seven torches are not the same as the seven lampstands that represented the seven churches. In Greek, the lampstands are luchnias but the torches are lampas. The Spirit in the form of torches might be an allusion to God’s covenant ceremony with Abraham, when God, in the form of flaming torches (lampas), moved between the pieces of the sacrificial animals, thus ratifying His covenant (Gen. 15:17). 

In John’s vision he saw a book, sealed with seven seals; and one of the elders declared that the book could be opened only by the “Lion of the tribe of Juda” (Rev. 5:5). However, when John looked for the Lion, he saw instead a “Lamb as it had been slain” (v. 6). Jesus is pictured both as a Lion and as a Lamb. Similarly, the Spirit, which John had seen as seven torches (fire and light), now appears as the “seven eyes” of the Lamb. Speaking of the Spirit as seven eyes signifies He has complete vision of “all the earth.” This indicates the omniscience of the Holy Spirit. 

The Eyes of Christ 

John describes the Lamb as having seven eyes, which represent His all-knowing power. When I read this I can’t help but ask, What is the Lamb searching for? He is searching the world for those who are lost. Jesus works through believers today “to seek and to save those who are lost” (see Luke 19:10).—David Cooper, Apocalypse! 

C. The Prediction by Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1-2) 

1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 

John’s multiple references to the Holy Spirit as “seven Spirits” brings to mind the prophecy of Isaiah in which he predicted the sevenfold Spirit would rest upon the Messiah. The Spirit that is on the Messiah is (1) “the Spirit of the Lord” (v. 2 NKJV). Because the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him, the Messiah would possess special qualities that make Him an ideal ruler. The Spirit is (2) the “Spirit of wisdom.” Wisdom is an indispensable qualification for a ruler. The Spirit of (3) “understanding” goes hand-in-hand with wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to know what is good, and understanding is the ability to distinguish the best course of action when presented with opposing choices. 

The Messiah would also have (4) “the Spirit of counsel” and (5) “might.” The word counsel is the same as the name “Counsellor” in Isaiah 9:6, and the word might means “strength” or “power.” Furthermore, the Spirit would give Him (6) the “knowledge” necessary to rule over the kingdom of God. The Spirit knows all things and would dispense that knowledge to God’s chosen Ruler. Finally, the Messiah will display (7) the “fear of the Lord,” which signifies a deep reverence for the Lord and for His commandments. 

• How is the truth of 2 Peter 1:3 seen in Isaiah 11:2? 



2. NUMBERS IN THE REVELATION 

Numbers function as important symbols in the Bible. For example, the number seven and its multiples (70, 77, 700, etc.) represent completion and wholeness (Gen. 4:24; 41:2; Ex. 24:1; 2 Sam. 24:15; Jer. 25:11; Matt. 18:22; Luke 10:1). The number four symbolizes creation and created beings (Gen. 2:10; Ezek. 1:5; Zech. 1:18-20; 6:1; Mark 13:27). The number forty stands for one generation (Gen. 7:17; 25:20; Ex. 16:35; Judg. 3:11; 1 Sam. 4:18). The human hand has five fingers on each hand, so five represents humanity. The heavens and the earth were created in six days, so six symbolizes labor and its results. Eight, being the start of a new week, represents new beginnings. Therefore, baby boys are circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 1:59). The seven-day Feast of Tabernacles is the last of Israel’s annual feasts, and the day following the Feast of Tabernacles, called the “eighth day” (or the “great day,” John 7:37) is the first day of the next calendar of feasts (Lev. 23:36). 

A. The Number Seven in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:10-13, 16, 20; 5:1; 8:2; 15:1; 16:1) 

1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. 

5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 

16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 

The most prominent number in the Book of Revelation is the number seven. There are seven prophetic messages to the seven churches of Asia (1:11). The seven churches are symbolized by seven golden lampstands, signifying the churches are lights to the dark world (Matt. 5:14; Eph. 5:8; Phil. 2:15). The seven churches are guided by “seven stars” which are the “angels” (messengers) of the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). Jesus holds these stars in His hand, which means He directs the work of the angels as they watch over the churches. After all, Jesus is the “head of . . . the church,” and every element of the church is under His control and direction (Col. 1:18). 

