The book of Revelation has been surrounded by mystery and intrigue, so much so that the majority of believers simply refuse to look at it with their own eyes. It is true that there is much symbolism in the book, making it impossible to understand without certain foundation information. I contend however that the book is not out of the reach of the average person, as long as the missing information is added. We will not therefore go into a detailed analysis of Revelation in this study, but I will present to you the elements necessary to improve your study of the book. We can and will have an in-depth Revelation study, in Zion, at some point in the future, Amen?

   The first piece of missing information about the book of Revelation, is that its nature is not Greek (Gentile), but Jewish. To understand it you have to acquaint yourself with the Old Covenant. In particular, the end of year (religious) festivals have much prophetic nature to them and bringing understanding of this nature of the feasts in and of itself is very enlightening.

  The Feast of TRUMPETS (Rosh haShannah) is one of the major end of the year festivals (Rev. 8). I will cover these festivals in light of Yeshua HaMachiach as we go through the year. It is traditionally celebrated by the sounding of many trumpets throughout the day. Tradition states that Trumpets is the time for coronation of King Messiah, son of David, receiving his bride in marriage and judgment of the world at large. It is said that everyone who has ever lived will be raised from the dead and pass under his rod of judgment.

Atonement (Yom Kippur), is a solemn feast. There is no joy or frivolity in this day but instead is a day to afflict one's soul for the judgment of the wicked is to take place as prophesied in the day of Atonement. All that remain of the world after this day, are written in the book of life according to tradition. The most interesting thing about the day of atonement is the "Final Trumpet" blast. It is the most joyful sound in all of Israel because this sound indicates that the Fast is ended. We can now return to things that give pleasure such as eating and reflecting on the blessings of G-d.

[Rev 11:15,16] And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our L-rd (Gr. Kureos = Heb. eloheynu, our G-d), and of his Christ (Gr. Christos = Heb. Machiach=(Messiah); and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before G-d on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped G-d.

You should be able to see the symbolism in Revelation at this point. There is no mystery to the sounding of trumpets in a Jewish environment. In a non-Jewish environment, one must study and pray that the Spirit of G-d would reveal the truth because there is no basis for understanding outside of that environment.

[Rev 11:3,4] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the G-d of the earth.

To get the understanding of who the two witnesses are, requires knowledge of the Old Covenant.

[Deu 17:6,7] At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.

[Zec 4:2] And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

[Zec 4:11, 12, 14] Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?… Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

There are two witnesses in the earth of the one true G-d. These true witness have been said to be Enoch, and/or Elijah, and/or Moses.

[Rev 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 G-d sent forth into all the earth:

• 1. The spirit of YHVH

• 2. The spirit of wisdom

• 3. And understanding,

• 4. The spirit of counsel

• 5. And might,

• 6. The spirit of knowledge

• 7. And the fear of YHVH;

Because there are seven eyes and seven spirits in this creature that looks like a "slain lamb", then we can assume that this is a corporate body of the lamb of G-d. This also ties back to chapter one where the one who is truly the Messiah stands in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks having seven stars (angels of the seven churches) in his right hand. The other creatures in the picture are saying that none is worthy to open the book which is sealed.

[Dan 12:9] And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

This one who is worthy, is the corporate body of the one who was slain, or those who believe in messiah and hold to the commandments of G-d.

[Rev 12:17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the Torah (Commandments) of G-d, and have the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah.

[Rev 14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of G-d, and the faith of Yeshua.

The only beings described in Revelation who are individuals are not corporate entities appears to be John the Talmid of Yeshua, Yeshua (chapter 1), and Father G-d.

In true Hebraic form, Revelation is written in awesome Hebrew poetic rhythm. In Hebrew poetry, the same identical things are repeated over and over using different words. An example of this can be seen in;

[Luke 12:49-53]

- I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

-But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

- Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

In the same way, the book of Revelation is describing the same period of time over and over instead of a long series of events back to back. The seven trumpets are the same as the seven seals and the seven woes.

The Feast of Trumpets is the beginning of the period known as "the day of the L-rd" or "the L-rd's day" (Rev. 1:10) and is mentioned in many Old Covenant passages as the day of the outpouring of the wrath of G-d. Even Yeshua often said "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Joel 2 etc.)

Atonement is the day of the judgment of those who refuse to acknowledge Moshiach as King. It is looked upon as a day of testing and trial. HaSatan is seen as the prosecuting attorney and tester of men.

Sukkot is the beginning of the reign of King Moshiach, Yeshua, with its time of plenty and justice for all.

Shemini Atzeret is the time of the end of all we know as the age of human rule in the earth. The final test of mankind will be done.

[Zec 14:16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

See for yourself the warnings in the remaining verses of [Zec 14].

Jewish Perspectives

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