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The Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Summary, in 13 slides
Part 1 – Introduction: Biblical guide to interpreting the book
Part 2 – The Book of Revelation, in summary
Part 3 – Signs of the Times
Part 4 – Conclusion: How then shall we live?
How to rightly interpret the Book of Revelation: the 10 S’s
Heart
Mind /
Interpretive
Tools
1. Spirit & sincerity • Pray for the Spirit of Wisdom & Revelation (Eph 1:14-20).
Abandon preconceptions. Sincerely examine the Word.
2. Setting (background, context for
original audience)
• Written mainly for Christians either suffering & dying for their faith,
or being seduced by the world, under a world order hostile to
Jesus & the church
3. Storyline (main message, major
characters & themes)
• Jesus will return to establish eternal paradise on earth. The devil
has a counter-plan to establish worldwide government & worship
of himself & the antichrist. After a brief tribulation, Jesus will return,
fulfil His plan, drive evil off the planet forever, judge the wicked, &
establish eternal paradise
4. Significance (Why? – how do we
respond?)
• Know the things that are to come, so that we are strengthened to
persevere in the faith until the end, come what may
5. Structure (which pieces fit where?) (see following slides)
6. Symbols & characters • All key symbols are explained in the bible – mostly in Revelation &
the OT. Use the bible to interpret the bible. Don’t speculate
7. Sequence of events (chronology) (see following slides)
8. Songs & prophetic celebrations &
declarations
• Revelation uses ‘Inclusios’ as parentheses to ‘bracket’ major
themes. Many events described in Songs and Declarations are
therefore not chronological, but anticipatory
9. Scripture usage • Revelation invokes many prominent end times passages, from Old
& New Testaments, to import both context & meaning, and expand
on events described briefly in Revelation
10. Synthesis (of OT & NT
eschatological passages)
• Like a puzzle, our understanding of end times events is only
complete when we put all the pieces in the right place,
synthesizing the OT and NT pieces of the end times puzzle.
Revelation describes the fulfilment & culmination of all prophecy.
Israel will be saved. The Body will be complete. The world will be
redeemed. Paradise will be established. Christ is the final answer.
7th Seal7th Trump
7th Bowl
7 Seals opened: 7 Trumpet warnings: 7 Bowls of wrath:Ch 6-19 Ch 8-19 Ch 15-19
Christ’s return,
Armageddon
Telescopic, triple septet storyline
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The use of (Inclusio’s) as literary parentheses indicates the ‘telescopic triple septet
structure’ of the book, and also indicates the Inclusio opening events (songs or
declarations at inclusio opening) actually anticipate events which take place
chronologically later in the book at the time of the inclusio closing
6th Seal
The kings of the earth & the great ones & the generals & the
rich & the powerful, & everyone, slave & free, hid
themselves… from [God] & the wrath of the Lamb, for the great
day of their wrath has come” (Re 6:15–17)
“Eat the flesh of kings… of
generals … of mighty men…
and… all men, both free & slave,
both small & great.”
(Re 19:17–18)
7th Trump
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our
Lord and of his Christ, & he shall reign forever… you have…
begun to reign… your wrath came, & the time for… destroying
the destroyers of the earth (Re 11:18)
Hallelujah! For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns... “he has
judged the great prostitute who
corrupted the earth with her
immorality… (Re 19:6)
6th Bowl
The kings of the whole world… gather…for battle on the great
day of God…. & they gathered at … Armageddon.
