| REVELATION THE BOOK OF FINAL CONSUMATION With tiny wrinkles and cries, he entered the world and, and wrapped in strips of cloth, took his first nap on a bed of straw. Subject to time and to parents, he grew to manhood in Roman-occupied Palestine, his gentle hands becoming strong and calloused in Joseph’s woodworking shop. As a man, he walked through the countryside and city, touching individuals, preaching to crowds and training 12 men to carry on his work. At every step he was hounded by those seeking to rid the world of his influence. Finally, falsely accused and tried, he was condemned to a disgraceful execution by foreign hands. And he died-----spat upon, cursed, pierced by nails, and hung heavenward for all to deride. Jesus, the God-man, gave his life completely so that all might live. At God’s appointed time, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus will burst onto the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is Lord of the universe! Those who love him will rejoice, greeting their Savior with hearts overflowing into songs of praise. But his enemies will be filled with fear. Allied with Satan, the enemies of Christ will marshal their legions against Christ and his armies. But who can withstand God’s wrath? Christ will win the battle and reign victorious forever! Jesus, the humble suffering servant, is also the powerful, conquering King and Judge. Revelation is a book of hope. John, the beloved apostle and eyewitness of Jesus, proclaimed that the victorious Lord would surely return to vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked. But Revelation is also a book of warning. Things were not as they should have been in the churches, so Christ called the members to commit themselves to live in righteousness. Although Jesus gave this revelation of himself to John nearly 2000 years ago, it still stands as a comfort and challenge to God’s people today. We can take heart as we understand John’s vision of hope: Christ will return to rescue his people and settle accounts with all who defy him. John begins this book by explaining how he received this revelation from God (1: 1-20). He then records specific messages from Jesus to the seven churches in Asia (2: 1 --3:22). Suddenly, the scene shifts as a mosaic of dramatic and majestic images burst into view before John’s eyes. This series of visions portrays the future rise of evil, culmination in triumph of the King of kings, the wedding of the Lamb, the final judgment, and the coming of the new Jerusalem (19:1----22:5). Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ’s soon return (22:6---21), and John breathes a prayer that has been echoed by Christians through the centuries: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20). As you read the book of Revelation, marvel with John at the wondrous panorama of God’s revealed plan. Listen as Christ warns the churches, and root out any sin that blocks your relationship with him. Be full of hope, knowing that God is in control, Christ’s victory is assured, and all who trust him will be saved. *~*~*~* The purpose of this book is to reveal the full identity of Christ and to give warning and hope to believers. The Author is the Apostle John and it was written to the seven churches in Asia and all believers everywhere, approximately A. D. 95 from Pathos. Most scholars believe that the seven churches of Asia to whom John writes were experiencing the persecution that took place under Emperor Domitian (A. D. 90 - 95). It seems that the Roman authorities had exiled John to the island of Pathos (off the coast of Asia). John, who had been an eyewitness of the incarnate Christ, had a vision of the glorified Christ. God also revealed to him what would take place in the future----judgment and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. Revelation 1: 3 - Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand. This is the key Verse in this book with John and Jesus being the key people, The key places are Patmos, the seven churches, and the new Jerusalem. Revelation is written in “apocalyptic” form ----a type of Jewish literature that uses symbolic imagery to communicate hope (in the ultimate triumph of god ) to those in the midst of persecution. The events are ordered according to literary, rather than strictly chronological, patterns. The vision John received opens with instructions for him to write to seven churches. He both commends them for their Strengths and warns them about their flaws. Each letter was directed to a church in existence but also speaks to conditions in the church throughout history. Both in the church and in our individual lives, we must constantly fight against the temptation to become loveless, immoral, lenient, compromising, lifeless, or casual about our faith. The letters make it clear how our Lord feels about these qualities. This revelation is both a warning to Christians who have grown apathetic and an encouragement to those who are faithfully enduring the struggles in this world. It reassures us that good will triumph over evil, gives us hope as we face difficult times, and gives guidance when we are wavering in our faith. Christ’s message to the church is a message of hope for all believers in every generation. A. LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES (1:1 -----3:22) B. MESSAGE FOR THE CHURCH (4:1 ---22:21 1. Worshiping God in heaven 2. Opening the seven seals. 3. Sounding the seven trumpets. 4. Observing the great conflict 5. Pouring out the seven plagues 6. Seizing the final victory 7. Making all things new The book is “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:1), hence the title, “The Revelation.” It’s Greek title “Apocalypse,” signifies literally a revelation of what was concealed or hidden. This revelation was given by God to Jesus Christ. Christ gave it to His angel. This angel showed it to John, and John sent it to the churches. Thus we find it came from God to Christ, from Christ to the angel, from the angel to John, and from John to us (or the churches). It is properly, therefore the “Revelation of Jesus Christ by God.” “Apocalypse of John” was a title used to set his apart from other apocalypses. The epithet, “St John the Divine,” was added to the book’s title in the fourth century. There are at least four schools of interpretation of Revelation: 1. The PRETERISTS, who hold that this book was meant mainly for the people of John’s day and had its fulfillment then. 2. The HISTORICISTS, who believe that Revelations takes the whole period of history from John’s day to the Present day. 3. The SPIRITUALISTS who claim that the symbols portray spiritual realities. 4. The FUTURISTS, who believe that the bulk of the book has to do with the future. One may be safe in accepting a twofold meaning to much that is found in Revelation. For example, what applied to the churches in John’s time is applicable to the church in general today, as well as to the individual believer. A safe position as to the interpretation of Revelation may be the blending of a little of the historical theory with much of the futurist’s view. Whatever view one takes, the book of Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, not the unveiling of the Antichrist. While the beast and the dragon and the woes and the devil are all there, they are seen only in the light that shines when Christ in unveiled. The language of Revelation is Greek, but it is filled with Old Testament idioms. It is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing if read and kept (studied and practiced: 1:3). It has 22 chapters, 404 verses, and 12,000 words. *~*~* The Introduction is Made *~*~* Throughout this year We have studied here. The truths in God’s word Almost all have been heard. Here we are at the end We learned about many men. Their greed and hate We have heard how to relate. Also the good of those Who lived right and chose To follow the right path to trod, Those who were faithful to God. *~*~* Many we have admired The ones who honored God’s desires, Then there were those who died Some with sin inside, some with righteous lives. There were martyrs who gave all for Him But some relented and died with their sins. The women of courage stories were told How they persevered and stayed so bold. We learned of Christ the one who died All for our sins, he was sacrificed. The end of one story is revealed, And the new beginning will all become real. *~*~*~* So until next week, read and instill The words of Revelations to reveal We will end our journey through the word, And all be better for what we have heard. Shirley Barr December 12, 2005 References: World’s Bible Handbook King James Bible Halley’s Bible Handbook (No infringements on copyrights intended) II TIMOTHY 2:15 ~ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. |
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