Day 81

Revelation is overlaid with many things, including the major stories of the OT and the Jewish Sanctuary service. To help understand this I have place a PPT on slide share regarding the sanctuary called, “The Sanctuary in Revelation.”  Revelation takes us on a journey through the sanctuary. Its imagery appears throughout the book. The Sanctuary service is full of snapshots of the Calvary drama & the entire plan of salvation.

Most of the major sections of the book contain a sanctuary scene. The first introductory scene shows Christ, clothed as High Priest, walking among the seven lampstands (Rev. 1:12-20). This is followed by letters to the Seven Churches.

The second shows the heavenly throne room; with throne, lamps, a sea, a slain Lamb, blood, and golden bowls of incense (Rev. 4, 5). This is followed by the Seven Seals. The third scene refers to the continual service of intercession in the context of the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary (Rev. 8:2-6), followed by the Seven Trumpets.

The fourth and central scene gives us a glimpse of the ark of the covenant in the second apartment (Rev. 11:19), followed by seven cosmic conflict scenes (12:1-15:4). The fifth scene brings the entire tabernacle in heaven into view (Rev. 15:5-8), culminating in the seven last plagues.

The sixth scene is unique in that it does not contain any explicit references to the

sanctuary, perhaps to illustrate that Christ’s work there is finished (Rev. 19:1-10).

However, it is followed by 7 Scenes in the Windup of the Cosmic Conflict (19:11-20:15)

The final scene is all about the glorious Holy City on earth, which is portrayed as the

 tabernacle “coming down out of heaven” (Rev. 21:1-8, NASB) Following this is a seven part description of the New Jerusalem (21:9-22:5).

Those verses show a progression in salvation: from Christ on earth, to His heavenly ministry and finally to the new earth tabernacle.

We are about to get an astounding picture of Jesus and His role in the Universe. Revelation Chapters 4 & 5 are amazing. In preparation please read through them in one sitting.

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