Tuesday

 11 Nov 2025 at 11am, in Plaza Hall.
Speaker: Dr Eileen Poh
Adjunct Faculty of Discipleship Training Centre
Dr Eileen Poh practised law for several years before commencing theological studies. She has a Law degree from Singapore, MDiv ( TTC, Singapore ), PhD in Biblical Studies, University of London, UK. She is married to Philip Satterthwaite, an Old Testament and Hebrew lecturer at Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST).

To register, text your name to 9178 9338/9484 6652.

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Overview of Revelation (B)

1. The things which you have seen ( Past )
   The Risen Christ among the 7 Churches. (Rev 1)
2. The things which are ( Present )
   Christ’s letters to the 7 Churches. (Rev 2,3)
3. The things which will take place. ( Future )
   *The Tribulation (Rev 4-19)
   *The Millennium (Rev 20)
   *All Things New (Rev 21-22)

*The Tribulation (Rev 4-19)

Rev 4: The Throne in Heaven:
    John saw a door in heaven, heard a voice (“Come up here...”) and was transported “in the Spirit” to the “Throne in Heaven” with someone sitting on it, appearing like jasper (reddish-brown/yellow) and ruby (red precious stone).A green rainbow encircled the throne, from which came lightning and thunder. In front of it was what looked like a sea of crystal-clear glass.
    Around the throne were 24 elders dressed in white, with crowns of gold. There were also 4 living creatures, each looking like a lion, ox, face of a man and a flying eagle. Each had 6 wings and were covered with eyes, even under their wings!
NB: (1) The 24 elders, reminiscent of the 12 tribes and 12 apostles, may symbolise all who belong to the family of God (Jews and Gentiles). In their hymn, they extol God, who created everything (!) in accordance with His Will. (4:11)
(2) The 4 living creatures are angelic beings who (1) lead others in worship (2) proclaim God’s holiness (3) help implement God’s justice. Their
appearance may symbolise God’s attributes of majesty/power, faithfulness, intelligence and sovereignty respectively. (ref: lion, ox, man, eagle).
They may also represent the ministry of Christ as King (Gospel of Matthew), Servant (Mark), Man (Luke) and God (John).
(3) Worship takes our minds off our earthly problems and helps us to focus on our loving, heavenly Father and Saviour, our Refuge and Strength.

Rev 5: The Scroll and the Worthy Lamb
    John wept because no-one in heaven or on earth was worthy to open the Scroll with 7 Seals, on the right hand of the One on the throne. However, one of the elders pointed out that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, had triumphed...He was worthy to open the Scroll. John saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. The Lamb took the Scroll from the One on the throne, and the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures sang a new song, praising the Lamb’s work: His death, redemption of persons from every tribe, language, race and nation with his blood, to be a Kingdom of Rulers and Priests. The elders were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

NB: (1) The Scroll contains God’s Final Judgment/End-Time events. Only One person is morally and legally worthy to judge ie. the Lamb of God who still bore the marks of sacrifice and redemption, before the Throne of God. The Lamb’s 7 horns symbolise omnipotence and the 7 eyes symbolise omniscience/knowledge/wisdom. And this Lamb, is alive and standing!
(2) Judah was the 4th of the 12 sons of Jacob/Israel. It was from this kingly tribe that King David and the Messiah (Christ) came. Because Jesus is divine (God), He is both the Root (source) and the descendant/Son of David.
(3) Do not be biased, but share the Gospel with all peoples and nations.
(4) The church of redeemed believers will help to rule in the Kingdom. As priests, they have direct access to God.
(5) The golden bowls indicate how precious the prayers of Christians are, as they rise like incense, to God Most High upon His
Throne.

Then John looked and heard myriads (“ten thousands times ten thousands”) of angels encircling the throne saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and praise.” A tribute to the Son, the Redeemer.
Then every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea and “all that is in them”, praised both Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb.
The 4 creatures said “Amen” and the elders fell in worship.
NB: (1) The entire Creation was united in adoration – attributing honour, glory and power to both the One on the throne and to His Son.

