A Promised Blessing

Read any Good Books lately….

Used to be a joke, but we are largely an unread people

140 characters, emojis, memes - We are all about images

This is a book that invites us to read, and promises a blessing to those who do

Some may be hesitant - weary of the mystery and strangeness of it

Revelation - Pulling the curtain back so we can see what is happening. Movie Previews - showing captivating moments to draw you in and give you a taste of what’s to come

Today: Give an introduction, and an appeal to you from the text to read, hear, and keep what is given here.

An Introduction to the Revelation of Jesus Christ

va 1 Apocalyptic Literature - “Revelation” - Apocalypsys

Apocalypse - a very unique and particular type of genre

Earliest books in this genre date from 400-300 BC, during the time exile and oppression

In the OT: Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel: Written to exiles, the oppressed, being disciplined by God for their moral and spiritual compromising, in order to give correction, even warning, but through it all, hope of God’s ultimate victory over the powers of evil

In the Gospels - Matthew 24-25, the Olivet Discourse - revealing what will come, the tribulation the church must face, warning to the unfaithful, and the promise of the coming of the Son of Man in judgment.

vs. 3 - it is Prophetic Apocalyptic Literature

The role of prophecy is not just to tell what is to come, but to speak God’s word here and now for people to obey

Full of Signs and Visions - “to show his servants” John bore witness to all that he saw…

Use of simile, metaphor, and symbolism (like and as used 100 times)

Using signs the 1st century reader would have understood

Not to be taken literally - the sign points to something else.

If something isn’t literal that doesn’t mean it’s not true or real

Powerfully connecting to a largely visual audience

Even today, people don’t read, everything is reduced to 140 characters or sound bites on Tik Tok. John is communicating what he’s seen; painting word pictures for us to understand

4 Common Views

Preterist - A prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, having been completely fulfilled then

Idealist - a symbolic portrayal of the conflict between Christ and his church and Satan and his evil forces - from the age of the apostles to the end and Christ’s second coming.

Historicist - predicting the order of events of Christian history, most of which are fulfilled up to now (always changing)

Futurist - like this historicist - an order of events, but in the distant future

Where do I fit in? An Eclectic View: Largely idealist and partial preterist. History has a way of repeating itself, things that have happened are happening again, that the events described have a continually relevant message. That as we live in the time between Christ’s ascension and his return, Revelation describes the spiritual warfare the church will face, calling us to faithfulness as we await Christ’s coming.

Why Preach through Revelation

A Gift From God Explore verse 1 -

Revelation is deeply Christ-centered: “Of Jesus Christ” - the problem with genitives - is it his, and it is about him

His divinity and authority as the eternal Son of God

His victory over sin and death through death & ress.

His sovereignty over all things, and coming judgment

If in doubt, ask: What does this say about Christ?

Given by God All of Scripture is given by God

2 Tim 3:16–17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What you read is from God, through Christ

These are his words

Ps 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold,

They may be hard to understand

Rev. 13 & 19 - This calls for wisdom

They are for his glory

Romans 11 How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

To show to his servants

This is for God’s people -

1 Cor 1:14-16 - we have the mind of Christ

Acts 14:17 God has not left us without witness

First Audience: a people under opposition, oppression, facing pressure to compromise in their faith

Even today - the church in every generation, as she seeks to be faithful in living in godliness, has faced opposition and the pressure to compromise -

Given that the servants of God might endure, be faithful and wise

About Things That Must Soon Take Place - What is soon?

We look for, long for Christ’s return.

For the first audience - it had to have a sense of immediate application, or it would have had no practical application

Suffering and Tribulation, and the call to faith

With a Blessing

To the one who reads aloud.

Revelation was sent to the 7 churches found in chapter 1:11; it would have been circulated and read. It was meant to be read, as a whole letter, out loud to the congregation. The Reader is Blessed

To those who hear -

Revelation was meant to encourage, uplift, remind the hearer of the fact that, as bad as things may be, God is sovereign and still in control, and will bring all things to completion in his time

To those who keep what is written

It is not enough to hear, but we must live according to what we hear.

John 13:17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Revelation is incredibly practical -

Teaches us about Christ, Instructs the Church in faithfulness, leads us in worship, helps us discern our days, and shows us what to expect in Christ’s return

Conclusion - Take Up and Read!

God has given you his word - take it up and read it. This is a message from God, knowing what you’re experience, what the church is facing, and He’s reminding us that He is in charge over all things. We can trust him, look to Him, and put our faith in Him.

Carve out the time to read - find an audio version and listen - spend time hearing and dwelling in the word

Keys to approaching apocalyptic and all of Scripture

Come humbly, seeking to learn -

Don’t try to force the text into your preconceived view, but allow yourself to be shaped by the text

Read what other trusted Christians have said

Allow Scripture to interpret scripture

Just over 400 verses in Revelation - between 400-600 allusions to the Old Testament

The description of Jesus in Rev. 1 - right out of Daniel 7

Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you