Revelation Overview
It is great to see another familiar face up here tonight. Before she sneaks out of here, Stacey is back with us. Wave at Stacey, everyone! She is just back from giving birth not just to one, but to two little babies. She had twins, little Sydney and Olivia. So, Stace, thanks for making it happen tonight. We are so glad you’re back with us.
Tonight, we are diving into the book of Revelation. We are going to take a look at something massive. We are going to cover all twenty-two chapters of Revelation tonight. I know, you guys are thinking I’ve lost it, but I am ready to go! In all honesty, we’ve reached a point in our study where, after covering chapter three, we’re about to launch into the rest of the book. I want to give you a panorama of the whole thing to give you something to hang onto in the following weeks. As we start diving into the depths of the abyss that is this book, I want to give you a chronology. I also want to identify and hopefully answer a lot of the questions you might have about the big theological implications. What is pre-trib or post-trib? What is pre-mil, amil? Is it oatmeal? What is it all? We’re going to pull back a little bit, answer those questions, and dive in together.
A Simple Roadmap
Revelation is essentially about the apocalypse, or the “unveiling.” If you want a very simple outline to begin with, chapter one contains the things which John had seen. Chapters two and three contain the things which are—the seven letters to the seven churches, paralleling the scope of church history. Then, the command is to write down the things which will take place after these things. That is chapter four and everything following.
Revelation 1:19 (NASB)
’Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.
If you remember in chapter one, we saw a very significant and glorified vision of Jesus Christ. Most people have a picture of Jesus on the cross, but here, they see Him glorified. Why is that important to a church being persecuted under Nero? Why is it important to a believer whose family is being killed for their faith? It’s vital to know that the One who went to the cross and died in our place also has a plan for human history and the redemption of man. God is on the throne. There was hope in suffering in chapter one because of that vision of the glorified Lord.
In chapters two and three, we looked at the seven churches in fairly significant detail. We saw the church at Ephesus that had lost their first love, which paralleled the apostolic church of the first century. We saw the church at Philadelphia, the church of the open door, which paralleled the great missionary movement where people took their faith to the streets. Their faith wasn’t about an address or a “talking face”; it was about going out to the world. Finally, the last church was Laodicea—the lukewarm church that put Christ on the outside. He was knocking, trying to get back in. That parallels the modern church, similar to the world we live in today.
The Throne Room and the Birth Pains
Starting in chapter four, you’re going to see a pattern that carries through to the end. Chapters four and five are an introduction and a preparation for the judgments. When people read about the judgments, they see locusts, hail, people dying, and people drinking blood, and they just go, “I have no idea what’s going on! There’s a dragon and a woman being chased!” It can feel overwhelming.
From chapter four onward, the book chronicles three series of seven judgments. The first series is the Seal Judgments—not the mammal, but like a wax seal on a letter. Somebody once told me they thought they were “seal” judgments and started honking like a seal; I had to tell them they didn’t quite get it! The second are the Trumpet Judgments, and the third are the Bowl Judgments.
Between these sets of seven, God often gives a “cutaway” shot where He allows us to catch our breath before jumping into the next intensity. What you’ll find is that these judgments begin to increase, not only in speed but in intensity. Think of it like a woman in labor. Some of you have been around that—maybe you saw those videos in high school where a woman is screaming, “God, help me!” and looks like she’s about to lose it. That is similar to what takes place here. As the book of Revelation moves forward, the birth pains of these judgments increase until men hide in mountains and cry for the rocks to fall on them rather than endure what is being poured out.
In chapters four and five, you see two vital scenes. Chapter four is a vision of the throne room of God. In chapter five, you see the Lamb who is worthy. In the midst of the chaos of human history, there is one Man found worthy to open the scrolls, and that is the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In chapter four, you see these four living creatures: one like a lion, one like a calf, one like a man, and one like an eagle. This gives us a prophetic picture of the characteristics of God. It parallels the four Gospels: Matthew presents Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (the King). Mark presents Him as the calf or ox (the Servant). Luke highlights the humanity of Christ (the Man). And John highlights the deity of Christ (the Eagle). John captures this vision for us because, in chapter six, the judgments begin.
