New Testament Survey: The Book of Revelation

1
New Testament Survey The Book of Revelation

• Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye
  will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all
  the tribes of the earth will mourn because of
  Him. Even so, Amen. (17)

2
Background

• This book brings to a close the New Testament and
  its history.
• It completes the perfect, divine revelation of
  Gods Scheme of Redemption.
• It is a special revelation, given in a special
  way, to convey a special message.
• Revelationto reveal or unveil.

3
Background

• Through this revelation, given to the Apostle
  John on the isle of Patmos, our Lord draws back
  the veil.
• To show the early church, not only the forces
  that were at work against God and human
  redemption, but a glimpse into what the future
  held for those who were faithful.
• The only book of prophecy in the New Testament.

4
Background

• Belongs in the apocalyptic literature category.
• The prophetic element is predominate. The book
  abounds in figurative language, signs, and
  symbols.
• Comparable to the OT books of Daniel, Ezekiel,
  and Zechariah.
• Uses symbolic and figurative language to convey
  its messages to those to whom they were directed.
  To serve that purpose, it used language with
  which they-- especially the Jewish elements--were
  familiar.
• At the same time, the language meaning was
  withheld from those who were enemies of the Lord!

5
Background

• Written around 95 or 96 A.D.
• Written by John while he was in exile during the
  later part of Domitians reign (81 to 96 A.D.)
• Written during the time when Emperor worship
  demanded that they worship him as Lord.
• Faithful Christians refused to do sothus
  bringing on persecution.
• This is the backdrop it gives great reason to
  reject the books early writing date.

6
Background

• The book is addressed to the seven churches of
  Asia.
• Johns home was probably Ephesus, but he worked
  throughout the province of Asia Minor.
• John, to the seven churches which are in Asia
  Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who
  was and who is to come, and from the seven
  Spirits who are before His throne. (14)

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Keys to the Book of Revelation

• Key words
• Overcome
• Key phrase
• Blessed are they who do His commandments
• Key chapters
• Chapters 1 and 21
• Key verses
• 11

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave
  Him to show His servants things which must
  shortly take place. And He sent and signified it
  by His angel to His servant John.

8
Keys to the Book of Revelation

• Key words
• Overcome
• Key phrase
• Blessed are they who do His commandments
• Key chapters
• Chapters 1 and 21
• Key verses
• 119, 210

• Write the things which you have seen, and the
  things which are, and the things which will take
  place after this.
• Be faithful until death, and I will give you
  the crown of life.

9
Keys to the Book of Revelation

• For I testify to everyone who hears the words of
  the prophecy of this book If anyone adds to
  these things, God will add to him the plagues
  that are written in this book and if anyone
  takes away from the words of the book of this
  prophecy, God shall take away his part from the
  Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the
  things which are written in this book.

• Key words
• Overcome
• Key phrase
• Blessed are they who do His commandments
• Key chapters
• Chapters 1 and 21
• Key verses
• 2218, 19

10
Purpose of the Book

• Written at the direct command of the Lord
• I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I
  heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
  saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First
  and the Last, and, what you see, write in a book
  and send it to the seven churches which are in
  Asia to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to
  Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to
  Laodicea. (110,11)

11
Purpose of the Book

• The theme of the book is the glorious triumph of
  Christ and the ultimate victory of the righteous.
• Victory of the Lamb!
• This book was designed to give comfort and
  support to Christians who were undergoing
  persecution by assuring them that all enemies of
  Christ and His church would be subdued!
• Their only hope was in Christ!

12
Purpose of the Book

• Severe persecution had already begun
• Do not fear any of those things which you are
  about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to
  throw some of you into prison, that you may be
  tested, and you will have tribulation ten days
  (210)
• I know your works, and where you dwell, where
  Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name,
  and did not deny My faith even in the days in
  which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was
  killed among you, where Satan dwells. (213)

13
Purpose of the Book

• Severe persecution had already begun
• Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those
  who commit adultery with her into great
  tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.
  (222)
• Because you have kept My command to persevere, I
  also will keep you from the hour of trial which
  shall come upon the whole world, to test those
  who dwell on the earth. (310)

14
Purpose of the Book

• The conflict between Christianity and atheistic
  heathenism increased rapidly, endangering the
  lives of Gods people throughout the Roman
  Empire.
• Because they refused to submit to the Roman
  Emperor, many would die for their faith.
• History confirms that this did occur.
• During her first 30 years, the church enjoyed
  peace in the Roman Empire.
• This peace ended abruptly, and it took great
  courage to be a Christian.

