1 THE PERRY STONE INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED BIBLICAL STUDIES BREAKING THE APOCALYPSE CODE Unlocking future prophetic mysteries predicted in the book of Revelation, and understanding how ancient Feasts, Temple, and Priestly codes unlock clues to the Apocalypse Perry Stone, Jr. This prophetic teaching syllabus contains outlines and study notes on the subject, “Breaking the Apocalypse Code.” These outlines were prepared by Perry Stone and used in his seven DVD teaching series on the book of Revelation. This manual is designed to accompany the DVD series as a home Bible study teaching aid. Copyright 2012 by Voice of Evangelism Ministries, Cleveland, Tennessee. All rights reserved. No part of this study manual or the DVD series may be stored in a retrieval system or reproduced in any form or by any means, including Internet and video websites. However, we do encourage individuals to study to show themselves approved unto God, teaching and preaching the truths that they glean from this study. 2 SESSION ONE THE APOCALYPSE CODE AND THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE 3 4 THE APOCALYPSE CODE AND THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE The book of Revelation is called the Apocalypse, or in Greek the Apokalupsis, meaning the uncovering of what is hidden. Why don’t more people study Revelation or ministers preach from it? Some believe: The symbolism is too confusing The message is too negative The prophecy has already occurred A. The book of Revelation is interpreted 5 different ways: 1. The Preterist interpretation – end-time prophetic events were fulfilled in the 1st century 2. The Historical interpretation – events were fulfilled from the 1st century to the return of Christ 3. The Allegorical interpretation – the book is an allegory, symbolizing battles between good and evil 4. The A-millennial interpretation – the book represents seven phases of church history 5. The Futuristic interpretation – events from chapters 4 to 22 deal with the tribulation After decades of studying the Bible, I view chapters 4 to 22 as futuristic. B. All Bible prophecy is primarily addressed to one of four groups: The Message to The Person(s) The References in Revelation 1. Individuals the pastors Revelation chapters 2 and 3 2. Israel the Nation the Jewish people Revelation chapters 7 and 12 3. Gentile Nations the judgments Revelation chapters 8, 9, 15, 16 4. The Church the seven churches Revelation chapters 2 and 3 The Apocalypse reveals God’s blessings/judgments for the Church, Israel, and Gentile nations. C. Definition of Important Terms Biblical Prophet: A Biblical prophet is a God-called man who, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, could foresee into the future, often through dreams or visions, and relate them through inspired utterances. Biblical Prophecy: Biblical prophecy is the writings of holy men of God, as recorded in the Scriptures, which predict events, often thousands of years before they come to pass. 5 Eschatology: Eschatology comes from eschatos, meaning “last, utmost, or extreme,” and the word logos, meaning “word.” Eschatology means the last word, or a study of last things. The Apocalypse: Apocalypse is from the Greek word apokalupsis, meaning “to uncover or unveil what is hidden.” It is the Greek name given for the book of Revelation, which was a vision given to the apostle John. The book was originally written in Greek. Apocalyptic Literature: Both Jewish and Christian history is filled with apocalyptic literature. Some literature is called pseudepigrapha, defined as literature written by someone else who attributed authorship to a holy man or prophet. Apocalyptic literature consists of both Biblical and non-Biblical books. Jewish Literature Christian Bible and Tradition Book of Enoch Book of Revelation Book of Jubilees Book of Daniel Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs Books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Zechariah, etc. The Sibylline Oracles Book of Enoch Book of Jasher The Shepherd of Hermes Ascension of Moses The Didache Note: The Bible is the only source of true inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet.1:21) D. The Apocalypse is a vision divided into twenty-two chapters 1. This vision is a summary of Old Testament prophets’ predictions about the end of days a. The vision reveals the combined prophecies of Biblical predictions about the time of the end Visions of Ezekiel and John Both were priests or linked to the priesthood - Ez. 1:3 - History Both were held captive against their