DAILY REMINDER – Today, December 30’s Bible reading is Revelation 17-19.
NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, December 31’s Bible reading is Revelation 20-22. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.
Today's Lesson is Bible Lesson 9 from the series "Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil" by K L Rich on Amazon.com.
REVELATION
Our world is in major trouble. Much of what John had seen in his vision is unfolding right before our eyes. The earth has refused to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There is just a remnant of people who are ready to meet Him in the sky. Despite the warnings that have been placed inside the Bible, there are those who choose to keep it hidden and ignore the alarms that are sounding all over the world. John was given this message of Revelation for the church to know what to expect in the last days and yet, so many choose to act as if this part of the Bible doesn’t exist.
However, the time is coming when Christians will no longer be able to close their eyes to the truth and will have to make the ultimate decision. They will choose either to stand up for Christ, or take sides with the beast and lose out on Eternity. The decision has to be made by every living soul. Some have made it and lost their lives in the process only to have the right to gain it in eternity, while others have passed on without accepting Christ and made their choice to go to the Abyss. Those who are alive still have a chance to do what is right. Which side will you choose?
John was shown the prostitute who sat upon the beast with multiple heads and horns. This was no ordinary woman, but one who was full of sin and caused others to drink of her cup. God gave this message for the woman to turn from her evil ways and repent. Unfortunately, the prophecy does let us know that many will not repent and will be lost as a result of their rebellion. The day of the Lord is now! God will one day return and when He does, will you be ready?
Quick Review from Lesson 9
a.) The first angel poured out his bowl on the land and ugly sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast.
b.) The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea and it turned to blood. Every living thing in the sea died.
c.) The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water and they became blood.
d.) The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun scorched the people with fire.
e.) The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast and his kingdom. The people cursed God because of their painful sores.
f.) The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the River Euphrates and its water dried up.
g.) The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air and a loud voice came from the throne saying, “It is finished!”
h.) A woman sat on a scarlet beast covered with blasphemous names with seven heads and ten horns.
i.) The kings of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adultery.
j.) The woman was drunk from the blood of God’s holy people.
k.) Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be astonished when they see the beast.
l.) The kings will give their power to the beast and they will rage war against the Lamb.
m.) The waters where the prostitute sat represents people, multitudes, nations and languages.
Weeping Over Babylon’s Fall
Revelation 18:1 After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor.” (NLT)
Angels are God’s great messengers who carry the word of God wherever He has ordained for them to go. Therefore, in this vision, John saw another angel who had come down from Heaven and was given authority from God himself to proclaim a powerful message. The earth was brightened by the angel’s coming because he had been in the presence of God. There were other times when angels were given messages to give to man and there was a brightness all around because the glory of the Lord shines upon whomever is in His presence. Luke 2:8-11 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9)An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10)But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (11)Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (NIV) This is an example of angels being used as messengers from God to give news to man with the glory of God shining upon them. All messages that are given to angels to give to mankind is with the authority granted by God. They do not work on their own accord.
Revelation 18:2-3 With a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. (3)For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” (NIV)
This message that the angel had to give was one of judgment that would befall Babylon. She was very wicked and had become a place where the devil dwelled. Therefore, the message that Babylon had fallen was prophetic for today’s Babylon. The Babylon of old had fallen to the hands of Medes and Persians. This had been prophesied long before it took place, but was given to the King Belshazzar again on the night that it was to be actually done. Daniel 5:22-28 “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. (23)Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. (24)Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. (25)“This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin (26)“Here is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. (27) Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. (28)Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” (NIV)
The Babylon of old was wicked and the Babylon of today is the same. Who is the Babylon of today? It is the United States of America. She has been the most powerful nation in the world, but we are now living in a time when that title is being stripped away right before our very eyes. America was once the country that everyone wanted to come to for it was a land of greatness, freedom and opportunities. Nevertheless, she has become a nation of greed, wickedness, ungodliness and full of idolatry. Instead of leading the world in the ways of God due to the many blessings that have been bestowed upon her, she has led the world down the path of evil. Other nations have looked to America as a model to follow, which has also led them down the road to sin. Therefore, America will pay for her wicked ways just as the Babylon of old.
Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment
Revelation 18:4-8 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “ ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; (5)for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. (6)Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. (7)Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ (8)Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. (NIV)
The voice cried out as a warning to come out of Babylon. God’s message was for the nation to stop sinning and come out of the mist of confusion. Wherever there is a lack of God, there will be confusion. The devil is the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. (NIV) America is being challenged on every front. North Korea, Iran, Cuba, China, Russia and the Middle East countries are all posing a threat to America, while she makes turns friends into enemies. There is confusion all around, but the nation is too blind to see what is taking place and that they are heading towards doom.
America’s sins have reached God and she will be held accountable for all that she has done. Abortions, homosexuality, sex trafficking, murder, pornography, ungodly laws, drug trafficking, scientific abominations, witchcraft and much more will be punished by God. There is judgment on the land of America right now and yet, she has refused to repent for her sins. America is experiencing droughts, earthquakes, mass animal deaths, police brutality, economic decline, threats of war, murder in the streets, and more. However, there is still no desire to change and turn back to God. Instead of acknowledging God, America’s wickedness is increasing. America’s arrogant attitude towards God will be the cause of her demise and when she finally falls, it will be one of such a magnitude that America will never recover.
Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall
Remember 18:9-10 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. (10)Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’
Upon the fall of America, the other nations will look on as she is destroyed from afar. They will cry over her and fear will come to them because they will be in disbelief as to what will have taken place. To see a great nation fall to such a magnitude would have a lasting affect if they allow God to use it as a way to teach them what not to do. In the Bible, we see that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah due to the sins that they had committed as well.
Genesis 19:12-13 The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, (13)because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” (NIV) God may not deal with sin right away, but He will judge it if there is a failure for the nation to repent. God never wants to punish, but He uses it as a way for the hearts of man to turn back to Him. However, in this particular judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, it was a permanent one from which the cities could and would never be restored.
Revelation 18:11-13 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— (12)cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; (13)cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.” (NIV)
America has been a great importer and exporter of goods and services. Nations have become wealthy as part of the trade agreements with her. From food to medical supplies and even missionaries have been sent to and from the United States. God has blessed America with more than she ever could have dreamed of, but it was not to make her filled with pride. God had a kingdom agenda in order to bring other nations to the light of Him. Nevertheless, she turned her back to the God who made her prosperous and committed adultery with foreign idols and women. This is what will make the other nations weep when their main source becomes dried up like a dead flower. Here is a look at what happened with Israel and how they provoked God’s anger.
2 Kings 17:7-23 This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods. They sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them safely out of Egypt and had rescued them from the power of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. They had followed the practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of them, as well as the practices the kings of Israel had introduced. The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the Lord their God. They built pagan shrines for themselves in all their towns, from the smallest outpost to the largest walled city. They set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles at the top of every hill and under every green tree. They offered sacrifices on all the hilltops, just like the nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of them. So the people of Israel had done many evil things, arousing the Lord’s anger. Yes, they worshiped idols,b] despite the Lord’s specific and repeated warnings. Again and again the Lord had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah: “Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and decrees—the entire law that I commanded your ancestors to obey, and that I gave you through my servants the prophets.” But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them. They rejected all the commands of the Lord their God and made two calves from metal. They set up an Asherah pole and worshiped Baal and all the forces of heaven. They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire. They