Survey of The Book of Revelation 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. METHODS OF INTERPRETATIONS: Hundreds of volumes have been written upon this book, not one of which has been generally satisfactory. This is due to the widely diversified opinions concerning its and. There have been principal schools of thought which have dealt with the subject matter. The, who believe that the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled. The, who hold that the book contains a forecast of universal history. The, who stress the spiritual elements of the book and do not attempt to dogmatize upon the meaning of the details of the more mysterious visions. They believe that there are three classes of passages in the. Those that are in their spiritual teaching; those that are and yet contain an element of truth which is instructive; and finally there are some of the that are so that it is futile from our present standpoint of knowledge to give any positive interpretation of them. It is probable that some of the prophecies contain two elements, the and the. The former referring especially to the events during time, or in the immediate future; the latter, dealing with events of ages. PARTICULAR FEATURES: 1. The Apocalypse is the only book in the Bible that contains a special to obedient readers, Revelation 1:3, and at the same time pronounces a upon those who tamper with its contents, Revelation 22:18-19. 2. The number is the ruling number of the book: Seven, churches,, trumpets,, vials,, stars. Seven ". 1
3. The closing chapters of Revelation contain a striking contrast to the opening chapters of Genesis. Genesis speaks of the creation of the sun, the of sin into the world, the curse, Satan's, the exclusion from the "tree of life. Revelation tells of a place where there will be no need of the sun, sin, no more curse, Satan, admission to the "tree of life. SETTING: 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 John to the island of Patmos (off the coast of Asia). John, who had been an eyewitness of the Christ, had a vision of the glorified Christ. God also revealed to John what would take place in the future and the ultimate triumph of God over evil. AUTHOR: The Apostle. DATE WRITTEN: Uncertain; according to traditional opinion, about. The PLACE was probably the Island of off the western coast of Asia Minor, where John was banished "because of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 1:2 PURPOSE: To give to Christians, especially those who, by revealing Jesus Christ as the ultimate victorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The book manifests its own AUTHORITY in declaring itself to be the revelation of Revelation 1:1. TO WHOM WRITTEN: The churches in Asia and believers everywhere. MAIN THEME: Although this book has often been neglected because of its character, yet there are many viewpoints from which it may be studied without any attempt at dogmatic or arbitrary interpretation. 2
If the book is written in code, we make no claim of having discovered a key that will all its mysteries. We simply suggest the following as a profitable subject to study and a suggested theme of the book: the and conflict of the ages. KEY WORDS: of Jesus Christ, Revelation 1:1. KEY VERSES: Revelation 1:3; 1:19; 19:11-16. Special Features: Revelation is written in " " 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, rather than strictly, patterns. SYNOPSIS: The book may be divided into a series of visions, some of which are partly or wholly others are comparatively in their teachings. Two EPOCHAL EVENTS should especially be kept in mind in studying the visions. The birth of the, regarded by many as the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Revelation 12. The sounding of the seventh Revelation 11:15, which heralded His victory. It is not always possible to tell just where one ends and another begins. But for convenience they may be studied under various numbers, according to the viewpoint of the student. Chapter 1 Introduction and promise to readers, Revelation 1:1-3. Salutation of John and of the Christ, Revelation 1:4-8. I First Vision. 1. Of the glorified Christ, Revelation 1:9-16. 2. His command to to the seven churches, Revelation 1:19. 3. The to the churches, chapters 2-3. 3
