It was night. The old man Johannes was sitting on an island. The island was called Patmos. John loved Jesus very much, but people didn’t like him talking about Jesus. That’s why he was here now, all alone. But John knew: Jesus is always with him.
Suddenly, something miraculous happened. Everything became very bright, and John heard a voice: “Write down what you see!” John looked around – and there stood Jesus! His face shone like the sun, and his voice sounded like many rushing waters. John fell to the ground in amazement and awe. But Jesus kindly said: “Do not be afraid! Write down for the people what you will see.”
The sky opens
Then John saw the heavens open. He saw a great throne, beautiful and shining. God sat on the throne! Many angels sang a song for God. Everything was full of joy and light. John also saw a special man—it was Jesus! He looked like a lamb because he had died for us. But now he was alive and strong! Everyone rejoiced, because Jesus was the victor over evil.
The battle between good and evil
John saw many things that were going to happen. He saw difficult days coming, but also great miracles. He saw how Jesus fought with great strength against evil. Evil wanted to win, but Jesus was much stronger! And in the end, Jesus conquered all darkness. He brought light, peace and joy.
The beautiful city
Then Jesus showed John a new world—a beautiful city of gold and precious stones. There was no more darkness, no pain and no more suffering. John saw a sparkling river as clear as glass. Next to them grew trees that always bore fruit. All people who believed in Jesus would live there with God – forever happy and without fear!
Then John heard the voice of Jesus again: “I am coming quickly! Hold on to me and don’t be afraid.”
And then the vision was over. John was back on the island. But he now knew: God has everything in his hands. Jesus will come again one day, and then everything will be fine.
Questions to think about:
🌟 Do you believe that Jesus is stronger than all evil?
🌟 Are you looking forward to one day being in God’s new city?
Message of the story:
Jesus is the victor over all evil. If we trust Him, we can look forward to a beautiful future with God! 💖
Bible passage
The Revelation of John describes visions of the end of the world and the return of Christ. Here is an overview of selected key passages from Revelation 1-22 (Schlachter 2000):
Introduction and assignment to John
Revelation 1:1-3:
“This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; and he sent them by his angel and made them known to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep what is written in them; for the time is near.”
Letters to the Seven Congregations
Revelation 2:7:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
(See Revelation 2–3 for the complete letters.)
Vision of the Heavenly Throne
Revelation 4:2-3:
“And immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, there was a throne in heaven, and on the throne sat one. And he who sat on it was like a jasper and sarder stone in his appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, which was like an emerald.”
(See Revelation 4-5 for the worship of God and the Lamb.)
The seven seals are opened
Revelation 6:1-2:
“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say as if with a voice of thunder, ‘Come!’ And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went out victorious and to conquer.”
(See Revelation 6–8 for the full opening of the seven seals.)
The seven trumpets sound
Revelation 8:6:
“And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow the trumpets.”
(See Revelation 8-11 for the trumpet judgments.)
The Battle Between Woman and Dragon
Revelation 12:7-9:
“And there arose a battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. And the dragon fought and his angels; but they did not conquer, and their place was no longer found in heaven. Thus the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.”
The Seven Bowls of Wrath
Revelation 16:1:
“And I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God upon the earth.'”
(See Revelation 16 for the seven plagues.)
The Fall of Babylon
Revelation 18:2:
“And he cried out powerfully with a loud voice, saying, Fallen is Babylon the Great, and has become a dwelling place of demons, and a prison of all unclean spirits, and a prison of all unclean and hateful birds!”
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Revelation 19:11-16:
“And I saw the heavens opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called ‘the faithful and the truthful,’ and he judges and fights in righteousness. But his eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. And he is clothed in a robe dipped in blood; and his name is, The Word of God. And the armies in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white linen. And out of his mouth comes a sharp sword, that he may strike the nations with it; and he himself will rule them with a rod of iron; and he himself treads the winepress of the wrath and wrath of God Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
The Millennial Empire
Revelation 20:6:
“Blessed and holy is he who participates in the first resurrection! Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
(See Revelation 20 for Satan’s final defeat.)
A new heaven and a new earth
Revelation 21:1-4:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tent of God with men! And he will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them, their God. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither sorrow nor outcry nor pain will be anymore; for the first thing has passed away.”
The Invitation to Rescue
Revelation 22:17:
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And whoever hears it, let him say, ‘Come!’ And whoever thirsts, let him come; and whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
This is a summary of the main visions of the Revelation of John. In Revelation 22:20, Jesus Himself says:
“Yes, I’ll be coming soon!”
And John answers:
“Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!”
These words conclude Revelation and the entire Bible.
