REVELATION Lesson 22

REVELATION

Lesson 22

Are We Living in the End Times?

Revelation 12:4   ⁴ And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Stars are symbols of Angels. The fact that Satan swept a third of the stars out of the sky means that he caused one third of the angels to fall. Satan’s mutiny was a tremendous rebellion involving millions of angels.

Satan has tried to destroy Jesus, or at least Jesus’ mission of dying on the cross many times. When Jesus was on the earth Satan waited for the birth of Jesus because he wanted to destroy Jesus. When Jesus was born Satan stirred the wrath of Herod, the king of Judea to have all male babies in and around Bethlehem killed.

God sent an angel to warn Jesus’ earthly father Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry Satan offered Jesus the kingdom of the world if he would bow down and worship him.

Matthew 4:9-10   ⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Later when Jesus told his disciples he would die, peter disagreed and Jesus answered saying to Peter, “get behind me Satan”, Satan was working through Peter to tempt Jesus to not go to the cross. This is an example of just how easy it is for Satan to deceive the flesh.

Before Jesus was crucified on the cross, he went to the garden to pray. Satan came against Jesus there with such power that God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus. Satan put Jesus under such pressure that it caused Jesus to suffer such agony and temptation that he sweat great drops of blood. Jesus loved his heavenly father so much and wanted to obey the Father and go ahead with the plan that was laid out in order to save the people of Earth. Jesus prevailed against everything the Devil threw at him.

John predicted that the tail of the beast will throw a third part of the stars “angles” to the earth. This is probably referring to the time of his power in the end time. He will eventually conquer the world at the beginning of the great tribulation.

Revelation 12:5   ⁵ And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

The dragon is pictured as awaiting the birth of the man child to devour it as soon as it is born. This of course refers to the birth of Christ. John then recorded, she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron rod.

And her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Notice that Jesus will not rule the nations with love, but with a rod of iron. The world at this point is full of people who are in rebellion against God. Because they are following false teachings or religions Christ will crush this rebellion when he returns with a iron rod.

Revelation 12:6   ⁶ And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The statement, “the woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God where she might be taken care of for 1260 days” is a reference to Israel being preserved through the great tribulation.

1,260 days is the exact length of the great tribulation which will usher in the second coming of Jesus. Israel as a nation will be preserved and rescued by Christ when he comes.

Romans 11:26-27   ²⁶ And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Si-on the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

²⁷ For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Revelation 12:7-8   ⁷ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

In the beginning of the great tribulation, which is the last half of the seven-year period, is Israel’s special time of trouble. It is also marked by war in Heaven. John wrote and there was a war in Heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon (which is Satan) and his angels fought back, but the dragon was not strong enough and they lost their place in heaven.

Revelation 12:9-10   ⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

The great dragon was cast down, that old serpent called the devil or Satan who leads the world astray. He was hurled to the earth from the second heaven. He and his fallen angels with him.

After being cast to Earth he controls the world government in the time period right before the second coming of Christ Jesus.

The casting of Satan to the earth also marks the beginning of the most awful period in human history. The great tribulation. John recorded the voice from heaven speaking of this event, now has come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Son, Christ Jesus.

For the accuser who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down, and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you. He is filled with his fury because he knows that his time is short.

Until the next lesson,

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 21

REVELATION
Lesson 21

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:16-17   ¹⁶ And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

¹⁷ Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

The announcement that God and Jesus will be taking over caused a tremendous reaction in heaven. From this point on Satan’s days will be drawing quickly to a close. Jesus will begin to exercise the authority over the nations that became his when he died on the cross. He will go forth to conquer the forces of evil and usher in the millennium. The twenty-four elders represent the church from Pentecost to the rapture.

Revelation 11:18   ¹⁸ And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Satan will know his day will soon come to an end. He will stir up anger in the nations and at the same time he stirs up anger, Gods wrath will burn brighter. This will put Satan and Jesus on a collision course, Satan will unite the nations against Jesus. This conflict is referred to as the battle of Armageddon.

The nations were angry and Gods wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and your saints: all those who reverence your name, both small and great, he will destroy those who are causing destruction on the earth.

Everyone is accountable to God. No one will escape His judgement. Even the dead will be judged, but the righteous will be rewarded before the judgement seat of Christ for reverencing the name of Jesus. The wicked will be destroyed for their unrepented sin.

Revelation 11:19   ¹⁹ And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

The lightening, voices, thundering, earthquake, and great hail indicate that the scene in heaven is over and events that have to do with the affairs of men are about to be disclosed. These will be catastrophes and mounting confusion and terror that will come upon the earth. There is one thing left to discuss, how to avoid this awful period in our worlds future, it is by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by his own personal invitation. He is waiting with open arms for you to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Revelation 12:1-2   12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

² And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Chapter eleven began this prophet which now continues into chapter twelve. Now we will be learning more about Israel, Jesus, Satan, the Archangel Michael and the inhabitants of the earth. Most of the bad things that happen do so because the world is caught up in a great spiritual battle between good and evil, which is sometimes referred to as the conflict of the ages.

