Revelation Four View Outline & Commentary

In each view listed below there exist, of course, further schools of thought that would differ from the explanations I have provided (i.e. Full Preterists would put the Millennium between 34 and 70 A.D.), and some views also overlap each other in significant areas. In each case I have endeavored to put forth the most popular distinguishing viewpoints to help the reader see the major differences.

1) Revelation of Christ

-coming with the clouds, 
-every eye will see Him (even those who pierced Him)
 
Idealism
Preterism
Historicism
Futurism
We are shown a vision of Christ, and are made aware of His involvement in our trials throughout time. 
Christ is about to show John the events that would occur at, and surrounding, the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. That these events are to begin soon is evident from the language used. 
John's vision is one of events that would soon begin to take place. These include many in John's future that will continue to unfold until the end of the Church age. 
John is being shown events that would occur just prior to the Second Coming at the end of the Church age. 

2) Churches 1-4

-Ephesus - Enduring, tests truth and people, hates those whom God hates / Left first love
-Smyrna - in tribulation and poverty + do not fear
-Pergamum - dwelling is Satan's throne, martyrs, held fast / some teach immorality & idolatry
-Thyatira - love,faith,service,endurance / 
some teach immorality & idolatry & deep things of Satan

3) Churches 5-7


-Sardis - some worthy  / most soiled, asleep, have a name but are dead
-Philadelphia - kept Word, not denied Christ, perseverance
+ keep from the hour of trial
-Laodicea - proud, claimed self-sufficiency lukewarm, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.  Told to buy refined gold, white garments, eye salve

 
Idealism
Preterism
Historicism
Futurism
These churches picture churches that exist at any point throughout time. In any church where there exist conditions matching those of the churches here, the same warnings and promises apply. The number seven, being symbolic of completion, shows that these seven examples were to serve for all of Christ's church. 
These are the actual churches that existed under these conditions in Asia Minor prior to the Jerusalem invasion. 
These churches were chosen as they represent seven church ages throughout history 

See
chart below. 

These churches are the historical churches that existed at that time, they are the "things which are" that John was commanded to write about. Futurists differ among themselves as to the extent of any application to our time of any of these letters, most would also agree with one of the other views. 
Historicism Chart

  • Ephesus: (A.D. 34 to 95) The church from the Apostolic age until the end of the 1st century.
  • Smyrna: (A.D. 95 to 313) The church under Roman persecution.
  • Pergamos: (A.D. 313 to 606) The church, now under Roman Catholic rule, in political power.
  • Thyatira: (A.D. 606 to 1517) The church under persecution by Roman Catholicism.
  • Sardis: (A.D. 1517 to 1793) The church of the Reformation.
  • Philadelphia: (A.D. 1793 to the Return of Christ) The true church from the Great Awakening to the end.
  • Laodicea: (present or future) The lukewarm church of the last days.
    		•

    4) God on His Throne
    -in heaven
    -flashes of lightning and sounds and peels of thunder proceed from the throne
    -7 lamps 7 Spirits of God
    -4 living creatures (lion, calf, man, eagle) worship God day and night
    -1,000's of angels
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    God is seen as enthroned, conveying His powerful control. A comfort to any who question God's ruling over events and history. The church age depicted in the last two chapters will now be shown again with different detail. 
    God is seen on His throne as Judge. He is about to vindicate the Martyrs of all time by destroying Jerusalem. 
    God is shown to be soveriegn over all, and as such is about to show what will happen shortly. The following chapters show the conquest of pagan Rome (6), and the fall of the Roman Empire (8-11). 
    Having viewed the previous chapters as the church age, we are now shown what happens after the church age (dispensation). The following events are all future (even today). 

    4) The 24 Elders

    -around the throne worshipping God day and night
    -clothed in white garments 
    -golden crowns on heads, harps & golden bowls of incense & prayers of the saints- in hands (5:8)
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    These are or represent the priestly function of the church. There were 12 tribes and 12 apostles, so 24 shows that believers from all time serve God in this way. 
    Some say they represent nothing, but are here to complete the picture of Heaven and carry the story. Some would simply agree with the other views. 
    The 24 elders represent the church which has replaced the priesthood of the O.T. 
    These are representative of the saved church, now in Heaven due to the (Pre-Tribulation) rapture. 

    5) The Scroll

    -in God's right hand
    -only the Lamb worthy to break the 7 seals
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The scroll is the redemptive plan of God for salvation. 
    The scroll is the judgment handed down to Jerusalem, or the beginning of the New Covenant. 
    The scroll is God's plan for the future of the Church. 
    The scroll is the "deed" to the earth. God is about to reclaim that which was forfeited in the fall. 

