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TheBookOfRevelation

AStudyGuideWithIntroductoryComments,Summaries,AndReviewQuestions

StudentEdition

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The Book Of Revelation

Table Of Contents Introduction 3 Chapter One 11 Chapter Two 15 Chapter Three 20 Chapter Four 25 Chapter Five 28 Chapter Six 32 Chapter Seven 36 Chapter Eight 39 Chapter Nine 43 Chapter Ten 47 Chapter Eleven 50 Chapter Twelve 55 Chapter Thirteen 59 Chapter Fourteen 63 Chapter Fifteen 67 Chapter Sixteen 69 Chapter Seventeen 73 Chapter Eighteen 78 Chapter Nineteen 83 Chapter Twenty 87 Chapter Twenty-One 91 Chapter Twenty-Two 96 Concluding Thoughts 101 ThisstudyguidewasdesignedforadultBibleclasses,thoughitmightbesuitableforjuniorandseniorhighclassesaswell.Somehaveuseditforpersonaldevotions,andothersinsmallstudygroups.

• PointstoponderforeachchapterarethingsIemphasizeduringtheclass.

• Detailedoutlinesforeachchaptermightbeusefulforsermonorclasspreparation.

• Reviewquestionsareintendedtoreinforcekeythoughtsineachchapter.Thereisa“teacher’sedition”availablewithanswersincluded.

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Introduction “TheRevelationofJesusChrist,whichGodgaveHimtoshowHisservants—thingswhichmustshortlytakeplace.”(Re1:1)

SobeginsthebookofRevelation,oneofthemostchallengingbooksintheBible.ItisthefirstbookthatmanynewtotheBiblewanttostudy,whileitisoftenneglectedbymatureChristians.Ithasbeenusedbyfalseteachersandprophetstoleadpeopleintodoomsdaycults.Yetwhenproperlyhandled,itcanbeawonderfulblessingtothosewhoreadandmeditateuponit.

Whowrotethisbook?Howisitunique?Howshouldweinterpretit?Whyshouldwestudyit?Thesearequestionswewillseektoanswerinthisintroduction.

Unique Nature Of The Book RevelationiscertainlydifferentfromotherbooksoftheNewTestament.Itisalsoverydifferentfromanykindofwritingthatisfamiliartomostpeopletoday.Unfortunately,thishascausedsomepeopletoshyawayfromthebook;orontheotherhand,tomisuseitinpropagatingwildandfancifultheories.Mostpeopleconcludeitisjusttoomysterioustounderstand.Butitwasactuallywrittentomakethingsclearer!Theword“revelation”intheGreekisapokalupsis,whichmeans“anuncovering”or“unveiling.”Itisthereforeabookdesignedtouncoverorunveil,notconceal.

Partofthechallengeinunderstandingthebookisthatitiswritteninastylenotfamiliartomodernman.Itisanexampleofwhatiscalled“apocalypticliterature”whichwasquitepopularfrom200B.C.to200A.D.Assuch,itwasatypeofliteraturewellknowntotheJewsandChristiansofthefirstcenturychurch.Featuresofapocalypticliteratureincludetheuseofhighlysymbolicorfigurativelanguage(cf.“signified”,Re1:1).Itwasnormallywrittenintimesofpersecution,usuallydepictingtheconflictbetweengoodandevil.

ThereareotherexamplesofapocalypticliteratureintheBible.IntheOldTestament,forexample,thebooksofEzekiel,Daniel,andZechariaheachcontainelementsofthisstyleofwriting.IntheNewTestament,Matthew24containsapocalypticelements.

Understanding The Book Theearlychurchlikelydidnothavetheproblemunderstandingthebookaswedotoday.Theywerewellacquaintedwiththestyleofapocalypticliterature.Theywerelivingatatimewhenthesymbolsofthebookwerelikelyfamiliartothem(similartohowapictureofadonkeyfightinganelephantwouldbeunderstoodbyusasdepictingconflictbetweentheDemocraticandRepublicanparties).Infact,Ibelievethebookwasoriginallyintendedtobeunderstoodbyacasualhearing,asimpliedbytheopeningbeatitude:

“Blessedishewhoreadsandthosewhohearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingswhicharewritteninit;forthetimeisnear.”(Re1:3)

Thisversesuggestsasettinginwhichoneisreadingwhileotherslisten.Thelistenerswereexpectedtounderstandenoughtobeblessedbywhattheyheard.

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Ourdifficultywiththisbookisduetoourunfamiliaritywithapocalypticliteratureasamethodofcommunicatingamessage.Wearealsofarremovedfromthehistoricalandculturalcontextofthetimeswhichwouldmakethesymbolismeasiertounderstand.Toproperlyinterpretthebook,wemusttrytounderstandthehistoricalcontextinwhichitwaswritten.Wemustalsointerpretitinamannerthatwouldhavebeenmeaningfultothosetowhomitwasfirstaddressed.Italsobehoovesustopaycloseattentiontothosepassagesorstatementswhichareclearandeasytounderstand.

Methods Of Interpretation Differentmethodsofinterpretingthebookgenerallyfallintofourviews:

The“preterist”view-ThebookreferstoeventsthatwerefulfilledinthefirstcenturyA.D.,orshortlythereafter.Itwaswrittenprimarilytoencouragetheoriginalreaders.Itsvaluefortodaywouldthereforebedidactic(teachingthevalueoffaithfulnesstoGod).

The“historicist”view-Thebookprovidesapanoramicviewoftheexperienceofthechurchasitproceedsthroughouthistory.ThisviewfindsinthebooksucheventsastheriseofCatholicism,Islam,theProtestantreformation,worldwars,etc.,endingwiththereturnofChrist.AssuchitwouldencourageChristiansnomatterwhentheylived.

The“futurist”view-Apartfromthefirstfewchapters,thebookdepictseventswhichimmediatelyprecedethesecondcomingofChrist.Thereforemostofthebookhasyettobefulfilled(orisbeingfulfillednow),anditsvalueisprimarilyforChristianswhowillbelivingatthetimeJesusreturns.

The“idealist”view-Thebookdoesnotdealwithanyspecifichistoricalsituation.Instead,itissimplyenforcingtheprinciplethatgoodwillultimatelytriumphoverevil.Assuchthebookisapplicabletoanyage.

Preferred Method Of Interpretation Ibelieveaproperinterpretationofthebookincorporatessomeofalltheseviews.Inmyestimation,the“preterist”viewhasthemostmeritforthefollowingreasons:

• ThebookwaswrittenspecificallytosevenchurchesinAsia(modernTurkey)-Re1:4

• Itspurposewastouncoverorreveal“thingswhichmustshortlycometopass”-Re1:1,3;22:6,10

• Johnwastold,“Donotsealthewordsoftheprophecyofthisbook,forthetimeisathand”-Re22:10

ComparethelasttwopointswithDaniel8:26,whereDanielwastoldto“sealup”hisvision,“foritreferstomanydaysinthefuture”.Weknowthathisvisionwasfulfilledwithinseveralhundredyears.John,however,wastold“donotseal”whathehadseen,“forthetimeisathand”.Howcouldthisbe,ifthebulkofRevelationreferstowhathasyettooccuralmosttwothousandslater?ThisisaproblemIseewiththe“futurist”view,whichplacesprimaryfulfillmentofthebookthousandsofyearsafteritscomposition.

PlaceyourselfinthepositionofthoseChristiansinthechurchesofAsiainthefirstcentury.TheyweretoldthatthethingsdescribedintheRevelationwould“shortlycometopass”,whichshouldcomfortthem.Butaccordingtothe“futurist”view,ithasbeennearly2000yearsandmuchofthebookhasyettobefulfilled!Thatwouldbelikesomeonetodaywritingthatsomethingissooncomingtopass,wheninrealityitwillbe4000A.D.beforeit

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does!HowwouldabookdepictingeventstooccurthousandsofyearsinthefuturecomfortthosewhoweresufferinginthefirstcenturyA.D.?

Thisisnottosaythereareno“futurist”elementsinthebook.Iunderstandchapters20-22todealwiththeultimatedestinyoftheredeemed,whichwouldhavebeenofgreatinterestandcomforttotheChristianssufferinginthefirstcentury.

Myapproachtothebook,therefore,willbeprimarilyfromthepreteristviewpoint,withoccasionalelementsfromotherviewpoints.

The Author John,identifiedasone“whoborewitnesstothewordofGod,andtothetestimonyofJesusChrist”(Re1:1-2).Whiledebatedbysome,hewasmostlikelytheapostleJohn,brotherofJames,andauthorofthegospelofJohnandthreeepistles.HisauthorshipofthisbookissupportedbythetestimonyofJustinMartyr(165A.D.),ClementofAlexandria(220A.D.),Hippolytus(236A.D.),andOrigen(254A.D.).

Date Of The Book Datingwhenthebookwaswrittenisnotwithoutcontroversy.Whenonedatesthebookwillcertainlyhaveabearinguponone’sinterpretationofthebook,especiallyifonefollowsthe“preterist”view.Twodatesareusuallyproposed:

• An“earlydate”,around64-68A.D.,duringthereignoftheRomanemperor,Nero

• A“latedate”,around95-96A.D.,duringthereignofemperorDomitian

Theexternalevidence(evidenceoutsidethebookitself)isinconclusive.Insupportforthelatedate,appealisoftenmadetoastatementofIraneauswholivedinthelate2ndcenturyA.D.Hisstatementisratherambiguous,however,andcanbeunderstoodinseveralways(seeRedatingTheNewTestament,byJohnA.T.Robinson,foradetailedexaminationofIraneaus’quotation).

Insupportfortheearlydate,theSyriacversionoftheNewTestament(datingbacktothe2ndcenturyA.D.)saysthebookwaswrittenduringthereignofNero.TheMuratorianFragment(170-190A.D.)andtheMonarchianPrologues(250-350A.D.)claimthatPaulwrotetosevenchurchesfollowingthepatternofJohn’sexampleinRevelation,placingthebookofRevelationevenbeforesomeofthePaulineepistles(Expositor’sBibleCommentary,Vol.12;p.406).

Becauseofthecontradictorynatureoftheexternalevidence,Iplacemoreweightontheinternalevidence(evidencefromwithinthebookitself).Ibelievethebookitselfsupportsadateof70A.D.,beforethedestructionofJerusalemandduringthereignofVespasian.

Thisinternalevidenceincludesthefollowing:

• InRe11:1-14thetemple,whichwasdemolishedinAugustof70A.D.,isstillstanding.Advocatesofthe“latedate”naturallyunderstandthispassageinastrictlyfigurativesense.Whilesomewhatfigurative,theallusiontothecrucifixionofourLord(Re11:8)compelustothinkofthehistoricalJerusalem(PhilipSchaff).

• InRe17:9-11,wefindmentionofEIGHT“kings”.Ifthese“kings”areemperorsofRome,thenstartingwithAugustusthefirstFIVEwere:Augustus,Tiberius,Caligula,ClaudiusandNero(whodiedJune9,68A.D.).Nero’sdeathlefttheempireinanuproar.Thismaybethe“deadlywound”inRe13:3,12,14.Threemen(Galba,Otho,

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andVitellius)triedvainlytoconsolidatepowerovertheempire,butitwasVespasianwhorestoredorderin70A.D.Thus,the“deadlywound”washealed,andVespasianwouldbetheSIXTH“king”(orthe“oneis”inRe17:10).ThiswouldmakeTitustheSEVENTHemperorandDomitiantheEIGHTH.

• Noticecarefully,thatinRe17:8,11Johnwastoldthatthebeast“isnot”.It“was”,and“isabouttocome”(ASV),butatthetimetheRevelationwasbeinggiven,thebeast“ISNOT”!Ifweunderstand(asIdo)thatthe“beast”representsimperialRomeaspersonifiedinitsemperorsNeroandDomitian,thenRevelationcouldNOThavebeenwrittenduringthereignsofeitherNeroorDomitian!

• TheconditionofpersecutionthathadbeenexperiencedalreadybythoseinthebookaresimilartothatmentionedbyPeter.HewrotetotheChristiansinAsiaMinoralso,justafewyearsbefore(cf.1Pe1:1).TheywereundergoingpersecutionsimilartothatdescribedinRe2&3(cf.1Pe1:6;4:12;5:9);i.e.,persecutionbytheJewswiththehelpofRomanauthorities,somethingthathadbeengoingonsincethedaysofPaul’sfirstmissionaryjourney.

ThereforeIsuggesttheinternalevidenceindicatesthattheRevelationwasgivenduringthereignofVESPASIAN,theSIXTHemperor,whilethe“beastisnot”.Thiswouldplacethedateofthebookaroundthespringof70A.D.(assuggestedbyPhilipSchaff,HistoryOfTheChurch,Vol.I).AdatebetweenthedeathofNeroin68A.D.andthefallofJerusalemin70A.D.wasalsofavoredbyF.J.A.Hort,J.B.Lightfoot,andB.F.Westcott(JohnA.T.Robinson,RedatingTheNewTestament,p.224).AnotheradvocateofanearlydateisF.F.Bruce.

ReferringtoPhilipSchaff,whoatonetimeheldthe“latedate”,Ifindhisfollowingquotationtobeofinterest:

“TheearlydateisbestsuitedforthenatureandobjectoftheApocalypse,andfacilitatesitshistoricalunderstanding.ChristpointedinhiseschatologicaldiscoursestothedestructionofJerusalemandtheprecedingtribulationasthegreatcrisisinthehistoryofthetheocracyandthetypeofthejudgmentoftheworld.Andthereneverwasamorealarmingstateofsociety.”

“ThehorrorsoftheFrenchRevolutionwereconfinedtoonecountry,butthetribulationofthesixyearsprecedingthedestructionofJerusalemextendedoverthewholeRomanempireandembracedwarsandrebellions,frequentandunusualconflagrations,earthquakesandfaminesandplagues,andallsortsofpubliccalamitiesandmiseriesuntold.Itseemed,indeed,thattheworld,shakentoitsverycenter,wascomingtoaclose,andeveryChristianmusthavefeltthatthepropheciesofChristwerebeingfulfilledbeforehiseyes.”

“ItwasatthisuniquejunctureinthehistoryofmankindthatSt.John,withtheconsumingfireinRomeandtheinfernalspectacleoftheNeronianpersecutionbehindhim,theterrorsoftheJewishwarandtheRomaninterregnumaroundhim,andthecatastropheofJerusalemandtheJewishtheocracybeforehim,receivedthosewonderfulvisionsoftheimpendingconflictsandfinaltriumphsoftheChristianchurch.Hiswastrulyabookofthetimesandforthetimes,andadministeredtothepersecutedbrethrentheonebutall-sufficientconsolation:Maranatha!Maranatha!”(HistoryofTheChristianChurch,Vol.I,pp.836-837)

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The Purpose Of The Book Itspurposeisclearlystatedatthebeginningandendofthebook(cf.Re1:1,3;22:6,10):

Toreveal“thingswhichmustshortlycometopass”

Inparticular,itisarevelationfromChristHimselfofthejudgmenttocomeuponthosewhowerepersecutingHispeople(cf.Re6:9-11;16:5-7).ThisjudgmentwasdirectedespeciallytowardthosewhohadbeendeceivedbySatantoattacktheChurchofChrist.AsstatedbyPhilipSchaff:

“UndoubtedlyhehadinviewprimarilytheoverthrowofJerusalemandheathenRome,thetwogreatfoesofChristianityatthattime.”

Again,IwouldsuggestthatthepurposeofthebookistorevealhowChristwasgoingtobringjudgmentonJerusalemandRomeforrejectingGodandpersecutingHispeople.ThisjudgmentoccurredwiththedestructionofJerusaleminthefallof70A.D.,andwiththefinalcessationofpersecutionbyRomein313A.D.whenConstantinebecameanemperorsupportiveofChristianity.

Infulfillingthispurpose,thebookisdesignedtowarnandcomfort.Forerringdisciples,itisabookofwarning(“repent”orelse,cf.Re2:5,16).Forfaithfuldisciples,itisabookofcomfort(“blessed”arethosewho“overcome”,cf.Re1:3;2:7;3:21;14:13;22:14).

Key Verse IfthereisoneversethatsummarizesthethemeofthebookofRevelation,itisthisone:

“ThesewillmakewarwiththeLamb,andtheLambwillovercomethem,forHeisLordoflordsandKingofkings;andthosewhoarewithHimarecalled,chosen,andfaithful.”(Re17:14)

Outline INTRODUCTORYMATERIAL(Re1:1-3:22) 1. Introduction(Re1:1-20) a. Prologueandblessings(Re1:1-3) b. Greetingsanddoxology(Re1:4-6) c. Prophecyandproclamation(Re1:7-8) c. VisionofChristamongthelampstands(Re1:9-20) 2. LetterstothesevenchurchesofAsia(Re2:1-3:22) a. ThechurchatEphesus(Re2:1-7) b. ThechurchatSmyrna(Re2:8-11) c. ThechurchatPergamos(Re2:12-17) d. ThechurchatThyatira(Re2:18-29) e. ThechurchatSardis(Re3:1-6) f. ThechurchatPhiladelphia(Re3:7-13) g. ThechurchatLaodicea(Re3:14-22)I. VISIONSOFJUDGMENTAGAINSTJERUSALEM(Re4:1-11:19) A. THETHRONESCENE(Re4:1-5:14) 1. Godonthethrone(Re4:1-11) 2. TheLambworthytoopenthescroll(Re5:1-14)

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B. THEOPENINGOFSEVENSEALS(Re6:1-8:1) 1. Firstseal:Thewhitehorseanditsrider(Re6:1-2) 2. Secondseal:Theredhorseanditsrider(Re6:3-4) 3. Thirdseal:Theblackhorseanditsrider(Re6:5-6) 4. Fourthseal:Thepalehorseanditsriders(Re6:7-8) 5. Fifthseal:Themartyrsunderthealtar(Re6:9-11) 6. Sixthseal:Cataclysmicdisturbances(Re6:12-17) 7. Interlude(Re7:1-17) a. Sealingofthe144,000onearth(Re7:1-8) b. Thegreatmultitudeinheaven(Re7:9-17) 8. Seventhseal:Silenceinheaven(Re8:1) C. THESOUNDINGOFSEVENTRUMPETS(Re8:2-11:19) 1. Sevenangelspreparetosoundtheirtrumpets(Re8:2-6) 2. Firsttrumpet:Thirdofvegetationdestroyed(Re8:7) 3. Secondtrumpet:Thirdofseacreaturesandshipsdestroyed(Re8:8-9) 4. Thirdtrumpet:Thirdofriversandspringsbecomebitter,manydie(Re8: 10-11) 5. Fourthtrumpet:Thirdofsun,moon,andstarsstruck,affectingdayandnight (Re8:12) 6. Three-foldwoeannounced(Re8:13) 7. Fifthtrumpet(firstwoe):Locustsfromthebottomlesspit,senttotormentmen (Re9:1-12) 8. Sixthtrumpet(secondwoe):Fourangelswithanarmyoftwohundredmillion, killingathirdofmankind(Re9:13-21) 9. Interlude(Re10:1-11:14) a. Theangelwiththelittlebook(Re10:1-11) b. ThetwowitnessesanddestructionofJerusalem(Re11:1-13) 10. Seventhtrumpet(thirdwoe):ThevictoryofChristandHiskingdomproclaimed (Re11:14-19)II. VISIONSOFJUDGMENTAGAINSTROME(Re12:1-19:21) A. THEGREATCONFLICT(Re12:1-14:20) 1. TheWoman,Child,Dragon,andrestoftheWoman’soffspring(Re12:1-17) 2. Thebeastfromthesea(Re13:1-10) 3. Thebeastfromtheland(Re13:11-18) 4. TheLambandthe144,000onMountZion(Re14:1-5) 5. Proclamationsofthreeangels(Re14:6-13) 6. Reapingtheearth’sharvest,andthegrapesofwrath(Re14:14-20) B. THESEVENBOWLSOFWRATH(Re15:1-16:21) 1. Preludetopouringoutthesevenbowlsofwrath(Re15:1-8) 2. Firstbowl:Soresonthosewhoworshippedthebeastandhisimage(Re16:1-2) 3. Secondbowl:Seaturnstoblood,allseacreaturesdie(Re16:3) 4. Thirdbowl:Riversandspringsturntoblood(Re16:4-7) 5. Fourthbowl:Menarescorchedbythesun(Re16:8-9) 6. Fifthbowl:Painanddarknessuponthebeastandhiskingdom(Re16:10-11) 7. Sixthbowl:Euphratesdriedup,threeuncleanspiritsgatherthekingdomsofthe earthforthebattleatArmageddon(Re16:12-16)

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8. Seventhbowl:Greatearthquake,greatcitydivided,Babylonisremembered, cataclysmicevents(Re16:17-21) C. THEFALLOFBABYLON,THEHARLOT(Re17:1-19:10) 1. Thescarletwomanandthescarletbeast(Re17:1-6) 2. Themysteryofthewomanandbeastexplained(Re17:7-18) 3. ThefallofBabylonthegreatproclaimedandmourned(Re18:1-24) 4. Theexaltationinheavenoverthefallofthegreatharlot(Re19:1-5) 5. TheannouncementofthemarriagesupperoftheLamb(Re19:6-10) D. THEDEFEATOFTHEBEASTANDFALSEPROHET(19:11-21) 1. ChristthevictoriouswarriorandKingofkings(Re19:11-16) 2. Thebeast,hisarmiesandfalseprophet(landbeast)aredefeated(Re19:17-21)III.VISIONSOFTHEFUTUREANDBEYOND(Re20:1-22:5) A. THEREIGNOFCHRISTANDHISSAINTS(Re20:1-6) 1. Satanboundforathousandyears,unabletodeceivenations(Re20:1-3) 2. Saints(martyrsandfaithful)reignwithChrist(Re20:4-6) B. THERELEASEANDDEFEATOFSATAN(Re20:7-10) 1. Satanreleasedtodeceivethenationsoncemore(Re20:7-8) 2. Makesonelasteffort,butdefeatedonceforall(Re20:9-10) C. THEFINALJUDGMENT(Re20:11-15) 1. Greatwhitethronejudgment,withearthandheavennomore(Re20:11-13) 2. DeathandHadescastintothelakeoffire,alongwiththosewhosenameswere notintheBookofLife(Re20:14-15) D. ETERNALDESTINYOFTHEREDEEMED(Re21:1-22:5) 1. Thenewheavenandnewearth,GoddwellingwithHispeopleintheNew Jerusalemcomingdownoutofheaven(Re21:1-8) 2. TheNewJerusalemdescribed(Re21:9-27) 3. Thewateroflife,treeoflife,throneofGodandtheLamb(Re22:1-5)CONCLUDINGMATERIAL(Re22:6-21) 1. Thetimeisnear,donotsealupthebook(Re22:6-11) 2. ThetestimonyofJesus,theSpirit,andthebride(Re22:12-17) 3. Warningnottotamperwiththebook,andclosingprayers(Re22:18-21)

Review Questions 1) Whatisthisbookcalled?(1:1)2) WhatisthemeaningoftheGreekword(apokalupsis)translated“revelation”?3) WhatstyleofliteratureisthebookofRevelation?

