Content, and chronology of Revelation
The Revelation has 22 chapters. The course of these 22 chapters is not Chronological and is divided into 4 thematic blocks.
The end of each theme block is marked with the downs and worship of the 24 elders.
The 24 elders are introduced in chapter 4
Rev 4: 4 And around the throne I saw four and twenty thrones, and on the thrones sat twenty-four elders, clothed in white robes, and on their heads golden crowns of gold.
The fall of the 24 elders we read in
Rev 5:14 And the four living things called. „Amen.“ Then the elders threw themselves down worshipingly [before the one who lives for ever and ever].
Rev 11:16 Then those twenty-four elders sitting before their gods on their thrones fell upon their faces; they worshiped God
Rev 19: 4 Then fell down those twenty-four elders and the four living beings; they worshiped God, who sat on the throne, and said, „Amen! Alleluia! „
Thus, the 4 blocks of the disclosure are as follows.
1st block Chapter 1 – 5
2nd block chapters 6 – 11
3rd block Chapter 12 – 19
4th block Chapter 20 – 22
This is also consistent with the content of the individual chapters of the Revelation.
Content from the 1st topic block
Chapter 1 Revelation begins with the sender John, who received this revelation from an angel. The angel was sent by Jesus Christ, who received this revelation directly from God. The addressees are the seven communities in Asia Minor
Chapter 2 + 3 Afterwards, John is asked to write a missive to the seven churches in Asia Minor, where each church is judged by Jesus Christ
Chapter 4 + 5 John sees the throne of God and the Lamb Jesus Christ. This is considered worthy to open the seven seals that keep the Book of Revelation closed
With the worship of
24 elders
ends the1st topic block
Content from the 2nd theme block
Chapter 6, By opening the first four seals, John sees four horsemen and Hades. The fifth seal causes the slaughtered souls of the faithful disciples to call Jesus impatiently from the altar. The opening of the sixth seal is perceived by the people of the earth, because the sky darkens and stars fall from the sky. People panic
Chapter 7 shows us how the angels hold the four winds until all the servants of God are sealed. John hears the number of sealed, which are 144,000, 12,000 each from the individual tribes of Israel. Afterwards he sees a large crowd, who had washed their garments in the blood of Jesus.
Chapter 8 The seventh seal is opened, and seven trumpets are distributed to seven angels. Another angel comes with a smoker. This smoked barrel is made with fire from The first angel blows his trumpet. Hail and fire mixed with blood come to earth. One third of the earth, trees and grass are burnt (chapter 8,7). The second angel blows his trumpet. A mountain burning with fire falls to earth. One third of the sea becomes blood (chapters 8,8 – 9). The third angel blows his trumpet. A big burning star named Absinthe falls to the ground. One third of the fresh water becomes bitter (chapters 8,10 – 11). The fourth angel blows his trumpet. One-third of the moon, the stars and the sun are darkened (chapters 8, 11-12).
An eagle rises and announces three woes to the last three trumpets (Chapter 8:13)
Chapter 9 With the fifth trumpet John sees a star falling from the sky, receiving the keys of the abyss. He releases grasshopper-like creatures that torment people. That’s the first woe.
With the sixth trumpet the four angels are released from the Euphrates. One in three people is killed with 20,000,000 creatures The uncircumcised do not repent (chapters 9, 13-21).
Chapter 10 Now an angel appears with a mighty voice. He announces the end of the mystery with the blowing of the seventh trumpet. Then the angel gives John a book to eat, which tastes sweet, but bitter in the stomach. John is asked to continue to prophesy.
The last 3 1/2 years begin
Chapter 11 John is given a standard by which he is to judge the temple without the courtyards, for these are given 42 months to the Gentiles.
Two witnesses will prophesy in sackcloth at the same time. For the time of the divination, the two witnesses are endowed with power.
(Chapter 11.3-6)
After 3 1/2 years, they are killed. After three days they come back to life and have an Ascension. This is the second woe (chapters 11.1-14).
(Chapters 11.1-14). Christ takes power. It spoils those who destroy the earth. The time of the court has come. It is the third woe (chapters 11: 15-19).
The 24 elders settle down and worship.
In order toends the 2nd theme block
It ends the first part the last trumpet is blown .
The third theme block is the same time as the second theme block
Chapter 12 A pregnant woman appears in the sky. She is about to give birth to a child. A fire-red dragon waits for the born to devour it, but the child is caught up and the woman flees into the desert. Then Michael fights with this dragon and throws him to the earth, whereupon this dragon, who is Satan the devil, begins with the persecution of the disciples of Jesus.
Chapter 13 A wild animal emerges from the sea. The dragon gives this animal power, whereupon the animal adores the dragon. Also, this animal is having the holy war. Another animal with two horns appears. This animal makes a picture of the first animal. All people are forced to worship this image. Also every human should get a mark of the picture of the animal. If you refuse to accept this sign, you will be persecuted and killed.
Chapter 14 John sees 144,000 people standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion. These 144,000 are the firstfruits purchased from Earth. These have not stained. (Chapters 14,1 – 5)
An angel is flying in the sky with the good news. Another angel announces that Babylon the Great has fallen. A third angel warns against worshiping the image of the wild beast, as these people feel the wrath of God. Who dies by the wild animal, can be lucky. (Chapters 14,6 -13)
Chapter 15 There appear seven angels with the seven plagues of God. John sees the temple of God with those who have overcome the wild beast. These praise God. The temple is filled with smoke.
Chapter 16 The 7 bowls of the wrath of God are poured on the earth. It is now organized by the dragon a counterattack. Three frogs or ghosts gather the kings of the earth for a war against God. The seventh shell is poured into the air. The biggest earthquakes in history happen. Also, hunderstones weighing hundreds of pounds fall on people.
Chapter 17 The angel with the seventh bowl shows John the destruction of Babylon the Great. John sees a woman in purple sitting on a scarlet animal. This is Babylon the Great, the woman is called the mother of the whores. The animal on which the whore sits looks very much like the wild animal. It comes out of the abyss and goes back there.
This animal will have an hour of power with the wild animal. It is an eighth king. It will fight against the Lamb Jesus Christ. This animal from the abyss will destroy the whore.
Chapter 18 Afterwards, pay attention to the whore Babylon. God’s people are warned to go out of Babylon. Babylon is destroyed. The merchants of this earth are mourning for her. An angel throws a millstone into the sea to show how Babylon the Great is smashed down. She was intoxicated with the blood of the saints.
The adoration of the 24 elders ends
3nd theme block
Off 19:4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. Alleluja!«
Chapter 19 A large crowd in heaven cheers. They are happy, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, the bride has made for the groom. Happy, who has accepted the invitation to the wedding supper. Jesus Christ rides a white horse and cleanses the earth of all enemies of God.
Again, the judgment of God ends as in Chapter 11 The 4th block now deals with the blessings
Chapter 20 An angel throws Satan into the abyss. Thrones are set up for the faithful disciples of Jesus. They will reign 1000 years with Christ as priests and kings. (Chapters 20: 1-6) After 1000 years, Satan is released from the abyss to seduce the nations once more. Then he is thrown into the lake of fire, the second death.
The judgment on other people, both righteous and unjust, begins (at the beginning of the 1000 years) (chapters 20, 11-15)
Chapter 21 The New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ, comes to earth. All people are invited to come to the source of living water. Every tear will be wiped from the eyes. Below is a description of this New Jerusalem.
Off 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Chapter 22 The blessings are shown. It follows the request to keep these words, because they are true.
