Chapter 7

Tuesday Night Revelation Bible Study

CHAPTER 7

Housecleaning:  Thanks again for all of the assistance with the Haiti Baby Kits. Kelly has picked up both the Baby and Medical Kits, and she wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks!!

As you may of noticed I have not had a chance to update the blog…yet we have already discussed chapters 4 – 8. I am going to get us caught up…and will start a new blog entry for Chapter9. Thanks again, and hope this helps make these chapters a bit easier to understand.

Chapters 4 through 18 summarize the events that take place preceding the return of Jesus Christ. Not all of the events happen chronologically. As we discussed, it is important to note the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ as you read through these chapters. These two words help the reader understand John’s method of communicating ideas / events / concepts that he might not have the words to describe. Remember that John is giving a first hand exposition in terms of what he witnesses. These chapters can be scary, convicting and at times confusing, but the message is that Christ is returning in victory.

Recap of Chapter 7 (Chapter Notes and Background)

After reading chapter 6, it can be hard to imagine that anything good can come out of all this destruction. However, even today we can see examples of God still working to heal, save and redeem men and women out of horrible events. Columbine, Newtown, Oklahoma City Bombing, September 11, 2001- all of these events can immediately bring back memories of pain and suffering. Still, even through those horrible acts, we also capture glimpses of God’s grace and mercy extended to those immediately affected. God never stops communicating His love to His creation. The devil works to destroy, but God works to save.

Chapter 7 is also one of the most popular chapters in the Bible for false teachers / religions. Many false religions have tried to use some of the information in chapter 7 to prove that their religion is the only true religion. Jehovah Witnesses to this day believe the 144,000 witnesses mentioned, relate to only Jehovah Witness members. Yet, a cursory reading reveals that the central individuals in this chapter are not representative of the church, but in fact are Jewish converts to Christianity. 

Chapter 7 is an interlude between the seal judgements in chapter 6, and the seven trumpet judgements in chapter 8. Between chapters we see God seal 144,000 Jewish individuals for the purpose of witnessing to the world at large with the message of Jesus Christ.The interesting thing about the list of tribes in chapter 7, is that it differs from the list typically found in the Old Testament. 

“The tribe of Judah was usually first in such lists, as it is here, due to the

prophecies that it would lead the other tribes and that Messiah would come

from Judah (Gen. 49:10; 1 Chron. 2:3—4:43). "The lion that is from the

tribe of Judah" is the Lamb (5:5; cf. 6:16-17; Heb. 7:13-14).

The tribe of Dan is absent in this list perhaps because that tribe was the

first to establish idolatry in Israel (Judg. 18:30; cf. 1 Kings 12:29-30).

However the Danites will receive a portion of land in the Millennium

(Ezek. 48:1-2).

"Joseph" represents Ephraim (v. 8; cf. v. 6). Ephraim was also "notorious

for . . . fickleness and proclivity to idol worship."307 Ephraim was the head

of the Northern Kingdom of Israel that apostatized under King Jeroboam

I's leadership. Ephraim will also be in the millennial kingdom (Ezek.

48:5). Perhaps Ephraim's name does not appear in this list, though he is

included in the reference to Joseph, to avoid the unpleasant connotations

of his name.308

The listing of Manasseh's name (v. 6) is unusual since his father Joseph's

name also appears. Perhaps this honors Manasseh's faithfulness in contrast

to Ephraim's unfaithfulness.” – Dr. Constable

The list below comprise the twelve tribes of Israel that John mentions in Chapter 7. The Jewish individuals from these tribes will be called to evangelize during this tribulation time period. Note the meaning associated with their names.

