Explaining the Symbols in Revelation (with Jen Wilkin)

Well, let's start with what I hope is Well, let's start with what I hope is a clarifying question. There's a lot you a clarifying question. There's a lot you a clarifying question. There's a lot you can talk about with the book of can talk about with the book of can talk about with the book of Revelation. Obviously, a lot of Revelation. Obviously, a lot of Revelation. Obviously, a lot of different interpretive approaches and different interpretive approaches and different interpretive approaches and all these sorts of things, but let's all these sorts of things, but let's all these sorts of things, but let's start with um start with um start with um how would you summarize the basic how would you summarize the basic how would you summarize the basic message of Revelation? Christ is coming message of Revelation? Christ is coming message of Revelation? Christ is coming back and everything will be made new. back and everything will be made new. back and everything will be made new. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. And so, you know, it's a message of And so, you know, it's a message of And so, you know, it's a message of hope. It's a message of incredible hope hope. It's a message of incredible hope hope. It's a message of incredible hope and encouragement, and it's also a call and encouragement, and it's also a call and encouragement, and it's also a call to steadfastness, which is good for the to steadfastness, which is good for the to steadfastness, which is good for the church in any age. I think it was church in any age. I think it was church in any age. I think it was certainly good for that first those certainly good for that first those certainly good for that first those first-century churches who heard it read first-century churches who heard it read first-century churches who heard it read aloud, but we need that every bit as aloud, but we need that every bit as aloud, but we need that every bit as much as they did. So, yeah, that that much as they did. So, yeah, that that much as they did. So, yeah, that that would be my my elevator pitch on would be my my elevator pitch on would be my my elevator pitch on Revelation. There you go. Revelation. There you go. Revelation. There you go. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Jen, Jen, Jen, um um um I noticed that you finish your sessions I noticed that you finish your sessions I noticed that you finish your sessions by singing the Doxology. by singing the Doxology. by singing the Doxology. >> Yes. Now Now, how does that resonate >> Yes. Now Now, how does that resonate >> Yes. Now Now, how does that resonate well with Revelation? Cuz Now, I'm going well with Revelation? Cuz Now, I'm going well with Revelation? Cuz Now, I'm going to tell you this, though. I to tell you this, though. I to tell you this, though. I if you had a bunch of guys gathered if you had a bunch of guys gathered if you had a bunch of guys gathered together, [laughter] we would not be doing that. we would not be doing that. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> So, this is a unique thing.

>> So, this is a unique thing. >> So, this is a unique thing. >> [gasps] >> [gasps] >> [gasps] >> How does that resonate with Revelation >> How does that resonate with Revelation >> How does that resonate with Revelation itself? itself? itself? >> Yeah. Well, I beg to differ. At my >> Yeah. Well, I beg to differ. At my >> Yeah. Well, I beg to differ. At my church, we sing the Doxology at the end church, we sing the Doxology at the end church, we sing the Doxology at the end of just about everything that we do. So, of just about everything that we do. So, of just about everything that we do. So, one of the things that I wanted to do, I one of the things that I wanted to do, I one of the things that I wanted to do, I was I was filming the study in a church was I was filming the study in a church was I was filming the study in a church that was not my home church, and I that was not my home church, and I that was not my home church, and I wanted to feel more comfortable in that wanted to feel more comfortable in that wanted to feel more comfortable in that setting, and I knew there would be other setting, and I knew there would be other setting, and I knew there would be other women who were familiar with the women who were familiar with the women who were familiar with the Doxology. And so, I think the initial Doxology. And so, I think the initial Doxology. And so, I think the initial idea was, let's do something that's a idea was, let's do something that's a idea was, let's do something that's a little bit of a liturgy just to make little bit of a liturgy just to make little bit of a liturgy just to make this feel um less like it's just created this feel um less like it's just created this feel um less like it's just created in a void out there. Um and then, um the in a void out there. Um and then, um the in a void out there. Um and then, um the message of the Doxology is it I I think message of the Doxology is it I I think message of the Doxology is it I I think it's um I'm going to cry. It's it's the it's um I'm going to cry. It's it's the it's um I'm going to cry. It's it's the song of the redeemed in Revelation 21 song of the redeemed in Revelation 21 song of the redeemed in Revelation 21 and 22 when we see rivers of living and 22 when we see rivers of living and 