Authorship of Revelation The author of Revelation mentioned

Authorship of Revelation The author of Revelation mentioned his name, John the Apostle _________, five times throughout the book (Revelation 1: 1, 4, 9; 21: 2; 22: 8). Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the book’s author as John the Patmos apostle, who had been exiled to the island of ____ (1: 9) by the authorities for preaching the gospel in ____. Asia Some traditions say that the Romans dropped John into a vat of boiling ____, but when the apostle did not die, they oil instead banished him to the barren rock of Patmos. John had been exiled on this rocky isle during the end of the reign of the Roman emperor _____. The emperor died Domitian in A. D. 96, so the book was probably written around A. D. 95.

The title of the book, Revelation, comes from the apocalypse Greek word for _______ and refers to an unveiling, a revealing, or a disclosure of something as yet unknown. Revelation is an appropriate title for the book’s work is so interested in making known future the events of the ____. The book of Revelation is the most prophetic of all New Testament books. John classed himself as a _____ (22: 9), and refers to his book as a prophet prophecy ____ times (1: 3; 22: 7; 10, 18, 19). 5 In addition to being the most prophetic, Revelation worship stresses _____ more than any other book in the New Testament (see 3: 9; 4: 10; 5: 14; 9: 20; 11: 1; 14: 7; 15: 4; 19: 4; 10, 22: 9).

To Whom Was Revelation Written? The book of Revelation was written “to the seven churches which are in Asia” (1: 4 and 11) Ephesus Sardis 5. ______ 1. _____ Smyrna 2. _____ Philadelphia 6. ______ Pergamos 3. ______ Laodicea 7. ______ Thyatira 4. ______ The readers (the 7 churches) were located in Asia Minor (1: 4), which is modern Turkey. There were strategically located on circular roads that bound populous, wealthy, and influential sections of the province.

What Is Revelation About? The THEME: The consummation of all things in CHRIST _____ (11: 15). KEY VERSE: “Write all things which you have _______ (chapter 1), and the things which _____ seen are (chapters 2 -3), and the things which will take place ______ this (chapters 4 -22)” (Rev. 1: 19). after USE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: The language of Revelation is heavily dependent on the Old Testament. The most used books are Psalms, Daniel _______, Ezekiel, and _____. Isaiah

Why Was Revelation Written? There are many reasons for the writing of the book of Revelation. They include: • to complete and unite the plan of Scripture and prophetic ruth t______ of the Bible; • to comfort and encourage the saints of his day as they persecution were enduring Roman _______; • to communicate the person, power, and program of the avior S_______; in • to condemn the princes of s____; second • to convey the promise of Christ’s _____ coming; and living • to motivate Christians to godly and wise ____.

Theological Outline of Revelation I. A Vision of Jesus (1) II. Letters to Seven Churches (2 -3) III. Visions of Judgment (4 -18) IV. Christ’s Return (19 -20) V. New Heaven and Earth (21 -22)

Content Outline of Revelation, 1 (The Bible Reader’s Companion, Lawrence O. Richards) Prologue (1: 1 -8) I. Vision of Jesus (1: 9 -20) II. Letters to Seven Churches (2: 1 -3: 22) III. Visions of Judgment (4: 1 -19: 10) A. Preparation in Heaven (4: 1 -5: 14) B. Opening the Six Seals (6: 1 -17) C. Interlude (7: 1 -17) 1. 144, 000 Israelites commissioned (7: 1 -8) 2. A multitude in heaven (7: 9 -17) D. Sounding the Seven Trumpets (8: 1 -11: 19) E. Announcing the Seven Signs (12: 1 -14: 20) 1. A woman and dragon (12: 117) 2. Two beasts (13: 1 -18) 3. The Lamb and the 144, 000 (14: 1 -5) 4. Judgment’s harvest (14: 6 -20) F. The Seven Bowls (15: 1 -19: 10) 1. Plagues prepared (15: 1 -8) 2. Judgment poured out (16: 121) 3. The woman and the beast (17: 1 -18) 4. The fall of Babylon the Great (18: 1 -24) 5. Thanksgiving (19: 1 -5) 6. The joyful marriage supper of the Lamb (19: 6 -10) IV. Christ’s Return to Judge the Earth (19: 11 -20: 15) A. The Beast Destroyed (19: 11 -21) B. Satan Bound a 1, 00 -Year Reign Begun (20: 1 -6) C. Satan Released and Then Destroyed (20: 7 -10) D. The Last Judge before a “Great White Throne” (20: 11 -15) E. A New Heaven and Earth (21: 1 -22: 5) A. The New Jerusalem (21: 1 -27) B. The River of Life (22: 1 -5) Conclusion

