THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST “I am the Alfa and the Omega--The first and the last--The beginning and the end, (Rev. 22:13). Welcome back! Thank God for our beautiful and sunny summer months. Today we begin our study of the Book of Revelation. Let’s pray: O! Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the earth. Thank you for granting this opportunity to study your word. We know, the more we dig into God’s words the more we grow. We pray: as we dig into the Book of Revelation, fill us with wisdom and understanding to learn appropriately. Help us to be like you and to grow into your resemblance in all we say and do, in Jesus name we’re praying, Let’s say AMEN! INTRODUCTION The Book of Revelation, also known as the Revelation to John or by other titles is the final book of the New Testament and occupies an important part in Christian eschatology. Its title means "unveiling" or "disclosure." The purpose of this Book is to reveal the identity of Christ and to give warning and hope to believers. The central focus is to proclaim the victorious Lord would surely return to vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked. As Genesis is the book of beginnings, likewise Revelation completes God’s plan of salvation for humanity. Revelation is one of the most important books in the entire Bible. Basically, Revelation has three major sections and including the prologue which establishes the setting and gives background, and an epilogue-the writing of closure to the work. PROLOGUE Revelation 1:1-8--Author, The Apostle John. GOD “COMMUNICATED BY HIS ANGEL TO HIS BOND-SERVANT JOHN” (1:1). SECTION 1 Revelation 1:9-20--The Circumstances, Content, and Consequences of the Vision—THINGS WHICH HAS BEEN SEEN! SECTION 2 Revelation 2:1-3:22--Messages to the Seven Churches CURRENT EVENTS: “WHOEVER HAS EARS, HEAR, THE TIME IS NEAR” (1:3). SECTION 3 Revelation 4:1-22:5--Tribulations, Scrolls, Seals, Trumpets, Bowls, Babylon, Christ Second Coming, Millennium, the Eternal State, and the New Jerusalem—THINGS TO BE HEREAFTER! EPILOGUE Revelation 22:6-21—Epilogue: Comfort, Warnings and Benediction. Q-1 a) What do you know about End-Times? __________________________________________________ b) Who is the Antichrist? What is the mark of the beast? __________________________________________________ c) What is your primary view of Revelation? __________________________________________________ CHARACTERISTICS OF REVELATION 1. Apocalypse An apocalypse is a disclosure of knowledge, a lifting of the veil or revelation. In religious contexts it is a disclosure of something hidden in the last book of the New Testament and you’re commended for choosing to study this book. Today, it is commonly used in reference to End Time scenario or generally to the end of the world--an information about out of this world realms (heaven, hell, spiritual realm),—the final days,—judgment,—destruction of known things,—rewards and punishment,—and secrets revealed to John. Revelation teaches: “ultimately, God is in control” so keep the faith and persevere through difficult circumstances. 2. Culture a) PATMOS– an island located off the coast of Asia Minor. The author is "John" traditionally known as John the Apostle who was exiled on the Island of Patmos, (1:9)—(today’s Ephesus—Izmir, Turkey) along the Aegean Sea. He "heard a great voice instructing him to write the book” around 95 AD—some say, 70 AD. b) THE SEVEN CHURCHES addressed in Chapters 2 & 3 were in Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) where Christianity was well established. However, Monotheism was not the “mainstream” religion. Emperor worship developed through time for Roman emperors and many were declared divine (deified) after their deaths. **Do you know that despite the past extensive ministries of Paul, Turkey today remains an Islamic country? c) EMPEROR WORSHIP was the norm (14CE--337CE). Christians who refused to worship emperors were sometimes asked to renounce their faith—refusal may lead to death in many cases. Revelation 13 discussed the problem of emperor worship. d) PERSECUTION--Nero was one of the first emperor to persecute Christians–blaming them for the fire in Rome (64CE). Some Christians were “dressed” in animal skins to let wild dogs tear them apart. Others were crucified and at night set them ablaze to serve as lamps. Church tradition is that Peter and Paul were both martyred in Rome during this time. 3. Monumental Themes a) The sovereignty of God is His ultimate power! He deserves our total dedication. b) Exalted Christology–Christian theology relates to Christ’s nature, and role. c) Salvation–God’s hope in the midst of disaster. d) Warning and Judgment–God is going to judge us, good or bad. e) Nonviolent–while wars were depicted in revelation, Jesus conquers by being the Lamb, using a cross not a sword. 4. Other Considerations a) This literature may be challenging in understanding but very rewarding when studied. b) Some events appear to occur later may be clarifications or additions to earlier events especially when discussing the 6th Seal and the 7th Trumpet and the 7th Vial. c) The plagues and calamities of the seven trumpets may be a restatement of the punishment implied by the seven seals. Q-2 What is the specific focus and about whom is the Book of Revelation? __________________________________________________ Q-3 Why study The Book of Revelation? __________________________________________________ Revelation unmasks Satan’s deceptive plan and unfolds God’s plan for these last days. The important life’s principles to learn will include: a) An eager anticipation of Christ’s return keeps us living productively. b) Obedience to God always brings blessings. c) Dark moments of life are only time necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. d) Remember Samson in Judges 16. Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay— DON’T BE DECEIVED!
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 00:35:53 +0000
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