This study of Revelation was written in the form of a commentary with extensive study aids. It would be appropriate for college level classes, church Bible study groups that like to do in-depth studies, and also for private in-depth study. For those that might just want to conduct a summary study of Revelation, there is a chapter by chapter summary of each chapter in summary section. For those who might want to do a summary study of the complete end time scenario, one is provided. The summary section also contains several end time summary charts and tables which should be used with these studies. For those wanting to do their own in-depth study of Revelation there are several aids which are provided including (1) an extensive dictionary of the symbology used in Revelation, (2) an extensive list of clues from throughout the Bible which can aid in interpreting Revelation, and (3) an extensive chapter by chapter commentary on each of the chapters in Revelation. There is also a separate analysis of the judgments presented in Revelation, a discussion of their ultimate purpose and who is responsible for them and other background material to help in understanding Bible prophecy. For those wanting to go through the study as I have presented it in this book I recommend using the study guide given below.

An in-depth study of Revelation reveals that it is not written in time sequence. That makes Revelation very complicated and difficult to study and understand. The extensive symbology used in Revelation adds another layer of complexity. For those reasons I find it much more understandable if it is studied in the time sequence with which events seem to occur. This study guide attempts to do just that. It presents a recommended order of study for Revelation using the material on this site. Again, an extensive symbology dictionary is provided to be used during the study of Revelation.

My study guide to Revelation follows.

A. BACKGROUND LEADING UP TO THE STUDY OF THE JUDGMENTS

1. The understanding Revelation and end time prophecy section as background and to give a study context
2. Chapter 1. An introduction to Revelation and an overall outline of Revelation; also a discussion of the symbology used in Revelation and an introduction to the symbology dictionary
3. Chapters 2 and 3. The seven letters to the 7 churches
4. Chapter 4. The scene in heaven before the opening of the seven-sealed scroll
   
   1. a detailed study of the four living creatures, the Cherubim, and other symbols used in Chapter
   2. study the plain English interpretation of Revelation chapter 4 at the end of chapter 4
5. Chapter 5. A search for someone who is worthy to open the seven-sealed scroll; only the Lamb is worthy
6. Preparation for the study of the judgments of Revelation
   
   1. The judgments section to understand my reasoning for interpreting them as I have and to gain an understanding of God’s stated ultimate purpose for them: to show that there are seven judgment in Revelation, presented in three different ways
   2. The Revelation and end time prophecy charts and tables to lay out the whole end time scenario in summary form and demonstrate where Revelation fits into the scenario
   3. The rapture in the clues section to show that the rapture occurs before the Revelation judgments; the general rapture is not presented in Revelation
   4. A study of how John writes in repeating patterns of seven using 1 John

B. THINGS WHICH OCCUR AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE TRIBULATION

7. Chapter 7:1-8. The sealing of the 144,000, and a study of the identity of the 144,000
8. Chapter 11:3-6. The two witnesses and a study of their identity. A study of the symbology of the lampstand and the two olive trees from Ezek 3:8-4:14, as presented in the symbology dictionary
9. Preparation for the start of the judgments: Chapter 8:2-6, Seven angels are given seven trumpets and they prepare to sound them; Chapter 15, Seven angels given seven bowls full of the wrath of God

C. A STUDY OF THE FIRST FOUR JUDGMENTS, THOSE OF THE FOUR HORSEMEN

(THESE JUDGMENTS TAKE PLACE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD)

10. The first judgment from chapters 6, 8 and 16
    
    1. The four horsemen of the apocalypse
    2. The 1st seal judgment, Rev 6:1-2; 1st trumpet judgment, Rev 8:1-7; 1st bowl judgment, Rev 16:1-2
    3. Plain English summary from the summary of Revelation and end time prophecy section: study from the beginning through the section on the first judgment
    4. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 1st judgment from the clues section
    5. Review of the 1st judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments in the summary of Revelation and end time prophecy section
11. The second judgment from chapters 6, 8 and 16
    
    1. The 2nd seal judgment, Rev 6:3-4; 2nd trumpet judgment, Rev 8:1-7; 2nd bowl judgment, Rev 16:3
    2. Plain English summary of the second judgment, summary of Revelation section
    3. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 2nd judgment from clues section
    4. Review of the 2nd judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments in the summary of Revelation section
12. The third judgment from chapters 6, 8 and 16
    
    1. The 3rd seal judgment, Rev 6:5-6; 3rd trumpet judgment, Rev 8:8-9; 3rd bowl judgment, Rev 16:4-7
    2. Plain English summary of the third judgment, summary of Revelation section
       
       1. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 3rd judgment from clues section
       2. Review of the 3rd judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments, summary of Revelation section
13. The fourth judgment from chapters 6, 8 and 16
    
