The Sabbath And The Apocalyptic Vision-2

March 13  The Sabbath And The Apocalyptic Vision-2

 


The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 12:17.

Bates' discovery of the sanctuary teaching of Revelation 11:19 naturally led him to Revelation 12. That chapter is a historical portrayal of the Christian church from Christ's birth up to the end of time, during which the dragon (identified as "the Devil and Satn" in verse 9) becomes angry with the woman (the church) and goes off "to make war on the rest of her offspring" who "keep the commandments of God"(Rev. 12:17, RSV).

At that point Jeseph found the link between Revelation 11:19 and 12:17. Not only would the second apartment of the heavenly snactuary be opened at the end of time, revealing the ark containing the Ten Commandments, but those very commandments were were featured at the end-time climactic point of chapter 12.

In his study Bates concluded that not only would the Ten Commandments be restored at the end of time, but that conflict would mainly involve one commandment-the Sabbath, the one that had been changed by the church (see Dan. 7:25). He would read on to see that commandment pinpointed in Revelation 14:7.

As Bates put it, "that there will yet be a mighty struggle about the restoring and keeping of the seventh day Sabbath, that will test every living soul that enters the gates of the city, cannot be disputed. It is evident the Devil is making war on all such. See Rev. 12:17. 'Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.' Amen." With those words he closed the 1847 edition of this Seventh-day Sabbath.

His discoveries in the book of Revelation overwhelmed Bates. Not only would God have a "remnant" who would keep the Sabbath at the end of time, but there would be discord over that commandment. That conclusion would become even firmer as he studied Revelation 13 and 14.

It is impossible to know how clearly Bates saw it, but Revelation 12:17 is the key text of the rest of Revelation. Most immediately, chapter 13 expands on the dragon power of 12:17 and chapter 14 teh last-day woman. Both chapters reflect conflict over the allegiance of God's people in the last days. Beyond that, Revelation 15-19 builds upon chapters 13 and 14, as they flesh out end-time prophetic events.

Help us, Lord, to study these momentous passages with more care.