• The Lamb opened the 1st 4 Seals, one by one. Each time, one of the 4 living creatures said: “Come”, to reveal the:

1. White Horse: Its rider (likely the Anti-Christ; a false imitation of Christ. Christ is depicted on a white horse in Rev 19:11) held a bow (no arrows), and he was given a “crown”, riding out as a “conqueror” of the world, as a peaceful leader. (Conquest)
   (NB: His “crown” (Gk: stephanos in Rev 6:2) is not the same as the crown (Gk: diadem) of the Word of God and King of kings in Rev 19:12).
2. Fiery Red Horse: Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. He was given a large sword. (War)
   (NB: After 3.5 years of peace, the Anti-Christ will wage open warfare.)
3. Black Horse: Its rider was holding a pair of scales. There will be scarcity/shortage of wheat and barley, so their prices could be increased by 8-10 times. (Inflation of food prices). A day’s wage -1 denarius- can only buy enough wheat for I person or enough of the less nutritious barley for 3 persons. So workers will have difficulty feeding their families. (Famine)
   (NB: However, a voice from the 4 living creatures had instructed that the supply of luxury items of oil and wine will not be affected. Only the grain/
   staples will be affected.)
4. Pale/Ashen Horse: (Yellowish Green Horse) Its rider was the only one named: “Death”, not a human. And Hades (the abode of the dead/souls) was following close behind. They were given power over one fourth (1/4) of the earth, to kill by sword, famine, plague and wild beasts. (Death)
   (NB: God was still limiting the harm/destruction inflicted. He was still giving survivors, a chance to repent.)
5. The Lamb opened the 5th Seal, and John saw under the altar, the souls of martyrs who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out: “How long, Sovereign Lord,...until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Each was given a white robe and they were told to wait a little longer, until their “full number” had been reached
   (NB: These martyrs were faithful witnesses. They may have been saved after the Rapture of the church, but killed during the Tribulation. They are
   in heaven! God has His plan and best timing. Justice will eventually prevail, in His good time.)
6. The opening of the 6th Seal brought universal chaos to the whole world!
   There was a great earthquake, the sun turned black, the moon turned blood red, the stars fell to the earth, the heavens rolled up like a scroll and every mountain and island was displaced!!
   All unrepentant humanity – irrespective of status: kings, princes, generals, the rich, the mighty, as well as the slave and free, will hide in desperation in caves and call in sheer terror, for an avalanche from the mountains and rocks to fall on them....to hide them from: “the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” They will know that the “great day of their wrath has come,” and who can survive it?
   (But: The child of God knows her loving Father and gentle Saviour will protect/shelter her under His wings, and grant refuge within
   His Everlasting Arms. She will be spared.
   NB: Those who trust in Jesus as Saviour need not be afraid.
   Others should not delay/put off repenting of their sins and receiving Him as their Saviour and Lord.

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Food for Reflection:

“Therefore you also must be ready,
for the Son of Man is coming
at an hour you do not expect. ”

Matthew 24:44

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Saturday

 

WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group

Lessons from the Book of Revelation
John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” was the sole survivor of the Twelve, when he was given a series of visions, while a prisoner on the island of Patmos.

He was instructed to write the Revelation of Jesus Christ, about past, present and future events, emphasising the identity and ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ against the forces of evil. It is both a warning and source of encouragement/hope to churches facing internal compromises and external persecution. Whoever reads Revelation will be blessed! (Rev 1:3)

Next Meeting: 8 Nov 2025 at 2pm (online)
The WSCS Bible Study (Sat) Group “meets” on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

We study Holy Scripture to know God better, and gain a better understanding of His work in the world and His ways. In the process, we encourage one another along our personal pilgrimage.

We welcome ladies of all ages! (online)