The Journey Continues

Revelation Chapter 4

1) What do you think about most when it comes to the Book of the Revelation? What concerns, questions or comments do you have?

2) What would the ultimate seat of power look like? How would you describe the setting of the supreme ruler?

3) What does it mean to praise God? What does that look like? When does it happen?

Some have divided Revelation into three big sections. Chapter 1 relating to what has been – the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Chapters 2-3 relating to what is – the state of the churches John wrote to. Finally, Chapters 4-22 relating what is to come: “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1) This is the part of Revelation that we are most aware of, confused about, and concerned with: prophecy of the future. This is what we will look into as we complete the final leg of our journey.

In verses 2-5, John describes the first scene he encounters as Jesus shows him what is to come. And what does he see? Majesty. Power. Control. He sees God the Father in all His glory. But note an important detail that puts the rest of the book in its proper perspective. Before the battles, before the judgment, before the terror, we see God and He is sitting. Not pacing, not fretting, not strategizing. God is sitting as the One Who is totally in control of all that is to take place.

24/7/365 praise. That’s what John sees taking place around the throne of God. Falling elders, strange beings and lots of praise. Praise that describes the character of God. Praise that refers to His eternal nature. Praise that speaks of His holiness. What would it be like for you to praise God 24/7/365? As you continue to get a fuller picture of Who He is, you’re response will be nothing less that than of heaven.

 

Revelation Chapter 5

1) In Chapter 5, Jesus is referred to as both Lion and Lamb.  What picture is portrayed by each of these images?

2) What set Jesus apart as the only One worthy of opening the scroll that was in God’s hand?  Why was He the only One qualified?

3) What would you have left to say after everything else was said and done?  What final word would you have after everything else had been taken care of?

In Chapter 4, Jesus brought John into the throne room of God.  At that point all our attention was focused on Him Who was seated on the throne.  Now in Chapter 5, our attention focuses on Jesus, the only One found worthy to open the scroll that God was holding (more on the scroll beginning in Chapter 6).  Here, Jesus is seen as a Lion (5:5) and as a Lamb (5:6).  The Lamb refers to Jesus’ first coming and His death and the Lion refers to His second coming and His sovereign judgment of the world.

The focus of the words (whether said or sung) in Chapter 4 was to express the worthiness of God (verses 8 & 11).  Now in Chapter 5, a new song is sung to honor Jesus as the One Who alone was qualified to open the scroll.  And the reason this was the case is clearly stated in verse 9: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Imagine the scene in heaven.  We go from the four living creatures and the 24 elders singing a new song (5:8-10), to many angels offering their praise (5:11-12), to every creature singing (5:13).  And at the end of everything, the smallest group, the four living creatures, simply say, “Amen,” which can be translated, “so be it.”  Sometimes there is nothing left to say.  This certainly would be the case when looking upon the Father and His Son in all their glory.

 

Revelation Chapter 6

1) What source do you think God will use to begin His judgment of the world? What method will He use to get things started?

2) Consider those that have died as martyrs throughout the ages. What do you think they will say to God during the last days? What will God say to them?

3) What are some devastating natural disasters that have occurred in the last several years? What would it be like to know that God will one day use the events of nature to bring His judgment?

The opening of the first four seals release four riders on horses sometimes referred to as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These horses represent what man will do to himself. In reading a variety of commentaries, here is what they seem to represent.

The white horse (6:1-2) represents conquest resulting in peace. Notice that the rider is said to have a bow, but no arrows. This seems to indicate that victory comes through the threat of force and not actual battle.

The red horse (6:3-4) represents war. All this rider must do is remove the peace that existed after the white horse and men would kill each other.

The black horse (6:5-6) represents famine. The discussion of the cost of food indicates that it is very scarce and therefore very expensive.

The pale horse (6:7-8) represents death itself. Verse 8 indicates that one-quarter of the population will be killed either as a result of this seal alone or as a sum total of the first four judgments.

The opening of the fifth seal (6:9-11) reveals those who died for the cause of Christ. These martyrs ask how long they must wait for God to avenge their deaths. They are comforted and cared for as seen through the giving of white robes. They are also told they must wait until all that have been called to be martyrs have joined them in death. It appears that even in the last days there will be those who die standing for Christ.

The events of the first four seals took place at the hand of men (conquest, war, famine and death). Here, the opening of the sixth seal brings events that are supernatural (6:12-14). That everyone realizes these disasters are directly from God is found in verses 16-17 where all the inhabitants of the earth are seen fleeing to the mountains in an attempt to escape God’s wrath although they realize there is no way to escape.

 

Revelation Chapter 7

1) What does it mean for God to be sovereign?  How is God’s sovereignty displayed in the Book of the Revelation?

2) What will happen to the Jews in the end?  Are they without hope because they missed Jesus as Messiah when He came 2,000 years ago?

3) Name some contrasts that you see around you.  Think “dark & light” and “hot & cold.”

Before the seventh seal is opened, judgment is paused for a season until God’s chosen were sealed (7:1-3).    The fact that judgment is suspended during this time shows the full extent of God’s sovereignty.  He does not simply put things in motion; He determines every step along the way.

Two groups are introduced in Chapter 7.  The first group is made up of Jews from every tribe of Israel who were being sealed by God (7:3-4).  The Jews were God’s chosen people since the days of Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3).  And although they failed to recognize Jesus as Messiah when He came, in the last days they will turn to God.

