Sermon Handout
Topic: Revelation: The beginning of the end, part 1 Sermon Notes for: 3-27-2022
Series: Enjoying Revelation Teacher: Pastor Will Text: Rev. 6-9
REVIEW: 3 things we learned from last Sunday’s message – The Throne Room
1. Maranatha is an Aramaic word = “the Lord is coming” or “come, O Lord.”
2. Revelation is about restoration(repentance) and glorification
3. Defining Terms in Revelation 4 and 5
| Term(s) | Rev. | Probable Meaning | Ref. notes |
| 24 elders/thrones | 4:4 | symbolizes God’s people in heaven, enthroned, rewarded. | 24 courses of priests in OT temple (1 Chron. 24:3-5, 18;Luke 1:5-9). God’s people are “kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6), reigning/ serving with Christ. |
| 7 Spirits of God | 4:5 | the 7-fold Spirit of God | Isa. 11:2 |
| Sea of glass | 4:6 | Holiness/magnificence | Job 37:18 Ezek. 1:22. |
| 4 living creatures/beasts | 4:6 | High order angels; seraphim. | Isa. 6:1-4; Ezek. 1:5-25 |
| Lion. Calf, man, eagle | 4:7 | Lion = power; ox = faithfulness; man = intelligence; eagle = sovereignty | Ezek.1:5-10; 10:14 |
| 6 wings; full of eyes | 4:8 | Power/swiftness; scrutinize/alert to everything. | Isa. 6:2; not omnipotent, omniscient |
| Book w/ 7 seals | 5:1 | God’s “will and testament” to Jesus. Complete and locked | Psalm 2:8; Heb. 1:2 |
| 7 horns/eyes/Spirits | 5:6 | 7 = number of perfection/completeness; perfect power = 7 horns; perfect wisdom = 7 eyes; perfect presence = the 7-fold Spirit of God. | 1 Kings 22:11; Zechariah 1:1 |
Why I believe the church is raptured somewhere between Revelation 3-4.
1. God’s Wrath, but not for the Church. Revelation 6:15 - 17 (NLT)
15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.
17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
1 Thessalonians 1:10 (KJV) 10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV) 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV)
9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Revelation 3:10 - 11 (ESV)
10Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
2. Ch. 4-5 appear to describe the church in heaven, worshipping God.
After speaking to the churches, John was taken up to heaven. It’s from that vantage point that he saw a description of the terrors of the Tribulation. The word “church,” used 18 times in chs. 1-3, isn’t used even once after that until the very end of Revelation. Chapters 6-19 describe the Tribulation, but don’t once mention the “church.” Because the church isn’t on earth; it’s in heaven.
3. As the people of God, we will certainly go through tribulation (John 16:33; Acts 14:22), but not the Tribulation
John 16:33 (KJV) 33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
What: the tribulation period – Rev. chapters 6-18
When: between the rapture (Rev. 4) and the second coming (Rev. 19)
Where: entire Earth
Why: Revelation 16:5 - 7 (NLT) 5And I heard the angel who had authority over all water saying, “You are just, O Holy One, who is and who always was, because you have sent these judgments. 6Since they shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, you have given them blood to drink. It is their just reward.”
7And I heard a voice from the altar, saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, your judgments are true and just.”
Who: God, Satan, demons, angels, saints, and sinners.
How: Together, the seals, trumpets, and bowls of the end times comprise “the great day of [God’s] wrath” (Revelation 6:17) and serve to judge the Antichrist’s kingdom of wickedness.
Chapter 10 introduces an interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets, much as chapter 7 was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. This interlude extends from 10:1 to 11:14. No corresponding interlude exists between the sixth and seventh bowl judgments, for at that time, the end will have come and there will be no time for further warning. Judgement intensifies with each set of seven judgments. God has chosen not to explain these visions totally.
Monday Morning Moment:
“Will you be ready when Jesus comes?” 2 Peter 3:3 - 15