DOWNLOAD DAKE'S PLAN OF THE AGES CHART
Download JPEG file

The Book of Revelation

INTRODUCTION

AUTHOR: John, identified as one "who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:1-2). While debated by some, he was most likely the apostle John, brother of James, and author of the gospel of John and three epistles. His authorship of this book is supported by the testimony of Justin Martyr (165 A.D.), Clement of Alexandria (220 A.D.), Hippolytus (236 A.D.), and Origen (254 A.D.).

THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE BOOK: Revelation is certainly different from other books of the New Testament. It is also very different from any kind of writing that is familiar to most people today. Unfortunately, this has caused some people to shy away from the book; or on the other hand, to misuse it in propagating wild and fanciful theories. Most people conclude it is just too mysterious to understand. But it was actually written to make things clearer! The word "revelation" in the Greek is apokalupsis, which means "an uncovering" or "unveiling." It is therefore a book designed to uncover or unveil, not conceal. Part of the challenge in understanding the book is that it is written in a style not familiar to modern man. It is an example of what is called "apocalyptic literature" which was quite popular from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D. As such, it was a type of literature well known to the Jews and Christians of the first century church. Features of apocalyptic literature include the use of highly symbolic or figurative language (cf. "signified", 1:1). It was normally written in times of persecution, usually depicting the conflict between good and evil. There are other examples of apocalyptic literature in the Bible. In the Old Testament, for example, the books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah each contain elements of this style of writing. In the New Testament, Matthew 24 contains apocalyptic elements.

THE DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK: The early church likely did not have as much problem understanding the book we do today. They were well acquainted with the style of apocalyptic literature. They were living at a time when the symbols of the book were likely familiar to them (similar to how a picture of a donkey fighting an elephant would be understood by us as depicting conflict between the Democratic and Republican parties). In fact, I believe the book was originally intended to be understood by a casual hearing, as implied by the opening beatitude: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." (1:3) This verse suggests a setting in which one is reading while others listen. The listeners were expected to understand enough to be blessed by what they heard. Our difficulty with this book is due to our unfamiliarity with apocalyptic literature as a method of communicating a message. We are also far removed from the historical and cultural context of the times which would make the symbolism easier to understand. To properly interpret the book, we must try to understand the historical context in which it was written. We must also interpret it in a manner that would have been meaningful to those to whom it was first addressed.

DIFFERENT VIEWS OF INTERPRETATION: While there are several methods and views for interpreting Revelation, the "futurist" view is the one we follow. Apart from the first few chapters, the book depicts events which immediately precede the second coming of Christ. Therefore most of the book has yet to be fulfilled (or is being fulfilled now), and its value is primarily for Christians who will be living at the time Jesus returns.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK: Its purpose is clearly stated at the beginning and end of the book (cf. 1:1,3; 22:10,16): TO REVEAL "THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS" In particular, it is a revelation from Christ Himself of the judgment to come upon those who were persecuting His people (cf. 6:941; 16:5-7).

KEY VERSE: Revelation 17:14 "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."

OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION (1:1-20)

1. Introduction and benediction (1-3)
2. Greetings to the seven churches of Asia (4-6)
3. Announcement of Christ's coming (7)
4. The Lord's self-designation (8)

I. A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE CONFLICT (1:941:19)

A. VISION OF CHRIST AMONG THE LAMPSTANDS (1:9-20)

B. LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (2:1-3:22)

1. The church at Ephesus (2:1-7)
2. The church at Smyrna (2:841)
3. The church at Pergamos (2:1247)
4. The church at Thyatira (2:18-29)
5. The church at Sardis (3:1-6)
6. The church at Philadelphia (3:743)
7. The church at Laodicea (3:14-22)

C. THE THRONE SCENE (4:1-5:11)

1. God on the throne (4:141)
2. The Lamb worthy to open the seven-sealed scroll (5:144)

D. THE OPENING OF THE SEVEN SEALS (6:1-8:1)

1. First seal: The white horse and its rider (6:1-2)
2. Second seal: The red horse and its rider (6:3-4)
3. Third seal: The black horse and its rider (6:5-6)
4. Fourth seal: The pale horse and its rider(s) (6:7-8)
5. Fifth seal: The martyrs under the altar (6:941)
6. Sixth seal: Cataclysmic disturbances (6:1247)
7. Interlude: Sealing of the 144,000 on earth, and the great multitude in heaven (7:147)
8. Seventh seal: Silence in heaven (8:1)

D. THE SOUNDING OF SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:241:19)

1. Seven angels prepare to sound their trumpets (8:2-6)
2. First trumpet: Third of vegetation destroyed (8:7)
3. Second trumpet: Third of sea creatures and ships destroyed (8:8-9)
4. Third trumpet: Third of rivers and springs become bitter, many men die (8:1041)
5. Fourth trumpet: Third of sun, moon, and stars struck, affecting day and night (8:12)
6. Three-fold woe announced (8:13)
7. Fifth trumpet (first woe): Locusts from the bottomless pit, sent to torment men (9:142)
8. Sixth trumpet (second woe): Four angels with an army of two hundred million, killing a third of mankind (9:13-21)
9. Another interlude (10:141:14) a. The angel with the little book (10:141) b. The two witnesses (11:143)
10. Seventh trumpet (third woe): The victory of Christ and His kingdom proclaimed (11:1449)

II. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CONFLICT (12:1-22:5)

A. THE GREAT CONFLICT (12:144:20)

1. The Woman, the Child, the Dragon, and the rest of the Woman's offspring (12:147)
2. The beast from the sea (13:140)
3. The beast from the land (13:1148)
4. The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion (14:1-5)
5. Proclamations of three angels (14:643)
6. Reaping the earth's harvest, and the grapes of wrath (14: 14-20)

B. THE SEVEN BOWLS OF WRATH (15:146:21)

1. Prelude to pouring out the seven bowls of wrath (15:1-8)
2. First bowl: Sores on those who worshipped the beast and his image (16:1-2)
3. Second bowl: Sea turns to blood, all sea creatures die (16:3)
4. Third bowl: Rivers and springs turn to blood (16:4-7)
5. Fourth bowl: Men are scorched by the sun (16:8-9)
6. Fifth bowl: Pain and darkness upon the beast and his kingdom (16:1041)
7. Sixth bowl: Euphrates dried up, three unclean spirits gather the kingdoms of the earth for the battle at Armageddon (16: 1246)
8. Seventh bowl: Great earthquake, the great city divided, Babylon is remembered, cataclysmic events (16:17-21)

C. THE FALL OF BABYLON, THE HARLOT (17:149:10)

1. The scarlet woman and the scarlet beast (17:1-6)
2. The mystery of the woman and beast explained (17:748)
3. The fall of Babylon the great proclaimed and mourned (18:1-24)
4. The exaltation in heaven over the fall of the great harlot (19:1-5)
5. The announcement of the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:640)

D. THE DEFEAT OF THE LAMB'S ENEMIES (19:11-20:15)

1. Christ the victorious warrior and King of kings (19:1146)
2. The beast, his armies, and the false prophet (land beast) are defeated (19:17-21)
3. Satan is bound for a thousand years, while those martyred reign with Christ (20:1-6)
4. Satan released to deceive the nations once more, but is finally defeated once for all (20:740)
5. The final judgment (20:1145)

E. THE ETERNAL DESTINY OF THE REDEEMED (21:1-22:5)

1. The new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem, God dwelling with His people (21:1-8)
2. The New Jerusalem described (21:9-27)
3. The water of life, the tree of life, and the throne of God and the Lamb (22:1-5)

CONCLUSION (22:6-21)