Overview of the Book of Revelation
I. DAY OF THE LORD: TWO EXTREMES AT THE END-OF-THE-AGE
The day of the LORD is Great and very Terrible; who can endure it? (Joel 2:11; Malachi. 4:5)
For the Great Day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand? (Revelation 6:17)
A. Revelation gives us the most information on the End-Times in Scripture. Revelation emphasizes
the Day of the Lord which refers to the unusual positive and negative events related to Jesus’ Second
Coming. Much information in Revelation is straight forward yet most have been told that it is too difficult
to understand because of the seven key symbols, which are clearly interpreted by Scripture.
B. The first extreme will be a Great Day of the Lord for the responsive. The greatest revival in
history is yet to come. In other words, the Church’s greatest hour is soon coming. We will see the
miracles recorded in the book of Acts and the book of Exodus combined and multiplied on a global
scale.
C. The second extreme will be a very Terrible Day of the Lord for the rebellious because they
will experience trouble from four sources. First, they will experience the most severe judgments of
God in history. God brings tribulation against the people in the Antichrist’s empire by the 3 numbered
judgment series which are three groups of judgments (7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls; Revelation 6;
8-9; 16). They describe 21 judgments on the Antichrist that continue through the final 3½ years.
Second, they will experience the rage of Satan through the Antichrist’s reign of terror who will
bring tribulation to the saints using his worldwide government (Revelation 13). Satan
destroys and perfectly hates his own worshippers and even the demons who serve under him. Third,
the actions of evil people will bring tribulation on both believers and unbelievers (murder, sorcery,
immorality thefts; Revelation 9:21). Fourth, by convulsions in nature (earthquakes, storms, etc)
will bring tribulation to the nations. The negative part of the Day of the Lord is called the
Great Tribulation.
II. THE GREAT TRIBULATION (MATTHEW. 24:21; JEREMIAH 30:7; DANIEL 12:1).
There will be Great Tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the
world...nor ever shall be. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be
saved (physically spared)... (Matthew 24:21-22)
A. Jesus prophesied about the Great Tribulation which emphasizes the negative dimensions
seen in the final 3½ years before His return. It is the most severe in history that will surpass all other
difficult times in history. God sovereignly determined that these days would be shortened to 3½ years
to keep all from being physically killed. The invasion of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD resulted in
1,000,000 people dying in the attack. This gives us a prophetic picture of this future time of trouble. The
events of 70 AD do not fulfill End-Time prophecies. In World War II, 50 million died which far surpassed
the 1,000,000 deaths (in 70 AD). Neither of them are the worst time in history and neither involved the
Abomination of Desolation in the Jerusalem Temple nor the mark of the Beast with a image that spoke
and breathed (Rev. 13:14-17). Neither 70 AD nor World War II came close to threatening the very
existence of the whole human race as the Great
Tribulation will (Mt. 24:22).
B. The purpose of the Great Tribulation is to purify God's people, bring in the Great
Ingathering of souls (including the salvation of Israel), vindicate the saints, expose false
believers within the Church, demonstrate God’s power in protecting the saints (Rom. 9:17),
punish sin (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Isaiah 26:21), and purge the earth from the defilement
of sin (Isaiah 24:4-6; Zechariah 13:2).
C. The principle of judgment: God uses the least severe means to reach the greatest number
of people at the deepest level of love without violating anyone’s free will in training the future
rulers of the earth. The Great Tribulation is severe but it is the least severe means to accomplish
God’s purposes. The Goshen principle will be operative in this hour (Exodus 8:22-23).
D. Supernatural protection (pockets of mercy). God will seal individual saints protecting
them from judgments (Revelation 7:2-3; 9:4; Ezekiel 9:4-6; Psalm 91:5-7). The Goshen Principle
(Exodus 8:22-23; 9:4-6, 26; 10:23; 11:7): God did not allow the plagues of Egypt to touch the land of
Goshen, where His people lived. Pockets of mercy refers to geographic areas in which God’s
people will be protected from His wrath. Prayer makes the difference in various regions
(Joel 2:13-14; 3:16).
Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth…IT MAY BE that you will be hidden
(protected) in the day of the LORD's anger (judgments) (Zephaniah 2:3).
III. OUTLINE OF REVELATION – 7 PARTS
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly
take place. He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John... (Revelation 1:1)
For the testimony of Jesus (the unveiling of His heart) is the spirit of prophecy.
(Revelation 19:10)
A. Revelation 1, John is commissioned to reveal Jesus’ majesty and beauty.
1. Revelation is called the revelation of Jesus and it reveals His leadership. This is why
the Revelation is not an optional subject for the Church. The Gospels (89 chapters) give
us a record of Jesus’ miracle power at His first coming to accomplish redemption. The end-of-
the-age (with over 100 chapters in Scripture) tells us about Jesus’ miracle power in taking
leadership over the earth.
2. We understand much more of Jesus’ beauty as we see His wisdom and power in His
leadership in His dramatic plans for the End-Times as He combines human free will, satanic
rage and God's sovereignty to produce the Great Ingathering of souls and victorious Church
without violating Divine justice or man’s free will. We must never reduce its message to charts
and time tables.
B. Revelation 2-3, The seven letters to Churches exhorting them to be overcomers.
C. Revelation 4-5, The Heavenly court is where the great End-Time plan is established and initiated.
D. Revelation 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.
E. Revelation 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.
F. Revelation 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 (Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25;
Psalm 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Matthew 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).
G. Revelation 21:22, The New Jerusalem comes to earth. The revelation of heaven coming down to earth.
Jesus brings the heavenly and earthly realms together. (Ephesians 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.
IV. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION: TWO MAIN FEATURES
A. The 5 chronological sections (Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1-9:21; 11:15-19; 16:1-21; 19:11-21:8) are comprised
of the 3 numbered judgment series consisting of the 7 Seals (Revelation 6), 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8-9) and 7 Bowls
of wrath (Revelation 15-16) then the Second Coming of Jesus to Jerusalem and then the Millennium (Revelation 20)
followed by the New Earth (Revelation 21:1-8). These sections are given in a straight forward way.
1. In the five chronological sections the events happen one after the other in chronological 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.
2. 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.
3. The first chronological section describes the Seven Seals (Revelation 6), the second one, the Seven
Trumpets (Revelation 8-9), the third, the 7th Trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19), the fourth, the Seven Bowls of
wrath (Revelation 15-16), the fifth, the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth to win the Armageddon campaign
(Revelation 19:11-21), the Millennial Kingdom, the Great White Throne judgments and then the time when
heaven and earth are fully joined (Revelation 21:1-8)
B. The 5 parenthetical sections – a parenthetical section is a section that is in parenthesis as it follows one of the
chronological sections (Revelation 7:1-17; 10:1-11:13; 12:1-14:20; 17:1-19:10; 21:9-22:5). Each of the parenthetical
sections follows a chronological section.
1. 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. There are two main questions that
are asked. They are the same questions we all ask.
2. First, “How come these judgments are so severe? Or, how can a God of love find it necessary to release
such violence?
3. 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.
4. I think of these sections as the angel talking to John in a pastoral way. For example, after telling him that
the seven seals of judgment will be released, John was undoubtedly overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of
what he heard. Thus, the angel “puts the chronological storyline on pause” as if he says, “John sit down let me
explain things to you.
5. The angel instructs John so that he can comfort the Church. The five parenthetical sections each answer
these two questions in different ways. After the parenthetical sections, the angel continues to unfold the
chronological story line again.
6. 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. Revelation 17 is the most
difficult chapter.
The 7 beatitudes in Revelation are brief injections (some are parenthetical encouragements) that do not advance the
unfolding story line (Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14).