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4) Whataresomeofthetypicalfeaturesofsuchliterature?5) Whatisimportanttoknowtoproperlyinterpretthebook?6) Whatarethefourmajorviewsofinterpretingthebook?7) Whichviewissuggestedinthisintroduction?8) Whoistheauthorofthisbook?(1:1-2)9) Whatdatesareusuallysuggestedforthebook?10)Whichdateissuggestedinthisstudy?(andbySchaff,McGuiggan,andothers)11)Whatisthepurposeofthebook?(1:13;22:10,16)12)WhodoIproposetobethetwomajorenemiesusedbySatan?13)Whatisthekeyversethatsummarizesthebook?14)Fromtheoutlineabove,whatarethethreemaindivisionsofthebook?

Bibliography (thosemarkedwithanasterisk*Ifoundespeciallyhelpful)BackToTheFuture:AstudyinthebookofRevelation,R.E.Bass(LivingHopePress,2004)*TheBookOfRevelation,JimMcGuiggan(Montex,1976)TheBookOfRevelation,FoyE.Wallace,Jr.(WallacePublications,1966)HistoryOfTheChristianChurch,Vol.I,PhilipSchaff(Eerdmans,1910,1985)TheLambAndHisEnemies,RubelShelly(20thCentury,1985)TheMessageFromPatmos,DavidS.Clark(TitusBooks,2013)*MoreThanConquerors,WilliamHendricksen(BakerBookHouse,1971)NewInternationalBiblecommentary,F.F.Bruce(ZondervanPublishingHouse,1979)RedatingTheNewTestament,JohnA.T.Robertson(WestminsterPress,1976)Revelation,RobertHarkrider(TruthCommentaries,GuardianOfTruth,1997)Revelation,FourViews:AParallelCommentary,SteveGreggNelsonPublishers,1997)*Revelation:AnIntroductionAndCommentary,HomerHailey(Baker,1979)TheTimeIsAtHand,JayEdwardAdams(TimelessTexts,2004)*WorthyIsTheLamb,RaySummers(BroadmanPress,1951)

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Chapter One TheRevelationofJesusChristbeginswithaclearstatementoforiginandpurpose.GiventoJesusbyGodtoshowHisservantsthingswhichmustsoontakeplace,itisdesignedtoblessthosewhoread,hearandkeepthewordsoftheprophecy(1-3).JohnthenaddressesthesevenchurchesinAsia(westernTurkey),offeringgraceandpeacefromeachmemberoftheGodheadwithdescriptivetermswhichbecomemoresignificantlaterintheepistle(4-6).HisgreetingisfollowedwithadeclarationconcerningtheLord’scoming,andaself-designationasexpressedbytheLordHimself(7-8).

AtthispointJohnexplainshowhewascommissionedtorecordtheRevelation.WhileontheislandofPatmos(likelyinexileforpreachingthewordofGod),hewasintheSpiritontheLord’sdaywhenheheardaloudvoicebehindhim.Thevoiceidentifieditselfas“theAlphaandOmega,theFirstandtheLast”,andthenchargedhimtowritewhathesawtosevenchurchesinAsia(9-11).Turningtoseethevoice,JohnsawsevengoldenlampstandsandintheirmidsttheSonofMan.DescribingtheawesomeappearanceoftheSonofManandhisownreaction,JohnthenrecordshowJesuscomfortedandthenchargedhimtowritewhathehasseenandwillsee(12-19).ThechapterendswiththeLord’sexplanationthatthesevenstarsinHisrighthandrepresenttheangels(messengers?)ofthesevenchurches,andthesevenlampstandssignifythesevenchurchesthemselves(20).

Points To Ponder • Thatthebookwaswrittentospecificchurchesofthingsthatwouldsoontakeplace

• TheimplicationsofwhatissaidaboutJesus,inthegreetingbyJohnandinthewordsofJesusHimself

Outline I. INTRODUCTION(1-8) A. INTRODUCTIONANDBENEDICTION(1-3) 1. IntroducingtheRevelationofJesusChrist(1-2) a. WhichGodgaveHimtoshowHisservants b. Regardingthingswhichmuchshortlytakeplace c. SentandsignifiedbyHisangel d. ToHisservantJohn,whoborewitness... 1) TothewordofGod 2) TothetestimonyofJesusChrist 3) Toallthingsthathesaw 2. Thebenediction(3) a. Blessedishewhoreadsandthosewhohearthisprophecy b. Blessedarethosewhokeepthosethingswritteninit,forthetimeisnear B. GREETINGSTOTHESEVENCHURCHES(4-6) 1. FromJohn,tothesevenchurchesinAsia(4a)

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2. Withgraceandpeace(4b-6) a. FromHimwhoisandwhowasandwhoistocome b. FromthesevenSpiritswhoarebeforeHisthrone c. FromJesusChrist 1) Thefaithfulwitness 2) Thefirstbornfromthedead 3) Theruleroverthekingsoftheearth 4) WholovedusandwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood 5) WhomadeuskingsandprieststoHisGodandFather -- ToWhombegloryanddominionforeverandever! C. ANNOUNCEMENTOFCHRIST’SCOMING(7) 1. Heiscomingwithclouds 2. EveryeyewillseeHim,andtheyalsowhopiercedHim 3. AllthetribesoftheearthwillmournbecauseofHim -- Evenso,Amen(sobeit) D. THESELF-DESIGNATION(8) 1. “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theBeginningandtheEnd” 2. “Whoisandwhowasandwhoistocome,theAlmighty”II. THEVISIONOFTHESONOFMAN(9-20) A. JOHN’SCIRCUMSTANCESLEADINGUPTOTHEVISION(9-10a) 1. Theirbrotherandcompanion(9a) a. Intribulation b. InthekingdomandpatienceofJesusChrist 2. OntheislandcalledPatmos(9b) a. ForthewordofGod b. ForthetestimonyofJesusChrist 3. IntheSpiritontheLord’sDay(10a) B. WHATHEHEARDBEHINDHIM(10b-11) 1. Aloudvoice,asofatrumpet(10b) 2. Sayingtohim...(11) a. “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theFirstandtheLast” b. “Whatyousee,writeinabook” c. “SendittothesevenchurcheswhichareinAsia...” C. WHATHESAW,ANDHISREACTION(12-17a) 1. Turningtoseethevoice,hesaw...(12-16) a. Sevengoldenlampstands b. Inthemidstofthesevenlampstands,OneliketheSonofMan 1) Clothedwithagarmentdowntothefeet,girdedaboutthechestwitha goldenband 2) Hisheadandhairwhiteaswool,whiteassnow 3) Hiseyeslikeaflameoffire 4) Hisfeetlikefinebrass,asifrefinedinafurnace 5) Hisvoiceasthesoundofmanywaters 6) InHisrighthand,sevenstars

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7) OutofHismouth,asharptwo-edgedsword 8) Hiscountenancelikethesunshininginitsstrength 2. SeeingHim,JohnfellatHisfeetasdead(17) D. THELORD’SWORDSTOJOHN(17b-20) 1. “Donotbeafraid”(17b-18) a. “IamtheFirstandtheLast” b. “IamHewholives,andwasdead,andbehold,Iamaliveforevermore. Amen.” c. “IhavethekeysofHadesandofDeath.” 2. “Write...”(19) a. “Thethingswhichyouhaveseen” b. “Thethingswhichare” c. “Thethingswhichwilltakeplaceafterthis” 3. “Themysteryofthesevenstars...andthesevengoldenlampstands”(20) a. “Thesevenstarsaretheangelsofthesevenchurches” b. “Thesevenlampstands...arethesevenchurches”

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatwasJesusintendingtoshowHisservants?(1)3) HowisJohndescribedinverse2?4) Whoisthisbookdesignedtobless?Why?(3)5) Towhomwasthebookaddressed?(4,11)6) HowisGoddescribedinthegreetingfromJohn?TheHolySpirit?(4)7) HowisJesusChristdescribedbyJohninthisgreeting?(5-6)8) WhatissaidaboutthecomingofChrist?(7)

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9) HowdoestheLorddesignateHimself?(8)10)HowdoesJohnidentifyhimselftoHisreaders?(9a)11)WhereandwhendidJohnreceivetheRevelation?(9b-10)12)Whatdidhehearaloudvoicesay?(11)13)Whenheturnedtoseethevoice,whatdidhesee?(12-13)14)HowdoesJohndescribetheSonofMan?(13-16)15)WhatwasJohn’sreactionwhenhesawHim?Whatwashefirsttold?(17)16)HowdoestheSonofManidentifyHimself?(17-18)17)WhatwasJohntoldtowrite?(19)18)Whatistheexplanationofthesevenstarsandsevengoldenlampstands?(20)

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Chapter Two InthischapterJohnisinstructedtowritetofourchurchesinAsia:Ephesus,Smyrna,Pergamos,andThyatira.TheLordgenerallyfollowsthesameformat:Hisself-designation,commendation,condemnationandrelatedwarning,exhortationandpromise.Eachlettercloseswiththeadmonition,“Hewhohasanear,lethimhearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches.”Thissuggeststheletterswerenotjustforthepersonalbenefitofthechurchesaddressed.

ThechurchatEphesusiscommendedforitssteadfastness,especiallyagainstfalseapostles.Butwhilestandingforthetruth,theyhadlosttheirfirstlove.Exhortedtorepentandberestoredbydoingthe“firstworks”,theyarewarnedthattheir“lampstand”wouldberemovediftheydidnotrepent(1-7).

ThechurchatSmyrnaiscommendedforbeing“rich”despitetheirtribulationandpoverty.Unlikemostchurches,therearenowordsofcondemnationdirectedtowardit.Whiletheywouldexperiencealittlepersecution,theyareexhortedtoremainfaithfultodeath(8-11).

ThechurchatPergamosisalsopraisedforitssteadfastness,butfaultedforallowingfalseteachersintheirmidst.TheLordthreatenstocomeandfightwiththeswordofHismouthifthereisnorepentance(12-17).

ThechurchatThyatiraisalsocommended,fortheirlastworksaremorethantheirfirst.Buttheytoohaveafalseteacherandfollowerswhichjeopardizetheconditionofthechurch.Despitegivingthis“Jezebel”timetorepent,shehasnotandsotheLordintendstomakeherandherfollowersanexamplebeforetheotherchurches(18-29).

Ifindnoteworthytheconnectionbetweentheseletterswithwhatwasseeninchapterone,andwhatwillbeseeninsucceedingchapters.InmostcasestheLord’sself-designationborrowssomethingfromthevisionoftheSonofManinchapterone,whichrelatessomehowwiththeparticularmessageinwhichitisfound.Also,wewillseehowmostofthepromisestothosewhoovercomewillbefulfilledintheunfoldingofthevisionsthatbegininchapterfour.

Points To Ponder • Theconditionofeachchurch:theirstrengthsandweaknesses,thewarningsand

promisesgiven

• Howthefulfillmentofmostpromisesisdescribedlaterinthevisionstocome

Outline I. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINEPHESUS(1-7) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(1) 1. “HewhoholdsthesevenstarsinHisrighthand” 2. “Whowalksinthemidstofthesevengoldenlampstands” B. COMMENDATION(2-3,6)

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1. Fortheirworks,laborandpatience a. Theycannotbearthosewhoareevil,havingtestedthosewhosaytheyare apostlesbutwereliars b. Theirperseverance,patienceandlaborforHisname’ssake,notgrowing weary 2. TheyhatethedeedsoftheNicolaitans,asdoestheLord C. CONDEMNATIONANDWARNING(4-5) 1. Condemnation a. TheLordhassomethingagainstthem b. Theyhavelefttheirfirstlove 2. Warning a. Rememberfromwheretheyhavefallen b. Repentanddothefirstworks c. OrtheLordwillcomequicklyandremovetheirlampstandfromitsplace D. EXHORTATIONANDPROMISE(7) 1. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches 2. Tohimwhoovercomes,Hewillgivetoeatfromthetreeoflifeinthemidstof theParadiseofGodII. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINSMYRNA(8-11) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(8) 1. “TheFirstandtheLast” 2. “Whowasdead,andcametolife” B. COMMENDATION(9a) 1. Fortheworks,tribulation,andpoverty 2. Buttheyarerich C. EXHORTATIONANDPROMISE(9b-11) 1. TheLordknowsthosewhoclaimtobeJewsbutareasynagogueofSatan 2. Donotfearwhattheyareabouttosuffer a. Thedevilisaboutthrowsomeintoprison,thattheymaybetested b. Theywillhavetribulationtendays 3. Befaithfuluntodeath,andHewillgivethemacrownoflife 4. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches 5. HewhoovercomesshallnotbehurtbytheseconddeathIII. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINPERGAMOS(12-17) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(12) 1. “Whohasthesharptwo-edgedsword” B. COMMENDATION(13) 1. Heknowstheirworks,andwheretheydwell,whereSatan’sthroneis 2. ForholdingfasttoHisname 3. FornotdenyingHisfaithevenwhenAntipaswaskilledamongthem

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C. CONDEMNATIONANDWARNING(14-16) 1. Condemnation a. TheyhavethosewhoholdthedoctrineofBalaam 1) WhotaughtBalaktoputastumblingblockbeforeIsrael 2) Toeatthingssacrificedtoidols,andtocommitsexualimmorality b. TheyhavethosewhoholdthedoctrineoftheNicolaitans,whichHehates 2. Warning a. RepentorHewillcometothemquickly b. HewillfightagainstthemwiththeswordofHismouth D. EXHORTATIONANDPROMISE(17) 1. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches 2. Tohimwhoovercomes,Hewillgive... a. Someofthehiddenmannatoeat b. Awhitestonewithanewnamewrittenonitwhichnooneknowsexcepthe whoreceivesitIV. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINTHYATIRA(18-29) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(18) 1. “TheSonofGod” 2. “Whohaseyeslikeaflameoffire,andHisfeetlikefinebrass” B. COMMENDATION(19) 1. Fortheirworks,love,service,faith,andpatience 2. Theirlastworksaremorethanthefirst C. CONDEMNATIONANDWARNING(20-24) 1. Condemnation a. TheyallowthatwomanJezebel 1) Whocallsherselfaprophetess 2) ToteachandbeguileHisservantstocommitsexualimmoralityandeat thingssacrificedtoidols b. WhomtheLordhadgiventimetorepentofhersexualimmorality,butshe didnot 2. Warning a. Hewillcastherintoasickbed b. Thosewhocommitadulterywithherwillhavegreattribulation,unlessthey repent c. Hewillkillherchildrenwithdeath;andthechurcheswillknowthatHe searchesthemindsandhearts d. Hewillgivetoeachoneaccordingtotheirworks e. ForthoseinThyatirawhodonotfollowherdoctrine,orhavenotknownthe depthsofSatan,astheycallit,Heplacesonthemnootherburden E. EXHORTATIONANDPROMISE(25-29) 1. HoldfastwhattheyhavetillHecome 2. TohimwhoovercomesandkeepsHisworksuntiltheend... a. Hewillgivepoweroverthenations,justasHereceivedfromtheFather b. Hewillgivethemorningstar

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3. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) Whatpatternisgenerallyfollowedintheseletterstothechurches?3) WhatisoftenthebasisfortheLord’sself-designationintheletters?(1,8,12,18)4) ForwhatdoestheLordcommendthechurchinEphesus?(2-3)5) ForwhatdoestheLordcondemnthem?(4)6) WhatsolutiondoesJesusgiveforrestoringtheirfirstlove?(5)7) WhatwarningdoesJesusgivethechurchinEphesus?(5)8) ForwhatelsedoesJesuscommendthem?(6)9) ForwhatdoestheLordcommendthechurchinSmyrna?(9)10)WhowasguiltyofblasphemyinSmyrna?(9)11)Whyweretheynottofearwhattheywereabouttosuffer?(10)12)ForwhatdoestheLordcommendthechurchinPergamos?(13)13)Whatissaidaboutwheretheydwell?(13)

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14)ForwhatdoestheLordcondemnthem?(14-15)15)WhatwarningdoesJesusgivethechurchinPergamos?(16)16)ForwhatdoestheLordcommendthechurchinThyatira?(19)17)ForwhatdoestheLordcondemnthem?(20)18)WhatdoestheLordsayaboutthewomanwhocallsherselfaprophetess?(21-23)19)WhatexhortationdoesHegivethechurchatThyatira?(25)20)Whatexhortationisgivenattheendofeachletter?(7,11,17,29)21)Listthepromisesgiveninthischaptertothosewhoovercome(7,11,17,26-28)

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Chapter Three TheLordcontinuesHisletterstothechurchesinAsia,withthischaptercontainingthosewrittentoSardis,Philadelphia,andLaodicea.ThechurchinSardisisrebukedforhavinganamethattheyarealive,wheninrealitytheyaredead.WiththeirworksnotperfectedbeforeGod,theyareexhortedtobewatchfulandtostrengthenthethingswhichremain.Theyarealsotoldtorememberhowtheyhadreceivedandheardinthepast,toholdfastandrepent.Otherwise,theLordwillcomeuponthemasathiefinthenight.Noticeistaken,however,ofafewinSardiswhohadnotdefiledtheirgarmentsandarestillworthy,whoarepromisedtowalkwiththeLordinwhite(1-6).

ThechurchinPhiladelphiaispromisedanopendoorthatnonecanshutbecausetheyhadkepttheLord’swordandnotdeniedHisname.Theirenemies,thosewhoclaimtobeJewsbutarenot,willbemadetoworshipbeforethem,andthechurchwillbekeptfromthetrialthatwasabouttotestthoseontheearth.WithanannouncementofHisquickcoming,theyareexhortedtoholdfastwhattheyhavethatnonetaketheircrown(7-13).

ThechurchofLaodiceaisthendescribedaslukewarm,forwhichtheLordthreatenstospewthemoutofHismouth.Whileclaimingtoberich,theyareblindtotheirtruecondition.ThereforetheLordcounselsthemtobuyfromHimthosethingstheytrulyneed.HisstrongwordsareindicativeofHisloveforthem,andthefactthatHestandsreadytore-entertheirheartsiftheywillopentoHim(14-22).

Asbefore,eachletterendswithwonderfulpromisestothosewhoovercome.Inmostcases,themannerinwhichthepromisesaretobefulfilledisillustratedinthevisionstocome.

Points To Ponder • ToexaminethelastthreeofsevenletterstothechurchesinAsia

• Togleanwhatwecanabouttheconditionofeachchurch:theirstrengthsandweaknesses,thewarningsandpromisesgiven

Outline I. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINSARDIS(1-6) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(1a) 1. “HewhohasthesevenSpiritsofGod”-cf.Isa11:1-2;Zech4:1-10;Re1:4;4:5 2. “...andthesevenstars” B. CONDEMNATIONANDWARNING(1b-3) 1. Condemnation a. Theyhaveanamethattheyarealive,buttheyaredead b. TheirworkshavenotbeenfoundperfectbeforeGod 2. Warning a. Bewatchfulandstrengthenthethingswhichremainandarereadytodie b. Rememberhowtheyhadreceivedandheard

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c. Holdfastandrepent d. Iftheydon’twatch,theLordwillcomeuponthemasathief C. COMMENDATION(4) 1. TherearefewnamesinSardiswhohavenotdefiledtheirgarments 2. TheyshallwalkwithHiminwhite,fortheyareworthy D. PROMISEANDEXHORTATION(5-6) 1. Hewhoovercomes... a. Shallbeclothedinwhitegarments b. TheLordwillnotblothisnamefromtheBookofLife c. TheLordwillconfesshisnamebeforeMyFatherandHisangels 2. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurchesII. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINPHILADELPHIA(7-13) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(7) 1. “Hewhoisholy,HewhoisTrue” 2. “HewhohaskeyofDavid,Hewhoopensandnooneshuts,andshutsandnoone opens”-cf.Isa22:22 B. COMMENDATION(8) 1. TheLordhassetanopendoorbeforethemandnonecanshutit 2. Fortheyhavealittlestrength,havekeptHisword,andnotdeniedHisname C. PROMISEANDEXHORTATION(9-13) 1. Concerningthe“synagogueofSatan”(whoclaimtobeJews,butarenot)... a. Hewillmakethemcomeandworshipbeforetheirfeet b. HewillmakethemknowthatHehaslovedthoseinPhiladelphia 2. BecausethechurchhaskeptHiscommandtopersevere... a. Hewillkeepthemfromthehouroftrial b. Whichiscomingtotestthosewhodwellontheearth 3. Behold,Heiscomingquickly! a. Holdfastwhattheyhave b. Thatnoonemaytaketheircrown 4. Hewhoovercomes,theLordwill... a. MakehimapillarinthetempleofHisGod,andheshallgooutnomore b. Writeonhim: 1) ThenameofHisGod 2) ThenameofthecityofHisGod,theNewJerusalemwhichcomesdown outofheavenfromHisGod 3) Hisnewname 5. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurchesIII. LETTERTOTHECHURCHINLAODICEA(14-22) A. THELORD’SSELF-DESIGNATION(14) 1. “TheAmen,theFaithfulandTrueWitness” 2. “TheBeginningofthecreationofGod”

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B. CONDEMNATIONANDWARNING(15-20) 1. Condemnation a. Theyareneithercoldorhot 1) Hewishedtheywerecoldorhot 2) Butbecausetheyarelukewarm,HewillspewthemoutofHismouth b. Theyarewretched,miserable,poor,blind,andnaked 1) Thoughtheysaytheyarerich,wealthy,andinneedofnothing 2) ThereforeHecounselsthem... a) TobuyfromHim: 1/ Goldrefinedinthefire,thattheymayberich 2/ Whitegarments,thattheirnakednessbenotrevealed b) Toanointtheireyeswitheyesalve,thattheymightsee 2. Warning a. AsmanyasHeloves,Herebukesandchastens;thereforebezealousand repent b. Hestandsatthedoorandknocks;ifanywillhearHimandopenthedoor,He willcomeinanddinewithhim C. PROMISEANDEXHORTATION(21-22) 1. Tohimwhoovercomes... a. TheLordwillgranttositwithHimonHisthrone b. JustasHeovercameandsatdownwithHisFatheronHisthrone 2. HearwhattheSpiritsaystothechurches

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) ForwhatdoestheLordcondemnthechurchinSardis?(1-2)3) WhatdoestheLordexhortthoseatSardistodo?(2-3)4) Whatwarningisgiventothem?(3)5) WhatdidtheLordfindcommendableatSardis?WhatdidHepromisethem?(4)6) WhatdidtheLordpromisetothosewhoovercome?(5)

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7) WhathadtheLorddoneforthoseinPhiladelphia?Why?(8)8) WhatwastheLordgoingtodotothosewhoclaimedtobeJewsbutwereactually thesynagogueofSatan?(9)9) WhatdidtheLordsayHewoulddoforthoseinPhiladelphia?Why?(10)10)WhatwarningandexhortationdoesHethengive?(11)11)WhatpromisedoestheLordgivetohimwhoovercomes?(12)12)ForwhatdoestheLordcondemnthoseatLaodicea?(15-16)13)WhatdoestheLordsayHewoulddobecauseoftheirlukewarmness?(16)14)Whathadtheyclaimed?Whatwastheirtruecondition?(17)15)WhatdoestheLordcounselthemtodo?(18)16)WhatjustificationdoestheLordgiveforsuchastrongrebuke?(19)17)WhatdoesHesaytosuchChristians?(19,20)18)Whatwillbegrantedtohimwhoovercomes?(21)

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19)Whatexhortationisgivenattheendofeachletterinthischapter?(6,13,22)

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Chapter Four ThevisionsofRevelationnowbegininearnest.Uponseeingadoorstandingopeninheavenandhearingatrumpet-likevoicepromisingtoshowhimofthingswhichmusttakeplace,JohnistransportedtothethroneroomofGod.Hedescribeswhathehearsandseeswithvividandcolorfulimagery.TheOneonthethroneradiateslikejasperandsardiusstones,surroundedbyanemeraldrainbow.ThecolorsmayreflectthecharacteristicsofGod,suchasholiness,righteousness,justice,andmercy,ortheymaysimplysignifyHissplendorandmajesty.(1-3).

