Last post we finished with the following structure:
angel from heaven having the key to the bottomless pit (vss. 9:1-11)
army (στράτευμα) (vs. 9:16)
the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit (vs. 11:7)
------------------
the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit (vs.17:8)
army (στράτευμα) (vss. 19:14,19)
angel from heaven having the key to the bottomless pit (vs. 20:1-3)
What else can be said of this structure? What else can be added to it?
Look at Revelation 11:13 and 16:18,19.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the [great (vs.8)] city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
angel from heaven having the key to the bottomless pit (vss. 9:1-11)
army (στράτευμα) (vs. 9:16)
the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit (vs. 11:7)
fall of the great city (vs. 11:13)
------------------
fall of the great city (vs. 16:18,19)
the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit (vs.17:8)
army (στράτευμα) (vss. 19:14,19)
angel from heaven having the key to the bottomless pit (vs. 20:1-3)
To be continued...
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Christ and His Army: part of a bigger picture - Part 1
Pick up a Greek concordance to the New Testament, for example The Englishman's Greek Concordance of the New Testament, and look up the word αβυσσος, abussos, Strong #12. Here is what the entry looks like in The Englishman's Greek Concordance of the New Testament, 6th ed., London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1870, page 1.
Now look up the word, στράτευμα, stratūma, Strong #4753. Here is that entry from The Englishman's Greek Concordance, p. 700.
Look at the occurrence/distribution of both words in the book of Revelation. Doesn't that look odd? Here is what you will see.
αβυσσος: vss. 9:1,2,11
στράτευμα: vs. 9:16
αβυσσος: vs. 11:7
------------------
αβυσσος: vs.17:8
στράτευμα: vss. 19:14,19
αβυσσος: vss. 20:1,3
This structure is called a chiasm. Lest you think this is a coincidence look up Revelation 9:1,11 and 20:1
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. ... 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
(The angel of verse 11 is the star of verse 1. You can see this is so by Revelation 1:20 and also by the chiastic structure of verses 9:1-11.)
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
So an angel coming from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit! Now look up Revelation 11:7 and 17:8.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
A beast that ascends from the bottomless pit! Coincidence I think not!!
To be continued...
Friday, 26 July 2013
Jesus Christ Our High-Priest and the Sabbath
I was reading Hebrews 3 and 4 and was struck by the imagery given which I had not seen previously. (I have high lighted the most pertinent passages if you wish to just scan through the text.)
[ch. 2] ... 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. [ch. 3] 1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. [ch. 4] 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Key Points/Imagery:
1. our high priest, Jesus Christ (vss. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14,15)
2. the Sabbath (vs. 4:4)
3. double edged sword (vs. 4:12)
4. piercing eyes (vs. 4:13)
Where in all scripture do we have similar imagery... because we do? Revelation 1!
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
The Corresponding Key Points/Imagery
1. "the Lord's Day" - by the Bibles own definition this is the Sabbath (see Matthew 12:8; Isaiah 58:13).
2. "in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle" - in commenting upon these verses both the commentators Matthew Henry and Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown say that Christ here appears as our high-priest.
3. "his eyes were as a flame of fire" - piercing eyes... this fits the description... eyes before which "all things are naked and opened."
4. "out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword" - an exact correspondence, even placing the Word in Christ's mouth.
So in fact, according to Revelation, the imagery of Hebrews can be boiled down to two: Christ, the Word, our high-priest and the Sabbath, His day. An interesting parallel exists to this scene, this appearance of Christ as our high-priest on His holy Sabbath day, which reinforces the interpretation of the Lord's Day as the Sabbath. This can be seen in Daniel 10.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Corresponding Imagery to Revelation 1
1. "clothed in linen" vs "clothed with a garment down to the foot"
2. "loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz" vs "girt about the paps with a golden girdle"
3. "his face as the appearance of lightning" vs "his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength"
4. "his eyes as lamps of fire" vs "his eyes were as a flame of fire"
5. "his feet like in colour to polished brass" vs "his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace"
6. "the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude" vs "his voice as the sound of many waters"
Where is the Sabbath in this text? According to Shea, the close connection between verses 2-3 and 4 make it highly probable that Daniel's "three full weeks" came to an end on the 24th of the first month when he was at the river. Now full weeks come to an end on the seventh-day of the week, the Sabbath or our present day Saturday, and so from the text it is quite possible that Daniel had his vision of Christ on the Sabbath... however, if we take into account the parallel texts in Revelation and Hebrews (Christ, our High Priest and the Sabbath) it is not only possible that Daniel's vision of Christ occurred on the Sabbath, but it is for certain!!!
