BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Revelation
22 chapters
Through the revelation of Jesus Christ, God unveils the victorious end of history and the hope of a new creation for His persecuted saints.
Revelation
Choose a chapter
Pick a chapter and it opens in the Current chapter tab. Come back here whenever you want to choose another one.
Why this book was written
Written around AD 95 to the seven churches of Asia Minor and all believers of every era, Revelation addresses churches under Roman persecution and threatened by heresy and compromise. From his exile on Patmos, John writes to comfort suffering saints, warn wayward congregations, unveil Christ's decisive victory and certain return, and call the church to faithful endurance until God's kingdom is fully revealed.
Structure
- 1–3Christ's Vision and the Seven Churches
- 4–5Worship at the Throne and the Seven Seals
- 6–11The Seven Trumpets and the Two Witnesses
- 12–14The Dragon, the Beasts, and the Lamb's War
- 15–19The Seven Bowls and the Fall of Babylon
- 20–22The Millennium, Final Judgment, and the New Creation
Major themes
Christ's Sovereignty and Return
Revelation portrays the exalted Christ (Rev 1), the slain Lamb (Rev 5), and the King of kings returning on a cloud (Rev 19), declaring that God's kingdom will surely come.
Perseverance and Faithful Witness
The seven letters (Rev 2–3) call believers to hold fast truth, overcome trials, and promise the crown of life and hidden manna to the conqueror (Rev 2:7, 2:10, 3:5).
Eschatological Judgment and Salvation
The seals, trumpets, and bowls (Rev 6–16) display God's righteous wrath against evil while preserving His servants; the 144,000 are sealed and the two witnesses are raised (Rev 11).
Cosmic Conflict and Covenant Victory
The dragon, beast, and false prophet (Rev 12–13) war against the Lamb, but the Lamb overcomes them by His blood (Rev 12:11).
The Holy City, New Jerusalem
God's tabernacle is with humanity, the Bride is adorned for her Husband (Rev 19:7–9, 21:2), and all things are made new as God wipes every tear (Rev 21:4–5).
How it points to Christ
At the heart of Revelation stands Jesus Christ — the First and the Last, who died and now lives (Rev 1:17–18). Only the slain Lamb is worthy to open the seven seals and receive power and glory (Rev 5:5–12). He will rule the nations with an iron scepter and be revealed as the glorious King (Rev 19:11–16). He is the source of all light in the new creation — the Lamb is the city's lamp (Rev 21:22–23), and believers overcome only by His blood, word, and testimony.
Key verses
- 1:8Christ declares Himself the Almighty One who was, is, and is to come, anchoring the book's theme of divine sovereignty and eternity.
- 5:5–6The slain Lamb alone is worthy to open the scroll, revealing that redemption and judgment belong to the crucified Christ.
- 12:10–11The dragon is cast down and the saints overcome by the Lamb's blood and their witness—core comfort for the persecuted church.
- 17:14The Lamb will overcome all who war against Him, for He is Lord of lords—sealing history's ultimate outcome.
- 19:11–16Christ rides forth on a white horse with eyes like fire to judge and make war in righteousness.
- 21:1–5A new heaven and new earth with the new Jerusalem descend, and God dwells with His people wiping away every tear—the climax of biblical hope.
- 22:20Jesus personally promises 'I am coming soon,' serving as the book's closing word and the church's enduring hope.
- 2:10The Smyrna church is called to be faithful unto death to receive the crown of life—a promise to suffering believers.
Films & series on Revelation
Each has a guide: scripture sources, where it departs from the Bible, discussion questions, and where to watch
Left Behind
Film · 2000
After learning that millions have completely vanished, an airline pilot, a journalist, and others work together to unravel the mystery of those left behind.
Left Behind
Film · 2014
A small group of survivors are left behind after millions of people suddenly vanish during the rapture and the world is plunged into chaos and destruction.
Reflections on Revelation
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·In your present circumstances, is Jesus' word to the seven churches — such as Ephesus losing first love, or Laodicea's lukewarmness — speaking also to you?
- ·As you read of the Lamb's victory over evil, are you living today in the certainty that He has already overcome, rather than striving in your own strength?
- ·God promises in the New Jerusalem that 'death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, crying, or pain' (Rev 21:4) — how does this hope become a real comfort in your present trials?
- ·How do Revelation's warnings against worshipping the beast (Rev 14:9–11) lead you to examine the spiritual and practical idols you rely on today?
- ·When the Lord says, 'Surely I am coming soon' (Rev 22:7, 22:20), does it reorder your present routines, values, and priorities?
Want to read Revelation start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading RevelationRevelation
Chapter 6
1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.
2And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.
3And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come.
4And another horse came forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand.
6And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A measure of wheat for a shilling, and three measures of barley for a shilling; and the oil and the wine hurt thou not.
7And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come.
8And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
9And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.
12And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood;
13and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.
14And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains;
16and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?