Johntakesspecialnoteoftwenty-foureldersclothedwithwhiterobesandcrownsofgold,sittingonthronesaroundthethroneofGod.SummersandHaileysuggestthattheydepictthetwelvepatriarchsofIsraelandthetwelveapostles,whorepresenttheredeemedofbothcovenantsnowunitedinChrist.NotethatinRev5:8-9theydoseemtospeakinbehalfoftheredeemed(4).

Fromthethroneproceededlightning,thunder,andvoices,whichmayillustratedivinepowerandjudgmentscomingfromGod.Beforethethronearesevenlampsoffire,explainedasthesevenSpiritsofGod.ThislikelysymbolizestheHolySpiritinHisworkofilluminationandrevelationofGod’swordtoman(Summers).Aseaofglasslikecrystalisalsobeforethethrone,perhapssymbolizingthetranscendenceofGodthatpresentlyseparatesGodandHispeople(5-6a).

Therearefourlivingcreatures,similarinsomerespectsandyetdifferentinothers,unitedintheirconstantpraiseofGodforHiseternalholiness.ThoughnotexactlylikethecherubimseenbyEzekiel(cf.Ezek1,10),theyappeartoservesimilarfunctions.Haileysuggeststheymaybeaspecialorderofheavenlybeings,perhapsthehighestandclosesttothethrone,whoserveGod’smajesticwill(6b-8).AsthefourlivingcreaturespraiseHimwhositsonthethrone,thetwenty-foureldersjoininbyfallingdown,castingtheircrownsbeforethethrone,andpraisingGodastheEternalCreator(9-11).

Thisscene,alongwiththatinchapterfive,appearsdesignedtosetthestageforwhatfollows.Attheoutset,weareshownthefirstguaranteeofultimatevictory:GodisonHisthrone!(Summers)Thepraiseofferedbythefourlivingcreaturesandthetwenty-foureldersreinforcethetruththattheOneonthethrone(andinultimatecontrol)isnoneotherthantheLordGodAlmighty,EternalandHoly,theCreatorwhoholdsallthingstogether.Heisthereforeworthyofglory,honorandpower!Heistheonetorevere,notsomeman!

Points To Ponder • TheimplicationofthevisionofGodonHisthrone

• Howthisvisionalongwiththeoneinchapterfivesetsthestageforwhatfollows

Outline I. THETHRONESCENE(1-8) A. JOHNTAKENTOHEAVEN(1)

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1. AfterseeingtheLordandhearingthelettersaddressedtothesevenchurches 2. Uponseeingadoorstandingopeninheaven,andhearingatrumpet-likevoice a. Beingtold“Comeuphere” b. Inwhichhewillsee“thingswhichmusttakeplaceafterthis” B. HEDESCRIBESTHETHRONESCENE(2-8) 1. TheOneonthethrone a. Likeajasper(sparklingwhite) b. Andasardiusstone(fieryred)inappearance c. Withanemeraldrainbow(variousshadesofgreen)aroundthethrone 2. Thetwenty-fourelders a. Sittingontwenty-fourthronesaroundthethrone b. Clothedinwhiterobes c. Withcrownsofgoldontheirheads 3. Otherelementsaroundthethrone a. Lightnings,thunderings,andvoicesproceedingfromthethrone b. Sevenlamps(theSevenSpiritsofGod)burningbeforethethrone c. Aseaofglass,likecrystal,beforethethrone d. Fourlivingcreaturesinthemidstandaroundthethrone 4. Thefourlivingcreatures a. Uniquecharacteristics 1) Thefirstwaslikealion 2) Thesecondwaslikeacalf 3) Thethirdhadafacelikeaman 4) Thefourthwaslikeaflyingeagle b. Similarcharacteristics 1) Eachhadsixwings 2) Fullofeyesinfrontandback,aroundandwithin 3) Donotrestdayornight,praisingtheholinessoftheEternalGodII. GODPRAISEDASTHECREATOR(9-11) A. PROMPTEDBYTHELIVINGCREATURES(9) 1. Whenevertheygiveglory,honor,andthanks 2. ToHimwhositsonthethrone,theEternalOne B. OFFEREDBYTHETWENTY-FOURELDERS(10-11) 1. WhofalldownbeforeHimwhositsonthethrone 2. WhoworshipHimwholivesforever 3. Whocasttheircrownsbeforethethrone 4. WhoproclaimGodworthytoreceiveglory,honor,andpower a. ForHecreatedallthings b. AndbyHiswilltheyexistandwerecreated

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhentheLordfinishedwithHisletterstothechurches,whatdidJohnsee?(1)

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3) WhatdidJohnhear?Whatwashetoldhewillsee?(1)4) Whatwasthefirstthinghenoticed?(2)5) HowdoesJohndescribetheappearanceoftheOneonthethrone?(3)6) Whatisthecoloroftherainbowaroundthethrone?(3)7) Whatisaroundthethrone?(4)8) Whatproceedsfromthethrone?(5)9) Whatstandsbeforethethrone?(5)10)Whatliesbeforethethrone?(6)11)Whatisseeninthemidstandaroundthethrone?Howaretheydescribed?(6-8)12)Whatdotheyproclaimwithoutrest,dayandnight?(8)13)Whenthecreaturesofferglory,honor,andthankstoGod,whathappens?(9-10)14)Whydothetwenty-foureldersdeemGodworthyofglory,honor,andpower?(11)

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Chapter Five Thescenethatbeganinchapterfourcontinues.Whereasthethemeofchapterfourcanbestatedas“GodisonHisthrone!”,thethemeofthischaptermaybecalled“WorthyistheLamb!”

John’sattentionisdrawntoascrollintherighthandofGod.Writtenontheinsideandontheback,itissealedwithsevenseals.Astrongangelproclaims“Whoisworthytoopenthescrollandtolooseitsseals?”Atfirstthereseemstobenoneinheavenandonearthdeemedworthytoopenthescrollorlookatit.ThispromptedJohntoweep(1-4).

Butoneofthetwenty-fourelderstellshimnottoweep,forOnedescribedas“theLionofthetribeofJudah,theRootofDavid”(cf.Gen49:9-10;Isa11:10)hasprevailedsotobeabletoopenthescrollandlooseitsseals.Inthemidstofthethroneandofthelivingcreaturesandtheelders,JohnseesaLambstandingasthoughslain(i.e.,Jesus-cf.Jn1:29),withsevenhornsandseveneyes.TheseveneyesareexplainedasthesevenSpiritsofGodsentoutintoalltheearth(cf.Zech4:10).Assuggestedbefore(cf.Re1:4;3:1;4:9)theyrepresenttheHolySpirit,whilethesevenhornsareindicativeofgreatstrength(cf.Deu33:17;1Sa2:10).TheLambisthenseenastakingthescrolloutofGod’srighthand(5-7).

Takingthescrollpromptsthefourlivingcreaturesandtwenty-fourelderstofalldownbeforetheLamb.Eachpossessingaharp(perhapssymbolizingpraise,Hailey)andgoldenbowlsofincensewhichdepicttheprayersofthesaints,theysinganewsongpraisingtheLambasworthytotakethescroll.TheyproclaimHisworthinessonthebasisofbeingslainandredeemingbyHisbloodthosefromeverynationwhoaremadekingsandprieststoGodwhoshallreignontheearth(cf.Re1:5-6;2:26-27;1Pe2:9).ThevoicesofthousandsofangelsaroundthethronethenjoininwiththeirpraiseoftheLambwhowasslainasworthytoreceivepower,riches,wisdom,strength,honor,glory,andblessing.Finally,everycreatureinheaven,earth,andseajoininwithpraiseforbothHimwhositsonthethrone(God)andtheLamb(Jesus).Towhichthefourlivingcreaturessay“Amen!”andthetwenty-foureldersfalldownandworship(8-14).

ThisawesomesceneshouldcertainlyencouragethefaithfulChristian.AsstatedbyRaySummers:

“SuchascenewascalculatedtobringnewcourageandnewhopetotheheartsofJohn’sfirstreaders,thepersecutedChristiansofAsia;itbringsthesamecheertoChristianheartsinanyage.BelievinginthepowerofGod(Ch.4)andtheredeemingloveofGod(Ch.5),thereisnoenemyorforceofevilwhichChristiansneedtofear.TheycanentertheconflictorenduretheevilknowingthatGodisstillonhisthrone;hehasnotlaidasidehisscepter;hehasnotabandonedhisthronetoanyother.”

Whatwillthescrollreveal?IbelieveitdivulgesGod’srighteousindignationuponthosewhorejectedHisChristandpersecutedHispeople.Also,howHissufferingsaintswouldeventuallyovercome.Aslongasthescrollwassealed,theworkingsofGodwasstillamystery.Butasthesealsarebroken(Re6:1-8:1),wehave:“theRevelationofJesusChrist,whichGodgaveHimtoshowHisservants--thingswhichmustshortlytakeplace.”(Re1:1)

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Points To Ponder • WhatisrevealedabouttheLamb(Jesus),andwhatHisdeathaccomplished

• TheimpactthisscenewouldhavehadonthepersecutedChristiansinAsia

Outline I. THESCROLLANDTHELAMB(1-7) A. THESCROLLINGOD’SRIGHTHAND(1-4) 1. Writtenontheinsideandontheback,sealedwithsevenseals 2. Theproclamationbythestrongangel a. “Whoisworthy?” b. “Toopenandthescrollandtolooseitsseals?” 3. Theinitialresponse a. Noone,inheaven,ontheearth,undertheearth! b. Noone,abletoopenthescroll,ortolookatit! 4. John’sreaction:“SoIweptmuch,becausenoonewasfoundworthy...” B. THEONEWORTHYTOOPENTHESCROLL(5-7) 1. ComfortingwordsoftheeldertoJohn a. “Donotweep” b. “Behold,theLionofthetribeofJudah,therootofDavid” c. He“hasprevailed” 1) “Toopenthescroll” 2) “Tolooseitssevenseals” 2. John’sdescriptionoftheLamb a. Standinginthemidstofthethrone,thefourlivingcreatures,andtheelders b. ALambasthoughithadbeenslain 1) Havingsevenhorns 2) Withseveneyes,whicharethesevenSpiritsofGodsentintoallthe earth c. WhotakesthescrolloutofGod’srighthandII. THELAMBISPRAISED(8-14) A. BYTHEFOURLIVINGCREATURESANDTWENTY-FOURELDERS(8-10) 1. Eachhaving: a. Aharp b. Goldenbowlsfullofincense,whicharetheprayersofthesaints 2. Theysanganewsong... a. TheLambisworthy! 1) Totakethescroll 2) Toopenitsseals b. Because: 1) Hewasslain 2) HehasredeemedthemtoGodbyHisbloodoutofeverytribe,tongue, peopleandnation 3) HehasmadethemkingsandprieststoGod,toreignontheearth

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B. BYTHOUSANDSUPONTHOUSANDSOFANGELS(11-12) 1. Theirvoicesheardaroundthethrone,alongwiththelivingcreaturesandthe elders 2. Sayingwithaloudvoice: a. WorthyistheLambwhowasslain b. Toreceivepower,riches,wisdom,strength,honor,glory,andblessing C. TOGETHERWITHHIMWHOSITSONTHETHRONE(13-14) 1. Johnnowhearsthoseinheaven,onearth,undertheearth,andintheseasaying: a. “Blessingandhonorandgloryandpower...” b. “BetoHimwhositsonthrone,andtotheLamb,foreverandever!” 2. Uponwhich: a. Thefourlivingcreaturessaid“Amen!” b. Thetwenty-foureldersfelldownandworshippedHimwholivesforeverand ever

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdidJohnseeintherighthandofHimwhosatonthethrone?(1)3) Whatdidastrongangelproclaimwithaloudvoice?(2)4) HowdidJohnreactwhenitseemednonewasworthytoopenthescroll?(3-4)5) Whatdidoneofthetwenty-foureldersthensaytoJohn?(5)6) WhatdidJohnsee?(6)7) WherewastheLamb?WhatdidHedo?(6-7)8) WhathappenedwhentheLambhadtakenthescroll?(8-9a)9) Whatdidtheyproclaiminthis“newsong”?(9)10)WhydidtheydeemtheLambworthy?(9-10)

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11)WhatdidJohnthenseeandhear?(11)12)Whatweretheysaying?(12)13)WhatdoesJohnhearnext?(13)14)Whathappensthen?(14)

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Chapter Six InthischaptertheLambloosessixofthesevensealsonthescroll.Thefirstfoursealsrevealfourhorsesandtheirriders(cf.Zec6:1-8),commonlyreferredtodayas“TheFourHorsemenOfTheApocalypse”.Noticewhatissaidaboutthedifferentriders:

“...acrownwasgiventohim...”(therideronthewhitehorse)

“...itwasgrantedtotheone...therewasgiventohim...”(theriderontheredhorse)

“...avoiceinthemidstofthefourlivingcreaturessaying”(theriderontheblackhorse)

“...powerwasgiventothem...”(ridersonthepalehorse-DeathandHades)

Whohadthepowertogiveacrown,tograntsuchauthority?Whointhemidstofthefourlivingcreaturesmighthavespoken?WhohadpowertogivetoDeathandHades?WhenweconsiderthatJesusistherulerofthekingsoftheearth(Re1:5),thatHehasthekeysofHadesandofDeath(Re1:18),andthatHewasinthemidstofthefourlivingcreatures(Re5:6),itseemsclearthattheanswerisChrist!Inotherwords,thehorsesandtheirriderswereactingupontheauthorityandpowergiventhembyChrist.ThereforeIsuggestthefollowingexplanationsforthefirstfourseals(1-8):

Thewhitehorseanditsrider-Representsmilitaryconquest,suchasGodusedtobringjudgmentuponAssyria(Isa10:5-7,12-13,15-16)andBabylon(Isa13:17-20).

Theredhorseanditsrider-Representscivilwar,inwhichpeoplewouldkilloneanother,suchasGodusedinHisjudgmentagainstEgypt(Isa19:1-4).

Theblackhorseanditsrider-Representsfamine,wherenecessities(wheatandbarley)wouldbescarce,whileluxuries(oilandwine)mightbeinabundancebutoflittleinteresttothehungry.GodhadusedfamineinHisjudgmentuponIsrael(Jer14:11-12).

Thepalehorseanditsriders(DeathandHades)-Representsdeathbroughtaboutbythesword,hunger,death(pestilence),andbeastsoftheearth.SuchseverejudgmentsGodhadbroughtuponJerusaleminthepast(Eze5:17;6:12;14:21).

SomeseethefulfillmentofthesethingsintheRomanadvanceonJerusalemduringA.D.67-70,asdescribedbyFlaviusJosephusinhisbook,TheWarsOfTheJews(Bass,Gentry).

Withthefifthseal(9-11)wearetoldwhyGodwouldbringsuchjudgment.SoulshavebeenslainforthewordofGodandtheirtestimony,andwhenthetimeisrightthewickedwillbeavenged(cf.Lk18:7-8).Meanwhile,soulsoftheslainarecomfortedwithwhiterobesandrest.Whowerethesesouls?PerhapsChristianswhohadalreadypaidthesupremepriceforfollowingJesus,suchasStephen(Ac7:54-8:2),James(Ac12:1-2),Antipas(Re2:13).

Thesixthseal(12-17)describescosmicdisturbancesandthedespairofthosetryingtohidefromGod’swrath.Isthisscenedepictingtheendoftime(cf.2Pe3:7-12)?ThelanguageisreminiscentofthatdescribingGod’sjudgmentuponBabylon(Isa13:1-22)andSamaria(Hos10:7-8).JesususedsimilarlanguagetowarnpeopleoftheimpendingdestructionofJerusalem(Lk23:28-30).ThereforeIbelieveitreferstojudgmentuponunbelievingIsraelforpersecutingGod’speopleinthe1stcentury.TheguiltywouldnotescapetheLamb’swrath!Whowouldstandinthatday?Theanswerisinthenextchapter.

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Points To Ponder • Themeaningofthefourhorsesandtheirriders

• Thereasonforthejudgmentandwrathdescribedinthischapter

Outline I. THEFOURHORSESANDTHEIRRIDERS(1-8) A. FIRSTSEAL-RIDERONTHEWHITEHORSE(1-2) 1. TheLambopensthefirstseal 2. Oneofthefourlivingcreaturessays“Come” 3. Johnseesawhitehorseanditsrider a. Themanhadabow b. Acrownwasgiventohim c. Themanwentoutconqueringandtoconquer B. SECONDSEAL-RIDERONTHEREDHORSE(3-4) 1. TheLambopensthesecondseal 2. Thesecondlivingcreaturesays“Come” 3. Johnseesafieryredhorseanditsrider a. Theriderwasgrantedtotakepeacefromtheearth,andforpeopletokill oneanother b. Agreatswordwasgiventohim C. THIRDSEAL-RIDERONTHEBLACKHORSE(5-6) 1. TheLambopensthethirdseal 2. Thethirdlivingcreaturesays“Come” 3. Johnseesablackhorseanditsrider a. Apairofscalesisinthehandoftherider b. Avoiceinthemidstofthefourlivingcreaturessays“Aquartofwheatfora denarius,andthreequartsofbarleyforadenarius;anddonotharmtheoil andthewine.” D. FOURTHSEAL-RIDERONTHEPALEHORSE(7-8) 1. TheLambopensthefourthseal 2. Thefourthlivingcreaturesays“Come” 3. Johnseesapalehorseanditsrider a. OnthehorsesitsDeath,andHadesfollowedwithhim b. Powerwasgiventothemoverafourthoftheearth c. Powertokillwiththesword,withdeath,andbybeastsII. THESOULSUNDERTHEALTAR(9-11) A. THEFIFTHSEAL-SOULSUNDERTHEALTAR(9-10) 1. TheLambopensthefifthseal 2. Johnseesunderthealtarthosewhohadbeenslain a. ForthewordofGod b. Forthetestimonytheyheld 3. Theycriedwithaloudvoice:

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a. “Howlong,OLord,holyandtrue” b. “Untilyoujudgeandavengeourbloodonthosewhodwellontheearth?” B. THEIRCONSOLATION(11) 1. Awhiterobewasgiventoeachofthem 2. Theyweretoldtorestalittlewhilelonger,untilboththeirfellowservantsand brethrenwouldbekilledIII. COSMICDISRUPTIONSINTHEDAYOFTHELAMB’SWRATH(12-17) A. THESIXTHSEAL-COSMICDISRUPTIONS(12-14) 1. TheLambopensthesixthseal 2. Cataclysmiceventsoccur: a. Agreatearthquake b. Sunbecomesblackassackclothofhair c. Moonbecamelikeblood d. Starsfalltotheearth,likeripefigsshakenfromatreebyamightywind e. Skyrecededasascrollwhenrolledup f. Everymountainandislandmovedoutofitsplace B. THEREACTIONOFMANKIND(15-17) 1. Greatandsmall,slaveandfree,hidthemselvesinthecavesandrocksofthe mountains 2. Theycryouttothemountainsandrocks: a. “FallonusandhideusfromthefaceofHimwhositsonthethroneandfrom thewrathoftheLamb!” b. “ForthegreatdayofHiswrathhascome,andwhoisabletostand?”

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) Whoopenseachofthesealsinthischapter?(1,3,5,7,9,12)3) Whatisseenwhenthefirstsealisopened?Whatwasgiventohim?(1-2)4) Whatisseenwhenthesecondsealisopened?Whatwasgiventohim?(3-4)5) Whatisseenwhenthethirdsealisopened?Whatisheard?(5-6)6) Whatisseenwhenthefourthsealisopened?Whatwasgiventothem?(7-8)

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7) Whatisseenwhenthefifthsealisopened?Whataretheysaying?(9-10)8) Howaretheyconsoled?(11)9) Whatisseenwhenthesixthsealiscompleted?(12-14)10)Whatdothepeopleonearthtrytodo?Whatdotheysay?(15-17)

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Chapter Seven Betweenthesixthandseventhseals,thereisaninterludeinwhichJohnseestwovisions.Theymaybedesignedtoanswerthequestionraisedattheendofthepreviouschapter:“ForthegreatdayofHiswrathhascome,andwhoisabletostand?”(Re6:17)

InthefirstvisionJohnseesfourangelsstandingatthefourcornersoftheearth,holdingbackthewindsfromblowingontheearth,sea,oronanytree.AnangelarisesfromtheeasthavingthesealofthelivingGod,whocriesouttotheotherfourangelsnottoharmtheearth,etc.,untiltheservantsofGodhavebeensealedontheirforeheads.Johnthenhearsthenumberofthosewhoaresealed.Theyare144,000ofallthetribesofthechildrenofIsrael,with12,000fromeachtribe.OfinterestisthefactthatEphraimandDanarenotmentioned,whileLeviandJosepharecountedastribes.Thissuggeststomanythatthe144,000ofIsraelissymbolic(1-8).

ThesecondvisionrevealsalargeinnumerablemultitudeofallnationsstandingbeforethethroneandtheLamb.Clothedwithwhiterobesandpalmbranchesintheirhands,theycryout“SalvationbelongstoourGodwhositsonthethrone,andtotheLamb!”Theyarejoinedintheirpraisebyangels,theelders,andfourlivingcreatures.Johnisthentoldbyoneoftheeldersthatthosearrayedinwhiterobeshavecomeoutofthegreattribulation,withtheirrobeswashedandmadewhiteinthebloodoftheLamb.BeforethethroneofGod,theyserveHimdayandnightinHistemple.Futureblessingsarethendescribed:Godwilldwellamongthem,theyshallbefreefromhunger,thirst,andtheheatofthesun.TheLambwillshepherdthemandleadthemtofountainsoflivingwaters,andGodwillwipealltearsfromtheireyes(9-17).

Whatdothetwovisionsmean?The144,000ofIsraelsealedonearthmayrepresentfaithfulJewishChristiansinPalestineleadinguptothedestructionofJerusaleminAD70.TheyaresealedandtherebysparedfromGod’swrath(cf.Eze9:1-11).EusebiussaysthatJewishChristianswereabletofleetoPellabeforetheRomansoverwhelmedJerusalem,justasJesusurgedHisdisciplestodoinLk21:20-24.

Thesecondvisionprovideshopeforanywhomustpassthrough“thegreattribulation”(notjustIsrael,but“ofallnations,tribes,peoples,andtongues”),foritwouldnotbelimitedtoPalestine,butwouldspreadthroughouttheRomanempire.ProvidedtheyhavewashedtheirrobesinthebloodoftheLamb,theyareassuredthattheywillserveGodinHistemplein“theintermediatestate”(betweendeathandtheresurrection).Theyarealsopromisedfutureblessingsin“theeternalstate”(aftertheresurrectionandjudgment,cf.Re7:16-17withRe21:1-4).

ThusitwouldbeJewishChristiansinPalestine,andChristiansamongallnationswillingtoremainfaithful,whowouldbeabletostandinthedayofGod’swrath!