Content Outline of Revelation, 2 (A Popular Survey of the New Testament, Norman L. Geisler) I. The Person of Christ – His Character (chapter 1) A. His prophet (vv. 1 -2) B. His promise (v. 3) C. His priests (vv. 4 -6) D. His parousia (coming) (v. 7) E. His pedigree (v. 8) F. His proclamation (vv. 9 -11) G. His pictorial presentation (vv. 12 - 18) H. His prophetic program (vv. 19 -20) II. The Possession of Christ – His Church (chapters 2 -3) A. His preserving of a patient church – Ephesus (2: 1 -7) B. His priority in a persecuted church – Smyrna (vv. 8 -11) C. His power in a polluted church – Pergamos (vv. 12 -17) D. His purity in a paganized church – Thyatira (vv. 18 -29) E. His providence in a professing church – Sardis (3: 1 -6) F. His protection of a pure church - Philadelphia (15: 1 -19: 10) G. His primacy in a passive church – Laodicea (vv. 14 -22) IV. The Program of Christ – His Coming (chapters 4 -22) A. In heaven (chapters 4 -5) 1. Praise God for creation (4) 2. Praise God for redemption (5) B. On earth (chapters 6 -22) 1. During tribulation – for seven years (6 -18) a. Seven seals (6: 1 -8: 5) b. Seven trumpets (8: 615: 8) c. Seven bowls (16 -18) 2. At second coming (19) 3. During the millennium – one thousand years (20) 4. In the new heaven and new earth – forever (2122)

“The Things Which You Which Have Are…” Seen…” Personal and biographical Christ’s letters to the seven churches “The Things Which Will Take Place…” Christ as Judge (chapters 4 -5) The Tribulation (chapters 6 -18) The Coming of Christ (chapter 19) The millennium (chapter 20) The eternal state (chapters 21 -22) Chapter 1 Chapters 2 -3 Chapters 4 -22 “…AND THE OMEGA” (22: 13) “I AM THE ALPHA…” (1: 8) REVELATION Scope History; looking back Prophecy; looking forward Style Dialogue Observations and questions Scene On earth Shifts between earth and heaven Theme Christ’s future triumph over the forces of evil and His recreation of the world for the redeemed Key Verses 1: 7, 19; 22: 12 -13 Christ in Revelation Jesus is the coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who will return as Judge and King to usher in the kingdom of God on earth (19: 11 -20: 6)

Revelation 1 Chapter Summary John introduces his book as a revelation to him by Jesus ____ and pronounces a special blessing on those who read, hear, and take to heart “the words of this prophecy” (1: 1 -3). The book is sent to the seven Asian churches with which John has special ties (vv. 4 -5 a) and is dedicated to Jesus as coming Savior (vv. 5 b-8). John now tells his story. While exiled to Patmos, he was praying one Sunday when a voice instructed him write to ______ what he was about to see (vv. 9 -11). John turned and was given a vision of Jesus in His full glory _______, so awesome that John fell to the ground, stunned (vv. 12 -17). Jesus lifted him, up, identified Himself, and told John to write (vv. 18 -20). Personal application: Gentle Jesus is also our glorious God.

The Vision of Jesus (1: 12 -15) 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

The Vision of Jesus (1: 12 -15) Each element in the 7 -element description of the glorified Christ has symbolic significance: Ø The white head and hair reflect Daniel 7: 9 and symbolize _____ and judgment. wisdom eyes ØThe ______ of blazing fire reflect Daniel 10: 6 and may indicate a penetrating gaze or perhaps the fierceness of the judgment to come. ØThe feet of glowing metal reflect a common O. T. symbol of glory God’s _______, found in Ezek. 1: 13, 27, 8: 2; Dan. 10: 6, etc. rushing waters ØThe voice like _____ is a familiar simile in Jewish writings for the power of God’s voice repeated in Rev. 14: 2 and 19: 6. double edged Ø The _____ - _____ sword may reflect Isaiah 11: 4, which is again a portrait of final judgment.

