A Primer on the Book of Revelation: A Study Guide

Contents

DEDICATION

PREFACE

About this Study Guide

Making Sense of Revelation

Points of View

Introduction

Chapter 1: What John Has Seen

Key Terms in Chapter 1

Chapter 2: What Is Now: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, & Thyatira

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamum

Thyatira

Key Terms in Chapter 2

Chapter 3: What Is Now: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

Key Terms in Chapter 3

Chapter 4: The Throne Room of God

Key Terms in Chapter 4

Chapter 5: The Lamb Is Worthy

Song of 4 Living Creatures and 24 Elders (Rev 5:8)

Song of Angels (with 4 Living Creatures, 24 Elders, Rev 5:11-12)

Song of All Earthly Creatures (Rev 5:13)

Key Terms in Chapter 5

Chapter 6: Four Horsemen, Martyrs, Heavenly Bodies

First Seal (Rev 6:1-2)

Second Seal (Rev 6:3-4)

Third Seal (Rev 6:5-6)

Fourth Seal (Rev 6:7-8)

Fifth Seal (Rev 6:9-11)

Sixth Seal (Rev 6:12-17)

Seventh Seal (Rev 11:15-19)

Key Terms in Chapter 6

Chapter 7: The Chosen and the Multitude

Key Terms in Chapter 7

Chapter 8: Seventh Seal, Four Trumpets

First Trumpet

Second Trumpet

Third Trumpet

Fourth Trumpet

Key Terms in Chapter 8

Chapter 9: Trumpets 5 & 6

Fifth Trumpet

Sixth Trumpet

Key Terms in Chapter 9

Chapter 10: A Mighty Angel and a Little Scroll

Key Terms in Chapter 10

Chapter 11: Two Witnesses and the 7th Trumpet

Seventh Trumpet

Key Terms in Chapter 11

Chapter 12: The Woman and the Dragon

Sign #1 - Woman Clothed with the Sun, Giving Birth

Sign #2 – Red Dragon with 7 Heads and 10 Horns

Key Terms in Chapter 12

Chapter 13: The Antichrist, the False Prophet, and 666

Beast Out of the Sea

Beast Out of the Sea: Rev 13:1-8

Summary of Beast Out of the Sea

Beast Out of the Earth

Key Terms in Chapter 13

Chapter 14: Atop Mount Zion, Three Angels, and the Harvest

144,000 with Jesus

Announcements and Warnings from Three Angels

The Great Harvest

Key Terms in Chapter 14

Chapter 15: The Completion of God’s Wrath - 7 Plagues

Key Terms in Chapter 15

Chapter 16: Seven Bowls of Wrath Poured Out

Bowl #1 (Rev 16:12)

Bowl #2 (Rev 16:3)

Bowl #3 (Rev 16:4)

Bowl #4 (Rev 16:8-9)

Bowl #5 (Rev 16:10-11)

Bowl #6 (Rev 16:12-16)

Bowl #7 (Rev 16:17-21)

Key Terms in Chapter 16

Chapter 17: Mother of Prostitutes on a Scarlet Beast

The Great Prostitute

7 Heads of the Scarlet Beast

10 Horns of the Scarlet Beast

Key Terms in Chapter 17

Chapter 18: Babylon Falls in One Hour

Key Terms in Chapter 18

Chapter 19: Hallelujah, Two Suppers, Faithful and True

Shouts of Hallelujah (Rev 19:1-8)

Key Terms in Chapter 19

Chapter 20: Satan Bound, First Resurrection, Second Death

First Resurrection (Rev 20:4-5)

Satan Released for Battle, then Destroyed (Rev 20:7-10)

The White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11)

Key Terms in Chapter 20

Chapter 21: A New Heaven and New Earth

Key Terms in Chapter 21

Chapter 22: The Water and Tree of Life

Key Terms in Chapter 22

APPENDIX OF NUMBERS, TERMS, AND DEFINITIONS

REFERENCES

Dedication

Much appreciation goes to our church elder and his wife, Clarence and Laura. Brother Clarence inspired me to create this guide after taking his Revelation class last summer. Throughout the process, Sister Laura was an inspiration; asking how it was going, and encouraging me to complete and publish the work.

Many hugs, kisses, and thanks are extended to my sister Jules, who tirelessly read and reread the contents. She’s my in-house editor, always making sure topics make sense, and don’t get too far off track.

