Analysis of the Book of Revelation: chronology and context

Analysis of the Book of Revelation: chronology and context Boris Marjanović May, 2021

Introduction The main purpose of this small study is to offer a different perspective in understanding the chronology of the Book of Revelation which can and should give a contextual basis for interpretation. It is important to understand that interpretation can vary depending on the premises a scholar introduces before attempting to decode a text, especially with texts that are filled with symbolic language.

The material here presented is not a detailed representation of my study of the book of Revelation with a lot of explanations because I didn’t want to quantitatively exceed the acceptable number of pages for the average reader. This is just a synthesis of my study.

Eventually I will be willing, as far as time permits, to give some extra explanations if someone asks. My email address is: InsightsIntoRevelation@gmail.com. Please be aware that all of your relevant questions I might post in a question-and-answer format in another document and upload it to the web.

This is a personal study done for my personal satisfaction.

Analysis procedure Although I am aware of the influence of existent acquired knowledge, theological background, and personal beliefs I tried to reduce my bias while giving explanations.

I used the following sources for my study: • KJV Bible (primary literature/translation for textual analysis) • Young Literal translation (optional source) • EGW Writings • https://biblehub.com • Inductive Bible Study by Robert Traina (book) • Other sources as audio/video lectures or sermons (AudioVerse, ….)

For the purpose of textual analysis, I applied: • the principles of inductive bible study, • understanding the context of the analyzed biblical texts, • understanding the context for the interpretation of the writings of Ellen White Starting assumptions for interpretation: 1. the book of Revelation follows the sanctuary service pattern, 2. descriptions of Jesus and His movements through the book of Revelation define the context for interpretation, mainly the “what” phase of the ministry is happening, 3. the movements of John and his location through the visions also define the context for interpretation, mainly the “where” the phase of the ministry is happening, 4. respect the hierarchical structure of events: small details of subordinate elements cannot determine the context and the chronology of a superior element in the hierarchy of events. The superior element is the one that determines the context and chronology for the interpretation of the lower subordinate element, 5. the writings of Ellen White are inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Graphical representation of the chronology of events The picture represents in a concise form the main elements that determine the chronology and context for interpretation of the Book of Revelation explained in this study.

The first grand vision and the seven churches Starting point The main idea is that there is a need to identify the context of the first vision to build upon it the interpretation for the rest of the book. We need to give an answer to these questions: where, when, and what. The location of John during the vision will help us in determining the context.

The second important point is to understand what Jesus is doing as part of His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Especially we need to pay attention to His description.

The third important point is what the seven churches represent and therefore how we should interpret them. There are mainly three possible interpretations, one states that the churches are to be interpreted as literal churches around the year 90-95 AD, the other that the churches are to be interpreted as symbolic churches as representatives of the history of the Christian church through centuries, and the third is the dual application, historic and symbolic.

Interpretation First, I will give a brief interpretation of Revelation chapter 1-3 and then I will dive deeper into the analysis and provide arguments to support my point of view. The same logic will be applied to all the following chapters.

The vision begins around the year 90-95 AD when John starts his journey through the visions he will receive from God during his imprisonment on the island of Patmos. The first vision starts by him being in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. He hears and then he sees Jesus dressed as the High Priest. The vision is taking place in the Holy place in the Heavenly sanctuary where after seeing Jesus he falls on the ground as dead, probably almost unconscious seeing nothing but able to hear the messages to the seven churches spoken by the Holy Spirit. The messages to the seven churches represent symbolically periods of the church through history, to each church are given some directions on what’s good or bad and what needs to be done to overcome. Here we see Jesus in the Holy place in the Heavenly sanctuary mediating for His church through history, helping the church to overcome.

The “where, when, and what” and John being in the Spirit The first thing to note is that John is in the spirit in the Lord’s Day. During the vision he is transferred to another place that is not the island of Patmos. Where is John? Clues in the text indicate that he is in an unknown place, but we see two important elements: the seven candlesticks and Jesus. What we know from scriptures is that Jesus at the time of the vision is in heaven and the candlestick is an item present in the Sanctuary, precisely in the Holy place. At the time of John having the vision, Jesus was already ministering in the Heavenly sanctuary for more than 50 years.

It is important to note that John during the visions in the book of Revelation was 4 times “In the Spirit”. Each time he was “In the Spirit” he changed location. The location indicates a precise place in the Sanctuary where the sanctuary ministry is taking place (the Holy place or the Most holy place) or outside the Sanctuary after the ministry is over.

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Hebrews 8:1-2 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Hebrews 7:23-25 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Exodus 26:33-35 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.

It is reasonable to assume the following: the story takes place (where) in the Holy place in the Heavenly sanctuary, (when) in the year 90-95 AD when the vision starts, with Jesus acting as the High priest (what) mediating for His people, the church.

The description of Jesus It is crucial to follow Jesus during His ministry in the Sanctuary to be able to identify not only the place but also the time when the action is taking place. The first appearance of Jesus is in chapter 1, where we can notice two descriptors: the audible and the visual one. The first thing we notice is the description of His voice, a great voice, as of a trumpet. The voice as of a trumpet will be crucial in defining the context of the second main vision in chapter 4. After that when John looks at Him he sees Jesus dressed similarly as the High priest in the earthly sanctuary. Visual and audible clues must go together to describe His function during the ministry.

Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Exodus 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

It is safe to assume, also based upon what is written in the letter to the Hebrews (see above) and in the book of Exodus, that Jesus is mediating as High priest in the Holy place above (made clear by the presence of the candlesticks) for His church.

The seven churches The most problematic part in this section of the book of Revelation is how to understand and interpret the seven churches. Because these churches are mentioned to be in Asia and that John’s duty was to deliver the whole book of Revelation to these churches located in Asia, someone would argue that the seven churches should be interpreted as literal churches in the 1st century.

Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

The question arises how should we interpret the churches, as literal, symbolic, or both? We need to be very careful how we give the answer to this question because it will affect the correct interpretation and context of the whole book of Revelation. First of all we need to acknowledge the fact that the book of Revelation is a prophetic and symbolic book, therefore elements in the text can be interpreted in both ways.

Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Before giving an explanation on what the churches mean, let’s look at some clues in the text.

Where is Jesus?

During the vision from chapter 1 to 3 John sees Jesus only at the beginning before losing conscience, but still able to hear. This scene is very similar to what Daniel experienced after seeing Jesus, although Daniel was strengthened by the angel and was able to face the message he was given. The description of Jesus in Daniel chapter 10 is very similar if not the same. The effect on both after seeing Jesus was also the same.

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Daniel 10 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

Therefore, John doesn’t see Jesus neither he saw when He left the Holy place. Although it is not stated when Jesus left the Holy place, and we know that because after the message to the Laodiceans Jesus is already gone, there is an interesting reference to a door Jesus opened during the message to the church of Philadelphia. Perhaps there might be a logical connection.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The Spirit is talking The interesting fact is that Jesus doesn’t speak the messages to the seven churches, the Spirit is the one who is talking.

Revelation 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Why is that so? We know that the Spirit is the one who is interceding for the church on earth instead of Jesus. The Spirit was sent on earth after the ascension of Jesus in heaven.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

We see that the Spirit is in a direct way speaking and collaborating with the saints on earth, directing them on what to do. Therefore, the Spirit is the one responsible for directly communicating with the churches, the people of God on earth.

Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

Acts 10:19-20 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

It is reasonable to conclude that the Spirit is the one whose responsibility is to communicate with the churches and therefore the Spirit is the one to utter the messages to the seven churches.

Duration of the messages To understand whether the churches are to be interpreted as symbolic or literal, the interdependence between the duration of the ministry of Jesus in the first vision and the duration of the seven messages will be very helpful. As mentioned before the location of John is critical in defining the place where the action/ministry is taking place. The location where the candlestick is present in the sanctuary is the Holy place. Therefore, the ministry here represented is the intercession of Jesus for His people. This ministry will end after the prophetic period of 2300 days found in Daniel chapter 8.

Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

The messages to the churches and the duration of the vision or ministry cover the same period, meaning when the messages are over also the vision ends and John moves to another location. This indicates that there is a logical and chronological connection between the ministry of Jesus and the messages to the churches. This seems to indicate that the messages also cover the same period of the ministry until the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days.

The things which are Jesus splits the whole book of Revelation into 2 parts. The “the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are” refer to one phase of the ministry while the “things which shall be hereafter” to the successive phase of His ministry.

Revelation 1:19-20 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The things that John saw was Jesus among the candlesticks with seven stars in His hand. The context here is evident, Jesus is performing His duty as High priest, therefore in this verse Jesus is alluding to the sanctuary service. Because in chapter 4 Jesus is going to show the things here referred as “the things which shall be hereafter” it is reasonable to conclude that the messages to the seven churches are the “things which are”. And because we are dealing with the sanctuary service, “the things which shall be hereafter” is a reference to a successive phase in His ministry.

“The things which are” therefore represent the ministry in the Holy Place where Jesus is interceding for His church through the centuries, because the ministry in the Holy place terminates at the end of the 2300 prophetic days in Daniel, and as we will see later the

message to Laodicea goes even beyond that date. “The things which shall be hereafter” represent the next phase of His ministry, the ministry in the Most holy place. More details later.

Seven candlesticks In the tabernacle of the congregation there was only one candlestick.

Exodus 25:31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Leviticus 24:3-4 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.

While in the book of Revelation are mentioned seven candlesticks.

Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

If Moses made the tabernacle of the congregation according to the pattern God showed him of what is in Heaven the question arises why John sees seven candlesticks instead of one, while for example later in the text we see only one altar of incense? There are seven but should be just one, this could indicate a symbolism concerning the churches. This and all the other clues presented could give a valid argument in assuming that the churches are a symbolic representation of Christ’s church through history.

Who has an ear let him hear The expression “He that hath an ear, let him hear” is used at the end of each message to the churches.

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

This expression is usually used in the gospels by Jesus (but also in the OT) to express “who has understanding let him understand”. Why? Because usually before that statement Jesus told a parable that people didn’t understand. That’s why he said that multiple times.

Matt 13:7-16 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken

away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Mark 7:14-23 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, -- That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Ezekiel 12:1-2 The word of the Lord also came unto me, saying, Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.

The reason was that people’s hearts were hardened and they could not understand. The conclusion is that only those whose hearts are touched by the Spirit will understand. As in this case in Revelation, the logical conclusion is to assume that what came before is a parable, and only those who are connected to the Spirit will understand that. So, every message to each church is most likely a metaphor.

The Spirit of Prophecy quotes Seven churches The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world. – {AA 585.3} In the days of the apostles the Christian believers were filled with earnestness and enthusiasm. So untiringly did they labor for their Master that in a comparatively short time, notwithstanding fierce opposition, the gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by the pen of inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age. Of the church at Ephesus, which the Lord Jesus used as a symbol of the entire Christian church in the apostolic age, the faithful and true Witness declared: – {AA 578.1} “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are

not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” Revelation 2:2, 3. – {AA 578.2} Here, then, comes in the Redeemer's work. Satan stood by the side of the angel as an adversary, to accuse Joshua as a transgressor of the law. This angel, who is our Saviour, was seen by John the Revelator and represented as standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the breast with a golden girdle. Christ is represented in actual ministry for His people, as was Joshua in the day of atonement in behalf of the children of Israel.

