The Timeline of Revelation (Part 1)

Introduction

The purpose of the book

the book was written to reveal the events that “must shortly take place” beyond the time of the apostles

the book was written to reveal Jesus Christ and His final works

the book was written to reveal the timetable of the events leading to the new heaven and new earth

The date - 96 AD

96 AD

Irenaeus - the book was written towards the end of the reign of emperor Domitian (81-96 AD)

Breakdown of the Events

Events before the Rapture

Events between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ

Events after the Second Coming of Christ

Part 1 - Events before the Rapture

The Seven Church Ages

This is an introduction

the Seven Churches were intr

Jesus Christ was first seen in the visions as standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands

Jesus introduced Himself

Jesus interprets the vision Himself

the seven golden lampstands are the seven churches

the seven stars in His right hand are the seven angels/messengers to the 7 churches

the vision has dual application

Jesus was addressing the spiritual condition of the 7 churches at that time

Jesus was was using the 7 churches in Asia Minor to portray the spiritual condition of the church in history leading to the end-time. Hence, the 7 Church Ages.

Ephesus - 53 AD - 170 AD

53 A.D. - traditional date of Paul’s founding of the church Ephesus

Smyrna - 170- 312

Irenaeus became Bishop of Lyons and was writing against heretics of the time

Pergamos - 312 -606

312 was the year Constantine became emperor or Rome

Thyatira - 606-1520

606 - the year Biniface became Pope and declared “Head of all the Churches” and “Universal Bishop”

QUOTE - https://www.bible.ca/ntx-organization-historical-development-papal-patriarchal-systems-588-606AD.htm

606 AD Sabinian, the bishop of Rome dies and is replaced by Boniface III. Phocas writes to the new bishop of Rome, Boniface III and through imperial decree of the Roman government, proclaims Boniface III, as the "Head of all the Churches" and "Universal Bishop". Phocas transfers the title from Constantinople to Rome. Boniface III, Bishop of Rome takes title: "universal Bishop": Catholicism is formally born in its final evolved form but the east never accepts Rome's claims and finally split fellowship with Rome in 1054 AD.

Sardis - 1520- 1750

1520 - early beginning of Reformation

Philadelphia - 1750-1906

1750 - rise of Holiness Movement

Age of missionary works

Laodicea - 1906- ????

1906 - Azusa Street Revival, Pentecostal Movement

Laodicea ends with the second coming of Christ, but the Rapture takes place 7 years earlier

Notes:

Our dating comes from Bro Branham’s sermon series, The Seven Church Ages in 1960

The Seven Church Ages is an account of all Christianity, not just the real one.

The Seven-Sealed Book

John was was in the Spirit and saw the vision of heaven

this is introduction to the seven sealed book

John sees the Lamb taking the Seven-Sealed Book from the hand of Him who sits on the throne

Redemption, second part - Claiming of the Redeemed possessions

1963 - this mystery was revealed to the church on earth

The Lamb opens the seals 1 through 6

First Seal

white horse rider

antichrist spirit during the Ephesus and Smyrna ages

53 AD - 312 AD

Second Seal

red horse rider

antichrist spirit during Pergamos and Thyatira ages

312 - 1520

Third Seal

black horse rider

antichrist spirit during Sardis and Philadelphia ages

1520 - 1906

Fourth Seal

Pale horse rider

antichrist spirit in the Laodicean age

1906 - ???? (end of Great Tribulation)

Fifth Seal

Souls under the altar

Jewish victims of the Holocaust

1933-1945

“brethren” - Jews that will die under the Antichrist (Great Tribulation)

Sixth Seal

the wrath of God (v. 17)

after the Great Tribulation ()

beyond the Rapture, after the Great Tribulation

the 144,000 Jews are identified

the tribulation saints are identified

Seventh Seal

silence - John saw no vision for half an hour

this is the coming of Christ

Summary

2 major visions will be fulfilled before the Rapture takes place

The Seven Church Ages

The Seven-Sealed Book

not fully complete

Fifth seal - second part in the Great Tribulation

Sixth seal - after the Great Tribulation