Revelation chapter 9 contains one of the most frightening and terrifying chapters in Scripture.  It describes two diabolic armies that will be divinely unleashed on the earth during the Tribulation.  This 7-year period of time (Daniel's 70th Week) is not only God-orchestrated to purge and prepare Israel to accept her true Messiah and to bring many Gentiles to saving faith, but to punish the ungodly - those who willfully refuse to repent and come to Christ.

The fifth trumpet judgment (which is also the first of three "Woe" judgments) brings about the dreadful army of demonic locusts that will be loosed from the bottomless pit.

There is a lot of discussion about fallen angels and confined fallen angels in this lesson.  There is also an interesting discussion on the identity of "Apollyon" (Greek) or "Abaddon" (Hebrew), the king of the demonic locust army.

This lesson is from Revelation 8:1-13 and it is on the breaking of the seventh seal, which is the longest judgment of the seven because it is composed of the seven trumpet judgments, and the seventh trumpet judgment is composed of the seven bowl judgments.  It is a very serious seal; so, because of its seriousness, there is an eerie silence in Heaven after the Lamb (Christ) opens it.  After discussing "Silent Heaven," we will look at some heavenly "Serving Angels" (those who stand before God and are called "the trumpet angels") and a "Special Angel," Who John saw standing before the Altar performing the task of High Priest (we get into a discussion as to His identity).

In this lesson, we discuss the burned land of the first trumpet judgment, the bloodied sea of the second trumpet judgment, the bittered waters of the third trumpet judgment, and the blackened sky of the fourth trumpet judgment.  In conclusion, we mention the flying angel, who is like an eagle, and cries forth the words, "Woe, woe, woe" - one "woe" for each of the three remaining trumpet judgments.

Have you ever wondered if there is going to be a worldwide spiritual awakening to Christ?  Have you ever prayed for one?  Well, if so, you will be glad to know that the greatest revival the world has ever known is yet to come!  A truth few people realize is that the greatest revival ever will occur during the 7-year Tribulation Period.  This coming revival will be God's answer to the prayers of many of the Church Age believers - and it is described in Revelation chapter 7, which is discussed in this lesson.  After the unbelievable destruction of the first six seal judgments, and one-fourth of the population is swallowed-up in death and hundreds of thousands are martyred for their faith in Christ, a question is asked, "Who shall be able to stand?"

In answer to that question comes in chapter 7.  There will be two groups of people able to stand - one group is the 144,000 sealed Jews; the other is the innumerable saved Gentiles and Jews.  As the Antichrist is going forth conquering with all his political advances, the Holy Spirit will be very busy drawing the hearts of millions to a saving knowledge and faith in Christ

One-fourth of the earth will be affected by the grim reapers - the four horsemen of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:1-8).  This lesson on 6:9-17 is broken into two halves: I. True Refuge in the Rock (verses 9 to 11) and II. False Refuge in the Rocks (verses 12-17).  The true refuge is about slain Tribulation saints in Heaven and their response to the first four seal judgments: prayer.  The false refuge is by the ungodly on earth and their response to the first four seal judgments: fear.  

In Revelation chapter 6, the first 6 seals on the 7-sealed scroll are opened by the Lord Jesus one-by-one.  NOTE:  It is the Lamb Who opens the seals, which means the Tribulation is not a time initiated by either man's wrath or Satan's wrath!  It is a time of God's wrath on Satan's earthly domain.]

The first 4 seals introduce the judgments of what is commonly called, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (the "unveiling" or the "revelation").  When Christ opened the first seal, John (seeing into the future) heard "the noise of thunder," which symbolizes coming judgement.  Soon he saw a rider on a white horse, going forth conquering!  He pictures the yet-future Antichrist!  Shortly after his appearance, there is a rider on a red horse, which symbolized blood and warfare.  Then there is a rider upon a black horse, which pictures great famine.  He is followed by the rider on a sickly pale-green horse, who pictures death and Hell follows.

If you think things are bad now, you haven't seen anything yet!  This is why it is so important to come to Christ TODAY; the sound of thundering hoofbeats is just off in the near distance!

