Revelation

Part One: Introduction to Revelation

The Title

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John" (1:1). The word "Revelation" (Greek apokalypsis) means an unveiling, a disclosure of what was hidden. The book is the revelation of Jesus Christ: it comes from Him, and it is about Him. It unveils Christ in His glory as the risen Lord of the church, the Lamb who alone is worthy, the coming King, the Judge of all, and the Bridegroom of His people.

The Author

The writer calls himself John four times (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8), a servant of God and "your brother, and companion in tribulation" (1:9). Early Christian writers such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus identified him as the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, author of the Gospel and the three letters. He was on "the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:9), a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea, about forty miles from the coast of Asia Minor, used by Rome as a place of exile.

Date

Irenaeus, who knew Polycarp, a disciple of John, wrote that the Revelation was seen "towards the end of Domitian's reign," around AD 95. Domitian demanded worship as "Lord and God," and Christians who refused faced persecution. Some interpreters date the book earlier, around AD 68 under Nero, but the testimony of the early church and the conditions of the seven churches favour the later date.

The Recipients

The book was sent to seven real churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (1:11). They lay on a circular road, in the order a messenger would travel. Through them, it speaks to "the churches," to every believer: "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (2:7).

The Blessing

Revelation is the only book of the Bible that begins with a promised blessing for reading and obeying 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

It contains seven beatitudes ("Blessed..."):

The Key to the Book

Christ Himself gave John the outline of the book:

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter

Revelation 1:19

How Revelation Has Been Interpreted

Revelation is full of symbols, many explained within the book itself or drawn from the Old Testament. Christians have followed four main approaches:

This study follows the futurist approach, held by most Baptists today, understanding chapters 4-19 as describing a future seven-year tribulation (Daniel's seventieth week, Daniel 9:27), followed by Christ's glorious return, His thousand-year reign, the final judgment and the new heavens and new earth. Other views are noted where they matter. On any view, the central message is the same: Jesus Christ will triumph, evil will be judged, and God will dwell with His people for ever.

Symbols and Numbers

Revelation explains many of its own symbols (for example, 1:20; 5:6, 8; 12:9; 17:9, 12, 15, 18), and many come from the Old Testament, which the book echoes hundreds of times, especially Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Exodus and the Psalms, though it never quotes it formally. The number seven, the number of completeness, appears more than fifty times: seven churches, Spirits, candlesticks, stars, seals, trumpets, vials, thunders, horns and eyes. Christ is called "the Lamb" twenty-eight times.

Theme

The theme of Revelation is the triumph of Jesus Christ. The once-slain Lamb is worthy to take the scroll of history; He will judge the world in righteousness, defeat Satan and all his forces, reign as King of kings, and make all things new.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him

Revelation 1:7

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11:15

Outline of Revelation

Part Two: Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis

Section I: The Things Which Thou Hast Seen (Chapter 1)

Chapter 1:1-8 — Prologue and Greeting

The revelation came from God, through Christ, by an angel, to John, for God's servants (1:1). It concerns "things which must shortly come to pass": events that would begin soon, and that would unfold swiftly once begun.

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Revelation 1:4-5

The greeting comes from the Trinity: the eternal Father ("which is, and which was, and which is to come"); the Holy Spirit, called "the seven Spirits" to express His perfect fullness (Isaiah 11:2; Zechariah 4:2-6); and Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness (His life on earth), the first begotten of the dead (His resurrection) and the prince of the kings of the earth (His coming reign).

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:5-6

Christ loves us (continually), has washed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us kings and priests to God (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9).

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7

This is the theme verse of the book. Christ's return will be visible, public and worldwide (Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 24:30). Israel, who pierced Him, will look upon Him, and the nations will mourn.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the Lord is the beginning and end of all things. The same title is later used by Christ (22:13).

Chapter 1:9-20 — The Vision of the Glorified Christ

John was on Patmos, suffering for his testimony. "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day" (1:10), the first day of the week, the day of Christ's resurrection, when believers gathered for worship. He heard a voice like a trumpet, telling him to write what he saw and send it to the seven churches (1:10-11). Turning, he saw seven golden candlesticks, and among them "one like unto the Son of man" (1:12-13):

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 1:17-18

John, who once leaned on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper, now fell down as dead before His glory. But the same loving hand touched him: "Fear not." Christ is the First and the Last (the LORD's title in Isaiah 44:6), the One who died and is alive for evermore, and He holds the keys of death and hell (Hades). The believer need not fear death, for Christ controls it.

Christ then gave John the outline of the book (1:19) and explained "the mystery": "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches" (1:20). The churches are lampstands, bearing the light of Christ in a dark world. The "angels" (messengers) are probably the pastors or leading messengers of each church, held securely in Christ's hand.

Section II: The Things Which Are (Chapters 2-3)

The Letters to the Seven Churches

Each letter follows a similar pattern: Christ's address to the church, a description of Himself drawn from the vision of chapter 1, commendation, rebuke, exhortation, the call "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches," and a promise to "him that overcometh." These letters apply in three ways:

• Historically: they were written to real first-century churches with real conditions.
• Practically: every church and believer can find themselves in them.
• Prophetically (a view held by many dispensational Baptists): the seven churches preview the main stages of church history: Ephesus the apostolic church; Smyrna the persecuted church; Pergamos the church allied with the state; Thyatira the medieval church; Sardis the Reformation church; Philadelphia the missionary church; Laodicea the lukewarm church of the last days.

