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Revelation
Chapter
Twelve
SERMON OUTLINE
Metaphor – a figure of speech in which one thing is likened
to another, a different thing by being spoken
of as if it were that other.
Revelation 12:1-17
*The following questions will be answered concerning Revelation
Chapter 12 . . .
1.Who is the woman clothed with the sun, moon and stars?
2. Who is the great red dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7
diadems?
3. Who is the male child who is to rule the nations?
4. What is the wilderness in which the woman is nourished for
1,260 days?
5. When did the war in heaven take place?
6. How did the saints conquer Satan’s assaults upon them?
7. How is the woman and her offspring protected by God from
destruction?
Point 1 Revelation 12:1-2; Galatians 4:26; Genesis 37:1-9;
Isaiah 61:19-20; 66:7; Galatians 6:16.
Point 2 Revelation 12:3-4; Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14; I
Timothy 3:6; John 8:44; John 10:10; Genesis 1:31;
Revelation 5:6; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11;
II Corinthians 4:4; I Timothy 5:21; John 13:26-30;
II Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:10-18;
I Thessalonians 2:18; II Thessalonians 2:9; I Peter
5:8; II Corinthians 2:10-11; James 1:13; II Corinthians
11:3; Jude 1:3-4; I John 4:1-3; Ephesians 4:11-16;
I Timothy 4:16; Ephesians 4:3; Hebrews 3:1-12.
Point 3 Revelation 12:5; Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27; 19:15.
Point 4 Revelation 12:6; Deuteronomy 8:1-5; I Kings 19:3-8;
Galatians 1:17-18; Matthew 16:13-20; Matthew 6:33;
I Corinthians 10:4; Numbers 11:31-35.
Point 5 Revelation 12:7-10; Ephesians 6:10-18; Daniel 10:10-
14; 12:1; Job 1-42, Zechariah 3:1-2; Luke 10:18;
John 12:31.
Point 6 Revelation 12:11-12; Romans 8:1;37; Acts 22 & 26.
Point 7 Revelation 12:13-17; Exodus 15:12; Daniel 7:25; 12:7;
Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 40:31.
Scriptures used throughout
this Sermon
Revelation 12:1-17
Metaphor—a figure of speech in which one
thing is likened to another, a different thing
by being spoken of as if it where the other thing.
Example
He runs like a deer.
She protects her children like a bear.
Chapter 12 is filled with metaphors and is one of
the great chapters of the Book of Revelation.
The women clothed with the sun, with the moon under
her feet and a crown of 12 stars on her head represents
the ideal church in heaven and the actual historical
church on earth. 1. The ideal church in heaven.
2. The historical church on earth.
Galatians 4:26
“But the Jerusalem above is free and she
is our mother.”
Ideal Church
Israel Israel
of of
Old New
-1-
Chapter Twelve (12)
Sermon Notes and significant thoughts
and ideas from the Sermon on this chapter.
Chapter Twelve (12)
Dr. Beal wrote:
Again Dr. Beal Writes =
Number 12 = God’s People
A crown with 12 stars
12 Tribes of Israel
12 Apostles of the New Testament
Sun, Moon, Stars—Israel of Old (Genesis 37:1-9; Isaiah 61:19-20
Christ’s birth came through the people of Israel of old -
Isaiah 66:7; Galatians 4:4-6
The woman also represents the Israel of the New Covenant
Galatians 6:16
“Heaven”
Historical Israel Historical Church
of Old of New
-2-
“In this respect, the woman with the 12 stars alludes to the continuation of true Israel in the 12 apostles and
the church they represent.”
“Chapter 12 presents the woman as incorporating the
people of God living both before and after Christ’s coming.
“And as for all who walk by this rule,
peace and mercy be upon them and
upon the Israel of God.”
Ideal Church = Woman
Chapter Twelve (12)
The great red dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7
diadems represents Satan. Dragon = symbol for Satan
Chief Fallen Angel
*Ezekiel 28 *Isaiah 14 Satan fell because of pride—I Timothy 3:6 “Red” = Color of murder (John 8:44)
Satan is a murderer and a liar
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy.” 7 Heads = his desire for sovereignty
10 Horns = evil and the 4th beast of Daniel & the 10 Kings
7 Diadems = crown of a ruler Satan mimics Christ in everything he does—in Scripture
Satan is called . . .
(1) The ruler (prince) of this world—John 12:31; 14:30;
16:11. (2) The ruler of the power of the air—Ephesians 2:2 (3) the “god” of this world—II Corinthians 4:4
His tail swept down 1/3 of the stars of heaven and cast
them to the earth.
1/3 Stars = represent the angels that rebelled with Satan.
2/3 of the angels remained true to God.
-3-
Chapter Twelve (12)
Fallen angels are also called “Demons.”
Satan has been attacking the people of God throughout
the scriptures. Examples of Satanic plots against Christ and his people.
* Cain killed Able
* The Flood
* The Tower of Babel
* Moses’ dead body
* Ezra—inter-marriage
* Ester—Haman
* False prophets, etc., etc.,
* Herod—killing babies—Matthew 2
* Scribes./Pharisees—plot to kill Jesus
* Judas—betrayed Christ—John 13:26-30
* Pilate—mock trial—4 gospels
Satan is . . .
1. An enemy of Christ.
3 C’s = 2. An enemy of the Christian.
3, An enemy of the Church
-4-
Dr. William Shedd wrote that God gave an extra
measure of preserving grace to 2/3 of the angels
who are called God’s Elect—I Timothy 5:21 “Elect
angels”
Old Testament
New Testament
Chapter Twelve (12)
Satan has many schemes of destruction—
(II Corinthians 2:10-11)
Schemes/Designs = a carefully arranged and systematic
plan of action—crafty, trickery.
The following are some of his schemes:
1. Temptation (James 1:3)
2. Deception (II Corinthians 11:3)
3. False Doctrine (I John 4:1-3; I Timothy 4:1
4. Church splits (Ephesians 4:3)
5. Unbelief (Hebrews 3:11-12)
We defeat Satan by . . .
1. Prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. Putting on the whole armor of God
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
3. Resisting him (James 4)
4. Knowledge of scripture (Matthew 4)
5. Worship & Praise (Psalms)
The Male Child– represents the Lord Jesus Christ—God’s
“Anointed One” who is to rule forever.
Birth His Ascension
Prophetic Telescoping (item 1)
-5-
Satan is defeated foe and every Christian can
remain victorious over him.
Chapter Twelve (12)
The people of God of the Old Testament brought forth
the Messiah who will rule.
Psalm 2:9
Revelation 2:27 and Revelation 19:15
Jesus is presently ruling from heaven.
“Already” “Not Yet”
1. He calls attention to Satan’s defeat at the Lord’s
birth and ascension. 2. He links Jesus’ ascension to his rule over the nations. 3. He uses the ascension as a prelude to the next segment-
warfare in heaven. 4. John mentions 2 main redemptive facts: he stresses
Jesus’ birth “on earth” that includes his ministry and
his ascension into heaven that includes his majestic
rule.
“You shall break them with a rod of
iron and dash them in pieces like a
potter’s vessel.”
John telescopes Jesus’ earthly
life for several reasons
God is in control, for at the right moment he intervenes to
safeguard his Son and causes Satan’s strategies to collapse.
God is the agent in the passive voice of the phrase “the child
was snatched to God.” When Jesus took his rightful posi-
tion on God’s throne, Satan and his angel lost their place
in heaven. -6-
Chapter Twelve (12)
1. The Church is God’s agent to transact his business
in the world.
Woman = people of God no higher privilege
than to be a member of the body of Christ.
2. The Messiah Redeemer came through the people of
God.
Woman was pregnant and gave birth = Messiah
3. Satan’s tactics was to destroy and kill the Messiah
Satanic Plots
Old Testament—New Testament
4. Satan hates Christ, Christians and the church.
5. His failure to destroy Christ means he is out to destroy
the church.
