Revelation Now Advanced Seminar 9 Keys to Interpreting Prophecy By Jac Colón Thank’s for turning off phones

Revelation NowRevelation NowAdvanced SeminarAdvanced Seminar

9 9 Keys to Interpreting Keys to Interpreting ProphecyProphecy

By Jac Colón

Thank’s for turning off phones

1. Revelation is Symbolic1. Revelation is Symbolic“The revelation (Apocalypse) of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:1,2

σεμάίνω(Semaino) means to symbolize

…1B

Interpret Revelation symbolically unless it is obviously literal.

1. Revelation is a Symbolic 1. Revelation is a Symbolic ProphecyProphecy

Example:

Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon.” Revelation 12:7

What does the dragon symbolize?“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the

devil, or Satan” ...Revelation 12:9

#1 Lit

LiteralismLiteralism

“If the plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense, or you will learn nonsense.”

“We must consistently apply the plain, normal, literal interpretation.” C. C. Ryrie

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

LiteralismLiteralismThe Bible refers to locusts with the power of flight, the bodies of horses, heads like lions, breastplates of iron and stinging tails like scorpions” (Rev 9).

“This might seem outlandish, unless you’ve ever seen a modern infantry unit in full chemical protection gear coming off a transport helicopter.”

2. Let the Bible Interpret Itself2. Let the Bible Interpret Itself

No private interpretation Let the Bible interpret itself! How? By comparing Scripture with Scripture

2B (Ex)

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20,21

Compare Scripture with ScriptureCompare Scripture with Scripture

Example:“I saw a beast coming up out of the sea.” Revelation 12:7

What does a beast symbolize?The four great beasts are four kingdoms. Daniel 7:17

What is the water?

“The waters you saw are peoples,

multitudes…” Revelation 17:15#2C

Compare Compare ScriptureScripture with Scripture with Scripture to to Get the Whole PictureGet the Whole Picture

Example: What did the sign say?

“This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”

Mark 15:26 “The King of the Jews”

Luke 23:28 “This is The King of the Jews”

Mat. 27:37 “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”

John 19:19 “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the

Jews.”

#3

Mark 15:26 “The King of the Jews”

Luke 23:28 “This is The King of the

Jews”

Mat. 27:37 “This is Jesus, the King of

the Jews”

John 19:19 “Jesus of Nazareth, the

King of the Jews.”

Compare Scripture with Scripture Compare Scripture with Scripture to Get the Whole Pictureto Get the Whole Picture

Example: What did the sign say?

“ This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

3. Outline Prophecies3. Outline PropheciesOutlines only cover the high points.Outlines are not concerned with every

detail.The Bible is a History-- only as it shows

how God relates to his people.

#4

4: Parallel Prophecies4: Parallel Prophecies

Daniel 2Daniel 2

BabylonBabylonMedo PersiaMedo PersiaGreeceGreeceRomeRomeEuropeEuropeJesus ComesJesus Comes

Daniel 7Daniel 7

RomeRome

Medo-PersiaMedo-PersiaBabylonBabylon

GreeceGreece

Babylon | Medo-Persia | Greece | Rome | Jesus

4. Parallel Prophecies4. Parallel Prophecies

What is Parallel?

A BGold | Silver | Bronze | Iron | Stone

Daniel

Lion | Bear | Leopard | Fierce Beast | Judgment

Both begin with Babylon and end with the return of Christ.

2

7

4B


Why is parallellism important?

Seven Churches [Rev 2-3]

Seven Seals [Rev 6-8]

Seven Trumpets [Rev 9-10]

Seven Plagues [Rev 16]

`

world

ends

They all end with the same event.4C

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake... The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. …They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Re 6:12-17).

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Re 11:15).

The seventh angel poured out his bowl… Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake... God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled Every island fled away and the mountains could not away and the mountains could not be foundbe found (Re 16:17-20).

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. (Rev 1:1).

“So, because you are lukewarm… I am about to spit you out of my mouth… the hour of his judgment has come ” (Re 3:16, 14:7).

