1. The Drama Behind History – Scene # 7
Revelation 19:11-21:8
The Drama Behind History – Scene # 7
Oakland International Fellowship
Raymond Breckenridge Orr

2. Dr. Greg Beale’s Chiastic Diagram
Outline of the movement of chapters 17-22:5
A Judgment of the harlot (17:1-19:6)
B The divine judge (19:11-16)
C Judgment of the beast (19:17-21 ; cf. Ezek.39)
D Satan imprisoned for 1000 years (20:1-3)
D’ Saints’ reign / judge for 1000 years (20:4-6)
C’ Judgment of Gog & Magog (20:7-10 ; cf. Ezek.38-39)
B’ The divine judge (20:11-15)
A’ Vindication of the bride (21:1-22:5 ; cf. 19:7-9)
(NIGTC - p.983).
19:11-21:8
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3. The Rider on a White Horse
Rev. 19:11-16
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
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4. Rider – The Lord Jesus Christ.
(19:11-16)
Heaven stands open, not just heaven's door (4:1) or heaven's temple (11:19 ; 15:5), but the whole of heaven (19:11).
This rider wears “many crowns” which reveal his universal authority over the nations (19:12).
The rider’s robe is “dipped with blood” (7:14b ; 19:13)
The rider battles with a “sharp sword” that comes out of his mouth (19:15,21 ; Isa.49:2)
The rider’s name: a “name written that no one knows but himself”, one who is called… “Faithful and True”, the “Word of God” and the “King of kings and Lord of lords”.
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5. Rev. 19:17-21
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
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6. The end of the Beast and False Prophet, & the Death of those who followed them to war (19:17-21)
This fulfills the “3rd woe” that was never actually said to have been completed (8:13 ; 9:12 ; 11:14 ; 3rd woe?).
Beast and false prophet are first captured and then“thrown alive into” the lake of fire (19:20 ; 20:10), “tormented day and night” in what is called the“2nd death”
God remains sovereign as the prime mover of peoples, nations and history (17:16-17 ; 19:20-21) Ironic twist between the “great supper of God” (19:17) & the "wedding supper of the Lamb" (19:8-9).
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7. John has described the end of men bearing the mark in chapters 15 & 16, a detailed description and the end of Babylon in chapters 17 & 18, and Christ's victory bringing an end of the beast, false prophet and their followers in chapter 19.
But there is one foe, the leader of them all, who remains to be dealt with in chapter 20. His doom, is inevitably related to theirs and is described in this last section of final judgment and vindication.
Then the remainder in chapters 21 & 22 will deal with the glorious manifestation of the bride, the marvelous promises of God fulfilled and the final words of Christ through his messenger to the church that guarantee his return.
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8. The 1000 years --- Rev. 20:1-6
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped 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. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
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9. (1). VISIONARY – what John sees and hears
Victory Over Evil Through Christ: as the 1st Resurrection during the Church Age & Beyond (20:1-6).
When John says,“Then I saw” (20:1,6,11), this communicates the truth of God on 3 levels:
(1). VISIONARY – what John sees and hears
John sees an angel, with a key, holding a great chain, and a dragon cast into an Abyss for 1000 yrs.
(2). REFERENTIAL – what realities these things identify with in history
This is a period when Satan is bound and limited in influence as Christ reigns together with the saints.
(3). SYMBOLIC – what meaning or interpretation they provide
These images signify the limiting control and confinement of evil during the period that Christ asserts his authority in creation.
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10. Now God's judgment is portrayed as the climax of history.
Behind the scenes :both present realities and the real triumph of those who have died in Christ.
Christ’s first coming resulted in Satan being bound (20:1-2 ; Mat.12:29 ; Mk.3:27).
Now God's judgment is portrayed as the climax of history.
The battle is simply described as “Fire came down from heaven and consumed them” (20:9).
The thrones’ location is unclear (where), the period of 1000 years is uncertain (when), and the return of Christ is unmentioned in chapter 20 (why?).
But we know who controls the “key to the bottomless pit” (9:1-2 ; 20:1), “keys of death and Hades” (1:18) and the “key of David” (3:7)
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11. The concept of a “1st resurrection” is unique to Scripture here.
Both the “1stresurrection” and the “2nd death” refer primarily to the spiritual realm (20:5-6 ; 21:8).
The 5th of 7 blessings (20:6) puts its focus upon the 1st resurrection”
The concept of a “1st resurrection” is unique to Scripture here.
Christ is the “1st born from the dead” and the “1st fruits of those who have fallen asleep”. The church is called the “assembly of the 1st born” (Heb.12:23), the “1st fruits of God and the Lamb” (14:4), and a “kind of 1st fruits of his creatures” (Ja.1:18).
These concepts transcend the normal boundaries of physical life and deal with the spiritual realm.
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12. “1stresurrection” and “2nd death”
(20:5-6 ; 21:8).
The main difficulty raised is how to understand the phrase “they came to life” as the meaning presents some ambiguity: “They came to life and reigned with Christ 1000 years” (20:4) and the “rest of the dead” who “did not come to life until the 1000 years had ended” (20:5)
Critique: Interpretation must be consistent in a specific uniform context – a reasonable expectation.
