A Primer on the Book of Revelation: A Study Guide
By Karen Fowler
()
About this ebook
This guide can help enhance your understanding of Revelation and allow you to read the book for yourself, appreciating the wealth of symbolism and related biblical references. After one time through, read it again. With each reading, you gain further understanding. And dont forget, God promises blessings to those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.
Karen Fowler
The author has worked as a software engineer and engineering writer for the past twenty-two years, and earned BA, BS, MSM-IT degrees. It was through the invitation to a retreat from a fellow engineer that she first studied the Bible, was baptized, and became a Christian. The author has been an active member of her church for the past fifteen years. She has received church-based training to teach and study the Bible with people who want to become Christians and also led a small women’s Bible talk. She has always been intrigued, challenged, and uplifted by the book of Revelation. After taking a recent class on Revelation taught by one of the elders of her church, she was inspired to create this study guide. Her prayer is that this guide will help others to study and understand the tremendous book of Revelation better. The author lives in Massachusetts with her family and her West Highland terrier, Alex. Hobbies include hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, string art, and cross-stitch.
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A Primer on the Book of Revelation - Karen Fowler
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