Winston Churchill

“The Soviet Union is a riddle wrapped in a mystery

inside an enigma.”

“Bewildered by its mystifyingsymbolism and striking

imagery, many believers andchurch leaders avoid serious

study of the book. Such short-sightedness deprives believers of the blessings the book promises to those who diligently read it.” (John MacArthur)

Revelation 1:3

Blessed is the one who reads

aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 22:7And behold, I am coming

soon. Blessed is the one who

keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

3 Keys to unlocking the book of Revelation

The background keyThe word usage keyThe genre key

The Background Key

- Author

Revelation 1:1The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his

servant John.

The Background Key

- Author: the apostle John

- Date: A.D. 95

Emperor DomitianRuled 81-96 A.D.

Revelation 1:9I, John, your brother and partner

in the tribulation and the

kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was

on the island called Patmos . . .

Revelation 1:9I, John, your brother andpartner in the tribulation andthe kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmoson onaccount of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of

you into prison, that you may

be tested, and for ten days you

will have tribulation. Be

faithful unto death, and I will

give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:13Antipas my faithful witness,

who was killed among you . . .

Summary of Background Key

Revelation was written by apostle John around 95 AD

near the end of his life, while he was in exile and the church was under increasing pressure from the Roman government!

The Word Usage Key

- “throne” appears 47 times

- “lamb” appears 29 times

Revelation 1:4John to the seven churches that 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.

Revelation 5:6And between the throne and the four living creatures and

among the elders I saw a Lambstanding, as though it had been slain.

Summary of Word Usage Key

The book of Revelation over and over again refers to God’s throne

and the Lamb (Jesus Christ).

“heaven(s)” = 46 times“earth” = 70 times

The Genre Key

(Genre = type of literature)

Revelation 1:1

The revelation of Jesus

Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.

“apocalypse” = “unveiling”

The genre key

“Apocalyptic literature is a special kind of writing that arose among Jews and Christians to reveal certain mysteries about heaven and earth, humanity and God, angels and demons, the life of the world today, and the world to come.”

Revelation 1:1

The revelation of Jesus Christ . . .

Revelation 1:4-5aJohn to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come,

John’s greeting:

and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

Revelation 1:5b-6

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

John’s doxology:

Revelation 1:7-8Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John’s doxology:

The focus on Jesus Christ continues in verses 9-20 as John hears and then sees a glorious vision of Christ!

This focus pervades the book as Jesus is given 30+ different names or titles!

The Genre Key

- Revelation is apocalyptic

(Genre = type of literature)

Revelation 1:3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this

prophecy . . .

The genre key

Revelation 1:3Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this

prophecy . . .

The genre key

Prophecy in Scripture performs two functions:

The genre key

forthtells God’s truth, giving

insight into our presentexperience

foretells future events, giving

foresight into future realities

Summary of genre key

Revelation is apocalyptic prophecy … as such it unveils to us

what we could not know otherwise, the focus of this unveiling is Jesus Christ with an emphasis on what Jesus Christ will do in days ahead as His glory is unveiled!

3 Keys to unlocking Revelation

The background key – written by apostle John during time of persecution

The word usage key – focus is on the Lamb (Christ) and the throne of God (happenings in heaven…results on earth)

The genre key – written as apocalyptic prophesy (foretelling emphasis)

Purpose of Revelation

It was written to give Christians, struggling in this world against those who oppose the Faith, hope that the Christ who died for us will also one

day return for us as a conquering King to establish his eternal reign! Because

Jesus overcomes, so can we!

Purpose of the book of Revelation

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

The structure of the book of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

Chp. 1 Chp. 2-3 Chps. 4-22

“Things

which

you have

seen”

“Things

which

are”

“Things which will take place”

Vision of Christ Vision of Consummation

Theophany Talks Tribulations Triumph Together!

Things are not as they seem! Behind the veil separating this world from the

next, the Lamb and the One who sits on the Throne are working! A day is

coming when God’s enemies will be judged and God’s people blessed,

forever and ever. Amen! So be hopeful!

1. Visit the Lamb Will Roar blog . . .

2. Read Revelation 1-2.

For next week!

Things are not as they seem! Behind the veil separating this world from the

next, the Lamb and the One who sits on the Throne are working! A day is

coming when God’s enemies will be judged and God’s people blessed,

forever and ever. Amen! So be hopeful!