Behind The Faith Revelation

By Tony Antonakis - Maritis

Behind the Faith Revelation, is an unapologetic verse by verse walk through the book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible. It addresses some hard questions of why Christians believe what they believe and what is the basis of the faith. This book travels throughout the Old and New testament, addressing issues rarely answered by the clergy. Can sin exist in Heaven? When is your salvation really perfected? Can a person who was in Heaven with Christ still go to Hell? Is there a sure fire way to get your prayers answered? The truth about Angels and Demons, ranks of Angels and their interactions with man. Who is on the Great White Throne? How many books are opened at the final judgment and what is in them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tony Antonakis - Maritis
• Release date: Jul 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311083593

Tony Antonakis - Maritis

Tony is an Executive Consultant for Research on Biblical Antiquities for Oxford Press and National Geographic. Tony writes for Got Questions, Medium, Savana East and is published by WIPF and Stock Publishers, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Tony has contributed research for the publications “Christianity” - The Holy Trinity Controversy by Millennium House, “Biblica" - The Revelation of John - Global Book Publishing, “The Search for King David” - National Geographic.

Book preview

Overview

The book of Revelation uses symbolic language of the period when John and the Apostles lived, around 90 A.D. The Koine Greek language, in which the book is originally written, is referred to as a picture language. The English Language is also considered a picture language, they use descriptive analogies and metaphors to describe events, not unlike the Egyptian hieroglyphs, but without the cartoons.

In providing any interpretation of scripture, a proper discipline of hermeneutics is applied. We will also, where necessary, consider the original meaning of the words in the original language to protect the contextual use and understanding of any precepts we apply to the writing. We make sure we are using an apple to apples correlation attempting to be as straight forward as possible.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive writing on Revelation, nor is it a scholarly work, so to speak.

This overview will provide some detail in order to simplify concepts expressed in the book. This does not mean that every mystery in the book can be explained, they cannot. Some of the aspects in the account are simply unknown, or the scripture does not reveal a hidden meaning. When this happens I will simply say, I don’t know or something to that effect.

About John

John wrote the Gospel of John, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Epistles of John and Revelation. Some scholars dispute this because of the way the books are written. The Gospel was written in what is considered perfect Greek, while the Epistles and Revelation, not so much. Revelation is considered to be written in a child-like manner by comparison, according to scholars who care about this factoid. These scholars discount the fact that the Gospel was written when John was in his early twenties, while Revelation was written when he was about a hundred years old. Not to mention the fact that he was writing all this during a vision of some pretty scary stuff.

The traditional view is that John is the author of all of it. He wrote the Gospel and the Epistles during the reign of Emperor Titus Flavius Domitian (24 Oct 51-18 Sept 96). He was the Roman Emperor from 14 September 81 until his death.

John wrote Revelation while he was in exile on the island of Patmos, a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea located between the Southern Balkan and Anatolian Peninsulas. Today, that would be between Greece and Turkey. The island was uninhabited from the sixth century A.D. until 1088 A.D.

John was known by many names or references to describe his work. Most came after his death in order to distinguish him in his role with the early church and his office as an Apostle and writer of the books later to be included in the Bible.

Many of John’s designations, were given to him posthumously by the Catholic Church:

- John the son of Zebedee (Mark 3:17)

- Saint John the Apostle – Canonized by the Catholic Church as a Saint

- The Disciple whom Jesus loved- John gave himself this designation as he and Jesus were friends (John 13:23, 19:26, 21:7, 20:3, 21:20)

- John the Evangelist – Writer of the Gospel of John

- John of Patmos – Because of he was exiled on Patmos

- John the Theologian – His insight in the gospel book of John

- John the Presbyter – As writer of the Epistles

- The Eagle – The Gospel writers are associated with a Cherub Angel that is described as the four living creatures because it has four faces. A lion, eagle, calf and a man (Rev 4:7)

