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THEREVELATIONLesson1

IntroductionandOverview

Eschatologyisthestudyoftheendtimes.FromtheGreekskhatos—last,andology—tostudy.Therefore,eschatologyis“thestudyofthelastthings.”ThefocusoftheselessonswillbethebookofRevelation.StudyingRevelation(orTheRevelation)requiresstudyingmanyotherpassagesintheBible.Theword“revelation”comesfromtheGreekwordapokalypsos(wherewegetourwordapocalypse)andmeansanuncovering,anunveiling,toremovethelid.Therefore,thebookofRevelationisanunveilingoftheeventsofthelastdays,orperhapsitshouldbesaid,“GodtookthelidoffofthelastdaysandshowedJohnwhatwascooking.”Wewillbeginourstudywithafewstatementsofwisdomconcerninganystudyofeschatology(endtimes):

1. Prophecycanbedescribedashistoryrevealedbeforeithappens.ThisisthecasewiththeRevelation.

2. Likeaship’swake,it’salwaysclearertoseewhenBibleprophecyhascometopassasopposedtohowitwillcometopass.

3. Weseethroughaglassdarkly(1Cor.13:12),sothecloserwegettothefutureeventtheclearerwecansee.Wemayalsousetheexampleofnaturalvision:Thingsfurtherawayarepoorlyseenandoutoffocus.Thecloserwegettotheseforetoldevents,theclearertheywillbecome.

4. Nomanknowsthedayorthehour,butwemustalwaysbeready(Matt.24:36).5. Finally,knowthattheLorddoesnotwantusignorantconcerningHiswill(Rom.

1:13,11:25;1Cor.10:1,12:1;Eph.5:17;1Thes.4:13;2Pet.3:8).TheRevelationwasgiven“toshowhisservantsthingswhichmustcometopass”(Rev.1:1).Godwantstoshowusthings,nothidethemfromus.

ESCHATOLOGY:ASTUDYOFTHECULMINATIONOFTHEENTIREBIBLEEschatologyhasbeendeemedadaunting,challenging,andconfusingstudybecauseitencompassesalmosttheentireBibleanditdealswiththeconclusionofmankind.OnefamousbookonRevelationcontainsover6,000Bibleversereferences(nearly1/5oftheBible).Forthisreason,anygoodBibleprophecystudentmusthaveadecentunderstandingofmanyofthemajorbooksoftheBible.WHYBOTHERTOSTUDYIT?TheBiblepromisesaspecialblessingassociatedwithstudyingRevelation:

• Blessedishethatreadeth,andtheythathearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingswhicharewrittentherein:forthetimeisathand.

Revelation1:3




Thestudyofeschatologyisalsocriticalinordertounderstandtheseasoninwhichwearelivingandthetensionsandoppositionwecanexpecttoratchetupintheearth.Ifweunderstandthisseasonoftime,wewillknowmoreaccuratelywhattodo.

• AndofthechildrenofIssachar,whichwerementhathadunderstandingofthetimes,toknowwhatIsraeloughttodo; 1Chronicles12:32a

Wearelivinginthelastdaysandneedtohaveanunderstandingofthesetimes.OnefinalreasontostudythissubjectisbecausePaultaughtit.Inreferencetocertaineschatologicaleventshewrote:

• Rememberyenot,that,whenIwasyetwithyou,Itoldyouthesethings? 2Thessalonians2:5

IfGodhadPaulteachit,it’simportant,andweneedtostudyit.AStudyofHopeandFaithDr.HiltonSuttonsaid,“TheBibleisdesignedtogiveushope;therefore,eventhestudyofeschatologyshouldbuildhopeinourlife.”StudyingRevelationwillproducehopeandfaithinourlives.Eschatologyshouldnotputfearinyou.Godhasnotgivenusthespiritoffear;butofpower,love,andadisciplinedmind(2Timothy1:7).TheWordofGodhasbeengiventobuildfaith,notfear.DonotallowthestudyofBibleprophecytoscareyou.Itistrue,manybadthingswillhappenintheend,butnottothosewhowalkuprightlybeforeGodAlmighty.

• ForGodhathnotappointedustowrath,buttoobtainsalvationbyourLordJesusChrist, 1Thessalonians5:9

THESETTINGOFREVELATION

• WrittenbytheApostleJohnfromtheprisonislandofPatmos.o Johnwasarrestedin93ADtostandtrialbeforetheself-proclaimed“lordand

god”RomanEmperorDomitian.HewasshippedtoRometostandtrialbeforethedemonizedtyrant.DomitianorderedJohntoburnpaganincenseinordertodeliverhimself.Johnrefused.Inarage,DomitianhadJohnthrownintoavatofboilingoil.Johncrawledoutunharmed.

o Interror,DomitianhadJohnbanishedtoPatmos(afirstcenturyAlcatraz)asapoliticalprisoner.HearrivedatPatmosin95AD.

o ChurchtraditionholdsthatJohnwasaccompaniedandassistedbyProchorus(Acts6:5)whileonPatmosforhis18-monthinternment.Prochoruswillinglywentintoexile,leavingbehindthechurchhepastored,justtocareforthe95yearoldJohn.

o ChurchtraditionalsostatesthatitwasProchoruswhopennedtheRevelationasJohnspokewhathewasseeingandexperiencinginthespirit.ItisalsotraditionallyheldthatJohnwastotallyblindbythisseasoninhislife.




o WhenEmperorDomitianwasassassinatedbyhisownconfidantsin96AD,manyofhispoliticalprisonerswerereleased,includingJohn.

o JohnreturnedtoEphesustoliveouthislastfewremainingyearsoverseeingthecomingsandgoingsoftheearlychurch.Hediedanaturaldeathabouttheyear100AD,approximately100yearsold.

o AcrowdofpagansmartyredProchorusinAntiochnotmanyyearsafterhereturnedfromPatmos.HewasservingasthebishopovertheAntiochchurchatthetime.

THEKEYTOREVELATIONThebookofRevelationisbrokenintothreeparts,asclearlydeclaredbyJesusChrist:

• Writethethingswhichthouhastseen,andthethingswhichare,andthethingswhichshallbehereafter; Revelation1:19

1. Thethingswhichyouhaveseen:Revelation1:1-1:20.2. Thethingswhichare(theChurchAge):Revelation1:20-3:22.Chapters2and3

aremicro-epistlesaddressedtotheindividualpastors(angels)ofthesevenchurches(Ephesus,Smyrna,Pergamos,Thyatira,Sardis,Philadelphia,andLaodicea.)ThesearethewordsofJesusChristspokentotheChurch,andthus,“Hethathathanear,lethimhearwhattheSpiritsaithuntothechurches”(Revelation3:22).

3. Thethingswhichshallbehereafter:(theTribulation,MillennialReign,andEternity),Revelation4-22.ThissectionofRevelationincludeswhatJohnsawinheaven,whathesawtranspireontheearthduringthesevenyearsoftheTribulation,thecomingMillennialReignofChrist,andthenewheavensandnewearththataretofollow.

OTHERHELPFULFACTS

• MostBibleprophecy,withtheexceptionoftheRapture,revolvesaroundGodkeepingHispromisestoIsrael(Romans9:4).BibleprophecybeginswithIsrael,wasdelivereduntoIsrael,andwillconcludewithIsrael.

• ThebookofRevelationisnotentirelychronologicallyinitspresentation.Oftenaseriousofeventsisdescribedandthenfurtherdetailedlaterinthebook.ItishelpfultoviewtheRevelationasamountainofeventsculminatingatthereturnofJesusChrist.Differentchaptersapproachthesamemountainfromdifferentanglesandpathwaysandrevealeventsthataretakingplacesimultaneouslytotheactivitiesofpreviouslymentionedchapters.

• TheChurchisabsentafterRevelation3:22,indicativeofhercatchingaway(rapture).WewillstudytheRapturemoreindepthinLesson4.

• ThebulkofRevelation(chapters6-19)dealswiththesevenyearsofTribulation;andtherefore,greatdetailisgiventoitsevents.

• TheTribulationisalsocalledJacob’sTrouble(Jeremiah30:7)anddetailstheJewsasanation,thenationsthathavepersecutedandenslavedher,thosethatwill




opposeher,andthepowersofsataninonefinalattempttoruletheworld.• ManytimesJohnobservessomethinginheaven,thenturnsandseestheresultsofit

intheearth.• MorethananyotherbookintheBible,Revelationdemonstratesthegreatministry

ofangelsandtheirfallencounterparts.Thereareover55referencestoangelsintheRevelation.

• GodwantsustounderstandtheeventsoftheRevelation.Hedoesnotwantthesedaystotakeusunaware.

MayGodgrantusinsightintotheseexcitinglastdays!!





Daniel’s70Weeks:TheHubofBibleProphecy

AbulkofTheRevelationdealswiththeeventsofDaniel’s70thweek(Rev.6-19);therefore,itiscriticalwehaveaworkingunderstandingofthisbiblicaldispensation.

AlmostallBibleprophecyrevolvesaroundtheJewishpeopleandJerusalem(…towhompertaineththeadoption,andtheglory,andthecovenants,andthegivingofthelaw,andtheserviceofGod,andthepromises;)(Romans9:4).WearepartoftheGentileAgeandhavemerelybeeninsertedintothetimelineofBibleprophecy,havingobtainedsalvationthroughJesusChristonlybecausetheJewsrejectedHim.Therefore,itshouldcomeasnosurprisethatGodwouldspeaktoanIsraeliteabouttheendoftimeandshowthatIsraelitehowthingswillunfold.SuchisthecasewiththeprophetDaniel.DANIEL’S70WEEKSDaniel’s70weeksisaperiodoftimeassignedtotheJewishpeopleasrevealedtoDanieltheprophetinavisionandexpoundeduponbytheangelGabriel(Daniel9:20-27).ItisthispassageofScripturethathelpssetthefoundationforunderstandingthebookofRevelation.

• Seventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyholycity,tofinishthetransgression,andtomakeanendofsins,andtomakereconciliationforiniquity,andtobringineverlastingrighteousness,andtosealupthevisionandprophecy,andtoanointthemostHoly.

Daniel9:24MostBibleprophecyscholarscallDaniel’s70Weeks“theHubofBibleProphecy.”UnderstandingDaniel’s70weeksisimportanttounderstandingBiblechronologyandtoproperlyinterpretmanyotherscriptures.Forthisreason,wemuststudyitverythoroughly.

• 70weeks(Hebrew:shabuwa),or70periodsofseven(canbedaysoryears).Here

itis70periodsof7years,or490yearstotal(360daysinaJewishyear).• DeterminedupontheJewsandtheircityJerusalem.Generallyspeaking,all

prophecyrevolvesaroundtheseedofAbraham(theIsraelites),thePromisedLand,andJerusalem—theHolyCity.

• GodrevealedHewouldaccomplishsixthingsinthistimeframe:1. Stoprebellion.ThisisspecificallyIsrael’scontinuousrebellionagainst

herGod.2. Makeanendtosins.IsraelwillcontinuetosinuntilaftertheTribulation.




3. Atoneforsins.JesusdiedfortheJewsfirst,buttheyhaveyettoreceivetheirMessiahandHissalvation.

4. Bringineverlastingrighteousness.ThisreferstotheMillennialReignofChristandHisrighteousnessandHiseverlastingKingdom(Isa.9:6,7).

5. Sealupthevisionandtheprophet.Afterthisseason,therewillbenomoreneedforvisionsorprophetstokeepGod’speopleinline“forallshallknowme,fromtheleasttothegreatest”(Jer.31:33;Heb.8:11).

6. Re-consecratetheHolyofHolies.TheMostHolyplace,theHolyofHoliesintheTemple,willbecleansedandreadiedforusebytheLordinHisMillennialKingdom(Eze.40-43;Zech.6:12,13),havingbeendefiledbytheAbominationDesolation.

Note:ThesethingswereshowntoDanielashesoughtGodabouttheendofIsrael’scaptivityandpunishment.Godnotonlysaidtheirpunishmentwasover,butthatHehadabrightandgloriousfutureforthem—JesustheChristwascoming!!THETIMELINEOFTHE490YEARSThenextthreeversesgiveusaveryspecificbreakdownofwhatwouldtranspireoverthose490years.

• Knowthereforeandunderstand,thatfromthegoingforthofthecommandmenttorestoreandtobuildJerusalemuntotheMessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks,andthreescoreandtwoweeks:thestreetshallbebuiltagain,andthewall,evenintroubloustimes. Daniel9:25

Inthisversewearegiventhreesetsoftime;allthreesetsaresubdivisionsofthe70weeks.Thefirstis7weeks,oraspreviouslystated,7setsof7,or49years.Thesecondperiodoftimeis62weeks,or434years.Thefinalsetoftimebeingthefinalmissingweek,or7years.Thefirstperiodoftime

• FromthetimethecommandtorebuildJerusalemwasgivenuntilitscompletionwas49years.

• Thiscommandmentconcernstherestorationofthecityanditswall.ThiscommandmentcametoNehemiahinthe20thyearofArtaxerxes,445B.C.(Nehemiah2).

Thesecondperiodoftime

• AndafterthreescoreandtwoweeksshallMessiahbecutoff,butnotforhimself: Daniel9:26a

• ThisperiodoftimeisendedwhentheMessiahis“cutoff”indeath(Dan.9:26).• Ifweadd69weeksor476(solar)yearstothedateofArtaxerxes’edicttorebuild

Jerusalem(445B.C.),wewillfindthatDaniel’s69thweekendspreciselyonPalmSunday,32A.D.




• FromthetimeofthecompletionofJerusalem(396B.C.)untilthecrucifixionoftheMessiahwasprophesiedtobe(62weeks)434years.Ironically,thesameweekJesusrodeintoJerusalemastheirprinceandking,theycrucifiedHim.

• Afterthesixty-two‘sevens,’theAnointedOnewillbeputtodeathandwill

havenothing.Thepeopleoftherulerwhowillcomewilldestroythecityandthesanctuary.Theendwillcomelikeaflood:Warwillcontinueuntiltheend,anddesolationshavebeendecreed. Daniel9:26NIV

Thisversereaffirmsthepropertimeline:Jesuswillbecutoff(crucified)62periodsofsevens(434years)afterJerusalemwasrestored.ThesecondpartofthisversepredictsthecomingAntichristcalled“therulerwhowillcome.”ThisverseisalsoareferencetothedestructionofJerusalemin70A.D.bytheRomans.TheRomanswereGentiles,heathenpeopleof“theprincethatshallcome;”alsoforetoldbyJesusinMatthew24:2andLuke21:6.TheAntichristiscoveredmoreinourEschatologycurriculumLessons9,11,and12.ThethirdperiodoftimeDaniel9:25speaksoftwosetsoftime,7weeksand62weeks.Addedtogether,wegetonly69weeks.ThismissingweekiswhatiscalledDaniel’s70thweek.This70thweekhasnotbeenfulfilledyet.Daniel9:27discussesthislastweek:

• He[theprincethatistocome,theAntichrist]willconfirmacovenantwithmanyforone‘seven’[groupofsevens,ourmissingweek]:Inthemiddleofthe‘seven’hewillputanendtosacrificeandoffering.Andatthetemplehewillsetupanabominationthatcausesdesolation,untiltheendthatisdecreedispouredoutonhim. Daniel9:27NIV

JesusChristcalledthislastweek(thislastseven)theTribulation(Matthew24:29).Ithasnotyetoccurred.WhentheChurchwasborn,whatisreferredtobysomeas“JewishTime”stoppedandtheChurchwasinsertedintotime.Inessence,Daniel’s70weekscanbereferredtoasJewishTime.Currently,theChurchishowGodmovesintheearth.BeforetheChurchAge,GodmovedthroughthenationofIsrael.IsraelhasbeenputonholdandtheChurchhasbeenactivated.AttheRapture,theChurchwillbetakenoutoftheearthandtheLORDwillreactivateJewishTimeandDaniel’slastweekoftimewillplayout.Theeventsofthislastweekoftime(thislastsevenyears)arewhataresoclearlydescribedandforetoldinRevelation6-19.NeverhasGodsopreciselydetailedcomingeventslikewhatwillhappenduringtheTribulation.Danieldidn’tseeallofthedetailsfromwherehelivedintime.ThishonorwasaffordedtoJohntheRevelator.





ThePurposeoftheTribulation

TheTribulationisthenamegiventothelastsevenyearsofJewishTime.Itisaseven-yearperiodoftimewhentheLordwillfulfillHiscovenantwiththeJewsandconcludethetimeofman’sruleontheearth.TheTribulationwillimmediatelybefollowedbytheMillennialReignofChrist(Rev.20:4-6).ThesesevenyearsareDaniel’sfinalweek(seeLesson2—Daniel’s70Weeks).TheemphasiswillbeonGoddealingwithHispeople,theJews,Hisenemies,andthenationsthathavepersecutedHispeople.ThesevenyearsofTribulationwerefirstrevealedtoDanielbuttheexactdetailswerehiddenfromhimandsealedup.

• Butthou,ODaniel,shutupthewords,andsealthebook,eventothetimeoftheend:manyshallruntoandfro,andknowledgeshallbeincreased.Andhesaid,Gothyway,Daniel:forthewordsareclosedupandsealedtilthetimeoftheend. Daniel12:4,9

Theseintricatedetailsofthethis“timeoftrouble”weresealedupinabookandhiddenuntilthe“timeoftheend.”JohnsawthissamebookintheRevelationsealedwithsevenseals.

