This study contains the information that I presented at an inter-denominational bible conference in 1998. This material represents the cutting edge of my theology at that time. I have since developed some new insights but stand by the information stated herein. My hope is that this material will open new vistas in the interpretation and understanding of the book of Revelation.

From a comparative study of the book of Ephesians and the book of Revelation, I have seen a great number of similarities. These similarities are not coincidental. Therefore, the essence of my study is this: The book of Ephesians is a major key in the interpretation of Revelation.

In Revelation, we see the apocalyptic. We see a book full of radical visions. The information communicated in Revelation is communicated by signs. (Rev.1v1) What I have found to be remarkable is this: Ephesians is saturated with many of the same key words, the same concepts, the same themes, and states the same purposes of God as Revelation. But Ephesians doesn’t use visions. It uses straightforward readily understandable language. Because these two books have so much in common, we can gain a great deal of insight into Revelation by studying Ephesians. We can move from the known in Ephesians to the unknown in Revelation. In light of this, I have titled this material, "The Rosetta Stone".

The Rosetta Stone is a stone tablet discovered by members of Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt in 1799. It was found near the town of Rosetta which is 25 miles northeast of Alexandria. This stone tablet is approximately 3 ½ feet long, 2 ¼ feet wide and a few inches thick. It is inscribed in two languages, Egyptian and Greek. The Egyptian is recorded in 2 writing systems, hieroglyphics and demotic script.

For approximately 1500 years, Egyptian hieroglyphics were a mystery. No one understood what they meant or was able to decipher them. The word "hieroglyphic" means sacred carving or sacred signs. Sculptured carvings and pictures were cut by the priests into the stones of the temple walls and on public monuments. They were used from 2700 BC to 100BC. But since then, their meaning had been lost and for 1500 years they were indecipherable. The demotic is also a carved system of writing but it can also be written on flat surfaces.

After the discovery of the rosetta stone, it was placed in the hands of interested scholars. After some struggles to decipher it, a Frenchman by the name of Champollion cracked the code. A key was that the names of Ptolemy and Cleopatra were ring enclosed Royal names. In other words, these names had an oval engraved around them. They called this a "cartouche". This ring was mystically supposed to protect the King from injury or harm. Champollion also employed the Coptic language which was a late form of the Egyptian language. The Coptic was written in the Greek alphabet and supplemented by 7 letters borrowed from the demotic. This enabled him to discover that the Egyptian hieroglyphics represented phonetic sounds.

By studying and understanding the known, that is the text on the stone which was written in Greek, he was able to decipher the unknown. That which had been hidden for 1500 years opened up to him. Champollion was now able to read and understand hieroglyphics. It is my contention that the book of Ephesians which is written in straightforward language is a "Rosetta Stone" that will open up the book of Revelation for us.

My next point is that this approach is viable, predictable and reasonable. Think about it. It was the apostle Paul who established the church in Ephesus. It was the apostle Paul who wrote the letter to the Ephesians as recorded in the new testament. His first visit to Ephesus was brief but his second visit lasted three years. (Acts 19&20) especially Acts 20v31. He was familiar with the city of Ephesus and the church at Ephesus. Some have explained the absence of personal greetings in the letter by proposing that the letter was also sent out to the other churches in the area. If that was the case, it surely must have been sent on to the churches that were along the Roman road that went out from Ephesus. We see the 7 cities and the 7 churches recorded in Revelation in the same order as you would arrive at them if you headed north eastward out of Ephesus.

Ephesians is one of Paul’s four "prison epistles", written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome in 61-63AD. Paul’s letter of second Corinthians was written earlier in 57AD. It is in 2 Cor. 12 v1-4, that Paul states that he had a "revelation", a "vision" of the Lord, some 14 years earlier. In the vision, whether in the body or apart from the body, (he wasn’t sure), Paul recorded how he had been caught up to Paradise, into the third heaven, and heard inexpressible words. He had visions and revelations of the Lord. And he had 18-20 years to think about his revelation of the Lord Jesus and his heavenly vision before he wrote the letter to the Ephesians. Do we doubt that Paul received enormous spiritual illumination from this experience? Do we doubt that Paul would not incorporate the insight that he had received into his writings?

