Spirit Jesus

Revelation is written in the form of apocalyptic literature (cf. Daniel and Zechariah) by a prophet (10:11; 22:9) and refers to itself as a prophetic book (1:3; 22:7, 10, 18, 19). The three major movements in this profound unveiling are captured in 1:19: “the things which you have seen” (1); “the things which are” (2 and 3); and “the things which will take place after this” (4-22).

“The Things Which You Have Seen” (1) Revelation contains a prologue (1:1-3) before the usual salutation (1:4-8). The Revelation was received by Christ from the Father and communicated by an angel to John. This is the only bibical book that specifically promises a blessing to those who read it (1:3), but it also promises a curse to those who add to or detract from it (22:18, 19). The salutation and closing benediction show that it was originally written as an epistle to seven Asian churches.

A rich theological portrait of the triune God (1:4-8) is followed by an overwhelming theophany (visible manifestation of God) in 1:9-20. The omnipotent and omniscient Christ who will subjugate all things under His authority is the central figure in this book.

“The Things Which Are” (2 and 3); the messages to the seven churches (2,3) refer back to an aspect of John’s vision of Christ and contain a command, a commendation and/or condemnation, a correction, and a challenge.

“The Things Which Will Take Place After This” (4-22) John is translated into heaven where he is given a vision of the divine majesty. In it, the Father (”One sat on the throne”) and the Son (The Lion/Lamb) are worshipped by the twenty-four elders, the four living creatures, and the angelic host because of who they are and what they have done (creation and redemption; 4 and 5).

Three cycles of seven judgments in chapters 6-16 consist of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. There is a prophetic insert between the sixth and seventh seal and trumpet judgments and an extended insert between the trumpet and bowl judgments. Because of the similarity of the seventh judgment in each series, it is possible that the three sets of judgments take place concurrently or with some overlap, so that they all terminate with the return of Christ. An alternate approach views them as three consecutive series of judgments, so that the seventh seal is the seven trumpets and seventh trumpet is the seven bowls.

The seven seals (6:1-8:5) include war, the famine and death that are associated with war, and persecution. The prophetic insert between the sixth and seventh seals (7) describes the protective sealing of 144,000 “children of Israel.” 12,000 from every tribe. It also looks ahead to the multitudes from every part of the earth who come “out of the great tribulation.” The catastrophic events in most of the trumpet judgments are called “woes” (8:2-11:19). The prophetic interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets (101-11:14) adds more details about the nature of the tribulation period and mentions a fourth set of seven judgments (the “seven thunders”) which would have extended it if they had not been withdrawn. Two unnamed witnesses minister during three-and-a-half years of the tribulation (forty-two months or 1,260 days). At the end of their ministry they are overcome by the beast, but their resurrection and ascension confound their enemies.

Chapters 12-14 contain a number of miscellaneous prophecies that are inserted between the trumpet and bowl judgments to give further background on the time of tribulation. In chapter 12 a woman gives birth to a male child, who is caught up to God. The woman flees into the wilderness and is pursued by a dragon, who is cast down to earth. Chapter 13 gives a graphic description of the beast and his false propohet, both empowered by the dragon. The first beast is given political, economic and religious authority; and because of his power and the lying miracles performed by the second beast, he is worshipped as the ruler of the earth. Chapter 14 contains a series of visions including the 144,000 at the end of the tribulation, the fate of those who follow the beast, and the outpouring of the wrath of God.

The seven bowl judgments of chapter 16 are prefaced by a heavenly vision of the power, holiness, and glory of God in chapter 15.

Chapters 17 and 18 anticipate the final downfall of Babylon, the great harlot, sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast.

The marriage banquet of the Lamb is ready and the King of Kings, Lord of Lords leads the armies of heaven into battle against the beast and his false prophet. They are cast into a lake of fire (19).

In chapter 20 the dragon - Satan - is bound for a thousand years. He is cast into a bottomless pit. During this one thousand-year period, Christ reigns over the earth with His resurrected saints, but by the end of this millennium, many have been born who refuse to submit their hearts to Christ. At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released and a final battle ensues. This is followed by the judgment of the great white throne.

A new universe is created, this time unspoiled by sin, death, pain or sorrow. The new Jerusalem, described in 21:9-22:5, is shaped like a gigantic cube, 1,500 miles in length, width, and height (the most holy place in the Old Testament tabernacle and the temple was also a perfect cube). Its multicolored stones will reflect the glory of God, and it will continually be filled with light. But the greatest thing of all is that believers will be in the presence of God and “they shall see His face.”

Revelation concludes with an epilogue (22:6-21), which reassures the readers that Christ is coming quickly (22:7, 12, 20) and invites all who wish to “take the water of life freely” (22:17) to come to the Alpha and Omega, the Bright and Morning Star.

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