Mysteries of the Book of Revelation

Prayer – Lord, there are so many mysteries in the Book of Revelation. Help me to find explanations for these symbols somewhere else in the Bible. I think You’ve given us clues—we just have to put them together to understand the secrets that You have left for us understand. 

This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Revelation 1:20

 

The Sacrificial Lamb - Jesus
The Lord of lords and King of kings.
He will win the war against Him.

"Why are you so amazed?" the angel asked. "I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits. The beast you saw was once alive but isn't now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction. And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died. "This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules. They also represent seven kings. Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief. "The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction. The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him." Revelation 17:7-14

 

Meditate. Consider God’s mystery in scripture. Read God’s word and search for meaning to what He is saying.

 

Do you like a good mystery—a book or a movie? Have you ever tried to write even a short story that is a mystery? Throughout the Bible there are hints of or just plain outright secrets that need some digging to understand. Is this mystery for everyone—or especially for the ones who are faithful followers?

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

There are a couple of other instances in Revelation where the meaning of certain words, phrases or symbols are specified. The “means” or “meaning” are underlined for emphasis.

He required everyone--small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666. Revelation 13:16-18

 

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. Revelation 13:9-10

 

Then a third angel followed them, shouting, "Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand must drink the wine of God's anger. It has been poured full strength into God's cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name." This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Revelation 14:9-12

God wants us to know just what is going to happen. Read the verses in context—always. There is no doubt. People have for years tried to attach some significance to the mark of the beast and 666—like bar codes, but the point is—do not give your allegiance to or worship the beast who is going to appear to be a charismatic, good guy that everyone will love. Don’t do it. Verses from Revelation 14 inform us about the torment and wrath that those worshipping the beast will receive. The choice is up to each person—knowing that they may have to endure persecution from the beast if they remain faithful to God. God will never leave or forsake His followers—but that doesn’t mean that they won’t have to face harassment, torment, or torture. It just indicates that God will be with us in whatever we go through. The “we” and “us” is assuming that you and I are both believers in God—in Jesus as the Son of God, and as our Savior. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior—and am hoping for my rapture before the Beast takes over. The timing of the events in Revelation are still a mystery to be researched and studied. Be prepared. Learn all you can…and the mysteries of the Book of Revelation will be solved. God has given us answers—we just have to find them.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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