03.20. Lesson 20

Lesson 20:Read Revelation 15:1; Revelation 15:5-8; Revelation 16:1-21 three times, without referring to notes or commentaries.

(1) Make a chart with 7 columns and four rows. The first row stands for the seal judgments (Revelation 6:1-17, Revelation 7:1-17, Revelation 8:1), the second for the trumpet judgments (Revelation 8:2-13, Revelation 9:1-21, Revelation 10:1-11, Revelation 11:1-18), the third for the bowl judgments. Fill in the chart by briefly summarizing each of the seven judgments for each cycle. What similarities do you find across seals, trumpets, and bowls? What differences? How would you describe the major difference between the bowls and the trumpets? Is your inference from the details of the judgments consistent with the description of the bowls in Revelation 15:1 and Revelation 15:5-8? Finally, fill in the fourth row by selecting the closest parallel with the bowl judgments from these statements from Exodus concerning the plagues: Exodus 7:17 f, Exodus 8:2 ff, Exodus 9:8 ff, Exodus 9:22 f, Exodus 10:21 ff, and Exodus 19:6-9.

(2) What is the significance of the smoke filling the temple? See Exodus 40:34-35 (at the completion of tabernacle) and 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 (at the dedication of the temple). Why can no one enter?

(3) Consider Revelation 16:5-7. What speaks in Revelation 16:7? (see also Revelation 6:9, Revelation 8:3-5, and Revelation 14:18). What does this signify? God’s judgments are said to be true, righteous, and just (remember that the word "righteous" in Greek is the same as that translated "just.") Why are they just? Some today would argue that this kind of judgment is not in accord with God’s love and mercy. In this text, what argues against that view? See also Isaiah 49:25-26, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10, and Hebrews 10:26-31.

(4) In Revelation 16:8-11, what is the impact of the judgments upon the people? How do they respond? Is this related to your answer to question 3?

(5) Consider Revelation 16:12-14, and Revelation 16:16. Look ahead to Revelation 19:20. Who then is the false prophet? Who is gathering together for war? Who prompts them to do so? Look at Ezekiel 38:15-23; Ezekiel 39:1-22 and Joel 3:9-14.

(6) Why is Revelation 16:15 included here? For "thief," recall Revelation 3:3; see also Matthew 24:42, Luke 12:40 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 and 2 Peter 3:3-12. Why are we told to "keep" or "guard" our garments? What do the garments symbolize? See Revelation 3:4, Revelation 3:18, Revelation 6:11, Revelation 7:9, as well as Zechariah 3:1-5 and Matthew 22:1-14.

(7) In Revelation 16:17, who says, "It is done"? What is done? For "great city," see Revelation 11:18, but also Revelation 17:18 and Revelation 18:1-24. How would you characterize the impact of the final bowl? See Hebrews 12:25-29.

(8) Compare Revelation 16:18 to Daniel 12:1. In Daniel 12:1-13, what event is being described? Is this the same event in Revelation 16:1-21?

(9) How do you respond to this section? Are you fearful, awestruck, confused, or angry? Or all of the above? Do Revelation 16:5-7 reflect your response, or not?

Now read Stedman chapter 21 as well as Wilcock pages 139-150. This is a particularly helpful section of Wilcock, especially pages 139-141. Revise your answers, if necessary, in light of the insights of these two commentators.