The 7 churches give a glimpse into the future of the church with 7 successive periods ending with the Judgment, as well as a cross section of the church during the time of John.


Hebrew thought vs. Western thought… Otherwise there is Confusion

Seven Churches

Seven Seals

Seven Trumpets

Seven Plagues

#5Why Parallel Prophecies?

Babylon | Medo-Persia | Greece | Rome | Europe |JesusJesus

5. Repetition & Enlargement5. Repetition & Enlargement

Gold | Silver | Bronze | Iron | Clay |StoneStone

Daniel 2

Lion | Bear | Leopard | Fierce | JudgmentJudgment

Daniel 7

5B

Babylon | Medo-Persia | Greece | Rome | Europe |JesusJesus


Gold | Silver | Bronze | Iron | Clay | StoneStone

Daniel 2

Lion | Bear | Leopard | Fierce |

Daniel 7| JudgmentJudgment

5C

Babylon | Medo-Persia | Greece | Rome | JesusJesus


Gold | Silver | Bronze | Iron | StoneStone

Daniel 2

Lion | Bear | Leopard | Fierce | 10 horns | Little horn | JudgmentJudgment

Pagan | Europe | Papal

Daniel 7

Enlargement focuses on the end time

#6

6. Old Testament Foundation6. Old Testament FoundationHow Many Quotes or Allusions to Old Testament?

Example:Revelation 12:5 “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”

Psalm 2:9 [Referring to future Messiah] “You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”Daniel 2:44 “The Stone will crush those kingdoms and bring them to an end.”

Over 600 Quotes or Allusions to Old Testament

#7

Must compare the prophecies in Revelation to the Old Testament first.

Revelation 19:11, 15

Parallel

7. Revelation is Christ Centered7. Revelation is Christ Centered

“The revelation (Apocalypse) of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.” Revelation 1:1,2

every interpretation must center in and focus on Jesus Christ….

7B

Paul For RealPaul For Real

Our Two For RealOur Two For Real

Paul & Ania Jason & Mom

77. . Christ is the CenterChrist is the CenterThe Old Testament Foreshadowed Jesus On the Emmaus Road, "He said to them, 'How foolish you are,

and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Luke 24:25-27

"They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’...Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:32, 45

Our minds must be opened by Christ to understand the Bible.

7C- 3 types

77. Christ is the Center. Christ is the CenterThree Types of Christ-Centered

Interpretation

1. Direct Predictions

2. Types and Antitypes (shadows)

3. Non-Predictive Historical Passages

7Dir

Direct PredictionsDirect Predictions

"But you, Bethlehem... out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

7Typ

Types and AntitypesTypes and Antitypes

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

7Typ

The Lamb Was a type or shadow of Jesus the Antitype (in place of)

In the OT, the Lamb was offered as a sacrifice.

More TypesMore Types

Priest: "I tell you that one greater than thetemple is here." Matthew 12:6

Prophet: "Now one greater than Jonah is here." Matthew 12:41

King: "Now one greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42

7Typ

The Antitype replaces the type! (Anti= in place of)

The Antitype (fulfillment) is greater than the type!

More TypesMore Types Adam: “pattern of the one to come.” Rom 5:14

τυπος [tupos /too·pos/]

God opened a wound and took something from his side from which he formed his bride.

Jesus: The second Adam has come.

From his wounded side flowed water and blood out of which God formed his bride, the church.

7Nar

Non-predictive Historical Non-predictive Historical StoriesStories

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." Hosea 11:1

"So he [Joseph] got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son'." Matt. 2:14, 15

#7N

There was a famine in Israel

They were slaves in Egypt

God raised up Moses to deliver them out of Egypt.

He led them through the Red Sea to Freedom.

Non-predictive Historical Non-predictive Historical StoriesStories

1 Cor 10:1-4 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.

They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

#7N

More Narrative Prophecies More Narrative Prophecies

Israel Came out of Egypt

Baptized in the sea

40 years in desert

Tempted by Satan

Jesus went over the same ground as Israel, but He succeeded where they failed.

