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Outline of Revelation #1

Fred R. Coulter - May 22, 1994

Now I want you to take the chart and I want you to turn to the page which says, “To be used with Revelation #1 tape.” Because we have the chart printed on both sides, front and back. Now some of these things…the reason it is a chart - and let’s understand something concerning a chart. A chart is a visual guide. A chart is not dogmatic doctrine. Ok? So therefore (rings bell), I’m going to ring the bell. However, it is based upon our understanding of scriptures to this particular point. Which means that it could change if we come to a greater understanding in the future.

Now, what I did with this was, I wanted to find out the actual historic flow of the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation can only be understood when you understand the basic prophecies of Daniel. This is, really, advanced teaching. This, what you have in the chart, is beyond what was ever done at Ambassador College. None of the ministers in Worldwide have ever gone through anything like this. So you’re really in graduate school today, if we could put it that way.

So let’s go ahead and begin understanding. And the book of the Bible which tells us the oldest story is Revelation 12. In history, in time setting, and in flow, Revelation 12 is the oldest historical setting of the book of the Bible. Now you can read Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” That is, that verse is older because that verse goes way back to when God first created everything. Then Genesis 2 says, “And the earth became void and without form” (Genesis 1:2). There is a space. There is a gap in between. Revelation 12, the first part, shows us what happened in that gap, which then, was the rebellion and fall of Satan and the angels. Ok, let’s go to Revelation 12. When we get into it a little bit more, this is going to be fun. Because a lot of little lights of previous learning of prophecy are going to connect. That’s what this is designed to, is to connect all these.

Revelation 12:1, let’s begin there. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:…” This is the completed spiritual Israel, as it will be in her glorified form. This is symbolic language. This is not the queen of heaven. But this is symbolic of the ultimate goal of spiritual Israel, being the church, and the plan of God. “…And she being with child...” Now it comes down to physical Israel. You see, in a lot of these prophecies you go from spiritual to physical, to spiritual to physical, to spiritual to physical. “…And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” Seven and ten is the number of Satan.

Now continuing in verse 4, “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:...” This verse, verse 3 and verse 4, cover all the rebellion of Satan the devil. That includes Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14. See, if you want to mark on the chart, go ahead and do that. Mark in your Bible, whatever you want. This is meant to be a working paper. This is not meant that - a chart is not sacred. It is just paper. Write on it. If you need another one, we’ll give you another one.

(Audience comment) Ezekiel 28, where it talks about the covering cherubim - cherub that was in the Garden of Eden, Ok, was cast down. Isaiah 14, “I will ascend above the stars. I will sit on the sides of the north. I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14, paraphrased). That is Satan’s rebellion. Then put in there Luke 10:18, where Jesus said, “I saw Satan fall from heaven as lightning.” That’s when the tail drew a third part of the stars of heaven and was cast to the earth. That was the first war in heaven. There is going to come another war. This is the first war. Drew a third part... see, what this is, this is a summary in a few words of vast amounts of history and time in Bible history. So therefore, you’ve got to understand, or at least be familiar with those places in the Bible in order to understand the few words in this verse for what it’s saying.

“...And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered,...” (Revelation 12:4). Now, you have three things with the woman here. You have the ultimate bride of Christ, visioned in the first verse. Because God’s plan was made, what? Before the foundation of the world. Correct? And was not Christ slain before the foundation of the earth? Revelation 13:8. I’ll mention these as we go along. You can put it down, “Christ slain before the foundation of the world.” Ephesians 1:3-10, that God has an eternal purpose. This eternal purpose is personified, or pictured in this vision of the woman. Now, we come down to after, after this, after Satan’s rebellion, then we come all the way down to the calling of Israel. Israel became the bride of the LORD God of the Old Testament, correct? Yes. Where the LORD said, “I am your husband. You became Mine” (Ezekiel 16:8, paraphrased).