17MR 242.1

Opened door I saw that in ‘44 God had opened a door and no man could shut it, and shut a door and no man could open it. Those who rejected the light which was brought to the world by the message of the second angel went into darkness, and how great was that darkness.—Letter 2, 1874. {1BIO 79.2} It was on my first journey east to relate my visions that the precious light in regard to the heavenly sanctuary was opened before me and I was shown the open and shut door. We believed that the Lord was soon to come in the clouds of heaven. I was shown that there was a great work to be done in the world for those who had not the light.... Some accused me of saying my Lord delayeth His coming, especially the fanatical ones. I saw that in 1844 God had opened a door and no man could shut it, and shut a door and no man could open it (Letter 2, 1874). {WV 30.4} But clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. Now was seen the application of those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this very time: “These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth; I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” [Revelation 3:7, 8.] Here an open as well as a shut door is brought to view. At the termination of the 2300 prophetic days in 1844, Christ changed his ministration from the holy to the most holy place. When, in the ministration of the earthly sanctuary, the high priest on the day of atonement entered the most holy place, the door of the holy place was closed, and the door of the most holy was opened. So, when Christ passed from the holy to the most holy of the heavenly sanctuary, the door, or ministration, of the former apartment was closed, and the door, or ministration, of the latter was opened. Christ had ended one part of his work as our intercessor, to enter upon another portion of the work; and he still presented his blood before the Father in behalf of sinners. “Behold,” he declares, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” {4SP 268.3} But clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. They now saw that they were correct in believing that the end of the 2300 days in 1844 marked an important crisis. But while it was true that that door of hope and mercy by which men had for eighteen hundred years found access to God, was closed, another door was opened, and forgiveness of sins was offered to men through the intercession of Christ in the most holy. One part of His ministration had closed, only to give place to another. There was still an “open door” to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ was ministering in the sinner’s behalf. {CIHS 107.2} Now was seen the application of those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this very time: “These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” Revelation 3:7, 8. {CIHS 108.1}

The second grand vision and the throne room Interpretation The vision in chapter 4 is chronologically a continuation of the ministry of Jesus in the Holy place. After the Spirit had finished uttering the message to the Laodicean church John hears the voice of Jesus coming from another place beyond the opened door. Jesus at this point has already left the Holy place and moved through the opened door but we don’t know when it happened. It happened sometime during the messages to the seven churches. There was a point in time when Jesus moved to the Most holy place to continue His ministry. After moving to the Most holy Jesus continues to intercede for His people although performing the service pertaining the Day of atonement. After the message to Laodicea John is again in the Spirit and changes location, beyond the door where Jesus already is. The second room is the Most holy place. Here John sees God sitting on the throne, the seven lamps of fire, the sea of glass, the 24 elders and the four beasts giving glory to God and the sealed book. After that he sees Jesus represented as a slain lamb taking the book and opening the seals. This description of Jesus indicates a different phase of His ministry, a slain lamb is a symbol of justification or taking away the sin from the sinner symbolized by the blood. While opening the seals John sees visions for each opened seal. The opening of the book is part of the process of justification or blotting out of sins from the records of heaven. Here is represented the ongoing judgment process during the Day of atonement in favor of the people of God. This is not the beginning of the process (or the year 1844) but rather a later phase still in the future. The cleansing of sins from the records is happening after or at the time of the outpouring of the latter rain (as foretold by the apostle Peter) just before the end of the time of mercy.

The things that are and will be after these things In chapter 4 verse 1 we have a direct connection with chapter 1 verse 19. The logical connecting phrase “the things which shall be hereafter” imply a chronological succession of events. What is happening in chapter 4 is a succession of the ministry of Jesus in chapter 1.

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Two distinct phases of Jesus’ ministry are represented here, based on the primary assumption made at the beginning: the Sanctuary pattern. The first phase of the ministry is that of intercession and the second is the preparation for the close of probation and the seven plagues.

Description of Jesus John hears Jesus calling from inside the opened door, but he doesn’t see Him. This is very important. The “voice of a trumpet” is the key connector! It is part of the description of Jesus in chapter 1, the audible descriptor.

Revelation 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; Revelation 4 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Beside the visual description of Jesus in chapter 1 His voice is part of it and it indicates His role in His ministry. Because here in chapter 4 John doesn’t see Jesus it is not possible to conclude anything about what He is doing. But hopefully in chapter 4 we have His voice that draws our attention to chapter 1 meaning Jesus is performing the same role in this new place as He was in the Holy place. He is still interceding for the church even after moving to the Most holy place. In no other place in Revelation, we don’t have the mention of the voice of a trumpet.

Location of John and the movement of Jesus In chapter 4 we have a blind spot, we don’t know and don’t see when Jesus moved from the Holy to the Most holy. It could happen just before the end of the message to Laodicea or even before. The only clue we have is the message to Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

After the message to Laodicea is finished John is called by Jesus to come through the door.

The only opened door in the Sanctuary after the ministry in the Holy place is the one of the Most holy. John in the Spirit goes through the door and enters the throne room.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Seven lamps After entering the throne room he sees before the throne seven laps of fire. These laps are described as the seven spirits of God. Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

But is there something more that can be said about the seven lamps of fire? Because we are in the Heavenly sanctuary maybe we can recognize objects that are present that resemble objects from the Earthly sanctuary as in the previous vision. Seven lamps of fire are present on top of the seven branched candlestick in the Sanctuary.

Numbers 8:1-4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.

And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses. And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

Here we have represented the seven branched candlestick with the emphasis on the lamps that are burning. The flame is produced by the oil in the lamp and the oil is represented by the Spirit of God. There are many references in the Bible concerning the oil, the light, yhe anointment and the saints that reflect the light from God and therefore are witnesses for Jesus and the Father.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Matthew 25:1-4 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Are we in the Holy place? No. The candlestick is in the Holy place, but Jesus is now ministering in the Most holy place. The important thing is to discern the sequence of movements of Jesus and identify what He is doing at every specific stage. The candlestick was burning continually, each day, even during the Day of atonement in the Earthly sanctuary.

Leviticus 24:1-4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.

If the seven lamps represent the candlestick and the candlestick in Revelation is the symbol of a church, which of the seven churches is represented here? Following John and his movements we see that we moved from the Holy to the Most holy. Also Jesus was interceding before and after He moved through the opened door. After Laodicea there is no other church.

This church is a victorious church giving light being full of the Spirit of God ready to be the light of the world. Because there is a logical and chronological connection between the first and second vision it is safe to assume that this church is the Laodicean church that overcame in the meantime.

