Revelation

An exegetical study through the book of Revelation from a partial preterist perspective.

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The Ram of God and His locusts (9:1-21)

Jesus gives the command, and the Roman army (locusts) under 4 generals (angels) are unleashed on 1st century Israel to execute God's judgement for Israel breaking covenant. No, the 200 million isn't literal. Yes, the 'earth' refers to the land of Israel. No, the 3 plagues aren't literal either. No, they didn't repent when facing God's wrath.

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Opening prayer

What people think is significant about Revelation often overrides the straightforward meaning of the text. People see what they want to see when they read it instead of what's there.

The Ram of God: Genesis 22:13

Jesus is the breaker (head ram) of the flock (Micah 2:12-13)

Our text

The reason we have to stick with the biblical view of Revelation.

The ten tribes were dispersed, intermixed, and came back as the Samaritans. The northern tribes were given 490 years (Daniel's 70 weeks) to get their act together before the messiah came. When Jesus came, Israel rejected Him, and thus began the countdown to Israel's complete and permanent destruction (according to Deuteronomy 28).

Revelation is almost entirely fulfilled in the past. Revelation is not a linear book, the events aren't chronological. It often repeats the same picture over and over again.

We might have a hard time with God's wrath, but Jesus and the Bible both find the justice of God praiseworthy, awesome, and glorious.

Revelation 9:1. This fallen star is Satan. This same event is repeated 3 times in Revelation (Revelation 12:3-4, 7-9), all of which are in the past.

Revelation 9:2-5 -- this spiritual blindness is from God so that they would all be condemned. We aren't just to believe, but to love the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Jesus saw this facet of God--how He hides truth from those He intends to judge. He sees it, and glorifies God for it. He celebrates it in praise and worship, and so should we. (Luke 10:21-23, Isa 45:7, Amos 3:6)

The Locusts in this passage are a symbol for the invading gentile army of the Romans. This is clear if you look at figurative usages elsewhere in scripture (Joel 2:25, Judges 6:5, Jeremiah 51, Nahum 3, etc).

The Babylonian Talmud backs up the interpretation of these locusts as being an invading gentile army.

The Roman Army and the siege of Jerusalem

Revelation 9:7-12 -- 'like...like...like...', this is all figurative.

Revelation 9:13-19 -- the four angels, the 200 million, and their horses were the 'army from beyond the Euphrates' (Isa. 5, 7, 8, 14, Jer. 1, 4, 6, 10, 13, Eze 38, Joel 2)

Revelation 9:20-21 -- lesson take-aways: tribulation will always be, it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance, and we must be careful to avoid idolatry.

Closing Prayer

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Homework Documents

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