Lesson 8: The Book of Revelation (Part 1)

The first words of the book say the book is given to reveal Jesus Christ. The contents of the book emphasize Christ.

Jesus is the ruler of the earth who accomplished the atonement. At the return of Jesus, every sinful tribe on the earth will be dismayed. He is the beginning and the end; the one who began everything and will bring it to its conclusion. He is the Almighty.

John saw a vision of Jesus with many figurative details that are mentioned again throughout the book. He is the one whose authority is irresistible.

Jesus gave messages to the seven churches. His authority over them is absolute. He knows all about them. He will give the crown of life; he will destroy false teachers; he will irresistibly open and shut doors; and he will give power over the nations. He is seated with the Father at the throne and gives that privilege to those who overcome.

The Lamb is the one who is worthy to open the seals of the scroll. The book represents the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world. Events happen on the earth that seem chaotic and out of control, but they happen as Jesus opens the seals, showing God’s complete control.

All sinners on the earth try to hide when Jesus appears. The army of God led by Christ comes to conquer the earth. The martyrs are resurrected to rule with Christ.

The primary purpose of the book of Revelation is to reveal Jesus in his ultimate victory as his kingdom is made complete in the whole earth.

► How does the book of Revelation present Jesus differently from the four Gospels?

Some people believe that the book of Revelation is not prophecy of real events at all, but simply symbolic descriptions of the victory of Christ. However, the book says that it is written to reveal things in the future (1:1). John was told to write “the things you have seen, the things that are, and the things that will be after this” (1:19). Therefore, the symbols correspond to real events.

Some believe that the book of Revelation does not contain much prophecy of the end times. They believe that most of it was fulfilled soon after it was written or in the centuries following. This view is sometimes called the “Preterist” view.

There is reason to think that the book of Revelation has not all been fulfilled. Toward the end of the book we find the following events: Satan is bound for 1,000 years; martyrs are resurrected to rule with Jesus; all people are resurrected and judged; and a new heaven and earth are created. These are events that must be near the end of time.

So why does the book say that it predicts things that are “soon to come to pass” (1:1)? Why does it say that the “time is at hand” (1:3)? Some of the events were in the near future, such as the predictions about the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3. In another sense, the age of the church, which would include persecution and opposition to Christ, had already begun.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter referred to the prophet Joel, who said that the Holy Spirit would be poured out before the day of God’s judgment. Even though there would be a long period of time until the judgment, Peter recognized that the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost was the beginning of that period. See Acts 2:16-20.

The events in the book of Revelation are not in a single time period. Revelation 12:1-5 refers to the birth of Jesus. Chapters 2 and 3 make predictions about specific local churches that existed at that time. The closing chapters speak of things that must happen near the end of time. There may have already been fulfillments of some prophecies that will have greater, ultimate fulfillments at the end of time (like the prophecy in Daniel fulfilled by Antiochus yet spoken of as future by Jesus).

The book of Revelation is a book of conclusions. It concludes the Bible, and it concludes the long history of the process of salvation. For example, the story of salvation begins with the loss of the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-23) and ends with restoration of the tree of life (Revelation 22:2), invitation to the water of life, and names written in the Book of Life. The story begins with a curse of sorrow (Genesis 3:16-17) and ends with the end of all sorrow (Revelation 21:4). The story begins with separation from God (Genesis 3:8, 24) and ends with God’s people in his presence (Revelation 21:3 and 22:4).

We can also observe that Jesus, the center of the salvation story, died on a tree (1 Peter 2:24), was a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), and is “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). The book is called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

► How does the book of Revelation serve as a conclusion for the Bible?

A general outline of the book is given in 1:19. “Things you have seen” were John’s vision of Christ. “Things which are” were the messages to the seven churches. “Things which shall be” were the prophecies of the future. Chapters 4-5 are the introduction to the prophecies of the future (see 4:1). Prophecies of the future begin in chapter 6.

One of the great challenges to understanding this book is the order that events are described. It is obvious that they are not described in a single sequence from the beginning to the end of the book.

Three series of sevens are described: seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. The three series do not seem to come one after another, as if they are a series of 21 events. Instead, the seventh seal does nothing but introduce the seven trumpets; therefore, the seven trumpets could be the content of the seventh seal (8:1-2).

