July 2, 2023

REVELATION: 11-12 THE WITNESSES, THE BEAST, THE WOMAN WITH CHILD AND THE DRAGON

July 02, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

The past four Sundays we have been in a series going through Revelation. Chapter 1 introduced John the Apostle, seeing visions of the future from Jesus Christ while John was on the Isle of Patmos. In chapters 2 & 3, he received letters to 7 churches, giving them (and us) a performance review. Chapters 4-7 began to unveil future events as Jesus opens the 7 seals of a scroll, describing the time of tribulation. In chapters 8-10, John saw 7 trumpets revealing judgments of widespread tribulation and destruction in “The Woes.” Today we look at chapters 11-12, where Jesus reaffirms His promise to Israel. Please join us as we delve into this prophetic book.

Focal Passage: Revelation 11-12.

THE WITNESSES:

The Two Witnesses share the truth:

  • Read Revelation 11:3. In the early verses of chapter 11, John mentions two witnesses; why are there two (Matt. 18:16b)? What will they do for three and a half years?
  • Who will they be preaching to? Why will they be dressed in sackcloth? Does Jesus identify these two prophets? Does Mal. 4:5 seem to identify one of them?
  • Read verse 4. What does oil and lamps have in common? If these two witnesses are preaching during the Tribulation, what is the meaning of their light?

These witnesses are given supernatural power:

  • Read 11:5-6. What power has God given these two? What will happen if someone tries to kill one of these prophets?
  • What other power do they have? How often can they exercise their power?

When their work is done, they are killed, but God delivers on His promise:

  • Read vs. 7. What will happen when the two witnesses finish the job they have been sent to the earth to do? Who is the beast?
  • Read vv. 8-10. What does he do to the two prophets? How long do they lie in the street? How do the people react?
  • What city were they in? Why did God call it Egypt and Sodom?
  • Read vv. 11-14. What happened after the 3 ½ days? Whose loud voice did the people hear? Who does their ascension remind you of? What else happened?

THE DRAGON

Who is the dragon?

  • Read Rev. 12:1-2. Who is the woman in verse 1? Who were the twelve stars? Read Genesis 37:9. How does this verse remind you of the woman?
  • What Child was she in labor with? Read Rev. 12:3. Who is the dragon? Why would Scripture present him having seven heads? Do you know any verse that might be analogous to the ten horns? Read Daniel 7:23-25. Is this the same person?
  • Read Rev. 12:4. Why does vs. 4 say the dragon threw 1/3 of the stars to the earth? When did he try to devour the Child?

What happens to the dragon?

  • Read Rev. 12:7-8. Who is Michael? What happened in the war between Michael and the dragon, and their angels?
  • Read vs. 9 and Rev. 20:10. What happens to Satan at the end of time?

The declaration of God

  • Read Rev. 12:10-12, Ezek. 28:6-10 and Isa. 14:12, 16-17. Why does Satan continue to seek to destroy Christ-followers when he will spend eternity in Hell?
  • In verse 11, how was Satan overcome? In verse 12b, what can believers expect from Satan because of his “wrath”?

So what happens next?

  • Read vv. 13-17 and Exo. 19:4. God has done this once; is anything too hard for Him to do again? How long will Satan (the dragon) persecute Israel?
  • What is the flood that is spewed after Israel? Could it be a large army?

Close:

While some of Revelation may be easy to understand and we may correctly interpret certain passages, or be able to identify persons or situations, other sections, people, or events can leave us grasping for the correct meaning.

However, the entire book of Revelation can be summed up in one paragraph: God is good, all the time; God is in control, all the time; God is never caught by surprise by anything that is happening; God never has to go to Plan B, and whether we believe in Him or not cannot stop Him from doing His holy will. He is faithful, merciful, patient, holy, loving, kind, gentle, meek, and has all authority over every atom in creation. He sees the end from the beginning, the working out of His purpose every second, and He allows nothing to go awry. He is God. He provided salvation through Jesus Christ when He did not have to—He could have let us all be destroyed and still have been holy and just. He does not wish for anyone to go to Hell but would love to see all sinners turn to Him in repentance for salvation. He loves us, watches over His children, and will let none of us be lost out of His hand. He deserves glory, honor, praise, adoration, power, and our worship. He is God. He is the Everlasting, Almighty, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is God.

 

By Sandy Day

July 02, 2023

 

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