From this point on a new approach to the Book of Revelation. There are many approaches to “last times” – our future. Some even try to predict the Lord’s coming by signs of the times – even by astronomical observations. Remember what Jesus said (Matthew 24:36, 42). We are to be faithful, obedient and keep watch!

Considering the above the focus is each elect person’s life in their lifetime. The battle has been won. Jesus is victor – although the end of our history has not come. There has been an ‘end of history’ for every saint who has gone to be with Jesus eternally (Philippians 1:21, 23).  So far, we have seen:

Chapters 1-3       Jesus as the exalted Priest/King ministering to the churches.

Chapters 4-5       Jesus is seen in heaven as the Glorified Lamb of God, reigning on the throne.

And from here on:

Chapters 6-18     Jesus is the Judge of all the earth in each lifetime.

Chapter 19          Evil coming to an end.

Chapter 20          Jesus returns. The millennium and Satan’s doom.

Chapters 21 – 22         Description and reality of New Jerusalem.

Understanding Chapters 6-16

So, what is before us is a set of four overviews or sequences. Each subsequent overview overlays the preceding one. Each of these overviews occurred in John’s time and also occur in every Christian’s lifetime. The time of the beginning of “birth pangs” shortly before the rapture is excepted. Several authors have touched on this – one suggesting a post-millennial approach – that we are actually now in the 1,000-year reign of Jesus. Again, this author is researching from a pre- millennial approach. The millennium begins after the rapture the second coming of Christ.

Chapters 6-7 Times of Treacherous Evil Rulers

We see seven seals which deal with treacherous evil rulers. They are in John’s time (cAD95 at time of writing).

They are also in the lifetime of every elect person.

Chapters 8-11 Times of Total Confusion and Disorder

We see seven trumpets defining total confusion, total disorder. As we will see, Satan is responsible for the Fall, giving man without God, emotions of hopelessness, loneliness, worthlessness, helplessness, sadness, fear (slavish fear not Holy fear of reverencing God), tyranny, pain, frustration, confusion and death. This, also, was in John’s time as we will see – and in each lifetime in history until Jesus returns.

Chapters 12-14 Times of Enmity and Suffering

Seven signs about enmity and suffering. Again, in John’s time and each elect person in their lifetime.

Chapters 15-16 Times which Utterly Destroy

Seven plagues which utterly destroy. Again, as above.

A modern-day equivalent, whilst not as severe as what is to come, is the devastation of World War II (Please see series “World at War”, narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier, 1970) Also there is an Appendix – important conflicts – AD476 – AD1899.

Firstly, to note – there is no context reference from Daniel to Revelation 6.

The context of Daniel 7.2 to Revelation 7.1 shows Gods’ power. I include all of Revelation 7 and notes now:

Times of Treacherous Evil Rulers and the

Elect of the Old Covenant Saved and

Those with Them in White Robes in Glory

Chapter 7 begins with the listing of those elect from the Old Covenant. Thus, we read in Holy Scripture the two groups: