Apocalypse
71 study questions and answers, quoted from the Revised Version (1885/1895).
What does the word "apocalypse" mean?
Unveiling or revelation — the disclosure of what is hidden.
Rev 1:1
Who wrote Revelation, and from where?
John, exiled on the isle called Patmos for the word of God.
Rev 1:9
What blessing opens Revelation?
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear and keep the words of the prophecy.
Rev 1:3
What threefold outline does Revelation 1:19 give?
The things seen, the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter.
Rev 1:19
Name the seven churches of Asia.
Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.
Rev 2-3
Which two churches receive no rebuke?
Smyrna and Philadelphia — the persecuted and the faithful with little strength.
Rev 2:8-11; 3:7-13
What was Ephesus' fault, and Laodicea's?
Ephesus left its first love; Laodicea was lukewarm and self-satisfied.
Rev 2:4; 3:15-17
Who alone was worthy to open the sealed book?
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, who appears as a Lamb standing as though slain.
Rev 5:5-6
What are the three series of sevens in Revelation?
Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (vials) of wrath.
Rev 6; 8-9; 16
Who are the 144,000?
Those sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel, twelve thousand from each.
Rev 7:4-8
Who is the great multitude of Revelation 7?
An innumerable crowd out of every nation, tribe, people and tongue, in white robes before the throne.
Rev 7:9
How do the saints overcome the accuser?
By the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and not loving their life unto death.
Rev 12:11
How many beasts appear in Revelation 13, and from where?
Two — one out of the sea, one out of the earth.
Rev 13:1, 11
What is Babylon in Revelation?
The great city symbolising organised worldly and religious rebellion against God, destined to fall.
Rev 17-18
What is the marriage supper of the Lamb?
The consummating feast of Christ and his bride, the Church, made ready in fine linen — the righteous acts of the saints.
Rev 19:7-9
How is Christ described at his return in Revelation 19?
On a white horse, called Faithful and True, in a vesture dipped in blood, named The Word of God.
Rev 19:11-13
What is the Great White Throne?
The final judgment of all the dead, out of the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:11-15
What five things are absent from the new creation?
Death, mourning, crying, pain — and the sea; also no more curse, night, or temple.
Rev 21:1, 4; 21:22-25; 22:3
What is the light of the New Jerusalem?
The glory of God, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof — no sun or moon needed.
Rev 21:23
What are the last recorded words of Scripture's prophecy?
"Amen: come, Lord Jesus" — followed by the closing benediction of grace.
Rev 22:20-21
How does Christ describe himself in Revelation 1:8?
'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending... the Almighty.'
Rev 1:8
What did John see holding the seven stars?
One like unto the Son of man amid seven golden candlesticks, holding seven stars in his right hand.
Rev 1:12-16
What are the seven stars and seven candlesticks?
The angels of the seven churches, and the seven churches themselves.
Rev 1:20
What promise is given to Smyrna?
'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'
Rev 2:10
What does Christ say at the door in Revelation 3?
'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.'
Rev 3:20
What is around the throne in Revelation 4?
A rainbow like an emerald, twenty-four elders, and four beasts full of eyes.
Rev 4:3-8
What do the four living creatures say continually?
'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.'
Rev 4:8
How is the Lamb described when John looks for the Lion?
'A Lamb as it had been slain,' with seven horns and seven eyes.
Rev 5:6
What are the four horsemen and their colours?
White, red, black and pale — conquest, war, famine and death.
Rev 6:2-8
What is under the fifth seal?
The souls of the martyrs, crying 'How long, O Lord?' and given white robes.
Rev 6:9-11
What is the name of the star that falls in Revelation 8?
Wormwood, which makes a third of the waters bitter.
Rev 8:11
What did the little book taste like to John?
Sweet as honey in his mouth, but bitter in his belly.
Rev 10:10
How long do the two witnesses prophesy?
A thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:3
What happens at the seventh trumpet?
Voices declare, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.'
Rev 11:15
Who is the woman clothed with the sun?
A figure variously read as Israel, the Church, or Mary, bearing the man child.
