Revelation of St. John the Divine - Key Points and Summary

Introduction

• Authorship: Revelation by Jesus Christ, conveyed through an angel to John.
• Purpose: To reveal events that must soon occur.
• Blessing: Blessings for those who read, hear, and keep the prophecy.

Address to the Seven Churches

1. Ephesus

   • Commended for their works, labor, and patience.
   • Criticized for losing their first love; advised to repent.
   • Promise: Right to eat from the tree of life.

2. Smyrna

   • Acknowledged for their works, tribulation, and poverty (yet spiritually rich).
   • Warning of persecution; encouraged to be faithful unto death.
   • Promise: Crown of life, protection from the second death.

3. Pergamos

   • Faithfulness commended despite being in Satan’s domain.
   • Criticism: Some holding to false teachings.
   • Promise: Hidden manna and a white stone with a new name.

4. Thyatira

   • Praised for works, love, service, and faith.
   • Rebuked for tolerating false prophetess Jezebel.
   • Promise: Authority over nations and the morning star.

5. Sardis

   • Criticized for being spiritually dead despite a reputation of life.
   • Exhorted to wake up and strengthen what remains.
   • Promise: White garments and secure name in the book of life.

6. Philadelphia

   • Commended for keeping God’s word and enduring patiently.
   • Promise: Kept from the hour of trial, made a pillar in God’s temple.

7. Laodicea

   • Criticized for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold.
   • Counsel to buy refined gold and white garments.
   • Promise: Share Christ’s throne if they overcome.

Heavenly Vision

• Vision of Heaven: Throne, 24 elders, and four beasts worshiping God.
• Book with Seven Seals: Only the Lamb (Jesus) is worthy to open.

The Lamb and the Seven Seals

1. First Seal: White horse and conqueror.
2. Second Seal: Red horse, taking peace from earth.
3. Third Seal: Black horse, symbolizing economic hardship.
4. Fourth Seal: Pale horse, Death, and Hades given power.
5. Fifth Seal: Souls of martyrs; wait for divine justice.
6. Sixth Seal: Cosmic disturbances and fear among humanity.
7. Seventh Seal: Silence in heaven; seven trumpets introduced.

The Seven Trumpets

• First Trumpet: Hail and fire mixed with blood.
• Second Trumpet: Burning mountain into the sea.
• Third Trumpet: Star called Wormwood falls.
• Fourth Trumpet: Heavenly bodies darkened.
• Fifth Trumpet: Locusts from the bottomless pit.
• Sixth Trumpet: Release of four angels at Euphrates.
• Seventh Trumpet: Proclamation of God's reign.

Prophecies and Warnings

• Two Witnesses: Prophesy, killed, resurrected, and ascend to heaven.
• The Red Dragon: War in heaven, Satan's downfall.
• Beasts of the Sea and Earth: Rise of Antichrist and false prophet.

The Final Judgment and New Creation

• Battle of Armageddon: Christ's victory over the beast.
• The Millennial Reign: Satan bound for a thousand years.
• Great White Throne Judgment: Final judgment of the dead.
• New Heaven and Earth: New Jerusalem descends from heaven.
• Conclusion: Final blessings, warnings, and invitation to eternal life.

Conclusion

• Invitation: Call to righteousness and acceptance of eternal life.
• Final Benediction: Assurance of Jesus' imminent return.