This book Exalts Christ, exposes Satan, inspires faith, comforts in persecution, and warns of false teaching and the
wrath of God.
INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION
1 The Revelation
of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified
it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep
those things which are written in it; for the time is near. —Revelation 1:1-3
Revelation, the last book of the Bible, has often been contrasted with Genesis, the first
book of the Bible. In Genesis we learn of the creation of heaven and earth. Satan appeared; sin, sorrow, and death entered
the human race; and access to the tree of life was removed. In Revelation we see that Satan and his works are doomed; sin,
sorrow, and death are vanquished; the tree of life is restored to a new earth; and those who believe on the Savior are saved
and live in God's eternal heaven. The title of the book is The Revelation of Jesus
Christ. The word "revelation" or the Greek "apocalypse" means an uncovering, an unveiling, a revealing. Here we see Jesus
in all His glory as He truly is, Creator and Lord of heaven and earth. Rather than focus on interpretations of man, we can
turn our eyes to Jesus, the central Person of the book. He is worthy to be worshiped and served with all our being.
We may not know exactly when the events of Revelation take place. But we can be sure that everything written
is true and certain. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Matthew 24:35).
May this Bible study turn our hearts to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. May our response to this
study be to worship the Lord Jesus and serve Him with joy. —V. R. Benson _____________________________________ ©1996
by V. R. Benson
The Bible text used is from the New King James Version © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Used by permission. Cover art by Warner Sallman. Used by permission of Warner Press.
LESSON 1. JESUS BRINGS US A MESSAGE Revelation 1:4-11
4John,
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, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the
dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth
will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the
Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." 9 I, John, both your
brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos
for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard
behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and,
"What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to
Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
The Life of Jesus Christ
1. Jesus had come to earth from the Father as the faithful witness. Isaiah had prophesied: "Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people" (Isaiah 55:4). Jesus Himself
said, "For this cause I was born, . . . that I should bear witness to the truth. . ." (John 18:37b).
2. Jesus was the firstborn from the dead. He was the first person who rose from the dead never to die again. "Death no
longer has dominion over Him" (Romans 6:9b). 3. Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth.
He is "the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15b). 4. Jesus loved us and washed
us from our sins in His own blood. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Jesus died for us so that His blood
could wash our sins away. "For it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul" (Leviticus 17:11b). Do you want your
sins to be washed away? Jesus can hear you right now. Confess your sins to Him, repent of them (turn away from them). Ask
Him to come into your heart and live in you. Thank Him for forgiving your sins. His Spirit will live in you and help you to
overcome sin. 5. Jesus is coming back to earth with clouds—the same way He ascended into
heaven after His resurrection from the dead. "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a
cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood
by them in white apparel, who also said, `Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was
taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven' " (Acts 1:9-11). When He returns,
will you be ready to meet Him? "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and
not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28). Those who are not ready to meet Him will mourn. Those who know
Him will be glad.
Jesus Christ Is God
Jesus calls Himself "the Alpha and the Omega." The first letter of the Greek alphabet is "alpha." The
last letter is "omega." Thus, Jesus is the first and last: He is eternal. "But to the Son He [God] says: `Your throne,
O God, is forever and ever' " (Hebrews 1:8a).
John Shared in Persecution
The
apostle John had been banished to a small island called Patmos because of his testimony for Jesus Christ. "Yes, and all
who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). The closer we come to the end of the
age, the more persecution will come to true followers of Jesus. Earlier John had written Jesus'
words: "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you" (John 15:18). "Yes, the time is coming
that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service" (John 16:2b). "In the world you will have tribulation; but be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33b).
LESSON 2. JOHN SEES THE GLORIFIED CHRIST Revelation 1:12-20 12
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 His hair were white like wool, as white
as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His
voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged
sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet
as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am
He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19
Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels
of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches."
Something to Do
Write or print your answer to each question. Look for the answers in the Bible passage above. The number after each question
refers to the verse number in the Bible lesson where the answer is found. Check your answers by referring to the list of
answers inside the back cover. 1. One like the Son of Man was in the middle of the ____________
golden lampstands (verse 13). These golden lampstands were the seven ________________ (verse 20). [Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation
contain letters Jesus dictated to these seven churches.] 2. The One like the Son of Man was clothed
with a garment down to the ___________, and girded about the chest with a _______________ band (verse 13). [This clothing
shows the divine royalty and the priesthood of Jesus.] 3. His head and hair were _______________ like
wool, as white as ______________ (14). [When Daniel saw a vision of God (described in Daniel 7:9),
he said "the hair of His head was like pure wool." He called this awesome Being "the Ancient of Days," indicating
that God is eternal. Here in Revelation, John's vision of Jesus, the Son of Man, shows that Jesus is the Eternal One. In Micah
5:2, the prophet described the One coming out of Bethlehem to be ruler in Israel as One "whose goings forth have been from
of old, from everlasting." Jesus was God appearing as man.] 4. His eyes were like a ___________
of __________(14). [The eyes of the Lord see and search out everything. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping
watch on the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3). "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open
to their cry" (Psalm 34:15).] 5. His feet were like fine ___________, as if refined in a furnace
(15). [The brass feet speak of judgment. In Old Testament times the bronze altar, where animals were sacrificed, was the place where sin was judged.]
6. His voice was as the sound of many __________ (15). [ "The voice of the LORD is over
the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful" (Psalm 29:3, 4a).]
7. He had in His right hand seven __________ (16). The seven stars are the __________ of the seven
churches (20). [ "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness
like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). Jesus holds His servants as stars in His hand. They are witnesses in this
dark world.] 8. Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged __________ (16).
[God's Word comes from the mouth of Jesus. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God judges us.] 9. His countenance was like the
__________ shining in its strength (16). [One of the names for Jesus is "Sun of righteousness." "But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing
in His wings" (Malachi 4:2a). Once while Jesus lived on earth, He was transfigured before
three of His disciples, and His face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2).] 10. When John saw the Son
of Man, he fell at His feet as ___________ (17). [Of Jesus' twelve disciples, the apostle John
had been closest to Jesus when He was on earth. But the sight of the glorified Christ was too much for him. The Lord Jesus
is worthy of deep reverence. But Jesus told him not to be afraid.] 11. Jesus said that He had the keys
of ___________ (hell) and of __________ (18). [Once Jesus had said to Peter that not even the gates of hell would stop Him
from building His Church (Matthew 16:18).] 12. John was told to write three things (19):
(a) "the things which you have __________" (in the past). (b) "the things which ___________" (in the
present). (c) "the things which will take place _________ _______" (in the future).
Jesus
Is Alive Forever
Jesus had been killed by crucifixion for our sins according to God's plan.
"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death
He [Jesus] might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were
all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14, 15). But three days later Jesus rose from
the grave, victorious over death. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may
die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25b, 26a). "Because I live, you
will live also" (John 14:19b). Praise God!
LESSON 3. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS Revelation 2:1-7
1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, `These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand,
who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that
you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have
fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless
you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of
life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' "
Jesus Examines Each Church
Jesus walks in the middle of seven churches of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), examining their spiritual condition with eyes
of fire. "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17a). Jesus judges the Church
before He judges the world. A church may be praised by men or despised by men. That does not matter.
What matters is: What does Christ think of each church? To each church, Jesus says, "I know your works."
What would Christ say about your church today? These letters to the churches give us much food for thought.
Jesus' message to each church is addressed to the "angel" of the church. The word for "angel" also means "messenger." It could
refer to the leader of the church. In each message Jesus chooses a description of Himself that has special meaning for that
church. Most of the letters commend virtues of the church. All but two letters also contain rebukes.
Each letter contains a special promise to "overcomers" or true believers in the church. May each of us be overcomers by God's
grace. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). "For whatever is born of God overcomes
the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4). "And they overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation
12:11).
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with the correct missing word. 1. Description
of Christ: "These things says He who holds the seven ___________ in His right hand" (verse 1). [How wonderful to be held
in God's right hand! "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of
My hand" (John 10:28).] 2. Commendation: "I know your works, your __________, your __________________, and
that you cannot bear those who are ________" (2). "You ________ the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate" (6). [The
word "Nicolaitans" means "conquer the people." Perhaps too great a separation was being made between the clergy and the laity
(common believers). "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not . . . as being lords over
those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2, 3).] 3. Rebuke: "I have this against
you, that you have left your __________ __________" (4). [Zealous activity, good works, and keeping sound doctrine can never
take the place of our love relationship with Jesus Himself.] 4. Promise to overcomers: "To him who overcomes I
will give to eat from the _________ of ___________, which is in the midst of the _________________ of God" (7). [How wonderful
to spend eternity in the presence of God!]
Ephesus: The Church Which Left Its First Love
Ephesus was a major city of Greek culture and pagan idolatry. It contained one of the seven wonders of the ancient world:
the temple of the goddess Diana (Acts 19:35). Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos had worked in this city, and Paul had once taught
there for three years. The book of Ephesians is Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. Later the apostle John ministered
in Ephesus for thirty years.
When Love Grows Cold
The church at Ephesus seemed to be on fire for the
Lord. They were busy about their service to God. They stood strong in defending the truths of God's Word. But Jesus saw that
something was missing. They had left their first love for Him. Serving God can never take the place of loving God. Do you
remember Martha? She was distracted with much serving, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening to His words. Jesus
said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen
that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41b, 42).
What is your
first love? What can you do if you discover your love for Christ has grown cold? Jesus tells us what to do:
1. Remember from where you have fallen. Jesus once told a parable about a son who wasted his inheritance in wrong living.
"But when he came to himself, he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish
with hunger!' " (Luke 15:17). 2. Repent. The prodigal son in Jesus' parable decided to forsake
his wrong ways and returnto his father. "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you' " (Luke 15:18). 3. Do the first works. "And he arose and came to his
father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed
him" (Luke 15:20). Maintaining a close relationship with Christ should be our first priority in
life. If you leave your first love for Christ, Jesus says He will "remove your lampstand from its place." A church
or an individual can lose the ability to be a light or a witness. "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a
branch and is withered" (John 15:6a).
Jesus Wants Us to Listen
Jesus repeats
these words to each church: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." When we really
hear God's Word, we are like good ground receiving seed. "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the
word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matthew 13:23).
LESSON 4. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SMYRNA Revelation 2:8-11
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, `These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and
came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those
who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are
about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation
ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." ' "
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with words from the Scripture above.
1. Description of Christ: "These things says the ________ and the ____________, who was __________ and came to _____________"
(verse 8). [For a church suffering great persecution and martyrdom, what a comfort it must have been to have a message from
the resurrected Christ, who had conquered death!] 2. Commendation: "I know your works,
______________, and ______________ (but you are __________)" (9). [The one who lays up treasure for himself is not rich toward
God (Luke 12:21). "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs
of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" (James 2:5).] 3. Rebuke: None.
[Persecution often purifies a church. Jesus found no fault with this persecuted church.] 4. Promise
to overcomers: "He who overcomes shall not be ________ by the second ____________" (11). [The second death is the lake
of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, into which the unsaved are thrown (Revelation 20:14).]
Smyrna:
The Persecuted Church
The word "Smyrna" refers to "myrhh," a plant which must be crushed
to give out its fragrance. The Roman laws against Christianity were strongly enforced. The persecution of believers in Asia seemed to center
in Smyrna. Polycarp, friend of the apostle John, was burned to death there.
The early Church
went through ten periods of persecution under various Roman emperors. It is thought that about five million believers were
killed. The last period under Diocletian lasted ten years. Believers were hunted down in caves and forests. They were burned,
thrown to wild beasts, and put to death by all kinds of torture. But Diocletian's own wife and daughter accepted Christ. The
persecuted Church spread forth a sweet fragrance to God. "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place" (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Do Not Fear
Persecution
While He lived on earth, Jesus said to His disciples, "If they persecuted
Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20b). Persecution comes in
many forms: slander, ridicule, false accusations, discrimination, imprisonment, beatings, death.