(Re 16:14–16)
“Gather for the great supper of
God… & I saw the beast & the
kings of the earth with their
armies gathered [for] war against
[the Lamb] & his army (19:17–19)
( )
( )( )
Nat
ion
s ju
dg
ed w
ith
esc
alat
ing
sev
erit
y
To
tal p
hys
ical
des
tru
ctio
n:
7 SealsCh4-5 – Jesus (Lamb, 7 horns, 7
eyes) takes 7 sealed scroll. 7 Songs
Ch6 – 1st 6 Seals: 4 Horse Riders, Martyrs’ pray for judgm’t,
Sign of Day of Lord’s Wrath
Ch7 – 2 Protected peoples, 2 types of victory: 144,000 Jews
(temporal); God’s saints (eternal)
8:1-2 – 7th Seal opened, 7 angels given 7 trumpets [interlock - 7 angels]
Ch4-7
Christ Initiates redemption plan by opening 7 Seals
Ete
rnal
To
rmen
t
7 Eternal Judgments
19:1-10 – Worship at throne, Babylon destroyed, marriage of
Lamb has come, Bride ready
19:11-20:3 – Christ returns, destroys armies; 2 Beasts
damned; Mil’m;
20:4-6 – Saints reign with Christ for 1000 years
20:7-14 - Gog & Magog; Satan damned; Final Judgment,
Wicked, Death, Hades damned [interlock –voice from throne]
Ch19-20
Christ Completes redemption plan: by return & 7 eternal judgments (evicting illegitimate tenants)
7 Core
Messages
14:14-20 – 2 Great Harvests: Grain / Grace harvest concludes past 3 rows’ Winepress of wrath
summarises next 3 rows
2 HarvestsGrace (God’s people); Wrath (God’s enemies)
14:1-5 - The Lamb, standing on Mt Zion with the 144,000 singing
song of Moses & Lamb, with Heaven’s choir
Ch14
14:6-11 - 3 Angelic messengers: 1) Fear God; 2) Fallen is
Babylon; 3) Eternal torment for Beast worshippers
14:12-13 - Call to endure; Blessed are martyrs
11:15-19 - Temple open, ark seen, loud voices declare
‘Kingdom has come’
Ch12-13:8 – 3rd Woe: Satan cast to earth; raises Beast who wars on saints, rules earth for
42m
13:9-10 – Call for saints to endure
Ch12-13
7 Trumps Part II(7th)
Satan’s rage & final stand in this age (3.5 yrs – Great Tribulation)
13:11-18 – Satan raises False Prophet who leads worldwide
worship of Beast for 42m
7 Bowls
Ch15 – Beast Overcomers before throne – Song of Moses
& Lamb; 7 Angels receive 7 Bowls
Ch16 – 1st 6 Bowls poured out, culminating in nations awaiting
Armageddon16:15 - Call to stay awake
16:16-17 - Nations assembled at Armageddon; 7th Bowl poured
out [interlock – Babylon judged]
Ch15-16
God’s rage & final judgmentof Satan’s world & age
7 Songs of Babylon’s Judgment
16:17-17:3a – Voice from temple, lightning, thunder,
earthquake, hail; 1 of 7 angels says ‘Come’
17:3b-18:3 – 7 headed Beast destroys Harlot Babylon, for
deceiving world
18:4-8 – ‘Come out, my people’-Babylon judged for her
wickedness
18:9-19:3 – World mourns Babylon’s destruction; Heaven celebrates [interlock – Heaven
celebrates Babylon’s fate]
Ch17-18
Babylon’s Final judgmentSatanic World system destroyed forever
7 Trumps Part I (1st - 6th)
8:1-5 – 7 Angels & trumps; Saints’ prayers; Coals on earth; thunder, lightning, earthquake;
30m silence
8:6–9:21 - 1st 6 Trumps: 4x 1/3rd
natural disasters from heaven; 2 woes = 2x Demonic Armies
Ch10-11:14 – God’s warnings for 42m preceding 7th Trump, through 2 Witnesses in Jer’m
11:14-15 – 3rd woe to come, 7th
Trump blown [interlock – temple response]
Babylon’s Final warnings 3.5 yrs of Trib’n judgments for World System, a call to repent
Ch8-11
CH
1-
13:
Imp
lora
tory
war
nin
g ju
dg
men
ts:
Cal
l to
repe
nt, p
urifi
catio
n of
God
’s p
eopl
e
Ch
urc
h
jud
ged
Par
tial
ph
ysic
al d
estr
uct
ion
: C
all t
o r
epen
t
Thi
ngs
that
are
‘Thi
ngs
See
n’Chiastic structure, indicated by Theophanies
