Chronological Bible Study – Dec 30

What I Noticed Today (Revelation 12-18)

Revelation 12-15 represent an interruption in the chronological flow of the revelation. The seventh trumpet sounded in Revelation 11 but is not revealed until Revelation 16 when the chronology of events resumes.

Revelation 12 & 13

These chapters introduce seven characters that are very important to an understanding of the events of the last half of the Revelation:

1)      A woman clothed with the sun represents Israel (12:1-2).

2)      A red dragon with seven heads and ten horns represents Satan (12:3-4).

3)      A male child represents Christ (12:5-6).

4)      The archangel Michael casts Satan out of heaven (12:7-12).

5)      The offspring of the woman who is persecuted by the dragon (12:13-17).

6)      The beast from the sea, the future world dictator (13:1-10).

7)      The beast from the earth, the false prophet (13:11-18).

Revelation 12

The First Character.

In verses 1-2, a great sign appeared in heaven: it was a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon at her feet (see Genesis 37:9-11), and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in agony as she was about to give birth.

The Second Character.

In verses 3-4, another sign appeared in heaven: a great red fiery dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and on his head were seven diadems (crowns). His tail swept a third of the stars out of heaven and hurled them to earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth to devour her son.

The Third Character.

In verses 5-6, but she gave birth to a son who will shepherd the nations with an iron scepter, and her son will be caught up to God and His throne. The woman escaped to the wilderness where she was protected by God for 1,260 days (3-1/2 years, or 42 months).

The Fourth Character.

In verses 7-12, war broke out in heaven: Michael against the dragon and his angels (demons). The dragon, the ancient serpent, known as Satan or the Devil, who deceives the world and was thrown out of heaven to earth.

A hymn of praise from heaven declared salvation, power, and the kingdom of God, and the authority of the Messiah has now come because the accuser (Satan) has been thrown out (of heaven). He was conquered by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (martyrs). Rejoice in heaven but woe to the earth and the sea where Satan will dwell with great fury for a short time (1,260 days).

The Fifth Character.

In verses 13-17, when the dragon was thrown to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. The woman was given wings of an eagle so she could escape to the wilderness for a time, times, and half a time (3-1/2 years, 1,260 days, or 42 months).

The serpent tried to sweep her away, but the earth protected her. The dragon was furious and left her to wage war against her children, those who keep God’s commands and have the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 13

The Sixth Character.

In verses 1-10, a beast came up out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were seven diadems (crowns), and on his heads were blasphemous names.

The beast was like a leopard, his feet like a bear’s, and his mouth like a lion’s.

The power of the beast comes from Satan. One of the beast’s heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but the wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed by the beast and worshiped it.

A mouth was given to him to utter blasphemies and speak boasts. He was given authority for 42 months (1,260 days, 3-1/2 years, 42 months, or times, time, and half a time).  He spoke blasphemies against God, His name, His dwelling, and those who live there.  He was permitted to wage war against the saints and conquer them.  He was given authority over every people, tribe, nation, and language.  All those who live on the earth will worship him except for those whose names are written in the book of life.

Anyone who has an ear should listen: if anyone is destined for captivity into captivity, he will go. If anyone is destined to be killed by the sword, he will be killed. This demands the perseverance and faith of the saints.

The Seventh Character.

In verses 11-18, another beast came up out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb but sounded like a dragon (like Satan). He had all the authority of the first beast and forced all those who live on the earth to worship the first beast whose fatal wound was healed.

• He performs great signs, causing a fire to come down out of heaven to earth in front of the people.
• He deceives those who live on the earth through his signs, telling them to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and lived.
• He was permitted to give a spirit to the image so the image could both speak and require whoever would not worship him to be killed.
• He requires everyone in the world to be given a sign on his right hand or forehead so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, the beast’s name, or the number of his name.
• The number of the beast’s name is the number of man: 666.

Revelation 14 & 15

In these two chapters, John describes additional details of events in heaven and on earth leading up to the bowl judgments in Revelation 16.