22 when we see rivers of living water flowing from the throne. Um and water flowing from the throne. Um and water flowing from the throne. Um and so, it felt like a really appropriate so, it felt like a really appropriate so, it felt like a really appropriate thing to repeat over and over again thing to repeat over and over again thing to repeat over and over again during the uh colorful travels that we during the uh colorful travels that we during the uh colorful travels that we were going to have through the book of were going to have through the book of were going to have through the book of Revelation. Well, and it it is Revelation. Well, and it it is Revelation. Well, and it it is consistent with the number of snapshots consistent with the number of snapshots consistent with the number of snapshots you get of heavenly worship in the book you get of heavenly worship in the book you get of heavenly worship in the book of Revelation. Those are I think often of Revelation. Those are I think often of Revelation. Those are I think often some of the most neglected features of some of the most neglected features of some of the most neglected features of Revelation. People come to it with a Revelation. People come to it with a Revelation. People come to it with a certain expectation of okay, I'm going certain expectation of okay, I'm going certain expectation of okay, I'm going to figure out a timeline here or a map to figure out a timeline here or a map to figure out a timeline here or a map of how it's all going to shake out at of how it's all going to shake out at of how it's all going to shake out at the end and they miss some of the other the end and they miss some of the other the end and they miss some of the other key themes that are there that you've key themes that are there that you've key themes that are there that you've mentioned as well as even just the note mentioned as well as even just the note mentioned as well as even just the note of even in the midst of all the chaos of even in the midst of all the chaos of even in the midst of all the chaos going on in this fallen world, going on in this fallen world, going on in this fallen world, there is worship around the throne 24/7 there is worship around the throne 24/7 there is worship around the throne 24/7 and that we get to join into that when

and that we get to join into that when and that we get to join into that when we participate in corporate worship or we participate in corporate worship or we participate in corporate worship or even in private worship. We are entering even in private worship. We are entering even in private worship. We are entering into that that that ongoing worship into that that that ongoing worship into that that that ongoing worship experience. experience. experience. >> Absolutely. Well, and one of the things >> Absolutely. Well, and one of the things >> Absolutely. Well, and one of the things that I loved about the doxology that was that I loved about the doxology that was that I loved about the doxology that was such a nice fit is there's the there's such a nice fit is there's the there's such a nice fit is there's the there's the theme that you see it starts in the theme that you see it starts in the theme that you see it starts in Genesis, but it it's all the way through Genesis, but it it's all the way through Genesis, but it it's all the way through the Bible of the of the three creation the Bible of the of the three creation the Bible of the of the three creation domains. You've got the heavens and the domains. You've got the heavens and the domains. You've got the heavens and the earth and you've got the waters and when earth and you've got the waters and when earth and you've got the waters and when you get to Revelation 21 and 22, all of you get to Revelation 21 and 22, all of you get to Revelation 21 and 22, all of the people who prefer beach vacations to the people who prefer beach vacations to the people who prefer beach vacations to mountain vacations freak out because it mountain vacations freak out because it mountain vacations freak out because it says the sea was no more and obviously says the sea was no more and obviously says the sea was no more and obviously the sea being a metaphor for chaos. In the sea being a metaphor for chaos. In the sea being a metaphor for chaos. In other words, chaos is gone. And so when other words, chaos is gone. And so when other words, chaos is gone. And so when you get to that final scene with the the you get to that final scene with the the you get to that final scene with the the tree of life and the the the river tree of life and the the the river tree of life and the the the river flowing, um flowing, um flowing, um in the doxology, we have mention of the in the doxology, we have mention of the in the doxology, we have mention of the two creation domains that are still two creation domains that are still two creation domains that are still there. You've got um mention of heaven there. You've got um mention of heaven there. You've got um mention of heaven and you've got mention of earth and so and you've got mention of earth and so and you've got mention of earth and so uh it it but the sea is not mentioned uh it it but the sea is not mentioned uh it it but the sea is not mentioned and so it's it's a very nice conclusion and so it's it's a very nice conclusion and so it's it's a very nice conclusion to the scene that we see there.

