Chronology of Revelation
Encyclopedia
The Events of Revelation are what occurs in the Revelation of Jesus Christ as written in the Book of Revelation
of the New Testament
. An outline of what John of Patmos
witnessed in his visions, follows below, by Chapter, in linear format.
The first vision that the author experiences is that of entering Heaven
and seeing God's throne
. In Revelation, God is described as "having the appearance like that of jasper
and carnelian
with a rainbow-like halo
as brilliant as emerald
". Around God's throne are twenty four other thrones, on which sit elders in white robes. From the throne come thunder
and lightning
and, in front of the throne, the author sees seven torches and a sea of crystal.
The author then sees four creatures which have six wings and are covered in eye
s . The creatures are giving eternal thanks to God and, whenever one of them bows down to worship God, the twenty four elders around God's throne bow down to worship God.
Historicist view
In the traditional historicist view
, Joseph Mede
(1627) identified the war of Michael the Archangel and the Dragon as the fall of Paganism
by Christianity
. This concept was adopted by Campegius Vitringa (1705), Dr. Charles Daubuz
(1720), Bishop Newton, John Cunninghame, and Edward Bishop Elliott
(1837). Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
(17th Century), even marks the fall of Paganism to the death of Galerius Maximus
in the year 311.
A woman clothed in the sun, a crown of twelve stars, and the moon under her feet is pursued by a dragon with seven heads and ten horns. It wants to devour her unborn child. However, the child was born and He will rule with an iron rod. The Child was snatched up to God. Then there was a great battle in Heaven
. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon and his angels
. The Dragon lost and was thrown down to Earth
and all of its angels with it. The Dragon pursued the Woman. Water came out of its mouth to drown the Woman. However, the Earth swallowed all the water. Then the Woman grew eagle wings and flew away. The Dragon was enraged with the Woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God
, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Then the Dragon stood on the seashore.
The beast, rising out of the sea, is described as having "ten horns and seven heads", one of which has been injured but later healed. This beast is given authority by the dragon and proceeds to lead the world, being worshipped alongside the dragon. It is shown leading the whole world with the exception of those whose names are written in the Book of Life, and as making war against the saints.
Following this, another beast arises, this one from the earth. This beast exercises authority on behalf of the previous, and through this authority causes "great and miraculous signs" by which to make people follow the beast. The beast from the earth causes all to have a mark on their hand or forehead, "that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number
of his name" . This beast is described as having the appearance of a lamb while speaking like a dragon.
He is said to be the false prophet
, who will exercise the authority of the beast on his behalf, and forces everyone to worship the beast and his 'image', and to take his mark on their right hand or on their forehead. He who doesn't have the mark shall not be able to buy or sell. They will be considered outlaws. The number of the beast is 666 (six hundred and sixty six).
Some Christians believe that the seals and trumpets will occur during the first half of the tribulation. The vial judgments will occur during the second half, as the first judgment refers to those with the mark of the beast. The mark will not be implemented until the Antichrist appears to be resurrected after suffering a fatal head wound, being incarnate by Satan, and after he defiles the Temple; and this will happen precisely at the mid-point of the tribulation. Thus, the vial judgments will be more severe.
Others, such as many historicists, argue that the seals generally cover man's history from after the first coming of Christ up to the End time
, with the trumpets generally covering the Tribulation, and the Bowls reserved for the Wrath of God period — preceding the Millennium
.)
Next, seven angels are given vials or bowls to pour out upon the earth which contain "the seven last plagues". These last judgments will complete God's wrath. The first bowl produces unbearable sores on humanity. The second bowl results in the death of every living thing in the sea. The third bowl turns the inland waters into blood. The fourth bowl causes the sun to scorch man. The fifth bowl brings darkness over the beast's kingdom. The sixth bowl dries up the river Euphrates to prepare the way for the kings of the east and causes the armies of the Antichrist
being gathered together to wage the battle of Armageddon
. The seventh bowl results in a devastating earthquake followed by giant hailstones .
introduces a Woman dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls. She sits on a scarlet beast with 7 heads (representing 7 kings) and 10 horns (representing 10 kings). She is described as the "Mother of Harlots" and is drunk with the blood of the saints indicating her intense involvement in persecution. She comes to power and rules the kings and peoples of the earth. Eventually, the 10 kings ruling the kingdoms that give their power to the Beast grow tired of her influence and overthrow her. Her destruction will cause the kings and merchants of the earth to mourn her passing.