The second group we see in Chapter 7 are those “from every nation, tribe, people and language” who had been saved in the midst of the tribulation (7:14).  While the time of the tribulation will be one of great judgment and death, it will also be a time of great mercy and life.  To the end, God shows that “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9

 

Revelation Chapter 8

1) What are some ways that sound gets our attention?  Think volume, pitch, length, etc.

2) What would you pray for in the midst of the end of the world?

3) What signs from God would get your attention?  How could God show mankind the seriousness of their rebellion?

Deafening silence.  Sounds like an oxymoron, but there certainly are times when silence is incredibly powerful.  That must have been the situation in heaven when the seventh seal was opened.  The Bible says there was silence for half an hour (8:1).  Can you imagine what that would have been like?  Talk about waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.

After the silence and before the sound of the first trumpet, our attention is focused on an angel who is before the altar.  Much like the priest of the Old Testament, this angel is standing with a container of incense which is being offered up with the prayers of the saints.  While we are not told what the saints are praying for, the next event we witness is this container of incense being hurled at the earth resulting in “peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” (8:5)  Could the prayers of these saints be similar to those of we read about in Revelation 5:10: “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

The balance of Revelation 8 is the sounding of the first four trumpets (8:7-12).  These trumpets represent judgments are against the world around us and resemble the plagues that fell upon Egypt (Exodus 7-12).  Judgment is brought against one-third of the land, the seas, drinking water and the heavens.  Surely this would get people's attention!

 

Revelation Chapter 9

1) How far would you go to escape something horrible?  What extreme measures would you take to get away from pain?

2) Consider God’s sovereignty.  Who is He in charge of?  What does He have at His disposal to accomplish His purposes?

3) Pain, suffering, judgment.  What is the point of all of this?  What is God attempting to do during these final days?

Chapter 9 brings the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets.  With these trumpets, two of the final three woes are realized.  Unlike the previous trumpets, the judgments here are directed against man himself.  So intense will these judgments be that people will seek death as a means of escape, but will be unable to die (9:6).  How horrible these judgments must be.  How wonderful to know we would be safe even if we were alive during this time (9:4).

God’s sovereignty is seen throughout Chapter 9.  The falling star (possibly Satan) was given the key to the Abyss (9:1).  The locusts were given their power (9:3).  Further, the locusts were told what and whom they could and could not harm (9:4), and were prevented from killing (9:5).  In verse 14 we read of four evil angels that had been bound by God only to be released to accomplish His purposes when He said so.  Although Satan and his demonic forces will be the agents of destruction, all they do is under the authority of God.

While the Book of the Revelation chronicles God’s plans for the final destruction of mankind, the earth and Satan, another theme consistently comes through.  To the very end, God gives mankind the opportunity to turn from their evil ways and repent.  This is evident in the final verses of Chapter 9 where we read that in spite of all the destruction and in spite of all their suffering, “The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.  Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

Revelation Chapter 10

1) Consider the final moments before a major event (surgery, distant travel, marriage).  What would you want to see to give you peace and the assurance that everything will be okay?

2) Where are we on the end of the world timeline?  At what point will the end be here?  How does your answer impact how you will live today?

3) How do you respond to what we’re reading in the Book of the Revelation?  What emotions are you experiencing when you read about what is to come?

A picture of strength and control is found at the beginning of Chapter 10.  After the sixth trumpet and before the seventh trumpet, John sees a mighty angel with a little scroll (10:2).  The position this angel takes up is one that shows total dominion.  With one foot on the sea and the other on the land, his stance reminds us of the total sovereignty of God even in the midst of destruction and the end of the world.

The angel with the little scroll makes a bold declaration in verse 6: “There will be no more delay!”  The question is when will this declaration be made?  The New Testament is filled with this answer: no one knows (see Matthew 24:36, 50; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32; and Luke 12:46).  And since this is the case, we must truly live today as if it could be the last.

In verses 9-10 we are about the sweetness and bitterness of the scroll.  As we read about the end times, about God’s ultimate victory and the ultimate demise of the earth, we deal with both positive and negative emotions.  How awesome to consider all that God will do as He finalizes all of eternity.  This will be a time of sweet joy for those who have chosen to follow Him and a time of deep bitterness for those who have not.  It is sweet to know of God’s redemptive plan; bitter to know of His judgment.

 

Revelation Chapter 11

1) What must take place before Jesus returns?  What are the signs we should be looking for?

2) What would be your message if you had the opportunity to speak just before the final trumpet sounds?

3) If you were among the angels in heaven, how would you introduce the final chapter of the story of the end of the world?

John is told to measure the temple of God.  This seems to refer to an actual temple on earth (see verse 19 for a reference to God’s temple in heaven).  This is consistent with passages that refer to the Antichrist desolating the temple during the last days (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).  If this is the case, then it appears that the building of a temple in Jerusalem must take place before Jesus returns.  We’ll need to do some more studying on this (see Ezekiel 40-43; Daniel 7-9; and Matthew 24).

In Chapter 11 we are introduced to the two witnesses.  While we don’t know what their message is, we have a couple of clues.  They are clothed in sackcloth (11:3) which indicates grief and repentance.  They are well protected, so their message is probably not popular (11:5).  They are also given power to bring plagues indicating their judgment (11:6).  The sixth trumpet was sounded in Revelation 9:13 and was referred to as the second of three woes.  The end of the time of the two witnesses brings about the end of this second woe: “The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon (11:14).”

While the seventh trumpet sounds in Chapter 11, the details of the seven bowls that bring about God’s final judgment are not revealed until Chapter 16.  The finality of all that will take place is expressed this way in 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”