1. Introduction and Timeline ?_____?_??____________?___?__

2. Introduction 2 Reading Revelation Would the churches which received John’s Revelation have sat down and studied it ‘verse by verse’? Question: What would have happened? Task: Sit down with a coffee, and with a modern version (like the NIV) and read Revelation right through in one go. That is: Get the gist, without worrying about the detail. Parts that are clear; parts that are incomprehensible.

3. Introduction 3 This would have been the same for those first century Christians. They would have read it or heard it read, many times. It would have stimulated much discussion … for a very long time... And it is the same today. If you do that – sit down and read it right through … what do you find.

4. Introduction 4 Chapter 1: an interesting introduction. Chapters 2-3: letters to churches: strength and weakness Chapters 4-20: visions of future events, in heaven and upon earth Chapter 21: the creation of the new heavens and new earth and new Jerusalem Chapter 22: concluding chapter If you do read right through Revelation ask yourself these sorts of questions …

5. Introduction 5 Who did John write to? Jewish Christians or Gentile Christians? Did John assume any prior knowledge from his readers? If so, what? What event is the focus of much of Revelation? What period of time is Revelation mainly dealing with? The central part of Revelation changes back and forth between heaven and earth and it seems to go over events three times. When dealing with the earth, which part of the earth is the main focus?

6. Introduction 6 Sit down and read right through Revelation and enjoy its climax. Revelation 21:1-2: (Read) Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

7. Introduction 7 Revelation 21:3-4 (Read) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ Wow! How? Why?

8. Introduction 8 How? Why? No more sin Note 2 Peter 3:12-13: That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. KJV: wherein dwells righteousness But beware … if you read on.

9. Introduction 9 Revelation 22:14-15: ‘Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practises falsehood. Note: John has gone back to the Jerusalem of the Millennial Kingdom. First and second advents put together in OT prophecy Millennium and New earth also put together in OT and NT prophecy. How can you tell? Is there sin and death around?

10. Introduction 10 Isaiah 65:17-21: (Read): See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice for ever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. 20 ‘Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

11. Introduction 11 Ch 1: Introduction Ch 2 & 3: The people on earth in John’s Day: The letters to the Seven Churches Ch 4–20: Visions of future events in Heaven and on Earth Ch 21-22:5: The people on the New Earth Ch 22:6-21: Conclusion The central part of Revelation (chapters 4-20) changes back and forth between heaven and earth and it seems to go over the same time period three times. It is not linear (which is what we like).

12. Serious questions 12 (1) Which group, or groups, of people is a prophecy intended to benefit? Those to who it was originally given? Those alive when the prophecy comes true? Those living between those two times? (2) Which group(s) are most likely to get the interpretation wrong? Note: Humility

13. A time line 13

14. A time line 14 Hand-out: Point A ? Some time in the future Israel will again be ‘ammi’ – My people Lo ammi – not my people Started after Acts 28:17-28 (Read) Started at Acts 28:28 (about AD 63) and confirmed in AD 70 by the destruction of the temple.

15. A time line 15 Need some years before we get to Point B as a number of prophetic events (especially from Daniel) have to be fulfilled before we get to Point B (e.g. battles between the King of the North and the King of the South). The King of the North emerges victorious Point B The King of the North makes a seven year agreement with Israel Daniel 9:27: He will confirm a covenant with many [the Jews] for one seven [seven years].

16. A time line 16

17. A time line 17 Question: What are the likely terms of the covenant? Rebuilding of the Temple and the setting up of the evening and morning sacrifice. Note: Daniel 8:13-14: Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, ‘How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled – the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the L ORD ’s people?’ He said to me, ‘It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.’

18. A time line 18 Note: 2300 days is short of seven years 7 x 360 = 2520 2520 – 2300 = 220 About 7-8 months Question: Is that how long it will take to get the temple into a fit state for the first evening and morning sacrifice? Between Point B and Point C is a time of peace for Israel but …

19. A time line 19 Point C 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3: Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Question: Why? What happens?

