The Revelation - Synopsis

Title[1]

The book is called “The Revelation”, meaning, unveiling or revealing, with some versions of the Bible adding, such as the King James Version, “of John [the Divine]”. This is of course wrong, as the first verse of the book tells us who wrote the book: “Jesus Christ”. Furthermore, note it is not called “Revelations” – it is “The Revelation”, singular – there was only one revelation to John while he was on the Isle of Patmos, not many revelations. Some have called the book the Apocalypse – which from the Greek means unveiling (not disaster as some would have it due to its bleak narrative about the end of the world).

Who wrote the book[2]

The Book of Revelation was written by John, a brother in Christ (verse 1:9 & 22:1), and hence as a Christian rather than Jew, and is assumed to be, down the ages, Johannine, i.e. John the son of Zebedee.

Why was it written

It was written for Christians and Jews so they would know their past and current status, along with exhortations and warnings, if warranted, and importantly, their future status, being a prophecy of the End-times. Although the book is clearly written for Christians, the middle sections have a Jewish flavour, which must be accommodated when read. It was written as a blessing to all those read it:

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:3 (KJV)

Revelation was written to give confidence in the absolute saving grace of Jesus Christ and his sure salvation, along with the knowledge that he will revenge his and our enemies.

When & where was it written

Scholars have dated the book as being written in 96 AD, the date also held by Irenaeus, the friend of Polycarp, who knew John.

John wrote the book from the Isle of Patmos:

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:9 (KJV)

To whom was the book written

The seven churches of Asia, by name, thus to Christians, along with all Jews of the world, and the world as a whole. It is also a final warning to Satan, outlining his demise.

Of what or whom it speaks

The Book of Revelation does not introduce many new concepts or ideas, but rather it takes the myriad of prophecies of the Old Testament and lays them out in chronological order. Indeed, there are at least 550 allusions to the Old Testament in The Book of Revelation.[3] It’s purpose is to set out the exact order events will occur, and the timing of those events – Old Testament Prophets did not have this information.

The things seen

Chapter one tells of the things seen, Christ died, returned to His father and was glorified. The church began at Pentecost on the sending of the Holy Spirit.

The things that are

Chapters 2 and 3 are seven letters to 7 churches of Asia, which represents the character of all churches over the past 2000 years. The letters individually and as a whole contain lessons for us all.

The things that are to come

Chpters 4 to the end (i.e. chapter 22) deal with the end-time, covering seven years, which occurs after true believers (born again) and taken by Jesus Christ, to heave, i.e. post the rapture of the Church. After the seven years, it speaks of a 1000 years “millennium” period where Satan is “tied up” before his final casting into the lake of fire. Finally it finishes with the description of the New Jerusalem.

Divisions

Although the passages are in chronological order, the events of some chapters take place coincident with events of previous chapters. That is, visions were given to John about certain events, some of which will take place at the same time as other events. For example Chapter 10 is about people who live and die during the period of chapters 6-8.

By Division:

By Event

General Overview

Chronoloical order of the Book of Revelation

There are a number of theories on the timeline of the last days, however, since no prophet of scripture ever interpreted their prophecies metaphorically but literally, so should those who read the Book of Revelation. Furthermore, since all other prophecies are given in their logical order, those of Revelation must also be interpreted in the order in which they are written. The confusion among evangelical pre-millennialists (i.e. those that believe the sequence up to chapter 20 come after all other events described in chapters 1-19) concerns the time when the church will be taken away (raptured to heaven).

This author strongly believes there is no other interpretation but that which sets forth the rapture prior to the tribulation. The view matches the events set out in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 if read literally. However, the principal reason is the invisible Church[4] is not judged – the world and those that reject Christ are judged, but those who put their faith and trust in the Messiah, have already had their sins judged. This means true believers (invisible church) are removed from the earth prior to the events in chapter 4 onward in Revelation (noting many will come to Christ during this time).

The other reason is the message and the history of the church is complete at the end of chapter 3 – no other mention is made of her. However, there are some very wise men who think otherwise – usually believing the church is raptured sometime during or at least by the end of the first 3.5 years of tribulation and whose understanding of this book is far better than mine. These men are worth reading, but you need to continue to ask the question – whom is God seeking vengeance against – and are true believers whose debt of sin has been paid in full by the blood of Christ, involved?

A general overview of the timeline between Creation and the final Eternal State is shown below.

The Tribulation period is divided into two periods of 3½ years, with the events, that unfold in groups of seven. This is depicted in the picture below; noting the 7^th seal, when opened brings in the 7 trumpets, and on the sounding of the 7^th trumpet the 7 bowl judgements are exercised. The diagram does not show the ‘woes’, nor ‘blackouts’.

In Chronological Order of the Seven Churches

1. Ephesus - (faithful brethren of Christ)

• post apostolic period (2:1-7)

2. Smyrna - means bitterness

• period of persecution (2:8-11)

3. Pergamos - means twice married (400 AD)

• the corruption period by Judaism (2:12-17)
• as the Church became a political body

4. Thyatira – means daughter

• corruption by Rome, continues until Ch 18 (2:18-29)
• Note the addition of verse 25 to the message
• (also 3:3, 3:10, 3:16)

5. Sardis - means those escaping

• progress of evil stayed
• Protestantism (1500) (3:1-6)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

6. Philadelphia - means brotherly love

• revival (1800) similar to Mal 3:16

7. Laodicea - means rights of the people

• indifferent apostate church (1900)
• see Jude etc.

Principal or key verses

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this (1:19)

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:3 (KJV)

The word “hear” is mentioned 11 times:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Statistics (from KJV)

Studying the book

The aim of studying Revelation is not to become an expert in the imagery of the book, nor to understand the derivation of the symbols (the are nearly all explained in the Old Testament), but to understand the Character of God, His Grace and the confidence we have in His saving grace.

Reading the book has a promise; reading means more than just looking. To listen is not necessarily hearing. We are called to hear what the Spirit says. The initial aim is to gain a feel for the book, its divisions and general outline of the end-times. The doctrine of pre-millennial rapture is important if we are to have confidence in our hope in the return of Christ Jesus. A study of the Book of Revelation will, hopefully, reinforce that confidence in the Lord's coming before Armageddon, His mighty power and sovereignty over all creation, and the blessedness of the Lamb who came to die for us.