jump to navigation

Revelation 11 – The Two Witnesses September 10, 2007

Posted by roberttalley in Antichrist, Day of the Lord, Eschatology, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Seven Trumpets of Revelation, Temple.
1 comment so far

What new wrinkle is added in this chapter to the separation of God’s people from the people of the world (11:1-2)?

In this passage, God’s people is clearly the ethnic Jew and the people of the world are those Gentiles whose loyalty is to the antichrist.

The two witnesses are spoken of in Zechariah 4. What is their task, the length of their task, the reaction to their task, and the aftermath of their death?

Their task is a message of judgment. The length of the task is 3.5 years. The aftermath includes the rejoicing of the world at their death, their resurrection after 3.5 days, an earthquake in Jerusalem, and the glorifying of God by the survivors in Jerusalem.

Does giving glory to God necessarily mean that these people have all turned to Christ in salvation?

It may not but it possibly is referring to the turning of the remnant in Israel to Jesus Christ.

What is proclaimed with the sounding of the seventh trumpet (verses 15-18; see also 10:7)?

Christ claiming His kingdom, judging the wicked, and rewarding the righteous.

What is important about the appearance of the temple in heaven in verse 19?

It shows that God has turned His back on men on the earth.

So we are not speeding through Revelation… September 4, 2007

Posted by roberttalley in Angels, Day of the Lord, Judgment, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Seven Trumpets of Revelation.
1 comment so far

I was certain that we would be able to cover two chapters last Sunday night. I was wrong. That means there will be no new questions posted this week but you can find the questions for chapter 11 here.

Although this angel is like (10:1, “another“ of the same kind) the seven trumpet angels, he is different in a significant way. What indicates that this angel is Christ (compare with 11:3 and remember that the world angel means messenger)? See also Daniel 10:6 and the description of Christ in Revelation 1.

Revelation 7:9-17. The previous references refers to those who believe

The description of this angel corresponds very closely to the description of Christ in Revelation 1 as well as visions of Christ in Daniel and of God’s glory in Ezekiel.

The eating of the little book refers back to Ezekiel 2:9-10. What type of message is likely in the scroll considering both Ezekiel and the context of Revelation?

This is likely a message of judgment.

What concept is in the sealing of the things which the seven thunders spoke (by the way, these things were not written down)? See also Daniel 8:26 and 12. What two things are assured symbolically and literally by sealing?

Sealing speaks of certainty that something will happen or will come to pass, it cannot be altered because of the authority behind the seal. In this particular case, there is the added fact that the things spoken by the thunders are not yet revealed.

What seems to be the purpose of chapter 10 according to verses 5-7?

Again there is an emphasis on these things being the final judgment on evil men. This judgment is also known as the Day of the LORD.

What, in the context of what we know already about the message of the Revelation, is the likely meaning of the book being bitter in John’s stomach but sweet in his mouth?

For the believers (especially the persecuted ones mostly in view in the book of Revelation), God’s vengeance on the wicked has a sweetness to it but it has the added terror to it of understanding the awesomeness of God’s judgment.

When have we earlier seen many tribes, peoples, etc. in this book (We see them again in 11:9)?

Revelaton 7:9-17 – In this instance, it is referring to those who believe and this group will be mentioned again but these phrases are also used in Revelation to speak of unbelieving men and women throughout the world.

Speeding through Revelation (chapters 10-11) August 30, 2007

Posted by roberttalley in Day of the Lord, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Seven Trumpets of Revelation.
1 comment so far

Answers in four or five days: (Update:  Here are the answers for chapter 10; Update again:  Here are the answers for chapter 11.)

Although this angel is like (10:1, “another“ of the same kind) the seven trumpet angels, he is different in a significant way. What indicates that this angel is Christ (compare with 11:3 and remember that the world angel means messenger)? See also Daniel 10:6 and the description of Christ in Revelation 1.

The eating of the little book refers back to Ezekiel 2:9-10. What type of message is likely in the scroll considering both Ezekiel and the context of Revelation?

What concept is in the sealing of the things which the seven thunders spoke (by the way, these things were not written down)? See also Daniel 8:26 and 12. What two things are assured symbolically and literally by sealing?

What seems to be the purpose of chapter 10 according to verses 5-7?

What, in the context of what we know already about the message of the Revelation, is the likely meaning of the book being bitter in John‘s stomach but sweet in his mouth?

When have we earlier seen many tribes, peoples, etc. in this book (We see them again in 11:9)?

What new wrinkle is added in this chapter to the separation of God’s people from the people of the world (11:1-2)?

The two witnesses are spoken of in Zechariah 4. What is their task, the length of their task, the reaction to their task, and the aftermath of their death?

