rev 2

Revelation Lesson 1—The Revelator and His Revelation

If it is read as it was intended to be read—as the future history of the time of the end, then the book of Revelation is not hard to understand.

In fact, as we will see in expositing the first verse, Revelation it was designed by God the Father, delivered by the Lord Jesus, and written by John to reveal Truth, and it was not intended to be difficult to understand.

The Apostles and first century of believers had no problems understanding it, and the great leaders of the early church mostly agreed on what it meant and how to interpret it.

1. Introdution

a. There are five basic principles that must be understood and daily applied in our study of the capstone of Scripture

(1) The book of Revelation is important for us to understand.

(2) The book of Revelation is NOT hard for us to understand.

(3) The book of Revelation outlines itself (Rev 1:19).

(4) The book of Revelation teaches itself.

(5) The meaning of the book of Revelation is best stated in one phrase: Jesus Wins!

b. Five problems with the way people have interpreted Revelation

(1) They make everything into allegory

(2) They use ancient manuscripts which are not Biblical to interpret Revelation

(3) They speculate about modern day explanations for images Revelation or characters seen in Revelation. Example—(Rev 9:1-11) There have been various attempts made to find some modern mechanical thing that this “stands for,” when the scriptures are plain that these “locusts” are supernatural creatures, demonic in nature.

(4) They identify The Man of Sin with a modern-day character

(5) They do not read the book as it was written

c. How to read Revelation

(1) A self-interpreting encounter with and look at the risen Lord

(2) A self-interpreting set of messages about and to specific churches of John’s day

(3) A self-interpreting revelation of the events of the last days and the consummation of all things

2. John was NOT the Revelator—Christ IS the Revelator—(Rev 1:1-3) The Revelation of Jesus Christ…”

a. The Revelation

(1) The word “…apokalupsis…” means to reveal

(a) not to conceal

(b) nor to make difficult to understand

(2) Other uses of the word in the NT

(a) The prophecy about the Infant Lord by Simeon when they brought Jesus into the temple—“…(Luke 2:32) A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

(b) The word refers to the judgment of the wicked—(Rom 2:5) “… the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God…”

(c) The word refers to the full revelation of the Sons (and daughters) of the Kingdom—

(i) (Rom 8:19) “…For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God…”

(ii) (1 Cor 1:7)”… so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

(iii) “…(2 Th 1:7) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels…”

(iv) “…(1 Pet 1:7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

(v) “…(1 Pet 1:13) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

(vi) “(1 Pet 4:13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy…”

(d) The word refers to the full revelation of the Gospel—“…(Rom 16:25) Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began…”

(e) It was used by Paul to describe the Gospel revelations he had received from God—“…(Gal 1:12) For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

(f) Paul used it to refer to the revelation of Heaven he had received from God—

(i) (2 Cor 12:1) “ It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord…”

(ii) (2 Cor 12:7) And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure…”

b. The Revelation of Jesus Christ

(1) Revelation is Trinitarian, it reveals the tri-unity of God

(2) Revelation is a Christology—Many Titles of Christ are used in Revelation

(a) (Rev 1:4-5) “… Him who is and who was and who is to come…”

(b) “… the faithful witness…” “… the firstborn from the dead…”

(c) “… the ruler over the kings of the earth….”

(d) “…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…”

(e) (Rev 1:8) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord…”

(f) "…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

(g) (Rev 1:17) “… I am the First and the Last….”

(h) (Rev 2:8) "…the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

(i) (Rev 3:14) "...the Amen…”

(j) “…the Faithful and True Witness…”

(k) “… the Beginning [orgin] of the creation of God…”

(l) (Rev 5:5-6) “… the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David…”

(m) “…{6} … a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

(n) “… the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world….”

(o) “…O King of the saints!...”

(Rev 17:14) "… He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."

