Leader’s Study Guide
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Divine Author: God the
Holy Spirit
Late date c. AD 90-95
Key word: Christ is Lord
Key Verse: Revelation 19:6
“And I heard as it were
the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the
voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the
Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
The Story Behind the Revelation
Between AD 66 and AD 70, the prophetic utterances of
Jesus in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 began to be fulfilled. Briefly the
known facts can be stated. In the summer of the year AD 66, a Jewish revolt broke
out in
In broad strokes this was the terrible picture of
death and destruction, violence and chaos between AD 66 and AD 70. The words of
Jesus in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 and the words of John in the
Revelation can be used to paint in the details of this period. What will be
seen is a historical fulfillment of the great tribulation that Jesus predicted
would come upon the generation He ministered to. These were days of vengeance
as God poured out His wrath on those who dared to kill His Son (Luke
Some Bible scholars place the dating for the
Revelation c. AD 90. Other Bible scholars argue for an earlier dating of the
Revelation, prior to the fall of
At first, the statement seems conclusive until it is
remembered that the original work of Irenaeus
does not exist any longer. His writings have come down the centuries from the
Latin version with some exception. In the translation there is a question as to
whether Irenaeus meant to say the vision of the Apocalypse belongs to
Domitian's reign or John himself was seen "no
very long time since." The truth of the matter is that the Domitianic
date cannot be established with absolute certainty from any external evidence.
Furthermore, there is no direct evidence in Revelation itself to
establish a late date for its writing. However, John was told he was to see
things that must shortly come to pass. This is significant for John was writing
to seven churches that desperately needed a message from the Lord. There is
good reason to accept an early date for the writing of the Revelation in that
comfort could be given to the people of God in the first century swept up in
turbulent times that their four great enemies, the Dragon (satanic opposition),
the Beast (political opposition), the False Prophet (religious opposition) and
death (the final enemy), would soon be destroyed. And they were.
The Last Letter: Lord of the Church Chapters 1-3
The Prologue: A Preview of Coming Glory: Rev. 1:1-4
REVELATION
1
1 The Revelation [lit. unveiling] of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
1:1 Many
truths about the ascended Christ will be unveiled to John for this work is not
about the anti-Christ or end time matters. It is about the Lord Jesus coming to
judge the nation that crucified Him and vindicate the saints who follow Him.
Matthew Henry notes “These
events (it is said) were such as should come to pass not only surely, but also
shortly; that is, they would begin to come to pass very shortly, and the whole
would be accomplished in a short time. For now the last ages of the world had
come.”
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy [divine revelation], and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
1:3 There
are other blessings to be found in the Revelation.
· There is a blessing for those who die in the sphere
of faith (Rev. 14:13).
· There is a blessing for those who are holy (Rev.
16:15).
· There is a blessing for those who are invited to the
marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9).
· There is a blessing for those who have a part in the
first resurrection (Rev. 20:6).
· There is a blessing for those who are obedient to
the gospel (Rev. 22:14).
Commenting
on the blessings Matthew Henry observes the following.
·
It is a blessed privilege to enjoy the oracles of God. This was one of
the principal advantages the Jews had above the Gentiles.
·
It is a blessed thing to study
the scriptures; those are well employed who search the scriptures.
· It is a privilege not
only to read the scriptures ourselves, but to hear them read by others, who are qualified to give us the sense of
what they read and to lead us into an understanding of them.
·
It is not sufficient to
our blessedness that we read and hear the scriptures, but we must keep the
things that are written; we must keep them in our memories, in our minds, in
our affections, and in practice, and we shall be blessed in the deed.
·
The nearer we come to the accomplishment of the scriptures, the greater
regard we shall give to them. The time is at hand, and we should be so much the
more attentive as we see the day approaching.
1:3 The time is at hand. In the following verses it is revealed that God
lifts the curtain of time to reveal a portion of the future to the Church. Read
Amos 3:7; Daniel 2:28; Matthew 11:25; Luke 8:10.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits [Holy Spirit Isa. 11:2; Zech. 3:9; 4:10] which are before his throne;
1:4 The seven churches were located in the providence of western Asia
Minor, which is roughly equivalent to modern day Turkey. Because the Roman
province of Asia included more churches than these seven the question arises as
to why John singled out only seven.
One possibility is that these seven cities may have
been centers of seven postal districts. These seven churches all stand on the
great circular road, which formed a rough circle around the west central part
of the Roman province of Asia. As such, these seven cites served as good
centers of communication for the surrounding districts. Letters in the first
century had to be handwritten, and a letter sent to one assembly would be
passed on to be read by Christians in other congregations.
