Revelation: a Reader's Companion: Preserving Perspective

By Michael Cannon Loehrer

Revelation:

A Reader’s Companion

– Preserving Perspective. –

This book is the sixth in a series of scriptural novels. It concludes with the aged apostle John helping churches preserve the perspective that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords to the glory of God the Father.

Scriptural novels present a problem when weaving fact with fiction, leaving readers wondering exactly what is true, which betrays my purpose: to grasp the truths of eternal life. Yet I hope a living encounter with the historical setting, such as I offer, will provide a framework for grappling with the meaning of Scripture in personal terms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973644613

Michael Cannon Loehrer

Michael Cannon Loehrer holds an AB from California State University, Fresno, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Biola University. He served in pastoral ministry for nearly forty years. Presently, he is an adjunct professor of Bible at Multnomah University, Reno, Nevada.

Book preview

Revelation:

A

Reader’s

Companion

Preserving Perspective

MICHAEL CANNON LOEHRER

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Copyright © 2018 Michael Cannon Loehrer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture translated from Hebrew to English by the Author from the Michigan-Claremont Hebrew Text.

Greek Septuagint translated to English by the Author from the Nestle-Aland 28th Ed. Greek New Testament and Rahlfs’ LXX

Greek New Testament translated to English by the Author from the Robinson-Pierpont Majority Text GNT 2011

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Alamy Stock Photo F5JWWH is used with express written permission granted by Glyn Genin. www.alamy.com.

FreeBibleimages map is used with express written permission granted by Paul Thompson, Production Manager. [e-mail]

ISBN: 978-1-9736-4462-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-4461-3 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/26/2018

Contents

Preface

Section One

The Background of Revelation

Chapter One:   Happy Hope

Chapter Two:   Firm in the Faith

Chapter Three:   Loving Leadership

Chapter Four:   Apostolic Authority

Chapter Five:   Facing Captivity

Chapter Six:   Domitian’s Destiny

Chapter Seven:   Enemy of the Empire

Intermission:   Overview for Young Readers

Section Two

The Book of Revelation

Chapter Eight:   Partners on Patmos

Chapter Nine:   God’s Timetable

Chapter Ten:   Reorientation through Rest

Chapter Eleven:   Faith-Rest

Chapter Twelve:   Prayers for Preservation

Chapter Thirteen:   Unveiling the Priest-King

Chapter Fourteen:   Sending the Book

Intermission:   A Word to Pastors

Section Three

The Beauty of Revelation

Chapter Fifteen:   Return of the Exiles

Chapter Sixteen:   Visions and Symbols

Chapter Seventeen:   A Kingdom of Priests

Chapter Eighteen:   The Never-Ever Assurance of Jesus

Chapter Nineteen:   Decoding the Prophecy

Chapter Twenty:   The Beast and the Harlot

Chapter Twenty-One:   Reluctant Judgment

Epilogue

Appendix I:   The Seven Feasts of Israel

Appendix II:   A Chart of the Feasts

Appendix III: Reorientation through Rest

Appendix IV:   The Feasts of Israel in Prophecy

Appendix V:   Writing the Apocalypse

Appendix VI:   An Outline of the Revelation

Appendix VII:   Chiastic Structure of Revelation

Appendix VIII:   The Historical Characters

Appendix IX:   The Imaginary Characters

Select Bibliography

Dedication

To Daniel, Brandon, and Maddie.

Preface

Scriptural novels present a problem when weaving fact with fiction, leaving readers wondering exactly what is true, which betrays my purpose: to grasp the truths of eternal life. The historical references cited are factual, as near as I can tell, but some of the characters I have developed are fictional, except for those named in Scripture and historical works. Yet, since I fabricated much of this work, you might wonder how such a book could transport readers back to the truth. I hope a living encounter with the historical setting, such as I offer, will provide a framework for grappling with the meaning of Scripture in personal terms. Many read the Scriptures as inspired by God—as well they should—but without fathoming the meaning or grasping the continuity of a particular document, so much so that the Word of God is less compelling to them than it should be. I find this grievous.

I follow, without apology, the Byzantine text type, giving preference to Family 35.¹ Nevertheless, in reading this book, be ever alert to distinguish the truth of Scripture from my efforts to explain it and from the surrounding story. If you do, it will lead you to search the Scriptures quite carefully, my deepest longing. In doing so, I hope you will find my efforts in close keeping with the history, culture, and language of the first century. I have chosen to portray this story primarily in the first person—like reading a play—because you will engage with the characters you encounter, which I hope will make the story more compelling. I selected this approach because I believe most people understand content better by context in the same way they prove what politicians promise by observing their behavior. Finally, please receive this book as a mere tool for making more meaningful the good Word of God. So, may God use these efforts to compel your heart; may you come to know Him deeply; and may you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The general time frame of the following story is late in the reign of the emperor Domitian, some sixty-five years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Messianic Jews were still part of most congregations. Their presence was a mixed blessing. They were indeed a source of contention, but they also greatly helped the early church maintain sound doctrine and, in particular, to understand the Revelation.

