Revelation Commentary by Dewayne Shappley|Spirit of Prophecies

"The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy." Revelation 19:10.

REVELATION is the Creator God's WORLD and COSMIC VIEW of Humanity, Nations, Time, Earth and the Material Universe. What is ours?

REVELATION

Its
Ongoing
Relevancy
and
Fulfillment

A new, original, in-depth analysis by Homer Dewayne Shappley, free from Pentecostal, sensationalist, financial-gain influences, developed during twelve years of university-level instruction in the "School of Advanced Religious Studies."

Not a compilation of other commentaries. If you are curious regarding my "credentials" for producing and publishing this Commentary, some are presented in "About."

Forty-five documents of this Commentary are currently available. It is not necessary to read the entire Commentary in order to understand the interpretations and applications made in each and every part. For example, Scenes 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Fifth Trumpet of Revelation 9 are depicted, interpreted, and applied in Chapter Four of this Commentary. They take place on the timeline of humanity and the world in a specific period of "five months" and may be understood, as I analyze them, without having to understand all that goes before and comes afterward.

Most recent addition: March 9, 2024. A multifaceted image on the following subject was added to Chapter 11 of this Commentary

A “DIAMOND TRUTH” that highlights a REWARD of a “SPIRITUAL WARFARE CATEGORY” that GOD promises to give to his SOLDIERS LOYAL to HIM UNTIL DEATH.

CONTENT

Prologue to "Revelation: Its Ongoing Relevancy and Fulfillment"

Chapter 1
The Nature and Historical Background of Revelation

Initial considerations for the study of Revelation

Image of the title The Revelation to John inserted on the image showing a part of planet Earth in space with clouds, illustration for the list of the components of the Commentary Revelation: Its Ongoing Relevancy and Fulfillment by Dewayne Shappley.

Part 1 The Origin of Revelation

Part 2 The Meaning of the Word “Revelation.” In Greek, ἀποκάλυψις.

Part 3 The Fundamental Content of Revelation.
Prophecy and Predestination. Time and Spatial Range.

Part 4 The Great Value of Revelation for anyone who reads, hears, and obeys it.

Part 5 When was the Book of Revelation written?

Chapter 2 (To be added)
The Seven Great Prophecies of Revelation that Lead
Up to the End of the Material Universe and Material Time

Chapter 3 (To be added)
The Seven Seals of Revelation

Chapter 4

The Fifth Trumpet. Also called "the first woe."
Revelation 9:1-12

Scene 1. The "shaft to the bottomless pit" is opened and "smoke" came out of it "like the smoke of a great furnace."

Scene 2 of the Fifth Trumpet. "Out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth. And they were given power like that of scorpions of the earth."

Scene 3 of the Fifth Trumpet. The "locusts torment" people who do "not have the seal of God."

Scene 4 of the Fifth Trumpet of Revelation 9. The “appearance” of the “locusts.”

The Sixth Trumpet. Also called "the second woe."
Revelation 9:13 through 11:14

Introduction to the Sixth Trumpet of Revelation also called "the second woe." In this Commentary, the visions and prophecies of the Sixth Trumpet are presented in fourteen Scenes. Timelines composed of multiple graphics and texts help fix the temporal parameters for their fulfillment.

Scene 1 The four angels "bound at the great river Euphrates" are released.

Scene 2. Out of Asia, two hundred million horses bringing "fire, smoke, and sulfur!"

Scene 3. The Three Plagues of "fire, smoke, and sulfur," of the Sixth Trumpet of Revelation

Scene 4. The Seven Thunders of Trumpet 6 of Revelation, the Proclamation of the fulfillment of the "mystery of God" and the end of time, and the apostle John eats the "little scroll" which is "sweet as honey" in his mouth but bitter in his stomach.

Scene 5

Part 1. The “rod like a staff” given to the apostle John according to Revelation 11:1 measures the church, its worship, and the worshippers. Timeframe, context, and purpose of the measuring.

Part 2, of Scene 5, of Trumpet 6. Commentary on Revelation 11:2. The “court outside the temple,” the “nations,” and the “holy city” are identified. The timeframe of the “forty-two months” is carefully studied and set. Differences between the “trampling” of Luke 21:24 and that of Revelation 11:2.

