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The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

WELCOME TO THE DRAMA OF REVELATION

A Study of The SESSION X – 03/28/17

THIS WEEK’S CLASS - 16 • Session 1 – Introduction and • Session 5 – The Process: Seven Background to Revelation Seals and (Ch. 9 – 11) • Session 2 – The Prologue • Session 6 & 7 – Seven Key Figures (Chapter 1): Vision of the Coming in the End-Times Drama King • Session 8 – Plagues: • Session 3 – The Proclamation of Final Judgements (Chapters 14 (Chapters 2 & 3): Letters to the – 16) Seven Churches • Session 9 and 10 – Plagues: Seven Bowls of Final • Session 4 – The Problem Judgements (Chapters 17 – 20) (Chapters 4 & 5): Seven-Sealed • Session 11 – Seven New Things Scroll (Chapters 21-22)

1 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE GREAT HARLOT AND THE SCARLET BEAST CHAPTER 17

The great harlot who rides a scarlet beast appears. She is called “Babylon the great.” But the details of her description clearly indicate she represents the city on “seven mountains” – that great city that “reigns over the kings of the earth.”

Together, – 18 describe the fall of “Babylon” in detail.

THE FALL OF BABYLON CHAPTER 18

The final aspects of the fall of Babylon are given in detail. The great commercial center of the global economy is destroyed and burned up in “one hour.” Sailors and merchants mourn over the “smoke of her burning.” But the revelator announces: “Rejoice over her!” Babylon falls that the may come.

2 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE FALL OF BABYLON

• As John the apostle stood on the precipice of eternity, he foresaw the final collapse of all that we call Western civilization.

• As apocalyptic “Babylon” burned beyond recognition, its commerce, business, merchandise, and entertainment industries went up in smoke.

• “Babylon” would again become a desolate and uninhabited place – a “dwelling place for demons” (18:2). And all of this would occur in “one hour” (18:10, 17, 19)!

THE GLOBAL ENTERPRISE

• John pictures the kingdom of the as a place where the “merchants” of earth grow rich and where the people live in prosperity. Yet, they shall all weep one day because her merchandise will one day disappear (v. 12-14). • While sailors and merchants weep over Babylon’s destruction, heaven rejoices (v. 20). They are reluctant to land on her shores (v. 17). • The corporate centers of business and power will collapse. • Even the musicians and craftsmen will be silenced (v. 22).

• Death stalks the city! Life has been virtually exterminated.

3 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE TWO COMMANDS

• Two commands are given to the true people of God in light of Babylon’s fall: “Come out of her” and “Rejoice over her.” • First, they are told not to partake of her sins lest they also partake in her plagues (v. 4). • Second, they are told to rejoice over her demise because “God has pronounced judgment for you against her” (v. 20)

• God has no mercy for this evil system that has always persecuted true believers. He shows no mercy and spares no unrepentant soul.

THE TWO COMMANDS

• Today, “Babylon” still tugs at the flesh of every human being. ’s lure of materialism, prosperity, human comforts, and the pursuit of pleasure are constant.

• God’s commands are clear. • “Come out of her” (v. 4). We must separate ourselves from the allurements of Satan and do not partake of her sins. • “Rejoice over her” (v. 20). Rejoice, not sorrow, over the judgments and destruction of the materialistic system. Its merchandise is that of fools. It cannot bring lasting joy or peace. It will sink to the ocean like a giant millstone and be forgotten (v. 21).

4 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

TRIUMPHAL RETURN OF CHRIST CHAPTER 19

This is one of the greatest chapters in the entire ! It deals with three of the most important events in our lives: 1) the marriage supper of the Lamb; 2) the return of Christ with His Church, and; 3) the final triumph over the Antichrist and the . The climax of the entire Revelation is reached in this dramatic and exciting chapter in which Christ returns as the King of kings.