 

1. Judah	= "I will praise the Lord"
2. Reuben	= "He has looked on me"
3. Gad	= "Granted good fortune"
4. Asher	= "Happy am I"
5. Naphtali	= "My wrestling"
6. Manasseh	= "Making me to forget"
7. Simeon	= "God hears me"
8. Levi	= "Joined to me"
9. Issachar	= "Purchased Me"
10. Zebulun	= "Dwelling"
11. Joseph	= "God will add to me"
12. Benjamin	= "Son of His right hand"

 

Now notice what happens when the meaning of the names are combined, in the same order, into a paragraph:
"I will praise the Lord for He has looked on me and granted good fortune. Happy am I because my wrestling God is making me to forget. God hears me and is joined to me. He has purchased me a dwelling. God will add to me the Son of His right hand." (The words in italics are supplied to complete each thought.) 

As mentioned above, the omission of the tribe of Dan is interesting. We find the verse below in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, specifically about the tribe of Dan. This is facinating because at the time it was written, there did not exist ANY tribes of Israel, nor was Israel even a people, or a nation let alone the tribe of Dan. 

 

"Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward." (Gen 49:17) 

 Some believe the above verse supports the idea the anti-christ could potentially come from the tribe of Dan.  

Finally, we see the fruits of the 144,000. Many will listen and be convinced that Jesus Christ is lord, and will turn to Him for salvation.

A number of distinctions can be made between the 144,000 and the great multitude in chapter 7. The following table does this.

The 144,000 and the Great Multitude Compared
Questions	The 144,000	The Great Multitude
How many are there?	144,000 (literal/symbolic?)	No one could number
Where are they from?	12 spiritual tribes of Israel	Every nation, tribe and people
When are they sealed?	Before the seven trumpets	During the seven trumpets
Are they part of Babylon?	No, they are virgins	Yes, but they come out of it
What part of the harvest?	First fruits	General harvest
What is their connection to the 3 angel's messages?	Give the messages	Hear and obey messages

Question answered:

In Rev 5:2 the question is asked "who is worthy to open the book?" We learn that Jesus was "found worthy" (Rev 5:4) to open the book. Then in chapter 6, as Jesus opens the seals of this important book, the section ends with the question (Rev 6:17), "in light of these events ...

... who shall be able to stand?
    or
... who will be able to make it through?
    or, perhaps even,
... who will still be alive at the Second Coming?

The answer is given in chapter 7 - the 144,000 will be able to stand. There is no doubt, in the book of Revelation, that this will be a special and unique group. They evidently do a phenomenal job of witnessing, that the multitude that John writes about, cannot be numbered. Currently there are roughly 25,000 full time missionaries world wide...most would say that through radio, TV, and the missionaries themselves, the Gospel is reaching numbers unimaginable to those in the first century. However, the success that these 144,000 evidently achieve, will far outshine anything that planet earth has seen in terms of the number of converts during a time period turning to Jesus Christ. Despite all of the calamities upcoming, and the brutal deaths most of the multitude in this chapter experienced, God again wins. 

Again the number 7, as discussed earlier, is a number of perfection in the Bible. I do not believe it is a coincidence that we see a powerful reminder that no matter the circumstance, God is in complete control. Chapter 7 is a welcome respite, from chapter 6, and chapters to follow.  It is almost like the eye of a hurricane where everything is serene and peaceful, and even at times sunny. Yet, all around the eye of tranquility, swirling winds of destruction seek to reek havoc.

Chapter 6

Tuesday Night Revelation Bible Study

CHAPTER 6

Housecleaning:  Thanks again for all of the assistance with the Haiti Baby Kits. Kelly has picked up both the Baby and Medical Kits, and she wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks!!

As you may of noticed I have not had a chance to update the blog…yet we have already discussed chapters 4 – 8. I am going to get us caught up…and will start a new blog entry for Chapter9. Thanks again, and hope this helps make these chapters a bit easier to understand.

Chapters 4 through 18 summarize the events that take place preceding the return of Jesus Christ. Not all of the events happen chronologically. As we discussed, it is important to note the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ as you read through these chapters. These two words help the reader understand John’s method of communicating ideas / events / concepts that he might not have the words to describe. Remember that John is giving a first hand exposition in terms of what he witnesses. These chapters can be scary, convicting and at times confusing, but the message is that Christ is returning in victory.