Now then, we come all the way down to another event that is the next most important thing in physical Israel’s existence. And the whole purpose for her existence was, what? The whole purpose of her existence was for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to be born of the virgin Mary. So therefore this comes down to Mary, symbolizing, physically, all of God’s plan. Why? Because she bore Christ, Who was the fullness of God’s plan, correct? Now you see, some people get hung up on that fact and say, “Well how can it come down that Mary symbolizes this?” Because she was the only one to receive the impregnation of God the Father, that’s why. Right? Yes. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive…” Isaiah 8 and Isaiah 9. “…Unto us a child is born, and a son is given. And upon his shoulders shall be the government. And he shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Everlasting God…” (Isaiah 9:6, paraphrased). That’s why.

Because that was a tremendous and fantastic event that took place, right? Yes. So therefore - and was Satan there, ready to devour the child? Immediately. First thing he wanted to do was get Joseph to divorce her, right? So God had to intervene and send an angel, correct? And say, “Take her, because this is of God.” Why did an angel have to do it? Because no man could testify to the truth of that fact. Would you believe any man saying, “Well, now, this is from God,” if you had a bride that you were espoused to and to marry, and you found her pregnant? That’s why an angel had to do it.

Then when He was born, right after He was born, Herod came after Him, right? And an angel appeared to Joseph and said, “Escape into Egypt.” Right? Yes. So Satan was there right to do it. Was Satan there after Christ all the time? How about the temptation, Luke 4, Matthew 4? So see, when you study the book of Revelation you’ve got to have all these facts in the background as you’re going.

So she brought forth a man child. Here’s the whole life, death, and resurrection of Christ in one verse. All four of the Gospels reduced to one verse. “And she brought forth a man child, Who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was...” It was still her child, though He was a grown man, right? Is that not correct? Yes. Those of us who have children who are grown up, they’re still our children, right? Yes. “...And her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne” (Revelation 12:5).

Now then, the woman becomes the church at this point. Why? Because all of those who are in the church, the body of Christ, are going to be, what? The bride of Christ. Is that not correct? The church is called “the woman” because in Greek, “church” is a feminine-gendered word. Ok? That’s why it is the church, she. So then, now we start out with the plan of God, the ultimate goal of Israel, the conflict with Satan and the war that took place, the birth of the Savior, and it’s all carried through as the woman. But it means all three. So unto the woman, “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (vs. 6). Now it’s 1,260 years. The church fled in 325 and was virtually disappeared from the face of the earth, as far as history that has come to us has been known. That doesn’t mean the church did not exist, because it did. That doesn’t mean the Gospel was not preached, because it was, because you can’t have the church without the Gospel being preached. So therefore when Herbert said, “The Gospel was not preached for 1,800 years,” that was not a correct statement. It was only correct in so far as it wasn’t preached over radio, and it wasn’t preached over the printed word, because they didn’t have it then. But it was preached. Let’s go on.

Now then, the next event to occur - this has not yet occurred. Verse 7, “And there was war in heaven:...” When does this war take place? It’s still yet ahead of us. When does this war take place? Daniel 12. Let’s go to Daniel 12. Now this is why the book of Revelation is not for a novice. This is why. This, the book of Revelation, fulfills the understanding of the Scriptures here a little, there a little, verse upon verse, precept upon precept, line upon line. The book of Revelation fulfills that more than every other book in the Bible, because every line, every precept, goes back to something profound in the Bible somewhere else.

When does Michael stand up and fight for His people? We have Daniel 12:1, it says, “And at that time...” What is that time? Daniel 11:40 says, “And at the time of the end...” That’s when Michael will stand up and fight for His people. Which then, begins the great tribulation. So therefore, when you look on the chart - now pick up the chart and you will understand why I did it the way I did. Let’s look at the chart again and get an overall bearing of the chart.

