Introduction

The Author of Revelation

The Place and Date of the Writing of Revelation

Purpose of the Book of Revelation

Interpreting the Book of Revelation

Traditional Methods of Interpretation

How to Interpret the Book of Revelation

Symbolic Nature of Revelation

Objectives of the Commentary

Literary Arrangement of Revelation

Threefold Structure of Revelation

Prologue

Prologue: Revelation 1:1-8

Introduction

Greetings and Doxology

The Theme of the Book

A Retrospect on Revelation 1:1-8

The Messages to the Seven Churches

Overview: Revelation 1:9-3:22

The Order of the Seven Messages

The Format of the Seven Messages

The Structural Pattern of the Seven Messages

The Interpretation of the Seven Messages

The Harmony of the Messages to the Seven Churches

Jesus among the Lampstands: Revelation 1:9-20

John on Patmos

The Vision of the Glorified Christ

A Retrospect on Revelation 1:9-20

Christ's Messages to the Churches: Revelation 2-3:22

Christ's Message to the Church in Ephesus

Christ's Message to the Church in Smyrna

Christ's Message to the Church in Pergamum

Christ's Message to the Church in Thyatira

Christ's Message to the Church in Sardis

Christ's Message to the Church in Philadelphia

Christ's Message to the Church in Laodicea

A Retrospect on Revelation 2-3

The Opening of the Sealed Scroll

Overview: Revelation 4-5

The Enthronement of Christ

The Sealed Scroll of Revelation 5

The Heavenly Throne Vision: Revelation 4:1-11

A Retrospect on Revelation 4

The Sealed Scroll: Revelation 5:1-14

A Retrospect on Revelation 5

Overview: Revelation 6

The Meaning of the Seven Seals

The New Testament Background of Revelation 6

The Nature of the Opening of the Seven Seals

The Opening of the Seven Seals: Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1

The Four Horsemen

The Opening of the First Seal

The Opening of the Second Seal

The Opening of the Third Seal

The Opening of the Fourth Seal

A Retrospect on the Four Horsemen

The Opening of the Last Three Seals 

The Opening of the Fifth Seal

The Opening of the Sixth Seal

The Opening of the Seventh Seal

A Retrospect on Revelation 6:9-17; 8:1

The Sealed Saints and the Great Multitude: Revelation 7:1-17

The Sealed Saints

The Great Multitude

A Retrospect on Revelation 7

Overview: Revelation 8-9

The Nature of the Blowing of the Seven Trumpets

The Timing of the Seven Trumpets

The First Six Trumpet Plagues: Revelation 8:2-9:21

The Introductory Scene: The Prayers of the Saints

The First Four Trumpets

The First Trumpet

The Second Trumpet

The Third Trumpet

The Fourth Trumpet

The First Two Woes

The Vulture's Warning

The Fifth Trumpet

The Sixth Trumpet

A Retrospect on Revelation 8-9

The Open Little Scroll: Revelation 10:1-11

The Little Scroll 

The Eating of the Scroll

A Retrospect on Revelation 10

The Two Witnesses: Revelation 11:1-14

The Measuring of the Temple

The Two Witnesses

A Retrospect on Revelation 11:1-14

The Third Woe: The Seventh Trumpet: Revelation 11:15-19

A Retrospect on Revelation 11:15-19

The Contents of the Seven-Sealed Scroll

Overview: Revelation 12-22:5

Springboard Passage: Revelation 11:18

Appearance of the Ark of the Covenant: Revelation 11:19

Counterfeit Motifs in Revelation 12-22:5

The Dragon and the Woman: Revelation 12:1-17

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

The War in Heaven

Satan and the Seed of the Woman

A Retrospect on Revelation 12

The Two Beasts: Revelation 13:1-18

The Beast from the Sea

The Beast from the Earth

A Retrospect on Revelation 13

God's Final Message to the World: Revelation 14:1-20

God's Redeemed People

The Message of the First Angel

The Message of the Second Angel

The Message of the Third Angel

The Faithful Remnant

The Two Harvests of the Earth

A Retrospect on Revelation 14

Overview: Revelation 15-18

The Theological Meaning of the Seven Last Plagues

The Timing of the Seven Last Plagues

The Trumpets and the Seven Last Plagues

The Seven Last Plagues: Revelation 15-16:21

Preparation for the Seven Last Plagues

The Execution of the Five Last Plagues

The Sixth Plague

The Seventh Plague

A Retrospect on Revelation 15-16

Prostitute Babylon and the Resurrected Beast: Revelation 17:1-18

Prostitute Babylon

The Resurrected Beast

A Retrospect on Revelation 17

The Judgment of Babylon: Revelation 18:1-24

Call to Separate from Babylon

Lament for Babylon

A Retrospect on Revelation 18

The Two Suppers: Revelation 19:1-21

The Wedding Supper of the Lamb

The Great Supper of God

A Retrospect on Revelation 19

The Millennium and the Final Judgment: Revelation 20:1-15

The Fate of Satan

The Final Judgment

A Retrospect on Revelation 20

The Restored Earth: Revelation 21-22:5

The New Heaven and Earth

The New Jerusalem

A Retrospect on Revelation 21-22:5

Epilogue

The Epilogue: Revelation 22:6-21

A Retrospect on Revelation 22:6-21

Reference Materials

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Scripture References

Index of Extrabiblical Literature