Revelation
By
Jim McCracken and Rich Kao
Five Stones Impact 2024
O B S E R V A T I O N S
1. How did John receive the Revelation from Jesus Christ and what was he told to do with it? (CHAPTER 1)
2. Who did John see when he turned around, what did he look like, and what was coming out of his mouth? (CHAPTER 1)
3. What was the theme of the songs being sung around the throne? (CHAPTER 2)
4. In these first four churches how is the messenger described and to whom is the message given? (CHAPTER 2)
5. To the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, were any positives mentioned, what admonitions were they given, and what promises were given to those who overcome? (CHAPTER 3)
6. In these last three churches, how is the messenger described, and to whom is the message given? (CHAPTER 3)
7. What were the seven blazing lamps? (CHAPTER 4)
8. In the amazing description of the throne in heaven, what were the living creatures and twentyfour elders doing and saying? (CHAPTER 4)
9. Who was the only one worthy to break the seals of the scroll and how is he described? (CHAPTER 5)
10. What was the theme of the songs being sung around the throne? (CHAPTER 5)
11. What were the first six seals when they were opened? (CHAPTER 6)
12. When the seals were opened, what was the reaction of people on earth, including the rich and powerful? (CHAPTER 6)
13. What power did the four angels have who stood at the four corners of the earth, and what did the fifth angel call out to them? (CHAPTER 7)
14. Where was the great multitude from, that had on white robes and had gone through the tribulation? (CHAPTER 7)
D E E P E R T H O U G H T
Why is the number seven used often and what did the seven stars and lampstands represent (CHAPTER 1)
2 How is Jesus the Alpha and Omega and how did he make us a kingdom and priests? (CHAPTER 1)
3. What does it mean when Jesus says “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches?” (CHAPTER 2)
4 What are some consequences of not repenting? (CHAPTER 2)
5. What is the “hour of trial” from which the Lord will keep the Philadelphia church? (CHAPTER 3)
6 What is God’s remedy for the Laodicean church being poor, blind, and naked? (CHAPTER 3)
7. What was unique about the stones in the throne room and what did the lightning and thunder represent? (CHAPTER 4)
8 What do the creatures being covered with eyes represent? (CHAPTER 4)
9 What do the harps and bowls represent? (CHAPTER 5)
10 Why was the lamb worthy to open the seven seals? (CHAPTER 5)
11. What did the four horsemen represent and why did the souls who were slain have to wait longer? (CHAPTER 6)
12 What did the four horsemen represent and why did the souls who were slain have to wait longer? (CHAPTER 6)
C O N S I D E R A T I O
N
C O R N E R
ANSWERS TO LESSON 35
OBSERVATIONS
1. The Lord sent his angel and John was to write it down and send it to seven churches. (1:1 - 11)
2. He saw the Lord who looked like a son of a man dressed in a robe with a golden sash, his head and hair were as white as snow, his eyes and feet were glowing, and out of his mouth came a double-edged sword. (1:12 - 16)
3. Ephesus had perseverance, hard work, and discernment, but they had forsaken their first love…yet, if they overcome they will be given the right to eat from the Tree of Life. Smyrna was spiritually rich even though they were poor, afflicted, and persecuted…if they overcome they will not be hurt at all by the second death. Pergamum remained true to Christ’s name but they had some people who were following false teaching and sin…yet, if they overcome they will receive hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. Thyatira had love, faith, service, and perseverance, but they tolerated Jezebel’s false teaching and sin…yet, if they overcome will be given authority over nations. (2)
4. He holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands, is the First and the Last, died and came to life again, has the sharp double-edged sword, is the Son of God with eyes like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze. The message is to the angel of each church. (2:1, 8, 12, 18)
5. Sardis had some worthy, righteous people but were asleep and dead spiritually…yet if they overcome they will be dressed in white and their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. Philadelphia has kept the Lord’s word and not denied him but they have little strength. If they overcome they will be made a pillar in the temple of God, have the names of God, the temple, and a new name written on them. Laodicea was lukewarm, poor, blind, and naked. If they open the door for the Lord, he will fellowship with them, and if they overcome they will have the right to sit with the Lord on his throne. (3)
Consider this:
The scene in the throne room of God is found in a similar way in Ezekiel chapter 1, including the four faced creatures The lion represents Jesus the lion of the tribe of Judah, the ox Jesus’ servanthood, the man is Jesus the Son of Man, and the eagle his heavenward call and vision These four faces have also been compared to the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John respectively.
