1 Seven Parallel Sections in Two Divisions Christ in the midst of the lamp stands (1-3) ‏ The seven trumpets (8-11) ‏ Vision of heaven and the seven seals (4-7) ‏ The persecuting dragon (12-14) ‏ The seven bowls (15-16) ‏ The fall of Babylon (17-19) ‏ The great consummation (20-21) ‏

Rev Characters  Dragon The devil is always in the background.  Babylon – a woman and a city – Rome? The world that seduces and promises much to lure people  Sea-born beast AKA antichrist The empires that unite and persecute.  Earth-born beast AKA False prophet Encourages “religious” devotion to the antichrist.  Those who bear the mark of the beast Those who succumb to the world  Those whose names are written in the book of life Bride – true church of God  The lamb/rider on the white horse/King of Kings

Rev 17 The Woman on the Beast  Sits on many waters – all over the world  World intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries Golden cup filled with abominable things Drunk with the blood of the saints  Beast once was, now is not, will come up out the Abyss Amazed those who names are not in book of life  Seven heads, hills – Empire like Rome?  Ten kings form alliance with beast Like nations who did the wicked work for Nazis  Makes war on the lamb  God permits it all – his purpose is being worked out.

4 Revelation 18: Fall of Babylon  “Fallen is Babylon the Great”  Home of demons  Nations drunk on maddening wine of adulteries  “Come out of her, my people”  Sins piled up to heaven Like inhabitants of Canaan of old – time runs out eventually  Merchants weep and mourn – economic collapse  Millstone thrown into sea – drama of the fall  In her was found the blood of the saints and of all who have been killed on the earth

5 Rev 19: Hallelujah  Word appears only four times in New Testament – all here! – means Praise the LORD  World loves Hallelujah chorus – but it’s about the downfall of the world  Smoke from her goes up forever and ever  Wedding now approaching  Fine linen – righteous acts of the saints  John is overcome and almost falls down to worship angel says “Do not do it” Christ never says that when people worship him.

6 Rev 19: Rider on White Horse  One of the last pictures of Christ in the New Testament No longer baby, no longer carpenter’s son, no longer on the cross!  Robe of blood – this time not the cross – but the battle  Sharp sword – this time not message of the gospel – the means of striking down nations  Threads the winepress another famous “Hallelujah” song – Battle Hymn of the Republic Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on  But the return of Christ and judgment isn’t some kind of a metaphor – it is very real