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Question

What is the literary structure of Revelation 12-14 and how does the placement of the three angels' messages within this macro-structure determine their meaning? What comes before (Rev 12's cosmic conflict, Rev 13's two beasts), what comes after (Rev 14:13-20's harvest), and how does the Lamb-on-Zion unit (14:1-5) frame the messages? How does Rev 11:19 (the ark of the covenant revealed) open the entire sequence? Are the three angels literal angels or symbolic movements — what does the apocalyptic genre require?

DRAGON — GENERAL

  • Deu 32:33
  • Psa 91:13
  • Isa 34:13
  • Jer 9:11
  • Jer 51:37
  • Mal 1:3
  • Psa 74:13
  • Isa 27:1
  • Mic 1:8
  • Gen 1:21
  • Job 7:12
  • Exo 7:9
  • Isa 51:9
  • Rev 20:2
  • Ezk 29:3
  • Ezk 32:2
  • Rev 12
  • Rev 13
  • Rev 16:13

A poisonous serpent DEU 32:33. A serpent of the desert PSA 91:13; ISA 34:13; JER 9:11; 51:37; MAL 1:3. Of the sea PSA 74:13; ISA 27:1. A wolf MIC 1:8. Interpreted as whale, in GEN 1:21; JOB 7:12. Serpent EXO 7:9. A term applied: To Pharaoh ISA 51:9. To Satan REV 20:2. Symbolical EZK 29:3; 32:2; REV 12; 13; 16:13

HARVEST — FIGURATIVE

  • Job 24:6
  • Pro 10:5
  • Jer 8:20
  • Joel 3:13
  • Mat 9:37
  • Mat 13:39
  • Luk 10:2
  • Rev 14:15

FIGURATIVE JOB 24:6; PRO 10:5; JER 8:20; JOL 3:13; MAT 9:37; 13:39; LUK 10:2; REV 14:15. See PENTECOST, FEAST OF. See TABERNACLES, FEAST OF. See FIRST FRUITS. See REAPING. See GLEANING.

BABYLON — FIGURATIVE

  • Rev 14:8
  • Rev 16:19
  • Rev 17
  • Rev 18

FIGURATIVE REV 14:8; 16:19; 17; 18. City of Babylon: Built by Nimrod GEN 10:10. Capital of the kingdom DAN 4:30. Prophecies concerning PSA 87:4; 137:8,9; ISA 13; 14:4-26; JER 50; 51.

ANGEL (a spirit) — FUNCTIONS OF

  • Rev 14:6
  • Rev 14:8
  • Rev 14:9
  • Rev 12:7
  • Rev 8:2
  • Mat 13:39
  • Mat 25:31
  • Heb 1:14
  • Rev 1:20

ANGEL (a spirit) — FUNCTIONS OF / APPEARANCES. Angels serve as messengers (Rev 14:6-9), warriors (Rev 12:7), judgment executors (Rev 8:2, Mat 13:39-41), attendants at the Second Coming (Mat 25:31), and ministering spirits (Heb 1:14). In Revelation the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches (Rev 1:20). Nave's lists approximately 80 verse references for angel functions and appearances.

ARK — IN THE TABERNACLE

  • Exo 25:10-22
  • Exo 25:16
  • Exo 25:21
  • Deu 10:5
  • 1 Ki 8:9
  • Rev 11:19
  • Heb 9:4

ARK — IN THE TABERNACLE. Made of shittim wood overlaid with gold (Exo 25:10-11). Contains the testimony/law (Exo 25:16,21; Deu 10:5; 1 Ki 8:9). Mercy seat with cherubim on top (Exo 25:17-22). God meets with Israel from above the mercy seat (Exo 25:22). Seen in heavenly temple (Rev 11:19). Nave's lists approximately 50 verse references.

LAMB OF GOD — GENERAL

  • John 1:29
  • John 1:36
  • Rev 5:6
  • Rev 5:12
  • Rev 14:1
  • Rev 14:4
  • Rev 14:10

LAMB OF GOD — GENERAL. John the Baptist identifies Jesus (John 1:29,36). In Revelation: the Lamb enthroned (Rev 5:6), worthy of worship (Rev 5:12), on Mount Zion with 144,000 (Rev 14:1,4), present at judgment (Rev 14:10). Nave's lists approximately 18 verse references.

WORSHIP — TO BE RENDERED ONLY TO GOD

  • Exo 20:3-5
  • Deu 6:13
  • Mat 4:10
  • Rev 4:10-11
  • Rev 14:7
  • Rev 13:4
  • Rev 13:12
  • Rev 13:15
  • Rev 14:9
  • Rev 14:11

WORSHIP — TO BE RENDERED ONLY TO GOD. Central theme in Rev 12-14 conflict: true worship of Creator (Rev 14:7, cf. Exo 20:11) vs. beast worship (Rev 13:4,12,15). Third angel warns against worshiping the beast (Rev 14:9,11). Nave's lists approximately 60 verse references.

