THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES: Understanding the States of Being Revealed Throughout the Book of Revelation
Carl Timothy Wray is the founder of The Finished Work of Christ and Zion University, where he has devoted more than four decades to the study and teaching of the Scriptures through the revelation of Jesus Christ. His ministry is centered upon the Finished Work of Christ, the Gospel of Grace, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and God’s eternal purpose to conform humanity into the image of His Son.
In this groundbreaking study, Carl Timothy Wray presents the Book of Revelation through the lens of three spiritual realms—heaven, earth, and sea—revealing them as prophetic states of being that progressively unfold God’s redemptive purpose. Rather than approaching Revelation merely as a chronology of future events, this book invites readers to discover how Jesus Christ unveils spiritual realities that reveal the condition, growth, and ultimate maturity of His people.
THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES: How Jesus Christ Reveals the Three Spiritual Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Sea presents a Christ-centered study of the Book of Revelation by examining the prophetic symbolism of heaven, earth, and sea as three distinct spiritual states of being. Through the full counsel of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—this book explores how Jesus Christ progressively reveals God’s nature, character, mind, and eternal purpose while exposing every lower state of being that falls short of the fullness of Christ. By establishing this biblical framework, readers are prepared to understand the Seven Last Plagues through the revelation of Jesus Christ rather than through speculation or merely natural interpretation.
Introduction
The Book of Revelation opens with a remarkable statement:
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…”
Before John saw the throne…
Before he saw the Lamb…
Before he saw the seals, trumpets, bowls, Babylon, Mount Zion, or the New Jerusalem…
He was in the Spirit.
This is not an incidental detail. It is the divine foundation upon which the entire Revelation rests.
Every vision John received proceeded from the Spirit of God. From that heavenly perspective, Jesus Christ unveiled the realities of God’s eternal purpose. As the visions unfold, a remarkable pattern begins to emerge. John continually sees one of three realms: heaven, earth, or sea.
This book proposes that these are not merely geographical locations. They are prophetic revelations that unveil three distinct states of being through which Jesus Christ progressively reveals the condition of humanity and the purpose of God.
Throughout Scripture, God continually reveals His own nature, character, mind, thoughts, ways, and works. As His light shines, every lower condition is exposed. The revelation of God is never given merely to increase knowledge; it is given to transform humanity into the image of His Son.
When John beholds the heavenly realm, he is witnessing the fullness of God’s purpose revealed in Christ.
When he beholds the earthly realm, he witnesses God’s transforming work within His people as they grow toward spiritual maturity.
When he beholds the sea, he sees the realm of spiritual blindness, natural understanding, and humanity’s need for the life that only Christ can give.
Seen through this framework, the symbols of Revelation become profoundly Christ-centered. Every vision reveals not merely prophetic events, but spiritual realities that point toward God’s eternal purpose.
For this reason, this volume does not attempt to explain the Seven Last Plagues themselves. Instead, it prepares the reader to understand them.
Before we can understand why the first bowl is poured into the earth, we must first understand what the Spirit reveals by heaven, earth, and sea.
Only after these three spiritual realms are understood can the Seven Last Plagues be viewed through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Preparing to Understand the Seven Last Plagues
Chapter One
John Was in the Spirit: The Source of Every Revelation
Chapter Two
The Three Spiritual Realms: Heaven, Earth, and Sea
Chapter Three
The Heavenly State of Being: The Fullness of Christ Revealed
Chapter Four
The Earthly State of Being: Growth, Mixture, and Spiritual Maturity
Chapter Five
The Sea State of Being: The Natural Mind and Humanity’s Need for New Life
Chapter Six
From Sea to Heaven: God’s Progressive Purpose Revealed
Chapter Seven
God Reveals Himself: Nature, Character, Mind, Thoughts, Ways, and Works
Chapter Eight
The Mind of Christ: The Transformation of Spiritual Consciousness
Chapter Nine
Seed, Blade, Ear, and Full Ear: The Progressive Growth of God’s Kingdom
Chapter Ten
The Overcomers: The Heavenly Realm Manifested in the Firstfruits
Chapter Eleven
Why God Pours His Judgments into the Earth
Chapter Twelve
Preparing to Understand the Seven Last Plagues Through the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Conclusion
The Revelation of Jesus Christ and the Fullness of God’s Eternal Purpose
CHAPTER ONE
JOHN WAS IN THE SPIRIT
The Source of Every Revelation
John Was in the Spirit
Scripture
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”
(Revelation 1:10)
Teaching
The Book of Revelation begins with one of the most important statements in all of Scripture:
“I was in the Spirit.”
