Buildontherock: Revelation outline

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Revelation outline

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published: 2023-04-10 last updated: 2023-10-13

The information about John's exile to Patmos comes from Polycarp, who knew John personally. Polycarp was martyred about A.D. 155. He was 85 years old which makes him alive, but very young, during the lifetime of Paul. Irenaeus has recorded what he heard about the exile from Polycarp for posterity. According to these records John did not write Revelation in Patmos, he just got the vision there. John survived his exile inflicted by Domitian. After Domitian's assassination, Nerva became emperor and John was released. After John's release Irenaeus says that he worked out of the Ephesian area and it is there that he wrote Revelation followed by his gospel and letters. This also explains why the letter first went to the Church at Ephesus.

The modern tradition placing John in Ephesus comes from Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 3, chapter 3, section 4. In explaining how the apostles passed on teachings to their chosen successors, Irenaeus includes: There are also those who heard from him [Polycarp] that John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, 'Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.'

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle, their article captioned John the Apostle, John was born around 6 AD and died around 100 AD (aged 93–94). Some other references vary slightly by putting his death up to as early as 95 AD. Irenaeus was born in 130 AD - at least 30 years after John died, but he wrote Against Heresies in about 180 AD. As a young man he had been taught by Polycarp. Tertullian says in Prescription against Heretics, chapter 32, that Polycarp had been been appointed Bishop of Smyrna by John.

There is some debate about when these Christians died but generally we have Ignatius murdered first by Emperor Trajan early in the century, followed by Justin Martyr and Polycarp about the middle of the century so there is continuity some means of verification of a unity in faith.

There is a claim that John could not have worked in Ephesus because of an early command in Matthew 10.

Matthew 10:5-6 [KJV] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 11 shows that this command was given before the death of John the Baptist. It appears to have been initially concerned with what was to be Christ's fate in dying as our Messiah. It was necessary for them to carry the gospel to Israel before Christ could die. Marks companion scripture (Mark 6:7) and Luke's (Luke 9:1-6) show that they completed the task. Furthermore, the assumption that there was no component of Israel in Ephesus is presumptuous at least, and that would have to be the case to restrict John from working there. As Paul headed to Rome he almost always found Jews already living in the areas. Before Paul ever reached Ephesus Apollos went there as pointed out by Acts 18:24 - Acts 19:1.

Acts 18:24 [KJV] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

Acts 18:27 [KJV] And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Acts 19:1 [KJV] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

Paul typically approached the Jews first with the Gospel and after they rejected it went to gentiles. It is clear that they were Jewish believers there establishing that there was at least a minimum of Israelites. John would not have taken the gospel to other than Jews but he certainly would have preached it. All of this is described in Acts 11:19-30 which describes the aftermath of the death of Stephen. It makes it clear that they spread the gospel wherever they went e.g. Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only, Acts 11:19 [KJV]. Following the death of John the Baptist the apostles were sent out to the lost sheep of Israel and in fact carried out that task. John apparently had gone as far as Ephesus in carrying out his duties but in Revelation 1 Christ gives John another instruction.

Revelation of John 1:1-3 [KJV] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: ² Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. ³ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

This command overrules any previous one. God instructs John to ensure that this information be delivered to all his servants, He did not restrict it to any method. John became the only living apostle and took on the responsibilities of all 13. This instruction is to carry His truth to spiritual Israel which is the Church and crosses all racial and national boundaries. In Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9 John highlights the distinction between a spiritual Jew and a biological one which is the same point that Paul made to the Romans, But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God, Romans 2:29 [KJV]. This one will not be completed until Christ comes. John had to achieve this by writing and passing it down. He was not sent to the establishment of the world but to the Church and he carried out those instructions as can be seen in the epistles of John. in III John we see how he interacted with gentiles in fulfilling his responsibilities.

Can you believe it?