6. Christians must be prepared for spiritual warfare
Ephesians 6:10-18
7. Christ is Lord and he will destroy Satan an evil and
reign forever—he rules the nations.
-7-
Personal Application
Chapter Twelve (12)
The Wilderness = the desert Israel’s 40 year stay in the
Sinai Peninsula.
Deuteronomy 8:1-5
Several factors follow from fleeing to the wilderness:
1. It’s a place of protection.
2. It’s a place of provision.
3. It’s a place of training.
4. It’s a place of miracles.
5. It’s a place that’s temporary.
-8-
“The whole commandment that I command
you today you shall be careful to do, that
you may live and multiply, and go in and
possess the land that the Lord swore to give
to your fathers. And you shall remember
the whole way that the Lord your God has
led you these forty years in the wilderness,
that he might humble you, testing you to
know what was in your heart, whether you
would keep his commandments or not. And
he humbled you and let you hunger and fed
you with manna, which you did not know,
nor did your fathers know, that he might
make you know that man does not live by
bread alone, but man lives by every word
that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Your clothing did not wear out on you and
your foot did not swell these forty years.
Know then in your heart that, as a man dis-
ciplines his son, the Lord your God disci-
plines you.
Chapter Twelve
Spiritual “Warfare” is a reality. (Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1;
Ephesians 6:10-18).
The Archangel Michael is a guardian over God’s people
and ethnic Israel in particular.
There was spiritual warfare in heaven and Satan
and his angels were thrown down to earth =
there was no place in heaven for them.
When Did This Happen?
In the Old Testament Satan had access to God’s
throne to accuse believers.
Job—Job 1-42
Joshua High Priest—Zechariah 3:1-2
Old Testament Saints / Israel of Old
With Christ coming and his victory over death and
ascension things changed.
Heavenly
Ascension
40 Days
Cross Resurrection Ascension
Satan/Demons Cast
out of heaven
down to the Earth
His time is short!
-9-
Chapter Twelve (12)
Luke 10:18
John 12:31
Satan/Demons were cast out of heaven 2,000 years ago
Their Time is Short!
2nd
Coming
Time is Short
Eternity Eternity
-10-
The seventy-two returned with joy,
saying, “Lord, even the demons are
subject to your name!” And he said to
them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning
from heaven. Behold, I have given you
authority to tread on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the
enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you, but
rejoice that your names are written in
heaven.”
“Now is the judgment of this world;
now will the ruler of this world be cast
out.”
Chapter Twelve (12)
How do the saints conquer Satan’s assaults against them.
Revelation 12:11-12
1. We conquer Satan by the blood of the Lamb.
“We have been redeemed.” 2. We conquer Satan by our personal testimonies.
Apostle Paul
Acts 22/26
3. We conquer Satan by being willing to die for Christ if necessary.
Martyr—one who gives their life for Christ.
-11-
When Jesus died, rose again and
ascended to heaven then there was
no place in heaven for Satan and
his angels.
And they have conquered him by the
blood of the Lamb and by the word of
their testimony, for they loved not
their lives even unto death. Therefore,
rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell
in them! But woe to you, O earth and
sea, for the devil has come down to you
in great wrath, because he knows that
his time is short.”
Chapter Twelve (12)
How does God protect the woman and her offspring.
Revelation 12:13-17
God supernaturally protects his people.
He carried them across the Red Sea. (Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 40:31) Exodus 15:12
“You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.”
-12-
And when the dragon saw that he
had been thrown down to the earth, he
pursued the woman who had given birth
to the male child. But the woman was
given the two wings of the great eagle so
that she might fly from the serpent into
the wilderness, to the place where she
is to be nourished for a time, and times,
and half a time. The serpent poured
water like a river out of his mouth after
the woman, to sweep her away with a
flood. But the earth came to the help of
the woman, and the earth opened its
mouth and swallowed the river that the
dragon had poured from his mouth.
Then the dragon became furious with
the woman and went off to make war on
the rest of her offspring, on those who
keep the commandments of God and
hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he
stood on the sand of the sea.
Chapter Twelve (12)
The church since the resurrection of Christ for the
last 2,000 plus years has been supernaturally
protected from extinction.
Matthew 16:18
4. Satan will use all of his evil weapons to destroy
the church.
Floodtide
Deception
Evil
False prophets, etc.
5. But God will super-naturally protect his church.
“The gates of hell will not prevail.”
6. The church will be nourished and protected by
God in the wilderness until Christ’s return.
7. Satan will never stop assaulting Christ, the church
And Christians until Christ returns and defeats him.
-13-
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on
this rock I will build my church and
the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.”
Chapter Twelve (12)
1. Spiritual warfare is real but Christians are promised
victory. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. God’s spiritual weapons are powerful.
Bible Study/Prayer
Worship/Praise
Obedience/Discipline
Making Disciples
Fellowship of Believers Etc., Etc.,
3. We also defeat Satan by:
The blood of Christ
salvation and our identity The word of our testimony.
The laying down of our lives for Christ (Martyr).
-14-
Personal Application
Revelation
Chapter
Thirteen
SERMON OUTLINE
Antichrist – anyone who denies that Jesus is God
and the final human ruler of the world.
Revelation 13:1-10
*The coming antichrist will be . . .
1. An evil ruler who is empowered by Satan.
2. Mortally wounded and healed as he blasphemes God
and exercises power for 42 months.
3. Determined to destroy the saints, rule the world
and receive worship from all mankind.
4. Worshiped by those whose names are not written
in the Book of Life.
5. The one who takes believers into captivity and
ultimately death.
I John 2 18
Point 1 Revelation 13:2; Daniel 7:1-8; 11:36-39;Matthew
24:15; II Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:2;
II Thessalonians 2:7-12; II Corinthians 11:3;
11:14; II Thessalonians 2:11
Point 2 Revelation 13:3-6;14; Daniel 7:23-25;
II Thessalonians 2:3-4
Point 3 Revelation 13:7-8; Matthew 24:9; Daniel 7:21
Point 4 Revelation 13:8; Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:20;
Revelation 20:12; 21-27; 13:8
Point 5 Revelation 13:10; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3;
Psalm 2:7; Revelation 19:12; 13:2; 12:10; John
5:21-23; 13:3; John 5:23; Hebrews 2:12; Daniel
7:1-8
Scriptures used throughout
this Sermon
Revelation 13:1-10
Antichrist—anyone who denies that Jesus is God
and the final human ruler of the world
who is Satan’s representative. Evil is becoming global, particularly with Muslim terrorists.
Globalism, nuclear threats, moral decay, terrorist and the
threat of a third world war make the Book of Revelation
very relevant.
I John 2:18
There are two (2) foundational truths of Christianity.
(1) Trinity—one God in 3 persons (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)
(2) Incarnation— The second person of the blessed Trinity
God the Son became a man.
The Last Hour 2nd Coming
of Christ
2000 years +
Antichrist—is both a spirit (false religion) and a person.
there have been many types foreshadows of the coming
Antichrist.
-1-
Chapter 13:1-10
Sermon Notes and significant thoughts
and ideas from the sermons on this chapter
Children, it is the last hour, and as you
have heard that Antichrist is coming,
so now many Antichrist have come.”
Chapter Thirteen (13)
* * * *
Nero Hitler Stalin The Antichrist
Revelation13:1-2
The coming Antichrist is a combination of the 4 kingdoms of the book of Daniel 7:1-8.
Lion—Babylon
Bear—Medo-Persian
Leopard—Greece
Beast—Rome
Daniel predicted the rise of the Antichrist.
Daniel 7:8
-2-
And I saw a beast rising out of the sea,
with ten horns and seven heads with
ten diadems on its horns and blasphe-
mous names on its heads. And the
beast that I saw was like leopard; its
feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth
was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the
dragon gave his power an his throne
and great authority.