Persecution comes from Satan or man's sinful nature. Satan may use those who call themselves brothers but really are children
of the devil. "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness
is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:10). We need not fear persecution,
because God is with us. "So we may boldly say: `The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' " (Hebrews
13:6). What a wonderful promise Jesus gives to those who are faithful even to the point of death! He will give them the crown
of life—eternal life with Him. Jesus also was faithful to the point of death. "Looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Others around you may fall away because
of persecution. Jesus once explained, "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and
immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution
arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles" (Matthew 13:20, 21). We need to be deeply rooted in the Word of God
and learn to trust Him in every circumstance. His grace is sufficient for every time of need.
LESSON 5. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMOS Revelation 2:12-17
12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, `These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not
deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put
a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15
Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will
come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him
a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." ' "
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with words from Scripture.
1. Description of Christ: "These things says He who has the ____________ two-edged _____________" (verse 12). [The
Word of God was especially needed because of the false doctrine that had crept into the church.]
2. Commendation: "You hold fast to My ______________, and did not ________ My faith" (13). [Though Antipas was martyred
there, the church was faithful.] 3. Rebuke: "You have there those who hold the doctrine
of ___________" (14). "You also have those who hold the doctrine of the __________________, which thing I hate" (15).
[Balaam was a prophet who was hired by an enemy-king to curse Israel. Although God did not allow him to do so, he subtly incited
the people of Israel to commit sexual immorality and worship idols (Numbers chapters 22-25). "They have a heart trained
in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam
the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:14b, 15). This church, like Balaam, taught doctrines
that led Christians into idolatry and adultery. In Lesson 3 the church in Ephesus hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The
church at Pergamos accepted their doctrine.] 4. Promise to overcomers: "To him who overcomes
I will give some of the hidden ___________ to eat. And I will give him a _________ stone, and on the stone a new _________
written" (17). [In Old Testament times God sent manna (a wafer-like food) from heaven to feed the Israelites in the wilderness.
Jesus likened Himself to that miraculous bread. "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he
who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35b). A white stone was used in ancient days
to cast a vote of approval or acquittal ("not guilty"). Receiving a white stone and a new name from Christ signifies acceptance
and approval by God. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according
to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law
of sin and death" (Romans 8:1, 2).]
Pergamos: The Worldly Church
The word "Pergamos" means
"married." The church in Pergamos was in close alliance with the world. The city was called "Satan's throne" because of the
Babylonian mystery cults that had their headquarters there. Jesus told this church to repent, or He would come quickly and
fight them with the sword of His mouth, the Word of God. Only the Word of God can combat false doctrine. "All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Paul commended the
church at Berea because they "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11b).
Are you searching the Scripture daily so that you will not be deceived by false teaching?
LESSON 6. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA Revelation 2:18-29
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, `These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame
of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for
your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow
that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat
things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.
22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless
they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death. And all the churches shall know that I
am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24 But to
you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan,
as they call them, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 `He
shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the potter's vessels shall be broken to pieces'—as I also have received from
My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches." ' "
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with words from Scripture.
1. Description of Christ: "These things says the Son of _______, who has _________ like a flame of fire, and His _________
like fine brass" (verse 18). [The Savior's searching eyes discern evil. His feet stamp out evil with judgment.]
2. Commendation: "I know your works, ______________, _____________, __________, and your _______________; and as for
your works, the last are more than the ____________" (19). 3. Rebuke: "You allow that woman
______________, who calls herself a ___________________, to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual ____________________
and eat things sacrificed to _________" (20). [Idolatry and immorality usually go together. Both picture unfaithfulness to
God.] 4. Promise to overcomers: "He who overcomes, and ________________ My works until
the end, to him I will give ____________ over the _____________" (26). "I will give him the morning ___________" (28). [The
saints will reign in Christ's kingdom. "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12a). In Revelation 22:16
Jesus describes Himself as the "Bright and Morning Star." "We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well
to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).]
Thyatira: The Church of the False Prophetess
Thyatira was the hometown
of the apostle Paul's first convert in Europe. "Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from
the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). Thyatira
was famous for its female-dominated dye and cloth industry. The church there seemed to be tolerating a false prophetess whom
Jesus refered to as Jezebel. She was leading the church into false doctrine and evil acts just as wicked Queen Jezebel, wife
of King Ahab, had led Israel astray to worship Baal and had persecuted the servants of God (1 Kings 16:29-33 and 1 Kings 18:13).
The teachings of Jezebel are described as "the depths of Satan." Jesus had given this prophetess time to repent, but she had
not. Now she was to be judged. The faithful who did not follow her teachings are told to hold fast till Jesus comes.
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control,
brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness
but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives
of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:1-7). Jesus says He will give to each one according to his works. For this church it meant
great tribulation and the death of their children. We need to take the warnings of God's Word very seriously.
Jesus
Knows Those Who Are His
"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own" (John 10:14).
"But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him" (1 Corinthians 8:3). "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God
stands, having this seal: `The Lord knows those who are His,' and, `Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from
iniquity' " (2 Timothy 2:19).
LESSON 7. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS Revelation 3:1-6
1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, `These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the
seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and
strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon
you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who
have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes
shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before
My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with words from Scripture.
1. Description of Christ: "These things says He who has the ___________ Spirits of God and the __________ stars" (verse
1). [Isaiah spoke of the seven-fold Spirit of God which would rest on Jesus. "The Spirit of
the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge
and of the fear of the LORD" (Isaiah 11:2).] 2. Commendation: "You have a few _____________
even in Sardis who have not _____________ their garments" (4). [Only a few in this church were
living holy lives.] 3. Rebuke: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are __________,
but you are ___________" (1). "I have not found your works _____________ before God" (2). [The
church in Sardis had a reputation that it was alive, but in God's sight it was dead. Jesus calls us to be perfect—to
be mature in Christ-like attitudes because God's Spirit lives in us. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father
in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing" (James 1:4).] 4. Promise to overcomers: "He who overcomes shall be
clothed in ___________ garments, and I will not _________ out his name from the ___________ of _________; but I will ______________
his name before My Father and before His angels" (5). ["Fine linen" is the righteous acts of saints
(Revelation 19:8)— "the righteousness which is from God by faith" (Philippians 3:9b). "Whoever confesses Me
before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8b).]
Sardis: The Dead Church
The patron deity of Sardis was supposed to
have power to restore the dead. How sad that the church in this city was dead! Life comes only through Jesus Christ.
The church in Sardis was challenged to remember what they had received and heard, to hold it fast, and repent. "But evil
men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in the things which you
have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:13-15).
We need to study the Scriptures daily and memorize them. "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against
You" (Psalm 119:11). "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm
1:2). God's Word can keep us from sin. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17).
"Sardis" means "remnant." Praise God that even here there were a few who in God's sight were not defiled. "Blessed are
the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!" (Psalm 119:1). What defiles a person? "For from within,
out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,
licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man" (Mark
7:21-23). "Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking diligently lest anyone
fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled"
(Hebrews 12:14, 15).
Jesus Will Come as a Thief to Some
Jesus urges us
to watch, so we will be alert to the time of His return. For those who are not watching, He will come as a thief in the night—very
unexpectedly. But Christians will not be taken unaware. "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
comes as a thief in the night. . . . And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should
overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. . . . Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but
let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3b-6).
LESSON 8. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA Revelation 3:7-13
7"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, `These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He
who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 I know your works. See,
I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not
denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed
I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept
My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those
who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the
name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will
write on him My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with words from Scripture.
1. Description of Christ: "These things says He who is _________, He who is ________, He who has the _______ of David,
He who _________ and no one ___________, and __________ and no one ___________" (verse 7).
[Jesus was holy. "And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin" (1
John 3:5). Jesus was true. "We are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life"
(1 John 5:20b). The treasurer of David's house bore the key of David. "The key of the house of David I will lay on his
shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open" (Isaiah 22:22). Jesus, the
son of David, has kingly authority.] 2. Commendation: "You have a little ________________,
have kept My _______, and have not _________ My name" (8). "You have kept My command to __________________" (10).
[Those who keep Christ's words have a special relationship with Him. "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My
word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23b). How important it
is not to deny Jesus! "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew
10:33).] 3. Rebuke: None. [Jesus did not rebuke their weakness.]
4. Promise to overcomers: "He who overcomes, I will make him a ____________ in the temple of My God, and he shall ___
_____ no more. I will write on him the __________ of My God and the name of the _________ of My God. . . . And I will write
on him My _______ name" (12). [Two special pillars were in the Old Testament temple. "Then
he set up the pillars by the vestibule of the temple; he set up the pillar on the right and called its name Jachin [literally,
He Shall Establish], and he set up the pillar on the left and called its name Boaz" [literally, In It Is
Strength]" (1 Kings 7:21). The faithful Christian, having stability and strength, will be given a place of service and
honor. God seals the believer with His Spirit as a sign of His ownership. "Who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit
in our hearts as a deposit" (2 Corinthians 1:22).]
Philadelphia: The Church of the Open Door
"Philadelphia" means "brotherly love." Jesus had a special love for the people of this faithful church (verse 9). The church
of Philadelphia had doors of opportunity for Christian witness and missionary outreach. Paul, in prison, once asked for prayer
for a door of opportunity, knowing God can open them. "Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door
for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains" (Colossians 4:3).
Doors of opportunity and faithful service can bring opposition. "For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there
are many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9). Satan will not stand idly by while the work of God prospers. "The synagogue
of Satan" included sincere, misled, religious people used by Satan to oppose God's work. But Jesus says He will cause them
to know how loved these faithful Christians are. "He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice
as the noonday" (Psalm 37:6). God always keeps His loved ones through trials. He will spare
believers from the judgment of wrath which will come upon unbelievers, just as He delivered Noah and Lot before judgment fell.
". . . The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day
of judgment" (2 Peter 2:9). What God Can Do Through Weakness When you are weak, you can look to God as your strength.
"We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon
You" (2 Chronicles 20:12b). Jesus wants us to abide in Him, because He knows that without Him we can do nothing (John
15:5). "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from
God" (2 Corinthians 3:5). "God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty"
(1 Corinthians 1:27b). "And He said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. . . . For when I am
weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10). This "weak" church was the strongest and most loved church! "But
those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not
be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Even though we may have only a little
strength, we know that God will not give us more testing than we can bear. "No temptation has overtaken you except such
as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). He gives us ALL that we need
to be spiritually strong. "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of Him" (2 Peter 1:3a). Only weak people know their utter dependence on God for
strength. God's people through faith ". . . out of weakness were made strong" (Hebrews 11:34a). God Himself is the
strength of His people. "My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm
73:26).
LESSON 9. JESUS' LETTER TO THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS
Revelation 3:14-22
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, `These things says the Amen, the Faithful
and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew
you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, `I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do
not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined
in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be
revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore
be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I
will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My
throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 "He who has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' "
Something to Do
A. Fill in the blank spaces with words from Scripture.
1. Description of Christ: "These things says the ________, the ____________ and ________ Witness, the Beginning of
the ______________ of God" (verse 14). ["Amen" refers to something that is "firm" and "trustworthy."
As "the Amen," Jesus establishes all God's promises. "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the
glory of God through us" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus is the origin and source of all creation. "He is the image of
the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created . . . . And He is before all things"
(Colossians 1:15-17a). Jesus is also head of the new creation (believers). "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17a).] 2. Commendation: None.
3. Rebuke: "I know your works, that you are neither _____ nor ______" (15). "Because you are __________________, I
will _________ you out of My mouth" (16). "You say, `I am ___________, have become _______________, and have need of ________________'—and
do not know that you are wretched, miserable, ____________, ______________, and _____________" (17).
