Apocalyptic Visions and The Great Day of The Lord: A Commentary on Revelation

By Dr. K. M. Ware

The Bible book of Revelation is a prophetic warning of God's judgment upon mankind. It was presented in visions to Apostle John, who transmitted it to the early congregations at the beginning of the Christian era. An accurate understanding of the Word of God in general and Revelation more specifically can mean the difference between life or death, the difference between an eternal life of bliss in the kingdom of God or eternal death in the lake of fire. Apocalyptic Visions endeavors to provide such an understanding.

Revelation reveals the culmination of a spiritual battle between God and Satan. It is a struggle for the very souls of mankind. Satan has made a challenge to the sovereignty of God and the motivations of man. The continued existence of man is at stake.

The first prophecy of Genesis sets the stage for the whole theme of the Word of God, and Revelation brings it to a close. There are four distinct principles in Revelation, and a clear understanding of these elements and their interaction brings God's plan for mankind into focus. The serpent and his seed are at war with a woman and her seed.

It is important that those who wish to please God be well informed with his will and commands. Those who live in accordance with the will of God receive part in the blessings of the kingdom of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098092573

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Apocalyptic Visions and The Great Day of The Lord

A Commentary on Revelation

Dr. K. M. Ware

Copyright © 2021 by Dr. K. M. Ware

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

The Authorized King James Version is used for all references.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

In the Beginning

Greetings

Four Churches

Three Churches

Four Beasts

The Lamb

Six Seals and Four Horsemen

144,000

Seventh Seal and Four Trumpets

Fifth Trumpet

A Little Book

Seventh Trumpet

Red Dragon and a Woman

One by Sea, One by Land

The Harvest

Seven Angels

Seven Plagues

Harlot

Babylon the Great

The Word of God

Lake of Fire

The Bride

It Is Finished

For my mom who instilled in me a love

for the Word of God

Symbolism of Numbers

2: Solidly confirms an issue

Revelation 11:3–4; Deuteronomy 17:6

3: Emphasizes intensity

Revelation 4:8; 8:13; 16:13, 19

4: Universal or symmetrical and square

Revelation 4:6, 7:1–2, 9:14, 2:8, 21:16

6: Imperfection, not normal, even monstrous

Revelation 13:18; 2 Samuel 21:20

7: Divinely determined completeness—God’s or Satan’s

Revelation 1:4, 12, 16; 4:5; 5:1, 6; 10:3–4

10: Completeness in a physical sense—of the earth

Revelation 2:10; 12:3; 13:1; 17:3,12, 16

12: Divinely constituted organization—of heaven or earth

Revelation 7:5–8; 12:1; 21:12, 16; 22:2

24: God’s abundant, even squared or doubled, organizational arrangement

Revelation 4:4

Visions

Vision 1: Revelation 1:10–3:22

Subject: Jesus inspects spiritual Israel on earth and gives encouragement

Time: 1914 until the last of the anointed die and is resurrected

Vision 2: Revelation 4:1–5:14

Subject: Happenings before God’s throne of judgment

Time: 1914 until the end of the millennium and beyond

Vision 3: Revelation 6:1–17

Subject: Ride of the four horsemen, martyred saints under the altar, and day of wrath

Time: 1914 to the destruction of this system of things

Vision 4: Revelation 7:1–17

Subject: 144,000 sealed, a great crowd standing before God’s throne and the Lamb

Time: Enthronement of Jesus—1914 into the millennial reign

Vision 5: Revelation 8:1–9:21

Subject: Six of seven trumpets

Time: Enthronement of Jesus—1914 to the great tribulation

Vision 6: Revelation 10:1–11:19

Subject: A little scroll, temple experiences, and the seventh trumpet

Time: Enthronement of Jesus—1914 to the great tribulation

Vision 7: Revelation 12:1–17

Subject: A woman gives birth; Michael battles Satan and casts him to Earth

Time: Enthronement of Jesus—1914 to the great tribulation

Vision 8: Revelation 13:1–18

Subject: Seven-headed beast, two-horned beast, and an image of the beast

Time: Nimrod’s day to the great tribulation

Vision 9: Revelation 14:1–20

Subject: 144,000 with the Lamb on Mount Zion; announcements and the harvest of earth

