22 Chaptersin

22 Minutes

Review Questions1. Who is the author of the book of Revelation?

John the apostle (1:1, 22:8)2. Where was he, and why was he there, when he

wrote?Patmos (an island)Punishment for preaching (1:9)

3. When was this book written?mid 90s AD

4. What is the overall purpose of Revelation?To give comfort to Christians as they endured persecution. God is still in control!

Overview:Chapter 1 (The Son of Man)

• Introduces Jesus as the Son of Man and shows His glory.

• Shows that this message was for Christians in Asia Minor

• Shows that Jesus is “among” these congregations (lamp stands), caring for them, but also seeing what they do.

• KEY PHRASE: “for the time is near” (v.3)

Overview:Chapters 2-3 (The 7 Churches)• Ephesus: “The Hard Working, but Forgetful

Church.” Had forgotten first love (2:4)• Smyrna: “The Poor, Yet Rich Church.” Be

faithful until death… (2:10)• Pergamum: “The Church at Satan’s

Footstool.” Risked being abandoned by Christ for putting up with false teaching.

• Thyatira: “The Church Where Jezebel Attended.” Their problem was tolerance of sin.

Overview:Chapters 2-3 (The 7 Churches)• Sardis: “The Church of the Living Dead.”

Tried to live in the past, but was not really doing anything.

• Philadelphia: “The Church that Kept the Faith.” They had kept Christ’s word in spite of persecution (3:8).

• Laodicea: “The Rich, but Poor Church.” Being lukewarm makes Christ sick! (3:15-16)

Overview:Chapter 4 (God’s Throne)

• The emphasis of chapter 4 is to show God’s glory and power. Every description shows majesty and praise.

• 24 elders are in front of Him, showing the perfect relationship between God and man (12) in both the Old and New Testament eras.

• Four creatures are the noblest and strongest, and show God’s glory.

• All before Him is pure, and all who are there praise Him.

Overview:Chapter 5 (The Lamb)

• A scroll is held out that has 7 seals, but no one is found who is worthy to open the seals to this document.

• Question: What did seals symbolize? Why 7?• Since Christ revealed this book (1:1-3), He is

the One who is worthy to open the seals.• He is pictured as a Lamb, but a slain and yet

living lamb.• He is praised at the end of the chapter, and

He becomes the focal point of the rest of the book.

Overview:Chapter 6 (First 6 Seals Broken)• The first four seals show a vision of four

riders on horses, each a different color.– Seal 1. The Romans had enemies in the

Parthians, who commonly rode white horses, so the first horse is white to symbolize war.

– Seal 2. Red = blood, so this horse represents war and the losses of war.

– Seal 3. Black represents what comes after war, which is often famine and economic loss.

– Seal 4. The ashen (pale) horse represents the aftermath of war, which often includes pestilence.

Overview:Chapter 6 (First 6 Seals Broken)• The 5th seal shifts the scene back to God,

and an altar before His throne. There, martyrs are found. So, some will die for their faith and due to these wars, but the faithful are taken before God. Their question, “How long?” serves as the key to much of this book.

• The 6th seal is God’s answer, and it is that, when He takes vengeance, it will be total and complete. Position, wealth, etc., will not matter. Only faithfulness to Him will.

Overview:Chapter 7 (Interlude #1)

• Before the 7th seal is broken, the story shifts to an interlude to build interest.

• 144,000 are “sealed,” and an innumerable multitude is seen. Both are the same = all the faithful of God are known by Him.

• They have been faithful, even in the midst of “great tribulation” (v.14).

• After such an awful picture (first 6 seals), this break gives great comfort to suffering Christians. God knows and rewards His people!

Overview:Chapter 8 (The 7 Trumpets)

• The 7th seal is broken, which leads to silence…then to the sounding of the 7 trumpets.

• The seals had done their purpose of revealing the message as being from God. Now, the trumpets will sound the warning of not obeying the message. It is the same picture, just with a different emphasis.

• Seals = cycle 1 of the message. Trumpets = cycle 2 of the same message, that Christ and His people are victorious.

Overview:Chapter 8 (The 7 Trumpets)

• Before the trumpets are sounded, though, we see the censer (altar) where the prayers of God’s people are. God’s people are encouraged to pray even in the midst of persecution, and God will hear.

• Trumpet 1 destroys 1/3 (3 is the divine number) of vegetation, making economic life difficult.

