REVELATION

               Revelation is a book that reveals to us the eschatology found in God’s Word. Eschatology is “a belief or a doctrine concerning the ultimate or final things, such as death, the destiny of humanity, the Second Coming, or the Last Judgment.” ^[1]

            We’re going to break it down into 3 sections: 1) we will take a look at chapter 1, which is past and talks about Christ in glory. 2) we will then check into chapters 2 & 3, which is present and looks at the church in the world. 3) Finally, we will examine chapters 4 thru 22, which is the future and speaks of the GREAT Tribulation, Christ’s millennial reign (1000 years), and the Great White Throne judgment of Almighty God. I’m not going to be in any hurry to rush thru this all important book ... let’s get started, shall we?

 

STRIKING FEATURES found in the book of Revelation

 

*          It is the ONLY prophetic writing in the NT, which is in contrast to the OT where you will find 17 prophetic books.

*          The author is the Apostle John, who also penned the Gospel of John and the 3 letters we just went over last week. He reaches farther back into eternity past than any other writer in the bible and reaches farther into eternity future as well.

*          A special blessing is assured to the readers of this book (Rev. 1:3). It also contains a warning to anyone who would alter any of its contents (Rev. 22:18-19).

*          Revelation, by virtue of it’s name, is an unveiling of future things which ends in an apocalypse, which is “a great catastrophe that results in widespread destruction or the collapse of civilization”. ^[2]

*          It contains a number of visions, which are expressed in symbols.

*          Revelation doesn’t originate anything, but rather brings everything to its completion. In other words, this is the end of the story.

 

There are at least 10 great prophetic topics that will find their conclusion in this book:

1 - The Lord Jesus Christ

2 - The church

3 - The resurrection and translation of the saints (the Rapture of the church)

4 - The Great Tribulation

5 - Satan and evil

6 - The “man of sin” (the Antichrist)

7 - The path taken by redeemed man and the end of apostate Christendom

8 - The beginning, path taken and the end of the “times of the Gentiles”

9 - The Second Coming of Christ

10 - Israel’s covenants and the five things promised to them as a people.

 

            Revelation is a book about the future and the present. It offers future hope to all believers, especially those who have suffered for their faith. It also gives us advice regarding how to live for Christ in the present. In a nutshell, the overall view of what we find here is that Christ is coming again physically and quite literally, all evil will be judged by Almighty God, and the dead with be raised from the grave to face judgment which will result in either eternal life in the presence of God or eternal damnation apart from his presence.

            Next we shall continue on in our evaluation of the book of Revelation. Until then walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Sources: The Life Application Study Bible; Outlines and Notes on the Bible by J. Vernon McGee, www.gotquestions.com.