The document provides an overview and analysis of Revelation chapter 1. It discusses that Revelation was written by John to encourage believers facing persecution. John received visions on the island of Patmos around AD 95. The book was written for the original 7 churches in Asia Minor dealing with tribulations, but also speaks to believers in all times facing hardship for their faith. It provides hope that Christ has overcome and will return victorious.
3. Revelation 1: 1 - 3 = Title
Type Writing = a revelation – Visions “disclosure of unseen realities”
Divine Author = Christ
Central Focus = Work of Christ throughout History & His return
Originally = Read aloud
Blessing to those who hear / read
Are we being blessed by this writing ?
The time is near – comes like a thief in the night
Therefore written to both 1st century believers & us now
Are we realising this is near ?
Are we prepared ? (e.g. wedding feast)
4. Revelation 1: 4–8 = Opening
Standard structure of letter of Time
From : John
To : 7 churches in Asia
Greeting = Grace …..
We are free from our sins
We are a kingdom – a new nation/society on earth
We are priests – direct link to God
Christ’s return = all will see Him
Shock & Regret by millions who ignored/disobeyed him
5. Revelation 1: 9–20 = Christ’s Presence with Believers
John - Brother in the tribulation + endurance
John doesn’t escape troubles – endures through it
Imprisoned - Island Patmos
Focus = Christ – present with the churches/believers through
persecution & suffering
First & the Last (alpha & omega) & forevermore
Power over death & Hell
Therefore – fear not death = Christ has overcome
To 7 churches
Commanded to write – past + situation now + future
7. How do we know?
Issue . .
States in chapters 1: 1,4,9 & chapter 22:8 : John wrote it
Question = John who? – the apostle or another John?
External Evidence for Apostle John . .
Irenaeus (church father) states apostle John wrote it
Rev.1:9 states John received revelation on Island Patmos
Clement of Alexandria & Eusebius state John the Apostle exiled there by
Romans
Internal Evidence . .
John does not give his position / details - assumes known by 7 churches to
whom first written : missionary & apostle to them
Vocabulary very similar to other 4 books by John
Rev.19:13 – Christ is the Word – same as John 1:1
But poor Greek – was using secretary earlier but now on own?
9. When?
During rule of emperor Domitian – AD 95 (most view)
Where?
Visions : Island of Patmos
Written : either Patmos or Ephesus (according to some church fathers)
11. Who ?
Primary Audience
7 churches in Asia Minor – suffering persecution
Each church Represents different types of churches through all time
Overall Audience
All churches & believers
In every year from AD 95 to Now
Speaks to :
believers in North Korea executed by government for their faith
believers in communist countries imprisoned during 1950s,60s, 70s,80s
believers in China imprisoned for 20 years for following Christ
believers in Muslim countries discriminated & jailed for their faith
believers in Syria executed by ISIS for their faith
Not a book for the past or the future - for every situation then & now
14. Situation
Under Emperors Nero & Domitian
Pressure to worship Caesar as Lord
Christians were
Discriminated
Attacked
Imprisoned
Executed
for claiming that - Jesus is LORD – not the Roman emperor
Following Christ can have serious political & social
consequences – this is not just internal
15. Purpose
To give hope – that Christ has the victory over all time
. – that God has plans He will accomplish
To show – that God is in control – He is Lord of all history
. - for all ages, for eternity - Greater than any ruler
To encourage – believers to persevere through difficult times
To strengthen – believer’s faith in Christ as Lord
To warn – believers not to give up or compromise their faith
To urge – to stay faithful to Christ and following Him alone
16. Effect
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this
prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart
what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
Hope for the future
Understand what is & will happen nationally & globally
Greater faith in God’s plans
Prepared for Christ’s return soon – priorities on eternal value
18. Genre ?
Form of Prophecy
Predicting events of the end times (Christ’s 1st coming to 2nd return)
Only book in N.T. devoted to prophecy
Apocalyptic Writing
Many Jewish writings before +after Christ = apocalyptic
– 4 Ezra, 1 Enoch, 2 Apocalypse of Baruch etc.
‘Pulls back veil between heaven & earth’
Explains God working out his purposes through suffering experienced
Involves visions & dreams
Uses symbolic language – many applications
Predicts total judgement & destruction wicked + deliverance righteous
20. Key Scriptures ?
Gospels : Matthew ch. 24 – 25
Epistles : Thessalonians book 1: ch.4 – 5 + book 2: ch.2
O.T : Daniel ch.9
Note : When interpreting prophecy
– check first in relation to Gospels & Epistles
21. Matthew 24-25 …
Matthew 24:6-14
(6) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.
Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
(7) Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines
and earthquakes in various places.
