Study of Revelation

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("Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near" 1:3)

HISTORY OF THE WORLD (top)
4000	Adam Created
2054	Abraham born
1875	Jacob goes to EGYPT and Israelites grow for 430 years (Ex 12:40-41)
1525	Moses lives in Egypt 40 years
1485	Moses lives in Midian 40 years
1445	The exodus and wandering for 40 years
1405	Joshua enters promised land
1373	Period of judges rule
1051	1st king Saul for 40 years
1011	David rules for 40 years (1 Kings 2:11)
971	Solomon rules for 40 years (1 Kings 11:42)
931	Divided kingdom of Israel and Judah
722	ASSYRIA under Shalmaneser takes Israel captive (2 Kings 17)
605	Babylon takes Daniel and friends captive for 70 years (2 Kings 24:1)
597	Babylon takes Ezekiel and 10,000 captive (2 Kings 24:10-14)
586	BABYLON destroys Jerusalem (2 Kings 25)
539	MEDO-PERSIA conquers Babylon (Dan 5:30): Zerubbabel rebuilds temple
478	Esther crowned queen
458	Ezra and Nehemiah return
331	Alexander the Great and the GREEKS conquer Medo-Persia
63	ROMAN empire beginss under Julius Caesar
44	Augustus Caesar (Octavian) Luke 2:1-reason why Jesus was born in Bethlehem
4 BC                 JESUS BORN!
14	Tiberius Caesar reigns during Jesus' death (Luke 3:1 ; Matt 22: 17-21 ; John 19:12)
29AD  WORTHY IS THE LAMB! JESUS DIES TO SAVE MANKIND!
37	Caligula ruled
41	Claudius ruled (Acts 11:28 ; Acts 18:2)
54	Nero "called himself Augustus" (Acts 25:8-12,21,25 ;2 Tim 4 :16-18) burned Rome
69	Vespasian ruled
70	General Titus under Vespasian destroys Jerusalem
79	Titus ruled
81	Domitian ruled: Considered 2nd Nero - banished John to Patmos
95	JOHN WRITES REVELATION OF THINGS SOON TO COME!
96	Nerva ruled (1st Seal : White Horse)
98	Trajan ruled
117	Hadrian ruled
138	Antoninus Pius ruled
161	Marcus Aurelius ruled
180	Commodus ruled (2nd Seal : Red Horse)
211	Caracalla ruled (3rd Seal : Black Horse)
217	Period of political anarchy and disorder ( 4th Seal : Pale Horse)
284	Diocletian (tetrarchy) ruled orders edicts against christians (5th Seal : the martyrs)
307	Constantine moved capital / uprooted society (6th Seal : impending doom)
311	Period of peace until foreign invaders
325	Nicean council where church elders came together to make decisions
376	Invasion by land of Alaric and the Goths (7th Seal : 1st trumpet)
428	Invasion by sea of Geiseric and the Vandals (2nd trumpet)
445	Invasion by rivers of Atilla and the Huns (3rd trumpet)
476	Odoacer - Gothic king on throne in Rome (4th trumpet)
END OF WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
533	Emperor Justinian acknowledges pope, God's ruler of all churches (beg of 1260?)
570	Mohamet born
612	Mohamet goes out and begins his public teaching (5th trumpet)
628	A treaty with Mecca recognized Mohamet as an apostle/prophet
632	Mohamet dies - Saracens continue to conquer
636	The crusades
762	Arabian Muslim dynasty settles in capital city of Baghdad
1055	Baghdad conquered by Turkish powers (Seljuck & Ottoman) (6th trumpet)
1382	Wycliffe translates Bible into English
1453	May 29th - Constantinople falls under cannons to the Turks
END OF EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
1456	Printing Press and Gutenberg Bible is printed
1517	Luther posts his 95 theses to the church door at Wittenburg
1525	Tyndale Bible
1539	Coverdale Bible
1610	King James Bible
1789	French Revolution
1792	French Revolution and "reign of terror" - Worship of Liberty and Reason
1793	French wars (Plagues 1-4)
1795	public worship restored
1799	French revolution ends with Napoleon seizing power
1801	Napoleon agrees with pope for France to be catholic but allow protestant worship
1804	Napoleon summons pope to Paris but then crowns himself
1809	Napoleon takes Italy (Plague 5)
1809	Napoleon imprisons pope: Decreed pope's temporal authority finished
1815	pope returns to Romee and declares himself, "God's Vicar on Earth" (Plague 6)
END OF CATHOLIC POWER
1900
2000
?
"But, beloved be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night"  (II Peter 3 : 9-10) (Plague 7)
?
END OF EARTH TIME

Introduction (top)

Revelation = "apocalypse" gr. ( an uncovering or revealing)

    John, one of the sons of Zebedee, identifies himself throughout the Gospel not by name, but as "the one whom Jesus loved." John walked in faith, taking Jesus at his word, and was secure in his love. Therefore, when John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, he remained steadfast in Jesus' love. He was faithful to his calling even n the midst of Nero's persectution of christians from 54-68 and then Domitian's from 81-96. While John was in Patmos, God unveiled to him the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and what soon would come to pass - a revelation unparalleled, the last to be given. It was about 95 A.D. The Apocalypse was written in a time of persecution, and gives us a view of the persecutions and hostilities, external and internal, to which the church was then and would be exposed. Christianity was then in its infancy. It encountered the opposition of the world. The arm of civil power was raised to crush it. It was also exposed to the attacks of internal foes, and persecutions would arise from its own bosom, and formidable enemies in future times would seem to endanger its very existence. Heresies, divisions, and corruptions of doctrine and practice, might be expected to exist in its own bosom; times of conflict and darkness would come; changes would occur in governments that would deeply affect the welfare of the church; and there might be periods when it would seem to be doubtful whether the true church would not become wholly extinct. The faith of christians was, doubtless, sorely tried in the persecutions which existed when this book was written, and would be in like manner often sorely tried in the corruptions and persecutions of future ages. The Apocalypse was designed to meet this state of feeling by furnishing the assurance that the gospel would ultimately prevail and that all of its enemies would be subdued. It was intended to impart consolation to the people of God in all ages, and in all forms of persecution and trial, by the assurance that the true religion would be at last triumphant, thus furnishing an illustration of the truth of the declarations of our Savior when he spoke of the church and said, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt 16:18) - Barnes Commentary on Revelation

