High School/College - Sample Questions Revelation Last Updated 8/2/14 (visit www.spiritualfestivity.org for updates) 1. Who is the writer of Revelation? Give 5 reasons the early Church unanimously agreed that he is the writer of the Book of Revelation. 2. Where was Revelation written? 3. Which emperor exiled the author? 4. When was the book written? Why do the majority agree this is the date? 5. Name 5 early fathers who wrote about the book of Revelation. 6. Give three reasons why interpretation of the Book of Revelation is considered a difficult task. 7. As we begin reading Revelation and enter through an open door in heaven list and explain the 5 things or visions we see as the soul continues its journey through Revelation. 8. What is the major mistake many people make when reading the book? How are we not to distort the Book of Revelation? 9. What is the Greek word for Revelation and what does it mean? 10.Why does our Lord reveal these things to his bride? Give examples where he did this in the Old Testament. 11.There are two opinions regarding the interpretations of the seven spirits who are before His throne. What are the two opinions on who the seven spirits are? The first opinion has 3 similar but different interpretations. What are they? 12.What makes Jesus the Faithful Witness? 13.According to St. Athanasius, what makes Christ The Firstborn from the dead? 14.What does the apostle mean by "has made us kings and priests to His God and Father?" In what ways are we priests and kings? What's the difference between the sacrament of priesthood and the 'Laic priesthood'? 15.Explain three descriptions of the symbolism of Christ coming with clouds. 16.When St. John was exiled, what kept the ties between him and his church? 17.The apostle says the revelation began with him hearing a voice behind him. What does this signify? 18.What does the number 7 indicate in regard to the seven churches? Explain the reference to the verse from Isaiah related to the church and the number seven. 19.Aside from being the garment He wants to clothe His bride with what does the garment down to the feet symbolize? 20.Provide one explanation of what the golden band about the chest symbolizes? 21.Provide explanations of the symbolism of the white hair. 22.What do His eyes burning with fire symbolize? 23.Provide three of the four explanations of the symbolism of His feet being like fine brass. 24.Provide one of the three explanations of the symbolism of His voice being like many waters. 25.What does Ibn-el-Assal believe the seven stars in His right hand to be? 26.Describe two purposes of the two-edged sword coming out of His mouth. 27.After St. John saw the Lord in His glory, he fell at His feet as dead, and the Lord raised him. How does this explain our relationship to the Lord and how he raises us? 28.Who are the angels of the seven churches? 29.Name 2 churches, and briefly describe their weakness and their corresponding remedy as summarized in the summary chart by Fr. Tadros in the beginning of Chapter two.
30.Who is the angel or the bishop of the church of Ephesus? 31.What is the weakness of the church of Ephesus? Therefore how was the Lord described to them and why? 32.What did the church of Ephesus do well? 33.What did God have against the church of Ephesus? What is the remedy for the church of Ephesus? 34.Describe the heresy of the Nicolaites, or the Nicolatians. 35.What is the reward to him who overcomes in the section about the church of Ephesus? 36.Who is the bishop of the church of Smyrna? 37.The church of Smyrna was the suffering or the persecuted church. Therefore how is the Lord described to the church of Smyrna and why? 38.Describe what was happening to the church of Smyrna. Explain how they are poor and yet rich. 39.What advice and encouragement does He give the church of Smyrna? 40.The church of Pergamos was known as the compromising church which left her door open to strangers. How is the Lord described to the church of Pergamos and why? 41.What two things does God reprimand the church of Pergamos for? 42.To him who overcomes in the church of Pergamos, one of the rewards given is the hidden manna. Explain the significance and meaning of being given the hidden manna. 43.Provide one explanation for the white pebble or white stone given to those who overcome in the church of Pergamos. 44.Who is the bishop of the church of Thyatira? 45.Why is the Lord described to the church of Thyatira as the One who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like fine brass? 46.Name two of the positive things about the church of Thyatira. 47.Provide two explanations of who Jezebel was in the church of Thyatira. In addition, Jezebel could also indicate a group of heretics. What are 4 groups she could represent? 