6. He holds the seven spirits of God and the stars, is holy and true, holds the key of David, is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and is the ruler of God’s creation. The message is to the angel of each church. (3:1, 7, 14)
7. The seven spirits of God. (4:5)
8. They were falling down before the Lord and saying he is holy and worthy of glory honor and power. (4:811)
9. Jesus was worthy and is described as a Lamb as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes. (5:5 - 7)
10. Jesus is worthy of praise, honor, glory, wealth, wisdom, strength, and power, because he was slain, and his blood purchased men for God. (5:9 - 13)
11. First, a rider on a white horse with a bow and crown; second, a rider on a fiery red horse with the power to take peace from the earth; third, a rider on a black horse with a pair of scales; forth, a rider named Death and Hades on a pale horse with power to kill by sword, famine and plague; fifth, the souls of those slain for the word of God; and sixth, a great earthquake, the sun turned black, the moon turned blood red, the stars in the sky fell, the sky rolled up like a scroll, and every mountain and island were moved. (6)
12. They were In fear and tried to hide from God in caves. (6:15 - 17)
13. The four had power over the wind to do harm but the fifth cried out to not do harm until the 144,000 were sealed for God. (7:1 - 3)
14. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. (7:9)
C O N S I D E R A T I O N C O R N E R
ANSWERS TO LESSON 35 QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT
1. Throughout Scripture, the number seven is God’s number of completion. The lamp stands are the churches and the stars are the angels of the churches. (1:20)
2. He was from the beginning and will always be. He loves us and frees us from our sins by his blood. (1:58)
3. It means to take to heart what the Lord is saying. (1:3)
4. Removing of the lampstand, the Lord fighting against those in sin with the sword of his mouth, and intense suffering. (2:5, 16, 22)
5. The hour of trial is the suffering and persecution that Jesus predicted when he was on earth (Matthew 24) and said to the other churches in Revelation. (3:10)
6. Gold refined in the fire represents God’s riches, eye salve represents God healing their spiritual blindness, and white clothes, represent righteousness from God. (3:18)
11. They were all amazingly colored precious stones. The lightning and thunder speak of the majesty and power of God. (4:3 - 5)
2. It speaks of complete and full vision from God. (4:6)
3. They represent worship and prayer. (5:7 - 10)
4. The lamb was slain and with his blood purchased men for God. (5:9)
5. Conquering, war, famine, death and hell. The souls had to wait for other martyrs to die. (6:2, 4, 6, 8, 11)
6. Jesus’ teaching on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24. (6)
7. 144,000 is likely not a literal number, but a spiritual representation of all redeemed and sealed by Jesus as seen in the first 6 chapters. (7:4 - 8)
8. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is recorded in the Gospels. (7:9 - 10)
O B S E R V A T I O N S
1. What happened initially when the seventh seal was opened? (CHAPTER 8)
2. What took place when each of the first four angels blew their trumpets? (CHAPTER 8)
3. What happened when the fifth angel sounded his trumpet? (CHAPTER 9)
4. What happened when the sixth angel sounded his trumpet? (CHAPTER 9)
5. What was the mighty angel-like, and why didn’t John write down what the seven thunders spoke? (CHAPTER 10)
6. When the two witnesses were prophesying, what did they have the power to do, who killed them, and what happened after that? (CHAPTER 10)
7. When the two witnesses were prophesying, what did they have the power to do, who killed them, and what happened after that? (CHAPTER 11)
8. What happened when the seventh angel sounded his trumpet? (CHAPTER 11)
9. What did the pregnant woman look like, where did she and her child go after he was born? (CHAPTER 12)
10. What happened when Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels? (CHAPTER 12)
11. Who worshipped the first beast, where did it get authority, and what did it do? (CHAPTER 13)
13. When the 144,000 stood on Mount Zion with the Lamb, what were they singing, and what was written on their foreheads? (CHAPTER 14)
14. What messages did the three angels proclaim? (CHAPTER 14)
15. What did the seven angels with the seven plagues bring to completion? (CHAPTER 15)
16. The group singing beside the sea of glass had been victorious over what, and what song did they sing? (CHAPTER 15)
D E E P E R T H O U G H T
