Revelation Chapter 1:1-3 (Lesson One)



Lesson One

Revelation Chapter 1:1-3

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ”

Introduction: Revelation is defined by Webster, “The act of revealing or disclosing; discloser.

I. Many religions had revelations; Greek Mystics would eat a particular leaf that would put them in a trance -revelation:

A. They would have scribes write down what they saw and heard.

• A revelation was not something only John received (Revelation is not always from God).

• Muhammad had a dream/revelation but Satan was behind it -that’s where the Koran comes from plus the 1st five books, Ps. & Prov.

• There were also mystics that had revelation through music, dance, and hypnosis.

• So, the idea of a revelation was not a new thing —the difference is where John’s Revelation came from.

• Read Rev. 1:1 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to His bond servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angels to His bond servant John.”

| How did the Revelation Come? |

| It came from God the Father | To Jesus Christ |

| Jesus gave it to the angel | The angel gave it to John |

| John sent to the 7 churches & all churches to for ONE purpose! |

|The 2nd Coming of The King of Kings & Lord of Lords!! |

II. In the Old & New Testament God spoke through angels:

• In Matthew chapter one, the angel Gabriel spoke to Joseph regarding the birth of Jesus. (Also, Daniel by the river).

• Gabriel, also spoke to Mary in Luke One about the birth of Jesus.

III. God uses symbols to explain/communicate a message:

• When Moses walked up on the burning bush it was no ordinary bush, it was a bush with a message from God.

• When God gave us rainbows in the sky it was not for show, but a promise that God would never destroy the world by a flood again.

• Turn to the book of Daniel, chapter seven and you will find symbols.

• Often and most of the time, if not all the time wherever you find a symbol if you will keep reading you will find what the symbol means.

• Look at verses 4 & 5. If you continue to read, you’ll find the answer in verses 17 & 23.

A. Now Turn back to Revelation chapter one:

• Read Revelation 1:11-16.

• Pay attention to the seven lamp stands.

• The description of Jesus.

• The seven stars.

• Now how are we to know what these symbols mean?

• Go down to Rev. 1:20 for the explanation.

B. We see in the first chapter of Revelation; symbols are an important part of how to explain the truths in the Revelation:

• John is writing with a language (Greek) to describe things he has never seen before (future), & had no words to describe the events.

• Also, John is writing the book of Revelation to the people of the 1st century, but also the entire church age.

C. Turn to Matthew chapter 24 this is one of the most important chapters in the Bible concerning prophecy:

• The disciples ask Jesus what is going to happen and when…? (Read).

• Take a minute to think about how war was fought back in John’s day.

The History of Warfare

| | |

|John’s Day |The Vision of the future (Today) |

|With Short and Long Swords |Machine Guns |

|Long Bow & Arrow (fire) |F16/War Ships/tanks/subs |

|Shields | Rocket Launchers/Drones |

• John used signs and symbols to explain the vision God gave him.

• How could John describe the vision without symbols? No words to describe what he saw.

D. There is another reason John uses signs and symbols in the book of Revelation.

• John is banished, and Christians are under intense persecution.

• He had to write the Revelation to the seven churches of Asia Minor in signs & symbols, because of the persecution.

• Writing in signs and symbols made it impossible for the Roman Government to understand what John was writing.

• Therefore, the book/letter arrived to all seven churches as was Gods eternal Plan.

E. With the signs and symbols, God also gave us an outline for the book of Revelation. In fact, Revelation 1:19 makes the book crystal clear.

• John is instructed, “Therefore write the things you have seen; which are; things to take place… (1:19)

The Outline of Revelation from God

|Chapters |Content |Structure |

|1 |Things seen |The Outline |

|2 & 3 |Letters to Churches |7 Churches |

|4 – 7 |Future Events |7 Seals |

|8 – 11 |Future Events |7 Trumpets |

|12 – 14 |Future Events |7 Persons |

|15 & 16 |Future Events |7 Bowls |

|17 – 20 |Future Events |7 Dooms |

|20 – 22 |Future Events |7 New Things |

Closing: There are seven series of sevens that equal 49 (Year of Jubilee). This is no accident- The Bible is amazingly composed. It is the power of the Gospel. Very well Structured!!

• Church, in closing its critical to understand that when the Lord comes back, it will be like a thief in the night…

• The book of Revelation needs to be read & prepare us for the 2nd coming.

• And, know this -When Jesus does come back people will not have time to be saved, it will be too late.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download