Revelation

Intro toIntro to
the Bookthe Book
ofof
RevelationRevelation
Ehab RoufailEhab Roufail

22nd January 2010 Intro to Revelation 2
OutlineOutline
• The significance of theThe significance of the
ApocalypseApocalypse
• The circumstances surroundingThe circumstances surrounding
its writingits writing
– Who wrote it? To Whom? Where?Who wrote it? To Whom? Where?
Why?Why?
• Its structure and ContentIts structure and Content
• Aids to interpretationAids to interpretation
• How can we benefit from it?How can we benefit from it?

The significance of the ApocalypseThe significance of the Apocalypse
The Title of the BookThe Title of the Book
• The inspired title of the book is “TheThe inspired title of the book is “The
Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Or as it was moreRevelation of Jesus Christ.” Or as it was more
commonly called: “Apocalpyses” from thecommonly called: “Apocalpyses” from the
Greek “apokalupto”, which means to reveal.Greek “apokalupto”, which means to reveal.
• In some ways the revelation of John is veryIn some ways the revelation of John is very
similar to O.T. apocalyptic writings (e.g. Dan. 7-similar to O.T. apocalyptic writings (e.g. Dan. 7-
10; Ez. 37-47; Is. 66 etc..).10; Ez. 37-47; Is. 66 etc..).

Pope Dionysius of Alexandria says “Although itPope Dionysius of Alexandria says “Although it
carries thoughts that surpass my perception Icarries thoughts that surpass my perception I
find it contains strong secret concepts in manyfind it contains strong secret concepts in many
matters… And in spite of my inability tomatters… And in spite of my inability to
understand it, I still believe that there are deapunderstand it, I still believe that there are deap
meanings behind its words. I don’t measure itsmeanings behind its words. I don’t measure its
sentences or judge it according to my power ofsentences or judge it according to my power of
perception but I accept it with faith andperception but I accept it with faith and
simplicity. I see it nice and delicious to mysimplicity. I see it nice and delicious to my
comprehension, so I never refuse what I don’tcomprehension, so I never refuse what I don’t
understand but instead I stand amazed beforeunderstand but instead I stand amazed before
it…”it…”

• The Bible from beginning to endThe Bible from beginning to end
has one Author of authors, thehas one Author of authors, the
Holy Spirit, whose inspiration fromHoly Spirit, whose inspiration from
the first book to the last is clearlythe first book to the last is clearly
seen in a masterly plan.seen in a masterly plan.
• The Bible starts off with man inThe Bible starts off with man in
paradise along with the tree of lifeparadise along with the tree of life
and ends with man in Theand ends with man in The
Paradise of Heaven with the treeParadise of Heaven with the tree
of life.of life.

• In Genesis, the sun and moon wereIn Genesis, the sun and moon were
created to enlighten us (1:14). Increated to enlighten us (1:14). In
Revelation, we are not in need of aRevelation, we are not in need of a
sun or a moon (21:23). For Christ issun or a moon (21:23). For Christ is
the Light of the new heaven, whothe Light of the new heaven, who
shines on our inner man andshines on our inner man and
illuminates our souls with His Holyilluminates our souls with His Holy
Spirit.Spirit.
• Genesis shows us the marriageGenesis shows us the marriage
between our first parents, inbetween our first parents, in
Revelation; there is the joyfulRevelation; there is the joyful
marriage supper of the secondmarriage supper of the second
Adam.Adam.

• In Genesis we see the entry of sin and deathIn Genesis we see the entry of sin and death
into the world in Revelation we see theminto the world in Revelation we see them
condemned and defeated.condemned and defeated.
• Genesis tells of paradise lost, revelation ofGenesis tells of paradise lost, revelation of
paradise found on a greater heavenly scale,.paradise found on a greater heavenly scale,.

SummarySummary

The circumstances surrounding its writingThe circumstances surrounding its writing
The AuthorThe Author
• Traditionally this wasTraditionally this was
considered as beingconsidered as being
written by the Apostlewritten by the Apostle
John during a forcedJohn during a forced
exile on the Isle ofexile on the Isle of
Patmos during thePatmos during the
reign of Emperorreign of Emperor
Domitian in aroundDomitian in around
95 AD.95 AD.

