INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER UNIVERSITY MIKE BICKLE STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION (SPRING SEMESTER 2014) Session 9 Second Coming and Rapture: War in the Spirit (Rev. 11-14) Additional Study Materials ANSWERS TO THE FILL-IN THE BLANKS FOR THIS SESSION At the seventh trumpet, an announcement in heaven will declare that the Lord will TAKE OVER and replace all the governments on earth. Paul prophesied that the rapture will occur at the SEVENTH TRUMPET (1 Cor. 15:51-52). Revelation 12 describes war IN THE HEAVENS between Satan and Michael the archangel. Revelation 13 describes war ON THE EARTH between the Antichrist and the saints. Revelation 14 describes seven visions that give insight into the different ways in which the Lord will intervene to empower the Church to walk IN GREAT VICTORY. The dragon: is always symbolic of SATAN (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2) The first Beast: is symbolic of the ANTICHRIST (Rev. 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10) Another Beast: is symbolic of the FALSE PROPHET who is only called, another Beast one time The 10 horns: speaks of a future 10-NATION confederation of ten kings who rule simultaneously over their own nation while coming into enthusiastic agreement or partnership together under the Antichrist s authority (Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; 11:36-45; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16) The result is that Satan will be cast TO THE EARTH at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. When Satan sees he is confined to earth, he will PERSECUTE Israel and the saints (Rev. 12:13, 17). The woman or remnant of Israel is given two wings of a GREAT EAGLE. In Revelation 13, Satan will give his authority to the Antichrist to complete his plan to DESTROY Israel and the Church (Rev. 13:2). The Antichrist will seek to KILL anyone who refuses to worship him (Rev. 13:8, 12, 15). His demonically empowered PUBLIC SPEECHES will be confirmed by great miracles that will deceive the masses (Rev. 13:12-14). Second, he will establish a WORSHIP SYSTEM related to the abomination of desolation (Mt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:3-4). Those who refuse will be guilty of THE DEATH PENALTY. Third, he will establish a worldwide ECONOMIC system that forces the nations to worship the Antichrist by the mark of the Beast put on their hand or forehead to force everyone to declare publicly their loyalty to the Antichrist. The purpose of this part of this parenthetical section is to give insight into the certainty of VICTORY for the saints and to give understanding regarding why God s wrath is so severe in replacing all the governments of the earth in the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15).
Session 7 The Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8-9) Page 2 These 144,000 singers will be a MODEL OF VICTORY in the midst of persecution as they provide great strength to the Church by their prophetic singing that releases God s power. John identified FOUR promises or messages that must be boldly proclaimed (Rev. 14:6-13). The proclamation of the message of the TOTAL DEFEAT of the Harlot Babylon will strengthen the Church (Rev. 17-18). The message of the certainty of ETERNAL JUDGMENT (Rev. 14:9-11): This message is for those who accept the mark of the Beast. The message of ETERNAL REWARDS for faithfulness (Rev. 14:13): This will strengthen His people. Additional Notes: I. THE RAPTURE AND REPLACEMENT OF WORLD GOVERNMENTS (REV. 11:15-19) The nations will be very angry with Jesus (Rev. 11:18). They will resist His right to rule their nation. Satan will also be raging with great anger (Rev. 12:12, 17). A. At the last trumpet, the dead will be raised, and the saints alive on earth will be changed. Revelation describes seven trumpets (shofars) during the tribulation period. These seven trumpets are connected with the Feast of Trumpets (Lev 23:24), the last trumpet with the Day of Atonement (Lev 25:9). 24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. (Lev. 23:24) 9 You shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. (Lev. 25:9) B. The second-coming procession involves a 3-stage process including many events occurring over a 30-day period as seen by comparing the 1,290 days (43 months) of Daniel 12:11 with the 1,260 days (42 months) of Revelation 11:2-3; 12:6; and 13:5. This is referred to as Daniel s 43 rd month. Stage #1: Jesus procession across the sky to rapture the Church (Mt. 24:30-31; Rev. 1:7) Stage #2: Jesus procession on the land traveling through Jordan to Jerusalem (Isa. 63:1-6) Stage #3: Jesus procession into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, followed by His coronation 11 And from the time that the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days [1290 days or 43 months]. (Dan. 12:11) C. Jesus royal procession will begin in the sky at the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15; 1 Cor. 15:52) with the rapture of the Church, and it will end in Jerusalem after the seventh bowl with a victory over the armies of the Antichrist based at Armageddon (Rev. 16:16; 19:19; cf. Zech. 14:1-5). D. The show down between the two witnesses and the False Prophet will parallel the Elijah-Jezebel conflict at Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs. 18). At this time both groups will call down fire from heaven (Rev. 11:5; 13:13). E. The saints will soon be given governmental leadership over the earth (Rev. 20:4-6; cf. Dan. 7:27)