• Trumpet 2 destroys 1/3 of the salt water. Since Rome was a trading economy, this would be devestating.

Overview:Chapters 8-9 (The 7 Trumpets)• Trumpet 3 destroys 1/3 of the fresh water,

which would further cripple the economy.• Trumpet 4 destroyed 1/3 of the celestial

bodies, showing God’s total control of the entire world, not just this one place.

• We then see an eagle flying and saying “Woe, woe, woe,” because 3 more trumpets have yet to be sounded, and the message is already overwhelming.

Overview:Chapters 8-9 (The 7 Trumpets)• Trumpet 5 has an angel opening a

bottomless pit, out of which scorpion-like locusts fly out to destroy men. Death is better than this awful scene (9:6).

• They are led by Abaddon, which is either Satan or an angel of God, who continues to punish His people.

• Trumpet 6 released a vast (200,000,000), powerful army that was to kill 1/3 of mankind.

Overview:Chapters 8-9 (The 7 Trumpets)• The description is of an invincible army,

and shows that God will not be defeated when He brings judgment.

• The key to these trumpets, though, is at the end of chapter 9, where we are told that those who somehow survived all this “did not repent” (9:20-21).

Overview:10:1-11:14 (Interlude #2)

• The first interlude was meant to comfort Christians. This one offers more of a challenge to them.

• It seems that the scroll to be read contained the rest of the book. John is told to eat the scroll, and it tastes sweet, then bitter. God’s message is often both to different people.

• John is then told to measure (1) the temple, (2) the altar), and (3) the people there.

Overview:10:1-11:14 (Interlude #2)

• This is a symbol of God’s protection of His people.

• We are then told of two witnesses (representing the Church), who are challenged to continue to preach and teach in the face of evil persecution.

• And they were killed. Many would be killed for their faithfulness, but Christ then called them to “come up.” They would also be rewarded.

Overview:10:1-11:14 (Interlude #2)

• 11:13 contains an earthquake. So, God is waking up the people even in the midst of this interlude.

Overview:11:15-19 (The 7th Trumpet)

• Trumpet 7 brings a message of hope: God and Christ rule over the kingdoms of the earth.

• This leads to another scene of praise before God’s throne.

• 11:19 has the temple being opened and moves the picture to a vision of the background of all this, in chapters 12 through 14.

Overview:Chapters 12-14 (The Background)• Stepping back from Rome, the scene

shifts to the forces of good and evil in general. These chapters, while highly symbolic, show us the true force of evil and of good that are behind all the good and bad we see in the world.

• A red dragon (Satan) tries to devour a baby being born of a woman, but God saved the child. The woman was then protected as well.

Overview:Chapters 12-14 (The Background)• Satan is then “thrown down,” showing that

he is defeated, but he is thrown down to earth, showing that he still has influence.

• He can be defeated, though. He was overcome by “the blood of the Lamb” and also by the preaching of faithful Christians.

• The devil makes war with the woman, and does so strongly. He will continue to fight against God’s people, but God will continue to protect and strengthen His people. We are at war!

Overview:Chapters 12-14 (The Background)• Satan is then “thrown down,” showing that

he is defeated, but he is thrown down to earth, showing that he still has influence.

• He can be defeated, though. He was overcome by “the blood of the Lamb” and also by the preaching of faithful Christians.

• The devil makes war with the woman, and does so strongly. He will continue to fight against God’s people, but God will continue to protect and strengthen His people. We are at war!

Overview:Chapters 12-14 (The Background)• Chapter 13 introduces us to two beasts. The

sea beast is the Roman Empire itself, as it is given authority by the dragon, but is worshiped by the people and thought to be invincible (v.4). It is also influential over a huge number of people.

• The land beast is anyone/anything that facilitated the worship of Rome and the Emperor.

• His “number,” 666 (short of 777) shows that man’s ways, apart from God, are doomed to total failure.

Overview:Chapters 12-14 (The Background)• As powerful as these beasts and the

dragon are, chapter 14 opens by showing the Lamb with 144,000. The dragon does not “get” everyone!

• The angels then deliver a message that is to be heard by all. It is simply that Babylon (Rome) will fall (14:8), as will all who are with Rome, but they are blessed who endure and even who die in faith (vv.12-13).

