UNderstanding the Sanctuary is fundamental to understanding the book of Revelation

1. The Revelation of Jesus
Christ

2. OT
Stories
History
INTERPRETED
THROUGH
PRISM OF THE
CROSS
APPLIED TO CHURCH
PERSONAL
END
TIMES
A KALEIDOSCOPE OF
DIAMONDS

3. An example of this as it relates
to Revelation
• Notice the relationship between the days
of creation, the seven last plagues and the
events of the cross.

4. The days of
creation
1 Light
2 Sun and Moon
3 Sea and the land
4 Trees
5 Fish and the birds
6 Animals and Man
7 Rest “It is Finished
The Seven Last
Plagues
1 Sores on People
2 Sea = blood
3 Rivers = blood (land)
4 Sun scorches
5 Darkness
6 Armageddon
7 “It Is finished”
earthquake
lightening
Hail / Islands
Crucifixion
Outside / gate
Blood/ water (from
side)
Darkness
Spiritual Struggle
Earthquake
Crown of thorns
(curse)
It is finished
REST
REST
NO
REST

5. It is
finished
Sabbath
Rest Physical
It is
finished
Sabbath
Rest
Spiritual rest in a
finished work of
salvation

6. Revelation through the prism of the
Cross
Creation Re-creation De-creation
1,2,3..7 days 7 plagues 3,2,1
rest rest No rest
tree tree tree
7 sayings “it is finished
Curse
Wrath
For us
Curse
Wrath
Pay own
penalty

7. The Old Testament background
of the book
• In 404 verses, there are very few
OT quotes
– Yet, there are hundreds of
allusions to the OT
– 278 verses (70% of the
book) references the OT
– UBS (United Bible Society)
Greek NT cross-references
the OT 500+ times
– By contrast, Paul's letters
contain only 95 direct
quotes and about 100 other
allusions to the OT

8. • Creation
• The Exodus
• Babylonian Captivity
• The Sanctuary
• Balaam & Balak
• Elijah
• Jezebel
• Throne in heaven
• Four living creatures
• Beast out of the sea
• Song of Moses
• Fall of Babylon
• New heaven and earth
• New Jerusalem
• Tree of life All right out of the OT
In Revelation, we see, among
many others …

9. The Revelation of Jesus
Christ

10. Sanctuary in the Book of
Revelation
A Vital Key To
Understanding Revelation
Session one

11. Snapshots of the Calvary Drama

13. The Lost Inheritance
The tree of life north
southThe Tree of knowledge of
good and evil
The
garden
The
Garden
Midst
west
The Cheribim
The
land
of
Eden
The altar of
Cain and Abel
East
of
Eden
The
Land
of Nod
The
Court
of
Gentils
Date Palm
Trees

14. The tree of life
The tree of
knowledge of
good and evil
The
Garden
Midstwest
The most Holy
Place
The Garden
North
East
South
The
Land
of Nod
Court of
the
gentiles
The Holy Place
The Date
palms
The
Cheribim
The Altar
of Cain and
Abel
The
land of
Eden
East
of
Eden
The Lost Inheritance
Courtyard

15. The tree of life
The tree of
knowledge of
good and evil
The
Garden
Midstwest
The most Holy
Place
The Garden
North
East
South
The
Land
of Nod
Court of
the
gentiles
The Holy Place
The Date
palms
The
Cheribim
The Altar
of Cain and
Abel
The
land of
Eden
East
of
Eden
The Lost Inheritance
Courtyard
1Kings 6:29
Ezekiel 41:18–20, 25–26 1 Kings 6:32-35
Diagram based on the thesis “The Sanctuary in
Eden by Dr Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D

16. Special Blessing
Rev 1:3
“Blessed is the one who reads the words
of this prophecy, and blessed are those
who hear it and take to heart what is
written in it, because the time is near.”

17. An Appendix? An Obscure
Book?
The Book of Revelation = Culmination of
Biblical Theology.
Do you like ART? Do you like to visit picture
galleries?

18. Revelation of John?
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which
God gave him to show his servants what
must soon take place. He made it known
by sending his angel to his servant
John…” Rev 1:1

19. Revelation of God
Revelation coming from God about God!
Introduction and Conclusion: GRACE
Rev 1:4 “Grace and peace to you…”
Rev 22:21 “The grace of the Lord Jesus be
with God's people. Amen.”

