S – Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought, ⁸ but he could not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven any longer. ⁹ So the great dragon was thrown out—the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world. He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him.

Revelation 12:7–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

The outcome of the war was that Satan was hurled to the earth, and his character was clearly revealed in the various titles ascribed to him: the great dragon … that ancient serpent … the devil or Satan. With him went the fallen angels of the demon world.

While the concept of Satan in heaven is difficult to comprehend, it is clear that he is now the accuser of saints (cf. Job 1:6; Rev. 12:10). Though Satan was defeated at the first coming of Christ (John 16:11), his execution was delayed and is in stages. Here (Rev. 12:8–9) he will be cast out of heaven in the middle of the Tribulation. Later he will be bound for the duration of the millennial kingdom (20:1–3). The devil will finally be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur (20:10) where the world ruler (Antichrist) and the false prophet will have been cast a thousand years earlier.

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 959.

A – We have an enemy today and his name is Satan.  He is an accuser, liar and he deals in deception.  The way we do our own battles with him in our daily walk is know the truth – God’s word.  The Truth allows us to speak victory over everything in our lives because God is intimate to all of those thoughts, words and actions.  We live from a place of victory because Jesus already won it when he went to the cross.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Truth.  Thank you God for being the absolute truth.  You do not change.  Your character and power are timeless and we can uphold your Truth as way to defeat the enemy in our own lives.  Give us courage and strength to fight the enemy and walk in your truth today.

S – The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. 

Revelation 11:15 CSB

O – Commentary:

The fact that this will be fulfilled at the Second Coming makes it clear that the period of the seventh trumpet chronologically reaches to Christ’s return. Therefore the seventh trumpet introduces and includes the seven bowl judgments of the wrath of God revealed in chapter 16. In contrast with previous trumpets where a single voice was heard, here a mighty chorus from heaven joined in the proclamation.

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 956–957.

A – Jesus Christ is coming back to rule and reign over the kingdom of the world.  Even as the the turbulence of this time continues and lives are impacted and lost in the process – it is leading to the victorious return of Christ.  Knowing all this is coming, it should cause us to examine our own relationship with God.  The fear (reverence and awe) of God should draw us to him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God and Jesus is Lord and Savior.  We want to proclaim you are Lord over all the earth.  We want our lives to be a living testimony of your greatness, character and love.

S – And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down!” 

Revelation 10:4 CSB

O – Commentary:

Revelation reveals God’s intentions in the world without eliminating the mystery of God’s ways. The martyrs did not receive an immediate answer to their cries (6:10), the meaning of the seventh seal is cloaked in silence (8:1), and here the seven thunders are kept secret (cp. Dan 12:9). • Keep secret: Literally Seal up.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Re 10:4.

A – Interesting that in Revelation there is a part that will remain a mystery.  Deuteronomy 29:29 talks about how “The secret things belong to the Lord…”  God has secrets that for his purposes he will not reveal.  We must have faith that he will disclose what is necessary in his timing.  This is also true in our own lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Perfect.  Thank you for your character that is without blemish or fault.  This allows us to have faith and trust in you without any reservation.  Help us to grow in this today.

 S – The rest of the people, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. ²¹ And they did not repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts. 

Revelation  9:20–21 CSB

O – Commentary

Though the judgment was devastating and obviously from God, it did not bring men to repentance, and they continued to worship demons and their representation in idols and kept on murdering and participating in the occult (magic arts, pharmakeiōn, from which is derived “pharmacies”; cf. Gal. 5:20; Rev. 18:23; 21:8; 22:15), their sexual immorality, and thievery.

The trumpet judgments clearly grew in a crescendo, becoming worse and more devastating. In spite of the clear evidence of God’s power to judge the world, no evidence was given John that there would be any change of heart on the part of the great mass of humanity. Though the sixth judgment produced fear, it did not produce repentance.

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 953–954.

A – The intensity of the judgement should have brought repentance but it did not.  Let’s not be so stuck in our sin or our own ways that we do not repent.  We must recognize our sins and confess them to God.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are Just in you judgement.  You do not judge us unfairly.  You established the absolute truth for us to follow in your word.  Help us to recognize our sin and confess them to you.  We ask that you forgive us of our sins today.

S – I looked and heard an eagle flying high overhead, crying out in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to sound!” 

Revelation 8:13 CSB

O – Commentary:

Warning was given that the next three trumpets would be more severe and devastating than those which preceded them. The triple woe announced by an eagle warned of coming judgment.