will - Ez. 1:1 - Rev. 1:9 Both were near water when their visions occurred - Ez. 1:1 - Aegean Sea Both saw heaven open and saw visions of God - Ez. 1:26 - Rev. 4:2 Both saw the four-faced living creatures - Ez. 1:10 - Rev. 4:7 Both saw the throne of God and the God of the throne - Ez.1:26 - Rev. 4:3 Both saw a rainbow around the throne - Ez.1:28 - Rev. 4:3 Both saw a scroll filled with woes and troubles - Ez. 2:10 - Rev. 6 Both were told to eat a scroll and prophesy - Ez. 3:1 - Rev. 10:9 Both saw angels mark the heads of the righteous - Ez. 9:4 - Rev. 7:1-3 6 Both saw the judgments strike Israel and Jerusalem - Ez. 14 - Rev. 11:13 Both saw a Jewish remnant - Ez. 12:16 - Rev. 12:17 2. The vision reveals the types of judgments against the nations a. Rev. 5-7 There are six judgments released from a seven-sealed book b. Rev. 8-10 There are six judgments released by seven angels with trumpets c. Rev. 16 There are six judgments released by seven angels with vials or bowls d. On the 7th seal there is silence and the seven angels with trumpets are released. e. On the 7th trumpet the 7th angel says, “The kingdoms of the world belong to Christ.” f. On the 7th vial judgments the 7th angel says, “It is done.” 3. The vision contains many references that originate in the Old Testament The Apocalyptic Vision The Old Testament Reference Woman clothed with the sun, moon and stars (12:1) Joseph’s vision in Gen. 37:9-10 A great tribulation for 42 months (11:2; 13:5) Daniel revealed the time in Dan. 7:25 Gog and Magog battle (20:8) Ezekiel 38 and 39 Michael fighting Satan in a cosmic war (12:7) Daniel spoke of Michael in Dan. 12:1 The beast with ten horns (13:1) Daniel’s vision in Daniel 7:7; 20; 24 The battle of Armageddon (16:16) Zech. 14:1-2-3 The binding of Satan in the abyss/pit (20:2-3) Isaiah’s prediction in Isa. 14:15 The return of the Messiah to Jerusalem (19-20) Zechariah’s prediction in Zech. 14:4-5 Key: John’s vision pulls it all together (like taking chapters and combining them for one book) THE INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION Revelation is the only book in the entire Bible that is completely Apocalyptic in nature. In early history it was called, The Apocalypse of John, The Apocalypse of the Theologian, and the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Main Verses: Revelation 1:1-8 A. The author of the book (John) 1. John was given care of Mary (John 19:25-27) and the apostles left Jerusalem in 37- 44 AD 2. John settled in Ephesus with Mary (67 AD); lived there 27 years; then he was arrested at age 90 3. John penned his name 3 times (Rev.1:1; 1:4 and 1:9) 4. John wrote the book from Patmos, an island off the coast of Turkey (Rev. 1:9) 5. John was a political prisoner on the island (tradition says for about 18 months) 6. About 93 AD, John was arrested and went to Rome; he was boiled in oil and survived 7. After his survival, the Emperor Domitian ordered him banished to Patmos 7 B. The worst political prisoners were taken to Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea 1. It was located 24 miles off the coast of Asia Minor (now Turkey) and 60 miles from Ephesus 2. It was 10 miles long and 6 miles wide; the coast was jagged rocks 3. John lived in an abandoned cave on top of the island acropolis overlooking the Aegean Sea 4. There was a niche where John slept; it was called the “Cave of the Revelation” 5. A “companion in tribulation” means “excruciating distress and pressure” 6. In 2 BC the island was dedicated to Hermes, the “messenger of the gods” C. Authentication of the book by the early church fathers 1. Irenaeus (AD 103-202) stated the Apocalypse was written at the end of Domitian’s reign 2. Clement (AD 150-215) said John returned from Patmos after Domitian died (AD 96) 3. Origen (AD 185-254) believed it was written in the time of Domitian 4. Domitian accepted emperor worship and called himself “lord and god” in his letters 5. Saint Jerome mentioned the history of John on Patmos Note: If the passion was AD 32, then 68 years later would be AD 100 D. The activity of the book Main Verse: Revelation 1:19 1. The things you have seen - Revelation chapter 1 - the resurrected Christ 2. The things which are - Revelation chapters 2 and 3 - the seven churches in Asia 3. The things which shall be - Revelation chapters 4 through 22 - the events in the future THE PROPHETIC NATURE OF REVELATION A. The prophetic symbolism of the book 1. The lamb is Christ in 26 of 27 verses - Rev. 5:6 2. The dragon is Satan - Rev. 12:9 3. The harlot on the beast is a false religious system - Rev. 17:1 4.