REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST (1:1)
By John, “The beloved,” brother of James (one of the “Sons of Thunder”), about 95 AD
Written from the Island of Patmos.
Note: Many of the symbols are similar to those in Ezekiel and Daniel.
Seven blessings: Rev. 1:3; 14:13 ; 16:15 ; 19:9 ; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14
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CHAPTERS & KEY WORDS |
OUTLINE(brief) |
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1: Introduction |
GENERAL INTRODUCTION: 1. Title and design of the book (1:1-3) 2. John’s greeting to the seven churches in Asia. (1:4-8)
PART I: THE VISION JOHN HAD SEEN. (cf. 19, 2, 12 , 17) John, in the Spirit on the Island of Patmos, heard a voice like a trumpet telling him to write to the seven churches in Asia.(1:9-11) 1. He turns and sees seven golden lamp-stands (1:12). These represent the seven churches in Asia –now Turkey (1:20) 2. He sees one like the son of man, clothed down to the foot, having a golden girdle, hair white as wool, eyes as flame of fire, feet like burnished brass, and a voice like many waters. (1:13-15; cf. Dan. 10:5-6) a. He has seven stars in His right hand. (1:16) These are messengers to the churches (1:20) b. A sharp two-edged sword comes out of His mouth. (1:16; cf. Heb. 4:12) c. His countenance shines like the sun. (1:16) 3. He lays His hand on John: “I was dead but am alive...”(1:17 -18) 4. He has the keys of Death and Hades. (1:18) 5. He commands John to “write” the things he had seen, the things that are, and the things that are to come (1:19)
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2: Four Churches |
PART II: THE THINGS WHICH ARE (chapters 2 & 3 cf. 1:19) Things he says to all seven churches. “I know thy works” 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15 “He that overcomes…” 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21. “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3: 5, 13 , 22 She had tried the false-apostles and hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans but had left her “first love.” “Repent”
Persecuted and poor but rich towards God. “Be faithful unto death”
They had not denied the faith but they had some there holding the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. “Repent”
Their works had been increased but they allowed “Jezebel” to teach. Her followers must “repent.” Others told to “Hold fast till I come” |
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3: Three Churches |
No works perfected in spite of their good reputation. Some had not defiled their garments. “Be watchful” “Repent”
They had a little power and did not deny his name. He set them an open door. “Hold fast that no one takes your crown”
They boasted of their riches and that they had need of nothing but they were lukewarm, wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. He was sick of them and ready to spew them out of his mouth. “Repent”
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4: Throne |
PART III: THINGS TO COME TO PASS HEREAFTER (4:1. cf. 1:19)
SECTION I: OPENING THE SEALS OF THE FUTURE (4:1-11:18) INTRODUCTORY VISION: John called up to heaven. Throne Scene. One on a throne surrounded by 24 elders on thrones; seven lamps before the throne; four living creatures round about; (cf. Ezekiel 1:5) a book with seven seals; a lamb standing in the midst. |
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5: Lamb |
“Who is worthy to open the seals?” = The lamb that was slain. (Rev. 5:2; 12) |
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6: Seals |
(FALL OF PAGAN ROME 95 AD to 325 AD )
1st Seal: “White horse” rider has bow, crown and conquers. (6:1-2; cf. Zec. 6:1-6) (Triumphant Rome c 95 AD under Emperor Nerva at the time of John) (map)
2nd Seal: “Red horse,” sword, takes away peace, slay one another.(6:3-4; cf. Zec. 1:8) (Bloodshed 180 AD—beginning with Emperor Commodus) (map)
3rd Seal: “Black horse,” balance, “a measure wheat for a shilling” (6:5-6) (Economic collapse c. 211 AD—beginning with Emperor Caracalla)
