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REVELATION – LESSON 9
I. VICTORY OF GOD’S CAUSE AND HIS SAINTS (19:11-
A. Christ as the victorious warrior and leader (19:11, cf. 3:14)
1. He leads the heavenly pure to victory over persecuting Roman Empire (19:11, 14).
2. His character:
a. Faithful and true – trustworthy (19:11, cf. 3:14)
b. Name: Only He knows – unique relationship with God; The Word of God (19:12; John 1:1-
c. Right to execute judgment – Arrayed in garments sprinkled with saints’ blood, He now treads the winpress of God’s fierce wrath upon the enemy – a righteous judgment (19:13, 15, cf. 11).
d. Victorious: many diadems on head – abundant rule (19:12); “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS written on thigh -
3. Powerfully equipped – piercing flaming eyes – penetrate to heart of enemy (19:12, cf. 1:14); sharp sword out of mouth – smites nations (19:15; cf. Psalm 2:9, 110:7, Isaiah 11:1-
B. The Great Battle – God’s victory through Christ (19:17-
1. Angel standing in light gathers birds of prey for the great supper of God
(19:17-
a. All connected with the enemy will fall in this battle.
2. The Beast and vassal kings unite to battle God’s cause (19:19).
3. Beast, false prophet (the other beast of Rev. 13:11-
4. The rest – the kings and others united with the beast (the Roman empire and surrounding authorities leading in the persecution of saints) will be killed with sword and the birds feast as they were promised (19:21, cf.
Dan. 7:11-
C. Reign with Christ – the cause of the persecuted Christian is vindicated (20:1-
1. Satan is bound in the abyss by a strong angel from heaven – angel has key to the abyss and chain (20:1).
2. Satan is bound for 1,000 years – symbolic of a complete time – Devil not able to deceive nations with emperor worship (20:2-
a. Action is protective, not punitive.
3. First resurrection: souls beheaded – sit on thrones. Their faithfulness to the testimony of Jesus is vindicated. They reign in victory with Christ (the cause) for the 1,000 years which is symbolic of a complete time where
Devil does not work his havoc through forceful emperor worship (20:4-
D. The Loosing of Satan (20:7-
1. A time FOLLOWING the complete time of Satan being bound will see Satan again deceiving many to threaten God’s cause.
2. The enemy personified in Gog and Magog (cf. Ezek. 38-
E. Final Judgment (20:11-
1. Before the Great White Throne
2. Present time on earth will have ended – earth and heaven fled before face of God (20:11, 2 Peter 3:10-
3. Everyone gathered: dead, small and great, rich and poor, kings and slaves (20:12; Rom 14:12; Acts 17:30-
4. Open Books (20:12)
a. Books – source of judgment (standard, works of men)
b. Book of Life – “another book” – God’s record of the righteous (Exodus 32:32-
5. The Sea (vast humanity) and death and hades (humanity’s fearful enemy) is judged according to works (20:13-
a. Those of all humanity not in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire.
b. Death and Hades cast into the lake of fire,
c. Lake of fire – second death (cf. 20:6).
QUESTIONS:
1. What was the rider on the white horse called?
2. Who followed Him on white horses?
3. What characteristics paint the picture of VICTORY for the one on the white horse?
4. What FOUR identities from this book fall in the great battle?
5. Who are “the rest” in 19:21?
6. How do they tie together in the announcement to the birds in 19:17?
7. What is the “binding” of Satan accomplishing in 20:1-
8. To what does the 1,000 years have reference?
9. From 20:4-
10. What is the “first resurrection” in 20:5?
11. From the Old Testament, explain the meaning of Gog and Magog here in Revelation:
12. What happened to those who compassed the camp of the saints to battle?
13. What were “the books” that were opened when John saw the great white throne?
14. What is the book of life?
15. What is the second death?
16. Who and what are cast into the lake of fire in this section?
REVELATION – LESSON 10
I. THE HOLY CITY GLORIFIED (Chapters 21-
A. The new condition or state of the Christian (21:1-
1. New heaven and new earth – new life and circumstances for persecuted saints (21:1).
a. Focus is upon when the first heaven and earth have passed away (cf. 20:11).
b. Sea no more – God’s transcendence out of the way (cf. 4:6); or all of humanity on earth (20:13) brought to the end.
