revelationlesson3

The opening of the scroll gave access to three graphic word pictures. These present vivid descriptions of the troubles coming upon the earth and its people. Three stages are shown in the breaking open of seven seals, the sounding of seven trumpets, and the emptying of seven shallow bowls.

The troubles revealed in each of the pictures are similar but in each the intensity of the judgements increases. In between the unveiling of each picture the presenter pauses. What he draws attention to during those pauses is noted in Lesson 4.

The scroll has seven sealed sections. The contents are revealed as Christ breaks open each seal. As each segment is opened the scroll unrolls before John as a video would today.

As the first seals are broken John sees four horses thundering across the landscape.

This rider is an imposter. He represents the deceptive religious systems of the world and their teachers. (Matthew 24:11, 1 John 4:1-3, Acts 20:28-30)

He also represents the many false christs who appear in every age. And finally he pictures the one who will try to rule the world in place of God—the Antichrist himself. (cf. Matthew 24:23-26, 1 John 2:18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Daniel 11:21-24, 36)

It is not the Lord who deceives. (Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Hebrews 6:18) It is people who deceive. (Jeremiah 17:9-10). Satan is the source of all deception. (John 8:44)

As hostilities cease for awhile in one area, fighting breaks out in another. The arms race gathers speed as the war horse gallops across the land. (Matthew 24:6)

God cannot be blamed. Wars between nations, in communities, and within families, all overflow from the wars going on deep in people’s hearts. (James 4:1-3)

The balance of power in the world is in the hands of the world’s economists. (vs. 5)

It is a time of the diminishing purchasing power of people’s wages—working longer hours for more money which buys less and less. (vs. 6a)

Famine exists alongside luxury. The rich get richer, and the poor poorer, as the ‘olive oil and wine’ remain untouched. (vs. 6b)

Death and the grave follow hard on the heels of war and famine. (vs. 8) The death horse tramples underfoot a quarter of the world’s population. Death resulting from the disease of AIDS alone is already approaching this figure in some countries.

A further cause of death is mentioned—wild animals. The death horse and its rider may be seen as stirring up a proliferation of wild beasts which torment and devour. (cf. Leviticus 26:21-26, Ezekiel 14:21)

The ‘wild animals’ may also be understood as symbolizing powerful but evil rulers—the type who send their armed forces into combat with a complete disregard for human life. They ride arrogantly over the human landscape.

Above the thunderous noise of galloping horses another sound is heard. It is a loud cry for justice from those who have died for their faith. (vs. 9-10) Jesus warned of this possibility for those who followed him. (Matthew 24:9-13)

Justice will come but not just yet. It is on hold while people are still turning to the Lord and going on to serve him even as tribulation increases around them. (vs. 11)

In their glorified bodies they wear the white robe of Christ’s righteousness. (vs. 11) This is the ‘clothing of salvation’ and the ‘robe of righteousness’ which Isaiah spoke of. (Isaiah 61:10, cf. Isaiah 64:6) They have been ‘declared righteous because of their faith.’ (Romans 4:4)

This is why they are metaphorically referred to as being ‘under the altar.’ (vs. 9) Their sins are forgiven because of Christ’s sacrificial death. They have taken refuge, as it were, beneath his cross.

The purpose of these catastrophic happenings on earth and in the heavens is to alert people to the always imminent return of Christ. Judgment day is fast approaching.

This ‘great earthquake’ (vs. 12) follows the many that have been occurring all over the world, just as Jesus predicted. (Matthew 24:7)

Unusual disturbances in the heavens affect the sun and the moon, and produce increased meteorite and asteroid activity. (vs. 12-13)

The sky is rolled up. (vs. 14) We can only guess at what may be revealed behind it. A full revelation of the glory of God? (Put this verses alongside Psalm 19:1-4)

Mountains and islands are shaken out of their positions as these cataclysmic events occur. (vs. 14)

Those who all their lives have neglected God’s offer of salvation in Christ are now terrified and confused. (vs. 15-16)

They acknowledge creator God as ruler over all, and Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb offered for the forgiveness of sins. But, like our first ancestors, they find themselves morally and spiritually naked before the Lord. (Genesis 3:10) They want only to hide in the mountains, hoping somehow to escape the judgment that is about to fall.

