Thursday, May 3, 2018

Study of Revelation: Revelation 19

Prayer and Bible Expo
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Brief Summary of Revelation 1–15

Revelation 1 The Introduction: ­Scene: Earth.  Time: Past (ca. 95 AD).
John introduces the book of prophecy with an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the Revelation. John was exiled on the island of Patmos when Jesus sent and communicated the vision of things which must soon take place. John is commanded to write and send the book to the seven churches in Asia.

Revelation 2-3  Messages to the Angels of the Seven Churches in Asia: 
Scene: Earth. Time: Present (to original readers in Asia).
Jesus sends a unique message to each of the seven churches in the western part of the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  The cities are listed in the order of the geographical circuit that the messenger of the book would naturally travel as he delivered the letters.

Revelation 4–5 Prelude of Praise:
Scene: Heaven. Time: Future (Onset of the Great Seven-Year Tribulation which will complete the present age, conclude with Jesus’ return, and usher in the Millennium).
Revelation 4-22 records events that will take place in the future. Three consecutive periods of judgment lead to the second return of Jesus Christ: 7 Seals; 7 Trumpets; and, 7 Bowls. A prelude of praise in heaven precedes the onset of each three sets of 7 consecutive judgments. Revelation 4-5 records the initial heavenly prelude of praise that will precede the opening of the 7 Seals of judgment in Revelation 6, ushering in “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will” (Matt 24:21).

Revelation 6 Seven Seal Judgments
Scene: Earth. Time: Future (Chronology moves forward.)
The seven seals contain the judgments of the Great Tribulation, concluding with the return of Jesus. The seventh Seal contains the seven Trumpet judgments, and the seventh Trumpet judgment contains the final seven Bowl judgments. The Trumpet and Bowl judgments are all contained within the seventh Seal, unfolding consecutively through the seven-year Tribulation Period. Through judgment, Jesus becomes King of all the nations.

Revelation 6 records John’s vision of the Lamb breaking the first 6 of 7 Seals:
Seal #1:     First Apocalyptic Horseman (White Horse): Conqueror
Seal #2:     Second Apocalyptic Horseman (Red Horse): Removes Peace
Seal #3:     Third Apocalyptic Horseman (Black Horse): Famine
Seal #4:     Fourth Apocalyptic Horseman (Ashen Horse): Death and Hades (over ¼ killed)
Seal #5:     Cries of the Martyrs for Judgment and Vengeance
Seal #6:     Earthquake, Blackened Sun, Blood-like Moon, Falling Stars, Split Sky, Moving Mountains                and Islands, Hiding Men, Great Day of Wrath
The seventh seal remains unbroken at the end of Revelation 6. Before the Lamb breaks the seventh seal (Rev 8), the foreheads of 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel are sealed.

Rev 7:1-8 Sealing of 144,000 from 12 Tribes of Israel: Scene: Earth. Time: Future.
The angels are commanded to refrain from harming the earth, sea, or trees until the bond-servants of God are sealed on their foreheads with the seal of the Living God. The 144,000 include 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rev 7:9-17 Prelude of Praise by Multitude in Heaven: Scene: Heaven. Time: Future.
Before the Lamb breaks the 7th Seal, containing the 7 Trumpets and 7 Bowls, there is a prelude of praise in heaven by a great, countless multitude from every nation, tribes, peoples, and tongues. The multitude, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, stands before the throne and before the Lamb as they cry, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (7:10). The heavenly court responds in worship. One of the elders explains to John that the multitude came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, made white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 8–9 Trumpet Judgments
Scene: Earth. Time: Future (Chronology moves forward, Second Half of Tribulation)