Points To Ponder • Theidentityofthetwogroupsinthetwovisionsseeninthischapter

• Thecomfortpromisedthosewhowouldpassthroughthegreattribulation

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Outline I. THE144,000SEALEDONEARTH(1-8) A. THEANGELSRESTRAINED(1-3) 1. Johnsawfourangelsatthefourcornersoftheearth a. Holdingthefourwindsoftheearth b. Thatthewindswouldnotblowontheearth,sea,oranytree 2. Johnsawanotherangelascendingfromtheeast a. Cryingwithaloudvoicetothefourangelsgrantedtoharmtheearthandsea b. Instructingthemnottoharmtheearth,sea,ortreesuntiltheservantsof Godweresealedontheirforeheads B. THE144,000SEALED(4-8) 1. John“heard”thenumberofthosesealed 2. Thosesealedwere12,000eachofthetribesofIsrael: a. Judah g. Simeon b. Reuben h. Levi c. Gad i. Issachar d. Asher j. Zebulun e. Naphtali k. Joseph f. Manasseh l. BenjaminII. THEGREATMULTITUDEINHEAVEN(9-17) A. JOHNSEESAGREATMULTITUDE(9-12) 1. Whichnonecouldnumber,fromallnations,tribes,peoplesandtongues 2. StandingbeforethethroneandbeforetheLamb a. Clothedwithwhiterobes b. Withpalmbranchesintheirhands 3. Cryingwithloudvoices:“SalvationbelongstoourGodwhositsonthethrone, andtotheLamb!” 4. Angels,theelders,andthefourlivingcreaturesalsojoininwithpraise a. FallingontheirfacesbeforethethroneandworshippingGod b. Ascribingblessing,glory,wisdom,thanksgiving,honor,power,andmightto God B. THEGREATMULTITUDEIDENTIFIED(13-17) 1. Askedbyoneoftheelders,Johnputsthequestionbacktohim 2. Theelderidentifiesthegreatmultitude: a. Thosewhocomeoutofthegreattribulation b. Whohavewashedtheirrobesandmadethemwhiteinthebloodofthe Lamb c. WhoarebeforethethroneofGodandserveHimdayandnightinHistemple 3. Theelderdescribestheirfutureblessedness: a. TheOneonthethronewilldwellwiththem b. Theyshallnothungernorthirstanymore;thesunnoranyheatshallstrike them c. TheLambwillshepherdthemandleadthemtolivingfountainsofwater d. Godwillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes

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Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdoesJohnseenext?(1)3) Whatdidanangelascendingfromtheeastcryout?(2-3)4) Whoandhowmanyweresealed?(4)5) Inthelistofthosesealed,whattwotribesofIsraelaremissing?(5-8)6) Whattwonamesareusedfortribeswhichwerenotnormallylistedamongthe twelvetribesofIsrael?(5-8)7) Afterthe144,000aresealed,whatdoesJohnseenext?(9-10)8) WhoelsejoinsinwithpraisetoGod?(11-12)9) Whodoestheelderidentifyasthegreatmultitude?(13-14)10)Whatfutureblessingsaretheypromisedtoreceive?(15-17)

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Chapter Eight Followingthe“interlude”ofthepreviouschapter,inwhichreassuringandcomfortingscenesconcerningthesaintswereseen,theseventhsealisnowopened.Foraboutahalfhour,thereissilenceinheaven(1).

Incontrasttoallthathappenedbefore,thesilencemusthavebeenstriking!Possiblyitsignifiesaweinheavenforwhathasalreadybeenrevealed,orforwhatisabouttoberevealed.WhenGodacts,thoseonearthshouldbeinawe(cf.Hab2:20;Zec2:13).ShouldwenotexpectasimilarreactionfromHiscreaturesinheaven(Zep1:7)?

SevenangelsareseenstandingbeforeGodtowhomaregivenseventrumpets.Beforetheysoundthetrumpets,anotherangelwithagoldencensercomesandstandsbeforethealtar.Tothisangelisgivenmuchincensetoofferalongwiththeprayersofthesaintsuponthegoldenaltarbeforethethrone.ThesmokeoftheincenseandtheprayersofthesaintsascendbeforeGodfromtheangel’shand.Thentheangeltakesthecenser,fillsitwithfirefromthealtar,andthrewittotheearth.Noises,thunderings,lightningsandanearthquakefollow,andthesevenangelswiththeseventrumpetspreparetosound(2-6).

ThesceneappearstosuggestthatthesoundingoftheseventrumpetsandthethingstofollowisGod’sresponsetotheprayersofthesaints.ItisreminiscentofwhatJesustaughtinHisparableofthepersistentwidow:“AndshallGodnotavengeHisownelectwhocryoutdayandnighttoHim,thoughHebearslongwiththem?”(Lk18:7;cf.alsoRe6:9-10).

Asthefirstfourangelssoundtheirtrumpetsinturn,theenvironmentinparticularisimpacted:

• Thefirsttrumpet-Hailandfire,mingledwithblood,arethrowntoearth;athirdofthetreesandallthegreengrasswereburnedup(7).

• Thesecondtrumpet-Somethinglikeagreatburningmountainisthrownintothesea,turningathirdofitintoblood;athirdoftheseacreaturesdied,andathirdoftheshipsweredestroyed(8-9).

• Thethirdtrumpet-AgreatburningstarnamedWormwoodfallsonathirdoftheriversandspringsofwater;athirdofthewatersbecamewormwood(abitterwood)andmanymendiedfromthebitterwater(10-11).

• Thefourthtrumpet-Athirdofthesun,moon,andstarsarestruck,sothatathirdofthemweredarkened;thusathirdofthedayandnightdidnotshine(12).

ThefirstfourtrumpetsmaysignifynaturalcalamitiesthatGodwoulduseinHisjudgmentagainstapostateIsraelwhooppressedHispeople.TheyarereminiscentoftheEgyptianplagues(cf.Exo9-10),broughtnowagainstherselfthatislatercalled“Egypt”(Re11:8).Thatonlyathirdisaffected,alongwiththesymbolismoftrumpets,suggeststhatthepurposeofthesejudgmentswouldbetowarn,givingmanyopportunitytorepent.

Beforethefinalthreetrumpetssound,anangel(oreagle,insomemss)fliesthroughthemidstofheavenwithloudvoiceproclaimingathree-foldwoeontheinhabitantsoftheearth(13).Whilethefirstfourtrumpetswerebadenough,theworstwasyettocome!

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Points To Ponder • Theopeningoftheseventhseal,theangelwiththegoldencensor,andthesounding

ofthefirstfourtrumpets

• Thepossiblesignificanceofthesilenceinheavenandthefirstfourtrumpets

Outline I. THESEVENTHSEAL-SILENCEINHEAVEN(1) A. THELAMBOPENSTHESEVENSEAL(1a) B. SILENCEINHEAVENFORABOUTHALFANHOUR(1b)II. PREPARATIONFORTHESOUNDINGOFTHESEVENTRUMPETS(2-6) A. SEVENANGELSPREPARED(2) 1. SevenangelswhostandbeforeGod 2. Tothemweregivenseventrumpets B. THEANGELWITHTHEGOLDENCENSER(3-6) 1. Cameandstoodbeforethealtar 2. Wasgivenmuchincensetooffer... a. Withtheprayersofallthesaints b. Uponthegoldenaltarbeforethethrone 3. Thesmokeoftheincenseandtheprayersofthesaints... a. AscendedbeforeGod b. Fromtheangel’shand 4. Theangeltookthecenser... a. Filleditwithfirefromthealtar b. Threwittotheearth -- Accompaniedbynoises,thunderings,lightnings,andanearthquake 5. ThesevenangelswiththeseventrumpetsthenpreparedthemselvestosoundIII.THEFIRSTFOURTRUMPETS(7-12) A. THEFIRSTTRUMPET:VEGETATIONSTRUCK(7) 1. Hailandfire,mingledwithblood,throwntotheearth 2. Athirdofthetreesburnedup,andallgreengrassburnedup B. THESECONDTRUMPET:SEASSTRUCK(8-9) 1. Somethinglikeagreatburningmountainthrownintothesea 2. Athirdoftheseabecameblood;athirdofthecreaturesintheseadied;athird oftheshipsdestroyed C. THETHIRDTRUMPET:RIVERSANDSPRINGSSTRUCK(10-11) 1. Agreatburningstarfellonathirdoftheriversandspringsofwater 2. NamedWormwood,athirdofthewatersbecamewormwood;manymendied fromthebitterwater

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D. THEFOURTHTRUMPET:HEAVENSSTRUCK(12) 1. Athirdofthesun,moon,andstarsstruck 2. Athirdofthemweredarkened,sothatthirdofthedayandnightdidnotshineIV. THREE-FOLDWOEANNOUNCED(13) A. ANANGEL(EAGLE?)FLYINGTHROUGHHEAVEN(13a) B. PRONOUNCINGATHREE-FOLDWOE(13b) 1. “Woe,woe,woetotheinhabitantsoftheearth” 2. “Becauseoftheremainingblastsofthetrumpetofthethreeangelswhoare abouttosound!”

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhathappenedwhentheLambopenedtheseventhseal?(1)3) WhatdidJohnseenext?(2)4) Whatdidanotherangeldo?Whatwasgivenhim?Why?(3-4)5) Whatdidtheangelthendowiththecenser?Whatthenhappened?(5-6)6) Describewhathappenedwhenthefirstangelsounded(7)7) Describewhathappenedwhenthesecondangelsounded(8-9)8) Describewhathappenedwhenthethirdangelsounded(10-11)9) Describewhathappenedwhenthefourthangelsounded(12)

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10)WhatdidJohnnextseeandhear?(13)

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Chapter Nine Followingtheominouswarningoftheangel(eagle)inthepreviouschapter,thefifthangelsoundshistrumpet.Johnseesastarfallenfromheaven,towhomisgiventhekeytothebottomlesspit.Asthepitisopened,smokerisesthatdarkensthesunandair.Thenlocustswithpowerlikescorpionscameoutofthesmoke,towhomwasgivenpowertoharmonlythosewhodidnothavethesealofGodontheirforehead.Theirpowerwaslimitedonlytotorment,notkill,andonlyforfivemonths.Evenso,menwishedtheycoulddie.Johndescribestheappearanceofthelocusts,andidentifiestheirkingastheangelofthebottomlesspitwhosenameinHebrewisAbaddonandinGreekisApollyon,bothmeaning“destruction”.Thusendsthefirst“woe”,withtwomoretocome(1-12).

Whenthesixthangelsoundshistrumpet,JohnhearsavoicefromthefourhornsofthegoldenaltarbeforeGod.IttellsthesixthangeltoreleasefourangelswhohavebeenboundattheriverEuphrates.Theseangelshadbeenpreparedforthehour,day,monthandyear,tokillathirdofmankind.AtthispointJohnhearsthenumberofanarmyoftwohundredmillionhorsemen.Describingthecolorfulbreastplatesofthoseonthehorses,healsorelateshowthelion-likeheadsofthehorsesblewfire,smokeandbrimstonewhichkilledathirdofmankind.Theyalsodidmuchharmwithserpent-liketails.Despitethesetwo“woes”,therestofmankinddidnotrepentoftheiridolatry,murders,sorceries,sexualimmoralitiesandthefts(13-21).

Asonecanimagine,attemptstointerpretthesevisionshavebeenmanyandsomequitefanciful.Togetherwiththefirstfourtrumpets,IsuggestthefifthandsixthtrumpetssignifytoolsatGod’sdisposaltobringwrathuponthepersecutorsofHispeople.Thoughallowedtogoonlysofar,Satan’sinfluencecanhavetheeffectofweakeninganationfromwithin.Thereisalsothethreatofexternalinvasionbyenemyforces.ThereforeIconcurwithothersthatthevisionoflocustsfromthebottomlesspitsymbolizesthehellishrottennessandinternaldecadencethatwouldweakentheenemiesofGod’speoplefromwithin.ThetwohundredmillionhorsemensymbolizeexternalinvasionasanotherinstrumentGodwoulduse.Togetherwithnaturalcalamities,(depictedinthefirstfourtrumpets),thesecombinedtobringdownapostateIsrael(cf.Mt12:43-45;Lk21:20-24).

AsChristiansinJohn’sdaywereoppressedbywhatseemedtobeinvincibleopponents,visionslikethesewouldremindthemthatthose“whodonothavethesealofGodontheirforehead”(Re9:4;7:3)wouldbesusceptibletoGod’swrath.

Points To Ponder • Thesoundingofthefifthandsixthtrumpets

• Thesignificanceofthevisionswhenthetwotrumpetssounded

Outline I. THEFIFTHTRUMPET:LOCUSTSFROMTHEBOTTOMLESSPIT(1-12) A. THE“STAR”FALLENFROMHEAVEN(1-2)

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1. Withthesoundingofthefifthtrumpet... a. Johnsawastarfallenfromheaventotheearth b. Towhomwasgiventhekeytothebottomlesspit 2. Whenthebottomlesspitwasopened... a. Smokelikethatofagreatfurnacearoseoutofthepit b. Thesunandtheairweredarkenedbecauseofthesmoke B. THE“LOCUSTS”ANDTHEIRPOWER(3-10) 1. Outofthesmokelocustswithgreatpowercameupontheearth a. Powerlikescorpions b. Commandednottoharmthegrass,anygreenthing,oranytree 2. Theextentandnatureoftheirpower a. CouldharmonlythosewhodonothavethesealofGodontheirforeheads b. Couldnotkill,butonlytormentthemforfivemonths c. Menwillseekdeath,butdeathwillfleefromthem 3. Thelocustsdescribed a. Theirshapelikehorsespreparedforbattle b. Ontheirheadswerecrownsofsomethinglikegold c. Theirfaceswerelikethoseofmen d. Theirhairwaslikewomen’shair e. Theirteethwaslikelions’teeth f. Withbreastplateslikethoseofiron g. Thesoundoftheirwingslikechariotswithmanyrunninghorses h. Withtailslikescorpions,andstingsintheirtails(thoughlimitedinpower) C. THE“KING”OVERTHEM(11-12) 1. Theangelofthebottomlesspit 2. WhosenameinHebrewisAbaddon,andinGreek,Apollyon -- Thefirstofthreewoesispast;twomoretocomeII. THESIXTHTRUMPET:THETWOHUNDREDMILLIONARMY(13-21) A. THEFOURANGELSBOUNDATTHEEUPHRATES(13-15) 1. Withthesoundingofthesixthtrumpet... a. JohnheardavoicefromthefourhornsofthegoldenaltarbeforeGod b. Speakingtothesixthangelwhohadthetrumpet c. TellinghimtoreleasethefourangelsboundattheriverEuphrates 2. Thefourangelsreleased... a. Whohadbeenpreparedforthehour,day,month,andyear b. Whoweretokillathirdofmankind B. THEARMYOFTWOHUNDREDMILLIONHORSEMEN(16-19) 1. Johnheardthenumberofthem 2. Whathesawinthevision... a. Thoseonthehorseshadbreastplatesoffieryred,hyacinthblue,sulfur yellow b. Thehorseshadheadslikethoseoflions c. Outoftheirmouthscamefire,smoke,andbrimstone 3. Thepowerofthisgreatarmy... a. Athirdofmankindkilledbythefire,smoke,andbrimstone

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b. Thepowertoharmisintheirmouthandtailslikeserpents’heads C. THEFAILUREOFTHESURVIVORSTOREPENT(20-21) 1. Thosenotkilleddidnotrepentoftheiridolatry 2. Nordidtheyrepentoftheirmurders,sorceries,sexualimmoralities,orthefts

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) Whenthefifthangelsoundedhistrumpet,whatdidJohnsee?(1)3) Whatcameoutofthepitwhenitwasopened?(2-3)4) Whatwerethelocustsallowedtoharm?(4)5) Whatotherlimitationswasplacedupontheirpower(5-6)6) Howarethelocustsdescribed?(7-10)7) Whowastheirking?WhatwashisnameinHebrewandGreek?(11)8) WhatdidJohnhearwhenthesixthtrumpetsounded(13-14)9) Whatwerethefourangelsreleasedtodo?(15)10)WhatdidJohnhearnext?(16)11)Whatwerethecolorsofthebreastplatesofthoseonthehorses?(17)12)Whatweretheheadsofthehorseslike?Whatcameoutoftheirmouths?(17)

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13)Whowaskilledbythesmoke,fire,andbrimstone?(18)14)Wherewasthepowertodoharminthehorses?(19)15)Ofwhatdidthosewhowerenotkillednotrepent?(20-21)

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Chapter Ten Justastherewasaninterludebetweenthesixthandseventhsealsthatincludedtwovisionsdesignedtocomfortthesaints,sowefindaninterludebetweenthesixthandseventhtrumpetswiththreevisionsthatwouldhavesimilareffect.

Chaptertencontainsthefirstvisioninthissecondinterlude,inwhichJohndescribesamightyangelcomingdownfromheavenandstandingwithhisrightfootontheseaandhisleftontheland.Ofparticularnoteisalittlebookintheangel’shand.Whentheangelcriedoutwithlion-likevoice,seventhundersutteredtheirvoices,butJohnisforbiddenbyavoicefromheaventowritethethingswhichthethundersuttered.AtthispointthemightyangelswearsbyGodthattherewillbedelaynolonger,forwhentheseventhangelsoundshistrumpetthemysteryofGodwillbefinished,asGoddeclaredtoHisservantstheprophets(1-7).

ThenthevoicefromheaventellsJohntotakethebookfromtheangel.Ashedoesso,theangeltellshimtoeatthebook,withawarningthatwhileitwillbesweetashoneyinhismouth,itwillmakehisstomachbitter.WhenJohneatsthebook,heistoldthathemustagainprophesyaboutmanypeoples,nations,tonguesandkings(8-11).

Thesignificanceofeatingthelittlebookisclearenough,foritsymbolizesJohnmasteringthecontentsofthemessage(cf.Eze2:1-3:11).Astoitscontents,itmaypertaintothepropheciesofchapters12-22,whichcertainlycontainspropheciesofpeoples,nations,kings,etc.WhilethesoundingoftheseventhtrumpetwouldindicatethemysteryofGodwasfinishedregardingthejudgmentofIsrael,JohnwouldbeshownmorethingstoproclaimregardingthejudgmentofRomestartinginchapter12.

Thesignificanceoftheseventhundersmayforeverremainanenigma.SummersbelievesthatJohnwasforbiddentorecordtheirutterancesbecausetherewouldbedelaynolongerandthetimeforwarningwasover.HaileysuggeststhatitmayindicatethatGodhasmanyunrevealedweaponsinHisarsenalofjudgmentstobeusedatHisdiscretion,andthatmancannotknowallofGod’sways.

ThisvisionappearsdesignedtoimpressuponJohnthatwiththesoundingoftheseventhtrumpethisworkwillnotbeover.Indeed,inchapters12-22weshallseetherevelationofGod’sjudgmentagainstpaganRomeandultimatelytheworld.

Points To Ponder • Thefirstvisionoftheinterludebetweenthesoundingofthesixthandseven

trumpets

• ThesignificanceofthelittlebookgiventoJohntoeat

Outline I. THEMIGHTYANGELWITHTHELITTLEBOOK(1-7) A. THEANGEL,THEBOOK,ANDTHESEVENTHUNDERS(1-4) 1. Johndescribesanothermightyangelcomingdownfromheaven

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a. Clothedwithacloud b. Arainbowonhishead c. Hisfacelikethesun d. Hisfeetlikepillarsoffire e. Alittlebookinhishand f. Hisrightfootonthesea,hisleftfootontheland g. Whocriedoutwithaloudvoice,aswhenalionroars 2. Whentheangelcriedout,seventhundersutteredtheirvoices a. Johnpreparedtowritewhatheheard b. Butavoicefromheaveninstructshimtosealupthethingsutteredbythe seventhunders,andnotwritethem B. THEANGELANDHISOATH(5-7) 1. Johnseestheangellifthishandtoheaven 2. TheangelswearsbyGodthattherewillbedelaynolonger a. Forinthedaysofthesoundingoftheseventhangel,themysteryofGod wouldbefinished b. AsGoddeclaredtoHisservantstheprophetsII. JOHNEATSTHELITTLEBOOK(8-11) A. JOHNISINSTRUCTEDTOEATTHEBOOK(8-9) 1. Thesamevoicefromheaveninstructshimtotakethebookfromtheangel’s hand 2. Heistoldtoeatthebook,whichwillbesweetashoneyinhismouth,butwill makehisstomachbitter B. JOHNEATSTHEBOOK(10-11) 1. Takingitfromtheangel’shand,heateit 2. Itwassweetashoneyinhismouth,buthisstomachbecamebitter 3. Heistold:“Youmustprophesyagainaboutmanypeoples,nations,tongues,and kings.”

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) HowdoesJohndescribetheangelwhichcomesdownfromheaven?(1-2)3) Whentheangelcriedout,whathappened?(3)

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4) WhatdidJohnstarttodo?Whatwashetold?(4)5) WhatdidthemightyangelswearbyGod?(5-7)6) WhatisJohnthentoldtodo?(8)7) Whatishetoldtodowiththebook?Whatdidhedowiththebook?(9-10)8) Whatwashethentold?(11)

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Chapter Eleven Astheinterludebetweenthesixthandseventhtrumpetscontinues,twomorevisionsareseen.ThefirstinvolvesJohnhimselfasheisgivenareedandtoldtomeasurethetempleofGod,thealtar,andthoseworshippingthere.Heisinstructed,however,nottomeasurethecourtoutsidethetemple,forithasbeengiventotheGentileswhowilltreadunderfoottheholycityforforty-twomonths(1-2).ThisvisionmayillustratethatwhilethecityofJerusalemwillundergogreatpersecutionduringtheJewishWar,whichlastedabout3½years(42months),thetruetempleofGodwillnotbedestroyed(thechurch,cf.1Co3:16;Ep2:19-22).

Thenthereisthevisionofthetwowitnesses,whichfallsintothreesections.Withpowertheyprophesy1,260days(42months),clothedinsackcloth.IdentifiedasthetwoolivetreesandthetwolampstandsstandingbeforethethroneofGod,theyhavethepowertodevourwithfirefromtheirmouthsthosewhowishtoharmthem.Theyalsohavepowertostoptherainduringthedaysoftheirprophesying,toturnwatertoblood,andtostriketheearthwithplagues(3-6).Butwhentheirtestimonyiscompleted,thebeastfromthebottomlesspitmakeswarwiththemandkillsthem.ForthreeandhalfdaystheirbodiesliesinthestreetofthegreatcitythatisspirituallycalledSodomandEgypt(whereJesuswascrucified,i.e.,Jerusalem).Thosewhohadbeentormentedbythetwoprophetsrejoice,makemerryandexchangegifts(7-10).However,afterthreeandahalfdaystheyareraisedtolifeandascendintoheaven,bringinggreatfearonthosewhosawthem.Inthesamehouragreatearthquakeoccursinwhichatenthofthecityfelland7000menwerekilled.TherestwereafraidandgaveglorytoGod(11-13).

ThetwowitnessesarereminiscentofMosesandElijah,alsoJoshuaandZerubbabel(cf.Zec3-4)perhapsevenJohntheBaptistandJesus,butIdonotbelievetheyportendtwoliteralpersons.Rather,theyrepresentthewitnessofthechurch,withthenumbertwosignifyingthestrengthoftheirwitness(e.g.,“twoormorewitnesses”).Whentheirtestimonyiscompleted,therewillbeatimeofpersecutionby“thebeast”(lateridentifiedasRome,Re17:7-17)andthoseof“thegreatcity”(alreadyidentifiedasJerusalem,Re11:8).However,thewitnesses(i.e.,thechurch)willbevictorious,symbolizedbytheirresurrectionandascensiontoheaven.