TRIUMPHAL RETURN OF CHRIST

• is probably the most dramatic chapter in the entire Bible. It is the final capstone to the death and resurrection of Christ.

• In this chapter, the living Savior returns to earth to crush all satanic opposition to the truth. He establishes His kingdom on earth in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and of His own promise to return.

• As looked down the corridor of time to the end of the present age, He warned of a time of that would come upon the whole world (:3-30).

• The return of Christ is a two-fold event. It marks both the final defeat of the Antichrist and the final triumph of Christ.

5 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE PROMISE OF HIS RETURN

• Jesus promised His disciples in the upper room that He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them (John 14:3).

• Even though the early disciples eventually died, the Bible promised that the dead in Christ will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (1 Cor. 15:51-52).

• The Apostle Paul reiterated this same hope in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17.

THE PROMISE OF HIS RETURN

• When Revelation 19 opens, the Church is already in heaven with Christ at the marriage supper. The has already occurred. Jesus is depicted as the groom and the Church as the Bride.

• The marriage supper celebrates their union after the Rapture and before their return to earth.

• The Church is not mentioned during the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments because the Church is not here during the outpouring of these judgments. The Rapture occurred before the events in Revelation 19.

6 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE NATURE OF CHRIST’S RETURN

• Jesus not only promised to return for His Church, but He also promised to return to judge the world and to establish His kingdom on earth.

• When Christ returns, He will return • Literally and visibly (Rev. 1:7) • Suddenly and dramatically (Matt. 24:27; 1 Thess. 5:7) • He will come with all His angels (Matt. 13:39-40) • In triumph and victory (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 19:19-21)

HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!

• Chapter 19 opens with a heavenly chorus, a “great multitude” singing the praises of God (v. 1). The heavenly choir rejoices with praise because justice has finally been served (v. 2).

• The praise chorus breaks into a fourfold hallelujah (v. 1-6). This is the only place in the where hallelujah occurs.

7 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE TRIUMPHAL RETURN

• In Revelation 19:11-16, all the hopes and dreams of every believer are finally and fully realized.

• The rejected Savior returns in triumph as the rightful King of all the world – and we are with Him.

• This passage is the final phase of the seventh bowl of judgment begun in 16:17-21, moving through the details of 17:1 – 18:24 and on to Chapter 19.

THE TRIUMPHAL RETURN – REV. 19:11-16 • His character: faithful and • His clothing: robe dipped true in blood • His commission: judges • His confirmation: called and wages war The Word of God • His clarity: eyes are a • His communication: sword flame of fire of His mouth • His coronation: many • His command: rod of iron diadems upon His head • His celebration: King of • His code: secret name kings

8 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE TRIUMPHAL RETURN – REV. 19:11-16

• The destiny of the true believer is now fully clarified. Our future hope includes: • Rapture: We go up to heaven • Return: We come back to earth • Reign: In the Millennium, we reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4)

THE LAST BATTLE • Chapter 19 ends with the final triumph of Christ over the Antichrist, presumably at or after the Battle of (v. 17-21).

• The chapter concludes all that has been happening since the first mention of Armageddon in Rev. 16:16.

• Christ returns with His Church and wins the battle by the power of His spoken word, the sword of “His mouth” (Rev. 19:21). He speaks, and the battle is over!

9 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE LAST BATTLE • The chapter ends with (Antichrist) and the False Prophet defeated. Both are cast alive into the .

• The fact that the beast and the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire, and that they are still there in 20:10, indicates that this is a place of eternal, conscious punishment.

• The rest of the rebel army is slain, but they are not condemned to the lake of fire until the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM CHAPTER 20 In a series of incredible events, Satan is bound for one thousand years while Christ, the Bride, and the Tribulation martyrs rule on earth. Then, in one last great surprise, Satan is loosed after the Millennium and makes one final attempt to overthrow the work of God. This time his is cast into the lake of fire. Then the lost of all time stand before Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment.

