Transcript The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation
The Apocalypse
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear
the words of this prophecy, and keep those
things which are written in it; for the time is
near”.
Introduction
• Just as Genesis is the book of beginning, Revelation is the
book of consummation.
• In Genesis Adam was expelled out of the Paradise, but in
the Book of Revelation, Man returned to Heaven.
• Although there are numerous prophecies in the Gospels
and Epistles, Revelation is the only NT book that focuses
primarily on prophetic events.
• Its title means “unveiling” or disclosure.
• Penned by John (in A.D. 95 or 96) during his exile on the
island of Patmos, Revelation centres on visions and symbols
of the resurrected Christ, who alone has the authority to
judge the earth, to remake it, and to rule it in
righteousness.
The Christ of Revelation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Revelation has much to say about all three Persons of the Godhead, but it is specially clear in its
presentation of the awesome resurrected Christ who has received all authority to judge the earth.
He is called:
Jesus Christ (1:1),
the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, the ruler over the kings of the earth (1:5),
The First and the Last (1:17),
He who lives (1:18),
The Son of God (2:18),
Holy and true (3:7),
The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness (3:14),
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (5:5),
A lamb (5:6),
Faithful and True (19:11),
The Word of God (19:13),
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (19:16),
Alpha and Omega (22:13),
The Bright and Morning Star (22:16),
The Lord Jesus Christ (22:21).
The Christ of Revelation (cont.)
• The book is indeed “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1)
since it comes from Him and centres on Him.
• It begins with a vision of His glory, wisdom, and power (1),
and portrays His authority over the entire church (2;3). He
is the Lamb who was slain and declared worthy to open the
book of judgement (5). His righteous wrath is poured out
on the whole earth (6-18), and he returns in power to judge
His enemies and to reign as the Lord over all (19;20). He
will rule forever over the heavenly city in the presence of all
who know Him (21;22).
• The scriptures close with His great promise: “Behold, I am
coming quickly!” (22:7, 12). “ ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20).
Why was it written?
• To assure the recipients of the ultimate triumph
of Christ over all who rise up against Him and His
saints.
• The readers were facing dark times of
persecution, and even worse times would follow.
Therefore, they needed to be encouraged to
persevere by standing firm in Christ. It was also
written to challenge complacent Christians to
stop compromising with the world
Survey of Revelation
• The three major movements in this profound
unveiling are captured in 1:19: “Write the
things which you have seen, and the things
which are, and the things which will take place
after this”.
Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:9-11)
“The Things which you have seen” (1)
• A rich theological portrait of the triune God (1:4-8) is followed by an
overwhelming theophany (visible manifestation of God) in 1:9-20.
• The omnipotent (all powerful, invincible, supreme) Christ who will
subjugate all things under His authority is the central figure in this
book.
• “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having
turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the
seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment
down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His
eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined
in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had
in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its
strength”.
Christ in the midst of lampstands (Rev 1:12-20
“The Things Which Are” (2,3)
• The messages of Christ to the seven churches
in Asia minor contain a command, a
commendation and/or condemnation, a
correction ans a challenge.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22)
•
•
The Throne of God (4):
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was
like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after
this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat
there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in
appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four
elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne
proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne,
were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second
living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a
flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not
rest day or night, saying:
“ Holy, holy, holy
Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!”
9
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever
and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever
and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “ You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created
The open door in heaven (Rev. 4:1)
The four living creatures
• They represent the four major events that our
Lord Jesus Christ has gone through:
Incarnation (face like a man), crucifixion (calf),
resurrection (lion), and ascension (eagle).
• Also they represent the four evangelists:
Matthew (man), Mark (lion), Luke (calf), and
John (eagle).
Revelation
chapter 4 - 'The
Throne in
Heaven'
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
•
•
•
The Lamb Takes the Scroll (5)
1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with
seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to
loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look
at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the
elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open
the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the
elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits
of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the
throne.
Worthy Is the Lamb
8
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the
Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a
new song, saying:
“ You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation chapter 5:
1 to 10 - 'The Scroll
and the Lamb'
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
• Three cycles of seven judgements in chapters
6-16 consist of seven seals, seven trumpets,
and seven bowls.
• There is a comforting insert between the sixth
and seventh seal and trumpet judgements and
an extended insert between the trumpet and
bowl judgements.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
The seven seals(6:1-8:5)
• The first four seals are represented by the four horsemen:
• The white horseman refers to the era of the apostles presenting the word
of God to the world (bow but no sword or spear or arrow). The horse
refers also to the church with its apostles and saints and it is victorious
because the horseman is Jesus himself. This encourages the believers in
the face of the next seals.
