THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

b. At times of cold, the priests would warm themselves at a fire in a special chamber c. They could fall asleep and the head guard knocked on the door d. They could fellowship with each other if they were not sleeping

3. The names and the white raiment reference (Rev. 3:5)

a. The white raiment was given to a priest who was accepted into the priesthood b. Names were placed in the Temple registry and they were confessed before the Sanhedrin

4. A pillar in the Temple reference (Rev. 3:12)

a. Pillars at Greek temples were carved and placed there to honor dignitaries b. This could mean a pillar in the Temple is carved to honor you c. Gal. 2:9 – there were men who were pillars (main support) of the church

5. The hidden manna and the white stone reference (Rev. 2:17)

a. The priests were permitted every 7 th day to eat the showbread from the table b. White stone was called a victory stone ; conquerors given white stones with their names c. White stones (if pardoned of a crime) black stones (if guilty of a crime)

Note: After examining a priest, he was given a “stone of the sanctuary” to enter it

d. A white stone was given as an admission to public festivals e. Victors at public games were given white stones, allowing them to live on the public tab f . Special guests were given a white stone with a message shared only by the host/guest g. The “n ew name ” is mentioned in Isa. 62:2 , and an “everlasting name” in Is a. 56:5

THE SUMMARY

A. Revelation chapter 1-3

1. John on the island of Patmos received a vision of the “ Day of the Lord ” 2. John sees Christ in Revelation 1 as the atoning High Priest over the Heavenly Temple 3. John is informed to write and send the vision to seven main churches in Asia Minor

After cleaning the Menorah, the gates of the Temple are to be opened for worshippers. The door of heaven will open at the conclusion of the church age.

B. The transition from chapter 3 to chapter 4

Main verse : Revelation 4:1-2

Note: Revelation 4 initiates three different themes at once

1. The conclusion of the church age (notice the phrase, “after this”)

a. We are in the “ dispensation of the grace of God ” (Eph. 3:2) b. We are in the “ dispensation of the gospel ” (1 Cor. 9:18)

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