Book of Revelation Overview: A Clear Biblical Breakdown of Its Structure and Events
- Kareem Flowers
- 45 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Introduction
The Book of Revelation can sometimes feel extremely intimidating. So many symbols and Old Testament references can make it difficult to discern what is literal and what is symbolic. Though the Book of Revelation is indeed uniquely written, there is no need to fear - you can understand and master its writings through careful, scripture-guided study.
This teaching provides both an overview of the Book of Revelation and a foundational explanation of Revelation Chapter 1, which establishes the authority, structure, and the foundation for understanding everything that follows.
📘 How This Book of Revelation Study Is Structured
This blog post functions as the foundation for a full chapter-by-chapter teaching series on the Book of Revelation.
If you are new to Revelation, begin here.
If you are following the series, return here to navigate between chapters.
Each chapter of Revelation will be examined, in biblical order, and linked from this page as it is published. Remember, this blog post also covers Chapter 1.
This approach ensures clarity, consistency, and faithfulness to Scripture—allowing the Bible to interpret itself.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1)
The Book of Revelation is so named because it contains a divine disclosure concerning Jesus Christ. This revelation is referred to as "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."
Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass...
The revelation spoken of in Revelation 1:1 concerns “things which must come to pass” - that is, future events related to Christ’s judgment, return, and reign.
Revelation 1 establishes:
the source of the revelation
the authority by which it is given
and the framework by which the entire book of revelation is to be understood
The prophetic events themselves unfold later in the book.
🔗 Chapter Study
Revelation 2 & 3 Explained – Christ’s Evaluation of the Churches (coming soon)
Prophetic Events Unfolding in the Revelation
The revelation of Jesus Christ came in vision form to Apostle John (the author of the book), and concerns events that occur immediately before, during, and after Christ’s return and reign.
Events Immediately Before the Coming of Christ:
Worldwide Judgments from God
The Seven Trumpets Judgments
The Desolation of Israel
The Rapture
The Seven Vials of God's Wrath
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
The Return and Rule of Christ:
The War of Armageddon
Transition of World Power to Christ
The Restoration of Israel
The Millennial Reign of Christ
The Final Destruction of Satan
The Great White Throne Judgement
The Destruction of the Wicked, Hell, and Death in the Lake of Fire
This marks the moment when all enemies of God are put under Christ’s feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
Events After the Kingdom of Christ:
A New Heaven and New Earth
The Kingdom Given Over to God (1 Corinthians 15:24, 27-28)
The Establishment of New Jerusalem on Earth
The Removal of the Sun and Moon (signifying the end of time).
According to Genesis 1:14, the sun, moon, and stars were created to mark time. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, often refers to time as being “under the sun.” Therefore, the removal of the sun and moon signifies a transition from time into eternity.
🔗 Learn why the Seven Seals found in Revelation 6 & 7 were not included in the list above.
Understanding the Book with Seven Seals (coming soon)
It is also important to note that the period in which these events occur is often referred to as “The Day of the Lord” or “The Lord’s Day.” Therefore, when John says in Revelation 1:10 that he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” he is describing how he was spiritually transported into a vision that revealed the events surrounding Christ’s return.
The Transmission of the Revelation (Revelation 1:1–2)
Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.
Verse 1 outlines the divine sequence of how the revelation was delivered:
God gave the revelation to Jesus.
Jesus sent it to Apostle John through an angel.
John recorded and delivered it to the Church.
Revelation 1:2 - Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
John was instructed by Jesus to document everything he heard and saw. This confirms that the Book of Revelation is not a private vision or personal interpretation, but a divinely ordered testimony intended for the entire Body of Christ.
John’s Commission to Write
John was commanded to write everything he saw and heard:
Revelation 1:11 - Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia…
In the verse above, Jesus instructs John to write everything he saw and heard and send it to the churches in Asia minor - he obeyed. However, his writings extended far beyond those of his day in Asia minor, but since then, billions have read and continue to read this book.