Revelation 3:15-18 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Above is the description of Laodicea in its pathetic state but Jesus calls the church to overcome. There is hope for the church and I believe the seven lamps of fire represent the revived church ready to receive the latter rain.

The sealed book and the reaction of John What represents the mysterious sealed book? It is not given its description, its name, neither what it contains. The only thing we know is that it is sealed with seven seals.

Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

But a strange thing happens. John after acknowledging that nobody in heaven nor on earth can open and read the book, starts crying in despair.

Revelation 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

This could be a strong indication that he recognized and understood what the book is, what it represents, and what it contains. Therefore, there must be a reference in the Old Testament about this book. There are different books mentioned in the old texts but because of the context of judgment and Jesus’ ministry in the Most holy place there is a reference of a book in Exodus and Psalms.

Psalms 69:27-28 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Exodus 32:30-33 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

The book belongs to God and here in chapter 5 it is transferred to Jesus. There is a possibility that this book has the names written of those who are saved and without opening the book the process of judgment cannot be finished, meaning the righteous cannot be declared righteous and therefore saved.

Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

There is a possibility that this book is the Book of life because we see here that the book belongs to Jesus. In chapter 5 we have the transfer of ownership of the book from God the Father to Jesus. The only two places in Revelation that mention Jesus as a slain lamb also include a book, one is sealed and the other is the Book of Life. The same book is related also to the judgment of the wicked, meaning those whose names are not written in the book will be punished.

The judgment of the saints and the time of refreshing The apostle Peter stated that there will be a judgment not only of the wicked but also of the saints. We can conclude that there are two phases in the judgment. The judgment of the righteous and the judgment of the wicked.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Revelation 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power,

but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The judgment of the righteous will take place first, and after that the judgment of the wicked.

These two are chronologically two separate events. One will take place during the ministry in the Most holy and the other during the Millennium because the saints will be involved in judging the wicked. But when it will take place the judgment of the righteous? During the service in the Most holy it will take place another event described by the apostle Peter, namely the blotting out of sins and the outpouring of the latter rain.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

The blotting out of sins will occur at the time of the outpouring of the latter rain. There is a passage in chapter 5 that could indicate this event.

Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

An existent interpretation of this verse is that this represents the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, but taking into account the broader context of the first two visions it is more likely that this represents the outpouring of the latter rain.

The seals In Revelation there are four visions of series of seven. The churches, the seals, the trumpets and the vials. The question arises how to interpret them, is there a pattern, should we interpret them the same way? No. The context of the dominant element should lead the interpretation. As we saw in the first vision the main context drives the interpretation, the ministry in the Holi place and its duration defined the interpretation that the churches are a symbolic/historic representation of the church, because the messages lasted as long as the ministry of Jesus. And His ministry in the Holy place (as we mentioned before) lasted for almost 1800 years. In the vision we have a main context, Jesus and His ministration and the messages to the seven churches are the subordinate element.

In chapter 5 the main vision has multiple actions, the worship of God, the book, the calling of the worthy one, the appearing of Jesus, the sending of the seven Spirits into all the earth, the

taking of the book and finally the unsealing process. The main context is the ministry in the Most holy, the secondary context is the taking of the book, the third is the unsealing process.

The unsealing process is therefore contextually limited to a specific phase of the process that is happening in the Most holy, and therefore the visions that are appearing during the unsealing are related to the opening of the book, not to the whole process that is happening in the Most holy. What we are interested in is how to chronologically interpret the visions during the unsealing and connect them to the main vision. The rule is that elements in the subordinate element cannot primarily determine the chronology of the main element if there is not enough evidence to support it.

The opening of the book is just a portion or a phase of the process happening during the ministry in the Most holy therefore we have a few possibilities when interpreting the seven visions of the seven seals: the events are chronologically not directly related to the time of the opening of the book in heaven or all the visions need to fit chronologically in that short period of time of the unsealing and opening of the book. The main context is the opening of the book, meaning Heaven needs the book to be opened in order that the ministry of Jesus can proceed and finally be concluded. Exactly this will drive the interpretation of the visions in the seals.

The ministry in the Most holy started in 1844 therefore something less than 180 years have passed until now. The unsealing of the book is just a small sequence in the whole process happening in the Mos holy and looking at what was already said this event is still in the future.

If the event is in the future and we find elements in the visions of the seals that could indicate a past event it is not rational to conclude that a subordinate event will impose the chronology and set the time of the main vision to be in the past (for example the fifth seal and the calling for judgment, which is a reference to the year 1844). Rather is more logical to assume that this specific event is a retrospective, or an event that needed to happen for the sealed book to be opened. Like for the messages to the seven churches, they were all needed to be uttered for the ministry of Jesus to proceed, so the seven seals are to be unsealed for the book to be opened and the events in them to be fulfilled.

The four horsemen and the sealing of the saints We have a sequence of four similar related visions. Four horses with their horsemen. The first one is described in the vision of the first seal.

Revelation 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

There is a belief that the one who sits on the white horse represents Jesus, and therefore this vision is a general reference to the period of the apostolic church. But to be consistent we should identify each horseman. And not much can be said about the other three. The four horses and horsemen represent a chronological sequence of events, however from the text cannot be determined when these events start. In the fifth seal the martyrs call for judgment, but God says not yet until the number of those who should be killed will be filled. We expect that this will happen during one of the successive seals. The sixth seal introduces us to the sealing of the 144.000 which is in the future, therefore there is a chronology between the seals. In the Old Testament there are multiple references indicating or connecting horses with

war. Maybe these first four visions in the seals represent four phases of a spiritual war that led to the death of the martyrs in the fifth seal.

Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

The central theme of the sixth seal is represented with the sealing of the 144.000. After the sealing will be released the winds of strife which represent the great tribulation that will come upon the world. This event is still in the future.

Revelation 7:3-4 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Here we have a reference to the great tribulation and the connection between the 144.000 and the great multitude which represent the same group of people, because when the sealing of the 144.000 will be finished the winds the four angels are holding will be released and the great tribulation will start.

