The reader should not fail to realize that this portion of the book deals with the closing out of our present age and the ushering in of the age to come. Our study now, therefore, is in the realm of the supernatural. Miracle always appears at the junction of dispensations. Recall the supernatural intervention in the transition from the ante-diluvian to the post-diluvian ages in the ushering in of the Jewish age and of the Christian age. So shall it be at the junction between the present and the age to come; for "there shall be signs in sun, moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations." No marvel, then, that we read in Revelation of "many thunders and voices and lightnings and earthquakes," of signs and wonders from heaven.

      There are those who deny the miracles of past dispensations--destructive critics they are, who, by a method of spiritualizing explain away the supernatural of the Bible. Unfortunately many who denounce this method of destructive critics as regards miracles past, unconsciously pursue the same method as regards future miracles when iniquity and divine retribution both reach their climax. Let us not join the ranks of the critics. Not only does God intervene with miracle at the beginning of dispensations, but Satan opposes with miracle. "As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses," and as demon possession was so prevalent in New Testament times, so in Revelation Satan contests every inch of the progress of God in making our Lord's enemies his footstool. Do not, then, dearly beloved, fall into the error of thinking the wonderful and strong language of Revelation deals with historical matters and natural processes. We are reading of signs and miracles by which God is yet to vindicate Himself in it mighty struggle against satanic miracles by which his devilish power is broken. It will be a time of trouble "such as has never been and will never be repeated."

      The events foretold to take place in the sounding of the fifth trumpet (Rev. 9:1-11) have been interpreted to refer to [12] the terrible persecutions of Christians by the Saracens centuries ago! Put this theory to test. The record (9:4) shows those who had the seal of God were not injured, but Saracens did put Christians to death. Again the record tells of men seeking death and death fleeing. No such thing can be found on history's pages. Such interpretations are complete misfits.

      Let the reader, therefore, consider that in the seals, trumpets and vials, with their related events, we have series of judgments to come, at the end-time of this age. Lay those historical misfits aside and accept John's descriptions of supernatural events at least for their face value without minimizing them.

      Revelation is divided by the Holy Spirit into three parts (Chp. 1:19). Part one deals with "the things which thou sawest"--that is, the vision of Chapter One. Part two embracing Chapters Two and Three, deals with "the things which are," the churches and things directly related to them. Part three, beginning with Chapter Four, deals with "the things which shall come to pass hereafter," or "after these things," the things which are (1:19 and 4:1). Of Part three Chapters Four and Five describe heavenly preparations for earth's time of trouble. In the opening of the seven-sealed book earth's fiery judgments are revealed. Movements are inaugurated on high, but being directed earthward, terrible scenes of suffering and distress are seen among men in forms of war, famine, death plagues and cosmic disturbances. The seventh seal, which embraces the seven trumpets, is more terrible than the other six combined. It fills all of them full--even to overflowing. Even "the prayers of all the saints" (8:3), the burden of which has ever been, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," will continue to be effective and have a part in bringing this rebellious province under subjection to Him whose right it is.

      When the fourth trumpet sounds an announcement of three woes goes forth (8:13), the first of which is described as the fifth trumpet, the second as the sixth trumpet and its attendant events. Both of these trumpets are peculiarly woful because of the opening of the abyss and the turning loose among men (what seem clearly) legions upon legions of demons, when the world gets its fill of the fruits of "seducing spirits and doctrines of demons." Demon worship in close connection with idolatry (as it [13] always is) is the sin mentioned (9:20) with the gross immoralities resulting (9:21) of which men refuse to repent even to the last. It is in literal fulfilment of Paul's words in II Thes. 2:11-12.

      1. Study Chapter 10.

      2. Describe the imagery of this chapter.

      3. What position does the mighty angel take and what does he thus signify?

      4. What direction is John given concerning the voice of the seven thunders? John was not so instructed as to the other things he saw, hence we should consider all he did write as a revealing (as indeed it is) and not a sealing. See Chapter 22:10.

      5. What is the angel's first announcement? Note that the Revised Version renders it, "that there shall be delay no longer." This is certainly the thought of the context for "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God." (10:6-7.)

      6. With what is the subject-matter of the little book concerned? What was its first impression on John? Its after-effect?

      1. Study Chapter 11.

      2. What is John told to measure and what not to?

      3. How long is the holy city to be trodden down? This equals how many twelve-months? Notice the same expression in Chapter 13:5. What other expressions does John use to denote the same length of time? See Ch. 11:3; 12:6 and 14.

      4. Describe the two prophets. How long do they prophesy? What powers do they possess? How, where and by whom overcome? Tell of their resurrection and ascension. Note here is John's first mention of the beast. Where does he come from?

      6. What is to occur at the sounding of the seventh trumpet? What is heaven's attitude toward this?

      Most likely there are questions coming up along in these chapters which we have not touched upon, and if so we should be glad to have them, but for the present details can be left and taken up in some future study. The important thing [14] now is to get the general outline of events and to get just what the book says.

      1. Study Chapter 12.

      2. Describe the woman sign and the dragon sign.

      3. What is the attitude of the dragon toward the woman and why? How is she preserved?

      4. Who is the woman? The dragon? The man-child? See Isa. 66:7-16.

      5. What have we described in Verses 7-9? What shout goes forth from heaven? What do they say is now come?

      6. What access has Satan had to the throne of God and for what purposes? See Job, Ch. 1, also, Zech. 3:1, et al. Will it always be so?

      7. Is Satan's casting down to the earth sphere before or after persecution of the woman and the attempt to slay the manchild? What is said as to the time he has after his casting down? (Verse 12.) How long does the woman have to remain in hiding? Is this the "short time" allotted to Satan after Michael's casting him down?

      1. Study Chapter 13.

      2. In connection read Daniel, Ch. 7 and learn what beast signifies, also the horns. Read also Revelation, Ch. 17, to learn the significance of the heads and horns.

      3. Where does the seven-headed, ten-horned beast come from? See Rev. 13:1, 17:8; 11:7, and Dan. 7:17.

      4. What ravenous characteristics does the Spirit see in this beast?

      5. What is the source of his power?

      6. What happens to one of his heads? Can you tell which head?

      7. What causes earth to marvel at the beast? What do they say and do?

      8. How long does he continue and how does he spend his "short time" and great power? Ch. 19:19-21; 17:8, 11. See also II Thes. 2:3, 8.

      9. What happens to him at the end of his "short time"?

      10. What name is afterward given to the second beast of this 13th Chapter? See 16:13; 19:20; 20:10.

      11. What functions does he perform? In whose service? [15]

["Studies in Revelation: A Junction of Dispensations." Word and Work 8 (June 1915): 12-15.]

      The electronic version of Stanford Chambers' "Studies in Revelation: A Junction of Dispensations" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1915.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 12:     in the transistion [ in the transition
            (Rev. 9-1-11) [ (Rev. 9:1-11)
 p. 13:     (9:13), [ (8:13),
 p. 14:     LESSON XXI. [ LESSON XIX.
            (Note that the [ Note that the
            LESSON XXII. [ LESSON XX.
            LESSON XXIII. [ LESSON XXI.
 p. 15:     LESSON XXIV. [ LESSON XXII.
            Study Chapter 13. [ 1. Study Chapter 13.
            spend his See [ spend his "short time" and great power? See
            "short time"? "short time" and great power? [ "short time"?
            0. What name [ 10. What name
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 15 February 2002.
Updated 28 June 2003.