15
Purpose of the Book

• The early church was looked upon as a sect of
  Judaism.
• Beginning with the reign of Nero (64 A.D.),
  dangers and difficulties multiplied.
• Nero blamed the burning of Rome on the
  Christians.
• Often, remaining faithful resulted in loss of
  occupations, property, possessions, family
  members, and even their own lives!

16
Purpose of the Book

• This revelation was given to unveil to Gods
  people what they would be called upon to suffer
  for Christs sake.
• It encouraged faithfulness and renewed to them
  the promises of Gods providential care over His
  own.
• In the end, truth and righteousness would
  ultimately triumph over the forces of evil.
• In the present despair, they received assurance
  of a more intense hope of future divine
  intervention.

17
Purpose of the Book

• This revelation emphasized Gods sovereign rule
  over the nations.
• It assured believers of Gods judgment of the
  wicked and their destruction, along with the
  glorious triumph and reward of the faithful
• A message of encouragement to these Christians
  and for all Christians.
• A last means of warning those who might be
  tempted to take the easy way out!

18
Methods of Interpretation

• Preterit
• Those who try to understand the book by making
  its symbols and visions relate only to the events
  of the period during which it was written and
  who, therefore, believe the book, in its
  entirety, was fulfilled by the destruction of
  Jerusalem. Necessary in order to accept the early
  writing date.

19
Methods of Interpretation

• Historist
• Those who approach the book using this method
  believe that its visions form a complete
  historical outline of the entire course of church
  history, from its beginning to the Lords second
  coming.

20
Methods of Interpretation

• Futurist
• This approach is taken by those who believe that
  the prophecies in the books first three chapters
  were fulfilled during the time in which it was
  written or else that the seven churches of Asia
  represent seven different epochs, or periods, of
  church history, from the apostles to the Lords
  second coming.

21
Methods of Interpretation

• Idealist
• This represents the method used to understand the
  book by those who believe in making a spiritual
  application of its various visions and symbols.
  They believe that the book becomes a symbolic
  picture of the struggle between Christ and Satan,
  the church and the world, truth and error,
  righteousness and sin, and Christianity and its
  enemies. It ends with the ultimate triumph of
  Christ and His church over all forces of error
  and sin.

22
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• Remember what blessing is promised.
• This necessitated an open mind, a willingness to
  learn and study without prejudice or a closed
  mind.
• Approached with all humility.
• Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the
  words of this prophecy, and keep those things
  which are written in it for the time is near.
  (13)

23
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• Whatever God wanted those who read and study the
  book to understand without any doubt or
  uncertainty, He has made unmistakably clear and
  positive.
• Source of revelation
• The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave
  Him to show His servants--things which must
  shortly take place. And He sent and signified it
  by His angel to His servant John. (11)

24
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• The message was concerned with
• Some of the things in the vision were being
  fulfilled and some things would occur
  thereafter.
• Write the things which you have seen, and the
  things which are, and the things which will take
  place after this. (119)
• How much time thereafter embraces, no man knows
  or can discoveronly God knows when the world
  will end.

25
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• Avoid speculative guessing in your efforts to
  understand this book. Avoid being dogmatic about
  what is not plainly made known.
• Some things in the book are figurative. God has
  disclosed their significance or meaning (fine
  linen is the righteousness of the saints).
• The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in
  My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands
  The seven stars are the angels of the seven
  churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw
  are the seven churches. (120)

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Some Things to Keep in Mind

• One of the primary rules for interpreting any
  kind of literature is to avoid giving the
  language under consideration a figurative
  meaning, unless demanded by the context, or for
  some other reason.
• In a visionary scene full of symbolic
  representation, we must be careful about making a
  literal interpretation.
• Example Revelation 20
• An angel with chain the dragon, old serpent
  souls seated upon the throne

27
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• Consider the martyr scene in chapter 6
• Crying beneath the altar
• Seeking revenge for the blood being shed
• Then again in chapter 20
• Envisioned as seated upon thrones reigning with
  Christ
• Their blood has been avenged, and the cause for
  which they died has triumphed.
• A spiritual scene expressed in figurative
  language
• First resurrection is spiritualnot bodily
• 1000 years is figurativenot literal (2 Peter 38)

28
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• The expression shortly come to pass does not
  justify believing that the things John wrote were
  to be considered necessarily imminent, or that
  their fulfillment would begin immediately.
• Many NT passages discussed the coming of the Lord
  as being near or at hand, but 2000 years have
  passed, and He still hasnt come!
• 1 Thessalonians 413-17 Philippians 45 James
  58 1 Peter 47.