4 Great Beasts
“I considered the horns, and behold,
there came up among them another
horn, a little one, before which 3 of the
first horns were plucked up by the roots.
And behold, in this horn were eyes like
the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking
great things.”
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Daniel 11:36-39
Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul predicted the rise
of the Antichrist (Matthew 24:15; II Thessalonians
2:1-12).
-3-
“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall
exalt himself and magnify himself above
every god, and shall speak astonishing
things against the God of gods. He shall
prosper till the indignation is accom-
plished; for what is decreed shall be done.
He shall pay no attention to the gods of
his fathers, or to the one beloved by wom-
en. He shall not pay attention to any oth-
er god, for he shall magnify himself above
all. He shall honor the god of fortresses
instead of these. A god whom his fathers
did not know he shall honor with gold and
silver, with precious stones and costly
gifts. He shall deal with the strongest for-
tresses with the help of a foreign god.
Those who acknowledge him he shall load
with honor. He shall make them rulers
over many and shall divide the land for a
price.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Revelation 13 reveals a beast with 7 heads, 7 horns
and 7 diadems.
7 Heads = completeness
10 Horns = pure evil and 10 kings of Daniel 7
10 Diadems = Crowns that symbolize ruling
The Antichrist is linked to Satan.
Revelation 13:2
II Thessalonians 2:9
-4-
“And to it the dragon gave his power
and throne and great authority.”
“The coming of the lawless one is the
activity of Satan with all power and
signs and wonders.”
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Satan’s number one tactic is deception (II Corinthians
11:3; II Corinthians 11:14; II Thessalonians 2:9-11).
One of it’s heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but
its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth
marveled as they followed the beast.
He is wounded by a sword
(Revelation 13:14)
Satan mocks God who is Triune by having his unholy
trinity.
(1) Holy Trinity:
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
(2) Unholy Trinity
Dragon—Satan
Beast of Sea = Political Antichrist
Beast of Earth = False Prophet
-5-
Jesus was put to death and rose
from the dead.
Antichrist is put to death but comes
back to life.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
The Antichrist is a blasphemer (Daniel 7:23-25;
II Thessalonians 2:3-4) Blasphemer = to slander God’s name “He takes his seat in the temple of God . . . .
(II Thessalonians 2:4) Temple of God = the Church
(Ephesians 2:11-22)
(I Corinthians 3:6-17)
(I Corinthians 6:19-20)
The 42 Months = Symbolic of a time of trouble George Ladd writes:
Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes:
-6-
“The 42 months is a symbolic number for the entire period of
persecution of the church, but particularly the end of this
period—the time of great tribulation.”
Forty-two months or three and a half years is the same as
1,260 days. These references appeared earlier in two preceding
chapters where John noted that the Gentiles would trample the
holy city for forty-two months and the two witnesses would
prophesy for 1,260 days (11:2-3). And he related that the
woman (the church) would be cared for in the desert by God for
1,260 days or time, times and a half time, namely, three and a
half years (12:6,14). These references signify the entire period
during which the gospel is proclaimed, from the time of Jesus’
first coming to his promised return. In that period, Satan
through the beast blasphemes God’s name, bans the preaching
of his Word, and attempts to destroy the church.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
42 Months 2nd Coming
1,260 Days of
A.D. 30 Time, Times, 1/2 Times Christ
?
The Antichrist will determine to destroy the saints,
rule the world and receive worship from all mankind.
Revelation 13:7-8
Daniel 7:21
-7-
Also it was allowed to make war on the
saints an to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people
and language and nation, and all who dwell one earth will worship it, everyone
whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of
life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
“As I looked, this horn (Antichrist) made
war with the saints and prevailed over
them.”
Whatever the church has experienced in
suffering, persecution and martyrdom in
the last 2,000 years will only be intensified
during the reign of the Antichrist.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
All those who take the mark of the beast and worship
him are lost and their names are not written in the
Book of Life.
Revelation 13:8
Book of Life—this book contains the names of all the
Saved/redeemed (Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:20; Revelation
20:12; 21:27). This book belongs to the Lamb
The coming Antichrist will be the one who takes
believers into captivity and ultimately death.
Revelation 13:10
John MacArthur: wrote
-8-
“And all who dwell on earth will worship
it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the
world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain.”
If anyone is taken captive, to captivity he
goes; if anyone is slain with the sword, with the sword he must be slain. Here is a
call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
A call for believers to accept persecution from Antichrist with
perseverance and endurance. God has chosen some believers
to be imprisoned and executed which they must not resist (cf.
Matt. 26:51-54; 2 Cor. 10:4), but accept with patience and
such suffering as God ordains for them (cf. I Peter 2:19-24).
Chapter Thirteen (13)
George Ladd: wrote
-9-
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Final judgment is in the hand of God and will surely come.
Those who take up the sword against the people of God
will meet their just retribution, but endurance is required
in awaiting that day. Meanwhile, the beast will seem to have
unlimited power to bring the saints to death. This will
require of them unswerving faith that God is still God an is
still ruling, and that his Kingdom is over all.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Christ and Antichrist Contrast
The Beast is an image of Satan, who brought him forth (13:1),
just as Christ is the exact image of God, begotten by the Father
(Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 2:7). The Beast has ten crowns, while Christ has many crowns (19:12).
The Beast has blasphemous names written on him, while Christ
has worthy names (19:12). The Dragon has given the Beast his power, his throne, and great
authority (13:2), just as Christ has power (5:12-13), a throne
(3:21), and authority (12:10) from the Father (John 5:21-23). The Beast has a healed fatal wound, counterfeiting Christ’s resur-
rection (13:3). The Beast’s healing is one of the principal features
that attracts followers, just as the resurrection of Christ is one of
the principal points of evangelistic proclamation. Worship is directed both to the Dragon and to the Beast, just as
Christians worship both the Father and the Son (John 5:23).
The Beast attracts the worship of the whole world (13:3), just as
Christ is to be worshipped universally.
The Beast utters blasphemies, while Christ utters the praises of
God (Hebrews 2:12).
The Beast makes war against the saints, while Christ makes war
against the Beast (19:11-12). The song of praise to the Beast in
13:4 counterfeits the song to God, the warrior, in Exodus 15:11.
The striking juxtaposition of Christ and the Beast in 19:11-21
shows that they are the two main warriors in the battle. Christ is
the divine warrior, fulfilling the imagery of Exodus 15:3; Isaiah
59:16-18; 63:1-6; Habakkuk 3:3-15; Zechariah 9:13-15; 14:1-5.
The Beast is the unholy, counterfeit warrior, fulfilling the imagery
of Daniel 7:1-8.
-10-
Chapter Thirteen (13:1-10)
1. The spirit of Antichrist—Denying that Jesus is God has
been with us for 2,000 years.
2. The spirit of Antichrist will in the near future be manifested in a human being called in Thessalonians 2 “The Man of
Lawlessness.”
3. Satan will be the real power behind the Antichrist whose main purpose is to receive worship.
4. The Antichrist will rule with great authority at the end
of history right before Christ’s return.
5. Christians will be severely persecuted and killed during the Antichrist rule.
6. The Antichrist rule will be global.
Revelation 13:7-8
7. All those who take the mark of the Beast and worship
him are doomed to destruction an a life separated from God in hell for eternity.
Personal Application
“And authority was given it (Antichrist)
over every tribe and people and
language and nation and all who dwell
on the earth will worship it (Antichrist).
SERMON OUTLINE
False Prophet – a deceiver who leads people away
from worship of the true God and
his truth.
Revelation 13:11-18
*The false prophet of Revelation chapter thirteen (13) will . . .
1. Look like a lamb but be an embodiment of evil.
2. Cause the world of unbelievers to worship the antichrist.
3. Use deceitful signs and wonders to cause people to
make an image of the beast.
4. Make all unbelievers to receive a mark of 666 on their
right hand and forehead.