Consider Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. It is recognized by scholars to be the "crown" of Paul’s writings, the "Queen" of the epistles. It has been called the "greatest", the "maturest" and the "most profound" work in the entire bible. It is stated by scholars, that no other book gives such a panoramic view of God’s redemptive purpose "from before the foundation of the world to its consummation in the fulness of Christ". They say that "the breadth of the entire biblical message is encompassed in one brief letter".

Where did Paul get such wisdom, such insight? Certainly it came from diligent study of the old testament. Certainly it came from his personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Certainly it came from hearing the apostle’s account of their 3 ½ years of experience with Jesus and by listening to them repeat the words spoken by Jesus. Certainly it came from prayer and meditation. But, in my opinion, it came from more than this. It came from his own vision and revelation of the Lord as recorded in 2 Cor.12 v 1-4. After thinking and meditating on the heavenly revelation and the visions that he had seen, the Holy Spirit enabled him to understand it and he was now able to write it down in a comprehensive way as recorded in the letter to the Ephesians.

The next point is this: the church at Ephesus later became the headquarters for John the apostle. He made his home there. He became the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was his homebase as he reached out to the churches of Asia Minor that were on the circular Roman road that linked them together. Therefore it seems possible, reasonable, and even predictable that John would have been very familiar with Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It is my opinion that John had read, studied, and integrated the thinking of Paul and the letter to the Ephesians into his own mind. John was later exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received visions, a revelation of Jesus Christ. He had already been prepared by the blueprint of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to understand and record the vision.

God always uses two or more witnesses. The book in the Old Testament that most closely resembles Revelation is Ezekiel. This book provides major clues for the interpretation of Revelation. The book in the New Testament that most closely resembles Revelation is Ephesians. This is not intended to override the fact that the statements and even the actions of Jesus as recorded in the four gospels contain significant similarities to Revelation. Scholars have seen the clear similarities as illustrated in the Olivet discourse in the synoptic gospels with Revelation. I have heard it said that Revelation itself is John’s Olivet sermon. I have gone even further and have noted extensive similarities throughout all four gospels. A common denominator is the ethical teachings of Jesus ( found especially the Sermon on the Mount) relating to the kingdom of God and the ramifications thereof. But as we will see, Ephesians is different. The connections from the gospels need interpretation. Ephesians "IS" interpretation.

This brings us to the next step. The proof of the cooking is in the eating. Does the book of Ephesians actually contain keys to interpret, understand and even explain Revelation? There are four ways that we can compare these two books. They are by purpose, theme, concepts, and words. It is my contention that both of these books contain the same revelation of God’s purpose, demonstrate the same themes, explain them using the same concepts and even link them using many of the same words.

For the sake of brevity I will be stating the highlights of my study. My purpose is to open a door for you. By personal follow up, you will be able to search out the depths of this.

To begin, it is pivotal to recognize the similar way in which Ephesians and Revelation declare the purpose of God. When we see the forest, we can make sense of the trees. When we see and understand God’s purpose, we then can correctly identify the details.

#1 God’s purpose is to "Redeem" from sin , Satan, and death. Ephesians uses words like "forgiveness" and "redemption". Eph.1 v14,7. Revelation uses words like "released" and "purchase". Rev.1v5, 5v9, 14v3. God accomplished this by the blood of Christ, the blood of the cross. Eph.1v7, 2v13,16. Revelation recognizes the "blood". Rev.1v5 It is the blood of the Lamb. Rev.7v14, 12v11. The Lamb is central in Revelation. The term referring to Christ is used 28x.

#2 God’s purpose is to bring all the created universe under the headship of King Jesus. This is the Kingdom of God. Eph.1v9,10,20&22 state this purpose. The importance of Eph.1v10 cannot be overrated. This is one of the clearest and most powerful statements of God’s purpose in the entire Bible. Everything that is written in the bible must be considered in light of this verse. Eph.1v20 & 22 declare the coronation of the Lord Jesus. In Rev.5, we see Jesus, the Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David; approaching the Throne. We are witnessing His coronation as King. In Rev.5v11-13, all the unfallen universe praises Him and recognizes Him as King. Rev.17v14 & 19v16 recognize Him as King of Kings. He now sits with the Father on the throne. Rev.3v21 & 5v13. Both Ephesians and Revelation state that God will have His King rule and reign over His kingdom.

#3 God’s purpose is to give the world, even the cosmos, a revelation of Himself. Twice Paul prays for the saints in Ephesus, that the eyes of their hearts may be opened to understand and even experience the fullness of God. Eph.1v17,18, & 3v14-20. Paul even uses two of the same words that John will use in Revelation. He uses the words "Mystery" and "Revelation". Eph.3v3,4. Here we are seeing a major key and a clear connection. The book of Revelation begins with these words, " the Revelation of Jesus Christ". Rev.1v1. The whole book is an explanation of these 5 words. Rev.10v7 speaks of the "mystery". Rev.22v4,5 speak of the fulness of the "illumination" that the saints will receive. Both Ephesians and Revelation explicitly state that they are a revelation of the mystery of Jesus Christ.

#4 God’s purpose is to depose Satan. He has used His Christ and He will use His church to do this. Ephesians and Revelation reveal this purpose and this warfare. Ephesians speaks of God subjecting "all" under the feet of Christ and by inference, under the feet of the church. Eph.1v22 & Rev.2v26,27. Paul speaks of tearing down Satan’s weapons of sin, death, disobedience, rebellion, lust, and the flesh by the spiritual weapons of grace, mercy, kindness, forgiveness and love, the word of God, prayer, and the blood of the cross. Christ will even use the church to affect the heavenly beings in light of His eternal cosmic purpose. Eph.3v10. By descending to earth, Christ has been able, by His victory to set the captives free and make them part of the heavenly ones (i.e. the spiritual ones) Eph.4v8-10. In Eph.6v10-19 we see the church, (the body and bride of Christ) engaging Satan, evil and darkness in a spiritual battle on behalf of the Lord Jesus.

The same purpose of God is prominent in Revelation. In Revelation, Christ deals with sin. He has released His people from its dominion. Rev.1v5 He has dealt with death. His death and resurrection are the surety of ours. Rev.1v17 & 18. At His coronation as King, Christ received all power and authority symbolized by the 7 horns. Rev.5v6 Now, He sends His church into all the earth. They will be His agent, His horse in battle against the powers of evil. Rev.6 As Christ broke the powers of evil at the cross of calvary, so also does the church by the preaching of the gospel. Rev.2v26,27. We see the battle in Rev.11. It is the witness of the church and thereby bringing on herself the same persecution as her Lord received. Satan engages the faithful covenant people. Rev.12v17. This warfare continues through the book until the climax. The ones who battle on the Lamb’s side are "the called, the chosen, the faithful". Rev.17v14. The saints are described in similar terms in Eph.1v1,4,18. In Rev.16 & 19, we see the battle in its final stages. The book of Ephesians has helped us to understand that the battle in Revelation is a spiritual battle. It makes sense of the imagery for us. The enormous amount of information in Revelation about warfare is indecipherable without the insight that comes from the book of Ephesians.