[These people were self-righteous and self-sufficient compared to believers in Smyrna, who lived in poverty but were spiritually
rich.] 4. Promise to overcomers: "To him who overcomes I will grant to _______ with Me
on My ___________, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (21). ["Because
he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name" (Psalm
91:14). "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12a). "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).] B. Write out and memorize:
Revelation 3:20.
Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church
"Laodicea" means "rights
of the people" or "people ruling." It implies an extremely democratic church that no longer follows the authority of spiritual
leaders or the Word of God. Laodicea was located in a valley near Colosse and Hierapolis. The
apostle Paul told how Epaphras had a great zeal for the churches in these cities (Colossians 4:12, 13). Hierapolis boasted
hot waters known for their medicinal qualities. Colosse was known for its cold, pure water. But Laodicea received water by
aqueduct. By the time water arrived at Laodicea, it was lukewarm and provoked nausea. Jesus describes the church at Laodicea
as lukewarm. The works of the Laodicean church were as sickening to Jesus as the city's lukewarm water. Though this church
commended itself highly, Jesus has no words of commendation for it.
The Dangers of Wealth
Apparently the church was caught up in the wealthy spirit of Laodicea and did not know its desperate spiritual
need. Scripture gives very serious warnings about the perils of wealth. "And having food and
clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,
for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness" (1 Timothy 6:8-10a). If you
have wealth in this world, remember that it is God who gives power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Do not set your heart
on it. Let God guide you in how to use it to help people in need and to build God's kingdom. You will find joy and blessing.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
How to Get Out of Spiritual
Poverty
The church in Laodicea was spiritually poor, blind, and naked. But Jesus counsels
them on what to do: 1. Buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich. (See
a section below explaining each of these points.) 2. Buy from Me white
garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.
3. Anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. How appropriate these word-pictures are for a church in a city
famous for banking, cloth production, and eye medicine! Through the prophet Isaiah, God once invited
Israel to "buy" spiritual food and drink, but not for money. When we come to God and listen diligently to Him, we will have
spiritual plenty. "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Listen diligently
to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance" (Isaiah 55:1a, 2b).
(1) "Gold"
Refined in the Fire
In God's sight, what is more precious than gold? "That the genuineness
of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor,
and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love" (1 Peter 1:7, 8a). Fiery trials of life test
how genuine our faith is and enrich us spiritually. This brings us joy and honors Christ.
(2) "White Garments"
to Hide Our Shame
What spiritual garments do we need? "I put on righteousness, and
it clothed me" (Job 29:14a). Jesus gives us salvation and the robes of His righteousness.
When Joshua, a high priest in Old Testament times, was opposed by Satan, God rebuked Satan and called Joshua a "brand plucked
from the fire." "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke
to those who stood before Him, saying, `Take away the filthy garments from him.' And to him He said, `See, I have removed
your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes' " (Zechariah 3:3-4). God removes our filthy garments of
sin and gives us the rich, beautiful robes of His righteousness. What a wonderful gift of His grace! We cannot think that
our own righteousness is a fit covering. Only Christ can fulfill in us the righteousness God demands. "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing
of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). How can we receive His righteousness? ". . . If you confess
with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with
the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation" (Romans 10:9, 10). We receive
Christ's righteousness by believing on Him, by receiving Him into our hearts. He died for us and was raised to new life, so
that we also might be dead to sin and alive to righteousness (Romans 6:10, 11).
(3) "Eyesalve" that Brings
Sight
When Jesus was on earth, He restored sight to blind men. Jesus came also to restore
spiritual sight to those who are spiritually blind. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4). As sinners, we walk in darkness. "But he who hates
his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness" (1 John 2:11a). But when Christ comes into our hearts, darkness is turned
to light, and we can see clearly. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have
the light of life" (John 8:12b).
Jesus Chastens Those He Loves
Has
Jesus ever rebuked you or chastened you? He does this because He loves you. "My son, do not despise the chastening of the
LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs
3:11, 12). "But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world" (1 Corinthians
11:32). Our heavenly Father disciplines us in love "for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness" (Hebrews
12:10b). Thank God for His tender correction and chastening in love!
Listen to What the Spirit Says
When Jesus was on earth, He left a promise with His disciples: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26). Jesus
promised that His followers would know the Holy Spirit, because not only would the Spirit be with them, He would also
live in them (John 14:17). When the Holy Spirit lives in you, He will convict you of sin and He will comfort you in
trials. "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (Romans 8:9b).
Perhaps you are like some of the Laodiceans, and this lesson has made you realize that you are spiritually poor, blind, and
naked. You realize that the Holy Spirit of God does NOT live in you. But you long for spiritual riches of faith, for spiritual
sight, for the clothing of Christ's righteousness. You long to be a new creation, with Christ living in you. Is this the desire of your heart? Then this letter from Jesus has good news for you. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand
at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me"
(Revelation 3:20). He stands at the door of your heart, knocking. He wants to experience fellowship and friendship with you.
Will you open the door of your heart right now? Just ask Him to come in. If you need help to pray, this prayer can guide you.
What joy and peace will be yours!
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for dying on the cross to take away my sins. I confess
I am a sinner. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. I ask Your forgiveness. Create in me a clean heart and grant me,
Lord, Your righteousness. I receive You, Jesus, into my heart to be my Savior and Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
LESSON 10. JOHN IS CAUGHT UP TO THE THRONE OF GOD Revelation 4:1-11
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first
voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take
place after this." 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the
throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four
elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded
lightnings, thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits
of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around
the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like
a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature
was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.
And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on
the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and
worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 "You are worthy, O
Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."
The
Throne of God
"The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules
over all" (Psalm 103:19). What a comfort! How wonderful to see that a rainbow encircles the throne! After God sent the
flood of judgment upon the wicked earth in Noah's time, He set a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of mercy. "It shall be,
when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is
between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh"
(Genesis 9:14, 15). God remembers! Even in wrath God remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).
The 24 elders sit on thrones, representatives of the redeemed, having white robes and crowns (rewards)—made kings and
priests to reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9, 10). The four living creatures who declare God's
holiness day and night were seen also by the prophet Ezekiel. He identified them as cherubim—angelic beings (Ezekiel
10:20). The scene here is similar to the Old Testament temple (which was but a copy of the true
heavenly temple). The seven lamps before the throne of God correspond to the seven-branched lampstand. The sea of glass corresponds
to the laver (basin for washing). The throne corresponds to the ark of the covenant where God's presence was. The 24 elders correspond to the 24 priests who
took turns serving in the temple. Even the living creatures correspond to the cherubim arching over the mercy seat.
These heavenly worshippers cast their crowns before God, who is worthy of all praise because He is the Creator of all things.
God is worthy of our service to Him. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).
LESSON 11. THE SEALED SCROLL Revelation 5:1-14
1
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"
3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look
at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,
has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." 6 And I looked, and
behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though
it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7
Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having
a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out
of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall
reign on the earth." 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around
the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands
of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom,
and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And every creature which is in
heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing
and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
14 Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever
and ever.
Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?
The scroll was rolled up and
firmly sealed with seven seals. According to Roman law, all legal documents pertaining to life and death were sealed seven
times. What is so important about this scroll? Many Bible scholars believe that it is the legal
title deed to the earth. Since Adam sinned, all creation was under bondage to sin, Satan, and death. No one in Adam's race
could now claim their inheritance. No man was found who was worthy to loose the seals. John wept. Who could remove the curse
placed on this earth? Thanks be to God! All weeping ends when the rightful ruler of this universe, the Lord Jesus Christ,
appears to loose the seals and to claim the inheritance. In the Hebrew system of owning land,
only a near relative could redeem (buy back) land lost by the original owner. The story of Ruth is based on this law. Jesus—our
Kinsman-Redeemer—by His own blood redeemed us back to God. God's Son was "appointed heir of all things . . ."
(Hebrews 1:2b). He was the only One who could set creation free!
Jesus, the Lion of the Tribe
of Judah
Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, described as a lion and associated with the
kingly line. "Judah is a lion's whelp . . . . The scepter shall not depart from Judah" (Genesis 49:9a, 10a). As the Lion
of Judah, Jesus has prevailed (conquered) and reigns. Before Jesus was born, the virgin Mary (of
the house of David) was told by the angel Gabriel: "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and
shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the
throne of His father David. And . . . of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:31-33).
Jesus, the Slain Lamb
When John looked for the Lion, there stood a
Lamb as though it had been slain. The Lion was the Lamb! The word "slain" used here specifically means "slaughtered, as an
animal for sacrifice." The Lamb had died for the sins of the world. John the Baptist had introduced Jesus at the River Jordan
by saying, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b).
Jesus' death and resurrection prove that He is worthy to reign over all creation, to open the book, to judge the world. The
prophets had foretold both Christ's sufferings and the glories which would follow (1 Peter 1:11). Jesus was to be both the
suffering Lamb and the kingly Lion. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as
a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Now
the triumphant Lamb is all-powerful (possessing seven horns, referring to power and authority) and all-knowing (having seven
eyes, referring to perfect wisdom). As followers of Jesus we, too, can expect suffering before
glory. "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened
to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be
glad with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:12, 13).
All Creation Sings Praise to God
The theme song is "Worthy Is the Lamb!" On earth the Lamb was despised and rejected. But now He receives His rightful praise.
"For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God" (2 Corinthians 13:4a). As a Lamb He was
obedient even to death on a cross. "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).
All creation will one day bow before Him. May we bow to Him as Lord of our lives now! When Jesus
reigns in our hearts, we have new joy and grateful praise for our Savior and Redeemer. "Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!
Sing to the LORD, all the earth" (Psalm 96:1). "Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things"
(Psalm 98:1). Do you sing praise to the Lord? "I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved
from my enemies" (2 Samuel 22:4).
LESSON 12. THE LAMB OPENS THE FIRST SIX SEALS Revelation 6:1-17
1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice
like thunder, "Come and see." 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a
crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. 3 When He opened
the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." 4 And another horse, fiery red, went
out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and
there was given to him a great sword. 5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the
third living creature say, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales
in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius,
and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." 7
When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see." 8 And I
looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was
given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God
and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and
true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 And a white robe was given to each
of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants
and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. 12 I looked when
He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the
moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it
is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island
was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty
men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said
to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the
Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Something to Do
Fill in the blank spaces with words from Scripture. 1. The first seal was opened and the horse
which John saw was a _______________ horse (verse 2). He who sat on it had a ____________. A ______________ was given to him.
He went out conquering and to conquer. 2. The second seal revealed a horse that was fiery ___________
(4). Power was given to the rider of the horse to take ___________ from the earth. A great ____________ was given to him.
3. The third seal was opened and John saw a ____________ horse (5). He who sat on it had a pair of _______________ in his
hand. 4. The fourth seal revealed a __________ horse (8). The name of the one who sat on it was
__________ followed by ________. Power was given them to kill with ___________, with _______________, with _______________,
and by the ______________ of the earth (8). 5. The fifth seal was opened and John saw under the
___________ the ______________ of those who had been martyred (9). They had been slain (killed) for what reasons?
(a) __________________________________________ (b)__________________________________________
6. The sixth seal signaled the coming of the great day of the wrath of the Lamb. What seven things happened?
(a) There was a great ___________________ (verse 12). (b) The sun became _________ as sackcloth
of hair (12). (c) The moon became like ____________ (12). (d) The
stars of heaven _____________ to the earth (13). (e) The sky ________________ as a scroll rolled
up (14). (f) Every _________________ and ____________ moved out of place (14).
(g) All the men of the earth, both small and great, _______ themselves and cried to the mountains and rocks to fall on them
to _________ them from the ___________ of Him who sits on the __________ and from the __________ of the Lamb (15 and 16).
