IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
A STUDY OVER THE BOOK OF REVELATION & THE END TIMES: PART IV
INTRO: This upcoming study on Revelation, is obviously a lot of guesswork. Although is information is entirely Biblical and comes from theologian type sources, it still cannot be correct 100%. But the following is only the best try considering all the details and facts as we know it in this year at such a time as this.
BACKGROUND: According to Revelation 9, we just had:
1. A Plague of Demon Locusts Attack
2. 4 Bound Spiritual Beings Confined By the Euphrates River Unleashed
3. An Attack Organized by 200 Million People
4. Widespread Sin Including Drugs, Pornography, & Theft
A. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 10:1-3 (may want to read all the way through verse 11 for additional):
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.
An Angel and His Little Book: Though there are tons of meanings here, following are some key points.
The rainbow on his head symbols God’s faithfulness (remember the rainbow is a sign of God’s promise).
The fire points to judgment over man’s sin.
The feet standing on land and sea invokes God’s purpose and promise to take possession of the entire world again for his kingdom (remember, a lion roars out after he has taken possession of his prey).
The good tasting book made the stomach bitter refers to John’s delight of the good news only to later fully understand the horrible ramifications of what will happen to man.
As to what was NOT printed…maybe we can ask John in heaven, more than likely it’s mums the word.
B. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 11:3-9
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed. These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.
The Two Witnesses: Who Are They? First, they are clothed in “sackcloth,” so either they are dressed in symbolic weeping clothes or they have more of a “John the Baptist” or “Elijiah” look. But there is a wide discrepancy on what people think. Some people believe that these two can be Elijiah and Moses returning back to Earth, since they’re miracles are similar to those two. Others point to this being Elijiah and Enoch, the only two in history to never have technically died. Malachi 3:1 seems to point to one of these assertions according to some people (“Behold, I am going to send you Elijiah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible Day of the Lord”). Bit since John the Baptist could have and would have fulfilled the Malachi passage, it seems the one to come in the future will be only like John, a man who comes in spirit and power like Elijiah—not Elijiah himself. More than likely, these two are merely two exceptional men whom God will raise up in the Tribulation.
The Two Witnesses: What Do They Do? They have 4 miraculous powers, these include:
1. They can kill their enemies with fire.
2. They can withhold rain for three and a half years.
3. They can turn water into blood.
4. They can bring plagues upon the earth.
Why these miracles? It’s because these miracles will provide a defense and protection against those trying to hurt them, and at the same time turn the hearts of minds of Israelites towards Jesus because of the underlying meaning of these protections.
C. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 13:1-5
And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head I blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast the power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshipped the dragon because he had authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him. The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.
The Attack of the Beast: The beast that comes out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them (Revelation 11:7). This is the first of 36 more references to “The Beast.” But how is he different from the Antichrist? Or are they the same?
Well, the Antichrist is already on Earth and has his kingdom firmly established. But there are some differentiating descriptions here that make up a very unholy trinity. They include:
The Beast out of the Pit: Refers to Satan.
The Beast out of the Sea: Refers to the World Dictator.
The Beast out of the Land: Refers to a False Religious Leader.
The Unholy Trinity: Sometimes God’s trinity is described in the shape of a triangle (this may be a good one to draw out using a triangle). At the top is put God, and on the two bottom edges is placed Jesus & Holy Spirit. Of course God is the spirit side of the Almighty that is unseen, Jesus is in the human form, and the Holy Spirit is what dwells inside of the believer.
On the other hand, the role of the devil in the last days is also a triangle—an upside down triangle. At the bottom is Satan (the spiritual head of evil), and the two top corners are the Antichrist (or Beast) and the False Prophet (who represents a false religious system). It is precisely the opposite of God.
“He Stood:” This description gives a telling picture of the Beast (Antichrist) who has now been at the helm for sometime, standing in authority looking over the world which he dominates. He is looking for two things: 1) the best method with which to persecute Israel & 2) the best way he can rise to greater power in order to be worshipped (in an off-note, the second of these can also be attributed to man, since there are people out there whose sole duty is to move up the social ranking of society).
“Sand of the Sea:” The sand of the sea is not just a locational identity, but is also a numerical indicator. This reference is used throughout the scriptures to indicate many. It is also used in Revelation 20:8 to describe another battle that will take place after the 1000 year millennial captivity.
The Ten Horns: It refers to the ten nation confederation of the future which will form the nucleus of this end time kingdom. According to Daniel 2 & 7, it will be a revived form of the old Roman empire since these ten nations will come out of the fourth nation which would arise after Daniel’s time. Revelation 17:12 also states that “the ten horns which you saw are ten kings.” In the end times, European nations, at least ten of them will form into a confederation.
The Seven Heads: The seven heads are explained more thoroughly in Revelation 17:9-10. They are “seven mountains on which the woman sits and they are seven kings.” Some see this as a reference to Rome, because it has 7 giant hills. To add to this prophecy explanation, they break down the 7 Roman rulers who all viciously persecuted Christians. They are Nero (54-68 AD), Galba (68), Otho (69), Vitellius (69), Vespasian (69-79), Titus (79-81), and Domitian (81-91). It does fit, but there is a better answer.
