Revelation Part 2

Ch. 11 Revelation Continued V.14-

1) Seventh Angel sounds the seventh Trumpets

which also is including the seven bowls. This is the end of the reign of the demons that are free roaming We learn more of this in CH.16

a) The 24 elders are worshipping god and giving thanks.

b) However, the nations are angry because there is nothing they can do. They were afraid but now they are just mad.

c) Verse 18 has the last part of God wrath that we deserve and the judging of the dead. There are 3 major parts to this.

i) The Old Testament saints

ii) The Raptured church and the Tribulation saints

iii) The unbelievers are thrown to the lake of fire forever. The lake of Fire is a reference to hell. This is mentioned in Chapter 20 in some more detail.

d) Verse 19- The ark of the covenant. This was apart of the Old Testament Tabernacle and is seen in Exodus where God gave Moses the specs for the ark of the Covenant. The Temple in Heaven is opened and the Ark of the Covenant which holds the 10 commandments

Ch. 12 – The woman and the Dragon

Verse 1-6 There is a woman figurely that is in Heaven. However, this is not an actual woman but is a term that is being used to represent the bride of God. She has clothing of the sun and the moon under her feet. Her head has a crown of 12 stars. This I believe is to act significance to the 12 Jewish tribes that are mentioned. She is pregnant and going through the curse of painful Child birth. Suddenly in there is a sign appeared a red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns and 10 diadems. The word diadems in Greek means crowns. The tail throws a 3rd of the stars down to heaven. The woman (Israel) Gives birth to the child that she fears the dragon is going to kill. The dragon is Satan the fallen Angel that didn’t get his way in the beginning and been causing havoc. The male child who is Jesus that will rule all of the nations and the child is taken up to a place by God and there for 1260 days = 3.44 years. God places himself in human form to mature and at the end to end the Tribulation where God wins. Evil knows the end of the book, but they are stubborn and are thinking they can change what God has planned. This is just like how God’s children think they are going to change God’s will, but this is impossible. God looks at the overall picture of everything, but we only see a very small portion of what is going on.

Verse 7-17

A mighty war between the dragon that is on steroids and Michael the Arch Angel and his Angels fighting against the each other. This is an all out Good Vs Evil fight going on in heaven. In Verse 9 we read that the Satan is Thrown down to Earth with all of his fallen angels. Satan is released but only for a brief amount of time.

(ESV)

Revelation 12:10–12 ESV

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Verse 10 is stating that Satan can’t get to heaven to accuses the Believers of Christ. He can not be the one that tries to throw you under the bus when you have the blood of Jesus covering your sins and God seeing you through the filter of his son Jesus. In Verse 11-12 states that the Devil knows that he is going to lose so he is going to cause as much demise and trouble that he can before the end of his time comes up.

Verse 13-17

The dragon isn’t happy to say the least and goes after the woman that represents Israel. But she is given two wings of a great eagle. She goes back into the wilderness where for 3 and half years for nourishment.

In verse 15 we have a dragon that is breathing water that is trying to drown the woman and sweep her away. The Water is swallowed up by earth and by the wording that it opens it mouth. This could be a euphemism or meaning earthquakes which logically could take the water away from Mother Israel. The Dragon could not get the woman, so he decides that he is going to make war on her offspring. The land of Israel and those that are keeping the commandments of God and the Testimony of Jesus. The dragon will attack the Believers and it will not be rainbows and unicorns. Being a believer is not an easy task because if you are doing the right thing and God’s will you will have struggles, challenges and this is reiterated in the book of Revelation.

Ch. 13

THE CHARACTER OF THE FIRST BEAST—vv. 1–4

After the Dragon There is a Beast that comes right out of the sea with 10 horns, 7 heads and 10 diadems or crowns on its horns and has slanderous names on its heads. IT was like a leopard Which I believe John is using to show the speed and swiftness of the creature. Feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. The Dragon gave Authority to the Beast. The Dragon is believed to be Satan. And the First Beast is the Anti-Christ who has the world worshipping him.

V.5- 10

The Beast was saying Slanderous words toward God and was allowed to Exercise Authority for 2 years. It made war on the believers and conquered them and everyone on earth will worship it who does not have their name is the book of life. In Verse 10 there is an encouragement to the Saints that they must be strong and keep their faith and devotion since the Beast and Satan do not win in the end. This is just a spoiled kid who did not get their way even though they read the back of the book.

