The Book of Revelation Made Practical : Quiet Time Series

Day I : Introduction and Chapter lIntroduction

1. Written by the Apostle John, exiled on the Isle of Patmos, around AD 90, during the reign of Vespasian.2. "What must soon take place" (Rev. 1:1,3; 22:6,10)3. Apocalyptic Language

a. highly symbolic languageb. Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, Tnchariahc. Language that is extreme, vivid, striking, filled with conflict and victory, easily rememberedd. Normally, one interprets the Bible literally unless forced to do otherwise. With apocalyptic language, one must interpret

figuratively unless there is good reason not to.4.Why Apocalyptic Language ?

a. Used to make an unforgettable impact on readers. To make a dramatic point about something God really feels stronglyabout.

Chapter LJohn receives a vision of Jesus, where Jesus tells him to write a letter to the 7 churches of Asia. ttseven" is the number whichsymbolizes "completeness", so the book is addressed to all churches in all times.

Seven Golden Lampstands The 7 churches in Asia (symbolizine all churches in all times)Someone "like the son of man" A powerful vision of Jesus, the Son of GodIn his rieht hand he held Seven Stars The 7 angels (or messenqers) ofthe 7 churchesOut of his mouth came a sharo double-edeed sword God's word (Heb.4:12)

Studv Ouestions

1) The purpose of Apocalyptic language is to make an unforgettable impact about issues that are important to God

2) What impacts you in this first chapter, and what is God trying to get across to you ?

Day 2 : Jesus' Letters to the Churches

Chapters 2-3

Letters written to the 7 churches of Asia (all churches in all times), with both commendations and rebukes.

Ephesus The city of the Temple of Diana, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.Commendations- hard work and perseverance, endured

hardships but have not grown weary- don't tolerate sin in the church

(Nicolaitans: sect that many earlychurch fathers believe was started byNicolas (Ac 6:5). Decadent groupknown for loose thinking and living)

- rejected false apostles, or men whoclaim to be messengers from God, butaren't

Rebukes- forsaken first love- repent and do things used to do in

the beginning

SymbolsTree oflife: source ofspiritual food andspiritual sustenance

Smyrna Center of Caesar worship and leading center of Roman Empire worship. Also a citywith a larse Jewish pooulation. which activelv oersecuted the Church

Commendations- perseverance through poverty and

persecution- encouragement that the persecution

will come to an end, but to thefaithful there will be victory.

Rebukes Symbolsl. l0 days: symbol for a period of trial (Danl:12-16, Gen 31:7)2. Crown of life: victors crown, eternal life3. Seconddeath: spiritual death,condemnation to hell

Pergamum City known for its university and extensive library. OfFrcial capital of the Roman province.Large temple to Znus, and center for Zeus worship.

Commendations- Remained true to Jesus, in a

city where Satan has his thrown(capital of Roman province andseat for Zeus worship)

- Endurance through persecution.to the point of death (Antipaswas killed in this city)

Rebukes- Sin of Balaam: bringing

worldliness and sin into thechurch (Num22-24).

- Some were following theteachings of the Nicolaitans(see Ephesus)

Symbolsl. Hidden nutwkTi source of spiritual food and spiritualsustenance2. White stone with new name: stones were given afteran acquittal in a trial, reward for heroism or faithfulservice, for complementary passes to games or thetheater. White implies purity and justice. A new nameis given by God and means the sharing of a new personalrelationship with God.

Thvatira A city with a strong army presence, and known for its trade guilds (unions).Commendations

- Deeds, love, faith, andperseverence

- Working harder than they werebefore

Rebukes- Toleration ofthe false

prophetess Jezebel, and theimmorality she encouraged.

- Not holding on to theiroriginal teaching

SymbolsI. Feet like burnished bronze: Jesus is awesome inappearance and power, and is able to trample onanything in his way.2. Rule with an iron scepter: He who overcomes willshare in Jesus rule, which is all-encompassing, powerfuland absolute.3. The morning stor: Name for Jesus (Rev 22:16). Hisis the light associated with the coming of a new day.

Sardis An impregnable fortress high on the side of a mountain. Also known as a city that wasrepeatedly conquered, and did not live up to expectations because ofthe over-confidence andcarelessness of its rulers.

Commendations Rebukes- Church has a reputation of

being alive, but is dead- Deeds are not complete.

Challenge to remember whatthey have received and heard,to repent and obey.

Symbols

Philadelphia Trade route cross-road, often devastated by earthquakes. Known for its grapes and wine. Averv sfrons Jewish population which oersecuted the church.

Commendations- Have keptJesus word and have

not denied his name- Have patiently endured

persecution, especially from theJews

Rebukes Symbolsl. Key of Davrd: Jesus. "Key" is a symbol of authority,so Jesus has authority over the descendents ofDavid (Is22:22)2. New Jerusalem: Kingdom of God, resulting from theNew Covenant brought by Jesus.3. New Name: To be endorsed by God, and given a newrelationshin with Him.

Laodicea A wealthy city, famous for its wool garments and eye powder, exported all over the world andused to cure various eve ailments.

Commendations Rebukes- Church was lukewarm.Prideful and secure in theirphysical wealth, but not realizingtheir soiritual oovertv.

Svmbols

Studv Ouestions

1) What church best fits your condition spiritually ? Why ?

2) What are the commendation listed above that fit our church ?

3) What are the rebukes listed above that fit our church ?

Day 3 : The Throne of God

Chapter 4The throne of God. God is and always will be the ruler of all nations. This chapter provides comfort for the disciples who would bendunng persecutron. lt shows Uocl's love and to helD the drsc rsevere (ke '2-6

Throne in Heaven God rules, but this is not simply a location. This is a symbol of God's all-powerful andbenevolent rule everywhere, in all times.

Rainbow Symbol of God's love and mercy (Gen 9:13)24 Elders Symbolize God's church. 12 is the number of God's people: 12 tribes of Israel, 12

Apostles. etc.7 Lamps and 7 Spirits ofGod

Symbol of God's spirit, which brings light and guidance to God's people. 7 is thenumber of comoleteness and victorv.

Sea of Glass Parallel to the "sea" in Solomon's temple (II Chon 4:2-6), which stood between theHieh Priest and the Holv Place where God lives.

Four Living Creatures These are the cherubim, eternal defenders God's holiness and honor. Dedicated tobring honor and glory to God. The bestial aspect of these beings demonstrates theirfury and power. Their human aspect their intelligence and mercy.Lion - king of predatorsEagle - majesty, king of the airBull - fury and strengthMan - intellisence and shrewdness

6 winss The livine creatures can go anywhere, and are everywhere.Eves all around The livine Creatures are all-seeins

Chapter 5The following chapters of this book are going to reveal God's will for the immediate future. Jesus is exalted and praised in heavenand on earth, because he is going to reveal God's will to his people (kev 6-9)on eartn. Decause ne ts gol to re wlll to n1s

The scroll and 7 seals The scroll stands for the Word of God, and his will for the immediate future. It isgoing to be revealed in subsequent chapters ofthis book. For now is perfectly sealedup (7 seals), waiting for the one that would make his will known (Jesus).

The Lion of the tribe ofJudah. Root of David

Names for Jesus. He was to be from the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:9), and descended fromDavid (Is 11:1,10)

The Lamb looking as if ithad been slain

Jesus. who was the sacrificial lamb for the sins of the world.

7 horns and 7 eyes Horns represent strength, and eyes wisdom, knowledge, and all-seeing. The number 7reDresents completeness and nerfection.

Study Ouestions. ,', '

1) How would this description of God's throne be encouraging to the early Christians ? Why should it be encouraging to you ?

2) What can you learn about God and his nature from this amazing picture of God and His throne ?

Day 4 : The Seven Seals

Chapter 6The 7 seals. The removal of each seal reveals a portion of God's will which was previously hidden. This is God's will in referenceto his church and the trials she is about to endure in the near future. They represent God's judgements on the ungodly, in particularRome which was persecuting the church.

1" Seal - white horse riding outas a conouerer (vs 1)

This is Jesus (Rev 19:1 1), and his goal to conquer the world spiritually for God.

2no Seal - red horse that wouldtake peace from the world (vs 3)

Represents war. "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt 10:34). Couldalso be referrins to war and persecution that would soon be coming.

3'" Seal - Black horse with a pairof scales (vs 5)

Scales represent famine and economic hardship (Ez 4:10, 16)

4* Seal - Pale horse, whose riderwas named death (vs 7)

Death. Clearly parallel passage toBz. 14:12-23, which refers to God's judgementasainst Jerusalem because of its sin bv sword, famine, plague and wild beasts.

5- Seal - saw under the alter thesouls of the martyrs (vs 9)

The martyrs are safe and protected from God. They are safe with God fromfurther harm.

6* Seal - the great day ofGod'swrath (vs 12)

God's awesome and complete judgement against the ungodly. These imagescannot be taken literally (see Mic l:3-6; Is 13:6-13,17-22). They are vivid andextreme to show God's anqer and power.

Chapter 7Comfort and assurance that God will win out in the end. The righteous receive a seal which will preserve them through thetribulations to come (key 1-4).

4 angels holding back the 4winds of the earth

4 is the number that represents the earth, and winds the work of God in the world.God is delavins his iudsements until his church can be sealed.

144,000 The church, or kingdom of God. 12 is the number for God's people. Squaring 12and multiplying by 1000 implies lots and lots of people- It means all of them.

Sealed and the Father's Namewritten on their foreheads

You seal, and put your name, on things that belong to you. God is confirming hisownership and protection ofhis people.

The great multitude They are the disciples ofJesus that have persevered through trials and persecutionsfaithfully (see Vs. 14). They stand with God worshipping him forever before histhrone.

Studv Ouestions

1) What does it mean to have the Father's name written on your forehead ? How does God show his ownership of you ?

2) One of the central themes of Revelation is that all earthly sufferings will come to and end, and that God will be always be ther6for you. What are the one or two areas that cause you the most pain in your life ?

Day 5 : The Seven Trumpets

Chapters 8-9The 7 trumpets (which all come under the 76 seal). Trumpets are used in the OT to gain attention or give alarm. The trumpets arewarning judgements on the oppressors of God's people (Rome), and they refuse to repent. These judgements should not be takenliterally, but they do show that God is going to give Rome its just due.

Silence in heaven for Vzhour A kind of a "drum roll" before a big event. vzhour implies onty a sttort aetay,because the time has come for the trumpets to begin.

1" trumpet: hail and fre mixedwith blood. 1/3 eafih and treesburned (vs 8:6)

Reminiscent of the plagues against Egypt (Ex. 7-11). God's juag"r"ent ugainst anation (Rome) that was oppressing his people. l/3 means a significant amount ofdamage will be dqne. It is a partial judgement to bring about repentance.

2"" trumpel huge mountainablaze thrown into the sea (vs 8)

Mountain is a symbol of a kingdom (Jer 5l:.25, Amos 4:1, ls2:2). This '. ,s " hrg"

kingdoln (Rome) that will be burned and destroyed.3'' trumpet: a star, called"wormwood", fell andcontaminated 1/3 rivers &springs (vs 10)

Star is a symbol of divine punishment (Mt24:29). wormwood is a type orpt-*t,both bitter and poisoness. This wood poisons the water, the opposite of the woodGod used to cleanse the water for the Israelites (Ex l5:25).

4"' ffumpet: 1/3 of the sun,moon, and stars were turneddark (vs 12)

similar to language seen in other parts of the Bible referring to coot luagernentsagainst the nations rebellious to him. see Babylon in Is 13:10-l l, and Edom inJoel 2:10. This language is meant to scare people into repentins.

@agle flying in mid-air) Symbol is one of a fierce predator causing terror amongst its prey. The 1T fourtrumpets were bad, the next 3 are going to be even worse. Next 3 trumpets arealso called the "three woes".

5* trumpet: army of locusts:like scorpions, with crowns,human faces, woman's hair,lion's teeth, iron breastplates.Their king is Abaddon, orApollyon (vs 9:1)

Another star (see 3'" trumpet) opens hell, and allows the devil to strike *en *ith ahorrible plague oflocusts, reminiscent ofthe plagues on Egypt and the book ofJoel. God paints a picture of pure horror: crown - power, human faces -intelligence & craftiness, woman's hair - appearance of beauty, lion's teeth -dangerous & viscious, iron breastplates - invincible. Abaddon and Apollyon mean"destroyer", and refer to Satan.

6- trumpel 200 million manarmy (vs 13)

Huge army of staggering size, meant to scare the life out of tiis book's readers.Shows God's total dominance over Rome and her armies.

4 angels, bound at the riverEuphrates

It was from across the Euphrates river that God historically sent his;udging armiesagainst Israel (Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians)- Symbolizes God's preparationfor the fall of Rome, and then executing it at the proper time.

Horses: fire a sulfur came fromtheir mouths, heads of lions, tailsof snakes

Meant again to paint a picture ofhorror, to generate fear that leads to repentance.Also meant to be a comfort to the disciples, because it demonstrates God'sultimate judgement against their persecutors.

StudyOuestions ., ',

1) Why would the judgements of God in this chapter be reassuring to the early disciples ?

2) What do they reveal about God's nature, and the way he works in our lives during difficult times ?