#8Ch

More Narrative Prophecies More Narrative Prophecies

Israel Jesus Came out of Egypt Came out of Egypt

Baptized in the sea Baptized in Jordan

40 years in desert 40 days in the desert

Tempted by Satan Tempted by Satan

Jesus went over the same ground as Israel, but He succeeded where they failed.

#8Ch

9 Israel Symbolizes the 9 Israel Symbolizes the ChurchChurch

The Beginning of the Promise: Gen 3:15

Abraham: Genesis 12:2,3“Through you, all nations will be blessed.”

Gathering and Scattering Promises: Deuteronomy 28 and 30

Fulfilled in Christ: Galatians 3:7,8, 16, 29 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed The Scripture does not say ‘‘and to seeds,” meaning many people, but ‘‘and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. “If you are in Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs to the promise.

9. Israel Symbolizes the 9. Israel Symbolizes the ChurchChurchExamples of New Testament Fulfillment of

Israel’s Prophecies

Old TestamentPromise

New TestamentFulfillment

FinalConsummation

Kingdom of PriestsExodus 19:6

1 Peter 2:9,10 Revelation 5:10

JerusalemAmos 9:11,12

Acts 15:13-17 Revelation 21:2

Mount ZionIsaiah 2:2,3

Heb. 12:22-24 Revelation 14:1

#8Ch

Double Fulfillment of IsraelDouble Fulfillment of Israel

Israel Exodus 19:6 You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”



The Church 1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.



The Church 1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.

New Earth Rev. 5:10 You [the Lamb] have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Jerusalem Symbolizes the Jerusalem Symbolizes the ChurchChurch

Amos 9: 11, 12

“In that day I will restore • David’s fallen tent. • I will repair its broken places, • restore its ruins, • and build it as it used to be,

So that they may possess the remnant of Edom

What would have to happen for this passage to be literally fulfilled?

Jerusalem a Symbol for the Jerusalem a Symbol for the ChurchChurch

Acts 15:15-17

The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

• After this I will return • and rebuild David’s fallen tent. • Its ruins I will rebuild, • and I will restore it, as it used to be

that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name

Jeru-salem

Edom

The Mediterranean

Sea Literal

“In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to beused to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom.” Amos 9: 11,12

Edom

The Mediterranean

Sea

Jerusalem

“So that they may possess the remnant of Edom.”

Amos 9: 11,12

Jeru-salem

Caesarea

The Mediterranean

Sea

“Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.

Acts 15:14-17

The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: ”‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord,.”

Edom

Edom

Jeru-salem

Caesarea

The Mediterranean

Sea

Edom symbolized the Gentiles.

The restoration of the walls of Jerusalem to possess the remnant of Edom,

Symbolized the Gentiles coming into the church.

The New Testament applies an Old Testament prophecy of the restoration and expansion of Israel to the expansion of the church by receiving Gentiles into the church.

The New Testament totally disregards any ethnic or geographic limitations, and interprets Israel as the church, the body of believers in Jesus Christ.

Jerusalem Symbolizes the Jerusalem Symbolizes the ChurchChurch

The LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘‘To your offspring I will give this land” (Gen 12:7).

All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever (Genesis 13:15).

He gave him [Abraham] no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land (Acts 7:5).

Even the Land is a SymbolEven the Land is a Symbol

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went.. he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Heb 11:8-10).

Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world (Rom 4:13)

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

Even the Land is a SymbolEven the Land is a Symbol

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘‘Yes” in Christ(2 Cor 1:20).

All Promises Fulfilled in ChristAll Promises Fulfilled in Christ

Double Fulfillment of Mount Double Fulfillment of Mount ZionZion

Israel Isaiah 2:3 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. …The law will go out from Zion,

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last in these last daysdays he has spoken to us by his Son.