Theophany Judgment event/ statement Interlude: Mercy Culmination & interlockAuthor’s address
Level 4: Theophany initiated sequence of Prophetic Septet Judgment & Mercy events / statementsLevel 3:
Chiasm of Septets
Level
1
Th
ing
s to
co
me
Level 2:Escalating Judgment
CH
1-
15-2
2: F
inal
ju
dg
men
ts:
Tim
e fo
r re
pent
ance
ove
r, v
indi
catio
n o
f God
’s p
eopl
e
This Chiastic structure highlights the story’s antithetical contrasts, which form the main
theological points of the Book centred on God’s harvests of mercy & wrath in Ch14C
hu
rch
rew
ard
ed 7 Eternal rewards for Church
(Overcomers)
21:1-9 - Voice from throne, ‘God's home with man’; ‘All
new'; 'Eternal blessing or curse'
21:10 - 22:7 – 7-fold Reward for Overcomers in New Jerusalem(God in midst, Lamb in midst, Eternal City (New Jerusalem), River of life, Tree of life, Nothing accursed,
Eternal life & reign)
Ch21-22a Church rewarded
7 Letters to 7 Churches
1:10b-20 ; Jesus amongst 7 lampstands, 7 stars in hand
Ch 2 – 3 – 7 Letters to 7 ChurchesCh
1b-3 Church sanctified
Epilogue22:8-20 – Closing address: Divine book through John,
Blessed are doers of it
Ch22b
John & Jesus: John’s Greeting, Jesus’s address, Book’s blessings
Prologue1:1-10a – Opening address: Divine book through John,
Blessed are doers of it
Ch1a
John & Jesus: John’s Greeting, Jesus’s address, Book’s blessings
Chronological Storyline with interludes C
HR
ON
OL
OG
Yin
terlu
des
| m
ain
stor
y
CH
AP
TE
R
ST
RU
CT
UR
E
Things to comeThings that areThings seen
PRO-LOGUE: Vision & Comm-ission
CHURCH JUDG’D NATIONS JUDGED: ‘Day of the Lord’ plan to judge the nations & redeem His people
7 Seals1st 6
Seals7th Seal;
1st 6 Trumps
IN: Harlot Babylon JudgedIN: God’s
people
1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11a,b 12 13 14 18 191 2 3
IN: God’s Final warnings to nations
IN:Satansquest7th
7 Eternal Judgments
7 Bowls of wrath
15
Beast kingdom
IN: 2 Great Harvests
11c
OUTCOME8
20 211716
Lamb takes 7-Sealed scroll
7 Trumps 7th Trump
3 4 5 6 7
7 Eternal rewards in
N.Jer’m
‘Day of the Lord’: time to judge the nations & redeem His peopleO.T
1
Church Age
2-3
Scroll
4-5
12A
7 Seals
6
7 Trumps (TRIBULAT’N /… … Daniel’s 70th ‘week’)
8-9 11C 13
7 Bowls
15-16 19
7A 7B 10 11A,B 12B 17A 17B-18 14B 14C1 14A14C2
Mill’m & Final JudgmentEternity
20 21-22
EPI-
LOGUE:
Read &
do
22
7 LETTERS
TO 7 CHURCHES
INTERLUDE 1:
Ch 7
• ‘Who is able to stand?’
God’s saving ministry to His
people
1) The elect Jews – physically
preserved throughout
2) The Church – spiritually
preserved
INTERLUDE 2:
Ch 10-11b
• ‘But how could they
know to repent?’
God’s prophetic, warning
ministry to the Nations
- Book of Revelations (the
scroll, available over history)
- The 2 witnesses (in last days)
INTERLUDE 3:
Ch 14
• ‘Why would God allow
satan’s rage?’
God’s 2 harvests of the earth:
1) Grain = Grace
2) Grapes = Judgment
INTERLUDE 4:
Ch 17-18
• ‘Why don’t the nations
repent?’
Harlot Babylon’s
intoxicating wine: she
seduces & entraps with
worldly materialism
1st 6
seals (Ch6)
7th Seal,
1st 6 trumps (Ch8-9)
I1Ch 7
7th Trump
42m Gr. Trib.(Ch11c - 13)
I2Ch 10-11
7 Bowls
(Ch15-16)
I3Ch 14
Christ’s
return (Ch 19)
I4Ch 17-18
Ch4-22 has a main chronological Storyline (black) & 4 Interludes (grey). The main storyline
describes the sequential events leading to Jesus return (Ch19), judgment (Ch20), & eternity (21)
today
today
Part 1 – Introduction: Biblical guide to interpreting the book
Part 2 – The Book of Revelation, in summary
Part 3 – Signs of the Times
Part 4 – Conclusion: How then shall we live?