• AndIsawintherighthandofhimthatsatonthethroneabookwrittenwithinandonthebackside,sealedwithsevenseals.AndIsawastrongangelproclaimingwithaloudvoice,Whoisworthytoopenthebook,andtoloosethesealsthereof? Revelation5:1,2

OnlyJesusisabletoopentheseals(Rev.5:5).Aseachsealwasopened,JohnsawaneweventoftheTribulationrevealed(seeLesson7—TheSevenSealsandMatthew24).WHATISTHEPURPOSE?Goddoeseverythingonpurpose.ThepurposeoftheTribulationcanbefoundintheangelGabriel’smessagetoDaniel:

• Seventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyholycity,tofinish[restrain]thetransgression[rebellion],andtomakeanendofsins,andtomakereconciliationforiniquity[atoneforsins],andtobringineverlastingrighteousness,andtosealupthevisionandprophecy,andtoanointthemostHoly. Daniel9:24




GodrevealedHewouldaccomplishsixthingsinthe490yearsofJewishtime.TheTribulationwillseethecompletionandfulfillmentofthislist:

1. Restraintherebellion.ThisisspecificallyIsrael’scontinuousrebellionagainstherGod,butalsoincludestheworld’srebellion.

2. Makeanendtosins.IsraelwillcontinuetosinuntilaftertheTribulation.HerultimatesinhasbeentherejectionofherMessiah.ThehorrorsoftheTribulationwillchangethisasPsalm78:34declared:“Whenheslewthem,thentheysoughthim.”

3. Atoneforsins.JesusdiedfortheJewsfirst,buttheyhaveyettoreceivetheirMessiahandHissalvation.

4. Bringineverlastingrighteousness.ThisreferstotheMillennialReignofChrist,Hisrighteousness,andHiseverlastingKingdomusheredinonthewingsofIsrael’slongawaitedspiritualrevival(Isa.9:6,7).

5. Sealupthevisionandtheprophet.Afterthisseason,therewillbenomoreneedforvisionsorprophetstokeepGod’speopleinline“forallshallknowme,fromtheleasttothegreatest”(Jer.31:34;Heb.8:11).

6. Re-consecratetheHolyofHolies.TheMostHolyplace,theHolyofHoliesintheTemplewillbecleansedandreadiedforusebytheLordinHisMillennialKingdom(Eze.40-43;Zech.6:12,13),havingbeendefiledbytheAbominationDesolation.

TheTribulationwillbeatimefortheLordtodealseverelywithrebellionandsin,inbothIsraelandtheworld.ItwillbeverydifficulttoconstantlyrebelagainstGodwhenwaveafterwaveofwrathisbeingpouredout.THETRIBULATION’SPURPOSEFORISRAELOneofthemajorpurposesoftheTribulationistochastenIsraelandbringthembacktotheirGod.TheTribulationisnotdescribedinpleasantterms.ItwasfirstprophesiedaboutinDeuteronomy:

• Whenthouartintribulation,andallthesethingsarecomeuponthee,eveninthelatterdays,ifthouturntotheLORDthyGod,andshaltbeobedientuntohisvoice;(FortheLORDthyGodisamercifulGod;)hewillnotforsakethee,neitherdestroythee,norforgetthecovenantofthyfatherswhichheswareuntothem. Deut.4:30,31

ThispassageforesawthecomingTribulationandwarnedIsraelofthepotentialtobeforsaken,destroyed,andforgottenbytheirGod.But,iftheywouldturntotheLord,Hewouldrestorethem.TheTribulationwillworktorestoreIsraelbacktotheirGod.TheTimeofJacob’sTrouble

• AndthesearethewordsthattheLORDspakeconcerningIsraelandconcerningJudah.ForthussaiththeLORD;Wehaveheardavoiceof




trembling,offear,andnotofpeace.Askyenow,andseewhetheramandothtravailwithchild?whereforedoIseeeverymanwithhishandsonhisloins,asawomanintravail,andallfacesareturnedintopaleness?Alas!Forthatdayisgreat,sothatnoneislikeit:itiseventhetimeofJacob’strouble;butheshallbesavedoutofit.Foritshallcometopassinthatday,saiththeLORDofhosts,thatIwillbreakhisyokefromoffthyneck,andwillburstthybonds,andstrangersshallnomoreservethemselvesofhim:ButtheyshallservetheLORDtheirGod,andDavidtheirking,whomIwillraiseupuntothem.

Jeremiah30:4-9Jeremiahcallsitthe“timeofJacob’strouble,”anddescribesitasatimeofvoicesofterror,fear,andnopeace.ItisduringthistimethatIsraelwillbebroughtbacktoservingJehovahGodandDavidwillbemadetoreignoverIsraelintheMillennialKingdom(Eze.34:23,24;37:22-28;Hos.3:4,5).ATimetoPassUndertheRod

• AsIlive,declarestheLordGOD,surelywithamightyhandandwithanoutstretchedarmandwithwrathpouredout,Ishallbekingoveryou.Iwillbringyououtfromthepeoplesandgatheryoufromthelandswhereyouarescattered,withamightyhandandwithanoutstretchedarmandwithwrathpouredout;andIwillbringyouintothewildernessofthepeoples,andthereIwillenterintojudgmentwithyoufacetoface.Iwillmakeyoupassundertherod,andIwillbringyouintothebondofthecovenant;andIwillpurgefromyoutherebelsandthosewhotransgressagainstMe;Iwillbringthemoutofthelandwheretheysojourn,buttheywillnotenterthelandofIsrael.ThusyouwillknowthatIamtheLORD. Eze.20:33-35,37,38NAS

EzekieldescribestheTribulationasatimewhenIsraelshall“passundertherod,”andaddstothefamiliarsceneof“wrath”thedetailthatthiswillbea“purging”ofrebels.Also,anewelementof“outstretchedarms”isemphasizedtwice,indicatingthatmercywillstillbeavailabletowhomeverwillcryoutforit,asJoelprophesied,“whosoevershallcalluponthenameoftheLORDshallbesaved”(Joel2:32).Again,thiswillallbeGod’sworktocauseIsraeltoknowtheirGodonceandforall.ATimeofFuriousRefining

• ThereforethussaiththeLordGOD;Becauseyearebecomedross,behold,thereforeIwillgatheryouintothemidstofJerusalem.Astheygathersilver,andbrass,andiron,andlead,andtin,intothemidstofthefurnace,toblowthefireuponit,tomeltit;sowillIgatheryouinmineangerandinmyfury,andIwillleaveyouthere,andmeltyou.Yea,Iwillgatheryou,andblowuponyouinthefireofmywrath,andyeshallbemeltedinthemidstthereof.Assilverismeltedinthemidstofthefurnace,soshallyebemeltedinthemidstthereof;andyeshallknowthatItheLORDhavepouredoutmyfuryuponyou.

Ezekiel22:19-22




EzekielalsocallstheTribulationatimetomeltandrefineIsrael.HewillgatherthemtoJerusalemandtheretheywillfeeltheLord’sheat.JerusalemiscertainlygroundzeroduringtheTribulation.TheSpiritofGodwillworkmightilyamongtheJewsinthistime.Heagain,weseetheTribulationbeingatimewhenGodisworkingtogatherIsraelbacktoHimself.SeealsoZechariah13:8,9andMalachi3:1-3.ATimeofUncannyTrouble

• AndatthattimeshallMichael(theangel)standup,thegreatprincewhichstandethforthechildrenofthypeople:andthereshallbeatimeoftrouble,suchasneverwassincetherewasanationeventothatsametime:andatthattimethypeopleshallbedelivered,everyonethatshallbefoundwritteninthebook. Daniel12:1

TheangeltoldDanielthattheTribulationwouldbeatimeoftroubleunlikeanythinganynationhaseverseen,yettheelectshallbesaved(Matt.24:22,Mark13:20).ItshouldbeevidentthattheTribulationisatimeofjudgmentthattheJewishpeoplemustpassthroughtobringthembacktotheirGod.Therestoftheworldwillbeaffectedbyit,butwemustn’tforgetthatfirstandforemostthisisDaniel’s70thWeek,Jacob’sTrouble,atimeappointedtohispeople,theJews(Daniel9:24).THETRIBULATION’SPURPOSEFORTHEGENTILESTheTribulationwillbeatremendoustimeofGod’swrath.Itwillbeusedtotryallofmankind.

• Becausethouhastkeptthewordofmypatience,Ialsowillkeeptheefromthehouroftemptation[trial,proving],whichshallcomeuponalltheworld,totry[test,trial]themthatdwellupontheearth. Revelation3:10

TheTribulationwillbeatimeofnever-before-seensignsandwonder,calamity,andpropheticchaos.ItwillcomeupontheentireinhabitedworldtotrythemandgivethemonelastopportunitytoreceiveJesusChrist. THEWRATHOFGODTheparallelpurposesoftheTribulationareforGodtopouroutHiswrathandvengeanceuponallofHisenemiesandbringIsraelbacktoHimself.However,eveninHiswrath,Godismerciful.LikewiththeancientjudgmentofEgypt,thewrathofGodisgraduallyrampedupoverthesevenyearsofTribulationallowingmankindtorecognizewhatishappeningfromthebookofRevelationandrepent.ThefinaleventoftheTribulationisthebattleofArmageddonwherethearmiesoftheworldwillbedestroyed.ThefinalpurposeoftheTribulationistousherintheMillennialReignofJesusChrist.Alleluia!!





NineEvidencesofaPre-TribulationRapture

TheRaptureisthecatchingawayofthesaintsofGodbytheLORDJesustobewithHimintheair.

• FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:Thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord. 1Thessalonians4:16,17

Caughtuptogether:Greek-harpazo:tocatch,tosnatch,toleadsomethingaway,tobecaughtup.

Thoughtheword“rapture”isnotusedintheBible,wegetourEnglishwordrapturefromtheVulgate(theLatintranslationoftheBible,4thCentury).TheLatinwordusedfortheGreekharpazoisraptus(rapere),thusrapture—tobecaughtup.

OLDTESTAMENTEXAMPLESANDTYPESTheBiblerecordsthreerapturesbeforetheChurch’sdeparture,thusestablishingabiblicalprecedentforsuchanevent.

1. ThefirstrapturewasEnoch(Gen.5:24).EnochwalkedwithGod.GodtookEnoch.Enochwasseennomore.AraptureisGod“taking”thosewhoserveHim.

2. ThesecondrapturewasElijah(2Kings2:1-13).ElijahwentupbyawhirlwindintoheavenandElishasawhimnomore.

3. ThethirdrapturewasJesusChrist(Acts1:9).Jesuswastakenupfromtheearthandreceivedintoacloud.ThedisciplessawHimnomore.

TheBibleprovidesusfourtypesorshadowsoftheChurch’srapture:

1. Noah—Hisfamilyofeightwasdeliveredfromthewrathanddestructionoftheirday,literallyrisingabovethejudgmentofGodinanark(Gen.7;1Pet.3:20;2Pet.2:5).

2. Lot—Lot’sfamilyoffour(eventuallyonlythree)wasdeliveredoutofSodomrightbeforethejudgmentofGodfell(Gen.19;Luke17:28,29).

3. TheMountSinaiInvitation—Exodus19recordsGod’scommandforIsraelto“comeup”after“threedays”tomeetGodonthemountainwhentheyheardHistrumpetblow.TheblastofthetrumpetsignaledtheircommandtogoupandmeetwithGod.Theyrefused.Theyshrunkbackinfearanddisobeyedthecommand.

4. John’sRevelation—John’sdivineprophecybeganwiththevoiceofatrumpetcalling,“Comeuphere”(Rev.4:1).




THERAPTURE—ACHURCHAGEMYSTERYREVEALEDTheApostlePaulwasveryclear—theRaptureoftheChurchwasamystery,orhiddentruth,concerningtheBodyofChrist.Thankfully,PaulwaspermittedtosharethefactsofthiseventwiththeChurch.

• Behold,Ishewyouamystery;Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged,Inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump;forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbechanged.Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruption,andthismortalmustputonimmortality. 1Corinthians15:51-53

JustasGodtooksomeofHispreviousservantsandevenHisSonfromtheearthbymeansofarapture,sowillHealsotaketheChurchfromtheearth.IfPaulhadn’tspecificallyrevealedthisdoctrinetotheChurch,allwewouldhavearetypesandshadowsofapossiblerapture.Nowweareguaranteedawayofescape.TheRapturewillpreservetheChurchfromtheGreatTribulation(Matthew24:21;Luke21:22,36).

• ForGodhathnotappointedustowrath,buttoobtainsalvationbyourLordJesusChrist, 1Thessalonians5:9

Itisforthisreason,thepreservationfromtheimpendingwrathofGoduponallmankind,thatPaulalsocallstheRapture“thatblessedhope”(Titus2:13).(FormoreinformationontheRapture,seeourChristianity101Lesson14andEschatologyLesson5.)NINEEVIDENCESOFAPRE-TRIBULATIONRAPTUREOneofthemorehotlydebatedsubjectsineschatologyisthetimingoftheChurch’sdeparture.Belowareseveralscripturalevidencesforapre-tribulationrapture.1. GodhasnotappointedHisChurch(theLord’sbody)forwrath(1Thes.5:1-11). TheRapturewillprovidethatwayofescapeforus.Thispromiseofescapingthe dayoftheLordistobeusedtocomfortoneanother(v.11).Itwouldbebizarreto tryandcomfortoneanotherwithapromiseofimpendingwrath.Itwouldalsobe unfairtomakethelastdays’ChurchendurethewrathofGodwhennoother memberoftheChurchintimespasthadto.2. Jesustaughtthatweshouldpraythatwewouldbecountedworthytoescape[to

fleeawaytosafety]alltheTribulation(Luke21:36). ThisexhortationfromtheLordcameattheendofHisteachingontheTribulationin Luke21.Howelsecouldoneescapethesethingsthatshallcomeuponthe“whole earth”(seeHeb.2:3)?3. TheChurchistherestrainerholdingbackthefullmanifestationofthespiritof

lawlessnessandAntichrist:




o Andyouknowwhatrestrainshimnow,sothatinhistimehe(Antichrist)willberevealed.Forthemysteryoflawlessnessisalreadyatwork;onlyhe(theChurch)whonowrestrainswilldosountilhe(theChurch)istakenoutoftheway. 2Thess.2:6,7NAS

TheonlybiblicalpowersabletoholdbackthefulnessoftheAntichristaretheHoly SpiritortheChurchempoweredbytheHolySpirit(asopposedtotheapostate church).TheHolySpiritisstillintheearthduringtheTribulation;therefore,the “he”thatisremovedmustbetheChurch.Themalepronoun“he”accurately describestheChurch,alsocalledtheLord’sbody(amalebody,Eph.1:22,23;Col. 1:24),theonenewman(Eph.2:15),andtheperfectman(Eph.4:13).Thereisno evidencetheTribulationsaintswillbeempoweredinthesamemannertheChurch hasbeen.Theyareauniquetypeofsaint,justasNewTestamentChurchAgesaints differfromOldTestamentsaints(seeLesson6—TheFourClassificationsofSaints).4. TheChurchisabsentfromtheRevelationafterChapter3. Thewords“church”and“churches”arefoundinRevelationChapters1-3,19 times.FromChapter4onward,theterm“church(es)”isnotusedagainuntil Revelation22:16,asaclosingremarktotheepistle.Chapters6-19,whichdeals withtheTribulation,makesnomentionatalloftheChurch.Thesaintsmentioned inRevelation6-19arespokenofaseitherbelongingtothe144,000;thetwo witnesses,orthetribulationsaints.Itisevidentthatthesearedifferentclassesof saints,justasNewTestamentsaintsareadifferentclassificationofsaintthanthe believersbeforeMosesandthoseincovenantwithGodundertheMosaicLaw(see Lesson6—TheFourClassificationsofSaints).

5. Thereisamarkedchangeindivine-attitudetowardmankindafterRevelation3. ThereisamarkedchangeinthetoneofthebookofRevelationfromchapter1-3, then4and5,thenchapters6-19frommercytooneofjudgmentasfollows:

• Chapter1isanintroductiontotheRevelation—mercy.• Chapters2and3aremicro-epistleswrittentohelpthechurches—mercy.• Chapters4and5takeplaceinheavenwithmanydifferentactivitiesaroundthe

throneofGod—mercy.• Chapters6-19areallaboutwrathandjudgmentbeingpouredoutonsinful

man—nomercy.• Seepoint2—theChurchisnotappointedtowrath.

6. Johndoesn’trecognizetheidentityoftheTribulationSaintsinRevelation7. ItishardtoimaginethegreatApostleJohnfailingtorecognizetheBodyofChrist, forwhomhehadlaboredfornearly65years,yethedoesnotrecognizethisbodyof believersstandingbeforetheLordJesus.Furthermore,theBibledoesn’tcallthis groupofbelieverstheChurch.Theyarecalled“servants”whohavecome“outof greattribulation.”ThissubtleobservationfurthersupportsthefactthattheChurch isgonebeforetheTribulation.Allsaints(orbelievers)fromalldispensationsare




collectivelycalledtheHeavenlyJerusalem,thebride,theLamb’swife(Rev. 21:2,9,10).7. ThenationofIsraelisnotspokenofinRevelation1-3,butisspokenofconstantly

fromRevelation6onward. TheRevelation’semphasisonIsraelfurtherimpliesthattheLordis,onceagain, dealingwithmankindstrictlythroughtheJewishpeople.Thispointhelpsfurther reiteratethefactthattheTribulationis“Jacob’sTrouble,”nottheChurch’s(Jer. 30:4-9).8. TheRevelationislargelyofJewishcharacterandfocus.

• MatthewistheJewishgospelcontaining92O.T.references.HebrewsistheJewishepistlecontaining102O.T.references.TheRevelationcontainsapproximately285O.T.quotes.

• Jesusisreferredtoasthe“Lamb,”aJewishidiom,27timesafterRevelation1-3.LambisusedonlyfourtimesintherestoftheN.T.,andneverbyPaul.

• The144,000comefromthe12TribesofIsrael.• Chapters11and14uselanguagerelatingentirelytoJewishworship:temple,

altar,templeworship,courtofthetemple,HolyCity,olivetrees,arkofthecovenant,etc.

• ThewomanandthemanchildofChapter12areJewish.• Michael(Rev.12:7)alwaysstandsfortheJewishpeople(Daniel10:13-21).He

hasneverbeenasymbolfortheChurch.• TheremnantofRevelation12:17isJewish.