Jesus returns to earth
followed by the armies of Heaven, which are seen riding white horses dressed in fine linen. The Beast
and his False Prophet
make war with the armies of Christ but are defeated. In the aftermath of their defeat, the Antichrist
and False Prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire
, which burns forever.
is bound in the Abyss
for a thousand years. The Saints who died are resurrected (Resurrection of the Saints) and begin their thousand-year
reign with Christ. After the thousand years, Satan is released from the Abyss to deceive the nations and gather Gog and Magog
and the people of the world to encircle the camp of the saints and the city of Jerusalem
. A fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. Satan is then thrown into the Lake of Fire
forever. The wicked dead and all of those who died during the thousand-year reign of Christ are resurrected
and judged
.
with the New Jerusalem
(the World to Come
) replace the old heaven and earth . This is a reference to Genesis 1:1 and Isaiah 65:17. This verse was used by Europeans to name the 'New World'. Many theologians interpret it allegorically as explaining the drastic difference in this world and 'heaven' when the Christ has been acknowledged as having returned. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." .
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
of the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
. An outline of what John of Patmos
John of Patmos
John of Patmos is the name given, in the Book of Revelation, as the author of the apocalyptic text that is traditionally cannonized in the New Testament...
witnessed in his visions, follows below, by Chapter, in linear format.
Chapter 1
- The Revelation of Jesus Christ is communicated, through an angel, to John the ApostleJohn the ApostleJohn the Apostle, John the Apostle, John the Apostle, (Aramaic Yoħanna, (c. 6 - c. 100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles...
when he was on the island of PatmosPatmosPatmos is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. One of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex, it has a population of 2,984 and an area of . The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 meters above sea level. The Municipality of Patmos, which includes the offshore islands of Arkoi ,...
. - John records the prophetic vision, in written text, and is instructed to send the document to the seven churches of Asia.
Chapter 2
- John addresses the church of EphesusEphesusEphesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era...
to repent from the ways of the Nicolaitans. - John addresses the church of SmyrnaSmyrnaSmyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
to warn them of ten days of tribulation that may cost them their lives or imprisonment. - John addresses the church of Pergamum to repent from the doctrines of BalaamBalaamBalaam is a diviner in the Torah, his story occurring towards the end of the Book of Numbers. The etymology of his name is uncertain, and discussed below. Every ancient reference to Balaam considers him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beor, though Beor is not so clearly identified...
and the Nicolaitans. - John addresses the church of ThyatiraThyatiraThyateira is the name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar . The name comes from Koine Greek "Θυάτειρα" . The Turkish equivalent of Thyateira is Tepe Mezarligi. It lies in the far west of Turkey, south of Istanbul and almost due east of Athens...
to repent from the teachings of the prophetess Jezebel.
Chapter 3
- John addresses the church of SardisSardisSardis or Sardes was an ancient city at the location of modern Sart in Turkey's Manisa Province...
for being "dead" or unaware of things to come, whose works are not perfect before God. - John addresses the church of PhiladelphiaAlasehirAlaşehir, in Antiquity and the Middle Ages known as Philadelphia , i.e. " brotherly love" is a town and district of Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is situated in the valley of the Kuzuçay , at the foot of the Bozdağ...
to persevere with what little strength they have; to hold fast so that no one takes their crown. - John addresses the church of LaodiceaLaodicean ChurchThe Laodicean Church was a Christian community established in the ancient city of Laodicea . The church was established in the earliest period of Christianity, and is probably best known for being one of the seven churches addressed by name in the Book of Revelation The Laodicean Church was a...
to repent from investing in material riches that make them miserable; rather, invest in the refined gold of Him who has overcome.
