*Revelation 3:10 / *Rev. 3:10 -
(See Revelation chapters 2-3 above)
Revelation 3:10 meant that the literal, first century AD local church congregation in the city of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11) would be kept safe from a persecution which came upon all the Roman world during the time of the Roman emperor Domitian. For the apostle John saw his Revelation vision (Revelation 1:1) near the end of Domitian's reign (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5:30:3c), and Domitian persecuted the Church toward the end of his reign. The righteous, literal, first century AD local church congregation in the city of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8) in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11) had to suffer and die in that persecution over a period of ten literal days (Revelation 2:10).
The first century AD church in Philadelphia did not have to be taken out of the world to be kept safe from (Greek: "ek") that persecution. For, as Jesus Christ prayed for the Church in general: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from (ek) the evil" (John 17:15,20). Also, the first century AD church in Philadelphia did not have to be removed from time itself, or from the earth, to be kept from the "hour", or the "time", of that persecution, just as, for example, a student in a classroom who has been excused from taking a test does not have to be removed from time itself, or from the classroom, to be excused from that time of testing. For he can be made to sit at his desk reading during that time, which will not be a time of testing for him.
Also, the first century AD persecution of Revelation 3:10 (and Revelation 2:10) was only "world"-wide in the sense of the Roman "world" (cf. Luke 2:1). So the subsequent reference to those on the "earth" in Revelation 3:10 should be understood as those Christians living on the earth during that time in the Roman empire, as opposed to those Christians who had already died and gone to heaven (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21,23).
~
(Re: Has it really already happened?)
Yes, Revelation 3:10 is (now) about an event which has already happened, just as, for example, the ten literal days of Revelation 2:10 and the martyrdom of Antipas of Revelation 2:13 have already happened.
Regarding the basic idea of protection in Revelation 3:10... (See the "Protection" section of Revelation 7:4 below)
~
(Temptation)
The original Greek word (peirasmos: G3986) translated as "temptation" in Revelation 3:10 is the noun form of the Greek verb (peirazo: G3985) translated as "try" in Revelation 3:10. That is, the "temptation" in Revelation 3:10 refers to a "trial" (in the sense of a difficult time, like in our phrase "trials and tribulations"). In this case, it is referring to a trial of persecution by Satan and evil people, just as in Revelation 2:10.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried [peirazo: G3985]; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
--
*Revelation 3:11 / *Rev. 3:11 -
Whereas Revelation 3:10 (like Revelation 2:10) was fulfilled in the first century AD, Jesus Christ's Second Coming spoken of in Revelation 3:11 is still future. For it will not occur until Revelation 19:7-21, immediately after the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). Also, even though some 2,000 years will have passed between the time that Revelation 3:11 was spoken in the first century AD and the time of the fulfillment of Jesus' Second Coming in our future, He will still come "quickly" (Revelation 3:11), just as all of the preceding events of the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 will unfold "shortly" (Revelation 1:1,3) after the apostle John saw his Revelation vision. For from the viewpoint of God...
(See "even the passing" under Revelation 1:1,3 above)
~
(Crown)
In Revelation 3:11 the crown is "the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10, James 1:12), which represents Christians' ultimate salvation at Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, and which will be granted only to those Christians who were obedient (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). So Revelation 3:11 refers to the possibility of the loss of salvation at Jesus' Second Coming due to unrepentant disobedience (Luke 12:45-46, Matthew 25:26,30).
(See the "NOSAS" section of Hebrews 3:6 above, and the "Ultimate salvation" section of Ephesians 2:8 above)
--
*Revelation 3:12 / *Rev. 3:12 -
(Re: God's name being written on people)
Just as Exodus 28:36-38 shows that God's name in a phrase "engraved" on a gold plate on a mitre was placed visibly "on" the forehead of Aaron (Exodus 28:38), so Revelation 3:12 shows that sometime in our future, God's name will be "written" (Greek: grapho: G1125) directly "on" (epi: G1909) each Christian who is an overcomer, on "him" (autos: G0846). And Revelation 22:4 shows that it will be written on his or her forehead.
