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The Infamous Book of Revelation
One of the most controversial books in the Bible, if not the most controversial book, is John's book of revelation. On this webpage, I will be attempting to answer some FAQ's regarding this book tot he best of my knowledge. The point of this page isn't to scare people into believing in God. It is to allow people to, again, understand this prophetic book a bit better and to raise awareness regarding what is to come in the future according to scripture. Keep in mind, too, that I'm not a theologian, but rather a college student who has a strong interest in this stuff and I want to share my interpretations and opinions regarding this stuff to all. If anybody has thoughts on this page, email me, because I really would like to hear other's opinions.
It is extremely difficult to summarize revelation. However, here is my best shot at doing just that.
Chapter 1: Basically a prologue of how John the Apostle had his vision of God.
Chapter 2: Talks about God's message to the 7 churches.
Ephesus- an ancient Asian capital. The letter from God praises them for their works and vritues, especially for discerning false teachers. It also urges them to repent of their sins.
Smyrna- the chief city in Lydia, housing a population of Jewish people hostile towards Christians. The letter urges them not to persecute Christians and not to obey Satan. It also talks about eternal death in which sinner will receive their punishment.
Pergamum- city large on pagan worship. The letter praises the church members for staying strong in their Christian believes, even in the face of persecution. However, it admonishes those of them who practice unprincipled morale. It urges them to repent and share in Christ's grace.
Thyatira- frontier town known for material production. The letter praises the small Christian following, but admonishes those who obey a false prophet (Jezebel). It says that her fate is sealed but her followers can still repent and join in the Lord's grace.
Chapter 3: to other 3 churches
Sardis- a formerly wealthy capital of Lydia that had been in a state of unrest. Urges this city to be on its guard and to repent of their sins. Praises the few who have stayed pure.
Philadelphia- A town destroyed by an earthquake, but revived under money from the emperor. The letter praises the few who have stayed strong in their faith, despite a lack of resources, and notes that they will live wonderful lives in Heaven.
Laodicea- Extremely wealthy city, known for its medical school and wonderful textiles. The passage states that Laodicea has great material gifts but lacks in spirituality. Again, it urges them to repent of their materialistic sins.
Chapter 4: John's vision talks about 24 elders (12 apostles, 12 tribes of Israel) and God's creation of all living beings on earth. The elders give thanks and praise to God.
Chapter 5: Introduction to the scroll and the lamb. The scroll contains a list of afflictions for unrepented sinners. The lamb obviously represents Jesus. The passage mentions the 7 seals of the scroll and discusses how no one except Jesus is worthy of opening them.
Chapter 6: Talks about the first six seals of the scroll. The first four seals represent four horseriders.
The first is a white horse of conquering ability.
The second rider is red and symbolizes bloodshed in war.
The third, a black rider, represents famine.
The fourth rider is pale green and represents Death himself, accompanied by Hades.
The fifth seal represents Christian martyrs who died for their beliefs, but were victorious through God (wearing white robes).
When the sixth seal is opened, a massive worldwide earthquake occurs, affecting all inhabitants of Earth. Other apocalyptic disasters also occur.
Chapter 7: After the breaking of the sixth seal, John witnesses two visions before the seventh seal. The first talks about 144,000 Tribulation saints, people who accept Christ into their lives and gain divine protection against earthly events. These people gain a sign on their foreheads, showing other Christians that their belief in God is true. The latter vision is one of the 144,000 Christians persevering and spreading God's Word to the rest of the world.
Chapter 8: The breaking of the 7th seal. This chapter talks about the beginning of the seven trumpets being blown.
The first trumpet disaster is one of hail and fire mixed with blood falling from the sky to the earth.
The second trumpet produces "something of a large burning mountain" to be hurled into the sea. One-third of the sea turns to blood, a third of the sea creatures die, and a third of the boats are destroyed.
The third trumpet results in a burning star, known as "Wormwood", to fall upon the earth and it taints a third of all the water on earth. Many people die from the bitter taste of the water.
When the fourth trumpet is blown, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars become struck. As a result, a third of the day and night are lost.
Chapter 9: The first woe.
The fifth trumpet results in a giant meteor falling to earth. A plague of smoke rises up from the earth. Locusts come out of the smoke and sting people with a sting similar to a scorpion's. They, however, do not hurt Christians. They don't kill non-believers but rather taunt them for five months with intense poison and pain. The people will try to commit suicide but won't be able to die. Their commander is Abbadon (Hebrew) or Apollyon (Greek), a fallen angel from Hell.
The sixth trumpet results in the release of 200 million calvary from Hell. They kill off a third of the human race, but act for God, leaving Christians alone. They kill by the use of three plagues: fire, smoke, and sulfur. The rest of the human race that was spared of these creatures did not repent of their sins and idol worship.