Chapter 4
- The heavenly throne with a rainbow around it, having the One seated in it, is revealed.
- Twenty-four surrounding thrones seated with twenty-four crowned elders appear.
- The four living creatures present themselves; each having six wings full of eyes, one having the face of a lion, another as a calf, the third as a man, and the last as an eagle.
The first vision that the author experiences is that of entering Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
and seeing God's throne
Throne of God
The Throne of God is the reigning centre of the chief deity of the Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The throne is said by various holy books to reside above the Seventh Heaven called Araboth in Judaism.-Judaism:...
. In Revelation, God is described as "having the appearance like that of jasper
Jasper
Jasper, a form of chalcedony, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for...
and carnelian
Carnelian
Carnelian is a brownish-red mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone. Similar to carnelian is sard, which is generally harder and darker...
with a rainbow-like halo
Halo (religious iconography)
A halo is a ring of light that surrounds a person in art. They have been used in the iconography of many religions to indicate holy or sacred figures, and have at various periods also been used in images of rulers or heroes...
as brilliant as emerald
Emerald
Emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl colored green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Beryl has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the 10 point Mohs scale of mineral hardness...
". Around God's throne are twenty four other thrones, on which sit elders in white robes. From the throne come thunder
Thunder
Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the listener, thunder can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble . The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within...
and lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
and, in front of the throne, the author sees seven torches and a sea of crystal.
The author then sees four creatures which have six wings and are covered in eye
Eye
Eyes are organs that detect light and convert it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons. The simplest photoreceptors in conscious vision connect light to movement...
s . The creatures are giving eternal thanks to God and, whenever one of them bows down to worship God, the twenty four elders around God's throne bow down to worship God.
Chapter 5
- A book secured by seven seals is revealed in the right hand of Him who sits on the throne.
- It is made known that only "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah" is worthy to open this book.
- The Lamb, with seven horns and seven eyes, takes the book from Him who sits on the throne.
- All heavenly beings sing praise and honor the Lamb.
Chapter 6
- The first seal is broken and the first of the four living creatures introduces a white horse whose crowned rider, equipped with a bow, goes out to conquer.
- The second seal is broken and the second of the four living creatures introduces a red horse went out, whose rider wields a great sword.
- The third seal is broken and the third of the four living creatures introduces a black horse, whose rider carries a pair of scales, goes out.
- The fourth seal is broken and the fourth of the four living creatures introduces an ashen horse comes out, whose rider has the name Death and Hades follows him.
- The fifth seal is broken revealing the souls of those who had been slain for the "Word of God".
- The sixth seal is broken "and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, The sky was split apart, every mountain and island were moved out of their places."
- Mankind hides themselves in the caves and mountains acknowledging the presence of Him who sits on the throne and the wrath of the Lamb.
Chapter 7
- The servants of God are revealed, those who are to be sealed before the destruction of the Earth.
- The number of these servants is given as one hundred and forty-four thousand who are from twelve tribes of Israel.
- Twelve thousand from each tribe are sealed: from JudahTribe of JudahAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Judah was one of the Tribes of Israel.Following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BCE, Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes....
, ReubenTribe of ReubenAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Reuben was one of the Tribes of Israel.From after the conquest of the land by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel in c. 1050 BC, the Tribe of Reuben was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes. No central government...
, GadTribe of GadAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Gad was one of the Tribes of Israel.From after the conquest of the land by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel in c. 1050 BC, the Tribe of Gad was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes. No central government existed,...
, AsherTribe of AsherAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Asher! was one of the Tribes of Israel.Following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BCE, Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes...
, NaphtaliTribe of NaphtaliThe Tribe of Naphtali was one of the Tribes of Israel.Following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BCE, Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes...
