THE BIBLE’S APOCALYPTIC PROPHECIES: A BOOK OF REVELATION SUMMARY

Oct 22, 2021

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Originally Posted On: https://insider.pureflix.com/prayer-faith/prophecy-book-of-revelation-summary

Looking for information on the Book of Revelation online? Well, you’re in luck. This article provides a Book of Revelation summary, information on authorship, the significance of the text and more.

WHERE TO READ THE BOOK OF REVELATION ONLINE

First, let’s explore where you can read the Book of Revelation online. You can read the Book of Revelation online over at Biblica. It is here that you can access both the Book of Revelation KJV as well as the NIV (New International Version).

This book is truly unique for a plethora of reasons. It is the last book in the Christian Bible and it is seen as one of the most prophetic books, with many Christians believing that a substantial proportion of the text has yet to be fulfilled.

The Book of Revelation has a total of 22 chapters and is filled with complex imagery, interesting tidbits and many elements that leave readers wondering what, exactly, is being proclaimed. It’s a book full of mystery and yet also full of hope, as any Book of Revelation summary shows that the text ends with the promise of a new heaven and new Earth.

WHO WROTE REVELATION?

Let’s look at some of the basic facts surrounding the Book of Revelation and answer one of the most important questions: who wrote Revelation? As it turns out, the book was written by the Apostle John, as indicated by two separate verses in the text.

Revelation 1:1 (NIV) reads: “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” John’s name is again mentioned in verses 4 and 9, with the latter scripture reading, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

It was on this island of Patmos (a Greek island) where John is said to have been given the visions that led him to write the Book of Revelation. John again explains his role in penning these scriptures at the end of the book.

“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me,” he writes in Revelation 22:8, continuing with the following in verse 9: “But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!’”

WHEN WAS THE BOOK OF REVELATION WRITTEN?

Another question some might have surrounding the Book of Revelation is when it was written. There are various ideas surrounding the exact date of authorship, but most believe it was written sometime between 90 and 96 A.D., about six decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Some people had previously argued that the date was decades earlier, but research has purportedly been strong for a later date after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

BOOK OF REVELATION SUMMARY

Providing a concise summary of Revelation can be quite difficult due to the many themes, issues and elements presented within the text. Despite the plethora of elements embedded in the text, GotQuestions has one of the most concise descriptions of the book. It reads:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to John by God “to show his servants what must soon take place.” This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. It gives us a tiny glimpse of heaven and all of the glories awaiting those who keep their robes white. Revelation takes us through the great tribulation with all its woes and the final fire that all unbelievers will face for eternity. The book reiterates the fall of Satan and the doom he and his angels are bound for. We are shown the duties of all creatures and angels of heaven and the promises of the saints that will live forever with Jesus in the New Jerusalem. Like John, we find it hard to describe what we read in the book of Revelation.

You can read more of the finer elements here.

BOOK OF REVELATION EXPLAINED

Dr. J. Vernon McGee is among the many who had provided a Book of Revelation outline and a Book of Revelation summary that helps readers understand a breakdown of what John presents in the text.

The first section of Revelation is introductory. Then, in section two, John writes letters to seven churches. This takes readers through Revelation 3. From there, McGee organizes yet another section which he titles, “The PROGRAM of Jesus Christ — the scene in heaven.”

This third section is sweeping and encompasses chapters four through 22. A lot unfolds in those chapters, including visions of heaven, a description of the great tribulation, an explanation of God’s wrath and plenty more. But the situation seems to take a notable turn around Revelation 19 when Jesus returns and the War of Armaggedon takes place.

Chapter 20 of Revelation then recounts the Millennium, with the new heaven and new Earth remaining the focus of chapters 21 and 22. See the full outline here.

CONCLUDING THE BOOK OF REVELATION SUMMARY

The aforementioned section doesn’t go into deep detail, as there is a plethora of debate over the meaning of these sections and verses. That said, one element of Revelation that is more agreed upon is what comes at the end.

It is in chapter 21 that the new heaven and new Earth are discussed. Here’s what John wrote in Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV):

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’”or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

In chapter 22, we see some truly powerful imagery. With Genesis and Revelation serving as true bookends, John explains that Eden has been restored — even the tree of life is mentioned. And here are some of the most comforting parts of the text (Revelation 22:3-5, NIV):

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

REVELATION MOVIES WORTH WATCHING

Here are some powerful end-times movies worth streaming today:

LEFT BEHIND

This is the first of the “Left Behind” films. Here’s the synopsis: After learning that millions have completely vanished, an airline pilot, his daughter, and others work together to unravel the mystery of those left behind.

Watch “Left Behind” right now on Pure Flix.

LEFT BEHIND 2: TRIBULATION FORCE

The next of the “Left Behind” movies is “Left Behind 2: Tribulation Force.” Here’s the synopsis: Two weeks after the Rapture, those left behind must band together to form the Tribulation Force, preparing themselves for the worst seven years the planet will ever see in this exciting sequel to “Left Behind.”

Watch the movie, which is now streaming on Pure Flix!

LEFT BEHIND 3: WORLD AT WAR

And the last in the original “Left Behind” film series is “Left Behind 3: World at War.” In this final film in the trilogy, the U.S. president asks a journalist and his band of rebels to thwart a world leader’s deadly plans. See what happens by watching the movie right now on Pure Flix!

JERUSALEM COUNTDOWN

In this “24”-like story of terror and the fight for peace, agent Shane Daughtry teams up with a CIA agent to stop an apocalyptic plot that will detonate nuclear bombs on American soil. Based on the best-selling novel by John Hagee.

Watch “Jerusalem Countdown” on Pure Flix.

APOCALYPSE MOVIE FRANCHISE

A war in the Valley of Armageddon leads to a global confrontation. But as the nuclear holocaust looms, millions of people suddenly vanish. Chaos reigns as two news anchors try to uncover what’s happening.

All five movies in the franchise are available on Pure Flix – be sure to get your free trial to stream “Apocalypse,” “Apocalypse 2: Revelation,” “Apocalypse 3: Tribulation,” “Apocalypse 4: Judgment,” and “Apocalypse 5: Deceived.”

This brings us to the end of our Book of Revelation summary. We hope this was helpful as a tool for understanding the ins and outs of what’s in the Bible’s most prophetic book. If you want to learn more about the end times, be sure to download our free guide that covers topics like the rature, the tribulation and plenty more.