In-depth Study of the Book of Revelation

Several years ago, I led a deep dive into the Book of Revelation with a Sunday School class after reviewing multiple books on the subject. What we gained was an understanding of how Revelation would have been understood at the time, and from that insights, we were able to draw messages of encouragement and confidence that apply to believers of all times. You can download the Word document for each of these nine lessons here:

Revelation Study – Week 1

Revelation Study – Week 2

Revelation Study – Week 3

Revelation Study – Week 3 Vision Outline

Revelation Study – Week 4

Revelation Study – Week 5

Revelation Study – Week 6

Revelation Study – Week 7

Revelation Study – Week 8

Revelation Study – Week 9

Revelation Study – Week 2

For reference, below is the outline of the Book of Revelation used for this study:

Introduction

Prelude — Teachings of Jesus

Background for Revelation

Opening — Chapters 1 – 3

  • Prologue — 1:1 through 1:3
  • Greetings from John — 1:4 through 1:8
  • Situation of John — 1:9 through 1:20
  • Greetings from Christ — 2:1 through 3:22, with messages for the seven churches
    • Revelation 2:1-7 — Ephesus
    • Revelation 2:8-11 — Smyrna
    • Revelation 2:12-17 — Pergamum
    • Revelation 2:18-29 — Thyatira
    • Revelation 3:1-6 — Sardis
    • Revelation 3:7-13 — Philadelphia
    • Revelation 3:14-22 — Laodicea

Body — Chapters 4 – 22, including the visions

  • Preparation for the Visions
  • Vision 1 – the seven seals
    • Opening scene in heaven — 4:1-5:14
      • Worship for the King — 4:1-11
      • Worthy Is the Lamb — 5:1-14
    • The four horsemen — 6:1-8
    • The souls slain — 6:9-11
    • The sun darkened — 6:12-17
    • The church in earth — 7:1-8
    • The church in heaven — 7:9-17
    • The silence — 8:1
  • Vision 2 – the seven trumpets
    • Opening scene in heaven — 8:2-6
    • The first four trumpets — 8:7-12
    • The eagle proclaims three woes — 8:13
    • The fifth trumpet — 9:1-12
    • The sixth trumpet — 9:13-19
    • The people reject God — 9:20-21
    • The proclamation — 10:1-7
    • The little scroll — 10:8-11
    • Measuring the temple — 11:1-2
    • The two witnesses — 11:3-14
    • The fanfare — 11:15-18
  • Vision 3 – the roots and role of Roman power
    • Opening scene in heaven — 11:19
    • Woman, dragon, child — 12:1-6
    • Dragon thrown down — 12:7-12
    • The persecution — 12:13-17
    • The first beast — 13:1-10
    • The second beast — 13:11-18
  • Reconciling God of Judgement with God of Love
  • Vision 4 – the seven agents of judgement
    • Opening scene in heaven — 14:1-5
    • The news — 14:6-7
    • The fall of Babylon — 14:8
    • Warning to beast worshippers — 14:9-12
    • The voice from heaven — 14:13
    • The grain is ripe — 14:14-16
    • The grapes are ripe — 14:17-20
  • Vision 5 – the seven plagues of wrath
    • Opening scene in heaven — 15:1-4
    • Introducing angels of wrath — 15:5-16:1
    • The first three bowls — 16:2-4
    • The two voices — 16:5-7
    • The fourth and fifth bowls — 16:8-11
    • The sixth bowl and Armageddon — 16:12-16
    • The last bowl – done! 16:17-21
  • Vision 6 – role and results of imperial power
    • Opening scene in heaven — 17:1-2
    • Vision of the harlot — 17:3-8
    • Overcoming power of the lamb — 17:9-18
    • Announcement — 18:1-3
    • Mourning and rejoicing — 18:4-20
    • The great millstone — 18:21-24
    • Celebration in heaven — 19:1-5
  • Vision 7 – the consummation
    • Opening scene in heaven — 19:6-10
    • The white horse — 19:11-16
    • Food for birds — 19:17-18
    • The defeat of the beast — 19:19-21
    • Binding Satan — 20:1-3
    • The millennial reign — 20:4-10
    • The final judgment 20:11-15
    • The new Jerusalem prologue — 21:15
    • Vision of the new Jerusalem — 21:5-22:6

Epilogue – 22:6-21

Appendix A

Appendix B

Bibliography