to the scene that we see there. to the scene that we see there. Well, your your comment there uh Well, your your comment there uh Well, your your comment there uh hinted at or we might even say alluded hinted at or we might even say alluded hinted at or we might even say alluded to a key feature of the book of to a key feature of the book of to a key feature of the book of Revelation and that is in fact the Revelation and that is in fact the Revelation and that is in fact the number of Old Testament allusions and number of Old Testament allusions and number of Old Testament allusions and echoes that are just all echoes that are just all echoes that are just all the book of Revelation. And that's near the book of Revelation. And that's near the book of Revelation. And that's near and dear to Ben and I's heart since and dear to Ben and I's heart since and dear to Ben and I's heart since that's what we spend a lot of time that's what we spend a lot of time that's what we spend a lot of time studying in our own work, but what were studying in our own work, but what were studying in our own work, but what were some of the most significant Old some of the most significant Old some of the most significant Old Testament allusions and echoes that Testament allusions and echoes that Testament allusions and echoes that helped you better understand the message helped you better understand the message helped you better understand the message of Revelation? Or maybe just pick one or of Revelation? Or maybe just pick one or of Revelation? Or maybe just pick one or two that stood out to you. Gosh, one or two that stood out to you. Gosh, one or two that stood out to you. Gosh, one or two out of a [laughter] million. two out of a [laughter] million. two out of a [laughter] million. >> you can pick more than that if you'd >> you can pick more than that if you'd >> you can pick more than that if you'd like, but like, but like, but >> Well, I'll just focus on the one that >> Well, I'll just focus on the one that >> Well, I'll just focus on the one that helped me build a structure for I helped me build a structure for I helped me build a structure for I wouldn't say I built the structure. I wouldn't say I built the structure. I wouldn't say I built the structure. I think the structure is in the book of think the structure is in the book of think the structure is in the book of Revelation, but the the creation account Revelation, but the the creation account Revelation, but the the creation account in Genesis chapter 1 so heavily informs in Genesis chapter 1 so heavily informs in Genesis chapter 1 so heavily informs the structure and the content of the structure and the content of the structure and the content of Revelation. And so, I wrote the study Revelation. And so, I wrote the study Revelation. And so, I wrote the study around a structure of seven sevens. And around a structure of seven sevens. And around a structure of seven sevens. And I did that not everyone agrees that I did that not everyone agrees that I did that not everyone agrees that that's the structure of the book, that's the structure of the book, that's the structure of the book, but I feel like whether you decide that but I feel like whether you decide that but I feel like whether you decide that that's right or wrong as you're going that's right or wrong as you're going that's right or wrong as you're going through the study, you will certainly through the study, you will certainly through the study, you will certainly have a memory hook to remember the the have a memory hook to remember the the have a memory hook to remember the the book if you if you follow that pattern.

