GSI: Articles - Bible - Eschatology (The End)
An Introduction to The Revelation
(The Apocalypse)
of Jesus Christ:
© Sid Galloway BS, M.Div.
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Genesis 1:1
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& the consistency of His character
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Related Articles: (Note the current page is not linked)
* A Jigsaw Puzzle with Pieces Throughout the Bible
* Interpreting Prophetic Passages: Different Views with Consequences
* Why "Normal" Interpretation is Key to Prophetic/Apocalyptic Passages
* Daniel's 70th Week: Primary Corner Piece in God's Prophetic Puzzle
* Introduction to THE REVELATION (current page)
** Back to the "Bible Exposition" page
Background, Introduction, Outline
Weekly Memory Verse (s)
Rev 1:8
"I am the Alpha & the Omega, the First & the Last,
Who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Rev 1:19
"Write the things which you have seen,
and the things which are,
and the things which will take place after this."
Every warning, struggle, temptation,
promise, strategy, and victory in the Revelation
can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!
The choice is yours ................
The Text ("Blue Letter Bible"): Revelation
(Strong's numbers, Hebrew-Greek lexicons, cross references, etc., can be accessed from the above link)
Background:
- Written by the Apostle John, after AD 90 (the last NT book written).
- Written (After he wrote Gospel of John, & 1st, 2nd, 3rd Epistles of John).
- Written while John was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos.
- John was there due to persecution against him for preaching the gospel.
Introduction:
- Genesis, the first book, begins all of history, and every doctrinal subject.
Means you are not your own boss, or protector, or provider.
You're accountable to the Creator & His Purpose and Plan.
* The genesis of a perfect creation without dysfunctional entropy. The rebellion of Adam (Gen 3) and the subsequent escalation of "entropy" (disorder, death, & decay - dysfunctional 2nd law of thermodynamics) is the reason for imperfections as well as the selfish competition, violence, pain, suffering, fear, and death we see in the "wild kingdom" now. * The second law of thermodynamics was functional before Adam sinned, such as in the process of digestion, chemical processes, etc., but death and disease were not.
* The genesis of sin, separation from God, & suffering (exponential escalation of entropy).
* The genesis of Physical & moral/spiritual/social decay and death.
* The genesis of God's Way of redemption/salvation begins (submissive faith in His work alone).
* The genesis of prophecy, Gen 3:15 Seed of Woman - Savior (Messiah) . . .
- The Revelation, the last book, ties together all of history & every doctrine, soli deo gloria!
It's the only NT prophecy book.
An end means that time marches toward a judgment which we cannot escape.
Not even a new age hope for time travel into the past,
or reincarnation in the can stop God's coming judgment.
- 22 chapters, 404 verses (over 250 allude to OT, yet no direct quote).
- 25% of all references to angels are found in The Revelation.
New Testament Greek Title of the Book
= Apokalupsis = Revelation (Apocalypse)
apokalupsis = an uncovering
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of the N.T.) "is used in the N.T. of
(a) the drawing away by Christ of the veil of darkness covering the Gentiles, Luke 2:32; cp. Isa. 25:7;
(b) ‘the mystery,’ the purpose of God in this age, Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:3;
(c) the communication of the knowledge of God to the soul, Eph. 1:17;
(d) an expression of the mind of God for the instruction of the church, 1 Cor. 14:6, 26, for the instruction of the Apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 12:1, 7; Gal. 1:12, and for his guidance, Gal. 2:2;
(e) the Lord Jesus Christ, to the saints at His Parousia, 1 Cor. 1:7, R.V. (A.V., ‘coming’); 1 Pet. 1:7, R.V. (A.V., ‘appearing’), 13; 4:13;
(f) theLord Jesus Christ when He comes to dispense the judgments of God, 2 Thess. 1:7; cp. Rom. 2:5;
(g) the saints, to the creation, in association with Christ in His glorious reign, Rom. 8:19, R.V., ‘revealing’ (A.V., ‘manifestation’);
(h) the symbolic forecast of the final judgments of God, Rev. 1:1 (hence the Greek title of the book, transliterated ‘Apocalypse’ and translated ‘Revelation’)."
- Apokalupsis is used 18x in the NT, and all mean "unveling", "uncovering", not obsuring.
* Reveals end of sin, separation, & suffering
All rebels will be removed from God's presence.