    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    Without tying these visions down to single, specific events, the scroll and its seals represent the continuing cycle of God's dealings with mankind. In each successive story that unfolds we see how God rules over kingdoms and people . . . and how He will judge each. 
    The scroll is God's decree against Jerusalem, opening the first four seals brought the Roman's against Jerusalem during the Jewish war - the rest tell the story of the beginning of the seige against the city. 
    The unsealing of the scroll is the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire. 
    The scroll is the beginning of the tribulation period. 

    6) The Seals


    Seal 1- Conquerer (White Horse) - has bow (no arrows), given crown
     
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    Some say this is the spread of the Gospel of Christ (some say it is Christ Himself). Others make this conquest in general, to fit the theme of the other horsemen. 
    This is the conquerer of Jerusalem. Some say it is the general Titus, others Vespasian, others see the rider as Christ Himself going forth in judgment (through war). The seals are generally not seen as historically sequential, that is, the scroll cannot be opened until all of the seals are broken. So here we are being introduced to those involved in the judgments that will begin in ch. 8. 
    This is the period of time from A.D. 96 to 180, the "Golden Age" of the Roman Empire. The 5 emperors during this time waged much war, conquering as they went. 
    This begins the Tribulation. Most view the rider as Antichrist, or a representative of false Christs. 
     
    Seal 2 - War (Red Horse) - sword, takes peace, causes men to kill one another
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This war (especially seen in the judgment of God) in general. Some say it is the persecution of Christians as the Gospel spreads. 
    This is the peace taken from Jerusalem, not only because of the approaching Roman armies, but because of internal strife. 
    This is the period of civil war within the Roman empire (A.D. 180 to 284) 
    This is the distress of nations in the end time. As tensions rise we will see more and more wars come. Some say the red color signifies Russia or nuclear bombs. 
    Seal 3 - Famine (Black Horse)- rider with scales
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is famine or (in modern terms) economic recession. Some point out that luxurious living is not threatened (the oil and the wine), so this is a directed judgment or persecution. 
    This is the incredible food shortage that resulted from the Roman siege (a common tactic). 
    This is the time of heavy taxation of the subjects of the Roman Empire that resulted in economic depression. 
    Most see this as famine, a consequence of the warfare of the previous seals. Some say it is indicative of economic upheaval in this time period. 
    Seal 4 - Death (Pale Horse) - kills 1/4 earth with sword, famine, pestilence & 
    wild beasts...Hades follows
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The types of death spoken of here are either a culmination of the events of the first three seals, or they are indicative of special deaths caused by God's judgment. This is death throughout time, not due to a single great calamity. 
    This pestilence would come from the piles of dead bodies within the besieged city (the word translated "death" here means pestilence). God uses this fourth method of death to judge Jerusalem much as He did in Babylonian times (Ezek 14:21). 
    Possibly the era between A.D. 248 and 268. Much of the earth was killed during this time of invasions and hordes overunning the provinces of the Roman world. 
    Death is the result of the previous seals, and now we see its toll. Some place this death within the Great Tribulation (the last 3 1/2 years), some to the entire time period 
    (7 years). 
    Seal 5 - The Martyrs- under the altar, slain for the Word of God, killed by, 
    "those who dwell on the earth", given white robes, cry out for vengeance.
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    A vision of the state of God's martyrs of any age. They live, and are shown to be a type of self-sacrifice to God. They will be vindicated. 
    Jerusalem was identified by Christ as being guilty of the blood of all the righteous, this is being shown to John as an indication that the martyr's oppressors still live, have not yet been judged, but will be soon (with the destruction of the city). 
    This is the time of Roman persecution of the church (approx. A.D. 270 to 304). 
    These are the tribulation martyrs, those killed since it began. 
    Seal 6 - The Day of God's Wrath- earthquake, sun darkened, moon turns to 
    blood, stars fall, sky split apart, every mountain and island moved from their 
    place
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is the culmination of judgment...God's special intervention, the coming of Christ. The seven structures, and seven classes of men mean the destruction of all creation at His coming. 
    The apocalyptic language here, used elsewhere in relation to God's judgment on a nation, shows that this Day of the Lord is the end of Jerusalem, and the end of the Jewish state. 
    Some say this is the fall of Paganism in Rome in A.D. 304 with the coming of Constantine. Others would say it is the dividing of the Roman Empire in A.D. 395. Others say it is the invasion of the Goths and Vandals between A.D. 376 and 418. 
    While many take this as being symbolic, most would say that this is a literal event announcing the beginning of the tribulation to those on the earth who might have questioned it before. Some see nuclear war here. 