After the sealing of 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel and a prelude of praise by a great multitude in heaven, the Lamb breaks the seventh seal. In response, heaven is silenced for half an hour. The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets, the second of three 7-judgment series that are consecutively released during the Great Tribulation. The seven bowls are contained in the seventh trumpet. The seven trumpets are contained in the seventh seal. When the Lamb breaks the seventh seal, He is actually initiating the seven trumpets. Once the seventh seal is broken, the seven trumpet judgments occur consecutively. Revelation 8–9 records the consecutive release of six of the seven trumpet judgments.
o   Trumpet #1: Hail, Fire (upon earth)
o   Trumpet #2: Burning Mountain (upon sea)
o   Trumpet #3: Wormwood (upon waters)
o   Trumpet #4: Sun, Moon, Stars (upon heavens)
o   Trumpet #5: Demonic Locusts (upon people)
o   Trumpet #6: Horsemen (upon people)
o   Trumpet #7: Announces 7 Bowls

Summary of Revelation 10–15:
Transition from Trumpets (8–9) to Seals (16)
Scenes: Earth (10-14) and Heaven (15) Time: Future

Just as chapter 7, which deals with the 144,000 sealed Israelites and great multitude from all nations, serves as a transition between the Seal and Trumpet judgments, Chapters 10–15 serve as a transition between the Trumpet and Bowl judgments. The interlude provides background information pertaining to significant people, places, and events during the Great Tribulation without advancing chronologically through the judgment series.

Chapter 10 introduces an angel, perhaps Michael the archangel, who announces the 7th trumpet, which contains the seven final Bowl judgments leading to the return of Christ.

Chapter 11 records John’s measurement of the temple of God and the altar, then it introduces the two witnesses who prophesy for 1,260 days (42 months) of the Great Tribulation. At the end of 3 ½ years, the two witnesses die and their bodies are displayed for 3 ½ days before they are brought back to life and ascend into heaven.

Chapter 12 is often considered the most symbolic chapter in the Bible. Five of seven major tribulation personages are identified: (1) the woman clothed with the sun=Mary/Judah (2) the red dragon (7 heads, 10 horns, 7 diadems)=Satan; (3) a male child=Christ; (4) Michael/angels; and (5) offspring of woman persecuted by the dragon=Israel.

Chapter 13 introduces the final two of seven major tribulation personages: (6) beast out of the sea=Antichrist; and, (7) beast out of the earth=false prophet.

Chapter 14 reveals the Lamb standing on Mount Zion and the worship of the 144,000 who have the name of the Lamb and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. After a prelude of praise, angels announce fallen Babylon and the reaping of the earth.

Chapter 15 records a heavenly prelude of praise in preparation for the final series of judgment. Those who had been victorious over the beast and his image sing the Song of Moses and Song of the Lamb. One of the four living creatures gives to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever, and the temple is filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power.

Brief Summary of Revelation 16
(The Grand Finale)

Revelation 16 – Seven Plagues/Bowl Judgments
Scene: Earth. Time: Future (Chronology moves forward.)
The seven seals (Rev 6, 8) contain all the judgments of the Great Tribulation, concluding with the return of Jesus. The seventh Seal (Rev 8) contains the seven Trumpet judgments (Rev 8–9, 11:15), and the seventh Trumpet judgment (Rev 11:15) contains the final seven Bowl judgments (Rev 16). The Trumpet and Bowl judgments are all contained within the seventh Seal, unfolding consecutively through the seven-year Tribulation Period. Through judgment, Jesus becomes King of all the nations.

Revelation 16 brings the terrible judgments of the Tribulation to conclusion through the pouring out of the final seven Bowl judgments.
·       Bowl 1 (upon earth)                              Boils
·       Bowl 2 (into sea)                                  Blood
·       Bowl 3 (into rivers)                               Blood
·       Bowl 4 (upon sun)                                Scorching
·       Bowl 5 (upon throne of the beast)        Darkness
·       Bowl 6 (upon the Euphrates river)        Dries Up
·       Bowl 7 (upon air)                                  Earthquake, Hail


Brief Summary of Revelation 17–18 (Interlude)
Scene: Earth  Time: Future
Revelation 17–18 form an interlude that describes the fall of Babylon, involving the destruction of its ecclesiastical form (Rev 17) and its political form (Rev 18).

Brief Introduction to Revelation 19-22

Revelation 19 – The Second Return of Jesus Christ
After the fall of Babylon, a great multitude praises God and announces the marriage of the Lamb. Then John sees heaven open and a white horse on which was sitting Jesus, the Word of God, whose eyes are a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems. Jesus returns with the heavenly army to strike the nations over which He will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. The beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, and the rest are killed with the sword that comes from the mouth of Jesus.