V. SEVEN PRIMARY SYMBOLS IN THE PARENTHETICAL SECTIONS
A. All the events and numbers in Revelation are taken in their plain meaning (literal) unless specifically indicated as
symbolic as in Revelation 1:20; 5:6; 11:8; 12:1, 3, 9; 17:7, 9. Daniel used the same symbols. The combination of Revelation
with Daniel brings to light the interpretation of most of the symbols. Thus, the majority of commentators who interpret
Revelation in a plain sense or literal why, agree on the symbols. How do we know when as passage is symbolic? When it
says it is symbolic then it is. For example, the angel tells John the seven lamp stands are symbolic of seven churches
(Revelation 1:20)
B. The Dragon: is always symbolic of Satan (Revelation 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2)
C. The first Beast: is symbolic of the Antichrist. He is called the Beast 36 times in Revelation (Revelation 13; 14:9-11;
17:3-17; 19:19-21; 20:4, 10)
D. Another Beast: is symbolic of the False Prophet who is only called, “another Beast” one time. Every other time he
called the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-17; 16:13; 19:20; 20:10)
E. 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 the
revived Roman Empire. (Daniel 2:41-42; 7:7, 20, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3-16)
F. 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. (Daniel 2:41-42; 7:7, 11:36-45; 20, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 7, 12, 16).
G. The Harlot Babylon – will be established in the literal re-built city of Babylon on the Euphrates River in Iraq (50
milessouth of Baghdad) that will be restored and will be one of the Antichrist’s headquarters. It will function as a center
of worldwide religious and economic networks (Revelation 17-18; Isaiah 13-14; 21; Jeremiah 50-51). The Harlot Babylon
will be filled with evil as it seeks to seduce many to follow them and as it persecutes the saints. Saddam Hussein set his
heart on rebuilding ancient Babylon as ancient Jerusalem was re-established. After 1948, Jerusalem suddenly came out
of the ashes and was rebuilt. Babylon (in Iraq) will be also be suddenly rebuilt. Babylon will occupy a major role in four ways:
geographically, nationally, spiritually, and prophetically. God’s judgment will destroy this city forever (Jeremiah 50-51 has
not happened yet).
H. The Woman with the Male-child (Revelation 12:1-5; 19:7-8) – the woman is the faithful remnant of Israel through
history. The Male-child is Jesus (Revelation 12:4-5). Her offspring that Satan makes war with here are Gentile believers
during the Tribulation (Revelation 12:17).
VI. THE HEAVENLY COURT AND THE 7-SEALED SCROLL (REVELATION 4-5)
A. The context of the opening of the 7 seals is the heavenly court scene in (Revelation 4-5; Daniel 7:9-14). The (scroll)
leadership of history is in the hands of the sovereign God (4:1-11). Jesus takes the scroll from the Father and accepts
leadership to judge, cleanse and rule the whole earth (5:1-14).
B. The scroll that represents the title deed of the earth and the action plan required to judge, cleanse and rule the
earth while bringing the Church (in unity with redeemed Israel) to fullness (numbers, unity, purity, power, etc.) so that the
Father’s purpose for the earth may come to pass. There is a quest to find someone worthy to break the seals and open the
scroll. Jesus is the only one worthy (deserving and capable) to open (set into motion and oversee) the 7 seals of judgment
around the scroll (Revelation 5:5-7).
VII. THE THREE NUMBERED JUDGMENT SERIES (7 SEALS, 7 TRUMPETS, 7 BOWLS)
A. The 3 judgment series are God’s judgments against unbelievers as He purges the earth. They are literal (actual
events not to be explained away symbolically or historically), future (their greatest fulfillment is future), progressive (they
increase in intensity) and numbered (released in a sequential order as they follow one after the other in sequence that we
might know their order as they unfold on earth).
B. The 7 seals around the scroll must be broken to open the scroll. The seals alert us to something important to come
(yet with an element of mystery). The Trumpets warn of something more severe to come that requires extreme, desperate,
emergency actions in prayer. The Bowls speak of that which is poured out in fullness without delay or hindrance.
C. Each of the 3 judgment series (seals, Trumpets, and Bowls) have 7 events which are structured in the same way.
Each series is divided into 3 parts i.e., the first 4 belong together, the next 2 are clearly grouped together and then the
final one
stands alone.
VIII. 1ST CHRONOLOGICAL SECTION: 6 SEALS OF JUDGMENT (REVELATION 6:1-17)
A. The timing of Jesus opening the 7 seals is one interpretive key to the Book of Revelation. Is it future or past tense?
