Summary of the Book of Revelation

by A Mac

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, is the final book of the New Testament and the Christian Bible. It is attributed to John the Apostle and was written on the island of Patmos in approximately AD 95-96. Revelation is a unique and highly symbolic text that reveals visions concerning the end times, the final judgment, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

Chapters 1-3: Letters to the Seven Churches

Chapter 1:

  • John receives a vision of Jesus Christ while in exile on Patmos.
  • Jesus appears in a glorified form and instructs John to write to the seven churches of Asia Minor.
  • Key verse: Revelation 1:8 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Chapters 2-3:

  • Jesus dictates letters to the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea).
  • Each letter includes commendations, criticisms, and promises for those who overcome.
  • Common themes include calls to repentance, warnings against false teachings, and encouragements to remain faithful.

Chapters 4-5: The Heavenly Throne Room

Chapter 4:

  • John is taken up to heaven where he sees a vision of God’s throne surrounded by 24 elders.
  • Four living creatures worship God continuously, declaring His holiness.
  • Key verse: Revelation 4:11 - "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Chapter 5:

  • A scroll with seven seals is presented, but no one is found worthy to open it except the Lamb (Jesus Christ).
  • The Lamb is worshiped alongside God, underscoring His divine status.

Chapters 6-7: The Seals

Chapter 6:

  • Jesus begins to open the seven seals, each unleashing a different judgment: conquest, war, famine, death, martyrs’ cries for justice, cosmic disturbances.
  • Key events: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and a great earthquake.

Chapter 7:

  • An interlude depicting the sealing of 144,000 servants of God (12,000 from each tribe of Israel).
  • John sees a great multitude from every nation worshiping God and the Lamb.

Chapters 8-11: The Trumpets

Chapter 8:

  • The seventh seal is opened, revealing seven trumpets.
  • The first four trumpets bring ecological disasters: hail and fire, a burning mountain, a star called Wormwood, and darkness.

Chapter 9:

  • The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic forces and plagues that torment and kill a third of humanity.
  • Despite these events, those who survive do not repent.

Chapter 10:

  • John is given a little scroll and told to eat it; it is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, symbolizing the mixed nature of God’s prophetic word.

Chapter 11:

  • The two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, are killed by the beast, and are resurrected after three and a half days.
  • The seventh trumpet sounds, announcing the coming of God’s kingdom.

Chapters 12-14: The Dragon and the Beasts

Chapter 12:

  • A vision of a woman (representing Israel) giving birth to a male child, pursued by a dragon (Satan).
  • War in heaven results in the dragon being cast to Earth.

Chapter 13:

  • Two beasts arise: one from the sea (symbolizing blasphemous world powers) and one from the earth (symbolizing false prophecy and idolatrous worship).
  • The mark of the beast (666) is introduced.

Chapter 14:

  • Visions of the Lamb on Mount Zion with the 144,000, three angelic messages, and the harvest and winepress of God’s wrath.

Chapters 15-16: The Bowls of Wrath

Chapter 15:

  • Seven angels with the seven last plagues prepare to pour out God’s final wrath.
  • The redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.

Chapter 16:

  • The seven bowls of God's wrath are poured out, leading to devastating plagues, darkness, the drying up of the Euphrates, and the battle of Armageddon.

Chapters 17-19: The Fall of Babylon

Chapter 17:

  • A vision of the great prostitute (symbolizing the corrupt city of Babylon) riding the beast.
  • The meaning of the vision is explained as a symbol of worldwide corruption and idolatry.

Chapter 18:

  • A lament for the fallen city of Babylon, representing the fall of a great and corrupt economic power.

Chapter 19:

  • Heaven celebrates Babylon’s fall, and Jesus, the rider on a white horse, defeats the beast and the false prophet.

Chapters 20-22: The New Heaven and New Earth

Chapter 20:

  • Satan is bound for a thousand years; the millennium reign of Christ ensues.
  • Final rebellion leads to Satan’s ultimate defeat and the last judgment.

Chapter 21:

  • A vision of the new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem descending from heaven.
  • God will dwell with His people, wiping away every tear, and making all things new.

Chapter 22:

  • The river of life and the tree of life are described within the New Jerusalem.
  • Jesus’ final messages and promises, including His imminent return.
  • Key verse: Revelation 22:20 - "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Key Themes:

  1. Victory of Christ: Jesus Christ ultimately triumphs over all evil powers.
  2. Judgment and Justice: God's ultimate justice is realized through the judgments.
  3. Hope and Encouragement:Encouragement for persecuted Christians to remain faithful.
  4. Sovereignty of God: God’s supreme power and control over history.
  5. Eternal Life: The promise of eternal life and the depiction of the new creation.

5 Bible Passages to Explore:

  1. Revelation 1:12-18 - The vision of the glorified Christ.

  2. Revelation 7:9-17 - The great multitude in white robes.

  3. Revelation 12:1-12 - The woman and the dragon.

  4. Revelation 19:11-16 - The rider on the white horse.

  5. Revelation 21:1-8 - The new heaven and new earth.

Back to COMPELLING TRUTHS & RESOURCES