ACT IThe Conflict Begins

ACT IThe Stage

God sits on the throne in the center

4 cherubim surround the throne praising God

24 elders sit on 24 other thrones praising God

ACT IThe Stage

Also on the stage are the hosts of angels

And every living creature God is powerful, reigns in

majesty, and is in control

ACT IChrist Will Reveal

God has a scroll in His hand sealed with 7 seals.

A lamb with 7 eyes and 7 horns comes. He has been killed and is alive again.

ACT IChrist Will Reveal

ACT IChrist Will Reveal

The lamb represents Christ He will open the seals.

ACT IChrist Will Reveal

This gives us a time marker—as the story starts, Christ has already been to earth, died, been raised, and is now back in heaven.

ACT IGod’s Power over Nations

As the Lamb opens the seals, various events take place.

The first four seals bring four horsemen.

ACT IGod’s Power over Nations

ACT IGod’s Power over Nations

White horse-conquest Red horse-take peace Black horse—economic distress Pale horse—other disasters God gives them their power

ACT IGod’s Power over Nations

The parade of horsemen is a show of God’s power to rule over the nations of the world.

ACT IMartyrs Ask God to Judge

5th Seal—Rev. 6:9 Those killed because of their

testimony Ask God “How long” before you

judge and avenge our blood.

ACT IMartyrs Ask God to Judge

He gives each a white robe And tells them to wait until

more of their brethren have also been persecuted.

So there has been persecution and will be more.

ACT IA Nation to Fall

6th Seal—Rev. 6:12 Earthquakes, sun darkened,

moon to blood, stars fall, people run to hide

Isa. 13:10, 13:1—these images suggest a nation will fall. That will soon happen.

ACT IGod Will Protect His Church

Interlude Don’t hurt the earth Until I have sealed 144,000

Jews God is saying I want the church

to know I care about them and will guard them.

ACT IGod Will Protect His Church

Multitude in heaven Wearing white robes So the martyrs of 6:9 are seen

enjoying life in heaven

ACT IGod Warns the Persecutor

The 7th Seal is opened 7 angels are given 7 trumpets

ACT IGod Warns the Persecutor

ACT IGod Warns the Persecutor

First four trumpets affect1/3 of the land burns up1/3 of the seas turns to blood1/3 of the rivers become bitter1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars

are darkened—1/3 of sky Suggests partial destruction

ACT IGod Warns the Persecutor

Trumpets were often used to warn Look ahead at Rev. 9:20-21.

Those left did not repent—so the warnings were not heeded

ACT IGod Warns the Persecutor

Those being warned continued to worship idols, to murder, and to rob.

So the persecutor continues his false religion and his persecution of Christians.

ACT IGod Warns the Persecutor

So the six trumpets warn through—Natural disastersInternal corruptionOutside attacks

ACT IPersecution to Increase

John gets a second scroll from which to prophesy again

ACT IPersecution to Increase

The temple (church) will be under attack for 42 months.

Christian witnesses will be under attack for 1260 days (same length of time)

ACT IPersecution to Increase

The witnesses lie in the streets of the city of the beast for 3 ½ days.

Then they are raised up showing they have won the fight.

Christianity will survive.

ACT IAnnouncement of Fall

7th Trumpet Sounds Great joy in heaven Because God will now use the

power He has been holding back.

The destroyer will be destroyed.

ACT IConclusion

Thus ends Act I. The problem of persecution

has been introduced. God has said there will be

more before it is gone. God warns the persecutor.

ACT IConclusion

The persecutor only makes the persecution worse for a symbolic 42 months.

Witnesses lay down their lives but God raises them up.

ACT IConclusion

Heaven rejoices because God will now make His move.

With this anouncement comes the end of Act I.

We have studied 4-11.