Satan/red dragon and his angels were thrown out of heaven by Michael and his angels.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 16, Day 3: Revelation 12:7-9
6) Michael and his angels fought the dragon and hurled them down to earth.
7) Satan only has power that God has granted him. Satan operates under God’s control. Satan’s power is limited by God. God rules over Satan.
8 ) I find comfort and courage knowing that God is always in control, that he won’t give me more than I can handle, that I can defeat Satan through the power of the blood of Christ, that I am stronger than Satan since I have the Holy Spirit within.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 16, Day 3: Revelation 12:7-9
Love the emphasis here that Satan is not as strong as God, and God always wins. A great reminder that we can win, too.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 16, Day 3: Revelation 12:7-9
Bible scholars believe this battle happens at the mid-point of the Great Tribulation, or the 7-year period as explained by Daniel (Daniel 12:1).
Bible scholars are unsure if this is a real battle or a spiritual one.
Note that Satan can enter heaven, but only at God’s allowance.
Note the many names that Satan is referred to as. This emphasizes his nature.
Fun Fact: Satan falls 4 times in the Bible. This is the 2nd fall.
A woman was pregnant and about to give birth. A red dragon with 7 heads and crowns and 10 horns stood in front of the woman intent on eating her baby upon birth.
She gave birth to a male son who would rule the nations with an iron scepter. The child was snatched up to God and his throne, while the woman fled to the wilderness, cared for by God for 1260 days.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 16, Day 2: Revelation 12:1-6
3a) There’s a woman and a dragon. The woman was pregnant about to give birth, and the dragon wanted to eat the child. The woman gave birth to a male son who was snatched up to God and his throne, while the woman fled to the wilderness, cared for by God for 1260 days.
b) The woman could be Mary, Jesus’ mother or Israel. The child could be Jesus. The dragon could be the devil.
4a)
Genesis 3:1-15: The devil took the form of a serpent and tricked the woman into eating the fruit from the tree. This caused sin to enter the world, and Adam and Eve had to leave Paradise. But God promised revenge on the serpent for this act.
John 8:44: We are all born sinners. “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
1 Peter 5:8: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
b) Satan causes man to sin and leads us to temptation to sin. If it weren’t for God, the world would be full of evil everywhere. Our only hope is our Redeemer, faith in Christ, for redemption. We’ve been set free from sin by Christ’s blood.
5a) God snatched up the infant to heaven and prepared a place for the woman in the wilderness protected for and cared for by God for 1260 days.
b) God has wrapped a cocoon around me, too, protecting me from the devil and his influences. He has given me his word, which I can go to when I need advice, help, and inspiration. And, I can pray to God for His protection, too.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 16, Day 2: Revelation 12:1-6
I love how God always knows what the devil will do and protects His people from the devil. Remember, the devil cannot act outside of God. God is always in control.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 16, Day 2: Revelation 12:1-6
This is the 1st of 7 signs John will relate to us that he saw.
Signs in the Bible hold great significance.
Bible scholars disagree on who the woman represents. Many say the nation of Israel. Some say Mary, Jesus’ mother. Some say the Church. Some say all believers.
Women can represent religion in the book of Revelation. Her crown of 12 stars could represent the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 apostles.
Since the woman gave birth to Jesus, many Bible scholars say the woman cannot represent the church since Jesus was the one who gave birth to the church. Therefore, the woman has to be either Mary or Israel, both of which gave birth to Jesus.
1,260 days is 3.5 years. Many Bible scholars connect this with the prophecy seen in Daniel 9. The time frame is also the same time frame as the witnesses who prophesied (Revelation 11:1-3).
The 7th trumpet sounds, and Christ will now reign on earth forever. The 24 elders worshipped God, thanking God for reigning on earth, judging the dead, and rewarding the servants the prophets.
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, revealing the ark of the covenant.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 5: Revelation 11:15-19
11a) The world has become the kingdom of our Lord and Messiah where he will reign forever. The elders responded by falling on their faces and worshipping God, singing His praising and thanking Him.
b) Unbelievers will be judged. God’s servants the prophets (aka believers) will be rewarded.
12) God’s temple in heaven was opened and inside was the ark of the covenant. There were also flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a severe hailstorm. It seems like such a beautiful, amazing place to be. I’m inspired to worship with anticipation the Lord’s return!