Revelation 5:8 gives insight into the timing of Rev. 4-5 as when the prayer movement is mature worldwide. In other words,
only when the Bowls of prayer are full does Jesus open the first seal.
B. The seven seals are released by Jesus, the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:5; 6:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12; 8:1).
I saw when the Lamb (Jesus) opened one of the seals...(Revelation 6:1)
1.) White horse (first seal): Antichrist's political/military aggression (Revelation 6:1-2)
2.) Red horse (second seal): bloodshed and World War (Revelation 6:3-4)
3.) Black horse (third seal): famine and economic crisis (Revelation 6:5-6)
4.) Pale horse (fourth seal): disease and death to ¼ of the earth (Revelation 6:7-8)
5.) Prayer movement (fifth seal): that releases God's judgment on the Antichrist (Revelation 6:9-11)
6.) Cosmic disturbances (sixth seal): cosmic crisis (Revelation 6:12-17)
IX. 1ST PARENTHETICAL SECTION: WHO CAN STAND? (REVELATION 7:1-17)
For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand? (Revelation 6:17)
A. This interlude answers, “Who can stand?” affirming the security of God's people. God reveals that 144,000 Jewish
believers will be able to stand in victory (7:1-8). These saints received a protective seal before God struck the earth, sea and
trees (Revelation 7:1-4), the areas affected by the first 4 Trumpets (Revelation 8:7-11). In Exodus, Israel received a
protective mark on their doors as a seal that saved their first born from death. Many saints will be protected in judgment
(Zephaniah 2:3; Micah 7:14-19; Isaiah 11:15-16).
B. God reveals that the Gentile martyrs stood strong without wavering in persecution (7:9-17).
X. 2ND CHRONOLOGICAL SECTION: 6 TRUMPETS (REVELATION 8:2-9:21)
A. The Trumpet judgments are the 2nd Judgment Series. They are supernatural acts of God through nature
(first four Trumpets, Revelation 8:7-12) and demons (fifth and sixth Trumpet). They are not merely natural or historical
acts portrayed in symbolic language. They are sent in answer to the prayers of the saints on their persecutors. The
saints are
not the objects of the Trumpet judgments (Revelation 9:4; 7:1-4).
B. The Trumpet judgments have a 3-fold purpose: judgment on enemies, warning to the lost and victory for God’s
people in holy war like Joshua. The Trumpet judgments display the Antichrist’s false gods as inferior in power to Jesus.
Godwill frustrate the Antichrist’s plan by the Trumpet judgments in hindering his economic and military controls and plans.
C. The ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7–12) are prophetic types foreshadowing End-Time plagues seen in the Trumpets
and Bowls of wrath escalated to the whole world instead of just Egypt. The limitation of the Trumpets to a 1/3 partial judgment
gives opportunity for repentance (1/3 is used 14 times in Revelation 8:2–9:21 (Revelation 8:7[2x], 9[3x], 10, 11, 12[5x];
9:15, 18).
D. The Seventh seal (Revelation 8:1) releases the commission for 7 angels who release the Trumpet judgments and
releasing God’s incense that releases the fullness of His anointing on the End-Time prayer movement (Revelation 8:3-4)
which causes God’s fire to be cast to earth (Revelation 8:5a).
E. The first 4 Trumpets release God’s judgment on nature with indirect judgment on the natural resources and safety
of the Antichrist’s worshippers (8:6-12). Each Trumpet judgment focuses on a different area of life, i.e., food (vegetation,
meat, fish), sea trade, water supply and the environment: light and heat (sun, moon, stars). The last 2 Trumpets touch men
in the Antichrist’s kingdom in a direct way using demons to torment and then kill them.
1). First Trumpet: burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Revelation 8:7)
2). Second Trumpet: destroying 1/3 of the earth’s seas (Revelation 8:8-9)
3). Third Trumpet: poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Revelation 8:10-11)
4). Fourth Trumpet: darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Revelation 8:12-13)
5). Fifth Trumpet: releasing the demonic plague of locusts (Revelation 9:1-12)
6). Sixth Trumpet: killing 1/3 of the earth’s population (Revelation 9:13-21)
XI. THE 2ND PARENTHETICAL SECTION: PROPHETIC MESSENGERS (REVELATION 10:1-11:13)
A. Revelation 10:1-11:13 is a parenthetical section just before releasing the final Bowl judgments. The main point in this
parenthetical section is God assuring us that He will provide prophetic direction and power to those who call out to Him. God
will release an unprecedented outpouring of prophetic revelation in the End-Time (Acts 2:17-21), on international, national
and regional levels.
