If Jesus Were to Come on Thanksgiving Day (a sermon) November 8, 2009
Posted by roberttalley in Eschatology, Luke, Martin Luther, Materialism, Messiah, Millenial Kingdom, Religion, Sermons, Thanksgiving.add a comment
If Jesus Comes on Thanksgiving Day…
Luke 18:1-30
In Luke 17:20, Jesus is asked when the kingdom of God would come. He makes the point that the coming of the kingdom of God is more than simply the date on which the Messiah will establish His throne in Jerusalem. He says, “…the kingdom of God is within you” (verse 21).
This does not mean that there is not a specific day when Jesus will return to this earth to rule this earth. The Scriptures teach that there is such a day. Look at Luke 17:24-25. Jesus clearly looked forward to a day when He would set up His kingdom on this earth although first He must be rejected and crucified.
As he continues to teach on what we call the Second Coming of Christ, He makes a statement in Luke 18:8, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” This is what we call a rhetorical question. Jesus is not trying to find out the answer but rather is telling His listeners, that when He returns to this earth to set up the kingdom, He will find a world without faith. It is true that there will be a few saved people on this earth scattered among the nations and that much of what is left of the nation of Israel will at that time accept Christ as Messiah but for the most part, the world will be without faith in Christ.
What is interesting is that Jesus describes for us some of the people on the earth who will be without faith. It is not at all what we might expect. In fact, some of those people will be religious people, people who thank God for the blessings of their life. As we approach the Thanksgiving season, we need to realize that if Jesus Christ comes on Thanksgiving Day, He will find many people around the table, thankful to God for His blessings but without true faith. Put another way…
…He will find the self-righteous saying grace.
a. They will have the trappings of righteousness but not the reality (verses 11-12). They will be like this Pharisee. They will thank God for being born in America and not in some poverty-stricken, heathen nation. They will thank God for who they are but will not recognize their own spiritual poverty because they have the trappings of righteousness. They will be evangelicals and Mormons and Catholics and Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses who are convinced that they are doing all the right things. In their heart they will exalt themselves. After all, they do right. They are not extortioners or unjust or adulterers. They sacrifice and give regularly to the church and to charitable organizations. They serve the poor on Thanksgiving Day. In their heart, they are convinced that they are pretty good but if Jesus comes on Thanksgiving Day, He will find no faith in them.
b. Why? Because real righteousness is found in a faith that produces a humble plea for mercy (verses 13-14).
For years, Martin Luther recognized his need of salvation but Martin Luther did not understand God’s provision to meet his need. Luther punished himself physically and spiritually in his attempt to earn eternal life. Years after he understood that salvation is by grace through faith in the crucified and resurrected Christ alone, Luther wrote these words:
In devil’s dungeon chained I lay the pangs of death swept o’er me.
My sin devoured me night and day in which my mother bore me.
My anguish ever grew more rife,
I took no pleasure in my life and sin had made me crazy.
Then was the Father troubled sore to see me ever languish.
The everlasting Pity swore to save me from my anguish.
Luther knew he had a great spiritual need. He realized eventually from God’s Word that climbing the spiritual steps of works and ritual do nothing for the soul. Luther quit climbing those steps and started trusting Christ.
Not only would Christ on Thanksgiving Day find the self-righteous saying grace but He will find the self-sufficient exalting themselves (verses 14-17).
a. The point of Jesus inviting the little children to come to Him is not that Jesus loves little children, although, He certainly does. The point of the incident is explained for us in verse 17. No man will be able to enter the kingdom on his own (verse 17). Those who feel themselves self-sufficient will not have faith in Christ when He comes.
b. Real righteousness is found in faith that is totally dependent on God (verses 15-16). Our text in verse 15 says infants. Someone suggested that toddlers might also be pictured her because Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me…” Now what is Jesus trying to say about faith? He is not saying that faith can exist without knowledge, that you need to be as ignorant as a baby, in order to be saved; but rather that you need to be as spiritually dependent as an infant in order to be saved. Those who depend on anything or anyone other than or in addition to Christ for salvation will not be saved.
