Westside church of Christ - Irving, Texas

The Sights and Sounds of Revelation

by David Holder

The Book of Revelation is an audio-video event - a series of scenes and sound bytes that the apostle John first saw and heard on the Island of Patmos in the first century AD. God's people in Asia were hurting because they were Christians, and God had a message for them. God showed the message to John (1:2, 4:1, etc.), who was to show it to God's people (1:1). To show what he saw, John was to write the message (1:11, 19; etc.) so Christians could read and heed it (1:3). The combination of John's seeing and writing results in Revelation being a series of word-pictures recorded so we may "see" and "hear" the drama.

Use your imagination when reading Revelation. This does not mean to go wild and see things that aren't there or make up things as you read. Use your imagination to re-envision the scenes John describes, to see the sights and hear the sounds. This way the book's important message will have its intended impact on your senses, as well as on your mind and heart.

Revelation's Four Visions

If you've ever hiked a trail through the woods, you know how important markers are. It's always reassuring to read a sign that indicates you're going in the right direction. John supplies some markers that help guide us through the scenes of Revelation.

One important marker in Revelation is a phrase John uses four times in a way that it sets off the major divisions of the book. The phrase is "in the Spirit," and it indicates the four visions of Revelation. John first describes himself as "in the Spirit" on the Lord's day on the island of Patmos (1:9-10). Then these identical words are repeated at three strategic places in the book (4:1-2, 17:1-3, 21:9-10).

Not only is the same phrase used four times, but with each usage a change of location also occurs. First, John is "in the Spirit" on Patmos (1:9-10). Second, he is "in the Spirit" in heaven (4:1-2). Third, he is "in the Spirit" in the wilderness (17:3). Fourth, he is "in the Spirit" on a great and high mountain (21:10).

"In the Spirit" is like a trail marker setting off the four main visions of Revelation, guiding the reader through the scenes. In addition, "in the Spirit" indicates John's condition as he saw the message he recorded. Revelation is a message directed by the Spirit of God, a divinely-directed drama. This chart shows the four visions of Revelation:

Vision 1 1:9-3:22 The Lord Among the Lampstands
Vision 2 4:1-16:21 The Lord and the World
Vision 3 17:1-21:8 The Lord and the Devil
Vision 4 21:9-22:5 The Lord and His Own

When you read and study Revelation, consider the limits of the four visions indicated by the marker John supplies. Try as much as possible to view an entire vision at once. You will have to study and consider individual panels within the vision, but try first to view a whole vision. In the paragraphs that follow, we will consider each vision as a whole and try to see what John saw.

Vision One (1:9-3:22) - The Lord Among the Lampstands

Vision One is composed of an initial portrait of Jesus (1:12-20) followed by His speaking to seven churches respectively (chs. 2 and 3). Jesus introduces Himself to each church in a significant way. Parts of the initial portrait of Jesus (1:12-20) are included in the opening statements to the churches. Jesus, for example, presented Himself to Ephesus as "The One who holds the seven starts in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands" (2:1). We have already seen these features of Jesus in the opening view of Him (1:12-13, 16).

This technique of including part of the portrait brings to the mind of each church that the glorious Lord is present with them, He knows and cares about them. Some significant lessons may be learned from this.

Vision Two (4:1-16:21) - The Lord and the World

Vision Two is long and complex, but it's not too hard to see the major features. The entire vision is viewed from the throne room of heaven. The scenes get ugly and disturbing, but God is still on the throne. Never forget this. This vision is dominated by three series of sevens, each series involving a different action:

These series have other scenes around them and some interwoven with them. The effect of this arrangement is to present actions occurring simultaneously/. We are guided through the scenes to see what is happening on earth and in heaven at the same time. Occasionally, it is as if God pulls a curtain back to show us what is going on behind the scenes.

To get the full effect, read all Vision Two at one time. Imagine several opened windows on a computer screen. The first window depicts the opening of seven seals, revealing evil at work in the world. For a moment, a window within the window pops up showing what is happening in heaven (ch. 7). Evil is at work in the world, but God is still in control.

The screen transitions to a second main window which pictures the blowing of seven trumpets, announcing the partial judgment of evil. God allows evil to take its toll. Another window within the window appears showing God's mercy (10:1-11:14). Though He uses evil for the purpose of judgment, God also gives people time to repent. The sad fact is the world doesn't repent and a window emerges depicting an intense spiritual war ultimately directed against Christians (11:15-15:4). Judgment grows intense as God's wrath is stirred up.

Finally, the screen transitions to a third main window showing the pouring out of the bowls of wrath. God judges evil in ferocious judgment. He governs and uses evil in the world for His own righteous purposes. God doesn't keep His people from being hurt by evil, but He is always with them holding them up and giving them strength.

Vison Three (17:1-21:8) - The Lord and the Devil

This vision is described as "the judgment of the great harlot" (17:1-2). Babylon, the harlot, is the epitome of evil, reigning over the earth and terrorizing God's people. The great harlot wages war against the Lamb by means of blasphemy, immorality, and deception. But the Lamb overcomes the cohorts of evil (17:14-18) who are systematically removed:

Evil is real and strong, and at times God's people intensely feel its pressure. We feel like giving in and giving up. We need to know how the battle turns out. Babylon, the essence of evil is doomed, while Jerusalem, representing God's people is brilliantly arrayed as a bride adorned for her husband (21:2)

Vision Four (21:9-22:5) - The Lord and His Own

Vision Four is described as "the bride, the wife of the Lamb" (21:9). Vision Three is Babylon, Satan's evil city while Vision Four, in striking contrast, is Jerusalem, God's holy city. By the moment of Vision Four, all traces of evil so graphically described have been thrown into the lake of fire; nothing remains except the triumphant people of God. This short but powerful vision is a close-up view of the Lord and His own. How are God's people, who are beaten up by the world, to think? God's people, pressed and pressured by evil, are to see themselves as a city in regard to its:

This is a brilliant, breathtaking scene. The city is beautiful, glorious, perfect. This is how God's people should think of themselves because Jesus has won the war and will carry His people to victory.

Revelation is an video-audio panorama that stretches far, vividly portraying various scenes of the Great Conflict between God and Satan, the church and the world, Christians and their enemies. A view closer up depicts the people of God pressed and persecuted, yet graciously, powerfully protected by God. Another close-up look shows the devastation of God's enemy who falls under His wrath. Then by stepping back to take in the larger view, it becomes clear that though the opposition is fierce Jesus decisively wins the war. On whose side are you?