1. Making sense of Revelation Making sense of the World

2. John is given Revelation by Jesus 7 Letters for 7 Churches Prophetic revelations from Jesus which are for the guidance of the Church through time – to encourage, to strengthen and prepare us for what is to happen as Jesus wins victory!

3. Revelation is a Prophetic book

4. Revelation has to be understood as a prophetic book

5. We turn abstract into concrete!

6. We end up thinking this!

7. And lose sight of this!

8. War in Heaven Revelation 12 77Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9The great dragon was hurled down— that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.89

9. War in Heaven

10. 1010Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 1111They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 1212Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

11. Here is our victory! 1111They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

12. Our victory is in the cross and resurrection of Jesus; our weapons are our steadfast faith in His victory, our testimony of Him in our lives, and our sure and certain hope for eternity lived with Him

13. We’re in a war – that’s been won! You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come … Matt 24:6 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms … Ephesians 6:12

14. Our armour for the fight! Belt of TRUTH Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the GOSPEL OF PEACE Shield of FAITH (to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one) Helmet of SALVATION Sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD Ephesians 6:10-17 NOTE: OUR ONLY WEAPON IS THE WORD OF GOD

16. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

17. War won – but skirmishes continue Jesus’ teaching on engaging with the “forces of darkness” is radical – countercultural – counter-intuitive –not what His followers expect, not what we would expect. It is deceptively simple. And it is uncompromising, challenging and radical. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matt 5 38-42

18. The call to Jesus’ followers? Put on your armour Always be ready Expect opposition Have faith that the battle is won Know that no weapon formed against you shall prosper! Use the Word of God as your weapon

19. By all means read, study and enjoy Revelation But root it in the Gospel, for it is the Gospel that is “… the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes …” Romans 1:16

20. Things to think about! Do you always “turn the other cheek”? Should you? Do you feel blessed then people hurt you? Do you put on the “full armour of God” every day? Which is better – justice, or mercy? Are there grudges you bear for past wrongs?