9. TheRapturedateisamystery. SincetheAntichrist’speacetreatykicks-offtheTribulation,amid-Tribulation(3.5 years)orpost-Tribulation(7years)rapturecouldbeaccuratelypredictedtothe day.Furthermore,what’sthepointofapost-tribulationrapturewhentheLordis comingbackatthesametimetodestroyHisenemiesandallofHissaintsare supposedtobewithHim(Jude14,15;Rev.19:11-15)?ItshouldbeoverlyevidentfromthesenineproofsthattheChurch,theLord’sbody,willnotbeheretoseeGodAlmightybringIsraelbacktoHimself,completeDaniel’s70thweek,andpunishHisenemies.WearetopreachHisGospelandwinthelostuntilHe’sreadytodealwithIsraelagain.Amen!Letusnotneglectourgreatsalvation!





TheMajorCharactersofRevelation

BeforestudyingtheRevelation,itwillbebeneficialtohaveabriefintroductiontoeachofthemajorcharacterscoveredinJohn’svision.Thiswillhelpustounderstandtheirplaceandpurposeinprophecy.JesusChrist:TheSonofGod.ThebookofRevelationisHisrevelation.ThisbookisarecordofwhatHerevealedtoJohn.Heisreferredtoas“theLamb”27timesintheRevelation.John:Johnthebeloved.JohntheRevelator.Thelastoftheoriginal12disciplesandapostles.Johnistheonlyoneofthe12ApostlesoftheLambtodienaturallyatabout100yearsold.HewrotehisthreeepistlesandtheRevelationafterhisreleasefromPatmos.ItishistoricallyheldthatProchorus(Acts6:5)aidedJohnduringhis18monthsonPatmos.Angels:angelos-messengers.Angelsarementionedover55timesintheRevelation.TherearefivedifferenttypesofangelsinRevelation:

1. QuitepossiblyitisJesusChristbeingdescribedasanangelinRevelation10:1-11:3.ThisangelisverylikelytheLordbecauseofthefollowingdescription:

a. Clothedwithacloud(1Thes.4:17;over100BiblereferencestoGodandclouds).

b. Rainbowuponhishead(Eze.1:28,Rev.4:3).c. Faceasthesun(Matt.17:2,Rev.1:16).d. Feetaspillarsoffire(Dan.10:6,Rev.1:15).e. Roarslikealion(Jer.25:30,31;Hosea11:10;Joel3:16).f. SwearsbyGod(Amos6:8,Hebrews6:16-18)“thereshallbenomore

delay.”g. Hecallsthetwowitnesses“Mytwowitnesses”(Rev.11:3).

2. Pastors,messengerstothesevenchurchesofRevelation2and3.3. RedeemedmenusedbyGodinRevelation:

a. John’sguidethroughheaven(22:8,9)• Ifelldowntoworshipbeforethefeetoftheangelwhichshewed

methesethings.Thensaithheuntome,Seethoudoitnot:forIamthyfellowservant,andofthybrethrentheprophets,andofthemwhichkeepthesayingsofthisbook:worshipGod.

b. Possiblytheharvestangel(14:14)forheiscrownedwithagoldencrown.Angelsareneverdescribedaspossessingcrowns.

c. SeeRev.21:17“themeasureofaman,thatis,oftheangel.”4. Fallenangels,boundfortheappointedtimeofjudgment:

a. Thedemonlocusthoard(9:3-10)b. Apollyon/Abaddon,theangelandkingoverthebottomlesspit(9:11)




c. ThefourangelsboundintheEuphratesRiver(9:14,15)d. Satanandhisangels(12:9)

5. HeavenlybeingscarryingouttheordersofGoddirectlyfromthethrone,ofwhichthereareover20describedinRevelation:

a. Thestrongangelatthethrone(5:2)b. Themyriadsofangelsatthethrone(5:11)c. Thefourangelsholdingthefourwinds(7:1)d. TheangelwiththesealofGod(7:2)e. Theworshipingangelsatthethrone(7:11)f. Thesevenangelswiththeseventrumpets(8:2)g. Theangelwiththegoldencenser(8:3)h. The“Woe,woe,woe”angel(8:13)i. Michaelandhisangels(12:7)j. TheGospelangel(14:6)k. “Babylonisfallen”angel(14:8)l. “Markofthebeast”warningangel(14:9)m. Harvestingangel(14:14)n. Harvestorderingangel(14:15)o. Vintageangel(14:17)p. Vintageorderingangel,havingpoweroverfire(14:18)q. Sevenangelsofthesevenlastplagues(15:1)r. The“Babylonthegreatisfallen”angel(18:1,2)s. Theangelcastingthegreatstone(18:21)t. Theangelstandinginthesun(19:17)u. Theangelwiththekeytothebottomlesspit(20:1)

24Elders:(Rev.4:4,10,11;5:8-11,14;7:11-13;11:16-18;19:4)Thesemenareonlyseensittingin24thronesaroundthethroneofGod.Theexactidentityofthe24eldersisunknown.Theexactnatureoftheirheavenlyauthorityisnotknown.ItiscleartheyaremenredeemedfromtheearthbytheatoningworkofJesusChristfortheyareseendressedinwhiteraiment(Rev.3:4,5,18)andcrownedwithgoldencrowns(2Tim.4:8;James1:12;1Peter5:4;Rev.2:10;3:11)proclaiming:

• ThouhastredeemedustoGodbythyblood...AndhastmadeusuntoourGodkingsandpriests:andweshallreignontheearth. Revelation5:9b,10

Theyareredeemedmenalreadyinheaven;therefore,itislikelythatthese24eldersarerepresentativesoftheOldandNewTestamentsaints,i.e.,twelvetribesofIsraelandtwelveapostlesoftheLamb(Luke22:30).Furthermore,thecombined12tribesand12apostlesarealsolinkedtotheNewJerusalem(Rev.21:10-14).The24eldersareseenworshippingGodthroughouttheRevelation.4Creatures:(Rev.4:7-9;5:6-14;6:1-8;7:11;14:3;15:7:19:4)Theseappeartobethesamefourcreatures(KJV-beasts)seeninIsaiah6:2,3,alsocalledseraphim(Heb.,seraph-




toburn,coppercolored;seealsoEze.1:5-14)havingsixwings.Isaiah’sseraphimswereseenabovethethrone(Isa.6:1-6)havingsixwings.Ezekiel’s“creatures”wereobservedunderthethronesupportingit(Eze.1:26)havingfourwings.John’screatureswereseeninthemidstofthethrone(Revelation4:6)alsohavingsixwings.TheyaremostlyseenworshippingtheLORDatthethrone.TheyareseeninbothIsaiahandRevelationsaying,“Holy,holy,holy.”Oneofthefourcreaturesdeliversthesevenvialsofwrathuntothesevenangelsofwrath(Rev.15:7).TheCrystalSea(MingledwithFire):(Rev.4:6;15:2)TheseaofredeemedhumanitybeforethethroneofGod.InRevelation15:2,thecrystalseaismingledwithfire,probablyindicativeofthenewadditionoftribulationsaints,havingcomethroughthefireoftheTribulation.The144,000Witnesses:(Rev.7:2-8;14:1-5)Thisgroupofmenarecalled“theservantsofourGod.”Theyaremadeupof12,000menfromeachofthe12tribesofIsrael.Theyarebelievedtobeequivalentto144,000ApostlePauls,evangelizingandpreachingtheGospelthroughoutthewholeworldduringtheTribulation.Thefruitoftheirministrywillbethegreatestrevivalinhumanhistory(Rev.7:9;15:2).ThisgreatrevivalwilltakeplaceinthefirsthalfoftheTribulation.MorewillbesaidinLesson6—TheFourOrdersofSaints.TheTribulationSaints:(Rev.6:9-11;7:9-17;12:10,11,17;13:7-10,15;14:12,13;15:2-4;20:4)These“tribulationsaints”arefirstdescribedbyoneofthe24eldersinchapterseven.Thesearedescribedasaninnumerablecompanyofmen,women,andchildrenfromallnationswhoconverttoChristianityaftertheChurchisraptured.Generallyspeaking,theyaretheconvertsofthe144,000witnesses.TheyrejecttheAntichristandacceptJesusChrist.TheseincludethosemartyredduringtheTribulation.MorewillbesaidintheLesson6—TheFourOrdersofSaints.

TheMartyrs:NoteverysaintduringtheTribulationwillbemartyred,butagreatmanyofthemwillbe.Manyofthemwillbebeheaded(20:4).SincethisistheonlyuniquemannerofdeathdescribedintheRevelation,itleadsustobelievethatthismaybethemostcommonmannerofmartyrdomduringtheTribulation(6:11).Fromundertheheavenlyaltar,themartyredsaintsdemandvengeancefortheirdeath(Rev.6:10).Godwillavengethem(19:2).

TheTwoWitnesses:(Rev.11:3-12)ThesetwomenareprophetsandbegintheirworkinthelasthalfoftheTribulation.TheyaregiventheOldTestamentsignsandwondersofMoses(Exodus7:14-25;ch.8-10)andElijah(1Kings17:1;18:41-46;James5:17)touseatwill.Theyaregivenanassignment(testimony)thatwilltakethree-and-one-halfyearstocomplete.ThenthebeastfromtheAbysswillkilltheminJerusalem.AtthistimeJerusalemiscalledaspiritualSodomandEgypt(11:8).ThisdescribeshowwickedanddepraveditwillbeduringtheAntichrist’srule.Theirbodieswillliedeadinthestreetsforthree-and-one-halfdaysthenberesurrectedandrapturedbytheSpiritofGod.




TheDragon:Satan.MidwaythroughtheTribulationhewillbecastdowntotheearth,limitinghisdominion(Rev.12:7-9).Hewillnolongerbetheprinceofthepoweroftheair.TheGreatWhore(MysteryBabylon):Thisisasystemoffalsereligion—aone-worldreligionthatdeniestheGospelofJesusChrist.ItbeganatBabylonwiththefirstspiritualrebellionagainstGod,ledbyNimrod(Gen.10:8-12).AfterNimrod’sdeath,hiswidow,Semiramis,claimedtogivebirthtoamiraculouslyconceivedson,Tammuz.Tammuzwaskilledbyananimalbutraisedfromthedeadthreedayslater.Thisculteventuallyspreadthroughouttheworld,thoughthenameschangedfromculturetoculture:

• Assyria:IshtarandTammuz• Egypt:IsisandOsiris• Phoenicia:Astarte(Ashtoreth)and

Baal

• Greece:AphroditeandEros• Rome:VenusandCupid

Inthisregard,Babylonbecamethe“motherofharlotries”forallthesubsequentcultures.GodfrustratedthisoriginalBabylonianapostasybyconfoundingthelanguagesanddisruptingthefirstone-worldgovernment(Gen.11:5-9).LaterHecommandedthathumanitybeorderedbynationalboundariesandruledlocally(Deut.32:8,Acts17:26)ratherthanbyasupreme.Ofcoursethedevilwantstodojusttheopposite.Throughouttimeshehasaffectedallnationsandalltheworld’sleadershavecommittedidolatry(calledspiritualfornicationandadultery)withher(17:2).TheWhoreridesuponthebeast(system).Hisrisegivesplacetoherrise.Herfullnameisgivenas:MYSTERY,BABYLONTHEGREAT,THEMOTHEROFHARLOTSANDABOMINATIONSOFTHEEARTH(17:5).Spiritistsandsorcerershavecontrolledeveryworldempirefrombehindthescenes,fromancientEgypttotheRomanEmpire.TheWhore(demonizedreligioussystem)hasriddenuponalloftheworld’sgreatempiresanddamnedmanytoeternityinhell(Rev.17:15).SataniscurrentlyusingtheBabyloniansystemofspiritualidolatrytoturntheworldawayfromthetruthofGod’sWordandpreparehisway.TheAntichristdoesnotwanttheWhore.Hewillonlytolerateherlongenoughtousehertogainthepositionhewants.Afterthree-and-one-halfyearsofpoliticalascent,theAntichristwillusethepowerofthetenkingstodestroyher(Rev.17:12-17)thathealonemightcontroltheworld.Hewillsucceedforonlyforty-twomonthsbeforebeingdestroyedbythesecondcomingofJesusChrist.TheAntichrist/theBeast:Thereareover100passagesofScripturedealingwiththeAntichrist.Antichristreferstobothamanandaspiritualsystem.Only1Johnusestheterm“antichrist,”andclearlyteachesthatthespiritofantichristisalreadyatworkintheearthandhasbeensincethefirstcentury.Heisapoliticianthatwillrisetopowerthroughintrigueandflatteries(Dan.11:21).Hewillbethefiercestdictatortheworldhaseverknown,butonlyforforty-twomonths.HewillbethrownaliveintothelakeoffirewiththeFalseProphet(Rev.19:20).Hisotherbiblicaltitlesinclude:“thelittlehorn”(Dan.7:8);“theprincethatwillcome”(Dan.9:26);“thekingwhowilldoaccordingtohiswill”(Dan.




11:36);“themanofsin”(2Thes.2:3);and“thesonofperdition”(2Thes.2:3).MorewillbecoveredinLesson7—TheTwoBeasts.TheFalseProphet(akathesecond“beast”):PartofthegreatrebellionofmanduringtheTribulationwillbetheriseofanewreligioussystem(nottheGreatWhore,MysteryBabylon)ledbytheFalseProphet.

• TheFalseProphetwillbeameremortalpossessedbyademonspirit(Rev.16:13).• TheFalseProphetwillbethespokespersonfortheAntichrist:

o Promotinghisworship(13:12).o Institutingthemarkofthebeast(13:16-18).o Executing/martyringanyonewhorejectsthemarkofthebeastorrefusesto

worshiptheBeast’simage(13:15,20:4).o Controllingallcommerce(13:17).o Hewilldeceivethewholeearththroughthesignsandwondershecan

perform(Rev.13:13,14;2Thes.2:9-11;Mark13:22;Matt.24:24).• Hisreligioussystemwillbethe“antichurch.”Thegroundworkforthisfinal

religiousmovementisalreadyatwork(2Thes.2:3-12)intheearthtodayandatworkinmanychurches.

• HewillbethrownaliveintothelakeoffirewiththeAntichrist(Rev.19:20).ThisconcludesabriefoverviewofthenumerouscharacterspresentedintheRevelation.





TheFourOrdersofSaintsWhatisaSaint?AccordingtotheBiblelanguages,asaintisanypersonwhoservesGodwithholinessandreverence.Thereisnothing“Catholic”aboutBiblesaints.BothOldandNewTestamentsspeakofsaints.TheOldTestament(KJV)referstoGod’speopleassaints34times.TheLordiscalledtheKingofsaints(Rev.15:3).Wewillseethateachofthefourordersofsaintshaduniquecallings,assignments,anddestiniesinGodAlmightyandwewillseethatGodrelatestoeachofthemdifferently.

• AndIsawthewomandrunkenwiththebloodofthesaints,andwiththebloodofthemartyrsofJesus:andwhenIsawher,Iwonderedwithgreatadmiration.

Revelation17:5ThispassagefromtheRevelationreferencestheWhoreofBabylonandhelpsusseethetwomajorordersofsaints—thosebeforethecrossandthoseafterthecross.TheWhorehasbeenkillingsaintsfromthebeginning.Thislessonwillhelptorevealthenatureofourcalling,ourassignment,andourrelationshipwithGodthroughJesusChristastheChurch.Afterall,wecan’trunourraceifwedon’tknowourlaneortheroute.SaintsintheHallofFaithThefamousHebrews11halloffaithreadilydemonstratestousthatGoduseduniquelycalled“saints”orholyonesfromtheverybeginning,thoughtheirpersonalwalkwithJehovahandtheirassignmentsallvaried.TherearethreeBibledispensationsrepresentedbythesaintsreferencedintheHebrews11halloffaith(formoreonDispensationalism,seeHowtoStudytheBible,Lesson2).DifferentKindsofOldTestamentSaintsAgeofConscience

• Abel,Enoch,andNoahallservedGodbeforetheflood.TherewasnocovenantbetweenGodandmanatthistime;yet,theyservedGodandaccomplishedHiswill.ThesemenwerenotJews.TheyhadauniquerelationshipwithGod.

AgeofPromise

• Abraham,Sarah,Isaac,Jacob,andJosephallservedGodduringthedispensationofPromise.GodmadeHisfirstcovenantwithAbraham.ThismadeAbrahamandallofhisfuturedescendantsunique.ThesemenwerenotreferredtoasJewsbutasthePatriarchs.JacobandJosephdiedinEgyptbuttheiroffspringflourishedbecomingagreatpeoplecalledIsrael.TheyhadauniquerelationshipwithGod.




AgeofLaw• MosesandJoshuaservedGodunderthedispensationofLaw,andservedbyleading

God’speopleoutofEgyptandintothePromisedLand.• RahabservedGodbybelievingHim,deliveringthespies,andwasthenchosento

becomethegreatgrandmotherofDavid,andprogenitorofJesusChrist.• Gideon,Barak,Samson,andJephthahallservedGodunderthedispensationofLaw

butduringthetimeofthejudges(afterMosesandJoshua,butbeforethekings).Theyservedinatotallydifferentwaythanthosebeforeandafterthem.

• David,Samuel,andtheprophetsservedJehovahduringthetimeofthekings.TheseeachhadarelationshipwithGodthatwasuniquetotheirtimeandassignment.

AllwhocamebeforethelifeofJesusarereferredtoasOldTestamentsaints.Together,theseOldTestamentsaintswerethe“captivity”thatJesusChristledcaptiveoutofhell(Sheol,Hades,thegrave)(Eph.4:8).ManyofthesesaintswereresurrectedfromtheirgravesaftertheresurrectionofJesusChrist(Matt.27:52,53).