PHASE 1:
Unknown timeframe
PHASE 2a:
3.5 yrs (42m)
PHASE 2b:
3.5 yrs (42m)
PHASE 3:
30d
MILLENNI’M
1000yrs
PRESENT TIME
Unknown timeframe
ETERNITY
Forever
Things to comeThings that are
CHURCH JUDG’D NATIONS JUDGED: ‘Day of the Lord’ plan to judge the nations & redeem His people
7 Seals1st 6
Seals7th Seal;
1st 6 Trumps
IN: Harlot Babylon JudgedIN: God’s
people
1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11a,b 12 13 14 18 192 3
IN: God’s Final warnings to nations
IN:Satansquest7t
h
7 Eternal Judgments
7 Bowls of wrath
15
Beast kingdom
IN: 2 Great Harvests
11c
‘Day of the Lord’
OUTCOME8
20 211716
Church Age
2-3
Scroll
4-5
Lamb takes 7-Sealed scroll
7 Trumps 7th Trump
3 4 5 6 7
7 Eternal rewards in
N.Jer’m
7 Seals
6
7 Trumps (TRIBULAT’N - Daniel’s 70th ‘week’)
8-9 11C 13
7 Bowls (30d)
15-16
7A 7B 10 11A,B 12B 17A 17B-18 14B 14C1 14A14C2
Mill’m & Final Judgm’tEternity
EPI-
LOGUE:
Read &
do
22
7 LETTERS
TO 7 CHURCHES
today
21-2219 20
Section 1 - ‘Things Seen’ (Ch1): Jesus command to write the Book
• “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave
him to show to his servants the things that
must soon take place... Blessed is the one who
reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and
blessed are those who hear, and who keep what
is written in it, for the time is near. ” (1:1-3)
• “Write therefore the things that you have seen,
those that are and those that are to take place
after this.” (1:19)
Jesus told John to write Revelation so that: 1) we would know what will take place in the end times, and 2) we would keep His commands on how to live our livesThings seen
PRO-LOGUE: Vision & Comm-ission
1
O.T
1
12A
PHASE 1:
Unknown timeframe
PHASE 2a:
3.5 yrs (42m)
PHASE 2b:
3.5 yrs (42m)
PHASE 3:
30d
MILLENNI’M
1000yrs
ETERNITY
Forever
Things to comeThings seen
PRO-LOGUE: Vision & Comm-ission
NATIONS JUDGED: ‘Day of the Lord’ plan to judge the nations & redeem His people
7 Seals1st 6
Seals7th Seal;
1st 6 Trumps
IN: Harlot Babylon JudgedIN: God’s
people
2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11a,b 12 13 14 18 191
IN: God’s Final warnings to nations
IN:Satansquest7t
h
7 Eternal Judgments
7 Bowls of wrath
15
Beast kingdom
IN: 2 Great Harvests
11c
‘Day of the Lord’O.T
OUTCOME8
20 211716
1
Scroll
4-5
Lamb takes 7-Sealed scroll
7 Trumps 7th Trump
3 4 5 6 7
7 Eternal rewards in
N.Jer’m
12A
7 Seals
6
7 Trumps (TRIBULAT’N - Daniel’s 70th ‘week’)
8-9 11C 13
7 Bowls (30d)
15-16
7A 7B 10 11A,B 12B 17A 17B-18 14B 14C1 14A14C2
Mill’m & Final Judgm’tEternity
EPI-
LOGUE:
Read &
do
22
21-2219 20
Section 2 - ‘Things That Are’ (Ch2-3): Jesus’ 7 letters to the 7 churches
Church Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea
Title of Jesus• Holds 7 Y's;
among 7 lamps
• 1st & last;
died & alive
• Sharp 2-edged
sword
• Blazing eyes,
brazen feet
• Holds 7 Spirits
& 7 Y's
• Holy & true, key
of David
• Amen, witness,
ruler
Commend-
ation
• Works,
perseverance,
doctrine
• Affliction,
poverty,
slander
• Where you live,
faithfulness
• Deeds, love,
service,
perseverance
• [none] • Kept Word;
witness;
endured
[none]
Concern
• 1st love • [none] • False teachers • Tolerate
Jezebel
• Reputation -
alive; but dead;
deeds
incomplete
• [none] • Lukewarm;
poor; blind
Command
• Do 1st works, or
lampstand
removed
• Don't fear
suffering, be
faithful
• Repent, or I will
fight with mouth
• Make her sick +
adulterers; kill
children.
Hold gospel
• Wake up;
strengthen what
remains;
Remember &
Obey; Or I will
come like thief
• Hold crown • Repent; buy
true riches;
Open door
Or spit out
Promise/ Call• “He who has an, ear, let him hear” • White garments,
book of life
• Pillar in temple;
name of God,
City, new name
• Share His
throne
Call / Promise• Eat from tree
of life
• No 2nd death • Hidden manna,
white stone
• Authority over
nations;
Morningstar
• “He who has an, ear, let him hear”
+
-
!
