TITLE: “Revelation” is from the Greek word apokalupsis which means, “a disclosure, an unveiling.” The book of Revelation is an unveiling of the character and program of God.

AUTHOR: The author of Revelation called himself “John” (1:4, 9; 22:8). He was a prophet (22:9) and a leader who was known in the churches of Asia Minor to whom he writes (1:4). Revelation indicates a similarity with the Gospel of John, employing words that are common to both: word, lamb, witness, true, overcome, dwell, fountain of living waters and others. Most Bible students believe that the Holy Spirit used John, Christ�s beloved disciple, to give us three kinds of inspired literature: the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the book of Revelation. Warren Wiersbe has outlined the purposes of each as follows:

Gospel of John

Epistles (1-3 John)

Revelation

Believe (20:31)	Fellowship (1:3)	Preparation (22:20)
Life received	Life revealed	Life rewarded
Salvation	Sanctification	Sovereignty
The Prophet	The Priest	The King

THE PURPOSE: The stated purpose of Revelation is to reveal Jesus Christ (1:1): His person, His power and His plan for the future.

THE THEME: Central to the book is the existence, power, sovereignty, justice, wisdom and goodness of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

DATE AND ORIGIN: The traditional view for the date of Revelation is during the reign of emperor Domitian (A.D. 81-96). The early church fathers affirmed this and most scholars since have agreed. The date has been traditionally set at between A.D. 94-96 (during the final and most severe years of Domitian�s reign). It is likely that John wrote Revelation during his exile on the island of Patmos.

KEY IDEAS: The book opens and closes with similar ideas and phrases, among them are the words of Jesus, “I am coming soon” (1:1-8; 22:12-21). In between, the book deals with vivid descriptions of God�s judgments on sin.

KEY VERSES: Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen” (cf. Revelation 19:11-16). Revelation 1:19: “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.”

KEY WORDS: Two key words are repeated throughout the whole letter. They are “lamb” (29 times) and “throne” (47 times). The duel ideas of sacrificial atonement and God�s sovereignty and judgment dominate the letter. Four numbers also play a significant role throughout Revelation: “seven” (55 times), “four” (29 times), “twelve” (23 times) and “ten” (9 times).

KEY NOTE: There are no formal quotations from the Old Testament, however there are many allusions. Bible students have found between 250-550 Old Testament allusions in the book of Revelation.

NUTSHELL OUTLINE:

1. Introduction (1:1-20)


2. Letters to the seven churches in Asia (2:1-3:22)


3. Visions of the end of this age and the new heaven and earth (4:1-22:5)


4. Conclusion (22:6-21)

IMPORTANCE:

1. Revelation, like all Scripture, is “profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16).


2. Revelation reveals Jesus Christ like no other book (Revelation 1-22).


3. Revelation deals with “things, which must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1).


4. Revelation is the one book that promises a blessing to all who will read it (Revelation 1:3).


5. Revelation contains unique warnings and challenges to the church (Revelation 2:1-3:22).


6. Revelation discloses conditions that will be present in the end-times (Revelation 6:1-19:21).


7. Revelation is NOT to be sealed up (Revelation 22:10)

CHRIST IN REVELATION: Since Revelation is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” it demonstrates His glory, wisdom and power (1:1-20), and portrays His authority over the church (2:1-3:21) and His power and right to judge the world (5:1-19:21). But as the revelation of Christ, it is loaded with descriptive titles. In particular, it describes Jesus Christ (1:1) as:

• The faithful witness (1:5)


• The firstborn from the dead (1:5)


• The ruler over the kings of the earth (1:5)


• The Son of Man (1:13)


• The first and the last (1:17)


• The living One (1:18)


• The Son of God (2:18)


• He who is holy, who is true (3:7)


• The Amen (3:14)


• The Beginning of the creation of God (3:14)


• The Lion that is from the tribe of Judah (5:5)


• The Root of David (5:5)


• A Lamb (5:6)


• The Word of God (19:13)


• King of Kings and Lord of Lords (19:16)


• The Alpha and the Omega (22:13)


• The beginning and the end (22:13)


• The bright morning Star (22:16)


• The Lord Jesus (22:21).

All Scripture quotations, unless indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, and are used by permission.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
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