Revelation 2 and 3 Summary of Chapters Christ now dictates letters to the seven Asian churches concerning “what is now” (1: 19). Each letter is addressed angel to the “_______, ” or “messenger” (pastor? ) of the church. Each message identifies Jesus in a special way, reveals an intimate knowledge of the church addressed, pinpoints the church’s most serious flaw, and then conveys a command warn intended to correct the problem or _____ the church. reward The letter closes with a promise of _______ to the victor who responds obediently. Significantly, each promise is eschatological, and alludes to some element found in Revelation 21 -22. Personal application: Each of us can be commended in some respect – yet each of us also has areas in which we need to grow. We can apply the exhortation given to the 7 churches to our lives and win the reward they are promised.

Revelation 2 and 3, Key Elements of Each Letter Church Characteristic Description of Jesus Desired Response Ephesus, the Steadfast Works hard, perseveres, rejects the wicked, endures, BUT first love left its _____ He walks among the 7 lamps (as if in heaven) Return to first love Smyrna, the Persecuted Suffers, is in poverty, endures persecution ________ He who died, is alive again Remain faithful ____ Pergamum, the Morally Compromising Remains true, is faithful to death, but tolerates immorality _______ He holds a sharp, double-edged sword Repent _____ of evil ways Thyatria, the Doctrinally Compromising Does more than at first, BUT tolerates immorality, _______ false doctrine fire Eyes of _____, feet of bronze Hold to the truth _____ (2: 1 -7) (2: 8 -11) (2: 12 -17) (2: 18 -29)

Revelation 2 and 3, Key Elements of Each Letter Church Characteristic Sardis, the Counterfeit Reputed to be alive but spiritually ______, dead deeds are incomplete Holds the Spirit, ______ up, obey Wake angels, in His what they have hand already heard Philadelphia, the Obedient Has little strength yet Word has kept the ____, patiently endures Holds the key of David (messianic authority) tight Hold _______ to what they have Laodicea, the Materialistic hot Neither ______ nor cold ______; wealthy, but poor _______ spiritually Ruler of creation Be earnest; repent _____ under discipline (3: 1 -6) (3: 7 -13) (3: 14 -22) Description of Jesus Desired Response

Another Approach to the Seven Churches Some commentaries have taken the 7 churches of Revelation as contemporary churches which double as symbols of the Christian church through the ages. According to this view each church represents a period in church history, during which Christianity itself is marked by the characteristics specified in the related letter. Usually those who take this view related each church of Revelation 2 -3 to the following periods: CHURCH Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum HISTORIC PERIOD The Apostolic Age The post-apostolic era of persecution The Catholic era, during which the priesthood developed Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea The Dark Ages The Reformation The “true church” of every age The “lukewarm” church of the 20 th century

Revelation 4 and 5 Chapter Summary John is taken up to heaven to be given a vision of “what must take place after this” (4: 1). He sees God in His throne, worshiped by 24 elders persons identified only as “_______” (vv 2 -6 a). The “living creatures” seen around the throne are familiar from the earlier visions of Isaiah (6: 2) and Ezekiel (1: 5 -25; 10: 1 -22), continuously praising God as Creator and affirming His holiness (4: 6 b-11). Then John sees an angel, holding a scroll representing judgment, break sealed with 7 seals, calling for someone to ______ the seals and open _____ the book (5: 1 -2). When no one is found, one of the elders consoles John: the ______ of the tribe of Judah will open the seals – Lion bloody and when John looks, he sees a _______ Lamb (vv. 3 -7). When Christ as the Lamb takes the scroll, the whole company falls down in worship, affirming His worthiness “because…with Your blood You purchased _____ men for God” (vv. 8 -10). Thousands of angels take up the chorus, praising the Lord as the universe joins in ascribing “praise and honor and glory and ______ forever and ever” (vv. 11 -14). power Personal application: Lift heart and voice and join the chorus.

