Author: Jon Green

John’s vision in this chapter describes a group of people standing next to what appears to be a sea of glass. We know that these people are “those who had been victorious over the beast” (v. 2) so we can ascertain that they are the tribulation martyrs that were described in previous chapters. Just as important as who they are, though, is paying attention to what they are doing.

Revelation 15:2-3 says “They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb.” These tribulation martyrs, who were killed because of their faithfulness, are worshiping God with music in heaven. These saints’ belief in Jesus cost them their lives and the text tells us that they were described as “victorious” but their focus is not on what it cost them nor their own victory. Their complete focus is on giving glory, honor and praise to God.  

In Deuteronomy 31:19, God told Moses to write a song which is commonly referred to as “The Song of Moses.” His instructions were “Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel.” Deuteronomy 32 displays the lyrics of this song that both served as prophecy to the Israelites as well as reminded them of the faithfulness of God. 

In Revelation 14:3 we were told that as the 144,000 stood before the throne, “they were singing a new song”. This is likely the Song of the Lamb. So as all these saints stand in worship, they sing of both the old covenant and of the new. They celebrate bondage and deliverance from the oppression of Egypt as well as bondage and deliverance from the oppression of sin. What follows is a unified song of praise that celebrates that God’s works are marvelous, that God’s way is just, that God alone is worthy, and that God deserves all worship. Even as the final judgment is about to be brought on mankind, heaven is echoing with a heart of true worship and understanding that it is all about God. Glory be to Him!

Revelation 12-14 is a three-chapter interlude between retellings of the seven judgments (seals, trumpets, and bowls). Revelation 14 contrasts the settings and events of Chapter 13. The scene (14:1-5) shifts from earth to heaven, from the mark and reign of two beasts to the mark and reign of the Father and the Lamb, from the many to the redeemed (144,000), from war to peace, from defiled to pure, from self to follower. The contrast is indescribably glorious. Perfected joy, expressed in a new song of endless worship, rewards faithful followers of Jesus (conquerors) who persevere through earthly sorrows (tribulation).

The scene shifts again in 14:6-13. John hears declarations from three angels. The first declares eternal good news for all who fear and glorify God. The second proclaims the fall of Babylon (corrupt kingdoms). The third warns the fallen of eternal torment. Revelation 14:12-13 calls the faithful to perseverance and wonderful rest. We are reminded judgment is imminent. Justice is promised for all. Immeasurable joy awaits only those who believe, hold fast and rest in God’s presence.

Revelation 14:14-20 contrasts two harvests: of the earth and the vine. John sees one, like the son of man, with a golden crown (Jesus), arrive on the clouds (second coming) with a sickle (judgment). A herald declares the harvest ripe, and the earth is reaped (saved or raptured). He then hears other angels (messengers) condemn vines of the world (the unfaithful) to the wrath of God’s winepress. He sees blood flowing several feet deep over roughly 182 square miles, the approximate area of the Valley of Megiddo (Armageddon). Both harvests (judgment) are just; one brings eternal hope, the other eternal despair.

Each revelation shares glimpses of the day of the Lord. Repetitive retellings have made the precise sequence of events the focus of far-flung speculation for generations. But eternal truths irrefutably remain unchanged; Jesus is coming again in power to judge and reign in a new Zion. 

John’s vision continues to reassure God’s people of Jesus’s ultimate victory and to warn us about the powerful, yet limited, authority of Satan in this world. In Revelation 13, the writer describes forces of evil that arise, how they lead people astray, and what happens to believers who live in these days. Similarly to the rest of Revelation and other apocalyptic texts, the writer uses images like ‘horns,’ animals, and ‘marks,’ as symbols of spiritual realities. These include rulers, their characteristics, and their works. This chapter has numerous references to the book of Daniel, specifically Daniel 7. Daniel’s visions point to beasts that arise from the sea (a symbol of chaos to Jewish readers), authority given to them, destruction of God’s people and the earth, and the Son of Man’s return to destroy evil. He will one day reign over all the nations in fullest holiness! 

In Revelation 13, we learn more about the nature of the enemy and his rule. Though the enemy is conquered (we see him overthrown in Revelation 12), he continues his fading rule by passing off some of his power to “a beast.” The enemy shows that he is content promoting the worship of any earthly power, so long as the true God is rejected and dishonored. Make note of the ways that we live amidst this prophecy, and how we see displays of evil from Satan at work. This is displayed in every nation, where there are religions and powers which kill the people of Jesus, speak against him, work miraculous signs, and claim to have the only god(s).