• Thereforeitsays,“Whenheascendedonhigh,heledcaptiveahostofcaptives,andhegavegiftstomen.” Ephesians4:8NASB

AfterChrist’sresurrectionthebelieversorsaintsarecalledtheChurch(Eph.5:23;Col.1:18,24),theBodyofChrist(1Cor.12:27),orNewTestamentsaints(Acts9:13,Rom.1:7).TheNewTestamentorNewCovenanthasnowbeenineffectfor2,000years.ItisthelongestrunningcovenantGodhasevermade.NewTestamentSaintsNewTestamentsaintsfromActs1totheRevelation3:22areuniquelycalled“theChurch”and“thebodyofChrist.”TheBibledoesnotdescribeanyotherorderofsaintsintheseterms.JustasthereweredifferentkindsofOldTestamentsaints,therehavebeendifferentgroupsofNewTestamentsaints,eachcalledbyGodtowalkwithHiminuniquemanners.

• TheTwelveApostlesoftheLamb-ThesemenweretheLord’sfirstdisciplesandamongthefirsttobebornagainaftertheresurrection(John20:22).TheiruniquenessamongsttheNewTestamentsaintsisevidencedbythefactthattheirnames,andtheirnamesalone,arewrittenonthe12foundationsonthewalloftheHeavenlyJerusalem.MatthiasreplacedJudasthetraitor(Acts1:26).

o Andthewallofthecityhadtwelvefoundations,andinthemthenames

ofthetwelveapostlesoftheLamb. Revelation21:14 NoteventhegreatApostlePaul’snameiswrittenthere.Ournameswillnotbe thereeither.Thistestifiestotheuniquecallingandpurposeofthese12men.

• TheBeholdingSaints-Thisgroupof500+believersareasmall,uniquegroupthatJesusChristselectedtorevealHimselftoinbodilyformafterHisresurrection.Itis




apparentthisisaspecialgroupofsaintsfortheyarelimitedinnumberandthesespecialoccurrencesarespecificallydescribedin1Corinthians15:4-7.ThislistbeginswithPeter(Cephas)andconcludeswithPaul.Paulmakesaninterestingstatementaboutthesetheophanies(divineappearances):

o Andlastofallhewasseenofmealso,asofonebornoutofduetime.

1Corinthians15:8 ThisverseseemstoindicatethattheLordJesusChristnolongerappearsto believerstodaylikeHedidtothatuniquegroupofNewTestamentsaints.DoesHe stillappeartoday?Absolutely!Evensupernaturallythroughvisions,dreams, trances,etc.ButitappearsHenolongermanifestsHimselfinthesamewaythat PaulandthisselectgroupsawHim.Thesesaintswerepartofauniquegroupgiven thisrarehonorintime.Jesuswillnotappeartousinthismanner.

• FoundationalApostlesandProphets-

o Nowthereforeyearenomorestrangersandforeigners,butfellowcitizenswiththesaints,andofthehouseholdofGod;Andarebuiltuponthefoundationoftheapostlesandprophets,JesusChristhimselfbeingthechiefcornerstone; Ephesians2:19,20

Thoughapostlesandprophetsstillexisttoday,foundationalapostlesandprophets donot.ThefoundationhasalreadybeenlaidfortheNewTestamentChurch.The NewTestamentauthorsaregoodexamplesoffoundationalapostlesandprophets. TherewereeightNewTestamentauthorsbutover24apostlesmentionedtherein. Noonealivetodaycanbeafoundationalapostleorprophet.

• TheChurchUniversal- ByChurchUniversalwemeaneverybornagainbelieversincetheresurrectionof JesusChrist.ThisistheBodyofChristandeverymemberinparticularwithallofits giftings,callings,anointings,andassignments,amongeverynation,tribe,and tongue.TheChurchUniversalisstillatittodaypreachingtheGospel,establishing churches,makingdisciples,castingoutdevils,andadvancingtheKingdom.THEDISPENSATIONALTRANSITION TheChurch’srapturewillreinstateDaniel’sfinalweekofJewishandprophetictime.However,thisfinalperiodofsevenyearswillbeunique,inthat,thoughitwillbeJewishinnatureandemphasis,JesusChristhasalreadybeenresurrected,sinhasbeenatonedfor,andsalvationhasbeenpurchased.Thiswillproducetwomoreuniqueordersofsaints,neitherofwhichareeverbiblicallycalledtheChurchortheBodyofChrist.

• The144,000JewishServants-Theseuniquesaintsarecalled“theservantsofourGod”bytheangelinRevelation7:3.TheangelplacesthesealofGod(aswitha




signetring)intheforeheadof12,000menfromeachofthe12tribesofIsrael.Inthevision,Johnseesthe144,000servantsaresealedonearthandthenextthingheseesisaninnumerablemultitudefromallovertheearthinheavenworshippingtheLamb.Itisbelievedbymanythatthese144,000servantswillbeevangelistsontheorderoftheApostlePaul.However,theywillwinveryfewJewstotheLordforTempleworshipwillcontinueinJerusalemuntiltheAbominationofDesolationandevenaftertheDesolation,theJewishremnantistoldtofleeIsraelforthewilderness.ThenexttimetheBiblerecordsthese144,000isinheaveninRevelation14.

o Andtheysungasitwereanewsongbeforethethrone,andbeforethe

fourbeasts,andtheelders:andnomancouldlearnthatsongbutthehundredandfortyandfourthousand,whichwereredeemedfromtheearth. Revelation14:3

Theiruniquenessassaintsisfurtherattestedtobytheirtestimony:

o TheyhavethesealofGodintheirforeheads(7:3,4).o Theysinganewsonguniqueonlytothem(14:3).o Theyarevirgins(14:4).o TheyfollowtheLambwhereverHegoes(14:4).o Theyareredeemedfromamongmen(14:4).o TheyarethefirstfruitsuntoGodandtotheLamb(14:4).Thisfactwould

seemtoimplythattheyarethefirsttobebornagainduringtheTribulation.o Intheirmouthswasfoundnoguile(14:5).o TheyarewithoutfaultbeforethethroneofGod(14:5).

• TribulationSaints-Afterseeingthe144,000JewishwitnessesinRevelation7,John

looksandseesaninnumerablemultitudeofallnations,kindreds,people,andlanguages.ThesearepredominantlyGentileconvertsatthethroneofGodbeforetheLamb.Theyareclothedwithwhiterobes,theyhavepalmfrondsintheirhands,andtheyareworshippingtheLord:

o Andcriedwithaloudvoice,saying,SalvationuntoourGodwhich

sittethuponthethrone,anduntotheLamb. Revelation7:10 Johndoesn’trecognizethisbodyofbelievers.Whenaskedwhotheyare,theangel’s replydoesnotreferencetheChurch.Theangeltellsusspecificallywhatkindof saintstheyare—“thesearetheoneswhocomeoutofthegreattribulation” (Rev.17:14NASB).Thesessaintsarealsogivenpromisesuniquetothem:

§ TheyarebeforethethroneofGod(7:15).§ TheyserveGodnightanddayinHistemple(7:15).§ Godshalldwellamongthem(7:15).§ Theyshallhungernomore(7:16).§ Theyshallthirstnomore(7:16).




§ Thesunwon’tbeatdownonthemanymore(7:16).§ Theywon’texperienceheatanymore(7:16).§ TheLambshallfeedthem(7:17).§ TheLambshallleadthemtolivingfountainsofwater(7:17).§ Godshallwipeawayalltheirtears(7:17).§ Theywillrestfromtheirlabors(14:13).§ Theirworkswillfollowthem(14:13).§ Theystandontheseaofglass(15:2),theseaofglassbeingallsaints

upuntiltheraptureoftheChurch.§ TheyaregiventheharpsofGod(15:2).§ TheysingthesongofMoses(15:3).

o TheMartyredSaints-Revelationrecordsthatsomesaintsarecalledtobe

martyred.TheseareanotheruniquesetofsaintsgivenandsetintimeforthewillofGod,fortheirmartyrdomisforeordained.

§ Andwhenhehadopenedthefifthseal,Isawunderthealtarthe

soulsofthemthatwereslainforthewordofGod,andforthetestimonywhichtheyheld:Andtheycriedwithaloudvoice,saying,Howlong,OLord,holyandtrue,dostthounotjudgeandavengeourbloodonthemthatdwellontheearth?Andwhiterobesweregivenuntoeveryoneofthem;anditwassaiduntothem,thattheyshouldrestyetforalittleseason,untiltheirfellowservantsalsoand[even]theirbrethren,thatshouldbekilledastheywere,shouldbefulfilled[completed].

Revelation6:9-11 Jesusimpliedthatnoteverybelieverwouldbemartyredduringthe Tribulation:

§ Andyeshallbebetrayedbothbyparents,andbrethren,andkinsfolks,andfriends;andsomeofyoushalltheycausetobeputtodeath. Luke21:16

Thisgroup’suniquenessisindicatedbythefactthattheyaregivenwhite robesanditisintimatedthattheirmartyrdomwasforeordained.Theyare givenordersuniquetothem:

§ restforalittleseason,untilyourfellowservantsalsoandyour

brethren,thatshouldbekilledastheywere,shouldbefulfilled. Revelation6:11bCollectively,allsaintsfromAdamtotheTribulationarecalledtheHeavenlyJerusalem(Rev.19:7-9;21:2,3,9,10).Eachcategoryofsaintshastheirownuniquerelationshipwith




JesusChrist.ThankGodwewalkoutoursalvationnow.Rejoiceinyourcallingandforyourplacementintime.FearnotandserveGod!





TheSevenSealsandMatthew24TheeventsoftheDaniel’s70thweekbegintounfoldastheLordJesusopenseachofthesevensealsofDaniel’sprophecy.

• Butthou,ODaniel,shutupthewords,andsealthebook,eventothetimeoftheend:manyshallruntoandfro,andknowledgeshallbeincreased.Andhesaid,Gothyway,Daniel:forthewordsareclosedupandsealedtillthetimeoftheend. Daniel12:4,9

Theintricatedetailsofthis“timeoftrouble”weresealedupinabookandhiddenuntilthe“timeoftheend.”JohnsawthissamebookintheRevelationsealedwithsevenseals.

• AndIsawintherighthandofhimthatsatonthethroneabook[scroll]writtenwithinandonthebackside,sealedwithsevenseals[waxsignet].AndIsawastrongangelproclaimingwithaloudvoice,Whoisworthytoopenthebook[scroll],andtoloosethesealsthereof? Revelation5:1,2

THESEALSOPENEDOnlyJesusisabletoopentheseals(Rev.5:5).Aswewillsee,theeventsunleashedbythesesealscorrespondwithMatthew24:3-14.Theopeningofthese7sealsbeginsthe21judgmentsofGodupontheearth—7sealjudgments,7trumpetjudgments,and7bowljudgments.Eachofthesesevensealsisopenedinheavenwithanacutereactionintheearth.THEFIRSTSEAL(Rev.6:1,2)-TheAntichrist’sRisetoPower

• AndIsawwhentheLambopenedoneoftheseals,andIheard,asitwerethenoiseofthunder,oneofthefourbeastssaying,Comeandsee.AndIsaw,andbeholdawhitehorse:andhethatsatonhimhadabow;andacrownwasgivenuntohim:andhewentforthconquering,andtoconquer.

ThefirstsealrevealstheriseoftheAntichrist.Theriderisasinglemanwithabow,symbolizingaggressionanddomination.Heisgivenacrown.ThissymbolizeshisrisetopowerinfulfillmentofDaniel7:8,24,25;8:9,10;9:23-25;11:36-45.TheChurch’sdeparturewillfreehimuptogrowinpower.Thewhitehorsesymbolizeshisfalsemessiah-likenature.Hecomespromisingpeace,butcanneverdeliverthis.HiscovenantwithIsraelispartofthisfalsepeace.Hewillseek“worlddictator”status.Ofinterestingnote:war,famine,anddeathfollowthisworldleaderinthenextthreeseals.Badgovernmentalwaystendstoproducewar,famine,anddeath.




Matthew24iskeytounderstandingthetimelineoftheseseals.Jesusspokeoftheriseofpowerfullydeceitfulleadersclaimingtohavetheanswerstosavemankind:

• Takeheedthatnomandeceiveyou.Formanyshallcomeinmyname,saying,IamChrist;andshalldeceivemany. Matthew24:4b,5

TheAntichristwillbethechiefofthesedeceiversduringtheTribulation.THESECONDSEAL(Rev.6:3,4)-PeaceDepartsandWarFollows

• Andwhenhehadopenedthesecondseal,Iheardthesecondbeastsay,Comeandsee.Andtherewentoutanotherhorsethatwasred:andpowerwasgiventohimthatsatthereontotakepeacefromtheearth,andthattheyshouldkilloneanother:andtherewasgivenuntohimagreatsword.

Thesecondsealunleashesariderwhoisauthorizedtotakepeacefromtheearth.Theredhorseissymbolicofbloodshedandthegreatswordissurelyindicativeofthewarsthatwillfollow.Nodoubt,besidesthewarsandrumorsofwarsthatwillprecedethishorsemen,theworld’smurderrateswillsoaraswillnational,civil,andclassconflicts.Theabsenceofpeacewillproducetotalstrifeandconflicteverywhere.PeacewillnotreturnuntilthePrinceofPeacereturns(Isa.9:6,7).InMatthew24JesusforetoldtheprogressionofthesesealsbeforeJohnsawthemopened.

• Andyeshallhearofwarsandrumoursofwars:seethatyebenottroubled:forallthesethingsmustcometopass,buttheendisnotyet.Fornation[ethnos-peoplegroup]shallriseagainstnation[ethnos],andkingdomagainstkingdom:... Matthew24:6,7a

Thedepartureofpeacewillproducewars,saber-rattlings,nationaltensions,ethnicandracialtensions,andkingdomtensions.Ibelievewecanalreadyseethisescalating.THETHIRDSEAL(Rev.6:5,6)-FamineandInflation

• Andwhenhehadopenedthethirdseal,Iheardthethirdbeastsay,Comeandsee.AndIbeheld,andloablackhorse;andhethatsatonhimhadapairofbalancesinhishand.AndIheardavoiceinthemidstofthefourbeastsay,Ameasureofwheatforapenny,andthreemeasuresofbarleyforapenny;andseethouhurtnottheoilandthewine.

Thethirdsealrevealsahorsemenwhoholdsapairofscalesinhishand,suchaswereusedinthebuyingandsellingoffoodgoods.Apennywasaday’swageandameasureisaboutaquart.Sothefoodpriceswillbesohighaquartofgrainwillcostaday’swage,orabout$60foraloafofbread(asof2016).




Matthew24continuestheLord’sprophecyconcerningthisTribulationtimelineandparallelstheThirdSeal:

• ...andthereshallbefamines,andpestilences,andearthquakes,indiversplaces.Allthesearethebeginningofsorrows[birthpangs].

Matthew24:7b,8THEFOURTHSEAL(Rev.6:7,8)-DeathandHell

• Andwhenhehadopenedthefourthseal,Iheardthevoiceofthefourthbeastsay,Comeandsee.AndIlooked,andbeholdapale[choloros-green]horse:andhisnamethatsatonhimwasDeath,andHellfollowedwithhim.Andpowerwasgivenuntothemoverthefourthpartoftheearth,tokillwithsword,andwithhunger,andwithdeath,andwiththebeastsoftheearth.

DeathandHellarepersonifiedhereandaredescribedwithpersonalpronouns:himandthem.Thisverseindicatestheterriblesuccessofthefirstthreeriders—theconqueror,nopeace/producingwar,andfamine.Eventhebeastsoftheearthwillbegintokillpeoplelikeneverbefore(perhapsasareturnofthecoliseums).Thesecalamitieswillaffectonequarteroftheworld’sinhabitants.(Est.WorldPopulationby2025:8.1billion.Rapture:-2billion.6BilliononearthafterRapture.1.5billiondeadbytheopeningoftheFourthSeal.)TheFifthSeal(Rev.6:9-11)-LesserTribulationMartyrs

• Andwhenhehadopenedthefifthseal,IsawunderthealtarthesoulsofthemthatwereslainforthewordofGod,andforthetestimonywhichtheyheld;Andtheycriedwithaloudvoice,saying,Howlong,OLord,holyandtrue,dostthounotjudgeandavengeourbloodonthemthatdwellontheearth?Andwhiterobesweregivenuntoeveryoneofthem;anditwassaiduntothem,thattheyshouldrestyetforalittleseason,untiltheirfellowservantsalsoandtheirbrethren,thatshouldbekilledastheywere,shouldbefulfilled.

ThispassagerevealsthatpersecutiontothepointofmartyrdomwillbeginwhentheAntichristcomestopower,eventhoughhewillfeignpeacewithIsrael.Theministryofthe144,000witnesseswillusherinatremendousrevival.ManyofthesemartyrswillbeincludedinthedeathtolloftheFourthSeal.Thesesaintsareseeninheavencryingoutforvengeanceupontheirstilllivingpersecutors.Matthew24forewarnsthoselivinginthatdayofthisveryphenomenon:

• Thenshalltheydeliveryouuptobeafflicted,andshallkillyou:andyeshallbehatedofallnationsformyname’ssake.Andthenshallmanybeoffended,andshallbetrayoneanother,andshallhateoneanother.Buthethatshallendureuntotheend,thesameshallbesaved. Matthew24:9,10,13




THESIXTHSEAL(Rev.6:12-17)-CosmicDisturbancesandGreatDread• AndIbeheldwhenhehadopenedthesixthseal,and,lo,therewasagreat

earthquake;andthesunbecameblackassackclothofhair,andthemoonbecameasblood;Andthestarsofheavenfelluntotheearth,evenasafigtreecastethheruntimelyfigs,whensheisshakenofamightywind.Andtheheavendepartedasascrollwhenitisrolledtogether;andeverymountainandislandweremovedoutoftheirplaces.Andthekingsoftheearth,andthegreatmen,andtherichmen,andthechiefcaptains,andthemightymen,andeverybondman,andeveryfreeman,hidthemselvesinthedensandintherocksofthemountains;Andsaidtothemountainsandrocks,Fallonus,andhideusfromthefaceofhimthatsittethonthethrone,andfromthewrathoftheLamb:Forthegreatdayofhiswrathiscome;andwhoshallbeabletostand?

