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(9) It is important to note that from chapter 4 onwards the atmosphere is that of the Old Testament; Israel and the world are the subject rather than the Assembly. Government is stressed, hence the throne is prominent (see for instance chapter 4:2). This is so until we come to the last chapter from verse 6 onwards. It is also important to note that the only judgement / trial time spans specifically mentioned are about half an hour (chapter 8:1), one hour (chapter 17:12), one day (chapter 18:8), three and a half days (chapter 11:9 & 11), ten days (chapter 2:10), five months (chapter 9:10) and three and a half years (chapters 11:2/3; 12:6; 13:5). God's judgement will not be prolonged (see Matthew 24:20-22). This is in contrast to the millennium (a thousand years - chapter 20:4). |
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(10) In the Bible words are prominent. However, numbers also have their place and measurements which, of course, also involve numbers. In Genesis 1 to 2:3 we have the numbers 1 to 7, that is, the seven days of the week. The number 7 is also prominent in the book of Revelation, for examples, the seven seals and the seven trumpets. There are a number of others, some hidden so we are told. We have also the number 666 (chapter 13:18). From this we can deduce that the counting of numbers where the letters of words have a numerical value is not to be dismissed out of hand. The significance of numbers is a legitimate study so long as it is not overdone. Measurements are also important. In Revelation we have the measuring of the temple (chapter 11:1) and the measuring of the holy city (chapter 21:15-17). God made measurements when he created the earth (Job 38:5; Isaiah 40:12). It is at least curious that in the first chapter in the Bible we have division and multiplication introduced, and in the last addition and subtraction, the four basic mathematical calculations. |
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Certain things stand out in Revelation. Babylon is the great city (chapter 17:18) and stands in contrast to new Jerusalem, the holy city (chapter 21:2). Those who have studied the subject say that the measurements of the holy city are comparable to those of Stonehenge though not on the same scale. This shows, at least, that we are not dealing with a physical city. |
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Although the word moral is not used in Scripture, thoughts which are what we would call moral are constantly found in it. In Revelation 11:8 we have "the great city, which is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt". I believe on consideration that substituting the word morally for spiritually would give the sense of the passage, which is that the condition of the place was evil, not physically but morally. |
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March 2001 |
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