Before John saw the throne…
Before he saw the Lamb…
Before he saw the seals…
Before he saw the trumpets…
Before he saw the bowls…
He was in the Spirit.
The Spirit is the source of every revelation John received.
John did not receive the Revelation through the natural mind.
He did not receive it through human wisdom.
He did not receive it through natural sight.
The Spirit of God opened his eyes to behold the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
If we are to understand the Book of Revelation, we must begin where John began.
We must begin in the Spirit.
Come Up Hither
Scripture
“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit…”
(Revelation 4:1–2)
Teaching
The Lord did not leave John looking from the earth.
He called him higher.
“Come up hither.”
The higher John was brought, the more clearly he could see.
The Revelation was not given from the viewpoint of the natural man.
It was given from the Spirit.
From that heavenly perspective, Jesus Christ began unveiling the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
Every vision that follows proceeds from that same heavenly source.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…”
(Revelation 1:1)
Teaching
The Book of Revelation is first and foremost the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is not the revelation of fear.
It is not the revelation of destruction.
It is not the revelation of the beast.
It is the unveiling of God’s Son.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Father continually reveals His Son.
He reveals His nature.
He reveals His character.
He reveals His mind.
He reveals His ways.
He reveals His works.
Every revelation reveals more of Jesus Christ.
As His light shines, everything that is unlike Him is exposed.
Heaven, Earth, and Sea
Scripture
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you…”
(Revelation 12:12)
Teaching
As John continues in the Spirit, every vision unfolds within one of three realms.
He sees heaven.
He sees earth.
He sees the sea.
These three realms appear throughout the Revelation.
Every vision John receives unfolds within one of these three realms.
As we continue through this book, we will follow these three realms from Genesis to Revelation and discover how Jesus Christ uses them to reveal the condition of humanity and the greatness of God’s eternal purpose.
He That Hath an Ear
Scripture
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
(Revelation 2:7)
Teaching
The Holy Spirit is still speaking.
The question is not whether God is speaking.
The question is whether we have ears to hear.
The Revelation was never intended merely to satisfy curiosity about future events.
It was given to reveal Jesus Christ.
As we listen to the Spirit, He opens the Scriptures.
He reveals the Son.
He renews the mind.
He transforms the heart.
He brings His people from glory to glory until they are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Everything begins here.
John was in the Spirit.
CHAPTER TWO
THE THREE SPIRITUAL REALMS
Heaven, Earth, and Sea
Three Realms Revealed
Scripture
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath…”
(Revelation 12:12)
Teaching
As John continued in the Spirit, the Lord continually revealed three realms.
He revealed heaven.
He revealed earth.
He revealed the sea.
These three realms appear throughout the Book of Revelation.
The Lord continually directs John’s attention from one realm to another as He unveils His eternal purpose.
To understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we must first understand these three realms.
Heaven Reveals the Highest State of Being
Scripture
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
(Revelation 14:1)
Teaching
The heavenly realm reveals the highest order of life found in the Scriptures.
Here we see the Lamb.
We see Mount Zion.
We see the Father’s name.
We see the firstfruits.
Everything revealed in heaven bears witness to the fullness of God’s purpose in Jesus Christ.
The heavenly realm reveals a people walking in the life, nature, and mind of Christ.
The Earth Reveals God’s Work of Transformation
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his vial into the earth…”
(Revelation 16:2)
Teaching
The first bowl is poured into the earth.
The Lord begins His dealings here.
The earth reveals a people in whom God is working.
Here truth exposes error.
Here light exposes darkness.
Here the Word of God renews the mind.
Here the Spirit transforms His people from glory to glory.
God never leaves His people where He finds them.
His purpose is always to bring them into the fullness of His Son.
The Sea Reveals the Natural Condition
Scripture
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
(1 Corinthians 2:14)
Teaching
The sea reveals man’s natural condition apart from the life of God.
The natural man cannot receive spiritual truth.
His understanding is limited to the natural realm.
Until God gives life, the kingdom remains hidden from him.
The new birth is God’s answer.
The Spirit gives life.
The Spirit opens blind eyes.
The Spirit begins the work of transformation.
