The Study of Revelation - “The Revealing of Jesus Christ”Introduction and Why is the book of Revelation so important?The only portion of scripture that promises a special blessing for the reader and listener. (Rev.Apocalypse - An unveiling Name of Book is singular - Not Revelations Proper name: The Revelation of Jesus ChristWhat is the background of the Revelation?• Author - John the apostle (John, 1,2,3, John) Rev. 1;1, 4,9,• Where written - Patmos Rev. • Time of writing - approx. 95 A.D.. • To whom was book written? - to the 7 churches To all believers Outline What you have seen - chapter 1 - the visionWhat is now - chapter 2-3 - in John’s time, the churches.What is to come - Chapter 4 -22 - What is prophecy?Prophecy - seeing God’s whole plan in perspective. Not just future issues.How do we interpret prophecy?1. Is it consistent with the entire Bible?2. Time.In every textbook the answers are always found in the back!Never enter the Word but by prayer.How do we interpret the Book of Revelation?1) Historicist view - It has been fulfilled in the course of past history.2) Idealist view or Symbolic - the book is entirely symbolic. 3) Preterist view or Spiritual view - the book is descriptive of the problems and persecutions of the early church existing at the time of writing. 4) Futurist view or Literal view - interpret the book literally. Much of book occurs in the future..Rule of Bible study - Take the words literally unless there is indication that the words are symbolic or figurative. Assume nothing.Hosea What makes this book different from any other?7 Beatitudes or blessings Significance of 7 - completenessSeven churches Seven letters 2,3Seven Spirits Seven candlesticks Seven stars Seven lamps Seven seals Seven horns Seven eyes Seven angels Seven trumpets Seven thunders Seven thousand Seven heads Seven crowns Seven angels Seven plagues Seven vials Seven mountains Seven kings Seven beatitudes Seven years of judgment Seven divisions of seven letters 2-3Seven “I am’s” Seven songs in heaven Let’s get started! Rev. Rev. The Revelation of Jesus Christ given in order to bless His servantsServants - doulos - slave by choiceComing quickly - tachometer - once these things start happening they will happen rapidlyquickly used 7 timesangel - messengerMade it known - signs, codes, symbolic of reality. Rev. who testifies - John’s testimonyGospel - Believe - John Epistles - Be sure -1 John Revelation - Be ready - Rev. Rev. Special promise to: The reader/The hearer who takes it to heartCentral Theme - Redemption - the restoration of that which was lost to the original owner.Gen. 1-2 creation with a couple of chapters in Ps. Job, Is.Gen. 3 - Rev. 20 - redemptionRev. 21-22 - the new creation.God has revealed his son, his plan, your future.The ultimate question: Will you believe and take it to heart?