Don't miss the pictures of the zoo days. The Lord willing, Creation Creature Features soon.

Review: See the previous sermon notes on the Web -

Every warning, struggle, temptation, promise, strategy, and victory 
in the Revelation can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!  
The choice is yours ................

The Text ("Blue Letter Bible"): Revelation 6  
(Strong's numbers, Hebrew-Greek lexicons, cross references, etc., can be accessed from the above link)

Review: Outline of The Revelation:  Key verses = Rev 1:8 & 19

I.  Character of Christ  for His Father's Glory (Who Was) (Things You've Seen) Chapter 1
What about your character, & your family's character, & that of your church?
Can other people see Jesus' goodness, unselfishness, & humility through each one?
  A.  Introduction (1:1-8) Of Jesus to His servants (1:4 Church)  (see also 6:1 Israel)
  B.  Post-Incarnate, glorified Jesus (1:9-18)

II.  Counsel of Christ for the Church (Who Is)  (Things Which Are)  Chapters 2-3
This counsel also applies to you personally, your family, your local church, & all of "Christianity".
  A.  Command to Prophesy (1:19)
  B.  Seven Churches Counseled (1:20) ESP-TS-PL  (Praise before correction!)
  C.  Ephesus (2:1-7)                Loveless
  D.  Smyrna (2:8-11)               Persecuted
  E.  Pergamos (2:12-17)          Compromising
  F.  Thyatira (2:18-29)            Corrupt
  G.  Sardis (3:1-6)                    Dying
  H.  Philadelphia (3:7-13)       Revived
   I.  Laodicea (3:14-22)           Lukewarm (no praise)

III.  Consequences of Christ for the Church, Israel & the World  Chapters 4-22
         (Who is to come again!) (Things which will happen soon!)
Are you ready for your future?  The judgment seat of Christ?
  A. Church In Heaven

1.  The Rapture  (Jesus Rescues His Bride) up to Heaven (4:1)
2.  The King & His Bride prepare for the future. (4:1-5:14) (see also Ch 19)

  B. Tribulation of Israel (Jacob's) Trouble on Earth (6:1-18:24) (Daniel's 70th Week)

1.  Seals (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 6:1-8:2), includes chapter 7's message of encouragement
        2.  Trumpets (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 8:2-11:19)
            3.  Players (Seven) on the Tribulation Stage (Rev 12-14)
                  * These three chapters are an interlude, zooming in for a personal look at the people.
                        4.  Bowls (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 15-16)
                                5.  Babylon's Final Fall (Rev 17-18)

  C.  Christ's Wedding & War (19:1-21)
  D.  Millennial Kingdom (20:1-6)
  E.  Final Futile Rebellion (20:7-10)
  F.  Great White Throne & Second Death (20:11-15)
  G.  New Heaven & Earth Coming (21-22:15)
  H.  Jesus' Promise & Warning for YOU, your family, & your church (22:16-21)

III. B. 1. Seven Seals: Exponential Escalation of Entropy

   (6 seals, then 1 seal with the trumpets & bowls)

"By forcing on mankind, more and more lethal weapons and at the same time making the whole world more and more interdependent economically, technology has brought mankind to such a degree of distress that we are ripe for deifying any new Caesar who might succeed in giving the world unity and peace."  (Professor A. J. Toynbee, Director of Studies in the Royal Institute of International Affairs.  As quoted on p. 40 of REVELATION Chapters 6-13, by J. Vernon McGee, B.D., M.Th., Th.D.)

Seal # 1:    White Horse    (Pseudo-Peace)
Seal # 2:   Red Horse        (War)
Seal # 3:   Black Horse     (Famine)
Seal # 4:   Green Horse    (Death)
Seal # 5:   Prayers            (Martyrs)
Seal # 6:   Cosmic             (Collapse)
Seal # 7:   Seven Trumpets & Seven Bowls

    In our previous examinations of the different ways in which some men study prophecy in the Bible, we saw that the normal, natural, macro-literal method is the one that is able to harmonize the vast number of passages included in the entire prophecy puzzle.  The following quotation emphasizes not only the profound simplicity of normal interpretation, but also the necessity of having a comprehensive knowledge of God's Word in order to see the beauty and harmony of the big picture.

    "The Book of Revelation has been labeled a book difficult to understand.  Some folk say that it is just a mumbo jumbo of a great many visions which are out of this world and which no one can understand.  It is my conviction that this book is very logical and is divided in a very simple manner which no one can miss.  If we get bogged down in some passage and try to take symbols and juggle them to fit into any system that we might choose, then we are going to be in real trouble.  Rather, we should just let John tell us where we are as we go along.  We are now in a section that the Lord Jesus labeled the Great Tribulation.  This period takes place after the church leaves the earth, after the church concludes its mission and is taken to be the Lord.  I think that this is not only a reasonable conclusion, but I personally feel it is very clear, not only here, but elsewhere in Scripture."