What a tragedy—when people look for refuge in that which is crumbling around them!

The events John saw in this heavenly visual presentation are also described by the prophets of old and by Jesus. (Isaiah 13:9-14, 34:1-4, Joel 2:30-31, Matthew 24:28-29, Luke 21:7-11, 25-28)

Those who survive the day of judgment are those who are trusting in Christ for their salvation—those who have accepted Christ’s death as being on their behalf. (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 9:24-28) Judgment for the believer has already taken place. It was taken by Christ on our behalf. But for the unbeliever, judgment is yet to come.

An expectant hush descends over heaven’s occupants as seven of God’s senior administrators lift up their trumpets to herald the announcement of further warnings of what is to come. (vs. 2)

These seven may well include the four we have already met. (Revelation 4:6) One could have been Gabriel. (cf. Daniel 8:16, 9:21-22, Luke 1:19, 26) Another may have been Michael. (cf. Daniel 10:13, 12:1, Jude vs. 9, Revelation 12:7)

In a symbolic use of incense, another of God’s senior administrators merges the prayers of the martyrs with those of God’s people of all ages. (vs. 3-4, cf. Revelation 6:10-11)

More disturbances in the heavens and on earth warn that the justice prayed for is to be delayed no longer. (vs. 5)

The first five trumpets announce an increase in the intensity of the physical disturbances which have been occurring in the heavens and on earth. The sixth heralds the intensifying of people’s personal discomfort.

This increase in intensity is like that of the judgments which fell on ancient Egypt. (Exodus 7-12)

A miniature picture of this scene was drawn by the Iraqis when they set oil wells on fire during the Gulf War. And also in the seventh of the Egyptian judgments. (Exodus 9:17-26)

As wild fires destroy trees and grasses, the world’s oxygen supply and the fodder of grazing animals is drastically reduced.

As something like a massive meteorite or asteroid hurtles into the sea, the teeming food resources of the sea become limited.

Large Quantities Of The World’s Drinking Water Becomes Unfit For Drinking: (8:10-11)

Rivers, reservoirs, and underground water supplies are affected, as another of those ‘terrifying things and great miraculous signs in heaven’ predicted by Jesus, poisons the water supply in many places. (Luke 21:11) Widespread death is the result.

Jesus spoke of something like this happening prior to his return to planet earth. (Luke 21:25-28)

Because light is a source of energy, the world’s energy resources become limited as a consequence of the reduced lighting.

The warning cry of a majestic eagle catches the world’s attention as its flight is anxiously watched on television screens around the world.

Like a mighty eagle in full flight, so moves the judgment of God, ever widening in its scope and intensity.

The fallen star is symbolic of Satan. (vs. 1. cf. Isaiah 14:12-13, Ezekiel 28:14-16, Luke 10:18)

Satan has the key to a horrible place, feared even by evil spirits. (vs. 1, cf. Luke 8:31)

He opens the narrow entrance to the abyss, releasing onto the earth, in clouds of smoke, what appears to be hoards of hungry locusts. (vs. 2-3)

They do not devour the grasses and plants like the locusts of the Egyptian judgments. They swarm instead around people. People who belong to the Lord, as indicated by the seal of the Holy Spirit on their lives (Ephesians 1:13-14) are not affected. (vs. 4, cf. Exodus 10:3-6)

Those who do not know the Lord will long only for death as they are tormented for five long months. (vs. 6)

What John sees in this visual presentation is a huge army of evil spirits. They are created beings who, like Satan himself, fell into the sin of rebellion and were cast out of heaven. They have been held in check until now. The Lord now allows Satan to release these demonic spirits from the pit.

They not only have the mobility of locusts but also the strength of horses. They have the authority of kings and some human characteristics. They tear and devour with the ferocity of lions. Like the powerful armed forces of humankind, they have the power to inflict terrible suffering on the earth. (vs. 7-10, cf. Jude vs. 6, 2 Peter 2:4, 9)

Their leader is one of Satan’s leading generals. His name is Apollyon, meaning ‘the destroyer’. (vs. 11)

The voice John hears is that of the Lord Jesus Christ—the Lamb. (vs. 13, cf. Revelation 5:6-7)

The execution of justice is in his hands. He controls the release of God’s judgments as their intensity increases. (vs. 13-14, cf. John 5:22, 25-30)

Four of Satan’s senior executives are released. They head an army of demon forces based in the region of Euphrates river system. (vs. 14-16) The kingdom of Babylon began its expansion in this area. (Genesis 10:8-12) The anti-God system it created is now world-wide.

These demon filled armed forces spread death and destruction across the world. Millions of people die as disaster follows disaster along their killing trail.

Life has become ‘like hell on earth.’ (vs. 17-19) This world-wide judgment is pictured in the local judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah many centuries before. (Genesis 19:24-25)

People continue to turn to astronomy and the occult for guidance rather than to the Lord. (vs. 20, cf. Isaiah 8:19-22)

They hold tightly to the prevailing world views and value systems. Society remains in the grip of lawlessness. (vs. 21, cf. Galatians 5:19-21)

The Greek word translated ‘witchcraft’ is φαρμακεια (pharmakeia) from which we get our English word pharmacy. Its literal meaning is ‘the use of drugs’. Henry Morris,[1] makes this comment:

“Stupefying and hallucinatory drugs have been associated with sorcery and witchcraft for ages …they divested their users of the control of their own minds, making them easily available for possession and control by evil spirits …

It is not surprising that the tremendous upsurge of drug use in recent years has been accompanied by a rise in occultism—astrology, witchcraft, spiritism, transcendental meditation yoga and various Eastern and African religions …

During the awful days of the tribulation, the breakdown of law and order will mean that there will be no more restraints on drug use …

The merchants of the earth will gladly cooperate because of the great profits involved.”

The seventh trumpet sounds to announce the final outpouring of God’s wrath. But before the first bowl of God’s wrath is upturned there is a pause. (vs. 15-16)

Songs of praise burst forth as all of heaven senses that the time has come for the Lord to assert his role as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

God’s senior administrators lead the chorus as by faith they anticipate the coming of the Lord as if it was already here. (vs. 17-18)

      -   he will put the rampaging nations in their place (cf. Psalm 2:1-9)
      -   judge all people of all time (cf. Matthew 25:31-46
      -   reward his servants (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:8, 12-15, Psalm 58:11)
      -   hand out a just punishment to those who have wrought destruction on the earth (cf. Hebrews
             10:26-31)

The Ark of the covenant is the symbol of God’s presence with his people. (Exodus 25:10-22)

It disappeared when the people of Israel were taken captive to Babylon. (2 Chronicles 36:17-21)

It is now clear that, like Enoch, (Genesis 5:22-24, Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah, (2 Kings 2:11) the ark was taken directly into heaven. It has resided ever since in the heavenly tabernacle which the author of Hebrews talks about. (Hebrews 8:1-2, 9:23-26, 10:19-20)

This is the temple which later becomes one with the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:1-4) The temple itself is no longer needed because ‘the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.’ (Revelation 21:22) The Lord’s presence is now with his people for ever. The symbol has served its purpose.

John is shown what he can only describe as “another great and marvelous sign.” (15:1) He sees a picture of seven bowls being emptied of their contents. These are the final judgments to fall upon the world.

Further disturbances in the heavens and on earth announce that the coming of the Lord is near.

Before that moment is realized however, tribulation will reach its peak. Seven of God’s senior messengers have received details of the final series of judgments. Seven bowls of God’s wrath wait to be emptied. (vs. 1)

The Greek word translated ‘plague’ is πληγη (plēgē) meaning ‘a blow’ or ‘a wound’. The final blow against evil is to be struck.

The over comers—those who have been redeemed by the Lord—add their songs of praise to God’s 24 senior administrators as they too anticipate the coming of the King of Kings. (vs. 2-4) They sing …

- of the acknowledgement of his righteousness by the nations. (vs. 4, cf. Isaiah 66:18, Psalm 22:27-28)

All who accept Christ’s death as being on their behalf, may enter in to the very presence of the Lord. (Matthew 27:50-51, Hebrews 4:14-16, 9:11-14, 10:18-22) The sanctuary is also open in readiness for the last judgments to be poured out.