5. Be the third person of the unholy trinity.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Matthew 24:21-27
I Timothy 4:1
II Timothy 4:1-5
II Peter 2:1-3
I John 4:1-3
Jude 1:3-4
John 17:3; 14:6; 17:17
Point 1 Revelation 13:11; Daniel 8:3; Revelation 16:13;
19:20; 20:10.
Point 2 Revelation 13:12; Matthew 16:13-18; Hebrews 1:1-2;
II Timothy 3:16; Jude 1:3; Ephesians 2:18-22.
Point 3 Revelation 13:13-15; I Kings 18; II Kings 1:10,12;
Matthew 24:24; II Thessalonians 2:9-10;
Exodus 7:11; Acts 13:6-8.
Point 4 Revelation 13:16-18; Revelation 7 & 13.
Point 5 Revelation 13:11-18.
Scriptures used throughout
this Sermon
Revelation 13:11-18
False Prophet—a deceiver who leads people away from
worship of the true God and his truth.
Moses warned Israel of the “Danger” of false prophets
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
-1-
Chapter 13:11-18
Sermon notes and significant thoughts
and ideas from the sermon on this chapter
“Is a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises
among you and gives you a sign or a wonder,
and the sign or wonder that he tells you
comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go alter
other gods’, which you have not known, and
let us serve them, you shall not listen to the
words of that prophet or that dreamer of
dreams. For the Lord your God is testing
you, to know whether you love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your
soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God
and fear him and keep his commandments
and obey his voice, and you shall serve him
and hold fast to him. But that prophet or
that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death,
because he has taught rebellion against the
Lord your God, who brought you out of th
land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the
house of slavery, to make you leave the way
in which the Lord your God commanded you
to walk. So you shall purge the evil from
your midst.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Matthew 24:11
“Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”
-2-
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a
prophet like me from among you, from your
brothers—it is to him you shall listen—just as
you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on
the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let
me not hear again the voice of the Lord my
God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’
And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in
what they have spoken. I will raise up for
them a prophet like you from among their
brothers. And I will put my words in his
mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I
command him. And whoever will not listen to
my words that he shall speak in my name, I
myself will require of him. But the prophet
who presumes to speak a word in my name
that I have not commanded him to speak, or
who speaks in the name of other gods, that
same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in
your heart, ‘How may we know the word that
the Lord has not spoken? - when a prophet
speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word
does not come to pass or come true, that is
a word that the Lord has not spoken; the
prophet has spoken it presumptuously You
need not be afraid of him.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Other Scriptures that teach this truth (I Timothy 4:1;
II Timothy 4:1-5; II Peter 2:1-3; I John 4:1-3; Jude 1:3-4).
Who Is The True God?
The only true God is the one revealed in Jesus Christ
and Scripture.
John 17:3
The false prophet of Revelation 13 will look like a lamb
but be an embodiment of evil.
Revelation 13:11
Two (2) horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon.
Dr. George Ladd writes:
-3-
“And this is eternal life, that they know
You, the only true God and Jesus Christ
whom you sent.”
You can not know the true God until you
know his Son, Jesus Christ.
“Then I saw another beast rising out of
the earth. It had two horns like a lamb
and it spoke like a dragon.”
This beast had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a
dragon. He is the parody of Christ—religion prostituted for evil
ends. The second beast had the appearance of a lamb, but his voice belied his appearance: he spoke like a dragon. That the
second beast represents religion employed in support of the worship of the beast is seen from the fat that hereafter he is
called the false prophet (16:13; 19:20; 20:10). The first beast represents civil power, satanically inspired; the second beast
represents religious power employed to support civil power.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
(1) Antichrist = Civil Power, Government turned evil
(2) False Prophet = Religious power turned evil
* The false prophet speaks like a dragon.
* The true Lamb (Christ) speaks the Word of God.
The false prophet is mentioned 3 other times in Revelation:
Revelation 16:13
Revelation 19:20
Revelation 20:10
He stands in complete service to the Antichrist.
His purpose is to set the whole world against Christ,
Revelation and his people.
He is presented as . . .
* Harmless
* Lovable
* Attractive
But he is the embodiment of . . .
* Evil
* Deception (lies)
* Death
-4-
Chapter Thirteen (13)
The false prophet of Revelation 13 will cause the world
of the lost to worship the Antichrist.
Revelation 13:12
Joseph Smith is a false prophet and Mormonism is a Cult.
-5-
It exercises all the authority of the first
beast in its presence, and makes the earth
and its inhabitants worship the first
beast, whose mortal wound was healed.
An Overview of Mormon Doctrine
Much of the Mormon theology uses doctrinal words that
mimic Christian theology but carry vastly different meanings,
says Tal Davis of the HMB Interfaith Witness Department. A
closer look will reveal a different concept of God, salvation, and
Christ’s divinity; terms often sound right, but most have been
refined.
Mormons believe theirs is the only true church and ac-
cept the Bible only as far as it is correctly translated. Church
founder Joseph Smith made more than 600 “corrections” to the
King James Version and added three additional scriptures: The
Book of Mormon, The Doctrine an Covenants, and the Pearl of
Great Price. Following is a brief overview of Mormon doctrine.
God is an exalted man. There are infinite number of gods
in the universe, each of whom is the god of his own planet.
However, only God the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the
Holy Ghost—three separate and distinct gods—are worshiped.
God the Heavenly Father has a wife (or wives) and is the literal
father of every person in the spirit world. God has a father and
grandfather and he once lived on a planet as a mortal man
before attaining “godhood”, or “exaltation.”
Chapter Thirteen (13)
The false prophet of Revelation 13 will use deceitful signs
and wonders to cause people to make an image of the
Beast.
-6-
Jesus is the “Son” of God, God the Father is the literal
father of Jesus, or Jehovah, in both the spirit world and on
earth. The virgin birth is redefined; Jesus was not begotten of
the Holy Spirit, Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers. After Jesus’
resurrection in Palestine, He appeared in the Western Hemisphere,
organized a church, and appointed apostles among the American
Indians.
Males are gods in embryo, Adam’s fall was necessary to pro-
vide billions of preexistent spirits with mortal bodies. Humans
are basically good; they will be punished for their sins, but not for
Adam’s sin of disobedience. According to Lorenzo Snow, fifth presi-
dent of the LDS Church, men are potential gods; “as man is, God
once was; as God is, man may become.” Women may become
wives of gods. After the judgment, worthy Mormon men who were
married in the temple can progress to “godhood” and the celestial
kingdom and receive a planet to populate, as God the Heavenly
Father did before them.
Three kingdoms exist. At death, Mormons go to Paradise,
while non-Mormons are assigned to a temporary spirit prison-
hell to await resurrection and judgment. Jesus Christ will
return to reign at Independence, Mo., for 1,000 years before the
judgment, after which good Mormons will go to the celestial king-
dom, other people of good will go to the terrestrial kingdom, and the
wicked will go to the telestial kingdom (not hell).
Mormon doctrine is unbiblical and false
It is a cult
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Revelation 13:13-15
Jesus and the apostle Paul warned about the deceit of coming
false prophets (Matthew 24:24; II Thessalonians 2:1-10). In Moses’ days magicians in Egypt used tricks to deceive
people (Exodus 7:11). Magic, sorcery and deceit have been used by Satan to draw
people away from the worship of the true God.
The false prophet encourages unbelievers to make an
image of the beast who was slain and came back to life.
Revelation 13:11-15
-7-
It performs great signs, even making fire
come down from heaven to earth in front
of people, and by the signs that it is
allowed to work in the presence of the
beast it deceives those who dwell on
earth, telling them to make an image for
the beast that was wounded by the sword
and yet lived. And it was allowed to give
breath to the image of the beast, so that
the image of the beast might even speak
and might cause those who would not
worship the image of the beast to be
slain.
