Revelation book re-published online - The Burning Bush

225 Pages·2011·4.13 MB·English

by  Ivan Foster

Shadow of the
Antichrist
A devotional exposition of
the book of Revelation
by Ivan Foster
Dedicated to the memory of my father-in-law
Charles Alexander Beattie, 1908 - 1963
He had a testimony among his fellow believers as a man of prayer
and extensive and penetrating Biblical knowledge. He was a
foundation member and later an elder and treasurer in the Gospel
Tabernacle, Ballymena, founded by the late Pastor James Kyle
Paisley, after his separation from the Baptist Union of Great Britain
and Ireland in November1933.

Charles Beattie went to be with Christ on 11th January 1963, aged
54. He was a man I was never privileged to meet, yet the on-going
answers to his prayers have benefited and prospered me, my wife
Ann, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.
The character of Charles Beattie may be gauged from a reference to
him in a sermon preached by Pastor Paisley at a Sovereign Grace
Advent Testimony meeting in Highgate Road Chapel in London in
April 1947. The sermon was later published as an article entitled:
‘Reasons why the Great Tribulation must precede the
Church’s translation.’
In the article, there is a section which reads: “There is a young
farmer in the church at Ballymena who studies the Scriptures even
in the fields at his work. One day he came to me and began to talk
about the Coming of the Lord. He said, ‘I believe that the
tribulation and the manifestation of the Antichrist must precede the
Coming of the Lord.’ He asked me to explain to him Revelation
20:4 and 5: ‘And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and
judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that
were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God,
and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither
had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and
they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of
the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This
is the first resurrection.’ Who will take part in the first resurrection,
he desired to know. He pointed out that these were those who lived
during the reign of the Antichrist and had refused his mark and
were martyred for the witness of Jesus and the Word of God.
These souls were raised at the first resurrection. Therefore he said
Christ could not come until the end of the tribulation and the end of
the reign of the Antichrist. It is evident that the Holy Spirit gave this
young man illumination as he studied the Scriptures.”
That man was Charlie Beattie
Acknowledgements
In putting my name to this book, I am made to recognise just how
much of it belongs to others. I am conscious of how much of what
I have put down in these pages has its origins in the expressed
thoughts of those, under whose ministry it has been my privilege to
sit, or whose writings have profited and guided me. Sadly, it is most
likely true that my treatment of the teaching given me has dulled its
edge and clouded its beauty. But we hope that it is not so.
I owe much to many a lengthy discussion I had with Dr. John
Douglas, my esteemed brother-in-law, back in the days following
my conversion. I had the thirst of the new convert and those
discussions laid the foundation of my own investigations into the
revelation given us in the Bible of those things that the Lord would
have us know about the future.
From February 1985 to February 1986 I preached a series of
expository messages on the book of the Revelation. I was
encouraged to embark on such a study by listening to some tapes
of a series of sermons preached by Dr. Alan Cairns in Ballymoney
Free Presbyterian Church. It was in listening to those tapes that I
realised that such a book as the Revelation contained much that was
eminently practical, and its study would provide rich spiritual food
for the child of God. I also learned that those portions, that were
considered as obscure by many Christians, were not really so at all.
It was thus I was prompted to embark on my own pulpit
expositions to my congregation in Kilskeery. Some eight years
later, I repeated those studies in a simplified form in the morning
assemblies of our Christian school in Kilskeery. I gladly
acknowledge the help that Dr. Cairn’s sermon tapes provided.
I am grateful for the helpful observations and suggestions of my
good friend, Mr. Stephen Toms, Secretary of the Sovereign Grace
Advent Testimony. From the time that I first mentioned to him that
I was considering this project he has encouraged me to proceed.

This publication owes much to the labours and the knowledge of
my wife, Ann. She had the privilege of learning the truths contained
in this exposition at her father’s knee and under the ministry of
Pastor Paisley. I would like to think that those times of sweet
fellowship she had with her father around God’s Word were
continued, in some measure at least, in our own times of spiritual
fellowship over the last thirty years. I am indebted to her for her
many helpful suggestions which, undoubtedly, will have improved
the publication. Her patient correcting of the manuscript put the
finishing touches to it. If there is a smoothness to the syntax, the
credit is hers alone.
To the reader I urge one word of counsel. Read this book with your
Bible open at the relevant passage in the book of the Revelation.
Follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11. These were more
noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether
those things were so. May you grow in grace and in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is only a small labour but I must acknowledge the mercy of
my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Without His grace, this witness
for Him could not have been accomplished.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, 1
Timothy 1:12.
Free Presbyterian Manse,
Kilskeery,
1996.

