The Journey Continues

Revelation Chapter 12

1) Name the central characters of some popular stories.  How important are they to what takes place?

2) Three angels in the Bible are mentioned by name; two of them in this chapter.  Do you know who they are?  Do you know what they do?

3) What does it take to overcome adversity?  How can you be assured of victory in the end?

Beginning in Chapter 12 we are introduced to some of the central characters of the Book of Revelation.  From here through Chapter 15, time does not advance in the story; the final trumpet sounded in Chapter 11, but the details are not revealed until Chapter 16.  In the meantime, John is shown a woman (representing Israel), a dragon (representing Satan), and a child (representing Jesus).  They play critical roles throughout the drama of the end times.

Beginning in verse 7, we read of a war in heaven between the forces of good and the forces of evil.  Here we are introduced to two of the three named angels in the Bible.  First we meet Michael who is in the role of head of the angelic army (12:7).  Michael is also seen in Daniel 10 where he serves as Daniel’s protector.  We are also told that the identity of the great dragon is Satan (12:9).  Satan is described as a deceiver and an accuser.  The only other angel mentioned by name is Gabriel.  We see him in Daniel 8-9 and Luke 1 where he serves as a messenger of God.

Satan is presented as the great adversary, but those following Christ are found victorious over him.  How is this possible?  Three reasons are given in 12:11.  First is the foundational truth that it is through the blood of Jesus that we are found to be champions.  Second we read of the word of their testimony.  This may refer to the manner in which their faith was lived out in real life.  Finally, we see their faith went beyond this life to the point that they were willing to die for what they believed.  These are the reasons they overcame the evil one.

 

Revelation Chapter 13

1) Evil will have a face in the last days.  Who will this be?

2) Unity is an ideal worth pursuing; or is it?  What will it mean to be united in the last days?

3) They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but sometimes it shows a lack of creativity.  How have you seen this played out?

Two more main characters of the last days are introduced in Chapter 13.  Both are referred to as beasts.  The “beast coming out of the sea” is Antichrist, the world ruler who comes on the scene doing the work of Satan (13:1-2).  The “beast coming out of the earth” is the first beast’s second in command.  See Daniel 9:20-27 and 2 Thessalonians 2 for more on Antichrist.

The ideas of a future with one world government, one world religion and one world economy are not just found in end times thrillers.  All of these have their basis in the Bible as we see in Revelation 13.  Verse 7 indicates that the beast (Antichrist) will have authority over all people.  Verse 15 promises death to anyone who does not worship the beast.  Finally, verses 16-17 refer to the need for a mark to buy and sell.

It’s interesting to see how uncreative Satan is in trying to establish himself over God.  All he is able to do is duplicate what God has already done including copying the resurrection (13:3) and miracles (13:13).  Satan even goes so far as to set up his own version of the Trinity with himself as God, Antichrist as Jesus, and the second beast as the Holy Spirit (the one who testifies).

Revelation Chapter 14

1) How long is God willing to wait for people to turn to Him?  Will there be a time when it’s too late to turn to God? 

2) How long is eternity?  How can we even begin to understand the significance of choosing to follow Christ while we have the opportunity?

3) How different is what God has for us compared to the plans of the evil one?

As the stage is being set for the culmination of God’s judgment, a final opportunity is given for people to repent (14:6-7).  It is truly amazing to consider the slow pace God moves at when bringing about His wrath.  He truly loves His creation and longs to see them choose to follow Him.  However, the end is about to come and His judgment will be completed.

While man chooses to live as he pleases, even rejecting God, his life will end at the hand of the Creator.  However, this won’t be the end.  No matter how terrible the Tribulation will be, it will still only be temporary in comparison to the torment that those following the beast will experience forever (14:9-11). 

In complete contrast to the wicked who have no rest (14:11), those who die in the Lord will experience complete rest (14:13).  This contrast is consistent with what Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Revelation Chapter 15

1) What will it be like for those alive during the last days?  Will those not yet following Christ have any chance against Satan?

2) What lyrics would you write for the last song heard in heaven before the final judgments?  What words would you use to express yourself?

3) What was the purpose of the temple in Israel?  What would be the reality for men if the temple was inaccessible?

While the last days will be filled with great evil, Satan can and will be resisted.  Evidence of this is found in 15:2 where we read of those in heaven who “had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.”  This is true for us today as well.  In James 4:7 we read, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  We must choose to live in obedience to God and stand firm against the evil one.  “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:13

The Song of Moses, found in Exodus 15:1-21, and the Song of the Lamb, found in Revelation 5:8-14, both express praise of God’s deliverance.  Apparently, the song found here in 15:3-4 is considered to have the same theme.  Sung by those who had been victorious over the beast, this song speaks of God’s goodness, justice and the praise due His Name.

As the seven angels leave the temple with the seven bowls containing God’s final judgments, the temple becomes inaccessible.  No one would be allowed in until the plagues were completed (15:8).  Perhaps there was no more time for intercession.  The final components of God’s judgment would soon be poured out.

Revelation Chapter 16

1) The end is going to be big!  What are the big ways God will bring about His judgment through the seven bowls?

2) What does it mean for God to be just?  How does God’s justice impact His final judgment?

3) How is it possible that man will suffer through all the terrible plagues of the last days and yet refuse to repent?  How does this same attitude show itself today?

Chapter 16 is full of the big ways that God will bring about His final judgments upon the world.  Variations of the Greek word “megas” are found throughout the chapter.  The call to action is brought through a mega voice (1); the intensity of the sun is shown through its mega heat (9); the Euphrates is seen as a mega river (12); the timing of the final battle will be on the mega day (14); it is a mega earthquake (18) that brings about destruction, along with the mega hailstones (21) that fall from the sky.  Indeed, the end is going to be big!

Throughout our time in Revelation, we have marveled at the patience and restraint that God displays.  He delays His judgment, giving people the opportunity to repent and respond to His offer of new life.  However, it is finally time for the end and in the midst of pouring out the bowls of God’s final judgments we are reminded that God is just in doing what He does.  “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” Revelation 16:7

Three times in this chapter we read about people cursing God because of their suffering during the final plagues (verses 9, 11 and 21).  Twice we read that in spite of this suffering they refuse to repent (verses 9 and 11).  Compare these reactions during the end times to what we read in Jeremiah 5:3: “O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.”  The heart of man is incredibly stubborn, even referred to as stone.  Apart from God’s intervention, our hearts will remain contrary to Him, regardless of what happens.  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”  Ezekiel 36:26

Revelation Chapter 17

1) Why will people be amazed at Antichrist during the last days?  How can we guard against being amazed by anything other than God?

2) Who are those that will be with the victorious Jesus at the end?  What words would you use to describe His followers?

3) What will be the pecking order of the last days?  What will the organizational chart of end time authority look like?

Astonished.  That’s the word used to describe the people’s reaction to Antichrist during the days.  This word means admire, marvel and wonder.  Why is this the case?  Verse 8 refers to the fact that Antichrist will die and then be resurrected causing people to be amazed and follow him.  Sound familiar?  Antichrist amazes people by counterfeiting the work of Jesus.  We must become fully aware of Who Jesus is so we will not be amazed by that which is fake and phony.  Let’s become consumed with pursuing God’s goodness so we will not be distracted by anything else.

In verse 14, Jesus is seen as the conquering Lamb.  He is the King of kings and Lord of lords Who defeats the beast and the ten kings.  But take a look just past Jesus.  Behind Him are His followers; those that have accompanied Him to victory.  And how are they described?  As those that are called, chosen and faithful.  Called to serve, chosen before the foundation of the world and faithful until the end.

In this chapter we are introduced to ten future kings who will rule briefly during the last days.  Verses 12-13 explain that they exist to give their power and authority to the beast.  That is, their purpose is to support Antichrist.  And while we might assume that they operate at the will of Satan, verse 17 tells us that even their work is done under God’s authority: “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.”  From the least to the greatest, God has ruled, is ruling and will rule over all.

 

Revelation Chapter 18

1) How can you stay separated from the evil of this world?  Why is this important?

2) How do you feel when evil seems to win?  Read Malachi 3:14-15.  How do you go on in spite of this dilemma?

Babylon represents the world systems of power and wealth and in the midst of God’s judgment on Babylon is a charge to His people to come out from her (18:4).  This call to be separated from sin is found throughout the Bible.  Consider these passages: Deuteronomy 6:13-15; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians 6:17.

The prosperity of Babylon will end with God’s judgment (18:9-10).  And while it seems like evildoers prosper, in the end God indeed prevails (see Psalm 92:6-8).  We must live trusting in God’s ultimate plan.