Then I saw another beast rising out of the
earth. It had two horns like a lamb and
it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all
the authority of the first beast in its
presence, and makes the earth and its
Chapter Thirteen (13)
Revelation 13:11-15 (continued)
The conflict in Revelation is not between one religion and
another but between Christ and Antichrist.
Dr. Kendell Easley wrote:
-8-
inhabitants worship the first beast, whose
mortal wound was healed. It performs
great signs even making fire come down
from heaven to earth in front of people,
and by the signs that it is allowed to work
in the presence of the beast it deceives
those who dwell on earth, telling them to
make an image for the beast that was
wounded by the sword and yet lived. And
it was allowed to give breath to the image
of the beast, so that the image of the beast
might even speak an might cause those
who would not worship the image of the
beast to be slain.
. . . cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
The demon spirit animating the statue not only speaks but
demands death for those “fool enough” to refuse to worship
Antichrist or his statue. This shows plainly enough the
terrible insolence of false religion: what began as following
the beast inevitably led to worshiping the beast; in turn this
led to killing those who rejected the beast. The text does
not specify that everyone refusing to worship the beast will
be murdered, only that the False Prophet has the power to
cause such killing. Although this pattern has been repeated
throughout human history, it will be played out one moe
time on a truly global scale.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
The false prophet will make all unbelievers receive a
mark of 666 on their right hand or their forehead.
Revelation 13:16-18
Revelation 7—the 144,000 were sealed from God’s wrath.
Revelation 13—those who worship the beast are branded on
the right hand or forehead. 2 Groups of People
Those “sealed” for God
Those “marked” for the Antichrist
The seal of believers is symbolic but the mark of the beast
is probably physical in some sense.
The mark of the beast is both:
1. Religious
2. Economic
-9-
Also it causes all, both small and great,
both rich and poor, both free and
slave, to be marked on the right hand
or the forehead, so that no one can
buy or sell unless he has the mark,
that is, the name of the beast or the
number of its name. This calls for wis-
dom; let the one who has understand-
ing calculate the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man, and his
number is 666.
Chapter Thirteen (13)
The Antichrist wants total control.
The mark of 666 = fallen man
The number represents the Antichrist and his evil kingdom.
Whatever this number means will be absolutely clear to
the people taking it. No one will take this mark accidently
or without full knowledge.
The false prophet of Revelation 13 will be the third person
of the unholy trinity.
1. Dragon—Satan
2. Beast of Sea—Antichrist
3. Beast of Earth—False Prophet
In the same way that the Holy Spirit directs our attention and
worship to Christ so the false prophet causes unbelievers to
worship the Antichrist which cause the Dragon/Satan to
receive worship.
-10-
Most Governments Want Total
Control of People.
Dr. Hendriksen wrote:
“It (666) represents failure upon failure upon failure. It
is symbolic of the beast’s continuing failure to accomplish
his purpose. It is the trinity of imperfection.
Chapter Thirteen (13:11-18)
1. False prophets and false religions have existed for 2,000
years but will culminated in the end of history.
2. The false prophet will be another master piece of Satan
like the Antichrist to deceive the world.
3. The false prophet will perform signs and wonders to
deceive millions.
4. His prime purpose will be to get people (unbelievers) to
worship the Antichrist which brings worship to Satan.
5. He will cause unbelievers to receive the mark of the beast
on their right hand or forehead.
6. Only those with the mark of the beast can buy or sell.
7. Both the Antichrist and the false prophet are heading for
severe punishment of God.
Personal Application
Revelation
Chapter
Fourteen
SERMON OUTLINE
Angels – created spiritual beings with moral
judgment and high intelligence but
without physical bodies.
Revelation 14:1-13
*Revelation chapter fourteen (14) verses 1-13 reveal . . .
1. The 144,000 redeemed standing on Mount Zion
with the Lamb.
2. The first (1st) angel flying overhead with the
eternal gospel.
3. The second (2nd) angel with a message for Babylon.
4. The third (3rd) angel with a warning to those who
take the mark of the beast.
5. The message of hope and reward for all those who
remain faithful to Christ.
Nehemiah 9:6
Point 1 Revelation 14:1-5; Psalm 2:6; Hebrews 12:22;
Revelation 14:3; John 4:24; Revelation 14:4;
I Corinthians 15:20; Jeremiah 1:18; Revelation
14:5; Zephaniah 3:13.
Point 2 Revelation 14:6-7; Ephesians 1:4; Revelation 1:20;
Revelation 13; I Peter 1:20; John 10:28-30;
Romans 8:35-39; Jude 1:24.
Point 3 Revelation 14:8; Genesis 2:10,14; 10:8; 11:5;
Genesis 24:3,4 & 10; 27:42: 3&4; Daniel 1:1, 2,
3:36, 38; Revelation 17 & 18.
Point 4 Revelation 14:9-12; John 3:36; Matthew 25:46
Point 5 Revelation 14:13; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians
1:21, 23.
Scripture used throughout
this Sermon
Revelation 14:1-13
Angels—created spiritual beings with moral
judgment and high intelligence but
without physical bodies.
Nehemiah 9:6
Revelation is a highly symbolic book.
Symbolic—using symbols to represent another thing.
Mt. Zion = is symbolic of heaven and the victory of the
Saints (Psalm 2:6).
Hebrews 12:22
144,000 = All the redeemed of God with particular
emphasis upon those living during the time
of the Antichrist. (complete totality).
-1-
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Sermon notes and significant thoughts
and ideas from the sermons on this chapter.
“You are the Lord, you alone. You
have made heaven, the heaven of
heavens, with all their hosts
(angels) . . .”
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to
the city of the Living God the heavenly
Jerusalem and to innumerable angels in
festal gathering.”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Numbers
3 = Divine Number
7 = Perfect Number
10 = Number for Evil
12 = Number for God’s People
12 Tribes
12 Stars
12 Apostles
12 Gates
12 Foundations
A 5-fold identification of the 144,000 redeemed from the earth.
1. They are worshipers.
Worship—an active response to God whereby
we declare his worth.
2. They are undefiled (faithful).
Purity—spiritual dedication to Christ.
Dr. Ladd writes . . .
3. They are followers of the Lamb.
True Discipleship
“A believer and follower of Jesus Christ all their lives.”
-2-
“We conclude, therefore, that the one hundred and
forty-four thousand are virgins and undefiled in the
sense that they have refused to defile themselves by
participating in the fornication of worshiping the
Beast but have kept themselves pure unto God.”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
4. They are firstfruits.
2 ways to understand:
(1) Firstfruits—Israel harvested the 1st ears of the
grain harvest with a harvest to follow (I Corinthians
15:20). (2) Firstfruits— Refers to the entire entity, the
totality of God’s people.
Jeremiah 1:18
I believe the second interpretation is the meaning here. The 144,000 with the Lamb = the complete number of
the saved.
5. They are blameless.
Revelation 14:5
Blameless in the Old Testament used for unblemished
sacrifices.
Zephaniah 3:13
-3-
“Israel was holy to the Lord, the first-
fruits of his harvest.”
“And in their mouths no lie was
found, for they are blameless.”
“Those who are left in Israel shall do
no injustice and speak no lies, nor
shall there be found in their mouths a
deceitful tongue . . . .”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
The eternal Gospel—the angel is preaching the Good News
concerning everlasting life and entrance
into the Kingdom of God.
Gospel = the Good News of God’s saving power and forgive-
ness of sins based on Christ’s death, burial and
resurrection. This gospel is eternal because . . .
1. It is rooted in the eternal council of the Triune
God (Ephesians 1:4).
2. It is rooted in the eternal Son of God (I Peter 1:20).
3. It is rooted in God’s promise that we are saved not
just temporally (time) but for (eternity)
(Romans 8:35-39).
Babylon—symbol of rebellion against God (paganism).
Revelation 18:2
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.”