Recap of Chapter 6 (Chapter Notes and Background)

 

Numbers are fascinating studies in Scripture. Each number can clue the reader into more than just the quantity of an item discussed in the Bible. Take some time and read up on the numbers 6 and 7, links below:

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/7.html

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/6.html

Relationships between specific numbers and different Biblical concepts are a common theme throughout the Bible. The number six, for the most part throughout the Bible, represents mankind. Chapter 6 is essentially about the opening of the first six seals, and the destruction that occurs on planet earth and the heavens as a result. Is it a coincidence that chapter 6 deals with the first 6 seals? Who knows? Well, God does, but what is fact is that God’s patience is finally at an end. We will begin to see God’s judgment fall on all those that reject Christ and choose to continue to live on in their own strength, refusing to submit to God’s solution for sin by accepting the saving work of Jesus Christ.  

The first four seals that are opened usher in the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The order of the horsemen and the woes they bring echo Matthew chapter 24, better known as the Olivet discourse, and the Old Testament book of Daniel.  

The horse in ancient times was a war machine. A reader listening to the book of revelation in the first century would have understood these four horses and their riders as an offensive war front, bent on destroying as much of planet earth as possible. The first rider’s horse is white and has a bow with no arrows. Most scholars believe this rider is the anti-christ, who will lead many to destruction by a bloodless war or through peaceful means. In the book of Daniel, the anti-christ helps broker a deal with the nation of Israel and their enemies, promising lasting peace for Israel and the world at large. However, this peace proves to be a false peace, ushering in the abomination of desolation that Christ specifically mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. The abomination of desolation is a point when the anti-christ will proclaim himself to be God and will seek to destroy all Jewish and Christian ideas and beliefs about God as set forth in the Old and New Testaments.

The second rider’s horse is red, representing war. When the anti-christ proclaims himself to be God, the next cataclysm to follow is world-war.

The third rider’s horse is black, representing famine. Due to the world-war, food and drink will be scarce. Those who have survived war will now have to face the threat of starvation. It goes from bad to worse for all those that remain.

The fourth rider’s horse is gray, or pale, representing death. The toll that war and famine have on earth at this time results in unimaginable death. The numbers will be staggering. No generation before this has ever experienced anything close to this world-wide annihilation.  

 

The fifth seal points to the fact that some going through this time period on earth do find Christ. These martyrs suffer death for refusing to believe in the anti-christ, putting their faith instead in the true savior of the world: Jesus Christ. Another interesting thing about the fifth seal is that, in Heaven, these martyrs have not forgotten what they went through. When we think about Heaven, most picture clouds and harps and inhabitants who don’t really retain their humanity. Yet the fifth seal reaffirms that we will not only remember, but we too will thirst even in Heaven for God to restore His creation to Himself.  

 

The wrath of the Lamb seems to be an oxymoron. Lambs are typically docile, gentle…which is how most picture Christ. Yet, as we read Revelation we come back to the fact that God is the ‘same yesterday, today and forever.’ He is still the lamb that takes away the sin of the world, but also is the One who, through His might, will restore all of creation to Himself. The sixth seal is by the far the most frightening to read about. Those remaining on the earth are desperate to hide from His wrath. Destruction will be total.

 

 

Chapter 5

Tuesday Night Revelation Bible Study

CHAPTER 5

Housecleaning:  Thanks again for all of the assistance with the Haiti Baby Kits. Kelly has picked up both the Baby and Medical Kits, and she wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks!!



As you may of noticed I have not had a chance to update the blog…yet we have already discussed chapters 4 – 8. I am going to get us caught up…and will start a new blog entry with questions for Chapter9. Thanks again, and hope this helps make these chapters a bit easier to understand.