20. Literary Structure of the Book of
Revelation
Chapters 1-11
Historical part (several overviews from the
first coming to the second coming of
Jesus)
Chapters 12-22
Eschatological part (focus on the end-time
events)

21. Chiastic Climax of the
Apocalypse
Rev 12-14

22. The Chiasm of Revelation
Pro-
logue
1:1-8
The
Seven
Churches
A
1:9-
3:22
The
Seven
Trumpets
C
4:1-
8:1
The
Seven
Seals
B
The Final
Crisis
D
8:2-
11:18
11:19-
14:20
The
Seven
Bowls
C’
15:1-
18:24
19:1-
20:15
The
Millennium
B’
21:1-
22:5
The
New
Jerusalem
A’
Epi-
logue
22:6-
21

23. Revelation 12-14
The culmination of the chiastic structure
Summary of the Great Controversy

24. The Meganarrative of Revelation
Series of Seven’s
Prologue: Revelation 1:1-8
(Series of Seven's)
• I. 7 Churches (2-3)
• II. 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
• III. 7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8)
• IV. 7 Cosmic Conflict Scenes (12:1-15:4)
– [Last 6 start with kai eidon "And I saw"]
• 1. 12:1-17 Woman and Serpent
• 2. 13:1-10 Sea Beast
• 3. 13:11-16 Land Beast
• 4. 14:1-5 144,000
• 5. 14:6-13 3 Angels' Message
• 6. 14:14-20 Harvest
• 7. 15:1-4 Sea of Glass
• V. 7 Plagues (16:1-18:24)
• VI. 7 Scenes in the Windup of the Cosmic Conflict (19:11-20:15)
– [Each scene starts with kai eidon "And I saw"]
• 1. 19:11-16 White Horse
• 2. 19:17-18 Supper of Birds
• 3. 19:19-21 Final Battle
• 4. 20:1-3 1000 Years
• 5. 20:4-10 Saints Judge
• 6. 20:11 Great White Throne
• 7. 20:12-15 Judgment of Dead
• VII. 7 Part Description of the New Jerusalem (21:9-22:5) – 21:9-11,12-14,15-17,18-21,22-27; 22:1-2,3-5.
Epilogue: Revelation 22:6-21

25. The Explicit Pattern
Introduction Vision
Seven Churches (2-3)
Seven Seals (6-7)
Seven Trumpets (8-11)
Seven Plagues (16-18)
1:9-20
4 & 5
8:2-6
15:5-8
7 GC Scenes (12-14)11:19
7 GC Scenes (19-20)19:1-10
New Earth (21-22)21:1-8

26. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes
Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)

27. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes
Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)

28. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes
Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession
7 Trumpets (8:7-
11:8)

29. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes
Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession
7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8)
IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment
7 Cosmic Conflict
Scenes (12:1-15:4)

30. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes
Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession
7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8)
IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment
7 Cosmic Conflict
Scenes (12:1-15:4)
V. 15:5-8 Sanctuary Closes Up: Cessation
7 Plagues (16:1-18:24)

31. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession 7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8)
IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment 7 Cosmic Conflict
Scenes (12:1-15:4)
V. 15:5-8 Sanctuary Closes Up: "De-inauguration" 7 Plagues (16:1-
18:24)
VI. 19:1-10 Doxology from the Sanctuary 7 Scenes in the
Windup of the
Cosmic Conflict
(19:11-20:15)

32. The Literary Structure
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession 7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8)
IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment 7 Cosmic Conflict
Scenes (12:1-15:4)
V. 15:5-8 Sanctuary Closes Up: "De-inauguration" 7 Plagues (16:1-
18:24)
VI. 19:1-10 Doxology from the Sanctuary 7 Scenes in the
Windup of the
Cosmic Conflict
(19:11-20:15)
VII. 21:1-8 Tabernacle of God with Humans 7 Part Description of
the New Jerusalem
(21:9-22:5)

33. The Literary Structure
• Prologue: Revelation 1:1-8
Introductory Sanctuary Scenes Series of Seven's
I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3)
II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1)
III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession 7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8)
IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment 7 Cosmic Conflict
Scenes (12:1-15:4)
V. 15:5-8 Sanctuary Closes Up: Cessation 7 Plagues (16:1-8:24)
VI. 19:1-10 Doxology from the Sanctuary 7 Scenes in the
Windup of the
Cosmic Conflict
(19:11-20:15)
VII. 21:1-8 Tabernacle of God with Humans 7 Fold Description of
the New Jerusalem
(21:9-22:5)
• Epilogue: Revelation 22:6-21

34. Introductory Sanctuary Scenes
• I. 1:9-20 Lampstands
• II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration
• III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession
• IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment
• V. 15:5-8 Sanctuary Closes Up: Cessation
• VI. 19:1-10 Doxology from the Sanctuary
• VII. 21:1-8 Tabernacle of God with Humans

35. EARTH HEAVEN
Revelations Journey Through the sanctuary

36. Earth-Heaven-Earth Pattern
(1) Rev 1:9-20 Earth
(2) Rev 4 & 5 (Inauguration)
(3) Rev 8:2-6 (Intercession)
(4) Rev 11:19 (Judgment) Heaven
(5) Rev 15:5-8 (Cessation)
(6) Rev 19:1-10 (Absence)
(7) Rev 21:1-8 Earth