This triple occurrence of Christ as our high-priest in connection with his Sabbath in the books of Daniel, Revelation, and Hebrews begs the question: Why???
[ch. 2] ... 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. [ch. 3] 1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. [ch. 4] 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Key Points/Imagery:
1. our high priest, Jesus Christ (vss. 2:17; 3:1; 4:14,15)
2. the Sabbath (vs. 4:4)
3. double edged sword (vs. 4:12)
4. piercing eyes (vs. 4:13)
Where in all scripture do we have similar imagery... because we do? Revelation 1!
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
The Corresponding Key Points/Imagery
1. "the Lord's Day" - by the Bibles own definition this is the Sabbath (see Matthew 12:8; Isaiah 58:13).
2. "in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle" - in commenting upon these verses both the commentators Matthew Henry and Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown say that Christ here appears as our high-priest.
3. "his eyes were as a flame of fire" - piercing eyes... this fits the description... eyes before which "all things are naked and opened."
4. "out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword" - an exact correspondence, even placing the Word in Christ's mouth.
So in fact, according to Revelation, the imagery of Hebrews can be boiled down to two: Christ, the Word, our high-priest and the Sabbath, His day. An interesting parallel exists to this scene, this appearance of Christ as our high-priest on His holy Sabbath day, which reinforces the interpretation of the Lord's Day as the Sabbath. This can be seen in Daniel 10.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Corresponding Imagery to Revelation 1
1. "clothed in linen" vs "clothed with a garment down to the foot"
2. "loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz" vs "girt about the paps with a golden girdle"
3. "his face as the appearance of lightning" vs "his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength"
4. "his eyes as lamps of fire" vs "his eyes were as a flame of fire"
5. "his feet like in colour to polished brass" vs "his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace"
6. "the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude" vs "his voice as the sound of many waters"
Where is the Sabbath in this text? According to Shea, the close connection between verses 2-3 and 4 make it highly probable that Daniel's "three full weeks" came to an end on the 24th of the first month when he was at the river. Now full weeks come to an end on the seventh-day of the week, the Sabbath or our present day Saturday, and so from the text it is quite possible that Daniel had his vision of Christ on the Sabbath... however, if we take into account the parallel texts in Revelation and Hebrews (Christ, our High Priest and the Sabbath) it is not only possible that Daniel's vision of Christ occurred on the Sabbath, but it is for certain!!!
This triple occurrence of Christ as our high-priest in connection with his Sabbath in the books of Daniel, Revelation, and Hebrews begs the question: Why???
Why the Structure of Revelation 19:11-16? - Part 1
It has been established rather convincingly that there is a parallel structure in verses 11-16 of chapter 19, that verses 11-12 parallel verses 14-16. Here is the structure and its proofs as laid out in earlier posts.
But why does this structure exist? What is its purpose? These questions are a bit harder to answer. Note the following structure with respect to the subject of the text.
Doesn't the occurrence of army seem out of place in the structure when every thing else seems to be so Christ centered? Perhaps a closer look at verses 11 and 14 would be beneficial. (The highlighting used to establish the parallel structure has be carried over.)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ... 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Looking for "faithful and true" in the rest of Revelation, as well as "judge,"... both the phrase and idea/theme occur in the letter to the Laodiceans, vs. 1:14.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Jesus calls himself the "faithful and true witness", a very close parallel to "Faithful and True" and Laodicea means "a people judged" which parallels equally well with "judge".
Is it possible then that Christ's army consists of members from the church of Laodicea? It cannot be mere coincidence that the only characteristic given of the army (besides the fact that they are riding on white horses) concerns their clothing and one of Christ's chieftest rebukes/counsels to this church concerns clothing.
17 ... thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art ... naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me ... white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; ...
14 And the armies [thematic] which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean [vs. 8].
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness [vs. 8] he doth
judge and make war [thematic].
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:
16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS [title].
and his name is called The Word of God [title].
