Revelation

• Revelation 1
• Revelation 2
• Revelation 3
• Revelation 4
• Revelation 5
• Revelation 6

Revelation 1

Revelation 1-3

Objective: 

• Vision of the Son of Man
• The Seven Churches

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Revelation 1
• Revelation 2
• Revelation 3

Key verse(s):

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" Revelation 5:2

Comments:

• The word translated “Revelation” means “unveiling.
• The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.”
• Apocalypse = Revelation = unveiling = uncover = to make manifest
• The author is St. John the Beloved

• Author	St. John the Beloved
  Place	Patmos during exile
  Date	96 AD
  Theme	The things which are things which you have seen the things which will take place after this
  Key verse	Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this-1:19

• St. John was exiled to Patmos when God revealed to him His mysteries
• It is the only writing that St. John mentioned his name in
• Ch. 1
  • V.1: God Himself revealed this to us so we can live and benefit
  • V.3: A special blessing of this book. "Keep" - know, memorize, and do what is in this Book
  • V.5: Testifying the death and resurrection of our Lord. We too shall believe and have faith in His Kingdom
  • V.6: He gave us a new nature and the old man is dead. We all became like priests, kings, and prophets of the OT who revived the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit even dwells in us now!
  • V.7: Confirmation of the Second coming and Judgment day. Everyone "Every eye" will see Him and be judged
  • V.8: He is the beginning and end and everything to us!
  • V.9: He did not say that he was exiled in Patmos. This shows that he does not complain about enduring hardships for Christ
  • V.10: "The Lord's Day" = Sunday. St. John was filled with the Spirit on Sunday. We too shall seek this by filling ourselves with the Spirit in Liturgy.
  • V.11: Confirming the reality of this Book that these Churches existed at that time. The messages can also be understood about the Church through the years
  • V.18: God wants to assure us that He is in control of everything and that He is taking care of everything and everyone "Pantocrator"
  • V.19: Asked St. John to write so we too can enjoy this with St. John and increase our faith
• Ch. 2-3
  • Use the table below to summarize each church
  • God knows the works of everyone. This should give us comfort and warning at the same time!
  • "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says"
    • Critical reminder that we need to listen and analyze what God wants us to do/hear. Everyone has two ears, but only a few people differentiate God's voice and apply it in their lives. This is very important that the Church arranged for this part to be chanted during Bright Saturday 
  •  Ephesus:
    • God mentioned the good things first. He then explained to him his faults, then ended with other good things
    • He left the days when his zeal for God and service was at their peak before lukewarmness hits
    • "the deeds of the Nicolaitans" = They were doing sexually immoral acts. This means the bishop of Ephesus resisted sexual immorality
  • Smyrna:
    • May appear poor in earthly things, but RICH in faith and Spirit
    • "Ten days" A period of time, not necessary 10 of 24hr days
      • Some scholars applied this to the 10 Roman emperors who persecuted the Church
  • Pergamos:
    • Allowed wrong teachings and heresies
      • "Doctrine of Balaam" = Sin of adultery (As Balaam suggested in Numbers 22–24)
        
      • "The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans" = Liberal sexual immorality
      • This Church suffered from adultery and sexual immorality
      • "The hidden manna to eat" = Eternal union with Christ
      • "White stone a new name written" = New pure nature with Christ
  • Thyatira:
    • Thyatira = Theater
      • This church shows the looks and works of faith, but inside is empty and sinful
    • "eyes like a flame of fire" = God knows the truth and reality behind every work
    • "Jezebel" = Some scholars say she is a real person or refers to Ahab's wife (1 Kings)
      • She is the one behind sexual immorality, worshipping Baal, and adultery
    • God is giving time to the people to repent before His judgment on them. This should give us comfort and warning to keep our lives pure and to repent or to act on our sinful acts and repent.
  • Sardis:
    • "you are alive, but you are dead" = Life of hypocrisy
    • We shall "hold fast and repent" because we do not know the hour "I will come upon you as a thief"
    • The righteous:
      • walk with Me in white
      • they are worthy
      • "will be clothed in white garments"
      • "will not blot out his name from the Book of Life"
      • "will confess his name before My Father and before His angels"
        • Many good promises for those who keep their lives pure and are steadfast in the faith
  • Philadelphia:
    • Philadelphia = brotherly love
    • The strength of the Church is in the love of her members
    • This Church is very strong in faith and received many promises
    • V. 3:10: The time of great tribulation and Antichirst
  • Laodicea:
    • Lukewarmness and hypocrisy
    • Christians can be of three types:
      • Cold = Away from church. Can be visited and brought back
      • Hot = In Church and faithful in his life
      • Lukewarm = Neither. Worst type. Thinks he is with God, but really far away from Him. Easy to fall and leave God
      • "I will vomit you out of My mouth" = Not being in His kingdom
    • V.18: He is poor. But Christ gives freely
      • Gold = purity
      • "Buy from Me gold refined in the fire" Get a pure repentant life from God Himself
        • Ask and you will receive!

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. How is the Lord Jesus Christ described by St. John in this greeting?
2. What is said about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ?
3. For what does the Lord commend the Church in Ephesus?
4. List the promises given in this chapter to those who overcome.
5. Which of the seven churches pleased the Lord and were not rebuked by Him?
6. What does the Lord counsel the Laodiceans to do? 
7. Why does God rejects the lukewarm?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. "I am the _______ and the Omega, the __________ and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who ____ to come, the __________."
2. How does St. John describe the Son of Man? 
3. The seven stars are:
   a) the churches b) the angels c) the messages d) the lamp stands
4. "He who has an ______ let him hear what the _______ says to the __________."
5. To which church did the Lord promise the crown of life?
   a) Ephesus b) Smyrna c) Pergamos d) Thyatira

Revelation 2

Revelation 4-7

Objective: 

• The Throne in Heaven

• The Lamb Takes the Scroll

• The 7 Seals

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Revelation 4
• Revelation 5
• Revelation 6
• Revelation 7

Key verse(s):

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" Revelation 5:2

Comments:

• The word translated “Revelation” means “unveiling.
• The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.”
• Apocalypse = Revelation = unveiling = uncover = to make manifest
• The author is St. John the Beloved

• Author	St. John the Beloved
  Place	Patmos during exile
  Date	96 AD
  Theme	The things which are things which you have seen the things which will take place after this
  Key verse	Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this-1:19

• St. John was exiled to Patmos when God revealed to him His mysteries
• It is the only writing that St. John mentioned his name in
• Ch. 4
  • The throne of God is also mentioned in Ezekiel 1,10 and Isiah 6
  • The Church planned for this scene to be in the Sanctuary so that when the People are praying, they are always seeing the Heaven
  • This chapter with all its details describes the Liturgy

  • 

• Ch. 5
  • Seals mean: things hidden from humans
  • 7 = complete number
  • 7 seals = 7 declarations
    • God tells us what will happen in the history of Church
  • In the old times, they used to seal each scroll with a seal for privacy and security
  • This scroll had 7 seals for the complete hiding
  • The priest told St. John to look at the Lion from the tribe of Judah, but St. John saw a lamb
    • Our Lord is strong like a lion and simple like a lamb
  • The standing lamb as though it had been slain applies only on the Cross
  • V.8: Incense = the prayers of the saints. We believe that the saints are always present with us and praying with us and for us
  • V.9-12: the words of this heavenly praise were taken by the Church and the words and concepts are used often - "worthy, slain, redeemed us, Lamb, strength and honor and glory and blessing"
• V.6-7
  • Church fathers mention that these are 7 periods that will come on the Church

  • 

  • First Seal: White horse = First Church of the Apostles. Very strong and conquered
  • Second Seal: Red horse = Era of martyrdom
  • Third Seal: Black horse = Era of heresies
  • Fourth Seal: Pale/Green = Era of a big heresy or a strong person who will give the Church very hard time and a quarter of the earth followed it/him
  • Fifth Seal: A joyful seal for encouragement

    • All the NT martyrs are linked to the Altar and were ready to give up their lives to Christ

    • V.10: Cried because they are still alive

    • Each one was given a white robe as a symbol of victory. And after they asked God about his judgment and vengeance, God asked them to "rest a little while longer". Why the wait? God is waiting for many other believers to join them

    • V.11: the martyrs and the saints under the altar are "fellow servants and their brethren"

  • Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

    • The same signs that Christ gave his disciples that will happen before the second coming
    • The people who are not ready for the second coming want to hide from His face
    • V.15: All people will be judged and if they were sinful and prideful will be scared of Him
  • Ch. 7:
    • Telling us about the saints who were saved from the fifth seal
    • 144,000: 12 of OT x 12 of NT x 1000 (great complete unlimited number) = resembling the great unlimited number of saints and believers
    • V.3: The seal = Sacrament of Chrismation that gives us the "seal"
    • The tribes of Israel refer to the Church
    • The tribe of Judah was mentioned first because it is the tribe of our Lord
    • Mentioning every tribe ensures that every saint is counted and not forgotten by God
    • V.9: The saints in heaven will be from everywhere and not set for a certain number
    • V.12: Our praise in Pascha
    • V.14: The great tribulation is the world with all its tribulations. All the saints had tribulations in their lives (poverty, sickness, loss of a beloved, persecution, etc.).
      • Normally blood will stain. But the Blood of Christ purifies and makes things white
    • V.17: The reward awaiting all those who came from tribulation.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. 1. What is seen in the midst and around the throne? How are they described?
2. Whenever the four creatures offer glory, honor, and thanks to God, what happens?
3. Why did St. John weep and what comforted him?
4. Why did they deem the Lamb worthy?
5. What is seen when the fourth seal is opened? What was given to them?
6. What is seen when the fifth seal is opened? What are they saying?
7. Why did the tribes' order start with the Tribe of Judah?
8. What future blessings the great multitude in white are promised to receive? 

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Who says without rest day or night “Holy, Holy Holy”?
   a) the angels b) the four living creatures c) the 24 elders d) St. John
2. The third living creature was like a:
   a) lion b) calf c) man d) eagle
3. What was in the hand of Him who sat on the throne?
   a) a golden lamp b) a golden bowl c) a scroll d) a harp
4. Who took the scroll from Him who sat on the throne?
   a) the elders b) a living creatures b) St. John d) a lamb
5. What colors were the horses seen in the vision?
6. What was given to the one on the red horse?
   a) a crown b) a bow c) a sword d) a pair of scales
7. What was the number of those who were sealed?
   a) 40 b) 140 c) 14,000 d) 144,000
8. "They shall neither _______ anymore nor thirst anymore; the ________ shall not strike them, nor any _______; "for the ______ who is in the midst of the throne will ________ them and lead them to living _______of waters. And God will wipe away every ______ from their _____."

Revelation 3

Revelation 8-11

Objective: 

• Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets

• 7 Trumpets

• The Mighty Angel with the Little Book

• John Eats the Little Book

• The Two Witnesses

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Revelation 8
• Revelation 9
• Revelation 10
• Revelation 11

Key verse(s):

"And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand" Revelation 8:4

Comments:

• The word translated “Revelation” means “unveiling.
• The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.”
• Apocalypse = Revelation = unveiling = uncover = to make manifest
• The author is St. John the Beloved

• Author	St. John the Beloved
  Place	Patmos during exile
  Date	96 AD
  Theme	The things which are things which you have seen the things which will take place after this
  Key verse	Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this-1:19

• The 7th Seal leads to the seven Trumpets
• Trumpets = Warnings
  • Trumpets were used in old times to warn the people in the city against the enemies
  • Warnings to alert people not to destroy

• 

• Ch.8

  • V.1: We can't know how long the half-hour is as it is in Heaven. The heavenly creatures stopped praising for some time until God declared His final judgment (7th Seal). But then God extends the time on earth for repentance by sending another 7 warnings (Trumpets)

  • V.2: "were given seven trumpets" signifies that all things are done by and through God Himself

  • V.4: Smoke of incense + prayers of saints: A request of mercy and forgiveness. The angel offered incense as to intercede for the people before the Trumpets

