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Posted on CCPC's website 2022
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.
1
Once again, there is no pause. John looks and sees another sign in heaven...
“mega kai thaumaston” (great and wonderful) seven angels having “plegas hepta” (plagues / afflictions seven) - (text break) “tes eschatas” (the last), “hoti en autais etelesthe ho thymos tou Theou” (because in them, accomplishes the passionate wrath of GOD).
2
Now he sees something else...
“hos thalassan hyalinen” (something like a sea of glass) “memigmenen pyri” (mixed with fire), and those who “nikontas” (conquered / were victorious over) the beast / its image / and its number, were “hestotas” (standing) on the sea of glass, having the “kitharas” (harps / lyres) of God.
3
And “adousin” (are singing) the “oden Mouseos” (song of Moses), the “doulou tou Theou” (slave of God), and the song of the “Arniou” (Lamb), saying: “Megala kai thaumasta” (Great and marvelous / wonderful) the “erga sou” (works of You), Lord God Almighty, “dikaiai kai alethinai hai hodoi sou” (innocent /holy (righteous) and true) are the “hodoi” (way / path / means) of you, “ho Basileus ton ethnon” (oh, Sovereign of the nations).
You'll find the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. But then there is another possible Song of Moses in an Apocryphal book called the Assumption or Testament of Moses (which contains the legend referred to by Jude in his book), there's another poem beginning at verse 10, see link below.
As for the Song of the Lamb, see Psalm 22.
4
Who is “ou” (absolute negative) “me” (negative) “phobethe” (fearful awe) of you, “Kyrie” (oh, Lord), and “doxasei” (will honor / glorify) the “onoma sou” (name of You)? “Hoti monos hosios” (you solitary hallowed (beloved of God)). For all the “ethne” (foreign nations) “hexousin” (will arrive) and “proskynesousin” (will fall down and worship) before You because of the “dikaiomata” (deeds) you “ephanerothesan” (have made known / made clear).
The double negative in the Greek re-inforces the statement.
5 and 6
And again, John looks and....
... “enoige” (opened up) “naos tes skenes tou martyriou” (shrine of the temple of the testimony (what is implied is the Holy of Holies)) in “ourano” (heaven). And comes out “hepta angeloi” (seven angels) having the seven “plegas” (plagues) of the temple, having been clothed in “linon katharon lampron” (linen clean radient), “periezosmenoi” (a belt wrapped around) a golden sash across their chests.
Somehow the 1611 has the idea that the angels are wearing 'girdles (what we'd now call a corset or tight vest)' on their chests.
7
One of the four beasts gives the seven angels “hepta phialas chrysas” (seven 'shallow' bowls of gold) “gemousas” (brimming full) of “thymou tou Theou” (passionate wrath of GOD), the One “zontos eis tous aionas ton aionon” (alive for perpetuity into perpetuity).
8
And “egemisthe” (completely filled (full and running over)) was the temple with “kapnou ek tes doxes” (smoke from the glory) of God, and from the “dynameos autou” (power of Him); and “oudeis edynato eiselthein” (none had the power to enter) the temple until “telesthosin” were completed the seven plagues of the seven angels.
End 15
Selected Sources for this chapter:
The Assumption (Ascension) of Moses, also known as The Testament of Moses http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2124
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.
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