Revelation 14

In verses 1-5, John describes the Lamb and the 144,000. The Lamb stood on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who were sealed were with Him. 

• A sound from heaven like cascading water and rumbling thunder.
• Harpists are singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the 24 elders.
• No one could hear the song except the 144,000 redeemed from the earth.
• These are ones not defiled by women—they are virgins.

• They follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
• They were redeemed from the human race as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
• No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

In verses 6-13, John describes the proclamation of the three angels.

• I (John) saw another angel flying overhead to announce the Gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people of the earth.
• He spoke with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and springs of water.”
• A second angel followed, saying, “Babylon the Great has fallen, who made all nations drink the wine of her sexual immorality which brings wrath.”
• A third angel followed them, saying if anyone worships the beast and receives the mark on his forehead or his hand, he will drink the wine of God’s wrath. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the sight of the Holy Angels and the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will go up forever. There is no rest for anyone who worships the beast
• This demands the perseverance of the saints to keep God’s commands and their faith in Jesus.
• A voice from heaven said the dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed. Yes, said the Spirit, let them rest from their labors.

In verses 14-20, John describes the reaping of the earth’s harvest.

• I (John) looked, and there was a white cloud, and one like the Son of Man seated on the cloud with a gold crown, a harp, and a sickle.
• Another angel came out of the sanctuary crying out to the One seated on the cloud to reap for the time to reap has come since the harvest of the earth is ripe.

• So the One seated on the cloud swung the sickle, and the earth was harvested.
• Another angel with a sickle came out of the sanctuary in heaven.
• Another angel who had authority over fire came from the altar and called to the angel with the sickle to gather the cluster of grapes from the earth’s vineyard.

• The angel swung his sickle and threw the grapes into the great winepress of God’s wrath.
• Then the press was trampled outside the city (Jerusalem), and blood flowed out of the press up to the horse’s bridles for 180 miles (1,600 stadia).

Revelation 15

In verses 1-8, John describes the preparation for the bowl judgments.

• Then, I (John) saw another great sign in heaven; seven angels with the seven last plagues to complete God’s wrath.
• I also saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had won victory over the beast, his image, and the number of his name were standing on the sea with harps from God.
• They sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:
  • Great and awe-inspiring are Your Works Lord God, the Almighty.
  • Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations.
  • Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name?
  • Because you alone are holy for all the nations will come and worship before you because your righteous acts have been revealed.
• After this, I looked, and the heavenly sanctuary was opened.
• Out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues.
• They were dressed in clean, bright linen with gold sashes around their chests.
• One of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven bowls filled with the wrath of God.
• The sanctuary was filled with smoke from God’s glory and His power.
• No one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues from the seven bowls were completed.

Revelation 16

Revelation 16 is chronologically close to the second coming of Christ. The bowl judgments occur in rapid succession, reaching a climax of world war (Daniel 11:36-45).

In verse 1, I (John) heard a loud voice from the sanctuary telling the seven angels to go pour out God’s wrath on the earth.

The First Bowl.

In verse 2, the first angel poured out his bowl on the earth, and painful sores broke out on the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.

The Second Bowl.

In verse 3, the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea. It turned to blood, and all the creatures of the sea died.

The Third Bowl.

In verses 4-7, the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they also became blood. The angel declared the riotousness of God, who is and was the Holy One. The judgment came because they poured out the blood of the saints and prophets. Someone from the altar said the Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.

The Fourth Bowl.

In verses 8-9, the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun. He was given the power to burn people with fire. People were burned up because of the intense heat. So they blasphemed the name of God and did not repent and give Him glory.

The Fifth Bowl.

In verses 10-11, the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was thrown into darkness. People gnawed on their tongues because of the pain and blasphemed God because of their pain and sores but refused to repent.

The Sixth Bowl.

In verses 12-16, the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the Euphrates River. Its water dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the east.

• I saw three unclean frogs coming from the dragon’s mouth, the beasts’ mouth, and from the mouth of the false prophet.
• For they are spirits of demons performing signs to kings of the world to assemble them for the great day of battle with God Almighty.
• I am coming like a thief in the night. The one who is prepared and clothed, so people will not see his shame is blessed.

