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I. Introduction 1:1-20

A. The significance of the first phrase

B. What do the first 3 vv. emphasize and why is this significant exegetically?

C. Note the source of grace and peace in vv 4-6 and the emphasis.

D. What is the import of the vision in vv 12-20?

II. Letters to the Seven Churches 2:1-3:22

A. Pattern: order varies slightly and not all elements are present in every letter.

1. Addressed to the angel of the church; spirit of the churches

2. Some aspect of vision of Christ related to the churches (some other truth about Christ)

3. Encouragement: Sardis and Laodicea

4. Complaint

5. Call to repentance

6. Threat of judgment

7. Promise to overcomers--conquerors

8. Call to hear what the Spirit is saying to all the churches

B. No complaint re: Smyrna 2:8-11 and Philadelphia 3:7-13

C. A comment on meaning of hot and cold in 3:15-16 and the meaning of 3:20

III. Visions of God 4:1-5:13

A. The Identity of the four living creatures and 24 elders

1. Ezekiel 1 and 10

2. Rev. 5:9-10

B. The focus of the vision in ch. 4

C. The sealed book and the focus of the vision in ch. 5

IV. The Seven Seals 6:1-8:5

A. Cf. Matt 24:3-8 with first 4 seals

B. The Fifth Seal 6:9-11

C. What is the time frame of the 6th seal?

1. Wrath of lamb (v 16)

D. Interlude 7:1-17

1. What is the import of the sealing of the 144,000 and what is their identity (7:1-8)?  Cf. 6:17 “Who is able to stand?”

2. How do the great multitude relate to the 144,000 and what is the point of 7:9-17?

3. The 7th Seal and the 7 Trumpets 8:1-5

V. The Seven Trumpets 8:6-11:19

A. The Relationship between the seals and the trumpets

B. The Significance of silence in heaven and the prayers of the saints (8:1-5; cf. Hab. 2:20; Zeph. 1:7)

C. The first four trumpets 8:6-13

D. The Nature of the punishments in the 5th and 6th trumpets 9:1-21

1. Identity of locusts 9:1-11

2. The cavalry of 200 million 9:12-19

3. Note especially 9:20-21

E. Interlude 10:1-11:14

1. Significance of the interlude

2. Import of temple in 11:1-2

3. Identity and function of two witnesses in 11:3-14

F. The 7th trumpet 11:15-19

VI. Signs in heaven and earth 12:1-14:20

A. The woman, the child, and the dragon 12:1-17

1. The identity of the woman and the child

2. When did the war in heaven occur? 12:7ff

3. The message for the church 12:10-11

4. The protection of the woman 12:13-17

B. The two beasts 13:1-18

1. Note the relationship between end of ch. 12 and 13

2. OT background on 1st beast

a. Daniel 7

3. The beast’s main activity 13:6-8

4. The message for the church 13:9-10

5. The 2nd beast 13:11-18

a. Function 13:12

b. Meaning of 666

C. The 144,000 on Mount Zion 14:1-5

1. Symbolism in text

2. Function in context

D. Three angels 14:6-13

1. Call to repentance 14:6-7

2. Babylon’s fall 14:8

3. Consequence of worshiping the beast 14:9-11

a. The import of vv 9-11 for the doctrine of hell

4. Message for the church 14:12-13

5. Harvesting the earth 14:14-20

6. OT background (Joel 3 eschatological harvest)

VII. The Seven bowls 15:1-16:21

A. The song of Moses 15:1-4

B. The function of 15:5-8

C. The nature of the judgments in ch. 16

1. Note the commentary in 16:5-7

2. Repetition of repentance theme 16:9, 11

D. Note 16:20-21 and 20:11; 21:1

VIII. The Judgment of Babylon 17:1-19:10

A. Precursors 14:8; 16:19

B. The identity of the woman 17:3, 18

1. Seated on waters 17:1, 15

2. Sitting on beast with 7 heads and 10 horns 17:3, 6-14

a. The 7 kings 17:9-11

(1) Individual kings: Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba/Otho/Vitellius; Vespasian; Titus; Domitian

(2) Empires: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome

(3) Symbolic and should not be pressed

3. The sins of the woman 17:2-6

4. How God accomplishes her judgment 17:15-18; 18:3

C. The OT background to ch. 18 (Ezekiel 26-28)

1. Mourning for the harlot 18:9-19

2. Kings 18:9-10

3. Merchants 18:11-19

D. Rejoicing by church over her judgment 18:20-19:10

1. Note 18:24 and 19:2

2. Marriage of lamb 19:6-10

IX. The Triumph of God in Christ 19:11-20:15

A. The defeat of the Beast and false prophet 19:11-21

1. Ezekiel 39:4, 17-20

B. The thousand years 20:1-6

1. Binding of Satan 20:1-3

2. Vindication of martyrs 20:4

3. The first resurrection and the millennium

a. Postmillennialism: world gradually christianized

b. Amillennialism: reign of Christ now

c. Premillennialism: reign of Christ after his return

C. The last battle 20:7-10

1. Gog and Magog Ezekiel 38-39

D. The last judgment 20:11-15

1. Works and the book of life

X. The new heavens and earth 21:1-22:5

A. All things new 21:1-8

1. The holy city 21:2

2. Essence of heaven 21:3-4

3. Exhortation 21:6-8

B. The holy city 21:9-22:5

1. The bride and the city 21:9-10

2. How literal is the city?

a. Cf. 21:22ff

XI. Closing words 22:6-21

A. Time is near 22:6-7, 10, 12, 20

B. Worshiping God 22:8-9

C. The meaning of 22:11; cf. 22:14, 17

D. The warning 22:18-19

E. Concluding affirmation 22:20

F. Benediction 22:21