Part 2: C hapters 4-22

1 Part 2: C hapters 4-22

Contents 1 The throne, the scroll & the lamb Rev 4:1-5:14 p1 2 The opening of the seals Rev 6:1-8:1 p4 3 The sounding of the trumpets Rev 8:2-10:11 p7 4 The witnesses & the last trumpet Rev 11:1-19 p10 5 The woman & the dragon Rev 12:1-17 p12 6 The beasts & the harvest Rev 13:1-14:20 p14 7 The seven bowls of wrath Rev 15:1-16:21 p17 8 The fall of Babylon Rev 17:1-19:10 p20 9 The final battle Rev 19:11-20:15 p22 10 The new creation Rev 21:1-22:21 p24

Introduction The book of Revelation is unlike anything else that we have in the New Testament. Most people can navigate the first three chapters without too much trouble. But from chapter four onwards (the subject of this study guide), the terrain becomes strange, intimidating and even frightening at times. We need to remember that the genre of Revelation is apocalyptic literature. It s the Lord of the Rings of the ancient world! The weird and wonderful beings, creatures and events that we read about all stand for things happening in the real world. In the book of Revelation, God pulls back the curtain to reveal to us what is going on behind the scenes of the visible world. Everything about this book is meant to help us to trust God more and to experience his blessing (1:3). Because the road ahead is not easy, the more you put in, the more you will get out. We will need to cover vast chunks of Scripture each week. So take the time to read each passage before you arrive at your Growth Group. Even better, see if you can answer some of the questions ahead of time. God s word is living and active. Let s ask him to help us see wonderful things in his word (Psalm 119:18) and to be changed by it.

1 1 The throne, the scroll & the lamb Revelation 4:1-5:14 1. One of life s big questions is Why am I here? What is the ultimate purpose for my existence? What are some of the conclusions people come to? READ 4:1-11 2. John says he saw things while he was in the Spirit. What does this do for his perspective? What does he see? 3. Count how many times the word throne appears in Revelation 4 & 5. How would this encourage suffering persecuted Christians? 4. What does John tell us about the One who sits on the throne? (see 1 Timothy 6:15-16 & 1 John 1:5 ) 5. What do the following images symbolize? What do they teach us about God? a. Precious stones jasper and carnelian (see Rev 21:11) b. A rainbow (Genesis 9:15-16) c. Flashes of lightening and peals of thunder (see Ezekiel 1:4) d. A sea of glass 6. There are 24 elders and four living creatures in the vision that John sees. What are they doing?

2 7. From your knowledge of the letters to the 7 churches, what clue does John give to suggest that the 24 elders represent all Christians? (see Rev. 2:10; 3:5, 11,18 & 21) 8. What do you think the four living creatures could represent? What is it that the creatures are able to see with their many eyes? 9. Why is God worthy to receive the kind of worship that John sees? 10. How might this vision in Ch.4 help you when you face struggles in life? Rev. 4 and 5 are two parts of a single magnificent vision of God s glory. Rev. 5:1 introduces a second act within the vision. From creation in 4:11, the action shifts in 5:1-14 to a focus on redemption. READ 5:1-14 11. What does the sealed document (or scroll) symbolize? (see Daniel 12:1-4) 12. What does the number 7 represent? What does this suggest about the 7 seals of the scroll? 13. Why does John weep? 14. But then someone is found. According to the Old Testament who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:9-10) and the root of David (Isaiah 11:1)? What is the contrast between what John hears and what he sees?

3 15. What do the seven horns and seven eyes imply about the lamb? Who is the Lamb? 16. Not just anyone can unseal the scroll. What makes this person qualified to open the seals? 17. What is the theme of the 3 songs in Revelation 5? How do they differ from the song in 4:11? How is it possible for the Lamb and the Lord God Almighty to both be worthy of worship? 18. Considering the wider context of the book of Revelation, why do you think John is given this vision? (see 4:1) 19. How should this vision impact the way we live and view the course of world history? (See 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Col. 3:1-4)

4 2 The opening of the seals Revelation 6:1-8:1 1. What is your view of the future of the world? Positive, negative, don t care? READ 6:1-17 2. What were chapters 4 and 5 about? Quickly summarise last week s study. 3. As the seals are opened, who s involved? What is happening? 4. What do the colours of the four horses seem to represent? What happens when each of these seals are opened? 5. What do you think is being described in the first four seals? Are these things with us in our world today? 6. What happens when the fifth seal is opened? What do you think this scene represents? 7. What do these saints ask for (v10)? What answer is given? 8. Summarise what happens when the sixth seal is opened (v12-17). What does v17 call these events? (see Isaiah 2:12-22 and 34:4-8 for background) READ 7:1-8:1

5 9. What are the four angels doing? Why? 10. What do you think the seal spoken about in this passage is for? In what way does it protect those who receive it? 11. The number that John hears is 144 000 (12 X 12 X 1000) What is the symbolic meaning of this number do you think? 12. What John hears is a number 144 000. What does he see though? Who is this group? 13. What we see here shouldn t surprise us if we know our Bibles? Why? 14. How have these people been able to come through the great tribulation? 15. What is this great crowd doing? 16. Describe what life is like for these people (v15-17). How does this compare to life under the seals of ch. 6? 17. How does ch. 7 answer the question posed at the end of ch. 6? 18. What is the climax of the 7 seals (8:1)? Why do you think it ends this way? 19. Do you pray like the martyrs (6:10) for the day of God s vengeance to come? If not, why not?

6 20. People often say that God is ignoring the evil that takes place in the world. How do these chapters help us to reply to this complaint?

7 3 The sounding of the trumpets Revelation 8:2-10:11 READ 8:1-9:21 1. Can you think of different ways in which trumpets are used? How are they used at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16), the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6) and the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16)? 2. Describe the opening scene of ch. 8 (v1-5) in your own words 3. According to 8:1-5, who/what is behind the events of ch. 8 and 9? 4. Where do chs. 8 and 9 fit on a timeline before the seals (ch. 6) / after the seals / at the same time as the seals? (hint: compare 8:12 with 6:12-13) 5. Have a look at the first four trumpets (8:7-13). Try to complete the table below: What type of judgment? What is the target? What is the damage? T1 T2 T3 T4

8 6. If you look at the table, what do you notice about these four trumpets? 7. How do we know that the last three trumpets are grouped together? 8. Describe what happens with the 5 th & 6 th trumpets? What do you think the events of the 5 th and 6 th trumpets refer to? 9. In John s vision, some are kept safe (9:4). Who are they, and why are they protected? (See also 7:1-3) 10. In each of trumpets 1-6, the judgment only destroyed a third of the target (or temporary torment in no. 5). Why do you think this might be? 11. The trumpets are reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt (see Ex. 9:22-26). What was the purpose of the plagues then? (see Ex. 9:13-14, 16) 12. How would you expect those who survive the trumpets to respond? How do they respond (v20-21)? 13. How does God want us to respond when we see the things spoken about here? (see Luke 13:1-5) 14. Is it right or wrong to use scare tactics in evangelism i.e. to warn people of the coming judgment of God? READ 10:1-11 15. How do we know that this angel in ch. 10 represents God?

9 16. He speaks about a mystery that will be accomplished when the 7th trumpet is sounded (v7) what could this mystery be? (See Eph. 1:9-10 & Rev. 11:15) 17. Read Ezek. 2:1-5, 9-3:4 How does this passage help us understand what the scroll represents back in Rev. 9? Why is it both sweet and sour? 18. Spend time in your group praying for people you know who have not yet responded in the right way to God s judgments. Maybe share ideas about how to communicate the gospel to them.

