An overview of The Book of Revelation by Natchi Lazarus

1. The Book of Revelation
An Overview
- Natchi Lazarus

2. A Special Book
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the
words of this prophecy, and keep those things which
are written in it; for the time is near - 1:3

3. More reasons for its speciality
• Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ
• Details about the Anti-Christ
• Events of the Tribulation Period
• Ultimate End of Satan
• The Future Glorification of the Church
• The Future Position of the Saints
• Place which Christ has gone to prepare for us

4. Key Connection with Genesis
• The Great Grand Plan of the Triune God which started in
Genesis ends in Revelation
• Starting from Genesis, every event in history builds up to
the climax in Revelation
• It’s a thrilling and awe inspiring end to the story of The
Bible - ‘Our’ story in & through Christ
• Authenticity of The Bible as the manual for life & the book
that is the written ‘Will of God’ for His Church (that is us)
is complete with The Book of Revelation

5. Book of Genesis
vs
Book of Revelation

6. Genesis
• Starts with a ‘garden’, a place
given to Man, to begin life
• Ends with a ‘city’, a paradise
prepared for Man, for eternity
Revelation
• We see the beginning of man’s
rebellion against God
• We see the end of man’s
rebellion against God
• Genesis reveals the first murderer,
the first drunk, the first rebel
• Revelation reveals a place
where there is no entry for evil
• Genesis introduces the tears &
sorrow that comes through Sin
• Revelation shows us how God will
wipe away all tears and sorrows
• Genesis: Records the first
death
• Revelation: We see no more
death

7. Genesis
• Genesis shows the beginning
of the curse
• Revelation shows the end of
the curse
Revelation
• Genesis introduces Satan as
the tempter of man
• Revelation shows the banishing
and end of the tempter
• Genesis promises that Satan’s
head will be bruised
• Revelation shows how he gets
defeated
• Man lost his access to & the
chance to eat the fruit of the
Tree of Life
• Man get back his access and the
chance to eat the fruit of the Tree
of Life

8. Interpreting The Book of Revelation
Types of views
1. Preterist: A view that says the book records the events that have
already happened, not the future.
2. Idealist: A view that says everything in the book needs to be
viewed figuratively. This is spiritual interpretation. Nothing is
straight forward. All parables & illustrations.
3. Futurist: A view that believes most of the events are for the future
and may not be relevant now. Primarily from 4th chapter onwards.
4. Historicist: A view that says John is describing the events that is
happening in the church age - From Book of Acts to the end,
when the Lord comes.

10. How do we interpret?

11. Balanced Interpretation:
Factual Interpretation
+
Symbols, Parables &
Illustrations

12. When was it written?
• Was it during Nero’s time - Nero (AD 54 to 68)?
• But his mad acts against Christians was restricted to Rome
• Church of Smyrna (v2:8) did not exist until 60s
• Church of Laodicea is described rich, but it was destroyed in
earthquake of AD 61
• So Nero’s time may not be right
• Domitian (AD 81 to 96) compelled Christians to participate in Caesar
Worship (“our lord and god” - dominus et deus noster)
• So, probable date is towards end of Domitian Reign - AD 90 to 95
• Many testimonies corroborate this - Iraneus, Clement, Origen &
Eusebius (Early Church Fathers)

13. Some of the ways to read

14. Based on Christ
3 sections
• Chapter 1 to 3 - Christ & the Church age
• Chapter 4 to 18 - Christ & the Tribulation Period
• Chapter 19 to 22 - Christ & the Future Period

15. Based on key concepts
7 sections
• Opening: 1:1 to 8
1. Section 1 upto 3:22
2. Section 2 upto 8:1
3. Section 3 upto 11:19
4. Section 4 upto 14:20
5. Section 5 upto 16:21
6. Section 6 upto 19:21
7. Section 7 upto 22:5
• Closing: 22:6 onwards

16. Based on the Key Topics
9 sections
1. Introduction & Vision of Jesus Christ - 1:1-20
2. Letters to the churches - 2:1 to 3:22
3. Vision of Heaven - 4:1 to 5:14
4. 7 seals - 6:1 to 8:2
5. 7 Trumpets - 8:3 to 11:19
6. Child Birth & Satanic Trinity - 12:1 to 14:20
7. 7 Bowls- 15:1 to 18:24
8. Final Victory & Judgement - 19:1 to 20:15
9. Heavenly Jerusalem, Warnings & Promises - 21:1 to 22:21