But why does this structure exist? What is its purpose? These questions are a bit harder to answer. Note the following structure with respect to the subject of the text.
vs. 14 - Army
vs. 11 - Christ
vs. 15a - Christ
vs. 12a - Christ
vs. 15b - Christ
vs. 12b - Christ
vs. 15c - Christ
vs. 13a - Christ
vs. 16 - Christ
vs. 13b - Christ
Doesn't the occurrence of army seem out of place in the structure when every thing else seems to be so Christ centered? Perhaps a closer look at verses 11 and 14 would be beneficial. (The highlighting used to establish the parallel structure has be carried over.)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ... 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Looking for "faithful and true" in the rest of Revelation, as well as "judge,"... both the phrase and idea/theme occur in the letter to the Laodiceans, vs. 1:14.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Jesus calls himself the "faithful and true witness", a very close parallel to "Faithful and True" and Laodicea means "a people judged" which parallels equally well with "judge".
Is it possible then that Christ's army consists of members from the church of Laodicea? It cannot be mere coincidence that the only characteristic given of the army (besides the fact that they are riding on white horses) concerns their clothing and one of Christ's chieftest rebukes/counsels to this church concerns clothing.
17 ... thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art ... naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me ... white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; ...
The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 5 (odds and ends)
A few odds and ends now before leaving this study of the structure of these verses.
Firstly, notice the rather simplistic thematic tie between verse 11 and verse 14: "war" vs. "armies".
Secondly, notice the perhaps more thought provoking occurrence of the word "righteousness" in verse 11 and the phrase "clothed in fine linen, white and clean" in verse 14. In verses 7 and, in particular, 8 we read,
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Not only does verse 8 once again establish the parallel structure of these verses, verses 11-16, but it also carries with it the possible implication that the members of Christ's army were once fallen beings, that their righteousness is something they have put on like clothing. This idea will be discussed further in a latter post.
So the final structure of Revelation 19:11-16 is,
Firstly, notice the rather simplistic thematic tie between verse 11 and verse 14: "war" vs. "armies".
Secondly, notice the perhaps more thought provoking occurrence of the word "righteousness" in verse 11 and the phrase "clothed in fine linen, white and clean" in verse 14. In verses 7 and, in particular, 8 we read,
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Not only does verse 8 once again establish the parallel structure of these verses, verses 11-16, but it also carries with it the possible implication that the members of Christ's army were once fallen beings, that their righteousness is something they have put on like clothing. This idea will be discussed further in a latter post.
So the final structure of Revelation 19:11-16 is,
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean [vs. 8].
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness [vs. 8] he doth
judge and make war.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:
16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
and his name is called The Word of God.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 4
Continuing on with the analysis of the text of Revelation 19:11-16...
The last major aspect that establishes the parallel structure of Revelation 19:11-16 is nothing other than simply noting that both the last portion of verse 13 and verse 16 contain a title.
The last major aspect that establishes the parallel structure of Revelation 19:11-16 is nothing other than simply noting that both the last portion of verse 13 and verse 16 contain a title.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:
16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
and his name is called The Word of God.
The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 3
Continuing on with the analysis of the text of Revelation 19:11-16...
Notice the imagery drawn from Isaiah 63:2- (red boxed in section).
Compare the high lighted texts (light blue and purple) with the text of Isaiah 63:
1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
Structure thus far...
Notice the imagery drawn from Isaiah 63:2- (red boxed in section).
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:
16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
and his name is called The Word of God.
Compare the high lighted texts (light blue and purple) with the text of Isaiah 63:
1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
Isaiah 63:1-6
Structure thus far...
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God [Isaiah 63:1-6].
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [Isaiah 63:1-6]:
16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
and his name is called The Word of God.
The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 2
Continuing on with the analysis of the text of Revelation 19:11-16...
Notice the references made to the letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3 (red boxed in section).
Compare the high lighted texts (green, orange, pink, and purple) with the letters to the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira:
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; ... 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; ... 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Structure thus far...
Notice the references made to the letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3 (red boxed in section).
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a
sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule
them with a rod of iron:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Compare the high lighted texts (green, orange, pink, and purple) with the letters to the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira:
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; ... 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:12-17
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; ... 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:18-29
Structure thus far...
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [op. desc., Perg.], that with it he should smite the nations:
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire [op. desc., Thy.], and on his head were many crowns;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [clos. prom., Thy.]:
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself [clos. prom., Perg].
and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
The Structure of Revelation 19:11-16 - Part 1
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Notice the use of unique words/phrases:
This is the first of several elements that establish a parallel structure in the text...
Revelation 19:11-16
Notice the use of unique words/phrases:
- "white horse": vs. 11, 14
- "heaven": vs. 11, 14
This is the first of several elements that establish a parallel structure in the text...
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a
sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule
them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and
on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head
were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he
himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his
name is called The Word of God.
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