Jesus sent 7 letters to His churches with instructions on how to live in these times, including encouragement, stern warnings and promises for His overcomers who conquer by faith
PRESENT TIME
Unknown timeframe
Things that are
CHURCH JUDG’D1
2 3
Church Age
2-3
7 LETTERS
TO 7 CHURCHES
today
CH
RO
NO
LO
GY
inte
rlude
s
| m
ain
stor
y
CA
TA
LY
TIC
EV
EN
TS
(shi
ft th
e se
ason
/ ph
ase)
MA
IN S
TO
RY
LIN
E S
EA
SO
NS
/ P
HA
SE
S:
21 S
TA
GE
PL
AN
TO
JU
DG
E &
RE
DE
EM
TH
E E
AR
TH
Section 3 – ‘Things to come’ (Ch4-22): The end times
6 8-9
13 20 21-22
14C2
167
7 SEALS OPENEDJesus opens 7 Seals of scroll.
Seals release something in heaven, resulting in carnage on
earth. 1: White rider, false christson earth; 2: Red rider, violence &
war on earth; 3) Black rider, famine on earth; 4) Palid rider,
sickness & death on earth – 1/4th
killed; 5) Martyrdom; 6) signs in heavens, natural cataclysms on earth, mankind acknowledges God’s time for judgment has
arrived
1st 6 TRUMPS - 1st HALF OF TRIBULAT’N (42m)
7th seal opened. Earthquake starts Tribul’n. 7 trumps blown in heaven.
Each releases sign in heaven, destruction on earth. 1) fire & blood & hail, 1/3rd trees burned; 2) Asteroid, 1/3rd sea blood; 3) 1/3rd drinking water poisoned; 4) 1/3rd natural light removed; 5) Abyss opened, 5m of
torment by demon locusts; 6) 4 Super Demons released with 200m warring demons, 1/3rd of earth killed
7th TRUMP - THE GREAT
TRIBULATION (42m):
Red Dragon (satan) raises antichrist
(Beast #1) and false prophet (Beast
#2). Antichrist rules over earth for
42m. Nobody able to resist his
military and political power. World
worships him as god. False prophet
makes living image of beast;
everyone in the world must worship
his image and take the mark of the
beast or be killed.
7 BOWLS OF WRATH:
God’s wrath for man’s rebellion &
wickedness. 1) Painful sores; 2) blood to drink; 3) blood oceans; 4) sun-scorch; 5) darkness on AC kingdom;
6) Armageddon prep
7) Worst Earthquake, Hail,
Armageddon
MILLENNIUM
Jesus governs entire earth,
with His saints, from
Jerusalem. Whole world
worships Jesus. 1000 years of
unfathomable prosperity &
blessing on the earth
ETERNITYGod’s eternal Kingdom on earth. God
dwells in New Jer’m on earth, with people of God forever.
No sin, separation, suffering,
death
START OF TRIB’N
Scroll completely open:
God’s plan to redeem &
judge earth (7yr time of
tribulation) commences
ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION
42m into Trib’n: Antichrist declares
himself god, demands worldwide
worship & allegiance, establishes his
worldwide religion & gov’t, & destroys
all other religion & gov’t
END OF TRIB’N
7-Yr trib. ends,
time for
repentance over.
Final judgment
starts
JESUS’ 2nd
COMING:
Jesus returns with
heaven’s armies,
defeats AC & armies
at Armageddon
GOG & MAGOG, & FINAL
JUDGMENT
After 1,000 yrs, world rebels
against Jesus again.
Destroyed supernaturally.