TheSixthSealseemstobetheLord’sresponsetotheAbominationDesolationandtosignalthemid-TribulationRaptureandresurrectionoftheTribulationsaintsofGod.Thisisconfirmedbycross-examiningMatthew24:29,Mark13:24,andLuke21:25.Noticethateventhepagan’srecognizethatGodisabouttopouroutHiswrath.Matthew24:29

• Immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysshallthesunbedarkened,andthemoonshallbenotgiveherlight,andthestarsshallfallfromheaven,andthepowersoftheheavensshallbeshaken: Matthew24:29

Mark13:24givesadescriptionoftheafflictionfollowingtheAbominationDesolation.

• Butinthosedays,afterthattribulation,thesunshallbedarkened,andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight,Andthestarsofheavenshallfall,andthepowersthatareinheavenshallbeshaken. Mark13:24,25

Luke21:25givesadescriptionofwhatwillhappeninJudeaaftertheAntichristdesolatestheTempleanddeclaresthatJerusalemmustbetroddendownoftheGentilesuntilthetimesoftheGentilesisfulfilled.ThisfurtherplacestheSixthSealbeingopenedatthehalfwaypointoftheTribulation.

• Andthereshallbesignsinthesun,andinthemoon,andinthestars;andupontheearthdistressofnations,withperplexity[tohavenowayout];theseaandthewavesroaring;Men’sheartsfailingthemforfear,andforlookingafterthosethingswhicharecomingontheearth:forthepowersofheavenshallbeshaken. Luke21:25,26

Theconsistentreferenceofstarsfallingfromheaventotheearthisprobablyareferencetodemonicforcesbeingcastdowntotheearth,nolongerfreetoroamtheheavenliesovercitiesandnations(Eph.6:12).Isaiah13:10andJoel2:10and3:15revealthat




astronomicstarswillnotgivetheirlightatthisevent,notfalltotheearth.Starsareoftenrepresentativeofspiritualentities(Judges5:20;Job38:7;Isa.14:13;Dan.8:10;Rev.12:4).THESEVENTHSEAL(Rev.8:1)-HeavenlySilence

• Andwhenhehadopenedtheseventhseal,therewassilenceinheavenaboutthespaceofhalfanhour.

Notsincethecreationoftheangelshasheavenbeensilent.Thishasbeencalledthecalmbeforethestorm.Theworstisyettocome.Jesuscalledit“greattribulation.”





TheBeastSystem

ThoughheismorenotoriouslyknownastheAntichrist,theevil,end-timeworlddictatoroftheBibleiscalledtheBeast.Godchosethistermonpurpose.Beast(therion):awildanimal,savage,ferocious,bestial,dangerousduetovenomorwild natureItisbeyondbrillianttodescribeworldgovernmentsasbeastsfornothinghasdonemoredamageandharmtomankindthantheorganismknownasanationalgovernment.ThegovernmentsoftheworldarerapidlydeterioratingandwillcontinuetodosountiltheLordJesusChristreceivesHisKingdom(Isa.9:7).IntheRevelation,beastisappliedtotheAntichristandtheFalseProphet,andrevealsmanythingsabouttheirnatureandbehavior.Theywillbevenomous,uncontrollable,untamable,ferocious,anddestructive.DANIELANDREVELATION’SHARMONYMuchofwhatJohnsawintheRevelationconcerningtheBeastwasfirstrevealedtoDanielinhisvisions.ThenatureoftheBeastthatJohnsawmatchedthedescriptiongiventothekingdomswhichDanielsaw.

• Andthereappearedanotherwonderinheaven;andbeholdagreatreddragon,havingsevenheadsandtenhorns,andsevencrownsuponhisheads.

Revelation12:3

• Andthedragonstoodonthesandoftheseashore.ThenIsawabeastcomingupoutofthesea,havingtenhornsandsevenheads,andonhishornsweretendiadems,andonhisheadswereblasphemousnames.

Revelation13:1NAS• AfterthisIkeptlookinginthenightvisions,andbehold,afourthbeast,

dreadfulandterrifyingandextremelystrong;andithadlargeironteeth.Itdevouredandcrushedandtrampleddowntheremainderwithitsfeet;anditwasdifferentfromallthebeaststhatwerebeforeit,andithadtenhorns.

Daniel7:7NASThemainbeastoftheRevelation(11:7;13:1)isaspiritualgovernmentalsystemthathaspersecutedIsraelfromthebeginningofherexistence.ThesevenheadsrepresentthesixkingdomsthathaveoppressedIsraelthroughhistoryandincludetheseventh,thefinalkingdomthatwilldothesame.John’svisionalsorevealsthatsatanhasbeenbehindthis




mightybeastsystemthewholetime.Thetermbeastisappliedtoboththekingandthekingdom(Dan.2:38).

DanielandRevelationComparisonDaniel’sColossus(Neb.’sDream) Daniel’s4Beasts Corresponding

WorldEmpireJohn’sVisionoftheFourthBeast

Daniel2:31-45 Daniel7:2-8 WorldHistory Rev.13:2,17:8-12

-- -- Egyptian -- -- Assyrian

HeadofGold Lionwithwings Babylonian MouthofaLionChestofSilver Bearwith3ribsinmouth Medo-Persian FeetofaBearLoinsofBrass Leopardwith4wings Greek LikeaLeopard

LegsofIron Terribleandnondescriptbeastwithironteeth Roman Abeastwiththe

previoustraitsFeet/10Toesof

iron/clay Terriblebeastwith10horns TheFederatedRomanEmpire

Tenhornsaretenkings

SmitingStone -- Christ’sKingdom

Nebuchadnezzar(Dan.2)sawtheworldempiresasmanwouldseethem—representedbybeautifulandpreciousmetals,i.e.,gold,silver,brass,etc.GodrevealedthesamekingdomstoDaniel(Dan.7)asHe(God)sawthem—vicious,beastly,merciless,selfish,ferocious,i.e.,thecarnivorouslion,bear,leopard,etc.Alsoofnoteisthedecreaseinvalueofthemetalsrepresentingthesuccessivekingdoms:gold—silver—brass—iron—ironandclay,indicatingthedeteriorationofman’sabilitytoleadandgoverntheworld.TheSevenEmpiresEnumerated

1) Egyptian—ThenationofIsrael’sgrowthandinitialslavery(Gen.15:13).IsraelwasinitiallyfavoredbyEgypt,butsatanpervertedthatkingdomandpersecutionarose.

2) Assyrian—EnslavedthetentribesofthenorthernkingdomsofIsraelabout740BC.

3) Babylonian—LedbyNebuchadnezzar,theBabyloniansdefeatedtheAssyriansandabsorbedtheirempire.ThreewavesofBabylonianwarandsiegeemptiedJerusalemalongwiththetwotribesofthesouthernkingdom107yearsafterAssyriahadenslavedthe10tribesofthenorth.BelshazzarprecededNebuchadnezzar.

4) Medo-Persian—TheMedesandPersiansdefeatedBelshazzar(hesawthefamouswritingonthewall).Darius,theMede,defeatedBelshazzarthenightofDaniel’sfamousinterpretation(Dan.5).IsraelwasreleasedfromcaptivityunderthePersiankingsCyrus,Darius,andArtaxerxes.Threewavesofcaptivityansweredbythreewavesofreturn.




5) Greek—ThefalloftheMedo-PersianEmpiregavewaytotheGreekempireledbyAlexandertheGreat.TheGreektyrantAntiochusEpiphaneswasaforerunnertotheAntichrist.Hekilledover80,000Jewsandsoldanother40,000intoslavery.

6) Roman—ThefalloftheGreekempireallowedtheriseoftheRomanempire.ThiswastheGentileempireofJohn’sday,knownforitshorrificpersecutionoftheJewsandthentheChurch,evenasitspowerrapidlybegantofade.

7) TheRevised-RomanEmpire—Thisempirehasyettoberesurrected.ItsheydaywilllastthefirsthalfoftheTribulation.ThiswillbethekingdomtheAntichristwillcomeoutofwhenhedefilestheTempleanddeclareshimselftobeGod.His42monthkingdomwillbetheeighthkingdomofRevelation17:11:

• Thebeastwhichwasandisnot,ishimselfalsoaneighth(kingdom)and

isoneoftheseven,andhegoestodestruction.NAS

SatanwilldirectlypromotethislastincarnationoftheBeast—boththegovernmentanditsleader(thekingdomandtheking).HehasdonesotimeandtimeagainthroughouthistoryinanattempttodestroyIsrael.

• AndthebeastwhichIsawwaslikeuntoaleopard,andhisfeetwereasthefeetofabear,andhismouthasthemouthofalion:andthedragongavehimhispower[dunamis],andhisseat,andgreatauthority. Revelation13:2

Justaseverypreviousincarnationofthebeasthashadsatan’sblessingandpower,thislastwillbefullysupportedbyhimaswell.ThedescriptionofthefinalbeastletsusknowheandhiskingdomwillhavethecombinedtraitsofthelastthreeGentilekingdoms:mostlyGreekinnaturewiththebodyofaleopard,lumberingbutdeadlyfeetofthebearlikeMedo-Persia,andloudandcrushingwiththelion’smouthoftheBabylonianempire.

• Hereisthemindwhichhaswisdom.Thesevenheadsaresevenmountainsonwhichthewomansits,andtheyaresevenkings;fivehavefallen,oneis,theotherhasnotyetcome;andwhenhecomes,hemustremainalittlewhile.Thebeastwhichwasandisnot,ishimselfalsoaneighthandisoneoftheseven,andhegoestodestruction. Revelation17:9-11NAS

Thisverseistheangel’sdetailedexplanationtoJohnofthevisionoftheWhoreridinguponthesamebeast(17:3-8).Theinterpretationisasfollows:

• Thesevenheadsaresevenmountains—thesevenGentilekingdoms(Isa.2:2).• Thewoman(Whore)sittingonthemindicateshergreatinfluenceoverthem.• Eachkingdomhadakingoverthem,hencesevenkings.• Fiveofthemhavecomeandgone:Egypt,Assyria,Babylon,Medo-Persia,andGreece.• Thesixthkingdom,orthe“onethatis”referstothekingdomofJohn’sday,the

RomanEmpire.




• Theseventhkingdomhasnotyetcome,butwhenitstimecomesitwillbebrief,lastingonlythreeandonehalfyears.Thiskingdomwillhave10kings(Dan.7:7,8,23,24;Rev.17:12-16).TheAntichristwillbeoneofthese10kings.Hewilloverthrowthreeofthem,andtheotherswillgivehimtheirpowerandauthority(Rev.17:13).

• Thebeastthatwas,andisnot,istheAntichrist.Heispartoftheseventhkingdomforabriefthreeandonehalfyears,andthenthroughhismaneuversbecomestheeighthandfinalking/kingdom.Thiseighthkingdomalsoonlylaststhreeandonehalfyears(Rev.13:5).FormoreontheAntichrist,seeEschatology—Lessons9,11,and12.

THERESURRECTEDHEAD

• AndIsawoneofhisheadsasitwerewoundedtodeath;andhisdeadlywound[strike,smite,toblow]washealed:andalltheworldwonderedafterthebeast.Andheexercisethallthepowerofthefirstbeastbeforehim,andcauseththeearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthefirstbeast,whosedeadlywound[strike,smite,toblow]washealed. Revelation13:3,12

Theheadsareindividualempires.Johnobservedoneoftheheadsorkingdomshadbeenwoundedtodeath,butthiswoundwashealed;therefore,thekingdomrestored.Inthefirstcentury,astheChurchspread,theRomanEmpirediedout.TheChurchhasbeenthegreatrestrainthinderingtheBeastSystem,preventingitsresurrection.ItismyopinionthemortallywoundedheadwasandwillbetheRomanEmpire.TheraptureoftheChurchwillprovidethedragontheopportunityandfreedomtoresurrecthisGentileColossusforashortsevenyears.NotonlydidtheLordshowNebuchadnezzarfuturekingdoms,butHealsorevealedtothepagankingthecomingofChrist’sKingdom,alsoknownastheMillennialReign.

• Thousawesttillthatastonewascutoutwithouthands,whichsmote[tostrike]theimageuponhisfeetthatwereofironandclay,andbrakethemtopieces.Thenwastheiron,theclay,thebrass,thesilver,andthegold,brokentopiecestogether,andbecamelikethechaffofthesummerthreshingfloors;andthewindcarriedthemaway,thatnoplacewasfoundforthem:andthestonethatsmotetheimagebecameagreatmountain,andfilledthewholeearth. Daniel2:34,35

Alltheimageryofthisvisionrepresentskingdoms;therefore,Christ’sKingdomisthestonemadewithouthandsthatsmotetheColossus(thesystemofkingdoms)initsfeet(The10FederationRomanEmpire),destroyingitandbecomingagreatmountaincalledMt.Zion,andfillingthewholeearth.Oftheincreaseofthiskingdomthereshallbenoend(Isa.9:7).ThisistheMillennialKingdom.




• Andinthedaysofthesekings(thetenkings)shalltheGodofheavensetupakingdom,whichshallneverbedestroyed:andthekingdomshallnotbelefttootherpeople,butitshallbreakinpiecesandconsumeallthesekingdoms,anditshallstandforever.Forasmuchasthousawestthatthestonewascutoutofthemountainwithouthands,andthatitbrakeinpiecestheiron,thebrass,theclay,thesilver,andthegold;thegreatGodhathmadeknowntothekingwhatshallcometopasshereafter:andthedreamiscertain,andtheinterpretationthereofsure. Daniel2:44,45

TheBeastandtheBeastSystemwillbedestroyedbytheSecondingComingofJesusChrist.JesuswilldestroytheColossuswhenHeestablishesHisEarthlyKingdomandHewillcasttheAntichristintothelakeoffirealive(Rev.19:20).




REVELATIONLesson9

TheSevenTrumpetJudgments

TrumpetsareusedthroughouttheBibletocommunicateandmakepronouncements.Trumpetssignalanordergiven.Whereastheprevioussevensealsremovedaspiritualrestraintallowingthingstohappen,thesetrumpets,blownbyGod’smessengers,commandthingstohappen.

• AndIsawthesevenangelswhichstoodbeforeGod;andtothemweregiven

seventrumpets.Andthesevenangelswhichhadtheseventrumpetspreparedthemselvestosound. Revelation8:2,6

Thesejudgmentsarethebeginningofwhatcausesmen’sheartstofail“themforfear,andforlookingafterthosethingswhicharecomingontheearth”(Luke21:26).Theblowingofthesetrumpetsisprecededbyanangelofferingincensewiththe“prayersofallsaints”uponthealtarinheavenwhichisbeforeGod’sthrone(Rev.8:3-5).Itappearsthattheprayersofthesaints(perhapstheprayer“thykingdomcome,”or“vengeanceisyours,Lord”)arewhatarebeingansweredwiththewrathofGod.Consequently,thesweetsmellingsavoroftheseprayersbringsaboutfuriouswrathandvengeanceuponwickedmankind.

• Andtheangeltookthecenser[firepan],andfilleditwithfireofthealtar[ofsweetincense],andcastitintotheearth:andtherewerevoices,andthunderings,andlightnings,andanearthquake. Revelation8:5

Iftheseventhseal(Rev.8:1)wasthecalmbeforethestorm,thefiretossedtotheearthbeginsthestormofGod’swrath.ThesejudgmentsbeginthelasthalfoftheTribulation,ortheGreatTribulation.JesusdidnotspeakofthishalfoftheTribulationinmuchdetailbecauseinquotingIsaiah61:1and2HedeclaredHewasanointed“topreachtheacceptableyearoftheLord,”(Luke4:19),butHestoppedshortof“andthedayofvengeanceofourGod”(Isa.61:2).THETRUMPETSTheFirstTrumpet

• Thefirstangelsounded,andtherefollowedhailandfiremingledwithblood,andtheywerecastupontheearth:andthethirdpartoftreeswasburntup,andallgreengrasswasburntup. Revelation8:7

ThisfirstjudgmentofhailandfireisveryreminiscentofEgypt’sseventhplague(Ex.9:23).Athirdpartoftheworld’sgreeneryisburnedup,nodoubtaffectingfoodsuppliesandrevenue.Thereisnomentionofhumanfatalities,butonecanonlyimagine.




TheSecondTrumpet• Andthesecondangelsounded,andasitwereagreatmountainburningwith

firewascastintothesea:andthethirdpartoftheseabecameblood;Andthethirdpartofthecreatureswhichwereinthesea,andhadlife,died;andthethirdpartoftheshipsweredestroyed. Revelation8:8,9

Mostbelievethisburningmountainwillbeadivineasteroid/meteorite.The“sea”isusuallyareferencetoeithertheMediterraneanorRedSea.Inthiscase,morethanlikelyitistheMediterraneanSeabecauseofitsproximitytoIsrael.Itonlyseemsprobablethatthethirdpartoftheseaaffectedistheareasurroundinggroundzero;thus,killingallthesealifeintheareaandturningthesearedwithblood.Onecanonlyspeculateonanypossibletsunamisproducedandthenumberoflivesconsequentlykilledonshore.TheThirdTrumpet

• Andthethirdangelsounded,andtherefellagreatstarfromheaven,burningasitwerealamp,anditfelluponthethirdpartoftherivers,anduponthefountainsofwaters;AndthenameofthestariscalledWormwood:andthethirdpartofthewatersbecamewormwood;andmanymendiedofthewaters,becausetheyweremadebitter. Revelation8:10,11

Somespeculatethisisanothermeteoritewhoseimpactpoisonsathirdpartoftheworld’swatersystem.Anotherbeliefisthisisanangelbecause:1)thefifthtrumpetcausesanotherstartofallfromheavendescribedasa“him”towhomisgivenakey;2)thisstarhasaname,Wormwood;3)it’sastarfallingfromheaven(Rev.12:4);4)itpoisonsaquifers;5)thepoisonedwaterkillsmany;and6)thefifthtrumpetunleashesdemons.Itmustbesupernaturalforitdoesn’tfallinonesingleplacebutuponagreatmyriadoflocations—athirdoftheriversandsprings.TheFourthTrumpet

• Andthefourthangelsounded,andthethirdpartofthesunwassmitten,andthethirdpartofthemoon,andthethirdpartofthestars;soasthethirdpartofthemwasdarkened,andthedayshonenotforathirdpartofit,andthenightlikewise. Revelation8:12

ThisjudgmentisapartialfulfillmentofJoel’sprophecy,“AndIwillshewwondersinheavenabove,andsignsintheearthbeneath;blood,andfire,andvapourofsmoke:”(Acts2:19).Thesefourjudgmentshavefallenupon“thirds”revealingadivinepatternandnotmerecoincidenceofcalamity.Furthermore,darknessisoftenusedtosignifyGod’sjudgment(Joel2:2;Amos5:18,20;Zeph.1:14,15;Isa.13:10;Mark13:24).TheFifthTrumpet(FirstWoe!)