Theinterludeended,itistimeforthethirdwoeandfinaltrumpet.Astheseventhangelsounded,loudvoicesinheavenproclaimed“ThekingdomsofthisworldhavebecomethekingdomsofourLordandofHisChrist,andHeshallreignforeverandever!”Thetwenty-foureldersthenfellontheirfacesandworshipedGod,givingthankstoHimforhavingtakenHisgreatpowerandreigned.Whilethenationswereangry,Hiswrathhascome.Soalsohasthetimecomeforthedeadtobejudged(whichmayrefertothemartyrs,whowerenowvindicated,cf.Re6:9-11),Hisservantstheprophetsandthesaintstoberewarded,andforthedestructionofthosewhodestroytheearth.ThenthetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven,withthearkofthecovenantinthetemple,accompaniedbylightnings,noises,thunderings,anearthquakeandhail(15-19).

ThephysicaltempleinJerusalem,whichalongwiththeark(thathaddisappearedlongbefore)wasoncethefocalpointofGod’sworshipandreign,isnomore.Nowthetempleandthearkareseeninheaven,perhapssymbolizingthattheworshipandreignofGodhas

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becomeuniversalratherthanlocalizedinaphysicalcityandnation(cf.Jn4:20-24).

WehavereachedtheclimaxofthefirsthalfoftheRevelation,inwhichwehavebeenshownjudgmentagainstunbelievingIsrael,especiallythecityofJerusalem.ThroughthevisionsofthesevensealsandseventrumpetswelearnofthearsenalatGod’sdisposal:conquest,war,famine,pestilence,naturalcalamities,moraldecay,externalinvasion.JustasGodusedsuchinstrumentsinHisdealingswiththenationsintheOldTestament,soHisSonwoulduseHispowertoreignoverthenationswitharodofiron(cf.Re1:5;2:27;3:21).Truly,“ThekingdomsofthisworldhavebecomethekingdomsofourLordandofHisChrist,andHeshallreignforeverandever!”(Re11:15).ThedestructionofJerusaleminA.D.70,asforetoldbyJesusinMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21,exemplifiedthepowerofHisreignoverthenations.HisvictoryoverRomedescribedlaterinRevelationwillconfirmHispoweranddominionasKingofkingsandLordoflords(cf.Re17:14).

Wehavealsoseenvisionsdesignedtocomfortthesaintsbeingoppressedbytheirenemies,especiallymartyrs.Godhastakennoticeoftheirsuffering,andwhilepersecutionmaytemporarilybetheirlot,victorywillultimatelybetheirs!ThosewhosufferdeathatthehandsoftheirenemiesarepromisedsalvationandtheblessingofbeinginthepresenceandcareoftheLord.Nothingcantotallystoptheirwitness,andnothingcankeepGodfromremainingtruetoHiscovenantwiththem!

Points To Ponder • Theremainingvisionsintheinterludebetweenthesoundingofthesixthand

seventhtrumpets,andwhathappenswhentheseventrumpetsounds

• Thesignificanceofthesevisions,andpossibleexplanationsofwhattheymeanaswesummarizewhatwehaveseeninthefirsthalfofthebookofRevelation

Outline I. MEASURINGTHETEMPLEOFGOD(1-2) A. THECOMMANDTOMEASURETHETEMPLEANDITSOCCUPANTS(1) 1. Johnisgivenareedlikeameasuringrod 2. ToldtomeasurethetempleofGod,thealtar,andthosewhoworshipthere B. THECOMMANDNOTTOMEASURETHEOUTERCOURT(2) 1. Toldnottomeasurethecourtoutsidethetemple 2. ForithasbeengiventotheGentiles,whowilltreadtheholycityunderfoot forty-twomonthsII. THETWOWITNESSES(3-14) A. PROPHESYINGFOR1260DAYS(3-6) 1. Twowitnessesgivenpowertoprophesy,clothedinsackcloth 2. IdentifiedasthetwoolivetreesandtwolampstandsstandingbeforeGod 3. Thosetryingtoharmthemaredevouredbyfirefromtheirmouths 4. Havingpower: a. Toshutheavensonorainfallsduringtheirprophesying b. Toturnwatertoblood c. Tostriketheearthwithplaguesastheydesire

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B. KILLEDANDDEADFORTHREEANDAHALFDAYS(7-10) 1. Theirtestimonyfinished,thebeastwillkillthem a. Thebeastthatascendsfromthebottomlesspit b. Whowillmakewaragainstthemandovercomethem 2. Theirdeadbodieswilllieinthestreetofthegreatcity a. SpirituallycalledSodomandEgypt b. WhereourLordwascrucified 3. Thepeoples,tribes,tongues,andnationwhodwellontheearth a. Willseetheirbodiesthreeandahalfdays b. Willnotallowthemtobeputintograves c. Willrejoiceoverthem,makemerry,andexchangegifts,becausethetwo prophetshadtormentedthosewhodwellontheearth C. RAISEDANDASCENDEDTOHEAVEN(11-14) 1. Afterthreeandahalfdays,thebreathoflifefromGodenteredthem 2. Theystood,andgreatfearfellonthosewhosawthem 3. Aloudvoicefromheaventellsthemto“Comeuphere” 4. Theyascendtoheaveninacloudastheirenemiessawthem 5. Inthatsamehourtherewasanearthquake a. Atenthofthecityfell b. Seventhousandmenwerekilled c. TherestwereafraidandgaveglorytotheGodofheaven 6. Thesecondwoeispast;thethirdwoeiscomingquicklyIII.THESEVENTHTRUMPET:THEKINGDOMPROCLAIMED(15-19) A. VICTORYPROCLAIMED(15) 1. Theseventhangelsoundedhistrumpetandtherewereloudvoicesinheaven 2. Saying,“ThekingdomsofthisworldhavebecomethekingdomsofourLordand ofHisChrist,andHeshallreignforeverandever!” B. THETWENTY-FOURELDERSWORSHIPGOD(16-18) 1. TheeldersfellontheirfacesandworshipedGod 2. GivingthankstotheLordGodAlmighty,theOnewhoisandwhowasandwhois tocome 3. BecauseHehastakenHisgreatpowerandreigned 4. Thenationswereangry,andHiswrathhascome 5. Thetimehascome a. Thatthedeadshouldbejudged b. ThatHisservantstheprophets,thesaints,andthosewhofearHisname, shouldberewarded c. ThatHeshoulddestroythosewhodestroytheearth C. THETEMPLEOFGODOPENEDINHEAVEN(19) 1. ThetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven,andthearkofHiscovenantwasseen inHistemple 2. Therewerelightnings,noises,thunderings,anearthquake,andgreathail

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?

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2) WhatwasJohngivenandtoldtomeasure?(1)3) Whatwashetoldtoleaveout?Why?(2)4) Whatwerethetwowitnessestodo?(3)5) Howaretheyidentified?(4)6) Whathappenstothosewhotrytoharmthemduringthistimeofprophesying?(5)7) Whatpowerdothesetwowitnesseshave?(6)8) Whatwillhappenwhentheyfinishtheirtestimony?(7)9) Wherewilltheirdeadbodieslie?(8)10)Howlongwillpeopleseetheirdeadbodies?(9)11)Howwillthoseontheearthreacttotheirdeaths?Why?(10)12)Whathappenedtothetwowitnessesafterthreeandahalfdays?(11-12)13)Whathappenedinthatsamehour?(13)

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14)Whatwasheardwhentheseventhangelsoundedhistrumpet?(15)15)Whatdidthetwenty-foureldersdo?(16)16)Forwhatdidtheygivethanks?(17)17)Asexpressedintheirpraise,whathadcome?(18)18)Whatwasthenopenedinheaven,andwhatwasseeninit?(19)19)Whatthenfollowed?(19)

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Chapter Twelve WiththischapterthetransitionismadefromChrist’sjudgmentonJerusalem(chs.6-11)toHisjudgmentonRome(chs.13-19).Toexpeditethetransition,wearetoldofSatan’sefforttodestroytheworkofChristandHischurch.

WereadofhisfailedattempttopreventthemaleChildfrombeingbornandassumingHisrightfulplaceofauthorityasrulerofthenations(1-6).

Anefforttousurpthatauthoritybywagingwarinheavenisthwarted,resultinginthedevilandhisangelsbeingcasttoearth.Thatpromptsaloudvoiceinheaventoproclaimthatsalvation,strength,thekingdomofGodandthepowerofHisChristhascome.Becausetheaccuser(i.e.,thedevil)hasbeencastdown,thoseinheavenwhoovercamebythebloodofJesusandtheirtestimony,andwhodidnotlovetheirlivestothedeath,couldrejoice.Butwoeisproclaimedtothoseontheearth,becausenowthedevilhascomedowntothemandheknowshistimeisshort(7-12).

Atfirstthedragon’seffortsaredirectedtowardthewomanwhogavebirthtothechild.However,sheisgivenwingstoflytoherplaceinthewildernesswheresheisnourishedforatime,times,andhalfatime(1,260days,cf.v.6).Eventheearthhelpedthewoman,soenragingthedragonthathewenttomakewarwiththerestofheroffspring,identifiedasthosewhokeepthecommandmentsofGodandhavethetestimonyofJesusChrist(13-17).

Whiletheidentitiesofthemalechildandthedragonareratherevident,whoisthewomanandtherestofheroffspring?IsuggestthewomanrepresentsthespiritoffaithfulnessinGod’smessianiccommunity(perhapsbestexemplifiedbyMary)whokeptcovenantwithGod.Called“thedaughterofZion”inprophecy(cf.Mic4:10;5:2ff;Isa66:7ff),sheproducednotonlyChrist,butHisfirstdisciplesaswell,beginningwiththefaithfulJewishChristiancommunitythatescapedthefallofJerusalembyfleeingintothewilderness(cf.Re12:13-16).SatanthereforechangedhisattentionfromJewishChristiansinPalestinetoChristiansinRomanlands,i.e.,thewoman’soffspring(cf.Re12:17).

ThusthechapterrevealswhyaperiodofgreattribulationwasabouttocomeuponChristians,especiallyinAsiaMinor(cf.Re2:10).Satanwasfrustratedbybeingthwartedateveryturn.Castdowntotheearth,hewouldmakeeveryattempttodestroythedisciplesofJesus.Forceshewoulduseareintroducedinchapterthirteen.

Points To Ponder • TheprimaryforcebehindthepersecutioncomingupontheearlyChristians

• Whythepersecutionoftheearlychurchwassointense

Outline I. THEWOMAN,THECHILD,ANDTHEDRAGON(1-6) A. THEWOMANWITHCHILD(1-2) 1. Agreatsignappearedinheaven,inwhichwomanisclothed: a. Withthesun

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b. Withthemoonunderherfeet c. Agarlandoftwelvestarsonherhead 2. Beingwithchild,shecriedoutinlaborandpaintogivebirth B. THEDRAGONREADYTODEVOURTHECHILD(3-4) 1. Anothergreatsignappearedinheaven:agreat,fieryreddragon a. Withsevenheads,tenhorns,sevendiademsontheheads b. Withatailwhichthrewathirdofthestarsofheaventotheearth 2. Standingbeforethewoman,readytodevourthechildassoonasitisborn C. THEOUTCOMEOFTHECHILDANDTHEWOMAN(5-6) 1. Themalechildisborn a. Whowastoruleallnationswitharodofiron b. WhowascaughtuptoGodandHisthrone 2. Thewomanfledintothewilderness a. WhereshehasaplacepreparedbyGod b. Wheresheisfedfor1,260daysII. SATANTHROWNOUTOFHEAVEN(7-12) A. AWARINHEAVEN(7-9) 1. BetweenMichaelandhisangels,andthedragonandhisangels 2. Thedragonandhisangelsdidnotprevail a. Noplacewasfoundfortheminheavenanylonger b. Thedragonandhisangelswerecasttotheearth c. Thedragonidentified 1) Thatserpentofold,calledtheDevilandSatan 2) Whodeceivesthewholeworld B. ALOUDVOICEINHEAVEN(10-12) 1. ProclaimingvictoryforChristandHisbrethren a. Salvation,strength,thekingdomofGod,andthepowerofChristhavecome 1) Fortheaccuserofthebrethrenhasbeencastdown 2) WhohadaccusedthembeforeGoddayandnight b. Howthebrethrenovercametheaccuser: 1) BythebloodoftheLamb 2) Bythewordoftheirtestimony 3) Theydidnotlovetheirlivestothedeath 2. Acalltorejoice,alongwithawarning a. Forthoseinheaven,rejoice! b. Fortheinhabitantsoftheearthandsea,woe! 1) Forthedevilhascomedowntothemhavinggreatwrath 2) KnowingthathehasonlyashorttimeIII.THEFAILEDATTEMPTTOPERSECUTETHEWOMAN(13-17) A. THEDRAGON’SATTEMPTTOPERSECUTETHEWOMAN(13-16) 1. Casttotheearth,hepersecutedthewomanwhogavebirthtothemalechild 2. Butthewomanwasgiventwowingsofagreateagle a. Thatshemightflyintothewildernesstoherplace

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b. Wheresheisnourishedforatime,times,andhalfatime c. Safefromthepresenceoftheserpent 3. Theserpentspewedwateroutofhismouthlikeafloodafterthewoman a. Hopingtocausehertobecarriedaway b. Buttheearthhelpedthewomanbyopeningitsmouthandswallowingup theflood B. THEDRAGON’SINTENTTOPERSECUTEHEROFFSPRING(17) 1. Enragedwiththewomanhecannotreach,thedragongoestomakewarwiththe restofheroffspring 2. Therestofheroffspringidentified: a. ThosewhokeepthecommandmentsofGod b. ThosewhohavethetestimonyofJesusChrist

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) Whatgreatsignappearedinheaven?(1-2)3) Whatothersignthenappearedinheaven(3-4)4) Whatchildwasborn?Whathappenedtothechild?(5)5) Whathappenedtothewoman?(6)6) Whathappenedinheaven?Whodidnotprevail?(7-8)7) Whowasthisdragon?Whatwasdonewithhimandhisangels?(9)8) WhatdidaloudvoiceproclaiminheavenaboutChristandthedragon?(10)

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9) Howhadthebrethrenovercomethedragon?(11)10)Whatarethosewhodwellinheaventold?(12)11)Whywaswoeproclaimedtotheinhabitantsoftheearthandsea?(12)12)Castdowntotheearth,whodidthedragonpersecutenext?(13)13)Whatwasgiventhewoman?Why?(14)14)Howlongwasshenourished?(14)15)Howdidtheserpenttrytopersecutethewoman?Whohelpedher?(15-16)16)Enragedbyhisinabilitytopersecutethewoman,whodidthedragongotomake warwithnext?(17)

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Chapter Thirteen Thischapterrevealstwoagentsthedragon(Satan)woulduseincarryingouthiswaragainstthepeopleofGod.

Thefirstisthebeastfromthesea.DescribedbyJohnashavingsevenheadsandtenhorns,thereweretencrownsonhishornsandonhisheadsablasphemousname.Thebeastwaslikealeopard,withfeetlikeabearandamouthlikealion.Oneoftheheadsofthebeastappearedmortallywounded,butwashealed.Tothisbeastthedragongavehispower,histhrone,andgreatauthority,andalltheworldmarveledandworshipedthebeast.GivenamouthspeakinggreatthingsandblasphemiesagainstGod,Hisname,Histabernacle,andthosedwellinginheaven,thebeastwasalsograntedtomakewaragainstthesaintsforforty-twomonths.Allontheearthworshipedhim,exceptthosewhosenameswereintheLamb’sBookofLife.Withthisdescriptionofthebeastandhisactivities,Johngivesawordofcautiontothesaints(1-10).

Johnthensawthebeastfromtheland,havingtwohornslikealambandspeakinglikeadragon.Withthesameauthorityasthefirstbeast,thissecondbeastcausesalltoworshipthefirstbydeceivingthemwithgreatsigns.Tellingthemtomakeanimagetothefirstbeast,hewasgivenpowertomaketheimagespeakandputtodeaththosewhowouldnotworshipit.Thissecondbeastalsocausesalltoreceiveamarkontheirrighthandsorontheirforehead,withoutwhichtheycannotbuyorsell.Johnthenaddsawordofwisdom,inwhichhetellsthosewithunderstandingtocalculatethenumberofthebeast,whichisthenumberofaman:666(11-18).

Theidentityofthefirstbeastfromtheseabecomesclearerwhenwegettochapterseventeen.IagreewiththosewhosaythisbeastfromtheseaistheRomanEmpire,personifiedinitspersecutingemperors.ThebeastfromtheearthorlandmayrepresenttheRomanConcilia,acommitteesetupinAsiaMinorwherethesevenchurcheswerelocatedtoenforceemperorworshipatthetimetheRevelationwasgiven(Summers).Thistheydidbyrequiringacertificatethatprovedthebearerhadbeenseensacrificingtotheidoloftheemperor,withoutwhichonecouldnotbuyorsellinthemarketplace.

Thesignificanceof666shouldnotbeunderestimated,asJohnencouragesthosewithunderstandingtocalculatethenumber.Unfortunately,throughmanyingenuousandfancifulwayspeoplehavecomeupwiththenumbertorepresentjustaboutanyone(e.g.,thePope,Hitler,RonaldReagan).KeepingthecontextofRevelationanditstimeinview,thenumber666maybeacryptogramreferringto“Lateinos”(whichinGreekcanbecalculatedto666);andinturnpointstotheruleroftheLatinorRomanempire(Schaff,HistoryOfTheChristianChurch,Vol.1,p.177).InHebrewthenumbercanbecalculatedtomean“NeroCaesar”(Adams).Takenmoresymbolically,thenumbermaysimplysignifyevilraisedtoitshighestpower(Hailey,Summers)aswasthecaseinemperorslikeNeroandDomitian.

Points To Ponder • Thetwo“beasts”thatSatanwoulduseinmakingwaragainstthesaints

• ThenumberofthebeastanditsmarkconsistentwiththecontextofRevelation

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Outline I. THEBEASTFROMTHESEA(1-10) A. THEBEASTDESCRIBED(1-3a) 1. SeenbyJohnasrisingupoutofthesea 2. Havingsevenheads,tenhorns,withtencrownsonhishorns,andonhisheadsa blasphemousname 3. Likealeopardwithfeetlikethoseofabearandamouthlikethatofalion 4. Hispower,throne,andgreatauthoritygivenhimbythedragon 5. Oneofhisheadswasmortallywounded,buthealed B. THEACTIVITYINVOLVINGTHEBEAST(3b-8) 1. Alltheworldmarveledandfollowedthebeast a. Worshippingthedragonwhogaveauthoritytothebeast b. Worshippingthebeastbecauseofhisapparentinvincibility 2. Whatthebeastwasgiven a. Amouthspeakinggreatthingsandblasphemies b. Authoritytocontinue(makewar)forforty-twomonths 3. Withthisauthority: a. HeblasphemedGod,Hisname,Histabernacle,andthosedwellinginheaven b. Hewasgrantedtomakewarwiththesaintsandovercomethem c. Hewasgivenauthorityovereverytribe,tongue,andnation d. Allwhodwellonearthwouldworshiphim,unlesstheirnamesareinthe BookofLifeoftheLamb C. ANOTEOFCAUTION(9-10) 1. Ifanyonehasanear,lethimhear 2. Hewholeadsintocaptivityshallgointocaptivity;hewhokillswiththesword mustbekilledwiththesword 3. HereisthepatienceandthefaithofthesaintsII. THEBEASTFROMTHELAND(11-18) A. THISBEASTDESCRIBED(11) 1. SeenbyJohnascomingupoutoftheearth 2. Withtwohornslikealamb,butspeakinglikeadragon B. THEACTIVITYOFTHISBEAST(12-17) 1. Heexercisesalltheauthorityofthefirstbeastinhispresence 2. Hecausestheearthandthosewhodwellinittoworshipthefirstbeast a. Performinggreatsigns,makingevenfirecomedownfromheaven b. Deceivingtheworldbythesigns 3. Hetellstheworldtomakeanimagetothefirstbeast a. Towhichheisgrantedpowertogivebreath b. Sotheimagecouldbothspeakandcausethosewhodonotworshipittobe killed 4. Hecausesalltoreceiveamarkontherighthandorontheirforeheads a. Withoutwhichnonecanbuyorsell b. Whichisthenameofthebeast,orthenumberofhisname

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C. ANOTEOFWISDOM(18) 1. Letthosewithunderstandingcalculatethenumberofthebeast 2. Foritisthenumberofaman:Hisnumberis666

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) Whatphysicalcharacteristicsofthebeastfromtheseaarementioned?(1-3)3) Whatdidthedragongivethebeastfromthesea?(2)4) Howdidtheworldrespondtothebeastfromthesea?(3-4)5) Whatelsewasgiventothebeastfromthesea?(5)6) Whenheopenedhismouth,whatdidthebeastblaspheme?(6)7) Whatwasgrantedtothebeastfromthesea?(7)8) Whowouldworshipthisbeastfromthesea?(8)9) Whatnoteofcautionisgivenatthispoint?(9-10)10)Whatwerethephysicalcharacteristicsofthebeastfromtheland?(11)11)Whatdidthebeastfromthelanddo?(12-14)

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12)Whatwasgrantedtothebeastfromtheland?(15)13)Whatdidthebeastfromthelandrequirealltoreceive?Why?(16-17)14)Whatnoteofwisdomisgivenatthispoint?(18)

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Chapter Fourteen Followingthetroublingdescriptionofthebeastsinthepreviouschapter,thischapterprovidessceneswhichappeardesignedtoreassurethesaintstoremainfaithfultoGod.

FirstthereistheLamband144,000havingtheFather’snamewrittenontheirforeheads,standingonMountZion.Singinganewsongbeforethethrone,thefourlivingcreatures,andtheelders,thegreatcompanyisdescribedasmalevirgins,redeemedfromtheearthasfirstfruitstoGodandtotheLamb.TheyfollowtheLambwhereverHegoes,andarewithoutfaultbeforethethroneofGod(1-5).Isuggestthisisapictureofthesaintstriumphantinheaven(perhapstheblessednessoffaithfulJewishChristiansfirstdepictedinRe7:1-8;cf.alsoHe12:22-24).Boththenumberanddescriptivetermsaresymbolic,illustratingtheblessednesspromisedforthosewhowillpersevereintheirfaithfulnesstoGod.

Nextcomesthreeangelsandtheirproclamations.Thefirstangelandhisproclamationmayindicatethatthegospelwillcontinuetobespread(despitetheeffortsofthedragonandthebeasts).PeopleshouldthereforefearGodandworshipHim(notCaesar),forthehourofGod’sjudgmenthascome(6-7).TheproclamationofthesecondangelannouncesthefallofBabylon,describedlateringreatdetail(8).Thethirdangelproclaimstheterriblejudgmentandeternaltormenttobefallthosewhoworshipthebeastandhisimage,andreceivehismark(9-11).ThethreeproclamationsarethenfollowedbyanexplanationthatthepatienceofthesaintsconsistsofkeepingthecommandmentsofGodandthefaithofJesus,withavoicefromheaventellingJohntowriteoftheblessednessofthosewhodieintheLord(12-13).

