Saturday, March 1, 2014

Introduction to the Book of the Revelation

It is STRONGLY recommended studying Daniel before the Book of Revelation. Our study of the Book of Daniel is at http://studyingdaniel.blogspot.com/

WHO:


  • Above image from www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-studies/revelation/Introduction/rev01-introduction-to-revelation.html
  • The actual author is not John, but is Jesus Christ as the first verse states. John was the scribe and shared the revelation with God's saints, including us:
    • Revelation 1:1-2: This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him concerning the events that will happen soon. An angel was sent to God's servant John so that John could share the revelation with God's other servants. John faithfully reported the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ -- everything he saw.
    • Revelation 1:4-5: This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the commander of all the rulers of the world. All praise to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.
    • Revelation 1:13: And standing in the middle of the lampstands was the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.
  • Strong church traditions place John the son of Zebedee in Ephesus at the end of the first century. Possibly he moved to the area following the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The strongest evidence for the authorship of John the Apostle comes from a church father, Irenaeus of Lyon (in modern France). As a young Christian, Irenaeus lived in Asia and was a pupil of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp had been a disciple of the Apostle John. According to Irenaeus, Polycarp claimed the Apostle wrote Revelation. Justin Martyr writing around A.D. 135 also identified the John of Revelation as the Apostle.

WHAT:


  • Above image from www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-studies/revelation/Introduction/rev01-introduction-to-revelation.html

  • Above chart from http://chrisedmondson.blogspot.com/2011/05/revelation-endings.html
  • The central theme of the Revelation is Jesus Christ (1:1), presented in a threefold way:
    • As to time - "who is, who always was, and who is still to come" (1:4).
    • As to relationships - to the churches (1:9-3:22), to the tribulation (4:1-19:21), to the kingdom (20:1-22:21).
    • In His offices - High Priest (8:3-6), Bridegroom (19:7-9), King-Judge (20:1-15).
  • The TITLE of this last and most wondrous of inspired books is 'the revelation (uncovering, unveiling) of Jesus Christ' (KJV). He is its Alpha and its Omega. Here Christ is all and in all. This last book completes the "unveiling" which was begun in the Gospels and carried on through the Epistles. The last fragment of the veil is here taken from His face. We see Him as He is, on the Father's right hand, on the throne, through the rent veil. The heavens are opened, and we see Him (as Stephen did) in His present glory and in the glory of His second coming.
  • This book, containing 404 verses, is unique. It is the only book in the New Testament in which we find seven lampstands, seven spirits, seven seals, seven eyes, seven horns, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven lamps, seven mountains, seven heads, seven kings, seven bowls, twelve stars, four horns, four angels, 666, 100 pounds of hail, four winds, and 144,000 witnesses. There is also evil: two beasts, a dragon, locusts coming out of smoke, scorpions with power, an angel of the abyss, the Serpent of Old, the Devil, Satan, unclean spirits, and a false prophet. But best of all there is the holy: new heaven and new earth, holy angels, the Root of David, the Lamb, God, the Son of God, and the Alpha and Omega. There is no other book like it in the Bible.
  • The term “revelation” indicates the nature of the book. Its contents constitute a revealing or unveiling of information from God of things previously unknown. What was hidden or only hinted at in the Old Testament is now disclosed in the book of Revelation. It is not a revelation of events but of a person, Jesus Christ. This is the theme of the book and the meaning of all the events described in it.
  • The stated purpose of the book is to “concerning the events that will happen soon" (1:1). This purpose is further elaborated in 1:19 (“Write down what you have seen - both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen later.)” and repeated in Revelation 4:1 (Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things."). The purpose is reiterated in the concluding section of the book as follows:
    • 22:6 - Then the angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true: 'The Lord God, who tells his prophets what the future holds, has sent his angel to tell you what will happen soon.'"
    • 22:16 - "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.
  • Though Revelation alludes to passages from most books of the Old Testament, over half are from the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and the Psalms, particularly Daniel.
  • While Daniel is told to seal the words, John is told NOT to seal the words of the prophecy:
    • Daniel 12:4: But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."
    • Revelation 22:10: Then he instructed me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words you have written, for the time is near.
  • The essence of the Book of Revelation is a picture of the struggle between good and evil, between God and Satan, resulting in the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ.
  • Outline of the Book of Revelation:
    1. Revelation 1-3: The revelation of God to John and a warning to the churches to be ready for the Lord’s return.
    2. Revelation 4-5: The preparation for the tribulation in the throne room of God.
    3. Revelation 6-18: The judgments of the tribulation period sent by God upon the earth.
    4. Revelation 19: The return of Jesus Christ to bring judgment for unbelievers and blessing for believers.
    5. Revelation 20: The binding of Satan, the 1000 year millennial kingdom, and the final judgments of Satan and all unbelievers.
    6. Revelation 21-22: The eternal kingdom of God the Father and God the Son which lasts forever.
  • What began in the book of Genesis and has been building for 65 books culminates in Revelation, is an explanation that everything is about Christ. Creation came through Him, re-creation by means of the cross came through Him and ultimately new creation at the end of time will come through Him.
WHEN:
  • There are two main proposed dates for the writing of the book:
    1. First, John composed it around 65-70 A.D. during or shortly after Emperor Nero’s reign (54-68 A.D.).
      • Two primary arguments for this:
        1. No mention of the destruction of Jerusalem and especially of the temple in 70 A.D.
        2. Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in 60 AD, though records indicate it was rebuilt by the wealth of Laodicea.
    2. Second, it was written around 90-95 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Domitian.
      1. The primary argument for this is that Irenaeus, a pupil of Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John, said so as did Justin Martyr and Eusebius.
      2. John’s exile to Patmos, for example, indicates a time of persecution by Rome.
  • Revelation 1:10 (Weymouth New Testament): In the Spirit I found myself present on the day of the Lord, and I heard behind me a loud voice which resembled the blast of a trumpet.
    • The day of the Lord here is NOT Sunday. It is when the days of man are over. The kingdoms of this world will then become the kingdoms of our God. The day of the Lord is when the judgments fall, and after that comes the millennium.