Does giving glory to God necessarily mean that these people have all turned to Christ in salvation?

What is proclaimed with the sounding of the seventh trumpet (verses 15-18; see also 10:7)?

What is important about the appearance of the temple in heaven in verse 19?

    Back from hiatus with Revelation 9: trumpets, locusts, and 200,000,000 horses August 27, 2007

    Posted by roberttalley in Bottomless Pit, Day of the Lord, Demons, Joel, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Seven Churches of Revelation, Seven Trumpets of Revelation.
    1 comment so far

    Since we have been on hiatus, we need to remind ourselves to whom this chapter was written. It was written to seven churches (not individuals). This chapter as well as the whole book was written to encourage the faithful, warn the unsaved deceived, and call the believers with significant spiritual problems to repentance.

    What is the primary difference between the first four trumpet judgments in Revelation 8 and the second two here in Revelation 9?

    The first four can definitely be taken literally. The second two have obvious symbolic elements.

    Who will not be hurt by this judgment (compare with Revelation 7:3)?

    The 144,000

    What similarities does this army of locust have with the army described in Joel 2:1-11 (See also Joel 1:1-7 for the context of Joel 2)? Could they be the same? Why or why not?

    The sky is darkened in connection with this plague. They are described as locusts with the appearance of horses. They cause people to experience great pain but not necessarily death. They are likely the same event when Revelation 6:17 is compared to Joel 2:1.

    Which is more likely (keep in mind the nature of apocalyptic literature): these are literal locusts, this is a symbolic vision of a terrible plague, this is a description of something literal that John could not adequately describe? What challenges are presented by each view?

    1. If they are literal locusts, they are still unlike anything that has ever been seen and some elements seem to be using the qualities of either the locusts or the army descriptively.
    2. If this was totally symbolic, there is little way to know where the symbol begins and ends.
    3. If this is a description of something literal that John could not adequately describe, how do we interpret the plague.

    Why is it generally believed that the army out of the bottomless pit is demonic (Luke 8:31, Revelation 11:7, 17:8)?

    These verses seem to indicate that the bottomless pit is a special place where demons and their cohorts might be imprisoned.

    What era is being ushered in by the three woes (Revelation 8:13, 9:12, 11:14, 15:1; see also 6:17)?

    The day of the Lord.

    What is the significance of the altar in the book of Revelation (6:9, 8:3-6, 9:13, 14:18, 16:17)?

    Judgment is often connected with the altar.

    What seems to be the basis of the reoccurrence of the number four in the book of Revelation (four living creatures, four horsemen found in both Revelation and Zechariah, four prepared angels in both 7:1 and 9:14)?

    World wide events.

    What does this sixth trumpet judgment have in common with the first four?

    Only a third of human kind is affected.

    In what ways are the locusts and the horses in this chapter similar? How are they different?

    • Their appearance is described in either a symbolical way or in a literal fantastic way.
    • The locust did not kill, the horses only kill.

    How do you think the church at Thyratira should have understood verses 20-21?

    They were in danger of facing this judgment or something equally as horrible.

    The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets of Revelation 9 (Scary Stuff?) August 23, 2007

    Posted by roberttalley in Eschatology, Judgment, Religion, Revelation of Jesus Christ, Seven Trumpets of Revelation.
    add a comment

    Answers will be provided sometime after Sunday evening when we will be discussing this chapter. Update:  Answers are now available here.

    1. What is the primary difference between the first four trumpet judgments in Revelation 8 and the second two here in Revelation 9?

    2. Who will not be hurt by this judgment (compare with Revelation 7:3)?

    3. What similarities does this army of locust have with the army described in Joel 2:1-11 (See also Joel 1:1-7 for the context of Joel 2)? Could they be the same? Why or why not?

    4. Which is more likely (keep in mind the nature of apocalyptic literature):  these are literal locusts, this is a symbolic vision of a terrible plague, this is a description of something literal that John could not adequately describe? What challenges are presented by each view?

    5. Why is it generally believed that the army out of the bottomless pit is demonic (Luke 8:31, Revelation 11:7, 17:8)?

    6. What era is being ushered in by the three woes (Revelation 8:13, 9:12, 11:14, 15:1)?

    7. What is the significance of the altar in the book of Revelation (6:9, 8:3-6, 9:13, 14:18, 16:17)?

    8. What seems to be the basis of the reoccurrence of the number four in the book of Revelation (four living creatures, four horsemen found in both Revelation and Zechariah, four prepared angels in both 7:1 and 9:14)?

    9. What does this trumpet judgment have in common with the first four?

    10. In what ways are the locusts and the horses in this chapter similar? How are they different?

    11. How do you think the church at Thyratira should have understood verses 20-21?