    7) 144,000 Sealed

    -sealed before the earth or the sea are harmed
    -bond-servants of God
    -12,000 from each of the twelve tribes
       (14:3-5) 
    -purchased from the earth 
    -virgins (chaste)
    -follow the Lamb wherever He goes
    -firstfruits to God and to the Lamb
    -no lie found in their mouths
    -blameless
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The answer to the question, "Who can stand?" in the previous chapter is answered here. These were sealed before the horsemen began to ride (Zech 6:5). These are the people of God, the church, spiritual Israel, who are never to endure God's judgment. 
    These are the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem (the "firstfruits" of 14:4) who escaped the slaughter of A.D. 70. The number 144,000 is symbolic of the complete group. 
    This is the church, spiritual Israel. They are protected from the hordes pictured in the first four trumpets, or the Arian or Pelagian errors beginning to enter the church. 
    This is the last days church, in symbolic form. Dispensationalists would say that this is the Godly remnant of (physical) Israel that will survive the tribulation time to witness to the rest of the world. 

    7) The Great Multitude

    - are a kingdom and priests to God will reign upon the earth (5:10) 
    -innumerable
    -from every tribe, tongue, and nation
    -clothed in white robes
    -came out of the great tribulation
    -before the throne serving God day and night in His temple
    -are in the eternal state
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is the glorified church of all ages, who have come out of tribulation (general). 
    These are the glorified saints in Heaven who have come out of (come from) the Great Tribulation (the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish age). The result of this destruction was the disowning of (physical) Israel and the spread of the gospel to all nations. 
    These are the glorified gentile believers of all time. 
    These are the believers who are saved during the Great Tribulation (presumably martyred). Dispensationalists would argue that they are not the church as such, but some special class of "tribulation saint" who have responded to the new "gospel of the kingdom." They will enter the millenial kingdom, but are not in the same class as a saint of the "gospel of grace." 

    8) The Trumpets
     

    Seal Seven - Silence in Heaven - 1/2 hour
    -flashes of lightning and sounds and peels of thunder - and an earthquake
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is the "calm before the storm", the lull before the rest of God's judgments will commence. 
    This silence is due to the vindication of the martyrs as their cries are silenced. It is ended when more prayers of the saints begin anew as persecutions continue on earth. 
    This is the interval of seven years (A.D. 324 to 395) before the first barbarian horde (the first trumpet) comes. It may be the time during which believers were sealed. It also pictures the coming trumpet blasts. 
    This is a literal half hour time period in which the scroll (which contains the trumpet and bowl judgments) is now opened. The expectation of what is to come brings a stunned silence to those in Heaven. 

    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    These trumpets are warning judgments, meant to alert mankind to God's displeasure and his coming final judgments that will fall upon the unregenerate. 
    The first 4 trumpets are the atrocities suffered by the Jews at the hands of the Romans during the Jewish War (66-70 AD). The final refer to the fall of Jerusalem. 
    The trumpets are the invasions of Rome by the hordes and, later, the fall of Constantinople. 
    These trumpets show the judgments of God on earth during the Tribulation period. 
    Trumpet 1 - Fire mixed with Blood - 1/3 of earth, trees - all grass is burned
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    These trumpets are announcements of greater judgment to come. Like the lpagues of Egypt, they are not for believers. They are symbolic of events common throughout history, the first four are specifically against things that men usually rely on for life. 
    These trumpets describe the time leading up to Jerusalem's destruction. The land being ravaged by the Roman armies. They are also pictures of the plagues of Egypt...the events that brought forth National Israel will now destroy her and bring Spiritual Israel to life (Exodus 15:26). 
    These are the four great attacks upon the Roman Empire in the A.D. 400-476 time period. The Goth's attack destroyed much of the land. 1/3 of the earth is either the Roman Empire (which was 1/3 of the known earth) or of the Western division of the Empire. 
    Futurists are divided as to how literally to take these trumpets. Some taking the symbolic route describe the trees as leaders and the grass as people. Most dispensationalists taking the literal route are far more graphic. Some say it is the effects of a comet or meteor falling to the earth. Others say it is nuclear war. 
    Trumpet 2 - Great Burning Mountain - 1/3 sea turns to blood
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    Some picture this as a Babylon-like power being destroyed (Jer. 51:25,42). Others say a volcano. The point, say some, is that as the 1st trumpet was against man's environment, this is against his commerce. 
    Symbolically, if the mountain is seen as God's Holy Mountain, its burning is Rome's siege, and being thrown into the sea is it being given to the Gentile world. Literally, the sea turning to blood is a description of the sea of Galilee when the Jews fled into it to escape the Roman armies who then cut them down in the water...filling it with blood and death. 
    The Great Mountain is the great power of the Vandals (A.D. 428-468), a sea power. Many people were slaughtered both on land and sea. 
    Opting for the symbolic, many suggest the mountain is a great power, possibly the Revived Roman Empire of Antichrist. The waters are the gentiles. This is Antichrist's coming against them. Some say the fire is revolution. Others make this the fall of spiritual Babylon (see Idealism). Literalist interpreters say it may be an asteroid falling into the ocean. Some say a hydrogen bomb. 

