INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER KC

FORERUNNER SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

THE BOOK OF REVELATION

MIKE BICKLE 

IHOP-KC Missions Base www.IHOP.org

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Session 8 The Rapture: Victory in the Eschatological War (Rev. 11-14)
 
I.    OVERVIEW OF REV. 11:15-14:20: RAPTURE, ANTICHRIST AND OUR SURE VICTORY
 
 

A.    The third section revealing the chronological events in Jesus’ action plan describe the Rapture of the Church and Jesus immediately replacing all of the world governments (Rev. 11:15-19)
 
B.    The third angelic explanation (parenthetical section) answers why Jesus’ wrath is so severe as to require the replacing of all governments on earth and what happens to the saints? How will the Antichrist attack them (Rev. 12-13)? How will Jesus help us come to certain victory (Rev. 14)?
 
 

II.    THE RAPTURE AND REPLACEMENT OF ALL WORLD GOVERNMENTS (REV. 11:15-19)

 

15 The seventh angel sounded…loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord…18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time…that You should reward…the saints…and destroy those who destroy the earth. (Rev. 11:15-18)
 
A.    This is the third section in which the chronological events in Jesus’ action plan are seen. Jesus will replace all the evil world governments with His government. This will be a “hostile take over” because the nations will be angry at Jesus and will resist His right to rule their nation. At this time, Jesus will reward the saints and completely destroy those who destroy the earth.
 
B.    The mystery of God or His plan to prepare a Bride to rule the earth with Jesus is now complete.
 
7 In the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery (hidden plan) of God would be finished, as He declared to His…prophets. (Rev. 10:7)
 
C.    Paul made it clear the Rapture takes place at the Last Trumpet which is the seventh trumpet. We see the impact of the Rapture on world governments. This trumpet continues in the pattern seen in the chronological sections which describe what takes place on earth rather than in the sky.
 
51 We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment…at the Last Trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible...        (1 Cor. 15:51-52)

16 The Lord will descend from heaven…with the Trumpet of God…17 We who are alive…shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thes. 4:16-17)
 
D.    Jesus raptures the Church to initiate His Second Coming Procession which has 3 stages including many events occurring over a 30 day period which can be seen by comparing the 1,260 days (3½ year) in Rev. 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan. 7:25; 9:27; 12:7 with the 1,290 days of Dan. 12:11.
 
Stage #1: Jesus’ procession across the sky: to rapture the Church (Mt. 24:30-31; Rev. 1:7)
 
Stage #2: Jesus’ procession on the land: traveling from through Jordan to Israel (Isa. 63; Hab. 3)
 
Stage #3: Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem: to the Mount of Olives followed by His coronation
 
See www.IHOP.org for extensive biblical support for Jesus’ 30-Day Procession
 
 

III.    THIRD ANGELIC EXPLANATION (PARENTHESIS): WAR IN THE SPIRIT (REV. 12-14)
 
 

A.    The third angelic explanation (parenthetical section) is in Rev. 12-14. It answers why Jesus’ wrath is so severe as to require the replacing of all governments on earth and what will happen to the saints. What will the Antichrist do to us (Rev. 12-13) and how will Jesus help us (Rev. 14)?
 
B.    This section gives us insight into the magnitude of the attack against God’s people as well as anointing us for certainty of victory. Satan overcomes people first by fear which opens the door to many compromises. The Church will overcome Satan and the Antichrist (Rev. 12:11; 15:2; 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7). Fear will NOT dominate our spirit and extinguish our faith.
 
C.    We see a fierce war in the spirit between the Antichrist and God’s people in the years leading up to the Rapture. Rev. 12 describes Satan’s war in the heavens with Michael. Rev. 13 describes the Antichrist’s war on earth against the saints in seeking to gain leadership over all the nations. Rev. 14 tells us in 7 different visions what Jesus will do to help the Church come to certain victory. 
 
D.    The 7 main symbols in Revelation are all in this parenthetical section of Scripture (Rev. 12-14). Daniel used most of these symbols (Dan 7:3-7, 12, 17; 8:4). He prophesied of the Antichrist as the Beast with a vast empire (Dan. 7:7, 11, 19-23) that was supported by 10 kings who he spoke of as 10 horns on the Antichrist (Dan. 7:7, 20, 24; 2:41-42; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16).
 
E.    The dragon: is always symbolic of Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2).
 
F.    The first Beast: is symbolic of the Antichrist (Rev. 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10).
 
G.    Another Beast: is symbolic of the False Prophet who is only called, “another Beast” one time. Every other time he is called the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-17; 16:13; 19:20; 20:10).
 
H.    The 7 heads: are 7 empires from history that persecuted Israel (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, revived Roman Empire of Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3-16). 
 