20. A time line 20 Point C: What happens?

21. A time line 21

22. A time line 22 Point C 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3: Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Question: Why? What happens?

23. A time line 23 Daniel 9:27: He will confirm a covenant with many for one “seven”. In the middle of the “seven” he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation... That is: after 3 ½ years he [the King of the North] breaks the covenant he made with the many (Israel). Why?

24. A time line 24 Just before Point C: Daniel 11:25-28: With a large army he will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South. The king of the South will wage war with a large and very powerful army, but he will not be able to stand because of the plots devised against him. Those who eat from the king’s provisions will try to destroy him; his army will be swept away, and many will fall in battle. The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. The king of the North will return to his own country with great wealth, but his heart will be set against the holy covenant. He will take action against it and then return to his own country.

25. A time line 25 Daniel 11:29-30: ‘At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favour to those who forsake the holy covenant. Note 1: This person is not the all-dominant world- wide antichrist that some people make him out to be. Note 2: Those who forsake the holy covenant – renegade Jews.

26. A time line 26 Back to Daniel 9:27: He will confirm a covenant with many for one “seven”. In the middle of the “seven” he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation...

27. A time line 27 Matthew 24:15: So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel …

28. A time line 28 Matthew 24:15: So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel

29. A time line 29 V 15: So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel Note: If we are going to understand Matthew & Revelation, we need to have some understanding of Daniel’s prophecy.

30. A time line 30 Daniel 9:27: He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. " He … the King of the North …The Antichrist Many … the Jewish people A seven year covenant of peace … allowing the morning and evening sacrifices in the temple. In the middle of the seven … i.e. after 3 ½ years … he breaks the covenant and sets up an abomination in the temple.

31. A time line 31 Daniel 11:31: "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. Daniel 12:11. "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.”

32. A time line 32 Note: three things from Daniel: (1) Sacrifice is to be abolished; (2) The temple is not to be destroyed; (3) The abomination is to be set up in the temple. Question: Did the Romans do that in AD 70?

33. A time line 33 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4: (Read) Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion [falling away] occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

34. A time line 34 Revelation 13:14-15. Because of the signs he [the false prophet] was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth[ge = the land]. He ordered them to set up an image in honour of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed Note: Only one image to be set up. Question: Where?

35. A time line 35 Question: Where?

36. A time line 36 Revelation 13: 16-18. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. Note: Everyone? The Jews to take a mark on their forehead or right hand?

37. A time line 37 Note: Everyone? All this is to do with the Jews and Jerusalem and the Temple and Judea; it has little if anything to do with the Gentile Christian Church worldwide. Deuteronomy 6:6-8: These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. The mark of the beast replaces these.... For Jews.

38. A time line 38 Available from www.obt.org.uk Also available as an eBook from Amazon and Apple

39. A time line 39 Question: What happens between points C & D

40. A time line 40 Question: What happens between points C & D

41. A time line 41 Question: What happens between points C & D

42. A time line 42

43. A time line 43 Question: What happens between points C & D Point C: Matthew 24:15: "So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- Matthew 24:16-18: then [at that time] let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. Question: Take nothing; no cloak … no food? Answer: No! Question: Why not?

44. A time line 44 Revelation 12:1-2: (Read) A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Note: This is not a picture of Mary giving birth to Christ. Genesis 37:9-10: Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.’ When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, ‘What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?’

45. A time line 45 Revelation 12:3-4: Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. Note: This child was not, and could not have been, the baby Jesus. Question: Who is this child? Question: But first, who is this dragon?

46. A time line 46 Revelation 12:7-9: (Read) Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient snake called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

47. A time line 47 Revelation 12:13-14: (Read) When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the snake’s reach. Note: a time = 1 years; times = 2 years; half a time = ½ year. That is 3 ½ years

48. A time line 48 Revelation 12:5: She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron sceptre.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. Question: Who is this son? Not Christ; all future. Note: Christ will rule the nations with a rod of iron but note … The overcomers of Revelation chapters 2 & 3 E.g. Revelation 2:26-27: To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – that one “will rule them with an iron sceptre” These are the overcomers of Israel and will join …

49. A time line 49 Matthew 27:28-29: Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 24:16-18: (Read) Question: Take nothing; no cloak … no food? Answer: No! Question: Why not?