• Andthefifthangelsounded,andIsawastarfallfromheavenuntotheearth:andtohimwasgiventhekeyofthebottomlesspit.Andheopenedthebottomlesspit[anhordeofscorpionlocustsareunleashed];Anditwas




commandedthemthattheyshouldnothurtthegrassoftheearth,neitheranygreenthing;neitheranytree;butonlythosemenwhichhavenotthesealofGodintheirforeheads.Andtheyhadakingoverthem,whichistheangelofthebottomlesspit,whosenameintheHebrewtongueisAbaddon,butintheGreektonguehathhisnameApollyon. Revelation9:1,2a,4,11

Thistrumpetjudgmentiscalledthefirst“Woe,”basedonthedeclarationofanangelinRevelation8:13.Thissupernaturaljudgmentunleashesahordeofbizarrelookingdemonstotorment,butnotkill,mankindforfivemonths.Theymovelikelocusts,arepreparedlikebattlehorses,possessthefaceofmenwithhairlikewomen,crownslikegold,teethlikealion,andpossessthetailandstinglikeascorpion.Theworstscorpion(thebarkscorpion)stingsymptomsinclude:severepain/burning,muscletwitching,unusualhead,eye,andneckmovements,drooling,sweating,vomiting,high/lowbloodpressure,acceleratedheartrates,andrestlessness.Menshallseekdeathbutnotbeabletofindit.TheSixthTrumpet(SecondWoe!)

• Andthesixthangelsounded,andIheardavoicefromthefourhornsofthegoldenaltarwhichisbeforeGod,Sayingtothesixthangelwhichhadthetrumpet,LoosethefourangelswhichareboundinthegreatriverEuphrates.Andthefourangelswereloosed,whichwerepreparedforanhour,andaday,andamonth,andayear,fortoslaythethirdpartofmen.

Revelation9:13-15ThistrumpetcommandsanangeltoloosefourfallenangelsthathavebeenboundintheEuphratesRiver.Thesefourfallenangelsareauthorizedtokillathirdofthehumanracethatisstillliving.Thesefourangelsmusterademonarmytotaling200millionsupernaturaltroops.Ithasbeenspeculatedthateachofthefourangelswillbeover50milliontroopsandwilltakethemineachofthefourcardinaldirections.Humanswillbekilledbythreeplaguesproducedbythisarmy:fire,smoke,andbrimstone(9:18).Thosewhoarenotkilledstillwillnotrepent.TheSeventhTrumpet(ThirdWoe!)

• Butinthedaysofthevoiceoftheseventhangel,whenheshallbegintosound,themysteryofGodshouldbefinished,ashehathdeclaredtohisservantstheprophets. Revelation10:7

• Andtheseventhangelsounded;andthereweregreatvoicesinheaven,saying,

ThekingdomsofthisworldarebecomethekingdomsofourLord,andofhisChrist;andheshallreignforeverandever.AndthetempleofGodwasopenedinheaven,andtherewereseeninhistemplethearkofhistestament:andtherewerelightnings,andvoices,andthunderings,andanearthquake,andgreathail. Revelation11:15,19




Theseventhtrumpetisthefinalwoe.ItsignalsthecompletionofthemysteryofGod(10:7).Theblowingofthistrumpetlastsforaseasonoftime.What“mysteryofGodisfulfilled?”Theonlyeventthatseemstofittheparameterssetforthisthecastingoutofsatanfromtheheavenlies.ThisseventhtrumpetisclearlysoundedatthehalfwaypointoftheTribulation(11:2;12:13,14).Threereasonswhythis“mystery”issatan’sexpulsion:1) Thisharmonizeswiththefirstpronouncementsinheavenafterthetrumpetissounded,

i.e.,“ThekingdomsofthisworldarebecomethekingdomsofourLord.”:

• ThekingdomsofthisworldarebecomethekingdomsofourLord,andofhisChrist;andheshallreignforeverandever.

Revelation11:15b

• becausethouhasttakentotheethygreatpower,andhastreigned. Revelation11:17cAtthistime,GodAlmightywilltakepossessionofwhatHepurchasedthroughChristbackatCalvary—allauthority,asJesusChristsaid,“Allpower[authority]isgivenuntomeinheavenandinearth”(Matthew28:18).Untilthispoint,satanandhisangelswillstillberulingoverthenationsasthe“spiritualwickednessinhigh[heavenly]places”(Eph.6:12).2) ThiseventisdetailedinChapter12.Thisisclearlythethird“woe”asdeclaredbythe

angelin8:13.

• Woetotheinhabitersoftheearthandofthesea!forthedeviliscomedownuntoyou,havinggreatwrath,becauseheknoweththathehathbutashorttime. Revelation12:12b

3) Thecastingoutofsatanhasbeendeclarednumeroustimesbytheprophets:

a) Isa.14:15-thoushaltbebroughtdowntohellb) Isa.24:21-punishthehostofthehighonesc) Isa.25:7-hewilldestroy...thefaceofthecoveringcastoverallpeopled) Isa.27:1-withhissoreandgreatandstrongswordshallpunishleviathanthe

piercingserpent,evenleviathanthatcrookedserpent;andheshallslaythedragonthatisinthesea

e) Eze.28:16,17-IwillcasttheeasprofaneoutofthemountainofGod:andIwilldestroythee...Iwillcasttheetotheground,Iwilllaytheebeforekings,thattheymaybeholdthee

HisfalltoearthwillbeginthegreatpersecutionoftheJewsrequiringtheirflightintothewilderness(12:13-17).ThanksbetoGodwewon’tbehereinthosedays!!




REVELATIONLesson10

TheSevenBowlJudgments

Thereareatotalof21judgmentsbroughtaboutuponmankindintheRevelation.Thefirstsevenarereleasedbytheopeningofthesevensealsinheaven(seeLesson7),kickingofftheeventsoftheTribulation.Thesecondgroupofsevenjudgmentswillbeheraldedandcommandedbytheseventrumpets(seeLesson9),culminatingatthemiddlepartoftheTribulation.ThelastgroupofsevenjudgmentswillbepouredoutofsevenvialsorbowlsduringthelasthalfoftheTribulation.TheselastsevenjudgmentswillcompletethewrathofGod(Rev.15:1).Yet,evenbeforethesefinaljudgmentsareexecuted,GodAlmightyonceagainextendsmercytomankindbywarningthemwiththevoiceofthreeangels:TheFirstAngelisgiventheGospel:

• AndIsawanotherangelflyinthemidstofheaven,havingtheeverlastinggospeltopreachuntothemthatdwellontheearth,andtoeverynation,andkindred,andtongue,andpeople,Sayingwithaloudvoice,FearGod,andgiveglorytohim;forthehourofhisjudgmentiscome:andworshiphimthatmadeheaven,andearth,andthesea,andthefountainsofwaters. Revelation14:6,7

TheSecondAngeldeclaresBabylon’sdestruction:

• Andtherefollowedanotherangel,saying,Babylonisfallen,isfallen,thatgreatcity,becauseshemadeallnationsdrinkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication. Revelation14:8

TheThirdAngelwarnsconcerningtheBeastSystem:

• Andthethirdangelfollowedthem,sayingwithaloudvoice,Ifanymanworshipthebeastandhisimage,andreceivehismarkinhisforehead,orinhishand,ThesameshalldrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod,whichispouredoutwithoutmixtureintothecupofhisindignation;andheshallbetormentedwithfireandbrimstoneinthepresenceoftheholyangels,andinthepresenceoftheLamb:Andthesmokeoftheirtormentascendethupforeverandever:andtheyhavenorestdaynornight,whoworshipthebeastandhisimage,andwhosoeverreceiveththemarkofhisname. Revelation14:9-11




THEFINALPLAGUESAfterthesethreewarnings,Godnolongerextendsmercytomankindthroughouttherestoftheage.DuringthelasthalfoftheTribulation,Godwillbedealingwithmankindthroughjudgment.ThepreparationsforthesefinalsevenjudgmentsrequiretheTempleinheaventobeopened.

• AndafterthatIlooked,and,behold,thetempleofthetabernacleofthetestimonyinheavenwasopened:Andthesevenangelscameoutofthetemple,havingthesevenplagues,clothedinpureandwhitelinen,andhavingtheirbreastsgirdedwithgoldengirdles.Andoneofthefourbeastsgaveuntothesevenangelssevengoldenvials[bowls]fullofthewrathofGod,wholivethforeverandever.AndthetemplewasfilledwithsmokefromthegloryofGod,andfromhispower;andnomanwasabletoenterintothetemple,tillthesevenplaguesofthesevenangelswerefulfilled. Revelation15:5-8

ThesefinalplaguesareapparentlystoredintheTempleofGodinheaven.ThepresentationofthemtotheangelsforuseupontheearthcausesthegloryofGodtomanifestintheTemple.ThesejudgmentsbegininheavenandtheiruseglorifiesGodAlmighty.Thesesevenjudgmentsarethe“greattribulation”ofMatthew24:21andunfoldoverthelastthreeandonehalfyearsoftheTribulation.TheFirstBowl

• Andthefirstwent,andpouredouthisvialupontheearth;andtherefellanoisomeandgrievoussoreuponthemenwhichhadthemarkofthebeast,anduponthemwhichworshippedhisimage. Revelation16:2

Thisjudgmentisthefirstof4tomirror1ofthe10plaguesofEgypt’sjudgment.Theword“sore”inthisverseistranslatedboil.Theseboilswillbreakoutonlyonthosewhoworshipthebeast.Thisisaselectivejudgmentjustlikethe10plaguesofEgypt.TheTribulationsaintswhoarestillalivewilldwellintheirownGoshenofsafety.TheSecondBowl

• Andthesecondangelpouredouthisvialuponthesea;anditbecameasthebloodofadeadman:andeverylivingsouldiedinthesea.

Revelation16:3ThisisarepeatoftheEgypt’sfirstplague.AssumingthatthisseaistheMediterraneanSea,allofEurope,NorthernAfrica,andmostoftheMiddleEastwillbehorriblyaffected.AlllifeintheMediterraneanwillbedestroyed.Thestenchalonewouldbeunbearableandthefloatingcarcassesofallsealifewill,nodoubt,hindershippinglanes.Theopportunityfordiseasecanonlybeimagined.




TheThirdBowl• Andthethirdangelpouredouthisvialupontheriversandfountainsofwater

andtheybecameblood.AndIheardtheangelofthewaterssay,Thouartrighteous,OLord,whichart,andwast,andshaltbe,becausethouhastjudgedthus.Fortheyhaveshedthebloodofsaintsandprophets,andthouhastgiventhembloodtodrink;fortheyareworthy.AndIheardanotheroutofthealtarsay,Evenso,LordGodAlmighty,trueandrighteousarethyjudgments. Revelation16:4-7

ThisisanexpansionofEgypt’sfirstplague.TheangeloverthewaterstestifiesthatGodisjustinturningtheworld’swatersuppliestoblood.ThisisananswertotheprayersofthemartyredsaintsinRevelation6.Withouttheadequatewater,theworldwillcrumbleintochaosandrioting.TheFourthBowl

• Andthefourthangelpouredouthisvialuponthesun;andpowerwasgivenuntohimtoscorchmenwithfire.Andmenwerescorchedwithgreatheat,andblasphemedthenameofGod,whichhathpowerovertheseplagues:andtheyrepentednottogivehimglory. Revelation16:8,9

Imagineadivineheatwavethatproducesfire-likeburns.Ironically,thisheatwavefollowsthecorruptionofallwater.WhatwilltheMediterraneansmelllike?Howwillthedamnedfindreliefwithoutanyavailabledrinkingwater?TheymustcallouttoGod,butmostwon’t.Malachiprophesiedaboutthiscomingday:

• For,behold,thedaycometh,thatshallburnasanoven;andalltheproud,yea,andallthatdowickedly,shallbestubble:andthedaythatcomethshallburnthemup,saiththeLORDofhosts,thatitshallleaveneitherrootnorbranch.ButuntoyouthatfearmynameshalltheSunofrighteousnessarisewithhealinginhiswings;andyeshallgoforth,andgrowupascalvesofthestall. Malachi4:1,2

ThosethatfearGodwillnotonlysurvivethisseason,butthey’llflourishlikestalledcattle,partakingofChrist’ssupernaturalhealingpowers.TheFifthBowl

• Andthefifthangelpouredouthisvialupontheseatofthebeast;andhiskingdomwasfullofdarkness;andtheygnawedtheirtonguesforpain,AndblasphemedtheGodofheavenbecauseoftheirpainsandtheirsores,andrepentednotoftheirdeeds. Revelation16:10,11

ThisjudgmentisareplayofEgypt’sninthplague.ThisplagueisaimeddirectlyattheAntichrist’skingdom.Thisisadarknesssotangibleandpalpableitinflictsapainthat




inducestonguesgnawing.Theboilsofthefirstbowljudgmentarestillafflictingmankindatthispoint.Forallofthis,mankindstillrefusestorepent.TheSixthBowl

• AndthesixthangelpouredouthisvialuponthegreatriverEuphrates;andthewaterthereofwasdriedup,thatthewayofthekingsoftheeastmightbeprepared.AndIsawthreeuncleanspiritslikefrogscomeoutofthemouthofthedragon,andoutofthemouthofthebeast,andoutofthemouthofthefalseprophet.Fortheyarethespiritsofdevils,workingmiracles,whichgoforthuntothekingsoftheearthandofthewholeworld,togatherthemtothebattleofthatgreatdayofGodAlmighty.Behold,Icomeasathief.Blessedishethatwatcheth,andkeepthhisgarments,lesthewalknaked,andtheyshallseehisshame.AndhegatheredthemtogetherintotheplacecalledintheHebrewtongueArmageddon. Revelation16:12-16

TheEuphratesRiverwastheeasternboundaryofAbraham’spromisedlandandtheRomanEmpire.Itisover1,800mileslongandhasservedasanaturalboundaryfortheEastandtheWestfromthebeginningoftime.ThisjudgmentwilltakeplaceneartheendoftheTribulationasitpreparesthewayforthebattleofArmageddontotakeplace.TheEuphratesisdriedupandthreelyingspiritsgoforthtocompelthekingsoftheEasttogathertheirarmies.InthemidstofthisjudgmentisanexhortationfromGodtotheremnantofbelieversstillaliveatthistime—Don’tquitnow!TheSeventhBowl

• Andtheseventhangelpouredouthisvialintotheair;andtherecameagreatvoiceoutofthetempleofheaven,fromthethrone,saying,Itisdone.Andtherewerevoices,andthunders,andlightnings;andtherewasagreatearthquake,suchaswasnotsincemenwereupontheearth,somightyanearthquake,andsogreat.Andthegreatcitywasdividedintothreeparts,andthecitiesofthenationsfell:andgreatBabyloncameinremembrancebeforeGod,togiveuntoherthecupofthewineofthefiercenessofhiswrath.Andeveryislandfledaway,andthemountainswerenotfound.Andtherefelluponmenagreathailoutofheaven,everystoneabouttheweightofatalent[135lbs.]:andmenblasphemedGodbecauseoftheplagueofthehail;fortheplaguethereofwasexceedinggreat. Revelation16:17-21

ThisfinaljudgmentincorporatesEgypt’sseventhplagueofthunderandhail.ThisfinaljudgmentbringstocompletionthewrathofGodandtheendofthetimeofJacob’strouble.Thisjudgmentistwo-fold:thegreatestearthquakeinhistory,levelingeverycityoftheworlddestroyingBabylon,andhurlinggreathailstones(135lbs.each)totheearth.Job38:22,23NLTstates:




• Haveyouvisitedthestorehousesofthesnoworseenthestorehousesofhail?(Ihavereservedthemasweaponsforthetimeoftrouble,forthedayofbattleandwar.)

BynowmankindknowsofasuretythisisthehandofGodAlmighty,butstilltheychoosetoblasphemeHimratherthanrepent.PraisebetoGodwecanserveHimnow!!




