Rev. 1:1-8 Introduction to Revelation
Intro: A lot of times when I first pick up a book, I look it over fairly briefly to get a basic feel for the book and what it is about
I will look at the title (usually you this gives you a big clue as to the subject material) Author: liberal?, conservative?, trust worthy?, Theologically sound? (Ryrie, Geisler vs. TD Jakes or a Victor Paul Wierwell). Publisher: what else have they published? Good or questionable stuff? (Nelsons, Broadman, Zondervan vs Watch Tower). Copyright: old or new? How recent? Table of Contents/Outline: What are the major chapter headings, topics covered... Dedication: Who is it dedicated to? Spouse, children, someone they admire Preface: Tells you the authors purpose in writing this book; What make his different from all the others ones written on the same subject
Prop: We need to take a good and broad look at the book of Revelation.
I. The Title of the Book (1:1):
Revelation (apokalupisis) could be translated an uncovering , "unveiling" or "a disclosure". It describes something or someone that was formerly hidden but now becomes visible. Thus Revelation unveils truths about Jesus Christ, and makes clear features of prophetic truth only hinted at in the Old Testament and other New Testament books. It Reveals to us that there is strength in Christ and power to overcome Satan. It Reveals the glory and majesty of God the Father and Jesus Christ. It Reveals the reverent worship that continually surrounds Gods throne. It Reveals the end of human history and the final world ruler. It Reveals the earthly reign of Christ in the Millennial Kingdom. It Reveals the final judgments of the saved and the unsaved. Finally, it Reveals to some things about the eternal bliss of living in the new heaven and the new earth.
II. The Human Author of the Book (1:4):
Four times the author is identified John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). Early Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Hippolytus and Victorinus all affirmed that this was John the son of Zebedee, one of the twelve apostles. In the second half of the third century Dionysius (pastor in Alexandria) was first to question John's authorship. He did so based upon style and vocabulary difference between this book and the other books of John. The nature and purpose of Revelation could account for these differences.
III. The Date of the Book: The weight of evidence clearly favors a date for the writing some time in the mid- nineties, near the end of Domitians reign.
IV. The Major Schools of Interpretation of the Book:
A. Preterist: These people believe that the entire book was fulfilled in the first century Roman Empire. They do a lot of spiritualizing of the text saying that the Second Coming of Christ refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit and is not to be taken as a literal future event. To the Preterist everything refers to people & events of Johns day. Liberals who deny Inspiration hold this view.
B. Historicist: They see Revelation as a symbolic representation of church history from times to the present. They see this as talking about things like the fall of Rome to the Barbarians, Rise of the Roman Catholic Church, the French Revolution, etc. Catholics hold this view.
C. Idealist: They see this book as a timeless representation of the eternal conflict of. Good and evil in every age. They don't think the text records any actual events They dont think the text records any actual events. Instead, they believe Revelation only contains general principles that helps us to understand Gods person and ways in this world in a general sense. Covenant Theologians like Presbyterians often hold this view.
D. Futurist: They see Revelation focusing on the last phase of world history, particularly the tribulation and millennial kingdom. They try to interpret this book with the same literal method by which non-prophetic portions are interpreted. The literal interpretation allows for symbols but argues that they must represent something specific. This approach takes the book's meaning as God gave it and considers chapters 4-22 future with Israel the prominent feature in her struggle against the forces of Satan.
V. The Prologue to the Book (Rev. 1:1-3):
A. This talks about rapid fire future events (1).
shortly come to pass = The phrase rendered shortly (ἐν τάχει; en tachei) is one whose meaning has been much controverted, and on which much has been made to depend in the interpretation of the whole book. This is the word from which we get tachometer (a device which measure the speed or quickness a vehicle travels). This clues us in on how to best understand shortly come to pass actually means. The phrase properly and literally means, with quickness, swiftness, speed; that is, speedily, quickly, shortly (Robinsons Lexicon). It means this will cover events that once they start, one will follow the other in rapid fire succession
.a sort of quick chain reaction of events.
B. This book paints word pictures and uses symbols (1-2).
By using the words shew (1) and saw (2) John is trying to show to us via word pictures things that he saw and would be very hard to explain. Symbols, etc. are common in apocalyptic literature, however, we should still take things literally if that makes good sense
.
C. This is a profitable book (3).
Of course, we know that all scripture is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16), but this book specifically says it is profitable and it will make the Christian spiritually blessed and happy.
1. It is profitable for personal reading. He that readeth
(he is singular) It tells of Satans defeat and Christs final triumph and our living with God and Christ for all eternity that ought to make any Christian happy.
2. It is profitable for public gatherings. They that hear
(they is plural picturing a public worship service). Paul said to Timothy give attendance to reading
(1 Tim. 4:13). (also seems to refer to public reading).