2. New Jerusalem: holy city comes out of heaven adorned or ready for the marriage with her husband – Christ (21:2)
3. God Himself is now with men (21:3) – in His immediate presence.
4. No tears – the cause of sorrow no longer exists (21:4).
5. Voice from God on His throne – all things are made new (21:5-
a. Words are trustworthy.
b. Words proceed from God – Alpha and the Omega – beginning and the end.
c. Blessed are the courageous who overcome.
d. Cursed are the fearful and ungodly – experience second death.
B. The glory of the holy city – the wife of the lamb (21:9-
1. God’s glorious light – like shining jasper (diamond) 21:11)
2. Wall was great and high – prominent distinction between holy and unholy (21:12-
a. Twelve gates with twelve angels as gates – guarding entrance
(1). Names of twelve tribes of Israel written thereon – God’s covenant people.
(2). Three gates were on each side – east, north, south, and west – symmetrically perfect city.
(3). The gates were of pearl – glorious, precious (21:21).
b. Twelve foundation with names of twelve apostles with precious stones – God’s covenant people built on the Gospel preached by apostles (21:14, 19-
c. Wall measured 144 cubits – perfect measurement shining as diamond (21:17, 18).
3. City measured as perfect cube – length, breadth, height 12,000 furlongs (1500 miles) – perfect city (21:15-
4. Street of pure gold (21:22)
5. No temple there for in God’s immediate presence – God and the lamb are the temple of this holy place (21:22).
6. City needs no light – sun, moon – for God and the lamb are its light; gates are always opened – one eternal day (21:23-
7. Only the righteous in the city (21:26-
C. The sustaining and perfect garden (22:1-
1. Water of life flowing from the throne, like shining crystal (22:1)
2. Tree of life – one each side of the river and in the midst of the street – giving eternal healing (22:2).
3. No curse anymore, now the redeemed serving God before His throne face to face (22:3-
4. No more night – redeemed reigning in victory for ever and ever (22:5).
D. Final assurance and warnings (22:6-
1. “Behold I come quickly” (22:7)
a. The prophecy speaks of things shortly to come to pass (22:12, 20; cf. 1:1, 22:6; 1:3; 22:10).
2. Message is sure for it is from God (22:6-
a. John adds his personal testimony to its authority.
b. John falls down to worship angel, and again is admonished (22:8-
c. Jesus adds His authority and testimony (22:16).
3. The truly blessed are those who keep the sayings of this prophecy, and do God’s commandments (22:7, 14).
4. Invitation and warning (22:17-
a. Let him come who is athirst – Spirit and bride invite.
b. Words of this prophecy are delivered and cannot be changed (add or subtract) with impunity.
(1). If add to – then add plagues in this book of prophecy.
(2). If subtract – then take away one’s part from the tree of life and holy city which are written in this book.
E. Conclusion: “Come Lord Jesus” (22:20).
QUESTIONS:
1. Why is the church described in connection with such terms as a new heaven and new earth?
2. What is the end of the fearful and ungodly?
3. What is the significance of the city with a great and high wall?
4. What is the significance of the gates?
5. What illuminated the city?
6. From what place is the river of life flowing?
7. What kind of tree is on the banks of the river?
8. What figure illustrates the saints’ final victory?
9. Name the three witnesses that attest to the validity of the message:
10. How many times is John told in this book not to worship angels, but only God? Why?
11. What is the significance of not sealing the sayings of this prophecy?
12. What phrases go along with the command to not seal the sayings of this prophecy?
13. What is the purpose of the city gates and walls of the city?
14. Is 22:18-
15. For what does John desire? Should we desire the same?