The full notes and outline are currently being used by various preaching schools, universities and seminaries

by Jim Blevins

1. THE SEVEN CHURCHES - CHAPTERS 1-3
   
   1. THE SOVEREIGN CHRIST OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES - 1:1-20
      This is the revelation and the revealing of a different side of Jesus Christ. It is written by John the Apostle, specifically to the churches in Asia during the first century, and generically to the church for all time. Chapter one shows the glorified Jesus. The book shows him as the king of heaven and earth, and his glorious accomplishment in dealing with the Roman Empire. Also, we see Jesus dealing with his people -both the faithful and the unfaithful. The book is written in symbolic or figurative language. Why? Because as the saying goes "A picture is worth a thousand words." John paints us a picture, and we fill in the words. To read, understand, and obey the principles in this book is to be blessed by God.
   2. THE SEVEN CONDITIONS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES - 2:1-3:22
      1. EPHESUS: A STATUS-QUO PREACHER, PREACHING STATUS-QUO SERMONS, TO A STATUS-QUO CHURCH - 2:1-7
         The church in Ephesus would be called a "faithful" church today and would be written up in papers across the land as an example to us all. But God defines faithful in a far different way than we do. Faithfulness is loving Jesus, and this church had stopped loving Jesus. They worshiped doctrine instead of HIM! They had hot heads and cold hearts. Law-keeping took precedent over people's feelings. They majored in minors and minored in majors. They were duty bound instead of devotion bound. All they did, they did because they were afraid not to. Oh, they worked, and they worked hard. But their efforts were not motivated by love for Christ. This church had stopped loving Jesus Christ, most likely because they stopped loving one another. Jesus does not find any fault in their practices. If we visited there, we would find visitation, senior, youth, benevolent, and evangelistic ministries. But the one ministry you would not find is a hugging ministry - a "loving one another" ministry. They were still preaching, teaching, praying, eating the Lords Supper, and singing, but they had lost the most important thing - love. The answer to their problem? Jesus! Or better yet - overcome their lack of love for Jesus. If they do they are promised a blessing.
      2. SMYRNA: A FIERY PREACHER, PREACHING FIERY SERMONS, TO A FIERY CHURCH - 2:8-11
         This is a persecuted church. It is symbolic of every persecuted church. There is no condemnation. Persecution could have made them just wither away, but most of the time it strengthens the strong and puts to flight the fearful. This church had to resist the temptation to "go along to get along." They were willing to be good citizens and rendered unto Caesar what was Caesars, as long a Caesar would allow them to render to God, what was Gods. Before long, Rome would not do that, and that is where the trouble started. Jesus knew the struggles this church was going through, and he knew their faithfulness to Him. He comforts them that the trials will not last for long. They are told to be faithful in the face of death. If they do, they are promised the victory crown.
      3. PERGAMUM: A COMPROMISING PREACHER, PREACHING COMPROMISING SERMONS, TO A COMPROMISING CHURCH - 2:12-17
         This church was a compromising church, in the sense that they did not hold the high standards that they once did. Their compromising was done under the guise of LOVE. A false love to be sure. They loved so much that they didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Their idea of love was to tolerate anything and everything. The truth was that they don't love at all. True love will not tolerate sin. Jesus is not condemning the church for teaching false doctrine, but in tolerating those who did. Not for their practice, but for what they permitted. There are those things which we cannot compromise. There are some things we may compromise on (Romans 14), but those are not the things that affect the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Any teaching that would lessen the Lordship of Christ or the holiness of a Christian - we must say "This cannot be tolerated!" They are warned of what will happen if they do not overcome the temptation to compromise with error. If they succeed, they receive a blessing. If they do not succeed they will receive a curse.