The "writing" (grapho) in Revelation 3:12 (cf. Revelation 22:4) can be literal, just as the "writing" (grapho) in its immediate context was literal (Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:14). But before Revelation 3:12/Revelation 22:4 is fulfilled, there will be a Luciferian/Satanic counterfeit of it during the future Antichrist's literal 3.5-year worldwide reign (Revelation 13:4-18), when it will be the Antichrist's name which will be marked (Revelation 14:11c) directly "on" (epi) people's foreheads (Revelation 13:16-17). And probably through scarification, for one of the definitions of the original Greek word...
(See "charagma" under Revelation 13:16 below)
~
(Re: Pillars)
In Revelation 3:12 the temple pillars are not literal like Aaron's mitre was literal (Exodus 28:4), but they do represent Christians who are upstanding members of the Church (Galatians 2:9), which is a figurative temple (Ephesians 2:20-22).
In Revelation 3:12 the pillars not being literal does not mean that the written names in Revelation 3:12 will not be literal (Revelation 22:4), just as it does not mean that the New Jerusalem in Revelation 3:12 is not literal (Revelation 21:2-5).
(See paragraphs 4-5 of Revelation 21:9 below)
--
*Revelation 3:13 / *Rev. 3:13 -
This did not mean that Revelation 3:10 applied to all seven of the literal, first century AD local church congregations in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11). For that would have contradicted Revelation 2:10. Instead, Revelation 3:13 was referring back to Revelation 3:12, which can apply to any Christian of any time.
--
*Revelation 3:19 / *Rev. 3:19 -
(Re: *Chastening / *Chastisement)
The ability of Christians (although not their choosing) to repent from and confess to God every sin that they commit is assured. For if they do commit a sin, even if they are unaware of it, Jesus Christ will send them warning and chastening to make sure that they know that they have sinned and need to repent (Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:6-7, cf. Jeremiah 31:18-19). And He will give them time to repent (Revelation 2:21a). But if they wrongly employ their free will to waste the time that they are given, and ignore the warning and chastening, and refuse to repent (Revelation 2:21-23, cf. Deuteronomy 21:18-21), until death (1 John 5:16b) or Jesus' future, Second Coming (Luke 12:45-46), then they will ultimately lose their salvation due to unrepentant sin (Hebrews 10:26-29; 1 Corinthians 9:27, Galatians 5:19-21).
(See Hebrews 10:26 above)
If Christians become unsure whether or not they have ignored Jesus Christ's warning and refused to repent from a sin, then they need to pray and ask Him to reveal to them if there is any unrepentant sin in their heart (Psalms 139:23-24). And they need to be reading the Bible, every word of it (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16), over and over again. For it will expose to them any unrepentant sin which still exists in their heart (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16), so that they can then repent from it and confess it to God, and be forgiven and perfect before God (2 Timothy 3:17; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1).
(See also Matthew 4:4 above)
--
*Revelation 3:20 / *Rev. 3:20 -
This was not addressing non-Christians, as is often assumed, but was addressing people who were already Christians, already part of the Church (Revelation 3:14,22). But after entering into initial salvation by Christian faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), those addressed had became so lukewarm in their good works (Revelation 3:15-16) that they were in danger of ultimately losing their salvation (Revelation 3:16). For Christians can ultimately lose their salvation due to unrepentant laziness (Matthew 25:26,30). Also, those addressed had become sinful (Revelation 3:17-18), so that they were warned that they needed to repent (Revelation 3:19), for Christians can ultimately lose their salvation due to unrepentant sinfulness (Hebrews 10:26-29).
So the shut door in Revelation 3:20 separating the Christians from Jesus Christ can represent the danger which they were in of ultimately losing their salvation from hell. Their hearing Jesus' knockings, His warnings to them (Revelation 3:19,16), and them then getting up to open the door to Him, can represent their repenting from their laziness and sinfulness, and entering back into an ultimately-saving relationship with Jesus.
Jesus Christ's eating in Revelation 3:20 can represent His obedience to God the Father, His doing good works for the Father (John 4:34). The Christian in Revelation 3:20 eating with Jesus can then represent that Christian having real fellowship with Jesus and God the Father by that Christian's obedience to Jesus (John 14:21,23, John 12:26).
