This was one of the greatest discoveries for me when I preached chapter-by-chapter through the book. I was not aware of how many categories of people God has. If you can understand the different categories, you will not get lost in the narrative. Here is a quick breakdown of who to pay attention to:
Old Testament Saints
Those who died in the Lord before the Church Age.
New Testament Saints
The elders (The Church Age). I believe the elders John saw represent the New Testament Church (from the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 to the Rapture). During the Church Age, representatives of local churches were called elders, and I believe John saw the New Testament Church Age around the Throne of God. Note that the Church is never mentioned again from the end of chapter three until the end of the Tribulation period in chapter nineteen. Why is the Church missing from the Earth? I believe it is because we are raptured before the Tribulation begins.
Tribulation Saints
An interesting question is why John did not recognize Christians who would die during the Tribulation. I believe it is because they are not part of the Church Age. Can people be saved during the Tribulation? This category of God’s people proves that they can and will be.
Israel
While chapters one through three focus on the Church Age (Every name for Christ is a Greek name, like Alpha and Omega.), the book shifts its focus to Israel. From chapter four on, every name for Christ is Jewish, like the Lion and the Lamb. This is the time period described in Romans 11 when the blind eyes of Israel will be opened. The close of the Church Age will be the end of the times of the Gentiles, and the eyes of Israel will be opened. This will also include the one hundred forty-four thousand sealed Jews who will be God’s worldwide evangelists.
The Two Witnesses
Could these witnesses be Moses, Enoch, Elijah, or even John the Baptist? Space does not allow me to elaborate; however, I carefully preached this text of Revelation 10-11, and I give my opinion of who I believe these two witnesses will be that will literally shake the Earth.
Angels
The ranks of angels and the four living creatures play a prominent role throughout the entire book of Revelation. An isolated study of angels, their work, and their role in the last days is a fascinating study all of its own. For example, when Satan is bound with a chain for a thousand years, it is not Christ that binds him, but simply an angel. What does this tell us? It says that Satan is no equal to the Lord Jesus.
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