The Timeline of the End
In chapter six, we see the four horsemen. If you like Metallica, you know the song “Creeping Death” mentions the four horsemen; that imagery comes straight from here. The first horseman brings a false peace, the second brings war, the third famine, and the fourth brings death. The fifth seal is a prayer for vengeance from the martyrs, and the seventh seal is the announcement of the Trumpet Judgments.
These Seal Judgments begin the Tribulation period. We know from the book of Daniel that there is a final “seventieth week” of years—a seven-year period of tremendous tribulation and persecution. The first three and a half years are the Tribulation, and the final three and a half years are commonly called the Great Tribulation.
I remember as a young believer, when people started talking theology, I literally needed a dictionary. So let me clarify some terms. People ask, “When does the Rapture take place?” Some believe in a post-tribulation rapture, meaning we go through the whole thing. Others believe in a “pre-wrath” rapture, where we go through the first half before it gets really bad.
The view I hold is a pre-tribulation rapture. There are godly men and women who hold to each of these, and we’ll dive into the details later, but here is the general idea: We are currently in the “Church Age,” the gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of Daniel. Once the full gathering of the Gentiles has taken place, God will take us to be with Him. We will be “caught away,” and the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Church) will be removed from the earth. That begins the seven-year period. In the middle of that period, the Antichrist will stop the sacrifices in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem—the “abomination of desolation”—and proclaim himself to be God. That kicks off the final, most intense three and a half years.
Then there is the question of the Millennium—the thousand-year reign of Christ. Some hold an “amillennial” view, suggesting we are in the kingdom now and it’s just a spiritual reality. I have a hard time with that because the Bible says Jesus will reign for a thousand years. Others hold a “post-millennial” view, thinking the world will get better and better until we usher in the kingdom. But then World War II happened. And Vietnam. And the Gulf War. Last time I checked the news, it doesn’t look like we’re ushering in a utopia.
I believe the scriptures teach a “pre-millennial” view. This means that after the Church Age and the seven-year Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return to earth. I believe this because God made specific promises to Abraham regarding land, seed, and blessing that Israel has never fully experienced.
Genesis 12:1-4 (NASB)
Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
God’s promises must be fulfilled. At the end of the seven years, Revelation 19 says Jesus returns, and Revelation 20 says He sets up His throne in Jerusalem to reign for a thousand years. That means the Tribulation is “pre-millennial.”
The Trumpets and the Bowls
After the Seal Judgments, God gives us a cutaway in chapter seven. We see 144,000 “Jewish Billy Grahams” sealed by the Spirit, proclaiming the deeds of God. We see an incredible gathering of “Tribulation Saints”—Jews and Gentiles coming to Christ during this terrible time.
Then, in chapters eight and nine, the Trumpet Judgments roll out. It begins with a heavy silence in heaven for half an hour. The gravity of what is coming is so massive that everything stops. A third of the vegetation is destroyed. A third of the sea becomes blood. A third of the fresh water is cut off. A third of the light from the sun and moon is dimmed. Imagine how gloomy you feel on an overcast day; now imagine God turning the dial down on the sun by a third. It would be creepy.
In the fifth and sixth trumpets, demonic activity is unleashed. Since the Church and the Restrainer are gone, wickedness runs amok. There is nothing to hold it back. One-third of all mankind is killed. To put that in perspective, think of how bad the recent tsunamis were—this is on a scale we cannot fathom.
Just when you think it can’t get worse, we hit the Bowl Judgments in chapter 16. These are the final outpourings of God’s wrath. There are painful sores, the entire sea turns to blood, and men are scorched by the sun. The Euphrates River dries up to prepare for an invasion from the Kings of the East—most believe this refers to China. There will be global earthquakes and destruction. This isn’t “Mother Nature” acting up; it is the sovereign God who created the universe saying, “I came the first time as a suffering servant, but I am coming the second time as a conquering King.”