Revelation 6 Chapter Summary Jesus, the Lamb, now begins to open the seals on the scroll. horsemen As the first 4 are opened: terrible ______ representing famine conquest ((6: 1 -2), devastating warfare (vv. 3 -4), ____ (vv. 5 -6), and plague (vv. 7 -8). These bear a striking resemblance to signs spoken of by Christ in Matthew 24: 1 -35, Mark 13: 137, and Luke 21: 5 -33. martyrs The 5 th seal reveals _____, crying out for God to judge and avenge them (6: 9 -11). heavens When the 6 th seal is opened the earth and even the ____ are shaken, as if by a great earthquake (vv. 12 -14). Humanity then realizes that this is divine judgment. Rather than repent ____, king and peasant alike seek to hide from God’s wrath (vv. 15 -17). Personal application: Those who reject grace now will not repent when judgment comes.

Revelation 7 Chapter Summary Now there is a pause in the blows that have been striking the 144, 000 earth. The judgments are held back while _____ 12 12, 000 Israelites, _____ from each of ____ tribes, are sealed and commissioned as servants of God (7: 1 -8). When John looks back toward heaven he sees a vast saved multitude of the ____, standing before throne and the Lamb – the source of salvation (vv. 9 -10). The angels, elders, 4 and ______ living creatures join the throng praising God (vv. elders 11 -12), and one of the _______ explains the multitude to John. They are those who have believed during the Great _______. Freed from all suffering, they serve God in Tribulation His temple (vv. 13 -17). Personal application: Read Revelation carefully, and many of John’s visions can be understood.

Revelation 8 and 9 Summary of Chapters When the 7 th seal on the scroll introduced in chapter 5 is opened, a new series of “trumpet” judgments is begun (8: 1 -6). The vegetation trumpet judgments devastate a third of earth’s _______ (v. 7), seas (vv. 8 -9), and fresh _______ (vv. 10 -11), as well water as a third of the heavenly ____ (vv. 12 -13). Yet these bodies judgments that shake the foundations of the material universe seem insignificant to what is to follow. natural Now the boundary between the supernatural and ____ demonic universe is breached; locust-like, _____ beings are unleashed to torture humankind (9: 1 -12). The 6 th trumpet unleashes 4 unspeakable powers, with 200 million minions, who kill a third of humankind (vv. 13 -19). Yet, despite these terrors, the rest of humanity did not _______ but rededicated themselves repent to idolatry and immorality (vv. 20 -21). Personal application: Even horrors don’t bring repentance.

Revelation 10 Chapter Summary Again John looks away from what is happening on earth. He angel sees a “mighty _______” approaching from heaven. It stands, scroll straddling the earth and sea and holds a “little ____. (10: 1 -2). The announcement made at his appearance is sealed _______ - kept secret (vv. 3 -4). Yet it is no secret that “there will be no more delay”: the day of judgment predicted by the Old Testament prophets has come (vv. 5 -7). eat John is then told to take the scroll the angel holds and “_____” it. Thus prepared by appropriating God’s Word, John is told to speak out again, describing events as they touch on “many kings peoples, nations, languages, and _______” (vv. 8 -11). Personal application: Take advantage of every delay to share Christ now.

Revelation 11 Chapter Summary John is now given a ______ with which to measure the Jerusalem rod Gentiles temple and its altar (11: 1). He is told that the _____ will dominate the city of Jerusalem for 42 months, the same length of beast time that John says the _______ (the Antichrist) will rule (13: 5 -7). 2 During this period _____ witnesses, men given power to bring drought and destroy those who attack them, will serve as God’s witnesses in the holy city (11: 2 -6). At the end of that time they will be killed _______, and the evil inhabitants of earth will celebrate their deaths (vv. 7 -10). Three and a half days later they will return to life and be quakes lifted up to heaven, while the earth _______ and terrified survivors are forced to acknowledge God’s hand at work (vv. 11 -14). At this point the 7 th trumpet is sounded by an angel, and voices in reign heaven announce the beginning of the ______ of God. The barrier lightning between material and spiritual universe is rent, and _____ can be seen flashing around God’s heavenly temple (vv. 15 -19). Personal application: Defeats today are nothing compared to the total victory which is soon to come.