1. Why was there a half hour of silence in heaven when the seventh seal was opened and what happened to the incense and prayers in the angel’s hand? (CHAPTER 8)
2. What catastrophic astronomical occurrences could be represented when the first four angels blew their trumpets? (CHAPTER 8)
3 What would be God’s purpose for sending the mutant locusts to mankind for five months? (CHAPTER 9)
4 What did mankind continue to do even after a third were killed by these plagues? (CHAPTER 9)
5. What is the mystery of God revealed to the prophets, which would no longer see delay? (CHAPTER 10)
6. When John ate the little scroll, why did it taste like honey but made his stomach sour? (CHAPTER 10)
7. Why was John told not to measure the outer court and what does this mean? (CHAPTER 11)
8 What do the two witnesses represent? (CHAPTER 11)
9. What do the pregnant woman, man child, and dragon, represent? (CHAPTER 12)
10 How do Christians overcome the devil and his fallen angels? (CHAPTER 12)
11. What does the first beast represent with its head wound, and how did it relate to God and Christians? (CHAPTER 13)
12. What does the second beast represent? (CHAPTER 13)
13 What does receiving the mark of the beast’s name represent? (CHAPTER 14)
14. Who was seated on the white cloud, what does his sickle represent, and what does the pressing of the grapes mean? (CHAPTER 14)
15. How could the victorious ones win against the beast, his image, and his name? (CHAPTER 15
C O N S I D E R A T I O N
C O R N E R
ANSWERS TO LESSON 36 OBSERVATIONS
1. There was silence in heaven for about half an hour and an angel with a censer offered incense and the prayers of all the saints. (8:1 - 4)
2. Hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled, which burned up a third of the earth; a huge blazing mountain was thrown into the sea, which caused a third of the sea to turn to blood killing a third of the living creatures and a third of the ships were destroyed; a great blazing star named Wormwood fell and made a third of the waters bitter, which killed many people; a third of the sun, moon, and stars turned dark. (8:7 - 12)
3. A star fell from the sky to the earth and opened the Abyss, which released locusts that stung people like scorpions. (9:1 - 5)
4. Four angels were released with two hundred million mounted troops to kill a third of mankind. (9: 13 - 19)
5. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs like fiery pillars. John was told by a voice from heaven not to write down what he heard but to seal it up. (10:1 - 4)
6. He ate the scroll and was told to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. (10:10 - 11)
7. Fire comes out of their mouths to devour their enemies and they can stop the rain, turn waters into blood, and bring plagues. The beast killed them but God raised them from the dead. (11:3 - 12)
8. Loud voices in heaven proclaimed the reign of Christ on earth and God’s temple was opened. (11:15 - 19) (15:2 - 3)
Consider this:
John was told to write down what he saw, and he saw amazing pictures and symbolism in addition to instructions Many times John said “he who has an ear let him hear,” and “This calls for wisdom ” Revelation is an apocalypse, or “unveiling,” and it’s the privilege of Christians to hear the message as one applies wisdom to experience the unveiling of meaning As always, the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself, so studying Jesus’ words on the Mount of Olives, the Book of Daniel, and other prophetic Scripture is required As John says at the beginning of the book, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it…”
19. She was clothed with the sun, the moon was under her feet, and she had a crown of twelve stars. The woman fled to the desert and the child was taken up to God and his throne. (12:1 - 6)
10. Michael and his angels were victorious; the dragon and his angels were thrown out of heaven to the earth. (12:7 - 9)
11. The beast was worshipped by those whose names were not in the Book of Life; the dragon gave it authority and it blasphemed God as it warred against the saints. (13:1 - 10)
12. It forced people to receive a mark on their foreheads or hands, associated with the number 666. (13:16 -18)
13. They were singing a new song only known to them, and they had the name of the Lamb and his Father on their foreheads. (14:1 - 3)
14. Fear God and give him glory because the hour of his judgment has come; Fallen, Fallen is Babylon the Great; and if anyone worships the beast or his image, and receives the mark on his forehead, he too will drink the wine of God’s fury. (14:7 - 10)
15. God’s wrath. (15:1)
16. They had victory over the beast, his image, and the number of his name. They sang the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb.