#5 God’s purpose is to unite, to link up with, to bond with His people in the highest spiritual sense. The book of Ephesians is saturated and steeped in covenant theology. The eternal purpose of God as expressed in the covenant, is that He will be their God and they will be His people. Paul in Ephesians spends much time declaring this purpose. The metaphors in Ephesians that describe this union are that of the "heirs", the "body", the "bride", and the "temple". There is the purpose of "oneness" described in Eph.4v4-6. There is the purpose of "fullness" described in Eph.3v19 & 4v13. The different metaphors describe different characteristics and aspects of the bond of access, unity, and relationship. Eph.2v18,21, 22.

The book of Revelation also states this covenantal purpose of unity. Revelation is literally saturated with covenant theology and covenant terminology. Jesus is the One who loves us. Rev.1v5 He stands in the middle of the lampstands which are the 7 churches declaring His oneness and solidarity with His people. Rev.1v13,20. He walks among the churches, the lampstands. Rev.2v1, Lev.26v11,12. He invites the overcomer to sit with Him on His throne. Rev.3v21. He is their Shepherd and Guide. Rev.7v17. They are before the throne. Rev.7v15. The church, the Israel of all ages constitute the Bride of Christ. Rev.21v9. They are His people and He is their God Who dwells among His people as stated 3x in Rev.21v3. This intimate union depicted in the Immanuel principle is the climax that the book of Revelation has been driving toward. To understand this purpose in light of the clear language of the book of Ephesians opens up and unveils the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Eph.5v32, speaking of Christ and His Bride says this: "This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and His Church. Verse 31 states: " the two shall become one flesh". Ephesians, more than any other book in the New Testament, states God’s eternal purpose, how He has and how He will affect it, and the goal, end, or outcome to which He is moving. Ephesians contains interpretation and explanation. By recognizing this in Ephesians, and seeing the correspondences with Revelation, we now have a framework and basis for the interpretation of Revelation. Revelation, as you’ve already seen, is a more spiritual book than we’d ever imagined.

I will now move into considering the themes that Ephesians and Revelation have in common. We will see that the themes overlap with the eternal purposes of God.

#1 The major theme in the book of Ephesians is the church. It is all about the church. Significantly, Revelation is also all about the church. Revelation is called the "Revelation of Jesus Christ". Rev.1v1 It is important to note that throughout the book of Revelation, Christ is always described in terms of: #1 What He has done for the church. #2 What He does in the church. #3 What He does through the church. #4 What He does in relationship with the church. #5 How He relates to the enemies of the church, in the same way that it is laid out in the book of Ephesians. Christ and the church form an inseparable bond both in Ephesians and Revelation.

In Rev.2 & 3, we see the 7 churches. In Rev.1 & 2, Jesus is walking in the midst of the church. In Rev.5, we see that Jesus has purchased the church. In Rev.6, He sends the church out as His representative to do battle; to overcome and conquer as He has. In Rev.7, we see the totality of the church.. In Rev.8 & 9, we see the enemies of the church. In Rev.10 & 11, we see the activities, warfare, and mission of the church. The church preaches the gospel, she prophesies, she preaches a message of judgment. In Rev.12 & 13, we see the persecution of the church. In Rev.14, we see the flipside of Rev.13. We see the description, the status, and the protection of the church. In Rev.15 we see the totality of the victorious church. In Rev.16-18; we see God answering the prayers of the saints and judging the internal and external enemies of the church. In Rev.19 & 21, we see the wedding of the church. In Rev.21 & 22, we the eternal abode of the church. In Rev.22, we see Christ coming for His church.

In Ephesians & Revelation, the enemies of God are the enemies of the church. Through the preaching of the gospel, Christ and His church have been making friends out of their enemies. Both Ephesians and Revelation are all about the church.

