Book of Revelation
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
INTRODUCTION
Donnie's Teaching Notes
for Freedom Small Church
The Revelation is a book of prophecy foretelling God’s plan for the end of the world and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Revelation gives Christians more detail about end-times events than any other book in the Bible. Add to it the Book of Daniel, Matthew 24 (the Olivet Discourse), and 2 Thessalonians 2 and we have a thorough description of the prophetic period known as “the end times.” The “end times” is a reference to a short 7-year prophetic period called Daniel’s 70th week. During this seven-year period there will be specific prophetic signs that will identify and confirm if we are living in the last days. This knowledge will help us to be prepared and ready to warn those who choose to listen. In other words, when we begin to see the fulfillment of these specific end-time signs, we will know the Second Coming of Jesus is very near (within the seven-year period known as Daniel’s 70th week).
The Revelation serves as a guide for those who will be alive at that future time. For this reason, God wants us to be prepared and to understand this end-times prophecy. Many prophecies concerning the Messiah’s Coming have already been fulfilled, but many remain unfulfilled (about half). The Book of Revelation answers the question “What will occur during the last days (Daniel’s 70th week)?”
In general there are four primary ways to interpret this book. The Preterist (Latin for past) view believes the events of the Revelation relate to the struggles of the church against Rome in the 1st century and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. The Historical (Past and Present) view believes the events of the Revelation relate to different periods of Church history throughout its 2000+ year lifespan. The Allegorical view, by far the most popular view (Presbyterians and Catholics), teaches the events are figurative and represent spiritual as opposed to literal events, and are to be left to a symbolic interpretation. The Futurist (Future) view believes that almost all the events of the Book of Revelation have not yet occurred and will occur in the future. This view requires a straightforward reading of the Bible allowing for figures of speech and symbols that amplify language but represent literal truths. Again, Futurists believe the vast majority of the Book of Revelation will be fulfilled in the future, specifically, in the period of time the Bible calls “The 70th week of Daniel.” This view operates under the Golden Rule of Interpretation: “When the plain words of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense!” In other words, to understand the Book of Revelation, one must be willing to take God’s Word at face value and accept a simple consecutive sequence of events revealed in the Book.
I will be teaching a futurist view. I also subscribe to an end-times position known as the “Prewrath Rapture.” The basic tenet of the Prewrath rapture is that the church will go through most of Daniel’s 70th week and the Antichrist’s persecution. His persecution of the church is cut short by the rapture before the end of Daniel’s 70th week. The persecution of the church was clearly the position of the early church fathers. The importance of the Prewrath position is to help Christians to be prepared for the cataclysmic days that lie ahead, possible in our lifetime. We will need to understand what’s going on if we are to remain faithful to the Lord in those difficult days.
