Survey of Revelation

Part V (7:1 – 9:21)

December 30, 2007

Review - Assumptions

We must interpret the book within the context of Scripture

The symbols in one part of Scripture, particularly the OT, give us clues as to how to interpret symbols in the Book of Revelation

The WCF limits our understanding of eschatology

The Book of Revelation is structured by the covenants God has made with man

Review - Goals Gain an understanding of the overall

structure of Revelation Understand the purpose of Revelation

within the canon Become comfortable with the Book of

Revelation as devotional literature Gain a basic understanding of the different

eschatological schools of thought Learn to work with the symbols of the book

Symbols are Important

Symbols in Revelation

Symbols in Revelation

Review – Structure of the Book

Vision 1 The Church in Asia Minor (ch. 1-3) Vision 2 Seven Seals (ch. 4-7 ) Vision 3 Seven Trumpets (ch. 8-11) Vision 4 The Battle against Satan (ch. 12-14) Vision 5 Seven Bowls (ch. 15-16) Vision 6 The Downfall of Babylon (ch. 17-19) Vision 7 The New Heavens and New Earth (20-

22)

Review - Rev. 6: The First Six Seals In Rev. 6 the scene changes from the throne

room of God to the world where we see Him executing judgment on the world

The four horsemen (6:1-8) represent conquest, war, famine, and death

We then hear (6:9-11) from the martyrs who cry out for judgment on the wicked and we are reminded of many of the Psalms of David

Then (6:12-17) we read of the judgments against all of creation and against all men and are reminded of another OT theme where the creation responds to God’s wrath

God Protects Israel: 7:1-8

Before the judgments of the previous passage are visited on the world God seals and protects His church144,000 (12 X 12,000) are sealedAll believers are sealed, not just Jewish ones

List is interesting since Dan is excluded and Manasseh is included

The Great Multitude (7:9-17) This multitude came from every “nation, tribe, people,

and language” fulfilling the prophesy to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him (Gen 12:3) The 144,000 are the remnant of Israel but the

bringing of the Gentiles into the Church was always in Gods plan (Gal. 3:26-29)

The people are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation (v.14) – this fact is meant to comfort Christians of all ages

The picture here anticipates the final reward given to God’s people but there is still much more of the story left to tell

We have a model here for what our worship ought to look like

The Seventh Seal (8:1-5)

We expect the opening of the seventh seal to be dramatic but instead there is silence Perhaps this emphasizes the kind of silence that often

occurs when people are in God’s presence (Hab. 2:20, Zeph 1:7)

It is the prayers of the saints symbolized in the incense that breaks the silence and begins again the cycle of judgments on the enemies of the Lamb God pours out judgment in response to the worship of

His people before His throne Ps. 18:6-15

The Seven Trumpets (8:6-9:21) While the seven seals announce that calamity is about to

fall, the trumpets contain descriptions of the calamities themselves

The seven angels in Heaven and the seven angels of the churches of Asia are most likely one and the same indicating a connection between earthly and heavenly events

Trumpets are used: In ceremonies as in the march around Jericho (Josh 6) To proclaim the rule of a new king (I Kings 1:34, 39; Ps. 47:5) As a warning sign of approaching judgment (Is. 58:1, Jer. 4:5-8;

6:1, Ez. 33:1-6) In preparation for war (Num. 10:1-9) To commemorate feast days (Lev. 34:24-25; Num. 29:1-6)

The First Four Trumpets (8:7-13) The first trumpet (8:7) talks of hail and fire which brings

back memories of God’s judgment on the Egyptians (Ex. 9:23-24)

The second trumpet brings another calamity using a mountain as a metaphor that brings to mind thoughts of Matt. 21:21-22)

The third trumpet perhaps alludes to the bitter waters of Egypt in Ex. 7:21 and the fall of Babylon in Is. 14:12-15

The darkness of the fourth trumpet again reminds us of Egypt and is further underscored by an eagle who in the OT is used as a symbol of both God’s protection (Deut. 32:9-11 and judgment (Deut. 28:48; Jer. 4:13)

The Fifth Trumpet (9:1-12) We immediately think here of the eighth plague

on the Egyptians (Ex. 10:13-15) although this calamity is worse

The Abyss (bottomless pit) is the farthest extreme from Heaven in the Scriptures and is Satan’s domain (Rev. 20:1-3, Luke 8:31) So Hell is about to break loose on God’s enemies

God’s judgment falls on those who have not been sealed (7:3-8)

These hordes of Satanic fighters were meant to strike fear into the enemy as was their leader, Apollyon (the destroyer)

The Sixth Trumpet (9:13-21) The horns of the altar here refer to the purification of the

sins of God’s people in Lev. 4:13-21 assuring the people that God would hear their prayers

The Euphrates is that river which separates Israel from her northern pagan enemies (see Gen. 15:18-20)

The precise timing of this event (v.15) perhaps indicates that this is a specific event in history but likely it looks towards future judgments

The magnitude and ferocity (v. 16-19) of the carnage can be compared to God’s judgments on Israel recorded in Joel 1-2 Sulfur and snakes indicate the demonic nature of this force

Despite all of the death and suffering the men who survive still do not repent thus setting the stage for future judgments

Summary – What We Know So Far Revelation written to the churches of Asia which

are representative of God’s people throughout the world

Christ judges these churches praising them for faithfulness and reprimanding them for disobedience

In Rev. 4,5 we are given a glimpse into the throne room of God where the Lamb is given the power to proclaim judgment and God’s people praise Him for His great works All in Heaven: 24 elders All on Earth: 4 creatures

In Rev. 6 the Lamb visits the earth with judgment

Summary (Cont.) Also in Rev. 6 the martyrs cry out for justice In Rev. 7 God’s people are “sealed” and

protected against the judgment which is being visited on the earth

The righteous again praise the Lamb for his salvation

In Rev. 8 the final seal is broken and God’s people stand in silence

The trumpets In Rev. 8-9 which represent the execution of God’s judgment are now blown and God’s wrath is visited on the nations who have disobeyed Him