(See also Matthew 25:26 and Hebrews 10:26 above)
~
(Re: Other door symbolism)
Jesus Christ refers to Himself as "the door" in John 10:9, by which He means that He is the only way for people to enter salvation from hell (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, John 3:36). So a shut door can represent people not being able to enter salvation (Luke 13:25-27, Matthew 25:10-13) and an open door can represent people being able to enter salvation by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 14:27, Acts 26:17-18). An open door can also represent Christians being able to preach the saving Gospel of Jesus in a certain place (2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3, Revelation 3:8; 1 Corinthians 16:9).
--
*Revelation 3:21b / *Rev. 3:21b -
(Re: Does Jesus receive His throne after the Millennium?)
No, for the resurrected Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:18) was already sitting on God's throne in heaven at the time that the book of Revelation was written down (Revelation 3:21b) in 95 AD, near the end of Domitian's reign (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5:30:3c). But Jesus' future, Millennial reign on the earth with the physically resurrected Church will not begin until after His future, Second Coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29).
(See the "After the Second Coming" section of Revelation 20:4 below)
--
*Revelation 4:1 / *Rev. 4:1 -
This refers only to the apostle John, by himself, making an only-temporary visit up to the third heaven at one point during his lifetime in the first century AD, just as 2 Corinthians 12:2 refers only to the apostle Paul, by himself, making an only-temporary visit up to the third heaven at one point during his lifetime in the first century AD. Neither verse refers to the future rapture of the Church only as high as the clouds of the sky (the first heaven) to hold a meeting in the air with Jesus Christ at His Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6).
Also, no significance should be read into the fact that the specific word "church" is mentioned many times in Revelation chapters 1-3 but not mentioned again until Revelation 22, just as no significance should be read into the fact that the specific word "church" is mentioned many times in Romans 16 but not mentioned in Romans chapters 1 to 15. The reason why the word "church" is mentioned many times in Revelation chapters 1-3 is because those chapters refer to seven, literal, first century AD local church congregations in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11), which is today western Turkey.
The Church in the general sense will definitely be in the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24, for Christians will definitely be in it (Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4, Matthew 24:9-13) and there are no Christians outside of the Church (Ephesians 4:4-6). Also, just as the mistaken, pre-tribulation rapture view admits that Revelation chapters 19 to 22 include references to the Church without using the specific word "church", so it should be able to admit that Revelation chapters 6 to 18 can include references to the Church without using the specific word "church".
(See Matthew 24:31 above, and the "Tribulation saints?" section of Matthew 24(space) above)
~
(After this)
In Revelation 4:1, "after this" means after the apostle John had been instructed in Revelation chapters 2-3 what to write to seven, literal, first century AD local church congregations in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11), which is today western Turkey.
(See also the "After this" section of Revelation chapters 6 to 22 (Overview) below)
~
(Re: An open door)
Some people try to connect the door in heaven, opened for the apostle John in Revelation 4:1, with the open door set before the first century AD local church in the city of Philadelphia in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 3:8, Revelation 1:11). But the latter door was not in heaven, but on the earth, just as the open doors set before the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12 and Colossians 4:3 were on the earth. Revelation 3:8, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12 and Colossians 4:3 refer figuratively to God opening to Christians an opportunity to evangelize in a certain place on the earth. Contrast what Acts 16:7 says.
--
*Revelation 4:2 / *Rev. 4:2 -
(A throne was set in heaven)
God could have set up His throne in heaven as soon as He created heaven, for He was already sitting on His throne in heaven in ancient times (1 Kings 22:19, Psalms 11:4), whereas Revelation 4 is about "things which must be hereafter" (Revelation 4:1). Also, the original Greek verb (keimai: G2749) translated as "set" in Revelation 4:2 does not have to refer to the initial establishment of God's throne in heaven but can simply refer to the apostle John in the first century AD seeing it already established there, just as, for example, the same Greek verb is used in Revelation 21:16 to refer to how the already-existing, literal city of New Jerusalem in heaven "lieth foursquare" in the sense of its foundation having four corners.
--
*Revelation 4:3 / *Rev. 4:3 -
Here the original Greek word (sardinos: G4555) translated as "sardine" stone means the precious stone called sardine or sardius, which is a red stone (Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary). So Revelation 4:3 means that God, on His throne in heaven, appears red. This could mean not as an apple appears red, but as fire, or something so hot that it glows, can appear red. And Jesus Christ, who sits at God the Father's right hand (1 Peter 3:22, Hebrews 12:2), appears the same way (Revelation 1:15, Revelation 2:18b), just as could God's Holy Spirit (Revelation 4:5b). And Revelation 4:3b means that around their throne in heaven is a rainbow of emerald-colored (that is, green) light. So this is a glorious way in which we can envision God, when we are worshipping Him or praying to Him.
