1. Evil Triumphs—Or So It Seems! (Rev 5: 1-6) Agenda: Revelation 3. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Dragon (Rev 12: 1-6) 2. What does the future hold for us? (Rev 7: 9-17) 4. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Antichrist (Rev 13: 1-10) 5. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The False Prophet (Rev 13: 11-18) 6. Another Strategy of the Evil Trio (Rev 17: 1-6) 7. From Paradise to Paradise (Rev 22: 16-21)

A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING Revelation 5 The GPS DIFFERENCES of Language Tradition Time Situation History

The First Process: Understanding 1. S ituation 2. T ype of literature 3. A nalyze the passage 4. R elate the message to the rest of the Bible 5. T est your findings S.T.A.R.T. Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

The Steps of Understanding 1. Situation S.T.A.R.T. Revelation was written by a person with the name of John in 95AD. It was written when Christians were entering a time of persecution under the Roman Emperors. Since Roman authorities at this time were beginning to enforce emperor worship, Christians—who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord—were facing increasing hostility.

The Steps of Understanding 2. Type of literature 1. Situation PROSE Narrative ProcedureExplanationInstruction POETRY in PsalmsProphets Wisdom Literature S.T.A.R.T. Apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.

3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV)

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property.

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12 Creation

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12 CreationChurch

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12 CreationChurch Power

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12 CreationChurch Power Ability to see everything

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12 CreationChurch Power Ability to see everything Three possible interpretations Symblic of the Holy Spirit Seven angelic beings 7 fold ministry of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2) Three possible interpretations Symblic of the Holy Spirit Seven angelic beings 7 fold ministry of the Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NIV) Unlimited power God’s final plan for the world Perfection and completeness A seal sets something apart as private property. Gen 49: 9Rom 15:12 CreationChurch Power Ability to see everything Holy Spirit

3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver God’s plan to unite us with Him has the appearance of weakness. Appearances are deceiving. Things are not always what they appear to be. The Lion is a Lamb, but the Lamb is also a Lion. We can rest assured that God is in control and that God’s plan with humanity will succeed. The Lion has roared. The Lamb wins!

4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12– ESV) 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1- NIV) God’s plan to unite us with Him has the appearance of weakness. Appearances are deceiving. Things are not always what they appear to be. The Lion is a Lamb, but the Lamb is also a Lion. We can rest assured that God is in control and that God’s plan with humanity will succeed. The Lion has roared. The Lamb wins! Message to the original receiver

A P P L I C A T I O N Essential = Moral Essential = Moral COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION We can rest assured that God is in control and that God’s plan with humanity will succeed. The Lion has roared. The Lamb wins! UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING 21 st Century Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil Message to the original receiver

A P P L I C A T I O N 21 st Century The GPS COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Small Group Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

Please answer the following questions. 1. The Church has lost its impact on society, or so it seems. Do you agree or disagree and why? 2. Please read the passage in silence and make a note of the word or phrase that touches you. Please share it with the person next to you and why it touches you. 3. Please read Day 360 of “The Bible as your GPS” or page 188 of “Hearing God’s Tweet.” What touches you the most in this devotional? 4. In which way, do you think, will today’s study help you in your journey?