13) I will respond in faith as I witness God move in my life and in the life of my family. I will pray more about what God wants for my life and work to accomplish that! Lord, I thank you for all that you do and will do in my life. I pray to be closer to you and to know you and to honor you more. I pray to put you first in my life always and to forever be grateful for all that you are and do. Amen!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 5: Revelation 11:15-19
This will be such a moment! What a sight! I wonder what John thought when this was revealed to him? Cannot wait!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 5: Revelation 11:15-19
This is the greatest news ever! Christ is coming to reign!
The ark is God’s throne. As you remember, the ark represented God’s throne in the Old Testament.
We see God in the thunder, lighting, and more! Such a moment!
The 2 witnesses will be killed by the Beast. Their death will be celebrated by those on earth because these witnesses had tormented them. Their bodies will lie out for 3.5 days.
God then raised the witnesses after 3.5 days. They were taken to heaven. An earthquake struck and killed 7,000 people and destroyed 1/10th of the city. The survivors gave glory to God, marking the passage of the 2nd woe.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14
9a) The two witnesses will be attacked, overpowered, and killed.
b) God raised them up and took them into heaven.
c) 1/10th of the city was destroyed by an earthquake and 7,000 people were killed. The survivors gave glory to God.
10a)
John 11:25-26: Jesus says anyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
John 14:1-4: Jesus says he is preparing a place for his disciples for when he comes back for them.
1 Corinthians 15:20-28: In Christ, all will be made alive again.
Philippians 3:20-21: Our bodies will be transformed like Christ to be like his glorious body again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: God will bring with Jesus those who believe in him. The Lord will come down and the dead in Christ will rise again. Those still alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with the Lord forever.
1 John 3:2: When Christ appears again, we will be like him.
All of these verses give me comfort to know I’ll be with my loved ones and God forever.
b) This is hard to know who to share the Lord’s word with, so I try to give him credit when I can and witness about our Lord and Savior in the hopes those that need to hear will.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14
Amazing passage! I love the care God has for these witnesses and how He raises them to be with Him once their job is done. So amazing!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 4: Revelation 11:7-14
Note that the witnesses finish the work God has for them before they are allowed to be killed by Satan. They cannot be touched until God deems their time is up.
You can relate this to your life. You have an assignment from God, and you won’t leave this side of heaven until it is complete.
We all are witnesses testifying about the Lord, and we are only taken when our task given to us by Lord is complete on this earth.
The witnesses are killed in Jerusalem, where Jesus was killed. Jerusalem is referred to as Sodom, Egypt, and the great city (aka Babylon) as a symbol of the evil it has fallen into.
Remember that earthquakes are often used as judgments for sin.
Some Bible scholars see the 2 witnesses as representative of the entire church, but most believe they are actually 2 people. Many speculate as to who these 2 witnesses would be (from Enoch to Elijah), but no one knows.
John was given a reed and was told to measure the temple of God and the altar with its worshippers but to exclude the outer court that was given to the Gentiles. God will appoint 2 witnesses who will prophesy for 1,260 days. They will have power to shut up the heavens so it won’t rain and they will have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 3: Revelation 11:1-6
7) John was told to measure the temple of God and the altar with its worshippers but to exclude the outer court because it was given to the Gentiles.
8a) If anyone tries to harm these two holy witnesses, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.They also have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. Basically, God has given them power to protect themselves.
b) I am totally willing. Not much holds me back. I would say the only thing holding me back is interacting with others; I just don’t leave the house all that much.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 3: Revelation 11:1-6
The details in Revelation are so clear that it’s hard to see how people don’t believe the Truth of the Bible
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 3: Revelation 11:1-6
This chapter of Revelation has the most interpretations by Bible scholars, so if you are confused, you are not alone!
Temples are measured elsewhere in the Bible Ezekiel 40-43.
The idea of measuring in the Bible conveys ownership and preservation, as well as a future judgment. We see Habakkuk measure the earth (Habakkuk 3:6) as a sign of God’s ownership and dominion over it.
Here, we get the sense that God is in charge, a major theme in Revelation.
Fun Fact: 9 out of 10 times we see the word “Almighty” in the New Testament it is in the Book of Revelation.
Some Bible scholars see the temple of God here as representing the church. Others see it as a physical church as prophesied by Daniel, Jesus, and Paul as the location the Antichrist will come. (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11). (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
The 2 witnesses (lampstands and oil lamps are symbolic of witnesses) have been given powers by God to protect themselves. This is common in the Bible. 2 Kings 1 (James 5:17-18) Moses (Exodus 7-12)
John saw a vision of an angel coming down from heaven. The angel was holding a little scroll. He shouted and 7 thunders spoke. Then a voice from heaven said, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
The angel said there won’t be any more delay, but God’s mystery will be accomplished. A voice told John to take the scroll from the angel. The angel told John to eat the scroll. John ate it and it tasted as sweet as honey. Jonh was told to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 2: Revelation 10
3a) John saw a vision of an angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. The angel was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
b) Unsure. Because the time had not come yet for the final judgment is my guess. Some Bible scholars say this is recorded to let man know that there are secrets and mysteries we are just not to know.