REVELATIONLesson11

TheGloriousAppearingandtheBattleofArmageddon

TheLord’slong-awaiteddivineappearingtomankindisspokenofoftenintheOldTestament,beingprophesiedseveraltimesbytheprophetsIsaiah,Jeremiah,Ezekiel,Joel,Amos,Hosea,andMicah.Israellongedtoseethispromisedday.However,Israelfailedtoseethattheprophetshadforetoldtwodivineappearances,afirstandsecondadvent.TheFirstAdvent(Latin:adventus:arrival,comingintovieworbeing)wasthearrivalofJesusChristasaninfanthuman,borntoredeemmankind(Isa.7:14,9:6;Micah5:2;Hosea11:1).Thisfirstadventwasdefinedbythe“Wordmadeflesh”fulfillingthepropheciesofSavior.ThefirstappearanceofGodwasinhumilityandtheformofaservant,beingultimatelyrejected,beaten,spitupon,andcrucifieduponasinner’scross.Forthisreason,muchofIsraelmissedthehouroftheirvisitation(Luke19:44).TheywerelookingforGodtocomefirstandforemostasaconqueringLordandKing,andnotasaredeemingSavior.TheSecondAdventwillbethetotaloppositeoftheLord’sfirstappearing:

• AndIsawheavenopened,andbeholdawhitehorse;andhethatsatuponhimwascalledFaithfulandTrue,andinrighteousnesshedothjudgeandmakewar.Hiseyeswereasaflameoffire,andonhisheadweremanycrowns;andhehadanamewritten,thatnomanknew,buthehimself. Revelation19:11,12

Whatacontrastbetweenthenewbornbabeinamanger,dependentuponthenurtureandprotectionofafatherandmother.HisfirstappearanceinJerusalemfulfilledZechariah9:9,“ridinguponanass,anduponacolt[maleass],thefoal[young]ofanass.”HissecondappearancetoIsraelwillbeuponawhitewarhorse.WemustrealizethefirstcourseofbusinessupontheLord’sreturnistodestroyHisenemies.TimLaHayepointsoutthatverses11and12revealtheLord’sthreefoldnatureattheSecondAdvent:RighteousJudge,RighteousWarrior,andRighteousKing.TheDayoftheLordwillrevealHisnatureasthe“LionoftheTribeofJudah.”THEDAYOFTHELORDTheSecondAdventisalsocalledtheDayoftheLORD.Titus2:13callsitHis“gloriousappearing.”Thiswillbeadayofdivinejudgmentandwar.ConsiderthefollowingdescriptionsoftheDayoftheLORD:

• ItshallcomeasadestructionfromtheAlmighty(Isa.13:6,Joel1:15).• Everyman’sheartshallmelt(Isa.13:7).• Cruelbothwithwrathandfierceanger,tolaythelanddesolate(Isa.13:9).




• Adayofvengeance,whereHisswordwillbemadedrunkwiththesinner’sblood(Jer.46:10).

• Adaynooneescapes(Lam.2:22).• Atimeofdoomforthenations(Eze.30:3NAS).• Agreatandterribleday,nomancansurvive(Joel2:11).• Adayofdarknessandnotlight(Amos5:18).

THESETTINGRightbeforetheLord’sreturnabulkofIsraelwillhavefledintothewildernessofEdom,aremnantofIsraelwillstillbeinJerusalem,andthearmiesoftheworldandtheenemiesofGodwillhavegatheredthemselvestogetherinthreelocationsandpursuits:

1. BythepromptingofthethreeuncleanspiritsthearmiesoftheeastwillbeintheValleyofJezreeltoawaittheLord’sreturnanddobattlewithHim(Rev.16:16).

2. A“flood”willbemovingagainsttheremnantofGod’speopleinEdom(Isa.63:1-6;Rev.12:13-17).

3. NationswillbemovedagainstJerusalem(Zech.12:1-9).ItisasthoughthesethreeoffensivemovementsagainstGodAlmightyandHispeopledemandHisaction.Onceagain,thefocuswillbeonIsrael.IsraelwillrepentandcryouttotheirGod,andonceagain,Godwillheartheircryanddeliverthem(Isa.64:1-12;Zech.12:10;Hosea6:1-13;Matthew23:39).TheBattleofArmageddonwillbesatan’sfinalattempttoannihilateGodandHiselectnation—Israel.BATTLEVS.CAMPAIGNTheterm“battle”ismisleading.TheGreekwordusedforbattleispolemy,oracampaignorwar.Warsandcampaignsaremadeupofnumerous“battles.”TheCampaignofArmageddonappearstobecomprisedofthreedistinctbattlesontheDayoftheLord.ThetotalrebellionofmankindatthisfinalshowdownissummarizedinPsalm2.ThesaintsofGodwillreturnwiththeLordinthismightycampaign:

• AndEnochalso,theseventhfromAdam,prophesiedofthese,saying,Behold,theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofhissaints,Toexecutejudgmentuponallthatareungodlyamongthemofalltheirungodlydeedswhichtheyhaveungodlycommitted,andofalltheirhardspeecheswhichungodlysinnershavespokenagainsthim. Jude14,15

• Andthearmieswhichwereinheavenfollowedhimuponwhitehorses,

clothedinfinelinen,whiteandclean.Andoutofhismouthgoethasharpsword,thatwithitheshouldsmitethenations:andheshallrulethemwitharodofiron:andhetreadeththewinepressofthefiercenessandwrathofAlmightyGod. Revelation19:14,15




Asprophesied,theLordreturnsintheairwithHisholyangels,andHisholysaints(Acts1:11).Wedon’tdoanyofthefighting.ThisistheLord’sbattle.TheLordhasseveralweaponsinHisarsenalwithwhichHewilldestroyHisenemies:

• BreathofHislips(Isaiah11:4).• Supernaturalfleshconsumption(Zech.14:12).• Byconfusionandturningoneachother(Zech.14:13).• BythehandofJudah(Zech.14:14).• Inflamingfire(2Thess.1:7-10).• ThebrightnessofHiscoming(2Thess.2:8).• TheswordofHismouth(Rev.19:15).

THEBATTLEITINERARYTheBiblerecordsthatHewillconfrontHisenemiesinthreelocations,deliveringIsraelandJerusalem,butdestroyingthewicked:Edom/BozrahWonderfullyenough,theLord’sfirstdestinationwhenHereturnsisEdomandBozrah,theexactplacewheretheremnantofIsraelwillfleetoescapethewrathoftheAntichrist(Dan.11:41;Matt.24:15,16;Rev.12:6,13-17).TheAntichristwillsendacontingentofhisforcestowipeouttheremnantofIsraelseekingrefugeinthesemountains.EdomisthefirstplacetheLord’sheavenlyswordwillfall.

• Formyswordshallbebathedinheaven:behold,itshallcomedownuponIdumea[Edom],anduponthepeopleofmycurse,tojudgment.

Isaiah34:5

• WhoisthiscomingfromEdom,fromBozrah,withhisgarmentsstainedcrimson?Whoisthis,robedinsplendor,stridingforwardinthegreatnessofhisstrength?“ItisI,proclaimingvictory,mightytosave.”Whyareyourgarmentsred,likethoseofonetreadingthewinepress?“Ihavetroddenthewinepressalone;fromthenationsnoonewaswithme.Itrampledtheminmyangerandtrodthemdowninmywrath;theirbloodspatteredmygarments,andIstainedallmyclothing.Itwasformethedayofvengeance;theyearformetoredeemhadcome.Ilooked,buttherewasnoonetohelp,Iwasappalledthatnoonegavesupport;somyownarmachievedsalvationforme,andmyownwrathsustainedme.Itrampledthenationsinmyanger;inmywrathImadethemdrunkandpouredtheirbloodontheground.”

Isaiah63:1-6NIVSeealsoIsaiah34:1-8andMicah2:12,13.




JerusalemAfterBozrahandEdom,theLordmovesnorthtodeliverthebesiegedJerusalem.GodwillsupernaturallydrawsHisenemiestohisholycity:

• Iwillalsogatherallnations,andwillbringthemdownintothevalleyofJehoshaphat,andwillpleadwiththemthereformypeopleandformyheritageIsrael, Joel3:2a(3:12)

• Andtheangelthrustinhissickleintotheearth,andgatheredthevineofthe

earth,andcastitintothegreatwinepressofthewrathofGod.Andthewinepresswastroddenwithoutthecity[Jerusalem],andbloodcameoutofthewinepress,evenuntothehorsebridles,bythespaceofathousandandsixhundredfurlongs[200miles]. Revelation14:19,20

ThewinepresshereistheValleyofJehoshaphat,alsocalledtheValleyKidron.ThisvalleyistheeasternborderofJerusalem,separatingtheTempleMountfromtheMountofOlives.JerusalemwillbesurroundedbyherenemiesinonelastattempttoannihilateIsraeloffthemap.

• InthatdayshalltheLORDdefendtheinhabitantsofJerusalem;Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thatIwillseektodestroyallthenationsthatcomeagainstJerusalem. Zechariah12:8a,9

• Behold,adayiscomingfortheLORDwhenthespoiltakenfromyouwillbe

dividedamongyou.ForIwillgatherallthenationsagainstJerusalemtobattle,andthecitywillbecaptured,thehousesplundered,thewomenravishedandhalfofthecityexiled,buttherestofthepeoplewillnotbecutofffromthecity.ThentheLORDwillgoforthandfightagainstthosenationsaswhenHefightsonadayofbattle. Zechariah14:1-3NAS

• AndthisshallbetheplaguewherewiththeLORDwillsmiteallthepeoplethat

havefoughtagainstJerusalem;Theirfleshshallconsumeawaywhiletheystandupontheirfeet,andtheireyesshallconsumeawayintheirholes,andtheirtongueshallconsumeawayintheirmouth.AndJudahalsoshallfightatJerusalem;andthewealthofalltheheathenroundaboutshallbegatheredtogether,gold,andsilver,andapparel,ingreatabundance.

Zechariah14:12,14 SeealsoZechariah12:1-9andJoel3:1-17.Bloodwillfillthisvalleyabout5feetdeepforover180miles.Fromhere,theLordmoves50milesnorthtotheValleyofJezreel,totheplaceknownasArmageddon.




ArmageddonThefinalbattleofthecampaigntakesplaceatArmageddon.

• AndhegatheredthemtogetherintoaplacecalledintheHebrewtongueArmageddon. Revelation16:16

ArmageddoncomesfromtheHebrewHarmegedonor“MountainofRendezvous.”ThelocationisalsocalledthePlainofEsdraelon,andtheJezreelValley(Josh.17:16).Threesignificantmountainsoverlookthevalley:Tabor,Gilboa,andCarmel.Becauseofitsimmensesize(95sq.miles),flatgeographyforinfantry,numerousoverlookinghillsforartillery,andtheMediterraneanSeaashortdistancetotheeastforNavalsupport,itisconsideredtheperfectplacetowagewar.Itisalsothesinglebloodiestpieceofgroundontheplanet,havingbeenthelocationformoremilitaryconflictthananyotherparcelofgroundonearth.Considerthefollowinghistoricalgeneralsandthebattlesfoughtinthislocation:

• ThotmesIII(1500B.C.)“Megiddoisworthathousandcities”• Rameses(1350B.C.)• Barak(1250B.C.)Judges4,5:19-BarakdefeatedtheCanaanites.• Gideon(1150B.C)Judges6:23-7:33-GideondefeatedtheMidianites.• Sargon(722B.C.)• Sennacherib(710B.C.)• Josiah(609B.C.)2Chronicles35:22-24,2Kings23:29,30-PharoahNechokilled

Josiah.• Nebuchadnezzar(606B.C.)• Ptolemy(197B.C.)• AntiochusEpiphanes(168B.C.)• Pompeii(63B.C.)• Titus(A.D.70)• Khorsu(A.D.614)• Omar(A.D.637)• St.LouisofFrance,theCrusades(A.D.909)• Saladin(A.D.1187)• OttomanForces(A.D.1616)

HereatArmageddon,thearmiesoftheworldwillgatherthemselvestogetherinanticipationfortheLord’sreturn,inordertofightagainstHimanddefeatHim.SeealsoJoel3:1-17.

• AndIsawthebeast[Antichrist],andthekingsoftheearth,andtheirarmies,gatheredtogethertomakewaragainsthimthatsatonthehorse,andagainsthisarmy.Andthebeastwastaken,andwithhimthefalseprophetthatwroughtmiraclesbeforehim,withwhichhedeceivedthemthathadreceived




themarkofthebeast,andthemthatworshippedhisimage.Thesebothwere castaliveintoalakeoffireburningwithbrimstone.

Revelation19:19,20Thisentirewar,withitsthreebattles,onlylastsoneday.JesusChristdoesallthefightingandHisenemiesdoallofthedying.THESUPPEROFTHEGREATGOD

• AndIsawanangelstandinginthesun;andhecriedwithaloudvoice,sayingtoallthefowlsthatflyinthemidstofheaven,ComeandgatheryourselvestogetheruntothesupperofthegreatGod;Thatyemayeatthefleshofkings,andthefleshofcaptains,andthefleshofmightymen,andthefleshofhorses,andofthemthatsitonthem,andthefleshofallmen,bothfreeandbond,bothsmallandgreat.Andtheremnantwereslainwiththeswordofhimthatsatuponthehorse,whichswordproceededofhismouth:andallthefowlswerefilledwiththeirflesh. Revelation19:17,18,21

TheGreatSupperofGodwasprophesiedbyJob(39:27-30),Ezekiel(34:4,17-21),andJesusChrist(Matthew24:27,28;Luke17:34-37).ByGod’swill,theworld’sfiercestwarriorswillbecomebirdfood.THETRIUMPHANTTOUCHDOWNUntilthispointinthefuturenarrative,thereisnoevidencetheLordhastouchedHisfootupontheearth.AfterthefinalbattleatArmageddon,HewillfinallytouchdownontheMountofOlives.ThisistheveryplacefromwhenceHeascendedintoHeaveninActs1:10-12:

• InthatdayHisfeetwillstandontheMountofOlives,whichisinfrontofJerusalemontheeast;andtheMountofOliveswillbesplitinitsmiddlefromeasttowestbyaverylargevalley,sothathalfofthemountainwillmovetowardthenorthandtheotherhalftowardthesouth.AndtheLORDwillbekingoveralltheearth;inthatdaytheLORDshallbetheonlyone,andHisnametheonlyone. Zechariah14:4,9

WithallofHisenemiesdead,theAntichristandthefalseprophetinhell,andsatanbound,JesusChristwillbefreetoestablishHisMillennialKingdom.




REVELATIONLesson12

TheFinalJudgmentsAndTheMillennialReignofChrist

• Henceforththereislaidupformeacrownofrighteousness,whichtheLord,

therighteousjudge,shallgivemeatthatday:andnottomeonly,butuntoallthemalsothatlovehisappearing. 2Timothy4:8

TheLordGodistheRighteousJudge.EternaljudgmentisoneofthesixprinciplesofChrist’sdoctrine(Heb.6:2).Alloftimeandcreationisheadedtowardafinaljudgmentday.TheBibleteachesthateveryhumanbeingwillanswertoGod;yet,alljudgmenthasbeengiventoJesusChristandHewilljudgewithoutrespectofpersons(1Peter1:17).

• Andhathgivenhim[Jesus]authoritytoexecutejudgmentalso,becauseheistheSonofman. John5:27

• Andhecommandedustopreachuntothepeople,andtotestifythatitishe

whichwasordainedofGodtobetheJudgeofquickanddead. Acts10:42Judgmentisappointedtoallofus(Heb.9:27)andHewilljudgeboththequick(saved)andthedead(unsaved)(2Timothy4:1;1Peter4:5).THEJUDGMENTSEATOFCHRISTTheJudgmentSeatofChrististheplaceofjudgmentforallbelievers.

• ForwemustallappearbeforethejudgmentseatofChrist,sothateachonemayberecompensedforhisdeedsinthebody,accordingtowhathehasdone,whethergoodorbad. 2Corinthians5:10NAS

• Butwhydostthoujudgethybrother?orwhydostthousetatnought[despise,

makeofnoaccount]thybrother?forweshallallstandbeforethejudgmentseatofChrist.SotheneveryoneofusshallgiveaccountofhimselftoGod. Romans14:10,12

Everybelieverwillstandbeforethisjudgmentseat.Thegoodnewsisthisjudgmentdoesnotdecideeternalsalvation.Thebadnewsisitdoesdecideoureternalrewards.TheserewardsarebasedupontheworkswedoforJesusafterwehaveobtainedsalvationthroughfaith.

• Nowifanymanbuilduponthisfoundationgold,silver,preciousstones,wood,hay,stubble[straw];Everyman’sworkshallbemademanifest:fortheday




shalldeclareit,becauseitshallberevealedbyfire;andthefireshalltryeveryman’sworkofwhatsortitis.Ifanyman’sworkabidewhichhehathbuiltthereupon,heshallreceiveareward.Ifanyman’sworkshallbeburned,heshallsufferloss:buthehimselfshallbesaved;yetsoasbyfire. 1Corinthians3:12-15

EveryChristian’sworkwillbetriedbythefireofGodtoseewhat“sortitis.”Notallofourworkswillberewarded.Someofourworkswillbefoundtobewood,hay,andstraw.Faithandjoyaretwonecessaryingredientstochangeworksintobiblical“goodworks”worthyofareward.Therewardswillthenbedistributedinproportiontoourfaithandfaithfulnessinthislife:

• Andhesaiduntohim,Well,thougoodservant:becausethouhastbeenfaithfulinaverylittle,havethouauthorityovertencities. SeeLuke19:11-17

WewillnotstandattheJudgmentSeatofChristupondeath.Instead,allChristianswillappearhereatonetime,sometimeaftertheRapture,butbeforetheweddingsupperoftheLambandthereturnoftheLordwithHisarmies:

• Thereforejudgenothingbeforethetime,untiltheLordcome,whobothwillbringtolightthehiddenthingsofdarkness,andwillmakemanifestthecounselsofthehearts:andthenshalleverymanhavepraiseofGod.

1Corinthians4:5NewTestamentRewardsOurrewardsaremetedoutintermsofauthorityandglory.Notonlywillauthorityovercitiesbedistributed,butcrownswillalsobegiven.Crownsalsoindicateauthority,power,andglory.TheNewTestamentspeaksoffivecrowns:

• Incorruptiblecrowns(1Cor.9:25)-giventothosewhostrivetoserveGod.• Crownofrejoicing(1Thes.2:19)-giventothosewhowinthelost.• Crownofrighteousness(2Tim.4:8)-giventothosewhofinishtheirraceand

keepthefaith,lookingjoyfulfortheLord’sreturn.• Crownofglory(1Pet.5:4)-giventothosewholiveasexamplestotheflock.• Crownoflife(Rev.2:10)-giventothosewhoarefaithfuluntodeath.

THETRIBULATIONWehavepreviouslycoveredtheTribulationasthejudgmentoftheJews(Lesson3—ThePurposeoftheTribulation).ThehorrificeventsoftheTribulationwillbothjudgeIsraelforherrejectionofGodandbringabouthertruerepentanceandacceptanceofJesusChrist.IsraelhasrejectedtheGodhead:

• InSamuel’sdaysherejectedtheFather(1Samuel8:7).• DuringtheearthlyministryofJesusChrist,sherejectedtheSon(Luke23:18).




