Revelation -- The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation

In studying this book you will have to use your imagination of what John was seeing and what John was hearing. But also as we study this book for the next few weeks you are going to have to approach each lesson forward with this first lesson in mind for everything to keep making sense.

Outline to the Book of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 (ESV)

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

“ You Have Seen “ Past tense

“ Those That Are “ Present tense

“ Those That Are to Take Place After This “ Future tense

Outline to Revelation

What you HAVE SEEN ( 1:1-1:20 )

What is NOW ( 2:1-3:21 )

What Will Take Place LATER ( 4:1-22:21 )

Background Details

Author — John ( 1:1,4,9;22:8 )

Date — Approximately 95AD

Place of Writing — The Isle of Patmos ( 1:9 )

Place of Writing

Revelation 1:9 (ESV)

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.

Note: Verse 9 tells us why John is on this island because of the preaching of God's word and the testimony of Jesus Christ and the people didn't like to hear that, so they banish John to this island.

Note: And while he was on this island God gave him this awesome vision called the book of Revelation. [ What I love about God, is that He can still BLESS YOU & SPEAK TO YOU no matter where you end up in life. ]

Background Details

Author — John ( 1:1,4,9;22:8 )

Date — Approximately 95AD

Place of Writing — The Isle of Patmos ( 1:9 )

Original Recipients [ To the 7 Churches ] but also extended [ To All Believers ]

Note: These 7 churches were located in Asia Minor ( In Chapter 2 — Chapter 3 )

The Purpose of The Book

Revelation 1:1–2 (ESV)

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.

Note: The word “ Revelation “ is the Greek word “ apocalypsis “ which means “ an unveiling “ / “ revealing “ / “ uncovering “ the word f rom which we get the English word “apocalypse.”

The book of Revelation contains events that have been concealed but are now revealed

Notice there is no“S“at the end of the Word“Revelation”in the title.

The entire Book is centered around Jesus Christ.

There are 24 titles given to Jesus in the Revelation ,more than any single book in the Bible.

Note: This is God pulling back the curtain and unveiling and uncovering certain things [ What Things ? ]

THE PURPOSE OF REVELATION IS ……..

To Reveal the PERSON of Jesus Christ

To Reveal the POWER of Jesus Christ

To Reveal the PROGRAM/PLAN of Jesus Christ

Note: When Jesus came the first time as a lamb to be slaughtered to give his life for our sins. We saw his power through his miracles, but now we see the power of Jesus as He administers the justice of God.

THE PEOPLE

Rev. 1:1 “ to show to his servants ……. Soon take place “

Revelation 1:1 (ESV)

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,

Note: God gave us this book to comfort us, that no matter what we are going through that at the end, Jesus will triumph over all evil. No matter what trial, temptation, struggle, tribulation you are going through at THE END WE WIN.

THE PROMISE

Revelation 1:3 (ESV)

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.

PART I

“ THE THINGS YOU HAVE SEEN “

SEE: Timeline of the End Times Chart ——- WE ARE IN THE CHURCH AGE NOW

THE PICTURE

Revelation 1:12–16 (ESV)

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,

13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.

14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,

15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Note: There is this beautiful picture of Jesus Christ in the first chapter of Revelation. It is the most beautiful and vivid picture of the Post-Resurrected Christ that we see in all of scripture.

Note: Understand that 7 is a common theme throughout the entire book of Revelation because the number 7 dates back to creation that God did everything in seven days.

[ 7 Completion ] [ 7 Perfection ]

Note: These Lampstands — are symbolic to the 7 churches in Asia minor

PART II

“ THE THINGS YOU HAVE SEEN “

“ THE THINGS THAT ARE NOW “

Note: In Chapter 2 & Chapter 3 John has a specific message from Christ to the 7 different unique churches spread out through Asia minor.

Note: We are still at the present church age at this time.

Note: When you look at the 7 churches Jesus has something to………

PRAISE THEM FOR — REBUKE THEM FOR — COMMAND THEM — PUNISHMENT — REWARD THEM FOR

PART III

“ THE THINGS YOU HAVE SEEN “

“ THE THINGS THAT ARE NOW “

“ THE THINGS WHICH SHALL TAKE PLACE “

Note: The rest of the book is about the FUTURE

Note: In Revelation Chapter 4 the scene now switches from what's happening on earth to what's happening in heaven.

Note: John gets taken up to Heaven

Revelation 4:1–2 (ESV)

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

Revelation 4:3–4 (ESV)

3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

Rev. 4:3-4 — Many scholars believe that this represents the OT 12 sons of Israel & the NT the 12 disciples of Jesus giving us 24 thrones & 24 Elders

Revelation 4:5 (ESV)

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,

Note: John is in heaven, and he's trying to communicate to you and I as best as he can what he is seeing of this beautiful vision of heaven and the heavenly throne.

JOHN RECEIVES A SCROLL --- [ In God’s hand is a scroll ]

Revelation 5:12 (NIV)

12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:3–4 (NIV)

3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.

4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.

Revelation 5:6–9 (NIV)

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.

8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WORTHY TO OPEN THIS SCROLL

Note: In Chapters 6-19 the Church is not mention again, leading many theologians to believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture

SEE: Timeline of the End Times Chart [ Rapture of the Church ]

TRIBULATION BEGINS [ Rev. 6-19 ]

What is the Tribulation Period — The tribulation period is a 7 year period where by God administers His wrath and His justice and His judgment upon those who have not believe in Him who are left behind on earth.

SEE: Timeline of the End Times Chart —- [ THE BEGINNING OF SORROW ]

Note: Jesus describes the first 3 1/2 years the beginning of sorrow. [ Just Imagine ]

Note: Note that the scene now switch from what's happening in heaven back to what's happening on earth.