(8) All these are the beginning of birth pains.
(9) "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be
hated by all nations because of me.
(10) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
(11) and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
(12) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
(13) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony
to all nations, and then the end will come.
22. Matthew 24-25 …
Matthew 24:29-39
(29) "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the
moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies
will be shaken.'
(30) "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of
the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of
heaven, with power and great glory.
(31) And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect
from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(36) "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the
Son, but only the Father.
(37) As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
(38) For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and
giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
(40) Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left
23. 2 Thessalonians 2 …
2 Thessalonians 2: 3-10
(3) that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is
revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
(4) He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is
worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
(6) And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the
proper time.
(7) For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it
back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
(8) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with
the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
(9) The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will
use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,
24. Daniel 9 …
Daniel 9:24-27
(24) "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish
transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in
everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most
Holy Place.
(25) "Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and
rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven
'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in
times of trouble.
(26) After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have
nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the
sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and
desolations have been decreed.
(27) He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the
'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set
up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured
out on him.”
26. STRUCTURE
Rev.1 : 19 – write (a) what you have seen (b) those that are, (c) those that
are to take place after this
Ch. 1 – What you have seen
– Vision of resurrected Christ – in heaven as God
Ch. 2-5 – what is now
– Letters to 7 churches of Asia Minor
– Warnings of judgement and Instruction to overcome
Ch. 6-22 – what will take place
– Judgements (tribulations)
– Return of Christ
– Millennium
– Eternal New Heaven and Earth
27. Structure
1. Chapter 1 : Introduction & Vision of Christ
2. Chapter 2-3: Letters to the 7 churches
3. Chapter 4-5: Vision of Christ Now as Lord
4. Chapter 6-18: The 3 waves of judgements / wrath upon the earth
5. Chapter 19: Return of Christ – defeat forces of Antichrist
6. Chapter 20: The Millennium Reign of Christ & Defeat of Satan
7. Chapter 21-22: The Eternal State – New Heaven & New Earth
28.
29. Section 2: Letters to 7 churches
Read : Revelation Chapter 2 – 3
What are these 7 letters about ?
30. Layout
1. Depiction of Christ for their need
2. Their Situation
3. Praise
4. Condemnation
5. Challenge - to hear & change
6. Warning - if no change
7. Call to Overcome & Receive Promises
31. Main issue
Under Emperors Nero & Domitian
Persecuted = attacked, imprisoned, fed to lions + executed for
claiming that Jesus is LORD – not emperor
Pressured = to worship emperor
Tempted = to worldly wealth + power + temptations
Result
Some remained Faithfull to God
Many worshipped BOTH Christ & Caesar - as Lord
Answer
Only Christ is LORD to worship
even if results in persecution or execution
32. Churches (represent churches to this day)
1. Ephesus
Works + endurance + faithful + reject false teaching (capital of
magic & worship of evil spirits)
× Abandoned 1st Love of Christ & each other
2. Smyrna
Successfully Endure Struggles + poverty + attacks
Prison, persecution, death
3. Pergamum
Hold fast to Christ + not give up Faith
× False teaching + sexual immorality
Predicted persecution
to believers !
33. 4. Thyatira
faith + love of Christ >> service + endurance
× Following false prophetess + sexual immorality
5. Sardis
× Dead – spiritual coma - not walking in Christ’s ways
Some still follow Christ – loyal + pure
6. Philadelphia
Enduring + Keep to God’s word + not denied Christ
Hold fast to Christ
Reputation = Alive
Reality = Dead !
The Lord sees all our
works & service
34. 7. Laodicea
× No longer living for Christ + spiritually bankrupt
- Cold water= useful > refreshes in the heat
- Hot water= useful > warmth when chilly
- Lukewarm = useless – neither hot nor cold
- Referred to the useless lukewarm water they received by aqueduct from hot springs
× Arrogant - Rely on Riches
Which > praises or warnings – are familiar & apply your church ?
Reliance on material wealth
instead of Christ results in
spiritual bankruptcy
36. Rev. 4:1 = Future tense
(Chapter 4:1) “take place after this”
beginning of visions on the future to come.