And finally thanks to my two brothers. Mike always reminds me to pray; and to keep dreaming big. You never know what God has in store. Joe is my listener and sounding board; he was excited and believed I could do it when I first described the idea while we were sitting on our back porch having breakfast together.

There are many others who encouraged me along the way: Robert, Lorene, too many to name.

This work would not have been completed without them all.

My prayer is that this work will help everyone to study God’s word through the Book of Revelation, and come away with a true sense of the salvation, blessings, and everlasting life that can await us all.

Karen

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)

Preface

About this Study Guide

This work is meant as a help guide for those who want to read the Book of Revelation, and have ready access to Biblical terms and symbols used throughout Revelation. It is not meant as a substitute for the actual text in the Bible, but can be used in conjunction with the Biblical text to enhance your reading of Revelation.

Making Sense of Revelation

A large part of understanding Revelation is to identify the symbolism. Many of the symbols in Revelation can be found somewhere else in the Bible, if you search for them. A good, online Bible greatly helps with this search.

This guide helps to pull the symbolism and references together into organized topics. Study the Book of Revelation, and claim your Blessing (Rev 1:3). See what Revelation says about blessings, and those who are blessed.

This guide outlines each chapter of Revelation, and includes a list at the bottom of the chapter titled, Key Terms in Chapter #. Locate any of the terms in the Appendix of Numbers, Terms, and Definitions beginning on page 73.

Your greatest help might come from just perusing the Appendix of Numbers, Terms, and Definitions, which is ordered alphabetically. At the top of the Appendix is the section titled, Numbers in Revelation. Numbers are especially significant in Revelation. For example, Seven (7) is the Complete and Perfect Number.

My hope is that your understanding and appreciation of the rich message about our final salvation and eternal life is increased immeasurably through using this guide. Please contact me at revprim@yahoo.com if you would like to see additional terms added to the Appendix, new topics added, existing topics expanded, or simply to report whether the guide was helpful.

Points of View

There are countless interpretations and points of view regarding the book of Revelation and the end times. Up front, I will state that I believe in the Resurrection of the Church before the Tribulation. This will undoubtedly have an effect on the presentation and descriptions in this guide.

Also, I do not use the politically correct, BCE (Before the Common Era) to indicate events that took place before Christ (BC). Marking time by the coming of our Savior is fine with me.

Lastly, some references to the church in Rome and Jehovah’s Witnesses might be taken with offense. I am not trying to single out or denigrate churches and religions, but merely report content that I have found during the preparation of this study guide.

Love in Christ,

Karen

Introduction

In Revelation 1:8, the Lord God says, I am the Alpha and the Omega. He says He is the one who is, and was, and who is to come, the Almighty. In Revelation 1:19, Jesus directs John to write what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place later. Revelation is a book that covers the past, the present, and the future.

The chapter summaries in this guide to the Book of Revelation are divided into these three sections.

What John has seen (past) is told in chapter 1 (what you have seen).

The present (what is now) is told to the churches in chapters 2 and 3.

What is to come in the future is foretold in chapters 4 through 22 (and what will take place later).

CHAPTER 1

What John Has Seen

John explains that this book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. God gave the revelation to Jesus, and Jesus gives it to John, his servant. (Rev 1:1)

Jesus will show this message to his servants by sending an angel to explain the message to John, who will testify by writing down the message, and sending it to the Seven Churches. (Rev 1:1)

Those who read the message and take it to heart are Blessed! (Rev 1:3)

John is told to write on a scroll what he sees, and send it to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. (Rev 1:4)

John will tell the message from Jesus, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. (Rev 1: 5) [See Jesus, Names of]

John sees Jesus like a son of man (Rev 1:13) in his full power, majesty, and strength. John is afraid of this all-powerful savior.

John indicates that when Jesus comes, the entire world will see him (Rev 1:7): Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

John is told to Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. (Rev 1:19) Jesus is described as having hair that is white like wool, eyes like blazing fire, feet like bronze in a furnace, and a voice like rushing waters. A Double-edged came out of his mouth, and he had a face like the sun. (Rev 1:14-16)

Jesus is standing in the midst of Seven Lampstands (seven churches, Rev 1:20), and holding Seven Stars (angels to each church) in his right hand. Each church has an appointed angel who will deliver a message to that church.