As the Apostle John (caught-up in the Spirit to Heaven's Throneroom) was focused on the 7-sealed scroll in God's right hand, he heard a strong angel cry out, "Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?"  That was the great question of time and eternity!  WHO is worthy to redeem man and earth from the domain of Satan?  Is there anyone or are we doomed to eventual self-destruction under the reign of the Wicked One?

The search began and ". . . no man in Heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon" (5:3).  From all the sons of Adam's ruined race, no man was worthy to take back the title deed to earth and break is seals so as to begin to execute judgment on the evil usurper.  John wept profusely at the thought of Satan being forever victorious over God in having stolen tenant possession of the earth from Him.  Ah, but there was no reason for John to weep!  There is One Who has "prevailed to open the book," and He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, and the standing slain Lamb!

This is a profoundly important and emotional study!  If you need to be "cheered-up," then tune-in and remind yourself what is about to take place in Heaven!  The Lion, Who is also the Lamb, is about to take back that which is rightfully His - this earth, and have absolute dominion over it!  This will take place BEFORE the Tribulation because it is what precipitates its seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments.

The scene is still in Heaven.  John is still in the Throneroom.  The Throne and its Occupant are there, along with the four living creatures.  The "seven lamps of fire burning," representing the Holy Spirit is there.  Likewise, the four and twenty elders are present.  However magnificent all this is, John's attention is drawn to an object in God's right hand.  It is a book (scroll) with writing on both sides and it was sealed with seven seals.  What is this very significant scroll?  To find out, we do a fascinating study that includes learning about the principle of divine ownership, the principle of tenant possession, the principle of not losing tenant possession forever, the principle of redemption, and the principle of a kinsman-redeemer.  The One Who will be worthy to take this scroll and unseal it, is the Rightful Owner of this earth, both by way of Creation and by way of Redemption!  

The Biblical history behind this yet-future momentous day when "the Worthy One" takes the scroll from the Father's right hand is something every believer needs to understand to fully rejoice in the magnitude of this soon-coming day (which will also begin the 7-year Tribulation).

Again through John, the Holy Spirit allows us to hear the worshipping throng before the throne as they praise their great Creator.  That throng includes the four living creatures (the holy angels), who we discussed in Lesson 26.  It also includes the twenty-four elders, and we do an extensive analysis of they are.  Did you know that the twenty-four elders are definitely NOT evolutionists?

We do a very interesting study of the Jewish marriage customs of Bible times to show how it very strongly supports a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.  

God's Heavenly Throne is the epicenter of the universe and Heaven.  It is the place of final and absolute authority.  it is the center of God's rule over all the activities of Heaven, earth, the universe, and Hell.  In this lesson, we see Heaven's throne through John's eyes as we consider: (1) the Royal One on the Throne, (2) The Rainbow about the Throne, (3) The Rumblings from the Throne, and (4) the Resplendence before the Throne.

Learn about the seven spirits of god, the sea of glass, the four living creatures, and so much more!  Exciting lesson!

Get ready for the sound of a trumpet, the call, "Come up here!" and an instant translation to God's Third Heaven as we look together at just the first two verses of Revelation chapter 4.  Not only is this lesson about the aged Apostle John's "in the spirit" translation to Heaven immediately after he recorded the Lord's words to seven Asia Minor churches, which prophetically revealed the history of the Church Age, but we also discuss the similar "blessed hope" event that will take place when the Church Age is over.  That event is commonly called "the Rapture" ("the catching away" of the saints).

If you don't know about the doctrine of the Rapture of the Church or are confused about it (i.e. is it really taught in Scripture?  when does it take place?  is it just "pie-in-the-sky" wishful thinking?), you need to hear this lesson!  Even if you have heard about the Rapture all your life, you need to know why you believe what you believe about it.  There are many Biblical reasons and Scripture verses presented in this lesson to support a pre-Tribulation Rapture - and if you have no idea what that even means, all the more reason to "tune-in"!  Remember the promise of Revelation 1:3 - you will be blessed as you seriously study this book.