B. God promised to raise up Prophetic Messengers before the Bowls are released so as to not leave the people
without prophetic messengers to prepare them. (Revelation 10 is a key passage for End-Time prophetic forerunners).
God has purposefully concealed key info about the End-Times, yet will reveal in the generation that the Lord returns.
God will use the “seven thunders prophetic messengers” to contribute to the release of His End-Time purpose. John
heard and understood the seven prophetic messages to be released in the End-Times (Daniel 11:33-35, 12:10). My
prayer is for 10,000 forerunners to serve in the End-Time drama in local ways.
C. There are Two Witnesses (prophets) who will preach with great power and release God’s judgments for 3½
years during the Great Tribulation. They will work miracles like Moses and Elijah (Malachi 4:5). These 2 prophets will
function on a
global scale in confronting the Antichrist.
XII. 3RD CHRONOLOGICAL SECTION (7TH TRUMPET): SECOND COMING BEGINS (REVELATION 11:14-19)
A. The Last Trumpet or the 7th Trumpet initiates the Second Coming procession thus the Rapture
(Revelation 11:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-52). The fact of the Rapture is a glorious doctrine, however, a deception
todayrelates to its timing in occurring before the Tribulation.
B. The empires of this world will come under Jesus’ reign at the last Trumpet when the saints are rewarded and God
destroys those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-52). I believe that this is when Jesus
Raptures the Church and begins the process of the Second Coming events that end in Jerusalem.
C. The nature of the Second Coming events: is a 3 stage process that includes many events instead of it being only one
event that happens one afternoon. The Second Coming procession has three stages to it. First, Jesus comes across the
entire earth in the sky (Revelation 1:7). Second, He comes across the land (Isaiah 63:1-6). Third, Jesus re-enters
Jerusalem (Matthew 23:39; Psalm 24:7-10) using the 7 Bowls to destroy the armies of the Antichrist and thus to win the
Armageddon campaign (Revelation 19:11-21) at the Battle of Jerusalem. Jesus releases the 7 bowls of wrath as Moses
released the ten plagues of Egypt.
XIII. 3RD PARENTHETICAL SECTION: WAR IN THE SPIRIT (REVELATION 12:1-14:20)
A. The purpose of this parenthetical section is to give us insight into the certainty of victory for the saints and why
God’s wrath is so severe. This parenthetical section occurs just before the announcing of the release the seven Bowls of
wrath (Revelation 15-16). In Revelation 12, war will break out in heaven between Satan and Michael, which results in Satan
being cast to the earth in the generation the Lord returns. In Revelation 13, to continue his war on the earth, Satan uses his
two primary weapons of war, the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
B. In Revelation 13:1-10, the Antichrist is introduced as the Beast from the sea. He is the final world leader who wages
war against God and persecutes His people. He has a political, military and economic alliance with a ten-nation confederation.
He will have the largest army, the most money and power (spiritual/political/military) of any man in history. He will use
demonic miracles to deceive (Revelation 13:12-14) and the political process to kill resistors (Revelation 13:15).
C. In Revelation 13:11-18, the False Prophet is introduced as the Beast from the earth. His goal is to cause all
nations to worship the Antichrist (Revelation 13:4, 8). His three most effective strategies will be by giving demonically
empowered public speeches that are confirmed by great miracles to deceive (Revelation 13:12-14), along with the
abomination of desolation (a demonically empowered idol, Revelation 13:14-16) and the mark of the Beast
(Revelation 13:16-17) which provides a strict way to control finances and the purchases of the necessities of life as well
as being a means of daily forcing all to openly declare their loyalty or lack of loyalty to the Antichrist.