Revelation 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

The seventh seal is represented with a silence in Heaven that has a short duration. It is not explained the reason of this silence, but because it arises after the breaking of the last seal it is possible it represents the silence during the opened book being read.

Now the question arises, how do we connect these events in the seals that took place in the past and some of them are still to happen in the future with the chronology of the main vision?

The logic is the following. The main element that determines the context is the opening of the book, which is just a segment in the ministry process in the Most holy. Therefore, the opening of the book is a relatively short activity still in the future compared to the whole Sanctuary ministry, and it cannot be a past event or to be a still ongoing process that started centuries ago. The Sanctuary ministry has phases logically and chronologically connected, they have a clear beginning and an ending. When one phase terminates another begins. After the opening of the book there is another phase in the Sanctuary ministry, which is represented in chapter

8, as there was a phase prior to the opening of the book, mainly the taking of the book from the hand of God, and prior to that Jesus interceding for the churches. Therefore, the only logical explanation is that the events in the seals represent events that needed to happen and still need to happen to be able to open the book. In no way these events can be used as arguments to impose upon the superior contextual element its chronology.

Throne room in the Bible In the Bible there are multiple references to God’s throne room. Prophets had the privilege of seeing God’s throne in vision. The problem is did they see the past or the future? Were the visions in the throne room are taking place, in the Holy or Most holy in the Heavenly sanctuary?

Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

What is known is that God which is in Heaven dwells in the Heavenly sanctuary, and God sits on His throne. Therefore the throne is somewhere in the Sanctuary. But is not clear whether the throne is in the Holy or Most holy. Fortunately, we have another reference.

Exodus 25:17-22 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 26:33-34 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

As mentioned before, Moses built the earthly tabernacle according to the pattern of the Heavenly sanctuary God showed him in vision. The Ark of the covenant is a symbolic representation of the throne of God surrounded by the cherubim, with His law inside the ark as the foundation of His throne and kingdom. The Ark of the covenant was placed inside the Most holy place. God communed with Moses in the presence of the Ark of the covenant, meaning He communicated with Moses in the Most holy place. But God also gave visions of the throne room to prophets. The question is where happened all these visions of the throne room?

Isaiah 6:1-7 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Ezekiel 1:1-28 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them:

and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

What we know about the location of the throne of God is given by the Earthly sanctuary structure which is a copy of the Heavenly sanctuary. The mercy seat with the cherubim on the Ark of the covenant is the representation of the throne of God. The Ark is in the Most holy place therefore it is safe to assume that the throne room seen in vision by the prophets is located in the Most holy place in the Heavenly sanctuary. Especially the prophet Daniel saw the throne room during the judgment, meaning during the Great day of Atonement in heaven.

It is safe to assume that even the vision of the throne room in chapters 4 and 5 in Revelation is located in the Most holy place.

Spirit of prophecy quotations Intercession in the Most holy place But clearer light came with the investigation of the sanctuary question. Now was seen the application of those words of Christ in the Revelation, addressed to the church at this very time: “These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth; I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” [Revelation 3:7, 8.] Here an open as well as a shut door is brought to view. At the termination of the 2300 prophetic days in 1844, Christ changed his ministration from the holy to the most holy place. When, in the ministration of the earthly sanctuary, the high priest on the day of atonement entered the most holy place, the door of the holy place was closed, and the door of the most holy was opened. So, when Christ passed from the holy to the most holy of the heavenly sanctuary, the door, or ministration, of the former apartment was closed, and the door, or ministration, of the latter was opened. Christ had ended one part of his work as our intercessor, to enter upon another portion of the work; and he still presented his blood before the Father in behalf of sinners. “Behold,” he

declares, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” – {4SP 268.3} But while it was true that that door of hope and mercy by which men had for eighteen hundred years found access to God, was closed, another door was opened, and forgiveness of sins was offered to men through the intercession of Christ in the most holy. One part of His ministration had closed, only to give place to another.

There was still an “open door” to the heavenly sanctuary, where Christ was ministering in the sinner’s behalf. {CIHS 107.2} At the commencement of the holy Sabbath, January 5, 1849, we engaged in prayer with Brother Belden’s family at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and the Holy Ghost fell upon us. I was taken off in vision to the most holy place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel. On the bottom of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the most holy place until every case was decided either for salvation or destruction, and that the wrath of God could not come until Jesus had finished His work in the most holy place, laid off His priestly attire, and clothed Himself with the garments of vengeance. {CET 100.1}

Seven lamps Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the “seven lamps of fire” and the “golden altar,” represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again, “the temple of God was opened” (Revelation 11:19), and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. Here he beheld “the ark of his testament,” represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God.... – {FLB 202.3}

The sealed book We ask John what he saw and heard in the vision at Patmos, and he answers: “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat upon the throne a book written, within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” [Revelation 5:1-3.] 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 16 There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God’s providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth’s history to its close. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par.

17 This roll was written within and without. John says: “I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.” [Verse 4.] The vision as presented to John made its impression upon his mind. The destiny of every nation was contained in that book. John was distressed at the utter inability of any human being or angelic intelligence to read the words, or even to look thereon. His soul was wrought up to such a point of agony and suspense that one of the strong angels had compassion on him, and laying his hand on him assuringly said, “Weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” [Verse 5.] 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 18

Throne room Isaiah’s Commission When God was about to send Isaiah with a message to His people, He first permitted the prophet to look in vision into the holy of holies within the sanctuary. Suddenly the gate and the inner veil of the temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn, and he was permitted to gaze within, upon the holy of holies, where even the prophet’s feet might not enter. There rose before him a vision of Jehovah sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, while the train of His glory filled the temple. Around the throne were seraphim, as guards about the great King, and they reflected the glory that surrounded them. As their songs of praise resounded in deep notes of adoration, the pillars of the gate trembled, as if shaken by an earthquake. With lips unpolluted by sin, these angels poured forth the praises of God. “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts,” they cried; “the whole earth is full of His glory.” [See Isaiah 6:1-8.] – {GW 21.1} In this vision, Isaiah saw the Lord seated on a throne in the most holy place, above the ark containing His commandments, and surrounded by the cherubim and His appointed attendants—His ministers. From this holy place the glory shone forth.