Every Vision Reveals a State of Being
Scripture
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…”
(Revelation 1:10)
Teaching
John remained in the Spirit throughout the Revelation.
From that heavenly position he watched the Lord reveal heaven, earth, and sea again and again.
Every vision revealed one of these three realms.
Every realm revealed a different state of being.
Every state of being revealed the condition of those dwelling there.
As the Revelation unfolds, the Lord progressively reveals His purpose of bringing His people from spiritual darkness into the glorious liberty of the life of Jesus Christ.
The Revelation is the unveiling of that glorious journey.
CHAPTER THREE
THE HEAVENLY STATE OF BEING
Rejoice, Ye Heavens
Scripture
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them…”
(Revelation 12:12)
Teaching
The first realm the Spirit reveals is heaven.
John is in the Spirit, and from that heavenly position the Lord begins unveiling His eternal purpose.
Heaven reveals the highest state of being found in the Scriptures.
It reveals a people who are walking in the Spirit.
A people whose minds have been renewed.
A people who rejoice because they have overcome.
Throughout the Book of Revelation, heaven continually reveals God’s highest purpose in Jesus Christ.
The Throne Reveals God’s Government
Scripture
“And immediately I was in the Spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
(Revelation 4:2)
Teaching
The first thing John saw was the throne.
Everything in the Revelation proceeds from the throne.
The throne reveals God’s government.
God’s authority.
God’s wisdom.
God’s purpose.
Nothing in the Revelation happens apart from the One who sits upon the throne.
The heavenly realm continually directs our attention back to God’s sovereign purpose in Christ.
The Lamb Stood Upon Mount Zion
Scripture
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”
(Revelation 14:1)
Teaching
Mount Zion reveals the highest mountain in the Scriptures.
The Lamb stands there with the firstfruits.
They bear the Father’s name.
His nature.
His character.
His life.
His purpose.
This is the heavenly state of being revealed in its fullness.
Christ is no longer hidden.
He is openly revealed in His people.
Seated Together in Heavenly Places
Scripture
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
(Ephesians 2:6)
Teaching
The heavenly calling is not merely a promise for the future.
It is God’s calling for His people in Christ.
The Father continually calls His children upward.
He calls them to seek those things which are above.
To walk in the Spirit.
To set their affection on things above.
To behold His Son.
As the mind is renewed, Christ is formed within His people, and they grow in the knowledge of the Lord.
The Fullness of Christ
Scripture
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:13)
Teaching
The heavenly realm reveals God’s eternal purpose.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Father is bringing His people into the fullness of His Son.
Every promise points to Christ.
Every covenant points to Christ.
Every revelation points to Christ.
The heavenly realm reveals the highest state of being found in the Scriptures.
It reveals a people walking in the mind of Christ, living in the life of Christ, and manifesting the glory of Christ.
This is the hope set before the Church.
This is the joy of heaven.
This is the fullness of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE EARTHLY STATE OF BEING
The Earth Receives God’s Dealings
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his vial into the earth…”
(Revelation 16:2)
Teaching
The first bowl is poured into the earth.
The Lord begins His dealings here.
The earth reveals a people in whom God is working.
Here the Lord exposes mixture.
Here He reveals truth.
Here He renews the mind.
Here He transforms His people by His Spirit.
The Lord never leaves His people where He finds them.
His purpose is always to bring them into the image of His Son.
Grow Up Into Christ
Scripture
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:15)
Teaching
The earthly state is the place of growth.
The believer has received life, but the Lord continues His work.
He teaches.
He corrects.
He strengthens.
He renews.
He reveals more of His Son.
Every truth the Spirit reveals calls His people to grow up into Christ.
No More Children
Scripture
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine…”
(Ephesians 4:14)
Teaching
The Lord does not desire His people to remain spiritual children.
Children are easily moved.
They are easily influenced.
They are easily discouraged.
The Father patiently teaches His children until they become established in Christ.
As His truth fills the heart, stability replaces uncertainty, and spiritual maturity begins to appear.
Be Ye Transformed
Scripture
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2)
Teaching
Transformation begins with the renewing of the mind.
God changes the way His people think.
He reveals His thoughts.
He reveals His ways.
He reveals His truth.
As the mind is renewed, the believer begins to see through the eyes of the Spirit instead of the wisdom of the natural man.
The more Christ is revealed, the more the old ways of thinking pass away.