- Eagle of Patmos

- John the Revelator – Writer of Revelations

- John the Seer – As one who has seen the future

- John the Divine – As recipient of the vision of Revelation

We should make note that the writers of the Gospels were not all Apostles. Matthew and John were, but not Luke or Mark. They wrote their books under the authority of Apostles. Luke was with Paul and Mark was with Peter. They operated sort of like secretaries, who wrote down what the Apostles told them. Except that in Luke’s case, he was part of an extension group that walked with Jesus from the beginning of Jesus’ walk from his baptism until his ascension, but he was not an Apostle. (Acts 1:21-26)

Paul was not among the original twelve Apostles. Neither was Matthias, who took Judas’ place. Paul was considered an Apostle, because he was charged by Jesus Himself on the Road to Damascus. This was a couple of years after Jesus had ascended to Heaven.

Paul was later confirmed by James, John and (Peter, a.k.a. Cephas: John 1:42, 1 Corinthians 3:22, 15:5). Paul was sent by them to Antioch (Acts 15:22-25, 29-31).

John and James are described as the first of four disciples to join Jesus (Matthew 4:18-22) Andrew and Peter being the first two. John and James were fishermen and worked with their father in Lake Genesareth.

In Revelation, John identifies himself several times (Rev 1:1, 1:4, 1:9 22:8). John explicitly addresses Revelation to the seven churches in Asia Minor. These churches are located in seven different cities being, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (Rev 1:4, 1:11).

The full title of the book of Revelation, according to the earliest manuscripts is: The Apocalypse of Saint John the Divine . The word ‘Apocalypse’ is a Greek word meaning ‘uncovering’. The word divine is an old Anglican word meaning ‘theologian’. Revelation is also called The Revelation of John. Apocalypse in the Greek also means ‘lifting the veil’, disclosure or to be revealed.

In context, when John wrote this, the term Apocalypse was applied to disclosing information to privileged persons or something hidden from the majority of mankind. Today the term means End of the World.

Apocalypse in technical terms refers to the revealed will of God.

Some versions of Revelation will give the title The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This is done because John opens the text with the words Revelation of Jesus Christ but this was never part of the original title that John wrote on the book himself.

First Vision

The first three chapters of Revelation are about the church age, the condition of the church, if you will. The remaining nineteen chapters deal with future events.

Revelation 1:1-10 is a short introduction. The first part of the vision is addressed to the seven churches. When reading about these churches, they represent the character of the seven churches. They are seven different conditions of the church, seven ministry types, seven groups of people that have seven different personalities or attitudes toward Christ. These seven represent seven continents or in other words, the entire world’s spiritual condition is established in one of these seven dispositions.

You personally and specifically fall into one of these seven churches, or attitudes.

Second Vision

The second vision makes up the rest of the book, chapters 4-22. The events in general embody the following (we will get into a more detailed discussion of this later):

- The Second Coming

- The Tribulation

- Battle of Armageddon

- Satan in prison for thousand years

- thousand year reign of Christ

- Satan released

- Deception of the Saints

- Great White Throne Judgment

- New Heaven and Earth

- Eternity begins

Chapters 1-3 covers the church period from the death of the Apostles to the rapture or when Christ returns for his people and takes them with Him back to heaven.

Chapters 4-19 describe the tribulation, a period of seven years of extreme drama, where God judges the unbelievers remaining on the planet after Christ’s first coming. The rapture if you’re keeping score. The judgments experienced during the tribulation occur in the form of type and shadows of Job’s troubles depicted in Job 1:13-20.

Verse 15: Yea they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword and only I am escaped alone to tell thee…Verse 16: while he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, the fire of God is fallen from heaven

The point is that one tragedy after the next happened in close succession. That is how the tribulation’s impact will be. One tragedy after another is the type, the fact that the tribulation has not taken place yet, at least not as of the time of this writing, is why it is referred to as shadow. A shadow is like the host without being the host. It moves with you but is not you, type and shadow.

