Bible Study

The governments and religions of the world ally themselves with the Antichrist and reject Jesus's offer of salvation. The domain of darkness lead by Satan turns on the governments and religions of the world before he (Satan) is defeated
Revelation 17:14 - They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Kingdom of God

Father, Son (Jesus), Holy Spirit, Angels

OR

Domain of Darkness

Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet, Demons

Babylon: Refers to the entire worldwide political, economic, and religious kingdom of the Antichrist

Great harlot: Idolatry or apostasy: abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief

Scarlet beast: The Antichrist

7 heads and 10 horns: Antichrist’s political alliances

Fornication: Spiritual prostitution to the Antichrist’s false system

Unfaithful to God

Harlotry: False devotion

Blasphemy: Changing what God has done, false religion

Beast: Final world government

NEXT WEDNESDAY

Lesson 11

 Christ and His Kingdom

Revelation 19:1-20:15

144,000 Jewish evangelist protected by Jesus to preach the gospel to the world
The Two Witnesses evangelizing the world
3 angels bringing messages to the world
With all of this light some come to a saving knowledge of Christ but most do not repent and become more and more angry and continue to curse God.
The 7 Bowls of Wrath

• First Bowl-Festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
• Second Bowl-The sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person, and every living thing in the sea died.
• Third Bowl-The rivers and springs of water became blood.
• Fourth Bowl-The sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
• Fifth Bowl-The throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
• Sixth Bowl-The great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up
• Seventh Bowl-A severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ-The Christian’s Ultimate Victory
7 - The Two Witnesses - Revelation 10:1-11:19
Moses & Elijah??? 
War in Heaven between Archangel Michael and former Archangel Satan (formally Lucifer)

8 - The Terrible Triumvirate - Revelation 12:1-13:18
Antichrist, False Prophet, Satan

4 Categories of Non-Repentance

Murders - Even prior to birth.  The pagans respected the womb.  Abortion was punished by death

Sorcery - Use of drugs to dull the senses for seances, witchcraft, and cavorting with mediums

Fornication - sexual intercourse between people not married to each other.

Theft - Institutional theft, stealing of your property, socialism is the worst kind of theft

Revelation 9:20

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.

Luke 24:47 - and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 20:21 - I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Revelation 3:19 - Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

2 Corinthians 1:9 - Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Christian’s Ultimate Victory

The Divine Outline

Revelation 1:19

Write the things which you have seen

The Vision of Christ                                                      Chapter 1

And the things which are    

The Seven Churches                                                   Chapters 2, 3

And the things which will take place after this

Which Follows After the Churches                              Chapters 4-22

Key Verses From Week 1

1:3 - Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Application to All Churches

Ephesus – Devotion, not just doctrine-neglected devotion

Smyrna – Endure persecution – Satanic opposition

Pergamos – Purify your ambassadorship-spiritual compromise

Thyatira – Abandon Pagan practices

Sardis – Watchfulness, Diligence

Philadelphia – Missionary/Evangelistic 

Laodicea – Prosperous compromise with the world

 Personal Application – ME!

Ephesus – Neglected Priorities

Smyrna – Persecution-We will suffer for Jesus

Pergamos – Avoid Worldly Compromise

Thyatira – Flee Pagan Practices

Sardis – Be Watchful and Diligent

Philadelphia – You are an ambassador of Jesus Christ

Laodicea – Repent and be Committed

Repentance: 

Definition - to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life

Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 59:20 - “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord.

Ezekiel 14:6 - “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

Ezekiel 18:32 - For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Matthew 4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Mark 1:4 - And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 13:3 - I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Luke 15:10 - In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Luke: 14X, Acts: 10X, Revelation: 10X

Old Testament: 24X, New Testament: 54X

The Antichrist - “Instead of Christ”

Lesson 6 - God’s Trumpets - Revelation 8:1-9:21

The 7 Trumpets

1st Trumpet – Hail & fire-Third of the trees and green grass burned up

2nd Trumpet – Large asteroid hits the sea third to blood, creatures, ships

3rd Trumpet – Star falls from heaven, 1/3 rivers bitter, many men die

4th Trumpet – 1/3 of sun, moon and stars struck-earth darkened

5th Trumpet – Satan falls from heaven, given the key to the bottomless pit    to loose the demons to torcher mankind for 5 months

