The plan of God has been completed! With the new heaven and new earth, we see the rejuvenation and rebirth of Genesis. Sin and the evil one has been vacated. The dawning of the City of God, the new Jerusalem is established—His people—gloriously in His presence. There is no need for the sun, moon, or stars for He alone will illuminate. There will be no temple, chapel, or church building to gather in, for worship in His presence will be everywhere!

Jesus triumphantly returning on a white horse with the armies of heaven in tow sets up the final climax. What a glorious vision John is given! Here in what is commonly called the battle of Armageddon, the destruction of the beast and false prophet takes place and later Satan’s eternal doom.

Babylon’s fate is predicted; the great prostitute will fall. God’s people are pleaded with to “come out of” Babylon with her idolatry. This continued seduction (with includes materialistic luxury, wealth, and comfort) is demonic in nature. This is not a call for believers to physically remove themselves from this world, but to remove themselves from moral pollution.

God’s wrath has been held back from humanity because of His grace, love, and mercy. This is the glorious gospel. There is a time though when His cup of divine wrath and rage fills to overflowing. This is when God will pour out the seven bowls of wrath, His divine judgment, upon the earth. He will destroy the wicked and sinful world that is an enemy of His Christ.

Two beasts in league with the dragon are introduced with much symbolism. They are given power and authority to make the people of earth worship the beast and take his mark. This mark is on the forehead or right hand- 666 the number of man. Without the mark of the beast a person will not be able to buy or sell. What do the beasts refer to? What is the mark of the beast? What does it mean for a person to be marked? Is it an actual number? We will explore these questions and more.

The second half of the book of Revelation begins with the deeper reason for the mostly outward conflicts facing the Church highlighted in the first 11 chapters—namely, the war between Christ and Satan! John sees certain aspects of this ancient, yet constant as of now, enemy that he reveals to his readers. This week we examine Satan as the Dragon; trying to take out the woman and the plan of God throughout history.

In John’s vision, he is shown two witnesses that prophecy, are martyred, are resurrected with the breath of life, and then are called to heaven. Who are these two witnesses? What does this have to do with the rapture of the church? When does the rapture possibly take place? All much-discussed questions.

Many view Daniel’s prophecy of ‘seventy-sevens’ or ‘seventy weeks’ as having direct import in deciphering the book of Revelation. From this base, many understandings of an end-time tribulation and possible timings of when Christ will ‘rapture’ His church or how long the church will suffer until He does so come about. We will consider if what Daniel writes has any bearing on Revelation and if so, how.

The trumpets of God continue to blast as warnings for earth, each deliver terror, yet mercy to spur repentance. Three woes are declared to come with the final three of seven trumpets; we look at the fifth and sixth. The first four trumpets harm the wicked in their physical being; the last three touch man himself. Specifically, bringing spiritual anguish; unleashing demonic activity.

We see in Revelation 8:1-5 and earlier in Revelation 5:8 that the prayers of the saints are collected, kept, and utilized. They are called incense: a savory aroma before the throne of God!  In fact, these prayers are a huge part of the instrument God uses to usher in the end of the world with His divine judgments. Prayers matter to God now and in eternity.

Only the Lamb who was slain is worthy to break the seven seals and open the scroll. We will address the first four seals that are opened. As he breaks each seal a horse and its rider is unleashed upon the earth. John is shown specific things that will happen with much imagery. It is Jesus who releases these forces.

John is given a vision of the throne room of God. We are at the very center of the universe! In the center is a throne. This isn’t just about a magnificent chair where God the Father sits. It is about His ruling power and authority in His heavenly court. The God of the universe rules over human affairs. All that the church goes through is in the hands of His Sovereign power. There is repeated emphasis in chapter 4 of the throne—indicating that while the world is running out of control, John is (as are we) assured that everything is being governed by God and the Lamb (which we will cover next week).