THE CHARACTER OF THE SECOND BEAST—vv. 11–18

The second beast that is mentioned is a minion to the first beast making other on the earth worship the first beast. In Verse 12 states that the wounds that the first beast sustained early in Ch. 13 is healed and the inhabitants worshipped it because of this. The Beast will kill those that will not worship the image of the beast. There is the mention of the mark that is the name of the beast or the number 666. This mark if you do not have it will not be able to buy or sell anything and you will die because you are not able to survive. Many believers believe that this mark could be the use of micro-chips in one’s hand that was tested earlier this year.

Ch. 14 – The Lamb and the 144,000

Verse 1-5 mentions the 144,000 that were marked on the forehead by God. The chosen ones from the 12 Jewish 12 tribes. The sound of Heavenly sounds of Water and Thunder. There is a new song that John hears before the elders and the four living creatures that we learned of previously. No one except the chosen 144,000 could learn the song who were redeemed and taken home to their heavenly father from earth. There are home finally.

(ESV)

4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

In verse 4 and 5 John mentions that those who have not been lustful, followed Jesus and have not lied are the ones being redeemed.

I. The Message of the 3 Angels Verse 6-20

V.6-7 -We see in Verse 6 a Message of an overhead Angel who is telling the Gospel to every tongue and nation and proclaims that the hour of God’s Judgment has come and worship God.

V.8 We have an angel stating Babylon the great who made all nations drink the wine of the passion. This could be translated as drinking of actual wine or a euphuism for the passions and lustful desires of Earth that go against God.

V.9-11 there is a 3rd angel saying that if anyone worships the beast will feel the wrath of God. That they will be casted into hell.

V.12-13 John writes for an endurance of the saints or the Christ followers that they will keep following God and not fall into the trap of the Beast.

V.14-20 The Harvest of the Earth You have a mention of Jesus or the son of man that was mentioned in Revelation Ch.1:13 coming down with a crown on his head and a sickle that is used to cut crops. For us that are younger it is the weapon that is used in the scream movies. The time for the harvest to be ripe has come. The harvest is that of Earth. There is a mention of another angel with a sickle in Verse 17. There are multiple angels that are harvesting. The winepress is showing an image of blood from the Killing of the enemies of God. The mention of outside the city is referring to Jerusalem the sister city to the bridegroom Israel. “In Verse 20 we have a hint of the location of the great battle. 1 thousand six hundred furlongs or 180 miles. The rough distance from Armageddon in the north of Palestine to edom in the south.”[1]

II.

Verse 1-6We start CH.15 with 7 angels with 7 plagues. The mention in Verse 2 of a sea of glass could be a crystal platform of some sort that God’s throne is on. The song of Moses or the song that was sung after Israel was freed from the Egyptian army. This is a tie back from Old Testament Scripture to the New Testament. This sung is sang now because sinners have been delivered to Christ away from the wicked world of sin. In Verse 4 we have the tabernacle of the testimony being open and the seven angels with the seven plagues in bright cloths and golden bands on their chests.

In Verse 7-8 something weird happens in which one of the four living creatures gave the angels seven bowls of the wrath of God. The Temple was filled with the glory of God and no one could enter this temple til everything was done.

III. Chapter 16

The Beginning of CH.16 starts with a loud voice coming from the temple. The voice is telling the angels to pour the seven bowls onto the earth.

Verse 2- first angel pours their bowl on earth and harmful and painful sores are on the people with the mark of the beast mentioned earlier in the book.

Verse 3- 2nd angel pour their bowl on the sea and the water is turned into blood where all fish and marine life die. Many believe that this is an action where in ch.8:9 this was the predication, but the timeline does not match. Because the Bowls are completed under the 6th trumpet.

Verse 4- the 3rd angel does the same thing that the 2nd angel does but to the rivers and the springs. This would destroy the drinking supply of the world since this would taint the aquifers with blood and the springs where we get our drinking water.

Verse 8- the 4th angel pours their bowl out on the sun and it starts to scorch people with fire. The next verse states that everyone that this is happening to will not repent and will not give God the Glory.

Verse 10 – 5th angel his bowl on the throne of the beast and the kingdom which I believe is meaning the world goes into darkness. The people are in anguish and cursing God for their pain and sores that happened from the many plagues and judgments that the previous angels have done.