C O N S I D E R A T I O N C
O R N E R
ANSWERS TO LESSON 36 QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT
1. There was silence in heaven for about half an hour 1. The silence was out of respect for the incense and prayers, which went up before God; and the impending judgment. (8:1 - 4)
2. It could be asteroids sent from God. (8:6 - 12)
3. God is always looking for people to repent in times of adversity. (9:20)
4. They continued with murder, sexual immorality, magic arts, stealing, and worshipping demons and idols. (9:20 - 21)
5. The mystery is the very subject of this book, which is the revelation to the entire world that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Son of God who will rule and reign forever. (10:6 - 7)
6. The scroll represents the Word of God, which is a double-edged sword that is bittersweet; sweet because it reveals the lovingkindness and mercy of God, and bitter because it shows the severity and judgment of God. (10:9 - 10)
7. Symbolically, the outer court was given to unbelieving Gentiles who would desecrate it; and trample it underfoot for an allotted time. (11:1 - 2)
8. Though we don’t know who they are, the two witnesses pictured by olive trees and lamp stands, represent God’s word full of light and fruit, going forth in the world’s final days. (11:3 - 12)
9. The dragon is the devil, and the man-child is a faithful believer birthed from the church, which is the woman. Another interpretation of the woman and child is that the woman is Israel and the child is Jesus. (12) 10. By the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and not loving their own lives even to death. (12:11)
9. The dragon is the devil, and the man-child is a faithful believer birthed from the church, which is the woman. Another interpretation of the woman and child is that the woman is Israel and the child is Jesus. (12)
10. By the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and not loving their own lives even to death. (12:11)
11. Most believe the beast will be a new world order/system, similar to Rome in ancient times. It blasphemed God, his name, and heaven, and made war against the saints. (13:1 - 10)
12. Most would see the second beast as the leader of the new world order with its false religion. (13:11 - 18)
13. It represents agreeing with the beast (new world order) and worship thereof, contrasted to those who have the name of God on their foreheads. (14:1 - 12)
14. Jesus was seated on the cloud, the sickle represents Jesus “harvesting” or bringing to heaven all who belong to him. The winepress pictures God’s wrath and judgment on evil. (14:14 - 20)
15. In the song of the Lamb, which they sang, it shows they feared and trusted in the Lord whose deeds are great and marvelous, and his righteous acts have been revealed. (15:3 - 4)
O B S E R V A T I O N S
1. What happened when the seven angels poured out the bowls of wrath? (CHAPTER 16)
2. How did the people respond to the plagues? (CHAPTER 17)
3. Who was the great prostitute, what made her drunk, and how did she make others drunk? (CHAPTER 17)
4. What are the seven heads, ten horns, and many waters? (CHAPTER 17)
5. What were the main messages of the angel and the other voice from heaven? (CHAPTER 18)
6. What was the response of the kings, merchants, and sea captains? (CHAPTER 18)
7. Concerning what two things did the great multitude shout Hallelujah? (CHAPTER 19)
8. What is the rider on the white horse called, what is his name, and what was written on his thigh? (CHAPTER 19)
9. What did the angel do to Satan for a thousand years, and who reigned with Christ during that time? (CHAPTER 20)
10. After the thousand years, when Satan is released, what happens to him and his armies? (CHAPTER 20)
11. What happened to the dead who stood before the great white throne, what book was used in the process, and what ultimately happened to Death and Hades? (CHAPTER 20)
12. What is it like in the new heaven and earth? (CHAPTER 21)
13. In the new Jerusalem, which is also the bride of the Lamb, why is there no temple, sun, or moon? (CHAPTER 21)
14. What grows on the sides of the river of the water of life and what are its leaves for? (CHAPTER 22)
15. How are we to relate to the words of the prophecy in Revelation? (CHAPTER 22)
D E E P E R T H O U G H T
1 Who did the plagues primarily affect and why was God just in this? (CHAPTER 16)
2. What did the evil spirits that looked like frogs represent and how did they relate to Armageddon? (CHAPTER 16)
3 What does the prostitute, Babylon the Great, represent? (CHAPTER 17)
4. Who are the kings and beasts who make war against the Lamb? (CHAPTER 17)
5. Why is there so much focus on one city and its fall; Babylon the Great? (CHAPTER 18)
6 What do the kings, merchants, and sea captains represent who cry “Woe, O great City,” concerning Babylon? (CHAPTER 18)
7. Who is the bride of the Lamb and what is she wearing? (CHAPTER 19)
8 What does the sharp sword represent that comes out of the Lord’s mouth and kills the kings of the earth and their armies? (CHAPTER 19)
9. Why would the Lord have Satan shut up for a thousand years rather than throw him in the lake of fire right away? (CHAPTER 20)