• The red horseman refers to the era of martyrdom.
• The black refers to famines. It also refers to spiritual famine that kill and
destroy peoples’ lives. Oil (the work of the Holy Spirit), and the wine (Holy
Blood and joy) are not touched. Those who seek protection in the Holy
Spirit and Holy Communion will be saved.
• The pale (Death and Hades) refers to a major heresy (Islam and others)
that also leads to persecution of the believers and death of the followers
of this heresy. God’s mercy did not allow this heresy to involve more than
a fourth of the earth. Beware of false teachings.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs Rev: 6
• [When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of
those who had been slain for the word of God and for the
testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice,
saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and
avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a
white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that
they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their
fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they
were, was completed.]
• In the 5th seal, God, who is full of mercy, takes us from the pain and
sufferings of the church on earth to a great scene in heaven that
comforts us and takes our fears away as He shows us that He is just
and does not forget the church’s sufferings even though He might
wait a little bit.
• There is a tradition to bury the bodies of the martyrs under the
altar in the churches.
The fifth seal; souls of the martyrs (Rev 6:9-11)
The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances
• The sun became black (the sun refers to Christ, and
becoming black refers to lack of clear vision of Christ
due to the strange teachings and sin that darken the
mind of people and blind them leading them astray).
• The moon became like blood (the moon refers to the
church and it is red because of the blood of the
martyrs).
• An Earthquake refers to the effect of heresies that tear
apart the church. It also refers to the shaken faith.
• Stars of heaven fell to the earth referring to the highrank figures in the church (e.g. Arius, Nestor, etc.) that
fell off grace because of heresies.
Sixth seal: Destruction in nature (Rev 6: 12-17)
A comforting vision between the 6th
and 7th seals to encourage believers
•
•
•
•
The vision between the 6th and 7th seals (Rev:7) describes the protective sealing of 144,000
“children of Israel”, 12,000 from every tribe (the striving church). It is noticeable that the tribes of
Dan and Ephraim were not mentioned as they were idolaters and it is said that the Anti-Christ will
come from the tribe of Dan. Instead, Joseph was mentioned as a tribe to replace his son Ephraim.
Thus, Joseph the pure had the share of two (his share + Manasseh). Levi who did not have an
earthly share, is now rewarded by God, who gives dignity to priesthood.
This sealing is what we get in the sacrament of confirmation (Holy Spirit by Myron)
John also saw “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and
tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm
branches in their hands”. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation (the victorious
church), and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they
are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the
throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun
shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd
them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes.”
It is encouraging to see the fate of those who come successfully out of the great tribulation.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
The 7th seal (8:6-11:19)
• Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets
• 1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence
in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven
angels who stand before God, and to them were given
seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden
censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much
incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all
the saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne (refers to intercessions). 4 And the smoke of the
incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended
before God from the angel’s hand.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
The 7th seal (8:6-11:19)
•
•
Seven trumpets: The catastrophic events in most of the trumpet judgements are
called “woes”. The 7 trumpets are part of the 7th seal:
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire (the two are opposites to indicate the
comprehensiveness of the punishment of those who do not repent) followed,
mingled with blood (frightening expression to indicate God’s wrath on those who
do not repent), and they were thrown to the earth. And a third (God is merciful in
his wrath) of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain (a great
president /king or a great country) burning with fire was thrown into the sea
(refers to the world, as if the 2nd trumpet warns of a world war caused by the
arrogance of a nation ), and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the
living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
The 7th seal (8:6-11:19)
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven (again refers to a high profile
religious figure e.g. Arius, Nestor, etc.), burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers (refer
to the word of God and teachings)and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is
Wormwood (very bitter referring to bitterness of heresies). A third of the waters became
wormwood (heresies make teachings bitter) and many men died from the water, because it was
made bitter (lesson: take refuge in the church to be protected from false teachings).
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a
third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and
likewise the night.
13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice,
“Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of
the three angels who are about to sound!”
N.B: The sun refers to Christ, the moon to the church. The darkness refers to the effect of strange
teachings on the way Christ &church are viewed. Some people will blaspheme against God and
reject the authority of the church. Darkness will also involve some religious leaders (stars) and they
will fall from grace losing their light and leadership.
The first six trumpet judgements (Rev 8:6-13 and Rev 9)
The 5th trumpet (part of 7th seal)
•
•
Revelation 9:
Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit (the 1st woe)
1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star (refers to Satan) fallen from heaven to the earth. To
him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke
(thoughts introduced by Satan that darken the minds of people so that they cannot see God) arose
out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of
the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts (devils) came upon the earth. And to them
was given power (so nothing they do is without permission), as the scorpions of the earth have
power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree,
but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given
authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months (God is merciful in His wrath). Their
torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek
death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.
