SOME KEY COMPONENTS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
One of the most exciting things about the book of Revelation, is that it is from Jesus Christ Himself, given through John, to His body/His church. How exciting is this? An epistle from Jesus Christ given to us by way of John! Notice how many times Jesus says to John, "write" or "do not write" certain things. John was obedient and wrote this book as directed by Jesus Christ our Lord!
Another exciting thing about the book of Revelation, is that, it is "throne-centric"... Notice Jesus is speaking to the seven churches from heaven... where the 7 menorahs (lampstands) are. John is called up to heaven to see the Scroll with 7 Seals and find out if anyone is worthy to open it. We see what goes on in heaven and it is all "throne-centric" there. What happens on earth is revealed; but it is still... "as from heaven" to us.
Lastly and not to say the least, it is our hope! The rewards for choosing love and obedience to God, are listed at the end of each of the seven churches! The rebukes to them, that we ourselves need to watch out for also, are listed there. God does not want us ignorant! As He reveals the future to us, we can always see the end and take comfort that He wins and with Him, we win! We have a blessed hope and a glorious future. He tells of heaven and the wars and the victories over sin. He tells what heaven is like for our joy and hope and He tells of the reality of hell, letting it be a warning to all.
This wonderful book, "has been written" for us to take hold of it and realize who we are in Christ today and who we will be in Him in the future also! Hallelujah for the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ as given to John!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who is, Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:1-:20)
He is the Shepherd of the 7 churches, the only one worthy to open the 7 Seals and who does. He will come on clouds to gather His own and every knee will bow to Him. He will come again later on a horse with the armies of heaven, after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven, when He comes to take His earth for His Second Coming. He will eradicate the wicked at the Battle of Armageddon and the grapes of wrath will be crushed.
The 7 Churches (Revelation 2:1-29,3:1-22)
These seven churches represent the body of Christ. The true church, His body, is important for implementing what the head of the body, Jesus Christ, leads it to do. Whom the Lord loves, He corrects. Judgment begins in the House of God and that is what we see the Lord saying to each of these churches (1 Peter 4:17).
Ephesus The backslidden church – repent and return to their first love or their lampstand will be removed. Those who overcome will be granted the right to eat from the tree of life (Revelation 2:1-7).
Smyrna The persecuted church – be faithful unto death and they will receive the crown of life and for he who overcomes, no pain of the second death (Revelation 2:8-11).
Pergamos The licentious church - repent and those who overcome, may eat of hidden manna and receive the white stone (implied of acquittal) with a new and secret name upon it (Revelation 2:12-17).
Thyatira The lax church – repent and they who overcome, will receive power, authority and the morning star (Revelation 2:18-29).
Sardis The dead church – repent and they who overcome, will receive white garments and their name will not be blotted out and the Lord will confess their name before the Father and His angels (Revelation 3:1-6).
Philadelphia The faithful in tribulation church – if they hold fast, they will become pillars in the temple of God inscribed with the name of God, His city and a special new name of the Lord (Revelation 3:7-13).
Laodicea The lukewarm and indifferent church – repent and if they overcome, will receive a special type of enthronement with the Lord (Revelation 3:14-22).
4 Living Creatures (Revelation 4:6-11)
The 4 Living Creatures have an active roll in much of what goes on. They are in the midst and around the Throne. They are: one like a lion, one like a calf, one like the face of a man, one like a flying eagle. Each with 6 wings and they continuously glorify and honor the Lord. According to Ezekiel, each one has all four faces and their wings spread one to another and they sustain the Throne. As they move, so does the Throne. One of each exhorts John to “look and see” as the seals are opened! It is the 4 Living Creatures that give the 7 Angels the Bowls of Wrath. They are active throughout everything; sometimes more-so than others.
A Scroll sealed with 7 Seals (Revelation 5:1-14,6:1-17,8:1)
Seal 1 White horse w/rider w/bow & crown is given to him to conquer which he does.
Seal 2 Fiery red horse whose rider takes peace from the earth & he is given a sword.
Seal 3 Black horse whose rider has Balance Scales in his hand; huge inflation comes but not to harm the oil & the wine.
Seal 4 Pale horse (sickly green) whose rider was Death and Hades was right behind him kill ¼ of the earth with sword, hunger, death & by the beasts of the earth.
Seal 5 Martyred Souls under the altar cry out, How long until You Lord avenge our blood? The reply is given that not until the number of their fellow martyrs will be completed.
Seal 6 Great earthquake, sun blacks out, moon like blood, stars of heaven fall to the earth like in a great . shaking. The sky rolls up like a scroll, every mountain & island is moved out of place. The lost want to . hide from the Lord they see on His Throne but cannot. The rapture process is beginning to happen.
