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Posted on CCPC's website 2025
Again. This study is verse by verse, IMAGE by Image, IDEA by Idea, and concept by concept. Which means it is a Marathon.
We are using sources that John the Apostle and those mentioned as the recipients of the letter, the Seven Churches and other First Century Christians, the majority of which were Jews, would / should / could have been familiar with. We will also reference newer translations and versions of the book, beginning with the 1560 Geneva Bible (the bulk source for the 1611 KJV, which we also use) all the way up to much more current publications, and examinations of the text from various scholars, as well as beginning the analysis of the text from the Greek.
It should be said here, as we are beginning with the Greek, we are going in remembering that John was writing in an 'apocalyptic' style. It seems many translations have forgotten that and 'moderated' the language.
1there is no break in the action, John immediately sees something else to write about...
and I looked... "idou To Arnion" (behold The Lamb) was standing upon "oros Sion" (Mount Zion, one of the seven hills on which Jerusalem was built, southwest of Mount Moriah the Temple Mount. Has also been used to refer to historical Israel, as well as the Jewish people by extension).
And with Him was another appearance of 144,000 people who had the Name of His Father "gegrammenon" (written) on their foreheads. This may or may not be related to the other 144,000, or instead be the people mentioned in 3 : 12, or perhaps a different group all together because the word is 'written' not 'branded' or 'sealed'. (they are identified later)
2
Then John hears a "phonen / phone" (language - voice), and as with everything else in Revelation, it is loud, the "phonen" (sound) of "hydaton pollon" (waters many) and "brontes megales" (thunder loud).
Then he restates it, the voices were like "kitharodon kitharizonton" (the root word of both terms is 'kithara' which is a lyre or harp, the second form is the one who plays it and sings). So you have a powerful voice that sounds like music.
3
And "adousin" (they (the voice) sing) as a "oden kainen" (chant / song new) before the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. And no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who were "egorasmenoi" (purchased / redeemed) from the Earth.
4 and 5
But this 144,000 is not a curtain call by the first group, which is identified as the redeemed of Israel, see chapter seven verse four and following. And the 1611 may have some translation issues.
It is they who have not with "gynaikon ouk emolynthesan" (women been defiled); (semicolon), for they are "parthenoi" (virgin also maidens ('unmarried daughters')), (comma) these "akolouthountes" (following) the Arnio (Lamb) "hopou an hypage" (wherever He shall go).
Yes, it is the line from Mary had a little lamb, but in reverse.
These have been "egorasthesan" (purchased / redeemed, same root as in verse 3) out from humanity the "aparche" (firstfruits) to God and the Lamb.
And in the mouth of none of them was found "pseudos" (falsehood, includes false religion). They are "amomoi" (unblemished / faultless) "enopion" (in the presence of) the Throne of GOD.
First fruits is a reference to the sacrifice to GOD going all the way back to Genesis 4, and to the command in Exodus 23, Leviticus 2: 12, and so on. In the New Testament we see the firstfruits of the spirit in Romans 8: 23 and mentioned in Romans 16 as well.
It is also clear that this group is NOT the 144,000 of Israel.
The 1611 uses the word 'guile', for "pseudos". The meaning of that term in period language would be better rendered as 'duplicity', which fits. For us: 'lies' and 'deceptions' work as well.
6 and 7
John sees "allos" (another) angel "petomenon mesouranemati" (flying in the middle of heaven) having "euangelion aionion euangelisai" (glad tidings (good news) perpetual / eternal to announce) to those "kathemenous" (residing) on the Earth and upon every "ethnos phylen glossan laon" (nation, race, language, people, )...
... "legon" (calling out) in a phone megale (voice loud), "Phobethete" ('hold in reverence') "ton" (the) "Theon" (GOD), "kai dote auto doxan" (and give HIM glory / honor), because the "hora" (hour) "tes kriseos" (of judgment) of Him.
And worship / pay homage to the ONE that made heaven, the land, and the sea, and "pegas hydaton" (springs of fresh water)
8
John keeps counting angels, and these are also making an announcement.
And "allos angelos" (another angel), "deuteros ekolouthesen" (a second followed), saying "Epesen" (fallen) Babylon (the word is the same, can also mean tyranny) the "megale" (great), who the "oinou tou thymou" (wine of wrath) for the "porneias" (harlotry / idolatry) of her, "pepotiken" (she has caused) the Gentiles to drink.
These are simply documented as 'angels', they are not 'mighty' or 'strong' or holding a trumpet or anything else of note. They're just Standard Issue Angels. Literally: messengers of God who are delivering a message.
9 through 11
And, third angel says "Ei tis" (if someone / anyone) "proskynei" (prostrates to / bows to / worships) the "therion" (beast) and "eikona autou" (likeness / image) and lambanei charagma (gets the mark) on the metopou (forehead) or cheira (hand)...
The next line from the Greek in 10:
... will drink the "oinos" (wine) of the "thumos" (indignation / rage (righteous anger)) of GOD "kekerasmenou akratou" (mixed without diluting (pure)) "poterio" (cup) of "orges" (wrath into punishment / justice from violent passion) of "autou" (Him) and "basanisthesetai" (examined under torture /torment) with "pyri "(fire) and theio (sulphr/ 'brimstone') and the angelon hagion (angels holy) and before the Arniou (Lamb).
