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The Book of Revelation (to John)

The Apocalypse

Class 4 May 27,2014

TUESDAYS WITH THE BIBLE

saraph serpents

Opening Prayer Rev 16:5-7

You are just, O Holy One, who are and who were, in passing this sentence. For they have shed the blood of the holy ones and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink it is what they deserve. Yes, Lord God almighty your judgments are true and just

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The Book of Revelation

Review Material Covered to Date Historical Context

The Author of the book

Genre of the book

Use of symbolism

Contemporary ways this book has been read by Christians

Major themes in the book

The Outline of the book

I. Prologue (1:1-3)

II. Letters to the Churches of Asia (1:4-3:22) III.God and the Lamb in Heaven (4:1-5:14) IV. The Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Plagues with Interludes (6:1-16:21) A. The Seven Seals (6:1-8:5) B. The Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19) C. The woman and the Dragon (12) D. The Two Beasts (13) E. Salvation and Judgment (14) F. The Last Plagues (15-16)

V. The Punishment of Babylon and the Destruction of Pagan Nations (17:1-20:15) VI. The New Creation (21:1-22:5)

VII. Epilogue (21:6-21)

The Book of Revelation

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

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1ST BEAST CHAPTER 13:1-10

2ND BEAST CHAPTER 13:11-18

Body of a leopard Feet of a bear Head of a lion The Roman Empire

Looked like lamb spoke as dragon Did great signs False Prophet

THE LAMB AND THE 144,000 ON ZION Change now to a tender and consoling vision - Sound of rushing water - Harpists playing their harps. - Singing. No one knew the song except the marked - Virgins – The undefiled. Worshiped no

other god.The priests or abstain for military service

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THE THREE ANGELS – CHAPTER 14:6

1st Angel – Time has come

for judgment, repent worship God alone 2nd Angel – Announced that

Babylon (Rome) has fallen 3rd Angel – Anyone who

worships the beast will suffer God’s wrath

14:13 “Blesses are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Let them rest for their works accompany them”

THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH-CHAPTER 14:14-20

1st ANGEL Harvest the elect 2nd ANGEL Harvest the doomed

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THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH-CHAPTER 14:14-20

The damned are sent to a winepress Blood poured out of the wine press to the height of a horse's bridle for two hundred miles

HEAVENLY LITURGY 15:1-4

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THE SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAMB Psalm 92:6 – How great are your works, Lord! How

profound your designs!

Deut 32:4 – The Rock-how faultless are his deeds,

how right all his ways! A faithful God, without

deceit, just and upright is he!

Psalm 145:17 – The Lord is just in all his ways,

merciful in all his works

Jer 10:7 – Who would not fear you, king of the

nations, for it is your due! Among all the wisest of

the nations, and in all their domains, there s none like

you.

Psalm 86:9-10 – All the nations you have made shall

come to bow before you, Lord, and give honor to your

name. For you are great and do wondrous deeds and

you alone are God

Great and wonderful

are your works

Lord God almighty

Just and true are your

ways,

O King of the nations.

Who will not fear you,

Lord,

Or glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All the nations will

come

And worship before

you,

For your righteous acts

have been revealed

THE SEVEN ANGELS WITH THE 7 CHALICES/BOWLS

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First Bowl - foul and painful sores

come upon those bearing the mark of

the beast and those who worshiped the

image of the beast.

Second Bowl - the seas and the oceans

become blood as of a dead man, forcing

everything in the sea to die.

Third Bowl - the rivers and the

remaining sources of water turn to

blood. The angels then begin praising

God's holy judgments.

Fourth Bowl - the sun causes a major

heat wave to scorch the planet with fire.

The incorrigible wicked refuse to

repent while they blaspheme the name

of God.

Fifth Bowl - a thick darkness overwhelms

the kingdom of the beast. The wicked

continue to stubbornly defame the name

of God while refusing to repent and

glorify God.

Sixth Bowl - the great river Euphrates

dries up so that the kings of the east might

cross to be prepared to battle. Three

unclean spirits with the appearance of

frogs come out of the mouths of the beast

and the false prophet.

Seventh Bowl - a global earthquake

causes the cities of the world to collapse.

Every mountain and island are removed

from their foundations. Giant hailstones

weighing nearly 100 pounds plummet

onto the planet. The plagues were so

severe that the wicked's hatred against

God intensifies while the incorrigible

continue to curse God.

BABYLON THE GREAT 17:1-18 Harlot (Babylon) = Rome, the whore of Babylon - Kings have intercourse with her - People are drunk on her wine of her harlotry Description is connected to Jeremiah description of Babylon - John is speaking against Rome and its role in the death of the martyrs The Angel interprets the vision of the harlot and beast - 7 hills are the seven hills surrounding Rome &7 kings?? - 10 horns are the 10 future kings - waters are the people of the Roman Empire The beast and the 10 horns will hate the harlot, eat and consume her with fire --- Evil destroys itself as well.

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THE FALL OF BABYLON 18:1-19:4

Rome’s fornication is both idolatry and material excess.

The inhabitants will mourn over her destruction - all the luxuries, excesses and glory are destroyed - other kings, merchants and seafarers will mourn for their own loss, because of their own self-interest. No singing, music or trade after the fall of Babylon (18:21ff) Compared with Alleluias in Heaven (19:1ff)

THE VICTORY SONG AND THE WEDDING OF THE LAMB

There is great rejoicing over the justice for the suffering Now it is time for the Wedding day of the Lamb Lamb and groom = Jesus Bride = the Church, the martyrs “She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment (The linen represents the righteous deeds of the Holy Ones)”

Reminder again by the angel that John is to worship God alone, not the angel or messenger

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7 FINAL VISIONS

1st vision – A white horse named “Faithful and true”

The rider is Jesus. His cloak dipped in blood and called the Word of God. He is also has his name on his cloak and thigh “King of kings and Lord of lords”

2nd vision – Disturbing for our modern ears. Angel standing

on the sun telling the birds to feast on the flesh of the unrighteous who died in the great judgment. 3rd vision – The beast and the kings of the earth fight Jesus

on the white horse. Without detail Jesus throws the beast and the false prophet and throws them into the fiery pool

7 FINAL VISIONS

4th vision – The angel had a key and heavy chain to tie Satan

up. After 1000 years he will be released for a short while. Once Satan is free, he will gather his army to do battle at Armageddon but God fought for the holy ones. The devil is thrown into the pool of fire where the beasts were thrown. They remain there forever 5th vision – The judgment of the martyrs and their

resurrection to be with Christ 6th vision – White throne, scrolls were opened as well as the

book of life. Each one was judged according to his deeds If your name was not found in the book of life,

you were thrown into the pool of fire

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THE 7TH VISION – THE NEW CREATION

Three parts of the 7th Vision 1) The Bride and wife of the Lamb 2) The New Temple 3) The New Creation

THE BRIDE OF THE LAMB

The old order run by the dragon, beast, death and hell is over. A new creation is coming into existence. Transformation of creation where there is no more death, no more suffering, no more tears. Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, speaks of an intimate relationship with God, one of covenant. God will be their God and they will be God’s people

No evil exists here

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THE NEW JERUSALEM

The holy city of Jerusalem is from the heaven The 12 tribes (at the gates) and the 12 apostles (with the 12 courses, layers of stone) are all represent John saw no temple - there is not need with the lamb present there. There is no more mediation

needed

THE NEW CREATION

The holy city of Jerusalem is from the heaven The 12 tribes (at the gates) and the 12 apostles (with the 12 courses, layers of stone) are all represent

John saw no temple - there is not need with the lamb present there. There is no more mediation needed

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Produces fruit 12 times a year leaves serve as medicine Taken from Ezek Connected to Garden of Eden The night will be no more The light will come from God They shall reign forever

THE TREE OF LIFE

EPILOGUE

Jesus says, 3 times: “I am coming soon”

John is informed to tell his vision for Jesus is coming soon “Let the wicked still act wickedly, and the filthy still be filthy. The righteous must still do right and the holy still be holy.” Jesus states that he will bring recompense with him Each will be given according to his deeds Jesus and the Spirit call people to come and receive life-giving water Warning about not changing the words of the book