Revelation chapters 20-22 outline the events that occur at the end of the seven years of tribulation. This includes the final eternal state of man and the condition of the physical world itself.

The judgments in the tribulation occur in three stages, initiated by the opening of the seven seals on a book in God’s right hand, while He sits on His throne in Heaven. Jesus takes this book out of His hand and opens the seals. What follows are a series of plagues.

There are many events described in the book with many significant details. The book is replete with metaphors and symbolism therefore we can’t repeat the explanations of them in context enough.

The following will delineate a chronology of events and a legend that may be helpful as a ready reference at a glance. Ready reference meaning only the main areas of interest, therefore we are not creating a separate section for a legend in this writing.

Legend

- The Seven Churches

- Ephesus – Loveless Church (Rev 2:1-7)

- Smyrna – Persecuted Church (Rev 2:8-11)

- Pergamos – Over Tolerant Church (Rev 2:12-17)

- Thyatira – Compromising Church (Rev 2:12-17)

- Sardis – Sleeping Church (Rev 3:1-6)

- Philadelphia – Genuine Church (Rev 3:7-13)

- Laodicea – Luke Warm Church (Rev 3:14-22)

- 24 Elders – Consist of the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles. The twelve Apostles include Matthias and exclude Judas Iscariot.

- The Throne – The Judgment seat of Christ (Rev 4:5)

- Seven Lamps of Fire – The Holy Spirit (Rev 1:4)

- Voices – Angels of the Lord (Rev 4:5)

- Seven Golden Lamp Stands – Seven Churches (Rev 1:20)

- Great Dragon – Satan, the Devil (Rev 12:9)

- Leopard – Greece (Rev 13:2)

- Bear – Persia

- Lion – Babylon

- Church – Those that are saved

- Israel – God’s chosen people, all those who accept Christ are Christ’s people, not necessarily God’s people. The difference is those who are not Jews are Gentiles, adopted into God’s family through Christ (John 17:20). There is a much more detailed explanation offered on this matter later in the discourse.

- Four Beasts full of eyes – Cheribum Angels (Ezekiel 10:10-14, Genesis 3:24)

- Seraphim (Rev 4:8, Isaiah 6:6)

- The Scroll – List of judgments on Man and the Earth (Rev 5:3)

- Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Jesus (Rev 5:5)

- Root of David – Jesus (5:5)

- Him that Sat on the Throne – God (5:7)

- Vials Full of Odors – Prayers of the Saints (Rev 5:8)

- The Sword – Hand to hand combat (Rev 6:3-4)

- Black Horse – Death (Rev 6:5-6)

- Pale Horse – Famine (Rev 6:7-8)

- The Rider – Hades (Rev 6:7-8)

- Living Fountains of Water – The Holy Spirit (Rev 7:17)

- Golden Censor – Vessel for burning incense (Rev 8:3, 2 Chronicles 26:19)

- Wormwood – Bitter and harmful plant (Rev 8:10-11)

- Star falling from Heaven – Angel (Rev 9:1)

- Gold Crowns – Authority to rule (Rev 9:7)

- Woman’s Hair on Locust – Seductiveness (Rev 9:7)

- Teeth Like Lion – Ferocious and cruel (Rev 9:7)

- Breastplate of Iron – Difficult to kill (Rev 9:9)

- Golden Alter – Answer to prayers (Rev 8:3, 9:13)

- Fire, Smoke, Brimstone – Three Plagues (Rev 9:17)

- Mighty Angel – Jesus (Rev 10:1)

- Rainbow – Covenant symbol (Rev 10:1, 3:3; Genesis 9:9-13)

- Face like a Lion – Glory (Rev 10:1)

- Feet as Pillars of Fire – Strength (Rev 10:1)

- Pillars – Strength, Fire and Judgment

- Little Book – Unspoken Judgments on man (Rev 10:2)