#2 Another major theme in the book of Ephesians is that of "oneness". I have already stated it as a purpose. It so saturates Ephesians, that it also must be called a theme. Ephesians especially tells us that Gentiles are included in the commonwealth of Israel, partakers of the covenant promises and part of God’s spiritual temple. Eph.2v11-22., 3v1-11. There is a 7 fold oneness in Eph.4v4-6. One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all. Seven is the number of perfection, completeness, and fulness. As we know, 7 is one of John’s favorite numbers in Revelation. The ultimate statement of Oneness in Ephesians is in chapter 5v31, where Christ and His Bride become one flesh. Paul uses 4 metaphors of Oneness that each emphasize a different characteristic of this Oneness. The metaphor of the heir, the son, emphasizes the family relationship; the temple, the spiritual relationship, the body, the practical relationship, the bride, the intimate covenant relationship.

Does Revelation incorporate this theme? Yes. There is the Kingdom under the King. Rev.1v6,5. There are the 7 churches, depicting unity and completeness. They are the blood bought ones of Rev.5v9,10. They are "from every tribe, tongue, people and nation". John uses 4 metaphors to describe the universal character of the kingdom. This concept is repeated 6 more times in Rev. 7v9, 10v11, 11v9, 13v7, 14v6, & 17v15 for a total of 7x. Rev.11v15 speaks of the consummation of the kingdom under Christ; the Universal reign of Christ. The redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, (Rev.15v3), linking both the old testament and the new testament believers into one Group. Rev.15v4 says: "all nations will come and worship before Thee". These are the nations of the saved. Rev.21v24.

In Rev.13v8,6,7, "all" who dwell on the "earth" worship the beast, juxtaposed to the saints, that is, those who dwell in "heaven". The ones who dwell in heaven are the saints who have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. This again identifies the universal nature of the kingdom of evil and the universal nature of the kingdom of God. We now begin to understand that "heaven" and "earth" are symbolic of spiritual realities. This helps us to recognize another theme in Ephesians and Revelation. It is "Worship". And worship is depicted as warfare.

In Rev.21, we see the symbols of the bride, the temple, and the city. These are all symbols of the universal nature of God’s kingdom, the oneness of the O.T. and N.T. saints, and the oneness of Jews and Gentiles. We see One city built on 12 foundation stones, having the names of the 12 apostles on them. The city has 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel on them. Here we see the unity and oneness of O.T. Israel and the church. There are 4 gates. There is one on the east, the north, the south, and the west. We are seeing 4 fold, universal access to the kingdom. The Lamb is the sanctuary, the temple, in Rev.21v22. Rev.21v24 & 26 speak of how the Nations of the saved enter into the city and therefore have unimpeded access to God.

The straightforward understandable language of Ephesians has demonstrated that God’s purpose is to have one church, one body, one temple, one bride, one nation; made up of believing Jews and Gentiles. Paul even goes to the cosmic level to include heavenly beings. This information, which is a clear and obvious theme in Ephesians, therefore is the key to understanding the metaphors and visions in Revelation. It makes sense of the 7 lampstands, the 7 churches, the 144,000’s, the great multitude, the 2 witnesses, the 2 olive trees, the temple of God, the woman clothed with the sun, the priests, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, and the Bride of Christ, that we find depicted in Revelation.

There are other themes that Ephesians and Revelation have in common.

#3 One would be the "In Christ" motif in Ephesians as it relates to the covenant theology and structure found both in Ephesians and Revelation.

#4 Another would be that of spiritual warfare. The armor of the spiritual man in battle of Eph.6, relates directly to the spiritual blessings of Eph.1v3. The power and authority of the saints is rooted in the sure knowledge of what God has done for them "In Christ". Because they understand and experience the identity of who they are "In Christ", God works in them and through them to bring His purposes to fruition. They have bought in to Him heart, mind, and soul.

In Revelation, a 7 fold blessing (Rev.1v3,14v13,16v15,19v9,20v6,22v7,14) is pronounced on the ones who are in active warfare on behalf of their Lord. The purpose of the church is to be a light, a lampstand, in a dark world. Christ’s messages of strength, encouragement, comfort and warning to the 7 churches in Rev.2 & 3 each contain a vision of one of His own personal attributes and characteristics found in John’s description of Him in Rev.1. The church through the ages is to find her strength in Christ. The crucified, resurrected, ascended, glorified, coronated Christ has the allegiance of His blood bought church. They are to overcome as He has overcome. Rev.3v21 A constant ever deepening repentance characterizes the church. They have overcome Satan "because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony". Rev.12v11, Eph.6v11,12.

