Revelation

Lesson 5Revelation 8:1 - 9:21

We saw that the white horse with the rider who had a bow, but no arrows, was the Anti-Christ who will take power with words – not arrows, and that following him will be the horse of war, the horse of famine, and the horse of pestilence and death. Realizing that potentially 25% of the earth’s population will be killed with these judgments we calculated that it would require almost 400,000 deaths a day, every day, for seven years for that to occur – and double that amount if most of the deaths are to occur in the second half of the tribulation. With these judgments put on hold until the angel sealed the 144,000 we closed our study by recognizing that untold millions will be won to Christ during the tribulation period as a result of the testimony of the 144,000 – and will be killed for their faith.

Bible

This week the seventh seal is broken and great calamity befalls man. Please read Chapters 8 and 9 as we prepare to see judgment like none other brought upon mankind.

May God bless you as you study His Holy Word this week.

Questions For Our Fifth Week

  1. Using the Bible to interpret the Bible let’s see if we can determine the meanings of some of the most difficult passages in the Bible. Using the scripture references cited (and others if you can find them) write out a short meaning for each of the following symbols (some of these we covered last week):
    1. Trees (Isaiah 10:33)
    2. Green Grass (2 Kings 19:26, Isaiah 37:27, Isaiah 40:6-7, James 1:9-10)
    3. Third Part (Zechariah 13:9)
    4. Mountain (Daniel 2 35, 44-45)
    5. Stars (Joel 2:1-11; see also Revelation 1:20)
    6. Sea, Waters (Isaiah 8:7-9, 17:12-13, Revelation 17:15)
    7. Wormwood (Amos 5:7-12)
    8. Sun, Moon and Stars (Genesis 37:9, Revelation 12:1, Isaiah 9:6)
    9. Tails like scorpions (Isaiah 7:4)
    10. Smoke (Rev 9:2); Since this smoke is coming out of the bottomless pit, and from the smoke come the locusts it appears that II Thessalonians 2:8-12 is the proper interpretation for what smoke is symbolizing.
    11. Locusts (Isaiah 40:22, Nahum 3:15-17, Judges 6:5, 7:12, Jeremiah 46:23, Joel 2:8-10, Proverbs 30:27)
  2. How many times in Chapters 8 and 9 does John use the phrase “third part”?
  3. In chapters 8 and 9 list each verse where the words “like or as it were” is used? (This tells us John is using a symbol.)
  4. Now, using what you’ve learned write out in your own words an interpretation of the following verses from Chapter 8:
    1. Verse 7
    2. Verse 8
    3. Verse 9
    4. Verse 10
    5. Verse 11
    6. Verse 12
  5. Using the symbols you’ve researched earlier what is being depicted in general terms in Chapter 9 verses 1-5?
  6. Can you interpret a general interpretation for the rest of chapter 9? Consider that the breastplate symbolizes protection - in this case it may mean their hearts are set and cannot be changed. What were they judged for - it may help you figure out what's going on - look at the closing verses of the chapter. Can you list what they did NOT repent from? Does it help in your understanding of the chapter?

Have a great week everyone!

Yours in Christ

Wes