Bible Overview
Revelation
Whilst
exiled
on
the
isle
of
Patmos,
John,
the
disciple
Jesus
loved,
writes
a
revelation
of
Jesus
Christ,
given
to
Jesus
by
God,
and
given
to
John
by
an
angel.
The
revelation
is
to
show
things
that
are
to
come
to
pass.
We
are
told
that
anyone
who
reads
this
revelation,
or
hears it read, will be blessed.
John first sees a vision of Christ and is instructed to write to seven churches.
Letters to the seven churches
The
seven
churches
are:
Ephesus,
Smyrna,
Pergamos,
Thyatira,
Sardis,
Philadelphia
and
Laodicea.
Each
letter
is
introduced
as
being
from
Christ,
and
each
letter
is
a
critique
of
that
church’s
spiritual
condition.
It
is
considered
by
some
that
these
churches
are
also
representative of churches through the ages to the present day.
Two
of
these
churches,
Smyrna
and
Philadelphia,
have
nothing
bad
said
against
them;
two
of
them,
Sardis
and
Laodicea,
have
nothing good said about them. All churches are given a promise to overcomers.
John
is
called
to
be
shown
the
things
that
will
happen
in
the
future.
He
sees
the
throne
of
God,
but
is
not
able
to
see
God,
only
the
glory
emanating
from
it.
He
also
sees
24
elders
and
four
'beasts',
all
worshipping
and
praising
God,
who
created
all
things
for
His
pleasure.
The Seven Seals
John sees a scroll in God’s right hand, written on both sides and having seven seals that only Jesus is qualified to open.
Jesus
begins
to
open
the
seals.
From
the
first
four
seals
come
four
horses
with
riders,
generally
known
as
the
‘four
horsemen
of
the
apocalypse’. These represent the antichrist, wars, famine and death.
With the opening of the fifth seal the souls of martyrs cry out for vengeance, but they are told they must be patient.
With the sixth seal there follows earthly and cosmic devastation announcing the great day of the wrath of the lamb.
After
the
first
six
seals
have
been
opened,
there
is
a
pause
until
God’s
servants
have
been
sealed.
Those
to
be
sealed
number
144,000,
consisting
of
12,000
from
each
tribe
of
Israel.
John
then
sees
a
great
multitude
from
all
nations,
having
overcome
the
great
tribulation to be with Christ.
The
seventh
seal
is
now
opened
followed
by
a
period
of
silence.
The
seventh
seal
releases
seven
angels
with
their
trumpets
that
will
announce
judgements
on
man.
But
before
the
trumpets
are
sounded,
another
angel
offers
the
prayers
of
all
the
saints
with
incense,
then fills his censer with the fire of the altar and casts it to earth.
The seven trumpets
These
are
the
judgements
announced
with
the
first
four
trumpets:
a
burning
up
of
a
third
of
the
trees
and
all
the
grass;
the
killing
of
a
third
of
life
in
the
sea
and
destroying
a
third
of
all
ships;
a
third
part
of
the
rivers
become
wormwood
and
many
die
from
its
bitterness;
a third part of the sun, moon and stars are hidden.
Then
an
angel
proclaims
three
woes,
warning
that,
although
the
first
four
trumpets
heralded
severe
events,
worse
is
to
come
from
the remaining three.
Following
the
fifth
trumpet,
the
first
woe
is
the
release
of
smoke
from
a
bottomless
pit
which
darkens
the
sky,
and
the
release
of
locusts
which
are
to
torment
those
who
do
not
have
the
seal
of
God
on
their
forehead.
This
torment
is
to
last
for
a
period
of
five
months with no relief.
When
the
sixth
angel
blows
his
trumpet,
four
of
Satan’s
angels
command
a
vast
army
that
will
slay
a
third
part
of
all
men
during
a
specified period of time. Despite this judgement, the survivors do not repent of their sins.
A
mighty
angel
gives
John
a
little
book
to
digest
and
makes
a
solemn
oath
that
the
mystery
of
God,
as
declared
by
His
prophets,
would be finished at the beginning of the seventh trumpet.
Two
witnesses
will
prophesy
for
three
and
a
half
years
during
which
time
no
rain
will
fall
on
the
earth.
The
witnesses
have
the
power
to smite the earth with plagues as they see fit, all the while being protected from any who try to kill them.
When
the
three
and
a
half
years
is
over
they
will
be
killed,
only
to
be
resurrected
after
a
short
period
of
time
and
to
ascend
to
heaven.
At
the
same
time
there
will
be
a
great
earthquake
destroying
a
tenth
of
the
city
and
killing
seven
thousand
men,
bringing
fear
on the remnant who will then give glory to God.
