THREE PHASES OF THE BOOK
Dr. Stephen R. Phinney
We need to understand that the book of Revelation is laid out in three phases—past, present, and future. We need to keep this in mind as we go through our study.
The supernatural visions noted
in the book of Revelation were seen by John, referred to by the beloved disciple of Christ, on the island of Patmos, which was written about AD 96. This book has three primary divisions or categorical phases. The three are established in the first chapter, starting at verse 19, and it says, "Therefore, write the things which you
have seen
, and the
things which are
, and the things
which will take place
after these things."
John gets things started by talking about the seven lampstands. The things that John has seen are noted in verses 10-18. Christ being right there in the middle of the seven golden candlesticks is the central theme of these verses and is in the past tense. The things which are taking place in chapters two and three. The period is dated from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture and is stated in the Greek text as present tense. This is the Age of Dispensation, and it is the Age that we live in today.
Let's take a look at our quick facts:
The third element is probably what brings more mysterious confusion than any of the phases because it's "the things which will take place." These "things which will take place" are those which will happen after the Age of Dispensation. The third and final category begins with chapter four and finishes in chapter 22, ending in verse five. This is the "prophecy to be fulfilled" portion of John's writings. You must understand that this portion of Revelation is future in its tense. The seals, the trumpets, the vials, Babylon, the marriage of the Groom, the reign of the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon, the 1,000-year reign of Christ, and Satan's imprisonment in the pit, all happen during this period. Each of these future events, from chapter four, verse one through the remainder of the book, is yet to be fulfilled.
We are presently living
between Revelation chapter three, verse seven, and chapter three, verse 20. There are members of the Church of Philadelphia and probably the other churches as well that are still active and alive today. I am of the personal belief that every true, indwelt believer can be traced back to one of the churches. As close as we can tell, we are living toward the end of the Age of The Dispensation of Grace.
Most likely, the next big event for indwelt Christians is going to be the Rapture. No one knows the day or the hour, but it will undoubtedly occur soon. Mark 13:32 says, "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."
For those of us seeking the coming of our Groom
and searching the Truth in the Word, we can quickly embrace the fact that the coming of Jesus is going to happen soon. We should be watching the eastern sky for His arrival—for His divine show of affection toward us by rescuing us from the harm and destruction the enemy is planning for the entire world. This is one of the greatest acts of compassion and love noted in scripture.
Revelation can be divided into 12 sections.
- Chapter 1:1-8 is the introduction
- Chapter 1:10-18 is the seven golden candlesticks – the Seven Churches
- Chapter 2 - 3 is the departure of churches.
- Chapter 4 - 5 is the Saints positioning and the glorification.
- Chapter 6:1 - 8:1 is the seven seals.
- Chapter 8 - 11 is the seven trumpets.
- Chapter 12 - 14 is the two primary prophets.
- Chapter 15 - 16 is the seven vials of wrath.
- Chapter 17 - 18 is dealing with the new Babylon, Satan's headquarters.
- Chapter 19:1-21 is the destruction of Satan's structure.
- Chapter 21:9-22 is the Bride of the Lamb, detailed. That would be the church (indwelt believers).
- Chapter 22:6-21 is the final encouragement.
One of the best ways to describe chapters four and five is the focus switches from earthly things to heavenly things. Before the New Earth and the New Heaven, the Saints are placed in their temporary home, and this action, the Rapture, is what ends the Age of the Church.
Within this book, we see the number seven
in the way of the seven characters. These characters will play a major role in the coming crisis, judgments, and the glorious reign of Christ Himself.
The first character is the Lord Jesus Christ.
His whole mission and the theme is, He is revealing His plan—past, present, and future. It says in Acts 20:28, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His blood."
The second character is The Great Dragon
—
known in modern times as Satan. Revelation 13:7 says, "It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and the nation was given to him."
The third character is The Beast
—part of the devil's trinity, so to speak, that will control the political and financial arenas of the world. It states Revelation 11:7, "When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them."
The fourth character is The False Prophet
—
part of the devils triune that will control the world regarding spiritual worship. In Revelation 13:11-12 it says, "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed."
The fifth character is The King of the North
—a deadly ruler that comes down for the North to crush Israel. A significant figure that we see in global news every day. Daniel 11:23-25 says, "After an alliance is made with him, he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people. In a time of tranquility, he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestor; he will distribute plunder, booty, and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time. He will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize a vast and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him."
The sixth character is The King of the South
—another deadly force that will come up from the land of Egypt. Daniel 11:5-6 says, "Then the king of the South will grow strong, along with one of his princes who will gain ascendancy over him and obtain dominion; his domain will be a great dominion indeed. After some years, they will ally, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to carry out a peaceful arrangement. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power, but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who sired her as well as he who supported her in those times."
The seventh character is Gog
—the last dictator of present-day Russia, and the last character of power mentioned in Revelation. Ezekiel 36 through 37 predicts a gathering of the Jews to the nation of Israel, followed by this massive invasion. For the nineteenth century, the Jewish people were scattered throughout the world. Until May 14, 1948, there was no nation of Israel to invade. With the nation of Israel now a reality, the stage seems to be set for the war that will usher in the Tribulation and the rise of the Antichrist—a war that will end with the destruction of Israel's enemies by God Himself. This is why in the daily news, you hear about Israel, and you hear about countries that come against her, regularly and consistently trying to prove that they are not a nation.
Gog will be the leader of a large and magnificent army, which will come down on Israel like a storm, but only after Israel is feeling safe in her land. Ezekiel chapter 38 and 39 have much to say about this; Gog, the ruler; Magog, the ground; and the allies of Gog, will come against the little country of Israel and will be defeated by the Lord Himself.
Ezekiel 38 through 39 tell of a future invasion of Israel
by a vast coalition of nations surrounding it. As we read the headlines in the newspapers of today and witness the conflicts in the Middle East, it's not hard to imagine this invasion prophesied over 2,000 years ago, which could be fulfilled in our lifetime.
There are many theories as to who will join in this future invasion of Israel. This fact is clear—it will be a war to end all wars. There are many debates over who these people are that will rise against Israel. I believe it will be a war of the descendants of the three sons of Noah. Ham, of course, is the father of the Muslim people. Japheth is the father of the Europeans, and Shem is the father of the Jews. Why is the land divided by earthquakes into three pieces? We might find our answer here.