10 What is the second death? (CHAPTER 20)
11. How could the bride of Christ be both people and the New Jerusalem? (CHAPTER 21)
12 The New Jerusalem is described with amazing beauty, purity, and dimensions, and nothing impure can ever enter Who can enter the New Jerusalem and why are the gates never shut? (CHAPTER 21)
13. Why does the Tree of Life have fruit for each month and how do the leaves heal the nations? (CHAPTER 22)
14. Why do the Spirit and the Bride say “Come,” and how does one wash his robes so he can enter the gates and have the right to the Tree of Life? (CHAPTER 22)
C O N S I D E R A T I O N
C O R N E R
ANSWERS TO LESSON 37 OBSERVATIONS
1. Painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast, the sea turned to blood, which killed everything in it, rivers and springs turned to blood, the sun scorched people, and the kingdom of the beast was turned into darkness, the great river Euphrates dried up, a sever earthquake happened and 100-pound hailstones fell from the sky. (16)
2. They refused to repent and cursed God instead. (16:9,11,21)
3. The prostitute was Babylon, she was drunk on the blood of the saints, and others were drunk on the wine of her adulteries. (17:2, 5 - 6)
4. The seven heads are seven hills and kings, the ten horns are ten kings who had not received a kingdom yet, and the many waters are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. (17:9 - 10, 12, 15)
5. The fall of evil Babylon and the call for people to come out of her so as not to share in her sins. (18:1 - 8)
6. They wept and mourned and cried woe over Babylon. (18:9 - 20)
7. The destruction of Babylon by God’s power and God’s glory and the wedding of the Lamb. (19:1 - 8)
8. He is called Faithful and True, his name is The Word of God (plus he has a name only he knows), and on his thigh is written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (19:11 - 16)
9. He bound Satan with chains and locked him in the Abyss. Martyrs for Christ ruled for a thousand years. (20:1 - 4)
10. Fire comes down from heaven and devours them and finally they are thrown into the lake of fire. (20:710)
11. Everyone was judged at the great white throne, the Book of life was used; death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. (20:11 - 15)
12. God will live with all people, he will wipe away every tear, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. (21:1 - 4)
13. God and the Lamb are the temple and God’s glory is the light. (21:22 - 23)
14. The tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. (22:1 - 2)
15. We are blessed if we keep the words of the prophecy and do not add or take away any words from it. (22:7, 18 - 19)
Consider this:
Many times in Revelation the Lord says, “Behold I am coming soon!” and yet Revelation was written almost 2000 years ago As it also said many times in Revelation, it takes wisdom and insight to understand these things The apostle Peter speaks to this very subject in his second letter, and he says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance ” (2 Peter 3:8 - 9) So, along with John, we say, “Amen Come, Lord Jesus!”
QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT
1. Painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast, the sea turned to blood, which killed everything in it, rivers and springs turned to blood, the sun scorched people, and the kingdom of the beast was turned into darkness, the great river Euphrates dried up, a severe earthquake happened and 100-pound hailstones fell from the sky. (16)
2. They refused to repent and cursed God instead. (16:9,11,21)
3. The prostitute was Babylon, she was drunk on the blood of the saints, and others were drunk on the wine of her adulteries. (17:2, 5 - 6)
4. The seven heads are seven hills and kings, the ten horns are ten kings who had not received a kingdom yet, and the many waters are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. (17:9 - 10, 12, 15)
5. The fall of evil Babylon and the call for people to come out of her so as not to share in her sins. (18:1 - 8)
6. They wept and mourned and cried woe over Babylon. (18:9 - 20)
7. The destruction of Babylon by God’s power and God’s glory and the wedding of the Lamb. (19:1 - 8)
8. He is called Faithful and True, his name is The Word of God (plus he has a name only he knows), and on his thigh is written “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (19:1116)
9. He bound Satan with chains and locked him in the Abyss. Martyrs for Christ ruled for a thousand years. (20:1 - 4)
10. Fire comes down from heaven and devours them and finally they are thrown into the lake of fire. (20:7 - 10)
11. Everyone was judged at the great white throne, the Book of Life was used; death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. (20:11 - 15)
12. God will live with all people, he will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. (21:1 - 4)
13. God and the Lamb are the temple and God’s glory is the light. (21:22 - 23)
14. The Tree of Life bears twelve kinds of fruit and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. (22:1 - 2)
15. We are blessed if we keep the words of the prophecy and do not add or take away any words from it. (22:7, 1819)