Lesson 15

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which
said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” -Revelation 11:15

First Day: Read Lesson 14 Notes.

The notes and lecture fortify the truth of the passage for understanding and
application to daily life.

1. How did the lecture help you better comprehend God’s dealings with unbelievers
and believers?
Warnings as Mercy: The lecture emphasizes that God's judgments, even the severe
ones, serve as merciful warnings, offering opportunities for repentance [1, 3, 4].
The trumpet judgments, for example, are not solely about punishment, but are meant
to sober people, threaten false securities, and humble hearts, leading them to
God's mercy [4].

Measured Judgement: God’s judgements are measured and limited, not destroying
everything, providing time and space for repentance [5-8]. This measured approach
demonstrates God's patience and desire for people to turn to Him before final
judgment [4, 9].
God's stand against evil: God takes a stand against evil and has the power to
punish it immediately. However, He restrains his power to draw people to Christ so
they can surrender to what is right and repent of their sins [4].

Consequences of Unrepentance: The lecture highlights the tragic reality of those

who, despite experiencing God's judgments, choose not to repent [10, 11]. Their
willful unrepentance, senseless idolatry, and relentless immorality lead to a
chosen separation from God [1, 10]. They value their sins over holiness and
ultimately desire to be separated from God [10, 12].

God's Justice: The lecture explains that God's judgment is a demonstration of His
righteousness, justice and faithfulness to His people [13]. By judging sin, God
declares that people matter and what we do to one another matters [13]. God's wrath
is an expression of his love for righteousness and his people [13].

Idolatry as a Choice: The lecture describes how unbelievers often turn to idolatry,
worshipping demons and idols made of earthly materials [10, 14]. This is a form of
spiritual blindness and a loss of common sense [10]. Instead of worshipping the
living God, they choose to worship created objects subjecting themselves to Satan's
deceit [14].

Demonic Involvement: The lecture acknowledges that demonic forces are involved in
the judgments, especially the later trumpet judgments, but that God is ultimately
in control [6, 15, 16]. These demonic forces are allowed to operate within the
bounds of God's ultimate control, furthering his purposes [17].

God's ultimate goal: God's ultimate goal in judgement is not for mortals to suffer
but for them to repent and turn to him [11]. The purpose of these judgments is to
call all to salvation through his son [8]

2. How did the notes help you understand God’s work in and through His judgment?
Judgement as a response to sin: The notes clearly state that God's judgment is a
righteous response to human sin [1, 2]. The judgments, such as the seal, trumpet,
and bowl judgments, demonstrate the increasing intensity of God's reaction to sin
and rebellion [1]. This emphasizes God's holiness and justice in dealing with
wrongdoing [3, 4].
Merciful warnings: The notes emphasize that God's judgments, even the severe ones,
serve as merciful warnings and opportunities for repentance [2]. God limits the
destruction caused by the trumpet judgments, providing time and space for people to
turn to Him [5-8]. This highlights God's patience and desire for people to choose
salvation over rebellion [9, 10].

God's response to prayers: The prayers of God's people are mysteriously linked to
the unleashing of divine judgment [4, 11, 12]. The angel with the golden censer
offers the prayers of the saints, and this is followed by the fiery censer being
hurled toward the earth [4, 11]. The notes suggest that God hears and responds to
the cries of His people, bringing judgment upon those who oppose them [4, 13].
Controlled Judgement: God's judgments are not random or uncontrolled. The notes
emphasize that God strategically releases judgment, maintaining control over its
timing and severity [5, 6, 8, 14]. The limitations to a third of the earth or sea,
for example, highlight God's sovereign control [5, 6, 15]. This illustrates that
God is not chaotic but deliberate and purposeful in his actions [6]

Demonic involvement under divine control: While demonic forces are involved,
particularly in the later trumpet judgments, God is ultimately in control [14, 16].
The demonic entities are permitted to operate within the boundaries of God's
ultimate authority and to fulfil His purposes [16]. This demonstrates that even the
forces of evil are subject to God's sovereignty [16].

Idolatry and rejection: The notes highlight that those who do not repent continue
in their idolatry and sinful practices despite experiencing God's judgments [10,
17, 18]. They choose to worship created objects and subject themselves to Satan's
deceit [17]. This demonstrates spiritual blindness and rebellion against God's
clear revelation of Himself through his actions [10, 17, 18].

Salvation as the ultimate goal: The ultimate aim of God’s judgment is not the
suffering of mortals, but their repentance and salvation [10]. The warnings and
judgments are designed to call people to turn away from their rebellion and seek
reconciliation with God through Christ [7, 10, 19]. The notes indicate that God's
love is manifested even through His judgment [4, 19].