This is the second woe, the third is to quickly follow.
The
seventh
trumpet
is
sounded
heralding
the
coming
of
the
third
woe.
Voices
in
heaven
announce
the
kingdoms
of
the
world
are
now
Christ’s,
and
he
is
to
reign
for
ever.
Thanks
are
given
for
the
victory
that
has
come,
for
the
judgement
that
will
follow
and
rewards
given to his prophets and saints that feared him, and for the pending destruction of the Antichrist and his followers.
The
temple
of
God
in
heaven
is
opened,
the
ark
of
the
covenant
is
seen
in
the
temple
and
there
are
lightnings,
and
voices,
and
thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail
.
The woman and the dragon
John
now
sees
a
vision
of
a
woman
[Israel]
and
a
dragon
[Satan].
The
woman
is
pregnant
and
the
dragon
stands
before
her
ready
to
devour
her
child.
She
bares
a
son
[Jesus],
who
is
taken
up
to
God
and
to
His
throne,
then
flees
to
the
wilderness
where
she
is
to
remain
and
be
fed
for
three
and
a
half
years.
Then
a
war
is
fought
in
heaven
between
Michael
and
his
angels
and
Satan
and
his
angels,
with
Michael
prevailing
and
Satan
and
his
angels
being
cast
out
of
heaven.
A
warning
is
given
to
the
inhabitants
of
the
earth
that
the
wrath
of
Satan
is
to
come
because
he
only
has
a
short
time
left.
Satan
persecutes
the
woman
and
makes
war
with
the
remnant
of
her
seed who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The two beasts
A
beast
arises
out
of
the
sea,
given
authority
and
power
by
Satan.
This
beast
has
a
deadly
wound,
yet
survives
it,
causing
the
world
to
worship
Satan
and
the
beast.
For
three
and
a
half
years
this
beast
will
blaspheme
against
God,
make
war
with
the
saints
and
be
victorious over them. Yet the saints are encouraged to be faithful and patient.
Then
a
beast
arises
out
of
the
earth,
being
like
a
lamb,
but
speaking
as
a
dragon,
exercising
all
the
power
of
the
first
beast
and
deceiving
the
world
with
miracles.
He
instructs
an
image
of
the
first
beast
to
be
made
that
everyone
must
worship
or
be
killed.
Everyone
is
to
receive
a
mark
of
the
beast
on
their
right
hand
or
forehead,
without
which
they
will
not
be
able
to
buy
or
sell
anything.
The number of the beast, the number of a man, is given as 666.
The joy of the redeemed and the harvest
John
now
sees
Jesus
with
the
144,000,
the
first-fruits
through
Jesus,
having
his
Father’s
name
written
on
their
foreheads.
They
sing
a
song
that
only
they
are
able
to
sing,
having
been
redeemed
from
the
earth
and
having
no
blemish.
Then
he
sees
an
angel
preaching
to
everyone
on
earth,
calling
them
to
fear
God
and
worship
Him,
for
the
hour
of
judgement
has
come.
This
angel
is
followed
by
another
announcing
Babylon
has
fallen
because
of
her
fornication.
Then
a
third
angel
is
seen,
warning
that
anyone
who
receives
the
mark
of
the beast would receive the full wrath of God.
The patience of the saints will be tried and the overcomers rewarded.
John
now
sees
a
vision
of
Jesus
reaping
the
earth
and
gathering
the
redeemed.
Another
angel
is
called
to
gather
the
wicked
who
are
then to face divine wrath.
The seven bowls
The seven bowls of God’s wrath are now to be poured on the earth.
The first is poured upon the land, punishing those who have the mark of the beast and have worshipped his image.
The second is poured upon the sea, turning it to blood and killing every living creature in it.
The
third
is
poured
upon
the
rivers
and
fountains
of
water,
which
also
becomes
blood
so
that
those
who
killed
the
prophets
and
saints should have to drink it.
The fourth is poured upon the sun, causing men to be scorched with fire, for which they blaspheme God and do not repent.
The fifth is poured upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom becomes full of darkness, causing great anguish, but no repentance.
The sixth is poured on the river Euphrates, causing it to dry up to prepare the way for the kings of the east.
Between the pouring of the sixth and seventh bowl is the battle of Armageddon.
The
seventh
bowl
is
poured
into
the
air
and
a
great
voice
from
the
throne
in
the
temple
of
heaven
announces
It
is
done.
There
are
voices,
thunders
and
lightnings,
and
the
greatest
earthquake
ever
seen,
dividing
Babylon
into
three.
Then
there
is
a
great
hail
with
stones as heavy as a talent, causing men to blaspheme God because of it, and still they do not repent.