48.How does God treat Jezebel in Thyatira? Why? 49.What was the problem with the Gnostics in Thyatira? What does God ask the rest in Thyatira to do? 50.What is the reward that God declares to him who overcomes in Thyatira? 51.Why is the Lord described to the Church of Sardis as He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars? 52.What was the main problem with the church of Sardis? 53.Name the four ways in which God tells the Church of Sardis to fix itself. 54.Why is the Lord presented to the church of Philadelphia as the one who is Holy and also as the truth? 55.Provide one explanation (either of St. Cyril, St. John Chrysostom or St. Gregory the Miracle worker) of the meaning of the key to open heaven. 56.What explanation does Fr. Tadros give for the open door referenced to the church of Philadelphia? 57.In spite of the weakness and struggle, God does not forget our toil. What two principles does God present to us, through speaking to the church of Philadelphia, to destroy the power of satan? 58.What is the remedy for the slackness of the church of Philadelphia? What promises does the Lord give to the church of Philadelphia to help remedy their slackness? 59.It is told the church of Philadelphia, that to him who overcomes I will make a pillar, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him three names. What does it mean that he shall go out no more? Also what are the three names written on him and what is the
significance of each? 60.What is the state of the church of Laodicea? 61.Christ is described to the church of Laodicea as the Amen, the Faithful, and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God. Describe the meaning behind those three descriptions (Amen, honest and truthful witness, and beginning of God s creation). 62. I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I could wish you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth (3:15-16). There are 5 different opinions as to is meant by cold, hot, and lukewarm. Describe 4 of the 5 opinions. Give examples where found. 63.Explain why God spits out the lukewarm. Give two reasons. 64.To remedy lukewarmness, the church is counseled to buy from God three things. What are they and what do they represent? 65.To remedy lukewarmness, God tells the church that he stands at the door and knocks. According to the fathers, what doors does he stand behind? 66.To the lukewarm church of Laodicea he says If anyone...opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him. What other rewards are given to those who overcome in the lukewarm church of Laodicea? 67.After our Lord revealed himself and handled the seven churches, St. John sees a series of visions. These were shown as a series of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. What do each of these series mean? 68.In understanding the series of visions following the letters to the churches, some Protestant denominations incorrectly interpret them to mean that Christ will come 4 to earth 4 times. How many times do we believe that He will come? What are they? Give three reasons why we believe this. 69.Fr. Tadros says that people incorrectly use the book of Revelation to predict the time of the end of the world. How did Christ respond when people asked him when the kingdom of God would come? What two things did he redirect their attention to? Instead what is the purpose of the book of Revelation according to Fr. Tadros? 70. Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. (4:2) In the apparition of the Divine Throne, the apostle saw many things that have shadows, symbols, and similarities in the Old Testament and that also conform with the church in the New Testament. What are 5 of the things he saw and their meanings/ symbolism? 71. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Explain the significance of the Jasper and Sardius Stone, the Rainbow, and the rainbow being Emerald. (Note, in the text, the stone is incorrectly referred to as a sardine stone. According to the NKJV, it is a sardius stone, not a sardine stone.) 72.St John also stated that he saw in front of the throne, a sea of glass like crystal. Explain the meaning of the sea of glass like crystal for us. 73.St. John also saw, around the throne four Living Creatures. According to St. John Chrysostom, what is the reason for the honor of the four incorporeal creatures? What do they do? What do they also do for us? 74.According to Ibn-el-Assal, why do the four incorporeal creatures have eyes all around? 75.How does St. John Chrysostom encourage us to approach the altar in regarding and comparing to the Cherubim and Seraphim? 76.What does St. John Chrysostom say about God, who is not confined to a space yet is sitting on a throne? How or why is seen on the throne? 77.What are the 4 likenesses of the incorporeal creatures?
