Revelation
Introduction to the book of Revelation
Revelation draws back the curtain on the unseen realities of life for God’s people. There is a spiritual battle going on, and the risen Jesus reveals these visions to John so that God’s Church will be aware of what is happening now and in the future. While the strange imagery might seem frightening, the ultimate message of Revelation is a hopeful one: Although evil appears to triumph, God remains on the throne. John’s Apocalypse is a magnificent and wonderfully designed message of the salvation that is available in Jesus Christ. The book blesses all who ponder it and sternly warns those who oppose Christ and the Good News and those who are shallow in their Christian walk. The unfolding drama of the book stretches the imagination while bearing witness to God’s supreme power. Its visions describe the plight of Christians, God’s judgments on their persecutors, and eternal hope and promise for God’s faithful people. The resurrected, glorified Jesus Christ revealed himself to the apostle John, who had been imprisoned “on the island called Patmos” (1:9). Christ’s twofold purpose was: (1) to “unveil” a spiritual diagnosis for seven of the churches in Asia Minor with which John was familiar (chaps. 2–3), and (2) to reveal to John a series of visions setting forth events and factors related to the end times (chaps. 4–22).Theme & Overview
John writes to encourage the faithful to stand firm against persecution and compromise in the light of the imminent return of Christ to deliver the righteous and judge the wicked. Revelation is a book of hope; its central message is that God and good will win over evil, no matter how bad things look now. Its author, the apostle John, encourages his readers to live a committed, holy life in order to participate in God’s victorious kingdom. The "NIV Quest Study Bible" says the book was written to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia (present-day Turkey) to warn them against falling away from their faith in Christ. It also offered assurance of ultimate victory to those who remain on God’s side. Revelation is apocalyptic literature. The Greek word apocalypse means “uncovering,” “unveiling,” or “revelation.” Jewish apocalyptic writing uses figurative language and symbolism to show that evil will be replaced by the goodness and peace of God’s kingdom. As you read look for a combination of warnings and encouragements, challenge, and hope. Watch for descriptions of the future, as God’s kingdom ultimately conquers evil in the last days. Also notice the picture of the ruling Christ, his divine attributes, and his heavenly glory. Revelation conveys the reality of evil using images that can be disconcerting and even terrifying, but that is not the book’s ultimate message. Jesus wants His Church to know that, despite opposition and persecution in the present, His purposes will prevail in the end. God reigns on the throne of the universe, and the slain Lamb, Jesus, has triumphed through His sacrificial death and resurrection (5:6, 9). No matter how much the forces of evil might appear to be victorious, their defeat is a foregone conclusion. John’s visions in Revelation deliver the same message of hope today that they gave to his original audience. Jesus has already prevailed, and He will one day come in power to fully vindicate His people and dwell with them in the renewed heaven and earth. Assured of this truth, believers can have hope. All of God’s people have a part to play in the cosmic battle between light and darkness; we are not to sit on the sidelines and wait for the end of history. Jesus Himself calls us to be conquerors with Him (2:7; 17:14; 21:7). Revelation unveils the unseen spiritual war in which the church is engaged: the cosmic conflict between God and his Christ on the one hand, and Satan and his evil allies (both demonic and human) on the other. In this conflict, Jesus the Lamb has already won the decisive victory through his sacrificial death, but his church continues to be assaulted by the dragon, in its death-throes, through persecution, false teaching, and the allure of material affluence and cultural approval. By revealing the spiritual realities lying behind the church’s trials and temptations during the time between Christ’s first and second comings, and by dramatically affirming the certainty of Christ’s triumph in the new heaven and earth, the visions granted to John both warn the church and fortify it to endure suffering and to stay pure from the defiling enticements of the present world order.Author
The apostle John. The apostle John, mentioned in verse 1. Revelation 1:1 announces both the book’s title (it is a “revelation”) and its divine author (“Jesus Christ”). The book is an “unveiling” of unseen spiritual forces operating behind the scenes in history and controlling its events and outcome. This disclosure is conveyed in a series of symbolic visions that exhibit the influence of OT prophecies, especially those received by Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. The book is also “prophecy” (Rev. 1:3; 22:7), not only as divine prediction of future events but also as divine diagnosis of the present state of affairs. The divine author identified in the opening verse, Jesus the Messiah, has authority from God to describe coming events to his servant John (see also 1:4, 9; 22:8) for communication to the church. Without denying his own role in the composition of the book, John presents himself more as a recipient and recorder of visions than as the author of Revelation’s message. Although John does not call himself an apostle and he numbers himself among the prophets (22:9), early church fathers—notably Justin Martyr (writing c. A.D. 135–150), Melito of Sardis (mid-2nd century), and Irenaeus of Lyons (writing c. 185)—consistently identified him as John the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple who authored the Fourth Gospel and three NT epistles. Because Revelation’s Greek style differs markedly from other Johannine literature and its theological emphases are distinctive, a number of contemporary scholars think it was written by another John, called “John the elder,” someone otherwise unknown (who also wrote 2 and 3 John). These scholars give weight to another early tradition (beginning with Dionysius of Alexandria in the 3rd century) that attributes Revelation to “John the elder.” Nevertheless, both thematic links (e.g., Jesus as Lamb and Word of God [John 1:1, 14, 29; Rev. 5:6; 19:13]) and the earliest church tradition favor the traditional attribution of Revelation to John, the “beloved disciple,” who with Peter and James belonged to Jesus’ inner circle (John 21:20, 24).Recipients