Till We All Come
Scripture
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:13)
Teaching
The earthly state is never God’s final purpose.
His purpose is fullness.
Everything the Lord does is leading His people toward maturity.
Every trial.
Every correction.
Every revelation.
Every work of the Spirit.
The Father is faithfully preparing His people for the fullness of Christ.
His work is sure.
His purpose cannot fail.
The One who began a good work will finish what He started until His Son is fully revealed in His people.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE SEA STATE OF BEING
The Natural Man Cannot Receive the Things of the Spirit
Scripture
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
(1 Corinthians 2:14)
Teaching
The sea reveals the natural condition of man.
The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually discerned.
His greatest need is not more knowledge.
His greatest need is life.
Until God gives life, man remains limited by his natural understanding.
Only the Spirit can open his eyes to behold the kingdom of God.
Ye Must Be Born Again
Scripture
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(John 3:3)
Teaching
The Lord Jesus began with the new birth.
Before a man can see the kingdom…
Before he can understand spiritual truth…
Before he can walk in the Spirit…
He must be born again.
God begins by creating a new man.
The new birth is the beginning of a new creation.
It is the beginning of a new life.
The Dead Shall Hear His Voice
Scripture
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”
(John 5:25)
Teaching
The voice of Christ brings life.
The dead cannot give themselves life.
The grave cannot produce life.
Only the Son of God can awaken the dead.
His voice quickens.
His voice raises.
His voice creates faith.
Every new beginning starts with Him.
A New Creature
Scripture
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Teaching
God does not improve the old creation.
He brings forth a new creation.
The new creature has a new life.
A new heart.
A new spirit.
A new beginning.
The old man cannot produce the life of Christ.
Only the new creation can grow into His likeness.
From Death Unto Life
Scripture
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
(Ephesians 2:1)
Teaching
The sea reveals man’s need.
Christ reveals God’s answer.
God finds man dead in trespasses and sins.
He speaks life.
He quickens.
He raises.
He gives sight.
He gives understanding.
He gives His Spirit.
The Lord does not leave man in death.
He brings him into life.
He teaches him.
He transforms him.
He prepares him for the fullness of Jesus Christ.
Every believer begins with the new birth.
Every believer is called to grow.
Every believer is called to behold the glory of the Lord until he is transformed into the same image from glory to glory.
CHAPTER SIX
GOD REVEALS HIS OWN NATURE
God Reveals Himself
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…”
(Revelation 1:1)
Teaching
The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Before God reveals anything about man…
He reveals His Son.
Throughout the Scriptures, God continually reveals Himself.
He reveals His nature.
He reveals His character.
He reveals His mind.
He reveals His thoughts.
He reveals His ways.
He reveals His works.
Everything God reveals bears witness to who He is.
My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts
Scripture
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8–9)
Teaching
God continually calls His people higher.
His thoughts are higher.
His ways are higher.
His purpose is higher.
As the Lord reveals His thoughts, He delivers His people from the limitations of the natural mind.
The more clearly we see Him, the more clearly we understand His purpose.
Beholding His Glory
Scripture
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
Teaching
God changes His people by revealing Himself.
As we behold His glory…
We are changed.
As we behold His wisdom…
Our minds are renewed.
As we behold His love…
Our hearts are transformed.
The revelation of Jesus Christ is always producing the image of Jesus Christ.
The Image of His Son
Scripture
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
(Romans 8:29)
Teaching
God has never changed His purpose.
His desire is to conform His people to the image of His Son.
Every promise.
Every covenant.
Every dealing.
Every revelation.
Every work of the Spirit moves toward this one glorious purpose.
The Father is revealing His Son until Christ is formed in His people.
The Light Shines
Scripture
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
(John 8:12)
Teaching
Light does not struggle with darkness.
It simply shines.
Truth does not struggle with error.
It simply reveals.
When God reveals His Son, every lower condition is exposed.
Darkness gives way to light.
Error gives way to truth.
Death gives way to life.
This is the work of God from Genesis to Revelation.
He continually reveals Himself until His nature, His character, His mind, and His life are manifested in His people.
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Let This Mind Be in You
Scripture
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 2:5)
Teaching
God’s purpose is not merely to change what we do.
His purpose is to change how we think.
The Lord reveals His mind through His Word.
As His truth fills our hearts, our thoughts begin to agree with His thoughts.
Our understanding begins to agree with His understanding.