book if you if you follow that pattern. book if you if you follow that pattern. And so, I even teach the women hand And so, I even teach the women hand And so, I even teach the women hand signals as part of what we're doing so signals as part of what we're doing so signals as part of what we're doing so that they can remember. Hand signs I've that they can remember. Hand signs I've that they can remember. Hand signs I've done it with the Ten Commandments. I've done it with the Ten Commandments. I've done it with the Ten Commandments. I've done it elsewhere. Nobody's too old for done it elsewhere. Nobody's too old for done it elsewhere. Nobody's too old for that, you know, so [laughter] in fact, that, you know, so [laughter] in fact, that, you know, so [laughter] in fact, I'm forgetting more things the older I I'm forgetting more things the older I I'm forgetting more things the older I get. I'm probably going to be doing hand get. I'm probably going to be doing hand get. I'm probably going to be doing hand signs to remember my children's names in signs to remember my children's names in signs to remember my children's names in a a a a few more years. So, a few more years. So, a few more years. So, but the just that number seven and how but the just that number seven and how but the just that number seven and how significant it is, but also the usage of significant it is, but also the usage of significant it is, but also the usage of other numbers as they relate to the other numbers as they relate to the other numbers as they relate to the creation account. So, you know, you see creation account. So, you know, you see creation account. So, you know, you see these cycles of seven judgments and the these cycles of seven judgments and the these cycles of seven judgments and the the the first four typically have to do the the first four typically have to do the the first four typically have to do with the things that were formed in the with the things that were formed in the with the things that were formed in the first four days of creation. That sixth first four days of creation. That sixth first four days of creation. That sixth one is always going to deal with one is always going to deal with one is always going to deal with judgment on the earth dwellers, the judgment on the earth dwellers, the judgment on the earth dwellers, the humankind because man is created on the humankind because man is created on the humankind because man is created on the sixth day. And then, you get this sixth day. And then, you get this sixth day. And then, you get this seventh moment in all of them where we seventh moment in all of them where we seventh moment in all of them where we get the heavenly vision presented to us get the heavenly vision presented to us get the heavenly vision presented to us again as this this foretaste or this again as this this foretaste or this again as this this foretaste or this hint of that eternal Sabbath that we hint of that eternal Sabbath that we hint of that eternal Sabbath that we will get on the on the everlasting will get on the on the everlasting will get on the on the everlasting seventh day. So, seventh day. So, seventh day. So, um, being able to trace that all the way um, being able to trace that all the way um, being able to trace that all the way through through through first of all, I think it's very first of all, I think it's very first of all, I think it's very satisfying as a Bible student cuz you're satisfying as a Bible student cuz you're satisfying as a Bible student cuz you're like, oh, like, oh, like, oh, the more of the Old Testament I know, the more of the Old Testament I know, the more of the Old Testament I know, the more I'll be able to understand the more I'll be able to understand the more I'll be able to understand this. But, just knowing that creation this. But, just knowing that creation this. But, just knowing that creation account better than I did before helps account better than I did before helps account better than I did before helps with so much of this to begin with. And with so much of this to begin with. And with so much of this to begin with. And the the way that John writes his the the way that John writes his the the way that John writes his material, material, material, he's so dependent on the Old Testament.

he's so dependent on the Old Testament. he's so dependent on the Old Testament. So, a lot of his metaphors and symbols, So, a lot of his metaphors and symbols, So, a lot of his metaphors and symbols, they're existing Old Testament symbols. they're existing Old Testament symbols. they're existing Old Testament symbols. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. And, um, And, um, And, um, it's easy for us to say, oh, well, or it's easy for us to say, oh, well, or it's easy for us to say, oh, well, or not me, but some people say, oh, that's not me, but some people say, oh, that's not me, but some people say, oh, that's an Apache helicopter. That's a nuclear an Apache helicopter. That's a nuclear an Apache helicopter. That's a nuclear weapon, or whatever. But, well, that's weapon, or whatever. But, well, that's weapon, or whatever. But, well, that's that's from Jeremiah. That's from that's from Jeremiah. That's from that's from Jeremiah. That's from Exodus. That's from It's already It's Exodus. That's from It's already It's Exodus. That's from It's already It's already functioning as a symbol in the already functioning as a symbol in the already functioning as a symbol in the Old Testament. Old Testament. Old Testament. >> Right. And John just takes over that. >> Right. And John just takes over that. >> Right. And John just takes over that. But, what's so unique to John is that But, what's so unique to John is that But, what's so unique to John is that the way he fuses two symbols or three the way he fuses two symbols or three the way he fuses two symbols or three symbols. He combines them in odd ways. symbols. He combines them in odd ways. symbols. He combines them in odd ways. For example, For example, For example, uh, uh, he'll say that Jesus is uh, uh, he'll say that Jesus is uh, uh, he'll say that Jesus is simultaneously the a slain lamb, simultaneously the a slain lamb, simultaneously the a slain lamb, Passover lamb, and then in the same Passover lamb, and then in the same Passover lamb, and then in the same breath he says, but he's also a breath he says, but he's also a breath he says, but he's also a conquering lion. conquering lion. conquering lion. >> Lion, yeah. And, do you see he's taking >> Lion, yeah. And, do you see he's taking >> Lion, yeah. And, do you see he's taking two symbols and he's confused them. He's two symbols and he's confused them. He's two symbols and he's confused them. He's lined them up in such a unique way. And lined them up in such a unique way. And lined them up in such a unique way. And then we see Jesus doing doing this all then we see Jesus doing doing this all then we see Jesus doing doing this all the time where he'll take two Old the time where he'll take two Old the time where he'll take two Old Testament texts, two different Testament texts, two different Testament texts, two different traditions, and he'll combine them in traditions, and he'll combine them in traditions, and he'll combine them in this odd way. For example, like in Mark this odd way. For example, like in Mark this odd way. For example, like in Mark 10, he says that the Son of Man, that's 10, he says that the Son of Man, that's 10, he says that the Son of Man, that's Daniel 7, has not come to be served, but Daniel 7, has not come to be served, but Daniel 7, has not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a to serve and to give his life as a to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. That's Isaiah 53. So, ransom for many. That's Isaiah 53. So, ransom for many. That's Isaiah 53. So, he's taken Daniel 7 and Isaiah 53 and he's taken Daniel 7 and Isaiah 53 and he's taken Daniel 7 and Isaiah 53 and he's fused them in this odd he's fused them in this odd he's fused them in this odd Nobody Nobody in their right mind would Nobody Nobody in their right mind would Nobody Nobody in their right mind would ever ever ever >> with the Old Testament, man.

>> with the Old Testament, man. >> with the Old Testament, man. >> Well, he's getting he's he I think he's >> Well, he's getting he's he I think he's >> Well, he's getting he's he I think he's getting he he's taking themes. He's getting he he's taking themes. He's getting he he's taking themes. He's taking texts. I think he's allowing them taking texts. I think he's allowing them taking texts. I think he's allowing them to interpret one another and um I it's to interpret one another and um I it's to interpret one another and um I it's so striking in Revelation. It's the way so striking in Revelation. It's the way so striking in Revelation. It's the way that it the way that it fuses these that it the way that it fuses these that it the way that it fuses these things. So, let's talk about Daniel things. So, let's talk about Daniel things. So, let's talk about Daniel because because because I was listening to your first lesson and I was listening to your first lesson and I was listening to your first lesson and you talked about how you talked about how you talked about how uh in Revelation the first three verses uh in Revelation the first three verses uh in Revelation the first three verses how it says that uh how it says that uh how it says that uh these things that the vision was these things that the vision was these things that the vision was communicated or was symbolized. communicated or was symbolized. communicated or was symbolized. >> Symbolized, yeah. Symbolized and most >> Symbolized, yeah. Symbolized and most >> Symbolized, yeah. Symbolized and most translations say was made known. Right. translations say was made known. Right. translations say was made known. Right. That's no good. I tell my students That's no good. I tell my students That's no good. I tell my students that's no good. Cuz the the word there that's no good. Cuz the the word there that's no good. Cuz the the word there is say my no and that word there means is say my no and that word there means is say my no and that word there means to symbolize, to communicate by symbols to symbolize, to communicate by symbols to symbolize, to communicate by symbols and it and that actually alludes back to and it and that actually alludes back to and it and that actually alludes back to Daniel 