7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of
something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women’s hair,
and their teeth were like lions’ teeth (Satan is deceitful). 9 And they had breastplates like
breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses
running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power
was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit,
whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon (both mean the
destroyer).
Revelation chapter
9 - 'Locusts from the
Abyss'
6th trumpet = 2nd woe (part of 7th seal)
• Major wars (either physical wars or spiritual wars): Rev 9
“Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred
million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in
the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red,
hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were
like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke,
and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind (God is
always merciful; He gave the remaining 2/3 a chance to repent) was
killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came
out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth (Satan uses
deceitful words as he did with Eve) and in their tails (represent
poisonous passions); for their tails are like serpents, having heads
(Satan uses logic to convince man to commit sin); and with them
they do harm”.
6th trumpet (part of 7th seal)
•
20
But the rest of mankind, who were not
killed by these plagues, did not repent of the
works of their hands, that they should not
worship demons, and idols of gold, silver,
brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see
nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent
of their murders or their sorceries[b] or their
sexual immorality or their thefts.
A comforting vision between 6th and
7th trumpets to encourage believers
• The Mighty Angel with the Little Book: Rev:10
• 1 I saw still another mighty angel (refers to our Lord)
coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud (a
cloud in OT referred to the presence of God with His
people). And a rainbow was on his head (rainbow
refers to the covenant between God and His people),
his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire
(refers to His power). 2 He had a little (little because
the end is near) book open in his hand. And he set his
right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land
(signifying that He controls everything both earth and
sea), 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars.
Insert between 6th and 7th trumpets
(cont.)
•
•
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the
temple of God (refers to believers “you are the temple of God), the altar, (believers are measured
by their love, degree of giving and sacrifice=altar), and those who worship there (worship signifies
humility as if God is giving the authority to the church symbolized by John to assess believers based
on their humility, love and sacrifice). 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do
not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles (non-believers). And they will tread the holy
city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses (some say they are
Elijah and Enoch), and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in
sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees (as they give peace to believers with their teachings) and the two
lampstands (as they will enlighten the dark world with their teachings) standing before the God of
the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their
enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power
to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters
to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
•
Two unnamed witnesses minister during three and half years of the Tribulation (42 months or
1260 days, i.e a limited period). At the end of their ministry they are overcome (killed) by the Beast
that ascended from the bottomless pit, but their resurrection and ascention confound their
enemies and comfort the believers.
7th trumpet
•
Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying,
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His
Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat
before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
“ We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was
seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake,
and great hail.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Miscellaneous prophecies (12-14)
• These prophecies, inserted between the trumpet and bowl judgements,
give further background on the time of tribulation.
• In chapter 12, a woman (refers to the church or St. Mary) ,who is clothed
with the sun (clothed with Christ) and has the moon (relics of the saints
their faith and virtues upon which the church stand giving her beauty and
glory) under her feet, gives a birth to a male child (refers to our Lord Jesus
Christ that the church tries to give birth to in her children), who is caught
up to God (refers to His resurrection, ascension, and sitting on the right
hand of the Father)before the Dragon (Satan wanted to swallow Him by
death but our Lord defeated death) catches him. The woman flees into
the wilderness (refers to distancing herself from the world of sin and also
refers to monasticism by which the influence of the materialistic world is
nullified) and is pursued by the Dragon. The “fiery red dragon has seven
heads and ten horns (power), and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail
drew a third of the stars of heaven (when Satan fell of grace, he drew with
him other angels)”
Revelation
chapter 12: 1 to 6
- 'The Woman
Clothed with the
Sun'
The woman and the dragon (Rev. 12:1-5)
The woman and the dragon (Rev. 12:1-5)
The war in Heaven
Satan thrown out of Heaven (Rev:12)
“7
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels
fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels
fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place
found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great
dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the
Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world”.
N.B: This gives a beautiful picture of the support the
church gets from heaven in her fight against Satan. No
matter how powerful Satan is, he is weaker than
Archangel Michael. This is very comforting for
believers. Others think that this scene refers to events
that happened before creation of man culminating into
casting Satan and his followers from heaven.