78.According to the Church, what are the things that each incorporeal creature intercedes for respectively? 79.St. Gregory Nazianzus and Origen believe the likenesses of the 4 Incorporeal creatures represent the 4 forces of the soul. Which creature represents which force? 80.St. Jerome and St. Irenaeus say the likenesses of the 4 Incorporeal creatures represent the redeeming acts works of the Lord but in different ways. What are the two explanations? 81.St. Irenaeus and Bishop Victorianus say the 4 Incorporeal creatures represent the gospels. Which one represents which gospel and why? 82.The four living creatures carrying the throne of God never cease to praise God. In addition to praising God for His holiness, what does Fr. Tadros share is also the subject of praise of the heavenly creatures? 83.Fr. Tadros describes the ceaseless praise of the 4 Incorporeal creatures and then emphasizes how our church is filled with nothing but thanksgiving and praise. He gives 8 specific examples of thanksgiving and praise in our church. Choose 5 and explain them. 84.Why was an angel calling for someone to open the scroll with the seven seals? What does this say about the angels and their relation to us? What verse supports this idea? 85.Provide 2 descriptions of the qualities of the opener of the scroll. 86.The only one who was able to open the scroll with the seven seals was described as a lion. Give two explanations of why He was described as a lion. 87.The only one who was able to to open the scroll with the seven seals was described as a lamb, standing as if it were slain. Explain why he is described as a lamb and three reasons why he is standing. 88.The 24 presbyters praise continuously. The church is full of various physical acts that are methods of prayer and praise that are mentioned in the bible. List 4 of those physical acts of offering prayer. What do the 24 presbyters do with the praises and prayers that we offer? 89.Explain what is meant by a new hymn. How can one offer a new hymn every day using the same words? Explain with a human example, and with what the church fathers say. 90.In chapter 5, St. John looked and heard the voice of many angels, ten thousand times ten thousand praising God with a loud voice saying, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive List 4 things He is worthy to receive and explain why. 91.Briefly summarize what the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowls represent. Why is it important that the Lamb himself is seen opening the seven seals? At the end of the seven trumpets what does the appearing of the woman and her three enemies represent? Finally why does God pour seven bowls of wrath? 92.Explain who is the first, white, horseman. Explain. What do St. Ignatius, St. Ploycarp, Pope Dionysius and St. Irenaeus think the white horse (not the horseman) symbolizes and explain why. 93.How do the church fathers explain the Red, Black, and Green Horsemen mentioned in Revelation 6? Explain the specific instructions given to the black horseman regarding food. Which foods are affected and why and which are not affected and why? 94.Provide the corresponding gospel reference that described what happened when the sixth seal was opened. 95.According to Ibn-el-Assal and many early Fathers, when will the events described at the opening of the sixth seal occur and what is their purpose? 96.In addition to the understanding that the events that occur with the opening of the sixth seal being actual physical events, provide also symbolic ways these events are fulfilled according to both Bishop Victorianus and St. Augustine s interpretation of the natural
events. For example explain the meaning of the sun darkening, falling of stars, and the moon becoming blood. In what way does St. Augustine s interpretation offer an additional third understanding to the other interpretations? (updated 8/2. Clarifications in bold italic) 97.Explain the symbolism of the angels keeping the winds from blowing on the earth in regards to humanity. 98.An angel is instructed, Do not harm the earth...till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. What is the seal that we receive? Recite two verses that show by what or how we are sealed. 99.According to the early church fathers, who are the children of Israel who were sealed? 100. Provide the explanation of the number 144,000 who were sealed. 101. St. John says, I heard the number of those who were sealed and then begins to list the 12,000 of each tribe of Israel was sealed. Provide the names of 3 tribes and the characteristics or meaning of the tribe in regards to their connection to our spiritual lives. 102. Why are the number of believers on earth counted (144,000) but in heaven they are not counted, but instead it is said they were a great multitude which no one could number? 103. Provide two explanations of the white robes that the multitudes of people before the throne and lamb were wearing. 104. After the 144,000 were numbered and sealed on earth, and multitudes were seen in heaven before the throne it was said that the multitudes cried out saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. Then the angels who stood around the throne worshipped God saying, Amen! Blessing, and glory, and honor, and wisdom, thanksgiving, and honor, and power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Fr. Tadros then asks, are the angels singing with us, or are we participating in their praise? What do some of the church fathers say about our praise and the praise of the angels? Additionally what do St. Basil and St. Gregory specifically say about this? 105. Explain what caused the silence in heaven following the opening of the 7th seal. 106. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. What were 4 uses of the trumpet in the Old Testament? 107. Before the trumpets prepared to sound it says, Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. Fr. Tadros explains that these each represent the work of the Holy Spirit. Explain how each is a work of the Holy Spirit. 108. Explain the meaning regarding the angels preparing themselves to sound the trumpets. 109. Provide the two interpretations of the first four trumpets. (updated 8/2. Clarifications in bold italic) 110. Explain what the hail and burning of the trees proclaimed in the first trumpet symbolize. What is the purpose of burning the trees? 111. Provide Abouna Tadrous explanation for what the sea represents in the second trumpet and why a burning mountain was thrown in it. Why are only a third of the living creatures in the sea and a third of the ships destroyed? What can that mean in our lives in some cases? 112. What does the great star that fell from heaven into a third of the rivers with the 3rd trumpet represent? Why does he allow a great star to fall? 113. What does the darkness caused by the fourth trumpet cause men to do and what is its remedy? Why does God allow darkness to fall? 114. When the 5 th angel sounded the trumpet a star fell from heaven and the sun and air
were darkened. What fills the air with darkness? Why does Fr. Tadros say that God allows Satan to fill the air with darkness? 115. When the fifth trumpet sounds, locusts came out of the earth and power was given to them. But they were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Explain what cannot be harmed by the locusts and why? What is exemplified by the grass, green thing, or trees? 116. In regards to the torment caused by the locusts in the 5th trumpet, where does the torture originate and what does this torment cause men to look for? Why can they not find it? 117. When the fifth trumpet was sounded locusts came out of the earth. In Revelation a detailed description of these locusts is given. Provide three descriptions of the Locusts and their corresponding explanations. 118. What are some ways Christianity can be misunderstood in our society today which were alluded to in the descriptions of the locusts. 119. When the 6th trumpet is sounded, four angels were bound at the River Euphrates were released and a mighty war began. What two things do we remember when we remember the Euphrates River? What is the purpose of God allowing this war? 120. When the 6th trumpet sounded, two hundred million horsemen were armed for battle. Those who sat on the horses wore breastplates of 3 colors. What were they and what did each represent? The horses themselves also had three specific parts of them described. What were they and what do they represent? 121. After the 6th trumpet was sounded St John saw a mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. Provide three ways a cloud was referenced throughout the Bible in reference to God. 122. After the 6th trumpet was sounded St John saw a mighty angel coming down from heaven...and a rainbow was on his head. Explain the meaning of this. 123. After the 6th trumpet was sounded St John saw a mighty angel coming down from heaven. What were his feet described as? What does that mean for us? 124. Provide Abouna Tadrous possible explanation as to why the voice from heaven told St. John not to write what the Seven Thunders said. 125. St. John was told to take the little book and eat it. What happened when he ate it? Explain why this happened. Specifically provide Bishop Victorianus explanation to why this occurred. What are two other prophets were told to eat a book, or the word of God? What happened when they ate it? 126. Who does St. Cyril of Jerusalem suggest will follow the Antichrist and where will the Antichrist s holy city be? Which Christians also would follow him? 127. According to Bishop Hippolytus, provide the biblical reference that explains who one of the two witnesses is. Who is the other as explained by the early church fathers. 128. Provide Tertullian s explanation as to why he believes who the two witnesses are. 129. two witnesses are describes as two olive trees. What does this represent? Support with two biblical examples showing the meaning. 130. It is said the two witnesses will have a fire proceeding from their mouth to devour their enemies. What does this mean? What verses in Jeremiah support this understanding? 131. Where will the dead bodies of the two witnesses lie? Why does St. John call that place spiritually Sodom and Egypt? 132. What happened to the two witnesses after 3 and a half days? What did this do for the believers? 133. The two witnesses came in the spirit of their Lord.Provide 3 connections between the
ministry of the two witnesses and Christ. 134. What happens immediately after the seventh angel sounded and how is this reflected in the life of the church? 135. What does one see when the temple or Holy of Holies is opened?