Chapter 2:1-7 — Ephesus: The Church That Left Its First Love

Ephesus, the great port and capital of Asia, home of the temple of Diana, had been served by Paul, Timothy and John. Christ commended its hard work, endurance and doctrinal discernment: it had tested false apostles and found them liars, and hated "the deeds of the Nicolaitans" (a sect, perhaps teaching moral licence) (2:2-6). "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (2:4). Orthodoxy and activity had replaced devotion to Christ. The cure: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place" (2:5). A church that loses its love for Christ will eventually lose its witness. The overcomer will "eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God" (2:7; 22:2).

Chapter 2:8-11 — Smyrna: The Suffering Church

Smyrna (modern Izmir) was a proud, beautiful city, a centre of emperor worship with a hostile Jewish community. Christ, "the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive," knew their tribulation and poverty: "but thou art rich" (2:9). He knew the blasphemy of those who claimed to be Jews but were "the synagogue of Satan." He had no rebuke for this church.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 2:10

Their suffering would be limited ("ten days"). The overcomer "shall not be hurt of the second death" (2:11). Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna and disciple of John, was martyred there around AD 155, declaring, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong."

Chapter 2:12-17 — Pergamos: The Compromising Church

Pergamos was the capital of the province, with a great altar of Zeus and the first temple of emperor worship in Asia: "where Satan's seat is" (2:13). The believers held fast Christ's name even when Antipas, "my faithful martyr," was killed. But some held "the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication" (2:14; Numbers 25; 31:16), and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. They tolerated compromise with pagan culture. "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth" (2:16). The overcomer receives "the hidden manna" (Christ, the true bread), and "a white stone, and in the stone a new name written" (2:17), perhaps a token of acquittal or of admission to a feast.

Chapter 2:18-29 — Thyatira: The Corrupt Church

Thyatira was a commercial town full of trade guilds, each with its patron god and feasts. Christ appears as "the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass" (2:18). He commended their love, service, faith and patience, and growth: "the last to be more than the first" (2:19). But they tolerated "that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (2:20). Like Ahab's wife Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31), she promoted idolatry and immorality, probably encouraging participation in the guild feasts. Christ gave her time to repent, but she refused; judgment would fall, "and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts" (2:23). To the faithful remnant: "that which ye have already hold fast till I come" (2:25). The overcomer receives "power over the nations" to rule with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:9), and "the morning star" (2:26-28), Christ Himself (22:16).

Chapter 3:1-6 — Sardis: The Dead Church

Sardis was a wealthy city with a famous citadel thought impregnable, yet twice captured because its defenders were not watching. "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead" (3:1). It had a reputation for life but was spiritually dead. "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain... Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief" (3:2-3). Yet "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy" (3:4).

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:5

This promise gives assurance: Christ will never blot out the true believer's name.

Chapter 3:7-13 — Philadelphia: The Faithful Church

Philadelphia ("brotherly love") was a small city on the frontier, founded to spread Greek culture, and often shaken by earthquakes. Christ is "he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth" (3:7; Isaiah 22:22).

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Revelation 3:8

Though weak, they were faithful to the Word and the name of Christ, and He gave them an open door for the gospel. Their opponents would one day bow before them and know that Christ loved them (3:9).

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 3:10

"The hour of temptation" (trial) that will come on the whole world is understood by futurists as the coming tribulation. Christ promises to keep His faithful people "from" that hour, not merely through it, a key text for the pre-tribulation rapture view held by many Baptists. "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (3:11). The overcomer will be "a pillar in the temple of my God" (permanent, secure in a city of earthquakes), with God's name, the name of the new Jerusalem, and Christ's new name written on him (3:12).

Chapter 3:14-22 — Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church

Laodicea was a rich banking centre, famous for its black wool and a medical school that produced eye salve. It was so wealthy that it rebuilt itself after an earthquake in AD 60 without Roman aid. Its water came by aqueduct from hot springs and arrived lukewarm; nearby Hierapolis had hot healing springs and Colosse cold, refreshing water.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:14-16

Christ is "the beginning" (the source and ruler) of God's creation (Colossians 1:15-18). The Laodicean church was like its water: neither hot (healing) nor cold (refreshing), but lukewarm, useless and nauseating to Christ. There is no commendation.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Revelation 3:17-18

Proud of its wealth, its clothing and its medicine, the church was spiritually poor, naked and blind. Christ offers true riches, white garments of righteousness and spiritual sight.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:19-20

Remarkably, Christ stands outside His own church, knocking. His rebuke is an act of love (Hebrews 12:6). His appeal goes to individuals, "if any man," and offers intimate fellowship. This verse, addressed to a church, is also rightly used as an invitation to every sinner to open the heart to Christ. The overcomer will sit with Christ on His throne (3:21).

Section III: The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter (Chapters 4-22)

Chapter 4 — The Throne in Heaven

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Revelation 4:1

"After this" marks the beginning of "the things which shall be hereafter" (1:19). John is caught up to heaven. Many futurists see this as a picture of the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), noting that the word "church," used nineteen times in chapters 1-3, does not appear again on earth until chapter 22:16.

Before the judgments begin, John sees the throne of God, the centre of the universe. One sat on it, "to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald" (4:3). The rainbow, God's covenant sign after the flood (Genesis 9:13), reminds us that He remembers mercy even in judgment.