4th Seal: “Pale horse,” Death, Hades, sword, famine, plague, beasts (6:7-8) (Plague and famine c. 249—beginning with Emperor Decius
5th Seal: Souls slain for the word, white robes, told to “wait” (6:9-11) (Persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian, 284 AD)
6th Seal: Convulsions in heaven and earth, men hide from wrath (6:12-17) (Collapse of Pagan control of the Empire brought about by Constantine 312 AD)
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7: 144,000 |
INTERMEDIATE VISION : Sealing of God's servants before the winds of destruction come. a. 144,000 of the twelve tribes of Israel sealed (7:4-8) b. Uncountable multitude of all nations sealed (7:9-17) (Rapid growth of Christianity after The Edict Of Milan, 313 AD) (map)
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8: Four Trumpets |
7th Seal: SEVEN TRUMPETS Sounded by seven angels (8:1--11:18) (FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE BY THE BARBARIANS)
INTRODUCTORY VISION: Incense, prayers, fire cast upon earth. (8:1-6)
1st Trumpet: Hail, fire and blood. 1/3 earth, trees, grass burned up (8:7). Visigoths (Western Goths) under Alaric sacked Rome by land from the north --408-410 AD. (map)
2nd Trumpet: Burning mountain cast into the sea. 1/3 sea becomes blood and 1/3 of creatures die. 1/3 of ships destroyed. (8:8-9) Vandals, led by Genseric sacked Rome from the area of Carthage in North Africa, across the Mediterranean Sea --428-468 AD. (map)
3rd Trumpet: 1/3 Rivers & fountains made bitter by star (“Wormwood”) falls on the rivers and waters and they become bitter (8:10-11) Huns, led by Attila, “The Scourge of God” crossed the Danube River and sacked Rome --433-453 AD. (map)
4th Trumpet: 1/3 sun, moon and stars darkened for 1/3 of the time (8:12) Odoacer, king of the Western Goths, conquered Rome in 476 AD and brought the 1200 year reign of the Western Roman Empire to an end. (map)
Eagle crying “WOE, WOE, WOE” concerning the three last angels to sound. (8:13)
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9: Two Trumpets |
FALL OF THE EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE BY MUSLIMS
5th Trumpet: (1st “Woe”) Darkness caused by fallen star opening the pit and releasing smoke from which locusts, like horses, led by Abaddon (“Destroyer”), come to torment men.(9:1-11) (Arabian Mohammaden Saracen hordes overrun Spain, North Africa and Persia, 622 AD--)(map)
6th Trumpet: (2nd “Woe”) Four angels loosed at Euphrates (cf. Rev. 16:12). 1/3 of men killed with three plagues (fire, smoke & brimstone). (9:12-21) (Turkish Muslim hordes overrun the Eastern Roman Empire.) (map)
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10: Little Book |
INTERMEDIATE VISION: REFORMATION a. Angel with little book utters seven thunders (10:1-7) John eats the book. It tastes sweet but makes his stomach bitter (10:8-11 cf. Ezek 3:1-3) (Bible Printed)
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11: Last Trump |
b. Measuring the temple and altar, but not outer court (11:1-2) Holy city trod under foot 42 months. (11:2) (Measuring the Bible standards for the church)
c. “Two witnesses” prophesy in sackcloth 1,260 days. (11:3-6; cf. Zech. 4:3, 11-14) Beast from the abyss (cf. 17:8) kills them. (11:7-10) They are raised and ascend into heaven after “3 ˝ days.” (11:11-12) Earthquake kills 7,000 men and others glorify God. (11:13) (Attempts to destroy the teachings of the Old and New Testaments)
7th Trumpet: (3rd “Woe”) (Triumph of God's Word, Judgment and the end of the world) -Kingdom of this world becomes kingdom of the Lord (11:14-17; cf. 10:7) -Dead judged (11:18a; cf. 20:12-13) -Righteous rewarded. (11:18b) -Wicked destroyed. (11: 18c; cf. 20:15) -Vision of the temple in Heaven (11:19; cf. chap. 21:2-3, 10—22:2)
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12: Dragon |
SECTION II: VICTORY OF CHRIST OVER HIS ENEMIES (12:1--20:15)
I. DESCRIPTION AND WORK OF HIS ENEMIES (12:1--13:18)
1. “A sign in heaven”: (12:1-4) a. Woman arrayed with sun; moon under feet; crown of twelve stars, pregnant with a man child who will rule all nations with a rod of iron (12:1-2) (The church exalting Christ)
b. Red Dragon with seven heads, ten horns, seven crowns, tail draws 1/3 of stars and casts them to earth tries to devour the child. (12:3-4) (The devil working through Pagan Rome)
2. Man-child is born and caught up to his throne. (12:5) 3. Woman protected in the wilderness for “1,260 days” (12:6) 4. War in heaven: Dragon and his angels fight with Michael and his angels. (12:7). 5. The dragon, who is the devil and Satan, defeated and cast out. (12:8-12) 6. Dragon persecutes the woman. (12:13) 7. Woman flees into wilderness, protected 3 ˝ years. (12:14) 8. Dragon sends flood to drown her but earth swallows it up. (12:15-16) 9. Dragon goes away to make war with her children. (12:17)
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13: Two Beasts |
(The revived Holy Roman Empire)
1. Described: (13:1-2) Comes up from sea (13:1) (cf. Dan. 7:2-3) Seven heads with names of blasphemy, ten horns, ten crowns. (cf. Dan. 7:7, 24). Like a Leopard, feet like bear, mouth like lion. (cf. Dan. 7:4-6, 17) 2. Dragon gives him his power, throne and authority. (13:2) 3. One head wounded to death but healed. Men marvel after him (13:3) 4. Dragon and beast worshipped (13:4) 5. Beast's mouth speaks blasphemies (13:5-6 cf. Dan. 7:8, 20, 25) 6. Beast continues 42 months -1260 days. (13:5; cf. Dan. 7:25) 7. Beast wars with the saints and overcomes them. He has authority over every tribe and people and nation.(13:7-8; cf. Dan. 7:7, 19, 23, 25)
(The Papacy) 1. Description: Two horns like lamb but speaks like dragon.(13:11) 2. Exercises all authority of first beast “in his sight.” (13:12a; cf. 19:20) 3. Makes the earth to worship the first beast. (13:12b) 4. Does great signs in sight of Beast and deceives men. (13:13-14a) 5. Makes image of Beast and gives it life. (13:14b-15) (The Papacy formed the Church in the image of the Roman government) 6. Causes all to receive number of a man's name (666) (13:16-18) ("LATEINOS" Latin/Rome is the name all are forced to serve)
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14: Reaping Angels |
II. JUDGMENT UPON THE BEAST AND HIS FOLLOWERS
The reformation
INTRODUCTORY VISION: 144,000 with on Mount Zion with harps sing a new song (14:1-5 cf. 7:4) 1st angel: Proclaiming the eternal good tidings, “The hour of Judgment is come” (14:6-7) 2nd angel: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great.”(14:8) 3rd angel: Warning of eternal torment for worshippers of Beast. (14:9-12)
INTERMEDIATE VISION: “Blessed are those who die in the Lord henceforth (14:13) One like the son of man on a cloud with a sickle. (14:14)
4th Angel: Cries to him on the cloud, “Send forth thy sickle and reap for the hour of reaping is come.” Earth reaped. (14:15-16) 5th Angel: Comes out of the temple in heaven with sharp sickle. (14:17) 6th Angel: From the altar, having power over fire. (14:18) Calls to 5th angel: “Send forth thy sickle and reap; for the grapes are fully ripe.” (14:18) Sickle reaps grapes which are cast into winepress of God's wrath. Blood flows to the horses' bridles. (14:19-20)
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15: Plagues |
Seven angels with seven last plagues Fall of the Holy Roman Empire
INTRODUCTORY VISION: -Seven angels with seven last plagues (15:1) -Those victorious over the Beast sing song of Moses and the Lamb (15:2-4) -Seven angels with last plagues come out of temple and are given bowls full of wrath of God. (15:5-7) -Temple filled with smoke so none may enter until plagues end. (15:8)
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16: Bowls |
1st bowl: Poured upon earth. Sores upon those with mark of Beast (16:2)
2nd bowl: Into the sea, became blood, everything in the sea died (16:3)
3rd bowl: Upon rivers and fountains, became blood (16:4-7)
4th bowl: Upon the sun, scorch men with fire (16:8-9)
5th bowl: Throne of Beast darkened, gnaw tongues in pain (16:10-11)
6th bowl: Euphrates [cf. Rev. 9:14] dried up for kings coming from the sunrising. Three unclean spirits from mouths of Dragon, Beast and False prophet gather men together unto the war of Armageddon (16:12-16) (This appears to be the final great struggle with Islam) 7th bowl: Poured Upon the air. “It is done.” Lightning, voices, thunders, earthquake. The “great city” divided into three parts. Cities of nations fall. Babylon remembered with wrath. Plague of great hail. (16:17-21)