The
First Seal: Rider on a White Horse
Some interpret this as a picture of Christ and His
Church spreading the gospel throughout the earth in a great missionary thrust. Certainly Christ is seen wearing a crown as
He reaps the harvest in Revelation 14:14. He returns to earth in final judgment with His saints, riding on a white horse (Revelation
19:11). He goes forth conquering and to conquer strongholds of Satan. "I will build My church, and the gates of Hades [hell]
shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18b). "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us" (Romans 8:37). Others interpret this rider as a counterfeit Christ, the spirit
of Antichrist, conquering the world through diplomatic, peaceful means (he has a bow but no arrows), bringing false peace.
"For when they say, `Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them" (1 Thessalonians 5:3a). Jesus warned of such a time: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying,
`I am the Christ,' and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4b, 5). "For false christs and false prophets will arise and
show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24).
The Second Seal: Rider on a Red Horse
A time of wars and threats of
war takes peace from the earth. " `There is no peace,' says my God, `for the wicked' " (Isaiah 57:21). "And you
will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is
not yet" (Matthew 24:6).
The Third Seal: Rider on a Black Horse
War often leads to famine. This
rider holds a set of scales, indicating economic control. Food is so scarce that it takes a day's wages to buy one quart of
wheat. Yet the oil and wine, products for the rich, are not touched. Jesus prophesied this: "For
nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines" (Matthew 24:7a). Already millions
have died from famine through civil wars in black Africa.
The Fourth Seal: Rider on a Pale Horse
Death (claiming bodies in physical death) and Hell (claiming souls in spiritual death) have power to kill one fourth of the
earth with: (1) sword (violence and war); (2) hunger (famine and poverty); (3) death (pestilence, incurable diseases, and
natural disasters); and (4) beasts of the earth. This could refer to nature taking over because of world chaos. Or it could
be through germ warfare or animals carrying disease. Rats have caused more people to die than all the wars in history. In
the 14th century, the fleas from rats killed a third of Europe's population with bubonic plague.
Jesus warned of this: "And there will be . . . pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning
of sorrows" (Matthew 24:7b, 8).
The Fifth Seal: Martyred Saints Revealed
We hear a cry from martyred
saints as to how long it would be before God would judge the world. It would be only a little longer, after the martyrdom
was complete. Jesus foretold this as well: "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be
hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness
to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:9-14). At a time when the gospel is being preached throughout
all the world, Christians will be dying for their faith in unprecedented numbers. Christians must
expect to face tribulation and death. In the 20th century more Christians were killed for their faith in Christ than in all
preceding centuries combined. Some of you reading this Bible study are facing persecution and perhaps will face death. Jesus
promises to be with you always. He tells us what our attitude should be to those who persecute us. "But I say to you, love
your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute
you" (Matthew 5:44). However, He will come to judge those enemies and to answer prayers for deliverance. "Rise up,
O Judge of the earth; render punishment to the proud. LORD, . . . how long will the wicked triumph? . . . They break in pieces
Your people, O LORD, and afflict Your heritage" (Psalm 94:2-5).
Promises to the Persecuted
Jesus' disciples had a wonderful attitude toward persecution. "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). "But even if you
should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. `And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled' " (1
Peter 3:14). "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon
you" (1 Peter 4:14a). These words of Jesus are for you: "Blessed are those who are persecuted
for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say
all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for
so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12).
The Sixth Seal: The Wrath of the
Lamb Has Come
The opening of the sixth seal brings frightening disturbances on earth and
in the heavens. Jesus spoke of these things beforehand: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see
the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of
a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matthew
24:29-31). "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall
be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD" (Joel 2:30,
31). Apparently the people of earth know the day of wrath has come. They want to be hidden from
the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! Jesus' first coming had been to proclaim "the acceptable
year of the LORD," but now we see "the day of vengeance of our God" has come (Isaiah 61:2). Could they actually see this
"sign of the Son of Man" in the clouds, causing the tribes of the earth to mourn because they had rejected Him? Will this
be the time when Israel will recognize her Messiah? "Then they will look on Me whom they have pierced; they will mourn
for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn" (Zechariah 12:10).
Scripture describes this fearful time when the wrath of God is poured out on the earth as "The Day of the Lord." "But who
can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap"
(Malachi 3:2). We can avoid God's wrath by repenting of our sins now and by believing in Jesus.
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath
of God abides on him" (John 3:36). Only the blood of the righteous Lamb can protect from the wrath of the
Lamb.
What About the Rapture of the Church?
Praise God that true children
of God—the redeemed—are saved from wrath! "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through
Him" (Romans 5:8, 9). God has designed a wonderful plan for believers. They will be "caught up" to meet Christ in the
air! This being "caught up in the clouds" is called the "Rapture" (from the Latin translation of this phrase).
When will this happen? Some believe it happens at this time, just before the wrath of God is poured out on the world.
Others believe it happens earlier; a few believe it is later and that Christians will be specially protected during this time.
This question should not divide Christians who believe the Bible. We can agree on one thing: It will happen!
God has given us some wonderful details about the Rapture (or "catching up") of the Church. "For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). As we wait to be "caught
up" to meet the Lord in the clouds, let us build up one another in faith and love, praising our Lord that we are saved from
His wrath. Let us spread the good news of His salvation far and wide!
LESSON 13. THE 144,000 SERVANTS OF GOD ARE SEALED Revelation 7:1-8
1 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. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending
from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted
to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the
servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four
thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were
sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; 6
of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh
twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve
thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand
were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
The
Sealed Remnant of Israel
Twelve thousand from each of twelve Jewish tribes are sealed
to show God's ownership and protection. They are on earth, possibly to be powerful witnesses for God.
Today true believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit. "In whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit
of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His
glory" (Ephesians 1:13b, 14).
LESSON 14. A GREAT MULTITUDE STANDS BEFORE THE THRONE Revelation 7:9-17
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples,
and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
11 And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces
before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and
power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13 Then one of the elders
answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 And I said to
him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are be-
fore the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell
among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Something to Do
As
you fill in the blanks, think about the truth of Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." 1. This multitude,
which no one could number, was of all __________, ___________, peoples, and ___________ (9). [Some from every nation and language
will receive salvation.] 2. These that came out of great tribulation had _________ their robes
and made them white in the __________ of the Lamb (14). [They were righteous before God.]
3. The One on the throne will ________ among them (15). [ "I will walk among you
and be your God, and you shall be My people" (Leviticus 26:12).] 4. They shall not __________
anymore or ________ (16). [ "They shall neither hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall
strike them; for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them" (Isaiah 49:10).]
5. The ______ shall not strike them, nor any ______ (16). [ "The LORD is your shade at your
right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day" (Psalm 121:5b, 6a).]
6. The Lamb in the midst of the throne will ____________ them and lead them to living ______________ of water (17).
[ "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters"
(Psalm 23:1, 2).] 7. God will wipe away every _______ from their eyes (17).
[ "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He
will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken" (Isaiah 25:8).]
LESSON 15. THE LAMB OPENS THE SEVENTH SEAL Revelation 8:1-5
1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another
angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense, that he should offer it with the
prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with
the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled
it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
The
Seventh Seal: Silence Before Judgments
When the Lamb opens the seventh seal, there is
awesome silence in heaven. We feel the impending awfulness of the seven trumpet judgments to come. "Be silent, all flesh,
before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!" (Zechariah 2:13). The entire scroll is now open. The fire
thrown down to earth tells us of the wrath of God to be poured out. "For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year
of My redeemed has come" (Isaiah 63:4).
God Answers the Prayers of His People
In Old Testament times, God commanded Moses to make an altar of incense for the tabernacle, symbolizing the prayers of God's
people rising to Him. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest was permitted to go into the inner sanctuary to
meet with God where the mercy seat was. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He opened the way to God. "For there
is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5,
6a). Now we each have direct communication with God through Christ, our High Priest. "Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus invites us to pray. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son"
(John 14:13). "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for
you" (John 15:7).
LESSON 16. FOUR ANGELS SOUND THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS Revelation 8:6-13
6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first
angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the trees
were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8 Then the second angel sounded:
And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood; 9
and a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of
the rivers and on the springs of water; 11 and the name of the star is Wormwood; and a third of the waters became
wormwood; and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. 12 Then the
fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of
them were darkened; and a third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. 13
And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants
of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!"
The
Trumpet Judgments
Seven angels prepare to sound the seven trumpets, one by one. God had
given people a choice. "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you
and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19b). The inhabitants of the earth rejected Jesus, who said, "I am .
. . the Life" (John 14:6b). "But you denied the Holy One and the Just . . . and killed the Prince of life, whom God
raised from the dead" (Acts 3:14, 15a). Now those who live on the earth receive the results of their choice. Will YOU
choose life while you have opportunity? "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . . But as for me and my
house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15b).
The First Four Trumpets
These judgments remind us of the plagues sent on the land of Egypt when God delivered the Israelites from slavery. Years later,
the nation of Israel was promised bitter water to drink because they had worshipped idols and followed the imaginations of
their hearts. "Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink" (Jeremiah
9:15b). During the time of Israel's captivity, the prophet Ezekiel saw a vision of a river of
water which would in God's future kingdom flow to the sea and be healed (Ezekiel 47:8).
The Announcement
of the Three Woes
An angel gives a message that the next three trumpet judgments will
be worse. This message is given to the "inhabitants of the earth." The word "inhabitants" indicates "to reside, to be housed
permanently." These people had settled down on earth as their permanent home, rejecting Christ. The people of God, on the
other hand, consider themselves strangers and pilgrims on this earth (Hebrews 11:13). "For our citizenship is in heaven,
from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed
to His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20, 21a). Is your citizenship in heaven? "Beloved,
I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). "Set your
mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).
LESSON 17. THE FIFTH TRUMPET IS SOUNDED (The First Woe) Revelation 9:1-12
1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. And to him
was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like
the smoke of a great furnace. And the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out
of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4
They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have
the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five
months. And their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek
death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7
And the shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads were crowns of something like gold, and
their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth.
9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots
with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. And
their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose
name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past.
Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.
Demonic Forces From the Bottomless Pit
Jesus once delivered a man who was possessed by many demons. These demons begged not to be sent to the abyss where they belonged
(Luke 8:31). Later Jesus explained who this being was who had fallen from heaven and now was given the key to the abyss, or
bottomless pit. "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:18b, 19). If you are
a true believer, Jesus has given you authority (in His name) over demons. They cannot harm you.
When demonic forces are unleashed in the world as a judgment on an unbelieving world, there will be no protection from the
terrible torment they bring (except to those with the seal of God on their foreheads). People will prefer death, but no one
will be able to die. The leader of this evil horde is called Abaddon (Destruction) or Apollyon
(Destroyer). Never forget that Satan's real goal is to destroy you. Jesus comes to give life. "The thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"
(John 10:10). "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom
he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8, 9a). On your own you are no match for Satan and his demons,
but remember, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who
is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Remember, if you are a child of God, none of these judgments will come on you. "Much
more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:9). Praise God!
LESSON 18. THE SIXTH TRUMPET IS SOUNDED (The Second Woe) Revelation 9:13-21
13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates."
15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third
of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million, and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue,
and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and
brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone
which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like
serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. 20 But the rest of mankind, who
were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols
of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 and they did not repent of
their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
"They Did Not Repent"
The River Euphrates flowed from the garden of Eden, where evil entered the world (Genesis 2:10, 14). Now a deadly army of
200,000,000 is released to kill one-third of mankind through the plagues of their warfare. Those who were not killed did not
repent of their sinful deeds. "Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes" (Psalm 119:155).