    Trumpet 3 - Wormwood Star - 1/3 freshwater turns bitter (and deadly)

    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    In contrast to God's Living Water, the waters become polluted and life ending. God is showing judgment against that which man turns to for life when he does not turn to God. 
    The waters turned bitter in Israel when the bodies of the dead began to decay (there are not many in Israel). It is symbolically the opposite of Moses' tree thrown into bitter water to make it pure (Exodus 15:25), God has added unto Israel the plagues of Egypt just as He said He would. 
    This is the coming of Attila the Hun. The huns were masters of river battle, and the dead in them polluted the waters. The star is a symbol of a prince, Attila himself. 
    Symbolically this could be Antichrist's reign or the Pope's...Literalistic interpretations usually center around a meteor that breakes up as it enters the atmosphere and is distributed throughout the streams. Nuclear fallout is also suggested. 
     
     
    Trumpet 4 - darkness - 1/3 sun, moon, stars darkened
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The darkness is a prelude to God's judgment on sin. 
    Many kings and princes were killed during the 1st century, these are the "suns" and "stars". 
    The Roman Empire is now laid waste (A.D. 476), this darkness is the fall of the Roman Empire. 
    Symbolically speaking, this is the dimming of the light of truth during the tribulation. Literally, it is an effect on the atmosphere or heavenly bodies that either dims the light by 1/3, or makes a day 1/3 shorter (and night, therefore, 1/3 longer). Others see this as atmospheric pollution caused by nuclear fallout. 

    9) (cont'd) 

         <1st woe>
    Trumpet 5 - Fallen Star- locusts from the abyss, harm unsealed men for 
    5 months, death not found
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The star is Satan. The locusts are demons bringing spiritual harm to men. Christians are exempt from this of course. The crowns show that they only seem to be victorious (false gold). 
    The star is either a spirit or a man, possibly Gessius Florus who terrorized the Jews for 5 months after the slaughter of 3,600 innocent citizens. The demons could be the false religious teachings that resulted in the massive spiritual destruction evident in Jerusalem near the end. Their insane, mindless condition toward the end (A.D. 70) is evidence of demonic posession. Transvestitism was also occuring at this time which could explain the reference to faces like men, with hair like women. 
    The locusts are the Saracens (Muslim Arabs). They attacked the Eastern Roman Empire from A.D. 612 to 763 (using the day-for-a-year theory 5 months would be 150 years). The fallen star is Mohammed, a prince who had lost his position in a princely family early on. He commanded them in the Koran not to harm vegetation. They wear turbans and have long hair. They wore iron breastplates. They could fight from horseback particularly well. Symbolically, some see this as the false teachings of certain popes. 
    Even the more literal expositors see this star as a person. Most see it as Satan himself. (Even those that would agree with Hal Lindsey, for the first time do not see this as a nuclear device of some sort). The locusts in this case are demons who are allowed to torment, even possess, all but those sealed by God (only the 144,000?). Some have the locusts as being a physical army of human descent. Lindsey here moves back into his particular interpretation, claiming that these could be Cobra helicopters that spray nerve gas from their tails. 
       
    <2nd woe>
    Trumpet 6 - Four Angels (at Euphrates river) kill 1/3 of mankind, 200 million
    horsemen: fire, smoke, brimstone. The rest of mankind does not repent of 
    demon worship, idolatry, murders, sorceries, immorality, thefts.
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    As the former woe (the 5th trumpet) symbolized internal destruction, this is symbolic of external decay. This is warfare against mankind - perhaps physical, perhaps spiritual. 
    These are the Roman armies encamped along the Euphrates river (as had all of Jerusalem's enemis in the past). Though not a literal number, 200,000,000 shows this to be an overwhelming army. Preterists who view Revelation as concerning only Jerusalem place this at the onset of the invasion. Those who see the rest of the book as concerning the fall of Rome see this as the final push of the invasion that destroyed the city. 
    This is the destruction of the Eastern Roman Empire from A.D. 1055 to 1453 (Again using the day-for-a-year principle, the "hour, day, month, and year" can equal several possible fulfillments, depending on which type of calendar is used). The horsemen are the Turkish hordes that led this attack. 
    Many futurists consider the angels to be fallen angels who control a 200,000,000 man (or demon) army from the east (the Orient). Some see the horses as references to tanks and other military machinery, including the ever-present nuclear warheads. Whatever the case, by the end of this judgment, 1/2 of mankind will have been killed since the opening of the fourth seal. 

