The
book of Revelation is divided into three sections
Write
the things which you have seen, and the things which
are, and the things which will take place after this.
(Revelation 1:19) The Book of Revelation is the only
Book with its own divine outline, found in chapter 1
verse 19, where Jesus told John to “write the things
which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the
things which shall be hereafter.” This is the
key to the entire book. It is an outline of Revelation.
The Past—The Things Thou Hast Seen... Chapter 1
The Present—The Things Which Are... Chapters 2 & 3
The Future—The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter...
Chapters 4-22 If you follow this
divine outline, the Book unfolds very easily
"In the midst of the seven candlesticks"—The
candlesticks are the churches (vs. 20). Christ is to be
at the center of the Church. Our churches, our lives,
are to revolve around Him. He is found constantly in the
center, in the middle position, because He is the
Mediator between God and men.
Jesus
Christ held seven stars in His right hand (Rev. 1:16;
cp. Rev. 1:20). The seven stars symbolize the
messengers, the ministers of the churches. His hand
securely holds the messengers with skill and strength
and comfort.
Christ was not giving John a
message for himself, but for the church. He was
to use what Christ was giving him for the edification of
believers, to build them up in the faith. This is the
great purpose for Revelation, the reason why it must be
taught in the church.
1. “Things which you have seen”
Past things (Revelation 1)
John had seen a vision of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
"One clothed like the son of
man"- The title "Son of Man" appears eighty
times in the four Gospels and the book of Acts in
reference to Christ as King of the coming millennial
kingdom.
"Clothed with garments down to
the feet"—This was the typical clothing of the
High Priests as they ministered in the holy place in the
Temple. Jesus is our High Priest.
"Girded
about the breast with a golden girdle"—This
refers to a symbol of strength and authority in the
ancient world.
"Head and hair white like
wool, as white as snow"—This speaks of the
ancientness and righteousness of God. Daniel called the
Lord "the Ancient of Days."
"Eyes like
flames of fire" The all seeing all knowing
God
"Feet like bronze"- Bronze speaks of
judgment. The brazen altar of the tabernacle is
where sin was judged. The Lord is not only the Judge of
the Church, He is the Judge of the entire world. Those
who mock Him will be judged by Him one day.
2.
“Things which are” (Revelation 2-3)
Present things, The church age, This includes the
messages to the seven churches (Revelation 2, 3) Jesus gives seven
messages to seven churches, wherein lies the
chronological flow of church history from the beginning
of the early church to the present. The problems
that took place in these seven churches are the same
problems that the Church faces today. In addressing the
seven churches, Jesus Christ was addressing all the
churches of the earth.
3. “Things which will take place
after this”. (Revelation 4-22)
Future. The things that takes place on the earth
after the church leaves. The church is raptured and
taken to heaven for a seven-year period (Revelation 4:1)
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Chapters 6–19
The rise of the Antichrist and the deceptions of the
devil
The Seven year Tribulation occurs on earth as
God pours out His wrath on a Christ-rejecting, sinful
world.
Chapter 19
Armageddon and the defeat of the
beast and his armies
(Revelation 16:13-16)Revelation
19:11-16 At the end of chapter 19, the Lord comes
back to Jerusalem with His church to establish His
kingdom.
Chapter 20
The millennial reign of peace and the dominion of Jesus
Christ.
A thousand-year period of peace and
prosperity, follows as the Lord rules and reigns from
Jerusalem. At the end of the Millennium, Satan is
loosed. A final rebellion ensues before Satan is put
away permanently.
Chapters 21–22
Entrance into Eternity. A new Heaven and a new Earth.
The final state and the destiny of mankind (Revelation
21:6-8)
Bible is an account of three trees
The Tree of
Life
The
Tree of Life was seen at the beginning of human history
Man chose not to eat of the Tree of Life in the Garden
of Eden. Man will eat freely of the Tree of Life in
the New Jerusalem.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good
and Evil
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was the one
tree of which Adam and Eve were not to partake. When
they disobeyed and ate of the forbidden tree, death and
damnation were the result.
The Tree of Calvary
The Tree of Calvary covers our mistakes, washes away and
cleanses our sins.
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