Let’s come right across the top where I have first three and half years, second three and half years, being a total of seven years. Why? There are two applications of Daniel 9, “the last week.” The first one has to do with the coming of Christ and cut off in the middle of the week. The second one has to do with the coming of Christ and the last seven years before His physical presence on the earth, and then the church is going to be cut off. So therefore, we have the last week in the last seven years. Now there may be room for some discussion on that in understanding later on, but you have to have some time-frame to put it in. So I put it in seven years.

Now, the reason that we have it three and a half years on each side to the middle there, the middle of the fourth year is three and a half years, is because when the beast power comes in, as we’ll see later as we go on, there will be three and a half years of peace and prosperity, and then the beast is going to be wounded with the deadly wound, and bam, when he comes back to life the tribulation begins. Let’s go on. Let’s continue.

Now then, let’s see what happens. Let’s continue on. Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which [is deceiving] deceiveth...” Notice the “-eth” in the King James. “...[Is deceiving] deceiveth the whole world: and he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Therefore, we know that the angels that fell with Satan became demons, or unclean spirits, correct? Now, can you think of some verses which will help us understand that even more? Let’s go to the book of Jude, verse 6. Jude 6. There’s only one chapter in Jude, so you just have the verse. Jude 6 says, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” So those are the angels that followed Satan. That’s why it says, “...and his angels were cast out with him.”

Let’s think for a minute here. This is thinking time. Satan wants to be like God. He failed in destroying Jesus Christ. He failed in his efforts to get Christ to worship him. He failed in his efforts to thwart God. He is going to try once more to take over. This time he must, in his own mind, be able to destroy God, if he can. So therefore, it is my opinion that most of these fantastic weapons of destruction that we have today are designed to try and kill God. That’s why there’s war in heaven. I also feel that, perhaps, maybe this space station thing that we have going on is part of that, to get him up into heaven far enough to launch his attack. Just a thought. Not wrong to think. However, it is not doctrine. Could it be - question: could it be that Satan enters into the beast and the beast actually goes up into space to initiate this war? Just a question. And he’s cast back down to the earth and survives. (Audience comment) Just questions. Whenever you have questions and you use your imagination a little bit, don’t think it’s doctrine. It’s interesting. We’ll go on.

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhibitors of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (vs. 10-12). Now we will answer the question, how long is “a short time,” as closely as we can.

“And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place,...” A second escape, right? Supernatural. Wings of an angel, into the wilderness. Now, it’s interesting that the original means, “into the place, namely, her place.” Which means, a specific place of protection. Now then, “...where she is nourished...” for how long? “...For a time, and times, and half a time,...” (vs. 13-14), which is three and half years. Three and half years.

Now, a short time - we can answer the question, how long is a short time? Verse 12 says he knows he has a short time. A short time is a little longer than three and a half years. Agreed? That’s the closest we can define it. Because the three and half years is the only time definition we have. And his short time is going to end - when is his short time going to end? When the angel comes down, Revelation 20, and puts them in the abyss and locks him in prison, correct? That ends the short time. The beginning of the short time is just before the three and a half years. So we can say the short time is a little longer than three and a half years. Can’t tell it exactly.

Now let’s finish chapter 12. Because chapter 12 brings us almost to the end of time, of human rule. It begins with the plan of God and the vision of spiritual Israel; it comes down through time very quickly to the church going to a place of safety, and then the war, the martyrdom of the saints. Let’s continue on here. Revelation 12:15, “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed,...” (vs. 15-17).

Now let’s understand something concerning the word “remnant.” What does “a remnant” mean in English? It means a small piece left over, namely referring to bolt of cloth, which is called a remnant. And stores that sold cloth would have a “Remnant Sale.” Same way with carpeting. The little bit left over would be a remnant sale. Now the Greek does not mean that. It merely means, “the others.” No limitation of numbers, no definition of a smaller amount of people. Just “the others.” So the others could be more than the ones who were taken to a place of safety. So every doctrine that has come down concerning the so-called Laodiceans, you see, falls apart. Because it could be many more people than what has been given to be understood in the past. We don’t know. It doesn’t tell us. But the Greek does not mean “a small remaining amount”; it means “the others” who were not taken to a place of protection. That’s all it means. And he made war with them.

