End Times: A Study in Revelation Revelation 1: John s Vision of Christ By: Lida Lindley
Faces of Christian Persecution in Eritrea HELD 3779 DAYS Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel ARRESTED MAY 2004 HELD 3779 DAYS Haile Nayzgi ARRESTED MAY 2004 HELD 3480 DAYS Kidane Weldou ARRESTED MARCH 2005 Source: Voice of the Martyrs
Faces of Christian Persecution in China HELD 2411 DAYS Alimujiang Yimiti HELD 1767 DAYS Yang Rongli HELD 647 DAYS Wenxi Li HELD 647 DAYS Lacheng Ren Source: Voice of the Martyrs
Faces of Christian Persecution in Iran HELD 1371 DAYS Farshid Fathi HELD 1215 DAYS Behnam Irani HELD 927 DAYS Alireza Seyyedian Source: Voice of the Martyrs
Source: Voice of the Martyrs Faces of Christian Persecution in other Countries HELD 1926 DAYS Asia Bibi PAKISTAN HELD 1914 DAYS Imran Ghafur PAKISTAN HELD 1663 DAYS Tohar Haydarov UZBEKISTAN HELDHELD 1160 DAYS Nguyen Van Ly VIETNAM HELD 891 DAYS Umid Gojayev TURKMENISTAN Mohammed Hegazy Held since 2013 EGYPT
The First Martyrs Stephen Stoned to death James (John s brother) Executed (A.D. 44) Phillip Crucified in Phrygia (A.D. 54) Matthew Beheaded in Ethiopia (A.D. 60) James (Jesus s half brother) Stoned to death (A.D. 66) Matthias Andrew (Peter s brother) Stoned and then beheaded Crucified in Edessa Mark Dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria Peter Crucified upside down Paul Beheaded (A.D. 66) Jude (James s brother) Crucified in Edessa (A.D. 72) Bartholomew Beaten and crucified Thomas Tortured, thrown into a burning oven in India
Historical Background Nero A.D. 54-68
Historical Background A.D. 54-96 Nero A.D. 54-68
The Unveiling of the future by Jesus Christ
Revelation 1 Outline I. Prologue (1:1-3) II. Salutation & Doxology (1:4-8) III. The Vision (1:9-20)
Five-Step Communication of the Revelation Father Son Angel John the seven churches Dr. Stanley Toussaint
The purpose of prophecy is not simply to satisfy curiosity about the future, it is intended to have a sanctifying affect of the daily life of the saints (1 John 3:3). D. Edmond Hiebert, An Introduction to the New Testament
Seven Blessings in Revelation 1. Blessing of studying and obeying the prophecy in the book (1:3) 2. Blessing of martyrdom during the tribulation (14:13) 3. Blessing of watchfulness (16:15) 4. Blessing of being invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9)
Seven Blessings in Revelation 5. Blessing of partaking in the first resurrection (20:6) 6. Blessing of obeying the words of the prophecy in the book (22:7) 7. Blessing of salvation and access to the tree of life in the New Jerusalem (22:14)
The Trinity in Rev. 1:4-5 The Father who is and who was and who is to come refers to the Father s eternality and sovereignty over mankind. The Holy Spirit the seven spirits who are before His throne possibly refers to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The Son Jesus Christ
The Seven Spirits in Rev. 1:4 Isaiah 11:2, Seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit 1. The Spirit of the LORD 2. The spirit of wisdom 3. The spirit of understanding 4. The spirit of counsel 5. The spirit of strength 6. The spirit of knowledge 7. The spirit of fear of the LORD
The Theme of Revelation
Premillennial Pretribulation Rapture Pretribulation Rapture Church and Israel are separate program s Antichrist signs covenant Tribulation Church in heaven during tribulation Midpoint God s Wrath on Earth Great Tribulation 3 1/2 Years Daniel s 70th Week 3 1/2 Years Jesus Coming Millennial Kingdom on earth 1000 Years Great White Throne Judgment Eternal Reign of Christ Positioning of Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls varies The Day of the Lord [includes Tribulation - some extend that day to include Millennial Kingdom] [John F. Walvoord - The Rapture Question (1957) Dwight Pentecost - Things To Come (1958) Paul D. Feinberg The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post- Tribulational?]