#5 Another theme that we find in Ephesians and Revelation is that of "the even now and the not yet", the inauguration and consummation of the kingdom of God. Eph.1v21 speaks of "this age and the age to come". For Paul, Christ has taken His seat at the right hand of God as King and has began to reign and rule. The kingdom of God is the rule of God. He is now actively working out His purposes that are based on His achievement at Calvary. Every spiritual blessing is ours now in Christ. He is working through the blessed ones until the "whole building is fitted together", until the mystery is complete and Christ and His church become One flesh. Eph.2v21,5v31,32.

Scholars have developed the Preterist, or Historicist, or Futurist, or Idealist views to make sense of Revelation. By recognizing that the kingdom was inaugurated at the coronation of Jesus (preceded by the resurrection), and finds its fulfillment and consummation at the marriage supper of the Lamb, we begin to recognize that all of these views have some validity in what they affirm. Link this with the covenantal concept of conditionality and the picture takes shape. The church in her fulness in Ephesians is represented by the metaphor of the Bride. This metaphor helps us to see that the goal is "consummation". Our inheritance is God Himself. We have only the first portion. We anticipate the fulness in the age to come. Eph.2v7, 1v11-14, 3v19-22, 4v13 ,1v21. In Revelation, the kingdom of God is a present reality. Rev.1v6, 12v10 Nevertheless, the kingdom to come is still anticipated. Rev.11v15,17; 15v3,4. John expected that the Coming of Christ was imminent, but he made provision for a time lapse before Christ’s return. Rev.1v1,3, & 22v6,7,12,20. Rev.1v19. The climax towards which the book of Rev. is moving is the consummation, the marriage supper of the Lamb. Rev.19v7,8. , 21v9-11. Rev.21v3 states: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them". When we realize that everything in Revelation is driving towards this goal, it enables us to gain insight and perspective into what precedes it. Everything that goes before it must be considered in light of this. Ephesians corroborates this and helps us to understand and even anticipate this.

I will now briefly state some of the concepts that Ephesians and Revelation share.

#1 There is the concept of the spiritual blessings. Eph.1v3, / Rev.1v3

(as I mentioned earlier, there is a seven fold blessing that runs through Revelation)

#2 There is the concept of the earthly and the heavenly. The earthly ones are the spiritually dead. The heavenly ones are seated in heavenly places with Christ. Eph.2v1-3,6 / Rev.3v21; 13v6-8,11-14; 14v1,2.

#3 There is the concept that Christ is the pattern for the church. What Christ does, the church does. Eph.4v32, 5v1,2. & 6v12 / Rev.2v26,27 &3v21.

#4 There is the concept of the old and the new. Eph.4v22-24 / Rev.21v1,5.

#5 There is the concept of light and darkness. Eph. 4v17,18; 5v8-13 / Rev 8v12, 16v10, 21v23-25, 22v5.

#6 There is the concept of the priesthood. Peace with God, access, inclusion, status, covenant promises, inheritance, and participation in the service of the temple are for all who have been reconciled by the blood of the cross. Through the gifts, the one body is built for service. Eph.2v11-22, 3v14-21, 4v8-16 / Rev.1v6, 5v10, & Rev.11.

#7 There is the concept of worship. The ones who worship in Ephesians are the ones who serve the Lord. They have changed their allegiance, have received a new status, they work together to build up the temple, they are witnesses of the mystery of God and they follow their Lord in battle by preaching the gospel. Eph.2v13, 3v9,10; 4v12, 6v19. In Revelation, the priests of God minister to Him and worship Him. They give witness and testimony to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev.5v11-14 They as martyrs are even willing to lay down their lives for Him. Rev.14v6,7; 12v11, 11v7.