4) The angel swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it (aka God), and said, “There will be no more delay!But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”
5a) It’s sweet because the time has finally come, but the outcome for unbelievers is eternal hell. You have mercy, but you also have judgment.
b) John was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.” John must reveal the consequences of not turning to God today.
6) Many things. I have a renewed awe for God’s plan for us. I have a deeper level of comfort and trust in God, knowing He’s got it all. I know what happens is all in God’s hands. I can be more at peace, less fearful, and more appreciative of God’s plan for my life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 2: Revelation 10
Really great lesson. I love the analogy of eating God’s Word. We must fully take it in and digest it in order to be able to articulate it to others.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 15, Day 2: Revelation 10
“Then I saw” indicates we’re about to see a new vision from John.
We are on pause until the 7th trumpet sounds in Revelation 11:15. It’s almost as if God takes pauses in His judgment so that man can repent. After all, He wants us!
Many Bible commentators say this angel is Jesus due to the imagery used. However, it could also be the angel Michael due to the description Daniel gives Daniel 12:1 and 12:6-7
A rainbow is a reminder of God’s promise to Noah after the flood. Rainbows also appear through clouds and rain.
There is also debate if this little book is the same as the scroll that only Jesus can open. If this is Jesus, then this would make sense. However, many Bible scholars say this is a completely different book.
Standing on the land and the sea shows dominion over both and that the message is for the entire world.
A mystery in the Bible must be revealed. However, there are those that know the mysteries. Therefore, we do not know the mystery of God because we have not been told. But, one day, all mysteries will be made plain to us.
Mysteries are purposes of God’s that are revealed.
We are reminded of Ezekiel who was told to eat a scroll Ezekiel 3:1-3.
The idea is to take in the Word of God so that you can then proclaim it.
John must proclaim the message to the world!
Fun Fact: The angel’s oath here is the only oath recorded in the Book of Revelation.
Jesus opens the 7th seal. There was silence in heaven. 7 angels came with 7 trumpets. An angel carrying incense with the prayers of God’s people arrived. The angel hurled fire on Earth, along with thunder, rumblings, lightning, and an earthquake.
The first 4 trumpets were sounded:
Hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down on earth, destroying a third of the earth
Something like a huge mountain on fire was thrown into the sea, killing a third of all sea life and ships
A star on fire fell from the sky, turning a third of the river waters bitter
A third of the sun, moon, and stars turned dark
An eagle called out to beware of the next 3 trumpets about to be sounded.
Revelation 9
The 5th angel unleashes a star (this is a person with many believing it is Satan) that falls to the earth. Smoke rose from the Abyss. Locusts were released and harmed those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were tortured for 5 months.
The 6th angel released the 4 angels who were bound at the Euphrates. They killed a third of mankind.
Those who were not killed did not repent of their evil deeds.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Revelation 8-9
12a) The Plague of Blood is Exodus 7:14 is similar to the 2nd trumpet judgment in that water is turned to blood. The 3rd trumpet judgment is the reverse of the time Moses made the water sweet rather than bitter. The plague of Locusts is similar to the 5th trumpet judgment where locusts harmed unbelievers but did not kill them. The 1st trumpet judgment is similar to Exodus 9:13-25 where hail and fire fell upon the Egyptians. The 4th trumpet judgment can be compared to the Plague of Darkness (Exodus 10:21).
One main difference is that the plagues of Exodus solely target the Egyptians; whereas, the trumpet judgments target the entire planet.
b) The people who were spared from the trumpet judgments in Revelation continued their sinful ways and did not repent. Similarly, Pharaoh continued to disobey God by not releasing the Israelites until he did, but then he changed his mind anyway, letting the Egyptian people continue to face God’s wrath. God’s purpose is to bring all to Him. In the Exodus plagues, he specifically targeted the Pharaoh. In Revelation, God is targeting the entire world.
13) The study of Revelation has made me more in awe of God and His ways, more compassionate and urgent toward unbelievers, and more grateful for the saved life I lead in Him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Revelation 8-9
I love spending multiple days on the same passage. I get so much more from these lessons when we do so.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 5: Revelation 8-9
Revelation 8
The 7 trumpets are God’s announcement of the judgments.