It is a spiritual struggle between God and Satan that will intensify on earth at the end of the age of grace. Jesus clearly taught that it will be worse than anything that has happened on the earth ever before. This great struggle involves a woman, (Israel), a dragon (Satan), a child (Jesus) and the remainder of the woman’s offspring (Christians). The woman is referred to as a great wonder in Heaven. The word “wonder” literally translated from the Greed is “sign” and appearing for the first time in the book of Revelation it indicates that the woman is not to be taken literally as woman, but as a symbolic representation of something.

The woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head says she was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Seven things are presented in revelation: the woman representing Israel the dragon or Satan, the man child Jesus, Michael representing the angels. The remnant of Israel represented by the 144,000: the beast of the sea, the world dictator of the end time: the beast of the earth, a religious leader who is a false prophet and supports the world dictator.

If the predictions of this portion of Revelation are to be properly interpreted it is necessary to give close attention to the details concerning each person.

Revelation 12:3   ³ And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

John recorded, then another sign appeared in Heaven. And enormous Red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his head. This sign is called a wonder but the word wonder is not used here. Rather it is a sign in the enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads refers to the Roman Empire.

Just because Rome has sunk beneath the sands of time does not mean that the Roman Government is not in force today. In fact, Roman government today covers a vast amount of the earth’s population. Power in the hands of evil men in the form of government has given license to murders, war, famine, heartache and suffering beyond human comprehension.

This can be attributed to Satan who is using world dictators and key leaders to manipulate the affairs of mankind. the culmination of such practices will reach a climax during the tribulation period.

The dragon spoken of in the bible will have seven heads symbolizing the seven gentile world governments. It will have ten horns symbolizing the ten that will reign with him during the tribulation period. The bible teaches that these ten kings will rise to power and the antichrist will come on the scene in a unified Europe called the European nation.

This must not be taken lightly. A one world government empowered and controlled by Satan is a terrible thought. Some feel that it will make world war two look like a Sunday picnic.

A good example of how this could happen is a proposal that came before the U.N. It called for the nations to surrender their sovereignty to the U.N. The world will be divided into ten regions, the number of permanent members of the security council of U.N. will be increased to ten. One permanent member will be put over each region.

 This is the kind of thing Christians need to be on the watch for.

# 1 one world divided into ten regions with ten leaders called kings, 10 horns,10 crowns.

# 2 The antichrist takes over three regions, leaving ten kings or horns but only seven regions, or seven crowns. Assyria, Egypt, Babylon.

# 3 Antichrist takes over the whole world. He will control ten kings and seven crowns or regions. This will be the kingdom of leaders that will rule with the Antichrist at the end of the age.

Christians don’t worry. As I have said before, we will have been raptured out before most of this happens, however you need to know this. It may help you lead someone to Christ. The word promises a blessing for those who read and study the book of Revelation.

Until the next lesson,

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 20

REVELATION

LESSON 20

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:11-12   ¹¹ And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

¹² And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

At the end of chapter ten, people throughout the world were enjoying a Christmas like celebration, giving and receiving gifts, because these two witnesses, preachers, of righteousness and holiness are now dead.

Vs. 11   Then suddenly the spirit of life from God entered into them and they stood upon their feet. A great fear fell upon them who saw this. Then when God called to them the people saw the cloud receive them out of sight in the face of their enemies. The resurrection of these men will be the final confirmation that they were men of God. Another illustration that God does not forget his own.

This is really an incredible scene that goes beyond human comprehension. These two witnesses are killed, lay in the street for three and a half days

television cameras or something similar will broadcast pictures around the world. No one will dare to interfere with the cameras that are focused on the bodies while the whole world celebrates.

The party of celebration continues for three days and when God steps in the party will stop.  The whole world will watch in terror as the two witnesses stand to their feet.

Vs. 13   ¹³ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

When these two witnesses stand to their feet world wide panic will spread. They will still be staring at the sky as the two witness’s ascent toward heaven when the ground starts to shake. Ten percent of the buildings in Jerusalem will collapse. Killing seven thousand people, the fear of God will enter the hearts of the survivors, there will be a large earthquake.

Many will change their minds about what the two witnesses were teaching, notice how things like and earthquake can turn things to good. Many Jews will start praising God right before the antichrist desecrates the temple. This cataclysmic judgment of God upon the city of Jerusalem could be the event which triggers the revival that will sweep across Israel during the later half of the tribulation.