Seal 7 Silence in heaven for about half an hour. It is the time of the rapture! The heavenly entourage comes to get the others.
Note: The 5th, 6th & 7th seals will not take that long to happen. The 6th & 7th seals, the sealing of the 144,000 Jews & the first trumpet happen one after the other. The Two Witnesses are killed and dead 3 ½ days and upon their resurrection, so is the rapture. Jesus calls up the last surviving believers from the earth to meet Him in the air and their bodies become like Him. The “clouds” that come with Jesus are angels and the people “dead in Christ”... believers that preceded the living ones whose bodies will rise first and be transformed in the twinkling of an eye. The 144,000 Jews that now recognize when they see the real Jesus, are sealed for the last half of the 7 years. Once the church is secure in heaven and the 144,000 Jews are sealed, the angels with the trumpets can begin.
A 2nd Scroll (Revelation 10:1-11)
John told to eat it & prophesy! Sweet to taste but bitter in the stomach. (Ezekiel also ate a scroll similarly in Ezekiel 2 & 3)
7 Thunders! (Revelation 10:1-4)
The mystery of them. John heard what they said but was told to seal what they said and not to write it!
2 Witnesses/Martyrs (Revelation 11:1-14 - Matthew 24:28)
These Two Prophets (the 2 olive trees of Zechariah 4) who stand and speak for God for the first 3½ years(1260 days) and are killed by Abaddon/Apollyon in Jerusalem and raised back alive again at the rapture. They are powerful prophets who call down fire from heaven, call forth drought & destroy their enemies with the fire from their mouths.
A Dragon (the devil) and his beasts (Revelation 6:2,12:1-17,13:1-18,17:1-18,19:20,20:1-3)
The first beast being the Antichrist and the second beast being the false prophet.
4 Angels standing on the 4 Corners of the Earth (Revelation 7:1-8)
Four angels standing on the 4 corners of the earth, hold back all wind from the earth, sea & trees until the 144,000 are sealed (then the judgment/wrath can begin).
7 Angels with 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8:2-12,9:1-21,11:15-19)
Trumpet 1 Hail & fire mingled w/blood. 1/3 of trees/grass burn up.
Trumpet 2 Something like a great burning mountain cast into the sea. 1/3 of seas becomes blood.
Trumpet 3 Fiery star from heaven- Wormwood falls on the rivers and waters. 1/3 of waters become wormwood & bitter, many die.
Trumpet 4 1/3 of sun, moon, stars struck so that a third of them are darkened. 1/3 of the day and night will not shine.
Three Woes come in conjunction with the last three trumpets
Trumpet 5 / Woe 1 A fallen star from heaven to earth is given key to bottomless pit & evil-like locusts are let loose. Torment by stinging for 5 months, people will want to die but won't be able to.
Trumpet 6 / Woe 2 Angels released who are bound at the Euphrates river. 200 million exuding fire, smoke & brimstone will kill 1/3 of mankind.
Trumpet 7 / Woe 3 The mystery of God will be finished. The kingdoms of the world will have become the kingdoms of our Lord & His Christ. Time of the dead to be judged.
3 Angels of Proclamation (Revelation 14:6-13)
Angel 1 Proclaims that “the everlasting Gospel is to be preached to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” Calls for all to fear, honor and worship God Almighty, that judgment has come and God is the Creator of everything.
Angel 2 Prophesies the sweet words, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen."
Angel 3 Declares what happens to those who worship the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
2 Harvests (Revelation 14:14-20)
Harvest 1 The sickle is thrown over the earth, and it is harvested for the Lord.
Harvest 2 The sickle is thrown again, the grapes of the vine of the earth (the wicked alive at the time, meet their final demise; this is part of the wrath of God) and the blood on the earth becomes very, very deep.
7 Bowls of God's wrath (Revelation 15:1-8,16:1-17)
Angel 1 Pours bowl on the earth resulting in foul & loathsome sores.
Angel 2 Pours bowl on the sea resulting in water like a dead man; 100% living creatures in it die.
Angel 3 Pours bowl on the rivers & spring resulting in those waters turning into blood.
Angel 4 Pours bowl on the sun resulting in the scorching of mankind.
Angel 5 Pours bowl on the throne of the beast resulting in darkness and pain. People gnaw their tongues in pain.
Angel 6 Pours bowl on Euphrates River; it dries up and makes way for the kings from the east.
Angel 7 Pours bowl on the air, not resulting in a plague, but a proclamation from the Throne: It is done!