• Twenty-four elders sat on thrones around the throne, clothed in white with crowns of gold (4:4). Many understand them as representing the redeemed church in heaven, already robed, crowned and enthroned (compare 2:10; 3:5, 21); others see them as an exalted order of angels. Twenty-four may combine the twelve tribes and twelve apostles (21:12-14), or reflect the twenty-four courses of priests (1 Chronicles 24).
• Lightnings, thunderings and voices proceeded from the throne, signs of coming judgment (4:5; Exodus 19:16).
• Seven lamps of fire, "which are the seven Spirits of God" (4:5).
• A sea of glass like crystal before the throne (4:6), perhaps recalling the laver of the tabernacle; there is no more need of cleansing in heaven.
• Four beasts (living creatures) full of eyes, like a lion, a calf, a man and a flying eagle, each with six wings (4:6-8; compare Ezekiel 1:10; Isaiah 6:2). They represent the highest order of created beings, and perhaps the whole of creation: wild animals, domestic animals, humans and birds.

And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Revelation 4:8

When the living creatures give glory, the elders fall down and cast their crowns before the throne:

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 4:11

God is worshipped as Creator. All things exist for His pleasure and glory.

Chapter 5 — The Lamb and the Scroll

In the right hand of Him who sat on the throne was "a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals" (5:1). The scroll is best understood as the title deed to the earth and the record of God's plan to reclaim it from the usurper and judge the world. "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" (5:2). No one in heaven, on earth or under the earth was found worthy, and John "wept much" (5:3-4).

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Revelation 5:5

Christ is the Lion of Judah, the promised King from Judah's tribe (Genesis 49:9-10), and the Root of David, both David's source and his descendant (Isaiah 11:1, 10; Revelation 22:16).

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Revelation 5:6

John turned to see a Lion and saw a Lamb, still bearing the marks of slaughter, yet standing alive. Christ conquered by being slain. His seven horns picture perfect power; His seven eyes, perfect knowledge through the Spirit. The Lamb took the scroll (5:7), and heaven burst into worship:

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 5:9-10

The Lamb is worthy because He was slain and redeemed people from every nation by His blood. The redeemed will reign on the earth. Then countless angels, "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands," joined in: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (5:11-12). Finally every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth and in the sea joined:

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:13

The Lamb receives the same worship as God on the throne, for He is God. Chapter 4 worships God as Creator; chapter 5 worships the Lamb as Redeemer.

Chapter 6 — The Seals Opened

As the Lamb opens the seals, the judgments of the tribulation begin. Christ described the same sequence in His Olivet discourse: false christs, wars, famines, pestilences, martyrdom and heavenly signs (Matthew 24:4-29).

At the sixth seal, kings, great men, the rich, the mighty, slaves and free alike hid in caves and cried to the mountains and rocks:

Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Revelation 6:16-17

"The wrath of the Lamb": the gentle Lamb who was slain is also the righteous Judge. Those who refused His mercy will face His wrath.

Chapter 7 — The Sealed Servants and the Great Multitude

Before the seventh seal, there is a pause. Four angels hold back the winds of judgment until God's servants are sealed (7:1-3).

The 144,000 (7:4-8). John heard the number of the sealed: 144,000, "of all the tribes of the children of Israel," twelve thousand from each of twelve tribes. Futurists understand these as Jewish believers, saved and sealed for protection and service during the tribulation (compare 14:1-5). (The tribe of Dan is omitted, perhaps because of its early idolatry, Judges 18; Joseph and Levi are included.) Others understand the number symbolically, as the complete people of God.

The great multitude (7:9-17).

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Revelation 7:9-10

Even in the darkest days, multitudes from every nation will be saved. One of the elders identified them:

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14

These are believers saved and martyred during the tribulation. Their blessedness is described in some of the most comforting words in Scripture: "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" (7:16-17).

Chapter 8 — The Seventh Seal and the First Four Trumpets

"And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour" (8:1), an awed hush before the storm. The seventh seal contains the seven trumpets. An angel offered incense with "the prayers of all saints" on the golden altar, then filled the censer with fire from the altar and cast it to the earth (8:3-5). The prayers of God's people, including the martyrs' cry (6:10), are answered in judgment.

The first four trumpets strike the natural world, many recalling the plagues of Egypt:

An angel (or eagle) flying through heaven cried, "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth" because of the three remaining trumpets (8:13). The last three trumpets are called the three woes.

Chapter 9 — The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets

The fifth trumpet: the first woe (9:1-12). A star fallen from heaven (a fallen angel) was given the key of the bottomless pit (the abyss). Smoke rose like a great furnace, darkening the sun, and out of it came locusts with power like scorpions (9:1-3). They were not to harm vegetation, but only "those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads," tormenting them for five months. "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them" (9:6). Their bizarre appearance (like war horses, with crowns, human faces, women's hair, lions' teeth, iron breastplates and scorpion tails, 9:7-10) shows that these are demonic forces released from the abyss. Their king is "the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon" (9:11), both meaning "Destroyer."

The sixth trumpet: the second woe (9:13-21). Four angels bound at the river Euphrates were released to slay a third of mankind (9:14-15). "And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand" (9:16), two hundred million, a vast demonic or human army. Fire, smoke and brimstone from their mouths killed a third of men (9:17-18). Yet the most sobering verses are these:

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Revelation 9:20-21

Judgment alone does not change the human heart. "Sorceries" translates the Greek pharmakeia, which included drugs used in occult practices.

Chapter 10 — The Mighty Angel and the Little Book

Between the sixth and seventh trumpets comes another pause. A mighty angel came down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, a rainbow on his head, his face like the sun, his feet like pillars of fire, holding a little book open, with his right foot on the sea and his left on the earth, claiming the whole world (10:1-2). Seven thunders spoke, but John was told, "Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not" (10:4); not everything about the future has been revealed. The angel swore by the Creator "that there should be time no longer" (no more delay), and that at the seventh trumpet "the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets" (10:6-7).

