SERIES: Revelation (Part #3): The New Exodus  

TITLE: Week #8 – Seeing What John Saw in the Tribulation 

Revelation 12-14 

Message Preview

This weekend Pastor Brian continues our series in the book of Revelation. Below is a preview of the message, “Seeing What John Saw in the Tribulation” from Revelation 12-14.  

Introduction: 

New Exodus. Out of bondage and brokenness, through judgment, into promise. This section details the last ½ (1260 days) of the Great Tribulation. 

1. A Great Sign (Rev. 12:1-6) 

  1. The Woman – ethnic offspring of Abraham. Jewish nation. Blessing to the nations. 

Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Genesis 17:5-6 “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.”

Genesis 37:9 “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sum, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.:

  1. The Child – the Messiah. Jesus. (Revelation 12:5) – one who is to “rule” (shepherd) all the nations with a rod of iron
  1. The Dragon – Satan (Revelation 12:9)

The child is called up to his throne (ascension) and the woman (Israel) is protected in the wilderness for 1260 days. Last part of tribulation. (Final 3 ½ years of Daniel 9 prophecy)

2. A Trinitarian Evil (Rev.12:7- Rev.13)

  1. The dragon – Satan; deceiver of the whole world. Throne from heaven. No longer a place for him there. Accuser. His time is short so his wrath is big. Rejoice in heaven, Hell on earth.

Heavenly Proclamation: 

Revelation 12:10-11 “Now the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony,

for they have not loved their lives even unto death.”

  1. Satanic fury toward the Jews (the woman). The earth helps the woman. The dragon can’t defeat the woman so he takes out his fury on her offspring.  (Rev. 12:13-16)


2. Offspring = those who keep the Commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Rev. 12:17)

  1. The first beast (13:1-10) – rises from the sea. (Sea = a gentile threat)
  1. 10 horns, 7 heads, 10 diadems (13:1)
  2. Given authority from Satan. (13:2)
  3. Mortal wound healed causing people to marvel- imitating Christ (13:3)
  4. People are enamored. Worshiped dragon and beast. (13:4)
  5. Speaks blasphemy against God, the Name, Heaven (13:5-6)
  6. Allowed to war against saints and conquer. (13:7)
  7. Result: all worship him except those whose name is in the “book of life of the Lamb who was slain.” (13:8)
  1. The second beast (13:11-17) – comes from the land. (Land = Jewish threat)
  1. Horns like a lamb, spoke like a dragon. (Deceiver) (13:11)
  2. Authority of the 1st beast. Makes people worship the 1st beast whose “mortal wound was healed.” (13:12)
  3. Performs great signs and wonders deceiving people. (13:13-14a)
  4. Tells people to make an “image” idol for beast. (13:14b)
  5. Makes beast image “talk” and kills people who won’t worship idol. (13:15)
  6. Mark of the beast on the right hand or forehead to buy or sell. (13:16-17) – Reversal of Dt. 6:8 (Sh’ma) 

3. Three Messages from Heaven (Rev.14)

Mt. Zion. 144,000. Sealed remnant. Geography is an identity clue. Name of God written on their foreheads. Heaven strikes up the band and plays a song no one could learn except the 144,00 who had been redeemed. They are blameless. (Atonement. Remnant. Grafted back in) (Revelation 14:1-5)

  1. Eternal good news for every nation. Rev. 14:7 
  2. Fallen is the hub of evil. Rev. 14:8 
  3. Full wrath of God. Rev. 14:9-11
  1. Harvest of the Earth
  2. Jesus is the reaper (“one like a son of man” Rev. 13:14-16)
  3. Great winepress of wrath of God (Rev. 13:17-20) -reference to Armageddon (Rev. 16:16)

Response Application:

This is a time for endurance and faith (Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:12-13


ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

Begin your discussion by encouraging one another through God Moments from this past week. Use the questions below to prompt your discussion. 

  1. What do you wish you had spent more time doing five years ago?
  2. What are the “God moments” from this past week?  How have you seen God at work that is unmistakably Him? 
    1. How has He been working not just in your life personally, but in the lives of your family (spouse, kids, grandkids)? 
  3. How did God speak to you through His Word this past week? 
    1. How are you hearing and obeying? 
  4. How can we specifically pray for you this week? 

Pray as a group – thanking God for how He is at work and asking Him to answer the requests that were mentioned. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Ask and discuss the following questions.

Q: What is one thing that stood out to you, challenged you, encouraged you, or confused you from today’s passage?

Q: After hearing the sermon and reading the Text, how would you describe the three main characters in the opening vision of Rev. 12:1-6? Is it important for believers to know and understand these characters? Why or why not? 

Q: Revelation 12:11 describes Christians who “conquer” the devil even though he kills them! Compare the same word “conquer found in Rev. 13:7? In what sense do believers conquer Satan? Do they look to the world like conquerors?

Q: “Patient endurance” is a theme of Revelation (See 1:9; 13:10; 14:12). According to 13:1-18, what will (or do) the saints have to endure patiently? Look at: 13:4,8, 13:5-6, 13;7, 13:9, 13:14-15, 13:16-17. Why is this important for you to know this? 

Q: In Revelation 13:16-17 we read that mark of the beast is needed in which to buy or sell on right hand or forehead. Now read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 focusing on verse 8. How is the reversal a distortion of God’s commands for believers? 

Q: Why do you think only the 144,000 are able to learn the new song of praise (See 14:3)? (See Psalms 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; and Isaiah 42:10) “redeemed from the earth”

Q: Read Revelation 14:6-7 and compare the gospel found here to Romans 1:18-25. Why is God’s aspect as Creator mentioned in each passage? What other similarities do you find? 

Q: How does Revelation 14:6-20 emphasize God’s sovereign provision for His people? To what does it call God’s people? (See 14:12; compare 13:10)

Q: What message from Revelation 12:1-14:20 may the Lord be teaching you right now? 

WRAP-UP

Let’s discuss a few more questions as we end out time and look to living out what God has spoken to us this week. 

  1. What did you hear? 
    1. What is your one “take-away” from this week? How did God speak specifically to you through this week’s passage and study? 
  2. What do you think? 
    1. How did this passage and study affirm, challenge, or change the way you think about God and the truths shared? 
  1. What will you do? 
    1. What is your next step? How will you take the truth of God’s Word and apply it to your life this week?   

Pray for any needs that were shared. Pray for the families represented in the group. Pray for the next steps shared by your group this week.  

SCRIPTURES FROM THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE: 

Revelation 12-14; Deuteronomy 6:4-9

UPCOMING MESSAGES: 

  • Series: Revelation: Restoration of all Things 
    • March 6th – Revelation 15:1-16:21
    • March 13th – Revelation 17:1-18
    • March 20th – Revelation 18:1-24
    • March 27th – Revelation 19:11-20:15
    • April 3rd – Revelation 21:1-27
    • April 10th – Revelation 22:8-21
    • April 17th – Resurrection Sunday