Revelation 12 Chapter Summary John now sees visions that are clearly symbolic in nature. A pregnant ______ woman is pursued by “an enormous red dragon _____. ” The woman gives birth to a son destined to rule the iron nations with an _______ scepter, a clear reference to the Messiah (Psalm 2: 9). After God snatches the child up to heaven, the woman flees into desert the ____, to hide for the 1, 260 days mentioned in 11: 3 (12: 16). John also sees war in heaven, with the great dragon, Satan, earth hurled to _______ with his followers (vv. 7 -9). This triumph is celebrated by a voice in heaven, which also depicts Satan’s fury (vv. 10 -12). In frustration, Satan pursues the “woman who had saints given birth to the child” and also makes war on all the _____ (vv. 13 -17). Personal application: Rely on the blood of Christ and treat Satan as a defeated enemy – which he is.

Revelation 13 Chapter Summary 2 John now observes ____ beasts come on the scene. The first comes sea from the ______, his form reminiscent of Daniel 7’s description of Gentile world powers (13: 1 -2). This beast, the ______, is empowered by Satan. He quickly wins a worldwide following that Antichrist succumbs to his demand for _____(vv. 3 -4). Again a 42 -month period is mentioned, this time as the period during which the beast worship rules on the earth. Only those who believe in Christ resist his influence, and many saints will be _____for the faithfulness to martyred the Lord (vv. 5 -10). John then sees a second beast, who serves the first beast and performs _____ on his behalf. This evil individual sets up an miracles ____ of the Antichrist to be worshiped and organizes society so image that only those who express allegiance to the Antichrist can _____ or sell (vv. 11 -17). The chapter concludes with a mysterious clue to the buy Antichrist’s name: the number ____ (v. 18). 666 Personal application: Miracles can prove supernatural empowerment. They don’t prove supernatural power is involved.

Revelation 14 Chapter Summary The actors in the drama have been introduced in chapters 7, 12, and 13, and the situation on an earth dominated by evil has been clearly drawn. Lamb John sees the ____ on earth, surrounded by the 144, 000, who complete sing His praise. Their work on earth is apparently _____ (14: 15). As John watches he sees ______ angles fly over the earth calling 3 on mankind to worship God (vv. 6 -7), announcing the fall of _____ the Great (v. 8) and the doom of those who worship and Babylon follow the beast (vv. 9 -11), as well as the blessing of those who remain faithful to Jesus (vv. 12 -13). Then John sees another terrible sight: an angel emerges from God’s ____ and calls on waiting angles to begin the final harvest of temple earth’s rebellious millions (vv. 14 -20). Personal application: Blessing and rest follow for the believer who remains faithful to Jesus.

Revelation 15 and 16 Summary of Chapters 7 The devastating judgments resume as ____final plagues are launched (15: 1), while victorious saints in heaven praise God for His deeds (vv. 27 bowls 5). ___ angles emerge from the heavenly temple bearing ____ “filled with the wrath of God” (vv. 6 -8), to be directed against those who sores bear the mark of the beast (16: 1 -2). Painful _______ break out on blood humans and earth’s seas and waters are turned to _______ (vv. 3 -4), as an angel proclaims the justice of these judgments (vv. 5 -7). The judgments continue. The _____ swells and intense heat scorches sun the earth (vv. 8 -9). All becomes dark, and men twist in agony but curse continue to _______ God (vv. 10 -11). Then the waters of the _______ dry up, and a vast army is recruited by demonic beings Euphrates Armageddon for a last great battle against God at _______ (vv. 12 -16). When the final bowl is emptied, earth itself is shattered: great fissures hailstones open, cities crumble and mountains fall as huge ______ pummel the broken land. Yet, the remainder of humankind continues to curse God (vv. 17 -21) Personal application: These chapters give us a sense of what God’s judgment of sin will mean.