Vindication of God's people: God's judgment is also about the vindication of His
people [4, 8, 12]. He hears their prayers and responds by bringing justice against
those who persecute them [4, 8, 12]. This demonstrates God's faithfulness and
commitment to his people [4, 12].

Second Day: Read Revelation 10.

John saw a vision of a mighty angel and a little scroll.

3a. Describe the details of John’s vision in verses 1-4 and John’s response to what
he saw.
In John's vision, a mighty angel descends from heaven, robed in a cloud, with a
rainbow above his head. The angel's face was like the sun, and his legs were like
fiery pillars. He held a small, open scroll in his hand. The angel planted his
right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like
the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. When
the seven thunders spoke, John was about to write what they said, but he heard a
voice from heaven telling him to seal up what the seven thunders said and not to
write it down.

3b. Why do you think John was told not to write what the seven thunders said?
The sources do not explicitly state why John was told not to write what the seven
thunders said, but there are several possible reasons based on the provided texts
and our discussion.
* The message of the seven thunders **may not have been intended for human
understanding or inclusion** in the written text of Revelation, as some aspects of
God's plan are beyond human comprehension.
* The message could be **part of God's greater plan**, and keeping it sealed
might serve a specific purpose within that plan. The sources note that "the mystery
of God will be accomplished" at a certain time.
* The instruction may be to **emphasise other aspects of the prophecy** that are
recorded in Revelation. It may not have been relevant to the overall message of the
book, or not to be revealed at that time.
* The message of the thunders **may have been reserved for a select group or
time**, contrasting with the broader message John was instructed to write for all.

It is clear that John obeyed a direct command from heaven, which adds to the sense
of mystery in the Book of Revelation.

4. Who did the mighty angel swear by and what did he declare?
The mighty angel swore by **him who lives for ever and ever, who created the
heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and
all that is in it**.

The angel declared that **"There will be no more delay!"**. The angel also said,
**"But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the
mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the
prophets."**

5a. Why might the little scroll have tasted sweet to John but soured his stomach?
Sweetness as initial reception: The scroll's initial sweetness symbolises the
pleasure and excitement of receiving and understanding God's word, prophecy or a
message. It might represent the initial joy of engaging with divine truth or
revelation.
•
Sourness as a result of the content: The sourness John experiences after swallowing
the scroll is likely due to the difficult and potentially unpleasant content of the
message. This is not explicitly explained in the sources in relation to the scroll
but based on the broader context of the Book of Revelation, it could be that the
message relates to the coming judgements, which include devastation, torture and
death, and the unrepentant hearts of many who have rejected God.
•
Prophetic calling: The subsequent instruction to "prophesy again about many
peoples, nations, languages and kings" suggests that the sourness is also linked to
the weight and burden of the prophetic calling itself. Prophesying involves
delivering messages that may be difficult for people to hear and accept.
In essence, the scroll's taste may represent the complex nature of divine
revelation. The initial sweetness could be the joy of receiving and understanding
God's word, while the subsequent sourness reflects the difficult, challenging and
sometimes painful nature of the message and prophetic call it brings. The message
of the scroll is not explicitly given in the sources, but its impact on John is
described

5b. What instructions did John receive in verse 11? How might this relate to his
eating of the scroll?
In verse 11, John was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations,
languages and kings".
This instruction is directly related to his eating of the little scroll, as
described in the sources:
•
Prophetic Calling: The act of eating the scroll, which initially tasted sweet but
then turned sour, is immediately followed by the instruction to prophesy. This
suggests that the scroll and the command to prophesy are linked. The sweetness
might represent the initial joy of receiving divine revelation, while the sourness
may reflect the difficult and challenging nature of the message he is to deliver
and the weight of the prophetic calling.
•
Message for Many: The command to prophesy to "many peoples, nations, languages and
kings" indicates the broad scope of the message John is to deliver. The consumption
of the scroll and subsequent prophetic instruction suggests that John has now been
entrusted with a message or revelation that he must share widely.
•
Burden of Prophecy: It is possible that the sourness also symbolizes the burden and
potential suffering associated with prophesying, highlighting the difficulties and
challenges of conveying messages that might not be well received.
In summary, John's eating of the scroll and the subsequent instruction to prophesy
are intrinsically linked. The scroll represents the divine message and the
prophetic call, and the dual taste signifies both the joy of receiving revelation
and the difficult nature of conveying the message to a broad audience

6. What has God revealed to you as you have studied His Word recently that you
previously did not understand? (See also Ephesians 3:4-6; Colossians 1:24-28; and 1
Corinthians 15:51-55.)