A Divine Breakdown of the Book of Revelation
Verse 19 reiterates John’s initial instruction to write, but it also expands on it, providing a divine framework that outlines the structure of the entire Book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:19 - Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Thus, the Book of Revelation is divided into three main sections:
The Things Which Thou Hast Seen
The Things Which Are
The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter
In our next post, we will further breakdown these three sections.
The Things Which Thou Hast Seen
Revelation 1:10-12 - 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
John’s vision began while he was on the Isle of Patmos. He was taken into the Spirit and heard the voice of Jesus speaking behind him. Though he heard the voice, he did not immediately see Jesus. Take note, however, that before turning, Jesus instructs John to write the things he is about to see.
Revelation 1:13-16 - 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
After turning, he saw seven golden candlesticks and Jesus standing among them, clothed in divine majesty, holding seven stars in His right hand. His appearance was awe-inspiring—His eyes like fire, His voice like many waters, and His face shining like the sun.
Jesus then reiterated the instruction:
“Write the things which thou hast seen…” (v. 19)
This initial vision forms the first section of the book.
The Things John Saw:
The Seven Golden Candlesticks
The Glorious Appearance of Jesus
The Seven Stars in His Right Hand
The goal of this teaching is not only to reveal the foundational truths of this book of the Bible, but also to uncover the method for interpreting the mysteries you will encounter in your study of Bible prophecy.
Always remember the golden rule of interpretation: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). This means that the meaning of every symbol in the Bible must be revealed by the Bible itself—not by human imagination or presumption.
When you come across passages that include symbolism, rest assured that the meaning of each symbol is also provided—either within the immediate context or elsewhere in Scripture. As we continue our study, this principle will be proven time and again.
However, in this particular case, the meanings of the symbols John saw are provided within the immediate context of the vision.
Revelation 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels [messengers/pastors] of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Verse 20 provides the interpretation of the seven golden candlesticks and the seven stars:
The seven golden candlesticks represent the seven churches of Asia Minor, as listed in Revelation 1:11.
The seven stars symbolize the senior pastors of those churches.
The Things Which Are
In Revelation 1:20 above, Jesus clarifies that the candlesticks and stars are not symbolic of future things but were present realities at that time (things which are).
Revelation 2–3 is dedicated to the conditions of these seven churches—how God viewed their spiritual state and what judgments or commendations He had for each.
Key Aspects of "The Things Which Are":
The Existence of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor
The Seven Pastors (Angels) of the Churches
God’s Evaluation of Each Church’s Condition
This is also where many theologians have fallen into the temptation to inflate and embellish the true meaning of the Scripture, breaking the rules of sound interpretation.
A common teaching is that the seven churches represent seven distinct dispensations of the Church age. In other words, the conditions Jesus addressed in each church are thought to symbolize different time periods the Body of Christ would pass through during its journey on earth.
While it is true that we may observe these characteristics - whether good or bad - manifesting in the Church, they are not dispensational. These character traits have been present in every generation of the Church since its inception.
Therefore, it is an improper and unfounded stretch to interpret the seven churches as representing seven dispensational stages of the Church. Simply put, these are spiritual conditions and character traits that can be found in any era of the Church’s existence.
The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter
Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
From Revelation 4 through Revelation 22, John documents the future events that unfold in "the Day of the Lord"—including judgments, the return of Christ, the final battle, the new creation, and eternity.
In the following chapters, we will take a deeper look into “things which must be hereafter”.
Final Structure of the Book of Revelation
Introduction and Overview (Revelation 1:1-8)
The Things John Saw (Revelation 1:9-20)
The Things Which Are (Revelation 2-3)
The Things Which Shall Be (Revelation 4-22).
Continue the Chapter-by-Chapter Study of Revelation
This article establishes the foundation of the Book of Revelation and explains Revelation Chapter 1. Each subsequent chapter will be examined individually and linked here as the study progresses.
Upcoming Chapter Studies
Revelation 2 & 3 Explained – Christ’s Evaluation of the Churches
Revelation 4 & 5 Explained – The Lamb and the Sealed Book
Understanding the Book of Seals
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