10 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM • The primary meaning of the New Testament word for kingdom, basileia, is “reign” rather than “realm” or “people”.

• In the general linguistic usage, basileia, designates first all of the existence, the character, the position of the King.

• There can be no true kingdom without a king. God has always chosen human representatives to mediate His kingdom on earth. The rule of God through such mediators is called a “theocratic” kingdom.

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM

• In this way, kingdom is defined as “the rule of God through a divinely chosen representative who speaks and acts for God.”

• The kingdom of God has always existed and it will always exist. It is the soverign rule of God from eternity past to eternity future.

• It has been mediated on earth through the dominion of man over the creation and through the divine institution of human government.

11 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM

• In relation to the nation of Israel, the kingdom of God was to be administered by divinely appointed kings in the Davidic line (the line of the ). But only with the coming of the Messiah will the hopes and dreams of a kingdom of God on earth be fully realized.

• The messianic kingdom on earth is a vindication of God’s creative activity. The triumph of God over the satanic dominion of this planet is necessary for the glory of God.

THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM

• If there were no , if God simply picked up the redeemed remnant and took them off to heaven, then we would have to conclude that God was unable to complete what He began.

• The term millennium comes from the Latin words mille (thousand) and annus (year). Thus it refers to the thousand- year reign of Christ.

12 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE MESSIANIC AGE • The Old Testament prophets foretold a golden era of peace and prosperity when the Messiah would rule on earth. (see Isaiah 2:2- 4).

• During the Church Age, the kingdom of God is “in our midst” (Luke 17:21). Jesus said it does not come with “signs to be observed” (Luke 17:20). We become citizens of that kingdom by faith in Jesus Christ as our King. Thus our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

• In the meantime, we are Christ’s ambassadors on earth, commissioned to proclaim the gospel to all nations.

THE BINDING OF SATAN

• opens with an angel descending from heaven with the key to the “abyss” (bottomless pit). He is also described as carrying a “great chain” by which he bound Satan for “a thousand years” (20:2). Then the angel casts him into the abyss and seals it shut for that duration of time.

• The purpose for the confinement is not punishment. It is to prevent him from deceiving the nations, to completely cease his influence on earth.

13 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

RULING WITH CHRIST ON EARTH

• The essential element of the idea of the Millennium is the appearing of the kingdom of the Messiah in history.

• Chapter 19 provides a transition from the fall of “Babylon” (city of man) to the arrival of the New Jerusalem (city of God).

• While there is not much detail of the millennial reign in this chapter, it is important to know that we will rule with Christ on earth – a promise He introduced earlier in Chapter 5, v. 10.

RULING WITH CHRIST ON EARTH

• John foresees the Tribulation martyrs ruling with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom.

• The martyrs are described as those who “had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark (20:4).

• The unsaved dead remain dead for the entire thousand years. But the martyrs are resurrected to rule with Christ during the Millennial Kingdom.

14 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

RULING WITH CHRIST ON EARTH

• This privilege is the reward for their faithfulness to Christ in the face of unprecedented persecution.

• During this time, the damage of the Tribulation period will be reversed, and the earth will prosper under the personal reign of Christ on the throne of David (see Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 9:6-7).

• Without such a rule, the return of Christ would be only a “walk among the ruins” after the Battle of Armageddon.

RULING WITH CHRIST ON EARTH

• The Bride (Church) has returned from heaven with Christ in Chapter 19. Now, the “Tribulation saints” (believers) are resurrected to rule with them. This is called the “first resurrection” (20:5) to distinguish it from the second resurrection in which the dead are brought to judgment after the thousand years (20:11-15).

Saved Unsaved Born twice (physically and Born once (physically) spiritually) Die once (physically) Die twice (physically and spiritually) Live forever Die forever

15 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE FINAL REVOLT • In one of the great surprises of the apocalyptic drama, Satan is loosed from the abyss after the Millennium (20:7-8).