War in heaven; Michael defeats the dragon (Rev. 12:7-12)
The Woman Persecuted (Rev:12)
13
Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the
woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings
(OT and NT, faith and deeds, loving God and loving each other which are the
greatest two commands, or prayer and fasting) of a great eagle, that she might fly
into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and
half a time (i.e., 3.5 years which indicate a limited and short period compared with
eternity) , from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of
his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away
by the flood (refers to the fact that Satan wants to drown the church in the world
as he tries to get her out of the protective wilderness). 16 But the earth (God
moves some inhabitants of the earth to defend the church against Satan) helped
the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which
the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the
woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the
commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
N.B.: Some think that the flood represents persecution of the church by the Jews and
by the Romans. The earthly help refers to King Constantine’s acceptance of the
Christian faith and ending the persecution.
Woman with the wings of an eagle (Rev. 12:14)
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the Dragon had spewed out of his
mouth (Rev 12:16)
The beast out of the sea and the beast
out of the earth
•
•
Chapter 13 gives a graphic description of the beast and his False Prophet, both
empowered by the Dragon. The 1st beast is given political, economic, and religious
authority; and because of his power and the lying miracles performed by the 2nd
beast, he is worshiped as the ruler of the earth.
“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns (note similarity to the Dragon), and on his horns
ten crowns (some say that these refer to the ten Roman emperors who persecuted
the church stating with Nero and ending with Diocletian) , and on his heads a
blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard (so fast, so
vicious), his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a
lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw
one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded (sometimes Satan pretends to
be weak so that the believers get careless and slumber, then he devours them),
and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the
beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they
worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with
him?”
Revelation chapter 13:
1 to 10 - 'The Beast
Out of the Sea'
The beast out of the earth
• “Then I saw another beast (all interpreters
unanimously agree that this is the Anti-Christ) coming
up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb
(pretends to be kind and peaceful as our Lord warned
us) and spoke like a dragon (when he talks, his true
nature shows in his thoughts). 12 And he exercises all
the authority of the first beast in his presence, and
causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship
the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He
performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come
down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men”.
The beast out
of the earth
Revelation chapter
13: 11 to 18 - 'The
Beast Out of the
Earth'
The number of the beast
•
“16
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor,
free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand
(controls their will) or on their foreheads (controls their
thoughts), 17 and that no one may buy or sell except
one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the
number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom (wisdom is required here to avoid
being deceived by the beast). Let him who has
understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it
is the number of a man: His number is 666”.
• Number 6 refers to imperfection. 666 refers to total
imperfection.
The three beasts and 666 (Rev. 13)
Comforting scenes in chapter 14
• The last two chapters (12,13) revealed Satan’s
fierce war against the church, but chapter 14
contains a series of comforting visions
including the 144,000 at the end of the
Tribulation, the fate of those who follow the
beast, and the outpouring of the wrath of God
in the harvest judgement.
The Lamb and the 144,000
redeemed from the earth (Rev 14)
What does the number 144,000
signify?
• 12=3X4. This refers to believers who believe
in the Holy trinity from the four corners of the
earth.
• 144,000=12X12X1000. 1000 is a perfect
number. Therefore, 144,000 refers to all
believers from both the old and new
testament from all corners of the earth who
believe in the Holy Trinity.
Reaping the Earth’s Harvest (Rev:14)
•
“14
Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud
(cloud refers to the glory of God), and on the
cloud sat One like the Son of Man (our Lord Jesus
Christ), having on His head a golden crown, and
in His hand a sharp sickle (refers to the start of
judgment). 15 And another angel came out of the
temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat
on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for
the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest
of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the
cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the
earth was reaped”.
Revelation
chapter 14: 14 to
16 - 'The Harvest
of the Earth'
Reaping the Grapes of Wrath (Rev:14)
•
“17
Then another angel (angels carry out God’s command to reap) came
out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire
(angel in charge of the place of everlasting punishment), and he cried with
a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp
sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth (refers to the wicked
who did not repent), for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust
his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it
into the great winepress of the wrath of God (the place set for the wicked
to be tormented forever). 20 And the winepress was trampled
(punishment started) outside the city (City of God, His angels and saints as
it is a holy city with no place for the wicked), and blood came out of the
winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred
furlongs (refers to the extent of God’s wrath).”
Revelation chapter 14:
17 to 20 - 'The
Winepress of the Wrath
of God'
1
2
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark [a]and over the
number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb (15:1-3)
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Seven bowls of judgement (chapter16)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The seven bowl judgements of chapter 16 (the wrath of God on the earth) are prefaced by a heavenly vision of the
power, holiness, and glory of God in chapter 15. Those who have victory over the beast sang the song of Moses
giving glory to God.
First Bowl: Foul and loathsome Sores ( affected men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped
his image).