      4. THYATIRA: A LIBERAL PREACHER, PREACHING LIBERAL SERMONS, TO A LIBERAL CHURCH - 2:18-29
         Here is a church that was growing, going, serving, and on the move. In spite of all they were doing they had a problem. Their problem was moral compromise. This "Jezebel" claimed to have divine knowledge, so they listened to her. She was a woman preacher. She taught that you must KNOW what sin is in order to counsel the sinner. This church got involved in sexual immorality, which led to compromise with the truths of Gods word. Today they would be the churches who ordain women and homosexuals. Jesus tells the few who were not compromising that if they cannot do anything about it, at least hold on to what they had. At least there will still be a candle shining in Thyatira when people are looking for light. If they overcome the sin of immorality, they are promised a blessing.
      5. SARDIS: A DEAD PREACHER, PREACHING DEAD SERMONS, TO A DEAD CHURCH - 3:1-6
         This letter, except for a few words to the faithful, is one long rebuke. It is a sad letter. This church was conquered and crucified by Satan because it failed to watch! It became a dead corpse that had nothing to offer anyone. This is a dead church. Not every Christian was dead, but the church as a whole was. Oh, they made sure that someone cut the lawn, painted the rooms, and printed the bulletin - but they were dead! If we had visited that city back then, we would not have seen things in disarray, or filth or disorder. Oh no. They were planning to plan. We would have thought that this was one great congregation, because that was their reputation. They had built their reputation on missions, benevolence, evangelism, and teaching and preaching the Word of God. All they had left was a reputation. Their activity only sustained that reputation. The problem was that they had no activity in their hearts. They had become so engrossed with their activities, that they were no longer teaching and preaching the Word. This church had fooled itself into thinking it was alive. They allowed what others said about them, to determine what they thought of themselves. We must make sure that all of the appearance of Christianity that we portray, is not just that - appearance! It must be back up by an inward reality - a heart for God! This is not written to people who need to be converted, but to Christians who had already done so. He is writing to Christians whose fire has gone out or was going out! They are told to let Jesus raise the dead, awake the sleeping and strengthen the faithful.
      6. PHILADELPHIA: AN EVANGELISTIC PREACHER, PREACHING EVANGELISTIC SERMONS TO AN EVANGELISTIC CHURCH - 3:7-13
         This is one letter of commendation. There is no condemnation. This is an unusual church in that it is the most significant, and yet in existed in the most insignificant city in the area. Religious people told this church "you can't do that!" They personalized their words with their lips, hands, feet, money, goals, and talents. Let us have the strength to not be frightened by our inabilities or by our opposition. Jesus tells them over and over again - you are going to die, but die faithful! Rome was about to throw many of them into prison, throw many to lions, hang many on crosses and burn alive - then Rome was going to get mean!!! Jesus never told them it was going to get better, but worse! These people refuse to let their inability; their weakness; religious error; or persecution, trouble and trials; even death itself, keep them from their assigned task! I know it sounds like preaching to say this, but you and I must get to the point that we are not afraid of anything or anyone but God. Let us never get to the place where we look back and see where God had opened doors for us to evangelize in certain areas and because of our lack of faith, we did not see it, so he closed it, and opened it for someone else.
      7. LAODICEA: A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PREACHER, PREACHING GOOD-FOR-NOTHING SERMONS, TO A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING CHURCH - 3:14-22
         The church of Laodicea was the richest of all the churches. Their wealth influenced their religious attitude. They become like the city in which they lived, instead of influencing the city to become like Christ. Jesus ha not one good thing to say about Laodicea. If there were any true believers there, they did not warrant a comment. Even Sardis the dead church had a few faithful. Jesus at this point STILL calls them the church, even though He says nothing positive about them. However, they are bordering on the edge of being not the church. This church is a backsliding church. They have fallen from grace. They had known the truth and have rejected it. They play church and make a mockery of Christ. They are religious pretenders who will be Christian if it will better them politically or financially or gain them power, prestige, or fame. Jesus wishes they this church were GOOD FOR SOMETHING! The church had become like the city around them. The city only had lukewarm water. No cold water to quench the thirst; and no hot water to bath in. Jesus says nothing good about them because they were GOOD-FOR-NOTHING. Things were so bad that this church "thought" they were doing OK. They were self-deceived. Jesus confronts them with the truth about themselves. Laodicea had the attitude: "Jesus, we don't need you because we have enough. We can handle everything by ourselves"! Christianity was summed up in what they had and what they were going to get and what they were going to do with what they had and were going to get. Life consisted of the abundance of the things which they possessed. There are churches who are truly interested in acquiring things to be used in service to Jesus. But people who are interested in acquiring things for their own benefit and comfort will become indifferent and lukewarm to Jesus. They thought they were rich, but they were poor, but Jesus could make them rich! They thought they were big time in their fashionable clothing, but they were naked, but Jesus could clothe them in righteous deeds. They thought they could see very well, but they were blind, but Jesus could open their eyes so they could see. In each case Jesus says "come back to me!" Then he warns them what will happen if they do not repent, and gives a promise if they do.The fact that he is pictured as standing at the door knocking, shows how close they were to being "removed."
