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) ‏

The story so far:  John has a vision of Christ – not unlike the call of an OT prophet  Christ surveys the churches – like preparing for battles ahead Church militant on earth Church triumphant in heaven  Picture of heaven, lamb entering heaven in triumph  Seals opened – revealing troubles to come – four horsemen  Souls in heaven ask “how long”?  World comes to an end at the right time  144,000 – similar to pictures of Israel preparing for battle – church protected – emerge victorious

3 Revelation 8: Seventh Seal and Golden Censer  Remember – 7 sections of revelation are parallel but progressive  Silence for about half an hour – dramatic pause  Censor with prayer of saints and incense (intercession of Jesus?)  The result of the prayers of the persecuted results in God’s intervention – censer hurled to the earth  Current earth progressively wound up through a series of warnings followed by final judgement  Trumpets sound the warning  Similar to creation story and plaques of Egypt  Partial destruction acts as a warning

4 Rev 8 and 9: Trumpets 1. Hail, fire, and blood on land – 1/3 burned up 2. Fiery mountain falls into the sea – 1/3 creatures and ships destroyed 3. Star falls and makes freshwater bitter – 1/3 4. Sun, moon, and stars – 1/3 destroyed 5. (Woe) Star opens the Abyss and lets strange creatures loose – torture for 5 months 6. (Woe) Army of 200 million – 1/3 mankind killed 7. Celebration in Heaven, ark opened

5 Rev 10: Angel and Scroll  Huge angel – resembles Revelation’s pictures of Christ  John forbidden to record what seven thunders said  We only see part of the picture so be careful of being too dogmatic  There will be no more delay  Asked to eat the scroll – similar to Old Testament prophetic call  Sweet but becomes bitter  Task of the prophet is appealing but the more you do it the more you realize that it means suffering

Revelation 11: Two Witnesses  Asked to measure temple  God is interested in his church – notion of preparing to protect it, preparing for battle  Outside world about to become more hostile  Two prophets given power – like Moses and Elijah  Beast (Antichrist) attacks and kills them in Jerusalem  Rise from the dead and an earthquake destroys part of the city  Celebration in heaven – Christ now rules