  • Only 'thirds' were destroyed. This is God's warning in our lives. Not all is destroyed, but only a third to warn us

  • First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck

    • A third of trees and grass are burnt. Signifies famines

  • Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck

    • "a great mountain burning with fire" = a great ungodly leader causing wars
    • Symbolizes a great nation that caused a great war and then that nation fell into the sea and killed a third of the creatures

  • Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck

    • "a great star fell from heaven" = a big famous religious figure
    • This signifies a big leader leading to a big heresy leading to many people following a wrong dogma
    • "Wormwood" is very bitter. This is the result and taste of heresies
    • "Bitter war" The teachings were false and wrong. Destroyed the people. Looks like normal/good water, but leads to death

  • Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck

    • This signifies that people will start to doubt their Faith in Christ, His Church, and the saints
    • "a third of the sun" = The image of Christ the "Sun of Righteousness" is distorted
    • a third of the moon" = The image of the Church  is distorted. Moon gets its light from the sun. Church gets her light from Christ 
    • "third of the stars" = People having doubts in God's leader and servants (Saints)
  • V.13: The last four Trumpts/warnings were tough. But the upcoming ones are harder to bear
    • The three woes will be discussed in the next chapter. The three woes are more linked to the time before the second coming
  • Ch.9
    • Fifth Trumpet = First woe
      • V.1-2: The devil was given authority to test the people after being somewhat released
      • "The Smoke of a Great Furnace" tough and hard ideas of the devil in his war
      • This should encourage us to grow in the word of God to be able to differentiate and combat his wars
      • The trumpet also included the locusts' attack.
      • V.4: The locusts were given clear instructions not to destroy anything "green" which symbolizes the faithful and righteous people
      • Grass < Green thing < Tree: Different righteous people with different levels of spirituality. God is protecting the beginners and strong in faith. The locusts only harm those who don't have the "seal"
      • V.5: Five months = 150 days. The same number of the flooding days at the time of Noah. Church Fathers look at this as if the locust will torment people for five months. This will torment them enough for them to request death and they won't get that rest. God wants His people to repent, but they request death over God.
      • V.7: Sins are lucrative in their looks
      • V.8: Woman's hair: attractive. Lions teeth in their strength that hurt badly
      • Abaddon & Apollyon = Destroyer
        • Satan and sins look lucrative and strong to appeal but they are "destroyers"
    • Sixth Trumpet= Second woe
      • Refer to the four angles mentioned in (Rev. 7:1-3). These four angles are still pausing and now they were given the order to release after the rights were "sealed"
      • River Euphrates in Babylon. Babylon is a symbol of sin in the Bible
      • This Trumpet is the first to affect humans
      • V.16: "Two hundred million" are the soldiers in the armies
      • We don't know the exact meaning of this war. But what we need to know is that this is a big war (200 Million) that will be linked to sin (Babylon) and will destroy 1/3 of the people who are not sealed. The reason for this is to repent!
      • V.21 shows that people still did not repent after all of this
  • Ch. 10:
    • V.1: St. John saw Christ. He described Him as an Angel as St. John couldn't clearly recognize Him in His glory. The rainbow is a sign of promise and compassion from Noah.
    • "little open book"
      • small = End of the world is near. This book has events less than the one in Ch.5 which was sealed (Scroll with 7 seals)
      • Not sealed: Because the righteous now know God's ways vs the devil's wars
    • V.3: After all the wars and warnings that happened. Christ appears as a strong roaring lion protecting His people
    • V.4: God instructed St. John to not write about the seven thunders as God did not want to declare them to us
    • V.5: Shows that God has authority over the land, sea, and heaven
    • V.9:
      • "Eat" means to know and understand to declare it to the people
      • "Sweet in the mouth": God's word is sweet and joyful
      • "Bitter stomach": Scholars said that this is because of the events St. John saw or because of the people's resistance to repentance. Also reading God's word reproaches us to repent
      • Most scholars agree that this "little book" is the Bible. This means we read, study, understand, and digest the Bible. This meaning was also mentioned in (Jer. 15:16, Ez. 1:1-3, Psalm 119:103)
      • Small book: The Bible is a small fraction of the things God declared to us and what we will learn in the Heavens
  • Ch. 11:
    •  V.1
      • Proof that we have an altar (vs other denominations) and that we have a spiritual altar (our hearts)
      • "Measure those who worship there" = measure their faith
    • 42 months = 3.5 years
      • This signifies a time of spiritual death
      • Elijah stopped the rain against Ahab for 3.5 years due to their sins
      • Daniel prophesied that someone (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) would stop the worship for 3.5 years. Defiled the Altar and stopped their worship.
      • In the NT, the holy city is not Jerusalem but the Church
      • V.2: There will be a period where the Church will be persecuted and defiled putting the believers under severe persecution. This is the time of the Anti-Christ. God allows these days to purify the righteous and test the strong vs weak in faith.
    • V.3:
      • God will send his helpers to help the righteous during this time of severe persecution. They will die before the end of this severe persecution.
        • 42 months of severe persecution = 1278 days
        • The two witnesses will be there for 1260 days
        • 18 days after they are dead - will be the end of persecution
    • V.5: some scholars say they will be in the same strength as Elijah or Elijah himself since he is not dead yet. The spiritual meaning: They will be as strong and spiritually strong as Elijah
    • V.6: The verse talks about Elijah and Moeses. Moses departed, but not Elijah. The two witnesses/olive trees/lampstands: will be spiritually strong like Moses and Elijah to strengthen the people during the time of persecution
    • V.8: Christ was not crucified in Egypt. Church Fathers commented saying this either many martyrs in Egypt (persecution against God's name) or as a symbol of sin (Egypt = Pride / Sodom = sexual immorality)
    • V.9: "Three-and-a-half days" is an incomplete number ( 7 is complete). This means that their dead bodies will be visible to everyone after they are dead to be proof for everyone that they are dead and see God's power after their resurrection
    • V.10: The two witnesses torment people with their words of repentance and exposing sin
    • V.12: The enemies saw them and released their great power
    • V.13: A tenth died from an earthquake. Another warning from God and not all perished. This shows God's mercy and His wait for repentance
    • Seventh Trumpet = Third woe

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What do the trumpets symbolize and what do they remind you of in the Old Testament?
2. What does the fire from the altar symbolize?
3. “Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth” What the Apostle did mean by “A star fell from heaven to the earth”?
4. Locusts have enough power to destroy any green things” Where else in the Holy Bible are locusts mentioned?
5. Who is that mighty angel and how does St. John describe Him?
6. “It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter”.
7. Why was the little book honey in his mouth and bitter in his stomach?
8. Who are the two witnesses and why are they called olive trees and lamp stands?
9. As expressed in the praise of the twenty-four elders, what had come? 