And the "kapnos" (smoke) of the "basanismou auton" (torture (agony) of them) for "aionas aionon" (ages of ages) "anabainei" (rises / goes up) and they have no "anapausin" (respite / refreshment / ceasing) day or night, those that worship the beast, the image, or receive the mark.
The "wine of the wrath of God" showed up on the drinks menu for the Prophet Jeremiah. See chapter 25 of his book, where, beginning in verse 15, he's told to deliver it. You can also find references to it in Psalm 75, Isaiah 51, and Obadiah.
12
Here the "hupomone" (perseverance / steadfastness / endurance) of those "hagios" (set apart / sacred) is those "tereo" (keeping / observing / guarding) the "entole" (commandments / instructions) of "Theos" (GOD) and the "pistis" (faith / belief / confidence / fidelity) of "Iesous" (Jesus).
The NIV says it nicely:
"This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus."
This indicates once again that there Will Be those that Believe In GOD alive on the planet right in the middle of all of the listed festivities in Revelation. We are over halfway through the book, and some member of The Church, are still here! As for any remaining faithful Jews, at this point, we don't know.
13
A unidentified voice from heaven tells him to "grapho" (write): "Makarioi" (fortunate / 'to be envied') the "nekroi" (dead) in 'the' "Kyrio" (Lord (refers to both GOD and Jesus with one word)) "apothneskontes" (dying / perishing (from all causes, not just martyrdom)) from now on. "Nai" (Yes / truly) says "Pneuma" (Breath (of life) / the Spirit) so they "anapauo" (will rest / be refreshed) from their "kopon" (labors) and their "ergon" (acts / works / labors) will "akoloutheo" (follow / accompany) them.
14
And again, there is no break, John looks and ...
"idou" (behold) a "nephele leuke"(cloud white) and on the cloud is "kathemenon" ('One' (implied) is enthroned) "homoion" (like) "huion anthropou" (The Son of Man), having on His head a "chrysoun" (golden) crown, "drepanon" (sickle or reaping /gathering hook (a type of hand sickle, not a scythe)) "oxy" sharp).
15
And another angel comes out of the "naou" (temple / shrine) "krazon" (shrieking / shouting) "en phone megale" (in voice loud) to the One on the cloud, put forth your sickle and "therison" (harvest / reap) for the time has come and because the harvest is "exeranthe" (died up (ripe for picking)).
This verse does not state that the temple the angel was in was the one in heaven earlier, although that makes sense. The overall scene has not changed, and the temple was said to be open. Some of the translations add the information that this is the temple 'upstairs'.
16
And "ballo" (throw / cast) the One on the cloud His sickle "epi ten ge" (upon the Earth/land) and "therizo" ('was' harvested) the earth.
The text does not say who on Earth was harvested by the One identified as crowned The Son Of Man. And the next few verses do little to clarify that detail, except, for verse 13 which we just looked at moments ago. Those that maintained their faith unto death, will rest from their labors. If HE is harvesting the remaining believers, dead or alive, they are going to their rest, and by extension, reward.
This is the First Harvest of the Earth. And it implies that Christ is gathering those that are His. Stand by for the second harvest.
17
And another angel came out of the temple "en to ourano" (in the heaven), he already has his own sharp sickle.
And now we know where the temple was from the original text.
18
And another angel came out of the "thysiasterion" (altar), having "exousia" (mastery / influence) over "pur / pyros" (fire in all forms), he shouts loudly to the angel with the sickle to put forth his sickle and "trygeson" (gather fruit) the "botryas tes ampelou" (clusters from the vines) of the earth, because "ekmasan hai staphylai autes" (have fully ripened the grapes of it).
Next is a fascinating set of verses. For one thing, at this point we do not know who the 'grapes' are, only that they are Not believers, and given what happens to them, well, it's not good. They are likely to be the followers of the beast, which we will explain in a minute.
19 and 20 The Second 'Harvest'.
The angel puts forth his gathering hook and "etrygesen ten ampelon" (collected the vintage from the vine) of the earth, and "ebalen" (dropped) them into the "lenon tou" (wine press) of the "thymou tou Theou" wrath of GOD) "tou megan" (the great (is modifying all the above)).
And "epatethe" (trampled) wine press "exothen tes poleos" (outside the city), and "exelthen haima" (flowed blood) out of the press "achri ton chalinon ton hippon" (up to the bridles of the horses) "apo stadion" (the distance of 'stadia' / 185 meters / 607 feet / 1611 'furlongs') 1600 (approximately 300 kilometers / 200 miles).
Remember verses eight and ten of this chapter? Those that follow the Beast, and apparently his friends, will "drink of the cup of the Wrath of GOD" How better to 'drink' that wine than to be made into it?
End 14
Greek Lyres. http://crab.rutgers.edu/~pbutler/greeklyre.html
A page that discusses the First Fruits offering https://get.tithe.ly/blog/first-fruit
Sources used throughout entire study:
Bible Hub Interlinear pages:
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/revelation/1.htm
the Geneva Bible downloadable https://archive.org/details/TheGenevaBible1560
the 1611 KJV https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1611-Bible/
NOTE: The Bible Study Lesson presented above is posted as a reference document to begin a conversation of the topic. And that's it. Please accept it at such.
http://centralparkchurchofchrist.org
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