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.

3 Keys to unlocking Revelation

The background keyThe word usage keyThe genre key

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 & involves activity in heaven with results on earth

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

Purpose of the book 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!

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! Be hopeful!

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

Revelation 1:10-11I was in the Spirit on the Lord'sday, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

A circular letter

which was

circulated

among churches

via postal route

Revelation 1:12-16Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw . . .

Revelation 1:12-13aThen I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the

lampstands one like a son of man…

Jesus in the gospels is referred to as “son of man” 81 times!

Jesus refers to himself by this “name” more than any other!

Daniel 7:13I saw in the night visions, andbehold, with the clouds of heaven

there came one like a son of man,

and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

Daniel 7:14And to him was given dominionand glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Revelation 1:18I died, and behold I am alive forevermore…

Revelation 1:17-18When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Revelation 1:19

Write therefore the things

that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

“Jesus reveals himself to John the way he does to compel John’s audience to heed the seven letters he is about to

dictate to John and to convince them of the truth of what John will then recount of the events of the end of history in chapters 4-22.”

(Winter of 2009)

3 Guiding Principles

1. These first century letters are meant for us just as much as they were meant for their original recipients.

3 Guiding Principles

Revelation 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

3 Guiding Principles

1. These first century letters are meant for us just as much as they were meant for their original recipients.

3 Guiding Principles

2. Don’t miss the forest for the trees! Let’s not get lost in the details and therefore miss the message Jesus has for us!

3 Guiding Principles

Revelation 2:1

To the angel of the church in

Ephesus write:

3 Guiding Principles

3. The Church may not be perfect, but it is precious!

3 Guiding Principles

Revelation 1:12-13aThen I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden

lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of

man…

3 Guiding Principles

Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right

hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

3 Guiding Principles

1. These first century letters are meant for us just as much as they were meant for their original recipients.

3 Guiding Principles

2. Don’t miss the forest for the trees! Let’s not get lost in the details and therefore miss the message Jesus has for us!

3. The Church may not be perfect ---but it is precious!

2 Repeated Phrases

To Ephesus: “I know your works . . .” (2:2)

To Smyrna: “I know your tribulation and poverty . . .” (2:9)

To Pergamun: “I know where you dwell . . .” (2:13)

2 Repeated Phrases

Hebrews 4:12And no creature is hidden from his

sight, but all are naked and

exposed to the eyes of him to

whom we must give account.

“Jesus is the one who walks among the lampstands and exercises exclusive sovereignty over the life of

every congregation. He knows their works, their trials and tribulations, and the circumstances where they dwell. Indeed, nothing escapes his all-penetrating gaze . . .

. . . The condition of each church is an open book before him. He reads every heart, evaluates every

motive, assesses every work, and will bring every person into judgment according to the deeds each has performed.”

(Sam Storms, To the One Who Conquers)

2 Repeated Phrases

1. “I know . . .”

You can hide from others, but you cannot under any circumstances hide

from God! Your motives, your thoughts, your deeds, your words – everythingabout you – is an open book before him! So OWN UP and GET RIGHT! REPENT and TURN TO CHRIST!

2 Repeated Phrases

1. “I know . . .”

2. “the one who conquers (overcomes)”

2 Repeated Phrases

To Ephesus: “the one who conquers/overcomes” (2:7)

To Smyrna: “the one who conquers/overcomes” (2:13)

To Pergamun: “the one who conquers/overcomes” (2:17)

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth

comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

So BE FAITHFUL!

It will be worth it allwhen we see Jesus!

Life’s trials will seem so smallwhen we see Christ.

One glimpse of his dear face,all sorrow will erase.

So, bravely run the racetill we see Christ.