Contents
The preface of the book
The greetings of the apostle
Christ in the midst of the churches
Christ’s messages to the seven churches
The throne set in heaven
The sealed book, the slain Lamb, and the singing
saints
The opening of the seals
The numbered and the numberless multitude
The period of the seventh seal
The mighty Angel and the commissioning of the
prophet
The last two witnesses
Wonders, war and woe
The beast and the false prophet
The Lamb standing on Mount Sion and other latter-
day scenes
The vials of wrath — Part 1
The vials of wrath — Part 2
The great whore of Babylon
Grief and gladness
The end of the old — the beginning of the new
Resurrection, renovation, and retribution
A new heavens, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem
The new Jerusalem
The closing scenes
Appendix
Reasons why the system of Roman Catholicism is not
the Antichrist referred to in Revelation chapter 13
by B W Newton.
Biographical information on Benjamin Wills Newton
Stretching from the border between Scotland and England,
in the north, to the Red Sea in the south east, and over to the
Euphrates River in the north east, the borders of the Roman
Empire excluded Germany which at present is a very
important member of the European Community. When the
Antichrist’s kingdom is consolidated, it will be confined to
those territories which comprised the Roman Empire at its
zenith. It can be seen that great changes have yet to take place
with regard to the present allegiances of those nations which
will make up Antichrist’s kingdom.
The past and ongoing attempts to force Northern Ireland out
of the United Kingdom, and the agitation to have Scotland
secede from the United Kingdom are interesting
developments in the light of the borders of the old Roman
Empire.
Every believer should observe carefully the ebbing and
flowing of political alliances and the gradual emergence of a
political entity within the confines of the old boundaries of
Rome.
THE PREFACE OF THE BOOK.
Chapter 1:1-3.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to
shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;
and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of
Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that
readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep
those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
1:1-3.
The full title of the last book of the Bible is given in its first verse:
the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew
unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Being
the last book of the canon of Holy Scripture, it is of special
significance. It is the closing word of Christ to His church. It
stands in contrast, in many ways, to the first book of the Bible.
In the book of Genesis, you have the creation of the first earth; the
entrance of sin and man lost.
In the book of the Revelation, you have the creation of the new
earth; the final overthrow of sin and the elect saved.
The first three verses form a fitting and an instructive introduction
to the book.
I. The focal point of the book.
This book has been given us by Christ. It is, primarily, the
Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is His revelation to His people. But
it is also a revelation about Christ. Peter said, To him give all the
prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him
shall receive remission of sins, Acts 10:43. Though speaking
retrospectively of the prophets who had gone before, Peter’s words
apply just as surely to John’s prophecies in this book. The book
of the Revelation speaks much of Christ. Many view this book as a
book about future events and personalities. It is true that it reveals
things that must shortly come to pass, but those future things are
revealed in relation to Christ. Thus in 1:7, we have the first of a
number of references in which Christ is the centre of the world’s
attention as He comes again in glory. In 1:13, it is Christ in the
midst of the candlesticks. Again in 4:2 and 5:6, it is Christ in the
midst of heaven’s throne. In chapter 19, He is seen at the head of
the armies of heaven as He comes to destroy Antichrist. In chapter
21:23, He is the light of the Holy Jerusalem.
I repeat, this book centres upon Christ. Indeed, it tells us things
about Christ that are only touched upon in other books. This gives
us all the more reason to study this book. Christ is the One we
should be looking for when we read its pages. While He is not the
exclusive subject of the book, I think it may justifiably be said that
every subject and person, dealt with in this book, are set forth in the
light of God’s glorious purpose in Christ.
This book being full of Christ, it explains why the devil opposes its
study. Many have been deceived into thinking that this book
should not be studied, since it is so mystical and obscure that only
the most advanced Christians may benefit from it. If we look for
Christ in this book we shall find much of Him to the blessing of
our souls and we shall also preserve ourselves from adopting wild
notions and theories about some of the passages that do require
careful study.
As a suggestion, look for the PERSON of Christ to be
revealed in this book.
In the very first chapter, there is a detailed description of the
glorified Christ walking in the midst of the seven golden
candlesticks. Since we shall look at that portion in greater detail
later, suffice it to say that such a description is unique in the New
Testament.
Again, you will find the POWER of Christ revealed in this
book.
Much of the New Testament is taken up with the gospel narrative of
Christ in His humility, walking amongst men. Here we see Him in
the heavens, robed with glory and power and coming to claim His
heritage, promised from all eternity by the Father.
Also, the POSITION of Christ is revealed.
It is so easy to forget, in the midst of the increasingly rebellious