Thechapterconcludeswithadepictionoftwoharvests.ThefirstshowstheSonofManonawhitecloudreapingtheharvestoftheearth(14-16).Theseconddepictsanangelreapingthegrapesofthevineoftheearth,whicharethenthrownintothegreatwinepressofthewrathofGod,producingariverofbloodalmosttwohundredmileslong(17-20).Thesetwoharvestsmaybedifferentwaysofdescribingthesamejudgmentabouttocomeuponthosewhofollowthebeast,orthefirstmaydepictthatJesuswillsafelyharvestHisownwhileGod’swrathisbeingpouredoutonHisenemies.IdonotbelieveeitherrepresentsthatwhichwilloccurwhenJesuscomesattheendoftime(thoughtheymaycertainlyforeshadowthatgreatevent).Instead,liketheangelicproclamationstheyreassuredtheChristiansofJohn’sdaythatGod’shourofjudgmentwassoontocomeupontheirenemies(e.g.,theRomanempire).

Points To Ponder • Theseriesofscenesdepictedinthischapter

• HowtheymayhaveprovidedcomforttotheChristiansofJohn’sday

Outline I. THE144,000ONMOUNTZION(1-5) A. STANDINGWITHTHELAMB(1)

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1. 144,000togetherwiththeLambonMountZion 2. WiththeFather’snamewrittenontheirforeheads B. SINGINGANEWSONG(2-3) 1. Johnheardavoicefromheaven a. Likethevoiceofmanywaters b. Likethevoiceofloudthunder 2. Johnheardthesoundofharpistsplayingtheirharps 3. The144,000sanganewsong a. Beforethethrone,thefourlivingcreaturesandtheelders b. Whichnonecouldlearnexceptthe144,000redeemedfromtheearth C. DESCRIBEDMOREFULLY(4-5) 1. Theyarevirgins,whohadnotdefiledthemselveswithwomen 2. TheyfollowtheLambwhereverHegoes 3. Theywereredeemedfromamongmen,thefirstfruitstoGodandtotheLamb 4. TheyarewithoutfaultbeforethethroneofGod,withnoguileintheirmouthsII. THREEANGELICPROCLAMATIONS(6-13) A. THEFIRSTPROCLAMATION(6-7) 1. Byanangelflyinginthemidstofheaven,havingtheeverlastinggospel a. Topreachtothosewhodwellontheearth b. Toeverynation,tribe,tongue,andpeople 2. Sayingwithaloudvoice... a. “FearGodandgiveglorytoHim,forthehourofHisjudgmenthascome” b. “WorshipHimwhomadeheavenandearth,theseaandspringsofwater” B. THESECONDPROCLAMATION(8) 1. Byanotherangelwhichfollowedthefirst 2. Saying... a. “Babylonisfallen,isfallen,thatgreatcity” b. “Becauseshehasmadeallnationsdrinkofthewineofthewrathofher fornication” C. THETHIRDPROCLAMATION(9-11) 1. Byathirdangelwhichfollowedthefirsttwo 2. Sayingwithaloudvoice... a. “Ifanyoneworshipsthebeastandhisimage,andreceiveshismarkonhis foreheadoronhishand...” b. “HehimselfshallalsodrinkoftheofwineofthewrathofGod,whichis pouredoutfullstrengthintothecupofHisindignation” c. “Heshallbetormentedwithfireandbrimstone...” 1) “InthepresenceoftheholyangelsandinthepresenceoftheLamb” 2) “Thesmokeoftheirtormentascendsforeverandever” 3) “Theyhavenorestdayornight” -- “Whoworshipthebeastandhisimage,andwhoeverreceivesthemark ofhisname” D. AWORDOFWISDOMANDABEATITUDE(12-13)

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1. Hereisthepatienceofthesaints:thosewhokeep... a. ThecommandmentsofGod b. ThefaithofJesus 2. Avoicefromheavensaying... a. “Write:‘BlessedarethedeadwhodieintheLordfromnowon.” b. “Yes,”saystheSpirit,“thattheymayrestfromtheirlabors,andtheirworks followthem.”III.THETWOHARVESTS(14-20) A. REAPINGTHEEARTH’SHARVEST(14-16) 1. TheSonofMansittingonawhitecloud a. WithagoldencrownonHishead b. WithasharpsickleinHishand 2. Anangelcameoutofthetemple,cryingwithaloudvoice... a. “ThrustinYoursickleandreap” b. “ForthetimehascomeforYoutoreap,fortheharvestoftheearthisripe” 3. HewhosatonacloudthrustinHissickleontheearth,anditwasreaped B. REAPINGTHEGRAPESOFWRATH(17-20) 1. Anangelcameoutofthetempleinheaven,alsohavingasharpsickle 2. Anotherangel,havingpoweroverfire,criedwithaloudvoicetotheangelwith thesickle... a. “Thrustinyoursharpsickleandgathertheclustersofthevineoftheearth” b. “Forhergrapesarefullyripe” 3. Sotheangel... a. Thrusthissickleintotheearth b. Gatheredthevineoftheearth c. ThrewitintothegreatwinepressofthewrathofGod 4. Thewinepresswastrampledoutsidethecity a. Bloodcameoutofthewinepress b. Uptothehorses’bridles,for1600furlongs

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdoesJohnseestandingonMountZion?(1)3) WhatdoesJohnhear?(2)4) Whatwerethe144,000singing,andwhere?(3)5) Whocouldlearnthesong?(3)

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6) Howarethe144,000described?(4-5)7) Whatdidthefirstofthreeangelshave?Whatdiditsay?(6-7)8) Whatdidthesecondangelsay?(8)9) Whatdidthethirdangelsay?(9-11)10)WhatdoesJohnsayisthepatienceofthesaints?(12)11)Whatdidavoicefromheavensay?WhatdidtheSpiritsay?(13)12)Inthefirstoftwoharvests,whodidtheharvestingandwhatwasreaped?(14-16)13)Inthesecondharvest,whodidtheharvestingandwhatwasreaped?(17-18)14)Whatwasdonewiththegrapes?Whatwasproduced?(19-20)

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Chapter Fifteen Withthemainadversariesidentified(thedragon,theseabeast,thelandbeast,andBabylon)andthepeopleofGodreassuredofultimatevictory(chs.12-14),thefullout-pouringofGod’swrathisabouttobeshown.Chapterfifteenisa“prelude”tothesevenbowlsofwrathdescribedinthenextchapter.

WeareintroducedtosevenangelswhohavethesevenlastplaguesinwhichthewrathofGodiscomplete(1).Beforethesevenangelsaregiventheirbowls,however,JohnseesthosevictoriousoverthebeaststandingonafieryseaofglasshavingharpsofGod.SingingthesongofMosesandthesongoftheLamb,theypraiseGodforHisrighteousjudgments(2-4).ThissceneisreminiscentoftheIsraelitespraisingGodfortheirvictoryovertheEgyptiansaftercrossingtheRedSea(cf.Exo14:30-15:21).

Thesevenangelswiththesevenplaguesthenproceededoutofthetempleofthetabernacleofthetestimonyinheaven,clothedinbrightlinenandchestsgirdedwithgoldbands.OneofthefourlivingcreaturesgavethemsevengoldenbowlsfullofthewrathofGod.AtthatpointthetemplewasfilledwithsmokefromthegloryofGodandHispower,preventinganyonefromenteringthetempleuntilthesevenplagueswerecompleted(5-8).PerhapsthisscenewasdesignedtoconveythatthetimeofGod’slongsufferingwasover,andtheoutpouringofHiswrathwastheresultoffulfillingthecovenantHehadwithHispeople.GodisabouttoavengeHissaints!

Points To Ponder • HowthestageissetforthefinaloutpouringofGod’swrathonthebeastandthose

whofollowhim

• ThecomfortingsceneofthosevictoriousoverthebeastastheypraiseHisrighteousjudgment

Outline I. PRELUDETOTHESEVENBOWLSOFWRATH(1-4) A. AGREATANDMARVELOUSSIGNINHEAVEN(1-2) 1. Johnseessevenangels a. Havingthesevenlastplagues b. InwhichthewrathofGodiscomplete 2. Johnseesaseaofglassmingledwithfire,andagreatmultitude a. Itisthosewhohavethevictoryoverthebeast,hisimage,hismark,andthe numberofhisname b. Theyarestandingontheseaofglass,withharpsofGod B. SINGINGTHESONGOFMOSESANDOFTHELAMB(3-4) 1. ThemultitudeissingingthesongofMoses,andthesongoftheLamb 2. AsongwhichpraisestheLordGodAlmighty,Kingofthesaints a. ForHisgreatandmarvelousworks

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b. ForthetruthandjusticeofHisways c. ForHeisworthyofreverenceandglory d. AndallnationsshallcomeandworshipbeforeHim,forthemanifestationsof HisjudgmentsII. SEVENANGELSANDSEVENBOWLSOFWRATH(5-8) A. THESEVENANGELS(5-6) 1. Thetempleofthetabernacleofthetestimonyinheavenisopened 2. Outcomethesevenangelshavingthesevenplagues a. Clothedinpurebrightlinen b. Havingtheirchestsgirdedwithgoldenbands B. THESEVENGOLDENBOWLS(7-8) 1. Oneofthefourlivingcreaturesgavetothesevenangels: a. Sevengoldenbowls b. FullofthewrathofGodwholivesforever 2. Thetemplewasfilledwithsmoke a. FromthegloryofGodandfromHispower b. Noonewasabletoenterthetempleuntilthesevenplagueswerecompleted

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatgreatandmarveloussigndidJohnseeinheaven?(1)3) Whowasstandingonaseaofglassmingledwithfire?(2)4) Whatweretheydoing?(3)5) ForwhatweretheypraisingtheLordGodAlmighty?(3-4) 6) WhatdidJohnseeafterthesethings?(5-6)7) Whatdidoneofthefourlivingcreaturesgivetothesevenangels?(7)8) Whathappenedtothetempleatthatpoint?(8)

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Chapter Sixteen InthischapterthefulloutpouringofwrathupontheenemiesofGodisdepicted.Thesevenangelswiththesevenbowlspourout“thesevenlastplagues”(Rev15:1).Noticethatthesearenotpartialjudgments,aswiththeseventrumpetsdescribedearlier(chs.8-11).Inthepouringoutoftheseplagues“thewrathofGodiscomplete”(Rev15:1).

Inthefirstfourbowls,God’swrathispouredoutontheearth,thesea,theriversandsprings,andthesun.Affectedbytheseplaguesarethosewhohadthemarkofthebeastandwhoworshipedhisimage.

God’sjudgmentuponthemisproclaimedrighteousandjust,becausetheyhadbeenguiltyofsheddingthebloodofsaintsandprophets.Amazingly,theirresponseistoblasphemeGod,andrefusetorepentandgiveHimglory(1-9).

Thefifthbowlispouredoutonthethroneofthebeastandhiskingdom,resultingindarkness.Thepainfulsufferingofthewickedcontinue,asdoestheirblasphemyandrefusaltorepentoftheirdeeds(10-11).ThesixthbowlispouredoutontheriverEuphrates,preparingthewayforthekingsfromtheeast.Johnthensawthreeuncleanspiritslikefrogscomeoutofthemouthofthedragon,thebeast,andthefalseprophet.Describedasthespiritsofdemons,theyperformsignsandgatherthekingsoftheearthtotheplacecalledArmageddon,forthebattleofthegreatdayofGod.AtthispointJesusspeaksbothawarningandblessing,forthosewhowatchandkeeptheirgarmentswillbeblessed,asHeiscomingasathief(12-16).

Theseventhbowlispouredoutandaloudvoicefromthetempleinheavencriesout,“Itisdone!”Thedeclarationisfollowedbythunderings,lightnings,andagreatearthquake.Thegreatcitywasdividedintothreeparts,andcitiesofthenationsfell.GreatBabylonwasrememberedbyGod,togiveherthecupofthewineofHiswrath.Everyislandfledaway,themountainswerenotfound,andgreathailfromheavenfelluponmen.ThelattercausedmentoblasphemeGod,unwillingtorepentoftheirevildeeds(17-21).

ThesevenbowlsofwrathdepictajudgmentuponpaganRomethatismorefinalthanthejudgmentdepictedearlierwiththesevensealsandseventrumpetsagainstunbelievingJerusalem(Re6-11).WhileGodwouldnotdestroyunbelievingJerusalemcompletely,thejudgmentagainstpaganRomeasaworldempirewouldbetotal.

Chapters17-19willelaborateuponthejudgmentsuponthebeast,thefalseprophet,andBabylon,identifyingtheminmoredetail,anddescribingtheirultimatedownfall.

Points To Ponder • Whathappenswhenthesevenbowlsofwratharepouredout

• Uponwhomthesevenbowlsarepoured,andwhy

Outline I. THEPRONOUNCEMENT(1)

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A. BYALOUDVOICEFROMTHETEMPLE(1a) B. TOTHESEVENANGELSTOPOUROUTTHEBOWLSOFWRATH(1b)II. THESEVENBOWLSOFWRATH(2-21) A. FIRSTBOWL:TERRIBLESORES(2) 1. Thebowlispouredoutupontheearth 2. Loathsomeandfoulsorescameuponthosewhohadthemarkofthebeastand whoworshippedhisimage B. SECONDBOWL:SEAOFBLOOD(3) 1. Thebowlispouredoutonthesea,turningittothebloodofadeadman 2. Everylivingcreatureintheseadied C. THIRDBOWL:RIVERSANDSPRINGSOFBLOOD(4-7) 1. Thebowlispouredoutontheriversandsprings,turningthemtoblood 2. TheangelofthewatersdeclaresGod’sjustice a. Hisjudgmentsarerighteous b. Foritisjustdueuponthosewhoshedthebloodofsaintsandprophets 3. AnothervoicefromthealtaralsoproclaimsGod’sjudgmentsastrueand righteous D. FOURTHBOWL:MENSCORCHED(8-9) 1. Thebowlispouredoutonthesun,givingthefourthangelpowertoscorchmen withfire 2. Menwerescorchedwithgreatheat a. TheyblasphemedthenameofGodwhohadpowerovertheseplagues b. TheydidnotrepentorgiveglorytoHim E. FIFTHBOWL:PAINANDDARKNESS(10-11) 1. Thebowlispouredoutonthethroneofthebeast,hiskingdombecamefullof darkness 2. Mengnawedtheirtonguesbecauseofthepain a. TheyblasphemedGod b. Theydidnotrepent F. SIXTHBOWL:KINGDOMSGATHEREDATARMAGEDDON(12-16) 1. ThebowlispouredoutonthegreatriverEuphrates a. Itswaterwasdriedup b. Preparingthewayforthekingsoftheeast 2. Threeuncleanspiritslikefrogsappear a. Outofthemouthsofthedragon,thebeast,andthefalseprophet b. Whicharespiritsofdemons,performingsigns c. WhogatherthekingsoftheearthtothebattleofthatgreatdayofGod Almighty 3. Jesusoffersbothawarningandablessing a. Heiscomingasathief b. Blessedishewhowatchesandkeepshisgarments,lesthewalksnakedand othersseehisshame

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4. Theuncleanspiritsgatherthekingsoftheearthtotheplacecalled Armageddon G. SEVENTHBOWL:GREATEARTHQUAKE;THEGREATCITYDIVIDEDAND BABYLONREMEMBERED;CATACLYSMICEVENTS(17-21) 1. Thebowlispouredoutontheair a. Followedbyaloudvoiceoutofthetempleofheaven,fromthethrone, declaring,“Itisdone!” b. Therewerenoises,thunderings,lightnings,andamightyearthquakeunlike anybefore 2. Thegreatcitywasdividedintothreeparts,andthecitiesofthenationsfell 3. GreatBabylonwasremembered,toreceivethecupofthewineofthefierceness ofGod’swrath 4. Greatcataclysmiceventsoccur a. Everyislandfledawayandthemountainswerenotfound b. Greathailfelluponmen,andtheyblasphemedGodbecauseofthehail

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) Whatdidaloudvoicefromthetemplesaytosevenangels?(1)3) Uponwhatwasthefirstbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(2)4) Uponwhatwasthesecondbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(3)5) Uponwhatwasthethirdbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(4)6) WhydidtheangelofthewatersproclaimGod’sjudgmentsasjust?(5-6)7) Uponwhatwasthefourthbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(8-9)8) Despitethesejudgments,howdidmenrespond?(9)9) Uponwhatwasthefifthbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(10)10)Whatagainissaidabouttheresponsetothesejudgments?(11)

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11)Uponwhatwasthesixthbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(12)12)WhatdidJohnseenext?(13)13)Whatwerethese,andwhatwastheirmission?(14)14)WhatwarningandbeatitudedidJesusgiveatthispoint?(15)15)Wherewerethekingsoftheearthgathered?(16)16)Uponwhatwastheseventhbowlpouredout?Whathappened?(17)17)Whatthenoccurred?(18-21)18)Howdidpeoplerespondtotheplagueofthehail?(21)

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Chapter Seventeen Thisisakeychapter,forthemysteryofthegreatharlotandthebeastisexplained,andone’sunderstandingofthischapterwillaffecttheirinterpretationoftherestofthebook.

Johniscarriedawayintothewildernesswhereheisshownthegreatharlot“Babylon”,withwhomthekingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationandtheinhabitantsoftheearthweredrunkwiththewineofherfornication.Sheisseensittingonascarletbeastwithsevenheadsandtenhorns.Sheisdressedinpurpleandscarlet,adornedwithgold,preciousstonesandpearls.Inherhandisagoldcupfullofabominationsandthefilthinessofherfornication.Onherforeheadiswritten:

MYSTERY,BABYLONTHEGREAT,

THEMOTHEROFHARLOTSANDOFTHEABOMINATIONSOFTHEEARTH

Seeingthewomandrunkwiththebloodofthesaints(OldTestamentsaints?)andwiththebloodofthemartyrsofJesus,Johnmarvelswithgreatamazement(1-6).

TheangelthenproceedstotellJohnthemysteryofthewomanandthebeastthatcarriesher.Hebeginswiththebeastfirst,describedasonewho“was,isnot,andistocome”(ESV).Thisbeastwillascendoutofthebottomlesspit(cf.Re11:7)andgotoperdition(cf.Re19:20).Thesevenheadsofthebeastrepresentsevenmountainsuponwhichthewomansits.Therearesevenkings,fiveofwhomhavefallen,oneis,andtheotherhasyettocome.Thebeastisthendescribedastheeighthking,thoughoftheseven.Thetenhornsrepresenttenkingswhogivetheirpowerandauthoritytothebeast,makewaragainsttheLamb,andeventuallyturnontheharlotherself.Theharlotisfinallydescribedasthat“greatcity”(cf.Re14:8;16:19)whichreignsoverthekingsoftheearth(7-18).

Asindicatedintheintroductorymaterial,myunderstandingofthisbookfocusesonthefactthatJohnisgiventhisrevelationatatimewhenthebeast“isnot”(Re17:8,11).Whateverexplanationonegivesforthebeast,itdidnotexistatthetimeoftheRevelation!Ithadexisted,andwastocome,butatthetimeJohnwasshownthevision,it“isnot”.

Oneplausibleexplanationisthattheseven(actuallyeight)kingsrepresentRomanemperors,startingwithAugustus.ThiswouldmakeNerothefifthking,whosedeathin68A.D.lefttheempireinanuproarandmaybethe“deadlywound”referredtoRe13:3,12,14.DiscountingGalba,Otho,andVitelliuswhoseinsignificantreignswereshort-livedduringtheturmoil,thesixthking(“oneis”)wouldbeVespasianwhorestoredordertotheempire.ThiswouldmakeTitustheseventhemperorandDomitiantheeighth.Thebeastthat“was,andisnot,andwillascend”(NKJV)thereforedepictsthepersecutingRomanemperor,seenfirstinthepersonofNero(thebeastwho“was”)andlaterinthepersonofDomitian(thebeastwho“willascend”).Thetenkingswhogavetheirpowerandauthoritytothebeastappeartobevassalkingsthatsupportedtheemperorintimesofpersecution.

Theidentityoftheharlotisstillanopenquestioninmyownmind.IusedtoleantowardtheviewthattheharlotrepresentsJerusalem,oftensupportedinherpersecutionofthechurchbytheRomanempirebutthendestroyedherselfbyRomeinA.D.70.Itisinteresting

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tocomparesuchversesasRe17:6;18:20,24;19:2withJesus’statementsinMt23:31-39.AsforetoldbyJesusinbothMatthewandRevelation,GodwasabouttoavengeHisapostlesandprophetsonthiscity“whokillstheprophetsandstonesthosewhoaresenttoher”(Re18:20;Mt23:37).IstillbelievethatJerusalemisthefocusofchapters6-11.

ManyunderstandtheharlottorepresentthecommercialandimmoralspiritofRome(nottheliteralcityitself,forshewasneverdestroyedasdescribedinlaterchapters)whichwasinstrumentalinopposingthepeopleofGod.Thereismuchtobesaidforthisview.Re17:2,18;18:3,9,11certainlyseemtofitRome.InowleantowardthisviewinkeepingwiththemainideaofRomeasthefocusofchapters13-19.

Whiletheidentityofthebeast,thekings,andtheharlotmightbeunclearinthemindsofsome,theoutcomeoftheconflictdescribedinthischapteriscertain.Inwhatmaybedescribedasthethemeofthisbook,wearetoldthat:

“ThesewillmakewarwithLamb,andtheLambwillovercomethem,forHeisLordoflordsandKingofkings;andthosewhoarewithHimarecalled,chosen,andfaithful.”(Re17:14)

ComfortingwordsindeedtothoseearlyChristianswhowerepersecutedbyboththeRomanemperorandunbelievingJerusalem!