John was told to eat the little book: "it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter" (10:10; Ezekiel 3:1-3). God's Word is sweet to receive, but its message of judgment is bitter to digest and proclaim. "Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings" (10:11).

Chapter 11 — The Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet

The temple measured (11:1-2). John measured "the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein," but not the outer court, given to the Gentiles, who "shall they tread under foot forty and two months" (three and a half years). Futurists understand this as a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the tribulation (compare Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

The two witnesses (11:3-14). God will give power to two witnesses to prophesy 1,260 days (three and a half years), clothed in sackcloth (11:3). They are "the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth" (11:4; Zechariah 4:3, 11-14). They have power to destroy enemies with fire, to shut heaven so that it does not rain (like Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1), and to turn waters to blood and smite the earth with plagues (like Moses, Exodus 7-11) (11:5-6). Many identify them as Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Christ at the transfiguration (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:3); others as Enoch and Elijah, who never died.

When their testimony is finished, "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" will kill them, and their bodies will lie in the street of "the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified" (Jerusalem) (11:7-8). People from every nation will see their bodies for three and a half days and rejoice, sending gifts (11:9-10), something modern worldwide communications make easy to imagine. Then "the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them" (11:11). They ascended to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched, and a great earthquake killed seven thousand; "the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven" (11:12-13).

The seventh trumpet (11:15-19).

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11:15

The seventh trumpet announces the climax: Christ's kingdom. The elders worshipped God, who had taken His great power and reigned; the nations were angry, but the time had come for judgment, for rewarding His servants, "and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth" (11:16-18). The temple in heaven was opened, revealing "the ark of his testament" (11:19), the sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant. The seventh trumpet contains the seven vials (chapters 15-16).

Chapter 12 — The Woman, the Child and the Dragon

Chapters 12-14 step back to show the spiritual conflict behind the events on earth.

The woman and the child (12:1-6). "A great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars" (12:1). The imagery recalls Joseph's dream of his father, mother and brothers (Genesis 37:9); the woman is Israel, the nation through whom the Messiah came. "A great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns" stood ready to devour her child (12:3-4); his tail drew a third of the stars of heaven, the angels who fell with him. "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne" (12:5). This is Christ (Psalm 2:9), born of Israel, whom Satan tried to destroy (Matthew 2:16), and who ascended to God's throne. The woman fled into the wilderness, where God would nourish her for 1,260 days (12:6), God's protection of Israel during the second half of the tribulation.

War in heaven (12:7-12).

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 12:7-9

Satan, who still has access to accuse believers before God (Job 1-2), will be cast out of heaven to the earth, probably at the midpoint of the tribulation. His names reveal his nature: the dragon (fierce), the old serpent (deceiver since Eden), the Devil (slanderer), Satan (adversary).

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 12:10-11

Believers overcome Satan's accusations by three things: the blood of the Lamb (the full payment for their sins), the word of their testimony (their confession of Christ), and their willingness to die for Him. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (12:12).

The persecution of the woman (12:13-17). The dragon persecuted the woman (Israel), but she was given "two wings of a great eagle" to flee into the wilderness, where she was nourished "for a time, and times, and half a time" (three and a half years; Daniel 7:25) (12:13-14). When the dragon sent a flood after her, the earth swallowed it (12:15-16). Enraged, he went "to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (12:17).

Chapter 13 — The Two Beasts

The beast out of the sea (13:1-10). John saw "a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (13:1). The sea represents the nations (17:15). The beast combines features of Daniel's four beasts: like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion (13:2; Daniel 7:3-7). It is both the final world empire and its ruler, the Antichrist. "The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority" (13:2).

• A counterfeit resurrection: one of his heads was "as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" (13:3).
• Worship: "they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" (13:4).
• Blasphemy: he has "a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies," and power to continue forty-two months (13:5-6).
• Persecution: "it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (13:7).
• Universal worship: "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (13:8).

"If any man have an ear, let him hear... Here is the patience and the faith of the saints" (13:9-10).

The beast out of the earth (13:11-18). "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon" (13:11). He looks gentle but speaks Satan's words. Later called "the false prophet" (16:13; 19:20), he is a religious leader who promotes the worship of the first beast. He performs great wonders, even calling fire from heaven, deceives the world, and makes an image of the beast which he gives breath to speak, ordering that all who refuse to worship it be killed (13:12-15).

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Revelation 13:16-17

The mark of the beast will be a sign of allegiance to the Antichrist, required for all economic life.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Revelation 13:18

In Greek and Hebrew, letters also served as numbers, so a name could be "counted." The number 666 may also symbolise man falling short of God's perfect seven, three times over. Many identifications have been proposed (for example, "Nero Caesar" in Hebrew letters totals 666), but its full meaning will be clear to those who live when the beast appears. Believers should not engage in speculation or name-guessing, but be warned never to give their allegiance to anyone but Christ.

The unholy trinity. Satan imitates God: the dragon is a counterfeit of the Father, the beast of the Son (with a counterfeit death and resurrection), and the false prophet of the Holy Spirit (directing worship to the beast, as the Spirit glorifies Christ).

Chapter 14 — The Lamb, the Angels and the Harvest

The Lamb on Mount Sion (14:1-5). In contrast with the beast's followers, John saw the Lamb standing on Mount Sion with the 144,000, having His Father's name written in their foreheads (14:1). They sang a new song that only they could learn. They were pure ("virgins," spiritually undefiled by the world's idolatry), followed the Lamb wherever He went, were redeemed as "firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb," and had no guile (14:3-5).