50. A time line 50 Revelation 12:6: The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. Fed for 1260 days = 3 ½ years. (Time, times, ½ time v 14) Remember: Manna in the wilderness. Note: take nothing; no cloak … no clothing? Deuteronomy 29:5: Yet the L ORD says, ‘During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.’

51. A time line 51 Note Matthew 24: 19: How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Compare Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:26-29. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this … Question: What was the ‘present crisis’?

52. A time line 52 V 29: But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this … 1 Corinthians 7:30: What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not. Note: later when the ‘crisis’ is over, Paul wrote: 1 Timothy 5:14: So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children

53. A time line 53 Matthew 24: 20: Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. Note: Sabbath Day – Jews Note: Practically all the events relating to these last 3 1/2 years, between Point C and Point D, relate to the temple, Jerusalem, Judea and the Jews. Question: But what will the wider effect be?

54. A time line 54 Getting close to Point D.

55. A time line 55

56. A time line 56 Getting close to Point D. Matthew 24: 21: For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equalled again. Unequalled Distress; The Great Tribulation (KJV) Where? Jerusalem; Judea! How much further? Who? The Jews.

57. A time line 57 Matthew 24:22: If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Question: Who are the elect? Who were the elect when Christ spoke? Question: How will those days be cut short?

58. A time line 58 Matthew 24: 29-30 (Read) Immediately after the distress of those days “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

59. A time line 59 Matthew 24:29-30: compare with Zechariah 14:1-7 (read) I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured … Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3 Then the L ORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley … You will flee by my mountain valley … Then the L ORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be neither sunlight nor cold, frosty darkness. It will be a unique day … with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light.

60. A time line 60 This is Point E … and a number of things happen.

61. A time line 61 This is Point E … and a number of things happen.

62. A time line 62

63. A time line 63 This is Point E … and a number of things happen. Israel are saved and those who fled into the mountains and those elsewhere are gathered. Matthew 24:30-31: ‘Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth [a] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.a [a] all tribes of the land [footnote latest NIV]a

64. A time line 64 Revelation 1:7: ‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all peoples on earth ‘will mourn because of him.’ Zechariah 12:10: ‘And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Question: Just been saved; why mourn?

65. A time line 65 Daniel 7:11-14 (Read) 11 ‘Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 13 ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

66. A time line 66 Another thing at Point E is Satan is defeated and bound. Revelation 20:1-3: And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient snake, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

67. A time line 67 At Point E we have the first resurrection. Revelation 20:4-6: I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

68. A time line 68 The First resurrection at The Last Trumpet Revelation 11:15: The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.’ 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: Listen, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

69. A time line 69 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17: (Read) According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever.

70. A time line 70 At Point E Christ sets up His kingdom on Earth Revelation 11:15: The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.’ Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth Matthew 6:10: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

71. A time line 71 Isaiah 2:2-4 (Read) In the last days the mountain of the L ORD ’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the L ORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the L ORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.

72. A time line 72 Israel fulfil their role as a Kingdom of Priests The Kingdom last for 1,000 years, but it is not perfect. Point F – Satan is released!

73. A time line 73

74. A time line 74 Revelation 20:7-10: (Read) When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth – Gog and Magog – and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

75. A time line 75 Satan is destroyed: Hebrews 2:14: Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil. Ezekiel 28:13,18: You were in Eden, the garden of God … So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. Question: tormented day and night for ever and ever? For ever and ever = Greek = until the age of the ages

76. A time line 76 Point G – The Second Resurrection: Revelation 20:11-15: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

77. A time line 77

78. A time line 78 Point H – The Age of the Ages: The new Heavens and New Earth 2 Peter 3:10-14: (Read) The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare… That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

79. A time line 79 Revelation 21:1-5: (Read) Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

80. A time line 80 4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ 5 He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’

81. A time line 81