1:4 The letters to the seven churches called for the Christians to
repent of sin and return to faithfulness and good works; encouraged them to
stand firm for Christ against the temptations, trials, and persecutions of the
Roman Empire; and promised specific rewards to the martyrs who faced death
without denying Christ (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary).
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead [Rev. 20:6; 1 Cor. 15], and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved [lit. loves], us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood [sanctification],
1:5 There are three titles of Christ in this passage. Jesus is the
Faithful Witness [of God the Father]; the First Begotten of the Dead [in that
He never died again]; and the Prince [Ruler] of the Kings
1:5 The death of Christ and His atoning work was limited to those whom
He loves and washed “in His own blood.”
If Christ had died for all men in the same manner then there are people in hell
for whom He made atonement for sin.
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father [glorification]; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1:6 There are four glorious doxologies in Revelation as per Revelation
1:6; 5:11; 5:13 and 7:12.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him [i.e., every eye without distinction not without exception], and they also which pierced him [i.e., the Jews of the first century]: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
1:7 The concept of the Lord dwelling or coming in clouds to the nations
of the earth is taught in other passages of Scripture (Psalm 104:3; 18:7-15;
Isaiah 19:1; Mark 13:26).
8 I
am Alpha and Omega [first and last letters of the Greek alphabet], the
beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which
is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John,
who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos [a small barren
rocky island 35 miles off the coast of Asia Minor, 60 miles from Ephesus], for
the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
1:9 The small, barren rocky island of Patmos is located
in the Aegean Sea about 60 miles from Ephesus. It was about ten miles long and
six miles wide. Christians were put on the island for political, economic and
religious reasons.
It is
possible that John was no longer on the isle of Patmos when he wrote the
revelation for he says that he “was”
on the isle of Patmos.
Ø Spiritual application. John becomes an example to all believers to
persevere in the sphere of saving faith. Those who endure to the end shall be
saved (Matt. 10:22).
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Ø Spiritual application. The Lord’s Day refers to Sunday, the first day of
the week. It is the new day of worship for the believers in honor of the
resurrection of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; John 20:19-26).
11
Saying, I am Alpha [the beginning] and Omega [the end],
the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto
the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto
Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea.
Ø Spiritual application. The resurrected Lord does not hesitate to identify
Himself through various titles as very God of very God. The Saviour of men’s
souls is the Almighty One (cf. Rev. 1:8). Christ is able to save to the
uttermost those who come to Him.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks [Ex. 25:37];
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [lamp stands] one like unto the Son of Man [cf. Matt. 16:13], clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle [in the robe of a judge].
14 His
head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow [a
symbol of purity]; and his eyes were as a flame of fire [a symbol of
judgment];
15 And
his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as
the sound of many waters [signifying authority].
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance [face] was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And
when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me,
saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I
am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell [hades, the sphere of death] and
of death.
19 Write the things which
thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The
mystery [hidden truth] of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand,
and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels [messengers]
of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks [lamp
stands] which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Summary
The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; the seven candlesticks
are the seven churches of Asia; the sharp two-edged sword is the word of God
(cf. Heb.4: 12); and the keys of hell
and death represent authority.
1. What words in Revelation 1:1 and 1:7 suggest that John was speaking to his generation?
Answer. In Revelation 1:1 we read of things “which must
shortly come to pass” and in Revelation 1:7 we read that “they also which
pierced him” shall see Him. Those who pierced Jesus were Jews of the first
century.
2. Of whom does the Revelation concern (Rev. 1:1)?
Answer. This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
3. Why was the Revelation given to Christ (Rev. 1:2)?
Answer.
The Revelation was given to Christ so
that He could show unto His followers events which were to shortly or rapidly
come to pass.
4. According to 2 Timothy 3:16 who is the divine author of the Revelation?
Answer. God the Holy Spirit is the author of all Scripture
according to 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.”
5. Who is the human author of the Revelation (Rev. 1:1)?
Answer. The apostle John.
6. What title does the author give to himself (Rev. 1:1)?
Answer. John calls himself “servant.”
7. How can a person receive a blessing from studying the Revelation (Rev. 1:3)?
Answer. There is a spiritual blessing for those who
read or hear and keep the words of the prophecy.
8. Study the following passages and tell what other blessings are to be found in the Revelation: 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14.
Answer.
9. Where are the seven churches located to whom John initial writes (Rev. 1:4)?
Answer. The seven churches to whom John writes are
located in Asia.
10. List the seven churches (Rev. 1:4 cf. 1:11).
Answer.
·
The Church of Ephesus
·
The Church of Smyrna
·
The Church of Pergamos
·
The Church of Thyatira
·
The Church of Sardis
·
The Church of Philadelphia
·
The Church of Laodicea
11. The number seven occurs frequently in the Revelation. State what is referred to in the following passages.
Answer.