- Grace – The unmerited favour and strength of the Lord

- Peace – Calmness from the Lord to face persecution and sorrows

- Which was and is and is to come – Designations for Jesus, is –alive, was-a man who died and rose, is to come-will return to earth as King

- Seven Spirits before His Throne – The Holy Spirit’s Sevenfold Nature: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2)

- First Begotten of the Dead –Designation for Jesus, first in rank and influence (Hebrews 10:26; 1 Corinthians 15:20-21; Colossians 1:18)

- The Faithful Witness – Jesus (Rev 3:14; John 17:5, 24)

This legend is not all-inclusive and some of these references have duality in their meaning, this is to say that in other places in scripture these references may be applied differently. For this reason, the scriptural reference as applied to the definition follows the reference for the purpose of this legend. Where the reference is applied in a different context or application, it will be further explained.

Tribulation

The tribulation is the seven year period of judgment on man and the planet that occurs prior to the second advent of Christ, which is depicted in Revelation 4:19. The Second Advent is commonly referred to as the battle of Armageddon (Rev 10:11-21). The end of the world as it is commonly known.

The seven years of tribulation is divided into three periods, one 3 ½ year period, a mid-point, followed by a second 3 ½ year period (Rev 12:14). This period is also expressed as a thousand two hundred and three score days or forty-two months. The expression three score means sixty.

A prophetic month averages thirty days. When reading the reference of 1260 days, it is equal to 42 months or 3 ½ years. So, whenever you see these references, simply think in terms of 3 ½ years.

There is a reference in Daniel 12:11 of 1290 days. There is a calculation of a leap year or leap month adjustment to keep in mind. This is also referred to as an intercalary leap adjustment. This means the adding of a day, week or month to the calendar year allows the calendar to follow the seasons with respect to the moon phases. This matters in the calculation of the date of some prophesies like Daniels 70 weeks.

The end of this 3½ year period is the midpoint marked by the end of the Two Witnesses ministry (Rev 11:3).

There are five viewpoints on the tribulation:

Pre-Tribulation

Meaning all Saints alive at the time the tribulation begins will be taken up bodily to meet Christ in the clouds and subsequently go to Heaven. This is referred to as the Rapture or the First Advent of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:50-55). Those who become believers after the tribulation begins, do so by refusing the mark of the beast and being killed off (Rev 13:15-18).

Pre-Wrath Tribulation

Meaning the Rapture will occur during the Tribulation at the Midpoint but before the Seven Vial Judgments.

Seven Trumpet Tribulation

The Rapture occurs at the sound of the seventh trumpet (Rev 11:15; 1 Cor. 15:52)

Mid-Tribulation

Rapture occurs at the 3½ year point, before the harsher aspects of the tribulation unfold.

Post-Tribulation

No one is taken to Heaven at all. Everyone is gathered on Earth by Christ into the thousand year reign at the end of the tribulation.

Chronology

First 3 ½ years

- Rapture (Rev 3:10; 1 Thess. 4:4, 13-18; 1 Cor. 12:50-55)

- Rise of the Anti-Christ and False Prophet (Rev 13:3-18)

- Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt

- Rise of Babylon (Rev 13:14-17)

- Rise of One World Religion and Currency (Rev 13:14-17)

- Appearance of Two Witnesses (Rev 11:3-12)

- Rise of the 144K Jews (Rev 11:3-12)

- Seven Seal Judgments (Rev 8:1)

- Seven Trumpet Judgments (Rev 8:6)

Midpoint

- Death and resurrection of the Two Witnesses (Rev 11:7-12)

- Destruction of the One World Church (Rev 18)

- Mark of the Beast begins (Rev 13:16)

- Jewish remnant flees to the desert and mountains (Rev 6:15-16)

2nd (3 ½ years)

- Last plagues unleashed (Rev 15:1-16, 21)

- Martyrdom of Believers (Rev 7:9-14)