2. THE SEVEN SEALS - 4:1 - 7:17
   1. THE RECOGNIZING OF THE SOVEREIGN - 4:1-11
      In this vision John is called up into heaven in order to get a panoramic view of what is about to happen. And what is that? The wrath of God is about to be poured out upon the wicked and evil Roman Empire and anyone who follows Rome. When God sends his wrath, Christians may indeed suffer, but God is not punishing Christians. God protects His people in the midst of His wrath/judgment on wickedness. He will not necessarily take us out of the nation, while He punishes that nation.
      The view John sees is a "vision" of the throne of God. God the Father in all his majesty sits on that throne, ruling over his creation. The one who sits on this throne is the eternal God who keeps his covenant with people, and will never break it. The redeemed of all ages sit around the throne. The One on the throne is a God of mercy, but also a God of wrath! Of compassion and retribution. The eyes of all creation are riveted on and worshiping the One on the throne.
   2. THE RECEIVING OF THE SCROLL - 5:1-14
      God the Father sits on His throne, holding a book that has seven chapters. The whole book is sealed and each chapter is sealed from the other seven. Each chapter has to be opened in succession. As they are opened, we see that they contain the "Thrill of Victory (for the saved), and the Agony of Defeat (for the non-saved)." This book is the official document that is going to determine the future and destiny of Rome and the first century Christians.
      An appeal is put out for someone to take the book and open it. Until it is opened, there can be no justice. Suddenly, into the picture of the throne scene, walks THE Lion/Lamb. He walks up to the Father and "takes" the book from the Father. Do not miss that! He took it. To take it he must be an equal to the Father in character and holiness. All creation falls down and worships the Lamb as they did the Father. He is worthy to open the book because he has overcome what no man before or after has or will. He conquered death, Satan, sin and suffering. The reaction of the crowd is to worship Jesus because he alone is worthy.
   3. THE REVEALING OF THE SEALS - 6:1-17
      Jesus now begins to open the book one chapter at a time. The first chapter contains seven seals. These are revealed one at a time. As each one is revealed we see things getting worse. It gets bad for Rome, because judgment is bad. It gets bad for the church, because Rome will see to it that the church will suffer. The seals contain agony for Rome, and Rome intends agony for the church. Satan uses Rome to lash out at God through the church.
      In the first seal we see Jesus riding forward to conquer. The second seal represents the religious, social and governmental persecution to the point of war against a certain people (any doubt as to whom Rome will war against?). The third seal reveals economic discrimination in times of abundance. A time of famine and depravation for a certain class of people (is there any doubt as to who these are?). The fourth seal shows us death. Death for whom? Christians.
      Christians do not automatically escape horrible death; but never forget who rides out front on the white horse. We see those who were killed when the fifth seal is opened. They want to know when God will vindicate the cause for which they died (faith in the resurrected Christ). When the sixth seal is opened, horrible things begin to happen to the unsaved world.
   4. THE REFRESHING OF THE SAINTS - 7:1-17
      In the midst of this horrible judgment, God assures His people that this is not intended for them, but for their enemies. This chapter shows that Gods people will be saved in the midst of great tribulation. The seal of preservation, authority, protection, and power is placed upon all of God's people for all time.
