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De-scrambling the Book of Reveleation

Chapter 1: Introduction

Revelations is a revealing, unveiling, uncovering of Jesus in all His splendor and glory and of Satan’s utter destruction.  Satan has clouded this book and gave most Christians fear or confusion about reading it.

EXAM.  Sharon Saavedra 10-9-2001 Revelation is the only book of the Bible I’ve never read.  I’ve been told you can’t understand it anyway, why bother.  What could I get out of it anyway.

Vs. 1            Revelation of Jesus, not John, that God gave John to show us things to come.
The book of Revelation is a glorious letter that God the Father had Jesus to give to us.  An audible voice delivery to John.

Vs. 3            Blessing for just reading this book

Vs. 7    Theme of the Book – Jesus is Coming. 

Vs. 9    The human penman is John

Setting

The Church is in its 65th year at the time of the Revelation.  Some in the Church were beginning to doubt.  Christian were being tortured, killed, under intense persecution, their leaders were being exiled (John), the church was fearful, doubtful, and on the verge of extinction. 

Vs 12   But here came Jesus, clothed in priestly clothes walking in the midst of the candlesticks (churches vs 20).  Jesus was tending the flock.  Not off in Glory somewhere eating grapes, listening to music, and laughing & joking with the Father, but He was actively working among the Churches.

Jesus says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.”  Vs. 8 “I am  the First and the Last.” Vs 17  

Look at me, can’t you see?  I am alive forevermore, Amen.

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”   Do not doubt it is just as you are preaching.  I have brought the victory.

Outline

Revelation is a book of Comfort, Warning, and Unveiling to the Church.

Vs. 19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” 

Why Revelations?  2 Peter 3:9b “…not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance.”

Modern Day Description of Jesus

Vs. 12-16 is one of the greatest descriptions of Jesus in His true deity. 

Vs 13 “like a son of man”  Jesus

Illustrate:  vs. 13 “and among them … one like a son of man dressed in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger?

Dressed in a cloth around his loins hanging dead on a cross?

Vs. 13 Royalty             “dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.”  

Vs. 14a  Purity             “head & hair white like wool…”

Vs. 14b Wrath             “his eyes were like blazing fire.”

Vs. 15a Judgment            “feet like bronze glowing in a furnace.”

Vs. 15b  Power  “voice like sound of rushing waters.”

Vs. 16a  Authority            “right hand held 7 stars (angels of the 7 churches vs. 20)

Vs. 16b  Glory of God  “face like the sun shinning in all its brilliance.”

 

Chapters 2-3: Message to the Seven Churches

Letters to the seven churches.

To Commend, Care front, Call to Repent, & Promise

Seven actual churches, yet also symbolic.

These 7 churches represent all conceivable types of churches and Christians on earth.

1.  Ephesus  (2:1-7)             Legalistic Church

  • Rejects evil, perseveres, has patience

  • Forsaken you first love

  • Apostolic Church 

  • Repent & do the things you did at first.

  • Eat from the tree of life

2.  Smyrna  (2:8-11)                       Persecuted Church

  • Gracefully bears suffering

  • Not Care fronted                  

  • Martyred Church 

  • Be faithful till death                                       

  • The crown of life

3.  Pergamaos   (2:12-117)            Liberal Church

  • Living in Satan’s throne yet remaining             

  • Tolerates sin and immorality            

  • Worldly Church

  • Repent                                                             

  • Hidden manna, white stone with new name

4. Thyatira  (2:18-29)            Cultic Church

  • Deeds, love, faith etc. more than at first 
  • Tolerates cult of idolatry
  • Apostate Church   
  • Hold on to what you have  
  • Authority over the nations

5.  Sardis (3:1-6)             Dead Church

  • None
  • Reputation alive, but dead     
  • Dead Church
  • A few have kept the faith    
  • Honored and dressed in white

6. Philadelphia (3:7-13)            Alive Church (XA)

  • Place before you an open door

  • None 

  • Missionary Church

  • Keep the Faith 

  • God’s presence

Vs. 10 read.  This is a hint of a Pre-Tribulation rapture.

 

7.  Laodicea (3:14-22)            Apathetic Church

  • None
  • Lukewarm  
  • American Church
  • I stand at the door and knock
  • Share Christ’s throne   

Chapters 4-5: A peek into the Throne room to encourage.  God is on the throne & in control.

John is translated to heaven before the throne of God.  This chapter is designed to encourage Christians who were in intense persecution.

Vs. 1  “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

God is on the throne still in Control.  He is Orchestrating the evil of mankind into the triumph of His Holy Will.

Vs. 6b In the center around the throne are the four living creatures.  There’s a description of them. 

Vs. 8b Day and night they never stop Praising

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come." 

Vs. 10 the 24 elders fall down and say (read verse 11)

Chapter 5

John looks and sees a Book that no one is worthy to open and it is sealed. 

Some believe this book (scroll) is the title deed of all the earth.

John wept.  Elders said look at the lion, and when he turned it was a lamb.  A lamb who would never return as a lamb again. 

Who is worthy?  You are worthy!  Who is worthy?  You are worthy!

Vs. 8b  prayers of saints as incense.

Vs. 9    Look at what heaven is going to look like.  Every nation, tribe, and tongue will be worshiping and praising God. 