3 Unclean spirits like frogs to prepare for Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-14)
There are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. From the mouths of the dragon, beast & false prophet.
Some Key Participants
God Almighty, the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, Messiah, King, 4 Living Creatures, the 24 elders, the woman of Chapter 12 who is Israel, the 144,000 Jews, the saints and angels above and on earth, the Two Witnesses versus the dragon, his beasts (Antichrist, false prophet, image, etc.), Babylon, the whore and their followers.
Some things to look forward to:
Jesus, face to face! A new heavenly realm, a new earth, the New Jerusalem with many mansions, the River of Life, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Great White Throne of Judgment and the end of evil!
Another exciting thing about the book of Revelation, is that, it is "throne-centric"... Notice Jesus is speaking to the seven churches from heaven... where the 7 menorahs (lampstands) are. John is called up to heaven to see the Scroll with 7 Seals and find out if anyone is worthy to open it. We see what goes on in heaven and it is all "throne-centric" there. What happens on earth is revealed; but it is still... "as from heaven" to us.
Lastly and not to say the least, it is our hope! The rewards for choosing love and obedience to God, are listed at the end of each of the seven churches! The rebukes to them, that we ourselves need to watch out for also, are listed there. God does not want us ignorant! As He reveals the future to us, we can always see the end and take comfort that He wins and with Him, we win! We have a blessed hope and a glorious future. He tells of heaven and the wars and the victories over sin. He tells what heaven is like for our joy and hope and He tells of the reality of hell, letting it be a warning to all.
This wonderful book, "has been written" for us to take hold of it and realize who we are in Christ today and who we will be in Him in the future also! Hallelujah for the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ as given to John!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who is, Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:1-:20)
He is the Shepherd of the 7 churches, the only one worthy to open the 7 Seals and who does. He will come on clouds to gather His own and every knee will bow to Him. He will come again later on a horse with the armies of heaven, after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven, when He comes to take His earth for His Second Coming. He will eradicate the wicked at the Battle of Armageddon and the grapes of wrath will be crushed.
The 7 Churches (Revelation 2:1-29,3:1-22)
These seven churches represent the body of Christ. The true church, His body, is important for implementing what the head of the body, Jesus Christ, leads it to do. Whom the Lord loves, He corrects. Judgment begins in the House of God and that is what we see the Lord saying to each of these churches (1 Peter 4:17).
Ephesus The backslidden church – repent and return to their first love or their lampstand will be removed. Those who overcome will be granted the right to eat from the tree of life (Revelation 2:1-7).
Smyrna The persecuted church – be faithful unto death and they will receive the crown of life and for he who overcomes, no pain of the second death (Revelation 2:8-11).
Pergamos The licentious church - repent and those who overcome, may eat of hidden manna and receive the white stone (implied of acquittal) with a new and secret name upon it (Revelation 2:12-17).
Thyatira The lax church – repent and they who overcome, will receive power, authority and the morning star (Revelation 2:18-29).
Sardis The dead church – repent and they who overcome, will receive white garments and their name will not be blotted out and the Lord will confess their name before the Father and His angels (Revelation 3:1-6).
Philadelphia The faithful in tribulation church – if they hold fast, they will become pillars in the temple of God inscribed with the name of God, His city and a special new name of the Lord (Revelation 3:7-13).
Laodicea The lukewarm and indifferent church – repent and if they overcome, will receive a special type of enthronement with the Lord (Revelation 3:14-22).
4 Living Creatures (Revelation 4:6-11)
The 4 Living Creatures have an active roll in much of what goes on. They are in the midst and around the Throne. They are: one like a lion, one like a calf, one like the face of a man, one like a flying eagle. Each with 6 wings and they continuously glorify and honor the Lord. According to Ezekiel, each one has all four faces and their wings spread one to another and they sustain the Throne. As they move, so does the Throne. One of each exhorts John to “look and see” as the seals are opened! It is the 4 Living Creatures that give the 7 Angels the Bowls of Wrath. They are active throughout everything; sometimes more-so than others.
A Scroll sealed with 7 Seals (Revelation 5:1-14,6:1-17,8:1)
Seal 1 White horse w/rider w/bow & crown is given to him to conquer which he does.
Seal 2 Fiery red horse whose rider takes peace from the earth & he is given a sword.
Seal 3 Black horse whose rider has Balance Scales in his hand; huge inflation comes but not to harm the oil & the wine.
Seal 4 Pale horse (sickly green) whose rider was Death and Hades was right behind him kill ¼ of the earth with sword, hunger, death & by the beasts of the earth.
Seal 5 Martyred Souls under the altar cry out, How long until You Lord avenge our blood? The reply is given that not until the number of their fellow martyrs will be completed.