Prewrath, Post-tribulation, Pre-tribulation, Preterism,
George Eldon Ladd
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Instructions for the Church concerning the End-Times
ProphecySigns.com 4.13.20
JOHN’S PROPHECY CONCERNING END-TIMES
REVELATION 1: THE TITLE OF THE BOOK: APOCALYPSE (GK) - UNVEILING
* A BLESSING PROMISED TO THOSE WHO READ BOOK OF REVELATION
* LOOK! HE IS COMING IN THE CLOUDS, EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM (RAPTURE)
* WRITE WHAT YOU SEE ON A SCROLL AND SEND TO THE 7 CHURCHES
* WHO IS JESUS? 18 TRUTHS ABOUT JESUS
* WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN = REVELATION 1
* WHAT IS NOW = REVELATION 2, 3 THE 7 CHURCHES
* WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER = REVELATION 4‑22, FUTURE PROPHECY
END-TIME INSTRUCTIONS TO THE 7 CHURCHES
REVELATION 2: HE WHO HAS AN EAR LET HIM HEAR
* THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS: LOST ITS FIRST LOVE TO JESUS, REPENT
* THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA: PERSECUTED CHURCH, BE FAITHFUL
* THE CHURCH AT PERGAMUM: COMPROMISING WORLDY CHURCH, REPENT
* THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA: TOLERATE A JEZEBEL, IDOLATRY, IMMORAL
REVELATION 3: 22 REWARDS PROMISED TO THE OVERCOMERS
* THE CHURCH AT SARDIS: DEAD CHURCH, DEVELOP A PRAYER LIFE
* THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA: MISSIONARY CHURCH, PREACH
* THE CHURCH AT LAODECIA: APOSTATE, RESIST BEING LUKEWARM
IMMEDIATELY BEFORE DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK BEGINS
REVELATION 4: A VISION OF HEAVENLY WORSHIP
* JOHN CALLED UP TO HEAVEN TO SEE & RECORD GOD’S BEAUTY
* THE 24 ELDERS CLOTHED IN WHITE, THE FATHER’S HEAVENLY COURT
* THE 7 SPIRITS OF GOD & THE 4 LIVING CREATURES: THE CHERUBIM
* WORSHIP IN HEAVEN, (14 SONGS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION)
REVELATION 5: THE SEVEN SEALED SCROLL & THE WORTHY LAMB
* THE THRONE OF GOD THE FATHER IN HEAVEN, JESUS TAKES SCROLL
* THE LARGE SCROLL WITH 7 SEALS (TITLE DEED TO EARTH)
* THE FINAL BATTLE PLAN TO CLEANSE THE EARTH FROM EVIL
* THE LION AND THE LAMB: ONLY JESUS IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL
DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK BEGINS (DANIEL 9:27)
REVELATION 6: OPENING OF THE SIX SEALS
* 1ST SEAL: WHITE HORSE: ANTICHRIST DECEPTION & COVENANT OF DEATH
* 2ND SEAL: RED HORSE: FINAL WORLD WAR & ANTICHRIST’S GREAT SWORD
* 3RD SEAL: BLACK HORSE: GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPHEAVAL, RATIONING
THE GREAT TRIBULATION BEGINS (ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION MT 24:15)
* 4TH SEAL: PALE HORSE: MARTYRDOM, 1/4 MEN DIE, FAMINE, BEASTS AXT & FP
* 5TH SEAL: MARTYRS CRY OUT FOR GOD’S VENGEANCE, REST A WHILE LONGER
* 6TH SEAL: COSMIC SIGNS, SUN DARK, MOON BLOOD RED, STARS FALL
* THE 6TH SEAL SIGNALS THE GREAT DAY OF GOD’S WRATH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN
THE GREAT TRIBULATION IS CUT SHORT (MATTHEW 24:22,36)
THE RESURRECTION & RAPTURE OCCUR (MATTHEW 24:30-31)
REVELATION 7: 144,000 JEWS SEALED & GREAT MULTITUDE RAPTURED
* DO NOT HARM THE EARTH, SEA, TREES UNTIL SERVANTS ARE SEALED
* THE 144,000 JEWS (FIRST FRUITS SAVED ISRAEL) SEALED IN THEIR FOREHEAD
* THE GREAT MULTITUDE (ALL DEAD & LIVING SAINTS) RAPTURE
* REVELATION 1:7 “AND EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM”