After the seventh trumpet (11:15-19) are some passages that give description of things happening in the period, not necessarily in a sequence, but as inserted sections (chapters 12-14). It is as if the sequence is paused while we look at some things that will be happening during that time.

Then come the seven bowls, which are clearly stated to be the wrath of God (15:1). They are introduced in chapter 15 and poured out in chapter 16. Apparently Christians are no longer on the earth at this point, because they are in heaven, on the sea of glass, with harps (15:2).

In Matthew 24-25 we have another example of a series of events described in order, then some descriptions of things that will happen during the series. We have a chapter of chronological events (chapter 24), then a chapter of parables (chapter 25) describing various aspects of what will happen during the period.

Note to class leader: Someone can read the passage titles for the group to build interest in the content of Revelation. It is not necessary to discuss the contents of the passages yet.

I. Introduction and Vision of Jesus (1)

II. Messages to the Seven Churches (2-3)

III. The Scene at the Throne of God (4)

IV. The Book and the Lamb (5)

V. The Seven Seals (6:1 - 8:1)

VI. The Seven Trumpets (8:2 - 11:19)

VII. The Woman and the Dragon (12)

VIII. The Beast and His Mark (13)

IX. The Remnant in Heaven (14:1-5)

X. The Three Announcing Angels (14:6-13)

XI. The Two Harvests (14:14-20)

XII. The Seven Bowls (15-16)

XIII. Babylon and its Fall (17-18)

XIV. The Coming of Christ (19)

XV. The Millennium and Last Battle (20:1-10)

XVI. The Final Judgment (20:11-15)

XVII. The New Jerusalem (21:1 - 22:5)

XVIII. Closing Exhortations (22:6-21)

Some of the symbols in Revelation are used elsewhere in the Bible.

A student should read Revelation 12:1, then Genesis 37:9 for the class.

Comparison of these two verses shows us that Revelation 12:1 refers to Israel. Of course, another indication of her identity in the passage is that she gave birth to the Messiah.

Many symbols in Revelation are explained in the book itself so that we do not have to guess.

For an example of symbols explained in the book, look at Revelation 1:20 together.

The book may seem hard to understand, but the writer did intend to communicate a message, and God intended to communicate with this book. We can understand the truth revealed in Revelation.

A student should read Revelation 1 for the group.

The book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It begins with John’s vision of Christ and describes Christ’s ultimate triumph over all the earth.

John’s vision of Jesus is full of symbols. The symbols in the vision of Jesus occur throughout the book, especially in the messages to the seven churches.

Notes on specific verses:

• Verse 4: Seven is the biblical number of perfection. Some scholars believe that the Holy Spirit is called a “seven-fold” Spirit here. Others believe that the words refer to seven angels, because angels are spirits.
• Verse 5: Jesus is called “prince of the kings of the earth.” This is important to the theme of eschatology – the fact that God has ultimate control even when the rulers of the world are in rebellion against him.
• Verse 6: We rule with him, though the kingdom has not fully come. We may seem insignificant in this world’s system, but we are rulers in the future kingdom.
• Verse 7: The world that has rejected Christ will be afraid when he comes to judge.
• Verses 8, 11, 17-18: In these verses, Jesus is identified as God. The emphasis of “first and last,” stated three times, shows God’s control over history. He was the one who began everything by creation, and he will conclude this age with judgment and the establishment of his kingdom.
• Verse 13: Jesus frequently called himself the “Son of Man.” The term Son of Man is probably a connection to the use of the term in Daniel 7:13.
• Verse 14: The hair white as wool and the reference to fire are like the description of God in Daniel 7:9-10.
• Verse 16: The sword symbolizes the power of his words. Compare to 19:21.
• Verse 18: Jesus’ possession of the keys is another emphasis of his absolute power.
• Verse 19: This verse is a general outline of the book. What John has seen is in chapter one; the present conditions were addressed in chapters 2-3; and the future is in the remaining chapters (see 4:1).
• Verse 20: The candlesticks and stars are explained. The angels of the churches are probably the pastors, since the word angel can be used to mean messenger. It would not really make sense that the letters were sent to heavenly angels. In 22:8-9, a person identified as a prophet was also called an angel.

► Briefly list some things that are said about Jesus in this chapter.

The message to each church was addressed to the “angel” of each church, which probably means the pastor. The word angel means messenger, and sometimes refers to a human in Scripture (see Revelation 22:8-9).

The messages to the seven churches apply to the church everywhere in any age, just as any other New Testament epistle. There is no reason to think that the seven churches represent seven periods of church history. They do not correspond well to historical periods, and there is no indication in the book that John intended such an interpretation.

The whole book of Revelation was written first to believers who lived at that time, even though the end-time predictions would not be fulfilled during their lifetimes. Christians in any period should live lives consistent with the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom. It doesn’t matter whether it comes in our lifetime or not; we want to be on the right side, living for eternal priorities.

► Why would prophecies of the last days be important for people who lived in a period long before the prophecies would be fulfilled?

We will not study the messages to the seven churches in this course. However, they are valuable for study and application just as other letters to churches in the New Testament.

How to study the messages to the seven churches: In each message notice the way Jesus is identified, the commendation of each church, the criticism of each church, the special circumstances, the command given, and the promise given.

A student should read Revelation 4 for the group.

Verse 1 states that the predictions of the future are about to begin. The vision of God and his throne is given to show the perspective of the prophecies. The events on the earth are not from the perspective of a person on earth trying to survive. The perspective is the throne of God.

The vision of God shows he deserves the worship of his entire creation. The chapter emphasizes that God has absolute power and authority over his creation. This understanding is the foundation of eschatology. God has the right to do whatever he chooses with his creation, and his power cannot be defeated.

The 24 elders may represent the total people of God (from Jews and Gentiles), since the number 12 was used of Israel and of the church. 5:8-9 seems to confirm this. That does not mean that all believers are in heaven at the beginning of this period; it simply means that they are represented there.

The beasts have details comparable to the beasts in Ezekiel 1:5-11.

The throne of God is mentioned often throughout the book.

► Try to imagine how a person would understand the suffering and chaos of the world if he did not know about the throne of God. What would be his philosophy of life? How is a Christian different because of knowing God’s power?

A student should read Revelation 5 for the group.

The passage describes a book that should be opened. The author is not named, but we can assume that God has produced the book. In the vision, the book is in the hand of God (7). In ancient times, a person’s will for an inheritance was written on a scroll and sealed with seven seals. The book represents the kingdom of God, his inheritance for his people.

The seven seals must be opened before the book could be opened; therefore, the seals represent the whole apocalypse, its events and results. The apocalypse is the necessary process to bring in the will of God described in the book.

To break the seals and open the book means to make it all happen. Only the Lamb was worthy to open the book.[1] He was worthy because of His work of atonement (9-10). Because he is both human and divine, and has made salvation for those who will be spared judgment, he is the only one in the universe qualified to be the agent of God's judgment and salvation in this period.

We should see the apocalypse not just as the actions of men or natural calamities; the apocalypse is the process of bringing in the eternal kingdom of God.

Jesus’ full divinity is shown in the worship that is fully equal to the worship given to the Father (12-13). The greatest worship imaginable is given to him just as it is given to the Father.

Jesus will be the main character throughout the book (the Revelation of Jesus Christ), so it is important for the reader to realize that the authority described in 4:11 also belongs completely to Jesus. He comes as the rightful and invincible Lord over all the earth.

People think of the apocalypse as a terrible time that should not happen. However, the real tragedy would be for the world to go on without the apocalypse. John wept much when it seemed that nobody would be able to open the book (4).

► How is it possible to think of the period of the apocalypse as necessary?

[1]“What is in that book [the scroll] shall not be known until there shall be known to the powers and authorities in the heavenly places, by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God [Ephesians 3:10].” Henry Alford, The New Testament for English Readers

(1) Writing Assignment: Explain the chronology of the book of Revelation. This does not mean that you must list all the events in order. How is the book organized? Instead of assuming that it is chronological from beginning to end, how should we approach it?

(2) Reading Assignment: Before the next class session, carefully read Revelation 6-22.