RevelationRevelation

Revelation was probably written Revelation was probably written in 96 A.D. Eusebius says that in 96 A.D. Eusebius says that early records (from Irenaeus) early records (from Irenaeus) stated that Revelation was stated that Revelation was written in the 15th year of written in the 15th year of Domitian’s reign. Domitian’s reign.

PATMOSPATMOS

PatmosPatmos ( (GreekGreek, , ΠάτμοςΠάτμος; ; ItalianItalian: : PatmoPatmo) is a small ) is a small GreekGreek island in the island in the Aegean SeaAegean Sea. One of the . One of the northernmost islands of the northernmost islands of the DodecaneseDodecanese complex, it has a complex, it has a population of 2,984 and an area of population of 2,984 and an area of 34.05 km (13 square miles). The 34.05 km (13 square miles). The highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 highest point is Profitis Ilias, 269 meters above sea level. meters above sea level.

PATMOSPATMOS

Patmos is probably not were the Apostle Patmos is probably not were the Apostle John died. Early records say that he went John died. Early records say that he went on to live out his days in Ephesus. The on to live out his days in Ephesus. The Apostle lived out his days as a greatly Apostle lived out his days as a greatly revered apostle and elder in the Church. revered apostle and elder in the Church. He is the only one of the original apostles He is the only one of the original apostles who did not die an overt martyrdom. His who did not die an overt martyrdom. His long life came with great blessing for the long life came with great blessing for the early congregations. His immediate early congregations. His immediate disciples had a tremendous influence on disciples had a tremendous influence on the continual formation of the Church the continual formation of the Church after his death.after his death.

John turning ("To see the voice that was John turning ("To see the voice that was speaking to him") (REV. 1:12)speaking to him") (REV. 1:12)

                                                                                                            

                                          

                                                                                                                        

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Apocalypse Cave

Revelation OutlineRevelation Outline

Introduction. (ch. 1)Introduction. (ch. 1)1.1. The Seven Letters to the Seven The Seven Letters to the Seven

Churches (chs. 2-3)Churches (chs. 2-3)2.2. The Vision of the Seven Seals (4:1-8:5)The Vision of the Seven Seals (4:1-8:5)3.3. The Vision of the Seven Trumpets (8:6-The Vision of the Seven Trumpets (8:6-

11:19)11:19)4.4. The Seven Visions (chs. 12-15)The Seven Visions (chs. 12-15)5.5. The Vision of the Seven Bowls (ch. 16)The Vision of the Seven Bowls (ch. 16)6.6. The Victory over Antichrist (chs. 17-19)The Victory over Antichrist (chs. 17-19)7.7. The Victory over Satan (20:1-22:5)The Victory over Satan (20:1-22:5) Conclusion. (22:5-21)Conclusion. (22:5-21)

Why is this horribly wrong???

Why is this horribly wrong???

Revelation OutlineRevelation Outline

This outline is important for the Western This outline is important for the Western reader to always keep before him / her reader to always keep before him / her when reading this book. Great when reading this book. Great misinterpretations have occurred misinterpretations have occurred because many do not understand how because many do not understand how to interpret apocalyptic imagery and to interpret apocalyptic imagery and prophecies. What occurs are SEVEN prophecies. What occurs are SEVEN MESSAGES describing different aspects MESSAGES describing different aspects of the Christian Church in exile. of the Christian Church in exile.

Revelation OutlineRevelation Outline

Imagine seven television cameras all Imagine seven television cameras all recording a winning touchdown play. One recording a winning touchdown play. One angle is from behind the linesman, another angle is from behind the linesman, another from the coach, another from the sky, from the coach, another from the sky, another from the end zone, another from a another from the end zone, another from a helmet-cam of the receiver, etc. Each angel helmet-cam of the receiver, etc. Each angel records the moment from a different records the moment from a different perspective and yet it is one event. When perspective and yet it is one event. When these moments are played back, the viewer these moments are played back, the viewer knows there aren’t seven touchdowns. There knows there aren’t seven touchdowns. There is one touchdown from seven points of view. is one touchdown from seven points of view.

Revelation OutlineRevelation Outline

We use imagery all the time. We We use imagery all the time. We have bull and bear markets. Lady have bull and bear markets. Lady Liberty stands tall and proud. The Liberty stands tall and proud. The flag still waves over our whole flag still waves over our whole land. Uncle Sam wants you. Are land. Uncle Sam wants you. Are you hungry for golden arches? you hungry for golden arches? Thumbs up.Thumbs up.

Revelation OutlineRevelation Outline

We just aren’t use to all the We just aren’t use to all the imagery of Revelation. When we imagery of Revelation. When we understand the Biblical understand the Biblical references, we understand the references, we understand the message more clearly.message more clearly.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION NIV Revelation 1:1 The revelation of

Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw-- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads 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, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION We are to take these words to heart. They We are to take these words to heart. They

are not to be learned as mere head are not to be learned as mere head knowledge or curious speculation of future knowledge or curious speculation of future events (1:3).events (1:3).