Now then, making war with them implies a two-way battle, correct? Could the - question: could this be some of those who keep some of the commandments of Christ, who are fighting the system of Satan, who are actually arming themselves today with guns and weapons, and who are actually going to fight the forces of the One World government, instigated by Satan? Could be. Let’s put a question mark. The Bible says, “He who lives by the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52, paraphrased), correct? Yes. Is God going to reject all of those people? Jesus said, “He who is with Me is not against Me” (Luke 9:50, paraphrased). So we have to say it’s possible. Nevertheless, there’s going to be the war, “...with the remnant [or the others] of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17). Now then, on the chart that’s why I brought the line down for Revelation 12 to just a little past the three and a half year period, because the war against the saints starts after those who go to a place of protection have been taken there.

Now, just like in any movie we have today, and the book of Revelation, being a vision, is more like a movie then we would understand. Now that you’ve come up to this point, how did the church get to this point? Then we go back to Revelation 1, 2, and 3. Because then that brings us up again to nearly the same point, doesn’t it? So just like a story - how many here saw… what was that? Just like the television series “Centennial.” They would start out with a certain group of people and carry their whole family line up to a certain point. And then they would go back and they would get some others and follow that family line up to a certain point. Then they would go back and get another family line and follow that up to a certain point, and then you came to the center of the story. The book of Revelation is much like that. Now that we have seen where Israel has come down to this point to where part of her seed, the church, are in a place of protection, war is being made with the rest of them. How did it get to that point?

So now we must go back and begin with the seven churches to bring it up to that point. So that’s why on the chart the next thing I have is Revelation 1, 2, and 3. And you will see the reason for it as we go along. Now let’s go to Revelation 2. Revelation 2 and 3. Revelation 1 is the introduction to it. Revelation 1 shows that Christ is in charge, Christ is in the midst of His church; and Revelation 2 then starts out with the churches. Let’s back up to Revelation 1 and let’s begin with verse 19 as we lead in to Revelation 2. And this becomes a very important thing. Because now we have to come back to the exact time of John, when he was receiving this vision on the Isle of Patmos, which was about 90 A.D.

Notice the instruction after he saw one like the Son of man clothed with a garment down to the feet, with a face shining like the sun in brilliance, and His eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet as unto fine brass; and he fell as if he was dead. And let’s go to verse 18. Jesus said, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of [the grave] hell and of death.” Which means, no one’s going to get out of the grave unless Christ brings them out. No one.

“Write the things which thou hast seen,...” First part of Revelation the first chapter. He saw that. “You have seen.” “...And the things which are,...” That means, beginning now. “...And the things which shall be hereafter;…”, from this point to the end. So He begins to explain the things which are. “…The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (vs. 19-20). Then he starts chapter 2.

Why are there seven churches? Because this, Revelation 2 and 3, shows the seven weeks of the harvest going to Pentecost: seven weeks, seven churches. The time frame of the activity of the seven churches does not necessarily equal, in time, a week. But it shows the harvest. Let’s just state it this way: Revelation 2 and 3 shows everything that the churches would be confronted with when Satan comes against them: every doctrinal problem, every attitude problem, everything that we as Christians would experience. That’s why it always ends in saying, “He that has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

So He took seven literal churches that were in existence, so at that time it meant the seven churches listed. These churches also became seven churches in prophecy. How do we know that? Revelation 5:6, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts [living creatures]...” It’s says “four beasts,” but “living creatures” would be a preferable translation. “...And in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes,...” Now, what is a horn in the Bible? A horn is a king or kingdom, correct? In this case we’re talking about Christ. Christ is called what in relationship to the church? The head. Correct? Christ is the head. Where do these seven horns appear on Christ? Out of His head. Showing that Christ is in charge of all seven churches through all history. That’s what it means.

