Brief Outline of the Book of Revelation: Study Guide

The Book of Revelation

• I. Introduction to the Study
• II. The Book: Section Outline
• III. Section 1
• IV. Section 2
• V. Section 3
• VI. Section 4
• VII. Section 5
• VIII. Chronological vs. Parenthetical

Introduction to the Study

I. The four interpretations of the Book of Revelation

A. Futurists view Rev. 1-3 as fulfilled, and Rev. 4-5 as in heaven with Rev. 6-22 as referring to the coming End-Time events released at Jesus’ Second Coming.

B. Preterists see the events in Revelation as being fulfilled in the past, believing nearly all the prophecies in the Book of Revelation have already been fulfilled usually in context to the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of Rome in the first 3 centuries after Christ. However, Jesus said the Book of Revelation was clearly prophecy and not history. (See Letter E)

C. Historicists interpret Revelation as a progressive unfolding of Church history from the Book of Acts until the Second Coming. They usually view the prophecies as partly fulfilled and partly to be fulfilled in the generation that the Lord returns. They feel it is one continual unfolding.

D. Idealists do not see historical or prophetical meaning in the Book of Revelation. They interpret it as simply giving us symbolic presentations, applicable of the spiritual conflict of good and evil that is true through all times with good winning in the end. They feel the Book is symbolic of spiritual realities.

II. The events of 70 AD do not fulfill the prophecies about the End-Times

 

E.         Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)…21 for then there will be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved (physically killed); but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matt. 24:15, 21-22)

Some see the Great Tribulation as being fulfilled in 70 AD when 1,000,000 people died in Rome’s attack on Jerusalem. However, in World War II, 50 million died which invalidates the 1,000,000 deaths (in 70 AD) as the worst time in history. The events of World War II did not involve the abomination of desolation in the Jerusalem Temple, thus, they did not fulfill End-Time prophecy. Neither 70 AD nor World War II came close to threatening the very existence of the human race as the Great Tribulation would have expect it was shortened by God’s sovereignty. If God has not shortened it then no flesh would have been spared from death. Also, the 50 million babies aborted each year world wide overshadows both 70 AD and WWII. The prophecies in Revelation clearly point to a time yet ahead of us.

These events in history are prototype scenarios. They are events that when we look at them, we receive a grid of understanding for what lies ahead. The unfathomable can be fathomed when we review the atrocities in our recent history. For Example: The 1930’s Holocaust, Abortion, AIDS, STDs, etc. These are all lesser scale models of what is coming.

III.                          Common lies related to End-Time prophecy:

1. It is not relevant (it is just for the curious). – It will effect everyone, whether you think about it or not.

2. Revelation is to be spiritualized (not taken literally) because is impossible to understand (it is only for scholars). – The book says what it means and means what it says. In the event that symbolism is used, it is clearly identified what the symbols are, as they are consistent with the symbolism used throughout Scripture.

3. Another lie is in thinking that every generation has believed they were the final generation. It is true that each generation has had a fraction of 1% who believed this, yet only two generations have had a universal conviction about this (first century and now)

*              All believers can understand the book of Revelation and End-Time prophecy

The Book: Section Outline

A. The Book of Revelation looks intimidating at first to everyone who wants to study and understand it. But the intimidation factor will go away as we see how simply the Book can be divided up into smaller sections that are easy to track with and grasp.

B. This book can be broken up into five major sections. These sections are clear and easy to understand. Each section can be studied individually in order to form a better grasp of the events that lie within. Each section can be easily understood with some dedicated time to the study.

Section #1.         Introduction to the Letter (1:1-20)

 

 

Main Points

•a.       Prophetic Message (7-8)- Zech. 12 About the coming of the Lord

•b.       The Commissioning of John (10-11)

•c.        Vision of Jesus Christ (12-16)

•d.       Fearful Encounter and Comfort (17-18)

•e.        John’s Assignment (19)

•f.         Mystery of John’s Vision Explained (20) -

7 Stars (7 angels of the churches), 7 Lampstands (7 churches in Asia)

 

 

Section #2.                   Letters to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22) 

B. Ephesus: Lost first love/repent; over comers- eat tree of life (2:1-7)

C. Smyrna: Do not fear persecution; over comers- crown of life (2:8-11)

D. Pergamos: False teachings/repent; over comers- manna & white stone with new name (2:12-17)

E. Thyatira: Faithful but have Jezebel influence; over comers- authority over the nations (2:18-29)

F. Sardis: Wake up/repent; over comers- clothed in white, eternal life (3:1-6)

G. Philadelphia: Faithful and will be kept from trial; over comers- pillars in the temple (3:7-13 )

H. Laodicea: Lukewarm/repent; over comers- on throne with Jesus (3:14-22) 

*      Each message reveals that

(1) Christ is the Author of each message: it is a special word from Him.