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. What was given to the seven angels in Chapter 8?
2. The star fell from Heaven and was given the key to:
   a) the Heavenly Kingdom b) Jerusalem c) the bottomless pit d) the earth
3. The tails of the locusts were like:
   a) scorpions b) serpents c) fire d) lions
4. The mighty angel had on his head:
   a) a crown b) a hat c) a cloud d) a rainbow
5. What did St. John do with the little book?
   a) read it b) wrote it c) ate it d) burned it
6. The two witnesses were given to prophesy for:
   a) 42 days b) 1260 days c) 3 and half days d) 1260 years

Revelation 4

Revelation 12-15

Objective: 

• The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

• Satan Thrown Out of Heaven

• The Woman Persecuted

• The Beast from the Sea

• The Beast from the Earth

• The Lamb and the 144,000

• Prelude to the Bowl Judgments

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• Revelation 12
• Revelation 13
• Revelation 14
• Revelation 15

Key verse(s):

"And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand" Revelation 8:4

Comments:

• The word translated “Revelation” means “unveiling.
• The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.”
• Apocalypse = Revelation = unveiling = uncover = to make manifest
• The author is St. John the Beloved

• Author	St. John the Beloved
  Place	Patmos during exile
  Date	96 AD
  Theme	The things which are things which you have seen the things which will take place after this
  Key verse	Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this-1:19

• Ch.12
  • V.1: This is St. Mary, St. John the Baptist, and the 12 Apostles
    • This can also be applied to the Church
  • V.3:
    • Dragon = Devil
    • 7 heads = 7 Kingdom
    • 7 diadems = 7 crowns = 7 kings
    • 10 horns = horn = strength = 10 kingdoms will join the devil or the world is symbolized as 10 (opposite to the 10 commandments)
  • The next two revelations take place on earth and in heaven. Two different wars!
  • V.4-6: On Earth: The dragon (devil) stood against the Church and was able to draw a third of the believers down. He wanted to also draw Her Male Child (Christ). But He couldn’t and Christ ascended to Heaven to His throne. The woman (Church) went to the wilderness (living out of this world) and was supported by the Angels for 1260 days - 3.5 years (like in Ch. 11) the time of great persecution of the Anti-Christ
  • V.7-9: In Heaven: God wanted to reveal to us that there is another war we are not aware of and the angels are participating with us against the devil.
    • We should have the faith that the angels are fighting for us and protecting us every day in our lives
    • "serpent of old" Since the time of Adam
    • We understand from these verses that the devil was defeated. We should always have hope and understand that we can defeat him at any time as he is defeated
  • V.10-12: The praise of the Heaven rejoicing after the Angels defeated the devil
  • V.10: One of the devil's names is the "accuser". He is always complaining and accusing us
  • V.11: We are overcome by the Blood of Christ. We are strong in Christ and through His Body and Blood, "the word of their testimony" which is the Word of God, and not loving the world and its desires. 
  • V.12: The devil "he knows that he has a short time" which is a comforting message for us
  • V.13-17: Now back to Earth (Dragon vs Woman)
    • The devil persecuted the Male Child (Christ was persecuted)
      • True Christians ought to be persecuted
    • V.14: The eagle is the strongest bird. This woman (Church) had a great power from God. Going to the wilderness is loved by the Church to get out of this world and not care for worldly desires
    • "a time and times and half a time" = 3.5 years
    • V.15: The serpent spewed water out of his mouth so once the eagle (Church) tries to land, it starts to drown. This water is the worldly cares and desires. This is opposite to the Living Water of Christ
    • V.16: The devils prepare wars, plan attacks, and Kingdoms rise, but all fall after a while and the woman (Church) prevailed
    • The Church and the World will never agree. If there is an agreement, the Church is not with God
    • V.17: The devil attacks those who "keep the commandments of God" because he doesn't like when people start to pray, serve, fast, and keep God's commandments so he keeps attacking them to bring them down
• Ch. 13: The beast from the sea
  • Seven heads = different ideas of wars
  • Ten horns = complete power
  • Ten crowns = 10 nations will join him and follow the devil
  • Blasphemous name: The signs that characterize him is rejection of God
  • V.3: This beast is imitating the Lamb (Christ) to trick the people to follow him. He is very powerful and that leads to many people following him because of his signs
  • The same 42 months that the devil will cause great persecution
  • V.7: granted to him = signifies how God is in control and allows the devil to do some things but within limits and according to His well
  • V.8: Those who are not following God, will follow the devil
    • "from the foundation of the world" This is God's foreknowledge. He knows from before the beginning of the world what everyone will do and follow
  • The beast from the earth: 
  • V.11: Looks like a lamb, but he is a dragon
  • V.12: He works for and with the beast from the sea. The goal of the devil is to lead people into his ways
  • This beast performed some signs to impress people. People will mistakenly think this is from God and they follow him. Then he leads them to Hades. It is more important to follow the spiritual ways of repentance than the acts of miracles
  •  V.16
    • Mark on their right hand: those whose power is (right hand = strength) from the devil will be accepted by the beast
    • Mark on their foreheads: those whose thoughts are from the devil will be accepted by the beast
    • Those who think and do things according to the devil will be able to live in the world. God's righteous people should not be able to live in the world and be rejected by the world as they don't have the devil's sign on their heads. They have the sign of God (Chrismation) on their heads and that's why the world rejects them
  • V.18: "Here is wisdom" = it is not easy for anyone to comprehend
    • He is a man. Many people will follow this man who will be the Antichrist
    • Many scholars tried to link this man to many historical figures
    • What does this number signify?
      • 7 = complete number
      • 8 = Eternal life (after completion)
      • 6 = short or missing
        • 666 = signifies that it is a very INCOMPLETE number
      • When the Antichrist comes, this number (666) will be more meaningful and recognizable to us. The righteous who know the word of God will be able to identify this man (Antichrist 666)
• Important to note:
  • Satan tries to imitate God = False trinity
  • False unholy trinity: Dragon, Antichrist, and False Prophet
  • The dragon (Satan himself) tries to look like the Father
  • The first Sea beast (Antichrist) tries to look like the Son
  • The second Earth beast (false prophet) tries to look like the Holy Spirit
• Ch. 14:
  • V.1: 144,000 mentioned before in chapter 7
  • V.2: Many waters: Many are the blessings of the Holy Spirit
  • V.2: "playing their harps." We will always be praising in the heavens
  • V.3: "New song" not like on earth. On earth is suffering, pain, complaints, etc. These are not found in heaven
  • V.3: We will know the new son when we become of the 144,000. Only the righteous know the language of heaven
  • V.4: Does not apply to virgins or celibates, but these righteous saints lived in a spiritual celibacy on earth with God. Spiritual virginity is devoting ourselves to God and not the world or things in it
  • V.5: The 144,000 had four characteristics:
    • His Father’s name was written on their foreheads
    • Spiritual Virginity
    • Their mouth was found no deceit
    • They are without fault (repentance)
  • V.6-12: three angels with three proclamations and three messages
    • First Angel: holding the everlasting gospel - proclaiming to those suffering on earth about the everlasting glory
    • Second Angel: Falling of Babylon - Destruction of sin (Babylon represents sin)
    • Third Angel: warning men not to follow the beast
  • V.13: Blessed are those who die in the Lord because we look forward to being with God
  • V. 14-16:
    • V.14: Same description in Daniel
    • Golden crown= victory
    • Christ holding a sickle to reap. Similar to Christ's parables, mentioning the reaping for the final judgment
    • V.15: The angel is not ordering God. However, similar to Ch. 7, when did they ask until when? The angel is asking God to judge the sinners.
    • V.16: Answers the question: How long will judgment take? It is quick!
  • V.17-20:
    • Angels reaping the sinners
    • Vine of earth, as in the sinners, are earthly and not heavenly
• Ch. 15:
  • Prelude to the Seven Bowls of Wrath V. 1-4
  • Seven Angels and Seven Bowls of Wrath V. 5-8
  • V.2: The sea of glass is the way that Baptism allows us to go to God on His throne. He saw a sea, but the people were standing. The sea mixed with the fire of temptations they go through. They are praising God (as we always see in this Book)
  • V.4: Similar to Ex. 15 (1st Canticle)
    • This song was also chanted by the Israelites after they crossed the Red Sea (they are singing the same song while standing on the sea). 
    • St. Paul likened the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to Baptism (1 Cor. 10)
    • Singing this Canticle every day in Praises is a prelude to the Heavens
  • V.5-8:
    • Prelude to the 7 bowls
    • The angels are getting ready to pour their bowls
    • The bowls will be the final judgments on the sinners ONLY
      

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Who is the woman clothed with the sun? And the twelve stars? 2. How can we have victory over the devil?
2. How was the lamb slain from the creation of the world?
3. What does the number 666 mean?
4. Who are the 144,000 and how are they described?
5. What was the message the Spirit asked St. John to write? And what is its significance?
6. What does “a sea of glass mingled with fire” symbolize?
7. When did Moses sing this song, and what does it symbolize?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. For how long was the woman fed in the wilderness?
   a) 1200 days b) 1260 days c) 40 days d) 3 days
2. What was given to the woman?
   A) two wings b) gold c) a crown d) a sword
3. What did the dragon give the beast from the sea?
4. What did the beast from the land require all to receive?
   a) a Holy Bible b) a mark c) a sword
5. How many were standing with the lamb on Mount Zion?
   a) 144,000 b) 14,000 c) 44,000 d) 41,000
6. How many angels did St. John hear speaking?
   a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
7. Which song were those on the sea of glass singing?
   a) song of victory b) song of the angels c) song of judgment c) song of Moses

Revelation 5

Revelation 16-18

Objective: 

• The Seven Bowls

• The Scarlet Woman and the Scarlet Beast

• The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast

• The Fall of Babylon the Great

• The World Mourns Babylon’s Fall

• Finality of Babylon’s Fall

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• Revelation 16
• Revelation 17
• Revelation 18

Key verse(s):

"Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame" Revelation 16:15

Comments:

• The word translated “Revelation” means “unveiling.
• The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.”
• Apocalypse = Revelation = unveiling = uncover = to make manifest
• The author is St. John the Beloved

• Author	St. John the Beloved
  Place	Patmos during exile
  Date	96 AD
  Theme	The things which are things which you have seen the things which will take place after this
  Key verse	Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this-1:19

• Ch.16
  
  • Reminder:
    • Trumpets = Warnings - 1/3's were destroyed
    • Bowls = Judgments - Complete destruction of the UNRIGHTEOUS
    • Goal of Trumpets and bowls -> Repentance of people
  •  Bowls of God's wrath
  • Bowls are somewhat similar to the 10 plagues - Both were meant for repentance of sinners and avenging the righteous
  • These bowls coincide with the plagues that happened in Egypt

  • However, they are in agreement with the spirit of the book, which is symbolic

  • The plagues that happened in the past were real

  • These bowls also agree with the seven trumpets, except that they are more severe and harsher

  • First Bowl: Loathsome Sores

    • On those who had the mark of the beast

    • Similar to 6th plague

  • Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood

    • The sea represents the world
    • Similar to 1st plague

  • Third Bowl: The Waters Turn to Blood

    • Waters = rivers - represent heretic Christians

    • They lead Christians astray
  • V.5: The angel of waters
    • God has angels for different things (water, earth, seas, air, etc.)

    • It is traditionally known that the Coptic Church angel of water is Archangel Michael

  • Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched

    • Similar to 9th plague
    • V.9: Still did not repent

  • Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain

    • V.10: On the throne of the beast on earth
    • V.11: Still did not repent

  • Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up

    • Euphrates is in Babylon. Babylon is a symbol of sin. The Euphrates is the biggest river there. Symbolizes the main source of sin
    • V.13: "Frogs"
      • Frogs like to work in darkness - unclean spirits are darkness
      • Frogs are noisy - unclean spirits that do not give peace
      • Frogs like mud - unclean spirits lead people to mud
    • V.14: Miracles are sometimes done by evil spirits. Not all miracles are Godly, and we should not follow any and all miracles
    • V.15: God is telling us to watch and be ready because He will come at any time
    • V.16: Armageddon - A mystery in the Book
      • Armageddon is the mountain of Megiddo
      • The literal spelling in the Greek is Har-Magedon, which means Mount Megiddo
      • Has multiple references in the OT. A reference to a place that witnessed multiple wars

  • Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken

    • After this, the judgment of the devil and the unrighteous people is complete
    • It is done after God extended the time for judgment (7 seals, 7 trumpets)
    • V.19: Great city = Jerusalem
    • Hail" is frequently mentioned as a judgment of God (Psalm 78:47, 105:32; Isaiah 28:2, 30:30; Ezekiel 13:11, 38:22; Haggai 2:17; Revelation 8:7, 11:19)
    • The men blaspheme God because of the hail, the plague was exceedingly great (1 Talent = approximately 75 pounds)
    • V.19: "And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath" : Explained in Ch. 17

  • 

•  Ch.17
• The Scarlet Woman and the Scarlet Beast (1-6)
• The Mystery of the Woman and Beast Explained (7-18) 
  • Babylon is a symbol of sin and disobedience to God in the Bible
  • V.2: Shows how kings were affected by this lady
  • This "lady" symbolizes sin that people left God and went away from Him to commit sin; "adultery" with satan.
  • V.3: This wilderness is different from Ch. 12, where the "Lady" was taken there. This represents spiritual dryness
  • "Scarlet Beast" is the devil. Takes the lady wherever he wants. Scarlet because of the blood of the saints
  • Seven heads = seven kingdoms, and ten horns = ten kings
  • Sin looks like an attractive royal (purple and scarlet) woman, but the one controlling it is satan. And this satan(scarlet beast) is "full of names of blasphemy"
  • V.6: Shows the great enmity between the lady, devil, or sin and the righteous sons of God
  • V.7: Angel explaining to St. John the mystery
  • V.8:
    • In Rev. 1:8, Christ called Himself " who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” 
    • Here we see the devil (beast) being called by the angel "was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition"
    • We have the complete faith that the devil was defeated on the Cross and will be tied, defeated, and put into hades at the end of times. He has no power or authority!
    • Those who are not the children of God (who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life), when they see the righteous having great authority and defeating that beast
  • V.9-10:
  • Seven mountains = Seven kingdoms
  • Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come: This could be understood from OT history
    • Five have fallen: Kingdoms who have enslaved God's people and ruled the world: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece
    • One is: Roman Empire
    • The other has not yet come: An empire that came after the Roman empire and "continue a short time" - This is a Mystery!
  • V.11: Satan is the 8th king to rule and enslave God's people (Satan's empire)
    • "and is of the seven" means he will rule and act as the past seven kingdoms. At the end of times, the devil will establish his kingdom, but will also be defeated and "is going to perdition"
  • V.12: 10 kings will come during the devil's empire and join and support him.
    • Received no kingdom = they did not come yet (will come during the time of his empire)
  • V.13: They are in one accord (Matthew 12:-22-30)
  • V.14: Even though there are seven kingdoms and ten kings, God will defeat them and the devil because He is the "Lord of lords and King of kings"
    • The righteous are called "called, chosen, and faithful"
      • He called us
      • He chose us
      • We have to remain faithful so we can keep that calling and choice and enter the Kingdom!
  • V.15: Many people will follow the sinful ways
  • V.16: After the ten kings were defeated by God (V.14), they went back and fought the beast. Evil will always go against itself at the end and defeat itself
  • V.16-18: shows what happens to the kingdoms and sinful people at the end.
  • V.18: The great city: the spiritual meaning is the kingdom of the devil
• Ch.18:
  • This chapter explains the death of the woman, the devil, and her eternal defeat
  • V. 1-4:
    • It is important to know that the evil will have a judgment
    • Babylon - Sin has fallen. This is the judgment of sin and those who followed the devil
    • V.4: God wants us (His people) to go out of this sinful city - leave sin
      • This also means being different from the world and its ways
  • V.5: God remembers the sins only if we don't repent and confess
  • V.7: The sin that people admire or take pride in was the reason for their torment. 
    • Ex. Smoking causes lung cancer. Drinking causes liver failure
    • ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow’: Thinks that she is good and has no problems, but she is a widow in fact. This symbolizes people who enjoy sin and think it is ok, but after they taste the temporary lucrative taste, they taste the pain and suffering
  • V.9-10: Sometimes people don't think that strong/powerful nations/people/sins will never fail. But nothing is too big for God
    • Standing far shows how severe the judgment is
  • V.11-16:
    • Mentioned things that the worldly people care about. Gold & silver (Looks) - cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil (fragrance) - fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep (foods) - bodies (sexual activity) - souls of men (heresies). All kinds of things that are used in trading
    • V.16 The merchants also wail and regret what they did by focusing on earthly things (trading) and not God
  • V.20: The heavens and righoues rejoice when the sin and sinners are judged and the saints are avenged
  • V.21: A milestone will never float on water. This means Babylon (sin) will be judged and will be thrown out in Hades and never float again
  • V.22-24:
    
    • Shows the complete destruction of sin
    • The worldly music will not be heard any longer
    • The worldly acts will also end

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Who told the seven angels to pour out on the earth the seven bowls of wrath?
2. What are these bowls of wrath resembling?
3. How and why does the altar speak to the third angle?
4. How can the judgments contained in God’s bowls of wrath be true and just?
5. What does Jesus mean when He says, It is done?
6. What did God want the plagues to accomplish?
7. Why describe the unclean spirits like frogs?
8. Who is the beast, and why is he in the past and in the future but not in the present?
9. Why do two evils, the beast and the harlot hate each other?
10. God’s people should separate themselves from the world?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. The bowls contained:
   a) gold b) the wrath of God c) food d) water
2. The fourth bowl was poured out on:
   a) the earth b) the rivers c) the sun d) the sea
3. MYSTERY, ________ THE GREAT, THE ____________ OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE ___________.
4. "Babylon the great is fallen, is _____, and has become a dwelling place of ________ a prison for every foul _______, and a cage for every unclean and hated _________."
5. Babylon's judgment will come in: a) one hour b) one day c) one month d) one year

Revelation 6

Revelation 19-22

Objective: 

• Heaven Exults over Babylon

• Christ on a White Horse

• The Beast and His Armies Defeated

• Satan Bound 1,000 Years

• The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

• Satanic Rebellion Crushed

• The Great White Throne Judgment

• All Things Made New

• The New Jerusalem

• The Glory of the New Jerusalem

• The River of Life

• The Time Is Near

• Jesus Testifies to the Churches

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• HEMY
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• Revelation 19
• Revelation 20
• Revelation 21
• Revelation 22

Key verse(s):

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Revelation 22:7

Comments:

• The word translated “Revelation” means “unveiling.
• The verb simply means “to uncover, to reveal, to make manifest.”
• Apocalypse = Revelation = unveiling = uncover = to make manifest
• The author is St. John the Beloved

• Author	St. John the Beloved
  Place	Patmos during exile
  Date	96 AD
  Theme	The things which are things which you have seen the things which will take place after this
  Key verse	Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this-1:19

• Ch.19
  • This chapter talks about the heavenly rejoicing over the defeated sinful Babylon
  • That's why the word "Alleluia" is mentioned a lot (4 times) because of the rejoicing
  • V.2: God is just, and He gives time for repentance, but His judgments will surely come
  • V.3: God's final judgments are "forever and ever". This responds to the Catholic ideas of purgatory. There is no change of judgment or a "change of the decision" after the final heavenly judgment.
    • God's judgments are fair and eternal
  • Notice how our Coptic Church uses Allelulia in all prayers and praises to teach us to speak in the heavenly language
  • Omnipotent = All-powerful
  • V.7: "The marriage of the Lamb has come" is the day all the righteous are waiting for. "His wife has made herself ready," like any bride who gets ready for her wedding, the Church or human soul is always getting ready for the day of her wedding - Heavenly banquet.
    • The principle of God (Bridegroom) and Church/soul (Bride) is mentioned many times in the Bible, especially in the Song of Songs
  • V.7 "made herself ready" and V.8 "it was granted to her" - These refer to the concept of works and grace. The bride (soul) worked to get herself ready and struggled against sin, and it was granted to her: means the Grace of God made her complete and perfect
  • V.8: "he fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." All the saints are righteous and struggled in their lives, but each person/saint shows God's grace in them differently.
    • Conclusion of Watos Theotokia - "The martyrs will come, bearing their afflictions, and the righteous will come, bearing their virtues"
    • For example:
      • David = Praises
      • Abba Abraam = Giving
      • Abba Anthony = Asetecisim
      • St. Athanasius = Defending the faith
      • Pope Cyril VI = Prayer
      • St. Rebekah and her children = Martyrdom
  • V.9: We are all blessed to be called. This shall make us encouraged to struggle against sin to attain and keep our invitation.
  • V.10: St. John thought that he saw God, but the heavenly creature instructed him not to worship him as he is not God
  • V.11: The same white horse we saw before in Ch. 6, who "conquered and went to conquer"
  • V.12: "His eyes were like a flame of fire" - same description in Ch. 1
  • V.14: The army of saints is following Him
  • V.15: "sharp sword" - same description in Ch. 1. God's word is a sword that destroys any sins or heresy
  • V.17-21: The defeat of Satan - The war of Armageddon in Ch. 16
    • This war was before the final judgment
    • V.18: Starting from kings to servants to show that everyone who followed the devil, whether rich or poor, small or great, will be punished
      • "Small or great" is important because sometimes young people as,y "When I grow, I will get closer to God." Repentance is every time and not for adults 
    • V.21: "The sword" the word of God, is what judges between right and wrong
• Ch. 20
  • Discusses the millennial reign of Christ
  • The millennial reign is a Theological topic that is widely debatable between different denominations
  • The literal meaning does not apply and is not accepted by our Coptic Orthodox Church
  • This is not true because this chapter talks about Him regigning now with the souls of the righteous and the Bible talks about 2 comings only (His incarnation and His coming to judge the world)
  • What we believe in our Coptic Orthodox Church: 
    1. A thousand years is a symbolic number - A symbolic period
    2. The millennial reign started by Christ on the Cross

       • Started from the crucifixion until the release of satan from his chains before end of world

    3. Christ is not to reign on earth (similar to the Jewish beliefs)
       • Christ Himself mentioned many times that He is not an earthly, but a Heavenly king
         
    4. Some Denominations believe that Christ will come again and reign for a thousand years before final judgment
       
    5. God’s Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom

       • V.4: “I saw souls or martyrs reigned” - St. John saw them reigning 2000 years ago (time of this Revelation)

  • V.1-3: Laid hold of the dragon with a chain - Symbolizes limiting the wars and attacks of the devil
    • The devil was tied when Christ reigned over on the Cross and limited, but not ended
      

  • What does binding Satan mean?

    • He has no dominion over man, except if man goes to him or allow his ideas in his heart

    • Think of a wild animal in a cave. Can’t hurt you until you go to him

  • Why release satan?