Seal 6 Great earthquake, sun blacks out, moon like blood, stars of heaven fall to the earth like in a great . shaking. The sky rolls up like a scroll, every mountain & island is moved out of place. The lost want to . hide from the Lord they see on His Throne but cannot. The rapture process is beginning to happen.
Seal 7 Silence in heaven for about half an hour. It is the time of the rapture! The heavenly entourage comes to get the others.
Note: The 5th, 6th & 7th seals will not take that long to happen. The 6th & 7th seals, the sealing of the 144,000 Jews & the first trumpet happen one after the other. The Two Witnesses are killed and dead 3 ½ days and upon their resurrection, so is the rapture. Jesus calls up the last surviving believers from the earth to meet Him in the air and their bodies become like Him. The “clouds” that come with Jesus are angels and the people “dead in Christ”... believers that preceded the living ones whose bodies will rise first and be transformed in the twinkling of an eye. The 144,000 Jews that now recognize when they see the real Jesus, are sealed for the last half of the 7 years. Once the church is secure in heaven and the 144,000 Jews are sealed, the angels with the trumpets can begin.
A 2nd Scroll (Revelation 10:1-11)
John told to eat it & prophesy! Sweet to taste but bitter in the stomach. (Ezekiel also ate a scroll similarly in Ezekiel 2 & 3)
7 Thunders! (Revelation 10:1-4)
The mystery of them. John heard what they said but was told to seal what they said and not to write it!
2 Witnesses/Martyrs (Revelation 11:1-14 - Matthew 24:28)
These Two Prophets (the 2 olive trees of Zechariah 4) who stand and speak for God for the first 3½ years(1260 days) and are killed by Abaddon/Apollyon in Jerusalem and raised back alive again at the rapture. They are powerful prophets who call down fire from heaven, call forth drought & destroy their enemies with the fire from their mouths.
A Dragon (the devil) and his beasts (Revelation 6:2,12:1-17,13:1-18,17:1-18,19:20,20:1-3)
The first beast being the Antichrist and the second beast being the false prophet.
4 Angels standing on the 4 Corners of the Earth (Revelation 7:1-8)
Four angels standing on the 4 corners of the earth, hold back all wind from the earth, sea & trees until the 144,000 are sealed (then the judgment/wrath can begin).
7 Angels with 7 Trumpets (Revelation 8:2-12,9:1-21,11:15-19)
Trumpet 1 Hail & fire mingled w/blood. 1/3 of trees/grass burn up.
Trumpet 2 Something like a great burning mountain cast into the sea. 1/3 of seas becomes blood.
Trumpet 3 Fiery star from heaven- Wormwood falls on the rivers and waters. 1/3 of waters become wormwood & bitter, many die.
Trumpet 4 1/3 of sun, moon, stars struck so that a third of them are darkened. 1/3 of the day and night will not shine.
Three Woes come in conjunction with the last three trumpets
Trumpet 5 / Woe 1 A fallen star from heaven to earth is given key to bottomless pit & evil-like locusts are let loose. Torment by stinging for 5 months, people will want to die but won't be able to.
Trumpet 6 / Woe 2 Angels released who are bound at the Euphrates river. 200 million exuding fire, smoke & brimstone will kill 1/3 of mankind.
Trumpet 7 / Woe 3 The mystery of God will be finished. The kingdoms of the world will have become the kingdoms of our Lord & His Christ. Time of the dead to be judged.
3 Angels of Proclamation (Revelation 14:6-13)
Angel 1 Proclaims that “the everlasting Gospel is to be preached to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” Calls for all to fear, honor and worship God Almighty, that judgment has come and God is the Creator of everything.
Angel 2 Prophesies the sweet words, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen."
Angel 3 Declares what happens to those who worship the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
2 Harvests (Revelation 14:14-20)
Harvest 1 The sickle is thrown over the earth, and it is harvested for the Lord.
Harvest 2 The sickle is thrown again, the grapes of the vine of the earth (the wicked alive at the time, meet their final demise; this is part of the wrath of God) and the blood on the earth becomes very, very deep.
7 Bowls of God's wrath (Revelation 15:1-8,16:1-17)
Angel 1 Pours bowl on the earth resulting in foul & loathsome sores.
Angel 2 Pours bowl on the sea resulting in water like a dead man; 100% living creatures in it die.
Angel 3 Pours bowl on the rivers & spring resulting in those waters turning into blood.
Angel 4 Pours bowl on the sun resulting in the scorching of mankind.
Angel 5 Pours bowl on the throne of the beast resulting in darkness and pain. People gnaw their tongues in pain.