(2) Christ is the Answer for our every problem: He is our need and solution.

(3) Christ is the Authority for our lives: we are all answerable to Him.

THE OMNISCIENCE (infinite knowledge) OF CHRIST

A. Each letter begins with a statement of the Lord’s omniscience like “I know your works or deeds” (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, and 15).

B. This is awesome, and should make us fear God!

C. God sees every evil act we do, say, or think. Every false doctrine we teach, every hidden motive we carry in our hearts, everything. He sees it all.

D. This also means there is nothing in our churches that He is not concerned with. God wants us clean and spotless, and is concerned with every issue we face. 

Section #3.                   The Heavenly Court (4:1-5:14)

A.            The Heavenly court is where the great End-Time plan is established and initiated.

1. God on the Throne (Beauty realm) (4:1-11)

2. The Worthy Lamb to take and open the seven-sealed scroll-title deed and action plan (5:1-14) Section #4.                             Great Tribulation/ The Time of Jacob’s Trouble (6-19:10)
Rev. 6-19, The Great Tribulation (a 3½ year period) covers the largest section in Revelation. This is where God’s three numbered judgments series are (which is the major negative events in Revelation). God numbered the judgments for our benefit. The praying Church releases these judgments in the way that Moses released the plagues of Egypt. 

Content Outline

•A.       Seven Seals begin (First numbered judgment series) (6:1-17; 8:1)

1.       First seal:  The white horse-Antichrist’s political aggression (6:1-2)

2.       Second seal:  The red horse-bloodshed and final world war (6:3-4)

3.       Third seal:  The black horse-famine and economic crisis (6:5-6)

4.       Fourth seal:  The pale horse-1/4 of Humanity killed (6:7-8)

5.       Fifth seal:  The martyrs under the altar-prayer releasing judgment (6:9-11)

6.       Sixth seal:  Cataclysmic disturbances (6:12-17)

•B.       First Parenthetical Section (Rev. 7): Sealing of the 144,000 on earth, and great multitude in heaven (7:1-17)

•C.      7. Seventh seal:  Silence in heaven-releases trumpets (8:1)

1.       Seven Angels prepare to sound their trumpets; incense mingled with prayers (8:2-6)

•D.      Seven Trumpets begin (Second numbered judgment series)  (8:7-9:21; 11:14-19)

1. First trumpet:  1/3 of vegetation destroyed (8:7)

2. Second trumpet:  1/3 of sea creatures and ships destroyed (8:8-9)

3. Third trumpet:  1/3 of rivers and springs become bitter, many men die (8:10-11)

4. Fourth trumpet:  1/3 of sun, moon, and stars struck, affecting day and night (8:12)

• 1. Three-fold woe announced (8:13)

E.       5. Fifth trumpet (first woe): Locusts from the bottomless pit, sent to torment men (9:1-12)

F.       6. Sixth trumpet (second woe):  1/3 of mankind killed by the four angels with an army of two hundred million (9:13-21)

•G.      Second Parenthetical section (Rev. 10:1-11:13)

•1.       The angel with the little book releases the seven thunders (10:1-11)

•2.       The two witnesses (11:1-13)

•H.      Seventh trumpet (third woe): Starts the Second coming & Rapture (11:14-19)

•I.         Third Parenthetical Section (Rev. 12-14)

•1.       The Woman, male-Child, Dragon, and the rest of the Woman’s offspring (12:1-17)

•2.       The beast from the sea (Antichrist) (13:1-10)

•3.       The beast from the land (False prophet)-Image of beast; mark of beast (13:11-18)

•4.       The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion (14:1-5)

•5.       Proclamations of three angels (14:6-13)

•6.       Reaping the earth’s harvest, and the grapes of wrath (14:14-20)

•J.        Prelude to the seven bowls of wrath-Heavenly scene (Rev. 15)

•1.       Victorious Saints on the Sea of Glass singing the song of Moses (15:1-5)

•2.       Preparation of the Seven Angels to release the Seven Bowls (15:6-8)

•K.      Seven Bowls released (Third numbered judgment series)

    (Rev. 16)

 

 

•1.       First bowl:  Sores on those who worshipped the beast and his image (16:1-2)

•2.       Second bowl:  Sea turns to blood, all sea creatures die (16:3)

•3.       Third bowl:  Rivers and springs turn to blood (16:4-7)

•4.       Fourth bowl:  Men are scorched by the sun (16:8-9)

•5.       Fifth bowl:  Pain and darkness upon the beast and his kingdom (16:10-11)    

•6.       Sixth bowl:  Euphrates dried up, three unclean spirits gather the kingdoms of the earth for the battle at Armageddon (16:12-16)

•7.       Seventh bowl:  Great earthquake, the great city divided, Babylon is remembered, cataclysmic events (16:17-21)

•L.       Fourth Parenthetical Section (The Fall of Babylon, the Harlot)   (17:1-19:10)

•1.       The scarlet woman and the scarlet beast (17:1-6)

•2.       The mystery of the woman and beast explained (17:7-18)

•3.       The fall of Babylon the great proclaimed and mourned (18:1-24)

 

Section #5.                   Jesus’ 2^nd Coming + Millennium (19:11-22:21)

B. 3 sections that we are combining into one for simplicity.

C. Rev. 19:11-21, The Second Coming of Jesus to Jerusalem to sit on an earthly Throne as King over all kings. One of the greatest and most prominent themes in Scripture is Jesus’ Second Coming to establish God’s Kingdom on earth as He is victorious in the Armageddon Campaign by destroying the worldwide empire of the Antichrist and False Prophet along with their armies.

•D.      Rev. 20, The Millennium (Jesus’ 1,000 year Kingdom on earth) and the Great White Throne. Jesus establishes God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven as He rules all the governments on earth as King of kings after He binds Satan and casts him in prison (Rev. 20:1-6; Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Ps. 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Mt. 5:5; 6:10; 17:11; 19:28; 28:19; Acts 1:6; 3:21). At this time the Kingdom of God will be established on earth affecting every sphere of life (political, economic, spiritual, educational, agricultural, family, media, arts, technology, athletics, environment, social institutions, etc).

E. Rev. 21:22, The New Jerusalem comes to earth. The revelation of heaven coming down to earth. Jesus brings the heavenly and earthly realms together. (Eph. 1:9-10). Heaven speaks of the supernatural realm where God’s power and presence are manifest. Earth speaks of the material physical realm as the place where human process and emotions and physical sensation reach their fullest expression.

Events in the Last Section -

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ & the Millennium (19:11-22:21

F. Christ the victorious warrior and King of kings (19:11-16)

G. The beast, his armies, and the false prophet (land beast) are defeated (19:17-21)

Millennial Kingdom – 1000 Years (20:1-10)

H. Satan is bound for a thousand years, while the saints reign with Christ (20:1-6)

I. Satan is released to deceive the nations once more, but is finally defeated once for all (20:7-10)

The Final Judgment – The Great White Throne (20:11-15)

J. All the dead before God as Judge (20:11-12)

K. Death, Hades and unbelievers cast into the Lake of Fire (21:13-15)

New Jerusalem, New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-8)

L. Second decent of new Jerusalem (21:1-2)

M. God dwells among His people, unbelievers in the Lake of Fire (20:3-5)

5^th Parenthetical Section (21:9-22:5)

N. New Jerusalem Described (21:9-22)

O. Millennial kings interact with the new Jerusalem, the water of life, tree of life and the throne of God and the Lamb (21:23-22:5)

Final Exhortation (22:6-21)

P. The time is near, do not seal up the book (22:6-11)

Q. The testimony of Jesus, the Spirit and the Bride cry for His return (22:12-17)

R. Warning about tampering with the book, and closing prayers (22:18-21) 

Understanding the 4^th Section of the Book

I. The forth section of the book will appear the most intimidating at first. This section is larger than the other four and is a little more complex in its breakup. This section of the book is divided up into two different types of sub-sections that interchange. These two sub-sections are 1) chronological, which means in sequential (numbered) order, and 2) parenthetical, which explains the chronological sections.