Revelation 17 Chapter Summary John again sees a vision whose major elements are interpreted prostitute 7 with the text. A “great ______” is a city seated on ___ Antichrist hills, who rides the ______ to power and is destroyed by him. John first describes “the great prostitute” (17: 1 -6) and goes on to interpret the vision (vv. 7 -18), identifying the beast, his drive toward power, and his subsequent turning on the “prostitute” when absolute power is his. Personal application: Don’t be surprised at society’s growing hostility toward Christianity and complacent acceptance of false religions.

Revelation 18 Chapter Summary John sees yet another angel who announces the fall of Babylon the Great, the great satanic system of evil that corrupts every human society: a blend political of ____ and _____ power, a composite of swirling desires and religion passions, a web of institutions that befit the powerful and oppress the weak commercial ____. This system is pictured as a great _______ city, whose fall is celebrated in heaven and bewailed on earth. First comes the announcement: “Fallen is Babylon the Great” (18: 1 -3). In a warning intended for John’s readers, another angel calls God’s people to “come out of her, ” separating themselves from Babylon in all her forms (vv. 4 -8). The viewpoint then shifts. Her fall is lamented by the kings of the earth who tasted her powers (vv. 9 -10), the merchants who profited from her luxury passion for ____ and self-indulgence (vv. 11 -17), and the seamen who carried her goods (vv. 18 -19). But the lament on earth is drowned out by joy shouts of ______ in heaven (v. 20). An angel then violently hurls a giant boulder _____ into the sea, which it swallows up – and it is gone (vv. 21 -24). Personal application: Don’t be caught up in the desires that rule the worldly minded.

Revelation 19 Chapter Summary Now, truly the end has come, . John hears the roar of a multitude in Hallelujah heaven shouting “_______!” and praising God for avenging the blood of His servants (19: 1 -2). The cry is echoed by the worshiping elders (vv. 3 -4), and then taken up by the multitude, rejoicing that the ultimate union of believers with the Lord is about to take place (vv. 5 -10). With these announcements made, heaven opens and Christ appear, white mounted on a ____ war horse, leading the armies of heaven against the nations allied against God (vv. 11 -16). An angel calls the birds carrion _____ of heaven to feast on the bodies of the slain (vv. false prophet 17 -18), but the Antichrist and the _________ are taken captive and thrown into the “fiery lake of burning _____” which sulfur we call hell (vv. 19 -20). The members of their army are slain by Word Christ’s spoken ____ (v. 21). Personal application: We serve joyfully today for we know that Christ – and we – will triumph tomorrow.

Revelation 20 Chapter Summary chains With the human host defeated, an angel ____ Satan and seals 1, 000 him in the Abyss for a period of _______ years (20: 1 -3). Dead saints are brought back to life in a “first resurrection, ” to reign with Christ for the 1, 000 year period (vv. 4 -6). Now comes the most stunning series of events to be found in Scripture. After enjoying a 1, 000 year era of peace and blessing under the rule of the Messiah, Satan is released _____ and a majority of humanity permits itself to be deceived, and follows Satan in a last rebellion (vv. 7 -9 a). When the rebel army gathers to attack ______ it is destroyed by fire and Satan is Jerusalem cast into the lake of fire. Now the material universe itself dissolves, as described in 2 Peter 3, and all the dead from Creation to culmination are assembled for judgment ______. The dead are judged by their _______, and any works Book whose names have not been written by faith in God’s “____ of Life ______” are condemned to the “lake of fire” (vv. 11 -15). Personal application: Praise God that your sins have already been judged, and paid for, at Calvary.

Revelation 21 and 22 Summaries of the Chapters earth John now sees what we call “heaven”: a totally new heaven and _______, a fresh creation destined to be the home of God and His people (21: 1). John sees Jerusalem a New ______, the symbol of God’s presence, descending (vv. 2 -5). He hears Christ proclaim this new creation the home of the godly, from which sin and sinners are forever excluded (vv. 6 -8). John is then given a closer look at the vast New Jerusalem, glistening with jewels (vv. 9 -21). He realizes that there temple is no ____ in the city, for God Himself is present and provides its light. John also sees a ______ flowing from the city lined with fruit trees. Like the city, river the land is forever suffused with the light of God’s presence. As the vision fades John hears Christ speak and promise, “Behold I am coming ______” (v. 7). soon John again falls down as an angel directs him to worship God. John is also directed to share what he has seen – not that the lost will be ______, but convinced that believers might be encouraged to do right and continue in holiness (vv. 811). Again, John hears Jesus promise, “I am coming soon” and urges holiness (vv. 12 -16) The church responds, eager for His coming (v. 17). After a final word of warning, John expresses his own deep desire: “Amen. Come , Lord Jesus” (vv. 18 -21). Personal application: Await Him eagerly; welcome Him joyfully.

What’s the Big Idea of Revelation? For the bulk of its sixty-six books, the Bible portrays a world deep in the throes of suffering. Human beings have had a problem with since the fall in Genesis 3, and verse after verse has recorded our problem in painstaking detail. The brilliance of Revelation is that it provides a final answer to this problem, a hope that Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds wrought by sin (Revelation 19), reign for a thousand years on earth (Revelation 20), and then re-create the world into a place that represents God’s original design (Revelation 21– 22). The Bible’s narrative is a simple one: creation, fall, re-creation. Without the completion of the redeeming work of _____ JESUS recorded in Revelation, we wouldn’t have the end of the story, leaving our hope for the future in serious doubt.

How Does This Apply to Me? Usually when people mention the book of Revelation, they immediately think about _____. Without a doubt, much of this occurs judgment in the book. However, Revelation does not end with judgment. Instead, it provides a striking bookend for the entire Bible, which begins in _____ and ends in Paradise _____. Paradise More than judgment on the evildoers, Revelation is a hope book about ______ for the faithful in Christ.

How Does This Apply to Me? What pains or indignities have you suffered? What broken relationship have you wept over? Has death’s sword struck deep into your heart? Revelation promises a world where pain and tears and death pass away. Revelation reminds us that there is indeed hope beyond the momentary trials and struggles of this life. One day the darkness will pass away, and we will all dwell in perpetual light. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! God be praised.

How to Respond to Critics Revelation 1: 4 (NKJV) – John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne How can the Holy Spirit be seven spirits if He is one person? Problem: According to the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is one person, the 3 rd person of the triune Godhead. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “He” (singular), but John referred to “the seven Spirits who are before His throne, ” which many commentators see as a reference to the Holy Spirit – but how? Solution: This is one example of the many uses lots of symbolism in Revelation. For example, most agree that Revelation 12: 3 speaks about Satan, but he is called a “great, fiery red dragon” with “seven heads and ten horns. ” Here, the seven heads and ten horns are attributed to one individual, Satan. Also, speaking of the beast from the sea, Revelation 13: 1 says that he has “seven heads and ten horns. ” The number seven symbolizes completeness, as there are seven days in a complete week.

How can the Holy Spirit be seven spirits if He is one person? Solution (continued): Other symbols are used of the Holy Spirit in Scripture. For instance, He is spoken of as a dove in Mark 1: 10 and is likened to the wind in John 3: 8 and water in John 4: 14. He is also portrayed as “tongues, as of fire, ” in Acts 2: 3. Ephesians 1: 13 says we are “sealed” by the Holy Spirit, signifying God’s ownership of us and the security of our salvation. Many Bible students believe the sevenfold nature of the Holy Spirit may derive from the reference in Isaiah 11: 2, where He is called the Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge, and of the fear of the LORD – seven different characteristics of one and the same Spirit.

How to Respond to Critics Revelation 7: 1 (NKJV) – After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Does the Bible teach that the world is square? Problem: John speaks here of the “four corners of the earth, ” which implies that the earth is square. But modern science teaches that it is round. Isn’t this a mistake in the Bible? Solution: The Bible does not teach that the world is square. This is figure of speech meaning “from every section of the globe, ” or as Jeremiah put it, “from the four quarters of heaven” (Jeremiah 49: 36). It is a succinct way of referring to the four directions: north, south, east, and west. In this sense it is akin to the phrase “the four winds…of heaven” (v. 36). In the Bible, the only references to the shape of the earth speak of it as round. Isaiah spoke of God “who sits above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40: 22). Job, referring to the world as hanging in space, asserted that God “stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing” (Job 26: 7).