Recently, we had Kim Hecht with us and she was asked about those in Croatia who were a part of a religious organization that is not evangelical but does believe that Jesus is God and the Savior of humankind. I appreciated her answer. Even though those people have great interest in the study of God’s Word and even accept many of the trappings of evangelicalism, they continue to depend on their church and their good works for salvation in addition to Jesus Christ. They do not depend on Christ as an infant but rather hang on to their church and their good works.
There is a third section here where Jesus describes those who are religious but do not have true faith. If Jesus were to come on Thanksgiving Day, He would not only find the self-righteous and the self-sufficient but also He would find those absorbed in this world without faith. They will be sorrowful, after all, they will be under the judgment of God but they will be without faith (verses 18-30).
This ruler understood the problem. He was an expert in the law. He practiced the Ten Commandments and had done so all of his life. It appears that his question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is sincere. We see, though, that earthly attachments are a huge hurdle to eternal life, that is, entrance into the kingdom of God (verses 22b-26).
A. Jesus demanded a one time act – repentance, specifically, repentance revealed by the act of selling all his possessions and distributing the proceeds to the poor. This man’s earthly attachments were so great that he could find no way to bring himself to performing this one act.
B. Jesus also demanded discipleship. The action of selling and distributing was only an outward sign and revealed that this pure, honest, honorable man loved the abundance of this life more than the abundance of eternal life. It seems that the young man could never bring himself to admit that his money did not matter. He could never find a way to cut himself off from the things of this world.
Patrick Morley once said that there are two ways to find out what is important to a man. Where does a man spend any discretionary money he might have and how does he use any free time he might have. That is how you find out what a man loves.
a. The hold that this world has on people is why that without God’s work in their hearts, they will never be able to enter the kingdom (verse 18-27, especially verse 27). Only God can change our attachments (verses 27). You cannot do this on your own. You must turn to Christ. Only He can help you. Only he can reveal to you the value of the heavenly treasures, of the heavenly kingdom, of eternal life.
Now, not everyone is hindered by money and houses and land. Some are hindered by family (verse 29). If your treasure is in your family then you are no different than this young man. If the abundance of your riches is your parents or siblings or spouse or children, you cannot truly serve God. For some of you that is a tough decision. God, however, can change your heart.
I meet very few people who admit that it is hard to choose between Christ and the wealth of this world. I do, however, often meet people who have trouble between choosing family or Christ. I have been asked, “How do I do this?”
1. Meet your rightful biblical obligations to family members. The Bible is clear as to how a man is to relate to his wife and children. It is clear who is to have priority in his life.
2. Ask yourself this question. Is my relationship to this family member hindering my relationship to Christ? The answer is usually not to break the relationship but to begin to take those steps that show where your loyalty truly is. 1 Peter 3:1-17 is a great passage to study and to digest to help you to understand your relationship to that person.
3. Make your commitment of discipleship to Christ and follow it daily. Pray daily. Read your Bible daily. Have frequent contact with God’s people. The toughest commitments are always taken just one slow step at a time. Do not lose heart. Your reward in this life and in the life to come is eternal life.
b. Real righteousness is found in faith that results in true discipleship (verses 28-30). Moral accomplishments are insufficient.
This man was sexually pure. This man was not guilty of murder. This man had never stolen. He had never lied about anyone. He honored his father and mother.
Jesus listened. He did not interrupt the young man with arguments and try to convince him that he was a sinner and born in iniquity. He made a very simple statement. You lack one thing. You cannot inherit eternal life until you become my disciple.
In describing the self-righteous, the self-sufficient, the self-exalting types that we have been looking at in today’s Scripture, Frank Turk once wrote, “I was watching my son’s basketball game a couple of weeks ago, and it’s the “recreational” league where the kids really haven’t ever played on a court before with rules or a ref. And on the other team was this really aggressive kid who simply wanted to put the ball in the net. It was clear to me he had played football before because every time he got the ball, he tucked the ball under, ducked his head, and rolled into the crowd of boys in the key like a fullback.
And in this kid’s case, it was actually kinda funny – he obviously didn’t know any better. He was playing by the wrong rules, and he had no clue what the right rules where. But if that same thing happened in a High School game, or even in the next age bracket up, it wouldn’t hardly be that funny – because those kids know better, and they prove it in all kinds of ways.” (from Frank Turk’s Pyromaniac post, “The Talking Stain” February 13, 2008;
http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2008/02/talking-stain.html).