10 4 The witnesses & the last trumpet Revelation 11:1-19 READ 11:1-13 1. This is one of the strangest sections in Revelation. What do you think the big idea of the passage might be? 2. How does Revelation 10 end? What is John called upon to do? How does this set the scene for what s to follow in Chapter 11? 3. In the Biblical story, what does the temple symbolize? (See John 2:19-21; Ephesians 2:21-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5) 4. What does the future hold for Jerusalem, the Holy City, and the Temple? 5. Why do you think the temple is measured and the worshipers counted? Can you see a connection with Revelation 7? 6. 42 months (1260 days) What do you think this period of time refers to? (See Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 12:7) 7. What is significant about the presence of two witnesses? (See Deuteronomy 17:6 & 19:15) 8. What will the two witnesses be doing? Why are the witnesses wearing sackcloth?

11 9. What type of power do the witnesses possess? (See Jeremiah 5:14) 10. In the Old Testament who shuts up the skies and who turns the waters into blood? What does this tell us about the witnesses? 11. What happens to the two witnesses in v7-12? What is the significance of this? 12. How does their experience mirror Jesus own experience? 13. In what way did the prophets torment the people (v10)? READ 11:14-19 14. According to Revelation 10:7, what happens at the sound of the seventh trumpet? What do the heavenly voices declare (v15)? 15. What do the elders sing about in the song of thanksgiving (v17-18)? 16. What is the response of the nations to God s rule? (Psalm 2) Why do they respond in this way? What kind of future awaits them? 17. How does this section of Revelation apply to us? How will a correct understanding of this section lead to blessing and encouragement (see 1:3)?

12 5 The woman & the dragon Revelation 12:1-17 1. How would you explain all the suffering that the church has faced down through history? What is the cause of it? 2. What do people generally think about Satan? READ 12:1-17 3. This chapter is about a great conflict. Who s involved in the conflict? What is the occasion for the conflict i.e. what sparks it off? 4. Who does the child represent? How do you know? What happens to the child in the end? 5. Who do you think the woman represents? (See Isaiah 26:17-18) 6. Who does the Dragon represent? (See v8-9) 7. The Dragon in the dream wants nothing more than to destroy Jesus, right from the start. How is this principle illustrated in the actual account of the birth of Jesus in Mat 2:1-18? And in Jesus life and ministry? 8. Look at the following three titles given to the dragon in verse 9. What do they tell us about how the dragon does his work? a. Ancient serpent (remind you of anything in Genesis?) b. Satan (which means adversary in a courtroom)

13 c. Devil (Which means Slanderer, false accuser) 9. How does Satan fight? What tactics does he use? 10. How is Satan defeated (i.e. how do we overcome him)? 11. What is Satan s reaction to his defeat? 12. What opposition should Christians today expect from Satan? What is our defence? Think about and share examples from your own life. 13. How keen are you to testify about Jesus? What stops you doing it? 14. How does this section of Revelation apply to us? How will a correct understanding of this section lead to blessing and encouragement (see 1:3)?

14 6 The beasts & the harvest Revelation 13:1-14:20 1. What do you think Satan s main aim is? What is his ultimate goal? READ 13:1-18 2. What do you notice about the appearance of the first beast? (See 12:3 & Daniel 7:1-7; 16-27) How might the Daniel passage help us understand who the beast represents? 3. What does v2b tell us about this beast? Where does he get his strength from? 4. How does the passage describe the influence and impact that the beast has on people? When people follow the beast, what s actually happening according to v4? 5. Who is the target of the beast s attack according to v6-7? How does Satan conquer the saints (i.e. Christians) see v10? 6. What is the only way to be protected against worshipping the beast (v8)? 7. How should Christians respond to persecution from worldly powers, like the state? 8. The second beast comes out of the earth (i.e. from among us). What details in the passage tell us that this beast operates using deception?