Those who are now engaged in carrying forward the Lord’s work in the earth, should keep their eyes fixed on the place where the Lord God of heaven is enthroned. From Him they should obtain their orders. – {PUR July 17, 1902 Par. 9} I beheld,” says the prophet Daniel, “till thrones were placed, and One that was Ancient of Days did sit: His raiment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool; His throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” Daniel 7:9, 10, R.V. – {GC 479.1} ........

“And, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away.” Daniel 7:13, 14. The coming of Christ here described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of Days in heaven to receive dominion and glory and a kingdom, which will be given Him at the close of His work as a mediator.

It is this coming, and not His second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the termination of the 2300 days in 1844. Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the holy of holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of man— to perform the work of investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits. – {GC 479.3}

Judgment of the saints As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.” Exodus 32:33. And says the prophet Ezekiel: “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, ... all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” Ezekiel 18:24. – {GC 483.1}

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” By this we see the importance of having our names written in the book of life. All whose names are registered there will be delivered from Satan's power, and Christ will command that their filthy garments be removed, and that they be clothed with his righteousness.

“And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” HS 156.2 In the time of trouble, Satan stirs up the wicked, and they encircle the people of God to destroy them. But he does not know that “pardon” has been written opposite their names in the books of heaven. He does not know that the command has been given, “Take away the filthy garments” from them, clothe them with “change of raiment,” and set “a fair mitre” upon their heads. HS 156.3

The third grand vision and the trumpets Interpretation Chapter 8 is a continuation of the ministry of Jesus in the Heavenly sanctuary. The opening of the seventh seal introduces us in this silence that is present in heaven. The book is presumably opened (because it is not clearly stated), and the role of the book in the sanctuary ministration is fulfilled. After that the next phase is the appearance of the seven angels that received seven trumpets. But before they can sound the trumpets another phase of the ministry of Jesus needs to be accomplished. He receives for the last time the prayers of the saints and in front of the altar of incense He presents them before God. After that He throws the censer which is a symbol of mediation back to the earth indicating that no more prayers are accepted, therefore the intercession is over. After the intercession is over the angels start to sound the trumpets. Events represented in the trumpets are the first judgments upon the wicked on earth after the close of probation.

Location of John and the movement of Jesus Where is John? John did not change location after he entered the opened door in chapter 4, therefore he is still in the Most holy place. Jesus switched function and started ministering before the altar of incense.

Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

There is another logical connection with the previous vision, and that is the incense that should be offered with the prayer of the saints. Where is this incense coming from?

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

The word “odours” and the word “incense” is the same Greek word. Because everything is happening in succession in the same place it is very likely that Jesus represented as an angel, which means messenger, takes the prayers from the hand of the elders, and delivers them to the Father before the altar. There is also a logical connection from the first and second vision (chapter 1 and chapter 4), the churches and the seven lamps of fire that represent the candlestick in the sanctuary.

The altar of incense and the close of probation The altar of incense was an item set in the Holy place in front of the veil of Most holy where the Ark of the covenant is located. It was used to burn incense.

Exodus 40:5 And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

Exodus 30:1 … 7 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it. ….

And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

Incense is the substance used to be burned on the altar and was the symbol of prayers mixed with the righteousness of Christ that ascend before God for the purpose of reconciliation.

Psalms 141:1-2 LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Leviticus 16:12-13 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

The censer is an item used in combination with the altar of incense in the process of burning the incense.

Numbers 16:46-48 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

As we can see the censer was also a key factor in the process of atonement. The censer with the incense was what stopped the plague to destroy the Israelites. Therefore, without the interposing of the censer the wrath of God would have killed the whole congregation.

Revelation 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

The same analogy we see in chapter 8 where the angel throws away the censer meaning there is no more intercession for the people on earth, and therefore the destruction would come upon the earth as it came upon Israel in the desert. With no censer there is no intercession and therefore mercy ended for the world.

The seven trumpets – the timeline The seven trumpets depict the most cryptic events in Revelation. There are multiple interpretations about what these events could possibly mean. Also there is a belief that these events should be, for he major part, interpreted as past events. A friend of mine counseled

me to take another approach and to take into account other clues that can be found analyzing the structure of the book of Revelation, so I did (for more information visit the link: https://issuu.com/adamcirkic/docs/one_view_on_the_relevation).

To find out where to place the trumpets on the event timeline we should take again into account the main contextual elements: the location where the action is taking place, the description of Jesus, and the hierarchy of elements. John did not change location meaning the action is still taking place in the Most holy and Jesus as a messenger mediating for the saints before the altar of incense before God. The hierarchical structure indicates that the trumpets are not chronologically in a subordinate position regarding the main vision (the angel before the altar) meaning the seven angels receiving the trumpets are part of the sequence of events during the ministry of Christ.

Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

The seven trumpets do not depend upon a hierarchical superior element as for example the seals (the sealed book that needs to be opened is the superior contextual element as a sequence of a broader process happening in the Most holy). The trumpets are in the same contextual timeline with the ministry of the angel before the altar. The seven angels standing before God, after that they receive the seven trumpets, then another angel approaches the altar of incense and finally after the angel finished ministering before the altar the seven angels start blowing the trumpets.

Revelation 8:5-6 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

The events represented by the sounding of the trumpets are chronologically set after the close of probation, and because they represent events still in the future there is no sense in trying to explain what they represent. The people of God will recognize these events when they happen. In other words, I believe the events described in the seven trumpets represent the only signal to the saints that the time of mercy has ended. This is the importance of the trumpets.

The seven trumpets – the structure of subordinate visions As in the sixth seal there can be different elements in a vision that are not set in a chronological order. Therefore, is important to identify the main contextual theme and the subordinate elements. Subordinate elements can give more explanation for better understanding of the whole context. As mentioned before, subordinate elements cannot override and impose their context (logically and chronologically) upon the context of the main theme, but it can only help us to understand better the main theme.