consulted fortune-tellers and practiced sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the Lord’s anger. Because the Lord was very angry with Israel, he swept them away from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained in the land. But even the people of Judah refused to obey the commands of the Lord their God, for they followed the evil practices that Israel had introduced. The Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel. He punished them by handing them over to their attackers until he had banished Israel from his presence. For when the Lordtore Israel away from the kingdom of David, they chose Jeroboam son of Nebat as their king. But Jeroboam drew Israel away from following the Lord and made them commit a great sin. And the people of Israel persisted in all the evil ways of Jeroboam. They did not turn from these sins until the Lord finally swept them away from his presence, just as all his prophets had warned. So Israel was exiled from their land to Assyria, where they remain to this day. (NLT)
Israel had been blessed by God to come out of slavery from Egypt. Despite all that God had done for them, they turned to idolatry. They even tried to worship both God and idols. However, no one can serve two masters. The Israelites thought that if they gave God a part of themselves, He would be satisfied with their prostituting the other part. They were to soon find out that God will not share Himself with no other god. We are to learn from the past so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12 Brothers and sisters, I want you to be sure of the fact that our ancestors were all under the cloud and they all went through the sea. All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. All ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. However, God was unhappy with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. These things were examples for us, so we won’t crave evil things like they did. Don’t worship false gods like some of them did, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink and they got up to play. Let’s not practice sexual immorality, like some of them did, and twenty-three thousand died in one day. Let’s not test Christ, like some of them did, and were killed by the snakes. Let’s not grumble, like some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. These things happened to them as an example and were written as a warning for us to whom the end of time has come. So those who think they are standing need to watch out or else they may fall. (CEB) We must learn from the stories in the Bible so that we will not repeat the same mistakes. The nation can learn from what took place with Israel in order to see what will happen when a nation defies the laws of God.
Revelation 18:14-17 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
In one hour, everything will be taken away from America. The other nations will look and remember what she used to have. Those captains on the sea will watch as she is destroyed. How will America be destroyed? Will it be through war, nuclear weapon, or natural disaster? Could it be a combination of things? There are many warnings that God sends prior to the final judgment, so when it does happen, America will have had ample time to repent. Nevertheless, the devil often puts blinders for those who want to remain in the dark and as a result, they will not see what is about to hit them, while it was so plainly obvious for those who are connected to God. Amos 3:7 Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. (NIV) Many prophets are sounding the alarm, but few people are listening. They would rather listen to the prosperity teachers rather than hear the true words of God. They would rather hear pleasing sermons rather than hear the word of repentance and salvation. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (NIV)
Revelation 18:18-20 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.” (NIV)
Those righteous nations who see the final destruction of this nation will mourn because of her destruction. They will see that God was the one who allowed her to be brought down to ruin. However, they will also rejoice in God; they will know that God is fair and dealt with America in a just and righteous manner. It will also be a sign for them to not turn from God, so that no similar judgment will befall them.
The Finality of Babylon’s Doom
Revelation 18:21-24 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (NIV)
John saw the angel throw the large millstone into the sea as a demonstration of how Babylon (America) will be destroyed. The musicians were never to be heard from again. This can be taken very literally with all the demonic music that is being played in the airways even by self-professed Christians. They have sold their souls to the devil for the sake of fame and/or compromised with the world in such a way that you cannot distinguish holy from unholy due to the similarities. However, God’s people will not be fooled into compromising the gospel even for money that will eventually be of no value anyway. Ezekiel 7:19 They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean. Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin. (NIV) The sins of this nations will be accounted for. There will be no more marriages, trading with foreign countries, bank embezzlements, slaying of the innocent born and unborn. God is going to raise a standard that other nations will see and call Him blessed.