To Whom?To Whom?
• The Revelation wasThe Revelation was
addressed to theaddressed to the
seven Asianseven Asian
churches, there is achurches, there is a
special message forspecial message for
each churcheach church
• But the book undoubtedly carries aBut the book undoubtedly carries a
communal message concerning the life of thecommunal message concerning the life of the
Church in the whole world in all ages.Church in the whole world in all ages.

The MessageThe Message
• God himself encourages His people in theirGod himself encourages His people in their
suffering and trials throughout the book, andsuffering and trials throughout the book, and
contains many references to perseverance andcontains many references to perseverance and
courage (Chap. 2-3).courage (Chap. 2-3).
• The anthem “to him who conquers…” runsThe anthem “to him who conquers…” runs
through the book.through the book.

The MessageThe Message
• The basicThe basic
revelation is thatrevelation is that
God is on HisGod is on His
throne and inthrone and in
charge. Althoughcharge. Although
everythingeverything
around you canaround you can
seem terribleseem terrible
and destructive,and destructive,
God is in controlGod is in control
and those whoand those who
remain faithful toremain faithful to
Christ will inheritChrist will inherit
eternal life.eternal life.

SummarySummary

Its Structure and ContentIts Structure and Content
The book divides into 4 sections:The book divides into 4 sections:
• The introduction of the book. [1]The introduction of the book. [1]
• TheThe SevenSeven churches (churches (the present).the present). [2-3][2-3]
• TheThe SevenSeven visions (visions (the futurethe future). [4-19]). [4-19]
– TheThe SevenSeven seals. [6 & 7]seals. [6 & 7]
– TheThe SevenSeven trumpets. [8,9,10 & 11]trumpets. [8,9,10 & 11]
– TheThe SevenSeven angels withangels with sevenseven plagues from theplagues from the
sevenseven cups. [15]cups. [15]
• The Heavenly Jerusalem (The Heavenly Jerusalem (beyond timebeyond time). [20-22]). [20-22]

Schools of Interpretation ofSchools of Interpretation of
RevelationRevelation
There are four main schools of interpretation of the book:There are four main schools of interpretation of the book:
• The Preterists:The Preterists: Who believe that the book was chiefly meant for the people of St.Who believe that the book was chiefly meant for the people of St.
John’s days and that it was fulfilled during their time. They ignored the interpretiveJohn’s days and that it was fulfilled during their time. They ignored the interpretive
key to the book: 1:19 (NKJV) "Write the things which you have seen, and the thingskey to the book: 1:19 (NKJV) "Write the things which you have seen, and the things
which are, and the things which will take place after this.”which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
• The Historicists:The Historicists: That think it as describing the long chain of events from St. John’sThat think it as describing the long chain of events from St. John’s
time to the end of history.time to the end of history.
• The Futurists:The Futurists: Who think that the bulk of the book refers to the ‘end times’.Who think that the bulk of the book refers to the ‘end times’.
• The Idealists:The Idealists: Who view it as symbolic pictures of such timeless truths as the victoryWho view it as symbolic pictures of such timeless truths as the victory
of good over evil.of good over evil.
The best way is to think that each interpretation completes the other ones and that itThe best way is to think that each interpretation completes the other ones and that it
would be wrong to adopt one interpretation whilst neglecting the otherswould be wrong to adopt one interpretation whilst neglecting the others
The book is not chronological (see chap. 10-14).The book is not chronological (see chap. 10-14).