WHERE:

  • Revelation 1:9: I am John, your brother. In Jesus we are partners in suffering and in the Kingdom and in patient endurance. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and speaking about Jesus.
    • Patmos is a rocky, barren and desolate island about 30 miles in circumference, in the Aegean Sea. The Romans used the island as a penal settlement to which they sent political agitators and others who threatened the peace of the empire (Tacitus Annals 3.68; 4.30; 15.71). According to Eusebius, John was banished to Patmos by the Emperor Domitian, A. D. 95, and released 18 months later under the Roman Emperor Nerva. There was a cave on this island that the inhabitants say was the dwelling of the Apostle during his exile.

    • Above image from www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-studies/revelation/Introduction/rev01-introduction-to-revelation.html
  • Revelation 4:1-2: Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things." And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it!
  • The order in which the Seven Churches are listed in 1:11, as well as the order of the seven messages in chapters 2-3, is most easily explained geographically. Ephesus was a leading city and port in Asia. It was the first city where a messenger from Patmos would arrive by ship on the mainland. Beginning in Ephesus a messenger carrying a letter would then travel in a circuitous route to Smyrna, then to Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and finally Laodicea.

WHY (Purpose):

  • The first three words of this book in the original Greek language express the purpose of the entire work. The first word is "Revelation." It is also translated as "Apocalypse" (Greek apocalypses - disclosure, unveiling) which indicates that the information the book contains is meant to reveal truth, not conceal it. In other words, it is knowledge that can and should be understood. The second and third words are "Jesus Christ."
  • The book of Revelation was written to give encouragement and assurance to persecuted and troubled Christians. It answered haunting questions like, where is Christ, and what is going to happen to the churches? This book encourages believers to take a strong stand amid persecution and warns them against turning away from Christ.
  • Written to complete the prophetic theme presented earlier in the prophecies of the Old Testament.
  • The purpose of this revelation was "to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass" (Revelation 1:1-2 KJV) It was given so that His people would know what will happen in the future.
  • Revelation 19:10b: ... the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.
  • To challenge the churches to godly living in view of the certain return of Christ and the certain judgment of evil.
  • Why study the Book of the Revelation?: Revelation 1:3: God blesses the one who reads this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says. For the time is near when these things will happen.
KEY VERSES:
  • Revelation 1:18-19: I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Write down what you have seen -- both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen later.
  • Revelation 11:15: Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: "The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."

KEY WORDS:


  1. Above image from Sixty-Six Clouds
  2. Jesus (14 times)
  3. Christ (7 times)
  4. Prophets (7 times)
  5. The Spirit (14 times)
  6. Lamb (29 times).
  7. Throne (47 times).
  8. New:
    1. A new name written - Revelation 2:17
    2. My new name - Revelation 3:12
    3. A new song - Revelation 5:9, 14:3
    4. A new heaven - Revelation 21:1
    5. A new earth - Revelation 21:1
    6. New Jerusalem - Revelation 3:12, 21:2
    7. All things made new - Revelation 21:5
  9. Seven (55 times):
    • The Seven blessings (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14).
    • The Seven churches (1:4,11) or the Seven Lampstands (1:12,20).
    • The Seven Spirits (1:4).
    • The Seven Stars (1:16,20; 2:1)
    • The Seven Messages to the Seven Churches (2:1; 3:22).
    • The Seven Lamps of burning fire (4:5).
    • The Seven Seals (5:1; 6:1-8; 8:1).
    • The Seven Horns (5:6).
    • The Seven Eyes (5:6).
    • The Seven Attributes of Jesus praised (5:12)
    • The Seven Trumpets (8:2; 11:9).
    • The Seven Talking Thunders (10:3-4).
    • The Seven Thousand Slain due to the earthquake (11:13).
    • The Seven Heads of the dragon (12:3).
    • The Seven Crowns on his heads (12:3).
    • The Seven Bowls and the Seven Plagues (15:1; 16:21).
    • The Seven Mountains (17:9) on which sits Babylon, the harlot.
    • The Seven Kings (17:10).
    • The Seven Personages (12,13): These personages appear in the battle that will take place between the devil (the Dragon) and the Church.
    • The Seven Judgments: The judgment and fall of Babylon (17,18), the judgment of the beast (19:20), the judgment of false prophet (19:20), the judgment of the evil nations' leaders (19:21), the ruin of Gog and Magog (20:7-9), the doom of Satan (20:10) and the doom of all wicked ones (20:15).
    • The Seven "New" things: New heaven (21:2), new earth (21:1), the new city (21:2), new nations (21:24), new river as crystal (22:1), new market (street) (22:2), new tree of life (22:2). Briefly, Jesus Christ says: "Behold, I make all things new" 21:5.

  10. Above image from www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-studies/revelation/Introduction/rev01-introduction-to-revelation.html
Relation with the Book of Genesis:
  • In Genesis the earth was created; in Revelation it will pass away.
  • In Genesis was Satan’s first rebellion; Revelation Satan’s last rebellion.
  • In Genesis the sun, moon & stars were meant for the earth’s government; in Revelation these same heavenly bodies are for the earth’s judgment.
  • In Genesis the sun was to govern the day; in Revelation there is no need for the sun.
  • In Genesis darkness was called night; in Revelation there is no night.
  • In Genesis the entrance of sin; in Revelation the exodus of sin.
  • In Genesis the curse was pronounced; in Revelation the curse is removed.
  • In Genesis death entered; in revelation there is no more death.
  • In Genesis Satan’s doom being pronounced; in Revelation Satan’s doom is executed.
Schools of Interpretation of the Book of Revelation:
  1. The Preterists (Preteric theory): Who believe that the book was chiefly meant for the people of St. John's days and that it was fulfilled during their time. The Preterist school sees the book as having already been fulfilled by AD 312 with the conversion of Constantine. But, this view is wrong. For example:
    1. Where in history was one-fourth of humanity killed in one war? (Revelation 6:1-8).
    2. Where is the historical record of 144,000 Jews being suddenly saved and then called for special service in the Lord's kingdom? (Revelation 7:1-8).
    3. Has there ever been a war that resulted in the slaughter of one-third of humanity? (Revelation 8 and 9).
    4. Has there ever been a locust invasion, real or symbolic, that resulted in all unsaved people suffering terrible torment for five months while saved people experienced immunity? (Revelation 9:1-11).
    5. Where in history are the two witnesses of Revelation 11 or the two beasts of Revelation 13?
  2. The Historicists (Historic theory): who believe that the book of Revelation includes the history of the world concerning its relation with the church, from St. John's days until the end of time.
  3. The Spiritualists: They claim that the symbols mentioned in the book portray spiritual realities for us. They say that the book has no reference to any historical reality or real incidents.
  4. The Futurists: The Futurist school sees the book from chapters four on as proclaiming prophecies yet to be fulfilled - this is the position of this writer.

  5. Above image from www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-studies/revelation/Introduction/rev01-introduction-to-revelation.html
The Book of Revelation is divided into three parts: Chapter 1:19 in the KJV gives us the key to divide the book:
  1. Write these things which you have seen,
    • “The things which you have seen” refer to the vision of chapter 1:12-18. There we see the Lord Jesus as judge of his church amidst the seven golden candlesticks.
  2. And the things which are, and
    • “The things which are” can only refer to the seven letters in chapters 2 and 3 addressed to the seven churches. These churches symbolically present the whole of Christendom from the beginning to the end.
  3. the things which shall be hereafter.
    • Finally “the things which shall be hereafter” show us the events that will occur after the church has been raptured. They are described starting from chapter 4:1, where John hears the words: “Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.”

Above chart from www.biblicalresearch.info/page209.html

Above chart from www.ltradio.org/charts/


Above chart from http://premillennialreturnchrist.wordpress.com/


Above chart fromwww.internationalbulletin.org/

NOTES:

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