Revelation
The beauty of the New Jerusalem
One of the angels invited John to view the New Jerusalem in greater detail (v. 9). He was transported by the Spirit to a special place where he could view the Holy City (v. 10). The overall impression is described as a huge, brilliant jewel (v. 11). However, it is evident that his description …
The Beast and His Armies Defeated
A description is given of the most frightening holocaust in human history, the Battle of Armageddon (vv. 17-21). The name “Armageddon” means that mount of slaughter. The place is in Palestine on the edge of the plain of Esdraelon. The participants are several hostile groups led …
The Persecuted Church at Smyrna
The letter to Smyrna, the shortest of the seven letters, was written to Christians being persecuted not only by pagan Gentiles but also by hostile Jews and by Satan himself. Smyrna, a large city, rebuilt by Alexander the Great, was wealthy and famous…
The Church at Pergamos Was Worldly
Pergamos was the capital of a Roman province located about 55 miles north of Smyrna and was known for its learning, science and especially medicine. Like Ephesus and Smyrna, it was a wealthy city but was stooped in idolatry and was averse to any Christian life and testimony. It …
The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall
The fall of commercial Babylon is covered in this passage. The context of chapter 18 with its many references to the kings and merchants and commerce shows that, in this setting, Babylon is viewed in her political, economic, and commercial character, rather than in her religious…
Four characters of good and evil
Chapter 12 is made up of symbolism. It opens with the symbol of a woman and describes four characters of both good and evil during the end times: 1. The Woman, Israel (vv. 1-2) – This woman who is clothed with the sun, with the moon under …