The book of Revelation has many parallels with the book of Genesis. In Genesis it is the beginning of many things in the book of Revelation it is the end of many things. In vs. 19 you have the outline of the book of Revelation.

1 – The things seen (Rev 1:10-19)

John had a vision of Jesus and he was asked to write it in a book.

2 – The things that are (Rev 2-3)

There are seven letters written to seven churches. The letters are to all the Churches. They represent the church age and all churches in the world at any time.

• The church at Ephesus – The church had lost its first love.
• The church at Smyrna – This church would know suffering. It costs to serve Jesus.
• The church at Pergamus – False doctrines.
• The church at Thyatira – The infiltration of feminism into the church. It is not unchristian to take a stand against heresy.
• The church at Sardis – This church had a fever church of activity but they were dead. They were organised but they were still dead.
• The church at Philadelphia – It was marked by love. It was a church of brotherly love.
• The church at Laodicea – It is a lukewarm church. This lukewarm attitude makes Jesus sick to his stomach. Jesus wants us to be either hot or cold. To be lukewarm is the worst form of blasphemy. The lukewarm person believes but is not excited by the Lord Jesus.

3 – The things that shall be after (Rev 4-22)

The church is not mentioned anymore because the church age has finished. The church will be raptured. This may happen at any time. See Matt 24:36, 44. The church will not go through the tribulation. It will be just like the times of Noah. It will happen suddenly.

• The rapture (Rev 4:1). The church is taken out and evil now has a free rein.
• The wrath of God. (Rev 6) God does not pour his wrath out upon his children. It will last for seven years. People will cry out to be destroyed from the evil and punishments.
• The battle of Armageddon (Rev 19). At the end of this great tribulation is this battle. The Antichrist will try to take the city of Jerusalem. This is where the last battle will be fought. The Jewish people are hated by Satan. The Lord will destroy these evil forces by the sword of his mouth. (His word).
• The Millennium (Rev 20) God’s golden age is yet to come.
• The Final Judgment (Rev 20:11). Why does God not just judge a man once he dies? His deeds have not fully ripened. E.g. Hugh Hefner. His sins are still collecting interest. The books are still being written. Nobody ceases to exist and everyone will be judged.
• The Everlasting State (Rev 20:11). There is everlasting joy or everlasting torment. If man could he would ban hell as unusually cruel punishment.

Categories: Revelation