Final Judgment of all souls
20C19C
PHASE 1:
Unknown timeframe
PHASE 2a:
3.5 yrs (42m)
PHASE 2b:
3.5 yrs (42m)
PHASE 3:
30d
MILLENNI’M
1000yrs
PRESENT TIME
Unknown timeframe
END TIMES BEGIN WITH OPENING
OF SCROLL:
Jesus takes scroll: inheritance of
earth, responsibility to govern &
redeem Earth by driving evil off planet
& establish His righteous Gov’t forever
7 TRUMPS – THE 7-YEAR TRIBULAT’N
ETERNITY
Forever
CH
AP
TE
R
ST
RU
CT
UR
EThings to comeThings that areThings seen
PRO-LOGUE: Vision & Comm-ission
CHURCH JUDG’D NATIONS JUDGED: ‘Day of the Lord’ plan to judge the nations & redeem His people
7 Seals1st 6
Seals7th Seal;
1st 6 Trumps
IN: Harlot Babylon JudgedIN: God’s
people
1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11a,b 12 13 14 18 191 2 3
IN: God’s Final warnings to nations
IN:Satansquest7t
h
7 Eternal Judgments
7 Bowls of wrath
15
Beast kingdom
IN: 2 Great Harvests
11c
‘Day of the Lord’O.T
OUTCOME8
20 211716
1
Church Age
2-3
Scroll
4-5
Lamb takes 7-Sealed scroll
7 Trumps 7th Trump
3 4 5 6 7
7 Eternal rewards in
N.Jer’m
12A
7 Seals
6
7 Trumps (TRIBULAT’N - Daniel’s 70th ‘week’)
8-9 11C 13
7 Bowls (30d)
15-16
7A 7B 10 11A,B 12B 17A 17B-18 14B 14C1 14A14C2
Mill’m & Final Judgm’tEternity
EPI-
LOGUE:
Read &
do
22
7 LETTERS
TO 7 CHURCHES
today
8:1 13A 17C4-5
today
21-2219 20
The Revelation of Jesus in the Book of Revelation
‘Day of the Lord’: Plan to redeem & judge the earth O.T
1
Church Age
2-3
42m 30d
12a
7 Seals
6
7 Trumps (TRIBULAT’N - Daniel’s 70th ‘week’)
8-9 11C 13
7 Bowls (30d)
15-16
7A 7B 10 11A,B 12b 17a 17b-18 14b 14c1 14a14c2
Mill’m & Final Judgm’tEternity
20 21-22
Scroll
4-5
today
today
42m
Ch 1
Ch 2-3
Ch 4-5
Ch 6-18
Ch 19 Ch 21-22
Son of Man
(Dan 7)
High Priest & Head of His Church
(Isa 40)
Worthy Lamb of God
(Isa 53; Dan 9; Ps 22’;
Zech 12)
Kinsman Redeemer,
Author of our redemption;
‘One like Moses’
(Isa 53; Deut 18)
King of kings, Word of
God, Just & Enraged
Judge (Ps 2; Isa 34, 63;
Zech 12)Eternal King
(Isa 9, Ps 110)
Ch 20
‘And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isa 9)
Merciful Judge
(Isa 11)
19
Jesus is revealed as the Promised Jewish Messiah, fulfilling all prophecies about His coming
SUMMARY OF PRIMARY THEME & MESSAGE:
Church of all ages has been caught up in
struggle between Christ & Antichrist
This conflict (& resulting persecution) will
manifest in fullness in final generation
But it manifests in all generations
wherever the governing powers resist
Christ, and is worse in totalitarian regimes
Thus, while the primary emphasis of Rev
is on the final generation of history, it has
relevance for all facing demonic pressures
to compromise in our faith
We are called to be steadfast and
unswerving in loyalty to Jesus in the
face of demonic pressures &
persecution, knowing: 1) our home is
New Jerusalem, 2) Jesus will come to
establish His Kingdom on earth and
deliver us from all evil & suffering, and
3) in the interim God is in control &
calls us to be faithful witnesses
Part 1 – Introduction: Biblical guide to interpreting the book
Part 2 – The Book of Revelation, in summary
Part 3 – Signs of the Times
Part 4 – Conclusion: How then shall we live?
2 insights, 2 imperatives, 2 responses
Jesus’ real instruction about studying the end times is:
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its
leaves, you know that summer is near.
So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say
to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth
will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,
but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man....
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
(Matthew 24:32–37, 44)
Insight Imperative Treatment by Church at large
1. We cannot know the day or
hour, He will come when we do
not expect Him
• Be ready at all times for His coming This half truth is preached boldly
2. When these signs appear,
Jesus’ return is imminent
• Learn the lesson of the fig tree: know
the signs, & when they appear expect
end times events to unfold
This half of the truth is left out
Beware of half truths that alter Jesus’ teachings & lead to ignoring Jesus’ wise counsel!
