Demystifying Revelation

“The Book of Revelation is the sharp point of the sword of Truth”

Dragon and the Lamb, Introduction

WHERE was the book written?

I John… was in the isle that is called Patmos… (Revelation 1:9)

ANSWER: The Island of Patmos

Demystifying Revelation

WHO was the book written to?

ANSWER: Generally, the servants of God. Specifically, the seven churches in the province of Asia in circa AD96.

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon… (Revelation 1:1)

From John, to the seven churches that are in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you… (Revelation 1:4)

Demystifying Revelation

When was the book written? – a clue:

When was the book written? – another clue:

WHEN was the book written?

...it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision (John). For that was seen no very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitian’s reign. (AD 83-96)

Irenaeus (125-202), Against Heresies, Chapter 30

ANSWER: Approximately AD 96

Demystifying Revelation

HOW was the message of Revelation communicated?

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon. He made it clear by sending his angel to his servant John, who then testified to everything that he saw concerning the word of God and the testimony about Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:1-2)

ANSWER: GODJESUS CHRIST

HIS ANGELJOHN

EPHESUSSMYRNA

PERGAMOSTHYATIRA

SARDISPHILADELPHIA

LAODICEA

Demystifying Revelation

Dragon and the Lamb, Page 10

‘The staggering fact that God the Father, Jesus Christ, his angel, and John the beloved Apostle, laboured together for us in fourfold unity should so impress itself upon our minds that we will never be content without some understanding of the message of Revelation.

We really cannot afford to ignore the Apocalypse…’

WHY was it written?

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon. (Revelation 1:1)

ANSWER:

We have in the book of Revelation an ‘unfolding’ of future events for the purpose of encouraging and instructing believers.

Demystifying Revelation

WHAT was written?

Write the things which thou ❶ hast seen, and ❷ the things which are, and ❸ the things which shall be hereafter… (Revelation 1:19)

❶ ‘hast seen’ Revelation 1:12-18The vision of the ‘one like unto the son of man’❷ ‘things which are’ Revelation 2-3The letters to the seven churches which were then in Asia

❸ ‘things which shall be hereafter’Revelation 6 – 22The Seals, the Trumpets and the Vials

ANSWER:

Demystifying Revelation

❶ The 1st Trumpet ❷ The 2nd Trumpet ❸ The 3rd Trumpet ❹ The 4th Trumpet ❺ The 5th Trumpet❻ The 6th Trumpet ❼ The 7th Trumpet

❶ The 1st Vial ❷ The 2nd Vial❸ The 3rd Vial❹ The 4th Vial❺ The 5th Vial❻ The 6th Vial❼ “IT IS DONE”

❶ The 1st Seal ❷ The 2nd Seal❸ The 3rd Seal❹ The 4th Seal ❺ The 5th Seal ❻ The 6th Seal❼ The 7th Seal

A Basic structure of the ‘hereafter’ section of Revelation:

The Scroll Unrolls: