Here's how I *see* & understand the Book of Revelation. You may have to use this page as a guide and read with these points in mind to understand my viewpoint. If you still disagree, that's fine, we can agree to disagree, agreeably. I use and recommend the KJV bible for scriptures. Blessings in Jesus ;o}
Rev 1 ----------> Intro: John called up to the throne room in heaven to receive the vision.
Rev 2-3 -------> The seven churches, which (through us) still exist today.
Rev 4 ----------> Back to John and his vision in heaven, with the four beasts and the 24 elders present.
*** The end of this chapter is NOT the rapture! ***
Rev 5-6:8 ----> The Lamb {Jesus/Yeshua} arrives in heaven, after His resurrection (or ascension) and receives the scroll from the Father, then He opens the first 5 seals.
----------------------> Seal 1, White horse & rider: false christs/prophets (including "the antichrist" yet to come; see 1Jo 2:18, 1Jo 2:22, 1Jo 4:3, and 2Jo 1:7 for definitions on the word antichrist)
----------------------> Seal 2, Red horse & rider: wars and rumors of wars
----------------------> Seal 3, Black horse & rider: famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc
----------------------> Seal 4, Pale horse & rider: death & hell following
^^^ God's four sore judgments ^^^ going out worldwide {Eze 14:21; Zec 6; see also Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 & Luke 21.}
Rev 6:9-11 ------> Seal 5 - Martyrs dying for Christ throughout the "times of the Gentiles". <<< WE ARE HERE!
Rev 6:12-17 ----> ending with a great earthquake, sun darkened, moon blood, people trying to hide in the mountains, rocks, caves to avoid the "wrath of the Lamb" --> "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" {Rev 6:17 KJV}
----------------------> I believe the great earthquake is caused by the dead in Christ coming out of their graves at their resurrection, the dust will likely cause the sun to darken and the moon to turn blood red ~ remember, this will be a worldwide event!
You may ask, "Why would He only open five seals instead of all seven?" I answer a question with a question: Why did He not read the full passage of Isaiah 61:1-2 KJV? Answer: Some things are said or done when it's time to say or do them! See Seal 6, we're not quite there yet ;o}
Rev 7:1-8 --------> The 144,000 male virgin Israelites are sealed for work during the first 3-1/2 years of the tribulation and since they are sealed, no harm will come to them during that time.
Rev 7:9-17 -------> Seal 6 - Multitudes in heaven (ALL saints of "times of the Gentiles") just prior to the wrath of the Lamb (trumpets). This is the day of our redemption when the dead in Christ are resurrected out of their graves, and we who are alive at that time will be *changed* from mortal to immortal, we will ALL be caught up (raptured) together, and so shall we ever be with our Lord.
>>> The wrath of the Lamb begins at Rev 8, the seventh seal is broken <<<
Rev 8:1-14:13 ---> Seal 7 - Wrath of the Lamb (introducing the seven trumpets), first 3-1/2 years of the tribulation period.
>>> The three woes begin at Rev 9 <<<
The three woes, which are part of the "wrath of the Lamb" (trumpet judgments) begin with the fifth trumpet as seen in Rev 9:1 but is initially warned of here ...
"And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!" {Revelation 8:13 KJV}
---> Rev 9:1-12 is the FIRST WOE: FIFTH TRUMPET "One woe is past; [and], behold, there come two woes more hereafter." {Revelation 9:12 KJV}
---> Rev 9:13-11:14 is the SECOND WOE: SIXTH TRUMPET "The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly." {Revelation 11:14 KJV}
---> Rev 11:15-19:10 is the THIRD WOE: SEVENTH TRUMPET -which are also-
THE SEVEN VIALS -or- WRATH OF GOD
-but- before those begin, we see ...
Rev 14:14-16 ----> Jesus harvests the "Tribulation Saints" just prior to the wrath of God (vials).
>>> The wrath of God begins at Rev 15, seventh trumpet is sounded <<<
Rev 15-18:24 ----> Seventh Trumpet - Wrath of God (vials), last 3-1/2 years of the tribulation period, also called the "great tribulation" and "Jacob's trouble"(* see note below). "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: ... And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God." {Revelation 14:10, 19 KJV}
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." {Revelation 15:1 KJV}
Rev 19:1-10 ------> ALL saints in heaven just prior to the Second Coming of Christ. This is not another resurrection nor rapture, it's simply ALL the saints from all three resurrections {Mat 27:52-53, Rev 7:9-17, Rev 14:14-16; along with the two witnesses, and the 144,000.}
Rev 19:11-14 ----> Jesus' Second Coming (WITH ALL of His saints) to rule & reign for 1000 years from Jerusalem. Anyone that is still alive (mortal bodies) at this time will enter into Christ's millennial kingdom ;o}
Rev 20 -------------> The devil bound for 1000 years, loosed for a short time thereafter, Gog of Magog war to end all wars. Then the Great White Throne judgment, those not found in the Lamb's Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire; death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {The first death being a natural death of our mortal bodies, Hebrews 9:27 KJV}
Rev 21 --------------> New heaven & earth, New Jerusalem descends from heaven, the Lamb's wife (ALL the saints), admonishments, description of New Jerusalem ;o}
Rev 22 -------------> Our Father comes to abide with us in New Jerusalem for eternity! And GUESS WHAT!? He's STILL talking TO THE CHURCHES ...
"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star." {Revelation 22:16 KJV}
(* Note) I'm undecided as to whether "Jacob's trouble" is the whole seven years of tribulation or just the last half of it.
Because of the three woes (trumpets 5, 6 and 7), we know that the book of Revelation IS in chronological order!
