AGAPE BIBLE COLLEGE 321 North Penelope, Belton, TX 76513 REVELATION Curriculum Provided by: Harvestime International Network http://harvestime.org REVELATION THE LEGACY BIBLE OUTLINE SERIES 8 Harvestime International Institute THE LEGACY BIBLE OUTLINE SERIES The Legacy Bible Outline Series is a study of the Bible using the text of the Bible itself. The series outlines books of the Bible in simple format, providing commentary only as needed to enhance understanding. Text-based questions are also included for every chapter. We suggest you create a notebook for each book of the Bible. Insert the outlines in your notebooks and add your own study notes. Each time you study a book, you can easily append the outlines to continuously expand the materials. The Legacy Bible Outline Series is designed so you can easily personalize it. The files for the series are in MS Word format to enable you to revise, input your own notes, change page numbers, and alter the layout as needed. You can also create your own outlines for other books of the Bible using this format The text of the King James Version is included in The Legacy Bible Outline Series to enable you to underline and make notes in the actual text as part of your study. Unlike a Bible which will eventually wear out, you can photocopy worn pages if they need to be replaced--which means you won’t lose your notes and underlining. Be sure to read the text in other versions of the Bible also, as different translations will greatly enhance your study. You can print copies of the outlines for your students or--a more cost-effective method--copy the files to a CD ROM and let each student print out their own outlines. If you want students to have only the study questions and not the outlines, then copy the questions to a separate file and print them out for distribution. The Legacy Outline for Revelation also includes a commentary. If you plan to teach this material, you might want to copy the chapter outlines and study questions for your students and retain the commentary for teaching content. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line… (Isaiah 28:10, KJV) ...His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones!... (Jeremiah 20:9, NLT) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number Introduction To The Book Of Revelation 2 Outline Of The Book Of Revelation Revelation 1 7 Revelation 2 25 Revelation 3 43 Revelation 4 54 Revelation 5 75 Revelation 6 81 Revelation 7 89 Revelation 8 96 Revelation 9 103 Revelation 10 111 Revelation 11 117 Revelation 12 132 Revelation 13 143 Revelation 14 151 Revelation 15 160 Revelation 16 164 Revelation 17 174 Revelation 18 186 Revelation 19 195 Revelation 20 212 Revelation 21 231 Revelation 22 244 Epilogue 254 Supplemental Studies 258 INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION AUTHOR: John TO WHOM: Seven churches in Asia and believers in general. PURPOSE: To reveal God's plan for the world. KEY VERSE: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. (Revelation 1:19) LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: In the end, good is victorious over evil and God accomplishes His established plans and purposes. MAIN CHARACTERS: John, two unnamed witnesses of God, the Trinity of God and the false trinity of Satan. A BRIEF OUTLINE: I. The things which were: 1:1-20 II. The things which are: 1:1-3:22 III. The things which shall be hereafter: 4:1-21: REASONS TO STUDY REVELATION: 1. You receive a blessing when you study it. Blessed 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) Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7) 2. It is necessary for full maturity, as it is part of the Word. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 2 3. It enables you to understand the future and how it relates to the past and present. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John. (Revelation 1:1) 4. It authenticates the Word of God. Fulfilled prophecy authenticates that the Word is true: ...but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1 Corinthians 14:22) 5. It affects the way you live. The advent of the end-times motivates us to live holy lives, knowing that we will give an account of all things: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. (2 Peter 3:11) 6. It motivates you to reach out to a lost and dying world. When we know that time is short, we realize--as Jesus did: I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4) 7. It enables you to understand God's plan: From the beginning of time, God had a master plan for the world: (He) planned for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ (both) things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:10, AMP) The events happening on the earth right now and those that will occur in the future are not by chance, but were designed from the beginning of time by God. The details are recorded in His Word so believers can know the future, their part in His plan, and their ultimate destiny. Knowledge of God's end-time plan challenges you to be: -Busy working the works of God: Matthew 25:14-30. -Watching for the coming of Christ: Matthew 24:36-44. -Prepared for the future: Matthew 15:1-13. 3 GUIDELINES FOR STUDYING PROPHECY: 1. Study prophecy “in the Spirit,” not with your natural reasoning because "... the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). 2. Accept that prophecy can be understood as it is written without changes, additions, or speculations. God gave prophecy because He wants you to know about future events, so begin with the attitude that you will be able to understand it. If there are things you don't understand, don't get discouraged and quit. Record your questions for future reflection and continue on with your study. 3. Do not change literal meanings to symbolic meanings unless the text clearly indicates otherwise. 4. Keep in mind the times and circumstances under which the prophet recorded God’s message. Without knowledge of the historical background, expressions of that time may seem peculiar or difficult to understand. 5. Remember that sometimes prophets describe future events as if they were continuous and successive, but there actually may be thousands of years between. This is called “the law of prophetic perspective.” Recognize that prophecy can be fulfilled in various stages. Seek answers to these questions: -Has the prophecy been fulfilled or is it yet to be fulfilled? -Is the prophecy conditional based upon peoples' response or is it unconditional? -Does the prophecy have an immediate fulfillment, a future fulfillment, or both immediate and future? 6. Keep in mind the “law of double reference.” In some passages, two distinct meanings are indicated. For example, in Revelation 4:1 John is caught up into heaven in the Spirit to be given the Revelation. The double reference in this verse indicates the rapture of the church. 7. Study passages within their context, as many times the text itself interprets a prophetic vision or revelation. An example is Revelation 1:12-13 which is explained in 1:20. Also study each passage in context of the total revelation of God's Word. Remember that no prophecy is of private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), meaning it is not to be interpreted apart from the entire revelation of God's Word. 8. Remember that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 4 "All Scripture" includes the more difficult portions, like prophecy. 9. Understand that Jesus Christ is central to all prophecy (Revelation 19:10 and Luke 24:27). 10. Recognize that much prophecy is symbolic. Some symbols are explained, such as in Revelation 1:20; 4:5; and 5:8. Other symbols can be understood through the Old Testament such as Revelation 2:7,7 and 4:7. Others are not explained, such as Revelation 2:17. KEY SYMBOLS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION: -The number seven, as used in Revelation, symbolizes completeness, perfection, and dispensational fullness. -Seven lamp stands Revelation 1:20 The seven churches of Asia -Seven stars Revelation 1:20 Seven messengers of these churches -Seven lamps of fire Revelation 4:5 The Spirit of God -Seven seals Revelation 5-7 Authenticating God's final plan -Seven trumpets Revelation 8-9 Announcing judgment -Seven thunders Revelation 10 Symbolism unknown -Seven bowls Revelation 15-17 Final wrath of God being poured out -Seven heads Revelation 17:9 Seven mountains where the woman sits -The tree of life Revelation 22:2 Eternal life (Genesis 2:9) -Hidden Manna Revelation 2:17 Heavenly food (Psalm 78:24; Hebrews 9:4) -Rod of iron Revelation