- Babylon destroyed (Rev 18)

- Christ’s return (Rev 18)

- Anti-Christ and False Prophet cast into Lake of Fire Alive (Rev 19:20)

- Satan bound thousand years (Rev 20:1-2)

End of Tribulation

- thousand year reign begins (Rev 20:4-6)

- Satan released from prison (Rev 20:7)

- Final deception of the Saints by Satan (Rev 20:8)

- Final Battle (Rev 20:8-9)

- Satan, Death and Hell cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10-14)

- Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-13)

- New Heaven and Earth created, Eternity begins (Rev 21:1-3)

The judgments during the tribulation represent both the vengeance of God and Christ. There’s Gods vengeance (Deut. 32:35; Hebrews 10:30; Romans 12:19; Rev 20:9-15), Jesus vengeance (Isaiah 61:2; Jeremiah 46:10; Rev 19:11-21), Gods and Jesus vengeance (2 Thess. 1:8).

Many of the plagues that unfold in the tribulation, God performed in Egypt as a sign of what was to come in the tribulation. God first hardened Pharaoh’s heart so when Moses went to him, he would not let the people go until God had performed all the miracles that would pre-figure the tribulation plagues (Exodus 10:1-2).

A comparison of the plagues reveals the work God was doing:

- Water into blood- Exodus 7:19-21 vs. Rev 16:3-4

- Locust - Exodus 10:12-15 vs. Rev 9:3-10

- Boils and grievous sores – Exodus 9:9-11 vs. Rev 16:2

- Hail – Exodus 9:22-25 vs. Rev 8:7, 11:19, 16:21

It is important to note, that the plagues are not all inclusive from Egypt to the tribulation or vice versa. There is also a disconnection in the severity of the plagues experienced during the tribulation. Regardless of the written word and vision of John, beyond the knowledge the Angels have of this pending travail. The reality of the experience is beyond the imagination of men and beyond the scope or understanding the Angels have of God’s judgments. Any description of the sun’s light and heat, or solar radiation, pales in comparison to trying to look directly at the light of the sun or feeling the harshness of the sun’s heat. Particularly the closer you get to it; such will be the case with respect to the reality of these plagues during the tribulation, for both man and Angels.

The Seven Seals

1st Seal (Rev 6:1-2)

The White Horse of the Apocalypse represents the Anti-Christ rise to power. He is given a crown and goes out to conquer the World through diplomacy.

2nd Seal (Rev 6:3-4)

Peace in the World is gone. Men kill each other all over the world. World war erupts.

3rd Seal (Rev 6:5-6)

Famine

4th Seal (Rev 6:7-8)

¼ of the world population dies. Pestilence, famine and plagues spread.

5th Seal (Rev 6:9-11)

Anti-Christ persecutes believers. They begin dying in large numbers.

6th Seal (Rev 6:12-17)

Worldwide earthquakes, the image of the moon resembles blood due to the worldwide fires. Stars (meteors) fall to earth, the sky rolls up (mushroom clouds), every mountain and island is dislodged (earthquakes).

7th Seal (Rev 8:1-6)

Fire from the sky comes to earth (Flaming Meteors).

When the seventh seal is opened, it reveals seven trumpet judgments.

Seven Trumpets

1st Trumpet (Rev 8:1-2, 7)

Hail, fire and blood fall from Heaven burning a third of the Earth’s trees and grass. This actually cuts the production of oxygen on the planet by a third. Man will not be able to breathe easily, nor will animals. This plague is similar to the hailstorm in Egypt (Exodus 9:18-25).

2nd Trumpet (Rev 8:8-9)

A burning mountain, perhaps an asteroid, falls into the sea, a third of the ships sink and a third of the fish die.

3rd Trumpet (Rev 8:10-11)

A star called wormwood (bitterness) falls into the fresh water rivers and streams poisoning them.