Third Day: Read Revelation 11:1-6.

John received heavenly instructions and saw two witnesses.

7. What was John told to measure, and why was the outer court not to be measured?
John was told to **measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of
worshippers**. The outer courtyard was **not to be measured because it had been
turned over to the nations**, who would trample the holy city for 42 months.

8a. In what ways do you see God’s protection of the two holy witnesses in this
passage?
Revelation 11:1-6, God protects the two witnesses in several ways:
•
They are given power to prophesy for 1,260 days.
•
If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their
enemies.
•
They have the power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they
prophesy.
•
They have the power to turn rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth
with every kind of plague as often as they wish.
•
After they are killed, God breathes life back into them and they stand up, causing
terror to those who were watching.
•
A loud voice from heaven calls them to "Come up here!" and they rise to heaven in a
cloud while their enemies watch

8b. How willing are you to actively witness about God and His truth? What holds you
back?
Fourth Day: Read Revelation 11:7-14.
John saw the aftermath of witnesses' testimony.

9a. What will the beast and the people of the world do to the two witnesses?
According to Revelation 11:7-14, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit
will declare war against the two witnesses, and will conquer and kill them. The
bodies of the two witnesses will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, and for three
and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages and nations will stare at their
bodies. (The people of the world will gloat over them and give presents to each
other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. )However,
after three and a half days, God will breathe life into them and they will stand
up, causing terror to those who were watching. Then a loud voice from heaven will
call the two prophets to "Come up here!" and they will rise to heaven in a cloud as
their enemies watch

9b. How did God intervene on behalf of the two witnesses?

Revelation 11:7-14, God intervenes on behalf of the two witnesses in several ways
after they are killed by the beast:
•
After their bodies lie in the street for three and a half days, God breathes life
into them, and they stand up, causing terror to those who were watching.
•
Then, a loud voice from heaven calls the two prophets to "Come up here!", and they
rise to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watch.
These events demonstrate God's power and vindication of the two witnesses,
highlighting His ultimate authority over earthly powers

9c. What happened to the city, and how did the survivors respond?
In Revelation 11:7-14, after the two witnesses are killed, a terrible earthquake
destroys a tenth of the city, killing seven thousand people. The survivors, who
were terrified by the earthquake and the resurrection of the two witnesses, gave
glory to the God of heaven

10a. From the following verses, what does God promise about eternal life, and what
comfort does this give you?
The sources offer several promises about eternal life, providing comfort through
the hope of a future with God:
•
Those who believe in Jesus will live, even after death, and will never truly die.
This indicates a continuous, unending life for believers.
•
When Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. This
suggests a reunion and continued fellowship with those who have passed away.
•
Believers who are alive when Jesus returns will be caught up in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air, and they will be with the Lord forever. This implies a
permanent and close relationship with God.
•
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for believers in His Father’s house, and He will
come back to take them to be with Him. This promise provides assurance of a future
home with Jesus.
•
Believers are citizens of heaven and are eagerly awaiting Jesus' return as their
Saviour, who will transform their mortal bodies into glorious bodies like His own.
This promises a future transformation and a glorified existence in heaven.
•
Those who belong to Christ will be given new life when He comes back, signifying a
resurrection for all who are in Christ.
•
Believers will see Christ as He really is and will be like Him when He appears.
These promises provide comfort because they offer:
•
Hope beyond death: The fear of death is alleviated by the promise of resurrection
and eternal life.
•
Assurance of reunion: Believers can look forward to being reunited with loved ones
who have died in faith.
•
A future with God: The prospect of being with the Lord forever offers a sense of
peace and security.
•
Transformation and glory: The promise of a glorified body assures that believers
will experience a renewed existence that is free from earthly limitations.
•
Ultimate vindication: The understanding that death will be defeated in the end
brings comfort in the midst of suffering and persecution. Death, seen as the final
enemy, will ultimately be destroyed.
In summary, the promises of eternal life offer believers comfort by assuring them
of a future free from death and suffering, a restored relationship with loved ones,
and eternal fellowship with God. The promise of a bodily transformation further
enhances this hope by presenting a future reality that is beyond the limitations of
this world.

10b. With whom is God calling you to share these eternal truths? What steps will
you take to do so?

Fifth Day: Read Revelation 11:15-19.

The seventh trumpet sounded.

