Lesson 5 Revelation 13, 14, 15 & 16

The interpretation of the first beast is found in chapter 17:7-13. This is a combination of the anti-Christ and the rulers who align with him. The picture of this beast coming up out of the sea is not a picture of an amphibian, as seen by its description. While the beast may actually come out of the water and out of hiding (think: the angels under the Euphrates River), it is probably showing a beast coming out of the sea of humanity. The beast of verse three was fulfilled in past civilizations with Greece-Macedonia (the leopard), Media-Persia (the bear), and Babylon (the Lion). The beast will be composed of revived remnants of those civilizations, headed up by the anti- Christ, and under the control of the dragon, satan.

The mortal wound of one of the horns (horns are kings) in verse three and is his attempt at a false resurrection of the anti-Christ. From there, the beast receives worship (v.4) and appears to be unstoppable in the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation. The anti- Christ makes it a point to be blasphemous against Jesus Christ for those 3 ½ years. V. 5, 6. It also shows the blasphemy is not only against God, but also the tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. In verse 7, persecution is all out against the saints by all the nations. It looks like war against the saints. Everyone who is not in the book of life will be involved in this evil. V.8. and in 9 and 10, the injunction to listen up and hear: retribution will be accomplished. This message will comfort the saints. John is saying that those who are alive in Christ during the tribulation will only make it through if they leave their vengeance to God. They are to lay down their arms and not struggle against the beast.

II. The Second Beast 13:11-18

This beast is commonly referred to as the false prophet- he speaks like a dragon. However, this beast directs humanity’s worship towards the first beast, the ant-Christ and not God. V. 12. The false prophet is the unholy man, who is very powerful (V. 13) and encourages mankind to make an image of the resurrected beast (V.14) and he even gives life to the image. The false prophet makes an edict that those who do not worship the image, dies. V.15. In verse 16, the false prophet causes all of mankind to receive the mark of the beast in their right hand or in their foreheads. The purpose of the mark is to be able to buy or sell, based on that mark of the beast. V.17. The number of the mark is 666. V.18. The number of the mark will be absolutely essential for survival of those who are alive. The mark is descriptive of what he is: a man controlled by the dragon. A man is the anti-Christ and that man who receives worship is the anti-Christ, and he will leave his mark upon mankind.

Revelation 14

The Pause that Reinforces. 14:1-20

I. The Lamb 14:1-5

The vision of the Lamb in verse one places the scene on Mt. Zion with 144,000 marked individuals: the Jewish evangelists. This chapter is closely related to chapter 7. This is not a continuation of 13, but rather a parenthetical pause to show a big picture of how that the Lamb kept good on his Word about protecting those 144,000. All of them were redeemed. He did not lose one of them. Check out the character of these Jews: verses 3, 4, and 5. Their song is not a million seller, because only they can know and learn it. Verse 5 shows their redemption is just as good as ours.

II. Six Angels Preaching Judgement 14:6-20

A. 1st Angel: Has the message of the everlasting gospel. This is contrary to the ministry of angels in the church age. Angels do not have the gospel message at this point in time. However, they have and active ministry to believers and they have an active ministry of delivering special messages in the Old Testament. This particular message will be good news to the saved but bad news for the lost. This will be the gospel message until the Great White Throne of Judgment.

B. 2nd Angel: (v.8) “Doom for Babylon” Not a very bright picture. For a place responsible for such great wickedness and sorrow. It si spoken of as having already taken place (Isaiah 13:19.) Mt. Zion is the place to be because Babylon has already fallen.

C. 3rd Angel: v.9-13. This is judgment on those who took the mark of the beast. These people will not enter the millennium. There will be no such thing as neutral or pacifist during the tribulation. Compare verse 10 with I Thessalonians 1:10. Hell is visible to Christ and His angels. V. 10. It is possible that the church will never know the extent of the wrath of God upon unbelievers. In verse 12, we see the important characteristics of the tribulations saints: patience and faith, and keeping the commandments. It will indeed be a blessed time to die in the Lord because life on earth will be pure hell. Unbelievers will ask to die but will not be able to do so.

D. 4th Angel: V. 14-16 – John starts the picture rolling for the pre-view of Armageddon as the Son of Man holds the sickle of his harvest. There is nothing good about this harvest of judgment.