Revelation 20 – The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ
After the angel descended with a chain to bind the devil for a thousand years, Jesus reigns with the resurrected saints for a thousand years. At the conclusion of the thousand years, Satan will be released from prison and will deceive the nations to gather them for war against the saints and the beloved city. Afterwards, the devil is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone and the dead are raised to stand before the Great White Throne for judgment. Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire, and anyone whose name is not found in the book of life.

Revelation 21 – The New Heaven and New Earth
After the Great White Throne Judgment, John’s attention turns to the new heaven and the new earth which appear after the first earth has passed away. One of the seven angels shows John the new Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb. The holy city, Jerusalem, comes down out of heaven from God.

Revelation 22 – Epilogue
The angel shows John a river of the water of life coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and the tree of Life on either side of the river, bearing twelve fruits. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There is no longer a curse or night, for the Lord God illumines them. Jesus testifies that He is coming quickly. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

Rev. 19:1   After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,  “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;  2 BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.”  3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER.”  4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”  5 And a voice came from the throne, saying,  “Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.”  6 Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”  8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

1.   After seeing the fall of Babylon, who does John hear? Where are they? What do they say belongs to God after the first “Hallelujah!”? Why? (19:1-2)

2.  After the second “Hallelujah!” what is said to rise from Babylon forever? (19:3)

3.  Who speaks the third “Hallelujah!”? How do they worship God? (19:4) Who is commanded by a voice from the throne to give praise to our God? (19:5)

4.  Describe the voice that speaks the fourth “Hallelujah!” Who might this voice be? Why does he say “Hallelujah!”? Why does the voice say to rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him? Whose marriage is described? (19:6-7)

5.  What is given to the bride? What is the fine linen? (19:8)

6.  What do you learn about God from Rev. 19:1-8?  How could this truth transform your life?

Rev. 19:9   Then he  said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”  10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he  said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

1.   What is John told to write? Who is blessed? What does he say is true? (19:9)

2.   How does John respond? How does the speaker respond to John’s worship? (19:10)

3.  How does the speaker identify himself? What do John’s brethren hold? (19:10)

4.  Who is John told to worship? (19:10)

5.  What is the spirit of prophecy? What does this reveal about prophecy? (19:10)

6.  What do you learn about God from Rev. 19:9-10? How could this truth transform your life?


Rev. 19:11   And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.  15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.  16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

1.   Who does John see when heaven opens? What is the rider called? What is the significance of “Faithful”? What is the significance of “True”? What does he do in righteousness?  (19:11)

2.  Describe His eyes. What is on His head? What is the significance of “many diadems”? What is written on Him? Why would no one know His name except Himself? (19:12)

3.  How is He clothed? What is His name called? What is the significance of this name? (19:13)

4.  Who are following Him on white horses? How are they clothed? (19:14)

5.  What comes from His mouth? For what purpose? How will He rule the nations? What does “a rod of iron” signify? What does He tread? What is the wrath of God, the Almighty?   What is written on His robe and on His thigh? What does this signify about Him? (19:15-16)

6.  What do you learn about God from Rev. 19:11-16?  How could this truth transform your life?


Rev. 19:17   Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God,  18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”

1.   After seeing the vision of Jesus, what does John see? Where is the angel standing? To whom does the angel cry out with a loud voice? Where do they fly? (19:17)

2.   For what purpose are the birds told to assemble? Whose flesh will they eat? (19:18)

3.  What do you learn about God from Rev. 19:17-18? How could this truth transform your life?


Rev. 19:19   And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.  20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.  21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

1.     Who assembles to war against Him who sat on the horse and His army? (19:19) What is this battle called? (Rev. 16:16)

2.  Who is seized? Who had been deceived? Where are they thrown? (19:20)

3.  What happens to the rest? From where does the sword come? Who eats their flesh? (19:21)

6.  What do you learn about God from Rev. 19:19-21? How could this truth transform your life?

Write a prayer response to Revelation 19.

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