Three angelic messages (14:6-13).

• The everlasting gospel (14:6-7): an angel flew "having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Even in the tribulation, God sends a final worldwide gospel call.
• The fall of Babylon (14:8): "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city," announced in advance (chapters 17-18).
• Warning against the beast (14:9-11): "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God... and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night." This is one of the clearest statements of eternal, conscious punishment in Scripture.

"Here is the patience of the saints" (14:12). Then a voice from heaven:

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Revelation 14:13

The harvest and the vintage (14:14-20). One like the Son of man, seated on a white cloud with a golden crown and a sharp sickle, reaped the earth, "for the harvest of the earth is ripe" (14:14-16). Another angel gathered "the vine of the earth" and cast it "into the great winepress of the wrath of God," and blood flowed "even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs" (about 180 miles) (14:17-20; Joel 3:13). This previews the final battle of Armageddon (16:16; 19:15).

Chapter 15 — Preparation for the Final Plagues

"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God" (15:1). Those who had overcome the beast stood on a sea of glass mingled with fire, holding harps of God:

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Revelation 15:3-4

As Israel sang the song of Moses after crossing the Red Sea and seeing Pharaoh's army destroyed (Exodus 15), so the victors over the beast praise God's righteous judgments. The temple in heaven was opened; seven angels came out and received seven golden vials full of God's wrath; and "the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled" (15:5-8).

Chapter 16 — The Seven Vials of Wrath

The vials (bowls) are poured out rapidly, the final and most severe judgments, affecting the whole earth:

At the third vial, the angel of the waters declared God righteous: "Thou art righteous, O Lord... because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy" (16:5-6). God's judgments are perfectly just. Yet, as with the trumpets, men "blasphemed the name of God... and they repented not to give him glory" (16:9, 11).

The sixth vial: Armageddon gathered (16:12-16). The Euphrates was dried up, "that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared" (16:12). Three unclean spirits like frogs came out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet: "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (16:13-14). Then a parenthetical warning from Christ:

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Revelation 16:15

"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (16:16). Armageddon means "the hill (or mountain) of Megiddo," overlooking the great plain of Esdraelon (Jezreel) in northern Israel, the site of many famous battles (Judges 5:19; 2 Kings 23:29). Here the armies of the world will gather against God and His Christ (Psalm 2:1-3; Joel 3:9-14; Zechariah 14:2).

The seventh vial: "It is done" (16:17-21). "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done" (16:17). As Christ cried, "It is finished," on the cross, God now declares the end of His wrath on the earth. The greatest earthquake in history struck; the great city was divided into three parts; the cities of the nations fell; "great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath"; islands fled and mountains disappeared; and hailstones "about the weight of a talent" (perhaps around 75-100 pounds) fell. Still "men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail" (16:18-21).

Chapter 17 — The Great Whore: Religious Babylon

One of the vial angels showed John "the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication" (17:1-2). In Scripture, spiritual unfaithfulness to God is called fornication (Hosea 2; Ezekiel 16). This woman represents a corrupt, idolatrous religious system that seduces rulers and peoples.

John saw her "sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns" (17:3), the beast of chapter 13. She was "arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication" (17:4).

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus

Revelation 17:5-6

Babylon, from the tower of Babel (Genesis 11) onwards, represents man's organised rebellion against God, and the source of false religion. This harlot is "the mother" of all false religious systems, and she has persecuted God's people.

The angel explained the mystery (17:7-18):

• The seven heads are "seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth" (17:9). Rome was famous as the city on seven hills. They are also seven kings (or kingdoms): "five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come"; the beast himself is "the eighth" (17:10-11).
• The ten horns are ten kings who will receive authority for "one hour" with the beast, a final confederation of nations (Daniel 2:41-44; 7:24) (17:12-13).

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 17:14

• The waters where she sits are "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (17:15): her influence is worldwide.
• The ten horns and the beast will turn against the whore, "and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire" (17:16). The political power that used the false religious system will finally destroy it, perhaps so that the beast alone can be worshipped (13:8). God's purposes are fulfilled even through His enemies (17:17).
• The woman is "that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth" (17:18).

Many Reformers and older Baptists identified this harlot with the Roman papal system, pointing to the seven hills, the purple and scarlet, the riches, and its history of persecuting dissenters. Many futurists understand it as a final, worldwide apostate religious system, possibly centred in Rome, that will unite false religions in the last days. Either way, it is a warning against every religion that claims God's name while betraying His truth.

Chapter 18 — The Fall of Commercial Babylon

Another angel, with great power, lit the earth with his glory and cried:

Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Revelation 18:2-3

Chapter 18 focuses on Babylon as the centre of the world's economic and political system, luxury and greed.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Revelation 18:4

As Israel was called out of ancient Babylon (Jeremiah 51:6, 45), God's people must separate from the world's corrupt system (2 Corinthians 6:17). Her judgment would come "in one day," with death, mourning, famine and fire, "for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her" (18:8).

Three groups lament her fall, each standing "afar off," crying "Alas, alas," and noting that it came "in one hour":

• The kings of the earth (18:9-10), who shared her power and luxury.
• The merchants (18:11-16), who mourn because "no man buyeth their merchandise any more." Their cargo list runs from gold, silver, jewels, fine fabrics, spices and food to horses, chariots, "and slaves, and souls of men" (18:13). The commercial system treated human beings as merchandise.
• The shipmasters and sailors (18:17-19), whose wealth depended on her trade.

But heaven rejoices: "Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her" (18:20). A mighty angel threw a great millstone into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all" (18:21). The sounds of music, craftsmen, millstones, lamps and weddings would cease for ever, "for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth" (18:22-24).

Chapter 19 — The Marriage of the Lamb and the Return of the King

Hallelujah in heaven (19:1-6). Heaven responds to Babylon's fall with the only "Alleluias" in the New Testament, four times:

Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments

Revelation 19:1-2

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Revelation 19:6

The marriage of the Lamb (19:7-10).

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:7-8

In contrast with the harlot, the bride is pure. The church, the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2), is united with her Bridegroom. Her wedding garment is granted to her (Christ's righteousness given by grace), and it is woven from "the righteousness of saints," the righteous acts of believers that grace has produced (Ephesians 2:10). "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb" (19:9).

John fell at the angel's feet to worship him, but the angel said, "See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (19:10). Only God may be worshipped, and the heart of all prophecy is the testimony about Jesus.

The return of the King (19:11-16).

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:11-13

This is the second coming of Christ in glory, the climax of the book and of history. The One who came first on a donkey, meek and lowly, now comes on a white horse as conquering King. He is "Faithful and True"; His judgment is righteous; His eyes see everything; He wears "many crowns" as King over all; His robe is dipped in blood (the blood of His enemies, Isaiah 63:1-6); and His name is "The Word of God" (John 1:1).

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:14-16

The armies of heaven, clothed in the same fine linen as the bride, accompany Him: the saints and angels (Jude 14; Zechariah 14:5). They do not fight; Christ wins by the sword of His mouth, His spoken word (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

The battle of Armageddon (19:17-21). An angel called the birds to "the supper of the great God," to eat the flesh of kings and armies (19:17-18; Ezekiel 39:17-20), a grim contrast to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The beast and the kings of the earth gathered their armies against Christ (19:19).

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse

Revelation 19:20-21

The battle is over before it begins. The beast and the false prophet are the first to be cast into the lake of fire, where they are still found a thousand years later (20:10).

Chapter 20 — The Millennium and the Great White Throne

Satan bound (20:1-3).

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Revelation 20:1-3

Satan, who deceives the whole world (12:9), will be bound and imprisoned in the abyss for a thousand years, unable to deceive the nations.

The reign of Christ and the first resurrection (20:4-6). John saw thrones, and those given authority to judge, and "the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (20:4).

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5-6

"A thousand years" is mentioned six times in these verses. Premillennialists (including most Baptists today) understand this as a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth after His return, fulfilling God's promises to Israel and the Old Testament prophecies of a kingdom of peace, righteousness and justice (Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-10; Zechariah 14:9). "The first resurrection" is the resurrection of the righteous, which takes place in stages (Christ the firstfruits; the church at the rapture; Old Testament and tribulation saints at Christ's return), all before the millennium (1 Corinthians 15:23; Daniel 12:2). "The rest of the dead," the unsaved, are raised after the thousand years. Other views are summarised in Part Three.

Satan's final rebellion (20:7-10). "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle" (20:7-8). Even after a thousand years of Christ's perfect rule, people born during the millennium who never truly trusted Him will follow Satan in rebellion. This proves that the problem of sin is not environment but the human heart. They will surround "the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city," and fire from God will devour them (20:9).

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10

Satan's career ends. The lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), is a place of eternal, conscious torment.

The great white throne (20:11-15).

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:11-12

This is the final judgment of the unsaved dead of all ages. The throne is "great" (in power) and "white" (in holiness and justice). The Judge is Christ (John 5:22, 27). There is nowhere to hide. Every person, "small and great," stands before Him. Two sets of books are opened: "the books," the record of every person's works, and "the book of life," the register of the redeemed. The lost are judged according to their works, which determines the degree of punishment (Luke 12:47-48); but their eternal destiny is determined by whether their names are written in the book of life.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13-15

No one escapes, whatever became of the body. "Hell" (Hades), the temporary place of the unsaved dead, gives up its occupants and is itself cast into the lake of fire, "the second death," eternal separation from God. The only hope is to have one's name written in the Lamb's book of life (13:8; 21:27), through faith in Christ.

Chapter 21 — The New Heaven, the New Earth and the New Jerusalem

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:1-2

After the final judgment, God creates a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13), cleansed of every trace of sin. "No more sea": the sea, which often symbolised chaos, restlessness and separation, will be gone. The holy city, the new Jerusalem, descends from God, beautiful as a bride.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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.

Revelation 21:3-4

This is the goal of all redemption: God dwelling with His people. Everything that brings sorrow will be gone for ever: death, grief, crying and pain.

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new" (21:5). "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (21:6-7).

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8

Even in this glorious chapter comes a solemn warning: those who persist in unbelief and sin will have no part in the new creation. ("The fearful" are those who, out of cowardice, refused to confess Christ.) Yet the invitation to drink freely is open to every thirsty soul.

The holy city (21:9-27). An angel showed John "the bride, the Lamb's wife," the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven, "Having the glory of God" (21:9-11):

"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it" (21:24).

Chapter 22:1-5 — Paradise Restored

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1-2

The river of life flows from the throne shared by God and the Lamb (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Psalm 46:4). The tree of life, from which humanity was barred after the fall (Genesis 3:22-24), is restored, bearing fruit continually; its leaves bring health and well-being.