For example, the periods of time that are mentioned in the sixth trumpet, Revelation 11:2-3 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two

months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

are the same periods of time we see in the subset of visions in the seventh trumpet: Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

The periods 42 months and 1260 days represent the same period. Because of that, makes no sense for the sixth and seventh trumpet to be chronologically one after the other. Here we have described the same period but from different perspectives. For example, the main theme in the sixth trumpet is from 9:13-21, simply because the trumpet begins with this text.

Later are presented two more elements (visions) that give more explanations. By no means these subordinate elements should define the context and chronology of the main theme, but only refine it. For example, the main theme in the seventh trumpet is from 11:15-18, simply because the trumpet begins with this text. Later are presented more visions that give more explanations. The first element is the opening of the temple of God that is a reference to the beginning of the ministry in the Most holy, because the only door that when opened can show the Ark of the covenant is the one of the Most holy, indicating the year 1844.

Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

After that in the next element (vision) we have the birth of Christ and after that again the prophetic 1260 days during the persecution the church fled to the wilderness. The birth of Christ took place more than 2000 years ago, and the 1260 years are after that, so before the year 1844 mentioned in the previous verses.

Revelation 12:4-6 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Also, in the following vision we have the same principle, the beast speaking great things for the same prophetic period of 42 months or 1260 days: Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

This is a strong indication that we cannot play with the chronology based on random events found inside the complexity of the whole text, as in this example the seventh trumpet. The chronology of the seventh trumpet must be defined primarily by the hierarchy of events, mainly the location of John and the connection with the ministry of Jesus, as previously described. All that follow are subordinate elements and should be treated and interpreted in context of the superior element.

The seventh trumpet – when and what The seventh trumpet is an event that happens in heaven and is the event that bridges the previous main vision with the following one or connects the previous phase of the ministry of Jesus with the next one. To determine the chronology of the seventh trumpet we should analyze the events mentioned in the text.

Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

At the time of the seventh trumpet the verse states that the kingdoms of the earth will become the kingdoms of God, but when will God reign? It is still in the future, as the text states. It will happen with the second coming that Christ will regain control of the earth. After this statement there is a list of events that need to take place: Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Here are mentioned five events: • the nations were angry, • thy wrath is come, • the time of the dead, that they should be judged, • that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; • shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Why the nations are angry? Probably because of the plagues of the seven trumpets that fell on the earth.

When the wrath of God will come? After the harvest described in chapter 14 verse 19, and before the seven plagues.

When will the dead be judged? The judgment process of the wicked (the saints have already been judged) will occur after the plagues during the millennium.

When will the saints receive their reward? At the second coming of Jesus described in chapter 19 verse 11, the saints will receive the reward as described in chapter 22 verse 12.

When will be destroyed they that destroy the earth? At the second coming and finally in the lake of fire.

The seventh trumpet is taking place in heaven, the same place where John is in the throne room where Jesus was ministering in front of the altar just before the trumpets started to sound. This is a chronological continuation of the sanctuary ministry in heaven after the close of probation but still before the seven plagues. The text that follows represent subordinate visions that expand on the context of the events mentioned earlier in the text.

But where is Jesus? Because the action is taking place in the throne room after finishing the ministry before the altar, he moved somewhere else, although it is not explained where and when, but surely during the sounding of the trumpets. In context of the sanctuary ministry the first next mentioning of Jesus is in chapter 14 verse 14. There is a mention of the Lamb on mount Sion in 14:1 with the redeemed from the earth singing in front of the throne. But this is a subordinate vision and chronologically doesn’t fit into the ongoing sanctuary service because it represents a future event, after the second coming.

Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Jesus came out of the Sanctuary and sat on the cloud. This occurred somewhere during the sounding of the seven trumpets. At this point the ministry of Jesus continues chronologically leading to the seven plagues.

Spirit of prophecy quotations The seven trumpets The battle of Armageddon will be fought. And that day must find none of us sleeping.

Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. The power of the Holy Ghost must be upon us and the Captain of the Lord's host will stand at the head of the angels of heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded; vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us and these things will be sure indications of the presence of Him who has directed in every aggressive movement, who has accompanied the march of His cause through all the ages, and who has graciously pledged Himself to be with His people in all their conflicts to the end of the world. He will vindicate His truth. He will cause it to triumph. He is ready to supply His faithful ones with motives and power of purpose, inspiring them with hope and courage and valor in increased activity as the time is at hand. 3SM 426.1

The censer I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, “It is done“. And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” – {EW 279.2}

The periods of 42 months and 1260 days Said the angel of the Lord: “The holy city [the true church] shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they

shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth....And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.... And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.” [Revelation 11:2-11.] GC88 266.1 The periods here mentioned—“forty and two months,” and “a thousand two hundred and threescore days”—are the same, alike representing the time in which the church of Christ was to suffer oppression from Rome. The 1260 years of papal supremacy began with the establishment of the papacy in A. D. 538, and would therefore terminate in 1798. At that time a French army entered Rome, and made the pope a prisoner, and he died in exile. Though a new pope was soon afterward elected, the papal hierarchy has never since been able to wield the power which it before possessed. GC88 266.2

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord To the twelve apostles the Saviour said, “I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:29, 30. From Matthew's account of Christ's promise to the twelve we learn when it will be fulfilled; “in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28. In the parable of the talents, Christ represents Himself under the figure of a nobleman who “went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” Luke 19:12.

And He Himself has told us when He will sit upon the throne of His glory: “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations.”