As the word says; this remnant was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. All these events take place before the third woe is sounded. This third woe sets the stage for the events of the latter half of the tribulation period.

This comes at a time when the world was given to the worship of the world leader or ruler. Even though God is allowing the terrible events of the great tribulation to take place, including the catastrophes that will overtake most of the human race, it is also evident that God is still in control and can provide a ministry of testimony to the world even under these circumstances.

Revelation 11:14-15   ¹⁴ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The earthquake in Jerusalem will mark the end of the second woe or the sixth trumpet. The seventh trumpet will sound soon and bring the third woe. The blowing of the seventh trumpet which brings us to the third woe does not initiate anything on earth. It is much like the breaking of the seventh seal of Revelation 8:1- it merely introduces the next series of Judgments, the seven bowls, occurring exclusively in Heaven. This scene introduces activities that project a meaning to the earth to be disclosed later. In order to understand the chronological events of this passage of scripture one should understand that immediately after this heavenly introduction to the seventh bowl, there is another lengthy passage which extends from Revelation 12:1 to 15:4.

This heavenly setting is announcing the great events that will come upon the earth. This will be awesome beyond description. It is called the “great tribulation” because it reveals the most fantastic events the world has ever known.

Revelation 11:15   ¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

At the time of the seventh trumpet the announcement from heaven is made. The kingdom our Lord and of Christ Jesus and he will reign forever and ever. The reaction in heaven describes preparation for the tremendous catastrophes which will be a part of the bowls of the wrath of God.

The seventh trumpet is close to the time of the second coming of Christ Jesus. the bowls of wrath of revelation lead immediately to the coming of Jesus. a lot of things will happen before revelation chapter 22. The world will still have a way to go.

Satan is the head of the rulers, authorities and powers prior to the seven bowls. They were organized to influence the nations to do evil. Before the tribulation period ends God and His Son Jesus will do away with them. God will take over and transform this world into a better place.

Until our next lesson,

Stay in the word, stay ready,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 19

REVELATION

LESSON 19

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:4    ⁴ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

The reference to the two witnesses as being symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands probably has reference of being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Because the last seven years leading up to the second coming of Christ will be divided into two periods of 1,260 days each. There is some debate which of these two periods is in view here. The situation as described, however clearly corresponds to the great tribulation, when the holy place in the temple will be desecrated and the Jews will be under persecution.

In that time in the great tribulation where thousands have died as martyrs the two witnesses will emerge. They will not be able to kill the two witnesses, that will cause a new problem to immerge for those who are operating the world new government.

These two witnesses, obviously have unusual power, it will be comparable to the power of Elijah and some of the other prophets. They will be able to inflict plagues much as Moses did in Egypt. Because of the unusual character of these two witnesses a lot of speculation will arise as to just who they are.

The time will come when God is going to permit the witnesses to be overcome, but not before they have finished their testimony. They will be invincible. They will have supernatural powers from the word of God in their mouths. When their enemies try to harm them, their words will consume their enemies.

Their power will have unlimited power. They will be able to stop the rain from falling, turn water into blood, and smite the Earth with many different kinds of plagues. When the water turns to blood it will be unfit to drink and uninhabitable for the fish. There is no way of knowing what the other plagues they will do, but one thing is for sure this will not be the same Earth as we know it today.

Even though they will be supernaturally protected and nothing will harm them, they will be killed, the anti-Christ will hate these two witnesses. He will fail to cope with their condemnation of the world government, religion, social principles and the economic system. He will be infuriated when he hears them preaching about Jesus.

The Anti-Christ will be jealous of their number of converts. He will throw all his satanic governmental power at them. The witnesses will be overpowered and killed, but only because God allows it.

For three and one-half days their bodies will lay in the street, people from every tribe, language and nation will gaze on their dead bodies, these two prophets who had tormented them. They will refuse to bury them. The evil inhabitants of Earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts.

Because of the medium of television people all over the earth will be able to see their dead bodies. Many can see things all over the world because of the satellites the media uses in real time.

This is one more indication that we are coming closes to the end of the age.  Without the satellites it would not have been possible for the entire world to witness what happens. The word tells us that all wi8ll witness it.

According to verse 10, people throughout the world will enjoy a Christmas like celebration giving and receiving gifts because these preachers of righteousness and holiness are now dead.

After three and a half days, God will put the spirit of life into them and they will stand up on their feet. Just as our Lord was crucified, died, and in three days rose from the dead so will these witnesses. The world saw these men slain, knew they laid in the street decaying for three days, they will see them resurrected hear the voice of God then a cloud will receive them out of sight.

It is no wonder that great fear fell upon them that saw the resurrection. It will be the final confirmation that they were men of God. This is yet another illustration that God does not forget his own.

Until our next lesson,

Stay ready, stay in the word,

Brother Andy