There is a definite flow in Revelation from beginning to end, but like
with the Bible as a whole, there are places where it jumps back and forward
in time. This study is a quick overview of what Revelation covers and in
what order. The Bible flows from Genesis to Revelation. Genesis being the
beginning and Revelation focusing on the end. The books in between cover
history through Noah, Abraham, Jacob, David, etc.
While the Bible flows from beginning of history to end of it, there are
many prophecies that jump us through time. The Book of Revelation works
kind of the same way, only focused more on the time from the beginning of
the New Testament church, quickly jumping to the time of the end before
Christ’s return and through to eternity.
Revelation 1: The Introduction & The Seven Churches
In the introduction, a blessing is given to the reader who hears
the prophecy and to keepG5083
those things contained in Revelation. Yeshua is also introduced as John,
writing from the isle of Patmos, is taken in the spirit to see these
visions of what is to come in the last days.
Revelation 2,3: The Letters to the Churches
Chuck Missler did a study on these letters to the seven churches
and I agree with him that they represent different church “ages”
from Acts to today.
That
study is here.
Notice unlike the future view of the same throne room in heaven of
Revelation 7, there is no multitude here now. This chapter is used by
pre-tribulation harpazo proponents as a reasoning for timing the harpazo
before the seals. They apply the “come up here” as a call
to the bride of Christ at the harpazo rather than just what the scripture
is saying, John was called up to view what we see written for us about
what he saw. We see these same 4 beasts, 24 elders, seven spirits of
God, and the throne room in Revelation 7, only then there are multitudes
beyond counting standing there.
Revelation 5: The Scroll with Seven Seals
I go into this in more detail
here. This chapter introduces the idea that there is a scroll sealed
with seven seals that not just anyone can open. The only one worthy
to break the seals and open the scroll is the Lamb of God who was slain,
Yeshua. As we see in the future chapters, it is only once the seals
are broken that the scroll is then opened and the judgements of God
are unleashed on the earth. There follow 7 trumpets, 7 thunders and
7 bowls/vials that bring greater and greater devastation to the world
faster and faster over time, like contractions during delivery.
Revelation 6: Christ Begins to Open the Seals up to
the Sixth Seal
The first four seals that are opened are picturing what is commonly
known as the four horsement of the apocalypse. At the breaking of each
seal, John is told to "come and see" and is shown a white, red, black
and green/yellowish pale horse. Each of these speak of conquering, war,
famine and death.
The fifth seal gives a vision of those dead in Christ under the altar
who are told to wait a little while longer before God’s justice is delivered
on the earth. It should be noted that this also fits with the idea that
God’s wrath has not yet begun as it is the just reward for the earth
for their murder. It also makes it clear that the murder of God’s people
is still underway at this time as they are told to “rest yet for
a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren,
that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
Finally we see the sixth seal opened, which produces a very distinctive
sign in the heavens that both Old and New Testament prophets have written
about. These prophets clearly tie this sun, moon and star event to a
time just before the
Day of the Lord. Joel 2:30-31 was referenced by
Peter’s sermon on Petecost in Acts 2:14-36. Just before Yeshua died,
He told His disciples at the Olivet discourse the signs of His
coming and the end of the age. These same signs of the sixth seal,
Matthew 24:29-31, would be coming immediately after the
unparalleled time of great tribulation. Matthew 24:15-28
Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the
tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give
her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens
shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:
and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of
man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And
he shall
send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together
his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
I believe
the harpazo happens sometime at the sixth seal and the result
is in Revelation 7 where we see the multitudes in heaven worshipping
God. I hold a
Pre-wrath view of the
gathering of the
elect for many reasons, but one is this description by Christ
Himself that shows the signs of the sixth seal coinciding with His
coming and gathering the elect. Joel places the Day of the Lord just
after this event, which is the beginning of God’s wrath and we are
promised escape from God’s wrath, which is coming on the earth so
the only way to escape is to be removed from the earth prior to it.