This is the case with this young ruler. He knows the rules and proves it by his life but that one point which he is unwilling to obey is what will keep him from inheriting eternal life, from entering the kingdom of heaven.
What does it mean to follow Christ, to have faith in Him? Turn away from what you love and turn to Jesus Christ, who died for your sin. You can become his disciple but he demands total allegiance, total commitment. Ultimately it is not about you. It is about Christ. He died for you. He rose from the dead for you. Follow Him and Him alone.
Note: Some of the material of this sermon is reworked material from this one that I preached in February 2008, “The Impossibility of Reaching America with the Gospel.”
Paying Attention to Christ’s Coming – A Sermon from Hebrews 10 February 3, 2008
Posted by roberttalley in Eschatology, Hebrews, Religion, Sermons.add a comment
PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR CHRIST’S COMING
Hebrews 10:19-39
As you can see from this passage, it was not easy to be a Christian in the first century. Persecution was an ever present danger. For that reason, it is sometimes difficult for us to really understand the difficulties that these people were facing. We live in a day when the greatest perceived threats to our well-being are an unprecedented housing market collapse. Although it is possible that persecution is in our future as believers in Christ, it does not appear to be imminent. In the New Testament days, the situation was much different. When we read the book of Hebrews, the book of Revelation, the book of 1 Peter, Paul’s epistles, we can recognize that these people did not have religious freedom as we know it. There was no bill of rights. Many of the freedoms that we value did not exist and yet many of them stood for God during that time period. One of the reasons that the second coming of Christ is mentioned so often in the New Testament hinges on the fact that those people, who were living in a very unstable situation where persecution of some type could break out at a moment’s notice, – those people needed both the warning and the hope that the teaching of the second coming of Christ brings.
TWO ASPECTS OF CHRIST’S COMING
There are two aspects of Christ’s coming that every person should consider (13:25b-39). Although our circumstances are different, we also need the teaching of the second coming of Christ. There are a number of reasons why we need the second coming of Christ but two are emphasized consistently in the Scriptures.
The first is the expectation of vengeance (13:25b-31). The writer here has a particular group of people in view. He is speaking of those who sin willfully. Not out of ignorance nor because of weakness. Now what is this willful sin? In the context of this chapter and the book of Hebrews, this willful sin is a rejection of Jesus Christ. There are those who are in this congregation who the author is afraid that they are not really saved and that they are in danger of turning their back on the truth. They have heard the gospel. They have heard the truth but they reject Jesus Christ as presented, the Son of God who became man to die for our sins and to ascend to heaven as our eternal guarantee of salvation. They hear all this and for some reason turn away from Jesus Christ.
The language here is very strong. Trampling the blood of Jesus Christ, rejecting the very act by which Jesus showed His great love to mankind and their rejection is compared to a rude act of disrespect and rejection.
It should not be surprising how God reacts. We have a picture of the wrath of God. God hates sin, all sin. However, for those who know the truth of Christ and reject Him, the vengeance of God will be a horrible thing.
I know we live in a day when hell is a joke even to many Christians. I understand that the judgment of God seems to be far off. I understand that this is not a subject we enjoy dwelling on but it is essential that you consider the seriousness of rejecting Christ.
This is why many of the cults reject the doctrine of hell. That doctrine is horrible. Charles Russell, the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses began with a rejection of the doctrine of hell. Once he rejected that doctrine, he followed the path on which he had started and eventually rejected Christ as the supreme God, the second person of the Trinity. He heard the truth but he did not remain in the truth and ended up trampling figuratively on the blood of the Son of God. This is what will happen if we do not remain faithful to Christ.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE…
The hope of the promise (13:32-37). Verse 34 says that our eternal possessions are far better and enduring than our earthly possessions.
Verse 35 points out that our eternal reward is better than any earthly reward we might receive. In the next chapter (11:24-27) the writer gives us an example of someone who knew this truth. His name is Moses. Moses recognized that the royal family of the greatest kingdom on earth had nothing worthwhile to offer him. Think of all that Moses endured and he endured it because he knew that what God had for him was better.
