Revelation, by itself, is the fourth of four major divisions of the New Testament. The other divisions, other than Revelation, are the Gospels (which includes Acts), the General Epistles and the Epistles of Paul.
Date Written, Location
The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John between 95 and 95 A.D. It was recorded on Patmos, an Aegean Sea island roughly thirty-seven miles (59.5 kilometers) southwest of ancient Miletus.
[Map Showing Where Revelation Written]
The island on which Revelation was penned is tiny, with a land area of only about 13.15 square miles (34 square kilometers). Patmos, in modern times, boasts a population of 3,238 (2021). Although the island is relatively close to Turkey, it is part of the nation of Greece.
The Author
The Apostle John, at the time of writing Revelation, was the last of the original twelve apostles who were still alive. John was banished to Patmos by Roman Emperor Domitian, "because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:9, HBFV).
John, after writing Revelation, was freed in 96 A.D. by Emperor Nerva. He travels to Ephesus, after receiving his freedom, where he will spend his last years canonizing both the Old and New Testaments. John dies of natural causes around 100 A.D.
[Picture of John's Tomb in Ephesus]
Time Period
The book of Revelation begins with Jesus giving instructions to John and then offering a spiritual assessment to seven churches that existing in John's time (Revelation 1 - 3). Chapter 4 to the end of the book, however, delineates events, "which shall be hereafter" (Rev. 1:19) or those that will start to take place in the prophetic end times.
Revelation 1 to 11 Outline
Chpt. 1: Introduction to Revelation. Jesus establishes who he is by stating he is the Alpha and Omega, the faithful Witness, the ruler of the kings of the world and so on. He commands John to write down all that he sees.
[What Does Alpha and Omega Symbolize?]
Chpt. 2: Jesus gives a spiritual evaluation of the churches existing in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos and Thyatira.
Chpt. 3: Jesus offers his evaluation of the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, the last three of Revelation's seven churches.
[Map of Revelation's Seven Churches!]
Chpt. 4: Introduction to God's throne in heaven along with twenty-four enthroned elders who sit around it. Four spiritual creatures are also shown, each covered with eyes and possessing six wings, which serve God day and night.
Chpt. 5: A scroll with seven seals appears in God's right hand which only Jesus can open. Jesus is worshipped as God not only by those in heaven but also by all life on earth.
Chpt. 6: Jesus, as the Lamb of God, opens the first six seals of the scroll he received from God the Father.
The first seal of Revelation is opened and a rider on a white horse is shown who is given a crown and the power to conquer (Revelation 6:2). The second seal reveals a red horse which symbolizes the power to take away peace from earth (verse 4). The third seal shows a black horse that stand for famine (verses 5 and 6). The fourth seal reveals a pale horse that represents the death of 25% of all humans (verse 8).
[Who Are the Four Horsemen
of the Apocalypse?]
The fifth seal offers a view of the heavenly altar before God where the spirits of those martyred cry out for revenge (Revelation 6:9 - 11). The sixth seal causes a great earthquake that violently shakes the earth! The sun is darkening, the moon looks like blood and stars commonly seen in the sky disappear (verses 12 to 16).
Chpt. 7: 144,000 Israelites are called and become converted Christians. A far larger great multitude of people are also converted and die during the Great Tribulation period.
Chpt. 8: Opening of Revelation's seventh seal causes a short period of silence in heaven. Seven angels receive seven trumpets which represent God's judgment.
The first trumpet is blown which causes one third of all trees and all the grass to burn up. The second trumpet causes one third of all sea-based life to die as well as destroying one third of all ships. The third trumpet heralds a space object called Wormwood striking the earth and causing a third of all drinkable water to become poisonous.
When the fourth trumpet is blown a third of the sun, moon and stars are darkened. The last three trumpets to be blown are labeled "woes" (Revelation 8:13).
Chpt. 9: When Revelation's fifth trumpet is blown humans who have refused to repent will be tormented, and not allowed to die, for five months! The sixth trumpet causes four powerful demonic spirits to be set free and allowed to kill a third of all humanity. The army they will deceive will number 200 million fighters who will carry out the killing of humans (Revelation 9:16 - 18).
Chpt. 10: A little book (scroll) is opened which leads to "seven thunders" speaking. The words they speak, however, are not allowed to be written by John.
Chpt. 11: John is given a measuring rod to measure God's temple except for the outer court. The Two Witnesses, whose ministry in the end time will last 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3) and their ministry are introduced.
Amazing Facts About Revelation