Chapter 10: Two visions come to John. The first is one of an angel opening a scroll and allowing people to know that the end is imminent. The second is of the two witnesses' (see next chapter) martyrdom, showing that the kingdom of God is about to become inaugurated.
Chapter 11: The Two Witnesses and second woe. They are Godsends put on earth to express His word for 42 months or 1,260 days. They are invincible to attacks until their due time. (see FAQ) After they are finally slain, their bodies are left on the ground for three and a half days. However, after those three and a half days, their bodies become living again and they stand up and decend into Heaven. The second woe has occurred.
The seventh trumpet judgment occurs. This signals the beginning of the Lord's new kingdom. The aforementioned twenty four elders praise God. After this occurs, "the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm.
Chapter 12: This chapter discusses the dragon (Satan) and the woman. Basically, the woman becomes pregnant with the dragon's child but God takes it up to Heaven. The dragon becomes angry at this and tries to get back at God by fighting churchgoers. A beast comes about and is mortally wounded but is restored to life and is worshipped by the majority of the world (all but Christians). A second beast comes about from land, symbolizing the anti-Christ. This beast leads people astray, away from God, and towards idol worship. He wages war on God's people.
Chapter 13: The first and second beasts.
The first beast was created by Satan in order to destroy the church. The beast was worshipped by the people of earth, mainly because they had to in order to survive in the world. It blasphamized the Heavenly Lord openly and persecuted anybody who admitted worship to it. The beast was allowed to rule for 42 months (the same number as the two witnesses earth reign).
After the first beast is killed, it will be revived and out of it comes the second beast describes false prophecy. The beast tries to appear to be deity by performing acts associated with deity. This beast will force all humans to wear a mark ("Mark of the Beast") of it in order to trade and buy goods. The last verse says this mark will be the number "666."
Chapter 14: The Lamb's Companions, The Three Angels, and The Harvest of the Earth
The Lamb's Companions are the 144,000 Tribulation saints (1-5). They also wear a mark, the mark of Heaven. Only they can see their marks ("No one could hear this hymn except for the 144,000 that had been ransomed from the Earth).
The Three Angels come to Heaven (6-11). The first tells the humans to give glory to God. The second angel announces the fall of the AntiChrist's kingdom ("Babylon"). The third angel talks about how those who worship the Beast will be damned eternally with no hope, but those who die in the Lord's name will live in Him forever.
The Harvest of the Earth (12-20) discusses the judging of the Earth's Inhabitants. The believers in God will triumph, but the worshippers of the AntiChrist will be condemned.
Chapter 15: the Seven Last Plagues
This chapter discusses more purification of sorts by the seven angels. They pour out seven bowls full of smoke and don't allow anybody to see through the smoke of the Lord until the plagues have been finished.
Chapter 16: Seven Bowls
Detailed account of the aforementioned seven bowls.
First bowl leads to sores that appear on wearers of the mark of the beast.
Second bowl leads to the ocean becoming the blood of the dead and kills all sea life.
Third bowl turns freshwater (rivers, springs, etc...) to blood.
Fourth bowl leads to burning of people by increased sun rays. Victims cry out but do not praise God.
Fifth bowl condemns the AntiChrist's kingdom. The citizens of it curse God for their pain, but do not repent.
Sixth bowl exposes the false prophets (takes "frogs" out of their throats) and sets the stage for the Armageddon.
The seventh bowl unleashes massive natural disaster upon the Earth. Lightning, hail, Thunder, and a great earthquake envelope the Earth, the hardest area hit being Babylon. Babylon was split into three parts and all gentile cities were destroyed. People curse God for the cruelty of the disasters but do not repent.
Chapter 17: Talks about the Harlot
The Harlot, the mother who leads people astray, is depicted. The angel says that Satan is also on his way up to Earth from Hades, and when he comes, he will amaze all who witness him. This also talks about the seven kings, five of which have come and gone, one who is alive, and a seventh that will come for a short time. The eighth king is the AntiChrist.
Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon
Discusses the destruction of Babylon. The angel in it urges people to humans to avoid anything about Babylon (i.e. materialism), basically. The passage concludes with a wonderful praise of God.
Chapter 19:
This depicts the King of all Kings coming down from Heaven, on a white horse, with an army of Heaven following behind Him. He will destroy all non-believers with a sword from one of the rider's mouths, while those who believe in God will enjoy the Lord's feast. The beast and the false prophet will be thrown into a massive pit of sulfur.
