Understanding the Book of Revelation
by Bryan Gibson
March 17, 2009
The Book of Revelation contains a number of references or allusions to events found in the Book of Exodus, in particular the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian bondage. We should be able then to use what happened to the Israelites as a basis for understanding the events described in the Book of Revelation. Let’s look at four major points about the Israelites’ deliverance, and then we’ll look at how these correspond to the experience of the saints in the Book of Revelation.
1) The Israelites were sorely oppressed by Egypt, an oppression that began with hard labor, but soon included the murder of male children (Exodus 1).
2) Because they were so oppressed, the Israelites cried out to God for help (Exodus 2:23-25), and He heard their cry: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows” (Exodus 3:7).
3) God answered their cry by punishing Egypt and redeeming His people, using of course the ten plagues, and then miraculously delivering them through the Red Sea while He destroyed the Egyptian army (Exodus 7-14).
4) The Israelites rejoiced in their deliverance, and sang praises to God (Exodus 15).
In the Book of Revelation, the characters change, but the story line is essentially the same. Let’s take a closer look.
1) The saints were sorely oppressed or persecuted by Rome, persecution that had been earlier prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 7:23-25). They were persecuted in a number of ways, including death by force (Revelation 13:15; 20:4), and a slower form of death, where they were prohibited from buying or selling (Revelation 13:16-17).
2) Because they were so oppressed, they too cried out to God for help: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10). God certainly heard their cry, and in many ways, the rest of the book is an answer to their cry.
3) God’s answer to their cry was that He would punish Rome, and redeem His people. It wouldn’t happen right away (6:11), but their blood would be avenged (Revelation 18:20; 19:2). The details of this punishment and deliverance again sound very similar to the exodus from Egypt. For example, the language of the plagues is used throughout to describe this punishment (boils, hail, locusts, darkness, etc.). Also, like the Israelites, there was a sea between these saints and the Promised Land—“before the throne there was a sea of glass like crystal” (Revelation 4:6). Later, we see the victorious saints “standing on the sea of glass” (Revelation 15:3). They didn’t just pass through it; they’re standing on it!
4) The saints rejoiced in their deliverance (Revelation 18:20) and sang praises to God (see in particular 15:3, where they sing “the song of Moses,” an obvious allusion to the experience of the Israelites).
We’ll look at a few other points of comparison in next week’s article. Until then, keep studying this wonderful book. Don’t fall for all the wild speculation; study it for yourself.