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:3-5

The curse of Genesis 3 is reversed. God's servants will serve Him, see His face (the highest blessing, once impossible, Exodus 33:20; Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:2), bear His name, live in His light, and reign with Him for ever.

Section IV: Epilogue (Chapter 22:6-21)

Chapter 22:6-15 — "Behold, I Come Quickly"

"These sayings are faithful and true" (22:6). Three times in this final chapter Christ says, "Behold, I come quickly" (22:7, 12, 20).

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:7

Again John fell to worship the angel and was told, "See thou do it not... worship God" (22:8-9).

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 22:10

Daniel was told to seal up his prophecy until the time of the end (Daniel 12:4); John is told not to seal his, because the time is near. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still... and he that is holy, let him be holy still" (22:11): at Christ's coming, character will be fixed for ever.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22:12-13

Christ claims the title God claimed in 1:8: He is the eternal God.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14

Those who obey Christ, out of the faith that unites them to Him, have the right to the tree of life. (Some manuscripts read, "Blessed are they that wash their robes," compare 7:14.) "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (22:15).

Chapter 22:16-21 — The Final Invitation and Prayer

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 22:16

Jesus is both the source of David's line (as God) and his descendant (as man). He is "the bright and morning star," which appears just before dawn, heralding the new day (2 Peter 1:19).

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17

The Bible's last invitation is open to all. The Spirit and the church say to Christ, "Come"; everyone who hears should echo it; and every thirsty soul is invited to come and take the water of life freely, without price (Isaiah 55:1; John 7:37).

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:18-19

A solemn warning protects the book from tampering (compare Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6). Coming at the close of the final book of the Bible, it also seals the canon of Scripture: God's written revelation is complete.

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Revelation 22:20-21

The Bible ends with Christ's promise, "Surely I come quickly," the church's answering prayer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus," and a final word of grace.

Part Three: Christ in Revelation

The Titles of Christ

Revelation is "the Revelation of Jesus Christ," and it gives Him more titles than any other book:

The Lamb

The Lamb is the central figure of Revelation. He was slain (5:6, 9, 12; 13:8); He is worthy to open the scroll (5:5-9); He is worshipped with the Father (5:13; 7:10); His blood washes robes white (7:14) and overcomes Satan (12:11); His wrath is terrible (6:16); He stands on Mount Sion with His redeemed (14:1); He overcomes the kings of the earth (17:14); He is the Bridegroom (19:7-9); His book of life holds the names of the saved (13:8; 21:27); He is the temple and the light of the new Jerusalem (21:22-23); and He shares the throne from which flows the river of life (22:1, 3). The Lamb who was slain is the Lord who reigns.

The Three Series of Judgments

The judgments grow in intensity: a quarter, then a third, then the whole.

The Unholy Trinity

Views of the Millennium

Views of the Rapture

Among premillennialists, there are differing views on when Christ comes for His church in relation to the tribulation:

All agree on the essential truths: Christ will return personally and visibly, believers will be with Him for ever, and they should live in readiness.

Part Four: Prophecies Fulfilled and Future

Part Five: Key Passages in Depth

Revelation 1:5-8 — The Coming One

Christ, who loves us and washed us from our sins in His blood, will come with clouds, and every eye will see Him. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:12-18 — The Glorified Christ

Christ walks among His churches in priestly, kingly and divine glory. To the trembling believer He says, "Fear not," for He is the living One who holds the keys of death and hell.

Revelation 2-3 — The Letters to the Churches

Christ knows every church's works. He commends faithfulness, rebukes lost love, compromise, tolerance of sin, deadness and lukewarmness, calls to repentance, and promises great rewards to those who overcome.

Revelation 3:20 — Christ at the Door

Christ stands outside a self-satisfied church, knocking, offering intimate fellowship to any who will open.

Revelation 4-5 — Worthy Is the Lamb

Heaven worships God as Creator and the Lamb as Redeemer. Only the Lamb, who was slain and redeemed people from every nation, is worthy to take the scroll and unfold God's plan.

Revelation 6:15-17 — The Wrath of the Lamb

Those who reject the Lamb's mercy will face His wrath, and no one will be able to stand.

Revelation 7:9-17 — The Great Multitude

A countless multitude from every nation, washed in the Lamb's blood, will stand before the throne, where God will wipe away every tear.

Revelation 12:10-11 — Overcoming the Accuser

Believers overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and loyalty to Christ even to death.

Revelation 13 — The Beast and His Mark

The Antichrist will be empowered by Satan, worshipped by the world, and supported by the false prophet, who will require the mark of the beast for buying and selling. Only those in the Lamb's book of life will refuse.

Revelation 14:6-13 — The Everlasting Gospel and the Final Warning

God will proclaim the gospel to every nation even in the tribulation; those who worship the beast will suffer eternal torment; those who die in the Lord are blessed.

Revelation 19:11-16 — The King of Kings

Christ will return from heaven on a white horse, Faithful and True, the Word of God, with the armies of heaven, to judge and make war in righteousness, and to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Revelation 20 — The Millennium and the Final Judgment

Satan will be bound for a thousand years while Christ reigns with His saints. After a final rebellion, Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, and the unsaved dead will be judged at the great white throne.

Revelation 21:1-8 — All Things New

God will create new heavens and a new earth, dwell with His people, and wipe away every tear. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain.

Revelation 22:17 — The Final Invitation

The Spirit and the bride say, Come. Whosoever will may take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:20 — "Even So, Come, Lord Jesus"

Christ promises to come quickly, and the church answers with longing prayer.