In answer to this critique: John’s use of the word “life” in John 5:24-29, gives it a dual meaning in a uniform context, communicating both spiritual and physical realities. { N.T: coming to faith in Christ }
In the“2nd death”, ‘coming to life’ will be a fearful resurrection before the judgment throne of God, bringing great “weeping and gnashing of teeth”.
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13. The Defeat of Satan Rev. 20:7-10
19:11-21:8
7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
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14. It appears to form the very final stage of the entire church age.
Victory over evil through Christ: The final battle and Satan’s doom (20:7-10)
At the very end of human history, Satan is to be released for a “little while” (20:3).
The “little while” of 20:3 intersects with the “little time” of 6:11 and the “time is short” of 12:12.
It appears to form the very final stage of the entire church age.
This “little while” (20:3) relates directly to the angel’s oath that there would be “no more delay” (10:6).
It links with the “one hour” ruin of Babylon (3:10 ; 17:12 ; 18:10,17,19) and with both the “time is near” and Christ’s promise to be “coming soon” (1:1,3 ; 22:6,7,10,20)
During this “little while”, Satan will seek to crush the people of God once and for all (20:7-8).
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15. Deceiving the nations The great battle of “Armageddon” (16:16).
Chapter 20:7-10 is a recap of 16:14-16 and 19:17-21.
Final fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezek.38 & the evil designs of Gog & Magog.
The result: unremitting torment forever and ever, as symbolized by the “lake of fire and sulfur” (19:20 ; 20:10).
This harkens back to O.T. history & prophecy (20:9 ; Ezek.38:22 ; 39:6 ; 2 Kings 1: Elijah).
It is referred to as the “2nd death” (20:14-15 ; 21:8 ; 2 Pet.2:4 ; Jude 6)
Who can oppose the awesome power of the Lord God Almighty? Scripture’s answer -- No one!
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16. Judgment Before the Great White Throne
Rev. 20:11-15
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
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17. Dead are judged according to what they have done.
Victory over evil through Christ: The throne of God and final judgment (20:11-15)
“Great white throne” harkens back to Dan.7: and Ezek.1: Daniel’s Ancient of Days”
A vast universal impact is signified by “earth and sky fled away” from His presence.
The books are opened and “another book, the book of life” is opened (20:12).
Sea, death and Hades all give up their dead, signifying a ‘general resurrection’.
Dead are judged according to what they have done.
‘Double reference’ to “death & Hades”
The “2nd death”, for those whose names are not written in the book of life (18:5).
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18. The New Heaven and the New Earth
Rev. 21:1-4
19:11-21:8
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
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19. The New Heaven and the New Earth
Rev. 21:5-8
19:11-21:8
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
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20. The New Order (21:1-8)
Vision of a new world order in a new heaven and a new earth (21:1 ; Isa.65:17-19 ; Isa.66:22-24)
This depicts a movement in history
from the transitory to the permanent,
from a temporary ‘1st’ that is now old,
to the everlasting new.
2. As the 1st earth and the 1st heaven pass away, the “new heaven and new earth” probably imply something rejuvenated and transformed, rather than a totally other creation (Rom.8:18-23).
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21. There will be no mourning (7:16-17 ; 21:4).
The New Order (21:1-8)
This brings radical changes: ‘7’ eliminations that represent the old order of mankind passed away.
There will be no sea (21:1), symbol of the abode of evil forces (13:1,6-8) & turbulent nations (17:1,2,15).
There will be no mourning (7:16-17 ; 21:4).
There will be no crying, ( “ “ “ )
There will be no pain ( “ “ “ )
There will be no death (20:13-14 ; 1 Cor.15:54-55).
There will be no more curse (22:3), and
There will no longer be any night (21:25 ; 22:5 ; compare Gen.8:22).
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22. The New Order (21:1-8)
The new order manifests the intimacy, perfection and permanence of relationship between God and His people.
1. “A new heaven and a new earth” (21:1) and “a holy city, the New Jerusalem” (21:2) coming down from heaven: these convey the meaning of a perfect creation made by God and set apart for God.
2. “the Bride, the wife of the Lamb” (21:2,9) and “the dwelling of God is with man” (21:3): these confirm an intimate and lasting relationship.
3. “the Alpha and the Omega” (1:8 ; 21:6 ; 22:13.), “the beginning and the end” affirm that all this is established upon the character of God later revealed as the person of Jesus Christ including a 3rd label “the 1st and the last” (22:13)
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23. The new order affirms that judgment will be fully satisfied.
John hears the voice command to write “words that are trustworthy and true” asserting,“It is done!”
For all who continue in evil ways, judgment will be a “lake that burns with fire and sulfur”, “It is done!”
For the “detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars”, “It is done!”
For the “cowardly” & “faithless” who are unwilling to face persecution as faithful witnesses, “It is done!”
For the divine justice that eternally vindicates those persecuted & all the martyred saints, “It is done!”
For the fulfilled promise of Jesus Christ when nailed to the cross, saying, “It is finished!” Victory of redemption is fully satisfied, “It is done!”
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24. Discussion Questions:
When you read the description of the one seated on a white horse, what kind of comfort does it bring to you?
How should John’s vision of “all things new” impact us when at times it feels like the “same old, same old”?
What is your response to the depiction “tormented day and night forever and ever”? (Rev.20:10)
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