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Study Notes

Three Closing Themes

• The Word of God is trustworthy and true
• God will bless obedience and judge disobedience
• Jesus is coming soon!

So What?

• Faith
• Character
• Kingdom

Applying the Text

• Are you ready?

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Study Notes

The Passing of the Old Order

Understanding the Text

• The Creation of the New Order (Revelation 21:1-8)
• The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9-27)
• The New Tree of Life (Revelation 22:1-5)

Applying the Text

• Have you drunk from the spring of the water of life?

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Study Notes

The Millennial Kingdom

Understanding the Text

Final Rebellion (Revelation 20:7-10)

• Satan is loosed
• Gog and Magog
• Instant destruction
• Satan’s demise

Final Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)

• Great White Throne
• Earth and sky
• Two books
• Judgment according to works
• Lake of fire

Applying the Text

• Is your name written in the book of life?

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Study Notes

The Millennium: A Vexing Interpretation Issue

Premillennialism (Pre, Mid & Post-tribulational)

Premillennialism

Jesus will come before the start of the Millennium. The Millennium is a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

Post-tribulational Premillennialism

Jesus will come at the end of the Tribulation and before the start of the Millennium. The Millennium will be a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

Pre-tribulational (Dispensational) Premillennialism

Jesus will catch up (“rapture”) His church before the start of the Tribulation and will come again in power and glory before the beginning of the Millennium. The Millennium will be a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

Amillennialism

There is no literal, 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. Rather, the Millennium is a symbolic reign of Christ through His church for an indefinitely long period of time. When Jesus comes again, the final judgment will occur immediately followed by the new heaven and earth.

Postmillennialism

The evangelistic work of the church will be so successful that most of the world will become Christians, thus instituting a long period of peace and righteousness (the Millennium), after which Christ will return.

Introduction

“What You Have Seen” (Rev 1)

Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev 2-3)

The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev 4-22)

• Meet the Beast
• The Fall of Babylon
• The Second Coming of Christ

Understanding the Text

• The Binding of Satan (Rev 20:1-3)
• The Reign of Christ with His Saints (Rev 20:4-6)
• The Character of the Millennium
• The Millennium and the Character of God

“Through the millennial reign of Christ, God will begin to visibly, powerfully and irrefutably demonstrate His faithfulness, holiness, wisdom and justice to all people for all time.”

Applying the Text

Do you trust God to fulfill His promises in His way in His time?

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Study Notes

Revelation in Brief

1. Revelation 1 ‒ Introduction: “What You Have Seen”
2. Revelation 2-3 ‒ Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now”
3. Revelation 4-22 ‒ The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later”

A Brief History of the Future…

• Seven Seals
• Seven Trumpets
• Seven Figures
• Seven Bowls
• The Fall of Babylon

Understanding the Text

• True and Just Judgments (Rev. 19:1-5)
• The Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-10)
• The Second Coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11-21)

Applying the Text

• Do you praise God for His true and just judgments?
• Are you working while it is still light?

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Study Notes

Revelation in Brief

1. Revelation 1 ‒ Introduction: “What You Have Seen”
2. Revelation 2-3 ‒ Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now”
3. Revelation 4-22 ‒ The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later”

Understanding the Text

• The Fall of Religious Babylon (Rev 17:1-18)
• The Fall of Commercial Babylon (Rev 18:1-24)

Applying the Text

• Do you need to come out of Babylon?

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Study Notes

Revelation in Brief

1. Revelation 1 ‒ Introduction: “What You Have Seen”
2. Revelation 2-3 ‒ Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now”
3. Revelation 4-22 ‒ The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later”

Why is God So Angry?

A Brief, Limited History of Planet Earth

Today on Planet Earth

The Local Scene

The Persecution of Followers of Christ…

The Holiness of God and the Sinfulness of Man

Understanding Today’s Text

1. Judgment on the earth (Rev 16:1-9)
2. Preparation for Armageddon (Rev 16:10-16)
3. The collapse of the nations (Rev 16:17-21)

Applying the Text

• Are you mindful of God’s holiness as well as His grace?
• Do you give thanks that you will not face God’s wrath?