Verse 12-16 – 6th angel pours their bowl onto the Euphrates river and the water dries up and this prepares the way for the kinds from the east. The angel sees frogs come out of the frogs of the dragon and the beast of the false prophets. These false prophets were performing signs and were demonic in spirits that were preparing for the battle of Armageddon.

Verse 17-22 – 7th angel pours their bowl into the air and voice from the temple says it is done. There is flashes and rumbling of lighting and thunder. The great city Jerusalem was spilt into 3 and the cities of the nation fell.

IV. Ch. 17 The Great Prostitute and the beast

Verse 1-8 One of the seven angels who had the 7th bowl says to John that she will show him the judgement of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters. Seated on many waters to mean many nations. The People on earth have dwelled in the ways of the sinful earth. The angel takes John away in verse 3 into the wilderness with a woman on a red scarlet beast with jewels and pearls that was full of the blasphemous names that had been saying towards God. This beast holds a cup full of impurities of sexual immorality. The woman drinks of the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus. John marvels toward this woman but the angel tells him to not because their will be a time that they will not rise from the bottomless pit.

Verse 9-15 The Angel continues from Verse 7 that this calls for a mind of wisdom in which there are 7 kings and 7 mountains in which the woman is seated. 5 of those kings have fallen, 1 has yet to come but when it does come it will remain a while. The beast in verse 11 states that it belongs to the seven and goes for destruction.

Verse 12 the ten horns that belong to the beast are ten kings who have not received power but will only have this power for an hour and hand over authority to the beast. These kings will make war on the lamb but the called and chosen will beat them.

Verse 15-18 the Angel tells john that these are many people seated where the prostitute was seated in the sea. The ten horns will hate the prostitute and will kill her and burn her up in Verse 16. This woman that you see is the Great City Jerusalem.

V. Ch. 18:1-3 Separation

Verse 1-3 there is an angel that comes down with great authority and says That Babylon the Great has fallen and has become a place for demons and uncleaned spirits and birds. All nations have come into the passion of the sexual immorality and the merchants (companies) have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.

Verse 4-5 there is another voice telling the people get out of these sinful and shameful places. “For her sins are heaped as high as heaven” There is nothing, but sin and this voice is telling them to not be the way of the world.

Verse 6-10 The punishment of living in sin is upon them. God has judged them, and this is long overdue. The judgement happens with crying and smoke. This is a continued theme throughout revelation that the sins of man will be punished, and man will not understand their wicked ways til it is too late for some.

(ESV)

Revelation 18:7 ESV

As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’

7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,

so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,

since in her heart she says,

‘I sit as a queen,

I am no widow,

and mourning I shall never see.’

The reference to the city of Babylon is meaning the way of the world and not the city that it appears to be. You can either be in the way of the lord or you can be in the way of the world with sinful and deceitful actions. Babylon was a city but taken over by the Greeks and the romans and destruction in .

Verse 11-15 The vendors/suppliers are crying and upset because they cannot sell their goods anymore. Gold, silver, jewels, pearls, purple cloth, wood, boneset. all these things that are known to show luxury and of high wealth will not be bought anymore. Even spices and cattle and slaves are no longer being traded or sold. In verse 14 we learn that all these things that the people long and desire are no more and to never be had again. The vendors who profited off the earth will be afraid of their punishment and will be crying.

Verse 16-20 The Great city is making a mention to Jerusalem which is the focal point. The city was covered in Jewels, and other luxurious things but all of this is for nothing and in verse 18 we have ships seeing the city on far.

In verse 19 they threw dust on their heads as they are weeping and morning. The act of people throwing dust on their heads is a way of mourning what has happened. They also tear their cloths and the meaning of this is to go back to the original sense where we were created from dust. (New manners and customs of the Bible[BM1] ) Judgement has been given from God.

Verse 21-24 An angel throws a stone into the sea stating that Jerusalem will no longer have violence and the sound of harps and music will be heard no more and craftsman will no longer be found in the great city. Next the light of a lamp will no longer shine and the voice of the bridegroom which is Israel and God will no longer be heard in her. The merchants or vendors will no longer be deceived. The blood of the prophets and the saints that were kill on earth were found in her.

