Today’s Saints in the Tribulation – Revelation 4:1-11

Jan 17, 2015 | Eschatology

 

  1. What do we mean by “the Tribulation?” (The seven year period when God’s wrath is poured out on the earth).
  2. What do we mean by “the Great Tribulation?” (The last half of the Tribulation – Matt. 24:21).
  3. Upon what group of people does the Tribulation primarily focus? (Israel).
  4. Which New Testament book most vividly describes the Tribulation? (Revelation).
    1. In which chapter of this book do we begin to learn about the Tribulation? (Revelation 6).
    2. What happens in that chapter? (The opening of the seals on the book of God’s wrath).
  5. In what chapters of this book do we the word “church”? (Rev. 2 & 3).
    1. Where else in this book do we have references to the church or churches of Jesus Christ? (Rev. 1 & 22).
    2. Is there any mention of the Lord’s churches in any of the descriptions of the Tribulation? (No).
    3. Can we dogmatically say from this that God’s churches are not found in the Tribulation? (Arguments from silence are not conclusive).
  6. According to Revelation 1:19, the Book of Revelation is divided into what three sections? (“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”)
    1. What had John already seen? (Chapter one).
    2. What were among the things that were then going on? (Chapters 2 & 3).
    3. What part of the Book of Revelation was yet to come?
  7. What word in Revelation 4:1 directly ties that chapter to Revelation 1:19? (“Hereafter”).
    1. Can we justly say that Revelation 4 was future to John?
    2. Is Revelation 4 still future to us? (Yes).
  8. What is the central object of Revelation 4? (A throne).
    1. To Whom does this belong? (The Lord).
    2. Where does this chapter take place? (In Heaven).
    3. What does the rainbow suggest? (Peace).
    4. What do the lightning and thunderings suggest? (Judgment).
  9. Who is it sitting upon the central throne? (Jehovah – the Father).
    1. Verse 11 describes him as what? (The Creator).
    2. What is the purpose of creation? (The Lord’s pleasure).
    3. What does He hold in His right hand? (A sealed book).
  10. What did the One who took the book look like? (A lamb).
  11. Who is He? (The Lord Jesus).
  12. Describe the four beasts which are there. (Lion, calf, man-like, and a flying-eagle).
    1. What is the first rule of Bible interpretation? (The scriptures should be taken literally, unless there is very good reason not to do so).
    2. Should we assume that these four beasts represent things other than what their appearances suggest? (Yes).
    3. Why do many conclude that these beasts are angels? (Verse 8).
    4. Why is this interpretation unlikely? (They praise the Lamb for their redemption, Rev. 5:9; and because there are angels present, 5:11).
    5. Who are the four beasts? (Difficult to say).
  13. Do the Twenty-four elders represent the same thing as the four beasts? (Unlikely).
  14. What is the meaning and office of an “elder?” (Representative, governor, magistrate, judge).
    1. In the New Testament with what is the “elder” most closely associated? (God’s churches).
    2. What term is more common in the Bible “pastor” or “elder”? (Elder).
    3. What is the likelihood that these elders are related to God’s churches (strong likelihood, slight, none)?
  15. Interpreters generally hold to four opinions about the identity of these elders; what are they? (Angels, Old Testament saints, New Testament saints, saints from every age).
  16. What is the likelihood that the twenty-four elders are angels, if the four beasts are angels? (Slim).
    1. In the light of Rev. 5:9 are the twenty-four elders angels? (Angels are never said to be redeemed).
  17. On what are the twenty-four elders seated? (Seats = thrones).
    1. Do we ever read elsewhere of angels seated on these? (No).
  18. What are the twenty-four elders wearing? (White robes).
    1. Do we ever read of angels wearing these? (Yes).
    2. What does this attire represent? (Holiness).
    3. How are THESE robes made white? (Blood of the Lamb).
  19. What do the twenty-four elders have on their heads? (Victor’s crowns – “stephanos”)
    1. Why do they throw their crowns down before the One upon the throne? (Because their victory came through Him).
  20. Who are the twenty-four elders? (The saints of God who were translated prior to the Tribulation).