Overview:Chapters 12-14 (The Background)• Jesus then comes to judge (harvest), and

the vision is a blessing for the faithful, but sad for the unfaithful. It is a clear sign that God continues to be in control, because this is not the final judgment day, but His reckoning against Rome.

Overview:Chapters 15-16 (The 7 Bowls)• John sees 7 angels carrying 7 bowls

(basins), filled with the wrath of God, but before they pour out the bowls, John sees another vision around God’s throne.

• The praise of 15:3-4 reminds us that God’s justice (even when He punishes) is worthy of our praise.

• The 7 bowls of wrath represent the 3rd and final cycle in Revelation. Seals = the revelation. Trumpets = warning. Bowls = God’s final judgment is sure and severe.

Overview:Chapters 15-16 (The 7 Bowls)• Bowl 1 (sores) shows the pain associated

with practicing sin.• Bowl 2 (all the sea turned to blood) shows

that everyone is affected in some way by sin.

• Bowl 3 turns all water into blood, as men can’t escape the effects of sin.

• Bowl 4 uses the sun to “scorch” the unfaithful. People will feel shame…however, we are told that these STILL did not repent!

Overview:Chapters 15-16 (The 7 Bowls)• Bowl 5 is poured over the throne of the

beast, indicating the suffering that would even come to the very head of the empire itself.

• Bowl 6 dries up the Euphrates River (eastern border of the Empire), and a great army is now ready for battle. Rome would begin to lose militarily as its morals began to decline. But God is almighty. He will never lose.

Overview:Chapters 15-16 (The 7 Bowls)• The 7th bowl is poured into the air,

showing that God is influential in all.• “It is done” (16:17) tells us that God will

do this. The rest of the book is the explanation and resolution of this scene. Rome’s fall is certain, because she would not repent.

Overview:Chapter 17 (Rome “Looks” Good...)• Rome is depicted as a prostitute, but one of

high society (gold, fine clothing), showing how the nation looked good, but was depraved morally.

• She is connected to the beast, showing that sinners are under the influence of Satan, even when they think they are in control.

• 17:14 is the key verse to the whole book: “They will make war with the Lamb, and

the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with

Him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Overview:Chapter 18 (…but WILL Fall)

• God always acts justly, so He lists the sins of Rome (verses 3-4) to show why this nation is being destroyed.

• The chapter shows kings, merchants, and others weeping over the fall, but never stepping in to help. They watch at a distance. Rome was influential, but those only associated for evil or financial reasons are not really going to help when everything falls.

Overview:Chapter 19 (Answered Question)• The question “How long?” may not have

been answered chronologically, but those in heaven now have seen that Rome will fall, so they praise God for His justice.

• The Church (bride) is then invited to the marriage supper. Reward is there for those who are faithful!

• The chapter concludes with Jesus riding in on a white horse bring about the justice on the earth.

Overview:Chapter 19 (Answered Question)• While the faithful are being rewarded, the

unfaithful are destroyed. While the faithful are enjoying a marriage supper, the unfaithful become a meal for scavengers. Thus is the difference between those who overcome and those who are tied to evil influences.

Overview:Chapter 20 (The Second Death)• As the book begins to “wind down,” we

are first given a picture of the final end of the unfaithful.

• Satan is bound for 1000 years (a complete period of time). He is defeated and ultimately thrown into the pit forever.

• Though he is defeated, he still finds a way to influence (God and Magog), until he is thrown into the pit forever, which is the second death.

Overview:Chapter 20 (The Second Death)• Satan gears up for one final battle, but

fire consumes him.• Knowing that Satan is ultimately

defeated, the scene shifts to the judgment scene. This is encouragement! Be ready for judgment, and do not follow one who has already lost!!!

• But, some will not be in the book of life, so they are sent to the lake of fire with Satan.

Overview:Chapters 21-22 (Heaven)

• In contrast, the righteous are given a glimpse into their reward.

• It is a place where all is new, and always new.

• It is a place of radiance, but the key is that it is the place that God is present and will always be present.

• All who are faithful will be there, and there will be no night, nor any reason for any fear. All provisions are taken care of.

Overview:Chapters 21-22 (Heaven)

• The tree of life is there, symbolizing the final reunion of man to God, which was broken in the Garden of Eden.

• Thus, we are encouraged to keep the words of this book (22:7), to worship God (22:9), to be pure (22:14), and to stay faithful to this prophecy (22:18-19).

• Knowing all this, may we say with John, “Amen! Come Lord Jesus.”