THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

B. The worst political prisoners were taken to Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea

1. It was located 24 miles off the coast of Asia Minor (now Turkey) and 60 miles from Ephesus 2. It was 10 miles long and 6 miles wide; the coast was jagged rocks 3. John lived in an abandoned cave on top of the island acropolis overlooking the Aegean Sea 4. There was a niche where John slept; it was cal led the “Cave of the Revelation” 5 . A “c ompanion in tribulation ” means “ excruciating distress and pressure ” 6. In 2 BC the island was dedicated to Hermes , the “messenger of the gods”

C. Authentication of the book by the early church fathers

1. Irenaeus (AD 103-202) stated the Apocalypse was written at the end of Domitian’s reign 2. Clement (AD 150-215) said John returned from Patmos after Domitian died (AD 96) 3. Origen (AD 185-254) believed it was written in the time of Domitian 4. Domitian accepted emper or worship and called himself “lord and god” in his letters 5. Saint Jerome mentioned the history of John on Patmos

Note: If the passion was AD 32, then 68 years later would be AD 100

D. The activity of the book

Main Verse : Revelation 1:19

1. The things you have seen 2. The things which are 3. The things which shall be

- Revelation chapter 1

- the resurrected Christ

- Revelation chapters 2 and 3 - Revelation chapters 4 through 22

- the seven churches in Asia - the events in the future

THE PROPHETIC NATURE OF REVELATION

A. The prophetic symbolism of the book

1. The lamb is Christ in 26 of 27 verses

- Rev. 5:6 - Rev. 12:9 - Rev. 17:1

2. The dragon is Satan

3. The harlot on the beast is a false religious system 4. The beast with heads and horns is a final world empire

- Rev. 13:1 and 17

5. The woman giving birth is Israel

- Rev. 12:1

B. The prophetic purpose of the symbolism

1. Prophetic symbolism is found throughout apocalyptic literature such as Daniel and Revelation 2. Prophetic symbolism was used to veil the meaning , especially from the enemies of the Jews 3. Prophetic symbolism is used to allow the wise to search out the truth (Prov. 25:2) 4. Prophetic symbolism is found in the numbers, colors, and imagery of the animal symbols

Note: The Bible interprets itself and Revelation and Daniel are twin books in symbolism!

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