    1. The 4th seal judgment, Rev 6:7-8; 4th trumpet judgment, Rev 8:12-13; the 4th bowl judgment, Rev 16:8-9
    2. Plain English summary of the fourth judgment, summary of Revelation section
    3. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 4th judgment from clues section
    4. Review of the 4th judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments, summary of Revelation section

D. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL CHARACTERS/EVENTS IN THE THREE WOE JUDGMENTS

14. Chapter 9:1-12. The beast and locusts from the Abyss, the angel of the Abyss, Apollyon
15. Chapter 12:1-17. Satan and his evil angels; they are thrown down to earth and pursue the woman, Israel
16. Chapter 11:1-2. John is told to measure the temple which has been rebuilt in Jerusalem and is ready for worship by the middle of the tribulation period, clues section
17. Chapter 13:1-18. The Beast and the False Prophet; the mark of the beast
18. Study the Old Testament prophecies of the Beast or antichrist, clues section
19. Chapter 17:1-18. Clues to the identity of mystery Babylon, the great prostitute
20. Chapter 18:1-24, 19:1-3. Further descriptions of mystery Babylon and her fall

E. A STUDY OF THE THREE WOE JUDGMENTS, THE FINAL THREE JUDGMENTS

(THESE JUDGMENTS TAKE PLACE IN THE LAST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD)

21. The fifth judgment from chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 16
    
    1. The 5th seal judgment, Rev 6:9-11; 5th trumpet judgment, Rev 9:1-12; 5th bowl judgment, Rev 16:10-11
    2. Chapter 13:16-17. The evil angels support of the false prophet in implementing the mark of the beast program
    3. Rev 12:13-17. The evil angels are returned to the Abyss when they pursue the Jews in hiding in Bozrah in Jordon
    4. Chapter 11:3-14. The death and resurrection of the two witnesses at the end of the fifth judgment
    5. Chapter 7:9-17. A description of the great multitude raptured at the end of the 5th judgment
    6. Plain English summary of the fifth judgment, summary of Revelation section
    7. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 5th judgment from clues section
    8. Review of the 5th judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments, summary of Revelation section
22. The sixth judgment from chapters 6, 9 and 16
    
    1. The 6th seal judgment, Rev 6:12-17; 6th trumpet judgment, Rev 9:13-21; the 6th bowl judgment, Rev 16:12
    2. Plain English summary of the sixth judgment, summary of Revelation section
    3. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 6th judgment from clues section
    4. Review of the 6th judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments, summary of Revelation section
23. Chapter 10:1-7. All things in heaven and on earth are being brought together under Jesus. Chapter 10:8-11, John is told to prophecy again, to repeat the description of the seven judgments.
24. Chapter 14:1-5. Jesus is seen standing in heaven with the 144,000 getting prepared to return to earth at his Second Coming. Chapter 14:6-20, there are seven angels making seven final proclamations just before Jesus return.
25. Chapter 15:1-8. God’s temple in heaven is closed while the final application of the first six judgments on earth is made and the seventh judgment is executed
26. The seventh judgment from chapters 8, 11 and 16
    
    1. The 7th seal judgment, Rev 8:1; 7th trumpet judgment, Rev 11:15-19, the temple in heaven is re-opened; the 7th bowl judgment, Rev 16:13-21
    2. Plain English summary of the seventh judgment, summary of Revelation section
    3. Summary from Old Testament scriptures on 7th judgment from clues section
    4. Review of the 7th judgment using the comparison charts of the judgments, summary of Revelation section
    5. The temple in heaven is re-opened because the seven plagues have been completed. (Rev 15:8. 11:19

F. THE CULMINATION OF THE TRIBULATION, THE PERIOD OF GREAT JUDGMENT

27. Chapter 19:1-10. Rejoicing in heaven because the end is near; Jesus is about to return
28. Chapter 19:11-16. The Second Coming of Jesus; this time as King of Kings
29. Chapter 19:17-19. Armageddon and the great supper of God
30. Chapter 19:20-21. The beast and false prophet are sent to hell

G. THE MILLENNIUM, THE POST MILLENNIAL JUDGMENT AND THE NEW JERUSALEM

31. Chapter 20:1-10. The millennium
32. Old Testament scriptures on the millennium, clues section
33. Chapter 20:11-15. The second resurrection and the Great White Throne judgment
34. Old Testament scriptures on final punishment of evil and evil angels (Isa 24:21-22)
35. Chapter 21. The New Jerusalem
36. Chapter 22. Eternity in the New Jerusalem and a final message from Jesus

H. TOP LEVEL REVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION STUDY

37. Study the chapter by chapter summary of Revelation, summary of Revelation section
38. Study the clues from the Bible which illuminate Revelation and look for any discrepancies
39. Study the summary of end time events and the 7 year tribulation period, summary of Revelation section

I. BE READY TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL BLESSING PROMISED TO THOSE WHO READ AND HEED THE PROPHECIES CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK, Rev 1:3, 22:7