Wikipedia had this to say:

Texts and manuscripts
There are approximately 300 Greek manuscripts of Revelation.[45] While it is not extant in Codex Vaticanus (4th century), it is extant in the other great uncial codices: Sinaiticus (4th century), Alexandrinus (5th century), and Ephraemi Rescriptus (5th century). In addition, there are numerous papyri, especially 𝔓47 and 𝔓115 (both 3rd century); minuscules (8th to 10th century); and fragmentary quotations in the Church fathers of the 2nd to 5th centuries and the 6th-century Greek commentary on Revelation by Andreas.[46]Wikipedia Book of Revelation Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation#Protestant_Reformationtimestamp 17:33, 6 January 2022‎

To me that settles the first concern that I would have about belief. There are oodles of records that show its authenticity. The next question would be can I believe those who preserved it? In my introduction I presented Polycarp. To answer that question I would attempt to assess his character and the character of the others that trace the direct line of access to John with regard to the book. I do not intend to do a chronicle on Polycarp but I will provide some links that may be used to start the process:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarp
https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/two-disciples-of-john-polycarp/
https://earlychurch.com/polycarp-disciple-of-the-apostle-john/
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1984/01/i-have-a-question/what-do-we-know-of-the-life-of-john-the-apostle-after-the-day-of-pentecost?lang=eng
https://reformedwiki.com/how-did-the-apostle-john-die
https://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/patmos/history/

The final question would be can I believe John? What kind of man would John have been to preserve the Gospel for all those years, enduring Patmos, and choosing to continue to be an enemy of the state as a man in his nineties rather than just take it easy and say that he had done his part? Was this the first vision that is recorded by the apostles. What about Peter and the sheet of unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16)? Did he understand it right away or did it depend on his obedience and faith?

The importance of the book

The book of Revelation is an expansion of Daniel, especially concentrating on after Christ. It answers the same question as the visions there but in far greater detail in the period following the first 3½ years. It answers the question of how the kingdom will be restored and Israel given its rightful place according to the promises to Abraham and others. Christians are given the command to watch.

Matthew 24:42-51 [KJV]Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. ⁴³ But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. ⁴⁴ Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. ⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁷ Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; ⁴⁹ And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; ⁵⁰ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The command to watch and avoid the dangers ahead is impossible to satisfy without an understanding of Revelation. It tells us what to watch for. It connects to several other books to bring together the prophecies and help us make sense of them. For example, at the time of this writing there are several critical events taking place and at all times God says . . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5:16 [KJV]. When we see these things happening we know how to respond. For example in Isaiah 19 God talks of the future of Egypt. Egypt is the gateway to Africa and often represents Africa in scripture. I believe that Isaiah is identifying the root of the trouble in Africa.

The Bible does not use the word Africa but it refers to peoples who occupied its territories. Moses knew of the names of the tribes that occupied descended from Ham.

Genesis 10:6-7 [KJV] And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. [7] And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

In spite of this Isaiah only refers to Cush and Mizraim (Etheopia and Egypt) when saying where the children of Israel would be drawn from.

Isaiah 11:10-11 [NETfree] At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. ¹¹ At that time the sovereign master will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts.

But God said that they would be scattered everywhere so that He has to assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth, Isaiah 11:12 [KJV]. It is clear that Ethiopia and Egypt refers to all peoples living in that direction.

Some things that the book speaks of could not be understood until recently. The Bible indicates devastating use of genetic modification to locusts that is only possible now with the invention of CRISPR. Global control and surveillance would not have made sense to ancient men either.

The Books

Revelation 1

John and Jesus' introductions. THE REVELATION IS FROM GOD TO CHRIST AND CHRIST PASSES IT ON TO US BY JOHN. CHRIST REVEALS THE MESSAGE SUMMARY TO JOHN. JOHN INTRODUCES THE SOURCE OF THE MESSAGE ITS INTENDED AUDIENCE, AND ESTABLISHES THE CONTEXT AS THE DAY OF THE LORD.

Revelation 2

Message to the Seven Churches. IN REVELATION TWO AND THREE CHRIST DEFINES THE THE CHURCH. HE SETS OUT THE CRITERIA THAT WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE THOSE WHO JOHN WILL SEE WHEN HE IS RESURRECTED. REVELATION 2 SPEAKS TO EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMOS AND THYATIRA.

Supporting Articles:

The message to Ephesus introduces the subject of First Love which is dealt with in greater detail in an article by that name.
The message to Pergamos introduces the Doctrine of Balaam which is expanded on in the article by that name.