    "Peter said that '. . . no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation' (2 Pet. 1:20).  In other words, you cannot lift out just one verse here or there or even consider only the Book of Revelation and expect to interpret accurately the whole of prophecy.  It is essential to recognize that the Book of Revelation happens to be the last book of the Bible.  When you are studying arithmetic in school, you begin with 'two plus two equals four'.  You do not start the little ones in first grade with atomic physics or with higher mathematics.  Since this book is the last book of the Bible, the only requirement is to have a working knowledge of the sixty-five books which go before.  then you will find that this book makes a great deal of sense and is quite logical."
(J. Vernon McGee, B.D., M.Th., Th.D., REVELATION Chapters 6-13, p. 55)

    Some critics of the pretribulation, dispensational perspective charge that it is a relatively "new" interpretation of prophetic passages.  They recognize that many of the early church leaders were premillennial, but point out that there is not much in their writings about the rapture, the seven year tribulation, etc..  I agree that a pretribulation viewpoint is relatively new.  Actually, that is just what we should expect.  The Body of Christ did not formalize a statement about the Trinity until after the cannon of Scripture was complete, and until the believers had many generations of time to study and accumulate a comprehensive understanding of Scripture's teaching on the subject.  In addition, pressure from the world and from cults, motivated the Body of Christ to formulate a clear statement of the doctrine of the Trinity.

    The doctrine of eschatology (last things) involves 1000's of verses, and 100's of passages, far beyond the number needed to understand a doctrine like the Trinity.  Therefore, eschatology has required a much longer time for:

- the iron sharpening accumulation of a comprehensive knowledge of prophetic passages.
- the use of computer Bible programs to help collate, systematize, and harmonize these passages.
- and the motivating pressure from the world of "isms", & cults, which are proclaiming false eschatologies.

    This is one of the reasons why we've chosen to study The Revelation (the end) immediately after completing both an intense study of Genesis 1-25, as well as a brief overview of chronological, systematic theology.  The need is there.  No one can ever have enough knowledge of the whole Bible, so we encourage you to continue regularly reading and studying through it from beginning to the end.  Nevertheless, it is important for us to go through The Revelation now, because our society and Christian culture is becoming saturated with discussions about the Last Days.  The Left Behind book series and movie, along with many other circumstances are fueling an intense interest in the end times.  So, folks, hang on, pray consistently, and study diligently to know what your Father's Word really says!  If you want to study in much more depth and breadth, the full scope of the Bible's 100's of prophetic passages, I encourage you to get a copy of Dr. Dwight Pentecost's book, THINGS TO COME.

Jesus is the only Man (God/Man) worthy to open the seals, with the right to rule and to judge.
Seal Judgments are the beginning of birth pangs, which will increase in frequency and strength.
Entropy, exponentially escalating through the seals includes the trumpet and the bowl judgments.
Patterns of sevens, subdivided by 4/2/1 are seen each of the seals, trumpets, and bowls.
                (Most often they are explained as real people, real events, in chronological time)
Symbols are used, yet most are clearly explained either in the context of Revelation, or rest of the Bible.
Parallels are obvious between the Seals and Jesus' prophecy of Mat 24.
                (Beginning labor, then the Great Tribulation, then immediately afterward)
Jewish Tradition anticipated a time of tribulation followed by a utopian age of a 1,000 years.
                (Actually said six 1,000 year days, followed by a final 1,000 year day of rest)
Russian Coalition (Eze 38-39 with Moslems) could be destroyed either before, during, or at the end.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: 1st four seals. (Zech 1:8 ff; 6:1-8)  Each = human causation.

Seal # 1:  White Horse with the Pseudo Prince of Peace
        Mat 24:5  False Christs; 1 John 2

Can't be Jesus, because Christ is opening the scroll and its seals, while this person rides.
Can't be Jesus, because all four horsemen are negative forces.
Can't be Jesus, because this person looses control and peace is taken from him at the second seal.
Can't be Jesus, because the parallel in Mat. 24 refers to false christ.  Ante = substitute, alternative, or imitation of, as well as against.
Can't be Jesus, because his crown is a "stephanos" won & given, while Jesus' crowns (Rev 19:12) are "diademas" of true, inherent royalty. 
Bow without arrows, whereas Jesus in Rev 19:15 has a sword.  Why no arrows and no mention of actual battle or death?  The ante-christ will take control by deceptive diplomatic threat.  He will negotiate a pseudo-peace, especially with Israel (Dan 9:24-27).  The bow was not a normal Roman soldiers weapon.  Could it be that the vision is implying the threat of airborne missiles, in order to coerce peace.  (2 Thes 2:9-11)

So the Tribulation time of Jacob's Trouble will begin with a temporary pseudo-peace (Jer 6:14; 8:11; John 14:26-27; 1 Thes 5:3).  The world today is ripe and ready.  It is obsessively and desperately eager for peace at all cost.  The focus is on the middle east, as the # 1 potential flash point for WWIII, in which weapons of global, mass destruction could destroy all flesh on the planet (Mat 24:21-22, nuclear, chemical, biological weapons).

