July 19, 2020 – Revelation 10 – 11

Lesson Date: July 19, 2020

Focal Scripture Passage: Revelation 10:1 – 11:19

AIM: To lead students to recognize that God is in complete and sovereign control of future events, and to encourage them to repent of their sins and ask for His merciful forgiveness so they will be ready to face Him one day.

Before class: Read the notes on Revelation 10 – 11 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. The seven “seal” envelopes you have used the last two weeks should still be posted somewhere in your classroom. The grid filled with information about the first six trumpet judgments should still be on the marker board or chalkboard. Today you will complete the grid by adding information about the seventh trumpet. If you brought some sort of trumpet to class last week have it available today. Post a sign or banner in the classroom that says, “God Is In Control.”

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to the sign or banner that says, “God Is In Control.” Ask: “What do you think about that statement? Do you believe it?” After some responses, ask: “What about when things in our world seem to be out of control? Is God still in control when the world seems to be spiraling out of control?” Allow time for responses.

Ask: “How does it make you feel to know that God is in control?” (it gives us peace and comfort in troubling times). Tell the students if we watch a previously recorded sporting event for which we already know the final outcome, we don’t get as nervous when the score is tight or our team is behind. Similarly, if we watch a movie or TV show we have seen before, the tense scenes in which the outcome seems in doubt are not as stressful to us. In a much greater way, we can have peace knowing that God is in control of the future.

