“REVELATION” (part 3 of 3) Lesson 142

Chapter 15: This chapter deals with the last of the earth’s tribulation disasters before Christ comes just as verse one states. We will pause here and explain that although there is ONE second coming it will occur in two phases (that we know of by the scripture). The first phase is the rapture of the Church (1 Thess. 4:13-17, 1 Cor. 15:51-52) when Christ comes and we will meet the Lord IN THE AIR (Christ does not touch the earth). This time He comes to GET His saints and in the second and final phase He comes WITH His saints (Rev. 19:11-14) and He will stand on the Mount of Olive and fight the final battles (Zech. 14:3-4). He will come on His great white horse (Rev. 19:11) on a cloud of saints (Mark 14:62). The judgments in chapter 15 will fall in rapid succession.

Chapter 16: The seven terrible plagues are poured out on the earth. Much sorrow and trouble await those who are not protected from God’s judgment. Despite the power of the plagues, people will curse God rather than praise Him. The sixth bowl of the wrath of God is preparation for the final act of judgment before the second coming. The great city is Babylon (detailed in chapter 17 and 18). The prostitute symbolizes the religious system of Babylon and the waters symbolize people, multitudes, nations and languages. The kings committed adultery (had become part of the religious system). The beast is reference to the world government, the ten horns are kings who had not yet received a kingdom, the seven heads are future prominent rulers. Again, since we do not know the day and hour of the end of the world and therefore do not know the time line of Revelation, all predictions of who is ruling what is just speculation, such as predictions as to the day and hour the world will end. Remember John was writing this in the time of the Roman Empire. There is strong suggestion that who once was, is the antichrist who dies in the middle of the tribulation, duplicates the resurrection of Jesus but will be destroyed (19:20).

Chapter 18: Further revelations of the destruction of Babylon were made known by an angel. A voice instructed God’s people to flee the city so they would escape the judgment. Bible expositors are divided on whether this city is Rome or Babylon itself. Most conclude it is Babylon being rebuilt as the capital of the world empire at the end time. Chapter 18 will occur immediately before the second coming.

Chapter 19: The marriage supper, the midnight cry (Matt. 25:6) is ready. The bridegroom is Christ (Matt. 22:1-14) and the bride is the Church (Eph. 5:32). The great tribulation is coming to an end and the focus is on heaven and the second coming of Christ. The two views on where the supper will be; 1) in heaven since the ‘glorious appearing’ is after the supper and starts the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. 2) An earthly feast in accordance with Matt. 22:1-14. Regardless of what view you go with, the importance is the tribulation ends and the final battle begins. In verse eleven heaven opens and out rides Christ, called faithful and true on a white horse (not to be mistaken with the white horse in Revelation 6:2 which we remember is the counterfeit). The armies of heaven consist of the angelic hosts, the Old Testament saints, the Church and the tribulation saints. Now all of the believers from all ages are off the earth and the second coming of Christ is to an exclusively un-saved earth. Scripture states that when Jesus touches earth He will stand on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem (Zech. 14:3-4). HE IS HERE! HALLELUJAH! No member of the army will do battle for it will be won by the spoken Word of our Lord. The first battle will be in Edom where the Lord soils His garments with a bloody battle avenging the Jews that fled. The next probable step is the Valley of Megiddo where the armies of the world (followers of Satan) will be gathered. This is the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16) and will occur quickly and no one will escape (Rev. 19:21). The false prophet and the beast are thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. All of this will be done in a flash, quicker than you can read this.

Chapter 20: This chapter deals with the events after Christ is on earth. His attention is turned on Satan and an angel comes, bounds Satan with a chain, throws him into the abyss and locks him in for 1000 years. The throne is set for judgment. The ones that believe in Christ during tribulation and were killed come to life and rule with him the 1000 years. We are not told who else rules with Him but most likely are the armies that came with Him from heaven. After 1000 years Satan is released and brings his army in on more effort to destroy Jerusalem but fire burns up the army and Satan is thrown into the lake of fire forever. IT IS FINISHED! The Great White Throne appears and the dead un-saved are judged and thrown into the lake of fire with Satan forever. This is called the second death for it is appointed unto man once to die. The Christian dies a physical death and lives forever with Christ but the un-saved dies a physical and a spiritual death and spends eternity in hell.

Chapter 21: The earth and sky that we have known are gone! Now there is a new heaven and new earth and a New Jerusalem coming down from heaven with God within. Read Chapter 21 and 22 for the description of our new home and believe each and every word of it because “these Words can be trusted and are true” (Rev. 22:6). The angel also said not to keep this a secret because the time is near (22:10).

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS BE WITH ALL MEN. (Revelation 22:21) AMEN!