4th Trumpet (Rev 8:12-13)

The sun, stars and moon are darkened by a third, no food can grow.

5th Trumpet (Rev 9:1-13)

An Angel announces the judgments to come by saying, "Woe, Woe, Woe" This is a warning to man to prepare for what is to come. Locust and endless pain, no one can die.

6th Trumpet (Rev 9:13)

200 million horsemen kill a third of the people on earth with fire, smoke and brimstone. Brimstone is sulfur.

7th Trumpet (Rev 11:15)

Sounds of glory are being given to the Lord in Heaven as His Kingdom is announced by God.

Seven Last Plagues – Vials

1st Plague (Rev 16:2)

Grievous sores (boils) come on those who worshipped the Beast and have his mark.

2nd Plague (Rev 16:3)

Sea turns to blood every living thing in the ocean dies.

3rd Plague (Rev 16:4)

Rivers turn to blood, no more fresh water.

4th Plague (Rev 16:8)

Sun burns and scorches people with intense heat (Ozone completely gone).

5th Plague (Rev 16:10)

Babylon plunged into darkness, not the entire world, just the Anti-Christ kingdom, thought to be Rome.

6th Plague (Rev 16:12)

The Euphrates River dries up to make way for a battle area for the armies of the East, being the armies of the Anti-Christ. The river bed will act as a crossing for the armies to make their way to Israel for the Battle of Armageddon.

7th Plague (Rev 16:17)

Earthquakes, as never before on the planet. Hailstones that weigh 66lbs. fall from the sky. Lightening, thunder, the planets topography and geography is changed in an instant. Mountains are leveled islands move or disappear into the sea.

In the writing of this discourse, the 1611 King James Bible is used for all scriptural references, in addition to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

Additional sources include the canonized books of the Apocrypha included in the Authorized Version of the 1611 King James Version of the Bible.

The Book of complete works of Josephus

The Dead Sea Scrolls and

The Egyptian Book of the dead; and

The writings of Philo

Chapter One

Verse One: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his servant John

Verse one is an introduction to the book the entire vision depicted is called a Revelation, as God was revealing a new truth to John. God gave this revelation first to Jesus, who in turn gave the information to an Angel, whom Jesus instructed, to pass this revelation on to John in the form of a vision. John then wrote it all down, as it was being revealed to him in real time.

Verse Two: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

John states that he wrote down everything that he saw this is a distinction from writing what he heard or was told.

Verse three: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

The book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible that provides a specific Blessing for reading and hearing the writing itself.

Verse four: John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne

The book is written to the seven churches located in Asia Minor (Modern Turkey). The seven churches represent the world at large, the condition of the church and more specifically the individual attitudes and behavior of people towards Christ. The use of the word Peace refers to the calmness that comes through faith in Christ, that enables believers to face persecution and sorrow during travails with confidence that the Lord is with us. The word Grace refers to the unmerited favor and strength of the Lord towards us.

The designation "which is and was and is to come" is for Jesus. "Who is" refers to him being alive and not dead… and was refers to Jesus coming to earth as a man, dying and being resurrected… which is to come refers to Jesus impending return to earth again.

The seven Spirits that are before His Throne in Heaven, refers to the seven-fold nature of the Holy Spirit that is before the throne of Jesus (Isaiah 11:2-3). The seven-fold nature is described as the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord, which is Righteousness. (Galatians 5:22-23) describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is righteousness. Righteousness is to be in right standing with God. This all symbolizes that Jesus possesses all these characteristics in his judgment of man.

Distinction between God and Jesus

Verse five: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood

Jesus is "The faithful and true witness" (Rev 3:14)

A designation for Jesus because He was with God in the beginning, and saw all that God did first hand (John 17:5, 24).

The designation "First begotten of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:20-21; Colossians 1:18) refers to Jesus because He is the first person to be resurrected with a glorified body.

Revived verses Resurrected

There are a number of people who have been raised from the dead as described in scripture.