2 how the Colossus is symbolized Daniel 2 how the Colossus is symbolized Daniel 2 how the Colossus is symbolized to Nebuchadnezzar. So, to Nebuchadnezzar. So, to Nebuchadnezzar. So, that's a you make a big deal about that that's a you make a big deal about that that's a you make a big deal about that how Revelation itself presents itself as how Revelation itself presents itself as how Revelation itself presents itself as a symbolic vision. Do you want to a symbolic vision. Do you want to a symbolic vision. Do you want to unpack? I mean it's Well, of course we unpack? I mean it's Well, of course we unpack? I mean it's Well, of course we have great Beale to thanks for that have great Beale to thanks for that have great Beale to thanks for that insight. I wouldn't wouldn't want you to insight. I wouldn't wouldn't want you to insight. I wouldn't wouldn't want you to think I was sitting alone in my living think I was sitting alone in my living think I was sitting alone in my living room and had that epiphany. [laughter] room and had that epiphany. [laughter] room and had that epiphany. [laughter] Uh but I I think that for, you know, Uh but I I think that for, you know, Uh but I I think that for, you know, dealing with the Bible literacy crisis dealing with the Bible literacy crisis dealing with the Bible literacy crisis that inhabits the local church, I'm that inhabits the local church, I'm that inhabits the local church, I'm keenly aware of the kinds of tools keenly aware of the kinds of tools keenly aware of the kinds of tools people have been given that don't work people have been given that don't work people have been given that don't work and the kinds of tools that they need to and the kinds of tools that they need to and the kinds of tools that they need to be given that do work. There's no more be given that do work. There's no more be given that do work. There's no more basic um hermeneutic principle than basic um hermeneutic principle than basic um hermeneutic principle than letting scripture interpret scripture.

letting scripture interpret scripture. letting scripture interpret scripture. You were just touching on that. Uh but You were just touching on that. Uh but You were just touching on that. Uh but but so what I ask them to do in the but so what I ask them to do in the but so what I ask them to do in the study is have less of a left behind study is have less of a left behind study is have less of a left behind approach and more of a look behind approach and more of a look behind approach and more of a look behind approach. And the second that we approach. And the second that we approach. And the second that we understand that Revelation is going to understand that Revelation is going to understand that Revelation is going to give us a symbolic representation of give us a symbolic representation of give us a symbolic representation of something, then we begin to say, "Oh, something, then we begin to say, "Oh, something, then we begin to say, "Oh, well, well, well, we should wonder where this came from." we should wonder where this came from." we should wonder where this came from." As you were saying. And so, the symbolic As you were saying. And so, the symbolic As you were saying. And so, the symbolic reading, I hope, I believe, gives people reading, I hope, I believe, gives people reading, I hope, I believe, gives people um um um a skill. It's not just the way to read a skill. It's not just the way to read a skill. It's not just the way to read Revelation, it's a skill that they need Revelation, it's a skill that they need Revelation, it's a skill that they need in general when it comes to Bible in general when it comes to Bible in general when it comes to Bible reading, but it's a skill that many of reading, but it's a skill that many of reading, but it's a skill that many of them have not spent much time exploring. them have not spent much time exploring. them have not spent much time exploring. And so, I would go so far as to say And so, I would go so far as to say And so, I would go so far as to say there's nothing new in the book of there's nothing new in the book of there's nothing new in the book of Revelation. Revelation. Revelation. And um it's on us to ask, "Where did And um it's on us to ask, "Where did And um it's on us to ask, "Where did this come from before?" And the the this come from before?" And the the this come from before?" And the the minute that they see a first example of minute that they see a first example of minute that they see a first example of this, they come alive uh because that's this, they come alive uh because that's this, they come alive uh because that's how I was, right? Um and I think in how I was, right? Um and I think in how I was, right? Um and I think in particular particular particular about the throne room scene. Most people about the throne room scene. Most people about the throne room scene. Most people are familiar with chapters 4 and 5. They are familiar with chapters 4 and 5. They are familiar with chapters 4 and 5. They know about the throne room scene know about the throne room scene know about the throne room scene uh and the the lamb slain and all of uh and the the lamb slain and all of uh and the the lamb slain and all of that.