The "Two Witnesses" of the Sixth Trumpet. Also called the "Two Prophets."
Revelation 11:3-14

Scene 6 of Trumpet 6. The Two Witnesses (Two Prophets) are identified as Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. They are the Two Olive Trees and Two Lampstands of Zachariah 2. Much biblical evidence is cited. They are represented on earth by their faithful human witnesses, especially by evangelists, elders, teachers, and deacons.

Scene 7 of Trumpet 6 of Revelation. The Two Witnesses prophesy 1,260 days wearing sackcloth. Satan-deceived nations trample over the "holy city" for 42 months. Evidence these two “times” are concurrent, taking place in the “little while” before the Second Coming of Christ. Timeline of events and circumstances.

Scene 8 of Trumpet 6 of Revelation. The WORK of the Two Witnesses is to prophesy and bear witness. How they do their work in the 21st century. The source of their prophecies is explained.

Scene 9 of Trumpet 6 of revelation. The POWERS of the Two Witnesses to consume enemies with fire, shut the sky that no rain falls, turn waters to blood, and smite the earth with plagues proves they are Christ and the Holy Spirit, not Moses and Elijah, Popes, or other church leaders, for human beings are never to avenge themselves, rather love their enemies.

Scene 10

Part 1 of Scene 10 of the Sixth Trumpet of Revelation. The Two Witnesses end their testimony in 1,260 days, a period fixed on graphical Timelines of Revelation. No remedy for unrepentant humans left on earth after that period. Why? Their Satanic armor. Limits to God’s marvelous and admirable forbearance and patience.

Part 2, of Scene 10, of Trumpet 6 of Revelation. The War against the Two Witnesses: They are conquered, and some are killed, thus completing the number of the martyrs of Christ. The War of Harmagedon is real, Christ and the Holy Spirit are left silent and as if “dead” when their faithful representatives on earth are overcome.

Scene 11, of Trumpet 6 of Revelation. The Two Witnesses lie dead in the street of the great city for three and a half days. The great city spiritually as Sodom, Jerusalem, and Egypt. Dead bodies not buried. The enemies who kill them rejoice and exchange gifts. Explanations and applications.

Scene 12, of Trumpet 6 of Revelation. The representatives of the Two Witnesses, that is, their spokespeople and defenders on earth, dead for three and a half days, are physically resurrected, and, hearing a voice calling them, ascend to heaven, their astounded enemies literally beholding both events. Last events of the Second Woe.

Why is there so much "wrath of God" in Revelation? This divine wrath is manifested in 125 verses of the 404 that the book of Revelation has. In contrast, 197 verses of the 404 may be classified as positive, encouraging, inspiring, full of healthy, pure hope.

Chapter 5 (To be added)
The Woman Dressed with the Sun
War in Heaven

Chapter 6

The First Beast of Revelation 13

Act 1. Scene 1. The first beast rises out of the sea roiled by the four winds of heaven. So do the four great beasts of Daniel. Revelation 13:1-2; Daniel 7:1-3

Act 1. Scene 2. The seven heads of the first beast. Revelation 13:1; 17:2, 9-12; Daniel 7:1-7.

Act 1. Scene 3. A blasphemous name on the seven heads of the first beast. Revelation 13:1

Act 1. Scene 4. The appearance of the first beast. Revelation 13:2

Act 1. Scene 5. A Great, Fiery Red Dragon Gives Power, a Throne, and Great Authority to the First Beast.

Act 1. Scene 6. The 6th head of the First Beast receives a "Fatal Wound," but it was "healed."
When, how, and by whom? Revelation 13:3

Facts and Fictions regarding the Duration of the Roman Empire. The highly deleterious impact on the interpretation of prophecies in Revelation and Daniel of the false Narrative that says “The Roman Empire Ended in 476 CE.” It did not.

To be added: Act 1, Scene 7. The First Beast makes War on the Saints.

Act 2. Scene 3, The number of the name of the Second Beast is 666. The name identified. Revelation 13:16-18

The Second Beast of Revelation 13

Chapter 6 has 2 more Scenes for Act 2.

Chapter 7

Ten Dangerous Horns

The Seventh King-Kingdom-Beast of Revelation 17

The Eight King-Kingdom-Beast

The Little Horn

Act 2. The sign of the Seventh King-Kingdom-Beast. Astonishing SIGN for modern times! Revelation 17

Chapter 7 has many more Acts, Scenarios, and Scenes.