The mind of Christ begins to replace the natural mind.
This is the work of the Spirit.
We Have the Mind of Christ
Scripture
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 2:16)
Teaching
The natural man cannot know the mind of God.
The Spirit reveals the mind of Christ.
As the believer grows in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord, the wisdom of God replaces the wisdom of this world.
The thoughts of Christ become the thoughts that govern his life.
This is true spiritual growth.
Be Ye Transformed
Scripture
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2)
Teaching
Transformation begins in the mind.
The Lord renews our understanding through His truth.
Old ways of thinking begin to pass away.
The wisdom of this world loses its influence.
The Spirit teaches us to think according to the kingdom of God.
As the mind is renewed, the life of Christ is revealed more clearly within us.
The Wisdom That Is From Above
Scripture
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated…”
(James 3:17)
Teaching
There is a wisdom that comes from beneath.
There is a wisdom that comes from above.
The wisdom from above reveals the nature of God.
It produces righteousness.
It produces peace.
It produces mercy.
It produces the fruit of the Spirit.
The mind of Christ always reveals the character of Christ.
As He Is, So Are We
Scripture
“Herein is our love made perfect… because as he is, so are we in this world.”
(1 John 4:17)
Teaching
The Father’s purpose is to reveal His Son in His people.
As we behold Christ, we begin to think like Him.
As we think like Him, we begin to live like Him.
As we live like Him, His nature is manifested through us.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is continually bringing God’s people into agreement with His mind, His character, His ways, and His life.
This is the renewing of the mind.
This is the transformation of the believer.
This is the mind of Christ.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE WAYS OF GOD
Show Me Thy Ways
Scripture
“And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory… And the LORD said unto Moses… I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee.”
(Exodus 33:18–19)
“He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.”
(Psalm 103:7)
Teaching
Moses did not ask for more miracles.
He asked to know the Lord.
He desired to know God’s ways.
The children of Israel witnessed God’s mighty acts.
Moses came to understand God’s heart.
There is a great difference between seeing what God does and understanding why He does it.
The Lord is continually revealing His ways to those who seek Him.
My Ways Are Higher Than Your Ways
Scripture
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
(Isaiah 55:8–9)
Teaching
The ways of God are always higher than the ways of man.
His wisdom is higher.
His purpose is higher.
His judgments are higher.
His love is higher.
The Lord continually lifts His people above natural thinking until they begin to see life through His eyes.
The higher we see His ways, the more clearly we understand His purpose.
The Way of the Lord Is Perfect
Scripture
“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried…”
(Psalm 18:30)
Teaching
There is no error in the ways of God.
His purpose never fails.
His timing is perfect.
His judgments are righteous.
His mercy endures forever.
Even when we do not understand His ways, we can trust His heart.
Everything He does is working together to accomplish His eternal purpose in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Revealed the Father
Scripture
“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
(John 14:9)
Teaching
Jesus did not merely teach the ways of God.
He lived them.
Every word He spoke…
Every miracle He performed…
Every act of mercy…
Every expression of grace…
Revealed the Father.
If we desire to know the ways of God, we must continually look unto Jesus Christ.
He is the perfect revelation of the Father’s heart.
Walking in His Ways
Scripture
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”
(Psalm 86:11)
Teaching
The Lord does not reveal His ways merely to increase our understanding.
He reveals His ways so that we may walk in them.
The more clearly we know His ways…
The more faithfully we follow His Son.
The more faithfully we follow His Son…
The more His life is revealed through us.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is continually calling God’s people to leave the ways of the natural man and walk in the perfect ways of the Lord.
His ways reveal His nature.
His ways reveal His character.
His ways reveal His mind.
His ways always lead to life.
CHAPTER NINE
THE WORKS OF GOD
God Works After the Counsel of His Own Will
Scripture
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
(Ephesians 1:11)
Teaching
God never works without purpose.
Every work of God proceeds from His own will.
His works are not random.
His works are not reactionary.
His works are the unfolding of His eternal purpose.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Lord is accomplishing exactly what He purposed before the foundation of the world.
My Father Worketh Hitherto
Scripture
“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”
(John 5:17)
Teaching
The Father is always working.
His work did not begin in the Book of Revelation.
His work did not begin at the cross.
His work has been unfolding throughout every generation.
The Son revealed the works of the Father.
Everything Jesus did revealed what the Father was doing.
