Why Revelation Was Written

1. John 13:33-36 – Jesus announces to the disciples that He is going away. In His explanation John 14:1-3, Jesus tells them He is going to the heavenly Sanctuary to minister in their behalf, so they can join Him there some day.

John 16:5,6,13 – The disciples could not comprehend His heavenly ministry, their thoughts were on an earthly kingdom. Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit came, He would teach them about His heavenly ministry.

Acts 1:6-8 – The disciples’ thoughts remained on earthly things before the Holy Spirit was poured out. But after the Spirit came Acts 2:1-4, their eyes were upon Jesus in the heavenly Sanctuary, and they pointed the people to Him Acts 2:22-24,32-36.

2. The New Testament writers consistently point us to Jesus and the work He is doing for us. Hebrews 8:1,2, Ephesians 1:19-21, 2:4-7, Colossians 3:1-4.

3. What is Jesus doing for us in Heaven? Hebrews 4:14-16, 10:12-17,19-22. Jesus and heavenly things need to become more real to us than the physical world around us.

4. Jesus is our example in life and ministry. John 5:19,20 – During His earthly life, Jesus did nothing independently from His Father. He watched for the Father’s leading and always cooperated with Him.

Mark 1:35, 6:45,46,52 – Jesus lived His life as a man in constant connection with Heaven. Isaiah 50:4-6, 61:1-3, 11:1-4 – Isaiah reveals to us that each morning Jesus was awakened by His Father, He surrendered to the Father’s will, and received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What a difference our lives would be, if heavenly things were a living reality like they were with Jesus (SOP 1,2,3,4).

Structure Of the Book of Revelation

5. The book of Revelation reveals to us the ministry of Jesus in the heavenly Sanctuary (SOP 5). It shows us what happens on earth as a result of His heavenly ministry, and how His ministry benefits God’s people (SOP 6). It shows Jesus completing His work and coming to receive His people who are watching and waiting for Him. And it shows us living with God throughout eternity in the new earth.

6. At first glance, there appears to be no order to the book of Revelation. However, when you look at Revelation through the lens of the Sanctuary, it takes on order and structure. Hand out Revelation Outline.

Revelation divides naturally into 7 sections (see the following page for an outline of the book of Revelation). Each section begins with a heavenly Sanctuary scene, followed by a series of 7 related scenes, most of them taking place on earth. The heavenly Sanctuary scenes walk us progressively through the Sanctuary.

Here we see the words of Christ fulfilled, “I go to prepare a place for you … I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2,3.

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “The book of Revelation opens to the world what has been, what is, and what is to come; it is for our instruction upon whom the ends of the earth are come. It should be studied with reverential awe. We are privileged in knowing what is for our learning. . .” -- Review and Herald, August 31, 1897.

2 “When we as a people understand what this book [Revelation] means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival.

3 “When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.

4 “The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation.” – Testimonies to Ministers, pages 113, 114.

5 “To the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos were revealed the things which God desired him to give to the people. Study these revelations. Here are themes worthy of our contemplation, large and comprehensive lessons which all the angelic host are now seeking to communicate. Behold the life and character of Christ, and study His mediatorial work.” – Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 59.

6 “One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation – that the connection between God and His people is close and decided.” – Testimonies to Ministers, page 114.

Outline of the Book of Revelation

Introduction to the Book (1:1-8)

SECTION I: Messages to the Seven Churches (1:9-3:22)

(Seven-branched Candlestick)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Jesus among the Seven Candlesticks (1:9-20)

1. Message to the Church of Ephesus (2:1-7)

2. Message to the Church of Smyrna (2:8-11)

3. Message to the Church of Pergamos (2:12-17)

4. Message to the Church of Thyatira (2:18-29)

5. Message to the Church of Sardis (3:1-6)

6. Message to the Church of Philadelphia (3:7-13)

7. Message to the Church of Laodicea (3:14-22)

SECTION II: Opening of the Seven Seals (4:1-8:1)

(Table of Shewbread)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Jesus in the Midst of the Throne (4:1-5:14)

1. Opening of the First Seal (6:1,2)

2. Opening of the Second Seal (6:3,4)

3. Opening of the Third Seal (6:5,6)

4. Opening of the Fourth Seal (6:7,8)

5. Opening of the Fifth Seal (6:9-11)

6. Opening of the Sixth Seal (6:12-17)

Sidebar: Sealing of the 144,000 (7:1-17)

7. Opening of the Seventh Seal (8:1)

SECTION III: Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:18)

(Altar of Incense)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Jesus at the Golden Altar (8:2-6)

1. Blowing of the First Trumpet (8:7)

2. Blowing of the Second Trumpet (8:8,9)

3. Blowing of the Third Trumpet (8:10,11)

4. Blowing of the Fourth Trumpet (8:12,13)

5. Blowing of the Fifth Trumpet (9:1-12)

6. Blowing of the Sixth Trumpet (9:13-21)

Sidebar: Opening of the Little Book and Warfare against the Two Witnesses (10:1-11:13)

7. Blowing of the Seventh Trumpet (11:14-18)

SECTION IV: Preparing for the Harvest (11:19-15:4)

(Ark of the Covenant)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Opening of the Most Holy Place for the Judgment (11:19)

1. Satan’s Warfare against the Remnant (12:1-17)

2. A History of the Beast (13:1-10)

3. The Two-horned Beast (13:11-18)

4. The 144,000 on Mount Zion (14:1-5)

5. Giving of the Three Angel’s Messages (14:6-13)

6. The two Harvests (14:14-20)

Sidebar: The Seven Plague Angels Introduced (15:1)

7. The Victorious Remnant on the Sea of Glass (15:2-4)

SECTION V: Pouring Out of the Seven Last Plagues (15:5-18:24)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Closing of the Heavenly Sanctuary (probation ended) (15:5-16:1)

1. Pouring Out of the First Plague (16:2)

2. Pouring Out of the Second Plague (16:3)

3. Pouring Out of the Third Plague (16:4-7)

4. Pouring Out of the Fourth Plague (16:8,9)

5. Pouring Out of the Fifth Plague (16:10,11)

6. Pouring Out of the Sixth Plague (16:12-16)

7. Pouring Out of the Seventh Plague (16:17-21)

Sidebar: The Judgment of Babylon (17:1-18:24)

SECTION VI: The Final Eradication of Sin (19:1-21:1)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Rejoicing In Heaven over Babylon’s Judgment and the Marriage of the Lamb (19:1-10)

1. The Second Coming of Jesus (19:11-16)

2. The Supper of the Great God (19:17-21)

3. The Binding of Satan (20:1-3)

4. The Thousand Years (20:4-6)

5. The Final Battle (20:7-10)

6. The White-Throne Judgment and the Second Death (20:11-15)

7. The New Heaven and the New Earth (21:1)

SECTION VII: God’s Eternal Kingdom (21:2-22:5)

Heavenly Introductory Scene: Heaven Comes Down to Earth (21:2-8)

Wonders of the New Jerusalem (21:9-22:5)

Conclusion to the Book (the Invitation) (22:6-21)