The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
WELCOME TO
THE DRAMA OF
REVELATION
A Study of The Book of REVELATION
SESSION VII – 02/21/17
THE WORLD AT WAR
(CHAPTER 8)
The seven trumpets begin to sound and terrible calamities
follow. These judgments are so severe that the global fire
they ignite nearly destroys the whole planet. The whole
world is at war and all life is in danger of extinction.
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET
8:6 – 9:21
When the seventh seal was opened, the scroll was ready
to be unrolled, read, and put into effect. At that moment,
heaven fell silent. Seven angels were given trumpets.
The prayers of the saints went up before God, and in
response, fire was cast upon the earth. The thunder of
judgment rumbled. With that warning, the trumpets are
blown.
1
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
SEVEN TRUMPETS
First Trumpet: hail and fire (v. 7)
Second Trumpet: Fireball into the sea
(v. 8-9)
The results of this destruction are so vast
that one-third of all the trees and all the
grass on the entire planet burn up.
Such a massive destruction of vegetation
would result in food shortages and a
limited air supply.
“great mountain burning with fire” falling into
the sea, polluting one-third of the oceans and
destroying one-third of ships (military
targets)
Third Trumpet: pollution of fresh
waters (v. 10-11)
Fourth Trumpet: air pollution (v. 12)
The “rivers” and “springs” of water are
polluted by a falling star called
“Wormwood,” a bitter substance, like the
bitter pollution of radioactive fallout
following a nuclear explosion.
The sun, moon, and stars are “darkened” for
one-third of the day. There is some cosmic
destruction of the atmosphere. The ozone
layer has been severely damaged and people
are suffering from radiation poisoning.
THE WORLD AT WAR
• Chapter 8 ends with an eagle (angel) flying through heaven
crying with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell
on earth.”
• Woe is a prophetic pronouncement of doom.
• The triple woe is given in connection with the three trumpets
that are still to sound.
THE WORLD AT WAR
• The extent of these judgments affects the whole world.
• If the Church were still on earth during this time, she would
be caught right in the middle of this great global disaster.
However, the trumpet judgments do not concern the Church
as such. They are God’s judgments on the world.
• There is no mention of the Church because during this time,
she has already gone home to glory in the Rapture.
2
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
PREMILLENNIALISM
CAN IT GET ANY WORSE?
(CHAPTER 10)
This chapter serves as an interlude between the sixth and
seventh trumpets. It includes the apocalyptic thunders,
which are sealed up and kept secret. The sounding of the
seventh trumpet is delayed until John can take the “little
book,” devour it, and prophesy again.
AND I SAW ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL COME DOWN FROM
HEAVEN, CLOTHED WITH A CLOUD: AND A RAINBOW WAS
UPON HIS HEAD, AND HIS FACE WAS AS IT WERE THE SUN,
AND HIS FEET AS PILLARS OF FIRE: (10:1)
• Do not mistake the angel for Christ. Christ never appears as an
angel in the Apocalypse. Verse 1 says, “I saw another…” There is
no “other” Christ. The angel also swears by God (v. 5-6), lifting his
hand to heaven. This is something Christ would not do.
• Angels play a prominent role in the Apocalypse, serving,
worshiping, and praising God, announcing messages, delivering
judgments, and battling evil forces. These angelic beings are the
servants of God Almighty.
3
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
AND WHEN THE SEVEN THUNDERS HAD UTTERED THEIR
VOICES, I WAS ABOUT TO WRITE: AND I HEARD A VOICE FROM
HEAVEN SAYING UNTO ME, SEAL UP THOSE THINGS WHICH THE
SEVEN THUNDERS UTTERED, AND WRITE THEM NOT. (10:4)
• Any attempt to guess the meaning of the utterances of the seven
thunders is presumptuous and unjustified. Just as Daniel (12:9)
was told to seal up his prophecies until the “end time,” so we must
wait on God’s timing to reveal the seven thunders of the future.
• The angel’s major declaration was that “there shall be no longer
delay” (v. 6-7). The angel is answering the cry of the martyrs in
heaven (6:9-12) who were told to rest awhile until other martyrs
join them. Now, there will be no delay. The end has come!
AND I WENT UNTO THE ANGEL, AND SAID UNTO HIM, GIVE ME
THE LITTLE BOOK. AND HE SAID UNTO ME, TAKE IT, AND EAT IT
UP; AND IT SHALL MAKE THY BELLY BITTER, BUT IT SHALL BE IN
THY MOUTH SWEET AS HONEY. (10:9)
• The little book is a smaller document that John is told to eat.
