Journey through the New Testament Bible Survey of Revelation Part 2 Revelation 4:1-22:21 3.0 What Will Take Place Visions of the Sovereign God (Revelation 4-20) 3.1 A Vision of the Rule of God (Revelation 4-5) Notice the emphasis on the throne of God. It is mentioned 17 times in these two chapters. It represents the absolute sovereignty of God. God is compared to precious stones (Revelation 4:3) telling us of his worth. The scroll in 5:1 is the title deed of the earth. No one on earth or under the earth is able to open the scroll (Revelation 5:3,4) except for the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6) The Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God are one in the same. The lamb has seven horns which tell of his power. He has seven eyes which tell of his knowledge (Revelation 5:6) The slain lamb is standing (Revelation 5:6) We are given a vision of the throne of God to prepare us for what is ahead, sin and darkness and rebellion. Winter 2012 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 1 of 6
3.2 A Vision of the World Ruined By Man (Revelation 6-7) Seven Seals. A seal is like a stamp. The first seal tells of a white horse (Revelation 6:2) = refers to military conquest. The second seal tells of a red horse (Revelation 6:4) = refers to rebellion and civil unrest. The third seal tells of a black horse (Revelation 6:5) = refers to scarcity, famine. The fourth seal tells of a pale horse (Revelation 6:8) = refers to death by famine, plague, and wild animals. When the fifth seal is opened the faithful cry out to God (Revelation 6:9) The sixth seal brings the world to an end (Revelation 6:12) Chapter seven reminds us that the people of God are sealed (Revelation 7:2) I believe that we are sealed with the blood of the lamb These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:14-17) The seventh seal brings silence (Revelation 8:1) because it is time to rest, the battle has been won. Winter 2012 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 2 of 6
3.3 A Vision of the World Ravaged By Satan (Revelation 8-15) Seven Trumpets The Seven trumpets are the wrath of God being poured out on the world (see Romans 1:18) The wrath of God is poured out to move people to repentance. Unfortunately they do not. The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze stone and wood idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21) Before the seventh trumpet is sounded at the end of chapter 11 we again get this great vision of God working on behalf of his people in the midst of the horror and the destruction. Chapter 10 tells us of the sweet redemptive work of God, yet it is sour because there is some destruction yet to be faced. Chapter 11 tells us of God s faithful witnesses. Revelation Reference They are called prophets (Revelation 11: 6,10) They consume their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5) They have the power to withhold rain (Revelation 11:6) They are able to turn the water into blood and strike the earth with plagues (Revelation 11:6) Old Testament Reference There is little doubt that they are similar to Moses and Elijah of the Old Testament their miraculous feats are similar Elijah and the prophets of Baal (2 Kings 1:10) Elijah (1 Kings 17:1). Moses (Exodus 8:12). See Malachi 4:5 Winter 2012 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 3 of 6
They represent the church. God is not without his faithful witnesses. In chapter 12 Satan launches a battle in heaven. He loses. The battle continues on earth. Satan is unable to harm the messiah or his mother so he goes after her offspring (Revelation 12:17) that is Christians. Satan provides a messiah And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. (Revelation 13:1-2) One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him? (Revelation 13:3) The point is that Satan s power is real. No one stands up against him (Revelation 13:4) except for one the Lamb of God. Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father s name written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1) The Lamb wins. (Revelation 14:1-15:8) Winter 2012 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 4 of 6
3.4 A Vision of the World Rescued By God (Revelation 16-20) Seven Bowls The judgement of the seven bowls is similar to the judgement of the seven trumpets. Except in quantity and intensity. The battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) is not much of a battle. It is over with a word from God (Revelation 16:17) When the Lord triumphs over the woman of chapters 17 and 18 the whole company of heaven sing out Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgements. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants. (Revelation 19:2) The people of God are then ushered into the marriage feast of the lamb. Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:6, 7) We aren t told what the feast consists of. But really, the focus will not be on the feast but the host of the feast. Winter 2012 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 5 of 6
4.0 A Vision of the Glory of God (Revelation 21-22) 4.1 The City Of God (Revelation 21) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. (Revelation 21:1) Now the dwelling of God I with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new. (Revelation 21:3-5) God makes all things new. God makes things new now. (Revelation see 2 Corinthians 5:17) This enables us to live with confidence now. How do you deal with troubles and discouragement? Do you try to escape your troubles? Or do you hold on to this truth that you serve a victorious king? The people of God are united from the Old Testament and the New. (Revelation 21:12, 14) There is no temple in the city of God because God is present. (Revelation 21:22) 4.2 Conclusion No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and the lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:3) Winter 2012 Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church Page 6 of 6