Chronological vs. Parenthetical

 

 

 

Chronological – There are 5 chronological sections. In these sections the events happen one after the other in sequential order. These sections unfold in a straightforward way without symbolism. The basic truths in the chronological sections are not difficult to understand. The passages say just what they mean.

a. The storyline of Revelation unfolds a sequential way as the First Seal leads to the second which in turns leads to the third and so on. After the seven Seals come the Trumpets then the Bowls.

The 5 Chronological Sections Are –

1)    6:1-17 - Seals 1-6

2)    8:1-9:21 – 7^th Seal + 1-6 Trumpets

3)    11:15-19 – 7^th Trumpet

4)   16:1-21 – 7 Bowls of God’s Wrath

5)   19:11-21:8 -

Christ’s 2^nd Coming, Millennium

 

 

Parenthetical – A parenthetical section is a section that is meant to qualify or explain the previous section. Each of the parenthetical sections follows a chronological one. The purposes of the parenthetical sections are to explain the chronological sections. They are the interpretative sections of Revelation that answer the deep questions that come up because of the severity of God’s wrath that are seen in the chronological sections.

C.            There are two main questions that are asked. They are the same questions we all ask.

1)    First, “How come these judgments are so severe? Or, how can a God of love find it necessary to release such violence?

2)    Second, “What will happen to the Church? Will we be in God’s favor and be anointed and safe in the process? Or, what will happen to the saints during this time? How can I avoid the pitfalls of deception? The angels give John assurance that things are going to be good for the Church.

      The 5 Parenthetical Sections Are-

1) 7:1-17

2) 10:1-11:14

3) 12:1-14:20

4) 17:1-19:10

5) 21:9-22:5

D. When we understand the relationship between the chronological sections and the parenthetical sections, then the book of Revelation is much easier to grasp. The parenthetical sections are more challenging or difficult sections because of the symbolism. The symbolism in the Book of Revelation is almost entirely in these five parenthetical sections. The parenthetical sections are the most challenging sections. Rev. 17 is the most difficult chapter.

E. Together these sections go back and forth a total of ten times. They interchange the exact same way the whole time without interruption (except for one intermission of Chapter 15). The Chronological and Parenthetical Sections go in this order -

1. Chapter 6 – Chronological

2. Chapter 7 – Parenthetical

3. Chapters 8 & 9 – Chronological

4. 10 – 11:14 – Parenthetical

5. 11:15-19 – Chronological

6. Chapters 12, 13 & 14 – Parenthetical (Intermission: Chapter 15 – Hymn)

7. Chapter 16 – Chronological

8. Chapter 17 – 19:10 – Parenthetical

9. 19:11 – 21:8 – Chronological

10. 21:9 – 22:5 – Parenthetical

The Dragon: is always symbolic of Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2)

The first Beast: is symbolic of the Antichrist. He is called the Beast 36 times in Revelation (Rev. 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10)

Another Beast: is symbolic of the False Prophet who is only called, “another Beast” one time. Every other time he called the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-17; 16:13; 19:20; 20:10)

The 7 heads The seven heads are symbolic of the seven world empires through history that persecuted Israel. These are commonly understood by most Bible teachers to be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Turkey (I believe).  (Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3-16)

The 10 horns clearly speak of a future 10-nation confederation that will be under the Antichrist’s authority. These 10-nations will rule simultaneously over their nations as they all come into a partnership together with the Antichrist. He will have the power of the unified resources of 10-nations in enthusiastic agreement. The ten horns show up several times in Revelation and Daniel. (Dan. 2:41-42; 7:7, 11:36-45; 20, 24; Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16).

The Harlot Babylon - will be established in the literal re-built city of Babylon.

The Woman with the Male-child (Rev. 12:1-5; 19:7-8) – the woman is the faithful remnant of Israel through history. The Male-child is Jesus (Rev. 12:4-5). Her offspring that Satan makes war with here are Gentile believers during the Tribulation (Rev. 12:17).