(6) Generally the last things introduced in Scripture are judged first and so on backwards until the first things introduced are judged. It is on the principle of the last first and the first last (Matthew 20:16). Death came in early on and is the last enemy to be annulled (1 Corinthians 15:26). To give some idea of the working out of this the following may be considered:-

(A) The Assemblies are judged first - they were around in John's time (Revelation 2 & 3). Note judgement begins with the house of God (Ezekiel 9:6; 1 Peter 4:17)

(B) Then we have the judgement of the world - this had been existing for centuries (Revelation 4 -11).

(D) The beast is judged - the creature on which Babylon rides which reminds us of Nimrod (Revelation 17:3; 19:19-21; compare Genesis 10:8-12)

(E) Then we have the millennium - corresponding to the period before the flood (Revelation 20:1- 6; compare Genesis 5).

(F) The devil is judged - the serpent who first appeared in the garden of Eden (Revelation 20:7- 10; compare Genesis 3:1).

(G) Individuals are judged - mankind who was created in the beginning (Revelation 20:11-15; compare Genesis 1 & 2).

(H) The old heaven and earth are removed and replaced by a new heaven and earth with conditions corresponding to those in Eden (Revelation 21 & 22; compare Genesis 1 & 2).

It may be noted here that the evils dealt with are the full blown fruits of the seeds that we get in Genesis.

(7) As to the structure of Revelation it may be noted that chapters 12 onwards do not follow historically chapter 11, because in chapter 11:7 the beast of chapter 13 is shown to be already in existence. On the other hand the fall of Babylon spoken of in chapter 14:8 does not actually take place until we come to chapter 16:19. What this means is that chapters 12 and onwards are separate visions not necessarily describing events subsequent to those in the earlier chapters nor are they in themselves historically sequential. Some chapters are descriptive of things rather than historical, such as chapters 17,18 and 21. In the book of Daniel it will be also noted that later visions do not always describe events subsequent to those described in earlier visions.

(8) It is to be noted that the Old Testament tabernacle and furniture have a place in Revelation. Thus we have:-

(A) The temple of the tabernacle of witness (Revelation 15:5).

(B) The ark (Revelation 11:19).

(C) The brazen altar (Revelation 6:9).

(D) The laver or sea (Revelation 4:6).

(E) The seven golden lamps (Revelation 1:20).

(F) The golden altar and censer (Revelation 8:3).

(G) The table of shewbread (Revelation 7:3-8).

(H) The court (Revelation 11:2).

It is to be noted that companies of God's people are connected with the tabernacle furniture save the ark. As to (C) see chapter 6:9-11. As to (D) see chapter 15:2-4. As to (E) see chapters 2 & 3. As to (F) see chapter 8:3-5. As to (G) see chapter 7:3-8. It may be noted that the table of shewbread is not specifically mentioned but the sealing of twelve thousand out of each tribe suggests the twelve loaves on the table in the tabernacle.