    10) The Little Book (scroll)

    7 thunders speak: told not to write what was heard
    -given by an angel
    -already open
    -sweet when tasted, bitter in stomach
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    Basically the little book is prophecy for the whole world (the land and the sea). John seals up what the seven thunders have spoken because we are not to know all that God will do. 
    To those who see the whole of Revelation concerning Jerusalem, it is the book we saw in ch. 5 (the scroll) that is now almost completely finished. Others, who see in ch.s 4-11 the destruction of Jerusalem and who see the fall of Rome in ch.s 13-19, this is the further prophecy of the fall of Rome. The seven thunder's message is sealed due to the fact that some things are still in the future. 
    With the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire (in the 6th trumpet), we are now brought to developments in the west. Now, with the rise of the Reformation, the Bible (the little book) is being opened for everyone (the land and the sea). The seven thunders have been interpreted as: the seven crusades, seven battles before the French Revolution (the 7th trumpet), seven Kingdoms that embraced reformation teachings, and one says it is the papal bulls which went out against Luther from the Pope and were thus unworthy to be quoted. 
    As with other views, there are many variations here as well. Some see it as the portion of the "title deed" to the arth that Christ shares with believers. Some say it is judgment that believers need not know about since Christ has taken it for us. Some say it is O.T. prophecies regarding Israel during the tribulation. Others say it is to show that God does not reveal all to us regarding the future. 

    11) The Two witnesses

    -temple measured, nations given outer court, trample Jerusalem for 42 months
    -God grants them authority
    -prophesy for 1,260 days
    -two olive trees & two lampstands
    -cannot be harmed
    -fire proceeds out of mouths
    -able to stop rain, turn waters to blood, smite the earth with plagues
    -warred against by the beast from the abyss
    -overcome by the beast from the abyss
    -bodies lie in Jerusalem 3 1/2 days as those who dwell on the earth celebrate
    -resurrected after 3 1/2 days 
    -earthquake, 1/10 of city fell, 7,000 people killed
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    These witnesses are the true church (two because of their truthfullness). 
    Some say they are or represent the church and government (Zech 4:11-14). Others, that they are representative of the entire prophetic witness of the O.T. Moses and Elijah are indicated here, both of whom had latter fulfillment in Christ (Deut 18:15) and John the Baptist (Mal 4:5-6; Matt 11:13-14 & 17:13-13) respectively. One author states emphatically that they are Peter and James. 
    There was always a remnant of faithful believers during Roman Catholicism's reign. These groups, taken together as they spread over the 1,260 years of Rome's power, are the witnesses in question. 
    Generally preferring a literal, two person interpretation, most futurists believe the two witnesses to be either Moses and Elijah, or Enoch and Elijah. One unusual but interesting idea has them being Elijah and John himself (note the last words to John in ch. 10). 
       <3rd Woe>
    Trumpet 7 - Kingdom of earth becomes Kingdom of God Mystery of God 
    finished 
    (10:7)

               -flashes of lightning and sounds and peels of thunder and an earthquake,
                 ailstorm 
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is a picture of the aftermath of judgment, it is the end, God's new reign. 
    Christ began to reign spiritually at the cross. This is His vindication, the destruction of the temple on earth. Now His reign will spread to the church, throughout the world, beyond Jerusalem. 
    This is the sounding that introduces the Bowl judgments, the french Revolution. 
    Many would say that this is a picture of the end, although not actually the end in time. Post-Trib futurists, seeing Revelation as a series of recapitulating visions, see this as the end of the world (as they would the seventh seal and seventh bowl).

    12) The Woman

    -clothed with the sun, moon under her feet, crown of 12 stars
    -gives birth to a male child who will rule with a rod of iron (Christ 19:15)
    and is caught up to God
    -is given eagle's wings to flee into the wilderness to be protected for 1,260 days
    -has other offspring
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The woman is believing Israel, or the church...God's people. The child is Christ. This is a picture of His birth and life and death and resurrection. A picture both of history and the future protection of God's people. 
    The woman is the believing remnant of Israel. Christ is her child. The flight of the woman is the believing Jews who escaped the destruction of Jerusalem. 
    The woman is the church, her child the church politic gradually gaining power. The child being "caught up" is a picture of Constantine becoming enthroned and ruling through the church. Her flight is the struggle to bring down heathen forces at that time (AD 324-363 - against Julian). 
    The woman is Israel and the child is christ. Her flight is that of the Jews in the future Jerusalem seige. Lindsey says this may be an American airlift (hence the Eagle's wings). 

