23. Outline of the Book of Revelation

A few caveat emptors and aids to study: (1) this outline of Revelation is not identical to an outline of Future History (Bible Prophecy), because much of Future History is not mentioned in Revelation; (2) the events described in Revelation may not be in strict chronological order; and (3) This outline is not meant to be for all purposes, but specifically for study of prophetic issues -- thus the quick overview of the first three chapters.

Although posted, this is a preliminary draft, preparatory to final checking. This outline is completely my own creation, although it has been checked and rechecked against other similar outlines for accuracy, to avoid obvious error. Yet, it is hoped that it is more orderly in its presentation -- in the sense that the relation of the seals, trumpets, and bowls, in relation to the parenthetical sections can be more clearly seen.

It will be beneficial to click on the post title, and print this outline as we study the book of Revelation along with other prophetic passages.

1.) The servants, the setting, the "sevens", and the savior - Rev Ch 1
2.) Letters to seven local churches - Rev Ch 2 and 3
3.) The Scene in Heaven - Ch 4 and 5
.....a.) Jesus the Lamb takes the scroll to open it 5:6-14

4.) The Seven Seals - the start of the Tribulation period
.....a.) The 1st Seal - 1st horseman - False Christ/Antichrist 6:1-2
.....b.) The 2nd Seal - 2nd horseman - Peace goes, War starts 6:3-4
.....c.) The 3rd Seal - 3rd horseman - Famine upon the earth 6:5-6
.....d.) The 4th Seal - 4th horseman - Death and Hades come, bringing more war, famine, and pestilence 6:7-8
.....e.) The 5th Seal - The cry and comfort of the slaughtered martyrs 6:9-11
.....f.) The 6th Seal - Chaos and devastation on earth and in the heavenlies. The "Great Day of his wrath" arrives 6:12-17
..........(Parenthesis in Heaven:
...............1.) The sealing of the 144,000 witnesees 7:1-8
...............2.) The great multitude out of the great tribulation 7:9-17)
.....g.) The 7th Seal - Contains the 7 trumpets, silence and forewarning of judgment 8:1-5

5.) The Seven Trumpets -- The second half (the last 42 months of the Tribulation period) may start here at 5.a.), or may start at the 1st Woe (5.e.), or may start at the first Bowl judgment (7.a.). Knowledgable opinions differ.
.....a.) The 1st Trumpet - hail & fire with blood falls upon earth 8:6-7
.....b.) The 2nd Trumpet - a great burning mountain (meteor?) falls into the sea 8:8-9
.....c.) The 3rd Trumpet - a burning star-like object falls upon the rivers & streams 8:10-11
.....d.) The 4th Trumpet - a third of the heavenly bodies are struck 8:12
.....e.) The 5th Trumpet (The 1st Woe) - Satan falls from heaven, releases tormentors from the pit 9:1-12
.....f.) The 6th Trumpet (The 2nd Woe) - Four angels & 200 million horsemen released 9:13-21
..........(Parenthesis in Heaven:
...............1. Mighty Angel announces the 7 thunders (hidden) 10:1-4
...............2. Mighty Angel announces "there will be no more delay" 10:5-7
...............3. John eats the little scroll 10:8-11
...............4. The temple is measured, the two witnesses testify 11:1-14)
.....g.) The 7th Trumpet (The 3rd Woe) - The great announcement of the kingdom arrival, worship breaks out in heaven, more judgments commence, (and this last trumpet contains the 7 bowl judgments) 11:15-19

(6.) The Great Parenthesis
.....a.) The Woman (Israel), her Son (Messiah), and the Dragon (Satan) 12:1-6
.....b.) Satan thrown down to the Earth 12:7-11
.....c.) Woe to the Earth, war with Israel, war with the saints 12:12-17
.....d.) Power given to the first Beast (the Antichrist) 13:1-10
.....e.) And power given to the second Beast (the False Prophet) 13:11-15
.....f.) The Mark of the Beast 13:16-18
.....g.) The Lamb and the 144,000 14:1-5
.....h.) The messages of the three angels 14:6-13
.....i.) The harvest of the Earth -- the grapes of wrath 14:14-20
.....j.) The scene in heaven before the seven bowl judgments 15:1-8)

7.) The Seven Bowls of wrath (possibly the start of the 2nd half of the Tribulation, called the Great Tribulation)
.....a.) The 1st Bowl of wrath - harmful and painful sores 16:1-2
.....b.) The 2nd Bowl of wrath - sea becomes like blood, all sea life dies (salt water) 16:3
.....c.) The 3rd Bowl of wrath - rivers and springs become blood, (fresh water) 16:4
..........1.) Proclamation of the righteousness of God's judgments 16:5-7
.....d.) The 4th Bowl of wrath - poured out on the sun - fierce heat 16:8-9
.....e.) The 5th Bowl of wrath - poured out on the throne (kingdom) of the beast 16:10-11
.....f.) The 6th Bowl of wrath - poured out on the river Euphrates, to open the way 16:12
..........1.) Demonic spirits like frogs sent to assemble the kings 16:13-15
..........2.) The gathering takes place at Armaggedon 16:16 (see 19:11-21)
.....g.) The 7th Bowl of wrath - poured out in the air, "It is done" 16:17

(8. The Last Parenthesis)
.....a.) overview of the destruction of Babylon 16:18-21
..........1.) destruction of religious Babylon 17:1-18
..........2.) destruction of commercial Babylon 18:1-24)

9. The scene in heaven and Earth.
.....a.) Rejoicing in heaven 19:1-5
.....b.) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb 19:6-10
.....c.) The Battle of Armageddon 19:11-21

10. The Thousand Years, The New Heaven & the New Earth, Life with God
.....a.) The Thousand Years of Kingly Rule, with Satan bound, and thrown into the abyss 20:1-6
.....b.) The final defeat of Satan 20:7-10
.....c.) The Great White Throne judgment 20:11-15
.....d.) The New Heavens and the New Earth ch 21
..........1.) The New Jerusalem 21:9f
.....e.) Life with God 22:1-5
.....f.) The last warning to those alive now: Jesus is coming back 22:6-21