Eating the scroll is a way of saying that he is to read it and devour
its message.
• The little scroll is a special message from God to John. John is to
make its message known by prophesying again “before many
peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings” (10:11).
AND I WENT UNTO THE ANGEL, AND SAID UNTO HIM, GIVE ME
THE LITTLE BOOK. AND HE SAID UNTO ME, TAKE IT, AND EAT IT
UP; AND IT SHALL MAKE THY BELLY BITTER, BUT IT SHALL BE IN
THY MOUTH SWEET AS HONEY. (10:9)
• The eating of the scroll is similar to the experiences of the
prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. (Jeremiah 1:9; 5:14; 15:16; Ezekiel
3:1-3).
• For every prophet, including John, there was a bittersweet
message. It was sweet to the believer because it offered hope. But
it was bitter to the unbeliever because it pronounced judgment.
4
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
HELL ON EARTH
(CHAPTER 11)
The invasion of Jerusalem by the Gentiles is accompanied
by the rise of the two witnesses. The scene shifts to the
earthly Jerusalem, which is the center of the coming
conflict with the beast. The witnesses are martyred and
then miraculously resurrected.
HELL ON EARTH
• Satan’s opposition to the two witnesses reaches a dramatic climax
in their execution, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
• Time remains suspended between the sixth and seventh trumpets
as John the revelator tells us about measuring the temple, the
invasion of the Gentiles, the appearance of the two witnesses, and
the rise of the beast out of the bottomless pit to oppose them.
• The spiritual conflict intensifies with human, natural, and cosmic
forces in collision with God’s final purposes for planet earth.
HELL ON EARTH!
• The “great city… where also their Lord was crucified” (v. 8) is
Jerusalem.
• The two witnesses (v. 3) are two individual evangelists.
• The earthquake (v. 13) is a real earthquake.
• The “beast” from the “abyss” (v. 7) is the same beast as the
one described in 13:1-10: the Antichrist.
• The temple (v. 1, 2, 19) is the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
5
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
HELL ON EARTH!
• Sackcloth – It was worn as a sign of mourning and penitence.
• Olive Trees – The two olive trees (bearers of the Spirit) are
the two lampstands. Lampstands equal churches, the two
witnesses are either the church, part of the church, or two
individuals who as leaders fulfill the church’s mission to be
Christ’s witnesses.
HELL ON EARTH!
• Lie in the public square – In the near east, a decent burial
was usually considered so important that it was provided
even for enemies. To deny burial was the worst possible
insult and outrage.
• Great City – Sodom symbolized immorality and Egypt
represented slavery and oppression.
HELL ON EARTH!
• Chapter 11 introduces the first references to the time elements in
Revelation.
• The Gentiles trample the holy city underfoot for 42 months (v. 2).
• The two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days (v. 3).
• The beast is given power to rule 42 months (13:5).
• The woman (Israel) flees from persecution for 1,260 days (v. 6), or
“a time and times and half a time” (v. 14).
• All of these calculations add up to 3 ½ years.
• The 3 ½ years represent the last half of the Tribulation, or the
Great Tribulation.
6
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
HELL ON EARTH
• Chapter 8 ends with an eagle (angel) flying through heaven
crying with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell
on earth.”
• First woe = fifth trumpet (9:1-12)
• Second woe = sixth trumpet + interlude (9:13-11:14)
• Third woe = seventh trumpet (11:15-19)
SEVENTH TRUMPET (11:15-19)
• These five verses are among the most dramatic verses in the
entire Bible.
• Christ takes possession of the kingdoms of this world.
• He reigns and rules forever.
• God’s wrath has come upon the earth.
• The nations will be judged.
• The saints will be rewarded.
• The temple of God in heaven is opened.
• The Ark of the Covenant is revealed.
REVELATION 12 - 13
• Session 1 – Introduction and
Background to Revelation
• Session 2 – The Prologue
(Chapter 1): Vision of the
Coming King
• Session 4 – The Problem
(Chapters 4 & 5): SevenSealed Scroll
• Session 5 – The Process:
Seven Seals and Seven
Trumpets (Ch. 9 – 11)
• Session 3 – The Proclamation
• Session 6 & 7 – Seven Key
(Chapters 2 & 3): Letters to
Figures in the End-Times
the Seven Churches
Drama
7
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
WAR IN HEAVEN
CHAPTERS 12 AND 13
Right in the middle of the Book of Revelation lists the seven
symbolic players in the great end-times drama. The identity
of these figures is crucial to the interpretation of the whole
book.