Part Six: The Major Teachings of Revelation

1. The Deity of Christ

Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, worshipped with the Father (1:8, 17; 5:13; 22:13).

2. The Sovereignty of God

God reigns from His throne over all history; nothing happens outside His plan (4-5).

3. Christ's Lordship over the Church

He walks among the churches, knows their works, and disciplines them in love (1-3).

4. Redemption by the Blood of the Lamb

Christ redeemed people from every nation by His blood (1:5; 5:9; 7:14).

5. Worship

Heaven's worship centres on God as Creator and the Lamb as Redeemer (4-5; 7; 19).

6. The Tribulation and God's Wrath

A future time of judgment on a rebellious world (6-16).

7. Satan and His Defeat

Satan deceives and accuses, but is cast down, bound and finally cast into the lake of fire (12; 20).

8. The Antichrist and False Religion

The beast, the false prophet and Babylon will deceive the world before their destruction (13; 17-19).

9. The Second Coming of Christ

Christ will return visibly in power and glory (1:7; 19:11-16).

10. The Millennium

Christ will reign on earth with His saints for a thousand years (20:1-6).

11. The Resurrections and Final Judgment

The first resurrection of the blessed, and the great white throne judgment of the unsaved (20:4-15).

12. Eternal Punishment

The lake of fire, the second death, is eternal and conscious (14:10-11; 20:10, 14-15).

13. The New Creation

New heavens, new earth and the new Jerusalem, where God dwells with His people (21-22).

14. The Endurance of the Saints

Believers overcome by faith, faithfulness and the blood of the Lamb (2-3; 12:11; 13:10; 14:12).

15. The Authority and Completeness of Scripture

Nothing may be added to or taken from this prophecy (22:18-19).

Part Seven: Connections — How Revelation Links to the Rest of the Bible

Genesis and Revelation: Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained

The Bible begins and ends with creation, a garden, a tree of life and God dwelling with man. Revelation completes what Genesis began:

Revelation and the Old Testament

Revelation and the New Testament

Part Eight: Practical Lessons

• Read, hear and keep the words of this prophecy (1:3).
• Worship Christ, who loves you and washed you in His blood (1:5-6).
• Live expecting Christ's visible return (1:7).
• Remember the Lord's day (1:10).
• Don't fear death; Christ holds its keys (1:17-18).
• Guard your first love for Christ (2:4-5).
• Be faithful unto death (2:10).
• Refuse compromise with the world's idolatry and immorality (2:14, 20).
• Hold fast till He comes (2:25; 3:11).
• Don't settle for a reputation without reality (3:1).
• Walk through the open doors Christ gives (3:8).
• Beware of lukewarmness and self-satisfaction (3:15-17).
• Accept Christ's rebuke as love (3:19).
• Open the door to Christ (3:20).
• Worship God as Creator (4:11).
• Worship the Lamb as Redeemer (5:9-12).
• Rejoice that people from every nation are being redeemed (5:9; 7:9).
• Flee from the wrath of the Lamb to His mercy (6:16-17).
• Know that your prayers rise before God (8:3-4).
• Recognise that judgment alone does not change hearts (9:20-21).
• Receive God's Word, sweet and bitter alike (10:9-10).
• Overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony (12:11).
• Love Christ more than your own life (12:11).
• Give your allegiance to no one but Christ (13:16-17).
• Fear God and give Him glory (14:7).
• Rejoice that the dead in the Lord are blessed (14:13).
• Watch, and keep your garments (16:15).
• Come out of Babylon; don't share in the world's sins (18:4).
• Rejoice in the marriage of the Lamb (19:7).
• Worship God alone (19:10; 22:9).
• Live in light of Christ's coming as King of kings (19:16).
• Make sure your name is in the Lamb's book of life (20:15; 21:27).
• Comfort yourself with the promise of no more tears (21:4).
• Long to see His face (22:4).
• Never add to or take from God's Word (22:18-19).
• Invite every thirsty soul to come (22:17).
• Pray, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (22:20).

Part Nine: Key Verses to Memorize

Conclusion

Revelation is the final book of the Bible and the unveiling of Jesus Christ in His full glory. Exiled on Patmos for his testimony, the aged apostle John saw the risen Christ walking among His churches, the One who was dead and is alive for evermore, holding the keys of death and hell. Christ sent letters to seven churches, commending their faithfulness and rebuking their lost love, compromise, deadness and lukewarmness, standing at the door and knocking. Then John was caught up to heaven, where God sits enthroned as Creator and the Lamb, slain and standing, alone is worthy to take the scroll of history. As the Lamb opened the seals, the trumpets sounded and the vials were poured out, God's righteous judgments fell on a rebellious world, yet multitudes from every nation were washed in His blood. Behind the events, the dragon waged war against the woman, her child and her seed; the beast and the false prophet deceived the world and demanded its worship; and Babylon, the harlot and the marketplace of the nations, rose and fell in a single hour. Then heaven opened, and the Faithful and True rode out, the Word of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, to destroy His enemies by the sword of His mouth. Satan was bound; Christ reigned with His saints a thousand years; the last rebellion was crushed; the devil was cast into the lake of fire; and the dead stood before the great white throne. Finally God made all things new: a new heaven and a new earth, the holy city descending as a bride, God dwelling with His people, every tear wiped away, no more death, sorrow, crying, pain, night or curse. The river of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, the tree of life is restored, and His servants see His face. The book that began with a blessing ends with an invitation, "whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely," a promise, "Surely I come quickly," and a prayer that the whole Bible has been leading toward: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Revelation 22:20-21