6-7장 (에필로그)

[다리우스]

CHAPTER VI
OTHER LESSONS FROM SECTION III
(CHAPTERS 20-22)
Change of Scene
Earlier, in the examination of Revelation 20, it was suggested that that chapter had four pictures
of the Messianic Age. A look at verses 1, 4, 11, and 12, shows that each begins with the phrase,
"And I saw... " This expression‎, and others like it such as "And I heard...... "And after these
things...... etc., all mark natural divisions throughout the book of Revelation. Their occurrence
indicates a jumping backward or forward in time. This and other structural elements so helpful
in the interpretation of Revelation, become obvious as the book grows more and more familiar
through study.
Transition to Another Salvation
Section III of Revelation (chapters 20-22) concludes the business of the Gospel Age and
introduces the business of the Messianic Age: the blessing of all the families of the earth as was
promised in the covenant with Abraham.
The focus of these last three chapters is now on the world of mankind: The Church is become,
with their Lord, kings and priests (Revelation 20:4, 5). Satan (both personal and symbolic) is
stripped of power so as not to deceive the nations during the thousand years. (Revelation 20:1-3)
The old earth (society) and heaven (religious world) are gone (20:1 1). Those which have
previously died are awakened to join the nations which have survived the transition trouble; they
are all yet reckoned "dead" (20:12) because they have not yet availed themselves of the benefits
of the Millennium to obtain full and perfect life. This process of gaining life during the thousand

years is called the "resurrection of the unjust" (Acts 24:15) and the "resurrection of judgment"
(John 5:29 -- New American Standard translation). The understanding ("books") is opened
(20:12). The permission to live ("book") is made available (20:12). Those who obey (works) will
be entered into this "book" of permission to live (20:12).
While heaven and earth (religious and social organization) have disappeared (20:11), the sea
(restless masses of mankind who have never been a part of "heaven" or "earth") repents and is
converted (Isaiah 60:5). Thus the sea gives up its dead (20:13). That is, in finally finding the Lord
and the truth, these people LOSE their restlessness and become part of the new earth (17:5; 21:
1). Thus, there will be no more sea.
The new government (city) of Jesus and I-lis bride (Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 21:2) rules this
mediatorial age among men (5:10; 21:3). The results will be glorious (21:4-7). The incorrigible
will be destroyed ultimately (Acts 3:23; Revelation 20:7-9; 21:8, 27). The faithful will inherit the
earth as promised (Matthew 5:5; Revelation 21:7). The whole world will gladly fall into line with
this new life-giving arrangement (Isaiah 14:7; Revelation 21:24, 26).
The Church, who are the fountain and trees of this prophecy, will share life abundantly with all the
willing. (Revelation 21:6; John 4:14; Revelation 22:1, 17; Isaiah 61:3; Revelation 22:2)

The Astounding New Jerusalem
Consider for a moment some of the beautifw numerical symbolisms the Lord built into his
description of the New Jerusalem, the new government for this earth.
This city is symbolically a cube, a Greek symbol for perfection (21:16). It has equal access from
all directions (21:13). Because its gates have the names of the tribes of Israel (21:12), we see that
access to life (22:14) is dependent on accepting the terms of the New Covenant which is made
only with Israel and those who accept Israel's prominence. (Jeremiah 31:31; Acts 15:14-17;
Zechariah 8:23; Isaiah 60:11, 12, 5)
A cube has twelve edges (21:14). Thus this symbolic city is founded or framed on the teachings
of the twelve apostles (Matthew 18:18; Ephesians 2:20). Because each edge is 12,000 furlongs
(21:16), the size of the "foundations" is 144,000 furlongs (twelve edges at 12,000 furlongs each),
thus showing the entire Church of 144,000 (7:4; 14:1). The area of one side (12,000 x 12,000 =
144,000,000) is 1,000 times 144,000, indicating the Church (the 144,000) will be a wall of
protection for the world for 1,000 years.
A furlong is one-eighth of a mile (5,280 divided by 8 = 660 feet). Therefore, one side of the "city"
is 7,920,000 feet (12,000 furlongs x 660 feet). What an interesting correspondency with the earth
itself which has a diameter of 7,920 miles! Is this saying that the new government forms a box
which can perfectly hold the earth? that the Church is the protection and salvation of the earth?
It is worthy of note that the city described in Ezekiel 48:16 measures 4,500 cubits square. This
measurement seems to be based on the "great cubit" which is apparently a cubit plus one handbreadth,
or 1.76 feet. (See Ezekiel 41:8; 40:5; 43:13.) Ezekiel's city, then, also is earth-measured
in that 4,500 cubits is 7,920 feet.

The area of the entire surface of the New Jerusalem (12,000 x 12,000 x 6 sides) is 864,000,000.
This number is 1,000 times the diameter of the sun in miles (864,000 miles), thus seeming to say
that the Church will "shine as the sun" for 1,000 years (Matthew 13:43).
The beauties go on and on. We have only begun to scratch the surface!

CHAPTER VII: EPILOGUE
Here we bring this brief booklet to a close. It is our prayer that it will open for many readers a
door to fruitful study, appreciation, and application of the "mysteries" of Revelation.
Many things have been left unexplained. It needed to be thus. It was not intended that this be an
exhaustive explanation. A skeleton for study has, however, here been provided so that the parts
of Revelation not herein treated can be approached with a Scriptural logic and an historical basis.
The interpretation of the smaller parts is not so difficult if they can be viewed consistently with
the large picture.
Should the student desire to study the so-called "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (6:2-8), it
should now be helpful to know that these are part of the seven seals. Thus the first horse should
have historical evidences found between the years 33 and 100, the second among 100 and 313,
etc. Horses are symbols of doctrine. The changes of color show the deterioration of doctrine.
First it was white -- pure. As the tares multiplied, it became red colored with the sin of harlotry.
Next it turned to black the beginning of the Dark Ages, in which truth in doctrine was nearly
obscured. Lastly it was "pale" -- dead, drained of all life during the constant ascendancy of the
Roman counterfeit church. History will confirm‎ the symbols.
Thus the wild, imaginative language of Revelation becomes a rational (though colorful) symbolic
treatise on the history of the Christian age. Revelation becomes a book which the sincere and
faithful Christian can honor. It can be defended before agnostic questioners who previously have
heard only unrealistic and absurd interpretations guaranteed to bolster their agnosticism.
Following is an appendix which is a glossary of symbols and their suggested meanings for your
further study and consideration. May God bless you in your search.
Revelation 1:3