1. Evil Triumphs—Or So It Seems! (Rev 5: 1-6) Agenda: Revelation 3. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Dragon (Rev 12: 1-6) 2. What does the future hold for us? (Rev 7: 9-17) 4. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Antichrist (Rev 13: 1-10) 5. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The False Prophet (Rev 13: 11-18) 6. Another Strategy of the Evil Trio (Rev 17: 1-6) 7. From Paradise to Paradise (Rev 22: 16-21)

A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING Revelation 7 The GPS DIFFERENCES of Language Tradition Time Situation History

The First Process: Understanding 1. S ituation 2. T ype of literature 3. A nalyze the passage 4. R elate the message to the rest of the Bible 5. T est your findings S.T.A.R.T. Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

S.T.A.R.T. Revelation was written by a person with the name of John in 95AD. It was written when Christians were entering a time of persecution under the Roman Emperors. Since Roman authorities at this time were beginning to enforce emperor worship, Christians—who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord—were facing increasing hostility. The Steps of Understanding 1. Situation

The Steps of Understanding 2. Type of literature 1. Situation PROSE Narrative ProcedureExplanationInstruction POETRY in PsalmsProphets Wisdom Literature S.T.A.R.T. Apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.

A Ch 1-3 Christ, and his battling church and suffering church on earth B Ch 4-7 Persecution and trials of the church C Ch 8-11 Unbelievers are warned and punished D Ch The Church is Victorious because of Christ’s Victory C’ Ch Unbelievers are judged B’ Ch Those who persecuted the church are judged A’ Ch Christ and his victorious church on the new earth and heaven

3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ (NIV)

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” The struggling church is now triumphant.

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” The struggling church is now triumphant. 5:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 10:11; 17:15

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” The struggling church is now triumphant. Symbol of purity and personal holiness that comes only from Christ’s sacrifice 5:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 10:11; 17:15

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” The struggling church is now triumphant. 5:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 10:11; 17:15 Symbol of purity and personal holiness that comes only from Christ’s sacrifice Ancient symbol of victory

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” The struggling church is now triumphant. 5:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 10:11; 17:15 Image of the Church Symbol of purity and personal holiness that comes only from Christ’s sacrifice truimphAncient symbol of victory

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” The struggling church is now triumphant. 5:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6; 10:11; 17:15 Symbol of purity and personal holiness that comes only from Christ’s sacrifice Image of Creation Ancient symbol of victory Image of the Church

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ (NIV)

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ (NIV) There has been much speculation about what this means. Perhaps the best way to see it as the sum total of all the suffering and persecution the Church has had to endure on earth

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ (NIV) The Blood of Christ wash away sin and make us pure and holy (Ex 19: 9-11) There has been much speculation about what this means. Perhaps the best way to see it as the sum total of all the suffering and persecution the Church has had to endure on earth

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” A The truimphant church B The Church’s victory song C Everyone praises God!

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ (NIV) D The Church is pure! E Hope (v.17: 21:4)

3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolysm and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver The struggling church will make it through the great tribulation and will share in God’s triumph. History is not a road that leads us to nowhere, but one that takes us to a place in front of God’s throne – in His arms. May this give you hope!

4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21 – NIV) 7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (Psalm NIV) The struggling church will make it through the great tribulation and will share in God’s triumph. History is not a road that leads us to nowhere, but one that takes us to a place in front of God’s throne – in His arms. May this give you hope! Message to the original receiver

A P P L I C A T I O N Essential = Moral Essential = Moral COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION The struggling church will make it through the great tribulation and will share in God’s triumph. History is not a road that leads us to nowhere, but one that takes us to a place in front of God’s throne – in His arms. May this give you hope! UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING 21 st Century Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil Message to the original receiver

A P P L I C A T I O N 21 st Century The GPS COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Small Group Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

Please answer the following questions. 1. What (do you think) does this passage proclaim?What (do you 2. What are the implications of this proclamation for us in the 21 st century? 4. How do you think today’s study will help you in your journey?