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Before jumping into the Book or Revelation we recommend reading through the Foundations section, the Gospels, and the book of Daniel section. As Endtimes Bible prophecy is revealed progressively over 1500 years, there is much context in the previous pages to help make sense of the Book of Revelation, or as we like to call it, the Book of Details.

 

The Context

The book of Revelation sets the high-level context in the first chapter while Jesus tells John what he will be writing.

• Things which you have seen: 1:1-20
• Things which are: 2:1-3:22
• Things which shall take place: 4:1-22:21

 

Letters to the Churches:

It seems the letters to churches are somewhat telescopic (Near-Far), first and foremost containing a message from Jesus to real literal churches during the Apostle John’s time. These letters and warnings would have been delivered to those churches.

Secondly, the letters can be to churches down through the ages. Whether correct or not, there are some reasons for interpreting the literal churches in both a literal and spiritual context.

• The overall context of the book of Revelation is prophetic
• The promise made to church in Philadelphia doesn’t make sense if taken in the context of that literal Church. (Rev. 3:10)

 

Chronology:

Between Chpt. 10-14, not everything follows chronologically. Most of the book does follow chronologically, however it is not unusual for the author to stop to give some details along the way. The tough part for us is figuring out where the details fit into the timeline. Since some details, like the sealing of the 144,000, are not given in relation to the timeline, it isn’t possible to be sure.

 

Who is the book written to?

The Book is written to all generations, but interestingly there is special meaning for those reading it during the tribulation. There are warnings, (14:12) and assurance for believers. (13:8)

A time of judgment for all nations. and a very special regathering and purging of Israel referred to by Daniel in Chapter 9. The context of Revelation must take into account Daniel 9:24, which explains partially the reason for the tribulation. (Atonement / Purging)

 

Daniel’s Seventy Weeks prophecy

Daniel 9:24

“Seventy (weeks) have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place.”

(See our page on this in the Jewish Age)

 

Chpt. 6:1-16:21

 

The first half of the tribulation will be at least partly a time of unheard of peace. It’s not until the antichrist sits in the temple and declares himself to be God that the real bloodshed will start.

 

Seven Seals – All judgments are pronounced and carried out as the seven seals are opened. Trumpets and bowls come at the end. Remember the birth pangs Jesus spoke of. Pains during birth get closer together at the end.

 

First Seal (Rev 6:1) (Matt 24:5)

White horse antichrist – (compare with Rev 19:11)

(Political/Religious leader comes on the scene)

Second Seal (Rev 6:3) (Matt 24:6)

Red horse wars and rumors of wars

(Nothing new to us)

Third Seal (Rev 6:5) (Matt 24:7)

Black horse famine

(Doesn’t have to hit home yet)

Fourth Seal (Rev 6:7) (Matt 24:9)

Ashen horse of death/martyrdom

(Ethnic cleansing)

Fifth Seal (Rev 6:9) (Matt 24:9)

Martyrs cry out for vengeance

Sixth Seal (Rev 6:12) (Matt 24:?)

Cataclysmic catastrophe/earthquakes

This quake shakes the whole universe. (Sun and Moon)

Begins the Day of the Lord

Interlude

Timing of these events is not sure. The idea though is to give some details at this point before moving on to the last seal. It makes sense then that the details given happen before the time of the seventh seal.

144,000 Jews are sealed

Multitude of saved Gentiles stand before the throne

Seventh Seal (Rev 8:1) (Matt 24:?)

Silence in heaven, Trumpets are given

First Trumpet (Rev 8:6)

Third of the earth burned up

Second Trumpet (Rev 8:8)

Third of the seas destroyed

Third Trumpet (Rev 8:10)

Start fell heaven into the seas, bring disease.

Fourth Trumpet (Rev 8:12)

Third of the sun and moon are smitten.

Fifth Trumpet (Rev 9:1)

Satan releases fallen angels from the pit to torment all people, except the sealed Jews.

Sixth Trumpet (Rev 9:13)

Third of mankind are killed by four angels.

– John eats little scroll giving him the prophecy to come.

– Two Witnesses go out to prophesy to people left, and are

killed by the beast. They are resurrected and bought back

to heaven.

Interlude (11:1-14)

• He’s going to tell us about Israel (Measure the Temple)

• Gentiles will control for 42 months.

• Two witnesses will evangelize for 42 months

• Antichrist will kill them

• They will lay dead in the street for 3 1/2 days.

• They come to life, and people watch them go up to heaven

• Great earthquake in Israel, 7000 killed.

• Others glorify God.

Seventh Trumpet (Rev 11:15)

Rejoicing in heaven.

– The Woman with child. (Israel and Christ)

– Dragon (Satan) begins battle in heaven, but is beaten by Michael and other angels, and is thrown down to earth.

– Satan begins persecuting Israel. (The Woman)

– The beast comes out of the Sea

– Only unbelievers will worship him. (13:8)

– Satan performs great signs, so that people will be deceived and worship him. Calls fire out of heaven. Makes people get a mark on their right hand, or forehead, controlling them economically. The number of the beast is 666.

– Lamb standing on Mt Zion with the 144,000.

First Bowl (Rev 16:1)

Anyone with the mark of the beast gets a malignant sore.

Second Bowl (Rev 16:3)

Every living thing in the Sea is destroyed.

Third Bowl (Rev 16:4)

Rivers become blood. No water left to drink.

Fourth Bowl (Rev 16:8)

Sun heat is increased to burn people.

Fifth Bowl (Rev 16:10)

The Beasts kingdom is destroyed.

Sixth Bowl (Rev 16:12)

River Euphrates is dried up. The dragon gathers together the kings of the world for the battle of Armageddon.

Seventh Bowl (Rev 16:17)

Voice out of heaven says “It is done”.

There was a great earthquake, unlike anything seen before. Jerusalem split into three parts. Hailstones of 100 pounds each fell from heaven.

Great harlot Babylon destroyed (Rev 17:1)

False religious system

Great Economic Babylon destroyed (Rev 18:1)

World economic system

Rejoicing in heaven

Marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7)

Second Coming (Rev 19:11)

• Heaven is opened, Christ is sitting on a white horse, and his army is with him.

• The beast and kings of the earth are assembled to make war with the Lord.

• The Beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. The rest were killed with the sword in his mouth. (His Word)

• An angel comes from heaven and throws Satan into the abyss for 1 thousand years. The abyss is sealed.

• The first resurrection – Those martyred are resurrected to reign with Christ.

• Satan is released after 1000 years to deceive the nations again. (20:7) They surround the Holy City, and fire comes down from heaven and devours them.

• Satan is thrown into the lake of fire. They are tormented day and night forever.

• Great White Throne Judgment (20:11) – The books are opened. Second resurrection, to judgment. All people are judged for there deeds, since they didn’t accept Christ.

• New heaven and earth