lesson five the return of the King Background: The climactic event of the Great Tribulation is the return of the King. Jesus Christ will return to judge His enemies, end satan s deception, and establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth. Reflection: Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords to rule and reign over the earth. Unlike His first coming, which was hidden from public view, the second coming will be visible to all. Jesus will return as King in all His glory and power! What do you think that will be like? Hallelujah! Hallelujah [Heb Hallel - praise, Jah Yahweh = Praise Yahweh or Praise Jehovah ; Greek Praise the Lord! ] is an exclamation of praise, joy, and thanksgiving toward God, occurring 23 times in the Psalms (Psalms 104:35; 116:19; 147:1; 150:1, 6). Hallelujah occurs four times in the New Testament, all in Revelation 19. Doxologies [Greek dox glory, logos word; word of glory ] are words of glory expressing praise and glory and honor to and to the Lamb, and are prominent throughout Revelation, beautifully demonstrating God s sovereign glory and character in the midst of wrath and judgment. Revelation Reference (NASB) Source of Praise 4:8 Four Living Creatures The 15 Doxologies in the Book of Revelation Recipient of Praise Content of Praise Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come. 4:10-11 24 Elders Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. 5:8-10 Four Living Creatures & 24 Elders 5:11-12 Innumerable Angels 5:13 Every Creature [in heaven & on the earth & under the sea & on the sea] 7:9-10 Tribulation Martyrs continued on next page... The Lamb (Jesus Christ) The Lamb & The Lamb & The Lamb Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. 42
7:11-12 Angels, 24 Elders, Four Living Creatures Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen. 11:16-18 24 Elders We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth. 15:2-4 Tribulation Saints & The Lamb Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed. 16:5-6 The Angel Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it. 16:7 The Altar in Heaven 19:1-2 A Great Multitude in Heaven 19:3 A Great Multitude in Heaven 19:4 24 Elders & Four Living Creatures 19:6-8 A Great Multitude Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments. Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her. And a second time they said, Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever. Amen. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. Revelation is not just a book of seals, trumpets, bowls, destruction, demonic activity, antichrist dominion, judgment, earthquakes, cosmic disturbances, tribulation, wrath, death, and horror. Revelation dramatically reveals the awesome character of God, the mighty acts of God, the supreme holiness of God, the sovereign plan of God, the incredible patience of God, and the unconditional love and grace of God toward His people, His creatures, and His creation. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! * Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 43
day one Revelation 19:11-16, 19-21 Jesus will return to earth as a conquering King! 1. Based on what you learned in lesson four, what event did John see in his vision? (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:19) 2. What will happen to the beast and the false prophet, according to verses 19-21? What will happen to the armies? 3. According to the following Scriptures, who will be with the King when He returns? Zechariah 14:5 Matthew 25:31 1 Thessalonians 3:13 2 Thessalonians 1:7 Jude 1:14 Revelation 19:11, 14 4. Sharing: What would you say to a well meaning but misguided Christian, who by her words and actions, worships angels? 5. Read the word box on Hallelujah. How does this encourage you? 44
days two and three An abomination of desolation is an idolatrous act, object, or person that causes true worshippers of God to leave the temple. The effect impacts the entire world. 1. Read Daniel 9:20-27 with Daniel 12:11-12. Describe some practices mentioned in each of the two passages. As we saw in lesson two, an abomination of desolation is set up in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. 2. Sharing: It is possible to practice idolatry and be unaware we are engaging in it. Imageless worship is idolizing our families, careers, aspirations, associations, etcetera. Read Exodus 20:3-6. Pray and ask God to reveal if you have put any other god but the Lord your God in His place. Confess any sin in prayer. Accept that you are cleansed once you confess the sin to God (1 John 1:8-9). Israel was chosen and set apart to reveal God s glory to her pagan neighbors. Yet generation after generation the nation failed to fulfill her higher purpose to remain pure, holy, and faithful. 3. According to Ezekiel 20:27-39, in what specific ways did Israel continually sin against God throughout her history? 4. What did Ezekiel say would result from Israel s sin? 5. Make a list of the types of sins Israel committed. Which attributes of God are revealed in the Ezekiel passage? Verse Type of Sin Attribute of God 6. What promise(s) do you find in Matthew 24:30-31 concerning Israel? 45
day four Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:1-3 Matthew s use of all the nations refers to all the Gentiles who survive the Tribulation. When the King returns, both Jews and Gentiles will be gathered together in His presence to determine who will enter the Kingdom. 1. How does Matthew describe what will happen? 2. What actions are commended or condemned for each group by the King? 3. What will be the result of the judgment for each of the two groups? 4. Sharing: Which of the actions the King commends are you practicing consistently? Inconsistently? Not at all? 5. Do you think Matthew is saying that to please God every believer must be involved in all the activities he listed? Why or why not? 6. In Revelation 20:1-3, who is the dragon? What happens to the dragon? 7. Will this be the end of the dragon s evil reign? Please explain your answer. 46
day five Daniel 12:1-3, Isaiah 26:19, Revelation 20:4 Daniel 12:2 is the first clear reference to a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. The period of time during the Tribulation will be a time of intense persecution of the Jews. The resurrection of the unbelievers will occur after the Millennium. 1. Describe the times according to Daniel 12, verse one. 2. What new information does Matthew 24:21-22 add? 3. Who do you think are those whose bodies lie dead and buried in Daniel 12:2? 4. Sharing: What comfort is there in reading Isaiah 26:19? 5. Read Exodus 32:30-33 and Revelation 20:4. Who do you think are the people mentioned in Exodus and Revelation? personal response to God How does lesson five help you understand the holiness of God and the gravity of sin? Love is the most powerful means of change. God is love. How can you use the knowledge from your study of Revelation to love people in a way that they see your faith in Christ and are attracted to Him? Pray now, in love, that the Lord will use you to share faith in Christ with people you know, love, and even strangers who are lost and without hope. 47