REVELATION OF ST. JOHN (ante), contains, I., an announcement of its symbolic character, and a benediction on those who heed its words; John's salutation to the seven churches of Asia; an account of his vision of Christ in glory, with the command to record what he saw; IL messages to the seven churches; III. visions of the glory of God in heaven; the book with seven seals; the lamb, as it had been slain, who alone was found worthy to open the mysterious books, and the adoration rendered to him. IV. Visions at the opening of the seals: (1) a conqueror on a white horse; (2) a warrior ou a red horse; (3) a tax collector on a black horse; (4) death on a pale horse; (5) the martyrs in white robes; (6) destruction amid the hosts of heaven, and terror among the ants of earth; four angels holding the four winds; the sealing angel, and the 144.000 sealed on their foreheads; the multitude who came out of great tribulation; (7) silence in heaven; seven angels with trumpets, and one with a golden censer; the 1st trumpet, followed by hail, lire, and blood; the 2d by a burning mountain cast into the sea; the 3d by a star falling on rivers and fountains; the 4th by the smiting of the sun, moon, and stars; the 5th by the locusts from the bottomless pit; the 6th by millions of horsemen from the river Euphrates; the mighty angel, and the little book opened; seven thunders :: Men ; temple uttered, but not written; the angel on the sea and land, the little 1 measured; the two witnesses; the 7th trumpet, followed •by triumph in heaven. V. Vision of a woman clothed with the sun, crowned with 12 stars, and having the moon under her feet; the red dragon waiting to devour her child; the child caught up to the throne of God, and the woman fleeing to the wilderness; war between Michael and the dragon. VI. Visions (1) of a wild beast rising out of the sea, holding the dragon's power and seat, with great authority; (2) another wild beast rising out of the earth, exercising all the power of the first that was before his eyes. VII. (1) The lamb on mount Zion, with the 144,000 sealed ones, the harps, and the new song; (2) a flying angel proclaiming the gospel and the judgment of God; (3) another angel crying " Babylon is fallen:" (4) a third denouncing judgment on those who worship the beast; (5) a voice from heaven pronouncing benediction on those who die in the Lord; (6) the Son of Man on a white cloud, with a crown of gold on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand with which he reaped the harvest of the earth; (7) An angel with another sickle to gather the vine of the earth and cast it into the winepress. VIII. (1) The sra of Oass, mingled with fire:
(2) the seven angels with golden vials containing the last plagues; the 1st vial poured out on the earth; the 2d, on the sea; the 3d, on the rivers and fountains; the 4th, on the sun; the 5th, on the seat of the beast; the 6th. on the river Euphrates, and the 7th, into the air. IX. A woman, arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, having her name and character of abomination written on her fore head sitting on a scarlet colored beast, and drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs; the mystery explained and judgments on the woman and beast foretold. X. A great angel coming down from heaven, clothed with mighty power lighting up the earth with his glory, and proclaiming the fall of Babylon; (2) its destruction described, attended with lamentation on earth, and with joy in heaven. XI. (1) The marriage of the Lamb; (2) again a conqueror on a white horse, with his kingly name on his Vesture. XII (1) Satan bound and shut up in time bottomless pit for a thousand years; (2) the souls of martyrs living nnd reigning with Christ during this millennium; this explained as the "first resurrection" which saves from the "second death;" (3) Satan loosed out of h's prison and going forth to deceive the nations, and gather them together to battle; (4) their defeat, and Satan's doom; (5) the final judgment. XIII. (1) The new heaven and new earth; (2) the bride, the heavenly Jerusalem; (3) the river and tree of life. XIV. The conclusion, containing the renewed testimony of Jesus; a summing up of gospel invitations; a warning against altering the prophecy; the Savior's promise, with John's response; and a gracious benediction from Christ pronounced on all.
The recounting of this series of sublime visions in which are mingled the earthly, the celestial, and the infernal powers, shows the vast mystery with which any interpretation of this book must deal.