Schools of InterpretationSchools of Interpretation
Again the different schools of interpretation have differing viewsAgain the different schools of interpretation have differing views
on how to interpret the message to the seven churches.on how to interpret the message to the seven churches.
• They were actual churches that existed in the Roman provinceThey were actual churches that existed in the Roman province
of Asia.of Asia.
• They represent the whole of the Christian people in all areas atThey represent the whole of the Christian people in all areas at
all times symbolised by the number seven’s completeness.all times symbolised by the number seven’s completeness.
• An indication of seven periods of time in the life of the wholeAn indication of seven periods of time in the life of the whole
Church from the time of the apostles to the second coming ofChurch from the time of the apostles to the second coming of
our Lord.our Lord.
• Symbolic to the life of individual’s and their states of being inSymbolic to the life of individual’s and their states of being in
God.God.

Format of the messagesFormat of the messages
Each of the messages to the seven churches follows the same format of fiveEach of the messages to the seven churches follows the same format of five
sections:sections:
• The message starts by addressing the angel of the church. The ‘angel’ ofThe message starts by addressing the angel of the church. The ‘angel’ of
the church can be taken to have several meanings as The English wordthe church can be taken to have several meanings as The English word
angelangel comes from the greekcomes from the greek angelosangelos, whose translation is similar to the, whose translation is similar to the
Hebrew: “messenger” or “angel.” And so the ‘angel’ could be taken literallyHebrew: “messenger” or “angel.” And so the ‘angel’ could be taken literally
to denote a guardian angel of the church or, as is more traditional, to denoteto denote a guardian angel of the church or, as is more traditional, to denote
the Bishop of the church.the Bishop of the church.
• A description of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ taken from chapter 1:12-18.A description of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ taken from chapter 1:12-18.
He appears in forms that suit the need of each church so that she can findHe appears in forms that suit the need of each church so that she can find
her satisfaction and solution to her problems in Him.her satisfaction and solution to her problems in Him.
• Our Lord begins the messages by saying: “I know,…” As He alone whoOur Lord begins the messages by saying: “I know,…” As He alone who
walks in the midst of His church knows her innermost depths and is able towalks in the midst of His church knows her innermost depths and is able to
support, instruct and encourage her.support, instruct and encourage her.
• Those whose spiritual ears are attuned to their Bridegrooms voice areThose whose spiritual ears are attuned to their Bridegrooms voice are
reminded to listen and obey; “He who has an ear, let him hear what thereminded to listen and obey; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches.”Spirit says to the churches.”
• For those that are faithful to this message they are offered a reward.For those that are faithful to this message they are offered a reward.

The Seven ChurchesThe Seven Churches
• EphesusEphesus
– The church of Ephesus was commended for theirThe church of Ephesus was commended for their
hard work, perseverance and commitment tohard work, perseverance and commitment to
holiness. But the church had a fault of which manyholiness. But the church had a fault of which many
of us are guilty. We keep on serving, butof us are guilty. We keep on serving, but
somehow in the struggle we lose the glowing lovesomehow in the struggle we lose the glowing love
for the Lord Jesus that motivated us at first. It’sfor the Lord Jesus that motivated us at first. It’s
good to be faithful but faithfulness is no substitutegood to be faithful but faithfulness is no substitute
for passionate love.for passionate love.
– What can we do when we lose our first love? TheWhat can we do when we lose our first love? The
scripture says, repent and recapture it, “do thescripture says, repent and recapture it, “do the
things you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Let’s do thethings you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). Let’s do the
things we used to do before when we were aflamethings we used to do before when we were aflame
with love and lets watch those feelings follow.with love and lets watch those feelings follow.

• SmyrnaSmyrna
1.1. In Smyrna Christians held on to their faith throughIn Smyrna Christians held on to their faith through
persecution, imprisonment and death. But persecution onlypersecution, imprisonment and death. But persecution only
strengthened their resolve and from the Lord they and westrengthened their resolve and from the Lord they and we
hear words of encouragement. We may suffer loss ofhear words of encouragement. We may suffer loss of
wealth but we are rich in Christ. We may suffer death butwealth but we are rich in Christ. We may suffer death but
we will receive a crown of everlasting life.we will receive a crown of everlasting life.
• PergamosPergamos
1.1. We like Pergamum are affected by our surroundings andWe like Pergamum are affected by our surroundings and
sometimes relax our moral standards according to thesometimes relax our moral standards according to the
society we live in. It is all too easy for us, bombarded associety we live in. It is all too easy for us, bombarded as
we are by the attitudes of the world, to relax our standards.we are by the attitudes of the world, to relax our standards.
Our Lord sternly warned Pergamum and us against thisOur Lord sternly warned Pergamum and us against this
course giving a promise that if we refuse the ‘sweets’ andcourse giving a promise that if we refuse the ‘sweets’ and
amoral ‘junk food’ of the world we will be given the ‘hiddenamoral ‘junk food’ of the world we will be given the ‘hidden
manna’ the ‘bread of life’ to sustain our life forever withmanna’ the ‘bread of life’ to sustain our life forever with
God.God.

