Revelation Overview

Overview of the Book of Revelation

Christ and the Seven Churches (Revelation 1:1-3:22) 

John sees a vision of the risen Christ, who instructs him to write to seven churches in Asia Minor (between Middle East & Europe).  During this vision, John sees Jesus standing in the midst of seven lampstands that represent the seven churches. Each of the seven churches are addressed with words of encouragement, admonishment to repent where they are falling short of God’s expectations, and promises to the faithful.

The Seven Seals (Revelation 4:1-7:17)

John is caught up in the spirit, and is brought into heaven and sees the amazing sight of God’s throne. Around the throne were four angelic creatures, along with twenty-four elders, who offer continual praises. It is then, the Lamb, who alone is able, takes the scroll with seven seals, and begins to open it.

• When the first four seals were opened, four horsemen were revealed with catastrophic symbolic representation;

The first / white, represents the coming of the anti-Christ and his conquering quest of the world

The second / red, represents intense warfare worldwide

The third / black, represents global famine

The fourth / pale, represents death that will span the earth

• When the fifth seal was opened, John saw multitudes under the altar, who were slain during the tribulation period as they cry out to the Lord.  The Lord then comforts them and assures them.
• When the sixth seal was opened, a number of devastating things occur which include;

A great earthquake

The sun becomes black

The moon becomes as blood

The stars of heaven fall unto the earth

Heaven departs as a scroll when it is rolled together

Mountains and islands are moved out of their places

Multitudes of men hasten to hide in great fear as they behold the coming of Christ in great wrath and judgment

After these, John sees an amazing sight of 144,000 men of Israel and a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, stand before the throne praising God.

• When the seventh seal is then opened, there is complete silence in heaven for about a half-hour. It is as though all of heaven is gasping their breath for what is about to happen.

The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8:1-11:19)

Angels blow trumpets, summoning plagues on sea and land, yet the ungodly refuse to repent.

Here is a summary of the Trumpet Judgments;

The sequence of the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments, are often summarized by the following two views we call sequential & overlapping:

Sequential View

Overlapping View

Both views point out scripture that seems to support their individual perspective. Despite the differences, they both agree that all three sets of judgments will take place within the last 7 years prior to Christ’s return.

Conflict and Victory over the Dragon and Beast (Revelation 12:1-15:8)

In a series of visions, John sees the people of God threatened by Satan the dragon and his ally the beast. Yet in the end, God saves His people who ultimately find themselves in Heaven by the crystal sea forever!

• The Woman and the Dragon (Revelation 12:1-18)

Satan the dragon is thrown down from heaven, and he persecutes a woman representing the people of God, although she is protected by God.

• The Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10)

A seven-headed beast, who is Satan’s agent, the antichrist and his political power, rises from the sea to dominate the nations of the world and persecute the people of God.

• The Beast from the Land (Revelation 13:11-18)

A second beast rises from the land, the false prophet, to make people worship the first beast and to imprint people with that beast’s name or number, which is 666.

John sees the following in (Revelation 14:1-20)

The Heavenly Temple (Revelation 15:1-8)

The faithful sing praises to God beside the crystal sea in heaven, then seven angels process out of the heavenly temple to bring plagues upon the earth.

Seven Final Plagues and the Fall of Babylon (Revelation 16:1-19:10)

After angels pour seven final plagues onto the earth, John sees a vision of the destruction of Mystery Babylon that is a false religious system and Babylon who personifies the political and economic powers that dominate the earth.

• The Seven Bowl Plagues (Revelation 16:1-21)

Seven angels pour out bowls full of plagues filled with divine wrath on the earth, yet the ungodly refuse to repent.

• Mystery Babylon the Whore (Revelation 17:1-18)

Babylon the whore, who represents the oppressive power that dominates the earth, rides on the seven-headed beast, until the beast turns against her and destroys her with fire.

• Judgment on Babylon (Revelation 18:1-24)

Angels speak judgment against fallen Babylon because of the city’s arrogance, materialism, and violence. Babylon’s allies grieve her downfall because it has diminished their own status and income.

• Celebrating Babylon’s Demise (Revelation 19:1-10)

Songs of Hallelujah sound in heaven at the fall of Babylon the whore, even as the faithful hear that the bride of the Lamb is ready for the great marriage celebration.

From the Great Battle to the New Jerusalem (Revelation 19:11-22:21)

The beast is defeated by the word of Christ, Satan is bound for a thousand years then destroyed, and after a final judgment John sees a new creation and new Jerusalem, where the redeemed worship in the presence of God.

• Defeating the Beast (Revelation 19:11-21)

Christ appears on a white horse to defeat the beast and his allies by the power of God’s word.

• The Thousand-Year Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-10)

After the fall of the beast, Satan is bound for a thousand years while the faithful reign with Christ; then Satan is briefly released and destroyed by heavenly fire.

• The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)

The dead are raised and are held accountable for their works, as written in the books of deeds, yet salvation ultimately is based on the book of life, which expresses the mercy of God.

• New Heavens, new Earth, and new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-8)

A new heaven and earth appear, and a new Jerusalem descends, as God makes all things new.

• The new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9-22:5)

The new Jerusalem will be the home of the Bride and Christ for all eternity. It has 12 gates through which the nations will enter to partake of the tree of life and living waters that flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It is here where they will come to worship and bring honor unto the Lord God Almighty.

• Final Warnings and Blessings (Revelation 22:6-21)

Revelation concludes with warnings against the ungodly but with repeated promises of the blessing to be found in relationship with God and the Lamb.