Unlocking Bible Prophecy: Psalms Insights and Symbolism

Allusions Images Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy Lesson 8 In the Psalms: Part 1

Memory Text Revelation 14:1 NKJV Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. What allusions, images, or symbols do you see in this verse, and from where do they come? Lamb Mt. Zion 144,000 Father s Name Foreheads

Overview Many of the allusions, images, and symbols that appear in Revelation refer back to OT Scriptures. The Psalms repeatedly refer to the house of the Lord, the temple, the sanctuary, to Jerusalem and Zion, to those who value the worship of God and those who do not. These references find their ultimate fulfillment in the Lord dwelling with His redeemed, forever, in the kingdom of God. Marching to Zion Character of the Sealed Psalmist Pictures of the Redeemed Fruits of Forgiveness Summary

Marching to Zion In His most famous Psalm, where does David desire to dwell? (Ps 23:6) How did David feel about the call to worship in Zion? (Ps 122:1-4) What did David encourage the worshippers to pray for as they worshipped? (Ps 122:6-9) What makes Zion attractive to more than just the Israelite people? (Ps 87:3-6)

Character of the Sealed Read Rev 14:1-5 What does it mean to: Have God s name written in your forehead? (Ex 33:18-19; 34:5-7) Be a spiritual virgin? Follow the Lamb? Be first fruits? Be blameless? How can we develop these characteristics now before the great tribulation is unleashed?

Psalmist Pictures of the Redeemed How do some of the Psalms capture the character qualities of the 144,000? Psalm 84:2 Psalm 15:1-3 Psalm 24:3-5

Fruits of Forgiveness How many of the 10 commandments did David break in his affair with Bathsheba? Why do you think God inspired David to write Psalm 51? What did repentance and confession do for David? (Psalm 51:9-15) How is David s experience an essential prerequisite for Adventists who are called to proclaim the three angels messages of Revelation 14: 6-12? (Rev 14:6)

Summary The OT in general and the Psalms in particular provide images, symbols, and allusions that are woven into the narrative of Revelation. The Psalms repeatedly refer to the house of the Lord, the temple, the sanctuary, to Jerusalem and Zion, to those who value the worship of God and those who do not. These references find their ultimate fulfillment in the end time events of Revelation where Zion becomes the New Jerusalem, where God Himself dwells with His people, and the redeemed of all nations find eternal joy, peace, security, and love. The 144,000 of Rev 7 and 14 are sealed in their foreheads with the name of God.

Summary God s name is synonymous with His character, so these end time saints are pictured as standing victoriously with the Lamb (Jesus) on Mt. Zion (the New Jerusalem) having God s law (a transcript of His character) written on their hearts and following Jesus wherever He goes (surrendered fully to Him) and living in His presence. A number of psalms also express the desire for living in the presence of God and for developing a godly character that is obedient to the commandments and that obtains a righteous from God through repentance and forgiveness of sins.

Summary In Psalm 51, David bares his soul before the Lord and before us, with a beautiful prayer of confession, repentance, asking for forgiveness and restoration so that he might again experience the joy of the Lord and the power of the Spirit in his life. This can be a model prayer for us as we acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness. The everlasting gospel is that Christ died for our sins and rose again, and we can be forgiven by trusting Him for the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. Has the everlasting gospel made a difference in your life? Are you ready to share the gospel with someone today who needs Jesus?

Psalm 23:6 ESV Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. [R]

Psalm 122:1-4 ESV I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" 2Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3Jerusalem--built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. [R]

Psalm 122:6-9 ESV Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!" 8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!" 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. [R]

Psalm 87:3-6 NLT O city of God, what glorious things are said of you! 4I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me--also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! 5Regarding Zion it will be said, "Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there." And the Most High will personally bless this city. 6When the LORD registers the nations, he will say, "They have all become citizens of Jerusalem." [R]

Revelation 14:1-5 (NIV) 14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father s name written on their foreheads. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. [R]

Exodus 33:18-19; 34:5-7 (NIV) Ex 33:18 Moses said, "Please show me your glory." 19 And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy . Ex 34:5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty " [R]

Psalm 84:2 ESV My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Psalm 15:1-3 ESV O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? 2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

Psalm 24:3-5 ESV Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. [R]

Psalm 51:9-12 NKJV 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Psalm 51:13, 15 NKJV Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. ... 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. [R]

Revelation 14:6 KJV And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, [R]