Revelation 3

Revelation 3 continues the Message to the Seven Churches. IN THIS CHAPTER GOD SPEAKS TO SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA AND LAODICEA.

Revelation 4

Christ as King and Redeemer. JOHN IS RESURRECTED IN VISION. CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED WORTHY BECAUSE HE IS CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE AND REDEEMER OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 5

Obtaining the Scroll of the future of man. CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED WORTHY BECAUSE HE IS LAMB AND SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE.

Revelation 6

The First Six Seals Opened. Access to man's future begins. THE SEALS ARE THE THINGS WHICH PREVENT MAN FROM ACCESSING HIS FUTURE. THEY ARE OBSTACLES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND MUST BE REMOVED.

Revelation 7

The 144,000 and the "Rest". AN INTERLUDE IN THE STORY OF THE SCROLL, THE STORY OF THE SAVED. JOHN CAN ONLY SEE THE SAINTS AS 144,000 BUT NOT AS INNUMERABLE BECAUSE THE REST DO NOT YET EXIST AT THE DAY OF THE LORD.

Revelation 8

Ending the daily sacrifice and blowing of the trumpets. THIS IS THE SEVENTH SEAL. EACH SEAL TERMINATES SOMETHING SO THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS SEAL TERMINATES SATAN'S ACCESS TO GOD. IT ALSO TERMINATES GOD'S WRATH ON MANKIND, WHICH COMES BECAUSE THEY OBEY SATAN INSTEAD OF HIM. IT STARTS WITH THE ENDING OF THE DAILY SACRIFICE WHICH IS PART OF CLEANSING THE TEMPLE. IT IS THE LAST THING PREVENTING THE DAY OF THE LORD FROM MOVING FORWARD.

Revelation 9

The first two of the three woes. The three woes are the three last trumpets. CHAPTER 9 COVERS A LONG PERIOD: IT COVERS THE FIRST TWO WOES BUT ENDS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD. IN SUCCESSIVE CHAPTERS GOD LOOKS AT THIS SAME PERIOD FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES. THE 3½ YEARS ACTUALLY STARTS IN REVELATION 8 (OR REVELATION 6 DEPENDING ON HOW WE LOOK AT THIS MATTER) WITH THE FIRST ANGEL OR TRUMPET BUT THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS HAPPEN IN QUICK SUCCESSION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 3½ YEARS SO TECHNICALLY THE FIRST WOE IS STILL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 3½ YEARS. BEAR IN MIND THAT THE WOES ARE REVEALED BY A SEAL REPRESENTING THINGS THAT CHRIST IS TERMINATING.

Revelation 10

The 3½ YEARS, The Church goes to the Place of Safety. BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 3½ YEARS. GOD CONFIRMS THE COVENANT BY PREACHING THE WARNING. GOD HAS TO PROTECT HIS PEOPLE FROM ANNIHILATION BY TAKING THEM TO THE PLACE OF SAFETY.

Revelation 11

The 3½ Years, The Work of the two witnesses. ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE OF THE 3½ YEARS. THE TWO WITNESSES PROTECT GOD'S PEOPLE AND CONFESS THE TRUTH AS WITNESSES AGAINST SATAN DURING JACOB'S TROUBLE. IT IS GOING TO BE A PERIOD OF LIES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST THOSE WHO SEEK GOD.

Revelation 12

Concerning the 3½ years. Satan, defeated by the angels, prepares to make his last stand on Earth during the last 3½ years. TO CONFIRM THE COVENANT GOD REMOVES ANY CLAIM BY SATAN TO HOLD TERRITORY IN HEAVEN SO HE GOES AFTER EARTH WHERE HE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE DEFEATED. THIS WAR SIGNALS THE TIME TO GO TO THE PLACE OF SAFETY. IT BEGINS THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE.

