DAY 6 STUDY

The 7 Seals on the Revelation Scroll

The 7 Seals on Revelation's Scroll

and Jesus’ words to his followers, match up perfectly.

He is preparing us for the last 7 years of the world as we know it now!

NOTE:  Fill in the blanks; keep a notebook

 to help cement the facts in your heart and mind.

ANTICHRIST : 

Seal 1 and Matthew 24:4,5,24,25   

The final Antichrist is the False Messiah. 

He will oppose Jesus and seek to replace Christ and mislead many.

Revelation 6:1.2 “I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!”  I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.“  He may appear as a great leader at first. 2 Cor. 11:14,15 “...for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”  1 Thes. 5:3,4 “While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”  Rev. 13:3,8,10 “The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life…This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.”    Matthew 24:4,5  Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. For *false Christs...will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the *elect--if that were possible.  See, I have told you (disciples/church) ahead of time…” Note that the “elect” will see the Antichrist (2 Thes 2:1-3 ).  We will learn more about Antichrist in just a bit

But, who are the elect, according to 1 Peter 1:1,2?  How are the *elect described? They obey J________ !                       1 PETER 1:1,2  “To God's *elect, strangers in the world...chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ.” True believers (the church) are God's elect.   Paul, called the apostle to the Gentiles, wrote in 2 Timothy 2:10 "Therefore I endure all things for the *elects’ sake…”     

*The Greek word is translated as 'chosen"... Nowhere in the New Testament does the Greek, "eklektos" refer to only Israel. 

WAR, FAMINE, DEATH : 

Seals 2, 3, 4a and Matthew 24:6-8 

Jesus continues to outline the events of the last seven years. He says that they are like birth pains that start small and end in intense, final contractions.  

These events lead up to a 'birth' - our deliverance in the rapture!

Revelation 6:3-8 “When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”  Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other (war). To him was given a large sword.  When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (famine)  When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”  I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts (or the Beast) of the earth.” Matthew 24:6-8  Jesus said  “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (2 Cor. 5:1; Romans 8:22,23 )  Luke 21:11 (Amplified Bible) "There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven. ." Things will get difficult as the ‘birth pains’ of war and famine and disease increase in intensity, leading to many deaths.  Jesus told us to not be alarmed or deceived. Just as a  woman’s labor has a definite end and result, so too, these events have a definite end and result. 

Why do you think Jesus used birthing terms to describe the events of the end?___________________________.  Jesus told us to not be alarmed.  He foretold these things so we know he has a plan that has a great ending! John 14:27 “My peace I give to you…do not be afraid.”   What can keep you calm?

a. Sing Praise Songs   b. Study the Bible with friends   c. Take a nice deep breath and talk to God throughout the day

Jesus implores us to have him as our foundation: Know God’s Word, obey it and trust God. We will be given opportunities to lift others out of the sinking sand of fear and to Christ the Solid Rock. (Matt. 7:24).  Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

DAY 7 STUDY

MARTYRS :  

SEALS 4b,5 and Matthew 24:15,21,22   

At the midpoint of these final 7 years, 

the Antichrist will demand full obedience to himself. 

Anyone resisting the Antichrist will be sought out for destruction. Jesus calls this time period the Great Tribulation. But Satan will not be able to kill us until God is ready to bring us to heaven. Revelation 6:9 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained (martyrs). 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of ... their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.   Matthew 24:15,21,22 "...when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (man of lawlessness declaring himself to be God, the Beast revealed) ... then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be again.”  Luke 21:15-19  "...I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. Stand firm, and you will win life. "  2 Thes 2:1,3 “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him...that day will not come until ...the man of lawlessness is revealed.” The word Martyr simply means Witness. Halfway through Seal 4 (Death), martyrs slain for their faith will become increasingly common as the Antichrist’s true nature is revealed. This is called the great tribulation/squeezing. (Mark 8:34-38)  Those with genuine faith will stand firm.

 How will we persevere and not be fooled?

Know and practice these truths so you can endure and not be deceived

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, 

will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  JOHN 14:26 

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived… continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of…” 2 TIM 3:12-14 

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you…Do what it says.” JAMES  1:21,22  

 “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” “...rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. The end of all things is near.”  Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray... praise God that you bear that name. Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”  5:10,11  “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast... 1 PETER  3: 8,9,14,-17; 4:7,13,17  

Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.  JOHN 16:33 

“...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart ...the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”   Be “content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  so that we confidently say,  “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.”  HEB 12:1-3; 12:6,11; 13:5,6 

“See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man (obvious, in the sky).” MATT 24:25-27

 Know and practice these truths so that you stand strong and victorious now 

and in the Great Tribulation!

CHALLENGE: Write down all the underlined phrases above. Read through them.  How do these truths challenge the way you do life now? ____ Ask God to conform you to His image, His thoughts, His ways!

DAY 8 STUDY

When is the Great Tribulation and What will happen?