, ManassehTribe of ManassehAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Manasseh was one of the Tribes of Israel. Together with the Tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh also formed the House of Joseph....
, SimeonTribe of SimeonAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Simeon was one of the Tribes of Israel.Following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BC, Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes...
, Levi, IssacharTribe of IssacharAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Issachar was one of the Tribes of Israel.Following the completion of the conquest of Canaan by the Israelite tribes after about 1200 BCE, Joshua allocated the land among the twelve tribes...
, ZebulunTribe of ZebulunAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Zebulun was one of the Tribes of Israel....
, JosephTribe of JosephThe Tribe of Joseph was one of the Tribes of Israel, though since Ephraim and Manasseh together traditionally constituted the tribe of Joseph, it was often not listed as one of the tribes, in favour of Ephraim and Manasseh being listed in its place; consequently it was often termed the House of...
, and BenjaminTribe of BenjaminAccording to the Hebrew Bible, the Tribe of Benjamin בִּנְיָמִין was one of the Tribes of Israel.From after the conquest of the land by Joshua until the formation of the first Kingdom of Israel in c. 1050 BCE, the Tribe of Benjamin was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes...
. - A great multitude who came out of the Great Tribulation present themselves in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
Chapter 8
- The seventh seal is opened and heaven is silent for about a half an hour.
- An angel offers incense and the prayers of all the saints, at the golden altar before the throne.
- After the smoke and the prayers ascend to God, the angel fills the censer with fire, from the altar, and throws it to the Earth causing noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
- The first angel of seven sounded his trumpet: "And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth" burning a third of the Earth's flora, scorching all green grass.
- The second angel sounded his trumpet: "And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown in the sea, and a third of the sea became blood" killing a third of everything in the ocean, including ships.
- The third angel sounded: And a great star, named "WormwoodWormwood (star)Wormwood, αψίνθιον or άψινθος in Greek, is a star, or angel, that appears in the Biblical New Testament Book of Revelation.-Wormwood in the Bible:...
", fell from heaven poisoning the water from rivers and water springs. - The fourth angel sounded: The sun, the moon and stars are struck, so that a third of their light diminished to the point of complete darkness for a third of a day, even during the night.
- Another angel appears to declare three "Woes" for the next three trumpet blasts.
Chapter 9
- The fifth angel sounds his trumpet; this signals the "First woe".
- A personified star, named AbaddonAbaddonAbaddon in the Revelation of St. John, is the king of tormenting locusts and the angel of the bottomless pit. The exact nature of Abaddon is debated, but the Hebrew word is related to the triliteral root אבד , which in verb form means "to perish."...
, falls from heaven to the earth and given the key to the bottomless pit. - Abaddon opens the pit and smoke rises, darkening the air and sunlight.
- The Locusts come out of the smoke, from the pit, and Abaddon commands them to torment any man who does not have the seal of God, on their foreheads, for five months.
- The sixth angel sounds his trumpet for the "Second woe".
- The four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates are released.
- The four angels of the Euphrates raise an army of 200 million cavalry who kill a third of mankind.
Chapter 10
- Another mighty angel appears standing with one foot on the sea and the other on land, holding an opened little book.
- The angel cries out and seven thunders utter their voices.
- The apostle John is commanded to seal up what the thunders uttered in the little book, and is told not to write about what was said.
- The angel declares that the mystery of God would be revealed on the sounding of the seventh trumpetSeven trumpetsSeven trumpets are sounded, one at a time, to queue apocalyptic events that were seen in the vision of the Revelation of Christ Jesus, by John of Patmos, as written in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament. The seven trumpets are sounded by seven angels and the events that follow are...
. - John is instructed to take the little book and to eat it.
Chapter 11
- John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship in it.
- It is brought to John's attention that the nations will tread under foot, the holy city of the temple, for forty-two months (1,260 days).
- During that same time, two witnesses, dressed in sackcloth, will prophesy, and this torments the nations.
- The first mention of the Beast is told to John, who will overcome the two witnesses and kill them.
- For three and half days, the people of the earth will celebrate the death of the two witnesses who've tormented them for three and half years.
- God will resurrectResurrectionResurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
the two witnesses; This strikes fear on everyone witnessing their revival, and the two witnesses ascend to heaven. - In the next hour, a great earthquake occurs and kills seven thousand people, destroying a tenth of the city.
- The "Third woe" is signaled by the sound of the seventh trumpet.
- Loud voices in heaven proclaim Christ as ruler forever under the "Kingdom of our Lord".
- Thanks is given to God, the Almighty and praise for the wrath that came, the dead who were judged, and the bond-servants rewarded.
- The temple of God in heaven opens and the Ark of the covenantArk of the CovenantThe Ark of the Covenant , also known as the Ark of the Testimony, is a chest described in Book of Exodus as solely containing the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed...
appears in His temple. - Lighting and the peals of thunder occur followed by an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
War in heaven
War breaks out in heaven.Historicist view
In the traditional historicist view
Historicism
Historicism is a mode of thinking that assigns a central and basic significance to a specific context, such as historical period, geographical place and local culture. As such it is in contrast to individualist theories of knowledges such as empiricism and rationalism, which neglect the role of...
, Joseph Mede
Joseph Mede
Joseph Mede was an English scholar with a wide range of interests. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow from 1613. He is now remembered as a biblical scholar. He was also a naturalist and Egyptologist...
(1627) identified the war of Michael the Archangel and the Dragon as the fall of Paganism
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
by Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. This concept was adopted by Campegius Vitringa (1705), Dr. Charles Daubuz
Charles Daubuz
Charles Daubuz or Charles Daubus , was a Church of England clergyman and theologian.Daubuz was a French Protestant divine, who became vicar of Brotherton. In his youth, he removed to England on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes . He was the author of a few theological works, most notably of A...
(1720), Bishop Newton, John Cunninghame, and Edward Bishop Elliott
Edward Bishop Elliott
Edward Bishop Elliott was an English clergyman and premillennarian writer.Edward Bishop Elliott graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1816. He was given the vicarage of Tuxford, Nottinghamshire in 1824 and later was made prebendary of Heytesbury, Wiltshire. In 1849 he became incumbent of St...
(1837). Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist....
(17th Century), even marks the fall of Paganism to the death of Galerius Maximus
Galerius
Galerius , was Roman Emperor from 305 to 311. During his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300...
in the year 311.
The Woman
A woman gives birth to a son who is to "rule the nations with an iron scepter". Satan tries to kill him, but fails to do so. Satan is vanquished from heaven and forced to reside on earth, where he wages war with the rest of the offspring of the woman mentioned above.A woman clothed in the sun, a crown of twelve stars, and the moon under her feet is pursued by a dragon with seven heads and ten horns. It wants to devour her unborn child. However, the child was born and He will rule with an iron rod. The Child was snatched up to God. Then there was a great battle in Heaven
War of Heaven
War in Heaven is a concept in Christian eschatology. The term occurs only once in the New Testament at . Though the term does not occur in the Hebrew Bible, parallels have been drawn from various passages regarding Fallen angels in the Book of Genesis, and the Book of Isaiah. Some also suggest...
. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon and his angels
Fallen angel
Fallen angel is a concept developed in Jewish mythology from interpretation of the Book of Enoch. The actual term fallen angel is not found in either the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament. Christians adopted the concept of fallen angels mainly based on their interpretations of the Book of...
. The Dragon lost and was thrown down to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
and all of its angels with it. The Dragon pursued the Woman. Water came out of its mouth to drown the Woman. However, the Earth swallowed all the water. Then the Woman grew eagle wings and flew away. The Dragon was enraged with the Woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God
Biblical law in Christianity
Christian views of the Old Covenant have been central to Christian theology and practice since the circumcision controversy in Early Christianity. There are differing views about the applicability of the Old Covenant among Christian denominations...
, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Then the Dragon stood on the seashore.
Chapter 13
The beast from out of the sea is given authority to rule over the earth, the people of earth marvel the beast's abilities and worship him and "the dragon", saying "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" . After the beast from the sea suffers from what appears to be a mortal wound, another beast, the beast of the earth, takes his place and exercises the same authority as the previous beast on his behalf. This beast is able to perform many miraculous miracles and forces those without the seal of God on their foreheads to worship both the new beast and the image of the old beast and forces them to wear his mark on either their foreheads or right hands .The beast, rising out of the sea, is described as having "ten horns and seven heads", one of which has been injured but later healed. This beast is given authority by the dragon and proceeds to lead the world, being worshipped alongside the dragon. It is shown leading the whole world with the exception of those whose names are written in the Book of Life, and as making war against the saints.
Following this, another beast arises, this one from the earth. This beast exercises authority on behalf of the previous, and through this authority causes "great and miraculous signs" by which to make people follow the beast. The beast from the earth causes all to have a mark on their hand or forehead, "that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number
Number of the Beast
The Number of the Beast is a term in the Book of Revelation, of the New Testament, that is associated with the first Beast of Revelation chapter 13, the Beast of the sea. In most manuscripts of the New Testament and in English translations of the Bible, the number of the Beast is...
of his name" . This beast is described as having the appearance of a lamb while speaking like a dragon.
He is said to be the false prophet
False prophet
In religion, a false prophet is one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy, or who uses that gift for evil ends. Often, someone who is considered a "true prophet" by some people is simultaneously considered a "false prophet" by others....
, who will exercise the authority of the beast on his behalf, and forces everyone to worship the beast and his 'image', and to take his mark on their right hand or on their forehead. He who doesn't have the mark shall not be able to buy or sell. They will be considered outlaws. The number of the beast is 666 (six hundred and sixty six).
Chapter 15
John writes of Seven Angels with Seven plagues, whose plagues are the last plagues to come - ever. He states that until their plagues are complete no one can enter the temple of God in heaven. In the following chapter, the seven final plagues are written in detail.Chapter 16
The seven Vial/Bowl judgments are similar in nature to the Trumpet judgments, but far more serious for there will be no warning when they come. In addition, there are three key differences between the Trumpet judgments and the Vial/Bowl judgments: firstly, the Trumpet judgments are plagues that bring partial devastation and plagues upon 1/3 of nature and people, while the Vial/Bowl judgments are more severe direct assaults against humanity and nature, thus bringing more chaos on the earth than the Trumpet judgments. Lastly, the Trumpet judgments offer a possibility of redemption and repentance, while the Vial judgments do not; the Vial judgments are a literal assault on those who have taken the mark of the Beast, and to those who are considered incorrigibles and arrogantly unrepentant, thus making them impossible to save. The Vial/Bowl judgments are listed below.- Noisome and grievous sores (possibly boils or carbuncles) on the worshipers of the BeastThe Beast (Bible)The Beast of Revelation, may refer to two beasts in the apocalyptic visions by John of Patmos, as written in the Book of Revelation. The first beast comes from "out of the sea". The second beast comes from "out of the earth" and directs all peoples of the earth to worship the first. This first...
. These sores only affect those bearing the Mark of the BeastNumber of the BeastThe Number of the Beast is a term in the Book of Revelation, of the New Testament, that is associated with the first Beast of Revelation chapter 13, the Beast of the sea. In most manuscripts of the New Testament and in English translations of the Bible, the number of the Beast is...
and the people who worship his image. - Sea turns to blood.
- Rivers turn to blood.
- A major heatwave causes the Sun to burn with intense heat and to scorch people with fire. (Revelations 16:8-9)
- The kingdom of the beast is plunged into darkness.