Now, before you continue, dear reader, I must apologize. This series, though presented in novel form, is hardly light reading. Why require heavy reading in a day when many readers consider print passé? Well—for the love of reading—I hope to prompt you to read meditatively. For this reason, the chapters are brief. I bid you to read slowly, carefully, pausing to ponder the implications. Resist the urge to read quickly, merely for content. Ask God to grant you wisdom and discernment; and allow Him time to do His work in your heart.

If you carefully read one chapter per night before bedtime, it will take most of you less than half an hour, and you will still finish this book in about a month. However, a more preferable approach would be to read a chapter a week and then discuss it in a group setting. Prayerful people who share spiritual insights widen their perspectives. Even better, personally disciple someone else using this book as a tool. I ask a special blessing from God our Father on all those who make disciples using this book.

Finally, let me offer a word of explanation for what will often appear as an awkward and clumsy translation of our beloved Scriptures. I wish that every reader of holy writ would learn the original languages. The insights gained are many and profound. Since most will not, I attempt a word-for-word translation—an impossible task. I retain idioms and odd expressions, all in the hope of yielding additional insights. The reader will labor—even suffer—through such an embarrassingly wooden translation as mine, for which I beg your pardon. Yet, I risk my reputation to offer all who read a closer chance at reading the original.

Michael Cannon Loehrer

Ventura, California, USA

October 2018

Section One

THE BACKGROUND OF REVELATION

Chapter One

Happy Hope

Written in AD 324

…John the apostle and evangelist…governed the churches in Asia, after his return from exile on the island, and the death of Domitian…the church in Ephesus [was] where John continued to abide until the times of Trajan… (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book III, Chapter XXIII)²

This story begins with three imaginary vignettes from the last day of the Apostle John’s life, when he reflects on a few of his experiences attending the annual Jewish Festivals.

Author’s Comments:

Though God commanded Israel to observe seven feasts every year (Leviticus 23:1-44), He directed Moses to cluster all seven around three annual pilgrimages. The first pilgrimage, or holy convocation, included Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruit; all at springtime. The Jews popularly called this first cluster of feasts Passover. Fifty days later, pilgrims would gather again for the Feast of Weeks celebration, which they also called Pentecost (Acts 2:1), at the beginning of summer harvest. Later, at the time of fall harvest, worshippers would make a third pilgrimage which included Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles (see Appendix I).

Timeline - Ephesus: Saturday, September 26, AD 105; Tishri 1, New Year’s Day, the Feast of Trumpets, Year 3866 from Creation (Saturday night, October 6, 3761 BC; 18 Heshvan, Day 1, Year 1)

Author’s Comments:

Orthodox churches commemorate John’s death and burial on September 26 in Ephesus sometime during Trajan’s reign (January 27, AD 98 to August 8, AD 117). Date converters from Hebrew to Gregorian calendars produce inaccurate results when converting to ancient dates because of a correction introduced by Pope Gregory XIII. The dates presented in this book are imprecise. Nevertheless, please let them provide a ready frame of reference for transporting the imagination back in time, bearing in mind that the Father alone knows the day and the hour (Matthew 24:36).

John: (Pondering within himself) This day could be the last in my lifetime. I am so old and feeble now. I can no longer walk. God’s people carry me on a cot. They clean and care for me like a baby. I have no strength. I have no appetite. All I have left, (smiling) besides my aches and pains, is…happy hope. Jesus may come today. If not, I may go to sleep in Him. Either way this may well be the day I have longed for since Jesus left this earth for realms unseen so long ago.

John: (AD 6-105) also known as The Beloved Disciple, The Theologian, and The Evangelist, was an Apostle who wrote a Gospel, three letters, and the Apocalypse (i.e. the Revelation). Some mistakenly confuse the Apostle John with a presbyter by the same name, suggesting the presbyter wrote Second and Third John and the Revelation. Actually, the Apostle John and the Presbyter John were the same person. This confusion arose from some imprecise statements of an early church father by the name of Papias (see Appendix VIII for a detailed explanation).

Author’s Comments:

Jesus and the Apostles referred to death as sleep (John 11:11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 5:10), because passing from here to heaven for believers is as effortless as falling asleep.