So therefore, Revelation 2 and 3 is everything we have ever understood: the seven literal churches, the seven prophetic churches, although not exactly in eras as it was once preached. It shows all of the doctrinal problems, all of the confrontation with Satan, and so forth. So therefore, notice on the chart: Revelation 1, 2, and 3, I have the church age, seven churches, and notice where the line goes. All the way down to the middle three and a half years, and then I have a dotted line after that. Why do I have a dotted line there? Because there is going to come a time when those people who are in the church that are not in the place of safety will be martyred. So I left the dotted line there to indicate the martyrdom.

Now after the seven churches we come to the next section, which is Revelation 4 and 5. And this shows that before the end time events, beginning in chapter 6, take place, that there has to be the exact time and the power of God from heaven above to give the Ok. How is that Ok, or that authority, given? First of all, John is called up and sees the tremendous throne of God. And the four living creatures saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.” Let’s come here, Revelation 4:11. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Fantastic verse, brethren. Awesome verse. The whole purpose of the Bible is contained in that one verse. Do you realize that? So this is God’s eternal purpose.

Now then, the vision continues. And here is the scroll with seven seals. And no one could open the scroll. John was crying and saying, “Oh! No one can open the scroll with the seven seals!” And then it says, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the Lamb that has seven horns, He is worthy; He will open the scrolls” (Revelation 5:5, paraphrased).

Now notice, let’s come down here to Revelation 5:9, showing again - now you’re going to find this a lot in the book of Revelation. We’re going to come along to a certain point and then be projected to the end, which we have right here. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [the saints] to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (vs. 9-10). So after we’re resurrected, meet Christ in the air, we’re going to come back to the earth after Pentecost on the next Trumpets and we’re going to reign on the earth. We will not be in heaven for a thousand years. That, unfortunately, is an error of Ellen G. White.

Now then, we find a tremendous scene here, that the Lamb is worthy to open the book. So He came to the throne of God and there was given Him the book, and He opened the seals. Now let’s go to the chart. Revelation 6 follows right along. And since I’ve done the chart…(Audience comment) The question was asked, when is God going to cut short? It doesn’t mean cut short the time; it means cut short the activity. And I get really tired of preachers saying events are speeding up, or slowing down; speeding up, and slowing down; speeding up, and slowing down. And we’re all getting whip-lashed. They are not speeding up, they are not slowing down; they are right on time. And what it is, it is our perception of the intensity of an activity which, to us, makes it seem like it is speeding up, but it’s not. It’s happening right on time.

Now then, since I have done the chart - and I’ll have to explain something here. Let’s come to the chart. Revelation 6, I have the six seals open. Notice I have, “Beginning [of the first seal] not clear.” It still is not clear. I wrote an article back in 1980 where I said that I thought, at that time, the first seal was opened when John Paul II was coronated as Pope. Because he was such a dynamic Pope at that time. He could speak fluently, and in any conversation change the conversation to any one of 45 languages. Any one of 45 languages! That’s awesome. However, however I think that that opinion was not correct. I’m beginning to see that it’s going to be something greater. The Pope, I’m sure, will be involved; but it’s going to be greater than that. I still don’t know exactly when it’s going to be.

So the first seal is opened, and it’s the white horse. You all know that; since this is a summary, we’re not necessarily going to read every verse from here on. But notice, one thing about this, the one that’s sitting on the white horse: white is symbolic of righteousness. But also, white covering an evil person is symbolic of the wrong righteousness. He’s on a white horse. Notice he has limited power. “...And he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth, conquering, and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2). Notice the next one has a sword. Has a different kind of power. (Audience comment) It could be. I’ve said that in the past, that he has a bow but no arrows. We can’t be for sure. Sometimes we make statements and we think of it, and I’ve even made them in a sermon, and then we come back and we have to rethink it again and say, “Well, it doesn’t say he didn’t have any, it doesn’t say he did have some; but it...”