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Lessons from the Revelation of John

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Lessons from the Revelation of John Lessons from the Revelation of John Introduction: Why does the Church need another study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ? The answer to that question is found in how little the Church knows or even tries to understand what is written here. The beginning words of this letter to the Church ought to be enough for us to desire to understand it for today, “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.” (Rev. 1:3, ESV) There have been excellent works written in the past, like Merrill Tenney’s work simply entitled Interpreting Revelation, and, of course, the standard for so many years, William Hendricksen’s, More Than Conquerors, and my personal favorites Unveiled Hope by Scotty Smith and Michael Card and What Christ Thinks of the Church: An Exposition of Revelation 1-3 by John R.W. Stott. This short list is not even a drop in the bucket concerning the enormous library of books that have been written about this one book of the Bible from every perspective from Mormon to Evangelical. With so much print space devoted to this one book it must be the central desire to get the message of its blessing out there as Revelation 1:3 makes clear…or is it? Perhaps not! That is the reason for me taking the time to put together another study guide on this much written about book of the Bible. It would seem from polling the people in the pew that this is one of the least favorite books to be preached on since so few people in the pew have ever heard an exposition of the whole book from the pulpit. And even fewer yet have been taught that it is anything other than terrifying prophesies of the end times. To reduce this in this way does a massive disservice to this wonderful book. If there ever was a book of blessing and hope in the Newer Testament this is it. It is so much more than a book of prophesies for it was written to bring hope to a persecuted people… then…right then. This book was written to give them hope that would empower them to continue the task given them of growing the Church no matter the personal cost. They could go on because this book makes it abundantly clear that God has been and is still fighting the battles that need to be fought. He is still with His Church just as He promised in the Older Testament. He has not left them or forsaken them just as Jesus said when He ascended. God, speaking through His Holy Spirit is here talking to them through their beloved Apostle John so the message is trustworthy. And what is that message? It is a message of hope and victory…victory in the past and victory in the future even though there will be much suffering in the between. But it was also given them as a future hope. God through the prophets of the Older Testament had made His plan of redemption clear. They spoke of a Day with a bright future where His people would live secure and at peace…no more shame, sorrow or wars…the lion would lie down with the Lamb. In fact, this message of hope for salvation runs throughout the Scriptures. The fact that it was again reiterated shows the continuity of the message…which in and of itself brought great blessing, comfort and hope. The third verse of the first chapter establishes that this book is to be a book of blessing to all 1 who read and hear it preached. So why do so many either stay away from this book or mislead people with only a small piece of its purpose? It is also unfortunate that there is a stigma attached to this book that says only certain people can figure this out. Once again the third verse speaks to that issue clearly. It can only be a blessing if God’s people…all God’s people… can understand it just like the rest of Scripture. That is not to say that some parts may not be harder to understand than others but taken together with the rest of the Bible one can find their way home through it. The mysteries of the Revelation for the most part are self-imposed by men that tell us to beware and not walk where “angels may fear to tread.” This is absurd, of course, since “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (II Tim. 3:16-17 ESV) To teach people they can’t understand this book is equal to teaching them to fear the book…it is kind of hard then to receive a blessing from something you have been taught to fear. Revelation is still appropriate for us today as we need to be reminded that God is still with us 2000 years later especially in the dark nights of life. It is still needed as we seek to determine how this whole story of redemption is to play out for God’s Church today and what our role will be as we go forward building God’s kingdom. I pray that as God’s people interact with God’s word, even this book that they will come to be assured of who God is and how we can enjoy Him now as we look forward to THAT day. So to this end, I offer this labor of love to help any and all to see the Glory of God Almighty; Father, Son and Holy Spirit as He completes His message of Blessing and Hope for His Church… challenging us as we move forward to bring Him glory as we grow His kingdom until the Day of His Return. I pray that this study, compiled from the books I referenced to above along with countless source commentaries and my own personal study, enhanced by God’s grace, be helpful. As I said above this is simply a tool and tools are meant to be used in ways that best suit the project they are being chosen for. To that end please use whatever you find worthy but always adapt… not the Word of God… but the tool …this study… to those to whom you are teachings needs and learning style. Make this study your own. The questions and answers are given only as a guide and aid to your own study which will produce fruitful results which will help you better relate this material to your class. The teacher is to always be aware of their audience so that their teaching may be effective for the goal intended…the glory of our God and Savior and the edification of His people. It would be good for you to read through the whole book before we begin our study. Then we can look at it section be section together. BUT…Before you read this book, pray asking and expecting that God our Father will allow you to enter into its understanding, its blessing, its prophecy and history, and its sure and certain hope. 2 Lessons from the Revelation of John September 28, 2016 A. Prayer B. Overview of the Revelation of John 1. What are some of the things that you have heard about this book through the years? 2. Easy question: Why is it wrong to say that the name of this book is the “Revelations”? a. It will reveal our lack of knowledge concerning the Bible. b. It is only one revelation given to the apostle John…with many pictures and pieces but only one revelation. 3. Helpful definitions: a. Revelation is defined in “The Devil’s Dictionary” (a parody, 1947) this way: “Revelation, N. : A famous book in which St. John the Divine concealed all that he knew. The revealing is done by commentators, who know nothing.”-Ambrose Pierce. b. Merriam-Webster definition: (1) an act of revealing or communicating divine truth- something that is revealed by God to humans (2) an act of revealing to view or making known; something that is revealed; especially an enlightening or astonishing disclosure (3) a pleasant often enlightening surprise; Her talent was a revelation. (4) If capitalized- an apocalyptic writing addressed to early Christians of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament —called also the Apocalypse c. The Biblical definition for REVELATION = APOCALYPSE = disclosure or unveiling of the ultimate goal of history. Everything is revealed, not hidden. Just like it was in the beginning: “The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Gen. 2:25) This book was written to be understood, not concealed. John was told to write, to send letters concerning his visions and God’s commands for the purpose of God’s church in all ages. d. It was not meant to be hidden or feared by the church: (1) Rev. 22:10 tell us this: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” (2) “The Revelation is not intended to tickle our fancy, but to strengthen our hearts.”- The Geneva Bible commentary (3) “As we get older, the ‘hardening of the categories’ tends to set in and most of us aren’t given to the living and breathing character of the Bible.
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