"THE BOOK OF REVELATION" Chapter One OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To note that the Revelation was written to churches of things that would soon take place 2) To appreciate the implications of what is said about Jesus, both in the greeting by John and in the words of Jesus Himself SUMMARY The Revelation of Jesus Christ begins with a clear statement of origin and purpose. Given to Jesus by God to show His servants things which must soon take place, it is designed to bless those who read, hear and keep the words of the prophecy (1-3). John then addresses the seven churches in Asia (western Turkey), offering grace and peace from each member of the Godhead with descriptive terms which become more significant later in the epistle (4-6). His greeting is followed with a declaration concerning the Lord's coming, and a selfdesignation as expressed by the Lord Himself (7-8). At this point John explains how he was commissioned to record the Revelation. While on the island of Patmos (likely in exile for preaching the word of God), he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day when he heard a loud voice behind him. The voice identified itself as "the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last", and then charged him to write what he saw to seven churches in Asia (9-11). Turning to see the voice, John saw seven golden lampstands and in their midst the Son of Man. Describing the awesome appearance of the Son of Man and his own reaction, John then records how Jesus comforted and then charged him to write what he has seen and will see (12-19). The chapter ends with the 1
Lord's explanation that the seven stars in His right hand represent the angels (messengers?) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands signify the seven churches themselves (20). OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION (1-8) 2) A. INTRODUCTION AND BENEDICTION (1-3) 1. Introducing the Revelation of Jesus Christ (1- Who is the main Subject of the book of Revelation?. How is the Lord Jesus described in the following references from Revelation? Revelation 5:11-14 Revelation 14:14-15 Revelation 19:11-16 Revelation 21:22-26 2
a. Which God gave Him to show His servants b. Regarding things which much shortly take place c. Sent and signified by His angel Angels play a large role in this book. The angel referred to in Revelation 1:1 was probably G. Daniel 8:15-19 Luke 1:11-19 Luke 1:26-31 Based on these scriptures it would seem it was Gabriel who brought the message to John, but no definite identity of the angel is given in the book of Revelation. Verse 2 of chapter 1 reveals the book is simply the written record of what John saw and heard, which was a communication from and about J C d. To His servant John, who bore witness... 1) To the w of G 2) To the t of Jesus Christ 3) To a things that he s. 2. The benediction (3) (The S BL ) Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a S BL to those who 3
study it. a. Bl is he who r and those who hear this prophecy b. Bl are those who k those things written in it, for the time is near But almost 2,000 years have pass since John wrote this book? 2 Peter 3:8 B. GREETINGS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES (4-6) 1. From John, to the seven churches in Asia (4a) 2. With grace and peace (4b-6) a. From Him who is and who was and who is to come b. From the seven Spirits who are before His throne E. The theme of this message (1:5b 8): Jesus Christ is its grand and glorious theme. From Jesus Christ 1. W h i (1:5b 5e, 8) a. God s faithful witness (1:5b) b. The f from the dead (1:5c) c. Ruler of the kings of this earth (1:5d) d. The Alpha and O (1:8a) e. The Eternal One (1:8b) 2. W h has d (1:5e 6) a. Shed his bl to redeem us (1:5e) b. Made us a kingdom of priests (1:6) f) Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood 4
g) Who made us kings and priests to His God and Father -- To Whom be glory and dominion forever and ever! If you knew you would see Jesus in the morning, coming in power and glory, what changes would you make in your life today? Acts 1:9-11 Revelation 1:7 C. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHRIST'S COMING (7) What he will do (1:7) : He will come again in the clouds. a. Revealing himself to the Jews (1:7a) b. Revealing himself to the Gentiles (1:7b) 1. He is coming with clouds 2. Every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him 3. All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him -- Even so, Amen (so be it) D. THE SELF-DESIGNATION (8) 1. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" 2. "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" a. The place of this message (1:9): John was on 5
the Isle of Patmos. b. The time of this message (1:10a): It was on the Lord s Day. c. The sound of this message (1:10b): A voice like a trumpet blast 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER 1) What are the main points of this chapter? - Introduction (1-8) - The vision of the Son of Man (9-20) 2) What was Jesus intending to show His servants? (1) - Things which must shortly take place (cf. 1:3; 22:6,10) 3) How is John described in verse 2? - As one who bore witness to the word of God, to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all things that he saw 4) Who is this book designed to bless? Why? (3) - Those who read and hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things written in it - For the time is near 5) To whom was the book addressed? (4,11) - Seven churches in Asia - Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea 6) How is God described in the greeting from John? The 1 Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (Re 1:5 10). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers. 6
Holy Spirit? (4) - Who is and who was and who is to come - The seven Spirits who are before His throne (cf. 4:5; Zech 4:1-6) 7) How is Jesus Christ described by John in this greeting? (5-6) - The faithful witness - The firstborn from the dead - The ruler over the kings of the earth - Who loved us - Who washed us from our sins in His own blood - Who has made us kings and priests to His God and Father 8) What is said about the coming of Christ? (7) - He is coming with clouds - Every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him - All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him 9) How does the Lord designate Himself? (8) - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" - "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" 10) How does John identify himself to His readers? (9a) - Your brother and companion tribulation - In the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ 11) Where and when did John receive the Revelation? (9b-10) - On the island of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus - While in the Spirit on the Lord's Day 12) What did he hear a loud voice say? (11) 7
- "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last" - "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia..." 8