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Oct 20 - LIFE in the UPSIDE DOWN - Rev 15-18 - You Are Not the Judge

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Oct 20 - LIFE in the UPSIDE DOWN - Rev 15-18 - You Are Not the Judge Oct 20 - LIFE IN THE UPSIDE DOWN - Rev 15-18 - You are not the Judge Main Idea: The goodness and righteousness of God will find their ultimate expression in ​ God’s judgment of the wicked. God’s people will be vindicated as their oppressors and enemies meet a holy God who loves His church. Look Back (Reminder of what your challenge from last week) Last week you were challenged to complete an art project of Jesus the conqueror. Did anyone complete it? What did you experience during this exercise? Look Up (Wrestle with the passage itself) Read Revelation 15 together The Old Testament permeates all of Revelation 15-18, from the song of Moses and the presence of the tabernacle and temple (Rev 15) to the plagues of Egypt (Rev 16) and the destruction of Babylon the Harlot (Rev 16-18). A quick glance at the marginal references in most Bibles will show frequent parallels in Exodus, Isaiah, and especially Ezekiel . God's righteous judgment is finally at hand and His perfect righteousness will be displayed. Discussion Question: How are God's people described and what is the message of the song ​ they sing? What do we learn about God in this chapter? Read Revelation 16 together As we learn from the follow-up in Revelation 19:17-21, the "Battle ofArmageddon" is a "non-battle!" God's people suffer no casualties; rather, judgment is meted out upon God's enemies. Battle imagery in the Bible is often a metaphor for divine judgment as is the idea of "harvest" (Rev 14:17-20) as we see in Joel 3. Discussion Question: In the context of the mention of Armageddon, Jesus reminds the reader, ​ "Behold, I come like a thief!" (Rev 16:15) How does that fit in here? What judgment are we talking about? Discussion Question: How does the word "plagues" fit in here? Note parallel language with the ​ plagues of Egypt. Are future events being described literally or figuratively here? Summarize Revelation 17 & 18 There are many views regarding the Fall of Babylon in Revelation 16:19 and Revelation 17-18. The Great Harlot, called Babylon, reminds us of the harlot imagery in the Old Testament for idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to God. The destruction of the Harlot by the Beast and his forces in Revelation 17-18 has been viewed primarily in two ways. (1) The harlot Jerusalem (called the "great city" and "Sodom" and "Egypt" in Rev 11:8) is destroyed by Rome, the "beast", in AD 70. (2) The city of Rome, the Harlot once controlled by the "beast" (a demonic entity controlling certain world leaders?) is now destroyed by later forces controlled by the beast. Rome the Harlot is destroyed by Rome the Beast. This is a popular yet confusing view. The important point: God will bring about the destruction of this evil, anti-Christ entity. Some point to AD 476 and the destruction of Rome as the fulfillment. There is room to disagree here. Remember that Babylon the Great is called "Mystery" (Rev 17:5)! The view that Babylon here refers to the literal city in modern Iraq is the least likely approach. Revelation 19 makes clear that the Beast who destroys the Harlot will in turn be destroyed by Christ when He returns. The saints will cry "Hallelujah!" (Rev 19:1). Look Forward (Challenge to do something with it) ​ Discussion Question: How can the believer find comfort from a decidedly controversial and ​ conflict-filled part of Revelation? Challenge: Within this tumultuous description of God's dealings with the unrighteous is a call to ​ purity and faithfulness. Consider concrete ways in which you can answer that call this week. How can the lure of compromise with the world be overcome in the context of your daily walk with the Lord? .
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