E. 5th Angel: v.17 – this angel comes forward with another sickle.

F. 6th Angel: V.18-20 – He asks for a second reaping of the wrath of God. ( 18, 19.)

In verse 20, we see the extent of the carnage from the battle. Blood will flow as deep as the horse’s bridles for 200 miles.

Revelation 15

An introduction to the 7 last plagues 15:1-8

I. John’s vision of the seven Angels V.1

By this point in time, John has seen various angels with assorted tasks to carry out. This vision seems to be in greater magnitude that that of the 12th chapter. It may be the same vision with new details. The events are greater to behold. This is because we are coming to the end of his wrath, the end of the great tribulation.

II. John’s Vision of the Over-comers. 15:2. This is similar to the sea of glass in Chapter four.

III. The songs of the Over-comers 15:3, 4. They sing the song of Moses (Deut. 32) and the Song of the Lamb. Jesus Christ is still in charge.

IV. John sees the Heavenly Tabernacle: 15:5 The temple was first opened for view in Chapter 11.

V. The departure of the Seven Angels to Execute Judgment on Behalf of The Lamb. 15:6-8

The vials are not test tubes, but rather bowls that represent either the bowls of blood used in temple worship or the bowls that held the incense. See Rev. 8 for comparison.

REVELATION 16

THE SEVEN VIALS (Bowls) of Wrath

A voice from the temple gives the command to pour out God’s wrath on Earth. V.1

Many people may ask, how can a Holy God allow such things to be done to mankind? What are your thoughts?

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Some insight into the measure of wrath in verse 1:

-Wrath is usually measured, until the great white throne. Then it is for eternity. Even in the bowls of judgment poured, there is a provision of grace. It is poured out in the portion like a shallow bowl, or even as a cup. Psalm 75:8. Even Jesus said, “Who shall receive the greater judgment?”

- In proportion to the length of God’s mercy that has been extended to this wicked world, the portion of wrath may even seem small. Hard to believe? Psalm 7:11 says that God judges the righteous, but he is angry with the wicked, EVERY Day.” That anger is the kind that is someone who is enraged, even to the point of foaming at the mouth.

-He has not forgotten the cries of the righteous, and the tribulation saints.

-The wicked fall into God’s wrath at their own doing. They have been warned. God’s attempts to turn them around shows they make the turn into hell on their own. Psalm 9:16, 17. See also Psalm 146:9

-The truth still stands, “There is none righteous, no not one!” And,” … God commended his love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” None of us deserve to escape, but Christ came to make a way for us to escape, that He may be gracious to us.”

1st angel- the Bowl/ Vial judgments: When this is poured out, it produces a disgusting and painful sore on those who have pledged allegiance to the beast. V.2

2nd angel- The Bowl/Vial judgments: Now the sea becomes blood, and every living thing in the sea dies. Everything! V.3

3rd angel- the Bowl/Vial judgments: The blood now spreads to the rivers and underground water supplies. The reason for this is found in vs.5-7

4th angel- the Bowl/Vial judgments: The sun’s heat scorches men with fire. Man does not repent. Vs.8, 9

5th angel- the Bowl/Vial judgments: The beast and his rule are the objects of this portion of God’s wrath. This judgment is characterized by darkness, extreme pain, sores, and an unrepentant attitude. Vs.10, 11

6th angel- the Bowl/Vial judgments: Now the Euphrates River is the target of judgment. The river dries up to make a highway for armies to pass over. Frog-like, unclean spirits proceed forth from the unholy trinity to recruit an army to fight against God. Verses 15 and 16 are preparation for the battle of Armageddon. This will be an especially troubling time and it is important for God’s people to be patient- Watch and Keep. Vs.1-14

7th angel- the Bowl/Vial judgments: The portion of this wrath is begun by the statement from the temple in heaven, “it is done.” It is characterized by voices, lightning, thunders, and a terrifying earthquake. Jerusalem is split into three parts and cities fall, all over Earth. It is also notable in verse 20, that islands vanish as a result of the quake, in addition to all of the mountains. This chapter ends with hail from heaven. Man is not only still unrepentant, but he goes so far as to blaspheme God. The judgment spills over into chapter 17.

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