17. 1. Opening
1:1-20
• Revelation of Jesus Christ - He is the central character
• Revelation by Jesus Christ - He is the source
• Revelation through Jesus Christ - He is the medium
• The blessings for anyone who reads, hears and seeks
• John’s Greetings to the churches - For the whole book
• Interesting how John puts the Trinity in this order - Father, Spirit &
the Son (v 4 & 5)
• Reference to us being made as Kings & Priests
• John’s first vision of Jesus - lamp stand, stars, eyes, sword, etc

18. 2. Letters to Churches
2:1 to 3:22
• Seven Churches as the representatives of the ‘Body of
Christ’ with various problems and achievements
• He starts statement for each church with the term ‘I
know’ - indicating Christ’s interest and awareness of
His redeemed body
• Note the introduction and the reward for all seven
sections - It is very interesting

19. Introduction
• Holds 7 stars & walks in the
midst of 7 lamp stands
• Give the Tree of Life in the
midst of Paradise
Reward
• First and last who was dead
and came back to life
• Shall not be hurt by the
second death, crown of life
• Who has the sharp two-edge
sword
• Manna and the white stone
with name
• Eyes like fire of flames and
feet like brass
• Power over the nations to rule
and reign, Morning star
• Who is holy, has the key of
David to open doors
• Make him a pillar in the temple,
eternal presence, Write new name
• Faithful, True Witness,
Beginning of the creation
• Sit with him on his throne, just like
Christ who overcame and got the place
• Who had the 7 spirits of God
and 7 stars
• White Garments, Name in
book of life, Confess his name

20. Ephesus
• Wealthy, Cosmopolitan (250,000 population), Trade by water
and land
• Home to Diana Temple (7 wonders)
• Paul spent 3 years
• Acts 20:29 talks about wolves coming, which is fulfilled
• Christ asks them to remember where they started and from
where they have fallen
• Lesson for us: Remember the beginning & do not lose the first
love

21. Smyrna
• 35 miles north of Ephesus, commercial centre
• Renowned for ritual worship of roman emperor (Tiberius
temple)
• No condemnation, only commendation
• This letter probably strengthened Polycarp (made bishop by
John himself) and was martyred later in 156 according to
Irenaeus and Tertullian
• Second death at Final Judgement is defeated
• Lesson for us: Be faithful unto death

22. Pregamos
• 50 miles north of Smyrna, once a roman capital of Asia
• The word parchment comes from this name - It had great libraries,
temples and altars (Zeus, Asclepius - God of Healing, snake)
• Church had enemies within
• Sacrifices food - Zeus sacrifice was big, there was always smoke
in the city. And the meat sold was after this sacrifice.
• Sexual immorality & Nicolaitan teaching
• Lord fights with double-edge sword
• Lesson for us: Even in Satan’s throne, be faithful

23. Thyratira
• 45 miles south east of Pergamum (road to Sardis)
• Commercially active, trade guilds (unions) archaeologists have found
many records.
• These guilds had parties and banquet with sacrifices to gods and
pagan worship
• Now christians had to choose between business and faith - The lord
sees it
• The woman (compared to Jezebel) is leading people away from God
• Lesson for us: Keep away from sin / idolatry & have hope (morning
star)

24. Sardis
• 30 miles south of Thyatira - commercial, industrial city at
junction of 5 roads
• Ruled by great king Croesus, conquered many times,
destroyed by earthquake and rebuilt by Tiberius
• Church was nominal and not strong, so Christ presents Himself
as a spiritual authority with 7 spirits and stars & asks the church
to wake up!
• He warns them about coming like a thief in the night
• Lesson for us: Stop living a nominal Christian life, Christ is
powerful and can do amazing things in the spiritual realm to
help us live an excellent life

25. Philadelphia
• 35 miles south east of Sardis - “one who loves his brother” -
Attalus II Philadelphos, and his love for his brother Eumenes
• Historian Strabo called it “City of Earthquakes”
• Very different from Church of Sardis - Poor, small and harassed
• Christ encourages them by appreciating the faith and telling
them he is opening doors.
• The pillar as reward - Temple of solomon
• Lesson for us: When we are weak and small, Christ comes to
compensate our weakness and helps us stand strong

26. Laodicea
• 40 miles south east of Philadelphia - Textile Industry & Medical centre of
Phyrgia, famous for its Salve
• Rich city - after earthquake in 61, citizens refused aid from Rome and rebuilt
it with their own money
• Severe condemnation among 7 churches as Luke warm - probably because
of wealth, they lost their zeal.
• Eye salve - a famous product of Laodicea
• Specially to this church Christ introduces himself as “The Amen” - the one
through whom its all ‘Be’ ing!
• Knocking on door and not forcing… as rich people it’s difficult for them to
open it.
• Lesson for us: May our riches and success never make us luke warm, keep
the zeal and get a chance to use the prosperity to rule with christ in his throne

27. 3. Vision of Heaven
4 & 5
• Need imagination to untangle the complexity of the statements
• Heaven’s pictures may not have good symbols on earth to
convey the exact meaning, so John used the Jewels/Gems -
Jasper, sardius stones
• 24 thrones, elders, crowns, sea of glass, living creatures, etc
• The awesome picture of the God of Heavens
• Worthy to open the scrolls, John become emotional here
• Seven horns, eyes etc depicts the ‘perfect’ authority and power
of Jesus that came from being a humble lamb that went to the
cross

28. 4. Seven Seals
6 to 8
• Church struggle with conflict & persecution
• Judgment of God upon church enemies
• First 4 seals make up one picture - horses
• 5 and 6 seals make up one picture - Martyrs White
Robe & Disturbances
• Chapter 7 with 144,000 + Multitude
• Then the 7th seal, which is prelude to the 7 Trumpets
(action from God’s perspective)

29. 5. Seven Trumpets
8 to 11
• Grouped into 4 and 3 pictures
• These judgements are similar to the plagues of Egypt - Rome’s
persecution of Christians was similar to Israel's slavery in Egypt
• Pharaoh’s stubbornness is seen on the people also - Even after a third or
so are affected the rest don't repent.
• First 4 trumpets affect nature and thus people & Last 2 Trumpets evoke
demonic forces affecting people directly
• Little Book & Two Witnesses
• Then the 7th Trumpet which almost makes it look like it could be a perfect
end to the book of revelation
• But we have 10 more chapters! So there is a clear divide in the book at
this stage

30. 6. Child Birth & Satanic Trinity
12 to 14
• Flash back - Christ Birth & Herod’s attempt to destroy him,
explained from a spirit realm view
• There is a picture of the Dragon (Satan) persistent about
wanting to hurt God’s children & a picture of hope where he is
defeated
• Two beasts - Satan’s agents appear - One symbolising
Roman Empire & the other symbolising Paganism. Along with
the Dragon this formed a counterfeit trinity
• Many symbolism appear in this section - 666, marks on
forehead, right hand
• Proclamation of the Angels

31. 7. Seven Bowls
15 to 18
• Following the seals & Trumpets, seven bowls of God’s
wrath is poured out
• Last and final visitations, bringing to close God’s warnings
• Before bowls are poured out the saints are said to be safe
& victorious
• Battle of Armageddon - alludes to the mountain of
Megiddo
• Woman and the beast
• Fall of Babylon - Rome! While Rome was still well & thriving

32. 8. Final Victory & Judgement
19 & 20
• Setting changed to Heaven with celebrations beginning
- indicating the end of satan is coming soon
• Bride & Groom relationship emphasised again
• Preparatory visions to the end - Conquering Christ as
the rider, Final face-to-face battle
• Victory by the word
• Satan bound - 1000 year period + Cast into lake of fire
• Great White Throne of Judgement

33. 10. Heavenly Jerusalem, Warning & Promises
21 & 22
• Magnificent climax with the New Jerusalem, New Earth and
New Heaven
• New Jerusalem ‘comes down’ (twice) - not a city formed by
association of men or community, but from God himself
• River of Life
• Warning: Christ will come soon, repent, no time. Or stay outside
the city
• Promise: Entry into this great new city through the gates
• Final confirmation by Christ himself that he is ‘coming quickly’
• Ends with Grace - Undeserved Favour!

34. The Book of Revelation
An Overview
- Natchi Lazarus
email: natchi@gmail.com
twitter: @natchilazarus
www.wordatwork.tv