Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I recently spent approximately eleven months teaching the Book of Revelation to junior high and senior high school students at our church for an LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) competition consisting of approximately seventy churches throughout the Midwest. Using this opportunity, I composed a commentary and teacher’s guide that enabled these students to understand and comprehend the Book of Revelation. Although I taught this book to junior high and senior high school students, I believe the ability to comprehend this study will extend to upper level elementary students also. The Book of Revelation is really very easy to understand by using this teacher’s guide. My research and composition time for this project has been over one year but with many years of previous research and study.
Using Scriptural references, I devoted two chapters of this book disproving many false theories regarding the Book of Revelation that are on the market. It is an excellent teaching and study tool for classroom instruction and/or home study. In addition to being a commentary for individual verses, a brief synopsis for each chapter is written in a manner that guides the reader through that particular chapter. My commentary and a thorough interpretation of the symbolism was made and confirmed through Biblical Scriptural references that also includes definitions for colors and numbers.
This commentary/teacher’s guide is being published by XULON PRESS and is available now as a paperback, hardback, and an e-book. The title of the book is: Revelation of Christ, A Teacher’s Guide. The retail price per book is $18.99 for a paperback and $28.99 for a hardback book. The book can be purchased online 24/7 by credit card through Xulon Bookstore, the biggest on-demand Christian bookstore on the Web. Lifeway Christian Stores has it available as a special order through their catalog at their retail stores and online at www.lifewaystores.com. Availability through other retail Christian bookstores will depend upon each store. It is also available through Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble. As I purchased the returnable policy from Xulon Press, all retail stores have a fully returnable option, so this should alleviate the financial risk and enable retail stores to stock this book on their shelves. Retail Stores can order this book from Ingram Book Company or Spring Arbor Book Distributors.
Churches and Ministries will enjoy a 30% discount when purchased through Xulon Press. To obtain this discount, call Xulon Press toll free at telephone number 866-381-2665 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern time requesting this discount and referencing either my name or ISBN number 9781613794821. Purchases in quantity will help on transportation costs. A Video Trailer is now available on YouTube under my name or the ISBN number if you desire to show this Video Trailer to the congregation. It will last approximately one and one-half minutes.
The Book of Revelation is an excellent literary composition given by Jesus Christ through his angel unto his servant John. The use of symbolism is a superior method of providing many enlightening thoughts in each sentence. It is very easy to understand and comprehend the message being presented by following the guide that has been set forth. Understanding the various symbols, colors, and numbers will not only allow the comprehension of the message of this book as put forth by Jesus Christ but will also enable the reader to have a better understanding of many Scriptures throughout the Bible.
In Christian Love For Your Edification,
Jerry N. Upton WEBSITE: https://jerryupton.wordpress.com
Huntington, AR. 72940
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction………………………………………………………….vii
Scriptures versus False Theories………………………………xiii
The Second Coming of Christ………………………………….xvii
Method of Interpretation……………………………………….xxvii
Progressive Parallelism……………………………………….xxxiii
Symbolism Interpretation……………………………………..xxxix
Numbers Interpretation………………………………………lxxxvii
Revelation, Chapter 1………………………………………………93
Revelation, Chapter 2…………………………………………….106
Revelation, Chapter 3…………………………………………….122
Revelation, Chapter 4…………………………………………….133
Revelation, Chapter 5…………………………………………….141
Revelation, Chapter 6…………………………………………….148
Revelation, Chapter 7…………………………………………….158
Revelation, Chapter 8…………………………………………….165
Revelation, Chapter 9……………………………………………..172
Revelation, Chapter 10……………………………………………182
Revelation, Chapter 11…………………………………………….187
Revelation, Chapter 12…………………………………………….199
Revelation, Chapter 13……………………………………………209
Revelation, Chapter 14…………………………………………….223
Revelation, Chapter 15…………………………………………….235
Revelation, Chapter 16…………………………………………….241
Revelation, Chapter 17……………………………………………..255
Revelation, Chapter 18……………………………………………..266
Revelation, Chapter 19……………………………………………..282
Revelation, Chapter 20……………………………………………..293
Revelation, Chapter 21………………………………………………303
Revelation, Chapter 22………………………………………………321
References…………………………………………………………….331
I have received a large number of positive comments on this commentary from many different people. A few of those with credentials as Biblical scholars are as follows: A current minister that has been preaching for over forty years, “I have other commentaries on the Book of Revelation, but I value your book above all of the others.” From a retired minister who preached approximately forty-five years, “I do not know of anyone else who could have done what you did with your commentary on the Book of Revelation.” From a retired theology professor in Texas, “This book is great and it needs to be on the market. I will show your book to book stores in my area.” From a current minister and previous college professor, “This book is well documented and very well done. Show it to the chairman of the bible program at Oklahoma City Christian College.” From a retired preacher who purchased this book, “People need to read this commentary. I am donating this book to the college where I received my theology degree.”
