Since the Bible’s chapter and verse numbers are not original to the text, I’ve been trying to ignore the numbers and just look at the structure and words. I’ve identified TWO “Angel Don’t” sections that bracket FOUR “Pool of Fire” sections. You’ll recall that TWO is a pair of things that are both similar and contrasting, while FOUR is about all that God created.
BRACKETS: TWO things that are similar and contrasting
PARALLEL BEGINNINGS: Angel Don’t
- FIRST Rev 17:1 Then one of the seven angels who were holding the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come here. I will show you the judgment on the great harlot* who lives near the many waters.
- SECOND Rev 21:9 One of the seven angels who held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
PARALLEL MIDDLES: Angel Don’t
- FIRST The angel carried John away in spirit to a deserted place where he saw Satan’s city.*
- SECOND The angel carried John away in spirit to a great, high mountain where he saw God’s city.
- FIRST Satan’s city will be a place of immense wealth and depravity.
- SECOND God’s city will be a place of immense wealth and holiness.
- FIRST God will destroy Satan’s city in one day and no light from a lamp will ever be seen in her again.
- SECOND God’s city will last forever and His glory will be its light.
PARALLEL ENDINGS: Angel Don’t
- FIRST Rev 19:9-10 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These words are true; they come from God.” I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers who bear witness to Jesus. Worship God. Witness to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
- SECOND Rev 22:8-9 it is I, John, who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets and of those who keep the message of this book. Worship God.”
*For my take on:
Why “The Great Harlot” and “Babylon, the Mother of Harlots” are two different cities, see https://polination.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/the-great-harlot-vs-babylon-the-mother-of-harlots/
Why neither the Vatican nor the Roman Catholic Church are the harlot(s) of Revelation, see https://polination.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/the-seven-churches-of-revelation-part-ten/
BRACKETED: FOUR things about God’s creation
PARALLEL ENDINGS MARK OUT THESE SECTIONS
FIRST POOL OF FIRE = Rev 19:11 through Rev 19:21
Rev 19:20-21 The Anti-Christ and the False Prophet “were thrown alive into the fiery pool burning with sulfur.”
SECOND POOL OF FIRE = Rev 20:1-10
Rev 20:10 “The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
THIRD POOL OF FIRE = Rev 20:11 through Rev 20:15
Rev 20:14-15 “Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.”
FOURTH POOL OF FIRE = Rev 21:1 through Rev 21:8
Rev 21:8 “But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
THE STORY LINES
FIRST POOL OF FIRE = Rev 19:11 through Rev 19:21
The Final Battle at Armageddon: Jesus will fulfill the Jews’ expectation for a warrior Messiah by vanquishing all Israel’s enemies and establishing her reign forever. Note: He will have already fulfilled the Christians’ expectation for a Second Coming in the clouds at the Rapture. For my take on the Rapture, see https://polination.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/the-olivet-discourse-seal-six-and-the-rapture/
SECOND POOL OF FIRE = Rev 20:1-10
The Millennium: Satan has been chained for a thousand years. When this time is completed, he will be released to deceive the nations and fight the Final Battle at Armageddon, after which God will send him and all who serve him into the pit forever.
THIRD POOL OF FIRE = Rev 20:11 through Rev 20:15
Final Judgment: Fate of the Damned = Compare white throne here with white horse in FIRST Pool of Fire.
FOURTH POOL OF FIRE = Rev 21:1 through Rev 21:8
Final Judgment: Fate of the Victors = Characteristics of Damned: The cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort.
I encourage you to read these passages in full for yourselves, keeping this structure in mind. It adds even more richness to the imagery. For example, consider how Satan’s city is described in the first Angel Don’t as the “Mother of Harlots” while God’s city is described in the second Angel Don’t as “a bride adorned for her husband.”
NOTE: In my next Bible study blog, I will be discussing why I believe the Millennium began before Jesus ascended. If that is going to make you mad, please skip that blog. I’ve had my fill of people being pissed at me for explaining what my beliefs are and why I hold them.
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