The number seven is also used in Revelation to represent God’s complete judgment of the earth. These judgments come in the form of seven seals (5:1), seven trumpets (8:2), and seven plagues (15:1). This series of sevens is cyclical. That is, they represent God’s judgment repeated three times—once for the Father, once for the Son, and once for the Holy Spirit. The judgments are unleashed by seven angels (8:2; 15:1; 16:1) after the opening of the scroll that is sealed with seven seals (5:1). 

• Detail the powerful appearance of Christ in Revelation 1:16.  

B. The Twenty-four Elders and Four Beasts (Revelation 4:2, 4, 6-11) 

4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 

6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.  

As soon as John heard the voice calling him to come up into heaven, he was in the Spirit, which means he began a visionary experience inspired by the Holy Spirit. His initial vision of heaven was dominated by the presence of God sitting upon His throne, surrounded by many heavenly beings. 

Around God’s throne were “twenty-four other thrones” (4:4 NIV), and upon these other thrones sat twenty-four elders. Although the elders are not named, they seem to represent the combination of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of the New Testament. Taken together as twenty-four, therefore, they represent all of the redeemed people of God. We know they are redeemed because they are clothed in white garments, which signifies the righteousness of those who are God’s holy people (Rev. 19:8). We read earlier that overcomers will walk with Christ, clothed in white (3:4-5; see also 3:18; 6:11; 7:9-14). Furthermore, the elders wear crowns of gold, which foreshadows the statement made later in the Book of Revelation that the saints will rule with Christ (5:10; 22:5; see also 2 Tim. 2:12). 

John’s vision of heaven was both glorious and frightening. In front of God’s throne was a sea of glass, which would have reflected in its surface the brilliance of the throne of God. In addition to the seven torches and the twenty-four elders who surrounded the throne, there were also “four beasts” (“living creatures,” 4:6 NKJV). When John saw the four beasts, he undoubtedly would have remembered the vision of Ezekiel, who also saw the throne of God. In Ezekiel’s vision, God’s throne was supported by four beasts. There is one difference, however, between Ezekiel’s vision and the vision of John. In Ezekiel’s vision, each of the four beasts had four faces that correspond to a man, an ox, a lion, and an eagle (Ezek. 1:5-10). However, in John’s vision, each beast had only one face, but the four beasts picture the same animals that Ezekiel saw. These beasts are what have traditionally been called the cherubim. The four beasts represent the four Biblical categories of animal life: humanity, wild animals, domesticated animals, and birds. 

Reminiscent of Isaiah’s vision (Isa. 6), the four beasts have six wings, and they cry out continually saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty” (Rev. 4:8). Likewise, the twenty-four elders worship God, casting down their crowns before Him, and giving Him glory, honor, and praise. 

• Compare the worship chant of the four living creatures (v. 8) with the worship chant of the twenty-four elders (v. 11).  

C. The 144,000 (Revelation 14:1) 

1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 

One of the largest numbers in the Book of Revelation (144,000), is found in chapters 7 and 14. In chapter 7, the angel of God places God’s seal on the foreheads of 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel. After these are sealed, John sees a great multitude that no one could number, redeemed from every nation on earth. The number 144,000 is formed by multiplying the 12 tribes times the 12 apostles times 1,000. 

At first glance, the 144,000 appear to be just those who are redeemed from among the Israelites. However, 144,000 is clearly a symbolic number that represents all of the redeemed which are then seen as a great multitude that no one could number. Furthermore, when John sees the Lamb standing on Mount Zion (14:1), there are 144,000 standing with Him. They have the seal of God on their foreheads. 

D. Seven Heads and Ten Horns (Revelation 12:1-9; 13:1, 4) 

12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.  

13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

We studied the number seven already, but we must add one more “seven.” The great red dragon, found in 12:3-9, has seven heads with a crown on each head. Upon those seven heads, he also has ten horns. This red dragon is identified as “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan” (v. 9). The seven heads represent the dragon’s complete control of the world system, and the ten horns symbolize power over all the earth. The dragon fights against the woman and her man child, who is Jesus Christ, born to “rule all nations with a rod of iron” (v. 5). 

The dragon is defeated and cast down to the earth, but he returns in another form as a beast rising out of the sea (13:1). As an incarnation of the dragon, the beast also has seven heads and ten horns. The fact that he has ten crowns rather than the seven crowns of the dragon may indicate the increasing power of evil over the earth. This increased power is manifested in the fact that people begin to worship both the dragon and the beast, apparently because of his power to make war (v. 4). 