Idol worship is total rejection of the true, living God. In God's sight things sacrificed to idols are really being sacrificed
to demons (1 Corinthians 10:20). "With abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons, not to God"
(Deuteronomy 32:16b, 17a). "Sorceries" in the original Greek language of the New Testament
means "having to do with drugs." It is also associated with witchcraft. It is not surprising that these sins are becoming
more widespread in our day. They are sins of the man who has not been filled with the Spirit of God. "Now the works of
the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit
the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21). What a contrast is the fruit produced by a child
of God! "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control. Against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22, 23). It is only by God's grace
that men repent of their sins. "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the
sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). True sorrow for sin leads to repentance, a changed life, and
eternal salvation. The world's sorrow is merely regret for being caught in sin or regret for suffering the consequences of
sin. Because this kind of sorrow does not produce a changed life, it leads to eternal death. If
God's Spirit convicts you of sin, repent now while your heart is still tender. "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not
harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7b, 8a). A time is coming when men's hearts will be too hard to repent of their sins.
LESSON 19. THE SEVEN MYSTERIOUS THUNDERS Revelation 10:1-11
1 And I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head,
his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 And he had a little book open in his hand. And
he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars.
And when he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices,
I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered,
and do not write them." 5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the
land lifted up his hand to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things
that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay
no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God
would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. 8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke
to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth."
9 And I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me,
"Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when
I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations,
tongues, and kings."
The Angel and the Little Book
This mighty angel may
be the "Angel of the LORD," Jesus Christ, who at times appeared as an Angel in Old Testament times and now has a glorified
body. He is ready to claim His inheritance. God once said to His Son, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your
inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession" (Psalm 2:8). He sets His right
foot on the sea and His left foot on the land. This is the Biblical way of claiming territory. To Joshua, God said, "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you" (Joshua
1:3a). The Lion of the Tribe of Judah roars as
a lion does when it is about to conquer its prey. Seven thunders utter their voices. John is not permitted to write what he
hears. This is the only message in the book of Revelation which is sealed from our knowledge. But, praise God, enough is revealed
to us in Scripture for our salvation and victorious living. "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things
which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29).
"He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things" (Daniel
2:21b, 22a). The seventh angel is about to sound the seventh trumpet judgment, and when he does,
the mystery of God, as declared to the prophets, will be finished. Many scoff, thinking the Lord will never return. But He
is giving men today a chance to repent. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is
longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). One
day there will be no more delay, no more time to repent. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation"
(2 Corinthians 6:2b). "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3a).
Part of the mystery of God was that Gentiles (pagans) would be invited to become fellow-heirs with Jews to inherit the promises
of God (Ephesians 3:4-6). "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). This "mystery" has been openly revealed through
God's Word. Why was the little book sweet to John's taste and yet bitter to his stomach? Perhaps
it indicates that God's Word is often a joy to receive but painful to deliver. Perhaps it is because God's Word reveals the
sweetness of God's grace but also the bitterness of His judgment. John needed to eat the little
book to make it part of his inner person. We need to do that with God's Word. "Your words were found, and I ate them, and
Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts" (Jeremiah 15:16).
The Word of God is our food. Jesus said, "It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4b). Digesting the little book prepared John for the messages he still needed to deliver
to the world. We, too, need God's Word to prepare us to be a witness to our world today. The prophet
Ezekiel had a similar experience. "And He said to me, `Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll
that I give you.' So I ate it, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness" (Ezekiel 3:3).
The prophet Jeremiah was to deliver God's message to rebellious people. ". . . Speak to them all that I command you. Do
not be dismayed before their faces" (Jeremiah 1:17a). He was to deliver the message whether they heard it or whether they
refused to hear it. Let us be faithful witnesses to our generation as well, giving out the message of God no matter what the
response may be.
LESSON 20. THE TWO WITNESSES ARE KILLED AND RESURRECTED Revelation 11:1-14
1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God,
the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure
it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if
anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he
must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy;
and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 Now when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against
them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually
is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and
nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10
And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets
tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 Now after the three and a half days the
breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their
enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake
seven thousand men were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
The Temple Is Measured
The city of Jerusalem is overrun by the Gentiles
for 3 1/2 years under Antichrist rule. John is told to measure the temple, the altar, and the worshippers. Measuring is a
symbolic act that shows possession. John is NOT to measure the outer court, which was the court of the Gentiles.
Two
Prophets Are God's Witnesses
The two witnesses wear sackcloth as a sign of great distress
over the spiritual condition of Israel. They are described as the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before God.
This same description was given for Zerubbabel and Joshua, the governor and high priest who rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem
after seventy years of captivity in Babylon. At that time an angel said, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: `Not
by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6b). Who are
these witnesses? Some say they are Elijah and Enoch—Old Testament men who never died because God took them directly
to heaven. Others think they are Moses and Elijah because: 1. Like Moses in the Old Testament,
these witnesses have power to turn water into blood. Moses appeared with Jesus and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1-3). Also, Michael the archangel disputed with the devil over the body of Moses (Jude 9). Did Satan want to prevent
Moses from being this powerful witness at the end of time? 2. Like the prophet Elijah,
these witnesses have power to prevent rain for 3 1/2 years and also to bring down fire from heaven to destroy their enemies.
The prophet Malachi predicted, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the LORD" (Malachi 4:5). If the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah, they would symbolize
the witness of the Law (given through Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah was a great prophet). "But now the righteousness
of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is
through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21, 22a). These two
witnesses are killed only when they finish their testimonies. When the apostle Paul was about to be martyred, he said,
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). Jesus also prayed
to the Father shortly before His death, "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given
Me to do" (John 17:4). Let us also be faithful to complete the work that God gives us to do in being witnesses for Him.
"Endure afflictions, . . . fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5b). The beast (Revelation
13:1 and 17:8) makes war on these two witnesses and kills them. Their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem, known symbolically
as Egypt (for its worldliness) and Sodom (for its immorality). At their death, the whole world celebrates. They want no more
reminders of God. But this rejoicing doesn't last long. Though the survivors of the awesome earthquake
in Jerusalem glorify God when they see the two witnesses raised from the dead and ascend into heaven, they have no lasting
change of heart. Jesus once said, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will
they be persuaded though one rise from the dead" (Luke 16:31b).
LESSON 21. THE SEVENTH TRUMPET IS SOUNDED (The Third Woe) Revelation 11:15-19
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of
this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" 16 And
the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We
give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power
and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be
judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great,
and should destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 Then the temple of God was opened
in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake,
and great hail.
Christ's Reign Is Announced
The kingdoms of this world
have been angry and have plotted against God. Now it is time for God's wrath to bring their deeds to an end.
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take
counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, `Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their
cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them
in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: `Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion' " (Psalm 2:1-6).
Jesus will reign forever! "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7a).
The time for the unbelieving dead to be judged has come as well. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the
judgment" (Hebrews 9:27b). Lesson 34 tells more about the judgment for those who die as unbelievers.
But praise God, believers who die in Christ will not come under this judgment. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he
who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from
death into life" (John 5:24). Though believers will be accountable for their actions, Jesus will reward the saints and
all who fear His name. "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward
each according to his works" (Matthew 16:27). "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened
and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name.
`They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, `on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares
his own son who serves him' " (Malachi 3:16, 17).
LESSON 22. THE GREAT DRAGON IS CAST TO THE EARTH Revelation 12:1-17
1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head
a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and
seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the
dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 And she
bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6
Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one
thousand two hundred and sixty days. 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his
angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place
found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil
and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the
power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast
down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love
their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of
the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male
Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place,
where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent
spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16
But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed
out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring,
who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Something to Do
A. Fill in the blanks with words from Scripture.
1. A great sign appeared in heaven: a ________________ clothed with the ______, with the _________ under her feet, and on
her head a garland of _________ stars (verse 1). [This woman is a picture of the nation
of Israel with its 12 tribes, from whom Christ was born. Israel is often described as a woman or wife. The sons of Israel
were seen as stars in Genesis 37:9.] 2. Another sign in heaven was a great, fiery red ___________
(3). He stood before the woman to devour her _________ as soon as it was _________ (4).
[The dragon is Satan—the devil (verse 12). When Jesus was born, Satan made a great effort to kill Him. An angel instructed
Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, to flee to Egypt for a time. King Herod ordered all male children under two years old in
and around Bethlehem (where Jesus was born) to be killed (Matthew 2:16).] 3. The woman bore a
male Child who was to rule all _______________ with a rod of __________. Her Child was caught up to God and to His ____________
(5). [We know this is Jesus. (See Revelation 19:15). "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up
into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19).] 4. The woman fled into the
__________________, where she has a place prepared by __________, and will be fed there for ___________ days (6). [Evidently
Israel (or a believing "remnant") will be protected from the great wrath of Satan for 3 1/2 years. "I will bring the
one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested" (Zechariah 13:9a).]
5. When war broke out in heaven, ____________ and his angels fought with the _________ and his angels (7). The dragon was
cast out to the ___________ with his angels (9). [Michael is an archangel who seems to fight
especially for the nation of Israel (Daniel 12:1). Hatred against Israel throughout history is the result of Satan's hatred
for whoever God loves.] B. Memorize Revelation 12:11.
Satan Opposes God
and His People
The "great red dragon" is another name for Satan— "the dragon,
that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan . . ." (Revelation 20:2b). When God made the
first man, Adam, He put him in the garden of Eden to take care of it. "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, `Of
every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the
day that you eat of it you shall surely die' " (Genesis 2:16, 17). The serpent, Satan, deceived Eve by questioning God's command. She ate the forbidden fruit, then Adam ate in disobedience to
God. His sin brought death into the world just as God had said. God said to the serpent, "And
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall
bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15). Throughout history, Satan—the Destroyer—has tried to destroy God's people
and the promised Savior. When Jesus died on the cross, Satan bruised Christ's heel. But when Christ arose from the dead, the
power of Satan was crushed. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil"
(1 John 3:8b). The Accuser of the Brethren
Satan is
called "the accuser of the brethren." We see him doing this in the story of faithful Job. One day Satan appeared before God
in heaven and suggested that Job was righteous only because God had blessed him so much. God gave Satan permission to take
away these blessings. Satan did his worst. Job's ten children were killed. His possessions were destroyed or stolen. His body was covered with painful boils. His wife suggested, "Curse God and die!" Yet in all this
Job did not sin in speaking against God. He even said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15a). Job
did not know that he was being an example of loyalty to God. But He trusted God. God blessed him later with more children
and more abundance than he previously had. Remember: God works good out of every circumstance
if you belong to Him. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose. For whom He fore-knew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might
be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:28, 29). Trials in life can make you become more like Christ, and that
is good! Remember also: God never accuses you. He leads you to repentance, removes sin
from you, and defends you. We see this in a vision which the prophet Zechariah had of Joshua, the high priest. "Then he
showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
And the LORD said to Satan, `The LORD rebuke you, Satan! . . . Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?' " (Zechariah
3:1, 2). Joshua's filthy garments (picturing his iniquity) were replaced with clean clothes. After
your sins are removed, if you walk in God's ways, God has a plan for you as He had for Joshua. You have a place to serve Him.
Do not let the "accuser of the brethren" or well-meaning people make you feel unworthy because of past sins. "For He made
Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He has
given you His own righteousness. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,
who can be against us? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is
Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us"
(Romans 8:31, 33, 34). God is FOR you. He sent His Son to die for YOU. He does not condemn you.
Jesus is even praying for you right now! Don't let ANYONE defeat you by bringing up past sins which have been confessed and
forgiven. "An ungodly man digs up evil" (Proverbs 16:27a). As you live your new life in
Christ, remember that God does not want you to sin. But if you do, the Spirit of Christ will tenderly and clearly bring it
to your attention. Humble yourself to confess it to Him. "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1b). "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression
of the remnant of His heritage? . . . He delights in mercy" (Micah 7:18). Satan will try to
accuse you. People who know little of the grace of God will also accuse you. But when we confess our sins and turn from them,
God forgives us—not because we are righteous, but because the blood of Jesus cleanses from ALL unrighteousness (1 John
1:7, 9)!
The Blood of the Lamb Revelation 12:11
tells you how to live in VICTORY. We overcome Satan's attacks because of the blood of Jesus Christ and because of our testimony
of faith in His blood, which we will not give up even if threatened with death.
The blood of Jesus is VERY IMPORTANT. Why is blood important to God? "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I
have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls" (Leviticus 17:11a). All the sacrifices of animals on the altar pointed to the day when Jesus
Himself, the sinless Lamb of God, would shed His divine blood to atone for sins and to remove sins. "Not with the blood
of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption"
(Hebrews 9:12). Are you trusting only in the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from sin? Jesus
has freed us from the bondage of sin and death. Praise God! "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and
translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins"
(Colossians 1:13, 14).
War with the Saints
Satan is filled with great
wrath, because he knows he has only a short time left before his eternal doom. He will tempt you with anything to keep you
from eternal life. Paul told Timothy, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called" (1
Timothy 6:11, 12a). Satan will attack your emotions and try to get you embroiled in arguments
and misunderstandings with people. But make no mistake. We must not get into fights with people. Our warfare is a spiritual
warfare against Satan. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians
6:12). Because our warfare is really spiritual, we should not use methods of the world to fight
against people. We need spiritual weapons. Do you remember the story of young David who fought against the giant Goliath?
He said, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts
. . ." (1 Samuel 17:45b). "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity
to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5). Satan will try to defeat us in our thought
life. Anything that comes into our mind that is not in accordance with God's Word must be rejected. We must fill our minds
with the truth of God's Word, which is a powerful weapon.
The Armor of God
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your
feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians
6:13-18a). Only by putting on the whole armor of God by prayer can we stand against the wiles
of the devil. Truth will combat Satan's lies and deception. Wearing Christ's righteousness and being right with
God will overcome any guilt the enemy would lay on us. We should be prepared to share the gospel of peace and live
by faith,which will quench all the fears and doubts hurled at us. Being assured of our salvation, based on the blood
of Jesus and God's promises, makes us strong in our faith. And knowing and using the Word of God will help us to overcome
temptation of all kinds. When Jesus was on earth, He was severely tempted by the devil. The devil
used Scripture to tempt Christ to sin or to go beyond the bounds God had set. He was "in all points tempted as we are,
yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15b). Every time He was tempted, Jesus responded with Scripture.
He told Satan to leave and said, "It is written . . . ," then quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Because Jesus
was victorious over temptation, He can help you, too, to be victorious. "For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted,
He is able to aid those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).
LESSON 23. A BEAST RISES UP OUT OF THE SEA Revelation 13:1-10
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns,
and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard,
his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power, his throne,
and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.
And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast;
and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two
months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who
dwell in heaven. 7 And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was
given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names
have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills
with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
The Coming
Antichrist
In the end times, Satan will use two wicked personalities in his attack against
God: Antichrist (pictured as a beast rising up out of the sea) and the False Prophet (pictured as a beast rising up out of
the earth; see Lesson 24). The apostle John described the spirit of antichrist which is already
in the world: "He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22b). "And every spirit that does not
confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard
was coming, and is now already in the world" (1 John 4:3). You do not have to be afraid of this spirit of opposition against
Christ "because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4b).
There is coming a day when a man, called the man of sin, the son of perdition, will become a world dictator. He will be given
power by Satan over the whole world. He will appear to die and will seem to be raised back to life. He will be very arrogant,
finally even claiming to be God. It will become more difficult to be a Christian, so those who
merely profess to be Christians and do not really have the life of Christ in them will fall away. True believers will live
by faith in the power of God. "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together
to Him, we ask you, . . . Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first,
and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that
is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). You
may study more about Antichrist and his final destruction in Daniel chapters 7, 8, and 11. In
many ways Antichrist will imitate the life of Jesus. At first Israel will see him as a messiah. Jesus prophesied this: "I
have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive" (John
5:43). Everyone on earth will worship the beast except true believers whose names are written
in the Lamb's Book of Life. Christians must have patience and faith. "Do not fret because of evildoers. For they shall
soon be cut down like the grass" (Psalm 37:1a, 2a).
LESSON 24. A BEAST RISES UP OUT OF THE EARTH Revelation 13:11-18
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell
in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes
fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by
those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to
the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast,
that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand
or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
The False Prophet
The
beast rising up out of the earth is symbolic of a being who causes people to worship Antichrist.
When God sent prophets to His people, He confirmed them through miracles. Now Satan empowers his false prophet to do
wonderful miracles. The ability to do signs and wonders does not always prove that a person is of God. Jesus said, "Many
will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many
wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness [iniquity]
!' " (Matthew 7:22, 23). Jesus warned that Satan and his followers would deceive people. "He
is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44b). "Then if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or `There!'
do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if
possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand" (Matthew 24:23-25). This "beast"
has horns like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon. He appears to be gentle and peaceful, but his speech reveals that he serves
Satan. "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also
transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14b,
15). He orders an image of the Beast (Antichrist) to be made. This may be the "abomination of
desolation" Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:15, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Daniel 9:27). It would stand in
the holy place of the temple and bring down the wrath of God. How can people be so deceived? Jesus
once told some religious people that they were mistaken, "not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God" (Matthew
22:29b). It is easy to be deceived if we do not know the truth of God's Word, the Bible, and if we do not have Jesus, the
Spirit of Truth, living in us. People will be deceived because of widespread demonic worship.
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe
the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians
2:11, 12).
The Unholy Trinity
Many have seen this threesome—the
Dragon (Satan), Antichrist, and the False Prophet—as an unholy "trinity," imitating the relationship of God the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was called the son of God. Antichrist is called "son of perdition [destruction]," which
also means "son of Satan." The False Prophet seduces people into the error of worshiping Antichrist, just as the Holy Spirit
leads believers into all truth and motivates them to worship Jesus. The Holy Spirit seals those who belong to God, while the
False Prophet marks those who worship Satan.
The Mark of the Beast
The mark of the beast, which all unbelievers will take in order to buy and sell, identifies those who worship Antichrist.
Whatever this mark is, it is described as being placed in the right hand or in the forehead. NEVER take such a mark, even
if it means starving to death. (In heaven you will never hunger again.) This mark is a mark of ownership. You cannot choose
to be owned by Satan and also belong to God. You will have to choose whom you will serve. Jesus said, "No servant can serve
two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon [wealth] " (Luke 16:13).
The Number of the Beast: 666
There has been much speculation as to
the meaning of this number. In Scripture the number 6 is man's number, falling short of 7, which is the perfect, divine number.
The number 6 was used in the secret mystery religions of the East. Apparently Antichrist's number, 666 (three 6's), is the
ultimate that man becomes in evil against Christ. Seven is the number of divine perfection, and Satan cannot reach it.
LESSON 25. THE 144,000 LEARN A NEW SONG Revelation 14:1-5
1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having
His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters,
and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang as it
were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except
the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled
with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among
men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault
before the throne of God.
The Redeemed Follow the Lamb
If this group of
144,000 is the same group we saw in Revelation chapter 7, they are Jewish believers who serve God in the end times. They have
the mark of the heavenly Father on their foreheads, not the mark of the beast. They are totally dedicated to serving Jesus
Christ. From these believers we can learn many lessons for our lives today: 1. They were not
defiled with women. They were virgins. The scriptures say, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled"
(Hebrews 13:4a). However, there is a blessing for those who for the sake of the gospel receive a calling of God to be single
(Matthew 19:12). Paul did this. "But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even
as I am" (1 Corinthians 7:8). These followers of Christ were also spiritual virgins, keeping themselves pure from serving
idols and especially from worshiping the image of the beast. They were faithful to Jesus. 2. They
follow the Lamb wherever He goes. Jesus said, "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant
will be also" (John 12:26a). 3. They have no guile in their mouth. "A righteous
man hates lying" (Proverbs 13:5a). 4. They are without fault before the throne of God.
How is this possible? God our Savior is "able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence
of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude verse 24b).
There Is Joyful Song in Heaven
"In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11b). Our deep gratitude
to God can express itself in a new song. "He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God; many will see it and
fear, and will trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:3). Why not take time right now to sing to the Lord from a grateful heart!
LESSON 26. THREE ANGELS BRING SERIOUS MESSAGES Revelation 14:6-13
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell
on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and
give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of
water." 8 And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that
great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives
his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence
of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever;
and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus. 13 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."
The Ministry of Angels
The Bible is full of examples of angels being used to help God's people or to bring death to God's enemies. "Are they not
all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14).
Here is the last call to worship God the Creator rather than the beast, a mere creature. The third angel carries a severe
warning. All those who worship the beast and take his mark will suffer torment forever. Knowing this will help saints to bear
persecution patiently. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
For the Christian, Death Is a Blessing
For the Christian, death is an escort into eternal bliss! The believer has already passed from death to life and will not
actually see death (John 5:24; 11:26). God is with us in every experience. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4a). Paul said, "For to me, to live is Christ,
and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). "The righteous is taken away from evil" (Isaiah 57:1b). To be absent from
the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
LESSON 27. THE EARTH YIELDS TWO HARVESTS Revelation 14:14-20
14 And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a
golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice
to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the
earth is ripe." 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp
sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and
he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of
the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered
the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled
outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
Reaping
a Harvest of Grain
The Lord Jesus comes with a sickle to harvest true believers from the
earth. While He was on earth, Jesus described Himself as a sower of seed, which is the Word of God. The seed was sown
in four types of soil (Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23): (1) By the wayside. When a person hears
the Word but does not understand it, the wicked one snatches it away, like birds which come and devour seeds on hard ground.
(2) On stony places. When a person hears the Word with joy but has no root system, he stumbles when persecution arises
because of the Word. He is like seed that falls in shallow earth. When the sun comes up, it withers.
(3) Among thorns. When a person hears the Word but allows the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches to
choke the Word, he becomes unfruitful. (4) On good ground. When a person hears the Word
and understands it, the life of Christ in him bears fruit, producing up to 100 times as much as the seed that was sown. Jesus
said, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24b,
25). Death to sinful self allows new life in Christ to spring up and bear a rich and righteous harvest.
In another parable, Jesus spoke of two kinds of harvest: wheat and tares (weeds). An enemy sowed weeds among the wheat. Jesus
said, "Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, `First gather together
the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn' " (Matthew 13:30).
Reaping a Harvest of Grapes
How different this harvest is! The crushing
of grapes in a winepress is a picture of the wrath of God on the wicked when the wickedness of man is fully ripe for judgment.
God's wrath does not fall until man's iniquity is full. "And sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James
1:15b). In this case the blood is splashed up to the horses' bridles. This river of blood will stretch for 200 miles and culminate
in the battle of Armageddon. (See Lesson 32.)
LESSON 28. SONGS OF VICTORY Revelation 15:1-8
1
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath
of God is complete. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and
those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the
sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,
saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! 4
Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before
You, for Your judgments have been manifested." 5 After these things I looked, and behold,
the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels
having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then
one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and
ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter
the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Songs of Deliverance
The people of Israel first sang the "song of Moses" after their deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb
and God's power. "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him"
( Exodus 15:2a). Now the people of God have overcome by "the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 12:11) and are singing the
song of Moses and of the Lamb.
LESSON 29. SEVEN ANGELS POUR OUT SEVEN BOWLS OF THE WRATH OF GOD Revelation 16:1-21
1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour
out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." 2 So the first went and poured out
his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped
his image. 3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood
as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. 4 Then the third angel
poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters
saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be, because You have judged these things. 6
For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due."
