Why We Need Faith (Revelation 12-22)
This morning, we discussed the first half of Revelation. If you weren't here for that, I encourage you to go online and watch the video posted on our Facebook page, check out the sermon on our website, or listen to the podcast when it comes out.
I don't want you to be completely lost, so let's talk a little bit about what happened in the book's first eleven chapters. First, we noticed that the book is full of visions. That makes it different than any other book in the Bible. Typically, visions are a small part of a book, but we know that the various vision parts represent something else when we see visions. For example, remember how Joseph dreams about eleven stalks of wheat bowing down to his stalk of wheat. They represent him and his brothers.
In Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream about a statue made of four parts. Each part represents a different kingdom. But a rock smashes the statue, and that represents God setting up his eternal kingdom. Then, Daniel has a vision of four beasts, and each beast represents a different kingdom. During the fourth kingdom, another kingdom from God takes over with the son of man ruling from heaven.
The visions in Daniel are coming true. Four kingdoms have reigned since Nebuchadnezzar. It is time for God to set up his eternal kingdom.
Summary
In the first part of this book, we are given the context of John writing a letter to seven churches in Asia Minor. These churches have fallen under intense persecution, and they need this letter to encourage faithfulness. The New Testament tells us these Christians were persecuted by Jews and Gentiles. But history also tells us that Asia Minor was a hotbed for emperor worship in the first century. Christians abstaining from that worship would be persecuted by Nero's regime (54-68 AD) and Domitian (81-96 AD).
In Chapters 4-5, we saw visions of Jesus as the slain Lamb, worthy to open the scroll and receive power from God. In Chapters 6-9, we learned about the power given to him and about the martyrs who have been slain. Jesus promises to avenge them after he seals all of God's servants. Then, seven angels are given seven trumpets of judgment against a nation responsible for God's servants' death. In Chapter 10, we learn that the visions of Daniel will take place. There will be no more delay. In Chapter 11, Jesus lets Jerusalem be destroyed for their rebellion and receives recognition as the king of the world.
Many people believe that Rome is judged in the first eleven chapters. Some people see the visions of those chapters as the end of the world. The judgment language is intended to be terrifying, but it is no different than God's judgment on Israel and the surrounding nations throughout the prophets. Remember that these are all visions. We must be careful about what we take literally. Our goal is to see the image and understand the big picture. Jesus' kingdom has come.
Overview (Part 2)
At the end of Chapter 11, the temple of heaven was opened, and the ark was seen in the temple. That is a picture of God's people having a heavenly place to worship God. The mercy seat is once again open for business.
The Deception of Satan (12-19)
Beginning with Chapter 12, we see a great sign appear in heaven. There is a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head is a crown of twelve stars. She is about to give birth to a child, but a red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads, is waiting to destroy the child. She gives birth to the male child who "is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron." This is a reference to Psalm 2, describing the Lord's Messiah. God takes the child to be with him and sit on his throne, but the woman flees into the wilderness.
Notice how Jesus has changed from being the Lamb to a child. There is a shift in the vision because the focus is on the dragon's work. The rest of Chapter 12 tells us how the dragon is Satan, who deceives the whole world. He is thrown down to earth (Luke 10:18). He seeks out the woman and tries to kill her with a flood, but she is saved. Then, the dragon goes after the rest of her offspring. This is an image of Satan trying to kill God's people. He has been defeated, but he will not go down without a fight. The remaining chapters in this section detail his battle against mankind.
Two Beasts (13-14)
In Chapter 13, we see the fourth beast from Daniel's prophesy coming out of the sea. The dragon gives authority to the beast, and all mankind worships the beast and the dragon. The fourth beast in Daniel 7 is the Roman Empire. Then a second beast comes out of the earth. This beast acts like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3, setting up an image for all the people to worship. His goal is to get all people to worship the first beast and submit to him as their god. Anyone who does not receive the mark of the first beast will be made poor and destitute. The number is 666. Many people try to figure out what this symbol represents, but it is the exact opposite of God (Deuteronomy 6:8-9, Isaiah 44:5). Six is an imperfect number, and these people are selling their souls in exchange for temporary gain. They want to avoid persecution and suffering that might come from the beast.
In Chapter 14, John looks up and sees the Lamb with his 144,000. Remember from Chapter 7 that those represent all of God's servants. This vision reminds us of the outcome of the last persecution. God's servants, who remain faithful to him, are always saved.
Then an angel flies overhead proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, and language of people. He is followed by another angel who proclaims that Babylon is fallen. Then, a third angel says that all who worship the beast and the image will be destroyed.
Revelation 14:12--13 (ESV) --- 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
After this, Jesus comes in and reaps his harvest. Then, another couple of angels come in and gather the rest for fire and God's wrath.
Seven Plagues (15-16)
As the destruction of Jerusalem in the previous section, we see seven angels handed something that brings judgment. Instead of trumpets, they receive seven bowls of wrath. As each angel pours out his bowl, we see that the plagues resemble God's judgment on Egypt. The nation who took God's people captive. People are covered in boils, water is turned to blood, and there is darkness in the land, but no one repents.
In the sixth bowl, a great battle is assembled against Jesus in the place called Armageddon. Armageddon is the mount of Megiddo, which doesn't exist. There is a valley of Megiddo, but no mountain. This is the valley where men go to lose battles. Josiah and Ahaziah, kings of Judah, both die here (2 Kings 23:29, 2 Chron 35:22). The point is that they are going to be defeated. Again, remember that this is not a literal battle. This is part of a vision.