Praises Over Babylon’s Fall
Revelation 19:1-2 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, (2)for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (NIV)
Babylon had fallen! All of the things that had once made her great were now only a distant memory. She was no longer the embodiment of success and wealth. She was ultimately destroyed and now laid as a heap of ruin. No one would ever sing of her praises. No one would ever boast again of becoming wealthy from her goods and services. She was repaid, by way of destruction from her enemies, for all the iniquities that she had done against God and others. She had been weighed on God’s scale and found
wanting. Numerous warnings had been given. The alarm had been sounded. Chance after chance had been given for her to change, but without prevail. Now, there was no more hope and her destruction finally came. A repeat of what happened to the Babylon of old was repeated in this prophetic text. Jeremiah 51:6-10 “Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the Lord’s vengeance; he will repay her what she deserves. Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord’s hand; she made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad. Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken. Wail over her! Get balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. “ ‘We would have healed Babylon, but she cannot be healed; let us leave her and each go to our own land, for her judgment reaches to the skies, it rises as high as the heavens.’ “ ‘The Lord has vindicated us; come, let us tell in Zion what the Lord our God has done.’ (NIV)
God never judges unfairly. He is never swift when it comes to His judgments, but always allow time for an individual or nation to change. It is only after He has done all He could to bring about conviction and repentance that judgment finally come. Psalm 103:8-9 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; (NIV) This is why everyone will come before the judgment seat of God and know that His judgments are fair. No one will be able to say that God was unjust.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (NIV)
America, as we have studied in the Word of God, is Babylon the Great. She will pay for the murder of God’s prophets and saints. Nearly 60 million babies have been aborted in this country, and sold as spare parts in the name of medical research. The funding of terrorist organizations who have killed thousands of Christians in various parts of the world require justice from the Almighty hands of God. However, God will give America the reward that she has earned. Deuteronomy 32:35-36 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time, their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. (NIV)
Revelation 19:3-8 And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!” Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) (NIV)
Now some people may have a hard time understanding the concept of celebration at the destruction of Babylon. However, God always send warnings prior to judgment. He never does anything in haste. It is God’s desire to save the lost and not destroy them. However, sin will not be able to continue indefinitely. There is a time when God will say, “Enough is enough,” and those who deserve punishment will receive their due reward and give an account for what they have done, while here on earth. Romans 14:11-12 It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. (NIV)
The twenty-four elders will praise God for his goodness for they understand that God is worthy of praise and He is always just. We will all one day sing of God’s praises right before His throne because we will be happy to have made it into His righteous kingdom. Just as a bride adorns herself for her groom, we too must prepare for that glorious day when Jesus comes to get his bride. He wants us without spot or wrinkle. We must take great care to live in accordance to the Lord’s will, so that we may find favor in His sight. Psalms 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands. (NIV)
Revelation 19:9-10 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” (NIV)
The angel told John that all who are invited to the Lamb’s wedding supper is blessed. Indeed, a blessing that will be to finally make it to Heaven. There will be no more sin, death, disease, pain, tears, and suffering. Everything will be created new and most importantly, we will get a chance to see Jesus—the Man who died for us. This is why no earthly man is to be praised and worshiped. God is the only one who deserves our praise. Psalms 86:12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (NIV)
The angel made sure to tell John not to worship him because he too was a servant of the Most High God. We must ensure that we never worship pastors, priests, bishops and even popes. Just because a person has a title does not give him/her the authority to receive the worship that belongs to God alone. As a matter of fact, God tells us that He is a jealous God and only HE is to be worshiped. Exodus 20:3-6 “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (NIV) Whenever the pope comes to town, people make a big spectacle of themselves by worshiping the Pope as if he is Jesus Christ in the flesh. Even though the Catholic Church claims that the pope is the Vicar of Christ, he is nothing more than a mere man in a robe. There is only one Lord, one Savior, and one God who reigns supreme and has the only power to forgive sin. Hebrews 7:27-28 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (NIV)
The Beast is Defeated
Revelation 19:11-16 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (NIV)
John was shown Jesus who is the rider of the white horse called Faithful and True. God is always faithful to His children and we can always count on what His word says is forever true. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (NIV) The description of His eyes matches what was described in the earlier chapters of Revelation showing that He is a consuming fire, which brings forth purification. Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (NIV) On His head were many crowns and He had a name that only He could understand. Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (NIV) There are people who proclaim that they do not believe in God or His Son. However, there is no one who will not acknowledge that Christ is Lord regardless of how they have tried to not believe it while living on this earth.
