Job continues

This chapter contains the things which Job said to instruct his friends. View what Job said against the background of the accusations that they have been making against Job.

People of the world credit the happenings in the natural world to Mother Nature.  This mythical personification has its roots in ancient fertility goddesses.  The term Mother Nature should never be uttered by believers in Yahweh, the living God.  True believers, like Job, know that the LORD God is the one who has created all things, and continues to orchestrate all happenings in nature.  We will read confirmation of the LORD's creative and sustaining power in the latter chapters of Job.

28:12  In asking where wisdom could be found Job is in a very direct way criticising his friends’ advise indicating that he thinks their advice is foolish.

28:1-12 Job continues, like he did in chapter 26 to speak of the wonders of creation so that he can highlight the shortcomings of his friends saying ‘where shall wisdom be found’ – implying that his friends do not posses it.

28:28   Job, in very poetical language, in this chapter has asserted that man does not know God’s wisdom and now he says that the fear of the Lord is wisdom – implying that though ‘man’ – that is his friends – do not know where wisdom comes from or what it is that he actually knows. This is a strong rebuke from Job of his friends.

There is a little additional element to obtaining wisdom, and by the time God was finished with Job, he knew what it was. Suffering has the effect of buring away all the chaff, or impurities, in our knowledge. When our rigteousness is put to the test, as Job's was, we come out of the test with a renewed vision of what God is really like. This was the outcome for Job, as he said himself in v3, 5 "I didn't understand... but now my eye sees You". Job links this new wisdom with his near death experience by repeating the phrase "Death says 'we have heard a report of it with our ears' " (v22-23) again when his trial is over in 42:5 "I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear".

So whilst we may read the Bible a lot, know a lot, and be able to explain a lot; it is merely hearsay until we see God in action in our lives. This is why in Prov 3:1-14, in exactly the same context of the preciousness of wisdom, the writer goes on to say "do not despise the chastening of the LORD... happy is the man who finds wisdom."

28:15 The word ‘valued’ is the word found as selah in the Psalms and as such helps us to understand what the word n the Psalms means – we are, where the word appears, being asked to ‘value’ the words – that is, maybe, meditate on the point being made in the Psalm

28:11 Job’s comment about the floods being ‘bond’ is possibly a reflection on God’s words to Noah - Gen 9:15

Job 28:25 - that wind has weight was proven by science about 300 years ago.

4:2 I saw seven golden candlesticks Revelation 1:12
4:2 and the seven golden candlesticks Revelation 1:20
4:2 seven candlesticks Revelation 1:20
4:2 candlesticks Revelation 11:4
4:2 seven golden candlesticks Revelation 2:1
4:3 the two olive trees Revelation 11:4
4:10 which run ... through the whole earth 2 Chronicles 16:9
4:14 standing ... the God of the earth Revelation 11:4

4:10 'The day of small things' reinforces the words of Haggai who said Haggai 2:3 'Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? [is it] not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?' and is an exhortation to appreciate that the work is God's and that whilst things might seem insignificant they should not be viewed with the eyes of the flesh.

5:2 'twenty cubits ... ten cubits' matches the size both of the porch before the house in Solomon's temple 1 Kings 6:3 and the altar of brass in Solomon's temple 2 Chronicles 4:1
5:9 wings like the wings of a stork - the stork is an unclean bird Leviticus 11:19
5:11 Shinar is Babylon see Genesis 11:2 Daniel 1:2.

4:10 the eyes 'which run to and fro in the earth' quotes Daniel 12:14 and 2 Chronicles 16:9. The use of this language in 2 Chronicles shows that Zechariah is speaking of the all seeing nature of God.

The use of the language from the law of leprosy in a house shows that the Lord viewed the sinfulness of the people as rendering the house of God leprous. Jesus makes the same point (Matthew 24:3, Luke 21:6)

4:14 There were two 'anointed ones' in Jerusalem at this time. Joshua the priest and in prospect Zerubbabel, the governor. So the heightened expectations of the people would look at these two men on hearing these words of Zechariah.

5:4 The timber and stones of Jerusalem were to be thrown down again - Matthew 24:3, Luke 21:6. So however the exiles looked at the events of this tie it most certainly was not the time of Messiah. The people seem not to have taken to heart the reproofs of the prophets who had told them that their sojourn in Babylon was because of their wickedness.

Zech 4:1. This awakening points to the resurrection, showing that the fulfillment of the vision will be in the future when Zechariah will be raised from the dead.

Zech 4:9. This was true of the work of Zerubbabel in the past.(Ezra 6:15) and true also of the work of the Lord Jesus in the future.

Zech 4:14. We would suggest that these two anointed ones are the two branches and golden pipes that empty the oil into the lampstand.(v.12) They represent the immortalized redeemed gathered together. There are two such sons, because they have been drawn out of the families of the human race—Israel and the Gentiles.