Luke 21:29-36 | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Revelation 7: The 144,000 Sealed and a Great Multitude
Standing in Heaven that Came out of
Great Tribulation
Notice there is a dual-view of events in this chapter. In Revelation
7:1-8, we have the firstfruits of the redeemed from the earth, the 144,000
Jews who remain on the Earth during the great tribulation with Israel
in the wilderness. They are given the seal of God on their foreheads
and that is the only protection against the demon locusts at the
fifth trumpet. Remember Christ is the firstfruits of them that slept
and He was resurrected long before we are. So too, the 144,000 firstfruits
from the earth that go through the great tribulation as a witness among
the nation of Israel in the wilderness. I personally believe from Revelation
14’s description of them (Revelation 14:1-7) that they are all
Jewish boys coming of age and very devoted to God. They are the firstfruits
of those from the earth that went through the whole great tribulation
after the harpazo of the bride.
Then, Revelation 7:9-17 focuses on those multitudes in heaven, the
caught up bride. It says they are identified as “they
which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This doesn’t
mean that the great tribulation is over, just that these are those who
came out of it. It then ends stating their place in eternity as the
wife of Christ, dwelling with Him and He dwelling among them. This does
not mean those who are resurrected later and are part of the resurrection
of the just will not be in heaven. They just won’t be the bride
of Christ. This is apparent when we see later in Revelation 19 that
the marriage of the Lamb is done before Christ returns in glory at Armageddon.
Understanding the
great tribulation is Satan’s wrath on God’s people (It
began at the abomination of desolation Matthew 24:15-22) and is split
into two focuses, we know the
first 30 days are the
time of Jacob’s trouble. Revelation 12:7-16 The remainder
of the time is focused world-wide, Revelation 12:17, but initially it
is on those in Judea. I believe these that came out of great tribulation
are the caught away
bride of Christ consisting of both Jew and Gentile. This passage
doesn’t specify if they’re caught away before or after the
sixth seal, but I believe it happens in conjunction with Israel being
taken into the wilderness, Revelation 12:14, and the sealing of the
144,000. I further believe this chapter is tied in with Revelation 14
in seeing the reaping from Him on the cloud.
We’re told in Romans 10:18-21, quoting Moses from Deuteronomy
32:20-21, and Romans 11:11 that through the fall of Israel in
rejecting their Messiah, the Gospel and salvation was given to the
Gentiles to provoke them to jealousy. At the triumphal entry Yeshua
blinded Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles. It is
interesting in this chapter that we see God dealing with both
national Israel on the earth and the bride of Christ in heaven at
this same time around the signs of the sixth seal.
The 144,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel have to be sealed before
God’s wrath can be poured out because it’s the only protection from
it during this time.
The multitude in heaven came out of great tribulation, placing
this depiction logically and in agreement with the rest of
scripture, after the
time of
Jacob’s trouble yet before the wrath of God.
I believe for those of Israel that flee to the mountains and are
protected in the wilderness for the remainder of the antichrist’s
rule, this time will be a time of mourning and jealousy for the
nation of Israel left behind. They will be refined through this time
of fire to come out of the wilderness when Christ comes to take the
kingdoms after His wrath is poured out and will live in the
Messianic kingdom.
Revelation 8: The First Four Trumpets and the Beginning
of God’s Wrath
This is the introduction to the Chronological Nature of the
Seals,
Trumpets and Bowls. There are some who believe that the first seal,
trumpet and bowl/vial are actually talking about the same event as are
the second, third and so on. Recalling that there are technically no
chapter separations in the Bible, the chapter starts with the seventh
seal, which is just 1/2 hour of silence in heaven. We then see in Revelation
8:2 that the seven angels aren’t even given their seven trumpets
until after the seventh seal.
I believe God wrote it like this to verify that the seals, trumpets,
and bowls are sequential in nature.