WAR IN HEAVEN
• The seventh trumpet has opened the way for a revelation of
the seven bowl judgments. But for that revelation to be
meaningful, a sketch of the hidden forces behind this great
climax in history and the personages that play a part in that
climax is necessary.
• Seven symbolic “players” are introduced in Chapters 12 – 13.
These are the major participants in the great end-times
drama.
WHO’S WHO IN THE END TIMES?
• John wrote these two chapters to help us identify the major
players in the apocalyptic drama.
• These two chapters belong to the entire section of the
Revelation that deals with “what must take place after these
things” (4:1)
• This was part of John’s vision of the future.
8
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
WHO’S WHO IN THE END TIMES?
• John uses these two chapters to take us behind the scenes of
the great eschatological drama.
• In these seven symbolic signs, we see the future that yet shall
be. And, in them, we also see the role each important
character will play in the final conflict between Christ and
the Antichrist.
READ CHAPTERS 12 AND 13
Who do the Seven Symbolic Players Represent?
The Seven Symbolic Players in the Great End-Times Drama
Woman
12:1-2, 6, 13-16
Israel
Dragon
12:3-4, 9, 12-13
Satan
Male Child
12:2, 5
Christ
Michael
12:7-12
Archangel
Rest of her offpring
12:17
Seed of Woman
(saved Israel)
Beast of the sea
13:1-10
Antichrist
Beast of the earth
13:11-18
False Prophet
9
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE KEY PLAYERS
WOMAN: ISRAEL (REV. 12:1-2, 13-16)
• A woman appears who was “clothed with the sun, and the
moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars
(12:1).
• The woman symbolizes the nation and people of Israel. The
imagery is taken from Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-11,
where the sun and moon and twelve stars represent the
patriarchs of Israel and the twelve tribes.
THE KEY PLAYERS
WOMAN: ISRAEL (REV. 12:1-2, 13-16)
• The woman is not the Church! The woman is depicted here
as giving birth to the Messiah (the “male child”).
• The Church did not give birth to Christ. Rather, Christ gave
birth to the Church.
• The woman is not Mary the mother of Jesus, but the
messianic community, the ideal Israel.
THE KEY PLAYERS
WOMAN: ISRAEL (REV. 12:1-2, 13-16)
• The woman has the “crown of twelve stars,” symbolizing the
twelve tribes of Israel.
• Later in this chapter, the woman, the mother of Christ, is
persecuted and driven into the wilderness for 1,260 days or
3 ½ years (Rev. 12:6, 14).
• She is the mother of Christ (Israel), not the Bride of Christ
(Church).
10
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE KEY PLAYERS
DRAGON: SATAN (REV. 12:3-4, 9, 12-13)
• The “great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns” is
identified in 12:9 as “the serpent of old who is called the devil and
Satan.”
• He is called the “accuser of the brethren… who accuses them
before our God day and night” (12:10).
• This description is reminiscent of Satan's activities in the Book of
Job. He is also described as the one who tries to devour the male
child as soon as he was born.
THE KEY PLAYERS
DRAGON: SATAN (REV. 12:3-4, 9, 12-13)
• The whole passage reminds us of the great spiritual warfare
going on behind the scenes of human history. While King
Herod attempted to kill the baby Jesus soon after His birth, it
was actually Satan who provoked the murderous intent
(Matthew 2:16-18).
• The crucifixion of Christ may also be in view here as well.
Even then, Satan is pictured as the evil one provoking the
crowd to shout, “Crucify Him!”
THE KEY PLAYERS
DRAGON: SATAN (REV. 12:3-4, 9, 12-13)
• The Dragon is called “great” and red. This is no ordinary
monster, but the monster of monsters!
• The gigantic red Dragon is depicted by the same color as the
red horse in Rev. 6:4.
• Red is the color of blood and harmonizes with his murderous
intentions to kill the offspring of the woman.
11
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE KEY PLAYERS
DRAGON: SATAN (REV. 12:3-4, 9, 12-13)
• The Dragon is said to have drawn “a third of the stars of
heaven” and cast them to the earth (12:4). This is generally
taken to mean that approximately 1/3 of all the angels fell
with him and are now demons (fallen angels).
• The Dragon’s seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns are
images drawn from Daniel 7:7-8, 20-24. These indicate that
Satan himself is the ultimate power behind the final kingdom
of the Antichrist.
THE KEY PLAYERS
MALE CHILD: CHRIST (REV. 12:2, 5)
• The “male child” who was destined to “rule all the nations” s
Jesus Christ.
• His being caught up” refers to His ascension back into heaven.
• The imagery of the “male child” is taken from Psalm 2, where
the messianic Son receives the nations for His inheritance from
the Father. He is pictured as the Lord’s “Anointed” (Psalm 2:2).
THE KEY PLAYERS
MICHAEL: THE ARCHANGEL (REV. 12:7-12)
• In this spectacular section of the prophesy, we are told that
Michael and his angels will cast Satan out of heaven. Lucifer
(Satan) has already “fallen” from his lofty position, but he still
has ace to the throne of God (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7).
• But now Satan is permanently cast out of heaven forever. He
becomes angry because he realizes “he has only a short
time” (12:12), so he vents his anger on the woman (Israel),
who had given birth to the child.
12
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE KEY PLAYERS
MICHAEL: THE ARCHANGEL (REV. 12:7-12)
• Satan is pictured as the “accuser of our brethren” (12:10.
They are described as believers who overcame him by the
“blood of the Lamb” and the “word of their testimony.”
• Heaven is shown rejoicing at Satan’s demise, and his time is
“short” (12:12).
• Michael the archangel (Jude 9) is referred to in Daniel 10:13
as one of the “chief princes,” and in Daniel 12:1 as the “great
prince” who assists the children of Israel in the Last Days.
THE KEY PLAYERS
REST OF HER OFFSPRING: SAVED ISRAEL (REV. 12:17)
• When Satan is frustrated in his attempts to destroy national
Israel, he will turn against the “rest (remnant) of her
offspring” that has the “testimony of Jesus.”
• These are converted Jews who have come to faith in Jesus as
their Messiah. They will be persecuted severely by the two
“beasts” that are forthcoming in Chapter 13.
THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
Two beasts rise on the prophetic scene. The first is the
beast out of the sea, symbolizing the Antichrist. The
second is the beast out of the earth, symbolizing the False
Prophet. These two diabolical characters are empowered
by Satan himself and with him form the satanic trinity.
They are evil and deception personified. Together they
will control the entire world in the Last Days –
economically, politically, and religiously.
13
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
• The great conflict of the End Times pits the unholy trinity
(Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet) against the holy Trinity
(Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
• In particular, the two beasts called up by Satan become a
threat to the survival of the whole world.
• The first arises from the sea – a grotesque seven-headed monster
with ten horns.
• The second arises from the earth – less terrifying, but much more
deceptive.
THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
• Together with the dragon the two beasts constitute an unholy
trinity of malicious evil.
• The great conflict of the End Times pits the unholy trinity
(Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet) against the holy Trinity
(Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
• In particular, the two beasts called up by Satan become a
threat to the survival of the whole world.
• The first arises from the sea – a grotesque seven-headed
monster with ten horns.
• The second arises from the earth – less terrifying, but
much more deceptive.
• Together with the dragon the two beasts constitute an unholy
trinity of malicious evil.
14
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
If Satan seeks to be recognized as God, the Antichrist is
presented as the Christ of Satan.
Christ
Many diadems (19:12)
Worthy name (19:11-16)
Causes men to worship God
(1:6)
Power and throne of God
(12:5)
Died but lives again (1:18)
Antichrist
Ten diadems (13:1)
Blasphemous names (13:1)
Causes men to worship Satan
(13:4)
Power and throne of Satan
(13:2)
Fatal wound is healed (13:3)
THE RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST
If Satan seeks to be recognized as God, the False
Prophet is presented as the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit
False Prophet
Points men to Christ (John 15:26)
Instrument of divine revelation (John
16:13)
Seals believers to God (1 John 3:24)
Points men to Antichrist (13:12, 14)
Instrument of satanic revelation
(13:11)
Marks unbelievers with the number
of Antichrist (13:16)
Builds body of Christ (John 7:37-39) Builds the empire of Antichrist
(13:17)
Enlightens mankind with truth (John Deceives mankind by miracles
14:17, 26)
(13:13-15)
THE GREAT SEA MONSTER
• The uniqueness of John’s vision is his portrayal of the first beast as a
giant sea monster.
• The beast itself is described as having seven heads (one with a
“fatal wound”), ten horns, and ten crowns.
• The ten horns are similar to the ten horns on Daniel’s fourth beast
(Daniel 7:3-7). They represent ten kings (or kingdoms), as they
do in Revelation 17:12).
• The seven heads of the beast (Rev. 12:3) parallel the seven heads
of the Dragon that gives his power and authority to the beast.
15
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE BEAST
• The Bible predicts the rise of a counterfeit messiah in the
Last Days.
• While many of his titles and descriptions emphasize the
diabolical character of his rule, we must remember that he is
ultimately a deceiver who promises to bring world peace.