Verse 36 points out that God’s eternal promises are better than any earthly promises. What does the word have to offer that will last? Nothing. Not houses or lands or bank accounts, not fame nor fortune, neither friends nor family are guaranteed to us for eternity. But are promises are far better. We are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We will have fame throughout the universe as God points out that He died so that we might live at the throne of God. We will have family and friends forever in that eternal day. No more guilt. No more shame. No more sin. No more sickness. No more death. No more crying. No more fear. No more of the frustrations with this world that we experience every day. We will be with Christ and like Christ and serving Christ for all eternity.
The difference between the two is remaining in the faith (13:38-39). The writer quotes from Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a man who could not see how that God’s work could possibly result in the promises that God had promised but God said to Habakkuk, “Don’t give up. I’m not finished yet. The best is yet to come. The righteous, the just, will live by faith.”
WHO CAN FALL AWAY?
Now there is a very important question we need to answer. Were these people who are in danger of falling away true believers? Were they people who believed and then became lost again or were they never believers to begin with? The writer of Hebrews seems to send mixed messages. He refers to them as brethren, yet at other times he warns of an evil heart of unbelief. According to verse 26, these people receive the knowledge of the truth. This is the same word that is used in John 1:12 where it says but as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God. In fact the writer of Hebrews uses this same term to refer to those who are saved.
Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive <2983> the promise of the eternal inheritance.
What we have here is a situation similar to what we find in John’s gospel. John speaks of those who believe in Christ as those who have crossed over from death unto life. However, in that same book we find that after Jesus proclaimed Himself the Bread of Life that many of those who believed, followed after him no more.
What we are looking at here is perseverance. The writer of Hebrews explains what is taught elsewhere in the New Testament. If we are really a possessor, then we are going to endure. And if we do not endure, we are just a professor. These people who received the knowledge and perhaps even professed faith as a Christ fall away when difficulties come because they do not really have faith in Christ.
HOW DO WE PAY ATTENTION TO CHRIST’S COMING?
There are two responses that should intensify in our life as we come closer to the coming of the Lord (13:19-25). The first is confidence in Christ’s sacrifice for our sin (13:19-23). Chapters 7 through 10:18 are the main course of the book of Hebrews. In those chapters, the writer describes how that Jesus is a better high priest than those under the old covenant. Because He is a better high priest, we can have confidence that the sacrifice for our sin is sufficient for all eternity. This confidence is described in two ways.
Draw near with full assurance (13:19-22). It is easy to say, “Well, I am saved forever through Jesus Christ. It does not matter how I live.” That is where we are sadly mistaken. You see salvation is not just an escape from prison with a new set of clothes. It is a release from guilt and a promotion to the highest offices of heaven and we need to live confidently in our faith. That will affect how we pray. I can come before Christ with confidence because I am free from the guilt of my sin.
CONFESSION OF A RIDE ON A ROLLER COASTER
Hold fast without wavering (13:23). Several years ago our family went to a theme park in Florida. In that park they had several roller coasters. My son was old enough and tall enough to ride them and so I had to go along also. This particular coaster was a double coaster where you had two coasters going simultaneously and they would pass each other in such a way that supposedly it would look like they were about to collide into one another. Now I go on that coaster and rode with Phil on it but I never saw the other coaster. I was preoccupied with other things. I was holding fast without wavering. Now the phrase actually means to hold in possession without giving up it up for one second. One that ride, I decided that those two bars belonged to me and I never for one second even thought about turning loose or even of relaxing my grip on those bars. I was holding fast without wavering. Those bars were mine! That is what faith in Christ is. No matter how rough the ride is, you hold on to Christ. Now I did not do a thing to bring myself in safely off of that ride. Neither did I feel much confidence on that ride. The point here is not that you can save yourself or keep yourself safe. The world is too rough and sin is too alluring and we are too weak and too sinful and too fearful but God gives us those two bars to hold on to. He says, Christ died for you. Hold on without wavering. Never let go of Jesus Christ.
CHRIST’S COMING AND MY FELLOW BELIEVER
Consideration of each other’s spiritual condition (13:24-25). Compare 10:24-25 with 3:12-15. Again we see the importance of the church in encouraging people to remain in the faith. In what two ways can we do this?