Angel 6 Pours bowl on Euphrates River; it dries up and makes way for the kings from the east.
Angel 7 Pours bowl on the air, not resulting in a plague, but a proclamation from the Throne: It is done!
3 Unclean spirits like frogs to prepare for Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-14)
There are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. From the mouths of the dragon, beast & false prophet.
Some Key Participants
God Almighty, the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, Messiah, King, 4 Living Creatures, the 24 elders, the woman of Chapter 12 who is Israel, the 144,000 Jews, the saints and angels above and on earth, the Two Witnesses versus the dragon, his beasts (Antichrist, false prophet, image, etc.), Babylon, the whore and their followers.
Some things to look forward to:
Jesus, face to face! A new heavenly realm, a new earth, the New Jerusalem with many mansions, the River of Life, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the Great White Throne of Judgment and the end of evil!
COMPANION ARTICLES
CONSIDERATIONS FOR REAL REVELATION UNDERSTANDING
How to study more clearly.
THE SEVEN BOWLS OF THE WRATH OF GOD
The seven bowls, also called vials, of God's wrath listed and with light commentary
THE SEVEN SEALS OF REVELATION
The seven seals listed with commentary and also showing correlation with other Scripture.
THE SEVEN TRUMPETS & THREE WOES OF REVELATION
There are seven trumpets of God reserved for the wicked. The "last 3 trumpets" are also called the "3 woes" and it is shown here in Scripture.
UNDERSTANDING WHO THE ANTICHRIST IS, THE SON OF PERDITION
This shows how the Antichrist is both a false Messiah and against Jesus Christ at the same time, according to the Bible.
WHAT WILL THE TWO WITNESSES REALLY DO?
Shows their purpose and ministry.
OTHER "GENERAL RAPTURE" ARTICLES
ANCIENT JEWISH WEDDING CUSTOMS AND JESUS CHRIST, HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH
Shows a distinct correlation between ancient Jewish wedding customs and the rapture.
AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
Understanding this idiom of the day. Understanding its real meaning and how it correlates with other Scripture matters.
AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH
Taking a closer look at what Jesus really was saying.
CAN THE RAPTURE REALLY HAPPEN TODAY?
What events or prophecies are yet to be fulfilled?
EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM
Showing how huge and visible the rapture will be.
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW
The lost will bow to the Lord Jesus. The Father will see His Son glorified; whether they like it or not. And they will confess He is Lord.
IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
What the Bible says versus how this verse has been misinterpreted.
THE APOSTASY - THE GREAT FALLING AWAY
Many are looking for "the whole world to come to Christ" before the Lord returns. In reality, it will be more the opposite. See it in God's Word and explained here.
THE LAST TRUMP
There are many trumpets in the Bible. There are 7 special ones foretold of by John the Revelator. But which one happens at the rapture?
THE LAST TWO GREAT BATTLES
See the biblical truth that Armageddon happens at the end of the 7 years and the battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium.
THE LORD WILL RULE WITH A ROD OF IRON
This article explains how the Lord will rule with a rod of iron.
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SALVATION DOES NOT LAST FOREVER
Understanding that once the rapture happens, it will be a time of wrath for those left.
TWO WHITE HORSES, TWO VERY DIFFERENT RIDERS,TWO VERY DIFFERENT TIMES
The Antichrist is the allegorical rider of the white horse at the 1st seal. Jesus Christ is the rider of the white horse at Armageddon.
WHAT "ON EARTH" IS GOING ON AND HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT?
In considering the bigger picture, we can develop a stance that will see us through.
ARTICLES ABOUT RAPTURE BASICS
WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
How we know there will be a rapture and more.
IS THE WORD "RAPTURE" IN THE BIBLE?
Understanding "harpázō" - the word from which we get the term "rapture" that we use today.
RAPTURE VIEWS
Article showing various end time and rapture views including millennial views with definitions to help in having a deeper understanding.
THE MYSTERY OF THE 70 WEEKS OF YEARS
From this prophecy in Daniel, "the last week of years" are determined, which are commonly known as "the 7 years of tribulation" and this article includes a chart to help in understanding.
THE TRIBULATION AND THE WRATH OF GOD
Understanding that mid tribulation rapture is pre-God's wrath. Taking a closer look at what "wrath and tribulation" really mean and what really happens during the last 7 years of this age.
"TRIBULATION AND WRATH" - BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS AND USAGE
A word study, taking a deeper look at original context.
THE BIBLICAL MINDSET FOR LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS
The best biblical mindset for living in the last days, as shown in 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
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Copyright 2014 E. Cockrell May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.