Learn the Revelation

This chapter is the first of several in which John revisits the first half of the tribulation and shown, in more detail, events and characters not revealed to him earlier.

v.1-2 “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months,”

Israel’s future temple is in view here. But there are two temples in Israel’s future, so we need to make a distinction, look at God’s word to explain the meaning

Before the seventh trumpet is sounded, John watches Jesus lay claim to the planet, give Sovereign notice to Satan that his rule has been vanquished, and openly proclaim that He will no longer delay the outpouring of His fierce wrath.

v.1-4 “And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on His head, His face was like the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire. And He had a little book open in His hand. And He set His right foot on the sea and His left foot on the land, and He cried with a loud voice as when a lion roars. And when He cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write:

1. When the fifth trumpet was sounded, John saw a “star” falling from heaven in possession of the key to the bottomless pit. Which is probably the best explanation? (v.1)

• a. It was an angel commissioned by God to open the bottomless pit
• b. It was our Lord Jesus Christ, because He possesses the key to the bottomless pit
• c. It was Satan to whom Jesus gave the key
• d. It was a demon to whom Satan gave the key

2. True or False. When the bottomless pit was opened, it unleashed a horde of swarming locust-demons. (vs. 2-4)

3. According to the commandment of God, these “locusts” were given great authority and power to inflict pain but were strictly prohibited from harming which of the following?

In this chapter, demons invade the planet at the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets.

v.1 “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. And to him was given the key to the bottomless pit.”

As the fifth trumpet sounds, John sees “a star” fall from heaven and given “the key to the bottomless pit.”

The “bottomless pit,” or more literally, “the pit of the abyss,” speaks of that place located inside the earth (Eph.4:9) now serving as the holding cell for all unsaved disembodied spirits (Rev.20:13-15). The “key” signifies the power and authority over the bottomless pit. In other words, what John

1. True or False. When Jesus removed the seventh and final seal from the scroll, John in effect said: “All of heaven, the four living creatures surrounding the throne, all the hosts of angels, and everyone else became absolutely quiet for about thirty minutes.” (v.1)

2. John witnessed seven angels receive one trumpet each after Jesus removed the final seal. Who are they? (v.2)

• a. The ones who “stand before God”
• b. The arch angels
• c. Michael, Gabriel, and five unnamed angels
• d. All of the above

3. Which of the following best explains why John witnessed another angel moving about the temple in heaven offering up to God “the prayers of the Tribulation saints”? (vs. 3-5)

• a. God