The works of Christ are the works of God.
The Works Bear Witness of Me
Scripture
“The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.”
(John 10:25)
Teaching
The works of God always reveal Jesus Christ.
His miracles revealed Him.
His mercy revealed Him.
His grace revealed Him.
His truth revealed Him.
Everything the Father does bears witness of His Son.
The works of God are never separated from the revelation of Christ.
It Is God Which Worketh in You
Scripture
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
(Philippians 2:13)
Teaching
The greatest work of God is not merely what He does around us.
The greatest work of God is what He does within us.
He changes the heart.
He renews the mind.
He reveals His Son.
He transforms His people.
Every work of the Spirit is moving us toward the image of Jesus Christ.
The Father is faithfully completing the work He has begun.
The Finished Work Revealed
Scripture
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
(John 4:34)
Teaching
The Lord Jesus came to do the Father’s will.
He came to reveal the Father.
He came to accomplish the Father’s work.
Everything He did testified of God’s eternal purpose.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is the unveiling of that finished work.
The Father continues revealing His nature…
His character…
His mind…
His thoughts…
His ways…
And His works…
Until every enemy is subdued, every promise is fulfilled, and His Son is revealed in His people.
This is the work of God.
This is the purpose of God.
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER TEN
THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST
Till We All Come
Scripture
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:13)
Teaching
God has never changed His purpose.
From Genesis to Revelation, He is bringing His people into the fullness of His Son.
This is the highest calling revealed in the Scriptures.
The Father is not satisfied with spiritual infancy.
He is bringing His people unto a perfect man.
Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Everything He does is leading to this glorious end.
The Firstfruits Unto God
Scripture
“These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.”
(Revelation 14:4)
Teaching
The firstfruits reveal God’s finished work in a people.
They stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
They bear the Father’s name.
They follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.
The firstfruits reveal the fullness of Christ manifested in His people.
They testify that God’s purpose cannot fail.
What God begins, He finishes.
We Shall Be Like Him
Scripture
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
(1 John 3:2)
Teaching
The hope of every believer is to be like Jesus Christ.
The Father is not merely changing our circumstances.
He is changing us.
His purpose is to reveal His Son within His people.
As we behold Him…
We become like Him.
This is the glorious hope of the Gospel.
Christ in You
Scripture
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
(Colossians 1:27)
Teaching
The mystery hidden from ages and generations has now been revealed.
Christ in you.
This is the hope of glory.
The kingdom of God is not merely around us.
The kingdom of God is revealed within us.
The life of Christ grows.
His nature is formed.
His character is revealed.
His mind becomes our mind.
The Father is revealing His Son in His people.
God All in All
Scripture
“And when all things shall be subdued unto him… that God may be all in all.”
(1 Corinthians 15:28)
Teaching
This is the glorious conclusion of God’s eternal purpose.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Father has been revealing His Son.
He has been revealing His nature.
His character.
His mind.
His thoughts.
His ways.
His works.
Every revelation has been leading toward one glorious conclusion.
That God may be all in all.
The sea reveals man’s need.
The earth reveals God’s transforming work.
The heavens reveal the fullness of His purpose.
Everything in the Revelation of Jesus Christ is moving toward this glorious fulfillment.
Jesus Christ revealed in His people.
This is the hope of the Gospel.
This is the purpose of God.
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
PREPARING TO UNDERSTAND THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES
The First Bowl Is Poured into the Earth
Scripture
“And the first went, and poured out his vial into the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”
(Revelation 16:2)
Teaching
The first bowl introduces one of the great lessons of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Lord does not begin by pouring the bowl into heaven.
Neither does He begin by pouring it into the sea.
He pours it into the earth.
The Lord is revealing where His dealings begin.
Before we study the plagues themselves, we must understand the realm into which they are poured.
Only then can we understand what the Spirit is revealing.
Judgment Begins at the House of God
Scripture
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…”
(1 Peter 4:17)
Teaching
The Lord has always begun His work with His own people.
He corrects those whom He loves.
He teaches those whom He calls.
He disciplines those whom He receives.
His purpose is never to abandon His people.
His purpose is to prepare them.
Every dealing of the Lord moves toward the revelation of His Son.
The Refiner’s Fire
Scripture
“But who may abide the day of his coming? for he is like a refiner’s fire… And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
(Malachi 3:2–3)
Teaching
The Lord is a Refiner.