The Return of the King
In chapters 17 and 18, we see a cutaway to the religious and commercial systems of the Tribulation being judged. Then we reach chapter 19, which is one of the most significant passages in the Bible.
We celebrate the birth of a baby in a manger every Christmas. But in Revelation 19, we see a conquering King on a white horse.
Revelation 19:11 (NASB)
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it [is] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
John describes Him with eyes like a flame of fire and many crowns on His head. He is followed by the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, riding white horses. By the way, that’s us! That is the men and women who have placed their faith in Christ, returning to reign with Him.
Revelation 19:15-16 (NASB)
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’
That is a powerful, heavy picture. Part of me thinks, “Man, that’s going to be awesome!” But the other part of me thinks, “I would hate to be on the other side of that.” This isn’t “bear-hug Jesus” who just wants to hang out. That time of grace is available now, but it won’t last forever.
It’s like my daughter. She’s two going on fifteen—shades on, chewing gum, acting sassy. This morning she was being sassy to her mama, and my wife said, “Sweetie, go get the rod” (which is usually just a wooden spoon). My daughter starts to walk away, stops, processes it, and turns back. She says, “I’m sorry, Mom.” My wife, in her wisdom, said, “You know what, sweetie? This time, I’ll extend you grace.”
That’s where we are now. God says, “This time, I’ll extend you grace.” You deserve the judgment, but He offers forgiveness. But by the time we get to Revelation 19, the time for grace is over. It is done. As Paul said to the Romans, don’t think lightly of the kindness of God, because that kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. If you reject it, you are simply storing up wrath for the day of judgment.
The Final Victory
Chapters 20 through 22 show us the end of the story. In chapter 20, Satan is bound. For a thousand years, he is locked up so he can’t roam around like a roaring lion. Jesus sets up shop in Jerusalem and reigns for a thousand years. We will enjoy that time with Him in glorified bodies.
At the end of those thousand years, there is a final rebellion, Satan is cast into the lake of fire, and we enter into the New Heavens and the New Earth. We will live with Him forever and ever. At the very end of the book, Jesus gives us a promise.
Revelation 22:20 (NASB)
He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Right now, I have the Masters tournament on my TiVo at home. I’m currently on hole number seven of the final round. But I already know that Tiger Woods wins by a stroke in a playoff. Because I know how it ends, I can watch the rest of the tournament at my own pace without any stress. I’m not worried when he misses a putt. Why? Because I know who wins.
I could take bets right now. I’d bet anyone in this room that Tiger wins. No one in their right mind would bet against me because the result is already recorded. Well, guess what, friends? The result of history is already recorded. Jesus wins.
Revelation isn’t just about freaky dragons and beasts; it’s about a Savior who loves you enough to die for you and then gives you a snapshot of the future so you know where to put your money. He says, “Here is who wins. Now, enjoy the ride. No need to freak out. No need to stress. Just hang in there.”
Tonight, we are going to transition into a time of communion. We have tables set up, and I invite you to take the bread and dip it in the cup. This is a chance for us to simply remember Christ. Christianity is “blue collar”—it’s not just for academics. It’s a simple truth about a Savior who died for us and who will one day sum up all things in Himself.
If you’re still exploring who God is, I hope you feel welcome to ask questions. We exist to help you connect to God. Don’t let the intensity of Revelation scare you away; let it point you toward the grace that is available right now.
Let’s pray.
Lord, we are grateful that we don’t have to grope in the dark. We don’t have to search the stars or tarot cards to find our way. You have given us a book, divinely inspired and revealed by the living God. Help us to see it. In a world that is so subjective and relative, help us to anchor ourselves to something timeless and transcendent. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.