Another theme of scripture which appears in this chapter is people being “marked.” In the Old Testament, God tells his people that His word shall “be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.” (Exodus 13:9-10,16). In this instruction, God shows that he wants the world to know that His people belong to him. If His people are marked by His word, they will remember His salvation. In Revelation, we see similar language about “marked” on the head or “on the hand.” In an adverse and twisted way, the enemy also wants to mark those who are allegiant to him, and those who follow the ways of his kingdom and his words. This idea is further supported by the “number of man,” which is 666. In Jewish writings, each number holds symbolism. The number six generally points to humankind, created on the sixth day, given work for 6 out 7 days. By repeating ‘6’ three times, the writer emphasizes that the beast’s reign of complete human evil.  

Finally, John gives specific applications and warnings to us as believers. He suggests that there will be a great cost to those who are not marked by the way of the Beast. Followers of Jesus will have great difficulty in “buying and selling,” the economic system in the final days. We must be awake and aware of the fact that people of God will face difficulty as they live in obedience and integrity in this world. However, He is worthy of every cost. John also quotes parts of Jeremiah and Isaiah as reminders that the justice of God is coming (v. 10). He gives the saints a call for endurance and faith, not because we earn our salvation, but because the Lord will come to restore all things. He will raise up those whose names are covered by His blood in the Book of Life. We can have hope today knowing that the enemy will be conquered and awaits destruction.

Because of its symbolism, Revelation is one of the most highly debated books in all the Bible. Oftentimes, people either avoid it all together or obsess over the death, judgment, and apocalyptic narrative of it. Either extreme isn’t helpful in stirring our affections for Jesus. Remember, Revelation’s main theme is to reveal to us more about Jesus. To make Jesus more clear to us, not confuse us. Revelation gives us an understanding of God’s perspective on empire and evil and the judgment of the powers invading God’s people preventing them from living in the freedom and forgiveness won on the cross. 

Revelation 10-14 are parenthetical chapters of the book, meaning they are John’s way of highlighting or giving extra information about events. Events that have happened, are happening, or are still to happen. The timing of and literal interpretation of these events are some of the most debated and polarizing passages of Scriptures. Which, isn’t that what the enemy wants? For us to be divided and distracted and miss the point of Revelation? 

Before we throw our hands up and say, “This is getting too weird” or “There are so many interpretations, I guess we’ll never know”, let’s ask God to give us wisdom, discernment, and understanding. He preserved this book for a reason. Understanding it, even if it’s a limited understanding, can bring encouragement, meaning, and profound hope. John begins by pointing to signs early on in this chapter. Signs are always a symbol of something else–signs point to something. John is pointing us to a greater reality. Revelation 12 tells a bigger story. 

Revelation 12 is a behind the scenes look at the epic battle between God and Satan. This battle spans millennia and across cosmos (heavens and earth). This invisible battle in the unseen realms. While we are reading about it, John watches it play out in the heavens. As we read Chapter 12, there are three main sections: The Prelude to the War (v. 1-6), The War in Heaven (v. 7-12), The War on Earth (v. 13-17). 

Verses 1-6 give us the prelude, the introduction, to the invisible war—the battle of the ages between Good and Evil. We don’t know for certain if this war has happened, happening now, or is it still to come; but what we do know is that the story goes back to Satan’s rebellion (v. 4), the fall of mankind, and the first prophecy in Scripture (Genesis 3:15). There are two kingdoms in conflict.

John introduces us to the main characters: The Woman, Child, and Red Dragon. In verse 9, John identifies the Red Dragon as “The great dragon…that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan”. John identifies the dragon as “great” referencing the enemy’s fierceness. He calls him the “ancient serpent” speaking to the enemy’s subtlety and influence through the ages. John names him the “devil”, which means accuser and slanderer. Finally John identifies him as “Satan” whose name means adversary. The enemy stands against all that is righteous and good, attempting to deceive the whole world. The Red Dragon is Satan. 

We have clues identifying the Woman and the Child. We read in verse 5 that the child “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” There is only One who will rule with an iron scepter (Revelation 2:27). The Victorious One who has authority over the nations is the Messiah, the Lion of Judah, the Risen Christ. The child in Revelation 12 is Jesus. 

The Woman is more difficult to identify and many scholars differ on who she is. Referencing Genesis 37:9 (Joseph’s dream that the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down), it would make sense that the woman is the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. 