By consistent contact with each other. Now I dwelt on this a lot last week, so I am only going to make a brief comment. Often I have heard people say that it is not the number of times that go to church during the week that prove whether you are spiritual or not. They are absolutely right. What consistent church attendance proves is not directly your spirituality but rather your connection to and with the body of Christ. My church attendance is not about me. In fact, in the context here, the importance of my church attendance and connection with other believers is directly related to reaching those people within the church’s influence with the truth of Christ. If I am involved with my church family, I will have the opportunity through word and deed to keep someone from trampling on the blood of Christ. I may keep someone from receiving the knowledge of Christ and then willfully spurning His sacrifice.
I know that people are so scared of legalism especially in this matter of church attendance. When did it become legalism to love your family and to expect your family to love you. When did it become legalism to care if the people you worship with are going to stay in the faith or not.
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO ATTEND CHURCH EVERY TIME THE DOORS ARE OPEN.
By constant exhortation of one another we pay attention to the coming of Christ. You see church attendance without connection with other believers is not enough. The purpose of church attendance, the purpose of prayer groups, the purpose of service within the church, the purpose of worship music, the purpose of youth group, the purpose of Awanas, the purpose of Bible studies, the purpose for our existence is to find ways in which we can encourage one another to remain in the faith.
Why does this matter? The Day is approaching. Jesus Christ is coming. We need to intensify our hold on the faith and the way that we love each other. He could come today. Are you ready?
What you have been waiting for – the last two chapters of Revelation (21-22) November 2, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Eschatology, Heaven, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ.add a comment
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Questions from Revelation 21 and 22
What is the prophetic significance of the new heaven and the new earth (compare 2:1-6 with Isaiah 65:17-19 and 2 Peter 3:13)?
What is the implication in verse 1 of “no more sea” (compare with Revelation 20:13)?
Why is the New Jerusalem described as “a bride adorned for her husband” and as “the tabernacle of God” (20:2-3; see also verses 9-11 and verses 18-21)? How does this help us to understand the later descriptions of the New Jerusalem? What is the emphasis of the description?
What do verses 7-8 tell us about believers and unbelievers (compare with verses 24-27)?
What do verses 12-17 tell us is united in the New Jerusalem? Based on what we have read so far, it the New Jerusalem symbolic, literal, or possibly both?
What do we learn about the temple in the book of Revelation (compare verses 22-23 with 11:1-2, 19)? See also 22:1-5!
What are the final applications of 22:6-21?
(Update) This lesson covers the description of the Holy City. Here is a link to the Ideal City. Enjoy!
Armageddon and the Millenium October 22, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Antichrist, Day of the Lord, Eschatology, Judgment, Millenial Kingdom, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ.add a comment
Answers from Revelation 19:17-21 and 20
Christ and His army is victorious. The Beast (Anti-Christ) and the False Prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire. Their armies and allies’ armies are destroyed totally. None is left alive.
There is no demonstrable time in history of any duration since the fall during which Satan has been bound.
They will be resurrected and will reign with Christ throughout the millenium.
The nations of the earth will come and Christ and His people but will utterly be destroyed.
The unsaved will be resurrected, judged according to their works, and thrown to suffer forever in the lake of fire.
A Look at the Millenium and the Last Judgment (Revelation 20) October 18, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Antichrist, Day of the Lord, Eschatology, Judgment, Millenial Kingdom, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Throne of God.add a comment
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Questions from Revelation 19:17-21
- What is the end of the participants in the battle of Armageddon (19:17-21)?
- What in Revelation 20:1-3 indicates that the thousand year millenium is still in the future?
- What do we learn about those who are faithful to Christ at the end of the tribulation/beginning of the millenium (20:4-6)?
- What is implied by verses 7-10 about the millenium and Ezekiel 38-30?
- What do verses 11-15 tell us about the final judgment?
If you’ve been following our Revelation study… October 17, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Day of the Lord, Eschatology, Maps, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ.add a comment
…then you probably will find this map interesting. I could have linked to Van Impe’s website but I think the comments form Strange Maps are also worth reading. I guess I would be included among the alarmists but that’s okay. That does not mean I am condoning the map in every detail.
Just a couple of more weeks in Revelation October 16, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Antichrist, Babylon, Eschatology, Judgment, Materialism, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Seven Churches of Revelation.add a comment
Answers from Revelation 18 and part of 19
Although it is not clearly said, some feel this could be Jesus Christ.