D. In Revelation 14, God promises reward to His people and judgment to the followers of the Antichrist in three
different sections. God promised consequences for the righteous and unrighteous in this time. First section:
Revelation 14:1-5 144,000 Jewish believers: a model for victory in the midst of persecution. Mt. Zion is earthly Jerusalem.
Second section: Revelation 14:6-13 reveals four specific End-Times proclamations that the Spirit will anoint.
Revelation 14:6-7 Earthly Victory: Gospel preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14). Revelation 14:8 Earthly Judgment:
Babylon/Harlot Church with certain defeat. Revelation 14:9-11 Eternal Judgment: Certain judgment for Antichrist
worshippers so heed the warning and do not take the mark of the Beast (apostasy).. Revelation 14:12-13 Eternal
Reward: Certain Blessing/reward for perseverance. Victory: Prophetic promise of blessing for perseverance.
Third section: Revelation 14:14-20 Harvest (2-fold) released by prayer (Revelation 5:8; 22:17). Rev. 14:14-16
Breakthrough: release of Great Harvest of believers. Revelation 14:17-20 Breakthrough: release of judgment on
the harvest of sin.
E. The 144,000 sealed Jewish believers (Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1-5) are prophetic singers who preach the
gospel in power during last 3½ years. They will be divinely sealed or protected by the power of God in the midst of
God’s judgments. Other believers (Gentiles) are sealed by God for protection (Revelation 9:4; Ezekiel 9:6). The
Goshen Principle
(Exodus 8:22-23; 9:4, 6, 26; Zephaniah 2:3; Psalm 91).
XIV. 4TH CHRONOLOGICAL SECTION: 7 BOWLS OF GOD’S WRATH (REVELATION 15:1-16:21):
The seven Bowls of wrath are the 3rd Judgment Series. The judgment events recall the plagues in Egypt released
by Moses against Pharaoh (Exodus 7-12).
1.) First Bowl: loathsome sores to Antichrist worshippers (Revelation 16:1-2)
2.) Second Bowl: sea turns to blood and kills all in the sea (Revelation 16:3)
3.) Third Bowl: all the fresh water turns to blood (Revelation 16:4-7)
4.) Fourth Bowl: scorching heat and fire from the sun (Revelation 16:8-9)
5.) Fifth Bowl: darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Revelation 16:10-11)
6.) Sixth Bowl: demons lure the nations to Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16)
7.) Seventh Bowl: worst earthquake, 100 pound hail stones (Revelation 16:17-21).
XV. 4TH PARENTHETICAL SECTION: THE FALL OF BABYLON (REVELATION 17:1-19:10)
A. God assures the saints of His complete judgment on Babylon which will be a worldwide economic and religious
network that seduces many to follow evil and to persecute the saints. The judgment of the Great Harlot (Revelation 17) and
the fall of Babylon (Revelation 18) will destroy many of the resources for the infrastructures of darkness.
B. The Marriage supper of the Lamb and the rewards for each believer occurs in context to the Second Coming and
the Rapture (Revelation 19:7-10).
C. God’s judgment on the Great Harlot Babylon (Revelation 17) – is a judgment on this worldwide demonic
economic and religious network that seduces many to follow evil and to persecute the saints. God’s wrath will come on
Babylon in two stages. The angel proclaimed a double fall of Babylon (Revelation 14:8). Revelation 17-18 describes the two
falls of Babylon. The first phrase of fall of Babylon (Revelation 17) relates to worldwide religion system of toleration and
syncretism. This will fall in middle of the 7 year period at the hands of the ten kings (Revelation 17:16). The 10 kings burned
the Harlot religious system and replaced it with the Antichrist’s religious system that will be based in part of the city of
Babylon. Babylon will be established as one of the Antichrist’s headquarters. This second phase of judgment
(Revelation 18) will be the collapse of the Antichrist’s worldwide economic system at the end of the 7 year period
at the hands of God (Revelation 18:8).