Points To Ponder • TheimportanceofthischapterininterpretingthebookofRevelation

• Thatthebeast“isnot”whentheRevelationwasgiventoJohn

• Theidentityofthegreatharlotandthescarletbeast

Outline I. THESCARLETWOMANANDTHESCARLETBEAST(1-6) A. JOHNISAPPROACHEDBYANANGEL(1-2) 1. Oneofthesevenangelswhohadthesevenbowls 2. Whoofferstoshowhimthejudgmentofthegreatharlot a. Whichsitsonmanywaters b. Withwhomkingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornication c. Withwhominhabitantsoftheearthweremadedrunkwiththewineofher fornication B. JOHNISSHOWNTHESCARLETWOMANONTHESCARLETBEAST(3-6) 1. HeiscarriedawaybytheangelintheSpiritintothewilderness 2. Thereheseesawomansittingonascarletbeast a. Thescarletbeast 1) Fullofnamesofblasphemy 2) Havingsevenheadsandtenhorns b. Thewoman 1) Arrayedinpurpleandscarlet 2) Adornedwithgold,preciousstones,andpearls 3) Inherhandagoldencupfullofabominationsandthefilthinessofher fornication 4) Onherforeheadthenamewritten:

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a) MYSTERY b) BABYLONTHEGREAT c) THEMOTHEROFHARLOTSANDOFTHEABOMINATIONSOFTHE EARTH 5) Drunkwith: a) Thebloodofthesaints b) ThebloodofthemartyrsofJesus 3. HemarveledwithgreatamazementwhenhesawherII. THEMYSTERYOFTHEWOMANANDBEASTEXPLAINED(7-18) A. THEANGELOFFERSTOEXPLAINTHEMYSTERY(7) 1. AskingJohnwhyhemarveled 2. Sayingthathewilltellhimthemystery a. Ofthewoman b. Ofthebeastwithsevenheadsandtenhornsthatcarriesher B. THEBEASTEXPLAINED(8-14) 1. ThebeastthatJohnsaw: a. Was,isnot,andwillascendoutofthebottomlesspitandgotoperdition b. WillbemarveledbythosebythosewhosenamesarenotwrittenintheBook ofLifefromthefoundationoftheworldwhentheyseeit 2. Themindwhichhaswisdom: a. Thesevenheadsaresevenmountainsuponwhichthewomansits b. Therearealsosevenkings 1) Fivehavefallen,oneis,theotherhasyettocome 2) Whentheseventhcomes,hemustcontinueashorttime c. Thebeastthatwas,andisnot,ishimselftheeighth 1) Heisoftheseven 2) Heisgoingtoperdition(destruction) d. Thetenhornsaretenkings 1) Whohavereceivednokingdomasyet 2) Butreceiveauthorityforonehourwiththebeast 3) Whoareofonemind,andgivetheirpowerandauthoritytothebeast e. ThesewillmakewarwiththeLamb,andtheLambwillovercomethem 1) ForHeisLordoflordsandKingofkings 2) ThosewithHimarecalled,chosen,andfaithful C. THEWOMANEXPLAINED(15-18) 1. Thewatersuponwhichshesitsarepeoples,multitudes,nationsandtongues 2. Thetenhorns(tenkings)onthebeast a. Willhatetheharlot 1) Makeherdesolate 2) Eatherfleshandburnherwithfire b. ForGodhasputitintotheirheartstofulfillHispurpose 1) Forthemtobeofonemind 2) Togivetheirkingdomtothebeast -- UntilthewordsofGodarefulfilled 3. ThewomanJohnsawisthatgreatcitywhichreignsoverthekingsoftheearth

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Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdidtheangeltellJohnhewouldbeshown?(1)3) Howdoestheangeldescribethiswoman?(2)4) ListthedescriptionofthewomanasseenbyJohn(3-6)5) WhatwasJohn’sreactiontoseeingthewoman?(6)6) WhatdoestheangeloffertotellJohn?(7)7) Howisthebeastdescribed?(8)8) Whatdoesthesevenheadsofthebeastrepresent?(9-10)9) Whatissaidofthesevenkings?(10)10)Whatissaidofthebeastthatwasandisnot?(11)11)Whatdothetenhornsrepresent?(12)12)Whatelseissaidofthetenkingsandthebeast?(13-14)

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13)WhywilltheLambovercomethebeastandthetenkings?(14)14)Whatdothewatersuponwhichtheharlotsitsrepresent?(15)15)Whatwillthetenhorns(kings)dototheharlot?(16)16)Whywilltheydothis?(17)17)Howisthewomanfinallydescribed?(18)

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Chapter Eighteen Inthischapterwefindthefallof“Babylonthegreat”proclaimed,andthegreatmourningoverherbythoseintheworld.ThefallofBabylonisproclaimedbyanangelwithgreatauthority,whoilluminatedtheearthwithhisglory.Thereasonsforherfallincludehowthenationsandkingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationwithher,andhowthemerchantshavebecomerichthroughherabundance.Meanwhile,avoicefromheavencallsforthepeopleofGodtocomeoutofherlesttheyreceivetheplaguestocomeuponher.Herjudgmentwillinvolvedeath,mourning,famine,andutterdestructionbyfire,foritistheLordGodwhojudgesher(1-8).

ThefallofBabylonismournedbythekingsoftheearthwhocommittedfornicationwithher,andthemerchantsandsea-traderswhohadbecomerichbyher.Theyallcryout“Alas,alas,thatgreatcity...”astheyobserveherjudgment.Theybemoanthatinjustonehourherrichescametonothingandshehasbecomedesolate.Ontheotherhand,heavenitself,alongwiththeapostlesandprophets,arecalledtorejoice,becauseGodhasavengedthemonher(9-20).

Finally,amightyangelthrowsalargestoneintoseatodepictwithwhatgreatviolenceBabylonwillbethrowndown.Thesoundsandsightsofmusic,crafts,evenweddingswillbegone.ThefallofBabylonisjustified,forhermerchantsweregreat,byhersorcerythenationsweredeceived,andinherwasfoundthebloodofprophets,saints,andallthoseslainontheearth(21-24).

Whatisthischapterdescribing?Ifthedateofthebooksuggestedintheintroductioniscorrect(spring,70A.D.),andJerusalemisindeedthe“harlot”,thenthischapterlikelyreferstoitsdestructionbytheRomansinAugust,70A.D.ThiswouldbeinharmonywithRe17:16,wherethosewhofirstsupportedtheharloteventuallyturnedonher.SoitwaswithJerusalem,whodependedupontheapprovaloftheRomanauthoritiestopersecutethechurch,andlaterbecametheobjectofRomanpersecutionherself.VeryfittingisthedepictionofJerusalemasaharlot,forshewhoshouldhavebeenagreatspiritualcityhadbecomeagreatcommercialcenterbyvirtueoftheroadsthatpassedthroughherbetweenEurope,AsiaandAfrica.Herspiritualadulterywasalsomanifestedbyrejectingthemanyprophetsandapostlessenttoher(cf.Mt23:31-39withRe17:6;18:20,24;19:2).

ButifRome(inparticularhercommercialandimmoralspirit)isthe“harlot”,thenthischaptermaydescribethefallofRomein476A.D.ThestatementsinRe18:3,9-19(“allthenations...”and“themerchantsoftheearth...”)seemtofitRomebetterthanJerusalem.Thefallof“Babylon,theharlot”wasduetohertreatmentofapostles,prophets,andsaints(Re18:20,24).WhenRevelationwaswritten,RomehadalreadykilledPeterandPaul,andbythetimeofRome’sfall,therehadbeenatleasttenperiodsofpersecutionsbyRomeagainstthechurch.Rome,likeJerusalem,certainlyqualifiesas“Babylon,theharlot!”

Points To Ponder • Thepronouncementanddepictionofthefallof“Babylonthegreat”

• ThereasonswhyBabylonwouldreceivesuchterriblejudgment

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• Theidentityof“thatgreatcityBabylon,thatmightycity”

Outline I. THEFALLOFBABYLONPROCLAIMED(1-8) A. BYANANGELFROMHEAVEN(1-3) 1. Johnseesanangelcomingdownfromheaven a. Havinggreatauthority b. Illuminatingtheearthwithhisglory 2. Theangelcriesmightilywithaloudvoice a. Babylonthegreatisfallen,isfallen b. Shehasbecome... 1) Adwellingplaceofdemons 2) Aprisonforeveryfoulspirit 3) Acageforeveryuncleanandhatedbird c. Withher... 1) Thenationshavedrunkofthewineofherfornication 2) Thekingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornication 3) Themerchantsoftheearthhavebecomerich B. BYAVOICEFROMHEAVEN(4-8) 1. CallingGod’speopletocomeoutofher a. Lesttheyshareinhersinsandherplagues b. ForhersinshavereachedtoheavenandGodhasrememberedheriniquities 2. Callingforjudgmenttoberenderedher a. Renderherjustassherenderedthem b. Repayherdoubleaccordingtoherworks c. Inthecupshehasmixed,mixdoubleforher d. Tothedegreesheglorifiedherselfandlivedluxuriously... 1) Givehertormentandsorrow 2) Forshesaysinheartthatsheisaqueenandwillnotseesorrowasa widow e. Herplagueswillcomeinoneday... 1) Death,mourning,andfamine 2) Utterlyburnedwithfire -- ForgreatistheLordGodwhojudgesherII. THEFALLOFBABYLONMOURNED(9-20) A. BYTHEKINGSOFTHEEARTH(9-10) 1. Thosewhocommittedfornicationandlivedluxuriouslywithher 2. Theyshallweepandlamentwhentheyseethesmokeofherburning 3. Theyshallstandafaroffforfearofhertorment,saying... a. “Alas,alas,thatgreatcityBabylon,thatmightycity!” b. “Forinonehouryourjudgmenthascome.” B. BYTHEMERCHANTSOFTHEEARTH(11-17a) 1. Theyshallweepandmournoverher 2. Fornoonebuystheirmerchandiseanymore 3. Allthattheylongedfor,bothrichandsplendid,theyshallfindnomore

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4. Themerchantsshallstandatadistanceforfearofhertorment,weepingand wailing... a. “Alas,alas,thatgreatcitythatwasclothedinfinelinen,purple,andscarlet, andadornedwithgoldandpreciousstonesandpearls!” b. “Forinonehoursuchgreatrichescametonothing.” C. BYTHETRADERSANDTRAVELERSONTHESEA(17b-19) 1. Theystoodatadistance,cryingwhentheysawthesmokeofherburning,“What islikethisgreatcity?” 2. Throwingdustontheirheads,theycriedout,weepingandwailing... a. “Alas,alas,thatgreatcity,inwhichallwhohadshipsontheseabecamerich byherwealth!” b. “Forinonehoursheismadedesolate.” D. BUTNOTBYTHEHOLYAPOSTLESANDPROPHETS(20) 1. Theyaretorejoiceoverher 2. ForGodhasavengedthemonherIII.THEFALLOFBABYLONJUSTIFIED(21-24) A. THEEXTENTOFHERFALLILLUSTRATED(21-23a) 1. Byamightyangel... a. Whotookastonelikeagreatmillstoneandcastitintothesea b. Whothenproclaims“ThuswithviolencethegreatcityBabylonshallbe throwndown,andshallnotbefoundanymore.” 2. Neithershallbeheardorseeninher... a. Thesoundofharpists,musicians,flutists,andtrumpeters b. Acraftsmanofanycraft c. Thesoundofamillstone d. Thelightofalamp e. Thevoiceofbridegroomandbride B. THEEXTENTOFHERFALLJUSTIFIED(23b-24) 1. Forhermerchantswerethegreatmenoftheearth 2. Forbyhersorceryallthenationsweredeceived 3. Forinherwasfoundthebloodofprophetsandsaints,andofallwhoslainonthe earth

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhoproclaimsthefallofBabylon?(1-2)3) Whatissaidconcerningnations,kingsandmerchantsinregardstoBabylon?(3)

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4) WhatdoesavoicefromheavenimplorethepeopleofGod?Why?(4-5)5) TowhatdegreewillBabylonbejudged?(6-7)6) Whatplagueswillcometoherinoneday?Herultimateend?(8)7) WhatfirstgroupisdescribedasmourningthefallofBabylon?(9)8) Whatwilltheysayastheyseethesmokeofherburningfromadistance?(10)9) WhatsecondgroupisdescribedasmourningthefallofBabylon?Why?(11)10)Whatwilltheysayastheystandafaroff,weepingandwailing?(16-17a)11)WhatthirdgroupisdescribedasmourningthefallofBabylon?(17b)12)Whatdotheysayastheyseethesmokeofherburning?(18-19)13)WhoistoldtorejoiceoverthefallofBabylon?Why?(20)14)Whatdidamightyangeldoandsay?(21)15)WhatdidtheangelsaywouldnotbeseenorheardinBabylonanymore?(22-23a)

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16)Whattworeasonsaregivenforherdownfall?(23a-24)

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Chapter Nineteen ThischapterillustratestheultimatedefeatoftheenemiesofGod’speople.JohnhearsagreatmultitudeinheavenrejoicingoverthefallofBabylon.Themultitudeisjoinedbythetwenty-foureldersandfourlivingcreatures,andavoicefromthethronecallinguponallGod’sservantstopraiseHim(1-5).

JohnthenhearsheavenrejoicinginpreparationforthemarriageoftheLamb.Hiswifehasmadeherselfready,andsheisadornedinfinelinen,signifyingtherighteousactsofthesaints.JohnisthentoldtowritethatthoseinvitedtothemarriagesupperoftheLambaretrulyblessed.Johnfallsdowntoworshiptheonespeakingtohim,butisimmediatelyrebukedandtoldtoworshipGod(6-10).

ThescenequicklychangesasJohnseesheavenopenedandChristthewarriorkingonawhitehorse,followedbythearmiesinheavenonwhitehorses.DescribedintermsreminiscentofHisappearanceinthefirstthreechapters,Heisreadytostrikethenationsandrulethemwitharodofiron,evenasHetreadsthewinepressofthefiercewrathofAlmightyGod.AsinscribedonHisrobeandHisthigh,Jesusistruly“KingofkingsandLordofLords”(11-16).

WithanangelstandinginthesunandinvitingthebirdstogatherforthesupperofthegreatGod,JohnthenseesthebeastandhisforcesgatheredtomakewaragainstChristandHisarmy.Butimmediatelythebeastandthefalseprophet(theearthbeastofRe13:11-18)arecapturedandcastaliveintothelakeoffire.TheirarmiesarekilledwiththeswordproceedingfromthemouthofChrist,andallthebirdswerefilledwiththeirflesh(17-21).

ThischapterappearsdesignedtoreinforcetheideathatChristinHiskinglyrulewilldefeatthosewhohavebeenpersecutingHispeople.JustasBabylontheharlotwouldbedestroyed,sothebeastandfalseprophetwouldbeovercome.IfthelattertworepresenttheRomanempireinitspersecutionagainstthechurch,thissectionwithitsvividimagerywouldhavebeenfulfilledby313A.D.whenConstantinebroughtanendtoRomanpersecution.

Points To Ponder • ThegreatjoyinheavenoverthefallofBabylon

• TheexcitementoverthepreparationforthemarriageoftheLambandHiswife

• ThevictoryChristwouldhaveoverthebeast,thefalseprophetandtheirarmies

Outline I. HEAVENREJOICESOVERTHEFALLOFBABYLON(1-5) A. AGREATMULTITUDEINHEAVEN(1-3) 1. PraisingGod,attributingsalvation,glory,honor,andpowertoHim 2. DeclaringHisjudgmentsonthegreatharlotastrueandrighteous a. Forshecorruptedtheearthwithherfornication b. HehasavengedthebloodofHisservantswhichsheshed

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3. PraisingGod,forhersmokerisesupforeverandever B. THETWENTY-FOURELDERSANDFOURLIVINGCREATURES(4) 1. FallingdownandworshippingGodwhositsonthethrone 2. Saying“Amen,Alleluia!” C. AVOICEFROMTHETHRONE(5) 1. CallinguponallGod’sservantsandthosewhofearHim 2. CallinguponbothsmallandgreattopraiseGodII. PREPARATIONFORTHEMARRIAGEOFTHELAMB(6-10) A. AGREATMULTITUDEINHEAVEN(6-8) 1. Soundinglikemanywatersandmightythunderings a. PraisingtheLordGodOmnipotentforHisreign b. CallingtobegladandrejoiceandgiveGodglory 2. ForthemarriageoftheLambhascome a. Hiswifehasmadeherselfready b. Shewasarrayedinfinelinen,whichistherighteousactsofthesaints B. AFELLOWSERVANT(9-10) 1. TellingJohntowrite:“Blessedarethosewhoarecalledtothemarriagesupper oftheLamb!” 2. Proclaiming:“ThesearethetruesayingsofGod.” 3. WhenJohnfellathisfeettoworshiphim,heisrebuked a. “Seethatyoudonotdothat!” b. “Iamyourfellowservant,andofyourbrethrenwhohavethetestimonyof Jesus.” c. “WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”III. CHRISTTHEWARRIORKINGONAWHITEHORSE(11-16) A. HISAWESOMEDESCRIPTION(11-13) 1. Asheavenopened,JohnseesHimsittingonawhitehorse a. HeiscalledFaithfulandTrue b. InrighteousnessHejudgesandmakeswar 2. AsseenbyJohn: a. Hiseyeswerelikeaflameoffire b. OnHisheadweremanycrowns c. HehadanamewrittenthatnooneknewbutHimself d. Clothedwitharobedippedinblood e. HisnameiscalledTheWordofGod B. HISGREATRULEANDREIGN(14-16) 1. Followedbythearmiesofheaven a. Clothedinfinelinen,whiteandclean b. Sittingonwhitehorses 2. FromHismouth,asharpswordtostrikethenations a. HeHimselfwillrulethenationswitharodofiron b. HeHimselftreadsthewinepressofAlmightyGod’sfiercenessandwrath

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3. OnHisrobeandthighanamewritten:“Kingofkings,andLordoflords”IV. THEFALLOFTHEBEAST,THEFALSEPROPHET,ANDTHEIRFORCES(17-21) A. THEDECLARATIONOFANANGEL(17-18) 1. Johnseesanangelstandinginthesun,cryingwithaloudvoice 2. Speakingtoallthebirdsthatflyinthemidstofheaven: a. “ComeandgathertogetherforthesupperofthegreatGod.” b. “...eatthefleshofkings...captains...mightymen...horses...allpeople,freeand slave,bothsmallandgreat” B. THEENDOFTHEBEASTANDFALSEPROPHET(19-21) 1. Johnsawthebeast,thekingsoftheearthandtheirarmies,gatheredtomake waragainstHimwhosatonthehorseandHisarmy 2. Johnsawthebeastandfalseprophetcaptured a. Thefalseprophetwhoworkedsignsinthepresenceofthebeast b. Bywhichhedeceivedthosewhoreceivedthemarkofthebeastand worshipedhisimage -- Bothwerecastaliveintothelakeoffireburningwithbrimstone 3. Therestoftheirforceswerekilled a. WiththeswordwhichproceededfromthemouthofHimwhosatonthe horse b. Allthebirdswerefilledwiththeirflesh

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdidJohnhearagreatmultitudeinheavingsaying?(1)3) WhyareGod’sjudgmentsontheharlotproclaimedastrueandrighteous?(2)4) Whatelsedoesthisgreatmultitudeinheavensay?(3)5) Whoelsejoinsendwithacryof“Amen!Alleluia!”?(4)6) Whatdoesavoicefromthroneproclaim?(5)7) Whatdidthevoiceofagreatmultitudecryoutnext?(6-7)

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8) InwhatwastheLamb’sbrideadorned?(8)9) WhatwasJohnthentold?(9)10)AsJohnfelldowntoworshiptheonewhospoketohim,whatwashetold?(10)11)ListthedescriptivefeaturesoftheOnesittingonawhitehorse(11-16)12)Whatdidanangelstandinginthesunsaytothebirds?(17-18)13)WhatdidJohnseenext?(19)14)Whathappenedtothebeastandthefalseprophet?(20)15)Whathappenedtotherestoftheirarmies?(21)

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Chapter Twenty PreviouschaptershaveillustratedthedefeatofagentsusedbySatantopersecuteGod'speople.OnebyonewehaveseenthefallofBabylon,thebeast,thefalseprophet,andthearmiestheyhadgathered.WhataboutSatan,thedragonwhogaveauthoritytothebeastinhiseffortstowagewaragainstthesaints(Re12:17-13:7)?AndwhatofthosekilledbytheagentsofSatan?

ThischapterrevealsthebindingofSatanfor“a1000years”.ItmostlikelydepictsalongperiodoftimeinwhichSatanisnolongerabletodeceivethenationsashedidduringthetimeoftheRomanempire(cf.Re13:14;20:3).ItbeganfollowingtheendofRomanpersecutionandwouldcontinueforsometimeinthefuture.Duringthisperiod,JohnseessoulsreigningwithChrist,whowerebeheadedfortheirfaithfulnesstoJesusandthewordofGod.Nomentionismadeofreigningontheearth,somyconclusionisthattheyreignwithChristinheavenduringthisperiod(cf.Re2:26-27;3:21).This“firstresurrection”maybeaspecialblessingforthemartyrsofChristduringtheintermediatestate(betweendeathandthebodilyresurrectionattheendoftime),whileRe7:9-17maydescribetheintermediatestatefortheaverageChristian.TrulythosewhohadbeenbeheadedforthewitnessofChristare“blessedandholy”(1-6)!

Afterthe“1000years”areover,Satanisreleasedforashorttimewhereheonceagainseeksto“deceivethenations”topersecutethepeopleofGod(cf.Re13:14;20:3,8,10).Thementionof“GogandMagog”islikelyanapocalypticreferencetoforcesofevilatSatan'sdisposalduringthistime,notanyparticularnationornations.ButthefinalattemptofSatanisquicklythwartedbytheLord,andthedeviliscastintothelakeoffire,wherethebeastandfalseprophetwere(cf.Re19:20).IfanysectionofRevelationpertainstothetimejustpriortotheLord'sfinalcoming,Ibelieveittobethisone.Thedescriptionisbrief,forthebookwaswrittenforthebenefitofChristiansinAsiaMinoraboutthingstoshortlycometopass(cf.Re1:1-4;22:6,10).ThoseChristianswouldnotexperiencethislastattemptofSatan.Buttoassurethem(andus!)thatSatanwouldultimatelybedefeated,wehavethedescriptionfoundinthesefewverses(7-10).

Thechaptercloseswithadescriptionofthefinaljudgment.BeforethegreatwhitethroneandHimwhosatonit,allthedeadarejudged.Booksareopened,includingtheBookofLife,andjudgmentisbasedupontheirworks.Noneescapethejudgment,forthesea,Death,andHadesgiveupallthedeadthatareinthem.DeathandHadesarecastintothelakeandfire,describedasthe“seconddeath”.ThesameendisgiventothosewhosenameswerenotwrittenintheBookofLife(11-15).

Points To Ponder • Thebinding,futurerelease,andultimatedefeatofSatan

• The“thousandyear”reigndescribedinthischapter,andwhowillreignwithChrist

• Thecriteriausedinthefinaljudgment,andtheimportanceoftheBookofLife

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Outline I. THETHOUSANDYEARREIGN(1-6) A. SATANBOUNDFOR1000YEARS(1-3) 1. Johnseesanangelcomedownfromheaven a. Havingthekeytothebottomlesspit b. Withagreatchaininhishand 2. TheangelbindsSatanforathousandyears a. Castinghimintothebottomlesspit,shuttinghimupandsettingasealon him b. Sothatheshoulddeceivethenationsnomoreforathousandyears -- Butafterwardhewillbereleasedforalittlewhile B. SAINTSREIGNWITHCHRISTFOR1000YEARS(4-6) 1. Johnseessoulsuponthrones,towhomjudgmentwascommitted a. WhohadbeenbeheadedfortheirwitnesstoJesusandthewordofGod b. Whohadnotworshipedthebeastorhisimage c. Whohadnotreceivedhismarkontheirforeheadsorontheirhands 2. ThesesoulslivedandreignedwithChristathousandyears a. Therestofthedeadnotliveagainuntilthethousandyearswerefinished b. Thisisthefirstresurrection 1) Blessedandholyarethosewhohaveapartinthefirstresurrection 2) Oversuchtheseconddeathhasnopower 3) TheyshallbepriestsofGodandofChrist 4) TheyshallreignwithChristathousandyearsII. SATAN'SFINALATTEMPTANDDEFEAT(7-10) A. HISRELEASEFROMPRISON(7-8) 1. Afterthethousandyearswerecompleted 2. Hewillgoouttodeceivethenations a. Thoseinthefourcornersoftheearth,GogandMagog b. Togatherthemtobattle B. HISFINALATTEMPTANDDEFEAT(9) 1. Tohavethenationssurroundthecampofthesaintsandthebelovedcity 2. ButfirefromGodoutofheavendevouredthoseSatanhaddeceived C. HISETERNALTORMENT(10) 1. Thedevilwhodeceivedthenationswascastintothelakeoffireandbrimstone 2. Thesameplacewherethebeastandthefalseprophetare 3. TheywillbetormenteddayandnightforeverandeverIII.THEFINALJUDGMENT(11-15) A. THEONEONTHEGREATWHITETHRONE(11) 1. JohnseesagreatwhitethroneandHimwhosatonit 2. BeforeWhosefacetheearthandheavenfledawaysonoplacewasfoundfor them

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B. THEJUDGMENTOFTHEDEAD(12-13) 1. Johnseesthedead,smallandgreat,standingbeforeGod 2. Bookswereopened,includingtheBookofLife a. Thedeadwerejudgedaccordingtotheirworks b. Thedeadwerejudgedbythethingswritteninthebooks 3. Allthedeadwerejudged,eachaccordingtohisworks a. Fortheseagavethedeadwhowereinit b. ForDeadandHadesdeliveredupthedeadwhowereinthem C. THELAKEOFFIRE(14-15) 1. DeathandHadeswerecastintothelakeoffire(whichistheseconddeath) 2. AnyonenotfoundwrittenintheBookofLifewerecastintothelakeoffire

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdidJohnseecomingdownfromheaven?(1)3) WhatdidtheangeldotoSatan?(2-3)4) WhydidtheangeldothistoSatan?(3)5) WhatsoulsdidJohnseesittingonthrones?(4)6) Howlongdidtheylive?Withwhomdidtheyreign?(4)7) WhatisthisreigningwithChristcalled?Whyarethosewhohaveapart consideredblessedandholy?(5-6)8) Whathappenswhenthethousandyearshaveexpired?(7)9) Whatwillhedo?(8-9)

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10)Whatwillhappenbeforetheysucceed?(9)11)Whatwillhappentothedevil?(10)12)WhatdoesJohnseenext?Whatabouttheearthandtheheaven?(11)13)WhodoesJohnseestandingbeforethethrone?Whatwasopened(12)14)Howwerethedeadjudged?(12)15)Whohadgivenupthedead?(13)16)Whatisthelakeoffirecalled?Whowascastintoit?(14-15)

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Chapter Twenty-One FollowingtheJudgmentsceneattheendofthepreviouschapter,theeternaldestinyoftheredeemedisnowrevealed.Themotifofanewheavenandnewearth,alongwiththeNewJerusalem,isusedtoprovidegreathopeandcomforttoChristians.Thisiscertainlynothingnew,forboththeOldandNewTestamentsprovidedsimilarpicturestoincreaseanticipationofthefuture(cf.Isa65:17-25;66:22-24;He11:10,13-16;13:14;2Pe3:13).Ineachcase,theeternaldestinyofGod'sfaithfulisdescribedintermsthatprovidedthegreatestmeaningandencouragementtothepeopleofthatdispensation.HereweseethedestinyoftheredeemedintermsdepictingfellowshipwithGodandprotectionbyGod.