The Great Tribulation

When? The first 3 Seals of Revelation (which could very well correspond to the first three years of the final 7 years) are ‘Birth Pains’. Halfway through the 4th Seal, which is described as Death, we come to the midway point of Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27 "the end will come like a flood...").  We will see the Antichrist breaking a covenant made earlier, attacking Jerusalem, sitting in the newly built temple, and demanding to be worshiped as God. All who oppose the Beast will be pursued.  Jesus says this is when the Great Tribulation begins.   When does the Great Tribulation begin according to Jesus? _________________

What will happen? The Bible says that Jews living in Israel should flee to a place in the wilderness where God will protect them.  Many Jews will be taken away or killed, while some will embrace the Antichrist, thinking he is their long-awaited Messiah.  

1. Rev. 12:14 "The woman (Israel) was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. (3 ½ years)"  

2. Luke 21:24 "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  

3. Daniel 11:32 “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”   (Rom. 9:27, 2 Tim. 3:13)    What will happen to the unsaved Jews?      

1.  Some will ___________to the wilderness for 3.5 years.

 2. Some will be killed or taken p___________.

 3. Some will be follow the Antichrist v __________ the covenant.

Rev. 12:17 "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman (Israel) and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus (Christians)." Many Christians will be martyred. Seal 5 shows us the spirits of the martyrs crying out, “When will you judge?”, indicating that the wrath of God has NOT yet fallen. The Wrath of God comes with the trumpet judgements (7th Seal), after the Church is raptured.

Note: the Bible never calls the entire last 7 years the Great Tribulation! 

The Great Tribulation is the anger of Satan that starts at 3½ years into the last 7 year End Time period. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”  

The wrath of God is first mentioned at the 6th Seal, which we believe is well into the final 7 years. The Great Tribulation is not God's wrath, but a time when the wheat and tares (true and fake Christians) are revealed. True Believers will focus on Christ and have the power of God to stay true (Rev. 19:7-8). People who call themselves Christians but have no real love for God or His Word, the Bible, will end up trusting in their own wisdom and strength and be deceived by the Antichrist. (1 John 2:19-28).  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matt. 22:37  The question we must all ask ourselves is, “Do I love God and His Word?”   2 Cor.13:5  “Examine yourselves to see if you’re in the faith; test yourselves. Don’t you realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" 

You might be saying, 

"I thought Christians weren't supposed to be here for the Great Tribulation!"    

This common teaching is based on the misunderstanding that the Great Tribulation is God’s wrath. “Tribulation" in the New Testament comes from the Greek word "thlipsis" used to describe the final squeezing of labor, physically and spiritually. It is purposeful and limited in duration. This Greek word is never translated as 'Wrath'.  In John 16:21 a woman forgets the anguish (thlipsis) for joy at her baby's arrival.  Matthew 24:21,22 (BSB)  "For at that time there will be great tribulation (thlipsis), unmatched from the beginning of the world until now,  and never to be seen again...no one would survive… But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short." At just the right time, the anguish/Great Tribulation will give way to BIRTH!   Isaiah 26:19 " But your dead will live, LORD; their bodies will rise — let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy... the earth will give birth to her dead."  The Great Tribulation starts at the midpoint of the last 7 years and ends when the Church is delivered out of this world.   

1. The word for tribulation is used to describe a woman in labor.  This squeezing is p___________ and l________ in duration.

2.  After the Great Tribulation (final pains that deliver the child) what is birthed?  The C________ !  Out of this world and into heaven.

Understanding the difference between Tribulation and God`s Wrath is crucial when discussing the timing of the rapture. The church in America has been taught that God wouldn’t let his Bride suffer in the Great Tribulation. However, many Christians in the world are suffering for their faith today. Their suffering is NOT the wrath of God!   

We are not destined for wrath, but we are promised suffering! 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (His 2nd Coming)” 1 Thes 5:9; 1 Peter 4:12-13  

I challenge you to do a word study: 

Look up the words “persevere”, “endure”, and “overcome” in your Bible’s concordance or Biblehub.com. 

You will see how an ‘easy-out’, early rapture contradicts Scripture.

DAY 9 STUDY

Who creates this Great Tribulation?

The Antichrist, the Man of Lawlessness

MATT 24:15,21,22  "So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ (man of lawlessness declaring himself to be God) ... then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be again.”  2 THES 2:1,3  “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him...that day will not come until ...the man of lawlessness is revealed.”

Who is this man of lawlessness who causes abomination and whom is he persecuting? We see him in Revelation’s final 7 years (Daniel’s ‘week’ of years—Daniel 9:27) that are described as Birth Pains in the beginning and Hard Labor/Squeezing (Great Tribulation ) in the latter years of persecution.  Let's take an in-depth look at this one who may appear good at first (Seal 1: White horse and Rider) but who will spiral the world into destructive chaos. (Seals 2,3,4,5).

