“BLOOD” (REV. 7)

INTRODUCTION:

1. The way blood circulates in the body is fairly common knowledge.

2. Man understands how the human heart, arteries, veins and blood work.

3. What we know is fairly new information. Until the mid-1600’s this information was not a given fact.

4. Last week I dealt with the bulk of Rev. 7.

5. At the end of Rev. 7 John refers to blood.

6. This is not the only time he uses this word in this book – it occurs in other places.

7. Some words deserve special attention – “blood” is one of these words.

8. Tonight we are going to base our study upon this single word. Our study starts in Rev. 7:14 – READ.

I. JOHN USED THE WORD BLOOD. HE WAS NOT THE FIRST INSPIRED MAN TO USE THIS WORD, AND AS I HAVE SAID, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THE WORD “BLOOD” OCCURS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

A. We need to start with the OT and see what we can discover about blood.

B. In both testaments, blood described the red fluid that flows through the veins of men and animals.

C. In many places the word is used literally.

D. There are also times when the word is figurative.

E. For example scripture speaks about the moon being turned into blood.

F. If anyone can imagine the moon becoming a literal mass of blood they have a good imagination.

G. In the OT the Hebrew word for blood is used 362 times. It was a common word.

(1) In these 362 passages we find references to the blood of animals.

(2) The blood of birds is spoken about in the OT.

(3) The blood of men is mentioned.

(4) We do not, however, find references to fish blood.

H. Out of 362 times the word “blood” occurs, 203 of the references describe a violent death.

I. Seven of the other texts join the idea of “life” with “blood”.

(1) This has created a debate.

(2) Are blood and death related? Are blood and life related?

(3) From what I can determine both points are true.

J. Another 17 verses speak about eating meat and blood.

K. The final 32 references might be called miscellaneous references.

L. In the OT, the book of Leviticus is the book where blood is most often mentioned.

M. We find the word “blood” used 88 times in this book.

N. The book of Ezekiel mentions “blood” 55 times.

O. Exodus uses the word 29 times, Deuteronomy 23 times and Psalms 21 times.

P. The OT pays a great deal of attention to blood.

Q. We know the Jews were forbidden from drinking blood.

R. This was an absolute DON’T for the Hebrew people.

(1) One of the reasons for this may have been because of the neighbors of Israel.

(2) We know about some of the things done by non-Hebrews.

(3) Pagan sacrifices wee offered. Children were sacrificed. Idols were built.

(4) Israel’s neighbors may have also drunk blood.

(5) There is information (Brown, Vol. 1, p. 221) that says people drank blood to bring rain, welfare, love, or harm.

(6) It was taught by some that the drinking of blood, especially if it had been taken from a dead enemy, would bring strength and the gift of prophecy.

(7) The Jews may have been forbidden from drinking blood because this was a pagan practice.

S. If this reason is right, this was not the major reason for the rule.

T. One well-known passage that discusses blood is Lev. 17:11. READ.

U. “Life” is “in the blood”.

(1) If I understand this statement, the source of our life is blood.

(2) In other words, blood is like our soul (life force; not to be separated).

(3) With blood, we live. Without it, we die. The same is true of the soul.

(4) As our souls and spirits come from God, our blood comes from God.

(5) Acts 17 says that of “one blood God made all nations”. V. 26

(6) Blood exists because of God.

(7) From what I find in scripture, blood belongs to God.

(8) This is true of both human blood and animal blood.

(9) It is for this reason that Gen. 4:10 reads as it does.

(10) This reference is interesting by itself. When combined with some other verses it is even

more fascinating.

V. READ Gen. 4:10.

W. God said, “The blood is crying unto Me.”

X. There may be more to this than I understand. One thing seems certain.

Y. This blood belonged to God and someone unlawfully took it.

(1) The blood was crying out, as it were, to its owner.

(2) The owner was God.

Z. Gen. 4:10 hints at a truth that is found in other parts of the OT.

A. There are places in the OT where blood means “life”.

B. This point is well illustrated in Gen. 4 as well as Gen. 9:4.

C. God spoke to Noah after the flood and said that “blood” is life.

D. READ Gen. 9:4.

E. Lev. 17:14 makes the same point in a slightly different way. READ.

F. Deut. 12:23 is too plain for anyone to misunderstand. READ.

G. If life and blood are connected:

(1) What happened in the OT when animals were offered?

(2) The death of an animal was the loss of a life.

(3) The blood (a life) was being offered to God.

(4) The blood, which came from God, was being returned to deity.

II. I SAID EARLIER THAT THERE HAS BEEN A DEBATE OVER WHETHER WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND BLOOD AS BEING CONNECTED TO DEATH OR BLOOD BEING CONNECTED TO LIFE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT BOTH IDEAS ARE IN THE OT AND BOTH IDEAS ARE FOUND IN THE NT TOO.

A. 97 times in the NT we read about blood.

B. In 19 of these places the reference is in the book of Revelation.

C. In some of the NT passages, “blood” means “life” just like the OT.

D. Here are some examples.

E. In Matt. 23 the Lord severely reprimanded the scribes and Pharisees.

F. Jesus pronounced a fateful sentence in v. 35 – READ.

(1) Is it possible for blood to be “righteous”?

(2) Our blood is neutral. Not righteous/not sinful.

(3) What was Jesus saying?

(4) He described righteous lives; people, individuals.

(5) Here we see what we found in the OT. Blood can mean life.

(6) This is not the only example where this occurs.

(7) Heb. 12 is another illustration. QUOTE/READ Heb. 12:4.

(8) Every commentator I can cite says this means: “You have not had to give up your life in your battle with sin.”

(9) Here “blood” and “life” are interchangeable.

G. You may be thinking, “How does this tie in with Jesus’ blood?” Good question.

H. In some places Christ’s blood means the Lord’s life.

I. Two examples of this come from Matt. 27.

(1) Judas did not repent for what he did. I know that some translations state that he did.

(2) Judas had some regrets; this is a better word than repent.

(3) Judas tried to return the money.

(4) He seems to have had some remorse – verse 4 – READ.

(5) It is impossible to betray blood.

(6) We cannot literally betray what flows in our bodies.

(7) Judas was a Jew; he was familiar with the OT.

(8) He must have known that some OT verses equated life and blood.

(9) In this passage this meaning makes sense. Judas betrayed an innocent and righteous life.

J. Another man said a similar thing.

K. Moving down to v. 24, Pilate washed his hands.

L. What did he say to those assembled before him? READ v. 24.

M. Pilate had a good idea as to what would happen.

N. He knew that many wanted to crucify Christ. V. 22

O. He tried to claim that he was innocent of Christ’s blood/life.

P. If these references are not compelling, we may go to Acts. 5:28.

Q. By this time the church was established.

R. Some Jewish officials were becoming upset.

S. The apostles were being interrogated and persecuted.

T. Here is what the rulers said. READ v. 28.

(1) Surely no one believes that this “blood” was literal.

(2) The apostles did not have a literal vial of blood that worried the rulers.

(3) These Jewish officers used blood to describe a life.

(4) These men described a life that was unjustly ended.

III. IF LIFE AND BLOOD ARE SO CLOSELY CONNECTED THAT THEY ARE SOMETIMES CAPABLE OF BEING INTERCHANGED, WE WOULD EXPECT THE BIBLE TO MAKE SOME ADDITIONAL POINTS ABOUT BLOOD. THIS IS WHAT WE FIND. THE BIBLE SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE BLOOD AND SIN.

A. Because of sin, a payment is required. Sin creates a debt.

B. God has to receive something in payment for sin.

C. The required payment is a life.

D. Since life and blood are so closely related, sacrifices for sin are often connected with blood.

E. This is partially explained in Heb. 9:7.

F. The Hebrew writer points to the high priest. The high priest had a special function.

G. The text describes this job in this way: READ Heb. 9:7.

H. The high priest was “not without blood” (i.e. he had blood).

I. He had a life that was being offered to God.

J. What was this life and blood going to be given for?

K. 7B says it was for the “errors” (ignorance) – sins of the people.

L. 12A in this chapter adds that this blood came from some animals – calves and goats were used.

M. Skipping over to Heb. 9:22 the writer says this: QUOTE/READ.

N. Lives (blood) had to be given.

O. Without blood (a life), sins could not be forgiven.

P. For a reason unknown to me, animal blood was insufficient.

Q. Blood from a special person was needed to cleanse all sin.

R. The name of this special person is Jesus.

S. In some places “blood” really means “blood”.

T. There are some places where “blood” cannot mean “life”.

U. Col. 1:20 is an example. READ.

V. Here “blood” would seem to indicate death; literal blood – expiring of a life.

W. The word “blood” can take on different meanings.

(1) The word might be describing life.

(2) The word could be figurative.

(3) “Blood” may be like the “shedding of blood” (death).

(4) It is an important and broad word.

CONCLUSION:

1. This word is one that we need to watch for and study. It is one we need to appreciate.

2. Before the Jews left Egypt, blood was placed outside Jewish homes.

3. Animal lives/blood caused the death angel to pass over these homes.

4. Christ’s blood allows God’s people to successfully pass through judgment.

5. Because Jesus gave His blood (literally) as well as His life, we can wash our robes in His blood.

6. We cannot literally do that but we can take advantage of the benefits of His blood.