- The Euphrates RiverEuphratesThe Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia...
dries up to facilitate the crossing of the armies from the east, on their way to IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for the battle of ArmageddonArmageddonArmageddon is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or symbolic location...
. This event corresponds with Daniel 11:44. - Worldwide earthquake leveling every mountain into the sea followed by huge hailstones and lightning. The Earth's geography and topography will be drastically altered forever, as every mountain and hill will be leveled, and every island will either be removed from its foundations or disappear. The earthquakes are accompanied by 100-lb hailstones. This event is believed to be synonymous with a geomagnetic reversalGeomagnetic reversalA geomagnetic reversal is a change in the Earth's magnetic field such that the positions of magnetic north and magnetic south are interchanged. The Earth's field has alternated between periods of normal polarity, in which the direction of the field was the same as the present direction, and reverse...
.
Some Christians believe that the seals and trumpets will occur during the first half of the tribulation. The vial judgments will occur during the second half, as the first judgment refers to those with the mark of the beast. The mark will not be implemented until the Antichrist appears to be resurrected after suffering a fatal head wound, being incarnate by Satan, and after he defiles the Temple; and this will happen precisely at the mid-point of the tribulation. Thus, the vial judgments will be more severe.
Others, such as many historicists, argue that the seals generally cover man's history from after the first coming of Christ up to the End time
End times
The end time, end times, or end of days is a time period described in the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions and in doomsday scenarios in various other non-Abrahamic religions...
, with the trumpets generally covering the Tribulation, and the Bowls reserved for the Wrath of God period — preceding the Millennium
Millennialism
Millennialism , or chiliasm in Greek, is a belief held by some Christian denominations that there will be a Golden Age or Paradise on Earth in which "Christ will reign" for 1000 years prior to the final judgment and future eternal state...
.)
Next, seven angels are given vials or bowls to pour out upon the earth which contain "the seven last plagues". These last judgments will complete God's wrath. The first bowl produces unbearable sores on humanity. The second bowl results in the death of every living thing in the sea. The third bowl turns the inland waters into blood. The fourth bowl causes the sun to scorch man. The fifth bowl brings darkness over the beast's kingdom. The sixth bowl dries up the river Euphrates to prepare the way for the kings of the east and causes the armies of the Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
being gathered together to wage the battle of Armageddon
Armageddon
Armageddon is, according to the Bible, the site of a battle during the end times, variously interpreted as either a literal or symbolic location...
. The seventh bowl results in a devastating earthquake followed by giant hailstones .
Chapter 17
The woman who rides on the head of the beast is introduced in the seventeenth chapter. The entire chapter is quite symbolic, but an angel explains to John the meaning of what he is seeing. The woman, who is referred to as "the great prostitute", "is the great city who rules over the kings of the earth" , who is envied by the ten kings who give power to the beast and is destroyed by those ten kings. "They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled" .introduces a Woman dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls. She sits on a scarlet beast with 7 heads (representing 7 kings) and 10 horns (representing 10 kings). She is described as the "Mother of Harlots" and is drunk with the blood of the saints indicating her intense involvement in persecution. She comes to power and rules the kings and peoples of the earth. Eventually, the 10 kings ruling the kingdoms that give their power to the Beast grow tired of her influence and overthrow her. Her destruction will cause the kings and merchants of the earth to mourn her passing.
Chapter 18
Babylon falls. This causes the merchants of the earth to weep because no one is able to buy their products anymore after Babylon falls.Chapter 19
A "white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True" is introduced. "With Justice he makes war" . This rider is the boy mentioned in chapter twelve. John references Psalm 2:9 when he writes "He will rule them with an iron scepter" . This is when the first war between the people of God and rest of the world takes place. After the war has finished the beast and the false prophet are taken captive and thrown into the lake of fire, while all other enemy combatants are killed and their corpses left out on the field for the birds of the sky to devour their flesh .Jesus returns to earth
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
followed by the armies of Heaven, which are seen riding white horses dressed in fine linen. The Beast
The Beast (Bible)
The Beast of Revelation, may refer to two beasts in the apocalyptic visions by John of Patmos, as written in the Book of Revelation. The first beast comes from "out of the sea". The second beast comes from "out of the earth" and directs all peoples of the earth to worship the first. This first...