NIV Luke 6:47 I will show you what he is NIV Luke 6:47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.it, because it was well built.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 4 John, To the seven churches in the province

of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 9 I, John, your brother and

companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Christians are like John, exiles on this earth. The Christians are like John, exiles on this earth. The

model of Christ and His followers is resistance from model of Christ and His followers is resistance from the secular world around us still entrenched in the the secular world around us still entrenched in the belief that life is better in being hostile and apathetic belief that life is better in being hostile and apathetic to God's presence, care, and will.to God's presence, care, and will.

NIV John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it NIV John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.evil.

NIV John 15:20 Remember the words I spoke to NIV John 15:20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.yours also.

NIV 1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a NIV 1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.that you bear that name.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION We are priests. The priesthood is fulfilled in Christ and We are priests. The priesthood is fulfilled in Christ and

reflected in His New Testament people. We have seen reflected in His New Testament people. We have seen the sacrifice before us, speak the words of mercy from the sacrifice before us, speak the words of mercy from His atonement to the world, and intercede for the His atonement to the world, and intercede for the world before Almighty God in the Risen and Ascended world before Almighty God in the Risen and Ascended Lord. This is why the early Church had overseers Lord. This is why the early Church had overseers (Acts 20:28, Phillipians 1:1, Titus 1:7, etc.), not priests. (Acts 20:28, Phillipians 1:1, Titus 1:7, etc.), not priests. The priesthood was fulfilled in Christ. The priesthood was fulfilled in Christ.

NIV 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a NIV 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.into his wonderful light.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION NIV Isaiah 66:20 And they will bring all your NIV Isaiah 66:20 And they will bring all your

brothers, from all the nations, to my holy brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD-- on horses, in chariots and wagons, and LORD-- on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels," says the LORD. "They will on mules and camels," says the LORD. "They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the LORD in offerings, to the temple of the LORD in ceremonially clean vessels. 21 And I will select ceremonially clean vessels. 21 And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites," some of them also to be priests and Levites," says the LORD.says the LORD.

NIV Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and NIV Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION The Lord who appears to John is the Messiah whom The Lord who appears to John is the Messiah whom

Daniel saw at the end of time with power and Daniel saw at the end of time with power and authority from the God-head. The Messiah in Daniel's authority from the God-head. The Messiah in Daniel's book is God and begotten from God as He is book is God and begotten from God as He is worshipped and glorified as God Himself.worshipped and glorified as God Himself.

NIV Daniel 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked, NIV Daniel 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.never be destroyed.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 10 On the Lord's Day I was in the

Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION On a Sunday (called the Lord's Day by early Christians), John On a Sunday (called the Lord's Day by early Christians), John

was on the desolate island of Patmos. He was put there for was on the desolate island of Patmos. He was put there for witnessing Christ.witnessing Christ.

Suddenly, he hears the voice of Christ thunder like the last Suddenly, he hears the voice of Christ thunder like the last trumpet. He sees the glorious "Son of Man" whom Daniel trumpet. He sees the glorious "Son of Man" whom Daniel saw. Christ is in His full glory, as on the Mount of saw. Christ is in His full glory, as on the Mount of Transfiguration.Transfiguration.

Will we look like this?Will we look like this? NIV Philippians 3:21 who, by the power that enables NIV Philippians 3:21 who, by the power that enables

him to bring everything under his control, will him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.his glorious body.

NIV 1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of NIV 1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 12 I turned around to see the voice that was

speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Light issues from this Lord. Remember we were Light issues from this Lord. Remember we were

created to shine as His image, reflection.created to shine as His image, reflection. NIV Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine NIV Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine

like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.who has ears, let him hear.

We will wear white robes and golden sashes tailored We will wear white robes and golden sashes tailored by the Lord Himself when we are resurrected.by the Lord Himself when we are resurrected.

NIV Revelation 7:13 Then one of the elders NIV Revelation 7:13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-- who are they, asked me, "These in white robes-- who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Our Lord may not always have a tongue that looks like a Our Lord may not always have a tongue that looks like a

sword. He is stating that our humble looking Scriptures and sword. He is stating that our humble looking Scriptures and their teachings are His mighty and powerful Word from His their teachings are His mighty and powerful Word from His very mouth.very mouth.

NIV Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and NIV Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

NIV Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and NIV Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.heart.

NIV 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and NIV 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,training in righteousness,

NIV Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these NIV Isaiah 66:2 Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet

as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION 19 "Write, therefore, what you have

seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation, Chapter 1Revelation, Chapter 1INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Other interesting notes:Other interesting notes:

Coming with the clouds.Coming with the clouds. References: Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; 26:64; References: Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9. Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:9.

Twelve times the word Almighty is mentioned in Revelation.Twelve times the word Almighty is mentioned in Revelation.

Other throne room appearances in Scripture.Other throne room appearances in Scripture. NIV Exodus 24:9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy NIV Exodus 24:9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy

elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.itself.

NIV Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked NIV Ezekiel 1:26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up like that of a man. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.of one speaking.

NIV Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated NIV Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.temple.

For whom is this book written?For whom is this book written?

The Churches in Asia.The Churches in Asia. Us – We are to take their lessons Us – We are to take their lessons

to heart for our own to heart for our own congregations and lives.congregations and lives.