Chapters 4 through 18 summarize the events that take place preceding the return of Jesus Christ. Not all of the events happen chronologically. As we discussed, it is important to note the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ as you read through these chapters. These two words help the reader understand John’s method of communicating ideas / events / concepts that he might not have the words to describe. Remember that John is giving a first hand exposition in terms of what he witnesses. These chapters can be scary, convicting and at times confusing, but the message is that Christ is returning in victory.

Recap of Chapters 5 (Chapter Notes and Background)

Why does God allow evil to exist? This one question, posed to Christians since the 1^st century, has been and will continue to be difficult to answer. We as believers know that God is good and all powerful, yet, the mystery remains; why hasn’t God wiped all traces of evil from planet earth? While chapter 5 does not give a definitive answer, it does supply us with a setting where we are privy to God’s ultimate answer to this prevailing question. While chapters 1-3 focus primarily on the resurrected Christ and His church, chapter 5 ushers us into Heaven at the moment when God’s ultimate redemptive plan goes into effect.

The focus of Chapter 5 is the seven-sealed scroll held in God’s right hand.

“John also saw a book (scroll) on God's "right hand"—suggesting its source, His authority,

and power adequate to translate its contents into action—as He sat on the throne. This

scroll was the focus of John's attention in this chapter, and it is what Jesus Christ opens in

chapter 6 resulting in the judgments that will come upon the earth. Its contents comprise

almost all the revelation that will follow. It was so full of words that John could see

writing on the outside as well as on the inside of the scroll (cf. Ezek. 2:10). Someone,

probably God, had sealed it with seven seals, suggesting the profound nature of the

revelation it contained.241 Roman law required that people seal wills seven times because

they were very important documents.242 The perfect number of seals may also hint at the

absolute inviolability of the scroll.243 In John's day people used a seal to keep the contents

of a document secret, unchangeable, and free from tampering until some authoritative

person broke the seal. In this case after Jesus broke the first seal the scroll unrolled until

the second seal made it impossible to open it further. Then He had to break the second

seal that revealed more of the contents, and so on. Probably the seals were on the edge of

the scroll. The book contained the prophecies that follow. It may represent the book of

prophecies God instructed Daniel to seal until the end times (Dan. 12:4, 9).” – Dr. Thomas L. Constable

Whatever is contained in this scroll is evidently of paramount importance. Yet, when John arrives on the scene, he learns that no one in Heaven or earth has the ability to open the scroll. This realization causes the Apostle John to cry…but why? John had already witnessed the resurrection of Jesus, and knew better than most that God could be trusted in all things. Yet he still wept. I believe, and some Biblical scholars also agree, that God’s ultimate redemption could not be accomplished until the scroll was opened. When we think of Jesus and the resurrection we rightly realize that, through His death and resurrection, Jesus won the victory over death. Chapter 5 also makes clear that Jesus also won the right to finally complete God’s ultimate redemptive plan. We know this because Jesus appears on the scene and all of Heaven rejoices that He will finally open up the scroll:

^“4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. ⁵ But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
⁶ And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” Rev 5: 4-7

John wept because He understood that until the scroll was opened, evil would continue to have a place in the world. Whenever we mourn for the innocent, and cringe at news stories that only reinforce how fallen our world is, we acknowledge that God does not fully reign on earth as He does in Heaven. 

"What simpler and more sublime way of picturing God's

ultimate sovereignty over all history could be found than

this picture of the scroll resting in the hand of God?

However strong evil becomes, however fierce be the

satanic evils that assail God's people on earth, history still

rests in God's hand."244 – Dr. Constable

If the opening of the scroll means the end of evil and the redemption of all of God’s creation…why the wait? If you are reading this and you have put your faith in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, you owe gratitude that God is merciful and LONG-SUFFERING. If the scroll would have been opened before Christ’s redeeming work on the cross, all those who subsequently put their faith in His sacrifice would not be saved. God’s heart is that no one would perish, but that all would have eternal life. God has literally waited for you, and me, to accept the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, withholding His ultimate judgment on earth and creation so that many would have an opportunity to know Christ and be saved. We will see evidence of God’s desire for the lost in later chapters - still communicating His love, even as those on earth want nothing to do with Him.

