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As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:19-22 (KJV)

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:19-22 (NIV)

L7: PA 1 L8: PA 1 L9: PA 2,3 Handout for 7 churches 4

Listening Revelation 1 Revelation 2 Revelation 3 As it was delivered to them 5

Journaling Note all the descriptions given of Jesus throughout these 3 chapters (physical features, names, appellations, characteristics). Why might the book begin this way? What might be the point of all the different aspects or characteristics of Jesus? Don’t forget to get your Journal up to date! 6

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Artful interpretation Revelation synopsis 9

Allusions happen in movies all the time for comedic or broader reasons: to bring another character in with much less work than full development. 10

Allusions rely on an audience’s intelligence as well as their familiarity with the extant material 11

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Listening Revelation 4 Revelation 5 Revelation 6 Revelation 7 As it was delivered to them 14

Journaling These chapters take us from the vantage point of heaven through history on this planet (as seen from one vantage point). Summarize what you’ve heard. Note that even God on His throne could not open the scroll. Something about the Lamb/Lion is different than Almighty Yahweh. Why might that be that only Jesus crucified could open/reveal the contents of the scroll? Don’t forget to get your Journal up to date! 15

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Listening Revelation 13 Revelation 14 As it was delivered to them 18

Journaling Chapters 13 & 14 are the great middle pillars of the story. Combined with Revelation 12, they tell the story of the conflict beginning in heaven and the war moving to our shores with the resultant aftermath. How does the different outcomes (think training of soldiers/disciples/followers) reveal the chasm between the two powers at war? What kind of war is this? What’s it about? Don’t forget to get your Journal up to date! 19

What is the “big fight” about? 20

It all starts here . . .

WAR OF WORSHIP IN REVELATION The Issue: Worship Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Matt 4:10 A King’s Seal is determined by three things: 1) Name 2) Title & 3) Dominion. These three elements are found in the Fourth Commandment. 1) Name: The LORD, 2) Title: Made (or Creator), 3: Dominion: Heaven & Earth, The Sea and all that in them is.

WAR OF WORSHIP IN REVELATION The Contenders for Worship: The True & False Godhead Counterfeit of the Father: 1. Like the Most High (Isa 14:12-14) 2. Receives worship (Rev 13:3) 3. Works through other beasts Work of the Father: 1. IS THE Most High (Rev 4:11) 2. Receives worship (Rev 4:9) 3. Works through Son & Spirit Dragon - Satan Father Sea Beast Counterfeit of the Son: 1. Looks like Dragon (Rev 12:3; 13:1) 2. Receives authority from Dragon (Rev 13:2) 3. Receives fatal wound (Rev 13:3) 4. Receives life again (Rev 13:3) 5. Has a work for 42 months (Rev 13:5) 6. Is worshipped by the world (Rev 13:4) Work of the Son: 1. Looks like Father (John 14:9; Dan 7; Rev 1) 2. Receives authority from Father (Matt 28:18) 3. Receives fatal wound (Rev 5:6) 4. Receives life again (Rev 5:9) 5. Has a work for 42 months (Dan 9:27) 6. Is worshipped by the world (Rev 5:12-14) Sea Beast – Organized Religious State Son Land Beast Counterfeit of the Holy Spirit: 1. Takes up work of the Sea Beast (Rev 13:12) 2. Points people to Sea Beast (Rev 13:12) 3. Calls fire down from heaven (Rev 13:13) Work of the Holy Spirit: 1. Takes up work of Christ (John 16:7) 2. Points people to Christ (John 16:13) 3. Calls fire down from heaven (Acts 2:1-3) Land Beast – Political State with “religiousity” Holy Spirit

Listening Revelation 15 Revelation 16 Revelation 17 Revelation 18 As it was delivered to them 24

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Listening Revelation 15 Revelation 16 Revelation 17 Revelation 18 As it was delivered to them 27

Journaling These chapters move again through a series of seven consecutive event periods with ever increasing catastrophic outcomes. There is a “lull” in chp 20 (which we will come back to) and then the story wraps up in 21-22. Reflect on the events so far. What might the “time of the end” be like? What might heaven be like? What are the last “images” of Himself Jesus leaves us with? Don’t forget to get your Journal up to date! 28

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