The seven senior messengers of the Lord step forward. (vs. 6-7) They are handed the bowls from which the judgments are to flow.

Their clothing is like that of Christ himself. (vs. 6, cf. Revelation 1:13, Daniel 10:5) The clean shining linen generates for us a picture of God’s holiness. The judgments of the Lord are righteous and just. (Psalm 97:1-4) His holiness and sense of justice require sin to be met with judgment. (Jeremiah 25:15-38)

The glory of the Lord overshadows everything else in the heavenly sanctuary just as it did when the ark of the covenant was placed in the temple on earth. (vs. 8, 1 Kings 8:1-10, cf. Psalm 97:5-6, Isaiah 6:3-4)

The people affected are the followers of the evil world ruler who now reigns ‘over every tribe, people, language, and nation.’ (Revelation 13:7) His followers carry identification to show that they have chosen to acknowledge his rule over them. (Revelation 13:15-18)

Those whose names are ‘written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb’ are not touched. (Revelation 13:8)

The second messenger sets off chemical reactions in the sea turning the oceans of the world into blood like the blood of a dead person.

As the sea waters die, no marine life can survive for the waters have lost their life sustaining properties. (Refer to Leviticus 17:14a)

With only toxic fluids to drink (cf. vs. 6) people’s suffering intensifies as never before.

The scale of these two judgments far exceeds anything experienced at any time in history. (cf. Exodus 7:14-24, Revelation 8:8-11)

The heavenly superintendent with oversight of the hydrologic cycle of evaporation and precipitation acknowledges God’s justice in ordering the judgments falling on the waters. (vs. 5)

Those who have rebelled against the Lord and killed his people are being repaid in kind. (vs. 6, cf. Numbers 35:30-34)

A slight repositioning of the sun, bringing it just a fraction closer to the earth, would have the effect spoken of here. People suffer in the scorching heat of both day and night.

The increased intensity of the sun’s rays adds to the solar radiation already caused by the deterioration of the Ozone layer due to the greenhouse effect. (cf. Malachi 4:1, Isaiah 24:6, 30:26-29)

The tribulation engulfing the world has so far failed to deter the world ruler. Morris[2] writes, “… safe behind powerful armies and impregnable walls, the beast and his prophet continue to direct their global campaign of enslavement and consolidation.”

But now the Kingdom of God strikes back as darkness spread across the countries influenced by this evil ruler. He will become known for what he is. (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)

To consolidate his world wide rule, the ruler symbolized by the figure of the beast, must capture Jerusalem and make it his world wide capital.

The River Euphrates dries up, removing the ancient boundary between the east and the west. (vs. 12)

Armed forces of eastern countries meet up with those of the rest of the world at Megiddo (Armageddon) about one hundred kilometers north of Jerusalem. From here the combined military might of the countries of the world prepare to take the city Jerusalem.

The armies are under the three fold direction of Satan, the Anti-Christ, and the leader of the false prophets of the world. They surround the city thinking that nothing can prevent its fall. (vs. 13-16)

But wait! THE KING IS COMING. ‘And the LORD will be king over all the earth.’ (vs. 15, Zechariah 14:1-9, Acts 1:11-12)

Babylon represents and is the source of the anti-God systems that by now operate throughout the world. Judgment now strikes at the heart of these systems. The ages long conflict between the way of the Lord as represented in Jerusalem and the way of the world originating with Babylon is now coming to its conclusion as atmospheric forces are unleashed in the heavens, and tectonic movements create havoc on the surface of the earth and in the seas. (cf. Matthew 24:29-31)

And still, even with this last opportunity, people curse God and refuse to repent.

The cry “It is done!” is heard for a second time. First at the moment of Christ’s sacrificial death when he provided the way for the forgiveness of sins and now as the judgments draw towards their end. (vs. 17, cf. John 19:30, Hebrews 9:27-28)

[1] Morris, Henry M. THE REVELATION RECORD. Illinois: Tyndale House. 1986. p. 174.

[2] Morris, ibid: p. 305.