    • Because many will be weak in faith, lukewarm, and away from God
  • V.3: He doesn't have authority over people like in OT, but now people go to him and fall into his trickery. But he was limited! The devil, after being tied (Christ's incarnation and death), is left to test people again for a thousand years (Symbolic number). But now we have authority over him (Luke 10:19)
    • End of the thousand years = end of time on earth = Second coming = Final judgment = A symbolic number signifies a big number
    • "But after these things he must be released for a little while." God will allow him to test the people and intensify his wars right before God's second coming for the final judgment
  • V.4: The thrones are the saints around God. "Judgment was committed to them": God judged them, and they were found righteous
    • The martyrs are in heaven, and they are reigning with Christ in Heaven
  • V.5-6: Many are dead and did not want to repent
    • "The first resurrection" = The resurrection from sin through baptism, repentance, and confession.
      • That is why in V.6, "Blessed is the person who gets up from sin before the final judgment
    • The first death: Death of the body
    • The second death: Eternal death - After no repentance
    • Those who repent do not have fear of the second death, and it has no authority over them
    • In Ch. 1, it is mentioned that He made us kings and priests. This means that the millennial reign already started because in Ch.1, it was in "past tense"
  • V.7: Right before the second coming and at the end of the thousand years, the devil will be allowed to intensify his war against the saints (same as V.3)
  • V.8-9
    • The war mentioned in chapters 17 and 18
    • "Four corners of the earth" - The devil will go around the whole earth to gather his allies for the war
    • "Gog and Magog" Symbolizes the evil nations and kings that will join the devil
      • Also mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39
      • Gog is the king
      • Magog is the land he reigns over
    • "The Beloved City" is not Jerusalem, as it was rejected. This is the Church
      • The war will be against the Church and saints (wherever they are found)
    • "fire came down from God out of heaven," Like the times of Elijah
      • God's people have spiritual power vs the political power of those who are persecuting them
      • Rev. 11 - The two witnesses
  • V.10: The devil was tied and now will be thrown into the lake of fire after the Antichrist and false prophet were thrown in there before him (Ch. 19)
  • V.11: The heaven and earth will end
  • V.12: We have faith that in the second coming, everyone will rise from the dead - this is a joyful message. But also a warning that everyone and everything will be judged
    • Importance of works. Our faith shown in works will be judged
  • V.13: The sea = world. Also, those who were worldly and died away from repentance will be judged

Chapters 21 and 22 discuss the heavenly banquet and the wonderful life after the life on earth ends.

• Ch. 21
  • V.1: The new heavenly Jerusalem. Sea = world = no more
  • V.2: St. John wanted to confirm that he saw the bride is ready for her bridegroom
    • Bride: New Jerusalem because the old Jerusalem was rejected by Christ
  • V.3: tabernacle where God will dwell with His people (Bride)
  • V.4: After the many wars, persecutions, and tribulations, wonderful things and eternal happiness await the righteous
    • Imagine God Himself wiping away our tears!
  • V.5: God wants us to attain the new man and a new pure life with him. We have to leave the old sinful habits
  • V.6: God said the same when salvation was done on the Cross. Now all His promises are done and fulfilled
  • V.8: Idolatry did not end as people worship materialistic things like money, degrees, technology, etc.
  • V.12-14: 
    • 12 = 3 (Believers of the Trinity) x 4 (Four corners of the earth) = The Church all over the world
    • Gates: 12 Tribes - Entering the relationship with God started in OT
    • Foundations: The Foundation of the Church is the Apostolic Teachings
    • The Bride is the believers of the OT and NT
  • V.16: Square = Equal sides = Perfect city
  • V.17: 144=12 (OT) x 12 (NT)
  • V.18-21: The many different precious stones symbolize the many different virtues of the saints in heaven
  • V.22: No temple is needed because the Lord Himself is in her midset
• Ch. 22
  • V.1: River = Holy Spirit
    • One Throne because God the Father and the Son are one
  • V.2: We finally get to eat from the Tree of Life after we have been banned from it since Adam and Eve
  • V.4: We finally get to see God's face vs when Moses couldn't see His glory
  • V.6-7: Confirming the credibility of the message and the revelation that St. John saw. This Revelation has been there for 2000 years. 1 Day is a thousand years and a thousand years are like one day for God (2 Peter 3:8).
  • V.8-9: This is the second time that St. John worships, and the heavenly creatures instruct him that he is not God
  • V.10: “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book" = Do not hide anything you saw so the people know what will happen and be ready through repentance
  • V.12: God repeats again that He is coming quickly. We shall be ready and wait for Him at any time
  • V.15: dogs are sometimes translated as "Sodomite/homosecuality"
  • V.16: "I am the Root and the Offspring of David"
    • Root: Creator of David - God's Divinity
    • Offspring: Son of David - God's Humanity
  • V.18-19: God warns those who do not believe or falsify or twist this prophecy
  • V.20: "He who testifies" = Christ
    • After all the things and the beautiful heavenly Jerusalem that St. John saw, he said, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
  • V.21: The Bile and the NT ends with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" that we received after His resurrection

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. Who was sitting on the white horse?
2. What was written on the robe and thigh of the One on the white horse?
3. What did the angel do to Satan?
4. What happens when the thousand years have expired?
5. What were the twelve gates? What was the street in the city?
6. Why was there no temple in the city?
7. How many fruits did the tree bear and when? What were the leaves for?
8. What will happen to the one who takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy? 

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. The angel coming down from heaven had keys to:
   a) Heaven b) the Kingdom of God c) Hades d) the bottomless pit
2. Blessed and _______ is he who has part in the first ________ Over such the ________ death has no _______, but they shall be priests of God and of _________, and shall reign with Him a ______ years.
3. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New _______, coming down out of ________ from God, prepared as a ______ adorned for her _________.
4. The twelve _______ were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one ______. And the street of the city was pure ______, like transparent ________.
5. What is on either side of the river?
6. "I, ________, have sent My ________ to testify to you these things in the _______. I am the ______ and the Offspring of _________, the Bright and Morning _______."