Illus.  It is no surprise to me that in these last days God’s kids are worship animals.  Look what God is doing.  Preparing you to love heaven.  Just think of the P & W concerts that will be happening everywhere up there.  Makes you want to just get raptured right now doesn’t it.

Vs. 10 “We will reign on the earth”  have jobs. 

Chapter 6: A Sneak Preview of the story-line of Revelation

The Seals are a preview of all of Revelation.  Just to inform the audience of what is to come as not to over whelm them with the horror of it.  As if to say, “Prepare yourself, this is going to get ugly.” 

¼ of mankind dies due to war, conflict, famine, and pestilence.

Vs. 2    White horse                Anti Christ            Conqueror

Vs. 4    Fiery Red horse            War

Vs. 5    Black horse                Symbolizes the great Famine

Vs. 8    Pale horse                Death & Hell – war, famine, and plagues, biological warfare

Vs. 9    Fifth Seal             Martyred Saints            Ask “How long? Vs. 11 Wait a little longer.

Vs12    Sixth Seal      Great Earth Quake             Same as seventh bowl Judgment.

Vs. 12 and following            is a description of the Day of the Lord. 

Vs. 17 “Who shall stand?”  Who can withstand all of this, it is too much, oh my goodness oh my goodness.  And right here the entire story stops to answer that question.  The seventh seal is postponed to later.    

 

Chapter 7:  Story Stops to answer the question of Chapter 6:17  A Parenthesis An Interlude of Grace and Comfort.

Action Stops.

Who Shall be able to stand?

1.      144,000 Jews sealed with the Holy Spirit of God.

They are servants of God, preaching the gospel all over the world.  144,000 radically righteous and saved Jesus Followers spreading and infecting all of the world with the claims of Christ.  The greatest harvest of souls the world has ever seen will happen right here in the tribulation. 

This book was written to say that God’s heart beats NWTASP.  2 Pet. 3:9

2 Thess. 2:6-8 does not refer to the Holy Spirit being taken out of the way, but of the church (Jesus Followers) in the rapture.  These will be saved and others will also.  It is the purpose of the wrath and judgments to come. 

2.      Great Tribulation Saints will stand.  Most will be martyred. 

Vs. 9    Look again at what heaven is going to look like.  Every nation, tribe, and tongue will be brought to the saving knowledge of Christ. 

Chapter 8: Action resumes.  Tribulation begins with Trumpet Judgments

The first four Trumpet Judgments are against the earth itself, yet men die.

1st Trumpet Judgment             

  • hail, fire, and blood rained from heaven

  • 1/3 part of trees burnt up and all grass burnt up

2nd Trumpet Judgment            

  • burning Mountain of fire (meteor from heaven) cast into the sea

  • 1/3 of sea turned to blood, 1/3 sea life dies, & 1/3 ships destroyed.

3rd Trumpet Judgment            

  • Star called wormwood fell from heaven into rivers and fountains 

  • Poisoned waters and many men died.

4th Trumpet Judgment            

  • 1/3 of sun, moon, & stars darkened.

  • Some believe this to be a first century description of a nuclear Holocaust.

Chapter 9: Continuation of Tribulation.  Trumpets of Woe.  6 of 7 Trumpets

 

Trumpet Judgments of Woe are the plagues on mankind. 

 

5th Trumpet Judgment 1st Woe            Demon locust that torment with stings as scorpion men for 5 months.  Men will cry out to die but can not vs. 6.

Vs. 4  Those with the seal of God are protected during this time.  Once again Revelation is a book of Comfort along with wrath.

6th Trumpet  2nd Woe vs 13            Army of 200 Million mounted troops will kill a third of mankind. 

If this is a human army, then we are talking about a lot of men not to mention the horses.  At the writing of this book, there were not even that many people in the world.  Now of course China alone is reported to be able to field an army of 200 million. 

Vs. 20              “…still did not repent.”  The arrogance of mankind.

 

Chapter 10:  A Flash Forward  Another Parenthesis

Vs. 4 Do not write it down.”  More will happen that is being revealed here. 

Why not write it down?  Too much to bear for us.  Some things are better not to know in advance.

Vs. 1  The Mighty Angel is Jesus and listen to him in verse 6 “There will be no more delay!”  vs. 7 the mystery of God is about to unfold.  Since the time Jesus uttered those final words on the cross we interpret as “It is finished” in English, but is the Greek word “tetelistia” meaning paid in full, Jesus has looked for to this moment when the mystery of God’s grace to the nations will come to past. 

Eat this Book.  It is Sweet and Bitter.  Good News and Bad News.

Jesus is coming in glorious victory.

Jesus is coming with judgment and wrath.

To some Jesus’ coming is a glorious hope and a Holy triumph, to others it is a Holy terror.

Chapter 11: Continuation of Interlude. Two Witnesses Seventh Trumpet. A Flash Forward.

The Two Witnesses preach 3 & ½ years.  Miraculous powers are given to them.  They are hated with a passion by the world’s system.  They convert many to Christ

They are killed and lie in the streets 3 & ½ days, then suddenly they are raised from the dead and raptured in the presence of their enemies.  

Here we find the only mention of joy recorded on earth.  Exchanging gifts that they no longer have to hear Jesus preached from them.  A Satanic Christmas.

One of these two witnesses are probably Elijah.  The other is either Moses or Enock.  I think Moses.

7th Trumpet Judgment 3rd Woe Vs. 15  A Flash Forward to the end of time as another moment of comfort. 

“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.”  Vs 15

   
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