End Times: Back to the Future

Lesson 18 w/AnswersRevelation 16

In this lesson we will examine the final seven judgments and prepare to study the fall of the two Babylons.

End Times

As we approach the climax of the Book of Revelation and the impending return of Christ, we now turn our studies to the most horrendous events ever unleashed on the earth and mankind, known as the seven vial judgments and the fall of Mystery Babylon.

Questions for Revelation Chapter 16

  1. It has taken 15 chapters to describe the end-time events through the seven seal and seven trumpet judgments. How much further do we have to read in order to see the last seven judgments revealed? (see Rev. 16:17)
    1. ANSWER: All of the final judgments are revealed in these first 17 verses of Revelation Chapter 16.
  2. What can we discern from this observation?
    1. ANSWER: We can infer that these last seven judgments happen very quickly, which means they come very near the end of the Great Tribulation Period.
  3. Who are the last judgments brought on? (see Rev. 16:2 for an example)
    1. ANSWER: They are inflicted on those who took the mark of the beast and worshipped his image.
  4. How do the verses in Revelation 16:2-12 compare with those in Revelation 6:2-8 and Revelation 14:20?
    1. ANSWER: These verses correspond to the four horseman: the consequences of the conqueror without arrows, war, disease and famine. As we noted early in our study, the four horsemen were general judgments that occur over the seven years. The judgments in Revelation Chapter 16 are specific, but result in death through plagues, disease, famine and war.
  5. Read Chapter 16, and list the 7 plague judgments by the verse(s) below:
    1. Revelation 16:2
      1. ANSWER: "Foul and loathsome sores"
    1. Revelation 16:3
      1. ANSWER: Death
    1. Revelation 16:4
      1. ANSWER: Blood
    1. Revelation 16:8
      1. ANSWER: Fire
    1. Revelation 16:10
      1. ANSWER: Darkness
    1. Revelation 16:12
      1. ANSWER: Drought
    1. Revelation 16:19-21
      1. ANSWER: Hail
  6. Who is being judged in Revelation 16:4? (see also Revelation 16:6)
    1. ANSWER: Those who killed the saints and prophets. From this we can see that the sea and the "creatures" in it equate to the followers of Satan. Remember that the first beast, the Anti-Christ rose out of the "sea", and these are his followers and the persecutors of the saints and prophets.
  7. Read Revelation 16:12. What other times in biblical history has God done something similar to the event described in this verse? (see Exodus 14:16 and Joshua 3:14-17)
    1. ANSWER: In similar fashion, God delivered His people from Egypt, and when He led them across the Jordan River on dry land into the promise land.
  8. Can you find an "unholy trinity" in Revelation 16:13? What are they and whom do they represent?
    1. ANSWER: The three frogs represent the three evil spirits coming from Satan, the Anti-Christ, and the false prophet.
  9. What do the events described in Revelation 16:17 signify?
    1. ANSWER: They signify that the last of God’s judgments have been revealed, i.e., that all of the judgments have been poured out on the earth. The time of Christ’s second coming is very near at this point.
  10. Several different events are recounted in Revelation 16:19-21. To help us better understand them, look up the following references. What do they tell us regarding the meaning of the symbol "isles", and what is being pictured in these verses? See Genesis 10:5, Isaiah 13:22, Isaiah 20:6, Isaiah 23:6, Isaiah 40:15, and Isaiah 51:5.
    1. ANSWER: These events represent the complete collapse of countries’ governments and economies. It is a picture of complete chaos, with anarchy breaking out on a worldwide scale. The reign of the Anti Christ and the false prophet is collapsing. All hope is lost; the world needs a savior now more than ever before, as it teeters on the verge of complete self destruction.
  11. In Revelation 16:19, there is a reference to the "great city". What city is this? (see also Revelation 14:8)
    1. ANSWER: The city is Babylon. According to Authors John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, in Bible Knowledge Commentary : "The great city split into three parts" refers to the destruction of Babylon. Though Jerusalem is mentioned in Revelation 11:8 as "the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified", the great city cited in Revelation 16:19 is Babylon. God will give Babylon "the cup filled with the wine of the fury of His wrath".

Have a great week everyone!

In Christ,

Wes

[2011]

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