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Understanding the Text

1. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev 1)
2. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev 2-3)
3. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev 4-22)
   1. The Lamb and His Redeemed (Rev 14:1-5)
   2. Three Angelic Messengers (Rev 14:6-13)
   3. A Harvest of Judgment (Rev 14:14-20)
   4. Seven Last Plagues of Judgment (Rev 15:1-8)

SEVEN PROMINENT FIGURES OF THE END TIMES

1. The Woman: Israel
2. The Dragon: Satan
3. The Child: The Lord Jesus Christ
4. Michael: Michael the Archangel
5. The Offspring of the Woman: Followers of Christ
6. The Beast out of the Sea: The Antichrist
7. The Beast out of the Earth: The False Prophet

Applying the Text

• Have you believed the gospel?
• Are you patiently enduring in faith?
• Do you want your deeds to follow you?

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Understanding the Text

1. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev 1)
2. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev 2-3)
3. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev 4-22)
   1. The First Coming of Christ (Rev 12:1-5)
   2. Spiritual Warfare in Heaven and on Earth (Rev 12:6-17)
   3. The Coming of the Antichrist (Rev 13:1-10)
   4. The Coming of the False Prophet (Rev 13:11-18)

Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:20-27)

Tribulation… Great Tribulation (Mat 24, Mat 25)

3½ Years = Time, Times and Half a Time = 42 Months = 1260 Days

SEVEN PROMINENT FIGURES OF THE END TIMES

1. The Woman: Israel
2. The Dragon: Satan
3. The Child: The Lord Jesus Christ
4. Michael: Michael the Archangel
5. The Offspring of the Woman: Followers of Christ
6. The Beast out of the Sea: The Antichrist
7. The Beast out of the Earth: The False Prophet

Applying the Text

• Are you faithfully putting on the armor of God and fighting the good fight?

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

1. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev 1)
2. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev 2-3)
3. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev 4-22)

SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS

1. Devastation on the earth
2. Devastation on the sea
3. Devastation on the rivers
4. Devastation in the heavens
5. Devastation by locusts
6. Devastation by war

INTERLUDE (Rev 10-11)

Bittersweet Judgment (Rev 10:1-11)

Powerful Witnesses (Rev 11:1-14)

The Final Trumpet Blast (Rev 11:15-19)

Applying the Text

• Do you have a heart for the lost?
• Are you a witness?

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

I. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev 1)

II. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev 2-3)

III. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev 4-22)

A. The vision of the heavenly throne (Rev 4)

B. The seven-sealed scroll (Rev 5)

C. Four horses with riders (Rev 6:1-8)

D. The cry of the martyrs (Rev 6:9-11)

E. Devastation and despair on the earth (Rev 6:12-17)

F. The 144,000 (Rev 7:1-8)

G. The great multitude of the redeemed (Rev 7:9-17)

H. Seven Trumpet Judgments (Rev 8-12)

SEVEN SEAL JUDGMENTS

1. Conquest
2. Bloodshed
3. Famine
4. Death & Hades (“The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”)
5. Cry of the Martyrs
6. Devastation on earth and in the sky
7. Trumpet & Bowl Judgments

SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS

1. Devastation on the earth
2. Devastation on the sea
3. Devastation on the rivers
4. Devastation in the heavens
5. Devastation by locusts
6. Devastation by war
7. Bowl Judgments

Biblical Repentance

Discipline and Repentance

Applying the Text

• Do you endure hardship as discipline?

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Study Notes

Interpretive Approaches to Revelation

• Preterist
• Historicist
• Idealist
• Futurist

Three Views

• Premillennialism (Pre, Mid & Post-tribulational/ Dispensational)
• Postmillennialism
• Amillennialism

Dispensationalism

• A theological system which makes a clear distinction between Israel and the Church and, it is argued, more consistently follows a “literal/normal/plain” hermeneutic (system of Bible interpretation).

Pre-tribulational, Dispensational Premillennialism

• Rapture of the Church
• Seven Year Tribulation period
• Second Coming of Christ
• Millennium (fulfillment of certain OT promises to Israel)
• Final revolt
• General resurrection and final judgment
• New heaven and earth
• Eternal state

Help!!! (For Further Reading…)

• Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
• The Meaning of the Millennium by Robert Clouse
• Revelation: Four Views Parallel Commentary by Steven Gregg
• Dispensationalism by Charles Ryrie

My approach to understanding Revelation…

• Premillennialism (favoring Dispensationalism)
• Amillennialism is a respected and viable view
• Postmillennialism is difficult to reconcile with my understanding of Scripture

Understanding the Text

1. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Revelation 1)
2. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Revelation 2-3)
3. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Revelation 4-22)
   1. The vision of the heavenly throne (Revelation 4)
   2. The seven-sealed scroll (Revelation 5)
   3. Four horses with riders (Revelation 6:1-8)
   4. The cry of the martyrs (Revelation 6:9-11)
   5. Devastation and despair on the earth (Revelation 6:12-17)
   6. The 144,000 (Revelation 7:1-8)
   7. The great multitude of the redeemed (Revelation 7:9-17)

Applying the Text

• Are you ready for His coming?

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Study Notes

“Seven” in the Book of Revelation

• 7 Beatitudes
• 7 Letters
• 7 Seals
• 7 Trumpets
• 7 Bowls
• 7 Figures of the End Times

Understanding the Text

I. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” ( Rev 1)

II. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev 2-3)

III. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev 4-22)

1. The vision of the heavenly throne (Rev 4)
2. The seven-sealed scroll (Rev 5)

Applying the Text

• Is your God too small?
• Do you fall before the Lamb in worship?

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

I. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev. 1)

II. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev. 2-3)

A. Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

B. Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)

C. Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)

D. Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29)

E. Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)

F. Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

G. Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22)

Common Structure in the Letters

Description of Christ

Commendation

Rebuke

Exhortation

Promise

Applying the Text

• Do you need a spiritual wake-up call?
• Are you useful in the service of the Lord?

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

1. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev. 1)
2. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev. 2 – 3)
   1. Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)
   2. Smyrna (Rev. 2:2:8-11)
   3. Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)
   4. Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29)

Examining Each Letter

• Description of Christ
• Commendation
• Rebuke
• Exhortation
• Promise

Applying the Text

• Do you love the Lord Jesus?
• Are you standing firm in sound doctrine and practice?

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Outline by Dr. John Walvoord

1. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (Rev. 1)
   1. Prologue (Rev. 1:1-3)
   2. Salutation (Rev. 1:4-8)
   3. The Patmos vision of Christ glorified (Rev. 1:9-18)
   4. The command to write (Rev. 1:19-20)
2. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What is Now” (Rev. 2 – 3)
3. The Revelation of the Future: “What Will Take Place Later” (Rev. 4 – 22)

The Glorious Lord Jesus Christ is…

• the faithful witness
• the firstborn from the dead
• the ruler of the kings of the earth
• the One who loves us
• the One who has freed us from our sins
• the One who has made us a kingdom and priests
• coming in glory and power for all to see
• our High Priest
• holy
• all-seeing
• sovereign
• fearsome
• eternal
• the Living One
• the Holder of all authority over life and death

Applying the Text

• What is your “vision” of Christ?

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Study Notes

Who wrote it?

• The Apostle John

When was it written?

• About 95 AD

Why was it written?

• To warn the drifting church
• To encourage the persecuted church
• To bless all the church

What are its main themes?

• The need for the church to remain faithful in doctrine and practice
• The Second Coming of Christ
• God’s triumph over all evil
• Final judgment
• The new heaven and new earth
• The Eternal State

Interpretive Approaches to Revelation

• Preterist: Most of the events of Revelation were fulfilled shortly after the time of the book’s writing.
• Historicist: Revelations surveys the whole of church history.
• Idealist: Revelation is a symbolic depiction of the long, ongoing struggle between good and evil in which God will ultimately triumph.
• Futurist: Most of the events of Revelation will be fulfilled in the future.

Premillennialism (Pre, Mid & Post-tribulational)

Premillennialism

Jesus will come before the start of the Millennium. The Millennium is a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

Post-tribulational Premillennialism

Jesus will come at the end of the Tribulation and before the start of the Millennium. The Millennium will be a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

Pre-tribulational (Dispensational) Premillennialism

Jesus will catch up (“rapture”) His church before the start of the Tribulation and will come again in power and glory before the beginning of the Millennium. The Millennium will be a literal, physical 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

Amillennialism

There is no literal, 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth. Rather, the Millennium is a symbolic reign of Christ through His church for an indefinitely long period of time. When Jesus comes again, the final judgment will occur immediately followed by the new heaven and earth.

Postmillennialism

The evangelistic work of the church will be so successful that most of the world will become Christians, thus instituting a long period of peace and righteousness (the Millennium), after which Christ will return.

Understanding the Text

• “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”
• The Promise of Blessing

Applying the Text

• Are you ready for Jesus’ Second Coming?