Chapter 1 (Description of the Lord) (top)

I.)    vs. 1-3 Why we should read this book

II.)   vs 4-11  Dedication to the seven churches of Asia: (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea (ESP-TSP-L)

     vs. 6: we are kings because we conquer the devil and we are priests because we perform the holy service of offering worship

       vs. 11: Why seven?  He will write to the seven churches in Asia starting with Ephesus and continuing in a clockwise order. Seven represents perfection and we will see the number used again.

III.)  vs. 12-18: Description of the Lord among the 7 lampstands

      vs. 13:    robe with golden sash-righteousness and faithfulness (Isa. 11:5)
      vs  14:   head and hair white as snow-pure (Isa. 1:18 & Dan. 7:9)
      vs  14:   eyes like blazing fire- penetrating and exposing with light
      vs  15:   feet like glowing bronze-white, clear bright metal
      vs  15:   voice like rushing waters-roar of the ocean (Ezek. 43:2)
      vs  16:   held seven stars
      vs  16:   double edged sword came out mouth-His words are penetrating
      vs  16:   face like a radiant sun-shower with light

IV.)    vs. 19-20: Symbols

        seven stars are angels, messengers, elders?
        seven lampstands are the seven churches (hopefully providing light to the world)
 

Chapter 2(Messages to first 4 churches) (top)

Each letter, with some variations, conform to the following formula:

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute.
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them.
3.) Counseling on what they should do.
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers

I.) Ephesus (1-7)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute. -who holds the 7 stars and walks among the 7 lampstands
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them. -hard working, persevering, not tolerating wicked, tested false prophets, endured hardships, hat the practice of the Nicolaitans (idolatry and fornication) but they lost their first love.
3.) Counseling on what they should do. -Remember the way you were and repent or lampstand will be removed.
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -eat of the tree of life in Heaven

II.) Smyrna (8-11)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute. -the First and the Last who died and came to life again
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them.-physically poor but spiritually rich, suffer persecution ten days (a while)
3.) Counseling on what they should do. -Keep being faithful even unto death
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -not hurt by the second death (hell)

III.) Pergamum (12-17)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute.-who has the sharp, double edged sword
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them.-remain true through persecution (Satan's throne) just like Antipas, but some follow Balaam (idolatry and fornication) and the Nicolaitans.
3.) Counseling on what they should do.-Repent or will be destroyed by the sword of his mouth
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -hidden manna (sustains eternal life) and a white stone with a new name written on it (white stone meant approval and black stones meant condemnation in ancient voting or in Roman games)

IV.) Thyatira (18-28)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute. -whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them. -love, faith, service and perseverence, and doing even more now than at first but there are followers of Jezebel (fornication & idolatry) -possible reference to the "harlot" or the apostate church
3.) Counseling on what they should do. -some need to repent and the rest just need to hold on
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -will give authority over nations and the morning star (Venus which can be seen early in the morning and means the darkness is past)
 

Chapter 3(Messages to the last 3 churches) (top)

V.) Sardis (1-6)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute. -who holds the seven spirits and the seven stars
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them. -pretend you are alive but are dead
3.) Counseling on what they should do. -WAKE UP! strengthen yourselves and repent. Obey what you have received. However some have not soiled their clothes. (not come in contact with profane and polluted sin Jude 23)
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -be dressed in white and never have name blotted from the book of life

VI.) Philadelphia (7-13)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute. -who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them. -little strength left because of persecution but have kept the Word and not denied his Name. Endured patiently
3.) Counseling on what they should do. -Hold on to what you have
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -be made a pillar in the temple of God (beauty and support) Names of God, New Jerusalem and New name written on the pillar.

VII.) Laodicea (14-21)

1.) A reference to the Savior in some 1st chapter attribute. -words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness
2.) "I know thy works" and then an explanation of them. -LUKEWARM, wretched, pitiful, poor (no spiritual wealth), blind (not seeing their situation), and naked (no garment of salvation Matt. 22:11-12)
3.) Counseling on what they should do. -buy refined gol (true, pure religion; cost is free), white clothes to wear (baptism) and salve to put on your eyes so they can see their situation and repent.
4.) "He who has an ear, let him hear"
5.) A promise to the overcomers -the right to sit with Him on his throne.

Chapter 4(A theophany: throne, creatures & 24 elders) (top)
Chapter 5(Worthy is the Lamb!) (top)
Chapter 6(Opening of first 6 seals) (top)
Chapter 7(Calm before the storm-saints are sealed) (top)
Chapter 8(7th seal:first 4 trumpets sound) (top)
Chapter 9(5th and 6th trumpets sound) (top)
Chapter 10(The mighty angel and the little book) (top)
Chapter 11(The two witnesses and the 7th trumpet) (top)
Chapter 12(The woman and the dragon) (top)
Chapter 13(The two beasts) (top)
Chapter 14(Harvest of the earth) (top)
Chapter 15() (top)
Chapter 16() (top)
Chapter 17() (top)
Chapter 18() (top)
Chapter 19() (top)
Chapter 20() (top)
Chapter 21() (top)
Chapter 22() (top)