Daniel and Revelation

Jesus reveals the meaning of Scripture, the understanding of the future, and the nature and mysteries of God . Jesus unveils the Divine mysteries, and only he is qualified to reveal the nature and glory of the unseen God. All the promises of God find their fulfillment in him.  Christ unlocks the scriptures, and there is no true knowledge of God apart from him.

Jesus is the slain Lamb, the true Messiah of Israel sent by God to redeem humanity and Shepherd the Nations . Jesus is “ the Faithful Witness ” and “ the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ,” and these two designations are inextricably linked. The first title establishes how he obtained the second and confirmed his right to rule. By his sacrificial death, he made the saints a “ Kingdom of Priests for God ,” and because of his redemptive act, God resurrected and enthroned Christ to reign over the Cosmos.

Jesus, the Slain Lamb, is the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth, the King of Kings who now reigns over all the nations of the Earth . Jesus has reigned as Sovereign over the nations since his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Even now, he is seated on the Throne of David at the right hand of God. Because of his “ obedience unto death ,” God appointed him as “ the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .” He is the only true emperor, and global hegemony belongs to him alone. All other political powers are subordinate to him.

Jesus is the King who reigns over all things, and he does so as the Sacrificial Lamb and the Shepherd of the Nations . Jesus is the only one who unveils the “ mysteries of God ,” he alone is qualified to reveal the “ unseen God .” Only in him are all the promises of God fulfilled. He is the key that unlocks the Hebrew Bible and explains the “ times and seasons .” And only he is our absolute Lord and Sovereign– (Revelation 5:9-14).

Humanity is divided into two and only two groups – the followers of the Lamb and the subjects of the Beast . In the  Book of Revelation , every man either “ Tabernacles in Heaven ” or is an “ Inhabitant of the Earth .” The terms are not geographical or spatial. They identify which Master we serve. Men either belong to “ Heaven ” or the “ Earth .” Those who follow the Lamb, “ Tabernacle in Heaven .” The “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” submit to the “ Dragon ” and his “ Beast ,” and therefore await a grim fate.

The Slain Lamb is the Messiah in Revelation who overcomes and reigns over the Nations and the Kings of the Earth . In popular preaching, Jesus has become the “ Roaring Lion of Judah ” who will soon unleash his predatory cry as he slays his enemies. Unlike the man from Nazareth, this warrior-king will destroy everyone who resists him as he imposes his kingdom on the willing and the unwilling. No longer is he the savior who submitted to an unjust death to save the world. Does not the  Book of Revelation  tell us that he is the Messianic Lion?

The Book of Revelation is addressed to seven first-century congregations in the Roman province of Asia. It deals with their real-life struggles. Moreover, it presents messages relevant to the Church throughout the present age, the “ Last Days .” This period began with the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The daily challenges of the Asian congregations provide us with a microcosm of the great cosmic battle that is being waged between Jesus and the Devil.

Jesus triumphed over Satan and Sin through his Death and Resurrection, therefore, he now reigns from the Messianic Throne . Jesus triumphed over his enemies on the Cross and began his reign as the promised Messianic King following his Death and Resurrection. He is not waiting for some future event before he receives his sovereignty over the nations. Unlike the political powers of this age, he conquered through his sacrificial death rather than tyranny, lies, political manipulation, or violence. It is the Crucified One who now reigns on Mount Zion!

The Lamb’s reign began with his Death and Resurrection. Since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem . The  Book of Revelation  declares Jesus is the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .” When it describes how he reigns over the “ nations ,” it presents a King of an entirely different nature than Caesar or the political rulers of this evil age. Christ is the “ Lamb ” who was slain to redeem men from every nation, and now, he is “ shepherding ” the “ nations ” so that the city of “ New Jerusalem ” will be fully inhabited.

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” focus on the significance of its Number, ‘ 666 .’ We wish to understand it, and thereby avoid taking it. But to better appreciate the ramifications of taking its “ Mark ,” we must perceive that the Book of Revelation contrasts the “ Mark of the Beast ” with the “ Seal of God .” Every man must choose between two irreconcilable alternatives, and either choice has consequences.

Jesus is the key that unlocks the Hebrew scriptures, understanding the end-times, and the nature and mysteries of God . Jesus Christ unveils the Mysteries of God. Only he is qualified to reveal the nature and glories of the “ unseen God .”  In him alone , all the promises of God find their fulfillment.  Christ is the key that unlocks the Scriptures and unveils the “ times and seasons .” This is especially so in the  Book of Revelation  which discloses the sacrificial “ Lamb ” and how he reigns over the Earth, or at least, to men and women who can “ hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches .”

The fifteenth chapter introduces the seven angels who empty the contents of the “ seven bowls of wrath .” But first, the “ overcoming ” saints are found standing on the “ sea of glass mingled with fire ” where they “ sing the song of Moses and the Lamb .” They have overcome the “ Beast, its image, mark, and number .”

The reign of Jesus on the Divine Throne is based on his sacrificial death and resurrection, the unshakable basis of his universal authority . The Death, Resurrection, and the Exaltation of Jesus are all linked in the  Book of Revelation . Christ reigns supreme over the Earth because of his obedient death and subsequent resurrection, and he therefore is authorized to reveal and put the contents of the “ Sealed Scroll ” into action. He does not tyrannize his subjects; instead, he is “ the Shepherd of the nations ” who redeems men and women from every nation.

The second rider was sent to “remove peace from the earth” and to cause men to “slay one another”  –  Revelation 6:3-4 .  As with the first rider, the second one was commanded by one of the four “ living creatures ” to “ go forth .” Although each seal is opened by the “ Lamb ,” the involvement of the “ four living creatures ” serves to emphasize that heaven remains in firm control over the earthly events represented by each “ rider .”

The Messiah “shepherds” the nations by the “word” that proceeds out of his mouth in preparation for the final battle  -  Revelation 19:11-16 .  The vision now anticipates the destruction of the “ beast ” and the “ False Prophet ” by introducing the warrior figure riding a “ white horse .” The groundwork for the coming “battle” was laid with the announcement of the victory of the “ Lamb ” over the “ beast ” and the “ kings of the earth ” in chapter 17 (For he is “ Lord of lords and King of kings ”).

John saw a vision of a female figure identified as “ Babylon, the Great Harlot .” She was carried by the “ Beast with Ten Horns and Seven Heads .” She deceived the “ Kings of the Earth ” along with its “ Inhabitants ” with her “ fornications ,” and she was “ drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus .” She was (and remains) the “ Mother of the Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth .” Her powers of seduction were so great that even John found himself momentarily “ marveling ” after her.