Historical Babylon was an ancient Mesopotamian city
that was the political and religious capital of the world.
-4-
Change your allegiance from the
Beast/Antichrist the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very
significant country in the Bible. Here’s why.
* Eden was in Iraq. Genesis 2:10,14
* Adam & Eve were created in Iraq. Genesis 2:7,8
* Satan made his first recorded appearance in Iraq.
Genesis 3:1,6
* Nimrod established Babylon & Tower of Babel was built
in Iraq. Genesis 10:8, 97 & 11:1,4
* The confusion of the languages took place in Iraq.
Genesis 11:5, 11.
* Abraham came from a city in Iraq. Genesis 11:31 &
Acts 7:2,4
* Isaac’s bride came from Iraq. Genesis 24:3,4 & 10
* Jacob spent 20 years in Iraq. Genesis 27:42,45 & 31:38
* The first world Empire was in Iraq. Daniel 1:1,2 &
2:36,38
* The greatest revival in history was in a city in Iraq.
Jonah 3
* The events of the book of Esther took place in Iraq.
Esther
* The book of Nahum was a prophecy against a city in
Iraq. Nahum
* The book of Revelation has prophecies against Babylon,
which was the old name for the nation of Iraq.
Revelation 17 & 18
No other nation, except Israel, has more history and
prophecy associated with it than Iraq.
-5-
Chapter Fourteen (14)
God’s judgment is about to fall upon Babylon.
A third angel “warns” sinful mankind of the dire consequences
of worshiping the Beast and taking the mark of the Beast on
their right hand or forehead. They will suffer the wrath of
God.
God’s wrath is his reaction of his holiness to man’s sinfulness
and rebellion.
“Love” “Wrath” Revelation emphasizes God’s wrath more than any other
book in the New Testament. John 3:36
The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever and
they have no rest, day or night who worship the Beast.
-6-
Babylon is the symbol of paganism
and rebellion against God.
GOD
“He who does not obey the Son shall
not see life but the wrath of God
abides upon him.”
Unbelievers who take the mark of the Beast will be
tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the
holy angels and the Lamb.
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Hell is “real” and it is “eternal”
Matthew 25:46
The same Greek word for eternal ( ) is
used for both the lost and saved. Here is a call for the endurance of the saints.
Dr. Ladd writes . . .
All believers who remain faithful to Christ will be rewarded
and blessed because . . .
1. They enter into Christ’s presence in heaven (II Cor. 5:8)
2. They are at rest in Christ.
3. They are at rest waiting for their rewards.
A new glorified body.
Various crowns.
A new heaven and a new earth.
-7-
“And these will go away into eternal
punishment, but the righteous into
eternal life.”
Verse 12. Here is a call for the endurance of the saints,
those who keep the commandments of God and the
faith of Jesus. In view of the certain doom of the beast
and those who worship him. John inserts a call to patient
endurance on the part of those who are about to suffer at
the hands of the beast. The “faith of Jesus” is not the
faith he gives but an objective genitive: faith in Jesus.
Chapter Fourteen (14)
1. God’s redeemed are sealed and protected by God’s Spirit and everyone of them will make heaven.
2. We must continue to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
3. The pagan world of Babylon is doomed for certain
Destruction.
4. All unbelievers will experience the full wrath of God.
5. All believers who die in Christ will be blessed and rewarded.
Personal Application
Galatians 4:4-5
Luke 21:25-28
Romans 11:26
Matthew 24:7; 37-39
II Timothy 4:3
II Thessalonians 2
Revelation 13
Point 1 Revelation 14:14-16; Daniel 7:13; Matthew 26:63-64;
13:36-43; 25:31-32; Matthew 17:5; 25:29-31;
Revelation 1:7; Galatians 4:4; Revelation 14:15;
Psalm 135:6; II Corinthians 12:2; I Thessalonians
4:16-16; I Corinthians 15:50-57.
Point 2 Revelation 17:20; Matthew 13:39; 24:29-31; Luke 3:17;
Isaiah 63:2-3; Joel 3:13; Revelation 19:11-16; 6:12-17;
Zechariah 14:4; Revelation 16:6.
Point 3 Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43; 47-50; Matthew 24 & Mark
13; I Corinthians 15:51, 52; Revelation 20:1-2;
Daniel 12:1-3; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Revelation
20:1-6; II Thessalonians 2:1-4; 2:1-12; Matthew 24:43;
I Thessalonians 5:1-3; II Peter 3:9-10; Revelation 16:15;
II Thessalonians 2:7; Revelation 14:14-20; I Corinthians
15:20-28; Luke 17:22-37; Leviticus 23:4-44;
John 6:39-40; 44; 54.
Scriptures used throughout
this sermon
Revelation 14:14-20
Harvest—the time of the year when a mature crop
is reaped and gathered in.
Galatians 4:4-5
When full preparation was made—the full number of
days—God’s Exact Time
Luke 21:25-28
-1-
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Sermon notes and significant thoughts
and ideas from the sermons on this chapter
“But when the fullness of time had
come, God sent forth His Son, born of a
woman, born under law to redeem those
under the law . . . .”
God’s Chronological Time
“And there will be signs in sun and moon
and stars, and on the earth distress of
nations in perplexity because of the roar-
ing of the sea and the waves, people
fainting with fear and with foreboding of
what is coming on the world. For the
powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great
glory. Now when these things begin to
take place, straighten up and raise your
heads, because your redemption is
drawing near.”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Let’s consider some of the signs of the time.
1. The sign of Israel.
2. The sign of the Middle East conflict and potential
global war.
3. The sign of the rise of evil.
4. The sign of the rise of religious apostasy.
5. The sign of the rise of a future evil ruler.
II Thessalonians 2:3
“The man of lawlessness . . . The son of
destruction.”
Revelation 14:14-16
-2-
Then I looked, and behold, a white
cloud, and seated on the cloud one like
a son of man, with a golden crown on
his head, and sharp sickle in his hand.
And another angel came out of the
temple, calling with a loud voice to
him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your
sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap
has come, for the harvest of the earth
is fully ripe.” So he who sat on the
cloud swung his sickle across the
earth, and the earth was reaped.
Chapter Fourteen (14)
One like a son of man.
Daniel 7:13
The title Son of Man clearly points to the deity of
the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the Gospels Jesus refers to himself as
the Son of Man.
Matthew 26:63-64
Jesus also portrayed the end of times as the Son’s
mission to separate the righteous from the wicked.
Matthew 13:36-43
-3-
I saw in the night visions, and
behold, with clouds of heaven there
came one like a son of man, and he
came to the Ancient of Days and was
presented before him.
But Jesus remained silent. And the
high priest said to him, “I adjure
you by the living God, tell us if
you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus said to him, “You have said
so. But I tell you, from now on you
will see the Son of Man seated on
the right hand of Power and coming
on the clouds of heaven.
Then he left the crowds and went into
the house. And his disciples came to
him, saying, Explain to us the parable
of the weeds of the field.” He answered,
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Matthew 13:36-43 (Continued)
Behold a white cloud
White—symbolic of things of God (Matthew 17:5)
Revelation 1:7
-4-
“The one who sows the good seed is the
Son of Man. The field is the world, and
the good seed is the children of the
kingdom. The weeds are the sons of
the evil one, and the enemy who sowed
them is the devil. The harvest is the
close of the age, and the reapers are an-
gels. Just as the weeds are gathered
and burned with fire, so will it be at the
close of the age. The Son of Man will
send his angels, and they will gather
out of his kingdom all causes of sin and
all law-breakers, and throw them into
the fiery furnace. In that place there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the
sun in the kingdom of their Father. He
who has ears let him hear.”
“Behold he is coming with clouds, and
every eye shall see him . . . .”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
A sharp sickle in his hand—the instrument for harvesting
grain.
Grain—the righteous; the harvest is fully ripe. History is under God’s control (Galatians 4:4).
