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The Book of Revelation was one of the last books to be fully accepted into the New Testament Canon largely due to its difficulty in being understood.  To this day the Eastern Orthodox church does not include it in its Divine Liturgy (though it is included in Roman Catholic and Protestant ones).  [[Martin Luther]] did not consider it to be apostolic or prophetic in 1522 (though by 1530 he had largely changed his view); [[John Calvin]] did not write a commentary on it (the only Biblical book on which he did not).

The Book of Revelation was one of the last books to be fully accepted into the New Testament Canon largely due to its difficulty in being understood.  To this day the Eastern Orthodox church does not include it in its Divine Liturgy (though it is included in Roman Catholic and Protestant ones).  [[Martin Luther]] did not consider it to be apostolic or prophetic in 1522 (though by 1530 he had largely changed his view); [[John Calvin]] did not write a commentary on it (the only Biblical book on which he did not).

==Introduction==

===Introduction===

Chapter 1 is John's introduction to the book.

Chapter 1 is John's introduction to the book.

John explains that he was exiled to Patmos for preaching the Gospel.  While in the Spirit on the Lord's Day (Sunday) Jesus Christ appears to him with a countenance bright as the son, walking in the midst of seven golden candlesticks holding seven stars, with a two-edged sword proceeding from His mouth.  John is instructed to "[w]rite the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (verse 19) and send them to seven specified congregations located in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey): the congregations at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

John explains that he was exiled to Patmos for preaching the Gospel.  While in the Spirit on the Lord's Day (Sunday) Jesus Christ appears to him with a countenance bright as the son, walking in the midst of seven golden candlesticks holding seven stars, with a two-edged sword proceeding from His mouth.  John is instructed to "[w]rite the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter" (verse 19) and send them to seven specified congregations located in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey): the congregations at Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

==Letters to the Churches==

===Letters to the Churches===

Chapters 2 and 3 consist of seven letters, one each to the seven churches listed in Chapter 1.

Chapters 2 and 3 consist of seven letters, one each to the seven churches listed in Chapter 1.

Four of the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira) are commended for their actions but also warned that if they did not repent of certain deeds done, punishment would come upon them.  The church at Philadelphia is commended only and not admonished; the churches at Sardis and Laodicea are not commended at all but only admonished (the wording for the Laodicean church differs from the others in that they are either told or warned of impending punishment—the KJV says that he "would spew them out of his mouth", while other translations state that it was a warning of future punishment—then told to repent).

Four of the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira) are commended for their actions but also warned that if they did not repent of certain deeds done, punishment would come upon them.  The church at Philadelphia is commended only and not admonished; the churches at Sardis and Laodicea are not commended at all but only admonished (the wording for the Laodicean church differs from the others in that they are either told or warned of impending punishment—the KJV says that he "would spew them out of his mouth", while other translations state that it was a warning of future punishment—then told to repent).

==Prophetic Visions==

===Prophetic Visions===

From Chapter 4 through the end of the book are shown the numerous prophetic visions for which Revelation is best known, even in the secular world.

From Chapter 4 through the end of the book are shown the numerous prophetic visions for which Revelation is best known, even in the secular world.

The events of the book are largely centered around two periods: a seven-year period widely known as The [[Tribulation]] (during which the judgments revealed will take place), followed immediately thereafter by a 1,000-year period widely known as The [[Millennial Reign]] (also sometimes called the "Millennium", which means "1,000 years") when Jesus Christ will reign as King over all the Earth.

The events of the book are largely centered around two periods: a seven-year period widely known as The [[Tribulation]] (during which the judgments revealed will take place), followed immediately thereafter by a 1,000-year period widely known as The [[Millennial Reign]] (also sometimes called the "Millennium", which means "1,000 years") when Jesus Christ will reign as King over all the Earth.

===Tribulation===

====Tribulation====

The events of the Tribulation are outlined in Chapters 4 through 18.  However, it is commonly believed that Chapters 12-14 recount past events (such as the war in Heaven featuring Satan and his demons vs. Michael and his angels).<ref>For example see Matthew Henry's commentary: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/12.html</ref>

The events of the Tribulation are outlined in Chapters 4 through 18.  However, it is commonly believed that Chapters 12-14 recount past events (such as the war in Heaven featuring Satan and his demons vs. Michael and his angels).<ref>For example see Matthew Henry's commentary: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/12.html</ref>

Ultimately world events will lead to a final battle between the nations of the world (led by the Antichrist) and Israel culminating at the Battle of [[Armageddon]].  Israel will find itself on the brink of extinction when Jesus Christ Himself will return with an army (commonly believed to consist of all Christians from all of history) and defeat the Antichrist and False Prophet.

Ultimately world events will lead to a final battle between the nations of the world (led by the Antichrist) and Israel culminating at the Battle of [[Armageddon]].  Israel will find itself on the brink of extinction when Jesus Christ Himself will return with an army (commonly believed to consist of all Christians from all of history) and defeat the Antichrist and False Prophet.

====Plagues====

=====Plagues=====

During the Tribulation period a total of 21 judgments are pronounced on the earth, grouped into three series of seven judgments each.  The first seven are announced by the breaking of Seals, the next seven announced by the blowing of Trumpets, and the final seven announced by the pouring out of Bowls.

During the Tribulation period a total of 21 judgments are pronounced on the earth, grouped into three series of seven judgments each.  The first seven are announced by the breaking of Seals, the next seven announced by the blowing of Trumpets, and the final seven announced by the pouring out of Bowls.

*The "consecutive" or "crescendo" interpretation teaches that the next set of judgments occur after the previous set of judgments, and increase in harshness between them.  As such, the Seal judgments are followed by the Trumpet judgments and finally by the Bowl judgments.

*The "consecutive" or "crescendo" interpretation teaches that the next set of judgments occur after the previous set of judgments, and increase in harshness between them.  As such, the Seal judgments are followed by the Trumpet judgments and finally by the Bowl judgments.

====The [[Whore of Babylon]]====

=====The [[Whore of Babylon]]=====

After the seventh Bowl judgment is pronounced on the Earth, Chapter 17 shows a vision of a harlot, riding on a scarlet-colored beast having seven heads, ten horns, and blasphemous names all over its body.  Chapter 18 proclaims its destruction to the sorrow of the world's people.

After the seventh Bowl judgment is pronounced on the Earth, Chapter 17 shows a vision of a harlot, riding on a scarlet-colored beast having seven heads, ten horns, and blasphemous names all over its body.  Chapter 18 proclaims its destruction to the sorrow of the world's people.

The Whore of Babylon has been the subject of great controversy as to its representation.  Historically Protestants have claimed the chapters refer to the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>For an example see [[Matthew Henry]]'s Complete Commentary on Revelation 17:https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html</ref>  This interpretation is not as common in modern times due to ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and some Protestant groups, but is still prevalent, especially among [[fundamentalist]] branches of Protestantism.

The Whore of Babylon has been the subject of great controversy as to its representation.  Historically Protestants have claimed the chapters refer to the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>For an example see [[Matthew Henry]]'s Complete Commentary on Revelation 17:https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html</ref>  This interpretation is not as common in modern times due to ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and some Protestant groups, but is still prevalent, especially among [[fundamentalist]] branches of Protestantism.

===Millennial Reign===

====Millennial Reign====

After the Tribulation period begins the events of the Millennial Reign, found from Chapter 19 through the end of the book.

After the Tribulation period begins the events of the Millennial Reign, found from Chapter 19 through the end of the book.