What we know is The Red Dragon has been after the child, wanting to destroy him, long before the child was ever born. Then, war breaks out in heaven and the great dragon was hurled down along with all of his demons and his access to God ends (v. 7-12). We end the chapter with the dragon’s rage and his war on the earth and God’s people. 

There’s a beautiful application for us in the middle of the chapter. How do we defeat the enemy? How do we walk in victory? We learn 3 things: atonement and authority, activity, and attitude. The atonement and the authority of the blood of the Lamb is the basis of our victory. We stand on the merit of the blood of Christ. Since our sin has been covered, we need to tell and proclaim this Good News. Our testimony-in word and deed- is the activity that overcomes the devil. Finally, our attitude being like Christ and laying down our lives making this good news known. Laying aside our preferences and our rights so that others may believe and receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of salvation through Jesus. 

In this chapter, John is given a measuring rod like a staff and is told to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship. This is eerily similar to the scene in Ezekiel 40-43 when Ezekiel measures the temple. However, he is not to measure the court outside the temple because that is given over to nations who will trample the holy city for forty-two months. Two prophets will prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. There are two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the Lord of the Earth. Since churches were lampstands earlier in this vision (Revelation 1:20), some believe the lampstands represent the faithful witness of the church in the end times. If anyone harms them, they are doomed by fire. The prophets have the power to shut the sky, keep rain from falling during times of prophecy, turn water into blood, and strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they desire. There are interesting correlations here to the plagues in Exodus 7-11.

When they finish their testimony, the beast from the bottomless pit will make war, conquer, and kill them. Symbolically, their dead bodies will be placed where Jesus our Lord was crucified. For three and half days many will rejoice at their death because while they lived they were a torment to those who lived on earth. They were preaching God’s truth and calling to repentance but the people didn’t care to listen to the prophets.  

After three and half days, God will breathe life back into them and call them to Heaven while those who rejoiced at their death watch. At that hour there was a great earthquake and 1/10 of the city fell. Seven thousand died and the rest were horrified and gave glory to God in Heaven. The seventh seal is opened and victory is declared. God wins and the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord Christ and He shall reign forever and ever. The heavens are opened, and the covenant ark is seen within his temple. This is the first mention of the Ark of the Covenant since Josiah in 2 Chronicles 35:1-6.

Today’s reading finds us in a brief pause between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpet. Instead of the angel blasting the final trumpet, God once again extends mercy by delaying his final judgment. It reminds us of 2 Peter 3:9 when we are told why God is (at times) slow moving: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God’s heart is for His people and He shows us, even in the final moments of the final days, more mercy and more patience than any of us deserve.

During this break between trumpets, something profound happens. But, perhaps what is most interesting is what doesn’t happen. We read a marvelous description of a mighty angel who thunders a message from Heaven. However, instead of recording what that message says, John is instructed not to write it down. And yet, this interaction is included in the Bible. Why? If John was commanded not to tell us what the message was, why tell us about it in the first place? 

Maybe this moment is for our good. Maybe this exchange reminds us that there are things in this life (and especially in the final days) that we will not know this side of Heaven. No matter what we think, we do not actually know everything. We do not see fully. Like God says in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God is God and we are not. 

It’s tempting with a book like Revelation to read it under a microscope, trying to over-analyze every detail so that we can anticipate, prepare for and control the future. We do this in our daily lives as well; we want to know what God knows. And, it frustrates us when we don’t because then we can’t control the outcome like we want to. However, this chapter reminds us that we serve a big God. We cannot understand all of God’s ways, know His timing, or predict His actions because He is God. It’s humbling to remember that He is in control for a reason. While we may not understand all of His ways, we can trust them because we can trust Him.

Revelation 9 begins with the fifth trumpet sounding. Whereas the sounding of the first four trumpets brought judgements directly against the earth, the last three focus on the spiritual realm. After reading this text, we can be left with many questions: Who is the star that falls from heaven in verse 1? Where is the bottomless pit that was opened in verse 2? Are the locusts described as literal insects or demonic beings? These questions either peak our interests in wanting to understand and uncover more, or they make our head spin because it’s all too complicated to figure out. Regardless of which camp we find ourselves in, there are several truths found in this chapter that speak to the sovereignty of God. 

To be sovereign means to have complete rank, power, and authority. While there are multiple demonic forces that are presented within this passage, scripture proves to us that God is the ultimate power and authority over them all. In verse one of this passage, we know that “The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.” We confidently know that Jesus is the one who gave the key to this fallen angel because he boldly proclaimed in Revelation 1:18 “I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Jesus has power over the abyss.

Although we do not know where the Abyss that was opened is physically located, we can be confident that Jesus is sovereign over it. We find proof of this in Luke chapter 8.  As Jesus is casting out the many demons that had gone into a man, Luke 8:31 tells us that the demons “begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.” Jesus not only knows the location of it, but he’s in control of who enters it. Jesus outranks the demons of the Abyss. 

We are given many details and descriptions about the locusts between verses 3-12, but verse 5 tells us that they were not allowed to kill people, but only to torture them for five months. So instead of speculating about whether they are insects or demons, we can be certain that the purpose and the plan of the locusts is expressly governed by the one true God. Jesus has complete authority over all things in both the earthly and spiritual realm.

Revelation 9 reminds us that we serve a sovereign God who is supreme in his power, rank, and authority. We ultimately see his grace in this vision because the purpose of all that is described in this chapter is to give people yet another opportunity to repent and turn back to Jesus. Unfortunately, we read in verse 20 that people in John’s vision did not repent, but it’s not too late for us and is as simple as Acts 3:19 says “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”

This short passage wraps up John’s vision of the Seven Seals and begins his vision of Seven Trumpets proclaiming the day of the Lord (some say tribulation). Revelation 8 describes a sacrificial lamb (Jesus) opening the Seventh Seal to reveal the first four of seven trumpets (judgments) to an agrarian audience. Each trumpet heralds partial judgment with plague symbolism, proclaiming Yahweh’s superiority over worldly deities while preserving (passing over) a remnant of chosen people.

Revelation 8:1-5 unveils awe-inspiring throne room preparations for impending judgments. Worship stops for half an hour (a time) of silence while an angel offers incense (prayers of the saints) on an altar before the throne and fills his censer with righteous fire from the altar.  Righteous judgment is hurled on the earth in horrifying earthquakes, lightning, and thunder.

In verse 6, seven angels (messengers to the seven churches) announce Yahweh’s judgment with authoritative instruments, a common practice before regal pronouncements, to begin retelling (recapitulating) the preceding six Seals. The first trumpet precedes hail, fire, and blood, which burns one-third of the earth, trees, and grass. Like the seventh Egyptian plague of hail (Exodus 9:13-35), the first judgment demonstrates Yahweh’s superiority over the Egyptian sky goddess.

Upon hearing the second trumpet, John sees (v. 7-8) something like a mountain (a pagan place of worship) thrown into the sea (an ancient trope for chaos), wiping out one-third of commerce (fish and ships in a sea of blood), demonstrating God’s superiority over a pantheon of popular sea gods. He then hears a third trumpet and sees a great star (fallen heavenly being) named Wormwood (a bitter/poisonous plant), contaminating inland waters similar to the first Egyptian plague (Exodus 7:14-24) that demonstrated Yahweh’s superiority over their fertility god (Osiris). A fourth trumpet precedes John’s vision of one-third of the sun, stars, and moon going dark, like Egypt’s chaotic ninth plague (Exodus 10:21-29), demonstrating Yahweh’s power over their sun god (Ra).

In each trumpet, the author hyperlinks cosmic events to familiar Old Testament events using ancient symbols rich with meaning to original audiences. Rather than predicting an end-time sequence of events, John’s prophetic judgments retell God’s righteous concern with the earthly assimilation of popular culture and pagan deities, then and now. Revelation 8 reaffirms Yahweh’s priority to “have no other God before me” (Exodus 20:3).

In between the sixth and seventh seals in Revelation, God gives us an interlude of hope. In John’s vision, he looked, and “there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (v. 9-10). This is the end goal to which all of history is headed! God is on His throne, and believers from every nation, or people group are lifting up their voices in worship. In this verse we see the fulfillment of what was promised to Abraham back in Genesis 12, that all peoples on earth will be blessed through his descendants.  

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus in Matthew 21 is a shadow of the Great Multitude we see here in Revelation 7. As Jesus entered Jerusalem the week He was crucified, “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:8-9). This crowd is looking forward to what might be: future salvation and deliverance. The Great Multitude in Revelation 7 looked at what is: eternal salvation and deliverance. The crowd in Matthew 21 temporarily worships Jesus, and the great multitude in Revelation 7 will worship Jesus forever. 