• The meaning of antichrist means “in place of.” Thus the
Antichrist will rise to power brilliantly. He will oppose the
Messiah by pretending to be Him (John 5:43).
THE BEAST
• The term antichrist appears only in the epistles of John (1 John 2:18,
22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
• Throughout the Revelation, he is called the “beast.”
• In his epistles, John was mainly concerned with the manifestation
of the spirit of the Antichrist, which was already present in the
churches in the manifestation of false doctrine.
• In the Revelation, he foresees the embodiment of false religion in a
person whom he calls the “beast.”
THE BEAST OF THE SEA: ANTICHRIST (REV.
13:1-10)
• The beast of the sea represents the epitome and culmination
of the Gentile powers of all time. He is the embodiment of
the lion, bear, leopard, and monster of Daniel’s vision of the
four beasts (Daniel 7).
• As in Daniel’s prophesy of the fourth beast, he is described
as having seven heads and ten horns.
16
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE BEAST OF THE SEA: ANTICHRIST (REV.
13:1-10)
• The Beast of the sea is associated with the same symbols
given to Rom (seven heads and ten horns). It is assumed that
he represents the revived Roman Empire of the Last Days.
• He is arrogant, egotistical, powerful, and ruthless. And he
will bring the final abomination upon Jerusalem.
THE BEAST OF THE SEA: ANTICHRIST (REV.
13:1-10)
• The beast is said to “blaspheme God” and make “war against
the saints.”
• He receives “worship” from unbelievers and establishes the
final apostate church on earth. The Apostle Paul calls him the
“man of lawlessness” and the “son of destruction (2 Thess. 2:3).
• He exalts himself above all that is called God and sits in the
temple demanding to be worshiped as God.
THE BEAST OF THE EARTH: FALSE
PROPHET (REV. 13:11-18)
• This creature is distinct from the beast of the sea in that he
calls attention to the first beast and persuades the world to
worship the Antichrist.
• He even sets up an “image” of the first beast and “deceives
those who dwell on the earth” (Rev. 13:14).
17
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE BEAST OF THE EARTH: FALSE
PROPHET (REV. 13:11-18)
• He is pictured as having power to make fire “come down out
of heaven” (13:13).
• He also gives “breath” to the image of the beast and uses his
power to pervert true religion (13:15).
THE BEAST OF THE EARTH: FALSE
PROPHET (REV. 13:11-18)
• The second beast looks like a lamb, but he talks like a dragon
(the power and authority of Satan). He also exercises all the
authority of the first beat.
• Thus he is pictured as a false religious leader, in contrast to the
more political nature of the first beast.
THE BEAST OF THE EARTH: FALSE
PROPHET (REV. 13:11-18)
• This false prophet has the ability to heal the deadly “sword
wound” of the beast (13:14), or at least of one of his “heads”
(13:3). This miraculous healing calls attention to the
supposed power and authority of the False Prophet.
18
The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session VII
02/28/2017
THE BEAST OF THE EARTH: FALSE
PROPHET (REV. 13:11-18)
Chapter 13 reveals several facts about the False Prophet:
• He causes men to worship the image of the beast (v. 12-15)
• He can do great wonders and miracles (v. 13)
• He calls down fire out of heaven (v. 13)
• He deceives the whole world by his miracles (v. 14)
• He gives breath to the image of the beast (v. 15)
• He causes men to receive the mark of the beast (v. 16)
NUMBER OF THE BEAST - 666
• Mark (v. 16) – The kind of mark this is (spiritual tattoo,
ultraviolet, visible, or invisible) is debated, but its purpose is
clear: to identify who is and who isn’t loyal to the sea beast,
so that his enemies can be destroyed.
• 666 (v. 18) – The number 7 represents perfection, so 777
would be a great perfection. Jesus in Greek adds up to 888 –
beyond perfection. Since 666 triply falls short of perfection,
it suggests an ironic and demonic contrast with Christ’s 888.
NEXT WEEK’S CLASS
REVELATION 14 - 20
• Session 1 – Introduction and
Background to Revelation
• Session 2 – The Prologue
(Chapter 1): Vision of the Coming
King
• Session 3 – The Proclamation
(Chapters 2 & 3): Letters to the
Seven Churches
• Session 4 – The Problem
(Chapters 4 & 5): Seven-Sealed
Scroll
• Session 5 – The Process:
Seven Seals and Seven
Trumpets (Ch. 9 – 11)
• Session 6 & 7 – Seven Key
Figures in the End-Times
Drama
• Session 8 – Seven Bowls of
Final Judgements
(Chapters 14 – 20)
19