Second Bowl: The Sea (now the whole sea is affected) turns to Blood and every living creature in the sea died.
Third Bowl: The Waters (springs and rivers)Turn to Blood. ““ You are righteous, O Lord,……. 6 For they have shed
the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink”.
Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched with the heat of the sun
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain
Sixth Bowl: Euphrates (the most famous river of Babylon that was the symbol of wickedness) dried Up: 3 unclean
spirits come out of the mouth of the Dragon, beast and false prophet (2nd beast) to gather the kings of earth to a
place called Armageddon to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. This is a spiritual war.
Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken. “And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a
great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now
the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered
before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the
mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a
talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great”.
The seven bowls of judgement
The final downfall of Babylon
• Chapter 17 and 18 picture the final downfall
of Babylon, the great harlot sitting upon a
scarlet-colored beast.
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Battle of the Lord of Lords vs Beast
(19)
• Heaven rejoices over Babylon.
• The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords leads
the armies of heaven into battle against the
beast and his False Prophet. They are cast
into a lake of fire.
Revelation chapter
19: 'The Rider on
the White Horse'
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Prophecies of the Millennium (20)
• The Dragon-Satan-is bound for a thousand years. He is cast into a
bottomless pit. This period started by the incarnation of our Lord and the
salvation He accomplished on the cross. The number 1000 is symbolic as
all the numbers in the Book of Revelation.
• During this one-thousand year period, Christ reigns over the earth with his
resurrected saints. Satan is bound and does not have authority over man
as before and cannot take believers to Hades where his kingdom is.
Instead, after death believers go to paradise where the righteous wait.
Believers can easily defeat Satan by the power of our Lord and His cross.
Yet, even though Satan is like a dog barking inside a cage, he can still
frighten some people who then fall into different sins.
• By the end of this Millennium, Satan is released and a final battle ensues
and Satan is tormented forever. The end of this 1000-year period
coincides with the signs of the 2nd coming of our Lord.
• This followed by the judgement at the Great White Throne.
The angel with the great chain (Rev. 20:1-2)
The dragon
chained for
1000 years
(Rev. 20:3)
The dragon, released to gather the nations for battle (Rev. 20:7-8)
Satan is tormented forever
Rev 20:10
“The devil, who deceived them, was
cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet
are. And they will be tormented day
and night forever and ever”.
The great white throne
judgement (Rev. 20:11-15)
11
Then I saw a great white throne and
Him who sat on it, from whose face
the earth and the heaven fled away.
And there was found no place for
them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and
great, standing before God, and books
were opened. And another book was
opened, which is the Book of Life. And
the dead were judged according to
their works, by the things which were
written in the books. 13 The sea gave
up the dead who were in it, and Death
and Hades delivered up the dead who
were in them. And they were judged,
each one according to his works. 14
Then Death and Hades were cast into
the lake of fire. This is the second
death. 15 And anyone not found
written in the Book of Life was cast
into the lake of fire.
The books are opened and also the book of life (Rev. 20:12-13)
The lake of fire (Rev. 20: 14-15)
“The Things Which Must Take Place
After This” (4-22) [cont.]
Prophecies of the Eternal State (21:122:5)
• All things made new: “1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth
(refers to a new life that has no relation to the previous life and its
most important feature is the constant presence of God in it), for
the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was
no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned
for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with
them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them
and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
“9
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me[f] and talked with me,
saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”[g] 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high
mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy[h] Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God”.
The new Jerusalem
• The new Jerusalem, described in 21:9-22:5 is
shaped like a gigantic cube (refers to accepting
all nations from the 4 corners of earth), 1500
miles in length, width, and height. Its
multicolored stones will reflect the glory of
God, and it will continually be filled with light.
But the greatest thing of all is that believers
will be in the presence of God and they shall
see His face.
The city four-square; New-Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1-21)
“The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious
stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the
eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of
one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”
Through the gate of eternal city (Rev.21:21-27, 21:1-6)
The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory[k] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light….. 1 And he showed me
a pure[a] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side
of the river, was the tree of life”
“23
Revelation chapter
22 - 'The River of
Life' . The tree of
life refers to our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion of the Book of Revelation
• It concludes with an epilogue (22:6-21) which
reassures the readers that Christ is coming
quickly (22:7, 12, 20) and invites all who wish
to “take the water of life freely” (22:17) to
come to the Alpha and Omega, the bright and
Morning Star.
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
•
12
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to
every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”[f]
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments,[g] that they may have the
right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15
But[h] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers
and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and
Morning Star.”
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say,
“Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the
water of life freely….. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am
coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!