Number 2 In A Series of Studies on Revelation -

The Book of Revelation in 45 Minutes

People are very interested in the future.

* Scientists predict the future of the environment.

* Politicians predict the future of elections.

* Financial experts predict the future of the economy.

And the most ridiculous of them all...

* Meteorologists predict the weather every night on television.

Peoples' desire to know the future has caused many to become desperate. Palm readers, taro cards, psychic hotline, etc., have made the future a big business. Yet most people never consider opening a Bible and seeing for themselves what it has to say about the future.

This is an exciting day to be alive, but only if you are saved and are ready for what is about to take place. Our days are a puzzle to most people. I believe, the answer is to be found in an understanding of the Book of Revelation.

This may be the most ambitious sermon I have ever attempted. I want to give you a look at the entire Book of Revelation in 45 minutes.

I already feel like an Egyptian mummy - pressed for time!

Without a broad overview of the Book of Revelation we will miss its harmony, grandeur and significance. Our tendency is to look only at favorite passages. If we only take snippets here and there, sermon “sound bits” instead of a systematic plan to read, research and reflect on the entire Book of Revelation we will be unable to appreciate the riches of this strategic book. We must be able to see the whole, before we can understand the parts.

1. Revelation is an Open Book.

Revelation 22:10 says, “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” Contrary to what most people think, revelation is an open book. The Greek for Revelation is “apokalupsis.” English word is “apocalypse.” It means “unveiling.”

Like a new statue which is being dedicated in a park...the mayor, the artist, the people are gather. It has a covering over it until the moment comes - it is unveiled. That’s the way we are to understand this wonderful book. The Book of Revelation was not written to conceal, but to reveal; not to hide, but to help; not to mystify, but to clarify.

2. Revelation is an Unveiling of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:1. “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” If you do not see Jesus, then go back and reread it until you do. Jesus Christ is the central character of this book. Jesus is the hero of the Bible.

3. Revelation is a Book of Prophecy.

Revelation 1:3 tells us this is a book containing prophecies. The world is through without God, but God is not through with the world. This blessed book tells us about so many things which are and will come to pass.

4. Revelation is highly Symbolic, but is to be believed Literally.

Revelation 1:1 “Signified.” “sign”-i-fied. Revelation is filled with signs and symbols. Are we to interpret the Book of Revelation, symbolically or literally? Yes! We are to find out what the symbol represents and then believe it literally.

Rev. 1:12 “Seven golden candlesticks.” 1:20. “Seven churches.”

Rev. 12:3 “Great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” 12:9 “That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan.”

5. Revelation is Outlined in Revelation 1:19.

“The things which thou hast seen” ch 1...the past...Christ

“The things which are” chps 2 & 3...the present...Churches

“The things which shall be hereafter” chps 4 - 22....the future...Chaos

6. Revelation develops Chronologically, with commentaries appropriately inserted.

Revelation unfolds sequentially, except when there is a passage that is given to understand the sequence.

7. In Revelation the Scenes alternate between heaven and earth.

The book begins in heaven and it ends in heaven.

The scene in heaven…Chapter 1:1-8. This blessed books come from God in heaven.

The scene on earth...Chapter 1:9-10. John imprisoned because of his faithfulness to Christ. At the very same time, it is said that John was both “in Patmos” and “in the Spirit” on the Lord’s day. Adverse circumstances & spiritual worship; raging storm & hallowed calm; abject bondage & unbound freedom; intolerable loneliness & intimate fellowship.

The scene in heaven...Chapter 1:11-20. John seems unfamiliar with this Christ. During the ministry of Christ on this earth John was Jesus’ best friend. There were 12 apostles, 3 in the inner circle and John “the beloved.” But when John sees Jesus in all His glory he is on his face, feeling as if he is dead, fearful in the presence of the glorified Christ. Somebody said if George Washington or William Shakespeare walked into this building, we would stand in honor, but when Jesus Christ walks in, we will fall on our faces.

The scene on earth...Chapter 2 & 3. The letters to the seven churches. “Seven” candlesticks = seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrnia, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadephia and Laodicea.

These are real churches in real cities in Asia Minor (see a map).

“Seven” is a significant number in Revelation. It represents “totality.” These “seven” churches were representative of all the churches of that time and all the churches of all times. The truth is, you can find all seven kinds of churches today in America.

Ephesus - A church that had lost its first love.

Smyrna - A poor church, rich in spiritual things. Persecuted. They were poor in material things, but rich in spiritual things.

Pergamos - A worldly church, into making money around the things of God.

Thyatire - A church that was too-tolerant. Jezebel was teaching false doctrine.

Sardis - A church that seemed alive, but was dead. “The most active chicken in the barnyard is the one that just had his neck wrung.” Busy, but barren.

Philadephia - A church on a mission, protected from the Tribulation.

Laodicea - A lukewarm church. They thought they were rich, but were poor.

The common message was: repent!

The scene in heaven...Chapters 4-5. At the end of the church age believers will be caught up into heaven and worship the Lamb on the throne. Revelation 4:1-2

- The rapture is not directly mentioned in Revelation. Paul covered that extensively, so the Holy Spirit chose not to include it.

- The Judgment Seat of Christ is not mentioned in Revelation, but by the time Revelation 4:10 comes around believers will case their crowns (rewards) before the Lord.

- 24 elders = represent all the redeemed of all the ages.

-12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles

- Revelation 5:1 mentioned a sealed book or scroll. It is the title deed of our lost inheritance as Christians.

