Introduction to Revelation Introduction to Revelation

Introductory MattersIntroductory Matters Date written: 95 AD, thus the last book Date written: 95 AD, thus the last book

of the NT canon.of the NT canon. Genre: Epistolary (beginning and Genre: Epistolary (beginning and

ending) and Prophetic.ending) and Prophetic. Author: The Apostle John, from the Isle Author: The Apostle John, from the Isle

of Patmos.of Patmos. Part of Jesus inner circle of disciples.Part of Jesus inner circle of disciples. Writer of a gospel and three epistles.Writer of a gospel and three epistles. Apostolic overseer of the churches in Asia Apostolic overseer of the churches in Asia

Minor.Minor.

Ephesus: Christian Center of Ephesus: Christian Center of the Roman Empirethe Roman Empire

Seven Churches of Seven Churches of RevelationRevelation

Different Interpretive Different Interpretive Approaches to the BookApproaches to the Book

PreteristPreterist – This view maintains that the book – This view maintains that the book describes first century conditions in the Roman describes first century conditions in the Roman Empire. Christ’s “coming with the clouds” in chap. 1 Empire. Christ’s “coming with the clouds” in chap. 1 is not a literal coming to earth, but a judgment that is not a literal coming to earth, but a judgment that came upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70. came upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Continuous-historicalContinuous-historical – This view treats the book as – This view treats the book as a panorama of church history from John’s time until a panorama of church history from John’s time until the Second Advent, finding correspondences between the Second Advent, finding correspondences between the 7 churches and various epochs in church history.the 7 churches and various epochs in church history.

IdealistIdealist – This view maintains that Revelation depicts – This view maintains that Revelation depicts the eternal conflict between good and evil in every the eternal conflict between good and evil in every age, and that the details should not be pressed.age, and that the details should not be pressed.

FuturistFuturist – This is the best approach if one is – This is the best approach if one is committed to a literal hermeneutic. It views the book committed to a literal hermeneutic. It views the book as focusing on the last periods of world history, as focusing on the last periods of world history, culminating with the return of Jesus Christ to the culminating with the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.earth.

Major Themes in RevelationMajor Themes in Revelation The Return and Glory of Jesus Christ (Rev The Return and Glory of Jesus Christ (Rev

1:7)1:7) The Old TestamentThe Old Testament

Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 make some Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 make some allusion to the Old Testament. Books drawn upon allusion to the Old Testament. Books drawn upon include Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Psalms.include Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Psalms.

The Wrath of GodThe Wrath of God The Future Work of GodThe Future Work of God

JudgmentJudgment Establishment of His KingdomEstablishment of His Kingdom Blessing of His PeopleBlessing of His People

Purpose Statement for Purpose Statement for RevelationRevelation

John records the revelation given to John records the revelation given to him by Christ to rebuke believers him by Christ to rebuke believers concerning sin and to encourage concerning sin and to encourage them to hold fast until Christ comes, them to hold fast until Christ comes, describing the events that will describing the events that will precede and follow that coming.precede and follow that coming.

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation Part One: “The Things Which You Have Part One: “The Things Which You Have

Seen” (1:1-20)Seen” (1:1-20) Introduction (1:1-8)Introduction (1:1-8) Vision of the Glorified Christ (1:9-20)Vision of the Glorified Christ (1:9-20)

Part Two: “The Things Which Are” (2:1 – Part Two: “The Things Which Are” (2:1 – 3:22)3:22) Message to Ephesus (2:1-7)Message to Ephesus (2:1-7) Message to Smyrna (2:8-11)Message to Smyrna (2:8-11) Message to Pergamos (2:12-17)Message to Pergamos (2:12-17) Message to Thyatira (2:18-29)Message to Thyatira (2:18-29) Message to Sardis (3:1-6)Message to Sardis (3:1-6) Message to Philadelphia (3:7-13)Message to Philadelphia (3:7-13) Message to Laodicea (3:14-22)Message to Laodicea (3:14-22)

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation Part Three: “The Things Which Will Part Three: “The Things Which Will

Take Place After These Things” (4:1 – Take Place After These Things” (4:1 – 22:21)22:21) Visions of the Father and the Lamb as Visions of the Father and the Lamb as

the Source of Judgment (4:1 – 5:14)the Source of Judgment (4:1 – 5:14) Vision of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (6:1 – Vision of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (6:1 –

19:6)19:6) Seven Seals of Judgment (6:1 – 8:5)Seven Seals of Judgment (6:1 – 8:5) Seven Trumpets of Judgment (8:6 – 11:19)Seven Trumpets of Judgment (8:6 – 11:19) Explanatory Prophecies (12:1 – 14:20)Explanatory Prophecies (12:1 – 14:20) Seven Bowls of Judgment and Rejoicing over Seven Bowls of Judgment and Rejoicing over

the Fall of Babylon (15:1 – 19:10)the Fall of Babylon (15:1 – 19:10)

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation The Closing Visions of John (19:11 – The Closing Visions of John (19:11 –

22:5)22:5) The Coming of the King of Kings (19:11-16)The Coming of the King of Kings (19:11-16) The Great Supper of God (19:17-21)The Great Supper of God (19:17-21) The Binding of Satan (20:1-3)The Binding of Satan (20:1-3) The Thousand-Year Kingdom (20:4-10)The Thousand-Year Kingdom (20:4-10) The White-Throne Judgment (20:11-15)The White-Throne Judgment (20:11-15) The New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-8)The New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-8) The Holy City (21:9 – 22:5)The Holy City (21:9 – 22:5)

Epilogue (22:6-21)Epilogue (22:6-21)

Daniel’s 70Daniel’s 70thth Week and the Week and the Seven-Sealed ScrollSeven-Sealed Scroll

3 1/2 Years 3 1/2 YearsBeginning of Birth Pangs

Great Tribulation

Abomination of Desolation

Rapture of the Church

Return of Christ to the Earth

The Seventh SealThe Seventh Seal

Next Week: Revelation 1Next Week: Revelation 1