#8 There is the concept of blood atonement. Eph.1v7, 2v13,16. The central symbol in Revelation for Christ is the Lamb. The term is used 28x. He is the Lamb standing as if slain before the throne. Rev.5v6. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev.13v8. The saints overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb. Rev.12v11 is the very peak of the mountain in the chiastic structure of the book. It’s important.

#9 The concept of sealing is found in Ephesians and Revelation. Eph.1v13,14; 4v30 / Rev.7v2-4, 9v4, 14v1. The first portion of the inheritance is for those who hear the gospel and believe. They receive the indwelling Holy Spirit. God Himself is their Portion and very great Reward. It is a statement to themselves and to the universe that they are now in God’s kingdom. The seal of the Spirit is the seal of ownership. They are the blood purchased ones. The seal in Ephesians is eschatological. The saints are sealed "for the day of redemption". God doesn’t move in wrath until He has placed His own Name on those who will believe as He patiently and mercifully waits.

#10 There is the concept of Divine Rulership. Four times Ephesians speaks of God’s "will". Twice, in Eph.1v9,11; we read about God’s "purpose". In Ephesians, we read that God has "predestined", that He has "chosen". Eph.1v4,5. In Eph.1v18, we read about His "calling". In Eph.1v9, we read about His "intention". And all of this extends from before the foundation of the world (Eph.1v4) until the consummation when all things in heaven and earth find their fulness and summation . In other words, God has a plan and a goal. He is acting in time and through His Christ. He will bring His plan to fruition. In other words, God is on the throne. He is in control.

We see the same concept in Revelation. Seventeen times, in Rev. chapters 4 & 5, we read the word "Throne". We see a vision of God sitting on the throne. In Rev.4v11, we read of His "will". God has created. Rev.4v11. He has redeemed. Rev.5v9 On this basis, He is worthy to rule. Rev.5v13. He is in control. As Divine Ruler, He will bring His purposes to pass. He has seated His Divine Son upon the throne as the Sovereign of the universe, the cosmos. He will make His enemies a footstool for His feet. He will bring His Bride into His own house.

In conclusion, my position is that the book of Ephesians is a "Rosetta Stone’ that enables us to understand the visions, the pictures, the sacred hieroglyphics of the Book of Revelation. The ancient Egyptian priests cut sacred pictures into the walls of their temples, and we call them hieroglyphics. Only the initiated, only the priests, understood the mystical language of their religion. Over 1500 years later, by deciphering the names of Ptolemy and Cleopatra in the royal cartouche, the mystery was unveiled.

Today, we too, as priests, with unveiled faces, can have a revelation of the Lord. All we need to recognize is that God’s cartouche, pervasive in the book of the Revelation, contains a picture of Christ the Lamb, and His Bride the Church. Rev.1v1,5,6; 7v15,17; 14v1; 17v14; 19v14; 21v3,9; 22v17. The language of Revelation is pictorial but it is not phonetic. It is spiritual. The book of Revelation is more spiritual than we’d ever believed.

I pray that the eyes of your heart and mine has been enlightened so that we each might know the hope of His calling and understand and even experience a greater revelation of the mystery of His glory and hope of His calling. May we each recognize and experience the power of His love that He has planted in us and desires to flow through us. My hope is that you have caught a glimpse of the spiritual nature and the spiritual realities of God’s purpose as revealed by both Ephesians and Revelation. For too long, a literal approach or a wooden approach, or an interpretive approach that superimposes our preconceived notions on Revelation has been unsatisfactory.

The spirituality of the book based on eternal spiritual principles must be seen as the center and core of the message found in Revelation. Now with the Rosetta Stone of the book of Ephesians to compare it to, the doors have opened.