(Rev 19:11) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True…”

(Rev 19:13) “…His name is called The Word of God…”

(Rev 19:16) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

(Rev 21:14) Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

(Rev 22:13) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

(Rev 22:16) "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

(3) Revelation is a Theology—(Rev 1:4-6) John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, {5} and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, {6} and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(Rev 1:9) I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(Rev 2:21-22) "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. {22} "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

(Rev 3:5) "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

(Rev 3:10) "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

(Rev 3:12) "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

(Rev 3:20) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

(Rev 4:8-11) The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" {9} Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, {10} the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: {11} "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

(Rev 5:13-14) And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" {14} Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

(Rev 6:10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

(Rev 6:16-17) and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

(Rev 7:3) saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

(Rev 7:10) and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

(Rev 7:12) saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

(Rev 10:6) and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

(Rev 11:4) These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

(Rev 11:13) In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

(Rev 11:17-18) saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. {18} The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."

(Rev 12:6) Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

(Rev 14:1) Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.

(Rev 14:7) saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."

(Rev 15:3-4) They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! {4} Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."

(Rev 15:7-8) Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. {8} The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

(Rev 16:5-7) And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. {6} For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due." {7} And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."

(Rev 16:9) And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

(Rev 17:17) "For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

(Rev 18:8) "Therefore her plagues will come in one day; death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

(Rev 19:1-2) After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! {2} "For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her."

(Rev 19:6) And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

(Rev 19:9) Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

(Rev 21:3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

(Rev 21:10-11) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, {11} having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

(Rev 21:22-23) But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. {23} The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.

(4) Revelation is a Pnematology

(5) It is the revelation of a future history and Jesus Christ is the Author and Actor of that history.

(6) The Revelation is of Christ’s personal, visibly, and bodily return and the events surrounding that event. It is the revealing of HIM.

c. The Triune God Reveals the Future— “…which God gave Him to show His servants; things which must shortly take place….”

(1) The Father gave the Son the message to send

(2) The Servants of God

(a) The saved of the church

(b) The Jews who will be saved in the last generation revival—“(Rom 11:25-26) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. {26} And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob…”

(c) All the Gentiles who will be saved during the Great Tribulation—who will most certainly need this guidebook during the Tribulation

d. “…Must shortly come to pass…”—the word “shortly” means “soon” (MacArthur)

(1) Must—this is a fixed point. These are things which will happen at some point

(2) Shortly—the doctrine of the imminence of Christ’s return

(a) The Bible teaches the Imminence of Christ’s return—He could return for His church at any time.

(b) There are skeptics because of the length of time that has passed, and this was predicted! (2 Pet 3:3-14)

(c) Other Bible passages that deal with Imminence

(1 John 2:18) “…Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour….”

(d) Other Revelation passages

(Rev 2:5) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

(Rev 2:16) 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

(Rev 3:11) "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

(Rev 11:14) The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

(Rev 22:12) "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

3. The Revelator [Jesus Christ] Revealed The Revelation to John, Who Revealed It To Us—“… And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, {2} who bore witness to all things that he saw…”

a. The Message sent— The essence of the message of this book

(1) Is that God is going to formally, personally, and absolutely establish His Sovereign rule over all, and particularly against the evil world system, now in abject revolt.

(2) Jesus Christ is going to be finally and definitively owned and crowned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

(3) And this message will be sent—as information for the edification of our minds.

b. The Message signified

(1) This message is also partially given in signs and figurative language, so that we may understand it on levels other than strictly verbal.

(2) John also saw things that defied any words available to him.

c. Who was the Angel who delivered this book?

(1) It is not a human being

(2) This is an ordinary angelic being

(3) Revelation is unique among New Testament books, in that angels had a hand in delivering it.

d. John bears witness—

(1) He was suffering exile and a cold barren rock of an island that should have led to his death from exposure.

(2) But John fully finished this assignment.

4. The Blessing of God on All Who Hear and Obey— “…{3} Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near…”.

a. A Blessing, and (perhaps) a description of an early church worship service

The three participles translated reads, hear, and heed are in the present tense. Reading, hearing and obeying the truths taught in the book of Revelation (and in the rest of Scripture) are to be a way of life for believers. The change from the singular he who reads to the plural those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it depicts a first century church service. It was common practice when the church gathered for one person to read the Scriptures aloud for all to hear (c.f. 1 Tim 4:3). (MAC)

And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration (Justin Martyr, 150 AD)

b. First, a commendation for reading and acting upon the information gleaned information, is required of any usage of the Bible

(1) Reads

(2) Hear

(3) Keep

c. Short timer!