VI. Ch.19- Rejoicing in Heaven

Verse 1- There is loud voice in heaving saying Hallelujah and stating that salvation and glory belong to our God and that his judgement is true and just. This is the perfect time for this happen after the judgements that have happened. In the previous chapter we have the great city having judgement on her and this causes hardening of hearts. If we tie what is happening in the later part of ch.18 to the start of ch.19 in verse 1 this appears to be talking about a celebration of judgement and a voice stating Hallelujah.

(ESV)

Revelation 18:24–19:1 ESV

And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,

and of all who have been slain on earth.”

Rejoicing in Heaven

19 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

“Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

Verse 2-3 The great prostitute was corrupt, but judgement has happened, and the blood of his servants have been avenged. The great prostitute that is mention is the city of Jerusalem which has turned into the ways of the world instead of the ways of God.

Verse 4 John takes Revelation back to heaven where there are 24 elders and the four living creatures that we have learned from previously falling on their knees and worshipping god who is seated on the great Throne. They are saying Hallelujah and from God on the throne he is saying “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

Verse 6-10 This is the start of the marriage supper of the lamb and a great voice crying out saying let’s rejoice, the bride has become ready and she is given fine linen who is the righteous deeds of the saints, bright and pure. The bride of Christ is Israel and she is ready. Next an angel says to john “blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the lamb.” John which is shocked writes that he falls down at these feet to worship him, but the angel tells him that they are equal, and they are brothers.”

Verse 11-19 The Rider on a white horse – Heaven opens up and there is someone with eyes like fire, many crowns and his name are one that only him knows. A robe dipped in blood and is called by the “The word of God.” His mysterious Rider who is Jesus who has come back commands the armies of heaven with fine linen, white and pure following Jesus lead. He is the commander and he is taking the charge.

(ESV)

Revelation 19:15 ESV

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

The symbol of a sword coming out of the mouth of Christ is to symbolize that with one word the battle has ended. He promised us that he was going to return, and he has made good on this promise. After this bird fly overhead and a voice fly’s over come gather for the great supper of God.

The voice is calling for the birds to eat the bodies of the people who will be stained.

Verse 19-21

John see the beast and their army to try and fight Christ and his mighty soldiers, but they get captured with the beasts, false prophets and all of those that received the mark of the beast. The False prophet and the beast are casted out into the lake of fire with brimstone. The lake of fire is hell. Everyone else dies by the sword that comes out of Christ mouth and the birds have lunch on their bodies.

Chapter 20- The thousand years

Verse 1-3 John starts the chapter with seeing an angel come from heaven with a key to hell and a chain. The angel takes care of securing the drag who is the devil and he is locked up for thousand years. He is thrown in the pit and it closes and seals over him so that he does not deceive the nations. After the thousand years then he is released a little. This is the start of the Millennial kingdom

(ESV)

Revelation 20:4 ESV

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

4 Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Verse 4-6 John sees thrones with God which he sees the tribulation martyrs that had been executed. These martyrs are executed because they refuse the mark of the beast which Christ has specifically told them to not allow to follow the way of God and not the way of the world. While Satan is locked in hell the Tribulation martyrs are in Heaven with Christ. The rest of the dead which are the unbelievers will not come to life til the end of the thousand years. In verse sixth says that this second death has no power because we will be priests of God and Christ and Christ will reign for the time that Satan is bound in Hell.

Verse 7-10 This is the end of the reign of Christ and Satan is released from the abyss of his prison. He comes out to deceive the nations. The mention of Magog and Gag provides some extra feedback. Magog is a nation that is a group of northern nations that are all worked together to attack Israel. Gog is the king of these nations that are working towards the bride of Christ. [2] in verse 8 their numbers are those of sand. Aka there is a lot of them and they surround the Beloved City Jerusalem However, when they try and attack the city God protects the city with fire and kills the Magog. Satan is thrown into the lake of fire and tortured for the end of all time.

Verse 11-15 The great judgement with white thrown and God who was seated in the throne. All of the dead were standing behind God in this thrown. The book of life is opened but there also is another book that was opened and that was the book of evidence against you to prove that you do not deserve to enter and be with God in Heaven. Everyone that was not written into the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire with Satan to be there forever til the end of all time. In verse 13 states that the dead were judged to each of them according to what they had done. This could imply that there are many levels to hell as to punishment that those not written in the book of life are deserving of.