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17: Explanation |
1. Harlot “Babylon” (17:1, 5). = “Great City that reigns over kings of the earth” (17:18 ) (City of Rome ruling powers) 2. Sits on many waters (17:1) = Peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues 3. “Mother of Harlots.” (17:5) 4. Kings committed fornication (17:2) 5. Drunken with blood of the saints (17:6) 6. In the wilderness (17:3) 7. Rides on scarlet colored beast (17:3) = eighth "king" (17:11) (The revived Holy Roman Empire) a. Was, is not, shall come (17:8, 11). b. Is of the seven (17:11) c. Goes into destruction (17:11) d. Full of names of blasphemy (17:3) e. Seven heads (17:3) = Seven hills upon which the city sits (17:9) = They are also, seven kings (17:10). -Five have fallen (17:10) -One is (17:10) -Another to come for short time (17:10) f. Ten horns = Ten kings to come (17:12) -Reign with Beast (17:12) -Give power to the Beast (17:13 ) -Make war against the lamb (17:14 ) -Hate the harlot and burn her with fire (16 )
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18: Fallen |
1. Angel with power and light proclaims Babylon's fall (18:1-3) 2. Voice: “Come out of her, my people.” (18:4-5) 3. Greatness and violence of her destruction. (18:6-24) |
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19: Word of God |
4. Exultation of much people over her fall. (19:1-3) -Twenty-four elders and the four beasts in heaven praise God (19:4) -Voice out of the throne calls for praise of God (19:5) -Voice of a multitude calls for rejoicing (19:6-10) “The marriage of the Lamb is come.” “The bride is made ready.” “Blessed are those bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
1. White horse carrying “THE WORD OF GOD.” (19:11 -13) 2. Armies of heaven follow upon white horses. (19:14) 3. Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations. (19:15a) 4. Rules with rod of iron. Treads wine press of wrath of God. (19:15b) 5. Name: “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (19:16) 6. Angel invites birds to supper of God to feast on the dead. (19:17-18) 7. Beast and False prophet (13:12-14) cast into lake of fire (19:19-20) 8. Kings and armies killed with sword and eaten by birds (19:21)
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1. Devil bound and cast into abyss. Sealed for 1,000 yrs. (Millennium) (20:1-3) Not able to “deceive the nations” 2. “first resurrection.” Souls beheaded for Jesus (cf. Rev. 6:9) sit on thrones and reign with Christ for 1,000 years. Rest of dead live not until later. (20:4-6) 3. Dragon is loosed from prison. Deceives the nations a "little season" (20:7-8a) 4. Nations in four corners of earth, Gog and Magog gathered to war. (20:8; cf. Ezek. 38:2) 5. Camp of the Saints compassed about. (20:9a) 6. Fire out of heaven devours their enemies.(20:9b) 7. Dragon cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, tormented (20:10)
III. FINAL JUDGMENT1. One sitting on a great white throne. (20:11; cf. Mat 25:31) 2. Earth and heaven flee away (20:12 ; cf. 2Pet. 3:7, 10, 12-13) 3. Dead stand before the throne (20:12 -13) 4. Books opened and men judged out of them (20:12 ; cf. Dan. 7:10) 5. Book of life opened (20:12; 3:5; 13:8; 22:19 ; Ex. 32:33) 6. Death and Hades give up dead and are cast into lake of fire (20:14) 7. Any not written in the book of life cast into lake of fire (20:15) |
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21: New Jerusalem |
1. New heaven and earth. First heaven, earth, and sea are no more (21:1) 2. New Jerusalem comes down from heaven as a bride (21:2-8) 3. New Jerusalem--it's beauty and purity (21:9 -27) |
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22: “Come” |
4. Throne of God and Lamb with river and tree of life (22:1-5)
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS AND ADMONITIONS
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