The first four trumpets are blown, and unlike the seals before them
that seem to mark an allowance for things on the earth to happen, there is a clear distinction
that the trumpets begin the wrath of God through natural and
supernatural events that cause immense destruction on the earth from
hail and fire mixed with blood burning 1/3 of the trees and all the
green grass to what appears to be a massive astroid strike on the
earth killing 1/3 of the sea creatures and destroying 1/3 of the
ships. For more detail go
here.
Revelation 9: Continues the Trumpets with the Last
Three Woe Judgments
This is where Apollyon appears from the bottomless pit and the angels
in the Euphrates are loosed to kill 1/3 of men.
Revelation 10: The Seven Thunders
We don’t know the details of and an interesting phrase that
places the seventh trumpet occurring over a period of days (plural).
I believe within the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the seven bowls
are poured out in quick succession and at the end, the seventh trumpet
stops and Christ returns in glory with His wife (us) to take the kingdoms.
In this way, the kingdoms of the world are the Lords at the seventh
trumpet.
Revelation 11: The Third Temple, Two Witnesses &
The Seventh Trumpet
Revelation 11 begins by jumping back in time. There it discusses
the details of the rebuilt temple that will stand without the outer
court next to the dome of the rock. This must be done before the abomination
of desolation and therefore before any trumpets are blown.
The
two witnesses are also introduced. They prophesy for 1260 days,
clothed in sackcloth. They are described as two olive trees and two
candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth. Anyone who tries
to kill them is devoured by fire from their mouths. They have the power
to prevent rain, turn water to blood, and smite the earth with plagues
as often as they wish. It is my belief that their appearance will be
tied to the rebuilding of the third temple.
They are killed by the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit
and the location of their testimony is Jerusalem. There are two beasts
from scripture that ascend from the bottomless pit:
Revelation 9:1-11 speaks of Apollyon at the fifth trumpet being
released with his hordes of demon locusts and is called the king
of the locusts and angel of the bottomless pit. This is the second
woe.
Revelation 17 further defines the beast of Revelation 13:1-10
among others. This is the beast that the woman is riding.
Verse 8 defines this beast as having been,
but is not, yet he will ascend out of the bottomless pit and
go into perdition.
Verses 9-11 then talk about the seven heads
of the beast where five are fallen, one is, and one is yet to
come to continue for a short space of time. This seventh beast
is also the eighth and goes into perdition.
I believe these are two different subjects being discussed
because the verse 8 beast is not there, yet the 6th head of
the beast from verse 8 is there. I believe the heads represent
the major kings over the beast, which is the spirit behind it.
Apollo is a Greek/Roman god who was the archer-god of medicine
and healing, light (2 Corinthians 11:14), truth, archery and
also a bringer of death-dealing
plague. I believe this was one of the fallen angels behind
the the kingdoms through history represented in
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream interpreted by Daniel and also
in
Daniel 7.
So given this information, I believe that it is Apollyon that kills
the two witnesses at the fifth trumpet when he is loosed from the bottomless
pit. This is the first woe as stated in Revelation 9:12, “One
woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.”
To further that Revelation 11:14 states, “The
second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
This is immediately after introducing the two witnesses in Revelation
11:1-13.
So we know the two witnesses are killed and resurrected sometime
between the fifth and seventh trumpets being blown. The following chart
represents in red the timeframe I believe the two witnesses will be
holding their testimony.
It is my belief that they will first deliver their testimony to the
Jews before the abomination of desolation. I believe the timing of the
introduction of the third temple prior to introducing the two witnesses
is a hint to the order of events and that the two witnesses first appear
to the Jews at the rebuilt temple to proclaim the Gospel to those Jews
who will hear.
Then at the abomination of desolation, all the Jews will be killed
or run to the mountains except these two. They will remain in Jerusalem
until after the fifth trumpet, when Apollyon will ascend from the bottomless
pit and kill them both. Since the torment of the demon locusts of the
fifth trumpet last for five months (150 days), this offsets the beginning
point of the two witnesses from any other 3½ year period mentioned in
scripture.