29
Some Things to Keep in Mind

• It is quite simple to discern whether a
  symbol--whether just a figurative expression, or
  a vision--represents good or evil.
• One might not know exactly what the symbol
  represents, but there is no difficulty in
  determining, from this much of its meaning,
  whether it represents good or evil.

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Contents and Characteristics

• The absolute sovereignty of God (11)
• A message given by God through Jesus Christ
• The message emanates from Godtherefore, it is
  divine revelation.
• By His good providence and power, He will
  overrule and accomplish His purposes.
• The earth is the Lords and the fullness
  thereof.
• The throne of God
• 42-11 51-10 614-17 79-12 1115-19
  153,4 191-6.

31
Contents and Characteristics

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ (11)
• The beginning of the book and one of its most
  prominent themes
• Christthe books central figureis set forth,
  along with His authority!
• Faithful witness
• First begotten from the dead
• The prince of the kings on earth (15,6 1714)
• Cometh in the clouds (17)
• Alpha and Omega (18)

32
Contents and Characteristics

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ (11)
• Christ is in the midst of His church.
• Glorified in it forever (Ephesians 321)
• His authority over the church is, therefore,
  absolute and exclusive!
• He is the Lamb who, because of His redemptive
  work, has the right to administer judgment under
  the authority of the sealed book!
• (54-7)

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Contents and Characteristics

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ (11)
• He is revealed as a conqueror riding on a white
  horse at the head of a triumphant procession, as
  the Roman emperors did with their victorious
  armies.
• 59-14 79-17 153-5 1714 1911-16
• Then the seventh angel sounded And there were
  loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of
  this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord
  and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and
  ever! (1115)

34
Contents and Characteristics

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ (11)
• All of these foregoing passages, and others could
  be listed, reveal Jesus Christ as King of Kings
  and Lord of Lords.
• They DO NOT prophesy that he will become King at
  His second coming Johns vision of Him reveals
  that He is King now, with all authority over the
  Kingdom of God and the nations and rulers of the
  earth!

35
Contents and Characteristics

• The Office and Work of the Holy Spirit
• In all of these visions, John was under the Holy
  Spirits power and guidance.
• 110 41,2 171-3 219,10
• All four great cycles of visions began with the
  assertion that John was in the Spirit.
• Not an imaginary dream, but true revelation from
  the Lord--all testimony recorded by John while
  under the Spirits influence.

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Contents and Characteristics

• The Office and Work of the Holy Spirit
• John, in what he wrote to the seven churches,
  reminded them, hear what the Spirit saith unto
  the churches.
• 27 211 217 36 313 322
• John affirms the whole revelation given by the
  Spirit
• And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And
  let him who hears say, Come! And let him who
  thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the
  water of life freely. (2217)

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Contents and Characteristics

• The Church is revealed as the Bride of the lamb
  of God.
• The Church as the bride is a common figure of
  the NT.
• Ephesians 522-33 Romans 71-4 John 329
• Figure used in Revelation to reveal the
  relationship between Christ and His church
• 197-9 219

38
Contents and Characteristics

• The Church is revealed as the Bride of the lamb
  of God.
• At His coming, He will receive her unto Himself
  as a chosen bride, escort her into His Fathers
  presence, and dwell with her in Gods eternal
  city.
• In eternity, she will partake of His everlasting
  glory.
• 2 Thessalonians 17-12
• Great conflict between the Great Harlot and the
  Bride of the Lamb
• 171219

39
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• From the beginning, the Kingdom of God and Christ
  had been engaged in conflict with the forces of
  evil. (Ephesians 55)
• In every generation, there is an everlasting
  struggle between the enemies of righteousness and
  Gods Kingdom.

40
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• During some periods, opposition has been stronger
  than in others.
• Constant struggle to allow Christ to reign in the
  hearts of men.
• Satan constantly uses all of his wiles to
  struggle against truth.

41
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• The first 11 chapters, not only contain messages
  to the churches, they also seek to encourage them
  to persevere.
• There is a series of visions concerning
• Gods might and power.
• The worthiness of the Lamb
• The glory of His reign through the church

42
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• Chapter 12the great red dragonthe serpent of
  old called the Devil and Satan
• He persecuted the woman she gave birth to a man
  child the dragon sought to devour it.
• A man destined to rule over a nation with a rod
  of iron (Psalm 29 1101-4)

43
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• The man child is caught up into heaven where he
  struggles with Satan and Michael and his angels.
• Satan and his angels fail to prevail!
• They are cast out onto the earth to deceive the
  nations of the world.

