Intro to Revelation

INTRO TO REVELATION The resurrected, glorified Son of Man the book with OT imagery and echoes by Nero in the late 60s. But the reference Contribution to the Bible (Jesus Christ) revealed Himself to the implies a Jewish writer, like John, operat- in Rev 17:10 to seven kings, five of whom The book of Revelation provides an almost apostle John, who had been imprisoned ing in overwhelmingly Gentile Asia Minor. have fallen, supports a date in the mid-90s, complete overview of theology. There is “on the island called Patmos” (Rev 1:9). during the reign of Domitian. While a case much in this book about Christ, mankind Christ’s twofold purpose was (1) to “un- / Background can be made for a late-60s date based on and sin, the people of God (both the veil” a spiritual diagnosis for seven of the The initial audience that received the book the Nero-related inferences and a possible church and Israel), holy angels, and Satan churches in Asia Minor with which John of Revelation was a group of seven local reference to the Jerusalem temple in Rev and the demons. There is important ma- was familiar (chaps. 2-3), and (2) to re- churches in southwest Asia Minor (Rev 11:1-2 (which may imply that the temple terial on God’s power and tri-unity (i.e., veal to John a series of visions setting forth 1:11; chaps. 2-3). Some of these congre- had not yet been destroyed, as it was by Trinity), plus aspects of the work of the events and factors related to the end times gations were experiencing persecution the Romans in a.d. 70), all other factors Holy Spirit and the nature of Scripture. (chaps. 4-22). (Rev 2:9-10,13), probably under the Ro- favor a date of about a.d. 95. Most nota- man emperor Domitian (ruled a.d. 81-96). ble among these factors is the tradition Structure Circumstances of Writing Others had doctrinal and practical prob- that John the apostle was exiled to Pat- The book of Revelation previews its se- / Author lems (Rev 2:6,13-15,20-23). Also behind mos during a period of intensifying local quential structure in 1:19: “Therefore The traditional view holds that the author these surface problems was the backdrop persecution of Christians by the Emperor write what you have seen, what is, and of Revelation is the apostle John, who of unseen but powerful spiritual warfare Domitian (ruled a.d. 81-96). what will take place after this.” From the wrote the Fourth Gospel and the three (Rev 2:10,14,24; 3:9). Though some schol- apostle John’s vantage point in being letters of John. Evidences for this view ars have dated the book later and a few Message and Purpose commanded to “write,” he had already include: (1) the writer referred to him- have dated it earlier, commonly held dates Much of the book of Revelation focuses seen the vision of the exalted Son of Man self as “John” (Rev 1:4,9; 22:8); (2) he of Revelation among evangelical scholars on events at the end of the age(escha- (chap. 1). Next, he was told to “write” had personal relationships with the sev- are the mid-90s and the late 60s of the first tology), more so than any other book in letters to the seven churches, telling each en churches of Asia Minor (Rev 1:4,11; century a.d. The mid-90s view is the stron- the Bible. But it also focuses on practical the state of their spiritual health (chaps. chaps. 2-3); (3) his circumstances at the ger view, and it is held by majority opinion. choices that believers and unbelievers 2-3). Lastly comes the body of the book time of writing (Rev 1:9) matched those Each view gives a different account of the must make in the course of their lives that (Rev 4:1-22:5), which covers all the of John the apostle (who was placed in persecution portrayed in the letters to have far-reaching consequences at events that would “take place after this.” Asia Minor from about a.d. 70 to 100 by the churches (Rev 2:9-10,13). Substan- the end. reliable historical sources from the second tial historical evidence shows that some - Holman Christian Study Bible century a.d.); and (4) the saturation of of the churches were persecuted intensely 10 / 11 REVELATION 1:1-3 Keyword 1 The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His slaves what must CHAPTER 1 quickly take place. He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave John, “Slaves” / Greek: “doulos” 2 who testified to God’s word and to the testimony about Jesus Christ, in all he Phonetic Pronunciation: doo’-los saw. 3 The one who reads this is blessed, and those who hear the words of this Definition: One who gives himself up to another’s will, those whose service is used by 4 prophecy and keep what is written in it are blessed, because the time is near! Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men. Devoted to another to the 3 disregard of one’s own interests. 2 1 Questions to consider 1. Who is this letter written to? 2. Who is the blessing intended for? 3. Why does John call himself a “slave” of God? Additional passages Deuteronomy 15:12-18 12 / 13 REVELATION 1:1-3 Sermon notes / journal CHAPTER 1 Observations / what does god want me to know? 4 3 2 1 Commands / what does god want me to do? Promises / why does god want me to do these things? Principles / examples Practical application 14 / 15.

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