New Testament
Revelation · the Apocalypse
Revelation is the twenty-seventh of the 27 books of the New Testament: 22 chapters and 405 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it Apocalypse.
About Revelation
About Revelation · Apocalyptic prophecy
Revelation — the Apocalypse — was written by John, exiled on the island of Patmos, to seven churches in Asia Minor under the shadow of imperial persecution and emperor worship. In visions of the slain Lamb enthroned, the beast making war on the saints, and a new heaven and new earth, it unveils history from God's side: the martyrs are not losing. It was written to give persecuted Christians courage to refuse idolatry at any cost, and it ends the whole Bible with a wedding, a city with God at its center, and the cry: come, Lord Jesus.
| Testament | New Testament — book 27 of 27, 73 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 22 |
| Verses | 405, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | Apocalypse |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 22 chapters · 33 notes |
| Catechism | 65 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 22 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Revelation 1
20 versesSt. John is ordered to write to the seven churches in Asia. The manner of Christ's appearing to him.
Revelation 2
29 versesDirections what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus and Thyatira.
Revelation 3
22 versesDirections what to write to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
Revelation 4
11 versesThe vision of the throne of God, the twenty-four ancients and the four living creatures.
Revelation 5
14 versesThe book sealed with seven seals is opened by the Lamb, who thereupon receives adoration and praise from all.
Revelation 6
17 versesWhat followed upon opening six of the seals.
Revelation 7
17 versesThe number of them that were marked with the seal of the living God and clothed in white robes.
Revelation 8
13 versesThe seventh seal is opened. The angels with the seven trumpets.
Revelation 9
21 versesLocusts come forth from the bottomless pit. The vision of the army of horsemen.
Revelation 10
11 versesThe cry of a mighty angel. He gives John a book to eat.
Revelation 11
19 versesHe is ordered to measure the temple. The two witnesses.
Revelation 12
18 versesThe vision of the woman clothed with the sun and of the great dragon her persecutor.
Revelation 13
18 versesOf the beast with seven heads and of a second beast.
Revelation 14
20 versesOf the Lamb and of the virgins that follow him. Of the judgments that shall fall upon the wicked.
Revelation 15
8 versesThey that have overcome the beast glorify God. Of the seven angels with the seven vials.
Revelation 16
21 versesThe seven vials are poured out. The plagues that ensue.
Revelation 17
18 versesThe description of the great harlot and of the beast upon which she sits.
Revelation 18
24 versesThe fall of Babylon. Kings and merchants lament over her.
Revelation 19
21 versesThe saints glorify God for his judgments on the great harlot. Christ's victory over the beast and the kings of the earth.
Revelation 20
15 versesSatan is bound for a thousand years. The souls of the martyrs reign with Christ in the first resurrection. The last attempts of Satan against the church. The last judgment.
Revelation 21
27 versesThe new Jerusalem described.
Revelation 22
21 versesThe water and tree of life. The conclusion.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
In the comments
What the saints said.
4 quotations from 4 saints linked to passages of Revelation in Bless. Each names the work it comes from.
St. Polycarp · on Revelation 2:10
On this theme
Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?
Martyrdom of Polycarp, 9, 155
St. Augustine of Hippo · on Revelation 3:20
On this theme
He who created you without you will not save you without you.
Sermon 169, c. 416
St. Philip Neri · on Revelation 3:20
Attributed
The Lord is on the throne of my heart; He rules, He governs.
Popular saying, source unconfirmed
St. Thérèse of Lisieux · on Revelation 5:8
On this theme
I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.
Last Conversations, 1897
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Revelation is read at the principal Mass on 17 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints | First Reading | Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 | |
| Monday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 | |
| St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious | First Reading | Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 | |
| Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 4:1-11 | |
| Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 5:1-10 | |
| Friday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 10:8-11 | |
| Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | Revelation 11:4-12 | |
| Monday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5 | |
| St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs | Alleluia | Revelation 2:10c | |
| St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs | First Reading | Revelation 14:14-19 | |
| Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | Alleluia | Revelation 2:10c | |
| Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 15:1-4 | |
| Thanksgiving Day | First Reading | Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a | |
| Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 20:1-4, 11—21:2 | |
| Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Revelation 22:1-7 | |
| Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter | Alleluia | See Revelation 1:5ab | |
| The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity | Alleluia | Revelation 1:8 | |
| computed | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab |
| computed | St. Bartholomew, Apostle | First Reading | Revelation 21:9b-14 |
| computed | All Saints | First Reading | Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 |
| computed | The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | Second Reading | Revelation 1:5-8 |
| computed | Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | Alleluia | Revelation 2:10c |
| computed | St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs | Alleluia | Revelation 2:10c |
| computed | Second Sunday of Easter | Second Reading | Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.