Regarding Revelation 4:3's use of "jasper", compare what Revelation 21:11 says.
(Also, compare paragraph 2 of Ezekiel 1(space) above)
--
*Revelation 4:4 / *Rev. 4:4 -
(*24 elders)
The 24 elders (Revelation 4:4) could be 24 chief angels who, along with the four beasts/seraphims, have been worshipping God continually (as in 24 hours a day) for untold ages (Revelation 4:8-11, Isaiah 6:2-3). Just as the ancient Jewish temple on earth was modeled after the temple in heaven (Hebrews 9:23-24, Hebrews 8:5), so the 24 courses of the ancient Jewish priests on earth (1 Chronicles 24:7-18) could have been modeled after the 24 elders in heaven. God could have also patterned the 24 hours of the day on earth after the 24 elders in heaven. And He could have also patterned the Church's twelve tribes of Israel and its twelve apostles (Revelation 21:9,12,14, Matthew 19:28), together forming the number 24, after the 24 elders in heaven.
At the time of Revelation 5:8-9 the 24 elders and the four beasts/seraphims could be singing before God the prayers of the Church (Revelation 5:8c), just as subsequently we see an angel offering before God the prayers of the Church (Revelation 8:4). So in Revelation 5:9 the 24 elders and the four beasts/seraphims can be singing words which do not apply to themselves, just as humans on earth can sing words which do not apply to themselves (for example, James Taylor singing the words of the song "Millworker", which he wrote as a lament by a female millworker living in the nineteenth century).
Also, the 24 elders wearing crowns (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, for if even the weird locust-like beings and the devil can wear crowns (Revelation 9:7, Revelation 12:3,9), then some angels can wear crowns.
Also, the 24 elders wearing white clothing (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, for angels can wear white clothing (Revelation 15:6, John 20:12).
Also, the 24 elders sitting on thrones (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, for if even the devil can sit on a throne (Revelation 2:13, Revelation 13:2b), then some angels can sit on thrones.
Also, the 24 elders being called "elders" (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, even though angels do not age. For they can be a special group of elder angels in the sense of them having been created sometime before other angels.
It is sometimes claimed that the 24 elders cannot be angels because no other part of the Bible ever refers to angels as "elders". But this...
(See "argument is like" under Daniel 11:37 above...)
Similarly, Revelation can be the only place where "elders" refers to angels.
It is sometimes claimed that the 24 elders cannot be angels because they wear crowns of victory. But in Revelation 4:4 the original Greek word (stephanos: G4735) translated as crowns does not have to always refer to a crown of victory but can sometimes refer to a crown signifying "honor generally" (Strong's Greek Dictionary). Also, angels can win victories (Revelation 12:7-9) and so they can wear crowns of victory.
It is sometimes claimed that the 24 elders cannot be angels because they perform physical acts (Revelation 4:10). But angels can perform physical acts, like how the two angels who rescued Lot and his family grabbed their hands to hasten them out of Sodom before its destruction by God (Genesis 19:1,16).
--
*Revelation 4:5 / *Rev. 4:5 -
(*7 Spirits)
Just as the one God is at the same time three Persons (Matthew 28:19), so the one Holy Spirit of God could at the same time be seven Spirits of God (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 4:5, Revelation 5:6). These could be the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel, the Spirit of might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
Someone might ask: "So there are seven Holy Spirits?". The answer would be no, just as there are not three Gods. Instead, just as the three Persons of the Trinity are one God, so the seven Spirits of God could be the one Holy Spirit. Just as the Father is the one God (Ephesians 4:6) and the Son is the one God (Hebrews 1:8) and the Holy Spirit is the one God (Acts 5:3-4), so the Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17), and the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8), and the Spirit of understanding (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Exodus 31:3), and the Spirit of counsel (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Isaiah 30:1), and the Spirit of might (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16), and the Spirit of knowledge (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8), and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
~
(Re: Things patterned after the seven lamps/Spirits)
See paragraph 3 of Exodus 25:9 above.
