Pastor Frank DeFusco
The Book of Revelation, inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by the Apostle John during his exile on Patmos, is considered a very difficult book to undertake by both the theologian and the lay scholar. Its difficulty is due to the multitude of images, sights, signs, and sounds that are recorded by John, as he receives them both in visions and as his spirit is taken up to observe them from the Lord’s heavenly throne.
Another difficulty is due to the future nature of several recorded events, whereby John is trying to best describe things that his five senses have never experienced during his lifetime. In fact, there are many events recorded that no man has experienced from the time that this book was written till now, over 2,000 years later. Therefore, in this article, I will provide a timeline of events described therein and hope that this will make it easier for whoever chooses to navigate this prophetic book. And for those that do, this book promises a blessing that says, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Rev. 1:3).
So, let’s get started with what John had already borne witness to, which was Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven 40 days later. This historic event began “The Church Age,” as recorded in chapters 1 through 3. In them, John wrote seven letters to seven churches that were in Asia Minor, our modern-day Turkey. They represent various Christian denominations that will last from the start of the age until the time that Christ returns for His bride (chapters 4 and 5), and before the start of the Seven Year Tribulation period (chapters 6 through 18). Before continuing the timeline, I must inform you that there are three “interludes/pauses” in the chronology, known as “Parenthetical Inserts,” found in chapters 7; 10:1 through 11:13; and in 12:1 through 14:20.
Returning to our timeline, John is recording in chapter 19, the Second Coming of our Lord, Jesus. At His first coming, Jesus came to conquer sin, making His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. But at His Second Coming, He will be armed with the sword of the “Word,” and riding on a warhorse, to conquer the armies of Satan led by the Antichrist. In chapter 20, Satan will be chained in the Abyss for 1,000 years, which will then usher in the Millennial Kingdom Age, where Jesus will reign righteously with His saints for those 1,000 years on an Eden-like earth. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released to once again deceive many against their Christ. This leads them to being consumed by fire sent from God, followed by the final judgment, and the creation of a “new heaven and earth,” chapters 21-22. Questions, comments? Email Pastor Frank at fdefusco777@ gmail.com. Be Blessed!
Pastor Frank teaches two Bible Studies each week (Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.) in the Sports Club. Please call 610-428-7244 for questions on the Studies.