The Book of RevelationIntroduction

Revelation 1: 1 – 2

Revelation: comes from the Greek word “apokalupsis” (αποκαλυψις)

Apocrypha: tell of future of the world and God’s impending judgment

Revelation 1: 1

Genesis vs. Revelation• Paradise Lost • Creation of Heaven

and earth• Earthly Paradise of

God• Satan's appearance,

sin's beginning• The rise of Babylon• Man estranged from

God

• Paradise Regained• The new heaven

and earth• Heavenly paradise• Satan punished, sin

wiped out• The doom of

Babylon• Man re-united with

God

Two Warnings1. We will never completely

understand the book of Revelation

Revelation 1: 3

PresuppositionsAuthorship• Apostle

John• Another

John

PresuppositionsAuthorship• Apostle

John• Another

John

Date• Early: during reign

of Nero (54-68 AD)• Late: during reign

of Domitian (81-96)

4 Interpretive Models1. Futurist: prophecies are yet to

be fulfilled

4 Interpretive Models1. Futurist2. Historicist

4 Interpretive Models1. Futurist2. Historicist3. Preterist

4 Interpretive Models1. Futurist: yet to be fulfilled2. Historicist: are being fulfilled3. Preterist: have been fulfilled4. Idealist: spiritual metaphors

Sevens• Churches• Seals• Trumpets• Signs• Bowls• Last Things

Four Sections1. The Son of Man among the Seven

Churches (1-3)2. The Seven Seals, Trumpets, Signs,

and Bowls (4-19:10)3. The Return of Christ (19:11-20:15)4. The New Heaven and Earth (21-

22)

Revelation 1: 19

Three Divisions1. What you have seen (1)2. What is now (2-3)3. What will take place later (4-22)

Description1. Visions of God in Glory (1)2. Vision of the Church on Earth

(2-3)3. Visions of Government That

Will Be Established in the Future (4-19)

4. Visions of Glory (20-22)

Two Warnings1. We will never completely

understand the book of Revelation

2. The purpose of prophecy is to encourage the way we live today not just give more knowledge

1 Corinthians 4: 5

1 Corinthians 11: 26

Colossians 3: 1 – 4

1 Thessalonians 3: 12 – 13

2 Timothy 4: 1 – 2

Hebrews 10: 25

James 5: 8

1 John 3: 2 – 3

1 John 2: 28

Titus 2: 12 – 13

Jude 1: 20 – 23

1 Thessalonians 4: 16 – 18