Second Session

Introduction to Revelation Part 2

August 27, 2015

Last week, we began with an understanding of some basic facts regarding the book of Revelation.
Revelation comes from the Greek word, apokalupsis which means, revelation, disclosure,
unveiling.
We learned that John the Beloved wrote this letter. The source of this letter is Jesus Christ as
attested in verse 1, The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his

servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to
his servant John,
The letter was written in the time of Emperor Domitian. Though some would argue for an earlier
date (like prior to the Fall of Jerusalem and during the time of Emperor Nero (Rev. 11:1, 2). Yet we
have to take into account that the Apostle John cited the writing of this letter on the island of
Patmos (Rev. 1:9) and the only time he was there was in the time of Emperor Domitian who
sentenced John to be exiled in 95AD.
Last week, I mentioned about the (4) major views of Revelation:
A. Preterist (Roman Empire View) believes that the bulk of the prophecies were fulfilled in
the first few centuries, especially in connection with the fall of the Roman Empire. The
beast of Revelation 13:1-8 represents the Roman Empire in its persecution of Christians.
An alternate approach connects the prophecies primarily with the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD
B. Futurist (Final Crisis View) believes that the prophecies will be fulfilled at the Second
Coming of Christthere will be events of a final crisis immediately preceding Christs return.
The beast represents the final Anti-Christ who will severely persecute Gods people during
the final crisis. A sub-view of this is Dispensationalism.
C. Historicist (Church History View) believes that the prophecies are fulfilled in the history of
the church from the First Century until the Second Century. The narrative of Revelation is
assumed to be in exact chronological order. The early chapters (e.g. Rev 2, 3 & 6) relate to
events in the first few centuries of the early church. The middle chapters (e.g. Rev 13)
relate to events of the Reformation and the later chapters (e.g. Rev 18, 19) points to events
immediately before the Second Coming. The beast represents the Pope during the
Reformation era.
D. Idealist (General Principle View) believes that the prophecies depict general patterns of
conflict that repeatedly occur throughout the period between the First and Second Coming
of Christ. The beast represents state persecution of Christians throughout the age.
Thank God! The basic truth of Revelation does not depend on adopting a particular view. They
are available to anyone who will read the book for its overall message and resist the temptation to
become enamoured with the details. (NIV Study Bible)
Some ground rules in understanding Revelation:
1. Revelation is God-breathed, just like the other 65 books of the Bible. It is not more special
than the rest of the Bible nor is it any bit less. The message of Revelation certainly has its
place for us today. At the same time, Revelation tells us about God more than the future or
the end times.

2.

Revelation is Christ-centered. As Jesus will repetitively show us, He is the Alpha and the
Omega, He is the First and He is the Last, Who is, and who was and who is to come

3.

To understand Revelation, we need to look into the context of the chapter, context of the
entire book and in the context of the main message of the entire Scripture. Thus, context
assures us it is still Scripture who speaks.

4.

Revelation being His Holy Word, a main key is Scripture interprets Scripture. That is to
say, God will not go outsourcing the meaning of His Word. Where there are symbols or
signs, let Scripture explain them, in the process, we let Scripture shed light in understanding
those things.
Now, in certain things that is hard to understand. Scripture will indicate that it is not
revealed yet and so we can refer to Deuteronomy 29:29, The secret things belong to the

Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children
forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
5.

In Revelation 1:3, Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy,
and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is
near. First of the 7 Beatitudes (vv. 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 14).

Chapter 1
The recipients of this letter are the 7 churches in Asia Minor or what we call Turkey today (verse 4)
Why the 7 churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea)?
1. They are 7 churches along a messengers path, moving clockwise.
2. They would be about 50 miles apart from each other.
3. Each city serves as a geographical postal center, which leads to other regions of the Roman
Empire. Thus, as an avenue for the letter to be circulated to churches in other regions.
Let us know the Author of Revelation.
As we said, it is Jesus Christ. In Revelation, we can see so many titles of Jesus being declared.
In verse 13, Johns description of Christ, like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and

with a golden sash around his chest. 14The hairs of his head were white like wool, as
white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15his feet were like burnished bronze,
refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16In his right hand
he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was
like the sun shining in full strength.
verse 17 holy fear (like Moses, Isaiah, et.al.) and the only One who can take this fear
away is the Lord. Take note it was Christ who gave John the grace to stand before the
Lord. Hardly do churches talk about this holy fear. It is different from being scared or
afraid because of some evil or danger lurking. Holy fear comes about upon ones sight of
the holiness of God. Before Gods holiness, we become fearful because our sins become
apparent and the only recourse in the absence of mercy is self-destruction. Thanks be to
God! Christians will also come to behold the holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Holy fear
will overwhelm us and yet, as His children, He will strengthen us in His grace and love.

Titles: Who is and who was and who is to come (verse 4, 8)

The faithful witness (verse 5)
Firstborn of the dead (verse 5, Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:18)
Ruler of the kings of the earth (verse 5) = King of kings
The Alpha and the Omega (verse 8; 21:6; 22:13)
The First and the Last (v. 17, 2:8, 22:13)
The Living One (v. 18)
Obviously, Christ is the focal point of historypast, present and futurepeak.
Assignment: Try to find out the pattern of 7 in the book of Revelation. The first 5 to email gets a
prize Deadline is Monday, August 31, 2015.