OVERALL THEME
There are many false theories regarding the Book of Revelation. These false theories developed from the misinterpretation of the Scriptures mainly due to the fact that this is a Spiritual battle between Christ and Satan but described in physical terms. Most of these theories came from one of three main themes, the futurist, the preterit, and the continuous historical method.
The futurist theory believes that the book was written with the events to happen in the future. The preterit theory believes that the events happened in the past. The continuous historical theory generally tries to relate the events in the book with specific events in history as they unfold. I rejected all of those theories for the following reasons
Revelation 1:19; Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
This indicates that the vision presented to John covered events past, present, and future thus eliminating both the futurist and the preterit interpretations. The events of the past, present, and future in the Book of Revelation were given as examples in order to reflect what these disciples of God and Christ were going to have to endure and that this persecution was going to continuously be replicated throughout the Gospel Dispensation Period. The degree of persecution will vary just as the people and nations will also vary until the final judgment day.
The events revealed to John in his vision through the open door into heaven depict this Spiritual battle and continually show the persecution of the followers of God and Christ. Many Biblical scholars and historians have concentrated on interpreting events in the Book of Revelation by relating them to specific historical events. By doing so, they are missing the point that the overall theme in the Book of Revelation is the continuing Spiritual battle fought by the spreading of the Word of God by the disciples of God and Christ for the souls of mankind while being persecuted by the evil forces of Satan throughout the entire Gospel Dispensation time period. The Gospel Dispensation time period is further confirmed by the fact that Christ is depicted as the ultimate victor in chapter eighteen followed by chapter nineteen describing Christ delivering his disciples as his wife unto God by the marriage of the Lamb. Chapter twenty-one further describes this delivery unto heaven as a new heaven and a new earth.
Revelation 11:3; And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The phrase “clothed in sackcloth” implies the duress under which God’s Word is being spread throughout earth with the time period of “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” representing the Gospel Dispensation time period.
Revelation 13:5; And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
This is the sea beast that is in opposition to the Word of God during the “forty and two months” which is another symbol for the Gospel Dispensation time period.
II Timothy 3:13; But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Ephesians 6:12; For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
II Timothy 3:13 and Ephesians 6:12 indicate the ongoing spiritual struggle during this Gospel Dispensation time period between the followers of God and Christ versus the evil forces of Satan.
Many scholars and historians have tried to isolate individuals in history as the anti-christ, but John says there are many anti-christs.
I John 2:18; Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
My interpretation of the Book of Revelation is unique in that I am unaware of any other Biblical scholar or historian using the same exact theme. The overall theme of this book is the ongoing Spiritual battle between Christ and Satan for the souls of mankind with the ultimate victory by Christ. This battle between good and evil is being waged by disciples of God and Christ via the spreading of the Word of God while under persecution from evil forces. This overall theme is continually replicated throughout the Book of Revelation using the time symbols of three and one-half years, forty-two months, one thousand two hundred sixty days, and the phrase: time, times, and half time. These time symbols reflect the period of time established by God for His Word to be preached and taught throughout earth while under persecution from evil sources. The time period of persecution ceases with the final judgment day. This viewpoint is confirmed by chapter eleven, verses two and three that indicate the persecution of the promoters of God’s Word for the entire Gospel Dispensation period reflected as a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Chapter thirteen, verse five, confirms the same thing with the sea beast empowered by Satan also persecuting disciples of God for the same period of time reflected as forty-two months.
There is an old adage that says “You cannot see the forest because the trees are in the way” implies that when trying to see or understand any particular subject or entity that you are overlooking the obvious. The obvious is that the events revealed to John in his vision through the open door into heaven depict this ongoing Spiritual battle by disciples of God while under continuous persecution past, present, and future. Many Biblical scholars and historians have concentrated on interpreting events in the Book of Revelation by relating them to specific historical events. By doing so they are missing the point that the overall theme in the Book of Revelation is the continuing spiritual battle by the disciples of God and Christ for the souls of mankind while continually being persecuted by the evil forces of Satan. As a result, many Biblical scholars and historians are unable to see the forest because they are concentrating on a single tree.