44
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• The woman fled to a place prepared by God there,
  she was sustained and nourished by Gods good
  providence.
• The dragon continued his war with the womans
  seed.
• A direct picture of Satans attempt to prevent
  and overthrow the reign of Christ

45
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• Chapter 13, first beast comes out of the sea
  (seven heads, ten horns, and upon those horns ten
  crowns) upon his head is the name of
  blasphemy.
• Beast given power by Satan (134)
• Mouth speaking great things and blasphemies

46
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• Spirit of blasphemy belongs to the antichrist it
  vividly pictures heathenistic unbelief.
• Came to a peak in opposition to Christ and His
  church when Rome demanded that the entire world
  recognize the head of the civil state as Lord.
• They were to confess him and burn incense unto
  him.

47
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• The beast made war against the saints and
  destroyed mans faith.
• It was granted to him to make war with the
  saints and to overcome them. And authority was
  given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
  All who dwell on the earth will worship him,
  whose names have not been written in the Book of
  Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
  world. (137,8)

48
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• Another great beast came up out of the earth he
  had two horns like a lamb and spoke as a dragon.
• Exercised all power of the first beast caused
  all the earth to worship him
• 1311-18

49
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• Another enemy of Christfalse religion
  identified first by religious Rome and the false
  prophet
• Countless hearts of millions on the earth have
  been deceived by Roman Catholicism and protestant
  denominations.

50
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and
  adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,
  having in her hand a golden cup full of
  abominations and the filthiness of her
  fornication. And on her forehead a name was
  written MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER
  OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
  (174,5)

51
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• Evidently, this is a picture of
• Seduction of evil
• Ungodliness
• Lasciviousness
• combined with other enemies of Christ.

52
Contents and Characteristics

• The Everlasting Conflict between Christ and
  Satanthe Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of
  Darkness
• These three enemies--pagan atheism and
  heathenism, false religions, and a spirit of
  lasciviousness and ungodliness--are the sources
  from which destruction has so widely been wrought
  on the souls of men who have contested and
  opposed wrong!

53
Contents and Characteristics

• The Parallelism of the Book
• The books last two sections are parallel
• 171218 depicts the destruction of the world
  system of evil represented by the harlot,
  Babylon.
• 219225 pictures the final appearance of the
  bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem.
• The two sections are parallel by way of contrast,
  as well as by similarity.

54
Contents and Characteristics

• The Parallelism of the Book
• Each section shows the consummation of a purpose
• One, the end of the trend away from God
• The other, the end of redemption
• Each is introduced by seven angels and seven
  bowls.

55
Parallelism

• The first section introduces a harlot
• The latter a bride
• The wilderness scene of the harlot
• 173

• So he carried me away in the Spirit into the
  wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a
  scarlet beast which was full of names of
  blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

56
Parallelism

• The first section introduces a harlot
• The latter a bride
• The mountain scene of the bride
• 2110

• And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great
  and high mountain, and showed me the great city,
  the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
  God.

57
Parallelism

• The first section introduces a harlot
• Harlot full of names of blasphemy
• 173

• So he carried me away in the Spirit into the
  wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a
  scarlet beast which was full of names of
  blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

58
Parallelism

• The latter a bride
• Names of the 12 tribes and 12 apostles
• Inscribed on the Holy City
• 2112-14

• and names written on them, which are the names
  of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel...
  Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations,
  and on them were the names of the twelve apostles
  of the Lamb.

59
Parallelism

• First section introduces a harlot
• Babylon, city of corruption and judgment
• 176

• I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the
  saints and with the blood of the martyrs of
  Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great
  amazement.

60
Judgment

• Judgment
• Judgment centers around Gods throne.
• Gods absolute sovereignty
• 181-5
• 207-10
• 2014,15

• Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of
  fire. This is the second death. And anyone not
  found written in the Book of Life was cast into
  the lake of fire.

61
Three Judgment Series

• Three series of Judgments in the second vision
• Seven seals
• Seven trumpets
• Seven bowls
• Terrible picture of Gods judgments upon those
  who dwell on the earth
• Man remained unrepentant
• 615-17 920,21 169,11,21

62
Three Judgment Series

• Defeating the forces of evil, God reigns Supreme!
• The Lords chief enemies
• The dragon
• The first beast
• The second beast and the false prophet
• The scarlet woman riding upon the beast
• Failure in war with the Lamb
• Overcome and consigned to their doom
• 1919-21 2010

63
Three Judgment Series

• The Heart of the books message
• These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb
  will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and
  King of kings and those who are with Him are
  called, chosen, and faithful. (1714)
• Great certainty of the final triumph of the Lamb
  of God and the forces of righteousness over the
  forces of evil and error. Message of comfort and
  hope!
• Victory with the Lamb!