The Book of Revelation is the last book in the Bible and is considered an intensely deep and symbolic revelation given to the Apostle John while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. The function it tries to perform is to comfort persecuted Christians and to unveil the ultimate victory of God. It initiates its readers into the mysteries of heaven, the end of times, and God's eternal kingdom. Other themes we would expect are judgment, redemption, endurance and the rule of Christ.

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The Prologue -Revelation 1:1-8

The book begins with stating that this, indeed, is a revelation of Jesus Christ to John through an angel. There is a blessing for the one who reads it aloud, hears and adheres to its messages. Then John addresses the seven churches in Asia Minor and proclaims Jesus the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth. This eternity of Christ had also been demonstrated in the prologue in the following words: "I am the Alpha and the Omega."

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John's Vision of the Glorified Christ (Revelation 1:9-20)

John says that he "was in the Spirit" on the Lord's Day and heard a loud voice ordering him to write and send to the seven churches what he saw. Turning, he then beheld a great vision of the glorified Christ standing in the middle of seven golden lampstands with seven stars. Christ appears in a visionary, symbolic splendour with eyes burning like fire, a voice like the sound of many waters, and a face radiant as the sun. The vision emphasizes Christ's sovereignty over the church and the world.

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Letters to the Seven Churches Revelation 2–3

Christ has a special message to the seven churches of the Roman province of Asia:

Overview of the Letters

1. Ephesus: Praised for work and endurance, but rebuked over lost first love.

2. Smyrna: Called to be faithful unto death with the promise of the crown of life.

3. Pergamum: False teaching and immorality present - repentance called for.

4. Thyatira: Church rebuked for tolerating evil despite loving and serving.

5. Sardis: Called to wake up because of spiritual complacency.

6. Philadelphia: Praised for faithful endurance, with a promise of deliverance.

7. Laodicea: Rebuked for lukewarmness with a call to repent.

The messages still exhort, warn, and promise to believers and the church today.

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The Throne in Heaven {Revelation 4}

He then took John up in a vision to heaven and showed him a throne, around which, beside four living creatures, were 24 elders seating on thrones. The majesty and power of God were attended with lightnings and thunders and seven burning lamps. God receives praises from four living creatures symbolizing creation with these words: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty." The theme of the chapter then shifts to God's sovereignty and glory.

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The Lamb and the Scroll (Revelation 5)

John weeps in this dramatic scene because no creature in heaven or on earth is worthy to take a sealed scroll from the right hand of God. The scroll is a symbol of God's plan of redemption and judgment. A Lamb, a symbol of Jesus, appears-slain but standing. The Lamb is worthy to open the scroll, and heaven worships.

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The Seven Seals (Revelation 6–8:5)

As the seals are opened by the Lamb, the judgments are released:

Events would be: 1. First Seal: White horse and rider; conquest. 2. Second Seal: Red horse; war. 3. Third Seal: Black horse; famine. 4. Fourth Seal: Pale horse; death. 5. Fifth Seal: Souls of martyrs cry out for justice. 6. Sixth Seal: Cosmic disturbances; earthquakes, darkened sun, and blood-red moon.

144,000 of the tribes of Israel are sealed as servants of God, and the great multitude of every nation is seen worshipping before the Lord before the seventh seal is opened. The Seventh Seal brings about silence in heaven with the prayers of the saints going up to God and the beginning of the trumpet judgments.

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The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8:6–11:19)

The trumpet judgments reveal escalating disasters:

1. The First Trumpet: Hail and fire burn up one-third of the vegetation of the earth.

2. The Second Trumpet: A mountain of fire cast into the sea kills one-third of life in the sea.

3. The Third Trumpet: The star Wormwood makes the water bitter.

4. The Fourth Trumpet: One-third of the light of the celestial bodies is snuffed out.

5. The Fifth Trumpet: The beastly locusts torment mankind.

6. The Sixth Trumpet: Four angels are released that slay one-third of men.

Before the seventh trumpet sounds, John is given a small scroll, representing God's word, which is sweet to the taste but bitter in its consequences.

The Seventh Trumpet announces God's kingdom and Christ's reign and brings worship and the opening of the heavenly temple.

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The Woman, the Dragon, and the Beasts (Revelation 12–13)

Cosmic war is unveiled in this passage:

• There is the woman in labour who bears a child. The child Christ is threatened by the dragon, which is symbolic of Satan. The child was carried to God, and a guard is set upon the woman.

• The dragon now wages war on the people of God until the dragon is cast down.

• Two beasts appear. One is the symbol of oppressive political power; the other is the symbol of false religion. They work together with Satan to masquerade as God and persecute the faithful.

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The Lamb and the 144,000 (Revelation 14)

John sees the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000 redeemed. Three angels proclaim impending judgment on all who would worship the beast commanding them not to worship the beast and proclaiming the gospel. The righteousness of God and the eternal consequences to personal rebellion or obedience are highlighted in this chapter.

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The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath Revelation 15–16

The third set of judgments-plagues poured out from seven bowls-unfold anew as follows:

 1. Painful sores on the worshippers of the beast 
 2. The sea becomes blood, and all in it die.
 3. Rivers and springs turn to blood. 
 4. Men are burned with intense heat.
 5. Darkness and torment come upon the kingdom of the beast. 
 6. The Euphrates River is dried up to prepare the way for the last battle.
 7. A great earthquake causes cities to fall and rain washes hailstones out of the air.

Because of all these plagues, men will still refuse to repent.

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The Fall of Babylon Revelation 17–18

Babylon, the wicked world system hostile to God, is judged and falls. John sees the kings, merchants, and mariners weeping over the fall of Babylon while heaven is rejoicing over the righteous judgment of God.

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The Ultimate Triumph Revelation 19–20

Christ returns as a conquering warrior upon a white horse heading the armies of heaven. The beast and the false prophet are conquered and thrown into the lake of fire.

During the Millennium, Christ rules for 1,000 years while Satan is bound. At the end of this period Satan is released for a brief moment, organizes a rebellion, and is finally defeated and thrown into the lake of fire.

The Great White Throne Judgment occurs where the dead are judged based on their deeds. All whose names were not found in the Book of Life are also cast into the lake of fire.

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The New Heaven and New Earth - Revelation 21-22

Immediately after that, John was to behold a new heaven, a new earth, and the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. God is now dwelling among His people in the new creation, and He is to wipe away every tear; for death, sorrow, and pain have all fled away. The glory of God is shining bright in the city that has no more need for sun or moon. The river of life and the tree of life spoke of eternal plenty and healing.

The book concludes with the promise of Christ: "Behold, I am coming soon." And John adds: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

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Conclusion

The Book of Revelation is one grand announcement of hope, declaring God's victory at last over all evil. Christians are exhorted to stand fast in persecution, knowing that the victory is certain and all joy shall be theirs.