XVI. 5TH CHRONOLOGICAL SECTION: MILLENNIUM, NEW EARTH (REVELATION 19:11-21:8)
A. The 5th Chronological Section describes Jesus coming to earth (specifically to Jerusalem) as the Warrior-King
(Revelation 19:11-21) to end the Armageddon Campaign by defeating the Antichrist (Revelation 19:17-21) in
order to establish His earthly 1,000 year, Millennium Kingdom (Revelation 20:4-10) when Jesus as King of kings takes
over all the governments of the earth after the binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1-3).
B. The Lord will gather all the armies of all the nations to Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:3; 14:2; Joel 3:2;
Zephaniah 3:8). God wants no nation to be neutral. Therefore, He will gather all nations to make them declare what
is in their hearts toward Jesus. Joel calls this the valley of decision (Joel 3:14). The nations of the earth will attack
Israel and lay siege to Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-10; 14:1-2). The Lord will gather all nations to Jerusalem (Zion)
which is named prophetically by Joel, the “Valley of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:2, 12) or the “Valley of Decision” (Joel 3:14).
This is the Valley of Berachah, where Jehoshaphat won a great battle against all odds (2 Chronicles 20:26, 16).
C. In the Millennium, all the kings of the earth will be saved and worship Jesus (Psalm 72:11; 102:15; 138:4) and
base their national governments on His Word (Scripture). After the Millennium, is the Great White Throne Judgment
of all unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15). The Millennium is a literal 1,000 year period in which Jesus will rule the
whole world from Jerusalem in righteousness, prosperity and continual peace (Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-9;
11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Psalm 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Deuteronomy 8; 28; Matthew 5:5; 6:10; 17:11; 19:28; 28:19;
Acts 1:6; 3:21).
XVII. 5TH PARENTHETICAL SECTION: NEW JERUSALEM & MILLENNIAL EARTH (REVELATION 21:9-22:5)
The 5th Parenthetical section describes the New Jerusalem’s relationship to the Millennial earth. Revelation 22:6-22:21
is John’s final exhortation. The New Jerusalem descends to the Millennial earth (Revelation 21:10). After the Millennial
rebellion, the present heaven and earth is purged with fire to become the New Heaven and Earth with the New
Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:5).
XVIII. THE FOUR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
A. Futurists view Revelation 1-3 as fulfilled, and Revelation 4-5 as in heaven with Revelation 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.
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.
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.
E. The events of 70 AD do not fulfill the prophecies about the End-Times
D. 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. Jerusalem The events of 70 AD do not fulfill most of the details
of many Scriptures about the Great Tribulation. For example, Rev. 13 requires a talking image, the mark of the Beast,
a healed head wound, mandatory worship of the Antichrist worldwide and a False Prophet. Jesus said the Great
Tribulation would happen until after we see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place which would
result in the threat of every human being killed. Nothing close to this happened in the first Jewish Revolt against
Rome (66-73) in which Jerusalem and the Second Temple were destroyed in 70 AD ending at Masada (73 AD).
The Second Jewish Revolt against Rome (500,000 Jews killed with destruction of 1000 villages (132-135 AD). Hadrian
renamed Jerusalem Aelia Capatolina and erected a Pagan temple over the site of the Herod’s Temple and refused
to let Jews to live there (136 AD). The 50 million babies aborted each year world wide overshadows both 70 AD
and WWII.
F. Common lies related to End-Time prophecy: It is not relevant (it is just for the curious). Revelation is to be
spiritualized (not taken literally) because is impossible to understand (it is only for scholars). 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).
If this is not the last generation for the world before Jesus returns, it is surely your last generation.
All believers can understand the book of Revelation and End-Time prophecy
- #3372 - fear, afraid, awe
- #3557 - contain, measure, calculate
- #3173 - violent, mighty, strong
- #2250 - last day of present age
- #3709 - anger, punishment
- #1410 - capable, power, ability
- #2347 - pressing, distress
- #4982 rescued from destruction
- #602 laying bear, disclosure of truth, instructions
- #2424 - Jehovah of Salvation
- #5547 Anointed, Son of God
- #1325 bestow, grant, supply
- #1166 expose, give evidence
- #3739 who, which, what, that
- #1096 come into existence, appear in history
- #32 messenger from God, envoy
- #3141 prophetic position, judge
- #2424 Jehovah is Salvation
- #4394 prediction of events