• ThyatiraThyatira
1.1. As with Thyatira Jezebel still stalks our heartsAs with Thyatira Jezebel still stalks our hearts
inviting us to make our bed with the world andinviting us to make our bed with the world and
God. To compromise Truth in order to moveGod. To compromise Truth in order to move
forward in our social standing, or to partake of theforward in our social standing, or to partake of the
delights of the worlds growing hedonism whiledelights of the worlds growing hedonism while
taking part in the Lord’s supper.taking part in the Lord’s supper.
• SardisSardis
1.1. Sardis, with a reputation for vitality was asSardis, with a reputation for vitality was as
spiritually dead as the nearby “city of the dead”.spiritually dead as the nearby “city of the dead”.
The challenge for us today is that it’s not enoughThe challenge for us today is that it’s not enough
to be doctrinally correct and going ‘through theto be doctrinally correct and going ‘through the
motions’ of religiosity, we must be spiritually alivemotions’ of religiosity, we must be spiritually alive
having a daily walk with our Lord to renew thehaving a daily walk with our Lord to renew the
garment of our new man.garment of our new man.

• PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia
1.1. Like with Philadelphia our Loving LordLike with Philadelphia our Loving Lord
is never contemptuous of ouris never contemptuous of our
weaknesses. He remembers all theweaknesses. He remembers all the
good that we do under the rightgood that we do under the right
motivation and desires for us to bemotivation and desires for us to be
stronger and more faithful. Hestronger and more faithful. He
encourages us with the vision ofencourages us with the vision of
heavens doors opened by His keyheavens doors opened by His key
ready for us to enter.ready for us to enter.

• LaodiceaLaodicea
1.1. When we like Laodicea fail toWhen we like Laodicea fail to
stand up to immorality we findstand up to immorality we find
that gradually we are affectedthat gradually we are affected
by it. Our material prosperityby it. Our material prosperity
and perhaps growing socialand perhaps growing social
acceptability mean that weacceptability mean that we
begin to forget our reliance onbegin to forget our reliance on
God to provide our deepestGod to provide our deepest
needs. Instead of feeding withneeds. Instead of feeding with
the world and its offerings thethe world and its offerings the
Lord stands at the door of ourLord stands at the door of our
rusty hinged, weed infectedrusty hinged, weed infected
heart and knocks, waiting for usheart and knocks, waiting for us
to open the door to eat withto open the door to eat with
Him His heavenly banquet.Him His heavenly banquet.

The Throne In HeavenThe Throne In Heaven

The Scroll and the LambThe Scroll and the Lamb

The Scroll and the LambThe Scroll and the Lamb
• The scrollThe scroll
– Sealed and written on bothSealed and written on both
sides – because its meaning issides – because its meaning is
hidden. (Isa 29:9-11)hidden. (Isa 29:9-11)
– So many today think they haveSo many today think they have
knowledge, yet for them theknowledge, yet for them the
Holy Book is sealed and canHoly Book is sealed and can
only be open through Him whoonly be open through Him who
has the key to David.has the key to David.
– The qualities of the opener:The qualities of the opener:
• LionLion
• Of the tribe of Judah and root ofOf the tribe of Judah and root of
DavidDavid
• A lamb as though slainA lamb as though slain
• Having seven hornsHaving seven horns
• Having seven eyesHaving seven eyes

The Four HorsemanThe Four Horseman

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