THE DAY OF THE LORD BEGINS
THE 7 TRUMPET JUDGMENTS (GOD’S WRATH PHASE 1)
REVELATION 8: 7TH SEAL OPENED: SILENCE IN HEAVEN FOR ½ HOUR
* 1ST TRUMPET: LAND JUDGED: 1/3 TREES AND ALL GRASS BURNED
* 2ND TRUMPET: SEA JUDGED: 1/3 SEAS BECOME AS BLOOD, ASTEROID
* 3RD TRUMPET: FRESH WATERS JUDGED: 1/3 BITTER - WORMWOOD
* 4TH TRUMPET: SUN, MOON, STARS JUDGED: 1/3 DARKNESS
REVELATION 9: 3 WOES DEMONIC OPPRESSION
* 5TH TRUMPET: 1ST WOE – APOLLYON. FALLEN ANGELS/LOCUSTS RELEASED FROM THE PIT (ABYSS) AND TORMENT UNBELIEVERS FOR 5 MONTHS
* 6TH TRUMPET: 2ND WOE – 4 DEATH ANGELS RULE OVER 200M DEMONS RELEASED FROM EUPHRATES, UNPRECEDENTED ESCALATION OF SIN, 1/3 MEN DIE
* THE ELECT ARE PROTECTED FROM DEMONIC ASSAULT (9:4)
REVELATION 10: THE ANGEL AND THE LITTLE SCROLL
* STRONG ANGEL OF THE LORD (JESUS) & THE “LITTLE SCROLL”
* THE PROPHECY OF THE 7 THUNDERS WILL BE REVEALED IN END-TIMES
* THE MYSTERY OF GOD, GENTILE SALVATION APART FROM ISRAEL, COMPLETE
* THE LITTLE SCROLL IS BOTH SWEET (2ND COMING) AND BITTER (JUDGMENT)
* JOHN MUST PROPHECY AGAIN – MORE PROPHECIES TO BE REVEALED
DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK ENDS (7 YEARS COMPLETED)
JOHN REVEALS MORE PROPHECIES CONCERNING DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK
REVELATION 11: THE TWO WITNESSES MINISTRY
* MEASURING THE TRIBULATION TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM
* JERUSALEM TRAMPLED FOR 3 ½ YEARS (2/3 JEWS PERISH, 1/3 REFINED)
* THE TWO WITNESSES MINISTRY OF POWER FOR 1,260 DAYS
* THE COMING OF ELIJAH BEFORE THE DAY OF THE LORD (MALACHI 4:5)
* APOLLYON KILLS THE TWO WITNESSES AT THE END OF 3 ½ YEARS
* 7TH TRUMPET = THIRD WOE IS COMING (7 BOWLS OF WRATH)
* GOD’S KINGDOM RECLAIMED
JOHN CONTINUES TO PROPHESY MORE DETAILS OF DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK
REVELATION 12: KEY PLAYERS IN DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK
* THE WOMAN: THE FAITHFUL REMNANT IN THE NATION ISRAEL
* THE GREAT RED DRAGON: SYMBOLIC OF SATAN
* THE MALE‑CHILD: JESUS CHRIST
* THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL & WAR BREAKS OUT IN HEAVEN
* SATAN & DEMONS CAST TO EARTH – KNOWS HIS TIME IS SHORT (3 ½ YEARS)
* OVERCOME SATAN BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB & WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY
* SATAN PURSUES THE WOMAN (ISRAEL) AND HER OFFSPRING (THE CHURCH)
REVELATION 13: LOYALTY TO THE ANTICHRIST OR JESUS CHRIST?
* THE FIRST BEAST - SYMBOLIC OF ANTICHRIST & HIS KINGDOM
* 7 HEADS ARE SYMBOLIC OF 7 HISTORIC EMPIRES WHO PERSECUTED ISRAEL:
1. EGYPT 2. ASSYRIA 3. BABYLON 4. MEDO-PERSIA 5. GREECE 6. ROME 7. ISLAM
8. THE REVIVED ISLAMIC CALIPHATE OF THE ANTICHRIST (DANIEL 2 & 7)
* 10 HORNS ARE SYMBOLIC OF 10 FUTURE KINGS WHO SERVE ANTICHRIST
* 2ND BEAST: THE FALSE PROPHET (THE MARK OF THE BEAST... 666)
* WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST (THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION)
REVELATION 14: DAY OF THE LORD INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN
* THE 144,000 THE FIRST- FRUITS OF ISRAEL (SEALED FOR PROTECTION)
* THE 1ST ANGEL PROCLAIMS THE ETERNAL GOSPEL FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD
* THE 2ND ANGEL PROPHESIES THE END OF MYSTERY BABYLON @ 7TH BOWL
* THE 3RD ANGEL WARNS OF DOOM FOR TAKING THE MARK OF THE BEAST 666
* BLESSED MARTYRS (JEWS & GENTILES) WHO DIE IN THE DAY OF THE LORD
* 4 ANGELS HARVEST UNSAVED, GREAT WINE PRESS OF THE WRATH OF GOD