37. The Menorah Pattern
A VERTICAL VIEW
EARTH
HEAVEN
Rev 4:1 Rev 21:3
(1) (7)
(2) (6)
(3) (5)
(4)
Patmos New J
Inauguration Absence
Intercession Cessation
Judgment

38. The Daily Service (Tamid) in
Revelation
Order of Daily Service
1) Trim lamps
2) Leave temple door open
3) Slay lamb
4) Pour out blood at base of altar
of burnt offering
5) Collect coals and incense in
censer
6) Minister incense at golden altar
7) Period of silence
8) Seven trumpets blow
9) Throw down censer
Order in Revelation
1) 1:12-20
2) 4:1
3) 5:6
4) 6:9-11
5) 8:3-4
6) 8:3-4
7) 8:1
8) 8:2,6
9) 8:5

39. The Yearly Service in Revelation
Allusions to Yom Kippur Location in Revelation
1) Measure Sanctuary, Altar, and
People (Lev 16:6,11,16-18,
23-24, 32-34)
1) 11:1-2
2) Ark and Judgment 2) 11:18-19 NB Chiasm
3) Commandments of God
Located in Ark
3) 12:17; 14:12
4) Judgment Has Come 4) 14:7
5) Grape Harvest (Autumn) 5) 14:14-20

40. The Daily/Yearly Pattern
First half of Revelation (1-11) modeled on
“Daily” service (Tamid)
Second half of Revelation (12-22) modeled
on the yearly service (Yom Kippur)
Intercession
Judgment

41. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
The Christian Age
7 1 2 3 4 5 6
7
Passover
14/1
F/U/L/Bread
15/1
F of First fruits
16/1
Pentecost 10/3
Long hot summer of harvest
F/Trumpets
1/7
Day of Atonement
10/7
F /
Tabernacles
15/7
SPRING SUMMER AUTUMN
1 Cor 5:7
Rev 1:5
Luke 23:54-56
Rested over
double Sabbath
Rev1:17
1 Cor 15:20,23
Rev 1:18
Acts 2:1-4
Rev 5:6
Long Hot summer of
persecution and spiritual
darkness
Rev 8,9 warnings preparatory to the
second coming e.g. 14 Rev 3 Angels
World enters its J/ment phase
Rev 11:19 Rev 14:6
Rev 21:3
John1:14

42. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
Passover
● Concentration on Christ’s death
and resurrection (1:5,17-18; 3:21)
● Fulfilled by earthly Christ
● Search for leaven
● Meal of Mutual Fellowship (Rev
3:20)

43. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
Pentecost
● Inauguration of heavenly sanctuary
occurred at Pentecost
● Rev 5:6– Spirit goes out to world
● First Pentecost at Sinai (Exod 19)
● Readings for Pentecost = Exod 19;
Ezek 1

44. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
Feast of Trumpets
● Clearest connection with annual feasts
● Seven new moons leading up to feast

45. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
Day of Atonement
● Sanctuary, ark,
commandments,
judgment
● Grape Harvest

46. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
Tabernacles
● Rev 21-22: Yom Kippur is over
● Harvest is over (Rev 14)
● God’s Tabernacle is with us (21:3)
● Feasting, palm branches, music,
rejoicing, hallelujahs (cf. Rev 7, 19)
● Water and light

47. Jesus was born duriing the feast of Tabernacles

48. The Seven Sanctuary Scenes and
the Annual Hebrew Festivals
Sanctuary Scenes Festivals
I. 1:9-20 Passover
II. 4-5 Pentecost
III. 8:2-6 Trumpets
IV. 11:19 Day of Atonement (Beginning)
V. 15:5-8 Day of Atonement (Progression)
VI. 19:1-10 Day of Atonement (Closure)
VII. 21:1-8 Tabernacles

49. The Annual Feasts in Revelation
Book of Revelation Moves from Spring to
Autumn Feasts (Winter?)
Trumpets = transition from Summer to Autumn
Signals opening of judgment
Yearly service is presented in the 2nd
half
First half of book = Christian age
Second half of book = End -Time

50. Patterns: Earth/Heaven and
Holy Place /Most Holy Place
• 1:9-20 (1) Earth—focus on earthly work of Christ
(combined with Holy Place imagery)
• 4-5 (2) Inauguration of heavenly sanctuary — (thorough
mix of sanctuary imagery but Holy Place focus)
• 8:2-6 (3) Intercession in heavenly sanctuary—(Holy Place)
• 11:19 (4) Judgment in heavenly sanctuary (Most Holy Place)
• 15:5-8 (5) Cessation of heavenly sanctuary ministry
• 19:1-10 (6) Doxology in heaven—(absence of explicit heavenly
sanctuary imagery)
• 21:1-8 (7) Back to Earth—"Tabernacle of God is with men."

51. God is love
• These seven opening sanctuary scenes
present a beautiful picture about our God,
His amazing actions for us, and His
magnificent plan of Salvation.
• Hallelujah to God!
• Soli Deo Gloria!!! Amen!