• So they assembled them at the place known in Hebrew as Armageddon.

The Seventh Bowl.

In verses 17-21, then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice from the sanctuary said, “It is done.”

• There were flashes of lightning and rumbling of thunder.
• And a severe earthquake like none ever before on the earth.
• The great city (Babylon) was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.
• Babylon the Great (see Deuteronomy 4:30) was given a cup of God’s fierce anger.
• Every island fled, and mountains disappeared.
• Hailstones weighing 100 pounds fell from the sky, and the people blasphemed God for the plague of hail.

Revelation 17-18 is an expansion on the seventh bowl of wrath and Babylon the Great (Revelation 16:19). Revelation 17 is focused largely on Babylon the Great’s religious character, while Revelation 18 is focused on its political power.

Revelation 17

In verses 1-2, one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came to me (John) and said he would show me the judgment of the notorious prostitute who sits on many waters. Kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her.

In verses 3-5, the angel carried me (John) away to the desert in the Spirit (not physically).

• I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
• The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls.
• She had a gold cup in her hand filled with everything vile from her prostitution.
• On her forehead was written, “Babylon the Great, The Mother of Prostitutes, and the Vile Things of the Earth.”
• The woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and of the witnesses to Jesus.
• John was astonished by what he saw.

In verses 7-18, John is given the meaning of the woman and the beast:

• The angel wondered why John was astonished and went on to explain the meaning of the woman and the beast that carries her.
• The beast was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction.
• Those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the beginning of time will be astonished when they see the beast that was is not, and will be present again.

• The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated.
• They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. When he comes, he will remain for a little while.
• The beast that was and is not is the eighth king, yet he belongs to the seven and is going to be destroyed.

• The ten horns are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.
• Their one purpose is to give power and authority to the beast.
• They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
• Those with Him [the Lamb] are called, chosen, and faithful.
• The waters you saw where the prostitute [Babylon the Great] was seated are the peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.
• The ten horns you saw and the beast [the antichrist] will hate the prostitute.
• They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire.

• For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan according to His purpose.
• And the woman you saw [Babylon the Great] is the great city that has an empire over the kings of the earth.

Revelation 18

In verse 1, another angel came from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.

In verses 2-3, the angel said Babylon the Great has fallen; she has become a dwelling place for demons, unclean spirits, unclean birds, and every unclean beast. For all the nations have drunk the wine of her sexual immorality, which brings wrath. The kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants have become wealthy from her.

In verses 4-8, another voice from heaven ordered people to come out of her, so you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues. For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Pay her back double for her crimes. As much as she lived in luxury, give her that much torment and grief. She thinks she is a queen and will never see grief. For this reason, plagues, death, grief, and famine will come in one day. She will burn with fire because the Lord God judges her.

In verses 9-20, the world is described as mourning Babylon’s fall:

• Kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality with her will weep and mourn when they see her burning. They will stand far off in fear of her torment saying woe to the city for in a single hour your judgment has come.
• Merchants of the earth will also mourn because no one buys their merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine fabrics, silk, fragrant wood products, ivory, expensive wood, brass, iron, and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, wheat flour, grain, cattle, sheep, horses and carriages, and slaves.
• The fruit you craved is gone, no one will ever find them again.
• The merchants will stand far off in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, saying woe to the great city for in a single hour her wealth was destroyed.
• Every shipmaster, seafarer, and sailor and all who do business by sea stood far off watching her burn weeping and mourning for in a single hour she was destroyed.
• Rejoice heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets because God has executed your judgment on her.

In verses 21-24, then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying in this way Babylon will be thrown down violently, never to be found again. The sound of harpists and musicians will never be heard again. The light of a lamp will never be seen again. The voice of a bride and groom will never be heard again. All this will happen because your merchants were the nobility of the earth because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery and because the blood of the prophets and saints and all those slaughtered [martyrs] on the earth was found in you.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Revelation 19-22