Chapter 8 (To be added. Many Acts and Scenes.
The equivalent of 200 plus letter-size pages.)
The Great Whore-Great City of Babylon

Chapter 9 (To be added)
The Seven Last Plagues

Chapter 10 is composed of Eleven Subjects related to End Time Events.

Some subjects have multiple "Parts."

The Millennium: Before, During, and After. The End of the Millennium. The First Resurrection. The Day of the Lord that will come like a thief in the night. Christ will appear a second time without any relationship to sin. Every eye will see him. New Heavens and New Earth. The White Throne Judgment. Etc.

The MILLENNIUM

Part 1 of studies on the "thousand years" of Revelation 20, popularly known as the Millennium. How long does it last? Definitely not from the ministry of Christ to the end of time. Timeline of the Common Era and factual evidence. Satan, in his role as a “great red dragon,” is bound during the Millennium. Satan in his role as a “roaring lion” during the entire Common Era. 12 graphics and 2 timelines.

Part 2 of studies on Millennium. Does the Millennium (the “thousand years”) come BEFORE the Second Coming of Jesus Christ "as a thief in the night," or does it transpire AFTER the Second Coming?

What are the conditions on planet Earth before, during, and after the Millennium? Regarding the power and work of Satan Lucifer on planet Earth before and after the Millennium, what does “deceive the nations” mean? During the Millennium, Satan does not deceive the nations. What does “not deceive the nations anymore” mean?

Part 3 on the Millennium. Does SIN continue on earth during the Millennium? What organizations are on earth during the Millennium? Eleven photographs and graphics. Two video clips.

The Millennium. Part 4. The Millennium, religious freedom, and martyrs in the 21st century. Is the Millennium taking place today? Religious freedom is the salient characteristic of the Millennium and never has it been so widespread as in the 21st century. Levels of evil in today's world do not alter this fact nor do martyrs of today. Classes of martyrs identified. Martyrs in politicized churches and religions. God’s Kingdom never politized. Twelve graphics and two video clips.

Pending are two more Parts on the End of the Millennium.

The Day of the Lord Comes Like a Thief in the Night

Part 1. The day of the Lord” will come “like a thief in the night.” Will it come before or after the Millennium? The juxtaposition on the timeline between the Millennium and “the day of the Lord.” 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-7; Revelation 16:12-16

Part 2 of "The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the Night. "Look, I come like a thief." Revelation 16:15. Bible texts in Part 2 prove that the Millennium precedes the coming of "the day of the Lord like a thief." Revelation 6:21; 11:3-13; 14:14-16; 16:12-16; 19:11-22.

PowerPoint image for the coming of the Day of the Lord like a thief in the night composed of 24 principal texts and 3 graphics. Events prior to, during, and after the Day of the Lord in an easy-to-follow sequence, in one image.

These are Parts 1 and 2 of Subject 3, of Chapter 10. Subject 3 has 4 more parts.

Christ "will appear a second time, not to deal with sin."

Jesus Christ "will appear, a second time, not to deal with sin." Detailed analysis of Hebrews 9:28.

For the CONDENSED VERSION of this subject click here.

The Great White Throne Judgment

The Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20 and the Judgment of the Nations of Matthew 25. Are they the same?

Chapter 11
Several Subjects of Revelation not covered in previous chapters

Here is a “DIAMOND TRUTH” that highlights a REWARD of a “SPIRITUAL WARFARE CATEGORY” that GOD promises to give to his SOLDIERS LOYAL to HIM UNTIL DEATH.

In this composite image of art and texts, an exquisite, large diamond of different shades of purple rests on a surface of more or less the same colors in the lower part of the graphic, transitioning to a black background in the upper portion, with texts relative to the subject of Authority over the Nations above and below the diamond.

“To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations; to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered, even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers, I will also give the morning star.” Revelation 2:26-28

Other relevant texts are...

Ephesians 6:10-20; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:3-6; 4:6-8

Chapter 12 (To be added)
Several Subjects of Revelation not covered in previous chapters

The entire commentary on Revelation by the author is the equivalent of about 1,300 letter-size pages.