Part I
An Overview of Revelation
I. UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF REVELATION.
1. It’s the Revelation
of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:1
This is a revelation from (of) Jesus Christ,
which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent
an angel to present this revelation to his servant John. NLT
This book is a revelation of Jesus. The main theme is
about Jesus. What’s on His heart? How He is preparing the earth for God to
inhabit it. How He is preparing for His Millennial Kingdom. The main topic of
the book is not the events of the end times but the Man Jesus who orchestrates
the end times.
2. Jesus gave the
Revelation to an Angel who gave it to John.
Revelation 1:2
2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of
the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. NLT
3. The Theme of the
Book is the Second Coming of Jesus.
Revelation 1:7
7 Look! He comes with the
clouds of heaven. And everyone will
see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!
When Jesus returns every eye will see Him. This will
probably not be by technology. Remote people in the jungles will see Him. He
will more than likely tour the globe in such a way that all will see Him.
4. Reading and
Understanding Revelation has a profound effect on our lives. It’s the only book
we get blessed for just reading it.
Revelation
1:3
3 God blesses
the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message
and obey what it says, for the time is near.
If we read Revelation correctly it causes
us to love Jesus more and emphatically trust His leadership. We will see His
Austere plan for the end times unfold by combining His Sovereignty, Mans free
Will and Satan’s agenda into a drama that brings about His purpose. He will
allow an environment where both evil and love can grow to full manifestation.
In the midst He raises us a victorious church and reaps a great Harvest of
souls.
5. The Tribulation in Revelation is Primarily Against the Antichrist.
People wrongly believe
the tribulation is mostly against believers. It’s not. There are 403 verses in
the book of revelation. Only 12 verses out of the 403 talk about persecution of
the church. Most of the book is about the retribution the Antichrist gets and
deserves.
6. There are 150 Chapters in the Bible that speak exclusively about
the end of this age, as we know it. The end times. We must learn them well.
7. Satan does not want Revelation read or understood so he institutes
some lies.
a.
It’s too hard to understand.
Revelation was written
for all to understand. Not just intellectual Greek scholars. Most believers
throughout history have been poor and illiterate. It’s written so they can
understand.
b. It’s
too much symbolism.
Revelation means what
it says. Many stumble because of the dramatic nature of
the events that unfold and say that can’t be real For example when it says 1/4th
of the earth was scorched or 1/4th of the people were killed. Some
say I wonder what that means. It means what it says.
8. The Seven Symbols in the Book of Revelation.
a.
Dragon: symbolic of Satan. (Revelation 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2,
4; 16:13; 20:2).
b.
First beast: symbolic of the
Antichrist.
(Revelation 13; 14:9-11; 17:3-17;
19:19-21; 20:4, 10)
Revelations
13:1-4, Revelations 19:19-21
c. Another
beast: symbolic of the False Prophet called “another beast” just once. (Revelation 13:11-14)
d. Seven
heads: seven empires from history that persecuted Israel. (Egypt, Assyria,
Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, The Revived Roman Empire Daniel 2:41-42; 7:7; Rev. 12:3; 13:1;
17:3-16)
e. Ten
horns: represent a ten-nation confederation that serves the Antichrist. (Revelation 17:12-13)
f. Harlot
Babylon: A demonically-inspired religious and economic system. (Revelation17-18)
g. Woman
with a male-child (Jesus): the faithful remnant of Israel through
history.
(Revelation 12).
Everything else is
literal.
9. The generation in which Jesus comes back is full of unique
circumstances that this book depicts.
a.
Sin is fully ripe. Matthew 13:24-30
b.
Righteousness is fully
ripe.
c.
Those who oppose Jesus
get what they deserve.
d.
The Church (Bride)
becomes fully mature and empowered.
e. It’s the most violent time in History.
Revelation 17:12-14
12 The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to
power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign
with the beast. 13 They will all agree to give him their power
and authority. 14 Together they will go to war against the
Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of
all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”
Revelation 19:11
11 Now I
saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. NKJV
Revelation 19:19
19 Then I saw the beast
and the kings of the world and their armies
gathered together to fight against the one
sitting on the horse and his army.
10. Four Main Sections of Revelation.
a. John’s Calling to Share Jesus’ end time
plan. Revelation
1
b. Jesus Letter to the 7 Churches. Revelation 2-3.
c.
Jesus
Received Title Deed to the Earth (Coronation). Revelation 4-5.
d. The Plan to cleanse the earth and take over
it’s government. Revelation
6 – 22.
v. 1-2
This is the
revelation of or from (same thing) Jesus Christ given to Him. He gave it to an
Angel to show his servants the events that must soon (suddenly, quickly) take
place. Jesus sent an Angel to show this revelation
to His servant john who faithfully reported everything He saw.
v. 3
Everyone who reads
and understands this book will get a blessing
Theme:
The main Theme of the book of Revelation is Jesus’
return. His Second Coming. Revelation1:7
7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!
How will every eye see Him. Some say by
media. Some believe there will be a great procession around the globe before He
gets to Jerusalem. Remote villages with no TV will still see Him. Every Eye
will see Him. God will make sure this happens.
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