An Exegesis of the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Part 1 of 3
G.D.O'Bradovich III
Part 2 of 3 Part 3 of 3
NB this work is unfinished. Started February 22, 2014
updated june 3, 2015
Being raised in the Orthodox Church, there were no readings from the book of Revelation during Divine Liturgy, so it not remarkable that I clearly recall my first encounter with Revelation. One of those easily forgotten movies of the week ended with a quote from revelation. I immediately went to my Bible to read the description of the beast with seven heads coming from the sea. Not unlike Champollion's encounter with hieroglyphs, I was enthralled with the book and wanted to decipher it and understand it.
I am in agreement with Spinoza (1632-67) when he states that one can not use other books of the Bible to clarify other sections of the Bible. With that being said, I doubt that he means one can not bring in one's knowledge from various spheres to understand a book of the Bible. It is from this eclectic knowledge that I will demonstrate that the Book of Revelation is mostly Astrological in nature. Unlike some researchers who date the Apocalypse to October, 1486, I can not be that exact. However, I do believe that the final redaction of the Revelation of Jesus Christ took place after the year 1453.
Since this is an attempt to explain the Revelation as an astrological and astronomical book, the following guidelines will apply unless the meaning of the numbers are explained in the text:
1. all references to the number four must relate to the elements
2. all references to the number seven must relate to the planets
3. all references to the number twelve must relate to the signs of the Zodiac.
If the above criteria can not be met, then the book of the Apocalypse is not an astrological book and another explanation must be sought. In order to clarify certain passages, I will not hesitate to reference Egyptian mythology, Greek numerology, Hebrew numerology and medieval history to explain that passage. I will not jump to fantastic conclusions (Atlantis) or make leaps of faith (Ancient Aliens). It may be startling to think that a follower of Islam redacted the book, but the condemnation of behavior and the keeping of commandments may be explained through this understanding.
Although it would facilitate understanding the salient points by organizing the material as in a textbook, I have taken care to keep the order of the text. Therefore, some repetition was unavoidable.
The first modern star charts created by Albrecht Durer in the 16th century will be referenced frequently.
I am in agreement with Spinoza (1632-67) when he states that one can not use other books of the Bible to clarify other sections of the Bible. With that being said, I doubt that he means one can not bring in one's knowledge from various spheres to understand a book of the Bible. It is from this eclectic knowledge that I will demonstrate that the Book of Revelation is mostly Astrological in nature. Unlike some researchers who date the Apocalypse to October, 1486, I can not be that exact. However, I do believe that the final redaction of the Revelation of Jesus Christ took place after the year 1453.
Since this is an attempt to explain the Revelation as an astrological and astronomical book, the following guidelines will apply unless the meaning of the numbers are explained in the text:
1. all references to the number four must relate to the elements
2. all references to the number seven must relate to the planets
3. all references to the number twelve must relate to the signs of the Zodiac.
If the above criteria can not be met, then the book of the Apocalypse is not an astrological book and another explanation must be sought. In order to clarify certain passages, I will not hesitate to reference Egyptian mythology, Greek numerology, Hebrew numerology and medieval history to explain that passage. I will not jump to fantastic conclusions (Atlantis) or make leaps of faith (Ancient Aliens). It may be startling to think that a follower of Islam redacted the book, but the condemnation of behavior and the keeping of commandments may be explained through this understanding.
Although it would facilitate understanding the salient points by organizing the material as in a textbook, I have taken care to keep the order of the text. Therefore, some repetition was unavoidable.
The first modern star charts created by Albrecht Durer in the 16th century will be referenced frequently.