One example is restricting their viewpoint to the first century and the Roman Empire even though there is no symbol given in the Book of Revelation for the time period of the first century A.D. Those that restrict their viewpoint to the first century generally refer to chapter one, verse one, and reference the phrase, “shortly come to pass”, while ignoring in the same verse that this is God’s timetable who established this Gospel Dispensation time period portrayed as three and one-half years, forty-two months, twelve hundred sixty days, and the phrase; time, times, and half time. To insist on this being man’s timetable requires an explanation of chapter twelve, verse twelve, which uses similar terminology from the same author. It is obvious that the time periods referenced in chapter one, verse one, and chapter twelve, verse twelve, indicate the Gospel Dispensation time period.
Disciples of the Lord God have been persecuted ever since they were in bondage to the Egyptians. God then sent His Word to the children of Israel through the Law of Moses. This persecution continued during the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation by the apostle, John, and will continue into the future until the second coming of Christ bringing about the final judgment day.
An example of this persecution progressing from one evil empire to another would be the vision of Nebuchadnezzar of the great metallic image with the head of gold, breast of silver, belly and thighs of brass, and legs of iron. This vision interpreted by the prophet, Daniel, was a succession of four great empires, the Chaldean or Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar, the Medo-Persian Empire of Cyrus and Darius, the Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire. Another example would be the holocaust of the Jews by Hitler during World War II. This anti-Christian behavior is in evidence today through the nation of Islam and will progress into the future via other evil empires until the final judgment day.
Therefore, I eliminated the continuous historical method as that focus was generally on specific events and the message that Christ was conveying unto his servant, John, was that Christians were persecuted in the past and were going to be continually persecuted until his second coming in judgment and that this vision was needed to reassure Christians of the ultimate victory of Christ and that they needed to remain steadfast in the faith in order to secure their reward of heaven.
Another misinterpretation is the “millennium”, otherwise called the “thousand year reign” even though there are many verses in the Bible that discredit that false theory. This false theory is easily dispelled by the teachings of Christ, partly through parables. Reference the parable of the tares of the field. Matthew 13:24-30; Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
This was then explained unto his disciples in:
Matthew 13:36-43; Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Also reference the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-34,41,46; When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Both of these parables clearly indicate that the return of Christ will be to gather his disciples unto God with the wicked being cast into a furnace of fire.
Matthew 16:27; For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Prior to his departure from this earth, Christ also stated the reason for his return in John 14:1-3; Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Christ never came to establish a physical kingdom, but, rather, a spiritual one. This is confirmed by his conversation with Pilate in: John 18:36-37; Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Hebrews 9:27-28; And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Peter 3:7-8, 10-13, 16-17.
These and other verses confirm that there will be no “thousand year reign”. That is simply a misinterpretation of chapter twenty which is thoroughly explained in this commentary/teacher’s guide.
Another misinterpretation is that only 144,000 will be saved. This also is thoroughly explained in Chapter seven of this book.
Many Biblical scholars and historians have written commentaries based upon one or more of these false theories thereby leading readers astray from the correct interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Making people aware of the true facts is difficult because of the human characteristic that once a person adopts a viewpoint they are reluctant to change and will usually dismiss any other viewpoint that does not agree with their current belief. This characteristic of human nature is also very noticeable and prevalent regarding political viewpoints.
This Spiritual battle is being fought with God’s Word, but is described in physical terms using symbolism that also includes colors and numbers. Do not take any number in the Book of Revelation as a mathematical value as all numbers are symbols. This commentary/teacher’s guide has over fifty pages of symbolism interpretation. I sincerely believe that this commentary/teacher’s guide will be of benefit to Christians now and into the future.
I referenced other Scriptures in the Bible to prove all of my commentary, symbolism, and individual verses in the book of Revelation. Understanding the symbolism that is used in the Book of Revelation will also allow the reader a deeper and better knowledge of Scripture throughout the Bible. I am thoroughly convinced that this interpretation is the most accurate and detailed version on the market today and that it will prove to be of benefit to Christians everywhere and also into the future.
In Christian Love For Your Edification,
Jerry N. Upton
P.O. Box 36
Huntington, AR. 72940
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and the Word became flesh... 