6th Trumpet – Four fallen angels are loosed along with 200 million demons to kill 1/3 of

The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Christian’s Ultimate Victory

Sesson 5

Opening of the Seals, Start of the 7 year Tribulation, Enter the Antichrist, 144 Messianic Jews

Revelation 6:1-1:17

Wrath   noun

Definition of wrath

1: strong vengeful anger or indignation

2: retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement

Revelation 6:17 - For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Lesson 5

Opening of the Seals

Revelation 6:1-1:17

The Antichrist

“Instead of Christ”

NEXT WEDNESDAY

God’s Trumpets

Revelation 8:1-9:21

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Christian’s Ultimate Victory 

Revelation

“The Unveiling”

·         The consummation of all things

·         The only book in the Bible that promises a special blessing to the reader

·         404 verses containing over 800 allusions from the Old Testament

·         It presents the climax of God’s Plan for you and me

Revelation 1:1-3

·         The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

The Divine Outline

Revelation 1:19

 Write the things which you have seen

o   The Vision of Christ                                                                                     Chapter 1

·         And the things which are    

o   The Seven Churches                                                                                  Chapters 2-3

·         And the things which will take place after this

o   Which Follows After the Churches                                                            Chapters 4-22

Personal Application

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

·         Ephesus – Neglected Priorities

·         Smyrna – Satanic Opposition

·         Pergamos – Avoid Worldly Compromise

·         Thyatira – Flee Pagan Practices

·         Sardis – Be Watchful and diligent – Wake up!

·         Philadelphia – We are ambassadors of Jesus

·         Laodicea – Repent and be Committed

Lesson 4 

A Vision of Christ in Heaven 

Revelation 4:1-5:14

Seven Raptures 

Harpazo – Caught up/snatched up

·         Enoch                                    Gen 5:42, Heb 11:5

·         Elijah                                     2 Kings 2:1, 11

·         Jesus                                     Mk 16:19, Acts 1:9-11, Rev 12:5

·         Phillip                                    Acts 8:39

·         Paul                                 

Revelation

“The Unveiling”

·         The consummation of all things

·         The only book in the Bible that promises a special blessing to the reader

·         404 verses containing over 800 allusions from the Old Testament

·         It presents the climax of God’s Plan for you and me

The Divine Outline

Revelation 1:19

·         Write the things which you have seen

o   The Vision of Christ                                                                         Chapter 1

·         And the things which are    

o   The Seven Churches                                                                       Chapters 2, 3

·         And the things which will take place after this

o   Which Follows After the Churches                                                   Chapters 4-22

How to Study!

·         Set aside quality time

·         Start with prayer asking God to guide you

·         Read the book of Revelation 

·         Read the chapter - Review notes in margin

·         Answer the questions that you can

·         Come back to the questions you didn’t answer

Levels of Application

·         Local – Real churches with real problems

·         Admonitory- ALL churches everywhere

·         Homiletic-(Personal) Applies to each of us to some degree

·         Prophetic-The order they are in they lay out a history of the church

Seven Design Elements

·         The name of the church

·         Title of Christ chosen

·         Commendation

·         Concern

·         Exhortation - (Emphatically urging)

·         Promise to the overcomer

·         Message to all of us-He that has an ear to hear

Application to All Churches

·         Ephesus – Devotion, not just doctrine-neglected devotion

·         Smyrna – Endure persecution – Satanic opposition

·         Pergamos – Purify your ambassadorship-spiritual compromise

·         Thyatira – Abandon Pagan practices

MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES (Part 2)

Revelation 3:1-22

 |Application to All Churches

·         Ephesus – Devotion, not just doctrine-neglected devotion

·         Smyrna – Endure persecution – Satanic opposition

·         Pergamos – Purify your ambassadorship-spiritual compromise

·         Thyatira – Abandon Pagan practices

·         Sardis – Watchfulness, Diligence

·  &

The Christian’s Ultimate Victory

HAVE YOU EVER ASKED JESUS TO SAVE YOU?

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

Key Verses From Week 1

• 1:3 - Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
• 1:19 - Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

How to Study!