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Welcome! Article Comments Catalog Table of Contents: Can you believe it? The importance of the book The Books	faq about Home log in register
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	Revelation outline
	author: buildontherock published: 2023-04-10 last updated: 2023-10-13
	The information about John's exile to Patmos comes from Polycarp, who knew John personally. Polycarp was martyred about A.D. 155. He was 85 years old which makes him alive, but very young, during the lifetime of Paul. Irenaeus has recorded what he heard about the exile from Polycarp for posterity. According to these records John did not write Revelation in Patmos, he just got the vision there. John survived his exile inflicted by Domitian. After Domitian's assassination, Nerva became emperor and John was released. After John's release Irenaeus says that he worked out of the Ephesian area and it is there that he wrote Revelation followed by his gospel and letters. This also explains why the letter first went to the Church at Ephesus. The modern tradition placing John in Ephesus comes from Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 3, chapter 3, section 4. In explaining how the apostles passed on teachings to their chosen successors, Irenaeus includes: There are also those who heard from him [Polycarp] that John, the disciple of the Lord, going to bathe at Ephesus, and perceiving Cerinthus within, rushed out of the bath-house without bathing, exclaiming, 'Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.' According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle, their article captioned John the Apostle, John was born around 6 AD and died around 100 AD (aged 93–94). Some other references vary slightly by putting his death up to as early as 95 AD. Irenaeus was born in 130 AD - at least 30 years after John died, but he wrote Against Heresies in about 180 AD. As a young man he had been taught by Polycarp. Tertullian says in Prescription against Heretics, chapter 32, that Polycarp had been been appointed Bishop of Smyrna by John. There is some debate about when these Christians died but generally we have Ignatius murdered first by Emperor Trajan early in the century, followed by Justin Martyr and Polycarp about the middle of the century so there is continuity some means of verification of a unity in faith. There is a claim that John could not have worked in Ephesus because of an early command in Matthew 10. Matthew 10:5-6 [KJV] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 11 shows that this command was given before the death of John the Baptist. It appears to have been initially concerned with what was to be Christ's fate in dying as our Messiah. It was necessary for them to carry the gospel to Israel before Christ could die. Marks companion scripture (Mark 6:7) and Luke's (Luke 9:1-6) show that they completed the task. Furthermore, the assumption that there was no component of Israel in Ephesus is presumptuous at least, and that would have to be the case to restrict John from working there. As Paul headed to Rome he almost always found Jews already living in the areas. Before Paul ever reached Ephesus Apollos went there as pointed out by Acts 18:24 - Acts 19:1. Acts 18:24 [KJV] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. Acts 18:27 [KJV] And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: Acts 19:1 [KJV] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, Paul typically approached the Jews first with the Gospel and after they rejected it went to gentiles. It is clear that they were Jewish believers there establishing that there was at least a minimum of Israelites. John would not have taken the gospel to other than Jews but he certainly would have preached it. All of this is described in Acts 11:19-30 which describes the aftermath of the death of Stephen. It makes it clear that they spread the gospel wherever they went e.g. Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only, Acts 11:19 [KJV]. Following the death of John the Baptist the apostles were sent out to the lost sheep of Israel and in fact carried out that task. John apparently had gone as far as Ephesus in carrying out his duties but in Revelation 1 Christ gives John another instruction. Revelation of John 1:1-3 [KJV] The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: ² Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. ³ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. This command overrules any previous one. God instructs John to ensure that this information be delivered to all his servants, He did not restrict it to any method. John became the only living apostle and took on the responsibilities of all 13. This instruction is to carry His truth to spiritual Israel which is the Church and crosses all racial and national boundaries. In Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9 John highlights the distinction between a spiritual Jew and a biological one which is the same point that Paul made to the Romans, But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God, Romans 2:29 [KJV]. This one will not be completed until Christ comes. John had to achieve this by writing and passing it down. He was not sent to the establishment of the world but to the Church and he carried out those instructions as can be seen in the epistles of John. in III John we see how he interacted with gentiles in fulfilling his responsibilities. Can you believe it? Wikipedia had this to say: Texts and manuscripts There are approximately 300 Greek manuscripts of Revelation.