Background
Genre: New Testament Apocalyptic
Author: John the Apostle
Audience: Bond-servants of Jesus (those committed to Jesus with their lives)
Purpose: To show the things which have been, which are, and which will soon be (Prophesy of End Times).
Some consider Revelation a difficult book because it has a lot of symbolism that requires going back to pretty much every other book in the bible to completely understand. However, it’s also the only book in the bible that makes the claim that we will be blessed for reading (and studying) this book. It is the culmination of all things in the bible, the final wrap-up where we get to find out what’s coming.
Book Divisions & Highlights
Revelation Segment Divisions
| Segment | Highlights | Verses | |
| 1 | Intro |
|
1:1-1:7 |
| 2 | Jesus & 7 Churches |
|
1:8-3:22 |
| 3 | Thrones & Seals |
|
4:1-8:6 |
| 4 | Trumpets & Witnesses |
|
8:7-11:19 |
| 5 | Great Signs |
|
12:1-15:4 |
| 6 | Bowls & Babylon |
|
15:5-18:24 |
| 7 | The Great End |
|
19:1-22:21 |
The Big Picture of Each Segment
| Segment | Purpose | |
| 1 | Intro | To show his servants those things that must soon take place. Read, hear, heed (study, understand, apply). |
| 2 | Jesus & 7 Churches | We see Jesus in his glory and learn how to respond to who he is. As we change our behavior to match it increases fellowship. |
| 3 | Thrones & Seals | God in his holiness and righteousness begins to show his wrath toward sin. An attitude adjustment: Is your focus really on the throne or yourself? Do you have the same distaste for sin that God does? |
| 4 | Trumpets & Witnesses | See what its like for people to be separated from God in reality. See his goodness removed from the planet, what it means to live separated from His goodness and blessing. Result: many respond in repentance. |
| 5 | Great Signs | Satan: defeated loser, God’s people: victorious, supernaturally protected. Great and wondrous sign: the end, we win. You get to bet and know the final score before the game is played. We can and need to persevere, and be joyful in our perseverance. |
| 6 | Bowls & Babylon | See what God is wrathful against, encouraged to not participate in those things. Ultimately means to be awake. And he will bring everything to final judgment. |
| 7 | The Great End | The party in heaven, the completion of God’s work. Blessings. |
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