Steve PetchSunday 6th June 2010

Part 10: He is coming like a thiefRevelation 16:1 – 21

The Seven Seals1.Wars / conquerors2.International strife3.Famine4.Pestilence / death5.Christians persecuted6.The end; everything is shaken; Jesus returns******An interlude******7. Final judgement

The Seven Trumpets1.Disasters – 1/3 of land2.Disasters – 1/3 of sea3.Disasters – 1/3 of rivers4.Disasters – 1/3 of heavens5.Unbelievers tormented6.Demonically inspired armies; mass slaughter*******An Interlude*******7. God’s kingdom comes

When will these events happen?

These seven bowls cover the whole of ‘AD history’

How does this relate to the rest of Revelation?

Revelation repeatedly describes the same events / time periods!

How should we interpret these seven seals, trumpets and bowls?

We must look for the spiritual lessons, not for specific historical events

The Seven Seals1.Wars / conquerors2.International strife3.Famine4.Pestilence / death5.Christians persecuted6.The end; everything is shaken; Jesus returns******An interlude******7. Final judgement

The Seven Trumpets1.Disasters – 1/3 of land2.Disasters – 1/3 of sea3.Disasters – 1/3 of rivers4.Disasters – 1/3 of heavens5.Unbelievers tormented6.Demonically inspired armies; mass slaughter*******An Interlude*******7. God’s kingdom comes

The Seven Trumpets1.Disasters – 1/3 of land2.Disasters – 1/3 of sea3.Disasters – 1/3 of rivers4.Disasters – 1/3 of heavens5.Unbelievers tormented6.Demonically inspired armies; mass slaughter*******An Interlude*******7. God’s kingdom comes

The Seven Bowls1.Poured on the land2.Poured on the sea3.Poured on the rivers4.Poured on the sun5.Darkness; followers of the beast tormented6.The nations gathered in final rebellion7. “It is done”

“His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite

… his legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold”

Song of Songs

How should we interpret these seven seals, trumpets and bowls?

We must look for the spiritual lessons, not for specific historical events

Jesus is coming like a thief…•We do not know when Jesus will return

•We are encouraged to read the signs of the times

•He could even come today

•In the mean time … we have a job to do

•For Christians the return of Jesus will be good news

Steve PetchSunday 6th June 2010

Part 10: He is coming like a thiefRevelation 16:1 – 21