Chapter 20: 1,000 years of Reign
An angel comes down from Heaven and ties Satan up, throws him into the abyss, and locks and seals it for 1,000 years. After this, John describes the first resurrection, which is the revival of those who accepted God's mark during the Tribulation. They will live for a thousand years. The rest of the dead will come back to life after the thousand years. After the thousand years are up, Satan will return. However, fire will come from the sky and condemn Satan and his minions into fire for eternity (the second death).
Chapter 21: the New World
Basically, God brings about a brand new earth and Heaven. This world will be without Satan and will be a great gift from God.
Chapter 22: Epilogue
Contains several warnings and exhortations:
-Blessed are those who keep the prophetic message of this book
-Jesus is coming soon
-The time is near
-Let the dirty still do dirty things, but stay strong and be righteous
-Jesus sent His angel to us to give us these warnings
-Let those who thirst to come forth and receive the gift of God's grace
-Anyone who adds to the prophetic words in this book will add more plagues to Earth.
-Anyone who takes away from this book will have part of their tree of life taken away by God.
F.A.Q.'s
This book is amazingly complex and hard to read. Something I really really must emphasize to everyone out there is that these are my interpretations of Revelation. I encourage everyone to pick up a Bible and make their own conclusions to what is said in it. My answers aren't full-proof... they're interpretations.
What is the Rapture?
The Rapture is the Biblical moment when Jesus Christ will return to Earth to take all believers back with Him to Heaven. Non-believers will be left on Earth to encounter perhaps the worst period in the history of the world. For more info on the Rapture, look into Matthew 25:13 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
When will the Rapture occur?
The Bible is EXTREMELY clear on this answer, even though it is not what we want to hear. It states that no one will know when it will occur. Anybody who pretends to know the date, time, year, etc... is a FALSE PROPHET and should be ignored. However, this much can be said; Almost all of the prophecies listed in the Bible before the Rapture have been fulfilled. Also, many of the occurrences in the Bible have only become technologically possible in the last few years (i.e. worldwide broadcast of the Two Witnesses, could be satellite communication?). The duty of Christians worldwide isn't to figure out the big date, so to say, but rather to be prepared for when it comes. Something to look out for is a peace accord between Israel and Palestine. If this occurs, be on your best guard.
What will happen to non-believers?
No single human being can answer this question truthfully. It is God's job to judge, not ours. However, believers are guaranteed a spot in Heaven and the offer is on the table for all right now to believe and share in God's grace. But will it be tomorrow?
Why is a loving God going to perform such awful plagues over humans?
Well, how else is He going to get our attention?! Let's think about all He's done for a second here. He created the world, He made massive floods in Noah's time, He gave His ONLY son to die for us a bloody death, He made a book of instructions for us to follow, He created a place for us to learn about Him and worship Him... and people still don't get it! Also, it is what we all deserve... we are all sinners and have offended and hurt the one being that will never let us down. However, He is a forgiving God, and would like us to suffer no pain and to share in His feast.
Is Revelation meant to be taken literally?
This is up for question and is often the subject of heated debates. Yes, some of the alleged symbolism can be attributed to the Roman Empire of the time it was written. However, there are a few points I like to consider:
-If you're going to believe the Bible, you should believe in ALL of the Bible,not just some parts and not others.
-Almost one-third of the Bible is prophecy. Coincidence? No way! It is getting us ready for the future.
-Why would God include a symbolic fable/story in His book?
-Why would there be so much specific detail in Revelation (i.e. 200000000 Horsemen, the numbers of the heads of demons, 666, 144000 saints, 1460 days/42 months, etc...)?
Who will be the antiChrist?
Many scholars say that he will arise out of Eastern Europe at an alarmingly fast rate. His popularity will be in part to his charisma. A bit ago, I was wondering who it might be and started thinking it could be fascist Austrian politician Jorg Haider. However, I thought about it a lot more... if God wanted us to know who it was, wouldn't He make it clear? If we found out at this stage of the game, there would be a chance of upsetting the prophecy, as well. So perhaps its a good thing that we do not know nor can we know who.
I have some questions about God and really need to see some proof of Him to believe in Him. How can you tell me that there is a God for sure?
Before I became a full-blown Christian, I had a lot of questions too. The most important thing to do is ask Christians these questions; don't bottle them up. If you ask, you will receive answers. If you're looking for scientific proof, you're not going to get much for an answer. It's called faith for a reason... it'ss believing. A good way to put it: with science, seeing is believing. With faith, believing is seeing.
How can I be saved?
After looking into Christianity and deciding that you really do believe what is said in it, pray the prayer. This entails acknowledging that you're a sinner, you always will be a sinner, because humans are imperfect. Then acknowledge that God sent Jesus down to die for our sins and that you are thankful for Him. That is the most cut and dry way I can think of.
Some suggested reading:
Any books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell
The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel