Introduction to Revelation

 Introduction to Revelation

 

Assumptions:

·       History is linear with a beginning (Genesis) and end (Revelation) and God created and is involved in all of History.

·       Revelation is real, not a fable or allegory.

·       In Revelation God is giving the vision and God says what God means and means what is said.

 

Thesis statement:

Revelation 1:1-3

“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, ²who bore witness to the Word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. ³Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” NKJV  (The word translated ‘reads’ is “know certainly, recognize, discern”  and the word ‘hear’ is “to hear (listen)”. (http://biblehub.com/greek/191.htm)

 

Outline

1.1. Who was John

1.1.1.    John the Apostle. This is the apostle who Jesus loved and the one who Jesus instructed to be a son to Mary.

1.1.1.1.        That John the apostle was the writer was verified by Polycarp via Irenaus.

1.1.2.    An anonymous John known as “the Elder” of whom little seems to be known.

1.1.3.    When & where written

1.1.3.1.        Written while John was on Patmos approximately 96 AD. John would have been about 85 years old.

1.2. Purpose of Revelation

1.2.1.    To show how seriously the churches had deviated from the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.

1.2.1.1.        Each of the seven letters shows a specific failing of a church or an area where they were closely following the teachings of Christ.

1.2.1.2.        The seven letters to the seven churches have a more general impact to the church throughout the ages, including our time and specifically to the church in the last days.

1.2.2.    Revelation is given to strengthen believers, comfort believers, inspire believers and assure all believers and even unbelievers the final victory is in God’s hand.

1.2.3.    To let all people, believers and unbelievers know what will happen in the last days before Jesus the Christ returns.

1.3. Central themes of Revelation

1.3.1.    Christ is the Lamb of God sacrificed for our sins.

1.3.1.1.        That Jesus will return.

1.3.2.    Vision of the exalted Christ

1.3.3.    Vision of things in Heaven and the earth

1.3.4.    Detailed picture of the end time conflict between righteousness (Christ) and evil (Satan)

1.3.4.1.        What will happen immediately before Jesus return.

1.3.4.2.        The defeat of Satan.

1.3.4.3.        The 1000 years of peace1

1.3.4.4.        Final defeat of Satan

1.3.5.    New heaven and new earth.

1.3.6.    Restoration of all things.

1.4. Symbolism

1.4.1.    The symbology and imagery used is from what we term the Old Testament, the Pentateuch, Law (instructions) and Prophets.

1.4.2.    Must have a knowledge of these to understand Revelation.

1.4.3.    Remember, Jesus was Jewish, John was Jewish and God made His covenant with Abraham, known as the first Jew. We cannot understand Revelation if we ignore or dismiss Judaism.

1.5. Various theories

1.5.1.    Was fulfilled by Rome of the time (preterist view)

1.5.2.    Fulfilled at various times throughout history. A prophetic forecast of the entire sweep of church history from John’s day to the end of time (historicist view)

1.5.3.    An allegory only and conveys certain timeless principles about good and evil in history generally. (idealist view)

1.5.4.    A prophesy from God that point to what He will do at the end of time. (futurist view)

 

 

Summary:

Revelation 22:12-17

¹²“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” ¹⁴Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.  ¹⁵But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. ¹⁶“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” ¹⁷And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely. NKJV

 

Please note the beginning and the end are very similar. John starts by stating the Revelation comes from God and ends by reminding us of that and the results that come from trying to change what God has said.

 

 

Christian Fruit, Jewish Roots    John Garr PhD. ThD.

Full Life Study Bible NIV

eSword.com

Various Internet sites