JOHN'S APOCALYPSE PART TWO – Apocalyptic Symbolism
HOW THINGS WORK - BOOK II SCIENCE & RELIGION – CONSIDERATION #155 (Special Edition)
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Tuesday September 24, 2024
“Peace has come - but the Four Horsemen will still ravage humanity - stirring unrest in the world - until all hatred is dead and only love reigns in the heart of mankind.”
– Tchernoff (The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse)
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
The apocalyptic style of writing used by John heavily relies on abstract numeric symbolism. For example, the number seven is a very symbolic number in the Book of Revelation, symbolizing a state of completeness. God completed the universe in seven days, which included a day of rest. Therefore, seven, or the Sabbath, is a symbol of “divine” completeness. In the Hebrew tradition all numbers have meaning, and some numbers are considered “perfect” numbers; seven is considered one of the perfect numbers in Jewish tradition.
“According to Hebrew tradition every number has a symbolic significance. Three, seven, ten, and twelve are known as the "perfect" numbers. Seven is the second perfect number signifying fullness and perfection, especially spiritual perfection. It is the number of the Holy Spirit. There are 55 sevens, and 5 sevenths, 5x7 (35) phrases of sevens in the Book of Revelation. The number 5 is also significant. In the symbolism of numbers in Scripture 5 is the number of grace.”
The List of Seven in Revelation – Agape Bible Study
The entire structure of Revelations is built on the fundamental symbolic principle of perfect completeness: Letters to Seven Churches, Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, Seven Conflicts between the Woman and the Dragon, Seven Heavenly Announcements, Seven Bowls, Seven Golden Lampstands, Seven Stars, Seven Thunders, Seven Mountains, and Seven Kings. In addition to multiple words and phrases that are repeated seven times, or a multiple of seven times, including: the Lord God Almighty, He who sits on the throne, Christ, Jesus, Lamb, Beatitudes, Peoples and Nations, The Spirit, Prophecy, Abyss, and Sickle.
“Nothing is accidental, unintentional, or inadvertent…”
The key thing to understand is, that much like classical music, apocalyptic writing is highly structured and stylized. Nothing is accidental, unintentional, or inadvertent; every word and phrase is used specifically to communicate a specific abstract understanding of divine intention; even the structure itself is based on symbolism and metaphor. The complexity involved in utilizing such a discipline of communication is extraordinary. And we will barely scratch the surface of it.
“…they reflect a divine pattern of eternal cyclical empirical events that will therefore be repeated…”
Another common number in Revelations is four. Although there are many metaphors associated with this number, it is likely that in terms of John’s vision it is connected to understanding the completeness of Passover. The number four reflects the four stages of redemption in Judaism; an appropriate allusion for John’s book of Revelation.
• Hotzeiti (הוֹצֵאתִי): I will bring out;
• Hitzalti (הִצַּלְתִּי): I will rescue;
• Ga’alti (גָאַלְתִּי): I will redeem; and
• Lakachti (לָקַחְתִּי): I will take.
Each of these, you guessed it, four phrases from the passage above describes a distinct stage of redemption. And emphasizing this number honors the story of Passover in its entirety.
– Robert Frucher, What’s the Significance of the Number 4? A Passover Mystery
The Book of Revelations is an apocalyptic letter written to seven specific churches designed to deal with specific issues occurring for them at the time. However, because of the nature of prophecy and the apocalyptic style of writing, they reflect a divine pattern of eternal cyclical empirical events that will therefore be repeated at some time in the future; thus, applying to the current situation at hand as well as to potential similar events that will inevitably come.
CONSIDERATION #155 – Apocalyptic Symbolism
John’s vision begins with Jesus explaining the meaning of the seven lampstands and the seven stars.
“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man… In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword…”
– Revelation 1:12-16
“The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
– Revelation 1:20
At this time, the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Nero had ended, however a new increasing persecution under the Emperor Domitian was replacing it. Jesus begins by pointing out problems with each of the seven churches, rejoicing in those standing firm in their faith, and cautioning those who were abandoning their faith. He warns that things are about to get worse, and that persecution and hardship will increase. The churches and their members must remain faithful during this time of increased persecution. A great battle between good and evil is about to take place and there will be rewards for those who remain faithful to the end; and consequences for those who do not.
“…the scroll symbolizes the Old Testament prophets and the vision for bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.”
John sees a vision of God holding a scroll sealed with seven wax seals, and a voice asking if there is anyone worthy enough to unseal the scroll. Basically, the scroll symbolizes the Old Testament prophets and the vision for bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Only Jesus, symbolized as a bloody sacrificed Lamb, has the power to open the scroll and fulfill the prophecies. This symbolism demonstrates that the prophecies of the Old Testament had been fulfilled through the final sacrificial atonement of Jesus, the Lamb, who overcomes his enemies by conquering death.
“‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders…
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation…– Revelation 5:2-9
The first four seals release the four horsemen of the apocalypse: a white horse (Conquest), a red horse (War), a black horse (Famine), and a pale horse (Death). The fifth seal represents the martyrs killed in Christ’s name, the sixth seal releases a series of disasters, the seventh seal manifests seven angels with seven trumpets breaking the silence of heaven by heralding seven judgements upon the earth.
“Like Jesus, to conquer your enemies you must not conquer them through violence, but through love and sacrifice.”
The ultimate symbolic message of this apocalypse, or revelation, is that there will be a great war between the sons of light (good) and the sons of darkness (evil), however that war will not be won through violent confrontation; it will be won through the sacrifice of the sons of light, or faithful Christians. Like Jesus, to conquer your enemies you must not conquer them through violence, but through love and sacrifice. However, that sacrifice will not only conquer your enemies, but it will also conquer death and re-establish the unity between God and Mankind.
“Jesus overcame his enemies not only by dying for them, but also by redeeming them through his sacrifice.”
This is the essential concept and message behind the “non-violent” resistance and protest movements utilized by Gandhi in gaining Indian independence and practiced by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. Their followers were not allowed to “fight back” against their enemy. The only weapon they had was the weapon of truth and “peaceful resistance” to what was not the truth. Which was ultimately successful in both cases. People began to recognize their cause because they began to recognize the suffering they were willing to endure for it.
Jesus overcame his enemies not only by dying for them, but also by redeeming them through his sacrifice. They come to see the truth through that sacrifice, breaking the “eternal pattern” of violence and retribution. You show them the truth by “living,” and even “dying,” for the truth; this is how the recognition of good is established in the world. However, those who cannot embrace this truth cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven, or the New Jerusalem, which is about to be established on earth.
POSTSCRIPT
John’s vision is revealed through three cycles of seven divine judgements: seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. Each set of judgements reflect a unique symbolic interpretation regarding how the Kingdom of Heaven will be manifested on earth; however, they all reach the same ultimate apocalyptic conclusion.
“The sixth seal brings a series of unique disasters often referred to as The Day of the Lord…”
The first four seals release the four horsemen of the apocalypse who symbolize a time of war, conquest, famine, and death: events repeating themselves throughout human history and likely into the future. The four horsemen is also a reference to the first chapter of Zechariah in the Old Testament. The fifth seal reveals Christian martyrs crying out for judgement and resolution for their innocent blood, but they are told to rest a little longer. More Christians must first join them in martyrdom before the final resolution can occur. The sixth seal brings a series of unique disasters often referred to as “The Day of the Lord,” including a massive earthquake, a total solar eclipse, a blood-red moon, meteors falling from the sky, and unusual weather, resulting in widespread panic.
“The number twelve is considered a ‘perfect’ number in Judaism reflecting divine order, or perfect government.”
Before opening the final seal, John sees an angel with a “signet ring” who places a mark of protection on the servants of God who are enduring hardship and persecution on earth. He “hears” the number of those who are sealed: 144,000. This number represents a “military census” such as referred to in chapter one in the Book of Numbers from the Old Testament. The number also represents 12,000 people from each of the 12 tribes of Israel equaling 144,000. The number twelve is considered a “perfect” number in Judaism reflecting divine order, or perfect government. The twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles for example. Our own current use of twelve jurors for a trial reflects this ancient tradition.
“They are now conquerors… because they suffered and died for their enemy’s redemption…”
The number that John “hears” symbolizes a “military” number that infers an army. However, what John “sees” in his vision suggests a very different kind of army. What he sees is a “great multitude” from “every nation, tribe, people and language,” standing with “the Lamb”, before the throne of God. The diverse and unified “army” of Jesus is composed of the martyrs who sacrificed themselves for their enemies in the name of the Lamb, or Jesus. They are now “conquerors,” not because they violently killed and overcame their enemy, but because they suffered and died for their enemy’s redemption, just like Jesus, or the Lamb. Thus breaking the eternal pattern of endless violence and retribution.
“Fire and smoke taken from an altar of incense symbolizes the pleas of the martyrs…”
The seventh seal is broken, and seven warning trumpets appear, foreshadowing the next set of seven judgements. Fire and smoke taken from an altar of incense symbolizes the pleas of the martyrs, which is cast upon the earth bringing the “Day of the Lord” to an end. Also bringing the first apocalyptic explanation to an end; while simultaneously introducing the next apocalyptic interpretation, the seven trumpets.
Next week we will complete our consideration of the Biblical narrative with the conclusion to our consideration of the Book of Revelations…
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