Revelation: What are the Key Questions?

When one starts examining the book of Revelation, one has to ask the following questions (listed in no particular order):

1. Is Revelation or it’s scrolls a circular logic or a linear story? This is key because many will assert that Revelation 7, 14, and 19/20 are concurrent. It’s the only way to justify out a Rapture or non futurist viewpoint. I tend to believe it proceeds like a scroll, it’s a linear progression of judgment.
2. Do the days represent days or years? Most people will point to days, but Preterists, Jehovah Witnesses and others assert its years in navigating a papal narrative. While I wouldn’t be surprised if Rome was a harlot devoured by her enemies, Rome really isn’t surrounded by waters nor does it really run world trade. The Catholic Church is highly unlikely to get worldwide adherence (Muslims and China, and India would be out, thats 4/7 of the global population).
3. Has heaven occurred on Earth? I would assert no. Yet some believe in Tartaria and that we live in the period of great deception. While I wouldn’t disagree to the deception, Christ would still be reigning during the millennium (there’s no indication the rod of iron departs). And people still adhere to so much selfishness, a general historical cleaning seems highly unlikely. Also, using architecture to justify its presence seems to be indicative of worshipping buildings and art, which is idolatry.
4. Was it Jesus who revealed the vision to John in verse 1? This is key since we have multiple Gospels that contain Christ’s teaching which would have to parallel the teachings.
5. Are the churches in Revelation 2-3 indicative of 7 actual churches or a pattern experienced in church growth? I can see truths in both direction, but consistency across interpretation needs to be present.
6. When did the seals begin breaking? Was it for an appointed time or did it begin when the temple was destroyed in 70AD? The procession of seals is important for determining timeframe of prophetic fulfillment. I tend to think it began with seal 1 being the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
7. Are the seals a signal to the Jews or the Christian church? Again, these could be global, but if the Spirit is speaking- only two lots of groups were appointed (Jews via God’s laws and Christians via Christ’s grace) to understand.
8. Who are the two casts in Revelation 7? It would be useless to mention tribe names of Jewish people if they weren’t Jewish or meant to fulfill Jewish promises. The multitude are certainly Christians (washed in the blood of the Lamb via verse 14).
9. Who are Christian’s serving in Revelation 7? Verse 15-17 states they are before the throne of God, serving the Lamb at the center of the Throne (implying God, Christ was right hand), and he wipes away their tears (keep note this comes again). This would go against the idea that Christians would follow Christ back down to reign (which also stands to contradict the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7).
10. Why mention the two casts in Revelation 7 if there wasn’t a direct tie to the 6th seal? Again, it seems straight forward that the two coincide, but there are many circular logic based narratives that would object.
11. The trumpets sound and Revelation 10-13 take a break. Is it a break in judgment or an explanation of what is happening? It tends to describe the scroll that Daniel sealed in Revelation 12, with a command to prophesy to all nations. In 11:2, the court has been given to the Gentiles (Muslims, Al Aqsa Mosque); they aren’t currently trampling let along 42 months, the two witnesses haven’t arrived, and no praise or resurrection for their death has occurred. Revelation 12 appears to describe the fate of the church since Christ, and Revelation 13 describes the two beasts.
12. Who are the two witnesses and what do they represent? Some people think Christians and Jews, but they weren’t killed and brought to heaven yet. Given the transfiguration in Matthew 17 and other gospels, I tend to think it’s Moses and Elijah. It lends to Jewish promise and would be believed by the Jews. At this point, it would seem that grace is off the table and the promises to Christians have changed.
13. Who are the two beasts and what do they represent? Most scholars recognize the beasts as world systems or empires. The final Antichrist would rule over them, so these are key for understanding what the beast system is and what to avoid.
14. In Revelation 14, what happens to the 144,000 and the great wine press? It would appear they are under Christ’s care and the wine press is a harvest (maybe war). 1,600 stadia is a lot of blood. Some assert the 144,000 are killed, Old Testament prophets point to a remnant that will repopulate a future inheritance after the time of Jacobs Trouble.
15. Who is mystery Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18? Some point to the Roman church, some to Islam, some to the US. Revelation 18 points to the spoils, many of which aren’t US exports. Just something to keep in mind.
16. Who are the armies of heaven in Revelation 19? This is a translation issue. King James says saints (lending to the belief that it’s believers), others say armies of heaven (angels). I tend to think since the prophets implied angels (as did others), it’s not Christians.
17. Why would God redeem raptured believers to send them back down again? If we followed Gods command (love God and others), why reign and potentially become prideful and death worthy again? Why set up for tears to be wiped again in Revelation 21? It’s logically inconsistent and against Christ’s message in Matthew 5-7.
18. Is there a parallel in the Old Testament to the great supper of God in Revelation 19:17-18? Yes: Jeremiah 7:33, Isaiah 56:9, and Ezekiel 39:17. God is fulfilling unfinished Old Testament prophecy in Revelation, hence there is a Jewish aspect here that cannot be described with many interpretations.
19. Why would God loose Satan? It makes no sense if all Jewish and Christian promises reached fulfillment, lending many after the point of Christ’s reign to follow the path of self glory after Christ reigns to die in the second death. If the millennial reign is a fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, and those who didn’t get what they think they deserved could rebel, it makes great sense.
20. Who is raised to rule with Christ and why? Beheaded Christians and the first resurrection, which is likely the Jews if the second death has no power. Who else did God promise to raise at this point in judgment?
21. Why does everyone stand the Great White Throne later in Revelation 19? This builds off the prior question. There are multiple resurrections that tie off to various covenants God made to man. The second resurrection ties to Christ’s words in Matthew 25:31-46. Note those dead did not realize why they were spared, hence non Christians and Jews can make it to heaven, but probabilities are low.
22. Why does God wipe away tears again in Revelation 21:4? Wiping tears multiple times seems inconsistent with God fulfilling eternal promises. It’s most likely the initial wipe for this lot of people, but many will have some form of logic to justify it.
23. What are the sins of Revelation 22:15? Magic, sexual immorality, murderers, idolaters, and those who love to practice falsehood (lies, ego, etc.). These are the things God hates, doesn’t accept, nor is it acceptable in churches today. I spelled it out since churches are dividing on vaccines which tie to the translated word for sorcery (pharmakeia) and witchcraft is the same use of manipulating words to attain a desired goal (spells, amulets and marketing all use the same principles). Falsehoods and lies are no different than having a church, work or social media presence that is different from your real home presence. Sexual immorality is likely all non procreative forms of sexual expression that are outside of biblical constraints.

The remaining part of Revelation is pretty beautiful and talks of heaven coming down to Earth for renewal. However, these are questions that all believers who assert an answer to Revelation should have a clear biblical answer for. If they do not, then it’s a bad explanation and should be tossed. We will now get into where I think things are headed.