Revelation, The Bible’s Grand Finale
It is hard to imagine a more appropriate ending to the Bible than the book of Revelation.
Of all the books of the Bible, Revelation gives the fullest picture of the conclusion of all of earth’s history with the climax and drama of a prophetic disclosure. Just as Genesis is a book of beginnings, Revelation is a book of closure and consummation. All the divine program of redemption comes to a grand conclusion as evil is finally destroyed and righteousness is vindicated and victory is consummated in Christ.
Revelation answers the question, “Why doesn’t God do something about all this evil in the world?” Here, from heaven’s perspective, we see what God is doing. He is working to bring sinners to repentance while allowing freedom for his enemies to come to their senses before the end. Within that freedom there are sometimes terrible consequences that impact everyone living on the earth, yet God’s people, who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, are never left alone and unattended.
This experience where the righteous and wicked dwell together on earth is termed the great tribulation. As John states, “This calls for endurance and perseverance on the part of the saints.”
We also see that Jesus Christ leads us to the ultimate victory over all the enemies of his kingdom. The triumphant celebration of the end breaks out over and over in this book, reminding us that victory for followers of the Lamb is sure. Just as certain is the defeat of evil, no matter how powerful it may appear and deceptive its ways.
Please open your heart and mind to receive the blessing promised to all who read this book and take it’s message to heart.
Revelation 1: 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Broad Outline of Divisions in Revelation
Our course of study for Revelation will be divided up into the natural sections within the book.
The following divisions will make up our lesson plans:
Overview of Revelation: What is obvious from the surface?
Chapters 1-3, Jesus sends messages to the Seven Churches of Asia
Chapters 4-5, Before the throne of heaven, the worship, the scroll, and the Lamb.
Chapters 6-7, Jesus opens the seven seals of the scroll
Chapters 8-11, The seven trumpets sound, the little book and the two witnesses.
Chapters 12-14, The woman, the dragon (Satan), the two beasts, the 144,000, the wrath and the reapers.
Chapters 15-16, The seven last plagues, (bowls of wrath).
Chapters 17-19:10, Babylon’s doom, fall, and lament. Heaven’s celebration.
Chapters 19:11-22:21, Christ’s return, Satan’s doom, judgment day, New heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem, (the Lamb’s bride), dwelling of God with men, Spirit’s call to come!
Review of Revelation: What have we discovered?
And now we look at lesson 1: An Overview of Revelation...
Revelation, The Grand Finale of God’s Word
Chapters 1-22
Lesson 1
Overview of Revelation
Take time and read the book through. It is God’s final word to conclude the scriptures. You need to do this! You may wish to listen to a taped copy of Revelation. It is about one hour in length. (One of the best hours you will spend). I would suggest using the NIV or some other modern translation for this overview reading. You need to have a pen and paper in hand as you read so that you may note the obvious divisions and things that come up. Jot questions about scenes that are difficult to understand and make note of the references for discussion in class.
Be diligent, dear student! God has wonderful things to show you in this amazing book! May God give you insight into the message of Revelation as you seek to know God’s Word. Pause and pray for wisdom and understanding as you read, also pray for diligence and faithfulness to your commitment to studying God’s book of life.
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First Day
Read Chapters 1-5 Messages to the churches and the vision of heaven.
Who are the characters of these five chapters?
What is happening in each chapter?
When is this being written?
Where is John in each chapter? Locate each church and see what you can find out about them from a Bible dictionary or commentary.
Day Two
Read chapters 6-11 Seven seals opened and seven trumpets sounded.
Note what is similar and different about the seven seals and seven trumpets:
Notice the seven thunders in 10:3-4. What happens here? What happens when John eats the little book?
Notice the Two witnesses in chapter 11. What do they do and what happens to them?
Are you beginning to see a central theme? As you notice what is happening on the earth, did you also notice what is going on from a heavenly point of view?
Day Three
Read Chapters 12-16 Meet Satan and his cohorts as they attack God’s people, see God’s response of seven bowls of wrath.
Notice what John calls these colorful dramas in 12:1,3; 13:13,14; 15:1; 16:14 (also the word occurs in 19:20 making it occur seven times in the book of Revelation).
What does the Woman look like? What is her condition, and what happens to her?
What is the response of the dragon to the woman and what does he do in chapter 12? Who are the people he is after?
How goes the war between Satan and the people of God in chapter 13? Who are the players and what happens between them?
Notice where the redeemed end up in chapter 14. Who is there and what happens to those who die in his service?
Notice the bowls of wrath in chapters 15-16. What do they represent?
List briefly what is in each one and compare them to the seven seals and the seven trumpets.
Day Four
Read Chapters 17-22 The fall of Babylon, the Judgment, and the Glory of Heaven.
How is Babylon pictured in chapter 17? What is she riding and whom does this seem to represent? Who is in control of the situation as seen in 17:17?
What happens to Babylon in chapter 18? What are the responses to this? Why?
What is happening in the first 10 verses of chapter 19? Who is introduced in verse 11 and following? What does he do?
What happens to Satan in the first 10 verses of chapter 20? What happens to his followers in the next 5 verses?
The word “Book” occurs 26 times in Revelation, eight of these are from 20:12 to 22:19. It is an important word that you will want to mark and notice what is around it as you study Revelation in days ahead. What do you notice about it in today’s reading?
How does Revelation describe the bride of Christ and the dwelling of the saints?
List a few key words:
How does Revelation describe the end of all who do not follow Christ? List a few key words:
Day Five
Praise the Lord for His wonderful salvation and promises of eternal blessing and glory for all of us who are in Christ! You have begun to see what is in store for every creature under heaven. God’s word is faithful and true! You are among the blessed to have the scriptures before you in your own language and with so many opportunities to read and learn God’s will and word for you.
Stop and give thanks with me to God right now for Jesus and the wonderful hope if His calling!
Oh Lord, God Almighty! You are worthy of all our soul’s adoration and worship! We give you thanks and praise for Jesus our Sacrificial Lamb, King of kings and Lord of lords, our eternal Savior and Holy Heavenly Brother!
How can we ever thank you enough and give a sacrifice of praise that will honor you as you deserve? We know we can never fully honor you enough, but we offer you what we have, that which you yourself have already given us. We rejoice in you!
Please help us to honor you always with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! Please show us the wonder of the mysteries of this book of Revelation which, by your wisdom, you preserved for us. Open its message up to us and open our hearts and lives to receive it! Help us to heed its warnings and embrace its encouragements. We look forward to receiving the blessings that you promise to those who read it and heed its words. Help us to faithfully study the scriptures and follow Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior. In Him we pray. Amen.
As a final exercise in preparation to our study together, take a moment to write any insights into Revelation that you have received so far along with questions that have been raised.