• Several things are apparent in this account: • Some nations survive the Tribulation period and live into the Millennium. • Children continue to be born to the people of earth during the Millennium. • Christ will rule during the Millennium with a rod of iron. • Mankind will rebel against Christ despite the blessings of the Millennium.

THE FINAL REVOLT

• The final revolt is the ultimate proof of human depravity. Unredeemed minds will tolerate Christ’s rule, but they will not bow their hearts to Him.

• As soon as Satan is loosed, they will rebel against the rule of God. Even though Edenic conditions have been restored to earth, mankind will once again fall prey to the deceiver.

• While we may be shocked by this revolt, we must remember two things have not changed about human existence: • Unrepentant Satan • Unregenerate mankind

16 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

THE FINAL REVOLT • The final battle involves “God and Magog” (20:8). This final act of rebellion is squelched by fire that comes down from God out of heaven.

• The idea expressed in the Revelation is that the unrepentant and unredeemed nations have been deceived into thinking they can attack Christ and the saints successfully.

• The greatest tragedy of all, however is that they will reject the Savior who has ruled in person for a thousand years.

THE FINAL REVOLT

• Satan is finally cast into the lake of fire, from which there is no escape or release (v. 10).

• The beast and the False Prophet have already been there one thousand years, being tormented day and night.

• They are condemned forever with no hope of escape or release. That is why consignment there is called the “.”

17 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

• John sees a “great white throne.” This is the judgment throne, not the royal throne.

• Heaven (atmosphere) and earth (planet) “fled away,” and “no place was found for them” (20:11). This will pave the way for the “new heavens” and “new earth.”

• The earth and its atmosphere are dissolved, and the Great White Throne Judgment takes place in space in eternity.

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

• This final judgment takes place after the Millennium. It unvolves all the unsaved dead of all time (“the great and the small”).

• This is not judgment of believers, but of unbelievers. This judgment results in the condemnation of all who appear there.

• God the Father is the Judge on this occasion. Christ has judged the believers; now the Father judges the unbelievers.

18 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT • Written records of all deeds of all men are kept in books (“scrolls”). These accounts testify agains all men that they have sinned (Daniel 7:10; Isaiah 65:6; Malachi 3:16).

• These books of human deeds are only for the purpose of condemnation. These registers of deeds testify against our sins and us. They are not for salvation by works (Eph. 2:8-10).

• The only hope for salvation is in another register – a list of names. It is the that settles the eternal destiny of all men.

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

• All who are condemned are consigned to the lake of fire. No one escapes!

• Both death and are pictured as though they were the city jail, whereas the lake of fire is the penitentiary.

• Unsaved people go to hell when they die (Luke 16:19-24). But hell is not the end. It is only the holding place while they await final trial at the Great White Throne Judgment.

19 The Drama of Revelation ‐ Session 10 3/28/2017

GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT

• Banishment from the presence of God will be the final result of this judgment. Consignment to the lake of fire will be forever.

• God has gone out of His way to give mankind every possible chance to repent, but this last act of rebellion after one thousand years of blessing will mark the end of His patience.

• All who have rejected Christ as Lord will be condemned to the lake of fire.

NEXT WEEK’S CLASS - 22 • Session 1 – Introduction and • Session 5 – The Process: Seven Background to Revelation Seals and Seven Trumpets (Ch. 9 – 11) • Session 2 – The Prologue • Session 6 & 7 – Seven Key Figures (Chapter 1): Vision of the Coming in the End-Times Drama King • Session 8 – Plagues: Seven Bowls • Session 3 – The Proclamation of Final Judgements (Chapters 14 (Chapters 2 & 3): Letters to the – 16) Seven Churches • Session 9 and 10 – Plagues: Seven Bowls of Final Judgements • Session 4 – The Problem (Chapters 17 – 20) (Chapters 4 & 5): Seven-Sealed • Session 11 – Seven New Things Scroll (Chapters 21-22)

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