Overcome // Week 16

The Coming World Tribulation
Revelation 6-18 September 8, 2019
I. Introduction:
A. This morning we are going to look at the period of time, that is yet to come, that
will be the worst time this world will ever know!
1. In the Revelation 6, it is called the great day of the wrath of Him who sits on
the Throne and the Lamb.
2. Jesus called it the great tribulation and he said if those days were not cut
short, then not one person would have survived!
B. This time actually starts in Chapter 4. Read v1
1. In Chapter 4 we get a vision of the throne room and the one who sits on it to
remind us who is ruling and in charge of the things that are about to take
place.
2. Then chapter 5 we get a vision of Jesus to show us that He is the only one
who is worthy to open the scroll and to bring about the judgement upon the
earth that is about to take place.
C. Two weeks ago, we learned something of the nature of this time, and the fact that
it will last 7 years. Two weeks ago, we were introduced to some key players,
primarily the antichrist and his activities during this time.
• What we are going to see in Chapter 6-19 are a series of judgments.
II. Judgments begin
A. In Chapter 6 Jesus breaks the first seal of the scroll. Read v1 this first series of
judgments, the seven seals – These judgments are:
1. Seals:
a) First Seal: White Horse—Conqueror by Antichrist
b) Second Seal: Red Horse —War
c) Third Seal: Black Horse—Famine
d) Fourth Seal: Pale Horse—Death 1/4th of the Earth
e) Fifth Seal: Martyrs under the altar
f) Sixth Seal: Earthquake, signs in the heavens
2. Listen to the response of mankind to this
a) Read 6:15-17
b) Note:
(1) worldwide – Kings of the earth
(2) They recognize this judgment is from God and that even the
greatest and strongest cannot stand!
3. Note the last phrase in v17 “who will stand?” Chapter 7 is an interlude in the
action that answers that for us by telling us about the 144,000 Jews who will
be sealed and the great multitude from every nation will be saved!
B. At the start of Chapter 8, the seventh seal was broken which introduced the seven
trumpets and there was complete silence in heaven for half an hour. Read 8:1 –
indicates just how solemn this series of judgments will be as there is an increase
in intensity in this round of judgments!
1. Trumpets:
a) First Trumpet – Hail, fire, blood
b) Second Trumpet – Fiery mountain in sea, 1/3 of sea becomes blood
c) Third Trumpet –Star falls, 1/3 of rivers Bitter
d) Fourth Trumpet – 1/3 of sun, 1/3 moon, 1/3 stars turn dark
e) Fifth Trumpet—Demon locust from the Abyss to torment mankind
f) Sixth Trumpet—200 million man army kills 1/3rd of mankind
2. Again note man’s response to all of this read 9:20-21
3. Then in Chapters 10-11 we see another interlude about
a) Chapter 10 - a little book that had seven peals of thunder in them but the
contents of these were sealed and John was not to write about them
b) Then the two witnesses in Chapter 11 who for 3 ½ years will prophecy
for God, Read v3
(1) The beast, Antichrist, will kill them. Read v7-8
(2) Then listen to what happens. Read v10-13
4. Then the seventh trumpet sounds and Christ’s reign right here on earth is
foreseen. This captures the heart of this whole book and the purpose of
Jesus’ judgments! Listen to 11:15-19.
C. Then as we saw last week in Chapters 12-14 there is another interlude to explain
who some of the main characters are in this tribulation and what their roles will
be!
D. Then in Chapters 15-16, we move into the final judgments the seven
plagues/bowls.
1. Read v1 – In these judgments we will see the completion of God’s wrath
upon mankind! Cr 16:17
2. The Bowls of Wrath
a) First bowl - painful sores
b) Second bowl - turns sea into blood
c) Third bowl rivers and springs - blood
d) Fourth bowl—sun scorches people
e) Fifth bowl—plunges kingdom of the beast into darkness
f) Sixth bowl—dries up the Euphrates for battle of Armageddon
g) Seventh bowl—judgment against Babylon
3. Note men’s responses to these judgments. This time they not only refused to
repent but took it a step further and blasphemed God! Read: 16:9, 11, 21
4. I want to take a moment to focus upon the last two bowls as both of them set
up events yet to come in this program of God
a) The sixth bowl –
(1) Read 16:12-14,16
(2) God uses this bowl to prepare for the war that will take place in
chapter 19 when Jesus returns and defeats the kings of the earth,
the antichrist and the false prophet! We will look at bit more at
this next week!
b) The seventh bowl
(1) Read 16:17-21a
(2) Scholars have debated for years as to whether this is a reference
the revived Roman Empire or a rebuilt Babylon! One thing I know
for sure is that I do not know for sure which it is!
(3) Here we see the final piece of God’s judgment that chapters 17-18
expand for us and give the details of it.
E. Then in chapters 17-18, we see the judgment of the Babylon the great harlot, her
religious and political systems during the tribulation along with city itself and its
great commerce!
1. Chapter 17 refers to the judgment of the great harlot! Read v1-2, 5 in
Scripture harlotry and immorality are used to speak of spiritual unfaithfulness
to God.
a) This chapter appears to be the destruction of a one world religion that
will be set up at that time
b) Then at the end of this chapter, we see that God uses the antichrist to
actually destroy this one world religion. Read 16-17
2. Then in chapter 18 Babylon is pictured as the commerce center of the world,
it will be destroyed as well!
a) Read v3a-b = Chapter 17 and now 3c = Chapter 18.
b) And note the response of mankind to this – Read 18:15-19
c) But note the saints are actually called to rejoice over this, listen – v20
III. Conclusion
A. That brings us up to Chapter 19 where we will see the return of Christ next week!
B. But that chapter starts with heavens response to the destruction of Babylon. Read
v1-6
C. Then we see the marriage feast of the Lamb! Read 7-9
D. If you are a believer in Jesus, you are blessed to be a part of this. If you are not
may I implore you today to come to Jesus now and avoid the great wrath of the
Lamb!