Time: 1914 to the great tribulation

Vision 10: Revelation 15:1–16:21

Subject: God in his temple; seven vials of the wrath of God poured out upon Earth

Time: 1919 to Armageddon

Vision 11: Revelation 17:1–18

Subject: Babylon the Great rides the scarlet-colored beast—that turns on her

Time: 1919 to the great tribulation

Vision 12: Revelation 18:1–19:10

Subject: The fall and destruction of Babylon the Great; the marriage of the Lamb is announced

Time: 1914 to after the great tribulation

Vision 13: Revelation 19:11–21

Subject: Jesus leads the armies of heaven to destroy Satan’s system

Time: 1914 to the destruction of this system of things

Vision 14: Revelation 20:1–10

Subject: Satan cast into the abyss, the millennial reign, mankind’s final test, and Satan is destroyed

Time: The end of the great tribulation to the destruction of Satan

Vision 15: Revelation 20:1–21:8

Subject: The resurrection, judgment day, and new heavens and earth

Time: Thousand-year reign

Vision 16: Revelation 21:9–22:5

Subject: A description of New Jerusalem

Time: After the great tribulation and Satan cast into the abyss

In the Beginning

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. (Revelation 1:3)

Revelation is a prophetic warning of God’s judgment upon the future mankind, as embodied and symbolized by the seven churches of Asia Minor. Many people have problems understanding John’s visions, as portrayed in this book. Yet it is very important that those who wish to please God be well informed as to his will, as well as his commands. An adequate understanding of the book of Revelation must include and agree with, other books and prophecies of the Word of God.

All scripture used in this text is from the Authorized King James Bible. To begin on a properly sound footing the meaning of the word revelation should be established and acknowledged. This word is the English translation of the Greek word apocalypse. It does not refer to a nuclear war or holocaust, as so many people have come to believe. The Greek term simply refers to an unveiling or an uncovering of something previously concealed. The word Apocalypse has gotten it’s false and dooms day reputation from an association with the description of the terrible war of Armageddon found in this last book of the Word of God. Yet that will be God’s war and not man’s, and God’s faithful will have nothing to fear.

This confusing yet exciting book of God’s Word brings to close the divine record of his interaction with mankind, in connection with Satan’s opposition to God’s sovereignty. It is very important to search the Word of God to gain insight and understanding of the signs, symbols, and allegories of the book. There is no reason to fear the accounts revealed here, yet every individual will eventually have to make a decision. An accurate understanding is important if you want to live in accordance with the will of God and receive part in the blessings described in this book of his revelation.

This text will examine Revelation verse by verse and elaborate on Old Testament and New Testament scripture that illuminates the meaning of this confusing book. The concluding chapter will reveal that man’s history and existence as we know it will soon come to a catastrophic end. Yet this need not be the end of all existence. God and his Son Jesus Christ will execute divine judgment upon this wicked system, but they will also set up a new one. Whoever desires to be part of God’s new kingdom must heed the opening scripture of this text.

There is a singular redeeming theme that runs through the whole Word of God. Though Revelation seems to outline the conclusion, we must briefly look at the beginning to understand this pivotal theme. The first book of the Word of God sets the theme for the rest of God’s Word with the first prophecy.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)

To properly understand the book of Revelation, as well as many other books of God’s Word, one must first understand that these accounts are presented in allegorical terms.

There are four symbolic principles involved in this drama. The serpent and the woman seem obvious, but the more vague and elusive ones are the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. As for the serpent, once we look at other prophecies and the judgment of God, it will be obvious that the serpent is, the great dragon…that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan (Revelation 12:9). At the same time, though, it is easy to mistake this woman for Eve herself. Yet the prophetic enmity between them is to endure through the whole Word of God. This enmity could not continue once Eve died. The only functional enmity that could exist between the spirit creature Satan and a woman would logically involve a spiritual woman. The true identity of this woman will become clear as this analysis proceeds.