- Elijah raised a little boy (1 Kings 17:17-24)

- Elisha raised a boy from the dead (2 Kings 4:16-37)

- Peter with Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43)

- Paul raises Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:9-12)

- Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:39-44)

In all these accounts, these people all had to die again at some point, unlike Jesus. A resurrected person never sees physical death again (Matthew 28: 1-20; Luke 24:46-51; Acts 1:9-11). This distinction is the difference between Jesus being the first begotten of the dead, and all the others referenced having been revived from the dead.

And washed us from our sins in his own blood

Meaning the sacrifice for salvation of man required by God is blood. In this case, the blood of an innocent, which was Jesus. This arrangement between God and Jesus, went all the way back to the time of Adam.

Salvation during this period in history, time periods also being referred to dispensations, require the belief on the coming of the Messiah and giving blood sacrifices until the promise of the Messiah was fulfilled. The first recorded experience of this kind was Cain and Abel, brothers and sons of Adam and Eve. With the blood of Jesus being shed, salvation now runs through Him as the Christ (Genesis 4:3-10; 1 Thess. 5:9-10; Romans 10:13; 9-10; 1 John 5:11-14; Ephesians 1:20-21; 6:12; Matthew 28:18, Colossians 1:18-9, John 3:16-18, 36; Acts 4:12,).

Verse six: And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Unto God and His Father

There are many who believe that God the Father and Jesus the Son are one and the same. Wherever practical, this distinction will be pointed out, to demonstrate that they are not (Rev 11:15). This distinction is also important in distinguishing Christ from us.

having predestined unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5)

This refers to our adoption by the grace of God, through Jesus, as children of God.

Jesus is actually the only Son God has, we are all adopted children of God through our faith and belief in Jesus. This is why Jesus is referred to as the "Only- Begotten Son" of the Father. The word Begotten in Greek is the word Monogenes/Mon-og-en-ace meaning only born, sole, single, by themselves. This simply means there are no others born unto men that are directly born of God himself, thus the virgin birth of Jesus. If Jesus had been born of man and woman, he would not be God’s only begotten son. This is separate and apart from Adam, who was never born at all, but created as a full adult (John 1:14, 1:18, 3:16-18; 36; 1 John 4:9).

Verse seven: Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen

This verse speaks to the second advent of Christ, Armageddon…

All the kindred of the Earth shall wail because of Him

This refers to the judgment of Christ (Rev 19:19-21; Matthew 24:30).

Alpha and Omega

Verse eight: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty

This designation of Jesus describes an attribute, position of authority or in this case "Alpha and Omega" the beginning and end of salvation for man. This is a separate distinction from when it is used to describe God Himself. In the Isaiah, God is speaking and makes it clear that as "Alpha and Omega", He is the only God, the first and the last God, PERIOD! (Isaiah 43:10-13, 44:6-8)

"I the Lord the first and with the Last, I am He". (Isaiah 41:4)

This is another distinction that God is making himself… with the last refers to Jesus, who is with God even at this point, before coming as a man.

Salvation is of God. He may administer that salvation anyway He sees fit. It pleased God to run salvation through Jesus. (Col 1:18-20)

Besides me there is no savior. (Isaiah 43:11)

This is a distinction from the creator of salvation and its administrator, if you please, Jesus (Isaiah 12:2).

Jesus Himself is the source and fulfillment of God’s salvation for mankind. Jesus is the source, because man’s redemption flows through Christ. He is the fulfillment because man’s redemption allows the direct relationship between God and man, when man will see God face to face in the end.

God wants man to be in the same relationship He created with Adam in the beginning, where God himself will be with man on Earth (Rev 21:3). Only in this incarnation of the relationship, unlike with Adam, God’s actual physical presence will be with man, not His essence or a form of His manifest presence.

God Never Seen by Man

Prior to this reality, as prophesied by John, no man has ever seen God before, not even Adam.