Division VI: The Judgement of the World (17:1-20:3)

Introduction: In the 4th major division, we saw the perspective the Church in heaven had on God's final judgement of his enemies. In this division (which parallels the 4th just as the third and fifth paralleled each other) we are going to see God's final judgement of his enemies from the perspective of his enemies on earth.

Although the Church in Heaven was not shown the full details of woe 3 and of God's winepress, his enemies will see the details in all their gruesome gore.

The Church in Heaven realized that the final judgement began with the Crucifixion and Resurrection - but God's enemies on Earth see only God's wrathfulness at their continued rebellion against him, even after all the chances to repent they have been given.

A. The Setting: 17:1-2

As you have already observed, each of John's combinations of 7 visions has given a complete and panoramic view of divine judgement.

From this observation you have probably guessed or noticed that the unnumbered visions are close-up studies of details.

But in this division, John must leave his post in heaven by the throne of God, where he has been throughout and see what follows on earth.

Perhaps this is because God will not allow his children in heaven to see the details of what the third woe and the winepress in the vague glimpse given in 16:20-21. But what we do know is that for John to see the details of the End of this Age, he must go to earth.