The prayers of God’s people are pleasing to God, like the smell of incense. They come before Him.
It’s important to remember that the 7 judgments may not be chronological. It’s hard to pin down though with certainty.
The blood could be the color of the hail and fire or what emerges afterward.
Many believe that the “mountain-like object” will be a meteor.
The sea reference is to the Mediterranean Sea. Remember, this was before the discovery of America, and man’s knowledge of the vastness of the earth was limited.
The star could be a meteor as well.
Wormwood is an herb that is bitter.
The 4th trumpet will result in darkness.
The eagle’s announcement should be heeded because 1/3 of humanity is about to die.
Note that each judgment only destroys 1/3 of the earth.
Here, God is showing His power and His mercy. God is destroying man’s subsistence (food, water, shelter, light).
God is warning all to repent before it is too late.
Are you heeding His warning?
Revelation 9
Who is the star in the 5th judgment? We are not told, but some argue it’s Satan, a different fallen angel, God’s Word, or even Jesus. We just don’t know.
The bottomless pit/Abyss here is hell or Hades. This lends doubt to the fact of the star being Satan since Satan is not in charge of anything.
What we do know is that all of this is God’s plan.
Notice that John describes the creatures using “like.” This shows that the creatures are not what is being described.
The King of the locusts is Satan. The given name means “destruction” or “torment” in Hebrew.
It is very interesting how the prayers of God’s people play into the End Times.
The 4 angels in the 6th trumpet judgment are standing at the 4 corners of the altar.
Do note we do not know if these are the same angels in Revelation 7:1.
The Euphrates River, remember, is the Cradle of Civilization. It’s where mankind first settled down to farm. It is where many events happen in the Bible, from the first sin (Genesis 2:10-14) to revolt (Genesis 11:1-9) and war (Genesis 14:1). Abram came from here (Ur) and it is where God’s people abide. (Genesis 15:17-21).
The horsemen number may or may not be literal. The army may be demons, based on their description.
Despite the army against them, those remaining did not repent. He continued in his worship of idols and demons. Man’s memory is short. People move on very quickly.
The 5th angel unleashes a star (this is a person with many believing it is Satan) that falls to the earth. Smoke rose from the Abyss. Locusts were released and harmed those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were tortured for 5 months.
The 6th angel released the 4 angels who were bound at the Euphrates. They killed a third of mankind.
Those who were not killed did not repent of their evil deeds.
BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9
9) The first four judgments targeted the earth and animals. These judgments targeted man himself.
10a) Believers. They would be tortured for 5 months but not die.
b) It makes me want to tell them more about our Lord and Savior. This sounds horrible to endure.
11) They were worshipping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood. They worshipped idols they could not see or hear. People do this still today. They worship ideas, objects, people — anything they can put above God.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9
These judgments against mankind are very harsh. They should propel you to try harder to bring those you know to Christ. God is merciful in giving us these details, so we can warn others.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 14, Day 4: Revelation 9
Note the first four judgments target nature; the 5th & 6th judgment target mankind.
Who is the star in the 5th judgment? We are not told, but some argue it’s Satan, a different fallen angel, God’s Word, or even Jesus. We just don’t know.
The bottomless pit/Abyss here is hell or Hades. This lends doubt to the fact of the star being Satan since Satan is not in charge of anything.
What we do know is that all of this is God’s plan.
Notice that John describes the creatures using “like.” This shows that the creatures are not what is being described.
The King of the locusts is Satan. The given name means “destruction” or “torment” in Hebrew.
It is very interesting how the prayers of God’s people play into the End Times.
The 4 angels in the 6th trumpet judgment are standing at the 4 corners of the altar.
Do note we do not know if these are the same angels in Revelation 7:1.
Those who torture God’s people now face retribution.
The Euphrates River, remember, is the Cradle of Civilization. It’s where mankind first settled down to farm. It is where many events happen in the Bible, from the first sin (Genesis 2:10-14) to revolt (Genesis 11:1-9) and war (Genesis 14:1). Abram came from here (Ur) and it is where God’s people abide. (Genesis 15:17-21).
The horsemen number may or may not be literal. The army may be demons, based on their description.
Despite the army against them, those remaining did not repent. He continued in his worship of idols and demons. Man’s memory is short. People move on very quickly.
The 2nd sign is the red dragon, which is clearly Satan. The dragon is portrayed as a king here. Dragons represent the enemies of Israel.
