Introduction to Revelation.

Historical Background

The book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, was written by the Apostle John, near the end of the first century A.D.

As we see in 1:9, John was on the Island of Patmos, as he says, “…because of the Word of God and the witness of Jesus.”

Patmos was essentially and prison colony, and we see by what he says that he was sent to the prison colony for preaching the Word of God and bearing witness about Christ Jesus.

Domitian was Caesar at this point, and he demanded to be worshiped as God.

Up until this point, all Caesars were deified post-posthumously. Temples would be built in their honor, and each Roman citizen was required to make a sacrifice to the Emperors once a year.

Caesars in general refused worship while they were alive, but encouraged worship of the other Caesars as a way of keeping order and allegiance of society.

That was until Caligula, who reigned about the time of Jesus’s ministry (Died in 41 B.C.). After Caligula, was Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, and Titus, all of whom did not accept Caesar worship while alive.

Nero blamed the burning of Rome on the Christians, and persecuted them for it. The Apostle Paul was martyred during this persecution.

Titus, when he was a general, is who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, as Jesus talks about in Matthew 24:1, 2 in 70 A.D.

After Titus died, Domitian began to reign, and he demanded worship while he was living.

To claim that anyone else was Lord, or Master, was to commit treason. Therefore John was considered to be an instigator of rebellion, and imprisoned.

When Domitian died, the Apostle John was released from his prison, and he went back to Ephesus (traditionally speaking) and wrote down the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is important to consider this, because the Church in the late 1st Century was suffering deeply, and John was writing during that time, providing them hope for the future, when Christ returns in all His glory.

It wasn’t merely a optimistic look at the future, however. John provided hope for them in the times they were facing.

What we will see in the next couple of weeks is a look at Christ, unveiled in all His glory in the ministry that He is doing now.

Revelation 1:5, “ruler of the kings of the earth.” Jesus is not unaware of the affairs of the universe.

He is providentially ruling over them, and He is working all things to the day He will be ruling over them from His throne in Jerusalem

Zechariah 14:9, 16-19.

Revelation 1:13, “in the middle of the lampstands...” Christ, as Lord of the universe, dwells in the midst of His Bride, carefully nurturing and protecting Her.

THIS is the hope that John provides for us in our time together.

A word about John.

John is the last Apostle alive.

All of the others have been martyred or killed in some way.

John is in his 90’s by this point.

This shouldn’t be a surprise to us: John 21:20-25.

John is the only Apostle to die of “natural” causes.

Revelation Defined: Revelation 1:1-3

The Purpose (Revelation 1:1, 2).

John wrote the book of the Revelation for a specific purpose. Often we may think that it was simply to give us an accurate account of what is going to happen in the future. We may think that it was written to give us a look into what the Anti-Christ is going to look like. We may think that it was written to prepare us for what the time will be like before the Rapture of the Church. We may even think that this book was written to scare small children into repentance (hahaha).

While all of these things are true, and that is what this book does help us with, even the warning about final judgment and the need to repent, that is not John’s main purpose. We find his may purpose in the title that he himself gives it.

We see it in the first phrase of the book: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” John wrote this letter to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ in all of His glory.

You may already know this, but word “revelation” is the word “Apokalypsis”, which is where we get the English word “apocalypse” from. It means to reveal something that was previously hidden.

This first time Christ came, He wasn’t anything that He should’ve been admired( (Isaiah 53:1-3).

His Second Coming is in full regalia and in mighty wrath

Matthew 25:31

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.

Revelation 1:7.

While the contents of this book have provide our culture the “end of the world” understanding of the Apocalypse, what really takes place is that Christ is seen in all of His glory.

Even when the world sees Christ, they will not repent, rather they will flee in terror and ask for rocks to crush their brains so they don’t have to face His wrath

Revelation 6:16.

Revelation 14:6ff.

While the world may fear Him in all of His glory, we as His people draw great comfort.

Revelation 4:9-11.

Revelation 5:1-10.

The Audience (Revelation 1:1).

John wrote this as a slave for slaves.

Your translation may say servant or bond-servant. It is the term “doulos” in the Greek, which is the word slave in English.

These are all those who love Christ, and serve Him lovingly! (Exodus 21:5-6).

This is why the unbeliever doesn’t understand how Christ in revealed here.

Jesus taught in parables for this purpose (Matthew 13:11-17).

Well see it later, but look at the end of the letters to the Churches in Revelation 2-3.

The Effect (Revelation 1:3).

Verse 3 essentially outlines a 1st Century Church service, where someone would read Scripture, similar to what we find in 1 Timothy 4:13.

“Blessed...” Speaks of an inner joy, peace, or happiness that is not reliant on surrounding circumstances.

What we find is that a believer is always “blessed” when they are living the life that God has for them, as He has laid out in the Scriptures.

Here we find that blessing attributed to this book specifically. Its interesting, because the book is yet future for them. He even says “for the time is near”.

That time is still near, and as we consider these things together I pray and hope that this blessing is received together.