During the seventh bowl, a voice comes from the temple, saying, "It is done." Then, we again see flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunders, and a great earthquake. God defeated Roman persecution against his people.
Babylon, The Prostitute (17-19)
Then, one of the angels who had a bowl of wrath came up to show John what happens to "the great prostitute, who is seated on many waters." We might wonder who this could be. Her name is written on her forehead, and it is a mystery.
Revelation 17:5--6 (ESV) --- 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.
She is Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations. When John sees this prostitute, he marvels at the sight of her. But he is asked, "Why do you marvel at the woman?" The angel then offers to interpret this vision for John, but the interpretation is almost as confusing as the vision.
The best understanding I could find of this interpretation is as follows. The beast again represents Rome from Daniel 7. This beast, it's seven heads, and it's ten horns all represent kings of Rome. He tells us that the Lamb will conquer all of these kings, and these kings will turn against the woman to destroy her.
The prostitute is the same as the second beast from Chapter 13. Later she will be called the false prophet. She represents the man of lawlessness from 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12 who turns people away from the truth. But she also represents the emporer worship that would be prevalent in Asia Minor. History tells us that there were many communes throughout the region where this took place in the 1st century. Notice that "she has dominion over the kings of earth." False religion has influenced kings to worship Caesar.
Furthermore, in Chapter 18, we see that all the earth weeps over Babylon's fall because her demise has led to a loss of wealth. They built their wealth on the laws forcing people to buy their stuff, but now no one is buying anything, and everyone is going broke.
An angel then takes a millstone and throws it in the sea like Jeremiah did to demonstrate how Babylon would be overthrown in Jeremiah 51.
In contrast, heaven is singing praises over the fall of Babylon. They are preparing for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
The Grand Finale (19:11-22:5)
At the end of Chapter 19, we see Jesus going up against all of the nations on earth, and he wipes them out. He throws both of the beasts alive into the lake of fire. Rome and all its idolatrous emperor worship are destroyed.
In Chapter 20, the vision continues with Satan being thrown into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. Like so many details of the vision thus far, the thousand years are part of the vision. It can be interpreted as a very long time. It doesn't seem that it was given to calculate an exact date.
All we know is that the devil will be unable to control nations as before, and the deception he can have during this time is limited. Verse 4 reveals that all those who are faithful to Christ will reign with him during this time. But, verses 7-10 tell us what happens at the end of the thousand years. Satan returns to deceive the nations again, but only for a short time. He is defeated and thrown into the lake of fire along with the beast and the false prophet.
At the end of Chapter 20, we see a judgment scene similar to Matthew 25. After this judgment is over, Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire.
The last two Chapters are terrific. They are so encouraging and mind-blowing. John sees a new heaven and earth because the first heaven and earth have passed away. He also sees a new Jerusalem that descends from heaven. The rest of this book details what the New Jerusalem is like.
Some of the most notable aspects of this new Jerusalem are that no more sinful people live there, all who live there experience no suffering, are given rest from all their labors, and have protection from all their enemies. God is living with them, and they can eat the fruit of the tree of life again, which was mentioned back in Genesis.
Closing (22:6-21)
The words at the end of the book wrap up the message of encouragement found in this book. All who endure the suffering and persecution of this world will be joined to Christ. They will have access to the tree of life and the water of life for all eternity. Those who persist in doing evil will be judged and destroyed.
Then there is an open invitation for all the world to come to Jesus and find satisfaction for their souls.
What's The Message?
The second half of this book details Satan's work to deceive nations and his eventual defeat by Christ. Great persecution is coming upon the first century Christians, and they need to be ready. Satan will set up false religion and he will use his powers to make Christians feel like Jesus is not in control.
But Jesus shows that he is always there. He, along with all those who were sealed in the first half of the book, is singing over his righteous people who suffer as he has suffered. They want all those who suffer to know that this world and all that it offers will be destroyed in the last day. Those who trade the glory of Christ for comfort will join them in being destroyed.
Those who endure and die in the Lord will live eternally with Christ and with God. They will have no pain or suffering anymore. They will bring from the well that never runs dry and enjoy fruit from the tree of life.
Application
The second half of this book gives us insight into the nature of God's people's persecution. The whole economic system would be set up to make life difficult for any professing Christian. Imagine going to the store and being rejected because we refuse to say Hitler is god. The choice would be between being a Christian and starving to death or denying Christ and living luxuriously. Notice the repeated idea in this section
Revelation 13:9--10 (ESV) --- 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12--13 (ESV) --- 12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
Revelation 16:15 (ESV) --- 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)
These Christians must cling to Christ and refuse to worship anything else on earth. They were continually being sucked into the lies and deceptions of Satan. Rome will be like Babylon, trying to influence believers to worship false gods. We need to ask ourselves, "What do I worship?" If I worship the government or a political party, I'm not worshipping God. The government will not provide me with security, peace, or satisfaction. Jesus is king and he is the one who provides those things or takes them away. Trial after trial tested their faith, but they were shown in John's vision that Jesus would avenge. He will conquer all who side with the devil and the ways of this world. Our application of this book must revolve around putting our faith in Christ and not the things of this world.
Conclusion
We must always remember those who had gone before us and remained faithful to the end. We must remember the hope we have for eternity with God. Jesus has conquered all, and he will reap his harvest and give them all the blessings of his kingdom.
All of the promises of God in the Old Testament are available to God's servants in the New Jerusalem through the gospel of Jesus, our Christ. There will be no more pain or suffering. Everything will be made new for all eternity. Have you put your trust in him and submitted your life to his cause?