15 9. How does 16:13; 19:20; 20:10 describe the second beast? What does that tell us about who he might represent? 10. Prophets spoke on behalf of God. Whose words does this prophet speak? 11. What is happening in v16-17? How do you understand the mark of the beast? What do you think the number 666 represents? 12. Think about your own situation. What particular threats to your faith do you face from those in power? In what ways might false religion be a danger to you? READ 14:1-20 13. Which Lamb is John talking about here? Where have we met him before? 14. Remember the 144 000 from 7:1-4? What are we told here about the 144 000 Where are they now? What are they doing? Why are they there? 15. Read Psalm 96:1-3. Why do God s people sing in the Bible? What is the theme of their new song in Revelation? (See Rev 5:9-10) 16. What messages do the 3 angels announce? What is the common thread that runs through each message? 17. In what sense is the eternal gospel of salvation a message of judgement?

16 18. How can people ensure that they avoid the terrible destruction described by the third angel in v9-12? 19. Compare v11 and v13. What awaits those who die in the Lord? Why is rest is such an appropriate way to describe heaven? 20. What does the harvest represent? (See Matthew 13:36-43; Joel 3:12-16) 21. How do you feel about what is said in these verses regarding hell? Why do you think we tend to forget or water-down the seriousness of hell? 22. How does this chapter impact your attitude to and the urgency of gospel proclamation (evangelism & missions) for the church?

17 7 The seven bowls of wrath Revelation 15:1-16:21 1. Share a situation, either from recent news or from your own life, where justice was not done. READ 15:1-8 2. Verse 1 speaks about the seven last plagues. What plagues have come before in Revelation? 3. In v2, we meet those who had been victorious over the beast and over the number of his name. The Beast is Satan's representative on earth. How do God's people defeat him? Compare your answer with 12:11, then 2:10 and 3:10. 4. They sang the song of Moses... and the song of the Lamb (v3) look back at the song of Moses in Exodus 15. When did the people of Israel sing the original song of Moses (see Ex. 15)? How does their situation compare with our experience today? What difference has the Lamb made to the song we sing? 5. Why is God s title, King of the ages (v3) such an encouragement for us? What does it tell us about him? 6. The angels with the plagues come out of the temple (v5). What do you think is the significance of this? 7. What has to happen before anyone can enter the sanctuary of God (v8)?

18 READ 16:1-21 8. Take a closer look at the description of the first four plagues. What is the impact of the plagues? How is this similar to the first four trumpets (ch. 8&9)? What are the differences? 9. List the reasons for which God is pouring out his wrath in 16:2-7. Who has sinned, and what have they done? 10. God s judgements often seem hard for us to accept. How do the third angel (v5-6) and the altar (v7) view these judgements? How does this help you to think about judgement? 11. Look back over ch. 16. What elements from the bowls are reminiscent of the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 7-12)? 12. How do people respond to God's punishments? How does this attitude compare with that of Pharaoh? (See Exodus 9:27-35 for a good example.) 13. What is true repentance? See if you can come up with a definition. 14. What should God s judgements do for Christians? How do we need to prepare ourselves (v15)? 15. The prospect of Armageddon worries people. The name comes from the Hebrew words Har (Mountain) of Megiddo. Historically, it was a famous battle ground - Judges 5:19-23 & 2 Kings 23:29-30 record the details. What happens this time when the kings and powers of this earth come to do battle with God? (Compare this with Rev. 19:19-21)

19 16. What is being described in the final verses of chapter 16? What message does this have for us as we live in a godless world today? What should we be doing? 17. Read Psalm 2. In what sense is this Psalm fulfilled in Revelation 15 and 16?

20 8 The fall of Babylon Revelation 17:1-19:10 1. How much truth do you think there is in the saying Your character is formed by the company you keep? 2. Read through the whole section chapters 17:1-19:10. What do you think are the important questions that need to be answered? 3. In 17:3, John sees a vision. Who are the characters in the vision and what are they doing? 4. How is the woman described in v4? What does this tell us about her? 5. What is the woman s name or title? Who was Babylon in Biblical history? 6. Who does the angel say the woman is (17:18)? In John s day, who do you think this would have been? 7. Look at chapter 17 again and try to put together a picture of who Babylon might represent at a more general level. a. Wealthy or poor? b. Friendly or unfriendly to God s people (prophets & saints) c. Powerful or weak? 8. Why do you think she is described as a prostitute? (See 17:2, 5, 15)

21 9. In 17:7-18, the angel explains what John has seen. What does the angel say about the beast? 10. What is the reason the beast aligns himself with the kings & rulers of the earth? 11. What is the eventual outcome of this war? What does the future hold for the great prostitute who sits on many waters? (See also 17:1) 12. Who is most upset that Babylon is destroyed (see 18:9-19)? Why? 13. How is the response of the multitude in heaven (19:1-3) different from that of the kings, merchants and sailors in chapter 18? 14. How does the story end for the people of God? (See 19:6-8) 15. What warning is there for us in 18:4? Are there any areas of your life (work, family, play etc.) where you are tempted to commit adultery with Babylon? How can you come out of Babylon? 16. How might the vision in 19:6-9 make it easier for you to give up the pursuit of wealth and pleasure in this life?

22 9 The final battle Revelation 19:11-20:15 READ 19:11-21 1. What strikes you in this section? What questions do you have? 2. Who is the rider? How do we know? (Compare these verses: 19:11 & 3:14; 19:12 & 1:14; 19:15 & 1:16; 19:16 & 1:5) 3. What events are being described here? 4. What does each of the descriptors tell us about the rider? 5. What else happens when he returns? (v17-18) What is the difference between the great supper (v17) and the wedding feast of the Lamb (19:6-9)? 6. But the beast has other ideas. What happens? How effective is his war effort? 7. What are the implications of this section for us? READ 20:1-15 8. Retell the events of the first six verses. What happens to Satan? 9. When is Satan bound? (See Luke 11:21-22, John 12:31, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14 & 1 John 3:8) What do you think it means that Satan is bound?

23 10. The thousand years has stirred up much controversy. What sense can you make of the thousand years? 11. In what sense then do you think Satan is bound in the present age? 12. Who are those who have been beheaded? What happens to them? 13. What does it mean that they reign with Christ? 14. The rest of the dead who are they and what happens to them? 15. What do you think the first resurrection and second death stand for? (See 20:14) 16. The great battle 19:19; 17:14; 16:12 What do we find out about the battle? What does this tell us about God? 17. What is the criteria to avoid the final judgment in 20:11-15? 18. Many Christians seem captivated by the idea of binding Satan today by special prayers or rituals. How necessary or useful do you think these efforts are? 19. How should our understanding of the millennium affect our lives today?

24 10 The new creation Revelation 21:1-22:21 1. What is your idea of paradise? 2. Read through the whole section 21:1-22:21. How does the end of the bible s story connect to the beginning (Genesis 1-3)? 3. What new things does John see in the first five verses? What has happened to the world as we know it? 4. Who gets in? Who is excluded? (See 21:6-8) 5. According to the loud voice from the throne (21:4), what is the essence of this new creation? In other words, what makes paradise, paradise? How does this compare with your idea of paradise? 6. The old Jerusalem is a shabby memory compared to the new Jerusalem which is coming down out of heaven from God. How is the new Jerusalem described in 21:9-21? See if you can make sense of some of the imagery. 7. What is at the centre of the new creation (21:22-27)? What is its goal? 8. 22:1-6 describes Eden 2.0. What s different? What s better? 9. What parting instructions are given to John (21:7-21)? 10. What parting encouragements are given to us?

25 11. How well does verse 17 reflect your own attitude to the coming new creation? Is it possible to be so comfortable in this life that our desire for the new creation is diminished? 12. What is the prayer that should be heard on the lips of God s people until the new creation arrives (see 21:20)?