REVELATION SIMPLIFIED
INTRODUCTION
1. Why Study Revelation?
a. It’s Part of the Bible
b. It’s Unique
c. It’s Relevant
d. It Strengthens our Faith
2. Why is Revelation so Difficult?
a. Acts? = History
b. Galatians? = Letter
c. James? = Sermon
d. Revelation? = Weird!
i. We Don’t Understand Apocalyptic Literature
ii. We Don’t Understand the History
3. Why Was Revelation Written?
a. Because of the Needs of the Hour
i. The Church was Suffering Tremendously
ii. The Church needed Strength, Encouragement, & Hope
Revelation 2:10 ( ESV ) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY BEHIND REVELATION
1. The Date – About 95 A.D.
a. Domitian (81-96) is the Emperor of Rome. He is remembered in history as the one who bathed the Roman Empire in the blood of Christians.
b. Under Domitian, Emperor Worship was demanded of all citizens of the Empire.
c. Under Domitian, the major portion of persecution fell in Asia Minor, the stronghold of Christianity.
d. Rome was, at the end of the 1st Century and into the 2nd…
i. Politically Powerful
ii. Morally Bankrupt
iii. Practiced Emperor Worship
iv. After that – one could worship anything & everything – and they did.
2. The Author – John, the Apostle, son of Zebedee
a. Exiled on the Isle of Patmos for being a Christian
Forms of Persecution:
1. Kicked out of ‘Trade Guilds”
2. Had Citizenship Rights Stripped
3. Had Property Confiscated
4. Thrown into Prison or Exiled
5. Executed
3. Recipients – The Book was immediately intended for believers in John’s day & age, who were suffering persecution; primarily those residing in Asia Minor. (See Rev. 1:1-3)
4. Purpose – To Comfort the militant church in her struggle against the forces of evil, and to assure the Church’s Victory in Christ.
5. Theme - Revelation 17:14 ( NIV ) They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
UNDERSTANDING APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
1. The Purpose of Apocalyptic Literature
a. To Assure that Suffering WILL Come to an End
b. To Assure that God is in Control
c. To Encourage Endurance in View of a Brighter Future
d. To Encourage Loyalty to Truth & Right Even in Extreme Difficulties
2. The Character of Apocalyptic Literature
a. Always has a Historical Context
b. Generally is of Pseudonymous Authorship
i. To Protect the True Identity of the Author
ii. To Lend Greater Authority to the Message
c. Told through Visions – Visions are the literary vehicle used to present the message
i. What did John see?
ii. What does that picture mean?
d. Predictive Element – More General than Specific
e. Dramatic Element
i. Actors Represent Something Else
ii. Action
iii. Suspense – Dramatic Problem & Divine Solution
f. Symbolic Element
i. Something Symbolizes or represents something else
1. “The Statue of Liberty was shaking her fist
ii. Especially the Symbolism of NUMBERS
1. #1 – Represents Unity
2. #2 – Represents Confirmation/Strength
3. #3 – Represents God/Divine
4. #4 – Represents The World
5. #7 – Represents The Sacred
6. #10 – Represents Completeness
7. #12 – Represents Organized Religion
8. #3 ½ - Represents Incomplete
9. #6 – Represents Evil
10. #144,000 – Represents The Sum Total of the Righteous
OUTLINE OF THE 7 VISIONS
A Drama in 7 Acts
ACT 1: Christ in the Midst of the Seven Lampstands – Revelation 1-3
Scene 1: The Vision of Christ and the Lampstands – Rev. 1
Scene 2: The Letters from Christ to the 7 Churches of Asia – Rev. 2-3
ACT 2: The Book with the Seven Seals – Revelation 4-7
Scene 1: The Throne of God in Heaven – Rev. 4
Scene 2: The Lamb found Worthy to Open the Seals – Rev. 5
Scene 3: The Opening of the Seals – Rev. 6
1st Seal – The White Horse
2nd Seal – The Red Horse
3rd Seal – The Black Horse
4th Seal – The Pale Horse
5th Seal – The Souls of the Martyrs Praying for Vengeance
6th Seal – The Wrath of the Lamb unleashed on the Earth
7th Seal – Introduction to
ACT 3
Scene 4: The Sealing of 144,000 – Rev. 7
ACT 3: The Seven Trumpets – Revelation 8-11
Scene 1: The Blowing of the First 6 Trumpets – Rev. 8-9
1st Trumpet – Destruction of 1/3 of Plant Life
2nd Trumpet – Destruction of 1/3 of the Sea
3rd Trumpet – Destruction of 1/3 of the Rivers
4th Trumpet – Destruction of 1/3 of the Universe
5th Trumpet – The Cloud of Locust from the Bottomless Pit
6th Trumpet – Destruction of 1/3 of Humanity
Scene 2: The Vision of the Great Angel with the Little Book – Rev. 10
Scene 3: The Vision of the Two Witnesses – Rev. 11
Scene 4: The Blowing of the 7th Trumpet – Announcing that God has Conquered – Rev. 11
ACT 4: The Woman & the Child Persecuted by the Dragon & his angels – Rev. 12-14
Scene 1: The Dragon waits to Destroy the Child – Rev. 12
Scene 2: The Beast Out of the Sea –The Dragon’s 1st Helper – Rev. 13
Scene 3: The Beast Out of the Earth – The Dragon’s 2nd Helper – Rev. 13
Scene 4: The Lamb and the 144,00 – Rev. 14
Scene 5: The Three Angels - Rev. 14
Scene 6: The Harvest of the Earth – Rev. 14
ACT 5: The Seven Bowls of Wrath – Revelation 15-16
Scene 1: Pouring Out the Bowls – Rev. 15-16
1st Bowl – Disease on Man
2nd Bowl – Seas turn to Blood
3rd Bowl – Rivers turn to Blood
4th Bowl – Sun Scorches the Earth
5th Bowl – The Kingdom of the Beast was plunged into Darkness
6th Bowl – Preparation for the Great Battle (Armageddon)
7th Bowl – The Destruction of the Earth
ACT 6: The Fall of Babylon; the Great Harlot, & the Dragons’ helpers – Revelation 17-19
Scene 1: The Destruction of the People who Worship the Beast – Rev. 17
Scene 2: The Destruction of Babylon; the Great Harlot – Rev. 18
Scene 3: The Rider on the White Horse Defeats the 2 Beasts – Rev. 19
ACT 7: The Judgment of the Dragon, followed by A New Heaven & Earth – Revelation 20-22
Scene 1: The Judgment and Destruction of the Dragon – Rev. 20
Scene 2: The Glory & Victory of the Bride of Christ – Rev. 21-22
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