and his False Prophet
False prophet
In religion, a false prophet is one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy, or who uses that gift for evil ends. Often, someone who is considered a "true prophet" by some people is simultaneously considered a "false prophet" by others....
make war with the armies of Christ but are defeated. In the aftermath of their defeat, the Antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
and False Prophet are cast alive into the Lake of Fire
Lake of Fire
A lake of fire appears, in both ancient Egyptian and Christian religion, as a place of after-death punishment of the wicked. The phrase is used in four verses of the Book of Revelation. The image was also used by the Early Christian Hippolytus of Rome in about the year 200 and has continued to be...
, which burns forever.
Chapter 20
SatanSatan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
is bound in the Abyss
Abyss (religion)
Abyss refers to a bottomless pit, to the underworld, to the deepest ocean floor, or to hell.The English word "abyss" derives from the late Latin abyssimus through French abisme , hence the poetic form "abysm", with examples dating to 1616 and earlier to rhyme with "time"...
for a thousand years. The Saints who died are resurrected (Resurrection of the Saints) and begin their thousand-year
Millenarianism
Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed, based on a one-thousand-year cycle. The term is more generically used to refer to any belief centered around 1000 year intervals...
reign with Christ. After the thousand years, Satan is released from the Abyss to deceive the nations and gather Gog and Magog
Gog and Magog
Gog and Magog are names that appear primarily in various Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, as well as numerous subsequent references in other works. Their context can be either genealogical or eschatological and apocalyptic, as in Ezekiel and Revelation...
and the people of the world to encircle the camp of the saints and the city of Jerusalem
Jerusalem in Christianity
For Christians, Jerusalem's place in the ministry of Jesus and the Apostolic Age gives it great importance, in addition to its place in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible.-Jerusalem in the New Testament and early Christianity:...
. A fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. Satan is then thrown into the Lake of Fire
Lake of Fire
A lake of fire appears, in both ancient Egyptian and Christian religion, as a place of after-death punishment of the wicked. The phrase is used in four verses of the Book of Revelation. The image was also used by the Early Christian Hippolytus of Rome in about the year 200 and has continued to be...
forever. The wicked dead and all of those who died during the thousand-year reign of Christ are resurrected
Universal resurrection
Universal resurrection is a doctrine held by most Christian denominations which posits that all of the dead who have ever lived will be resurrected from the dead, generally to stand for a Last Judgment.-Judaism:...
and judged
Last Judgment
The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, or The Day of the Lord in Christian theology, is the final and eternal judgment by God of every nation. The concept is found in all the Canonical gospels, particularly the Gospel of Matthew. It will purportedly take place after the...
.
Chapter 21
A new heaven and a new earthThe New Earth
The New Earth is an expression used in the Book of Isaiah , 2 Peter , and Book of Revelation in the Bible to describe the final state of redeemed humanity...
with the New Jerusalem
New Jerusalem
In the book of Ezekiel, the Prophecy of New Jerusalem is Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a city to be established to the south of the Temple Mount that will be inhabited by the twelve tribes of Israel in the...
(the World to Come
World to Come
The World to Come is an eschatological phrase reflecting the belief that the "current world" is flawed or cursed and will be replaced in the future by a better world or a paradise. The concept is similar to the concepts of Heaven and the afterlife, but Heaven is another place generally seen as...
) replace the old heaven and earth . This is a reference to Genesis 1:1 and Isaiah 65:17. This verse was used by Europeans to name the 'New World'. Many theologians interpret it allegorically as explaining the drastic difference in this world and 'heaven' when the Christ has been acknowledged as having returned. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." .
External links
- Sequential order of events in the Book of Revelation at Olivet-Discourse-Revelation.com