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REVELATION I. BACKGROUND
1. Author - By the apostle John while he was
exiled on the island of Patmos: 1:1,
9: 22:8 2. Date
- during the 6th Emperor of Rome (by the prophet Daniel's count) probably
about A.D. 78: see 17:1-18 3. Setting
- Written to Christians who were feeling defeated in the 1st
Century. It deals with their problems
and the answer. We need to know the history of
that time as well as Old Testament to understand the book best. It is a symbolic book tied to O.T. prophecy and figures. II. PURPOSE OF
THE BOOK
1. Key
verses: 1:1-3; chapters 4 & 5 2. Purpose: To show those beat down by Satan's armies
that there is victory in Jesus; Jesus
is the Victor Already! 3. The
Presentation of Jesus in the book of REVELATION: 1) As King: 1:5; 5:13;
19:11-16 2) As Lion - Victor:
5:1-5: 17:14 3) As Lamb: 5:6-14; 12:10-12;
14:1-5; 22:1 4. In
this book, it is revealed that the 7 churches of Asia will only overcome if
they return to Jesus, their first love.
Jesus says to those churches who had
left Him to: 1) Remember - where you fell down:
2:2-5; 2:12-13; 3:7-10 2) Repent - change your mind:
2:5-7; 2:16; 3:19 3) Repeat - (return) - do what you used to
do: 2:5; 3:3 5. Why
should the Christians repent, return and remain faithful? 1) Satan (in Rome) only looks victorious: 12:7-9 2) The persecution they were receiving would not last forever, but
the faithful would receive rest:
2:10; 14:13 3) The Lamb shall overcome; victory in Jesus: 17:14 4) There are great rewards to the faithful: 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 11-12, 21 6. A
picture of the future is shown: 1) Of the enemies of God:
20:11-15; 21:8, 27: 22:15 2) Of the redeemed: 21:1-22:5 III. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS
1. Christianity
was/is an illegal religion. 1) Rome tolerated the religion of those whom they conquered, so long
as they did not evangelize. That is
why Rome sought
to destroy the Christians as shown in REVELATION. 2) Does this have any relation to India? Should we stop evangelizing because we are told to stop? 2. The
world view of Christians: 1) Because Christians met at night, they were accused of evil. 2) Because Christians loved each other, they were accused of
indulging in sexual passions. 3) Because most of the Christians were from poor backgrounds, they
were looked down upon as not being respectable. 4) Because the Christians were enthusiastic, they were accused of
being fanatics. 5) Today, are we accused of any wrong because the world does not
understand us? 3. Symbolism
in REVELATON: 1) Should be understood in the light of Old Testament teachings and
prophesy; they will clarify the
symbols. 2) Should be understood in accordance with the numerology of the 1st
Century; especially that of other
Christians. 3) Should be understood by comparing them to the clear teachings of
Jesus and His apostles in the rest of the New Testament. 4) Should not normally be understood in a literal way. 4. Two
ways to view the teachings of REVELATION: 1) Interpretation - understand what it meant then to them. 2) Application - understand how it can apply to us, only after
understanding how it applied to them (do not separate these.) REVELATION
QUESTIONS
1. True or False: _____
1) There is no symbolic
language in Revelation. _____
2) The Old Testament and
world history would not help in understanding the book of Revelation. _____
3) Revelation is a book of
visions revealed to John by Jesus. _____
4) Jesus wants to show the
Christians that they have victory. 2. Name three (3) things that the seven churches
can do which will allow them to return to Jesus. 1) 2) 3) 3. Jesus is described as _________________ of
kings and _______________ of lords. 4. Multiple Choice: 1) Who
was Revelation specifically written to? a. Roman
government b. all
the world c. 1st
century Christians (7 churches of Asia) 2) The
main purpose of the Book of Revelation was: a. To
straighten out the problems of the Roman churches. b. to
predict the downfall of the Catholic church. c. to
show there is victory in Jesus. 3) How
will the church of Asia overcome? a. If
they will learn to give of their money to the Lord. b. If
they will return to Jesus. c. If
they will correct their brethren who are falling away. 5. List three (3) descriptive names that
Jesus is called: 1) 2) 3) 6. Which two names is Jesus called in Revelation
that seem to be opposites? 7. How can we use the book of Revelation in our
life as Christians?
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