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 952.

A – Interesting that in the midst of the entire judgement, God still sends a messenger to warn the people that the worst is yet to come.  It demonstrates a heart of compassion that God has for his creation in terrible time.  Could it also be another opportunity for them to recognize God in their own life?  

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  We want our hearts to honor and align with you.  You reach out to us as and call to us daily.  Help us not to miss the opportunity to proclaim you as our Lord and Savior.

S – ¹⁰ And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, 

and to the Lamb! 

Revelation 7:10 CSB

O – Salvation – sōtēria; rescue or safety (phys. or mor.):— deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – People search for the meaning and purpose of life in all forms of fulfillment.  Eternal life is only found in God through Jesus.  This isn’t theory – this is people who are standing in God’s presence and proclaiming it as truth.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life.  We proclaim that you are the only way to eternal life and salvation.  We recognize that Jesus died for our sins and we proclaim he is our savior.  Thank you for loving us so much that you would invite us into relationship with you.

S – And I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following after him. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.

Revelation 6:8 CSB

O – Commentary:

A pale horse was introduced when the fourth seal was opened. “Pale” is literally a pale green (cf. the same word used of vegetation in Mark 6:39; Rev. 8:7; 9:4). John stated that the rider’s name was Death and that hades was following close behind him. Here is the aftermath of war, famine, and death. With war and famine people fall prey to a plague and the wild beasts of the earth. The startling fact is revealed that a fourth of the earth, or approximately a billion people by today’s population figures, will be killed by these means. It should be obvious that this is not a trivial judgment but a major factor in the Great Tribulation, thus supporting the conclusion that the Great Tribulation has begun. The first four seals may be considered as a unit and a general description of the Great Tribulation as an unprecedented time of trouble

 John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 948.

A – It is startling to think that one fourth of the world’s population would be killed in a short time frame.  It is a great reminder to share the gospel with people so they can know can be in relationship with God.

R- Heavenly Father, you are just and true.  We are all sinners and broken.  We don’t deserve mercy and grace but are we grateful that you provide it through the blood of Jesus.  Help us to have a heart for others and the boldness to share your love with them.

S -Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and also of the living creatures and of the elders. Their number was countless thousands, plus thousands of thousands. ¹² They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches 

and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! 

Revelation 5:11–12 CSB

O – There will be inumerable beings confessing the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins.  His actions on earthy allows him to receive all these treasures. 

A –  We get the benefit of forgiveness of sins because Jesus went to the cross for us.  He is ascribed all honor and the things listed in this scripture.  Interestingly, we can ask for wisdom, strength and blessing and he gives them to us.  Jesus not only paid the price for our sins; he also provides what we need for our time on earth.  He is worthy of our worship on earth and when we are with him in heaven.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of honor and glory.  We recognize that you are God and there is no other.  We worship you and confess “Worthy is the Lamb to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.”  Thank you for our relationship with you!

S – Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come. 

Revelation 4:8 CSB

O – Commentary:

The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness, his power (the Almighty), and his eternity (see note on 1:4). • Holy, holy, holy comes from Isa 6:3 and is the highest worship affirmation in Scripture. To double something makes it emphatic; to triple it makes it ultimate.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Re 4:8.

A – We worship God every day with our lives.  The purity and essence of worship in heaven is a picture of what is to come.  As we come into alignment with God’s Word and will for our lives, our thoughts, words and actions become a living worship that points only to Him. 

R – Heavenly Father, you are Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end.  You are alone are worthy of our worship and honor today.  Empower us to align our thoughts, words and actions with you so that our worship is pure and undefiled.  You are Holy, Holy, Holy and there is no God like you.

S – I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

neither hot nor cold: The hot springs in Hierapolis were famous for their healing qualities. Colosse was equally famous for its cold, refreshing springs. In contrast, the water available in Laodicea was smelly and lukewarm. Such water is distasteful; Jesus was saying that the church’s indecisive commitment to him was revolting.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Re 3:15–16.

A – Deciding to follow Jesus is not a “wishy washy” commitment.  God gives us the free will to choose Him or our own ways.  Going back in forth is an option that creates more chaos than conviction.  In good and bad, choosing God allows us access to all that God has to offer.

R – Heavenly Father, you are a good Father.  Give us courage today to make a choice.  I choose you, God.  In good and bad, your will and purpose is for my overall benefit.  I surrender my will to yours today.