Session 15- Revelations vignette, bowls of wrath!

05/26/2024 Biblical-literacy The lesion begins with Mark talking about where we are so far in the book of Revelations and then talks about the persecuting Dragon, which starts in Revelations Chapter 12. Where are we so far in Revelations? Revelations was the type of writing that was common 2000 to 2500 years ago that Scholars today call apocalyptic. The writing was rich in: Symbolism An age to come Peculiar use of numbers Visions and Dreams Coming Cataclysm Angels and demons Mark singles out one of these writings that is important to us today which is, Peculiar use of numbers, defining their different uses inside Bible verses and outside the Bible Example: The number 3: Daniel 6:10 – Daniel kneels and prays three (3) times a day. 1 Samuel 3, Numbers 6:24-26, Jeremiah 22:9, Isaiah 33:10 Outside the bible:  Pathway of the sun was divided into divisions each associated with a separate deity. The number 4: Genesis 2:10 – The river from Eden was divided into four (4) to encompass the land. Isaiah 11:12, Acts 10:11, 11:5, Ezekiel 7:2 The Number 7: Proverbs 24:16 – The righteous fall seven times but get up again. Exodus 25ff, Matthew 18:21 Outside the Bible: The penitent offered the prayer, My God my sins are seven times seven, pardon my sins. Mark then explains the 7 parts of Revelations which are: Christ In the Lampstands (1-3) (w/7 letters) Heaven and the 7 Seals (4-7) The 7 Trumpets (8-11) The persecuting Dragon (12-14) The lesson continues with greater detail relative to the persecuting Dragon, referring to Revelations 4-7 and Revelations 8-11, Age of the Church – Vision Span - 2nd Coming The theme continues with the victory of Christ and his church over the Dragon and his minions. Revelations 12:1 is discussed in detail relating to “The women is the “Church”. The lesson continues with discussion of Revelations 12:4 and the conflict between the woman, about to give birth, and the Dragon. Revelations 12:6 sheds lite on the actions of the woman and the results of her actions. God’s power and rule in our hearts is vindicated!  Luke 10:17-20 See Rev 12:17 and see the reaction of the Dragon. Bottom line, Satan’s wiles against the Church continues…… Points for Home: We are not helpless paupers! A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars The accuser is defeated! “ the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down” We’ve been more than conquerors! “they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb"