The Revelation of Jesus Christ

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 11
 
A Brief Outline of the Last Book of the Bible
(To be followed along with JND translation)
FOREWORD
This is a book of judgments—beginning as Peter says at "the house of God" (1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)). Christ's glory and power are in view, not church truth. The Rapture (the church's proper hope) is not seen until after the main body of the prophecy has run its course, in chapter 22:16-17, 20, although referred to in chapter 3:10. After Rev. 4:11After 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 show thee things which must be hereafter. (Revelation 4:1) the rapture is assumed and the church is no longer seen on earth. When John (as a prophet) is caught up in chapter 4 he sees the church already there, included with the Old Testament saints under the figure of the four and twenty elders (1 Chron. 24:1-41Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. 3And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. 4And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. (1 Chronicles 24:1‑4)). John himself does not prefigure the rapture, but gets a change of view just as in chapter 1:10-11 he gets turned around to take a backward look.
May we value, individually and in the assembly, this book which shows how our Lord Jesus Christ will come into His own things (which were denied Him by His own people—John 1:1111He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11)) in the day of His power and glory (19:11-21). It is the writer's desire that this little outline (incomplete as it is) may be of help in stimulating meditation on this precious book. "Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written in it for the time is near" (Rev. 1:33Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3)).
A. R. 1973
1. The things which thou hast seen—all of chapter 1.
2. The things which are—all of chapters 2 and 3.
3. The things which shall be hereafter (or after these things)
—chapter 4 to the end of the book (chapter 22).