Jesus mentions some of the names by which he is known: First and the Last, Living One, Alpha and Omega, Almighty, Living One (Rev 1:18). Jesus states that he holds the Keys of Death and Hades. (Rev 1:18)

Key Terms in Chapter 1

Angels, Named

Blessed

Churches_7

Jesus, Names of

Keys of Death and Hades

Lampstands (7)

Lord’s Day

Patmos

Revelation

Seven (7)

Stars_7

You can look up these terms at the end of the book.

CHAPTER 2

What Is Now: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, & Thyatira

The first four of the seven selected churches in the province of Asia Minor (Turkey) are addressed with a message describing the eternal rewards for the overcomers. Most are praised for what they do well, and chastised for their shortcomings. The seven churches are representative of all churches, in various historical periods.

Ephesus has forgotten to love God first.

Smyrna is a persecuted church.

Pergamum follows false doctrines leading to idol sacrifices and immorality.

Thyatira is following a false prophetess, in pursuit of worldly and immoral pleasures.

Ephesus

The first church addressed in Revelation 2:1-7 is Ephesus. This church has forgotten their first love, Jesus.

JESUS IN EPHESUS

Jesus is the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand (the angels to the churches) and walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches).

EPHESUS PRAISED

The church at Ephesus is praised for their hard work, perseverance, intolerance wicked men, and calling out false apostles. They have endured and not grown weary. They hate the practices of the Nicolaitans.

EPHESUS CHASTISED

Ephesus is chastised for forsaking their first love (Rev 2:4). Unlike Ephesians 1:15, where Paul commends this church for its love of God and the saints; with time, the church has forgotten to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-39). They are warned to remember the heights from which they have fallen (forgotten their God).

Ephesus is warned that their lampstand (church) will be removed if they do not remember God, their first love. They will be destroyed, and lose their hope of eternal life.

EPHESUS REWARDED

Overcomers will eat from the Tree of Life in the paradise of God (Rev 2:7).

KEY TAKEAWAY FOR EPHESUS

In our zeal and work for God, don’t become so entrenched in the tasks, that we forget why we are doing them in the first place. Remember that behind all we do, is our love for God and our appreciation for our Lord, Jesus.

Smyrna

The second church addressed in Revelation 2:8-11 is Smyrna. The city of Smyrna was a rich trading center, known for its culture. It claimed to be the birthplace of Homer, the author of The Odyssey and the Iliad. This church is persecuted, but encouraged not to fear.

JESUS IN SMYRNA

Jesus is the First and the Last. He is the one who died and came to life again.

SMYRNA PRAISED

Smyrna is praised for suffering afflictions, poverty, and slander from those pretending to be Jews.

SMYRNA ENCOURAGED

The church at Smyrna is told not to fear (Rev 2:10) of the imprisonments that they will endure. They will be tested and persecuted by Satan, but they are encouraged to be faithful to the end. There are no chastisements for this church.

SMYRNA REWARDED

Overcomers will receive the crown of life. They will not be hurt at all by the second death (Rev 2:11). The second death is the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:14, 21:8) and eternal torment (see second death).

KEY TAKEAWAY FOR SMYRNA

God does not test us beyond what we can bear (I Corinthians 10:13). Unlike some of the other churches, Smyrna is encouraged rather than chastised. While Smyrna will suffer trials, God knows they are capable of withstanding those trials. If they use the faith and strength afforded to them, spiritual death will have no hold on their souls.

Pergamum

The third church addressed in Revelation 2:12-17 is Pergamum. This church represents a worldly church that is tied to the false doctrines of the Nicolaitans, and the pursuit of idols and immorality like the worshipers of Balaam. They are compromising their faith.

JESUS IN PERGAMUM

Jesus is the one with the sharp, double-edged sword (see Double-edged Sword). The sword is the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

PERGAMUM PRAISED

The church at Pergamum is praised for remaining faithful, and not denying Jesus. Antipas is mentioned in the scripture (2:13) as one who was martyred (the first martyr) for his commitment to Jesus.

PERGAMUM CHASTISED

The church at Pergamum is chastised because the people hold to the teachings of Balaam (also see Balak) and the Nicolaitans.

Pergamum is warned that Jesus will fight against them with the sword of His mouth.