The bodies of these two witnesses are left in the streets and parties
are held. This clearly shows that the children of disobedience have
taken over Jerusalem, it is being trampled for 42 months as prophesied.
After 3½ days they are resurrected and caught up to heaven before everyone’s
eyes. There follows an earthquake and 1/10 of the city falls and 7,000
men are killed. The rest are afraid and give glory to God. This is all
part of the second woe.
Revelation 11:15-19 ends with the sounding of the seventh trumpet
and voices in heaven declare that the kingdoms of this world are become
the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. Remember that this trumpet
blast lasts for days. Revelation 10:6-7 This is the
third woe and I believe it contains all seven of the last plagues, the
seven bowls. The following chart shows the succession I believe scripture
dictates.
Revelation 12: Overview of History Focused on the
Relationship Between Satan, Israel, and Yeshua
This chapter does not follow a chronological pattern with its surrounding
chapters. It jumps through time covering identities and an overall view
of timing regarding the subjects of the chapter.
We see Israel introduced as the woman via the symbol interpretation
taken from Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9-11 She then gives birth
to the man-child who is caught up to God. This covers the time from
Christ’s birth to His ascension. It then jumps forward to the
war in heaven, in which Lucifer is cast out of heaven permanently. (He
is currently up there accusing us before the throne) He realizes his
time is short and that’s when the abomination of desolation happens
as he goes after
the woman, Israel.
This chapter further defines the great tribulation as being split
into two focuses, first the Jews in Judea and the reason Christ warned
those in Judea to run to the mountains at the abomination of desolation,
Revelation 12:7-16, then the remnant of Israel not protected in the
wilderness and those holding the testimony of Christ. Revelation 12:17
Revelation 13: The Beast & False Prophet
This chapter isn’t chronologically placed either, it’s
just giving us more detail about the characters of this time period.
Click the links for more information on the
details
of the beast and the
details of the false prophet. This comes together more in the study
of the
revived Roman Empire.
Revelation 14: The Time of Revelation 7, the 144,000 &
the Harpazo
This chapter jumps back to a time just before the wrath of God as
we will see. In this way, it is also outside of the chronological path
through the seals, trumpets and bowls, yet tied to the time around the
sixth seal by implication of the events taking place and further to
Revelation 7, between the sixth seal and first trumpet, the beginning
of
God’s wrath.
Revelation 14:1-5 is specifically focused on the identity of the
144,000, which is what Revelation 7:1-8 was also focused on.
Revelation 14:6,7 is an angel with the everlasting gospel to preach
to the whole earth stating that the hour of his judgment
is come and to worship Him that made the heavens, earth,
sea, and fountains of waters.
Revelation 14:8 another angel stating Babylon is fallen. This could
be a prophetic statement or it could place this at the end of the antichrist’s
reign when Babylon is destroyed in one day. Revelation 18 Because we
were just told by the previous angel that the hour of judgment is come
and Babylon is destroyed at the end in one day after the judgments are
over, I lean toward a prophetic statement or warning.
Revelation 14:9-13 is a third angel following the first two warning
everyone not to take the mark of the beast because anyone that does
will drink of the wrath of God. It is made clear this is a choice
to separate yourself from God eternally if you take the mark.
It is followed by an instruction that the “patience” of
the saints is keeping the Commandments of God and faith in Yeshua. A
voice then follows from heaven blessing those who die in Christ from
this point on. This is a big indicator for me that these passages in
Revelation 14 are actually occurring back in the Revelation 7 timeframe.
That is when the harpazo takes place and additionally that would also
be the point when the mark of the beast began being implemented.
