Ch 12-14 Signs about the message of the open scroll Flashcards
What does John call the series of visions after the seven trumpets?
John calls them ‘signs’.
What does the word ‘signs’ literally mean?
‘Signs’ literally means ‘symbols’.
What do the visions explore?
The visions explore the message of the open scroll in greater depth.
What does the first vision reveal?
It reveals the cosmic spiritual battle behind the suffering of the seven churches under Roman persecution.
What ancient conflict does this vision manifest?
It manifests the ancient conflict that began in Genesis chapter 3.
How is the serpent depicted in this vision?
The serpent is depicted as a dragon.
Who do the woman and her seed represent?
They represent the Messiah and his people.
How does the Messiah defeat the dragon?
The Messiah defeats the dragon through his death and resurrection.
What does the dragon inspire after being cast to earth?
The dragon inspires hatred and persecution of the Messiah’s people.
How will the Messiah’s people conquer the dragon?
They will conquer the dragon by resisting his influence, even if it kills them.
What is John’s message to the churches regarding their real enemy?
Neither Rome nor any other nation or human is the real enemy; there are dark spiritual powers at work.
What will Jesus’ followers announce?
They will announce Jesus’ victory by remaining faithful and loving their enemies.
What does John’s next vision retell?
It retells the story of the same conflict in the earthly symbolism of Daniel’s animal visions.
What do the two beasts represent?
One beast represents national military power that conquers through violence, and the other symbolizes the economic propaganda machine.
What do the beasts demand from the nations?
The beasts demand full allegiance from the nations.
What symbolizes the allegiance to the beast?
Taking the mark of the beast and his number, 666, on the forehead or hand.
What is the significance of the mark of the beast?
It is the anti-Shema, a reference to the Shema, an ancient Jewish prayer of allegiance to God.
What does the Shema symbolize?
It symbolizes devoting all your thoughts and actions to the one true God.
What does the number 666 represent?
It represents the Hebrew letters for ‘Nero Caesar’ and the word ‘Beast’.
What is the pattern John illustrates with the beastly nations?
The nations become beasts when they exalt their own power and economic security as a false god.
Who stands opposed to the beastly nations?
The slain Lamb stands opposed to the beastly nations.
What do the faithful followers of the Lamb do?
They give their lives to follow him and sing a song of victory.
What does John call the message from the New Jerusalem?
He calls it ‘the eternal gospel’.
What do the faithful call everyone to do?
They call everyone to repent and to worship God and to come out of Babylon.
What symbolizes the final judgment in John’s vision?
It is symbolized by two harvests: a good harvest of grain and a harvest of wine grapes.
What does the good harvest represent?
It represents King Jesus gathering his faithful people to himself.
What does the harvest of wine grapes represent?
It represents humanity’s intoxication with evil, taken to the winepress and trampled.
What stark choice does John place before the seven churches?
Will they resist the lure of Babylon and follow the Lamb, or will they follow the beast and suffer its defeat?