PERGAMUM REWARDED

Overcomers get hidden manna. They will be given a white stone with a new name that only the recipient knows. Manna is the food from God, fed to the Israelites in the desert during the Exodus.

Finley (2002) explains that a white stone indicates not only innocence, but an invitation into God’s home. In ancient times, jurors used white and black stones to vote for innocence or guilt.

Additionally, friends who had guests would give their guest half of a cracked white stone, and keep the other half. The guest could give his half stone to a family member (or loved one), and the friend would welcome this family member into the home (because the 1/2 stone matched the home owner’s stone).

KEY TAKEAWAY FOR PERGAMUM

We have a place in God’s home if we are true to the word of God, and hold fast to our faith. We cannot pollute God’s word with false teachings.

Thyatira

The fourth church addressed in Revelation 2:18-28 is Thyatira. This church is following a false prophetess, and being led into immorality and idolatry. The church has become corrupt.

JESUS IN THYATIRA

Jesus is the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. (Rev 2:18)

THYATIRA PRAISED

The church at Thyatira is praised for love, faith, service, perseverance. They are doing more than they did at first.

THYATIRA CHASTISED

The church at Thyatira is chastised for sexual immorality, idol worship, and feasts with food sacrificed to idols. Their sin is compared to tolerating Jezebel, who leads God’s servants astray.

The church is warned that God will cast Jezebel on a bed of suffering, and He will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely if they do not repent.

The image of An Adulterous Woman who has committed adultery with God’s unfaithful people is used here, and in Revelation Chapter 17 and Chapter 18. The NIV calls the false, world-wide church the Mother of Prostitutes (Rev 17:5), while the KJV calls her the Mother of Harlots.

The true church, pictured as a faithful Bride, attends the wedding supper (Rev 19:7) with her groom, Jesus (the Lamb). Keep in mind the imagery of a prostitute as the unfaithful church, and a bride as the faithful church; since we will see these images again.

THYATIRA REWARDED

Overcomers are given authority over the nations. They will rule with Jesus, using an Iron Scepter (absolute authority), and be given the Morning Star (Jesus identifies himself as the bright morning star in Rev 22:16).

KEY TAKEAWAY FOR THYATIRA

False gods and worldly pleasure lead to suffering and pain. We miss the benefits of Jesus, our Morning Star. Involvement with false beliefs and a failure to repent are like adultery to God. It’s like cheating on your spouse.

Key Terms in Chapter 2

An Adulterous Woman

Balaam

Balak

Ephesus

Jezebel

Pergamum

Smyrna

Thyatira

You can look up these terms at the end of the book.

CHAPTER 3

What Is Now: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

The remaining three churches in Asia Minor (Turkey) are addressed in chapter 3.

Sardis is a dead church, not working whole-heartedly for God. No praises are given to this church.

Philadelphia is a weak church, but they keep the word of God, and have not denied Jesus. Each overcomer will be a pillar in the temple of my God.

Laodicea is the lukewarm church. They neither strongly confess nor deny God. They don’t recognize their wretched state, but think they are rich, not needing anything.

Sardis

The fifth church addressed in Revelation 3:1-6 is Sardis. This church is a dead church.

JESUS IN SARDIS

Jesus is the one who holds the Seven Spirits of God and the Seven Stars.

SARDIS PRAISED

The church at Sardis is praised for the few who have been faithful, and not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Jesus, dressed in white, because they have been found worthy.

SARDIS CHASTISED

The church is chastised because they are a dead, weak church. They are warned to wake up, repent, and remember the Word and teachings they have heard in the past. Their works are incomplete, and lacking. Apparently, this church has become comfortable with the pagan religions all around them (NIV, Archaeological), and forgotten about the resurrection and its power. Notice this church is not persecuted.

Jesus warns he will come like a thief in the night, and they will not know when he comes (thus missing the resurrection and eternal life).

SARDIS REWARDED

Overcomers will be rewarded with white robes, and walk with Jesus, just like the few faithful in Sardis, who are currently praised. We find later in chapter 7 that the Multitude in White Robes come out of the Tribulation.

KEY TAKEAWAY FOR SARDIS

Spiritual death, with no zeal or fervor for God is a terrible place to be. To stay alive, and keep our eternal salvation in sight, requires that we remember the blessings we have received and the word we have heard (Rev 3:3). A common exercise often assigned or shared among discipleship