Zech 5:1. Once again the prophet is aroused out of his sleep, and sees a new vision. This we would suggest shows that all these night visions were seen during one night. 1:18, 2:1, 4:1, 5:1, 5:5, 6:1.

4:2 However we might try to understand the 'candlestick of gold' with its 'seven lamps' the returning exiles would doubtless have gone in their mind back to the lampstand that Moses made for the tabernacle and the lampstand that had stood in Solomon's temple.

5:11 Shinar is Babylon - Dan 1:2 - so there is no problem with identification here.

Although Zechariah's prophecies are largely messianic, care should be taken not to confuse references.  For example, the two olive trees either side of the lamp stand which represent two anointed ones (witnesses) (4:2,3,14) are not quite the same as the two olive trees; two candlesticks; two witnesses of Rev 11:3,4.  The reference in Zechariah is to Zerubbabel, the governor, who represents the kingly line of Christ; while Joshua represents the Lord's priestly line.  The two witnesses of Revelation represent the true church and a portion of the apostate church which, indirectly, helped the progress of the true church.

Wickedness, in the form of a woman, was transported to Babylon in a basket with a lead cover on top.  She would establish her power in Babylon (5:5-11).  Lead is poisonous, but is used to refine silver (Jer 6:29,30).  The wicked, poisonous agent Babylon would be used to refine the saints, those sanctified in Christ.  Peter warns of the trials ahead from the first century onwards (1Pet 4:12,13).  The latter-day Babylon will have to answer to the Lord for her misdeeds towards spiritual Israel (Rev 17:4-6; 18:21-24).  It should be noted that, at the time of the end, natural Israel will also be refined (Zech 13:9; Mal 3:3).

This 5th Vision tells of the candlestick, (7 branched, I presume), which is automatically fed by pipes from two olive trees. The local meaning is given in Zech 4:1-10. The candlestick represents Israel, with its leader Zerubbabel. He was the civic leader. He was descended from the royal line, but as God had said that Zedekiah would be the last king until Jesus comes, (Eze 21:25-27), then Zerubbabel had to be mayor instead of king. The two olive trees could represent Jews & Gentiles, or men & women, or possibly something else.
Chapter 5 has two visions: a) Zech 5:1-4, which tells of the new law from God, portrayed as a flying scroll; and then Zech 5:5-11 tells of the wickedness which had been brought back from Babylon, which was to be transported back there, leaving Israel as a place of righteousness and peace.

4:2 ‘what seest thou’ is a recurring question asked of Zechariah as he sees the vision. Ezekiel, before the return had seen a vision of a wonderful temple – Eze 47:6 – possible Zechariah’s mind would return to Ezekiel’s visions and be encouraged.

5:7,8 We might think of lead as just a way of describing something heavy. However ‘Lead’ is from time to time associated with judgment from God Exo 15:10, Eze 22:28

4:1-14 the two who are the "word of the LORD" to Zerubbabel & the people at the time, are Haggai & Zechariah  Ezra 5:1, 6:14  - the two who are inspired by the Spirit & encourage Zerubbabel & the people in the building of the temple.

4:6 The people had returned with Ezra and had been involved in frenetic activity building the temple. However Zechariah reminds them that their achievements were not due to their might. This is something that we do well to remember in our own lives.

4:1   Zechariah – as if he had just wakened from sleep – is seeing things which will have their fulfilment after the resurrection which is typified by the sleep.

4:9 The work of rebuilding has commenced and so now God gives encouragement to those who are building it in troublous times telling them that it will indeed be completed despite the opposition of the surrounding nations

4:6 The promise that the deliverance will not be achieved by man’s power echoes the words of the earlier prophet – Hos 1:7 – thus presenting an expansion of Hosea’s prophecy.

1:1 Notice that it is the revelation 'which God gave unto him' So 'all scripture is given by inspiration of God...

1:3 If there is a blessing to all who read the Revelation then we all must be able to benefit from reading it. In the notes on Revelation in June I tried to show how that simple exhortation can be drawn from each chapter.

None of the ecclesias listed in chapters 2 and 3 exist any more. All of them had faults. Whilst they specify warning 'I will remove thy lightstand' Revelation 2:5 applied to Ephesus we can assume that each of the lightstands had served their usefulness and so passed off the scene.

Chapter 1

Daniel 10 presents a picture of a glorious being giving instruction to Daniel. The use of language from Daniel 10 here shows that Daniel is speaking of the glorified Jesus.

Chapter 2

Psalm 2 is used extensively in the New Testament to speak of the risen Christ and his power. The use of these two quotations here in Revelation 2 further develop this understanding of Psalm 2.

The fact that Revelation starts with seven letters to seven ecclesias highlights the main point of the Revelation - to help brethren and sisters to live an acceptable life to God.

2:4 The 'first love' quotes Proverbs 4:6-7 'love principle' The subject is 'wisdom' so we conclude that the ecclesia had lost it's desire for God's wisdom

1:12,20 Like out comment on June 21st this year, the mystery of the lampstands is also explained here. We must be aware of and alert to the Biblical explanations of symbology in Revelation ad Scripture in general.

2:21 The way that God - and His son - respond to error and wrong behaviour is, often unlike us.  Notice that "space" was given for repentance. How often do we drive brethren into a corner when they have fallen? Surely we should allow them opportunity to repent. This is not achieved by taking a strongly adversarial approach and trying to extract a confession from the one in error.

The Behold, he cometh with clouds of v.7 is a reference to Daniel's vision (Dan 7:13). 

1:11 Whilst the book of Revelation is recorded for all of us it was first designed and inspired for the seven churches which received the very specific letters. Therefore any reading in Asia must have been able to be edified by what he read in the book.

2:24  ‘put upon you no other burden’ quotes Acts 15:28 – another link with the council decision in Jerusalem.

2:2 In saying’ I know thy works’ Jesus is making the point contained in Psa 1:6. There were faithful and unfaithful brethren and sisters in Ephesus. Their behaviour would determine the way in which God would view them.

1:7     In speaking of Jesus ‘coming with clouds’ our minds are directed to Dan 7:1 where Daniel, in vision, sees future world events from God’s perspective. That is the nations are no better than beasts.

2:6,15  The Lord hated the Nicolaitans.  Scofield says that this word comes from the Greek words nikao meaning to conquer, and laos meaning laity.  There was a usurping of power and control of one group over the rest of the ecclesia.  A priestly order or clergy was developing which would blossom into the hierarchical system of worship we see today in apostate Christendom.  This is in direct contradiction to Christ's commands (Matt 23:8). 

2:17 The ‘new name’ is spoken of by the prophet – Isa 62:2 – so we see here a fulfilment of the wonderful words of the prophet

Revelation after discussing the seven churches in the first three chapters goes into language which is heavy on symbolism and as Rev 1:1-3 explains, it is a prophecy.

One interpretation, which has been around for centuries, is the continuous historical. The continuous historical is probably the best known interpretation. A proponent of the continuous historical was the English Bible Scholar Joseph Mede (1556-1639). Writing about 150 years ago, Dr John Thomas was a more recent proponent. One of the references frequently quoted in support of the continuous historical is Amos 3:7 "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." Critics question to what extent prophetic detail need be assumed to fulfill the intent of Amos 3:7. Other critics suggest that such detailed prophetic interpretations of historical events are possibly lacking in accuracy and/or require periodic revision in the light of seemingly more spiritually significant recent events. The continuous historical takes the approach that Revelation is a continuous prophetic unraveling of spiritually significant history starting soon after 96AD (the approximate date many feel the Revelation to John was given/compiled) till the the future establishment of the millenial Kingdom on Earth.

A second interpretation of Revelation is the futurist view which tends to crowd much prophecy in what still remains future. A.D. Norris was one of its 20th century proponents. Some of the criticisms are it leaves centuries of relative prophetic darkness and much of it hasn't soon taken place after 96AD. Also, some critics would note there is an interpretation of Jesus' birth Rev 12:5 which would be prior to 96AD. The continuous historical would interpret Rev.12:5 as referring to Constantine. Proponents of the futurist interpretation would suggest that the account of Jesus' birth prior to 96AD provides background context and thus doesn't violate the prophetic validity.

A third interpretation of Revelation is the preterist view which has the Revelation given to John prior to 70AD with much of the prophecy (i.e. Seals and Trumpets) fulfilled prior to the 70AD fall of Jerusalem although there are some lesser elements of the continuous historical and futurist views such as the last days and the second coming of Christ. H.A. Whittaker was a 20th century proponent of the preterist interpretation which also has its critics.

Where can we find resources on various interpretations of Revelation so that with prayerful study we can be better informed?

There are a number of venues containing books on or promoting the continuous historical interpretation. There are books such as "Eureka" (5 volumes) by Dr John Thomas , "Thirteen lectures on the Apocalypse" by Robert Roberts, "The Book of Revelation" (Expositor Series) by H.P. Mansfield, "The Apocalypse and History" by W.H. Boulton, "The Revelation - Which Interpretation?" by Graham Pearce, etc.

A book on the futurist interpretation is called "Apocalypse for Everyman" by Alfred Norris. It is freely available online. If you do a google.com search for "apocalypse for everyman" the first listing (as of this posting) is "- Apocalypse For Everyman - Carelinks - www.carelinks.net". This listing contains the book in its entirety.

A book on the preterist interpretation is "Revelation - A Biblical Approach" by H.A. Whittaker. As I live in the USA, I found it locally available at the Detroit Christadelphian Book Supply under the category of controversial subject matter.

Rev 5:9-10 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Government
The rulership of God's Kingdom is not limited to the twelve apostles. The faithful will play a part as well.
For more information about the government of God's Kingdom, go to Matt 19:28

2:23 We are ‘justified by faith’ –Rom 5:1 – so the ‘works’ that a man is judged by are works of faith – that is the life of the believer will be informed by his understanding of the gospel.