The seeds of these two principles are understandably more confusing and heavily veiled in allegory. Yet they are at center stage in the whole theme of God’s Word. The spiritual seed of the serpent includes other angels and spirit creatures who join Satan in rebellion against God. This seed does not operate in the spiritual realm only though. When speaking to the Jews, Jesus identified others who are part of this seed. Ye are of your father the devil, and, the lusts of your father ye will do (John 8:44). By their opposition and enmity toward the seed of the woman, these individuals become part of the serpent’s earthly seed. Especially political rulers and kings of the earth have shown themselves to be part of this seed by their opposition to worship of the true God.

The seed of the woman consequently also has two aspects. It has taken a long time for this seed to germinate and develop to maturity though. The genealogical line began with Adam and Eve, and it is Jesus Christ who became the principal seed. He would also become King designate of the spiritual part of the woman’s seed. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17; see also Galatians 3:16).

As with the seed of the serpent, this spiritual seed of the woman also has a worldly counterpart. A universal congregation of faithful, spirit-begotten Christians make up the visible part of the woman’s seed. Its root stock is a remnant of 144,000 individuals who become corulers with Christ. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17; see also Revelation 14:1–4).

There is yet another dimension to the seed of the serpent that plays a large role in Revelation. This aspect is referred to as Babylon the Great, being the world empire of false religion. In the first century of the Christian era, scribes and Pharisees proved to be part of this universal Babylon of false religion. They bruised the heel of the seed of the woman. (See John 8:39–44.)

Jesus Christ is the earthly seed and he was only briefly affected by the seed of the serpent with a bruise. Though he was crucified by the worldly authorities, Jesus was resurrected from the grave three days later. When God exacts his final judgment upon this principal seed of the woman, Jesus Christ will have effectively bruised the serpent in the head. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16:20).

How this drama unfolds is the mystery of the book of Revelation. It is represented in a series of allegorical visions, recorded by Apostle John. This analysis is a commentary on the scriptures of Revelation without developing any specific doctrine or faith. Other books of God’s Word will be used to further expound and clarify various subjects as they come about.

Greetings

Those destroying the world will soon know God’s destructive judgment. Yet no one need be part of that judgment if they so choose. At the same time though, it was not meant for man to live an isolated, monastic life. He was created to enjoy life to the fullest. A full life entails wholesome and meaningful living. To do this in accordance with God’s will, you must spiritually separate yourself from the political and commercial corruption that is the seed of the serpent. More importantly still, you must be no part of false religion. Seeking to do God’s will also means avoiding violent and immoral behavior. The key here is moderation in all things, the middle road between extremes.

Apostle John is the author of the book of Revelation.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. (Revelation 1:1a)

The resurrected Son Jesus Christ received this message from God the Father. It was Jesus who was to transmit it to the servants of God. In this aspect, Jesus appears to be subjective to the Father. This is the same manner in which the church is subject to Jesus Christ as the head. (See Ephesians 5:23–24.)

This first verse alludes to a relatively small servant class that will follow Jesus where ever he goes. Yet there are also other servants who make up an even greater crowd of humanity. An accurate understanding of these two groups will become progressively clearer as the book of Revelation proceeds. All of mankind is affected by both groups in their own particular way. They function as one organization, but it is important to understand their separate roles in the unfolding revelation of God, and that moment of revelation is at hand.

And he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. (Revelation 1:1b–2)

It is not hard to understand that John received this message of revelation through an angel. It might be hard for some, though, to accept the identity of that angel. John made a record of this message of God and sent it to the seven, then established congregations in Asia Minor. Apostle John was part of a divine channel often referred to as the John class. It extends down through history to this very day. A limited and definite number make up this divine channel. It is described in Matthew 24:45–47 as the faithful and wise servant. The path of this servant class is far from easy. Accurate knowledge and the identity of this class is a revealing key to the mystery of the book of Revelation.

John tells us that Jesus revealed or gave him this revelation through signs. This is what is meant by the word signified. It is very important to understand that spiritual sight or visions such as John is describing are not limited by the normal concepts of time. For this reason, his visions do not follow a linear or chronological order. This fact has caused a lot of confusion about the book of Revelation for many people. Fair warning, though: it can be exciting for many and even terrifying for some to examine the meaning of these visions and signs.