Matthew 25:31, 32. PP 762.3 To this time the revelator looks forward when he says, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15. The context clearly shows when this will take place: “The nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Verse 18. It is at the time of the final judgment, the reward of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked that the kingdom of Christ will be set up. When all who oppose the sovereignty of Christ have been destroyed, the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. PP 763.1 Then Christ will reign, “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16. “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.” And “the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” Daniel 7:27, 18. PP 763.2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” The heritage of the people of God is discerned through faith in the word of God. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Through faith the children of God obtain a knowledge of Christ, and cherish the hope of his appearing to judge the world in righteousness, until it becomes a glorious expectation; for they shall then see him as he is, and be

made like him, and ever be with the Lord. The sleeping saints shall then be called forth from their graves to a glorious immortality. When the day of deliverance shall come, then shall ye return, and discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. When Christ shall come, it will be to be admired of all those that believe, and the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ST June 20, 1895, par. 1 Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and men, and God will keep silence no longer, but pour out His wrath on those who have rejected His truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead, were separate and distinct, one following the other; also that Michael had not stood up, and that the time of trouble, such as never was, had not yet commenced. The nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, He will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then the seven last plagues will be poured out. – {CET 100.2} I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived.

The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message. – {EW 279.1}

The great harvest and the plagues Interpretation The event described in the seventh trumpet sets the context for the next phase of the ministry of Christ. Jesus finished His duty in the Most holy, came out of the sanctuary, sat on the cloud ready to throw the sickle for the harvest. Here is made a clear distinction between the saints and the wicked upon whom the final plagues will fall. Firstly, will occur the harvest of the saints and then of the wicked. When the harvest of the wicked is ended, symbolically the grapes that represent this group of people are going through the winepress, and what comes out of it will fill the cups with the wrath of God that will fall upon the earth. Seven angels, as the next phase of the sanctuary ministry, are coming out of the tabernacle and to them are given the seven cups to pour upon the wicked on the earth. After the outpouring of the plagues the ministry directly related to the sanctuary is over.

The harvest At this stage of the ministry of Jesus we have a reference to the harvest, where Jesus is going to make a distinction between the saints and the wicked.

Revelation 14:14-15 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

The harvest is divided into two phases, the harvest of the saints and the harvest of the wicked which are separate processes happening in succession one after the other.

Revelation 14:17-18 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

The harvest of the wicked is happening after the harvest of the saints and is represented with ripe grapes. What came out of the winepress is represented as the wrath of God which fills the vials given to the seven angels.

Revelation 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

As we can see by the description of the place where the action is going on we can conclude that all is happening in the Most holy in the Sanctuary, at least most of the action. Although Jesus is out of the sanctuary still things are happening inside. We have the angel that comes out of the altar of incense (14:18), the winepress is not clear where it is precisely, we have the sea of glass (although this is again a subordinate vision that represent an event in the future compared to what is still happening in the sanctuary), we have the opening of the tabernacle, meaning the outer door of the Holy place from which seven angels come out, the beast that gives to the angels the seven plagues is a reference to one of the four beasts standing around the throne. After the temple is filled with the glory of God an order is given to the angels to pour the plagues on the earth.

Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

The seventh plague is the last plague and chronologically it defines the end of the ministry related to the sanctuary process.

Revelation 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

The very next event in chronological order is the second coming of Jesus (19:11).

The wilderness and the new Jerusalem Interpretation After the angels had finished pouring the plagues on the earth, another phase of the ministry is starting. This phase is represented with John being in the Spirit and moving to another location. He moves from the Most holy to the wilderness. John is accompanied into this new location by one of the angels having one of the plagues. The purpose is to give more explanations of why of the judgment. This part of the book of Revelation is explanatory in nature and is not chronologically directly related to the sanctuary ministry of Jesus. The angel tells the story of the woman that committed fornication with the kings of the earth, the fall of Babylon, and the mourning of the merchants of the earth. After that we see the so awaited second coming of Jesus on a white horse with His armies to make war with the wicked that remained on the earth after the strike of the plagues. Satan is left on a desolate earth for a thousand years during which the judgment of the wicked is taking place. After a thousand years the judgment is over and Satan with the resurrected wicked people attacks the new Jerusalem, and they are all destroyed by the fire that comes out from God. After that John changes location to a high mountain observing the bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem coming down from Heaven on earth. This is the final chapter of the history of this world with the promise that there will be no more sin, death, and evil.

The wilderness John changes location. What is going on in this new location gives us the context for the interpretation and for defining the chronology of events. The next phase related to the Day of atonement is the wilderness. There are parallels with the description of the Day of atonement in the Old testament.

Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

He sees again elders and the throne, but he is still in the wilderness, he cannot be in two places at the same time. This is a subordinate vision of the future of what is happening in heaven because of the context of what came before. The purpose is to state that the marriage of the Lamb has come.

Revelation 19:6-7 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

What is the importance of the wilderness? In the old testament we have a description of the events taking place during the Day of atonement. The emphasis is on the scapegoat and the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:7-11 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

All the sins of the people of God that were confessed and brought into the tabernacle were now transferred to the scapegoat brought in the wilderness to die, signifying that the sins were cleansed forever. The scapegoat is the symbol of Satan that will carry the confessed sins of the saints and ultimately be destroyed. During the time of John being in the wilderness Satan will be left on earth for a thousand years during which the judgment of the wicked will take place. After the judgment the wicked and Satan will be destroyed in the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The bride This is the final vision that John sees, and the angel takes him in the Spirit to another place, the great mountain. This is the last location John is brought to.

Revelation 21:9-10 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Here John sees the final chapter of the war against evil, after all is finished, the new Jerusalem is shown to him in all its splendor. God is going to live among His people.

Conclusion In this study was meant to offer a new and different chronological and contextual basis for the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Two main pillars on which this study is based are the location of John and the following of Jesus through His ministry in the Heavenly sanctuary.

This leads to a creation of a timeline of chronological events that begin at the time of John being on Patmos and ends with the New Jerusalem on earth. This clarifies all visions that John sees by giving the main contextual basis for interpretation. In my opinion the most important contribution of this study concerns the seven trumpets and their interpretation. The events in the seven trumpets are cryptic events and are hard to understand. The interpretation of the seven trumpets, as presented in this study, are the only indication to the people of God that the time of mercy has ended and from now on they need to keep the righteousness given them by Christ. The time the mercy ends starts before the seven plagues, because multiple events in Heaven are to happen in between. Hopefully in the near future more light will be bestowed concerning the interpretation of the Book of Revelation and God will lead His people to the correct understanding of the whole book at the right time.