Session 7 The Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8-9) Page 3 4 I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and they lived and reigned with Christ for 1000-years 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him 1000-years. (Rev. 20:4-6) II. WAR BREAKS OUT IN HEAVEN (REV. 12) A. In Genesis 3, Satan sowed the seeds of hell in the hearts of man. They grew in the hearts of unredeemed mankind and will be fully ripe by the time of the Tribulation. Satan s throne will be on earth (Rev. 12:9; 13:2; 6:8). B. The Church will overcome Satan (Rev. 12:11; 15:2; 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7). 11 And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev. 12:11) III. THE GREAT SIGN OF THE WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN (REV. 12:1-6) 1 Now a great sign [a symbol that is significant to understand] appeared in heaven: a woman [remnant of Israel] clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child [Jesus], she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon [Satan] having seven heads [anti-semitic evil kingdoms] and ten horns [ten-nation confederation], and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven [fallen angels who joined Satan's heavenly rebellion] and threw them to the earth. And the dragon [Satan] stood before the woman [remnant of Israel] who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child [Jesus] who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne [Jesus' resurrection]. 6 Then (gap of 2,000+ years] the woman [end-time remnant of Israel] fled into the wilderness [fleeing as refugees], where she has a place prepared by God, that they [Gentiles] should feed her [provisions prepared] there one thousand two hundred and sixty days [3½ years]. (Rev. 12:1-6) A. A great sign in heaven indicates that this passage is symbolic. It is a sign that had to be interpreted (Rev. 12:9, 17; 17:7, 12). The message is great in significance. B. The woman is the remnant of Israel, or the people of Israel who have responded to God s Word through history and in the end times. The woman is clothed with the sun (Jacob), with the moon (Rachel) under her feet and 12 stars on her head (Joseph and his brothers representing the twelve tribes of Israel, Gen. 37:9-10). 9 Then he [Joseph] dreamed still another dream and said, Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me. 10 He told it to his father and his father rebuked him and said, What is this dream? Shall your mother and I and your brothers bow down before you? (Gen. 37:9-10) C. The woman with child speaks of the remnant of Israel who have carried the promise of the Messiah since Abraham. The woman cried out in labor and in pain. This speaks of Israel s turbulent and painful history. She finally gave birth to the Messiah about 2,000 years ago.
Session 7 The Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8-9) Page 4 D. John saw another significant sign in heaven: a fiery red dragon (Satan) having seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 12:3). The seven heads speak of seven anti-semitic evil kingdoms (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the revived Roman Empire) that oppressed Israel throughout history and in the end times. The ten horns speak of the ten-nation confederation in the end times that will help the Antichrist attack Israel (Rev. 17:9-13). E. The dragon s tail drew a third of the stars of heaven. This may speak of a third of the angels who joined Satan's heavenly rebellion and thus fell from their place in heaven with God. They were thrown to the earth (Rev. 12:4; cf. Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:12-17). F. The dragon (Satan) stood before the woman (remnant of Israel) when she was ready to give birth so as to devour her Child as soon as He was born (Rev. 12:4). This happened about 2,000 years ago when Herod killed the children in his attempt to kill Jesus (Mt. 2:16-18). G. The woman bore a male Child (Jesus) who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron (Rev. 12:5). The Father promised that the government of the entire earth would be given to Jesus. This will begin during the Millennial Kingdom. When Jesus comes to rule the nations, He will throw Satan into prison (Rev. 20:1-3). H. The woman s Child was caught up to God (Rev. 12:5). This occurred at Jesus resurrection. I. The woman or the remnant of Israel will flee into the wilderness, where she will have a place prepared for her by God (Rev. 12:6). This is yet in the future. Some of the remnant of Israel will flee into the wilderness as refugees in the nations. 