Do Not Focus on the Devil 

Satan and his forces should not become the positive center of our attention, so that slowly and unconsciously we begin to look at them with secret respect and admiration. As Christians, we are called to make theology, not demonology; to concentrate on the love which casts out fear rather than on fear itself; to serve and proclaim the power of God, not the power of evil.—Shirley Guthrie, Christian Doctrine 

3. THE MARK OF THE BEAST 

A. The Number of the Beast (Revelation 13:1, 16-18) 

1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. 

The Beast has “on his heads a blasphemous name” (13:1 NKJV), indicating he opposes God, and even claims to be God himself. As we stated above, the world begins to worship the Beast, and this is the main point of the Book of Revelation. The people who worship God are sealed with God’s mark (7:2, 4), which is the name of God on their forehead (14:1). However, the people who worship the Beast are sealed with a different mark, the “mark of the Beast.” 

We do not have the answer to every question regarding the mark, but some things are clear: (1) The Beast demands that people worship him, and by worshiping him they receive the mark. (2) The mark of the Beast imitates the seal of God that is given to the saints. (3) Everyone has a mark—either the mark of God or the mark of the Beast. There is no neutral ground. (4) The mark cannot be received accidentally; it is a sign of willful commitment to the Beast. (5) The mark is “the number of a man”—666 (13:18). 

In the new Testament era, the letters of the Greek alphabet represented the numerals as well as letters; so the letter A equaled 1; B equaled 2, and so on. The phrase “number of a man” probably means if the numerical value of the letters of the man’s name were added together, they would equal 666. In the days when Revelation was written, the most obvious choice for this man was the emperor of Rome, Nero Caesar. When converted to numbers, the Greek name of Nero Caesar equals 666. That is not to say the ancient figure known as Nero will rise up in the last days in the form of a beast. Rather, it means Nero was himself a symbol, an archetype of the Beast. The evil spirit of the Dragon has filled a willing human many times throughout history, and it continues to be manifested today. We do not know the identity of the coming Beast, but we do know he resembles Nero (as well as Hitler and other tyrants). We also know the Beast demands that all of his subjects violate the first of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). 

Watch, Pray, and Work 

A few years ago I was watching a popular television preacher, and I was shocked when he suddenly predicted the date of Jesus’ return. He declared that, according to his study of Scripture, Jesus would definitely return by the end of 2018. Like all of the other prognosticators before him, he turned out to be wrong. The setting of dates and the preoccupation with last-days chronologies is a misuse of Scripture. Jesus emphasized that we should focus on watching, praying, and working while it is day, for the night comes when no one can work.—Lee Roy Martin 

B. Eternal Consequences (Revelation 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2) 

15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 

16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. 

The choice to worship the Beast or not to worship the Beast has eternal consequences. Those who overcome the Beast by refusing to worship him will stand on the sea of glass in the presence of God (15:2). However, those who worship the Beast will receive the wrath of God (14:10-11; 16:1-2). 

In 14:9-11, an angel warns people to reject the mark of the Beast. This mark is a rejection of the redemptive provision through the blood of God’s own Son and an embrace of everything God opposes. Those who do this have drunk from the wine of Babylon and will now drink from the undiluted wrath of God’s wine. Their suffering includes the torment of fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the One who died that they might not suffer such a fate. 

• Discuss the phrase “the wrath of God is complete” (Rev. 15:1 NKJV). 

LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT 

The Book of Revelation contains mysteries and enigmas. Yet, there is much in John’s vision to challenge us and to encourage us. We know the end, and we know who wins! As we learn more and more about the Book of Revelation, we must remember the most important thing is not how much we know but how well we obey. Therefore, whoever has an ear, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches (2:7). 

Daily Devotions  

M.  Ezekiel’s Apocalyptic Vision (Ezekiel 39:1-7) 

T.  Daniel’s Apocalyptic Vision (Daniel 7:1-11) 

W.  Zechariah’s Apocalyptic Vision (Zechariah 14:1-9) 

T.  Matthew’s Little Apocalypse (Matthew 24:4-14) 

F.  Mark’s Little Apocalypse (Mark 13:24-31) 

S.  Luke’s Little Apocalypse (Luke 21:8-19) 

*Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2020-2021.