E/pistle

Welcome to the end!

As we wrap up Season 24, it's time to debrief and recap what we've been learning about during our study through Revelation.

John concludes his letter with a warning, an invitation, and a final word from Jesus.

In a way, John summarizes his letter with these verses as he indicates the fate of those who believe in Jesus vs. those who remain in rebellion.

John does what he can to remove any doubt or sign that what he's written was given to him from Jesus.

John sees fruitful trees that bring healing, a crystal-clear river, and a Kingdom that enjoys the light of God's presence.

John describes a bit of the regular operations of the city, noting the significant differences that come from God being physically present among His people.

As the angel measures out the city, John makes note of some key areas of architecture that set it apart from any other city.

John is brought to a mountain where he begins to describe the Bride of Christ...but is it a city? Or a greater description of the glorified people of God?

John is instructed to write down the things he's seeing as a sign of hope for his readers for what is to come for those who are in Christ.

In a radical shift, John's letter to the churches begins to look at the new Kingdom that will be established after the old order of things is done.

With the devil and his demons in the lake of fire, it's time for mankind to face final judgment for their actions and inactions.

In one final (and ultimately unsuccessful) push of rebellion, the Dragon attempts to stir up the nations against God.

The Church's spiritual adversary is bound while the rule and reign of Christ is established and spreads.

Instead of a grand battle between Jesus and those who oppose Him, Jesus already stands victorious.

John sees yet another title validating the work of Jesus - The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

With the sword of His word, Jesus carries out the wrath of God as He judges the nations.

Jesus returns, but is not alone. Behind the Rider comes armies from heaven!

Jesus makes quite an entrance, wearing clothes that are dipped in blood.

John describes more about this Rider, giving us strong (and obvious) hints that this figure is Jesus.

A horseman appears from heaven, being identified as "Faithful and True." Spoiler alert: it's Jesus Christ.

The song of praise from heaven declares the final curtain - that God has been fully reunited with His people.

In response to the fall of Babylon, a mighty chorus of praise comes from heaven about the judgment and destruction of spiritual oppressors.

In view of Babylon's actions against God's people, an angel invites the Church to celebrate the final downfall of those who have stood in opposition to God's Kingdom.Here's the link to the YouTube video mentioned in the Takeaway Point. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1lJ1LwT_0c

John notes three groups of people who grieve the downfall of Babylon.

God calls for His people to leave Babylon, which has become ripe for destruction.

The destruction of Babylon will happen; the reason behind its destruction is obvious.

The forces of evil were "allies in name only" as they turn on one another after being defeated by the Lamb.

The angel continues to provide John with insights on the great prostitute and the best she rides on with the intent to show how the Lamb overcomes all opposition.

John is brought by an angel to see a prostitute, drunk on wine, revelling in the destruction and adultery of nations and kings.

In this recap episode, we take an extra look at the common theme between these forms of judgments on sin.

Reaching the boiling point, the Bowl Judgments culminate with an unparalleled earthquake, hailstorm, and unrepentance.

With "Armageddon" as a theme with obvious emotional baggage, we take an overview look at the culmination of the 6th Bowl Judgment in preparation for the 7th Bowl to be poured out.

The Mercury Theater adapting "War of the Worlds" is similar to Rev. 16:15 - not because aliens are invading the planet...that would be absurd. Instead, Jesus makes a bold interruption as a word of encouragement and warning for John's readers half-way through Bowl Judgment #6.Also, if you wanted to hear the radio broadcast from 1938, ⁠you can listen to it here.

The bowls continue to be poured out on the earth, leading people to further curse God for their sufferings while they continue on in unrepentence.

The 7 angels begin to pour out their bowls on the earth, resulting in the declaration of just judgment being carried out against sin.

In anticipation for the final judgment, John gives some strong details about the source of that judgment.

Before the Bowl Judgments are carried out, John sees a crowd who was able to endure the persecution from the Beasts mentioned in Revelation 13.

With the declarations from the three angels about the coming judgment, we are re-introduced to the Son of Man with a harvest sickle in His hand.

In light of the final judgment on those who stand in rebellion against God, John gives instruction for the Church to hold fast to Christ.

The second angel declares the coming destruction for Babylon, the symbolic capital of the Dragon's kingdom.

The first of three angels invites the whole of Creation to join in worship to God as the time of judgment has come.

After seeing a kingdom set up by the Dragon and the Beasts, John's vision shifts back to a Kingdom inhabited by those who have been redeemed.

To further accomplish his goal, the 2nd Beast sets up an economic system of coercion. Any who desire "life as we know it" to continue must declare allegiance to the 1st Beast.

John sees a second Beast emerge out of the earth to help serve the first Beast.

Things go from bad to worse as John sees the Beast pursue God's people with destructive intent.

We're introduced more directly with a Beast that will be covered even more in Revelation 17. Serving as a co-conspirator with the Dragon, the Beast is worshiped as one who is capable of miracles...or, at least, what looks like miracles.

A style of literature you'll find throughout the Bible are chiasms, which build upwards from either end of a passage to a culminating point in the middle of the text. Revelation as a whole is a chiasm, with Chapter 12 being the culmination. Shane Wood's video can be found here.Douglas Van Dorn's chiasm layout for Revelation can be found here.

In light of his losing streak, the Dragon turns his sights on the Woman and her offspring (aka: the Christian Church).

Across the heavens comes a proclamation of victory in the war with the Dragon.