Another Explanation of the Seven Heads: This one refers to the seven phases of Gentile power. Whereas the Ten Horns look to the future, the Seven Heads look to the past. These include:
1. Egypt: 1st great empire to enslave Israelites
2. Assyria: Took the northern kingdom of Israel into captivity
3. Babylon: The captivity of Judah
4. Medo-Persia: This Gentile power followed Babylon, had a remnant of Israel under control
5. Greece: Kingdom of Alexander who likewise ruled over Palestine
6. Rome: In charge during the days Christ walked on Earth
7. New Kingdom: This is the one Daniel says “the other is not yet come.”
Who is the Beast? The Beast refers to either the World Dictator (abbreviated for Beast out of the Sea) who comes out of the revived Roman Empire and the 10 nation Confederation, or to the specific system in which he reigns. It just makes sense that since the King of the North (Magog, Gog…Russia) and their Arab partners (Put, Cush) have descended. And the King of the East (the army of 200 Million, China) is arising, that it is now time for Europe, led by the Beast (and his 10 nation confederation) takes their stab at world domination. At least so the people who are still alive believe.
Fatal Wound: Remember, the whole tribulation begins with the emergence of the Antichrist, and this man will eventually be given a complete 3 ½ year reign in almost total control. So something happens during the early tenures at seizing power that leads the world to believe that he has been killed and resurrected back to life again (even though this will be false, and he will never die in the first place). But this would will make him a hero.
Who Can Make War Against Him? Two Witnesses! And in this specific deal, the Beast will take a stab at the two great witness, and at least for a point of time seem to be able to kill them. Or so they the people of the world think.
D. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 11:10-13 (Resurrection of the Two Witnesses)
And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. And after three and a half days the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them. And they heard a voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Point of Emphasis #1: Ek
The world will think they are done, that they have been killed. But they will be resurrected and called home. On an interesting note, the word “from” in the original form is “ek” meaning “out of.” And it is the same word used in Genesis 2:7. Which means the same breath of life that was breathed into Adam was also breathed into these two fallen corpses. Cool huh?
Point of Emphasis #2: The Scene
The people of the world are having a celebration—a hellish Christmas scene in which gifts are actually being exchanged out of thanksgiving for the deaths of two people. Ironically, this is the only mention of rejoicing on earth anywhere during the Tribulation. But then it’s over. Literally, in a sudden moment, the deceased stand to their feet, showing the whole world again that God’s power is greater than anything the Beast can throw. It almost appears here like people will claim God’s glory in this miracle, but then go back to worshipping the Beast. Almost like a football coach stating “the enemy team had a good play that time, but lets get back to our playbook and plan our next move.” And of course, to make sure everybody knows God did this, he shakes the earth in another violent earthquake. The Antichrist has a phony resurrection, but these two will be the real deal.
E. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 11:15
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
The 7th Trumpet has sounded, and 7 bowls are opened up. And that will be the topic of next week’s lesson. The world is very near to its end.
Sources:
Keathley III, J. Hampton. Studies in Revelation: Christ’s Victory Over the Forces of Darkness. Biblical Studies Press: 1997. bible.org. hamptonk3@bible.org.
NAME: ___________________________
IT’S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
A STUDY OVER THE BOOK OF REVELATION & THE END TIMES: PART IV
BACKGROUND: According to Revelation 9:
1. A Plague of Demon __________________________________ Attack
2. 4 Bound Spiritual Beings Confined By the _____________________________ Unleashed
3. An Attack Organized by ____________________________________ People
4. Widespread Sin Including ____________________________, Pornography, & Theft
A. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 10:1-3
An Angel & His Little Book: _______________________________________________________________
What is NOT printed? ___________________________________________________________________
B. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 11:3-9
Who Are the Two Witnesses? _____________________________________________________________
What Can They Do?
1. __________________________________ 3. ___________________________________
2. __________________________________ 4. ___________________________________
Why Perform These Miracles? ____________________________________________________________
C. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 13:1-5
The Beast out of the Pit: _________________________________________________________
The Beast out of the Sea: _________________________________________________________
The Beast out of the Land: _________________________________________________________
The Unholy Trinity:
“He Stood” __________________________________________________________
“Sand of the Sea” __________________________________________________________
“The Ten Horns” __________________________________________________________
“The Seven Heads” __________________________________________________________
The Seven Phases of Gentile Power: 1. __________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________
5. __________ 6. __________ 7. _______________________
“Fatal Wound” __________________________________________________________
“Who Can Make War Against Him?” ____________________________________________________
D. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 11:10-13
The Scene: ___________________________________________________________________________
E. BIBLE VERSE: Revelation 11:15
The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet (Also Called the Third Woe) and the Opening of the 7 Bowls