Revelation #2 Chapters 4-7

Chapters 1-3 Revelation of Jesus Revelation of us and the church Jesus speaks to the churches Learn lessons from the churches

Tonight’s plan The ‘rapture’ (carried off) The second coming Tribulation Revelation 4-7

The Rapture For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thess 4:15-18)

Christ returns Christians (dead and alive) rise to meet Jesus Comfort one another with these words Luke 17:20-36 V22 – one of the days V30 – Lot and Noah delivered on the same day the judgement begins V34-36 – some taken, some remain I take the view Revelation gives us the order of events The rapture/second coming

Tribulation (trouble) And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1-2)

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matt 24:21) How long will it last? –It depends on your point of view but probably either 3½ or 7 years Tribulation (trouble)

Revelation 4 – majesty of God The door John’s access to heaven (not the rapture) 24 elders Almost certainly people (Rev 5:9) Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones (Matt 19:28)

Seven lamps/spirits = the Holy Spirit The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2) Revelation 4 – majesty of God

Seven = completeness/holiness 7 branches to one candlestick 7 days is one week 7 of each clean animal on the ark 7 seals 7 trumpets 7 bowls 7 days of marching round Jericho Sprinkle blood 7 times for atonement (Lev 16:14)

Sea of glass and 4 creatures Almost the same as Ezekiel’s vision (Ezek 1:22-28, 10:14-22) Various angelic beings attend God (as shown by the ornamentation of the tabernacle) Confirms this is the same God as the Old Testament Revelation 4 – majesty of God

Revelation 5 – the scroll and lamb Seven seals = legal document Vespasian and Caesar Augustus left wills with seven seals A set of instructions

The lion of Judah, root of David, lamb that was slain = Jesus Trinity revealed –Father on the throne –Lamb before the throne –The Holy Spirit upon the lamb A scene of worship Revelation 5 – the scroll and lamb

As each seal is opened something happens – the will of God is revealed The four horsemen 1 white horse – conquer 2 red horse – takes peace (war) 3 black horse – hunger/famine 4 pale horse – death Revelation 6 – six seals

Who is the first horseman? –Jesus? –The Antichrist? –A spirit? –All the horsemen are symbolic of a time of trouble V8 death and Hades are not ‘persons’ –They have power over ¼ of the earth –To kill with sword, hunger, death, beasts –These things are already happening Revelation 6 – six seals

The four seals represent the start of a time of trouble Is this –A tribulation? –The Tribulation? –The Great Tribulation? Wait and see what happens next Revelation 6 – six seals

5 th seal – martyrs cry for judgement and vengeance Given a white robe and told to wait 6 th seal –Great earthquake –sun turns black (eclipse/volcanic cloud/impact cloud) –224 solar eclipses this century (68 total) - NASA –Moon like blood (atmospheric pollution) –Stars fall from the sky (meteors) –Sky rolled up like scroll (dust cloud) People know it’s God – how? (v16-17) Revelation 6 – six seals

144,000 literally Jews from each tribe Sealed for protection (9:4)– a spiritual sign Become Christians after the rapture (14:1-5) Messianic Jews get raptured Other Jews may get saved but are not sealed (protected) Revelation 7 – 2 big groups

Multitude without number (v9-17) Christians (white robes) They weren’t there last time John looked in heaven (6:9?) They have come out of the great tribulation (v14) Who are they? Revelation 7 – 2 big groups

Either The rapture has already happened and this is another group from the earth Or these are the raptured saints that John didn’t see while he was looking at the earth Revelation 7 – 2 big groups

The Raptured Saints They could have come up at the 6th seal Something happened at the 6 th seal which indicated that God was involved The tribulation hasn’t really started yet, 4 ‘horsemen’ have power over ¼ of the earth The saints leave at the exact moment of judgment (like Noah and Lot) Has judgment begun at the 5 th seal (6:10) Revelation 7 – 2 big groups

Vision of heaven They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev 7:16-17) Revelation 7 – 2 big groups

Remember A time of great trouble is coming Before the judgment falls we will be rescued (like Lot and Noah) Comfort one another with these words Heaven is an amazing place