- Only the Lamb who died and was risen was “worthy.”

- Revelation 5:14 we will worship before Him.

The scene on earth...Chapter 6. The Tribulation.

- The church is not mentioned after chapter 3. In chapters 1-3 it is “church, church, church,” 15 times.

- Believers are not going through the Tribulation.

- Seven “seal” judgments - chapter 6. Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 6:1-8

...Rise of antichrist, 6:1-2.

...War, 6:3-4.

...Famine, 6:5-6.

...Death, 6:7-8. 1/4 of population die!

...5th seal, martyrs.

...6th seal, world chaos. Pause between 6th and 7th seal. The scene in heaven...Chapter 7.

...7:1-8. 144,000 Jews, sealed and protected by God, witnessing about Jesus Christ throughout the world.

...7:9-17. An unnumbered multitude of saved rejoicing in heaven? These are the raptured saints of God. The scene on earth...Chapter 8-9.

7th seal opens up the 7 trumpet judgments.

...1st trumpet: fiery hail, the earth is burned.

...2nd trumpet: a mountain crashes into the sea.

...3rd trumpet: fresh water polluted.

...4th trumpet: cosmic catastrophe.

...5th trumpet: demonic army swarms from hell.

...6th trumpet: 4 dead angels wreck havoc on the earth. 9:18 1/3 of population die. Half of the population die in 7 years.

Surely people will repent when all this begins to happen? Not according to Revelation 9:20-21.

The scene in heaven...Chapter 10 (a commentary section)

...a sweet and sour book. Truth is pleasant at first, then tough to swallow.

The scene on earth...Chapter 11 (a commentary section) In chapters 11-13 there are 7 players in the Apocalyptic Pageant.

...Jerusalem trampled for 3 1/2 years, 11:2.

...2 witnesses preach first 3 1/2 years, 11:3. Moses and Elijah? Only God knows who they are.

..their death will be celebrated with gifts.

...they will be resurrected for all to see.

...7th trumpet, 11:15.

The scene in heaven...Chapter 11:15-19. These are God’s cliff notes, a synopsis of God’s purposes.

The scene on earth...Chapter 12-13 (commentary section). Chapter 12 explains the age-old problem of anti-semitism.

...woman = Israel.

...dragon = satan.

...son = Jesus.

...Jewish remnant protected for 3 1/2 years, 12;6.

...Satan restricted to earth for 3 1/2 years, 12:12.

Chapter 13 (not a part of the chronological sequence, but a commentary section telling us about two more major characters of the Tribulation).

...The beast = Antichrist.

...Number 666 = Man’s number

...Comes out of the sea = mankind.

...10 horns and 7 heads, 10 crowns = political affiliation.

...42 months = 3 1/2 years, 13:5.

...false prophet...sinister prime minister.

...Everyone forced into compliance by the number 666. Digital receivers implanted under the skin. The technology is there. What a hassle if you lose your credit card. No problem, we will implant them under the skin of your hand or head. This will give a new meaning to “Don’t lose your head!”

The scene in heaven...Chapter 14 (preview of how things will turn out)

...A word of encouragement to persevere.

The scene on earth...Chapter 15-18

Chapter 15...the calm before the storm as the angels prepare to deliver the final installment of God’s wrath.

...Chapter 16 The seven vial judgments.

...vial 1: skin cancer - radiation poisoning?

...vial 2: sea contaminated.

...vial 3: water corrupted.

...vial 4: fatal sunburn - ozone depleted?

...vial 5: darkness.

...vial 6: Great river diverted to open the way to Armageddon.

...vial 7: earthquake and maga-hail stones hall of Babylon.

Will people turn to God? Read Revelation 16:9-11 and see for yourself.

...Chapter 17 Religious Babylon (A commentary section)

...the one-world religion during the Tribulation.

...17:12...economic Babylon is a ten-nation federation.

...this religious system will be destroyed by the antichrist and his forces toward the middle of the Tribulation, so he can take his place in the Temple at Jerusalem, declaring himself to be god and requiring all on the earth to worship him or die.

...Chapter 18 Economic Babylon (A commentary section)

...the one-world economy is destroyed by God Almighty.

The scene in heaven...Chapter 19. Christ returns, Hallelujah!

...A wedding in heaven and the marriage supper of the Lamb, 19:1-10.

The scene on earth...Chapter 19:12-20:10.

...Armageddon: the shortest battle in history, 19:12-21. Read

...Chapter 20. The 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

...Satan removed, 20:1-3.

...Christ rules, 20:4-10.

The scene in heaven...Chapter 20:11-22:21.

...The Great White Throne Judgment, 20:11-15. Read

Chapter 21 - “Behold, I make all things new.”

...a new heaven and earth, 21:1-2.

...a new people of God, 21:3-8.

...a new Jerusalem, 21:9-27.

Chapter 22 -

...a new paradise, 22:1-5.

...a new ending, 22:6-21.

Allow me to conclude as the Bible concludes. The final words of the Bible.

...a final blessing, 22:14.

...a final invitation, 22:17.

...a final warning, 22:18.

...a final promise, 22:20.

...a final prayer, 22:20-21.

Life is full of decisions.

Eternity has only two - heaven or hell.

You have only one. Which will it be?

Prepared and delivered by
Dr. Jerry D. Locke
Lake Worth Baptist Church
4445 Hodgkins Road
Fort Worth, TX 76135-2136