Rev 12:1-5
What is the number of the beast?
Six hundred threescore and six — 'the number of a man.'
Rev 13:18
What do the three angels of Revelation 14 proclaim?
The everlasting gospel, the fall of Babylon, and warning against the beast's mark.
Rev 14:6-11
What song do the victors sing by the sea of glass?
'The song of Moses... and the song of the Lamb.'
Rev 15:3
How long is Satan bound in Revelation 20?
A thousand years, then loosed a little season.
Rev 20:2-3
What books are opened at the judgment?
The books of works, and 'another book... which is the book of life.'
Rev 20:12
What is the second death?
The lake of fire, into which death and hell are cast.
Rev 20:14
How is the New Jerusalem described coming down?
'Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.'
Rev 21:2
What will God do with every tear?
'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.'
Rev 21:4
What grows on either side of the river of life?
The tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations.
Rev 22:2
What warning closes Revelation about the book's words?
Against adding to or taking from the words of the prophecy.
Rev 22:18-19
What are the four main schools of interpreting Revelation?
Preterist, historicist, futurist and idealist.
Rev 1:1
What Old Testament book most shapes Revelation's imagery?
Ezekiel, with Daniel, Isaiah, Zechariah and Exodus close behind.
Rev 4; 10; 21
Why is the number seven so prominent?
It signifies completeness — seven churches, seals, trumpets, bowls, spirits, stars.
Rev 1:4
What does Revelation say about its own reading?
Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy.
Rev 1:3
What is promised to the overcomer in each of the seven letters?
A distinct reward — the tree of life, the crown, hidden manna, the morning star, white raiment, a pillar, and the throne.
Rev 2-3
What is significant about Laodicea's lukewarmness?
The city's water arrived tepid via aqueduct, neither hot for healing nor cold for refreshment.
Rev 3:15-16
Who are the twenty-four elders?
Likely the twelve patriarchs with the twelve apostles, representing the whole people of God.
Rev 4:4
What is the scroll with seven seals?
The book of God's purposes for history, which none but the Lamb can open.
Rev 5:1-5
What new song is sung to the Lamb?
That he was slain and redeemed men out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation.
Rev 5:9
What do the martyrs under the altar ask?
'How long, O Lord... dost thou not judge and avenge our blood?'
Rev 6:10
What is the sealing of the servants of God for?
Protection and ownership before the judgments proceed.
Rev 7:3
Where does the great multitude come from?
Out of great tribulation, having washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:14
What do the prayers of the saints do in Revelation 8?
They ascend with incense before God, and fire from the altar is cast to the earth.
Rev 8:3-5
What is the significance of the two witnesses' resurrection?
After three and a half days they stand and ascend, and their enemies see it.
Rev 11:11-12
What is the war in heaven about?
Michael and his angels cast out the dragon, the accuser of the brethren.
Rev 12:7-10
What does the dragon do after being cast down?
He persecutes the woman and makes war with the remnant of her seed.
Rev 12:17
What is the mark of the beast contrasted with?
The seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.
Rev 13:16-17; 14:1
What is said of those who die in the Lord?
'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord... their works do follow them.'
Rev 14:13
What does the harvest imagery of Revelation 14 depict?
Two reapings — a grain harvest and a grape harvest trodden in the winepress.
Rev 14:14-20
How is Babylon's fall announced and lamented?
By an angel's cry, and mourned by kings, merchants and shipmasters who profited from her.
Rev 18:2,11-19
What are the names of the returning Christ in Revelation 19?
Faithful and True, The Word of God, and KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev 19:11-16
What is the testimony of Jesus said to be?
The spirit of prophecy.
Rev 19:10
What are the dimensions and shape of the New Jerusalem?
A cube, twelve thousand furlongs in length, breadth and height.
Rev 21:16
What is absent from the New Jerusalem that was central to the old?
A temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:22
How does Revelation invite the reader at the close?
'Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'
Rev 22:17
What is the last prayer of the Bible?
'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.'
Rev 22:20