Author: John (1:1), probably the apostle.
Date: Approximately AD 95.
In Ten Words or Less: God will judge evil and reward His saints.
Details: Jesus Christ Himself arranges for John to receive a “revelation” of “things which must shortly come to pass” (1:1). First, in Chapters 2–3, Jesus gives John words of challenge and/or encouragement for seven churches—the good, the bad, and the in-between. Then the vision turns to the actual throne room of God, where a Lamb, looking “as it had been slain” (5:6), breaks seven seals from a scroll, unleashing war, famine, and other disasters on the earth. A dragon and two beasts, allied against God, arise to demand the worship of earth’s people who have not been killed in the earlier catastrophes. The satanic forces and the people who follow them incur seven “vials of the wrath of God” (16:1), which bring plagues, darkness, and huge hailstones on earth. The upheaval destroys “Babylon the great,” the evil and arrogant world system, just before an angel from heaven seizes Satan, “that old serpent” (20:2), and imprisons him for one thousand years. After a brief release to instigate a worldwide war, Satan is thrown into “the lake of fire and brimstone,” where he will be “tormented day and night for ever and ever” (20:10). God unveils “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1), where He will “wipe away all tears” (21:4) from His people’s eyes.
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
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There have been throughout the years innumerable ideas put forth as to the identity of who the Bible calls the great harlot. Spiritual harlotry is seen in a person’s life when they leave their love for God and pursue another lover. Join us in our study of Revelation 17, as we look at the cause and the cure of this great sin.
Falling Into Place
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God will Judge
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How the End-times will End
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