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Next entry / Prior / Table of Contents
Dec 27, 2018
(See Revelation chapters 2-3 above)
Revelation 3:10 meant that the literal, first century AD local church congregation in the city of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11) would be kept safe from a persecution which came upon all the Roman world during the time of the Roman emperor Domitian. For the apostle John saw his Revelation vision (Revelation 1:1) near the end of Domitian's reign (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5:30:3c), and Domitian persecuted the Church toward the end of his reign. The righteous, literal, first century AD local church congregation in the city of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8) in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11) had to suffer and die in that persecution over a period of ten literal days (Revelation 2:10).
The first century AD church in Philadelphia did not have to be taken out of the world to be kept safe from (Greek: "ek") that persecution. For, as Jesus Christ prayed for the Church in general: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from (ek) the evil" (John 17:15,20). Also, the first century AD church in Philadelphia did not have to be removed from time itself, or from the earth, to be kept from the "hour", or the "time", of that persecution, just as, for example, a student in a classroom who has been excused from taking a test does not have to be removed from time itself, or from the classroom, to be excused from that time of testing. For he can be made to sit at his desk reading during that time, which will not be a time of testing for him.
Also, the first century AD persecution of Revelation 3:10 (and Revelation 2:10) was only "world"-wide in the sense of the Roman "world" (cf. Luke 2:1). So the subsequent reference to those on the "earth" in Revelation 3:10 should be understood as those Christians living on the earth during that time in the Roman empire, as opposed to those Christians who had already died and gone to heaven (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21,23).
~
(Re: Has it really already happened?)
Yes, Revelation 3:10 is (now) about an event which has already happened, just as, for example, the ten literal days of Revelation 2:10 and the martyrdom of Antipas of Revelation 2:13 have already happened.
Regarding the basic idea of protection in Revelation 3:10... (See the "Protection" section of Revelation 7:4 below)
~
(Temptation)
The original Greek word (peirasmos: G3986) translated as "temptation" in Revelation 3:10 is the noun form of the Greek verb (peirazo: G3985) translated as "try" in Revelation 3:10. That is, the "temptation" in Revelation 3:10 refers to a "trial" (in the sense of a difficult time, like in our phrase "trials and tribulations"). In this case, it is referring to a trial of persecution by Satan and evil people, just as in Revelation 2:10.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried [peirazo: G3985]; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
--
*Revelation 3:11 / *Rev. 3:11 -
Whereas Revelation 3:10 (like Revelation 2:10) was fulfilled in the first century AD, Jesus Christ's Second Coming spoken of in Revelation 3:11 is still future. For it will not occur until Revelation 19:7-21, immediately after the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). Also, even though some 2,000 years will have passed between the time that Revelation 3:11 was spoken in the first century AD and the time of the fulfillment of Jesus' Second Coming in our future, He will still come "quickly" (Revelation 3:11), just as all of the preceding events of the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 will unfold "shortly" (Revelation 1:1,3) after the apostle John saw his Revelation vision. For from the viewpoint of God...
(See "even the passing" under Revelation 1:1,3 above)
~
(Crown)
In Revelation 3:11 the crown is "the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10, James 1:12), which represents Christians' ultimate salvation at Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming, and which will be granted only to those Christians who were obedient (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4). So Revelation 3:11 refers to the possibility of the loss of salvation at Jesus' Second Coming due to unrepentant disobedience (Luke 12:45-46, Matthew 25:26,30).
(See the "NOSAS" section of Hebrews 3:6 above, and the "Ultimate salvation" section of Ephesians 2:8 above)
--
*Revelation 3:12 / *Rev. 3:12 -
(Re: God's name being written on people)
Just as Exodus 28:36-38 shows that God's name in a phrase "engraved" on a gold plate on a mitre was placed visibly "on" the forehead of Aaron (Exodus 28:38), so Revelation 3:12 shows that sometime in our future, God's name will be "written" (Greek: grapho: G1125) directly "on" (epi: G1909) each Christian who is an overcomer, on "him" (autos: G0846). And Revelation 22:4 shows that it will be written on his or her forehead.
The "writing" (grapho) in Revelation 3:12 (cf. Revelation 22:4) can be literal, just as the "writing" (grapho) in its immediate context was literal (Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:14). But before Revelation 3:12/Revelation 22:4 is fulfilled, there will be a Luciferian/Satanic counterfeit of it during the future Antichrist's literal 3.5-year worldwide reign (Revelation 13:4-18), when it will be the Antichrist's name which will be marked (Revelation 14:11c) directly "on" (epi) people's foreheads (Revelation 13:16-17). And probably through scarification, for one of the definitions of the original Greek word...
(See "charagma" under Revelation 13:16 below)
~
(Re: Pillars)
In Revelation 3:12 the temple pillars are not literal like Aaron's mitre was literal (Exodus 28:4), but they do represent Christians who are upstanding members of the Church (Galatians 2:9), which is a figurative temple (Ephesians 2:20-22).
In Revelation 3:12 the pillars not being literal does not mean that the written names in Revelation 3:12 will not be literal (Revelation 22:4), just as it does not mean that the New Jerusalem in Revelation 3:12 is not literal (Revelation 21:2-5).
(See paragraphs 4-5 of Revelation 21:9 below)
--
*Revelation 3:13 / *Rev. 3:13 -
This did not mean that Revelation 3:10 applied to all seven of the literal, first century AD local church congregations in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11). For that would have contradicted Revelation 2:10. Instead, Revelation 3:13 was referring back to Revelation 3:12, which can apply to any Christian of any time.
--
*Revelation 3:19 / *Rev. 3:19 -
(Re: *Chastening / *Chastisement)
The ability of Christians (although not their choosing) to repent from and confess to God every sin that they commit is assured. For if they do commit a sin, even if they are unaware of it, Jesus Christ will send them warning and chastening to make sure that they know that they have sinned and need to repent (Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:6-7, cf. Jeremiah 31:18-19). And He will give them time to repent (Revelation 2:21a). But if they wrongly employ their free will to waste the time that they are given, and ignore the warning and chastening, and refuse to repent (Revelation 2:21-23, cf. Deuteronomy 21:18-21), until death (1 John 5:16b) or Jesus' future, Second Coming (Luke 12:45-46), then they will ultimately lose their salvation due to unrepentant sin (Hebrews 10:26-29; 1 Corinthians 9:27, Galatians 5:19-21).
(See Hebrews 10:26 above)
If Christians become unsure whether or not they have ignored Jesus Christ's warning and refused to repent from a sin, then they need to pray and ask Him to reveal to them if there is any unrepentant sin in their heart (Psalms 139:23-24). And they need to be reading the Bible, every word of it (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16), over and over again. For it will expose to them any unrepentant sin which still exists in their heart (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16), so that they can then repent from it and confess it to God, and be forgiven and perfect before God (2 Timothy 3:17; 1 John 1:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1).
(See also Matthew 4:4 above)
--
*Revelation 3:20 / *Rev. 3:20 -
This was not addressing non-Christians, as is often assumed, but was addressing people who were already Christians, already part of the Church (Revelation 3:14,22). But after entering into initial salvation by Christian faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), those addressed had became so lukewarm in their good works (Revelation 3:15-16) that they were in danger of ultimately losing their salvation (Revelation 3:16). For Christians can ultimately lose their salvation due to unrepentant laziness (Matthew 25:26,30). Also, those addressed had become sinful (Revelation 3:17-18), so that they were warned that they needed to repent (Revelation 3:19), for Christians can ultimately lose their salvation due to unrepentant sinfulness (Hebrews 10:26-29).
So the shut door in Revelation 3:20 separating the Christians from Jesus Christ can represent the danger which they were in of ultimately losing their salvation from hell. Their hearing Jesus' knockings, His warnings to them (Revelation 3:19,16), and them then getting up to open the door to Him, can represent their repenting from their laziness and sinfulness, and entering back into an ultimately-saving relationship with Jesus.
Jesus Christ's eating in Revelation 3:20 can represent His obedience to God the Father, His doing good works for the Father (John 4:34). The Christian in Revelation 3:20 eating with Jesus can then represent that Christian having real fellowship with Jesus and God the Father by that Christian's obedience to Jesus (John 14:21,23, John 12:26).
(See also Matthew 25:26 and Hebrews 10:26 above)
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(Re: Other door symbolism)
Jesus Christ refers to Himself as "the door" in John 10:9, by which He means that He is the only way for people to enter salvation from hell (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, John 3:36). So a shut door can represent people not being able to enter salvation (Luke 13:25-27, Matthew 25:10-13) and an open door can represent people being able to enter salvation by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 14:27, Acts 26:17-18). An open door can also represent Christians being able to preach the saving Gospel of Jesus in a certain place (2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3, Revelation 3:8; 1 Corinthians 16:9).
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*Revelation 3:21b / *Rev. 3:21b -
(Re: Does Jesus receive His throne after the Millennium?)
No, for the resurrected Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:18) was already sitting on God's throne in heaven at the time that the book of Revelation was written down (Revelation 3:21b) in 95 AD, near the end of Domitian's reign (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5:30:3c). But Jesus' future, Millennial reign on the earth with the physically resurrected Church will not begin until after His future, Second Coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29).
(See the "After the Second Coming" section of Revelation 20:4 below)
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*Revelation 4:1 / *Rev. 4:1 -
This refers only to the apostle John, by himself, making an only-temporary visit up to the third heaven at one point during his lifetime in the first century AD, just as 2 Corinthians 12:2 refers only to the apostle Paul, by himself, making an only-temporary visit up to the third heaven at one point during his lifetime in the first century AD. Neither verse refers to the future rapture of the Church only as high as the clouds of the sky (the first heaven) to hold a meeting in the air with Jesus Christ at His Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6).
Also, no significance should be read into the fact that the specific word "church" is mentioned many times in Revelation chapters 1-3 but not mentioned again until Revelation 22, just as no significance should be read into the fact that the specific word "church" is mentioned many times in Romans 16 but not mentioned in Romans chapters 1 to 15. The reason why the word "church" is mentioned many times in Revelation chapters 1-3 is because those chapters refer to seven, literal, first century AD local church congregations in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11), which is today western Turkey.
The Church in the general sense will definitely be in the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24, for Christians will definitely be in it (Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4, Matthew 24:9-13) and there are no Christians outside of the Church (Ephesians 4:4-6). Also, just as the mistaken, pre-tribulation rapture view admits that Revelation chapters 19 to 22 include references to the Church without using the specific word "church", so it should be able to admit that Revelation chapters 6 to 18 can include references to the Church without using the specific word "church".
(See Matthew 24:31 above, and the "Tribulation saints?" section of Matthew 24(space) above)
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(After this)
In Revelation 4:1, "after this" means after the apostle John had been instructed in Revelation chapters 2-3 what to write to seven, literal, first century AD local church congregations in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11), which is today western Turkey.
(See also the "After this" section of Revelation chapters 6 to 22 (Overview) below)
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(Re: An open door)
Some people try to connect the door in heaven, opened for the apostle John in Revelation 4:1, with the open door set before the first century AD local church in the city of Philadelphia in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 3:8, Revelation 1:11). But the latter door was not in heaven, but on the earth, just as the open doors set before the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12 and Colossians 4:3 were on the earth. Revelation 3:8, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12 and Colossians 4:3 refer figuratively to God opening to Christians an opportunity to evangelize in a certain place on the earth. Contrast what Acts 16:7 says.
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*Revelation 4:2 / *Rev. 4:2 -
(A throne was set in heaven)
God could have set up His throne in heaven as soon as He created heaven, for He was already sitting on His throne in heaven in ancient times (1 Kings 22:19, Psalms 11:4), whereas Revelation 4 is about "things which must be hereafter" (Revelation 4:1). Also, the original Greek verb (keimai: G2749) translated as "set" in Revelation 4:2 does not have to refer to the initial establishment of God's throne in heaven but can simply refer to the apostle John in the first century AD seeing it already established there, just as, for example, the same Greek verb is used in Revelation 21:16 to refer to how the already-existing, literal city of New Jerusalem in heaven "lieth foursquare" in the sense of its foundation having four corners.
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*Revelation 4:3 / *Rev. 4:3 -
Here the original Greek word (sardinos: G4555) translated as "sardine" stone means the precious stone called sardine or sardius, which is a red stone (Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary). So Revelation 4:3 means that God, on His throne in heaven, appears red. This could mean not as an apple appears red, but as fire, or something so hot that it glows, can appear red. And Jesus Christ, who sits at God the Father's right hand (1 Peter 3:22, Hebrews 12:2), appears the same way (Revelation 1:15, Revelation 2:18b), just as could God's Holy Spirit (Revelation 4:5b). And Revelation 4:3b means that around their throne in heaven is a rainbow of emerald-colored (that is, green) light. So this is a glorious way in which we can envision God, when we are worshipping Him or praying to Him.