Chapter 2 a. To, the backslidden church, persistent in service, strong in discipline, but with love growing cold, Revelation 2:1-7. b. To, the poor but truly rich church, acing a period of persecution, Revelation 2:8-11. c. To, the church of evil surroundings, steadfast, but infected with heresy, Revelation 2:12-17. d. To, the church of good works but harboring a false prophetess, Revelation 2:18-29. Chapter 3 e. To, the dying church, Revelation 3:1-6. f. To, the weak but faithful church, Revelation 3:7-13. g. To, the lukewarm, self-satisfied church, boasting of her wealth while poor and miserable and blind, Revelation 3:14-22. II Second Vision: Partly Veiled. Chapter 4 1. The vision of upon His throne, the creator of the universe, receiving the worship of the living creatures and the four and twenty elders, Revelation 4:1-11. Chapter 5 2. The opening of the by the Lamb, the singing of the New Song, and the universal worship of the Lamb. Christ in His redemptive office can unlock the deepest divine mysteries. Chapter 6 3. The opening of the, (veiled), Revelation 6:1-17. There have been many widely different interpretations; it is not worthwhile to add another. One clear lesson, Revelation 6:9-11, the saints tested by divine delays. III Third vision: Partly Veiled. Chapter 7 Suggested thought, God's protection of His people, Revelation 7:1-8. NOTES: 4
SYNOPSIS: cont. V. Fifth Vision: Partly Veiled. Chapter 8: 1. Momentous event, the opening of the seal, causing in heaven. Revelation 8:1. 2. Possible explanation: that all the harps and the voices of the angels were stilled by the fact that during the period of the seventh seal Christ was to for His mission. 3. This is not purely imaginary. The fullness of time was evidently approaching-"there shall be delay no longer," (Revelation 10:6). If this conjecture is correct, here in Revelation 8:1 we are at the very of the divine plan of, and we shall see the events focusing toward the birth of the man child in the twelfth chapter. 4. In Revelation 8:3-4 the thought appears to be that the prayers of the saints are ascending to God for the coming of the messianic kingdom. Chapter 9 5. Then follows a veiled portion of the vision, the sounding of the six trumpets in chapters 8 and 9, apparently announcing impending judgments. VI. Sixth Vision: Partly Veiled Chapters 10-11 1. We can say no more than that the events seem to be moving forward toward the great. This is indicated by the announcement of the mighty angel (Revelation 10:5-7), that there shall be delay no longer, but that the good tidings spoken of by the prophets are about to be fulfilled. 2. Among so many different opinions it is hazardous to suggest any interpretation of the " " in Revelation 10 and the "two witnesses" in Revelation 11. Possibly as these immediately precede the vision of the birth of the male child in Revelation 12, they may refer to the prior to the coming of Christ. 5
3. I suggest that Revelation 12-20 contain visions connected with the great Messianic conflict. VII. Seventh Vision. Chapters 12-13 1. The great epochal event, the birth of the, Christ, and the simultaneous manifestation of the powers arrayed to Him. 2. The justification for this viewpoint is that during Christ's earthly life the powers of were in frenzied activity. Note the attempt of Herod to the child, the numerous cases of demoniacal possession, and the malignant persecution which resulted in Christ's crucifixion. 3. I am not seeking to give any detailed interpretation of the mysteries but to call attention to the weapons by which the victory was to be won. VIII. Eighth Vision: Partly Veiled. Chapter 14 1. Without strained interpretation it is possible to regard this chapter as a prophetical summary of the coming conflict between the Lamb and His enemies, Revelation 14:1-13. 2. If this view point is accepted, in the first five verses the one hundred and forty-four thousand would represent the ancient worthies of the old dispensation. 3. The opening up of the world-wide campaign, Revelation 14:6-7. The preliminary announcement of the final victory Revelation 14:8-11. The blessedness of the holy dead, Revelation 14:12-13. IX. Ninth Vision: Partly Veiled. The harvest and vintage of, Revelation 14:16-20. 6
X Tenth Vision: Partly Veiled. Chapter 15 1. The early and their song, Revelation 15:1-4. 2. The Seven Angels and the golden, Revelation 15:5-8. Chapter 16 The outpouring of the seven bowls of, Revelation 16:1-21. XI. Eleventh Vision: Veiled. Chapters 17-18 The doom of, the harlot city, and the enemies of the Lamb whom He shall overcome. 7