Revelation was written for all believers (Revelation 1:3), but especially for the believers in the seven churches addressed in chapters 2—3. These churches were all located in modern Turkey, consisting largely of Gentile believers, meeting in house churches, who faced much persecution. Each church was given specific information in addition to the overall vision shared to all believers. The recipients of Revelation were the churches in the Roman province of Asia (the western part of modern Turkey). The seven cities mentioned in chs 1–3 were joined by a triangular road system forming something like a mail route. These cities all lie in ruins today except for Smyrna, which is now the bustling modern seaport of Izmir, Turkey. The order of the cities in the seven letters is geographical and follows the route a courier probably took as he carried the book to each church to be read.It is important to realize that we know no more about the second coming than Jesus’ Jewish disciples did about the first. They too thought they were reading the Scriptures rightly.… In interpreting the symbols of the book, we first need the “hermeneutics of humility” to realize we “see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror” (1 Cor 13:8).— (GRANT R. OSBORNE—Revelation, p. 16).
Date
John was on the island of Patmos, off the coast of modern Turkey, during the last part of the first century as punishment for his Christian faith. This book contains the final words of the New Testament, written in approximately AD 95—96. Some argue for an earlier date in the 60s, though John would not have been on Patmos at this time.Background
The title of Revelation comes from the opening verse, which identifies this book as the revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1). The recipient is identified as “John” (1:4). In the early church period, this was often understood to be the Apostle John, who spent the latter part of his life in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). However, some in the early church thought Revelation was not written by John the apostle but by another early church leader with the same name. Regardless, the author appears to be a church leader in Asia Minor who was fluent in the Jewish Scriptures. The initial audience of Revelation is seven churches in Asia (1:4, 11); “Asia” refers to the Roman province of Asia, which was located at the western end of Asia Minor. John writes to them from Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea, where he had been exiled (1:9). He wants to strengthen them in the face of cultural pressure and outright persecution. There are two major options for dating Revelation: during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero (AD 54–68) and during the reign of Domitian (AD 81–96), when there was intense localized persecution by the Roman Empire. Irenaeus, a church father during the second century, connects Revelation with Domitian (Against Heresies 5.30.3), and many modern interpreters hold this view. Revelation is written in an apocalyptic, prophetic style. This kind of writing often featured an angel or otherworldly being who revealed heavenly mysteries to a human recipient. These mysteries are delivered in the form of visions that use graphic imagery to symbolize cosmic realities. The cryptic language may have helped Revelation be easily circulated around the Roman Empire during a time of Christian persecution—the language, couched in Old Testament imagery, would have been difficult to understand for anyone without such knowledge. At the same time, Revelation echoes the concern of Old Testament prophecy for the status of God’s people in the present day. The book uses apocalyptic imagery to anticipate the final realization of God’s reign but ultimately functions as a prophetic message for the people of God in their current situation and trials.(I like this setting from the “NLT Study Bible.”)
Revelation was probably written in the AD 90s, or it could have been written in the AD 60s. During these periods, Christians experienced increasing pressure and persecution. By the 90s, the Jews had condemned Christianity in their councils at Jamnia (AD 70–85). They then reported Christians to Roman authorities as religious deviants who did not deserve protection under the religious licensing laws that allowed Jews to practice their faith. At the same time, Rome demanded absolute loyalty to the emperor. At that point, there may have been no official persecution in the empire as a whole, but in the pro-Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey), those who refused to worship the emperor were persecuted harshly. In the face of such persecution, Revelation dramatically reminded Christians of the source of their hope and vindication and firmly challenged them to remain faithful. The Christians in the province of Asia may have appeared weak and powerless to the world, but Revelation repeatedly reminded them, as it still reminds us, that the God they served is Almighty. God controls history; he has accomplished our salvation and continues to work out his purposes.The Setting of Revelation. The apostle John wrote Revelation during a period of intense persecution against the churches in ASIA, while he himself had been exiled to the island of PATMOS. He sent Revelation to seven churches in Asia.
