INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

AUTHOR: The Apostle John

Rev. 1:1, 9

Date & Place

Written while on the Isle of Patmos

Written about 95 or 96 A.D

English Standard Version (Chapter 1)

Rev.1:9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Wrote as a “Brother” and as a “Partner” to his readers.

Wrote probably as a prisoner exiled on the island of Patmos.

Wrote knowing by experience what it is like to suffer tribulation speaking as a Christian for Christ and speaking about Christ’s “Kingdom” matters.

Wrote knowing what it how much “patience” it takes waiting, wishing, hoping, and praying for changes around him!

THEME: the “Revelation” (Unveiling) of Future Things

The Revelation (unveiling) from Jesus Christ of Future "THINGS” which John was to show to Christ’s servants.

“Things” (Events) which were to “shortly come to pass” (starting in John’s day).

“Things” (Events) which include eternal events of the new heaven and new earth, events predestined for future times.

The “events” are given in consecutive order but include the insertion of parenthetical passages explaining certain things that are to happen along with the main events but are not the same as the main events.

Three Main Parts to the Book of Revelation (1:19)

English Standard Version (Chapter 1)

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

The New King James Version Chapter 1

19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

1} “The Things Which Thou Hast Seen” (1:12-20)

The Vision of Christ in the midst of the candlesticks.

2} “The Things Which Are” [Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor] (2:1-3:22)

These messages to the seven churches apply to the whole church age up to the time the church gets raptured just prior to the future tribulation and coming of the Antichrist.

3} “The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter” (4:1-22:5)

a) Scenes in Heaven (Rev.4-5)

b) The 7 Seals and their parenthetical statements (Rev.6:1-8:1)

c) The 7 Trumpets and their parenthetical statements (Rev.8:2-13:18)

d) The 7 Vials and their parenthetical statements (Rev:14:1-19:21)

e) The Millennium (Rev. 20)

f) The New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21:1-22:5)

g) Concluding Remarks (Rev. 22:6-21)

Revelation 1:1 NKJV

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,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Statistical Facts: 66th Book and Last Book of the Bible; 22 Chapters; 404 Verses; 12,000 words; 9 Questions; 53 Verses of History; 351 Verses of Prophecy (10 already fulfilled, and 341 yet to be fulfilled)

66th Book and Last Book of the Bible

22 Chapters

404 Verses

12,000 words

9 Questions

53 Verses of History

351 Verses of Prophecy (10 already fulfilled; 341 verses yet to be fulfilled)

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near

“The Revelation” [Grk apokalupsis]: to unveil or to uncover (1:18)

Implies the lifting up of a curtain so all can see what is uncovered.

When apokalupsis is used of writings it means to reveal or to make clear (Eph.3:3; Gal. 1:12)

Eph.3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ

Gal. 1:12 “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

When apokalupsis is used of a person, it denotes viable presence. (2Thes.1:7; 1Pet.1:7,13)

2Thess.1:7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

1Peter 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1Peter 1:13

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“Apokalupsis” (Unveiling) in Rev. 1:1 refers both to the writings of this book and to the Author of these revelations, Jesus Christ

PRINCIPLES REGARDING “PROPHECY”

1. Realize that Prophecy is History written before the events happen.

2. Words in a prophecy are normally to be understood just like words of history.

3. Do not look for hidden meanings in words of prophecy any more than in words of history.

4. Do not think that prophecy can not be understood until after it is fulfilled.

5. Take all of prophecy literally unless it is clear that it cannot have a literal meaning in which case you should accept the literal truth conveyed by the figurative language.

6. Simply let the Bible interpret the Bible.

We are God’s “SERVANTS” (Rev.1:1)

Used 111 times in the N.T.

Used 14 times in Revelation

God reveals “THINGS” [Specific EVENTS] that were to come to pass. (1:1)

“things” used 45 times in Rev. to emphasize EVENTS:

1. Events of the whole church age (Rev.1-3)

2. Events in Heaven (Rev.4-5)

3. Events of the future Tribulation prophesied as “Daniel’s 70th Week” (Rev.6-19)

4. Events of the Millennium (Rev.20)

5. Events of the eternal New Heavens and the New Earth (Rev. 21-22)

Things which must “TACHOS” [Grk] “SHORTLY” (NKJV) or “SOON” (ESV) take place. (1:1)

“TACHOS” —> Shortly or Soon

Rev.22:6

Jesus Is Coming 6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

Acts 25:4 “But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.”

Rom. 16:20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

“TACHOS” —> Quickly, Speedily

Lk 18:8

8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth

The idea is that this series of events John predicts will begin quickly.

“TO SHEW” (NKJV) “SHOW” (ESV) and “SIGNIFIED” (NKJV) “MADE IT KNOWN” (ESV) (v1)

“DEIXAI” [Grk] to Show;

SEMAINO” [Grk] to show, point out, make known, clear, or to signify

These verbs make clear that prophecy is not just a bunch of symbolism to hide truths!

Prophecy is as sure as history! Prophecy are the facts of events shared before they happen just like history are the facts of events shared after they have happened!

Revelation from God to Jesus Christ, given to His angel, passed on to John to show to those who read his Book of Revelation.

Both John and His Readers remain “HIS SERVANTS”

Dulos:

“Servant” 127 x in NT in 119 verses.

14x in Rev.

2x as “slave” in Rev.

John “Bore Witness” for God. (Rev.1:2)

[John…] “bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.” (Rev.1:2 ESV)

John testified about 3 things: 1) the “Word of God” revealed to John; 2) Personal experiences of times John spent with Jesus; 3)Things John saw.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1. Always understand past history and future events IN THEIR CONTEXT.

God is Love (Kind, Merciful, Forgiving…)

But God is also Righteous, Just, a Judge who must PUNISH those who reject God and work contrary to God’s directions for them.

2. Study, Understand, and Appreciate Biblical PROPHECY in the same way you would Learn and Understand Biblical HISTORY.

3. Help other believers come to faith in Jesus Christ like John did.

4. Be a “Servant” like John was to Jesus and to fellow believers.

SERVE in your Church, Family, Work, Country, Neighborhood...