Remember, just before WWII and Adolph Hitler, the world was lulled into a false sense of peace.  The first world wars were not the wars to end all wars.  The human heart is evil and apart from submission to the Lord, mankind is doomed to repeat the mistakes of history.

Seal # 2:  Red Horse of War to take peace from the earth.
     (Mat 24:6-7;  Color of red 2 Ki 3:22-23 Slaughter)

The consequences of sin is death (entropy = disorder, chaos, decay).
Biological & chemical weapons.
Disrespect, disobedience, disorder, destruction, despair, ...........dishonor to God.
The Lucifer Principle, by Howard Bloom (humanistic rationalization of violent selfishness).
Social entropy escalates exponentially into riots, competition & survival of the fittest.
Ethnos against ethnos (Mat 24:6-7).  Protection and peace collapse.
Where is the supposed human potential for goodness?

Seal # 3:  Black Horse of Poverty & Famine (Rot)
    (Mat 24:7; always follows the devastation of war)

Severe rationing of basic necessities for life.
Physical provision crumbles and rots.  Where is mother earth when you need her?

Seal # 4:  Pale Green Horse of Death
    (Mat 24:7 pestilence & plague follow famine)

Weakened immune systems, like AIDS leave people vulnerable.
1 Pet 5 Out from under God's hand of protection.
Wild beast of the earth? Rats? Fleas?  Bubonic plague ...?
Biological & chemical weapons.
Genetic engineering, biotechnological manipulations.
Lucifer said, "You shall not die.  You will be like gods."
This is THE Lie of the anti-christ as well (2 Thes 2).
Mat 24:21-22 all flesh faces a real risk of total destruction, without the intervention of God's hand of mercy.
This was not possible in AD 70, nor has it been at anytime since then.
But it is a real potential in today's new age of technodangers.
Pride goes before destruction  (Prov 16:18).
And folks, it gets much, much, worse ........

Seal # 5:  Prayers of the Tribulation Martyrs
    (Mat 24:9)  "How long till justice?"

Answer = Until the sin and guilt of the world is proven, as they kill the full number of martyrs allowed by God.
Who are these martyrs?  Tribulation believers.  That's why there is so much attention given in Revelation (13:15; 18:24; 20:4) to these martyrs and not martyrs during the Church Age.
These are a separate and special group associated with Israel and proselytes trusting the Messiah of Israel.
v. 9 "Souls" means they don't yet have their glorified bodies.
v. 10 "Sovereign Lord" emphasizes God's control over the chaos, and His promise to His Own.
Altar, is possibly a reference to the altar of incense (Exo 40:5).
Given white robes of imputed righteousness.  Vengeance is mine says the Lord (Deu 32:35; Rom 12)

*  Final hours of the Day of the Lord are coming.  
The message to believers is, "Hang on till then."  Justice is coming (2 Peter 3). 
Until then, persecution (hate for God and His own) will become increasingly intense.
At the Abomination of Desolation it will go off scale, as "He who restrains" (John 7:37-39; 2 Th 2:6-7) no longer restrains the evil one (Mat 15:19; 24:10-15 Heart of people will be revealed by their actions Prov 20:11).
Why are believers persecuted?
1.  Word - They see the truth of prophecy unfolding before their eyes.
2.  Testimony - They go around telling everyone about the prophetic Word of God (Isa 41-48).
* This period is near the mid point of the Tribulation.

Seal # 6:  Cosmic Entropy (Mother Nature Fails)
    (Rev 6:17; Mat 24:15-29 The Great Tribulation Begins)

The Day of the Lord's judgment (2 Pet 3:8) begins with the Tribulation, has a 1,000 year interruption, then resumes after the millennium when Satan is released from the pit.
Natural Disasters result as God pulls back His hand that holds all things together.
(Exo 10:21-22; Joel 2:31; Isa 13:9-10; Mat 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luk 21:25)
Like Moses vs. Pharaoh, this is .....
FATHER GOD vs. MOTHER NATURE, GAIA (Mother Earth Goddess) Romans 1
Humanistic Pride vs. Theistic Pantheistic humility
Humanists say, "We can do it without God".  God says "Have it your way."  

