The Last Battle and a Grand Surprise
Read: Revelation 11:7-19 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. (v. 12) After the church completes her mission, the world will be polarized into two opposing forces. A “beast” arises from the abyss—a satanic world […]
Two Lampstands, Two Olive Trees
Read: Revelation 10:1-11:6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. (Zech. 4:6) A great angel appears and roars out, “There will be no more delay!” (10:6 NIV). God is accomplishing his purposes. The […]
The 7th Seal and 7 Trumpets
Read: Revelation 8 and Revelation 9 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Ps. 24:1 NIV) Jesus opens the seventh seal. Ominous silence fills heaven. Seals reveal mysteries and this may be the greatest mystery. Seven angels stand with seven trumpets. An angel adds incense […]
The Puzzling Question of the 144,000
Read: Revelation 7 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (v. 17) Before the seventh seal and final end, God orders the angels to withhold judgment. He’ll save all he […]
The Fifth and Sixth Seals
Read: Revelation 6:9-17 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? (Luke 18:7) The fifth seal shows the souls of the martyrs under the altar, victims of the red horseman. The way they are revealed under the altar is like a […]
What Does the Bible Say about the End of the World (and What Doesn’t It Say)?
Reading the book of Revelation helps us understand God’s message of salvation, but it can leave believers with a lot of questions about the end times, when Jesus will return. This is part two of a three-part series to help you understand the end times. This week, we look at what the Bible says about the […]
Sinister Red, Black and Pale Horses
Read: Revelation 6:1-8; Matt.10:26-36 So do not be afraid of them. (Matt. 10:26 NIV) This famous passage is often referenced in end-times literature. Some think the white horse means war, the red one bloodshed, the black one famine. This is not likely, since these plagues are listed directly under the fourth, the “pale” horse (v. 8). […]
Mystery Rider on a White Horse
Read: Revelation 6:1-8 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. (Psalm 45:4 NIV) What suspense. The Lamb opens a seal. A rider on a white horse is crowned, then rides forth majestically into the world. The crowds gasp! He’s the Warrior-King […]
The Lion and the Lamb
Read: Revelation 5 Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! (v. 12) As John cries because no one can open the scroll, an elder speaks to him, and the action picks up. There is one who is able! It is “the […]