3. It is profitable for practical change. God wants us to keep/heed the things written in Revelation . This book is for more than just informing us about the end-times. This book is intended to be obeyed.
VI. The People addressed by the book (1:4, 11).
Seven Churches of Asia; located in modern day Turkey. Verse 11 lists for us the seven churches in seven cities. Why were these churches picked? We can only guess. These specific churches may have been chose because they key cities in the seven postal districts in which Asia was divided. They were central points of disseminating information. The order mention is the same order in which a messenger if he landed at Mileus and then traveled northward to Epehesus, and then traveled in a circular (clockwise) road would visit them.
VII. The Publishers of the Book (1:4-5). Trinity Publishers
A. The Father (4) him which is, and which was, and which is to come
This is to be understood of the first Person, of God the Father; and the phrases are expressive both of his eternity, he being God from everlasting to everlasting; and of his immutability, he being now what he always was, and will be what he now is, and ever was, without any variableness, or shadow of turning Some take this to refer to Christ because is says which is to come but the and of v.5 differentiates the two. The Father will come too.
B. The Holy Spirit (4) seven spirits that are before his throne
Seven is found many places in the Bible. Seven carries a sense of fullness, completion, perfection
. As you read the Bible pay attention to how often seven comes up. Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; Many consider that seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are here mentioned.
C. The Son, Jesus Christ (5) And from Jesus Christ
1. The Faithful witness (martyr) witness = from Greek martyr meaning a witness. One who stands up for a cause no matter what the cost, even death. Jesus is a faithful witness in the sense that he is one on whose testimony there may be entire reliance, or who is entirely worthy to be believed.
2. First Begotten from the dead Barnes writes in his commentary This does not mean literally that he was the first who rose from the dead for he himself raised up Lazarus and others, and the bodies of saints arose at his crucifixion; but it means that he had the pre-eminence among them all; he was the most illustrious of those who will be raised from the dead, and is the head over them all. Especially, he had this pre-eminence in the resurrection in this respect, that he was the first who rose from death to immortality. Others who were raised undoubtedly died again. Christ rose to die no more 3. Prince of the Kings of the earth The word prince - ο αρχων; ho archon - means properly, ruler, leader, the first in rank. We often apply the word prince to an heir to a throne who is not invested with absolute sovereignty. Dont think of prince here in that fashion. This is basically another way of saying Jesus is King of Kings. Jesus is absolute ruler over all the earth. Sovereign of the universe.
VIII. The Personal Dedication of the Book (1:5-6). Unto him that loved us & washed us
Johns love for Jesus is abundantly evident in these words. Now John pauses in middle of verse five to dedicate this book to His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ loved us so much that so much that He died for us & washed us (His sheep).
He washed us = He has removed the pollution of sin from our souls by his blood and thus removed the penalty for sin (wages of sin is death).
IX. The Purpose (Synopsis) of the Book (1:7-8).
Behold is a word used to get the readers attention because the author wants you to stop and carefully consider what follows. Behold is used about 25 times in Revelation. Revelation presents to us the King of Kings.
A. Jesus is Coming: He cometh is in the present tense meaning Jesus is already on the way, His coming is imminent and absolutely certain. with clouds = clouds often are associated with the presence of deity. Cloud in wilderness wanderings Cloud at the giving of the Law on Sinai. Cloud when God spoke to Moses at the Tabernacle. Cloud was present at both the Tabernacle & Temple dedications. Cloud was present when Jesus ascended up to heaven.
B. Jesus will be seen by everyone: every eye will see Him
It seems the Jews will especially see Him.
C. Jesus return will cause wailing/weeping (v.7)
Maybe the saved will weep due to repentance. Unsaved will evidently weep due to terror, despair, grief & panic.
In verse 8 Jesus sort of puts His stamp of approval on the this Book. This book is an authorized and commissioned by Jesus, Himself. He is the alpha & omega (first and last letters in the Greek alphabet. We might say He is the A to Z and everything between.
X. The Outline (Table of Contents) of the Book (Rev. 1:19):
I. The Things Which You Have Seen (1:1-20).
II. The Things Which Are (2:1-3:22).
III. The Things Which Will Take Place After This (4: 1-22:21).
Conclusion: The next time you pick up a book. Look it over as to its, author, publisher, table of contents, etc
. think about this message and the Book of Revelation. The Holy Trinity gave us the book of Revelation that we might read it, study it & heed it and be blessed by it. It reveals many things to us about the future, but most importantly it reveals to us, Jesus Christ and His program. Jesus is Coming again. If you are a Christian you need to be ready. If you arent a Christian, you too need to be ready. Invitation:
