Key To Understanding Revelation



The book of Revelation is a hard book to understand and that is for sure. That is why it is important to understand the way God had it written and the way God has spoken to us in the Word time and time again.

I believe that the greatest mistake in understanding the book of Revelation is that peer pressure dictates opinion to many people and they are in bondage to someone’s belief because of it. The true understanding of Revelation is not the popular belief. I wish that it were that simple but it just isn’t true. I followed the popular opinion for many years before the Lord began to open my eyes to see that there are keys to understanding the book. I am an old man and sometimes I grow weary watching the Church burn unnecessary oil when it comes to sharing Bible prophecy. For the most part it is just simply not understood.

I know that I do not sound very humble, in fact I seem to be somewhat opinionated but I simply do not know how to say it without sounding as if I know all the answers. The truth is that I don't know everything but what I do know I am very sure it is the truth or I wouldn't teach it. I apologize for anything that I am about to say that sounds boastful. Please bear with me and try to see what I believe to be the truth.

We as humans would like for God to tell us everything without a mystery but it just isn’t the way God chose to speak to us. Jesus himself was a mystery all the way through the Old Testament and was not revealed until the New Testament. God had his reasons for this and I don’t claim to know exactly what they were. Having said this we must realize that God spoke to us in both the Old and New Testaments through repetition. Some people have read the Bible all their lives and have never noticed that he does this. For example: 1st and 2nd Chronicles is a repeat of many of the same stories from 1st and 2nd Kings. It is sometimes hard to recognize this because some names are different and some of the events are told a little differently, yet they are one and the same.

Comparisons from Old Testament

Call it Event identification

Example: We read of Hezekiah and many things in his life beginning in both 2nd Kings and 2nd Chronicles.

2nd Kings 18:1: Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2: Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

2nd Chronicles 29:1: Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

In the above scriptures we see that there is a difference. That difference is that in the account of 2nd Kings Hezekiah's mothers name is Abi. In 2nd Chronicles it is Abijah. The names were not contrary the one to the other though, it was all in the usage of the people for example: Joseph in Egypt was known as Zaphnath-paaneah and among his own he was simply Joseph.

1st Kings 6:1: And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.

2nd Chronicles 3:1: Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2: And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

And I do hope that you understand what I am saying. Deuteronomy is a repeat of Leviticus and was told a little differently as well. The difference in all of these comparisons is always to give us a greater understanding of the things that were done and said.

The New Testament does the same thing by telling and retelling. The four Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are all the same story. They all tell certain things about the life and crucifixion of our Lord yet are told in different ways. One of the keys to understanding scripture is found in these books that often seem to repeat one another. This is where the keys begin to happen. In all four of the Gospels we read that Jesus was crucified and many other things about his life. We understand that the four Gospels are a separate telling of the same story so we do not have a problem with this. But sometimes a new Christian has problems because he tries to read the books in the Bible like a storybook with one book following the other in sequence. If they thought this they might be confused and think that Jesus was crucified four different times. The reasons we know that they are separate books are because we identify the things that happened to Jesus and realize that they only occurred once. Therefore we are able to conclude that the four Gospels are a retelling of the story of Jesus.

The book of Revelation is written in the same manner as the rest of the Bible. Only here we see this retelling and expounding working this way within a single book. It is commonly believed that the book of Revelation is written in chronological order. First the Seals then the Trumpets followed by the Vials of Wrath. It would be easy to believe this except for one thing. We find many of these same events happening in all three of these. It would be like thinking that the four Gospels were in chronological order and that Jesus was crucified four different times. For example the end of the World happens in all, both the Seals, the Trumpets and the Vials of Wrath. If Revelation was written in chronological order the world would come to an end three different times one following the other. Since the end of the World happens only once then it is only logical to believe that all three times is one and the same. And it is only logical to believe that the seals, trumpets and vials of wrath all happen parallel rather than being in chronological order. If we have an agenda to prove we are often blinded by it because in proving our agenda we must spin the scriptures to make it happen the way we want it to. But, if we seek the truth we will try and follow the principles that God has laid out for us through demonstration.

The end of the world is found in the sixth seal, the seventh trumpet and the seventh vial of wrath. At this time I would like to pin point one line of thought within these scriptures so that you can understand. This is concerning the great earthquake that happens at the time of the end moments before he comes back to judge the world. This great earthquake is the one spoken of in the Old Testament that speaks of the time that the earth will be moved out of its place. In the sixth seal it says that every island and every mountain is moved out of its place. In the seventh trumpet we see this earthquake and then again in the seventh vial of wrath. In the seventh vial of wrath it gives the impression that the mountains would be shaken out into a plain and that the islands would disappear into the sea. Looking closely at this and believing that these are three different earthquakes and that they are in chronological order we have a problem. If the mountains and islands were destroyed in the sixth seal then God would have to rebuild them in order to destroy them again in the seventh vial of wrath. He isn’t going to destroy the mountains and islands several times during the last seven years.

Sixth Seal
Rev. 6: 12: And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13: And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14: And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Seventh Trumpet
Rev. 11: 12: And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13: And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Seventh Vial
Rev. 16: 18: And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19: And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20: And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

All of the above are the same account of the great earthquake that happens at the time of the end.
Isaiah 1313: Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

The old saying, "if something looks like a duck, walks like a duck and talks like a duck then it probably is a duck" should be applied to this. God gives us a sound mind but it is up to us to use it. We should be spiritually minded but common sense must play a role in what we do with our reasoning.

As we continue to understand event identification we begin to see more and more things about the book of Revelation that we never saw before. Back at the time God began to reveal the mysteries to me he said something that literally astonished me. He said, "the trumpets and vials of wrath are one and the same". I was really excited about this because it was very clear that each one was talking about the same thing until I got down to the 4th trumpet and vial of wrath. You see, one of these is a curse of darkness, the other a curse of sunlight and heat. This really threw me and caused me to begin to question, I was very confused. My son asked me what was wrong because he could tell that I was shaken. I told him that God had told me that the trumpets and vials of wrath were one and the same and what I had just read didn’t make sense. How could there be a curse of darkness and a curse of light at the same time? He looked at me and all of a sudden his face lit up and he said Dad, it has to do with the earth. The earth stands still! If it did this then it would be a curse of darkness and a curse of light all happening at the same time, darkness on one side of the world and light on the other. I understood and I thanked God for having my son sitting there and for using him to help me understand what he wanted me to understand.

I will continue on this event identification idea and proceed to the Trumpets and Vials of Wrath comparisons. While looking at the Trumpets and Vials of Wrath the thing that will catch your attention first is that the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Trumpets and Vials of Wrath all have something in common. The 1st and 4th Trumpets and vials of Wrath are not that easily spotted but they are there none the less.

Trumpets

Vials of Wrath

Revelation 8: 7: The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Revelation 16: 2: And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

The revelation in the scriptures above is that the hail that fell from heaven catching things on fire also hit a lot of the people of the Antichrist inflicting sores from the burns as it fell on them. The teachers greatly error when trying to place this plague as a plague of boils like in Egypt.

Revelation 8: 8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
9: And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Revelation 16: 3: And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

The revelation in the scriptures above is that the mountain burning with fire that is cast into the sea is the same as the Vial of Wrath that is poured out. By understanding that these are one and the same then we realize that the third part is one and the same with the whole part that is destroyed in the Vial of Wrath. This means that it only affects the people of the Antichrist that are in the sea and all his people only make up a third part of the people that are in this particular event. In other words only the people of the Antichrist will be destroyed in this event.

Revelation 8: 10: And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11: And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Revelation 16: 4: And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

5: And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lobr, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
6: For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

The revelation in the scriptures above is that the third part of the rivers and fountains of waters is one and the same with those in the Vial of Wrath. The water is turned to blood and they become too bitter to drink. Many literally thirst to death because they are unable to find real water to drink. Drinking blood will not quench a persons thirst. Once again this is only on the people of the Antichrist.

Revelation 8: 12: And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Revelation 16: 8: And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9: And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

The revelation in the scriptures above is very mysterious. In the Vial of Wrath the people of the Antichrist are scorched with great heat. This happens on the side of the world that the Antichrist lives on. On the other side of the world there is darkness. The reason for this is because the earth will stand still for a period of time to punish the Antichrist nations. The Sun will scorch the fourth part of the world that belongs to him. The earth is never half dark and half-light because of the curvature of the earth. Light reflects off of the atmosphere giving that part of the world that is on the dark side of the earth twilight or dawn whatever the case may be. It can honestly be said that a third part of the earth will be in darkness. This cooling will cause clouds to blanket the dark side of the earth blocking out the stars and the moon.

Revelation 9: 1: And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2: And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3: And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

Revelation 16: 10: And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
11: And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

The revelation of the scriptures above is that smoke will come up out of the bottomless pit in the nations of the Antichrist it will be accompanied by locust that sting men causing great pain. The curse of darkness in this vial is caused by the smoke from the bottomless pit. The pain and sores on the people of the Antichrist is caused by the locust from the bottomless pit.

Revelation 9: 13: And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14: Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15: And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

Revelation 16: 12: And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13: And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14: For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15: Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16: And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

The revelation of the scriptures above is found in the angels and events that occur at the great river Euphrates. World war three will be in full swing by this time. The angels at the river of Euphrates are allowing the Antichrist and his eastern allies to come down against the allied armies that are protecting Israel. The allies will be pushed back to Jerusalem where they will make their last stand before the return of Christ. God allows this to happen to the good guys because he wants to bring his enemies and the enemies of Israel down to the valley of Megiddo so that he can judge and destroy them there at Armageddon.

Revelation 11: 15: And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
(Revelation 10: 7: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.)
16: And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17: Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18: And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19: And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation 16: 17: And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18: And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19: And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20: And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21: And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

The revelation on the scriptures above is this: Compare the events in the Seventh Trumpet compared to the events in the Seventh Vial of Wrath. Notice that in both there is voices, thunders, lightnings, a great earthquake and great hail. Also take notice that Revelation 10: 7 said that at the time of the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet the mystery of God would be finished. In the Seventh Vial of Wrath a great voice comes out of the Temple in heaven saying it is done. I don’t know about you but I believe that all of these that are paired together are one and the same events. This last one being the end of the world when Christ is preparing to come back and destroy the wicked and judge the nations. His final act of wrath on the earth itself before his return to establish his kingdom and rule from Jerusalem. I personally believe that at the time he says that it is finished at the last or seventh trumpet that the Rapture of the Church takes place along with the rapture of the two witnesses. We will come back with Christ very quickly after the marriage of the Lamb and the Bride.

Why is this so hard to understand for so many? I love everyone and it is my prayer that peer pressure from the denominations will not be able to stop or quench the thirst of those saints that want to know the truth of God’s Word and his will for the last days. These events in themselves will cause the greatest revival and salvation of the lost the world has ever known. There are only seven events but each one serves as a Trumpet to the lost, it serves as a warning that Christ is coming back as he punishes his enemies, the Antichrist and his nations doing this with the same events. As these events begin to unfurl we will be able to tell the sinner friends that we know what is going to happen next. As they occur they will see that it is time to repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and savior.

Yours in Christ,
Brother Tommie