The earth is reaped = rapture of the church.
There is no judgment in this 1st harvest. This is
the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:16-18;
I Corinthians 15:50-57).
An angel with a sharp sickle Sickle—to harvest, this time the harvest focuses on
judgment. Angels are used to gather the unrighteous for judgment.
Matthew 13:39
“The harvest is the close of the age, and the
reapers are angels.” The rapture/gathering of the church is at the end of
history just before the judgment upon believers.
Matthew 24:29-31
Revelation 14:17-20
“Immediately after the tribulation of
those days the sun will be darkened, and
the moon will not give its light, and
the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then will appear in heaven the sign of
-5-
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Matthew 24:29-31 (Continued)
Luke 3:17
For its grapes are ripe
Grapes—symbol of judgment
Isaiah 63:2-3
-6-
the Son of Man, and then all the tribes
of the earth will mourn, and they will
see the Son of Man coming on the
clouds of heaven with power and great
glory. And he will send out his angels
with a loud trumpet call, and they will
gather his elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other.
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, to
clear his threshing floor and to gather
the wheat into the barn, but the chaff
he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
“Why is your apparel red, and your
garments like his who treads in the
winepress? “I have trodden the wine-
press alone, and from the peoples no
one was with me; I trod them in my
anger and trampled them in my
wrath; their lifeblood spattered on
my garments, and stained all my
apparel.”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Joel 3:13
The great winepress of the wrath of God.
Revelation 19:11-16
The blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a
horses bridal, for 1,600 stadia.
184 miles—the entire length of Israel—4’ deep
-7-
Put in the sickle for the harvest is
ripe go in, tread. For the winepress
is full. The vats overflow, for their
evil is great.”
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold,
a white horse! The one sitting on it is
called Faithful and True, and in right-
eousness he judges and makes war. His
eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his
head are many diadems, and he has a
name written that no one knows but
himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped
in blood, and the name by which he
is called is The Word of God. And the
armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen,
white and pure are following him on
white horses. From his mouth comes a
sharp sword with which to strike down
the nations, and he will rule them with
a rod of iron. He will tread the wine-
press of the fury of the wrath of God
Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh
he has a name written, King of Kings
and Lord of Lords.
Chapter Fourteen (14)
Revelation 6:12-17
Zechariah 14:4
“On that day his feet shall stand on the
Mount of Olives . . . .”
Revelation 16:6
World War III—the last great battle on Earth of good and evil.
-8-
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked,
and behold, there was a great earthquake,
and the sun became black as sackcloth,
the full moon became like blood, and
the stars of the sky fell to the Earth as
the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when
shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like
a scroll that is being rolled up, and every
mountain and island was removed from
its place. Then the kings of the earth
and the great ones and the generals and
the rich and powerful, and everyone,
slave and free, hid themselves in the
caves and among the rocks of the moun-
tains, calling to the mountains and
rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the
face of him who is seated on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the
great day of their wrath has come, and
who can stand?”
“And they assembled them at the place
that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
Chapter Fourteen (14)
George Ladd
The language is symbolic of a literal truth—Christ
defeating Satan’s forces.
The fourteen (14) Biblical reasons for the post-tribulation
rapture and return of Jesus Christ.
III. The 14 Biblical reasons for the post-tribulational rapture
and return of Jesus Christ. 1. Because of Parables of “The Wheat and Tares” and “The
Net” teach that the rapture of the church is at the end of
history. (Matthew 13:24-30– 36-43; 47-50). 2. Because of the clear teaching of Matthew 24 and Mark 13
that Christ would return after the Tribulation (Matthew 24
& Mark 13). 3. Because of the return of Jesus Christ being at the last
trumpet (I Corinthians 15:51-52). 4. Because of the teaching concerning the first resurrection
found in the book of Revelation. (Revelation 20:1-6).
5. Because of the Old and New Testament teaching of only
two resurrections (Daniel 12:1-3; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15;
Revelation 20:1-6). 6. Because of the teaching by the Apostle Paul that two events
(apostasy and the rise of the man of lawlessness (must
precede Christ’s return (II Thessalonians 2:1-4).
The thought is clear: a radical judgment that
crushes every vestige of evil and hostility to the
reign of God.
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Chapter Fourteen (14)
7. Because of the difficulties of the restrainer in II Thessa-
lonians being the Holy Spirit who is taken out of the world
(II Thessalonians 2:1-12).
8. Because of the thief motif found in scripture harmonizing
with Christ’s post-Tribulation return (Matthew 24:43;
I Thessalonians 5:1-3; II Peter 3:9-10; Revelation 16:15).
9. Because of the teaching that the mystery of lawlessness is
already at work in the church age (II Thessalonians 2:7).
10. Because the teaching of Revelation fits a post-Tribulation
rapture (Revelation 14:14-20).
11. Because of the clear teaching of I Corinthians 15:20-28
concerning the return of Christ (I Corinthians 15:20-28) -
Christ’s resurrection/second coming/then the end.
12. Because the teaching of Noah and Lot fit into a post-
Tribulational return of Christ (Luke 17:22-37).
13. Because the teaching of the feast of Israel, particularly
The Day of Atonement, fits a post-Tribulational return of
Christ (Leviticus 23:4-44).
14. Because of the clear teaching that the rapture of the saints
coincides with the resurrection at the last day (John 6:39;
6:40; 44; 54).
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Chapter Fourteen (14)
1. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ can look forward
with great joy the blessed hope and 2nd coming of
Jesus Christ to rapture us from the earth.
2. The unbelievers will in time experience the wrath of
God at the 2nd coming of Christ.
3. The New Testament overwhelmingly presents the rapture
and 2nd coming of Christ as one event at the end of
history.
Personal Application
SERMON OUTLINE
Harvest – the time of the year when a mature
crop is reaped and gathered in.
Revelation 14:14-20
1. The rapture of the church at the end of history
(14:14-16).
2. The revelation of God’s wrath upon the lost at the end
of history (14:17-20).
3. The 14 biblical reasons for the post-tribulation rapture
and return of Christ (Matthew through Revelation).
Revelation
Chapter
Fifteen
SERMON OUTLINE
Heaven – the dwelling place of God, angels and
all the saints who have died.
Revelation 15:1-8
*In chapter fifteen we have a glimpse of heaven that reveals
to us . . .
1. The seven (7) angels with the seven (7) last plagues
of God’s wrath.
2. The saints who conquered the beast standing with
harps of God in their hands.
3. The saints singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
4. The seven (7) angels clothed in their beautiful garments
who were given 7 golden bowls of God’s wrath.
5. The glory and power of a sovereign God that filled
the sanctuary.
II Corinthians 12:2-3
Luke 23:42-43
Point 1 Revelation 15:1; 10:7; Psalm 22:1; I John 4:10;
Matthew 25:41; 46.
Point 2 Revelation 15:2; Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 4:6.
Point 3 Revelation 15:3-4; Exodus 15:1-18; 19-21;
Genesis 1-2; John 4:23-24; Mark 7; Philippians 3:3;
Psalm 150; Revelation 21-22.
Point 4 Revelation 15:5-7; Hebrews 1:14; Luke 2:13-14;
Matthew 1:19-20; 2:13-15; Mark 1:12-13;
Luke 22:43; Acts 1:10; Mark 13; I Thessalonians 4.
Point 5 Revelation 15:8; Exodus 40:34-35; I Kings 8:10-11;
Ezekiel 44:4; Daniel 4:34-35.
Scriptures used throughout
this Sermon
Revelation 15:1-8
God’s dwelling place = Heaven
Heaven = Paradise; 3rd Heaven
The thief on the cross went to paradise
upon his death. God’s Wrath—means that he intensely hates all sin
and will bring his judgment upon it. The seven (7) bowls of judgment are the last judgments
of history. In them God’s wrath will be completed
(Revelation 10:7; 15:1).