Satan’s Anger through the Man of Lawlessness

Revelation 12:13-17 gives us insight as to what fuels this onslaught of persecution at the midway point. It says that Michael the archangel in heaven will one day do battle with Satan and overcome him and throw him to the earth. He is enraged and goes to devour Israel. When she is protected by God then Antichrist turns his anger on the Christians.

1. This man of lawlessness will proclaim himself to be G_____ and perform counterfeit m___________. Empowered by S______.

2 THES 2:4,9   “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.” 

The Antichrist is not without opposition. 

Just as the Antichrist sits in the temple and declares himself to be God, 

the Lord will put his two powerful witnesses in Jerusalem for 1260 days/42 months

 (until the 7th Trumpet, at the end of the 7 years).  

REV 11:3,7,10,11 “...and they (God’s 2 witnesses sent from heaven, very likely Moses and Elijah ) will proclaim God's message during those 1,260 days. When they finish proclaiming their message, the beast ...will defeat them and kill them... The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth (that opposed them).  After three and a half days a life-giving breath came from God and entered them, and they stood up; and all who saw them were terrified. As their enemies watched, they went up into heaven. 15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet…”

2. The Great Tribulation starts when Antichrist breaks a c___________ halfway through the 7 final years. But God is in control and will destroy the destroyer at the appointed time.  

DAN 9:27   “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’  he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination (the Greek indicates it will be the Antichrist himself - 2 Thes 2:4) that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (see 2 Thes 2:8)”  MARK 13:14,19 (GNB) “You will see The Awful Horror (‘lawless one’) standing in the place where he should not be (temple)...the trouble of those days will be far worse than any the world has ever known from the very beginning when God created the world until the present time. Nor will there ever be anything like it again.” (Great Tribulation)     How bad will it be ? ___________

As stated before, the term ‘Great Tribulation’ is often used 

incorrectly to speak of God’s wrath/The Day of the Lord.  

It is said to be the entire final seven years of the world as we know it.  

According to the verses above, the Great Tribulation, fueled by Satan, 

begins in the middle of these 7 years, when the Antichrist is revealed.

3. The Day of the Lord begins at Christ’s coming for His church (Luke 15:29). What are we told comes BEFORE that Day/the coming of Jesus? Man of lawlessness r____________!  

2 THESS 2: 1-7 (English Standard Version)  "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way (this Greek word may be translated ‘arise’). "   

4. Who is this one who restrains the Lawless One and is taken out of the way so the Antichrist can sit in the temple and proclaim himself God (3 ½ years into the final 7 years)?   Is he the Holy Spirit or could he be Israel’s protector Michael, the archangel. See Section 7 for a complete discussion on The Restrainer.  Click this link for further insights into this fascinating subject: Studio Electives - The Lords Coming Wrath 6.0 - The Restrainer Who is it? Pt 2 with Michael Ufferman  

DAY 10 STUDY

5. What will Satan do sometime after the 4th seal (Death) is opened? __________

Revelation 12:17  “Then the dragon (Satan) was enraged at the woman (Israel) and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring --those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Christians) 13:5  “The beast (man of lawlessness) was given a mouth to utter proud words ... and to exercise his authority for forty-two months... 7He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb...10 if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed." Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.”  ISA 57:1,2  “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”                              

6. Underline the warning given to those who worship the beast and choose his mark in order to buy and sell:    REV 13:2  “And the dragon (Satan) gave him (Lawless One) his power and his throne and great authority. 3I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; Men worshiped the dragon...and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who can make war against him? 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.18 ... If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” 14:9,10 "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of… the wrath of God…”

7. God will be our provision on earth or will take us home to heaven! Is God more than able to take care of us in these difficult days? ____________

The Bible tells us: God fed the Israelites for 40 years (Nehemiah 9:20 -21). Jesus fed 5000+ people with a small lunch. (Matt. 14:13ff). Elijah was fed by ravens. (1 Kings 17: 2-4)  Matt 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat...drink...wear?’ ...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Phil. 1:20,21 “Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Decide today to trust God for your daily needs. He provides through work, gifts, wise use of our funds, as well as supernaturally.  We many be tempted to hoard our stuff but let's be generous so others will know God's goodness.  Matthew 5:16,42,44  "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven....love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." 

8. At the 5th seal, we see martyrs waiting for God’s wrath to be poured out. Underline the words below that tell us it is not God’s wrath, but Satan’s anger, that has been poured out in the first 4 Seals.  

REV 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. “They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"  Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.”

9.  God equips us to withstand the evil one.  What must we have in order to stand firm to the end? ____________________   EPH 6:12,13,18 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Put on the full armor of God (truth, salvation, righteousness, the gospel), so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground... take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”   (see also Eph 6:10 -20, 2 Cor. 6: 1-18; 10:3 -5) 

Click here for Section 3: Bible Study Days 11-15

(Scripture verses are mostly from NIV)

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