Do not take part in the sins of “Babylon”. The sins listed in this chapter are tied in to materialism which is probably, for Americans at least, the most dangerous sin that we face today. During the endtimes there will be the added danger of aligning one’s self with the Beast (Antichrist).
She brings prosperity to the world.
Her persecution of God’s people.
The marriage supper of the Lamb (the coming of Christ for His people) is the next event after Armageddon. One could say it actually occurs in conjunction with Armageddon. Christ is the central figure of the marriage supper.
White horses are a symbol of victory in war.
He is the judge of the earth. He is above all in holiness and authority.
Closing in on the End (Questions for Revelaton 18-19) October 10, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Antichrist, Babylon, Day of the Lord, Eschatology, Jesus, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ.add a comment
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Questions from Revelation 18 and 19
- Who might be the messenger in 18:1?
- What is the message to the churches in verses 2-9? How does this message apply to us today? How will it apply during the end time events?
- Why is Babylon beloved by the nations of the earth according to verses 10-19?
- Why specifically is Babylon being judged (18:20-19:4)?
- What is the next event after the destruction of Babylon (19:5-10)? Who is the central figure of the marriage supper (verses 9-10)?
- What is the significance of the white horses (verses 11, 14)?
- What do we learn about Jesus Christ in verses 11-16?
- What is the end of the participants in the battle of Armageddon (17-21)?
Answers to questions from Sunday night (Revelation 16-17) October 9, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Antichrist, Babylon, Day of the Lord, Demons, Eschatology, Imminency, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Satan.add a comment
What is the reaction of the two angels to the first three bowls or vials of God’s wrath (verses 5-7)?
- They recognized that God’s judgment on the earth is a righteous judgment.
What is the reaction of those being judged in verses 8-11 and 21?
- They blasphemed God and did not repent.
What is the purpose of the sixth bowl and what is the connection of the three frogs to this judgment (verses 12-16)? Do they cause these events or are they simply players whom God ultimately controls?
- The purpose is the gather the kings of the earth (read here nations as represented by their armies) for the battle against Christ known as Armageddon. Although the demonic influence of Satan and the two beasts on the surface influence these events, they are ultimately brought together by God.
What indicates that there will be believers left at the end of this time (verse 15)?
- The command to watch and be ready for this event of Armageddon.
How are the cities, islands, and mountains destroyed (verses 17-20)?
- By the ultimate earthquake.
Chapters 17-18 seem to be simply an expanded description of the judgment of the seventh bowl. What proof in chapter 16 is there for this statement (see verse 19)?
- The judgment on Babylon is an integral part of the seventh bowl.
Revelation 17:1-6 is a vision of judgment on Babylon. Verses 7-13 is the explanation of the vision. Although we are not exactly sure of the identity of the city, what is the relationship of this city to the Antichrist?
- It is his center of power.
What is the involvement of the ten kings during the days described in this chapter (verses 12-18)?
- They will receive their authority to rule from the beast.
- They will war against God.
- They will turn on Babylon and destroy her (possibly turning against the beast also, although that is not explicitly stated).
In Revelation 16 it becomes official – The Wrath of God October 3, 2007
Posted by roberttalley in Babylon, Eschatology, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ.add a comment
- What is the reaction of the two angels to the first three bowls or vials of God’s wrath (verses 5-7)?
- What is the reaction of those being judged in verses 8-11 and 21?
- What is the purpose of the sixth bowl and what is the connection of the three frogs to this judgment (verses 12-16)? Do they cause these events or are they simply players whom God ultimately controls?
- What indicates that there will be believers left at the end of this time (verse 15)?
- How are the cities, islands, and mountains destroyed (verses 17-20)?
- Chapters 17-18 seem to be simply an expanded description of the judgment of the seventh bowl. What proof in chapter 16 is there for this statement (see verse 19)?
- Revelation 17:1-6 is a vision of judgment on Babylon. Verses 7-13 is the explanation of the vision. Although we are not exactly sure of the identity of the city, what is the relationship of this city to the Antichrist?
- What is the involvement of the ten kings during the days described in this chapter (verses 12-18)?