Revelation 15:1
In scripture we learn three (3) things about the wrath
of God. 1. God’s wrath is revealed in history.
Adam/Eve—Lost Paradise
Noah—Flood
Sodom/Gomorrah –Fire & Brimstone
10 Tribes—722 B.C. Assyria (captivity)
2 Tribes—605 B.C. Babylon (captivity)
Jerusalem—A.D. 70 Romans (destroyed)
Romans 1—God’s wrath
Revelation 7 trumpets/7 bowls
-1-
Chapter Fifteen (15)
Sermon notes and significant thoughts
and ideas from the sermons on this chapter
I saw in heaven another great and
marvelous sign: seven angels with the
seven last plagues—last, because with
them God’s wrath is completed.
Chapter Fifteen (15)
2. God’s wrath was revealed at the cross.
Cup = God’s wrath
Psalm 22:1 “My God why have you forsaken me?”
I John 4:10
Because Jesus bore the wrath of God in our place
all who trust him as Savior and Lord will not experience
God’s wrath.
3. God’s wrath will be revealed throughout eternity in
hell.
Matthew 25:46
God is love but he is also wrath. His love and wrath
are like the two (2) winds of an airplane.
Both wings are absolutely necessary for flight and both -
wrath and love are necessary to biblically represent the
full nature of God.
-2-
“In this is love, not that we have
loved God but that he loved us and
sent his Son to be the propitiation (to
satisfy God’s wrath for our sins.”
“And these will go away into eternal
punishment, but the righteous into
eternal life.”
“Love” “Wrath”
Chapter Fifteen (15)
Revelation 15:2
I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with
fire.
“Sea of glass mingled with fire.” When we see a beautiful body of water it is . . .
Beautiful
Calming
Majestic
“Mingled with fire”
Fire = Represents God
Hebrews 12:29
“For God is a consuming fire.”
This represents God’s “majesty”.
Also those who had conquered the beast and it’s image
and the number of its name.
They conquered the beast through their being put to death—they refused to bow to him and to receive his
number—666. They moved into God’s presence in heaven.
-3-
And I saw what appeared to be a sea
of glass mingled with fire—and also
those who had conquered the beast
and its image and the number of its
name, standing beside the sea of glass
with harps of God in their hands.
Chapter Fifteen (15)
Standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in
their hands.
Sea of glass = God’s throne in heaven.
Harps of God = expression of praise & worship
Harps = symbol of victory
Revelation 15:3-4
Both the Old Testament and New Testament saints sing
about God’s “deliverance” from their enemies (Exodus 15).
The song of Moses is the song of deliverance from Pharoh
and the Egyptian army at the Red Sea.
Red Sea Deliverance
-4-
And they sing the song of Moses, the
servant of God, and the song of the
Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are
your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, O King of
the nations! Who will not fear, O
Lord, and glorify your name? For you
alone are holy. All nations will come
and worship you, for your righteous
acts have been revealed.”
Chapter Fifteen (15)
Exodus 15:19-21
Praise and worship is a natural response to God’s
deliverance in our lives.
Worship
1. Worship is the highest priority of our lives.
Genesis 1-2—Adam/Eve
John 4:23-24—God is seeking true worshipers.
2. Worship is only received when done from our hearts.
Mark 7—”This people honors me with their lips, but
their heart is far from me.”
-5-
For when the horses of Pharaoh with
his chariots and his horsemen went
into the sea, the Lord brought back
the waters of the sea upon them, but
the people of Israel walked on dry
ground in the midst of the sea. Then
Miriam the prophetess, the sister of
Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand,
and all the women went out after her
with tambourines and dancing. And
Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the
Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown
into the sea.”
“The dramatic celebration of God in supreme
worth in such manner that his “worthiness”
becomes the norm and inspiration of human
beings.”
Chapter Fifteen (15)
3. Worship that is God honoring is empowered by the
Holy Spirit.
Philippians 3:3
“. . . . . Who worship by the Spirit of God. . . .”
Amos 4 “Away with your worship” Mechanical
4. Worship is the deepest privilege of every believer.
Psalm 150. 5. Worship is given to the triune God the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit through eternity.
Revelation 15:5-7
Angels—created spiritual beings with moral judgment and
high intelligence but without physical bodies. They are servants of God who minister to God’s people.
Hebrews 1:14
After this I looked, and the sanctuary
of the tent of witness in heaven was
opened, and out of the sanctuary
came the seven angels with the seven
plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen,
with golden sashes around their
chests. And one of the four living
creatures gave to the seven angels
seven golden bowls full of the wrath
of God who lives forever and ever.
Are they not all ministering spirits
sent out to serve for the sake of those
who are to inherit salvation?
-6-
Chapter Fifteen (15)
Angels ministry to Christ -
His birth—Luke 2:13-14
Joseph—Matthew 1:19-20; 2:13-15
His temptation—Mark 1:12-13
In the Garden—Luke 22:43
His Resurrection—the 4 Gospels
His Ascension—Acts 1:10
His Return—Matthew 13; I Thessalonians 4; Revelation
The seven (7) angels with the 7 plagues clothed in pure,
bright linen, with golden sashes around their chest.
The clothing of these angels is designed to enhance
the splendor of these celestial beings. * Pure, bright linen = holiness
* Golden sashes = Kings The 7 bowls complete God’s wrath and judgment
upon the earth.
Who lives forever and ever.
Forever and ever—a reminder that although evil may
seem to dominate affairs in human history, God is
the Eternal One whose purposes can not be frustrated,
even by Satanic and demonic evil.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!!!
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Chapter Fifteen (15)
Revelation 15:8
The sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of
God and from his power.
Glory—splendor and magnificence.
(Breathtaking)
In the Old Testament God manifested his glory in various
ways and no one could stand before it.
Exodus 40:34-35
The priests were unable to enter Solomon’s temple at
it’s dedication because the glory of God filled the house. I Kings 8:10-11
. . . and the sanctuary was filled with
smoke from the glory of God and from
his power, and no one could enter the
sanctuary until the seven plagues of
the seven angels were finished.
Then the cloud covered the tent of
meeting, and the glory of the Lord
filled the tabernacle. And Moses was
not able to enter the tent of meeting
because the cloud settled on it,
and the glory of the Lord filled the
tabernacle.
And when the priests came out of the
Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of
the Lord, so that the priests could not
stand to minister because of the cloud,
for the glory of the Lord filled the
house of the Lord.
-8-
Chapter Fifteen (15)
Ezekiel fell on his face before the vision of the temple
filled with the glory of the Lord.
Ezekiel 44:4
Dr. Ladd writes
God’s glory in heaven will be beyond anything we can
imagine or conceive of. His power is unlimited and beyond our comprehension.
And no one could enter the sanctuary until the 7 plagues
of the 7 angels were finished. Dr. Kistemaker writes
Then he brought me by way of the
north gate to the front of the temple,
and I looked, and behold, the glory of
the Lord filled the temple of the Lord.
And I fell on my face.
“The emphasis is not so much the unapproach-
ableness of God as his “Majesty” and “Glory” in com-
parison to all that is human and mundane.”
The fierceness of God’s wrath is so intense that no
creature can enter his presence. The time of offering
prayers and petitions for mercy is past, for the hour of
judgment has come. No one may enter the inner sanc-
tuary until the bowls of wrath have been poured out
and the destruction of the wicked has been completed,
for God’s mercy is forgotten, his compassion withheld,
and his patience suspended.
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Chapter Fifteen (15)
1. God’s judgment upon a Christ’s rejecting world is going
to be severe.
2. God’s people will experience great suffering and death
under the Antichrist.
3. The saints who are killed will enter into heaven to worship
and praise God for their ultimate victory.
4. The final wrath of God will be more intense than anything
before.
5. God is sovereign and all powerful and his glory will one
day cover the earth.
Personal Application