11a. At the sound of the trumpet, what was declared and how did the elders respond?
At the sound of the seventh angel's trumpet, there were loud voices shouting in
heaven declaring: "The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ, and he will reign forever and ever".
The twenty-four elders, who were sitting on their thrones before God, responded by:
•
Falling with their faces to the ground and worshipping Him.
•
Giving thanks to the Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for
assuming His great power and beginning to reign.
•
Acknowledging that the time has come to judge the dead and reward God's servants,
the prophets, as well as His holy people and all who fear His name, from the least
to the greatest.
•
Recognizing that it is also time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the
earth.
This passage indicates a pivotal moment when God's reign is fully established and
the time of judgment begins.

11b. From verse 18, who will be judged and who will be rewarded? (See also John
3:16-21.)
According to Revelation 11:18, the time has come to judge the dead and reward God's
servants the prophets, as well as His holy people, and all who fear His name, from
the least to the greatest. It is also the time to destroy all who have caused
destruction on the earth.
This aligns with the message in John 3:16-21, which states:
•
Those who believe in Jesus will not perish but have eternal life.
•
There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Jesus.
•
Anyone who does not believe in Jesus has already been judged. This judgment is
because they did not believe in God’s one and only Son, and because they loved the
darkness more than the light, as their actions were evil.
•
Those who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it, for fear their sins will
be exposed.
•
Those who do what is right come to the light, so that others can see that they are
doing what God wants.
In summary, those who are judged are the dead, those who do not believe in Jesus,
those who do evil, and those who have caused destruction on the earth. The ones who
will be rewarded are God's servants the prophets, as well as His holy people, and
all who fear His name, from the least to the greatest. The critical factor
determining reward or judgment is belief in Jesus and whether one lives in the
light or the darkness.

12. Describe the heavenly scene that opened to John and how it inspires your
worship of the Lord.
In Revelation 11:19, the heavenly scene that opened to John revealed the Temple of
God opened in heaven, with the Ark of His covenant visible inside. This was
accompanied by lightning, thunder, roaring crashes, an earthquake, and a terrible
hailstorm.
This inspires worship through:
•
Awe of God's power: The imagery of lightning, thunder, and earthquakes demonstrates
God's immense power and control.
•
Recognition of His holiness: The Ark in the opened Temple symbolises God's holiness
and the sacred nature of His covenant.
•
Gratitude for His justice: The seventh trumpet announces God's reign and judgement.
•
Hope in His promises: The opened Temple and the Ark signal God's plan will be
fulfilled, providing hope for believers.
•
Desire to worship: The scene evokes a desire to worship the Lord, as seen in the
response of the 24 elders.

13. How will you respond to what the Lord has revealed, promised, declared, or
fulfilled in your life this week? Reread verses 16-18, and write your own
declaration of praise.
n response to what the Lord has revealed, promised, declared, or fulfilled this
week, I am moved to make a declaration of praise, drawing on the themes of
judgment, salvation, and eternal life found in the sources. Specifically, verses
16-18 of Revelation 11 highlight God's righteous judgment and the rewarding of his
people, while John 3:16-21 speaks of God's love and the gift of eternal life
through faith in Jesus.
My declaration of praise is:
•
"Lord God Almighty, I give you thanks for your immeasurable love, demonstrated in
the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save the world not judge it. I
praise you that through faith in Him, I have been granted eternal life, and will
not perish.
•
I acknowledge your holiness and justice, knowing that you will judge the dead and
reward your servants. I rejoice in the promise that those who love the light and do
what is right come to the light, and will be seen by all as people doing what God
wants.
•
I worship you for the revelation of your power, seen in the opening of your Temple
in heaven, accompanied by lightning, thunder, and earthquakes, and the visibility
of the Ark of Your covenant. These signs remind me of your awesome sovereignty and
the fulfilment of your promises.
•
I am humbled that the time has come for you to assume your great power and begin to
reign, declaring that the world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His
Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.
•
I recognise that you have not left us in darkness, but have given us the light of
your truth. I thank you that you have provided a way of salvation, and have given
me an assurance of a future home with you.
•
I will strive to live in your light and seek your will, knowing that you will
vindicate those who belong to you.
•
I thank you that you hear the prayers of your people, and act on our behalf. I am
filled with hope because of the promise of your coming and the transformation of my
mortal body into a glorious body like yours.
•
I will declare the glory of the Lord and live in the light of his truth, trusting
Him and praising Him as King of Kings.
In short, I respond with praise and thanksgiving for God's love, justice, power,
and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, committing to live in His light
and seek His will.

Sixth Day: Review Revelation 10–11.

Judgment looms as Christ’s glorious eternal reign approaches.

14. How has your study of the Lord, His promised return, and His coming judgment
affected your thoughts, emotions, and motivations? (Are you afraid, apathetic,
encouraged, excited, etc.?)

15. Passage Discovery (homiletics, word study, etc.) for Group and Administrative
Leaders: Revelation 10–11

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