THE SEA OF GLASS

CHAPTER 15

^FOOTNOTES

^{Verse 8}
     See Dedicating the Temple, of this series. All God’s edifices were dedicated before they became operational. This includes the Tabernacle [Exodus 40:34], Solomon’s Temple [1 Kings 8:10-12], Ezekiel’s vision [Ezekiel 10:1-4]; Ezekiel’s Temple was dedicated once through the East Gate and once through the North Gate [Ezekiel 43:4, 5; 44:4], and also the true Temple of God [Revelation 15:8].

Verse 8
     How does the fall of Jericho fit into this prophetic picture? The fall of Jericho is surely a type. How does it fit into the picture of the seven "last plagues"? For six days the priests and the mighty men of valor circled Jericho once each day while the priests blew "seven rams’ horns" (Joshua 6:3-16). On the seventh day they went around seven times blowing the "rams’ horns" and on the final lap all shouted and the wall fell.
       Some have applied these "seven days" to the whole Gospel age, trying to show how each day for the six stages of the Gospel church the saints circled Jericho and then on the seventh Millennial day Jericho is circled with "seven last plagues." This view has a major mathematical problem. It cannot be made to parallel the Revelation scenario.
       Jericho had 6 + 7 = 13 circlings. This is an odd number and does not match Revelation with its "seven trumpets" blown during the seven stages of the church with an additional "seven vials [bowls]" being poured out in the seventh period. Revelation has a perfect sequence of 7 "trumpets" + 7 "vials [bowls]" = 14.

       Several other problems exist with applying the Jericho type throughout the age. First antitypical "Jericho" did not emerge until the time when the Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the religion of the state. The "mystery of iniquity" was at work in the church, but had not emerged as a power. You cannot "circle" something that is within. The antichrist element was still very much inside Christendom in the first two stages of the church.
       The second problem of applying the circling of "Jericho" during the six periods of the church gives the impression that the Lord spent the whole Gospel age trying to defeat this cursed city. The facts seem to indicate that the antichrist system bloodied the true church during a good part of this time and was not holding up in its city limits. The Lord’s conquest would be much too long here.
      The third problem is that the "seven trumpets" of Revelation are not identified with "days." Only the "seventh trumpet" speaks to days saying, "In the days [years] of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished" (Revelation 10:7). The "seven day" siege of Jericho, if we follow the Bible standard of a day for a year, would limit events to seven literal years. This is more likely the case. Let us consider another possible scenario which provides for 6 + 7 =13.

       Noah had "seven days" notice before the flood came (Genesis 7:4). Also it was the Lord that "shut him in" the ark, closing the door (Genesis  7:16). Could this indicate a seven-year period in which the saints on this side the vail are "sealed?" Might it not be that for six of those "seven years" the saints would "trumpet" a message to Christendom causing antitypical "Jericho" to be holding up in the siege. In the last year, "seven plague" messages would be delivered, securing the fall of this city. This would fit 6 + 7 = 13 required here.

       One last observation of the Elijah type that may provide some food for thought. Elijah’s closing experiences seem to compliment that of the "seven last plagues" of Revelation. Elijah in the last seven experiences that ended his career seems to type the "seven last plagues."
       In 2 Kings 1:9-16 shows Elijah in a very strong militant posture. King Ahaziah wished to apprehend Elijah. He sent a captain with fifty soldiers to bring him in. Elijah used the first two endeavors to take him to prove he was a "man of God" by calling fire down from heaven, which consumed both captains with their soldiers. The third captain and his fifty came, pleading for Elijah to spare them and he did. His power had been established. He went with them and pronounced the king would die.
       Then Elijah is given four appointments: (1) Gilgal, (2) Bethel, (3) Jericho and (4) Jordan (2 Kings. 2:1-11). Four plus three gives us "seven." If we have a true reading here, the first three "plagues" of Revelation would be to establish the saints as "men of God." The last four "plagues" would be preparatory for the Lord to "take up Elijah to heaven by a whirlwind" (2 Kings 2:1).

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