We cannot know the day or hour, but WE MUST learn the lesson of the fig tree, and therefore
observe the signs He said would precede His coming
3 types of Biblical Signs of the end times
Tribulation signs
(during tribulation)
Rev Ch8-16; Mt 24:15-31
Christ’s return
immanent
O.T
1
Church Age
2-3
Scroll
4-5
There are 3 stages of signs of the end times: 1) Signs of Christ’s immanent return; 2) (before
that) signs of the tribulation’s immanent commencement; 3) (before that) pre-anti-Christ signs.
The focus here is on 3) Pre-anti-Christ signs
Church Age
(current age)
Pre-tribulation
(beginning of birth pangs)
The Tribulation
(birth pangs)
Day of Lord
(birth)
Millennium
(new age)
Eternity
(final age)
Birth pang signs
(during birth pangs)
Rev 6; Mt 24:1-14; Lk 21
7-year Tribulation
immanent
Pre-anti-Christ signs
(before birth pangs start)
many end times passages
In the last days;
Birth Pangs
immanent
1232nd
coming
today
today
7 Seals
‘Day of the Lord’: 21 Stage Plan to redeem & judge7 Trumps (Daniel’s 70th ‘week’)
8-9
42m
11C 13
42m
7 Bowls
15-16
30d
Millennium & final judgment
Eternity
21-22
2nd
coming
6 2019
13 Pre-anti-Christ signs (some events, some trends)
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
I
S
R
A
E
L
T
H
E
N
A
T
I
O
N
S
1033AD 2033
todayWWII
11
12
13
C
H
U
R
C
H
1533AD
5
4
6
533AD33AD
For the first time ever, since WWII, all 13 below pre-anti-Christ signs are manifesting
Israel exists as a nation & governs Jer’m (Isa 66:7-9; Zech Ch12-14; Joel Ch3; Dan Ch9, 11-12; Jer 30)
The Land of Israel is becoming home to most Jews, who remain unbelieving (Ezek Ch 36)
Israel is at the centre of global political conflict, despite its tiny size (Zech Ch 12-14; Joel Ch 3)
Travel and knowledge have increased exponentially (Dan 12:4)
Technology exists to enable centralised government of every nation and person on earth (Rev 13:11-18)
Natural disasters increase exponentially (Rom 8:22; Mt 24:7; Luke 21:11)
The platform for a single global government is forming (1 Thes 5:1-4; Rev 13:5-8; Dan 7:7-25)
The ancient Roman empire is re-emerging in modern form (Dan 2:31-45)
A Babylonian world order is permeating the entire world (Rev 18:1-17)
The end times anti-Israel alliance of specific anti-Israel nations is forming (Ezek Ch38-39)
The gospel will soon have reached every soul on earth (Mt 24:14)
Political & social platform being set for global, legitimised persecution of Christians (Mt 24:9-14; Mt 10:16)
283 783 1283 1783
Budding
Early flower
Full bloom
‘The church’ is abandoning the faith (apostatising) at an alarming rate (2 Thes 2:3-4; Mt 24:9-14)
Part 1 – Introduction: Biblical guide to interpreting the book
Part 2 – The Book of Revelation, in summary
Part 3 – Signs of the Times
Part 4 – Conclusion: How then shall we live?
How then shall we live?
1 Peter 4:7–11
“The end of all things is at hand;
Therefore:
1. be self-controlled
2. and sober-minded for the sake of
your prayers.
3. Above all, keep loving one
another earnestly, since love
covers a multitude of sins.
4. Show hospitality to one another
without grumbling.
5. As each has received a gift, use it to serve
one another, as good stewards of God’s varied
grace:
> whoever speaks, as one who speaks
oracles of God;
> whoever serves, as one who serves by
the strength that God supplies
… in order that in everything God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ.
To him belong glory & dominion forever & ever.
Amen.”
Other New Testament passages
Mt 24:36–44: Be ready, for He comes sooner than
you think
Mt 24:45–51: Be diligent: be a fruitful servant,
always ready for His return (cf. Lk 12:35-48)
Mt 25:1-13: Stay ready, for He comes later than you
think
Mt 25:31-45: Love Jesus’ people by meeting their
needs, as the evidence (and test) of saving faith
Lk 21:25-36: Actively guard against being caught up
in the concerns of this life; live for eternity, pray to be
ready for His coming (cf. 1 Cor 7:25-35)
2 Pet 3:11-18: Be diligent to remain always holy and
without blemish, growing in grace and knowledge of
Jesus (cf. Rom 13:11-14; Jud 17-23)
1 Co 15:50-58: be steadfast in faith, and abound in
the Lord’s work