Even death will be swallowed up in absolute entropy.
J. Vernon McGee calls it "total separation" from God.
* Reveals God's new beginning of a new Cosmos, without tears or suffering. (Rom 8; 1 Pet 3)
- Apokalupsis in the NT is used for a person "becoming visible" (Luke 2:32; Rom 8:19; 1 Co 1:7; 1 Pe 1:7).
- The curtain pulls back to reveal the spiritual battle behind the virtual reality we see every day.
- Jesus is contrasted against Lucifer the pseudo-Christ, along with their angelic warriors:
* Numerous descriptions for Jesus are listed in The Revelation.
* They reveal a lot about His Person & His Plan:
"the faithful witness" (1:5); "the firstborn of the dead" (1:5); "the ruler of the kings of the earth" (1:5); "the Alpha and the Omega" (1:8; 21:6); "the first and the last" (1:17); "the living One" (1:18); "the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands" (2:1); "the One who has the sharp two-edged sword" (2:12); "the Son of God" (2:18); the One "who has eyes like a flame of fire, and … feet … like burnished bronze" (2:18); the One "who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars" (3:1); the One "who is holy, who is true" (3:7); the holder of "the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens" (3:7); "the Amen, the faithful and true Witness" (3:14); "the Beginning of the creation of God" (3:14); "the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah" (5:5); "the Root of David" (5:5); the Lamb of God (e.g., 5:6; 6:1; 7:9–10; 8:1; 12:11; 13:8; 14:1; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7; 21:9; 22:1); the "Lord, holy and true" (6:10); the One who "is called Faithful and True" (19:11); "The Word of God" (19:13); the "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (19:16); Christ (Messiah), ruling on earth with His glorified saints (20:6); and "Jesus … the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star" (22:16).
(The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation p. 2)
Key verses = Rev 1:8 & Rev 1:19
Outline of The Revelation:
I. Character of Christ for His Father's Glory (Who Was) (Things Seen) Chapter 1
What about your character, & your family's character, & that of your church?
Can other people see Jesus' goodness, unselfishness, & humility through each one?
A. Introduction (1:1-8) Of Jesus to His servants (1:4 Church)
(see also 6:1 Israel)
B. Post-Incarnate, glorified Jesus (1:9-18)
II. Counsel of Christ for the Church (Who Is) (Things Which Are)
Chapters 2-3
This counsel also applies to you personally, your family, your local church, & all of "Christianity".
A. Command to Prophesy (1:19)
B. Seven Churches Counseled (1:20) ESP-TS-PL
(Praise before correction!)
C. Ephesus (2:1-7) Loveless
D. Smyrna (2:8-11) Persecuted
E. Pergamos (2:12-17) Compromising
F. Thyatira (2:18-29) Corrupt
G. Sardis (3:1-6) Dead
H. Philadelphia (3:7-13) Faithful
I. Laodicea (3:14-22) Lukewarm (no praise)
III. Consequences of Christ for the Church, Israel & the World
Chapters 4-22
(Who is to come again!) (Things which will happen soon!)
Are you ready for your future? The judgment seat of Christ?
A. Raptured Church (Jesus Rescues His Bride) in Heaven (4:1-5:14)
B. Tribulation of Israel (Jacob's) Trouble on Earth (6:1-18:24)
(Daniel's 70th Week)
1. Seals (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 6:1-8:2)
2. Trumpets (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 8:2-11:19)
3. Players (Seven) on the Tribulation Stage (Rev 12-14)
* These three chapters are an interlude, zooming in for a personal look at the people.
4. Bowls (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 15-16)
5. Babylon's Final Fall (Rev 17-18)
C. Christ's Wedding & War (19:1-21)
D. Millennial Kingdom (20:1-6)
E. Final Futile Rebellion (20:7-10)
F. Great White Throne & Second Death (20:11-15)
G. New Heaven & Earth Coming (21-22:15)
H. Jesus' Promise & Warning for YOU, your family, & your church
(22:16-21)
How does all of this apply to me?
Every warning, struggle, temptation,
promise, strategy, and victory in the Revelation
can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!
The choice is yours ................
What do you need to change?
(The final question to ask God, whenever you study God's Word)
Lord, how am I doing on your conflict meter, for your glory?
Giving Up < < Standing Firm > > Blowing Up