[2:1] Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [2] I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. [4] Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. [6] But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. [7] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.Rev.2[1] Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; [8] And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; [9] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. [10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. [11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. [12] And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. [14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. [15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. [16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. [18] And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; copper zinc venus taurus libra [19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. [20] Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. [21] And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. [22] Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. [23] And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. [24] But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. [25] But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. [26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: [27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. [28] And I will give him the morning star. [29] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. |
[1]Church: Ephesus
No crown: Female [7]Reward: tree of life The temple of Artemis was in Ephesus. Artemis was the fraternal twin of Apollo. The reference to leaving "thy first love" corresponds to Apollo. [8]Second Church: Smyrna [10]Crown of life: Male [11]Reward: not hurt in the second death Ten days or ten signs is the difference between Virgo and Gemini, both ruled by Mercury Planet: Mercury [12]Third Church: Pergamos No Crown: Female [17]Reward: eat the hidden manna and a white stone with a new name [13]Satan's seat, fornication, Planet: Venus [18]Fourth Church: Thyatira No Crown: Female [23]Reward: Everyone according to their works |
Rev.3[1] And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. [2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. [3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. [4] Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. [5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. [6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. [7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; [8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. [9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. [10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. [11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. [12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. [13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. [14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. |
[1]Fifth Church: Sardis [5]Reward: clothed in white and not removed from the book of life Planet: [7]Sixth Church: Philadelphia crown Reward: pillar in the temple, the name of God and Jesus' new name Feet, temptation, crown-Jupiter Planet:Jupiter, ruling Pisces, feet, and Sagittarius, Temperance. [14] Seventh Church: Loadocea [21] Reward: sit in the throne |
Rev.5[5:1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? [3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. [4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. [5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. [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 God sent forth into all the earth. [7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. [8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. [5:9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. [11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; [5:12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. |
[3] no man in heaven,
nor in earth, neither under the earth, "Him that sat upon the throne" is not named. past tense
kindred, and
tongue, and people, and nation; 5:12
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 5;13
The one that sits upon the throne is unnamed. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 5;3 in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea 5:12
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. |
Rev.7[1] And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.[2] And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
[3] Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. |
[1]"Four angels" at the four corners of the earth
"on the earth, nor on the seas" [2]"four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea," "not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees," The four angels and the elements of water and earth, we can discover their identity and the idenity of the unknown sign from the opening of the second seal. To the following columns have been added the four angels. The four elements have been added on the same pattern as Sagittarius, Aries, Libra and Gemini,i.e., the elements are together.
The qualities have been added to the column below in the order of Sagittarius, Aries, Libra and Gemini,i.e., Mutable, Cardinal, Cardinal and Mutable).
|
By knowing the elements and the qualities, we can identify the remaining signs of the Zodiac.
Leo
Taurus Aquarius Scorpio Sagittarius Aries Libra Gemini Virgo Capricorn Cancer Pisces |
Fixed
Fixed Fixed Fixed Mutable Cardinal Cardinal Mutable Mutable Cardinal Cardinal Mutable |
Fire
Earth Air Water Fire Fire Air Air Earth Earth Water Water |
Since we followed set by s Sagittarius, Aries, Libra and Gemini in the elements and the qualities, we are confident that the signs of the Zodiac are esoterically referenced. If we chose the latter of Water, Water, Earth and Earth, we would have the following:
Leo
Taurus Aquarius Scorpio Sagittarius Aries Libra Gemini Pisces Cancer Capricorn Virgo |
Fixed
Fixed Fixed Fixed Mutable Cardinal Cardinal Mutable Mutable Cardinal Cardinal Mutable |
Fire
Earth Air Water Fire Fire Air Air Water Water Earth Earth |
[4] And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.[5] Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.[6] Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.[7] Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.[8] Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.[9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; [10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. |
7:4
Juda Reuben Gad Aser Nepthalim Manasses Simeon Levi Issachar Zabulon Joseph Benjamin The children of Israel shown in their birth order.
Heh, the Egyptian God of Eternity.
|
1. Judah= "I will praise the Lord"
2. Reuben= "He has looked on me" 3. Gad= "Granted good fortune" 4. Asher= "Happy am I" 5. Naphtali= "My wrestling" 6. Manasseh= "Making me to forget" 7. Simeon= "God hears me" 8. Levi= "Joined to me" 9. Issachar= "Purchased Me" 10. Zebulun= "Dwelling" 11. Joseph= "God will add to me" 12. Benjamin= "Son of His right hand" "a great multitude, which no man could number...stood before the throne...and palms in their hands"
The Egyptian God Heh typically holds in each hand a notched palm branch. His name means "endlessness". For the x time, the one who sits upon the throne is unnamed.
Although there are references to the tribes of Israel, we can not assume that the deity on the throne is Jehovah. Amen is "the hidden god who is in heaven". He is the hidden God because the name "Amen" itself means hidden without any connotation of deity. By adding the seated God glyph or the flag glyph (see the end of the second line), the adjective "hidden" becomes "hidden God". The overzealous researcher may want to jump to the conclusion that the word Hebrew "Amen" derives from the Egyptian God "Amen". |
5:1
power riches wisdom strength honour glory blessing |
5:13
power riches wisdom strength honour glory blessing |
7:12
Blessing glory wisdom thanksgiving honour power might |
power 2/3 riches 2/3 wisdom 3/3 strenht 2/3 honor 3/3 glory 2/3 blessing 2/3 |
[13] And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
[14] And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
[15] Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.