An Outline for the Opening Chapters of the Book of Revelation

REVELATION 1-3

I. Introduction: Chapter 1

A. Introduction to the Revelation: Rev. 1:1-3

1. The mediated Revelation: Rev. 1:1

a. The Revelation from Jesus Christ

b. The Revelation through His messenger

c. The Revelation to His servant John

2. The role of His servant John: Rev. 1:2

3. A beatitude: Rev. 1:3

a. To the one reading and heeding

b. To those hearing and heeding

B. Introduction of the epistle to the seven congregations: Rev. 1:4-8

1. Salutation and blessing from the triune God through His Apostle: Rev. 1:4-5a

2. Dedication of the epistle to Jesus Christ: Rev. 1:5b-6

3. A prophecy of Jesus Christ’s coming: Rev. 1:7-8

a. The prophecy

b. The assurance of the LORD Almighty that His message will come to pass

C. Commission of the Apostle John to write the Book of Revelation: Rev. 1:9-20

1. Context of the commission: Rev. 1:9

2. The command to write the book of Revelation: Rev. 1:10-11

a. The voice like a trumpet: Rev. 1:10

b. The command to write to the seven congregations: Rev. 1:11

3. The vision of the glorified Christ: Rev. 1:12-20

a. The vision of the lamp-stands: Rev. 1:12

b. The clothing of the glorified Son of Man: Rev. 1:13

c. The head of the glorified Son of Man: Rev. 1:14

d. The feet and voice of the glorified Son of Man: Rev. 1:15

e. Further characteristics of the glorified Son of Man: Rev. 1:16

4. Comfort in the person and work of Jesus Christ: Rev. 1:17-18

a. Jesus is the First and the Last– even the Living One: Rev. 1:17-18a

b. Jesus conquered death and Hades: Rev. 1:18b

5. A further command to write: Rev. 1:19-20

a. The command given to John that he will write concerning all of his visions: Rev. 1:19

b. Christ reveals the mystery of the seven stars and seven lamp-stands: Rev. 1:20

II. Letters to the Seven Congregations: Chapters 2-3

A. Letter to the congregation in Ephesus: Rev. 2:1-7

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 2:1

2. Commendation of the Ephesians’ works: Rev. 2:2-3

3. Condemnation of the Ephesians’ heart condition: Rev. 2:4

4. Admonition to the Ephesians: Rev. 2:5a

5. Warning to the Ephesians: Rev. 2:5b

6. Additional commendation of the Ephesians: Rev. 2:6

7. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 2:7a

8. Promise to the victor: Rev. 2:7b

B. Letter to the congregation in Smyrna: Rev. 2:8-11

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 2:8

2. Acknowledgement of the Smyrnans’ hardships: Rev. 2:9

3. Admonition and encouragement to the Smyrnans: Rev. 2:10

4. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 2:11a

5. Promise to the victor: Rev. 2:11b

C. Letter to the congregation in Pergamum: Rev. 2:12-18

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 2:12

2. Acknowledgement of the Pergamenes’ faithfulness under hardships: Rev. 2:13

3. Condemnation of the Pergamenes’ tolerance of the Balaamites: Rev. 2:14

4. Condemnation of the Pergamenes’ tolerance of the Nicolaitans: Rev. 2:15

5. Admonition to the Pergamenes: Rev. 2:16a

6. Warning to the Pergamenes: Rev. 2:16b

7. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 2:17a

8. Promise to the victor: Rev. 2:17b

D. Letter to the congregation in Thyatira: Rev. 2:18-29

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 2:18

2. Commendation of the Thyatirans’ works: Rev. 2:19

3. Condemnation of the Thyatirans’ tolerance of Jezebel: Rev. 2:20

4. Impending judgment against Jezebel and her followers: Rev. 2:21-23

5. Encouragement to the remnant in Thyatira: Rev. 2:24

6. Admonition to the remnant in Thyatira: Rev. 2:25

7. Promise to the victor: Rev. 2:26-28

8. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 2:29

E. Letter to the congregation in Sardis: Rev. 3:1-6

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 3:1

2. Admonition to the Sardiceans: Rev. 3:2-3

3. Encouragement to the remnant in Sardis: Rev. 3:4

4. Promise to the victor: Rev. 3:5

5. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 3:6

F. Letter to the congregation in Philadelphia: Rev. 3:7-13

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 3:7

2. Commendation of the Philadelphians’ works: Rev. 3:8

3. Encouragement to the Philadelphians: Rev. 3:9-10

4. Admonition to the Philadelphians: Rev. 3:11

5. Promise to the victor: Rev. 3:12

6. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 3:13

G. Letter to the congregation in Laodicea: Rev. 3:14-22

1. Introduction of the Author: Rev. 3:14

2. Condemnation of the Laodiceans’ tepidity and pride: Rev. 3:15-17

3. Admonition and encouragement to the Laodiceans: Rev. 3:18-20

4. Promise to the victor: Rev. 3:21

5. Charge to heed the word: Rev. 3:22