[45] While it is not extant in Codex Vaticanus (4th century), it is extant in the other great uncial codices: Sinaiticus (4th century), Alexandrinus (5th century), and Ephraemi Rescriptus (5th century). In addition, there are numerous papyri, especially 𝔓47 and 𝔓115 (both 3rd century); minuscules (8th to 10th century); and fragmentary quotations in the Church fathers of the 2nd to 5th centuries and the 6th-century Greek commentary on Revelation by Andreas.[46]Wikipedia Book of Revelation Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation#Protestant_Reformationtimestamp 17:33, 6 January 2022‎ To me that settles the first concern that I would have about belief. There are oodles of records that show its authenticity. The next question would be can I believe those who preserved it? In my introduction I presented Polycarp. To answer that question I would attempt to assess his character and the character of the others that trace the direct line of access to John with regard to the book. I do not intend to do a chronicle on Polycarp but I will provide some links that may be used to start the process: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarp https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/two-disciples-of-john-polycarp/ https://earlychurch.com/polycarp-disciple-of-the-apostle-john/ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1984/01/i-have-a-question/what-do-we-know-of-the-life-of-john-the-apostle-after-the-day-of-pentecost?lang=eng https://reformedwiki.com/how-did-the-apostle-john-die https://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/patmos/history/ The final question would be can I believe John? What kind of man would John have been to preserve the Gospel for all those years, enduring Patmos, and choosing to continue to be an enemy of the state as a man in his nineties rather than just take it easy and say that he had done his part? Was this the first vision that is recorded by the apostles. What about Peter and the sheet of unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16)? Did he understand it right away or did it depend on his obedience and faith? The importance of the book The book of Revelation is an expansion of Daniel, especially concentrating on after Christ. It answers the same question as the visions there but in far greater detail in the period following the first 3½ years. It answers the question of how the kingdom will be restored and Israel given its rightful place according to the promises to Abraham and others. Christians are given the command to watch. Matthew 24:42-51 [KJV]Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. ⁴³ But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. ⁴⁴ Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. ⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁷ Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; ⁴⁹ And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; ⁵⁰ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The command to watch and avoid the dangers ahead is impossible to satisfy without an understanding of Revelation. It tells us what to watch for. It connects to several other books to bring together the prophecies and help us make sense of them. For example, at the time of this writing there are several critical events taking place and at all times God says . . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5:16 [KJV]. When we see these things happening we know how to respond. For example in Isaiah 19 God talks of the future of Egypt. Egypt is the gateway to Africa and often represents Africa in scripture. I believe that Isaiah is identifying the root of the trouble in Africa. The Bible does not use the word Africa but it refers to peoples who occupied its territories. Moses knew of the names of the tribes that occupied descended from Ham. Genesis 10:6-7 [KJV] And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. [7] And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. In spite of this Isaiah only refers to Cush and Mizraim (Etheopia and Egypt) when saying where the children of Israel would be drawn from. Isaiah 11:10-11 [NETfree] At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic. ¹¹ At that time the sovereign master will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts. But God said that they would be scattered everywhere so that He has to assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth, Isaiah 11:12 [KJV]. It is clear that Ethiopia and Egypt refers to all peoples living in that direction. Some things that the book speaks of could not be understood until recently. The Bible indicates devastating use of genetic modification to locusts that is only possible now with the invention of CRISPR. Global control and surveillance would not have made sense to ancient men either. The Books Revelation 1 John and Jesus' introductions. THE REVELATION IS FROM GOD TO CHRIST AND CHRIST PASSES IT ON TO US BY JOHN. CHRIST REVEALS THE MESSAGE SUMMARY TO JOHN. JOHN INTRODUCES THE SOURCE OF THE MESSAGE ITS INTENDED AUDIENCE, AND ESTABLISHES THE CONTEXT AS THE DAY OF THE LORD. Revelation 2 Message to the Seven Churches. IN REVELATION TWO AND THREE CHRIST DEFINES THE THE CHURCH. HE SETS OUT THE CRITERIA THAT WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE THOSE WHO JOHN WILL SEE WHEN HE IS RESURRECTED. REVELATION 2 SPEAKS TO EPHESUS, SMYRNA, PERGAMOS AND THYATIRA. Supporting Articles: The message to Ephesus introduces the subject of First Love which is dealt with in greater detail in an article by that name. The message to Pergamos introduces the Doctrine of Balaam which is expanded on in the article by that name. Revelation 3 Revelation 3 continues the Message to the Seven Churches. IN THIS CHAPTER GOD SPEAKS TO SARDIS, PHILADELPHIA AND LAODICEA. Revelation 4 Christ as King and Redeemer. JOHN IS RESURRECTED IN VISION. CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED WORTHY BECAUSE HE IS CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE AND REDEEMER OF THE EARTH. Revelation 5 Obtaining the Scroll of the future of man. CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED WORTHY BECAUSE HE IS LAMB AND SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE. Revelation 6 The First Six Seals Opened. Access to man's future begins. THE SEALS ARE THE THINGS WHICH PREVENT MAN FROM ACCESSING HIS FUTURE. THEY ARE OBSTACLES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND MUST BE REMOVED. Revelation 7 The 144,000 and the "Rest". AN INTERLUDE IN THE STORY OF THE SCROLL, THE STORY OF THE SAVED. JOHN CAN ONLY SEE THE SAINTS AS 144,000 BUT NOT AS INNUMERABLE BECAUSE THE REST DO NOT YET EXIST AT THE DAY OF THE LORD. Revelation 8 Ending the daily sacrifice and blowing of the trumpets. THIS IS THE SEVENTH SEAL. EACH SEAL TERMINATES SOMETHING SO THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS SEAL TERMINATES SATAN'S ACCESS TO GOD. IT ALSO TERMINATES GOD'S WRATH ON MANKIND, WHICH COMES BECAUSE THEY OBEY SATAN INSTEAD OF HIM. IT STARTS WITH THE ENDING OF THE DAILY SACRIFICE WHICH IS PART OF CLEANSING THE TEMPLE. IT IS THE LAST THING PREVENTING THE DAY OF THE LORD FROM MOVING FORWARD. Revelation 9 The first two of the three woes. The three woes are the three last trumpets. CHAPTER 9 COVERS A LONG PERIOD: IT COVERS THE FIRST TWO WOES BUT ENDS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD. IN SUCCESSIVE CHAPTERS GOD LOOKS AT THIS SAME PERIOD FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES. THE 3½ YEARS ACTUALLY STARTS IN REVELATION 8 (OR REVELATION 6 DEPENDING ON HOW WE LOOK AT THIS MATTER) WITH THE FIRST ANGEL OR TRUMPET BUT THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS HAPPEN IN QUICK SUCCESSION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 3½ YEARS SO TECHNICALLY THE FIRST WOE IS STILL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 3½ YEARS. BEAR IN MIND THAT THE WOES ARE REVEALED BY A SEAL REPRESENTING THINGS THAT CHRIST IS TERMINATING. Revelation 10 The 3½ YEARS, The Church goes to the Place of Safety. BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 3½ YEARS. GOD CONFIRMS THE COVENANT BY PREACHING THE WARNING. GOD HAS TO PROTECT HIS PEOPLE FROM ANNIHILATION BY TAKING THEM TO THE PLACE OF SAFETY. Revelation 11 The 3½ Years, The Work of the two witnesses. ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE OF THE 3½ YEARS. THE TWO WITNESSES PROTECT GOD'S PEOPLE AND CONFESS THE TRUTH AS WITNESSES AGAINST SATAN DURING JACOB'S TROUBLE. IT IS GOING TO BE A PERIOD OF LIES AND VIOLENCE AGAINST THOSE WHO SEEK GOD. Revelation 12 Concerning the 3½ years. Satan, defeated by the angels, prepares to make his last stand on Earth during the last 3½ years. TO CONFIRM THE COVENANT GOD REMOVES ANY CLAIM BY SATAN TO HOLD TERRITORY IN HEAVEN SO HE GOES AFTER EARTH WHERE HE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE DEFEATED. THIS WAR SIGNALS THE TIME TO GO TO THE PLACE OF SAFETY. IT BEGINS THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE. Revelation 13 pending. Revelation 14 pending. Revelation 15 pending. Revelation 16 pending. Revelation 17 pending. Revelation 18 pending. Revelation 19 pending. Revelation 20 pending. Revelation 21 pending. Revelation 22 pending.