He does not destroy the silver.
He removes the dross.
He does not consume the gold.
He purifies it.
The fire reveals what cannot remain.
The fire separates what is precious from what is worthless.
The Lord’s purpose has always been purification.
Every Man’s Work Shall Be Revealed
Scripture
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire…”
(1 Corinthians 3:13)
Teaching
The fire of God reveals.
Truth reveals.
Light reveals.
Nothing hidden remains hidden when God’s light shines.
Everything is brought into the light.
Everything is measured by Jesus Christ.
What is built upon Him remains.
What cannot endure His light passes away.
The Lord is revealing His Son.
The Purpose of God’s Dealings
Scripture
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
(Hebrews 12:6)
Teaching
The Lord’s dealings always reveal His love.
He is preparing a people for His name.
He is renewing their minds.
He is revealing His nature.
He is revealing His character.
He is revealing His Son.
The Seven Last Plagues cannot be understood apart from the purpose of God.
The Lord is not revealing judgment for judgment’s sake.
He is revealing His righteous ways.
He is revealing His holy nature.
He is revealing Jesus Christ.
As we continue into the study of the Seven Last Plagues, let us remember where every revelation began.
John was in the Spirit.
Everything he saw proceeded from the throne.
Everything he heard revealed the mind of God.
Everything he recorded pointed to Jesus Christ.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Seeing the Seven Last Plagues Through the Spirit
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass…”
(Revelation 1:1)
Teaching
The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Everything John saw revealed the Son.
Every vision.
Every symbol.
Every throne.
Every mountain.
Every trumpet.
Every bowl.
Every plague.
Everything points to Jesus Christ.
When Christ is seen clearly, the Revelation becomes clear.
I Was in the Spirit
Scripture
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…”
(Revelation 1:10)
Teaching
John never lost his position.
He remained in the Spirit.
From that heavenly position he beheld every vision recorded in the Revelation.
He saw heaven.
He saw earth.
He saw the sea.
He saw the throne.
He saw the Lamb.
He saw the overcomers.
He saw the dealings of God.
Everything was revealed from the Spirit.
The Spirit remained the source of every revelation.
He That Hath an Ear
Scripture
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
(Revelation 2:7)
Teaching
The Spirit is still speaking.
The question has never been whether God speaks.
The question is whether we are listening.
The Revelation was given to those who have ears to hear.
It calls the Church to hear the voice of the Spirit.
It calls believers to overcome.
It calls God’s people to behold Jesus Christ.
Come Up Hither
Scripture
“Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
(Revelation 4:1)
Teaching
The Lord called John higher.
He did not leave him viewing the Revelation from the earth.
He brought him into the Spirit.
Every believer receives the same invitation.
Come up higher.
Leave the limitations of the natural mind.
Walk in the Spirit.
Seek those things which are above.
As the Lord opens our understanding, the Scriptures become alive with the revelation of His Son.
The Seven Last Plagues
Scripture
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”
(Revelation 15:1)
Teaching
We have now laid the foundation.
We have seen John in the Spirit.
We have seen the heavenly realm.
We have seen the earthly realm.
We have seen the sea.
We have seen God’s nature.
His character.
His mind.
His thoughts.
His ways.
His works.
Now we are prepared to begin studying the Seven Last Plagues.
As we do, let us remember that the Revelation of Jesus Christ always begins with Him.
He is the Alpha.
He is the Omega.
He is the Beginning.
He is the End.
Every revelation points to Him.
Every truth reveals Him.
Every dealing magnifies Him.
Every promise is fulfilled in Him.
May the same Spirit who revealed these things to John open our understanding, renew our minds, and lead us into the knowledge of Jesus Christ, until His life is fully revealed in us.
To Him be glory, both now and forever.
Amen.
CONCLUSION
JESUS CHRIST REVEALED
The Revelation Belongs to Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him…”
(Revelation 1:1)
Teaching
From the first page of this book to the last, one truth has remained before us.
The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
It is the unveiling of God’s Son.
Every vision John saw revealed Jesus Christ.
Every symbol testified of Jesus Christ.
Every revelation pointed to Jesus Christ.
The Father has always desired to reveal His Son.
John Was in the Spirit
Scripture
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…”
(Revelation 1:10)
Teaching
Everything John saw was revealed while he was in the Spirit.
From that heavenly position, the Lord unfolded His eternal purpose.
John saw heaven.