The future working out of Christ’s victory on the cross until
his final return and resulting new heaven & earth
37. Symbols : Chapter 4 - 5
Relates to the symbols of the Roman Emperor’s divinity:
– Rev 4:2 – Relates to the throne of an emperor / King
– Rev.4:2-3 - Courtrooms show their power + majesty
– Rev.4:5 - Servants linked to astrology
– Rev.4:8-11 - Servants songs of worship to divine King
– Rev.5:1-8 - King ruled justice over empire
Message = Christ’s majesty, power and glory are far
greater than of any human king or emperor
38. Message :
Christ’s power, majesty, and glory = far greater than
any human emperor, King or ruler
Christ = the only ruler who conquers - by giving his life
as a sacrifice for all humanity to come out of sin &
death to salvation
Christ = supreme NOT Emperor Caesar nor any other
human ruler
Call to worship Christ - NOT Caesar or any human ruler
40. Sections & Time Periods
1. Introduction & Vision of Christ (Rev.1)
2. Letters to the 7 churches (Rev.2-3)
3. Vision of Christ : Now as Lord (Rev.4-5)
4. 3 waves of judgements / wrath upon the earth (Rev.6-18)
5. Return of Christ – defeat forces of Antichrist (Rev.19)
6. Millennium Reign of Christ & Defeat of Satan (Rev.20)
7. Eternal State – New Heaven & New Earth (Rev.21-22)
First
Century
Final
Future
Past ?
Present ?
Future ?
41. 4 Approaches to Interpreting Revelation =
Historical (Preterist) = Benware
Most about history – real events & people in 1st century
Futurist
Most about future – real people & events in centuries to come
Symbolic (Allegorical)
Not only History or Future – Symbolic of battle Christ versus Satan
– believers & church face throughout history
Combination = Berding & Williams
Covering all : History + Past + Ongoing
To encourage all Christians through persecution in all times
42. Discussion :
Is this book of Revelation written for believers
in the Past ?
in the Future ?
for all times ?
44. 3 Waves of Judgements upon the earth (ch. 6-18)
God will pour out 3 waves of Judgements / wrath upon the
earth
Predicted in the O.T & N.T
Similar to plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7 – 11)
Increasing intensity towards Christ’s return
3 waves of :
7 Seals
7 Trumpets
7 Bowls
51. POINTS OF AGREEMENT
TRIBULATION / Affliction upon the Earth – increasing in intensity
Either : Ongoing or as intense seven year period at the end
RAPTURE of believers to Christ when he comes in glory
FINAL JUDGEMENT of the Living & the Dead
SATAN DESTROYED and his forces of evil
ETERNITY in God’s Kingdom by Christ’s Salvation
END to suffering, pain and death
NEW Heaven & New Earth
Understanding Revelation -
Focus on the BIG picture
- not overwhelmed by
controversies
54. ESCAPE [Pre-Millennialism view = Pre or Mid-Tribulation]
Rev.6-18 = Great Tribulations: only at the end of time before 2nd
coming (no great suffering of these types before)
Interpretation from Daniel 9 = 7 years only
Believers Raptured before the 7 years tribulation
Believers return after tribulations finished
Follows literal pattern of Revelation
Direct link to Daniel 9 prophecy
Doesn't fit Rev.1:9 – John is partner in Tribulation & Endurance
Doesn't fit 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 = No Tribulation after Rapture
Doesn't fit 1 Corinthians 15:51-53= No Tribulation after Rapture
Doesn't fit 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 = We will endure Tribulation & afflictions
Doesn't fit Matthew 24:9-31 = Believers endure Great Tribulation before Rapture
56. ENDURE [Post-Millennial & A-Millennial view ]
Rev.6-18 = Ongoing Tribulations : throughout human history –
intensifying towards the 2nd coming
Believers Endure & are Sealed (protected) through these tribulations
Rapture after the tribulations – before Christ’s Return
Follows Matthew 24:9-31 = Believers endure Great Tribulation before Rapture
Follows message of 1 Thess. 3:3-4 & Rev.1:9 – we endure tribulations
Speaks to tribulations believers experienced in 1st century & ongoing in history
Does not take a completely literal understanding of Revelation
Does not fit with the prophecy of Daniel 9
Luke 17:26-32 states - as with Noah & Lot : we will be removed from God’s wrath
Rom.5:9 states we shall be saved from the wrath of God
1 Thess.5:9 states the church is not destined for the wrath of God
Rev.3:10 states Christ will keep Philadelphia church from the Great Tribulation
60. View of Millennium decided by –
• if we interpret Revelation as completely literal or more symbolic
• source texts we start with – Daniel or Matthew
62. Overall Message of Revelation (points of agreement)
CHRIST is Lord & in control of all world events
TRIBULATION / Affliction upon the Earth – increasing in intensity
Either : Ongoing or as Great Tribulation : 7 year period at the end
RAPTURE of believers to Christ when he comes in glory
RETURN OF CHRIST
FINAL JUDGEMENT of the Living & the Dead
SATAN DESTROYED and his forces of evil
ETERNITY in God’s Kingdom by Christ’s Salvation
END to suffering, pain and death
NEW Heaven & New Earth