Revelation - Introduction

The Book of Revelation - The Unveiling of Jesus Christ

Author

John the Apostle of Jesus Christ - AD64-68 or 92-95

John, his brother James, Peter, and Andrew were all partners in the fishing business before they became disciples of Jesus.

John was the son of Zebedee who was also a fisherman in Galilee.

John's mother's name was Salome and some say that Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother, Mary.

John owned a home in Jerusalem. Shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, John moved to Ephesus.

John pastored a church in Ephesus. He communicated with other churches in the area as stated in the book of Revelation. He advised and counseled many people who would later become believers in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

By order of the Roman Emperor, Domitian, John was exiled to the island, Patmos.

Domitian ordered his exile because he saw John as a threat to his rule.

However, his popularity and influence in the Christian community continued through correspondence with all the churches.

John wrote the book of Revelation during his exile. When he was released from exile, he returned to Ephesus.

John founded and built churches all through Asia until he was old, and died the sixty-eighth year after our Lord's passion, peacefully in Ephesus.

Chapter 1

Revelation 1:1 NKJV

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

Revelation 1:1 TPT

1 This is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to share with his loving servants what must occur swiftly. He clearly made it known by sending his angel to his loving servant John.

Revelation - apokalypsis (apo - to lift; kalupto - veil, hide, cover) - the lifting of veil or unveiling.

Beautiful Christ is unveiled and an overcoming company of saints is seen rising into His fullness.

Jesus - Jehovah is Salvation (Yeshua)

Christ - Anointed one - Messiah

Genesis is the book of beginnings. Revelation is the book of consummation

The purpose of the book of Revelation is to unveil Christ our hearts like no other book in the Bible.

Revelation was written for every church, every lover of God in every generation. It is for today.

Occur Swiftly - once the time comes it will quickly happen. The Greek phrase en tachos (tachometer) means that once something starts, it will take place swiftly.

Smyrna - A suffering Church -

Sweet smelling - myrrh - emblem of suffering

Crushed by Roman persecution, but gave of the most fragrant perfume

Financial difficulties due to lack of job and opportunities