FIRST VIGNETTE

John reflects on the first three of the seven annual Jewish feasts as Jesus fulfilled them before his very eyes. Scenes from the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus flood the mind of the aged apostle as friends gather around his deathbed.

A Gentile Friend: (With urgency) John, please tell us anything about Jesus that comes to mind.

John: (Feebly but firmly) Jesus became our Passover Lamb—our punishment payment. He became our Unleavened Bread—our sinless substitute. He became our First Fruit—our reassurance of resurrection.

A Jewish Friend: (Fretfully) Should we continue observing the Feasts?

John: (Kindly) Yes, always and everywhere; individually, if not collectively; not in the letter of the Law, but in the Spirit by faith.

John: (Gazing to heaven) Father, I face death full of faith. Thank you for the gift of faith. (Glancing around the room) I saw the spear pierce His side. Blood and water soaked the ground. I saw the stone seal the grave. I entered the empty tomb. After He rose from the dead, He passed through walls, as if they were nothing. I saw Him alive. I heard His voice. I felt His flesh and bones. I saw Him eat broiled fish and honeycomb. And…I watched Him ascend into heaven. (To the Almighty) Glory to You, dear Father, and to Your beloved Son, now and forever more.

All of the Friends: (Spontaneously) Amen.

Author’s Comments:

The Apostles associated Jesus’ First Coming with the fulfillment of the Spring Feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruit). Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8). But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the First Fruit (singular, as elsewhere) of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). The fulfillment of the Spring Feasts at Jesus’ First Coming assures the fulfillment of the Fall Feasts at Jesus’ Second Coming to earth. The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ presents how Jesus will fulfill the Fall Feasts at His Second Coming (see Appendix I).

SECOND VIGNETTE

John reflects on His experience with the Spirit of Jesus as He fulfilled Pentecost, the middle feast of the seven, during the early summer grain harvest, fifty days later.

The Friends: (Eagerly) Tell us about the early church.

John: (Prayerfully) Thank you Father for allowing me to experience the Holy Spirit of Jesus in action through Your churches from the beginning. (Shamefully to those gathered) We hid ourselves and were very afraid before His Spirit came upon us: we heard the sound of a mighty wind filling the entire house; we saw divided tongues like fire dancing above our heads. Boldness suddenly cancelled our fears. We went forth and told everyone about the resurrection of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. They heard us in their own languages. We told them to repent and be baptized, promising them they too would receive the Holy Spirit, and so it happened. Thousands of people responded to the Lord. Thus, the Spirit of Jesus began fulfilling the feast of summer harvest through the Church, in which age we now live. You experience the Spirit fulfilling the Feast to this day, and future believers will also experience the same, until Jesus comes to receive His Church in the air.

The Friends: (Exuberantly) Amen.

Author’s Comments:

There is a distinction between Christ gathering the Church in the air (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16), and the glorious return of Christ to the earth to set up His kingdom (Matthew 24:30, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Peter 1:16; Revelation 20:1-6).³

THIRD VIGNETTE

The Friends: (Hesitant, yearning) Would you tell us something about the Fall festivals?

John: (Patiently) Well, they haven’t been fulfilled yet, but when Jesus returns, He will fulfill them as you who have understanding can detect in the Revelation.

The Friends: (Begging) Please tell us anything you wish about the Fall festivals.

A childhood experience of attending the Fall convocation quickly captivates John’s mind.

John: (Prayerfully) Lord, thank You for allowing me to experience the Fall convocation in my childhood. Also, I appreciate You for allowing me to see reflections of the future fulfillment of the remaining Jewish Festivals in the Revelation of Your Son and our Savior on Patmos.

John stares off into space, daydreaming. Then he relates the following events as if seeing them in his mind. First, he quotes the Scripture:

Written in Winter, 1406 BC

Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. (Moses, Deuteronomy 16:16-17)

Timeline - Jerusalem: Wednesday Morning, September 25, AD 19; Tishri 10, Year 3780 from Creation (Saturday night, October 6, 3761 BC; 18 Heshvan Year 1)

Zebedee and his sons, James and John, recently travelled from their work home in the region of Galilee to their principal home in Jerusalem to attend the Fall Festivals at the Temple. James is fifteen and John is thirteen. They had already attended the Feast of Trumpets on Tishri 1. They will remain through Tishri 22, so they can attend the Feast of Tabernacles and Shemini Atzeret before they return to the Galilee to resume work. However, this day is Tishri 10, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year.

Author’s Comments:

The Day of Atonement was also known as the Fast (Acts 27:9), because worshippers humbled themselves through fasting. What follows reconstructs