• Set aside quality time
• Start with prayer asking God to guide you
• Read the book of Revelation through this week
• Read the chapter to be studied multiple times
• Answer the questions that you can

Statistics on Prophesy in the Bible

Many in Revelation

• 8,362 prediction  verses
• 1,817 predictions
• 737 separate matters

MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES 

(Part 1)

Revelation 2:1-29

• Levels of Application
• Local – Real churches with real problems
• Admonitory- ALL churches everywhere
• Homiletic-(Personal) Applies to each of us to some degree
• Prophetic-The order they are in they lay out a history of the church

Seven Design Elements

• The name of the church
• Title of Christ chosen
• Commendation
• Concern
• Exhortation
• Promise to the overcomer
• Message to all of us-He that has an ear to hear

Overcomer’s Promises

• Ephesus – Eat of the tree of life
• Smyrna – Not be hurt by the 2nd death
• Pergamos – Manna, stone, name
• Thyatira –  Power over the nations

Overcomer’s Promises

• Ephesus – Eat of the tree of life
• Smyrna – Not be hurt by the 2nd death
• Pergamos – Manna, stone, name
• Thyatira –  Power over the nations

Application to All Churches

• Ephesus – Devotion, not just doctrine-neglected devotion
• Smyrna – Endure persecution – Satanic opposition
• Pergamos – Purify your ambassadorship-spiritual compromise
• Thyatira – Pagan practices

NEXT WEDNESDAY

MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES (Part 2)

Revelation 3:1-22

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The Christian’s Ultimate Victory

±  Revelation of Jesus Christ: Comes from the Greek word apokalypsis and means “an uncovering,” “an unveiling,” or “a disclosure.”

±  Letters from Jesus to Christians at 7 churches in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey)

±  Written simplistically by a first century Jewish fisherman

±  The Jewish mindset: God says what He means and means what He says

±  In order to understand the book of Revelation you need to understand the Old Testament.  Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 275 refer to the Old Testament

±  It’s the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to those who read it

±  It’s a book of wrath, judgement, hope, grace, justice, victory, a wedding, happily ever after

±  It’s a book of severe warnings

±  John was commissioned to write down what he saw and distribute to the 7 churches listed in chapter 1

±  Apocalypse: Catastrophic End crisis of the present age and spectacular reappearance of the King of Kings, King Jesus to reign forevermore

±  Revelation is a “Book of “SEVENS”

±  Revelation presents the climax of God’s plan for man

±  Apocalypse: Catastrophic End crisis of the present age and spectacular reappearance of the King of Kings, King Jesus to reign forevermore

±  Revelation is a “Book of “SEVENS”

±  Revelation presents the climax of God’s plan for man

Presuppositions

v  God means what He says and He says what He means – Literal interpretation of scripture unless it’s a metaphor or figure of speech

v  The Bible is an integrated whole.  Every detail is there by design.  Matt 5:17, 18

v  Nothing in the text is trivial.  Rom 15:4-For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Author John the Apostle

v  Exiled by the Romans to the small, barren island of Patmos

v  Received a series of visions that laid out the future history of the world

v  Revelation’s primary contribution is to eschatology, that is, the doctrine of last things

v  The futuristic approach insists that the events of chapter 6-22 are yet future and that those chapters literally and symbolically depict actual people and events yet to appear on the world scene.  It describes the events surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ (Chs. 6-19), the Millennium and final judgement (ch. 20) and the eternal state (cha 21 and 22).  Only this view does justice to Revelation’s claim to be prophesy and interprets the book by the same grammatical-historical method as chapters 1-3 and the rest of scripture

±  Statistics on prophesy in the Bible - Many in Revelation

°  8,362 prediction verses

°  1,817 predictions

°  737 separate matters

THE ULTIMATE ISSUE

±  We are in possession of a message of extraterrestrial origin

±  It portrays us as objects of an unseen warfare

±  Our eternal destiny depends upon our relationship with the ultimate victor in this cosmic conflict

±  Where do you stand with respect to this?

How to study!

±  Set aside quality time

±  tart with prayer

±  Read the book of Revelation through this week

±  Read the chapter to be studied