that. that. But there's the weird part where you see But there's the weird part where you see But there's the weird part where you see the the the figure on the throne and the the the figure on the throne and the the the figure on the throne and there's a rainbow behind him and then there's a rainbow behind him and then there's a rainbow behind him and then you get the weird creatures and people you get the weird creatures and people you get the weird creatures and people are like, are like, are like, "I don't know what that is." And there's "I don't know what that is." And there's "I don't know what that is." And there's a really funny thing on the internet, a really funny thing on the internet, a really funny thing on the internet, you know, where it's like, "This is the you know, where it's like, "This is the you know, where it's like, "This is the actual biblical angel you would put on actual biblical angel you would put on actual biblical angel you would put on the top of your Christmas tree." And the top of your Christmas tree." And the top of your Christmas tree." And you're like, the eyes [laughter] and the you're like, the eyes [laughter] and the you're like, the eyes [laughter] and the Yeah. Like that's an Ewok. Yeah. Like that's an Ewok. Yeah. Like that's an Ewok. [clears throat] the little precious [clears throat] the little precious [clears throat] the little precious moments. moments. moments. >> Right. Right. And it's like, "Well, I >> Right. Right. And it's like, "Well, I >> Right. Right. And it's like, "Well, I don't I don't know what to do with that, don't I don't know what to do with that, don't I don't know what to do with that, so I'm just going to I'm going to keep so I'm just going to I'm going to keep so I'm just going to I'm going to keep moving." And and and if you know the Old moving." And and and if you know the Old moving." And and and if you know the Old Testament, if you're thinking Testament, if you're thinking Testament, if you're thinking symbolically, and you think, "Wait a symbolically, and you think, "Wait a symbolically, and you think, "Wait a minute, where have I heard about a minute, where have I heard about a minute, where have I heard about a rainbow before?" Well, that's going to rainbow before?" Well, that's going to rainbow before?" Well, that's going to kick you immediately back to Genesis kick you immediately back to Genesis kick you immediately back to Genesis chapter 9 and um where God covenants chapter 9 and um where God covenants chapter 9 and um where God covenants with Noah. And it's interesting because with Noah. And it's interesting because with Noah. And it's interesting because the four living creatures that you see the four living creatures that you see the four living creatures that you see there in in chapter 4, there in in chapter 4, there in in chapter 4, um there's that repetition of the word um there's that repetition of the word um there's that repetition of the word living creatures over and over again. living creatures over and over again. living creatures over and over again. There's four of them, which tells us There's four of them, which tells us There's four of them, which tells us it's a reference to the created order in it's a reference to the created order in it's a reference to the created order in some way. some way. some way. And then when you go back to Genesis And then when you go back to Genesis And then when you go back to Genesis chapter 9, you find that in the covenant chapter 9, you find that in the covenant chapter 9, you find that in the covenant with with Noah, uh God repeats living with with Noah, uh God repeats living with with Noah, uh God repeats living creatures over and over again. And you creatures over and over again. And you creatures over and over again. And you begin to realize that the covenant that begin to realize that the covenant that begin to realize that the covenant that he makes with Noah is reflected in the he makes with Noah is reflected in the he makes with Noah is reflected in the faces of the four living creatures. You faces of the four living creatures. You faces of the four living creatures. You have um you have an undomesticated have um you have an undomesticated have um you have an undomesticated animal, you have a domesticated animal, animal, you have a domesticated animal, animal, you have a domesticated animal, you have a bird, and you have a man.

you have a bird, and you have a man. you have a bird, and you have a man. Those are That's who was preserved on Those are That's who was preserved on Those are That's who was preserved on the ark. Those Those categories. And the ark. Those Those categories. And the ark. Those Those categories. And then you realize, I've just been given a then you realize, I've just been given a then you realize, I've just been given a message of great assurance at the message of great assurance at the message of great assurance at the beginning of a book that is going to beginning of a book that is going to beginning of a book that is going to unfold God's judgment uh against the the unfold God's judgment uh against the the unfold God's judgment uh against the the kingdom of the earth. And so, um kingdom of the earth. And so, um kingdom of the earth. And so, um that I think that I think that I think draws people in draws people in draws people in in a way that speculating about in a way that speculating about in a way that speculating about headlines doesn't necessarily do. headlines doesn't necessarily do. headlines doesn't necessarily do. >> Right.