Brief Summary of Revelation 1–6
Revelation 1 The Introduction: Scene: Earth. Time: Past (ca.
95 AD).
John introduces the book of prophecy with an explanation of
the circumstances surrounding the Revelation. John was exiled on the island of
Patmos when Jesus sent and communicated the vision of things which must soon
take place. John is commanded to write and send the book to the seven churches
in Asia.
Revelation 2-3 Messages
to the Angels of the Seven Churches in Asia:
Scene: Earth. Time:
Present (to original readers in Asia).
Jesus sends a unique message to each of the seven churches
in the western part of the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,
Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
The cities are listed in the order of the geological circuit that the
messenger of the book would naturally travel as he delivered the letters.
Revelation 4–5 Prelude of Praise:
Scene: Heaven. Time:
Future (Onset of the Great Seven-Year Tribulation which will complete the
present age, conclude with Jesus’ return, and usher in the Millennium).
Revelation 4-22 records events that will take place in the
future. Three consecutive periods of judgment lead to the second return of
Jesus Christ: 7 Seals; 7 Trumpets; and, 7 Bowls. A prelude of praise in heaven
precedes the onset of each three sets of 7 consecutive judgments. Revelation
4-5 records the initial heavenly prelude of praise that will precede the
opening of the 7 Seals of judgment in Revelation 6, ushering in “a great
tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until
now, nor ever will” (Matt 24:21).
Revelation 6 Seven Seal Judgments
Scene: Earth. Time:
Future (Chronology moves forward.)
The
seven seals contain the judgments of the Great Tribulation, concluding with the
return of Jesus. The seventh Seal contains the seven Trumpet judgments, and the
seventh Trumpet judgment contains the final seven Bowl judgments. The Trumpet
and Bowl judgments are all contained within the seventh Seal, unfolding
consecutively through the seven-year Tribulation Period. Through judgment,
Jesus becomes King of all the nations.
Revelation
6 records John’s vision of the Lamb breaking the first 6 of 7 Seals:
§ Seal #1: First Apocalyptic Horseman (White Horse):
Conqueror
§ Seal #2: Second Apocalyptic Horseman (Red Horse): Removes
Peace
§ Seal #3: Third Apocalyptic Horseman (Black Horse):
Famine
§ Seal #4: Fourth Apocalyptic Horseman (Ashen Horse):
Death and Hades
(over ¼ of earth killed)
§ Seal #5: Cries of the Martyrs for Judgment and
Vengeance
§ Seal #6: Earthquake, Blackened Sun, Blood-like
Moon, Falling Stars, Split Sky, Moving Mountains and Islands, Hiding Men, Great
Day of Wrath
The
seventh seal remains unbroken at the end of Revelation 6. Before the Lamb breaks
the seventh seal (Rev 8), the foreheads of 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel
are sealed.
Introduction to Revelation 7
Rev 7:1-8 Sealing of
144,000 from 12 Tribes of Israel: Scene:
Earth. Time: Future.
The
angels are commanded to refrain from harming the earth, sea, or trees until the
bond-servants of God are sealed on their foreheads with the seal of the Living
God. The 144,000 include 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rev 7:9-17 Prelude of Praise
by Multitude in Heaven: Scene: Heaven. Time:
Future.
Before
the Lamb breaks the 7th Seal, containing the 7 Trumpets and 7 Bowls, there
is a prelude of praise in heaven by a great, countless multitude from every
nation, tribes, peoples, and tongues.
The multitude, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands,
stands before the throne and before the Lamb as they cry, “Salvation to our God
who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (7:10). The heavenly court responds in worship. One of the elders
explains to John that the multitude came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, made white in the blood of the Lamb.
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