Tell the class today’s lesson illustrates the fact that God is in control, both in the present and in the future. In this lesson we will hear an important announcement, learn about two very special witnesses, and see what will happen when the seventh trumpet sounds.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Tell the students that we are halfway through our study of the book of Revelation.
   • Remind them that the book of Revelation contains Christ’s plan for judging this sinful world, defeating Satan and his evil forces, and reclaiming His rightful place on the throne as Lord and King of the universe (chapters 4 and 5).
   • Direct the students’ attention to the seven “seal” envelopes. The opening of those seals unleashed terrible judgment upon the earth (chapter 6).
   • Between the sixth and seventh seals, however, there was a pause in which God sealed 144,000 Jewish evangelists and showed us a great multitude of Gentile martyrs in heaven (chapter 7).
   • Direct the students’ attention to the grid on the board containing information about the first six trumpet judgments.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (the blowing of six of the seven trumpets).
   • Stress the fact that each succeeding judgment was worse than the one before.
   • Ask if any volunteer would recite last week’s memory verses (Rom. 8:38-39).
   • Tell the class that just as there was a pause between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals, today’s passage includes a pause between the blowing of the sixth and seventh trumpets.
2. An Important Announcement.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 10:1-4.
   • Ask: “What did John see?” (another mighty angel, holding a little open book or scroll, and standing on the land and the sea).
   • Tell the class the angel cried out with a very loud voice, after which John heard seven thunders. John was about to write what the seven thunders said, but a voice from heaven told him not to do so.
   • Read Revelation 10:5-7.
   • Tell the students the angel raised his hand toward heaven, as if making a solemn vow or pledge. The angel then made an important announcement.
   • Explain that the word time in verse 6 literally means delay or interval of time.
   • Ask: “What did the angel announce?” (there will be no more delay; the mysteries of God will be finished and revealed when the seventh trumpet is blown).
   • This means things are about to happen very fast; the completion of God’s judgment will come very quickly.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 10:8-11.
   • Tell the class that God’s messengers are often called upon to deliver bitter messages, but being obedient to deliver those messages produces a sweet reward. John was told that he must prophesy again about more judgments the Lord will send upon the world.
   • Summarize: John saw a mighty angel that made an important announcement. The angel announced that God’s judgment would no longer be delayed.
3. Two Very Special Witnesses.
   • Read Revelation 11:1-2.
   • Tell the class that the angel gave John a measuring rod and told him to measure the Temple, the altar, and those worshipping there. Measuring denotes ownership.
   • Explain that during the first half of the Tribulation, Jerusalem will be under the protection of a peace treaty with the Antichrist. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, however, the Antichrist will defile the Temple by setting himself up as god (see 2 Thess. 2:3-4 and 13:15). After this, Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by unbelieving Gentiles for 42 months (the last half of the Tribulation).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 11:3-4.
   • Tell the students that God will send two witnesses to preach in Jerusalem for 3½ years (the last half of the Tribulation), fulfilling the prophecy found in Zechariah 4:3, 14.
   • Read Revelation 11:5-6.
   • Explain that the two witnesses will be Old Testament style prophets, similar to Moses and Elijah. They will preach repentance and faith.
   • Ask: “What kind of power will the witnesses possess?” (power to kill anyone who opposes them, power to prevent it from raining during the time of their ministry, power to bring plagues upon the earth, and power to turn water to blood).
   • Tell the class these witnesses will receive worldwide attention because of their message, power, and invincibility.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 11:7-12.
   • Ask: “According to verses 7-8, what will happen to the two witnesses?” (when their ministry is finished the Antichrist will kill them and their bodies will be left on display in the street in Jerusalem).
   • Ask: “According to verses 9-10, how will the people of earth react to their death?” (they will celebrate, giving gifts to one another).
   • Ask: “What will happen after their bodies have laid in the street of Jerusalem for 3½ days?” (they will rise from the dead and be visibly called up to heaven).
   • Ask: “How will people on earth react when this happens?” (“great fear” will fall upon them).
   • Read Revelation 11:13-14.
   • Tell the students when the two witnesses ascend to heaven a great earthquake will occur that will kill 7,000 people and destroy a tenth of Jerusalem.
     • Note that “the remnant” will be terrified and will glorify God.
     • This appears to be genuine repentance and salvation experienced by some Jews in Jerusalem.
     • As such, it is the only time in the book of Revelation where plague, torment, or disaster resulted in repentance.
   • Tell the class the 2^nd woe is past and the 3^rd woe will follow close behind it.
   • Summarize: Two special witnesses will proclaim the Gospel in Jerusalem during the second half of the Tribulation. The Antichrist will kill them, but God will raise them from the dead and call them up to heaven.
4. The Seventh Trumpet.
   • Read Revelation 10:7 to remind the class of the significance of the seventh trumpet.
   • Read Revelation 11:15-19, one verse at a time. Explain or ask the following:
     • Verse 15 – Ask: “What did John hear?” (great voices in heaven announcing that the time had come for Jesus to take rule over the kingdoms of this world and establish His everlasting kingdom).
     • Verse 16 – Ask: “What will the elders (the glorified church in heaven) do?” (worship God).
     • Verse 17 – They will thank the Lord God Almighty that He has taken His great power and rightful place as ruler of the universe.
     • Verse 18 – Ask: “How will the lost nations of earth react?” (they will be angry). Note that the Lord will “give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great.”
     • Verse 19 – Ask: “What did John see next?” (the heavenly Temple was opened, revealing the Ark of the Covenant). Explain that the source of mercy and salvation will become the source of God’s ultimate judgment and wrath upon those who reject His mercy. The earth will react with storms and an earthquake.
   • Tell the students this is an awe-inspiring scene foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate victory at the end of the Tribulation.
   • Complete the grid on the board with the information below.
   • Summarize: The seventh trumpet foreshadows Christ’s final victory at the end of the Tribulation, which begins His endless reign.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Direct the students’ attention once again to the sign or banner that says, “God Is In Control.” Tell them the world often seems out of control (coronavirus, for example). The events described in today’s lesson certainly will be disastrous and chaotic. Regardless of what’s going in the world right now or what will happen during the tumultuous future Tribulation period, God is always in control!

Even more than knowing the outcome of a sporting event or TV show, knowing that God is in control gives us peace, confidence, and comfort when we face troubling times or circumstances. Things may look bad right now, but God has a plan and purpose for it all and He will win the ultimate victory. Tell the students if we belong to Jesus we are on the winning side, regardless of how the world may treat us now.

Remind the students that during the last half of the Tribulation God will send two very special witnesses to earth, warning people of impending judgment and urging them to repent of their sins. God is merciful and patiently urges people to repent, but His patience will not last forever. One day He will send violent, destructive judgment upon those who reject Him.

Tell the class that since God is in control the future is certain and judgment is certain. Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes. Urge any who have not yet repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ to do so now. Tell any who are already saved to confess and repent of all known sins in their lives. After a moment of silent prayer, voice a closing prayer, asking God for forgiveness and mercy.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Galatians 6:7-8. Ask them to look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus this week and to invite them to come to Sunday School. Next week’s lesson is about the background of sin and some more future events.