The Woman and the Dragon. At the end of this chapter, the dragon takes up his position by the sea (some bibles have Revelation 12:18 or this whole verse meshed into Revelation 13:1) ..waiting...waiting to consume souls...waiting....for the ... sea beast (from the sea Revelation 17:1,15) and the land beast (from the wilderness: Revelation 12:6) - both beasts are in Revelation 13.

Israel's confession and oath.

The Fifth and Sixth Terrors were the First and Second Woes in Revelation 9. Now, in Revelation 11, there are two witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet is the Third and Final Woe. Who are the Two Witnesses?

Ezra reading out the law, and the revival of the Israelites to recommit themselves back to God. Celebrating the Feast of Shelters. Also called the Festival of Tabernacles/Booths. Also called Sukkot. (Leviticus 23: 33-36, 39-43. Numbers 29:12-34.)

The Angel and the Small Scroll. There shall be no more delay after the seventh - the number of completion - is sounded. The gospel is bittersweet.

Nehemiah registers the people. Short reading today of Nehemiah 7: 1-5. I did not read the rest of Nehemiah 7 (7:6-73) since it was a genealogy - and a bit monotonous - but you may do so at your convenience if you so wish. There is still the task of re-populating the city and rebuilding the homes present.

The fifth and sixth trumpet (i.e. the 'woes' or terrors)

Continued Opposition to Rebuilding. Nehemiah is a 'type' of Jesus. He faces persecution and opposition. Like Jesus, he knows what is in the heart of man. (John 2:25). God gives him self confidence and protection through the Holy Spirit so that he is wise and discerning about who his enemies are. One has to be careful who one lets into their heart or into their 'inner circle' of closeness. All who would live godly will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)

The breaking of the seventh-seal. Silence followed by the first four trumpets. Does this signal the rise of chaos?

Nehemiah defends the oppressed. Nehemiah does not use legally allocated funds and provision for himself, even though he could.