Part 5 of 12 / The Book Of Revelation - A Roadmap Of The End

Introduction: God's Final Word On The Future

When believers think about the End Times, the Book of Revelation often comes to mind first. Written by the Apostle John while exiled on the island of Patmos, Revelation is not just a mysterious book filled with symbols, it is "The Revelation Of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1).

It's purpose is to unveil Christ in His Glory, reveal the unfolding of God's plan for the ages, and give His people encouragement to overcome and remain faithful until the end. For the Church, Revelation serves as both a warning of what's to come and a promise of victory in Christ.

The Scriptural Foundation

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,"

- Revelation 1:1

"Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near." - Revelation 1:3

"Behold , H e is coming with the clouds , and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." - Revelation 1:7

Structure Of The Book Of Revelation

Revelation can be outlined into three main sections, based on Jesus' words in Revelation 1:19:

"Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things." - Revelation 1:19

"Write What You Have Seen" - Chapter 1 (the Vision of Christ)

"What Is Now" - Chapter 2-3 (Letters to the Seven Churches)

"What Will Take Place Later" - Chapters 4-22 (Future Prophecy)

Here's It Simplified In Structure

1. Chapter 1 / The Vision Of The Risen Christ

2. Chapter 2-3 / Letters To The Seven Churches

3. Chapters 4-5 / Church Not Mentioned, Throne Room Of Heaven & The Lamb

4. Chapters 6-18 / Tribulation Judgments (Seals, Trumpets, & Bowls)

5. Chapter 19 / Church Comes Back & Second Coming Of Christ

6. Chapter 20 / The Millennial Kingdom & Final Judgment

7. Chapter 21-22 / New Heaven, New Earth, & Eternal State

The Key Themes In Revelation

1. The Glory of Jesus Christ

Revelation is centered on Christ's majesty and victory. From the radiant vision of Him in

Chapter 1 to His Triumphant Return in Chapter 19, Jesus is revealed as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

"And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

- Revelation 19:16

2. Messages To The Seven Churches (Chapters 2-3)

The letters to the seven churches are timeless warnings and encouragements.

• Some were faithful, but weary.

• Others were compromising or spiritually dead.

• All were reminded.

"The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne." - Revelation 3:21

These letters apply directly to the churches today as Christ prepares His Bride for His Coming!

3. The Throne Room Of Heaven (Chapters 4-5)

John is caught up into Heaven and sees the Throne of God surrounded by worship, lightning, and thunder. In the center stands the Lamb who was slain, the only One who is worthy to open the scroll of judgment.

"I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they *sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” - Revelation 5:1-10

This scene reminds us that History is in God's Hands.

4. The Tribulation (Chapters 6-18)

This portion of Revelation details the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls of Judgment poured out on the earth.

• Seals (Revelation 6-8) - War, Famine, Death, & Persecution.

• Trumpets (Revelation 8-11) - Plagues, Demonic Torment, & Cosmic Upheaval.

• Bowls (Revelation 15-16) - Final Wrath leading To Armageddon.

This period of time is of great suffering, but also of MERCY, as God still calls people to repentance.

5. The Second Coming (Chapter 19)

Jesus returns in glory, riding on a white horse, crowned with many crowns. The armies of heaven follow Him. The Antichrist and False Prophet are thrown into the lake of fire, and the nations judged.

"And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone." - Revelation 19:20

6. The Millennium & Final Judgment (Chapter 20)

Christ reigns on earth for 1,000 years, Satan is bound, and peace fills the earth. At the end, Satan is released briefly, defeated a final time, and cast into the lake of fire forever. The Great White Throne Judgment follows for all who rejected Christ.

"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:11-15

7. The Eternal State (Chapters 21-22)

The story ends not in destruction, but in renewal. God creates a new Heaven and new Earth, and His people dwell with Him forever. The New Jerusalem shines with God's glory, and there is not more death, sorry, or pain.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “ It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost. The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." - Revelation 21:3-7

Timeline Of Revelation

1. Church Age - (Chapters 2-3)

2. Rapture Of The Church - (Between Chapters 3-4)

3. Tribulation & Judgments - (Chapters 6-18)

4. Second Coming Of Christ - (Chapter 19)

5. Millennial Reign - (Chapter 20)

6. Eternal State - (Chapter 21-22)

Living In Light Of Revelation

Revelation Teaches Us:

• Jesus Is Victorious - He Is The Alpha & Omega

• The Church - Must Remain Faithful In Every Season

• Evil & Righteousness - Evil Is Judged & Righteousness Prevails

• Eternal Hope - Being A New Creation With Christ

Rather than fearing the End Times, we should live with confidence, knowing that the final chapter of history is already written whether you, myself, or the church, wants to accept it or not.

Reflection & Discussion

1. How does Revelation reveal the character and majesty of Jesus Christ?

2. Why do you think God gave this book to the Church?

3. What part of Revelation gives you the most hope as a believer?

Prayer For This Week

Lord, we Thank You, for the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Though the world may fear the future, we rejoice in the assurance that You are sovereign over history. Help us to take the message of Revelation to heart, to live faithfully, to overcome temptation, and to eagerly await the day when we will dwell with You in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Come Lord Jesus! In Your Almighty Name, Jesus, Amen.

Until Next Week ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!