      A great multitude of saved people stand before the throne. They are those who have been washed by the blood of Christ. They are those who have a close relationship with God and serve him, They are protected by God and God provides all their needs. They possess life and joy everlasting.
3. THE SEVEN TRUMPETS -8:1 -11:19
   1. THE RISING PRAYERS - 8:1-13
      Now the seventh seal is broken, and it contains seven trumpets. A trumpet is a warning. God is so gracious, that he constantly warns His enemies that sin cannot win, and faith cannot fail. With each succeeding trumpet things will get worse. Judgment is poured out on the ungodly. Gods mercy is shown in that only one-third of all things are destroyed. This is intended to cause people to repent of their evil ways and deeds, and turn to God. The scene seems to be that of a courtroom, where the judge is about to hand down his verdict, and the whole court is holding its collective breath.
      The judgment comes from the altar before Gods throne. This judgment is of God. It is in response to the prayers of those killed for the cause of Christ. When Jesus offered himself on the altar of the cross, he took the fires of Gods judgment. Because the fire fell on Jesus, it need not fall on anyone. But, if anyone refuses what Jesus Christ did, then the fire must fall upon them! The fire will fall, it just depends on where it falls. Christians have allowed it to fall on Jesus Christ. The impenitent world tries to absorb the impact themselves and they are crushed and burned.
   2. THE RELENTLESS PESTS - 9:1-11
      Here is the fifth trumpet. This section deals with the internal decay of the nation of Rome. It shows the wrath of God against an ungodly world. It will be destroyed, ironically by the very demons that helped them to get to the position of power they were at before the fall of Rome.
      The picture is one of blackness, darkness, doom, gloom, and despair. God created the Abyss or "bottomless pit" for the fallen angels. When man sinned, it released these demons. Now they run rampant bringing moral blindness into the hearts of all men. With this moral blindness comes a lowering of a nations moral standards. When a nations moral standard is lowered, so is its resistance to Satanic influence.
      Ironically, this army of pests is God's army. Oh, they are evil, but they do His will. This is a picture of God using evil to punish evil. He used the Roman Empire to judge wickedness. Rome devoured everything in her path as they conquered the world, and they too will be devoured when they are conquered. The ungodly are not killed immediately in order to give them time to repent.
      This army rules the world for a while, and therefore thought it ruled forever. What Rome did not recognize was that Satan was pulling Rome's chain, but God was allowing Satan to do so. Rome seems to be ruling the world. They are invincible as long as God determines they are invincible!
   3. THE REPENTLESS PEOPLE - 9:12-21
      Ultimately, evil will always lose, and right will always prevail.
      Behold the altar in heaven with four horns. This altar belongs to the earth. Altars were for sacrifice, and God is about to sacrifice the ungodly on their own altar. Jesus is their substitute, and he took what they'll take, if they take him! Sin is self-destructive. God is the one bringing this judgment, so it is under His control what happens. This is not happening by chance. God has been planning this. God works on an exact schedule. There is not a bird that dies, that God does not approve of. The grass does not grow, the snow does not fall, the rivers do not flow, unless God approves of it. A huge number is used to scare the daylights out of the people and motivate them to repent. It also gives hope and assurance to the saints. Fire, smoke and brimstone are symbolic of Gods destruction of the wicked. These are fearful looking creatures, in order to instill fear in the people. At this point these people should have fallen on their face and worshiped God. Should have said, "We've had enough. God forgive us." Sadly, judgment many times only hardens the heart of hard-hearted people. People can become so hard-hearted, that even judgments of God, which are intended to get men to repent, will not. When we warn people of Gods final judgment and they refuse to repent (come to Christ), we have not failed.
      There is a principle here: Man is a spiritual creature, and is going to worship something or someone. If he stops worshiping God, he will turn and worship something else.
   4. THE REGAL PERSONAGE - 10:1-11
      A magnificent being comes forth. This is either Jesus or an angel who has been in the presence of Jesus. I think it is Jesus, but I could be wrong. The two images speak of His universal authority. This One is a lion that leaps with a mighty roar upon his prey. The storm of Gods wrath is about to break. The message is clear: Rome has had its chance, in fact many, many chances. They had been warned, and had opportunity after opportunity to repent. God is giving all men time to repent. He has and is sending messages to people, giving them opportunity after opportunity to repent. One day, either by death or Christ's return, time will run out. Do not look around you and worry that God may not be in control. That is walking by sight. Walk by faith. If some calamity should befall you, your question should not be why - let God take care of the why. Your question must be how - how am I going to deal with it; react to it?
   5. THE RIGHTEOUS PREACHING - 11:1-19
      The vision shows the distinction between true and false worship, and true and false worshipers. The Emperor of Rome said "I am Lord!" Jesus said "I am Lord!" After the fall of Roman Empire, who still stood? Lord Jesus! Gods people will always be persecuted for preaching the truth. The messengers may die, but the message will never die. Our message has to be two-fold. For those who refuse to repent it means spiritual drought, death and disease. For those who will repent it means light, love, life, and liberty.
      The vision is one of a ferocious beast who kills those who preach Jesus. This is Rome pressuring Christians with worldly pleasure, governmental pressure and religious persecution. Rome thought that they had killed Christianity. They thought that they had silenced the name of Jesus Christ. But just because they "thought" it did not make it so. Note the spiritual response of witnesses is to preach Gods message; the human response to the message is to kill the messengers; and God's response to the killing of His messengers who preach his message is to give them life!
      It is one thing to win; it is another thing to win with your enemies watching. The enemy sees that God rules. Their response to God's dominion is to get angry. In return, God's response is wrath. Like when the sun shines on butter and clay. It melts one and hardens the other. So it is when judgement comes on a nation, it destroys the one and rewards the other.
4. THE SEVEN HISTORICAL FIGURES - 12:1-14:20
   1. THE MESSIAH'S MOTHER - 12:1,2 Who is this woman? She is a sign or symbol of something. The woman is the church, while her "offspring" are individual Christians.
   2. THE WAR OF THE WORLDS - 12:3-12
      Satan is a murderous individual - never forget that. He is so angry that he is always at war with the saints. He is more powerful than we are, he is more intelligent than we are, and he uses men to carry out his battle plan.
      The good news is that God has always protected and provided for His people. In our court system there is the District Attorney who is the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the judge, the jury and the executioner. In the spiritual courtroom the prosecutor is Satan. He is always pointing his finger at people and saying "guilty." He points at non-Christians and says "Your Honor, did you see them sin? They are guilty!" The Judge (God) looks around for a defense attorney to speak in their behalf. There is no one to speak in their defense! The Judge says "Yes. They are guilty. Their sentence is death. Executioner, do your stuff!" Satan points at Christians and says "Look at them Your Honor. They are sitting there studying the Bible and don't even do what that Bible says. They lose their temper with their mate and children. They lose their patience with other Christians. Your Honor -they sin!" The Judge says, "Is there a Defense Attorney who will speak in these people's behalf, and answer the charge of the crime of sin?" Jesus steps forward: "Yes, your honor. I have just one question. What sin?" The Judge looks and see's no evidence of sin, and proclaims the verdict - "Not guilty!!" Romans 4:8 "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."
      If the Devil accuses you, just make sure that your sins are under the blood, and serve the Lord, even tho it cost you your life.
   3. THE REFUGE OF THE REDEEMED - 12:13-16
      This talks about Christ our strength who carries us when we are weak, and bears our burdens when they are too heavy. "God is our refuge and strength"! Some people don't become Christians because they are afraid that they can't live the Christian life. Truth is - no one can, and we are never asked to! Christ asks us to let him live his life thru us! He will be our security. Jesus is not someone you have to hold on to, he holds on to you! You do not need to get in a rocket ship and go out into the heavens and yell "Jesus, oh please come down out of heaven and help me"! No need for that - he is here! You do not need to get in a submarine and go to the depths of the oceans; to the graveyards; or down into the caverns of hell and yell "Jesus, if you are here please come up here and help me"! No need for that! He is always near.
   4. THE REMNANT OF THE RIGHTEOUS - 12:17
      Satan chased Jesus in order to kill him. He did but could not hold him. Therefore Satan chased the saints to kill them, and he did, but he could not hold them. The church as a whole cannot be defeated. Individuals can, but the church cannot. Satan does not attack the church whole, but the church individually. When he converts one, he can use them to work on the inside to harm the entire body.
   5. THE GODLESS GOVERNMENT - 13:1-10
      Men who will not believe the truth, will believe a lie. Religious charlatans of Rome were con men and magicians, who could make people believe white is black and black is white. They could make people leave their families; give up homes; quit their jobs; give everything to Rome and go sit on a hill waiting for the Messiah to come.
      Here was a beast lurking in the shadows, and its name was Rome. Rome is an example of any government which tries to subdue its citizens into obeying government instead of God. Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome all tried it and God destroyed them. The Soviet Union tried it and it failed miserably. And now, America is in the process of trying it. Amazingly there are Christians who think that "this time" totalitarianism (government is the final authority) will work.
      Rome is pictured as Babylon because they persecuted Gods people from a religious standpoint. Remember the three Hebrew boys who would not bow down and worship the idol?! Rome is pictured as the Medo-Persian empire because they primarily persecuted Gods people from a governmental standpoint. They were slave-masters and very cruel and barbaric. Excessive taxes were placed on the people and they taxed the people so heavily that the people had to sell themselves into slavery to pay the debt. Rome is also pictured as Greece because Greece persecuted people primarily from a social standpoint. Greece was very socially aware. They were very education and pleasure oriented. Rome combined all three of these: social, religious and governmental persecution.
      This beast (Rome) gets mighty bold. In fact he is getting too big for his breeches. He is becoming arrogant and prideful of his stature. He is outraged when a few refuse. Those who will not worship him are threatened with death. But they refuse to surrender their principles. Rome is outraged. He wants all people to worship him, and only him. Why does God allow this? Remember the old saying: "THE BIGGER THEY ARE THE HARDER THEY FALL!" We can see God waiting - and waiting - and waiting. Patiently waiting, giving Rome and her people time to repent. What do they do? Rome just keeps digging its grave deeper and deeper and deeper and...!
   6. THE SINISTER MINISTER - 13:11-18
      We could entitle this section, UGLY AND THE BEAST, since it speaks of the Devil and the beast, which is Rome as a religious persecuting power. A new beast comes on the scene. He looks like a lamb, but he speaks like a dragon. Don't let the sheepskin fool you!! Rome came as a benevolent spirit. Rome came saying: "We just want to help you. We just want to take care of you. We just want to provide for your every need. You will want for nothing. We just want to save you. We just want to deliver you from poverty and pain, into health and wealth! We will provide everything for you from the cradle to the grave. From the womb to the tomb, you will want for nothing!" Any government that promises to do all this for you, is setting you up for a letdown! They may have all the good intentions in the world, but they cannot deliver. Any time you hear any government promising to deliver you out of poverty and pain, into health and wealth -beware! That is the devil talking! And this book is written to warn Christians not to be deceived by the devil, who is behind this kind of talk. Our trust is not in what government will do for us, but in what God has done, is doing and will do for us!
      Government is not on our side. Ultimately, when a government becomes the horse upon which the people think they are getting a free ride, that horse becomes a lion which turns and devours its people. Oh, it may take centuries, but it WILL happen, because the devil will see to it. What is the answer to avoiding it? Make sure your trust is in God, and not government.
      God identifies this beast with a number. The number six is man's number. Gods number is seven. Man will never reach seven. This beast is not deity he is simply human. He claims deity but is just human and will always be human.
   7. THE LORD OF HARVEST - 14:1-20

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