Just BibleRevelation in 14 Days
Revelation is a letter to real churches, a book of visions, and a promise that Jesus wins. Two weeks takes you through all twenty-two chapters at a pace that lets each vision stand on its own. Christians have read parts of this book differently for a long time; the notes point out where, and leave the reading to you.
- Day 1: The Unveiling of Jesus Christ
The book names itself in its first words: a revelation of Jesus Christ. John, exiled on Patmos, sees the risen Christ among seven lampstands. Notice what John does when he sees Him, and what Jesus says first.
- Day 2: Letters to the Churches I
Four short letters to four real churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira. Each begins with I know, and each ends with a promise to the one who overcomes. Watch what Jesus praises and what He warns against.
- Day 3: Letters to the Churches II
Three more churches: Sardis with a reputation but no life, Philadelphia with an open door, and Laodicea, lukewarm and self-satisfied. The most tender line in the book is here: I stand at the door and knock.
- Day 4: The Throne and the Lamb
A door opens in heaven, and everything is arranged around a throne. Then a scroll no one can open, and a Lion who turns out to be a slain Lamb. These two chapters set the picture for everything that follows.
- Day 5: The Seals and the Sealed
The Lamb opens six seals, and the earth shakes. The chapter ends with a question: who can stand? Chapter 7 answers it with a people sealed by God and a multitude no one can count, from every nation.
- Day 6: Trumpets of Warning
Silence in heaven, the prayers of the saints rising, and then six trumpets. The plagues echo Egypt. Notice how the chapter ends: even after all this, the people did not repent.
- Day 7: The Scroll and the Witnesses
John eats a little scroll, sweet in the mouth and bitter in the stomach, and is told to prophesy again. Two witnesses testify, are killed, and are raised. Then the seventh trumpet, and the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord.
- Day 8: The Dragon and the Beasts
A woman, a child, and a dragon: the conflict behind every conflict. Then two beasts, one from the sea and one from the land, with power to deceive. Watch how the faithful overcome in chapter 12: by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
- Day 9: The Lamb on Mount Zion
After the beasts, the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion with His people. Three angels make three announcements, and the chapter ends with a harvest. Notice the blessing in the middle: blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
- Day 10: The Bowls of Wrath
Before the last judgments, a song: the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Then seven bowls are poured out. The voices in heaven keep saying that these judgments are true and just. Read them with that in mind.
- Day 11: Babylon Has Fallen
Babylon is the world's whole system of wealth, power, and seduction, pictured as a city and a woman. She falls in a single hour, and the merchants weep. Watch for the call to God's people: come out of her.
- Day 12: The Rider on the White Horse
Heaven sings Hallelujah four times, and a wedding supper is announced. Then heaven opens and Christ rides out with a name on His robe: King of kings and Lord of lords. The battle is over almost before it begins.
- Day 13: The Thousand Years and the Judgment
The dragon is bound, the saints reign a thousand years, and then the great white throne. Christians have understood the thousand years in different ways for many centuries, and faithful readers still do. What the chapter says plainly is that evil ends and every person stands before God.
- Day 14: All Things New
A new heaven and a new earth, a city coming down from God, and no more death or mourning or crying or pain. The Bible ends where it began, with a garden and a tree of life, and with a promise: surely I am coming soon. And an answer: come, Lord Jesus.