Regarding Revelation 4:3's use of "jasper", compare what Revelation 21:11 says.
(Also, compare paragraph 2 of Ezekiel 1(space) above)
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*Revelation 4:4 / *Rev. 4:4 -
(*24 elders)
The 24 elders (Revelation 4:4) could be 24 chief angels who, along with the four beasts/seraphims, have been worshipping God continually (as in 24 hours a day) for untold ages (Revelation 4:8-11, Isaiah 6:2-3). Just as the ancient Jewish temple on earth was modeled after the temple in heaven (Hebrews 9:23-24, Hebrews 8:5), so the 24 courses of the ancient Jewish priests on earth (1 Chronicles 24:7-18) could have been modeled after the 24 elders in heaven. God could have also patterned the 24 hours of the day on earth after the 24 elders in heaven. And He could have also patterned the Church's twelve tribes of Israel and its twelve apostles (Revelation 21:9,12,14, Matthew 19:28), together forming the number 24, after the 24 elders in heaven.
At the time of Revelation 5:8-9 the 24 elders and the four beasts/seraphims could be singing before God the prayers of the Church (Revelation 5:8c), just as subsequently we see an angel offering before God the prayers of the Church (Revelation 8:4). So in Revelation 5:9 the 24 elders and the four beasts/seraphims can be singing words which do not apply to themselves, just as humans on earth can sing words which do not apply to themselves (for example, James Taylor singing the words of the song "Millworker", which he wrote as a lament by a female millworker living in the nineteenth century).
Also, the 24 elders wearing crowns (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, for if even the weird locust-like beings and the devil can wear crowns (Revelation 9:7, Revelation 12:3,9), then some angels can wear crowns.
Also, the 24 elders wearing white clothing (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, for angels can wear white clothing (Revelation 15:6, John 20:12).
Also, the 24 elders sitting on thrones (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, for if even the devil can sit on a throne (Revelation 2:13, Revelation 13:2b), then some angels can sit on thrones.
Also, the 24 elders being called "elders" (Revelation 4:4) does not forbid them (as is sometimes claimed) from being angels, even though angels do not age. For they can be a special group of elder angels in the sense of them having been created sometime before other angels.
It is sometimes claimed that the 24 elders cannot be angels because no other part of the Bible ever refers to angels as "elders". But this...
(See "argument is like" under Daniel 11:37 above...)
Similarly, Revelation can be the only place where "elders" refers to angels.
It is sometimes claimed that the 24 elders cannot be angels because they wear crowns of victory. But in Revelation 4:4 the original Greek word (stephanos: G4735) translated as crowns does not have to always refer to a crown of victory but can sometimes refer to a crown signifying "honor generally" (Strong's Greek Dictionary). Also, angels can win victories (Revelation 12:7-9) and so they can wear crowns of victory.
It is sometimes claimed that the 24 elders cannot be angels because they perform physical acts (Revelation 4:10). But angels can perform physical acts, like how the two angels who rescued Lot and his family grabbed their hands to hasten them out of Sodom before its destruction by God (Genesis 19:1,16).
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*Revelation 4:5 / *Rev. 4:5 -
(*7 Spirits)
Just as the one God is at the same time three Persons (Matthew 28:19), so the one Holy Spirit of God could at the same time be seven Spirits of God (Revelation 1:4, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 4:5, Revelation 5:6). These could be the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel, the Spirit of might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
Someone might ask: "So there are seven Holy Spirits?". The answer would be no, just as there are not three Gods. Instead, just as the three Persons of the Trinity are one God, so the seven Spirits of God could be the one Holy Spirit. Just as the Father is the one God (Ephesians 4:6) and the Son is the one God (Hebrews 1:8) and the Holy Spirit is the one God (Acts 5:3-4), so the Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17), and the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8), and the Spirit of understanding (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Exodus 31:3), and the Spirit of counsel (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Isaiah 30:1), and the Spirit of might (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16), and the Spirit of knowledge (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8), and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2) would be the one Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
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(Re: Things patterned after the seven lamps/Spirits)
See paragraph 3 of Exodus 25:9 above.
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