Book of Revelation, outline (bố cục)

 Outline of the Book of Revelation

I. Introduction and Greeting (1:1–20)

1. Preface: God’s revelation to John (1:1–3)

2. Greeting to the seven churches (1:4–8)

3. Vision of the glorified Christ (1:9–20)

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II. Messages to the Seven Churches (2:1–3:22)

1. Ephesus – perseverance and return to first love (2:1–7)

2. Smyrna – endurance in suffering (2:8–11)

3. Pergamum – hold fast to truth amid compromise (2:12–17)

4. Thyatira – reject false teaching and immorality (2:18–29)

5. Sardis – wake up and strengthen faith (3:1–6)

6. Philadelphia – faithful witness and protection (3:7–13)

7. Laodicea – repentance from lukewarmness (3:14–22)

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III. Heavenly Vision and God’s Throne (4:1–5:14)

1. Vision of God’s throne in heaven (4:1–11)

2. The Lamb and the scroll with seven seals (5:1–14)

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IV. The Seven Seals (6:1–8:1)

1. Four horsemen (6:1–8)

2. Martyrs under the altar (6:9–11)

3. Cosmic disturbances and judgment (6:12–17)

4. The seventh seal and the introduction of the seven trumpets (8:1)

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V. The Seven Trumpets (8:2–11:19)

1. Trumpets 1–4: natural and ecological judgments (8:2–13)

2. Trumpets 5–6: spiritual and demonic afflictions (9:1–21)

3. Trumpet 7: Christ’s final victory and the kingdom proclamation (11:15–19)

4. Interludes: visions of the two witnesses and the heavenly conflict (10–11)

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VI. The Conflict Between God and Evil (12:1–14:20)

1. Woman, child, and dragon – cosmic battle (12:1–17)

2. Beasts of the sea and the earth – powers opposed to God (13:1–18)

3. Lamb and the 144,000 – faithful witnesses (14:1–5)

4. Harvest of the earth – judgment and vindication (14:6–20)

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VII. The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath (15:1–16:21)

1. Introduction: victorious saints (15:1–8)

2. Bowls poured out: plagues, judgments, destruction of evil (16:1–21)

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VIII. Fall of Babylon and Final Judgment (17:1–20:15)

1. Fall of Babylon the great (17:1–18:24)

2. Christ’s second coming and defeat of the beast and false prophet (19:1–21)

3. Satan bound, resurrection, final judgment (20:1–15)

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IX. New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem (21:1–22:5)

1. Vision of the New Heaven and New Earth (21:1–8)

2. Description of the New Jerusalem (21:9–27)

3. River of life and tree of life (22:1–5)

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X. Conclusion and Final Exhortations (22:6–21)

1. Assurance of Christ’s return (22:6–13)

2. Warning and invitation (22:14–21)

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📌 Summary: The outline shows the progression:

• Letters to churches → heavenly visions → judgments (seals, trumpets, bowls) → cosmic conflict → final victory → eternal glory.

Acronym: V.I.C.T.O.R.Y.

• V – Vision of Christ (Revelation 1) – John sees the glorified Christ.

• I – Instructions to the churches (2–3) – letters with commendation, rebuke, and encouragement.

• C – Conflict between good and evil (12–14) – cosmic battle, beasts, and faithful witnesses.

• T – Trumpets and judgments (8–11) – warnings and God’s judgments unfold.

• O – Overthrow of Babylon (17–18) – destruction of evil systems.

• R – Return of Christ (19–20) – second coming, final judgment, Satan defeated.

• Y – Yonder eternal kingdom (21–22) – New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem.

✅ V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. captures the main storyline: Vision → Instructions → Conflict → Trumpets → Overthrow → Return → Yonder kingdom.