Outline of the Book of the Revelation

by Thomas W. Schullery

Introduction:

1. Do not try to fit Revelation to a system or scheme, but let the book be understood by its own revealed plan. Rev. 1:19
2. The book is not chronological history, but visions of matters in N.T. history.   Rev. 1:1
3. Do not try to interpret the details of the visions, especially by speculation, but as with the parables, the details are necessary to the vision to teach a single lesson.
4. Much of Revelation can be understood by virtue of prototypes used to teach on-going truth. (e.g. Rome being the first Gentile persecutor of the church)

General Outline of book as giving in Rev. 1:19:

• (Chap. 1:1-8) The Prologue, with a beatitude in v. 3
• (Chap. 1:9-20) The things that John had seen – a vision of Christ glorified in the midst of the 7 churches.
• (Chap. 2-3) The things that are – the condition of each church addressed by Christ in 7 epistles.
• (Chap. 4:1-22:5) The things that will take place after this. Rev. 4:1
• (Chap. 22:6-21) A Conclusion, with a beatitude in v. 7

Application: This book was written to be understood and used for the encouragement and comfort of the church throughout the ages!

The things that will take place after this are laid out in 7 visions. Rev. 4:1-22:5

First Vision – Christ’s Dominion over the World. (Rev. 4:1-8:1)

   Contained in the vision:

1.      The Throne of God – Chap. 4

2.      The coronation of Jesus as the Christ. – Chap. 5

3.      Six seals opening are events of the N.T. age under the authority of Christ – Chap.6

·        going out of the gospel

·        conflict because of the gospel

·        there will be normal life commerce during the conflict of the N.T. age

·        people will die for various reasons throughout the N.T. age

·        those who are faithful will be under the protection of Christ

·        the final judgment of God

4.      A parenthetical related matter; sealing the elect – Chap.7  Sealing them from harm (v.3) and bringing them to heaven (v.15)

5.      The appearance that God is not working in the world. Rev. 8:1 (But the 7 trumpets to come will show He is)

 Second Vision – The World’s Woes (Rev. 8:2 – 11)

    Contained in the vision:

1.      Six trumpets are sounded unleashing judgments of God on the world during the N.T. age. (Rev. 8:2-9)

2.      These are the results of the prayers of the saints. (Rev. 8:4)

3.      These judgments affect the world of men by events and catastrophes. These judgments affect only a portion of the earth at a time. The first 4 trumpets refer to cataclysmic judgment warnings such as hurricanes, earthquakes, storms etc.

·        judgment on the earth

·        judgment on the sea

·        judgment of the fresh water

·        judgment of the heavens

·        men will suffer mentally

·        war is one of the greatest warnings that judgment is coming. v. 21 shows it doesn’t help.

4.      A parenthetical related matter – the book of Revelation reveals these things to comfort the church in tribulation for her witness in the world. (Rev. 10:1-11:14) The Word of God is sweet to the believer and yet bitter in that it brings judgment to the world as well.

5.      The 7^th trumpet sounds the final Judgment. (Rev. 11:15-19)

Third Vision – Spiritual Warfare in the World. (Rev. 12-14)

    Contained in the vision:

1.      Christ’s 1^st coming in which by His death and resurrection He overthrows Satan and casts him down from heaven to earth. (Rev. 12)

2.      Satan being cast to the earth persecutes the true church by the use of godless government and false religion. (Rev. 13)

3.      A parenthetical related matter – the security of the saints while the work of God goes on. (Rev. 14)

Fourth Vision – The Wrath of God Falls on the World. (Rev. 15-16)

    Contained in the vision:

1.      The 7 last plagues symbolizing the final Judgment. (Rev. 15:1)

2.      The saints are in heaven. (Rev. 15:3)

3.      The wrath of God is poured out (Rev. 16:1)  (Note: the trumpet judgments were partial. These are total)

4.      The wrath of God does not bring repentance. (Rev. 16:21)

Fifth Vision – The Victory of Christ (Rev. 17-19)

    Contained in the vision:

1.      The end of the world. (Rev. 17:1; 18:21)

·        The world as the harlot (Rev. 17)

·        Judgment on the things in this world that man has loved. (Rev. 18)

2.      The 2^nd coming of Christ (Rev. 19:11,16)

Sixth Vision – The Spiritual Reign of Christ (Rev. 20)

    Contained in the vision:

1.      An overview of the N.T. history of Satan and his end. (Rev. 20:2,10)

2.      The millennium is simply the N.T. age, the Kingdom of Christ

·        Beginning – Binds the strongman (Satan) by His death, resurrection and ascension. (v. 1-3) Satan is bound but able to roam the earth seeking whom he may devour but he can’t devour the church.

·        Reign from heaven – Spread of the gospel. (v. 4-6)

·        End – Final Conflict (v. 7-10)

3.      The final Judgment of the wicked. (v. 11-15)

 Seventh Vision – The Victory of Christ and His Church (Rev. 21:1-22:5)

    Contained in the vision:

1.      The new heavens and the new earth. (Rev. 21:1)

2.      The church to occupy the new earth. (Rev. 21:10)

3.      No sinners shall be there. (Rev. 21:27)

 Conclusion: (Rev. 22:6-21 with a beatitude in v.7)

1. As death finds you, eternity will leave you. (v. 11)
2. Happiness is obedience to God. (v. 14)
3. The Spirit and the Church invite the spiritually thirsty (empty) to come and drink of grace. (v. 17)
4. Those who have come to Christ want Christ to come for them. (v. 20)