7 And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous
are Your judgments." 8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power
was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name
of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. 10
Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed
their tongues because of the pain. 11 And they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores,
and did not repent of their deeds. 12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on
the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of
the mouth of the false prophet. 14 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.
15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see
his shame." 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of
the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings;
and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19
Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before
God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains
were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, every hailstone about the weight of a talent. And
men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
Seven Bowls
of God's Wrath
The seven bowl judgments are similar to the seven trumpet judgments, but
they are more intense and severe. In each case the first judgment is on the earth, the second on the sea, the third on the
rivers, the fourth on the heavens, and the fifth on mankind; the sixth judgment concerns the Euphrates River and a gathered
army, and the seventh shows nations gathered in wrath against God.
God's Judgment Is Just
"It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, . . . in flaming fire taking vengeance
on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thessalonians 1:6b-9).
God would not be righteous if He did not punish the wicked. The angel of the waters noticed that it was fitting that those
who shed the blood of saints and prophets should have to drink blood (Revelation 16:6). The judgment fits the sin. God often
did this throughout the Bible. When Pharaoh caused newborn Hebrew boys to be drowned, God killed the firstborn of the Egyptians
and caused their army to be drowned in the Red Sea. When Haman built a gallows to hang Mordecai, Haman was hanged on it instead.
"Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him" (Proverbs 26:27).
God is answering the prayers of the martyrs for justice. "The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed"
(Psalm 103:6). These judgments are a foretaste of hell. The scorching sun burns men who have tormenting sores. They endure
their torment in darkness.
Gathered at Armaggeddon
Instead of repenting,
the nations gather together to war against God. They are brought together by demonic spirits to a place called Armageddon
("Mount Megiddo"). The word "Megiddo" comes from a verb meaning "to slaughter, to cut off." Mount Megiddo overlooks the Valley
of Jezreel (Esdraelon)—the greatest battleground of the Old Testament. This huge plain in northern Palestine is well-suited
for the biggest battle in the history of the world. The seventh and final bowl judgment brings terrible natural disasters: hailstones that
weigh about 100 pounds each and a great earthquake that topples the cities of the nations and causes islands and mountains
to disappear. Christians never need to fear God's wrath. "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Why People Don't Repent
Again and again Revelation says that the people of earth blasphemed God and did not repent. Why?
1. People have wicked hearts. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"
(Jeremiah 17:9). 2. People love their sins. "And this is the condemnation, that
the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).
3. People refuse to listen to God. "Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words
which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit . . . . Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 7:12).
4. People do not give glory to God. "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were
thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21).
5. People do not receive correction. ". . . You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; . . . they have refused
to receive correction" (Jeremiah 5:3a). "He who is often reproved, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed,
and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).
God's Warning to the Unrepentant
Wisdom says, "Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained
all my counsel, and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes
. . . . Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because
they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies" (Proverbs 1:24-31).
Jesus
Receives All Who Come to Him
When we consider that the heart of man is so wicked and stubborn,
how wonderful it is that God's Holy Spirit tenderly convicts us of sin! If we listen to Him and repent of our sins and come
to Him, He will receive us with open arms of love. What amazing grace! Don't ever resist the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Don't
put off repentance. Who knows if your heart will be any more tender tomorrow? Resisting truth hardens a heart. "Now
is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2b). If you feel drawn by the Spirit, come. Remember, Jesus will receive you
when you come to Him. "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast
out" (John 6:37).
LESSON 30. RELIGIOUS BABYLON IS DESTROYED Revelation 17:1-18
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show
you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication,
and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." 3
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names
of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with
gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.
5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. 7 But the angel said to me, "Why
did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and
the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition.
And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world,
when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9 Here is the mind which
has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have
fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 And the beast
that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
12 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority
for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to
the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King
of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." 15 And he said
to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And
the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn
her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their
kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which
reigns over the kings of the earth."
The Origin of Babylon—False Religion
God is preparing a Bride for His Son, Jesus: the true Church. But there is also a false church, which is described as a harlot
or prostitute. It was the custom for prostitutes to wear their name in jewelry on their foreheads.
Religious Babylon began at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). Noah's great-grandson, Nimrod, began his kingdom there (Genesis
10:8-10). It was the first organized rebellion against God. According to tradition and secular history, Nimrod married an
evil woman named Semerimus. She claimed that her son, Tammuz, fulfilled God's promise of a Savior. A demonic religious system,
based on the worship of mother and child, spread all over the world. They were known by different names: Ashteroth and Tammuz
(Phoenicia); Aphrodite and Eros (Greece); Venus and Cupid (Rome). This mother and child cult taught
that Semerimus herself was the way to God. She called herself "Queen of Heaven." Her son, Tammuz, was killed by a wild boar
on a hunting trip and said to be resurrected from the dead 40 days later. Thereafter the temple virgins of this religion would
fast for forty days to celebrate the death and resurrection of Tammuz. After this fast, a joyful feast called Ishtar took
place. Colored eggs were exchanged and eaten. Hot cakes marked with "T" were baked and eaten to remind people of Tammuz.
God called Abraham away from the worship of false gods and led him to the promised land. God wanted to establish a nation
which would be faithful to Him. But eventually, through the influence of wicked Jezebel, wife of Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kings
16:29-33), the nation of Israel returned to demonic worship—the worship of Baal. Years later
God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision of some of the abominations going on in the temple at Jerusalem. "So He brought me
to the door of the north gate of the LORD'S house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz" (Ezekiel
8:14). God reproved Israel for involvement in this false religion through the prophet Jeremiah: "The women knead their
dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven . . . that they may provoke Me to anger" (Jeremiah 7:18b). They had even
vowed "to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her" (Jeremiah 44:25b).
True believers need to be alert to corrupted beliefs that do not conform to the Word of God. Paul described to Timothy how
things would be: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but . . . they will turn their ears
away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:3a, 4). The prostitute church
of the end times will probably include every world religion. According to Revelation 17 the false church elevates Antichrist.
At first this false church flourishes, but then Antichrist and ten kings will turn on this apostate church and destroy her.
LESSON 31. COMMERCIAL BABYLON IS MOURNED Revelation 18:1-24
1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated
with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and
has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3
For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication
with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you
receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6Render
to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix for her
double. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment
and sorrow; for she says in her heart, `I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.' 8 Therefore
her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong
is the Lord God who judges her. 9 "And the kings of the earth who committed fornication
and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing
at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, `Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your
judgment has come.' 11 "And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her,
for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine
linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most
precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil,
fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 And the fruit that
your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find
them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear
of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, `Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen,
purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches
came to nothing.' And every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance
18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, `What is like this great city?'
19 "And they threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, `Alas, alas, that great city,
in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'
20 "Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The
sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. And no craftsman of any craft shall
be found in you anymore. And the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 And the light of a
lamp shall not shine in you anymore. And the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants
were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the
blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."
The Earth Mourns for Babylon
The commercial side to "MYSTERY, BABYLON" is mourned because the whole world had become rich because of her. But while the
earth mourns, heaven rejoices. The blood of the martyrs is avenged. "It is written, `Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'
says the Lord" (Romans 12:19b).
Christians Are to Be Separated from the World
Christians must not take
part in the ways of a sinful world, or they will suffer when God's judgment comes against it.
What are some attitudes of the Babylon world system that we should avoid? She glorified herself, lived luxuriously, was self-sufficient
without God, made money from sinful activities, and exploited people. "Come out from among
them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and
you shall be My sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:17b, 18a). "But fornication and all
uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish
talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you
with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers
with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), proving what is acceptable to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:3-10). "Do
not . . . share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure" (1 Timothy 5:22).
LESSON 32. THE LORD GOD REIGNS Revelation 19:1-21
1
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and
power to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who
corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." 3 Again
they said, "Alleluia! And her smoke rises up forever and ever!" 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living
creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" 5 Then a voice came from
the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!"
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty
thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be
arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, "Write: `Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said
to me, "These are the true sayings of God." 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that
you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony
of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white
horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His
eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven,
clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword,
that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF
KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with
a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great
God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses
and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who
sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked
signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These
two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which
proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Heaven
Praises God
Have you noticed how much praise to God there is in heaven? "Alleluia" is
a Hebrew word which means "Praise Jehovah!" (Praise the LORD!) How much more "heavenly" our lives would be if we praised God
more! "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Psalm 51:15).
Something to
Do
Fill in the blanks to find out why heaven was rejoicing:
1. "__________________ and _____________ and honor and _________ [belong] to the Lord our God!" (verse 1).
2. "_______ and _____________ are His judgments" (2). 3. "He has _____________ the great ____________
who corrupted the earth with her fornication" (2). 4. "He has ___________________ on her the blood
of His _____________ shed by her" (2). 5. "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent ________!" (6).
["Omnipotent" means "all-powerful."] 6. "The _______________ of the Lamb has come" (7).
7. "His wife has made herself _____________" (7).
Marriage Supper of the Lamb
What a joyous occasion a marriage is! The Lamb is Jesus Christ. All true believers are His bride. Paul says: "I have betrothed
you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2b).
The bride is ready! How can we, as the bride of Christ, be sure we are ready? We see that the Bride wears fine linen which
is the righteousness of the saints. We know that our own righteousness is not good enough attire. By Christ's death
on the cross, He cleanses us and gives us His righteousness. "Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that
He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church,
not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25b-27).
The garment the Bride wears is the gift of salvation. Have you received Christ's salvation? Jesus illustrated how each of
us need to receive the wedding garment of Christ's righteousness. We cannot wear our own clothes. ". . . All our righteousnesses
are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6a). Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage
for his son. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he
said to him, `Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the
servants, `Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth' " (Matthew 22:2, 11-13). After we are saved, the righteous acts which we do are by
the power of His Spirit living through us. It is not possible in our own flesh to do righteous things. "And be found in
Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which is from God by faith" (Philippians 3:9). Sometimes the Lord Jesus needs to chasten us
(discipline us) and prune us so that we can be more like Him. "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but
grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it"
(Hebrews 12:11).
Christ Comes to Make War
Scripture refers to the Lord
as a "man of war." "The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry
out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13). What an awesome
sight we see here! The glorious, powerful Christ on a white horse, leading the armies of heaven to make war! "Let the heavens
rejoice, and let the earth be glad. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with His truth" (Psalm 96:11a, 13). The glorious Christ comes with His saints.
"Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among
them of all their ungodly deeds . . . and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him" (Jude,
verses 14b, 15). As the nations gather against God at Armageddon, Christ will destroy His enemies
instantly. "It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem" (Zechariah
12:9). "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike
the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked" (Isaiah 11:4). "Why
is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled
them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes" (Isaiah 63:2, 3b). The
Great Supper of God
The corpses of all those who refused to be transformed by being born
of the Spirit of God are eaten by birds (Revelation 19:17, 18, 21b). In the flesh no one can please God.
Antichrist
and the False Prophet Captured
The Beast (Antichrist) and the False Prophet are thrown
alive into a lake of fire. Later Satan, too, will be thrown into this lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). After the dead are
judged, Death and Hades (hell) will be thrown into this lake of fire also (Revelation 20:14).
Anyone not found written in the Book of Life (those who have not received spiritual life by repenting of their sins and receiving
Jesus into their heart) will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Do not delay
receiving God's gift of salvation! If you have become a child of God by receiving Jesus, be glad! "Rejoice because your
names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20b).
LESSON 33. THE SAINTS REIGN WITH CHRIST Revelation 20:1-10
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2
He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3
and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no
more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. And I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not
received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5
But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be
priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 7 Now when
the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations
which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand
of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.
And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into
the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever
and ever.