We must not miss the point! God’s greatest desire is redeeming all people to Himself, and He calls us to be a part of it. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations, and this mission is not complete (Matthew 28). There are currently over 3.2 billion people around the world who are considered “unreached.” Unreached people are not people who have rejected Jesus. They are people with no access to the gospel. They are people who will be born, live, and die without ever hearing the name of Jesus. They are not more lost than the atheist down the street; however the difference is they don’t have an opportunity to hear the gospel. The unreached make up over one-third of the world’s population and include thousands of entire people groups without any known believers. This means we have work to do! This task of making disciples of all nations is not just for a select few. God calls every single one of us to be a part of His global passion and purpose. 

We are God’s “Plan A” for His glory to be made known to the ends of the earth. It’s our joy that we get to be a part of making Revelation 7:9-10 happen, and this has huge implications for our lives. Our time on earth is short, the Great Commission is urgent, and we are called to live for a greater reward. May we radically pray for the nations to know Jesus. May we give sacrificially for His global purposes. May we welcome internationals into our homes. May we be a part of sending believers to the unreached. May we go to the places of the earth who have never heard the good news. May we leverage our lives so that people from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue would worship the name of Jesus for all of eternity. May we look forward to the day where He will be exalted forever among the nations and on the earth. This is what we were made for: to help everyone from every nation follow Jesus!

Before we dig into Revelation 6, let’s remember a few things to frame our study today: 

1. A blessing is promised to those who read this book. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3. The blessing is in reading it, not understanding all of it. That’s encouraging.
2. Revelation is a book of prophecy, which means it is pre-history. Revelation means “unveiling” and “the revealing.” John, the beloved disciple and dear friend of Jesus, is instructed to write what he has seen, what is now, and what is to take place later (Rev. 1:19). John is taken into the future and directed to write what he sees. John is revealing that which is hidden using 1st century language to describe 21st century cultural experiences. Words will fail to explain all of the events, creatures, and experiences of the final days before Jesus establishes His Kingdom forever. 
3. One of the most controversial issues in the church today is the timing of the rapture in relation to the tribulation. While different people have different beliefs and interpretations of the scriptures, what we can confidently hold to is the words of Jesus in Revelation 1:17, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living On; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation is about Jesus. He is the central theme. The Powerful Lion of Judah and the Spotless Sacrificial Lamb. 

We ended chapter 5 with all creatures in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea praising and worshiping the Lamb who sits on the throne. Revelation 6 shifts from the previous 5 chapters and begins The Great Day of Wrath, the beginning of the Tribulation period. Chapter 6 starts with the only One worthy of opening the seven seals containing God’s judgment on sin. Only the Lamb is worthy of opening the scrolls. We feel the weight of this chapter because it holds the tension of pain and hope, judgment and mercy, wrath and love while the countdown clock to Jesus’ return ticks loudly in the background. We know Satan’s time is limited. 

As the Lamb opens the seven seals, the judgments build in intensity. A chronological description of events on earth unveiled with each scroll. The first four seals are known as the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse. The fifth seal reveals a crowd of martyrs. The sixth seal reveals a global, massive earthquake. We won’t read about the 7th seal until Revelation 8. 

Reading Revelation can sometimes feel like the stuff horror movies are made of; yet, understanding Revelation gives us deeper confidence in Scripture and anchors our hope and focus. What God begins in Genesis, He finishes in Revelation. In Genesis we discover our roots and beginnings. In Revelation we discover our eternal future. 

From the beginning to the end, the enemy works to keep us disinterested, distracted, confused, and fearful so we miss the important truths found in Scripture. Despite the daunting and intimidating reputation, Revelation is a book about Jesus as he is. The Risen Savior and the Reigning Victor. 

So, what can we learn from Revelation 6? God is rich in mercy. In the midst of Tribulation, He delays the end. Perhaps because He’s still wanting and waiting for sinners to turn to Him. God is just. While He is patient beyond compare, there is a day when evil must be punished. 

There is only One worthy to open the scrolls. The sinless Son of God who is both Lion and Lamb. The One who is able to make all things right and worthy to judge the world. We are living in the last phase of church history. In a moment, Jesus will come back. Revelation 6 is motivation for us that while it is still today, let’s share the Good News that Jesus died, conquered death, and made a way for us to live with Him forever. He is a Good Judge and Righteous King.