The Study of Revelation - “The Revealing of Jesus Christ”

Introduction and 1:1-3

Why is the book of Revelation so important?

The only portion of scripture that promises a special blessing for the reader and listener. (Rev.1:3)

Apocalypse - An unveiling

Name of Book is singular - Not Revelations

Proper name: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

What is the background of the Revelation?

• Author - John the apostle (John, 1,2,3, John) Rev. 1;1, 4,9,21:2, 22:8

• Where written - Patmos Rev. 1:9

• Time of writing - approx. 95 A.D..

• To whom was book written? - to the 7 churches 1:4, 11

To all believers 1:1, 3; 2-3

Outline 1:19

What you have seen - chapter 1 - the vision

What is now - chapter 2-3 - in John’s time, the churches.

What is to come - Chapter 4 -22 - 4:1 after these things

What is prophecy?

Prophecy - seeing God’s whole plan in perspective. Not just future issues.

How do we interpret prophecy?

1. Is it consistent with the entire Bible?

2. Time.

In every textbook the answers are always found in the back!

Never enter the Word but by prayer.

How do we interpret the Book of Revelation?

1) Historicist view - It has been fulfilled in the course of past history.

2) Idealist view or Symbolic - the book is entirely symbolic.

3) Preterist view or Spiritual view - the book is descriptive of the problems and persecutions of the early church existing at the time of writing.

4) Futurist view or Literal view - interpret the book literally. Much of book occurs in the future..

Rule of Bible study - Take the words literally unless there is indication that the words are symbolic or figurative. Assume nothing.

Hosea 12:10 - God uses types or models not just words.

What makes this book different from any other?

7 Beatitudes or blessings 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14

Significance of 7 - completeness

Seven churches 1:4, 11,20

Seven letters 2,3

Seven Spirits 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6

Seven candlesticks 1:12, 13, 20, 2:1

Seven stars 1:16, 20, 2:1, 3:1

Seven lamps 4:5

Seven seals 5:1, 5:5

Seven horns 5:6

Seven eyes 5:6

Seven angels 8:2, 6

Seven trumpets 8:2, 6

Seven thunders 10:3,4

Seven thousand 11:13

Seven heads 12:3, 13:1, 17:3, 21:9

Seven crowns 12:3

Seven angels 15:1, 6,7,8, 16:1, 17:1, 21:9

Seven plagues 15:1, 6,8, 21:9

Seven vials 15:7, 17:1, 21:9

Seven mountains 17:9

Seven kings 17:10,11

Seven beatitudes 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14

Seven years of judgment 11:3, 12:6, 14, 13:5

Seven divisions of seven letters 2-3

Seven “I am’s” 1:8, 11, 17, 18, 21:6, 22:13,16

Seven songs in heaven 4:9-11, 5:-13, 7:9-12, 11:16-18, 14:2, 3, 15:22-4, 19:1-6

Let’s get started! Rev. 1:1-3

Rev. 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ given in order to bless His servants

Servants - doulos - slave by choice

Coming quickly - tachometer - once these things start happening they will happen rapidly

quickly used 7 times

1:1 - soon

2:16 - quickly

3:11 - quickly

11:14 - quickly

22:7, 12, 20 - quickly

angel - messenger

Made it known - signs, codes, symbolic of reality.

Rev. 1:2

who testifies - John’s testimony

Gospel - Believe - John 20:21/Life received/Salvation/The Prophet

Epistles - Be sure -1 John 5:13/Life revealed/Sanctification/The Priest

Revelation - Be ready - Rev. 22:20/Life rewarded/Redemption/The King

Rev. 1:3

Special promise to: The reader/The hearer who takes it to heart

Central Theme - Redemption - the restoration of that which was lost to the original owner.

Gen. 1-2 creation with a couple of chapters in Ps. Job, Is.

Gen. 3 - Rev. 20 - redemption

Rev. 21-22 - the new creation.

God has revealed his son, his plan, your future.

The ultimate question: Will you believe and take it to heart?