Most passages in Revelation belong to a chronological sequence of events, which we call the storyline. We show the storyline in white on the following charts.
In addition to the storyline, there are also parenthetical chapters which give us additional details about past or future events. These are set into the storyline.
If we can keep track of which chapters belong to the chronology of events, and which chapters are set into the storyline, it makes it much easier to follow the story that Revelation tells.
The parable of the pregnant bride (Israel):
– The seals play out over hundreds of years (analogous to a child growing in Israel’s womb).
– The trumpets play out over 7 years (analogous to her labor contractions).
– The time of Jacob’s Trouble is the last 3.5 years of the tribulation (increasing contractions).
– The thunders play out during trumpet 6 (these correspond to her cries of pain).
– The cup (bowl) judgments play out over 30 days (birthing of redeemed Israel).
– Armageddon comes 45 days after the cup (bowl) judgments conclude. This is the wedding feast (Hosea 2), when Yeshua returns (Rev. 19:11). This is also the first war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 39). All those who are asleep in Yeshua at that time go back to heaven with Yeshua, while those who are still awake (alive) go through the Ingathering, and carry out the prophecies of the millennium.