Author: John (1:1), probably the apostle.
Date: Approximately AD 95.
In Ten Words or Less: God will judge evil and reward His saints.
Details: Jesus Christ Himself arranges for John to receive a “revelation” of “things which must shortly come to pass” (1:1). First, in Chapters 2–3, Jesus gives John words of challenge and/or encouragement for seven churches—the good, the bad, and the in-between. Then the vision turns to the actual throne room of God, where a Lamb, looking “as it had been slain” (5:6), breaks seven seals from a scroll, unleashing war, famine, and other disasters on the earth. A dragon and two beasts, allied against God, arise to demand the worship of earth’s people who have not been killed in the earlier catastrophes. The satanic forces and the people who follow them incur seven “vials of the wrath of God” (16:1), which bring plagues, darkness, and huge hailstones on earth. The upheaval destroys “Babylon the great,” the evil and arrogant world system, just before an angel from heaven seizes Satan, “that old serpent” (20:2), and imprisons him for one thousand years. After a brief release to instigate a worldwide war, Satan is thrown into “the lake of fire and brimstone,” where he will be “tormented day and night for ever and ever” (20:10). God unveils “a new heaven and a new earth” (21:1), where He will “wipe away all tears” (21:4) from His people’s eyes.
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
The Purpose of Great Tribulation
We have been conditioned to believe that the 1260 days of great tribulation is God judging the world. But what we discover as we read chapter nine of Revelation is something entirely different. It is a time where God is seeking to save men and not to destroy them. Join us as we study what is known as the fifth plague of the Tribulation.
Silence in Heaven
Moving into chapter eight of Revelation, we come to an ominous thirty minutes. Jesus said, “then there will be Great Tribulation," and here we see it about to begin. What we will learn is this is not the moment the One seated on the throne loses control. But just the opposite, this is a controlled environment designed to bring humanity to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Who are 144,000?
As we come to chapter 7 of Revelation, John sees a group of people whose exact identity has been debated throughout Church history. John tells us some fascinating things about this group that should help us to properly identify just who they are. Join us as we see that before judgment falls God is faithful to keep those who belong to Him.
The Day of the Lord
Many Bible teachers believe the term “The Day of the Lord”, refers to the entire end times scenario. But as we close out our study in Revelation chapter 6, we discover that it refers to a very specific period of time in which the wrath of God will be poured out. We will also discover that for the child of God we have been given a wonderful promise to be kept from this hour of wrath.
The Arrival of Death and Hell
Venturing further into chapter six of Revelation, the Apostle John gives us a glimpse into the horrifying future that this Christ rejecting world will face. And we will be reminded of the fact that all of this could be avoided if man would just surrender to the love of God.
The Identity of the Anti Christ
As we come to chapter 6 of the book of the Revelation, we see with the Apostle John the removing of the first seal from the scroll which reveals the Anti Christ. The Scriptures have much to say about the fascinating man. Join us as we discover the very place where he will arise from.
What is Biblical Worship?
As we come to the end of Revelation chapter five, the scene before us can only be described as an explosion from worship. In these final verses of this chapter, we are given insight concerning what the Lord wants given to Him in worship. Join us as we gain understanding concerning Biblical worship.
The King Comes to His Throne
In our verse-by-verse study of Revelation, we come now to chapter five. Here we find a great call given to all the universe, “Who is Worthy." John sees and describes for us, the “Worthy One”. The blessing that is revealed in all of this is, the Worthy One has made us, His people, worthy before the throne of God.
There is a River
As we close out chapter 4 of Revelation, we find ourselves in the throne room of God. Here John sees many things, not the least of which a river that flows from the throne. This is the River of Life or the Spirit of God. Join us as we contemplate what is to be the relationship of the disciple with this river.