Much of John’s vision echo prophecies from the Old Testament. These, in turn, provide clues to discerning an accurate meaning of the Revelation account. An example of this is found at Daniel 7:3 and 17, where four great beasts are later identified as four kings. From this revealing clue it can be surmised that beasts in Revelation represent kings or even political powers. This exercise in comparing Old Testament prophecy with Revelation will be repeated as the book unfolds. John then announces blessings upon those who can grasp this concept.

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. (Revelation 1:3)

All of mankind can benefit by gaining a clear and accurate understanding of this book of God. The greatest benefit, though, will come to those who order their lives in accordance with the will of God, as found herein. It is very important that you seriously consider this prophetic book, for John warns us that the time is now. It will surely come, it will not tarry (Habakkuk 2:3).

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. (Revelation 1:4)

John is addressing the seven established churches of his day. These churches will be individually identified in detail shortly. It is important to realize that there is always an underlying allegorical interpretation or two to every scripture of Revelation.

In biblical allegory, seven represents completeness, regardless whether it applies to God, Satan, or mankind. So on the surface, the seven churches refer to those of John’s day. Yet it can also mean the complete congregation of God since there are vastly more than seven churches or even denominations today. Yet another interpretation can apply to the individual. It has been put forth that man is composed of seven aspects. To one degree or another, each of the seven churches can, therefore, represent the seven aspects or types of human behavior. In this way the seven churches still represent the whole congregation of mankind.

John greets the churches with grace and peace as from God himself. Yet he also mentions other spirits that are before the throne of God. Keeping in mind the symbolic completeness of the number seven, these spirits are seven. This represents complete support from the spiritual realm of God, in behalf of the coming developments. Spirits are also angels and messengers of God. This concept will be revisited shortly.

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. (Revelation 1:5a)

So John gives all glory to Jesus Christ, as the first fruits and head of the church of God. (See Colossians 1:18.)

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5b–6)

John also praises Jesus Christ for his sacrifice, that all men may receive the forgiveness of sin. (See John 3:16.) There is a subtle distinction here that is often missed by many people. John mentions those who are made kings and priests unto God and seems to include himself. This will be referred to as the John class, and it plays a prominent part in the book of Revelation. This is also the same group that has part in the first resurrection in Revelation 20:6. The same class is also called the little flock in Luke 12:32 and a holy priesthood in 1 Peter 2:5. You will see different iterations of this John class as Revelation progresses.

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. (Revelation 1:7)

John boldly announces the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet his return is for a future time, in relation to John’s day. He says every eye shall witness this return, but more likely it will be the effects of it that are witnessed by all. The vast majority of mankind will not recognize the Lord’s return as the beginning of God’s kingdom though. In order to see the Lord’s return, you must be looking in anticipation for it with eyes of spiritual discernment. Obviously, those who pierced the Lord are no longer alive and could not witness a future return. Proof that Revelation is to be analyzed in symbolic terms. Never forget the allegorical nature of Revelation.

This part of Revelation refers to those of 33 CE who pierced the Lord Jesus Christ at his crucifixion. This blame rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Roman rulers and Jewish priests. A political faction or force held sway over the people. There was also a religious order that shared that control. Both these classes of people share the guilt, then as well as now. It has always been political power and false religion that controls and influences the mind and will of man. The return of the Lord has nothing to do with physical sight. The passage in 1 Timothy 6:16 says that Christ dwells in the spiritual light which no man can see. Romans 1:20 elaborates by clarifying that the invisible things are seen by those with spiritual discernment of the works of God. So some will see the Lord’s return in that they will discern his presence by observance of his works. Next is one of only three times in the book of Revelation that God the Father makes a pronouncement.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8; see also Revelation 21:6 and 22:13.)

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In Isaiah 46:9–10, God declares that there is no other God besides himself. He is also the beginning as well as the end, as the book of Revelation will illustrate. John now introduces himself as a fellow brother in Christ.

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)

John reminds his audience of his own tribulations, trials, and imprisonment on the isle of Patmos. This marks the end of the official greeting to the seven churches of Asia and, by extension, the universal congregation of God.