* Earthquake ---- atmospheric dust & volcanic smoke obscures sun, moon (darkening).
* Meteor Shower like figs falling from a tree.
* Sky splits (nuclear chain reaction?  changes at the quantum level?)
* Terror replaces arrogance, yet gnash teeth in bitter pride.
* Mountains & islands move out of places (tectonic plates shift dramatically)

Yet the World prays to Mother Nature, not to Father God!

"Wrath of the Lamb" - a new and paradoxical phrase.  A lamb's wrath is usually not scary.
(Mat 21:12-13; John 2:13-17)  The Church of Satan, headed by Anton Levy, mocks the Way of the Lamb as weak.  But the Lamb is meek, not weak.  Meekness is power under the control of merciful love.  Soon an end is coming when the limit of God's mercy is reached and time is up.  Then His infinite power will be under the control of His Holiness and justice.

Nahum 1:5-7 " The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt,
And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?
His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him.
7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."

Who can stand?  (Rev 6:17) Next week, the answer:

The Church in Heaven (Rev 3:10)
144,000 Jewish Evangelist (Rev 7:1-8)
Multitude from all nations (Rev 7:9)
Israel as a nation (Romans 11:26)

Seal # 7:  The Seven Trumpet & Seven Bowl Judgments

Examine yourselves, folks, before it's too late.  

Remember, every warning, struggle, temptation, promise, strategy, and victory in the Revelation can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!  The choice is yours ................
What do you need to change?

(The final question to ask God, whenever you study God's Word)
Lord, how am I doing on your conflict meter, for your glory?
Giving Up < < < < Standing Firm > > > > Blowing Up

Remember there are only two modes for a believer:
* Marching forward with the gospel.
* Standing firm when conflict arises!

Return to related articles from "The Bible:  One Bite at a Time" -

Biblical Prophecy:  A Jigsaw Puzzle with Pieces Throughout the Bible
How to Interpret Prophetic Passages: Four Different Views with Important Consequences
Why "Normal" Interpretation is the Key to Prophetic & Apocalyptic Passages
Daniel's 70 Weeks: The Heart of God's Prophetic Puzzle 
      (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, Mat 24, 2 Th 2)
Introduction & Outline of The Revelation
 . . . . . . . 

For further study of prophecy:

Prophecy Today - http://www.gospelcom.net/shofar/pp/htm/report.shtml
Soulcare's Recommended Materials on Prophecy (books, audios, videos, etc.)
http://www.soulcare.org/Resources_Biblical_Authority.htm#Prophecy
Booklet:  The Rapture, by Thomas Ice & Timothy Demy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565073924/qid%3D980349983/104-6768955-3395119
John MacArthur, D.D., The Second Coming of Jesus: Signs of Christ's Return & the End of the Age.
     - Book: This text is an excellent overview, placing the puzzle pieces together until the picture is clear.
   *- Audio Set (9 tapes): This tape set is the best I've heard yet. Nothing beats the spoken word for clarity.
J. Vernon McGee, B.D., M.Th., Th.D.,, Thru the Bible Commentary Series, Revelation.  Dr. McGee's commentaries are probably the simplest, most practical, yet thorough and biblical that are available on the Bible.
_______, Reveling Through Revelation.
Chuck Missler, Revelation Commentary in MP3 on CD.  Chuck's commentaries on Daniel, The Revelation, etc., on CD not only contain extensive study notes, but also many hours of audio teaching.
Dwight Pentecost, Ph.D., Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. This is a 600 pp encyclopedic reference to all of the major passages, topics, and issues involved.
_________ Thy Kingdom Come:  Tracing God's Kingdom Program & Covenant Promises Throughout History.  1995.
Randall Price, Ph.D. Jerusalem in Prophecy (Th.M. graduate of   Dallas Theological Seminary and holds a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of  Texas at Austin. He has done graduate study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and  conducted archeological excavation in Israel with the University of  Texas in conjunction with the   teaching of courses in biblical archaeology and the history and culture of modern Israel.)
Renald Showers, Th.D., Maranatha, Our Lord, Come! A Definitive Study of the Rapture of the Church.  [Dr. Showers, a graduate of Grace Theological Seminary, serves with Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, as well as the Institute of Biblical Studies.]

Audio Message: "The Rapture: The Great Escape", John Ankerberg
http://www.khouse.org/media/conferences/steeling/stmankerberg98.html
Article:  "The Great Snatch", by Chuck Missler
http://www.khouse.org/articles/prophetic/19950101-35.html
Article:  Byzantine Text Discovery & the Rapture
http://www.khouse.org/articles/biblestudy/19950601-39.html