OPENING EXPLAINATION ON BOOK OF REVELATION

I by no means wish to present this interpretation of the Book of Revelation as 100% accurate. This is my interpretation based on seeking the Lord, praying for clear vision, and lots of Bible study. I believe I have some light from the Holy Spirit, but that does not mean my understanding is complete or 100% accurate. In many instances my interpretations are based on current events. This is, however, an ongoing work and as time passes I update with clearer interpretations based on where I feel current events are leading.

I felt led to interpret the Book one chapter at a time. I looked at each chapter as it’s own entity and the book as being sequential in its revelation. The events in my opinion are sequential, but as in a movie, some things are happening at the same time and the movie will flash back to another event that is taking place simultaneously. Chapter 16, for instance, speaks of the battle of Armageddon and those events. Chapters 17 and 18 explains the nature of Mystery Babylon and its destruction which I believe is happening before Armageddon, but around the same time. Chapter 19 shows the Lord returning as the battle of Armageddon and Mystery Babylon are coming to an end.

Many feel the battle of Armageddon is the Gog and Magog battle, but sequentially that does not appear to happen in the Book of Revelation. Gog/Magog happens after the thousand year reign of the Lord. I tried to interpret the book as it plays out. I tried to let the word speak for itself in a sequential way. That final battle does not appear to take place at Armageddon. In Rev 20:9 it says that Satan surrounds the camp of the saints in the beloved city--that’s Jerusalem. The Jezreel Valley or Armageddon is miles away to the north at the base of Mount Carmel.

My interpretation of the beast political/religious system is based on my current understanding of world events now taking place on the earth. I read many publications, blogs, news sites, and geo-political opinions on the internet that give background info on current events in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. I attempt to keep an open mind and be judicious. I also follow current financial developments concerning the debt crises that is afflicting the western nations and base end time scenarios on the above developing situations. Daniel was told to shut up the book until the time of the end (Dan 12.4) and I feel the Lord is beginning to open the book in these days. My political/beast system interpretation is to make the narrative more interesting--it is not necessarily what is really going to happen.

I do not want to offend anyone. No one should feel they are being judged in anyway when reading this. I am, however, saying what I believe is happening based on reading the above sources. If we can set aside our denominational and religious backgrounds and keep an open mind I believe it will help us to find the truth. The Lord has worked inside the world’s denominations and religions. Many sincere believers are part of Christian denominations. In the end times, however, each person will have to be loyal to the Lord and know the Lord personally or they will be deceived. 2 Thessalonians 2.7-12

My political/religious beast coalitions may not be correct, but I feel the basic sequence of events and action are pretty accurate. The end time beast is a political/religious world system of some kind. You can substitute your own coalitions of nations and the Book of Revelation will still end the same way!

I hope you will read this with and an open mind and seek the Lord for what is truth. We all should be aware of the political and social events taking place in today’s world and ask the Lord for clear vision.

Shalom, Neil