SYMBOLS USED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION THAT THE BOOK ITSELF INTERPRETS 1. The seven lampstands (1:12) are seven churches (1:20). 2. The seven stars (1:16) are seven angels or messengers (1:20). 3. The morning star (2:28; 22:16), the male child (12:5), and the root and offspring of David (22:16) are Jesus Christ (19:15; 22:16). 4. The Lamb (17:14) is Lord of lords and King of kings (17:14) and Jerusalem's lamp (21:23). 5. The white horse rider (19:11) is Faithful and True (19:11), the Word of God (19:13), and King of kings and Lord of lords (19:16). 6. The city of my God (3:12), the Lamb's bride (19:7; 21:9), and the holy city (21:10) are the New Jerusalem (3:12; 21:10; cf. 21:2). 7. The seven lamps of fire (4:5) and the seven eyes (5:6) are the seven spirits of God (4:5; 5:6). 8. The incense in the golden bowls (5:8) is the prayers of the saints (5:8). 9. The fallen star (9:1) is the angel or messenger of the abyss (9:11). 10. The great city (11:8), Sodom (11:8), and Egypt (11:8) are Jerusalem (11:8). 11. The stars of heaven (12:4) are the angels or messengers of Satan (12:9). 12. The great dragon (12:9), the old serpent (12:9), and the devil (12:9) are Satan (12:9). 13. Time, times, and half a time (12:14) are 1260 days (12:6). 14. The beast out of the earth (13:11) is the false prophet (19:20). 15. The waters (17:1) are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (17:15). 16. The woman (17:3) is Babylon the great (17:5), the great city (18:10) that reigns over the kings of the earth (17:18). 17. The seven heads (17:9) are seven mountains (17:9) which are seven kings (17:10). 18. The beast (17:11) is the eighth king (17:11). 19. The ten horns (17:12) are ten kings (17:12). 20. The fine linen (19:8) is the righteous acts of the saints (19:8). 21. The faithful souls come to life (20:4) is the first resurrection (20:5). 22. The lake of fire (20:14) is the second death (20:14). 23. The Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb (21:22) are the temple in Jerusalem (21:22). Source: Soniclight.com Dr. Constable
Symbol Voice like a trumpet or many waters One like the Son of Man Meaning Great authority over the nations One who possesses the glory of heaven and who shares the likeness of God Himself With a long robe Clothing of a priest and a king Source: DTS, Dr. Larry Waters
Symbol With a golden breastplate wrapped around His chest Hair white as wool snow Eyes as a flame of fire Meaning Same. Worn above the waist to show His work is finished Holiness. God of the ages, judge of the world Eyes of a judge, penetrating the heart - omniscience Source: DTS, Dr. Larry Waters
Symbol Meaning Feet as fine brass (gold Strength - omnipotence and silver) Face shining like the sun Majesty Seven Stars Sword in His mouth Middle/Seven candlesticks Destiny of the pastors and their churches Accurate and sharp judgment on mankind Life of the Seven churches Source: DTS, Dr. Larry Waters
Key Words Jesus Christ Lamb (29X) Church (20X) Wrath (13) Seven (48X) Throne (40X) Blessed (7X) OT References Praises & Songs
Five-Step Communication of the Revelation Father Son Angel John the seven churches Dr. Stanley Toussaint
Application 1. Commit to study and obey the prophetic message of Revelation so that you may have: Hope for the future Joy in anticipation of Christ s return Encouragement and endurance in suffering
Application 2. There is still time to repent and come to faith in Christ. 3. Christ is at work in the local churches. Messengers of God s Word are precious to Him. Support Them!
Support Imprisoned Pastors Pray for their release Pray for fruitfulness while in prison Write letters Petition for their release http://www.prisoneralert.com/vompw_prisoners.html
Released after 258 days in prison Maryam and Marzieh
Support Imprisoned Pastors Pray for their release Pray for fruitfulness while in prison Write letters Petition for their release http://www.prisoneralert.com/vompw_prisoners.html