I.    The 10 horns: speak of a future 10-nation confederation of ten kings that rule simultaneously over their own nation as they come into an enthusiastic agreement or partnership together under the Antichrist’s authority (Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; 11:36-45; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16).
 
J.    The Harlot Babylon: will be established in the literal re-built city of Babylon on the Euphrates River in Iraq (50 miles south of Baghdad) that will be restored and used as a headquarters for the Antichrist. It will function as the center of worldwide demonic religious and economic networks (Rev. 17-18; Isa. 13-14; 21; Jer. 50-51). It will seduce many to sin and to persecute the saints.
 
K.    The Woman with the Male-child (Jesus): the woman is the faithful remnant of Israel through history (Rev. 12:1-5). Satan wars with her offspring who are Gentile believers (Rev. 12:17).
 
 

IV.    WAR BREAKS OUT IN HEAVEN REV. 12
 
 

A.    In Rev. 12, war will break out in heaven between Satan and Michael the archangel. The result is that Satan will be cast to the earth. This will happen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
 
7 War broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon (Satan); and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 The dragon…called the Devil…was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him… 12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth…for the devil has come down to you, having great wrath (fury, NIV), because he knows that he has a short time. 13 When the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman (remnant of Israel)...17 The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring (Gentile believers), who…have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:7-17)
 
B.    Some teach that this war in heaven occurred at the cross and that Satan is now confined to the earth. Paul taught that we war against Satan’s host that operate in the heavenly places in this age.
 
12 We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities…against the rulers of the darkness…against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)
 
C.    Satan will be enraged at Israel to such a degree that he will seek to exterminate the entire nation.
 
D.    Satan seeks to overcome us first with fear. Why? He knows that fear opens the door in a person’s life to many compromises. Many will worship the Antichrist out of fear of lacking life resources. Jesus prophesied that many will faint with fear. The Praying Church will overcome Satan and the Antichrist (Rev. 12:11; 15:2; 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7). Fear need not dominate us.

26 Men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. (Lk. 21:26)
 
 

V.    SATAN WARS THROUGH THE ANTICHRIST AND FALSE PROPHET      (REV. 13)
 
 

A.    Satan will continue his war against God’s people by using his main two weapons of war, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. They will be supported by a ten-nation confederation. The Antichrist’s main goal is to be worshipped by all nations and to rule them (Rev. 13:4, 8).
 
3 The Dragon (Satan) gave him (Antichrist) his power, his throne, and great authority…4 They worshiped the Dragon…and they worshiped the Beast, saying, "Who is like the Beast? Who is able to make war with him?" 5 He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for 42 months. (Rev. 13:3-5)

7 It was granted to him (Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome (oppress and/or kill) them. Authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. (Rev. 13:7)

21 I was watching; and the same horn (Antichrist) was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them…25 he shall persecute the saints of the Most High… (Dan. 7:21-25)
 
B.    The Antichrist is the final world leader who wages war against God’s people. He has a political, military and economic alliance with a ten-nation confederation that provides him with the largest army, the most money and power (spiritual/political/military) of any man in history.
 
C.    This tells us why Jesus has to replace all the governments on earth because billions of people will willingly choose to worship the Antichrist as their god Rev. 13:8. Consequently, they will operate in his same spirit and do the same deeds of darkness. God will allow man’s free will to be exercised to its full degree. Thus, the seven Bowls of wrath will be necessary to stop evil men from exterminating the whole human race and polluting the earth with evil.
 
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8)
 
D.    In Rev. 13:11-18, the False Prophet is the leader of the future worldwide religious network that is devoted to causing all the nations to worship Satan and the Antichrist (Rev. 13:4, 8).
 
11 I saw another beast (False Prophet)…he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. (Rev. 13:11)
 
E.    John revealed the False Prophet’s three most effective strategies.
 

    1.    First, he will give demonically empowered public speeches that will be confirmed by great miracles to deceive the masses (Rev. 13:12-14).
 
12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast…and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first Beast…13 He performs great signs…14 He deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs… (Rev. 13:12-14)
 
    2.    Second, he will promote the Abomination of Desolation (Mt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:3-4) which will be based on an image of the Beast or a stature of the Antichrist being set up in the Jerusalem Temple. It will be a demonically empowered statue that breathes and speaks and causes all the nations to worship the Antichrist (Rev. 13:14-15).
 
14 Telling those who dwell on earth to make an image (statue) to the Beast…15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the Beast, that (it) should speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the Beast to be killed. (Rev. 13:14-15)

3 The son of perdition (Antichrist) 4 opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God…sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thes. 2:3-4)
 
    3.    Third, he will force the nations to worship the Antichrist by the mark of the Beast on their hand or forehead to force all to publicly declare their loyalty to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:16-17). To refuse this mark will result in not being able to buy or sell the necessities of life along with being guilty of the death penalty. He will use the power of the state to kill all who resist the Antichrist’s demands (Rev. 13:15).
 