COVENANT — OF GOD WITH MEN

  • Gen 9:9-17
  • Gen 15:18
  • Exo 19:5
  • Exo 24:7-8
  • Exo 25:16
  • Deu 10:5
  • Rev 11:19

COVENANT — OF GOD WITH MEN. The ark of the covenant contains the Ten Commandments (Exo 25:16; Deu 10:5). In Rev 11:19, the ark of his testament (diatheke) is seen in the heavenly temple, reopening the covenant-law theme that threads through 12:17 and 14:12. Nave's lists approximately 40 verse references.

JUDGMENT — THE GENERAL

  • Ecc 12:14
  • Mat 12:36
  • Mat 25:31-46
  • Rom 2:16
  • Rev 14:7
  • Rev 20:12

JUDGMENT — THE GENERAL. The hour of his judgment is come (Rev 14:7). God shall judge the secrets of men (Rom 2:16). Every idle word accountable (Mat 12:36). Books opened (Rev 20:12). Nave's lists approximately 50 verse references.

ZION — GENERAL

  • Psa 2:6
  • Psa 48:2
  • Isa 2:3
  • Heb 12:22
  • Rev 14:1

ZION — GENERAL. Called the city of David (2 Sam 5:7). God's holy hill (Psa 2:6). In Heb 12:22 Mount Sion = the heavenly Jerusalem. Rev 14:1: the Lamb stood on Mount Sion with 144,000. Nave's lists approximately 25 verse references.

TEMPLE — HEAVENLY

  • Rev 3:12
  • Rev 7:15
  • Rev 11:19
  • Rev 14:15
  • Rev 14:17
  • Rev 15:5-8
  • Rev 16:1

TEMPLE — HEAVENLY. The temple of God opened in heaven (Rev 11:19). Angels come out of the temple (Rev 14:15,17; 15:6). Temple of the tabernacle of the testimony opened (Rev 15:5). Temple filled with smoke, none able to enter (Rev 15:8). Nave's lists approximately 70 verse references for temple topics.

SATAN — GENERAL

  • Gen 3:1-15
  • Isa 14:12-14
  • Ezk 28:12-17
  • Mat 4:1-11
  • Rev 12:7-9
  • Rev 20:2

SATAN — GENERAL. Identified as the serpent of Eden (Gen 3:1-15; Rev 12:9; 20:2). Fall narrative (Isa 14:12-14). Cast out of heaven (Rev 12:7-9). Accuser cast down (Rev 12:10). Dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan (Rev 12:9; 20:2). Nave's lists approximately 45 verse references.

SERPENT — GENERAL

  • Gen 3:1-15
  • Num 21:6-9
  • Isa 27:1
  • Rev 12:9
  • Rev 12:14-15
  • Rev 20:2

SERPENT — GENERAL. The serpent in Eden (Gen 3:1-15). Leviathan the piercing serpent (Isa 27:1). In Revelation: that old serpent = the dragon = the Devil and Satan (Rev 12:9; 20:2). The serpent cast water as a flood after the woman (Rev 12:15). Nave's lists approximately 20 verse references.

GOSPEL — UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES

  • Mat 4:23
  • Mat 24:14
  • Mat 28:19-20
  • Mark 16:15
  • Rom 1:16
  • Rev 14:6

GOSPEL — UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES. The everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6). Preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Go and teach all nations (Mat 28:19). The gospel of the kingdom preached in all the world (Mat 24:14). Nave's lists approximately 55 verse references.

PERSEVERANCE — GENERAL

  • Rom 5:3-4
  • 2 Thes 1:4
  • Heb 10:36
  • Heb 12:1
  • Jam 1:3-4
  • Rev 13:10
  • Rev 14:12

PERSEVERANCE — GENERAL. Patience/endurance of the saints (Rev 13:10; 14:12). Tribulation worketh patience (Rom 5:3-4). Ye have need of patience (Heb 10:36). Run with patience (Heb 12:1). The trying of your faith worketh patience (Jam 1:3). Nave's lists approximately 35 verse references.

WINE PRESS — FIGURATIVE

  • Isa 63:2-3
  • Lam 1:15
  • Joel 3:13
  • Rev 14:19-20
  • Rev 19:15

WINE PRESS — FIGURATIVE. I have trodden the winepress alone (Isa 63:3). The Lord hath trodden the daughter of Judah as in a winepress (Lam 1:15). The press is full, the fats overflow (Joel 3:13). Cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God (Rev 14:19-20). He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Rev 19:15). Nave's lists 5 verse references.

ANGEL OF THE CHURCHES — GENERAL

  • Rev 1:20
  • Rev 2:1
  • Rev 2:8
  • Rev 2:12
  • Rev 2:18
  • Rev 3:1
  • Rev 3:7
  • Rev 3:14

ANGEL OF THE CHURCHES — GENERAL. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches (Rev 1:20). Each of the seven letters in Rev 2-3 is addressed to 'the angel of the church' in a specific city. Whether these are literal guardian angels, human pastors/bishops, or personified spirits of the congregations is disputed.

KINGDOM OF SATAN — GENERAL

  • Mat 12:26

KINGDOM OF SATAN — GENERAL. If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (Mat 12:26). Nave's lists 1 verse reference.