The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
Revelation portrays the stark nature of evil while emphasizing how God’s sovereign hand is always present and at work to accomplish his purposes on behalf of his people. Even evil can only do what God allows (e.g., 6:3–4, 7–8; 13:5–7). Jesus is “the Alpha and the Omega” (1:8), the Lord over all history from beginning to end. Ultimately the powers of evil are futile. Satan has already lost the war (12:12); he can merely imitate and pervert what God does. Revelation clarifies that what is done on earth has eternal consequences. God’s suffering servants may sometimes wonder whether Jesus is powerful enough to accomplish God’s purpose of salvation (6:9–10). Despite all the evil in the world, however, Revelation assures readers that the crucified and resurrected Lamb of God is truly the powerful Lion of the tribe of Judah (5:5–6). He is fully worthy to receive our praise (5:12), as he is united with the eternal God (5:13–14). Although the ways of the world result in war, violence, economic imbalance, and death (6:1–8), and although some people seem to profit from alignments with evil (13:15–17), they will ultimately reap distress and doom (18:9–24). God’s people may be persecuted and die for their faith (13:7), but they will ultimately triumph with Christ (14:1–3) because they have been marked by the seal of God (7:4) and have been granted the white robe of victory (6:11; 7:9). They will have access to their heavenly dwelling (21:7), will continually praise God and the Lamb (7:10), and will live forever (22:5). Revelation reminds readers that the great victory over the powers of evil has already been won at the cross (5:5–6). Armageddon is not the final defeat of Satan but a desperate act of defiance by a foe who is already defeated. While Satan is allowed to kill the saints (13:7), they have already conquered him through Christ and their own witness (12:11). The message for Christians who suffer at the hands of Satan’s servants is not to weep or be afraid (1:17–18; 5:5) but to endure their suffering faithfully (13:10). With God they will prevail (1:6–7; 11:17–18). People will ultimately be judged by what they do and how they act (20:12), and God will bless those who pay attention to the words of this book (1:3; 22:7). The saints are therefore called to persevere faithfully in order to be victorious (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Revelation calls them to obey God, maintain their witness (12:17; 22:7), endure patiently (13:10; 14:12), and remain vigilant (16:15; 17:14) in the face of persecution, knowing that cowards will face eternal punishment along with evildoers (21:8). Much of the book of Revelation focuses on events at the end of the age (eschatology), more so than any other book in the Bible. But it also focuses on practical choices that believers and unbelievers must make in the course of their lives that have far-reaching consequences at the end.Key Verses (ESV)
Revelation 1:19: "Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this." Revelation 13:16–17: "Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name."Revelation 19:11: "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war."Revelation 20:11: "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them."Revelation 21:1–5: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"Revelation 22:17: "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."Key Passages (NLT)
Re 1:1–5 "This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony…."Re 1:9–11"I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping…."Structure
Revelation opens with an introduction (1:1–20) that includes a vision of the Son of Man, a figure that also appears in the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel (Dan 7:13). This figure, Jesus, then dictates to John seven letters—one for each of the seven churches (Rev 2:1–3:22; compare Mark 2:10; 8:31). The majority of Revelation (Rev 4:1–22:5) consists of a series of visions disclosing unseen realities concerning the future yet with implications for the present time. These visions unfold as three sets of seven—seals, trumpets, and bowls. Each time a seal is broken, a trumpet is sounded, or a bowl is poured out, John witnesses a new scene of apocalyptic imagery. After the seventh bowl unleashes cataclysmic destruction, John has visions depicting the fall of “Babylon,” the defeat of Satan, and the renewal of heaven and earth (17:1–22:5). In the closing scene, Jesus assures John that He is coming soon, a promise that confirms the urgency of John’s message (22:6–21).Outline 1
• Prologue and vision of Christ (1:1–20) • Messages to the seven churches (2:1–3:22) • Vision of heaven and the seven seals (4:1–8:5) • The seven trumpets (8:6–11:19) • The powers of evil attack the Church (12:1–14:20) • The seven bowls (15:1–16:21) • The fall of Babylon (17:1–19:10) • The final victory and the new Jerusalem (19:11–22:5) • Epilogue (22:6–21)Outline 2
The book's twenty-two chapters are built around the three periods noted in Revelation 1:8. The first section focuses on "the things that you [John] have seen" (Revelation 1:19). Following the introduction (Revelation 1:1–8), John experiences a vision of the glorified Jesus (Revelation 1:8–18) who tells him to write down messages to the churches and what will take place in the future (Revelation 1:19–20).The second section addresses the current state of various churches (Revelation 2—3). Each of the seven churches is addressed, some with positive traits, or negative traits, or both, ending with the lukewarm church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14–22.The third section addresses the future (Revelation 4—22). John is taken to a worship experience in heaven (Revelation 4—5). A lengthy section of the book addresses aspects of a future tribulation (Revelation 6—18). Chapter 19 describes the second coming of Jesus to defeat His enemies. After this time, Jesus rules on the earth in a 1,000-year millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1–6). After one final battle against Satan and those with him (Revelation 20:7–10), the great white throne judgment is described (Revelation 20:11–15). The final two chapters (Revelation 21—22) describe the eternal state consisting of God's eternal presence in a new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem.