Revelation 6-18
Purpose: To understand the reasons for biblical prophecy and see the big picture of chapters 6-18.
Aim: I want the listener to be motivated to walk closer to Jesus Christ.
INTRODUCTION: The book of Revelation comes to us in four great movements:
Chapters 1-3 Christ enthroned over the churches
Chapters 4-5 Christ enthroned in heaven
Chapters 6-20 Christ enthroned on earth
Chapters 21-22 Christ enthroned in the new creation
This was a welcomed message to the apostle John because he was experiencing severe tribulation at the time. Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (NAU)
Jesus is still King even when life is hard.
So, the entire message of Revelation is the exaltation of Jesus Christ as king of all things. Jesus is the Creator of this universe and therefore the rightful ruler of this universe. Because of sin, Satan has temporarily set himself up as the ruler of this world. We can�t help but notice how things are going with Satan in charge. When the rightful king returns the earth, all sin will be purged from this world and perfect righteousness, peace, and joy will return.
Before we delve into this great prophetic section of Revelation with all of its symbols we need to begin with an understanding of prophecy in general. Why should we study prophecy if it involves a lot of mysteries? If we can�t figure out what all of the details mean, why should we study it?
âž½I. Warnings about Prophecy
It is important that we who read this book today should read these passages with reverent restraint and respect for the sense of hiddenness that envelops these visions. What is clear, however, throughout the symphonic part of this book is that Jesus Christ�s reign is sure and faithful. The terrors are real, but the victory of Christ is greater and stronger.
➽A. Don�t neglect it.
One fourth of the Bible is prophetic and one half of Jesus� parables have to do with prophecy. All of the NT books have prophecy in them except III John and Philemon.
If that much of the Bible is prophecy, then it must be very important.
➽B. Don�t neglect the rest of Scripture
Some people "hobby-horse" about prophecy--it�s all they talk about. God gave us the entire Bible and we should never ignore any of it.
Paul set a good example because he said, Acts 20:27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (NAU)
The whole Christian life is NOT just about prophesy.
➽C. Don�t think that you are a prophet
God�s revealed Word to man is closed. Revelation 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; (NAU)
If we are not careful, we can be guilty of adding to God�s Word when we are looking for God�s will.
For example: If we aren�t careful, when we say things like, "I prayed about it and I have a peace that God wants me to____" or "The Holy Spirit led me to____" we can wind up doing something that is contrary to God�s Word. When you want to know God�s will, go to God�s Word first to see if there are any commands or principles that will guide you.
I have heard many people try to justify doing something wrong because they "felt led" to do it.
➽D. Don�t forsake natural and literal understandings
If the Bible is showing us a truth through a symbol the context will make that clear. Look for key words like "as" or "like" as clues that it is referring to a symbol. For example, Revelation 6:1 uses the word "as" which shows us that the voice was not really thunder. Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come." (NAU)
On the other hand Revelation 6:4 talks about death as being real death: And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. (NAU)
Imagine how difficult it must have been for the OT believers to imagine that a virgin birth in Bethlehem would be literally true. Or, that the Messiah would actually ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, or be pierced in His hands and feet. It would have been easy to say that all of those things were symbols of something else.
It is a dangerous thing to treat God�s Word carelessly. 2 Peter 3:16 as also in all his [Paul�s] letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. (NAU)
➽E. Don�t allow current events to interpret prophecy
While it is interesting that Israel is back in the Holy Land that does not necessarily mean that it fulfills prophecy. It is possible that Israel could be driven from the land and then return again before the Lord comes back.
During WWII some Bible teachers were saying that Mussolini was the anti-Christ. Today you can hear some preachers saying that the European Common Market is the old Roman Empire reorganized, but it is not the same as the Roman Empire.
➽F. Don�t accept similar things as always the same
Just because something is mentioned in two different places that doesn�t always mean that they refer to the same thing. Let me share three different examples.
âž½A trumpet. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (NAU)
Revelation 8:1-2 1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (NAU) Revelation 8:7-9 7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed. (NAU)
Isaiah 27:12-13 12 In that day the Lord will start His threshing from the flowing stream of the Euphrates to the brook of Egypt, and you will be gathered up one by one, O sons of Israel. 13 It will come about also in that day that a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were perishing in the land of Assyria and who were scattered in the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord in the holy mountain at Jerusalem. (NAU)
âž½The white horse. Revelation 6:2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (NAU) This not Jesus, even though Jesus is seen on a white horse in Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (NAU) A white horse is the only similar thing between the two riders. They do much different things.