He saw earth.
He saw the sea.
Every vision unfolded within one of these three realms.
Each realm revealed a different state of being.
The heavenly realm revealed God’s completed purpose.
The earthly realm revealed God’s transforming work.
The sea revealed man’s need for the life of God.
As the Revelation unfolds, the Lord continually calls His people from darkness into light, from immaturity into maturity, and from the natural mind into the mind of Christ.
The Father’s Eternal Purpose
Scripture
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
(Romans 8:29)
Teaching
God has never changed His purpose.
Before the foundation of the world, He purposed to reveal His Son.
Every covenant.
Every promise.
Every prophet.
Every revelation.
Every work of the Spirit.
Everything moves toward one glorious conclusion.
Jesus Christ revealed in His people.
The Father is revealing His nature.
His character.
His mind.
His thoughts.
His ways.
His works.
Until His Son is formed within those who believe.
The Fullness of Christ
Scripture
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:13)
Teaching
The Seven Last Plagues cannot be understood apart from God’s eternal purpose.
The Lord is not merely revealing judgment.
He is revealing Himself.
His truth exposes error.
His light exposes darkness.
His life overcomes death.
His Spirit transforms His people.
Everything God does is moving toward the fullness of Jesus Christ.
This is the hope of the Gospel.
This is the purpose of the Revelation.
This is the purpose of every work of God.
Come Up Hither
Scripture
“Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
(Revelation 4:1)
Teaching
The invitation that was given to John is still being extended today.
Come up higher.
Walk in the Spirit.
Seek those things which are above.
Set your affection on things above.
Allow the Spirit of God to reveal Jesus Christ through the Scriptures.
As His light shines, every lower state of being is exposed.
As His truth is received, the mind is renewed.
As His life is manifested, His people are transformed into His image.
May the Lord grant every reader eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is open to the voice of the Spirit.
May we behold Jesus Christ more clearly.
May we grow in the knowledge of His Son.
May we walk in the Spirit.
May we continue from glory to glory until we come unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
For of Him…
And through Him…
And to Him…
Are all things.
To whom be glory forever.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Introduction
- Revelation 1:10
- Revelation 4:1–2
- Revelation 1:1
- Revelation 12:12
- Revelation 16:2
Chapter One
John Was in the Spirit
- Revelation 1:10
- Revelation 4:1–2
- Revelation 1:1
- Revelation 12:12
- Revelation 2:7
Chapter Two
The Three Spiritual Realms
- Revelation 12:12
- Revelation 14:1
- Revelation 16:2
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
- Revelation 1:10
Chapter Three
The Heavenly State of Being
- Revelation 12:12
- Revelation 4:2
- Revelation 14:1
- Ephesians 2:6
- Ephesians 4:13
Chapter Four
The Earthly State of Being
- Revelation 16:2
- Ephesians 4:15
- Ephesians 4:14
- Romans 12:2
- Ephesians 4:13
Chapter Five
The Sea State of Being
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
- John 3:3
- John 5:25
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Ephesians 2:1
Chapter Six
God Reveals His Own Nature
- Revelation 1:1
- Isaiah 55:8–9
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
- Romans 8:29
- John 8:12
Chapter Seven
The Mind of Christ
- Philippians 2:5
- 1 Corinthians 2:16
- Romans 12:2
- James 3:17
- 1 John 4:17
Chapter Eight
The Ways of God
- Exodus 33:18–19
- Psalm 103:7
- Isaiah 55:8–9
- Psalm 18:30
- John 14:9
- Psalm 86:11
Chapter Nine
The Works of God
- Ephesians 1:11
- John 5:17
- John 10:25
- Philippians 2:13
- John 4:34
Chapter Ten
The Fullness of Christ
- Ephesians 4:13
- Revelation 14:4
- 1 John 3:2
- Colossians 1:27
- 1 Corinthians 15:28
Chapter Eleven
Preparing to Understand the Seven Last Plagues
- Revelation 16:2
- 1 Peter 4:17
- Malachi 3:2–3
- 1 Corinthians 3:13
- Hebrews 12:6
Chapter Twelve
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
- Revelation 1:1
- Revelation 1:10
- Revelation 2:7
- Revelation 4:1
- Revelation 15:1
Conclusion
- Revelation 1:1
- Revelation 1:10
- Romans 8:29
- Ephesians 4:13
- Revelation 4:1
- Romans 11:36