God’s final triumph
The Woman and the Beast
An
angel
comes
to
invite
John
to
see
the
judgement
of
the
great
whore,
Babylon,
who
is
the
source
and
epitome
of
fornication.
She
is
riding
a
beast,
who
is
the
devil
risen
from
the
bottomless
pit
and
who
will
make
war
with
the
Lamb,
but
will
be
defeated.
Many
will
turn
against her and come to hate her, according to God’s will to fulfil prophecy.
The Fall of Babylon
Another
angel
comes
and
announces
that
Babylon
the
great
has
fallen,
having
become
the
habitation
of
everything
evil,
where
nations
and kings had committed fornication with her.
Another
voice
is
heard
calling
His
people
to
come
out
of
Babylon
and
not
be
partaker
of
her
sins,
but
to
take
full
vengeance
on
her
because
she
has
glorified
herself
and
felt
secure.
Plagues
will
come
on
her
in
one
day
and
she
will
suffer
death,
mourning
and
famine,
and
will
be
utterly
burned
by
fire.
All
had
benefited
from
her
greatness
and
riches,
but
they
have
all
now
come
to
nought
within
the
space of one hour.
God’s people are called to rejoice, for God has now taken vengeance on her.
The hallelujah and the wedding feast
There
follows
a
great
rejoicing
in
heaven
for
the
triumph
over
Babylon.
The
voice
of
a
great
multitude
is
then
heard
calling
one
another
to
be
glad
and
rejoice,
for
the
time
of
the
Lamb’s
marriage
with
his
bride,
the
church,
has
come.
His
wife,
having
made
herself
ready,
is
dressed in white linen, the linen depicting the righteousness of the saints.
Christ victorious
John
sees
heaven
open
and
Jesus
riding
on
a
white
horse
to
judge
and
make
war,
followed
by
his
armies
in
heaven,
also
on
white
horses.
The
beast,
kings
of
the
earth
and
their
armies,
then
gather
to
make
war
against
Jesus
and
his
army.
They
are
defeated
and
the
beast and his prophet are both cast into the lake of fire, and the kings and their armies are slain to the rejoicing of the righteous.
The Thousand Years and the last judgement
Satan
is
bound
for
a
thousand
years
so
that
he
is
unable
to
deceive
the
nations.
During
this
time
the
church
sits
on
thrones
to
judge
with
Jesus,
as
do
the
saints
who
had
been
martyred
and
had
not
received
the
mark
of
the
beast
or
worshipped
him.
This
is
described
as the first resurrection. The rest of the dead will not be raised until the thousand years are complete.
When
the
thousand
years
are
up,
Satan
is
released
to
deceive
the
nations.
The
number
deceived
is
great
and
are
gathered
to
do
battle,
but
are
defeated.
Satan
is
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire
and
brimstone,
where
the
beast
and
false
prophet
are,
and
will
be
tormented
day and night forever.
All the dead, small and great, now stand before God to be judged according to their works.
Death
and
hell
are
cast
into
the
lake
of
fire,
as
are
those
whose
name
is
not
found
written
in
the
book
of
life.
This
is
the
second
death.
God’s new world
John
now
sees
the
new
heaven
and
the
new
earth
in
which
there
is
no
more
sea,
and
in
which
there
is
no
tabernacle,
as
God
will
now
dwell amongst His people.
And
God
shall
wipe
away
all
tears
from
their
eyes;
and
there
shall
be
no
more
death,
neither
sorrow,
nor
crying,
neither
shall
there
be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Jesus then declares the work is done.
John
is
shown
the
new
Jerusalem
and
observes
there
is
no
temple
within,
as
God
and
the
Lamb
are
its
temple.
There
is
no
sun
or
moon
as
the
glory
of
God
and
the
lamb
are
its
light,
and
the
gates
are
not
shut
as
there
is
no
night.
Everything
within
it
is
pure
and
nothing can enter that might defile it.
John
sees
a
pure
river
of
water
of
life
coming
from
the
throne
of
God
and
the
Lamb,
with
the
tree
of
life
that
bares
twelve
fruits,
yielding a fruit every month, and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations.
The
angel
tells
John
that
all
the
visions
he
has
seen
are
faithful
and
true,
and
that
the
Lord
God
had
sent
His
angel
to
reveal
these
things to him.
John
is
told
to
reveal
all
that
he
has
seen.
Jesus
tells
John
he
will
come
quickly,
with
his
reward
to
be
given
to
every
man
according
to his works, and confirms John has been given these visions to testify to the churches.
A warning is given that no man is to add or take away from the words of this book.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.