➽Milk. Here milk and solid food are contrasted: Hebrews 5:12-13 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. (NAU) In 1 Peter 2:2 milk is a symbol of our need to crave God�s Word so we will grow: Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, (NAU)
âž½II. The Big Picture of Prophecy in Revelation
âž½A. An overview
âž½1. There are only seven seals
Revelation 5:1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. (NAU) Revelation 5:5 and one of the elders said to me, �Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.� (NAU) So, when the seventh seal is opened the book is complete.
âž½2. The seventh seal reveals the seven trumpets
Revelation 8:1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (NAU)
Revelation 8:6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them. (NAU)
It�s like a hot blaze that sets off a set of fireworks.
➽3. The seventh trumpet sets up God�s kingdom
Revelation 11:15-19 15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, �The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.� 16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, �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. 18 �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.� 19 And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. (NAU)
➽B. The two views of God�s judgment
➽Ch.6-11 1. Heaven�s view of judgment
The seven seals and the seven trumpets give us a picture of God�s judgment as it looks from heaven in chapters 6-11.
Revelation 6:1 Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, �Come.� (NAU)
Revelation 8:1-3 1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. (NAU)
Revelation 8:13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, �Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!� (NAU)
Revelation 9:13 Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, (NAU)
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. (NAU)
➽Ch.12-18 2. Earth�s view of God�s judgment
Starting in chapter 12 through chapter 18 the scene shifts to earth. The references in chapter 12 to �heaven� seem to refer to the area above the earth rather than to God�s dwelling place.
Then beginning in chapter 13 it says, Revelation 13:1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. (NAU)
Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. (NAU)
Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. (NAU)
Revelation 17:3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. (NAU)
In chapter 18 John is on earth looking up: Revelation 18:1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. (NAU)
In other words, chapters 6-11 are repeated in chapters 12-18. The seven seals are the same as the seven persons; the seven trumpets are the same as the seven vials.
âž½III. The Purpose for Prophecy
What is the whole point of having prophecy?
➽A. To prove that God�s Word is true
John 13:19 �From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. (NAU)
John 16:4 �But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. (NAU)
Hundreds of prophecies coming true point out that the Bible is a supernatural book.
In one way, the book of Revelation isn�t just for us. When God judges the world He will be able to point to this book and say, �I warned you that this was coming.�
1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven�things into which angels long to look. (NAU)
The very fact that God warns us about His judgments ahead of time proves His grace. He is not obligated to warn us ahead of time.
âž½B. To glorify God
When God proves that He is able to predict the future perfectly it glorifies Him. The book of Revelation proves God�s faithfulness, omniscience, sovereignty, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in history.
Psalm 97:1-2 1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad. 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. (NAU)
Psalm 97:6 The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory. (NAU)
Psalm 97:12 Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name. (NAU)
➽C. To proclaim sin�s sinfulness
We tend to take sin too casually. When we see how God judges sin we get a glimpse of how horrible sin is to a holy God.
1 Chronicles 16:33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord; For He is coming to judge the earth. (NAU)
Psalm 50:3-6 3 May our God come and not keep silence; Fire devours before Him, And it is very tempestuous around Him. 4 He summons the heavens above, And the earth, to judge His people: 5 �Gather My godly ones to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.� 6 And the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is judge. Selah. (NAU)
Let�s never forget WHY Revelation is so full of judgments.
âž½D. To point to Christ
Revelation 19:10 � worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.� (NAU)
All of history is about Jesus. Any religion that does not place Jesus Christ in the center of everything and worship Him as God and Lord is a false religion. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. (NAU)
➽E. To prepare God�s people
âž½1. Prophecy gives believers optimism
In our deepest sorrows, and in our greatest disappointments, we know that the Lord is coming and soon all things will be made right. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (NAU)
âž½2. Prophecy helps us be obedient
History gives us an example of how Christians have obeyed prophecy. In Matthew 24 Jesus gave some signs of when Jerusalem would fall. Matthew 24:15-18 15 Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. (NAU)
Very few (if any) Christians were slaughtered when Jerusalem fell in 70 A.D. because they believed Christ�s warnings.
In the same way, Christ�s soon return spurs us on to obey Him today. 1 John 3:2-3 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (NAU)
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame(NAU)
CONCLUSION: Living in the reality of Christ�s return makes a difference in a Christian�s behavior.[MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (1 Jn 3:3). Nashville: Word Pub.]
How often do you think about Christ�s return to earth? If Jesus were to appear today, would you be thrilled or ashamed