Revelation Chapter 4

Tuesday Night Revelation Bible Study

Chapter 4 

Blog Format:

1.       Housecleaning Notes - things pertaining to Tuesday night at Leah and Jon’s

2.       Recap of the previous week discussion

3.       Chapter notes and background

4.       Questions and homework for the next meeting night

Housecleaning:  Thanks again for all of the assistance with the Haiti Baby Kits. Kelly has picked up both the Baby and Medical Kits, and she wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks!!

As you may of noticed I have not had a chance to update the blog…yet we have already discussed chapters 4 – 8. I am going to get us caught up…and will start a new blog entry for Chapter9. Thanks again, and hope this helps make these chapters a bit easier to understand. 

Recap of Chapters 4 (Chapter Notes and Background)

Chapters 4 through 18 summarize the events that take place preceding the return of Jesus Christ. At the same time, not all of the events happen chronologically. As we discussed it is important to note the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ as you read through these chapters. These two words help the reader understand John’s method of communicating ideas / events / concepts that he might not have the words to clarify, but at the same time remember that John is giving a first hand exposition in terms of what he witnesses. These chapters can be scary, convicting and at times confusing, but the message is that Christ is returning in victory.

Chapter 4 - Notes and Background   

			In chapter 3 the word ‘door’ is used to describe the human heart, and the idea that only God can control outcomes… “He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” In chapter 4 an actual door opens up into Heaven that John steps through to witness firsthand those events that take place before the coming of Christ.

 

  

Chapter 4 begins with the words ‘After these things…’ The preceding chapters deal almost exclusively with Christ’s message to the universal church – all those who claim Jesus Christ as their savior. Some Biblical scholars believe ‘After these things…’ refers to rapture of the church. From chapter 4 through chapter 18, there is not a single reference to the church, where as in the previous chapters it almost seems as if the entire book will be for the benefit of the church. Why no mention of the church in chapters to come? Many believe the church is no longer on earth, that Christ raptures the church to Himself. Scholars speculate that from chapter 4on, it shows the world after the rapture, but before Christ returns to reign.

 

			"The major focus of chapter 4 upon the throne is its symbolism of God's sovereignty exercised in judgment. From this point of origination proceeds the outworking of God's wrath described in the body of the Apocalypse (cf. 6:10, 16-17; 14:7; 15:1; 16:5, 19; 18:20; 19:2, 11). Though evil reigns for a time on earth, God will ultimately prevail."    214 - Dr. Thomas L. Constable

      John gives a detailed picture of God on His Throne, and makes it abundantly clear that everything originates from His Throne. All of the universe, earth, everything in creation orbit around God’s Throne. The word throne appears 45 times in the book of Revelation, and only 15 other times in the rest of the New Testament. Chapter 4 makes plain that ultimately, despite the terrible calamites to come in later chapters, God is in complete control.

John also introduces us to the order of Heaven. We find 24 elders surrounding God’s Throne, and four living beasts continually praising God. Many think the 24 elders are representative of the 12 Tribes of Israel:  Judah , Issachar , Zebulun , Reuben, Simeon, Gad , Ephraim, Manesseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, Naphtali and the 12 Apostles of Christ: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip ,Bartholomew, Matthew,Thomas, James, Simon, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. We find Heaven unified in both the Old and New Testament leadership.

 

In chapter 1 John describes Jesus in detail, and uses imagery that the reader can utilize to picture the Person of Christ. When John describes God the Father on His throne in chapter 4 we do not see human anthropomorphic descriptions, but instead we are left in awe, the mystery of God’s glory intact. The imagery is very similar to what we find in the book of Ezekiel and the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. We see God on His Throne ready to judge a fallen world.