    12)The Dragon

    -great and red, 7 heads, 7 crowns, 10 horns
    -tails swept 1/3 of stars from heaven
    -wars with Michael and his angels, is thrown to the earth
    -is the devil
    -persecutes the woman
    -those who dwell on the earth worship and follow the dragon
    -makes war with the woman's offspring 
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The dragon is Satan, working here through military or political power on earth. 
    The dragon is Satan working through the great empires of the world that have come against Israel. Now the dragon is Rome. 
    The dragon is the Roman heathen in their attempt to destroy Roman Christianity. 
    The dragon is Satan, empowering the revived Roman empire. 

    13) The Beast Out of the Sea

    -10 horns, 7 heads, 7 crowns, blasphemous names
    -like a leopard, feet like a bear, mouth like a lion
    -given power and authority from the dragon
    -one head mortally wounded yet healed
    -those who dwell on the earth worship and follow the beast 
    -will have authority for 42 months
    -makes war with the saints
    -overcomes the saints
       (11:7) 
    -makes war with the two witnesses 
    -overcomes the two witnesses 
       (17:1-17) 
    -is scarlet covered
    -carries the woman Babylon
    -was, is not, and will come (from the abyss) and remain for a little while
    -goes to destruction
    -the 7 heads are (also) 7 kings; 5 have fallen, 1 is, 1 has not yet come
    the beast is also an 8th (king)
    -its 10 horns are 10 kings who:
    ~who have not received power, but will receive it from the beast for 1 hour
    ~war against the Lamb who will overcome them
    ~hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh
    and burn her with fire
    ~give their kingdom to the beast
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This beast is governmental power coming against the church. Satan disguised as a political system. 
    This beast is the Roman Empire and, specifically, Nero. He killed himself, throwing the Empire into turmoil, and yet it survived. 
    Generally, this beast is seen as pagan Rome...with its ten subordinate kingdoms, and the seven forms of government Rome has held. 
    The final deification of worldly power, this is the revived Roman empire. It is the kingdom of the Antichrist. It is also Antichrist himself. The deadly wound may be some sort of bodily resurrection that amazes the world, or simply the fact of Rome's revival. 

    13) The Beast Out of the Earth

    -2 horns like a lamb
    -speaks like a dragon
    -exercises the beast's authority in its presence
    -commands earth to worship the beast
    -performs great signs, makes fire from heaven
    -deceives those who dwell on the earth into making an image of the beast
    -gives life to the image
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is the false prophet which is false religion, especially of the kind that supports the state against Christ. 
    This is the cult of the emperor. Emperor worship was required in the first century, and bowing down to a statue of the emperor was used as a test of obedience to the state. As an historic figure, this person could possibly be Roman Procurator for Judea, Gessius Florus. 
    This beast is the Papacy, the Roman priesthood. It shows it's idolatry, claimed miracles, etc. This is the head that received the wound and was healed (Roman Government moving into Religious Government). 
    This is the false prophet, a religious figure that will support the Antichrist (the first beast) by proclaiming him to be God and demanding his worship. 
    -causes all to receive the mark of the beast, 666 (some manuscripts read 616)
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The number is that of man (6), in contrast to that of perfection (7). It is alliance with false religion. The head symbolizes the mind, thoughts - the hand symbolizes deeds. This mark, then, is the actions and thoughts of one who follows the beast. It need not be any more literal or visible than the "mark" of God in ch. 7. Although anytime a mark is used to distinguish God's chosen from the followers of the world it would find literal fulfillment. 
    This is a code number using Hebrew gematria, the use of letters for numbers (as in Roman numerology). It is Nero's title (Caesar Nero) in Hebraic number form (50+200+ 6+50+100+ 60+200 = 666). 
    616 (in later texts) is the same name in Latin.
    Boycotts were implemented against any who would not bow to the emperor, thus the inability to buy or sell. 
    The earliest calculation of this number is the word lateinos, which is Greek for "Latin" It was the Latin world, kingdom, church, language, clergy, prayers etc. that "marked" the Roman Catholic church. Later, in the 1500's, it was explained as the number of the Pope's title: Vicarius filii Dei which is "Vicar of the Son of God". The Roman numeral count of this title is 5+1+100+50+500 = 666. Also of note is the fact that "Vicar" is the root form of "vicarious" meaning "in place of" or "Anti"...thus the Pope's title is literally "Antichrist". 
    Most see this mark as a literal tattoo, bar code, or computer chip that will be used as a forced identification with the Antichrist's cashless world economic system. The number has been discerned in more ways than would be useful to list here. 