16 He causes all…to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead…17 that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark…18 His number is 666. (Rev. 13:16-18)
 
 

VI.    JESUS WILL SUPERNATURALLY HELP THE CHURCH COME TO VICTORY (REV. 14)
 
 

A.    The message of Rev. 14 is that Jesus will help us and that there will be real consequences for both righteousness and unrighteousness. Jesus promises to reward His people and to judge the followers of the Antichrist. This knowledge removes all the options for compromise and in this posture of heart, the Holy Spirit will help anoint the Church to walk in victory as overcomers.
 
B.    This section will inspire confidence that righteousness is absolutely necessary and that Jesus will help us with great power even with angelic intervention until we fully triumph. We must not yield to the deceptive allurements for the mark of the Beast nor be intimidated by the rage of the Antichrist and his followers who will all soon be overthrown.
 
C.    First section (Rev. 14:1-5): Jesus will visit and anoint 144,000 prophetic singers who will be a model for victory in the midst of persecution as well as provide great strength to the Church by the prophetic singing that releases great revelation and power. Jesus will stand with them on Mt. Zion in earthly Jerusalem. These singers will prophecy in power during the last 3½ years, and will be sealed or protected by the power of God in the midst of God’s judgments (Rev. 7:4-8).
 
1 Behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They (the harpist) sang as it were a new song before the Throne…and no one could learn that song except the 144,000…4 These are the ones who were not defiled with (immoral) women, for they are virgins (celibates). These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes…5 In their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault (compromise)… (Rev. 14:1-5)
 
    1.    John saw Jesus standing on Mount Zion in Jerusalem with 144,000 prophetic singers as He stood with the disciples in Emmaus (Lk. 24:27-47) and the apostles (Acts 1:3) to open the Scriptures to them. Jesus will personally commission and anoint. Their calling may relate to the seven thunder prophecies (Rev. 10). They will be deeply dedicated to Jesus and filled with prophetic revelation. The “they” of verse 3 are the harpists who are also singers who sing a new song and who teach the new song to the 144,000.
 
    2.    There will be 144,000 prophetic singers from the 5-6 million Jewish intercessors who call on God’s name in worship and intercession in Zech. 13:9. These 144,000 prophetic singers will support the Two Witnesses in prophetic intercession.
 
    3.    Jesus will raise up prophetic singers to release His power in the great war as seen when Jehoshaphat stationed the singers to lead the battle (2 Chr. 20). Isaiah prophesied about prophetic singers across nations who will also sing heaven’s new songs in the End-Times.
 
10 Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea…you coastlands…11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice…let them shout from the top of the mountains….13 The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man (at the Second Coming);  He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out…He shall prevail against His enemies. (Isa. 42:10-13)
 

D.    Second section (Rev. 14:6-13): reveals four prophetic promises and proclamations that the Spirit will anoint so as to strengthen the spirit of the saints and will confirm with signs and wonders.
 
    1.    In Rev. 14:6-7, we will receive angelic assistance and great power that we may succeed in preaching the Gospel to all nations in the presence of hostility (Mt. 24:14; Rev. 7:9).
 
6 I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- 7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth…" (Rev. 14:6-7)
 
    2.    In Rev. 14:8, the anointed proclamation of the certainty of the total defeat of the Harlot Babylon will strengthen us (Rev. 17-18).
 
8 Another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." (Rev. 14:8)
 
    3.    In Rev. 14:9-11, the anointed proclamation of the certainty of eternal judgment coming on all who worship the Antichrist will embolden the saints.
 
9 A third angel…saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the Beast and his image, and receives his mark…10 he shall drink of…the wrath of God…He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone... 11 they have no rest day or night." (Rev. 14:9-11)
 
    4.    In Rev. 14:12-13, the anointed proclamation of the certainty of eternal reward for being faithful will greatly strengthen the Church.
 
12 Here is the patience (perseverance) of the saints…who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…their works follow them." (Rev. 14:12-13)
 
    E.    Third section (Rev. 14:14-20): reveals two different End-Time harvests to be released by prayer. The harvest of souls is seen in Rev. 14:14-16 and the harvest of sin in Rev. 14:17-20. These show the results of prayers that release power for the Great Harvest and End-Time judgments.
 
14 Behold…One like the Son of Man (Jesus), having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 Another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him…, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap…for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So He… thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. (Rev. 14:14-16)
 
    F.    A river of blood runs 200 miles or the distance from Megiddo in the north to Bozrah in the south (Israel is 160 miles from north to south). A furlong equals a stadia (NIV) and is about 200 yds.
 
17 Another angel came…having a sharp sickle. 18 Another angel came out from the altar…cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 The winepress was trampled…and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for 1,600 furlongs (200 miles). (Rev. 14:17-20)
 

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