Hebrews 1:1, 2

Old Testament Mt. ZionOld Testament Mt. Zion

In Old Testament times Mt. Zion was the temple mountain in Jerusalem.

It contained the Ark of the Covenant

It was the focal point of Israel’s worship of her God

Isaiah foresaw a great revival on Mt Zion in the last days

“The Law would go out from Mt. Zion.” Isaiah 2:3

The New Testament Mt. ZionThe New Testament Mt. Zion “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God… to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God... to Jesus.” Heb. 12:20

Mount Zion is a symbol of the churchThere will be a revival in the church!

Double Fulfillment of Mount Double Fulfillment of Mount ZionZion

Mt Zion Isaiah 2:3 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. …The law will go out from Zion,

The Church Hebrews 12:22-24 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. …

to the church …to God, …to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant

New Earth Rev. 14:1 And I saw the Lamb, standing on Mt. Zion, and with him, 144,000.

The 144,000The 144,000

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb,

... standing on Mount Zion...

...and with him 144,000. Rev 14:1

The LambThe Lamb

The Lamb is a symbol for Jesus.

Mt Zion is a symbol for His church

The 144,000The 144,000

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000144,000 who had his name and his Father’s had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheadsname written on their foreheads. Rev. 14:1

The 144,000The 144,000To the church … I will write on him the name name of my Godof my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new namemy new name.Rev. 3:12

The Twelve Tribes of IsraelThe Twelve Tribes of Israel

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake... every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth… called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: (Revelation 7:2-4).

The Twelve Tribes of IsraelThe Twelve Tribes of Israel‘‘Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. From the tribe of JudahJudah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of ReubenReuben 12,000, from the tribe of GadGad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of NaphtaliNaphtali 12,000, from the tribe of ManassehManasseh 12,000, from the tribe of SimeonSimeon 12,000, from the tribe of LeviLevi 12,000, from the tribe of IssacharIssachar 12,000, from the tribe of ZebulunZebulun 12,000, from the tribe of JosephJoseph 12,000, from the tribe of BenjaminBenjamin 12,000. (Revelation 7:3-8).

The Twelve Tribes of IsraelThe Twelve Tribes of IsraelExodus 1:1Exodus 1:1

ReubenSimeonLeviJudahIssacharZebulun Joseph Benjamin Dan NaphtaliGadAsher

RRev 7:5ev 7:5

Judah

ReubenGad Asher NaphtaliManassehSimeonLeviIssacharZebulunJosephBenjamin

The Twelve Tribes of IsraelThe Twelve Tribes of IsraelReubenSimeonLeviJudahIssacharZebulun Joseph Benjamin Dan NaphtaliGadAsher

Exodus 1:1Exodus 1:1

Judah


RRev 7:5ev 7:5

1

The Twelve Tribes of IsraelThe Twelve Tribes of IsraelReubenSimeonLeviJudahIssacharZebulun Joseph Benjamin Dan NaphtaliGadAsher

Exodus 1:1Exodus 1:1

Judah


RRev 7:5ev 7:5

2

1

3

The Twelve Tribes of IsraelThe Twelve Tribes of Israel

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes. (Rev 7:9).

‘‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

And he said, ‘‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:13-14).

144000144000

1. 144000 Sealed before the great tribulation

2. Protected during the tribulation

3. Emerge from the tribulation as a great multitude that could not be counted from every nation (the church)

144000144000 The LORD said to Abram…‘‘I will make your offspring

like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. (Genesis 13:14-16).

The 144000 are the final fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

They are the final gathering of God’s people to himself in Christ.

“When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32 ).

Jesus will rule his nation again on earth.

The 144,000The 144,000They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.Rev. 14:4

They are ChristiansChristians in the truest sense of the word.

They are the ultimate gathering of the final generation of Spiritual Israel to Jesus.

Sharks are God’s Beautiful Creatures

According to Jac– Not ‘dena

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Revelation Now Advanced Seminar 9 Keys to Interpreting Prophecy By Jac Colón Thank’s for turning off phones