Johnfirstseesallthingsmadenew.Thereisanewheavenandanewearth,forthefirstheavenandfirsteartharenomore(cf.Re20:11).Heseestheholycity,NewJerusalem,“comingdownoutofheavenfromGod.”AloudvoicefromheavendeclaresthatGodwilldwellwithHispeopleandbetheirGod.God,whoistheAlphaandtheOmega,theBeginningandtheEnd,willcomfortHispeoplebyremovingallthatcausespain,andprovidethefountainofthewateroflifefreelytohimthatthirsts.WhilethosewhoovercomeinheritallthingsandenjoytheblessingsofbeingGod'schildren,thewickedandunfaithfulhavetheirpartinthelakeoffireandbrimstone(cf.Re19:20;20:10,14-15)whichisdefinedastheseconddeath(1-8).

Oneofthesevenangelswhohadthesevenbowls(cf.Re15:7;16:1)thencarriesJohntoagreatandhighmountain,toshowhim“thebride,theLamb’swife”.Thisisnoneotherthanthegreatcity,theNewJerusalem,whichisseen“descendingoutofheavenfromGod.”ItisacityhavingthegloryofGod,andthebulkofthechapterdescribesitsprominentfeatures.Agreatandhighwallsurroundsthecity.Standingabout216feethighandmadeofjasper,thewallhastwelvepearlygatesuponwhicharethenamesofthetwelvetribesofIsrael,withanangelateachgate.Thewallhastwelvefoundations,eachmadeofpreciousstonesofvariouscolors,uponwhicharethenamesofthetwelveapostles.Thecityitself,madeofpuregoldlikeclearglass,is1500mileslonginitslength,breadth,andheight.Thestreetofthecityisalsopuregold,liketransparentglass(9-21).

Thegloryoftheholycityisdescribedfurtherbynotingthatthereisnotemple,forGodAlmightyandtheLambareitstemple.Thereisnoneedforthesunormoon,forthegloryofGodandtheLambilluminatethecity.Itsgatesarenevershut,thereisnonightthere,andthenationsofthesavedalongwiththekingsoftheearthbringtheirhonorandgloryintoit.OnlythosewrittenintheLamb’sbookoflifeenterthisgloriouscity,ensuringthatitremainsfreefromanyabominationanddefilement(22-27).

Points To Ponder • Theeternaldestinyoftheredeemed,intermsdepictingfellowshipwithGodand

protectionbyGod

• Thenewheavenandnewearth(cf.2Pe3:13),alongwiththeholycity,NewJerusalem“comingdownoutofheavenfromGod“(cf.Re3:12;21:2,10)

• Thedetailedimageryusedtodescribetheheavenlycity,theNewJerusalem

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Outline I. ALLTHINGSMADENEW(1-8) A. THENEWHEAVENANDNEWEARTH(1) 1. Johnseesanewheavenandanewearth 2. Thefirstheavenandearthhadpassedaway,andtherewasnosea B. THENEWJERUSALEM(2) 1. Johnsawtheholycitycomingdownoutofheaven 2. Itwaspreparedasabrideadornedforherhusband C. THEPROCLAMATIONFROMHEAVEN(3-4) 1. “ThetabernacleofGodiswithmen” a. “Hewilldwellwiththem,andtheyshallbeHispeople” b. “GodHimselfwillbewiththemandbetheirGod” 2. “Godwillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes” a. “Thereshallbenomoredeath,norsorrow,norcrying” b. “Thereshallbenomorepain,fortheformerthingshavepassedaway” D.THEPROCLAMATIONFROMTHEONEWHOSATONTHETHRONE(5-8) 1. “Behold,Imakeallthingsnew” a. “Write,forthesewordsaretrueandfaithful” b. “Itisdone!” 2. “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,theBeginningandtheEnd” a. “Iwillgiveofthefountainofthewateroflifefreelytohimwhothirsts” b. “Hewhoovercomesshallinheritallthings” 1) “IwillbehisGod” 2) “HeshallbeMyson” 3. “Butthecowardly,unbelieving,abominable,murderers,sexuallyimmoral, sorcerers,idolaters,andallliars...” a. “Shallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnswithfireandbrimstone” b. “Whichistheseconddeath”II. THENEWJERUSALEM(9-21) A. JOHNISSHOWNTHEHOLYCITY(9-11) 1. Byoneofthesevenangelswhohadthesevenbowlsfilledwiththelastplagues a. WhoofferedtoshowJohn“thebride,theLamb'swife” b. WhocarriedhimawayintheSpirittoagreatandhighmountain 2. Heseesthegreatcity,theholyJerusalem a. DescendingoutofheavenfromGod b. HavingthegloryofGod c. Withlightlikeajasperstone,clearascrystal B. THECONSTRUCTIONOFTHECITYANDITSWALL(12-21) 1. Ithadagreatandhighwallwithtwelvegates a. Withtwelveangelsatthegates b. WiththenamesofthetwelvetribesofIsrael c. Withthreegateseachontheeast,north,south,andwest

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d. Withtwelvefoundations,onwhichwerethenamesofthetwelveapostles oftheLamb 2. Themeasurementofthecity,thegates,andthewall a. Theangelhadagoldenreedtomeasurethem b. Thecityislaidoutasacube,itslength,breadth,andheightareeach12,000 furlongs(1500miles) c. Thewallisonehundredandforty-fourcubits(216feet) 3. Theconstructionofthecity,thewall,itsfoundations,andthegates a. Thewallwasofjasper;thecitywaspuregold,likeclearglass b. Thetwelvefoundationsofthewallwereadornedwithpreciousstones: 1) Jasper 5) Sardonyx 9)Topaz 2) Sapphire 6) Sardius 10) Chrysoprase 3) Chalcedony 7) Chrysolite 11) Jacinth 4) Emerald 8) Beryl 12) Amethyst c. Thetwelvegatesweretwelvepearls,eachgateonepearl d. Thestreetofthecitywaspuregold,liketransparentglassIII.THEGLORYOFTHEHOLYCITY(22-27) A. ILLUMINATEDBYTHEPRESENCEOFGODANDTHELAMB(22-23) 1. ItstemplearetheLordGodAlmightyandtheLamb 2. ItisilluminatedbythegloryofGodandtheLamb B. ENHANCEDBYTHOSEWHOENTERIT(24-27) 1. Thenationsofthesavedshallwalkinitslight 2. Thekingsoftheearthbringtheirgloryandhonorintoit 3. Itsgatesshallnotbeshutatallbyday,andthereisnonightthere 4. Thenationsshallbringtheirgloryandhonorintoit a. Nothingthatdefiles,causesanabominationoralie,shallenterit b. OnlythosewrittenintheLamb'sbookofLifeenterit

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdidJohnsee?(1)3) Whathappenedtothefirstheavenandfirstearth?Whatofthesea?(1)4) WhatdidJohnseecomingdownoutofheavenfromGod?(2)5) WhatissaidaboutthedwellingofGod?(3)

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6) WhatwillGoddo?Whatshallbenomore?(4)7) WhatdidtheOneonthethronesaytoJohninverse5?8) WhatdidHesayinverse6?9) Whatispromisedtothosewhoovercome?(7)10)Whoshallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnswithfireandbrimstone?What isthiscalled?(8)11)WhoofferedtoshowJohnthebride,theLamb'swife?(9)12)WhereisJohntaken,andwhatdoeshesee?(10)13)Whatwasthegeneraldescriptionofthecity?(11)14)Whatsurroundedthecity?(12)15)Whatstoodateachofthegates?Whatwaswrittenonthegates?(12)16)Howmanyfoundationsdidthewallhave?Whatwaswrittenonthefoundations? (14)17)Whatwasthelength,breadth,andheightofthecity?(16)18)Howtallwasthewall?(17)

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19)Whatwastheconstructionofthewall?Ofthecity?(18)20)Whatwerethefoundationsofthecityadornedwith?(19)21)Whatwerethetwelvegates?Whatwasthestreetofthecity?(21)22)Whywastherenotempleinthecity?(22)23)Whywastherenoneedforthesunormoontoshineinit?(23)24)Whoshallwalkinitslight?Whoshallbringtheirgloryandhonorintoit?(24)25)Whatshallnotbeshutatallday?Whataboutatnight?(25)26)Whowillbynomeansenterthecity?Whowillenterthecity?(27)

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Chapter Twenty-Two InthepreviouschapterJohndescribedthegloryoftheNewJerusalemastheeternaldestinyoftheredeemedwasrevealed.Inthefirstsixversesofthischapter,John'svisionofthegloriousfutureforthepeopleofGodiscompletedwithabriefdescriptionoftheriveroflife,thetree(s)oflife,andthethroneofGodandoftheLamb.Withtheriveroflifeproceedingfromthethrone,andthetree(thedefinitearticleisnotintheGreek,soperhapstwotreesoneithersideoftheriver)oflifebearingfruiteverymonthalongwithitshealingleaves,thepictureisoneofprovisionfromGod.EternalfellowshipwithGod,stressedinthepreviouschapter(cf.Re21:3-4,7),isemphasizedagainwiththepromiseofseeingHisfaceandhavingHisnameonone'sforehead.Withnomorecurse(cf.Gen3:17-19),theredeemedshallserveGodandtheLambonthethrone.Thereisnonightnorneedforthesun,fortheLordGodgivesthemlight(cf.Re21:23).Theredeemedwillalsoreignforeverandever(1-5).

Theremainderofthischaptercontainsthegrandconclusionofthiswonderfulbook.TheangelwhoshowedJohntheholycitystressedthattheeventsdescribedinthisbookweresoontotakeplace,suchthatJohnisnottosealthebook(cf.Re22:6,10;contrastthiswithDan8:26).JesusHimselfstatesthreetimesthatHeiscomingquickly(cf.Re22:7,12,20),whichItaketorefertoHiscominginjudgmentasdescribedthroughoutthisbook(cf.Re3:10-11).WithareminderoftheblessednessofthosewhodoHiscommandments,Jesus,whoistheAlphaandtheOmega,theBeginningandtheEnd,theFirstandtheLast,theRootandOffspringofDavid,theBrightandMorningStar,declaresthatHesentHisangeltotestifyofthesethingstothechurches.TheSpiritandthebridejoininwithaninvitationtoletthosewhothirstcometodrinkofthewateroflifefreely.Thebookendswithafearfulwarningnottoaddtoortakeawayfromthebook,afinalpromiseoftheLord'scoming,andatwo-foldprayercallingfortheLordJesustocome,andforHisgracetobewithallthebrethren(6-22).

Points To Ponder • Theeternaldestinyoftheredeemed,intermsdepictingprovisionfromGod

• Howthingsrevealedinthisbookweresoontotakeplace

• Thepromisesandwarningsgivenasthebookconcludes

Outline I. THERIVER,THETREE,ANDTHETHRONE(1-5) A. THERIVEROFLIFE(1) 1. Johnseesapureriverofwateroflife,clearascrystal 2. ItproceedsfromthethroneofGodandoftheLamb B. THETREEOFLIFE(2) 1. Oneithersideoftheriverwasatreeoflife 2. Thetree(s)boretwelvefruits,yieldingfruiteverymonth

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3. Theleaveswereforthehealingofthenations C. THETHRONEOFGODANDOFTHELAMB(3-5) 1. Thereshallbenomorecurse,butthethroneofGodandtheLambshallbeinit 2. HisservantsshallserveHim a. TheyshallseeHisface b. Hisnameshallbeontheirforeheads 3. Thereshallbenonightthere a. Theyneednolampnorlightofthesun b. FortheLordGodgivesthemlight 4. TheyshallreignforeverandeverII. THEGRANDCONCLUSION(6-21) A. THETIMEISNEAR,DONOTSEALTHEBOOK(6-11) 1. Johnistoldbytheangelthatthesewordsarefaithfulandtrue a. TheLordGodhassentHisangeltoshowHisservantsthethingswhichmust shortlytakeplace b. TheLambproclaims:“Behold,Iamcomingquickly!Blessedishewho keepsthewordsoftheprophecyofthisbook.” 2. Johnattemptstoworshiptheangel a. Hefallsdownatthefeetoftheangelwhoshowedhimthesethings b. Theangelforbidshim 1) Theangelishisfellowservant,andofhisbrethrentheprophetsandof thosewhokeepthewordsofthisbook 2) JohnistoworshipGod 3. Johnistoldnottosealthewordsoftheprophecyofthisbook a. Forthetimeisathand b. Lethewhoisunjustbeunjuststill,thefilthybefilthystill c. Lethewhoisrighteousberighteousstill,theholybeholystill B. THETESTIMONYOFJESUS(12-17) 1. Hisfirstdeclaration: a. “Behold,Iamcomingquickly” b. “MyrewardiswithMe,togivetoeveryoneaccordingtohiswork” c. “IamtheAlphaandtheOmega” d. “TheBeginningandtheEnd,theFirstandtheLast” 2. Thepromise: a. BlessedarethosewhodoHiscommandments(orwashtheirrobes) 1) Thattheymayhavetherighttothetreeoflife 2) Thattheymayenterthroughthegatesintothecity b. Thoseoutsidethecity 1) Aredogs,sorcerers,sexuallyimmoral,murderers,andidolaters 2) Whoeverlovesandpracticesalie 3. Hisseconddeclaration: a. “I,Jesus,havesentMyangeltotestifytoyouthesethingsinthechurches” b. “IamtheRootandtheOffspringofDavid,theBrightandMorningStar.” 4. Theinvitation: a. TheSpiritandthebridesay“Come!” b. Lethimwhohearssay“Come!”

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-- Whoeverdesires,lethimtakethewateroflifefreely C. AWORDOFWARNING(18-19) 1. Donotaddtothewordsofthisbook,orGodwilladdtohimtheplagueswritten init 2. Donottakeawayfromthewordsofthisbook,orGodwilltakeawayhispart from: a. TheBook(orTree)ofLife b. Theholycity c. Thethingswritteninthisbook D. CLOSINGPROMISE,FINALPRAYERS(20-21) 1. ThepromiseofHimwhotestifiestothesethings:“SurelyIamcomingquickly.” 2. John'stwoprayers: a. ConcerninghisLord:“Amen.Evenso,come,LordJesus!” b. Concerninghisbrethren:“ThegraceofourLordJesusChristbewithyouall. Amen.”

Review Questions 1) Whatarethemainpointsofthischapter?2) WhatdoesJohnseeproceedingfromthethroneofGodandoftheLamb?(1)3) Whatisoneithersideoftheriver?(2)4) Howmanyfruitsdidthetreebearandwhen?Whatweretheleavesfor?(2)5) Whatnolongerexisted?Whatwasinthecityinstead?(3)6) WhatissaidconcerningtheservantsofGodandoftheLamb?(3-5)7) Whatissaidofnightandthelightofthesun?(5)8) WhatisJohntoldaboutthethingswhichhehasseen?(6)

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9) Whatpromiseandassuranceisgiveninverse7?10)WhatdidJohntrytodowhenheheardandsawthesethings?(8)11)WhatdidtheangeltellJohn?(9)12)WhatisJohntoldregardingtheprophecyofthisbook?Why?(10)13)Whatissaidoftheunjustandfilthy?Therighteousandholy?(11)14)Whatpromiseandassuranceisgiveninverse12?15)HowdoesJesusdescribeHimself?(13)16)WhatblessednessispromisedtothosewhodoHiscommandments(some manuscriptssay“washtheirrobes”)?(14)17)Whatisoutsidethecity?(15)18)WhyhadJesussentHisangel?(16)19)HowdoesJesusdescribeHimself?(16)20)Whoextendstheinvitationto“Come!”?Whoelseistoextendthisinvitation?(17)21)Towhomisthisinvitationextended?Whatisoffered?(17)

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22)Whatwarningisgiventothosewhohearsthewordsoftheprophecyofthis book?(18-19)23)WhatpromiseisgivenbyHimwhotestifiesofthesethings?(20)24)WhattwoprayersdoesJohnexpressasheclosesthebook?(20-21)

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Concluding Thoughts Asstatedintheintroductiontothisstudy,thebookofRevelationisuniqueinthatitcontainsapocalypticliterature.Filledwithfigurativeandsymboliclanguage,ithasbeensubjectedtomuchabusebymanywhohaveproposedtointerpretit,especiallybythosewhotakethefuturisticapproachtothebook.

IampersuadedthekeytohandlingandunderstandingRevelationproperlyistoletthefirstthreechapterssetthecontextinwhichthebookshouldbeinterpreted.Inthosechapterswelearnthatthebook:

• Wasintendedtobeunderstood(arevelation=anunveiling)-Re1:1

• Wasaboutthingsthatwouldsoontakeplace,notthousandsofyearslater-Re1:1,3;22:6,10

• Couldbeunderstoodevenbyanindividualreadingtoapublicaudience-Re1:1

• Isfilledwithsignsandsymbols(“signified”),likelyunderstoodbytheoriginalreaders-Re1:1

• WasaddressedtosevenspecificchurchesinAsia,soanyinterpretationmustfirstbeapplicabletothosechurchesandtheirtimes-Re1:4,11;2:1-3:22

• WaswrittentochurcheswhohadalreadyexperiencedpersecutionfromunbelievingJerusalemandpaganRome,withmoretocome-Re2:9-10,13

• Containspromisestothoseinthesevenchurcheswhoovercomebyremainingfaithful,eventodeath,whichpromisesaremostlydepictedintheirfulfillmentbyvisionslaterinthebook-Re2:7(cf.Re22:2,14);Re2:11(cf.Re20:6,14;21:8);Re2:26-27(cf.Re20:4-6);Re3:5(cf.Re7:14-17;20:12,15;21:27);Re3:12(cf.Re7:15;21:1-27;22:4);Re3:21(cf.Re20:4-6;22:5)

Thethemeofthebookisclear:Jesusiscomingtojudge!HenowreignsasKingofkingsandLordoflords!(Re1:5,7;11:15;17:14).Hiscomingjudgment(s)asdepictedinRevelationinvolvejudgingchurches(Re1-3),unbelievingJerusalem(Rev4-11),paganRome(Rev12-19),Satanandtheworld(Rev20-22).

Effortstointerpretthebookshouldgivespecialattentiontoclarifyingstatementsfoundthroughoutthebooklikethese:

• “...wherealsoourLordwascrucified”(Re11:8)-identifiesthecitybeingjudgedinthefirsthalfofthebookasJerusalem.

• “Hereiswisdom.Lethimwhohasunderstandingcalculatethenumberofthebeast,foritisthenumberofaman:Hisnumberis666.”(Re13:18)-makesclearthattheidentityofthebeastcouldbeknownbytheoriginalrecipients(likely“NeroCaesar”,orthe“LatinOne”).

• “Hereisthemindwhichhaswisdom:Thesevenheadsaresevenmountainsonwhichthewomansits.Therearealsosevenkings.Fivehavefallen,oneis,andtheotherhasnotyetcome.Andwhenhecomes,hemustcontinueashorttime.Thebeastthatwas,

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andisnot,ishimselfalsotheeighth,andisoftheseven,andisgoingtoperdition.”(Re17:9-11)-IdentifiestheharlotasbeingsupportedbyRome.Also,thatwhateverthebeastrepresented,it“isnot”atthetimeofthewritingofRevelation.ThatsuggeststomethatthebookwasnotwrittenduringthetimeofNeroorDomitian,butmorelikelyduringthereignofVespasian.Similarly,that“kings”couldnotsymbolizeworldempires,forthatwouldruleouttheRomanempireashavinganythingtodowiththeidentityofthebeast(sincetheRomanempirewasinexistenceatthattime).

• “Thesewordsaretrueandfaithful”(Re21:5;22:6)-Thisexpressionprefacesandconcludesthedescriptionofthenewheavensandnewearth,alongwiththeNewJerusalem,theholycitywhichdescendsoutofheavenfromGod.“True”means“real,genuine”and“faithful”means“trustworthy”.ThissuggeststomethepossibilitythatthedescriptionoftheeternalstateoftheredeemedinRe21-22aremorerealisticandreflectiveofthatwhichistocomethanwerethevisionsseenearlierthroughoutthebook(whichwereclearlysymbolic).Itcertainlycoincideswithotherscripturesthatarenotfigurativeintheircontext(cf.He11:16;13:14;2Pe3:13-14).

Despiteitschallenges,IfindthebookofRevelationfascinatingandfilledwithmuchbenefitfortheChristiantoday.StudyingRevelation,welearnofChrist'spowerandsovereigntyoverthekingdomsofthisworld.LikeotherbooksoftheNewTestamentthatmayhavebeenwrittentoaddressspecificsituationsaffectingchurchesinthefirstcentury,wecanmakeapplicationtoourownlivesshouldwefindourselvesfacingsituationssimilartothoseenduredbytheChristiansofthefirstcentury.

Andremember,atsomepointSatanwillbereleasedoncemoretodeceivethenationsinalastattempttodestroythechurch(Re20:7-10).Shouldwefindourselveslivingatthattime,letusneverforgetthekeypassageinthisbook:

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. (Re 17:14)

SowiththeaidofChristandtherestoftheNewTestamenttoguideus,letusheedthesewordsoftheapostlePeter...

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (2Pe 3:13-14)

AndmayourattitudealwaysbethatasexpressedbytheapostleJohnattheendofRevelation...

Evenso,come,LordJesus!(Re22:20)

free sermon outlines and bible studies! - the book of revelation · 2018-11-26 · wrote to seven...

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