    14) Angelic Messages

    1-gospel proclaimed to whole world, fear God for judgment has come
    2-fallen is Babylon the great
    3-warning against the mark of the beast, God's wrath will come upon them
     
     
    Harvest and Reaping
    -Christ comes, reaps
    -an angel comes, harvests and throws them into the wine press
    of the wrath of God
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is a picture of the saints in Heaven, followed by pronouncements of various events such as: the preaching of the gospel to the world, the judgment of false religion, and the separation of God's elect from God's enemies. 
    This chapter is a picture of the events that will finish that which we have seen so far. God will continue to protect His elect, the the gospel will be preached in all the world (land), Babylon (Jerusalem) will fallen, and the vine of Israel will be cut off even as God's people are saved. 
    This is the missionary era of the Christian church. This section also pictures the coming judgment of Papal Rome in the French Revolution. 
    This chapter is like a "table of contents" of the end. The everlasting gospel is seen by some Dispensationalists as being distinct from the current gospel, as it only concerns those who will enter the millennial kingdom. Most, however, believe this to be the only gospel that has ever existed, going out to the entire earth. The judgment on Babylon is forecast, as is the rapture of the elect and judgment of the wicked. 

    15) Seven Angels

    -given the 7 last plagues of God, in them the wrath of God is finished
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    These are the final outpourings of God's wrath. They may be seen as either the last judgments that God executes on the world, or as the endpoint of His patience with sinful mankind. 
    These angels are given 7 chalices, showing the negation of Jerusalem's sacraments. As Moses led the Jews out of Egypt through the Red Sea, now Christ leads the true Israel through a red sea of blood. The temple is closed, no more intercession will be accepted on Jerusalem's behalf. 
    As the 7 trumpets symbolized the fall of pagan Rome, now the 7 bowls will show the fall of Papal Rome. 
    These bowls mark the soon coming, and fast outpouring, of the final stage of God's wrath on the earth. 

    16) The Bowls
     

    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    As the trumpets were partial warning judgments, these are total and final. There is no repentance left for those who receive these plagues. Whereas in one person's life a judgment may be seen as a trumpet, for others it may be a bowl. 
    The bowls are the final, cumulative judgment on Jerusalem...resulting in her final destruction. 
    These bowls are the beginning of the fall of religious (Papal) Rome. Their conclusion is yet future. 
    These bowls are the final judgments upon earth and unregenerate mankind. They culminate during the final battle at Christ's return. 
    Bowl 1 - Sores on those who took the mark
     