VII. Ch. 21- The new Heaven and the new Earth

Verse 1-4 John who is our reporter in all of this sees the new heaven and the new earth since it destroyed by the judgements that was deserving. This new Heaven and New Earth has a new capital city that is holy and the place where the saints will live. We will be with God with no death, disease, pain, nothing since all of this has gone away just like the old earth that goes away before. The new city is prepared and all ready for God as the bride. John explains how this New Heaven will be like in his first book – John.

( (ESV)

John 14:1–3 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.)

Verse 5 - 8 God is on Throne telling us to write this down that it is done. He is the Top dog and states that he gives the water of life to those that thirst for it. These are the people that asked for God forgiveness and their names were written down in the book of life. Jesus spoke of this water at the woman at the well in John ch.4. Those that go in the way of the world will be in the lake of fire which is the spiritual death or the second death that is mentioned in Verse 8.

Verse 9-15 one of the 7 angels who had the seven bowls of the seven plagues that we covered earlier says to john hey come and I will show you the bride of Christ, the wife of the lamb. They go to a high mountain and the city of new Jerusalem. There is a great wall with 12 gates with 12 angels and each gate represents the 12 tribes of the Jews and their names of the 144,000 are on these gates. Each Direction North, East, South, West had 3 gates. The wall of this great city has 12 foundations and the names of the 12 apostles of the lamb are on these foundations. The person that is speaking to John as a Measuring Rod of God to measure the city. This is the second mention of this in the book of Revelation. This is a way to stating that the city and everything in it is God’s. His property of God with all of his names are on it.

Verse 16-27 in the city is cube which God has measured. This is 2 million Sq. Miles.[3] The wall of the city is that of pure diamond that is clear, and the city is pure like a clear glass. No imperfections and something that we have never seen or even thought off. Each of the 12 gates that we heard about previously in the chapter has a pearl and streets of Gold. (Verse 21) There is no need for a Sun or moon or anything planetary needs because the glory of God gives us the light we need and the light to the lamp. There will be no division, no racism, no red headed step children because we all are God’s chosen children and there will be no unclean in this new Jerusalem.

VIII. Chapter 22 – The river of life

Verse 1-5 John mentions a river of life that is to show that it is never ending and that it will last forever which symbolizes the time that we will be in New Heaven. There is a mention of the tree of life with 12 kinds of fruit with a new fruit each month. WE will not grow sick of eating the same thing because there will be variety. The leaves of the nation’s show heaving and satisfaction. There will be no more curses and we will be able to look at God because we are holy and not tainted with sin. No need for light or sun or moon because God is our light and supports us forever.

Verse 6-13 Jesus is coming soon and blesses those that keep his word. The mention of the falling of John at the feet of the Angel tells us that we will be of equals and that we all worship God together with no organizational chart or hierarchy.

Verse 14- 17 the mention of washing their robes is the cleansing of sins or those believers who follow God commandments. Outside in Hell (Verse 15) are those that followed the ways of the world. Those who thirst for eternal life it will be given without a price. Jesus is apart of the line of David.

Verse 18-21 This is a warning from John telling us that if we take away from God his glory or add or subtract that everything that he tells us that happens in the forms of the plagues and judgements will happen to them. Jesus is coming soon and at the end John wishes the reader grace and wellbeing to them.

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary: Unleashing God’s Truth, One Verse at a Time (Nashville, Tenn: Thomas Nelson, Inc, 2005).

[2] Magog is identified as a grandson of Noah through Japheth (), but in Ezekiel (38:2 et al.) Magog seems to be a nation—perhaps the nation of the descendants of Magog. Gog appears to be king of Magog, who represents a group of northern nations who allied to attack Israel.[2]

[3] John MacArthur- Revelation book study Pg.130

[BM1]His torn robe signified mourning (see Rending Garments and Wearing Sackcloth), as did also the dust on his head. In a tombstone from Abydos, an ancient city of southern Egypt, there is an illustration of a funeral procession in which the mourners are showing their grief by throwing dust on their heads. There was an ancient tradition among the Egyptians that, in the infancy of their history as a people, their god Noum had taught their fathers that they were but clay or dust. The practice of putting dust on their heads is supposed to be symbolical of their origin from dust, and to convey the idea of their humility in view of that fact. We find p 227 frequent scriptural reference to the custom.[1]