How to Respond to Critics Revelation 14: 13 (NKJV) – Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ’” “Yes, ” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them. ” Is heaven a place of rest and quiet or of incessant praise and singing? Problem: According to this verse, heaven is a place in which the saints “rest from their labors. ” However, earlier, in the book of Revelation, heaven is described as a place of constant praise and singing. Which is it? Solution: Heaven is both. There is no contradiction between resting from labor and singing praises to God. It is exactly what God’s people do today on their day of rest and worship. Heaven is just an extension of what we do on the Lord’s day now. “Labor” implies what is wearisome and painful. Resting from this and praising God forever are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand in hand.

How to Respond to Critics Revelation 16: 14 (NKJV) – For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Can demons perform miracles? Problem: Sometimes the Bible uses the same words (signs, wonders, power) to describe the power of demons and to describe the miracles of God (see Thessalonians 2: 9). However, a miracle is a supernatural act of God, and only God can perform such acts. Isn’t the devil a created being with only limited power? Solution: Although Satan has great spiritual powers, there is a gigantic difference between the poser of the devil and the power of God. First, God is infinite in power (omnipotent); the devil (and his demons) is only finite and limited. Only God can create life (Genesis 1: 1, 21; Deut. 32: 39); the devil cannot (Exodus 8: 18 -19). Only God can raise the dead (John 5: 28 -29; 20: 17 -18; Rev. 1: 18); the devil cannot raise the dead, though he gave “breath” (animation) to the idolatrous “image” of the Anitchrist (Rev. 13: 15).

Can demons perform miracles? Solution (continued): The devil has great power to deceive people (12: 9), to oppress those who yield to him, and to posses them (Acts 16: 16). He is a master magician and a super scientist. And with his vast knowledge of God, man, and the universe, he is able to perform “lying wonders” (2 Thessa. 2: 9; Rev. 13: 13 -14). But only God can perform true miracles. The devil can do the supernormal but not the supernatural. Only God can control the natural laws He has established, though on one occasion He granted Satan the power to bring a whirlwind on Job’s family (Job 6 -19). Further, God gives the devil any power the devil has, and God limits and carefully monitors him (Job 1: 10 -12). Christ defeated the devil and triumphed over him and all his host (Col. 2: 15; Heb. 2: 14 -15), thus giving power to His people to be victorious over demonic forces (Eph. 4: 4 -11). Thus, John informed believers: “He who is in you is greater that he who is in the world” (1 John 4: 4).

Symbols Explained in Revelation Text Symbol Interpretation 1: 20 Seven lampstands Seven churches in Asia Minor 1: 20 Seven stars Seven angels (messengers) of these churches 4: 5 Seven lamps of fire The Spirit of God 5: 8 Bowls of incense The prayers of the saints 7: 3 -4 Great multitude Martyrs of the Great Tribulation 12: 9 Great dragon Satan 17: 9 Seven heads of the beast Seven mountains on which the woman sits 17: 12 Ten horns of the beast Ten kings 17: 15 The waters Peoples, nations 17: 18 Woman in purple A great reigning city

Symbols Drawn from the Old and New Testaments Text Symbol Interpretation 2: 7; 2: 22 Tree of life Symbol of eternal life (Gen. 2: 9) 2: 17 Hidden manna Heavenly food (Psalm 78: 24; Hebrews 9: 4) 2: 27 Rod of iron Judgment of Christ (Psalm 2: 9) 2: 28 Morning star Reign of Christ (Daniel 12: 3) 3: 7 Key of David Power of Messiah (Isaiah 22: 22) 4: 6 Living creatures Represent God’s highest creation (Ezkiel 10: 14) 6: 1 The four horsemen Carrying out of God’s purposes (Zech. 1: 8; Ezek. 5: 17; 14: 21) 10: 1 Mighty angel God’s judgment (Psalm 97: 2) Cloud, rainbow God’s mercy, faithfulness (Gen. 9: 8 -17)