Section 1: IntroductionRead : Revelation Chapter 1:

• verses 1 – 3

• verses 4 - 8

• verses 9 - 20

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)

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

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

Question 1.

Who was the Writer?

How do we know He wrote this book?

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 RomansInternal 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?

Question 2.

When + Where was this book written ?

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)

Question 3.

Who was this written to ?

Who ?Primary Audience 7 churches in Asia Minor – suffering persecution Each church Represents different types of churches through

all timeOverall 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

Question 4.

Why did John write this book?

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

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

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

Question 5.

What type (genre) of writing is this ?

Genre ?Form of Prophecy Predicting events of the end times (Christ’s 1st coming to 2nd

return) Only book in N.T. devoted to prophecyApocalyptic 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

Question 6.

What are the background prophecies to Revelation & End Times?

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

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.

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

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,

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.”

Question 7.

What is the Structure of Revelation?

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

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

Section 2: Letters to 7 churchesRead : Revelation Chapter 2 – 3

What are these 7 letters about ?

Layout1. Depiction of Christ for their need2. Their Situation3. Praise 4. Condemnation5. Challenge - to hear & change6. Warning - if no change 7. Call to Overcome & Receive Promises

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

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 !

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 = AliveReality = Dead !

The Lord sees all our works & service

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

Section 3: Vision of Christ Read : Chapter 4 – 5

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

Symbols : Chapter 4 - 5Relates 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

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

Question 8.

How do I understand chapters 6 - 18 ?

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 ?

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

Discussion :

Is this book of Revelation written for believers

in the Past ?

in the Future ?

for all times ?

Section 4: Tribulation

Judgments of God upon the Earth

Read : Chapters 6 – 18

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

Overview : 7 Seals > 7 Trumpets > 7 Bowls

Seven Seals : chapters 6 - 8

Seven Seals : chapters 6 - 8

Seven Trumpets : chapters 8 - 10

Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath : chapter 16

Question 8.Are Believers to ESCAPE or ENDURE these Tribulations ?

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

Theory : ESCAPE

ESCAPE

View = Pre-Millennialism

Great Tribulation = 7 years at the end of time

Rapture = before tribulation starts

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 prophecyDoesn't fit Rev.1:9 – John is partner in Tribulation & EnduranceDoesn't fit 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 = No Tribulation after RaptureDoesn't fit 1 Corinthians 15:51-53= No Tribulation after RaptureDoesn't fit 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 = We will endure Tribulation &

afflictionsDoesn't fit Matthew 24:9-31 = Believers endure Great Tribulation

before Rapture

Theory : ENDURE

Ongoing tribulation

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 RevelationDoes not fit with the prophecy of Daniel 9Luke 17:26-32 states - as with Noah & Lot : we will be removed

from God’s wrathRom.5:9 states we shall be saved from the wrath of God1 Thess.5:9 states the church is not destined for the wrath of GodRev.3:10 states Christ will keep Philadelphia church from the Great

Tribulation

Section 5:

Return of Christ

Chapter 19

Section 6:

The Millennium Reign of Christ

Chapters 20

Different Understandings of the ‘Millennium’

View of Millennium decided by –• if we interpret Revelation as completely literal or more symbolic• source texts we start with – Daniel or Matthew

Section 7:

The Eternal State

Chapters 21 - 22

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