Harvest from the earth
Revelation 14:14-20 further supports the above belief that places
the events of Revelation 14 at the same timeframe of Revelation 7 when
we see the sickle harvest where one sits upon a cloud that is like the
Son of man with a golden crown and sharp sickle. Another angel comes
out of the temple to let him know it is time to reap. I find this particularly
interesting because only the Father knows the day or hour of Christ’s
coming. Matthew 24:36-39 | Matthew 24:50-51 | Mark 13:32-37 | Matthew
25:1-13 | Luke 12:41-48 These scriptures also tie this timing to the
sudden destruction of the day of the Lord or the day of Christ. 2 Thessalonians
2:1-4 speaks of our gathering to Christ on the day of Christ and around
the timing of the
abomination of desolation.
So an angel coming out of the temple where the Father
dwells to tell this one that looks like the Son of man to reap because
the harvest is ready seems to fit very well to the gathering of
the bride of Christ to Himself, who is on a cloud, to meet Him in
the air. John 14:1-3
A second angel having a sharp sickle, who has the power over
fire, is prompted by a call from an angel in the temple to gather
the clusters of the vine of the earth because the grapes are fully ripe.
I find it interesting that God’s wrath came once by water (flood)
and will come at the end by fire. “And
the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine
of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the
wrath of God.” This sounds a lot to me like
the beginning of the wrath of God after the gathering of the harvest.
This removes us before the wrath of God as well. We are not gathered
and cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God, we are reaped
from the earth by one who looks like the Son of man on a cloud.
This whole chapter seems to me to jump back to the timeframe of the
144,000 and the harpazo of the bride back in Revelation 7. It gives
further insight to the coming judgment and the order of gathering, first
of the bride of Christ from the earth at the harpazo, then to cast the
rest into the time of the wrath of God beginning the 1,000 year
day of the Lord. 2 Peter 3:8-10 | Psalm 90:4
Revelation 15: The Final Seven Plagues Which Fill
Up the Wrath of God
So God’s wrath wasn’t over at the trumpets, and now we
focus back on the timeline of events for the seals, trumpets and bowls,
the seven last plagues.
Revelation 16: Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls of
God’s Wrath
This chapter is all seven bowls being poured out. I believe this
supports the idea that these are poured out in quick succession at the
end during the third woe, the seventh trumpet. Neither the seals or
the trumpets were all contained in one chapter and neither were written
in such a quick succinct way.
Revelation 17: The Judgment of Babylon & the
Whore on Many Waters
Here symbols are interpreted for us as to who these characters are.
Revelation 18: Details the Destruction of Babylon
This is the last event before Christ’s return in glory at Armageddon
in the next chapter. It is placed after the wrath of God is poured out
and before Christ’s return.
Revelation 19: The Marriage of the Lamb & Christ’s
Return in Glory
It should be noted that the marriage of the Lamb takes place before
the wife, arrayed in fine linen white and clean, is seen following Christ
in that same attire on white horses. This indicates that we must be
caught away prior to that time in order to attend the marriage of the
Lamb. This is not the same as the
marriage supper of the Lamb which will be on the earth after Christ
returns in glory where He will present His wife. This mirrors
ancient Jewish wedding customs. Upon Christ’s return, He destroys
the beast and false prophet (this marks the end of the beasts 42 month
reign starting at the abomination of desolation. Revelation 13:5) Christ
then destroys the gathered armies at Armageddon.
Revelation 20: The Sealing of Satan in the Bottomless
Pit After Christ’s Return
It is after that we see the
first resurrection. This is the resurrection of the just,
which happens several times through history.
You can read the linked study for the Biblical proof of this and why
this isn’t the harpazo. We also see a quick jump over the millennium
implied because of Satan’s release and then the great white throne
judgment.
Revelation 21 & 22: The New Heavens and New
Earth
This is where we get a little glimpse of the glory we will live in
for eternity and New Jerusalem, our home. It’s the conclusion
and description of some of the things we will see.
As you can see, overall there is a flow from beginning to end covering
the history from Acts until the new heavens and the new earth with a couple
chapters covering more detail or spans of time. The flow is definitely from
beginning to end just like it is over the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
For a great verse-by-verse study of Revelation, check out
Chuck Missler’s review of the book of Revelation.
“Be not overcome
of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
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