34 I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. 36 Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you, says the Lord GOD. 37 I will make you pass under the rod [of discipline], and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant [salvation]; 38 I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD 40 For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel, says the Lord GOD, there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings... (Ezek. 20:34-40) J. The remnant of Israel will be fed in the wilderness for 1,260 days, or 42 months, or 3½ years (Rev. 12:6). 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days [1,260 days]. (Rev. 12:6)
Session 7 The Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8-9) Page 5 IV. END-TIME RELEASE OF GOD S POWER AND THE WAY TO VICTORY (REV. 12:10-12) 10 I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come [openly manifest on earth], for the accuser of our brethren [Satan], who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death [willing to die as a martyr]. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! 12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth [in the end times] and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time [3½ years]. (Rev. 12:10-12) A. The end-time believers will stand true to God s purpose in Israel as they overcome Satan with three realities in their lives. 1. Blood of the Lamb: the finished work of the cross produces confidence in our weakness. 2. Word of their testimony: by taking a bold stand for truth 3. They did not love their lives to the death: willingness to live and die as a martyr B. Satan and his demons will be cast to the earth (Rev. 12:11). Satan was defeated by the cross of Jesus. The full manifestation of his defeat will be openly seen here (Rev. 12:7-9). C. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! Satan will come down to the earth having great wrath and a short time of only 3½ years to stop Israel (Rev. 12:12). V. THE END-TIME PERSECUTION OF SATAN AGAINST GOD S PEOPLE (REV. 12:13-17) A. Satan will seek to destroy all Israel. He is pictured as spewing water out of his mouth (Rev. 12:15). This will come like a flood of persecution upon Israel. He wants to carry her away by this flood. This speaks of his determination to drown or destroy Israel fully. Satan wants to carry Israel away with a flood of hatred, but God will again carry Israel with the strength and swiftness of an eagle. B. The earth helps Israel by opening its mouth to swallow up the flood (Rev. 12:16). The earth also once swallowed up the armies of Egypt in the Red Sea. 12 You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them. (Ex. 15:12) C. Satan will be fully enraged with Israel, the woman (Rev. 12:17). He will make war with the rest of the woman s offspring because they are standing with and aiding Israel. These are described as those who keep God s commandments and hold the testimony of Jesus, pointing to the end-time believers who will predominately be Gentiles. VI. SATAN WARS THROUGH THE ANTICHRIST AND FALSE PROPHET (REV. 13) A. In Revelation 13, we see the counterfeit trinity. Satan will counterfeit the Father as he empowers the Antichrist who will counterfeit the Son who is supported by the False Prophet who will counterfeit the Holy Spirit (Rev. 13:1-2, 11-18). B. The Antichrist will seek to kill anyone who refuses to worship him (Rev. 13:8, 12, 15). This will lead billions of people to engage in Satan worship. Thus they will operate in same spirit and do the same deeds of darkness as the Antichrist. This is why Jesus must replace all the evil governments on earth as described in the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15).
Session 7 The Trumpet Judgments (Rev. 8-9) Page 6 VII. JESUS WILL SUPERNATURALLY HELP THE CHURCH COME TO VICTORY (REV. 14) 1. In Revelation 14, God promises reward and victory to His people and defeat and judgment to the followers of the Antichrist. In other words, there will be serious consequences for both righteousness and unrighteousness. This section will inspire confidence that walking in righteousness will be both necessary and attainable. 2. Revelation 14 describes how the Church will walk in power, victory, and understanding. VIII. FIRST SECTION: THE 144,000 FIRST FRUITS OF ISRAEL (REV. 14:1-5) A. Jesus will personally commission and anoint the largest group of prophetic ministries in history. He will supernaturally visit them to teach them as He did the apostles (Acts 1:3), the disciples in Emmaus (Lk. 24:27-47), Paul in Arabia (Gal 1:12-17), and Moses on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19-24). IX. THIRD SECTION: HARVEST OF SALVATION AND JUDGMENT (REV. 14:14-20) 1. A furlong equals a stadia (NIV). The furlong or stadia is a Greek measurement of approx. 600 feet (200 yards). NKJ says 1600 furlongs; NIV says 1600 stadia; NAS calculates the distance as approximately 200 miles.