• DuringtheearlychurchsherejectedtheHolySpirit(Acts7:51,54-60).Aspromisedandevidencedsomanytimesprior,GodwilljudgeIsraelbyawickedruler.DuringthejudgmentoftheTribulationitwillbetheAntichristjudgingIsrael.Israelwillrepentandlooktotheonetheypierced(Zech.12:10).GodwilldeliverthemandinthatdayIsraelshallbecomeanationagain—inoneday(Isa.66:8).THEJUDGMENTOFTHENATIONSGod’sdivinejudgmentcontinuesafterthebattleofArmageddon.TheLordwilljudgethenations.TheJewsandtheSaintswillbeexcludedfromthisbecausetheyjustpassedthroughtheirjudgment(furthermore,theJewsarenotreckonedamongthenationsNumbers23:9).

• Iwillalsogatherallnations,andwillbringthemdownintothevalleyofJehoshaphat[JehovahhasJudged],andwillpleadwiththemthereformypeopleandformyheritageIsrael,whomtheyhavescatteredamongthenations,andpartedmyland. Joel3:2

ItispossiblethattheValleyofJehoshaphatwillbeavalleyformedbythesupernaturalreturnoftheLord.

• InthatdayHisfeetwillstandontheMountofOlives,whichisinfrontofJerusalemontheeast;andtheMountofOliveswillbesplitinitsmiddlefromeasttowestbyaverylargevalley,sothathalfofthemountainwillmovetowardthenorthandtheotherhalftowardthesouth.

Zechariah14:4NASHere,theremnantofthenationswillgathertobejudgedbytheKingofKings:

• WhentheSonofmanshallcomeinhisglory,andalltheholyangelswithhim,thenshallhesituponthethroneofhisglory:Andbeforehimshallbegatheredallnations:andheshallseparatethemonefromanother,asashepherddividethhissheepfromthegoats:Andheshallsetthesheeponhisrighthand,butthegoatsontheleft.ThenshalltheKingsayuntothemonhisrighthand,Come,yeblessedofmyFather,inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld:ForIwasanhungred,andyegavememeat:Iwasthirsty,andyegavemedrink:Iwasastranger,andyetookmein:Naked,andyeclothedme:Iwassick,andyevisitedme:Iwasinprison,andyecameuntome.Thenshalltherighteousanswerhim,saying,Lord,whensawwetheeanhungred,andfedthee?orthirsty,andgavetheedrink?Whensawwetheeastranger,andtooktheein?ornaked,andclothedthee?Orwhensawwetheesick,orinprison,andcameuntothee?AndtheKingshallanswerandsayuntothem,VerilyIsayuntoyou,Inasmuchasyehavedoneituntooneoftheleastofthesemybrethren,yehavedoneituntome. Matthew25:31-40




ItappearsthattheChurchwillhelptheLordinthisjudgment:

• Ordoyounotknowthatthesaintswilljudgetheworld[kosmos,theinhabitantsoftheearth]? 1Corinthians6:2aNAS

ThenationswillbejudgedbasedonhowtheyhelpedandtreatedtheLord’sbrethren.ThisappearstobeinregardtowhohelpedtheJewsinthelasthalfoftheTribulationastheyfledfromthewrathoftheAntichrist.Thehelpprovidedisverysimilartotheneedsofrefugees:hunger,thirst,nakedness,sickness,andimprisonment(internmentcamps?).ThegoatsarethosewhonevercaredfortheLord’sbrethren.Evidently,thereevensavednationsaftertheMillennialReignofChrist,dwellinginthenewearth(Rev.21:24,22:2).THEMILLENNIALREIGNOFCHRISTWithHisenemiesdestroyed,theLordwillbefreetoestablishHis1,000yearreign.HewillrulefromJerusalemandHisleadershipisdescribedassuch:

• Peace(Isa.11:2,9:6,11:5-9).• Universal,coveringthewholeworld(Dan.2:35).• Authoritative(Ps.2:9,Rev.2:27,12:5,19:15).• Justice(Ps.2:10-12,Isa.9:7).• Mercifultowardthepoor(Isa.11:4).• Righteous(Isa.32:1).• Joyful(Isa.9:3,4).• Glorious(Isa.24:23).• Removalofthecurse(Isa.11:6-9,65:25).• Onepurelanguage(Zeph.3:9).

Thiswillbeauniqueseasoninman’shistory.Therewillbetwokindsofpeopleontheplanet:bornagainsaintswithglorifiedbodiesgoverningtheworld’scities,states,andnations;andmortalslivinglifeaswecurrentlyexperienceit.Humanswillcontinuetoprocreateandrepopulatetheearth.Becausetherewillbenocurse,thepopulationofmanwillincreasetremendouslyunderChrist’srighteousrule.ThemillenniawillendwithsatanbeingunloosedtotemptmankindandfightagainstGodonelasttime(Rev.20:7-15).Hewilllose.SeealsoDaniel7:13,14.THEGREATWHITETHRONEOFJUDGMENTThisthroneofjudgmentisthefinalplaceofreckoningforthewickedunbeliever.ThisjudgmentwilltakeplaceaftertheMillennialReignofChrist,andafterthefinalbattlewithsatan.

• AndIsawagreatwhitethrone,andhimthatsatonit[GodtheFather],fromwhosefacetheearthandtheheavenfledaway;andtherewasfoundnoplace




forthem.AndIsawthedead,smallandgreat,standbeforeGod;andthebookswereopened:andanotherbookwasopened,whichisthebookoflife:andthedeadwerejudgedoutofthosethingswhichwerewritteninthebooks,accordingtotheirworks.Andwhosoeverwasnotfoundwritteninthebookoflifewascastintothelakeoffire. Revelation20:11,12,15

Thesea,death,andhellallgiveuptheirdeadtobejudgedbytheFather(Rev.20:13).Theunsaveddeadarejudgedaccordingtotwobooks:thebookthatrecordstheirworksandthebookthatrecordswhetherornottheyreceivedsalvationthroughJesusChrist.Thisisthefinaljudgmentanditresultsintheseconddeath.ThefirstdeathisdyingspirituallyuntoGod.TheseconddeathisbeingcastintotheLakeofFireforeternalseparationfromGod(20:14).Thisisthefinalandeternalrestingplaceofthedamned,foreverseparatedfromGodandtormentedinperpetuity.Thisiswheresatan,hisangels,thefallenangels,andallthewickedwillburnforever.ThosewhohavereceivedsalvationthroughJesusChristwillenjoyeternityinHispresence.Amen!





TheTribulationTimeline

NowthatwehavestudiedallofthemajorcharactersandeventsofthebookofRevelation,wecanputthemtogetherinacohesivetimelineandproduceaworkingtimelineofDaniel’s70thWeek.ThereisnogeneralconsensusontheexacttimelineofeverydetailedeventoftheTribulation.Thechronologiesofsomeeventsareveryclearwhileothersaremorevague.Wewillmajorontheeventswecanclearlyplaceonourtimeline,andminorontheuncertainevents.THEGENERALTIMELINETheRevelationmaybestbeunderstoodbyevaluatingthechronologicalorderoftheeventsofthesevenyearsofTribulation.WewillnowlookattheeventsthatwillfollowthedepartureoftheChurch(Lesson4thoroughlyprovesthepre-TribulationraptureoftheChurch.)1) TheRaptureoftheChurch Theexactdateofthiseventisunknownandclearlyyetfuture.Whatisclearisthat theRapturemusthappenbeforetheAntichristcanberevealed(2Thes.2:3,4).The ScripturesclearlyteachthatthereturnofJesusChristisimminent(likelytooccurat anymoment).2) TheSeven-YearPeaceTreaty(TheBeginningoftheWeek)

• Andhe[theprincethatshallcome,theAntichrist]shallconfirmthecovenantwithmanyforoneweek[sevenyears]:Daniel9:26,27a

ThepoliticalleaderknownbiblicallyastheAntichristwillmakeapeacetreatywithIsraelforsevenyears.ThispeacetreatyistheonlyeventprovidedintheBibleaccountthatcorrespondstoDaniel’sfinalweekoftime;therefore,itiscommonlybelievedthatitwillbethistreatyorcovenant(nottheRapture)thatwill“kick-start”thesevenyearsofTribulation.Thestrikingquestionthatmustbeaskedis,“WhatcausestheneedforapeacetreatywithIsrael?”i) Theopeningofthefirstsealcorrespondswiththeriseofthispoliticianandhis

politicalambition.Heisgivenabowandhegoesforthconqueringandtoconquer(Rev.6:2).

ii) Atimeofgreatpoliticaltensionthroughouttheworldproducingwarsandrumorsofwarscorrespondingtothesecondsealandtheredhorse(Rev.6:3,4;Matt.24:7).

iii) Atimeofinflation,financialinstability,famine,andpestilencebroughtaboutbythethirdsealreleasingtheblackhorse(Rev.6:5,6;Matt.24:7).

iv) AnincreaseinJewishpersecution(Matt24:9;Mark13:9;Luke21:12).




v) JewishTempleworshipwillbepermittedtotakeplaceinJerusalemwitharebuiltTemple.

vi) The144,000witnessesgoforthevangelizingtheworld(Matt.24:14;Mark13:10),reapingatremendousharvestofsouls(Rev.7:9).Itislikelythat,justasJesusChristhad3.5yearsofunhinderedministry,thesewitnesseswilllikewisehave3.5yearsofunhinderedministry.

3) TheMiddleoftheWeek

Therearemultipleeventsthatareclearlyrevealedtobeginatthemid-Tribulationpoint:

• TheRaptureofthegreatmultitude Thegreatcompanyofnewbelieverswillberapturedatthemiddleofthe Tribulation(Rev.7:9-17).Somebelievethe144,000willcontinueto ministerintotheGreatTribulation,leadingotherstoChrist(Rev.18:4).

• The7TrumpetJudgments Thesejudgmentsareheraldedinthisseasonconcludingwiththeseventh trumpetresultinginsatanbeingcastdowntoearth(Rev.12:3-9).Satan giveshispowertothebeastandcauseshisworlddominance.• TheTenKingsdestroytheBabylonianSystem(Rev.17:16-18)

ThekingswillpoliticallydefertotheAntichristandgivehimtheirpower. TogethertheywillcastoffandessentiallyrendertheBabylonianreligious systemdead.NoweveryonewillbeforcedtoworshiptheAntichrist.

• TheAbominationDesolation(Dan.9:27) Youcanalmostseethedevil’stempertantruminbeingkickedoutofheaven bycausingtheAntichristtodefiletheearthlyTemple.Thisisoneeventthat canbedefinitivelynaileddowninthetimeline.Seemorebelow.• Beastreigns42months(Rev13:5)

FromthispointforwardtheAntichrist(theBeast)willbethesingularleader inchargeoftherevised/resurrectedRomanEmpire,becomingthefinalbeast system.TheAntichristwillhavemuchtroubleinhiskingdomduringthese years.

• HolyCitytreaddown42months(Rev.11:2) TheAntichristwillrulehiskingdomfromJerusalemfor3.5years.Hewill beginaterriblepersecutionoftheJewsheoncebrieflyprotected.• TheWomanfleesfor42months(Rev12:6,14)

ThisturnofeventswillcausetheJewstofleetothewildernesswhereGod hasprovidedaplaceofrefugeforthem.

• Twowitnessesprophesying42months(Rev.11:3) Thetwowitnessesbegintheirministryatthisexacttimeandminister exclusivelyinJerusalem.PerhapstheflightoftheJewsgiveswaytotheir uprising.

• The3AngelswarnofthecomingJudgments(Rev.14:6-13) Inonelastactofmercy,Godwarnstheearthofthecomingeventsandsets beforethemlifeanddeath,commandingthem,inessence,tochooselife.




• InstitutionoftheMarkoftheBeastandtheWorshipofHisImage WiththeBabyloniansystemofworshipdestroyed,theFalseProphet institutesthemarkoftheBeastandBeastworship.Thosewhorejectitare executed.

TheAbominationDesolationisatermreferringtothedefilementofGod’sholysanctuary.ThiseventsignalsthehalfwaypointoftheTribulationandaturnfortheworse.ThistermisfirstusedinDaniel9:26,27;11:31and12:11,andthenintheGospels(Matt.24:15,Mark13:14,Luke21:20).

Thissingulareventiscriticaltoourstudyforthreereasons:1)itisdescribedingreatnaturaldetail,2)itbeginsathreeandonehalfyearclockticking,and3)itkicksoff“theGreatTribulation.”

TheDetails

• Andhewillmakeafirmcovenantwiththemanyforoneweek,butinthemiddleoftheweekhewillputastoptosacrificeandgrainoffering;andonthewingofabominationswillcomeonewhomakesdesolate,evenuntilacompletedestruction,onethatisdecreed,ispouredoutontheonewhomakesdesolate. Daniel9:27NAS

TheAntichristwillbreakhispeacetreatywithIsrael.

• Forcesfromhimwillarise,desecratethesanctuaryfortress,anddoawaywiththeregularsacrifice.Andtheywillsetuptheabominationofdesolation[thatastonishesandhorrifies]. Daniel11:31NAS

HewillusemilitarymighttooccupyJerusalemandtaketheTemple.

• Fromthetimethattheregularsacrificeisabolishedandtheabominationofdesolation[thatastonishesandhorrifies]issetup,therewillbe1,290days[3.5years]. Daniel12:11NAS

HewillcommandanendtotheregularJewishTempleworship,declarehimselftobeGod,andpossiblyerectanidolintheHolyofHolies.Thiswillbeginthelast3.5yearsknownastheGreatTribulation(Matthew24:21).

• Whenyethereforeshallseetheabominationofdesolation,spokenofbyDanieltheprophet,standintheholyplace,(whosoreadeth,lethimunderstand:) Matthew24:15

• Butwhenyeshallseetheabominationofdesolation,spokenofbyDaniel

theprophet,standingwhereitoughtnot,(lethimthatreadeth




understand,)thenletthemthatbeinJudaeafleetothemountains: Mark13:14

ThisactwillbeginthefinalgreatpersecutionoftheJews.Godcommandsthemtofleetothemountains.

4) TheGreatTribulationThisperiodof3.5yearsiscoveredingreatdetailintheRevelation.ThisistheperiodoftimewhenthelastofthejudgmentsofGod(the7BowlJudgments,seeLesson10)arepouredout.TheGospelssummarizeitasatimeoftribulation,affliction,vengeance,greatdistress,andwrath.

• Forthenshallbegreattribulation,suchaswasnotsincethebeginningofthe

worldtothistime,no,norevershallbe. Matthew24:21

• Forinthosedaysshallbeaffliction,suchaswasnotfromthebeginningofthecreationwhichGodcreateduntothistime,neithershallbe.

Mark13:19

• Forthesebethedaysofvengeance,thatallthingswhicharewrittenmaybefulfilled.Butwoeuntothemthatarewithchild,andtothemthatgivesuck,inthosedays!forthereshallbegreatdistressintheland,andwrathuponthispeople. Luke21:22,23

i) Antichristmilitaryconquestandopposition

TheAntichristwillworktoexpandhisempireinthese3.5years,buthewill bemetwithopposition.EnemiesfromtheNorth,South,andEastwillriseup toopposehim(Daniel11:40,44,45NIV).

ii) MarriageSupperoftheLamboccursrightbeforewereturnwiththeLord. Notmuchisknownaboutthisevent(Rev.19:9).Thesaintsarenextseenon theirwhitehorsescomingwiththeLord(v.14).6)TheLastDayoftheTribulation

a) Thetwowitnessesareraptured(Rev.11:3-12).b) TheLordreturnstoBozrahandEdom(Isa.63:1-6).c) TheLordmovesontoJerusalemtodeliverthecity(Zech.14:2-4,12-14;Rev.

14:19,20).d) HecompletesthedayofHisvengeanceatArmageddon(Rev.16:16).e) TheAntichristandFalseProphetarethrownaliveintotheLakeofFire(Rev.

19:20).f) Satanisboundinchainsbyanangelandcastintotheabyssforathousandyears

(Rev.20:1-3).




7)TheLordJudgesthenationsandestablishesHisMillennialKingdom(Matt.25:32- 34). TheLord’sKingdomwillberuledfromJerusalemwithHisfaithfulsaintspromoted topositionsofleadership.Mankindwillcontinuehavingchildrenandadvancing life.RebellionwillbeimpossibleduetotheLord’srodofIron.8)Satanisreleasedfromhisprison SatanisreleasedtogiveeveryonebornduringtheMillennialKingdoman opportunitytochooselifeordeath.Acompanyasinnumerableasthesandofthe seawillchoosetorebelagainstGod.ThisfinalbattletakesplacegainatJerusalem (Rev.20:9,10).Satanisthrownintothelakeoffire,defeatedforever.9)TheGreatWhiteThroneofJudgment Thefinaljudgmentofallthewickeddead.Satan,thewicked,death,andhellareall thrownintothelakeoffire.Thisistheseconddeath(Rev.20:10-15).10)TheNewHeaven,theNewEarth,theNewJerusalem(Rev.21) ThisiswherewespendeternitywithGod,enjoyingHisgoodnessfortheagesto come(Eph.2:7).Amen!! MyStudiesontheRevelationincluded:FinisDake,CommentaryandFootnotesfromtheDakeStudyBibleFinisDake,TheBookofRevelationSimplifiedTimLaHaye,RevelationUnveiledPopularEncyclopediaofBibleProphecy,editedbyTimLaHayeDr.ClarenceLarkin,DispensationalTruthDr.ClarenceLarkin,TheBookofRevelationRickRenner,ALightintheDarknessDr.HiltonSutton,TheBookofRevelationRevealedDr.HiltonSutton,TheABC’sofBibleProphecyDr.BobYandian,TheEndTimes

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THE REVELATION Lesson 1 Introduction and Overview › wp-content › uploads › 2016 › 05 › ... · THE REVELATION Lesson 1 Introduction and Overview Eschatology is the study