John saw Jesus wearing a robe that had been dipped in blood and his name was the Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God because He and God are one and He sacrificed Himself in an effort to save all mankind even though He was rejected. John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was with God in the beginning. Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light. (NLT)
When Jesus first came to earth, He came as a meek and humble lamb. But this time, He will come as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will come to pass judgment upon the wicked and send them to their ultimate destruction. All of Heaven’s armies will be with Him, and out of His mouth will be a sword, which is the promises of the Word of God to render the reward that all have earned. Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)
Revelation 19:17-18 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.” (NIV)
The destruction of the wicked is going to be mighty. There will be no second chance once this earth is done. The wicked will think that they have gotten by with all the evil that they have done, but the King of kings and Lord of lords will be coming back with a reward that is due. John saw the angel tell the birds in the air to feast upon the flesh of those who had been destroyed. This is similar to a text in Ezekiel when God warns the enemies of Israel that their flesh will be eaten as well. Ezekiel 39:4-5 On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as good to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. (NIV) God is longsuffering and yet, He is a God of justice who will punish those in rebellion against Him.
Revelation 19:19-21 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. (NIV)
Once again, this beast is that of the anti-Christ who has dared to go against God as a ruler along with other government officials of the world. However, he was captured as well as his false prophet who fooled the masses and caused people to receive the mark of the beast and worship it. Both were thrown into the lake of fire and those who followed were destroyed as well. There are many people who are allowing their religious leaders to prepare them for taking the mark of the beast. They follow these leaders without any question and never take the time to study the word of God for themselves. However, they will be without excuse because the Bible has told us what to look out for in these leaders. 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. (NLT)
The Thousand Years
Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. (NIV)
John saw an angel come from Heaven with a key and chain in order to lock up the devil for a thousand years. Now is this a literal thousand years? It may be or it may be one day. God’s timing is different than ours, but regardless of which, there will be a time when he will no longer be able to trick the world with his cunning deceptions. He will be thrown into the Abyss, but will be set free for a short time. 2 Peter 3:8-10 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. (NLT)
Let’s Test Your Knowledge!
Now that you have completed the lesson, let’s test your knowledge. Read each question below and fill in the blank. Pay close attention to the *(Hint), so that you can find the correct answer. You may refer back to the chapters when answering the questions. One, two, three…here we go!
1.) “Go, pour out the ________________ bowls of God’s
______________ on the _________________” .
* (Hint) Revelation 16:1
2.) The first angel poured out his _____________ on the
_____________ and _________________ and painful
_______________ broke out on the _______________
who had the ______________ of the ______________ .
* (Hint) Revelation 16:2
3.) The second angel went and ________________ out his
bowl on the _______________, and it turned to _____
like that of a ____________ man and every living thing
in the sea _____________.
*(Hint) Revelation 16:3
4.) The third angel poured out his ______________ on the
_______________ and ________________ of _______
and they became like _________________.
* (Hint) Revelation 16:4
5.) The fourth angel _______________ out his bowl on the
_____________ and the sun was given _____________
to ________________ people with _______________.
* (Hint) Revelation 16:8
6.) The fifth angel pour out his _________________ on the
throne of the ________________ and his kingdom was
plunged into __________________.
* (Hint) Revelation 16:10
7.) The sixth angel poured out his ______________ on the
great river ___________________, and it __________
was ________________ up to prepare the way for the
_____________ from the _____________.
* (Hint) Revelation 16:12
8.) The seventh angel _____________ out his bowl in the
_______________, and out of the ________________
came a _______________ voice from the __________
saying, “It is __________________.”
* (Hint) Revelation 16:17
9.) The ___________horns you saw are ten ___________
who have not yet received a _______________, but
who for one _____________ will receive authority as
kings along with the _______________.
* (Hint) Revelation 17:12
10.) This title was written on her ____________________:
_________________ Babylon The _______________
The ___________________ of ___________________
and Of The ________________________of the earth. *
* (Hint) Revelation 17:5
Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lessons 1-11 by K L Rich are available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/REVELATION-Removing-Prophetic-Bible-Lesson/dp/1508784833ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Revelation%3A+Removing+the+Prophetic+Veil&qid=1577262044&sr=8-2
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