The book of Revelation is specifically designed to explain what happens before, during and after the return of Jesus Christ. It can be summarized in one phrase: Things to come. It explains what God’s prophetic kingdom program is and how it works and it offers the most comprehensive detail in all of Scripture. The book of Revelation has two goals: One, is to encourage Christians to live righteous and holy lives in light of the prophetic timetable that is to come and to warned unbelievers about the judgment ahead if they reject Jesus Christ as Savoir and Lord. 

The apostle Joh begins by telling the church how it ought to live. He tells each church the special reward believers will receive for living holy lives that are pleasing to the Lord. Then he enters into an extensive description of the tribulation that fulfills many Old Testament prophecies, as well as Jesus’s Olivet discourse. This section also describes God’s dealing with Israel after the church has been raptured and the times of the Gentiles have end. This leads to Christ’s millennial kingdom on earth, followed by the judgment of unbelievers and the transition into the new heaven and new earth – the eternal state in which believers will be with the Lord forever.