A TOPICAL OUTLINE SUMMARY OF REVELATION

Rev chapter 1 – This chapter presents an introduction to and an outline of the Book of Revelation. It is the revelation of the future return and rule of Jesus Christ upon the earth and includes the events which precipitate his return. It is given to John while he is in prison on the Island of Patmos, through an angel sent by Jesus. John is told to write the revelation on a scroll and give it to the seven churches. John is told to write down the following, what he had seen in the past (chapter 1), what was taking place at that time (chapters 2 and 3) and what would take place in the end times (chapters 4 to 22).

Rev chapters 2-3 - These chapters present the seven letters from Jesus to seven first century churches. The seven letters were addressed to seven distinct and real 1st century churches and had direct application to them. Jesus in general gives the churches commendations, criticisms, instructions, warnings and promises.

Rev chapters 4-5 – We see a scene in heaven in which preparations were being made to open the seven sealed scroll which contains a description of God emptying his wrath upon the earth to accomplish those things which must be completed before the return of Christ to earth in power and glory.

Rev chapters 6, 8-9 – We see a description of the means that God will use to expose his wrath and accomplish his judgments (the seal judgments) as well as the primary application of the first six judgments (the trumpet judgments). That takes us right up to Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ.

Rev chapters 7, 10-15 - We see an amplification of many of the details involved in the seven year period of wrath called the tribulation period. This includes descriptions of two miraculously protected witnesses for Christ in the first half of the tribulation period including their death, resurrection and rapture, the new temple in Jerusalem, the fall of Satan and his evil angels to earth and their pursuit of Israel, the rise of the antichrist and false prophet, the mark of the beast, the future doom of Satan’s followers, and a preview of the seventh and final judgment.

Rev chapter 16 – We see the final application of the first six judgments and the seventh judgment. These are called the bowl judgments and in my opinion represent the continuing effects of terrible judgments first applied as the trumpet judgments.

Rev chapters 17-19 - Chapters 17-19 contain information about and clues to the identity of an entity called the “woman,” the great prostitute and mystery Babylon. There are about 24 clues to the identity of the great prostitute given in Revelation chapters 17-19, but they are given in mysterious symbolic language. Chapter 19 also presents the end of the tribulation period. We see great rejoicing in heaven as the millennial reign of Christ is about to begin. We also see the culmination of the wedding between Jesus and his Church, called the wedding supper of the Lamb. Next we see Jesus returning to earth at his Second Coming. Finally we see the battle of Armageddon at which the beast and false prophet are captured and thrown into hell.

Rev chapter 20 – Satan is bound and thrown into the Abyss for 1000 years. There is a resurrection of the tribulation saints at the beginning of the millennium, a literal 1000 year reign of Jesus on earth right after his second coming. At the end of the millennium Satan is released from the Abyss for a short period of time to tempt the people of earth for one last time. Satan then faces his final judgment and is thrown into hell forever. This is followed by the resurrection of unbelievers of all ages past and their judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Rev chapters 21 and 22 – These chapters are post tribulation, post millennium and post judgment. They describe the new Jerusalem as well as the new heaven and new earth in a great amount of largely symbolic detail. It presents a new order in which glorified man will live in a new order with God through all of eternity. Jesus presents a final message in which he confirms that he is coming soon!