The First Resurrection
Jesus spoke of two resurrections: "Do
not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of
life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation [damnation] " (John 5:28, 29). Daniel the prophet
also wrote of two resurrections: "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting
life, some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2). The first resurrection includes
the raising up of all believers. "For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed" (1 Corinthians 15:52b).
Christ's Reign with the Saints
The
redeemed will reign with Christ. The 1,000-year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is often called the "millennium"
from the Latin word, "mille," meaning "thousand." Christians interpret this passage differently.
Those who believe there is no literal 1,000-year reign are called amillennialists ("a" means "no"). They believe
Satan was bound by Christ's victory on the cross, and that this 1,000 years is symbolic of the saints ruling spiritually with
Christ now. Others believe that the preaching of the gospel results in a spiritual millenial reign
of Christ, after which Christ will come for the final defeat of Satan. These Christians are called postmillenialists
("post" means "after"). Christians who take the passage literally believe that when Christ returns,
He—along with resurrected saints—will rule on the earth for 1,000 years while Satan is bound. Then Satan will
be released to deceive the nations in one final rebellion, which Christ will quickly squelch. After this the rest of the dead
(those who died in their sins) will be resurrected and judged. Those who believe Christ comes before the millenium are called
premillenialists("pre" means "before"). It is very important not to get into arguments
over the interpretation of prophecy. Every Christian can learn aspects of truth from other Christians in a spirit of humility
and respect. What is important is to be ready for the return of Christ and to warn others of the need to be ready. All Bible-believing
Christians agree that Jesus is coming again and will reign over a new heaven and a new earth. Praise God!
Satan's
Doom Is Certain
Satan began in heaven as a magnificent being. His pride brought his downfall.
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the
nations! For you have said in your heart: `I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; . . .
I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit" (Isaiah 14:12-15).
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). Pride leads to rebellion. Both
pride and rebellion are associated with Satan. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity
and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:23a). God will judge the proud just as He will judge Satan. "For
behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble" (Malachi
4:1a). How much better to humble ourselves to obey the Lord and receive His grace! "God resists the proud, but gives grace
to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:6b, 10).
LESSON 34. THE BOOKS ARE OPENED AND THE WICKED DEAD ARE JUDGED Revelation 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And
there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another
book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written
in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in
them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of
fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
The
Second Resurrection
Those who take part in the first resurrection are blessed,
but the rest of the dead are unbelievers who will have their part in the lake of fire. What a terrible fate! They are judged
out of the Book of Life and by the books in which their works are recorded. Only the redeemed have their names written in
the Lamb's Book of Life. Has your name been written in the Book of Life? This happens when you receive life through
Jesus Christ. How important it is to have one's sins forgiven and to tell others the good news of the free gift of eternal
life for all who turn from their sins and receive it!
The Second Death
Think of all the pain and sorrow in the world that comes as a result of physical death. Death indicates separation. Physical
death brings separation of the spirit from the body. Spiritual death, on the other hand, is when the spirit or soul is separated
from God. The second death is separation from God in a place of fire and torment forever and ever.
Only the wicked who did not have their sins forgiven and cleansed will "have their part in the lake which burns with fire
and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8b). "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and
seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:3).
The second death has no power over believers who are part of the first resurrection. "He who overcomes shall not be hurt
by the second death" (Revelation 2:11b).
The Book of Life
The Book
of Life contains the name of every person who receives eternal life through faith. The Bible was written "that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31b). "God has given
us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life" (1 John 5:11b, 12). "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation
20:15). If you have received new life through Christ, praise God for your great salvation from
the lake of fire! If you have not yet received new life through Christ, invite Him into your heart now. (See the prayer on
page 32.) When He gives you new life, He will give you the power of His Holy Spirit to live a godly life as you allow Him
to control you.
LESSON 35. THE NEW JERUSALEM COMES DOWN TO A NEW EARTH Revelation 21:1-27
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there
was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God
is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and
there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who
sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain
of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his
God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,
idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked
with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried
me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven
from God, 11 having the glory of God. And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear
as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names
written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east,
three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14
Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15
And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 And the city is laid
out as a square, and its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs.
Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according
to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 And the construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city
was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of
precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20
the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the
eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was
of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22
But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city had no need of
the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. 24 And the
nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring
the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles,
or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 22:1-5 1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life,
clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either
side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves
of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and
of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be
on their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God
gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
A New Heaven and a New Earth
God has promised to create new heavens and a new earth. "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what
I create" (Isaiah 65:17, 18a). "The heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. We, according to His
promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these
things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:10b, 13b, 14).
The
New Jerusalem
God chose Jerusalem to be the capital city of His chosen people, Israel—the
people through whom the Savior of the world would come. He chose to set His name there forever (2 Chronicles 33:7b). Now a
vast, new heavenly Jerusalem descends from heaven to be the capital city of the new earth, where God Himself will dwell among
His redeemed people. This city is as high as it is wide (12,000 furlongs is about 1,400 miles). It has unsurpassing beauty
and glory. The street of the city is of such pure gold it is like transparent glass.
Something to Do
Fill in the blanks to find out what things will be missing from the new heaven and the new earth.
1. "There was no more ___________" (Revelation 21:1). 2. "God will wipe away every __________
from their eyes; there shall be no more ___________, nor ___________, nor ___________; and there shall be no more __________,
for the former things have passed away" (4). 3. "The _____________ [those who feared man, not
God], ____________________, abominable, ________________, ____________ ________________, ____________ [those involved in the
occult and drugs], idolaters [idol-worshippers], and all ___________" will not be there (8). 4.
"I saw no ___________ in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (22). 5. "The
city had no need of the ______ or of the________ to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it" (23).
6. "Its gates shall not be _______ at all by day (there shall be no _____________ there)" (25).
7. There shall not enter it "anything that ____________, or causes an __________________ or a ______, but only those who are
written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (27). 8. "And there shall be no more ______________" (22:3).
9. "They need no __________ nor _____________ of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light" (22:5). The
Tree
of Life
When God created the world, He created the tree of life. Satan enticed Eve to eat of another tree, a forbidden
tree. When Eve gave the fruit of it to Adam to eat, sin and death entered the world. "So He drove out the man; and He placed
cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life"
(Genesis 3:24). It was God's original intent that Adam and Eve have eternal life, but when they sinned, He did not allow them
to eat of the tree of life. He did not want them to live eternally in their sinful condition. God sent His Son, Jesus,
to die for the sins of mankind, so that we can have eternal life with Him in holiness. Praise God! "To him who overcomes
I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7b).
In the new earth, the tree of life is back. "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to
the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:14). You can be like a tree of life to
others when you help someone receive Jesus as their Savior. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins
souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).
LESSON 36. JESUS WILL COME QUICKLY Revelation 22:6-21
6
Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His
servants the things which must shortly take place. 7 "Behold, I am coming quickly!
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 8 Now I, John, saw
and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these
things. 9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant,
and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." 10 And he said to
me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him
be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy,
let him be holy still." 12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the
First and the Last." 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral
and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16 "I, Jesus,
have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and
Morning Star." 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears
say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to these things, God will
add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of
this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written
in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly."
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen.
Worship God Only
When John tried to worship the angel, he was
told not to do it. When Jesus was tempted to worship Satan in order to receive all the kingdoms of the world, He said, "Get
behind Me, Satan! For it is written, `You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve' " (Luke 4:8b).
God wants you to truly worship Him, and ONLY Him. It is amazing, then, that God said of Jesus: "Let all the angels of God
worship Him" (Hebrews 1:6b). We can worship Jesus because He is God in the flesh, who came to live among men as the Man,
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Is Bringing His Reward With Him
Jesus promises to reward believers for their loving service to Him. "Each one will receive his own
reward according to his own labor" (1 Corinthians 3:8b). Only what is done by the power of God's Spirit within us will
endure in times of testing. "Each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed
by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he
will receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 3:13, 14). God's Word promises various types of crowns.
"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (1 Peter 5:4). "Blessed
is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him" (James 1:12). "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation
2:10b). "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).
Water
of Life for the Thirsty
Jesus first offered the "water of life" freely when He was speaking
to the woman of Samaria who had come to draw water from a well. "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever
drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain
of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:13b, 14). He explained this later. "If anyone thirsts, let him
come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water"
(John 7:37b, 38). He was speaking about the Holy Spirit, who would live in believers. Now again
Jesus offers the water of life. A pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeds from the throne of God and of
the Lamb. The invitation comes again, to you: "And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water
of life freely" (Revelation 22:17b). This is the last invitation in the written Word of God. Have you accepted the invitation
to come to Him? You are blessed if you do. Jesus says He is coming quickly. If you are His, then you can join with Christians
all over the world by responding with the apostle John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
Answers to Questions
Answers to the questions in this Bible study are
found below so that you can check your work and know the correct answers.
Lesson 2: pages 4-7 1. seven,
churches 2. feet, golden 3. white, snow 4. flame, fire 5. brass 6. waters 7.
stars, angels 8. sword 9. sun 10. dead 11. Hades, Death 12. (a) seen
(b) are (c) after this
Lesson 3: pages 9, 10 1. stars 2. labor, patience, evil, hate 3. first love 4. tree, life,
Paradise
Lesson 4: pages 12,13 1. First, Last, dead, life 2. tribulation, poverty, rich 4. hurt,
death
Lesson 5: pages 15,16 1. sharp, sword 2. name, deny 3. Balaam, Nicolaitans 4. manna,
white, name
Lesson 6: pages 17,18 1. God, eyes, feet 2. love, service, faith,patience, first 3.
Jezebel, prophetess,immorality, idols 4. keeps, power, nations,star
Lesson 7: pages 20,21 1. seven,
seven 2. names, defiled 3. alive, dead, perfect 4. white, blot, Book, Life,confess
Lesson 8:
pages 23,24 1. holy, true, key, opens,shuts, shuts, opens 2. strength, word, denied,persevere 4. pillar, go out,
name,city, new
Lesson 9: pages 27,28 1. Amen, Faithful, True, creation 3. cold, hot, lukewarm,spew,
rich, wealthy,nothing, poor, blind,naked 4. sit, throne
Lesson 12: pages 40,41 1. white, bow, crown 2. red,
peace, sword 3. black, scales 4. pale, Death, Hades,sword, hunger, death,beasts 5. altar, souls
(a) the word of God (b) the testimony which they held 6. (a) earthquake (b)
black (c) blood (d) fell (e) receded
(f) mountain, island (g) hid, hide, face,throne, wrath
Lesson 14: pages 48,49 1.
nations, tribes, tongues 2. washed, blood 3. dwell 4. hunger, thirst 5. sun, heat 6. shepherd, fountains 7.
tear
Lesson 22: pages 66,67 1. woman, sun, moon,twelve 2. dragon, Child, born 3. nations, iron,
throne 4. wilderness, God, 1,260 5. Michael, dragon, earth
Lesson 32: pages 96,97 1. Salvation,
glory, power 2. True, righteous 3. judged, harlot 4. avenged, servants 5. reigns 6. marriage 7. ready
Lesson
35: pages 108,109 1. sea 2. tear, death, sorrow,crying, pain 3. cowardly, unbelieving,murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, liars 4. temple 5. sun, moon 6. shut, night 7. defiles, abomination, lie 8. curse 9. lamp, light
Seven "Blessed"s in Revelation (Verses to Memorize)
"Blessed"
means to be spiritually benefited. Draw a circle around the word "blessed" in each of the verses below. Underline the words
that show what kind of people are blessed. 1."Blessed is he who reads and those who
hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Revelation 1:3).
2."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'
" (Revelation 14:13). 3."Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches,
and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame" (Revelation 16:15).
4."...Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" (Revelation 19:9a).
5."Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall
be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).
6."Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation 22:7).
7."Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree
of life, and may enter through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:14).
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