Revelation

Today, we will examine Revelation 14:1-5, which acts as a powerful pause amid the tribulation judgments. Before we delve into these verses, let’s take a moment to review where we’ve been and to preview where we're headed. 

Satan’s time is running out, so he intensifies his efforts. He appoints someone to imitate Jesus, a false Christ, who is the Antichrist. Then he introduces the Antichrist’s henchman, who demands that everyone worship the beast. 

Who will the Antichrist be? Over the centuries, people have gone so far as to assign numbers to letters to try to identify him. Many early believers thought that the Roman emperor Nero was the Antichrist. Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler have also been considered candidates. The truth is—we have no idea. He could be alive today—an adult, teenager, or child—or he may have yet to be born. While we don’t know who he is, today’s passage describes the Antichrist's characteristics. 

Weekend Recharge!

Weekend Recharge!

Today, we will consider the dragon—Satan—again as he engages in a decisive battle. John begins Revelation 12 by describing a war in heaven.

Okay—we are going to have to hang together over the next few chapters. This part of Revelation is hard to know how to interpret. Thinking in a chronological sequence, the seventh trumpet begins in 11:15–19. We considered the dramatic introduction last time. We will return to the chronological sequence in Revelation 16. In the meantime (Rev. 12–15), we will look at several events and situations that take place during the judgment of the seven trumpets.

The story of Revelation begins with letters to seven historical churches, and then God opens the door of heaven, where we see Him sitting on His throne. We know that every event in this description of the end times is orchestrated and controlled by God. And… in the end, we win!

Why study the book of Revelation? There are so many different interpretations, and the section we are in right now is full of devastation and destruction. And after all, I believe that believers will be pre-delivered from the tribulation by the Rapture. So, why is this study important?