* PREVIEW OF ARMAGEDDON: GATHERING OF EVIL GENTILE NATIONS
THE DAY OF THE LORD (GOD’S WRATH PHASE 2) THE 7 BOWL JUDGMENTS
REVELATION 15: PRELUDE TO THE 7 BOWL JUDGMENTS
* THE RAPTURED CHURCH, VICTORIOUS BELIEVERS STAND BY GOD’S THRONE
* JESUS “HOSTILE TAKEOVER” OF THE EVIL NATIONS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN
REVELATION 16: 7TH TRUMPET = 3RD WOE = 7 BOWLS OF GOD’S FINAL WRATH
* 1ST BOWL: GRIEVOUS & FESTERING SORES ON THOSE w MARK OF BEAST 666
* 2ND BOWL: SEAS BECOME LIKE BLOOD OF A DEAD MAN. ALL FISH DIE
* 3RD BOWL: RIVERS & SPRINGS FRESH WATER TURNED TO BLOOD
* 4TH BOWL: SUN'S SCORCHING HEAT TORMENTS. THEY REFUSE TO REPENT
* 5TH BOWL: ANTICHRIST’S KINGDOM IN TOTAL DARKNESS. PEOPLE CURSE GOD
* 6TH BOWL: EUPHRATES DRIED: DEMONS & KINGS OF EAST TO ARMAGEDDON
* JESUS’ THIEF-LIKE PHYSICAL RETURN TO THE EARTH IS STILL FUTURE
* 7TH BOWL: “IT IS DONE!” GREATEST EARTHQUAKE IN HISTORY. JERUSALEM SPLIT. MOUNTAINS & EVERY ISLAND DISPLACED. MYSTERY BABYLON DESTROYED
THE FALL OF MYSTERY BABYLON & THE ANTICHRIST
REVELATION 17: MYSTERY BABYLON, REVIVED ISLAMIC EMPIRE
* M.B. IS A RELIGIOUS PROSTITUTE, THE “MOTHER” GREATEST FALSE RELIGION
* M.B. RELIGIOUS & ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF AXT, RULES OVER MANY NATIONS
* M.B. A LITERAL CITY OF SATAN IN THE DESERT – MECCA/SAUDI ARABIA/NEOM?
* M.B. DRUNK WITH BLOOD OF SAINTS, A PORT OR COASTAL CITY
* M.B. HAS 7 HEADS (7 PAST SATANIC EMPIRES) & 10 HORNS (10 FUTURE KINGS)
* 8TH KING ANTICHRIST, FINAL GENTILE KINGDOM TO PERSECUTE ISRAEL & SAINTS
REVELATION 18: MYSTERY BABYLON, DEMONIC ECONOMIC SYSTEM
* M.B. AN ECONOMIC SEDUCER, A CITY OF EXCESS LUXURY, SLAVERY
* GOD’S PEOPLE ARE CALLED OUT THE FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM ISLAM
* M.B. MECCA IS THE RELIGIOUS HEART OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD
* THE AXT & 10 KINGS MAKE WAR WITH JESUS AT THE END OF DANIELS 70TH
* M.B. THE GREAT CITY WILL BE DESTROYED BY FIRE AT JESUS’ RETURN
REVELATION 19: JESUS PHYSICAL RETURN TO EARTH ON A WHITE HORSE
* THE HALLE LU JAH "PRAISE TO JEHOVAH" CHORUS!!!
* THE MARRIAGE SUPPER/FEAST OF THE LAMB: HIS BRIDE (ISRAEL & CHURCH)
* REV.19:10 THE TESTIMONY (STORY) OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
* HEAVEN OPENS, JESUS’ ROBE DIPPED IN BLOOD, WINE PRESS OF HIS WRATH (SINAI TO EDOM TO JERUSALEM TO MT. OF OLIVES)
* THE FINAL BATTLE: THE WAR OF ARMAGEDDON, EVIL NATIONS DEFEATED
* THE BEAST & FALSE PROPHET CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE
BEGINNING OF THE MILLENNIUM AND RENEWAL OF THE EARTH
REVELATION 20: MESSIAH’S 1000 YEAR MILLENNIAL REIGN
* SATAN BOUND FOR 1000 YEARS IN THE BOTTOMLESS PIT
* TYPES OF RESURRECTION. ACTS 3:21 RESTORATION BEGINS
* SATAN RELEASED AFTER 1000 YRS. TO TEST THE KINGDOM PEOPLE
* SATAN'S FINAL JUDGMENT: CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE
* SECOND RESURRECTION, GREAT WHITE THRONE SINNERS JUDGED BY BOOKS
* THE SECOND DEATH: DEATH AND HELL CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE
REVELATION 21: THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS AT END OF MILLENNIUM
* A NEW HEAVEN, A NEW EARTH, NEW JERUSALEM (SEE 2 PETER 3:10)
* NO MORE SEA, DEATH, TEARS, PAIN, CURSE, NIGHT
REVELATION 22: CLOSING REMARKS
* THE RIVER OF LIFE & THE TREE OF LIFE
* BLESSING & WARNING: DO NOT CHANGE THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY
* ONCE THESE PROPHECY EVENTS BEGIN TO OCCUR, “YES, I AM COMING SOON.”