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is a bodily judgment of sores or ulcers. As the body breaks out in sores due to impurities, these may also be "spiritual" sores on an impure world. 
    This plague, mirroring that of the Exodus plague in Egypt, took place literally as sanitation within Jerusalem had disappeared. Disease and infection were the natural result. 
    Counting forward 1,260 years from the installation of the bishop of Rome as head over all others in 533 AD, this bowl brings us to the French Revolution of 1793. France leads the way in toppling Rome's power. 
    Just as this plague was literal in Egypt, so now it will be literal at the end of the world. These plagues will fall at or very close to the end of the tribulation, and in rapid succession. 
    Bowl 2 - Sea turns to blood
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    God's sea judgments may include weather, ship wrecks etc. The sea may represent all people, it is also a major source of food supply. A judgement against any of these would constitute fulfillment. 
    This are the aftereffects of the 2nd trumpet judgment, the water is not now filled with blood - it is now blood itself. This is a picture of the coagulated blood of the bodies from various sea battles fought during the Jewish War. 
    This bowl is the naval battles against Rome's fleet countries from 1793 to 1815. 
    The judgment should be taken literally and includes the entire earth in its scope. Nuclear exchnage killing all sea creatures is a possible explanation. 
    Bowl 3 - Freshwater turns to blood
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This bowl could be any way that God uses freshwater to kill a person. This might include drowning, poisoning, flooding, etc. 
    In Jerusalem the polluted waters had run with the blood of the dead. This is God's judgment against the city responsible for the blood of all the prophets. 
    This bowl is the Napoleanic battles fought in the Rhine river valleys where so many martyrs were killed by Papal decree. 
    This is yet another literal, Egypt-like judgment. This time, however, it is for the entire world. 
    Bowl 4 - Scorching sun
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    The sun judgment could include any time a person is judged by exposure, heat, dehydration ...even cancer. The sun, like the waters of the previous judgments, is a major source of life. Judgment upon it, then, is a strike at mankind's life itself. 
    The sun here, as in other verses, is a heavenly body symbolizing a leader. Thus, it could refer to the leaders of the zealots in Jerusalem. 
    This is either the diminishing power of the Papacy, or it is a reference to Napolean. 
    This refers to some kind of atmospheric problem that increases the heat of the sun... it could possibly be linked to ozone depletion or the results of nuclear fallout. 
    Bowl 5 - Darkness upon the kingdom of the beast
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This bowl is a just and fittting punnishment for those who loved darkness over light. The seat of the beast is anywhere that world power is worshipped or takes God's place. Whenever a Rome or Babylon or other power falls, the world moves with it. 
    The throne of the beast was Rome. When Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D., it nearly tore the empire apart. The heathen who joined Israel in persecution of the church were now included in judgment. 
    This bowl shows the destruction of the Vatican by the French upon their entrance into Rome. The blasphemies include decrees by the Papal church during that time period, such as: the immaculate conception of Mary, and the infallibility of the Pope when speaking ex cathedra. 
    This will be a complete blackout of the new Roman empire, possibly allowing time for the 200 million man army of the east to move into position for the next bowl. 
    Bowl 6 - Euphrates River dries up - making way for Armageddon
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This bowl has two major symbolic references. The Euphrates river is that which holds back the forces of an invasion as it has literally throughout history. Armageddon is symbolic (there is no mountain on the plain of Megiddo, nor could it possibly hold 200 million troops) for a place of slaughter, particularly when God intervenes to destroy His enemies. 
    In yet another example of the irony in God's punnishment of Israel, the great river that once protected them is shown drying up to allow for their destruction. Now, instead of a river drying for them (i.e. the Red Sea or the Jordan), we have a picture of their doom by God's allowing their enemies to cross that which once protected them. Many of Titus' troops were stationed along the Euphrates. Also we see that as Egypt was plagued by frogs, "spiritual" Egypt was tormented by frog spirits. This battle was not a world-ending final battle, it could be likened to "Waterloo" to the French, Armageddon is the "place of defeat" for Israel. 
    The Euphrates refers to Turkish power, and the drying up refers to the downfall of the Turkish world power. In 1917/1918 the British defeated the Turkish Empire completely. Islam, Judaism, and Communism (beginning in 1917) are the evil spirits that came out of this. 
    This will be the final world war. The 200 million troop army is probably an Oriental coalition with Red China or Japan in the lead. They will converge on the plain of Armageddon either in response to a call from the beast to fight against the coming Christ, or in rebellion against the beast's rule. However it begins, it will end with all the armies of the world gathered for the final slaughter. Christ will return quickly at this point to destroy His enemies once and for all. 

    Bowl 7 - "It Is Done" - flashes of lightning and sounds and peels of thunder, an earthquake, a hailstorm - Babylon destroyed
    Idealism
    Preterism
    Historicism
    Futurism
    This is the final judgment of God on sinful humanity and the Anti-Christian world powers. It is poured out on the air, Satan's realm. The final earthquake removes the kingdom which can be shaken to make way for the one that cannot. As in Egypt, the hail brings destruction - and yet even though Pharoah showed signs of repentance during this plague, the final inhabitants of this world's kingdom continue in their rebellion and blasphemy until the very last. 
    Jerusalem was being shaken. As there was shaking at Sinai during the giving of the covenant to Israel, now it will be shaken as a result of that covenants dissolution. As in Ezekial's prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon in 586 BC, the great city was split into three parts (Ezek 5:1-12). The city was literally divided into three warring factions among the Jews themselves. The hail could be a reference to the catapult stones used to smash the city by the Romans. This is the end for Jerusalem. 
    Because this bowl has not yet been poured out, it is difficult to tell exactly what it may entail. Whatever the exact cause (possibly the Gog invasion of Russia), the result will be the utter overthrow of Papal power. 
    Literally, this will be the end of civilization. This plague will be literal, just as it was in Egypt, only now on a far greater scale. All that man could possibly rely upon for survival will be utterly destroyed...and yet they will die blaspheming their own creator in a final show of their rebellion.

    17) The Harlot, Babylon

    -committed immorality with the kings of the earth
    -sitting on a scarlet beast
    -clothed in purple, scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls
    -holds a cup full of abominations
    -drunk on the blood of the saints
    -sits on 7 mountains (kings) & many waters which are
    peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues
    -the great (and strong ch. 18) city which reigns over the kings of the earth
    (ch. 18) 
    -all the nations have committed fornication with her
    -God's people are in her and are told to come out
    -glorifies herself saying, "I am not a widow, and will never see mourning"
    -lives sensuously
    -is a sorcerer
    -in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints (and bond- servants 19:2)
    and of all who have been slain on the earth
    -is a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit
    and every unclean and hateful bird
    -makes merchants rich