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Lesson #11

Lesson #11

Hopping About from Book to Book

One of the best ways of understanding the Bible is to compare one passage with another.

   

Genesis 1 –3 And Revelation 20 –22

The last three chapters of the Bible are understood more clearly in the light of the first three chapters of the Bible.

Read through Genesis 1 –3 and Revelation 1 –3. Work through the table on page 29, looking up the Bible references, then read the books again and see how your understanding has been increased.

 

    Compare Revelation with Revelation

Sometimes one part of a Bible book sheds light on another part of the same book.

Read the descriptions of Jesus in chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation. You will find a short descriptive passage at the start of each of the seven letters. The verses to note are:

   

• Revelation 2:1

 

Seven stars…seven gold lampstands

 

• Revelation 2:8

 

The First and the Last

 

• Revelation 2:12

 

Sharp, double-edged sword

 

• Revelation 2:18

 

Eyes like blazing fire…feet like burnished bronze

 

• Revelation 3:1

 

Holding seven spirits of God and the seven stars

 

• Revelation 3:7

 

The keys of David

 

• Revelation 3:14

 

The Amen, the faithful and true witness

 

   

Now read the key to understanding these descriptions in Revelation 1:5 –20, where John has his vision of Jesus. You will find that all the features described in chapters two and three refer to the picture of Jesus that John saw in chapter one.

     

Genesis chapters 1–3

 

Revelation chapters 20–22

 

In the beginning. Genesis 1:1

 

A new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 21:1

 

Darkness. Genesis 1:5

 

No night. Revelation 21:25

 

God made the sun and the moon. Genesis 1:16

 

No need for the sun or moon. Revelation 21:23

 

Death. Genesis 2:17

 

No more death. Revelation 21:4

 

Satan appears to deceive humankind. Genesis 3:1

 

Satan disappears forever. Revelation 20:10

 

A garden which become defiled. Genesis 3:6 –7

 

A city with nothing shameful in it. Revelation 21:27

 

God’s walk with us interrupted. Genesis 3:8 –10

 

God’s presence with us resumed. Revelation 21:3

 

The initial victory of the serpent. Genesis 3:13

 

The ultimate triumph of the Lamb. Revelation 20:10; 22:3

 

Sorrow is increased. Genesis 3:16

 

No more crying or pain. Revelation 21:4

 

The ground is cursed. Genesis 3:17

 

No longer will there be any curse. Revelation 22:3

 

The first paradise is closed. Genesis 3:23

 

The new paradise is opened. Revelation 21:25

 

Access to the tree of life is barred. Genesis 3:24

 

Access to the tree of life is reinstated. Revelation 22:14

 

They were driven out of the garden. Genesis 3:24

 

They will see his face. Revelation 22:4

 

   

Concluding Thought

• Many of the symbols used in the Book of Revelation are explained in previous books of the Bible. You can see this as you look up the Bible references in the following table.

     

Symbol in Revelation

 

Reference in Revelation

 

Helpful Bible reference

 

Iron sceptre

 

Revelation 2:27

 

Psalm 2:9

 

Morning star

 

Revelation 2:28

 

Daniel 12:3

 

Key of David

 

Revelation 3:7

 

Isaiah 22:22

 

Lion, ox, man, eagle

 

Revelation 4:7

 

Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14

 

Lamb

 

Revelation 5:8

 

John 1:29

 

 

      Source: Water, M. (1998). Bible Study made easy . The Made Easy Series (28–29). Alresford, Hampshire: John Hunt Publishers Ltd.